Katrin Helmecke recently joined the fischertechnik team as Head of Marketing & Product Management. She has extensive marketing experience in the toy industry and will be reporting directly to fischertechnik Managing Director Thomas Bußhart.

“As Head of Marketing & Product Management, I’ll be working together with the fischertechnik management team to drive the company's growth strategies in the toy, education and industry segments”, says Katrin Helmecke, outlining her responsibilities. The 54-year-old previously worked in various roles for the US toy manufacturer Hasbro, including on an international level. Most recently, she led an international team of brand managers with strong franchise brands such as Peppa Pig, Transformers and Play-Doh.

The marketing expert is joining the fischertechnik team at a time when the company from the northern Black Forest is expanding the direction of its brand on a global scale. In addition to loyal fans of the fischertechnik construction kits, the company also appeals to new target groups including ‘kidults’ – i.e. young adults involved in the maker scene. fischertechnik is focussing on the growing importance of learning about subjects such as robotics and renewable energy in a playful manner. In doing so, the company combines analogue and digital elements in a hybrid learn and play concept. The company’s ‘Made in Germany’ principle will be upheld without compromise. 

As Head of Marketing, Katrin Helmecke is the ideal fit for this innovative direction with her motto “promoting future skills in a playful manner”. “In light of the modest results of various PISA studies, I’d like to contribute to developing STEM skills and encouraging an interest in technology and science”, Katrin Helmecke emphasises. (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.)