• by Kelly Samardak , September 19, 2008

OMMA Global New York Kickoff Cocktail Party, Marriott Marquis, New York
September 18, 2008

OMMA Global New York wrapped up day one with what will go down in history as my favorite Expo Hall-centric beverage fest. Why? Because of "Rock Band." Oh that's right, Reprise Media sponsored the Wi-Fi situation, and with that came "Rock Band "in the Wi-Fi lounge. Want to know what happens when you slap a bunch of instruments into the hands of marketing nerds who just may have had a few beverages? I dare you...

It started out innocently enough. The Marriott staff wheeled the traveling bars into the Expo Hall as OMMA'd-out guests frothed with anticipation. While hunting down the Axciom booth, I ran into Matthew Biscuiti, who promised that he too would be taking his honed drumming skills to the not-so-real-world skins. The Expo Hall actually felt empty because so many people were gathering around the warbling Reprise guys (who are just good guys to begin with).

I made my rounds, but my first stop was at the BOSSdev booth where Grant Kravitz, Business Development Director, was holding shop down with his minions Cosmin Ghiurau, Interactive Solutions Architect, and Katie Kremhelmer, Marketing Specialist. Funny story about Grant, what to hear it? He went to college with my sister and her husband. He was a regular fixture around my parents' house back in the Detroit days. I haven't seen him in what, six or seven years maybe? And I run into him by surprise here at OMMA Global New York. My world continues to spiral into teeny-tininess.

I ran over to the eyeblaster booth, which was constantly filled with curious booth bouncers, and met Ofer Zadikario, Chief Solutions Officer, and Tyler Sandler, Sales Manager - both obviously working for eyeblaster. My favorite booth has to be the Ballyhoo booth. I am a sucker for cute, and they had stuffed animals dangling all over the place, which beckoned me. We blathered about the true meaning of schwag vs swag, and I walked away with an adorable Ballyhoo dog. He is so cute. The only way that booth could have been better would be the addition of sparkles and feathers. 

The drinkypoo line was never too long for me, mainly because people were offering to get my drink for me left and right. Sometimes, it pays to have the camera. Lots of people were chattering about the upcoming OMMA Awards (like, two hours after the Expo Hall cocktail party) and as 7 p.m. loomed, I knew if I didn't man up and hit "Rock Band" at that moment, I wouldn't do it. Oh, I did it. And you'll find my face wracked with "What are all these dots and stripes and why am I so lacking in hand-eye coordination skills?" fear. 

That's it for now. Today's another busy day and I've already seen quite a few panels and keynotes and in a few minutes I have to go shoot the Online All Stars Luncheon for you. I think I have a finger cramp.

Anyway -- see what our bloggers think about today already on MediaPost Raw !

Invite kelly@mediapost.com to rehab - or your next big bash

Laugh at us playing "Rock Band" in the online photo set.