Anant’s diary: Keeping with the times

For two and a half years now, I’ve been writing in the print edition on places I’ve been to, people I’ve met and things that I find of interest.

Increasingly, even as I write the column, I wonder why I’m writing about something that happened, sometimes, as long as two weeks ago.

So On the QT, at least some aspects of it, shifts to campaignindia.in from today, and will appear every Monday on this site.

Last week was interesting to say the least. Got back from Goa by the redeye (6.30 departure from Dabolim), home by 8.00 am.

Back in office on Monday as I had a meeting with Jim Heekin III, chairman and CEO of Grey Worldwide. Had a long chat with him (the content of the conversation in the next issue of Campaign India and on the dotcom shortly after). Lots of plans for Grey in India, including lots of investments. Interestingly, Jim’s father was in advertising as is his son (he’s a writer with Grey). How many Indians can make the claim? None that I can think of. Correct me if I’m wrong – I’ll be delighted to be proven so.

Caught up with Charles Cadell for a drink at Geoffrey’s, carrying on a conversation that we began in Goa. One of those conversations where everything is off the record, so I’ll keep it so. Lots of food for thought and the basis for many future conversations.

Had to go into CNBC’s studio for a shoot for a Storyboard episode on Goafest. Other panelists included Colvyn Harris, Shashi Sinha, Ajay Kakar, Pradyuman Maheshwari and Raj Kurup, who I rode with to and fro Lower Parel.

Straight from CNBC to Toto’s, where I was meeting The Economist’s Suprio Guha Thakurta and O&M’s Sumanto Chattopadhyay for a drink or two. Raj stayed for a bit and SGT, SC and I spoke about the award-winning campaign for The Economist; a campaign that proves that effective, non-spam work can win awards.

Caught up with Ravi Deshpande for dinner at Olive (we skipped the dinner; I had a few beers and Ravi some sparkling water), talking about Goafest and scam and Contract's imminent 25th anniversary.

With the weekend looming, tried to experiment with an old idea: getting disparate people together for breakfast and osmosis. Invited five professionals for a breakfast at Bandra’s Salt Water Café (pictured above): Bobby Pawar (who couldn’t make it; stuck at work), Juju Basu, Josy Paul, Metal’s Trilokjit Sengupta and Haymarket colleague Girish Masand. Bumped into Farrokh Chothia who was there for a meeting.

Worked well for the first time, and I’ve decided that I’ll keep this alive till it retains energy. Change the venue as the invite list demands, but stick to the format. No one knows who else is attending.

From the breakfast to Crossword, where Lorraine Martin was shopping with her sons (one of whom, I believe, used to work for sister title Autocar). Nothing to buy, so went home and read the papers till it was time for bridge.

Easy Sunday, batteries recharged for another week, made easier by the volcano ash which cancelled thousands of flights and a few scheduled meetings.

(Picture courtesy: www.bestofbombay.com )