Wolfgang Wolf’s Background.
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He was born in 1951 in Leipzig, German Democratic Republic. His parents escaped with him as he was 10 months old, because his father was sentenced to 18 years in Siberia for an alleged assassination attempt on the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin.
He grew up in the refugee camp Stammheim, near Stuttgart until 1957.
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He worked half a year in Los Angeles, USA,
and founded his own agency, 'Direct Action Ltd.' in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1985. He also taught the ‘Certificate Course in Direct Marketing’. 
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After writing the book, he needed a new challenge and studied and completed a Bachelor of Social Practice (Major: Counselling) and a Diploma in Community Development.
While studying he founded, and still chairs, “Computers Against Isolation”, a registered charity that provides people who live with disabilities with computers. |
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He left school early and took up an apprenticeship as a photo lithographer because his parents insisted the boy needed a trade. So keen he was to move on, that he completed the practical exam in only two years and two months. Then he studied Visual Communication, Semiotic (the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation) and Communication Theory in Stuttgart und Wuppertal.
Wolfgang went on to work in Advertising and Direct Marketing (first as graphic designer, later a copywriter). He had a successful career, and worked for some prestigious advertising agencies around the world. 
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After a few years he had closed his own agency, bought a camper van and travelled around Europe for a year. Got married in Rhode Island, USA.
And on his return he reopened his agency, and looked forward to life. Even though he didn’t know it yet, the first stage of his life was about to come to an abrupt end. By this time he had freelanced in Germany and Los Angeles, California, had been employed as a consultant in New Zealand. Suddenly he received this wake-up call. In 1990 he had a major stroke, which he barely survived. It left him in a wheelchair, unable to write, barely able to stand, and talk. He did not give up and feel sorry for himself, but went on to orchestrate this change to his new life, and take control of it. |
He has been a New Zealand citizen since 1983 and a member of Lions International since 2011.
Today he does counselling work, mainly with couples where one partner has a disability. He insists it is “with couples”, rather than doing anything “to couples”. Also, he prefers to call it coaching and not counselling, because he thinks they just need a friend who introduces them to the boat they are all sitting in. __________________________________ He also regularly speaks to clubs and associations in New Zealand, and at conferences overseas. Apart from the presentations Wolfgang facilitates staff awareness sessions. Every year he gives guest lectures on a variety of topics. Below: ARNA conference in Hobart, (Tasmania) Australia. |
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In 1980 he immigrated to New Zealand, travelled the country, photographed a lot, and freelanced. He co-founded
Ogilvy & Mather Direct, and was their Creative Director. |
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