Academic Society for Management & Communication

What Academic Society for Management & Communication does

The Academic Society for Management & Communication (Akademische Gesellschaft für Unternehmensführung & Kommunikation) is a Germany-based nonprofit think tank founded in 2010 and headquartered at the University of Leipzig. It operates as a project of the Günter-Thiele-Stiftung für Kommunikation und Management and functions as a bridge between academic communication research and corporate communications practice, anchored by five leading universities and a network of more than 50 corporate partners spanning pharmaceuticals, insurance, industrial, energy, and technology sectors.

The organization delivers applied research through three core knowledge products: COMM-AIT, the world's first scientifically validated AI competency test for communication professionals (available free of charge in German and English, co-developed with Siemens AG); the Corporate Communication Review, an open-access research magazine co-published with the Institute for Public Relations, EUPRERA, and EACD; and the annual Communications Trend Radar (also branded Communication Management Radar). Its research output also includes proprietary frameworks such as the Digital Media-Arena and benchmark studies such as the European Communication Monitor. Knowledge dissemination is complemented by invitation-based events — the Leadership Forum, Hermes Dinner, workshops, webinars, and Research Dialogues — that convene CCOs, senior practitioners, and academic researchers.

The business model is a recurring corporate-partner subscription model layered onto a foundation-funded nonprofit structure. There is no publicly disclosed pricing; fees for partner companies are negotiated privately, and publications and the COMM-AIT tool are distributed free of charge. The organization serves two primary segments: corporate communications leaders (CCOs and senior communication executives) seeking evidence-based frameworks and peer exchange, and communication scholars seeking corporate data access and dissemination channels. Revenue is concentrated among recurring corporate partners and the parent foundation, with no disclosed financial figures and a small core operational team of roughly 8-10 named professionals.

Name

Academic Society for Management & Communication

Legal name

Akademische Gesellschaft für Unternehmensführung & Kommunikation

Website

https://akademische-gesellschaft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Academic Society for Management & Communication is a Leipzig-based nonprofit think tank that bridges academic research and corporate communication practice, serving CCOs and scholars through proprietary research instruments, open-access publications, and an invitation-only network of 50+ corporate partners and five leading European universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Communication Research & Advisory Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Public Relations Agencies (54182)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Scholarly Journals Publishing (Peer-Reviewed) (MPAJABAC), Social Sciences Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAD), Business & Management Research Universities (EDAHABAE), Scholarly Societies & Conference Proceedings Publishing (MPAJABAK)

Keywords

• Strategic communication research
• Corporate communications think tank
• Applied communication research
• Communication trend analysis
• Communication research network

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partner Membership: The Academic Society operates as a think tank funded by corporate partners and the Günter-Thiele-Stiftung. Companies join as partners to gain access to research findings, exclusive events, and direct exchange with academic researchers. The primary revenue mechanism is membership/partnership contributions from the 50+ German and international companies in the network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Academic Society for Management & Communication is a nonprofit research think tank that conducts applied research on corporate and strategic communication and brokers knowledge transfer between academia and corporate practice. It produces peer-reviewed publications (Corporate Communication Review), annual trend reports (Communications Trend Radar, Communication Management Radar), proprietary assessment instruments (COMM-AIT AI competency test), and frameworks (Digital Media-Arena), and convenes corporate communications leaders through events.

Product overview

The Academic Society for Management & Communication (Akademische Gesellschaft für Unternehmensführung & Kommunikation) is Europe's leading think tank for strategic communication, operating as a research and knowledge-sharing organization rather than a software product company. The organization's portfolio centers on three core offerings: COMM-AIT, a scientifically validated online AI literacy assessment tool for communication professionals available in German and English; the Corporate Communication Review, an open-access research magazine published in collaboration with EUPRERA and EACD; and the annual Communications Trend Radar research reports. Additionally, the organization facilitates professional networking through various event formats including the Leadership Forum, Hermes Dinner with Science Update, webinars, workshops, and Research Dialogues, connecting over 50 partner companies with 5 leading universities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• COMM-AIT AI Competency Test for Corporate Communications The world's first scientifically validated AI literacy test specifically designed for communication professionals. It assesses three dimensions (knowledge, skills, attitudes) toward AI tools and delivers a personal AI Competency Index across five levels plus a detailed competency profile. Available free of charge in German and English.
• Corporate Communication Review Open-access research magazine offering practice-oriented, scientifically grounded insights for communication professionals worldwide. Published by the Academic Society in collaboration with the Institute for Public Relations, EUPRERA, and the EACD.
• Communications Trend Radar (Communication Management Radar) Annual research initiative identifying five key themes for the future of corporate communications. Based on analysis of scientific articles, conference proceedings, trade journals, consultancy reports, and social media. Published yearly; updated annually since 2021.
• Digital Media-Arena (DMA) Framework A planning framework mapping 14 established and emerging digital communication spaces along two axes: degree of control over corporate messages (horizontal) and the arena/platform type (vertical). Designed as a planning tool for communication professionals.
• Corporate Partner Membership Program Membership program for companies that join the network of more than 50 German and international corporate partners. Members receive access to research outputs, exclusive events (Leadership Forum, Hermes Dinner, Workshops, Webinars, Research Dialogues), and direct exchange with academic researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 research projects completed, producing freely accessible publications used by communication professionals across Europe.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• thyssenkruppcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026thyssenkrupp joined as a new corporate partner in April 2026. Frank Grodzki joined the Corporate Advisory Board representing thyssenkrupp. As a partner, thyssenkrupp participates in research projects, exclusive events, and the exchange between academic research and corporate practice in strategic communications.
• HeraeuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Heraeus became a new partner company in February 2026. Katrin Sulzmann joined the Corporate Advisory Board representing Heraeus. Heraeus participates in the Academic Society's research network and events as a corporate partner.
• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Siemens AG supported the development of COMM-AIT, the world's first scientifically validated AI competency test for corporate communications. The project was developed at Leipzig University with support from Siemens AG and the Academic Society. Siemens contributed industry expertise and practical perspectives to ensure the test is relevant to communication professionals.
• Robert Bosch GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Bosch GmbH is a long-standing corporate partner. Prof. Dr. Christof Ehrhart (Leiter Unternehmenskommunikation at Bosch) serves as Chairman of the Executive Board of the Günter-Thiele-Stiftung. Bosch participated in case studies (Big Data research project) and provides leadership within the network.
• SanoficoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanofi is a corporate partner with Miriam Liebelt-Henn (Leiterin Unternehmenskommunikation DACH) serving on the project leadership (Executive Board). Sanofi participates in research projects and provides practitioner perspectives for academic studies.
• Swiss RecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Re is a corporate partner with Silje Skogstad (Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer and Managing Director) serving on the Corporate Advisory Board. Swiss Re contributes strategic communication expertise to the network.
• Pfizer DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPfizer Deutschland is represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Carolin Crockett (Director of External Communications). Pfizer participates in the Academic Society's research and events as a corporate partner.
• Merck KGaAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck hosts the Hermes Dinner & Science Update 2026 at its headquarters in Darmstadt. Merck is a corporate partner that provides event hosting and participates in the Academic Society's research network and events.
• E.ONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE.ON hosts the Leadership Forum 2026 at its headquarters in Essen. E.ON is a corporate partner that provides event hosting and participates in the Academic Society's exclusive events and research network.
• Günter-Thiele-Stiftung für Kommunikation und ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Günter-Thiele-Stiftung für Kommunikation und Management is the parent foundation of the Academic Society. It funds and governs the organization, with Prof. Dr. Christof E. Ehrhart as Chairman of the Executive Board. The foundation provides institutional support and strategic direction.
• Universität LeipzigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversität Leipzig is the primary host university of the Academic Society. Prof. Dr. Ansgar Zerfass (Chair of the project leadership) and Dr. Michelle Wloka are affiliated with Leipzig University. The university provides academic infrastructure and research personnel for the organization's projects.
• University of MünstercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Münster participates in research projects including 'Impact and benefits of internal communication' led by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Röttger, and the Big Data project. It is one of the five leading universities anchoring the Academic Society.
• University of PotsdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Potsdam is a key academic partner. Prof. Dr. Stefan Stieglitz (SAP Endowed Chair in Information Systems and Digital Transformation) leads the Communications Trend Radar project alongside Leipzig University. It is one of the five universities in the network.
• Metro AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro AG hosted the 3rd AI Future Lab workshop on November 26-27, 2025 in Düsseldorf. This was a co-hosted event with the Academic Society focused on AI applications in corporate communications.
• EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUPRERA collaborates with the Academic Society on the Corporate Communication Review, an open-access research magazine. EUPRERA scholars present research at Academic Society events and congresses.
• EACD (European Association of Communication Directors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEACD collaborates with the Academic Society on the Corporate Communication Review magazine. EACD provides practitioner perspectives and connects the Academic Society with communication directors across Europe.
• Institute for Public Relations (IPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Institute for Public Relations (US-based) collaborates with the Academic Society on the Corporate Communication Review, providing an international dimension to the publication.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR): UK chartered body for PR professionals offering credentials, training, and thought leadership. Comparable as a professional body shaping PR practice standards in Europe.
• Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA): UK-based trade association for PR and communications agencies and professionals. Comparable as a membership-based organization representing the European PR and corporate communications profession.
• European Association of Communication Directors (EACD): European association for senior corporate communication leaders. Closely comparable in mission and constituency; the Academic Society is an active collaborator with EACD on the Corporate Communication Review.
• Arthur W. Page Society: Premier US membership organization of chief communications officers and corporate communicators. Comparable as an exclusive peer community of senior CCOs that produces thought leadership and frameworks for strategic corporate communications.
• Institute for Public Relations: US-based nonprofit research institute for public relations. Directly comparable as a scholarly/research society that funds studies, publishes research, and bridges academics and PR practitioners — they are even co-publishers of the Academic Society's Corporate Communication Review.
• EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association): European academic association for PR education and research. Directly comparable in bringing together PR scholars and practitioners across Europe; collaborator on the Academic Society's open-access magazine.

Others

• Cision: Communications intelligence and PR software vendor (CisionOne, PR Newswire). Adjacent to the Society's ecosystem as an enabler of communications measurement and media intelligence, but a commercial software provider rather than a research/practitioner network.

Emerging players

• Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: Oxford-based research center studying journalism and communications. Comparable as an academic-industry hybrid producing influential annual reports and trend research, though focused on journalism rather than corporate communications.

Broad incumbents

• The Conference Board: Global business membership think tank producing research and executive networks across multiple functions. Comparable operating model — corporate-funded research organization serving senior executives — but with much broader scope than communications.
• International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO): Global umbrella body for PR associations and agencies. Comparable as a broader industry body, but operating at a worldwide agency-trade level rather than a niche academic-practitioner think tank.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aguk_news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Academic Society for Management & Communication