• by Mark Naples , December 23, 2005

Any of you who have stayed in your offices late enough on Dec. 23 to see this column deserves a bon mot. In the early 1990s, I got laid off from a job on Christmas Eve at a major agency after having been 120% billable the year before. So I promised myself I'd never work Christmas Eve again. That's Saturday this year, so I might be hard to reach tomorrow.

Anyway, late worker bees, don't look for more analysis of the Google-AOL deal (justifiably large overpayment to keep Microsoft out), or my predictions for next year (I only do those in November anyway, and December arrived too suddenly). This Spin is dedicated completely to an appreciation of a major interactive market that those of us who live and toil on either coast can get in the habit of neglecting.

That's right, all you flyover types. This column is a Christmas Valentine to Chicago.

Partly because of CIMA--the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association, which is among the more activist and positive industry organizations I've ever been around--the community that exists within the greater Chicago area's interactive professionals is extremely strong.

When they gather, as maybe 200 did last night for the Christmas party thrown by Ask Jeeves, PointRoll, CBS Digital Media and my client Centro, the drinks flow from the many toasts and, well, things just don't seem as serious as they do at similar events in New York and San Francisco. Which is a good thing.

CIMA is a unique organization. It's unique because its reach is both broad and in-depth, and because it members strive--as do those in New York's 212-- to provide relevant and important access to information and opportunity. More than anything, CIMA has made itself essential to the interactive community in Chicago--an effort that must require a ton of energy. CIMA's regular networking events seem to be some of the best special events around, always held on one of Chicago's fun Rooftop clubs or on a boat cruising through the Chicago River or on Lake Michigan.

Anyone who has been to one of the recent Chicago Ad:Tech or Search Engine Strategy events knows that Chicago has become an enormous market for our industry. Maybe it was late in joining the interactive space, since so many consumer brands were late in joining. But, Chicago's interactive space has become crowded with some of the best minds in our business. So, here's to them.

And here's to us all. 2005 has been a fantastic year for our industry. I occasionally mention in this space how ridiculous our work rate has become.

But, you know what? It's so much better than the alternative. We're blessed to be in an industry that's growing as ours is, while being as much fun as ours is. That's what I kept thinking during that party last night--how lucky we all are.

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Fine Festus! And to all, a fantastic 2006. We have a lot of work to do--and a lot to look forward to.