How can communication professionals respond when AI-generated images, videos, or voices trigger a crisis on social media? This highly topical question was the focus of Anja Körnle, alumna of the Master's program Corporate Communication Management (M.Sc.) at Business School Pforzheim. Her master’s thesis, “Deepfakes on Social Media as a Disruptive Crisis of Trust in Crisis Communication,” has now been honored with the BdKom Talent Award 2026 for the best applied thesis in Germany. The award was presented during the German Communication Congress in Berlin. With its Talent Award, the German Association of Communication Professionals (BdKom) recognizes outstanding, practice-oriented theses in the field of corporate communications.

When Deepfakes Become a Crisis of Trust

AI-generated images, videos, and voices are becoming increasingly realistic and can spread across social media within a matter of seconds. For companies and organizations, this creates a new type of crisis scenario: manipulated content can undermine public trust before its authenticity has even been established. 
This is precisely where Anja Körnle’s master’s thesis comes in. She examines the impact of deepfakes on corporate crisis communication and explores how communication professionals can respond to such situations. Based on her analysis, she develops concrete recommendations for communication practice. The thesis was supervised by Professor Dr. Elke Theobald as first supervisor and Professor Dr. Simone Huck-Sandhu as second supervisor.

“A Special Recognition”

For Anja Körnle, the award is a special recognition of her work: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive the BdKom Talent Award 2026. Having my master’s thesis on deepfakes on social media and their significance for crisis communication recognized in this way is a very special honor.” At the same time, Körnle sees the communications industry facing major challenges in light of current developments. “The communications industry is facing major challenges due to the AI revolution, geopolitical conflicts, and economic uncertainties,” says Körnle. Through her research, she aims to contribute to this highly relevant topic and provide insights that are valuable both academically and for communication practice.

Recognition for Academic Quality and Practical Relevance

For the Corporate Communication Management master’s program, the award is a major achievement. Program Director Professor Dr. Felix Krebber sees it as confirmation of the program’s approach: “This award demonstrates what our master’s program stands for: academically rigorous work that translates into relevant recommendations for communication practice.” He congratulates Anja Körnle on her achievement and thanks her supervisors for their dedicated support.

Since 2007, the BdKom has recognized outstanding, practice-oriented theses with its Talent Award. Theses from Business School Pforzheim have already made the shortlist twice, ranking among the top three applied theses in the field of corporate communications across all universities and higher education institutions in Germany on both occasions. The jury recognizes theses that stand out not only for their structure, methodology, and language skills, but above all for their practical relevance and concrete connection to the realities of communication professionals.

Corporate Communication Management: Shaping Strategic Communication

The Corporate Communication Management (M.Sc.) program at Business School Pforzheim prepares students for leadership roles in corporate communications. The program combines strategic communication management with business expertise and places a strong emphasis on practical experience through collaboration with companies and agencies.

Since 2024, the program has been taught entirely in English and has a strong international focus. In the current application cycle, the program received a record number of around 400 applications. The current cohort brings together students from Europe, Asia, Africa, as well as North and Latin America.

Anja Körnle’s award demonstrates how academic research into current communication challenges can generate concrete insights and valuable impulses for professional practice.

Congratulations to Anja Körnle on receiving the BdKom Talent Award 2026!