Traveling by air in Europe is not quite as bad as the domestic pain involved in U.S. air travel, but it’s up there. That’s why over recent years, the Eurostar has become a Lovemark to me. The last time I had meetings in London, I traveled from Paris and back on the Eurostar, returning the same day. It’s two-and-a-half hours each way and you get to leave from the center of Paris and arrive in the center of London. The experience is completely hassle-free, friendly, comfortable and productive. Low key, low stress and high enjoyment. You can make phone calls, work, read the papers, listen to your iPod or have a business meeting with a colleague. There are no luggage delays, no weather delays, no traffic delays, no getting to and from out-of-town airports. Now that’s pure joy. And there is something about train travel that takes you back to more relaxed times, which I really love. I’m in Paris frequently, as it is the headquarters of our parent company Publicis. Eurostar is by far the best way to leave and return, rested and ready to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As daily living becomes more frantic and time more precious, Lovemarks will be the brands that understand how to create experiences that give us back time.
