Thijs van de Wouw

Named by Forbes 30 Under 30 as “a leader and innovator shaping the future of marketing,” Thijs van de Wouw is a global strategic leader with over 14 years of experience crafting culture-defining strategies and experiences for some of the world’s most influential brands, including Nike, Samsung, Google, and Activision Blizzard.

Thijs previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo & Seoul (the agency behind Nike and 'Just Do It'), and has held leadership roles at AKQA and Droga5 New York, where he led strategic direction for high-profile brands.

Having lived and worked across four continents, his career spans the intersection of culture and business, helping brands navigate competitive markets while staying culturally relevant.

Notable achievements include:

• Sparking a global debate on bullying in Japan through Nike’s campaign

• Introducing healthy sports breaks in Japanese cram schools with Nike, promoting wellness and physical activity among students

• Launching the #1-ranked gaming companion for Destiny on Amazon, resulting in a significant boost in product sales

Thijs is driven by a passion for creating work that not only stands out but also makes a meaningful impact, helping brands connect with their audiences in ways that resonate across cultures and generations.

Beyond his corporate work, Thijs is passionate about advising and mentoring the next generation of leaders. He lectures at Ukrainian school SKVOT and serves as an Advisory Board Member at BUas (Ranked #3 in the Top 5 Best Video Game Schools worldwide). Thijs also shares his expertise on gaming and youth culture through contributions to Adweek, Campaign Magazine, and Highsnobiety.