Leadership Change at Virtual Minds: Tom Peruzzi Steps Down as Managing Director

Freiburg, January 15, 2026. Change in the top management of Virtual Minds: Tom Peruzzi, Spokesman of the Executive Board of Virtual Minds since 2021, is stepping down from his role as Managing Director at his own request, effective January 31, 2026, to pursue new professional challenges. His operational responsibilities and tasks will be taken over by his two long-standing co-Managing Directors, Dirk von Borstel and Ricarda Jebsen, ensuring continuity at the helm of the leading European adtech specialist.

Tom Peruzzi joined the Freiburg-based advertising technology manufacturer as CTO in 2017 and took over as Spokesman of the Executive Board in 2021. Together with Dirk von Borstel and Ricarda Jebsen, the leadership team drove the strategic expansion and successful technological integration of the modular programmatic full-tech stack under the Virtual Minds umbrella brand. They also launched the development and market entry of the innovative Media Manager and, with Peruzzi at the helm, initiated the company’s expansion into European markets beyond the DACH region. Beyond his corporate role, the renowned digital and adtech expert contributes his profound expertise in technology trends and market developments to German and European industry associations such as the BVDW and IAB Europe. In total, Peruzzi spent over eight years in Virtual Minds’ top management.

“It is with great joy and gratitude that I look back on eight extremely successful, challenging, and rewarding years at Virtual Minds. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all my colleagues and our shareholder, ProSiebenSat.1,” explains Tom Peruzzi. “I joined Virtual Minds in 2017 with a clearly defined mission and goal: to guide the group through a fundamental transformation phase – from a founder-led group of companies to a competitive, governance-integrated European adtech company. We have implemented the necessary strategic steps and paved the way for a strong and future-oriented market position for Virtual Minds. Therefore, now is the perfect time to hand over my operational responsibilities to Dirk and Ricarda. I am very pleased that they will continue to lead the company in their proven manner and wish them all the best in writing the next chapter of Virtual Minds’ success story.”

Markus Messerer, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer Seven.One Media and responsible for the AdTech business at ProSiebenSat.1: “Under Tom Peruzzi’s leadership, Virtual Minds has evolved into a major player in the adtech sector. For instance, the development and launch of the Media Manager laid the foundation for our unique and innovative Advanced TV advertising products, such as Programmatic TV. I thank Tom Peruzzi for his outstanding work and have greatly valued our ongoing exchange and his high level of expertise. I deeply regret his departure and wish him all the best for both his professional and private future. At the same time, I am delighted that the Virtual Minds management team remains in excellent hands with Ricarda Jebsen and Dirk von Borstel, two proven experts. This sets the course for the future of Virtual Minds and places it in experienced hands.”