Helsinki Postcard

David Schatsky | May 10, 2005, 02:57 PM

I'm visiting clients in Europe this week and have little time to write. But I did need to stop and share my enthusiasm about Helsinki. I was first here almost twenty years ago--in February--and was charmed by the fact that the Baltic turns into a public park over here when it freezes: people strolling, walking their dogs, cross-country skiing on it.

This time, it's sunny and warm, and the 4 Finns who own convertibles have the tops down. Highlights of the visit:

- an intense chat with some sharp people who are obsessed with mobile technology. They are all employees of a major firm here that is a player in that space. It's striking to consider where this firm is going to take the mobile handset market, which it dominates. "Telephony" is so '90s around here. It's all about media and the digital home going forward.
- a meeting with a media company that noted that, given Finland's small size, all but the very largest firm here are what we in the US would call SMBs. When pursuing online advertising strategies most default to paid search, given its low entry cost and self-service model.
- a stroll through downtown. I love the architecture here, from the imposing train station, built between 1910 and 1914:

to the groovy, curvy wood-paneled Hotel Vaakuna, where I stayed on my first visit:

Off to Madrid tomorrow.