PRESS RELEASES & AD-HOC

Kontor New Media and Kontor Records: Next stage of generational change

Hamburg, 2nd February 2026

Following the successful expansion of the management boards of Kontor New Media (KNM) and Kontor Records (KR) at the beginning of July last year, the three previous general managers Frank-Peter Leffler (KNM), Jan Benkmann (KR) and Jan Schwede (KR) have now been appointed managing directors of their respective companies. As part of this transition, Jens Thele is stepping down as managing director of Kontor New Media and Kontor Records, and Michael Pohl is stepping down as managing director of Kontor New Media. They will remain closely associated with both companies in an advisory capacity and as partners in a wide range of joint activities. Furthermore, Darjusch Ziaabadi and Philipp Bischoff have been promoted at Kontor New Media and will serve as general managers in the future.

Jens Thele, MD & Founder Kontor Records/Kontor New Media: “Exactly 30 years at Kontor Records and over 20 years at Kontor New Media lie behind me – marked by countless experiences, many stories and sensational successes. I am absolutely grateful for this intense time with great people, highly professional teams and strong partners. With a smile in my eyes, I now look forward to a perfect handover. I am very happy for Jan Benkmann and Jan Schwede at Kontor Records, as well as for Frank Leffler, Darjusch Ziaabadi and Philipp Bischoff at Kontor New Media. Together with their excellent teams and Jonas Haentjes, they will consistently continue the successful development of both companies. I will remain connected to the company in the future and will continue the successful collaboration with our music publishing company Sheffield Communications Publishing, as well as in product management and YouTube with Scooter.”

Michael Pohl, MD Kontor New Media: “For more than 20 years, Kontor New Media was not just a workplace for me – it was a labour of love. Together with an outstanding team, we had the opportunity to actively shape the digital transformation in the music industry and set sustainable trends. In doing so, we succeeded in gaining the trust of many distribution partners and labels and establishing long-term, reliable partnerships. What began as a bold step into what was then a largely untapped digital age in the music industry developed over the years into an extraordinary journey – characterised by passion, pioneering spirit, innovative enthusiasm and continuous growth. Together with dedicated colleagues and trusted partners, we have succeeded in building a structure that goes far beyond traditional digital distribution: we have created a resilient network based on cooperation and mutual trust. We have established values that focus on reliability and transparency. And we have created an environment that not only accommodates creative content, but also provides space for the people behind it – for their ideas and their implementation.

All of this makes Kontor New Media a special place for me to this day, one that is much more than just a company in the digital world. I am grateful for all the challenges we have learned from and for the successes we have celebrated together. Above all, I am proud of a team that is now ready to write the next chapters of this extraordinary story with a fresh perspective and new energy. With Frank Leffler, Philipp Bischoff and Darjusch Ziaabadi, a new generation is now taking over, one that I hold in high regard both professionally and personally. I look forward to remaining closely connected to Kontor in the future – in an advisory and supportive capacity, and with all my heart.”

Jonas Haentjes, EDEL CEO: “Over the decades, Jens Thele and Michi Pohl have developed Kontor New Media and Kontor Records into the most successful independent companies in their respective fields. We thank them for this magnificent achievement, which is unparalleled. And we are equally grateful that they have built a team that will continue this legendary success story. Without Jens and Michi, their entrepreneurial spirit, their passion for innovation and excellence, none of this would have been possible. I am very excited to continue shaping both companies with the next generation.”

Frank Leffler, MD Kontor New Media: ‘I am very grateful for the trust that Jens and Michi have placed in me from the very beginning. Over the past 10 years, I have learned an incredible amount from both of them, and it is a great honour for me to be able to continue writing Kontor’s success story together with Jonas, Jan, Jan and our fantastic teams.’

Jan Benkmann, MD Kontor Records: ‘I would like to thank Jens and Jonas for their trust. After more than 27 years with the company, it is a special honour for me to take over the management together with Jan Schwede and to continue the successful development together with the team.’ 

Jan Schwede, MD Kontor Records: “I have been accompanying Jens on his journey at Kontor Records since 1997, almost from the very beginning. I have never met anyone with so much energy, passion for the cause, entrepreneurial flair and, last but not least, the necessary drive. One thing is certain: it was never boring!

I have the utmost respect for Jens’ achievements and am very grateful to him for allowing me to be part of this journey. I wish him and Michi Pohl all the best and would also like to thank Jonas for his trust in us!”