WMP Eurocom AG

WMP Eurocom AG is a German strategic communications consultancy specialising in the interface between business, media and politics. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Berlin, the firm describes itself as "Das Original – seit 1998 unabhängig" (The original – independent since 1998) and has been operating for more than 25 years. It maintains additional offices in Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main and Munich, and its services span corporate publishing, public affairs, media relations, financial communication and healthcare communication. The company was established by Ernst-Wilhelm and Ulf Rittinghaus, with founding involvement from figures such as Roland Berger, former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and former Bundesbank President Karl-Otto Pöhl. In 2000 the original WMP merged with TV Media, the company of former Bild editor-in-chief Hans-Hermann Tiedje, to form WMP Eurocom AG. Tiedje is today the main shareholder. The group includes wholly owned subsidiaries TV Media Medienmanagement GmbH (Munich), G.P.A. German Public Affairs GmbH (Hamburg), WMP Healthcare GmbH and WMP Finanzkommunikation GmbH. WMP advises corporate and political clients on positioning, reputation management and public affairs. Its work has repeatedly drawn public scrutiny, particularly regarding mandates for foreign governments. It returned a mandate for Saudi Arabia in 2018 following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and it has also advised the government of Qatar. A 2015 Stern article alleged covert negative PR against Google on behalf of Microsoft; the German Public Relations Council (DRPR) found no evidence substantiating the complaint and dismissed it. In 2003 a consulting contract with the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) attracted attention and was returned early. Leadership has changed several times. After the resignation of CEO Michael Inacker in August 2020, Ulrich Porwollik took over as CEO on 1 January 2021 and shifted the firm's focus towards location marketing and economic development. As of 2025, Moritz Barckhausen and Henning Marten serve as Co-CEOs. The supervisory board is chaired by Jürgen Gerdes and includes Jürgen Geißinger, Ulrich Schumacher, Ulrich Marseille, Frank Werner and Kristin Schwarz, with founding member Roland Berger as honorary member.

WMP Eurocom AG was founded in 1998 by Ernst-Wilhelm and Ulf Rittinghaus, with the involvement of prominent figures including Roland Berger, former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and former Bundesbank President Karl-Otto Pöhl. The firm was established as a strategic communications consultancy for business, media and politics, headquartered in Berlin. In 2000, the original WMP merged with TV Media, the company of former Bild editor-in-chief Hans-Hermann Tiedje, forming WMP Eurocom AG. Tiedje later became the main shareholder. Twelve years after founding, Wendelin Wiedeking acquired the shares of the Rittinghaus brothers. The group expanded through wholly owned subsidiaries: TV Media Medienmanagement GmbH in Munich, G.P.A. German Public Affairs GmbH in Hamburg, WMP Healthcare GmbH and WMP Finanzkommunikation GmbH. Over the years, WMP has been involved in several controversies. In 2003, a consulting contract with the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and its head Florian Gerster drew public attention; WMP returned the contract early after the agency's administrative council criticised the lack of proper tendering. In December 2015, Stern magazine published a critical article alleging covert negative PR against Google on behalf of Microsoft. The case was brought before the German Public Relations Council (DRPR), which found no evidence substantiating the complaint and dismissed it. In November 2018, Bild am Sonntag published excerpts from an internal presentation suggesting WMP had attempted to lobby for Saudi Arabia in Germany, presenting journalists as influenceable. The firm returned the Saudi mandate following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Rezzo Schlauch, former chairman of the Green parliamentary group and a supervisory board member since 2016, resigned. In August 2020, CEO Michael Inacker resigned, leading to a complete replacement of the management board. Ulrich Porwollik, former business journalist and communications chief at DAX company Linde, became CEO on 1 January 2021, shifting the firm's focus towards location marketing and economic development. As of 2025, Moritz Barckhausen and Henning Marten serve as Co-CEOs. Barckhausen has been with WMP since 2021, previously as CFO, and is also managing director of WMP Healthcare. Marten joined in 2015 after 25 years as a TV producer and media consultant. The supervisory board is chaired by Jürgen Gerdes, with members including Jürgen Geißinger, Ulrich Schumacher, Ulrich Marseille, Frank Werner and Kristin Schwarz; founding member Roland Berger is an honorary member.

• 2025

  Moritz Barckhausen and Henning Marten serve as Co-CEOs.

• 2021

  Ulrich Porwollik becomes CEO on 1 January; focus shifts to location marketing and economic development.

• 2020

  CEO Michael Inacker resigns; complete replacement of management board.

• 2018

  Saudi Arabia mandate returned after Khashoggi murder; supervisory board member Rezzo Schlauch resigns.

• 2015

  Stern article alleges covert negative PR for Microsoft against Google; DRPR dismisses complaint.

• 2003

  Consulting contract with Bundesagentur für Arbeit returned early amid criticism.

• 2000

  Merger of original WMP with TV Media (Hans-Hermann Tiedje) to form WMP Eurocom AG.

• 1998

  Founded by Ernst-Wilhelm and Ulf Rittinghaus with involvement of Roland Berger, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Karl-Otto Pöhl.

Independent strategic communications consultancy at the intersection of business, media and politics, with a focus on public affairs and reputation management.

• Strategic communications consulting

  Advising corporate and political clients on positioning, reputation and public affairs.

• Corporate publishing

  Full-service editorial projects from concept to print, including employee and customer magazines, online formats and content marketing.

• Public affairs

  Lobbying and government relations, including for foreign governments.

• Financial communication

  Communication services for financial markets and investors.

• Healthcare communication

  Communication services for healthcare and life sciences clients.

1. 1WMP EUROCOM AG – Official Websitewmp-ag.de
2. 2Corporate Publishing – WMP EUROCOM AGwmp-ag.de
3. 3WMP Eurocom – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
4. 4WMP Eurocom – Wikidatawikidata.org