Observed Signal · Aug 26, 2026 · Hiring · Source: Meedia · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral

Funke names Cedric Kroll Head of Sales in Berlin

Executive Signal Summary

Funke appoints Cedric Kroll as Head of Sales for its Berlin regional media effective September 1, 2026. The 29-year-old moves from Funke MediaSales NRW, where he served as sales manager with a focus on audio and led the marketing of Funke's local radios since 2025. In Berlin he will be responsible for advertising commercialization of regional brands including the Berliner Morgenpost, Berliner Woche and Spandauer Volksblatt. Christian Schuler, the previous head of Berlin regional sales, will leave the company on October 1, 2026. Görge Timmer, managing director of Funke Regionalmedien in Berlin, commented on Kroll's appointment and praised Schuler's work on digital product expansion and print stabilization.

Polaris7 AgentPolaris7 Strategic Assessment
High Confidence

Regional publisher senior sales appointment affects Berlin advertising operations and audio market relationships but is not industry-shifting.

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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding

  • Cedric Kroll will become Head of Sales for Funke's Berlin regional media on 2026-09-01.
  • Kroll is 29 years old and previously served as Sales Manager for Funke MediaSales NRW, focusing on audio and local radio marketing.
  • His remit includes advertising commercialization of regional titles: Berliner Morgenpost, Berliner Woche and Spandauer Volksblatt.
  • Christian Schuler, Kroll's predecessor, will leave Funke on 2026-10-01.
  • Görge Timmer is Managing Director of Funke Regionalmedien in Berlin and made a statement welcoming Kroll.

Connected Companies & Entities

1 Entity mapped

“Funke is refilling the top of its Berlin regional media sales: Cedric Kroll assumes the Head of Sales position....”

Primary Source Grounding & Direct Attribution
Direct Origin Attribution
Primary Reporting: Meedia•Published: Aug 26, 2026
Original Coverage Title: “Funke: Cedric Kroll wird neuer Head of Sales in Berlin”

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Sebastian Schulte will become managing director of Westfunk GmbH & Co. KG, the service company for Funke Mediengruppe’s eleven local radio stations in North Rhine‑Westphalia, effective 1 July 2026. Schulte (49) has worked at Funke Mediengruppe since February 2008 and currently serves as Westfunk’s head of marketing and authorized signatory; his accomplishments include a station relaunch and a series of in‑house radio concerts. He replaces Axel Schindler, who is moving on his own request to the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) as a managing editor while retaining other Funke roles. Westfunk handles studio technology, digital products (websites and apps) and marketing for stations such as Radio Essen and Radio Bochum, reaching about 1.2 million daily listeners.

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Bettina Steinke, editor-in-chief responsible for Funke Mediengruppe's regional digital portals, has left the company after eight years. Her departure took effect on September 1, 2026, at her own request, according to the company, as she pursues new professional challenges. Steinke joined Funke in 2018 from Burda Forward and helped build and develop the reach portals "Der Westen", "News38", and "Thüringen24", later also "moin.de" and "Berlin Live". In 2024, the portfolio was expanded with the entertainment brand "schlager.de". Steinke also developed new journalistic formats, including the podcast "SoKo Schlager", which started in 2025. Stephan Thurm, managing director of Funke's digital division, thanked her for the successful construction and continued development of the unit.

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