The Council - Edition 5 (2011-2012)
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 Adam
Director of Sales & Marketing Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest
Adrian Adam has been Director of Sales & Marketing at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bucharest, since 2008. He has a solidexperience in the hospitality industry, built in over 10 years of activity.
Adrian started his career in the Sales Department at Elite Assets Ltd.
Between 2001 and 2008, Adrian has held different positions in prestigious Hotels and Resorts in Romania, such as Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Bucuresti, Astoria & Europa Hotels, Delta Nature Resort 5*, gaining in-depth knowledge as well as high skills in the hospitality industry.
He graduated the Dimitrie Cantemir University with a Degree in Management in Tourism and Commerce and holds a brevet for manager in tourism industry. Adrian’s active and successful activity in the hospitality industry has strongly contributed to outstanding achievements such as Delta Nature Resorts being acknowledged as one of the best 52 destinations in the World (Original Travel UK’s Big Short Breaks) or Radisson Blu Hotel, Bucharest being awarded Carlson Global Hotel of the Year.
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.
Alexandru Lazescu
Chairman and CEO TVR Romania Public Television
In 1991, Alexandru Lazescu made the first big step in media as a founding President & Publisher of “Monitorul”.
In 2002 he entered the radio field, as General Manager of Radio MixFM a network with 27 radio stations broadcasting throughout the country and brought his contribution as a Media Consultant for significant institutes (Goethe), as well as for the EU Delegation/Representation until 2010.
Today, Alexandru Lazescu is the Chairman and CEO of TVR Romania Public Television and a Professor of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University Al. I. Cuza in Iasi. He is also very active within the Romanian civil society being a former Iasi branch director and later on a member of the Media Board for the Soros Foundation as well as a board member of Transparency International, Romanian Chapter.
His devotion to the media field is also seen in his status as founding board member of several leading industry associations such as BRAT (auditing print media and publishing), ARCA (radio & television) and a former board member of CRP – Romanian Press Club.
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 holds 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 NGOs.
Andreea Florea
Brand Strategy Coordinator, BrandTailors
Andreea Florea is the Brand Strategy Coordinator of BrandTailors, Romanian strategic brand consulting and design firm.
Andreea joined BrandTailors in 2008 after graduating from the Faculty of Letters at the Bucharest University, at International Relations and European Studies and Social Communication and Public Relations specializations.
As a product branding Project Manager, she discovered her passion for branding and so, at the end of 2009, she became a Brand Consultant, working for both product branding and service branding divisions.
The numerous brands she successfully shaped (Naturlich, Azuga Apa de Izvor, Covasna Taramul Apelor, Generis, HapiHap) or reshaped (Raraul, Laptic la Dorna, Antena 1, BCR Open, Fulga, Kandia, Magura), along with her commitment to a strategic approach on branding and her genuine inclination towards team work have led to her being appointed as BrandTailors’ Brand Strategy Coordinator by the beginning of 2011.
Andreea Rosca
Owner, Excel Communications
Andreea Rosca graduated from the Academy for Economic Studies in Bucharest, with a license in Insurances and holds an MBA from The Open University, Great Britain. Her career in media started in 1992 at the business weekly Capital (Ringier Romania), where she spent no less then 13 years, taking part in projects which changed the economic media landscape. She managed Capital as Chief Editor, from 1999 to 2005 with impressive results.”Top Capital” series started in 2002 with “Top 300 Richest Romanians”; and continued with a ranking of the most successful women and a list of the best employees to work for.
She left Ringier Romania in 2005 to be the Project Manager for NewsIn, the news agency belonging to Realitatea Catavencu media group.
She re-joined the printed media in 2007, as Business Publications Manager for Realitatea Catavencu and coordinator of the daily Business Standard, the weekly Money Express and a series of integrated media projects (Guvernul Privat or Antreprenor).
Since August 2010, she owns an independent business as a consultant.
Calin Barseti
Executive Director, Asseco SEE
With a degree in Computer Science and skills in areas such as System Analysis & Design, Development and Research, accompanied by a good knowledge in IT market, Calin Barseti reached the position of Executive Director of Asseco SEE in 2006, after working for 8 years on different positions within the company.
His professional ascension started in 1984, as a R&D Engineer at Rom Control Data SRL, a company specialized in firmware and electronic designs for printing devices. Between 1992 and 1994, he went to Singapore, as a Deputy Chief Engineer for R&D Department in KT Computers.
He returned to Rom Control Data until 1998, when he decided to join the Net Consulting team as a Large Accounts Director. During this time, he was the coordinator of important accounts, such as Banking, Government or Corporations.
As a result of his commitment and extensive knowledge in the professional area mentioned above, he registered at OSIM two technical inventions.
Camelia Sucu
President, Class Living
After the change of the communist regime in Romania in December 1989, Camelia Sucu practiced at Victor Babes Hospital in Bucharest for 3 years as general physician. However, starting with 1993 together with a partner she founded Mobexpert, leading Furniture Retail COmpany, comprising more than 30 entities with 5,000 employees. Following the increasing demand of Romanian clients and the trends on the international furniture market, in 1994 she developed the luxury brand of the Group, Class Living. Although Camelia is very close to her furniture business, she is also interested in other areas of development such as: real estate investments, manufacturing accessories, etc.
Furthermore, she is a philantropy leader, having supported throughout time the construction of a hospital and dwellings for poor families in Romania, and an active presence in donation programs on National Television. She is also a member of Foundations such as Renasterea, Provita, Ovidiu Rom and Princess Margareta, where she brought a contribution in helping children and elders, as well as adults suffering from severe illnesses.
Corina Barladeanu
General Manager, 2Active PR
A communicator by vocation, Corina Bârladeanu has started 2activePR in 2000, following a successful career as a Communication Director for Coty and as a Marketing Manager for Lancaster Group. But 2activePR is by far Corina Barladeanu’s most important professional endeavor. The agency has a team of 15 consultants and boasts an impressive range of clients, impactful campaigns and has posted constant growth. Since 2008, 2activePR is affiliated with Fleishman Hillard, one of the most reputed PR international networks.
Corina holds a masters degree in Advertising and Communication and an EMBA from Asebuss/Kennesaw University of Atlanta.
Corneliu Cojocaru
Head of the Communications Division, BCR
Since 1997, he has been BCR’s spokesman and Head of Communications, following a successful career in economic journalism.
He is currently presiding over the Communication Commission of the Romanian Banking Association. Cornel is also a member of the Jury of Honor of the Romanian Association of Public Relations Professionals.
He is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences, proving an in-depth knowledge of both PR and economics.
Over time Cornel was awarded several times for excellence and efficiency in communication and for performance in PR by several prestigious Romanian weeklies and monthly magazines such as Saptamana Financiara, Bucharest Business Week as well as by General Association of Economists in Romania.
BCR is the leading bank in Romania and an important member of the Austrian based Erste Group Bank.
Dan Bulucea
Country Manager, Google Romania
Dan Bulucea is the Country Manager of Google in Romania, heading the local office opened by Google at the end of 2010. The local team is responsible for developing Google’s presence and strategy in Romania, establishing business relationships with Romanian partners, educating local companies about the benefits of going online, direct advertising sales.
Previously, Dan Bulucea has spent the last 12 years in Microsoft where he held various roles, most recently as Business and Marketing Director for the Romanian subsidiary, earlier as Senior Platform Strategy Manager at the Microsoft Central& Eastern European Headquarters in Munich, and prior to that he was responsible for the overall platform adoption withinthe local market for Microsoft Romania.
Before joining Microsoft, Dan Bulucea was the General Manager of Salient Romania, one of the top Romanian PC manufacturers at that time. He holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor degree in Computer Science.
Franz Xaver Rattenstetter
General Manager Crowne Plaza Bucharest
Franz Xaver Rattenstetter has more than 35 years of experience in hospitality industry. He started working in the field in 1975, after attending Hotel Management Schools in Switzerland and in Germany. He also has a degree in Retail and Foreign Trade obtained after graduating the College of Commerce and Business Administration in Munich.
He has had an impressive career path, built throughout Europe and even further than that. He has worked for InterContinental Hotels Group for over 18 years, in countries such as Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
In 2001 he came to Romania as General Manager of Crowne Plaza, where he remained until 2007.
Before his return to Bucharest he held the position of General Manager for the two 5* MQvenpick Hotels in Petra-Jordan.
Gian Sharp
Managing Director for Romania and Bulgaria DHL EXPRESS
With background and experience in the commercial area, Gian Sharp is the Managing Director for Romania and Bulgaria with DHL EXPRESS. He started his career as sales representative with a KAD equipment company in London.
He joined DHL in 1991 as Sales executive and then Customer Services Manager in DHL Saudi Arabia. His career development continued as Country Manager in DHL Sudan, a very challenging role, as the country was in a period of civil war. He then moved to the position of Country Manager of DHL Syria and then moved to DHL China, being appointed as Director for the South area of the country. In a country with an economic growth rate of 30-40% per year, this role was mainly focused on business fast development.
Gian joined DHL Romania in 2001 as Country Manager, now being the Managing Director for Romania and Bulgaria.
Gilda Lazar
Corporate Affairs & Communications Director, JT International Romania & Moldova
Gilda Lazar is Corporate Affairs & Communications Director with JT International Romania & Moldova and also an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Letters at the University of Bucharest, teaching courses on Corporate Affairs and CSR. Her working experience went from publications, correspondence for “Free Europe”; radio station and up totalk-show hosting for Tele7abc and TVR.While working as a journalist for “Romania Libera”; daily newspaper the quality of her work was acknowledged by receiving the distinction for the best woman-journalist in Romania.
She has authored more than 5,000 articles published in nationwide newspapers and magazines or even in foreign media. Moreover, she acted as a representative of “National Forum Foundation/Freedom House”; for CEE countries and spokesperson for the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law at the RAU and a Certificate in Corporate Community Relations from Boston College. Her professional involvement is highlighted by her status as President of the “Friends of the Opera” Association and as founding member of the Romanian Association of PR Professionals.
Lorand Szarvadi-Teglas
Founder and CEO Domo Retail S.A.
Lorand Szarvadi Teglas graduated the Institute of Economic Studies of Babes – Bolyai University in Cluj in 1990, with a Degree in Economics of Industry, Transports and Constructions, a solid base for his future professional path.
In 1992, after having attended a Business Adminitration course in Switzerland, he decided to enter the entrepreneurial field, where he had various experiences as a founder of small companies.
From 1994 to present he has been the Founder and CEO of Domo Retail S.A., a significant and dynamic player on the household appliances and IT&C market.
His extended experience is sustained on relevant personal skills, such as initiative, a good knowledge of the economic
environment and analitycal skills.
Manuela Necula
CEO Ogilvy Group Romania
Manuela Necula is the CEO of Ogilvy Group Romania, in the past 6 years leading the company to one of the most important communications groups in Romania, according to its market share, client portfolio, and to the high standards of services and areas of specializations covered by Ogilvy agencies. Manuela turned around Ogilvy Group by building a solid team formed by more than 200 experts and by launching innovative practices as a premiere on the local market.The work developed for Ogilvy’s clients was recognized and awarded in numerous local and international industry festivals. Actively engaged in the marketing and communications industry, having more than 17 years of experience, Manuela Necula is one of the pioneers who brought the EFFIE Festival in Romania and a founder member of the WWF Corporate Club.
Her recognitions include “CEO of the Year” distinction and “IAA Excellence Award”, together with the invitation to chair and serve numerous industry jury panels around the world.
Maria Grapini
President of the Board of Administration PASMATEX GROUP
Maria Grapini is a President of the Board of Administration at PASMATEX GROUP, which consists of PASMATEX CONF INTERNATIONAL, PASMATEX SA and SP LABEL, a company specialized in production of underwear for Triumph International AG Austria. In fact, PASMATEX is a brand created by her, along with an underwear brand (Marion) and one of women’s clothes (GRAPPINI). She is also an active presence in the civil society, as she founded numerous significant NGOs: Timisoara Commerce Chamber, The Business Club Romania-Austria, the Association of Women Entrepreneurs from Romania, The Employers Federations of Apparel Industry and The First Research Platform from Romania – Manufuture Vision 2020. In 1999, XXI Consortium Timisoara awarded her a distinction for being “MANAGER OF THE YEAR”. Her professional recognition continued in 2000 with the KNIGHT RANK – NATIONAL ORDER “For Excellence” given by the President of Romania for honors in conducting economic activities. Her impressive contribution to Romania’s environment of all kinds is also highlighted by the papers published, 3 certificates for Innovations and almost 40 national and international diplomas, medals and trophies.
Miruna Raclaru
Corporate Identity, Public Affairs and Communications Manager Coca Cola Romania
Miruna Raclaru, an experienced marketing and communication professional, currently holds the Corporate Identity, Public Affairs & Communications Manager position with Coca-Cola Romania. A communicator by vocation, she has joined Coca-Cola Romania in 2000 as a Assistant Brand Manager. From this point on her career followed a continuous development, going from a Junior Brand Manager Colas position to a Group Brand Manager Carbonated Soft Drinks one. Her latest development with the company was joining the communication department.
Prior to joining Coca Cola Miruna held the positions of Personal Assistant to the COO, Vice President and Business Development Executive within Rompetrol.
Miruna holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies and a Master Degree in International and Labor Law from the same institution. Moreover, she has graduated a Master in Finance and Transportation from City University.
Nina Bratfalean
Marketing Manager BMW Group Romania
After graduating the Academy of Economic Studies in 1999 with a degree in Business Administration, Nina Bratfalean started working as a PR Manager at Ford & Mazda Romania.
Between 2001 and 2003 she attended the Master of Audio – Video Communication at Faculty of Social Communications and Public Relations “David Ogilvy”; and returned to the Academy Of Economic Studies for a Master in Business Administration.
In 2003, she published a book called “The Public Relations” and shortly after she joined Porsche Romania as a PR & Communication Director, position she held until September 2007.
Since that time, Nina has been a Marketing Manager at BMW Group Romania.
Her professional qualification went further in 2010, when she obtained a PhD in Marketing.
Nora Marcovici
President of the board and CEO Grafitti BBDO Group
At first a Geologist Engineer, Nora Marcovici decided to radically change her career path in 1992, when she joined the first media company in Romania, Global Media, as a sales agent. In 1995, she became the Executive Director of the company, position she held until 1998, when she left to Prima TV, as a Sales and Marketing Director.
Between 2003 and 2008, she coordinated the launch of 3 notable radio stations – Kiss FM (to become the number one radio in Romania), One FM and Magic FM, as well as Kiss TV, a well known music television. At the same time she succeeded in strengthening and repositioning a previously launched radio station, Star FM.
Nora was one of the founders of Romanian Television Audience Measurement Association (2001), the Vice- President of Romanian Audio Visual Communications Association (2006-2008) and the President of Romanian Radio Audience Measurement Association.
Since 2008, she is the President of the board and CEO of Grafitti BBDO Group, a company comprising no less than seven smaller entities, Exact and Kaleidoscope being the most recently founded.
Oana Tanasescu
Lead Marketing Manager Phillips Romania
Oana Tanasescu became an Engineer in Construction Industry by 1993, after graduating from the University of Constructions in Bucharest. Her professional experience started in 1994, as a Trade Officer at Alfasoft Romania, where she coordinated trade activities and managed the merchandising activities in 15 counties within South area of Romania.
From 1995 to 1998 Oana worked as a Sales Support and Marketing/Communications Manager at Daewoo Electronics Romania, taking care of the company’s positioning on the market, training sell forces, planning, organizing and implementing PR activities.
In 1998 she joined Phillips Romania and has been working in this company ever since, going from Marcom Officer to Country Marketing Manager & Corporate Communication Manager.
In January 2011, she took the position of Lead Marketing Manager, being an expert in marketing evaluation, pricing & distribution strategy, objective setting, etc.
Stefan Liute
Co-founder and Strategy Director Grapefruit
Stefan Liute is co-founder (1999) and strategy director of Grapefruit, a branding consultancy with offices in Bucharestand Iasi, Romania, that serves local and global clients.
With a post-graduate degree in communication/PR and a sustained interest in strategic thinking and brand naming, hehas helped rebrand and expand some of Romania’s top corporate and product brands. He has completed the firstRomanian translation of a book on corporate and brand identity (2004, The Wolff-Olins “New Guide to Identity”) and wenton with the translation of Wally Olins’ “On Brand” (2006).
Since 2001, Stefan has been the editor of The Weekly Wire (ISSN 1584-966X), a weekly news digest about branding andcorporate identity distributed to over 1,300 professionals worldwide. And since 2007, he has taught Strategic Brand Management to post-graduate students at the University of Bucharest.
Radu Craciun
Chief Investment Officer Eureko SAFPP Romania
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 Board member of APAPR (a private pensions association) where he is heading the Investment Committee, as well as president of the Board for the Cliniclowns Romania foundation.
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 both the local media and international news agencies.
Razvan Capanescu
Chief Creative Officer Publicis Romania
Razvan Capanescu has been, since 2006, the Chief Creative Officer of Publicis Romania, and he is guilty of some of the most acclaimed creative premiers of the agency: the first golden award at Golden Drum Festival, the first Epica Awards, the first Cannes Lions finalist, the first admissions in the prestigious Luerzer’s Archive and the first Intercontinental Advertising Cup won by an agency from Romania.
Despite having graduated Law School, he chooses to start a career as a copywriter in 1998 at Saatchi and Saatchi, followed by McCann Erickson and Ogilvy.
All the nights spent in the name of brands paid off and a whole collection of creative accolades followed. Like the awards and finalists at AdPrint, Ad’Or, Cresta, Epica, Effie, New York Festivals, Golden Drum, London International Awards or Cannes Lions, to name just a few.
He is one of the highest profile creative directors in Romania, member of the Art Directors Club, being quoted or asked to write monthly in the local industry’s publications or representing Romania in the grand juries of festivals.
Robert Zanescu
PR, Communication, Community Relations and Social Responsibility Director Bancpost
Robert Zanescu’s career includes tenures with companies in advertising field, corporate communications/marketing/sales in FMCG and in financial services. Leo Burnett, Reckitt Benckiser, Raiffeisen Bank, Pepsico and Bancpost/Eurobank EFG in Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and South East Europe (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania) are companies and countries where Robert developed his sense of:
-Accomplishment – fulfillment while operating at the leading edge of performance and productivity – Expressiveness – a new experience in of relationship and communication
-Involvement – a new perspective on contribution, by touching the life’s of the others for making a difference.
Robert is a native of Rm. Valcea, Romania. He holds an Executive MBA from ASEBUSS – Kenesaw State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Ruxandra Bandila
Marketing and Business Development Director for Romania and SEE, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Ruxandra Bandila joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007 as Marketing and Business Development Director for Romania and SEE.
Before joining PwC, Ruxandra was the Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) in Romania, where she contributed significantly and effectively to increasing the profile of the organization and solving business environment issues.
Previously she was Head of the Socio-Economic Department of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where she managed a large number of projects.
During 1996-1998 she was the Project Director of the School Rehabilitation Project financed by World Bank ($130 million). She holds a Ph.D. in Energetic from Ecole des Mines de Paris.
Ruxandra coordinates the integrated marketing communication strategy of PwC including projects related to media and on-line advertising. She is a member of the European Association of Communications Directors.