Opening of the International Media Congress

Mon, Sept. 7, 10.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Keynotes and podium discussion
The Media Industry in Germany between Hype and Crisis

In the digital age, one trend follows hot on the heels of the next. Is it a great time for innovation, growth and economic success? Yes and no, especially seeing as media transformation simultaneously poses fundamental challenges to traditional media and that a worldwide economic crisis is now dimming the media industry's upbeat future scenarios for the second time in a decade. What does this mean for Germany, a country with one of the most important media markets in the world, its media markets and media policies? In the opening event of the Media Congress of the 2009 Medienwoche, discussions will focus on the current challenges facing the media industry in economic crises, on the changing nature of the social responsibilities of the media industry in the Internet era and on the approaching changes expected from media policy makers.

Moderation: Frank Thomsen, stern.de, Hamburg

10.30 - 11 a.m. Welcome Greeting

• Petra Müller, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Potsdam
• Dr. Hans Hege, Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlin

11 - 11.30 a.m. Keynotes

• Marco de Ruiter, MTV Networks North
  
• Four Theses on the German Media Industry from a Publisher's Perspective
  Dr. Andreas Wiele, Axel Springer, Berlin
  

11.30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Statement and Podium discussion

Statement

• Dr. Stefan Tweraser, Google Germany, Hamburg

Podium discussion

• Wolf Bauer, UFA Film & TV Produktion, Potsdam
• Joel Berger, Fox Interactive Media Germany (MySpace Germany)
• Frank Briegmann, Universal Music Deutschland, Berlin
• Dagmar Reim, rbb, Berlin/Potsdam
• Marco de Ruiter, MTV Networks North
• Dr. Stefan Tweraser, Google Germany, Hamburg
• Dr. Andreas Wiele, Axel Springer, Berlin