PR Thoughts

Tomorrow will be the starting point of my last week at Edelman.

I am leaving after 2 great years. 2 years full of rich experience, terrific meetings and sometimes relatively exhausting work I have to say. What will definitely remain in my mind are the people I've met there.

I've had the chance to be directly working with Richard few times, either to answer some of his requests or to pitch for a business with him (yes, this was my first pitch at Edelman). I will always remember his briefings : 3 lines of 4 words, that's all what you'll get and consider yourself lucky...;o) But the man is terrific. I've been proud to work for him and to hold his name on my business card every day, to speak under Edelman's flag across Europe at many conferences I've been invited to as speaker. I can tell that now that I am leaving as no one can suspect me to do some fake compliments as I don't have any thing to win or to loose by saying that. This is just what I feel. I remember the time when Richard opened his own blog in 2004, I've left a comment on his first blog post and a "relationship" began. We get connected, linked. Edelman published it's first study on the blogosphere with Intelliseek at that time, I've made a comment also on Richard's blog to suggest one point to consider regarding the situation in Europe, and he answered my point by email. I was owner of my own little PR boutique in Paris and the CEO of Edelman was speaking with me via... The strength of the blogosphere was astonishing at that time... And this will stay in my mind for long time.

Now, my boss: David Brain. Thank you ! For the trust you gave me when I arrived and during these 2 years. You were everything but convinced by blogging. You gave me a chance to show you that there was indeed something to do with it. One day you told me about your wish to open your videoblog, you've asked my point of view on how to do it, you made your decision and you've brought it to such an amazing and successful one, you rock ! Each time I've had the opportunity to spend some time with you I was boosted for months. You showed me that a President and CEO Europe is someone trustworthy that one can believe in, while at the same time someone able to send you a SMS for a non-business related topic while on it's holidays (well, yes, I remember the last time, you were in France and it was running since days, but...). I will miss these moments, definitely...

But there are soooo many great people within the network, I'd like to mention some others (in no specific order): Cornelia, Mitch M., Fiorella, Blanca, Robert P., Pontus (my god why did we met so late...), Rick M., Phil (my first regular contact with the US when I joined, we use to do weekly skype conf call at that time...), Steve (I hope you're not still drinking these horrible big cold mug of iced coffee....) Wolfgang, Octavio, Becky (good luck for your return in the UK), Clina (thanks mate for all what you gave me), Alpana, and my famous friend Fabrice, ranked 3rd French blogger on sport, and still so many other I've had the chance to meet and to work with (sorry for those I've been forgetting, feel free to complain via the comments...;o)).

In one week, I'll be in my new position, Head of New Media at Ferrero. And this is going to be tremendous for me. A huge challenge, a real request for change in communication coming from the head of the company, all that with a bunch of very smart people. Great mix. I am thrilled to start.

I will miss many edelmaners I can tell you, but I know also that I'll keep connected with you guys. I won't forget these 2 years of my business life.

Thank you all !

Comments

written on 26-Nov-2007

Cornelia Kunze [http://www.] says:

Guillaume,
we will miss you as well! I really thought, that you had an obligation to stay with us :-) and could not leave us "unattended" - especially after our close cooperation on two serious pitch projects in Germany (both having to do with cars, and I am not mentioning the names...). But also I know, that you know, you are handing over to a great successor.
I wish you luck in your new job, keep your passion and dedication, and do not forget us.
Thanks for everything.
Cornelia
written on 26-Nov-2007

Steve Rubel [http://www.micropersuasion.com] says:

Guillaume, good luck. You are a true professional. And yes, I still have my Starbucks fix several times a day! - steve
written on 26-Nov-2007

Alpana Kar [http://www.] says:

Cheers to all the remembered highs and lows and the very best for the future. Bon vent mon cher - alpana
written on 26-Nov-2007

Fabrice Préau [http://www.runonline.wordpress.com] says:

I'm loosing twice today: a famous blogger that has been for me a mentor and a friend...
Guillaume, you will always be for me:
1/ the guy who convinced me to buy Apple rather than IBM
2/ the guy who convinced me to open a blog about running
3/ the guy who convinced me that wifi don't need any cable!
...I will miss you.
written on 26-Nov-2007

Philippe Borremans [http://www.conversationblog.com] says:

All the best Guillaume, you'll do a great job there with Ferrero ! (although Belgian chocolate is still the best of course... And by the way, you can always hire an ex-IBMer if you need social media support... ;-) A plus !
written on 26-Nov-2007

David Brain [http://www.sixtysecondview.com] says:

Guillaume,

Thank-you for your kind words. I am so sorry you are going and will miss your boundless optimism for all things 2.0 and your help. You are one the main reasons we have continued to push on so far with social media and I know that I speak for all yur colleagues when I say you will be very much missed. Good luck, keep in touch (RSS obviously) and see you soon I hope.
written on 27-Nov-2007

Vinvin [http://www.seesmic.com] says:

Congrates mec!!!! C'est cool.

(tu me verras en pyjama jaune dans le film interne des Garden... :-))
written on 27-Nov-2007

Stuart Bruce [http://www.stuartbruce.biz] says:

Congrats. It was great to meet you in Berlin and hopefully we'll meet again before too long. Looks like a really fun brand to work on and I'll be watching with interest.
written on 27-Nov-2007

Octavio Isaac Rojas Orduña [http://octaviorojas.blogspot.com] says:

Oh, my friend!

I will certainliy miss you. I am happy that you are taking this opportunity, but at the same time it is a shame for all of us.

Keep in touch and send us some chocolates
written on 28-Nov-2007

Anna Farmery [http://www.theengagingbrand.com] says:

I wish you every success in the future and hope this does not mean that I will not meet up with my favourite Frenchman ever again! Good luck and remember to keep changing the world one idea at a time!
written on 28-Nov-2007

Gdugardier says:

Thanks to all of you for your comments, I am now trying to get prepared to this idea of this big change as I am leaving the world of consultancy and agencies, mainly to the fact that I am now going to be 100% dedicated to new and social media, no more client request, no more newbiz dev, only what I love, so it's going to be absolutely tremendous !
written on 29-Nov-2007

Gary Goldhammer [http://belowthefold.typepad.com] says:

Guillaume, sorry to be late to the party, but wanted to add my heartfelt congratulations. I'm sorry we didn't have time to interact or work more together, but I did enjoy our conversations and know that you will be missed. I hope we can keep in touch, and I'll do my best to keep the social media flag flying in your absence!
written on 29-Nov-2007

Gdugardier says:

Thanks Gary, for sure we'll keep in touch ! All the best to you too.
written on 02-Dec-2007

cyberpr says:

Take care, mate. I will never forget the night at a Milanese restaurant when you persuade me to take blogging seriously...
written on 04-Dec-2007

cedric says:

Salut Guillaume,
je m'invite à cette "party" quelque peu privée pour te souhaiter une excellente nouvelle vie chez Ferrero. Garre à la prise de poids
written on 04-Dec-2007

Guillaume du Gardier [http://www.guillaumedugardier.com] says:

Merci Cédric ! Même pas peur pour la prise de poids ! Chaque jour, un café avec un Ferrero Rocher (ou deux...) pour lancer l'après-midi ! ;o)
written on 06-Dec-2007

charlie [http://cognections.typepad.com/lifeblog] says:

guillaume,
i was just thinking of you (and edelmann) the other day. mostly due to changes that are coming for me that will throw me back into this world (no formally labeled as social media).
good luck in new role. looking forward to catching up at some point.
btw, isn't ferrero famous for nutella! we eat it by the kilo!
tchau,
charlie
written on 06-Dec-2007

Gdugardier says:

Indeed dear Charlie, Nutella is one out of many famous brand belonging to Ferrero ! Congrats for your new role too ! ;o)

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