With Bilgeri, the University of Bayreuth gains one of the most prominent communicators in German industry. He has extensive experience in operational media work and is also considered one of the strategic thought leaders in this important area of corporate management. The 51-year-old has played a key role in shaping the BMW Group's communications architecture for many years and has been responsible for the ‘Human Resources, Production, Purchasing, Sustainability Communications’ department since October 2022. Previously, he headed up corporate, product and technology communications, was responsible for communications in the Americas region based in the USA, and played a decisive role in establishing the BMW Group Corporate Mediahouse.
Bilgeri – married, father of three children – studied business administration at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Born in Allgäu, he gained his first journalistic experience as a freelance journalist at Der Westallgäuer, one of Bavaria's oldest local newspapers. After completing his studies, Bilgeri was responsible for setting up a political information service in cooperation with ZDF in Berlin.
Leible anticipates ‘valuable impetus’
Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth, sees the appointment of this experienced manager as a great opportunity for the university: "Alexander Bilgeri combines strategic communication skills with a deep understanding of technological and social transformation processes. His perspectives from a globally active company such as the BMW Group will enrich our University Council and provide valuable impetus for the further development of our university. I am very much looking forward to working with him and am convinced that his expertise will create tangible added value for the University of Bayreuth."
Bilgeri's work is characterised by the combination of strategic communication, technological transformation, and sustainable corporate management. He is considered a driver of integrated communication models that closely interlink traditional media relations, digital channels, and social media. In an interview with the industry magazine Horizont a few years ago, he emphasised the importance of direct, credible commuinication. "Of course, social media also works strongly through exaggeration and the cry for attention. But what would be the alternative? If we want to be part of the discourse, we cannot leave the spaces where people talk about us to others without comment. We have to accept that our own position may not be appreciated and that we may face headwinds. The worst thing that can happen to an industry is that people only talk about it and no longer with it." (Source: Horizont, interview ‘Lieber Pressemitteilung oder ein Post auf LinkedIn?’ from 6 December 2022).
Working together as a locational advantage
What motivated the top manager to take on this additional task? He puts it this way: ‘I see myself as a driving force in the University Council. The close cooperation between science and industry is one of Germany's most important locational advantages. I would like to contribute my expertise as a communicator to the council. After all, the same applies to universities: strong communicative positioning is a competitive advantage, especially in the current rapidly changing media landscape. I am looking forward to the work and cooperation in the University Council.’
