A career with vision: a portrait of Philipp Gamper

His journey began with expectations – and led him down various paths to exactly where he stands today with conviction. In this interview, Mag. (FH) Philipp Gamper looks back on formative experiences, decisive turning points, and his career path from intern to executive at Swarovski. Below, he offers personal insights into modern brand management, his motivation as a lecturer, and the art of seeing career detours as opportunities.

From internship to management position: a winding road

Today, Philipp Gamper is head of marketing at Swarovski Crystal Worlds – but his path to this position was not a straight one. After completing his master's degree at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, he was full of enthusiasm and sent applications to renowned brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. However, the responses he received were not what he had expected. “I thought I was in high demand – but I wasn't. Then came the moment of realization: I had to start from scratch.”

He gained his first experience in agencies, got to know different working environments – and finally found the entry point that changed everything through an internship at Swarovski. “I grew into it. It developed very slowly – and suddenly I was right in the middle of it.”

Despite the detours, he emphasizes in retrospect:

“Sometimes you have to take detours to find your own path – and if you remain open-minded, it often turns out to be good, as you never imagined it could be.” – Philipp Gamper

Marketing in a world full of expectations

Swarovski Crystal Worlds has long been more than just a tourist destination – it is a stage for brand presentation, experiential architecture, and emotional encounters. For Gamper, this means constant change.

“Our society has become very experience-oriented. Many people have already seen an incredible amount – they expect genuine experiences with depth.” The demands on brands are high, and competition is intense. “As a marketing manager, you have to look ahead – and at the same time remain sensitive to change. It takes foresight and a good sense of what moves people.”

Teaching in two directions: inspiration through dialogue

In addition to his role at Swarovski, Mr. Gamper has been a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol for many years – particularly in the bachelor's degree program in Marketing & Communication Management (MKM), where he teaches omnichannel marketing, among other subjects. He particularly values the exchange with young people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds. “It inspires me immensely to learn about new perspectives – especially in international degree programs. I try to make the theory tangible, and that only works if you remain open yourself.”

What motivates him in particular is the combination of theory and practice: “I try to bring the content to life – with examples from everyday working life. And in doing so, I constantly gain new insights that inspire my own work.” The diversity of personalities in a year group in particular opens up exciting perspectives: “I feel that I am growing as a result.”

Moving experiences, creative highlights

When asked about projects that have particularly stuck in his memory, Philipp Gamper names a whole series of campaigns – many of them large-scale, international, and full of energy: for example, the cinema commercial Discover your light, filmed in the desert of Turkey and rolled out in the UK. “To launch the campaign, we organized a scavenger hunt across London with 800 participants. It was Swarovski at its best – dynamic, surprising, full of charisma.”

He also counts the collaboration with Lili Paul-Roncalli as part of a circus-inspired campaign among his highlights: “The world I work in is so colorful and diverse – it's great fun.”

A quiet moment that moves

But it's not just the spectacular, loud campaigns that stick in the memory. Sometimes it's the quiet moments. He was particularly touched by an expression of quiet humanity during a light festival at Swarovski Crystal Worlds. An installation allowed visitors to symbolically send their wishes up to the sky – accompanied by light, music, and an emotional sense of space. “A couple stood there for a long time, hugging each other and crying quietly. Later, I saw what they had written on their wish list: We want our child back.”

Gamper pauses, his gaze lowering for a moment. “That was so intense. In moments like that, you feel that an experience can not only entertain, but also trigger something in people. Maybe even offer comfort.” For him, this is proof that marketing can be more than just staging – when it succeeds in creating touching spaces where people can encounter themselves.

Creativity, courage, and joy: What he wants to impart to students

Gamper is convinced that a fulfilling career path begins with a willingness to try new things. “Test yourselves – find out where your strengths lie and what interests you.” And above all, don't forget to have fun. “We spend a lot of time at work. It makes a big difference if you do something you really enjoy.” Designing, experiencing, creating something meaningful – that's the core for me.“

Career summary with a wink

How does he look back on his career so far? ”I would do almost everything the same way again. Maybe I would hold back a little with my humor – sometimes you run the risk of not being taken completely seriously. But overall, I'm proud. Even of the detours, because they helped me mature."

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