Bachelor in Management of Social Innovation
The Namestorm Team
What drives us
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”(after Mark Twain)
Mark Leiblein
Mr. Name – the naming expert
- Founder and Owner of Namestorm
- Author of specialist books and interview partner on naming topics
From an early age, Mark was (in)famous for renaming everything around him and inventing distinctive name creations. He found himself wondering why an ice cream brand would be called “Bum Bum” – and why a travel agency would choose the name “Titanic.”
His fascination with names took a professional turn during his business studies with a focus on marketing, complemented by linguistic training (Business English, Anglicum, Latinum). He worked for five years as a marketing manager in a corporate environment before founding Namestorm to help bring unique names into the world.
Alongside cross-industry naming consultancy, he develops naming software in his startup NameRobot, writes expert articles, and is a frequent interview partner on topics related to naming and entrepreneurship.
Marcel Hiller
Name developer
- Project Manager and Client Advisor
- Freelance moderator (events and workshops)
Marcel Hiller has been part of Namestorm from the very beginning and contributes to almost every naming project – creatively or in a coordinating role. As a trained moderator, he brings strong linguistic and communication skills to creative workshops and ensures their smooth execution.
With a background as a certified automotive management specialist, Marcel is particularly in demand for naming projects with a technical focus. For him, “naming knows neither office hours nor location – the best ideas and solutions often come at night or on the road.”
Gila Dassel
Name developer
- Project Lead Naming Development, Naming Workshops
- Lecturer in Creativity Techniques, Munich University of Applied Sciences
Gila has been part of our team as a naming specialist since 2015. She entered the field of naming through her work as a TV development producer, where she created new show formats and titles.
She enriches our naming projects with creative methods and expertly navigates complex naming processes. Especially when dealing with complicated or seemingly chaotic product portfolios, she brings structure to complexity while keeping both creativity and strategy in focus.
In addition, Gila is a lecturer in creativity techniques at Munich University of Applied Sciences and leads naming and creative workshops.
Lucia Altmann
Junior Name Developer
- Expertise in health and sustainability topics
Lucia is a versatile contributor to our team – whether meticulously “tidying up” in the backend or bringing creative input to the naming process.
As a trained physiotherapist, she contributes valuable expertise in the fields of medicine, health and fitness, and nutrition. For her studies, she deliberately chose a focus on sustainability and strategic management, and she brings these perspectives into our naming projects as well – for example when developing names for genuinely sustainable initiatives, without any greenwashing.
Annika Hofmann
Copywriter
Over 15 years of experience in the field of language and creative work
- Master of Arts in German Studies & English and American Studies
Annika’s focus is on creative copywriting – especially concise formats such as slogans, claims and headlines. As a freelance contributor at Namestorm, she brings strong ideas to large-scale naming projects.
Mark Laupichler
Specialist Lawyer for Intellectual Property Law
Practicing legal advisor since 2003
- Extensive experience in IT/IP law, online law and competition law
Mark Laupichler and his law firm Praetoria Rechtsanwälte have been long-standing partners of Namestorm. He advises on the assessment of critical trademark similarities and other trademark law matters. If required, he also handles the registration of newly developed names on behalf of our clients.
Ally
Head of socializing
Responsible for balance during stressful phases and for maintaining a crumb-free atmosphere. She truly excelled on assignments of any kind.
Ally’s passion for naming may have been slightly less pronounced than that of the rest of the team – but she cared deeply about the well-being of both colleagues and clients.
Network
Expert Pool
Advertising copy
- Linguistic name screening (native speakers worldwide)
- Topics and trends (project-specific expert input)
In addition to its core team, Namestorm has built up a network of partners both in Germany and internationally. This network complements creative sessions and can contribute at every stage of the naming process.
As a client, you can rely on an experienced and passionate naming team – no matter how complex or challenging your naming project may be.