A (MARKETING) HOUSE IN THE HAMPTONS.

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Author: Woyke, Elizabeth

NETWORKING

Networking has always been part of summer in the Hamptons. But this season, the schmoozing at the posh Long Island beach community will be a bit more formal -- and corporate -- thanks to a marketing-and-PR duo who will be holding events at a "summer marketing house" to bring together company leaders, celebrities, media types, and just plain wealthy weekenders. If it's successful, the "cocktails and discussion" series, featuring corporate speakers, may lead to similar programs in Los Angeles, Vail, and Sundance.

This summer's series, dubbed the Hamptons Roundtable, is the brainchild of Joseph Anthony, who heads Vital Marketing, and Ronn Torossian, who runs 5W Public Relations, both based in New York. Anthony (whose clients include JLO by Jennifer Lopez) and Torossian (who represents Anthony's agency, among others) will host the series every other Saturday from June 10 to Labor Day at an East Hampton house they've rented. The idea is to invite 75 to 100 "tastemakers and influencers" in business, media, entertainment, and sports to discuss topics such as mass media's future and the success secrets of young millionaires. "This will give brands, companies, and celebrities access to each other," Torossian says, adding that friends and clients like MTV host Nick Cannon and New York Knicks guard/forward Jalen Rose will drop by to build buzz.

Top brass from Motorola and Evian (a 5W client) have signed on to speak. Will eastern Long Island's upscale summer people welcome a marketing house in their midst? Anthony thinks they will, because the series is "social and selective" -- like most of the Hamptons.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Copyright 2006

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By Elizabeth Woyke

Edited By Deborah Stead