Voralberger Gerold Riedmann becomes the new “Standard” editor-in-chief

2023-10-18 09:00:03

As it became known at the beginning of October, editor-in-chief Martin Kotynek is leaving the daily newspaper “Der Standard” after six years. The
The step takes place in mutual agreement with editor Oscar Bronner and board member Alexander Mitteräcker, as announced on “derStandard.at”.

They are hiring a “passionate editor and an experienced media manager with a high level of digital competence,” says publisher Bronner.
Riedmann has been editor-in-chief of “Vorarlberger Nachrichten” since 2015 and, as managing director of Russmedia, played a key role in shaping the strategic online direction.

Kotynek came to the Austrian daily newspaper from “Zeit Online” in autumn 2017 and was considered the creator of digital expansion (including podcast offerings). There were different ideas about the future direction between Bronner and Kotynek.

With Riedmann’s move, a different financing model for “derStandard.at” will reportedly be considered – instead of open access and a focus on the existing online community, there could be a paywall for the digital content.

Before working for Russmedia, Riedmann headed a specialist editorial department for online news in Munich and developed digital formats for newsrooms in Germany – including “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Kirch Group and Bayerischer Rundfunk. He completed the Stanford Executive Program (SEP) at Stanford Business School (California) and the Media Executive Leadership Program at Northwestern University (Chicago). He is on the board of the International News Media Association (INMA). Riedmann is married and has three daughters.

The staff of “Der Standard” was informed today (October 18th) about the joint decision by the publisher, supervisory board and board of directors. Nana Siebert, Petra Stuiber and Rainer Schüller will lead the editorial team as a team until April.