Dörte Spengler-Ahrens to Become President of the ADCE
The chairwoman of Jung von Matt is taking the helm of the Art Directors Club of Europe—ushering in a new era for the European creative industry.
Dörte Spengler-Ahrens is leading the ADCE into a new chapter
The Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) has appointed Dörte Spengler-Ahrens, Chairwoman of Jung von Matt, as its new president. The appointment coincides with the 35th anniversary of the ADCE Awards and, according to the organization, marks the beginning of a new phase for the European creative organization. At the same time, the ADCE is introducing a revamped awards structure designed to broaden participation and better reflect the diversity of Europe’s creative landscape.
Spengler-Ahrens is considered one of Germany’s most award-winning creative executives. By her own account, she brings decades of experience in developing internationally recognized creative work, agencies, and talent to the organization. She began her career at Jung von Matt as an art director before rising to become the agency’s first female creative director after just three years. In 2002, she returned as a partner and co-founded Jung von Matt/Spree, the group’s first Berlin-based agency. In the years that followed, she established several additional units within the network, including Jung von Matt/9, Jung von Matt/Pulse, Jung von Matt/Fleet, Jung von Matt/Elbe, and Jung von Matt/SAGA. In 2024, she was appointed non-executive chairwoman of the Jung von Matt Group.
Revised Eligibility System for the ADCE Awards
With this new direction, the ADCE Awards are opening up to a broader field of participants. Whereas the awards were previously open only to winners and nominees from competitions organized by ADCE member associations, they are now open to all participants in competitions held by the 25 member clubs—as well as selected eligible competitions organized by non-member organizations throughout Europe. According to the organization, this is intended to create greater opportunities for independent creatives, emerging talent, and smaller markets.
The ADCE Awards judging process remains focused on creative excellence: It begins with online judging rounds and culminates in live judging sessions during ADCE Creative Week in the fall. The jury is composed of internationally acclaimed creative leaders from across Europe.
«My hope is that the ADC will become the most prestigious, most recognized, and most relevant award in Europe,» said Spengler-Ahrens. «I will do everything in my power to achieve and maintain that status.»
Dörte Spengler-Ahrens, ADCE: Diversity and Representation as a Guiding Principle
Throughout her career, Spengler-Ahrens has consistently championed diversity, equality, and the empowerment of women in the creative industry. She was the first female president of ADC Germany, where she transformed the organization under the vision «Changing the world through creativity,» placing a stronger emphasis on inclusion and representation. In 2000, she founded MARIA, Germany’s first women-led advertising agency.
«Women in creative leadership positions are still dramatically underrepresented in our industry,» said Spengler-Ahrens. «The ADCE is an exception—it meets a 50-50 quota without exception and had its first female president as early as 2000. I am also a strong supporter of women at ADC Germany and would like to continue this work at the European level.»
Her achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the title «Germany Agency Person of the Year» at the 2018 Horizont Awards, the «Braveheart» Award at the 2023 Best Agency Awards, and the 2025 LIA Legend Award. Throughout her career, she has worked for international brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Sixt, Nivea, Zalando, and BVG.
Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club, commented on the appointment: «The One Club has a long and successful relationship with Dörte, as she has served on several juries for The One Show, the global ADC Awards, and Next Creative Leaders competitions. We welcome Dörte to this exciting new role at ADCE and are confident that the organization—and the industry—will benefit greatly from her vision, dedication, and innovative thinking.»
The ADCE and Its European Reach
The Art Directors Club of Europe is a nonprofit organization based in Barcelona that brings together 25 professional clubs and associations from 24 European countries. Founded in 1990, the ADCE promotes creative excellence in advertising and graphic design throughout Europe and, according to its own figures, represents more than 7,000 professionals. The ADCE is part of The One Club for Creativity, based in New York.
With the 35th edition of the ADCE Awards and Spengler-Ahrens serving as president, the organization aims to establish itself as the «ADC of ADCs»—Europe’s most prestigious, relevant, and representative creative award.
For more information about the ADCE and the awards: https://adce.eu
