Corporate News

DEAG strengthens Classics & Jazz segment by acquiring “Classic Open Air” at Gendarmenmarkt

Berlin, 12 September 2022 – DEAG Deutsche Entertainment Aktiengesellschaft (“DEAG”) is successfully continuing its expansion course and acquiring 85% of the shares in the classical music festival “Classic Open Air” at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin via its wholly owned subsidiary DEAG Classics AG. Classic Open Air has been taking place since 1992 and, under the direction of Gerhard Kämpfe und Mario Hempel, has become one of the most renowned classical music and crossover events in Germany, attracting around 25,000 to 30,000 visitors each year to the Gendarmenmarkt in the heart of Berlin. The festival series also sets standards visually, when light shows, fireworks and lasers create unforgettable images in harmony with the music. The many highlights of the past 30 years include festival evenings with Till Brönner, Sarah Connor, Katie Melua, José Carreras, Al Jarreau, the Scorpions, Earth Wind & Fire, Montserrat Caballé, Udo Jürgens, Chris de Burgh, Roger Cicero and Joja Wendt.

By acquiring Classic Open Air, DEAG Classics AG is successfully expanding its activities and strong market position in the Classics & Jazz segment. DEAG expects to achieve synergy effects in the concert business and in the acquisition of artists, among other areas. Furthermore, the acquisition will increase the volume of DEAG’s ticketing business. Mario Hempel, Managing Director of MEDIA ON-LINE Management GmbH & Co. Classic Open Air KG (“MEDIA ON-LINE”), the organizer of Classic Open Air, will remain a shareholder and continue to provide substantial long-term support and advice to the company together with DEAG Classics AG. 

Prof. Peter L.H. Schwenkow, CEO of DEAG and Jacqueline Zich, Divisional Board Member of DEAG Classics AG: “We are adding an attractive festival series to our event portfolio, which has already hosted many top national and international stars in recent years. We are delighted to be able to contribute to the further development of Classic Open Air with our live expertise and outstanding network.”

Mario Hempel, Managing Director of MEDIA ON-LINE: “I am very pleased to have found the right partner in Peter Schwenkow and DEAG Classics AG for the further development of Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. DEAG has the potential to make this unique event even more international at one of the world’s most beautiful venues and I am very much looking forward to being able to accompany this.”

About DEAG

DEAG Deutsche Entertainment Aktiengesellschaft (DEAG) is a leading entertainment service company and provider of live entertainment in Europe. DEAG has been present with its Group companies at 15 locations in its core markets of Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Ireland and Denmark. As a live entertainment service provider with an integrated business model, DEAG has extensive expertise in the planning, organisation, marketing and promoting of events.

Founded in Berlin in 1978, DEAG’s core businesses today include Rock/Pop, Classics & Jazz, Family Entertainment, Arts+Exhibitions and Ticketing. Family Entertainment and Arts+Exhibitions are the elementary building blocks for the further development of DEAG’s own content.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, more than 5 million tickets were sold annually for over 4,000 events – a constantly growing share of which were sold via the Group’s own e-commerce platforms "myticket" and "gigantic.com" for its own and third-party content.

Through its strong partner network, DEAG is excellently positioned in the market.

Investor & Public Relations

Axel Mühlhaus, edicto GmbH
Eschersheimer Landstraße 42
60322 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: 0049 69 905505-52
email: deag@edicto.de