Bob van der Lee

CEO & Co-Founder Marcus | The first fully AI-driven in-house marketing agency | Founder & CEO Brand Catalyst

Heemskerk, North Holland, Netherlands

About

My mission is simple: to empower companies to embrace the future of branding and marketing, where creativity, strategy, and AI come together to drive real impact. I believe we’re not living in an era of change, but in the change of an era. For over 25 years I’ve helped brands like Heineken, KLM, ING, and LG find their voice, sharpen their strategy, and grow through creativity and relevance. My journey as CEO of leading agencies such as VBAT and Total Design taught me one thing: the traditional agency model is running out of road. That’s why I co-founded Marcus. The world’s first fully AI-driven in-house marketing agency. Marcus replaces outdated structures with Branded AI Agents: intelligent, always-on systems that work directly from a brand’s DNA. No overhead, no inefficiency, just consistent, creative, and effective marketing at scale. Alongside this, I run my own brand consultancy on positioning & profiling and leverage my expertise as an Associate Partner at Prospex. Last but not least as a board advisor at Inholland University of Applied Sciences.

Experience

  • CEO & Co-Founder Marcus at Marcus
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    MEET MARCUS: YOUR BRANDED MARKETING AGENT Your private dedicated in-house Agency Imagine your best team mates are smarter every week, 24/7 available, always knowledegable and energetic. Imagine a world-class agency embedded within your organization, without the hefty payroll, agency overhead, or inefficiencies. Not a collection of disconnected AI tools, but a team of fully branded AI Agents, one that understands your brand as deeply as a seasoned strategist, a creative director, and a data analyst combined.

  • CEO & Founder Brand Catalyst - Branding agency at Brand Catalyst
    May 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 2 mos

    Brand Consultancy Brand Strategy Brand Design Brand Management Brand Campaigns

  • CEO/Managing director at Brandnew - brand designers
    Jan 2021 - Sep 2023 · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • CMO a.i. at Aldiana GmbH
    Jun 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Interim marketing management for Aldiana Club Resorts, overall responsible for integral approach to market from strategy to local implementation in the clubs. Build a premium brand and create market presence and sales.

  • CEO/Managing Partner at Total Design
    Jan 2009 - Jun 2018 · 9 yrs 6 mos

    Recent and past experience; Utilities; Essent, KEMA, Nuon, PWN, Powel Transport; KLM, NS, Prorail, Stern, Schiphol Healthcare; Sanquin, Vatech, OPG, Isotis FMCG; Lays, Amstel, Heineken, Royal Wessanen Finance; ING, SNS, Interpolis, Nationale Nederlanden Agriculture; Royal Flora Holland, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Floriade, CRV Media/publishing; NPO, United, FD, BNR, Sky Radio Education; TU Eindhoven, VU, Aeres, NCOI, HU Publishing; Noordhoff Uitgevers, VNU Media, VROM Manufacturing; Vaillant, Forbo, Royal Boom Edam, Royal Ahrend, Knipex ICT; Atos, Ordina, Cegeka, Oce