DRIVEpm, tempura, and other Japanese staples

I spent the day in meetings today in Tokyo and am now near passing out in my hotel room I'm so tired (major lack of sleep and significant jet lag this go. Boo!). To get to my current state, however, I must tell of today's highlighted events and adventures...

Microsoft Advertising Japan hosted their bi-annual Partner Conference today whereby they introduced agencies here in Tokyo to new products and services, and an awards ceremony for the top agencies supporting the Microsoft business. The launch of DRIVEpm in Japan was a major focus of the 2-hour presentation as well as a key take-away for agencies to be able to pitch targeting capabilities to their client rosters. What was yet again SO cool was seeing DRIVE Performance Media and its business model being presented in front of 200+ Japanese businessmen & women... and while a given... in Japanese! That which I got to be a part of more than five years ago now is global. Out little start-up that could. And did. It was VERY powerful and I'm reminded of the blood, sweat and tears -- but none of the pain -- spilled, dripped and shed in the process.

And tonight, several of us enjoyed dinner at a delicious tempura restarant in the heart of Akasaka. As always, I'm enjoying banter with an Entertaining Australian (Stephen Dolan, NE corner above) and simply being here in Japan. This really is an incredible place altogether. I'm glad to be back!

p.s. oh, and you should have seen the Partner Conference welcome for agencies... upon arrival, each guest was greeted by an army of Microsoft Sales professionals. We're talking 30 men & women bowing in unison to each entering guest. Awesome!