The Mobile Entertainment Awards pre-show party, Medio, fudge and lots more…
Rating: from fun, to surreal to lots of laughs (hiccup)
At about 6.30 I departed company from Paul Goode and found my invitees Roger Davies Business Development Manager Medio Systems and with him was Lee Joseph GM Medio Systems Europe. Despite having spoken to Lee on the phone, this was the first time I met him.
I have to break out now as Lee and Roger are extremely different. Roger is (I have to say it) a party animal. He knows everyone (and I mean everyone). If the mobile world was a gangster film he would be like the FIXER. He can charm sweets from a baby and do it in a way the baby would still be his best friend.
Lee is nothing like I expected. I remember when I worked at Current Analysis a lot of the US guys would say “I am European” but really weren’t (REALLY). So, as I was in the party hard let hair down mood, I was hoping that I would be sitting next to Roger not him at the event. But, looks and impressions are deceiving and Lee is indeed an American in European clothing.
The first part of our conversation we played dirty checking each others knowledge of each other, the market, competitors and mobile search.. I wanted to suss him out as a sales guy and when he looked me in the eye and said, “If I want business, Bena – I get it”. Now between him and fixer Roger I can believe it!. Moving on, after Lee passed all my (must do) analyst checks we relaxed and shifted into relax mode – which made the evening so much fun.
Apart from the fact that Lee guessed I was 38 (very bad move) and to hide the shame of him getting it so wrong I said, “no, nearer 36” – but I am only 34 – and I don’t look older. I really don’t. NO. REALLY. SO THERE.
But then the fudge.
So we got to the tables – I died when I realised I was going to be on the best Platinum sponsor Nokia table at the event.. at the very front. But then I REALLY died, when there looked like there wasn’t a space for me and Mr. no show might have shown-up. Roger fixer started saying “don’t worry – I’ll fix it” and suddenly another chair and dinner set where put on the table and Nokia’s managers were saying its fine don’t worry – when I said I would wait at the bar.
Everyone was telling me don’t worry and when everyone sat down there was another seat available on the next table – but the damage was done – I was in blush (I’m a freeloader) mode; which Roger was managing until the Nokia’s Head of Content shouted “hello. The invitation was for ONE. Not one plus guest”.
Ouch. If the floor could have swallowed me – I would have gladly let it.
I took a sip out of my double brandy sat back and thought – its gonna be one of those nights!
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