Nuremberg, Germany – Dr. Jörg Burkhardt will assume the role of Managing Director of 1. FC Nürnberg Marketing GmbH on July 1, 2026, the club announced today. He succeeds Dirk Schlünz, who has been appointed the new Managing Director of Deutsche Sport Marketing in Frankfurt. The appointment marks a continuation of the club’s internal development of leadership, as Burkhardt has been with 1. FC Nürnberg since April 2022, most recently as Head of New Partnerships.
The move comes as 1. FC Nürnberg continues to build its in-house marketing capabilities, having transitioned to self-marketing in 2022 after a long-term collaboration with the sports rights agency Sportfive. Schlünz oversaw this crucial phase, becoming Managing Director of Marketing with the founding of 1. FC Nürnberg Marketing GmbH in October 2021. The club’s ability to fill the position internally speaks to the strength of its talent pipeline, according to club officials.
A Seamless Transition for 1. FC Nürnberg
Niels Rossow, Board Member for Strategy and Marketing at 1. FC Nürnberg, emphasized the smooth transition, stating, “We thank Dirk Schlünz for his excellent work and wish him all the best for his new role. With his expertise, he provided important impetus for the development and design of the new marketing unit after the move to self-marketing. Dirk Schlünz was always able to rely on a strong team. We are pleased to be able to fill the position internally with Jörg Burkhardt, with high quality from within the marketing department.”
Schlünz, in turn, expressed gratitude for his time with the club. “I look back on my time at 1. FC Nürnberg with great gratitude. Together with a dedicated and highly professional team, we have initiated important developments and further developed the club in key areas in recent years. My special thanks go to the board and especially Niels Rossow, all colleagues, partners and companions for their trust and cooperation. The collaboration was always characterized by great trust and mutual respect,” he said. Schlünz will focus on marketing and visibility of the “Team Germany” brand around the Olympic and Paralympic Games at Deutsche Sport Marketing.
Burkhardt’s Background and Vision
Dr. Burkhardt brings a strong academic and professional background to the role. Born in Ansbach, he earned a diploma in economics and a doctorate. As Head of New Partnerships, he was responsible for acquiring new customers for 1. FC Nürnberg and developing innovative marketing concepts. He similarly played a key role in introducing digital processes and systems within the marketing department and contributed to various internal club projects.
Prior to joining 1. FC Nürnberg, Burkhardt held leadership positions at GfK SE and ERGO Direkt Versicherungen. He also served as Managing Director of Forum V e.V., the North Bavarian Institute for Insurance Science and Economics at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), according to FAU WiSo. His experience spans both the commercial and academic sectors.
“I am very much looking forward to the new challenge and would like to thank everyone involved for their trust,” Burkhardt said. “My goal is to consistently further develop the Marketing GmbH and, together with an outstanding team, successfully shape the next development steps.”
Internal Talent as a Strength
Rossow highlighted the club’s success in retaining and developing talent. “Our talents are currently in demand not only in sports. Recently, high potentials have arrive into focus of top employers across Germany due to their very good work at the club. We see this as confirmation of the quality of our employees and their development at FCN. We are therefore proud that we can fill positions internally from the outset,” he stated.
The appointment of Dr. Burkhardt signals 1. FC Nürnberg’s commitment to a stable and strategically focused marketing approach as the club navigates the evolving landscape of German football. The club will be looking to build on the momentum generated by its self-marketing efforts and further strengthen its brand and partnerships.
The next key date for 1. FC Nürnberg Marketing GmbH will be July 1, 2026, when Dr. Burkhardt officially assumes his new role. Fans and partners can expect continued updates on the club’s marketing initiatives through its official channels.
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