"With the start of Karling I have realized an old dream".

1. what would you work for free?

We work for a smaller non-profit client for free - that's perfectly fine. You don't have to contact me for unpaid pitches either. You can gladly save that phone call as well!

2. what does not come to the office under any circumstances?

A new bamboo. The last two have stunted miserably. Obviously, we know more about communication than gardening.

3. what advertising should be banned?

Any advertising that merely annoys the consumer. Good advertising always offers rational or emotional added value - for example, interesting information, a special offer or good entertainment.

4. the best testimonial ever?

Definitely Gian and Giachen for Graubünden. It was great fun for me to initiate these figures as a strategist and then to lead the mandate for years.

5. what do you see as the biggest challenge for advertising at the moment?

Due to the growth of the project business, agencies are less and less able to manage brands. In the long term, the brands themselves suffer as a result. And I suffer with them: Because shaping and managing brands is the most exciting part of our job.

6 Does the classic agency model have a long-term future?

As I define the classic agency model, it's timeless: bright minds busting their asses to move brands forward through marketing communications.

7. what are you sorry for?

1. unmotivated people. 2. lack of curiosity. 3. lost pitches. 4. my bike. 5. when the coffee is out.

8. what do you never want to have to hear about yourself?

He's a rear-wheel sucker - those are the people who always ride in the slipstream and never take the lead.

9. what are you determined to achieve?

The summit of Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. I just got the visa and soon we will start. Business-wise, we have reached Camp 1 after three years. Now the next 1000 meters of altitude are tackled.

10. what qualities make you a good advertiser?

The humility of not answering here.

Which professional colleague would you take with you to a desert island?

My business partner Daniel. I would save his life ten times over. And he would entertain us wonderfully.

12. when you have an idea, how do you know it is good?

When they solve the real problem of the customer in a sophisticated way.

13. what was the best thing you did in the last five years?

Simple question: Start Karling and thus realize an old dream.

Rolf Helfenstein is a partner and managing director of the Karling agency. After three years, Karling is already working for numerous prestigious clients such as AMAG, BMW, Migros Bank, Sihlcity, Similasan, Swiss Farmers and SRF Swiss Television. Before founding Karling, Helfenstein spent twelve years at Jung von Matt/Limmat, most recently as managing director and partner. He holds a Master of Science in Communications Management.

"13 Questions" appear both online and in the print edition of Werbewoche.

Implementation: Thomas Häusermann

Notice: Unfortunately, a production error has crept into the print edition 7/2017. The first question is from the layout template and has no relation to Helfenstein's answer. We apologize to him and to the readership for any confusion and publish the correct version here.