The Magazine for the Axel Springer Family March 2016 Vorfreude INTERVIEW (n.) the joyful, intense, anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures WITH RACE MATHIAS LEADER DÖPFNER 30 years of „Earning money is AUTO BILD Fotos: Gunnar Lillehammer / www.styleclicker.net not an end in itself“ Freue dich, ALLEGRA A FRESH WIND kommt zurück! Ab 31.3. am Kiosk FROM BRUSSELS Europe in crisis – a great time for journalists, says POLITICO-maker Matthew Kaminski DEAR READERS, March 3 saw the press conference presenting Axel Springer‘s balance sheet. The Board publis- hed impressive figures that not only bear witness to the growth and success of the company, but also document its ongoing process of digitaliza- tion. And yet, another important topic captured te headlines this past week: What are the fundamental values of our company in these times dominated by the refugee crisis, Islamic terror and a resurgence of nationalism in Europe? At the Editorial & Management Summit, which – not by chance – was held in Paris on February 19, Mathias Döpfner gave a clear answer to this question: “Defending freedom is the reason why Axel Springer is here.” We report in detail on the Summit and introduce the newly formulated International Essentials for the Group as a whole. Our corporate culture was also one of the topics discussed in inside.mag‘s extensive interview with Matthias Döpfner for this issue. Mark Zuckerberg has left his mark on the culture of an entire generation. The “Face- book” founder‘s spirit of innovation and his ability to create entire markets continue to form the basis that has allowed his company to become one of the most valuable worldwide. This combination along with his commitment to social issues also make him the ideal recipient of the first Axel Springer Award, which was awarded to him in Berlin on February 25. You can find further details of that extraordinary evening in our report of the event. And, as you know, Mark Zuckerberg also has a soft spot for virtual reality. Axel Springer got to grips with this technological mega-trend in its very own way – read more about that in this issue. The fact that it takes courage to stand up for freedom is something our United Artist Matthew Kaminski knows all about. He spent his childhood in Communist Poland, where his father was opposed to the ruling ideology. Despite emigrating to the USA, he just couldn‘t let go of his roots. Since the beginning of 2015, the multi-award- winning journalist has been building up POLITICO Europe as its Executive Editor. Talking about the mood of political and social crisis in Europe, he says: “It‘s a great time for us journalists.” Kaminski‘s sometime home, the USA, has been the focus of Axel Springer‘s entrepre- neurial ambitions, not least since its takeover of BUSINESS INSIDER. We analyze the strategy the Group is pursuing with its US expansion and present the overseas brands. Also in this issue: 30 years of AUTO BILD and a compact portrait of the lifestyle portal Thrillist. Enjoy your reading! Your Tim Tolsdorff The Magazine for the Axel Springer Family Axel Springer SE, Corporate Communications, 10888 Berlin Phone: +49 30 2591-77640, [email protected] 02 CONTENT 04 06 SNAPSHOT ON LOCATION A Garden of Eden on the 30 years of AUTO BILD – roof, in the Ernst Cramer the market leader relies on its Conference Room well-oiled editorial machinery 10 18 INTERVIEW ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE Mathias Döpfner on US expan- The threat to freedom was the sion, new competitors and the main topic at the Editorial & search for new business ideas Management Summit in Paris 24 26 GOOD TO KNOW ACROSS THE BIG POND Things you really need to know How Axel Springer about Thrillist intends to conquer the huge US market 30 32 UNITED ARTIST DIGITAL JOURNALISM Matthew Kaminski, Executive Virtual reality is seen as the Editor of POLITICO Europe, believes next mega-trend – Axel Springer in Europe and in journalism is on board 36 38 TUTORIAL PREMIERE PARTY How to survive a shitstorm “Facebook” founder on the Internet Mark Zuckerberg receives the first ever Axel Springer Award 44 48 CORPORATE SPORTS 2.0 FLASHBACK An increasing number of A look at what has been employees are using digital happening at Axel Springer networking to keep fit in the last three months 50 MY WEEK Out and about with Markus Hohmeier, project manager at Axel Springer Corporate Solutions 03 4:33 P.M., BERLIN, AXEL SPRINGER BUILDING A TRIP ONTO the “FACEBook” rOOF TERRACE utside the Axel Springer Building a unique view of the sunny skyline of Berlin. er of the social network is the first recipient of thick snowflakes fall, forming a Later on the images change, and 200 guests, the Axel Springer Award. And to make sure O curtain-like swathe in the night sky. including Mark Zuckerberg and his wife that the guest of honor would feel at home Inside, however, on the 19th floor, wall-to- Priscilla, embark on a trip into outer space in Berlin, Creative Director Peter Huth, the wall and floor-to-ceiling LED screens present and into California’s Silicon Valley. The found- organizational team from PACE and stage 04 4:33 P.M., BERLIN, AXEL SPRINGER BUILDING A TRIP ONTO the “FACEBook” rOOF TERRACE Photo: Axel Wilhelm set designer Pia Maria Mackert conjured up Zuckerberg estimates as 3,600 square Read more about the happenings of an a “Facebook” roof terrace in the capital city meters of free space … made possi- unusual evening on page 38. without further ado. The end result was ble in Berlin without having to under- definitely a sight to behold. Having the take the long journey to California. opportunity to stroll around what Mark 05 IN POLE-POSITION Europe‘s largest car magazine is turning 30. To maintain its market-leading position, AUTO BILD has to continuously re-invent itself. Other editorial offices can learn from this example. Photos: Toni Bader (2), Georg Lukas, Picture Alliance Bader (2), Georg Lukas, Picture Photos: Toni Layout artists with a passion for sporty driving: Annika Fischbeck in the “Abarth 695 Probing glances: Editor Hendrik Dieckmann Biposto,” a street racer based on the “Fiat 500” (left) and the photometry expert Gertjan Muda (“Dekra”) testing Xenon headlights he treasures of AUTO BILD sit by former “RTL” editor Dennis Petermann. well-protected in a Hamburg “We have to adjust to changing viewing ha- parking garage. The collection bits,” says Petermann. AUTO BILD TV was T includes some 40 test cars, from originally planned as a TV show, but most of the “Ford Mondeo” to the “Porsche Carre- its viewers tune in on the internet: In Janu- ra.” Over the coming weeks, the editors will ary, the channel reached over 1.5 million on put their charges through their paces with an autobild.de for the first time. But they aren‘t unstinting eye for the tiniest details. No car about to rest on their laurels. “Competition magazine assesses its test cars with such pain- will increase; online magazines and blogs are staking meticulousness as AUTO BILD. But Small, but wow: Editor Jan Horn on an electri- experimenting with videos.” But Petermann test results are far from sufficient to remain cally powered “Razor Crazy Cart” is nevertheless optimistic: “I hope that the the market leader 30 years after the title was competition invigorates the business.” launched. building – and they must constantly adapt: Above the test car garage, the edito- to the developments in the industry, the in- Too excited to sleep rial offices of AUTO BILD are perched on terests of drivers and the behavior of readers, Today, the video department is an the fifth and sixth floors of the Axel Springer who are also viewers. integral part of the AUTO BILD editorial building in Hamburg. The cars down below The AUTO BILD TV department office. The collaboration has developed to in the garage, the journalists upstairs in the has been in operation since 2007, and is led such an extent that print editors are now 0806 2/2015 IN THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 30 YEARS OF AUTO BILD Typical AUTO BILD – always stepping on the gas and going top speed for readers. Whether as a pioneer in digitization or with its investigative reporting, AUTO BILD has been at the forefront of the changes in the automotive industry. inside.mag presents the POLE-POSITION highlights of recent decades. 1986 The first issue hits the stands – with an initial circulation of three million copies at an introductory price of 30 pfennigs. AUTO BILD was still published in a newspaper format back then. producing their own material. For example Joachim Staat, an editor with AUTO BILD 1996 for 23 years: “The night before my first vi- AUTO BILD is quick to go digital – deo, I was so excited I didn‘t sleep a wink. autobild.de goes online. Interested in a Nowadays it‘s commonplace for me to make bit of time-travel? On archive.org you videos on my smartphone at auto shows, for can view a page from December 1996. example, which I then upload to the social media channels.” Instead of working on a major show report for the print version as he used to, today Joachim Staat works on three or four 2004 AUTO BILD reveals problems with the SBC “wonder brake”– and triggers the biggest recall in the history of Mercedes: 1.3 million cars! WE ESSENTIALLY 2007 DESTROY At the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, AUTO BILD TV begins THE CARS. broadcasting online. Joachim Staat 2016 On March 18, the anniversary issue (1,549th issue) hits newsstands with the best of 30 years and a huge prize pieces simultaneously: an article for autobild.