July 23, 2007
Press Perks, Google Style
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- If you've ever read anything about Google's Mountain View headquarters, you know the company has a reputation for treating its employees well. There are a couple four-star restaurants on campus, massage chairs available for general use and a volleyball court -- just because. While the Google offices in Washington, D.C. are still transitioning to their swanky new space downtown, the New York offices emulate Google's colorful attitude towards work, play and everything in between.
Accordingly, one might understand why Google and YouTube would want to make a good first impression as the National Press corps descends on this traditional southern town. First there was a semi-exclusive reporters/bloggers lunch with Google's policy/politics shop, YouTube executives and founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen at High Cotton. Over choice of salmon over cous cous, bouborn glazed pork or tenderloin au poivre, about 35 media heard Hurley, Chen and YouTube News and Politics Editor Steve Grove talk about tonight's debates.
YouTube stopped accepting videos lat night, but Grove said there were about 2,981 videos submitted to candidates over YouTube. CNN Washington Bureau Chief David Bohrman and his team sifted through to find the final couple of dozen videos for tonight's debate, a decision that's been pinned as controversial because users can't choose which videos get asked.
"The real reason right now is we didn't want to give a heads up (to the candidates)...," said Hurley. "In the future we're always about making our platform truly democratic. I think that's how we became so popular." Hurley, by the way, maxed out to Barack Obama in Q1, according to FEC records. He confirmed this at lunch today, but noted tonight isn't about his personal politics.
Both Chen and Hurley seemed almost captivated by what their young, multi-billion dollar project has become over the past couple of years. Chen said he was up until 5 AM last night watching video submissions. "You don't have to be in New Hampshire, you don't have to be in Iowa to present a question..." remarked Chen.
But for the most part, the Google/YouTube executives at the lunch said they had very little or no knowledge of which videos will be aired tonight. They've (gladly?) left that responsiblity up to Bohrman. Hurley even declined to tell us which user-submitted question was his favorite.
Meanwhile back at the Citadel, Google also outfitted a playful lounge for reporters with the typical fare that their employees have come to expect. Check out the sweet snacks (organic yogurt-covered pretzels!!), vitamin water and colorful couches. And you can't see it by the photos, but there's a pool table in back [SHIRA TOEPLITZ].
Check out the movie after the jump....
Posted at 02:24 PM
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