Geert Schmelzer - Founder and Managing Director

Q: Where is Geert based?

Geert is based in Hamburg, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Geert speak?

Geert speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Geert have?

Geert has at least 35 years of experience. During this time, Geert has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 7 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 5 years . Note that Geert may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Geert's latest experience?

Geert's most recent position is Founder and Managing Director at Blattwerk – Kommunikation für Unternehmen .

Q: What companies has Geert worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Geert has worked for Blattwerk – Kommunikation für Unternehmen .

Q: Which industries is Geert most experienced in?

Geert is most experienced in industries like Media, Entertainment and Publishing , Professional Services , and Information Technology (IT) .

Q: Which business areas is Geert most experienced in?

Geert is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Marketing , and Production/Manufacturing . Geert also has some experience in Operations , Research and Development (R&D) , and Product Development .

Q: Which industries has Geert worked in recently?

Geert has recently worked in industries like Media, Entertainment and Publishing and Professional Services .

Q: Which business areas has Geert worked in recently?

Geert has recently worked in business areas like Marketing and Project Management .

Recommended expert

Hamburg, Germany

Experience

Jan 2005 - Present

21 years 2 months

Founder and Managing Director

Blattwerk – Kommunikation für Unternehmen

Conceptualizing and managing communication projects in corporate communication, change communication, and corporate communications
Planning and implementing channel- and audience-specific communication strategies for different target groups
Conceptualizing and managing digital marketing strategies including social media in close collaboration with top management of large and medium-sized companies
Managing external service providers in PR, content, graphic design, and technology
Advising and supporting departments and serving as a sounding board for executives on appropriate communication measures
Designing and developing print and digital corporate media
Conducting process analyses and monitoring the success of implemented measures
Building and maintaining relationships with national and international media, journalists, bloggers, and companies
Communicating with journalists using an extensive network while also building new contacts
Developing target-group-specific PR concepts
Providing operational support in creating suitable PR materials
Planning and implementing PR campaigns

Jan 2005 - Dec 2005

1 year

Supporting Marketing and Communications Leadership

LucaNet AG

Building and expanding a network with IT trade media and business media
Designing, creating, and delivering content to various specialist editorial teams
Coordinating and responding to press inquiries and developing media partnerships
Designing and implementing a quarterly customer magazine
Regularly drafting and sending press releases

Jan 2001 - Dec 2005

5 years

Head of Editorial

Capital.de / impulse.de

Responsible for daily reporting by up to 12 editors
General editorial management
Coordinating with print editorial teams and publishing management

Jan 2000 - Dec 2001

2 years

Project Manager

impulse.de

Developing the B2B channel within the Gruner+Jahr Business Channel
Responsible for developing the editorial and partnership concept with a team of four

Jan 1998 - Dec 2000

3 years

Editor

impulse – das Unternehmermagazin

Reporting on companies and markets
Writing articles and features
Managing editorial processes

Jan 1996 - Dec 1998

3 years

Managing Editor

Der Handel, Deutscher Fachverlag

Reporting on companies and markets
Writing articles and reports
Editorial management

Jan 1991 - Dec 1996

6 years

Assistant and Producer for Current Political Radio Programs

Westdeutscher Rundfunk

Assisted with and produced current political radio programs like Tag um Fünf and Morgenecho on WDR 3, WDR 4, and WDR 5

Head of Change Communication and Marketing

Deutsche Rentenversicherung DRV

Developed and detailed a comprehensive change communication and marketing strategy for the digital transformation of 16 German Pension Insurance branches
Implemented strategic communication and marketing measures for more than 80 stakeholders
Developed and executed current communication and marketing activities in the project
Managed stakeholders across various DRV roles and external service providers

External Consultant for Digital Transformation / Strategic Development of Internal and External Communication

HHLA - Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

Designed and implemented a digital internal communication system for around 6,000 operational employees in nine European countries and in nine languages
Conceptualized and launched a digital newsroom for topic management and content planning
Developed a strategic editorial calendar for the HHLA online magazine
Developed measures to internally communicate strategic action options
Developed employee initiatives around the theme "HHLA – the Gateway to the Future"
Designed and developed content for leadership workshops
Drove internal cultural change
Redesigned and reimagined the traditional employee magazine

Interim Head of Corporate Communication

Honeypot GmbH

Co-developed a new communication and marketing strategy
Advised management on projects, goals, and communication approach
Advised on and implemented operational and strategic PR activities, including coordinating and managing PR agencies in other European countries
Found and crafted relevant stories for target media
Advised the communications team
Planned, created, and distributed press releases
Pitched stories individually and maintained close contact with journalists in German-speaking countries and beyond
Placed guest articles, interviews and statements in relevant media
Prepared and followed up on interviews, including briefings, approval rounds, and improvements
Responsible for consistent external brand communication across various channels

Consulting and interim cover in the board communications staff

Mittelbrandenburgische Sparkasse

Board communications including speech writing and editorials
Creation and digitization of the annual report
Development and drafting of various communication strategies
Development and implementation of current communication measures in the project
Development and implementation of current marketing measures in the project
Stakeholder management with internal stakeholders and external service providers

Interim Project Manager Industrial Marketing

Rittal GmbH & Co KG

Creation of content strategies including planning, concept development, and coordination of content for internal and external audiences
Development of core messages and storytelling
Management of the international rollout and monitoring of marketing activities
Budget and project planning for national and international activities
Management of internal and external service providers
Drafting and presenting templates for business decisions
Participation in strategic projects and close collaboration with marketing colleagues and departments

Interim Head of Corporate Communication

SENEC GmbH

Development and implementation of a new communication and marketing strategy together with the Head of Marketing
Development and implementation of a crisis communication strategy
Development and implementation of change communication
Development and implementation of sales communication
Leadership and expansion of the communications team
General press relations
Sparring partner for the management

Content Strategist

innogy SE

Creation of a content strategy for B2C and B2B sales
Development and implementation of marketing and communication for B2B products including white papers and newsletters
Implementation and further development of the digital content marketing strategy for the retail sector
Executive communication in a national and international change process
Development of a national and international executive newsletter

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Media and Entertainment (35 years), Professional Services (21 years), and Information Technology (1 year).

Media and Entertainment

Professional Services

Information Technology

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Project Management (26 years), Marketing (24 years), Production (6 years), Operations (5 years), Research and Development (3 years), and Product Development (2 years).

Project Management

Marketing

Production

Operations

Research and Development

Product Development

Skills

Leadership Skills: Over 13 Years Of Experience Leading Diverse Teams Of Full-time And Freelance Editors And Graphic Designers. Coordination Between Different Publishing Divisions.
Journalism: More Than 25 Years Of Experience In Journalism For Renowned Media Outlets Such As Wdr, Wirtschaftswoche, Capital, Impulse, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Der Spiegel, Mare, Lufthansa Magazin
Social Media: Developing And Implementing Social Media Formats Such As Facebook And Twitter For Companies; Creating Guidelines For Employees, Developers, And Customers On Using Social Media Like Facebook And Twitter.

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 1990 - Jun 1995

University of Cologne

Diploma in Economics · Economics (social science orientation) · Cologne, Germany

Oct 1988 - Jun 1991

Kölner Schule - Institute for Journalism e.V. (now: Cologne School of Journalism for Politics and Economics)

Training as a political and business journalist · Cologne, Germany

Profile

Created

April 2024

Last Update

May 2025

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Geert based?

Geert is based in Hamburg, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Geert speak?

Geert speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Geert have?

Geert has at least 35 years of experience. During this time, Geert has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 7 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 5 years. Note that Geert may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Geert be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Geert would be well-suited for roles such as: Founder and Managing Director, Supporting Marketing and Communications Leadership, Head of Editorial.

What is Geert's latest experience?

Geert's most recent position is Founder and Managing Director at Blattwerk – Kommunikation für Unternehmen.

What companies has Geert worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Geert has worked for Blattwerk – Kommunikation für Unternehmen.

Which industries is Geert most experienced in?

Geert is most experienced in industries like Media, Entertainment and Publishing, Professional Services, and Information Technology (IT).

Which business areas is Geert most experienced in?

Geert is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Marketing, and Production/Manufacturing. Geert also has some experience in Operations, Research and Development (R&D), and Product Development.

Which industries has Geert worked in recently?

Geert has recently worked in industries like Media, Entertainment and Publishing and Professional Services.

Which business areas has Geert worked in recently?

Geert has recently worked in business areas like Marketing and Project Management.

What is Geert's education?

Geert holds a Master in Economics (social science orientation) from University of Cologne.

What is the availability of Geert?

Geert is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Geert?

Geert's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.