Spy is writing this from a cramped airline seat en-route Down Under. Yes, dear readers, Spy is hanging up his magnifying glass and deerstalker cap for the year and heading to the Northern Beaches of Sydney where he intends to drink large quantities of Sauvignon Blanc and sit in the sun forgetting about the world of asset management for a few weeks. This is his last column of the year. In what is becoming an annual tradition, Spy, glass of whisky in hand, is looking back at all the premiums and goodies given out by the industry and sharing his thoughts.
T’is the season for giving after all and what a broad selection Spy and his collection of understudies and street urchins have discovered during 2016.
In no particular order, these are Spy’s top 10 of the year.
The M&G London bus and traditional telephone box pencil sharpener were a hit. The red telephone box gave Spy memories of a bygone era when he would call potential girlfriends and hope to summon the courage to ask for a date before the pennies ran out… Nostalgia and fun in a single package.
The ubiquitous power bank; essential in times of need. This year’s stand out, from all those that Spy tested came from Jupiter. The leads are attached so you don’t lose them. The power battery also allowed Spy to keep on drinking in a secluded bar, eavesdropping, while keeping his phone attached for office emergencies. Very useful indeed.
Keeping the kids happy, Old Mutual Global Investors, came up with a remote control car. Spy liked the allusion of driving your investments forward. Good metaphor and fun.
Whether it was to brighten up your dull corporate cubical or keep the little ones happy, Investec’s zebra was a winner in 2016. Fund Selector Asia’s offices had a herd of them by the end of the year and longed to visit the African savannah near the South African giant’s headquarters. The Zebra tied in nicely with Investec’s marketing branding and had a smiling face too. What’s not to love?
Spy’s personal favourite: a classy bottle opener from Standard Life Investments to grant easy access to those craft beers he loves so much. It is the sort of item that will hang around for years, always coming in handy and no doubt spreading the SLI warmth to all and sundry.
Neuberger Berman pushed out the boat with their leather travel case this year. The quality is excellent, it is versatile and discreet. Not every corporate gift will be used in a personal capacity, Spy reckons this one will.
Getting on another flight and you hear the sounds of those excited 2, 4 and 7-year old kids gearing up for a nice fun fight? Ah, yes, reach for your M&G earphones. An unexpected premium and a welcome one since those Samsung and iPhone ones always seem to get lost or stretched.
If you drink as much coffee as Spy does, it would be almost criminal to go through so many paper cups. Handily, Henderson (soon to be Janus Henderson Global Investors) provided the perfect solution. Their coffee flask was a welcome addition to Spy’s desk and no doubt dozens of exhausted fund selectors and RMs across the region.
The Ram clearly decided that 2016 was the year of its wholesale party. T. Rowe Price gave out an elegant, effective and surprisingly loud speaker this year. Spy saw these being snapped up at every Forum. Whilst it might take more than music alone to get a party started, Spy has seldom had good time without it. Good choice.
Finally, a number of companies provided the all-important notebooks. Spy can’t do without them for his discreet scribblings on the goings on in the industry. No doubt every fund selector and analyst will be gripping one as they think about the funds and strategies of 2017 and beyond.
So, 2016 draws to a close. Spy reflects that he has had some hits this year and some misses, but if you will forgive the flowery analogy and let him (mis)quote from Puck’s epilogue in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
“If we Spies have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Spy,
If we have unearned luck
Now to ‘scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Spy a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And FSA shall restore amends.”
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to one and all.
Until next year…
