I look for three things in hiring people. The first is personal integrity, the second is intelligence, and the third is a high energy level. But, if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. Warren Buffett

Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gervaise Coebergh (Rotterdam, 1966) gervaise@coebergh.nl
"Rotterdammer, zo ik iets ben” (I am first and foremost a Rotterdammer) is the title of the last book gifted to me by my grandfather. My generation is different from his; I see myself more as a citizen of the world. Nevertheless, I am aware and acknowledge that my Rotterdam roots are constantly echoed in my work, even though I have been living happily in Amsterdam and Drenthe for years. I was brought up to respect values such as ‘rolling up your sleeves’, ‘seeing and seizing opportunities’ and ‘calling a spade a spade’.

Gervaise Coebergh has worked in the communications industry since 1989. In 1997, she founded Coebergh Communicatie & PR. Coebergh has become one of the Netherlands' leading independent communication and PR consultancies. “And we want to keep it that way! My main focus is on the ongoing development of online PR, nurturing our organization and keeping it focussed, and providing creative input where required.”

Gervaise studied History and Art History in Leiden, and Mass Communication in Utrecht. In the past she published in among others NRC Handelsblad, presently she is a blogger on Molblog (#2 marcom blog of the Netherlands). One of her other points of special interests is the role of women in the business industry. It remains remarkable how female talent is still not utilized enough. Apart from the political issues, it seems in any case desirable to show female role models and offer inspiration to women. At the end of 2006 Gervaise started off the initiative 'Salon des Dames', a recurring get-together of famous and less famous scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs and women in the cultural sector; a unique mix of ladies who put their 'mark' on society through their passion and success. Furthermore she is active in several social organisations, a.o. as a member of the Supervisory Committee of Wereldmuseum Rotterdam and as member of the Advisory Board of the Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam.


Piet Hein Coebergh (Bloemendaal, 1966) piethein@coebergh.nl
“I am motivated mainly by freedom and variety. Wearing different hats, as an advisor, partner, author, supervisor, entrepreneur, PhD student, tourist, father and major, I try to understand the world around me and enjoy life to the full. You only live once, after all. Studying and writing are my favourite hobbies: acquiring new insights and trying to apply these as directly and as effectively as possible. Since I joined the company as a consultant, specializing since 2002 in the fields of communication and PR, I have been immersing myself in the way people and organizations are willing and able to create transparency in their plans and results.”

Piet Hein studied Management Science at Nijenrode University and in Antwerp, Administration and Law at the University of Amsterdam, and gained his MBA from NIMBAS/the University of Bradford. After military service (graduate officer entry), he spent eight years in the railway freight industry. In 1998 he became a business consultant and worked for Berenschot Bank and IBM Business Consulting before joining Coebergh. He is a member of the Kluwer Communications Advisory Board and of the Netherlands Centre for Directors and Supervisory Directors. He is a referee at Corporate Governance - An International Review and a non-executive director at KWH quality-monitoring. Also he is a major at the Dutch Royal Landforces, functioning as communications advisor. As professional interim manager, he is registered at IM-register.

Piet Hein has published many books and articles. He is frequently invited to lecture on the topic of PR and about strategy communication in particular. This is also the topic of the doctoral thesis which he is soon to present to TiasNimbas/the University of Bradford.

Kiki Hirschfeldt (Hilversum, 1979) kiki@coebergh.nl
"I love the company of other people, both in my professional and in my private life. In my capacity as Operational Director, I oversee a team of committed colleagues. I can't think of anything I would rather be doing. People inspire me, and - even more - surprise me. No two days are the same; it helps me look at situations from different angles. There are
always different ways, and possibly even better ways, of doing something.”

Kiki studied Communication Science in Amsterdam before joining Coebergh Communicatie & PR in 2003. She became manager of the PR team in 2005, in 2008 she became part of the board of directors: “We aim to be on the forefront of new developments within our profession constantly. That particular drive makes working for our organisation very inspiring. This ambition combined with a result-oriented mentality fits me like a glove.”

In addition to her skills as a PR advisor, Kiki is trained as a mediator. “For good mediation in conflicts, an interest in people and their stories is essential. The resolution of a conflict starts with the establishment and optimisation of communication between the parties involved - a significant point where PR and mediation meet. As a professional, I can combine the knowledge and experience from both disciplines.”

Outside working hours, Kiki devotes much of her time to www.sinterklaasbestaat.nl ('Sinterklaas exists'), an organisation which she co-founded. It arranges parties during the Dutch annual children's holiday of Sinterklaas for hundreds of children in the Netherlands who might otherwise miss out on the human warmth and presents.

PARTNERS

Arabella Coebergh (Haarlem, 1971) arabella@coebergh.nl
Having studied Communication, Arabella gained valuable work experience with the Land van Ooit theme park, Disneyland Paris, Schreiner & Van Bokkel Media Consultancy and the events organizers IWP. She joined the team at Coebergh Communicatie & PR in 2000, becoming a Partner in 2006. Her social talents are famous. Nothing gives her more pleasure than producing a stunning and highly successful publication for one of her clients. Since 2007, she has been actively involved on the board of Stichting Diabetes Onderzoek Nederland (DON, Netherlands Diabetes Research Foundation).

Marie-Claire Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (The Hague, 1970) marieclaire@coebergh.nlMarie-Claire studied French Language and Literature in Leiden. She has worked for The Hague Marketing, the Netherlands Board of Tourism in London, real estate advisors Cushman & Wakefield, the European start-up internet site Pharmaplaza.com and Spice PR. She joined Coebergh Communicatie & PR in 2002 and became a Partner in 2006. Her versatility is notorious. Like a true chameleon, she combines her work effortlessly with her social engagements, without losing sight of her principles. Since 2009 Marie-Claire is a board member of Vereniging het Verschil.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Reinier Hillen (Laren, 1980) reinier@coebergh.nl
Took great joy in studying Communication at the Hogeschool InHolland. Worked as a PR professional for three years, specialising in business events. Is an asset to the Coebergh business services team since 2008 working on accounts such as Regus, TiasNimbas and Valad. In his own time Reinier plays field hockey fanatically en enjoys a good motorcycle ride. Enacted his international lifestyle by temporarily living in Spain and France and travelling through Ecuador for some months. Which, by the way, was not by motorcycle but by bus...

Floortje Muskens (Nijmegen, 1978) floortje@coebergh.nl
Studied Information and Communication Science at the University of Tilburg. At Inc 21, part of the international BBDO network, she developed marketing strategies for various B2B clients in the field of internal, external and HRM communications. It was here that she discovered the versatility of the agency world. “At first sight you would say that PR is very different to advertising. But the objective of these two branches is exactly the same: creating a strong, successful brand.” At Coebergh she is responsible for the beauty & haircare account of Proctor & Gamble. A great deal of Floortjes spare time is dedicated to Laluz, a charity organisation that recruits young professionals for non-profit and charity projects.

Marleen Smit (Zeist, 1985) marleen@coebergh.nl
Studied History at the University of Leiden. Lived in Paris and Oxford while completing her master's degree in European History. Developed her communication skills during a student ambassadorship for her university. Marleen confirmed and cultivated her passion for PR during an internship at Coebergh Communicatie & PR and was glad to return after graduating in 2008. Her portfolio consists of diverse clients among which YouMedical and Nestlé Professional. In addition, she is fascinated by the world of historic cartography. She regularly gives lectures at international symposia and contributes articles to various journals and magazines.

Sjoerd van Sprang (Leiderdorp, 1978) sjoerd@coebergh.nl
Has been employed at Coebergh Communicatie & PR since 2006. Completed his master's degree in Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam. Sjoerd attaches great importance to ethical, responsible business practices, as reflected by the choice of his thesis topic: Corporate Social Responsibility. Takes great joy in managing the business sevices division (since 2009) and his work for TiasNimbas Business School, Valad, PCM Media and Annexum. "Especially in these turbulent times, PR is an ideal and cost-effective way to add marketing value. I am humbled to be involved in such a meaningful enterprise." Apart from this daily dose of challenges, he can find plenty of people at Coebergh to share his other great interest: good, honest cooking.

CONSUMER SERVICES

Aline de Hoop (The Hague, 1983) aline@coebergh.nl
Finished her degree in Sociology (Employment, Organisation and Policy) at the University of Amsterdam in 2007. Her past PR activities mainly took place exclusive of her studies. She was an active member of her sorority's PR committee and pioneered for a start-up developing the PR campaign. After a valuable period as Business Analist at Deloitte she returned to her passion for PR at Coebergh and works dedicately for projects like Nestlé Dolce Dolce Gusto, ARTE en Kosta Boda.


Emilie Milders (The Hague, 1981) emilie@coebergh.nl
Has been working for Coebergh Communicatie & PR since 2006, since 2009 as manager Consumer Services. Studied Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam, completing her graduation project with the creative marketing bureau Beagle about the customer orientation among Dutch marketeers in the FMCG sector. Emilie has a particularly international background, having lived and studied in no fewer than five countries. She therefore offers great added value in terms of our international accounts. Moreover, her feel for trends and market developments, her well-developed social skills, sharp analysis and diplomatic thoroughness make her a perfect sparring-partner to clients.

Marieke Visser (Drachten, 1984) marieke@coebergh.nl
Marieke studied Communication in Groningen and started her career at Coebergh Communication & PR as an intern. After graduating she quickly got a position at a student employment agency, but when Coebergh Communications & PR asked her to join the team again, she did not hesitate for long. Since august 2007 she works as a PR consultant for clients such as Studentenwerk, Canal Company, Reypenaer and Flexmoeders. This need for variety and challenge is reflected in her favourite sports: snowboarding, kite surfing and as captain of a ladies football team.


MEDIA PRINT & ONLINE

Leroy Aznam (The Hague, 1983) leroy@coebergh.nl
Studied Marketing in Arnhem, completed his last year internship at Coebergh Communicatie & PR and decided to stay. Since mid 2008 he supports the B2B team and focuses on the development of online PR as a full-fledged part of the communications strategy. He engages his web expertise in the online component of diverse PR projects and he is also an active member of several online communities. Leroy maintains blogs on Dutch Cowboys, Spotlight Effect and Styletoday, and he is also very active on Twitter. In his own time Leroy is a passionate fan of soul and hip hop and also the best person to ask about the latest fashion trends. But then again Leroy can also be found on stage as a warrior, performing the North-Sulawesi ritual dance.

Maurice Seleky (Utrecht, 1982) maurice@coebergh.nl
Maurice has been working at Coebergh Communicatie & PR since August 2009. He graduated from the University of Amsterdam in Dutch Law and gained a foundation course diploma at the Netherlands Film and Television Academy. He also took part in the BKB Academy, a series of intensive workshops on politics, media strategy and campaign development organised by the campaign bureau Booij, Klusman & Van Bruggen. Maurice spent five years working as a freelance journalist for Folia, the weekly journal of the University of Amsterdam. His vocational experience also includes work as the PR coordinator of Stichting happyChaos, as the editor of the legal faculty journal Alibi and as a columnist for the radio station Amsterdam FM. Besides his activities for Coebergh Communicatie & PR, Maurice is working on his debut novel which is due to be published by Ambo-Anthos in 2010.

OFFICE MANAGER

Nadja Izaack (Amsterdam, 1986) nadja@coebergh.nl
After her studies in social pedagogy Nadja worked as a nanny for four years. Little children grow up though...which is why she enthusiastically dedicates her organisational skills to a group of motivated colleagues. Her social and cheerful nature is a welcome asset to the team of Coebergh Communicatie & PR. Another great benefit is her inherent inclination towards a tidy environment for work and life. While snowboarding, visiting cabaret shows, travelling and listening to jazz music she finds relaxation after her day job.