Jürg Marquard

Jürg Marquard (born July 13, 1945 in Zurich), the son of a dentist. He attended school in Zurich, where he at a young age became involved in journalism. Having done his leaving certificate (Matura) at the “Kantonsschule” for Economics, Zurich, he launched the youth magazine “POP” with SFR 2'000.- which he borrowed from school friends. This founded the basis of his journalistic and entrepreneurial career.

At that time Jürg Marquard already sensed that the flourishing pop and rock culture was not just a fly-by-night phenomenon, but also a strong youth movement with revolutionary potential. He sensed this movement would embrace a large spectrum beyond the music and entertainment industry, such as fashion, lifestyle, culture and that it would even penetrate politics. At the same time as putting his magazine “POP” on the map, Jürg Marquard was also working as a radio and TV presenter, specialising in pop music. He was the first presenter of the Radio-Hit-Parade to achieve great popularity in Switzerland.

A successful entry into the German-speaking magazine market

After the eventful early days, in which Jürg Marquard himself edited the magazine with a lot a passion, the magazine became a commercial success. After various mergers with other German youth magazines, POP became POP/ROCKY, which was for many years Germany's second largest youth magazine. POP/ROCKY maintained this status for decades until it was eventually merged with POPCORN in 1998. POPCORN was one of Marquard Media’s international umbrella brands.

His big breakthrough in the German-speaking magazine markets was achieved with the take-over of COSMOPOLITAN in 1981. Before then the German version of COSMOPOLITAN had been dragging its feet without any noticeable success. With radical editorial changes he turned COSMOPOLITAN into a huge success in less than a year. COSMOPOLITAN led the way for a new type of women's magazine. When taking over COSMOPOLITAN on October 14, 1981, Jürg Marquard said: “I believe in the future of this brand because recent years have brought about deep changes with regards to the self-image and the role behaviour of women. COSMOPOLITAN is the journalistic answer to these changes. The success is therefore pre-determined“. COSMOPOLITAN subsequently became the most successful premium women’s magazine in the German-speaking market and therefore the basis for the expansion of the premium lifestyle segment of the Marquard Media Group.

The internationalisation of Marquard Media

In 1988 Jürg Marquard launched the Hungarian versions of POPCORN and MÄDCHEN (Girl). With these launches he became the first western publisher of periodical magazines behind the then still existing “Iron Curtain”. The big success as well as the positive perspectives after the political change made Jürg Marquard invest dynamically in Central European markets and expand his activities – including the acquisition of daily newspapers in Hungary and Poland, as well as launching new magazines.

In 1999, during the process of a strategic re-orientation, Jürg Marquard focused his activities on the premium magazine segment and therefore streamlined his portfolio: The youth and music titles were sold to Axel Springer, the Hungarian newspapers to Ringier and the Polish printing house to Baring Private Equity Partners.

Following this phase of consolidation Marquard Media again expanded by launching various new magazines as well as taking over and integrating VIPress (PLAYBOY und VOYAGE) in Poland.

In summer 2005, Marquard Media with a successful public offer, secured a 91,4% stake in Computec Media AG, a stock exchange listed publisher of various consumer magazines in the area of Electronic Entertainment and Multi-Media.

In 2005 Jürg Marquard was the co-producer and protagonist of the TV show „Traumjob“, a licensed version of Donald Trumps „The Apprentice“. This was a top-rated show on Kanal 1 on Swiss television.

Marquard Media today

Today, year 2012, Marquard Media publishes 41 magazines in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland and is active with license editions in many other countries. The ever-growing online business encompasses 25 websites in the German-speaking markets.

In Hungary Marquard Media is the leading publisher of premium magazines in the women’s as well as the men’s segment with a wide-ranging portfolio: JOY, EVA, INSTYLE, SHAPE, JOY CELEBRITY, FITT MAMA, PLAYBOY, PLAYBOY EXCLUSIVE, CKM and DESIGN ROOM.

Marquard Media continues to expand in the premium magazine segment in Poland. With CKM and PLAYBOY it is the leading publisher in the men’s segment and also holds a top position in the women’s premium segment with COSMOPOLITAN, JOY, OLIVIA and SHAPE as well as with the travel magazine VOYAGE. Marquard Media is also successfully represented in the segment of weekly women’s magazines and true-stories magazines in Poland with PANI DOMU, CIENIE I BLASKI und SEKRETY SERCA.

Jürg Marquard plans to keep expanding with his company. Further expansion is occurring via new launches, as well as further acquisitions.

Special achievements

In 1995 Jürg Marquard was appointed “Honorary General Consul to the Republic of Hungary” in Switzerland. In 2005 he was given the memorial medal "PRO AUXILIO CIVIUM HUNGARORUM“ by the Hungarian government in recognition of his successful 10-year function as Honorary General Consul. In 2006 he was also awarded with the honorary medal "Hero of Liberty“.

In 1999 Jürg Marquard was awarded the “Euro Crystal Globe” by the European Institution for Economics.

Today Jürg Marquard is amongst the most prominent Swiss entrepreneurs. He is married to Raquel Marquard, has five children and lives in Herrliberg (Zurich) . He enjoys many sports and is an active car racer and enthusiast. During winter seasons the Swiss billionaire spends his time in his Penthouse Apartment in St. Moritz. Recently Marquard has purchased a 60meter Superyacht where he spends a lot of time on with his family.

Share Holdings

His total shareholding in London FTSE listed Kea Petroleum is 29,033,253 ordinary shares representing 4.16% of the Company's current voting rights.

External links

• Marquard Media website