Chicago execs hit D.C.'s 'nerd prom'

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May 11, 2009

Chicago execs hit D.C.'s 'nerd prom'

Chicago executives had some of the best seats in the house at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and the parties that followed. As it does every year, the event brought together Washington media and politicos with Hollywood stars. But this year, some of the biggest names in the house were Chicagoans who work for President Barack Obama, along with a smattering of their Illinois friends. The event allows news organizations to showcase their “talent” and woo advertisers with a seat at the table. Celebrities at the table can help court sources or lure White House movers and shakers.

CNN, for example, had actors Demi Moore and husband Ashton Kutcherat its table. Both tweeted about the event, dubbed “nerdprom” on the social networking site.

“I’m trying to figure out why anyone would let me sit this close to the president,” tweeted Mr. Kutcher, who sat with Homeland Security’s Janet Napolitano.

Linda Johnson Rice, who heads Johnson Publishing, had a table front-and-center for the dinner. Ariel Capital Investments’ Mellody Hobson was a guest at the Fortune Magazine table with George Lucas. Actress Glenn Close also was at the table.

"People were interested in what he had to say and he was very funny," said Ms. Hobson of the mood around the table.

Martin Nesbitt, CEO of PRG Parking Management, and Eric Whittaker — both pals of the president — sat at the Newsweek table with some White House administration folks and Hollywood names like Natalie Portman and Owen Wilson. ABC News snagged presidential adviser David Axelrod and his wife, Susan, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett and Jon Bon Jovi. Glamour magazine’s star guest was Desiree Rogers, the White House social secretary. Peoria’s own Ray LaHood sat at the USA Today table. And Mr. Emanuel’s brothers Ari and Zeke sat with Chicago actor John Cusack and Maria “Money Honey” Bartiromo.

“It was a lot like any dinner, but with a crowd of celebrities on top,” said Neal Zucker, CEO of Corporate Cleaning Services in Chicago. He sat at Ms. Rice's table along with the Rev. Al Sharpton and actors Lou Gossett, Victoria Rowell and Chris Tucker.

“All of a sudden, I’m standing next to Barbara Walters,” Mr. Zucker said. “Everywhere you turned, there was a face you knew.”

After a dinner without dessert — its cost was donated to charity instead — the crowd fanned out to a few dozen after-dinner parties.

“It was a great idea. Who needs dessert,” Mr. Zucker said.

Jason Binn, who runs Michigan Avenue Magazine, held one of the larger post-parties in D.C., thanks to main guests Ms. Jarrett and Ms. Rogers, who are featured in Capitol File, one of D.C.’s social magazines. And Vanity Fair's bash at the French ambassador's home was a must-get invite.