Our Marbella People Interview today is with Wolfgang Brand from Clever Marketing. Wolfgang Brand is owner and manager of Clever Marketing Internet S.L., a company specialising in Internet Marketing Services. Clever Marketing initially started as a ‘one man show’ in 2003 and is now a team of committed professionals.
How long have you lived in Spain and how long is your business established?
Wolfgang Brand: I moved to Spain in 92, met my wife there in Tenerife, moved around a bit including the Caribbean, Ibiza and Germany, came to the Costa from Munich 3 years ago. I started my own business about 2 years ago, first with a partner and for the last 1 and a half years have been on my own.
Why did you choose Marbella?
Wolfgang Brand: I did not choose Marbella, I have chosen to come here initially for a specific job (Mariotts) which I did only two month and then decided to do my own thing. Actually I live in Mijas Costa, had the business address initially in Marbella (CIMA BUSINESS CENTER) like many do, and moved recently ( 4 month ago) into premises in Fuengirola.
Tell us your greatest business or personal accomplishment?
Wolfgang Brand:
Business:
1. Setting up a successful sales team for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers in Munich, producing more then 300,000 Euros per month in Computer training sales.
2. Selling more the 6.000.000’ US dollars worth of timeshare sales as Director of Sales for Platinum International in Prague.
3. I was part of a little team which had the job to buy, refurbish a 4 *hotel In Germany on behalf of Sunterra, retrain all staff and set up a timeshare sales and marketing operation on site …all this within 6 months… and we did it!! Ask Pat Conlon from IN, he was part of that same team.
Personal:
1. Learning SEO from Scratch within only two years
2. Forming a wonderful family ( two boys 10 and 6)
Why would you recommend the Costa del Sol for business and Lifestyle?
Wolfgang Brand: I don’t know, ended up here by accident…but love it. The people are nice, one has more freedom and space then on the Islands and it’s generally speaking good fun. There a lots of business opportunities for people with an open mind and a positive attitude.
If you could change one thing about Spain, what would it be?
Wolfgang Brand: I would get rid of the ‘Siesta’
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Wolfgang Brand: Aggressive…. Fair…..Ambitious
What is your favorite Restaurant in Marbella?
Wolfgang Brand: There are so many which I really like…and eating out is one of my hobbies anyway. One of them is the Old Swiss House in Fuengirola, I do like the Pravda in Puerto Banus – it’s a bit of a different Concept – a gastronomic journey around the world. When working in Prague the Pravda Prague was my definite favourite there as well. Here on the costa I also like the Thai Lana in Fuengirola – best Asian restaurant I have ever been in Spain. And of course there is this fantastic fish restaurant in Cabopino at the Beach…also Da Bruno is nice…I love Italian as well.
What is the last film you saw at the Cinema or DVD?
Wolfgang Brand: Together with my kids: Star Wars…with Children you got to make compromises, but then again I found the little green Jedi Boss quit amusing.
What advice would you give to someone moving to Spain?
Wolfgang Brand: Many People are under the misconception that in Spain you can get away with ignoring the laws easily.
My advice number one is: do things right from the start by the books and get involved in Spanish society. Maybe it ‘does not go with British mentality’ or example having an ID card (commonly referred to as a residencia) but then again….somebody who wants to live like he does in his own country…is he really committed to live here or is he just on a long holiday? This is not the wild west, it’s a European Country with laws and social rules…just like any other EU State.
My advice number two is: accept that YOU are the foreigner…not the Spaniards, accept THEIR rules not YOUR rules.
Name one other business you would recommend on the Costa del Sol and why?
Wolfgang Brand: Mercuryin (infocasa) is a company I always enjoyed working with. The cooperation is utmost professional and the people that work there are great. The Product infocasa and their consistent strive for improving the product is probably what made them the market leader as Real Estate Software provider on the Costa del Sol. Despite of them being the market leader they still listen to others in the industry without being arrogant and with an open mind for suggestions. Kudos to Jason & Company.
About Smart Media Spain
Wolfgang Brand is owner and manager of Smart Media Spain, a company specialising in Internet Marketing Services. Smart Media Spain initially started as a ‘one man show’ in 2003 and is now a team of committed professionals.
The company established a reputation of being one of the leading internet marketing firms in Spain. Ever since Wolfgang Brand took over the troubled Software firm ‘Exclusive Networking’ and integrated the both companies into one.
He also took over IAFA Tours SA, a touroperator in Fuengirola, and reorganised the firm.
Recently the company expanded their sales activities beyond the Costa del Sol and selling SEO services in Germany and the UK.
Smart Media Spain’s is about to launch 6 property web sites to generate leads for Spanish Estate Agents as well as a state of the art Web Directoryfor web sites in English related to the Costa del Sol.
Please visit our Web Site: http://www.smartmediaspain.com/ or Call: Tel.: + (34) 665 841 138
