Ulrich Hackmack

Ulrich Hackmack, grandson of Weser-Kurier founder Hans Hackmack, served as board chair of Bremer Tageszeitungen AG from 1999 to April 2013. During his tenure, he was responsible for central areas including editorial operations, legal matters, and company shareholdings. In 2011, the board was expanded under his leadership with three new members to diversify and strengthen business divisions.
Hackmack's tenure as board chair was marked by internal conflicts and legal disputes, including tensions with an editor-in-chief he appointed, whose management style caused significant discontent in the newsroom. The German Journalists Association (DJV) also criticized internal conflicts with staff.

Hackmack controls Bremer Tageszeitungen AG through Hackmack, Meyer KG, in which he holds 50% ownership (the other 50% held by Christian Güssow). During the early 2010s, numerous labor disputes occurred between staff and shareholders regarding the outsourcing of editorial positions to subcontractors paying significantly below union rates. Some editorial positions were filled by 100% subsidiaries of the holding company, such as the in-house "Pressedienst Nord." The DJV criticized this practice as "union avoidance" and the workforce successfully secured a company-wide works council representing all publications and service providers controlled by Hackmack, Meyer KG.

During his tenure, disputes between the owners escalated. In 2011, the Bremen Court of Appeal ruled that Hackmack's 2009 contract extension was formally void—a decision later confirmed by the Federal Court of Justice. The lawsuit was filed by co-owner Christian Güssow, who controlled the other 50% of the company and sought to remove Hackmack from operational management. Despite the ruling, the supervisory board initially retained Hackmack in office. Güssow subsequently filed for a preliminary injunction, which failed in court but was expected to succeed on appeal. To avoid further court proceedings, BTAG dismissed Hackmack on April 25, 2013. He agreed to resign "in the company's interest." The board thanked him for his contributions but made no public statement regarding underlying internal conflicts. His departure marked the culmination of a long-standing power struggle between the owners.

Despite the controversies, Hackmack remained active in supervisory roles within BTAG and Weser-Kurier Media Group and retained influence over the company's strategic direction. He is currently a member of the supervisory board of Bremer Tageszeitungen AG.