Kerstin Ludwig

going→fwd — Kerstin Ludwig | Consulting & Fractional Leadership I make strategy → systems → expression → execution → scale work — for organisations and individuals navigating growth, transformation, and complexity. As operator, thinking partner, and external lens. → I align systems to what matters. → I build systems that work. → I create systems that resonate. → I move systems fwd. 600K €/year saved · ~1M € over 3 years · AI at scale without drift. → 20 min Clarity Call: calendly.com/going-fwd

Fractional/interim mandate directing brand infrastructure, governance, and AI enablement for a publicly listed European B2B SaaS platform operating across EMEA and US. Built and implemented a brand operating system with proven ROI — consolidating fragmented systems into governed, scalable infrastructure with measured adoption and reduced dependency on central resources. Led AI enablement end-to-end: structured tool evaluation, pilots in real production contexts, brand-safe self-service workflows, legal an

Led creative operations for one of Europe’s largest digital marketplaces — MDAX-listed, 20M+ monthly visitors. Built and scaled in-house creative studio from the ground up: insourcing design and production capability, establishing agile operating model, reducing external spend substantially over three years. Introduced Brand Hub and DAM, scaled motion from guidelines up to TV spot creation and production intake, CMS design system, and Salesforce revamp — each reducing GTM time and improving performance on

Led Scout24 Group rebrand across EMEA — strategy, system development, rollout across Scout24, ImmoScout24, AutoScout24, and licensees. Full stakeholder alignment across org, marketing, product, sales, partnerships, and legal. Insourced creative studio and established guild structure. German Brand Award Winner (Design) · German Brand Award Special Mention (Strategy).

Short-term interim mandate to stabilise creative operations in a fast-scaling, international multi-brand e-commerce environment. Led the design team supporting 14 owned DTC brands across Home & Living, Consumer Electronics, Sound & Light, and Sports in a vertically integrated business spanning product, brand, go-to-market and customer experience. Established clearer operating structures and handed over a functioning setup within the engagement window.

Led brand and creative operations for Germany’s largest handmade goods marketplace during scale-up, repositioning, and pre-acquisition phase. Directed full in-house rebrand — 100% created internally — and subsequent launch of DaWanda DIY as a branded category. Outcomes: increased CSAT, engagement, and merchandise sales. 10x faster page load times post-relaunch. DaWanda DIY: 1.4M tutorial views, +200% page impressions YoY. Built and scaled design team, introducing agile processes with 93% of agreed deadlin

Founded and operated two independent Berlin publications: Berliner index (culture guide, 100,000 circulation/issue) and Berliner nacht (bi-weekly listings, 30,000 circulation, 100+ issues). Built editorial operations, online platform (web portal + FileMaker-based CMS), newsletter, client relationships, and team from scratch. Also operated Coming Soon — a dedicated distribution service with 300 Berlin locations, own display system, and clients including Admiralspalast, Volksbühne, and Arena Berlin.

distribution service for flyer, poster and magazines in 300 locations in Berlin: exclusive distribution mix from Deutsche Guggenheim to Bar25 with own display system; clients amongst others: Admiralspalast, Arena Berlin, Volksbühne, Die Grünen, PDS, local promoters

Design Leaders programme is the only MBA equivalent that is made specifically for Creative Directors and Design Leaders with 15+ years of experience who want to get a better understanding of the business processes, become greater leaders and take their career and business internationally. A 9‑week