A conversation with Joris van Heukelom

♥ What is your role at Ilse Media?
I am responsible for IIse Media. The biggest digital publisher in the Netherlands reaching 8 out of 10 people in Holland. Ilse media has a broad portfolio of sites like NU.nl (news), Kieskeurig.nl (comparison), Startpagina.nl (directories), Vrouwonline.nl (beauty, fashion), SchoolBANK.nl (class-reunion) and a fast growing network of mobile sites. We are a part of Sanoma, we are 100% digital and we are working on building a Sanoma Digital network covering all the different needs of our public in the digital space.

♥ What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about passionate people.

♥ Why are you attracted to PICNIC?
It’s a really smart idea to bring the creative industry to the forefront in the Netherlands. In previous years, PICNIC has been successful in helping to achieve both this goal and delivering a strong event. In any case, it is certainly not a typical conference – we already have enough of those in this country! The distinction of Amsterdam as the creative capital is a smart one. But I still think that this country should put much more urgency in becoming the home ground of the creative industry on a global scale. And then you’re not talking about Amsterdam alone, but The Netherlands as a whole.

♥ What is your message to this year’s participants?
Keep coming back and start pushing everyone around you, decision maker or not, that knowledge workers are the only people left to bring this country to 2025.

♥ What are the biggest challenges Ilse Media faces?
The symbiosis of classical and digital media and the ongoing education of non-digitals without talking incomprehensible digital slang. I am 100% sure that in the end almost everything will become digital.

♥ What do you see as ilse media’s greatest opportunities?
Our goal is to always try to get smarter. And to inspire marketing and communication people who are not yet convinced that the digital means of marketing and communication are the main carriers of their success.

♥ Where do you find inspiration?
Reading books, being silent, but mostly wondering around the www.
For more information about ilse media, visit our website: www.ilsemedia.nl.