Hi there! My name is Sietse Bakker, born in 1984 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where I also grew up. As a child I have always been fascinated by media. First it was all about television and newspapers, then I shifted my focus to the internet, which became mainstream during my time in high school.
After graduating from high school at gymnasium level I went to study Communications Science at the University of Amsterdam in 2002. In 2003, when I was nineteen years old and while still in university, I founded digital agency Scrn. I decided to drop out of university and focus on growing the company, as well as developing my skills as digital designer.
From 2006 until 2016 I was, on consultancy basis, closely involved with the organisation of the Eurovision Song Contest. I started as Manager Online (2006-2008), then became Head of Communications (2008-2010) and finally Event Supervisor (2011-2016). In that role I was responsible for the entire event organisation beyond the TV shows. In 2011 and 2012 I was also responsible for the organisation of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
In 2019 I was appointed as Executive Producer of the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, which would take place in the Netherlands but was, like many other events, cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the contest took place after all, under challenging circumstances. Through television and online it reached well over 200 million people from Europe and beyond.
As of 1 December, 2022, I am Director of Amsterdam 750 Years on behalf of the Municipality of Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is celebrating its 750th anniversary from 27 October, 2024, until 27 October, 2025.
Over the past few years I wrote two books (in Dutch); How To Live Wow!? (2011) and De Sparkle (2015). I also have the privilege to speak at events around the world on a regular basis, talking about media, (crisis)communications and leadership.
Also have a look at my LinkedIn profile
Personal life
Since 2016 I am happily married to Fallon and we are the proud parents of two.
I’ve never been a sports guy, but occasionally hit the gym or take my running shoes to the park. I do consider myself a news junk, interested in (geo)politics, innovation and business, and love traveling. I’ve always had a special curiosity for everything that has to do with the universe, hence my admiration of the late astronomer Carl Sagan.