March has been the most active month on the calendar from work point of view!
Huge amount of client activity and was also part of the team organising the largest media conference in the first quarter of 2011!
It has all been hush and crazy in terms of the amount of work, but guess being employed with one of the largest international Public Relations consultancies gives you these opportunities. Although there could be a multiplicity of things to complain about in the course of work and beyond, I choose to cherish the fact that I was given this opportunity to work on a project which would feature the world’s two billionaires – William Henry Gates and Warren Edward Buffett.
‘The Giving Pledge’ was introduced to us in January and it was confirmed that we would be a part of the Principal’s India visit (Warren Buffett’s maiden one). The energy which came along with the names was beyond words! So, after two months of late nights in office making proposals, profile development, rigorous event planning, media monitoring, creating and revising documents, the conference finally took place on March 24, 2011 and with the day came the opportunity to be in the same room as Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett and Azim Premji. More than their net worth, it was an enriching experience to be a part of what they were discussing with the top billionaires of our country and the media – ‘Giving’. In the United States and other developed nations, the pledge has been accepted with open arms by the richest who have parted with a portion of their wealth which they would contribute towards societal needs. Although this was the largest media outreach we had undertaken in quite a while (above 220 registrations), it was the sly happiness when the top notch editor at the country’s top financial daily (who, under normal circumstances would give scum more importance) pestered me with calls requesting a interview with the Gates’ and I had the infrequent pleasure of keeping him in the wait!
From Left to Right: Bill Gates, Azim Premji, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett at the media briefing
India’s win over Australia in the quarter finals that night simply laced the happiness and indeed, we were bleeding blue!