"With Eternal Echo I want to preserve wisdom from people" - Mike Fuhrmann

Werbewoche.ch: Mike Fuhrmann, could you explain to our viewers in a few sentences what Eternal Echo is all about and what your vision is for this unique company?

Mike Fuhrmann: That's what I like to do. Eternal Echo is primarily about passing on to others as wisdom the stories that each of us has in life and what we have learned in life. My impetus for Eternal Echo came when I noticed at funerals that our lives after we die are often reduced to mere numbers and dates. One may briefly recount what the person did, but that sounds more like reading aloud a resume rather than capturing the essence of the person. I believe that each person can uniquely pass on a valuable legacy of wisdom and essence to inspire others. As you mentioned, my personal motivation was partly shaped by my experiences at funerals.

Are there any other, more personal experiences that prompted you to start up?

In fact, there is a personal story behind Eternal Echo. Six years ago, my grandparents both lost their lives within a week of each other. The funeral was very impersonal for me because the priest mainly listed stages of their lives without really showing who they were at the core.

Did this experience inspire you to create Eternal Echo?

Yes, since I have training as a film producer and screenwriter, as well as a coach, I thought I could do better. The idea of making stories so vivid that they can pass on the true essence of a person even after their death came from that. One can draw wisdom from them for future generations.

Are there already similar offerings, and how is Eternal Echo different?

I have not seen such a combination of coaching and filmmaking in this form before. In Switzerland, however, there are two great projects that go in a similar direction: My Last Goodbye allows people to record audio podcasts of how they want to be buried. Then there's the Listening Treasure project, where sick people send messages to their children because they won't live long to see their children grow up. Both are wonderful projects.

And how is Eternal Echo different from these projects?

Eternal Echo is characterized firstly by visual elements. We use not only audio, but also images. Secondly, we put great emphasis on the coaching component in addition to filmmaking. I believe that the conversations where you share your knowledge, your experiences and also your mistakes are often not easy, especially with your own children. Therefore, coaching is necessary to show the authentic essence of a person in all its beauty and wisdom.

You mentioned coaching - can you tell us more about how the videographers support the technical implementation?

The concept of cooperation is quite simple. After booking an Echo, the coach contacts the person in question and conducts a preliminary interview. This is followed by a questionnaire to prepare for the interview, although the actual questions asked in the interview itself may of course vary. This is followed by a meeting with the film crew, ideally at the client's home or at another location the client prefers, to record the interview. There are also exercises to prepare for filming in front of the camera, as not everyone is immediately comfortable doing this. The family or client receives the full, unedited video as well as an edited version of three to five minutes that contains the essence of what the person is saying and what wisdom might also be of interest to the general public.

What products does Eternal Echo offer?

Eternal Echo offers four different echoes for booking. The main product is the Afterlife Echo, which is released after a person passes away. In addition, there is the Classic Echo, a deep reflection on who you are that anyone can do at any time in their life to capture important moments. The Memorial Echo is characterized by the fact that the person is no longer alive. Here, we interview at least four loved ones to create a video portrait of how the person positively impacted their lives. Finally, there is the Sinne Echo, which is a comprehensive, 90-minute life story presented in a feature film glossy format, highlighting life lessons.

We are here in Horgen on Lake Zurich, and in the background we can see a ship setting course for Zurich. Where is Mike Fuhrmann heading?

I'm charting a course for a future where everyone can learn from the generations that came before them. With Eternal Echo, I simply want to make sure that all this wisdom is preserved by people. I even imagine that cemeteries, which today are often associated with mourning, can be transformed into places of inspiration. Thanks to new technologies, people could scan QR codes from the graves and directly experience the wisdom of the deceased.

Mike Fuhrmann, the idea of QR codes sounds very interesting. Are there also plans for the use of artificial intelligence?

Yes, there are many developments in the field of AI at the moment. QR codes gained importance during the pandemic, but the concept is not limited to that. Combining QR codes and tombstones is just one aspect. We can also use NFTs, employ beacon technology, and use many digital capabilities to bring a digital legacy to life, as captured in a film production. Analyzing these 100,000 digital legacies using AI could also provide exciting insights in the areas of social and genealogical research.

Mike Fuhrmann, that sounds promising and forward-looking. We wish you every success in implementing your plans. Thank you very much.

Mike Fuhrmann has gained rich experience in various fields, including more than 20 years in marketing and communication, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer in leading positions at Generali Switzerland or Hocoma. His training as a coach and hypnotherapist enables him to find the most exciting stories when talking to people. As an award-winning screenwriter and film producer, he gives them a vessel that preserves them in a lasting way and lends itself to conveying emotions.