EDUARDO DE SANTIS
Co-Founder and Chairman

Eduardo De Santis is a historic figure in the global vision advisory and corporate branding arena. His innovative approach has delivered revolutionary solutions to position corporations and institutions for the future, including the internationally famous "la Caixa" savings bank project working with the artistic genius Joan Miró and the new vision for Iberdrola/Scottish Power, the 5th largest energy group in the world and leader in renewable wind energy. Eduardo De Santis advises top CEOs on Visionary Leadership strategy and corporate branding. His project experience includes: ALCATEL, ALITALIA, BANAMEX, BANCO UNIÓN, BANCO SANTANDER, BANK OF AMERICA, BUNGE BORN, CAMPSA, CEPSA, COCA COLA, CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, DISNEY, EBRO PULEVA, IBERIA AIRLINES, SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION, and SERFIN, to name just a few.

Prior to creating Corporate Vision Strategists, he was President International of Landor Associates (Y&R/WPP group). Eduardo assisted Walter Landor in internationalising and launching the company in Europe, Latin America and Asia, transforming the company from a US-based design group into an international firm.

Eduardo spent several years in commerce and finance in Italy before joining the international film industry. He developed his private film production company working with many famous directors on over a hundred productions in Europe and the United States, including co-producing Sergio Leone's legendary "spaghetti western" saga starring Clint Eastwood. His work in developing movie productions based on great scripts has given Eduardo great creative and artistic insight into his work of developing "great corporate brand visions".

Eduardo is also the Chairman of Gold Mercury International, the independent think tank and international non-governmental organisation (INGO) based in London. Founded in 1961 Gold Mercury International focuses on Global Governance and Visionary Leadership. The work of Gold Mercury in working in international affairs and advising global leaders inspired co-founders Eduardo to co-found and launch Corporate Vision Strategists as an Independent think tank and strategy consultancy focusing on Corporate Vision® advisory.

NICOLAS DE SANTIS
Co-Founder and CEO

Most recently, Nicolas was Marketing Director of OPODO, the European online travel portal. With 1 billion Euros in gross sales, OPODO is owned by British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Alitalia, Iberia, KLM, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Austrian Airlines and Amadeus. Appointed as Marketing Director by the Executive Board of OPODO in 2001, he was in charge of sales, marketing and strategy for the OPODO network of portals. Under his marketing tenure, OPODO developed as one of Europe's most successful online business launches, becoming the first travel portal in Germany only one month after its launch, and one of the top two most visited portals in the UK and France. OPODO also won the prestigious "Revolution Award" for Best Brand Building by an Online Business. The Revolution Awards are usually seen as the premier accolade in the digital industry.

He currently shares his position as CEO of Corporate Vision Strategists with his position as Secretary General of Gold Mercury International, the independent think tank and international non-governmental organisation based in London that focuses on Global Governance and Visionary Leadership. From both these platforms he is involved with and advises world leaders and institutions on vision, governance and strategy.

Nicolas was also one of the founding members and Chief Marketing Officer of beenz.com, the internet currency. He was part of the team that raised $125m in capital from institutions and individuals such as: Pinault Primtemps Redoute (PPR), Vivendi Universal, Larry Ellison from Oracle, Carlo de Benedetti and Hickary Tzushin of Japan. Beenz.com Inc. was sold to US-based Carlzon Marketing Group in 2001.

Nicolas De Santis is regularly featured in global media and broadcasting, including the cover of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, TIME MAGAZINE, EXPANSION SPAIN, LA VANGUARDIA OF BARCELONA, LA REPUBBLICA ITALY, FINANCIAL TIMES, REVOLUTION MAGAZINE, NEW MEDIA AGE MAGAZINE, ADVERTISING AGE, CNN INTERNATIONAL, CNBC, BLOOMBERG, FUJI TV- JAPAN, TVE SPAIN, BBC TV AND BBC RADIO 5 LIVE, PROSIEBEN GERMANY and CHANNEL 4 UK.

His corporate, consumer and service experience includes the development of global brands and strategic projects for: BRITISH AIRWAYS, IBERDROLA, CEU, GOOGLE, FERRUZZI, the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, PIRELLI, PHILIP MORRIS, COCA COLA, IBM, ELF AQUITAINE, GE, SMITHKLINE BEECHAM, CAMPSA, WWF, ARGENTARIA BANK, the EUROPEAN MOVEMENT, and MELISSA ODABASH.

Nicolas has also been an advisor to the European Union on issues relating to European identity and branding, and the introduction of the Euro currency in 1999. As part of that project, Nicolas created Captain Euro, a superhero character probe research project to test feelings towards EU identity and citizenship. The project became an overnight sensation and made the cover of the Wall Street Journal attracting global television and news media. Simple Minds dedicated its City Lights theme to Captain Euro. Captain Euro continues to gather data and the website receives thousands of international visits and requests to this day.

Nicolas is on the board and a member of the audit committee of the US-based public company Lyris, a leading email marketing technology firm. The email marketing software and services of Lyris provides clients with leading-edge solutions for building and managing opt-in email lists, as well as creating, sending, and tracking permission-based email marketing campaigns.

Nicolas De Santis grew up in an entertainment family environment of theatre, television and movie production. His mother is famous Spanish leading actress Maria Cuadra and his father, Eduardo, produced dozens of movies in America and Europe. Before entering the world of business, Nicolas attended the Lee Strasberg actor studio in London where he learned method acting. Nicolas starred in award winning film 'Elisita' directed by Juan Cano Arecha. The film is a war drama describing an impossible love story between a teenager and an older woman during the Spanish civil war. Nicolas has attended the London Film School, the oldest-established independent international school of film technique in the world to further his knowledge in the field of film production, sales, marketing & distribution. His grandfather Antonio Cuadra Belmonte was a bullfighter.