Octagon Grows German Operations By Appointing Marc Brix To Head Market

Sports and entertainment marketing leader Octagon has increased its German based operations by appointing senior sports marketing expert Marc Brix and his team. The appointment gives Octagon a presence in Frankfurt, Cologne and Düsseldorf.

Brix will be joined by five senior managers of his former agency, The Marc Brix Sports Group, increasing the Octagon Germany ranks to 20. The move expands both Octagon’s presence in Germany and its service offering across the agency’s Europe, Middle East and India region. Brix will serve as General Manager, Octagon Germany and be based in Düsseldorf.

Brix has been Managing Director of Marc Brix Sports Group GmbH since 2007, and has provided a wide range of sports marketing services to clients including, Ferrero and its Kinder brand, adidas, Coca-Cola and Castrol. Prior to forming his agency, Brix served as Vice President, Global Sponsorships Group for MasterCard Worldwide. In that role, he directed all 2006 FIFA World Cup GermanyTM programs in the host country, working closely with MasterCard’s lead agency, Octagon. Brix also headed Publicis Sponsoring GmbH from 2000-2004 and previously was managing director for sports and event marketing agency, MAB Sport & Kommunikation, Düsseldorf from 1993-2000.

“We are very fortunate to have Marc on our team,” said Jeff Ehrenkranz, Managing Director Octagon Europe, Middle East and India. “His expertise across the sponsorship industry honed during his tenure at MasterCard could not be a better fit as we grow our business across our diverse region.“

Alexander Hermesdorf, continues his role running Octagon’s Frankfurt office, but also will take on the role of VP, Event Management for the region. “Alex is an accomplished activation expert, having run client events on five continents and is an invaluable resource to our client teams across the region,” said Ehrenkranz. Hermesdorf will serve as Brix’s deputy and drive business development and best practice for Octagon’s client activation business.

Brix came to know Octagon during his MasterCard tenure. “As head of MasterCard’s Global Sponsorships team for the company’s FIFA World CupTM sponsorship, all of my team were Octagon staff, so I’ve had the pleasure and great experience to work with Octagon for almost three years. “ 

Brix, a German native, earned a B.B.A. in marketing from James Madison University. An avid tennis player, Marc is the current ITF Senior Doubles World Champion (Men 45). Brix, his wife and two children live in Hilden, Germany.