by: Florence Joy dela Cruz, Senior PR Associate
Public relations can be a tiring job. Creating PR plans, scheduling media interviews, and making sure the brands we handle enjoy a good reputation can take its toll, but it can be extremely rewarding. PR is basically storytelling, and I enjoy creating wonderful stories and experiences for our brands. One of the brands I handle is Google, and one of the things I look forward to is YouTube FanFest!
The YouTube FanFest, or YTFF, is a live event featuring international and local YouTube creators. The event aims to create opportunities for YT creators, fans, and the media to find new ways to connect with their audiences. It began last year when a tweet #BringYouTubersToManila trended worldwide, and now it’s back for its second year!
I was nervous at first to meet these internet sensations, but after handling them last year, it became easier this year. We went to interviews with them and got to know them on a personal level. We also became friends with their managers. Well, sort of! My personal favorite is the a cappella group The Filharmonic, who I watched at The Sing-off, a singing competition featuring a cappella groups. I was so starstruck that I was lost for words when I met them for the first time. We even taught them Filipino words!
Fans were also excited to meet them. They got to interact with the YouTube creators at the YTFF Meet and Greet, where many fans came out crying because they met their idols. To top if off, the YTFF Night was pure entertainment. Seeing these creators perform on stage felt like we were stage parents waiting for our kids to come out and perform! It was a great honor to see everyone having fun by watching their favorite creators on stage.
Doing the PR for one of Google’s biggest events is tiring. Imagine waking up as early as 1am and staying up late to take care of international YouTube creators for several days in a row. But it was all worth it. Most importantly, I am doing what I love: telling the world about my brand.
Check out some of our behind-the-scenes photos below:
No rest for the weary. Team call time is at 1am, but we’re still looking fresh. #TeamNoSleep #AirportWelcome
Sneaky fangirl. Day 1 of media interviews and I’m trying to get them all for a phoro. Look! Niko’s smiling!
One down, two more to go! The first of three interviews scheduled for the day. Bring it on! #Day2ofMediaInterviews
Lucy shot! Our last chance to get a group picture with the boys. Look at Kuya Mike, the bodyguard, smiling at the back!
Downtime with these three. While waiting for the next interview, the team had a chance to rest for a while at Nobu Hotel. Fancy!
Ibang level na sila! Here are Vince and Steph posting for a photo with Gab Valenciano and Tanner Patrick after their Rappler interview. (Photo courtesy of Rappler.com)
Lucky Shor Number 2! Mikey, Alex, and Wengie are just some of the YouTube creators we got to know during the YTFF. They’re really fun to be with!
It’s not over yet! The day’s not over yet as we had to go to and check out the venue.
A selfie a day takes the bad vibes away. Nobody can tell that we haven’t got enough sleep. Look at us! All smiles and ready for this day’s battle! #BringItOn
Registration tradition. I take photos of the media registration table before the event starts every time. It’s me saying “Hello! Bukas na po ang ‘tindahan’.”
Husshhhh! Press conference is ongoing! We’re a bit jampacked today. It it just me or everyone’s really excited to ask questions?
Side by side interviews with the creators. The Filharmonice boys with Tanner Patrick during the excluisive interview with the Philippine Star anf Gist magazine. Other exclusive interviews were with Wengie with Wengie with Cosmo.ph, Tyler Ward and Alex Wassabi with BusinessWorld but they are in different rooms.
A girl should never forget her birthday. And oh, yeah. It was my birthday two weeks ago. I almost forgot about it!
Post presscon group picture. Yay! Press conference is done! One down!
Sneakers=Lifesaver During events, sneakers are my most reliable friends. They are comfortable and easy to wear. I can run around the whole day with these bffs on!
Off to the next venue! Nobu Hotel to the World Trade Center? Easy peasy!
Awww. Dog. While the fans are doing Meet and Greet with YouTube creators, here I am petting this adorable Labrador. Look at that face. Isn’t he cute?
#YTFFManila2016 And the show starts in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!
Always ‘selfie’ ready! In between breaks, the team never forgets to smile when there’s a camera in front.
PR + Media Represent! My good friend (and schoolmate… and PR ‘Major-mate’), Vberni, is in awe of YTFF. It’s his first time and he’s looking forward to the next ones!
Fan mode ON! Connor Franta walks in and we’re like “WAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
It’s a wrap! What a show! That, my friends, is YouTube Fanfest!
Post event debriefing. Cramped in a little room labeled “Secretariat”, we’re still in high spirits after the event.
YTFF Ninjas. Running back and forth WTC is no joke but we don’t look tired at all! Cheers to another successful event! See you at the Next FanFest!
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