ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Axel Springer SE acquire shares in the American Virtual Reality Specialist Jaunt VR
Munich / Berlin, September 21 - 2015:
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE and Axel Springer SE have each acquired a
minority shareholding in Jaunt, an American start-up that
specialises in the creation and distribution of virtual reality
content. Working with media companies, advertisers and artists, and
using in-house developed camera and software technology, Jaunt
produces high-quality virtual reality content and releases this via
the Jaunt distribution platform. To date, videos are primarily
receivable through the Jaunt Smartphone app using Cardboards - a
cover which transforms every Smartphone into a 3D Virtual Reality
viewer - in future they will however also be available directly on
Virtual Reality headset displays such as the "Oculus Rift".
Following the joint Media-for-Equity shareholding in the DEAG
subsidiary MyTicket and the co-investment in Klaus Hommels'
LAKESTAR II Internet fund, the participation in Jaunt is a third
measure in the joint initiative by ProSiebenSat.1 und Axel Springer
to promote digital growth companies.
Alongside ProSiebenSat.1 and Axel Springer, The Walt Disney
Com-pany, Evolution Media Partners and China Media Capital
are also taking part in the current investment round in Jaunt.
Other investors include Google Ventures, Highland Capital, Redpoint
Ventures and Sky, as well as prominent angel investors such as
Jared Leto.
Dr. Hanno Fichtner, Chief Digital Strategy Officer of
ProSiebenSat.1 in San Francisco: "The investment in Jaunt is an
investment in the future of entertainment for ProSiebenSat.1.
Virtual reality will trigger an entertainment revolution similar to
what our core media of TV did. Jaunt is perfectly positioned in
this market and has raised the quality of virtual reality
experiences to the next level."
Anton Waitz, Managing Director of Axel Springer Digital Ventures
Inc.: "Jaunt is an exciting new component in the portfolio of our
early-stage investments. We are investing in a market, which can
change media use over the next few years: Virtual Reality will
provide creative pioneers in the entertainment and news industry
with completely new ways of pleasing their audiences.
Jens Christensen, CEO and Founder of Jaunt: "We are excited to
have Axel Springer and ProSiebenSat.1, two leading and
innovative media companies, as a part of this strategic
investor round. As we continue to build upon our leadership
position, delivering amazing virtuality reality experiences to
audiences worldwide, we are pleased to have these
strong European partners on our side."
About ProSiebenSat.1 SE
ProSiebenSat.1 Group is one of the largest independent media
corporations in Europe. The Company is the market leader in its
core business of advertising-financed free TV, and is successfully
adding digital entertainment offerings to its value chain. In
recent years, the ProSiebenSat.1 has also built up an attractive
e-commerce and ventures portfolio that is now one of its most
important growth drivers. In addition, the Group has a presence in
seven countries with an international program production and sales
network. Thus, ProSiebenSat.1 has a broad and solid revenue and
profit base.
About Axel Springer SE
Axel Springer is the leading digital publisher in Europe. With
headquarters in Berlin, the company is active in more than 40
countries with subsidiaries, joint ventures and licenses. Axel
Springer SE is divided into three operating segments: Paid Models,
Marketing Models and Classified Ad Models. In 2014, it achieved an
EBITDA of EUR 507.1 million. More than half of Group revenues were
generated by digital activities, which amounted to more than 70
percent of Group EBITDA.
Contact:
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE:
Marcus Prosch
Ph. +49 [89] 95 07-8920
E-Mail: Marcus.Prosch@prosiebensat1.com
Axel Springer SE:
Sandra Petersen
Ph. +49 [30] 2591 77613
E-Mail: sandra.petersen@axelspringer.de