AFM has Initiated an Investigation Into Irregularities in Trading of Azerion Shares

AMSTERDAM - 13 March 2023 – Today Azerion has announced an investigation by the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM), which according to AFM-information known to the Company, appears to be related to compliance with article 15 of the Market Abuse Regulation and seems to be focused on the shareholders of Principion Holding B.V., including Azerion co-CEOs Atilla Aytekin and Umut Akpinar. Principion is Azerion’s largest shareholder.

Based on the information available and the information provided by co-CEO Atilla Aytekin, he decided, in close consultation with the Supervisory Board, that the interests of the Company and its stakeholders are best served by him temporarily stepping aside at this moment in time from his duties and responsibilities as co-CEO of the Company.

The operational leadership of the Company remains with Azerion’s Executive Committee and broader leadership team, with Umut Akpinar as CEO and Ben Davey as CFO. This is a continuation of the current day-to-day practice for organic and inorganic activities. The team remains focused on fulfilling Azerion’s strategy and dedicated execution of the business plan.

The AFM approached Azerion on Tuesday 7 March 2023 to obtain information. The Company is fully available to answer any questions of the AFM.

The Supervisory Board has installed a Special Committee to steer the process and to be kept fully informed.

The Company is limited in its possibilities to provide further information pending the investigation, and will share information if and when appropriate.

About Azerion
Azerion is a high-growth digital entertainment and media platform. As a content-driven, technology and data company, Azerion serves consumers, digital publishers, advertisers, and game creators globally. Azerion’s integrated platform provides technology solutions to automate the purchase and sale of digital advertising for media buyers and sellers, supported by in-market sales and campaign management teams. Through our technology, content creators, digital publishers and advertisers work with Azerion to reach the millions of people across the globe that play Azerion’s games and view its distributed entertainment content to increase engagement, loyalty, and drive e-commerce.

Founded in 2014 by two Dutch entrepreneurs, Azerion has experienced rapid expansion driven by organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Azerion is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and is a publicly traded company listed on Euronext Amsterdam.