Swiss farmers are leading herds of cows, sheep and goats into the alps for the summer grazing season. In an unconventional tie-up, a Swiss bank is recruiting cheesemakers to help with the season's crop.
«Get back to nature, experience the fascinating daily routine on an alpine farm at first hand, and actively help out in the cowshed, on the pasture and with cheese production,» a new job advertisement from UBS promises.
The Zurich-based bank has teamed up with Switzerland's tourism agency for the eighth year to provide a quintessentially Swiss experience. This year, the bank is offering to send a lucky winner to an alpine meadow above Bern for two weeks in July and August.
Cheesemaking is a key part of Switzerland's heritage, and aged Gruyere and other well-known cheeses are beloved exports abroad.
Shoveling Cow Pies
Back home, the dairy industry draws on machines for milking and other automates processes, but some small cheeseries still turn out their own product. In summer, this means long days and early starts to milk the cows or goats, cleaning out the barn, and making cheese including turning existing wheels in underground cellars.
«We'll turn you into a dyed-in-the-wool alpine herdsman in late summer, and by doing so bring you even closer to nature,» UBS promises.
Wrestling Competition
The cooperation is the latest in several successful partnerships with the tourism agency, including one for cut-price boat tickets and a Swiss hiking guide. UBS also channels its Swiss roots by sponsoring an annual wrestling and alpine games competition.
The bank, which worked with Publicis on the ad campaign, didn't disclose any financial details of the tie-up.
