Proven performance track record in media in Western Europe (the Netherlands) and emerging markets (Eastern Europe). 35 Years of leadership in publishing, building new businesses, green fields and start ups, broad scale of product launches and developments both in print and digital. Experienced in restructuring teams, companies and organizations.
- Board member Humanitas Zuid-Kennemerland
- Board member Sanoma Magazines International (2005 – 2013)
- Member Supervisory Board Adria Media Joint Venture between Sanoma, Gruner & Jahr and Styria Media in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia (2007 – 2013)
- Member of the Commission of Journalist Professionals for the Hogeschool Utrecht, School of Journalism (1992 – 2000)
- Expert Cross Media & Publishing non profit organization PUM, the Netherlands (2014-2017)
- ELLmedia: Media, Management & Organisation (currently)
- Cluster CEO South Eastern Europe Sanoma Magazines International (2005 – 2013)
- CEO Sanoma Hearst Romania (2006 – 2013)
- COO VNU/Sanoma Magazines International (2000 – 2005)
- Publishing Director VNU Tijdschriften (1995 – 2000)
- Editor-in-Chief women’s weekly Libelle (1988 – 1995)
- Editor-in-Chief parenting monthly KINDEREN (1984 – 1988)
Education
Els Loesberg graduated at the School of Journalism in Utrecht, the Netherlands
Courses
VNU General Management Course, Amsterdam (1987)
Ashridge Business School, Advanced Management Program, London UK (1995-1996)
Stanford Online Publishing for Professionals, San Francisco (2009)
Personal
Els is born in the Netherlands, as a child she lived in Indonesia (Irian Jaya) and Germany. After 17 years of working and living in Eastern Europe, she recently moved back to her home country. Els is married and has two daughters.
Founder and creator fashion retail brand happyskirtt.com, skirts only, online only.
Owner, creator holidays project Villa Bali Breeze Lovina, North Bali, www.villa-on-bali.com
Curriculum Vita
ELLMedia Media, Management & Organization
2013 – today East Europe, South East Europe (Balkans), Netherlands
ELLMedia Coaching, Consultancy and Interim Management in mid size companies in emerging and mature markets.
Creator, owner online fashion retail brand happyskirtt.com, skirts only, online only
2014– 2022 Sofia, Bulgaria
Fabrics from Italy, production in Bulgaria, shipping from the Netherlands. USP: 3 fixed models, 10 sizes, special waistband. Sustainable, simple, no seasonality.
Cluster CEO South Eastern Europe Sanoma Magazines International
2005 – 2013 Bucharest, Romania
Region: Romania (operational), Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia (managing directors as direct reports). Focus on top line growth, profitability and gaining market position (number 1), product launches and core related acquisitions. Putting people, teams and structures in place, implementing HR policies.
CEO Sanoma Hearst Romania/Sanoma Digital Romania
2005 – 2013 Bucharest, Romania
Focus on (mainly organic) growth, profitability and market position. Portfolio expansion, in print and online. Introducing magazine+, fairs and events. From number 5 position to number 1. Building and shaping the company according to Western standards.
COO Sanoma Magazines International
2000 – 2005 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Responsible for the existing publishing operations in CEE (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia) and for unlocking new geographic areas Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia. Managing directors as her direct reports. Introduction big international brands (Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, FHM, Esquire) in close co-operation with the respective partners.
CEO a.i Sanoma Magazines Praha
2001 – 2002 Prague, Czech Republic
Restructuring company, portfolio and teams.
Publishing Director Show/TV entertainment cluster VNU Tijdschriften
1997 – 2000 Hoofddorp, Netherlands
Entertainment cluster: Weekly Story, monthlies Beau Monde, Top Santé, Break Out, Puzzle segment. Introduction of magazine branded TV programs (in close cooperation with RTL). Launch of new mass market weekly Vrouw Vandaag.
Publisher Cluster Women’s Magazines Uitgeverij Spaarnestad VNU
1995 – 1997 Haarlem, Netherlands
Women’s cluster: young women’s weekly Yes, parenting monthlies Ouders van Nu, Kinderen, practical monthlies Knipmode, Knippie, culinary monthly Tip Culinair, glossy Nouveau.
Editor-in-chief Libelle
1988 – 1995 Haarlem, the Netherlands
Biggest women’s weekly in the Netherlands, circulation increase from 705.000 to 800.000. Restructuring team, introduction line- and brand extensions, events, specials, Libelle products, Libelle tientje, Libelle Syndication.
Launching publisher Top Santé and Top Santé TV
1994 – 1995 Haarlem, Netherlands
Monthly health&beauty magazine, weekly TV program with RTL 4.
Editor-in-chief a.i. Yes
1992 – 1993 Haarlem, Netherlands
Young Women’s weekly. Repositioning the magazine, restructuring the team.
Editor-in-chief Kinderen
1984 – 1988 Haarlem, the Netherlands
Parenting monthly, sold circulation increase from 48.000 to 112.000. Launch Negen Maanden pregnancy special, Negen Maanden Beurs (Baby-and pregnancy Fair), introduction line-and brand extensions, branded products, fashion line for children and young mothers.
Deputy editor-in-chief Libelle
1980 – 1984 Haarlem, Netherlands
Women’s weekly in the Netherlands
Editor/journalist Libelle
1977 – 1980 Haarlem, Netherlands
Women’s weekly in the Netherlands
First job
1974 – 1977 Hilversum, Netherlands
Journalist Gooi-en Eemlander, local newspaper