Gerety Awards Presents: Gerety Talks with Doerte Spengler Ahrens

Feb. 23, 2026

Dörte Spengler-Ahrens is one of the most influential creative leaders in Germany and a defining force behind the success of Jung von Matt.

In this exclusive one-on-one interview, Dörte reflects on a career that has shaped advertising history — from her early days as an Art Director and Copywriter, to founding Germany’s first women-led agency, and ultimately becoming Chairwoman of Jung von Matt AG.

This conversation explores leadership, responsibility, creative excellence and the role creativity plays in driving meaningful change.

About Dörte Spengler-Ahrens

Dörte studied Visual Communications and began her career as an Art Director before transitioning into copywriting. After working at several agencies, she joined Jung von Matt, becoming Creative Director after just three years — the first woman to do so at the agency.

In 2000, she founded MARIA, Germany’s first “women’s agency,” before returning to Jung von Matt in 2002 as Partner and launching JvM/Spree in Berlin. Over the following years, Dörte played a key role in building and expanding the Jung von Matt network, including JvM/9, JvM/Pulse, JvM/Fleet, JvM/Elbe, JvM/SAGA and JvM Hamburg.

She has led award-winning campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Sixt, NIVEA, Zalando and BVG.

Leadership, Awards & Industry Impact

Dörte’s creative work has earned countless national and international awards, including multiple Grand Prix wins. Jung von Matt has been recognised as Independent Agency of the Year at Cannes, LIA, the New York Festivals and more — achievements to which Dörte and her teams made a significant contribution.

She was honoured as Germany’s Agency Person of the Year (Horizont Awards 2018) and received the title of Braveheart at the Best Agency Awards in 2023.

Beyond creative excellence, Dörte is deeply committed to diversity, inclusion and empowering the next generation. As the first female president of ADC Germany, she reformed the organisation with a strong diversity-first focus under the motto: “Change the world with creativity.”

In 2024, she was appointed Non-Executive Chairwoman of Jung von Matt Group — a first in the agency’s history.

What to Expect from the Interview

In this one-on-one conversation, Dörte shares insights on:

• Leadership and responsibility at the highest level
• Creativity as a force for cultural and organisational change
• Building long-term success in an evolving industry
• Diversity, inclusion and the future of creative leadership
• A must-watch conversation for anyone shaping — or aspiring to shape — the future of creativity.

Live link here: