STEP INTO THE EMBA CLASSROOM
Our Executive MBA participants don’t come from a specific mold. They are a unique group of professionals from over 60 countries and a wide variety of fields brought together by a passion to develop as leaders. Bringing diverse experiences to the table, they challenge each other to unlock industry-changing potential and engage with business challenges in a whole new way.
STEP INTO THE EMBA CLASSROOM
Our Executive MBA participants don’t come from a specific mold. They are a unique group of professionals from over 60 countries and a wide variety of fields brought together by a passion to develop as leaders. Bringing diverse experiences to the table, they challenge each other to unlock industry-changing potential and engage with business challenges in a whole new way.
THIS IS WHAT BERLINERS LOOK LIKE
THIS IS WHAT BERLINERS LOOK LIKE
Industries
Position
Industries
Position
Countries
Gender & Experience
Countries
Gender & Experience
MEET OUR PARTICIPANTS & ALUMNI
A Growing Community of Creative Leaders
At the Berlin School, we’re committed to celebrating business creativity by sharing knowledge and connecting creative business leaders around the globe. We have hosted participants from over 60 countries and from a wide range of professions, brought together by their drive to take transformational steps in their careers, businesses and industries. We enable these steps through our range of programs, our curriculum taught by academic and industry experts, and our online campus – which also serves as a content platform – the Home of Creative Business Leadership.
Our participants, with their diverse experiences, skills, and backgrounds, make up the heart of our growing global community. To us, community means creating a safe and immersive environment in which to learn, take risks, connect with others, and experiment. It is the living laboratory in which Creative Business Leadership can thrive and succeed.
MEET OUR PARTICIPANTS & ALUMNI
A Growing Community of Creative Leaders
At the Berlin School, we’re committed to celebrating business creativity by sharing knowledge and connecting creative business leaders around the globe. We have hosted participants from over 60 countries and from a wide range of professions, brought together by their drive to take transformational steps in their careers, businesses and industries. We enable these steps through our range of programs, our curriculum taught by academic and industry experts, and our online campus – which also serves as a content platform – the Home of Creative Business Leadership.
Our participants, with their diverse experiences, skills, and backgrounds, make up the heart of our growing global community. To us, community means creating a safe and immersive environment in which to learn, take risks, connect with others, and experiment. It is the living laboratory in which Creative Business Leadership can thrive and succeed.
JORGE LOPEZ GHISOLI
Founder Partner
JORGE LOPEZ GHISOLI
Founder Partner
Founder
Jorge is the founder of ENTRETANTO, an experimental company to develop own and part-owned products or sevices that will shape a new business model based on relationships between brands and the creative industries. ENTRETANTO is already developing 2 brands. ZUPPA, an “affordable premium” fast food restaurant focused on soups, launched in september 2013. And CONSENTIDO Extra Virgin Olive Oil, recently launched with a limited edition online pre-sell of freshly squeezed unfiltered Olive Oil. Rated with an outstanding 7,8/8 and featured in the main gourmet sites and blogs, Consentido reached its objectives three weeks after its launching date. Future projects involve Mobile Apps, Education and Health.
In January 2007 Jorge also co-founded LOLA (an affiliate of Lowe & Partners Worldwide), a 70 person Madrid-based agency running campaigns for global clients such as Unilever Ice Creams, OralCare, Deodorants along with local clients like Schweppes group, Heineken group, or Tele5.
In 2009 Jorge became a member of the Lowe WorldWide Creative Council and he has also held the positions of Global Creative Director of Unilever OralCare Brands (Signal, Pepsodent, Zhong Hua, AIM, Mentadent, P/S, Close Up) and Global Creative Director of Cornetto Ice Cream.
Jorge moved from Argentina to Spain in 1997 and joined some of the most award-winning agencies at that time: Slogan, Contrapunto, Valmorisco and BDDP.
After developing his skills as an Art Director in those agencies, Jorge was ready to lead an agency. And that is when he co-founded the Madrid office SCPF. Three years later he joined Cathedral as a partner and Executive Creative Director. He then moved to Euro RSCG as Executive Creative Director and Bassat Ogilvy also as Executive Creative Director.
On coming to the Berlin School, Jorge said it is about survival. “In a high demanding profession like this, with a lot of rotation and a big generational selection, you’re either a leader or a leaver. You are among the ones who set the pace in the industry or the industry simply ejects you.”
Learn more about our Executive MBA.
CHRYSTINE GIRARD
Head of International Distribution
CHRYSTINE GIRARD
Head of International Distribution
Encore International
Chrystine holds the position of Chief Content Officer of Montréal-based boutique company Ciné-Mundo. With more than 20 years of experience in the international TV and media business industry, Chrystine is specialized in identifying, acquiring and exploiting TV and media content rights for all media platforms, worldwide. She works closely with rights holders such as format devisors and writers, independent producers and broadcasters. She previously worked as VP, Content Rights Management at Attraction Images Plus where she was responsible for the global exploitation of the company’s full content library.
Chrystine comes to the Berlin School as she believes the DNA of its EMBA is just what she needs to pursue her career in the global TV and media industry. “What makes this program so appealing is its focus on creative leadership in the global market environment. To grow a business in a creative industry and be well received on the global scene, a keen understanding of both the business and the creative people involved is a must. By joining this program, I aim to enhance my skills and competencies in that respect.”
Chrystine has a Bachelor’s degree in Translation (Business Law) from Université Laval and an Executive MBA from Concordia University. After working for several years as a translator, proofreader and writer, in 1992 she took part in the Capitole de Québec initiative and later branched off into TV as a founding member of Distraction Formats, where she remained until 2009, when she joined Attraction. In 2017, she launched along with her partner, her own business, Ciné-Mundo.”
LUIS MIGUEL MESSIANU
CEO
LUIS MIGUEL MESSIANU
CEO
Luis Miguel is Creative Chairman and CEO of ALMA, the most awarded Hispanic agency in 2018, earning 10 Lions at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Innovator, mentor, and example to many, Luis Miguel is passionate about educating a new generation of multicultural advertising professionals and using creative communication to engage communities and address social issues.
Born to Romanian parents and raised in Mexico City, where his advertising career started, Luis Miguel Messianu has worked in both the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets. He has played an influential role in the evolution of the multicultural market, testified by his award-winning work for McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé.
In ’94 he started his agency, and soon after, McDonald’s and State Farm joined the roster. Twenty-five years later, both clients still trust their multicultural strategy to ALMA. Through his vision and leadership, and by creating a non-conformist culture, ALMA is the largest Hispanic agency in the US. Luis is a founder of the US Hispanic Creative Circle and was elected its first President until last year, when he became Chairman.
In 2019, Luis Miguel was named to the Culture Marketing Council’s Hall of Fame – an initiative that recognizes a select group of visionaries, leaders and luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Hispanic advertising and marketing field.
OLE RAHBEK KRISTENSEN
Chief Executive Officer
OLE RAHBEK KRISTENSEN
Chief Executive Officer
Pineapple Entertainment
Ole Rahbek is the CEO of Pineapple Entertainment. He joined Pineapple in 2015 as Head of Programmes, and had before that been leading several departments at Danish Broadcasting Corporation including the Culture, the Event and the Factual departments.
Ole has more than 25 years of experience in the TV industry and is also the author of the book “Sustainable Creativity”.
ROMAN BURCH
Managing Partner
ROMAN BURCH
Managing Partner
FORB
Roman is somewhere between creative and strategist. He believes in the power of brands and is interested in connecting art and business. Curiosity and humor he calls as important as knowledge and courage. Yes, he is stuck in the middle but feels good there.
Roman Burch studied Business Administration and Communication in Berne (Switzerland) and Helsinki (Finland). He is Managing Partner of FORB founded by him and Oliver Forrer (another Berliner) based in St.Gallen (Switzerland). Prior to this, Roman was the head of marketing & communication at Notenstein Private Bank and Wegelin & Co. in Switzerland.
WOLFGANG SCHNEIDER
CCO
WOLFGANG SCHNEIDER
CCO
BBDO Germany
Wolfgang Schneider is the Chief Creative Director for BBDO, Germany.
Prior to this Wolfgang Schneider was the Chief Creative Director for Jung von Matt Berlin, Germany. He previously worked for DDB, Berlin; Jung von Matt, Hamburg; and Springer & Jacoby, Hamburg.
Wolfgang has been awarded by the Art Directors Club Germany for sound design, and print/illustration for campaigns such as Mercedes Benz, Spiegel Online, T-Mobile and Fisherman’s Friend. He was also won awards from LIAA, Die Klappe, VDW, Eurobest, Das Plakat, Goldenes Mikrofon, One Show, Montreux, Cresta, New York Festival, Epica, Mobius,Ramses, Lead Award, CCM sterreich, Zeitung Kreativ, Axel Springer, Spotlight Festival, Plakat & Media Grand Prix and Goldenes Lenkrad.
Wolfgang Schneider has a Diploma in Business Communication from the University of Applied Sciences, Berlin. He lives and works in Berlin.
MARISA ARCHARY
CEO
MARISA ARCHARY
CEO
CEO
Marisa is a disruptive and strategic entrepreneur. She currently owns and runs Black Africa Group, which is her brand consultancy and primary business, focused on Branding, Brand Communication and Employee Engagement. She is also an Executive Director for Amber Property Investment and Development.
Prior to founding Black Africa Group, Marisa was a Director at Interbrand South Africa following the entity’s merger with her former agency BLACK — Brand Strategy and Design. She worked as a Graphic Designer for Chillibush Advertising and Design, and as a freelance before joining Salamander Communication in 2004 as a Creative Director.
Marisa obtained a BA Honours in Design from the Design Centre South Africa, accredited by the Nottingham Trent University in the UK and went on to complete a Diploma in Strategic Brand Management from Vega South Africa.
ERIKS STENDZENIEKS
Creative Director
ERIKS STENDZENIEKS
Creative Director
Partner
Eriks is a Creative Director at !MOOZ in Riga, Latvia. In 2005, he was elected President of the Latvian Art Directors Club. He is also a member of the juries at advertising festivals across Europe including Golden Drum and MIAF.
Eriks’s agency was named “Creative Agency of the Year” in Latvia in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. It has won more than 120 awards, including Cannes Lions, Epica, Golden Drum and Golden Hammer awards. In 2004, !MOOZ won as many awards in Golden Hammer as all other Latvian agencies combined. In 2005, it was ranked 2nd best Agency in Golden Drum and received seven medals at the Latvian Art Directors Club award show.
Eriks designed the Latvian National Pavilion for EXPO 98, and also created and implemented the concept for the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest held in Latvia. He devised the pro-accession campaign for Latvia’s membership of the EU in 2004. His multimedia project ‘9 Speaking Stones’ was installed and displayed in Paris in the Place du Palais Royal in front of the Louvre.
Eriks has a BA Degree in Industrial Design from the Latvian Academy of Arts and a MADC Degree in Communication Design from the London Central St. Martins. He lives and works in Riga, Latvia.
DIMITRIS TRANAKAS
CEO
DIMITRIS TRANAKAS
CEO
Frank Group Romania
Dimitris is the CEO of Frank Group Romania. Previously Tranakas worked for Ashley Worldgroup South Eastern Europe, Ashley & Holmes Greece, McCann Erickson Greece, Euro RSCG Greece and for Deras Ltd, Africa.
Dimitris has won the Romanian and Greek EFFIE awards for Telecommunications for his Olympic Sponsorship campaigns. He was also awarded at the Golden Drum for his Romania campaign in the non-alcoholic drinks category. Other awards include and FMCG selection, Gold and Silver Awards at the Ermis advertising. Dimitris has a BA in Advertising from the BCA, Athenian Business College. Dimitris was born in Greece and now works and lives in Bucharest, Romania.
REBECCA SALERNO
Director of Creative and Content Marketing
REBECCA SALERNO
Director of Creative and Content Marketing
Kelley School of Business at Indiana University
Rebecca Salerno specializes in higher education marketing. She has extensive experience leading creative teams in developing marketing and communications campaigns for undergraduate and graduate student recruitment, retention and engagement. She has spent most of her career in the United States, and her team’s role in producing a digital magazine has taken her on assignment throughout the U.S. and China to interview business leaders and entrepreneurs. Rebecca is passionate about digital marketing, content marketing, brand storytelling, the creative process and talent development and management. She holds a strategic position as the director of creative and content marketing at one of the world’s top business schools.
MAXIMILIANO DE LACERDA
Senior Vice President
MAXIMILIANO DE LACERDA
Senior Vice President
WMcCann
Max has a long experience in marketing and advertising with expertise in digital services, strategic planning and integrated communication. He built most of his career at the McCann Group, and was part of McCann Erickson’s operations in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Lisbon.
In his current role, Max is responsible for WMcCann’s global clients, many of whom he worked with in his previous roles, namely Coke, MasterCard, HP, General Motors and Colgate. Prior to this, he was a Business Leader at JWT, responsible for global clients management. He began his career as an Account Executive for Propeg Pernambuco and Plug Recife, and later worked as an Account Supervisor at Publicis before joining McCann in early 2000.
After studying Social Communication and Advertising at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Max went to Law School at UNICAP before obtaining an Executive MBA in Marketing from the Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo.
Max comes to the Berlin School to discover the real “new”, the most innovative approach to the constant changes in the industry. “We are changing so fast in the way we communicate and absorb content; we are right in the middle of a revolution. Due to the radical change in the type of product we need to deliver, it’s time to have journalists, artists, anthropologists, psychologists, gamers, and scientists working closely together. The traditional models need to be reviewed and our challenge is to create an environment fluid enough to naturally deliver solutions.”
MALENE BIRKEBAEK THOMSEN
CMO
MALENE BIRKEBAEK THOMSEN
CMO
DR
Malene is an experienced marketer and leader with skills gained from the agency and the company side of the marketing sector. The agency side has built her skills within client management, strategy development and pitch management. From the company side, leading a large marketing department for the largest media company in Denmark has developed strong skills within team management and brand development.
Malene is highly motivated by strategic challenges that demand the use of both analytical and creative skills to succeed. She holds a BA degree in English and Economics and a Master in Economic Marketing Management.
HANSA WONGSIRIPITACK
SEA Director of Digital
HANSA WONGSIRIPITACK
SEA Director of Digital
JWT Asia Pacific
Hansa Wongsiripitack is the SEA Dirctor of Digital for JWT Asia Pacific.
Preceding this role, Hansa Wongsiripitack was the Business Development Director at Dentsu Media Thailand Ltd., where she led the business development team in managing new client portfolios and developing new business opportunities.
In 2008, Hansa developed the business concept and strategy for Wide Access Co. Ltd., a new wireless internet access provider. She has also held roles at DTAC, Total Access Communication PLC, Creative Juice, Dentsu Young & Rubicam and McCann-Erickson, Thailand.
ANDRÉ BARDY
Partner, Strategic Planner
ANDRÉ BARDY
Partner, Strategic Planner
Strategic Planner
As Partner and Strategic Planner for Activeark Ltd., André manages a team of eight creative professionals. Activeark is the second largest digital design company in Finland and has offices in Helsinki, London and Mumbai. Founded in 2003, Activeark is a growing agency with 80 employees. In 2010, it was ranked the most respected digital agency in Finland by M&M Magazine. In 2011, it won five major web awards including the International Web Award and two Grand One awards.
Before starting with Activeark in 2007, André worked as a sales manager for two years with GeB Products Ltd. He studied Marketing and Economics at Hanken School of Economics in Finland. Since working with the digital design agency, he has won the Vuoden Huiput, Silver award in April 2011 and the Best integrated Media Campaign in Finland 2010 with the Otto Drinkero launch campaign for Hartwall Oy (part of Heineken group).
André is part of the Berlin School of Creative Leadership to expand his strategic thinking and leadership skills. “The learning by doing has brought me to the point where I’m now, but in order to go further I feel that I need a different kind of learning. I want to find completely new ways to think, act and interact in my professional life.”
Learn more about our Executive MBA.
FELIPE BURATTINI
CEO
FELIPE BURATTINI
CEO
Founder
Felipe is a design-thinking specialist born in Brazil. He began studying Law but later changed his mind radically and began a course in Marketing and Advertising at ESPM instead. In 2006 he founded his own advertising boutique BrandishAd and in 2015 he became the Founder of a Berlin-based start-up ‘Apps 4 Gaps’, which also operates in London and São Paulo.
Felipe has obtained certifications in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Advanced Project Management and Strategic Decision and Risk Management from Stanford University, as well as Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge.
KRISTINA HÄUSLER
Strategy Director
KRISTINA HÄUSLER
Strategy Director
SYZYGY
Kristina is a diversified communications strategist with a strong background in brand strategy and a deep understanding of digital ecosystems. She thrives when it comes to extracting insights about people, markets, and technologies, and deriving effective marketing strategies in the new digital world. She has worked for leading agencies from Europe to Argentina where she implemented novel methodologies to develop business models that help brands stay competitive. Her work was awarded several times, yet she constantly pushes herself and others to bring out the best creative products that make people happy and drive business impact.
RODRIGO PÉREZ
Brand Manager
RODRIGO PÉREZ
Brand Manager
Rodrigo is an enthusiastic marketing professional with a strong passion for creativity and innovation.
He lived in Spain while studying his master’s in marketing and started his professional career in the consumer goods industry. Upon his return to Mexico, he started working in the spirits industry having the opportunity to go through four different positions. He is committed to being a better professional and to creating a positive impact on those around him, the society and the world.
CLAUDIA NIEMEYER
Consultant
CLAUDIA NIEMEYER
Consultant
As Creative Director for Saatchi & Saatchi X in Rio de Janeiro, Claudia Niemeyer directs her team in Miami, São Paulo and Buenos Aires. She is responsible for the strategic decision for the startup in Brazil as well as the concept creation for positioning, product launch, and design solutions. She has won numerous awards from IDEA Brasil as well as a Bronze Cannes Lion.
Prior to Saatchi & Saatchi X, Niemeyer worked as a Design Project Manager for Ana Couto Branding and Tátil Design as well as acted as the Design Manager for Fivecurrents during the visit of the International Olympic Committee to Rio de Janeiro. She received her Bachelors in Design Visual Communication and an MBA in Business Management.
Niemeyer decided to come to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership for what she calls a breakthrough experience for her professional career.
“I am highly really motivated by learning. I believe education is one of the best ways to change the world. Learning and teaching connect people, also to heritage, environment and society’s needs. Without education there is no evolution. I know that I will gain expert knowledge at the forefront of discovery. The fact that the program is around the world and allows us to be in touch with different cultures, the environment is something that excites me. I really like the module system of study and the fact that I do not need to quit my job. The flexibility makes it possible to apply the knowledge immediately and it makes everything more dynamic.”
DORTE PALLE JORGENSEN
Independent Podcast Producer
DORTE PALLE JORGENSEN
Independent Podcast Producer
Denmark
Dorte is an award-winning Executive Producer for the media broadcast industry. She is a storyteller, always focusing on the content, and her powerful visions make her create new and radical innovation, normally in smaller teams out of prime time. She has a holistic bottom-up approach in her leadership and her forces are to spot the potential in young or undeveloped talents.
Dorte has always been a first mover. It is in her nature to spot new trends and evolving ideas, and she is always instinctively looking for ways to improve workflow, as well as new technics, new platforms and new genres.
She worked in DR – Danmarks Radio for almost 24 years, starting when she was 20. Always practical and learning by doing, she has an array of skills that includes Storytelling, Video and Podcast Production, Creative Leadership, Concept Development and Innovation.
YUVAL LEVY
CEO
YUVAL LEVY
CEO
Yuval is a media entrepreneur and creative director with 20 years of experience in TV and animation.
In 2006, he founded Smartoonz, an international content development company, creating and producing multi-platform content for children, comprising TV/online series, games, mobile games and interactive applications. In that year, Smartoonz presented new pilots at MIPCOM, which made the company an interesting new player in that market. These pilots became TV series that are successfully broadcasted by major TV channels worldwide, and distributed in more than 50 territories.
Yuval began his work in the TV industry as a broadcast technician in a TV studio and worked his way up to post-production as a video editor. He later became a leading compositor, animator and special effect artist working on TV commercials and movies. He later established an animation studio and post-production house.
He studied Visual Communication Design at the Israeli Design Centre in Tel Aviv, as well as VFX, animation, sound design and organizational transformation.
Yuval’s participation in the EMBA program comes from his desire to acquire more skills to help his company grow. “My motivation for applying for this program is to complete my toolbox. I already have a vast experience, worldwide connections, and loads of creativity. What I now need is to expand my business tools and elevate them to new business opportunities. I heard how life-changing the EMBA is and I think this program is exactly what I need at the point I’m currently at.”
REMY FABRIKANT
CEO, Founder
REMY FABRIKANT
CEO, Founder
JWT/Fabrikant
CEO and Owner of JWT/Fabrikant, Remy brings a wealth of experience to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. He leads one of the top ten advertising agencies in Switzerland, is a board member of the Mindshare Media Agency, as well as the Art Directors Club Schweiz, and is actuating as a donor for the Zurich Film Festival.
During his career he won more than 200 awards. His list of awards includes a Eurobest gold, a Cannes silver, as well as 120 Gold, Silver and Bronze Art Director’s Club awards. In addition, one of his cinematic commercials is a part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In the Gunn Report 2011: JWT/Fabrikant ranked 24th in the worlds most awarded print ads & campaigns.
Remy began his career as an Art Director at Advico Young & Rubicam. In 2000, he was a Worldwide Creative Director for the client Siemens at J. Walter Thompson in Switzerland. He has also worked with major clients, such as Bayer, Deutsche Bank, Kimberly-Clark GmbH, Heineken, Unilever, Microsoft, Nestlé, IBM, Swissair.
Despite his successful career, Remy is coming to the Berlin School to learn how to best prepare for the future of the creative industry and develop a continually improving business model that will capitalize on creative value. Some of the questions Remy brings to the Berlin School are “how can the value of creativity be defined in an environment of constant change?” and, “What are the benchmarks of the future?”
NIK ARNHOLD
Digital Director
NIK ARNHOLD
Digital Director
OMM
As the director of digital services for OMM, Nik Arnhold heads a team of designers and developers dealing with a wide range of new technologies including web, led advertising, multimedia, iPhone applications and digital photography. His clients include global brands such as Sony, Barclays, Nike, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Acco Brands and Black and Decker.
Nik’s educational background includes Industrial Design, Furniture Design and Technology and Computer Aided Art and Design, and has steadily built upon this design knowledge over the past 16 years working in areas of Brand iD, print design, event marketing, online development, interactive/experiential media and various international projects either working in or with clients from South America, USA, various parts of Europe and Australia. Nik is looking forward to complementing his creative expertise and building upon his existing management and leadership skills through his pursuit of an Executive MBA.
“I feel further leadership and strategic education is vital if I am to be involved in implementing a solid business structure and improved methodologies at OMM. After reviewing what courses are available the Berlin school EMBA stands out as being the perfect learning platform to give me these skills.”
EDUARDO MARURI
President, CEO & Creative Chairman
EDUARDO MARURI
President, CEO & Creative Chairman
Eduardo is President, CEO & Creative Chairman of Grey Europe. An accomplished leader, he has been praised in several publications including the magazine Lideres, which called him one of the most respected businessmen of Ecuador, in the magazine Latin Finance which labeled him as the only Ecuadorian among the 25 Latin American entrepreneurs eligible to take important positions of great influence in the next ten years, and in Campaign Magazine in May 2019 under the headline, “The Grey Europe chief who almost became Ecuador’s president.”
He is also CEO & CCO of Maruri Grey, a company he started with his father as Maruri Advertising in 1991. Maruri Grey was the first Ecuadorian Advertising Agency to receive a Gold Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2012, and today, the company has won more than 40 Cannes Lions.
In addition to founding Maruri Advertising in 1991, Eduardo was the founder and President of DM3, the first sports marketing company in Ecuador and founder of Maruri Direct Marketing. He can also boast planning the visits to Ecuador of Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, Gorbachev Mikjail, José MaríaAznar, Al Gore, Rigoberta Menchu, and many others. In addition to running his own business, Eduardo was President of the National Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Ecuador, a position for which he was elected unanimously by the 85 chambers of commerce of the country. !And, in September 2007 he was elected to integrate the National Constituent Assembly of Ecuador. He was also President of the Barcelona Sporting Club. To top it off, he was also National Champion of an Ironman Triathalon in 2002.
He received his degree in Economics at the University of Eastern Michigan, as well as postgraduate studies in Communications at the University of California in Berkeley and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Marketing from the University of Harvard.
To meet the challenge of increased competition and a changing creative landscape in the advertising industry, Eduardo decided to get his EMBA at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. “Maruri, with my leadership as President, majority owner, and CCO, needs a strategic plan and the skills to cope with the coming change over the next 10 years. For that I need to reload, rethink, recycle, and yes, I need to learn. I need to update and practice my skills to detect, form, and retain creative leaders within my organization of 200 people. I need time to think. And that is why I believe I need this program now.”
MARIE REIG FLORENSA
Freelancer
MARIE REIG FLORENSA
Freelancer
Spain
Marie is a transversalist working at the crossroads of Culture, Communication & Media Production. She loves to explore, discover and connect the dots to design, manage or evaluate projects and creative challenges. To build a better world with every job assignment is her personal commitment. Curiosity is her fuel and self-discipline and constancy her secret weapons. Marie’s studies forge her analytical and critical background, professional experience, a hands-on vision and approach. She has also learned that failure is the best teacher of success and believes that giving her best and enjoying the journey will drive her towards a successful destination.
IZABELLA WILEY
General Manager A+E Networks
IZABELLA WILEY
General Manager A+E Networks
As SVP of Viacom International Media Networks, Izabella launched an HD channel for MTV Networks international. The channel is currently distributed in over 30 countries worldwide. She also launched the Nickelodeon HD channel for Russia and Poland, was responsible for leading MTV’s international efforts in developing 3D projects, and has increased profitability of her regional unit tenfold. Under her leadership, the Polish media industry recognized Viacom International Media Networks Poland with many awards as by assigning them a status of experts in the field of successful execution of the global television trends in the local markets.
Izabella came to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership to build a strategy for television of the future and how to balance the elements of business with creativity. “Transformation has brought a lot of challenges to the industry and how we handle them will decide the future of the business. I would like to focus on some of these challenges while a the Berlin School of Creative Leadership.”
Izabella has 16 years of experience in the television industry, working with Viacom and MTV throughout most of her career in the roles of spokesperson, general manager, marketing, vice-president, and now senior vice-president. She was named one of the 50 most influential women in Poland by “Home & Market” magazine and was a finalist for the Businesswoman of the Year by BRE Bank and Radio PIN. She was also the winner of the “Keep Walking” award by Newsweekreaders and is a member of the Emmy Awards Academy.
Learn more about our Executive MBA.
JAAKKO TAMMELA
Product & Experience Director
JAAKKO TAMMELA
Product & Experience Director
Dasa
As Product and Experience Director at Dasa, a healthcare company in São Paulo, Jaako leads product innovation and new product development. Prior to Dasa, he worked at Accenture Brazil as Design Practice Lead for Strategy and Consulting. And before that, Jaako worked his way up from Service and Business Designer to Group Director at Fjord. Additionally, Jaakko was founding partner at Brainpool and partner of GrimpaXD, an experience design house consultant that works with innovation projects to brands such as Honda, Tiffany, Tamontina and Brandesco. His portfolio of work, as an independent design and innovation consultant for over 15 years, consists of local and global brands such as Ekos, Kids In, Natura, Intel and much more.
Beyond all of the above, Jaakko’s professional experience includes being Senior Future Insights Manager for Whirlpool Latin America, as well as Senior Design Manager. He also previously co-founded another company, Sincrodesign, which worked with many global brands. Additionally he was a professor, teaching branding and strategic design. He was a coordinator and curator for the extension program at IED São Paulo. During his almost 13 years of experience, Jaakko received more than 30 international and national design awards, such as GOOD, Design Prize, IF Design Award, Red Dot and IDEA USA and Brazil. He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design from PUC-Rio and an MBA in Marketing and Business from ESPM-RJ.
Jaakko decided to come to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership in order to add a strong understanding of business theory to his professional experience. “Now, I think will be a perfect time to put together the practice, experience, theory and dream and help to design a new creative business model that helps me and others to design future business.”
ANDRÉS MARURI
Vice President
ANDRÉS MARURI
Vice President
In 2011, Andrés co-founded Maruri Digital, a digital advertising agency partnering with Maruri Grey. He currently serves as its Executive Vice-President. Leading a team of more than 30 people, his work spans 24 countries for clients such as SABMiller and 3M. In the short time since its founding, Maruri Digital has experienced rapid growth and now accounts for over 20 percent of Maruri Grey’s revenue and profit.
Before co-founding Maruri Digital in 2011, Andrés held various positions with Maruri Grey, including Trade Marketing Director and Senior Account Executive. Andrés obtained a BSc in Management from Purdue University in the US and an MBA from IDE Business School in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Andrés came to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership to enhance his ability to lead in a creative business environment. Exchanging and developing views on how to best integrate traditional and digital ways of advertising is among his main priorities. In his own words, “the Berlin EMBA program provides the opportunity to share experiences with the most creative people from various fields and cultures.”
CHRISTINA LOPES
Executive Director Partner
CHRISTINA LOPES
Executive Director Partner
Partner and Executive Director of the Advertising core of Conspiração Filmes, Cristina has more than 25 years of experience in the Brazilian advertising market. She started her career in advertising agencies, and then moved to work in production houses.
She has been at Conspiração for the last 13 years, been instrumental in building the company as one of the most complete independent audiovisual production houses in Brazil. It offers production, production services, post-production and content creation do Cinema, Commercials, TV, Branded Content, Digital, Social Media and Arts+Music.
Throughout her career, Cristina conducted more than 2,500 advertising films for national and international brands including: Coca-Cola, Unilever, GM, Ford, Honda, VW, AMBEV, P&G, Visa, Mastercard, Pepsi, J&J, KimberlyClark. Additionally, she has served the largest agencies in the country and abroad, as WMccann, AlmapBBDO, J. Walter Thompson, Y&R, Publicis, Element79, LoweUK, Lowe Singapure, GreyNY, BBDOChicago, among others.
KEN CHAN
Senior Lecturer
KEN CHAN
Senior Lecturer
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Ken developed his love for theatre as a kid in Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada, earning a degree in Theatre Production from York University, and managing the Technical Direction Department for companies such as The Canadian Opera Company, and the National Ballet of Canada. As a Senior Lecturer and leading the Technical Direction Stream for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the largest theatre school in Asia, Ken utilizes creativity to share his international experience with the next generation of theatre professionals.
TIMO EVERI
Chairman - Project Lead
TIMO EVERI
Chairman - Project Lead
Projekti GH Oy
Timo Everi is Chairman, project lead for Projekti GH Oy in Helsinki, Finland.
Timo has gained over 20 years experience in a number of sectors, including Telecommunications, Advertising, Retail, Media, FMCG and Sports, as well as an in-depth working knowledge of Europe, the Middle East and the US. His previous roles, have included Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Marketing at Wataniya Telecom Plc (Kuwait, 2004-2006), Partner and Executive Creative Director at Hasan & Partners, (Helsinki, 1991-2004) and Creative Director and Senior Copywriter at McCann-Erickson (New York, London & Scandinavia, 1-3 month periods between 1997-2004). Everi has won numerous awards for his work, including a lifetime achievement award (platinum) from the Finnish Advertising Industry (2002).
AIDIS DALIKAS
Co-Founder and Chief Growth Manager
AIDIS DALIKAS
Co-Founder and Chief Growth Manager
Co-Founder and Chief Growth Manager
Aidis Dalikas is Co-Founder and Chief Growth Manager of Socialus Marketingas, a brand consultancy in Lithuania helping local and international market leaders to successfully communicate with their customers in social media, increase customer loyalty and acquire new leads through effective on-and-offline marketing. One of the most ambitious full-service agencies in the Baltics, Socialus Marketingas started as a social media boutique and developed into a powerhouse of creative, media and production professionals.
Before joining Socialus Marketingas, Aidis developed his career as Head of Marketing at Dokeda UAB and Project Manager at Advision, and before this, a number of years working in Sales and Product Management. Aidis received his BS in Economics and Management at École Supérieure de Commerce Et de Management, a Bachelor of Management at Kaunas University of Technology and studied Law at Mykolo Romerio Universitetas.
Aidis began his Berlin School journey in 2018 as a participant on the Cannes Creative Leaders Programme. Entering the Executive MBA in Creative Leadership, Aidis looks forward to building his knowledge and growth “amongst people of similar backgrounds, but very different markets and cultures” will benefit his “career and personal growth curve tremendously.”
MATTHIAS SCHMIDT
Managing Director and Partner
MATTHIAS SCHMIDT
Managing Director and Partner
antoni GmbH
Matthias Schmidt is currently the Managing Director of Antoni, the newly formed agency for Mercedes.
Prior to this role, Matthias was Creative Director at DDB Tribal in Berlin.
Preceding this, he was Partner & Board Member with Scholz & Friends Hamburg. He has been there since 1998, when he started with the company as student, moving on to senior copywriter, creative director, head of unit and becoming partner in 2003. Schmidt has worked on accounts for Mercedes-Benz, Schering, Messe Frankfurt, Medecins sans frontiére, Berliner Zeitung etc.
Schmidt’s awards include a Gold and Bronze Lion in Cannes, LIAA Winner, ADC Germany and New York Silver and Bronze, being an Epica Winner, Clio short listed, and winning the Axel Springer award for outstanding print advertising. Schmidt became a member of the Art Director’s Club Germany in 2001.
Schmidt received a degree in communication science from the Universität der Künste in Berlin in 1998.
RALF ZILLIGEN
Creative Connector
RALF ZILLIGEN
Creative Connector
Self-employed
Ralf Zilligen is a self-employed Creative Connector.
Prior to this role, Ralf Zilligen was Managing Director Kreation at McCAnn/MRM in Düsseldorf, Germany. Before that, he was Chairman at Arthur Schlovsky – a brand of MediaedgeRalf Zilligen has also worked as Chief Creative Officer BBDO Düsseldorf and as copywriter for several agencies including Jung von Matt and Springer & Jacoby, after which he was employed as Creative Director at Leagas Delaney and Wieden+Kennedy in London and Amsterdam. Returning back to Germany in 2002, Zilligen was appointed Managing Director at Stöhr/DDB.
Zilligen has received awards from Cannes, Clio, ADC Germany, Europe and NY, Eurobest, D&AD, Epica and Comprix.
ROY COHEN
Creative Director
ROY COHEN
Creative Director
Blue Hive\WPP
Roy is a Digital Creative Director who specialises in the automotive industry. He launched his advertising career in Israel and has worked for brands throughout Europe: Hyundai in Tel Aviv, Mercedes-Benz and BMW in Hamburg and Ford in the UK. His digital knowledge helps to influence his clients and agency to create more integrated work. Roy has won many creative awards throughout his career and served as a jury at top advertising award shows globally.
CHRISTOPH POROPATITS
Founder and CEO
CHRISTOPH POROPATITS
Founder and CEO
Christoph is an experienced online media professional with about ten years of experience in
online businesses, particularly online video companies. He has worked at Google/YouTube and
three online media companies in various start-up stages (boot-strapped, venture funded; 5-150
people management responsibility each). His company Assembell is an online video consulting
business. Christoph has lived and worked in Dublin, London, Cologne, Berlin, San Francisco and
is a native of Vienna, Austria. Christoph holds a B.A. degree from a University of Applied
Sciences in Austria and is an avid skier, diver and traveler. His interests further include journalism
and politics.
ANDRES VERGARA
Creative Director
ANDRES VERGARA
Creative Director
Russia
Andres could truly be called a global creative. In his recent role as Creative Director in Proximity Russia and BBDO Moscow he developed and enhanced Proximity’s digital position on the market as well as taken part in projects with BBDO Russia Group festival initiatives helping them win their first Cannes Lion. His list of clients included: In--touch/RSA, Philip Morris, P&G, Bacardi Group, MARS, DHL, WWF, MARS and Luerzers Archive. The 2011 Russian mayor festival awards (with official AKAR rating) placed BBDO RUSSIA for the first time in Number 1 position as most awarded agency in Russia in the advertising category. Andres has won dozens of other awards in his career history, including: One Show, Eurobest, New York Festival, EPICA, Dubai Lynx, among many others.
Andres’ career developed in various award-winning agencies around the world, including: BBDO Dubai, TONIC Dubai, Publicis Stockholm, SCPF Barcelona, Ruiz Nicoli Madrid, DDB&Co Istanbul and Leo Burnett Chicago. He has worked as an Art Director, Creative Director, and Strategist. He has worked with numerous clients, some being: KRAFT, Coca Cola, Nawras Telecom, Audi, CNN, SONY, Finansbank, Koenigsegg, Dank furniture, & Multi Turk Mall.
BENJAMIN YUNG JUNIOR
Chief Creative Officer Partner
BENJAMIN YUNG JUNIOR
Chief Creative Officer Partner
Benjamin believes in hard work and dedication. He began his carreer as a marketing intern at Unilever and strived to become the second most awarded creative director in the world in 2016, according to The Drum’s Big Won Rankings. With over 50 Cannes Lions, he has helped agencies build strong creative reputations and grow their business in Brazil, with additional experience in Italy and in the United States. In 2017, he joined forces with friends to start a new independent business: SUNO United Creators. The results have been great and on their client list are Santander Bank and Heineken among other remarkable Brazilian companies.
EMEM EMA
CEO
EMEM EMA
CEO
One Management
As CEO of ONE Marketing Management, Emem is highly involved in Nigeria’s music scene and founded her company in 2005 with the goal of creative talent management for Nigeria’s up and coming artists. In recognition for her efforts, she was awarded the International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (Nigeria) by the British Council. Though she has already achieved great success with her music endeavors, including producing a song to fight Polio in Africa, which brought together 30 of Africa’s finest artists and actors to raise their voices in favor of eradicating the disease.
Emem grew up in the music scene and always planned to have a career in the industry. However, in order to leverage her position in the music industry, she first took on her second passion of law, for which she received her Bachelor’s and LLB from Nigerian Law School and the University of Lagos. She was also a consultant to the British Council in London, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana.
LUIZ HENRIQUE MANTOVANI DA COSTA
Corporate Controller
LUIZ HENRIQUE MANTOVANI DA COSTA
Corporate Controller
Luiz is a senior finance professional with an engineering degree. He is born in a small town in Brazil’s countryside and he had lived in several cities and regions, stablishing as “home” São Paulo capital. Luiz is a non-conventional finance leader, passionate not only for numbers but mainly for people. He has been working for American and Chinese companies always inside multi-cultural environments. He has a strategic regional position in one of the largest Home Appliances manufacturer in the world.
SEBASTIAN LOUDON
Representative
SEBASTIAN LOUDON
Representative
Die ZEIT
Sebastian is a representative for DIE ZEIT in Austria and Publisher of DATUM, a monthly magazine for politics and society. Before this he served as Publisher and Editor in Chief of “Horizont” (Austria’s leading weekly Newspaper for the Communications industry), “Bestseller” (magazine for the Communications industry) and “Horizont Online” (a Web-Portal for the Communications industry). Within this role, he leads an editorial department of fifteen individuals.Preceding this, from August 2002 to December 2007, Sebastian worked for the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting & Telecommunications (RTR) as Manager of CEO’s office, Press Officer and Project Coordinator for the digitization plan of broadcasting in Austria. Prior to this, from April 1996 until August 2002, he worked as an Editor for ‘Horizont’, ‘Bestseller’ and Horizont Online’.Learn more about our Executive MBA.
EMILY KORTLANG
Manager
EMILY KORTLANG
Manager
Apple
Emily’s first job was driving a Red Bull car with a can on the back and from here she fell in love with the world of marketing and decided to finish her Sports Science degree and add a Masters in Marketing and Management. Upon completion, she held a range of roles at Red Bull culminating in leading the launch of Red Bull Cola. Red Bull had enjoyed phenomenal success, but this was an all-together different battleground, competing with the world’s most well known brand.
In 2010 Emily left Red Bull and decided that after a decade in working in fizzy, sugary drinks, she needed to broaden her experience out of FMCG. She jumped agency side to understand how to market cars, mobile phones and chocolate. The next place she’d call home was Fallon, a small but globally renowned creative advertising agency, responsible for some of the biggest campaigns of the decade including, Sony Balls, Sony Paint and the Cadburys Gorilla. Here Emily worked as an Account Director for Orange, The Tate and Eurostar.
Emily’s history with youth, her appetite for cool brands and her experience both agency and client side prepared her well for her new and current at Beats by Dr Dre. As employee number one she had to build the team from the ground up, while simultaneously getting to grips with the complexities of the business and the shifting reality of the industry. As the UK country lead for Beats by Dr Dre, Emily works in the European Marketing team at Apple HQ in London. Emily’s responsibilities are truly through-the-line managing everything that touches the consumer from events, to media. Her challenge is to take an all-American brand and translate it for a British consumer whilst still retaining its strong heritage.
DMITRY KESHISHEV
Chief Digital Officer
DMITRY KESHISHEV
Chief Digital Officer
Ruptly
Dmitry is an experienced Chief Officer with an extensive background in media production and numerous awards. A strong business development professional, he is the Chief Digital Officer at Ruptly in Berlin, Germany. His skill set includes Digital Strategy, Customer Insight, Innovation Management, Advertising and Integrated Marketing.
Before joining Ruptly, Dmitry worked as ECD at Progression Group, the leading Russian independent advertising group of agencies, where he managed the creative department, coordinated with the business development group to design marketing strategies and ideas, and was responsible for recruiting top talent.
Keshishev also worked as an Art Director and Designer for several different agencies. He received a specialist degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, as well as a second Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication Design at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Dmitry knew he wanted to come to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership after attending the school’s seminar at Cannes Lions. Since then he decided it was time to develop his skill set even further. “The time has come when it is crucial for me to gain skills and knowledge, and to establish a network of creative people in my and other spheres which is only possible to do at the Berlin School’s unique, synergetic atmosphere and in the framework of its dynamic and innovative program.”
CAMILLA ENGELSHARDT
Executive Director
CAMILLA ENGELSHARDT
Executive Director
Lederne
Camilla has an extensive track record of holding leadership roles. Today, she is the Executive Director at Lederne, Denmark’s largest professional organization for leaders. Prior to this she was CEO & Founder of Koncept, helping clients grow through technology, creative concepts and strong customer centric focus. Before this she was First VP and Head of Digital Channels and Innovation at Lyngby and before that Director of Digital Product Experiences for Lego.
Prior to the above, she was Head of Online for Alka Insurance in Denmark, where she led the entire development of the digital sales and service channel fort the large company, including a major increase in online sales, developing a multi-channel strategy, and instituting chat services as well as mobile services. She was also on the committees for business development, strategy implementation, and product development.
Before joining Alka in 2009, Camilla served as a Project Manager for Denmark’s largest telecommunications company TDC. She received her degree in Business English and Spanish from Copenhagen Business School.
Camilla is eager to meet others who are leading creative teams at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. She says, “In order to keep pace, Alka needs to have visionary leadership and embrace the type of leader who can lead creative teams to perform their best and drive the digital transformation.”
TREVANIA HENDERSON
Founder
TREVANIA HENDERSON
Founder
The Marketing Department
Trevania Henderson is Principal and Founder of The Marketing Department in Boston, an agile, cost-effective alternative to a traditional advertising agency that brings together an on-demand network of seasoned professionals including researchers, art directors, writers, programmers, photographers and PR experts.
Henderson has won numerous awards for her creative work including most recently a Silver In-Awe Award, Integrated Consumer Campaign (2008) and the NEDMA Award, Creative Excellence in Lead Generation (2008).
SUK MAN (JESSE) WONG
Creative Director
SUK MAN (JESSE) WONG
Creative Director
GREYnJ UNITED
A Creative Director at GREYnJ UNITED, Jesse began her advertising career as a Copywriter at DDB and was later a creative at JWT, Leo Burnett, Grey and Young & Rubicam, before rejoining DDB in 2013. She has worked with clients such as Rolex, Nikon, HSBC, McDonald’s, Virgin Atlantic, Philips and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, among others.
In her job as Creative Director at DDB, Jesse explored and nurtured new creative and business opportunities with both existing and new clients. “Amidst the busy schedules, impossible deadlines and never-ending challenges, I am constantly reminded of my passion for the work. In between self-development and nurturing young talents, I never stop exploring new creative territories. I was excited to see where the EMBA program would take me and I hope to be able to share this invaluable experience with others in the future.”
A Canadian national, Jesse studied Philosophy at York University in Toronto before becoming a Copywriter at DDB.
In 2010, her short film “Goodnight” was among the official selection at the Tokyo Short Shorts Festival, and in 2011 she took part in the “Royal Play” art exhibition. Along with her current work in advertising, she is a freelance lyricist and a member of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong.
SHANI SANDY
Design Executive
SHANI SANDY
Design Executive
IBM
Shani Sandy works as a Design Executive at IBM, leading their design-driven transformation. Her role encompasses defining the design mission and strategy for the IBM Z product family, advancing design practice thinking throughout the company with an emphasis on superior client experiences and building connection and culture across the Design Research, Content Design, Front-End Development, UX Design and Visual Design Departments. Prior to joining IBM, Shani spent more than 14 years in the Finance and FinTech sectors, first as Creative Director at S&P Capital IQ and subsequently as Executive Creative Director at S&P Global.
A creative thinker and doer, Shani came to the Berlin School of Creative Leadership to challenge herself in a non-traditional educational environment and find inspiration and knowledge from an international class of participants facing similar complexities in their industries. “My output is at its richest maximum when it is informed in a multidisciplinary way. As I have progressed in my career, the stakes are higher and navigating through interpersonal factors and complex problems are all persistent variables. The rigorous practice and various tools the Executive MBA has offered me are invaluable to continue to meet these challenges, specifically in the context of creativity.”
Shani received her BA in Art History/BFA in Painting and Computer Art in a joint degree program from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. She also attended AIGA & Yale School of Management’s executive business program “Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders” in 2012.
NICOLETA DELIU
Account Executive
NICOLETA DELIU
Account Executive
Banca Comerciala Romana
Nicoleta is an enthusiastic communication professional with experience both in an agency and on the client side. She has been working for almost nine years in the largest bank in Romania, including during the financial crisis period. Her work is focused on changing the presence the company has on the market – transforming it from just a financial services provider to a well-perceived member of the community. She also holds a Charted Institute for Public Relations Diploma awarded by the CIPR Institute in London.
She was the first President of the Romanian IAA Young Leaders Chapter, where she built a sustainable organization that helps the development of young people working in marketing and communication in Romania.
She is also part of the Aspen Young Leaders Network, a program which has as main objective to promote and advance progressive leadership within Romanian and European society and to create a regional network of young future leaders based on shared values and common interests.
BRUNO BERTANI
Creative Director, Founder
BRUNO BERTANI
Creative Director, Founder
Indústria Nacional Design
Bruno Bertani entered the creative world as an Art Director at Norton in 1994 and later joined the McCann Erickson creative team. He has now been the head of his company, Indústria Nacional Design, for ten years. Over his career he has been in charge or worked in the fields of graphic design, POS, branding, packaging, webdesign, events, and new products. His clients have included L’Oreal, Coca-Cola, MTV, Brasil Telecom, Petrobras, Nike, Rio City Government, Rio State Government, and NGO’s, such as Grupo Arco-Íris, Grupo Pella Vida and Viva Rio.
MEET THE CLASS
APPLY FOR OUR GLOBAL EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM
There is no official application deadline. Applications to our Executive MBA in Creative Leadership are accepted on a rolling basis. However, participants are encouraged to apply early if they want to take advantage of any tuition fund opportunities available on each cycle.
STEP INTO THE EMBA CLASSROOM
Our Executive MBA participants don’t come from a specific mold. They are a unique group of professionals from over 60 countries and a wide variety of fields brought together by a passion to develop as leaders. Bringing diverse experiences to the table, they challenge each other to unlock industry-changing potential and engage with business challenges in a whole new way.
