Digital Ninja Faris Yakob has been looking after the Tankard in New York, showing her a good time no doubt, giving her a taste of the big time. He even took her to Toronto for a conference. (You can read all about it here.)
Once Faris had his fun he handed the noble cup over to Jason Oke in Canada.
Time will tell what stories Jason has to share, but undoubtedly they'll be full of laughter, surprise, adventure and drama.
Bring it on.
Life trickles along, onwards, a little sidewards, but always on. So of course the Tankard continues on her journey across the globe.
She's been in Australia with Age and Lauren having what looks like a wild time. I was a little worried at first as there was a fair amount of radio silence. But it turns out they were just out partying and getting to know each other (the Tankard's like that - all play).
You can read all about it here.
Once the party was over it was time for Age to say farewell and do the right thing by blessing someone else with a little Tankard action. So while in New York he met up with the prodigious Faris Yakob and presented him with the sacred cup. Faris decided to mark the moment by giving the universal sign for 'peace'.
I'm not sure I agree with politicizing the moment, but I do accept we're living in times of great change. I just hope Faris isn't transgressive with her, she's a gentle soul.
Time for a Tankard update.
Big news! (Well, news.) She has slowly been making her way East, something she'd always dreamed of. She started by visiting Sophie in the W+K Shanghai office.
At first the office seemed pleased by the Tankard's arrival in their land, and showed it some famous Chinese hospitality.
But before long their enthusiasm seemed to turn to confusion.
And later disdain.
But Sophie put these harsh judgments aside and took the Tankard for lunch, and showed her the city.
Finally the Tankard was embraced by the office, with the famous 'sorry, have I got something on my head' pose.
And then it was time to say goodbye. Sophie seemed to pack her carefully, and I think, from the picture, I can detect a tear in Sophie's eye and maybe a little sadness in her heart as she sent the Tankard on her way.
With that she was off to Lauren in Oz.
Lauren did a sterling job, you can read all about their adventures here.
The question that now presents itself is: where next?
Any offers?
Before she's sets off again overseas, I spent one last day with the tankard. We set off holding hands and headed through the market.
Once on London Bridge she asked for a portrait to be taken, a reminder of home for when she is away. It was rainy and a bit glum, but home is home.
On the way she also wanted to make her views clear to the banks, and let them know that as far she was concerned they've got a long way to go to make up for the way they've behaved in recent months. So we went down to RBS, and hung around for a bit. Then left, our point made.
Then it was time for the business of building brands.
As ever the tankard was an instant hit. Ronny (front of house) seemed chuffed to bits by her presence.
Emma genuinely seemed enchanted.
Doug E Fresh kept things formal, and waited for a proper introduction.
Katherine and Danny on the other hand played it cool, and simply involved the tankard in spreadsheets, and the usual nonsense of advertising.
Laura gave a little too much deference.
Sophie struck a pose we've never seen before.
Nic showed her his beard.
Simon wore her, sort of.
Matt didn't give a flying fuck about her.
Alex couldn't have been happier - they seemed to really hit it off.
Finally, before the day was out, I took her to see our MD, Neil (and the author of our blog). I introduced them, and soon Neil's natural extroverted personality came out and he hoisted her on to the top of his famously good hair.
Quite a day, and one the agency won't be forgetting in a hurry.
Before the day was out I said my own goodbye as she was handed over to someone new, for her next adventure to begin.
Goodbye friend, and take care out there.
Good news, I've found the Tankard (that's me with it above, I'm the one in the sunglasses).
Some time ago we were trying to send it to Nigeria, for no reason what so ever, but then I lost it. Turns out that it was in storage all along. So if people are up for it I'm happy to start sending it on again, as we never did get the thing to Nigeria.
So far it's been to Dan (who is co-owner of the project, sort of, before he had a beard).
It's been to Munich, with Marcus (before he looked like a madman).
It went drinking in Paris, with Kirsty (before she had a face).
It did some cultural stuff in Spain, with Javier (before he got his second arm).
Then it went skiing for Christmas (everyone needs a break).
Then it broke.
But went back together, with the help of some glue.
So who would like it next?
All you have to do is do something fun with it while you have it (a movie, or perhaps a meal), and then pass it on to the next person. It's pretty fragile these days, so you also have to promise to be gentle.
Leave details in the comments and I'll work out a schedule.
Things are looking up, good afternoon.
So the Tankard was broken, big time. But I went to work on her this lunch time, and I'm pleased to report that she is beginning to look a little more tankard like again.
There are still huge cracks in her body, chips missing, and some fissures that have yet to crack all the way through. I suggest we reinforce her with some kind of tape, otherwise she'll be going no where.
Are we agreed?
Ps. I'm covered in Super Glue.
Got a package in the post this morning. I wondered what it could be.
Got excited when I realised it was my beautiful Tankard.
I got slightly less excited when I realised she'd been smashed into pieces during transit.
(I almost cried.)
(The I got angry.)
Sitting here now, with tankard bits all over my desk, with only one question on my mind - does anyone know how to restore beaten tankards? Surely there must be someone, the internet is a big place.
All of a sudden Nigeria seems like a long way away, and a little bit of me feels broken inside.
Dangerman Dan 'The Man' Germain, Secretary of The Great Tankard Challenge (seen above with the hallowed cup), is inviting new applications for some time with the aforementioned chalice. If you fancy reading what's happened so far, and/or applying for a spin on the goblet, then go here. Those who have already signed up should also confirm, and forward references.
Thank you all. Thank you Daniel.
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