Worldwide, Google is king of search, with 92% market share. In contrast, Yandex is virtually unknown, with less than 1%–except in Russia where it’s long been a favorite local search engine. While Google market share has grown in the nation’s largest capital cities, gaining awareness and loyalty of people throughout Russia’s vast territories has been a difficult.

Existing geopolitical challenges and Russia's subsequent focus on protectionism with regard to domestic industry also make it harder for foreign companies to attract media and policy stakeholder attention. Google needed a grassroots campaign to gain the awareness, trust and engagement of Russians “Beyond the Capitals,” and throughout its European and Asian territories.

Our goals: Increase Google share of search, and popularity of Google Map and Search features; attract new users to Google outside the large media centers, and create a platform around which to continue to improve relations with government authorities.

We saw Google’s opportunity to show it had both the power and the tools — Maps and Search — to illuminate the thousands of talented, skilled, and creative people with diverse –even radical – artistic and entrepreneurial ideas worth supporting. If we could find them all through Google products, we’d be on our way to winning the hearts and minds of Russians no matter where they lived.

We conceived “Beyond the Capitals” and set out to identify, map and celebrate Russia’s most fascinating unknown doers and thinkers. Then invited the Russian people to discover them on Google Maps via Google Search.

Earned digital media was an essential and primary channel to harness the support of influential bloggers, key government authorities, and Russia’s most respected news media behind Google’s “Beyond the Capitals” campaign.

BUSINESS OUTCOME

Significant market share growth for Google from April-November, 2017.

24 million+ non-Google users reached and engaged through the campaign.

IMPROVED IMAGE AND PERCEPTION

Two key regional governments officially supported the project.

MEDIA OUTCOMES

2,000+ citizens applied and 600 “pinned” on Google Maps from 600+ Russian cities and villages.

1,100+ positive earned media articles generated, including 40+ TV news stories, and 65+ positive radio spots, resulting in a total reach of 3.4 billion people.

30+ influencers and bloggers posts reached 13 million+ combined followers.