Celebrity Ping Pong

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO CPPMAG.COM.

2009-07-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

So, yo, yeah if this title needs any further explanation the super wonderful spanish posse at pirata in London has designed me a sexy new site that incorporates the blog. Please go there for all your ping pong news. And, you know what, there is A LOT OF PING PONG news. Issue 2 out soon, honest.

Obama in Ping Pong Bung

2009-07-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

There have been a few stories about Obama helping Killerspin with obtain a $320k grant. Good on him I say. I already posted a while back that the Obama girls like to play, so I am sure he plays too. The way I see it most politicians, presidents, even get caught doing far worse things.

Obama if you are reading this, CPP needs a table for the next CPP Tournament in Williamsburg. Yours in HOPE.

Celebrity Ping Pong hits Williamsburg

2009-05-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

The first of the summer season of tournaments took place last night at Cornichon in Williamsburg. On quite a steamy night, Kaz eventually beat James in a close competition. We had two tables, one indoors and one outdoors. If there is anything better than playing outdoors while having a few beers and catching up with some old friends I'd like to know what that is.

More next month.

Issue 2 off to a great start - Judah Friedlander

2009-05-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Just before the SPiN party on Monday, more pics here, I interviewed Judah Friedlander for Issue 2. Judah is ranked 1203, but as he said, that's probably a typo! He's a great player, a great ambassador for the game and a great laugh. I'll save the best stories for the magazine. Don't forget the CPP party in Williamsburg on Thursday.

Party / Thursday / Do it

2009-05-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

Just to quickly let you know about the first of a series of summer tournaments and parties starting this thursday. We will have two tables at the supernice Cornichon cafe / bar at 251 Grand St in Williamsburg. More details soon.

Pringles getting in on the action

2009-05-15T12:33:00.001-07:00

One of the latest Pringles ads is based on Ping Pong. I think it's OK, feels a bit fake to me, like it was made just to enter awards shows - the tiny copy is a dead giveway for that kind of thing. But we shall see.

Still, it's a good sign that brands continue to think their target markets will be turned on by Ping Pong related themes. Thanks to Dylan for the spot.

Wall Street Journal write up of the Bud Lite sponsorship

2009-04-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

You know Ping Pong has got serious then the Wall Street Journal is writing about it - and publishses a picture of 50 Cent playing (not sure about that grip fiddy).

It will be interesting to see how the Bud Hard bat classic raises awareness of the game beyond that (un)holy triumverate of professinoal players, basement players and beer pong dudes.

Bud Light back in BK

2009-04-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

April 27th sees the final, I think, chance to win the bud-light hard bat classic tournament and score a trip to the Open Finals in Vegas. The event is hosted at The Bell House - only a few blocks from where I live - so I'll no doubt head down there. I got to the quarters last time but got killed by a dude called Tal who is ranked around 2250.

Can Arcade Fire bring the heat?

2009-04-19T07:16:00.001-07:00

According to the Montreal Gazzette, everyone's favourtite Canadian band, Arcade Fire, are players. Their office is vacant loft apart from a solitary Ping Pong table. I know these guys are notoriously media shy but that would be a trip to Canada well worth taking.

A film of their last Neon Bible tour, Mirior Noir comes out next week. If it's anything like their first two albums it should be pretty darned good.

Six Year Old Prodigy is a Firestarter

2009-04-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

There is this film out at the moment with Zac Efron called 17 Again. Matthew Perry goes back in time (a bit like Freaky Friday) and becomes a schoolkid again. If I could go back in time I'd get my skinny ass over to China and work on some drills. You know what I'm sayin?

If you ever have ping pong lessons all coaches will tell you it's all about the footwork. This video is a great example of that theory. Check out how she runs around her backhand to hit forehand smashes.

New York City Open

2009-04-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend for the first time since 1934 (apparently) there was a New York City Open. It was held at Columbia University and sponsored by Joola. I played in a couple of events, the u1300 and and u1500. I won three and lost three. Basically my game has plateaued - dramatically. Most of the people I now play against play every day, and a good couple of hours a day. So I think it's either time to put up or shut up.

The open singles title was won by a Canadian dude called Pradeeban Peter-Paul. Cool name.

Good enough to eat your dinner off

2009-04-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

I love this table by Hunn Wai for the Mein Gallery. If Ping Pong is going to be big we all need to think of ways of making it less basement. Ok most of us are not going to be able to afford anything as amazing as this. But this is how design works. Some pioneering soul does something beautifully unique (and therefore expensive) and then someone finds a way of making it cheaper.

The swedes love a bit of Pong so how long before we see an Ikea dining / table tennis / table? Yeah.

More on this piece from Core 77 blog.

"PING-PONG Dining table harks back to the origins of table-tennis with its duality of both being a table fit for dining and playing on. What started off as impromptu after-dinner amusement mimicking tennis in an indoor environment for upper-class Victorians became an international phenomenon with rules and standards. This is an official-sized game table with a DuPont Corian surface CNC machine-routed with French Rococo patterns interjected with Ping-pong iconography filled with gold lacquer, supported by stately hand-lathed timber legs. In the middle, a long rectangular vase filled with dainty blossoms does double-duty as a game-net and a table floral arrangement. Reinstating grandeur and pomp with neo-classical inspired embellishments , with a twist in material by using the hi-tech marble-like Corian, the PING-PONG dining table creates a remarkable conceptual and lifestyle statement in the true heart of the home, the dining area."

Across the Pond Ping Pong

2009-04-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

I made a little movie showing two days of my life. I was back in London working. I was going to say that it's not a particularly typical representation of my normal days being a Creative Director but actually I don't know what a typical day is anymore. Projects are blurred, work becomes plays, play becomes work.
There are two ping pong references for ya'll. Firstly I set a creative brief for students entering the Young Creatives Network competition to promote our favourite sport. There are some images from some of the entries - most of which were great.
Secondly there is a brief clip of the Bud Light hard bat classic tournament I played in Brooklyn. It's great that Bud Light are promoting the sport but to be honest the event was pretty lame. They could have promoted it a lot more.
So in one day I did two ping pong things - one in London, one in New York. That's how we roll.

Solid Reel by Hexstatic

2009-04-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hexstatic presents 'Solid Reel' - Video podcast from Solid Steel on Vimeo.
Great video podcast by Hexstatic supporting 20 years of Ninja Tune's Solid Steel radio show in the UK. Ninja Tunes and Coldcut especially were always one of my favourite artists. Their JourneysbyDJ is a seminal album and paved the way for the mash-up. I also saw them VJ live at The Big Chill in 2006. They rocked it.

Ping Pong features quite early on but it's worth checking out the whole film if you like your D&B, manga and crazy graphics.

New Puma PT3 tournament

2009-03-25T06:42:00.001-07:00

I bumped into Khari who organizes the very popular PT3 events last week. He said the latest NY event is going to be something very special. He didn't let on any more than that, damn him! But as soon as I know more I'll post it.

What I wouldn't do for one of those paddles sets. Nice.

that dance

2009-03-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

It seems like everybody has sent me this link (along with the Bruce Lee film) so although I know it's kinda old now, for those of you who haven't seen it: the hilarious victory dance that is proving a real hit on You Tube.

Lots of people have asked me if I dance like this when I win a point. I have never been 10-0 down in a game so haven't been in that situation ;-)

Brooklyn Paper March Madness

2009-03-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Another ping pong tournament this week, to follow up from Score at the Art Directors Club. This time the Brooklyn Paper is hosting - to go along with the March Madness College basketball. Sadly, I will not be able to attend as I will be in Mexico.

Dumbo? Mexico? Dumbo? Mexico? I think I'm ok to miss this one.

Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld play Ping Pong for Microsoft

2009-03-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

These ads from Crispin Porter and Bogusky are a little old now. I only saw the shorter versions but in this long version you can see a clip of Seinfeld playing PP. It doesn't actually show Bill playing - but we know he is a player. I'm gonna try to get him for the magazine too. I think Bill Gates is cooler than Jerry Seinfeld.

Ping Pong is the New Religion

2009-03-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

It's been interesting to see PP being used in a spate of 'cool' advertising campaigns recently. This one is for uber cool magazine 'The Atlantic'. Apologies for the state of the image I only saw it in The One Show magazine. Couldn't find it online.

Score. ADC Young Guns. Party March 19th NYC

2009-02-28T12:27:00.001-08:00

Let me get this straight. Beer. Food. Advertising. Ping Pong. And I just judged the ADC awards a few weeks ago and have been made a member so I get a free invite.

The moons have truly aligned.

Come along to the Art Directors Club Young Guns party. It's for a good cause you know. And you might get to play me at ping pong...

Bitch Fight

2009-02-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

Franck and the Naked Boys get done over by the New York Observer. Knowing them fairly well I would imagine all the comments they made to the journalist were very tongue in cheek and then blown up. I certainly never saw any threesomes at their loft in Tribeca, still I do tend to go home early, gotta work, know what I'm sayin'?

I guess the old adage is right though: there is no such thing as bad publicity. The boys' Spin club opens soon this should help the numbers.

2009-02-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

Grand Central Ping Pong Championship

2009-02-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Last week I played in the ROC Big Brothers and Little Sisters tournament in Grand Central here in NY. The table was placed in side the squash court in the centre of Grand Central. It was a great setting, a fine stage for some fine ping pong.
Unfortunately I played like a complete and utter ****.

I was really annoyed, I mean really annoyed, stupidly annoyed. So I came back, fished out a trophy I won a few weeks ago (that the Mrs won't let me have in the house) and took a snap.

Chinatown tournament on Sunday. I hope to have good news to report from there.

The Ping Pong Bitches

2009-01-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

Electroclash band from my hometown. Next time I'm in London I will see if I can get hold of them. Them and Boris Johnson. You'd pay to watch that match wouldn't you?

Thanks to Stefan for the spot.

Who killed the Ping Pong?

2009-01-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

Royal Society for the Preservation of Ping Pong from James Cooper on Vimeo.

I got sent this from Andrew, a film maker and Creative Director from Amsterdam Worldwide . The film is purely fictional of course, but pretty cool. This is what Andrew had to say:

" ....we imagined a dark time when the sport had been outlawed, and could only be played on the sly."

I like the idea of a dirty Ping Pong death match, although I guess that's sort of what Balls of Fury was all about. Maybe we could make it more like Fight Club? The two table tennis "actors" were ex-pro's from the Dutch Table Tennis association.

Judah Friedlander is a Winner.

2009-01-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I played in the Westfield, New Jersey, official tournament. It was a pretty good standard with some good players, including comedian Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock and stuff. He and I both teamed up with one of the Belle twins to play the u3100 doubles. Judah and Brad beat Brendan and I in a close game for the trophy. Previously Brendan and I beat Bill Mack + partner, so I didn't feel too bad about missing out in the final.

I played OK in the singles, but I fear my rating might have slipped a little..I'll blame it on the drinking the night before and lack of food. At the F.I.T. they had apple pies everywhere, where were the applie pies when you needed them? Hmmm?

It was a fun day. Made all the more fun by the ride I caught back to the city with Judah. I had just missed my train so he offered me a ride in the snow. We had a good chat, he's a very cool guy. Find out more in issue two of Celebrity Ping Pong.

Shoe Designer Stuart Weitzman challenges YOU. Win a trip to NYC and Free Shoes.

2009-01-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

Today I was contacted by the team behind the Stuart Weitzman and Zappos.com ping pong challenge. I am a big fan of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh who first mentioned the challenge on his twitter.

This is the deal. Visit the Zappo's You Tube page, upload a little video about why you think you can take Stuart down and if successful you win a trip to NYC and some shoes. And I have to say some of those boots are looking very sweet indeed. (Mrs CPP would certainly like a pair, I might just enter myself).

Stuart looks like a pretty decent player. It's always hard to tell when someone is playing fairly weak opposition (no offence Zappos posse!) but I reckon I can take him.

Anyone else?

'Life' star Damian Lewis reckons he's a player

2009-01-04T11:42:00.001-08:00

When asked what he would do if he wasn't an actor this is what he said:

“I’d be a professional Ping-Pong player. I’m not that good. I’m not Chinese good. But I hold (the paddle) like a pen. I hold it orthodox Western style. And that’s all I’m prepared to give up about my game, in case anyone reads this. ... I don’t want people winning.”

Ok, let's call him up!

From the Fort Wayne Gazzette - whatever that is.

Nice Pong game from Grow

2009-01-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how I feel about 'Pong' vs real 'Ping Pong' or 'Table Tennis' - this probably deserves a whole new post. But for the time being a nice piece of interactive work from Grow. If the pong game doesn't come up click on the light grey tee with the large 'Grow' on the front.

Thanks to Stuart from Google for the spot.

Ping Pong Porn

2009-01-02T15:23:00.000-08:00

Well, this promo for a DVD from the Table Tennis Master is about as close as we'll get to actual Ping Pong Porn until the Naked Ping Pong boys film some of their friends playing with no clothes on (which I'm sure is going to happen fairly soon).

Ping Pong at Miami Art Fair

2009-01-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure who these guys are. But you know they would look so much better if they just practised for a bit longer.

Take sport seriously!

Is Bo-Jo really a player?

2008-12-30T12:49:00.000-08:00

Much has been written about the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's (Bo-Jo) great speech about 'ping pong coming home' after the Beijing olympics. But I wonder if he actually plays. I just picked up this article from the Times in London that would seem to indicate that he does.

Next time I'm in London I'll have to look him up and try to schedule a little session of wiff-waff. If anyone has an inside track to the great man, let me know.

Wally and Converse

2008-12-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

So, I eventually managed to connect Wally and my ad agency. They did a shoot for Converse. Wally took on Derek AKA The Big Asian. Wally played with a sneaker. Can't wait to see the actual footage.

Kaz. A worthy winner.

2008-12-22T11:11:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure the prize was particulary good for his bad back though.

Christmas Party

2008-12-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

OK, I know you are supposed to say 'Holiday' but there are some things an Englishman can't get their head round. I'm totally cool with saying 'sidewalk' instead of 'pavement' and 'elevator' instead of 'lift' - but Christmas, well, it's Christmas isn't it!?

Anyway, we teamed up with the cool gals over at She Says and had a few drinks and a few games of Ping Pong. We had a tournament too. For once I didn't play like a complete and utter idiot, beating Ben from Grand Opening and Perry. Yay. But losing to Kaz in the semi final who went on to win. Loads more photos here.

Ping Pong on Honeyshed

2008-12-17T06:15:00.001-08:00

I have no idea what this is really all about. I mean, I know what Honeyshed is but I just don't really understand what this video does. To watch it, go to Honeyshed, click on Fun Shit and then Ping Pong. It's a bit crap that you can't imbed video from their site don't you think?

Anyway, it's just another indicator that your favorite sport is getting cooler everyday. Soon it will be too cool. Thanks to Flo for the spot.

Taylor Swift plays Ping Pong for her Birthday Party.

2008-12-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

Country Pop Singer, Taylor Swift had a big ping pong party for her birthday - according to Entertainment Tonight. What, no invite? Maybe next year.

CPP in the Sunday Observer

2008-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Observer in London ran a long piece about the future of the game in England. The magazine got a small mention in the first few paragraphs. We're going global!

Party this Thursday!

2008-12-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Ping Pong is teaming up with She Says to have a little party. I never really thought about it before but the PP scene is a little male dominated. So who better than the coolest group of gals in NYC to throw a party with.

When I left London for NY there weren't too many ads that I liked, but this was one of them. 'Boots' is like Duane Reade, I suppose, but a little nicer!

If you are in NY and you fancy coming down drop me a line. James dot Cooper at gmail dot com.

CPP in Creative Review Blog

2008-12-03T09:26:00.001-08:00

As part of the post on Creative Social in Shanghai. That's the best picture of me I've seen in a while. Maybe I'll be a hand model.
Thanks for the post Patrick.

CPP Party Part Duex

2008-12-02T07:42:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Kaz for a couple of pictures from the party / tournament we had at Anomaly last month. More here. I would have taken some pictures myself but I was too busy getting beat. I've worked out that I never play well at my own events. I'm trying to get my shit together to have another party before Christmas.

CPP in the New York Times

2008-12-01T06:48:00.001-08:00

Front page article in the New York Times style section about the NY scene. No surprises to see Wally, Khairi, Ben and the Naked Boys all in there. Good stuff! I didn't know Ed Norton was a player. He moves to the top of the wanted list....

CPP on Adfreak

2008-11-24T14:54:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this from a while back.

The day of the launch party Brian from AdWeek (an enthusiastic player and all round good guy) very kindly wrote a post about the magazine. So nice in fact I didn't have the heart to say that he had got it wrong about 'my bosses' - dude, I AM THE BOSS!

See it here.

Uniforms for the Dedicated AW08

2008-11-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

Uniforms For The Dedicated - AW08 from Tobias Martinsson on Vimeo.

Swedish posse go crazy round a table. Thanks to Emil for the link.

Cao Yan Hua TT School.

2008-11-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Cao Yan Hua is an old world champion. He has a number of schools in and around Shanghai. There is a full on training camp where kids can go instead of school. Like a boot camp but with ping pong balls.

I didn't quite have the 10 years required to do that so went to the Public Club in the city. My hotel concierge arranged a lesson for me with Ms Gu. It was a good work out. We did some drills, some chops then played a few points. I could hold my own, but only because she wasn't trying. Every now and then she would just flick her wrist a little more than normal creating amazing top spin. The ball would just kick up from the bounce very unexpectedly. Nice!

Jamie Oliver in Channel 4 promo

2008-11-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

I wonder if he's really plays....thanks to Lem for the spot.

Bruce Lee Plays with Nunchuckas for Nokia N96

2008-11-20T02:31:00.000-08:00

Posting this from China. Seemed apt.

70 bucks of fun

2008-11-15T12:53:00.001-08:00

I'll let you know when the celebrity ping pong pool is open.

The Lower East Side Cup

2008-11-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

Pupa and Danny battle it out for a place in the Final. Better quality coverage of the summer's coolest sporting event here at Plum TV.

More Presidential Pong

2008-11-15T09:22:00.001-08:00

From Dark Sky Magazine.

A table in the White House?

2008-11-14T13:11:00.001-08:00

Good news. Obama plays (well I'm going to assume if his daughters do then he does). I didn't really think there was any doubt. It confirms my theory that the very best people like to play.

Ping Pong Playa Traila

2008-11-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

Good to see that Ping Pong Playa the movie that Jimmy Tsai (featured in issue 1) wrote and starred in has come out and is doing well as an indie hit.

Jihae Album Launch Party

2008-11-13T06:58:00.001-08:00

Featured in Issue 1 of CPP, Jihae, has a new album out: Elvis is still alive. It reminds me a little of Grace Jones - which is a very good thing. A very good thing.

Hot off the press - she is possibly touring Europe with Lenny Kravitz next year.

I like Nike, but wait a minute.

2008-11-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

These will be mine. Oh yes. They will be mine. The Nike TT Star Classic. From Certified Random.

2008-11-10T11:31:00.001-08:00

Me speaking about playing ping pong, while playing ping pong at the Interesting conference New York in September. I think I have improved quite a lot since then but still haven't beaten Khairi over three games.

James Cooper at Interesting New York from David Nottoli on Vimeo.

Issue 1 / Jihae

2008-10-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Issue 1 / Jerome Charyn

2008-10-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Issue 1 / Kenan Bell

2008-10-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Issue 1 / Kate Moross

2008-10-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Issue 1 / Christof Laputka

2008-10-24T08:23:00.001-07:00

The Eagle Has Landed

2008-10-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

After a few trips to the paper store, and some early starts issue one has been printed. Looking good Billy-Ray.