Prijsvrij Vakanties/D-reizen has appointed former professional basketball player Stefan Wessels as Director Brand Partnerships. Wessels has a past as a professional basketball player, mainly with Eredivisie club Heroes Den Bosch and the Dutch Team. After his top sports career, he became the face of Heroes Den Bosch as General Manager. “Since this season, Prijsvrij Vakanties has been the shirt sponsor of Heroes Den Bosch, which is currently at the top of the Eredivisie, and that’s how our paths came together,” says Mathijs Bos, Director Marketing (Offline) of Prijsvrij Vakanties/D-reizen. ‘Partnerships within the sports world are closely intertwined in our marketing strategy, such as Feyenoord, FC Den Bosch, Rene Lammers (who is making his debut in Formula 4 this season) and Heroes Den Bosch. We are convinced that Stefan will take these collaborations to an even higher level. Stefan has the drive of a top athlete combined with the right commercial insights and skills. In addition, the click was there from the first contact and Marc (van Deursen, ed.) and I were convinced that Stefan would be a good match with the rest of the team and the ambitions we have here.’ About the new step in his career, Stefan Wessels himself says: ‘As General Manager at basketball club Heroes Den Bosch, I have worked closely with Prijsvrij Vakanties over the past year, which has made me familiar with the organization, especially with Mathijs Bos. From the beginning there was a click between us, both on a professional and personal level. The corporate culture and ambition of Prijsvrij Vakanties & D-Reizen immediately appealed to me. When the position of Director Brand Partnerships became available, we quickly started talking about it. I felt that this new challenge came at exactly the right time in my career. Although it’s a totally different environment than the basketball world I’m used to, I recognize the same energy and drive. As a former top athlete, that appeals to me enormously. After further acquaintance with Marc van Deursen and experiencing the atmosphere at the head office in Den Bosch, the decision to take the step was quickly made.’ (Photo Price-free Holidays/D-Travel).
