CMO OF THE YEAR 2016: HANS-CHRISTIAN SCHWINGEN
Hans-Christian Schwingen
Chief Brand Officer at Deutsche Telekom
On the evening of the innovation day 2016, the partners involved, together with the media partners Capital, n-tv, W&V, and for the first time also the Institute for Marketing of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, presented the award for best Chief Marketing Officer in Germany.
The award was presented in front of around 300 guests as part of a ceremonial gala held in the magnificent Munich Residenz.
Following her laudatory speech, Julia Jäkel, Chief Executive Officer of Gruner + Jahr, presented the “CMO of the Year” award 2016 to Hans-Christian Schwingen, Chief Brand Officer at Deutsche Telekom.
The nominees were (in alphabetical order):
- Uwe Hellmann (Commerzbank)
- Ola Källenius (Daimler)
- Dr. Adalbert Lechner (Lindt)
- Stefan Magel (Penny)
- Hans-Christian Schwingen (Deutsche Telekom)
HANS-CHRISTIAN SCHWINGEN
“I am thoroughly proud to have been selected by this top-class jury as the CMO of the Year, among what are undoubtedly outstanding colleagues. For me, this award confirms our philosophy that we need social connections in particular in order to develop as human beings, and that Telekom provides the means to do this. It also serves to confirm the hard work done by so many people. After all, the credibility of a brand is not just down to those who bear the term on their business card, but each and every individual within the company – in their actions and inactions, in both a professional and private sphere.”
THE JURY’S VERDICT
Horst von Buttlar
Editor-in-chief of Capital & jury spokesperson
“In the jury’s view, Deutsche Telekom has achieved two things: Firstly, it has transformed itself from a sedate state-owned company with outdated structures into a company that is also innovative. Secondly, with the “T” logo it has managed to achieve clear branding across a network of products. Today, Telekom is brand related not only to technology, but also to experience. Hans-Christian Schwingen has made a significant contribution towards this transformation.”
Thomas Lindner
Managing Director of F.A.Z. & jury spokesperson
“Whether it be digitalisation, involvement in the start-up sector, or a coherent brand image across Europe, not least through establishment of the “T” logo and colour scheme: the jury shares the opinion that, even though it was a difficult period of development for Deutsche Telekom, Hans-Christian Schwingen has contributed significantly towards making the company what it is today – the most valuable telecommunications brand in Europe and in the top-two German brands worldwide, according to several independent brand evaluation companies.”
IMPRESSIONS OF THE AWARD GALA 2016
