Speaker and Huysgenoot Erland Galjaard is a true media professional with expertise in marketing, inspiration, consumer behavior, leadership, and media & journalism. He is a connector who knows how to turn every target audience into loyal viewers or customers. How does he do it? He shares his approach during his talks, giving you the practical tools to connect strategically with your audience.
Background
After studying political science for several years, Erland decided to discontinue his studies because his passion lay elsewhere. He soon became interested in the television industry. He worked on programs such as Het Moment by Paul Witteman (VARA) and Weekjournaal (NOT), and helped establish the sports department at SBS.
Erland Galjaard and RTL
In 1997, Erland began his career at RTL, initially as an editor-in-chief at RTL Nieuws. He subsequently led the sports department for a period of time. In 2000, Erland moved to RTL5 as Program Director (now RTL 7), and in 2006, under his leadership, it became the fastest-growing television channel in the Netherlands.
In 2007, he became Program Director of RTL 4. At the time, the channel was facing difficult circumstances. This soon changed with Erland at the helm, and RTL 4 achieved one success after another, including Chantal Blijft Slapen, The Voice of Holland, and Ik Hou van Holland. The channel’s popularity was unprecedented, and these successes did not go unnoticed. In 2010, Erland was named Broadcaster of the Year by Broadcast Magazine. From 2011 onwards, he became Program Director of RTL Nederland, taking responsibility for all of RTL’s television channels. In 2015 and 2016, he was named the most powerful media professional in the Netherlands.
After leaving RTL in 2018, Erland continued to pursue new opportunities. He started a career as a DJ under the name Soulvation, which once again became a success. In addition, he began working as a strategic advisor at Talpa Network in 2019. His aim was to build connections with viewers in new ways—an ambitious challenge that perfectly suited Erland’s expertise.
Speaker
Alongside his successful media career, Erland has built a career as a speaker, ranging from RTL-Z Masterclasses at Nyenrode to the satirical The Roast of Gordon. Erland speaks about his extensive experience in media, which extends far beyond television. He demonstrates his multimedia expertise through initiatives such as founding Wendy magazine.
During his talks, he shares how to connect strategically with any target audience. He reveals the secrets behind a successful brand and explains how to engage audiences across every platform.
