Bruno Steinert Hands Over The Reins At Linotype
Linotype introduces new Managing Director: Frank Wildenberg
Bruno Steinert hands over the reins at Linotype
Bad Homburg, September 1st, 2006. Bruno Steinert, Managing Director at
Linotype since its founding in 1997, opens the door for new leadership.
Yet Steinert’s passion for the advancement of quality typefaces, font
technology and the protection of type designer rights will continue to be
the guiding influence of the Linotype vision. Frank Wildenberg,
handpicked by Steinert as his successor, is committed to moving the
vision forward, by further emphasizing Linotype’s strengths in modern
communication and font technology solutions. Following the ownership
transfer to Monotype Imaging Company in August, the groundwork for
exciting future innovation and collaboration of resources has now been
laid. In light of this, it is only natural that Steinert took the opportunity to
review his own personal goals. Instead of signing a new contract with
Monotype Imaging, he decided to pass on the management of Linotype to
the next generation. After 45 years’ experience in the print media
industry, Steinert has chosen to turn his strengths to new areas.
It was known for many months that the previous owner of Linotype,
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, had wanted to sell Linotype in order to
concentrate on its core business in printing, recognizing in Monotype
Imaging Company a fitting match for Linotype. Monotype Imaging opens up
opportunities for cross-pollination, creating growth in new areas of font
applications such as cell phones and miniature displays. While the Linotype
focus on font quality and creativity remains the same, the role of the
Managing Director will obviously need to reorient to accommodate the new
potential with Monotype Imaging.
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Steinert welcomed the prospect of continuing his positive relationship with
Monotype Imaging. At the end of the day, however, he preferred to give a
new generation of leadership the chance to develop the new direction. With
Linotype’s success firmly positioned at a new crossroads, Steinert, at
Monotype Imaging’s request, will be available on a consultant basis – yet he
makes clear, “I will play a marginal role at most.” Steinert has cleared his desk
at Linotype and is placing full trust in his successor to guide the company to
new heights.
Frank Wildenberg, the new Managing Director, takes up where Steinert
leaves off. His experience at Linotype in Sales & Sales Marketing and fresh,
dynamic energy have made him a natural successor. He will seek new ways
to bring Linotype’s strengths to the market and sees his role in fortifying the
brand in cooperation with Monotype Imaging. Wildenberg is convinced:
“Thanks to the unique technology expertise at Monotype Imaging, the
Linotype portfolio and design competence will find exciting new outlets of
expression. A new era of growth for Linotype will begin.” A new era,
Wildenberg knows, which is only possible thanks to the groundwork laid by
Bruno Steinert.
Steinert’s legacy will remain an integral part of Linotype’s identity and future.
He has won the respect of the industry with his commitment to maintaining
the integrity of typeface designs and their creators, while facilitating fair and
easy font access. His business acumen was matched by a commitment to the
rights of designers and their original work, always striving to protect
typefaces from pirating. Steinert also oversaw unprecedented growth and
expansion of the Linotype font library. He worked closely with such typeface
greats as Adrian Frutiger and Hermann Zapf, confidently spurring them on to
new heights of creativity. He was a partner in every area of the company,
opening doors to new designers, nurturing development, and spreading the
word on the power of the right typeface in modern communication. In short,
Steinert played an irreplaceable role in making Linotype the success it is today.
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Linotype and Monotype Imaging would like to thank Bruno Steinert for
sharing his passion and knowledge with Linotype for so many years and
wish him all the best for his new projects. Linotype and Monotype Imaging
also wish great success to Frank Wildenberg in his new position and
visionary role. More news on fonts and future developments at Linotype can
be found at www.linotype.com.
Linotype GmbH, based in Bad Homburg, Germany and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Monotype Imaging Inc., looks back onto a history of 120 years. Building on its
strong heritage, Linotype develops state-of-the-art font technology and offers more
than 6,700 original typefaces, covering the whole typographic spectrum from antique
to modern, from east to west, and from classical to experimental. All typefaces
(in PostScript™ and TrueType™ format as well as more than 2,500 fonts in
OpenTypeTM) are now also available for instant download at www.linotype.com. In
addition to supplying digital fonts, Linotype also offers comprehensive and individual
consultation and support services for font applications in worldwide (corporate)
communication.
Linotype GmbH
Du-Pont-Straße 1
D-61352 Bad Homburg
Tel.: +49 (0) 61 72 - 484 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 61 72 - 484 - 499
E-Mail: info@linotype.com
Please find more typeface application samples on the Internet at www.linotype.com.
Linotype and Linotype Library are Trademarks of Linotype GmbH which may be
registered in certain jurisdictions. Monotype is a Trademark of Monotype Imaging Inc.
Microsoft, Windows and OpenType are Trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
TrueType is a Trademark of Apple Computer Inc. PostScript is a Trademark of Adobe
Systems Inc. We reserve the right of errors and changes.
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Linotype’s new managing director: Frank Wildenberg
