Last night, The New York Times threw a big splashy party at the Times Center designed to remind its advertisers how well-loved they are, and to introduce them to three of the paper's newly appointed culture editors.

"We're making this thing in common, every single day," said Times media columnist David Carr at the tail end of a panel discussion with Book Review editor Pamela Paul, culture editor Danielle Mattoon and Arts & Leisure editor Sia Michel. "Absent your interest and sustained support of the brand of journalism and the standards of the work that we do, there wouldn't be a lot to talk about tonight, or tomorrow morning. So we're really grateful ... for your ongoing support."

The Times of course would be grateful for much more such support. The company's advertising revenues are still in freefall, down 13.3 percent in print and 4 percent in digital during the first quarter of 2013, while circulation, bolstered by the Times' paid digital model, has become a bigger boon to the bottom line.

So it's not surprising to see the paper of record pull out all the stops for the lucrative brands that line its culture pages. Among those represented last night were Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Natural History, IFC, Hyperion, City Center, St. Martin’s Press, Magnolia Pictures, the Weinstein Company, the Metropolitan Opera, the NY Philharmonic and the Asia Society.

Guests were treated to Thai chicken skewers, mini-burgers, roasted dates and other passed appetizers, as well as a top-shelf open bar including Woodford Reserve bourbon and "Ginger-ritas" courtesy of tequila sponsor Siembra Azul. When Capital arrived around 7, faux-twin DJs Andrew and Andrew—no strangers to the Styles section—were spinning a remix of "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks.

More impressive than the music and cocktail spread, however, was the array of Times bigwigs mingling in the crowd.

Chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. was there with his new girlfriend, the private equity director Gabrielle Greene (who's less of a jetsetter than his ex, Claudia Gonzales, but a power player nonetheless). C.E.O. Mark Thompson was making the rounds with his daughter. (The two executives were billed as the evening's hosts.)

The newsroom was well represented, too, by executive editor Jill Abramson and managing editor Dean Baquet, who betrayed no hint of the "turbulent" professional relationship that has reportedly developed behind the scenes.