2012 PRSA-LA
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT Dennis Kaiser
ValleyCrest Landscape Companies
PRESIDENT-ELECT Stephan Roth
OutThink Partners
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Brian O'Connor
Princess Cruises
VP / TREASURER Steve Locascio
The Michael Russell Group
VP / SECRETARY Kerry Sinclair
Chandler Chicco Companies
VICE PRESIDENTS John Musella, APR
The Musella Group
Alfredo Padilla
Media Relations Consultant
Negin Kamali
GolinHarris
DIRECTORS Julie Benson
Princess Cruises
Laura Calliari
AEG Arts & Exhibitions International
Erik Deutsch
ExcelPR Group
Holly Ferris
Ferris Communications
Kathleen Flood
MWW Group
Jean Gonsoulin
The Gonsoulin Group
Victoria Lelash, APR
PainePR
Shari Mesulam
The Mesulam Group
Anna Parra
Anna Parra Public Affairs
Phyllis Tucker
Hill & Knowlton
Denis Wolcott, APR
The Wolcott Company
Kristin Wood
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
ASSEMBLY DELEGATES Greg Jenkins, APR
Bravo Productions
Peter Hidalgo, APR
Time Warner Cable
Eric Moses
Occidental Petroleum
Sallie Olmstead, APR
Stefan Pollack
The Pollack PR Marketing Group
Rita Tateel
The Celebrity Source
YP LIAISON Dillon Bianchi EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mindy Gail |
The Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is comprised of more than 575 public relations professionals representing many LA-area corporations, public relations agencies, independent practitioners, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.
Our diverse membership benefits from PRSA-LA's educational and networking opportunities, as well as services such as job listings, referral programs, internship opportunities, chapter meetings and other resources.
Chapter Milestones
2011
PRSA-LA welcomes Mindy Gail as its new Executive Director.
2010
PRSA-LA presents Barbara Shore with its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award for her 40 years of service to the Chapter as Executive Director.
2008
PRSA-LA celebrates its 60th anniversary with the largest gathering of past presidents in the chapter's history. More than 20 past presidents chronicle their recollections about the history of the chapter.
2004
PRSA-LA Board Member Dawn Wilcox, APR stages the first Quality Time with PR Minds event and creates a model program for assisting nonprofits that is emulated by other PRSA chapters.
2003
PRSA-LA holds its first IPG (Independent Practitioners Group) Meeting.
1990
PRSA-LA and the Annenberg School for Communication hold the first Kenneth Owler Smith (KOS) Symposium named after the beloved USC professor.
1989
PRSA-LA awards the first Don Perkins Grant to fund PR services for worthy nonprofit organizations.
1988
PRSA-LA members Eric Stoltz and Tom Trevett form PRSA's first Young Professionals (YP) section.
1985
PRSA-LA awards the first Joseph Roos Award to recognize PR professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary community service.
1970
PRSA-LA Executive Director Barbara Shore is hired to run the chapter's day-to-day operations - a position she held until December 2010.
1965
PRSA-LA elects its first woman president, Pat Penney.
1964
PRSA-LA holds the first annual PRism Awards competition and banquet.
1955
PRSA-LA hosts the national PRSA Annual Conference. More than 1,100 PR pros attend at the Ambassador Hotel.
1948
PRSA-LA incorporated as one of PRSA's first five founding chapters. Bob Roberts elected first chapter president.
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L.A. Connect
is published by
PRSA-LA
11271 Ventura Blvd. #376
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: 818.582.3233
www.prsala.org
Philip Sokoloski
Editor
213.977.8630
Andrew Hindes
Associate Editor
323.256.4950
(c) 2011 PRSA-LA
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L.A. Connect is a submission-driven publication. Contact editor Philip Sokoloski at psokoloski@filmla.com for more information on how to get involved in newsletter production.
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Greetings!
 | | Dennis Kaiser |
Hello and welcome to another edition of L.A. Connect.
This has been a busy month heading into the summer, with our board members, subcommittee chairs and executive leadership hard at work getting a number of big projects off the ground. Not least of these is the next round of ConneXions Mixers, coming to five local venues on Thursday, June 7.
If you haven't experienced one of our signature networking events before, now would be the perfect time to give ConneXions a try. The first 25 guests to show up at each location each receive a complimentary beverage, in addition to tasty hors d'oeuvres and hours of stimulating conversation with other PR professionals.
We've also been moving forward with preparations for this year's PRism Awards competition. The Call for Entries will be arriving in your inbox soon, and will be accompanied by news of another chapter first--paperless online applications! So don't preorder that case of three-ring binders just yet--the new system promises to make submitting entries simpler and more cost-effective for PRism hopefuls, and make the process easier for PRism Committee volunteers to administer.
I'll close by sharing my sincerest thanks to those of you who took the time to complete our recent membership survey. Knowing what makes PRSA-LA valuable to you is a big help as we explore ways to keep chapter initiatives relevant, fresh and exciting. We look forward to taking your input and suggestions into consideration as we plan new events for the rest of the year.
Respectfully, Dennis Kaiser, PRSA-LA President
dennis@prsala.org
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PRSA-LA ConneXions Networking Mixers Are Back!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
At a Location Near You!
 PRSA Los Angeles Chapter invites you and your colleagues to our no cover charge ConneXions Networking Mixers at five locations throughout Greater Los Angeles. Each mixer is hosted by members of our Board of Directors and is open to all members, non-members and PR service providers. Attend a ConneXions Mixer near your work or home to network with other PR professionals and learn more about how PRSA-LA can help support your career and professional endeavors. Bring your business cards and let's network! - PRSA-LA Board Leadership Hosts to Welcome You
- One Free Beverage for First 25 Attendees (followed by cash bar)
- Complimentary Hors d'Oeuvres
- Door Prizes (at most locations)
Post-mixer dining is optional. Attendees are encouraged to make dinner reservations to support the establishments graciously welcoming PRSA-LA. Valet parking is also available at most locations (Burbank location excepted; discount rates available at most locations with validation). TO RSVP, choose a location below and contact the ConneXions host listed for each:
BEVERLY HILLSAvalon Hotel Beverly Hills 9400 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills CA 90212 Valet Parking: $10 RSVP to Host: Negin Kamali, GolinHarris negin@prsala.orgCo-Host: John Musella, APR, The Musella Group Dinner Reservations: http://www.avalonbeverlyhills.com/Tel: (310) 277-5221
WESTSIDE / SANTA MONICAViceroy Hotels & Resorts Santa Monica (poolside) 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica CA 90401 Valet Parking: $10/hr first 2 hours, 1$/hr thereafter RSVP to Host: Kerry Sinclair, Chandler Chicco Companies kerry@prsala.orgDinner Reservations: http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/Tel: (310) 451-8711
DOWNTOWN LAWokcano Downtown LA 800 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Valet Parking: $5 RSVP To Host: Richard Knalfec, Synaptic Digital richard.knalfec@synapticdigital.comCo-Hosts: Jean Gonsoulin, The Gonsoulin Group Robert Tate, Citizen Relations & YP President Dinner Reservations: http://www.wokcanorestaurant.com/Tel: (213) 623-2288
LONG BEACHGladstones at the Pike @ Rainbow Harbor 333 S. Pine Ave. (at Pine and Shoreline Drive) Long Beach, CA 90802 Valet Parking: $6 RSVP To Host: Greg Jenkins, APR, Bravo Productions greg@prsala.orgCo-Host: Anna Parra, Anna Parra Public Relations Dinner Reservations: http://www.gladstoneslongbeach.comTel: (562) 432-8588
BURBANK / SAN FERNANDO VALLEYWokcano Burbank 150 South San Fernando Road, Burbank CA 91502 Parking: Self-park available behind restaurant RSVP To Host: Kristin Wood, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts kristin@prsala.orgCo-Host: Shannah Katz, Disney Interactive, YP Board Member Dinner Reservations: http://www.wokcanorestaurant.com/ Tel: (818) 524-2288
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2012 Member Benefits Highlight
New Complementary Online Learning Opportunities Debut in June
 This year PRSA National introduced a very special new member benefit: FREE access to its entire catalog of online learning opportunities (section-specific material excluded). Here is a rundown of some of the options that will be available to members in June. For more information or to register for these opportunities, click on the link associated with each: - Getting Ready for the APR Computer-Based Examination
Has it been a while since you took a multiple-choice exam? As part of your APR preparation, you should learn to analyze scenario-based questions to increase your chance of success. In this webinar, you will increase your understanding of the multiple-choice environment, while participating in demonstration exercises. Instructor: Jason S. Kirsch, APR. Date: June 14, 2012. [REGISTER]
- Public Trust and Confidence
Booz Allen Hamilton launched the National Trust and Confidence Index Study (NTCIS) to assess the key elements that shape public trust and confidence. In this webinar, you'll learn how the index can be used by government, commercial and not-for-profit organizations to establish a baseline for public trust and confidence, as well as identify areas for improvement. Date: June 14, 2012. [REGISTER]
- How To Be the Best Trend Spotter
When it comes to crisis preparation and reputation management, are you paying attention to the big picture? In this introductory webinar, you'll learn how to identify emerging trends that could affect your business. Instructor: Richard Laermer. Date: June 26, 2012. [REGISTER]
- Anatomy of a 2.0 News Release
Are you looking for ways to get the word out more effectively? Need to help Google find your website, connect with online readers, and more? Take this webinar to learn how to optimize your releases for search engines and human readers. Instructor: Ann Wylie. Date: June 28, 2012. [REGISTER]
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PRSA-LA Young Professionals to Present Pair of Public Relations Panels in June
 PRSA's Los Angeles Chapter is fortunate to have a very large and active Young Professionals section. For June, the group has announced a pair of upcoming panels focused on industry-specific communications specialties. Save the date today for:
June 6, 2012
Entertainment PR Panel
Panelists TBA | June 21, 2012
Digital PR Panel
Panelists TBA |
For more information about these and other Young Professionals events, please visit the Young Professionals Event Page on Facebook. RSVP's should be sent to Carlos Gaona, PRSA-LA YP Programming Co-Chair at karlosgaona@mac.com.
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Attention Employers!
PRSA-LA Job Listings
The job listings section of PRSA-LA's website is a great resource for reaching qualified PR professionals seeking employment. Listings are free to post, and remain on the site for 30 days (renewable upon request). Click here to post a job.
Members, check out the 10 new job opportunities posted this month by Elle Communications, J Public Relations, Kahn Media, Inc., LAMPS PLUS, O'Melveny & Myers, OutThink Partners, Pratt & Whitney and ViSalus.
If you need assistance accessing the site, contact info@prsala.org.
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MEMBER/AGENCY NEWS
Do you have professional news to share? Did you or a colleague get promoted or receive an honor or award? Did your agency win new business? If so, let us know so we can share the good news with your fellow PRSA-LA members. Please e-mail info to L.A. Connect Editor Philip Sokoloski at psokoloski@filmla.com.
Wonacott Communications Expands Interactive Entertainment Team with New Account Director
 | | Jason Wonacott |
Wonacott Communications, a full-service independent public relations and integrated communications agency, recently appointed video games PR pro Mark Van Lommel as account director for its award-winning interactive entertainment and technology team. Lommel brings to Wonacott nearly 10 years of PR experience in the video games and home entertainment industries. In his new role, he will provide senior-level account management and program development to Wonacott's current and new games-related clients, as well as support new business opportunities for the agency.
Pollack PR Marketing Group Picks Up Pair of New Tech Industry Clients
 | | Noemi Pollack |
The Pollack PR Marketing Group (PPMG) recently announced a pair of new business partnerships with tech-industry clients. One of those clients is Crucial.com, a leading online retailer backed by Micron, Inc. which specializes in sales of computer memory (DRAM) upgrades and solid state drives (SSD). PPMG will steward the company's U.S. public relations efforts, while Kaizo Ltd. (UK) and Phe Communication (France) coordinate similar efforts overseas.
PPMG also entered into a business relationship with Dynamite Data, a state-of-the-art provider of real-time e-commerce data to leading manufacturers and merchants. PPMG will assist Dynamite in developing proactive PR strategies that capitalize on existing retail and e-commerce news cycles, and help raise the company's profile as a leading player in the growing "Big Data" sector.
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Welcome New Members
Lindsey Berg
| Kelly Brown
UTI Worldwide
| | Sarah Chavey
FILTER Creative Group
| Jamie Glushon
Burson-Marsteller
| | Daniel Kahn
Kahn Media, Inc.
| Kate Korman
IMRE
| | Drew Metzger
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Laura Schiller
| | Andrea Torrez
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Volunteers Needed: Share Your Wisdom with PRSSA Students
 Do you have wisdom that would benefit future public relations professionals? Do you enjoy teaching PR-related topics to college students?
PRSA-LA sponsors seven Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters--Biola University, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California. All chapters host meetings that feature guest speakers, and they're always looking for professionals willing to visit their campuses.
If you're interested in serving as a guest speaker, please email your name, title, company and topic, and we'll share your interest with the LA-area PRSSA chapters.
For more information on how to support PRSA-LA's student chapters, please contact Holly Ferris at holly@prsala.org or 562.429.6456.
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