Who wants to meet Miss Ovi Blog? Let’s get to know Niini in our 10th Ovi People Interview!

Well, well. This time the interviewer becomes the interviewee… this week, to celebrate our 10th Ovi People Interview, “Miss Ovi Blog” Niini steps out from behind her laptop and gives us an interview. You’ve read her posts, you’ve seen the re-design, you’ve gotten a response from her in the ...

Well, well. This time the interviewer becomes the interviewee… this week, to celebrate our 10th Ovi People Interview, “Miss Ovi Blog” Niini steps out from behind her laptop and gives us an interview. You’ve read her posts, you’ve seen the re-design, you’ve gotten a response from her in the Comments section. She may have even said “Holla! Fierceness!” to you at some point, if you’re lucky But what is she all about?

Let’s find out.

So, Niini, what do you do here at Nokia?

I am Miss Ovi Blog! God, that’s a sticky title, by the way… You gave it to me months ago and now even my mom calls me that =) Anyway, my job is to make sure everything functions smoothly at the Ovi Blog: that the site itself works seamlessly, that content is produced & published in a timely manner certain amount of times a week (with the correct “Ovi by Nokia” tonality) and that our comments are responded to (and possible problems solved or directed to the correct Support outlet). I’m the main engine behind our wacky creative content (such as the “Fun Friday” posts) and most competitions. It’s my responsibility to make sure every post contributes to our long-term strategy and higher-level goals (and that it stays that way). In my work, I coordinate a lot of stuff with other online activities at Nokia (for example with Jan, Pino and Saara). By day my Nokia title is Product Marketing Specialist, but by night, Miss Ovi Blog puts on her cloak and saves the world, one blog post at a time!

What does that mean?

I have no idea.

How long have you been working here and what other projects have you been working on at Nokia?

My history @ Nokia goes all the way back to 2007, when I got my first job at Nokia Networks (which became Nokia Siemens Networks a mere 4 months after I started). In early 2008 I worked at Devices R&D in between my studies. I was working with a project that culminated in the creation of the NFC phones 6212 and 6212i. Then, in early 2009, a certain Pekka Pohjakallio at Nokia was nice enough to give me a topic for my master’s thesis, which led to a traineeship at Ovi by Nokia in fall 2009. In early 2010 I started in my current role.

What did you do before you joined Nokia (work + education)?

Well, I’m actually still in school, but I should soon graduate from HSE (Helsinki School of Economics). Before that I got my bachelor’s degree from TAMK, and I’ve also worked at L’Oréal Finland’s Luxury Products Department on a couple of occasions (first as a marketing trainee at Biotherm and then as a beauty advisor).

What makes you passionate about what you do?

Being able to communicate directly with our fans and engage them in a conversation (not just having a monologue by yourself). Being able to get others as excited about Ovi as I am. Being able to produce top-notch content for our readers. Hearing from our wonderful fans every day and have them come back to the blog. Being able to work with the amazingly, overwhelmingly, ridiculously talented people here at Nokia =)

Is there anything specific you like about working at Nokia?

Like many other interviewees before me, I also really appreciate the work-life balance here at Nokia, that’s really important for me. Even if you work late, you feel like you’re doing it because you want to; it’s not “forced”. I also like the fact that you’re given responsibility and ownership at a very early stage, you’re in charge of your own work and you truly have an opportunity to become an expert in your line of work in a really short time.

What word is the first word that comes to your mind when you think about Ovi?

Fun.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve downloaded from Store? Why?

I have a couple of favourite apps, actually. As I’ve been doing the Ovi People Interviews, the Voice Recorder Touch has been a very helpful tool for me. I also use the Best Screen Snap app quite often. The Battery Extender is my best friend, especially when I’m traveling and can’t plug my charger anywhere! I also check the AccuWeather widget on my N97 mini’s home screen all the time; living in Finland you’re always at the mercy of rapidly changing weather…

What was your very first Nokia device?

I had three devices during a very short period of time in 1999-2000 when I was 14-15 years old. First I had a 5110, and I was totally one of those early emo kids who painted their 5110 covers with nail polish. Then I had a 3210 that had these wicked Union Jack covers I got from London. When my British phase passed, I stole my mum’s fantastic 8110, aka the “banana” phone, but MAN was I bummed that I didn’t have the yellow Chiquita specialty covers! They made only a couple of them and gave them out in some kind of competition… I would have given my entire allowance for one of those bad boys!

What devices do you use right now and what do you mainly do with them?

I use my N97 mini for reading emails, calling, texting and playing around with apps. I also have a brand new N900 which is scaringly powerful. All N900 owners know what I’m talking about. I swear to God, that thing has more horsepower than my car. It also has a wonderful camera that I use for totally artistic photography. Ahem.

What were you looking for the last time you used Maps?

I just got my dad a new Nokia phone (Hi, mom & dad! I’m on TV!!!) and I was showing him where their place in Tampere is. However, the last time I used navigation on Maps was when I was driving to my friend’s new apartment in downtown Helsinki.

What are your favorite blogs/websites?

For work I follow Mashable, Buzzfeed, Viral Video Chart and YouTube (hey, I have to keep up on what’s happening!). I also like to catch up on my friends Clinton at ZOMGitsCJ, Fakhre at SymbianTweet, Jade at Mobile World Innovation, Rafe at AllAboutSymbian, Micky at Nokia Users and of course Hari, Thomas, Randa etc. Love you guys (and feel free to give me a virtual side-eye if I forgot anyone)! I would also give my left arm for Dlisted’s Michael K. LOVE him. I also like the Fail Blog, Photobomb, LadyGaga.com, Bryanboy… and I also check TeamCoco.com quite a bit. You know, just in case his tour would extend to Finland… crazier things have happened.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I dress up my pup Leevi in my accessories (see below) (I know I’m coming back in my next life as a toothbrush…), I collect all things Japanese (such as Hello Kitty), I’m a member of Havis Amanda (Europe’s first women-only Junior Chamber of Commerce), I watch Family Guy episodes on a loop, I train for the marathon (everyone who knows me is cracking up right now) and admire my shoe collection.

What’s your motto?

“It’s exhausting being fabulous”. Courtesy of one miss Victoria Beckham. Boom.

Then, to the reader questions! Jade is asking how you manage your time for work, family, friends etc.?

Well, that’s always a bit tricky, wherever you work. Fortunately I deal well with stress and long hours; you just need to relax during the weekend and, for example, eat bucket after another of strawberries and watch Family Guy episodes on a loop Strawberry coma is the best way to relax!

David asked how do you decide which apps get reviewed on the Ovi blog and how he could persuade you to review the Azzurri Penalty game on the Daily App Blog?

Whenever we feature an app or a game here at the Ovi Blog, it’s never really “just” about the app, it has to do with a larger goal (a competition, an event, a special day or just highlighting a wonderful technology). Now, if you’d like for our friends over at the Daily App Blog to review something, you should contact them directly.

Clinton wants to know how does it feel looking at the Ovi blog now and how it was a couple months ago. What have you been the most proudest about so far?

That’s a good question! Re-designing the Ovi Blog was a long project, and I’m just so unbelievably happy with the outcome. I’m especially proud about the new social networking elements and improved navigation we have incorporated at the Blog. We just couldn’t live without those things anymore!

Joni is asking what it’s like to work in the Ovi team.

Working at Ovi is kind of like working in a small company inside a bigger company. You get the support of a huge international company and you have the possibility to create new things with an innovative start-up spirit.

Minna wants to know what you enjoy most about your job?

If I can name two things, I think it would have to be the ongoing engagement with our fan base. Customer is king =) The second would be the amazing people I work with.

Finally, is there anything you’d like to tell our readers here at the Ovi Blog?

Why, of course there is! I hope you’ve enjoyed the first 10 of our Ovi People Interviews! Remember, we do everything here at the Ovi Blog for you guys, so let us know what you like and don’t like! You can always drop me an email at niini@ovi.com and let me know what’s up

Source : http://blog.ovi.com/2010/06/14/who-wants-to-meet-m...