Over 1,000 attendees scrubbed up beautifully, in their DJs and glittering ballgowns. Golin Harris’ Matt Neale went for his usual 1960s London playboy look, while Mark Borkowski stuck to his 1970s impresario attire. And Weber Shandwick boss Colin Byrne was wearing….er, what exactly was he wearing? The dresses were equally individual, although spare a thought for Kindred Agency’s board director Anastasia Scott. She quickly discovered that the girl sitting behind her was wearing exactly the same dress. An emergency call to Gok Wan was required.
A few public sector comms heads were noticeably absent from the event. BBC’s Ed Williams and Paul Mylrea and the Department of Health’s Sian Jarvis all sent their last minute apologies. Just our luck that the event coincided with the BBC’s licence fee announcement – and the small matter of the Comprehensive Spending Review. But Flack believes it is time these people got their priorities right.
No such absenteeism from the 2010 PR Professional of the Year, Alex Cole (formerly Cadbury’s comms chief and now corporate supremo at Freuds) who was celebrating in style on the dancefloor – well into the early hours - alongside her new Freud Communications colleagues, including the legendary Oli Wheeler.
Last year’s Consultancy of the Year Edelman left the ceremony rather sharpish – having just been pipped to the Global Agency of the Year Award by Burson-Marsteller and to Consultancy of the Year by Mischief - and tucked themselves away in the Grosvenor’s Red Bar all night. Sulky, sulky! Mischief founder Mitch Kaye just looked plain shell-shocked. Or was it just the endless bottles of champagne he was ordering?
Overheard in the bar…Markettiers4dc chairman Howard Kosky and Frank PR founder Graham Goodkind discussing a potential PR celebrity boxing match. Apparently Goodkind is already in training… Flack demands a ringside seat for that one. Industry stalwart and PRWeek fave Giles Fraser was there until the bitter end and Octopus staff were admirably filling the dancefloor.
…and, finally, spare a thought for poor Paratus Communications consultant Adam Vincenzini, who got mistaken for a waiter. 'I got a rude repsonse when I said I had no idea where you got drinks from…’ said Adam.
Do you have a funny story about the night? Email: flack@haymarket.com
