KATRIN HESSE

Brand & Marketing Expert (B2C & B2B)

Email | Phone

[email protected]

+49 151 40444203

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 Experience

CMO

FTH AG (myfairtrade.com & Effective Nature)

Apr 2024 - Dec 2024

Remote, N/A, CH

Led comprehensive marketing and brand strategy for a D2C supplement shop, driving cross-channel presence and digital performance.

  • 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.

Freelance Consultant | Digital Marketing, Products & Services

MUTINO.

Jan 2022 - Mar 2024

Hamburg, Hamburg, DE

Provided expert strategy and innovation consulting, delivering impactful digital marketing and product solutions for diverse clients.

  • 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.

CMO

Klyqa & QConnex

Jun 2020 - Jun 2022

Hamburg, Hamburg, DE

Directed marketing and sales, overseeing digital strategy, D2C eCommerce, and brand positioning for smart home products.

  • 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.

Freelance Consultant | Digital Marketing, Products & Services

MUTINO.

Jan 2018 - Dec 2020

Hamburg, Hamburg, DE

Provided expert strategy and innovation consulting, delivering impactful digital marketing and product solutions for diverse clients.

  • 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.

Director Strategy & Concept

HOFFMANN UND CAMPE X

Jan 2015 - Dec 2018

Hamburg, Hamburg, DE

Built and led the strategy and concept team, delivering innovative digital products and content marketing solutions.

  • 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.

Senior Brand & Digital Strategist

Robinizers (UDG)

Jan 2013 - Dec 2014

N/A, N/A, N/A

Developed comprehensive brand and digital strategies for leading clients across diverse industries.

  • Devised and implemented brand and digital strategies for key clients including tesa, Hansaplast, NIVEA, and Faber-Castell, enhancing their market presence and digital engagement.

Senior Strategist

Lukas Lindemann Rosinski (LLR)

Jan 2011 - Dec 2012

N/A, N/A, N/A

Formulated impactful brand and communication strategies for high-profile automotive and consumer brands.

  • Developed brand and communication strategies for major clients such as Mercedes, Subway, Germanwings, and Panasonic, driving brand recognition and market share.

Digital Strategist

TLGG

Jan 2009 - Dec 2010

N/A, N/A, N/A

Crafted and executed digital and social media strategies for prominent technology and healthcare companies.

  • Designed and implemented social media and content strategies for clients including Vodafone, Xing, and Philips Healthcare, enhancing their digital footprint and engagement.

Brand & Communication Strategist

Omnicom (Interone, TBWA, Proximity)

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

N/A, N/A, N/A

Developed and executed impactful brand and communication campaigns for global consumer brands.

  • Managed successful campaigns for BMW, General Electric, NIVEA, Unilever, and Montblanc, contributing to enhanced brand visibility and market impact.

Junior Trend Consultant

Trendbüro

Jan 2005 - Dec 2006

N/A, N/A, N/A

Conducted research and facilitated innovation workshops to identify emerging trends and opportunities for diverse clients.

  • Conducted comprehensive research and facilitated innovation workshops for clients such as Haspa, Schwarzkopf/Syoss, and Symrise, identifying key market trends and future opportunities.

Education

Sociology, Media & Culture

Universität Hamburg

Sep 2001 - Sep 2004

Hamburg, Hamburg, DE

Sociology

Université d'Evry

Sep 2001 - Dec 2001

Paris, Île-de-France, FR

Sociology, Media & European Ethnology

Philipps-Universität Marburg

Sep 1998 - Aug 2001

Marburg, Hesse, DE

Volunteer

Various Volunteer Roles

Community Engagement

Jan 2010 - Dec 2024

N/A, N/A, N/A

Actively contributed to various community and sports initiatives, demonstrating leadership and commitment to social causes.

  • 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.

Certificates

EXIN BCS Business Analyst Practice

EXIN

Jan 2023

EXIN Agile Scrum Master

EXIN

Jan 2023

EXIN Agile Scrum Product Owner

EXIN

Jan 2023

PRINCE2® Practitioner

AXELOS Global Best Practice

Jan 2023

PRINCE2® Agile Practitioner

AXELOS Global Best Practice

Jan 2023

ITIL Foundation

AXELOS Global Best Practice

Jan 2023

CompTIA CTT+

CompTIA

Jan 2023

e-Moderating

N/A

Jan 2023

GWA Crashkurs Planning

GWA

Jan 2023

English for Social Scientists

N/A

Jan 2023

Projects

Digitalization of Global NIVEA Communication via #MomWasRight Campaign

Jan 2018 - Dec 2020

Project lead and concept developer for NIVEA's global UGC platform and the #MomWasRight campaign, creating brand activation guidelines and creative assets for international use.

Product Design for a Digital Platform & Online Community for BSH

Jan 2018 - Dec 2020

Managed product design and business analysis for a digital platform and online community for BSH, identifying business potentials and developing concepts for a global brand community.

International Relaunch of Faber-Castel Website

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015

Led the strategy and concept for the international relaunch of the Faber-Castel website, involving stakeholder interviews, brand and market analysis, persona development, and defining comprehensive digital strategies.

Service Design for tesa B2B Online Communication (eLearning Platform)

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015

Conducted service design for tesa's B2B online communication eLearning Platform, benchmarking content and tools, and analyzing user needs to optimize the digital experience for B2B clients.

Languages

German , English , French

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: [email protected]

Daniela Henning

Executive Director @ Bauer Verlag (ex @ HoCa X) | Phone: +49 171 7676894 | Email: [email protected]

Hayden Hsu

Managing Director @ QConnex / Klyqa | Phone: +49 152 06677199 | Email: [email protected]