vivo marks its first year in Europe

· Aiming to double the presence in European markets by the end of 2022

· Partnering up with key retailers and operators

· Strategic partnership with optical pioneer ZEISS – vivo is committed to empower consumers to take their Perfect Shot

Today, vivo celebrates its first anniversary in Europe. The UK was among the first ten markets across the continent to launch a wide range of vivo smartphones, introducing vivo's unique interpretations of user-centric design and innovation for British consumers. Over the past twelve months, vivo has reached several technological milestones, partnered up with key retailers and operators across Europe while capturing and celebrating the 'Perfect Shot' at the UEFA EURO 2000 tournament. The strategic, long-term partnership with optical pioneer ZEISS provides consumers with enjoyable mobile imaging experiences, coupling with the launch of the X60 Pro 5G flagship model. With all our efforts, vivo strives for living up to its promise to European customers in putting the 'Camera First' and empowering consumers to capture their 'Perfect Shot'.

Recapping the first year in Europe 

As the fourth largest smartphone brand worldwide  vivo established its European headquarters in Düsseldorf in November 2019 and made its official European debut in October 2020. Over the course of the last twelve months, vivo has launched products in ten markets across the continent including: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom and shortly after, Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, and Serbia. In preparation, vivo conducted extensive research and interviews with 9,000 people across Europe, with the mission to understand individual needs of each consumer. The vivo team in European countries has grown from 120 to over 200 industry experts across a variety of disciplines. vivo unites a multinational character strengthened by 84 people from 16 nationalities working in the European Headquarters in Dusseldorf. Moving forward, vivo is set for further expansion in Europe, with plans to double its presence in Europe by the end of 2022, greeting Portugal at the beginning of November 2021.

"We're delighted to celebrate the first 'vivoversary' in Europe, and I take this opportunity to thank all the European customers, who have trusted us with the choice of the most personal device – their smartphone. Although the first year was a very challenging one, as we have launched in the middle of the pandemic, I'm more than happy to say we have already said 'hello' to 10 markets, and already see great progress. Moving forward, we will continue with our commitment to provide customers with an outstanding smartphone imaging experience, with our 'Camera First' positioning, and we're looking forward to making more friends in new European markets", says Denny Deng, Vice President, President of European Business at vivo. 

Technical innovations based on consumers' habits

From mid-tier smartphones of the Y series to flagship models like the X60 Pro 5G, vivo products have received great customer feedback and reviews from partners and media alike.  vivo's Gimbal 2.0 technology capped off a number of technical achievements over the past twelve months, improving vivo's top-of-the-range smartphone camera stability and providing consumers with a professional photography experience. Another forward-thinking innovation that will greatly benefit future devices was the born V1 Imaging Chip, which will be deployed in new vivo product series in 2022. With the efforts of over 300 R&D specialists and vivo imaging lab experts, the V1 Imaging Chip combines a built-in high-quality AI system with significant improvements in processing speed and reduced power consumption, optimising the operating performance on (vivo) smartphones.

In keeping its 'Camera First' promise to European customers, vivo teamed up with the German pioneer of optics and optoelectronics, ZEISS, to provide consumers with the best imaging experience possible. Through joint research and development efforts in the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab, two companies aim to combine unique imaging technology know-how with the intuitive user experience of smartphones. Both ZEISS and vivo share the passion for quality and precision to develop best-in-class smartphones with professional-level camera technology. 

UEFA EURO2020 partnership: Huge boost in visibility 

vivo celebrated the 'Perfect Shot' with UEFA during the EURO 2020 tournament. With millions of fans across Europe watching their teams compete, the tournament was a major visibility driver for brand exposure and recognition. The technology company had established a long-term sponsorship through the FIFA World Cup 2022 and UEFA EURO 2024 competitions.

Expanding with new partnerships 

Since its launch in October last year, vivo has been engaged in frequent conversation with existing and potential partners, making sure that vivo smartphones and accessories are accessible at our consumers' point of preference. As indicated in major industry reports, vivo has gained significant traction in Europe with sustaining momentum, proving its determination and ability to European markets following its philosophy of doing the right thing, the right way. Our open market partners had expanded significantly, with key retailers such as Ebuyer, El Corte Inglés, EMAG, FNAC, MediaMarkt/MediaWorld, and Unieuro. We are also collaborating with leading telecoms such as A1, Drei, Free, Orange, SFR, TIM and Windtre. 

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About vivo

vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a design-driven value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, design-driven value, user-orientation, continuous learning, and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation.

While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a network of 10 R&D centres in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an, Taipei, Tokyo, and San Diego, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, photography, and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set-up seven production bases (including brand-authorized manufacturing centres), across China, South- and Southeast Asia, and more regions, with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 50 countries and regions and is loved by more than 400 million users worldwide.

*"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right – which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to create value for society.

Stay informed of latest vivo news at https://www.vivo.com/eu/about-vivo/news

Press contacts:

Thomas Kahmann, vivo Europe

Director PR

T: +49 174 977 33 87

thomas.kahmann@vivo.com 

Ivan Polojac, vivo Europe

Senior Manager PR, Brand and Corporate 

T: +49 1523 73 95 844

ivan.polojac@vivo.com 

Lei Sang, vivo Europe

Senior Manager PR, Product Communications

T: +49 152 3739 5868

lei.sang@vivo.com 

For UK enquiries: 

Jon Shaw

Porter Novelli

T +447967998084

jon.shaw@porternovelli.com

[1] Canalys Preliminary Smartphone Pulse, Q3 2021, 15 October 2021: https://canalys.com/newsroom/canalys-global-smartphone-market-Q3-2021