Globally minded creative and tech driven freelance strategist working under the 'Mind' moniker. Co-founder (Shanghai agency, AI startup). 28 odd years of experience in: planning & personas, culture & people, research & intelligence, AI & data, behavioral insights & tech trends, brand creation & brand definition, brand transformation & brand repurposing, scenarios & consultation, ideation & inspiration, iteration & sprints, briefs & workshops, leading & mentoring.Clients include MINI, BMW, Lotus Cars, Ferrari, Geely, Avatr, KIA, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen global, Volkswagen Group China, Joint Ventures FAW and SAIC Volkswagen, Škoda, Seat, Borgward, Opel/ Vauxhall, Renault, then; Google, Xiaomi, Microsoft, Sony, German Telekom, Coca Cola, Red Bull, Danone, Nestlé, Ferrero, Kraft Foods/ Mondelez, Fisherman’s Friend, Dr. Oetker, Tchibo, Warsteiner Beer, Glenfiddich, Aasics, Air France, DHL, Henkel, Siemens, Degussa, Thyssen-Krupp, Gruner + Jahr, Deutsche Bank, West LB, Bayer Schering Pharma, Janssen-Cilag, Lady Gaga, Gucci, Coty, Swarovski, Zenith, Intercontinental Hotels or trip.com.
Self-Employed
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Interim & Freelance Strategy Consultant & Creative PlannerSelf-Employed Nov 2022 - PresentEurope, AsiaWorking on brand strategy and creative communications assignments with agencies like (Media)Monks, Innocean, or OMD on MINI, BMW and KIA globally, or Porsche in China.Worked with my partners in our Shanghai based 'Module' boutique agency on clients like Lotus, Porsche or trip.com from abroad.Additionally doing regular consulting assignments in the space of AI and China with @Stefan Mannes of kakoii Berlin/ Tokyo and @Sascha Kurfiss of XQ Digital Consulting.
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Strategy Partner, Co-FounderModule Apr 2021 - PresentShanghai, ChinaCo-Founder/ Partner and head of the strategy department at communications agency Module. We are fluid problem solvers with a network of senior communications specialists across disciplines with offices and collaborators in Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, and across the world. We were helping Geely owned Lotus Cars in its global brand roll-out, its creative ideation, its communications planning, its product development, with business consulting or with its execution and have named their… Show more Co-Founder/ Partner and head of the strategy department at communications agency Module. We are fluid problem solvers with a network of senior communications specialists across disciplines with offices and collaborators in Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, and across the world. We were helping Geely owned Lotus Cars in its global brand roll-out, its creative ideation, its communications planning, its product development, with business consulting or with its execution and have named their current Electric Hyper SUV 'Eletre'. We also work with other major brands like Ferrari, trip.com, Tsingtao Beer, or J&T Express. Show less
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Head Of StrategyWhatsnextnow Gmbh Jul 2020 - Mar 2021Shanghai, ChinaStrategy, Creative Planning, Brand Consulting/ Brand Building, Strategy Sprints, Business and Marketing Transformation.I worked for global brands in China by also scaling my strategy power via whatsnextnow, a EU based independent expert network of very senior strategists, consultants, product developers, CX specialists, coders, and creatives.During that time, I've built a recruiting strategy for Volkswagen's battery business, developed a fully digitalised experience retail strategy… Show more Strategy, Creative Planning, Brand Consulting/ Brand Building, Strategy Sprints, Business and Marketing Transformation.I worked for global brands in China by also scaling my strategy power via whatsnextnow, a EU based independent expert network of very senior strategists, consultants, product developers, CX specialists, coders, and creatives.During that time, I've built a recruiting strategy for Volkswagen's battery business, developed a fully digitalised experience retail strategy for Under Armour using parametric design and architectural influences, created a communications strategy for a Google & Xiaomi collaboration, and designed a brand-centric trade fair strategy for Zenith. Show less -
Head Of StrategyGreenkern Group Jan 2019 - Jun 2020Beijing City, ChinaHeaded a brilliant team of consultants in the most vibrant market of the world in the areas of marketing transformation, organizational change, and digital innovation. Clients: Audi brand, Volkswagen Group China. I led Volkswagen Group China's culture communication strategy and the ideation of programming, as well as the development of a new ‘Marketing Efficiency’ platform for Joint Venture FAW-VW, plus worked on sustainability and autonomous driving projects. -
Global Head Of Strategy – Interim, Based In China And BerlinInterim/ Freelance Aug 2015 - Jan 2019Berlin, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong KongGlobal Interim Strategy & Innovation work in Head of Strategy roles, for example: R/GA Berlin, Start Design London, DDB Berlin, DDB Shanghai, Jung von Matt (Jv2M) Shanghai, Ogilvy Shanghai, Grey Beijing, DigitasLBi Hong Kong, Greenkern Beijing.During this time I worked with clients like Audi, Volkswagen International, SAIC Volkswagen, Borgward, Gucci, V-Zug, Sony, German Telekom, Huawei, Danone, Concardis.As Head of Planning on the global VW account at DDB Berlin I built the… Show more Global Interim Strategy & Innovation work in Head of Strategy roles, for example: R/GA Berlin, Start Design London, DDB Berlin, DDB Shanghai, Jung von Matt (Jv2M) Shanghai, Ogilvy Shanghai, Grey Beijing, DigitasLBi Hong Kong, Greenkern Beijing.During this time I worked with clients like Audi, Volkswagen International, SAIC Volkswagen, Borgward, Gucci, V-Zug, Sony, German Telekom, Huawei, Danone, Concardis.As Head of Planning on the global VW account at DDB Berlin I built the strategy for the global ‘Trust’ campaign. Leading the planning department, I also managed model launches and brand initiatives for SAIC VW in Shanghai, or consulted the reborn German auto brand Borgward in its global roll-out.I additionally strategized and co-ideated the first Gucci Smartwatch project ever with an awesome international and interdisciplinary R/GA team and in close collaboration with their Google unit. Show less
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Director Brand StrategyGreenkern Management Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Feb 2014 - Jul 2015Beijing City, ChinaI led the Strategy Consulting and Brand Development team for clients like Volkswagen China, Volkswagen Hong Kong, Volkswagen Financial Services China, Skoda China. I redefined the Volkswagen brand in China together with the brand's strategy director. I also built sustainability initiatives for the Volkswagen brand in the country and developed the comms and launch strategy for the BMW University in China. -
International Brand & Communications Director - InterimDifferent Agencies 2006 - Jan 2014Berlin/ Beijing/ Philadelphia/ Paris/ Vienna/ TokyoInternational Brand & Communications Director and change agent for a number of high profile agencies and clients.Agency roster includes: Razorfish (Berlin, Frankfurt, Philadelphia), Greenkern (Berlin/ Beijing), Saatchi & Saatchi + Duke (Paris), Diffferent (Berlin), DDB Germany, Plantage (Berlin), Rapp Collins Germany, Jung von Matt/ next (Hamburg), Syzygy (Bad Homburg), Saint Elmo's (Berlin), St. Stephen's (Vienna), kakoii (Berlin/ Tokyo).Clients include Audi, Volkswagen… Show more International Brand & Communications Director and change agent for a number of high profile agencies and clients.Agency roster includes: Razorfish (Berlin, Frankfurt, Philadelphia), Greenkern (Berlin/ Beijing), Saatchi & Saatchi + Duke (Paris), Diffferent (Berlin), DDB Germany, Plantage (Berlin), Rapp Collins Germany, Jung von Matt/ next (Hamburg), Syzygy (Bad Homburg), Saint Elmo's (Berlin), St. Stephen's (Vienna), kakoii (Berlin/ Tokyo).Clients include Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Air France, Henkel (Persil, Fa, Adhesives), Microsoft, Coke, Ferrero, Red Bull, Warsteiner, Deutsche Post, Comdirect, Die Zeit, Janssen-Cilag, Swarovski, Coty, Happy Digits, Alpina Color, German Film Academy, ThyssenKrupp AG, Wien Holding…Work examples include helping to lift Audi Motorsports into the digital age by doing away with static websites and conceptualising an interactive CX, strategy work on a redefinition of 'progressiveness' (Audi's brand core), scenario planning for the brand, work on the early Audi e-tron concepts, as well as launching then new Audi A6, A3 and A1 models.On another note, I helped craft a global communications initiative for Henkel's adhesive unit via a workshop with the world's regional heads, and a follow-up strategy and communications concepts. I also helped redefine how Red Bull was attacking the search market. Show less
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Strategy DirectorMrm 2004 - 2006Frankfurt Am Main Area, GermanyLeading the agency's strategy and CRM departments. Responsible for online brand leadership. Clients: Opel/ General Motors Europe, Saab, Microsoft, Nestlé Nestea, Glenfiddich.I developed a completely new SEO/ SEM strategy for Opel international. I also built successful digital initiatives for a brand that then was still very much based in the old world of static media. -
Director Of Strategic PlanningKakoii Berlin/Tokyo 2003 - 2004BerlinLed the strategic planning and design strategy team.Clients: Berlin’s home-grown eyeglasses brand ic! berlin, Foundation IVZ, the German Film Academy, the world’s leading music software maker Native Instruments, or Germany’s biggest finance group Sparkasse.Built a new communications strategy for the world leader in music software, Native Instruments. -
Planning DirectorAimaq.Rapp.Stolle Advertising, Berlin 2002 - 2003Berlin Area, GermanyHead of the planning department of this Berlin hot shop. Clients: Ferrero, Fisherman’s Friend, Aasics Europe, Degussa.Won Ferrero in a bold move by advising them to do away with their old, too clean, brand image and rather go associating themselves with much more contemporary sports, e.g., Formula 1 and boxing.
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Director Of Brand Consulting And Digital StrategyTbwa Advertising/ Im Stall’ Branding & Multimedia Consultancy, Berlin 1999 - 2001Integrated joint-venture of TBWA Berlin Advertising and ‘im stall’ Branding & Multimedia Consultancy. Head of brand consulting and planning unit. Clients: Kraft Foods, Renault International, West LB, N24.Responsible for the rollout of Renault's first strategic digitalisation initiative in a pan-european context.Also developed a ‘cool’ sub brand for West LB’s bank International Trade and Commodity Finance department that increased turnover by 25% against an annual profit of € 30… Show more Integrated joint-venture of TBWA Berlin Advertising and ‘im stall’ Branding & Multimedia Consultancy. Head of brand consulting and planning unit. Clients: Kraft Foods, Renault International, West LB, N24.Responsible for the rollout of Renault's first strategic digitalisation initiative in a pan-european context.Also developed a ‘cool’ sub brand for West LB’s bank International Trade and Commodity Finance department that increased turnover by 25% against an annual profit of € 30 million. Show less -
Senior Planner And Senior Brand ConsultantScholz & Friends Advertising - Scholz & Friends Consulting, Berlin 1997 - 1999Helped to build strategic planning in the agency as well as working as a consult at the predecessor of Scholz & Friends Consulting (Market Lab).Clients: Deutsche Bank, Mercedes-Benz, Sony Music, Discovery Channel, Gruner + Jahr, Tchibo, RTL. -
Planner And Brand ConsultantHopf Strategic Marketing 1995 - 1997Built major comms brand and comms strategies for all of Reemtsma tobacco brands. Worked with the brand and marketing team as well as up to board level. Other clients: Dragoco, Bayer Schering.
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Cultural Management ConsultantSelf Employed 1991 - 1995->Management, event planning, artist booking for UdK (University of the Arts) Berlin->Coordinator of international architecture competitions of the city of Berlin in the context of reuniting the once separated capital->Product manager and A&R at Klangräume Music in the Jazz and Art scene of former East Berlin, selected artists, designed product concepts, coordinated promotion and releases->Co-management of the Berlin Foundation for the Arts & Sciences.
Ralf Fuss / Mind Skills
Ralf Fuss / Mind Education Details
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Hanns Eisler Hochschule Für Musik/ Freie Universität BerlinCultural Management -
Concert Pianist, Teaching, Musicology. -
Guildhall School Of Music & Drama LondonClasses In Piano And Musicology -
Eastman School Of Music, Ny State, UsDiverse Classes In Piano And Musicology -
Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, Berlin
Frequently Asked Questions about Ralf Fuss / Mind
What company does Ralf Fuss / Mind work for?
Ralf Fuss / Mind works for Self-Employed
What is Ralf Fuss / Mind's role at the current company?
Ralf Fuss / Mind's current role is Interim & Freelance Brand Strategist, Creative Planner, Marketing Consultant, AI Advisor, Mentor and China Expert.
What schools did Ralf Fuss / Mind attend?
Ralf Fuss / Mind attended Hanns Eisler Hochschule Für Musik/ Freie Universität Berlin, Universität Der Künste Berlin, Guildhall School Of Music & Drama London, Eastman School Of Music, Ny State, Us, Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium, Berlin.
What are some of Ralf Fuss / Mind's interests?
Ralf Fuss / Mind has interest in Behavioural Economics, Impulse Buy, I Mean Wine, Old, Planning, Cars, Of Course, Not The Stuff You Find In Supermarkets, Edm, Cool New.
What skills is Ralf Fuss / Mind known for?
Ralf Fuss / Mind has skills like Advertising, Integrated Marketing, Planning, Research, Creative Strategy, Creative Development, Mobile, Online Marketing, Social Media, Digital Strategy, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategy.
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