As the Founder and CEO of GANDT Ventures, my journey began with a vision to revolutionize how organizations leverage digital innovations for sustainable growth. With a foundation built on the pillars of digital tools and data-driven decision-making, my role extends beyond leadership to being an active catalyst in marketing operations. I pride myself on being a strategic sparring partner to our clients, delving into the complexities of direct-to-consumer marketing with a hands-on approach.Our team, a blend of marketing aficionados, digital strategists, product managers, and data intelligence specialists, is adept at constructing the right infrastructures to navigate growth challenges. My commitment is not only to guide but to actively participate as a strategist, coach, and, when the need arises, step into the interim CMO role. This hands-on involvement ensures that we not only advise but also implement strategies that drive our clients toward their long-term objectives.

As a mentor in Nexuslab, a three-month program for Blockchain startups across Europe initiated by nexussquared in Zurich and supported by Rabobank, I played a key role. This program provides a platform for startups to grow, refine their business models, and gain insights into the blockchain ecosystem.My role involved guiding startups through blockchain technology, offering individual coaching, and supporting their development in the fast-paced blockchain sector. I shared expertise in digital marketing, growth consulting, and strategic development to equip founders for the market.I also assisted startups in connecting with investors, industry experts, and key players, providing strategic advice and feedback to enhance their value propositions. Nexuslab promoted innovation and created an environment for collective learning.My mentor role aimed to inspire startups to expand the possibilities of blockchain technology and achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

In partnership with Tobias Mazet, I embarked on the entrepreneurial journey of co-founding MIFLORA, a distinguished flower gifting enterprise designed to cater to both business and consumer segments. MIFLORA distinguished itself in the market through its exquisite flower arrangements, meticulously crafted by none other than Nadine Weckardt, a renowned figure acclaimed as the European Champion of Floristry. Our offerings resonated with a broad audience, seamlessly blending artistry with the essence of gifting.In my role as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), I spearheaded both the digital and traditional marketing fronts, encompassing online campaigns, print media, and television advertising. My responsibilities extended to the digital realm, particularly in enhancing our online presence through the MIFLORA website, which served as the cornerstone of our customer engagement strategy.Our commitment to excellence and innovation not only established MIFLORA as a beloved brand but also led to its successful acquisition by Blume2000 in 2017. This milestone marked a significant achievement in our journey, underscoring the effectiveness of our strategies and the value of our brand in the competitive floral market.

As the interim Chief Marketing Officer (iCMO) at Unleash 12, from February to October 2015, I spearheaded an initiative leveraging the social media influence of football heavyweights like Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Lech Poznan, and the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside key partnerships with brands such as Philips. This strategy aimed at directly engaging the vast fan bases of these clubs and Ronaldo through their Facebook and Instagram platforms, offering exclusive content and interactive campaigns to deepen fan experiences.Our work across these clubs' social media channels enabled targeted promotions and brand collaborations, effectively utilizing the clubs’ and Ronaldo’s extensive reach for brand visibility and fan engagement. This approach not only boosted the clubs' and athletes' online presence but also showcased the value of sports entities and brands working together to achieve mutual benefits and enhanced fan loyalty.This strategy marked a significant shift in digital marketing within the sports industry, proving the effectiveness of strategic partnerships between sports icons, their fans, and global brands. My role in this innovative marketing approach highlighted the potential of digital platforms in fostering connections and creating sustainable business models that serve all parties involved.

In November 2011, I embarked on a pivotal role at Westwing Home & Living GmbH, stepping in to helm the Global Online Marketing Team. Based in Munich, Germany, my tenure at Westwing was defined by overseeing the comprehensive suite of global online marketing initiatives for the company.As the Head of Online Marketing, my responsibilities spanned across the entirety of online marketing channels. This included driving campaigns on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, spearheading search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, managing display marketing campaigns, curating content for stand-alone newsletters, and overseeing affiliate marketing strategies. Our goal was to maximize visibility and engagement across these channels to attract and retain a global audience.Leading a dynamic team of over 25 online marketing professionals, we were united by a shared focus on performance marketing. Our mission was to captivate millions worldwide, inviting them to join our exclusive shopping club dedicated to home and living products. The synergy within the team, coupled with our innovative marketing strategies, played a crucial role in amplifying Westwing's reach and solidifying its position in the market.Westwing Home & Living, a brainchild of Rocket Internet founded in Berlin, benefited from the visionary leadership of Stefan Smalla and his excellent team of founders based in Munich. My journey with Westwing was not just about leading marketing efforts but also about contributing to a culture of excellence and innovation that defined the brand. Through our concerted efforts, we managed to not only meet but exceed our marketing objectives, fostering growth and establishing Westwing as a leader in the home and living space.

Starting in January 2008, I joined C-Date as its first employee, directly entering the early "management" team. Founded by Eberhard Neumaier and Heinz Laumann, C-Date expanded globally to over 20 countries, where I led online performance marketing with teams in Bratislava, Madrid, and London. My role evolved through significant phases during my tenure:2008/2009: As Regional Manager for France and Benelux, I developed targeted regional marketing strategies and understood unique consumer behaviors.2010: I expanded my role to multinational key account management with giants like Microsoft, Yahoo!, and Facebook, enhancing C-Date’s digital footprint and engagement.2011: I advanced to Senior Business Development Manager, integrating Out-of-Home (OoH) advertising, TV commercials, print, and PR into our marketing mix, broadening our reach and strengthening our brand presence.My journey at C-Date showcased my ability to drive growth through diverse marketing strategies, establishing the brand as a leader in the online dating industry. My contributions were pivotal in shaping the company’s marketing direction and achieving international success.

From May 2007 to June 2008, I served as Junior Content Manager for the Netherlands at FriendScout24, based in and around Munich, Germany. During this period, my focus was on SEO optimization and link building to enhance the website's visibility.One of my key responsibilities was translating the German FriendScout24 website into Dutch. This task required not only linguistic precision but also a deep understanding of cultural nuances to ensure that the content was relevant and engaging for the Dutch audience.Additionally, I was in charge of creating and translating content for the Dutch and Belgian websites. This role involved developing engaging and informative content tailored to the interests and needs of users in these regions. Through these targeted efforts, FriendScout24 was able to successfully expand its reach in the Netherlands and Belgium, forging a stronger connection with its users.