Street Team Apperance vs. Promotions Assistant

Yesterday was one of the best days at work. Not because something extraordinary happened but that time went by fast and I left early. The day started out with me arriving to work and preparing an event bag. This was the first day that I didn't get to partake in my usual routine (by checking the voicemails first). This was because I had a street team appearance in the early part of the day. I was extremely happy because I got to take a break from the office and interact with people out on the street. Since the event was twelve (12) pm, we left the station at 10:30am so we can have ample time in getting to the event as well as setting up. However, before we left, we packed our CDJ turntable system, two big speakers, two tables, table cloth and a standard event bag (that has promotional CD's, tape, scissors, posters, flyers and giveaways).

When checking our event sheet, we realized that we were taking the Funk Master Flex Escalade. When we brought the car to the station, we quickly packed it with all of our equipment. This was the first event that I went to that we packed more than the standard amount of equipment (because it was an outside event). When we got into the Escalade, I was really happy because this event was taking place in my neighborhood, Castle Hill (in the Bronx). Even though I really don't associate myself with people in the area, I was extremely excited because it was a familiar setting. Also, this was going to be a superb event because Castle Hill is very diverse. The demographic is predominately Hispanic, than Guyanese Indians and then to Blacks. Also with a diverse age group composed of babies to senior citizens.

Driving to the event, I realized that I was doing another Verizon store event. This frustrated me because the last Verizon store event I did, the owner wanted us to give all of the customers a description of all of the phones and accessories while all of the other store representatives stopped working. However, I maintained my composure and realized that both stores probably had different job descriptions for us. Arriving at the venue, I realized that the Verizon store was not a corporate store but in fact a private, small store. Entering, I was notified that our on site contact has not arrived but until he came, we could set up. While setting up, we began to draw a crowd of spectators and of people asking for free promotional items. I instantly notified the crowd to come back in half an hour so we could finish setting up.

When we finished setting up, just like the Lil Wayne concert at Jones beach, my other street team member Erick was on the microphone for the entire shift. This was good because he drew a lot of attention to the store which allowed people to stop by and interact with us, receive promotional items and to also check out the newest deals that the Verizon store was advertising. We were also giving away four Dereon (Beyonce's clothing line)prize bags that had a t-shirt and a hat. These were for the people who could answer our Hot 97 trivia questions. So many people wanted to win these prizes. However, first we would make them speak with a store representative and check out the phones, then they would get a chance to win the prize.

Some of the trivia questions we asked was if they can name five jocs on our station, five DJ's on the station, who are the hosts of the morning show?, Name ten artist at Summer Jam and etc. Many people tried to win the Dereon prize pack but most did not know the answers to our questions. However, towards the end of our appearance, we had four avid Hot 97 listeners who knew the answers to our trivia and received their prizes. The winners all got to take picture with their gift bags in front of the Hot 97 banner that we placed inside of the store. The other contestants received posters and CD's as a means of being a good sport. After all of our prizes were given away, we handed out flyers advertising the Verizon's stores phone deals and also advertising it live on the microphone. Throughout the event we had a lot of people coming into the store checking out the merchandise and requesting songs for us to play (because I was DJin live outside the store). The workers at the store was very pleased with the turnout.

Even though this was a two hour event, it seemed to go by rather quickly. There was a good crowd, we had good giveaways and my mother also stopped by to show support. When the event finished we packed up our equipment, got our stations report card filled out by the Bronx manager of the Verizon stores (since the on-site contact never arrived). Coming back to the station, we unpacked all of the equipment to the designated spots. As soon as that finished I was immediately given a plethora of assignments to accomplish. I had to call prospective Fall interns, deal with contest winners coming into to claim their prize. Also, I had to help out with packing equipment away for another big event that we are doing Sunday called Harlem Weekend. This event is a kin to summer jam when comparing hours. We have to arrive on site 5am and the event finishes 10pm. However, we have to clean up, pack and bring everything back to the station and unpack there.

When finished with all of this everyone was leaving and I took the opportunity to leave as well. Even though it was 7pm, I felt like it was an early day for me to leave. Overall, I enjoyed yesterday because it was a day where I had the best of both world. This was with working an appearance and than ended it off with working in the office.