A lip-smacking, thirst-quenching, ace-tasting, crowd-motivating, cool-buzzing, high-talking, fast-living, ever-giving, cool-fizzing… 2012
Wow, did you guys see that?
What a year, what a year.
It used to be said that if you could make it in New York, you’d make it anywhere. But with the greatest respect to Ol’ Blue Eyes, that’s simply not the case anymore.
If you’re in the events business and you had a part to play in anything during 2012 – and I’m talking the whole thing, not just the Olympics – then you have the expertise, knowledge and first-hand experience that most people can only dream of. Believe me when I say that people have built whole careers on much less. And I should know.
The triple whammy of the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics, was the centrepiece of an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime year for us.
And yes, we have proved as a country and a city that we can handle a wide range of things. Huge crowds, multiple languages, complex logistics and huge (mah-hoo-sive, in fact) production delivery couldn’t faze us. More importantly, we showed the world we could do it with a smile on our faces. They don’t call it the ‘feel-good factor’ for nothing.
Of course, it should come as no surprise to learn that GPJ was front and centre, in amongst all the summer excitement, as we delivered one of the biggest one–off programmes in our near-hundred year history.
But for me, as full-time cheerleader for George P. Johnson and part-time cheerleader for the whole industry, 2012 was about so much more than that.
Sure, as a group we stepped up and achieved things together that have helped to move our industry forward. More importantly, I believe we’ve finally begun to harness the true power of live events.
Brand experiences or experiential communications. To be honest, I don’t really mind what you call the part of the industry you work in. Because, wherever you are, you got to see the greatest show on Earth roll into town, and some of the world’s biggest brands activate around it.
And what was their activation of choice? What did the shrewdest brands and businesses invest their hard earned money in?
They went live. They came out from behind their desks. They left their business suit hanging in the executive changing room, and emerged from their corporate cocoons in order to connect with consumers. They hung out together, and delivered genuine engagement through a variety of live experiences.
In entertainment.
In conferences.
But importantly, in person.
There is nothing like the power of a live event, big or small. That’s where the magic happens. And it’s magic that can inspire audiences to action, as well as driving business. Now, thanks to 2012, the whole world knows it.
So let me put a cap on 2012 by wishing you all the best for the festive season.
What a year, what a year.
It used to be said that if you could make it in New York, you’d make it anywhere. But with the greatest respect to Ol’ Blue Eyes, that’s simply not the case anymore.
If you’re in the events business and you had a part to play in anything during 2012 – and I’m talking the whole thing, not just the Olympics – then you have the expertise, knowledge and first-hand experience that most people can only dream of. Believe me when I say that people have built whole careers on much less. And I should know.
The triple whammy of the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics, was the centrepiece of an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime year for us.
And yes, we have proved as a country and a city that we can handle a wide range of things. Huge crowds, multiple languages, complex logistics and huge (mah-hoo-sive, in fact) production delivery couldn’t faze us. More importantly, we showed the world we could do it with a smile on our faces. They don’t call it the ‘feel-good factor’ for nothing.
Of course, it should come as no surprise to learn that GPJ was front and centre, in amongst all the summer excitement, as we delivered one of the biggest one–off programmes in our near-hundred year history.
But for me, as full-time cheerleader for George P. Johnson and part-time cheerleader for the whole industry, 2012 was about so much more than that.
Sure, as a group we stepped up and achieved things together that have helped to move our industry forward. More importantly, I believe we’ve finally begun to harness the true power of live events.
Brand experiences or experiential communications. To be honest, I don’t really mind what you call the part of the industry you work in. Because, wherever you are, you got to see the greatest show on Earth roll into town, and some of the world’s biggest brands activate around it.
And what was their activation of choice? What did the shrewdest brands and businesses invest their hard earned money in?
They went live. They came out from behind their desks. They left their business suit hanging in the executive changing room, and emerged from their corporate cocoons in order to connect with consumers. They hung out together, and delivered genuine engagement through a variety of live experiences.
In entertainment.
In conferences.
But importantly, in person.
There is nothing like the power of a live event, big or small. That’s where the magic happens. And it’s magic that can inspire audiences to action, as well as driving business. Now, thanks to 2012, the whole world knows it.
So let me put a cap on 2012 by wishing you all the best for the festive season.
Time to start dreaming about what we can accomplish live in 2013.
Also at http://www.gpjemeablog.co.uk and follow on Twitter @gpj_emea
Posts
