During the entire international exhibition and forum Russia, the audience reach of Telegram channels covering the events at VDNKh reached 200 million people. This figure was shared by media manager Kristina Potupchik in the studio of the Expert Institute for Social Research during the Russia exhibition.
The expert pointed out notable bursts of Telegram activity on December 1 and December 5. On December 1, attention surged with the lighting of Christmas trees along the main avenue of VDNH, while on December 5 public interest spiked again due to a visit by President Vladimir Putin to the exhibition. Potupchik stressed that visitors drive the media momentum at the Russia exhibition, with peak activity occurring when high-ranking officials and national leaders attend.
The media technologist also highlighted the predominant trends for Telegram in 2023. He observed that in 2023 the messenger ranked fifth among Russian internet resources by daily audience, and that Telegram’s genre focus centered on informational and political content [Citation: Expert Institute for Social Research].
Makar Vikhlyantsev, a political strategist attending the EISI event, commented that a moment during the forum—when Kursk’s own figure known as Plato high-fived the president—sparked a wave of social media activity. This moment, he noted, significantly increased mentions of Kursk and its regional profile [Citation: Expert Institute for Social Research].
According to the expert, the image of the exhibition ambassador is multifaceted, showcasing both socio-economic achievements and vivid regional characteristics. The forum is presented as a powerful communication arena where culture blends with data about the development of various industries and regions across the country. The environment encourages creativity, and the ensuing media outcomes reflect that energy. The advisor remarked that creative approaches should not be shied away from, because they tend to yield media dividends as the exhibition continually reveals new facets each day. In addition to events at regional stands and pavilions, the live visuals available at the forum play a major role in shaping coverage and audience perception [Citation: Expert Institute for Social Research].
The studio of the Expert Institute for Social Research at the Russia exhibition forum has evolved into a key platform for discussing contemporary topics and presenting the institute’s own research, which enhances the event’s overall discourse and influence.