Nele Würzbach is a passionate presenter and versatile journalist who impresses both in front of and behind the camera.
Her strength lies in live moderation: whether it’s major political events, sporting events or red carpets – she manages to present complex topics in an exciting and easy-to-understand way.
Since 2021, she has presented daily live news programmes and the foreign magazine ‘WELT Reporter’ at WELT / N24, is responsible for special programmes and reports directly from international locations such as the US elections in 2024. With the podcast ‘Frauen 100’, she campaigns for equality and women’s rights.
At BILD, she was the driving force behind the development of BILD Live from 2018 to 2021, where she presented breaking news, political events and sports highlights. In 2019, she gained valuable experience abroad in the BILD office in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Honoured with the Nannen Prize and the European Digital Media Award, she has a strong journalistic foundation. Her fluency in German and English and her enthusiasm for live formats make her a sought-after presenter for events and debates.
Nele Würzbach in an interview:
How did you decide to become a presenter and what sparked your interest in this profession?
Becoming a moderator was never my dream or goal. However, I have always wanted to become a journalist – to tell stories, give a voice to people who otherwise wouldn’t have one, and convey complex topics in a way that everyone can join the debate.
Parallel to my political studies, I worked as a freelance editor for BILD newspaper and started my traineeship at the Axel Springer Academy in 2016. During the two years, I was able to gain experience in various areas. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to help build BILD TV as the main anchor. Exciting years followed, giving me the chance to learn and experiment a lot. I conducted interviews with major names in politics, business, and entertainment, hosted breaking-news shows from Thailand, Austria, and Italy, and, above all, presented live broadcasts of up to 18 hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, I moved to WELT TV. Since then, I have been moderating the daily news as well as our foreign affairs program, WELT Reporter.
Start-up Teens and Axel Springer then sparked my second career path as a stage moderator. Before that, I had already gained experience on red carpets at events like Place to B or the International Music Awards, but the stage has become a true passion. Direct feedback from the audience makes the job something truly special. Exciting panels continually expand my horizons.
Feeling the emotions during an award ceremony is always something special. And for me, the best part: the diversity of topics and conversation partners. There are no limits to my interests.
What qualities and skills do you think are the most important to be a successful moderator?
Whether as a moderator or a reporter, I believe there are two things that are particularly important: You must be curious and a good listener.
The ability to constantly dive into new topics and stories can only exist if you’re eager to learn. Collecting as much information as possible is not just my job, but a passion. I want to know everything. That’s why listening is so important. Often, the things we truly want to know are hidden between the lines of answers. Following up and staying on track brings us to the core message and gives the person I’m speaking with the opportunity to share their experience with us. At the same time, the audience cannot be ignored. What do they want to know? I am their voice.
How do you prepare for a moderation and what strategies do you use to remain flexible during an event?
Reading! Both about the topics and my guests. The more background knowledge you have, the better you can react to any live situation. Good preparation means a relaxed moderation because nothing can throw you off balance. This helps in engaging better with the audience. Countless hours of live reporting have taught me spontaneity and flexibility.
My greatest strength is staying calm in chaotic moments.
What are the most important trends and developments in the field of moderation and event management that you are currently observing?
Presenters who don’t just stick to a script but contribute their own ideas and expertise. They take a stance but also allow room for controversial discussions. Always being ready to steer them back when necessary. The audience must be increasingly captivated and involved, especially in times when attention is not only a rare but also a precious commodity. This is a counterpoint to the trend of the past years, when people with large followings but no relevant expertise or experience were often used as moderators. Events often adhere to strict schedules that should be followed, but without sacrificing the flexibility of the discourse. This is a virtue that especially working in a TV studio teaches you, where every second counts.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career as a presenter?
First and foremost, be a journalist and learn your craft. No matter how easy it may seem, that effortless style comes from experience and professionalism.
Second, never shy away from any topic to continuously expand your horizons.
And third (I know it sounds like a cliché): Stay true to yourself. Everyone has their own style on stage or in front of the camera. You shouldn’t try to be like others, but highlight your strengths to stand out and be unique.
How do you deal with difficult or unexpected situations during an event?
The show must go on!
Mistakes happen, and ideally, you don’t show them, so the audience often doesn’t notice. If it’s unavoidable, mistakes can be quickly forgotten with charm and a smile. However, if a significant disruption occurs, whether technical or thematic, good preparation is key to facing the situation.