dpa launches "Insight EU" - a new analytical information service focusing on European topics

Berlin (ots) -

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The German Press Agency dpa has expanded its range of services
from February 1 with the launch of a new analytical information
service which focuses on EU issues. "dpa Insight EU" provides
decision makers and other experts in parliaments, political parties,
companies, federations, institutions, and NGOs with a unique
combination of news, analytic material and background research
related to the policies and regulatory measures of the European
Union.

"Important EU-topics are presented in an efficient and accessible
manner in order to provide timely information on new developments and
proposals tabled by the various EU bodies", explained dpa Executive
Board Chairman Michael Segbers. "This new service reflects a growing
demand from representatives in the world of politics and business who
are keen to find out about EU policies at an early stage and to
appraise the risks and opportunities which these present."

"dpa Insight EU" is a blend of spot-news, in-depth articles,
dossiers on specific subjects, interviews and profiles of experts and
decision makers. It includes timelines, schedule planning and
customised infographics and offers centralised access to policy
positions from the EU Commission, the EU Council of Ministers,
Parliament and other stakeholders. The service provides a
comprehensive channel of information on topics such as finance,
energy, the internal market, digital agenda, research and transport.

"Other areas of focus are currently in the pipeline," said dpa
head of Domestic Sales & Marketing Thorsten Matthies. "In recent
years the EU has grown in importance for politics, business and for
society as a whole. It used to be the case that most European
regulatory legislature originated from national governments - such as
the federal government in Germany - but nowadays developments are
being increasingly steered by the Commission and the EU Parliament.
With 'dpa Insight EU' we gather information on specific topics and
show how these interact with other fields, for example how measures
to promote renewable energy have an impact on agriculture.
Identifying these factors at an early stage can often have a vital
bearing on the success of companies or entire business sectors."

"dpa Insight EU" is produced by a new team of dedicated
correspondents in Brussels. In charge of the project is Joachim
Weidemann, founder and a previous managing director of the German EU
portal EurActiv.de. He also served as head of publishing in Central
and Eastern Europe for Handelsblatt Publishing Group, head of the
Holtzbrinck School of Business Journalism, and has worked as Eastern
European correspondent for various daily newspapers, including
Handelsblatt and Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

In charge of editorial operations is Thomas Strünkelnberg, who
previously worked as an editorial staff member on the dpa economics
desk in Berlin. The team in Brussels is based in the International
Press Centre opposite the EU Commission. The location gives it direct
access to the Commission, Parliament and The European Council as well
as to national politicians, companies and federations.

"The new service provides a link between hard news and modern
knowledge management. We help users to improve their evaluation of EU
decisions and to join the debate in good time. We also aim to develop
the service in partnership with our users", said project leader
Joachim Weidemann.

The subscription model is flexible and can be adapted to a range
of scenarios. Along with a single licence unit there is scope for
solutions to suit larger user groups up to and including a direct
feedback channel to the Brussels-based team. The "dpa Insight EU"
service can be accessed around the clock via its own online platform.

The German Press Agency dpa is an independent provider of
multimedia content. As market leader in Germany it serves media
customers operating on a daily basis both at home and abroad. A
global network of editors and correspondents ensures that news is
gathered free of outside influence and in accordance with the
principles laid down in the dpa charter. These stipulate that news
gathering shall be entirely independent of influence from political
parties, world views, economic and financial groups or governments.
The agency operates around-the-clock across the entire media
spectrum. The quality service it provides is relied upon by the print
media, broadcasters, online and mobile telephone companies in
addition to corporate customers in more than 100 countries.

Contact:
German Press Agency dpa
Reiner Zwick
Head of dpa Business
Tel.: +49 40 - 4113-32560

Press Contact:
German Press Agency dpa
Christian Röwekamp
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 30 - 2852 31103