PIA Media vs VOK DAMS

PIA Media hires Robin Jansen as Chief Growth Officer

PIA Media has appointed Robin Jansen as its new Chief Growth Officer following a management buyout completed in late April that left Axel Schönau and Sebastian Sommerer as managing partners. Jansen brings about 15 years of experience from international media networks, most recently serving as Chief Client Officer Media for Dentsu in the DACH region and previously spending nearly a decade at Publicis-group agencies (notably Spark Foundry) and WPP agencies. PIA Media says it is focusing on three growth areas — The Modern Journey, Data, AI & agentic technologies (marketed via its floak brand), and Brand, Strategy, Content & Creation (via Nordpol) — and operates from Hamburg plus Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin and Belgrade.

• PIA Media appointed Robin Jansen as Chief Growth Officer.
• A management buyout at the end of April placed Axel Schönau and Sebastian Sommerer as managing partners of PIA Media.
• Robin Jansen previously served ~2.5 years as Chief Client Officer Media for the DACH region at Dentsu and spent almost ten years at Publicis-group (notably Spark Foundry) and WPP media agencies.

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.