"I'm not going to wash this hand for at least a week!"
-Larry Postaer of Rubin Postaer at the Belding awards show in Los Angeles, after shaking hands with Belding Bowl winner Lee Clow
Monica's Ad-Ventures
Ex-Intern Interested in the Agency Business
What's next for Monica Lewinsky after her 15 months of fame? Try this: The former White House intern and ex-girlfriend of Bill Clinton turned government witness, author and now actor after her appearance on Saturday Night Live is "absolutely" interested in a possible ad career, says her lawyer.
Monica "likes advertising and it's certainly something she would be interested in," says attorney Richard Hofstetter of Frankfurt, Garbus, Klein & Selz in Manhattan, whose firm also works with several shops.
Lest we forget, Lewinsky scored interviews with Young & Rubicam, American Express and Revlon-with the help of First Pal
Vernon Jordan. More recently, Lewinsky has received "endorsement offers" from several companies, reports Hofstetter. So does Monica want to appear in commercials or work at a shop? "Maybe both," says Hofstetter. "She's a young woman trying to decide what to do with her life." Sources tell ShopTalk that a few shops have contacted her reps already. (You know who you are). Monica's immediate plans are to "take a break," says publicist Jamie Brickhouse of St. Martin's Press, which published her tell-all, Monica's Story. Meanwhile, don't hold your breath for an appearance in Playboy. While sources say there was some early talks about a layout-possibly by Herb Ritts who shot her for Vanity Fair-they ended last year. ƒ
Roll Model
Take a bagel. Spray paint it gold. Staple a red ribbon to it. Whaddya got?
The top prize in an internal awards program at Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners-"The Golden Bagel."
For the third year in a row, the New York shop will recognize staffers who create the best ideas with gold, silver and bronze bagels. There will also be a "Golden Bialy" for the best idea never produced. And this year, for the first time, the shop will award a "Golden Cruller"-for best presentation.
Traditionally, Kirshenbaum has prided-or deluded-itself that it floats above the whole creative awards hype. The Bagels, on the other hand, are kitschy enough that they won't be confused with a Clio, a Lion or a Pencil. Take heed, winners-don't plan on keeping this trophy on the mantelpiece in your den, if you have one that is. Last year's batch disintegrated despite thorough lacquering.
"It's kind of like a New York fun thing," Richard Kirshenbaum explained to ShopTalk. He should know-the wild-maned exec has the honor of judging the contest along with creative chief Bill Oberlander. "We're not taking ourselves too seriously," adds Kirshenbaum.
The shop gathers its 200-plus staffers together every year for the internal awards. Last year's top winner (a team that created Web banner ads for Sony Station) was feted at a restaurant in trendy TriBeCa. This year's winners will be revealed at a restaurant on May 24. A drum roll please. Or should that be a buttered roll? ƒ
Martinis And Manicures
Golf Replacement Therapy on Female Agenda
As we approach the lazy days of summer, a time-honored ad agency ritual is picking up steam. Namely, agency executives-mostly guys-playing hooky by taking their clients out for some old-fashioned "male bonding" on the golf course.
Yes, we all know that smoking cigars and swilling beers on the green is a great way for the fellas to entertain clients. And sure, we know more women than ever are playing golf these days. But what if you don't play golf? How do you get to goof off?
Amazon Advertising, the San Francisco shop founded by a pair of veteran ad women, has an answer to this conundrum: head for the beauty parlor. Seems the ladies of Amazon plan to woo their new client Collagen Aesthetics by taking them on a trip to the Beauty Bar-a retro hot spot in the Bay Area where patrons can get makeup and beauty treatments while enjoying martinis and other pick-me-ups.
The shop came up with the idea after the Amazon staff enjoyed manicures and drinks in the classic 1950s beauty salon turned bar and gave it a thumbs-up as a cool place to entertain.
"The place is hysterical," Millie Olson, Amazon co- founder, tells ShopTalk.
Gender issues aside, she says, "It's another good excuse to have fun." Added bonus:
What could be a more perfect spot to entertain a client that touts collagen implants and anti-aging skin products? ƒ