Morgan Freeman and Richard Johnson at a WHCA after-party at the French ambassador's residence. Photograph by Carol Ross Joynt.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has successfully had its name stricken
from any written formal connection to a so-called “gifting suite” that is planned
for select invitees at a secret location this weekend during the WHCA’s annual dinner.
that the Creative Coalition and a Los Angeles-based event
coordinator, GBK Productions,
had sent out invitations to a so-called Thank You Lounge, where
invitees, among them
journalists, could choose free swag that included trips,
jewelry, and perfume. Though
a routine marketing feature at Hollywood events, such as the
Oscars and Golden Globes,
this is something new for a Washington dinner—especially one
connected to reporters
who cover the White House.
The WHCA had its lawyer contact TCC and GBK, threatening legal action due to “unauthorized
use” of the WHCA’s name and still-pending federal trademark. It was sent by George A. Lehner on behalf of WHCA, who wrote, “Our client takes very seriously the protection and
enforcement of these valuable intellectual property rights.”
Lehner phoned us Tuesday morning and said the issue was resolved on Monday evening,
when GBK’s founder, Gavin Keilly, “promptly took action to change their website.” He said, “We had a nice exchange.
He was apologetic, that he understood where we were coming from and they didn’t have
any intention of making unauthorized use” of the WHCA name. Lehner said far as he
knows TCC and GBK will still host the gifting suite. “They are entitled to do anything
they like”—save using WHCA’s name or associating it with the dinner. We asked if he
knew where the suite would be and whether it mattered if it was at the same hotel
as the dinner, the Washington Hilton. “We don’t own the hotel,” Lehner said.
While the invitation itself does not specifically mention the White House Correspondents’
Association, the invitation was included in an e-mail that plainly listed under upcoming
events: “GBK & the Creative Coalition White House Correspondence Weekend Gift Lounge.”
That’s their misspelling. The invitation also said invited guests would “have the
opportunity to donate their gifts to the charity of their choice.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association Bites Back on Swag and Wins
A planned “gifting suite” will no longer use the group’s name.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has successfully had its name stricken
from any written formal connection to a so-called “gifting suite” that is planned
for select invitees at a secret location this weekend during the WHCA’s annual dinner.
Last week we reported
that the Creative Coalition and a Los Angeles-based event
coordinator, GBK Productions,
had sent out invitations to a so-called Thank You Lounge, where
invitees, among them
journalists, could choose free swag that included trips,
jewelry, and perfume. Though
a routine marketing feature at Hollywood events, such as the
Oscars and Golden Globes,
this is something new for a Washington dinner—especially one
connected to reporters
who cover the White House.
The WHCA had its lawyer contact TCC and GBK, threatening legal action due to “unauthorized
use” of the WHCA’s name and still-pending federal trademark. It was sent by
George A. Lehner on behalf of WHCA, who wrote, “Our client takes very seriously the protection and
enforcement of these valuable intellectual property rights.”
Lehner phoned us Tuesday morning and said the issue was resolved on Monday evening,
when GBK’s founder,
Gavin Keilly, “promptly took action to change their website.” He said, “We had a nice exchange.
He was apologetic, that he understood where we were coming from and they didn’t have
any intention of making unauthorized use” of the WHCA name. Lehner said far as he
knows TCC and GBK will still host the gifting suite. “They are entitled to do anything
they like”—save using WHCA’s name or associating it with the dinner. We asked if he
knew where the suite would be and whether it mattered if it was at the same hotel
as the dinner, the Washington Hilton. “We don’t own the hotel,” Lehner said.
While the invitation itself does not specifically mention the White House Correspondents’
Association, the invitation was included in an e-mail that plainly listed under upcoming
events: “GBK & the Creative Coalition White House Correspondence Weekend Gift Lounge.”
That’s their misspelling. The invitation also said invited guests would “have the
opportunity to donate their gifts to the charity of their choice.”
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work
This DC-Area Lawyer Wants More Americans Betting on Elections
Trump Threatens DC Takeover, Says He’d Run the City “So Good”; Supreme Court OKs Mass Federal Worker Layoffs; and You Should Go Pick Some Sunflowers
Trump Pledges Support for RFK Stadium Plan, Ben’s Chili Bowl Will Strand Us Half-Smokeless for Months, and Pediatricians Are Suing RFK Jr.
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor