apollon Innovation Day
Building Brands and Friends
From Data to Desire!
03 July 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum (Stuttgart)
Registration Sweepstakes Impressions Location Motto Programme Speaker Sponsors Foreword
Dear apollon customers, speakers, partners, sponsors, fans and readers,
it’s that time again! On 3 July 2025, we cordially invite you to the 11th apollon Innovation Day. This year, a very special experience awaits you at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart – a place that stands for excellent brand management and sustainable brand success like no other. Fittingly, our motto is: ‘Building Brands and Friends’ – because strong brands are created through strong relationships.
In a digital world where brands stand for trust and identity more than ever, strong relationships are the key to success – which is exactly what ‘Building Brands and Friends’ is all about. How can you position your brand sustainably? Which technologies and strategies will help you to inspire customers and build long-term partnerships? Answers to these and many other questions await you at the 11th Innovation Day.
Look forward to:
🚀 Inspiring keynotes from industry experts such as Stefan Wenzel and Dr. Christian Bischof
🚀 Exciting best practices from the world of digital retail
🚀 Exclusive insights into current trends and technologies
🚀 Networking at the highest level – make valuable contacts with experts, decision-makers and like-minded people
🚀 Unique atmosphere in the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Our event will once again be expertly moderated by Martin Groß-Albenhausen (bevh), who has already impressed with his expertise and presence in the past. Don’t miss this opportunity and secure your place now for a day full of innovation, valuable dialogue and inspiring ideas!
Until 03 July 2025 – we look forward to seeing you!
Yours
Norbert Weckerle and Tobias Marks
SPONSORS
FOREWORD
The ‘homo economicus’ is the favourite child of economists in rational choice theory: consumers as utility maximisers who consciously make decisions based on the best offer for their preferences. Empowered citizens who should be at home in the ocean of data like fish in water.
Far from it, say the institutions and see consumers on the internet as ‘vulnerable’. The discussion about data and artificial intelligence in this country is not being conducted from the perspective of opportunities, but rather risks. ‘Digital fairness’ should prevent buyers from being persuaded to click prematurely by highly personalised offers and previously accepted marketing techniques.
How empowered or vulnerable are people in a world characterised by AI and data? And what role do retailers and brands play in this game vis-à-vis their customers when global competition follows very different social orders and legal regulations?
‘Building Brands and Friends’ is exactly the right motto for a phase in e-commerce in which working with data makes it possible to get ever closer to customers: AI-generated texts, images, even language and tongues can create a closeness that previously seemed unthinkable. Micro-influencers and micro-brands can rise to meteoric heights on social networks. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between what is true and what only appears to be true.
On the other hand, there is the truthfulness of brands, which can serve as beacons in the face of uncertainty. But in the AI storm, even they no longer stand on rock-solid ground.
So it’s time to deal with the essential questions about data, customers, artificial intelligence and the corresponding ‘emotional quotient’ of human relationships. Welcome to the apollon Innovation Day 2025!
Yours, Martin Groß-Albenhausen, bevh
SPEAKERS
Martin Groß-Albenhausen
Bundesverband E-Commerce und Versandhandel Deutschland e.V. (bevh) »Moderation« Martin Groß-Albenhausen, Deputy Managing Director at bevh, oversees marketing, data science, B2B, and training. He advises retailers on e-commerce strategy and business models. In 2016, he joined the commission for e-commerce education development. He is also an honorary board member at Trusted Shops and ‘Deutschland sicher im Netz’.
Dr. Christian Bischof
AI Mentalist »AI Mentalism – How to Inspire Friends with Data« Dr. Christian Bischof, PhD in economics, is a successful magician (European champion of mental magic). He inspires audiences with shows and lectures for companies such as BAYER and BMW. His goal: to inspire people to make the impossible possible – with AI, true to Arthur C. Clarke: ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’
Dr. Peter Müller-Pellet
ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND and DADO SENS »The ANNEMARIE-BÖRLIND Story – Success thanks to Omni-Channel, Partnership and Loyalty« Dr. Peter Müller-Pellet is Managing Director of ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND and DADO SENS, two leading companies in the natural and derma cosmetics industry. With his many years of experience as a consultant, trainer and coach in the areas of strategy, organisation and innovation, as well as a doctorate in economics with a specialisation in sustainability, he […]
Katharina Abernethy & Heiko Hofer
PARSA Beauty »The Beauty of Branding: How PARSA Beauty is Building a Strong Brand and Community« With over 5,000 products and a presence in more than 35 countries, PARSA Beauty sets standards in innovation and product range diversity. Katharina Abernethy (Head of Marketing) and Heiko Hofer (CEO) show how the company is establishing a strong brand and building an engaged community – with creative strategies and best practices in branding.
Norbert Weckerle
apollon GmbH+Co. KG »OMN Roadmap 2025/2026« Whether stationary or digital – without omnichannel, innovation and digital efficiency, change threatens to overwhelm. Norbert Weckerle has been shaping this change since 1995 with IT solutions in the media and product data environment. As CEO of apollon, he drives forward sustainable commerce solutions and puts new technologies through their paces.
Barbara Arnold-Reinschmidt
Popken Fashion Group »Data & Disruption: The Popken Fashion Group’s Brand Management in Times of Highly Dynamic Digital Environments.« Starting as a buyer at Otto and a momentum-accelerating loop at Olsen, Barbara has been responsible for all strategic, organisational and operational aspects of the product and its marketing preparation since 2012.
Thorben Schwitalla
Popken Fashion Group »Data & Disruption: The Popken Fashion Group’s Brand Management in Times of Highly Dynamic Digital Environments.« After a primary socialisation as a copywriter with stations at Jung von Matt, Leagas Delaney and fischerAppelt, Thorben is now responsible for the brand communication and evolution of the Ulla Popken brand.
Michael Witzenleiter
Conversion Maker »Product detail page optimisation: 10 steps to transform ordinary product pages into AI-powered sales magnets« Michael Witzenleiter is a German serial entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of the AI company Conversion Maker. He is an expert in profitable AI applications for marketing and retail and a sought-after speaker and author. His insights on A/B testing and sales psychology are featured in his book Quick Guide A/B Testing and the podcast CRO.café.
Florian Hiebl
pewag International GmbH »Brand Management in the Industry: How pewag moves from Product Quality to Customer Loyalty« Florian Hiebl is Head of Global Brand Management at pewag International GmbH, a leading global manufacturer of chain solutions for a wide range of applications, including snow chains, forestry chains, lifting and conveyor chains and industrial chains. He brings with him experience from previous positions at Tuntenball Graz, BFS Security Solutions GmbH, Jupiter Beteiligungs GmbH […]
Stefan Wenzel
Digital & Retail Expert »Navigating Change – Rethinking Retail« Stefan Wenzel is a leading expert in digital and retail with 25+ years of experience across brands, retailers, and platforms, including as Managing Director at eBay, Otto, Tom Tailor, and McLaren. As a consultant and advisor, he supports companies, executives, and founders while sharing his expertise as a keynote speaker, author, and podcast host.PROGRAMME
09:00 – 12:15
-
9:00
Welcome with Coffee Doping
-
9:30
Let´s get started!
bevh & apollon GmbH+Co. KG
»Welcome and Introduction« -
09:45
Opening Keynote
Stefan Wenzel
»Navigating Change – Rethinking Retail« -
10:30
PARSA Beauty
Katharina Abernethy and Heiko Hofer
»The Beauty of Branding: How PARSA Beauty is Building a Strong Brand and Community« -
11:15
Coffee Doping
-
11:30
Popken Fashion Group
Barbara Arnold-Reinschmidt and Thorben Schwitalla
»Data & Disruption: The Popken Fashion Group’s Brand Management in Times of Highly Dynamic Digital Environments.« -
12:15
pewag International GmbH
Florian Hiebl
»Brand Management in the Industry: How pewag moves from Product Quality to Customer Loyalty«
13:00 – 17:30
-
13:00
Powerbreak & Lunch-Time
-
14:00
Börlind GmbH
Dr. Peter Müller-Pellet
»The ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND Story – Success thanks to Omni-Channel, Partnership and Loyalty« -
14:45
Conversion Maker
Michael Witzenleiter
»Product Detail Page Optimisation: 10 Steps to Transform Ordinary Product Pages into AI-powered Sales Magnets« -
15:15
apollon GmbH+Co. KG
Norbert Weckerle
»OMN Roadmap 2025/2026« -
16:00
Energyboost
-
16:15
Closing Keynote
Dr. Christian Bischof
»AI Mentalism – How to Inspire Friends with Data« -
17:30
End
apollon GmbH+Co. KG
»End of the lectures &
museum visit« -
19:00
Time to celebrate with Fingerfood & Drinks
LOCATION
Mercedes-Benz Museum
We want to offer our visitors a luxurious ambience and an unforgettable event with first-class presentations. And where better to do this than at the Mercedes-Benz Museum? After all, Mercedes-Benz has stood for tradition, prestige and global excellence for over 100 years – it knows how to seamlessly combine history and innovation like no other brand.
Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart
Mercedesstraße 100
70372 Stuttgart
After our presentations, we invite you to take an exclusive tour of the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum. Experience legendary vehicles up close and let yourself be inspired by excellent brand management and innovative brand strategies – before we celebrate our anniversary party together.
MOTTO
Building Brands and Friends: From Data to Desire!
This year’s apollon Innovation Day will focus on the power of strong brands: they inspire, create trust and secure a decisive competitive edge. Our motto ‘Building Brands and Friends’ emphasises that modern brands go far beyond their products or services. Today, they are points of identification based on strong relationships, genuine trust and emotional closeness. Brands are not just providers – they are companions, advisors and real friends.
In a world full of data, creating authentic, emotional customer experiences from facts and figures is both a challenge and an opportunity. Branding is the key: it creates identity, arouses emotions and binds target groups in the long term.
Through inspiring presentations, we shed light on the customer journey and show how brands can not only reach customers through targeted strategies, but also inspire them in the long term. The focal points include:
- From Data to Emotions: How can we use data to create emotional brand messages?
- Tools for Change: Which technologies and processes make brand presences more approachable and appealing?
- Brand Messages that Work: How do we ensure that brands are not only heard, but also felt?
Today, the success of a brand is no longer measured by market share alone – it is measured by creating connections that last. When brands become friends, genuine loyalty is created – the key to sustainable growth and long-term customer relationships.
IMPRESSIONS
from the last event
What our VISITORS say
Find out why our Innovation Day is so unique! Our customers tell us what convinced them in interviews, podcasts and videos. Experience real insights, exciting innovations and valuable networking – and be there yourself next time!
Tobias Schwoy, KLS Martin
Friederike Paschke, WAS Germany
Niklas Schultes, PIM-Consult
SWEEPSTAKES
Wellness Weekend
We are giving away an exclusive wellness weekend at idyllic Lake Constance to all visitors (excluding partners and employees). Look forward to pure relaxation and recuperation at the renowned Steigenberger Inselhotel including a candlelight dinner – an experience for all the senses. The highlight: your stylish journey in a high-performance Audi e-tron GT, sponsored by Autohaus Weeber, will make the experience even more unforgettable.
Take part and secure your chance to win this special experience! You can simply note your participation in the prize draw directly when you register >> .
REGISTRATION
Please complete the registration form to secure your place at the apollon Innovation Day. Experience exciting insights, inspiring speakers and valuable networking opportunities. We look forward to seeing you! 🚀
Note: The ticket costs 980 euros. If you have a voucher code, participation is free of charge.
Picture credits: © Mercedes‑Benz Group AG (images of Mercedes); © Michael Gueth (Martin Groß-Albenhausen); © apollon GmbH+Co. KG (event images Innovation Day and videos) ; ©Steigenberger Inselhotel (image of the hotel)
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