The Board of Directors of Ringier Slovakia has appointed Marek Václavík as the new interim CEO of Ringier Slovakia Media and Ringier Slovakia Communities. He will succeed Managing Director Michal Maruška, who has led both companies as dual leadership together with CFO Peter Hollý since the end of 2021.
Marek Václavík has more than two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, investor and industry leader. He started his career in Bratislava in 2001 as a co-owner and sales director of the Hi-Media company. He then served as CEO and co-owner of blue orange for four years before starting his career at Nokia Slovakia as Sales Director and Country Representative and General Manager South CIS. From 2005-2015 Marek Václavík was a shareholder of Azet.sk, the leading internet company in Slovakia. Marek Václavík has been and continues to be involved in long-term investments in G4, EIS Bratislava, Pex, Reinoo Real Estate, Terratico j.s.a. and NG Aviation. In a dynamic career spanning multiple industries, Marek Václavík has consistently excelled in leadership roles, contributing to growth, strategic partnerships and market expansion.
The Board of Directors is confident that Marek Václavík’s professional background and strong track record will enable him to take the steps needed now for the next phase of growth, to significantly expand the digital presence and growth of Ringier Slovakia’s media brands, and to increase all relevant performance metrics.
Marc Walder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ringier Slovakia and CEO Ringier AG: “Marek Václavík, as our new interim CEO, will navigate Ringier Slovakia Media and Ringier Slovakia Communities through competition and unlock the untapped potential in our media business, driving our growth ambitions forward.”
Marek Václavík shared his perspective on the new role: “I eagerly anticipate this fresh challenge, which I will embark upon with immediate effect. Collaborating closely with Michal Maruška, I am committed to facilitating a seamless transition.”
Outgoing Managing Director Michal Maruška has held various sales positions in different Ringier Slovakia companies since 2007. In 2019, he was promoted to Chief Operations Officer. In 2021, he formed the dual leadership of Ringier Slovakia Media and Ringier Slovakia Communities together with CFO Peter Hollý. Both played an important role during the integration phase of the Slovakian business after Ringier acquired all shares from the Ringier Axel Springer Media AG Joint Venture from Axel Springer in Summer 2021.
Ladina Heimgartner, Head Global Media, Ringier AG: “Michal Maruška recently expressed to the Board of Directors his wish to step down from his position. Michal Maruška has played an important role in the successful integration of Ringier Slovakia Media and Ringier Slovakia Communities into the Ringier Group. The Board of Directors and our stakeholders appreciate his achievements. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Michal Maruška: “I have come to the realization that after 16 years with the company, the time is ripe for me to explore new horizons and take on challenges that match my personal and professional goals. I look back on my time at Ringier Slovakia with pleasure and pride. I would like to thank the Board of Directors, my management partner Peter Hollý and all the other great colleagues at Ringier Slovakia for the long and good cooperation. I wish my successor Marek Václavík every success in achieving the ambitious goals.”
Peter Hollý will continue as CFO for Ringier Slovakia Media and Ringier Slovakia Communities under the leadership of Marek Václavík.
Ringier AG, Corporate Communications