Funke Mediengruppe implements IT outsourcing with Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised Funke Mediengruppe on concluding an IT outsourc-ing framework agreement with circ IT GmbH & Co. KG. Funke intends to have parts of its IT operated by circ IT initially. After a conversion phase that is expected to last 18 months, circ IT will take over the IT infrastructure services for Funke. In return, Funke Mediengruppe agreed with circ IT's parent company, Rheinische Post Mediengruppe, that Funke will take out a 10% holding in circ IT.

The contracts provide that the cooperation between Funke and circ IT may be extended up to the level of publishing house applications. In this event, Funke may assume up to 26% of the shares in circ IT.

Funke expects the IT outsourcing to result in more flexible and more efficient IT opera-tions and an increase of innovation ability in this area. In circ IT, Funke found an IT ser-vice provider that specialized in the requirements of modern media and is thus able to fully cover the requirements of Funke Mediengruppe.

The collaboration of the parties is subject to the approval by the Federal Cartel Office.

Counsel to Funke Mediengruppe
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek: 
Dr. Philip Kempermann, LL.M. (IT, Lead), 
Christoph Hexel (Employment Law),
Dr. Rainer Velte,
Beatrice Stange, LL.M. (both Antitrust Law), all Düsseldorf.