AVANTGARDE vs VOK DAMS

ProSieben Show Producer Launches Tween Skincare Brand Milly&Elly

Daisy Rosemeyer-Elbers, former ProSieben executive producer known for Joko and Klaas shows, has co-founded Milly&Elly GmbH with Andjela Emmerich, a former Avantgarde agency employee. The startup targets the gap in the German market for skincare tailored to girls aged 10-14, offering four products formulated with mild ingredients. The brand launches after 1.5 years of development and six-figure investment. Dermatologist Christina Schnopp advises. Products will initially sell online and later expand to drugstores. The company is based at Bavaria Film grounds in Geiselgasteig.

• Daisy Rosemeyer-Elbers and Andjela Emmerich founded Milly&Elly GmbH.
• Milly&Elly launches four skincare products for girls aged 10-14.
• The brand required 1.5 years of development and a six-figure investment.

Christine Thienemann Founds Civina Agency

Christine Thienemann has founded Civina, a live-communication agency with offices in Zurich and Davos. Civina GmbH was registered in the canton of Graubünden in February 2026, with Thienemann as sole shareholder and managing director. The agency focuses on bespoke live communication formats and event production for brands, including product and brand launches, meetings, incentive travel, and corporate/client events. Thienemann previously served as Managing Director of Avantgarde Switzerland (since 2023) and has worked with clients such as American Express, the Audi Revolut F1 Team and Lucid Motors. Her prior roles include positions at Avantgarde (1997–2006), BMW Motorsport, Leo Burnett (Cape Town) and General Motors (experiential marketing for Cadillac and Chevrolet in Switzerland).

• Christine Thienemann founded Civina GmbH and is its sole shareholder and managing director.
• Civina GmbH was entered in the commercial register of the canton of Graubünden in February 2026.
• Civina operates offices in Zurich and Davos and offers bespoke live-communication and event production services (product/brand launches, meetings, incentive travel, corporate and client events).

AVANTGARDE updates About page: removes Shanghai Managing Director, changes office locations and contact number

The About page no longer lists Dulguun Sanjmyatav as Managing Director – Shanghai. The list of office locations has been reduced, removing Abu Dhabi, Vienna, Singapore, and Stuttgart. The contact phone number changed from a UAE number (+971) to a UK number (+44).

VOK DAMS' Schmidt-Ott: AI era boosts demand for real-world events

In an interview with Meedia, Dr. Anja Schmidt-Ott of VOK DAMS Strategy & Consulting discusses the growing importance of real-world events in the AI age. She argues that the flood of AI-generated content and digital fatigue are increasing the desire for authentic in-person experiences. Schmidt-Ott highlights the use of AI, specifically 'digital doppelgangers' (behavioral simulation models based on around 39 variables), to tailor event formats to different audience segments. These GPT-based models simulate attendee behavior to optimize event design, training, and communication. She emphasizes that while AI helps prepare and personalize, it cannot replace the trust and credibility built through physical gatherings, forecasting a rise in event budgets and the significance of live formats in the communication mix.

• VOK DAMS hires Dr. Anja Schmidt-Ott for strategy and consulting, focusing on change communication.
• Schmidt-Ott utilizes behavioral simulation models ('digital doppelgangers') built as GPTs for event planning.
• The models use around 39 variables to simulate typical event behaviors and identify dominant audience types.

VOK DAMS Welcomes Back Stuart Weston as Director London & UK

A familiar face, a new chapter. Stuart returns with valuable experience across business development, hospitality, live marketing and event...

Specialist Book by VOK DAMS: Digital Doppelgänger Now Published by Springer Gabler

Award-winning and now in bookstores: how Digital Doppelgänger are changing event planning.