Day 11
Today is the last full day in Munich. We have a full day planned. First in order is Ketchum Pleon. Again it was one of those days in Munich except this time, it was a continual rain.
We took public transportation to get to Ketchum Pleon. Ketchum Pleon is an Ad and PR company that originally started in Pittsburgh and ironically it is the company’s 90th birthday. It was impressive how the company plans its packages for a company’s campaign. The presentation provided tips on how to cater and support a product for a company. One of the major things that I have picked up on German media is how organized and thought out every step is in any project. It is seriously impressive to be that well organized and it really shows in the final product.
After Ketchum Pleon, we raced back to the hotel for a quick lunch. I had been using my crutches and switched to the wheelchair, since I was told it was going to be a lot of standing and walking for the second media tour.
The second media trip was to Süddeutsche Zeitung. Süddeutsche Zeitung is one of the most successful newspapers in Germany. This company was especially impressive because of how much thought and innovation the company put into keeping the readership and advertising in print.
For advertising, Süddeutsche Zeitung really pushed the limits by creating scented, perforated, flexible or UV coated ads. It was amazing each time Mr. Stengl brought out a different ad. It was something that you simple don’t see in the US. Mr. Stengl also gave up a tour of the printing press, it is one of the best printing presses in the Germany. It was interesting seeing the different steps needed in order to create a paper. According Mr. Stengl each paper gets at least updated four times before the final copy. It certainly takes a lot of work to create a newspaper.
A mini version of Munich
Süddeutsche Zeitung media trip was followed by the goodbye dinner at Munich Ratskeller. It is Johnie’s birthday and we surprised her with a card and cake. We also thanked Arnoud and Helen. The food was fabulous.
It is sad that the trip has finally run its course. Much has happened on this trip. For one thing, I never imagined I would spend my first time in Europe in a hospital and using crutches or a wheelchair. This trip has taught me more than just the media outlets in Germany, but has taught me in life as well. Sure it wasn’t ideal to be traveling via crutches or explore Berlin and Munich with them. The point I learned was to enjoy what you have and to appreciate the things you can do. Now this doesn’t always mean you get to do what you want to do, but you live and you learn.
Tomorrow is the flight home!
Carson
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