THE JURY FOR SMOTY 2026...
The jury contains leading minds from Gründerszene, Appinio, Jung von Matt START, and German Media Pool, complemented by Wincent.AI by The Factory Berlin, to bring diverse perspectives together in recognizing the brands that are turning ambition into tomorrow’s most loved brands.
PORTRAITS
Introducing the Jury for the
Startup Marketer the year Award
Chief Executive Officer
Gründerszene
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Leo Ginsburg is the editor-in-chief of the startup magazine Gründerszene. He also hosts the podcast “Business Class,” where he talks weekly with leading founders, entrepreneurs, and top executives about their lives and careers. Leo often falls for good advertising — which is why he’s excited to be part of the jury.
VP Research
Appinio
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Louise Leitsch is VP of Research at Appinio and the strategic architect behind the company’s research consulting. With a degree in social psychology, she bridges the gap between academic precision and commercial relevance. She works with global brands such as OTTO, Burger King, and General Mills, helping them ensure that market research doesn’t end up gathering dust on a shelf but serves as an operational compass for brand growth and strategy. Louise is an expert in psychographic audience analysis and Mental Availability Tracking (based on Ehrenberg-Bass) and is known for transforming complex methodologies into engaging storytelling and actionable insights.
Managing Director
Jung von Matt START
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Simon Knittel is an internationally acclaimed advertising professional who combines creative excellence with entrepreneurial thinking. As Managing Director of Jung von Matt START, he develops new agency offerings and works closely with startups on brands and business models. For him, creativity is the tool for solving business challenges.
Partner
German Media Pool
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Dennis is Partner at GMPVC German Media Pool. In his role at Europe's leading independent media-for-equity fund, he has supported over 50 startups in growth and brand building through media-for-equity campaigns spanning TV, radio, OOH and print media.
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wincent, AI Chief of Staff, helps teams turn decisions into execution across functions, including marketing. Built to create clarity, ownership, and momentum, wincent brings a practical perspective to the jury—focusing on relevance, impact, and executional strength.
