“At the time of Paul’s initial engagement, Claria had no sales or business presence in Asia, and was not technically able to serve behaviorally targeted ads with Asian characters. Within months of Paul’s engagement, he was pioneering online behavioral marketing in Asia-Pacific and developing Claria’s business in the region. 

 

Paul has consistently championed the business potential and strategic importance of Asia, and has worked with Claria to understand this opportunity.  Claria has recently entered into a joint venture with Softbank and Yahoo! Japan, and Softbank has become an investor in Claria Corporation.

 

Paul has helped Claria to evolve from a company that didn’t have any business in Asia to a company now very focused on Asia.  I highly recommend Paul to companies interested in developing their business in the Asia-Pacific region.”

 

Mr. Scott VanDeVelde, President and CEO, Claria Corporation

 

 

“I’ve known Paul Anders Schwamm personally and professionally for many years.  I recommended Paul as a consultant to Claria to evaluate market feasibility for Claria’s online behavioral marketing services in Asia.  Based upon the results of Paul’s consulting engagement, Claria hired him full-time as General Manager, Asia-Pacific, to develop and implement a business strategy for the region.

 

Claria had no Asia-specific experience or capabilities prior to Paul joining the company, and as a result, Paul had to initially develop the Asia-Pacific business on his own. Paul also opened, staffed, and managed Claria’s Japan subsidiary and Tokyo office.  Additionally, Paul evangelized Claria’s technology and successfully pioneered aspects of online behavioral marketing in Asia.  He achieved high market acceptance of this new technology, and established positive industry awareness of Claria.  Eventually, Claria was able to enter into a joint venture with Softbank and Yahoo! Japan, and Softbank made a significant investment in Claria Corporation.

 

Prior to Paul joining Claria, the company had no business activity in Asia.  Now, Asia has become a critically important part of Claria’s future, and the development of our joint venture in Japan is one of the company’s top priorities.  Paul deserves a lot of credit for seeing this potential early on, and for helping to realize it. I’m very glad I recommended Paul to Claria, and I highly recommend him to companies interested in starting or expanding their business in Asia.”

 

Mr. Scott Eagle, Executive Vice President, Claria Corporation

 

“I've been Paul's client contact since mid-2006. He has excellent knowledge of the Japanese online media market, great business sense, and a valuable contact network. Paul knows how to get things done in the challenging Japanese market, and he delivers on his commitments. I consider him a trusted and valued advisor.

Jason Baadsgaard, Vice President, Business Operations, Claria Corporation

 

“Your success .…has been excellent…. Again, my thanks to you and your staff on the progress you are making…. I certainly appreciate your efforts to expand the business in Japan.”

 

Mr. John S. Stafford, Chairman and CEO, American Home Products Corporation  (now Wyeth)

 

 

“Thank you for the fine job you are doing (turning around and building the consumer healthcare business in Japan).”

 

Mr. Jan Leschly, President and CEO, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals plc. (now Glaxo-SmithKline)

 

 

“I hope you will continue to enjoy much success in your career…. You have certainly applied yourself 100% to the task at hand….”

 

Dr. Bernard Canavan, President, American Home Products Corporation

 

 

“I first met Paul Anders Schwamm in 1996 in Tokyo, when he was General Manager of SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Japan, and I was senior Vice President of Grey Advertising Japan.  I represented Grey Japan in negotiations with Paul to get SB’s AquaFresh oral care business and then to manage it.  My meetings with Paul involved very serious and detailed contract negotiations between the two of us. Throughout our negotiations, Paul was reasonable, fair, honest, and extremely knowledgeable about the relevant marketing, advertising, and media issues. This was the basis of a strong partnership between our two companies.

 

Several years after our initial work together in a client-agency relationship, and after I had moved back to the US from Japan, I served as a consultant to @Asia Inc., an Internet venture company founded and managed by Paul.  Once again, it was a joy to work with Paul to develop new brands and to build a new business.

 

Paul is a highly skilled marketer, and an expert in managing consumer brands and growing sales in competitive markets.  He is energetic, creative, innovative, and very strategic in his work.  Paul is able to attract, train, and motivate good staff, and he also works well with a variety of business partners.  Paul is very professional, hardworking, and demanding of himself, and motivates individuals and teams he leads to strive for excellence.  At the same time, he is warm, witty, personable, and someone with whom people enjoy working.  For all these reasons, Paul and I have maintained close contact.

 

Paul has also provided valuable advice and help to me in my current position.  His experience and insight helped me solve some difficult financial issues within the company and present them to management.

 

I have very high regard for Paul personally and professionally.  I am very glad to provide a professional reference and discuss Paul’s abilities and character with any company executive considering hiring Paul as a manager or consultant.” 

 

Mr. Peter F. Weiss, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Verance Corporation

 

 

“Mr. Schwamm demonstrated a very high work ethic, was innovative, knowledgeable about the Japan consumer products market, and had a very strategic mind.”

 

Mr. John W. Sanders, Vice President, Human Resources, SmithKline Beecham International

 

 

“We have learned more in two hours with you than we did in one week of meeting senior executives of several major Japanese corporations.  Thank you very much.”

 

Mr. William Cotton, Buying and Marketing Controller, and Ms. Elaine M. Kent, International Retail Development, The Boots Company PLC

 

 

“I enjoyed your high energy and enthusiasm and desire to make things happen.  From what I can see…. you have pushed a number of things much farther and faster than they were moving before and did it with a good-spirited enjoyment of what you were doing that was infectious.  It was a pleasure to be associated with you….”

 

Mr. Robert Campbell, Category Director, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare

 

 

“I want you to know that I am a big fan of yours and wish you everything of the best in your new ventures.”

 

Mr. Gordon McLaren, Vice President & Category Director, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare

 

 

“You were energetic and positive, and knew how to set priorities in business.  You understood Japanese people very well, and you knew how to successfully conduct business in Japan…. You aggressively brought many products into the Japanese market (and) your strategy of expanding the company’s product portfolio is providing ongoing benefits to the company.  You had the strategic vision…. and you made this vision a reality in an amazingly short time frame.  Several new training and development programs were initiated under your direction….

 

The marketing programs and advertising created under your management captured the attention of Japanese consumers and significantly increased the awareness and image of our brands.  The TV commercials became famous, and resulted in significant sales increases for each brand…. You are very popular and highly respected among the Japanese wholesalers and distributors.  No other foreign manager has been able to establish such close relationships with wholesalers and distributors.

 

You are truly unique as a foreign executive who genuinely understands how to lead and manage Japanese people.  At the same time, you use your extensive international management experience and knowledge to introduce new ways of thinking and new ideas to Japanese staff, and new products into the Japanese market.” 

 

Mr. Hideo Kitagawa, National Sales Director, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare K.K.

 

 

“Paul came like a hurricane into our business, which had been stagnant, and quickly reorganized major portions of it.  Within his first month…. Paul cancelled a product launch and out-licensed the same product, which resulted in several million dollars revenue.  (He also) took back a brand which quickly added to our bottom line.  At the same time, Paul quickly reorganized our marketing department, resulting in savings of several tens of millions of yen and simultaneously energizing it….

 

The major experience I had with Paul was our take-back of a major brand from our long-time licensee….  Paul single-handedly spotted the opportunity to take back the ¥5 billion brand.  (A)ll those who knew the difficult situation, including me, told Paul that it could not be done.  Nonetheless, Paul forged ahead…. And the result was that SB took back an extremely valuable financial asset.  Our company’s trading profit tripled instantly…. our company is operating on a stable footing, with sales doubled and excellent prospects for future growth.  Paul promised these kinds of results…. and indeed, our company has achieved them.

 

My experience with Paul showed that he has strategic vision, energy, and determination.  I think Paul would be an asset for any organization or product line which is in need of an energetic turnaround.”

 

Mr. William L. Florida, Business Development Manager, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals K.K.  

 

 

“You have done the deal of the decade.”

 

Mr. Mitchell P. Cybulski, Chairman, SmithKline Beecham International

 

 

“You are totally right (on a strategic recommendation involving a major business unit in Japan).  I’m absolutely amazed at how you can analyze this situation and arrive at a correct conclusion in minutes on an issue that has taken me a year to figure out!”

 

CEO of an International Marketing Company with US$1 Billion annual sales in Asia-Pacific  (Name withheld due to non-disclosure agreement.)

 

 

 “I have been active in the health care advertising business for over 40 years, for the most part as a senior vice-president, director, and treasurer of the former Ted Bates agency.  More recently, I have operated a small agency and consulting service…. creating TV advertising for former clients…. Paul has a wide range of business abilities and knowledge, and an outstanding record in managing brands in the highly competitive OTC drug market.  I hold him in high regard.”

 

Mr. William A. O. Gross, Prinicipal, Drug Copy Associates  (Bill Gross is one of the original managers of Ted Bates, and a pioneer of TV advertising.)

 

 

“Paul is a highly efficient and effective manager, who has consistently brought about positive changes in the people and companies he has managed.  He is a true leader, who has challenged the status quo, defined the key issues, and solved difficult problems, which have gone unresolved under previous management. 

 

Paul has an extraordinarily quick mind, which enables him to process information and understand complex situations much faster than most people.  He also has a special ability to think of innovative ideas and solutions that no one else has thought of.  Paul creates new strategic directions for companies, and then develops the organizations, people, and products necessary to achieve the new strategic objectives.

 

Paul encourages and motivates people to develop their knowledge and abilities, and he gives opportunities and responsibilities to deserving people.  Paul is also very fair and honest.  I have never known any other manager as efficient and effective as Paul in making a positive impact on a company.  He also has excellent business judgement and negotiation skills.  I learned more from him and was more motivated by him than by any other manager I have ever worked for. 

 

Paul is culturally sensitive and fully understands Japanese culture and business…. Paul’s knowledge of how to do business in Japan and his experience of successfully turning around companies in Japan clearly differentiate him from other top executives, and add tremendous value to any organization he manages.

 

I have the highest respect for Paul’s personal character, professional knowledge, and management skills.  He has always achieved excellent results on the businesses he has managed.  Based upon my own experience working with Paul, I can highly recommend him….”

 

Ms. Ikuko Ikegami, Brand Manager, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals K.K.

 

 

“The distinguished services he rendered to our company have made a lasting impression on me…. I cannot help but marvel at the fact that during such an extremely short period of time, Paul managed to gain a correct understanding of our company’s situation and came up with an appropriate action plan. 

 

I was particularly impressed by the process Paul introduced for reexamining our business plans.  Our business planning system was introduced here four or five years ago, but it had generally been filled with soulless, empty words…. Before Paul, only a small, select group of people used to be involved with this process.  However, he tried to involve as many employees as possible in the process by demanding more active participation from younger and female employees, thus setting a common, future goal of involving the rank and file of every department in the business planning process.

 

Paul also gave us kind and careful instruction in the fundamentals of business English vocabulary.  He explained the fine distinctions of key words such as "objective," "goal," "strategy," "action plan," etc. by citing a number of concrete examples.  Since our company has nearly ten Profit Centers, this kind of extra work is extremely time-consuming.  However, Paul went the so-called "extra mile" and stuck to it to the very last group.  Even after he finished his work with our company, we continually make frequent use of his valuable training.

 

He literally breathed new life into our company.  He not only required strict professionalism from every employee, he also gave us a sense of hope for the future.  I found my daily interaction with him both enjoyable and exciting.  I am sure that many other employees share my impression.”

 

Mr. Yoichi Ueno, Senior Director & Controller, Consumer Products Division, International Marketing Company with US$1 Billion annual sales in Asia-Pacific 

 

 

“It was my pleasure to be associated with Mr .Paul Anders Schwamm during the latter part of my Japanese assignment…. I first knew him when he was at American Home Products in Tokyo, and then when he subsequently moved to Smithkline Beecham and became our client…. As well as a client, he also became a good friend, although he never allowed that friendship to impinge on the professional relationship.  He proved to be extremely knowledgeable regarding the Japanese consumer goods market.  Strategically focused, but deeply involved in the eventual executions (concerning all communication aspects), he built and trained his own marketing team.  Regarding the development of advertising campaigns he and his team paid a great deal of attention to creative development (with particular regard to adherence to the agreed strategy) and to production and post production.  Importantly he treated the advertising agency team as partners and not, as so often happens, simply as suppliers.  In so doing, he managed to develop a highly motivated Client/Agency relationship.  Self confident and prepared to fight hard for his own beliefs and opinions, he is highly principled.  He is very much his ‘own man’.”

 

Mr. Derek A. Hall, Executive Vice President, Dentsu Young & Rubicam 

Chairman, Marketing Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

 

 

 “I worked closely with Paul Anders Schwamm …. on issues related to brand management, staff training, business development, and new product development.  Paul has an excellent background in consumer goods marketing.  He was an agent of change at SmithKline Beecham.  He restructured the marketing department through hiring, training, and staff reassignments.  And through business development activities, he evolved the consumer division from a single brand/single category focus to a multi-brand/multi-category one.  He has a very sharp, incisive mind and an energetic, detail-oriented, hands-on management style.”

 

Mr. Richard J. Shimizu, Brand Manager, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals K.K.

 

 

I first met Paul Anders Schwamm in 1996 in Tokyo, when he was General Manager of SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Japan, and I was Senior Vice President of Grey Advertising Japan.  I represented Grey Japan in negotiations with Paul to get SB’s AquaFresh oral care business and then to manage it.  My meetings with Paul involved very serious and detailed contract negotiations between the two of us.  Throughout our negotiations, Paul was reasonable, fair, honest, and extremely knowledgeable about the relevant marketing, advertising, and media issues.  This was the basis of a strong partnership between our two companies.

 

Several years after our initial work together in a client-agency relationship, and after I had moved back to the US from Japan, I served as a consultant to @Asia Inc., an Internet venture company founded and managed by Paul.  Once again, it was a joy to work with Paul to develop new brands and to build a new business.

 

Paul is a highly skilled marketer, and an expert in managing consumer brands and growing sales in competitive markets.  He is energetic, creative, innovative, and very strategic in his work.  Paul is able to attract, train, and motivate good staff, and he also works well with a variety of business partners.  Paul is very professional, hardworking, and demanding of himself, and motivates individuals and teams he leads to strive for excellence.  At the same time, he is warm, witty, personable, and someone with whom people enjoy working. For all these reasons, Paul and I have maintained close contact.

 

Paul has also provided valuable advice and help to me in my current position. His experience and insight helped me to both solve some difficult financial issues within the company and present them to management.

 

I have very high regard for Paul personally and professionally.  I am very glad to provide a professional reference and discuss Paul’s abilities and character with any company executive considering hiring Paul as a manager or consultant.

 

Peter F. Weiss, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Verance Inc.

 

 

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights (on the Japanese market).  It was extremely helpful for us.

Mr. S. G. Russell, Managing Director, Boots The Chemists

“Mr. Schwamm proved himself to be a foremost authority on both marketing and business planning.  The caliber of the work he did for the company was outstanding.  He committed himself enthusiastically to staff training.  Thus, he contributed significantly to the improvement of their abilities and skills, as well as their enlightenment on corporate culture in general.

His management skills and professional knowledge are second to none.  In addition, his positive attitude toward his profession certainly served as a role model for many employees of (our company).  I highly recommend him.”

 

Mr. Satoshi Yoshifuku, Section Manager, Consumer Products Division, International Marketing Company with US$1 Billion annual sales in Asia-Pacific 

 

 

“(Paul’s) way of constructing the marketing plans wasn't just based on the theory right out of the book, but taking in his own experience from the market, and was extremely practical.  In addition, he understands the Japanese culture, mentality, business customs, and related matters remarkably well, and he has absolutely no problem communicating with Japanese people, with whom he is working.

 

He is also eager about educating and guiding staff.  He is good at taking his time to listen to the staff’s opinions and thoughts, and having a discussion until they understand each other, and he makes staff stay positive, rather than simply pushing his opinion and thoughts onto them.  He is wonderful human being, not only for his working ability, but also for his honesty and fairness to everyone, and his truthfulness to himself.”

 

Mr. Yukito Arima, Executive Director, Hummix K.K.

 

 

“I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Schwamm in two different companies.  I had a very good experience and favorable impression working for Mr. Schwamm the first time, so I eagerly accepted his offer to work for him again after he joined another company.

 

Mr. Schwamm is the most intelligent, fairest, most honest, and most caring manager I have ever known. He is very hardworking and demanding of himself and his staff, and he always encourages people to improve their knowledge and skills, to work efficiently and effectively, and to think about their work in new ways.  He is very talented at matching up his staff to positions or projects that will use their strong points or special abilities, while also providing them opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills.  This is exactly what he did for me both times I worked for him.

 

Mr. Schwamm is very skilled at motivating and managing Japanese employees, who respect him for his management talent, his ability to successfully conduct business in Japan, his energy and enthusiasm, his creativity and new ideas, and his fairness and compassion for his staff.”

 

Ms. Hiroyo Tomita

 

 

“Mr. Schwamm possesses qualities typical of most successful entrepreneurs.  He engrosses himself in a project until he is sure he has covered all aspects, which may impact on its results.  In this process, he gains a “holistic” knowledge of the project, and the knowledge of how to appropriately respond.  I consider this quality exemplary…. Mr. Schwamm has an additional quality which I consider important to success…. the ability to trust and value support staff.”

 

Mr. Karl Mohrmann, Assistant to the Vice President / Director Regulatory Affairs, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation (now Novartis)

 

 

“On behalf of Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, thank you for your significant contribution to the recent Thunderbird Global Business Forum.  The forum was a great success because of your participation and expertise.

 

As you know, our program in Tokyo was highly successful. The event was well attended with 160 participants representing alumni and regional businesses.  We have had very positive feedback from the attendees and look forward to developing more programs in the region.

 

You are a fine example of a T’bird entrepreneur…

 

Dr. Roy A. Herberger, Jr., President, The American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird)

 

 

“I am very impressed with your grasp of the issues facing you so early in your assignment.  You are the right guy.”

 

Mr. Ron P. Marangi, Country President, International Marketing Company with US$1 Billion annual sales in Asia-Pacific 

 

 

“(Mr. Schwamm’s) assignment comprised a multilingual, international team-work among five affiliated companies, head-quarter functions, international and local advertising and PR-agencies, and also including a medium range marketing plan, product presentations and the coaching of media people.  The job had to be done under a tight time limit.

 

Mr. Schwamm has contributed substantially to the successful launch of a new and unique product, this thanks to his versatility in languages, in communication, his personal motivation and a generally positive approach which he maintained against all odds and obstacles.  We thank him for his valuable contribution….”

 

Mr. H. M. Wildi, Managing Director, Wander GMBH (Nutritional Products Division of Sandoz) 

 

 

Most of the above references are available as signed documents.  Many of the above-quoted people – and several additional executives not listed above – are available to be contacted for “live” references.  Please also see the Media Coverage page.

 

 

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