tonies’ Innovative Publishing Model @ Global 50 CEO Talk 2026

At the Frankfurt Book Fair, CEO Tobias Wann will discuss the company’s evolution from a founder-driven start-up into a global audio and publishing platform. (Wednesday, October 7).

This year’s guest will be Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, whose interactive audio system combines an intuitive player with collectible figurines carrying stories, music and educational content.

Founded in Germany in 2014, tonies has grown from a start-up into the world’s leading interactive audio platform for children. Since Wann succeeded founders Patric Faßbender and Marcus Stahl in January 2024, the company has introduced Toniebox 2 and Toniebox Lite, made North America its largest market, continued its international expansion and joined Germany’s SDAX index.

The conversation will examine how tonies is becoming a scalable global organization while preserving its innovative culture. It will also address the company’s product and content strategy and what traditional publishers can learn from its integration of audio, technology, physical products and direct engagement with young audiences.

“Tobias Wann and tonies represent precisely the kind of unconventional publishing leadership that the Global 50 CEO Talk was created to examine,” said Rüdiger Wischenbart. “tonies did not simply introduce another audiobook product. It created its own platform and a new way for very young children to engage independently with stories.”