These are a couple of pages from the diary of Martha Lane Fox, co-founder of the British Internet startup Lastminute.com. LMC’s heavily hyped stock soared 35% on its hugely successful first day of trading (14th March) and then plummeted about 80% shortly afterward, leaving some extremely angry investors. (Found) By David Mandl.
Monday, March 13, 2000
07:30: Go to window; wave to cheering throng
08:00: Negotiate terms for MLF doll with Mattel
08:30: Rehearse acceptance speech for Financial Times Twenty-First Century Achievement Award
09:00: Buy Hampstead Heath
09:30: Finish design of Lastminute.com board game
10:30: Submit proposal for irrigation of Sahara
11:30: Reshuffle Morgan Stanley Executive Committee
12:00: Sit for portrait for 10-Euro coin
13:00: Get massage from Archbishop of Canterbury
14:00: Politely decline offer to head European Central Bank
14:15: Italian Vogue photo shoot
17:00: Heal sick babies
19:00: Tape Friends guest appearance
01:20: Approve page-proofs for Tuesday’s International Herald Tribune
Monday, April 3, 2000
07:30: Don’t forget to pack bag lunch
09:00: Change phone number again
10:00: Chuck ‘lucky’ rabbit’s foot
10:30: BBC World Business News interview (remember: Lastminute.com was really Brent’s idea!)
12:00: Ask Jeeves about detergents for rotten vegetable stains
12:30: Get more crocodiles for moat
13:30: Press conference to rebut rumours of Lastminute.com/BSE connection
15:00: Buy milk, vegetables (don’t forget to bring 800 shares of LMC stock)
15:45: Send ‘cease & desist’ letters to wise-guy webmasters at LostAMint.com, LaughAMinute.com, Lostminute.com and LastOneOutCloseTheDoor.com
16:30: Talk to Geri H. re: Any more ‘goodwill ambassador’ openings?
17:00: Check w/solicitor: Is it legal to sell OBE medals on eBay?
17:30: Borrow $50 for annual domain-name renewal
Dave Mandl <dmandl AT panix.com>
