Those luminous industry figures who had their egos shamelessly massaged
by Punch magazine when it produced an ad featuring flattering line-
drawings of them all are now being asked to return the favour.
The special, double-page spread ad that ran in Campaign in September to
herald the resurrection of the satirical weekly is being sold in a blind
auction for the benefit of NABS.
The winner will be presented with his or her painting by the artist
himself, Peter Mennim, across the fabled Punch table.
Letters will be sent out shortly by NABS to all 79 featured and it will,
of course, be a democratic process in which the prize will go to the
highest bidder. It could, however, be a one-horse race, given that
money-bags Martin Sorrell is said to be extremely keen to snap up the
said work of art - and a minimum price of pounds 3,000 has been set.