With a presence in 14 cities, Karla Otto has long been renowned for its discerning eye and pioneering spirit, benefiting clients across fashion, beauty, design, lifestyle, and arts & culture. As a founding member of The Independents Group, the agency sets the standard in global brand-building. Over the past year, Karla Otto and The Independents have achieved several notable milestones. The agency expanded its service offerings by launching Insights by Karla Otto, an in-house insights and analytics division that combines artistic intuition with data-driven analysis to provide strategic recommendations in the luxury sector. Karla Otto also created significant cultural moments, including the Mercedes-Benz Electric G-Wagon launch event in LA, the Frankie Shop x Harry Nuriev space launch, and high-profile events like the amfAR Gala Cannes and Salone de Mobile Activations, along with approximately 200 shows and presentations during seasonal fashion weeks. The agency's growth has been driven by major projects in talent and creative strategy, as well as strategic acquisitions by The Independents Group. Karla Otto now offers comprehensive services across strategy, communication, marketing, and experience, positioning itself to seamlessly serve clients worldwide.
Leadership team:
Alexander Werz, CEO
Lissy von Schwarzkopf, Chief Business Officer
Gabrielle de Papp, Managing Director
Notable long-term clients:
Ami, Herve Leger, Palm Angels, Apparatus, Koolaburra, Parley for the Oceans, AT.Kollektive / ECCO Leather, Lanvin, Rebecca Vallance, Awvi, Mackage, Sake Ono, Berluti, Maison Ernest, Birkenstock, Mango, Cartier Perfumes, Casa Tua, Swarovski, Cassina, Cecile Bahnsen, Moncler, The Frankie Shop, The Future Rocks, Eres, Nike, Explora Journeys, Noble Panacea, Extreme Cashmere, Off White, Zac Posen, Ottolinger, Zegna
New client wins:
Nespresso, Guerlain, UGG, Zegna, Skims, Gentle Monster, Danielle Frankel, Messika
Describe the key tenets of your agency's mission and ethos.
At Karla Otto and as the founding member of The Independents Group, our mission and ethos are based on three core tenets: 1. Excellence: We strive to push the boundaries of creativity, delivering services that reflect our commitment to excellence. By continuously exploring new ideas and technologies, we provide innovative solutions that keep our clients at the forefront of their industries. 2. Global Impact, Local Expertise: We believe in the power of community and collaboration. Our global network enables us to build strong partnerships and create synergies that enhance our capabilities and produce impactful results for our clients. We develop strategies for our clients with a global perspective and local insights thanks to offices across 14 locations globally (Milan, Paris, London, Munich, New York, LA, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, Riyad and Jeddah). 3. Cultural Stewardship: As brand stewards, we leverage culture and technology to connect global brands with their audiences in meaningful ways. Our qualitative and data-backed quantitative insights into cultural trends help shape the future of the luxury, fashion, and lifestyle industries.
