Hungarian investor and media owner Zoltan Varga is given the GLOBSEC European Business Award. The recognition acknowledges significant contributions by European figures in promoting unity and strength across the continent, particularly during challenging times. Mr. Varga joins an illustrious group of past recipients, further cementing the award’s prestige and his own impact on the European business landscape.
In its laudatory announcement Globsec said: “Zoltan Varga’s leadership has been significantly shaping independent media and business innovation across Central and Eastern Europe. The Award is a recognition of his remarkable achievements as an inspirational and visionary entrepreneur and media owner.”
As the CEO and Chairman of Central Media Group, one of Hungary’s largest independent media companies, Mr. Varga is seen to have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a regional media holding that champions freedom of speech and democratic values. During the last years he became a shareholder in Polish media house Gremi Media Plc. and outlets in Czechia and Slovakia too.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from GLOBSEC,” said Zoltan Varga. “I do believe in the power of independent media to inform, inspire, and hold power accountable. In Central and Eastern Europe, where the media landscape can sometimes be challenging, I remain committed to defending press freedom and promoting innovation, because I believe a strong, free media is essential to thriving democracies” – added Varga, who dedicated his award to his team at Central Médiacsoport and Central Group.
Zoltan Varga acquired Central Media in 2014 becoming the owner of one of Hungary’s largest independent media companies. In 2023 he made a significant move into the Polish media market by acquiring a large stake in Gremi Media, owner of the prominent Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita and business daily Parkiet. Central Media is also a major investor in gen-Z focused medium Refresher in Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia.
On its 10th anniversary, Central Media Group underwent a comprehensive rebranding. The redesign process was launched through a competition, which was ultimately won by an internal colleague, Péter Kovács, who leads the UX/UI team at Central. The designer was responsible for the company’s branding, logo, and the development of the brand guide. The finished work is intended to reflect Central’s diversity, as well as its innovative and modern approach. The new branding is accompanied by a new slogan, whose main message is: “Content at the Center.”
Central Media Group remains committed to producing content that informs, entertains, builds trust, and is dedicated to democracy, human dignity, and freedom.
“We have had a solid ten years behind us, and we have become one of Hungary’s most prominent media companies. Our goal remains unchanged: to serve our readers and partners – who, along with us, value authenticity and independence – primarily with entertainment and public interest content. Our new brand identity reflects our thoughtful and modern approach, ensuring that Central remains a sustainable and reliable content creator in the long term,” emphasized Daniella Pácsonyi, Creative and Communications Director at Central Media Group.
As it marks its 10th anniversary, Central Media Group defines professional excellence as a core principle. As part of this, the company expects all activities supporting or related to its operations to be carried out by the highest relevant standards. This ensures top quality in all its activities, promoting continuous development and forward-looking individual and group performance that reflects market trends.
On its 10th anniversary, Central Media Group underwent a comprehensive rebranding. The redesign process was launched through a competition, which was ultimately won by an internal colleague, Péter Kovács, who leads the UX/UI team at Central. The designer was responsible for the company’s branding, logo, and the development of the brand guide. The finished work is intended to reflect Central’s diversity, as well as its innovative and modern approach. The new branding is accompanied by a new slogan, whose main message is: “Content at the Center.”
Central Media Group remains committed to producing content that informs, entertains, builds trust, and is dedicated to democracy, human dignity, and freedom.
“We have had a solid ten years behind us, and we have become one of Hungary’s most prominent media companies. Our goal remains unchanged: to serve our readers and partners – who, along with us, value authenticity and independence – primarily with entertainment and public interest content. Our new brand identity reflects our thoughtful and modern approach, ensuring that Central remains a sustainable and reliable content creator in the long term,” emphasized Daniella Pácsonyi, Creative and Communications Director at Central Media Group.
As it marks its 10th anniversary, Central Media Group defines professional excellence as a core principle. As part of this, the company expects all activities supporting or related to its operations to be carried out by the highest relevant standards. This ensures top quality in all its activities, promoting continuous development and forward-looking individual and group performance that reflects market trends.
Central Media Group understands that change is inevitable in order to remain a sustainable publisher in terms of quality and efficiency. The company’s dominant domestic market position allows for the economic stability necessary for it to embark on a path of growth. The long-term goal is to develop new business models beyond traditional digital and print publishing, that do not solely rely on conventional advertising revenues. This strategic thinking led to the launch of its own creative and production agency, Central Content, as well as the launch of Refresher Hungary. The company also plans further product development for 24.hu, while placing increasing emphasis on its previously successful event business.
“Our previous corporate structure provided a certain level of internal stability, but we are fully aware that in 2024, integration and brand focus are indispensable. We no longer want to view our strong print brands as mere printed publications; digital product development is also essential in these cases. We believe that continuous growth and the introduction of new business models will ensure we remain an efficient media company and can strengthen our international presence,” said Róbert Vági, Deputy CEO of Central Media Group.
Deputy CEO, Central Médiacsoport
The company aims to play a key role as a content provider not only in Hungary but also across the CEE region, with plans for further acquisitions and the international market entry of brands already well-established in the Hungarian market.
Thanks to the company’s publishing ambitions, it already has a presence in several V4 countries. Central Media Group acquired a stake in Poland’s Gremi Media and owns a share in Slovakia’s
Refresher brand, which has also been successfully launched in the Hungarian market. Negotiations are underway for the regional debut of several other well-known Hungarian brands.
As part of the transformation, Petr Bednar will join the company as of July 1, bringing his experience from the more digitally advanced Czech market to assist Central Media Group as Chief Digital and Business Development Officer. Bednar will be a member of the Board of Directors, reporting directly to the Deputy CEO. He will oversee the entire print and online content production, as well as product development. Over his 23-year career, Bednar has held numerous leadership positions and is credited with building the digital portfolio of Czech companies such as Ringier and the previously print-focused Mladá Fronta. For the past eight years, Bednar has worked as a member of the board and Chief Digital Officer at one of the Czech Republic’s largest publishers, responsible for digital business development. In his new position at Central, his tasks will include creating new revenue models, exploring and applying AI opportunities, introducing data-driven operations, and managing, developing, and modernizing the existing print and online portfolios.
As part of the organizational transformation focused on print and online integration, Tímea Lipták’s role will also change. The previously print-heavy division will now include major digital brands such as nlc, Házipatika, and Krémmánia. Lipták will continue her work at the company as Director of the Women’s Digital and Magazine Division. The roles and positions of the digital portfolio directors will remain unchanged.
Central Media Group is working with Financial Times Strategies as a consultant to create a modern corporate structure capable of developing new revenue streams. Financial Times Strategies, a subsidiary of the British business daily Financial Times, uses its international expertise to create a wide range of media companies globally.
The students received certificates from Róbert Vági, Deputy CEO, and several competed in an innovation challenge. During the challenge, they presented strategies to develop our media portfolio to a jury, utilizing the media market knowledge they acquired over the past months.
Although the Central Digital Academy program has concluded, the collaboration is far from over, as more than 70% of the new alumni will continue working with their former mentors professionally.
“I am extremely proud that Central holds its ground in the market as one of the largest content providers in Hungary. The time has truly come for building media in the V4 region, and in the next 3-5 years, Central plans to expand with a large portfolio in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. AI and technological developments will undoubtedly play a major role in our future. However, it is important to emphasize that quality journalism remains an irreplaceable profession, and there is still a great need for it, alongside the need to pay special attention to the journalists of the future and the younger generation,” summarized Zoltán Varga, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Central Media Group. ”
Varga Zoltán
Chairman of the board of directors and CEO, Central Médiacsoport
Gratulálunk kollégáinknak és a TOP50-es lista minden helyezettjének!
The Reuters Institute, based at the University of Oxford, produced this report for the 13th time this year, surveying 95,000 consumers across 47 countries. In each market, the samples were drawn using nationally representative quotas by age, gender, and region.
According to the results, 25% of Hungarians visit 24.hu at least once a week, while 11% visit it at least three times a week. This makes the site the second-largest in terms of reach among domestic online news outlets, surpassing platforms like Telex, Origo.hu, 444, hvg.hu, and blikk.hu. In terms of credibility, 24.hu also ranks highly: according to the representative survey, 41% of the population considers the site’s news service reliable, making it the second most credible exclusively online brand, ahead of Index and 444. Only five media brands on the Hungarian market have trust ratings above 40%, including 24.hu, with the highest score being 50% (HVG)
According to the jury’s statement praising Bálint Szajki, “despite his young age, the winner excels in various genres of photography. He deeply immerses himself in his subjects and feels a personal connection to his chosen projects, allowing viewers to experience his series not only as high-quality documentary work but also as a deeply personal experience. His photographs highlight sensitive and important social issues, such as the challenges and beauty of ageing, a gentle and empathetic relationship with animals, or the hidden dynamics of communities formed out of necessity. His images, which compose his series, stand-alone as polished and valuable works in their own right.”
