Sven Huber

Diverse strategic projects in collaboration with DirectGroup's CEO.

Founder and CEO of the company. Responsible for development and execution of the business plan, definition of the company's positioning and branding, recruiting of the management team and employees (100+), opening and acquisition of nine bookstores as well as launch of an online eBook downloading platform. Start-up of operations and growth of sales up to € 12 million. Sales of the business to Planeta Group, creating with Casa del Libro the leading Spanish specialized book retailer.

Various strategic projects reporting to DirectGroup's CEO, e.g. in Germany (Der Club) and Portugal (acquisition of Bertrand Group, active in publishing, retail and distribution, sales € 40+ millions).

Responsable for member loyalty, online business, institutional sales and new businesses. Development and launch of kids club "MiCírculo" with currently more than 180,000 members as well as launch of several new business activities, e.g. wine club Círculo, VISA Círculo, travel. Member of the Management Board reporting to CEO, 18 subordinates.

Strategic projects in book publishing and distribution > Random House, Inc. (US): negotiation of the Japanese JV Random House Kodansha; improvement of financial performance of Random House's operation in Mexico. > Círculo de Lectores, S.A. (Spain): development of a growth strategy for Círculo's music business; design of a cost reductions program for the sales department > Random House Mondadori, S.A. (Spain): JV integration of Plaza y Janés and Grijalbo Mondadori; new positioning of JV's publishing imprints

Strategic business consulting, serving clients in banking, automotive, postal services and transportation sectors; e.g. change management, design and launch of a corporate university, product and branding strategy development, management of a JV integration of 15 companies on European level, launch of an online banking business.