Flash in the Pan

What was Yuri Ushakov, Russian ambassador to the U.S., doing on the evening of Tuesday, April 10, 2007? Why, promoting a Russian premium vodka at some gala event.Who's footing the marketing bill? None other than 44-year-old billionaire Roustam Tariko, "founder of the largest consumer credit bank in Russia." He started the brand in 1998 - sorry, apparently not an age-old tradition of the steppes. According to the press release, "Over 500 guests, predominantly trade and retail partners, enjoyed Russian Standard Original cocktails and unlimited caviar while listening to Balalaika players and a classical Russian string quartet." Whoah - unlimited cariar? I'm guessing that the bank has a really big petty cash drawer.