I was out last night at dinner with my gorgeous sister in law when I got an sms to say that Ava Ellen McGarry entered the world at 9.05pm on Tues 13th September weighing in at over 9lbs. Everyone at the office can not wait to meet her. Our love is with Laura and Ger today. x

And change is happening here at the office as well with Bec Duncan well and truly settled in as our new Client Services Director…..I am starting to wonder how Laura and I managed before she joined the team. Laura of course is getting ready for her mothers arrival from Ireland tonight and has started her maternity leave. We miss her already, although I believe Laura and Caitlan have been smsing all morning….so excited to meet ” Lady McGarry’ (working title until we know her name) when she is welcomed into the world later this month.

We also say hello to Sara who in a week has already started getting this place in order (please never leave us!!) and Sally, who is happily playing with her new Mac, on her first day as our 6dc events guru. Lots of new faces and new adventures ahead, let the fun begin.

Time to make a reservation for dinner Friday night.

A special mention goes to Laura for the homemade Tuaca sorbet and Tuaca biscuits as well as Monique for her fireplace sketch and Bec for her inspiration story, which was definitely the most on-brand and creative. Ben and Stuart kept the ‘bromance’ going in the office with their Mad Menesque drinks that really did separate the men from the boys! I can still taste the whiskey Stuart and its smooth. All in all, a fun way to herald in the weekend….next stop Subscription Television Trivia the week before the ASTRA’s.

And finally for a segway worthy of a Chaser mention- we also confirmed a new client on Friday thanks to Bec  – Ashton Circus and Entertainment. Who does not love the circus?

The Task – create a Tuaca cocktail using the new Boston Shakers to the song – We Can Get Together – currently available for download on iTunes.  This has the makings of Cocktail 2, the mini series. We may not have Byran Brown or Tom Cruise as the leads but if you know my team, I suspect our intsallment will be as good. I so wish I had my HD camera in the office…lesson learnt!

The Rules – there are no rules outside majority vote wins and I have asked Libby from The Strand to  guest judge in case it gets out of hand. And yes staff can buy votes, form allegiances, cook, dance, dress up, pretty much do whatever they want ….my vote is however not for sale and nor is Libby’s. They have had 3 weeks and today it all unfolds in our board/bar/show/room!

So everyone is clear on how this is playing out I came into work on Wednesday morning to a heated debate across the office. It seems everyone is very concerned Laura has the edge given she has been to Italy so knows Tuaca well and seems to have a concept that involves props.  The team are running scared! Laura, on the other hand, thinks given she can not drink with the impending baby and all, that her cocktail may look good but taste bad.

This business is soooo all about perception and watching this unfold I have realised what a great idea this monthly competition is. Not only are the team learning about products and clients across the business in a new way and being challenged….but they are seeing themselves and the ‘perceptions’ they create in a whole new way too! I think I may have stumbled upon an idea that is far better than I first thought for a communications agency. And lets be honest as a judge, the process will be serious fun for me too.

Let the games begin…..more Monday on the outcome as I never drink and type, its more dangerous that the old fashion drink and dial in the new age world of social media!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Amanda x