13 Questions for... Stephan Oehen
Does Stephan Oehen, Managing Director Oehen PR Switzerland, fall for advertising? Has he ever bluffed? And how much does he earn? Find out this and 10 other answers in our question series.
1. what inspired you to enter the communications industry?
Using words to influence people. Whether in politics, through the media or with consumers.
2. what would you most like to communicate for?
Next to all the mainstream we see in marketing communications, to build a true luxury brand worldwide would be great.
3. where and how have you ever bluffed in your life?
I do not bluff, but shape truth until it becomes credible.
4. was there a moment in your life when you thought: Wow. This is great. And it's from me!
When the Federal Council decided in favor of the Swedish Gripen in 2011. As a political advisor and strategist, I have played a key role in shaping the campaign since 2002.
5. who was the most fun lunch partner?
Again and again, my youngest. Recently he confessed to me that he wasn't Spiderman, but that I was definitely and demonstrably Superman. Convincing him that this is not the case was impossible.
6. what does not come to the office under any circumstances?
Slippers.
7. the best testimonial ever?
Marilyn Monroe in 1960, because she wasn't even paid for it: "You know, they ask me questions. Just an example: 'What do you wear to bed? A pajama top? The bottoms of the pajamas? A nightgown?' So I said, 'Chanel No.5,' because it's the truth."
8. how has your media behavior changed in the last three years?
Today, I also read paid media exclusively electronically. That didn't exist in the past. That's why the people at the waste paper collection hardly enjoy me anymore, but all those who used to take care of it do.
9. what do you see as the biggest challenge for PR at the moment?
Finding the right balance between digital PR, traditional PR and content.
10. do you fall for advertising?
Again and again! For example, when a new technical gadget comes on the market and I have to realize after the first hour that it is neither faster nor better than the old one. Fortunately, there are excellent tech journalists today.
11. which websites do you use regularly?
Hootsuite, Evernote, Google Analytics and Pulse. Privately, I love the FT app "How to spend it".
12. what is impossible for you to do without?
On chocolate and enough sleep.
13. do you tell other people how much you earn?
No. I don't know for sure myself.
In the next installment of our series, Markus Gut, CCO of Advico Y&R, takes on the 13 questions.
Stephan Oehen founded Oehen PR in 2006. For the past two years, he has also been Managing Director of the PR agency Grayling (formerly Trimedia). Oehen PR, based in Zollikon with offices in Munich and Vienna, is an affiliate of Grayling.
