Thomas Hesse

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA engages in the provision of services related to media and education. It operates through the following segments: RTL Group, Penguin Random House, Gruner + Jahr, BMG, Arvato, Bertelsmann Printing Group, Bertelsmann Education Group, and Bertelsmann Investments. The RTL Group segment specializes in radio and television production. The Penguin Random House segment publishes books. The Gruner + Jahr segment focuses on magazines. The BMG segment engages in music production. The Arvato segment offers technology services. The Bertelsmann Printing Group segment unites the printing activities of the Bertelsmann Group. The Bertelsmann Education Group segment encompasses the overall education business. The Bertelsmann Investments segment comprises start-up and fund investments. The company was founded by Carl Bertelsmann in 1835 and is headquartered in Guetersloh, Germany.

arvato AG provides media and communication services. It offers after sales solutions which include repair and refurbishment services and ReCommerce lifecycle management services; corporate information management services, such as after sales information management, marketing procurement management, physical, and digital manuals. The company was founded in 1835 and is headquartered in Gütersloh, Germany.

BMG Rights Management GmbH engages in music publishing, management of music copyrights, and music distribution. It offers music publishing and recording, content creation, commissioning new video programming, audiovisual rights management, synch marketing and licensing, as well as licensing of music rights. The company was founded on October 1, 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Penguin Random House Ltd. publishes and distributes books. It offers fiction, non fiction, and children's books. The company was founded on September 5, 1962 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Auctionata Paddle8 AG provides auction services. It operates an online platform that is used for selling and buying of antiques, fine art, vintage luxury goods and collectibles. It also offers valuation, authentication, curation, auction and all related services. The company was founded by Alexander Zacke, Georg Untersalmberger and Sussance Zacke in February 2012 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Bot1 Corp. develops and provides a software application which allows users to stay connected with their favorite bands. The company was founded by Jürgen G. Kurz, Andre Rabold, Thomas Hesse and Konstantin Elchev in June 2015 and is headquartered in Glendale, CA.

Part of Driift Live Ltd., Dreamstage, Inc. is a live streaming technology and sales platform based in Dover, DE. Dreamstage has delivered over 70 live shows since its launch, including performances by Polo G, Chief Keef, Yo-Yo Ma, Train, Sean Paul, Mastodon, and in partnership with Driift, Dita Von Tese, Little Mix, and Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorkes new band, The Smile. Dreamstage's rich capabilities allow artists to engage their fanbase in highly interactive live streaming events and monetize these via ticket sales, brand sponsorship, merchandising, VIP experiences, and charity donations. The company was founded in 2020 by Jan Vogler, Thomas Hesse, Scott Chasin. Dreamstage was acquired by Driift Live Ltd. on September 30, 2022.