Before founding PilonPR, I built and shaped the North American communications function for Kiekert, working as Global Spokesperson and leading communications across regions. That experience still defines how I work today because the patterns are consistent. You don’t “launch” communications in the U.S. You build a function. And that requires a different mindset than many German companies expect. Here’s what matters most: 1️⃣ Structure comes before visibility.  Before press re

As CES comes to a close, the focus of the automotive industry shifts - once again - to Detroit. Every January, this transition matters. CES sets the tone: technology, software, AI, partnerships, future intent. It’s where direction is signaled. Then comes the North American International Auto Show. Detroit is where narratives are anchored - in products, leadership presence and market relevance. It's less about concepts, more about credibility. Despite frequent debates about th

The new year often comes with pressure to announce goals. I’m taking a different approach in 2026. As CEO of PilonPR, I enter the year with a simple conviction: growth doesn’t stall because companies lack ambition. It stalls because leadership lacks clarity: • Clarity about what matters now. • Clarity about what can wait. • Clarity about how leadership shows up across markets. After a year balancing growth, family and building PilonPR across cultures, my focus in 2026 is simp

Leadership across markets requires more than speed. It requires clarity. Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, I’ve learned that perspective is essential to good leadership. The days between years are one of the few moments I intentionally step back, not to disconnect, but to recalibrate. Because clear narratives, confident decisions and credible leadership don’t emerge under constant motion. 2026 will demand focus, courage and alignment - especially for companies oper

2025 was a year of  #clarity . Clarity about what companies need in North America. Clarity about how quickly communication must move. And clarity about the power of strong narratives in an industry transforming at full speed. 2025 also made one thing unmistakably clear: Companies no longer have the luxury to wait. Not on visibility, not on narrative, not on leadership presence. Across the work with German automotive and tech companies this year, three themes stood out: 1️⃣ En

One of the questions I hear most often from companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market is: “Should we invest in paid articles?” It’s a fair question. Paid formats - sponsored posts, native ads, partner articles or editorial-style advertorials - are becoming more common on both sides of the Atlantic. They can be useful. But only when they’re part of a broader communication strategy. Here’s what I tell them: 1️⃣ Paid content does not replace earned media. Journalists tr

2025 was a year of  #clarity . Clarity about what companies need in North America. Clarity about how quickly communication must move. And clarity about the power of strong narratives in an industry transforming at full speed. 2025 also made one thing unmistakably clear: Companies no longer have the luxury to wait. Not on visibility, not on narrative, not on leadership presence. Across the work with German automotive and tech companies this year, three themes stood out: 1️⃣ En

A couple of years ago, I met a German automotive tech supplier. Brilliant engineering, strong innovation - yet almost invisible in the U.S. market. They relied on PDFs, trade booths and hope. Then we tried something different:  #speakeropportunities . We secured panels at mobility-focused stages. The impact was immediate: ✨ Credibility accelerated - analysts, journalists and OEM partners suddenly knew who they were. ✨ Conversations began through dialogue - Q&As became relatio

Working with global  #automotivesuppliers  has taught me one thing: the U.S. media landscape is a world of its own. Yet even strong, innovative companies struggle to get meaningful visibility because of a few avoidable mistakes: 1️⃣ No U.S.-ready  #presskit : Many teams rely on internal PowerPoints or German-focused PDFs. But U.S. journalists need clear messaging, product facts, leadership bios and visuals - instantly and in one place.  2️⃣ Unclear  #spokesperson  strategy: R

The end of a business year is never just a calendar milestone. It is a mirror. Many companies I speak with - particularly those operating between Germany and the U.S. - are entering 2026 with a familiar pattern: ✔ strong products, ✔ real customer traction, ✔ impressive engineering capability, …but a level of market  #visibility  that doesn’t reflect their true  #value . What fascinates me is this transatlantic contrast: In  #Germany , excellence is assumed to announce itself.

When I first moved from Germany to Detroit, I expected to find a different business culture — but I didn’t realize how different it would feel. In  #Germany ,  #communication  often starts with facts, structure and precision. We plan carefully, document thoroughly and build trust through consistency and performance. Every statement is backed by data. Every promise, delivered with care. In the  #US , the rhythm is completely different. People lead with energy and possibility.

At home, our two little ones (2️⃣ & 4️⃣) switch effortlessly between  #German  and  #English  — sometimes in the same sentence.  💡To them, it’s natural. To me, it’s a daily reminder of what true  #communication  across  #cultures  looks like: They don’t translate — they  #connect . They don’t overthink tone — they  #adapt . And somehow, both sides of their world make perfect sense together. 🌍 That same ability to bridge worlds is something I also value deeply in my professi

For many  #transatlantic  businesses,  #marketing  &  #PR  are often treated as afterthoughts — something to “add later” once operations are running smoothly.  📣 But here’s the truth: Entering a new market without a clear marketing communications strategy is like showing up to a meeting without introducing yourself. If your  #audience  doesn’t understand who you are, why you’re here and what sets you apart — you’re  #invisible .  I’ve seen it firsthand: German businesses exp

Every year, #TheBattery Show  in  #Novi , Michigan feels like more than just a trade fair — it’s a snapshot of where the  #future  of  #mobility  is heading.  This year, one message was clear:  🚀  #Innovation  knows no borders —  #collaboration  makes it powerful. Here are a few  #trends  that stood out to me: 🔋 1. Europe meets America in  #electrification . #German  and European  #suppliers  are bringing precision engineering, while  #US  players are driving speed and scal

People often ask me what it’s really like to run a  #transatlantic PR  and  #marketing #agency . The short answer? Every day feels like a  #bridge  — between  #Germany  and the  #USA , engineering and emotion, strategy and creativity. At  #PilonPR , our work doesn’t start with press releases or campaigns. It starts with listening. We sit down with clients — sometimes a German  #automotive   #supplier  expanding to  #Detroit , sometimes a U.S.  #tech   #startup  eyeing Munich

Looking back on my  #journey  — from studying and working in  #Germany , earning my  #MBA  at Steinbeis University Berlin, leading global...

My career has taken me from  #Germany  to  #China , across  #Europe  to the  #USA  and  #Mexico  — working with global  #automotive  brands, innovative  #tech  companies and ambitious  #startups . Every market taught me something new about  #people culture  and the power of  #marketing  and  #communication . One thing has become clear: great marketing and communication is never just about campaigns — it’s about human  #connection . Here are the  #lessons  that continue to gui

Every brand has a story - but telling it across cultures isn’t always easy. That’s why I started PilonPR. I saw too many companies struggle to communicate effectively between Germany and the U.S. It’s not just about translating words - it’s about understanding culture, tone and what truly resonates in each market. At PilonPR, we combine PR and marketing strategies  to help brands share their stories authentically and strategically, making an impact on both sides of the Atlant