When Bob Liodice met the ANA in the USA

Bob Liodice has by all accounts done wonders for the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) in the US.

When he started, who knows how many years ago, there were only 270 or so in the audience at the opening dinner at the ANA Annual Conference to celebrate the Masters of Marketing. This year, the 100th in the ANA's history, there were 1600. It was a sparkling occasion. I sat between marketing representatives from Southern Electric - the first energy company in the US to go into nuclear - and Sally Kennedy, another Brit, and erstwhile President of Cossette in New York. We were hosted by AETN and their country and western cabaret.

It was the usual marketing event - but with a twist. And the twist was in the scale! The Rosen Shingle Creek hotel is not just a hotel - it's a town, more or less. A 230-acres site just off Universal Boulevard boasting the best in golf, tennis, poolside entertainment and restaurants. It's a 10 minute walk from the Bell Desk to the conference reception. Almost like the walk to the furthermost gate at a busy airport.