Our Management
The management of PIA Media unites experienced executives with expertise, innovative spirit, and passion for the digital world.
Axel Schönau
CEO
My most significant milestones
I have held the position of Chief Executive Officer at PIA Media since 2023.
Previous positions:
• Managing Director, Blue Summit Media GmbH
• Managing Director, Tradedoubler
• Managing Director, Big Mouth Media
Role at PIA Media
I am a customer-focused manager. My primary responsibility is to establish an environment for all employees at PIA Media that encourages them to achieve optimal performance.
Passion for my role
I enjoy engaging with individuals and addressing the diverse demands of our projects. I find our industry intriguing, as it continually evolves and presents new opportunities.
Sebastian Sommerer
Managing Director
My most significant milestones
I have been with PIA Media since 2023 and currently serve as Managing Director in Munich.
Previous positions include:
• CEO and Founder, Blue Summit Media GmbH and Founding Member of Performance Interactive Alliance
• Head of Sales, Big Mouth Media
Role at PIA Media
I am responsible for human resources, marketing, sales, and new business, as well as overseeing the Munich location, which has more than 100 employees. I particularly appreciate the diversity of my tasks and the daily interactions with my colleagues.
Passion for my role
I appreciate my role due to the daily challenges it presents. In the People & Culture domain, I have the opportunity to make a substantial impact on employee well-being and acquire diverse insights that are unique to this environment.
Michael Schönherr
Managing Director
My most significant milestones
I have been with PIA Media since 2021, currently serving as Managing Director.
Previous positions include:
• Managing Director, YZ Digital
• Management and Authorized Representative, Blue Summit Media GmbH
• Head of Digital Marketing, Otto Austria
Role at PIA Media
As Managing Director with a focus on transformation and business development, I am responsible for advancing our full-funnel marketing and e-commerce strategy, concentrating on major advertising platforms. My emphasis is on integrating the digital marketing value chain with cloud and AI-GPT solutions to develop efficient, value-driven agency services and products within a targeted AI strategy. Additionally, I oversee the consulting unit, which addresses the comprehensive challenges and requirements of our clients in marketing.
Passion for my role
I am passionate about driving digital transformation in marketing and collaborating with creative teams to develop innovative solutions that leverage cloud and AI technologies, ultimately creating significant value for our customers.
Thomas Schröder
Executive Director Finance
My most significant milestones
I have served as Executive Director Finance at PIA Media since 2024, having previously held the same position at the PIA Group for three years.
Previous positions:
• Head of Finance & Controlling, Blue Summit Media GmbH
• Head of Accounts Payable and Group Accountant, eCircle GmbH
Role at PIA Media
I oversee the finance and controlling department. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, I am responsible for forecasts and budget preparation. Regular communication with the holding company’s CFO is also part of my role. As a board member, I am directly involved in shaping PIA Media’s strategy.
Passion for my role
I love my job because I can communicate with all areas at PIA Media and therefore get a comprehensive overview of the entire company. The opportunity to contribute and implement my own ideas makes my job very exciting.
My vision for the future is that we are one of the best addresses for digital data-driven marketing and that we can prove our claim ‘simplify marketing for you grow’ to existing and new customers every day.
Axel Schönau
CEO PIA Media