Benjamin Braun

Global Brand & Business Leader | Sports, Tech & Lifestyle | Driving Global Growth & Building Digital Sports Products and High-Performance Teams | ex-PUMA | ex-adidas

Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany

About

Passionate and hands-on business leader with 20 years of international experience across sports, lifestyle, and technology, focused on driving growth, scaling digital products, and leading change in global environments. Currently Chief Operating Officer of a sports technology company, Spinsight, accountable for operations, strategic execution, and commercial performance. I work across strategy, operations, product, brand, and go-to-market, turning vision and innovation into measurable business results. I have a strong track record in driving commercial growth and change, building and commercializing sports tech and data-driven digital products, and executing integrated go-to-market and brand strategies across Europe, the USA, Latin America, China, and Japan. I excel at identifying commercial levers, understanding consumers, and translating technology and innovation into scalable value. Known for leading teams from vision to execution, I focus on clear priorities, empowered people, and effective collaboration to deliver results in fast-moving, transformation-driven environments. Motivated by sustainable growth and positive impact, I am passionate about using sports, technology, and innovation to help build a healthier, more active world—while creating long-term business value. Business & Strategy • Business Development & Commercial Growth • Corporate & Go-to-Market Strategy • Strategic Planning & Execution • Change & Transformation Management Brand, Marketing & Product • Brand Building & Integrated Marketing • Sports Marketing & Asset Commercialization • Product & Category Management Leadership & Operations • Executive & Team Leadership • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Operational Excellence • Project & Portfolio Management Soft Skills (Refined & De-duplicated) • Global Mindset & Intercultural Leadership • Executive Communication & Storytelling • Stakeholder Management & Negotiation • Consumer & Customer-Centric Thinking • Results Orientation & Ownership • Organizational Agility & Collaboration

Experience

  • ESN Deutsche Tischtennis Technologie GmbH (Hofheim in Unterfranken, Bavaria, Germany)
    • Chief Operating Officer (ESN Digital Business Unit)
      Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 7 mos

    • Business Development Manager
      Jul 2020 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Responsibility for developing the conditions for future business growth. Accomplishments included: - Analysed company, market and customers - Defined company vision and strategy - Developed 5 years strategic roadmap - Created suitable business models - Defined product vision for own technology - Installed the legal foundation to grow from - Developed external business relationships - Drove the creation of a new brand identity - Created a marketing and go-to-market plan

  • Chief Operating Officer at Spinsight ESN Digital
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 7 mos

  • Senior Manager, Strategy & Head Office - BU Originals & Style at adidas
    Jul 2019 - Feb 2020 · 8 mos

    Strategy Head office management within adidas largest global business unit Originals & Style (Lifestyle & Fashion). Main responsibilities include: To ensure smooth head office operations via strong planning, project management and communication skills. To facilitate the alignment with key BU stakeholders (i.e. GM and Senior Leadership Team) and horizontal functions (Brand Strategy, Business Development, Digital, eCommerce, etc.) around strategic priorities.

  • PUMA Group (13 yrs)
    • Global Senior Manager, Business Development, Business Unit Teamsport
      Jun 2016 - Jun 2019 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Reporting into the global General Manager BU Teamsports (Football, Indoor, Cricket and Rugby). Leading category strategy, business development & Project management. Acting as Chief of Staff in the BU Head Office and managing the team assistant/operations staff. Main role is to build the strategic foundation for sustainable long-term and profitable business and brand growth, and to drive things forward. Close collaboration with affiliated functions (Strategy, GTM Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Business Solutions, etc.) and top markets and regions (i.e. USA, Japan, China, DACH, France, UK, Mexico). Related responsibilities and tasks cover: strategy creation and implementation, strategic planning, brand development, category management, strategic account planning, change management, project management, and operations (organizational set-up, budget, financial, etc.). Relocated to Germany to support the transition of the Business Unit to Germany.

    • Global Senior Manager, Business Development, Business Unit Teamsport
      Oct 2014 - May 2016 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Leading category strategy & business development reporting into the global General Manager BU Teamsports (Football, Indoor, Cricket and Rugby). Acting as Chief of Staff in the BU Head Office and managing the team assistant/operations staff. Main role is to build the strategic foundation for sustainable long-term and profitable business and brand growth, and to drive things forward. Close collaboration with affiliated functions (Strategy, GTM Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Business Solutions, etc.) and top markets and regions (i.e. USA, Japan, China, DACH, France, UK, Mexico). Related responsibilities and tasks cover: strategy creation and implementation, strategic planning, brand development, category management, strategic account planning, change management, project management, and operations (organizational set-up, budget, financial, etc.).

    • Global Business Development Manager, 2014 WORLD CUP
      Oct 2013 - Sep 2014 · 1 yr

      Reporting into the International Brand & Marketing Director (virtual Teamsport category leader). Responsible for the project leadership of PUMA's 2014 World Cup program in close collaboration with the brand Marketing team in Boston, the Business Unit Teamsport team based in Germany, and the host market team in Brazil. Purpose was to realize business unit growth for the Football category with the World Cup as strategic platform. Main responsibility include translation of the global guidance into strategic objectives, a roadmap, and a go-to-market commercialization plan for major brand assets (national teams & key players). Role include the alignment of activities across marketing and sales channels, and to drive the execution of plans while driving escalation and resolution of challenges to realize target achievement as much as needed.

  • Distribution/Brand Audit at PUMA Group
    Aug 2005 - Sep 2005 · 2 mos

    Assessing the qualitative distribution and brand footprint of licensees and distributor in the Far East region (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South-Korea). Tasked by the Board of Management, and presented results and recommendations for Actions directly to the Regional General Manager Asia Pacific.