For the first installment of “Off the Page,” our new interview series spotlighting the editorial voices across Hearst’s global brands, Esquire Germany’s Editor-in-Chief Dominik (Nik) Schütte shares how he’s shaping a legacy title for a new era. Since stepping into the role in 2020, Nik has led with a blend of cultural fluency, inclusive leadership, and a deep respect for storytelling.
In conversation with Hearst Magazines International SVP, Editorial & Brand Director Kim St. Clair Bodden, Nik discusses the evolving media landscape, his team’s editorial vision, and how Esquire Germany is redefining what it means to be a “magazine for good guys.”
We live in a world where news is constant and coming at us from all directions. Given that Esquire is grounded in journalistic excellence, what’s your go-to morning read? Do you ease into your day or dive straight into hard news?
In the mornings, I’m a podcast person. There are excellent news podcasts in Germany. However, the global situation keeps me very engaged, so I also listen to many US podcasts, including Pivot, The Rest is Politics (US), and Pod Save America. With an AirPod in my ear, I take my dog for a walk. After that, it’s time for reading, including esquire.com, Spiegel.de, and the most important social media channels.
You’ve been leading the Esquire brand in Germany since 2020 and have a long history of content creation. From the outside, leading a legacy brand like Esquire might look like sharp suits, cover shoots, and culture-defining headlines. But behind the scenes, what’s one unexpected truth about your role that might surprise people—even those in media?
We work very hard to be a positive and constructive voice, especially in light of the current culture wars. We aim to be a peacemaker in this context because we want our mission statement—that Esquire is for good guys—not to be an empty promise.
Every edition of Esquire has its own rhythm and unique perspective—a point of view that engages and reflects its readers and redefines its culture. How would you describe the editorial voice of Esquire Germany today, and how do you shape that voice in a constantly shifting media landscape? How do you continue to evolve that identity while staying true to the brand DNA?
We love Esquire with all our hearts—everyone who works here does. It’s a very young team, deeply in tune with the zeitgeist. That’s why it’s easy for us to stay true to the brand’s heritage while simultaneously carrying it into the future.
In a media ecosystem crowded with content and competing voices, what defines Esquire Germany’s editorial strategy—and what do you believe truly sets it apart from the media clutter?
We don’t want to be an old-fashioned gentlemen’s club filled with thick cigar smoke and overly strong liquor. Instead, we aim to be a cool, casual club where, fundamentally, everyone is welcome. This means that at the core of our strategy is a commitment to not being too elitist, not too narrow—and, as a result, not overly polarizing.
Great editorial work is rarely the result of hierarchy alone but thrives on bold thinking, trust, and creative risk. With a lean team, how do you foster a culture that sparks innovation while still delivering at a high level?
It’s important to me that Esquire operates as democratically as possible. In the end, the best decision has to be made, of course, but until then, every opinion is heard and taken into consideration. That helps me more than anything else to deliver our kind of high-end content.
Culture often moves at warp speed. What emerging trends or shifts are currently shaping the editorial direction of Esquire Germany, and how do you decide which ones are worth leaning into?
Often, it’s actually the trends we choose not to follow that define Esquire the most. We stay very true to our core idea, and as our community continues to grow—across digital, print, and events—I believe it’s the right approach to repeat, repeat, and repeat our messages.
Is there a recent piece from Esquire Germany that you feel especially proud of — something that captured a cultural moment, challenged expectations, or simply resonated in an unexpected way?
I’m very proud that my American colleagues won the Pulitzer Prize for their feature “An American Death.” Classic, in-depth reporting is also incredibly important to us. For example, a reporting team from Esquire Germany went to a mine in Ukraine, where women are now working underground because the men are at the front. The result was stunning photos and a compelling piece about life during wartime. And—honestly—I’m also proud of our cover with Patrick Schwarzenegger. The timing was perfect; he was the right person at the right time, and the fact that many editions around the world picked up the story makes us incredibly proud.
How does being a part of a global powerhouse like Hearst influence your editorial approach, and how do you strike the right balance between amplifying local perspectives and tapping into the global momentum?
It was my professional dream to one day shape Esquire in Germany. The fact that two major publishers—Burda and Hearst—entrusted me with this job is simply fantastic. And the international collaboration is one of the most exciting aspects of my work.
Esquire has a truly global presence (and is still growing), with each edition offering its own cultural lens. How do you engage with the HMI team and other global editors, and in what ways do the global editions inform or inspire what you are building in Germany?
My colleagues and I regularly meet at fashion shows and in digital meetings. This is important to further deepen our close and trusting collaboration. But it’s also an opportunity to draw inspiration from amazing journalists around the world who operate in the same sphere and work on the same brand—what a privilege!
Quick-Fire Round…
One item every man should own by 40?
Something he dreamed of as a child, couldn’t afford for the longest time, and now will never sell—but instead pass down to the next generation. For me, that’s a Gibson J45 acoustic guitar.
Most stylish city right now?
Copenhagen, no doubt.
One luxury you cannot live without?
Cashmere sweaters.
Sneakers or shoes with a suit?
Sneakers with jeans and jacket – sure! Sneakers with a suit – not for me. But feel free.
Last thing you binge-watched?
The Bear, season 4.
Last question…when people look back at your time at Esquire, what do you want them to remember?
Esquire was brilliantly crafted, incredibly likable and a magazine you enjoyed spending time with, because afterward, you felt just a little bit smarter, funnier, and more open-minded.
