‘Χαίρετε’ says new campaign welcoming Australians back outside

“Χαίρετε: It’s really great to see you again” and other greetings in different languages are being splashed across billboards in Sydney’s CBD, as part of a new national ‘Out-of-Home campaign’ launched by JCDecaux.

The campaign aims to say ‘Hello’ to Australians as they steadily return to workplaces, shopping and dining precincts and their regular routines and commutes.

“I’ve been working in the Sydney CBD for over 30 years and it’s the first time I have ever seen the Greek language displayed in Pitt Street or anywhere around the city,” Helen Kofinas Roubis, who first spotted the billboard, tells The Greek Herald.

“I actually felt very proud – much like Mr Portokalis from My Big Fat Greek Wedding!”

The billboards will be displaying greetings in 10 of the most commonly spoken languages across Australia (according to latest ABS data), as well as Auslan for the hearing impaired and traditional First Nation dialects.

“JCDecaux is in a unique position to make meaningful connections with communities, wherever they are, be it in the hearts of cities or deep in the suburbs,” JCDecaux Chief Marketing Officer, Essie Wake, said in a statement.

“The easing of restrictions is seeing people returning to public places, and people have a strong desire to get back to business and spend more time outdoors.

“Our ‘Hello’ campaign acknowledges the return of communities and aims to make people feel welcomed and comfortable moving about within those communities.”