German Press Academy

What German Press Academy does

Deutsche Presseakademie (depak) is a Berlin-based professional continuing-education provider specializing in communications, public relations, public affairs, leadership, and digital transformation, operating since 2003 as a brand under Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH within the broader Quadriga Group (which also includes Quadriga Hochschule Berlin and the KOM trade magazine). The company serves communication professionals working in companies, institutions, associations, and agencies across the DACH region, delivering five core formats — in-person Seminare (~131 courses), Online-Seminare via Zoom (~90 courses), self-paced E-Learnings on a D2L Brightspace LMS (~35 courses), blended Zertifikats-Lehrgänge certificate programs (3 programs including a dedicated AI-in-corporate-communications certification), and Konferenzen (9 events) — plus customized Inhouse-Schulungen for enterprise clients. Its 12 thematic areas span AI in Communication, media work, crisis communication, internal communication, social media management, video/audio/podcast production, marketing, sustainability communication, public affairs, and leadership.

The operating model is sales-led and direct-to-consumer: learners register individually through the depak website (pricing is course-specific and publicly disclosed, e.g., 1,341 EUR plus VAT for the Redenschreiben seminar, with a 10% summer promotion) while enterprise customers book tailored in-house programs. Seminars are intentionally small (maximum 12 participants) and led by experienced practitioners drawn from major German media, corporate, and government organizations — a delivery model that prioritizes depth and practice-orientation over scale. Revenue is generated through one-time per-course registration fees across all formats. depak's principal distribution channels include its own website, an email newsletter, LinkedIn, the KOM magazine and KOM Jobs portal partnerships, and on-site conferences; the company also maintains dedicated Germany-wide seminar venues beyond its Berlin study center.

The business is privately held under Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH (a German GmbH) with two Managing Directors (Rudolf Hetzel, Torben Werner) and a small education-advisory team (Charlotte Buchsbaum, Sharon Meloul). depak holds named enterprise and government clients including eBay, Continental, ZEISS, DEVK Versicherungen, Diehl Defence, dena, and Berlin/NRW public administrations. The most material strategic positioning is the alignment of its AI curriculum with EU AI Regulation Article 4 mandatory AI-literacy training for corporate employees — converting a regulatory compliance obligation into a direct demand driver for both individual learners and corporate training buyers.

Name

German Press Academy

Legal name

Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH

Website

https://depak.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Presseakademie (depak) is a Berlin-based continuing-education provider, operating since 2003 under Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH, that delivers seminars, online courses, certificates, and conferences for communication, PR, public affairs, and leadership professionals across the DACH region, with an AI curriculum positioned for EU AI Regulation compliance training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Online Public Speaking & Debate Programs (Live/Recorded) (EDAMAOAD)

Keywords

• Professional communication training
• Public relations education
• Corporate seminar programs
• Certificate communications management
• AI communication training

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seminar and Training Fees: Revenue generated from one-time registration fees for seminars, online seminars, e-learnings, certificate programs, and conferences. Pricing is per-course/per-participant with discounts available for summer promotions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

German Press Academy (depak) is a professional continuing education provider that sells seminars, online seminars, self-paced e-learnings, blended certificate programs, and conferences for communication, PR, public affairs, leadership, and digital transformation professionals. Offerings are delivered in small group formats (max 12 participants) by practitioner instructors across twelve thematic areas, including newly expanded AI in Communication courses aligned with EU AI Regulation (KI-VO Art. 4) corporate competency mandates.

Product overview

The Deutsche Presseakademie (depak) is a professional continuing education provider for communications, PR, public affairs, leadership, and digital transformation, operated by Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH and part of the broader Quadriga group (including Quadriga Hochschule Berlin). Its product portfolio consists of five core training formats — Seminare (in-person seminars, ~131 courses), Online-Seminare (live virtual sessions, ~90 courses), E-Learnings (self-paced online programs, ~35 courses), Zertifikats-Lehrgänge (blended certificate programs, 3 programs), and Konferenzen (conferences, 9 events) — plus Inhouse-Schulungen (custom on-site training). The offerings are organized across twelve thematic areas including AI in Communication, Media Work & PR Skills, Communications Strategy, Crisis Communication, Internal Communication, Social Media Management, Video/Images/Podcasts, Marketing Management, Sustainability Communication, Public Affairs, and Leadership & Management. All programs are practitioner-led, industry-recognized, and targeted at communications professionals in companies, institutions, associations, and agencies. The company also operates a proprietary learning portal (Lernportal, built on D2L Brightspace) for enrolled participants, and publishes the industry magazine KOM and maintains KOM Jobs job board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seminare (In-person Seminars) In-person training courses held at the Berlin study center and Germany-wide venues, limited to a maximum of 12 participants per group, with practitioner instructors, catering included, and practice-oriented content spanning media work, PR skills, crisis communication, writing workshops, video production, and leadership.
• Online-Seminare (Live Online Seminars) Live virtual training sessions conducted via Zoom, typically delivered in 2x4 hour format across two consecutive days, enabling remote participation from any location. Topics mirror in-person seminar offerings plus additional AI-specific courses on ChatGPT, SEO/GEO, and AI writing.
• E-Learnings (Self-paced Online Programs) Self-paced online learning programs delivered through the D2L Brightspace learning portal, structured over multiple weeks with weekly 90-minute live webinars, on-demand recordings, and a final practical assignment with individualized instructor feedback. Topics include Social Media Manager certification, sustainability communication, and crisis communication management.
• Zertifikats-Lehrgänge (Certificate Programs) Intensive certificate programs combining blended online and in-person phases over 6 months to 1 year. The flagship 'Zertifikats-Lehrgang Kommunikationsmanagement' and 'Expertin/Experte für KI in der Unternehmenskommunikation' deliver comprehensive qualification in communications management and AI competency for corporate communications professionals, culminating in a recognized certificate.
• Konferenzen (Conferences) Professional conferences and industry events combining workshops, keynotes, best practice sessions, and peer networking for communication professionals across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, including online Tagungen delivered via Swapcard.
• Inhouse-Schulungen (In-house Corporate Training) Customized on-site training programs delivered at a client's location, tailored to the organization's specific communication challenges and objectives and drawing on depak's practitioner instructor network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Maximum 12 participants per seminar ensures optimal learning and intensive exchange
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KOM – Magazin für KommunikationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOM is the leading trade magazine of the German-speaking communication scene with current reports, in-depth analyses, opinion pieces, and practical tips. depak is part of the Quadriga network that includes this publication.
• Quadriga Hochschule BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe state-accredited private university offers executive education as well as part-time master's and MBA programs. Joint faculty and program collaborations with depak, including shared instructors and co-branded certificate programs.
• Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH (Parent Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerdepak is a brand within the Quadriga Group, which also encompasses the Quadriga Media Berlin GmbH and Quadriga Hochschule Berlin GmbH. The group represents a media and education company based in central Berlin.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LinkedIn Learning: Mass-market online learning platform with broad catalogs in business, technology, and creative skills, including communications and leadership content. Competes with depak's e-learning and online seminar formats on price and convenience, though without the practitioner-led DACH network.
• Coursera: Global online learning platform offering courses, certificates, and degree programs from universities and companies, including business and communications content. Competes with depak on self-paced digital formats and enterprise L&D contracts at significantly lower price points.

Regional players

• CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations): UK chartered body for PR professionals, offering CPD courses, qualifications, and training in communications and public affairs. Closest UK analog to depak's role in DACH, though geographically separate.
• PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association): UK-based professional PR association delivering CPD, training, and certifications for communications professionals. Comparable in mission and product but focused on the UK market rather than DACH.
• PR Academy: UK-based specialist provider of PR and communications training, including practitioner-led workshops and accredited certificate programs. Comparable specialist positioning to depak but serving the UK market.

Direct peers

• Haufe Akademie: One of the largest German providers of professional and management development training, with a broad catalog including communications, leadership, and compliance. Direct peer in the DACH professional education market with overlapping instructor-led and digital formats.
• Quadriga Hochschule Berlin: State-accredited private university within the same Quadriga Group, offering part-time master's, MBA, and executive education in communications, PR, and leadership. Direct peer in DACH executive comms education with shared faculty and overlapping curriculum.
• DPRG (Deutsche Public Relations Gesellschaft): Germany's main PR professional association, which runs training, certifications, and continuing professional development for communication practitioners. Direct peer serving the same DACH comms professional ICP with credentialed PR training.
• ManagerSeminare: German training provider and publisher of the leading management training trade journal, offering a broad seminar catalog in leadership, communication, and personal development. Direct peer in German professional continuing education with similar practitioner-led delivery model.
• GPRA (Gesellschaft der führenden PR- und Kommunikationsagenturen): German association of leading PR and communications agencies that offers professional development, training, and industry events for agency-side communicators. Direct peer overlapping on the agency communication professional segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/realdepak
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/476037

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about German Press Academy