Mondadori Digital

Mondadori Digital’s development plan is built around three key growth drivers: a targeted M&A strategy, the native integration of Artificial Intelligence, and a strong focus on international expansion. These are the three growth drivers at the heart of Mondadori Digital’s development plan, the newly established Mondadori Group company dedicated to technological innovation, MarTech and AI. 

The new digital company enters the market with 2025 pro forma revenues of more than €100 million and EBITDA exceeding €20 million, backed by the success of a unique cross-media ecosystem with a fanbase of over 137 million followers across Italy and international markets, and 33 million monthly unique users. 

The company has built a distinctive identity that positions it as the publisher of Italy’s leading excellence brands, thanks to its leadership across some of the most representative and high-value Made in Italy verticals: food, design, wellness and lifestyle. This leadership is supported by market-leading editorial brands, highly engaged communities and advanced digital monetisation capabilities.

“Mondadori Digital is tangible proof of the Mondadori Group’s ability to grow by creating new businesses of value, as we have successfully done in other sectors, including Education,” said Antonio Porro, Chief Executive Officer of the Mondadori Group. “We began investing in digital several years ago, guided by the long-term vision of our Chair and shareholder, Marina Berlusconi. We have pursued that strategy with determination, transforming Mondadori Digital into an independent business and a market leader. Today, the company represents not only a strong business in its own right, but also a hub for experimentation and innovation, enabling us to test cutting-edge solutions in real-world settings before extending them across the wider organisation,” continued Porro. “Looking to the future, our objective is to further accelerate its development.” he concluded.

The company’s growth journey, competitive positioning and strategic vision were presented by Andrea Santagata, Chief Executive Officer of Mondadori Digital, together with Stefano Argiolas, Chief AI Officer of the Mondadori Group, and Ferdinando Napoli, Chief Executive Officer of Edilportale. The event concluded with remarks from Antonio Porro, Chief Executive Officer of the Mondadori Group. 

A UNIQUE MODEL IN ITALY’S PUBLISHING LANDSCAPE
In an environment increasingly shaped by the evolution of distribution models and content production methods, Mondadori Digital is positioned as one of Europe’s leading digital and social publishing players, and one of the best-structured operators to capitalise on the sector’s ongoing transformation.

“The publishing industry is undergoing profound transformation: formats are evolving, communication channels are multiplying, audience relationships are shifting, and the very role of content is being redefined. Mondadori Digital was created precisely to interpret this evolution through an approach that combines editorial expertise, technological innovation and a strong focus on people,” said Andrea Santagata, Chief Executive Officer of Mondadori Digital. “Our goal is to establish the company as a key reference point within the Italian and international digital ecosystem, enhancing its editorial and cultural heritage through technological innovation, AI and new forms of communication.” From this perspective, we position ourselves as the leading consolidator of Italy’s digital market, leveraging a new, scalable and distinctive business model built around vertical communities and MarTech capabilities,” added Santagata. Supporting this vision are both our strong acquisition track record over the past five years and our belonging to the Mondadori Group, which provides us with strategic credibility and significant investment capacity.” Santagata concluded.

Mondadori Digital’s activities are based on the multi-platform production and distribution of proprietary content capable of engaging high-value audiences, generating monetisation opportunities through premium video advertising, branded content, influencer and creator marketing, as well as an advanced suite of full-funnel MarTech services.

The value creation model combines human capital, editorial teams, creators and communities, with AI-enabled processes; leading editorial brands with scalable technological infrastructures for data optimisation and advertising campaign management; and the selective expansion of the model into key markets. It also operates as a native hub for the management and enhancement of top digital talent, with the ability to identify, integrate and accelerate high-potential, complementary businesses.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A STRATEGIC DRIVER
Mondadori Digital’s approach to AI is based on two key pillars: 

• product development;

• business model innovation. 

Artificial intelligence is therefore integrated into editorial workflows, distribution processes and monetisation activities. This approach has enabled Mondadori Digital to develop a range of innovations, including AI chatbots for marketing and performance, AI tools supporting editorial activities, and an AI-powered search engine for Archiproducts.

FIVE YEARS OF GROWTH AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
Building on five years of continuous innovation and value creation, Mondadori Digital aims to expand its portfolio through targeted acquisitions of talent, expertise and innovative businesses, in line with the Mondadori Group’s development strategy aimed at strengthening its digital presence.

A recent example is the acquisition of a majority stake in Edilportale.com, Italy’s leading digital platform for architecture and construction. Among the company’s key assets is Archiproducts, a leading European ecosystem in design and interior architecture. The acquisition represents a strategic milestone in strengthening Mondadori Digital’s position in the design vertical, accelerating its international growth path and expanding its product and service offering, while enhancing industrial, editorial and commercial synergies across the entire value chain. At the same time, Mondadori Digital will continue to invest in MarTech and AdTech activities, leveraging proprietary technologies, AI-driven solutions and conversational and performance marketing tools, with the aim of developing new models of engagement, lead generation and digital monetisation. Notably, one of the most recent steps to strengthen the MarTech offering has been the merger of Hej! into the digital company AdKaora. This operation has strategically transformed the two entities into a single operating company and market leader, supported by a highly specialised technological hub for full-funnel digital solutions: from brand awareness to lead generation through to final conversion. 

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Mondadori Digital is closely focused on international markets, which today account for 15–20% of its total revenues. The company’s international expansion began with its presence in Spain through AdKaora Iberia, which generates 25% of the digital company’s total turnover, demonstrating the scalability of its business model across markets.

A further step in its overseas development was the establishment, last March, of GialloZafferano USA Inc.

Completing the picture is Archiproducts, a global benchmark in the development of content, services and platforms for professionals and companies in the architecture, design and construction sectors.