• by Kelly Samardak , January 22, 2009

OMMA Agency Of The Year Awards, The Yale Club, New York
January 20, 2009

What would the mating call of agency types be? Would it be the sound of storyboard marker squeaking? Would it be the gentle ting of the "launch .exe" button? Maybe it's more of a subconscious noise -- one that makes you want to run out and eat a Whopper even though you've never had one before. Either way, OMMA Magazine put it out, and the agencies descended upon the Yale club in droves, but more to network than mate. Although, hey, to each his/her own!

If you're in the murky waters of online media, marketing, and advertising and you don't read OMMA,you should (in fact, I'm pretty sure when you sign for a MediaPost membership some qualify for a complimentary subscription). I know this sounds all marketing and such, but the writers are great, and the editorial team keeps it colorful. When the glossy new editions hit the MP office, I always scoop one up to read (you know, after I've completed work stuff...). It will light your way through what can sometimes be quite a confusing cave system.

You know what (or who) else can light your way? The top agencies who won the 2008 OMMA Agency of the Year awards: Gold Agency of the Year: Digitas; Silver Agency of the Year: OMD Digital; Bronze Agencies of the Year: Web Design and Development: Schematic; Media Buying and Planning: Havas Digital; Creative: Firstborn Search: GroupM Search.

Everyone was piled into the Yale Club Grand Ballroom for the cocktail reception. I was sweating because I'm sweaty by nature, but I soon learned that with the heat generated from the bodies, the red vino, the chafing dishes, and perhaps just the explosive overactive creative imaginations, it was just going to be a warm reception regardless.

Anyway, I had a chance to yuck it up with a few of the guests including Steve Katelman of OMD, who tried to convince me he wasn't the real Steve Katelman - even placing his beer in front of his nametag. However, his friends ratted him out. Alan Cohen, U.S. CEO of OMD, was also there. I always confuse him with Tom Siebert from Initiative, but he's not Tom, he's Alan.

Carey Taylor of Getty Images was taking pictures with her mind. I also spoke with Ariel Michael of Fileitup Media in front of the food buffet. There appeared to be some sort of healthy vegetable goulash dinner situation, but it was entirely too veggie-laden and not deep-fried-meat enough for me (and were those tortellini?) It confused me, so I opted into the passed trays, which had my favorites: cocktail wieners, chicken satay (mmm, peanut sauce), some weird combo cup of corn, salsa, guac, and sour cream, and other versions of meat on a stick.

Mel Bessaha and Steve Kurtz of Collective Media mingled near the beverage bar, where Sheryn MacMunn from AccuWeather.com Mobile was probably hoping no one from Weather.com showed up. Could have been a little stormy. The Akamai threesome of Cari Weinberg, Elyssa DuBoys, and Amy Deneson were enjoying the cracked open window which, yes, opened into one of the coldest nights of January, but felt really good compared to the easy-bake situation towards the center of the room.

Chris Paul from Digitas was hanging with Courtney Stuart of Vibrant Media, and Jay Lauf of The Atlantic thumbed his nose at The Yale Club dress code and spiffed up his jacket with a pair of jeans.

Avery Holden and the Firstborn crew fanned out by a round table, in a stylish circle of leather and velvet, while MediaPost's own Liam Flemming kept Cindy Spellman, Director of Corporate Communications at Outrider company.

I nearly missed Belle Lenz and Ted Flanagan of DiGennaro Commnications who were on the elevator up, which I mistakenly got on after already getting off on the wrong floor. But, hey, everything happens for a reason. 

Aim high, kids -- and next year it could be you enjoying tasty treats and delicious beverages with your agency people.

Invite kelly@mediapost.com to your tasty event!

Flip through the photos on Flickr!