Member Article

Social Chain Expands To Berlin, Hiring German MD

Manchester-based social media marketing agency, Social Chain has opened their first overseas office in Berlin to begin its expansion into the European market.

New hire, Matthias Schmid will oversee operations in Berlin in the role of Managing Director. Having attended Manchester Business School in 2013, Schmid and his team won first prize in the European final of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) International Business Plan Competition with their innovative caffeinated sweet Kaffeination, before progressing to the world finals. As former COO and CSO of German video marketing agency Videobeat Networks, Schmind has extensive experience in video and social media marketing, across both emerging and developed international markets. He will initially focus on business development and strategy to penetrate Germany and German speaking markets including Austria and Switzerland, being tasked with building a strong and dynamic team.

Social Chain has recently received an investment of $2 million from Georg Kofler, former CEO of German TV broadcasters ProSieben and Premiere (now Sky Deutschland). Kofler has built a media empire in Berlin with Def Media and talent management company NVC, giving Social Chain full access to their talent portfolio and assisting them with the move into Germany.

Steven Bartlett, co-founder and CEO of Social Chain said, “Matthias’s considerable experience in video and social media marketing, teamed with his international understanding across European markets attracted us to working together. Offering a new challenge outside of the UK, Berlin will be the first step of Social Chain’s international expansion”.

“Breaking into Germany will give us an insight into how the use of social media platforms differs across cultures. After establishing in Berlin, Matthias will seek to develop strong European connections, furthering Social Chain’s expansion”.

Matthias Schmid said, “After meeting with the Social Chain team in Manchester I’m feeling very excited about bringing their unique marketing approach to Mainland Europe, especially Germany. As a market, Germany presents a great opportunity for Social Chain. I believe we can bring something new to the way brands interact with consumers that has not been seen here before”.

Headquartered in Manchester, Social Chain have offices in London, Berlin and are currently looking at further expansion into the US market.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grace Hitchen Hilsley .