Christian Röpke

Christian is an experienced media executive and has served as Chief Operating Officer of the ZEIT Publishing Group since early 2026.

Since joining the group in 2009, he has played a key role in driving the digital transformation of one of Germany’s leading quality media companies. In his previous roles as the group’s Chief Product Officer and Managing Director of ZEIT ONLINE, the group’s digital platform, he successfully scaled digital business models and product innovations.

Before joining ZEIT, he gained extensive expertise in digital business models and digital media at Gruner + Jahr and the Financial Times Deutschland. He entered the media industry in 2000 after beginning his career in the music industry.

Throughout his career, Christian has consistently been committed to combining high-quality journalism with sustainable digital and economic growth.

Events

Nov12

AI Media Leaders Conference 12.11.2026

12.11.2026 09:00 – 20:00 Uhr

Get your ticket now and discuss AI strategies together with other decision-makers from the media and digital industries.

nextMedia.Hamburg446,25 €Emporio Haus, Panoramadeck | Dammtorwall 15, 20355 Hamburg

12.11.26 — –

with Carina Laudage (FUNKE Media Group), Christian Röpke (ZEIT Publishing Group), Thomas Hinrichs (Bayerischer Rundfunk)

Panel

Journalism in the Age of AI: Value Creation, Trust, and New Business Models

AI is fundamentally transforming the research, production, and distribution of content. At the same time, new questions are arising regarding monetization, platform dependencies, and the future of journalistic value creation. How are payment models and bundles changing? What role do intellectual property, training, and licensing play? And how can trust, transparency, and attribution be ensured in an increasingly AI-driven media landscape? Representatives from the print media, broadcasting, and journalism will discuss the strategic challenges and opportunities for the future of journalism.