One thing I learned quickly after moving from Germany to Detroit: #PlantVisits  here are not just tours — they’re  #storytelling  moments. In the U.S.  #automotive  ecosystem, a factory floor is more than machines and processes. It’s where credibility is built, where innovation becomes tangible and where journalists decide whether your  #story  is worth telling. Here’s what I’ve seen work — again and again: 1️⃣ Lead with the  #story , not the steel: Detroit reporters don’t ge

In the world of  #technology  and  #mobility , many companies still believe: “If the product is good, the market will notice.” But that rarely happens. Technology doesn’t win because it’s superior — it wins because it’s understood. What I see again and again in 20+ years of communications: Companies invest millions into development, but only a fraction into  #positioning  and  #visibility . And then they wonder why competitors with weaker solutions are louder, more present —

When I founded #PilonPR , it wasn’t just about starting a business — it was about continuing a journey. A journey that began in Germany and found its purpose in #Detroit  — at the crossroads of automotive, technology and innovation. After more than 20 years in international #communications , working across #Germany  and #NorthAmerica , I saw the same pattern again and again: Great companies with great technology — but struggling to tell their story across cultures. That’s why

I used to think  #sustainability  was only about CO₂, batteries and materials — about the next regulation, the next certification. But after working with so many passionate teams in the  #automotive  and tech world — engineers, designers, marketers, communicators — I’ve learned it’s also about  #people . How we build, lead and communicate. Because sustainability isn’t only in the products we create — it’s in the culture we create around them. It’s in the way a company treats

Every day, we see companies trying to be heard: louder campaigns, flashier slogans, bigger promises. But noise isn’t the same as  #impact  and  #visibility   alone doesn’t create  #trust . The  #brands  that truly make a difference are the ones that communicate with intention — that pause before they speak, that listen before they answer, that focus not just on what they sell, but on what they stand for. Especially in the  #automotive  and  #mobility  world, where innovation

For decades,  #success  in the  #automotiveindustry  was measured in numbers —  #horsepower ,  #productionvolume ,  #efficiency . We celebrated speed, precision and power. Today, success looks different. It’s no longer just about how fast we move, but about how meaningfully we  #connect  — with customers, technology and society. 💡  #Innovation  that’s human:  #Technology  that solves real problems and builds  #trust . 🌿  #Progress  that’s  #sustainable :  #Responsibility  i

One of my favorite parts of working in #marketingcommunications is helping #innovators tell their #story — not just through # features , but through # feelings. Recently, I spoke with a passionate team developing a smart Bluetooth solution for the #automotiveworld — technology built to solve a surprisingly simple, but universal pain: lost keys, lost time, lost trust. It’s a perfect reminder that #innovation doesn’t always start with something flashy. Sometimes, it begins with

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.

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

When  #German  companies enter the  #US  market, the biggest challenge often isn’t product quality — it’s  #communicationculture . German  #brands  are admired for precision, reliability and engineering excellence. In the US, business success often depends on connection, confidence and  #storytelling . Here are a few cultural pitfalls that can make or break your US market entry:  1️⃣ Logic over Emotion: German marketing: “Here’s how it works.” US marketing: “Here’s why it mat

When people think about the  #automotiveindustry , they usually picture the big names — the  #OEMs  with their badges, commercials and global brands. But after spending two decades in this industry, one thing has always been clear to me: 👉 The real  #innovation  often happens behind the scenes — in the supplier network. #Suppliers  are the quiet force behind mobility. They invent, design, test and produce the technologies that make  #vehicles  safer, smarter and more sustain

Life rarely unfolds in straight lines. For me, the journey from  #Germany  to the  #US  was full of twists, challenges and unexpected blessings. 🌎 I was transferred from  #Kiekert  Germany to the  #US  to build a marketing and communications unit. It was a thrilling opportunity — but also a step into the unknown. New culture, new responsibilities and a lot of pressure to deliver. Every day was a lesson in  #resilience ,  #adaptability  and #leadership . Then my personal life

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

Many  #German  engineering and  #technology  companies focus heavily on features, specifications and performance metrics when communicating their innovations. But in the U.S. market,  #stories  resonate more than statistics. #Storytelling  makes complex products relatable, builds emotional  #connections  and shows the real-world  #impact  of technology — turning technical excellence into market  #relevance . 💡 3 Tips for Effective Storytelling in Technical  #Marketing :  1️⃣

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

When German companies enter the U.S. market, one of the biggest challenges is  #branding  and  #messaging . Many rely on the same...

Expanding between #Germany and the #US is not just about entering a new market - it’s about adapting your #businesscommunication style. The way companies present themselves, share information and build trust differs greatly on both sides of the Atlantic. In Germany, communication is direct, formal and precise. Business leaders value facts, structure, and thorough analysis. Meetings often go deep into details and decisions are made carefully, backed by reliable data. Trust is