Hamburg, 30 September 2025 – Jan Wachtel, currently President Publishing and part of the Executive Board at Bauer Media Group, has decided to leave the company. He will take over the position of CEO at Burda Media, effective 1 January 2026.

Yvonne Bauer, Chair of the Board: “We are sorry to see Jan leave, but at the same time, we fully respect his decision to accept the exciting opportunity to become a CEO in the media industry. Over the past three years Jan has made an outstanding contribution to our Publishing business – setting a clear course for the future and leaving it in a good position for us to build on. On behalf of the entire Executive Board, I would like to sincerely thank him and wish him the very best and continued success in his new role.”

Before joining Bauer Media Group in January 2023, Jan Wachtel held senior leadership positions in the media industry – including at FUNKE Mediengruppe, Axel Springer/BILD and RTL Group. Starting as President Publishing, he was appointed to the Executive Board in September 2024. In his role, he crucially helped shape the transformation of Bauer Media Group’s Publishing business and, together with the Publishing Leadership Team and the country CEOs, managed the diverse portfolio of more than 200 magazines and over 100 digital products across Germany, the UK, Poland, and France.

A succession process has been initiated, and further details will be communicated in due course.

About Bauer Media Group 

We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offer covers print and online publishing, audio broadcasting and entertainment, Out of Home advertising, and investments in other media related sectors. We are one of Europe’s largest Publishers, with almost 500 million copies sold each year. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines and TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of Europe’s most popular digital and print publishing brands. Our Audio business operates more than 150 radio and podcast brands, reaching over 61 million listeners every week. Bauer Media Outdoor is one of Europe’s leading Out of Home advertising businesses, with more than 100,000 advertising panels. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term with a consumer first mindset. Our workforce of over 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives. For more information go to www.bauermedia.com.     

Press contact:

Bauer Media Group
Imke Weiland
Group Communications
T +49 40 3019-1088
M imke.weiland@bauermedia.com