Thursday, March 10, 2011

Day 4: Moving Day

Writing this at the start of Day 5, Thursday. Just got an email welcoming me to SXSW. Going over to pick up my badge in a while. But you don't need a SXSW badge to enjoy Austin. More about that following.

I moved to the Omni yesterday to a one bedroom suite for the duration of the trip. I have finally been able to shut off the alarm. Still woke fairly early this morning, heading up to the roof where there is a lap pool. I love swimming outside, especially on rooftops. It's great up there.

Last night, I had dinner at the Belmont, American food with a nice bar and a club venue attached for music. At dinner were Mike Donahue, EVP of the 4A's, the legendary Tim McClure and his many stories, Lynn Bolger of comScore, Lana McGilvray of Datran who like Tim a local and has been very helpful in navigating the many options here, Bob DeSena who regaled us with many stories, Steve Sarner of Tagged.com, the one who is providing limo services for us around town and Chick Foxgrover CEO of the 4A's who also had great stories (well everyone around the table did). There was a lot of talk about Catholic schools and Nun punishment. Those who went to schools like that seemed in the majority. Chick talked about guys who would go the hockey rink when they knew they were going to get the paddle and sit on the ice before to deaden the effect! Quite a strategy. He also told me that he lived up the block from us on Potrero Hill in the 70's. Apparently our house was used in the movie Foul Play as a whorehouse. Gonna have to check that out!

After dinner, walking back to the hotel down 6th street, heard a band and wandered a little further. No cover. $6 for a Pilsner Urquell. And a rocking four piece band doing Charlie Musselwhite style blues. I'm a Man, I'm a Hootchie Cootchie Man. Band was called Swamp Dogs and the venue was Friends, just one of many places in Austin to hear great live music. The also did a great version of Iko Iko and others. Wonderful nightcap.

The 4A's conference was definitely worthwhile. If you are in the advertising or media business, it should be on your conference schedule. And, I won an iPad courtesy of Tremor Media for coming up with the closest answer to video growth in the next few years. Dale will be the beneficiary of this as he can use it in his production stack. Amazing the uses for the iPad in the creative arts these days. I can't live without mine for many uses and it's time to get Karen one too.

Heading out into the day shortly. More to come.

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