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Marc Walder
CEO and Managing Partner Ringier AG I Founder digitalswitzerland
Professional Background
Marc Walder is a distinguished entrepreneurial leader serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Ringier AG, a prominent Swiss media company with a diverse portfolio operating across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Marc has taken on various significant roles, including key positions as Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors across multiple organizations, demonstrating his versatility in leadership and governance.
Throughout his career, Marc has showcased a keen commitment to innovation in the media landscape. Under his exceptional leadership, Ringier AG has undergone significant digital transformation, enabling the company to thrive in the ever-evolving media environment. With his strategic vision, he has steered the company toward embracing digitalization, resulting in over 72% of its operating profit coming from digital revenue streams. This achievement highlights his forward-thinking approach and expertise in navigating the complexities of the digital marketplace.
Marc is not only a trailblazer at Ringier AG but also a pivotal figure in numerous high-level advisory groups. He is a Member of the Advisory Council on Digital Transformation of the Swiss Federal Council, contributing his insights on the intersection of technology, media, and society. Furthermore, as the founder of the "digitalswitzerland" initiative, he actively promotes the growth of the digital ecosystem in Switzerland, advocating for a future where the country fully embraces the opportunities presented by digital advancements. In his role as a Member of the Executive Advisory Board of WORLD.MINDS, he continues to influence thought leadership in digital innovation and transformation.
Education and Achievements
Marc Walder's educational background has laid the foundation for his successful career in the media industry. He studied at the Ringier School of Journalism, where he honed his understanding of storytelling, media ethics, and journalistic integrity—skills that have served him well as he ascends the ranks in media leadership.
Notably, Marc also completed the Advanced Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School. This prestigious program provided him with advanced insights into management strategies and leadership principles, which he implements in his role at Ringier AG. Such elite educational experiences not only underscore Marc's commitment to lifelong learning but also position him as a leader adept at applying contemporary business practices to media operations.
Throughout his career trajectory, Marc Walder has held several editorial positions that have significantly contributed to his understanding of media from various vantage points. He served as Editor-in-Chief of prominent publications, including Sonntagsblick and Schweizer Illustriert, where he honed his editorial leadership and nurtured a keen editorial sensibility—an experience that influences his strategic direction for Ringier AG today. Additionally, as Director of the Blick-Group, he played a crucial role in shaping the voice of one of Switzerland's leading media groups.
Moreover, prior to his media career, Marc was a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour, showcasing his competitive spirit and resilience—qualities that have undoubtedly aided his leadership style in the corporate world.
Achievements
Marc Walder's accomplishments as a visionary leader and media executive are numerous. Under his stewardship, Ringier AG continues to thrive as a quintessential example of a modern media company that successfully blends tradition with innovation.
His efforts in spearheading digital strategies have facilitated Ringier's expansion into various sectors, including digital media, e-commerce, ticketing, and entertainment, ensuring the company's adaptability to changing consumer behaviors and preferences. The remarkable financial achievement of generating nearly 1 billion CHF in revenue underscores Marc's impact on the company's growth trajectory.
Recognized as a leader in digital transformation, Marc's influence extends beyond Ringier AG. His role in the "digitalswitzerland" initiative fosters collaboration among industries and promotes fruitful dialogues regarding digital innovation, thereby positioning Switzerland as a leader in the digital age. This initiative is instrumental in advancing Switzerland’s digital infrastructure, facilitating growth, and preparing future generations for a digital economy.
In addition, Marc's participation in the Executive Advisory Board of WORLD.MINDS allows him to engage with global thought leaders and visionaries, promoting sustainable solutions for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Marc Walder's exceptional achievements and relentless pursuit of innovation exemplify a leadership philosophy centered on adaptability, strategic foresight, and a commitment to empowering others in the digital space.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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