Buona sera!
Today was a lighter day for us, which was still packed with adventure in Roma!
We started off at Art Attack (Arkage), an advertising agency in the cutest little Italian alley. Three of the agency’s members, managing partner and founder Claudio Ciatti, chief customer experience officer Federico Giuntella, and creative director Mauro Feliziani, talked to us about how the advertising business works in Italy.
They had done ad work for businesses like Universal Pictures, RayBan, Ford, Versace, etc. and showed us examples of that work.
I enjoyed the visit a lot more than I thought I was going to honestly. They all, especially Mauro, were so passionate about their jobs and wanted to brag about everything they had done and teach us all about it. It was actually really cute to watch him talk about it – he was like a proud dad.
The Art Attack group also had snacks and drinks for us when we were finished (where I had my first shot of espresso), which was super nice of them since we ran over time. We still had time to explore though, so Josh and I picked up a few small souvenirs and got gelato before meeting up with the group to head to La Repubblica.
La Repubblica was really cool, and I was instantly intrigued by the TV studio that we were first taken to. Following a presentation by their social media manager Sara Bertuccioli, Natalie Rose from the digital lab came to talk to us all about data journalism.
She showed us so many examples of digital data stories that were interactive to the audience, which I think is something that should be done so much more in the states but isn’t.
After concluding our last media trip of the day, we came back to the hotel for a quick group meeting, and then Josh, Victoria, Kelsey, Robin, Helen and I started off on a trek to the Pittsburgh Bar located on a side street in Piazza Navona.
Immediately after boarding the tram, it started to downpour, so we ran into a souvenir shop after getting off at our stop. Vic and Kelsey both bought umbrellas, but Kelsey got one that was frilly and lacy and everything that is the exact opposite of what Kelsey is (lol).
We traveled through our soggy and squishy shoes until we reached the bar, showing just how dedicated Yinzers are at finding their kind. It was refreshing to talk to the owner Giovanni in English and to celebrate our mutual love of the Burgh. I also picked up an Italian terrible towel!
Following a few drinks, the group – which had grown once more of our group discovered the bar too – went to a cute little restaurant recommended to us by Giovanni. I got these fried rice balls called Sculli and a margherita pizza (yes mom, I’m eating more than just pizza).
The rain had finally let up for our walk back to the tram, and now I’m sitting in our still abnormally hot room getting ready for tomorrow.
Stay tuned for the pictures, as tomorrow is our last day in Roma!
Ciao!