GFK INNOVATION
AWARD JURY
Looking forward to your creative ideas, unique, and environmentally friendly innovations:
Claus Decker
Claus Decker is an experienced entrepreneur from Euskirchen, distinguished by his tireless commitment and innovative spirit. In 1998, he founded his AXA insurance agency in Euskirchen, which now employs 46 people across locations in Cologne, Gummersbach, Bad Münstereifel, and Euskirchen. It has been the most successful AXA agency in Germany for years. Claus is a visionary in insurance sales, advocating for a human-centered and service-oriented approach to consultation. Through this approach, he stands out from his competitors and succeeds in providing his clients with the best possible insurance solutions.
In addition to his role as an insurance agent, Claus has expanded his network in recent years and is known for connecting his contacts with each other, ensuring that everyone benefits. Furthermore, Claus has been active as a business angel in the logistics, fashion, and health industries for the past 10 years. He leverages his experiences and expertise in these areas to support the growth of young companies. Claus is a family man with two children, and his wife and children serve as his greatest inspiration and motivation.
Sein Credo: „There are two days on which you cannot change anything: yesterday and tomorrow!“
Michael Raleigh – He brought the credit insurance to Ireland
Experience in working in industry for both private and public companies as financial controller, credit controller and credit insurance policy holder. Pioneer of domestic credit insurance in Ireland. Credited with bringing all the commercial credit insurers into Ireland. Worked closely with the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association before the „Celtic Tiger“ in the early 1990s advising many how to expand their business using credit insurance both in Ireland and export. Signed one company turning €2m per annum in early 1990s. They now turnover €120m in 50 countries. Have built the biggest independent credit brokerages in Ireland 3 times, the last time form y own.
His Credo: „Start now, you never know whats happens tomorrow.“
Frank Oliver Kraus, Managing Partner of the KreativRealisten
Frank-Oliver Kraus, 52 years old, Capricorn, with 35 years of professional experience, has been an entrepreneur for 25 years and an examiner at the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) for 20 years. He has had the opportunity to accompany and develop hundreds of business ideas and marketing concepts strategically and in terms of advertising.
He began his career as an advertising executive and communication manager in the company he took over in 2000. Kraus was early on responsible for the marketing of Sony on the industrial side, overseeing the first customer club, the brand integration of Sony Music and Sony Pictures, formerly CBS and Columbia TriStar. He moved to Sony’s former strategy consultancy, Ernst & Partner, and worked for creative agencies such as Meiré and Meiré. He was also part of the founding team of the digital agency WYSIWYG/Rempen & Partner, now the international network agency HAVAS.
Since 2000, Kraus has been the Managing Partner of the KreativRealisten and, with his strategy and creative team, has been able to realize numerous successful and award-winning marketing and business campaigns. His consulting clients include ministries, market leaders, as well as hidden champions and giants. He has advised and developed numerous startups in the founding phase, including Pixum (Cewe Color).
His Credo: „The key is to take action, and those who do not move will not be able to make any lasting progress…“
Ronny De Nil – The International Sales and Marketing Hero
63 year old Belgian from the Antwerp area. Over 35 years experience in the Petrochemical Industry, mainly in polyolefins business. I had various senior sales and marketing functions. Global Sales was my life. I made business friends all over the world, especially in Europe and Asia. Afterwards I was 9 years owner and managing director of my own trading company: Imperium Polymers Cvba. Now partly living in Spain and supporting an international amateur bike team.
His Credo: „The whole world is a place for business.“
Benny Schmidt – The innovative mind
After founding his company Be.A.Star-Productions GmbH in his early 20‘s, Benny was the rising star in the german video production business. He invented a fast-delivery-system for high level Wedding Films and immediatly adapted it to Business Films, which led to a massive growth of his company. He empowers young creatives and offers a Special Trainee progamme for Film and Media Students. Today Be.A.Star-Productions GmbH produces not only every kind of video content as Imagefilms, Musicvideos, Productfilms and Livestreams for Brands and Companies, Benny is also the producer of the most important Award Show in the german wedding industry.
His Credo: „Dream it – do it – develop it to the next level.“
Paul Häpp
With a background in logistics, Paul Häpp began his professional career. Early on, he recognized that his passion lay in bringing a company’s services to the market. Therefore, it was natural for him to see his further professional future in sales. Out of four decades of sales experience, the most influential 30 years were spent in the banking and leasing industry. In various managerial roles, including the position of CEO of a bank and leasing company, he not only oversaw sales goals but also significantly shaped the strategic directions of these companies, particularly concerning new market fields. Paul Häpp is currently the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of a publicly traded company.
His Credo: „Only dead fish swim with the current.“
We’re looking forward to powerful ideas and creative applications for 2024
Application deadline is the 31.05.2024
to christina.paap@gfkmbh.com