Managing board of G+J in separation talks with STERN chief editor Dominik Wichmann
The managing board of Gruner + Jahr appoints Christian Krug, currently chief editor of GALA magazine, to chief editor STERN on October, 1st 2014. The managing board of Gruner + Jahr is in separation talks with STERN chief editor Dominik Wichmann. Until Christian Krug takes office, STERN publisher Andreas Petzold will take over on an interim basis.
Christian Krug (48) started his journalistic career at STERN magazine as home correspondent in Munich under the chief editors Michael Jürgs and Herbert Riehl-Heyse in 1989 after a two-year employment at Hamburger Morgenpost. He subsequently became deputy head of culture and entertainment as well as reporter. In 1996 Stefan Aust brought Krug on board as managing director of Spiegel-TV.
Additionally he became director of "Digitale Tageszeitungen" at publishing house Spiegel. In 1999 he returned to STERN magazine as managing director "Deutschland Aktuell". One year later Krug became publisher and chief editor of the magazine "MAX" which he successfully developed and managed. He also directed the development department at the publishing company Milchstraße. As chief editor for the Lufthansa Magazines he returned to Gruner + Jahr in 2009. In 2012 he was appointed to chief editor of GALA magazine.
Dominik Wichmann (42) started out as deputy chief editor at STERN magazine in 2011. In 2013 he took over the position of chief editor and replaced the chief editors Andreas Petzold and Thomas Osterkorn as a part of a generational change. Before joining G+J, Wichmann had been at Süddeutsche Zeitung magazine. Having started as editor in 1999 he became chief editor in 2000 and coined the magazine profoundly and with great success.
Andreas Petzold (59) was – together with Thomas Osterkorn – chief editor of STERN magazine. During their leadership of 13 years the magazine became the most read weekly magazine in Germany. During their term in office Petzold and Osterkorn successfully released various spin offs, special issues and editions. Since 2013 Petzold is the publisher of STERN and the magazines NEON, NIDO and CAPITAL. Christian Krug: "I am excited to return to my journalistic home, STERN magazine, after my experiences in different publishing companies and media types. At STERN magazine I was shaped professionally and I had the most exciting time of my career. All the more I want to thank for the confidence given to me to further develop and strengthen the STERN magazine together with editorial staff."
Julia Jäkel, chief executive officer of Gruner + Jahr: "As chief editor of STERN magazine Dominik Wichmann has given a lot of important impulses and has initiated measures for the comprehensive change process of STERN in print and in the digital fields. These innovations were important. With great enthusiasm and energy Wichmann strengthened the journalistic profile of STERN magazine, he modernized its look and gave the magazine new freshness. On these grounds we will further develop the STERN in print and digital. Dominik Wichmann will leave Gruner + Jahr and STERN magazine with the best reputation. In the name of the entire managing board I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dominik Wichmann for his work, his creativity and the inspirational cooperation. Building on the achievements of his predecessor, Christian Krug will continue this successful work. We expect him to further develop the independent, critical and relevant journalism of STERN magazine." Stephan Schäfer, G+ J chief product officer: "I wish to add my gratitude to that expressed by Julia Jäkel to Dominik Wichmann. STERN magazine well advanced under the leadership of Dominik Wichmann. Christian Krug is an experienced editor, reporter and chief editor and a strong leader. I am certain, that he will master the task with great success and I wish him all the best. I also want to thank Andreas Petzold for his willingness to take over the STERN chief editorial office as interim."
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