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One of the few delights of an otherwise blah January was the AdBall at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District. The sizzling event, with its Fashion Fetish theme, was overseen by stun- ner Amanda Alvaro. As the grand finale event of AdWeek 2010, the AdBall was the first ever communi- cations-industry gala hosted by Ad Women of Toronto.

Big-time ad execs came out in droves, throwing off major heat with blond bombshells in tow — few of whom I’d ever seen on the party cir- cuit. Refreshing! It was a Mad Men tour de force, with perfectly put to- gether Don Draper types sipping cocktails and sampling delicious hors d’oeuvre from Buca Kultura/Nyood, Berber Lounge, Daniel et Daniel, Merci Mon Ami and Lobby. Wearing a fabulous tight black number, Jeanne Beker emceed the fashion show as “Ad men” strutted their stuff in Harry Rosen threads and the ladies showed off gorgeous looks by designer Andy Thê Anh.

Among those making a splash were the dashing Anthony Laca- vera, chairman, event sponsor Wind Mobile; Gillian Graham, CEO, In- stitute of Communication Agencies; a swank-looking Seamus O’Regan, CTV; Perry Dellelce of event sponsor Wildeboer Dellelce; Jessica Roelink, director, Dress for Success Toronto; Jason Dehni of event sponsor Sco- tiabank; Ad Women of Toronto com- mittee member Laurie Sloan; and Lindsay Mattick Davidson, director of PR, Narrative Advocacy Media.

“AdBall made a sensational debut on Toronto’s gala circuit,” said Ad- Ball chair Alvaro, managing director, Narrative Advocacy Media. “In this industry, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and standing out matters. Our sexy, sell-out event achieved both — in spades — and raised funds and profile for two mean- ingful women’s initiatives.”

The proceeds from the gala will go to Dress for Success Toronto, which since its inception in 2001, has outfit- ted more than 5,500 women in need with more than 27,000 quality suits, and also to Ad Women’s mentorship programs, which help women achieve and maintain career success.

- National Post, Feb 13, 2010

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