An interesting look at the process behind all of the monumental changes at DW.

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DW has completed its rebranding process with a new online presence that offers more information, a clear structure and fresh design. The new website will retain the multilingual, multimedia content that DW has been known for, but will have a look and feel based on Germany’s international broadcaster’s new corporate identity. The website also has a new Internet address: www.dw.com.

Users will be able to get their bearings quickly at dw.de due to its intuitive navigation and design. Content is developed and organized exactly to the users’ expectations – from the homepage to the last article. Visually, dw.de resembles a high-quality magazine with clearly defined structure and topical focus. And the large-scale layout provides more room for images and videos and makes it easier for the user to sift through the day’s news.

The new design is also based on a new technical infrastructure. The website will automatically readjust to match the device that is being used – regardless of it is a desktop computer, a tablet or a smart phone. Access for all of these devices is available today: The media player has been converted to HTML5 – a real bonus for people watching videos on mobile devices.

Guido Baumhauer, DW’s Managing Director of Distribution, Marketing and Strategy, was recently interviewed by TV Real Weekly about the upcoming changes at DW.

“This overhaul is actually the biggest in Deutsche Welle’s history,” Baumhauer says. “We are now bringing our multiplatform strategy to life.”

Find out more about what he had to say about the new direction DW is taking here.

Deutsche Welle (DW) will be expanding its Spanish television service for Latin America from two to 20 hours daily, starting February 6, 2012. The new lineup for viewers between Mexico and Tierra del Fuego is part of a comprehensive reform process designed to reposition DW in the international media landscape. The expansion of the program for Latin America will significantly increase DW’s presence there.

DW officially announced the changes at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 26. Mexican President Felipe Calderón said: “It is great to have a partner like Deutsche Welle broadcasting for 20 hours in Spanish. It opens up new opportunities in Latin America. The program will be a bridge to Europe, and Germany in particular. DW has seen success in the competitive television market in Latin America from day one. Around 850 partners throughout the region have included DW programming in their lineups so far – and negotiations with other partners are currently under way.

The new Spanish program required a lot of hard work and restructuring. A big change is in store for Gonzalo Cáceres, who has been a host for Journal and Cuadriga for years. His new job will be to manage and host Claves with partners on location. including ARTV in Chile, SJRTV in Mexico and RTVC in Colombia. The new show will focus on the latest issues in Latin America.

DW will also be welcoming several new faces – among them, Silvia Cabrera. She will be hosting Berlin poltico and Journal. According to Cabrera, DW has a lot to gain in Latin America by setting itself apart as a reliable, objective source of information.

Another addition is Paco Furio. Not only will he be the new producer and host for sports on Journal, but he will also help manage the magazines Reporteros en el mundo, PopXtra and Europa semanal.

“German punctuality and reliability is something that you can count on,” says Carolina Chimoy. The daughter of a Peruvian diplomat will be hosting Journal as well as Reporteros el mundo dazu.

The new Spanish program for Latin America will also receive support from a completely redesigned website for Spanish-speaking users. In the future, the editorial team will be made up of more than 130 employees.