Funke Media Group Unites Digital Strategies to Boost Engagement and Growth

Funke Media Group is bringing together its digital strategies to create a powerful new unit. With Cordula Schmitz and Anne Krum at the helm, the group aims to strengthen user bonds and drive digital growth across its brands.

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2025 October 8 . 1:52 PM

1 min read

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Funke Media Group Unites Digital Strategies to Boost Engagement and Growth

Funke Media Group is consolidating key digital strategies into a single unit, aiming to enhance user engagement and drive digital growth. Cordula Schmitz, former digital chief editor at the 'Hamburger Abendblatt', joins as deputy chief editor in the new editorial development department. Anne Krum, chief digital development editor of the 'Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung' (WAZ) and the 'Westfalenpost' (WP), will also play a significant role in this transformation.

The new unit will focus on audience development, social media, newsletters, and artificial intelligence. Schmitz, who brings extensive experience from Gruner + Jahr, Axel Springer, and Rheinische Post, is eager to leverage the diverse markets of NRW and Hamburg to create robust, transferable concepts for other brands.

Christoph Rüth, CEO of Regional Media at Funke, envisions this move strengthening user bonds, reaching new audiences, and boosting digital subscription growth. Krum, who will continue her role at WAZ and WP, sees the strength of this strategy in developing practical solutions directly from daily editorial operations, making good ideas quickly accessible to all editorial teams. The innovations from NRW and Hamburg regions are expected to benefit the entire publishing house, creating 'binding blueprints' and integrating editorial, product, and technology departments more closely.

Funke Media Group is bundling strategic core areas to enhance digital journalism and user engagement. Cordula Schmitz and Anne Krum, with their extensive experience and innovative approaches, will lead this transformation. The publishing house anticipates that the new strategy will strengthen user bonds, reach new audiences, and drive digital subscription growth, ultimately benefiting the entire group.