Julia Wippersberg Named Managing Director of VG Newsmedia
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A leading expert in Austrian media law and communications has been appointed to lead VG Newsmedia, the collective rights management organization for press publishers. The move signals a commitment to ensuring fair compensation for news content in the digital age.
Julia Wippersberg, a communications scientist and lawyer, will assume the role of managing director at VG Newsmedia, succeeding Lisa seidl. The appointment was announced today, positioning wippersberg at the helm of an organization crucial to the financial stability of Austria’s press.
A Seasoned Leader Takes the Reins
According to a company release, Markus Mair, CEO of the Styria Media Group and chairman of the supervisory board of VG Newsmedia, expressed enthusiasm about wippersberg’s appointment. “I am pleased that we were able to gain the lawyer and journalist Julia Wippersberg, a profound expert on the Austrian media landscape, as managing director,” he stated. Mair also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing managing director Lisa Seidl, thanking her for her dedication during the initial phase of establishing the collecting society.
Wippersberg brings a wealth of experience to the position. From 2019 to 2025, she served as managing director of APA-OTS originaltext-Service GmbH, and previously held various roles at APA – Austria Press Agency.Her academic background is equally notable, with 25 years of service at the University of Vienna, including positions as a senior lecturer at the Institute for Journalism and communication Studies since 2010 and as Vice President of Studies since 2014.
VG Newsmedia: Championing Publisher Rights
VG Newsmedia GmbH began operations in November 2025, representing a important step forward in protecting the ancillary copyright of Austrian press publishers. The organization is responsible for the collective management of these rights,ensuring that publishers receive appropriate remuneration when their content is commercially reproduced.
Notably, VG Newsmedia operates on a non-profit basis, prioritizing the interests of its members. The supervisory board includes prominent figures in the Austrian media industry: Markus Mair, CEO of Styria Media Group AG; Maximilian Dasch, managing director and publisher of Salzburger Nachrichten; and Alexander Mitteräcker, managing director.
The establishment of VG Newsmedia and the appointment of Wippersberg underscore the growing recognition of the value of quality journalism and the need to safeguard the financial future of news organizations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
why was VG Newsmedia created? VG Newsmedia was established to address the growing imbalance in the digital landscape, where large tech platforms profit from news content without adequately compensating the publishers who create it. The organization aims to protect the ancillary copyright of Austrian press publishers and ensure they receive fair remuneration for the commercial use of their work.
Who are the key players? Julia Wippersberg is the newly appointed managing director, bringing extensive experience in Austrian media law and communications. Lisa Seidl previously held the position. Markus Mair, CEO of Styria Media Group, chairs the supervisory board, alongside Maximilian Dasch and Alexander Mitteräcker.
What does VG Newsmedia do? VG Newsmedia collectively manages the ancillary copyright of Austrian press publishers. This involves negotiating licensing agreements with platforms that use news content and distributing the resulting revenue to its members. The organization operates on a non-profit basis, prioritizing the interests of its members.
How did this come about? The organization began operations in November 2025, following the implementation of Austria’s ancillary copyright law. The appointment of Wippersberg signifies a commitment to strengthening the organization and advocating for the financial sustainability of Austrian news publishers in the digital age. the transition from Seidl