Life At Bonnier - Olivia

Meet Tomaz Lampret

By Bert Menninga on 2011-10-20
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GROW participant Tomaz Lampret finds passion and creativity in Finland.

Waking up one Monday morning in a new country, a new city and walking for the first time to Bonnier Publications Oy in Finland where Tomaz Lampret didn't know anybody was a big step. "Taking a deep breath and the first smile from a new coworker definitely helped," says Lampret, who is in Helsinki for three months under the GROW program. Normally he works at business daily Finance in Slovenia.

Random Acts of Kindness

By Bert Menninga on 2011-06-16
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Finland's Olivia magazine and its readers give something back with a different kind of volunteer project.

When Finland's Olivia magazine started up the Random Acts of Kindness project, the idea was about more than helping give readers an organized way to give something back to society. It was also about finding a way for Olivia's own staff to give something back.

Behind the Scenes with Tuomas Jääskeläinen and Mag+

By Bert Menninga on 2011-03-09
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What does it take to build a magazine app on the Mag+ platform for the iPad and other tablets? Design Director Tuomas Jääskeläinen of Bonnier Publications Oy answers questions about his work with the recent Best of Olivia app for Finnish woman's title Olivia.

How is the special edition Best of Olivia app different from other the other Mag+ apps?

I spent a lot of time exploring ways to use the platform in ways that are not so typical of Mag+. For example, the use of layers is limited and the app comes in portrait mode only. Mag+ apps come off differently for different people, so my goal was to keep everything as simple as possible.

Olivia Magazine Celebrates Four Years

By Bert Menninga on 2011-02-15
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Olivia marks its fourth birthday with an "acts of kindness" campaign and a special iPad issue.

Finland's Olivia magazine has decided to pay it forward this year and will do a good deed every month. The readers get to decide the good deeds: Will Olivia collect books for hospitals, clean the Töölö bay beaches or offer child care assistance to single parents? Readers can propose their ideas for good deeds on Facebook and on Olivia's web site. The first good deed will be carried out in March.

Sigurd Eriksen: Still exploring

By Sigurd Eriksen on 2009-09-28
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Sigurd finds out that it's pretty easy being a Norwegian in Helsinki.

I've been in Helsinki for some time now and start to realise that people here is not much different from people back in Norway. Except from the language, it's pretty easy being a Norwegian in Helsinki. Well, the part with the language isn't a big problem either, since most Finns speak excellent English.

Shannon: Kiiiiiiiitos!

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-29
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From Finland back to Florida: Our GROW blogger thanks her co-workers for a great three months.

My last weekend in Helsinki was spent with some friends on Friday night for dinner and dancing. Saturday, I went to the park and soaked in the sun as much as I could. (It makes me laugh because it was, like, 52 degrees F.  In Florida, we actually think that is cold..hahaha.)  Sunday, I went out to Suomenlinna which is something I had to do before leaving Finland. Today, they are throwing a pre-vappu party for me here at the office. I am so excited, although I am sad at the same time. I can't believe how fast these three months went.

Shannon Mendis: Amsterdam

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-24
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For her last trip before her return to the U.S., GROW blogger Shannon takes a quick trip to Amsterdam.

For my last trip before coming back home to the States, I decided to head over to Amsterdam! People always told me that it was a great place to visit, but I have to admit...I didn't believe them till I saw it for my own eyes.

Shannon Mendis: Shopping

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-20
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Our Floridian GROW blogger in Helsinki likes the May issue of Olivia.

Today the May issue of Olivia is out, along with the mini-travel shopping supplement I helped design! I was able to see it now in print and was very pleased with the outcome. The 36-page mini magazine is meant for people who are traveling so they know where to go when they are in that particular place.

Shannon Mendis: Hyvää Pääsiäistä!

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-14
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Our GROW blogger in Helsinki celebrates Easter, Finland-style.

Hyvää Pääsiäistä! (Happy Easter!)
 
This weekend was Easter weekend here in Helsinki. I planned to go on a train to Espoo to visit with Hanna and her family, which was about 20 minutes out of the city. They invited me for dinner at her parents' house and also to color eggs with the kids. I couldn't wait! I was obviously excited about the delicious home-cooked Finnish meal, but also very much excited about coloring eggs. I love doing that! Always have and always will. It's one of my favorite things about Easter, besides the Peeps and Cadbury eggs.

Shannon Mendis: Ice, Ice, Baby

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-03-27
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From Florida to Finland: our GROW participant enjoys a real Finnish sauna with co-workers.

This week started out way cool. Literally. We went for ice swimming and the sauna on Monday with a group from work and it was amazing. This is yet another thing you can enjoy here when it's this cold!! Sounds crazy when I try to explain, but it's something I felt I HAD to try! Why not?