Huib van Bockel

Huib van Bockel is the founder of TENZING, a certified B Corp natural energy drink brand, and former Head of Marketing at Red Bull in Europe, where he led the company's transformation from energy drink business to media powerhouse. During his tenure at Red Bull from 2006 to 2014, he spearheaded iconic projects including Revolutions in Sound and Danny Macaskill's Imaginate, pioneered the Red Bull Media House in the UK, and authored The Social Brand, establishing himself as a thought leader in publisher-led marketing. Through engaging, humorous presentations, he equips marketing and customer experience teams with practical strategies for building authentic brand presence in the social era whilst championing sustainable business practices that drive both commercial success and environmental impact.

During eight transformative years at Red Bull, Huib van Bockel orchestrated the company's evolution from energy drink manufacturer to global media powerhouse, spearheading iconic campaigns including Revolutions in Sound, Air Race Ascot, and Danny Macaskill's Imaginate. As Head of Marketing for Red Bull Europe from 2006 to 2014, he pioneered the UK launch of Red Bull Media House, establishing a magazine, television channel, and digital ecosystem that redefined how brands engage audiences. This experience laid the foundation for his 2014 book, The Social Brand, which established him as a leading voice in publisher-led marketing. In the same year, he launched TENZING, a natural energy drink that embodies his conviction that commercial success and environmental responsibility are inseparable.

Huib's career trajectory reflects a deep understanding of how brands create lasting cultural impact. His six years at Unilever as a management trainee provided rigorous commercial grounding, whilst his subsequent role at MTV Networks gave him early exposure to social media's potential, where he helped develop one of the world's first social networks. At Red Bull, these experiences converged as he led the brand's digital and social transformation, earning recognition as one of the top 100 CMOs by HotTopics, one of Campaign Magazine's best marketers, and one of the top 50 Global Social Media Influencers. TENZING, now a certified B Corp with backing from Heineken UK, demonstrates his ability to build brands that balance growth with purpose. The company carbon labels its products, sources Rainforest Alliance ingredients, and invests in environmental projects, proving that sustainable practices can drive commercial performance.

Through his speaking work, Huib equips marketing and customer experience teams with practical frameworks for thriving in the social era. His presentations combine strategic insight with humour and humility, translating complex brand challenges into actionable approaches that audiences can implement immediately. He helps organisations understand that modern brands must function as publishers, creating genuine value rather than simply broadcasting messages. Whether addressing the transition from traditional to social marketing, building authentic brand communities, or integrating sustainability into commercial strategy, Huib provides audiences with tested methodologies drawn from both his Red Bull transformation work and his ongoing journey building TENZING. His ability to demystify brand building whilst inspiring bold thinking ensures that event participants leave with renewed confidence and clear direction for navigating today's rapidly evolving marketing landscape.