Google lays on the Charm factor

Google rarely reveals operational information to its own shareholders let alone journalists, however last week it set a precedent by inviting eight journalists to spend a morning with the company’s CEO, Eric Schmidt.

This BBC report reveals what happened at the morning / lunch meeting, so far the only report that I have read. If you’re a Google nut (like I obviously am) then have a read. Topics covered inlcude Google’s Chinese censorship controversy, the “dark fibre” buy-up and the potential for Google to extend into all kinds of businesses moving forward (ie, Google is buying a new business every week). One of the potential new ventures would involve getting access to Time Warner’s film archives (think Google Video library downloads - each charged at a few dollars per pop).

It will be interesting to see if Google increases the number of its “conversations” with journalists in the future. Following the China censorship PR hiccup, it seems that Google realises the general public and media will not necessarily always buy into its “don’t do evil” corporate mantra. If you want good PR you’ve got to make efforts to keep the media and public “on side”.