Following the controversies surrounding the American YouTuber IShowSpeed’s whirlwind visit to Hong Kong earlier as some noted the city failed to showcase the most recommendable feature to the influencer, the event host shed light on the details of the much-discussed itinerary.
In an interview with "Sing Tao Probe", Bertram Lau – the director of the public relations agency Avalon Sports Group (ASG) – recounted having only five days to prepare Speed’s trip with the team.
He noted that some itineraries were the ideas from Speed’s team, including visiting the “Monkey Hill” Kam Shan Country Park, Lion Rock, the Avenue of Stars, and Ocean Park.
However, several potential highlights were missed, with Lau expressing disappointment that Speed could not visit The Big Buddha or take a cable car ride owing to time constraints and safety concerns.
Lau disclosed that his company has operated for several years, primarily engaging in basketball-related activities and facilitating professional matches for American basketball players in Hong Kong and other regions.
As an intermediary agent, the company has developed a network in the United States, enabling it to arrange Speed's tour of Hong Kong through the collaboration of an American intermediary.
In response to rumors that a seven-figure fee for the live streaming collaborations with authorities has stopped the government from involving in the trip, Lau clarified that neither his team nor Speed’s proposed such a price or made an official offer to the government.
However, he did learned that certain individuals in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Hong Kong approached government officials requesting funding to support Speed activities. However, the Speed team has explicitly stated that they are not acquainted with these individuals.
Lau revealed that the Hong Kong Tourism Board had reached out to offer support to the influencer’s live stream, but Speed’s team declined official arrangements or coordination, preferring an improvised visit for more authentic content.
Regarding a group of local KOLs running into Speed at the Peak and Temple Street during the stream for attention, Lau welcomed their presence, expressing hope for Speed to have genuine interactions with local audiences.
The recent tour of Hong Kong by Speed has generated considerable discussion, particularly regarding the disruptions experienced during the visit, which have led to a sense of disappointment among the influencer.
Additionally, questions have arisen concerning the significantly lower commercial aspects associated with the Hong Kong tour compared to those of the Shenzhen tour.
For further insights into the matters, stay tuned for the next episode of the interview on "Sing Tao Probe".
