I am German and did my undergrad (an international business programme) in Bremen, spending a year on an exchange programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After graduation, I backpacked around the world and then worked for Kabel Deutschland (the largest the German cable company) as middle manager. I wanted to do an MBA to follow long held plans to start my own business.
 
I only applied to one school and chose Oxford, as I knew its Executive MBA programme would help build my entrepreneurial skills. Oxford easily has the best executive programme that enables both work and study with its weekly modules. I didn’t want to do an exhausting weekend programme. And of course the Oxford brand really made an impression. Some of the subjects, finance in particular, have been really challenging but it’s always great to learn a lot within a short period especially when you’re surrounded by such a diverse and smart group of students.
 
All my papers are focused on developing the business I started when I began the Executive MBA. I am partner of an international consultancy in the TV industry. We represent 30 TV channels worldwide and help them access different markets. For example, we work with Bloomberg Television, music, science, documentary and sports channels. We also develop new media companies, which includes start-up fundraising. For my Entrepreneurship Project I will present a new concept (Wildearth TV) to investors, so my course should directly help me to secure funding.
 
Wildearth TV is an interactive online channel showing live safaris from South Africa. You can ask the rangers questions, make requests and follow up on stories that traditional TV does not allow for. It’s so much more than a traditional documentary as we make use of social media (Facebook and Twitter). Eventually we aim to cover wildlife in destinations worldwide. TV audiences are increasingly moving to interactive, real-time entertainment. So far we are the only live wildlife channel.
 
The network I built at Saïd Business School has opened many doors for me in the media industry and given me a better understanding of the venture capital scene. I now aim to take my involvement with Wildearth to the next level by becoming a shareholder and growing the company internationally.