Xpat Interview: Gábor Sarlós, Managing Partner Of PeppeR Communications PR Consultancy

  • 12 Jun 2012 12:00 PM
Xpat Interview: Gábor Sarlós, Managing Partner Of PeppeR Communications PR Consultancy
Born in Budapest in 1960, Gabor Sarlos graduated at the Budapest University of Economics and obtained a graduate certificate at Swinburne University, Melbourne. He is currently conducting research in the field of responsible communication to earn his PhD at the ELTE University of Sciences.

Today he is managing partner of PeppeR Communications PR Consultancy. His professional career includes developing and implementing full range public relations campaigns in the fields of health care, telecommunications, IT, infrastructure development, food industry, agriculture, tourism and logistics. As a communication strategy specialist he developed campaigns in the fields of public health, infrastructure development, telecom liberalisation, food safety, EU accession, as well as CSR and employer branding. Before the launch of his consultancy in 1993 he worked as PR director of Hungexpo.

Since 2009 he has been lecturer at the International Business School and is a regular trainer in a number of fields, including media relations, personal communication skills, crisis management and managing change. He is a regular contributor of trade magazines on various aspects of strategic and corporate communication and is co-author and publisher of the first Hungarian – English PR dictionary and of the Australian book “How to be a consultant in your field”.

In support of UNICEF, on his initiative a pro bono campaign, “Change for the Small” was launched and organised, generating record level fundraising and outstanding recognition. With his agency in 2002 won the Golden World Award of the International Public Relations Association and the first Master trophy of the Hungarian Association of PR Agencies. For the period November 2010 - November 2011 served as President of the Board of UNICEF Hungary.

1. Where did you grow up?
In Budapest, with a 4 year break in Chelsea, London.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Sydney, Australia - preferably at Rushcutters Bay. But I would be happy at any place that is less than 5 minutes from the sea.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
Budapest for its incredible cultural diversity and countryside for being quiet and unspoiled. Though unfortunately it is less and less quiet and unspoiled, still there are places that could be scenes for 18th century films.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Start with a visit to a food market, snack a lángos at a street stall, enjoy the riverfront view from Tram 2, visit the Mai Manó photography museum, have a beer or two in one of the worn down ruin pubs (rom kocsma), go for a Bartók or Liszt concert in MÜPA and end the day with the night view from the Citadella.

5. What is your favourite food?
I love Greek, Italian, Asian and Hungarian kitchen - and everything in between as long as it has no meat.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
Skiing in the winter and bicycling in the summer. Both need full concentration and make my headaches pass.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
Let's go for something rarely mentioned: Szarvas on the river Kőrös, a 2 hours drive from Budapest, is a lovely town with rich heritage, excellent kayaking, rowing and bycicling, and with great fish food. Go for the fish soup (halászlé) at the Halászcsárda.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I can't choose between a novelist, a chef or a ski instructor.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Lawyer.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
2 weeks driving around in Portugal with the family.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Dubrovnik and Korcula - the richness of the Dalmatian coast always fascinates me.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I adored the Pink Floyd, loved "The Wall" and played guitar.

13. What can’t you resist?
I am always excited about understanding and learning new things, this is why last year I entered a PhD course in Sociology, to study the responsibility of communication.

14. Red wine or white?
Generally red, but there are some white exceptions.

15. Book or movie?
Movie for 50 weeks and heaps of books for the 2 weeks holidays.

16. Morning person or night person?
Morning, though challenges keep me up and active very late.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Injustice and insensitivity towards the weak and poor.

18. Buda or Pest side?
They are like yin and yang: one could not do without the other. Together they are in the global champion’s league of the great cities.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
My 22 year old son.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"May you grow to be proud, dignified and true, and do unto others as you'd have done to you" - Rod Stewart

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