Spikes Nights party report: JWT gets the nod in an overall 'chill' year

Most people probably started their night, as Campaign's intrepid crew of partygoers did, at the Vivaki party at Paulaner Brauhaus, right across from the exhibition center. "Why travel at all, we're bringing the party to you," the invite claimed, and we couldn't argue after a long day at the show.

Generous tankards of beer and an equally liberal food table featuring piles of grilled sausages hit the spot. The organisers made the night's only attempt (that we're aware of) to contribute to charity. When we were there, the crowd didn't seem to be in a very giving mood. But according to Starcom's Kenny Lim, the host's hospitality warmed the ice cold hearts of the advertising industry and hauled in more than S$3000 before night's end. All in all, a solid, genial party that was a great way to shift gears from the day's work toward the night to come.

McCann Singapore won accolades from all we've spoken to, as well as Campaign's editors, for creating a chill, relaxed atmosphere on the rooftop of its offices. People genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves, with an excellent trio of live musicians providing background. Word has it that later on, the event turned into a concert by several McCann staffers who reportedly should consider moonlighting as professional singers—or have spent far, far too much time in karaoke bars. The only complaint we have is that the truth about McCann's Truth Beer is that it wasn't very good.

JWT's heaven-and-hell themed party was hopping when Campaign's editors visited between 9 and 10. Scantily clad angels and devils of both genders handed arrivals their choice of halos or horns, while the guests watched a fire juggler on one side and angelic, cirque du soleil-style hoop dancers performing on the other. In a prominent position near the entrance, Tom Doctoroff, North Asia area director and Greater China CEO, played gregarious host but didn't mention his impending ascendance, announced this morning.

Reports say that this party had a very exciting ending—even moreso than last year when the police made more than one visit. Last night featured not only a police intervention but also a fire alarm and the failure of the building's lifts, which left the stairway (from Heaven to Hell, presumably) as the only option for departure. Some conspiracists claim the fire alarm was a police strategy to close down the party, but it's also possible it was the work of a disgruntled partygoer, as we also heard that the party ran dry around midnight.

Campaign's editors can't say much about Ogilvy's "Bedtime stories" event, because when we arrived at the night-is-young hour of 11 pm, it was already over. A work crew was busy deconstructing the bar the organisers had placed in the middle of the office, which one wag said Ogilvy should keep as a year-round fixture. A report from earlier says the bedtime stories element consisted of someone approaching the partygoer and asking if they'd like to hear a bedtime story while offering...a hot dog.

The TBWA team put in a good effort but were probably defeated by geography. What could have been a perfectly acceptable party suffered from sparse attendance due to the far-flung destination. More drinks and eats for the few hardy souls who did make the trip, we suppose.

[UPDATE: We're happy to report that we merely arrived too late to experience the TBWA party at full tilt. A report says the place was packed to the brim from 8 to 10, and TBWA has now provided pictures to back up the claim. Apologies—we probably should have said that we might have missed any given party's peak moments as we traveled around the city.]

Many people ended the night at Lowe's Rockabilly Street Party, which spanned two or more establishments on Club Street. Although fewer people jammed the venues than last year, taxi drivers could still be directed to the area simply by referring to the place where a lot of idiots were standing in the street. We give Lowe props for its straightfoward approach, free from artifice and populated by able bartenders who never ran out of liquids to dispense.

Party of the year? The shortlist is Lowe, McCann and JWT. And although the race between JWT and McCann was almost too close to call, we'll give the nod to JWT by an angel's breath. Beg to differ? Let us know in the comments section below.