By: Ekrem Dupanović, [email protected]
Aleksandra Saška Ćuk organized a dinner on the occasion of her departure from the agency Direct Media Sarajevo. After more than a decade as a director of agencies and one of the most influential people in the Bosnian-Herzegovinian media business, Saška has decided to leave the job, take a break for half a year, and think about what to do next. Although she was in no way associated with the Gibraltar affair, it would be unrealistic to say that this affair had not influenced her decision to leave the job in a media agency. The market is falling apart. “It’s no longer a job you can do normally. I’m tired of everything,” she told me.
At the dinner were Saška’s associates from the agency Direct Media, business partners and friends. We all wished her good luck in her future career, wherever it leads her, and whichever work she tries herself in.
The last month and a half I was constantly weighing a decision. I would get up in the morning, and go to bed in the evening with the same dilemma: to accept or reject an offer from a Brussels based consulting agency to sign a three-year consultancy contract for the project whose part relates to the regional advertising industry. They wanted me because of experience and a wide network of contacts in the region, and because I am, as they say, “acceptable to all parties in the business” because of my reputation. As far as the money is concern, it was the best offer in my life. A salary which I never had, and will never get. The work that I was offered is what I call a gentleman’s business. Well paid, with all expenses covered (almost without restrictions) and not so demanding. Plenty of free time. There’s only one flaw – I would have to leave the portals Media Marketing and Art&Business, but I have so many plans with them still. They conditioned me to settle all my obligations around me by fall, and completely dedicate myself to the new job. Things didn’t add up. I don’t have 20 years ahead of me to freeze all my plans for three years until I “collect some money”, and then to continue where I stopped.
So I weighed from day to day, from hour to hour. All the time I discussed it only with Vedrana, because I was obliged to remain silent. I was working at half capacity because I couldn’t concentrate. You don’t get an offer like this very often. On Saturday, on the 39th anniversary of our marriage, at a gala dinner I asked Vedrana what’s her ultimate opinion? I gave her all the arguments not to accept this offer, and only one for – money. “You love what you are now doing. Stay in this business. Money isn’t everything, there’s something in gold,” she said, and this is what tipped the scales. And I’m glad that it is so.
I didn’t write this to blow my own horn how they asked for me from Brussels, but to once again publicly express my full commitment to the development of regional communications industry and give my own contribution to this development as much as possible. I’m too old to change my ways and goals. This little time I have left I want to enjoy doing what I love. I would not be in BalCannes, I would not be in the project of Golden Drum, and what would I do then?
As I dispelled all the doubts, I immediately jumped on the jobs that I have been ending for quite a long time, but never seemed to end them.
This decision first brought happiness to Mitja Tuškej, whose book I finally finished and on Sunday sent him the final materials.
The AD Woman of the Year also got wind, as I finished the concept of sponsorship and the criteria for the application of successful women in the communications industry. Over the weekend I’ve exchanged e-mails with Alex Đorđević from Belgrade agency Superstars Worldwide. We are arranging cooperation on this project. Alex through their events has excellent business relationships with luxury brands that we want to have as sponsors. The ceremony AD Woman of the Year, at which we will honor the most successful women in regional communications industry, will be held in Belgrade’s Hyatt hotel, on 17 November 2016.
