RTL Deutschland is bundling its Brand & Marketing, Cross-media and Consumer Products divisions into one central division to be led by Thorsten Braun, former Managing Director of Super RTL and Chief Consumer Products Officer at RTL Deutschland. Oliver Schablitzki is named the new Managing Director of Super RTL, while Julian Weiss, former Chief Marketing Officer at RTL Deutschland, is leaving the company at his own request and on the best of terms to pursue new entrepreneurial challenges.

In his new role, Thorsten Braun will be responsible for RTL Deutschland’s brand strategy, positioning and development, alongside integrated campaign conception and the implementation of all marketing activities across all target groups and platforms of RTL Deutschland’s brand portfolio. Also in scope is the creation and strengthening of cross-media projects, alongside the licensing and merchandising business. RTL Deutschland’s portfolio comprises around 350 popular brands.

Stephan Schmitter, incoming CEO of RTL Deutschland, says: “In recent years, Thorsten Braun has systematically developed Super RTL while expanding children’s content across all platforms of RTL Deutschland. With his many years of experience in content, brand and marketing, he will successfully unite the Brand & Marketing, Cross-media and Consumer Products divisions and drive the strategic expansion of the new division.”

“As head of Nitro, RTL Up, Vox Up and others, Oliver Schablitzki has repeatedly proven his passion and flair for successful content in the past. I am delighted that as Managing Director of Super RTL, he is returning to the brand with which he started his career at RTL Deutschland. With him, the digital development of Super RTL and Toggo is in the very best hands.”

“I would also like to sincerely thank Julian Weiss for the excellent cooperation and great commitment from the entire Brand & Marketing department. Julian has been instrumental in shaping and driving RTL Deutschland’s brand identity over the past few years. I wish him all the best and every success for his professional and personal future."

Julian Weiss says: “RTL is colourful. RTL is creativity, courage and entrepreneurial freedom. This mixture was my motivation to go the extra mile, along with the many great colleagues, teams and partners. Working with these people was a great pleasure and made this successful journey possible. Now I’m looking forward to something new and everything that’s still to come.”

Thorsten Braun has been Managing Director of Super RTL since mid-2021, alongside being responsible for RTL Deutschland’s entire licensing and merchandising business as Chief Consumer Products Officer. He was previously Chief Content & Revenue Officer at Super RTL. Before this, he held positions at Paramount, Publicis Media and the Walt Disney Company. In his new role, he will report to Andreas Fischer, Chief Operating Officer of RTL Deutschland.

Oliver Schablitzki takes over as Managing Director of Super RTL in addition to his duties as Executive Vice President Multichannel. From 1998 to 2006, he held various programme-related positions at Super RTL. Following this, he held positions at MTV Networks and Nickelodeon before returning to RTL Deutschland in 2012 to lead the new TV channel Nitro. In his new role, Oliver will continue to report to Stephan Schmitter.

Julian Weiss has been Chief Marketing Officer at RTL Deutschland since 2016. He began his career at Bertelsmann as assistant to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, before taking over as assistant to the CEO of RTL Group. Following this, he was Chief Operating Officer of news channel NTV and Head of Marketing at IP Deutschland. In 2021, Julian and his team were responsible for the rebranding of RTL Deutschland as part of the RTL united project – which has won several awards in Germany.