Gruner + Jahr vs Handelsblatt Research Institut

Former Gruner + Jahr Executive Axel Ganz Dies at 88

Axel Ganz, a former German publisher who advanced Gruner + Jahr's international business from Paris and shaped the French magazine market, has died at the age of 88. Known for his role in developing well-known magazine brands for the French market, Ganz is remembered as a significant figure in magazine publishing. The death was reported by Horizont on July 23, 2026. The article notes his influence on titles such as GEO and Femme Actuelle and recalls his leadership in expanding Gruner + Jahr's foreign operations.

• Axel Ganz, a former German publisher and ex-manager at Gruner + Jahr, died at age 88.
• Ganz advanced Gruner + Jahr's international business from Paris.
• He influenced the French magazine market with brands such as GEO and Femme Actuelle.

Andrea Wasmuth, Sebastian Christensen und Stefan Buhr leiten Holtzbrinck Media

Zum 01. Januar 2027 übernehmen Andrea Wasmuth, bislang Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung der Handelsblatt Media Group und der DvH Medien, Sebastian Christensen, Geschäftsführer der Handelsblatt Media Group, und Stefan Buhr, Geschäftsführer der Tagesspiegel Gruppe, die Geschäftsführung der Holtzbrinck Media. Andrea Wasmuth wird Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung.

Holtzbrinck Media Names Leadership Trio for New Group

The leadership team for the newly formed integrated publishing group Holtzbrinck Media has been announced. The group, created from the merger of Handelsblatt Media Group, Tagesspiegel Group, and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien, will launch on January 1, 2027. Andrea Wasmuth, previously head of Handelsblatt, will chair the management trio, joined by Sebastian Christensen and Stefan Buhr. Christensen, a managing director at Handelsblatt since 2023, and Buhr, Tagesspiegel's managing director since April 2025, bring complementary expertise. Nicolas Köhn, Tagesspiegel's co-managing director, will depart at year-end after leading its digital growth, increasing Tagesspiegel Plus subscriptions from around 30,000 to over 50,000. The new team aims to combine strengths for a modern media house, following publisher Dieter von Holtzbrinck's decision to consolidate his holdings and sell his 50% stake in 'Zeit'.

• Holtzbrinck Media will be formed on January 1, 2027, from Handelsblatt Media Group, Tagesspiegel Group, and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien.
• Andrea Wasmuth will chair the management board, joined by Sebastian Christensen and Stefan Buhr.
• Nicolas Köhn will step down as managing director of Tagesspiegel Group at the end of 2026.

Jan Kleibrink Takes Leadership Role at Tagesspiegel Background

Jan Kleibrink has been appointed as Managing Director Publishing at Tagesspiegel Background, a Berlin-based provider of specialized political information. He will lead the new professional information unit of Holtzbrinck Media together with Charlotte Morré, who heads the editorial and product side. The unit combines Tagesspiegel Background and the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI). Kleibrink will focus on business development including sales, marketing, licensing, and customer retention. His goal is to create a one-stop shop for specialized policy and economic news. He previously served as Chief Growth Officer and Managing Director at HRI. The move signals closer cooperation between the Handelsblatt Media Group and Tagesspiegel under the Holtzbrinck Media umbrella.

• Jan Kleibrink becomes Managing Director Publishing at Tagesspiegel Background.
• He co-leads the new professional information unit of Holtzbrinck Media with Charlotte Morré.
• The new unit combines Tagesspiegel Background and Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI).