MFC helps clients recognize their opportunities in China and bring their international projects and business to success.
About MFC
MFC is a Berlin- and Beijing-based consulting company specializing in strategic cooperation between European businesses and China. With our deep understanding of international business practices, politics, markets and the economy, we help clients recognize opportunities in China and bring their international projects to success.
The professional team at MFC possesses extensive experience in bridging the gap between European and Chinese business environments, along with a deep understanding of Chinese business practices, politics, market trends, and the economy. By combining our profound understanding of the Chinese market with a client-centric approach, we deliver timely and efficient solutions that drive tangible results.
Contact us to realize your opportunities in China and Asia and achieve your business or project goals, as we work together to navigate market complexities and ensure your success in China.
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China experts and problem solvers
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Client-focused service providers
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Cross-cultural bridge builders
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Structured and goal-oriented, combined with pragmatism and speed
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Trusted by numerous global brands and companies
Our story
2005-2010: Founding and Establishment of MFC
MFC was founded in 2005 in Beijing by its name-giver Marianne Friese. Building on prior experience in the field of communications and marketing, as well as her extensive China track record, she set out to provide specialised service consulting for international businesses to achieve success in the Chinese market. Ranging from naming & branding projects to corporate communications services, MFC has taken on a portfolio of assignments and formed strong relationships with its clients.
2011-2020: Consolidation as a German-Chinese Business Consulting Company
Having successfully led major projects for clients like Jägermeister, Siemens, VDMA, and more, MFC extends its services, emphasizing holistic business consulting for companies involved in global business including Europe and China. This enabled us to handle even larger projects, driven by a company DNA rooted in diversity and connectivity. Team members with diverse backgrounds and passports have been integral to MFC’s ongoing success.
2021-2024: Restructuring and Leadership Transition
In 2021, Dr. Anja Ketels joined the company and soon set out to lead MFC into the future. During the global slowdown on international business due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MFC restructured itself to be successfully positioned for future growth, emphasizing the empowerment of the team to foster innovation and collaboration. In this transitional phase, Marianne Friese Consulting turns into MFC and we re-defined our service portfolio and outreach strategies. With a new leadership duo and a fresh outlook, MFC is ready to maintain high-quality services for our clients and fostering growth and success for our company.
Today & Onward
MFC is a renowned consulting firm with a highly experienced team based in Germany and China and a global network of experts.
With clients from a broad variety of industries, we follow our mission to bridge cultures and facilitate international business success. Our team’s blend of local and international insights enables us to offer tailored, culturally sensitive solutions to our clients.
Our Team
At MFC, we are committed to delivering exceptional results. By leveraging the expertise of our international multi-lingual MFC consultants and utilizing our extensive international partner network, we allocate the finest tailor-made teams for each project and specific need. This ensures that you receive personalized solutions that are precisely aligned with your objectives.
Marianne Friese
Founder & CEO
With a background spanning from Germany and Europe to the US and China, Marianne embodies a global mind-set which propelled her international career. Armed with an engineering and business management degree, plus an M.A. in Communications supported by a Fulbright Scholarship in LA, she has worked in different international settings, eventually as a Partner in a US consultancy, running their global brand communications business as well as their company in Germany. Since relocating to China in 2001, she boasts two decades of on-the-ground experience, with a large portfolio of consulting projects in China for China. She founded MFC in 2005 and mastered its growth in quality and size with an impactful team and network in China and elsewhere in Asia. Her extensive experience in high-caliber consulting, coaching and project management in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US is the core value Marianne will continue to deliver to MFC’s international business and projects.
Yue Zhang
Consultant
After obtaining her degree in German Literature, Yue joined the MFC team in Beijing. She has actively participated in various intercultural projects and gained experience in diverse areas such as market research, branding, copywriting (in English and Chinese), translation, and communication. Yue serves as a reliable on-site contact for German client activities in China and supports MFC as a longstanding team member in ongoing projects in the region.
Dr. Anja Ketels
Senior Consultant
Seit über 15 Jahren engagiert sich Anja im deutsch-chinesischen Austausch, viele dieser Jahre verbrachte sie zu Studien-, Forschungs- und Arbeitszwecken in China. Mit einem akademischen Hintergrund in Chinastudien, einer Promotion zu Chinas internationalen Beziehungen und umfangreicher Erfahrung in Forschung, Analyse und Projektmanagement hat sie zahlreiche Kooperationsprojekte in verschiedenen Bereichen koordiniert, darunter in Wissenschaft, Produktion, Forschung und Entwicklung, Marketing und mit NGOs. Fließend in Deutsch, Chinesisch und Englisch kombiniert sie fundiertes Fachwissen, interkulturelle Kompetenz und eine lösungsorientierte Herangehensweise, um Projekte nahtlos umzusetzen und internationale Erfolge zu sichern.
Mario Sorg
Senior Consultant
Mario arrived in China in 1992 and has called it home since 2000. As a multilingual German professional, he boasts a 25-year career in leading functions within diverse sectors including pharmaceutical supply chains, packaging and printing, tooling manufacturing, power supply, and food-related manufacturing. With expertise in intercultural management, Good Manufacturing Practice, Quality Management, and industrial production development, Mario serves as MFC’s dedicated representative in China, fostering strong collaborations with local partners.
Simone Peters
Senior Consultant
Simone Peters hat 25 Jahren Erfahrung in den Bereichen Marketing und Projektmanagement. Nach mehr als einem Jahrzehnt in Peking leitet sie nun von München aus internationale Projekte in verschiedenen Branchen, mit Fokus auf Marketing, Live-Kommunikation und interkulturellem Training. Sie ist bekannt für ihre Expertise in der Führung multikultureller Teams, verfügt über ein großes Netzwerk in China und liefert maßgeschneiderte, Lösungen für unsere Kunden. Fließend in Deutsch, Chinesisch und Englisch sorgt sie mit tiefem Marktverständnis und reibungslosem Projektmanagement für Ihren Erfolg in China und Europa.
Martin Stegelmeier
Senior Consultant
Martin is an experienced senior manager with extensive expertise in product planning and digital portfolio management, particularly in the automotive industry in Europe and China. He has significant experience leading cross-functional teams, developing long-term business strategies, and fostering innovations in product platforms. Martin also brings strong expertise in market development, including identifying growth opportunities, entering new markets and driving customer-centric solutions. Additionally, he has in-depth knowledge of intercultural communication and holds certifications in project management and digital transformation.
Sarah Ma
Senior Consultant and Editor (Chinese)
Graduating from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing (UIBE) with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Sarah commenced her career as a sales professional in a Chinese import and export company. Ten years later, she successfully managed her own business, which encompassed advertisement, publishing, and immigration consultation. With her rich experiences and knowledge from her live in China and New Zealand, Sarah supports the MFC team in Beijing as an editor and copywriter for Chinese texts. Additionally, our clients benefit from her expertise as an entrepreneur in China, with a focus on international clients.
Richard Burger
Senior Consultant and Editor (English)
With a Master’s degree in journalism and more than ten years experience overseeing public relations projects in Asia, Richard is responsible for overseeing quality control of MFC’s written materials and sharing insights on the Chinese market. He has many years of journalism experience, including two years as a New York Times editor and a year editing the Chinese newspaper Global Times. He has assisted clients with media training, copy writing and media relations in the US, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan and speaks English, Chinese and German.
Partners
- Experts in digital media analysis, social media monitoring, crisis handling, SEO, and public opinion maintenance.
- Monitoring and analysis platforms are developed by Beijing ZEUSO Technology. They are powered by advanced Internet technology to integrate all media information (print, online websites, Weibo, WeChat, Little-Red-book, e-commerce, Douyin, Zhihu, etc.), and feature media monitoring, crisis alert, etc.
- Since 2013, ZEUSO has served more than 500 clients from more than 200 different industries and enjoys a high reputation in the monitoring and analysis industry.
China Netzwerk Baden-Württemberg
- Platform for the promotion of German-Chinese exchange in economics, science and culture, with a focus on Baden-Württemberg or beyond that.
- Networking of companies, institutions, universities, municipalities and private individuals.
- Organization of information events, expert talks, workshops, seminars, and training courses (virtual and on-site).
- In-depth exchange between members in working groups (such as Legal & Tax, AI, Communications, etc.).
- Conducting studies and surveys.
- Supports students and professionals with targeted programs and exchange opportunities.
- Experts in digital media analysis, social media monitoring, crisis handling, SEO, and public opinion maintenance.
- Monitoring and analysis platforms are developed by Beijing ZEUSO Technology. They are powered by advanced Internet technology to integrate all media information (print, online websites, Weibo, WeChat, Little-Red-book, e-commerce, Douyin, Zhihu, etc.), and feature media monitoring, crisis alert, etc.
- Since 2013, ZEUSO has served more than 500 clients from more than 200 different industries and enjoys a high reputation in the monitoring and analysis industry.
German Enterprise Center (Berlin) GmbH
- Consulting company with offices in Berlin and Beijing and an experienced, trilingual team.
- Extensive experience in collaborating with Chinese government authorities and in-depth knowledge of Chinese society and business.
- Comprehensive support for market entry, subsidiary establishment, and the development of tailored marketing strategies to ensure a successful transition from China to Germany.
- Close collaboration with New Silk Road GmbH and GDCV e.V. on customized projects, including delegation trips, educational programs, and networking events.
- MPM is a China-based creative digital agency with 20 years of experience, specializing in advertising creation, graphic design, and publishing.
- Our business scope includes flexible and sustainable digital solutions, delivering seamless and elegant user experiences, from logo and visual identity design to UX, mobile design, development, and official account management (WeChat websites, Little Red Book, etc.).
- Our bilingual team specializes in assisting international clients with brand localization in China.
SP China Consulting Ltd.
- Consulting company with offices in Berlin and Beijing and an experienced, trilingual team.
- Extensive experience in collaborating with Chinese government authorities and in-depth knowledge of Chinese society and business.
- Comprehensive support for market entry, subsidiary establishment, and the development of tailored marketing strategies to ensure a successful transition from China to Germany.
- Close collaboration with New Silk Road GmbH and GDCV e.V. on customized projects, including delegation trips, educational programs, and networking events.
