Olivier Paquay to become director of new Heerlen city marketing organization
Eijsden-born Olivier Paquay (42) will start as director of Heerlen's new city marketing organization in August. He will lead the further development and implementation of the citywide marketing approach, which grew out of an earlier placebranding project. This trajectory arose in co-creation with the city, based on the need to tell Heerlen's story more powerfully and to make its positive developments more visible. For residents, visitors, businesses and investors.
Carrying the story together
His mission for Heerlen is to work with partners to build a strong and inspiring profile for the entire city.
Alderman culture, heritage and center development Jordy Clemens: "We already have so much to be proud of, from Cultura Nova to Kasteel Hoensbroek. At the same time we are continuing to build this city in all sorts of ways, from a new Roman Museum to livelier and greener squares. This new organization is there for the whole of Heerlen and will help us spread that unique story even better. I am pleased that Olivier will be helping Heerlen with this from his knowledge and professionalism."
New phase carried by the city
In recent years, Heerlen Mijn Stad has played a valuable role in promoting the center of Heerlen. Also in the place branding process, the organization actively contributed to the development of a new city story. The college thanks the board of Heerlen Mijn Stad for their involvement and fine cooperation. With the current step, a new phase is beginning. In it, the municipality and the Heerlen Entrepreneurs Fund have together taken up the gauntlet to put city marketing on a broader footing: of, for and by the entire city.
Broad experience
With Paquay, the new organization gains a director with extensive experience. As an entrepreneur and brand strategist, he worked, among other things, for Limburg governments on the awareness program Wacht Niet Op Water and developed, together with Zuid-Limburg Bereikbaar and inhabitants, a behavioral campaign on the Green Ribbon in Maastricht. He also held commercial and marketing positions at Heineken Nederland and Mediahuis Limburg and played an important role in the successful repositioning of beer brand Brand. Paquay is looking forward to working together on the future of Heerlen:
"Heerlen has a unique character that you won't find anywhere else. I look forward to translating the energy that lives here together into a powerful story that resonates both inside and outside the city."
Connector
Geerd Simonis, chairman of the Heerlen Entrepreneurs Fund is delighted:
"With Olivier we bring in someone with vision, experience and decisiveness. We are confident that he will play a connecting role and work with partners, entrepreneurs and residents to create a meaningful and recognizable positioning of Heerlen. Matching the pioneering mentality and ambition of our special city."