Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by kailuowang 4675 days ago
What do you think Hugo Barra can bring to Xiaomi? I mean as you said in the other comment, culture in Chinese tech industry is completely different from in U.S. not to mention Google. So I am curious on your opinion about this. Honestly speaking, given Xiaomi's marketing style, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a brand image consideration of this high profile hiring. What do you think?
1 comments
Cookingboy 4675 days ago
Brand image would definitely be important, but not for the Chinese market there. I doubt that many people in China know who Hugo is. I even know quite a few people who don't know what Google is. If I have to guess, it's for building infrastructure (connections) of Xiaomi breaking into the North American market. Xiaomi's CEO is extremely ambitious and there is no way he'd sit out of THE most profitable mobile market in the world. So he starts by making a high profile hiring first, good PR move and a practical move.
link
ZeroGravitas 4675 days ago
From Hugo Barra's G+: "In a few weeks, I'll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally — as Vice President, Xiaomi Global."

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+HugoBarra/posts/BzZMqRht1xQ

So expansion outside of China seems to be the reason.

link
sirkneeland 4675 days ago
Ironically, the social network from which he posted is blocked in China.
link