Interviews with Samsung celebrity ambassadors Ronja Furrer and Seven

Zürich is in full throttle! Between the Zurich Film Festival and the scores of other events happening, we all have plenty to keep us busy. I just love September – summer is slowly and quietly departing while gently making room for fall. The scents and colors are beginning to change, energies are transforming and moving faster as if time is suddenly catching up.

Samsung at the Zurich Film Festival

The Zürich Film Festival is gaining more and more momentum with bigger names walking the green carpet each year. I’m convinced that soon it will compete with the big guns of the movie world. You just watch! Our little Zürich is not so small in the end.

A couple of evenings ago, I got to be part of a very special evening organized by Samsung, the film festival’s main partner. The evening debuted really well with bubbles galore! The sparkles intensified even more for me once I got to sit and have a chat with three major players in the Swiss market, Dario Casari, VP of Samsung CH, Supermodel Ronja Furrer and Soul singer Seven, both of which are Samsung Ambassadors. I was pleasantly surprised by all three whose fun and kind demeanour won me over immediately. That evening I had promised myself to step out of my comfort zone and rather than interviewing from behind the camera, be now in front of it and own it! It may not seem like much of an accomplishment especially in a time where being on video is so trivial. To me it is a big deal, even if no one noticed anything (which is a good sign).

After the interviews, we all got invited to the gala premiere of “The Sisters Brothers“, a very sweet (but gory at times) Western starring John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. To our great surprise, John Reilly was there to introduce the movie. What a funny and sweet man he is.

INTERVIEWS

For the sake of time, I edited short clips from each interview to give you an impression of the vibe and their personalities then transcribed the rest in writing.

SEVEN

Seven is a Swiss Soul singer, songwriter whose career has reached heights very few Swiss artists get to experience. His unique and soulful sound transcends age, language and gender which explains his popularity.

Seven is also quite unique in his business approach. Since the onset of social media, rather than treat it as the enemy, he learned to embrace it, learn from it and use it to share his voice. His online presence is strong and steady. And this mindset is what made him the obvious Ambassador for an innovative and fast-moving brand like Samsung.

Be different but on purpose! – Seven

TELL ME!

Who inspires you? (not necessarily in the music industry)

Generally those who do things that are unpredictable, go for the riskier way. Also people who stand on stage, no matter the stage. Whenever you stand there, you are seen, you are exposed and risk to be judged, disliked, envied. As soon as you expose yourself a lot of things can go sideways. So one must ask themselves “do I really really want this or is it for fun?”

Someone like Morgan Freeman whose career finally took a turn at the age of 58! Before then he never stopped and kept trying. And today, he’s one of the best actors in the world.

Basically people who never give up, who believe in themselves.

Just because no-one else has done it before it doesn’t mean that you cannot do it.

So must be tricky to be in Switzerland since it is quite adverse to failure!

For what I just said, it’s the worst country!

How did you manage then?

When you are that much in the wrong place, it’s also an advantage because business wise they don’t know what to do with you because you’re so different. You pop out! “What is this guy doing here? Singing soul music and he’s not even black?” There are so many question marks that I create because the way that I am.

But to really make a living as a true professional that is really difficult. As long as it’s fun it’s ok but the moment it gets serious, the conversation changes. First you have to prove yourself for the next 10 years.

Then how did You do it?

I’m just stubborn as F…!! I never give up. If your motivation is only to be famous then you’ll suffer because it will take too long but if you are happy doing what you’re doing then you can keep going for ever. I’m very driven because I love what I do. I love the game!

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I’ve been doing this for 20 years and there are many kids who ask me this question. And the answer is simple. If you want to sing then sing. You have to do music and play. Start small but no-one will ever do it for you! There is no shortcut – you have to just do it. And that’s the great thing about it actually. The journey is the opportunity to learn and excel at your craft. If it goes too fast, you skip lessons.

How did the collaboration with Samsung come about? What exactly does your job entail?

We’ve been together for 8 years already! They came to me because I do a lot of social media engagement and I do it all on my own. I do a lot of streaming and posting pictures. I always look for new and different ways. Many musicians think that social media is killing the music industry. I believe there are as many advantages as there are disadvantages.

We started with one project, the first interactive music video ever in the world, and because of its huge success (15 million clicks) we decided to stay and create more ideas.

RONJA FURRER

Ronja Furrer is a 24-year old Swiss model whose career traveled past the lines of Europe since the very beginning. Her client list includes the likes of Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Stella McCartney. The photographers who shoot her are amongst the most solicited in the world. Yet, she is a down to earth girl whose dream is to help the handicapped and animals! She understand the value of what she does but also realizes how ephemeral it is. Her beauty, experience but also her personality made her the other perfect Samsung Ambassador.

TELL ME!

You moved away from home to live like an adult very young. How do you think this experience shaped you?

I learned a lot! You have to learn to be by your own. I left home and started modelling when I was 14. You need to quickly learn how to handle certain situations, to make important decisions by yourself. So I can say that I really learned a lot for my entire life!

You just grow up super fast.

You’re still very young but have done this for a while now. If there is 1 advice you could give any aspiring model, knowing what you know now, what would it be?

The most important is to be yourself and understand that this is just a job in the end. People always see modelling as this huge thing but it’s just a job. We have days we like it and days we hate it. Just stand with both feet on the ground.

What lights you up inside? Is there anything you’d love to do one day?

I want to work with animals, especially horses. I would like to work with the handicapped and animals.(My aunt is handicapped). There are so many people and animals in need and if I can help, I’ll be happy.

Are you always connected?

Not at all! The best thing is when I’m on the plane and I have to turn everything off! I love it.

How did the collaboration with Samsung come about? What exactly does your job entail?

We are partners for almost 4 years and we’ve worked on a lot of great projects together – campaign, photoshoot. We also did a project last year called “New face by Ronja Furrer” where I coach and support young girls coming into this business. Samsung sponsored this project. It’s really great to be part of the family.

What do you tell people who only see your looks? Would you like to share with them that there is more in life than what meets the eye?

Absolutely! It is especially important for young people to realise that everyone is beautiful. There is so much pressure, especially through social media where everything and everyone always looks perfect. But the truth is that the images all have filters. Just be happy with yourself. I know it can be hard. I also have days where I don’t like myself and wonder how I can ever succeed in this business. Just try to accept yourself and love yourself for who you are.

DARIO CASARI, VP SAMSUNG SWITZERLAND

Dario Casari was appointed to VP of Samsung Switzerland few months ago. His career with the company began many years back. His dedication, innovative spirit and expertise helped propel the Swiss market to the next level.

When you meet Dario you immediately feel at ease. He appears authentic and truly in love with his job. It definitely keeps him on his toes, always ready to run! He can never get too comfortable because of the speed at which the electronic industry evolves. To remain not only competitive but also innovative, he must dance faster than the beat at all times.

TELL ME!

You were promoted to VP in March (double-check date), what has changed since then?

It’s a big honour to be the VP for Samsung Switzerland, a small subsidiary for Samsung. It shows the importance of the Swiss market which is quite advanced. We have early adaptors and it simply shows how fast we are growing.

What excites you about your work?

I think it’s about the speed of the company itself, the speed of innovations, the speed of how fast we develop, how fast we launch new products. It’s about working with a lot of people and being in touch with our consumers. Honestly, there is no day where I’m bored! It’s really exciting to come to work everyday.

How’s the Swiss market different from the rest of the world?

It’s a premium market. The buying power of the Swiss market is really huge. The Swiss love quality and are willing to spend money for high quality. But this also puts us in competition with other brands, which is also exciting.

You have to be on your toes at all time!

That’s exactly how it is!

Who inspires you?

Many many people! As a kid it was my father then my former bosses and today our top management which I had the honour to meet 2 weeks ago.

What kind of leader are you?

I don’t know if I’m really a leader because I always associate the term with hierarchy and so on. I’m more a listener than a leader. I just try to be there. I try to encourage them to take decisions, be creative. That’s how I try to be there for them.

What is your take on empowerment of others at work?

It’s all about empowerment. It’s essential. Most of the time, I don’t give directions or advice. I expect from my team to come and ask me for my opinion but I expect them to bring the ideas and proposals. When they ask me “what shall I do?” I turn the question around and ask them “what would You do?”, “what is your plan?” It’s their job to come up with plans. I want them to think for themselves.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your little self?

Start listening to others! You know as a little boy, I thought I knew it all, that I was the only one who mattered. I was a selfish boy, especially in sports where I just wanted to win, be the one to score. Now thinking back I would listen to the adults.

Why did you choose Seven and Ronja as your ambassadors?

It’s about a feeling. They’re famous, they’re incredibly talented but there are other people in Switzerland we could have chosen instead. They are a perfect match to us. Not only do they do a great job but they are also great human beings – incredibly down to earth and love to be part of the Samsung family. We didn’t even research them. We just started talking and it felt right.