Mastermind Public Affairs Consulting
offers lobbying, government relations, issues management, stakeholder management, political audits, strategic media relations, CSR and other public affairs services for companies and associations. On the highest level, based on our expertise and years of experience.
Who we are - what we do
Our task is to articulate, assert and protect our clients’ legitimate interests towards all relevant political decision makers and stakeholders. Acting on behalf of our clients, we strive to minimize negative and maximize positive impact from political decisions to our clients’ business objectives. Focused on economic success ourselves, we naturally abide to all general rules and regulations as well as ethical values of the society we are part of.
We are committed to the codes of conduct established by ÖPAV and de|ge|pol.
Who we are – what we do
Our task is to articulate, assert and protect our clients’ legitimate interests towards all relevant political decision makers and stakeholders. Acting on behalf of our clients, we strive to minimize negative and maximize positive impact from political decisions to our clients’ business objectives. Focused on economic success ourselves, we naturally abide to all general rules and regulations as well as ethical values of the society we are part of.
We are committed to the codes of conduct established by ÖPAV and de|ge|pol.
The Mastermind-Team
People with experience
Management
Management
Peter Köppl, Christina Scheifinger
Ownership
Ownership
Peter Köppl, Christina Scheifinger, Martin Stradal-Angelo, Bernhard Zink-Spiel, Nicolas Stella
Dr. Peter Köppl M.A.
Managing Partner
Peter Köppl is one of the leading public affairs experts in Austria with professional experience as a journalist, PR consultant, press spokesman and lobbyist in industrial companies, chambers, associations and agencies. Peter Köppl is President of the Austrian Public Affairs Association, member of the Strategic Community, and works as a specialist author and lecturer. The communication scientist and political scientist (Vienna University) graduated from the Graduate School of Political Management in Washington, D.C. in the “Lobbying & Public Affairs” department and the executive program “Strategy Beyond Markets” at Stanford Business School. His passions outside of work include skiing, reading and music.
Christina Scheifinger, Bakk. phil.
Managing Partner
The Business school graduate from Styria, gained professional experience in a law firm and in another public affairs agency, among others. She studied journalism and communication sciences at the University of Vienna and has been an avid swimmer and diver for many years.
Mag. Martin Stradal-Angelo
Partner & Senior Advisor
Martin Stradal-Angelo has several years of experience as a consultant in the field of lobbying and public affairs. He was already a senior consultant in his past professional career and before that acted as press spokesman and PR officer for the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. From 2004 to 2006 he got insights in political campaigning and communication working for the Austrian Federal Government.
During the Austrian EU Presidency in 2006 Martin Stradal-Angel was part of the press relations team at the Federal Chancellery. He holds a Masters in Commercial Science. In his spare time he loves to play the drums and volleyball. He is father of two children.
Bernhard Zink-Spiel M.A. M.A.
Partner & Senior Consultant
After several years of working in the insurance sector, the trained insurance salesman studied Political Science with focus on Governance and Administration, Political Communication and EU policy-making at the University of Vienna and additionally specialized himself in Public Affairs during a post-graduate master´s program at the University of Vienna as well.
During his studies, he worked for the Austrian Embassy in Berlin in the field of political- & public relations as well as for an international Company in Corporate Affairs. Since 2015 at Mastermind, the native Styrian is supporting clients from several business areas and industries. The father of two devotes his free time to his family, travel and sports.
Nico Stella, MIM
Partner & Senior Consultant
After several years in the public affairs sector, the Vienna native joined the Mastermind team as a consultant in 2019. His studies – political science and management in Vienna and Salzburg – prepared him for working at the intersection between politics and business.
During his stays abroad in London, St. Gallen, Brussels and the USA, he has acquired perspectives beyond the Austrian horizon. Apart from work, he is passionate about hiking and skiing in the mountains and travelling the world.
Katharina Lebenbauer, MA
Consultant
The native Styrian has professional experience in the field of corporate communications in an international group. She graduated with a bachelor”s degree in business consulting, specializing in human resources management and corporate accounting. Building on this, she completed her master”s degree in communications management, specializing in digital public affairs.
Katharina Lebenbauer likes to spend her free time with sporting challenges in the nature.
Marco Redolfi, BSc (WU), M.A.I.S.
Consultant
After gaining professional experience in the private and public sectors, the Salzburg native found his professional home in the field of public affairs. His Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, as well as his Master’s degree in International Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna form the academic background for this. Most recently, he was responsible for communications, PR and lobbying for a globally operating group in the FMCG sector and since 2021 he has been looking after clients from various industries for Mastermind.
Marco Redolfi is a passionate hobby chef and enjoys cooking for his partner, his friends and especially his daughter.
Alexander Schelischansky, LL.B. (WU), M.A.I.S.
Policy Analyst
Born in Graz, Alexander has found his new home in Vienna since 2015. After an extended stay abroad in North America, Alexander completed his studies in Business Law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business as well as a Master of Advanced International Studies at the Vienna School of International Studies (Diplomatische Akademie Wien). After gaining professional experience in the legal field, Alexander Schelischansky now works as a policy analyst at the interface between politics, business and law. He spends his free time in the mountains or on the soccer field.
MASTERMIND MEMBERSHIPS
We are members of the following important organizations and institutions:
ÖPAV
Österreichischen Public Affairs Vereinigung
de|ge|pol
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Politikberatung
PAC
Public Affairs Council (Washington, D.C.)
AmCham Austria
US Chamber of Commerce in Austria
We support companies and associations of all kind in their respective public affairs strategies.
Our clients include global corporations, domestic SMEs, sector and professional associations. We work in all industries and policy fields. Mastermind has a broad network of proven experts from a wide range of disciplines.
MASTERMIND PUBLICATIONS
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Publications by Peter Köppl
Köppl, Peter:
Re-shaping Public Affairs: technische Innovationen, politische Veränderung und internationale Vergemeinschaftung transformieren Erscheinung und Wirkung professioneller Public Affairs in: Political Science Applied, Zeitschrift für angewandte Politikwissenschaft, Sonderheft Mai 2018 „Interessenvertretung und Lobbyismus“, S. 36
Köppl, Peter:
Advanced Power Lobbying. Erfolgreiche Public Affairs in Zeiten der Digitalisierung. Linde Verlag 2017
Köppl, Peter:
Austria: Bitoni, Alberto | Harris, Phil. Lobbying in Europe. Public Affairs and the Lobbying Industry in 28 EU Countries. S. 45-58. Palgrave macmillan 2017
Köppl, Peter:
The state of public affairs in Austria: Journal of public Affairs, Vl. 14, S., 31-43, Wiley Online Library, 2014
Köppl, Peter | Wippersberg, Julia:
Public Affairs in Österreich. Berufsfeld und Berufsbild, Facultas Verlags- und Buchhandels AG, Wien 2014
Lansky, Gabriel | Egger, Alexander | Köppl, Peter:
Lobbying und Recht mit einem Kurzkommentar zum Lobby-Gesetz, LexisNexis, Wien 2013
Köppl, Peter / Engert, Peter (Hrsg.):
Corporate Social Responsibility & Nachhaltigkeit. Vom Idealismus zur betrieblichen Realität, Linde-Verlag, Wien 2012
Köppl, Peter:
Of historical burdens, misperceptions and recent scandals: Austria’s bumpy journey towards professional public affairs Editors: Grant Jordan, Burdett Loomis (Hrsg.): Interest Groups & Advocacy, Macmillian Publishers Ltd. 2012 ( Seite 67 ff)
Köppl, Peter:
Lobbying in Österreich, Information als Währung: Feri Thierry (Hg.): Politikberatung in Österreich, Herausforderungen – Strategien – Perspektiven, Braumüller 2011 (Seite 209 ff)
Köppl, Peter:
Lobbying und Public Affairs: Meckel, Miriam / Schmid, Beat (Hrsg.): Unternehmenskommunikation. Kommunikationsmanagement aus Sicht der Unternehmensführung, Gabler, Wiesbaden 2006 (Seite 187 ff)
Köppl, Peter / Neureiter, Martin (2004):
Corporate Social Responsibility. Leitlinien und Konzepte im Management der gesellschaftlichen Verantwortung von Unternehmen. Linde international, Wien
Köppl, Peter (2001):
Die Macht der Argumente. Lobbying als strategisches Interessenmanagement: Althaus, Marco (Hg.): Kampagne! Neue Strategien für Wahlkampf, PR und Lobbying. Lit-Verlag, Münster
Köppl, Peter:
„Lobbying als Beruf“: Busch-Janser, Florian / Gerding, Sandra / Voigt, Mario (Hg). Politikberatung als Beruf. Poli-c-books, Berlin / München 2005
Köppl, Peter (div. Beiträge in):
„Handlexikon Public Affairs.“ (Hg.) Althaus, Marco / Geffken, Michael / Rawe, Sven. DIPA Reihe Public Affairs und Politikmanagement 1. LiT Verlag, Münster 2005
Köppl, Peter:
„Lobbying auf Rezept“, Gastkommentar in: PharmaAustria 01 (Juni) 2004
Köppl, Peter:
„Seit wann darf Segway auf den Gehsteig?“, Gastkommentar in A3BOOM, Mai 2004
Köppl, Peter:
„Power Lobbying: Das Praxishandbuch der Public Affairs. Wie professionelles Lobbying die Unternehmenserfolge absichert und steigert.“ Linde international, 2003
Köppl, Peter:
„Public Affairs State-of-the-Art: Das Ende des amateurhaften Lobbyings”: www.poli-c.de, 03. November 2003
Köppl, Peter:
„Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung – ein Trend, oder nur trendy?“, (gem. mit Neureiter, Martin): LEADER Magazin Österreich, 1/03, Seite 32
Köppl, Peter:
„Kein Platz für Amateure“: „politik & kommunikation“, Feb./März 2003, Seite 28
Köppl, Peter:
„Die Wiener War Rooms“: „politik & kommunikation“, Dez./Jan. 2002/03, Seite 46
Köppl, Peter:
„Trommeln fürs Business. Public Affairs Management für Unternehmen und Verbände.“ (gem. mit Kovar, Andreas) Und: „Die Macht der Argumente. Lobbying als strategisches Interessenmanagement.“ : Althaus, Marco (Hg.): Kampagne! Neue Strategien für Wahlkampf, PR und Lobbying. Lit-Verlag, Münster 2001
Köppl, Peter:
The acceptance, relevance and dominance of lobbying in the EU Commission – A first-time survey of the EU Commission’s civil servants. Journal of Public Affairs, Volume One, Number One, Henry Stewart Publications, January 2001
Köppl, Peter:
Public Affairs Management. Strategien und Taktiken erfolgreicher Unternehmenskommunikation. Linde-Verlag, Wien 2000
Köppl, Peter / Laird, Nick L.:
Public Affairs in Zeiten der Globalisierung – Wettbewerbsvorteile durch „Weltbeste“ Kommunikation: Public Relations Forum für Wissenschaft und Praxis, 5. Jahrgang, Nr.3, Nürnberg 1999
Köppl, Peter:
Lobbying – Das politische Instrument der Public Relations?: Public Relations Forum für Wissenschaft und Praxis, 5. Jahrgang, Nr.1, Nürnberg 1999
Köppl, Peter:
Contract Lobbying – Beeinflussung als Dienstleistung: Scheff, Josef / Gutschelhofer, Alfred (Hrsg.): Lobby Management, Linde Verlag, Wien 1998
Köppl, Peter:
Lobbying als strategisches Interessenmanagement: Scheff, Josef / Gutschelhofer, Alfred (Hrsg.): Lobby Management, Linde Verlag, Wien 1998
Köppl, Peter:
Pflichtfach Lobbying – Ein Kursbuch in Serie für Wirtschaftstreibende, die ihre Erfolge noch steigern wollen. 10-tlg. Serie in „Die Wirtschaft“, Wien 1996
Köppl, Peter / Scheucher, Christian:
Herausforderung Lobbying – Interessen als unternehmerischer Mehrwert. Management Club, Wien 1994
Köppl, Peter:
Akzeptanz, Relevanz und Dominanz von Lobbyismus in der transnationalen politischen Entscheidungsfindung der Europäischen Union. Die funktionale Notwendigkeit der Integration von Lobbyismus im Rahmen informaler politischer Kommunikation als Beitrag zur politischen Entscheidungsfindung. Unveröffentlichte Dissertation, Universität Wien, 1996
Köppl, Peter:
Lobbyismus in Österreich: Das verschwiegene Instrument der Public Relations? Dargestellt am Beispiel der Entstehung der österreichischen Wasserrechtsgesetz-Novelle 1990. Unveröffentlichte Diplomarbeit, Universität Wien, 1991
CONTACT US
In the heart of Vienna
Our office is centrally located at the intersection of Mariahilfer Straße and Neubaugasse. Easy to reach with the Vienna subway line U3, stop at Neubaugasse, approx. 150m in the direction of Westbahnhof.
MASTERMIND Public Affairs Consulting GmbH
Neubaugasse 1 | A | 12-15
1070 Wien | Vienna – Austria
E-Mail: office@mastermind.cc
