Hubert Burda Media
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman family-owned media group spanning magazines, digital platforms, publishing services, and technology investments.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Hubert Burda Media is a German family-owned media group whose origins lie in a small printing business established by Franz Burda in Philippsburg in 1903 and subsequently relocated to Offenburg. The company developed from printing into magazine publishing, with its portfolio eventually encompassing consumer magazines, news, lifestyle, fashion, special-interest titles, digital media, online marketplaces, technology services, and selected broadcasting interests. Offenburg remains a principal corporate location, while Munich became an important publishing and management centre. The group’s publishing history includes the radio-listings magazine Die Sürag, launched in 1927, and the postwar illustrated publication Das Ufer, which later developed into Bunte. A major parallel business was created by Aenne Burda, whose fashion-pattern publishing operation produced Burda Moden from 1950. The company expanded through acquisitions during the postwar decades, including Neue Verlags-Gesellschaft and Frankfurter Illustrierte, and built a large printing and publishing infrastructure. Its history during the Nazi period includes the 1938 acquisition of the Mannheim Bauer printing business, which had been subject to forced sale under the antisemitic Aryanization system. Franz Burda was also a Nazi Party member from 1938. The company’s later handling of this history, including reparations and engagement with Jewish survivors and descendants, has been treated by historians and Jewish community representatives as an important case of corporate responsibility and historical memory. Hubert Burda joined the business in 1966 and took responsibility for publishing activities after the family restructuring of the 1970s. As editor of Bunte, he helped move the title toward a modern popular people-magazine format. The 1986 division of the family group left Hubert Burda in control of the German printing and publishing activities, while his brothers controlled other holdings. The group subsequently expanded in eastern Germany after reunification, launching Superillu with Gong Verlag, and achieved a major strategic breakthrough with Focus, founded in 1993 by Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort. Focus helped establish the company as a broader media corporation rather than primarily a traditional magazine publisher. From the mid-1990s, Hubert Burda Media invested heavily in digital businesses. Focus Online launched in 1996, and the group later consolidated digital activities through Focus Digital AG and its merger with Tomorrow Internet AG. The company also developed digital conferences and innovation networks, most notably Digital Life Design, launched in 2005. Its later portfolio included or included investments in brands and platforms such as XING, HolidayCheck, HuffPost Germany, Chip, Chip Online, and the British publisher Immediate Media. In 2009 Burda acquired an initial 25.1 percent stake in XING and became its majority shareholder three years later. The group remains privately held and family controlled, with publishing and digital activities operating across Germany and international markets.
History
The business began in 1903 as a small printing operation founded by Franz Burda in Philippsburg. After the first venture proved unsuccessful, Burda established a new company in Offenburg in 1908. The company entered periodical publishing in 1927 with Die Sürag, Germany’s first radio-listings magazine. Under Franz Burda Sr., who took over in 1929, the title expanded rapidly and the printing business adopted newer production methods, including gravure printing. In 1938 Burda and partners acquired the Mannheim Bauer printing works from Jewish owners who were compelled to sell under Nazi Aryanization policies. The transaction formed part of the company’s later historical controversy. Franz Burda joined the Nazi Party in 1938, while records also describe instances in which he retained or protected Jewish employees and intervened on behalf of employees’ families. During the Second World War the company produced military maps and aerial images, and its Mannheim plant was destroyed by bombing. After the war it printed schoolbooks, postage stamps, and publications for the French occupation authorities. Das Ufer, launched in 1948, became an early predecessor of Bunte. Aenne Burda independently built a major fashion-pattern publishing business after the war. Burda Moden, introduced in 1950 after an earlier title called Favorit, became a significant customer of the family printing operation and grew to a large circulation. During the 1950s and 1960s the wider group expanded its printing capacity and acquired publishing assets, including Neue Verlags-Gesellschaft and Frankfurter Illustrierte. The latter was incorporated into Bunte, producing the title Bunte Münchner Frankfurter Illustrierte. Hubert Burda joined the company in 1966 after studying art history and completing professional training. He initially managed the Munich publishing operation. After Franz Burda Sr. withdrew from day-to-day management in 1973, the three sons became managing shareholders with separate operational responsibilities. Hubert directed publishing, became managing editor of Bunte, and was appointed editor-in-chief in 1976. His editorial approach modernized Bunte and helped it develop into a popular people and lifestyle magazine. The family group was reorganized in 1986 following the death of Franz Burda Sr. Hubert Burda became sole shareholder of Burda GmbH, which concentrated the German printing and publishing businesses. His brothers retained other family holdings, including interests associated with printing, paper, distribution, and the Axel Springer investment. A later dispute over the sale of the Springer shares ended unsuccessfully for Hubert Burda in court. During the late 1980s and 1990s the company broadened its media footprint. Burda Moden entered the Soviet market in 1987, and Superillu was launched after German reunification as a magazine aimed at readers in the new eastern German states. The failed Super! tabloid caused losses, but the creation of Focus in 1993 proved highly successful. Founded by Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort, Focus combined news reporting with a distinct magazine format and became central to Burda’s transformation into a major media group. By the mid-1990s the company had consolidated its radio and television interests and expanded through foreign subsidiaries. Digitalization became a strategic priority from 1995. The group invested in online services, launched Focus Online in 1996, and later combined digital operations through Focus Digital AG and its merger with Tomorrow Internet AG. The company adopted the Hubert Burda Media name as its activities moved beyond conventional publishing. Its digital and technology interests later included XING, HolidayCheck, Chip, Chip Online, and other platforms. DLD, founded in 2005, gave the group an international forum for technology and innovation. Hubert Burda Media remains a privately held, family-controlled media company with a portfolio spanning print, digital publishing, specialist information, services, and media-related investments.
- 2022
Martin Weiss becomes chief executive
[6]Martin Weiss succeeded Paul-Bernhard Kallen as chief executive of the group.
- 2012
XING majority acquired
[1]Burda increased its holding in XING to a majority stake.
- 2009
Initial XING investment
[1]Burda acquired a 25.1 percent stake in XING.
- 2005
DLD founded
[1]The group launched the Digital Life Design conference and innovation platform.
- 2000
Digital businesses consolidated
[1]Focus Digital AG merged with Tomorrow Internet AG to form a major internet group of the period.
- 2000
International digital and publishing diversification accelerates
[3]The group expanded its international publishing activities and increased its focus on digital media and technology-related businesses.
- 1996
Focus Online launches
[1]Burda established an editorial online news service, accelerating its digital transition.
- 1993
Focus launches
[1]The news magazine founded by Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort became a pivotal growth platform.
- 1993
Focus launched
[5]Burda launched Focus as a German news magazine with a modern visual and editorial concept.
- 1986
Family group reorganized
[1]The family's businesses were divided, with Hubert Burda taking control of the German printing and publishing operations.
Products and positioning
A family-owned German publishing and digital-media group that combines mass-market and specialist editorial brands with online platforms, technology investments, and international media activities.
People and lifestyle magazine · 1948
Bunte
Bunte is one of Burda’s best-known German magazine brands. Originating from the postwar illustrated magazine Das Ufer and later incorporating Frankfurter Illustrierte, it developed under Hubert Burda into a modern popular publication focused on celebrities, society, lifestyle, and entertainment. Bunte is a German celebrity, society, and lifestyle publication and one of the most recognizable editorial brands associated with Burda. Its coverage combines celebrity profiles, entertainment, society reporting, lifestyle subjects, and visual features. The brand has also been extended through digital channels and related editorial formats. Bunte is one of Burda's best-known German magazine brands. Originating from the postwar illustrated magazine Das Ufer and later incorporating Frankfurter Illustrierte, it developed under Hubert Burda into a modern popular publication focused on celebrities, society, lifestyle, and entertainment. Its coverage combines celebrity profiles, entertainment, society reporting, lifestyle subjects, and visual features, and the brand has also been extended through digital channels and related editorial formats.
News magazine · 1993
Focus
Focus is a German news magazine founded by Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort in 1993. Its magazine format and editorial positioning helped it become one of the group’s most important brands and a foundation for Burda’s later digital news operations. Focus is a German news magazine launched by Hubert Burda Media in 1993. It was positioned as a modern alternative in the German news-magazine market, using a highly structured layout and concise presentation of political, economic, scientific, and social reporting. The brand has developed print and digital editorial channels. Focus is a German news magazine founded by Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort in 1993. It was positioned as a modern alternative in the German news-magazine market, using a highly structured layout and concise presentation of political, economic, scientific, and social reporting. Its magazine format and editorial positioning helped it become one of the group's most important brands and a foundation for Burda's later digital news operations, with the brand developing print and digital editorial channels.
Regional and lifestyle magazine · 1990
Superillu
Superillu was created after German reunification in cooperation with Gong Verlag. It was designed to serve readers in the former East Germany with a mix of regional identity, lifestyle, service, and popular content, and became a leading magazine in the eastern German states. Its subject areas include regional life, people, entertainment, service journalism, and lifestyle. Superillu is a German magazine with a strong readership and editorial identity in eastern Germany. Its subject areas include regional life, people, entertainment, service journalism, and lifestyle. The title is one of the important mass-market publications in Burda's German portfolio.
Fashion and sewing-pattern magazine · 1950
Burda Moden
Burda Moden was Aenne Burda's principal fashion-pattern publication. It combined clothing patterns with fashion presentation and became a major international publishing product, helping establish the Burda name in fashion and sewing communities.
Technology magazine
Chip
Chip is a German computer and technology magazine associated with Vogel Burda and later fully controlled by Hubert Burda Media. Its editorial scope covers consumer technology, hardware, software, testing, and digital services. It is associated with magazine publishing as well as online reviews, product comparisons, news, and service content, giving Burda a strong position in technology-oriented editorial markets. Chip is a consumer-technology media brand covering computing, electronics, software, digital services, and buying advice. It is associated with magazine publishing as well as online reviews, product comparisons, news, and service content. The brand gives Burda a strong position in technology-oriented editorial markets.
Technology website
Chip Online
Chip Online is the digital technology portal connected with the Chip publishing brand. It extends the magazine's testing, advice, and technology-information activities into online publishing.
Digital innovation conference · 2005
DLD
Digital Life Design is Burda's international conference and innovation platform. It convenes technology entrepreneurs, investors, media leaders, and companies to discuss digital business, creativity, and emerging technologies.
Women's lifestyle magazine
Freundin
Freundin is a German women's lifestyle magazine associated with fashion, beauty, relationships, health, home, and everyday-life coverage. It forms part of Burda's established consumer-magazine portfolio and has been supported by digital editorial distribution.
Digital publishing
BurdaForward
BurdaForward is a digital-media organization associated with online news, service journalism, and consumer-information brands. It represents the group's move from print-led publishing toward internet-native editorial products, digital advertising, audience communities, and multimedia distribution.
Technology investment
BurdaPrincipal Investments
BurdaPrincipal Investments is associated with Hubert Burda Media's investments in technology and digital businesses. Its role broadens the group beyond operating media properties and gives Burda exposure to software, platforms, marketplaces, and other technology-enabled business models.
Controversies
1938
Acquisition of the Bauer printing works during Nazi Aryanization
Burda and partners acquired the Mannheim Bauer printing business after its Jewish owners were forced to sell under Nazi Aryanization laws. The company's Nazi-era conduct, including Franz Burda's party membership and later efforts involving reparations and historical accountability, remains a significant part of its institutional history.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Digital Life Design
Germany · International
Burda created DLD as a recurring international forum connecting digital innovators, investors, and established companies. The initiative extended the group's identity beyond publishing and positioned it within technology and innovation networks.
Outcome. Established as a continuing Burda innovation platform.
Brand decisions
2022
Leadership transition to Martin WeissStrategyBackground
Hubert Burda Media was continuing to manage a portfolio spanning magazines, digital publishing, and technology investments.
Action taken
The group appointed Martin Weiss as chief executive, succeeding Paul-Bernhard Kallen.
Aftermath
The transition maintained professional executive management while the company remained family-owned.
2009
Initial investment in XINGM&ABackground
Burda pursued digital platform investments to complement its publishing assets.
Action taken
The group acquired 25.1 percent of XING.
Aftermath
Burda increased its holding to a majority position in 2012.
1996
Move into editorial digital newsStrategyBackground
The growth of online media led Burda to build dedicated digital activities rather than rely exclusively on print publishing.
Action taken
The company launched Focus Online and expanded its internet portfolio.
Aftermath
Digital publishing became a central part of the group’s business model and identity.
1993
Launch Focus news magazineProduct launchBackground
Burda sought growth beyond established illustrated and lifestyle titles during a period of strategic repositioning. The German news-magazine market was dominated by established titles, creating an opportunity for a publication with a different visual design and editorial presentation.
Action taken
Hubert Burda Media launched Focus as a news magazine emphasizing concise articles, strong visual organization, and broad coverage of politics, business, science, and society.
Aftermath
Focus became a major Burda brand and supported the group’s development into a diversified media company. Focus became one of Burda's most important editorial brands and expanded into digital publishing.
Sources6 sources
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