Hannes Gärtner

Brand-led Growth & Business Transformation I Head of Clients & Management Board at MetaDesign (Publicis Groupe)

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About

Connecting brand, commercial focus, and organizational clarity to drive growth. I believe brand creates the most value when it helps guide decisions and becomes part of how an organization operates — not just how it communicates. With more than 15 years of leadership experience, I work at the intersection of strategy, business performance, and team development. As Head of Clients and Member of the Management Board at MetaDesign (Publicis Groupe), I am responsible for commercial performance and the development of the client and growth organization – translating strategic ambition into measurable results.

Experience

  • Head of Clients & Member of the Management Board at MetaDesign
    Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Board-level responsibility for commercial performance, organizational transformation, and strategic evolution of the client and growth function. • Leading full P&L accountability and commercial performance management • Redesigning the organizational model to strengthen scalability, clarity, and margin discipline • Evolving pricing strategy and value-based positioning to future-proof the business model • Optimizing workflows and operating structures, including AI-enabled efficiency initiatives • Advising international key accounts on brand-led growth and transformation agendas • Co-developing new service and product offerings to expand commercial impact • Driving capability development and structural evolution of the Client Management function • Active member of the AI Foundry, shaping the integration of AI into processes and value creation

  • Business Unit Lead & Member of the Management Board at TLGG
    Jan 2019 - Dec 2022 · 4 yrs

    Led TLGG’s largest business unit with responsibility for commercial performance, team leadership, and cross-functional client delivery across brand, content, social, and digital marketing. • Held full P&L responsibility and drove business growth in line with client and company objectives • Led and developed a cross-functional team of 40 • Built integrated marketing approaches across paid, owned, and earned channels, connecting brand relevance with measurable business impact • Drove organizational and cultural change to improve performance, delivery quality, long-term client partnerships and business development • Advised senior clients on brand, marketing, and transformation topics in close alignment with business priorities

  • Strategy Director & Office Co-Lead (C3 Prague) at C3 Creative Code and Content s.r.o.
    Jan 2017 - Dec 2018 · 2 yrs

    Built and scaled C3’s Prague office into a profitable international growth unit, combining strategy leadership, business development, and cross-functional team building. • Built the office as a strategic hub for international client work and business growth • Scaled the team from 5 to 18 within 18 months and strengthened collaboration across strategy, creative, and client service • Reached profitability within 4 months, setting a new performance benchmark within the network • Advised senior clients on brand, content, and marketing strategies with a clear focus on business impact • Integrated data-informed planning into brand development and campaign strategy across markets

  • Senior Strategist at C3 Creative Code and Content GmbH
    Apr 2015 - Jan 2017 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Played a key role in growing the strategy function and building early data and performance capabilities at C3, helping connect brand, content, and measurable marketing impact. • Helped grow the strategy department and co-built a data and performance team • Led major strategy and marketing projects with end-to-end ownership from framing to delivery • Developed integrated marketing and communication strategies aligned with client business goals • Worked across strategy, creative, and client teams to turn insights into clear, actionable programs

  • Senior Digital Strategist at TLGG
    Sep 2013 - Mar 2015 · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Developed and implemented digital and creative strategies to accelerate brand transformation • Designed and facilitated workshops to build digital and social capabilities within client organizations • Translated insights and cultural trends into actionable brand communication strategies • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to align creative, strategic, and business objectives