Monday, June 30, 1997

ICON's hot Webzine Word

On Monday, June 30, ICON held a hot party to celebrate the second anniversary of it's trend setting Webzine Word. When I say hot, I mean hot. Someone forgot to turn on the air conditioning in the Audart Gallery--an interior windowless space on 60 Broad St. They should've just passed out towels at the door 'cause the party was more like a suana than a schmooze. Word publisher Thomas Livacarri huddled with his wife in the the single room equipped with a tiny room unit air conditioner hoping feel a puff of cool air as it blew past. About the only people dressed for the sweltering occasion were the scantily clad go-go girls dancing on raised cubes to cheesey mid-sixties fake pop music in the front room. Take that Razorfish!

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Wednesday, June 25, 1997

EarthWeb Moderator Launch & Doubleclick's "Twins"

The same night EarthWeb hosted a party to launch their new Moderator software package for managing chat environments. No management needed to handle the crowd of chatters on hand to enjoy the rooftop with barbeque, good ol' greasy sliders, a view of a smokestack, and the typical club dance/bar/lounge scene inside.

I bumped into cyberscribe Katherine Cavanaugh. Tony Raposo and Matt Toner of the Canadian Consulate General in NY were on hand. The duo have become regulars on the cyberparty circuit. A bit far south for Canadians, eh? "Just part of their invasion," they admitted. Heather Champ, another Canadian, ran past to chat with EarthWeb's Alex Chaffee and up-and-coming-hip-DJ Jon Spooner. Another runner Taura Null of I-Traffic--who raced in the Corporate Challenge earlier in the week--joined Mike Essl of Chopping Block in the pleasant evening weather. One EarthWebian I managed to buttonhole with was Matthew Work, Director of Strategic Planning. He's got quite the job considering how hot chat and community enabling software has become.

Some partygoers managed to made over to the DoubleClick party at (where else?) Twins! It must've been fun considering they had (can you guess?) 2 for 1 drinks.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

CMP MEDIA's transforming publications

On Wednesday, June 25, I encountered many (almost too) media and ad people at CMP MEDIA's party celebrating the transformation of CommunicationsWeek into InternetWeek (a change announced shortly after the company folded it's consumer Net pub Netguide).

The event marked the Manhasset-based company's acknowledgement of the impact of the Net on the nerdy world of network communications. At least that's what Julie Parent and Mercedes Acosta, both of CMP, told me. Set in the cozy Au Bar with wooden arches trisecting the downstairs room, the party provided opportunities to drink with media kids, lounge with friends on faded upholstered banquettes, or dance on the slippery parquet floor. Andrew Fekula of DDB Needham did some fine groovin', decked in a Hawaiian print shirt and Bermuda shorts.

Frank Bellocchio, of Bay Networks, was a friendly chap, sharing some anedotes with Raj Sharma, of Bristol Meyers Squibb. You can imagine my thrill at finding out that Raj actually works as the Associate Director of Toxology for Clariol and tests the safety of their products. Okay girls, if you wanna go a little blond for the summer months -- check out Clairol's Ultress Born Blond, Ultimate Blonde, or Hydriance (which has less peroxide)!

When asked why he was at such an event, Dan Spiner, Managing Director of Progressive Strategies, exclaimed cheerfully, "I like to be out!' He must, because his company, which analyzes hardware and software products, has grown to 40 people in 2 years.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Engagment Congratulations - Carol Goodman

Congratulations to Carl Goodman and Jennifer Weiner on their blissful engagement! If you missed it, they had a party for close friends on 6/25 in the fab Brooklyn Anchorage.

Monday, June 23, 1997

Calendar of Events - published 6/23/97

* Monday, June 23 -- Motley Crue presents a live cybercast concert of their new album "Generation Swine" from NY's Roseland on N2K Entertainment's rocktropolis site. 8:30 p.m.

* Tuesday, June 24th -- Echo's Alt.Film presents four filmmakers from Thirteen/WNET's series REEL NEW YORK. To participate in the live chat, dial 212-292-0910 with your modem or telnet to echonyc.com and login as 'altfilm'. 8 - 10 p.m.

Friday, June 20, 1997

Thinking Media's new name launch

ALSO ON FRIDAY was Owen Davis' excellent party for his company's new name--Thinking Media and the launch of his new advertising service, ActiveAds. A bunch of WWWAC people came as did a bunch of friends of Thinking Media.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Stir Celebrates a CEO's Birthday

ON FRIDAY I VENTURED downtown to the Susie Wong Lounge in E&O for Stir president Chris McCarthy's birthday party. Deep red lighting unveiled some of our favorite glitterati: Emily Davidow, of BeHome; Josh Davidow; Tery Spataro and Alec Pollack of Stir.Net; Greg Elin; Marielle Smith; Kate Cohen, Avalanche; and Nancy Cross, Mining Company. If it weren't Chris's birthday, Zachary Cross would've stole the show--the cutest little 18 month old boy we'd ever seen. He was just as mesmerized as I was as Tery showed us the true use of a Pilot--as a lipstick compact. Heather Champ and Alex Chaffee graced our presence, and Kyle and Gabrielle Shannon descended upon us for a quick breezy "Hello."

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Thursday, June 19, 1997

Pseudo for Bytes of Bryant Park

THE FINAL EVENT of the evening was a benefit at Pseudo for Bytes of Bryant Park, an online showcase of poetry, sound, and movement patterns being developed for a six-hour event in September. There was a silent auction including an impressive list of items from the theaters, restaurants, riding instructors, beauty salons, and other luxury goodies. This event is being directed by Stephan Koplowitz, who was wearing a digital "life sign"-- created by Christopher Janney--clipped to his tie.

People appeared to dance in Bryant Park, on a TV set, when they danced in front of a blue screen (so THAT's how they did those scenes in "True Lies") One of NY's essential schoolteachers, Dawn Kersting, commented on one of the women dancers as "Murial's Wedding meets Rosemary's Baby with freckles and rosebuds in her hair." Freaky. She also touched upon another touchy issue in our new media world--"there were a lot of tall white people . . . not dancing." Large thick sheets of plastic as make-shift walls, blue and yellow gauzy ceiling scarves, rented white tables and chairs, lush fresh flowers completed the decor. I spoke briefly with Jonathan Sarno, Greg Elin, and Fedora-donned Josh Harris.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Webgenesis party (The Globe)

NEXT ON THURSDAY'S roster was the Webgenesis party. I had a lengthy talk with Todd Krizelman, the well spoken 21-year-old CEO. He told me how he and Stephan Paternot started their successful online community "The Globe" while at Cornell University. Like many new media start-ups, it began in a "window-less office with halls like submarines," and soon grew into a large loft office space. The devoted family of employees seems unique to this group, but not once you speak with Todd. This group really cares about nurturing their employees and brought most of them down with them from beautiful Upstate New York. This party was a big "thank you" to its employees, advertisers, and press. "The Globe's" success online (dozens of marriages from people who met on the site) makes sense when you see the environment it's created in--sofas provided for late night programming, dinners, rides home, and you can walk around in your socks (but "you can keep your hat on"). Also enjoying the party were Nick Butterworth, Heather Nelson, and Kamuti Kiteme of SonicNet, and Michael Winter of SiteSpecific.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

DISCmakers Independent Music World Series VIP party

I CONTINUED on to Tramps for DISCmakers Independent Music World Series VIP party. The contest was between NYC's best independent bands. After a healthy din-din of green salad, black beans and rice, and fresh fruit, I spoke with one of the judges, Thom Jack, owner of the club Spiral on Houston St. He filled me in on the grand prize for that night's winner: $25,000 in recording time; musical instruments; PR; and an indie release. Mixed in with the NY music scene crowd (lots of black jeans and cowboy boots), I spotted Rick Siegel, who was broadcasting the event on his Online TV site. Kyra, a band at the infamous Webstock, also competed.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Lycos's new offices bash

JUNE 19TH was a jam packed night. It started off at Lycos party, held at their new offices for their sales department. A Keith Haring poster and stop-light red surfboard reception desk were fun touches. Handouts included faux ray-ban sunglasses, glow-in-the-dark spider rings, and a raffle to win a magnum of Piper-Heidseik Champagne (Congratulations to Peter Grasek of Y&RNT). Caricatures by Akbar in the nice dark navy carpeted conference room.

Paul Bremer, a Lycos rep, introduced me to speak with Kelli Raftery of CBS Sports Media Relations for the Olympic Unit. After checking out the cellophane red fish fortune teller novelty, I spoke with Alicia Marziali, eastern regional sales manager for Lycos who gave me the scoop on sales efforts. Currently staffing 15 full time employees, she is planning on expanding to 30 by the end of the year. With headquarters in Framingham, MA, servers in Pittsburgh, PA, and customer service in Kentucky, Lycos embodies a 90's networked way of running operations. Speaking of networking, I also spoke with Frank DeMarco of Outside the Box Interactive, which does primarily CD-ROM work, animations and character development, and Peter Schwartz of GTFH Public Relations, who specializes in working with Health Care advocacy groups. Larry Chase and Henry Nass of General Mnemonics (wearing an original Bert Pulitzer tie) were chatting it up, munching on the good hors d'oeuvres. Henry gave me one of those other rages in Japan (not the Tomoguchi) - photos stickers by Atlus. Cute.

On my way out, a media buyer of K2 Design (who wished to remain anonymous) told me Wednesday's Cybersuds was the "worst party ever!" It was apparently all the people on the WWWAC list looking for jobs. Oy.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Wednesday, June 18, 1997

Calendar of Events - published 6/18/97

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* Wednesday, June 18th -- Webstock, a fundraiser for nonprofits Webcinema and National Cristina Foundation, is at The Frying Pan (an old barge at 23rd Street & 12th Avenue). 6 Silicon Alley live bands, dancing, magicians, circus and animal performers, NYC street performers, Sergeant Kabuki, with the Toxic Avenger, the Nuclear Mutant Squirrels, rabid grannies and Tromettes, all from Troma, cybercast by OnlineTV, celebrity lookalikes. Contact J. Sarno at $5 admission, 5pm-Midnight.

* Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 23rd St & the Hudson River, The Let's Talk Business Network & The Chelsea Piers present the first annual Business & Golf & Breakfast. It has been said that more business has been closed on the golf course than in the office. Now you have the chance to hear from an expert how to use this popular sport as a wonderful business tool. E-mail Michael Ringel for a registration form or call 212-742-1553 x208.

* Saturday, July 28, 9:30 p.m. Strangers in the Net, Long Island's first live Web concert sponsored by HamptonClick and Hamptons Online, featuring the music of The Lonesharks and accompanied by IRC from chat sites around the world -- Hansom House, 256 Elm Street, Southampton. For information, contact Stacey Donovan at 516-267-8678

Monday, June 16, 1997

CJP ad for NYPops Summermusic (@NY)

* Monday, June 16th -- Wanna know what your intrepid Cyber Scene Columnist has been up to when not hoofin' it to cyber events? Feeling like you haven't done anything worthwhile lately? Tired of blowing money on mediocre drinks in middling bars listening to median music? Conquer this malaise with a copious cornucopia of classical culture and help out tommorrows aspiring musicians so your prodigy won't have to listen to crap either. How? Come check out a fundraiser I'm chairing at:
New York Pops Summermusic concert
"Broadway Under the Stars"
Monday June 16
6pm-Wine, hors d'oeuvres and musicians
8pm-concert
Festive attire
55$ a Pops
RSVP 765.7677 by Monday am

Sunday, June 15, 1997

NYU CAT -- Preview of cutting edge technologies

Like an arcade for adults, the UltraViolet '99 NYU Center for Advanced Technology showcase on June 15 was a fireworks display for all the senses. In their newly renovated, state of the art facilities, the center had several rooms with computers and wiring and the environment for productive creativity. Interactive Technology Program student Jenna Park's creation was a soothing installation based on dreams. 5x7 inch-ish lanterns with a red glow inside suspended from the ceiling were wired so that when you touched them they created soothing sounds as they swung. Text from dreams covered the lantern-shades. I chatted with Bruce Bernstein, president, and David Jean, director of marketing, of NYSIA. They were excited about the new board they are bringing in and have lots of things going on, so check out my Calendar of Events for their listings!

Ross Goldstein of Atlantic Ventures was there to check out software from showcasers like Improv Technologies. Improv is where Jim Burris (formerly of the NYU CAT) is now working, along with the artist-in-residence Mitch Butler who was a bright addition with his bright green leaf-motif shirt. They also have, apparently, the most amazing loft-like office space!

Brad Balfour was enjoying himself as he mused about "card orgies" when you get too many in one pocket. Jude Huang, Jason Yung and David Sturman of MaMaMedia gave me an update on Fillus, the company's newest addition (and extraordinary coffee-maker). Rick Goldenberg (IBM) demoed a Web authoring tool for virtual imaging, HotMedia. Theresa McKenna of GeoTechGroup showed me how her company integrates real property data with tax maps so consumers can get valuable information. Alex Tuzhilin, an associate professor at NYU Stern was there showing off his 1:1 Pro product I met Aleksander Williams of Taurion.com and I must say Joni Nelson and Michael Covitt of the Sabatier Group win the award for the two best dressed new media financiers. On the way out I chatted with Chrisitan Cabanero of Kozmo.com, who told me they just opened an office in Seattle and are the largest distributor of Ben & Jerry's in NYC! Wow.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Saturday, June 14, 1997

Bits and Bytes - 6/14/97

On Flag Day (6/14) VAGUEpolitix officially launched on PBS Online. They are one of the few independently-developed websites hosted by PBS Online, so they are particularly excited about partnering with them.

Alyona Makeeva, a smart and beautiful designer and Russian Web Girl has almost completed her newest web site featuring her fine artwork. Alyona's work is strong and vibrant and shows intelligence, strength, whimsy at times, and history. http://www.avant-rus.com/ Her previous exhibit was at: http://www.artofrussia.com/alyona.html/ Check it out and enjoy some beautiful artwork on the Web.

The Egg Farm Dairy has launched their ice cream into cyberspace! Get yours at: http://www.cybericecream.com

CEO Mark Patricof and Cary Woods, President and CEO of Independent Pictures, announced the Phase One launch of the Independent Pictures Web site. Independent Pictures represents the next wave of independent motion picture studios. The site, which will be developed over the course of the next year, will exemplify the true spirit of independent film. Phase Two developments will involve e-commerce functionality and cultural enhancements designed to bring filmmakers into the IP fold through their provision of original content, editorial and programming. 

Lydia Sugarman announced that ChickClique, an online magazine and informal, non-exclusive club for girls, chicks, women and their friends who love reading, talking, thinking and riding bikes and do cycling will be a full blown web site by (hopefully) July 1st. The sister site of TheGoodEgg.Com, is starting off as an e-mail newsletter till publication. Go to http://www.TheGoodEgg.Com, click on ChickClique, and fill out the form for a free subscription to our mag.

Web guru David Siegel wants to see you in his long-awaited new book - as well as your boss, your co-workers, and your clients. He plans to sprinkle the headshots throughout his new book to illustrate a central principal of Futurize Your Enterprise: Winning companies of the future will be customer-led, not customer-driven, and customers will want to see themselves reflected in the sites they use. Details and special prize info. Deadline for entries is Monday, June 28, 1999. 

Mark Jeffrey (VP, Business Development / co-founder, The Palace) let us know that the Palace now has voice capabilities. Check it out!

Pics from the Methodfive Never sushi party are up at: http://www.methodfive.com

Roger Tallman, of Tallman NY and Warehouse Recording recently concluded a project for DreamWorks Ltd for an upcoming video release of "Joseph." Tallman is one of the pioneers with audio use on the Internet. His company offers a full service audio and digital video post house! Find out more at: tallman1@idt.net

Webstakes.com, a leading online sweepstakes promotions company, announced a strategic investment led by Excite@Home and XL Ventures LLC, an affiliate of Big Flower Holdings, Inc. In all, Webstakes.com secured $40 million in private funding from 12 investors.

WorldSpy (http://www.worldspy.com), an on-line research and shopping service, announced the grand opening of four new product pavilions -- Small Appliances, Home Store, Sports and Fitness, and Health and Beauty that are stocked with thousands of products from well known industry brands.
Blue Dingo has revolutionized the way business is done on the Web. With one of their clients, Volvo, they developed a radically new approach to promotion, marketing analysis and integrating media. If you haven't seen the site yet, you should take a look!. Take advantage of the sweepstakes! Win an S40 or V40.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Friday, June 06, 1997

Columbia University's Miller Theater evening of avant-guard

IN THIS VEIN, I stepped out of the digital world completely for an evening of real raw avant-guard theater at Columbia University's Miller Theater on Friday, June 6. Held in conjunction with revolutionary theater figures Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki co-artistic directors of the Saratoga International Theater Institute (SITI), the evening's performance "Small Lives/Big Dreams" was derived from the five major plays of Anton Chekhov. The directors asked: "Is it true that if we are unable to remember our past, we have no future? If we lose our memory, will we lose our humanity?"

I find these questions pertinent as we approach the end of the millennium in this digital metropolis at hyper-speed (translation: getting to 2000 quickly in NYC). Companies are being bought, sold, opened, closed; e-mail lists and organizations are struggling with the move forward and the incredible change; seminars, conferences, pow-wows are every week dissecting, grilling, devouring, and digesting all the pomegranate facets of this industry. We must, and will move forward, and yet to forget our rich histories of where we came from personally and professionally is a mistake. As the character representing the Cherry Orchard so aptly put it, "There must be new forms . . . And if there are none, there must be none at all."

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Thursday, June 05, 1997

Live Chat: "Secrecy or social contract: The Worldwide Cryptography Debate"

HIBERNATING ON-LINE I checked out the live chat "Secrecy or social contract: The Worldwide Cryptography Debate" on June 5, hosted by the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information. The lineup included assistant director Stephen Messer, chat host Richard Field, chairman of the Electronic Commerce Payment Committee, ABA. The chat had many noteworthy panelists from a legal background. Rich Field started off the debate with a thought-provoking question that stirred quite an interesting dialogue. It was based on "the premise of Rousseau's Social Contract that the individual must be willing to give up certain rights in society, in order to provide for the common defense, and... well, you get the picture." I highly recommend checking out the transcript on this most important topic.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)

Tuesday, June 03, 1997

launch party for Nick.com

WHEW! IT MUST be the pending hot summer days that have slowed things down after the frenzy of last week.

BRIGHTLY COLORED clunky keyboards, large screens of Ren & Stimpy, four-feet-tall big orange balls . . . who could ask for anything more? The launch party for Nick.com (the on-line service of Nickelodeon TV) on Tuesday, June 3, at 1515 B'way, would be any kid's dream. Executive producer Jed Weissberg took us through the extensive site and highlighted many of its playful qualities. We were dazzled not only with his green-purple silk shimmery jacket but also the top sections including "TV," "Big Help," "Games," "Magazine," and "Juicy" which was developed by kids for kids. Munching on cheese fondue, humongous chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a chaser of Rugrats gummy candy, our eyes were a-poppin' at the fun games on the site. Programmed by the much news-mentioned Spiral Media--president Art Williams was present--the site also got a boost from Rare Medium. A last glance over the aesthetically calming gravel patio garden gave us a great view of the LG Group logo in Times Square.

(Appeared originally in @The Scene in the @NY newsletter)