Voguing with Mr. Emoji at Google’s New York Office

Recently, we invited a group of New Yorkers — NYC experts, social media gurus, foodies — to stop by our Big Apple office to learn more about Google Places and how it can help them discover wonderful new places in the city they already know and love.

Me, Esther, with Mina and Kara of Babe City Babes

So what do you get when you a gather bunch of New York-loving people at Google’s Water Tower Cafe, then add Google Places, and — last but definitely not least — Mr. Emoji? A whole lot of fun, as it turns out!

Me with Emily from Mouth of the Border and Midnight Brunch — and Mr. Emoji!

Of course, when we weren’t voguing with Mr. Emoji, the Google Places team was telling guests all about Google Places (with a little help from Professor Emoji and his handy lessons, of course), and asking them about what they’d like to see from us as we build our community here in New York City.

 

 

We also asked them for their product feedback. P.S. Want to share your product feedback with us? Just fill out this simple form.

 

 

Finally, we did a brief tutorial about how to write quality Google Places reviews. Some pro tips:

• tell us what’s unique about the place
• be specific (the more details, the better!)
• include three useful tips about the place you’re reviewing

Then we invited everyone in the group to participate in a reviewing challenge, rewarding those who write really great reviews on Google Places. They’re battling it out right now to win some awesome prizes, including cocktails and apps for two at Lani Kai, brunch for four at Resto, and — the Grand Prize — dinner for four at one of our Best Evers, Frankies (either in Manhattan or in Brooklyn, winner’s choice)! Stay tuned to find out who will emerge victorious.

Want to get in on the fun? Follow us on Twitter at @GoogleNYC and on Facebook. Come out to our Hawaiian Happy Hour tomorrow, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lani Kai.

Posted by Esther Brown, Manhattan community manager. Photos by Amber Marlow Blatt of The Amber Show.