Big business asks Europe to 'Give Greece a Chance'
More than 20 of Greece’s biggest businesses have joined forces to take out full page advertisements in several European newspapers calling on readers and politicians to “Give Greece a Chance” ahead of crucial votes in several eurozone Parliaments on a new Greek bailout.
The ads ran in the Financial Times, International Herald Tribune and the Wall Street Journal’s European edition as well as German, French and Dutch newspapers.
The campaign, which is accompanied by thewww.greeceischanging.com website, outlines the tough austerity measures that Greece has accepted as part of its bailouts and the efforts that are being made to conduct structural reforms.
“A new set of measures was recently voted in by the Greek Parliament. With a focus on structural reform, we have a chance to create a new Greece. A modern, productive and creative Greece with a sustainable future in Europe,” the advertisement reads.
The businessmen then go on to plead with Europeans to show patience and solidarity.
“Our European partners have stood by us. But we need continued support and the breathing space to get out of this vicious cycle. And we deserve to know that there is a fair chance of success,” they argue.
“We are Europeans who aspire to a constructive role within Europe. We will deliver on our commitment. We have already made sacrifices. We are ready to do more. We are betting our future on this.”
The businesses involved include Aegean Airlines, Cosmote, Costa Navarino, Coca-Cola Hellenic, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank and OTE telecoms, as well as the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE).
The ads were designed by brand strategist Peter Economides
