Opera forever

Kei Grieg Toyomasu, Director of Marketing, Opera Software 2009-2011

I'm leaving Opera - Opera forever!

Monday, August 8, 2011 10:01:16 AM

, , ,

After 32 months as head of Opera Software's Consumer Marketing team, I'm now leaving Opera. As part of the new organizational structure, I was offered a new position in another department. I have not accepted the new role and will therefore seek external challenges outside Opera.

Being responsible for growing Opera's user base has been a fantastic experience:
  • Number of Opera users grew from 50 to 200 million (from January 2009 to June 2011)
  • The My Opera community reached 7 million registered members and Opera now has about 1 million followers on external social networks (including 550,000 Facebook followers and 330,000 on vKontakte)
  • The Community Marketing Team has grown and expanded into new markets and regions, including Russia, China, Latin America, Germany, Middle East, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia and the English speaking world.


Opera's Marketing Team has some exciting new initiatives in pipeline. It will feel strange not to be in control of all the projects, but the new people taking over responsibilities are among the best talents I ever worked with. New strategies for social media, advertising and ingredient branding are now being implemented; Marketing will continue to grow and shine!

Marketing is hard work, but sometimes also great fun. Some of the most enjoyable memories from my time in Opera are when we managed to make Opera Mini the most popular iPhone app in all markets worldwide without marketing budgets, when our April Fools video from 2009 got copied by Google or when we decided to copy Google Chrome's speed test video with our own Potato Speed Test version and got 1.3 million YouTube views. It was also amazing to see the online community power when a single blog post about Oprah Winfrey made headlines around the World or to experience how the community got engaged when we gave them control of our own recruitment process.

I started using Opera in the nineties and I have always been a huge fan of the most user friendly, the fastest and the most powerful Web browser available. I will continue to let Opera improve my web experience.

Opera forever!

Ok Apple fans, here you go!

Comments

SC.sagar Monday, August 8, 2011 3:01:23 PM

It has been a pleasure to work for you Kei. You've been an inspiration to be focused, reliable and committed. I think the entire team has been really proud to be working with you, and wish you more than just the best for your future. up

Mağruf ÇolakoğluZAHEK Monday, August 8, 2011 3:27:40 PM

I have been surprised this news but am really pleased with you on community bu not reality (no yet).
We also thank you as Opera Turkiye as always you supported us.
Al the best and goog luck for you in your new life.

Kei Grieg Toyomasuketoyo Monday, August 8, 2011 3:34:13 PM

@sagar Thanks. It was great working with you too. I'll drop by the office later this week. Hope to see you then.

@z@h3k Thanks for all your contribution. Opera Turkiye has been inspiring for us. I hope Opera will continue to grow in Turkey

Mağruf ÇolakoğluZAHEK Monday, August 8, 2011 3:38:16 PM

We hope tha same and try hard her:) but this new is not good for me...

Aleksander AasAleksander Tuesday, August 9, 2011 9:23:52 AM

I'm gonna miss you Kei. You thought me more than you know. It's been a blast working and getting to know you. I still believe there is one outstanding cigar!

Amir ElMeligyElmeligy Tuesday, August 9, 2011 9:25:23 AM

Kei,

I can easily say that I'll forever be thankful to you.
And I can write long articles about what I've learned from you. and how your passion for your work was contagious to everyone of us, made us really enjoy working for this company, and challenged us to give more than our 110%.

Thank you for your support, trust and most of all - your decency. You have been more than a mentor to us.
And I am sure that you will definitely succeed in the new challenges you are seeking.

It has been a real honor working with you, and I really hope we will meet again when I am back to Oslo.
We will definitely stay in contact smile.

Kei Grieg Toyomasuketoyo Tuesday, August 9, 2011 9:47:56 AM

@Aleksander Thanks. I picked up quite a few things about social media marketing from you, and I will bring it with me when I approach new challenges. Oslo is a small town, there will definitely be more than one cigar...

@Amir Your results are outstanding. Opera's growth in Middle East region are beyond everyones expectations. I hope you stay a long time in Opera and help continue the growth. We'll definitely keep in touch - see you in Oslo

ZaraZaraL Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:19:39 AM

Kei, it was great to work with you on the Marketing team and on the Education program. I am very surprised and sorry to see you leaving Opera. Wishing you the best of luck for whatever opportunities you pursue next!

metude Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:35:19 AM

Opera Mini iPhone video was good.

Then, what is your next company?

Kei Grieg Toyomasuketoyo Tuesday, August 9, 2011 10:50:41 AM

@Zara Thanks Zara. And I'm very glad to see how good you have adapted into the PR team. I'll see you in the office soon

@metude I'm currently evaluating a few opportunities. I'm still officially hired by Opera

shahnawaz ansarimeshahnawaz Tuesday, August 9, 2011 1:18:08 PM

i donno y m also feelin a bit emotional. i havn't work wit u nor been in contact wit u coz m a stranger bt i can say tat m not totaly a stranger coz m the small part of family which u helpd to grow. n i want to thank u for the efforts n hardwork u did in providing all of us the best browser ever !! n i realy apreciate it up thanks again to u n to all opera crew . i hope smetime in future i may get to work with such great people. thanks! again n amir elmilgy also coz if he would'nt be my frend then i wouldn't get to know about real heroes who made OPERA.smile

Haavardhaavard Tuesday, August 9, 2011 8:38:24 PM

This really is too bad, but I'm sure someone else will benefit greatly from getting you on board. Opera's loss, and someone else's gain. Maybe we'll see you again some time in the future smile

Kei Grieg Toyomasuketoyo Tuesday, August 9, 2011 8:59:33 PM

@Haavard I'll keep following your blog posts. Best source of information for well digested Opera and Web Industry insigths wink

Jimtoyotabedzrock Thursday, August 11, 2011 3:16:50 AM

Bye, good luck in the future.

Write a comment

New comments have been disabled for this post.