About Group

JANUARY
 The results of digital subscriptions for the 4th quarter of 2023 were published. The number of digital subscriptions in the Baltic States was 41% higher than a year earlier (4th quarter: 15%) and totalled 207 328 at the end of December 2023.
 Delfi Meedia announced that from April 2024, Eesti Päevaleht will be published in a new format: daily as a digital edition within Delfi portal and on Fridays, as a week-end print edition LP which publishes longer and more comprehensive articles. The trademark of Eesti Päevaleht will remain as part of Estonian journalism. This change is due to a change in the habits and preferences of readers, which has led to a decrease in the number of subscribers of printed publications and an increase in the popularity and reliability of digital media.


FEBRUARY
 Delfi Meedia organised for the third time the Eesti Päevaleht Energy Conference with the subtitle "Everything depends on the direction of the wind", in addition, the conference was broadcast online. The event received very good feedback from the participants.

 Consolidated unaudited interim report for the 4th quarter and 12 months of 2023 was
published. Driven by digital revenue growth, the revenue increased by 14% in 2023, and the Group earned a profit of EUR 3.7 million. The share of digital revenues was 82%.

MARCH
 There were changes in the Supervisory Boards of significant subsidiaries of AS Ekspress Grupp at the beginning of March 2024. Argo Rannamets, a member of the Management Board of Ekspress Grupp, became a new member of AS Delfi Meedia Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board of Delfi Meedia will continue in a composition of four members: Hans Luik (the Chairman), Mari-Liis Rüütsalu, Karl Anton and Argo Rannamets. Argo Rannamets also became a new member of the Supervisory Board of the Latvian subsidiary A/S Delfi and the Lithuanian subsidiary UAB Delfi. Hans Luik left the Supervisory Board of A/S Delfi, and the Supervisory Board will operate in the following composition: Mari-Liis Rüütsalu (the Chairman), Karl Anton and Argo Rannamets. The Supervisory Board of UAB Delfi will operate in a composition of four members: Mari-Liis Rüütsalu (the Chairman), Hans Luik, Karl Anton and Argo Rannamets.

APRIL
 The results of digital subscriptions for the 1st quarter of 2024 were published. The number of digital subscriptions in the Baltic States was 31% higher than a year earlier (Q1: 2%) and totalled 210 999 at the end of March.
 Consolidated unaudited interim report for the 1st quarter of 2024 was published. The revenue reached EUR 16.2 million, decreasing by 3% year-on-year. The Group earned a net loss of -1.2 million euros (-67%) due to seasonality and the weak economic environment. The share of digital revenues was 84%.

MAY
 The supervisory board of AS Ekspress Grupp has in accordance with clause 5.9 of the articles of association and the resolutions of the general meeting of shareholders from 04.03.2024 decided to increase the share capital of the company by 97 500.60 euros from EUR 18 478 104.60 to EUR 18 575 605.20, by issuing 162 501 new common shares with the nominal value of EUR 0.60 per share in connection with realisation of the employees' share option program.
 On 3 May 2024, the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of AS Ekspress Grupp was held, where the 2023 annual report and the proposal for distribution of profits were approved. According to the proposal AS Ekspress Grupp distributed dividend of 6 euro cents per share on 22nd May 2024.
 According to the decision of the Lithuanian Competition Council of December 22, 2023, AS Ekspress Grupp submitted a merger control notification to the Lithuanian Competition Council in connection with the acquisition of UAB Lrytas. The Lithuanian Competition Council started the merger control procedure on May 15, 2024.
 A unique and very strong Ukrainian investment conference was held, where we collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Climate.

 Kroonika magazine hosted spectacular Entertainment Awards, which was broadcast live by TV3. Kroonika magazine awards have a very important place among the stars.


JUNE
 Delfi Meedia AS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp, and AS Õhtuleht Kirjastus, its joint venture with a 50% ownership interest, together with AS Postimees Grupp and AS Äripäev, signed the agreement to establish the Baltic Press Publishers’ Collective Management Organisation, a collective management organisation of news media publishers. The association will promote the interests of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian press publishers, and exercise their economic copyrights and related rights.
 Delfi Meedia AS entered into the contract for the acquisition of business operations of OÜ Eesti Koolitus- ja Konverentsikeskus from 1 July 2024. The acquisition aims to facilitate Delfi Meedia's expansion into Estonia’s training and conference business market. Ekspress Grupp identifies significant growth potential and opportunities for synergy with the Group’s existing operations.


JULY
 The results of digital subscriptions for the 2nd quarter of 2024 were published. The number of digital subscriptions in the Baltic States was 27% higher than a year earlier (Q2: 5%; 6 months 7%) and totalled 222 558 at the end of June.

 Consolidated unaudited interim report for the 2nd quarter and 6 months of 2024 was published. The revenue increased to 19.6 million euros (+6% vs. Q2 2023) and net profit to 1 million euros (+67%). The share of digital revenues reached as much as 90%.


AUGUST
 CEO of Latvian Delfi Konstantins Kuzikovs will step down from his position on August 23, 2024. Until a new chairman is elected, board member Maira Meija will assume his duties.

SEPTEMBER
 The international basketball tournament Epicbet Cup was held, which also received positive attention outside Estonia.


OCTOBER
 The results of digital subscriptions for the 3rd quarter of 2024 were published. The number of digital subscriptions in the Baltic States was 24% higher than a year earlier (Q3: 0%; 9 months 7%) and totalled 222 611 at the end of September.
 AS Ekspress Grupp announces, that Argo Rannamets, the financial director and a member of the Management Board of AS Ekspress Grupp, will leave the company at his own request on January 29, 2025. Until the new board member is elected, the Group’s Management Board will continue with two members: Mari-Liis Rüütsalu (Chairman of the Board) and Karl Anton. Starting from January 30, 2025, Lili Kirikal will become as a new member of the Management Board and the Chief Financial Officer.
 Consolidated unaudited interim report for the 3rd quarter and 9 months of 2024 was published. The revenue increased to 16.8 million euros (+2 percent vs. Q3 2023), but net profit fell to 0.3 million euros (-68%). The share of digital revenues was 89%.

NOVEMBER
 AS Ekspress Grupp announces, that Argo Virkebau, the Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of AS Delfi Meedia – the subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp –, will leave the company at his own request on December 31, 2024. Argo Virkebau has been working as CEO and the Chairman of the Management Board at Delfi Meedia since 2018.

 The Supervisory Board of AS Delfi Meedia has elected Erik Heinsaar, the long-time CEO of AS Õhtuleht Kirjastus, as a new member of the Management Board until December 31, 2027. Therefore, starting from January 1, 2025, the Management Board of AS Delfi Meedia will be as follows: Erik Heinsaar (Chairman of the Board), Piret Põldoja, Sander Maasik, Tarvo Ulejev, Erle Laak-Sepp and Urmo Soonvald.
 The Supervisory Board of A/S Delfi, the subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp in Latvia, has elected Jānis Grīviņš as a new Chairman of the Management Board. Jānis Grīviņš will assume the duties of CEO. Therefore, starting from January 2, 2025, the Management Board of A/S Delfi will be as follows: Jānis Grīviņš (Chairman of the Board), Maira Meija and Filips Lastovskis.
 There was a witty and up-to-date play "In firm hands. Mass of the Reform Party", offering a bold and critical look at the Estonian political landscape.


DECEMBER
 UAB Delfi, 100% subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp, entered into the contract for the acquisition of 100% of shares in the company UAB Kenton Baltic from Dainius Baltrusaitis and Arturas Laucius. UAB Kenton Baltic carries out activities related to organisation of conferences in Lithuania and Latvia. It’s flagship, the business conference named EBIT brings together industry leaders and experts to share insights, discuss trends, gathering more than 2000 yearly attendees per both countries. Another popular conference named HR Week is dedicated to human resources management and leadership with 2300 yearly visitors. The acquisition of UAB Kenton Baltic is an organic step in Ekspress Grupp’s strategy with the main goal of growing the conference business line. The investment aims to establish UAB Delfi as a very important provider of industry-specific conferences, boosting Delfi brand, fostering business relationships, and creating new revenue streams. This initiative will increase UAB Delfi conference-related revenue and strengthen industry presence, supporting strategic goal of expanding market visibility and creating new business opportunities.

 The Supervisory Board of AS Delfi Meedia, the subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp, decided to extend the powers of the Management Board member Urmo Soonvald until January 31, 2028. The Management Board of Delfi Meedia continues in former composition until December 31, 2024: Argo Virkebau (Chairman of the Board), Erle Laak-Sepp, Tarvo Ulejev, Urmo Soonvald, Piret Põldoja and Sander Maasik. From January 1, 2025, the Chairman of the Management Board is Erik Heinsaar.

The results of digital subscriptions for the 4th quarter of 2022 were published in January. The number of digital subscriptions in the Baltic States was 12% higher than a year earlier and totalled 146 608 at the end of December 2022.

The Supervisory Board of AS Express Post, 50% of which is owned by AS Ekspress Grupp, decided to liquidate the home delivery service business of Express Post by the end of 2023.

The highlight in March was the coverage of general elections. Delfi election studio, produced by Delfi Meedia’s Delfi TV and with the highest journalistic and technical quality in its history, attracted approximately 100 000 viewers. The election debate of Kaja Kallas and Martin Helme triggered a lively debate in the society.

Sales revenue of AS Ekspress Grupp in the 1st quarter of 2023 increased by 25% to EUR 16.8 million and EBITDA increased by 87% to EUR 1.2 million. As expected, due to the seasonality, the Group’s net operating loss in the 1st quarter of 2023 totalled EUR 0.4 million which is 20% lower than a year earlier. Digital revenue made up 80% of the Group’s total revenue at the end of March.

According to the results of digital subscriptions for the 3rd quarter of 2023, the number of digital subscriptions of AS Ekspress Grupp in all Baltic States increased by 30% as compared to a year earlier (Q3: 2%, nine months: 23%) and at the end of September totalled 179 753.

AS Õhtuleht Kirjastus, 50% of which is owned by AS Ekspress Grupp, entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of AS Express Post, half-owned by Estonia’s two largest media enterprises AS Ekspress Grupp and AS Postimees Grupp. The transaction will be completed by 30 April 2024 at the latest after the terms and conditions required for the completion of the transaction are fulfilled.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, digital subscriptions in the Baltic countries were 62 percent higher than a year earlier and totalled 130,731 at the end of December 2021.

 Shareholders of AS Ekspress Grupp approved a share option program, according to which the underlying assets of the options issued by Geenius Meedia in 2020 will be replaced and holders of options will become entitled to acquire up to 371,000 shares of Ekspress Grupp.

 Ekspress Grupp acquired Lithuanian news agency ELTA. The main goal of this deal is to strengthen and modernize a news agency with a hundred-year experience so that it becomes a modern, competitive, and objective source of journalism for the Lithuanian media and foreign channels.

 AS Ekspress Meedia, subsidiary of AS Ekspress Grupp, started operating under the business name of Delfi Meedia AS. Delfi has become the most recognised media brand in the Baltic states and since the recognition of Delfi is very high among media consumers, it was decided to adapt the name of the strongest digital brand.

 AS Ekspress Grupp acquires UAB Lrytas, manager of Lithuanian media portal lrytas.lt. The news portal has an average of over 420,000 readers a day and the portal’s advertising revenues total approximately EUR 3 million a year. UAB Lrytas has over 50 employees.

Latvian company SIA D Screens purchased an outdoor screen network with five screens in Riga from DIMAXI. This transaction increased the screen network of D Screens to 14 screens. The Group continues to actively invest in its outdoor media network both in Latvia and in Estonia.

Delfi Estonia launched a portal with new re-engineered and re-designed visual layout. In addition, also the technological platform and internal tools of the editorial office were upgraded.

SIA D Screens won the second auction of lease rights for the real estate owned by Riga's municipality. The lease consists of 91 advertising spaces owned by Riga’s municipality and allows the company to increase its network to more than 100 screens.

The Group launched Piletitasku – a new ticket sales platform in Estonia that was well received by event organisers and ticket buyers.

In accordance with the resolution of the extraordinary general meeting of AS Ekspress Grupp as of 13 July 2021, AS Ekspress Grupp and OÜ Trükitung signed on 3 September 2021 a sales agreement by which Ekspress Grupp sells all its shares of Printall to Trükitung OÜ.

AS Ekspress Grupp acquired the media company Geenius Meedia OÜ to grow the digital media business and expand into a niche that the group publications do not yet regularly cover. After the transaction, Geenius Meedia OÜ will continue to operate as a separate media company and its main founders Hendrik Roonemaa and Siim Saidla will remain actively involved in the company’s management and daily operations.

The Supervisory Board of AS Ekspress Grupp decided to merge UAB Login Conferences with UAB Delfi in Lithuania and dissolve the company UAB Sport Media. SIA Delfi Entertainment was dissolved in Latvia.

Ekspress Meedia consolidated all events that have taken or will take place into the portal Delfi Elamus.

Delfi Lithuania was the first portal to introduce a new visual identity that Delfi will also adopt in Estonia and Latvia.

Delfi Lithuania reached a new record of paid digital subscriptions related to the new Delfi Plius service.

Delfi Latvia launched a sports vertical www.mvp.lv with new subscription options.

In March, through its Lithuanian subsidiary Ekspress Grupp acquires UAB Login Conferences that is the organiser of the largest local technology and innovation conference “Login” in order to enter the conference organisation market.

Ekspress Grupp acquires a 100% ownership interest in Linna Ekraanid OÜ that is engaged in digital out-of-home advertising sales in order to create prerequisites for the Group to launch a new business line and thereby grow its portfolio of operating areas.

In June, Ekspress Grupp acquires the Latvian ticket sales platform SIA Biļešu Paradīze in order to expand into new business sectors and increase the share of the Group’s digital revenue.

In October, Ekspress Grupp issues 5000 bonds via a private placement for the pension funds managed by LHV Varahaldus, each with the nominal value of 1000 euros and interest rate of 6 per cent per year.

Delfi Latvia acquires a 25.5% ownership interest in SIA Altero that manages the comparison and brokerage portals for financial products both in Latvia and Lithuania.

Ekspress Grupp expands with digital out-of-home screens to Tartu, acquiring the digital out-of-home advertising company LedScreen OÜ.

One part of the largest magazine publisher AS Ajakirjade Kirjastus is merged with the Group’s subsidiary Ekspress Meedia and the other one with the joint venture SL Õhtuleht. Ekspress Meedia starts to publish the publisher’s former monthly magazines (Eesti Naine, Anne ja Stiil, Pere ja Kodu, Oma Maitse, Tervis Pluss and Jana) and the weekly magazine Kroonika. Ajakirjade Kirjastus together with the remaining magazines is combined with AS SL Õhtuleht and following the merger, the companies continue their operations under the name of AS Õhtuleht Kirjastus.

The marketing and sales activities of the Group’s real estate portal Kinnisvara24.ee are launched in full.

Delfi Latvia acquires ACM LV that provides digital out-of-home advertising solutions in Latvia.

Ekspress Grupp acquires a 100% ownership interest in UAB Adnet Media that is the largest Baltic online advertising company managing an advertising network.

Ekspress Grupp establishes Kinnisvarakeskkond OÜ, an associate developing and managing a real estate portal.

Ekspress Grupp merges its subsidiary OÜ Hea Lugu and the book publishing unit of the joint venture AS Ajakirjade Kirjastus. The merged publishers continue under the business name of Hea Lugu.

Ekspress Grupp invests in the Estonian start-up company Zlick LTD that intermediates micro payments.

Delfi Lithuania sells its magazine publishing business and focuses on online media development.

Ekspress Grupp acquires a 50% ownership interest in Linna Ekraanid OÜ that is engaged in digital out-of-home advertising sales in Estonia. The purpose is to create prerequisites for launch of a new business line and expand the portfolio of the Group’s operating areas.

In September, Ekspress Grupp acquires a 49% ownership interest in Babahh Media OÜ that is engaged in the sale of infrastructure solutions related to video production, media solutions and videos in Estonia. The purpose is to expand its business in the fast-evolving Internet video production and transmission area.

Ekspress Grupp merges AS Eesti Ajalehed and AS Delfi, the merged public limited company continues under the name of Ekspress Meedia.

Ekspress Grupp establishes the subsidiary OÜ Zave Media that develops the discount offer portal Zave.

Ekspress Grupp sells its 100% ownership interest in LLC Delfi and discontinues operations in Ukraine, due to the failure of the local web portals to become profitable.

In Lithuania, the magazine publishing company Ekspress Leidyba is merged with Delfi to create synergy by combining similar operations.

Organisation of entertainment events is launched as a new business line.

Delfi Latvia acquires Latvia’s most popular web portal targeted at future and young mothers.

Grupp acquires a 49% ownership interest in the Lithuanian company UAB Adnet Media that is engaged in online advertising sales in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The purpose of the acquisition is to expand the portfolio of advertising products in the online media segment.

Delfi Lithuania acquires a 51% ownership interest in UAB Sport Media that owns the portal sportotv.lt and has the exclusive right for online broadcasting of the key basketball events of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation over the next nine years. The transaction enables live broadcasting of up to 600 sports events per year and creates a unique online sales product.

Delfi Lithuania acquires one of Lithuania’s oldest and most well-known online advertisement brands Alio reklama. With the acquisition of Alio, Delfi makes a decisive step to reinforce its leadership position in the Lithuanian online market. The transaction also opens a new important source of revenue – paid classified ads portals.

Ekspress Grupp acquires a 100% ownership interest in Eesti Päevalehe AS and merges the acquired company with AS Eesti Ajalehed, enabling both organisational as well as marketing efficiencies.

Ekspress Grupp establishes a new book publishing company Hea Lugu, combining all book publishing operations of the brands Eesti Ekspress, Maaleht and Eesti Päevaleht. Pooling of expertise enables the company to increase its competitive advantage, while preserving the support of its media brands.

Ekspress Grupp sells AS Rahva Raamat and AS Ekspress Hotline in order to focus on its key activities in printing and digital media.

In cooperation with the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment, Delfi Lithuania launches an environmental portal with the budget of almost one million euros.

In Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Delfi launches a new business line, i.e. free classified ads portal

Ekspress Grupp issues 1 877 760 shares, each for a price of EEK 15 per share.
Ekspress Grupp decides to dispose of Ekspress Hotline Grupp.
Ekspress Grupp issues one thousand bonds, each with the nominal value of EUR 1100.

Delfi launches an entertainment portal in all Baltic States.

Ekspress Grupp strengthens its position in book sales by opening three new stores.

Initial public offering of AS Ekspress Grupp, investors are offered a total of 5 321 481 shares. The shares are listed in the main list of the Tallinn Stock Exchange at 5 April 2007.

AS Ekspress Hotline establishes subsidiary in Romania.

Ekspress Grupp acquires AS Maaleht, a publisher of Maaleht.

Ekspress Grupp acquires Delfi Grupp, i.e. Delfi Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. As a result of the transaction, Ekspress Grupp becomes the largest company operating in the online media sector in the Baltic States.

Ekspress Grupp sells its ownership interest in AS Bravocom Mobiil and becomes the sole shareholder of AS Ekspress Hotline.

The book retail sale company Rahva Raamat and wholesale company Raamatuvara are merged. The company continues its operations under the name of Rahva Raamat. The change enables to combine the book sales activities under one management and increase efficiency.

The Group focuses on reinforcing its online presence that is the fastest growing part of the media market.

Ekspress Grupp acquires OÜ Autocentrum that later becomes OÜ Ekspress Internet, engaged in the management of classified ads and entertainment portals.

Due to the readers moving more online, OÜ Netikuulutused is established, operating job search and real estate portals.

Book wholesale activities are moved to the acquired company AS Raamatuvaramu.

In Lithuania, the publishers Mano Namai and Tavo Vaikas are acquired with their five well-known magazines to take over the book publishing segment.

A new activity is launched, i.e. information services, 50% of which is provided by the acquired company AS Ekspress Hotline

The printing house Printall launches its operations in a new building and with new equipment, marking successful completion of a major investment.

An important strategic initiative is the Baltic expansion – the Group acquires two magazine publishers in Lithuania and together with them, 50% in the magazine wholesale publishing company UAB Medipresa.

A new business area is book sales – the Group acquires AS Rahva Raamat and opens the largest Baltic book store in Viru Centre.

The construction of the new building of Printall is launched.

On 1 July, the company is named AS Ekspress Grupp.