Thomas Harbeke leaves Weber Harbeke Partners
After a little more than 25 years, Thomas Harbeke is leaving the Zurich-based agency Weber Harbeke Partners, which he founded in 1991 together with Max Weber and has led ever since as a partner, co-managing director, and creative director.
This completes the generational change that was initiated three years ago with the retirement of AD Max Weber, according to a statement. The new partners Sven Oeschger and Guido Zehnder have both been on the management board of Weber Harbeke Partners since 2013. Under their leadership, the areas of online advertising and social media in particular have been greatly expanded over the past three years.
"Today, we are well positioned as a full-service agency that thinks and acts in an integrated way, and I am happy that I can hand over the "baby" in a very good condition despite all the crises that probably every advertising agency goes through in more than two decades," Harbeke comments on his departure.
The 54-year-old creative director first wants to take some time off and then reorient himself professionally. "I want to turn over a new leaf and devote more of my time in communications to the strategic development of new brands. With the creation of the brands ok.- for energy drinks, Schnägg for vegetarian fast food or, for example, Why-Nut for nut chocolate bites, I have been able to gain valuable experience in this area over the years," says Thomas Harbeke, explaining his plans. However, Thomas Harbeke will remain collegially connected to the agency. "We will continue to work together on selected projects. Some long-term projects are already in the pipeline." says strategist Sven Oeschger.
The new owners, Sven Oeschger and Guido Zehnder, have announced that Weber Harbeke Partners will soon be operating under a new name following the departure of the second name giver.
