Mathias Döpfner
Chairman and CEO, Axel Springer
Author, Dealings with Dictators: A CEO’s Guide to Defending Democracy
Intuition is the most underestimated tool for leadership. Numbers are the consequence of good decisions, but great decisions often come from gut instinct.
Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Mathias Döpfner, Chairman and CEO of Axel Springer, to discuss his transformative leadership in the global media industry. Döpfner shares insights on Axel Springer’s digital evolution, the future of journalism in the age of AI, and the vital role of press freedom in defending democracy. He also explores the intersection of trade policy and geopolitics, advocating for a “Freedom Trade Alliance” to counter authoritarian influence.
Mentions & Resources
Guest Bio
Mathias Döpfner is a German journalist, book author, and the chairman and CEO of Axel Springer SE, owner of the media brands Politico, Insider, and Morning Brew in the US, Bild and Welt in Germany, and the classifieds platforms StepStone and Aviv. It is the largest digital publisher in Europe and active in over forty different countries. He joined the company in 1998 as editor-in-chief of the German daily Welt and became CEO in 2002. Ever since, he has pushed the digital transformation of the company. Today, over 85 percent of the group’s revenues and 95 percent of profits come from its digital business. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Netflix and Warner Music Group, serves on the steering committee of Bilderberg conference, and holds an honorary office at the American Jewish Committee.
Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.