My very first PR event...

Hello everyone!

 

This would be my second post, and I will be sharing a brief overview about my very first PR event – GoMyWay Launch.

 

To start off with a little introduction about GoMyWay: GoMyWay is a location-based app that allows users to share taxis. Founded by four friends, they look to leverage technology to achieve greater efficiency in Singapore’s transit infrastructure. There are many benefits in using GoMyWay, including sharing the fare of the taxi trip, potentially reducing waiting times by reducing taxi queues, achieving greater efficiency to contribute positively to the environment and reduce congestion, and interacting socially with interesting people. The GoMyWay App is available for free download at the iPhone App Store and coming soon to Android.

 

Days before the event

The GoMyWay Launch was held on 22 August 2012, at Sansui Contemporary Japanese Dining and Bar (Clarke Quay). The whole event was actually split into two parts, where both the media launch and the consumer launch were taking place on the same day. As such, lots of preparation works were required for the different group.

Days before the event, the entire MAX team had several long meetings, with my colleagues briefing us on the event schedule, our respective roles, and other work-in-progress issues to be completed.  A list of things to prepare was also listed out. I was tasked to purchase the items required for the event, getting the media name tags ready for the lanyards, and the packing and organising of the event box (important materials for the event).

 

Day of the event

Though the event was held from late afternoon onwards, time was passing fast for all of us in the office with the event preparations and other work from the company’s other clients. Throughout the whole morning, other than the usual daily tasks, I was assigned to burn the soft-copy of the press materials into CD-ROMs (in addition to the hard-copy press materials), and making sure that the files could be opened. At the same time, I was peeling the price tags off from the files. Soon, I started to pack the media kits, lanyards and the event box, making sure that all materials were included in it. My colleagues were also very helpful in helping me along with the packing.

 

A bag of media kits and lanyards, with the event box packed ready for the event



Media kits

Media kits





 Our team went down to the event venue two hours before the media launch, to make sure that the arrangements for the media launch were all in place. I was also tasked to prepare the media registration area and arrange the media kits and lanyards accordingly. But soon, just about an hour before the media launch, a small nerve-wrecking situation happened. One of the journalists came much earlier than expected and I was the only one manning the registration area (the rest of my colleagues were inside the venue briefing the founders and having a final check through). Luckily, I was able to manage the journalist well after I had regained my composure. It was a pretty scary situation as it was my very first event in contact with a journalist. Luckily everything went well! As time passes, more journalists began to arrive at the venue, and for those journalist who have not yet arrived, my colleague and I were doing call-downs to them. But sadly, there were some journalists who were unable to attend last minute.

 

The whole media launch went smoothly according to schedule, first starting off with a presentation by the founders, and Q&A sessions. There is also a small demonstration area for the media to explore the app using the iPads available.

 

After the media launch, our team went for a quick dinner around the area before the consumer launch party at 7pm. For the consumer launch party, only attendees who have RSVP their attendance on the GoMyWay event page were allowed into the restaurant. I was assigned to help take photos for the attendees with the taxi cut-out and other ad hoc tasks on-site. There were free flows of F&B throughout, live music and an interactive game. For the game, attendees were to key in their next destination after the party using the GoMyWay app. Four lucky winners, whose destinations are the nearest to any of the four founders’, would win $20 in cash and a trip together with the chosen founder. 

 

Though it is a little messy with the amount of attendees for the event, but overall, the event was a success in being able to spread awareness of the app and getting people to use it.



Attendees for the event outside the restaurant

Source: GoMyWay Official Facebook Page



For more information about GoMyWay, you can access their website or official Facebook page:

http://www.gomywayapp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/gomywayapp

 

 

It was really an eventful and interesting day for my very first PR event. I gained many experiences, and had learnt more about press events and the PR skills needed before and on the event. The right planning, team work and management are really the important ingredients for a successful event.

 

Till my next post,

Delvina Chiang

15006527

Curtin Singapore