Hans Thilo Himmel guides Synergi Marketing towards regional impact
Building Synergi, building people
Hans Thilo Himmel, executive director of Synergi Marketing, is a Namibian-born creative who heads the media group behind a wide range of national brands and campaigns.
His role lies at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and innovation – a balance that requires constant adaptability.
“Every day is different,” he says. “Some days I’m in creative sessions or national tenders; other days I’m analysing budgets and aligning group strategy. My core focus is doing better today than I did yesterday for the company, our clients and our team.”
Himmel’s path to leadership was not one of sudden elevation but of gradual growth and reflection.
He admits that he continues to learn every day, embracing the lessons that come with both success and failure.
“No kingdom is built in a day, and everything good needs time to mature,” he says. “I still make mistakes, but I learn more from failure than from victory, and victory is built on a foundation of failure.”
Teamwork essential
His motivation is deeply rooted in faith and purpose, guided by a vision to see a Namibian agency that competes on the continental stage while nurturing young professionals to grow their confidence and skills.
For Himmel, inspiration often comes from people, from mentors who guide him and from colleagues who challenge him to think differently.
“Every person, no matter their level in the company, has something to teach me,” he shares.
He thrives in collaborative environments where everyone works toward the same goal, particularly during strategy and brainstorming sessions where ideas can mature into actionable plans.
This approach has shaped Synergi’s culture, one that values contribution from every corner of the organisation.
The role of executive director, he explains, goes far beyond meetings and delegation.
Himmel’s responsibilities include overseeing financial governance, managing client relationships, ensuring operational efficiency and aligning human resource strategies with the company’s long-term goals.
“I’m accountable for ensuring that the entire structure, from costing systems to deliverables, operates sustainably and profitably,” he explains. “It’s about keeping every moving part aligned, supported by an incredible team and under the guidance of our CEO and senior leadership.”
Trust and resilience
Himmel believes collaboration and trust are central to any successful organisation.
Building strong relationships, he says, takes time, consistency and genuine engagement. “It’s not something that happens overnight. We have to keep showing up, helping where help is needed and keeping communication open,” he stresses.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in service, a principle he draws from his faith, quoting Mark 10:43–45: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
Among Himmel's proudest achievements is a campaign that reached nearly four million people across Synergi’s platforms.
“It didn’t start out strong,” he recalls. “The early stages were challenging, and we had to adapt quickly and rethink our approach. But through teamwork and persistence, the campaign ultimately exceeded every expectation.” That experience reinforced his belief that resilience and creativity go hand in hand and that meaningful success is rarely achieved without both.
Showing up
Looking ahead, Himmel envisions Synergi growing into a Southern African creative network powered by data, innovation and storytelling.
His goal is to continue building infrastructure that supports creativity while ensuring that African stories are told with authenticity and impact.
“Growth, to me, comes from consistency, from showing up every day and doing what needs to be done with integrity,” he says. “Consistency doesn’t always guarantee daily success, but it builds strength through perseverance.”
For Himmel, success is not defined by recognition or profit alone but by the peace that comes from doing purposeful work.
He admits that he sometimes forgets to pause and celebrate wins but acknowledges that celebration is an essential part of building a healthy team culture. “Happiness is fleeting, but peace can exist in every situation,” he reflects. “Still, taking time to acknowledge wins, both big and small, matters. One of my personal goals is to make celebrating achievements a more meaningful part of our culture.”
Through faith, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he continues to shape not just the direction of Synergi Marketing but also the broader story of Namibian creativity and leadership.
His role lies at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and innovation – a balance that requires constant adaptability.
“Every day is different,” he says. “Some days I’m in creative sessions or national tenders; other days I’m analysing budgets and aligning group strategy. My core focus is doing better today than I did yesterday for the company, our clients and our team.”
Himmel’s path to leadership was not one of sudden elevation but of gradual growth and reflection.
He admits that he continues to learn every day, embracing the lessons that come with both success and failure.
“No kingdom is built in a day, and everything good needs time to mature,” he says. “I still make mistakes, but I learn more from failure than from victory, and victory is built on a foundation of failure.”
Teamwork essential
His motivation is deeply rooted in faith and purpose, guided by a vision to see a Namibian agency that competes on the continental stage while nurturing young professionals to grow their confidence and skills.
For Himmel, inspiration often comes from people, from mentors who guide him and from colleagues who challenge him to think differently.
“Every person, no matter their level in the company, has something to teach me,” he shares.
He thrives in collaborative environments where everyone works toward the same goal, particularly during strategy and brainstorming sessions where ideas can mature into actionable plans.
This approach has shaped Synergi’s culture, one that values contribution from every corner of the organisation.
The role of executive director, he explains, goes far beyond meetings and delegation.
Himmel’s responsibilities include overseeing financial governance, managing client relationships, ensuring operational efficiency and aligning human resource strategies with the company’s long-term goals.
“I’m accountable for ensuring that the entire structure, from costing systems to deliverables, operates sustainably and profitably,” he explains. “It’s about keeping every moving part aligned, supported by an incredible team and under the guidance of our CEO and senior leadership.”
Trust and resilience
Himmel believes collaboration and trust are central to any successful organisation.
Building strong relationships, he says, takes time, consistency and genuine engagement. “It’s not something that happens overnight. We have to keep showing up, helping where help is needed and keeping communication open,” he stresses.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in service, a principle he draws from his faith, quoting Mark 10:43–45: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
Among Himmel's proudest achievements is a campaign that reached nearly four million people across Synergi’s platforms.
“It didn’t start out strong,” he recalls. “The early stages were challenging, and we had to adapt quickly and rethink our approach. But through teamwork and persistence, the campaign ultimately exceeded every expectation.” That experience reinforced his belief that resilience and creativity go hand in hand and that meaningful success is rarely achieved without both.
Showing up
Looking ahead, Himmel envisions Synergi growing into a Southern African creative network powered by data, innovation and storytelling.
His goal is to continue building infrastructure that supports creativity while ensuring that African stories are told with authenticity and impact.
“Growth, to me, comes from consistency, from showing up every day and doing what needs to be done with integrity,” he says. “Consistency doesn’t always guarantee daily success, but it builds strength through perseverance.”
For Himmel, success is not defined by recognition or profit alone but by the peace that comes from doing purposeful work.
He admits that he sometimes forgets to pause and celebrate wins but acknowledges that celebration is an essential part of building a healthy team culture. “Happiness is fleeting, but peace can exist in every situation,” he reflects. “Still, taking time to acknowledge wins, both big and small, matters. One of my personal goals is to make celebrating achievements a more meaningful part of our culture.”
Through faith, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he continues to shape not just the direction of Synergi Marketing but also the broader story of Namibian creativity and leadership.
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