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Dialogue marketing thrives on strong connections.

Companies and people

Data and relevant messages

Ideas and the right contact

That is exactly what Trebbau direct media stands for.

Since 1936, we have been helping companies and organisations reach their target audiences with precision and turn communication into measurable results. Today, we bring together data, media, print, production and dialogue marketing to create solutions tailored to our clients and their goals.

In doing so, we rely on what has proven its value over many years: personal advice, in-depth expertise and a partnership that goes beyond the individual project.

Years of Trebbau
Family-owned since 1936
What sets us apart

Experience that looks ahead.

For us, 90 years of company history do not mean clinging to tried-and-tested ways. They mean knowing what works while remaining open to new approaches.

Our clients benefit from specialised teams, direct communication and a broad range of services spanning dialogue marketing, target audiences, data, media and production.

We have worked with many of our clients for years, and in some cases even decades. This creates trust and gives us an in-depth understanding of markets, target audiences and requirements.

What matters to us is this: solutions do not need to be as complicated as possible. They need to fit the objective.

Three values that have guided us for many years

01

Tradition

Trebbau has been in business since 1936 and remains family-owned to this day.

What began with the collection of addresses has evolved over generations into a dialogue marketing agency with a comprehensive range of services.

Our history has shaped us – above all through reliability, personal relationships and our commitment to taking responsibility for our work.

02

Innovation

Dialogue marketing is changing. Media are changing. Data and technology are opening up new possibilities.

That is why we continue to evolve as well.

We assess new approaches and technologies and combine them with proven methods wherever they create genuine added value for our clients. Not every innovation is automatically an improvement. What matters is whether it makes a campaign better, more efficient or more successful.

03

Expertise

Good results are achieved by people who know their craft.

At Trebbau, specialists from different disciplines work closely together – from target audiences and data to media planning and buying, production, lettershop services and distribution.

This allows us to view every task in the context of the entire campaign rather than in isolation.

Experience is good. Sharing it is better.

Behind Trebbau is a team with extensive experience, specialist expertise and a keen understanding of our clients’ requirements.

Different disciplines work together under one roof. This simplifies coordination, shortens communication channels and enables us to develop solutions in which every element works seamlessly with the next.

Above all, it means that our clients have dedicated contacts who know their projects and take responsibility for them.

A new chapter begins

Trebbau is setting the course for the next generation.

In 2026, a new chapter began for Trebbau: Karl-Peter Trebbau and Justin Hackenbroich jointly assumed management of Trebbau direct media GmbH.

This brings together many years of experience and continuity with fresh perspectives.

Justin Hackenbroich has close ties with both the Trebbau family and our company that go back many years. He knows its values, culture and distinctive character, while also contributing new ideas and fresh impetus for its continued development.

What remains unchanged is our commitment to quality, personal service, reliability and partnership.

Our experienced team and trusted contacts remain the foundation of our work. At the same time, we want to embrace new opportunities and continuously develop our services and processes.

90 years of Trebbau

Much has changed. Our commitment remains.

An idea becomes a business model

In Berlin, Maria and Karl Trebbau begin recording the addresses of couples planning to marry from public marriage notices issued by local registry offices. The idea behind it is as simple as it is effective: people who marry and set up a home together have new needs – making them an interesting target audience for companies.

The foundation for Trebbau is laid.

A new beginning in Cologne

After a five-year interruption due to the war and the move from Berlin to Cologne, the company resumes operations as “Adressenverlag und Direktwerbeunternehmen Karl Trebbau”.

Part of the industry from the very beginning

Karl Trebbau is one of the founding members of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Adressenverleger (Association of Address Publishers), the predecessor of today’s German Dialogue Marketing Association (DDV).

Trebbau moves to Cologne-Bayenthal

The company headquarters move to Schönhauser Straße 21, where Trebbau remains based to this day.

The next generation joins the company

Karl-Peter Trebbau, son of the founding family, joins the company.

Data goes digital

Electronic data processing is introduced at Trebbau. From this point on, addresses are recorded and processed electronically.

Karl-Peter Trebbau takes over management

Karl-Peter Trebbau takes the family business forward as the next generation.

More space for production

A new building is constructed at the Schönhauser Straße site. At the same time, the lettershop is expanded further.

List broking expands the offering

By establishing its list broking services, Trebbau refocuses its address offering and expands its ability to reach precisely defined target audiences.

New technology for direct dialogue

As traditional Cheshire labels are increasingly replaced by inkjet printing, Trebbau already has its first automated inkjet systems in operation.

Trebbau goes online

As one of Germany’s early dialogue marketing providers, Trebbau establishes an online presence. At the same time, the company continues to advance its technological development.

Automation in the lettershop

The first computer- and camera-controlled inserting machines go into operation.

The Trebbau Print Centre is established

The Trebbau Print Centre expands the company’s print and production capabilities.

Media joins the portfolio

With the new Media division, Trebbau expands its range of services to include media planning and media buying. This allows target audience expertise, dialogue marketing and media to be integrated even more closely.

80 years of Trebbau

The original address publisher has evolved into a full-service dialogue marketing provider. Data, target audiences, media, production and distribution are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Tradition becomes direct media

Since March, the company has operated as Trebbau direct media GmbH. The new name makes visible what has long been part of its business model: the combination of direct communication, data, media and production.

Data protection enters a new era

With the entry into force of the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the requirements governing the processing of personal data change. Data protection and the responsible handling of data remain central to our work.

Greater responsibility from within

Silke Zierfuß and Jörg Jeske are appointed to the management team.

Silke Zierfuß takes charge of target audience services and data processing, while Jörg Jeske assumes responsibility for the lettershop and production. Both contribute their many years of experience and extensive industry expertise to the company’s continued development.

A new chapter begins

Karl-Peter Trebbau and Justin Hackenbroich jointly assume management of Trebbau direct media GmbH.

This brings together 90 years of experience with a new generation of company leadership – and continues the story of the family business.

How can we help you?

Whether you are looking to acquire new customers, define target audiences, use data more effectively, plan media, create a print mailing or deliver a complete dialogue marketing campaign, we always begin with one question: what do you want to achieve?

Talk to us about your next campaign. We look forward to getting to know you.

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