Another week, another round of industry shin-digs. In fact, I was invited to so many things this week I actually had to blow some of them out, rather annoyingly.
And so to the inaugural Loyalty Awards at the Grosvenor Ballroom (what do you mean I’d turn up to the opening of an envelope?), where, I’m pleased to say, I had a very enjoyable evening.
The great and the good of the loyalty world were there, including Terry Hunt – the man credited with being a major force behind Tesco Clubcard – although no-one seemed to have invited Tesco. Maybe they were all back at the office sorting out the latest Clubcard mailing…
Sadly I couldn’t get anywhere near my host – chairman of the judges Eric Austin – as he was flanked by a couple of beauties in posh frocks, and I don’t mean Tim and Bede Feltham from Marketing Hybrids either.
Anyway, it seems the loyalty sector is in very rude health, which is more than can be said for my bank account after being fleeced for the official charity of the event, the Prince’s Trust. Not that I begrudge paying out for a good cause, you understand, but I’m not quite sure why I had to buy £200 worth of raffle tickets for the whole table…
Good job there was a tea-towel in the, er, ‘executive goody bag’ as I was collared by security on the way out and forced to wipe up 800 dinner plates because of ‘an issue’ with my credit card. Surely they could’ve got some Prince’s Trust people in?
Anyway, talking of gongs, Shelf Awards aficionado and former WDMP creative chief Gary ‘the hair’ Sharpen turned up on TV this week on the Good Food Channel (what do you mean I sit at home and watch telly all week?).
It appears that Gary has found a lucrative sideline at The Cocktail Lovers’ website, as well as a new wife, co-founder Sandrae.
And, judging by their comments on ‘The Perfect Dinner for Two’ they were presiding over, their romance is blossoming. After giving the thumbs up to raw oysters followed by lobster pasta they were virtually having it off on the table – a bit like Eric at the Loyalty Awards come to think of it…
