Who we are
Where industry experience meets strategic execution
Uncommon People was founded in early 2019 in the Netherlands by media and adtech veterans Kees de Jong and Eric Snelleman. After years of building teams, scaling operations, and navigating the rapid evolution of digital media and advertising technology, they recognized a fundamental gap in how companies approach talent and growth.
The insight was simple: the best recruitment and consultancy comes from people who have done the job. Not HR professionals applying generic frameworks, but operators who understand P&L pressure, technology integration, team dynamics, and what it takes to execute in fast-moving markets. Today, with operations spanning EMEA and APAC, we bring together executive search, strategic consultancy, and creative leadership expertise to help organizations navigate transformation and build capabilities for sustained growth.
Value 1 – CONFIDENCE
01. Confidence
We have confidence in our ability to deliver because we’ve been in your position. We understand the challenges you face because we’ve faced them ourselves. This isn’t borrowed expertise. It’s earned through experience.
Value 2 – COURAGE
02. Courage
We have the courage to challenge conventional thinking and recommend what works, even when it’s not the easy answer. Our relationships are built on honest, direct communication, not telling clients what they want to hear.
Value 3 – CONNECT
03. Connect
We connect people, ideas, and opportunities across markets and disciplines. Our network spans EMEA and APAC, bringing together diverse perspectives and capabilities to create solutions that wouldn’t exist within a single geography or domain.
Value 4 – COMPETENCE
04. Competence
We bring deep competence in media, marketing, advertising, and technology. Our team has built businesses, managed global operations, and led transformations. This expertise allows us to operate as strategic partners, not just service providers.
Value 5 – COURTESY
05. Courtesy
We believe in courteous, respectful engagement. Our success depends on relationships built on trust, integrity, and mutual respect. We operate with professionalism and care in every interaction.
Meet the Uncommon People management team
Our Uncommon partners
Talents Matrix
Professional recruitment consulting based in Beijing, China. Provide recruitment services to companies in the Internet, IT and IT Consulting industries. talentsmatrix.com
Digital Mavens
Digital Mavens connects exceptional candidates with forward thinking companies. Executive recruitment for media, marketing, and tech industries. digitalmavens.com.au
Searchlight
New York
For 20 years, helped highly-qualified individuals find careers at companies in advertising, sales marketing, digital media, ad tech and programmatic. searchlightny.com