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German Media Awards 2025 Honor Visionaries Shaping the Industry’s Future

From billion-euro transformations to lifetime achievements, these leaders prove how bold vision and digital adaptation are redefining German media. Their stories inspire an industry in flux.

In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are...
In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are mentioned in the newspaper.

German Media Awards 2025 Honor Visionaries Shaping the Industry’s Future

The 2025 kress pro Media Awards have recognised three key figures in German media. Thomas Düffert took home the title of Media Manager of the Year, while Carsten Dorn was named Marketer of the Year. Veteran journalist Stefan Aust also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of influence in the industry.

The awards, now in their tenth year, highlight leaders who have reshaped media and marketing across the country.

Thomas Düffert, Chairman of Madsack Media Group, was honoured for transforming the company into a billion-euro enterprise. Under his leadership, Madsack shifted from a regional publisher to a major media house with a strong digital focus. Strategic acquisitions, including Nordwest Media Group and DDV Media Group, helped consolidate its position. The move also allowed Madsack to develop a sustainable digital journalistic model.

Carsten Dorn, head of Score Media, earned the Marketer of the Year title for stabilising revenue across 420 regional newspapers. His work involved coordinating marketing efforts for around 30 publishers. Dorn also expanded Score Media’s reach by partnering with Red Pineapple Media, boosting digital and video offerings for clients.

Stefan Aust, a long-time journalist, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. His career has spanned multiple roles, leaving a lasting mark on German-speaking journalism. The kress pro awards, hosted by Oberauer Verlag, began in 2016 and have since become a key event in the industry.

The 2025 awards highlight how media leaders are adapting to digital shifts and market demands. Düffert’s consolidation strategy and Dorn’s marketing alliances demonstrate new ways to sustain revenue in a changing landscape. Aust’s recognition underscores the enduring impact of journalistic excellence in Germany.

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