#PIABO15 - What a ride!
At the 10th anniversary of PIABO in May 2016, Tilo was asked where he would like PIABO to go: "PIABO is not satisfied with the goal of being number one in the German-speaking region. We are clearly also looking beyond the country's borders. Our focus will of course be on the digital economy, but we also welcome classic brands and companies that want to grow digitally. We look forward to the future and are incredibly optimistic that we can continue to grow. We're looking forward to more exciting projects and clients that we get to serve."
And where do we stand today after 15 years?
Tilo's vision was accurate, even more than that. According to the ranking of Pfeffer's PR-Journal from May 2021, PIABO is not only Germany's number one tech agency, but also among the 20 agencies with the highest turnover in Germany. Worldwide, PIABO is ranked 207 out of 250 in Provoke's world rankings.
Today, PIABO implements campaigns in over 50 global markets and has clients from 30 different sectors. We can rightly and proudly say: PIABO is Europe's leading full-service communications partner for the digital economy. The living room agency of 2006 has grown into a medium-sized company.
On a daily basis, the PIABO team achieves outstanding international media presence for clients in the fields of e-commerce, traveltech, fintech, foodtech, HR tech, healthtech, blockchain, consumer electronics, IoT, artificial intelligence, AR/VR, security, big data, SaaS/cloud and greentech.
The multidisciplinary and diverse team of consultants has an extensive range of services from PR to digital communications, social media to influencer marketing.
As a company, PIABO actively supports its partners in achieving their local and global growth goals as a strategic partner. PIABO's portfolio includes Shopify, Samsung, Stripe, Henkel, GitHub and Silicon Valley Bank.
What have been the highlights of PIABO's journey since its founding?
May 2021: PIABO appoints Oliver Chudy as Unit Director B2B Technology
With Oliver Chudy as new Unit Director, PIABO expands its B2B technology expertise. The experienced communications expert is now leading a unit for B2B technology for national and international digital champions. Chudy adds over 25 years of experience in international B2B and B2C communications, as well as expertise in strategic conceptualization, 360-degree communications and brand building. He specializes in high-growth start-up communications, new technologies, mobility and digital transformation.
April 2021: PIABO becomes climate neutral
Ann-Kathrin Marggraf is the first Climate Officer at PIABO.
PIABO has been 100 percent climate neutral since April 2021. "Sustainability is part of our mindset and firmly anchored in our corporate culture. Nowadays, climate neutrality is no longer a nice-to-have, but a requirement for responsible corporate governance. We are not only passionate about supporting new technologies and business models that have a positive impact on society, but we also shape our own operations so that we are 100 percent CO2 neutral," says COO Daniela Harzer.
Ann-Kathrin Marggraf as Climate Officer together with the agency's sustainability team, which has been active for some time, has played a major role in this success. PIABO thus sets an indication for a sustainable and resource-saving future.
Here, you can find out more about PIABO's actions against the climate crisis at https://wtca.lfca.earth/e/piabo-pr
April 2021: Light Your Fire! - a book by Tilo Bonow
In April 2021 Tilo published his book. "Light Your Fire!". His topic: Personal Branding. The new publication specifically addresses future makers, visionaries and makers of tomorrow. But how do we become brands? What makes us unique and unmistakable? In "Light Your Fire!" Tilo Bonow vividly illustrates how one's own personal brand is gradually built up and developed. He writes from the experiences of his 20-year professional career and the 15 years of expertise he has gathered at PIABO. After publication, the magazine "Stern" dubbed him "PR Pope".
March 2021: PIABO launches the Remote Hub concept
PIABO launched the Remote Hub concept with an agile remote infrastructure in March 2021. Whether Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart or Cologne: PIABO makes it possible to join forces and work together from one hub at locations where more than one team member works remotely. Already 12 percent of employees use this option.
September 2020: PIABO appoints Daniela Harzer as the first COO in the company's history
Tilo Bonow (CEO) and Daniela Harzer (COO) at the Gendarmenmarkt office
In September 2020, PIABO appointed Daniela Harzer as the first COO in the company's history. Tilo comments: "With Daniela as the first COO in our agency's history, we are taking another step towards responding to the rapidly growing demands of the digital economy. PIABO not only supports the digital transformation, but is already actively setting the course to stay one step ahead as an agency partner as well. Daniela's commitment and ideas are also an excellent fit for our team and our corporate culture."
January 2020: Foundation of the Greentech Unit
What began at the beginning of 2020 with three sustainability pioneers as clients has now become an independent, ambitious and rapidly growing unit. As Unit Director, Andreas Krönke and his team are particularly committed to targeted storytelling and strategic positioning for environmentally friendly and resource-saving products and services. The portfolio ranges from new charging technologies to AI against food waste, energy technology to innovative approaches for a healthier and sustainable life in urban areas.
April 2019: Move to the new office at Gendarmenmarkt
Our team together in the new office
In April 2019, the PIABO team moved to Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt. In collaboration with the design manufacturer Vitra and the furniture store Designfunktion, a place has been created that invites collaborative work on more than 600 square meters. The open space concept includes various work areas: Team islands where employees can withdraw and talk to each other, telephone boxes, video conference rooms, a podcast studio, etc., to enable quiet and concentrated work. There is also a large, pleasantly designed space - characterized by openness, transparency and light for individual work at height-adjustable tables. It has become a place to come together, allowing room for creativity and agile exchange. The entire team was involved in the development and creation process at the time.
The agile office design increases productivity
August 2018: PIABO launches China Practice
At the end of August 2018, PIABO expanded its presence on the Chinese market. Already successfully active in China for several years, PIABO now responded to the growing demand from European and American clients to expand into the Chinese market with the expansion of the Shanghai location and the new hub in Beijing. The increased local presence also allows the agency to provide more comprehensive positioning support to Chinese clients in Europe. Michelle Liao is Practice Director Asia at PIABO.
2017: PIABO appoints Maria Urban as Unit Director for Internet of Things
PIABO is the first PR agency in Germany to establish the new "Internet of Things" unit. Industry expert Maria Urban heads the IoT unit. One of the launch clients was the world's leading IoT platform provider Cumulocity. The high industry relevance of IoT when the unit was founded has been confirmed. Berlin, in particular, plays a significant role in the topic of IoT. Since then, the demand for PR in the area of DeepTech has continued to grow significantly. In the meantime, the unit counts companies such as Atos (the European market leader for cybersecurity as well as cloud and high-performance computing), GitHub (the world's leading open source software platform), Markforged (3D printing pioneer), dfinity, the technology agency Turbine Kreuzberg and the software specialist VMware Tanzu among its clients.
2016: #PIABO10 - Germany's leading PR agency for the digital economy turns 10!
Thanks to the agency's digital DNA and commitment to the ecosystem, as well as its deep experience in the industry, PIABO has managed to become the most relevant success driver for "smart brands" within 10 years. The special quality and aspirational attitude of the team is also reflected in the above-average cooperation with customers over many years. PIABO has continuously developed over the past ten years. In 2016, the agency counted 25 consultants and creative minds among its team, as well as a global network of more than 50 partner offices. In fiscal 2015 alone, the agency grew by 36 percent.
2015: PIABO expands management team with Unit Director B2C Simone Krist
In August 2015, Simone Krist took over responsibility for the B2C area as Unit Director. The expert for brand and corporate PR is responsible for the strategic development and team management of the B2C unit. With her team of ten, Simone Krist looks after the management of national and global clients. Her unit now looks after clients such as Withings, Zinsbaustein, omio, NIU, Simpleclub and Lieferando.
2015: "Meet the Founders Tour" as part of the "Digital Innovators Summit as well as partnerships with NOAH & Heureka Conference as well as Messe Berlin
PIABO organizes "Meet The Founders Tour" for the Digital Innovators' Summit, communicates for the tools Expo + Conference of Messe Berlin as well as for the HEUREKA Conference. From invitation management to press material, the agency supports event PR from A-Z. Tilo: "Berlin is the breeding ground for innovative ideas in Europe. We are very happy to support the HEUREKA Conference, the Meet the Founder Tour as well as tools, bringing together national and international decision makers. Our commitment to platforms and formats that help entrepreneurs succeed is part of the agency DNA."
2013: Launch Social Media Butler
Too busy for social media? The social media butler always posts, tweets and keeps online fans up to date! PIABO offers international social media butler service according to the motto: ""James tweet this!". Whether musician, actor, athlete or entrepreneur: the social media butler brings personalities closer to their digital fans and followers. For those who are too busy offline to also take care of their online life, the Social Media Butler is just the right thing: Often it is not possible in the stressful daily routine to present oneself digitally, although this would be important for the image - this is where the Social Media Butler lends a hand. PIABO was the first agency nationwide to offer such a tool as a service in 2012.
2013: Partnership hy! Conference
PIABO was committed to promoting young talent at an early stage. This also led to a cooperation with the hy! conference. The aim of the partnership was to give the winner of the "Start-up Pitch of Next Berlin" a career boost. We provided a PR workshop worth 5000 Euros, tailored to the needs of the winner. The last personalized workshop was given to one of the winners of the hy! Berlin Startup Conference, Ridha Azaiz from SolarBrush. This brought him considerable media exposure and a push of his startup.
2011: Launch of the GreenTech Initiative and partnership with Ecosummit and Clean Tech World
PIABO receives PR contract for Ecosummit 2011: The organizers of Ecosummit 2011 (ECO11) also rely on the principle of sustainability when it comes to PR: After a successful cooperation last year, the PR agency PIABO, which specializes in technological and forward-looking companies, will once again take the lead for the press relations of the cleantech congress organized by Mobile Economy GmbH.
2009: Internationalization in key markets with partners and on the ground staff
PIABO recognized very early that there are other key markets beyond Germany in which to invest. The internationalization started with local partners in Poland, Spain and Italy. Meanwhile PIABO is active in more than 50 markets worldwide: As an international player we design tailor-made solutions for our customers. Our individual services range from the localization of a campaign to global product launches. We have a network of independent, best-in-class, owner-managed, highly specialized partner agencies and, of course, have our own teams on site in our core markets.
2008: Market launch & support of Facebook & LinkedIn in Germany
2007: Development of Germany's largest start-up & investor portfolio
2006: Foundation of PIABO PR in May by Tilo Bonow
In 2006, Tilo founded PIABO, a Berlin-based PR agency specializing in tech companies. Initially, Tilo worked with PIABO for clients from Europe, followed by clients in North America - especially Silicon Valley - and from 2015 clients from China as well.
PIABO becomes a magnet for new talent and focuses on diversity in the team
Diversity in action: The current PIABO team
The agency is growing continuously under the leadership of the management duo Tilo and Daniela. PIABO now has 80 employees from six countries who communicate with each other and with clients in 13 languages. The range of the team is further strengthened by new talents with our attention to diversity.
When selecting new team members, the qualities that each individual brings to PIABO are particularly important. "Already during the recruiting process, we make sure that our team is diverse. We live diversity, our different strengths and backgrounds. It is precisely these different perspectives that make PIABO unique," explains Steffen Beck, Head of People & Culture.
"Diversity is deeply embedded in PIABO's DNA," says our COO Daniela. "It is not only a fundamental social attitude issue, but diversity is also the engine and driver for more innovation and value creation. The more diverse the team, the more successful and high-quality the output."
The PIABO team is diverse and has grown strongly. Many have been with us for years, others have just joined. Their impressions are personally different and yet unifying:
Daniela Harzer, COO. With PIABO since September 2020
Tilo and I not only share a common vision for the agency, a passion for the digital future and its formative movers and shakers. We also share the same demand for quality as well as a similar sense of humor and laugh a lot together. He appreciates a good argumentative exchange and challenges not only himself permanently, but also the team and me in a good way. Tilo is a fascinating personality, a quick thinker and thematically always one step ahead. With PIABO he has built an agency that is very clearly positioned and successful. This is reflected in talent, knowledge, network and strong organic growth. Helping to shape this growth on all its levels in its versatility is a very fulfilling task for me.
Nadine Kupfer, Senior Account Director, since May 2011
(Our longest-standing employee)
When I started at PIABO in 2011, we were an agency primarily serving startups from German-speaking countries. In the meantime, my clients are located in the USA and all over Europe. I'm proud to be part of this development and to use my work at PIABO to spread the word on new technologies that are changing the world in a positive way.
Nico Wilczek, Trainee Office Management, since October 2020
My best moment was shooting the surprise video for Steffen's wedding. It was fun and beautiful. Everybody had fun and everybody in the office as well as in the home office participated and so the video became a nice present! My favorite event so far was the Christmas party, which we did virtually. Everyone participated, there was nice music and Tilo played the piano. We cooked together and presented our food. We guessed children's pictures of our colleagues and told stories about them. Overall, it was a nice atmosphere, although it was virtual. PIABO is just magical. Through PIABO I learned how to work most efficiently in the shortest amount of time, plus how to be brief to address only the most important points and share information. Also, PIABO showed me that when you get a lot done, it's a really rewarding feeling and that everyone notices when you put effort into your work. For me, PIABO is the best possible training place I could have discovered.
Fabian Zeitler, Senior Communications Director since May 2014
After six years, I can say for myself personally: I have grown together with PIABO. While we were more of a pure start-up agency in 2014, today large and well-known corporations as well as medium-sized companies trust us. In our technology unit, you can see this above all in the large number of accelerators and innovation units of large companies such as Metro, Telekom and BMW, which we have had the pleasure of accompanying over the years. Since moving to Gendarmenmarkt about a year ago, we have continued to grow strongly. This new office probably best represents the positive development that PIABO has undergone overall: On the one hand, we have retained a certain start-up character with flat hierarchies, modern communication, flexible working hours and corresponding catering services; on the other hand, the premises have become much more spacious and representative. I see this as a valuable confirmation of our successful work in recent years.
Andreas Krönke, Unit Director, since October 2014
My most enjoyable event so far has been working with European and international (partner) agencies. That's really fun. I really like experiencing other cultures and thinking together about how we can successfully play campaigns internationally. At PIABO you never stop learning. Every day! We have such a strong team that you can really learn something every day, even if you've been there for a long time. That is really enriching!
Patricia Reiter, People & Culture Generalist, since October 2018
The move from Weinmeisterstraße to Markgrafenstraße was my best event at PIABO so far. When we moved together as a team, filled the space with life, were able to use the new area and then the housewarming party for Family & Friends - that was a great bonding. Since I've been at PIABO, I continue to evolve all the time. In a professional context, this is encouraged by the annual training budget, but just working closely with Steffen, Tilo, Daniela is absolutely motivating and exciting for me. Through the responsibility and trust that one is given, one benefits in the long term. The recognition of one's own strengths and skills is also great. That's a big plus in terms of personal development.
Paul Gärtner, Practice Director since April 2018
Anyone who wants to advise leading international companies in the fast-moving tech sector needs not only both hands full of professional expertise, but also a positive world view and a healthy dose of self-confidence. If there's one thing I've learned for life, it's that positivity is better than doubt - always.
Marten Neelsen, Communications Consultant, since July 2020
Despite a challenging year, the summer party 2020 was a nice moment for all of us to get together and exchange ideas - corona compliant and in the open air. I quickly took my colleagues at PIABO to my heart. A team that supports me in small and big challenges, helps me to move forward and also teaches me new things. I am especially happy about the connections that exist beyond the end of the working day and the exchange of ideas beyond work.
Carolina Osses, Communications Executive, since February 2019
My favorite person and moment at PIABO is thanks to this wonderful woman. I came to PIABO through my dearest friend Franziska Scheider. We know each other through our studies and we have a friendship that has lasted for years, which we were able to intensify at PIABO, as we were able to see each other every day again and also get to know each other on a whole new level. I have grown through her, both humanly and professionally! This close bond was captured in this photo at our 2019 summer party, when we set sail with the whole PIABO team. We had an immense amount of fun that day.
Lucas Florian, Unit Director, since December 2020
My best experience at PIABO so far was that, thanks to the Ops team, my "Hollywood Storytelling Academy" was accompanied by mega delicious popcorn for all participants. Best idea & organisation!
Ann-Kathrin Marggraf, Communications Consultant since October 2020
At PIABO I learn something new every day - whether it's new tools or new topics. PIABO has a team that thrives on diverse and inspiring people, and it's fun to work with them as equals, regardless of the position. The Escape Game was a lot of fun. The team always comes up with great ideas to stay connected "remotely".
