The Dating Game, Office Party edition
27-year-old who needs date turns it into a bidding war and a blog
by HELENA OLIVIERO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/12/07
Karen Adler’s objective for the office holiday party is spelled out in evergreen-colored letters on a newly created Web site:
1. Obtain a legitimate date to the Fitzgerald & Co. 2007 holiday party. 2. Increase favorability and preference for the Karen Adler brand among eligible bachelors in the metro Atlanta area.
Faced with another last-minute scramble for a date to the holiday party, Adler took her quest online — and added a holiday twist.  She’s auctioning herself to the highest bidder.
It’s not for money, and it can’t be a complete stranger, but there’s no question the 27-year-old advertising executive is taking the date-seeking challenge seriously this year, turning her quandary of lonely hearts into a game of romance. It all plays out at happyholidating.blogspot.com.  The best nonmonetary gift wins the date.
Photoshopped in an elf costume, a smiling Adler (who looks much prettier in person) blogs and is keeping the line open for bidding until noon Friday — one day before the office party.
“I love parties. But then I found out that dates and spouses are welcome, and that’s where the wheels fell off the bus,” said Adler. “As a single girl who has attended many a holiday party, I know from experience that the pressure is on to bring someone, and to bring someone good.”
About a week into the dating experiment, she’s received about 10 offers. Most are from men, but some pals and family members have also offered to keep Adler company.
Some of the offerings are intriguing. She’s warm to the promise of a home-cooked meal and massage. And she’s touched that an old college pal has offered to fly in from Chicago for the party.
Others get a chuckle but not much else. One guy has promised to give her a lobster, but she’d have to promise to keep it as a pet.
“What good is it if I can’t eat it?” she asks.  Others just don’t make the cut.
Carlos Ricque, 38, an executive creative director at the agency, offered a wind-up toy featuring a duck riding a tricycle. Ricque said he’s kept the colorful tin toy on his desk for years for inspiration.
“It’s pretty awesome, but at some point, you have to hold yourself up to a higher standard than a wind-up toy,” she said.  Her ploy for a date was almost not needed.
Her company’s original party plans called for a simple brunch and early dismissal. But employees wanted the royal treatment — the cocktails, the miniature beef Wellingtons, smoked trout and carving stations.
 

So the boss decided on a more lavish affair for the company’s 160 employees at a Buckhead mansion, complete with DJ and dance floor.  Suddenly, Adler found herself bemoaning the change. Some of her single co-workers felt her pain and suggested they all go stag.  But Adler said she wouldn’t fall into that trap.
“Everybody says they will go by themselves, and then in the end they bring someone and you feel like the 17th wheel,” said Adler.  She will make her decision at noon Friday. The party is the following evening.
On a recent morning at the Buckhead advertising agency, scores of staffers were checking the blog and bids.  David Rollo, a media planner at the company, has been using a Google tool to track the number of visitors to Adler’s site and tallying the average time spent perusing.  Rollo, who is married, said it’s been fun to watch co-workers get involved in the game.
Many of Adler’s co-workers think she’s a catch. Described as hardworking, she’s also playful at the office, keeping a Nerf gun at her desk. She started a daily “5 o’clock dance party,” which involves a mix of ’80s classics and R. Kelly. And when her “office sweater” went missing, she posted missing signs all over the office.
After keeping a close eye on the bidding for the past several days, Ricque knows his chances are slim.
“That guy who’s willing to fly here from Chicago? He’ll win hands down!” insists Ricque.
And then, with Adler nearby, he grabs 45 yards of twine and smiles.
“You think I would do any better with this?”

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As a marketing exec, Karen Adler knows the value of advertising. She’s turned to the Internet to find a date for her company’s holiday party. So far, she has the attention of about 10 people, not to mention the gang at her office. where the quest is a hot topic.
 
THE CONTENDERS
Here’s the short list of date contenders based on current bids.
1. Tim, an old pal from Chicago (they went to graduate school together), offers to fly last minute for the bash. That’s chivalry and expensive.
2. Shira, Karen’s older sister, offers her designer clothes and shoes (includes Manolo Blahniks).
3. The mystery man. A friend of a friend, who works at another ad agency across town, posts as “Anonymous.” He throws his name into the ring on Karen’s birthday. Nice touch.
4. Marcee, a friend of two years, offers to be her “wing girl.” Her safety.
5. Carlos. An agency VP offers a wind-up toy duck. It’s funny. And Carlos is cute. But it’s still just a duck.
 

KAREN’S FIVE EVALUATION CRITERIA
1. Potential compatibility
2. Unique value of offer
3. Monetary value of offer
4. Humorous value of offer
5. Value specifically to Karen, as determined by her own parameters