Joachim Schumann
Joachim Schumann | |
|---|---|
 Schumann in 2017 | |
| Born | 24 June 1934 |
| Education | Imperial Academy of Wiesstadt |
| Known for | Editor for the Morgen Post (1975-1981) CEO of Eckhardt and Nord Communications (1981-present) Chairman of Eckhardt and Nord Communications (1997-present) |
| Net worth | €2 billion (2020) |
| Board member of | Eckhardt and Nord Communications EKO Studios |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Werania |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 1955-1958 |
| Rank | Zugsführer |
Joachim Schumann (born 24 June 1934) is a Weranian media mogul who is the current Chairman and CEO of Eckhardt and Nord Communications (ENK), the largest media conglomerate in Werania. He was formally an editor for the Morgen Post, an ENK publication.
A former military officer who began working for the Morgen Post in his mid 20's, Schumann became editor of the paper in 1975 where he turned the then-failing publication into the best-selling Weranian daily newspaper through both an aggressive new tabloid, populist style and consolidating the paper's press operations which brought Schumann into conflict with press unions and ENK CEO Wilhelm Eckhardt. In 1981 Schumann was appointed as CEO of Eckhardt and Nord Communications after Eckhardt's unexpected death where he continued new management reforms in ENK's other papers (the Tageskrorrespondent) as well as expand into the newly-deregulated television industry and the expansion of the existing radio and film operations by the company.
The creation of ENK Television in 1986 saw the station become the largest private free TV station in Werania by 1992 after it merged with competitor BTL. In 1991 Schumann attempted to merge ENK with the Staatsmann Group which owns the Weranian paper of record, Der Staatsmann, but was blocked due to concerns over a media monopoly. In 1997 Schumann became Chairman of ENK as the company focused on expanding its operations in Euclea and Coius. By 2002 ENK owned over 300 companies in 24 countries with a combined worth of €1 billion.
Under Schumann's recent leadership there has been a greater focus on diversifying ENK's output and assets, internationalising the company and digitising its operations. ENK's revenue in 2018 was €4.2 billion whilst Schumann's personal fortune is believed to be around €2 billion.
Schumann has been associated with conservative political causes throughout his career and is considered close to the National Consolidation Party, although Schumann denies formal links to political parties. His assertive style, heavy support for tabloid journalism, involvement in various media ventures and right-wing populist tone of much of ENK's publications has made Schumann a controversial figure in Werania. Der Staatsman editor Theodor Heinig called him one of the most influential men in Weranian public life.