Marketing Talks: "Meet the Speakers" with Christian Baertschi

The next MK and Werbewoche Marketing Talk will take place on June 25 at KOSMOS Zurich (all details you can find here). We present the four top-class speakers in individual portraits - starting with Christian Baertschi, CEO and Partner of Serviceplan Switzerland. 

We asked Baertschi a few questions about his career and the theme of the evening - "Man? Brand! Brand? People! With authentic (self-)marketing to success". We provide you with the answers to match the event: honest and unfiltered.

MK: Christian Baertschi, please give us an insight into your CV - preferably in fast-forward. 

Christian Baertschi: Grew up in Zurich. Graduated from high school in the USA. Studied and graduated from the University of St. Gallen. Joined a management consultancy, then started in the communications industry as a junior advertising assistant. Three agencies in eight years: Seiler DDB, Advico Young & Rubicam, Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett. Founded own agency BMB in 2005. Partially sold to the Serviceplan Group after seven years and joined as a partner. Start with 10 people at the end of 2012 and since 2013 development and expansion of the Serviceplan Group's House of Communication in Zurich.

Let's get a little more personal: your ultimate book tip? 

Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund and Ola Rosling.

Now a few either/or questions: Are you...

...Consensus fan or agent provocateur?

Consensus provocateur. 

...creative or analytical?

Analytical.

...country lover or city romantic?

Country lovers.

...tough in tone but gentle in substance - or gentle in tone but tough in substance?

I usually find the right tone. 

...career planner or content with (professional) coincidences?

Planner of professional coincidences.

Matching the content of the marketing conversation: What do you associate with the term "authenticity"?

Quite simply: to be who you really are. 

What role does authenticity play in your daily work? 

I don't live a double life - the value system and behavior as a private person is congruent with the business person. 

How much honesty can a (personal) brand take - and where should you rather rely on standardized formulas?

Honesty can hurt in the short term, but is always the most honest in the long term. Nevertheless, you don't always have to tell everyone everything.

If you are now interested in our event, you can find here  the Xing registration tool. In the coming weeks, we will also be presenting short portraits of the other speakers - clothing maker Gerold Brenner, self-branding expert Petra Wüst and Advertiser of the Year Petra Dreyfus. So it's worth staying tuned.