Volkswagen CEO Reclaims Top Spot in CEO Impact Ranking Amid Restructuring

In a quarter marked by economic uncertainties and significant structural challenges, Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen and Porsche, secures the top position in the CEO Impact Ranking for Q3. This ranking, published quarterly in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, evaluates the media visibility and influence of DAX40 CEOs based on analysis from media intelligence experts at UNICEPTA.

Blume's leading position is largely attributed to Volkswagen's extensive restructuring efforts aimed at a fundamental transformation of the company. The FAZ commented: "The situation for Europe's largest carmaker is deteriorating dramatically: a consumer slump in China, new competitors in electromobility, weak demand in its home market, and neglected combustion engines - all ingredients for a very unpleasant mix." Blume has publicly discussed potential factory closures and the cancellation of collective agreements, which would be an unprecedented move in the company's history.

The Handelsblatt also described September 2, 2024, as a "turning point" for VW, when Blume first considered closing a German plant. These measures have had a major impact, but Blume emphasized in an interview with the Bild am Sonntag: "Volkswagen is my home. We need to take risks again, to dare to succeed. VW can count on me, and I count on VW."

Armin Papperger (Rheinmetall) loses top spot but remains significant. Källenius with Mercedes-Benz back in the top three.

Armin Papperger of Rheinmetall ranks second in the listing. Media coverage focused on two main topics: Papperger was reportedly targeted by Russian assassination plots, as uncovered by the New York Times: "U.S. Uncovers Russian Plot to Assassinate Chief Executive of German Arms Maker."

Simultaneously, Rheinmetall experienced its strongest economic growth to date. The FAZ reported: "Rheinmetall has increased its revenue by around 50% in the second quarter, with profits more than doubling. The supercycle is clearly gaining momentum." The company forecasts an annual revenue increase of around two billion euros in the coming years.

Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, secured third place after a solid but challenging third quarter. The company's performance continues to be affected by weaknesses in the Chinese market. Handelsblatt reported: "Following a drastic profit warning, investors are criticizing the company's heavy reliance on China, where business is struggling. CEO Ola Källenius's statements provide little
reassurance."

Additionally, Källenius called on the EU to adjust its ambitious climate goals to more realistic levels. Ahead of an automotive summit, he warned that the European Commission's estimates were overly optimistic. Mercedes is therefore planning a major overhaul of the internal combustion engine, according to focus.de.
 

Manfred Knof (Commerzbank) and Tim Höttges (Deutsche Telekom) take fourth and fifth place

Manfred Knof, CEO of Commerzbank until the end of September 2024, ranked fourth, following his surprise resignation. Knof was praised for successfully restructuring the bank, while rumors of a takeover by Italy's UniCredit generated additional headlines, as reported by wiwo.de.

Tim Höttges of Deutsche Telekom took fifth place, backed by strong business figures in the second quarter. The Süddeutsche Zeitung highlighted a revenue increase of more than 4% and a 7.8% rise in adjusted operating profit. wiwo.de further noted that all of Telekom's business units are performing well, and the company has raised its full-year targets.

The remaining positions in the top ten: Markus Kamieth (BASF, 6th), Guillaume Faury (Airbus, 7th), Bjørn Gulden (Adidas, 8th), Christian Klein (SAP, 9th), Michael Sen (Fresenius, 10th).

For this CEO Impact Ranking, UNICEPTA's media intelligence experts in Cologne evaluated 1,757 articles from 116 German and international print and online sources published between July and September 2024. The ranking is based on data from UNICEPTA's "DAX Benchmark," which continuously tracks the media presence of all DAX companies and their CEOs, including the
likelihood of media reception, focus, and tone of the coverage.