DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG, a leading European live entertainment and ticketing company, has announced a major leadership transition that will shape its strategic direction for years to come. Markus Breitenecker, a seasoned media executive, will join the company's Executive Board on 1 November 2026 and assume the role of Chairman, succeeding Detlef Kornett, who will step down at the end of 2026 after thirteen years on the board. The move signals DEAG's ambition to accelerate international growth and strengthen its market position, building on a record-breaking financial performance in 2025 when the group generated approximately EUR 490 million in revenue, the highest in its history.
Kornett's tenure was marked by significant international expansion, including the strengthening of DEAG's presence across Europe and the enhancement of its integrated business model. Under his leadership, the company solidified its reputation as a powerhouse in live entertainment, organizing over 6,000 events annually and selling more than 10 million tickets. Kornett expressed pride in the team's achievements and confidence in Breitenecker's ability to lead the company forward. "My time at DEAG has been characterised by an extraordinary period of development," he said. "I wish Markus Breitenecker and the entire DEAG team every success in the next phase of the Company's journey."
Breitenecker brings extensive experience from the media and technology sectors, having served as Chief Operating Officer on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE. His background in platform businesses and digital transformation is expected to be instrumental as DEAG seeks to capitalize on evolving consumer trends in live entertainment. "Live entertainment has always been a personal passion of mine and, particularly in the digital age, remains one of the things that brings people together," Breitenecker commented. "I look forward to bringing my experience from media, technology and platform businesses to DEAG and helping to shape the future of entertainment in Europe."
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for DEAG, which operates in core markets including Germany, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. The company's ticketing platforms, such as myticket.de, myticket.at, myticket.co.uk, and gigantic.com, are central to its growth strategy. The company aims to leverage Breitenecker's expertise to further penetrate these markets and explore new opportunities. Tobias Buck, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, welcomed the appointment, stating, "With his extensive entrepreneurial and management experience, he will lead DEAG along its continued growth path and help shape the Company's future development."
The transition underscores DEAG's commitment to innovation and expansion in the competitive live entertainment industry. As digitalization continues to reshape how audiences engage with events, Breitenecker's tech-savvy leadership could drive new synergies between DEAG's live events and ticketing operations. The company's ability to adapt and grow will be closely watched by investors and industry peers alike. For more details, view the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
