All first graders in BA schools study English today; only 2 schools offered classes in 2001.

All first graders in BA schools study English today; only 2 schools offered such classes in 2001.

December is usually the time for making resolutions for the year ahead, but the Government of the City of Buenos Aires is looking back and celebrating the many achievements since December 2007 when conservative Mauricio Macri was elected Mayor. “In 2 years, we accomplished more than in the last 10,” declares the city’s microsite, “We’re making up for lost time.” The accomplishments are numerous and organized into eight broad categories including Health (20 new Health Centers, 35 new ambulances), Education & Culture (Broadband connectivity in 98% of schools, record attendance at Buenos Aires festivals), Economic Development (an emerging Technology District, the opening of an Investor Assistance Center for foreign investors), and Security (the new Metropolitan Police force, a state-of-the-art Urban Monitoring Center). Another noteworthy achievement is designed to prepare the next generation of porteños for a more competitive global environment: English as a Second Language is now being taught in all first grade classes in the City; second and third grades will be added in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The website is a shining example of transparency and accountability for a city government that has delivered on many 2007 campaign promises, is working today to improve the quality-of-life in Buenos Aires  and is preparing for Bicentennial celebrations in 2010. Hence, the new website’s tagline: Hicimos, Hacemos, Haremos (We Did It, We Are Doing It, We Will Do It).

Buenos Aires and Miami-based La Comunidad crafted creative print campaigns for VW.

Buenos Aires and Miami-based La Comunidad crafted creative print campaigns for VW.

Art Basel just wrapped up its annual run in Miami, and Advertising Age says a Buenos Aires-based creative team made a visual splash . The La Comunidad agency used mobile art gallery booths and an original artist’s map of the Art Fair to launch a “rebellious expression” campaign for Converse, one of several global companies entrusting their precious brands to La Comu.com“Based in Miami and Buenos Aires,” writes AA, “the 75-person La Comunidad is Best Buy’s U.S. Hispanic shop, the general-market agency for Remy Martin, and handles Sony Cybershot cameras, Walt Disney Co. and Coca-Cola Co. brands Burn and Epika in parts of Latin America.” AA says La Comunidad is on the leading edge of an industry trend where global teams are increasingly flexible and interchangeable to more accurately address both shifting demographics and new product launches. Founding partner José Molla puts it in perspective, “We believe the world today requires flexibility, and agencies that can react quickly. We like that the phone rings for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American and worldwide projects.The agency recently opened a branch here in Palermo Hollywood called La Comunidad Summer along with a website, ThisIsNotAGallery, that explains the mobile art concept in greater detail.

Many Buenos Aires attorneys today stay connected with abogados.com.ar and other social media sites.

Many Buenos Aires attorneys stay connected today with legal websites like abogados.com.ar.

Nick Lawn, a young British attorney, spends the year working in Argentina and sends a “Postcard from Buenos Aires” to the readers of London-based TheLawyer.com. Like most expats, Lawn admits to bringing a few stereotypes across the pond in his equipaje, but working side-by-side with Argentine attorneys quickly dispelled any preconceived notions he may have held regarding their work ethic, dedication and professionalism.I have been singularly impressed by all the lawyers I have met here in Argentina,” Lawn begins, “Along with the high degree of professionalism and expertise, one can not but be impressed by lawyers who have perfectly mastered the art of practicing law for international clients in a language which is not their own. The emphasis on the importance of legal knowledge in the course of practice is also extremely impressive here: partners and senior associates somehow manage to combine their day jobs with professorships at the university. In addition to these academic commitments, associates have billable targets not far short of those in London or New York.” On a cultural level, Lawn reiterates the oft-stated belief of InvestBA that today’s BA is more like The Paris Manhattan of South America.” “People do dance tango in the streets,” Lawn admits, “but then again are more likely to be listening to the latest dance anthems or 80’s classics on their iPods.”

CCTV tells one billion viewers in mainland China about the upcoming Tango Party in Buenos Aires.

CCTV tells one billion viewers in mainland China about the upcoming Tango Party in Buenos Aires.

“The world speaks many languages.” That quote from Paulo Coelho’s spiritual classic The Alchemist is gaining additional validity with each successive post here on InvestBA. Yesterday we had a front page story from a Dubai newspaper praising Buenos Aires as an “Electric City,” and now China’s CCTV gets in on the porteño lovefest by giving 1 billion viewers in mainland China a sneak peak at next week’s “Huge Tango Party” here in BA. Watching the 90-second clip reinforces two key themes: 1.) Tango elicits international intermingling as convoluted as the dance itself, and 2.) Tango is an addiction. The first takeaway is evident just from watching the video: Native Chinese broadcasters promoting a dance with African and European influences and translating Argentine Castellano into English for a global audience online. The addiction theme is best understood by connecting with actual tango dancers in the blogosphere like Fishnets & Fedoras or Well-Heeled who summarizes “The Price of Addiction to Argentine Tango” here beautifully. “In an episode of House Hunters International,” W-H writes, “a Californian couple bought a $200,000 pied-a-terre in Buenos Aires just so they can focus on tango! The lady insisted on an apartment with enough open space that she can turn into a salon for her tango parties. Now that’s dedication.” That episode and others featuring foreign tango addicts relocating to Buenos Aires can be seen here on HGTV.

Party Time: The relative strength of the Real makes BA a bargain for Brazilians.

Party Time: The strength of the Real makes BA and other Argentine cities a bargain for Brazilians.

With the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics on the horizon, Brazil has the high-profile task of welcoming the World to its doorstep for, not one, but two major sporting events in the coming decade. But where do Brazilians go when they need a little D&R (Descanso e Relaxmento)? Well judging by the Portuguese-speaking throngs on the slopes of Bariloche or in the trendiest parrillas in Puerto Madero, Argentina is a safe bet. An article in Brazil’s Primeira Edição newspaper confirms Buenos Aires’ popularity for a variety of reasons including diversity, proximity and bottom-line affordability: For many, Buenos Aires is the most European city in the Southern Hemisphere, most resembling cities like Paris, Madrid and Rome. Her intense cultural life, beautiful architecture, and excellent dining and leisure options make the Argentine capital a favorite destination for many Brazilians who want to visit a metropolis that is vibrant, cultured and, most importantly cheap.” The article notes that a Brazilian real is today worth 2.2 Argentine pesos (Current rate is actually 2.22), thus making cities like Buenos Aires extremamente acessível. So Congrats, Lula…enjoy your little Games. While you’re busy entertaining politicians and IOC officials, BA will be entertaining your people…and they’re a hell of a lot more fun. (YouTube)

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