25 years of business experience
entrepeneurship > marketing > communications > international management > innovation
Started 1984 as Marketing Manager in a norwegian company providing an electronic information and booking system for the Nordic travel industry (NorLink/TourLink). In 1986 the company Projectus was a spin-off of Norlink/TourLink. Joined as partner and built the daughter company InfoBas, located in 8 destinations across Norway. Joined the leading norwegian saving bank, Union Bank of Norway (DnBNOR), as Ass.Gen.Mng/Head of the Marketing Development department in 1988. In 1991 I moved on to the no 1 norwegian advertising agency, JBR Advertising, starting a sister agency focusing on digital communication services. Grew this agency to 25 people in two years - recognized as the leading digital agency in Norway. McCann-Erickson acquired JBR in 1993, and I was appointed IT Manager/Vice President in McCann EMEA focusing on bringing McCann Europe up to speed within IT. Appointed Director of Development/Senior Vice President in McCann Northern Europe in 1996 working with implementing McCann’s new business model. Was particularly involved in the development of McCann's interactive division - ThunderHouse. Joined USWeb/CKS as Managing Partner in 1999 with responsibility for establishing, building and managing the USWeb/CKS Nordic operation. Member of the European Management Board. When USWeb/CKS was acquired by Whittman-Hart and changed name to marchFIRST (Fall 2000), I was transfered to London as Managing Executive with responsibility for the Brand Communication discipline across EMEA. Member of the Worldwide Creative Group. In 2001 Itera Consulting Group acquired the scandinavian marchFIRST operation. Joined Itera Consulting Group as Executive Vice President – responsible for the Management Consulting and Brand Communication business disciplines (including 7 independent consulting companies across Scandinavia) - also acting as Chief Communication Officer. Left Itera Consulting Group in 2003 to run my own business - Roppen Communication. Today Roppen Communication is helping clients operating all over the world - public companies, private companies and start-ups.
