In the role of integration manager, Christian Wegner coordinates the merger between ProSiebenSat.1 and SBS. With help from Chloe Ethelontis.

How do two different corporations become a single Group?

Christian Wegner: You have to bring people together and get them talking to each other. You have to keep everyone up to date and remain part of the process. Most importantly, you have to share the same goals.

How do you organize an integration process?

Chloe Ethelontis: Right after SBS and ProSiebenSat.1 merged, managing directors from all 13 countries came to Munich to meet with the Management Board and get to know each other. It was also important for our 6,000 employees to learn more about the leadership. So we set up a pan-European video conference in which the Management Board and the managing directors answered employee questions in real time.

What happened next?

Christian Wegner: We analyzed the areas where collaborative efforts would produce synergies, defined goals and set up working groups in which around 200 colleagues from all countries now work together. In forming the teams, we made sure that people from both former corporations were represented. Both sides work together as equal partners in order to move the company forward.

Before merging with ProSiebenSat.1, SBS has a decentralized form of organization. Whatabout today?

Christian Wegner: Our new Group Content unit, for example, develops TV content for the entire Group. We set up central business units wherever it makes sense, but we stay out of the stations’ daily business, just like before. However, we do constantly challenge people to look beyond their own markets. If a TV show, campaign or website is working particularly well, people try to determine whether it would work just as well in another country.

How has your work with the Integration Office changed over time?

all the processes. But now the teams can work directly with each other and they don’t need us as much for daily operations. Nevertheless, we are always
available to answer questions. Sometimes you have to be careful to make sure that everyday concerns don’t overshadow the big picture. After all, everyone on the integration team has taken on new
tasks in addition to their present jobs. Our main focus in the Integration Office at the moment is to evaluate the extent to which we have achieved the stated goals.

What kind of personailty traits do you need to work in the Integration Office.

Chloe Ethelontis: You definitely have to be open to other cultures and be able to accept differences between people. I grew up in England, where people tend to be overly polite. The Dutch and Germans, on the other hand, are much more direct. You also need plenty of patience, for an international corporate culture does not grow overnight.