This year marked the very first European edition of SXSW, right in the heart of Shoreditch, London’s creative hotspot. Together with more than 250 Dutch participants, we experienced a week full of inspiring events, valuable connections, and unique moments.

To strengthen the agency world, we at Agency Engines joined forces with Orange Lions and Kerrie Finch of The FINCH Factor for an inspiring session on the world of creative awards. The event drew a full house of 75 attendees.

What an honor to be ranked so high: number 7 in the Digital Agency list of the M100! This annual event is organized by Marketing Report, where industry peers vote in advance for the most influential professionals across various categories.

After a year of working quietly behind the scenes, we can finally share it: we’re launching Agency Engines – the agency for agencies! Together with Melanie Butter, Fred Moolhuijsen and Sander Verhof, I’ve started a new consultancy dedicated to accelerating agency growth.

Under the banner of Adformatie Academy we organise a Masterclass for creative agencies on Friday, 11th November. The theme is ‘Positioning and Growth Strategy’. Tickets are going fast. However, there are still a number of places available.

It’s been a month since the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. Time to look back. I was there to connect with my network, but also as Chairman of the Dutch Digital Design foundation. We organised ‘The Future of Experiences’ for 200 attendees. Below a brief account of my time in Austin, as well as the post-SXSW event in Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam.

I moved to Capital C Amsterdam this month - the new creative hub of the city - located in the former Diamond Exchange. A beautiful building, full of character. The editorial team of the Dutch marketing trade publication Adformatie and marketing trade associations like VIA Nederland, MWG and ADCN are also located here.

On the occasion of my anniversary, 10 years of specializing in positioning and growth strategy, Dutch leading press title Adformatie published a beautiful three-page interview. With quotes from respected peers Wesley ter Haar (MediaMonks), Annemieke Deering (Dutch Digital Agencies), Gert Franke (Clever°Franke), Tijmen Mulder (Robot Kittens) and Liza Enebeis (Studio Dumbar).