Clemens Pig Elected New Director General of Austrian Broadcaster ORF

Clemens Pig, 51, has been appointed the new Director General of the Austrian national broadcaster ORF, following a predictable election process. Pig, who previously served as the CEO of the Austria Press Agency (APA), brings a unique background in media analysis and research to his new role.

Pig's academic journey began with a diploma thesis titled "Medial Positioning of Top Politicians," hinting at his long-standing interest in how public figures are presented in the media. His youth in the 1980s in Hall in Tirol, Austria, was marked by engagement with both Catholic education and the left-leaning alternative scene in Innsbruck. He studied political science at the University of Innsbruck, where he collaborated with Günther Pallaver on a research project measuring politicians' presence in electronic media, earning him the moniker "Sekundenzähler" (second counter).

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He knows how to stage himself.

This research evolved into a business called "Mediawatch," which Pig co-founded and managed. After a period of collaboration with the newspaper "Der Standard," the Austria Press Agency (APA) acquired Mediawatch. Pig then transitioned into management roles within the APA, eventually becoming its CEO in 2014. The APA is structured as a cooperative, with Austrian newspapers as its members, and the ORF as its largest shareholder.

Colleagues describe Pig as meticulous, consensus-oriented, and strategic, capable of navigating complex situations with foresight. While known for his jovial and approachable demeanor, he is also recognized for his adeptness at "staging" himself and embracing management jargon, particularly concerning "change processes." His appointment to lead the ORF signals a new chapter for the Austrian public broadcaster, with Pig expected to leverage his extensive experience in media and management.

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Change process is not an empty word for him.