Kingfluencers parts ways with its CEO

Yoeri Callebaut is no longer Managing Director of Kingfluencers. According to information from m&k the previous CEO and the Board of Directors of Kingfluencers had different views on how the Zurich agency should be successfully led into the future, both strategically and operationally. This is confirmed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kingfluencers, Roman Gertsch: "As the attempts of both sides to convince the other party of the respective approach were not successful, we have jointly come to the conclusion that further cooperation is no longer sensible under these conditions."

Although Gertsch speaks of "differing opinions", there was no dispute between Callebaut and the Board of Directors. "After several years of good cooperation, we were able to find an amicable and professional separation solution together," says the 43-year-old co-founder of Kingfluencers.
Yoeri is therefore still available to the management team and the Board with advice and support during the transition phase. "Yoeri wishes Kingfluencers continued success, even if the planned path now deviates in part from his ideas," Gertsch continues.

CEO wanted to diversify the agency more

Yoeri Callebaut confirms that he has already left his position as Managing Director. He will continue to support Kingfluencers as an advisor until mid-February to ensure a smooth transition. When asked about the exact reasons for his departure, the 41-year-old mentions a broader vision that he would have liked to tackle as CEO. His ambition was to open up new and innovative business areas in order to be less dependent on traditional influencer marketing. He also wanted to focus more on the DACH region.

"I realized that my visions were perhaps too big and too far-reaching at that moment," the Belgian told m&k. He therefore came to the conclusion that the company and he were at different points. "I therefore decided to look for a new environment. In which I can fully exploit my need to be innovative and turn big, crazy visions into reality."

Yoeri Callebaut worked in various countries before becoming CEO in Zurich. He spent a year and a half in Montreal, Canada, where he built up the Canadian business for the Belgian business & IT consulting agency Onetowin. In Sao Paulo, he was responsible for the joint venture between the Belgian market research institute iVOX and its large Brazilian counterpart Ibope Inteligência. The new company Ibope Conecta, which Callebaut managed, was sold a few years later to the globally active Kantar Group.

290 percent increase in sales

The three co-founders of Kingfluencers, Fabian Plüss, Roman Gertsch and Christian Reiter, have worked with Yoeri Callebaut's now departed CEO in a variety of roles over the past few years, both as members of the Board of Directors and as members of Yoeri Callebaut's management team. "Yoeri's commitment to the company impressed the entire Board of Directors and us founders and was always greatly appreciated," says Gertsch. The collaboration with Callebaut was also always professional and in the best interests of the company.

According to the Zurich native, Kingfluencers has developed into a strategically and creatively oriented agency under Yoeri Callebaut. "Yoeri has strongly driven various innovations and the growth of Kingfluencers," Roman Gertsch continues. Overall, the agency's turnover has increased by 290 percent over the past four years.

We still want to know from the Chairman of the Board of Directors in which direction Kingfluencers will develop in the future and who will replace Callebaut in the CEO chair. "On the one hand, Kingfluencers is focusing on further successful organic growth in its core competence as the leading influencer marketing agency in Switzerland." Based on its current market position, the Board would like to selectively expand complementary services and offerings. Strategic partnerships are also possible in the future. "We are convinced that our current and future clients will continue to value the high level of expertise and quality of Kingfluencers' services," continues Roman Gertsch.

Chris Bitzer takes over on an interim basis

Chris Bitzer, board member and long-time co-investor, will take over the leadership of Kingfluencers on an interim basis in close collaboration with the existing management team. Part of this mandate is also to look for a new CEO, who will then take over the business again. Bitzer is not available for a longer-term management role. "We will take the necessary time to ensure a competent and sustainable appointment and then inform you again," says the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kingfluencers.

He cannot yet say where Yoeri Callebaut will be moving to. The current CEO will now take some time for himself. "I'm going to tackle a few personal projects." He has already started talking to representatives from marketing agencies and other industries.

He already misses working with his very loyal and committed team over the years. All the employees reacted sadly and in some cases with dismay to his departure. "I would like to thank everyone for the extremely valuable lessons and wonderful moments that I was able to experience with them," says Callebaut, bidding farewell to his team.