As part of its organizational transformation, Central Media Group is implementing a new model developed in collaboration with Financial Times Strategies. This process introduces substantial changes in the company’s operations and business structure, underscoring its commitment to quality content production and technological advancements.
Central Media Group began working with Financial Times Strategies in June to modernize its operations. Now, in the completed second phase of the project, isolated units are being consolidated, paving the way for more flexible and efficient cross-divisional collaboration.
One of Hungary’s largest independent media companies, Central Media Group is taking the next step in its organizational development by restructuring its existing content divisions and establishing three new business units: News, Women and Lifestyle, and New Business.
The News division’s business operations will now directly report to Petr Bednar, who joined the company in August as Chief Digital and Business Development Officer. Content oversight for the division will be led by Péter Pető, the editor-in-chief of 24.hu, who will assume these new responsibilities while retaining his current role. This division will encompass 24.hu, 24 Extra, Startlap, Hírstart, Vezess, and First Class, continuing to deliver high-quality, independent news content to its audience.
As part of the reorganization, Attila Virág will remain responsible for Startlap.hu’s business operations and will also take on a new role as Senior Manager of AI and Product Technology Innovation, further emphasizing Central Media Group’s commitment to technological development and innovation.
The Women and Lifestyle division will continue to be led by Tímea Lipták, who will proceed as Director of Women’s Digital and Magazine Business, integrating the company’s online and print products while advancing content and platforms relevant to women. Both Tímea Lipták and Péter Pető will report directly to Petr Bednar.
The New Business division will be led by Daniella Pácsonyi, the company’s Creative and Communications Director, who, alongside her existing duties, will focus on products built on new and distinctive sales models, including Central Content, Refresher, and Krémmánia.
From a technological and business standpoint, Petr Bednar, Chief Digital and Business Development Officer, will lead the News, Women and Lifestyle, and New Business divisions, alongside the Refresher and Krémmánia products. Both Daniella Pácsonyi and Petr Bednar will report to Deputy CEO Róbert Vági.
As part of the restructuring, Editor-in-Chief Péter Szigeti will depart the company. Szigeti has over 20 years of experience in media, having begun his journalism career. He joined 24.hu as Editor-in-Chief in October 2017, coming from Kreatív, and continued as Digital Editor-in-Chief from August 2019, overseeing the content and business strategies for 24.hu, Vezess, and Autómagazin. Under his leadership, 24.hu grew to become one of Hungary’s largest independent news portals, and he was also instrumental in the recent launch of 24 Extra.
Central Media Group is proud of its dedication to quality content production, exemplified by the recently launched 24 Extra. With the creation of the new organizational structure, the company aims to place greater emphasis on technological developments and new business models alongside quality content production. In the coming months, Central Media Group will focus on meticulously designing this new model, with a planned implementation scheduled for the first half of 2025.
