A voluntary honorary Superbrands Council is formed annually, comprised of highly recognized professionals with a deep appreciation of the business environment, specialized in marketing, communication and business administration and reputed representatives of business media.

Adrian Dita

Director Corporate Affairs International Railway Systems

Adrian Dita was born in 1964. He is a professional ciorporate affairs with 10 years well groomed e xperience in supervising and directing government relations, lobby and public affairs broadcasts.
Today he is Director Corporate Affairs at International Railway Sustems ( IRS),m a leading transport. His responsability is to implement corporate affairs and communications strategies, provinding information to and influencing key decision-makers within the government and policy -making bodies.Before joining IRS, Adrian worked over 12 years for Vodafone Romania, formerly MobiFon, and in the last 8 years the occupied the position of Corporate Affairs Director, CSR and Reputation Management. Adrian received his BS in Fine Mechanics from the Polytechnics University of Bucharest in 1991 and was awarded a BA in Commercial Relations, Finance & Banks from the attended the ASEBUSS EMBA Program from 2001 to 2003 and National Defense College in 2004.

Adrian Teslovan

Marketing Manager Romaqua Group – Borsec

Adrian Teslovan is currently the Marketing Manager of Romaqua Group. His career with Romaqua started 11 years ago in the export department.
His professional achievements are linked with the creation and development of all the brands in Romaqua’s portfolio: Giusto, Albacher, Metropolitan Caffe, Elektrik, Giusto Natura, Stanceni, Aquatique. In addition, for the last 10 years, Adrian and his marketing team’s efforts have also been put into the development strategy of Borsec, a brand with a success story which goes back more than 200 years.

Alexandra Gatej

Predisent Advisor Business Affairs Romanian Presidency

Alexandra Gatej has been a presidential counselor, acting as President Advisor on Business Affairs for the Romanian Presidency, since July 2009. Prior to joining the Romanian administration, Alexandra successfully represented Unilever for 13 years, holding several positions within the company. In 2005 she became Chairman of Unilever South Central Europe.
Alexandra holds a diploma in Cybernetics from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and she is an Executive Education graduate of Wharton University, US.
She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization Romanian Chapter. Between 2008 – 2009 she was elected President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania. Alexandra also serves as Founding Member of the Aspen Institute of Romania. Other assignments between 2003 – 2009/present include: member of the board of the American International School of Bucharest, member of the board of the IAA Romania, Romalimenta and the Romanian Union of Cosmetics and Detergent Manufacturers.

Anca Harasim

Executive Director American Chamber of Commerce in Romania

Anca Harasim is the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania (AmCham Romania), the Vice-President of Harvard Club Romania-Moldova and a founding member of Aspen Institute Romania. She has a Master Degree in Public Administration from John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Over the last 19 years, she has fulfilled assignments in major non-governmental organizations in Romania, as Executive Director of the Soros Foundation for an Open Society, the Fulbright Commission and AmCham Romania. Her consultancy experience consist of previous assignments like The World Bank consultant for Albania’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Program, and consultant for the European Commission’s largest PHARE Program in Romania on reforming the Local Public Administration.
With almost twenty years senior-level experience in managing and developing non-profit organizations, of public policy and program strategic planning, management development and implementation of innovative reform projects in Central & Eastern Europe, Anca is currently serving on the boards of several NGO’s.

Anne-Marie Martin

CEO British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce

Anne-Marie Martin is a professional senior executive providing management support for the not for profit business and charity sectors.
Anne-Marie was recently appointed as Marketing and Communications Director of COBCOE- the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe. She is also Chief Executive Officer of the award winning British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce, a membership organisation with the mission to use its good offices and activities to increase British-Romanian business and investments.
Other key roles have included, member of the Board of Directors of the Princess Margareta of Romania Foundation, member of various other Anglo-Romanian charitable organizations, visiting lecturer on Marketing related topics at Kent Business School.
Anne Marie is a member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI) and the Institute of Directors (MIOD), a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (FRSA) and was awarded the King Mihai I Medal for Loyalty in 2008.

Beatrice Danis

Managing Partner BrandTailors

Beatrice Danis is the Managing Partner of BrandTailors, being responsible for the management of a team made up of 16 people. With her involvement, BrandTailors became one of the most reputed brand consultancy agencies on the Romanian market.
Beatrice started working in advertising with JWThompson, after which she worked for several other agencies (Grafitti/BBDO, GGK, Tempo). Prior to joining BrandTailors, she was an Account Director for McCann Erickson, managing a team of 4 people, working for 13 national and international clients. The decision to change from advertising to brand consultancy was spontaneous, generated by the success triggered by some of the big projects developed within McCann Erickson.
Her dedication and commitment for integrated communication were rewarded with awards such as Gold & Silver Effie for Kandia, Rom si Grania (2005-2007).
The last educational programme finished was the Management Accelerated Program in INSEAD – France (March
2008).

Bogdana Baltasiu

Client Sales&Services Manager, Retail Measurement & Consumer Research Nielsen Romania

Bogdana Baltasiu is the leader of the Nielsen Client Service Team since 2007.
With almost 10 years now in marketing research, Bogdana developed the Consumer / Ad-hoc Research Department in Nielsen Romania from only one research executive to a team of 6 research professionals, most of them being now senior executives. Her strong belief is that research findings can have an impact only through building with dedication, openness and creativity relevant and insightful findings. Bogdana joined Nielsen in 2004, after 4 years of qualitative research experience with Daedalus.
Bogdana holds a BA in Educational Sciences from University of Bucharest, and shortly after graduation, in 1996, she started a career in Human Resources.
Beginning with 2000 she dedicated her time, passion and interviewing expertise, as well as creativity and professionalism to marketing research.
Bogdana holds a MA in Communications and Public Opinion from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology.

Corneliu Cojocaru

Head of the Communications Division BCR

Since 1997, he has been BCR’s spokesman and Head of the Communications Division. He is currently presiding over the Communication Commission of the Romanian Banking Association. He is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences, awarded several times “for the most efficient communication and transparency” by Bucharest Business Week and by the well-known Romanian financial weekly Saptamâna financiara with its Mr. RON Prize.

Cristina Simion

Managing Director Edipresse AS

With a background and experience in both journalism and marketing and management, Cristina Simion started in magazine publishing in 1997 and from 2002 is managing director of Edipresse AS Romania (formerly Romanian Publishing Group). Holding a MSc of the Technical University of Iasi, Cristina is completing now her Ph.D. in Change Management. She is a graduate of Stanford Professional Publishing Course at Stanford University, California, and of De Baak Management The Netherlands, a former grantee of Professional Media Program by Freedom House and a recent graduate of the FIPP Executive Management Programme. She is currently the general secretary of International
Advertising Association, Romanian chapter and board member of several other professional and social nongovernmental
organizations.

Daniel Apostol

Editor in Chief The Money Channel

Daniel Apostol has been the Editor in Chief of The Money Channel, of the very first Romanian business TV channel, since 2006. Apart from his position with The Money Channel, he is a columnist for Money Express and Foreign Policy.
An experienced journalist, Daniel started working in journalism back in 1991 as a radio-news speaker working for media companies such as ProFM, BBC World Service and Radio Free Europe.
He is a founding member of the Economic Press Club of Romania and member of the International Federation of Journalists.
Daniel is a Ph.D. Applicant for History PhD, University of Craiova and also holds a MSc. diploma from the Romanian-Canadian MBA program, organized by The Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest in partnership with the Graduate School of Management of Ottawa University. He developed his career following specialized programs such as the BBC School of Journalism and Reuters Training Programs.

Eusebiu Margasoiu

Managing Partner The Network

Eusediu Margasoiu is one of the top consultants in Romania. With a background in aerospace engineering, Eusediu holds a MSc. diploma from an Executive MBA Program of Washington University, USA through ASEBUSS Bucharest and a Blue Ocean Strategy Simulation diploma from Strat X, Boston, USA. He started his carrier as a Research Avionics Engineer at IEA Aerofina but shifted to FMCG in 1993 when he joined Pepsi Americas (former Quadrant Amroq Beverages). He worked for the company for 15 years, starting as a Route Manager and gradually evolving to a position of Marketing Director of Romania and Moldova. In 2008 he became an entrepreneur, starting up The Network, a company specialized in management consulting. Eusediu is part of IAA Romania Board and has been a member of the Romanian Effie 2008 awards’ committee.

Friedrich Niemann

General Manager Athénée Palace Hilton

Friedrich Niemann has been the General Manager of Athénée Palace Hilton hotel since 2005, having an experience of 14 years in managing first-class and deluxe hotels in Leipzig, Munich, Sofia and Bucharest.
His biography includes activities in the Executive Boards of various international organizations such as HSMA, American Chamber of Commerce or the Bulgarian Convention Bureau. Friedrich Niemann is also a professional member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in Germany and supported, at the beginning of 2010, the foundation of the Romanian Confrérie.
In 2009, Friedrich Niemann won the Hotelier of the year award, granted by Hospitality Trends Bucharest, in recognition of Athénée Palace Hilton having achieved under his management a significant increase in fair market share compared to last year, in spite of the demanding and challenging market conditions.

Gilda Lazar

Corporate Affairs & Communications Director JT International Romania

Gilda Lazar is currently the Corporate Affairs & Communications Director of JT International Romania. President of the Friends of the Opera Association and founding member of the Romanian Association of PR Professionals (she held the VP position until recently), she is also an Associate Professor with the School of Letters (University of Bucharest), teaching Corporate Affairs and CSR.
Awarded with the distinction of best Romanian woman-journalist (1995), she has an impressive background in journalism and communication, with more than 5,000 articles published in national and foreign media. She worked as an editor and correspondent for several publications and manager of the “Curentul” daily.
She acted as the representative of CEE countries with the “National Forum Foundation / Freedom House” and spokesperson for the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gilda Lazar holds a Master’s degree in Commercial Law at the RAU and a Certificate in Corporate Community Relations from Boston College.

Iulian Bortos

Editor in Chief Capital

Iulian Bortos works in media since 1993.

After a debut that was marked by the collaboration with a number of Romanian central and local publications, in 1997 he joined the economic department of the news agency Mediafax, where he worked for seven years, out of which four years were in coordinating position. In March 2004 he joined the team of the weekly economic and financial magazine Capital, and in September 2005 he was promoted as editor in chief, a position he occupies today. Under his coordination, several new editorial projects were launched, such as Top Franchises in Romania, which was added to some very well known Capital rankings and supplements family, lead by far by the Top 300 Richest Romanian people.

Liviu Ion

Executive Director of Communication Renault Group Romania

Liviu Ion is (since 2004) the Executive Director of Communication of Renault Group in Romania, including Dacia, the successful Romanian car producer. He runs a team dealing with internal communication for 18,000 Romanian employees, media relations and PR. He creatively contributed to the official launches of Logan Prestige, Logan MCV and Sandero.
After a 12 years diplomatic career with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA), Council of Europe in Strasbourg and UNDP in Bucharest, Liviu Ion joined the private sector in 2001, as Conferences Director with Forum Invest.
He also lectured on Political Sociology & Communication Strategies of International Organizations at the National School of Political Studies and Administration (2001-2003).
Apart from a master’s degree in International Relations (from MFA), he holds a PhD in International Economic Relations from the Faculty of Commerce, Academy of Economic Studies (Bucharest) and a Master’s degree in Political Sciences, from the Institute for Political Studies, Robert Schuman University (Strasbourg).

Mihaela Pantea

Senior Editor FORBES Romania

Mihaela Pantea is Senior Editor for FORBES Romania, business life magazine published by Adevarul Holding. Apart from her insightful journalistic work, covering finance and banking area, she was in charge with special projects of Forbes Romania like Private Pensions Guide and Investments Guide, Coordinator for Top 500 Romanian Billionaires 2009 and also for Philanthropists’ Top 10 FORBES Romania. Prior to joining FORBES Romania she worked as Editor for Money Express, business weekly published by Realitatea-Catavencu Media Group, as Communications Director for CEC Bank and Coordinating Editor for România Libera.
Mihaela holds a Bachelor degree from the Finance & Banking Faculty (the Academy of Economic Studies). Constantly preoccupied with developing her professional knowledge, Mihaela attended several journalistic training courses, such as Macroeconomics and Capital Markets Journalism – Reuters Foundation, Emerging Business Training Course – Freedom House Foundation, Macroeconomics, Journalism & Communications- World Bank Economic Research Institute.

Mihai Gongu

Creative Director Graffiti BBDO

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybernetics, Mihai entered the crazy world of advertising via a contest at Marca Inregistrata TV Show.The prize was a junior copywriter position at Leo Burnett Bucharest. In his first year, he won the Campaign of the Year Trophy at the main local advertising festival – Ad’Or. Lured by the compromising slogan “the work. the work. the work.”
two years later he set camp at Graffiti BBDO Bucharest where he worked his way up to a Deputy Creative Director position. After a 6 months stint at BBDO Berlin on Allianz Worldwide he returned to Bucharest in December 2009 to become the Creative Director in Graffiti. Across the years he contributed to major new business wins such as Romtelecom and Petrom and led his teams to crowd their drawers with statues of various metals.
But his most valuable win is the hand of his uncompromisingly beautiful spouse Melania.

Mircea Kivu

Research Director Mercury Research

The sociologist Mircea Kivu is currently the Research Director of Mercury Research. He graduated the Sociology section of the Philosophy Faculty (Bucharest University) in 1978. From 1983 to 1990, he worked in the Laboratory for Urban Sociology in Bucharest, now the Center for Urban and Regional Sociology – CURS. He holds a DEA (Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies) from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, graduated with a thesis on the relationship between the political regime and the demographic policies in the communist Romania.
He was one of the founders of IMAS institute (in 1992), where he firstly occupied the research director position (until 2006), then advanced to general manager.

Mirela Bosoi

Communication Manager Orange Romania

Mirela Bosoi is responsible with the communication and brand strategy of Orange, the largest telecommunication operator in Romania. Since 2002 when she joined the company, Mirela brought a significant contribution to the success of Orange brand.
With more than 15 years experience in advertising, she started her career at D’Arcy coordinating ATL, BTL and PR campaigns for international and local brands like Connex Go, Procter &Gamble, Philips , Sicomed or Coca Cola.
She graduated an Executive MBA in 2007 and has a degree in Marketing from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest.

Mugurel Radulescu

Public Affairs & Communications Manager Romania & Republic of Moldova Coca-Cola Hellenic Romania

Mugurel Radulescu is currently the Public Affairs & Communications Manager Romania & Republic of Moldova at Coca-Cola Hellenic (since 2001). Proving a strong industry leadership and commitment to environment protection, he also holds the position of Chairman of the Board at Eco-Rom Ambalaje (The Green Dot) (since 2003) and Chairman of the Board at Romanian Soft Drinks Association (since 2006).
Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Mugurel was a Political Analyst at European Commission Delegation in Romania (1999-2001) and an International Relations journalist for “Adevarul” Daily between 1990 and 1998.
He holds a PhD in Political Sciences from the National School for Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA) in Bucharest, a Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK) and a Professional Diploma in Management from the Open University Business School (UK) through CODECS Romania.

Radu Craciun

Chief Investment Officer EUREKO Pensions

Radu Craciun is the Chief Investment Officer of EUREKO Pensions. Prior to joining EUREKO he has worked with ABN AMRO as Head of equity research in ABN Amro Securities and Head of financial markets research in ABN AMRO Bank.
Between 1992 and 1997, Radu acted as business consultant working among others for Roland Berger &Partners Strategy Consultants.
Radu is the founding member of the Romanian Financial Banking Analysts Association and Interim head of the investment committee of APAPR (a private pensions association), as well as president of the Board for Cliniclowns Romania.
He holds a Master degree from the University of Hertfordshire (1993) and graduated an Executive MBA provided jointly by ASE and University of Washington (1998).
Radu has been an active observer of financial field, making comments and analysis for Reuters, Bloomberg, Dow Jones Financial, Central European, Financial Times, etc.

Radu Florescu

CEO Saatchi & Saatchi

Radu Florescu has been the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi since 1992. Under his management Saatchi & Saatchi became one of the leading advertising agencies in Romania. During this period, Radu Florescu expanded the business creating the largest communication group in Romania that include Zenith Media, Saatchi & Saatchi X (BTL agency), Saatchi & Saatchi PR, Kubis Interactive (digital) to name a few companies.
Radu has actively supported the development of the advertising community, as a Founding Member of both the local chapter of the IAA (International Advertising Association) and EACA (European Association of Communications Agencies) and was responsible for creating two major award festivals: EFFIES and AD’OR. He is actively involved in the NGO sector, maintaining leadership roles in several activities related to CSR projects. Currently he is a Board member of United Way Romania, AIESEC, Principesa Margareta Foundation, Fulbright, Junior Achievement, ASEBUSS.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Diploma from Boston College, School of Business Management.

Roxana Baciu

Editor Magazinul Progresiv

Roxana Baciu has been the Editor of Magazinul Progresiv -the most important retail and FMCG publication in Romania- since April 2000. For more then ten years, Roxana, together with her team of deputy editors, has been trying to inform and educate the main magazine’s target readership- the grocery retailers and suppliers.
Being in a privileged position- observer of the supply chain- Roxana has accumulated knowledge which helped her to become a sharp observer of the retail and FMCG industry in Romania and in developed and emerging markets.
Roxana is involved in events dedicated to the retail and FMCG industry in Romania.
The specialized conferences organized by Magazinul Progresiv, annually, gather hundreds of delegates, Roxana being among them as official “host and moderator” .

Shuja Shaikh

Managing Director Kubis

Shuja Shaikh was born in Massachusetts. He went to Baylor University in Texas (USA) for his undergraduate studies where he majored in business (Finance) and played tennis as a student-athlete. He completed a MBA in Finance at University of St. Thomas in Texas (USA). He started ShakeFX, LLC (digital agency) in 2003 with his younger brother Nadeem- a computer graphics major at the University of Maryland (USA). In June 2009 he joined Kubis as Managing Director. Kubis is an online marketing agency with a Global presence, including branches in USA, South America, and Romania. What makes Kubis unique is the ability to develop and implement measurable creative ideas, concepts, and strategies online by combining the business experience from the U.S., web design talents from South America, and programming expertise from Romania.

Silviu Matei

Research Director TNS CSOP

With ten years of experience in social and market research, Silviu Matei is Research Director with TNS CSOP since January 2007. He manages both qualitative and quantitative market research projects, having worked on major accounts such as: Danone, P&G, Unilever, BAT, Microsoft, Orange, Unicredit Tiriac, etc.
His most recent achivement with CSOP was the extremely accurate prediction of the outcome of the second round of the presidential elections in Romania in December 2009.
Prior to joining TNS CSOP, Silviu was Quantitative Research Director with INSOMAR (2004 – 2006) and worked as researcher for several European social research institutions such as the European Center of Sciences Po and the Mannheimer Zentrum für Europäische Sozialforschung.
Silviu holds a Master of Arts in Political Sociology from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) and is currently a PhD candidate in Political Sociology at Sciences Po with a dissertation on political cleavages in postcommunist Romania.

Sorin Blaga

Group Director Marketing & Communication Rompetrol Group

Sorin Blaga is the Group Director Marketing & Communication at Rompetrol Group, being responsible with strategic/operational marketing, corporate affairs and internal communication within the group business in Romania and other 11 markets. Prior to joining Rompetrol, he has worked with Philip Morris International, from 1994 to 2007, acting as National Promotion Manager, Brand Manager, Marketing Services Manager within Central Europe Region and the Marketing Director for Romania & Bulgaria.
Sorin has graduated an MBA from Open University Business School- Milton Keynes- UK and holds a Professional Diploma in Management as well as a Professional Certificate in Management.
He is a board member of the Board of Directors at the Romanian Petroleum Club and of International Advertising Association Romania.

Stefan Iordache

Chief Operating Officer Leo Burnett

Stefan Iordache is one of the most experienced professionals in the Romanian advertising market. He has been part of this industry since 1994 when, together with Ioana Iordache, started up an advertising agency that was soon to become Leo Burnett & Target Romania. Later on, the agency developed to a group of agencies that also offers expertise in the media field, online communication, PR, in-store and indoor consultancy, all leaders in their area of practice. Under his close supervision and involvement, Leo Burnett became known as the most creative and strategic advertising agency in Romania, rewarded with prestigious national and international awards.
For the past 11 years, he has been an active member in all industry bodies (IAA- International Advertising Association, UAPR – The Romanian Advertising Agencies Association and ARMAD – The Romanian Association of Direct Marketing). Moreover, Stefan has been a member of the jury at reputed international advertising festivals, including Golden Drum and Eurobest.

Thomas Achelis

President The Forum for International Communications

Thomas Achelis (62 years, German), PR practitioner since the seventies and head of Achelis&Partner PR-agency Munich, Bucharest, Brussels, which is specialised in the fields automotive, health, finance and international communications. He started his Romanian business in 1995. Until March 2006 Thomas has been president of the European PR Confederation (CERP), the umbrella organisation of national PR associations. In this quality he was a cofounder of the Romanian association ARRP. Until 2008 he was board member of IPRA. Today he is president of the Romanian foundation “Forum for International Communications” and director of the International Institute for Quality in Public Relations (IQPR). Together with his partner Dr. Dana Oancea he implemented in 2003 the Romanian PR-Award and the Romanian PR-Week, the most important event in the industry of the country. Besides managing PR.

Valerica Olteanu

Ph.D., Dean, Marketing Faculty Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest

Valerica Olteanu is the Dean of Marketing Faculty, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Titular Professor on the subjects of Marketing, Marketing of Services, Management Marketing, Financial – Banking Marketing. He received his BS from the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies in 1973 and holds a Ph.D. in marketing, from the same academy. He also has a specialty in International Commerce and another one in Business Administration. He is the author or co-author of over 30 specialty works in Marketing, and has published more than 100 articles and scientific papers on marketing, tourism and services. Valerica Olteanu was appointed by the Romanian Parliament, in mid 1990s, as expert in Economic Policies and Privatisation Committee. He offered marketing consultancy for various private and state companies, such as European Drinks, MYO-O, Rova Rosiori, etc.
He was awarded the Virgil Madgearu economy prize of the Romanian Academy, for the book “Marketing”, 1992.