From left, Daniel Eischen, Co-Chair; Greetje Demuelenaere, Managing Director; and David Balfour, Co-Chair, Tribe Global. Tribe Global, the global network of independent, owner-run communications agencies, has appointed David Balfour and Daniel Eischen as Co-Chairs, marking the next chapter in the network’s leadership and long-term evolution.
The shared leadership model follows a planned transition announced to members late last year and reflects Tribe Global’s continued growth and maturity evolving from an informal network into a more structured, strategic global platform while remaining firmly founder-led.
Both Balfour and Eischen are long-standing Tribe members and current board directors, bringing complementary international experience across experiential marketing, digital innovation, strategy and agency leadership.
Balfour previously served as Chair for two years, stepping down just three years ago, and now returns to the role to provide continuity, momentum and strategic focus as the network enters its next phase.
Daniel Eischen, Founder of Luxembourg-based digital agency Interact and Concept Factory is a founding member of Tribe Global and its first Chair, having played a central role in shaping the network’s collaborative culture, values and operating model from inception.
Commenting on the appointment, David Balfour said, “This is very much about continuity as well as progression. Tribe has always been strongest when leadership reflects the diversity of thinking within the network. Having previously chaired Tribe, it feels like the right moment to step back in alongside Daniel. Not to change what Tribe is, but to help it mature, align and continue empowering independent agencies globally.” 1
Daniel Eischen added, “Tribe has always been built on trust, relationships and shared ambition. Returning as Co-Chair feels like a natural extension of that founding spirit, focused on stewardship, not hierarchy, and on building long-term value for the members who make Tribe what it is.”
The Co-Chairs will work closely with Greetje Demuelenaere, Managing Director of Tribe Global, who continues to lead the day-to-day operations of the network.
The structure reinforces Tribe Global’s collaborative leadership approach, combining strategic stewardship at board level with strong operational execution.
The appointments follow the planned departure of James Rice, who stepped down as Chair at the end of last year after a period of steady leadership and guidance.
Founded in 2012, Tribe Global now represents more than 35 independent agencies across more than 100 cities, spanning 35 languages and over 4,000 communications professionals worldwide. The network operates as a not-for-profit association, reinvesting all surplus back into member initiatives, learning programmes and global collaboration.
The co-chair appointments come at a time of continued momentum for Tribe Global, with plans to further evolve its business summits with Warsaw and Singapore meetings coming up, Rising Stars and Academy programmes in place and cross-market collaboration initiatives like Media Round tables reinforcing its position as a global platform built by independent agencies, for independent agencies.
