Name: Markus Olavi Hietanen
Nationality: Finnish
Age: 35
Currently living in: Mexico City, Mexico
You came here for the story? ..OK
I escaped Finland to avoid going to jail back in 2012.
Cops caught me driving drunk from a Christmas party.
And that was my second time DUI…
I was laying on the concrete cell floor at the police station, thinking about my life.
Everything was going to hell, and I hated my situation.
Hell with it! If I hate living in Finland, why would I stay here?
In that moment I firmly decided to get out of the country as fast as possible.
On January 14th I landed in Malta, not knowing if I had a job or not.
The gamble paid off and I got the job I had interviewed for the week before.
Soon after the call came – while I was working.
That I would have to go back. To serve a prison sentence for 2 months.
I knew I would rather die.
That’s when my life abroad started.
Marketing Specialist 2016 - Current
Scriiv, Location: Finland
Description:
Personal Branding, Web design, UX and SEO, Ad & Content Creative, Copywriting, Graphic design, Video/Audio editing, SMM and GBP optimization.
Showcase: Salvo Grima
SEO Copywriter - Freelancer 2015 - 2020
Bluewindow LTD, Location: Malta
Description:
Copy and content writing for iGaming affiliate networks, with serious emphasis on cutting-edge greyhat SEO, utilizing semantic tools to compete in one of the fiercest online markets.
Superhero skill I developed: I can type on keyboard with my eyes closed.
Team Leader - Fraud Specialist 2012 - 2015
BESEDO LTD, Location: Malta
Description:
Leading a team of 10 agents reviewing online marketplace frauds and compliance. Working with Finnish Police regularly to track serial online scammers.
Detail: I personally reviewed 1,1 million ads during my assignment.
Graphic Designer - Teacher 2006 - 2011
Sastamala Education Consortium, Adult education, Location: Finland
Description:
AD, Copy, Web design, Print media, MS Office & Adobe PS/AI teacher
Best memory: Designing menus for the restaurant earned me free lunches.
Fun Fact: My first job ever was a summer job in a local toy store. I got fired after the first week when I beat the owner’s HIGH SCORE in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. That was back in 2002.
Education
Sound Engineer (BA) 2006 - 2012
Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Location: Finland
Description:
Digital Audio and Commercial Music
Music: Playing and creating music is great. Where the money?
Some tools I use
Languages
Additionally, I have learned some Italian, Maltese and Hungarian as well. Use it or lose it!