Leadership Transition at DEAG: Markus Breitenecker to Succeed Detlef Kornett as Chairman of the Executive Board

Leadership Transition at DEAG: Markus Breitenecker to Succeed Detlef Kornett as Chairman of the Executive Board

Experienced media executive Markus Breitenecker to lead DEAG into its next phase of development. Detlef Kornett to step down at the end of 2026, as planned, after thirteen years on the Executive Board. Focus on further international expansion and strengthening the Group’s market position.

Berlin, 29 September 2026 – DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG (“DEAG”) is setting the course for its next phase of growth: Experienced media executive Markus Breitenecker (57) will join DEAG’s Executive Board on 1 November 2026 and will simultaneously acquire a shareholding in the Company. He will succeed Detlef Kornett (63) as Chairman of the Executive Board. Kornett will leave the Company at the end of 2026 upon expiry of his contract, following thirteen successful years on DEAG’s Executive Board.

During this period, Detlef Kornett played a decisive role in shaping DEAG’s development, serving as Co-CEO since 2023 and as Chairman of the Executive Board since 2024. Under his leadership, the Group significantly expanded its international presence and further strengthened its market position. In financial year 2025, the Group generated revenue of approximately EUR 490 million, the highest in its corporate history. DEAG’s next phase of development will build on this strong foundation.

Detlef Kornett, Chairman of the Executive Board of DEAG:

"My time at DEAG has been characterised by an extraordinary period of development. I am proud of what we have achieved together as a team and would like to thank all colleagues and partners for their successful collaboration. I wish Markus Breitenecker and the entire DEAG team every success in the next phase of the Company’s journey."

With Markus Breitenecker, DEAG gains a highly experienced media and entertainment executive with extensive expertise in building and developing new business areas. Among other roles, Breitenecker served on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, where he acted as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Together with the other members of the Executive Board, he will focus in particular on driving the Group’s continued international growth and further expanding its market position across existing and new business areas.

Markus Breitenecker, future Chairman of the Executive Board of DEAG:

"I am truly excited to begin a new chapter with DEAG. 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. The Company has an outstanding team and excellent foundations for unlocking new opportunities. 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."

Tobias Buck, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DEAG:

"On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to sincerely thank Detlef Kornett for his many years of commitment and his significant contribution to DEAG’s international development. We are delighted to welcome Markus Breitenecker as the new Chairman of the Executive Board of DEAG. With his extensive entrepreneurial and management experience, he will lead DEAG along its continued growth path and help shape the Company’s future development."

About DEAG

DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG (“DEAG”), founded in Berlin in 1978, is a leading provider of Live Entertainment, Ticketing, and Entertainment Services in Europe.

With Group companies at 25 locations, DEAG is present in its core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. As a Live Entertainment service provider with an integrated business model and a strong international partner network, DEAG has extensive expertise in the conception, organisation, promotion, and production of live events of all genres and sizes.

The Live Entertainment segment includes the core business areas of Music – covering Rock/Pop, including Urban and Electronic Dance Music, Classics & Jazz – and Non-Music, such as the Spoken Word & Literary Events and Family Entertainment. Every year, DEAG organises over 6,000 live events and sells more than 10 million tickets, a steadily growing share of which are sold via the DEAG Group’s ticketing platforms: myticket.de, myticket.at, myticket.co.uk and gigantic.com.

Live Entertainment for all generations and target audiences, the development of international markets, and the strengthening of the ticketing area are central building blocks of DEAG’s ongoing development.

Investor & Public Relations

Axel Mühlhaus, edicto GmbH
Eschersheimer Landstraße 42
60322 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 69 905505-52
Email: deag@edicto.de