KATRIN HESSE
Brand & Marketing Expert (B2C & B2B)
Hamburg, DE.About
Highly experienced Brand & Marketing Expert with 21 years of proven success in both B2C and B2B sectors, excelling as a strategist, project lead, and mentor. Adept at transforming complex concepts into impactful communication and user-centered digital products, consistently driving value for users and businesses. Leverages an Agile mindset and extensive cross-channel expertise to build high-performing marketing teams and shape compelling brand narratives.
Work
Remote, N/A, Switzerland
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Summary
Led comprehensive marketing and brand strategy for a D2C supplement shop, driving cross-channel presence and digital performance.
Highlights
Directed marketing efforts for myFairtrade, a D2C supplement shop, establishing a robust cross-channel brand presence in collaboration with design, product, and performance teams.
Orchestrated a full rebranding of the house brand Effective Nature, including new packaging design and successful rollout, enhancing market positioning.
Managed high-impact sales campaigns, such as Black Week and Spring Sale, integrating print mailings and boosting conversions through strategic free gift promotions.
Established and led a remote-first marketing structure, managing a team of six and onboarding new performance, SEO, and Amazon agencies for enhanced digital reach.
Introduced AI-based content workflows for website and social media, significantly reducing costly photoshoots during packaging rollout.
Developed a comprehensive CRM strategy that increased email-attributed revenue from 16% to 24%, while implementing an SEO strategy that boosted visibility by +50% and brand keyword share by +69%.
Established robust UX and CRO processes, complete with a KPI framework and performance tracking, to optimize user experience and conversion rates.
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Summary
Provided expert strategy and innovation consulting, delivering impactful digital marketing and product solutions for diverse clients.
Highlights
Delivered strategic and innovation consulting services for a range of agencies and software companies, optimizing their digital presence and product offerings.
Developed employer branding strategies for key clients like dhpg and Novartis, enhancing their talent acquisition and retention efforts.
Crafted comprehensive social media strategies for major brands including Heinemann, Kia, Axe, and Maggi, integrating innovative concepts like Twitch.
Conducted mobile-to-store research and developed strategic initiatives for ECE Shopping Center, driving physical store traffic and engagement.
Led brand activation for NIVEA through a Purpose Design Thinking Sprint, contributing to impactful and purpose-driven campaigns.
Executed service design and business analysis for a new BSH online platform, optimizing user experience and operational efficiency.
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Summary
Directed marketing and sales, overseeing digital strategy, D2C eCommerce, and brand positioning for smart home products.
Highlights
Held overall responsibility for marketing and sales, defining digital strategy, D2C eCommerce initiatives, and brand positioning for smart home products.
Built and led a 5-person in-house marketing and shop team in a multicultural environment, fostering collaboration and maximizing team performance.
Spearheaded marketing and webshop projects using Jira/Scrum, and provided strategic advice on HAAS, subscriptions, and installment models.
Developed and positioned the sustainable D2C brand Klyqa, executing go-to-market strategies, UX optimization, influencer marketing, Social Media (including TikTok), CRM, and SEO strategies.
Achieved 250% Instagram growth in 6 months with over 40% engagement rate, significantly reducing CPO and maintaining a 60% average email open rate through CRM and social media initiatives.
Ensured strong brand perception with 92% positive website feedback and generated 200K views on a branded YouTube spot with measurable impact.
Managed B2B brand communication for parent company QConnex, enhancing corporate visibility and market position.
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Summary
Provided expert strategy and innovation consulting, delivering impactful digital marketing and product solutions for diverse clients.
Highlights
Delivered strategic and innovation consulting services for a range of agencies and software companies, optimizing their digital presence and product offerings.
Developed employer branding strategies for key clients like dhpg and Novartis, enhancing their talent acquisition and retention efforts.
Crafted comprehensive social media strategies for major brands including Heinemann, Kia, Axe, and Maggi, integrating innovative concepts like Twitch.
Conducted mobile-to-store research and developed strategic initiatives for ECE Shopping Center, driving physical store traffic and engagement.
Led brand activation for NIVEA through a Purpose Design Thinking Sprint, contributing to impactful and purpose-driven campaigns.
Executed service design and business analysis for a new BSH online platform, optimizing user experience and operational efficiency.
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Summary
Built and led the strategy and concept team, delivering innovative digital products and content marketing solutions.
Highlights
Built and led a dedicated strategy and concept team, fostering innovation and strategic alignment across projects.
Developed impactful employer branding and B2B content for major clients including ZF Friedrichshafen, Qiagen, and Merck.
Managed internal and change communication initiatives for BAVC (German Chemical Employers Association), improving organizational alignment.
Created innovative digital products, including a mobile jump'n'run game and a 3D hologram for Haspa.
Provided content marketing expertise for prominent clients such as Deutsche Bank, Thalia, BMW, Messe Frankfurt, and Multipower.
N/A, N/A, N/A
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Summary
Developed comprehensive brand and digital strategies for leading clients across diverse industries.
Highlights
Devised and implemented brand and digital strategies for key clients including tesa, Hansaplast, NIVEA, and Faber-Castell, enhancing their market presence and digital engagement.
N/A, N/A, N/A
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Summary
Formulated impactful brand and communication strategies for high-profile automotive and consumer brands.
Highlights
Developed brand and communication strategies for major clients such as Mercedes, Subway, Germanwings, and Panasonic, driving brand recognition and market share.
N/A, N/A, N/A
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Summary
Crafted and executed digital and social media strategies for prominent technology and healthcare companies.
Highlights
Designed and implemented social media and content strategies for clients including Vodafone, Xing, and Philips Healthcare, enhancing their digital footprint and engagement.
N/A, N/A, N/A
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Summary
Developed and executed impactful brand and communication campaigns for global consumer brands.
Highlights
Managed successful campaigns for BMW, General Electric, NIVEA, Unilever, and Montblanc, contributing to enhanced brand visibility and market impact.
N/A, N/A, N/A
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Summary
Conducted research and facilitated innovation workshops to identify emerging trends and opportunities for diverse clients.
Highlights
Conducted comprehensive research and facilitated innovation workshops for clients such as Haspa, Schwarzkopf/Syoss, and Symrise, identifying key market trends and future opportunities.
Volunteer
Community Engagement
|Various Volunteer Roles
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Summary
Actively contributed to various community and sports initiatives, demonstrating leadership and commitment to social causes.
Highlights
Served as a Trainer for FCSP Cycling, fostering skill development and team spirit.
Contributed to the Social Ride Guide & Race Team, supporting event organization and participant engagement.
Participated in Kandie Gang activities, supporting local community events.
Acted as Spokesperson for musicHHwomen, advocating for women in the music industry.
Assisted with Concert- & cinema programm, supporting cultural events.
Volunteered at Café Trauma, contributing to community support initiatives.
Languages
German
English
French
Certificates
Skills
Marketing Strategy
Brand Strategy, Content Marketing, Social Media, Performance Marketing, SEO, Digital Strategy, D2C eCommerce, Influencer Marketing, CRM Strategy, Campaign Management.
Product & Service Design
UX Optimization, CRO Processes, Service Design, Business Analysis, Digital Products.
Digital Transformation
Digital Strategy, AI-based Content Workflows, KPI Frameworks, Agile Methodologies.
Business Development
Go-to-Market Strategy, Pricing Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Business Potentials.
Project Management
Project Leadership, Scrum, Jira, Product Ownership, Cross-functional Team Leadership.
Communication & Branding
Employer Branding, B2B Communication, Internal Communication, Change Communication, Brand Activation, Storytelling.
Leadership & Mentorship
Team Leadership, Mentoring, Team Building, Multicultural Environments.
Interests
Sports
Tech
Music
Gardening
Books
Future
References
Christoph Bornschein
President @ Omnicom, Chairman TLGG | Phone: +49 173 1961667 | Email: christoph@tlgg.de
Daniela Henning
Executive Director @ Bauer Verlag (ex @ HoCa X) | Phone: +49 171 7676894 | Email: daniela.henning@bauermedia.com
Hayden Hsu
Managing Director @ QConnex / Klyqa | Phone: +49 152 06677199 | Email: hayden.hsu@qconnex.com