• by Kelly Samardak , September 23, 2008

Online Media MashUp, The World Bar, New York
September 20, 2008

Falling on swords is fun, right? I never really got that phrase in business. I mean, why would you ever say to a client "I'll fall on my sword for that"? If someone said that to me, I would have to cut them loose for being too overdramatic (well, more dramatic than me) and also in need of counseling for their suicidal ambitions. I'm going to use it now because what is one thing that I've said before about other people's invitations? Something about directions? Yeah. I read and reread the invitation and never thought to double-check the location.

So now I can say "well, I'll fall on my sword for that." Leading up to the event I worried that people might not show on a Saturday.  It helped that this happened to be the Saturday right after OMMA and before the big Advertising Week rehab competition, which translates into an opportunity to reconnect and sort of kickstart the big week ahead.

And that's just what people did! Let's see, what's the rundown? We had the usual suspects: Joe Ciarallo, Editor, PRNewser and Senior Account Executive, Horn Group, and his friend Brian, dude in a hat; Matt Caldecutt, man about town and Trylon PR blogger and mastermind; Gail Hilton, Director of Sales and Marketing for Qwikker; Nate Mack, hostel owner and professional rafting (the whitewater kind, not the pool floatie) instructor and guide; and of course, my usual plus-one.

There were some fresh finds Saturday night as well. For instance we had in attendance the lovely Melissa Mazenett, Sales Development Manager, PLATFORM-A | AOL Media Properties; Leslie Rasimas, Executive Director, New York Festivals; and Swetal Patel, Director, Advertiser Services, MediaWhiz. Kimberly Small, Digital Integration Director at Hearst, had just returned from Japan and where was her first stop? Duh, the Online Minute Mashup! She had a lot to talk about with Shehan De Silva, international man of mystery who was there with his brother Amal. Small was there with Kristen Werner, Sr. Manager, Consumer Marketing at Condé Nast. 

Was it the perfect night out? Was it the swank bar, boisterous bartender with an easy smile and an even faster shakey-shake hand, or the good people forgiving of erroneous directions? Maybe it was Alexis and Marcia (they have last names somewhere!) with their Target bags full of fun.  You might want to ask Robin Willis, Vice President of The Perfect Night Out™, a new business focusing on getting you to and from your well-planned evening in one piece. Her team works with you (yeah, you!) and your plans, then connects with restaurants and bars to nab some sweet deals -- and you can ONLY get the discounts and packages if you use the car service home. So, good deals only come to those who don't drive drunk. Robin brought her daughter along for the Mashup ride. 

Who else was there? Oh, Lisa Merriam, Merriam Associates, a recently free freelancer/consultant/video casting, children's book networking fiend, was making the rounds and was deep in discussion with Ciarallo at one point. Maybe they were talking about the $50 drink that The World Bar boasts. I wanted someone to order it so we could all share it, looking really high-class -- scorpion-bowl style. I don't think anyone did, but I saw quite a few mojitos in play. Another Online Mashup is wrapped up, attracting a down-to-earth bunch yet again. Looking forward to seeing even more of you at next month's! 

Send your party invitations to kelly@mediapost.com

See the very lovely World Bar on Flickr!