Gossip

Can Steve Brazier survive this evening's dinner?

Should an unfortunate incident occur this evening, at Monaco's "lovely Ferme St Michel" restaurant tonight, leading to injury - or worse! - to the dynamic ceo of research company Canalys, then Sniffer can point police to the likely list of prime suspects.

ne of the rules of panel moderation, of course, is providing the panel with comfortable chairs, and a sense of their own importance.

As you can see from our illustration

the Mobile Convergence conference panel on 'total cost of ownership' included Paul Broertjes, of E+ Technology, Jeremy Davies, Context; Joachim Schwartz, AMB Generali; Joe Parker, Dell; and Yad Jaura, Excellenet. And what you can tell from their faces is that they are not smiling and happy.

Sniffer can tell you why. It is because they have no chairs. Worse, they are standing under hot lights, and they have been standing for several minutes, while charismatic Steve Brazier does a PowerPoint presentation lasting - well, several minutes. Our panel has not yet been introduced to the audience, and their feet are starting to hurt ... and it went on for several minutes after this revealing picture was taken ...

Brazier is, of course, quite safe at the hands of these worthy and restrained citizens this evening at the informal dinner. Especially since Sniffer is prepared to help Monaco police with any inquiries ...