NOTES ON A PAGE
Born in Rome in November 1971. I spent my early childhood in wild Africa, before returning to Italian culture and then attending studies in rigid France.
In 1989 I took my International BACCALAURÉAT at the Lycée International de St Germain-en-laye. Then I attended the University of Communication of Paris, where I obtained a DEGREE in Global Communication and a MASTERS in Public Relations. The latter included a thesis entitled: “How to face intercultural barriers in international negotiations”.
During my time at University, I undertook a series of STAGES: at communication and advertising agencies, Euro Rscg and Equilibre; at asset management companies, Pictet London; then at the marketing sector of Alitalia and at the Ipdc program at Unesco, United Nations in Paris.
I also had a number of interim JOBS: from acting for advertising to sailing ship crewman, from supermarket salesman to waiter in restaurants and McDonald’s, to drilling for waterhole in the Kalahari Desert in Africa.
In 1991 I Founded Loako, a HUMANITARIAN organization that acted as intermediary between European students and Third World development projects. Its main function was to promote humanitarian campaigns involving young volunteer, and to organize summer school lessons, mainly to Ethiopia.
Having finished my studies in France in 1994, I spent a year traveling across the 5 CONTINENTS, performing magic shows in pubs throughout twelve countries. This was helped by my fluency in 4 LANGUAGES.
At the end of 1995 I returned to regular employment with the UNITED NATIONS in Kenya, as assistant for communication development in Eastern Africa. Based at Unesco headquarters in Nairobi, I appraised and implemented financial requests for Communication and Media activities.
At the end of 1996 I returned to Italy in Milan, entering the ADVERTISING industry. For two years I worked for Gruppo Pubblicita Italia where I managed editorial projects and promoted events & shows. At the same time I CREATE ‘Opportunity’, a weekly magazine insert, focusing on work offers in the No Profit area. I become consultant in Social Communication for Italian TV and advertising agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi.
I stabilize myself, work experiences accumulates and salaries increase…
But in 1998 it’s time to realize a DREAM: do the Round the World tour without money nor luggage. I resign from my employment and submit my idea to sponsors and to the Guinness Book of Records. 109 days of high school of life around the world. The communication project gathers success; long articles from Daily & Weekly to Vogue, from The Los Angeles Times to People, from Talk Shows to Television News.
My name appeared on TV quiz shows !
I started to write and in 1999 German editor Bild-Ullstein published my first BOOK: ‘Around the World’. It was then published in Italy by Piemme, in France by Hachette and in Canada by France Loisirs. Nearly 50 thousand copies sold and several awards won.
I publish articles for the press and enter the Order of JOURNALISTS. I cooperated with different newspapers, had my personal page on the magazine ‘Travel’ and worked for documentary film productions.
In 2000, I start my own Communications COMPANY – 01 Srl., which involved among other things, the creation of one of the first online travel communities: NomadCommunity.com. I signed agreements with Omnitel – Vodafone Group, followed by sponsors such as Benetton and National Geographic. An initial turnover of several hundred thousand Euros.
In 2001 I put into operation the first ‘INTERACTIVE Around The World Tour’, creating in effect the first Reality travel show. I developed Nomad, a mobile platform that organizes EVENTS around the world: from Adventure to Sports, from Environmental to Humanitarian causes, from Culture to Games. I surpass the 40 countries visited.
My PRESS REVIEW ran more than 800 pages. I participate to various events as testimonial, moderator and opinion leader.
During 2002 I develop consultancies in image Communication and financial marketing. I also set up ORGANISATIONS such as the Cargo Freight Club, Outis, the first Webding and folkloric associations. I exhibit & sell my oil paintings.
I resign from running 01srl, though maintaining shares. I sign a collaboration with LifeGate, environmental company.
After 7 years in Milan, Brera, I returned to live in the historical centre of Rome. In 31 years I have lived in 22 houses !
January 2003, I was employed by VIAGGI DELL’ELEFANTE: prestigious Italian Tour Operator specialized in Luxury travels. I was in charge of the Marketing and Communication Management; responsible for advertising and promotions, web, client service, events and chief of the Press Office.
On June 4 2004, I got MARRIED with Francesca Boeris Clemen, Doctor in Pediatric surgery. We lived in Trastevere.
Managing editor of www.Buonenotizie.it, I become Vice President of the ‘Good News’ Association. I launch the MAGAZINE ‘Good News’, as Editor-in-Chief. Appreciations from the Italian Head of State, President Ciampi.
On June 27 2005, my SON Pietro was born.
With Italian main editor MONDADORI, I publish my second Book: “Make a Run!”, ‘100 experiences to do once in a lifetime’.
In December, after 3 years working with Viaggi dell’Elefante, I resigned.
Hired by Kel12, T.O. specialized in luxury adventures, I was in charged for a short period of the commercial development.
For RAI Television I developed a TV travel show: Car@van. I was the TV presenter for 18 episodes of the Program on RAI Futura.
Often invited as a speaker by several SCHOOLS, I coined WorldILoveYou.com. I’m also LECTURER in Marketing of Tourism in different Universities.
In September 2006 I became Country Manager Italy for the prestigious Indian company OBEROI Hotels & Resorts. I worked with Tour Operators and Agencies, but also Corporate and Mice, PR and Press office. In 2007 the Oberoi Group was elected Best Hotel Brand in the World, by World’s Best Awards! In 2008 I broaden my responsibilities, becoming also Sales Manager for Trident Hotels. In all 30 properties between India, Egypt, Mauritius and Indonesia. I also got the Spanish market and collaborate with Lokananda representing other prestigious brands, such as Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie & Kent.
In April 2010, after nearly 4 years, I ended representing The Oberoi Group.
I started my adventure with the historical Swiss group KUONI, as Country Manager for its Indian DMC, Sita. January 2011 I increased the countries, assuming the responsibility in Italy also for Desert Adventures and Private Safaris, respectively Dmc for the Middle East and Africa. I promoted travel services for over 25 Countries in the Italian market. I grew business in all Operators segments, Leisure & Mice. End 2013, for the fourth consecutive year, Kuoni Destination Management wins the World Travel Awards as World Leading DMC’s!
I meet Ministers and write a couple of texts for the ghost writer of Italian Premier, Matteo Renzi. I also co-author the book “That train to Baghdad”.
In 2014 I launched ROUND THE WORLD Tours, group specializing in designing and promoting Round the World tours. In the years I work with major travel operators and with National Geographic. My Tours appear also on The New York Times and on University thesis.
Responsible in Rome of Travel Massive, world’s largest community in travel industry. I publish my first book in english.
In 2015 I discover my name to be in TEXTBOOKS of Italian Primary Schools; three pages about my travels. I dedicate a 2 years educational project to a Public School.
I obtain the South African PASSPORT. After over 5 years I leave Kuoni, but keep representing Dmc’s through Thomas Cook India.
In the years I support challenges of adventurers, present books and set up Traveler’s events. I create a viral initiative for MIGRANTS called: ‘I sweep your street’, reported also by BBC World and Reuters International.
After 7 years I end working for DMC’s.
I discover Holistic Medicine and since mid 2017 I’m in charge of representing the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group. World first brand for AYURVEDA Clinic Resorts, I handle sales & marketing in the European markets. @
