This new GLOBETROTTERS column is designed to keep the international community connected. Not only will it spotlight who is where in the world now, it will also describe the adventures we all experience by living a life of constant worldwide travel. If you’ve ever been hijacked, stuck in a revolution or committed an unforgettable cultural faux pas, everyone in our community will be curious to hear about it. Please do tell us, and don’t forget the photos! TO SUBMIT TO GLOBETROTTERS, email: deborah.malone@internationalistmagazine.com

Ninja — Newest Japan Corporate Entertainment
» I was recently in Tokyo and met some industry colleagues for dinner in the busy Akasaka area near the The New Otani and the Akasaka Prince Hotels. They
suggested we dine up at Ninja, a new spot for me.
The restaurant was hard to find — it seemed intentionally hidden — with just a small sign
illuminated by torches. We entered and were welcomed by Ninja-costumed
hostesses in a small, dark room with no obvious doors. After the hostess yelled out a command, a secret door slid open, and we were guided to our table (by Ninja, of course) through dark passageways, mazes and literally over drawbridges and through waterfalls. My jet-lagged imagination was convinced that I had somehow landed in Tokyo to partake in a Disney-esque version of feudal Japan’s martial arts warrior training camp.

The menus, written on scrolls, were unfurled from the belt of a Ninja server, who was wonderfully multi-lingual. Somehow swords are also part of the experience, as pictured here. (In our case, they were used for dividing the group sushi plate instead of neatly slicing off heads in accordance with 15th century tradition.) Honestly, it is hard not to join in on the Ninja fun and be fascinated by the lure of these stealthy assassins and guards of the ancient Shogun. In fact, can you guess the industry executive
pictured here? It’s Yosh Ikegami of The Yomiuri Shimbun — now back in Tokyo after spending 5 years in London.
(Contact: ikeg0128@yomiuri.com)
Such theme restaurants now have become both tourist attractions and hot spots for Japanese corporate entertaining, especially when international guests are in town. They can be lots of fun, but just be sure to consider low-heeled shoes and a flashlight.

Kraselsky to ESPN International; Fox to a New Role
» Lynn Kraselsky’s back in New York and she’s excited. After living in some of the world’s top cities—London, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles, she’s delighted to be back in the media capital with a new role as Senior Vice President of Sales for ESPN International. It’s a role for which she’s particularly suited. Her international TV sales career certainly has spanned the globe, including key roles for CNN Latin American; for CNN, TNT and Cartoon Network Asia-Pacific; and for the Turner networks for Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Most recently, Lynne was East Coast VP for Reactrix, the interactive national digital out-of-home media network.

She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all of ESPN’s International Advertising and Sponsorship Sales and will oversee the channel’s wholly owned, international multimedia platforms — TV, Radio, Internet, Mobile, Broadband, Magazines, and Events. Plus, Lynn will work closely with ESPN’s joint venture entities around the world — ESPN STAR Sports and CTV
Specialty (TSN and RDS). Mike Fox, the well-known ESPN International veteran, will also take on a new position in the global organization. He will champion a newly-developed division for International Advertising Sales Operations, Planning and Administration in a Vice-President role.
Contact: Lynn.Kraselsky@espn.com; mike.fox@espn.com

Big Changes for CNN’s McVeigh
» Kate McVeigh has certainly reached a defining moment of her life. She has moved from London to New York to run CNN’s U.S.-based International sales operation, which has included 11 new hires. (Erik Fidel in Chicago, part of Kate’s team, is also beefing up his Midwest staff by adding 4 people.) And Kate is expecting-- any day now-- to give birth to her baby. And in the midst finding a new home, a new obstetrician and the appropriate visas for her husband, she hosted a wonderful evening at the CNN New York Studios to watch the U.S. Election results. SEE PHOTOS on RIGHT….

In fact, on that memorable election night, when the world watched Barack Obama win the U.S. Presidency, CNN made some of its own history. According to Nielsen research, more people watched CNN that night than any other TV network in the U.S. Plus, CNN.com had its biggest audience day in history, and became the #1 ranked site in the Current Events and Global News category.
Contact: Kate.McVeigh@turner.com

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