Ulrich Steinle departs after 17 years as Julian von den Stemmen, formerly of Robe Lighting and BMW M, takes up the role from 1 July
GLP has appointed Julian von den Stemmen as its new Marketing Director, effective 1 July. He succeeds Ulrich Steinle, who is leaving the company by his own choice after 17 years to pursue new career opportunities.
The transition has been structured to preserve continuity across GLP’s international marketing activities. Steinle and von den Stemmen will work alongside one another during a joint handover period. This is an approach that reflects GLP’s broader character as a company, which is collaborative, personal, and built on lasting relationships.
Steinle joined GLP nearly two decades ago and played a central role in defining how the company communicated with the live entertainment industry. His approach, which is close to the people, close to the products, and close to the culture, became a defining quality of the brand’s external presence.
“After almost 17 intense and eventful years at GLP, the time has come for me to do something new, once again,” says Steinle. “This decision was not an easy one for me, as I have so many ties to GLP, both professionally and personally. I am grateful for the trust, for our shared successes, for many special moments, and for an environment that was never just a job. For me, GLP has always been about friendship, team spirit, and a certain attitude towards the industry. The fact that this departure is not a harsh cut, but an orderly handover, makes me really happy.”
GLP managing director Udo Künzler reflects on what the departure means personally. “Uli is part of the GLP family. Over the years, we have made many decisions together, experienced numerous trips and events, and we also spent many evenings together that went on longer than planned,” says Künzler. “We have worked, celebrated, discussed, and developed GLP together. For that, I am very grateful to him. His departure is a great loss, but he leaves as a friend. I wish him every success in his next chapter. On a personal level, we will remain connected regardless.”
Von den Stemmen brings a well-rounded combination of marketing expertise, technical understanding, and direct industry experience to the role. He holds a degree in business administration with specialisation in media management and international business. He’s also spent eight years at Robe Lighting, serving first as Head of Marketing for Germany, then as International Digital Marketing Manager. Prior to that, he held roles in product and technology management at BMW M, and as Head of Marketing at Fanatec, a manufacturer of hardware for racing simulations.
He arrives with a clear point of view on what marketing in the lighting industry should look like. “Anyone who still tries to sell lighting technology in the live entertainment industry today solely through spec sheets hasn’t understood the market,” says von den Stemmen. “Decision-makers don’t buy specs. They buy impact. The focus is on the total solution, including the emotion on stage that a fixture makes possible through its technical innovations, reliability on tour, and its cost-effectiveness over the entire lifecycle. Light is wholly a creative tool. At GLP, I want to start precisely here. Let’s put people at the centre and bring to life the emotions users can create with our products through real-world showcases, digital staging and all while using the language of creatives.”
GLP’s culture played its own part in the decision. “I’ve already come to know GLP as a very people-oriented, fast-paced, and solution-focused company. That’s very much in line with their value statement, ‘Flexibility. Family. Future.’” says von den Stemmen. “This philosophy aligns with my own convictions. For me, this step is a conscious choice to work in an environment where ambitious growth and clear values go hand in hand. I look forward to actively helping shape this path, while building on the strong work Uli has done over the past years.”
Kasper Gissel, member of the board at GLP, is confident the appointment positions the company well. “In Julian von den Stemmen, we found exactly the right person for this role,” says Gissel. “He knows the industry, understands technology-driven products, and brings a clear vision of how marketing needs to work today. We are very much looking forward to working with him. At the same time, we would like to thank Uli for 17 years of dedication, loyalty, and embodying the GLP spirit, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
