We are going to do this and as quickly as possible too…
IF YOU HAVE.…
If you have ever been to a Google event, please raise your hands
IF YOU HAVEN’T…
Please gather here and come with me on this journey.
MY FIRST GOOGLE-POWERED EVENT - THE LAUNCH OF THE ANDROID ONE
Out of about 50,000 Jumia Online Sales consultants (JFORCE) in Nigeria, only ten of us were selected to be at the “Launch of the Android One” in Nigeria which held on the 18th of August, 2015.
The first thing I noticed was; unlike every other company event we had previously been invited to, there were two major differences;
- A Lecture: detailing what the Android One was, what companies were going to partner with Google, how it was going to be released into the Nigerian market, what goodie bags customers who got the Android One Flagship phone; the Infinix Hot 2 were going to get, etc. How impressive! Oftentimes, the companies that wanted to partner with Jumia JFORCE sent information across to the heads who passed this information to us but Google took it a top notch further. I felt it was Google’s way of telling ‘these ten agents of the fifty thousand possible’ that we were special.
- Rehearsal: I mean, we were all familiar with the Android phone, right? but Google, as one not to take chances, ensured we had a rehearsal but not just anywhere but at the Venue; the Landmark Event Center, Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria!. Yes! The day Penultimate the d-day, we went for the rehearsal, where, we were introduced to the technical team, showed around the event center, informed of our positions and how we were to interact with prospective buyers and other members of the audience. We were made to feel and interact with the phone possibly before every other person in Nigeria. There were large display shelves where the customers could ‘interact’ with the phone in order to help them make a guided decision, all of these were already installed and in full operation one complete day before the event to avoid hitches ?. This has never been done by any of the other companies who invited us to their events (launch or promotions) and these invites came quite often.
THE D-DAY; THE DAY OF THE LAUNCH
From this event, I got to realize that; Google will go the extra mile to promote their products! Google will go the extra mile and take extra time to ensure their event is like no other. You will be treated like a King, pampered like a Queen, with requirements tailored to your taste! It goes without saying that; Google can sell sand to the seashore.
Let me tell you how this event stood out;
- ATTENDANCE: All the heads of the various companies who had a stake on the ‘launch of the Android One’ flagship phone were in attendance; Caesar Sengupta Vice President; Product Management at Google, Chief Executive Officer, Jumia Nigeria, Jeremy Doutte; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Micheal Ikpoki, and Managing Director, Infinix Mobile, Benjamin Jiang. These notable personalities had to leave their seats and sacrifice their time to attend this event.
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LOCATION: As at the time, the event center that was selected for his event was the best! Talk about accessibility, air conditioning, security, space, convenience! It was perfect in every way. It was a dream haven for many people looking to host a hitch free event. What’s more? The Landmark Event Center, Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria is centrally located, making it easy for people coming from outside Nigeria, outside Lagos, within and around Lagos to reach the venue without obstructions.
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AESTHETICS: Have you taken your time to view the Google Doodles? I take delight in looking at them because of their uniqueness and how Google take their time into creating something so simple to hold such premium importance.
Now, imagine what ‘attention to details’ was taken into consideration for the launch of the Android One! No expenses was spared as the Landmark Event Center was converted into a full working ‘Google Arena’. The Interior and exterior Decor of the Landmark Event Centre was handled by one of the best decorators in Nigeria and they delivered!
It was so picturesque that no matter how ‘camera-shy’ you are, you will stand boldly to take a picture.
How many times in one’s lifetime does one get the chance to be at a Google event?
Everywhere you turned to was a reminder that you were at a 'Google-Themed Paradise’ even if it was for just s day.
The colors of Google; Red, Yellow, Blue and Green were evenly splayed across the expansive space.
The Operating system at the time was the Android Lollipop (You are aware all Android operating systems are named after a specific confectionery and are released according to the order of the letters of the English Alphabet, right?)
Oh My oh My! What an Array of Lollipops there were! Never seen so many lollipops all my life!
I could go on and on.
The famous ‘Google bicycle’ (although not in the exact colors) also found its place at the beach front during the Celebration.
- CELEBRATION OF THE NIGERIAN CULTURE: many of the ‘Android figurines’ were draped in the Nigerian traditional attire signalling to the world that the event was customized for the Nigerian market.
- PR/MARKETING APPROACH: Google’s PR/Marketing Approach is top notch! All of Google Products were painstakingly distributed in booths across the expansive space; ‘fun booths’ that ensured you were inspired not only to strike a pose but to interact with the products and learn more about it.
It was at this event, I got properly acquainted with the Google Maps. There was a full lay-out of the map; showing the land area of Lagos with special attention to the area that led to the venue. I remember seeing; ‘Obalende’ boldly sketched on the map and I could not but give a charming smile! It was so beautiful!
There was a booth for each of the Google products available!
How do I even begin to describe it with words???
There was a YouTube studio, a Google maps layout Arena, a Gmail stand, etc. It was at this event I discovered that I could send messages directly to my phone contacts from my Gmail as long as I had them saved to my Google profile! it was beautiful!
If there was an App you already made use of and didn’t know was owned by Google, you were sure to discover at this event.
There were leaflets, Pamphlets and information guides at each of the booths for anyone who cared to read and to learn more about each of the Google products
What was the best part of the Google flawless PR approach? At each of the booth, you were reminded (albeit withour words) what you were signing up for if you made up your mind to get the the “Android One” flagship phone; the Infinix Hot 2; ‘Google Phone on a budget’ that required no manual updates**.**
How much more convincing could they get?
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ORGANIZATION: As with most pre-screening or launch, you have to target three categories of people; first is the experts; those ones who know everything about phones, the techies, the geeks, and the investors, second; the media, the third category, the fans. To this end, there were three sessions of the launch. The evening session targeted “the fans and young people”.
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ENTERTAINMENT: Entertainment in Nigeria has to do with “gist”, Music and Food. In the evening, it was the turn of the fans to learn about the Android one. What happened during this time? There was a live performance by a Youth Pop sensation at the time; Korede Bello who rendered his hit song; “God win” to the delightment of the audience. On the ‘wheels of Steel’ was the versatile female DJ Lambo.
There were plenty of desserts, what was the surprising thing about these desserts?! You guessed already! They were shaped with one of ‘Googles’s favorite doting’; the Android one itself. I bit into my android cupcake with pleasure.
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SECURITY: security was privately sourced, as the Landmark event center is located in one of the most popular beach fronts in Lagos. The Security was so tight that; 'not even a fly’ could get into the venue uninvited. If this was not done, the venue, because of its proximity to a popular beach front, would have been flooded by miscreants who would have marred the beautiful occasion.
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THE KEEPSAKES/SOUVENIRS: What’s an event in Nigeria without souvenirs? My ‘Show-off’ territory! It’s better not to host a party in Nigeria, than to host one without the intention of handing out keepsakes or souvenirs! Google surveyed the territory of their host! There were items ranging from power banks to selfie sticks, note pads, carrier bags, Android brooches, etc.Items that were beautiful to look at and very durable. Here is my Android brooch/chest pin almost five years after;
CONCLUSION
It has been 5 whole years since this event, why do I still remember the details clearly? Why does the thought of it still fill my heart with happy joy? Why do I still look ‘lovestruck’ each time I remember?
Google is a perfectionist par excellence! Google will cater to you like a King and pamper you like a Queen!
Judging by ‘Google Standards’ and this event I attended (which I have given you the rare privilege of attending virtually ?), It is your turn to anticipate the ‘CONNECT LIVE 2020’ because I am very sure it is going to be a ‘movie’!
Have you ever attended a Google event? Please share your experience with us?
Have you attended Connect Live? What’s your expectation for Connect Live 2020?
Will I even be a ‘Happiness Engineer’ if I am not constantly gingering people to stay on the happy lane?