Manuela Buslay

My projects in the marketing@media programme

1. Editorial/ Der Club Bertelsmann/ Berlin/ Project “Club-Premiere Der Katalane by Noah Gordon”

My first day on the job

My job started with a business trip to the DMA Direct-Marketing Exhibition in Chicago. Besides the exhibition and several lectures I had the opportunity to meet my marketing@media colleagues (who are normally spread all over the world) and the participants of our Senior Expert Circles from the different countries. My first official workday was rounded off with a lovely dinner, a glass of wine and a fantastic view of the fireworks in the harbour with Gerd Bührig, the other marketing@media’s and myself in the highest restaurant in Chicago.

Tell us an off-the-wall idea that you sometimes think about: what if…

…I had been banned to a lonesome island and were only allowed to take along three things? This question was asked in the newspaper back when I received my high school diploma. At that time, wet behind the ears as I was, I answered: photos of my best friends, my favourite book and my favourite CD. I’ve learned a lot since that time and my answer today is: all the boneheads in the world, all the club products so that the boneheads can learn something, and a return ticket for me.

How I made my way to the media world of DirectGroup

My exciting road to DirectGroup started in November 2006, when I was still studying. I applied for the international internship programme ‘Join the best’, where the Bertelsmann AG offered internships. In the grand finale I unfortunately lost to my tough competitors from all over Germany, but in hindsight this was my ticket. On the second day, every participant had the chance to present him- or herself in an individual interview to the company. In my interview it quickly became clear that the marketing@media programme perfectly matches my interests, skills and expectations for my career entry.
After a few passes (application papers) und security checks (interviews and presentation in Berlin) I received my “Around-the-world” ticket and right after graduation, I hit the road to the wide world of media: 

1. Destination: Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Reason: DMA and meeting of the other marketing@media’s. A great venue at the beginning, and a week later I was back on the airplane again.

2. Destination: Berlin, Germany.
Reason: Project ‘Club-Premiere Der Katalane by Noah Gordon‘.

I am planning a six-month stay here and I am looking forward to an interesting time, a great project and many interesting people, from whom I can learn so much.