The event host of the American YouTuber IShowSpeed's whirlwind visit to Hong Kong noted that comparing the trip to those Speed went to in mainland China is "unfair" as while those in China were commercially tinted, the city trip was conducted in an improvisational mode.
The comment came after some lawmakers grumbled the Hong Kong government failed to utilize the chance to promote city's international character. They compared Speed's experiences in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, highlighting the influencer's engagement with drone food delivery, interaction with robotics, flying on mainland-branded aircraft, and acquiring foldable phones in the mainland. In contrast, Speed just tasted the street food in Hong Kong and participated in the traditional ritual of villain-beating.
In an interview with "Sing Tao Probe", Bertram Lau – the director of the public relations agency Avalon Sports Group (ASG) arranged for Speed's Hong Kong visit – said that businessmen and government arrangements heavily influence many activities carried out by Speed in the mainland.
"As for why Speed is so cooperative with commercially tinted or city promotional events in the mainland, I cannot disclose much in detail," Lau said. "However, we can reveal that many mainland businessmen have proactively contacted Speed's team with numerous irresistible offers."
"We've learned that some have proposed to let Speed to be the first person to live stream from space," he added. "It is known that he's been invited to travel by rocket to space and then broadcast live from there."
Lau stressed that comparing Speed's visit to HK to the mainland is "somewhat unfair" as the itinerary for Speed in Hong Kong was planned according to the preferences of Speed's team, focusing on spontaneity without the need for formal arrangements.
However, he noted the superstar influencer -- who boasts 38 million subscribers -- could hardly go unnoticed while touring and live-streaming in Hong Kong. When Speed took the tram and MTR, a massive crowd of enthusiastic fans passionately chased after their idol.
"The crowd being dense was anticipated," Lau added. "However, we didn't foresee the fans' extreme fanaticism. They completely disregarded their safety in their eagerness to follow us and catch the live broadcast." He added that some fans were going against the flow and rushing up the escalators.
As for Speed somehow seeming displeased in the MTR station, Lau explained that some emotional displays "were part of the show" meant for dramatic effect. "However, there were indeed times when he felt overwhelmed and somewhat distressed," Bertram noted.
He mentioned that to ensure Speed's safety and manage the crowds, his team proposed that pre-recorded or phased live broadcasts could be an option, which was turned down by Speed's team as they insisted on a full live broadcast.
Speed conducted a live stream in Hong Kong that lasted for 9 hours and 40 minutes, breaking his own record. Before arriving in Hong Kong, he set goals such as surpassing 38 million YouTube subscribers during the period, which he successfully achieved.
