19.06.25

Ringier Media accelerates its transformation: Michael Moersch appointed CEO of International Media Division, Dmitry Shishkin transitions to Ringier’s Strategic Editorial Advisor

The media division of the Ringier Group, operating 107 media brands in 12 European and African markets, is entering its next phase of evolution, focusing on scaling media technology, data and AI solutions. To lead this transformation, Michael Moersch has been appointed CEO of Ringier Media International. Following his successful leadership in driving digital development in Eastern European media markets, Dmitry Shishkin will transition to the role of Strategic Editorial Advisor for Ringier Media. Ladina Heimgartner remains Head of Media at Ringier AG, overseeing the entire media division at the Group Executive Board level.

A key objective of Ringier’s international media strategy is to scale technological solutions across all markets. This will be achieved through intensified collaboration between Ringier Media Switzerland, the Eastern European media companies, and Ringier Axel Springer Polska, leveraging its media technology hubs in Warsaw and Krakow.

Ladina Heimgartner, Head Media at Ringier: “This cross-market technological collaboration is unprecedented in Ringier’s history and is crucial for our long-term success, especially given the rise of AI-driven business models”

To drive these strategic initiatives forward, Michael Moersch, former Head of Ringier’s Global Media Unit (GMU) and COO of Ringier Media International, has been appointed CEO of Ringier Media International in addition to his role as Head Global Media Unit. In this capacity, Michael Moersch is a member of the extended Ringier Group Executive Board. Before taking on his management responsibilities in Ringier’s international media division, Michael Moersch – a lawyer by training – held various top executive roles at Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland. Earlier in his career, he served among other positions in senior management roles at Axel Springer SE in Germany.

Ladina Heimgartner: “I am very much looking forward to working more closely with Michael Moersch. He is a brilliant thinker, industry expert, and effective leader – this combination is rare.”

Michael Moersch succeeds Dmitry Shishkin as CEO of Ringier Media International. Prior to assuming the CEO role at Ringier Media International, Shishkin provided consulting services to Ringier, laying the groundwork for many of the successes. Shishkin will now focus on his role as Strategic Editorial Advisor, supporting the transformation of Ringier’s media editorial teams across the group, including Ringier Media Switzerland. Over the past two years, Shishkin played a key role in positioning Ringier’s international media markets for this next phase of transformation. He will now focus on the strategic introduction and rollout of the User Needs Model, digital transformation, and provide high-level guidance on key editorial challenges, including original content strategies and the integration of new technologies like AI. His advisory encompasses all media brands and businesses within the Ringier portfolio. Shishkin’s expertise spans the crucial intersection of content, product, and data strategies, and Ringier looks forward to leveraging this broad expertise for the benefit of the entire group.

Marc Walder, CEO of Ringier: “Dmitry Shishkin provided important impetus at the right time in our media companies and thus contributed significantly to their current success. Dmitry is one of the world’s leading media managers and newsroom experts. I am very grateful to him for his work and am delighted that Dmitry will continue to drive forward the professionalization of our newsrooms in line with user orientation as an editorial advisor and bring his global perspective to our entire media business, including the Swiss market.”

Dmitry Shishkin: “Our goal was always to empower the local teams to innovate and win in their markets. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and that this mission’s success now creates the space to focus on the next one. I am energized to dedicate my efforts to tackling the defining strategic questions that will shape the future of Ringier’s newsrooms and our industry.”

The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025. Ladina Heimgartner will remain responsible for Ringier’s media business at the group level in addition to her role as CEO of Ringier Media Switzerland.

About Ringier
Ringier is a leading European media company headquartered in Switzerland with a history spanning more than 190 years. With around 6,000 employees, the group operates over 130 companies in 20 European and African countries. The Ringier portfolio comprises three main business areas: leading media brands, sports media platforms, and digital marketplaces. With a digital EBITDA share of 82 percent, Ringier is one of Europe’s leading media companies. The group remains majority family-owned to this day. More at: ringier.com

Its best-known media brands include Blick, Bilanz, LandLiebe, L’illustré and Schweizer Illustrierte in Switzerland, Blikk in Hungary, Blic in Serbia, and Onet, Fakt, Forbes, and Business Insider in Poland. In the sports media sector, Ringier is present with platforms such as A Bola in Portugal, GSP.ro in Romania, Sportal.bg in Bulgaria, and Sportal.rs in Serbia. The digital marketplaces are led by flagships such as JobCloud and smg Swiss Marketplace Group in Switzerland, eJobs and imobiliare in Romania, CV Keskus in the Baltic states, and Profession in Hungary.

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