Spreading the Word About Greece to Cost €10m

Promoting Greece abroad and boosting the country’s image is a top priority for the government, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Tuesday, adding that he will double the given budget to 10 million euros to achieve the best results for both the economy and society.

Addressing the first meeting of the National Council for Communication Policy (SEEP), the Greek prime minister presented the backbone of the government’s promotional strategy which will center on boosted spending for targeted advertising, far-reaching PR campaigns and actions under the coordination of the Secretariat General of Information and Communication including the support of Greece press offices across the globe, the organization of high-profile events, backing events that attract international attention as well as promoting Athens and other Greek cities via major cultural events and establishments.

Mr Tsipras referred to the importance of “nation branding” and said that “targeting, honesty and clear-headedness are required in relation to what we can achieve… as well as long-term planning aimed at long-term results”.

He admitted that the national strategy was lacking planning, vision and coordination, and called on the newly formed inter-ministry SEEP to step in and through strict implementation and supervision “trigger a domino effect of positive developments”.

“A country’s reputation and image are assets directly affecting tourism, investment, exports, and any other aspect of economic and political life of the country itself and of its inhabitants,” he said.

“The strategic management of the country’s image is not an option but a national necessity,” he concluded.