Robin Lingg closes operational chapter at Ringier after 13 years
After more than 13 years of playing a key role in shaping the Ringier Group, Robin Lingg is stepping down from all operational responsibilities and the chairmanship of the Ringier Sports Media Group. He will remain closely connected to the family-owned company as a major shareholder and representative of the sixth generation. Today, the Ringier Group generates over 80 percent of its operating profit in the digital sector across 19 countries.
Robin Lingg joined Ringier in 2011 from a successful international management position at Boehringer Ingelheim in Mexico. At the time, he followed the wish of the Ringier and Lingg families and CEO Marc Walder to put his expertise at the service of the media company. After an initial phase on the Ringier Board of Directors (2011-2013), Lingg took on various operational tasks at Group level with the aim of driving forward the transformation into a technology company.
From publishing house to technology company
Thirteen years later, the Ringier Group now generates over 80 percent of its operating profit in the digital sector in 19 countries. During this era, Robin Lingg has played a key role in this transformation.
From 2014, Robin Lingg was responsible for the business on these two continents as CEO Ringier Africa & Asia. In Asia, he initiated far-reaching restructuring measures - including the sale of Ringier China - while in Africa he substantially developed the digital portfolio (media and marketplaces).
Marketplace portfolio and sports media as pillars of growth
From 2017, the international digital marketplace portfolio grew substantially under Lingg and became the Group's most important economic pillar. In Switzerland, Jobcloud and Scout24 established themselves as clear market leaders under Lingg. He also acted as the strategic architect for the realization of today's SMG Swiss Marketplace Group.
Most recently, Lingg developed RSMG as the Group's third strategic pillar from 2022. Today, the eight leading sports media brands reach over 23 million users in seven countries.
Statements from Ringier management
Michael Ringier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ringier, praised Lingg's achievements: «Over the past 13 years, Robin has made a decisive contribution to the future viability of our family business. He followed the family's request at the time and put his own career abroad on hold in favor of Ringier. The fact that the Ringier Group is so successful digitally today is closely linked to his successful work.»
Marc Walder, CEO Ringier, adds: «Robin joined the Ringier Group in 2011, initially as a member of the Board of Directors. He built the foundation for our African business, he was the architect of our highly successful digital marketplace portfolio - and he built Ringier Sports Media Group from scratch. Robin Lingg has had a strong influence on our company over the past decade and a half. Through his hard and honest work, his entrepreneurial courage, his irrepressible creative drive and his great digital affinity.»
Robin Lingg himself explains: «It fills me with joy to see how we have transformed the Group together from a traditional publishing house into a leading international technology company. Now that I have established the third strategic pillar with RSMG, the time is right for me to open a new chapter and devote myself to new projects. I am handing over RSMG to Marc Walder and the future CEO Tim Kollmann during a phase of strong growth.»
Robin Lingg will remain closely associated with the company as a committed co-owner and anchor shareholder. His brother Roman Bargezi will continue to actively represent the Lingg-Bargezi family line as a member of the Board of Directors.
