Naked Hero - The Journey Away

Melbourne, especially if he makes the final.”
    “That’s unlikely,” replied Anthony curtly, but his curiosity was heightening nonetheless.
    “I wouldn’t be too sure,” countered Lee. “He did win Wimbledon, so there’s no reason why he can’t make another big final. And when he does, there’s going to be a big story around it, especially in the UK which has got to be your prime market to launch into Europe from.”
    “I’m listening, but I can’t see why it would be such a major event. If he were to win, now that would be different.”
    Lee stared at Anthony, his face a poker-player’s stony mask. “Do you remember how he came out?”
    “Yes, he did it straight after winning Wimbledon. From a marketing point of view, it was suicide. I’m still not with you.”
    Lee nodded. “It was definitely naive from a marketing perspective, but he had his reasons. The thing is though - he inadvertently created a marketing dream for someone with the vision to use it. It was the way that he announced it that the story will come from when he makes the next major final, regardless of whether he wins it or not. In a way it might be better if he lost – but the result won’t really matter...”
    “Continue!”
    “...He told the interviewer that winning Wimbledon didn’t make it his perfect day. That day would come when he played another final, and he had his perfect man sitting in the box watching him. And when that happens, you can be sure that the world’s media will want to know all about that man: the man in the box; the perfect man, whose presence could make the perfect day for Lewis Macleod... even if he lost. What would you say if the man in the box was the model who was launching your campaign... globally?”
    Anthony Jenkins stared at Lee Porter, his mind racing with the possibilities. As was his habit when he wanted to concentrate, he stood up and went to the window and looked out over the harbour. It was one hell of a view - and one hell of an angle he had just been presented: one Anthony knew he could explode and exploit. He was under a lot of pressure to come up with a strategy to break into new markets, and this had a huge appeal. He calmed himself before speaking however, appreciating the difference between pipedreams and reality. He gave his response without even a cursory glance at Lee. “I would say if this were to happen here in Australia, we would be very excited about the possibilities that it could offer. The impact in the UK would be undeniable. And yes, I could see that it could be used elsewhere.” Only then did he turn round and looked hard into Lee’s eyes. “But are you telling me that you are in a relationship with Lewis Macleod? That doesn’t sound very likely given the events of two weeks ago.”
    Lee offered up the merest smile. “No. Not a relationship - but I know Lewis, he’s a friend. I think he would agree to me appearing in the box on finals day, should he get there. He might not give his blessing to a campaign, but there’s little he could do to stop it. You’ve seen my website - can you imagine the exposure I’ll get if I appear alongside him in public, at the final! The press will make the story, it doesn’t matter how much of it is true. All we need to do is benefit from the coverage. Launch your campaign the day after the final.”
    Anthony returned to his desk, excitement growing at this unlikely but feasible prospect, his mind racing with questions and plans. “I fear that your friendship with Mr. Macleod would be at serious risk if you were to exploit it in such a way. Are you comfortable with that?”
    “I’m sure we’d both get over it. He’s a tennis player – if he makes the final then he’ll be happy with that, especially if he wins... Could you be ready in time?”
    Anthony’s sharp brain was already running through an outline plan. “We would need to do a shoot well in advance. Then the initial advertising could be arranged to break on the Monday after the final... Can we test the waters? Why wait until finals day? Get in the box earlier, and then we would see how the media react. Hysterically, I should imagine, given what I saw on your site.”
    “That could backfire. Lewis might be reluctant to invite even more coverage by allowing me to appear again in the box.”
    “I assume he knows enough about you to realise the implications of your appearance in the first place. He would foresee the coverage. If he were to agree once, then I