Two Marketing Buddies Walk Into Buddha Erik Saelens Author

Two international top marketers meet in a bar. They start talking… and they see in each other a passion for brand marketing. For a whole year, they bombard each other with ideas on the meaning and future of brands, marketing, the world and life. This book is the fascinating story of their intense dialogue written in a unique storytelling style and at the speed at which they live their lives. From Antwerp and Dubai… to the world!Join Erik and Kurt on their 365 daylong marketinglife travels across 51 cities, 17 countries, 4 continents and 8 time zones.The first marketing book that reads like a novel!ENDORSEMENTSA roller coaster of marketing strategies, branding ideas and opinions!- H.H. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani -An entertaining trip through the minds of two talented brand doctors!- Bart De Wever, Mayor of Antwerp -Reading this book feels like sitting in the back seat of a 4WD with 2 new age marketers driving you around on a rocking adventure road through the time machine of marketing!- Gunter Uytterhoeven, CMO BNP Paribas Fortis -This book is a trip you wish would never end!- Antonio Cano, CEO AG Insurance -An intense dialogue about the meaning of marketing, the universe and everything!- Frans Cornelis, Group CMO Randstad -This is not a book! It’s a great, tasty meal about marketing and branding for now and the future!- Tarek Kabil, CEO Abraaj Capital -We need to bring back simplicity to the core of marketing and the thoughts in this book are a very good start!- Marcello Maggioni, CMO Vodafone Germany -Entertaining, creative and thought provoking! A must read for those of us who realize the value of Market-ability and those that have forgotten!- Safak Guvenc, Area Manager of Qatar, General Manager, W Doha Hotel & ResidenceRead this book if you want to jump start your marketing career and develop the sensibilities of a real marketer from the future!- Shiv Singh, Author of Social Media Marketing for DummiesThis is the quest of two marketers, who question their ever-changing environment, the need to adapt, and balance their experience with the hunger for the new!- Niek Hommerson, CEO Entergaming, Board Member HommersonYou follow two highly talented marketers, also fathers, husbands, and best friends, and you look at the world through their marketing eyes!- Machteld Schierbeek, Erik’s wifeThis is a top-notch inspirational storytelling novel, using blunt/direct and straightforward language that draws you in and makes you eager to read more!- Mark Pensaert, CEO Leonardo & Co. EuropeABOUT THE AUTHORSErik SaelensFounder & Executive Strategic Director - Brandhome, Antwerp, BelgiumErik Saelens is a consultant and interim manager with over 15 years’ experience in brand marketing and communications. He currently holds the position of strategy director at Brandhome.Erik specializes in rebranding and renaming operations, and has researched more than 250 brand-change operations worldwide. He is also an expert on brand management and M&A and IPO strategies, and draws on a strong operational background when putting these strategies into practice. Erik has a solid track record too as an interim manager, performing various roles for a range of international companies and brands.Kurt FrenierVice President Global Marketing - PepsiCo, NY USAKurt in 1 word? Passionate! He energizes people. Motivates consumers. Looks constantly for innovation. With one clear objective: make his brands and his teams win the battle outside. Every population has a percentage bright minds, proportional to its seize. There is no doubt that Kurt, coming from a small Belgian population, is one of the brightest minds you will ever meet in marketing.