German news agency group dapd media holding AG, via its French subsidiary Sipa News, has taken over the French service of the international news agency Associated Press. After Sipa Press and Diora News, this is the third company dapd has taken over in France. This takeover makes dapd the largest agency partner of Associated Press worldwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Associated Press, a leading global news agency, entered the French market at the beginning of the 20th century. The firm has existed in its present form since 1945. Associated Press’s French office produces content in English for its worldwide service and also offers a photo and video service.
“With the purchase of Associated Press French Language Service, in the future dapd will be able to offer media and companies the whole range of agency services from one source,” said Michael Cremer, leader of dapd’s Europe expansion team. The takeover is preceded by many years of cooperation between Sipa and Associated Press. Sipa has sold photographic material from the American agency since 2001 in France. Sipa retains the exclusive right of use worldwide of international Associated Press news for francophone countries.
Germany, Berlin & France, Paris
Fusion Corporate Partners 