User:15darrylc/sandbox
 | This file is used by an article under construction in user space. (see File links) This file is therefore not an orphan. Since there is no deadline, please do not tag this file for deletion before ascertaining the intentions of the relevant user. |  |
George P. Johnson
[edit]| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Event Marketing, Advertising, Brand Marketing |
| Founder | George P. Johnson |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 29 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Robert Vallee (CEO), Laurence Vallee (President) |
| Products | Brand Marketing, Event Management, Entertainment Marketing, Media & Content Development |
| Revenue | $185M (2011) |
| Owner | Project: Worldwide |
Number of employees | +1,300 |
| Website | http://www.gpj.com |
George P. Johnson or "GPJ" is an American multinational corporation that specialises in event marketing and brand marketing, with headquarters located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States. GPJ operates primarily as a marketing and advertisement firm, providing digital, multimedia and physical marketing interactions, as well as offering brand management services and consulting, however GPJ specialises in more traditional physical event management. GPJ has a wide variety of clients in various industries: automotive, technology, software, food & beverage, entertainment, including over 40 "Fortune" 500 Companies[1].
The company was founded in 1914 by its namesake George P. Johnson in Detroit, Michigan as a flag-making and sail-repair establishment. Initially establishing itself as a event management firm in the Detroit area automotive industry, the company's early years were heavily rooted in working with the Automobile Industry and managing trade shows and events. Expansion of the company took place around 1990s as GPJ started up offices in Boston, Seattle, Chicago and Brussels, Belgium[1]. This period also saw tremendous growth for the firm, as they began to diversify and internationalise. Partnership with IBM in managing the entirety of the former's worldwide account, and other larger joint ventures have seen the company develop with extreme speed[1].
History
[edit]Origins (1910s-1940s)
[edit]The company originally worked on the Detroit Auto Show, working on the auto industry's annual exhibit of new vehicles, due to Johnson's prior involvement with the event. Throughout the years, Johnson's company began producing banners, flags and buntings for parade floats and special exhibits. With the trade show in Detroit growing to greater prominence the early GPJ had established itself as one of the leading creators [1].
Formative Years (1950s-1970s)
[edit]In 1956 GPJ assisted in producing the first International Auto Show in New York. Later in 1961, the firm introduced the spinning turntable for presenting cars, which would later become an industry standard for many such events[1]. This was the company's first venture outside of the Detroit area automotive events. In 1976, Johnson's grandson Robert G. Vallee Jr. began working at the company, and two years later he was assigned as the head of production.
Emergence (1980-2000s)
[edit]Present Day
[edit]Corporate Affairs
[edit]Selected Current Projects
[edit]In recent years, GPJ has participated and organized in larger, more globally significant events and exhibits including major events in China: the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, as well as starting contributing to it's other more domestic projects.
Project: Worldwide
[edit]In October 2010, George P. Johnson announced its acquisition by Project:Worldwide, a privately owned, independent network of specialist agencies.
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
[edit]George P. Johnson was engaged with 2 first-tier Olympic sponsors helping run, design and create the exhibitions in the pavilions which were situated on the Olympic green. The company sought to improve and expand it's international image by undertaking one of the biggest known events in the Mainland China region[2]. Robert Albitz, GPJ's Senior Vice President of worldwide creative, said that the question was "how to build a compelling experience" that would transcend linguistic and cultural gaps. Furthermore, GPJ utilised Lenovo's technology to its fullest in the latter's exhibition, especially the integration of computerized wrist bands and blue screen technology to create backgrounds for photos, Albitz mentioned that "It gives us a chance to show off Lenovo's proprietary Veriface facial-recognition software". Likewise was done for the Bank of China exhibits where the firm sought to tell the story of the bank's involvement with the Olympics and its history as well as utilise the former example of blue screen technology in capturing simulated backgrounds.
George P. Johnson played a prominent role in in the creation and design of the Lenovo and Bank of China pavilions for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Utilising heavily interactive exhibits focused on audience participation the two pavilions both boast interactive game experiences and work through presentations via storytelling. Lenovo's pavilion in the Olympic green hosted a game to demonstrate Lenovo's active protection systems while The Bank of China's pavilion hosted similar features, having them participate in a virtual stock market game and an interactive sports experience where one can play badminton against a member of China's national team; a Wii-like experience. Both these pavilions boasted hospitality suites for private interaction. The bank's pavilion was under development for over eight months while the Lenovo exhibit was under more than a year of development with GPJ[3].
GPJ received industry awards and accolades for the design of The Bank of China exhibition; two employees were bestowed
2010 Shanghai World Expo
[edit]Brand X Challenge
[edit]In 2013, Brand X
Corporate Recognition and Brands
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "International Directory of Company Histories". George P. Johnson Company History. St. James Press. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ Solman, Gregory. "GPJ Creates 'Experiences' in Beijing". Adweek. Adweek. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ "George P. Johnson Molded Olympic Pavilions for Lenovo, Bank of China". Chief Marketer. Access Intelligence, LLC. Retrieved 14 May 2013.