AIESEC posters on the streets of Sydney

being an AIESEC alumnus is a state of mind rather than a title; I'm sure many thousands of alumni around the world who go to chair conferences, mentor members, advice on boards and support in many other ways, would agree.

I work now in company that runs outdoor advertising in Australia, and in addition to having my marketing communications role, I am also an account manager for sponsored and charity campaigns that Adshel runs. The premise is that we donate media space for free to not for profit organisations, and of course working with many other charities, I had AIESEC on my mind too. Several months ago I suggested to MC that we run a campaign, and several days ago it all came into reality!

Forty AIESEC NSW recruitment posters are being displayed in Sydney for 2 weeks starting 21 July (one week to go now). Big (1.2m x 1.8m) posters are up in bus shelters on the streets, in panels in railway stations and in central shopping centres. Campaign that normally would cost about $20,000, was donated to AIESEC for free (no cost support is something most AIESECers, including myself when I was in leadership roles, always hope for :)



I reckon it's world's first, outdoor advertising campaign supporting AIESEC recruitment :)

I'm happy that AIESEC could be supported, it well deserves it; thanks to alumni support (not only me but also from other alumnus who sponsored the printing of posters).

An example of how AIESEC can be supported when a couple of people and current AIESEC are joining forces to make things happen :)

What happens in Sydney

Scene: rehearsal room in Sydney Theatre Company's building where the annual sponsors' dinner is happening.
Setting: champagne glasses, white table covers, simple and 'working art' decorations left after the rehearsals. Small crowd of first couple of dozens of sponsor representatives who attend the dinner.

Two people stand a bit apart from the rest of the group, two more people are moving across to them.

'Hi, I'm Cate, nice to meet you" [nice smile]
"Hi - Svetlana" [very wide smile]
"Hi - Andrew"
"Hi - Svetlana, nice to meet you"

Me and my boss just introduced ourselves to Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, artistic directors of Sydney Theatre Company (STC).

The best part - it's all true and happened yesterday.

I think that several minutes are those spaces in life that you'd remember but would find hard to believe it actually happened. After the greeting, Cate moved on to another group, and Andrew stayed with us, and Anthony, my boss, managed to keep the conversation going, while I was just able to smile and nod, still in bewilderment. Andrew is actually a great guy, very down to earth, funny, animated (well, you'd have to be someone clever and special to be with a woman like Cate Blanchett). We talked about how STC is developing and becoming more "people" theatre under Cate and Andrew, how we are happy to support, how it feels to have 3 kids and the last one very young (their sun is only 3 months old), about the accident some time ago when a guy from my company met Cate Blanchett in a swimming pool, as they were both taking their kids out to swim.

I was glancing to another group where Cate was, and putting down the desire to take out a camera and ask for a picture, which would be just wrong in this kind of environment. She is quite tall, plus add those black latest fashion wedges she is wearing. No make up, simple hairstyle, grey-ish dress and a black jacket. Cate Blanchett is one of those naturally beautiful people, i would always associate her with a forest fairy from Lord of the Rings.

This all might seem too pathetic, to be so amazed by meeting famous people. But take me back to my lounge room where I get to my couch to watch a movie, and tell that I'm going to meet the same person I see on the screen, see walking down red carpets around the world, and tell me that I'd be shaking hands with her - I'd find it exciting all over again.

I'm not a glamour person, I do not read OK magazine or follow the celebrity gossip. I do not travel world-renown beaches to sunbathe with rich and famous, and I do not attend parties in hi-end or even near to the hi-end of society. All those worlds are so far from my universe, and when they collide with me, my life - that seems like a pretty damn good reason to be excited! :)

and that all happens, because I work in marketing team at Adshel, looking after sponsorships we have, one of which is Sydney Theatre Company. Simple.

I'm sure I'd now pay more attention to what's Cate Blanchett is doing around the globe :) So if next time I get to meet her again, I'd have actually something to talk about...
(Imagine that - "hi Cate, i heard your latest movie was a success!.. Loved that scene!" hehehe)

Flying A380

This is very true - I flew the 'superjumbo' plain, from Sydney to Singapore, on my way to Europe this June. I didn't actually expect, realized only in the morning of departure looking at my itinerary, and imagine how excited I was!..

A380 takes more than 850 people, and is known for upgraded first & business class. Suites were also introduced on this plane (it's like a little cabin, with full flat bed, extra seat etc). uses less fuel per passenger, more space for all class seats etc.
Wikipedia tells it better than I do, if you are interested: A380 article

Here is my view on this plane:

1. From my economy class (of course, what else :) it was more or less the same - may be a bit bigger personal tv screens, more comfortable seats, and generally looks obviously newer. Can't judge on the extra space - there is no drastic difference, it is probably 5-10% more which is unnoticeable unless you go to Boeing 747 just before that and take notice of everything. Colours are nice, and the whole feeling is pleasant.

2. Overall - very good impressions, firstly and mostly just excitement of flying in one of technical advances of aviation in recent times :) and secondly, Singapore Airlines are so good, great food, nicely dressed stewardesses, individual entertainment etc. Enjoyed my flight, I did :)

3. And of course, I tried to get a sneak preview of first/business class/suites, but on my way to the upper deck I was stopped by a polite stewardess. So I had to retreat back asking where can I find the toilet and of course it was just beside me :)

But I didnt' give up! After we landed and I queued to get off the plane, I've realized the exit from the economy class is next to the one from the first class. A quick move of the curtain, and I got this picture (hmm, sounds a bit poor-cousin attitude, trying to get a glance at another class seating - but hey, this is the superjumbo and I was curious! :)


Looks like an individual coupe in a train, how cool that now it is available on the plane!
(everything comes at a price of course, in this case first class price)

And if you want to see more of A380 pics (interesting by the way) - check this out
- virtual tour of superjumbo by Singapore Airlines
- pictures of the plane from the blogs