Asia de Cuba

While Asia de Cuba joins Walrus in the WTC, the chorus grows louder for Starbucks and Havanna.

Last Thursday we shared the news regarding the exponential growth in Uruguay office space and the fact that Montevideo’s World Trade Center complex is still the most expensive address to set up shop. And while the location, layout and amenities of WTC are superb, the After Office and nightlife offerings in Montevideo have always been limited. That may change now that Buenos Aires-based Asia de Cuba has opened its doors in the WTC’s Plaza de las Torres.

The Plaza, which ties together the various buildings in the complex and serves as a meeting space for arts and cultural events, also has a few restaurants like Burger King, Sao Paulo’s Gardenia and Uruguay’s own Walrus which recently celebrated one year of Wednesday After Offices at WTC. Walrus’ 2,300 Facebook friends should tell you something about pent-up demand among Montevideo suits for a party other than ice cream in the break room or cake in the conference room.

Sensing the demand and an opportunity to replicate the Resto-Disco success it has enjoyed for a decade in Puerto Madero, Asia de Cuba decided to join the office party. Mobile giant and tower-tenant Claro sponsored the opening night festivities which featured AdC’s time-tested formula of Asian cuisine, good drinks and great music well past midnight…a welcome addition for the 30-and-up business crowd that frequents the Southern Cone After Office.

With WTC4 on the horizon, InfoNegocios asked readers what they would like to see next, and apparently they need some caffeine the morning after a good Cuervo, Heineken or Stella-soaked After Office. The number one answer respondents gave was either Starbucks or Havanna. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about investment opportunities in Argentina and Uruguay, download IncomeBA and the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

Former player & current coach Diego Maradona in a 1978 ad for long-time sponsor Coca-Cola.

Former player & current coach Diego Maradona in a 1978 ad for long-time Argentina sponsor, Coca-Cola.

While some say beef is Argentina’s finest export, most European soccer club owners would politely disagree. The rosters of Europe’s legendary club teams are stacked with young players from Argentina like Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuain.

And while these talented twenty-somethings are gearing up for a match next week in Germany and this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, a recently announced agreement should raise the team’s profile and following in the United States. The Argentina Football Association (AFA) just inked a deal with a Chicago-based marketing group committing the National Team to four “friendly” matches in the U.S. between now and 2014.

AFA agent Guillermo Toffoni explained the branding significance of the deal to Reuters: “We want to open the market for the national team which is a very strong brand. It’s a brand that is as strong as or stronger than that of Real Madrid or Barcelona.” (Article)

The global appeal of Argentina’s National Team is evident in the current roster of multinational Official Sponsors including Coca-Cola, VW, Adidas, Quilmes, YPF, Italcred, Standard Bank and Claro. While Brazil, Spain and England are more favored to win this year’s World Cup, odds are good the brand called Argentina will broaden it’s U.S. appeal beginning with the first friendly this September.

 

Bariloche

Mendoza

Uruguay

© 2011 InvestBA.com