After 31 years, PLAION CEO and co-founder Dr Klemens Kundratitz has announced his decision to hand over the reins of the company to Phil Rogers. Rogers currently holds various roles within the Embracer Group, but will focus on establishing and leading the new Middle-earth & Friends business unit. Kundratitz will take up a new position as strategic advisor to Embracer in April 2025 and will step back from day-to-day operations to spend more time with his family.  

Kundratitz and co-founder Franz Koch founded PLAION (originally Koch Media) in 1994 as a software distributor in Germany, Austria and the UK. Since then, the ambitious venture has grown into a flourishing global entertainment company specialising in the development, worldwide publishing and distribution of video games as well as an international film and merchandising business. Today, PLAION employs over 2000 people in 15 countries. 

During his time as CEO, Kundratitz's strategic vision has consistently guided the company through intense periods of growth and transformation. Under his leadership, PLAION underwent a successful rebranding, expanded into new countries and business areas and established strong entertainment franchises such as Metro, Dead Island and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The most significant change, however, took place in 2018 when PLAION joined the Embracer Group - a far-reaching decision that led to significant growth and tripled the size of the company since then. 

Commenting on his successor and his own time at PLAION, Kundratitz says: "I am delighted to be handing over my responsibilities as CEO to Phil. I know he will do an outstanding job, as he brings the perfect combination of leadership and vision to shape Middle-earth & Friends and continue PLAION's excellent momentum. It has been a great pleasure to build this company and I am honoured and grateful to have been able to work with our fantastic teams around the world. I couldn't have asked for a more exciting and rewarding role in the entertainment industry and am proud of what we have achieved together." 

Phil Rogers adds: "Klemens has dedicated so much of his life to PLAION and has built an incredible legacy, a cornerstone of the European entertainment industry. I look forward to working closely with the PLAION leadership team and building our new Middle-earth & Friends division together. 

We would like to thank Klemens for his strong leadership, his unwavering commitment and his passion for the company, with which he has always kept PLAION on a stable course for the future. In 31 years, his humility and vision have carried us through times of challenge, transformation and growth into a positive future. We wish him all the best in his new position and hope that he enjoys some well-deserved time with his family.  

As we enter a new chapter in our company's history, we welcome Phil Rogers to our global PLAION community. We look forward to shaping the future together with him and as part of Middle-earth & Friends.