Interview with Dr. Ralf Strauss Chairman of the Board EMC

Name: Dr. Ralf Strauss
Age: 60
Title: Chairman of the Board EMC, Managing Partner MarketingTechLab GmbH, Vice President World Marketing Council
City: Hamburg

European Marketing Confederation (EMC) is a not-for-profit organization based in Brussels. EMC works with its members across Europe such as the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal or the Netherlands, to share best practice in marketing, sales and communication.

Interview with Dr. Ralf Strauss Chairman of the Board EMC

How long have you been working for EMC?

Since joining EMC with the German Marketing Association some 9 years ago.

Why should all marketing federations be members?

All national marketing associations do have pretty much the same challenges – attracting members, generating sponsors, providing compelling content, having means for training and eduction as well as standards on top – therefore: it is a must to learn from each other.

What’s the most fun part of it?

Pulling together with different colleagues across Europe, Africa and Asia.

And the most challenging?

Always find common denominators and projects which do make sense for all members.

How many countries are members now in EMC?

13

What are your expectations of the members?

Openly discuss challenges and decide on joint projects across Europe.

What skills are urgent to have if you work with marketing nowadays?

Combination of brand management, data-driven customer interaction, technical platforms, new skills and leadership.

Is AI a threat or possibility?

AI is here to stay and will change the way we are working. Therefore: take it as an opportunity for higher efficiency in customer interactions.

Alongside EMC; what are you working with? 

After having left large corporate roles in SAP and VW, I founded my own company MarketingTechLab GmbH where we support clients across Europe in the journey into data-driven customer interaction. Here we also publish once a year the Marketing Tech Monitor and conduct the Marketing Tech Summit. In parallel, I have the pleasure to chair the CMO Community where around 80 CMOs across Germany/Austria / Switzerland meet twice a year for an experience exchange.

And when you are not working; how do you get energy?

Relaxing with my family, doing sports.

What are you most looking forward to this autumn? Let me guess Byron Sharp?!

The webinar with Byron Sharp on “how brands grow” as well as the discuss with the board on the strategy and projects for EMC for the next 2 years.

Välkommen att anmäla dig till webbinarium med Byron Sharp 2 september