Interview with Dr. Christoph Bauer, CEO of DuMont

“If you want to be successful, you have to make forward-looking and evidence-based decisions”

As our new CxO Growth study shows, technological advancement and innovative strength are currently at the top of the management agenda - for DuMont, however, these are not new topics. Dr. Christoph Bauer, CEO of DuMont, reveals in the interview how the company, with its 400-year (corporate) tradition, has continuously developed along the leading technologies of its time, from letterpress printing to AI, and why there is no room for "nice to haves".

What long-term growth goals is DuMont currently pursuing, and how do you plan to achieve them?

BAUER We want to further accelerate our successful growth. The fact that we have been able to continuously increase revenue and earnings over the past four years is the result of our diversification strategy, which we defined ten years ago to be more independent of structural changes in the media and technology landscape. Today, the triad of content, data, and technology forms the basis for our robust, future-proof portfolio that can exist and grow in the digital economy. In almost a decade, we have transformed from a newspaper group into a resilient group of companies that grows continuously through acquisitions, sales, foundations, and developments. This sets the stage for expanding DuMont as a family-owned business into an AI company, attracting the best talents, and operating sustainably. 

Which technological innovations are you focusing on?

BAUER Our philosophy is "Embrace Technology." After all, in its more than 400-year company history, DuMont has always developed along the interfaces to the leading technology of its time - starting with letterpress printing. Today, the key drivers are customer centricity in the digital economy and artificial intelligence. DuMont currently generates 85 percent of its operating income with digital business models and aims to become an AI company. Consequently, the investment focus in all three business areas is equally on the further development and expansion of innovative products, services, and automation.