Anke Schäferkordt to Exit RTL Group

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After almost three decades with the RTL Group, Anke Schäferkordt is exiting the European media giant at the end of this year.

Schäferkordt has spent 27 years with RTL Group, including five as co-CEO of the group and 13 as the CEO of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. She will be succeeded by Bernd Reichart, currently managing director of Vox.

Schäferkordt said, “After more than 27 years with RTL, leaving the company is not an easy step. Given our very strong management team and the clear strategic direction we have jointly developed over many years, I believe that a swift transition is in the best interest of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. I am tremendously grateful and proud to have led this great company with its outstanding employees. I had the opportunity to work with exceptionally skilled and dedicated people over the years and build lasting relationships on both a professional and personal level.”

Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Group, said, “Anke Schäferkordt has shaped the success story of RTL Group. The list of her entrepreneurial achievements is unparalleled: From 1995 to 2005, Anke was imperative in turning around our German channel Vox and building it into one of the most profitable and strongest brands in our whole portfolio. Together with a strong and dedicated management team, she has systematically expanded our German family of channels and more than tripled the unit’s operating profit since 2005. As co-CEO of RTL Group, she was a key force to put our group back on the growth track by making strategic investments into digital video businesses. In the name of more than 14,000 employees and RTL Group’s Executive Committee, I would like to deeply thank Anke for her fantastic performance, strong leadership and strategic vision. We all wish her the best for her future endeavors.”

Habets added, “Bernd Reichart combines outstanding programming skills, management capabilities and international experience which he has demonstrated in various executive positions within our Group. Under his leadership, Vox has made a huge leap into the first league of German TV channels, repeatedly winning primetime audience leadership with hit formats such as Sing meinen Song, Club der roten Bänder and Die Höhle der Löwen. I am delighted that we have found such a strong and creative leader from within RTL Group to continue our track record in Germany with even more local, exclusive content and ambitious expansion plans in video on demand. I look forward to working closely with Bernd and wish him every success in his new position.”