DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG has announced a 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 simultaneously acquire a shareholding in the firm. He will succeed Detlef Kornett as Chairman of the Executive Board when Kornett departs at the end of 2026, following thirteen years of service.
The change at the top comes after a period of significant achievement under Kornett's leadership. During his tenure, which included roles as Co-CEO since 2023 and Chairman since 2024, DEAG expanded its international footprint and strengthened its market position. In financial year 2025, the group generated revenue of approximately EUR 490 million, the highest in its corporate history. This strong foundation sets the stage for Breitenecker to steer DEAG into its next phase of development.
Breitenecker brings a wealth of experience from the media and entertainment sectors. He previously served on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE as Chief Operating Officer, where he honed his skills in building and developing new business areas. His background in media, technology, and platform businesses is expected to be instrumental as DEAG pursues further international growth and seeks to expand its market position across existing and new business segments.
"I am truly excited to begin a new chapter with DEAG," Breitenecker said. "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."
Kornett reflected on his time at DEAG with pride: "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."
Tobias Buck, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed gratitude for Kornett's contributions and optimism about the future: "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."
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, it operates in core markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. The company organises over 6,000 live events annually and sells more than 10 million tickets, a growing share of which are sold through its ticketing platforms such as myticket.de, myticket.at, myticket.co.uk, and gigantic.com. The company's integrated business model and international partner network support its expertise in conceiving, organising, promoting, and producing live events across genres and sizes.
The leadership change underscores DEAG's commitment to continuous evolution. Breitenecker's appointment signals a focus on leveraging digital transformation and platform strategies to further penetrate international markets. As the live entertainment industry rebounds and evolves, DEAG's ability to innovate and expand will be critical. With Breitenecker at the helm, the company aims to build on its record-breaking performance and solidify its position as a European leader in live entertainment and ticketing.
