Project

• Role: Contributing writer, Google I/O developer keynote script

• Company: Google

Problem

At Google, something isn’t considered market-ready unless it’s out of Beta and useful to the user - whether it’s a product or a narrative. As a flagship event, Google I/O is a key brand moment, making it imperative that there are no over-promises. Therefore the narrative must come from the bottom up, from new features and programs. I/O 2022 was no different, but in addition to working directly with product area leaders to build the script, we had a new voice to work with.

Jeanine Banks is a new public-facing leader at Google, so the keynote provided an opportunity to share a fresh perspective.

I set out to create the structure with these building blocks, and then write the script that would impact the next year of storytelling.

Solution

• I partnered cross-functionally with product teams, program leaders, and a content strategist to understand the roadmaps, achievements, and user benefits in a step we named “building blocks.” As a writer, I helped shape the three possible narratives that were then pitched to senior leadership.

• After the narrative direction was determined, I partnered again across the business to understand what supporting stories were available to help enliven the

• Next I built the script. When developing the content strategy, I focused on three pillars that drove the writing: product highlights, user benefits, and visual elements.

• Once the main points were in the right order, I focused on the writing. Since Jeanine was a new leader, we had the opportunity to stray a bit from the standard Google voice - making it more personal.

Impact

• The developer narrative impacts what the consumer keynote says since many Google products have two audiences.

• Together the 2022 keynotes brought in more views than ever before.