Reply to comment — Exporter Magazine

Mauricio Cid, 27 year old celebrity blogger from São Paulo, Brazil, is visiting New Zealand, on 8-15 November as the guest of export education social networking agency Conversa (conversa.co.nz).

Cid is the creator and chief editor of the blog NaoSalvo.com.br, one of the most successful blogs in the Brazilian blogosphere, with an average of 20 million page views each month, a following of over 5 million, and an audience profile mostly in the 18-25 age group.

While in New Zealand Cid will promote New Zealand as an education destination in the growing Brazilian international export education market. His visit is supported by Education New Zealand.

Cid’s CV includes major media and viral marketing campaigns, numerous awards and the status of being one of the most engaging personalities on the Brazilian internet.

Cid’s visit is coupled with the launch of Conversa. Conversa is a social networking agency with a purpose of growing New Zealand’s export education opportunity through engaging with international students, and growing student preference for New Zealand, via social media channels. Conversa’s Erica France, an expat Brazilian and social media strategist, explains, “I have been a student in New Zealand twice. Brazilians love New Zealand and we want to keep coming back because we have such a good time. New Zealand is like a well-kept secret. I found my way here through social media, and this is where we can influence decision-making”.

Currently approximately 300,000 Brazilian students study overseas each year, 3,000 of these students choose to study in New Zealand. Brazil is the 5th most populous country in the world with more than 40% of the population active Internet users – over a third in the student age group. They are amongst the top users of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The country is booming and with the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the Olympics, requirements for international education are set to rise.

New Zealand is a popular destination for Brazilian students seeking to study abroad. “We see social media as a way to extend our reach into the Brazilian market to capture the attention of young people who want both a quality education and an adventure. New Zealand offers both”, says Kathryn McCarrison, General Manager, Market and Channel Development, Education New Zealand.

Cid will spend the majority of his New Zealand visit in the Auckland region, and will post his experiences to his multiple channels on a daily basis.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED) Manager Tourism, Jason Hill, says Cid’s visit is a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of Auckland to the Brazilian export education market. “We see Cid’s visit as a chance to highlight the high quality study options and huge range of tourism activities that students enjoy in the Auckland region,“ he comments.

Cid’s itinerary includes visits to a range of international education providers, representative of the education sector, living the student life-style, with a taste of adventure tourism in Auckland and Waikato/Bay of Plenty.