Thursday, October 08, 1998

Internet World: SAR party

From Javits a group of us walked over to Mr. Jason Calacanis' vast bash at Studio 450. Hyped up as one of the biggest and best Internet World parties, this "executive cocktail reception" was far from exclusive. There were lots of people, possibly a representative from the majority of Alley companies, but the large parties that resemble mob scenes are more than this journalist can deal with after a week of conferencing. Fellow WWWAC Board member Larry Aronson and headed out for a nice calm dinner at Peryali.

Internet World: WWWAC, Webgrrls and NYNMA event "Soho to IPO: Silicon Alley Matures and Faces Its Growing Pains

Continuing the frenzied pace of Internet World, typical of any conference in town, I headed over to the Jacob K. Javits center on Thursday, October 8th along with Howard Greenstein, Eric Goldberg, Deb Shultz, and Eileen Shulock to begin setup for the WWWAC, Webgrrls and NYNMA event "Soho to IPO: Silicon Alley Matures and Faces Its Growing Pains." Formerly the Silicon Village event, this year the panel discussion, lead by Lisa Napoli was an attempt to discuss, debate, and discern how New York has gone from a town of small startups to a major leading city for new media and companies financial success. Unfortunately, once again the impressive array of panelists (Kevin O'Connor, Doubleclick; Martin Nisenholtz, NYTimes; Candice Carpenter, iVillage; Glenn Meyers, Raremedium; Scott Kurnit, The Mining Company) failed to say much beyond "safe" topics. I think people go to panels because they are interested in the topic. They would like to learn something from the esteemed speakers or be exposed to a meaty debate. Instead we are feed pat answers and recycled musings. Ms. Napoli made valiant efforts to draw out inspired answers and asked a few charged questions, "If you could be one of the other panelists, who would you be?" Mark Stalhman shouted out from the audience of "Up the Alley!" With his charge, the panel ended and the 400+ attendees streamed back into room 1E11 for more cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. This event was successful in bringing together a terrific menagerie of industry professionals ranging from programmers to account people to board members from NYNMA and WWWAC to anyone who has an interest in new media and especially in New York.

Wednesday, October 07, 1998

Internet World: TRUSTe announcement

Considering one of the biggest obstacles for consumers and non-Internet-industry professionals is privacy online, and what happens to their information once submitted to a site, the TRUSTe (www.truste.org) organization's announcement of its Privacy Partnership was yet another important piece of news during Internet World. Executive director of this independent, non-profit, industry initiative, Susan Scott announced the impressive statistic that there will be over 200 million banner impressions due to the combined efforts of the founding companies' sites and other participants. A glittery assortment of founding company executives spoke of the importance of this program for community building, trust, and security issues for the consumer and their experience on the Internet. The press event, which was Wednesday, October 7th, was wrapped up with Andrew Zolli, vice president, interactive media, Siegel & Gale, showing the banner ad campaign that his company created (along with the program's identity).

Nerve's 1st Book & LawNMoweR

While Nerve magazine (www.nerve.com) continued celebrating the release of their first book at a watering hole near the Astor Place Barnes & Noble, the LawNMoweR organization continued its festivities until about 11:00 PM at the Roxy. What would be coverage of this year's Internet World without mentioning the big publicity stunt by The Mining Co. accommodating the press with Ferrari and regular limos. These giant slugs carried around the crowds from one party to the next during the conference. One colleague mentioned that some journalists were less than sophisticated and pocketed the "free" beers. "You didn't even have to pay for them? Hey! What class!

News in the Digital Age @ Columbia

From there I caught the number 1 train and went to the completely opposite end of the Island and landed at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. AT&T sponsored a panel discussion on "News in the Digital Age" moderated by Lesley Stahl. Dr. Thomas Middlehoff of Bertelsmann, Steve Case of America Online, and Bob Wright of NBC were among the panelists. Attendees included John Pavlik, director of Columbia University's Center for New Media, Sreenath Sreenivasan, associate prof. at the school, the dynamic Renee Edelman of PR21, Jennifer Michalski of Antenna Group, and Katherine Cavenaugh. Jeff Ratner of Brand Dialogue, Dana Blankenhorn (www.a-clue.com), and Robert Silverman (NBC.com) came up for the delicious, hearty, yummy, filling hors d'ouevres. I certainly enjoyed them as I chatted with these interesting thinkers. And what did they think of the panel? Well, it seemed to most that Ms. Stahl hadn't done her homework and many wondered if she'd ever been online. While the topic "The Information Revolution: What comes next?" was ripe for discussion, most panelists managed to get through it without committing to much and reverted to topics comfortable, familiar, and safe -- their companies and personal anecdotes.

The Industry Standard @ NASDAQ

Later on Wednesday the party scene picked up, which is another major component of this conference for many attendees. A typical week for me, now I am joined by thousands of people who attempt to go to the events, meet people, and see what's going on. The Industry Standard had a spectacular space for its party, in the NASDAQ Television studio at 33 Whitehall Place, but hors d'ouevres were non-existent. I managed to catch a mini lobster wrap, but considering this was a cocktail party from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, you think they would've feed the hungry guests a little better. In any case, I had lovely conversations with Erik Endress of Thomson Financial Services (www.thomsoninvest.net), Elliot Ng of NetCentives, and Graeme Thickins of GTA Marketing. Michael Bayle and Adrian Vanzl of Link Exchange, and Michael Lee and I enjoyed some moments in the packed corridor of this slick, high-tech, many video-screened studio. Riva Syrop and Nova Spivak of Earthweb, Chris Bayers, Senior Writer, Wired took a peek at the newest issue of The Standard, and marveled at the lawyer-cum-model in Earthweb's newest ad.

Tuesday, October 06, 1998

First Edition of "Courtney Pulitzer's Cyber Scene"

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

You have known me for years as the best source for what is happening in the New York Cyber Social Scene.  As the industry has expanded, my interests have also expanded.

My readers have been asking for more reporting on industry trends, movers and shakers, and the buzz that makes New York as one of the greatest places for new media to thrive. One of my goals is to live up to your requests and deliver the newest, coolest, sassiest, inside news on The Scene. I hope to continue to deliver the best, wittiest, and most useful information. To be the best, I need your help. Email me with your news and views, career changes, and event information and I will keep the community abuzz with what's happening.  If you enjoy the column, forward a copy to your friends!

So let's get going.

Welcome to the first edition of "The Scene with Courtney Pulitzer."

This week at Internet World there were the typical hyped-up parties, events and seminars galore, and panels that fell far below expectations.

Swing magazine's Battle of the Unsigned Bands

Things were swinging at the Swing magazine's Battle of the Unsigned Bands down in the West Village at the West Beth Theater, this same evening. While David Lauren, president and editor-in-chief of Swing, announced the winner -- Youngster, I caught up with old Skidmore classmate of mine, Andrew Lauren. Currently working on a film with Woody Allen and a few other projects, it seems as if life has been treating him well since our former school days. Ted Werth of Digital Club Network and Jeremy Kagan of Volatile Media were there checking out the bands, as was David Meadows of ScreenShop.com.

Internet World: Financial Sites Storm the Internet party

With such a focus on financial and corporate news, I thought it appropriate to start off the week at the Hoover's Online, EDGAR-Online, and Pequot Systems' "Financial Sites Storm the Internet" party on Tuesday, October 6th. The Typhoon brewery, an appropriate choice given the title of the event, was packed with business associates and "financial types." I had a great long chat with Brian McCracken of iSyndicate (http://www.isyndicate.com). Chris Allbritton (AP news) and I spoke at length with Chris Hayes (www.hayes.net), Rick Robinson and of Michael Peroff (www.strategicdomain.com), and Mark Pasetsky (www.middleberg.com). Jay Sears, vice president, marketing and business development of EDGAR-Online, introduced me to Ajit "Professional Thinker" Kambil, who came up with the electronic filing system for SEC and now is at Anderson Consulting and an Assistant Professor at Stern School of Business at NYU. Jack Gardner, national advertising manager at Hoovers, was telling me all about the thriving scene in Dallas and Austin, TX. Hmmm, maybe a trip is in order to check it out! Kimberly Benedetto, manager customer support, EDGAR-Online and Michael Valentin, director, internet technology, were also present enjoying the evening. Before I left I had a breath of fresh air by speaking with Michael Wolff and his exuberant wife Ms. Anthoine.

The Start of Internet World

Starting out like Mercury, quick and light-footed, trying to see everything at the Javits Center and ending with the slow plodding of a pack-horse, most people think of Internet World as a blessing and a curse. In addition to the buzz and hype generated around this conference, the Internet industry has been abuzz with news of CDnow and N2K possibly merging and with Bertelsmann purchasing 50% of Barnes and Noble.com. All this and a market that just hasn't reflected a positive outlook for the industry has many people spinning.

The Start of Internet World

Starting out like Mercury, quick and light-footed, trying to see everything at the Javits Center and ending with the slow plodding of a pack-horse, most people think of Internet World as a blessing and a curse. In addition to the buzz and hype generated around this conference, the Internet industry has been abuzz with news of CDnow and N2K possibly merging and with Bertelsmann purchasing 50% of Barnes and Noble.com. All this and a market that just hasn't reflected a positive outlook for the industry has many people spinning.

Thursday, October 01, 1998

Norma Kamali showroom online and off

From there I visited the Norma Kamali showroom (www.omo-norma-kamali.com), whose website I built in 1996 and then the showroom of XMI. John Young, national sales director, XMI, showed me a gorgeous selection of high-end, beautiful ties and shirts. Something to keep in mind, gentlemen, for next week's series of posh parties. Yes, Virginia (and Virgil) there is something other than Banana Republic and Armani!

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

Appointments About Town

Harkening back to the days of social calls and leisurely lunches, Thursday, October 1st, I dashed about town paying visits to an assortment of people vested in the care and development of new media. NYNMA's executive director, Alice O'Rourke and I had a delicious lunch at Savoy in Soho. The planning of some exciting (and fun!) future events were among the topics, volunteering and busy lives were others. After this healthful meal I visited with David West Smith of Global Emerging Markets and had a rich conversation about his firm's investment background. Chris Brown, director and founder of the New York office was savoring what he could of his lunch that long time school-mate and friend Tom Courts (pres. and CEO, Sportscappers.com) wasn't relishing!

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