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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Franz Ardito — Product Leader</title>
<meta name="description"
content="Principal Product Manager at Babbel. Building AI-powered learning experiences. 10+ years shaping products people love.">
<meta property="og:title" content="Franz Ardito — Product Leader">
<meta property="og:description"
content="Principal Product Manager at Babbel. Building AI-powered learning experiences.">
<meta property="og:type" content="website">
<meta property="og:url" content="https://franzaudio.com">
<link rel="canonical" href="https://franzaudio.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link
href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Sans:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;1,300;1,400&family=Instrument+Serif:ital@0;1&display=swap"
rel="stylesheet">
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="frzLogo1080.png">
<style>
:root {
--text: #1a1a1a;
--text-secondary: #5a5a5a;
--text-tertiary: #8a8a8a;
--bg: #fafaf8;
--bg-card: #ffffff;
--border: #e8e8e4;
--accent: #2a2a2a;
--accent-hover: #000000;
--link: #3d5a80;
--serif: 'Instrument Serif', Georgia, serif;
--sans: 'DM Sans', -apple-system, sans-serif;
}
* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
html {
scroll-behavior: smooth;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
-moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
}
body {
font-family: var(--sans);
color: var(--text);
background: var(--bg);
line-height: 1.7;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: 400;
}
/* NAV */
nav {
position: fixed;
top: 0;
left: 0;
right: 0;
z-index: 100;
background: rgba(250, 250, 248, 0.85);
backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.nav-inner {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px 32px;
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
}
.nav-name {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: 20px;
color: var(--text);
text-decoration: none;
letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}
.nav-links {
display: flex;
gap: 32px;
list-style: none;
}
.nav-links a {
font-size: 14px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
text-decoration: none;
letter-spacing: 0.02em;
transition: color 0.2s;
}
.nav-links a:hover {
color: var(--text);
}
.nav-name img {
height: 28px;
width: auto;
display: block;
}
/* HERO */
.hero {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 160px 32px 100px;
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
gap: 64px;
align-items: center;
}
.hero-portrait {
width: 220px;
height: 220px;
border-radius: 50%;
object-fit: cover;
object-position: center top;
border: 1px solid var(--border);
filter: grayscale(15%);
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.hero-eyebrow {
font-size: 13px;
letter-spacing: 0.12em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
margin-bottom: 24px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.hero h1 {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: clamp(42px, 6vw, 64px);
font-weight: 400;
line-height: 1.1;
letter-spacing: -0.02em;
color: var(--text);
margin-bottom: 32px;
}
.hero h1 em {
font-style: italic;
color: var(--text-secondary);
}
.hero-description {
font-size: 18px;
line-height: 1.8;
color: var(--text-secondary);
max-width: 600px;
font-weight: 300;
}
/* SECTIONS */
section {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 80px 32px;
}
.section-label {
font-size: 12px;
letter-spacing: 0.14em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
margin-bottom: 48px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.divider {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 0 32px;
}
.divider hr {
border: none;
border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
}
/* PULL QUOTE */
.pull-quote {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: clamp(22px, 3vw, 30px);
font-style: italic;
color: var(--text-secondary);
line-height: 1.4;
letter-spacing: -0.01em;
padding: 32px 0;
border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
margin: 28px 0;
position: relative;
}
.pull-quote::before {
content: '\201C';
font-size: 72px;
line-height: 0;
position: absolute;
top: 44px;
left: -8px;
color: var(--border);
font-family: var(--serif);
}
/* ABOUT */
.about-content {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 64px;
align-items: start;
}
.about-text p {
color: var(--text-secondary);
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 1.8;
margin-bottom: 20px;
font-weight: 300;
}
.about-details {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 24px;
}
.detail-item {
padding-bottom: 24px;
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.detail-item:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
padding-bottom: 0;
}
.detail-label {
font-size: 11px;
letter-spacing: 0.12em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
margin-bottom: 6px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.detail-value {
font-size: 16px;
color: var(--text);
}
/* EXPERIENCE */
.experience-list {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.experience-item {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 180px 1fr;
gap: 48px;
padding: 40px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
align-items: start;
}
.experience-item:first-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
.experience-item:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.exp-period {
font-size: 14px;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
font-weight: 300;
padding-top: 4px;
}
.exp-content h3 {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: 400;
margin-bottom: 4px;
letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}
.exp-company {
font-size: 15px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.exp-description {
font-size: 15px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
line-height: 1.7;
font-weight: 300;
}
/* PROJECTS */
.projects-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 24px;
}
.project-card {
background: var(--bg-card);
border: 1px solid var(--border);
border-radius: 12px;
padding: 36px;
transition: border-color 0.3s, transform 0.3s;
}
.project-card:hover {
border-color: #ccc;
transform: translateY(-2px);
}
.project-tag {
font-size: 11px;
letter-spacing: 0.1em;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
margin-bottom: 16px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.project-card h3 {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: 400;
margin-bottom: 12px;
letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}
.project-card p {
font-size: 15px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
line-height: 1.7;
font-weight: 300;
}
/* CONTACT */
.contact-content {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 64px;
align-items: start;
}
.contact-text {
font-size: 18px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
line-height: 1.8;
font-weight: 300;
}
.contact-links {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 16px;
}
.contact-link {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 20px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
text-decoration: none;
color: var(--text);
transition: color 0.2s;
}
.contact-link:first-child {
padding-top: 0;
}
.contact-link:hover {
color: var(--link);
}
.contact-link-name {
font-size: 16px;
}
.contact-link-arrow {
font-size: 18px;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
transition: transform 0.2s, color 0.2s;
}
.contact-link:hover .contact-link-arrow {
transform: translateX(4px);
color: var(--link);
}
/* FOOTER */
footer {
max-width: 900px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 48px 32px;
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
font-size: 13px;
color: var(--text-tertiary);
}
/* ANIMATIONS */
.fade-in {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(20px);
transition: opacity 0.7s ease, transform 0.7s ease;
}
.fade-in.visible {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateY(0);
}
/* VIDEO SECTION */
.video-container {
position: relative;
padding-bottom: 56.25%;
/* 16:9 */
height: 0;
overflow: hidden;
border-radius: 12px;
background: #000;
margin-bottom: 32px;
border: 1px solid var(--border);
box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
}
.video-container iframe {
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
border: 0;
}
.video-preview {
display: block;
position: relative;
width: 100%;
height: 0;
padding-bottom: 56.25%;
/* 16:9 */
border-radius: 12px;
overflow: hidden;
background-size: cover;
background-position: center;
text-decoration: none;
border: 1px solid var(--border);
box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
margin-bottom: 32px;
transition: transform 0.3s;
}
.video-preview:hover {
transform: scale(1.01);
}
.video-preview-overlay {
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.video-preview:hover .video-preview-overlay {
background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
}
.play-button {
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
border-radius: 50%;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
transition: transform 0.3s, background 0.3s;
}
.video-preview:hover .play-button {
transform: scale(1.1);
background: #ffffff;
}
.play-button::after {
content: '';
width: 0;
height: 0;
border-top: 12px solid transparent;
border-bottom: 12px solid transparent;
border-left: 20px solid var(--text);
margin-left: 6px;
}
.media-info {
max-width: 600px;
}
.media-info h3 {
font-family: var(--serif);
font-size: 28px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
font-weight: 400;
}
.media-description {
font-size: 16px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
font-weight: 300;
line-height: 1.8;
}
/* MOBILE */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.nav-inner {
padding: 14px 20px;
}
.nav-links {
gap: 20px;
}
.nav-links a {
font-size: 13px;
}
.hero {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
padding: 130px 20px 72px;
}
.hero-portrait {
width: 120px;
height: 120px;
order: -1;
}
.hero-description {
font-size: 16px;
}
section {
padding: 60px 20px;
}
.divider {
padding: 0 20px;
}
.about-content {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 40px;
}
.experience-item {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 8px;
}
.exp-period {
padding-top: 0;
}
.projects-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.contact-content {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 40px;
}
footer {
padding: 32px 20px;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 8px;
}
}
@media (max-width: 480px) {
.nav-links {
gap: 14px;
}
.hero h1 {
font-size: 36px;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<!-- NAV -->
<nav>
<div class="nav-inner">
<a href="#" class="nav-name"><img src="frzLogo1080.png" alt="Franz Ardito"></a>
<ul class="nav-links">
<li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
<li><a href="#experience">Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="#certifications">Certifications</a></li>
<li><a href="#projects">Projects</a></li>
<li><a href="#media">Media</a></li>
<li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</nav>
<!-- HERO -->
<header class="hero">
<div class="hero-text">
<p class="hero-eyebrow fade-in">Head of Product · Berlin</p>
<h1 class="fade-in">Strategic <em>leadership</em> at the intersection of product and craft</h1>
<p class="hero-description fade-in">
Scaling high-impact product organizations with a focus on discovery, innovation, and mentorship. 12+ years at
Babbel, from pioneering cross-functional roles to leading AI-first product strategies.
</p>
<div class="fade-in" style="margin-top:24px;">
<a href="Portfolio-Franz-Ardito.pdf" download class="contact-link-name"
style="text-decoration:none; color:var(--text); border:1px solid var(--border); padding:10px 20px; border-radius:6px; font-size:14px; transition:border-color 0.2s;">Download
Portfolio (PDF)</a>
</div>
</div>
<img src="FranzFace.png" alt="Franz Ardito" class="hero-portrait fade-in">
</header>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- ABOUT -->
<section id="about">
<p class="section-label fade-in">About</p>
<div class="about-content">
<div class="about-text fade-in">
<p>
I've spent over a decade at Babbel working at the intersection of product, technology, and language learning.
As a product leader, I focus on turning strategic vision into tangible experiences through lean methodologies,
fast iteration, and a relentless focus on the learner.
</p>
<p>
I thrive on structural impact: I executed the <strong>Product Discovery pilot</strong> at Babbel, establishing
the company’s current validation standards. I believe in growing people as much as products—having
<strong>mentored 5 Product Managers</strong> to help them master their craft and reach their next level of
seniority.
</p>
<p>
My leadership style is grounded in the wisdom of industry pioneers. I’ve had the privilege of being mentored
by <strong>Jeff Patton</strong> and <strong>Petra Wille</strong>, whose philosophies on outcome-centric
discovery and product leadership continue to shape my approach to building strong, autonomous teams.
</p>
<p>
Before product, there was music. For <strong>15 years</strong>, I worked at the highest levels of the
international music business as a session musician, producer, and sound designer. Based in Barcelona and
Berlin, I collaborated with world-class artists including <strong>Asian Dub Foundation, Manu Chao, Che Sudaka,
Gemelli DiVersi, Dissidenten, Modena City Ramblers, XOC, and 1. Futurologischer Congress</strong>.
</p>
<blockquote class="pull-quote">Music is the second language everybody understands.</blockquote>
<p>
That conviction still shapes how I think about product: it's not about features, it's about what people feel.
This deep connection between communication and craft is what led me from a technical support role to leading
product innovation at scale.
</p>
</div>
<div class="about-details fade-in">
<div class="detail-item">
<p class="detail-label">Current Role</p>
<p class="detail-value">Principal Product Manager, Babbel</p>
</div>
<div class="detail-item">
<p class="detail-label">Based In</p>
<p class="detail-value">Berlin, Germany</p>
</div>
<div class="detail-item">
<p class="detail-label">Languages</p>
<p class="detail-value">Italian, English, Spanish, German</p>
</div>
<div class="detail-item">
<p class="detail-label">Focus Areas</p>
<p class="detail-value">AI Products · Language Learning · Agile Innovation</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- EXPERIENCE -->
<section id="experience">
<p class="section-label fade-in">Experience</p>
<div class="experience-list">
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2025 — Present</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Principal Product Manager</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Babbel · Berlin</p>
<p class="exp-description">
Driving the vision and execution of Babbel’s AI-powered business pivot. Focused on high-scale conversational
AI, achieved <strong>35% weekly retention</strong> through a "Speak First" strategic paradigm, while
managing cross-departmental alignment and total cost of ownership (LLM/Voice).
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2022 — 2025</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Lead Product Manager</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Babbel · Berlin</p>
<p class="exp-description">
Built and led "Team Asimov," a cross-functional innovation unit that took Babbel Speak from hackathon
prototype to a core product pillar. Planned and executed the launch of the <strong>Speak Tab</strong> on iOS
and Android—shaping the roadmap and mentoring junior staff within the team.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2018 — 2022</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Junior → Senior Product Manager</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Babbel · Berlin</p>
<p class="exp-description">
Transitioned from QA into product management. Grew from Junior PM to Senior PM Learning Experience, driving
product strategy across multiple areas and championing outcome-centric agile practices across the
organization.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2014 — 2018</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>QA Engineer → QA Analyst</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Babbel · Berlin</p>
<p class="exp-description">
Started in technical support and moved into QA engineering. Built a deep understanding of the product from
the ground up—the technical foundation that informed a 12-year journey to product leadership.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">— 2013</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Session Musician, Producer & Sound Designer</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Independent · International</p>
<p class="exp-description">
A 15-year career at the intersection of performance and technology. Collaborated with a diverse range of
international artists including <strong>Asian Dub Foundation, Manu Chao, Che Sudaka, Gemelli DiVersi,
Dissidenten, Modena City Ramblers, XOC, and 1. Futurologischer Congress</strong>. Worked globally as a
touring musician, record producer, and FOH sound engineer—obsessing over craft and human connection to build
experiences that resonate.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- CERTIFICATIONS -->
<section id="certifications">
<p class="section-label fade-in">Certifications & Education</p>
<div class="experience-list">
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2021</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO)</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Scrum Alliance · Certified by Jeff Patton</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">2016</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>ISTQB® Certified Tester</h3>
<p class="exp-company">German Testing Board · Foundation & Agile Extension</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">1999</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Professional Musician</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Associazione IDEA · Certificato di Competenze Superiori</p>
<p class="exp-description">Advanced vocational training co-funded by the European Social Fund, focusing on
ensemble performance, music technologies, and production.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="experience-item fade-in">
<p class="exp-period">1996</p>
<div class="exp-content">
<h3>Maturità Artistica</h3>
<p class="exp-company">Liceo Artistico Statale di Bologna</p>
<p class="exp-description">Specializing in <strong>Art, Architecture, and Design</strong>—a foundation that
continues to inform my structural thinking and user-centric approach.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- PROJECTS -->
<section id="projects">
<p class="section-label fade-in">Projects & Strategy</p>
<div class="projects-grid">
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Strategic Case Study</p>
<h3>Babbel Speak (AI)</h3>
<p>
Planned and executed the transition from a hackathon idea to a core business pillar. Defined the
retention-first strategy and the shift toward active conversational modalities.
</p>
</div>
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Organizational Innovation</p>
<h3>Product Discovery Pilot</h3>
<p>
Championed and executed the pilot project that introduced formal Product Discovery frameworks at Babbel,
leading to a company-wide shift toward evidence-based product decisions.
</p>
</div>
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Content Integration</p>
<h3>Babbel Podcasts</h3>
<p>
Directed the strategy to integrate audio-first learning into the core app experience, expanding the product's
reach into passive learning moments.
</p>
</div>
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Instructional Design</p>
<h3>Guided Conversations</h3>
<p>
Planned the instructional foundation for Babbel’s initial spoken practice offerings, serving as the blueprint
for later AI scaling.
</p>
</div>
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Growth · Core Loop</p>
<h3>Review Manager</h3>
<p>
Reimagined the vocabulary review experience, optimizing the retention of long-term learning through strategic
UX and spaced repetition.
</p>
</div>
<div class="project-card fade-in">
<p class="project-tag">Core Product</p>
<h3>Multi-modal Lessons</h3>
<p>
Planned and executed content innovation across core learning paths, integrating text, audio, and visual cues
for a more comprehensive pedagogical experience.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- MEDIA -->
<section id="media">
<p class="section-label fade-in">Media & Partnerships</p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8lZ8td1pgg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="video-preview fade-in"
style="background-image: url('https://img.youtube.com/vi/R8lZ8td1pgg/maxresdefault.jpg');">
<div class="video-preview-overlay">
<div class="play-button"></div>
</div>
</a>
<div class="media-info fade-in">
<h3>Babbel x Inter Miami CF</h3>
<p class="media-description">
Driving brand engagement and language learning through a strategic partnership with Inter Miami CF. As the
Official Language Learning Partner, Babbel empowers fans and players to connect across cultures, highlighting
the role of communication in the global sports community.
</p>
</div>
</section>
<div class="divider">
<hr>
</div>
<!-- CONTACT -->
<section id="contact">
<p class="section-label fade-in">Get in Touch</p>
<div class="contact-content">
<p class="contact-text fade-in">
I'm always happy to connect with fellow product people, language enthusiasts, or anyone curious about building
AI-powered experiences. Feel free to reach out.
</p>
<div class="contact-links fade-in">
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/franzaudio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="contact-link">
<span class="contact-link-name">LinkedIn</span>
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target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="contact-link">
<span class="contact-link-name">Babbel Speak Story</span>
<span class="contact-link-arrow">→</span>
</a>
<a href="Portfolio-Franz-Ardito.pdf" download class="contact-link">
<span class="contact-link-name">Download PDF Portfolio</span>
<span class="contact-link-arrow">↓</span>
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<a href="mailto:franzardito@pm.me" class="contact-link">
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