MEDIA

Boris Brandt

Director, CIRAS Center for Media

His career began in the 1980s within advertising, music distribution, and media marketing, where he developed a deep understanding of audience psychology, branding, and storytelling. This foundation led him into senior programming and executive roles within Germany’s private broadcasting sector at a time of rapid media transformation.

A defining chapter of Brandt’s career unfolded at ProSieben, where he served in senior programming leadership roles. During this period, he was instrumental in building one of Germany’s most influential entertainment portfolios, championing innovative formats and working closely with emerging creative talent. Most notably, Brandt played a key role in introducing Big Brother to the German market, a format that redefined reality television globally and set new benchmarks for audience engagement, live interaction, and social experimentation in broadcasting.

Following this success, Brandt became Managing Director and later President of Endemol Germany, overseeing one of Europe’s leading production houses. Under his leadership, flagship formats were relaunched, production structures were modernized, and German entertainment content was positioned more strongly within international format markets. His influence extended beyond national borders through strategic collaboration within global creative and executive networks.

In later years, Brandt expanded into media entrepreneurship and cross-sector entertainment, founding ENTERTAINIA Unterhaltungsgesellschaft mbH and serving as Director of Entertainment for AIDA Cruises, where he developed large-scale live shows and media concepts for international audiences. Parallel to this, he embraced digital media early, producing online talk formats, podcasts, and live digital programming that bridge classic broadcasting with contemporary audience interaction.

Media Formats & Productions

Boris Brandt draws on an exceptional body of work spanning broadcast television, international entertainment formats, live productions, and digital media. His career reflects the evolution of media from linear television to interactive and hybrid formats.

Broadcast Television & Entertainment Formats

• Big Brother (Germany)
  Played a key role in introducing and localizing the global reality-TV format for the German market, contributing to one of the most influential audience-participation formats in television history.
• TV total (ProSieben)
  Supported and commissioned the format during its early development, helping establish one of Germany’s most successful late-night entertainment shows.
• Das Finale (1998)
  Early television production credit, marking Brandt’s transition into senior creative and programming roles.

Live & Cruise Entertainment Formats (AIDA Entertainment)

During his tenure as Director of Entertainment, Brandt developed and oversaw large-scale live and broadcast-style productions for international cruise audiences:

• AIDA Prime Time Magazin
  A recurring onboard television and live magazine format combining entertainment, information, and audience interaction.
• Prime Time Show
  Daily live variety format designed to structure onboard programming and enhance audience engagement.
• Licensed Format Adaptations (Live Stage)
  Strategic acquisition and adaptation of well-known television formats for live cruise performance, including:
  Wer wird Millionär?, The Voice, Wer weiß denn sowas?, 1, 2 oder 3
• Original Stage Formats
  Development of over 40 original live entertainment concepts, tailored for international audiences and non-traditional broadcast environments.

Digital Media & Online Formats

• Bob’s TV – “Moin Moin”
  Daily live digital morning format combining commentary, current affairs, and audience interaction.
• Bob’s Late Night Show
  Independent late-night talk format produced for online platforms, blending classic television structure with digital engagement.

Podcasting & Audio Media

• Schönes Wochenende! (Podcast)
  Weekly conversational podcast addressing culture, media, and societal topics with an entertainment-driven yet reflective approach.

Regional Broadcasting & Media Leadership

• Hamburg 1 / HAMBURG.live
  Development and oversight of regional television formats, including morning magazines, talk formats, and cultural programming aimed at strengthening local media ecosystems.

Relevance to CIRAS

This extensive format experience enables Boris Brandt to translate complex scientific, technological, and societal themes into accessible media narratives. At CIRAS, his background supports:

• Strategic communication of research and innovation
• Cross-media storytelling for international audiences
• Development of formats that bridge science, policy, and public discourse
• Positioning CIRAS initiatives within contemporary media ecosystems

Key Contributions & Expertise

• Strategic leadership in television programming and format development
• Introduction and localization of international entertainment formats
• Executive management of large-scale media and production organizations
• Audience-centric storytelling and content positioning
• Cross-platform media strategy (TV, digital, live, and hybrid formats)
• Talent development and creative leadership
• Media branding, public communication, and narrative architecture

Impact at CIRAS

As Media Director at CIRAS, Boris Brandt is responsible for shaping the organization’s media strategy, public narrative, and global visibility. He plays a central role in translating complex research, innovation, and systemic transformation initiatives into clear, compelling, and accessible communication formats for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and the public.

His impact at CIRAS includes:

• Developing a coherent media identity aligned with CIRAS’ mission and long-term vision
• Designing storytelling frameworks that bridge science, technology, society, and culture
• Strengthening CIRAS’ presence across broadcast, digital, and emerging media channels
• Supporting international outreach through strategic content and media partnerships
• Ensuring that CIRAS initiatives are communicated with credibility, clarity, and cultural relevance

By combining decades of media leadership with a forward-looking approach to communication, Boris Brandt enables CIRAS to engage global audiences effectively positioning the organization as a trusted voice at the intersection of research, innovation, and societal transformation.

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VISION for the Media Sector:
Everyone has access to a wide range of diverse and accurate information from sources that are transparent about their funding and which include in-depth analyses and honest debates about controversial issues.

Overview:
The Media sector within the CIRAS INSTITUTE envisions a world where media platforms are transparent, independent, and truly diverse, empowering people to access a variety of perspectives and critical information from around the globe. The internet and emerging digital technologies offer unparalleled opportunities for instantaneous communication, sharing best practices, and broadcasting events and information without the interference of corporate agendas. In this vision, media serves the people by providing accurate, in-depth reporting that encourages honest debate and empowers individuals to make informed decisions on global issues.

Today, the media landscape is dominated by a handful of powerful corporations, each with its own conflicts of interest and agendas. These corporations control the flow of information, limiting access to diverse perspectives and often obscuring the financial and political interests that shape their narratives. This creates an environment where the public is misled, and true transparency is hard to find.

Danger:
Corporate ownership of media is a significant threat to public access to truthful and diverse information. Media corporations often push narratives that align with their own political and economic interests, which are rarely disclosed to the public. This concentration of power leads to biased reporting, censorship, and the suppression of dissenting voices, creating an echo chamber that limits the free flow of ideas and debates. This lack of transparency leaves people vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation.

Opportunity:
The internet provides a powerful opportunity to break free from corporate-controlled media and access information from a diverse range of sources. With the rise of independent journalism, online platforms, and social media, individuals can now share information, broadcast events, and discuss critical issues in real-time. This democratization of information allows people to explore innovative solutions, best practices, and global issues with others from different parts of the world.

By fostering transparent media platforms that disclose their funding sources and prioritize in-depth analysis and debate, we can create a media ecosystem where the public is empowered to engage with accurate, diverse information. The use of blockchain technology for media verification and AI-driven fact-checking tools can ensure that information is accurate, traceable, and free from manipulation, promoting trust and accountability.

Key Research Areas:

• Blockchain-Based Media Platforms: Developing media platforms that use blockchain technology to verify the authenticity of news stories and ensure transparency in funding. This will empower individuals to know the source of the information they are consuming and allow for more trustworthy media.
• Independent and Decentralized Journalism: Supporting independent journalists and decentralized media platforms that operate free from corporate interests. These platforms prioritize diverse perspectives, global collaboration, and in-depth analysis of controversial issues.
• AI and Fact-Checking Systems: Leveraging artificial intelligence to create real-time fact-checking systems that can identify misinformation and provide transparent sources. AI tools will ensure that the information is accurate, while highlighting potential biases or conflicts of interest.
• Global Media Collaboration: Creating platforms that allow people from around the world to share ideas, broadcast live events, and collaborate on innovative solutions to global challenges. This fosters a more interconnected media ecosystem that transcends geographic and cultural barriers.

World Impact:
A media ecosystem that is transparent, diverse, and accountable will transform the way people access information and engage with global issues. By removing the barriers imposed by corporate control, the public will have access to a broader range of perspectives, enabling more informed decision-making and honest debate about controversial topics. With transparency in media funding and fact-checking systems in place, people will trust the information they consume and participate more actively in global discussions.

This transformation in media will also foster greater collaboration across cultures, as people around the world can connect, share solutions, and broadcast events instantaneously. Media will no longer be a tool for manipulation but a platform for empowerment, where independent journalism thrives and diverse voices are amplified.

Deep Impact:

• Increased Trust in Media: With transparent funding disclosures and fact-checked reporting, trust in media will increase, fostering a more informed and engaged public.
• Diverse Perspectives: Media will no longer be dominated by a few corporations. Instead, a wide range of voices, including independent journalists and citizen reporters, will contribute to a richer, more diverse media ecosystem.
• Empowered Public: By accessing diverse and accurate information, individuals will be empowered to make informed decisions and participate in global conversations. This will promote greater accountability among political and corporate leaders.
• Global Collaboration: Media platforms that foster international collaboration will create a more connected and innovative global community. People will be able to share best practices, explore solutions to pressing challenges, and engage in meaningful discussions across borders.

Conclusion:
The future of media lies in transparency, diversity, and decentralization. By harnessing the power of the internet and emerging technologies, we can create a media ecosystem where independent journalism thrives, corporate influence is eliminated, and the public is empowered to engage with diverse perspectives and accurate information. The CIRAS INSTITUTE Media sector is committed to building these transparent, accessible platforms that serve the interests of all people, promoting global collaboration and honest debate. regions.