Bundling Up For Fall Election

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The turmoil on Wall Street is making fundraising a little tougher for so-called bundlers those who not only max out on their own political contributions but also round up contributions from friends and associates.

According to recent figures, Los Angeles County is home to 22 major bundlers for the John McCain campaign including such prominent businesspeople as developer Alan Casden, private equity and political powerhouse Brad Freeman and Trust Co. of the West Chairman Robert Day.

The Barack Obama campaign boasts 51 bundlers including DreamWorks SKG principals David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, uber talent agent Ari Emanuel, producers Mike Medavoy and Lawrence Bender, entertainment attorney Joe Calabrese and new Maguire Properties Chief Executive Nelson Rising.

In recent weeks, McCain bundlers, such as merger and acquisition specialist Lloyd Greif who has raised more than $250,000 for the Arizona senator have benefited from the enthusiasm generated by McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. “Now there’s a sense of urgency because they think there’s a good chance (McCain) can win,” Greif said.

Meanwhile, the recent turmoil on Wall Street has been a mixed blessing for Obama’s bundlers. Those with money have been more willing to pony up because they perceive the economic stakes are higher. But potential donors who have been financially whacked are now off-limits.

“It’s not a time to solicit funds from someone at the firms that are experiencing financial difficulties,” said John Emerson, president of Capital Guardian Trust Co., who has raised more than $200,000 for Obama.


‘Mad’ Ad Party

When advertising executive Luis Vasquez-Ajmac, founder of Maya Communications in Hermosa Beach, decided to have a party, he wanted to invite some make-believe advertising executives from the TV show “Mad Men.” So he called the show’s executive producer.

Indeed, three cast members showed up: Michael Gladis, who plays a wannabe playwright who churns out ad copy by day; Rich Sommer, who portrays a clever media buyer; and Vincent Kartheiser, the classic man in a gray flannel suit.

Vasquez-Ajmac wasn’t really surprised they attended. “They wanted to get a sense of what the real advertising world is like,” he said. “People are curious about the advertising business, and outside of the entertainment industry, it’s got more crazy, outlandish people than anyplace I know.”

What did Vasquez-Ajmac learn from these characters?

“They told me I’m a Mad Man!” he said.




Staff reporters Howard Fine and Joel Russell contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by Editor Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at [email protected].

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