Tech Daily Dose

Future Of The Internet Was Posh For A Night

The good folks over at 463 Communications know that tech-related parties make for one of my favorite blog topics so I was glad when they sent me this little gem, which I would have seen on their own blog eventually. [Sidebar: I'm not sure why I didn’t think to blog about 463's annual Ocho de Mayo party -- it was a who's who of tech policy flacks, hacks, wonks, etc. at Chef Geoff's in downtown D.C.]

Anyway, 463er Katie Hallen writes:

Arianna Huffington and Melanie Ellison threw a posh soiree for Berkman Center for Internet Society Co-Founder Jonathan Zittrain this past Saturday night in honor of his new book, "The Future of the Internet – And How To Stop It."

Held at the Ellison’s breathtaking, ubermodern Pacific Heights home overlooking Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, the party was well attended by Silicon Valley celebrities including Melanie’s husband, Larry Ellison, Larry Page and Craig Newmark (sporting an Obama pin).

Others included Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown, Phil Bronstein, Yves Behar (designer of the XO laptop), USA Today’s Jon Swartz (co-author of the cybersecurity caper "Zero Day Threat"), and Stanford Law’s Joshua Cohen (leading John Rawls philosopher and editor of the Boston Review). And, myself.

The Wall Street Journal’s Kara Swisher posted this fun video capturing the evening and thoughts on the book. For more, Zittrain discusses the book tonight on Charlie Rose. The Berkman Center is a 463 client.

Posted by Andrew at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Web Stars Shine In Washington

The annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night didn’t suffer from a lack of celebrity. Among those I spotted (and a few that I schmoozed) included former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; actress Morgan Fairchild; actress-turned-autism activist Jenny McCarthy; actor Aaron Eckhart; Martha Stewart; and the legendary Larry King. Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Pam Anderson, and Ashlee Simpson were also in attendance.

But the aspect that makes this post Tech Daily Dose-worthy was the presence of Mario Armando Lavandeira -- better known as gossip blogger Perez Hilton -- and Amber Lee Ettinger (a.k.a. Obama Girl from the "I Got A Crush On Obama" YouTube craze). I ran into Ettinger briefly before the dinner but Hilton, clad in a shiny suit jacket, showed up at the Capitol File after-party where big screen siren Rosario Dawson mingled and Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz DJed. What a night it was!

Posted by Andrew at 09:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Old, New Media Clash At Annual Radio & TV Gala

Wednesday's annual Radio & Television Correspondents' Association Dinner was a classy affair, as always, replete with political celebrities from both sides of the aisle; TV personalities; and a host of other D.C. power brokers. Comedian and blogger Mo Rocca was the featured entertainer and his observations about old and new media elicited a chuckle -- at least from those of us who like to straddle the line between the two worlds.

Rocca, who writes the blog Mo Rocca 180 (whose tagline is: "only half as tedious as the regular news"), riffed about the extent to which the radio and TV business is considered cutting-edge, mentioning the industry in the same breath as cave-painting. He also asked whether there were any bloggers in the audience (and made a joke about them courageously leaving their parents' basements).

In this reporter/blogger's humble opinion, Vice President Dick Cheney's shtick got more laughs. He started his speech by donning the wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that created a buzz in the blogosphere last week. Read about that uproar here. More coverage of the dinner can be found at FishbowlDC here and the Washington Post here.

Posted by Andrew at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Former FCC Chairman, Workaholic Honored

Former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley received an award -- and some ribbing -- at Thursday night's Radio and Television News Directors Foundation dinner. He was honored for his contributions to the field of communications, particularly his role in launching the digital television transition.

Newspaper Association of America President John Sturm, who served as Wiley's adviser at the commission and presented the award, said it is "much more fun to be his client than his lawyer." Wiley, who is now the top attorney in Wiley Rein's communications division, "still thinks he's chairman" of the FCC, Sturm joked.

A videotaped tribute included testimonials from admirers, including current Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, and showed a placard on Wiley's desk bearing the workaholic's motto: "Thank God It's Monday." Associated Press CEO Tom Curley, NBC-Universal Vice President of Diversity Paula Madison and CBS legend Bob Schieffer were also honored.

Posted by Andrew at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hot Ticket: RTNDF Dinner

The Radio and Television News Directors Foundation will host its annual First Amendment Awards on Thursday night at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. Former FCC Chairman Richard Wiley will get a special award recognizing his contributions to the field of communications.

Associated Press CEO Tom Curley will receive the First Amendment Leadership Award; NBC-Universal Vice President of Diversity Paula Madison will get the First Amendment Service Award; and CBS legend Bob Schieffer will receive the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award. He'll also perform with his band, Honky Tonk Confidential.

Posted by Andrew at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

VIPs Show Up For Google Party

(Photo Credit: Andrew Noyes)

Google christened its new Washington office on Thursday night with a star-studded party. VIPs included House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., as well as Reps. Chris Cannon, R-Utah; Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.; Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas; Darrell Issa, R-Calif.; Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.; and James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein, Michael Copps, Robert McDowell and Deborah Taylor Tate also stopped by. Other notables included ex-Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, Washington Post legend Bob Woodward and veteran broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff.

The affair attracted a who's who of technology policy pros, a list of whom would take up too much room in this blog post. You know who you are and I saw you having a good time sipping neon drinks and munching on sushi and coconut-covered shrimp. More than 650 guests RSVPed.

Posted by Andrew at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Web Firms Party Heartily, Sensibly

Silicon Valley's holiday parties in the heyday of the Internet were an extravagant, lavish sight to behold. Champagne, caviar, huge bonuses and who knows what else. Then, the Web bubble burst and employees drank boxed wine in the break room.

These days, the industry is back on its feet and the sector has embraced a more practical partying sensibility, at least in Washington. Case in point: eBay, Google, InterActiveCorp (which owns Ask.com) and Yahoo teamed up to throw a joint holiday bash on Monday night at a reasonably sized venue for a reasonably sized crowd.

Congressional staffers, tech policy wonks, lobbyists, reporters and a mishmash of others enjoyed an open bar and hors d’oeuvres at the red-hued lounge Indebleu in Chinatown. The mood was lively as were the conversations and the DJ spun some pretty good music.

Some guests also walked out with a stocking-stuffer or two. A table stocked with baseball caps, lapel pins and squishy stress relievers was positioned near the coat check.

Posted by Andrew at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dinner And A Movie With Dan

Dinner and a movie is always a nice way to unwind, especially during the hectic pre-holiday season in Washington -- but Dan Glickman and the Motion Picture Association of America really know how to do it right.

On Monday night, the trade group invited a small group of folks over for a bite to eat and a special screening of "Charlie Wilson's War." The movie opens Dec. 21 and stars Tom Hanks as Wilson, a scandal-prone Democratic congressman from Texas.

Before relaxing in the MPAA's posh, private theater, guests mingled in the group's newly renovated reception hall, which was anchored by an expertly decorated Christmas tree. The caliber of invitees was far loftier than a typical dinner party at my house (no offense to my friends and family whom I believe to be VIPs).

Guests included the Washington Post's Amy Argetsinger; CNN's Wolf Blizter; National Journal's own Linda Douglass; David Mark of The Politico; Capitol File's Jayne Sandman; CBS legend Bob Schieffer; pundit Stuart Rothenberg; NBC's Chuck Todd and a number of others.

Posted by Andrew at 08:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

463's Self-Important Holiday Bash + Third Anniversary

Tech policy PR firm 463 Communications held its "Self-Important Holiday Bash" on Thursday night at Hotel Monaco's upscale bistro Poste. The group, whose clients include heavy-hitters like Cisco and VeriSign, used the occasion to celebrate its third anniversary.

They commemorated that milestone by showing a really funny video. Immediately, I begged them to put the skit on YouTube and they did. 463's disclaimer: "We didn't take this video too seriously, so neither should you."

Posted by Andrew at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wyclef Rocks Out With RIAA

Congressional staffers, lobbyists, reporters and other followers of the entertainment industry in Washington celebrated the holiday season at the eagerly anticipated Recording Industry Association of America party on Wednesday night.

The event, co-hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America, SoundExchange and others, was held at trendy nightclub Ibiza and chart-topper Wyclef Jean performed for the crowd.

My apologies for the low quality cell phone photo. There's a second one after the jump.

Continue reading "Wyclef Rocks Out With RIAA" »

Posted by Andrew at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NAB Holiday Party: Industry Celebs & Red Meat

As I walked into the National Association of Broadcasters' holiday party on Thursday, I finally felt like the jingle-belling season was upon us. Maybe it was the candy cane-flavored martinis or perhaps it was the big-screen projection of the Yule log, but for some reason, I felt instantly festive.

The party was a good one -- chock full of broadcasters, lawyers, lobbyists, reporters and their ilk. There was a make-your-own-hamburger station and several other tables stacked with warm, meaty dishes. Those NABers like their red meat and I seemed to be the lone vegetarian in the bunch.

I exchanged quick hellos with FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate; esteemed telecom attorney Richard Wiley; and legendary TV industry scribe Tack Nail before heading for the door. Meredith Baker, the new head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, was also there but I didn’t have a chance to meet her.

Posted by Andrew at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

RIAA Rocks Out With 'Guitar Hero'

'Tis the season for holiday happy hours in Washington, which promise to bring out a fun mix of hacks, flacks, wonks and a potpourri of policy junkies. I kicked off the party-going parade on Tuesday with the Copyright Alliance's soiree at the swanky Sonoma wine bar.

A modest but lively crowd sipped specialty reds and whites and munched on a buffet of intriguing appetizers at the Capitol Hill bistro's back room. While there, I caught up with Cara Duckworth, media maven for the Recording Industry Association of America, who disclosed that she has been playing an awful lot of "Guitar Hero."

The latest version of the top-selling videogame for PlayStation 2 is on a number of holiday wish lists but Duckworth couldn’t resist buying it last weekend. She admits that the software has taken up much of her free time in the days since -- but she is getting really good at mimicking the moves of 80s crooner Pat Benatar.

Speaking of pastimes, I also learned that Patrick Ross, the executive director of the trade group that represents Microsoft, NBC Universal, News Corp., and more than 40 others, is an avid antique map collector. Go figure!

Posted by Andrew at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)