DGAP-Ad hoc: GfK SE

ad hoc-Announcement pursuant to Art. 17 para. 1 MAR

of

GfK SE

Nuremberg

- ISIN DE0005875306 -

GfK SE: Supervisory Board approved the new strategy plan for GfK SE on 31 August 2017

Nuremberg, 31 August 2017 - Publication of an ad hoc-Announcement pursuant to Art. 17 para. 1 MAR

The Supervisory Board of GfK SE approved the new strategy plan for GfK SE and the GfK group on 31 August 2017.

The main aspect of the draft strategy plan is to accelerate die digitization of GfK and to transform the Company from a recognized data authority to a provider of analytic and forward-thinking product solutions.

In addition, the Company intends to invest an amount of about EUR 100 million Euro, which would not include any severance payments, into the future of GfK and make it ready for facing the changing markets. Investments will be made in particular in automation, a faster processing of information and in centralization of various business procedures.

The new strategy plan will also entail a significant consolidation of our domestic and international corporate locations. At the same time, GfK will be committed to its headquarters in Nuremberg and open a new and modern headquarter at the end of 2019 that will serve as competence centre for GfK's units around the world.

To strengthen the competitive position and the organisational agility and to generate the necessary financial means for this strategy plan, GfK's Management Board further plans to realise cost synergies in the amount of EUR 200 million. These envisaged cost synergies shall in particular include an optimization of operating costs, a more client focused organisation as well as focusing on new target segments and a centralisation of business processes. The implementation of the cost synergies will extend over the coming two years. It is planned to invest an amount of about 20% of the cost synergies in addition to the investments mentioned above into new functionalities and the competitiveness of GfK.

GfK SE

The Management Board

Contact:

GfK SE
Investor Relations
Mr Kai Hummel
Nordwestring 101
90419 Nürnberg
kai.hummel@gfk.com