Observed Signal · Mar 6, 2026 · Award Retrospective · Source: W&V · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Celebrating a Decade of Media Personalities: 2015-2025
The article is a compiled list of previous winners of the "Mediapersönlichkeit des Jahres" (Media Personality of the Year) as presented in connection with the Deutscher Mediapreis 2026. It enumerates winners from 2015 through 2025 and includes individual media figures, agency and brand media leads, and a corporate family. Notable entries include the Sixt family (2015); Christof Baron (2016); Tina Beuchler and Uwe Storch (2017); Julia Jäkel (2018); Susanne Kunz (2019); Matthias Dang (2020); Joko & Klaas and Daniel Rosemann (2021); Susanne Grundmann (2022); Katja Sottmeier (2023); Christian Hahn (2024); and Jan Flemming (2025). Where provided, the list notes recent or former roles and employer affiliations (for example, corporate or agency leadership roles and subsequent positions).
A factual historical list of media award winners; useful for industry awareness and contacts but not strategically transformative for AdTech/MarTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The article lists winners of the "Mediapersönlichkeit des Jahres" from 2015 to 2025.
- 2015 winner: the Sixt family (Erich, Regine, Alexander, Konstantin).
- 2018 winner: Julia Jäkel — CEO of Gruner + Jahr until 2021.
- 2024 winner: Christian Hahn — Vice President Marketing Communications Strategy & Media, Deutsche Telekom.
- 2025 winner: Jan Flemming — Head of Penny Marketing & Rewe Group Media.
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Meet the Jury for Deutscher Mediapreis 2026!
W&V published the roster of jurors for the 28th Deutscher Mediapreis (German Media Award) for 2026. The jury comprises senior media managers, CMOs, agency executives and representatives from publishers and sales houses who will evaluate submitted cases based on creativity, strategic relevance, innovation and measurable results. Named jurors include executives and representatives from EssenceMediaCom, Procter & Gamble, Ferrero, Deutsche Telekom, Teads, Ad Alliance, Publicis, Universal McCann, RMS, Weischer Cinema, YOC, Welect and others. W&V editors Rolf Schröter and Franziska Mozart are also listed as jury members. The jurors will discuss and shortlist entries during jury sessions and select the award winners.
Christian Schmalzl Profiled as HORIZONT's Media Man of the Year
HORIZONT published a portrait of Christian Schmalzl, who was named HORIZONT's "Medienmann des Jahres" (Media Man of the Year). Written by Katrin Ansorge and published on 2026-06-17, the piece reflects on Schmalzl’s long career in the advertising industry and describes his decision to move on to a quieter life — symbolically referenced as heading to the Bucher Bräu in Grafenau. The profile highlights his exceptional career trajectory, timing, and industry influence, and includes a photograph by Mara Monetti. The article appears on the HORIZONT website (dfv Mediengruppe).
Shortlist Announced for Deutscher Mediapreis 2026
The shortlist for the Deutscher Mediapreis 2026 has been published, listing nominated campaigns across multiple categories including Print, Responsible Media, Retail Media & Commerce, Social Media, Total Video, Out-of-Home (public space), National Media Strategy and Regional Media Strategy. The nominations pair major German and international brands with agencies and media houses for specific campaigns (for example, Deutsche Telekom with Ad Alliance; Hornbach with Mediaplus; Initiative Vermisste Kinder with Mediaplus). The published list highlights campaigns focused on satire and safety, retail and commerce effects, Gen Z-targeted social approaches, and regionally targeted media strategies. The article is a roster of shortlisted entries rather than results or winners.
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