2014 PRSA-LA
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT Erik Deutsch
ExcelPR Group
PRESIDENT-ELECT Jean Gonsoulin
The Gonsoulin Group
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Steve Roth
OutThink Partners
VP / TREASURER Kerry Sinclair
GCI Health
VP / SECRETARY Kristin Wood
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
VICE PRESIDENTS Holly Ferris
Ferris Communications
Alfredo Padilla
Wells Fargo Mortgage
Philip Sokoloski
FilmL.A., Inc.
DIRECTORS Jackie Chase
Cunard Line
Natascha French
Allison+Partners
Raul Gordillo
Southern California Gas Co.
Charlie Gu
China Luxury Advisors
Victoria Lelash, APR
Citizen Relations
Shari Mesulam
The Mesulam Group
Rebecca Mikkelsen, APR
Doug Hay & Associates
Matt Myerhoff
L.A. Tourism & Convention Board
Keith Pillow, APR
Caddy Marketing & Communications
Clint Schaff
DARE
Angelica Urquijo
The Imagen Group
ASSEMBLY DELEGATES Peter Hidalgo, APR
Time Warner Cable
Eric Moses
Occidental Petroleum
Sallie Olmstead, APR
Rogers & Cowan
Stefan Pollack
The Pollack PR Marketing Group
Rita Tateel
The Celebrity Source
Denis Wolcott, APR
The Wolcott Company
YP PRESIDENT Jade Steven EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mindy Brundige |
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 Brundige 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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Young Professionals (YP) was founded in January of 1988 by members of PRSA-LA. Its purpose is to provide a forum for the career enhancement of public relations practitioners with fewer than five years of experience.
Through various member services and professional outreach programs, YP members learn about the industry's latest developments and form relationships with peers, as well as with experienced, respected industry professionals.
YP membership represents an opportunity to be a part of one of LA's leading professional public relations societies.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join our group on LinkedIn!
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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) 2014 PRSA-LA
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Greetings!
Get ready for more...
 | Erik Deutsch
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Over the past few months I've been asking a lot of questions. The goal has been to learn first-hand from PRSA-LA members (as well as prospective members) how we can deliver more value as an organization.
My initial question was simple: "Is there more of anything specific you'd like to see from PRSA-LA?"
The typical response was equally straightforward: "More of everything."
So that's precisely what we're working on - more events, more networking, more technology integration, more engagement with top-tier journalists and more professional development for practitioners at every level.
This "more of everything" effort begins Tuesday, February 25th as we present our first "Happy Hour Hangout" with local journalists (see article below for details). This is our first entirely online event, and it's free for all to attend. The goal is to build on our very successful "At Breakfast With..." series by providing yet another way for PRSA-LA members to engage with our friends in the media.
We'll announce several other new events and initiatives in the months ahead. In the meantime, please feel free to email me your thoughts on what you'd like to see more of from the chapter.
Stay tuned, and get ready for a lot more "PRSA-LA" in your schedule.
Erik Deutsch, PRSA-LA President
Principal, ExcelPR Group
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February Chapter Event
PRSA-LA Launches Online
"Happy Hour Hangout" Series
with Panel of Top L.A. Tech Journalists
Wednesday, February 25, 2014
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tune-in February 25th for PRSA-LA's inaugural "Happy Hour Hangout" featuring top L.A. tech journalists.
During this FREE Google+ powered event you'll hear first-hand from some of L.A.'s most prominent technology industry journalists about how they cover the L.A. tech scene and what they look for in a story.
This is PRSA-LA's first entirely online event, and you'll have a chance to submit questions in advance and live on Twitter via hashtag #PRSALA.
Panelists include:
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Natalie Jarvey, Digital Media Writer, The Hollywood Reporter, @natjarv
- Benjamin Kuo, Editor & Publisher, socalTECH.com, @benkuo
- Salvador Rodriguez , Technology Writer, Los Angeles Times, @sal19
- Moderator: David Bloom, Consultant for Digital Content Production & Partnerships, Deadline.com, @DavidBloom
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January Event Recap
PRSA-LA's 'State of the State of PR'
Kicks Off 2014 in Style
 This year's "State of the State of PR" event at the Luxe City Center Hotel provided PRSA-LA with a great start to programming in 2014. Attendees used the opportunity to network with colleagues and enjoy the fabulous view of the downtown skyline before taking in a panel disc ussion
with local PR thought leaders.
You can view a recap of the event thr
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In Memoriam
Anita Bennett, Recognized Public Relations Leader
 | | Anita Bennett |
Public relations leader and long-time PRSA member Anita Bennett passed away January 11th at Brotman Hospital Medical Center in Culver City. Bennett was known for her expertise in issues management, media relations and crisis communications. Her career in nonprofit and corporate communication spanned more than three decades. Since 1992, she served as senior vice president of Young Communications Group, Inc., where she guided internal management of the agency. She was also co-founder of National Consultants Group, a communications consultancy focused on building public/private partnerships and funding for nonprofit organizations. Bennett was past president of Public Communicators of Los Angeles (PCLA) and the Los Angeles Society of Public Relations Counselors. She served on the boards of the International Association of Business Communicators/LA and Women in Communications. In 1997 she received the IABC/LA John Cartwright Award. Colleagues remember Bennett for her grace, kindness and dry wit. Classically educated, she loved literature, jazz and cultural experiences of all kinds. She was also a humanitarian who fought for civil rights, equality and the welfare of animals. She was one of the original members of the L.A. Leggers marathon training group, and completed 10 marathons. Bennett is survived by countless friends, colleagues and associates. A celebration of her life is being planned and will be held in March. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Young, president of Young Communications Group, Inc. at (213) 738-9240 or visit http://www.facebook.com/YoungComms.Donations may be made in Bennett's honor to the California African American Museum, SPCA or L.A. Leggers.
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Early Bird Registration Extended
PRSA Western District Conference Comes to San Diego in March
 The early bird registration deadline for the PRSA Western District Conference (March 20-22) has been extended until Friday, February 21st, so it's not too late to let the sun shine on your public relations career in San Diego! Join colleagues from across the Western District as you listen to nationally recognized keynote speakers and participate in interactive roundtable discussions and workshops. This not-to-be-missed professional development conference will have something for everyone, from up-and-coming practitioners to seasoned veterans. Bring your family and enjoy everything San Diego has to offer. Conference fees and other registration details are available on the official conference website. Also follow the Western District online for more information: Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/PRSAWDCTwitterhttp://www.twitter.com/prsawestdist
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Save the Date
Calling All Students: PRSSA One-Day Conference Set for April 12th
 PRSSA student members - are you ready for a day all your own to network, learn and be inspired? PRSA-LA's second annual PRSSA Student Conference is returning to Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details about this exciting event featuring: - Keynote Speaker: Eric Schwartzman, Founder & CEO of Comply Socially. Eric will deliver a presentation titled: "Find Your Dream Job with Social Media"
Breakout Sessions will Include: - Hire Me! Tips on Resumes, Portfolios and Networking
- So Many Choices: An Exploration of Different Practice Areas with People in the Know
- Media Calling: Advice to New PR Professionals from Real Live Editors
Cost & Registration $25: PRSSA Members $35: Non-PRSSA Students Fee includes all sessions, continental breakfast, lunch and sweets. More details will follow soon by email. Questions in the meantime? Please contact Holly Ferris at holly@ferriscomm.com.
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New Member Promotion
Refer a Colleague in February and Help Them Earn Free Local Chapter Membership!
 Now is a great time to encourage your colleagues to join PRSA. Through the end of February, PR practitioners can receive a FREE one-year membership to the PRSA Los Angeles Chapter when they join the national organization using promotion code FEB14. Please forward this info to colleagues and associates. For information about membership dues and benefits, visit the PRSA National website.
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Member News
Roth Explains How to Avoid a Sochi Games PR Fail
 | | Stephan Roth |
PRSA-LA Immediate Past President Stephan Roth was featured in a recent PRNewser story on how brands can align themselves with the 2014 Winter Olympics without being perceived as indifferent to Russia's anti-gay policies. Roth, who serves as principal and founder of LGBT communications firm OutThink Partners, is quoted prominently and presents a three-part roadmap for avoiding controversy. Click here to read the story.
 | | Rita Tateel |
PRSA-LA Past President Rita Tateel is reprising her role as instructor this spring with the return of her one-day UCLA Extension course titled " Recruiting and Coordinating Celebrities for Spokespersons, Special Events, PR and Marketing" (UCLA X468). The class will be held Saturday, March 1st and cover ways to find and approach the right celebrities, get them to say "Yes," and make the experience a success. The class wraps with a panel of celebrities recounting their first-hand experiences working with PR pros. Tateel is president of The Celebrity Source, which she founded in 1988. Pollack PR Tapped to Counsel California Irrigation Solutions Leader
 | | Noemi Pollack |
The Pollack PR Marketing Group (PPMG) has been retained by Fresno-based Netafim USA, a provider of drip/micro irrigation solutions for the agriculture, landscape, greenhouse/nursery, mining, and wastewater industries. The agency will plan and execute a variety of public relations and marketing communications strategies focused on expanding market awareness of Netafim USA's products and applications, while bolstering the company's water conservation and sustainability brand outreach platforms.
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Credential Corner
 Since 1964, PR professionals have turned to PRSA's Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) program to enhance and demonstrate their professional capabilities. The APR process tests a candidate's knowledge and expertise in:
- Research, planning, implementation and evaluation of public relations programs
- Ethics and law affecting the field of public relations
- Communication models and theories
The testing process consists of two parts: presenting a work sample (the "Readiness Review") and taking a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. The Readiness Review helps candidates gauge what knowledge or skills they might need to improve prior to taking the test. "Studying for the APR exam benefited my career immediately because it helped me fill in gaps," said Denis Wolcott, APR, a former chapter president whose father, Robert B. Wolcott Jr., was a national president and board member when the APR designation was formed. "I was a former journalist and wasn't professionally educated in PR, so the process gave me the additional background I needed for my PR career." More than 5,000 PRSA members are currently accredited. The Los Angeles chapter supports candidates who want to join this group and take their career to the next level. Read more about the program and contact APR Committee Chairperson Rebecca Mikkelsen, APR at rebeccam@usa.net / (626) 660-5231.
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Welcome New Members
| June Alian
| Alvin Arquisola
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| | Irene Gutierrez
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| | Stephanie Kahan
| Alyssa Padron
| | VaShon Pruitt
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Liss Ross
| | Jaime Shaw
| Lolo Siderman
| | Paul Silva
| Tom Whitman
| Karen Whitaker
Enterprise Community Partners
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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 recent job postings by the Cedars-Sinai Health System, Consensus, Inc., and IMRE, among others.
If you need assistance accessing the site, contact info@prsala.org.
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