Bernd Hops joins the Corporate Advisory Board
The Academic Society is delighted to announce that Bernd Hops has joined the Corporate Advisory Board as the new Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at ams-OSRAM!
As Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Bernd Hops is responsible for leading a team of 37 people. He studied History, Geography and German at the Universities of Bonn, Vienna and London.
Bernd Hops started his career as an economic journalist at the “Der Tagesspiegel” in Berlin, followed by various positions in other media, like the “Financial Times Deutschland”. Before joining ams-OSRAM in 2023, he worked for Infineon Technologies AG, among other companies.
ams-OSRAM is a a global leader in innovative light and sensor technologies with headquarters in Austria and Germany. The company employs around 20,000 people worldwide and focuses on innovation in line with digitalisation, smart living, energy efficiency and sustainability.
Bernd Hops, ams-OSRAM“The tool box for communicators has become much bigger over the last one or two decades thanks to digitization – starting with social media and continuing with a vast variety of tools – and it’s not only AI – that can help us to do our work much more successfully.”
Talking business & getting personal
We talked to Bernd about current communication challenges for ams-OSRAM and his new role at the company. We also got some insights into the complexities of navigating change and embracing innovation in corporate communication.
What do you enjoy most about your new job at ams-OSRAM?
The open and co-operative culture at all levels is unique to ams-OSRAM and a real asset compared to many companies. The same applies to the broad range of applications that we are serving – from automotive to crucial medical diagnostics and consumer products like smartphones. A rich treasure for a communicator.
What is the most significant communication challenge your company is currently facing?
ams-OSRAM is going through a time of restructuring. Some markets have developed in a way that was not anticipated, certain cuts are necessary. It is a challenge to ensure that internal and external stakeholders do not forget about the tremendous strengths for mid- and long-term performance while dealing with short-term adjustments.
Which communication trends are you most excited about?
The tool box for communicators has become much bigger over the last one or two decades thanks to digitization – starting with social media and continuing with a vast variety of tools – and it’s not only AI – that can help us to do our work much more successfully. Intertwined with that trend is the more direct contact that corporate communications has with its target audiences. Former generations could only dream of it.
What has been the most exciting encounter in your professional life so far?
Reinhard Ploss, my former CEO at Infineon – always with a sharp mind, open for new ideas and never ever, under no conditions getting nervous. A true role model.
You can invite three people for dinner. Who would you invite?
My wife – always. For second and third place, if they were still alive, Erich Kästner and Gustav Stresemann. From today’s world, Aung San Suu Kyi and Michel Friedmann.
If you were to write a book, what would its title be?
There is no spoon.
Thank you for the Interview Bernd Hops and welcome to the Academic Society!
You can find all the partner companies on the Corporate Advisory Board here.