The Egos: An Evening of Wiff Waff and Riff Raff

October 2, 2009 • 4:06 pm • POSTED BY Ryan Brown

Communications Industry Ping Pong Tournament held at Spin in NYC on September 24, 2009

Bing sponsored a table tennis tournament last week at New York’s brand spankin’ new “table tennis social club,” SPiN. The event was open to professionals in the communications industry and appropriately titled “The Egos.” We participated (and brought along the riff raff).

Like many of the 70-ish firms participating, we held an internal tournament to determine who would rep the agency. The victor was Christopher Van Auken. He would be heading to New York and I’d tag along for the ride. We call Chris’s backhand “John Henry” because its sheer speed and force rivals that of the folk tale hero.

Experience The Egos after the jump..

Something you may not know about the character John Henry is this: He was allegedly born with a hammer in his hand. That had to be an interesting childbirth. I suppose it’s nothing compared to some of those Canadians that are born with ice skates on their feet.

The evening got rolling with an impressive demo by a couple of pros. Fortunately, they weren’t competing in the tournament — just co-hosting. Do you see how far this guy is from the table?

The social club vibes helped to encourage a general sense of camaraderie. I believe my coltish disposition may have been ever-so-slightly amplified by the quenchers from the open bar (way to go, Bing!). When I wasn’t shouting Chris’s praises, I was off making friends and enemies. Mostly friends, I think.

About the only thing I could complain about was the daffy lighting in there. It made shooting with my new Holga fisheye camera quite a challenge (more like a vain pursuit). But that’s merely a personal grievance, and fortunately they invited photographers. Way to go again there, Bing!

With the high volume of eager, registered players, there wasn’t a whole lot of opportunities for a lowly spectator to step in and swat the shere around (that’s what we really serious players call it. Just ask anyone really serious.) So I did what any rational attendee anxious for some action would do: I assumed a British accent, hopped in the queue with my paddle, and told everyone I was Phil from Weiden+Kennedy’s London outfit. Pleased to meet you, mate.

The frenetic atmosphere, the big swings, the “tic-tic” of pong balls, the spectacular spectator windows for people walking by in the underground — it all made for an interesting night. Call me a Pollyanna if you must, but I thought it was a good time.

Oh yeah, and that batty sport, what’s-his-face from 30 Rock was there. Judah Friedlander. Good man; he hosted.

Advertising folk love them some ping pong, and we’ll readily admit to being enthusiasts (see: the other 43 blog posts pertaining to table tennis).  In fact, we here at 160over90 are a hospitable tribe, and we have a standing, open challenge: If you’d like to engage in a competitive bout of sorts, assemble a foursome and float us some potential dates.

Something else you may not know about John Henry: He dies at the end of the tale with his hammer in his hand after being declared victorious. I’m not sure just how that relates, but Chris beat a bunch of opponents before being eliminated by a rascally competitor about 2/3 of the way through the tournament.

Oh well, it’s just good to get your ‘pong on some place new. We’ll be back with a vengeance next year. And hey — you should come with.