COMMITMENT AND PASSION

There is a great deal that unites our team: Competence, industry knowledge and flexibility. The most important things, however, are commitment and professionalism. And that’s why we are pleased to 

have found a good mix of professionals and young people who all share our passion for film and cinema since we started.   

MATTHIAS KELLER
CEO

«My ambition of exploiting the maximum potential out of every movie, plus my aversion to run-of-the-mill concepts, together give me fresh motivation each and every day.»

As a qualified restaurateur, Matthias Keller laid the foundation for his marketing career as the head of  junior recruitment marketing for the trade association GastroSuisse.

In Canada he perfected his English skills and at the same time consolidated his marketing expertise at the University of Vancouver. Back home, he worked for two years as a product manager in the publishing division of Tamedia AG.

Matthias Keller was employed by The Walt Disney Company as marketing director from 1998 to 2010. In this capacity he was responsible for the Disney line-up as well as the marketing of all Sony Pictures films distributed in Switzerland by The Walt Disney Company. During his twelve years there he helped blockbusters such as «James Bond – Quantum of Solace», «Finding Nemo» or «Pirates of the Caribbean» to achieve the success they deserved in Switzerland too.

Swiss films likewise benefited from his dedication, know-how and network: with «Achtung, Fertig, Charlie!» and «Die Herbstzeitlosen»  he launched two of the most successful products by local film-makers.

In August 2011 he founded his agency, Paterson-Entertainment.

DAJANA SKALONJA

ASSISTANT TO THE CEO 

“A little bit of Hollywood – and me right in the middle of it! My love of film combines creativity and organisation – a perfect symbiosis.”

She has been supporting managers as an assistant for ten years, freeing them up to focus on their core tasks. She deliberately chose to train as a management assistant independently of any one industry, to allow her to pursue her diverse interests. Her career path has taken her from the world of finance to aviation – but her true passion is creativity.

As an enthusiastic dancer, globetrotter and film aficionado, she is inspired by stories – be it on her travels, on social media or at the cinema. When she read the job ad for “A little bit of Hollywood”, she saw it as the perfect opportunity for her to combine her organisational skills with her enthusiasm for films. After all, what you see on-screen only exists through the passion of the people behind the scenes – and she is proud to be part of it!

Dajana Skalonja has been working at Paterson-Entertainment since 1 September 2024.

TIM SCHMIDT

SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER (FILM) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

«I have been making films myself ever since I was a kid. My excitement for big-screen imagery, new stories and the dynamics of a unique industry kept me going throughout my studies and gives me fresh motivation every day.»

Growing up in Hamburg, Tim Schmidt graduated from high school in 2014 before taking a bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Bern, which he successfully completed in 2017. A six-month assignment as an expat in Shanghai, China, gave him international work experience in various areas, including marketing. On his return, he moved to Zurich, where he gained his master’s degree in economics with distinction at the university in 2022, specialising in microeconomics, decision theory and corporate strategy.

During his ten months as an intern at Paterson-Entertainment, Tim Schmidt gained in-depth insights into the film industry and was able to apply his communication and marketing skills in practice. He was taken on with a permanent contract in July 2023 and continues to support our team at all project levels. 

Tim Schmidt has been working at Paterson-Entertainment since 1 September 2022.

MELISA DEMIR

JUNIOR PRODUCT MANAGER (FILM) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

“For me, film is a medium that goes beyond the two-dimensionality of the screen and creates a reciprocal relationship of give-and-take with the audience. It acts as a mirror of society and, like society itself, is constantly changing."

Melisa Demir grew up in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, where she completed her bilingual baccalaureate before moving to Zurich. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Zurich in 2020 and successfully completed her master’s degree at the Department of Film Studies in 2022.

During this time, she not only developed a deeper affinity for theories and the arts, but also refined her communication skills. Her studies gave her a more in-depth understanding of the interdependencies of image, sound and text in cinema and heightened her consciousness of the transcendent role of film as a medium. She is particularly interested in the interplay between fiction and documentation as well as the authenticity and indexicality of moving images. She is also fascinated by films that trigger an emotional and physical response when they are experienced.

In her position as Junior Product Manager in the area of Film (Marketing) and Communications, Melisa possesses genuine insight into the film industry. She has been working at Paterson-Entertainment AG since June 2024, where she contributes her passion for the medium of film to innovative projects, and is broadening her expertise in marketing and communication. 

Melisa Demir has been working at Paterson-Entertainment since 10 June 2024.

BARBARA SCHÄFER

SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER

 “All of my projects aim to convey my fascination for the world of entertainment to others and that’s partners and consumers in equal measure.”

Barbara Schäfer’s career path pointed towards entertainment right from the outset. After completing a master’s degree in mass communication and media research, she did an internship at 3 Plus TV: As the deputy head of communication, she carried out various PR tasks for the emerging private broadcaster. Barbara Schäfer then joined MTV Networks where she was heavily involved in the set-up of the children’s channel Nickelodeon in Switzerland after a brief spell as a marketing and communications manager. She and her team established the Nickelodeon brand in Switzerland, increasing its market share fourfold within a short space of time. With large-scale family events, she brought the international stars of the Nickelodeon series to Switzerland for the first time.

Joining the Walt Disney Company Switzerland gave Barbara Schäfer the opportunity to fully pursue her passion for the world of cinema as a product manager and bought media specialist. In addition to media planning for cinema as well as for DVD and game releases, she marketed films for all four studios that belong to the Walt Disney Company (Walt Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucas Film).

Whether SpongeBob, Snoopy or Mickey and Minnie, Barbara Schäfer has met them all – bringing smiles to the faces of thousands of Swiss children with tours.

Barbara Schäfer has been working at Paterson-Entertainment since 1 November 2024.

SARAH CINDREA

OFFICE MANAGER

“From the industrial sector to real estate and film art: my career path has been varied, but my passion for stories remains.”

Sarah Cindrea, our experienced all-rounder, can look back on a varied professional career. Her journey began in the chemical industry at Solvay (Schweiz) AG in 2012, where she completed a solid commercial apprenticeship to qualify as a commercial clerk. After the company location in Switzerland was closed, she remained with Sodi Industriepark AG, focusing on the administration and maintenance of the industrial park. She assumed responsible positions in the areas of customer service, scheduling and back office. When she moved into real estate at Livit AG in 2020, she gained a greater depth of knowledge of commercial property management. 

Sarah displays a pronounced customer focus, good organisational skills and a continuous willingness to learn. With her background in industry and real estate, her career path may seem unusual, but it is precisely this versatility that makes her a creative, solution-driven personality.

She is fascinated by the unique ability of film to create new worlds and strike a deep chord with the audience . She is particularly enthusiastic about films that address socially relevant issues and open up new perspectives. She firmly believes that films have the potential to shape society.

Sarah Cindrea has been working at Paterson-Entertainment since 1 July 2024.