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Arvato Russia GM Michael Poetschke: “Some Western players have suspended their e-commerce plans for Russia, but the effect of the international tensions might also be positive.”

October 13, 2014 October 13, 2014

After more than 15 years on the market, Bertelsmann subsidiary Arvato Russia has asserted itself as one of the main fulfillment providers in Russia, both for traditional distance selling and for e-commerce operations. In this exclusive interview, CEO Michael Poetschke — who arrived in Russia almost 20 years ago — talks about the opportunities and …

Arvato Russia GM Michael Poetschke: “Some Western players have suspended their e-commerce plans for Russia, but the effect of the international tensions might also be positive.” Read More

International e-marketing expert Bas Godska: “Digital marketing in Russia is hotter than ever before, and young professionals are craving for knowledge”

September 16, 2014 September 16, 2014

Dutch online marketing expert Bas Godska came to Russia in 2008, when the Russian e-marketing and e-commerce markets were still embryonic. He helped a range of international and Russian players – from Ozon, to Lamoda, to KupiVIP, to Enter.ru – reach major positions on the market and optimize their budget. Lesser known, but prolific, has …

International e-marketing expert Bas Godska: “Digital marketing in Russia is hotter than ever before, and young professionals are craving for knowledge” Read More

Yandex founder Arkady Volozh moves to global role in senior management shake-up

August 28, 2014 August 28, 2014

Earlier this week Russia’s online search giant Yandex announced significant changes this month at the senior board level, which will come into effect from September 1. Alexander Shulgin, currently the group’s Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Yandex’s Russian business. Greg Abovsky will be promoted to Chief Financial Officer to replace …

Yandex founder Arkady Volozh moves to global role in senior management shake-up Read More

VKontakte co-founder Vyacheslav Mirilashvili launches new venture fund in Israel

August 6, 2014 August 6, 2014

VKontakte co-founder Vyacheslav Mirilashvili and his partner at MNS Consulting Nir Grinberg have opened Yesodot Private Equity, a new venture fund in Israel. The Yesodot Private Equity fund aims to develope energy storage and infrastructure projects. Grinberg is in charge of search into potential venture capital recipients, while Mirilashvili’s task is to attract new investors. Mirilashvili has …

VKontakte co-founder Vyacheslav Mirilashvili launches new venture fund in Israel Read More

Alleged ex-spy Anna Chapman to launch online shop with logistic support from Otto Group

July 21, 2014 July 21, 2014

Anna Chapman, the Russian businesswoman and alleged secret agent uncovered by the FBI in 2010, has teamed up with the Otto Group to launch an e-commerce shop dedicated to her own fashion brand. According to an agreement signed last month, the group’s logistic subsidiary eTraction will provide the warehousing, fulfilment, call center, and returns management …

Alleged ex-spy Anna Chapman to launch online shop with logistic support from Otto Group Read More

Runa Capital Managing Partner Dmitry Chikhachev: “Discriminating in business or science by country of origin is equally irrelevant”

July 4, 2014 July 4, 2014

As Runa Capital announced the launch of its second fund, Runa Capital II, with a focus on Europe, its managing partner Dmitry Chikhachev shared with East-West Digital News his views on the globalization of the startup and venture industry and the international positioning of his fund, which initially focused on Russia.

Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev to revive dating site Hot or Not in the US

June 27, 2014 June 27, 2014

Andrey Andreev, the Russian entrepreneur responsible for creating popular social apps such as Badoo, is reviving the dating site Hot or Not in the United States. Andreev has been trying for several years to enter the U.S. market’s complex and oversaturated online dating industry with the help of his social network Badoo, which has proven …

Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev to revive dating site Hot or Not in the US Read More

Ozon CEO Maëlle Gavet to Harvard Business Review: How to build an e-commerce giant in a cash-only economy

June 26, 2014 June 26, 2014

Russia’s economy is cash based, and its delivery networks are shaky. To drive growth in e-commerce, Ozon had to create a proprietary distribution system, a new logistics and customer service model, and a highly engaged team. At first I didn’t want to have anything to do with Ozon. I was coming up for partnership at …

Ozon CEO Maëlle Gavet to Harvard Business Review: How to build an e-commerce giant in a cash-only economy Read More

LinguaLeo launches in Turkey and appoints US industry veteran as CEO

June 24, 2014 June 24, 2014

LinguaLeo, a personal online service that helps people master foreign languages, has launched its service in Turkey with a localized web-version and a mobile app. This is the second market after Brazil in which the Russian startup has launched its service. “Within the framework of our plans for global expansion we chose Turkey for a variety …

LinguaLeo launches in Turkey and appoints US industry veteran as CEO Read More

Alex Vasiliev of SPSR on cross-border sales: “Even a sharp increase in taxes would not be a problem if at the same time procedures are being simplified”

May 20, 2014 May 20, 2014

Responsible for the international activities and business development of Russian delivery service company SPSR, 32-year-old Alex Vasiliev personifies Russia’s new generation of internationally-oriented retail and logistics professionals. Before joining SPSR in 2011, he served Turkish companies operating in Russia in the bank card and logistics industries. In this interview with East-West Digital News, Vasiliev describes SPSR’s thriving …

Alex Vasiliev of SPSR on cross-border sales: “Even a sharp increase in taxes would not be a problem if at the same time procedures are being simplified” Read More

Medvedev on Russia’s response to the West’s “Soviet” approach to business

May 20, 2014 May 20, 2014

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out on a number of internet and business related issues in a wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg’s Ryan Chilcote. In the run up to the St Petersburg Economic Forum, which will go ahead without many Western CEOs warned by their governments to stay away, Medvedev accuses the West of …

Medvedev on Russia’s response to the West’s “Soviet” approach to business Read More

Wikimart co-founder Maxim Faldin: “Western investors are still in the game for Russian e-commerce”

May 16, 2014 May 16, 2014

Launched in 2008 by Stanford graduates Maxim Faldin and Kamil Kurmakaev, Wikimart had the initial ambition of creating a Russian analog of eBay. Heavily funded by major US investment funds, the startup has now become a major marketplace offering its own products alongside nearly 2 million items from 1,500 third-party merchants. In this interview with the …

Wikimart co-founder Maxim Faldin: “Western investors are still in the game for Russian e-commerce” Read More

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