Last July 11, 2012, BlackBerry Empire was privileged to have been invited to witness as BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion (RIM) and Globe Telecom turned the new SM Mall of Asia Arena into a huge party place with the exclusive Nicki Minaj concert they co-sponsored. Looking at the huge turnout for the event, it seems that RIM and Globe Telecom in the process managed to sell some 7,000 to 10,000 new BlackBerry Curve smartphones to new and existing Globe subscribers.
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The sold-out Nicki Minaj concert was co-sponsored by RIM and Globe Telecom. As previously announced, Globe Telecom subscribers who got the new BlackBerry Curve 9220 with their subscription were entitled to 1 ticket, while those who got the new BlackBerry Curve 9320 were entitled to 2 tickets.
The concert was projected to bring in 12,000 people for the exclusive Nicki Minaj Philippine concert. As it turned out, it seems that over 13,000 people actually flocked into the new SM Mall of Asia Arena for the concert, sources shared with BlackBerry Empire. Considering the prerequisites for ticket entitlement and crowd size, and with a little math, it would be safe to assume that the exclusive Nicki Minaj concert may have sold about 7,000 to 10,000 new BlackBerry Curve smartphones in all. To see what we mean, bear in mind the ticket entitlement conditions as you check out the pictures we took of the crowd during the concert.
It was good that the SM MOA Arena was large enough to accommodate up to 20,000 people, so there was plenty of room for everyone. Well, plenty of room – yes; Seats – not so much. As people were being ushered into the Patron areas, some people were surprised when they learned that no seats had been provided for the said areas. We actually overheard a number of people conversing about the situation, and some even complaining to Globe Telecom’s staff. For a Nicki Minaj concert, where one can expect to be up on one’s feet most of the time and dancing to Nicki’s songs, the decision does make sense. However, it may have helped if people were informed prior to the event. Well, at least that was the case for the people we overheard.
It was Nicki Minaj’s first time to perform in the Philippines, and she definitely did not disappoint the thousands of people who eagerly anticipated the concert. Throughout the evening, the crowd sang, danced, and partied inside the huge venue. Although Nicki had tweeted not feeling all too well prior to her arrival in Manila, her performance definitely showed no indications of that. Check out some of the official photos (from Globe Postpaid’s Facebook page) of Nicki performing on stage.
Aside from enjoying Nicki’s remarkable performance, it was truly great to see thousands and thousands of BlackBerry phone owners gathered together in one single event. Check out the photos from also from Globe Postpaid’s Facebook page.
Interestingly, you can see from the photos that there were some people holding other phone and tablet brands aside from BlackBerry.
Whether these people got their BlackBerry Curve smartphones as a second phone, or for BBM, or simply to gain entrance to the event remains a good question to ask. However, the fact remains that these people, in one way or another, were there because BlackBerry Curve smartphones were sold.
The huge number of people who flocked Nicki Minaj’s concert was a huge milestone for Research in Motion and Globe Telecom. It showed that RIM and Globe Telecom could successfully organize and pull off such a huge, exclusive event. It was a good indication of the huge market for BlackBerry phones on Globe’s competitive plans. And specifically for Research in Motion, it was a statement that BlackBerry is not dead nor dying, but ready to party.
Congratulations, RIM and Globe Telecom, for successfully hosting Nicki Minaj’s exclusive Philippine concert!
Images courtesy of Globe Postpaid Facebook page; Photo Album: NICKI MINAJ Live in Manila Concert #GlobeBBNickiMinaj