Several people have asked me what I used to do while I was living and working in Bologna…. so I’ll share a little bit about my adventures. In 1999 (seems like ages ago!) I was recruited by an old friend and x-boss of mine to move to Bologna and manage a few accounts for their marketing agency (Nike Running,Yoga fruit juice and eventually Coca-Cola.) It was an exciting prospect and opportunity…who wouldn’t want to manage projects for an all-star client list like that! I do remember that at the time,my cons list included the new furniture I had just purchased for my apartment in Boston and another opportunity I was considering with a company from Long Island. New furniture? Long Island? Looking back….. it’s crystal clear.
So my time “working”in Italy was spent (among other things) attending every major marathon and other running events throughout Italy for Nike,attending snowboard competitions at Italy’s major ski resorts for Yoga and eventually creating a Coca-Cola project on the Italian beaches that included several hundred lidos on beaches in every region……did I mention,they also paid me? It was also a lot of hard work but an incredible adventure.
That’s me showing the staff how it’s done…I sold 24 cokes out of that backpack/cooler in 30 minutes!When I returned to the States in 2002,I started my own agency Criterium Event Marketing with a few of my Italian colleagues and in 2005 we were asked by another agency to help manage the 2006 Olympic Torch Relay for Coca-Cola. We met at CC offices in Milano and at the end of the day I declined because of other obligations with clients here in the US (I can feel you kicking me in the butt) but my colleagues and very close friends took the challenge of mapping out the route,managing the torch bearers,hiring the staff and so on. So as the Olympic Torch makes its way through Europe this weekend,(St. Petersburg April 5,London April 6 and Paris April 7) in route to the Beijing Olympics –you may recall it’s path through Italy in 2006 and if you had the opportunity to see the torch run by and the procession of cars,trucks and people it was partially thanks to my very good friends Nicola,Davide and Cristiana.
Cristiana &Nicola during the Torch Relay
Molto bello,ben fatto…..
It is my first time at your blog. You left a comment on mine (the awful vending machine post) and I am happy you did so,as I like your blog,and will come back. Interesting life you have,with one foot here and one foot there,enjoying what is good of both places. Great recipes too!
That looks like such a fun job! Out and about,mixing and mingling …I’ll bet you had a blast!
I have a hard time sitting still,and yet I do transcription for a living these days. At the top of every hour,I hop up,sometimes even run up and down the stairs…I keep joking that I need a hamster wheel!
Maybe this is a dumb question,but when did you learn Italian? Growing up or as an adult?
what a great job my friend. If you will it,it is not a dream. What a great opportunity…but as you know and I your friends will be your friends forever now. I love that feeling,don’t you? a presto
Wow!! What a great opportunity. Sounds like you really made the most of it!!
Bet you’ll never look at or drink a coke the same way again….
Dear Joe,
Daniele was a student in Bologna. I’ve visited it once –lovely place.
Now,Julian at A Tuscan View From Umbria has tagged me for a meme and I have to pass it on. I think you know the drill. Hope you’ll forgive me,Sally
Sounds like a great job to me,especially cruising those lidos:)
That is an amazing story,Peppino! I *love* marketing events…love em,love em,love em.
What were the major differences you noticed between the US and Italy?
You look great in red! Even I would by a coke from you and I can’t bear the stuff. Amanda:)
Thanks for stopping by Beatriz’! I enjoy your blog as well.
Tui,I learned Calabrese growing up as my parents had moved here after they got married…it’s almost Italian!:)
Katie,I agree…do something you love and then figure out how to make a living out of it.
Robin:I still have a few of the plastic bottles…I like diet better though.
Sally,thanks for the tag. I cheated a little and added you to my March 19th meme. Oh MEME!
Lorraine…. the beaches were so hard to visit.;) but not really.
Cherrye,the major difference in Italian event marketing and American event marketing is:The Italians work best on existing relationships,Americans are a bit more organized. There were also a few Italians that “we had to make donations to”to get things done. did I say that out loud?
Thanks Amanda. Don’t forget your scontrino:)
Cristiana…sono io che devo dire ben fatto.:)
Love the color coordination there,Joe!
Nice post and yes I agree about the road less travelled.