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Melle Van den Berg
Director and consultant
Melle van den Berg is a prominent figure in the Dutch media landscape, known primarily as the founder and director of De Speld, a leading satirical news website in the Netherlands. Launched in 2007, De Speld is often compared to The Onion for its humorous take on current events, producing articles and videos that parody traditional news formats.12
Background and Career
Melle van den Berg is currently 28 years old and has a background in public security consulting. He dedicates much of his free time to managing De Speld, where he has played a crucial role in its development and success.1 Prior to his work with De Speld, he was involved in organizing film festivals and served as the manager of the oldest art house cinema in the Netherlands.1
Achievements of De Speld
Under Melle's leadership, De Speld has gained significant recognition, including being named the "most viral website" in the Netherlands during 2014 and 2015. The site has also won awards such as the People's Lovie Award for Best Writing in 2016, defeating major publications like The Guardian and Vice.2
Current Roles
In addition to his work at De Speld, Melle van den Berg serves as a Data Protection Officer at Rapid Circle, where he applies his expertise in cybersecurity and data protection.34 His professional profile highlights a strong academic background in political science and administration, complemented by extensive practical experience in security management.
Overall, Melle van den Berg stands out as an influential entrepreneur in satire and media, contributing significantly to both cultural commentary and discussions around data privacy.