Le Web’s first day was jammed packed with loads of interesting, high profile speakers. As mentioned earlier, in this version, France seemed to get more focus than in previous years, challenging the conventional wisdom that Le Web is a conference made in France, but in no way really about France. This time around, various French tech leaders and start-ups were in the spotlight. However, even non-French companies dedicated some time to France. One of the most visible of the day was Kate Stanton, Twitter‘s VP of International Development who, in addition to speaking more broadly about Twitter’s international development plans, spent a good chunk of time talking about their plans for France.
Earlier this fall, France’s tech media (including your’s truly), discussed at length Twitter’s plans to establishing office in France with 13 hires by spring 2013. Stanton talked about how France is Twitter’s next big focus market. Having grown by 150% this year, they see France as an exciting opportunity and expect they’ll keep up their strong momentum here.
Katie Stanton, VP Global market dev, saying France will be the next market to focus on, 150% growth !! #LeWeb
— Olivier Lacroix (@Olivier_lacroix) December 4, 2012
She also spoke a bit about the importance of Twitter’s partners and, in particular, how the sophistication of France’s media will be a very important part of aiding their development here. Another tidbit of information about their strategy was their plans to foster the development of local city ‘networks’. In France, they plan to build up these local networks across the country, although Bordeaux and Toulouse were named as key priorities.