Michaela Guzy is a one-woman reflection of what has happened in the media in the last few years. After reaching high-level positions at publishing houses like Conde Nast and American Express Publishing, she dropped it all to start a website called OhThePeopleYouMeet (OTPYM) — dedicated to travel adventures focused on, well, the people you meet when traveling.
She has touched a nerve and is now executive producer, director, lead writer and on-air host for two original editorial video series: Michaela’s Map and OhThePeopleYouMeet. She is often asked to appear as an industry expert — speaking, moderating panels or conducting workshops. She recently became one of the first travel industry partners for Citizine, a global lifestyle and travel platform targeting urban global citizens. OTPYM offers video and editorial content, a network of influencers and the tools to interact with the content.
Gauzy says she changed career direction when she simply “couldn’t go back to an advertising partner one more time with an ad buy disguised as an integrated package.” After a 3½-month sojourn in Africa, she informally started OTPYM, which today has over 100 contributing writers, photographers and others. “I have never touched ads again,” says Guzy, who travels nine months a year and whose business model involves sponsorships and partnerships for her multiple channels across social media platforms. Her approach to the future comes down to “throwing a lot of spaghetti against the wall and seeing what sticks.” In her ventures into new media she’s learned a few things about travel marketing; among them:
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