Putting up together an excellent smart phone is not an easy task and putting up and excellent show to launch an excellent phone really needs extra smartness. I never thought that Asus as a tech brand and Zenfone as a smart phone is so popular until I landed at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi on last Thursday.
When I had tweeted about the event earlier that day, one of my followers had actually asked- ‘they are launching in a stadium? Great.’ Actually even till then, I had not anticipated it to be that big. Had been to many launches, hence JLN stadium was for me just a venue. I knew Sonakshi (Sinha) was coming but then that’s normal for various launches these days to rope in a Bollywood star to get extra coverage. (view the slideshow)
But it was real big. It was not just a first ever Zen Festival in India, it was perhaps (in my limited knowledge) first launching of a smart phone in India in a stadium amidst almost two thousand people including media. Going by the response that day, Asus was already the winner. Well, about the phone performance, it will take time to get the feedback, as they are yet to reach the market. Still there were plenty at the venue for everybody to try their hands on actual phones in live demonstrations. As for the show, it was smart and electric along with the host Cyrus Sahukar.
Asus launched as many as five smartphones that day and costliest one of the bouquet Zenfone 2 Deluxe was priced just Rs 22,900. With a favourite whipping boy in name of nothing less than Apple iPhone 6 for all sort of comparative performances at stage, crowd couldn’t have enjoyed more. And to present the phone Asus Chairman Jonney Shih was present himself.
But the star of the day was indeed…. Sonakshi Sinha?
No, ‘Zenfone Selfie’ launched by Sonakshi Sinha. And the whole lot of selfie generation present there simply loved it as it is perhaps the first selfie dedicated smart phone by any company. With glamorously attired Sonakshi Sinha taking a good number of selfies on the stage, audience was thoroughly overjoyed.
Going by the sheer numbers, event could be called success. Lot of freebies too- free fun, free food, free soft drinks and a T-shirt and a Asus LolliFlash (box-packed, worth Rs 899) for everybody present.
With a whole lot of bloggers and other social media experts present in the crowd, such events are very tactful. You get to achieve larger response through blogs and social media then what a normal media event would have eventually got you. Who wont like that even if they have to shell out a bit extra. Asus is certainly going to reap the benefits.
Great post and pictures. I’m using the ASUS ZenFone 5 to type this and I also have ASUS laptop. I’m a big ASUS fan. Love the products they create. Simply Zen.
Great! Even I was pleased with the look and feel of all new five launches. Very inclined to have Zenfone2 Deluxe as my new phone.
Going attend Asus meet this thursday … let see how it goes ..
But New Delhi event seems to be grand affair ..
Perspective and wisdom are always gained in hindsight.
Indeed!