About
‘The Netherlands is a creative,
digital melting pot’
About
‘The Netherlands is a creative,
digital melting pot’
What motivates me
The Netherlands is a playing field for amazingly creative agencies. Companies that set the bar higher and higher. I truly admire their drive and high standard of creative work. Creativity creates a sparkle, creates insights. Even more so when combined with digital technology. I have twenty years’ experience within the creative and digital industries. It gives me energy to help these companies move forward.
What I can do for you
It is difficult to step away from your company, and take a helicopter view. I can help you do just that, with my Growth Steps Plan. Together we focus on how your company can distinguish itself, where you want to be, and what is the smartest way of getting there. As an industry-specialist, I am your sparring partner and human benchmark. I do not present you with ready-made solutions, but – together with your team – find solutions that can be managed by all. That’s what makes our partnership worthwhile – at every level.
Agency Engines
Since the summer of 2023, I have joined forces with specialists Melanie Butter, Fred Moolhuijsen and Sander Verhof, in a new consultancy that helps creative agencies with complex issues to today's times: 'the agency for agencies'. Our services are complementary, making us broadly applicable in the areas of positioning and growth strategy, new business and sales, operations and operations, PR strategy and reputation management. You can work with one or more of us, or all of us.
Dutch Digital Design
I am also founder and chairman of the Dutch Digital Design foundation, a collective with 30 digital design agencies as partners. Our goal is to celebrate and share the best of Dutch digital design abroad, but also in the Netherlands - through our own, but also our partners’ channels - including local, international and social media. Next to that. it is a community of leading digital design agencies.
Connecting people
I enjoy connecting people and companies. In my role as co-initiator of the trade mission ‘Embassy of Dutch Creativity’ - during events like Cannes Lions and Digital Dinner Amsterdam - I do exactly that. I am also a member of the Advisory Board of the Dutch Design Week, and a judge for several creative awards, including Dutch Design Awards, SpinAwards and The FWA.
My background
Since 2009 I have been working as an independent specialist in positioning and growth strategy. Prior to this, I worked as a marketing consultant at Adobe, maintaining customer relationships with creative companies, organising events and supporting online communities. I was also Chairman of the Adobe User Group Nederland – this is the biggest Adobe user group in the world, with more than 8,000 members. Previous roles were at Satama, OER, and lead editor of Dzone – design trade magazine. I started my career as a designer, but it all began with graffiti.
Awards
I have been a jury member or chairman for the following awards:
Dutch Design Awards
2005, 2006, 2017 to 2020
SpinAwards
2004 to 2013, 2019
The FWA
2008 to 2013