COSMOS managing director Nigel Wright got a bit of a shock when he turned up to the Institute of Travel and Tourism chairman’s barbecue at the Kensington Roof Gardens.
Nigel had just got himself settled with a sausage roll and a drink when Travel Weekly’s sales director Christine Ryan-Bell announced that a video of events at the recent ITT conference in Rhode Island was about to be shown.
The video, sponsored by Travel Weekly and Media Options, started off as an amusing collection of images when suddenly the camera scanned towards a gents loo. The door of the loo was pushed open and there inside was Wright’s sales and marketing director Paul Riches holding hands with Carlson heavyweight Steve Endacott.
All that was needed was a soundtrack of George Michael’s Outside playing over the top of the video.
Apparently, nod nod wink wink, the picture was set up and the boys knew the cameraman was about to enter the loos.
But Backchat thinks it is an amazing co-incidence that Endacott has since legged it to Minneapolis and has been unavailable for comment for some months.
Meanwhile, Riches has been spotted wearing ludicrous yellow shirts and thrusting a sunflower into the hands of anyone who will talk to him, whilst makingclaims that it’s all part of some elaborate branding exercise.
Methinks the divorce courts beckon chaps – and on your salaries it could be a painful process before you guys are able to set up home together.
Of course, Backchat is only joking and thanks the guys for being good sports and helping to make a great video.
Anyone who went to the ITT conference is entitled to their own free copy of the video from Barrie Browne at Media Options. He can be contacted on0171-734 2442.