• by July 21, 2005

LET'S PARTY -- When it comes to media industry soirees, we're usually pretty neutral on the subject. We understand that parties are a necessary part of the media business, but it sometimes seems there is more schmoozing than there is working in the world of media. So naturally, we're hoping to invite you to - you guessed it - yet another party. But don't feel guilty about this one. It should have a fair amount of work associated with it. Well, not that kind of work. More like network. No, not the TV kind. The social kind. And best of all, it's going to be fun. It'll also be the first "media neutral" party you'll ever go to. And that should impress your boss when you explain why you're cutting out early next Wednesday so you can pony up to the bar at Light - the illuminating club on 54th and Lex in Manhattan.

Why this party? And, more importantly, why is it called "The Media Neutral Party?" Well, you'll have to show up to find out, but we can tell you one thing: It's being hosted by the Big 3 surnames in media: Mediabistro, Media Kitchen, and of course, MediaPost. With names like that, it was probably inevitable that we'd be drawn together to do something for media. A party just seemed like the right place to start. And it's not just because we three each are known for putting on cool events.

"What better than a media bash?," says Laurel Touby, the founder and preeminent cyberhostess who founded Mediabistro on the basis of such parties, which turn out to be a good way to meet people who have common interests, and common goals - sometimes professional, oftentimes personal, but always social. For those of you who are not familiar with Mediabistro, it has become the community - both on and offline - for an important part of the media business: the fourth estate. It's where both high-powered and aspiring journos like to hang out. Kind of like MediaPost, but for news junkies.

Media Kitchen, of course, is the ultra hot communications planning shop that's getting big on big ideas about how to reach - make that engage - consumers in an increasingly cluttered and erstwhile media world.

Enough with the plugs, you say? Give us the details!

What: Drinks and conversation.

Who: 100 of our favorite agency people, Cyberhostess Laurel Touby, Media Kitchen Chef Paul Woolmington, and quite possibly, an anonymous Riff columnist.

When: 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 27th

Where: Light (125 East 54th St. between Park & Lexington)

Why: To bring about more community within the advertising industry, something there's so little of today.

RSVP by Monday, July 25th.

NOTE: This event is for ad agency people only. Sorry, no sales reps, students/interns.