GoPro's HERO4 Session sports camera was launched in July and costs 2,998 yuan ($470), and described as the smallest, lightest, most convenient GoPro product. (Photo : www.chinadailyasia.com)
U.S. sports camera maker GoPro is set to establish a content-enabling platform in a bid to expand and capture the Chinese market, the China Daily reported.
According to the report, GoPro was attracted to China due to the boom of Chinese sports lovers and social media enthusiasts.
Nick Woodman, founder and CEO of GoPro Inc., said during the 2015 Tencent Media Summit held in Beijing that the company entered the Chinese market in January and since then, it has been an "exciting journey" for the company to establish subsidiary offices and distribution channels in China's competitive market.
The report said that GoPro has recognized China as one of the top 10 markets for its fast-growing business.
A content-enabling company, GoPro shares video and picture content online and quickly developed as a global company, Woodman said. "Thanks to the content, Chinese consumers have awareness of the brand long before the products were officially shipped in early this year," the CEO said.
Woodman pointed out that the competition between GoPro and other home-grown brands, such as Xiaomi, was helpful in pursuing the development of the company's brand awareness and in establishing a new product category in a new market. He added that the sales volume of GoPro during this year's Singles' Day, the world's biggest online shopping carnival held annually on Nov. 11, exceeded his expectations.
On July 27, GoPro Inc. launched its HERO4 Session in the country, with Chinese rock climber Liu Yongbang as the brand's ambassador.
Liu, who holds several records in China and globally, uses GoPro products to capture his great feats on both rock and wall.
The gear, priced at 2,998 yuan ($470), was described by the company as the smallest, lightest, most convenient GoPro product yet, and is available online and at authorized stores nationwide.
Last month, the company released online a two-minute video captured with a flying device, which was reported to have been shot by the prototype of GoPro's next product.
Woodman confirmed that their first robotic GoPro will be launched and released in the first half of next year.
According to a GoPro representative, the company has not taken domestic business partners yet, but it hopes to draw attention to the development of the country's sports camera industry to seek future expansion in the market.
The company said that it will give away cash rewards in the first half of 2016 to encourage Chinese to share on social media valuable content captured with GoPro.
