Media Relations & PR
» Concept development, research, and writing are among my core strengths. My background as a journalist also gave me first-hand experience across the full range of media, including radio, television, newspapers, trade publications, and online media. For many years, I worked for well-known editorial organizations such as Antenne 1, CHIP, BILD, and Münchner Merkur. That experience has shaped my work in corporate communications ever since. For Infinigate, I built the group’s global media relations function and later led CEO Communications. For Toogethr, I developed and managed launch communications in Germany. I handled international PR for Osram and later Ledvance, as well as media relations for the European Patent Office. At Tech Data, I managed relationships with the trade media, while at Fairchild Dornier I was responsible for international media relations for the 728 aircraft family. For Siemens Mobile Acceleration (smac), I led the relaunch of the company website. I have also advised a range of other well-known companies on PR and communications, in both B2B and B2C environments. Finding the right stories and telling them the right way is at the heart of successful media relations.
» At the Infinigate Group, I was brought in to build group-wide internal and external corporate communications as the company pursued a series of acquisitions. Within just a few months, the group grew from around 480 employees in 11 locations and €813 million in revenue in Europe to nearly 1,300 employees across approximately 45 offices in 30 countries, generating around €2.3 billion in revenue across EMEA.
My responsibilities included managing communications around the acquisitions with international media, supporting the rollout of the newly created corporate identity, and shaping a global PR agency network. As a member of the internal Incident Response Group, I was responsible for crisis communications during IT incidents. A more systematic approach to LinkedIn also helped increase the group’s follower base severalfold. Learn more »
» For mobility startup Toogethr, I developed the media relations and PR strategy for the company’s launch in Germany. Highlights included coverage in Süddeutsche Zeitung, Abendzeitung, TZ München, Personalmagazin, and other established publications. Radio Gong also aired an interview with the managing director. Learn more »
» Osram brought me in on an interim basis to handle media relations and PR for its largest traditional business unit – the one best known for light bulbs and fluorescent lamps. During the assignment, my responsibilities expanded to include developing PR for Lightify, Osram’s internal startup, and Osram Mobile Energy Monitoring, as well as communications support for the carve-out of the business under the Ledvance name and the development of PR structures for the newly established company. I later supported Osram Opto Semiconductors in strengthening its trade media communications around automotive sensing technologies. After that, I helped Osram’s newly formed Digital business unit position itself more effectively in the media. Learn more »
» I supported Ledvance from day one – through the carve-out from Osram, the company’s organizational and legal separation, and beyond its acquisition by a Chinese consortium.
Key highlights also included communications around the Edition 1906 product line, including a media tour, the Light + Building trade show, the launch of the new Smart+ brand, and Ledvance’s new LED luminaires. Learn more »
» For CANCOM, I handled media relations around the AHP Enterprise Cloud for hyperconverged environments at HPE Discover in Madrid. Visit website »
» As interim Employer Branding Project Lead for SGL Carbon, I was responsible for communications around the initiative, coordinating all related workstreams, and keeping a broad range of stakeholders informed. This included, in particular, reporting to the Executive Board and Steering Committee. I also managed the agency relationship and held budget responsibility. Visit website »
» I initially worked with the European Patent Office to support the teams responsible and strengthen crisis communications. Following the strong results of that assignment, I was asked to manage media relations for the European Inventor Award. I subsequently advised and coached staff at the European Patent Academy on improving their customer communications. Learn more »
» To support Corporate Communications at Tech Data Germany, I initially developed the broadline distributor’s press releases for CeBIT 2005. In August, I also took on trade media relations and, shortly thereafter, assumed responsibility for the entire Corporate Communications function as interim manager, reporting directly to the executive management team. Among other responsibilities, I served as project lead for improving vendor communications. Learn more »
» During the restructuring of Corporate Communications at Siemens Mobile Acceleration (smac), a wholly owned Siemens venture capital subsidiary focused on the mobile sector, I supported the communications function by leading the relaunch of the company website – including a complete overhaul of its concept, content, and design. As part of the assignment, I also advised and supported portfolio companies on media relations and PR. Visit website »
» On behalf of Fairchild Dornier, I managed international media relations for the 728 regional jet from October 2001 through July 2002, when insolvency proceedings were opened. My responsibilities included relaunching the English-language customer magazine 728 Program Update, where I served as Managing Editor, as well as preparing the aircraft rollout and the related national and international press conferences.
The assignment also included:
- overseeing the production of material for the corporate video
- organizing and hosting on-site journalist visits
- preparing and conducting media briefings for events
- developing and publishing a CD-ROM with press images
» On behalf of Karstadt AG, I ran a radio PR campaign for “my-world” from late summer 1996 through early 1997. “my-world” was the online virtual mall operated by Karstadt and its partner companies. Learn more »
» I founded Audio Partners in late 1992, specializing in radio PR. My first client was Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst, which hired me to support the introduction of Germany’s new postal codes. Following the strong broadcast results, Deutsche Bundespost commissioned me for a number of additional projects. Learn more »