FRIENDS OF THE BRANDS | BUSINESS BOOT CAMP 2023

With the rise of social media and further advancements in technology and new platforms, reaching consumers has never been easier, but rising above has never been more challenging.

At Friends of the Brands, we have a bold and innovative ambition that fuels our development process, drives innovation, and brings us into the future. We believe that we create the future together with you. We don't adapt to the future; we create our future. At Friends of the Brands, we dare to have ambitious goals while doubling our power and maximizing our impact.

For our new business boot camp format, we curated a coaching program with our network of opinion leaders designed to help you gain insight into creative entrepreneurship and learn how to grow your business in different and progressive topics. With the same promise we always have as Friends of the Brands, we offer you a day complete with entertainment and expertise while allowing you to nurture, maintain, and set up sustainable partnerships that mean something.

Remember, at Friends of the Brands, we rise by lifting others.

On June 30th, 2023, Friends of the Brands will present its first challenging, transforming and daring masterclass full of practices and cases, offering the stage to influential and inspiring industry professionals and our network to broaden your perspective within creative entrepreneurship. We respond to the questions that prevail in our network. By creating a platform, we go deeper into current topics and share the knowledge our professionals and we have in-house.

* In collaboration with ING Netherlands, we have curated challenging topics

* Innovative practices & cases

* Motivating, influential and inspiring speakers in the field of creative entrepreneurship

* Opportunity to network with Friends of the Brands partners

* Opportunity to cross-pollination and create potential collaborations

* Go home with a valuable Friends of the Brands goodie bag

12:30 - 13:00 hrs - Walk-in | Entertainment

13:00 - 13:05 hrs - Official start: Chairman and co-host Dionne Schulf presenting FOTB

13:05 - 13:30 hrs - Talk by an international opinion leader about Future Marketing

13:35 - 14:05 hrs - Start first session of 30 minutes on Sustainability by Petra Kok & Ana Henriques

14:10 - 14:40 hrs - Start second session of 30 minutes on Branding by Rodney Lam

14:45 - 15:15 hrs - Start third session of 30 minutes on Diversity by Astrid Elburg

15:15 - 15:45 hrs - Break

16:00 - 16:30 hrs - Break out session 30 minutes on New Media by Danny Membre

16:00 - 16:30 hrs - Break out session 30 minutes on Mental Wellbeing by Marlou van Rhijn

16:00 - 16:30 hrs - Break out session 30 minutes Gen-Z Advisory Board (among Defano Holwijn)

16:45 - 17:15 hrs - Closing Session Gen Z panel discussion lead by Chairman & Michel Pruis

17.15 - 18.00 hrs - Networking time

18:00 hrs - Closing event | Goodie bags

The landscape of marketing has changed drastically in the past decade and brought immense changes to the industry through the fast-growing digitalization process. Knowing the newest marketing strategies is crucial to benefit your company significantly, thus discussing possible changes. Our international opinion leader on this topic will go through the various changes coming to the online world and how he noticed the difference in customer interaction. As shortening the customer journey and digital investment became one of the most prominent elements in marketing transformation, our speaker will explain the importance of these new pillars and the marketing revolution to enhance growth.

Danny is a serial entrepreneur, leading expert in the field of new media, and the founder of Just Another Network, the largest online digital youth media house in The Netherlands and Belgium that specializes in digital media and content creation. He is also a co-owner of the well-known social media brand RUMAG and manages the interests of various influential personalities and celebrities through his management agency, Puntenslijpen.

Danny is particularly passionate about exploring innovative ways to leverage technology and media to drive engagement and build brand awareness. He has been at the forefront of many groundbreaking campaigns, leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques to help brands connect with their audience in new and exciting ways.

Under Danny's leadership, Just Another Network has become a leading force in the digital media landscape, known for its innovative approach to content creation and its ability to drive engagement and build brand loyalty. With millions of followers across various social media platforms, Danny's work is a testament to the power of new media and its ability to transform the way we communicate and interact with brands.

During his talk, Danny will discuss the latest trends in new media and highlight the unique role that RUMAG plays in the industry as a perfect example of how innovative and engaging content can build a massive following. He will also explore the ways in which Just Another Network is leveraging technology and media to help brands stay ahead of the curve and build meaningful relationships with their audience.

Rodney Lam is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and co-owner of Daily Paper. He is also an actor, writer, and recently became the owner of Cold Laundry. He is a multidimensional entrepreneur who is busy with the development of Daily Paper, a worldwide multicultural brand that is constantly growing.

As ambitious as Rodney is, he balances his career with family life while holding onto his values. His perseverance and curiosity always lead him to new paths and opportunities in life, bringing him new experiences he loves. At a young age, he worked in various management positions, wrote and produced his own movie, and became a youth pastor before his step into Daily Paper as an experienced brand consultant.

Rodney continues to challenge himself to learn and keep developing. Significant for Rodney is the value of keeping expanding in current society, as well as in his circle of friends and family. Having solid values and staying true to them is critical to him.

During his talk, Rodney will bring you along through his journey of brand building and what it takes to shape your brand and company to stay valuable and relevant in the current industry. Having a strong brand with a good story is critical while turning your values into actions. How do you ensure results by having a red thread throughout the organization, and what does it mean to empower others? How do you stay ahead of the curve in these challenging and constantly changing times? Rodney will give you the guidelines to set yourself apart and (re)think about your values as a brand. His knowledge and expertise on these topics are precious and will give you the tools to develop a solid brand identity and the foundation to build on your brand and become a leader in your segment.

Astrid Elburg has over 20 years of experience consulting, coaching, and connecting companies with passionate individuals. Her vision is to invest in leadership and personal development as the core of each organization or company, forming the heart and direction. The rapid changes in the current industry, next to technological and demographic effects, are causing shifts in the balance of power, demanding specific care and attention to development issues and the power and essence of diversity.

Optimizing the quality of your organization in the current zeitgeist and demanding development changes, Astrid Elburg provides tools to maximize the process and quality within your company. Focusing on the strategy behind development issues and how to boost diversity should be given in our current society, in your company core.

Diversity is a fact, and inclusion is a choice. How do you put talents at the center of a social transformation? Astrid Elburg will examine the concept of leadership and (diversity) of talent in this interactive session. Thanks to her vision and action perspectives, Astrid will provide the tools to optimize the quality of your organization.

Petra Kok, head of external communication at TUI, has been on the TUI team for many years. She started in hotel contracting abroad, moved over to the sales side, and had a logical follow-up by being responsible for all internal and external communication. Using her power, expertise, and knowledge to develop a transparent, clear, consistent, and coherent communication strategy to represent and boost the positive image from TUI and its visibility.

Ana Henriques, manager of brands and campaigns, focuses on the importance and essence of the brand as part of people’s lives. She is on the marketing side of deploying sustainability strategically and sincerely. How can you give the best holiday experience and make a difference at the same time, is a question daily asked. Her experience in marketing at Net5/Talpa and HEINEKEN is valuable ‘luggage’ she took with her when she stepped into the world of travel in 2018. They believe tourism is a force for good.

TUI focuses on development and innovation, as technology is essential to stay relevant and a leader within the market. Alongside other essential topics, sustainability might be considered one of the most relevant topics in our current industry. We travel all over the world, which gives us beautiful memories and yet impacts the environment. TUI has taken significant steps and invested in sustainability. At the same time, there is still so much to do. Together they will share their perspective on sustainability, the steps TUI is taking as a team, and how they are learning every day.

At Friends of the Brands, we recognize the importance of staying current, relevant, and on track with the current zeitgeist. That's why we've curated our own Gen-Z Advisory Board team to provide you with insights into the minds of Gen-Z and give you a front-row seat to start a dialogue. By challenging existing viewpoints and examining them from different angles, we can gain valuable insights and incorporate new elements to enhance our work.

Our advisory board consists of Defano Holwijn, an Amsterdam influencer, YouTuber, rapper, and actor. In 2015, Defano's career on YouTube got a boost due to his humorous approach to different sketches on TV and online. Alongside his creative process, Defano has also collaborated with other artists on a single and presented at several festivals. Currently, Defano is building his career on TV, participating in and presenting on different TV programs. As a perfect (late) Gen-Z representative, he can offer insights on different values and perspectives.

Another member of our advisory board is Paiman Azizi, the brand manager at Friends of the Brands. He completed his studies at the AMFI, graduating with a degree in management and branding. Paiman's career took off after working as a brand director for various fashion brands. He has since worked on numerous creative marketing and brand communication projects in the fashion, beauty, art, advertising, and music industries, while also pursuing his passion for art and creative direction.

Finally, we will have students from VU Amsterdam join our advisory board to complete the circle. This will provide you with the perfect opportunity to engage in a dialogue and gain inspiration from the diverse perspectives of Gen-Z. With these building blocks, combined with the right tools, insights, and knowledge, you'll be well-equipped to continue building and achieving success

Marlou Van Rhijn, nicknamed the "blade babe," is a Dutch athlete who specializes in the 100, 200, and 400-meter sprints. She holds the world records in all three distances. She graduated from Johan Cruyff University in Amsterdam with a degree in economics. She competes in class T43, and has a double below-the-knee amputation.

After qualifying for the Paralympic games in London 2012, Van Rhijn won a silver medal in the 100 meters and gold in the 200 meters. In both distances, she set new world records. In 2013, she became the world champion in the 100 and 200 meters. Wanting to push herself even further towards faster world records, she trained with a coach who specialized in sprinting. This was a big success because in 2015, she defended both her titles in the 100 and 200 meters and became the first female on blades to run below 13 seconds in the 100m and below 26 seconds in the 200m.

At the Paralympic games in Rio Janeiro, Van Rhijn celebrated another victory in the 200 meters and added a Paralympic gold in the 100 meters, making her a three-time Paralympic champion. Her incredible success as an athlete has not gone unnoticed, and she is now a source of inspiration for many.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Van Rhijn works as a consultant in the field of marketing strategy at companies such as Nike, using her knowledge and experience to help others achieve their goals. She will provide her knowledge on mental wellbeing and its importance in our current society.

The chairman of the event is a seasoned industry professional with extensive experience in the field. As a respected figure in the industry, the chairman has played a key role in shaping the direction of the field and has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a passion for excellence, the chairman is committed to delivering a successful and memorable event that will inspire, educate, and engage all attendees. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, the chairman is well-suited to lead the event - together with the co-host - and ensure that it is a resounding success.

Dionne Schulf started her promising international career after completing the fashion academy and her International Management course at HES Amsterdam. She worked as a General Manager at the international fashion brand Belissima and as the Commercial Manager at Time Warner (NY) and Stage Entertainment, where she gained valuable experience. Throughout her career, Dionne became a marketing and communications strategist, and in 2009, she started the connecting agency Friends of the Brands as one of the first in Europe to specialize in influencer marketing. Nowadays, as the owner of Friends of the Brands, she takes responsibility for all commercial management matters and is closely involved in all marketing strategies for brands.

Dionne's extensive knowledge of influencer marketing, cross-media strategies, and brand marketing brought her far with Friends of the Brands. She is a result-oriented businesswoman who has made Friends of the Brands the leading company today by focusing on the agency's essence, which is cross-pollination between our guests and our leading international platform for opinion leaders. Dionne, together with chairman Igor Beuker, will guide you throughout the business boot camp to get the most out of it while focusing on authentic connections to enhance the brand's essence: cross-pollination. This boot camp will leave you with all the knowledge and tools you need to take steps and rise above the noise.

Bring inspiration and innovation to every change-maker in the room. Ensuringyour brand to rise above the noise.

As Friends of the Brands, we want to give brands all the tools to thrive in a fastpacedindustry. While the world keeps evolving, it's essential to rise above thenoise in a balanced environment.

Any brand that find it's noise, can rise above the noise. We rise by lifting others

Host or Publisher Friends of the Brands