You wouldn’t believe the things I have to do for you lot, in my pursuit of tittle tattle and news from the gutter. In fact this week I found myself literally in the gutter, after going to far too many events in a single day.
So, it all started very sedately at Marketing Week Live. Of course I would like to say it was Marketing Week Dead but sadly that would be a lie and you know I only ever tell the truth. There did seem to be a lot of long faces on Centaur journalists covering the event, though, but that was hardly surprising given that many have found themselves with their head on the block. The editor of New Media Age reputation online actually opened her presentation with the classic: “Sorry but I have just been made redundant…”
And you would have thought that the event organisers would have at least attempted to remove that 30-foot picture of New Media Age editor in chief Mike Nutley on the back of the stage. ‘Er hello, you made him redundant last month…
Anyway, next up was the international networking event held by the lovely Rosemary Smith and Jenny Moseley. It’s funny how the lure of a free drink brings so many people out – even the ones who have retired from the business years ago, like the ever youthful David Coupe, who was sporting a lovely shade of terracotta (something to do with a fortnight in Majorca, he claimed).
The DMA’s Chris Combemale was also at hand dishing out a range of different coloured business cards. Coupe claimed he had just got them printed at the station, which was a little harsh, but there were some who claimed there must be plenty of money sloshing around the DMA if he can get so many different ones printed up. Still as soon as the cash bar kicked in I was off.
Next stop was supposed to be the Marketing Hybrid, although sadly I was running late for IPA director general Hamish Pringle’s leaving bash. If I’m honest I was expecting a slightly more intimate event but when I arrived at the RSA Horticultural Hall near Victoria there must have been a couple of thousand people there. As I say, it’s funny how the lure of a free drink brings so many people out. Adland’s finest mingled with DMers – there was even someone there from the Shelf Wobblers Association. And, funnily enough, there was Chris Combemale handing out his business cards again. Still as soon as the cash bar kicked in I was off again.
This time to a pub nearby, for group therapy with all the old Centaur journalists. Not too sure what happened but I woke up on my own sofa – 60 miles away – at about 3am with a rather swollen knee. Ah well, I’m sure it was worth it…
