My experience of Mad Men-esk parties

Last week half a cow was delivered to the office, so we had a barbecue to make space in the freezer for all the meat. It got me thinking about some of the crazy things I have seen over the past couple of years. I won’t name the companies involved, but too be fair some of the wilder parties were clients not agencies.

1. When I was not quite 18 I went to a pop star themed client Christmas party. The night involved driving between different drinking locations on a party bus, really classy. For a lot of the staff the party ended at Boogie Wonderland, but for a few us the night went on across the road. I have no idea how I got in without ID, but there was no door charge for ladies.

2. Just a couple of weeks later the world-wide CEO of the agency came to Auckland. On a sunny Friday morning it was announced that the whole agency (100+ people) were invited to lunch at Soul. I remember looking at the pricey menu and freaking out because the entrees were more than I made in an hour. At about 5pm I realised we were not going back to the office and I was not expected to pay for my lunch or the bottle of wine I had drunk over that time. So it’s true that long lunches still exist in advertising, but that’s the only one I’ve been to.

3. While I was in uni the for-mentioned client hired me part time. They threw a lot of really fun parties over the three years I was there, but one in particular stood out. It was jungle themed and therefore held at the Auckland zoo. The entertainment; midgets dressed as pigmies (photo above). Need I say anymore?

4. Another memorable client party was hosted by a high end fashion house. There was only one beverage “on tap”, but I wasn’t complaining about the constant refills of Moet. The party was held in a series of marquees put up on Bastion Point, which has an amazing view of Auckland. The Iwi were invited and I chatted to a school friend’s aunty about how bizarre we both found it to be standing outside a Marae surrounded by the world’s best sailors and fashion designers.

5. To finish off the list I should probably mention the time I made some ads for an airline and my boss took me and the client out for dinner and drinks. In Honolulu. The night started with some casual cockatails watching the sunset and one of Hawaii’s best hula dancers perform. Afterwards we got Japanese and ended the night at the infamous Yard House. Which is when the domain www.scrotumbags.com was purchased.

So yes this industry is every bit as seedy as Mad Men makes it out to be, but it is also as incredibly fun. Most of the time.