By Siobhan O’Leary

For the first time in three decades, Bertelsmann has posted a net loss — this according to the 2009 fiscal year results announced yesterday in Berlin. The loss amounted to €82 million, which is particularly glaring in light of the €142 million net profit posted in 2008. Bertelsmann blamed at least part of the downturn on sluggish advertising markets but CEO Hartmut Ostrowski remained optimistic that 2010 will bring a return to stability. He emphasized “digitization and the convergence of digital devices” as a source of great potential for the company in the coming year.