March 2009 L.A Connect

PRSA-LA Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you have a product or service of interest to Los Angeles-area PR professionals? Becoming a PRSA-LA sponsor is a great way to reach your target audience, build your brand and generate new business.

PRSA-LA offers a wide range of sponsorship opportunities to reach members, who range from agency presidents to freelancers and news media professionals.

For more information, please contact Josefina Mora at (626) 744-0340 / jmora@playhousedistrict.org or Diedra Wylie at (805) 373-9523 / diedra.wylie@gm.com.

MEMBER NEWS 

Wonacott Welcomes Farrow as Account Supervisor

Wonacott Communications continues to build its interactive entertainment capabilities with the addition of Palmira Farrow to the agency's growing staff. Farrow will serve as an account supervisor handling corporate communications, product launches and digital/new media communications strategies for various Wonacott clients. Immediately prior to joining the agency, Farrow worked for video game industry leader Electronic Arts (EA), where she spearheaded PR programs for more than 20 game titles across various platforms.

Gold Expands Cable Tech Roster

Bob Gold & Associates has added cable TV solutions provider R.L Drake, LLC to its roster of communications technology clients. The agency will manage marketing and PR support for the new Drake Digital™ suite of products designed to improve how cable operators deliver TV services to subscribers. Drake has provided communications systems and video engineering components for more than 65 years, and is considered an institution in the cable TV industry.

Padilla Appointed to PRSA Foundation Board

PRSA-LA Board Member Alfredo Padilla has been appointed to serve as secretary of the PRSA Foundation – an independent non-profit organization founded in 1990 to support scholarships, research and initiatives that build greater understanding of the role of PR in serving society. Padilla, who works as VP of corporate communications for Comerica Bank, is the only L.A. area PR pro among the five officers and 11 trustees who will lead the PRSA Foundation in 2009.

Pollack Promotes National Public Gardens Day

The Pollack PR Marketing Group (PPMG) has broadened its long-standing relationship with Rain Bird Corporation on a new initiative, in partnership with the American Public Gardens Association, to develop and stage the first annual National Public Gardens Day on May 8th. The goal is to celebrate and raise awareness of America's public gardens, and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation and education nationwide.

Tellem Energizes Healthcare Practice

Tellem Worldwide has been named agency of record for Beverly Hills-based Beneveda Medical Group – the first healthcare practice in the US to specialize in energy medicine. The agency will help build awareness of Beneveda's unique approach to diagnosis and treatment, which measures internal energy flow and integrates Western and Eastern medicine.

Correction: Last month we reported that the Pollack PR Marketing Group (PPMG) was retained to promote the Santa Monica Pier Centennial Celebration. In fact, PPMG was retained as a subcontractor by NYC-based Public Works Inc. to promote the Celebration's kick-off event. We apologize for the error.

Cowabunga! It's time to hit the surf and join fellow PR pros from across the Western US as PRSA's Western District Conference comes to the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency April 22-24.

This year's theme is "Making Waves," which is appropriate given the event will feature thought-leaders such as Peter Shankman (the "big kahuna" behind HARO) and brand/marketing expert Peter Leinberger. So grab your boogie board and plan to attend! More info is available on the conference Web site.

On February 26th, PRSA-LA and the Annenberg School for Communication at USC presented the 19th Annual Kenneth Owler Smith (KOS) Symposium. This year's edition was titled "Global Recession: Public Relations Calamity or Opportunity?" It featured an all-star panel of experts and a keynote from renowned PR industry analyst Paul Holmes. Video highlights and a full audio stream of the event can be viewed on PRSA-LA's Web site courtesy of Jacket Media (www.jacketmedia.com).

Do you or a colleague have professional news to share? Did you 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 Erik Deutsch at erikd@excelpr.com or Assoc. Editor Philip Sokoloski at  psokoloski@filmla.com.