Batali’s SoBe Snafu: Chef Mario Batali didn’t make any new friends at Miami’s annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival last week. During a $1,000-a-plate dinner, he reportedly swore quite a bit, shocking guests like King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. Festival founder Lee Schrager wouldn’t comment on whether Batali would be asked to return next year or to the festival’s New York counterpart in October. [NY Post]
Criticism of Northern Trust Mounts: The media seems about as pleased with Northern Trust Corp. throwing bailout money toward sponsorships as Congress is. In an op-ed yesterday, Maureen Dowd echoed the sentiments from President Obama’s Tuesday speech, saying now isn’t the time for companies to spend public investments on sponsorships or events. [NYT]
Marketing Needs to Survive in Hard Times: Not everyone is criticizing Northern Trust Corp. for its recent golf tournament. Golf Digest published a retaliatory op-ed Thursday, claiming that for businesses to survive the recession, they must continue with marketing plans. “They have to keep their name out there,” wrote Ron Sirak. “They have to maintain contacts with important clients. The trick is to do this marketing in a financially efficient way.” [Golf Digest]
