Wolfgang Schaefer

Chief Strategist with true global reach, cultural understanding and empathy having worked with clients and agencies in Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific. A brand and team builder absolutely grounded in building resounding platforms for national and international brands, which respect cultural particularities and bring measurable results. Strong business acumen with background in client and agency management, interdisciplinary training and experience. Co-located between New York City and Berlin; US and EU Passport. EXPERTISE • Global brand building with a focus on premium brands • Strategic-creative development of narrative brand platforms and activation programs • Brand expansion, partnerships and co-operations; Business and product ideation and innovation • Market segmentation and portfolio planning; Trend and cultural research programs • Cross-cultural brand and communication assessments, development and adaptation EXPERIENCE SelectNY, Equity Partner, Chief Strategic Officer 2007 - present SelectNY is one of the world’s top ten independent premium brand and communication networks with nine offices in the US, Europe and Asia. Clients include: Procter & Gamble, Swarovski, Amway, LVMH, Radisson, Coty Inc., Villeroy & Boch, Triumph, Davidoff. More information: www.selectny.com SelectNY.Berlin, Equity Partner, Managing Director 2001 - 2007 The SelectNY Berlin office opened in 2001 to service new client wins, garner creative talent and expand the overall presence within the DACH market. Strong reputation and expertise in NGO and retail brand building. Select Communication, New York, Worldwide Planning Director 1998 - 2001 Select opened its first office outside Germany in 1997. At that time the agency was almost exclusively focused on fragrance and fashion brands with Coty-Lancaster being the dominant client. Ogilvy & Mather, New York, Partner, Assoc. Planning & Research Director 1995 – 1998 • Key responsibilities: Duracell Global, PepsiCola International (7UP and Mirinda) • Additionally: SmithKline Beecham, Ryder, Perrier, Kraft et al. Lintas, Hamburg, International Planner 1993 – 1995 • Unilever Food Business (All yellow fats, LoCal range, various cheese brands, Bifi – all DACH) • Design and implementation of Pan-European youth-trend monitor YoYo EDUCATION • University of Arts, Berlin, MA in Social and Business Communication 1987 - 1992 • San Francisco State University, Post-Graduate studies in BCA 1990-1991 • Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Cologne, Diploma in Publishing 1984 - 1987 LANGUAGES • English, German, French AFFILIATIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS • European Effie Award Silver 2013, US Effie Award Silver 1997, Bronze 1996 • P&G Brand Building Award Gold 2011 • APG US and Germany; APG Germany board member 2005 – 2009; US Ad council member CRC team • Professor for Strategic Planning at Miami AD School Hamburg, Germany 2006 • Speaker at various conferences (e.g. ESOMAR Montreal, Interpartners Global Moscow, P&G BIC conference London, Asia Marketing Forum Tokyo) • Authored articles for numerous print publications, TV appearances (e.g. Bonaparte, New Business, Media Spectrum, Horizont, BR TV, To The Stars – A Guide to Conquer the Super Premium Universe)