ARTE appoints new managers: A breath of fresh air from Strasbourg!

ARTE appoints new managers: A breath of fresh air from Strasbourg!

ARTE GEIE has announced significant personnel changes at its Strasbourg headquarters. From January 1, 2026, the new managing director of the program management, Sylvie Stephan, will take responsibility for the channel's programming direction. Stephan, who currently works as deputy program director, brings many years of experience from the German and French media landscapes. She succeeds Ingrid Libercier, who will take on new roles at ARTE France. Stephan previously worked at Bayerischer Rundfunk and has headed the main program planning department at ARTE since 2022, as OTS reports.

Among the other appointments, Christophe Jung will serve as head of the main programming department from the same date. He brings extensive experience in media research and previously worked in leading positions at the radio station Europe 1 and Saarländischer Rundfunk. Carolin Ollivier, who is currently editor-in-chief of the ARTE Journal, will also be appointed head of the main information department. Ollivier succeeds Renée Kaplan, whose mandate lasts until August 31, 2027.

Further appointments and confirmations

Barbara Häbe is also appointed head of the feature film and television film department. She takes over from Claudia Tronnier, who is retiring, and has experience in developing European cinema productions. In addition, Marysabelle Cote, Susanne Costede and Carmen Lebold were confirmed in their existing roles. Your mandates are valid from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029.

The board of ARTE GEIE, which manages the station's business, is made up of four members, including the president Bruno Patino, the vice president Heike Hempel, the program director and the administrative director. Heike Hempel will represent the German side in the general meeting in her new position from January 1, 2024, succeeding Peter Weber, who is stepping down from office at the end of the year. Hempel has over 25 years of experience in the media industry and has headed the main television film/series II department at ZDF since 2008, informs ZDF.

Committees and political support

The general meeting of ARTE GEIE meets four times a year and decides on fundamental questions and the economic plan. It consists of six German and six French representatives and includes advisory voices from European partners and institutions. The current German members include Dr. Katrin Vernau, director of WDR, and Prof. Dr. Kai Gniffke, director of SWR. The French representatives include Jean-Dominique Giuliani and other senior figures in the media industry.

In a further context, ARTE Germany's program advisory board met on June 12, 2024 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss the further development of ARTE's European platform. The political support of Germany and France was highlighted, especially in the context of Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Germany. The program advisory board also addressed the challenges posed by the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in the media sector, as ARTE reports.

These personnel changes and the associated appointments reflect the ongoing development of ARTE and its strategic orientation in an increasingly digital and technological media landscape.