kwp
kwp is a Hamburg-based boutique executive search firm specializing in placing senior leaders and digital specialists across the German media, digital, communication agency, and consumer goods sectors, with supplemental outplacement consulting services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What kwp does
kwp (legal name: kwp Kahle, v. Woedtke, Preussler Unternehmens- und Personalberatung GmbH) is a privately held, boutique executive search and outplacement firm headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 1992, the firm specializes in placing executives and digital specialists across four verticals: media (print, TV, radio), digital/online companies, communication agencies, and brand/consumer goods companies. The company is led by Stefan Preussler as sole owner and Managing Director since 2018, with co-founder Peter v. Woedtke continuing in an active role.
The firm operates on a retained executive search model, where clients commission kwp to identify and place specific senior-level candidates. Its core methodology is a proprietary iterative search process refined over 30 years, complemented by the "Persönlichkeits-Marke" (Personality Brand) framework for candidate career positioning. The firm also offers Newplacement-Beratung (outplacement consulting) for employees undergoing career transitions and for companies managing workforce restructuring. There is no AI/ML technology component, no software platform, and no digital self-service product — the offering is fundamentally a high-touch, human-delivered professional service.
kwp generates revenue through professional services fees on retained search mandates and outplacement engagements, with pricing not publicly disclosed and negotiated per mandate. The go-to-market is exclusively direct, relying on personal referrals, industry reputation, and word-of-mouth within the German media and marketing ecosystem. The firm maintains strict confidentiality — no client names are publicly disclosed — and serves enterprise clients across Germany from its single Hamburg office with a team of approximately 1–10 employees.
kwp firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- kwp
- Legal name
- kwp Kahle, v. Woedtke, Preussler Unternehmens- und Personalberatung GmbH
- Website
- https://kwp-beratung.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- kwp is a Hamburg-based boutique executive search firm specializing in placing senior leaders and digital specialists across the German media, digital, communication agency, and consumer goods sectors, with supplemental outplacement consulting services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
kwp industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search Services
- NAICS
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Permanent Placement (Multi-Industry) (BPACAFAA)
Keywords
Where kwp is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
kwp business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Executive Search / Retainer Placement: kwp generates revenue through retained executive search mandates, placing leadership positions and digital specialists for client companies. They operate on a traditional contingency/retainer model typical of executive search firms, where companies commission them to find specific candidates.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
kwp product offering
Product offeringCore offering
kwp is a Hamburg-based boutique executive search firm that places executives at all levels and digital specialists for clients in the German media, communications, marketing, and brand/consumer goods industries, working on retained mandates with a proprietary iterative search process. The firm also offers Newplacement-Beratung (outplacement consulting), providing career transition support to individuals leaving companies and restructuring advisory to employers. Engagements are characterized by confidentiality, employer branding focus, and a 30-year specialized track record in German-speaking markets.
Product overview
kwp is an executive search and outplacement consulting firm offering two core services: Executive Search for placing executives and digital specialists in the media, marketing, and communications sectors, and Newplacement-Beratung (outplacement consulting) for career transition support. The company operates a structured, iterative search process focused on quality, sustainability, and discretion, serving clients in media companies, online portals, communication agencies, and brand article industries across Germany.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use kwp
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
kwp technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
kwp partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights3 records
kwp competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PageGroup (Page Executive): Page Executive is the senior executive search arm of PageGroup, operating in Germany across consumer goods, media, and communications. Comparable retained-search model with a stronger volume footprint and broader geographic reach than kwp.
- Odgers Berndtson: International executive search firm with a dedicated German office and strong media, communications, and consumer practice. Closest like-for-like competitor to kwp on retained search in German media and marketing verticals, with overlapping client base.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Large global organizational consulting firm with a substantial executive search practice covering media, communications, and consumer industries. Overlaps with kwp on senior-level retained search mandates but offers a much broader portfolio including RPO and consulting.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with deep German operations and a strong media, entertainment, and communications practice. Directly comparable business model (retained executive search) but operates at international scale across multiple industries, whereas kwp is a Germany-only boutique focused on the same verticals.
- Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm with a German presence and dedicated media and consumer practices. Competes with kwp for senior executive mandates in publishing, broadcasting, and brand-side leadership.
- Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with significant presence in Germany. Comparable retained-search model for C-level and senior leadership roles, especially in media, consumer goods, and communications — the exact verticals kwp serves.
- Hays Germany: Large international recruiting firm with German operations covering media, marketing, and communications hiring. Overlaps with kwp on digital specialist and mid-to-senior marketing roles, though its model extends to contingent and contract staffing.
- Spencer Stuart: Global retained executive search firm with strong practices in media, advertising, and consumer goods. Comparable service offering to kwp at C-suite level, though operating globally versus kwp's Germany-only boutique positioning.
Regional players
- Robert Half Germany: International recruiting and consulting firm with a German office focused on finance, technology, and marketing talent. Partial overlap with kwp on digital specialist and marketing leadership placements in Germany.
- Hoffmann und Partner Executive Search: Germany-based boutique executive search firm serving media, communications, and consumer industries. Closest size-and-scope analog to kwp within the German market, operating with a similar retained, niche-vertical model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
kwp social profiles
Digital presencekwp compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
kwp financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
kwp leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
kwp funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
kwp M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about kwp
What does kwp do?
kwp is a Hamburg-based boutique executive search firm that places executives at all levels and digital specialists for clients in the German media, communications, marketing, and brand/consumer goods industries, working on retained mandates with a proprietary iterative search process. The firm also offers Newplacement-Beratung (outplacement consulting), providing career transition support to individuals leaving companies and restructuring advisory to employers. Engagements are characterized by confidentiality, employer branding focus, and a 30-year specialized track record in German-speaking markets.
Is kwp a public or private company?
kwp is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was kwp founded?
kwp was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is kwp based?
kwp is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does kwp make money?
One revenue line is on record: executive Search / Retainer Placement.
Who are kwp's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PageGroup (Page Executive) and Odgers Berndtson. Broad incumbents are Korn Ferry, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, Egon Zehnder, Hays Germany and Spencer Stuart. Regional players are Robert Half Germany and Hoffmann und Partner Executive Search.
Does kwp have an API?
No public API is recorded for kwp.
What industry is kwp in?
kwp's product category is Executive Search Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAFAA, General Permanent Placement (Multi-Industry). Its NAICS code is 5416 and its SIC code is 7361.