Jimmy Maymann-Holler

Early career

Maymann started his internet career in Denmark in the mid-1990s after he graduated from the University of Odense with a degree in Economics and International Marketing. His final university thesis – about the commercial opportunities presented by the internet – was inspired by a field trip Maymann took to the US in 1994, during which he was exposed to the internet for the first time, and which ultimately laid the foundation for his first business ventures.

In 1995, Maymann founded Neo Ideo along with two old friends, Morten Lund (a future investor in Skype) and Lars Holm Hansen. Neo Ideo was an internet consultancy advising Scandinavian companies on internet strategy and Maymann served as Managing Partner until 1999, when the company was acquired by global advertising agency Leo Burnett. As part of that acquisition Maymann joined Leo Burnett first as its Strategic Director responsible for managing the firm's major Scandinavian clients, but ultimately becoming Global Discipline Head of Leo Burnett's Marketing Service practice Arc Worldwide.

Maymann remained at Leo Burnett for five years during which time he also completed an executive MBA at London Business School.

Maymann-Holler's wife is a doctor, also from Denmark. They have three children: one girl and two boys. Jimmy Maymann-Holler took his wife's name after their marriage.

While living in Denmark, Maymann spent a brief period playing handball at the highest level. He remains an avid runner and triathlete and has completed more than 20 marathons.