push boundaries
Our fleet of image traders & industry experts
01.
Stef van der Velde
Founder
02.
Bert Groenendijk
Founder | CEO
MALAGA – After completing my studies in marketing & economics in the late 1990s, I started as a marketing manager at Image Traders International, where Stef hired me. Stef and I have been working together ever since. Over the past 25 years I have gained knowledge and expertise in all facets of the trading industry, like production, import, distribution, marketing and branding. We have now built up Image Traders together with an international team of professionals, ready to sail the blue oceans.
03.
Dale Owen
Industry expert | Africa, Global
CAPE TOWN & AMSTERDAM – I started off in the promotional industry back in 2010, after completing my postgraduate degree in Marketing Management at the University of Cape Town. During the past 13 years, I have worked in all facets of the branding & promotional industry with experience across multiple continents; from building brands in Africa to sourcing in both Asia and Europe, giving me a global understanding of the branding landscape. I look forward to the next chapter with Image Traders, focusing on developing products, brands, and concepts.
04.
Pedro Sousa
Brand Director
AMSTERDAM – I graduated in industrial design and started my first business early on designing and manufacturing bags and backpacks. It was during this time that I developed my passion for branding. I moved to the Netherlands and started working with clients and companies, mostly in the SaaS (Software as a Service) market, accumulating knowledge on how to create and run a brand from scratch. With Image traders, I re-entered the consumer goods market with PAZ.
05.
Cristina Danila
Fractional CMO
AMSTERDAM – We have to get away from the traditional marketing approach – there are better ways for brands to connect with their consumers. And I am on a mission to guide brands to create strong and honest connections – with consumers, employees, partners and prospects. I have more than 13 years of experience shaping corporate narratives, serving a global audience in both B2C and B2B, in industries ranging from enterprise software, fintech, mobile technology and consultancy. My work touches every aspect of marketing, from launching a global branding strategy, executing a torrid schedule of events to restructuring online marketing campaigns, and ad buys.
06.
Benedicte Meyer
CPC & Social Media expert
MALAGA – I am a results-driven marketing professional with a passion for helping businesses reach their full potential. Working with SMEs across Europe and the US I design data-driven marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences and drive exponential growth. Backed by two MSc degrees in International Business & Economic Marketing and a wealth of knowledge from marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship courses I bring a unique combination of business acumen and marketing expertise to the table. I am passionate about helping our clients achieve their business goals and committed to providing the highest level of professionalism and support.
07.
Olaf Fischer
Captain DACH | Germany, Swiss, Austria
HANNOVER – for over 20 years I am active in the FMCG and promotional products market. Since the beginning of my carreer, I was always passionate for sales & marketing. During the past years I worked in different companies and positions in the international retail market and the promotional items market. Before starting my own business in 2020 I worked as managing director of Giving Europe in Germany. For Image Traders I am taking care of the markets in Germany, Austria & Switzerland together with Björn.
08.
Björn Borchert
Captain DACH | Germany, Swiss, Austria
BREMEN – after finishing my master degree in 2018, I started to work in the promotional products market. In the beginning of my carreer I worked as key-account manager at Giving Europe. In 2020 I started my own business together with Olaf. During the past years I succeded to develop the market continuously. At Image Traders I am taking care for Germany, Austria & Switzerland.
09.
Mark Spits
Industry expert | Spain, Portugal & Italy
VALENCIA – Since 1991 I have been active in sales, in the world of promotional products, advising and creating international connections between companies from China and Europe. From 2002 until 2012 I joined the team of Giving Europe as area manager for Spain and Portugal. A professional experience that has created a long-lasting relationship on both professional and private level with the other members of the Image Traders company. For Image Traders I am responsible for Spain, Portugal and Italy
10.
Robert Kolzer
Industry expert | Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia
BRATISLAVA – In 2001 I started in the promotional industry. For more than 22 years I have worked for companies that are specialized in promotional textiles and promotional items. I speak 6 different languages and my main markets are Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia. For Image Traders I operate from Bratislava and I am responsible for the sales and development of our brand portfolio.
11.
Harith el Jilali
Entertainment Industry Liaison
AMSTERDAM – I am an experienced entrepreneur in the entertainment industry. Successful with my first company called “Festo Entertainment”, managing big national and international events. I started an unique entertainment company called Steel Entertainment Group which provides music artists an unique, so called, “360 platform” which builds the artists a steady career. Everything with the same mindset, creating artists, brands and lifestyles.
12.
Antony Haynes
Broadcast Media Industry Liaison | Global
AMSTERDAM – Award Winning TV/Film Producer, Entertainment Executive, Creative, Passionate, Music, Manager, Product Developer, A&R, Concept/Content Creator, TV format Creator, great communicator with over 25+ years experience in the Fields of Broadcast Media, Music, Entertainment and fashion. I love working with people and thinking outside of the Box! Product Development, A&R, Marketing, Event production, Music, and content production.
13.
Maarten Elfrink
Head of Global Marketplaces
ENSCHEDE – As the Head of Global Market Places, I am a highly passionate
and results-driven marketer with a solid educational background in Marketing and Communication. With my expertise in online marketing strategies, website development, and automation planning, I am dedicated to optimizing conversion rates and achieving outstanding outcomes. My unwavering commitment and extensive knowledge position me to excel in the ever-evolving realm of marketing.
14.
David-John van den Heerik
Chief Growth Officer (CGO)
MALAGA – With over 20 years of experience in Sales, Business Development, and Sales Leadership in the IT industry across EMEA, I am applying my extensive experience to the promotional industry with Image Traders, catering to both B2B and B2C segments. I possess a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for diverse clients across various sectors. By leveraging my expertise in business development strategies, I identify untapped markets and craft bespoke solutions tailored to each client’s individual requirements.
What we do
How we do it
Our core business is the development of Brands and Product Media Concepts which can be used in the BTB- and/or BTC markets. What applies to our entire portfolio, is that we manage the complete supply chain ourselves: From creation and production to compliance, fulfilment and distribution. As a result, we have established an independent and strong market position.
Our complete portfolio can be 100% tailored and customized to your wishes.
Sailing the blue oceans with our brands
We love what we do
We have fire in our bellies. Life is too short to settle for the ordinary, so we commit to doing something singular, something unexpected. Something no one else has done or dared to do. We are passionate about our company and its succces. We are committed to our customers, our teams, our suppliers, to each other and the planet.
We are open about why, how and what we are and how we do it. We have nothing to hide. We want to take openness and transparency to the next level because we believe in it. We show up as real, vulnerable, transparent human beings who speak from the heart, value others’ contributions, and invest in each other’s growth.
With love,