Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Axel J. Schafmeister

Axel J. Schafmeister

Zurich,ZH

Summary

Corporate Communications Specialist and Media Relations Expert experienced in in-house leadership roles as well as in managing international PR agency. Proven writing skills ranging from press releases to speeches for CEOs and Board Chairmen. Expert in turning complex technology topics into plain language and stories that are understood by non-experts and appeal to mainstream media and the greater public.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Director Global Communication Strategies

Shepard Fox Communications LLC
10.2008 - Current

- Consulting corporate communications teams as well as C-suite leaders on communication strategies

- Managing international media relations & PR projects spanning 20+ countries across Europe, Asia, Americas, leading global team of 40 PR managers

- Communications & Content strategy development for international clients, mostly technology companies

- Managing multi-language and multi-channel content development

- Overseeing international execution of media relations & PR campaigns

- Media Trainer: training top executives in dealing with media and the public

- Managing Director


Director Global Public Relations & Spokesperson

Adecco Group
01.2005 - 09.2008

- Corporate Spokesperson of Adecco Group, world market leader in HR Services & Staffing

- Direct report to executive board

- In charge of all CEO and C-Suite communications

- In charge of global PR and media strategy and implementation across 50 countries

- In charge of financial communications (quarterly results, full year results, annual general meeting) as required by regulators of the four stock exchanges Adecco was listed on (Zurich, Paris, London, NY)

Head of Global Media Relations & Spokesperson

Siemens AG
09.1996 - 01.2005

- Corporate Spokesperson of leading German technology group

- Speaking on corporate topics as well as product-related topics of mobile communications group

- In charge of executive communications incl. CEO positioning

- Leading in-house press team of 18 press managers, covering all media genres, from business and trade to life-style

- Leading external agencies, managing budgets

- In charge of developing and implementing global PR and media strategies across 70 markets

Education

Master of Science - Economics

University of Tubingen
Tubingen, Germany
07.1993

Master of Science - Business Administration

State University of New York SUNY
Stony Brook
09.1990

Skills

  • Global Communications Strategy Development and Execution
  • Recruiting and leading International Teams
  • International Project Management & Coordination
  • Content Development: Turning complex tech topics into plain language and stories that make the news
  • Budget control
  • Client relationship management

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Advanced (C1)

Timeline

Director Global Communication Strategies

Shepard Fox Communications LLC
10.2008 - Current

Director Global Public Relations & Spokesperson

Adecco Group
01.2005 - 09.2008

Head of Global Media Relations & Spokesperson

Siemens AG
09.1996 - 01.2005

Master of Science - Economics

University of Tubingen

Master of Science - Business Administration

State University of New York SUNY
Axel J. Schafmeister