Not only are we expanding to Stockholm, we also have a new colleague to introduce you to - André Wesenberg. With a solid track record of scaling companies in Scandinavia, he will now be taking Coupler from the safe home port of Oslo to the cutting edge tech-heart of Stockholm; Epicenter.
"I am somewhat of an entrepreneur at heart. And love being part of disrupting the status quo, something I believe Coupler does by offering an alternative marketing-as-a- service model mixed with clever use of technology. It seemed like a “no brainer” to accept the challenge. I have followed Coupler closely and when the founders called me, I accepted without any hesitation".
Our new country manager is originally from Ullevål in Oslo Norway but has for the past five years been living and working in Stockholm. He has an impressive resumé of experiences that he brings to the team, having been the Country Manager for Viaplay in Norway and Sweden, and Client Director at Hear and Scream Media Agencies.
"Having actively contributed to the scaling and success of a few companies across both borders, I also have had the pleasure of working with some current employees of Coupler, an experienced and talented group, a family I now can proudly call myself a part of. Secondly, it certainly helps that I have relevant experience from holding a similar position at one of the leading tech companies in the Nordics".
Helping the challengers
André talks excited about his vision for Coupler Sweden. He aims for Coupler to become an agency fit for the future, the preferred marketing partner for startups and scaleups in Sweden.
"Primarily, because we believe in helping the challengers and the disruptors of the world - change the world for the better. Secondly, I want our clients to look at us as partners. Collaboration fuels growth - partners that in time will turn into ambassadors of our services".
"Similarly, I think it is any CEO’s dream, as well as mine, to build an excellent team of proactive talents, a place for them to grow and a working environment that can be identified as one of Sweden’s most attractive ones".
Norwegian market vs Swedish market
As known, the friendly banter between Norway and Sweden is always on. And even though there are many similarities, there are also noticeable differences. As a Norwegian living in Sweden, André probably has some thrilling insider knowledge about it.
"Besides the physical size and the amount of money infused in the Swedish market? My primary reasons for moving to Stockholm in the first place, was the need for a bigger scene, closer to where it “happens”. Stockholm is ranked among the top three startup scenes in the world, the home to a few unicorns surely leaves a mark on the city and its businesses as a whole. And as illustrated by Silicon Valley, smaller ecosystems/tech hubs emerge around greater tech companies - a story Stockholm has proved correct".
Can you see any differences in the mentality?
"The Nordic mentality is much the same, but I would argue, and I think it is scientifically proven, that the Swedish networking mentality is different and has provided a vital ingredient to the Swedish success".
With over 150 HQ of Martech companies based in Stockholm, the city has progressed further than the capital of Norway,
"However, at the same time, I am impressed by the rapid development of the startup scene in Oslo, and the recent progression with a focus on technology, various accelerators, and incubators. Speaking from personal experience, smaller markets/companies are often quicker at adapting and picking up pace".
