Handelsblatt Research Institut vs HORIZONT

FAZ, SZ, Zeit, Handelsblatt announce joint ad sales merger plans

The publishers of leading German newspapers including FAZ, Handelsblatt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Die Zeit have formally applied to Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) to establish a joint advertising sales house. This move, initially reported by HORIZONT in May 2026, advances earlier preparations. The new entity aims to bundle the publishers' reach, offering advertisers a unified access point and strengthening their competitive position against global digital and AI platforms. Each publisher would hold a 25% stake, consolidating existing structures such as IQ Digital, IQ Media, and the Republic joint venture. The application, filed on October 16, 2026, requires approval from the Bundeskartellamt, and the launch timeline remains uncertain.

• The publishers of FAZ, Handelsblatt, SZ, and ZEIT have applied to the Bundeskartellamt to form a joint advertising sales house.
• Each publisher is planned to hold a 25% stake in the new joint venture.
• Existing structures IQ Digital, IQ Media, and the Republic joint venture are to be consolidated into the new entity.

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.

L'Oréal Paris Names Kristen Bell Global Ambassador

L'Oréal Paris has appointed Emmy-nominated actress and producer Kristen Bell as a global brand ambassador. Bell will represent L’Oréal Paris across skincare, haircare, hair color and make-up categories. The announcement places her among existing L’Oréal testimonials including Gillian Anderson, Heidi Klum, Kendall Jenner and Charles Leclerc. The article was published by HORIZONT.AT (dfv Mediengruppe) on August 25, 2026 and authored by Nora Halwax.

• L'Oréal Paris appointed Kristen Bell as a global brand ambassador.
• Kristen Bell will represent L'Oréal Paris's skincare, haircare, hair-coloration and make-up categories.
• The article cites other L'Oréal testimonials: Gillian Anderson, Heidi Klum, Kendall Jenner and Charles Leclerc.

ZDF launches 'ZDFtapes' live on Twitch

German public broadcaster ZDF will launch a weekly live format, ZDFtapes, on its Twitch channel from 25 August 2026 at 17:00. Presented by Milo (stage name Aria Addams), the reaction-style livestreams showcase archival clips spanning roughly six decades of ZDF programming. Produced by INSTINCT3 GmbH on a nostalgically designed living-room set, episodes are themed and include live chat interaction, community actions and guest appearances. ZDF frames the show as an experiment in reaction-driven, non-linear social streaming to make public-broadcast archives accessible to younger audiences. Future Terra X–branded spin-offs are planned and may involve Harald Lesch. The launch and format details were reported on 24 August 2026 by MEEDIA and Horizont, with ZDF quoting Milena Seybert (head of Genre- and Channelmanagement FEY).

• ZDFtapes is a weekly live show on ZDF's Twitch channel beginning 25 August 2026 at 17:00.
• Host Milo (stage name Aria Addams) reacts live to archival clips spanning roughly six decades, with themed episodes, live chat interaction, community actions and guest appearances.
• Produced by INSTINCT3 GmbH in a nostalgically designed living-room set; the format experiments with reaction-driven, non-linear social streaming to reach younger audiences.

Ex-Coke Marketer Michael Willeke Joins Paramount

Michael Willeke, the former Vice President Marketing at Coca-Cola, is leaving the beverage company to move into the streaming business at US media group Paramount. The personnel move was reported by Catrin Bialek (HORIZONT) on August 24, 2026. The article states Willeke will begin his new role starting September 1. The story frames the change as a sector switch from consumer beverages to the entertainment/streaming industry.

• Michael Willeke is the former Vice President Marketing at Coca-Cola.
• Willeke will move to the streaming business at US media group Paramount.
• The article reporting the move was authored by Catrin Bialek (HORIZONT).