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2008 PRSA-LA
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Rita Tateel
President
The Celebrity Source
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Jean Gonsoulin
Sr. VP, Corporate Practice, Western Region
GolinHarris
VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER
Daniel Minkoff
Director, Policy and Communications
Councilmember José Huizar
Council District 14
VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
Angela Wannberg
Chandler Chicco Agency
VICE PRESIDENT
Karen White, APR
Director, Corp. Communications
Amgen
VICE PRESIDENT
Dawn Wilcox, APR
General Manager, Los Angeles
Allison & Partners
VICE PRESIDENT
Eric Moses
Vice President
Consensus Planning Group
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Brandy Phillips
Senior Manager Communications
Walt Disney Internet Group
DIRECTORS
Ron Antonette
Vice President
Fleishman-Hillard
Kimberly Cohn
Director of Marketing Communications
Easter Seals
Christine Shaw Davis
Communications Director
BBC Worldwide
Kathleen Dunleavy
Communications Lead Manager
West Region
Sprint Nextel
Holly Ferris
President
Ferris Communications
Bob Gold
President
Bob Gold & Associates
Dawn McKenzie
Assistant Regional Manager
Product Communications
General Motors Corporation
Brian O'Connor
Director of Public Relations
Cunard Line
Alfredo Padilla
Vice President
Comerica Bank Western Market – Corp.
Marcie Perez
Vice President
Idea Hall
Phyllis Tucker
Senior Vice President
Hill & Knowlton
Kristen Wareham
Sr. Communications Manager
Yahoo!
Kate Wilkinson
Account Executive
Manning Selvage & Lee
ASSEMBLY DELEGATES
Michael J. Furtney, APR, Fellow PRSA (2009)
Principal
Killeen Furtney Group
Peter Hidalgo, APR (2010)
Chief of Staff
Legislation and Communications
Councilmember José Huizar
Council District 14
Daryl R. McCullough (2009)
President
PainePR
Ron W. Roecker (2010)
Global Vice President, Entertainment
Taylor
Joe Pan, APR (2009)
Partner
Lang/Pan/Chan Public Relations
Stefan I. Pollack (2008)
President
The Pollack PR Marketing Group
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Member Links:
Job Listings
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Erik Deutsch
Editor
323-851-2455
erikd@excelpr.com
L.A.Connect
is published by
PRSA-LA
11271 Ventura Blvd. #514
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: 818-761-5575
(c) 2008 PRSA-LA
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Dear PRSA,
 While some of us baby boomers insist that 60 is the new 40, the notion that you can get better as you get older truly applies to PRSA-LA. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, the chapter is more energetic and spirited than ever.
Eight new committees have been established, with more on the way. We're working to enhance our Web site, and the PRSA-LA Board of Directors recently adopted a resolution to incorporate diversity into everything the chapter does, including member recruitment, monthly programs, speakers, panels, our Web site and all 60th anniversary activities.
Our 60th anniversary theme is "Reflection and Reinvention," which encourages us to consider the impact PRSA-LA has had on the profession and its members, as well as look forward to how the organization and the industry will evolve.
We will keep you posted on news regarding our anniversary celebration. I also encourage you to become more involved. Please let me know how you'd like to participate by e-mailing me directly at prsa@celebritysource.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Rita Tateel
2008 PRSA-LA President
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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 submissions to L.A. Connect Editor Erik Deutsch at erikd@excelpr.com.
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Don't Miss This Year's Newsroom Visit!
PRSA-LA and NBC4 Present
"Behind the News at NBC4"
Wednesday, March 26th
 Don't miss this unique opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Southern California's top TV news teams. Mingle with on-air personalities, tour the NBC4 facilities and talk directly with the individuals who decide if, when and how your stories get covered.
Space is limited to the first 100 guests who register, so sign up today for this very special annual studio program that has sold out in the past!
WHO:
Robert Long, KNBC Vice President and News Director
Ana Garcia, 6 pm Anchor & Investigative Reporter
Rebecca Nieto, Senior News Producer
Bonnie Buck, Managing Editor, KNBC.com & Telemundo52.com
MODERATOR: Judy Johnson, EVP & Regional Managing Director, Western US, GolinHarris
Introduction by Fritz Coleman, NBC4 Weathercaster
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
6:00 pm – Hors d'oeuvres, Networking and Newsroom/Studio Tours
7:00 pm – Panel Discussion/Q&A
3000 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA 91523
COST:
$35 for PRSA-LA Members
$45 for Non-Members/Guests
$30 for PRSA Assoc, YP and PRSSA Members
(add $10 for payments made after March 21st)
PARKING:
Free (instructions will be sent via e-mail)
SPACE IS LIMITED, SO RSVP EARLY!!!
Pay online at http://www.acteva.com/go/prsala, by phone at (323) 461-2372 or mail check to PRSA-LA, 11271 Ventura Blvd., #514, Studio City, CA 91604
(please include name of attendee/company and e-mail address)
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There has never been a better time to support PRSA-LA and gain valuable exposure for you and your company.
The local chapter offers a wide range of sponsorship opportunities – from ads on the Web site and newsletter to all sorts of recognition at events including the annual PRism Awards Banquet and our 60th Anniversary Luncheon.
 PRSA-LA is the nation's fourth largest PRSA chapter, with members from Santa Barbara to Long Beach. Sponsorship is a great way to build goodwill among many of the region's leading PR industry decision makers and corporate communications specialists.
Several 2008 sponsorship opportunities and packages are still available, but only for a limited time.
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Member News
Gold Joins UN Global Compact
 Bob Gold & Associates has pledged its support to good corporate citizenship by joining the United Nations Global Compact, which advocates 10 key principles focused on human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. With pledges from more than 3,800 partners in more than 100 countries, the Compact encourages businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. Joining the UN Compact is just the latest effort by the Torrance-based PR agency to expand its international reach and involvement. It also recently became the first North American member of the Whiteoaks International Network (WIN) of PR agencies.
Done! SEO Profiled in Newsweek
 El Segundo-based search engine optimization firm Done! SEO was profiled in the Feb. 18th issue of Newsweek (read story) in a story about online reputation management. The report featured Jeff Henderson, Done! SEO's director of business development, who discussed the growing field of cyber reputation protection and repair, which he referred to as "the next generation of public relations." He also discussed how his firm helps individuals and organizations manage their online search results with SERM (Search Engine Reputation Management).
Tateel Quoted in NY Times, Ad Age
 PRSA-LA President Rita Tateel was quoted in the March 9th edition of The New York Times Magazine (read story) regarding celebrities and philanthropy. The story – which appears in the Magazine's "Money Issue" – references Rita's success in teaming Purina with animal welfare activist and "CSI Miami" star Emily Procter. In addition, Rita will be quoted in the March 24th issue of Ad Age. Rita founded celebrity brokerage firm The Celebrity Source in 1988 and is considered one of Hollywood's leading celebrity recruiters.
ExcelPR Adds STAAR to Healthcare Client Roster
Ophthalmic products manufacturer STAAR Surgical has tapped ExcelPR Group to manage nationwide consumer publicity and word-of-mouth marketing for its Visian ICL lens implant. The ICL is a minimally-invasive implant approved by the FDA to treat patients with moderate to severe nearsightedness, including those who may not be good candidates for LASIK.
Hidalgo and Minkoff Reunite at Council Office
Congratulations to PRSA-LA Board Member Peter Hidalgo on his promotion from deputy chief of staff to chief of staff for L.A. City Councilmember José Huizar (Council District 14), as well as to PRSA-LA Treasurer Daniel Minkoff, who has joined Councilman Huizar's staff as director of policy and communications. Daniel recently left his position as VP of corporate PR at City National Bank. Peter and Daniel last worked together in Mayor Richard Riordan's office near the end of his second term.
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 April 10th:
At Breakfast With…
Reaching Out to the Multicultural Press
WHO:
Eric Olander, VP of News, KSCI-TV (Channel 18)
Oscar Garza, Editor-in-Chief, Tu Ciudad Magazine
Gabriel Lerner, Editor, La Opinion
(more confirmed speakers to be announced soon)
WHEN:
Thursday, April 10, 2008
8:00 to 9:00 am (bagels and coffee will be served)
Please arrive by 7:45 am. Program will begin promptly at 8:00 am.
WHERE:
Union Bank of California – Downtown Branch
Coral Pavilion Room (Plaza Level in the courtyard)
445 S. Figueroa Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90071
COST:
$10.00 for PRSA Members
$20.00 for Non-Members
$5.00 for PRSAA Student Members Payment by check encouraged; cash also accepted. Sorry, no credit cards.
RSVP:
Alfredo E. Padilla, Comerica Bank
213.486.6222
aepadilla@comerica.com
Sponsored by Comerica Bank and The NewsMarket
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 Accreditation Celebration –
Q&A with LA's Newest APR
PRSA-LA congratulates Jefferey Hobbs, senior manager of corporate communications at Edison International, for becoming the first member to earn the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential in 2008!
Here's what Jefferey has to say about his APR experience:
 Q: Why did you decide to pursue your APR?
A: After 15 years in the industry, I had reached a point in my career where I needed to challenge myself and broaden my skill set.
Q: What does having an APR credential mean to you?
A: It's a personal goal that I set for myself, and it gives me a sense of achievement in the field. The real benefit, though, is the learning that comes from the process.
Q: Have you already benefited professionally?
A: Yes, in several ways. I met many people during the process, and I'm meeting more people as I promulgate the accreditation value.
Q: What's the one thing you would tell someone who's trying to decide whether or not to pursue an APR?
A: Allow time for the process. To do it right, I suggest six months to a year. Above all, enjoy the process of learning, because that's where the real value lies: knowing much more – and at a higher level – than when you started out.
Make 2008 the year you get your APR credential!
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Welcome New Members
PRSA-LA welcomes the following new members:
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KOS Symposium Wrap-Up
 The 18th Annual Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium (Feb. 28) addressed the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the need for transparency, or being open about one's true philanthropic interests, activities and results. The all-star panel moderated by USC Annenberg's PR Program Director Jerry Swerling explained the importance for companies to "do good" and "do well."
Panelist Ed Chansky provided a legal perspective by dissecting the language and "fine print" of ads that can cloud an organization's true objectives. Greg Donaldson of the American Cancer Society explained how he deals with an onslaught of cause-marketing proposals from eager companies, and how he rejects all but a select few.
Michael Rouse of Toyota discussed how the carmaker steers clear of conventional cause-marketing in favor of highly transparent "branded programs" such as the Toyota Teen Driver seminars. Finally, sales and marketing expert Maureen Carlson proposed a challenge to the PR community to develop transparent, verifiable corporate philanthropy campaigns that focus on an integrated donation rather than a simple percentage of sales. "This would help change the face of corporate social responsibility from simply a promotion to an investment," she said.
Story by Leigh C. Lehman, '09
MA in Strategic Public Relations
USC Annenberg School for Communication
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Tell Your Colleagues –
Last Call for PRSA Membership Promotion
PRSA is waiving the $65 initiation fee for new members who join before March 31st as part of the "Taste of PRSA" promotion. The discount also applies to returning members who have been inactive for more than one year. More information is available at Taste of PRSA Promotion
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