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22.12.2018Bayer 04

Bernd Schröder and Holger Tromp appointed to newly created posts

Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH continues with a managerial restructure. From 1 March 2019, Dr. Bernd Schröder (on the right of the picture) will take up the position of director of marketing and distribution, and Holger Tromp (on the left of the picture) as director of communications. The current director of marketing & communication, Jochen A. Rotthaus, will not renew his contract due to run out in April 2019 at his own request.
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Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, explained the move: "We are separating the two business divisions of marketing/distribution and communication to increase the effectiveness of each individual discipline." The complexity of the tasks in these two areas has grown enormously in the times of digitisation and internationalisation of football, and Carro added. "We want to stay abreast of these developments and Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the services of proven experts for these positions in Bernd Schröder and Holger Tromp."

After four years at Bayer 04, Jochen A. Rotthaus now sees "the time has come for a change in career. I would like to start something new, renew my passion for marketing, management, consultancy and leadership and, above all, contribute my many years of experience and networks," said  Rotthaus.

Holger Tromp has worked in sports communication at home and abroad for 15 years including for the international tennis governing body ATP from 2004 to 2008. The 46-year-old was also director of media and communication at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from 2011 to 2014 enabling him to gain management experience  in the Bundesliga. For the past four years Tromp was a media adviser to management, clubs and associations in sport including Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Dr. Bernd Schröder was chairman of the board at Christ jewellers and watchmakers from 2013 to 2017. Before that, the graduate economist worked in different management positions for the Bertelsmann group including the running of various international membership clubs for many years. Schröder spent three years as managing director of the Lagardère group. The 52-year-old from Münster founded a platform for company building this year with partners and he has also been involved in several start-ups.

 

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Jochen A. Rotthaus is leaving Bayer 04 at his own request.

At the request of Bayer 04, Jochen A. Rotthaus will continue to be available to the club as an adviser after the end of his contract up to the end of 2019 as he takes up new professional challenges. Fernando Carro: "Jochen Rotthaus has established important milestones in the area of the internationalisation strategy of Bayer 04 as a global football brand." Carro added Rotthaus was responsible for the successful positioning of the Bayer 04 digital media platform and played a significant role in negotiations on the new marketing contract with Lagardère Sports. "Bayer 04 Leverkusen thank Jochen A. Rotthaus for his commitment and wishes him every success for his future after Bayer 04.“

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