DEAG Deutsche Entertainment AG, a leading European live entertainment and ticketing company, announced a major leadership transition that will shape its next phase of growth. Markus Breitenecker, a seasoned media executive, will join the Executive Board on 1 November 2026 and simultaneously acquire a shareholding in the company. He will succeed Detlef Kornett as Chairman of the Executive Board when Kornett leaves at the end of 2026, following thirteen years on the board.
Kornett’s tenure was marked by significant international expansion and a strengthened market position. In financial year 2025, DEAG generated revenue of approximately EUR 490 million, the highest in its corporate history. “My time at DEAG has been characterised by an extraordinary period of development,” Kornett said. “I am proud of what we have achieved together as a team and would like to thank all colleagues and partners for their successful collaboration.”
Breitenecker brings extensive experience from the media and entertainment industry. He previously served on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE as Chief Operating Officer, with a strong track record in building new business areas. His appointment underscores DEAG’s focus on driving continued international growth and expanding its market position across existing and new business areas. “Live entertainment has always been a personal passion of mine and, particularly in the digital age, remains one of the things that brings people together,” Breitenecker said. “I look forward to bringing my experience from media, technology and platform businesses to DEAG and helping to shape the future of entertainment in Europe.”
Tobias Buck, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed gratitude to Kornett and confidence in Breitenecker: “With his extensive entrepreneurial and management experience, he will lead DEAG along its continued growth path.”
DEAG, founded in Berlin in 1978, operates in 25 locations across Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. It organises over 6,000 live events annually and sells more than 10 million tickets, a growing share through its ticketing platforms such as myticket.de, myticket.at, myticket.co.uk, and gigantic.com. This leadership change is crucial for the live entertainment sector, as DEAG’s strategic direction under Breitenecker could influence market dynamics, ticketing innovations, and international competition. Stakeholders should watch for accelerated expansion and digital transformation initiatives that may reshape Europe’s entertainment landscape.
