Below is the paraphrased text:
Cologne Institute for Media and Communications Policy Bids Farewell to Director Leonard Novy
Leonard Novy, the Director of the Cologne Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM), is stepping down from his position effective May 2025. Novy has led the institute alongside the late founder and CEO, Lutz Hachmeister, since 2019.
Under their joint leadership, the institute has set important impulses for the reform of media policy. The institute has been behind high-profile events such as the Cologne Futures, the Transatlantic Media Forum in New York, and the Roman Brodmann Colloquium for Documentary Film. These events have contributed significantly to the institute's field, particularly in the areas of media policy, press freedom, and democracy promotion.
As Novy prepares to step down, he will intensify his international consulting work from his bases in Berlin and Vienna. His primary focus post-directorship will be on international tasks in strategy and communications consulting. Despite his departure, Novy will remain closely connected to the topics of media policy, press freedom, and democracy promotion.
The search for a new Director for the Cologne Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM) has begun. Given the current date is August 4, 2025, the most accurate and updated information about who will succeed Novy might be available through direct announcements from IfM or news from reliable industry sources.
The institute, with its base in Berlin in addition to its location in Cologne, has made significant contributions to the reform of media policy and hosted notable events in its field. The institute's director position will be vacant as of May 2025.
Novy's departure marks the end of an era for the institute, but his legacy will continue to influence the field of media policy, press freedom, and democracy promotion. The institute, under new leadership, will undoubtedly continue to set important impulses and contribute significantly to its field in the years to come.
In the coming years, Leonard Novy will focus on international tasks in strategy and communications consulting, particularly in the finance and technology sectors, given his primary focus post-directorship will be on these areas.
The vacancy of the director position at the Cologne Institute for Media and Communications Policy (IfM) presents an opportunity for a visionary leader who can continue the institute's legacy in business and technology, further advancing its influence in media policy, press freedom, and democracy promotion.
