
Leading by example and nurturing future generations is imperative. I am deeply committed to empowering professionals by giving them the direction they need to excel in their personal and career pursuits. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to use my voice in the media as a serial board member, keynote speaker, and guest lecturer. My areas of expertise include all-female leadership and all of the Marketing spectrum, from e-commerce and strategic Marketing paired with AI, advertising, brand & client engagement to digital transformation. As a speaker, I attended various international events such as RetailNXT, Women at Amazon, Web Summit, OMR, and many more. ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง, ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐, ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ I oversee omnichannel media, advertising, and performance e-commerce for Gucci across 106 markets, as well as retail Marketing and client engagement. My role includes setting the strategic framework and direction for the region. ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ & ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ In this role, I managed the global media and advertising strategy across 22 markets. I was dedicated to the digital transformation of the luxury house, enabling a seamless user journey and establishing omnichannel frameworks. My achievements include implementing attribution, bringing transparency to the entire marketing funnel. ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ณ๐จ๐ง I was responsible for the marketing and communications strategy for premium brands in Germany, Italy, and Spain. I led strategic market initiatives and global promotions such as Cyber Week and Prime Day to drive business performance. I also managed relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders. ๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ (๐๐จ๐๐ค๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ) I drove business growth in this role and managed brand relationships across seven markets. My role involved developing and implementing communications strategies to support Zalora's regional expansion and brand awareness. Feel free to follow my journey on IG (@mariaplessen) and my personal mission on The Dual Shift (@thedualshift), supporting women in their ambitious careers while raising a family.
Briefings
In the briefing, youโll receive all essential information about the event and its surroundings โ everything you need to feel well-prepared and confident throughout the experience.
Your Agenda
Social Media Graphics
Share it on social media to announce your role at Bits & Pretzels 2026 and tag #Bits26. If you want to get the most out of this, here are our tips to boost reach & engagement:
- Add the Hashtag #bits26 and mention @Bits&Pretzels so we can โจinteract with your content.
- Mention any fellow speaker/table captains who are also attending
- Mention what companies/people you are excited to meet at Bits
Your Ticket
Your ticket grants access to all three days of the event.
Please use the exclusive VIP/Speaker check-in at Entrance West (badge collection with ticket + valid ID).
Note: short waiting times may occur on Monday morning.
Your Presentation - deadline 24.09.2025
1. Presentation File:
- Keynote file 16:9 (1920x1080px) or PowerPoint file (.pptx, 1920x1080px).
- Please make sure all fonts and videos are embedded within the file, if applicable.
2. PDF File:
- A PDF version of your presentation with all fonts embedded.
3. Fonts:
- Any custom fonts used in your presentation (please include the font files).
4. Videos:
- All videos included in the presentation must also be provided separately.
- Format: 16:9 aspect ratio, 1920x1080px (Full HD).
- File type: MP4 or .m4v.
This is necessary to allow our technical team to review and test the presentations in advance.
More for You
Hotel
Weโve taken care of your accomodation โ enjoy a comfortable stay at one of our selected partner hotels near the venue.
Shuttle
Enjoy complimentary shuttle service between the conference and event venues โ reserved for our VIP guests.
Tracht
Weโve got your traditional bavarian attire covered โ find all details here about your Dirndl or Lederhosen.
Your Contact Person

Maria Laura Valdivieso Vรฉlez

Christine Bruckschlรถgl

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