Bio
Roberto De Simone was born in 1976 in Bergisch Gladbach, a quintessentially German town that almost makes you forget his roots stretch to Italy too. With a Rhineland mother and a father from Irpinia Italy, he carries two cultures in his veins – a harmonious blend of Kölsch (beer) and espresso. After earning his Technical Abitur in 1996 (with a focus on mechanical engineering and mathematics – yes, he’s a numbers guy!), he headed to Cologne University of Applied Sciences to study business administration, specializing in finance and international trade, graduating in 2002 as a Diplom-Kaufmann (FH). But he wasn’t done yet: at the University of Cologne, he dove deeper into special economics, product marketing, and transportation sciences – a mix as versatile as a fine Italian vintage.
Since 2000, Roberto has been navigating the digital landscape, gathering experience in e-commerce, product development, online PR, and marketing – a true jack-of-all-trades with a knack for innovation. In recent years, he’s honed his focus on bringing artists, organizations, and companies to life online. Today, he manages a vibrant portfolio of newcomers and top-tier international talents across artistic genres and professions, offering services and advice on online marketing, business development, and revenue maximization. He takes particular pride in repeatedly guiding founders through their first steps.
His journey reads like an adventure novel: In 2004, a postgraduate scholarship from the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation took him to Kuala Lumpur for twelve months – an experience that shaped him and sparked a love for Southeast Asia (Malaysia and Singapore are his favorites!). From 2014 to 2018, he produced around 50 shows for the SpokenWordClub Cologne – a creative explosion of comedy, poetry, live music, and talk, brought to life with a four-piece showband and a dynamic dual moderation team. Never one to sit still, he penned the book “click, like & follow: Online Marketing for Artists and Creative People” in 2022 (Bramann Verlag), which hit the English market in 2023 via Amazon KDP – 170 pages of distilled wisdom for creative souls.
In 2024, alongside Dr. René Scheu in Zurich, he co-founded PHILO REAL – an agency for live philosophy that marries profound ideas with genuine passion. Beyond that, he’s a cultural mentor in Cologne, a board member of the Heinz Nixdorf Program Alumni & Friends e.V., and brings his expertise as a Certified ScrumMaster, PRINCE2, and ITIL professional to the table. Oh, and before all this began? A 13-month stint of civilian service in elder care at a local Protestant church community – because helping has always been part of his DNA.
When he’s not conquering the digital or creative world, Roberto unwinds with Modern Jazz and Neo Soul/Hip Hop – music as multifaceted as he is. With one foot in Germany, another in Italy, and his heart somewhere between Cologne/Bonn and Kuala Lumpur, Roberto De Simone is a bridge-builder – connecting people, cultures, and ideas. And he does it all with a smile as infectious as his drive.
Learned at one point
2003–2005 Universität zu Köln – Lehramt Sek. II in Spezielle Wirtschaftslehre / Produkt- u. Beschaffungsmarketing, Verkehrswissenschaften (1. Staatsexamen)
1998–2002 Technische Hochschule Köln – Allg. Betriebswirtschaft / Finanz- u. Außenwirtschaft (Dipl.-Kaufm. FH)
1996 Technisches Abitur / Maschinenbau u. Mathematik
Experienced
2014–2018 ~50 show productions of SpokenWordClub Köln as a Producer (last setting: Comedy, Poetry, Live-Music & Talk presented by a double moderation + four piece showband + supporting act, 2018 @ cbe-cologne.de)
2004 Postgraduate Scholarship from the Heinz-Nixdorf Foundation / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (12 month)
What else?
2024 Co-Founder, zusammen mit Dr. René Scheu (Zürich), von PHILO REAL - Agentur für Live-Philosophie in der Schweiz (Zürich, Bonn)
2023 Englische Übersetzung “click, like & follow: Online marketing for artists and creative people”, 170 Seiten, Amazon KDP
2022 Buch “click, like & follow: Online-Marketing für Kunstschaffende und Kreative”, 168 Seiten, Bramann Verlag, Frankfurt
2020 Kulturpate von Selma Gültoprak, Köln (via Kölner KulturPaten e.V.)
2010–2018 Member of Committee / Candidates for Malaysia: Heinz Nixdorf Programm (Heinz Nixdorf Foundation, Paderborn)
2018-today Member of the Board of the Heinz Nixdorf Programm (HNP) – Alumni & Friends e.V., Bonn
2014 Course/Exam: Certified ScrumMaster (class by Dr. Jeff Sutherland - creator of Scum)
2011 Student Study: „Entrepreneurship & e-Venture“, Zeppelin University (Friedrichshafen)
2010 Course/Exam: ITIL® V3 (Foundation Examination) – IT-Administration
2008 Course/Exam: PRINCE2® (Foundation Examination – Project Management)
Full-time civilian service for 13 month – at a local protestant church community in elder care
Mother from Germany (Rhineland) and father from Italy (Irpinia)
Favorite countries in SE Asia: Malaysia & Singapore
I like Modern Jazz & Neo Soul/Hip Hop