Naar de Maan

Naar de Maan is a public relations and communications agency based in Ostend, Belgium, founded in 2023 by Wim, a seasoned communications professional with two decades of experience in both corporate and political environments. The agency offers strategic communications counsel, crisis management, brand storytelling, and marketing advisory services, drawing on a deep network of specialists to assemble tailored teams for each client engagement. While the agency is young, its founder brings a wealth of hands-on experience from senior roles at AXA and the European Parliament, giving Naar de Maan a credible foundation for navigating complex communications challenges.

Services and Specialties

Naar de Maan provides a comprehensive suite of communications and marketing services designed to help organizations articulate their messages clearly and effectively. The agency’s offerings are built around strategic counsel, creative execution, and crisis preparedness. Based on the founder’s background and the industries served, typical services include:

• Strategic communications planning and advisory
• Crisis and reputation management
• Corporate storytelling and brand narrative development
• Media relations and spokesperson training
• Marketing strategy and campaign development
• Internal and change communications
• Public affairs and stakeholder engagement
• Content creation and copywriting
• Event and campaign management

These services are delivered with a focus on practicality and impact, leveraging the founder’s experience leading teams of up to 40 professionals across international markets. Naar de Maan positions itself as a flexible partner that can scale resources up or down depending on the project, making it suitable for both short-term assignments and ongoing retainer work.

Who They Help

Naar de Maan works with a diverse range of clients, including established corporations, public institutions, and growing organizations. In 2024, the agency collaborated with notable names such as Bpost Group, Batopin, Karakters, Bravo4, and FinFactor. These clients span sectors including logistics, financial services, real estate, and cultural organizations. The agency is particularly well-suited for companies undergoing transformation, facing reputational challenges, or seeking to strengthen their market positioning through clearer communications. Because Naar de Maan operates as a boutique consultancy with a flexible team model, it can accommodate both large-scale campaigns and more focused advisory roles without the overhead of a larger agency.

Approach and Philosophy

The agency’s approach is rooted in the belief that effective communications require both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. Wim, the founder, brings a pragmatic, no-nonsense style shaped by years of managing high-stakes communications in the European Parliament and leading marketing and communications functions at AXA. Naar de Maan emphasizes collaboration and customization: rather than offering off-the-shelf solutions, the agency builds a dedicated team of professionals—drawn from a network of top specialists—to match each client’s specific needs and budget. This model allows Naar de Maan to deliver senior-level expertise without the fixed costs of a large agency, while maintaining the agility to respond quickly to changing circumstances. The agency’s name, which translates to “To the Moon,” reflects an ambition to help clients achieve extraordinary results through focused, strategic communications.

Location and Credentials

Based in Ostend, Belgium, Naar de Maan serves clients both locally and internationally. The agency’s location on the Belgian coast offers a unique perspective, blending a relaxed, creative environment with proximity to key business hubs in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. Wim’s career includes a formative period as a spokesperson for the European Parliament starting in 2004, followed by leadership roles at AXA Belgium and internationally, where he oversaw marketing and communications during the merger of Crelan and AXA Bank. This background provides Naar de Maan with a solid understanding of how to manage communications in regulated industries, navigate cross-cultural dynamics, and handle sensitive issues. The agency is registered in Ostend, Flanders, Belgium, 8400, and operates as a Belgian company.

Who Naar de Maan Is a Good Fit For

Naar de Maan is an ideal partner for organizations that value senior-level strategic input and a hands-on, collaborative working style. It is particularly well-suited for companies in transition—whether undergoing a merger, launching a new brand, or facing a communications crisis—that need experienced counsel without the bureaucracy of a large agency. Small to medium-sized enterprises, as well as larger organizations seeking specialized support for specific projects, will find Naar de Maan’s flexible team model appealing. If you are looking for a communications partner that combines deep experience with a fresh, entrepreneurial approach, Naar de Maan is worth considering.