Youcef Damardji, front right, has been appointed director of Maison Moderne’s Brand Studio. He is supported by Emmanuelle Thivollard, front left, as the head of content strategy. Also pictured are Francis Gasparotto, now the company’s strategic business development advisor, and Maison Moderne CEO Geraldine Knudson. Maison Moderne

Youcef Damardji, front right, has been appointed director of Maison Moderne’s Brand Studio. He is supported by Emmanuelle Thivollard, front left, as the head of content strategy. Also pictured are Francis Gasparotto, now the company’s strategic business development advisor, and Maison Moderne CEO Geraldine Knudson. Maison Moderne

The former head of marketing and communications at PwC Luxembourg, Youcef Damardji, took the lead as director of Maison Moderne’s Brand Studio on 15 April. With almost 30 years’ experience, and using outstanding expertise in marketing, communications and sales, Damardji will drive the merger of Maison Moderne's content agency and advertising sales agency. The Brand Studio is designed to serve all of Maison Moderne’s clients in an integrated approach.

“I've known Maison Moderne ever since I arrived in Luxembourg,” said Damardji. “I've seen it evolve and reinvent itself when it was needed. I think that the firm holds its true value in its name: ‘Moderne’. This means that the company is not just an actor of current times, it stands by its name to be truly modern every day, ever since it has started. It is an amazing challenge to be part of that and contribute to writing the next chapter of this story.”

Maison Moderne had recently outlined a new business strategy for the years to come. Revolving around three pillars--readers, members and clients--it is focusing on further increasing the strength of its media brands, which are each a market leader in their respective segments, further developing the largest, most dynamic business club in the country, as well as continuing to create a high-quality editorial context in the interest of its readers and its clients.

More team news

To support this strategy, the company has introduced further team member developments.

Emmanuelle Thivollard, former head of client management was appointed to be head of content strategy on 1 April 2021. Leading what was formerly the agency, Thivollard will be responsible for the conception and creation of innovative content strategies for native advertising and contract publishing. She will report directly to Damardji. 

And, as already previously announced, Francis Gasparotto, Maison Moderne shareholder and former director of advertising sales, was appointed as strategic business development advisor to the board and the CEO on 1 January this year. He will advise the company across business lines on product development and sales strategy. “I am very pleased to see Youcef joining us to take the lead of the Brand Studio. Together, and with his in-depth knowledge of the Luxembourgish market, we will be able to fully respond to the growing demand of the market and optimize our clients’ experience,” said Gasparotto.

Maison Moderne CEO Geraldine Knudson commented: “With this fantastic team in place, I have all the confidence in the world that we will succeed in making this company not only a great place to work, but that we will bring the highest quality standards and business impact to our clients. I look very optimistically into the future and am thrilled to be working with such inspiring and competent individuals.”