PRSA-LA Communicating with Intent: Advancing Urban Sustainability through Transportation Communications
2022-07-28 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join PRSA-LA and representatives from LA Metro, Metrolink, Lime, and Piccolo Pendolare for a discussion on sustainability in transportation. How can these organizations and companies entice Los Angelenos to get out of their gas vehicles? What are the challenges to promoting alternative modes of transportation in an area that is perceived to be so car-centric? What are some ways that PR pros and event planners can incorporate sustainable and alternative transportation into their event plans? Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities that are top of mind for LA’s top transportation communication pros.

Join us for a lunchtime Zoom panel and then in-person for a mixer in the evening to meet the panelists and each other!

PRSA-LA Communicating with Intent: Advancing Urban Sustainability through Transportation Communications
Thursday, July 28, 2022

1:00 – 2:00 pm PT – Zoom Panel
6:00 – 8:00 pm PT – In-Person Mixer at Father’s Office, 3229 Helms Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034 (Culver City location)

(No Host Bar. Must be 21+. The Helms Bakery building has a parking lot and there is ample street parking.)

Moderator
RYAN FONSECA
LAist
Ryan Fonseca is a multimedia journalist with over ten years of experience reporting in Southern California. In his current role as an associate editor for LAist/KPCC, he covers transportation and mobility. His coverage mission is to help people navigate how we get from point a to point b with reporting that focuses on equity, context, and solutions. He studied journalism at Cal State Northridge, where he now teaches multimedia storytelling to the next generation of journalists.
Twitter: @RyFons

SHERI CANDLER
Marketing Manager
Metrolink
Sheri Candler is a Los Angeles-based digital marketing manager for Metrolink, Southern California’s passenger rail service, overseeing social media, digital content, and digital advertising. In this role, she is focused on passenger retention and increasing ridership for commuter and leisure travel. She has led social media and digital marketing strategy for over twelve years for numerous entertainment and nonprofit organizations to increase brand recognition, audience engagement, and attract donations.
Twitter: @shericandler

JONI HONOR
Executive Officer, Communications
LA Metro
With more than 20 years of experience in communications and in-depth knowledge of transportation, Joni currently serves as the Executive Officer who oversees public relations strategy for the third largest transportation agency in the United States. She directs day-to-day operations for Digital Media, Executive Writing, Internal Communications, Media Relations, Partnerships, and Special Events.
Joni has a diverse professional background. Before coming to the Metro, she ran her own public affairs consulting firm for more than eight years. She also worked at HP (formerly EDS), Terranova Pictures, and the Colorado Department of Administration. During her tenure at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, she was tapped to serve in the Denver Mayor’s office, assisting the press secretary with responding to the multiple international media requests and responding to the Columbine High School shooting. Most recently, she earned an Executive Certificate in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in 2021.
In addition to co-chairing and participating in several Metro internal cohorts, Joni is a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Marketing and Communication Committee, the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), and the Public Relations Society of America. She currently also serves as the Co-chair of the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).
facebook.com/losangelesmetro | @metrolosangeles

JACOB TUGENDRAJCH
Communications Lead
Lime
Jacob Tugendrajch is communications and marketing professional with experience in political campaigns and government positions at the local, state, and federal levels, the non-profit sector, and arts and culture. He has worked on urban planning issues and transportation policy throughout his career and is proud to be working at Lime to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable, and carbon-free. Immediately prior to joining Lime he served as the Press Secretary for the Speaker of the New York City Council. As Communications Lead he directs Lime’s local media programs in the cities they serve in North America and the Asia Pacific. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in history and believes forward-thinking transportation policy is the key to unlocking the potential of cities worldwide.
Instagram and Twitter: @j_tizzle16

VIVIAN M. ESCALANTE
General Manager & CEO
Piccolo Pendolare
Vivian M. Escalante is not only the CEO and brains behind Piccolo Pendolare Inc., but is also the passionate CEO of Boyle Heights Community Partners, a nonprofit for Historic Preservation, Education and Community Participation.
Piccolo Pendolare came to life when Escalante purchased a personal Low Speed Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (LSNEV), and before she knew it, folks were asking her about her car outside of the grocery store, at red lights, or even crossing the street. That’s how she knew she was on to something.
Piccolo Pendolare Inc. is a great solution for an affordable, compact on the outside, comfortable on the inside LSNEV for 2 to 4 adults, serving the local community and meeting many transportation needs with affordability.
Escalante was born and raised in Boyle Heights, from the time that her family was displaced from Chavez Ravine, and she enjoyed growing up in a community of diversity. Her family comes from classic car culture, and she owns a classic 1965 Volvo, 122s, which has now become a once-in-a-while Sunday car.

Come join us for a very insightful panel discussion virtually via Zoom at 1:00 pm and then meet and greet our esteemed panelists in person at 6:00 pm at Father’s Office at the Culver City location (No Host Bar. Must be 21+.)!
Cost: $10 for PRSA-LA, BPRS, HPRA, PRSSA Members; $20 non-members

Take the public transportation to Father’s Office! It’s easy & cheap!
Metro E (Expo) Line – Culver City stop
Metro 33 – Venice / Helms stop
Culver City Bus 1 – Washington Blvd/Helms Ave. stop

More info: www.metro.net

PRSA-LA Sunrise Honors
2022-08-05 08:30 - 10:00 | The City Club of Los Angeles, 555 Flower Street 51st Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90071, United States
PRSA-LA’s 4th Annual Sunrise Honors: A Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion
Friday, Aug. 5 • 8:30 am – 10:00 am
The City Club Los Angeles
555 Flower Street, 51st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
RSVP TODAY!

The PRSA-LA Sunrise Honors event, going into the fourth annual celebration, is part of the PRSA-Los Angeles Chapter’s mission to foster and support those who promote diversity and inclusion. The honorees are trailblazers on the front lines in and out of the board room and gone above and beyond to open doors and make lasting changes in the PR industry. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership and influence to advance diversity and inclusivity within their organization or industry.
Join us on Friday, August 5, at the beautiful City Club of Los Angeles from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for PRSA-LA’s 4th Annual Sunrise Honors: A Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion.
This year Sunrise Honors will recognize these remarkable leaders:

AMY GRINDROD, PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR of Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (GLAD)
Amy Grindrod is the Director of Public Relations for Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (GLAD), responsible for communication, public relations and marketing strategy, brand management, stakeholder and media relations. As an experienced professional with over a decade of management, marketing and public relations experience, Amy is known for driving brand growth, maximizing market reach through exceptional strategy, management and operational performance. In her previous roles, she served as Marketing Director, Regional Director and Director of Media/PR at various nonprofit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge and an MBA from Western Governors University.

PATRICIA PÉREZ, CEO of VPE Communications
Patricia Pérez is CEO of VPE Communications, one of the nation’s leading independent, Latina-owned and managed public relations agencies specializing in reaching multicultural markets. VPE combines traditional and digital strategies to serve clients seeking to reach ethnic markets through culturally sensitive relationship-building techniques. Personally committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, Patricia’s expertise is in creating social impact initiatives that advance environmental and racial equity.
Her community engagement includes advocating for parks and open spaces and confronting age discrimination. She helped found and currently serves of the board of directors of the Los Angeles River State Park Partners and is the AARP California State President Emeritus, empowering people to choose how they live as they age.

DAVID C. MAGDAEL, PRESIDENT/CEO of David Magdael & Associates, Inc
David Magdael has more than 17 years of experience in public relations, strategic planning, development, marketing, community outreach and entertainment and media relations in North America, Europe and Asia. As founder and president of DAVID MADGAEL & ASSOCIATES, INC, Magdael continues to specialize in documentaries, indie films, directors, and public affairs. From developing Oscar® campaigns to festival strategies to theatrical and broadcast press unit publicity, his company has emerged as an important entertainment communications firm boasting a client roster including numerous Oscar® winning and nominated documentary, animated and short films and festival standouts. Magdael’s firm works with all distributors, content creators and broadcast networks along with representing award winning directors including Morgan Spurlock, Justin Lin, Brian Knappenberger and Lucy Walker, Jehane Noujaim, Kief Davidson, and others.
Magdael is also a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and is the Co-Director for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival since 1997. He serves as a mentor at the Sundance Institute Documentary Producers Lab and continues to share his expertise in panels and workshops at Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest (SXSW), Full Frame Film Festival, Silver Docs, Hawaii International Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, AFI Festival Los Angeles, Ashland International Film Festival, Film Independent Forum, Visual Communications, Center for Asian American Media, San Diego Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles Asian Film Festival, San Francisco Asian Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), the International Documentary Association, Temple University Division of Film, The Documentary Summit at Columbia College of Film and others.

PHYLICIA FANT, FOUNDER and CEO of The Purple Agency
Throughout the entertainment industry, Phylicia Fant remains renowned as not only a trusted leader, esteemed executive, and public relations and marketing magnate, but also—most importantly—as a conduit of culture. She consistently connects artists and entertainers to brands, media, film and television opportunities, and philanthropic causes. While serving as Head of Urban Music at Columbia Records, Fant architected the introduction of 21st century superstars such as Lil Nas X, The Kid LAROI, Polo G, Lil TJay, and Chloe X Halle in addition to expanding the brands of icons, including Pharrell and Raphael Saadiq. As a cultural influencer who connects artists in her role as Head of Music Industry Partnerships – Amazon Music, she transforms global synergy into meaningful cultural moments felt worldwide.
Expanding into the world of film and television, she was instrumental in the production and launch of the OWN Spotlight Documentary Eggs Over Easy. In A Lady Lock production, Phylicia served as an executive producer alongside Chiquita Lockley, Keshia Knight Pullman, and D’Angelo Proctor.
Along the way, she’s garnered several honors such as the Culture Creators “Innovators Award,” inclusion in the Billboard 2019/2020/2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players List, and the Billboard 2019/2020 Women in Music Top Executives List, recognition as the Bounce Trumpet Awards 2020 Corporate Executive of the Year, and was named as an XXL Hip-Hop Heavyweight. She was recently honored on Variety’s Hitmaker List as well as featured in Variety: Power of Women. Fant also was honored by the ASCAP in 2021 as part of their Women Behind The Music Campaign.
Her diverse experience includes 13 years with The Purple Agency, which she founded as C.E.O. Phylicia is a member of the Recording Academy and continues to serve in leadership roles as a Governor – Recording Academy LA Chapter Board, Board of Directors – MusiCares Foundation, Leadership Council Member – Black Music Collective – Recording Academy, Board of Directors – Black Women Film Network, Advisory Board – Culture Creators, Executive Board – Harvard Diversity Project, and is active in a number of thought leadership communities. In 2018, she achieved an Executive Education Certificate from the prestigious Harvard Business School.

Joining us this year is keynote speaker, PRSA National Board Chair Felicia Blow, Ph.D., APR.
Felicia Blow, Ph.D., APR, has kicked off her 2022 term as Chair of PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. Dr. Blow is an award-winning leader with extensive organizational, fundraising, strategic planning, leadership and management experience. She currently serves as Associate Vice President for Development at the renowned historically black institution Hampton University. At Hampton, Dr. Blow led the university’s $150 Million Dream No Small Dreams II Campaign as its campaign director, helping the University to exceed its campaign goal by more than 10 percent. Dr. Blow has taken on several leadership roles within PRSA over the years. Prior to serving as Chair, she served as Chair-elect in 2021 and senior counsel to the 2018 and 2019 PRSA Board of Directors. From 2013-2014, Dr. Blow served as a PRSA Board of Directors member representing the Mid-Atlantic District. We are honored to have her here in Los Angeles as the keynote speaker for our Sunrise Honors event.

PRSA-LA/HPRA-LA/BPRS-LA Member – $35.00
Non-Member – $45.00
PRSSA Student and Young Professional – $15.00
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

For the safety of all in attendance and the staff of the City Club of LA, proof of vaccination will be required before entry.

GET TO KNOW OUR SPONSORS:
Edelman
Cision
The Purple Agency
Runyon Saltzman (RSE)
VPE Digital Communications
Chavez PR
IW Group
MTV Entertainment Studios
AIJ Communications
JMAC PR
Fenton
Ketchum

SUPPORT OUR CAUSE AND BE A SPONSOR.
Download a sponsorship form here to support our program!

Powering Indie Partnerships
2022-09-22 11:30 - 13:00 | Frida Mexican Cuisine, 15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403, United States
POWERING INDIE PARTNERSHIPS

An in-person program by the PRSA-LA Independent Practitioners Alliance (IPA)
Sept. 22 • 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

at Frida Mexican Cuisine
15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks
REGISTER HERE.

You’re already great at promoting others but what about building your business? Join PRSA-LA IPA for a “lunch and learn” session and hear from a panel of marketing and communication experts as they share how they’ve successfully formed strategic alliances with other independent PR professionals and content providers to land bigger fish. They’ll offer tangible tips on how to position yourself and build lasting relationships with other indies and virtual firms.
Speakers:

Moderator:
Stacy Schwartz is a seasoned and award-winning public relations professional with nearly twenty years of experience across multiple industries and media verticals. She works successfully with public and private companies and brands to provide high-level strategy and implement media campaigns, including corporate communications, media relations, product launches, crisis communications, social media programs and special events. Her client experience is broad yet focused, including both B2B and B2C expertise, with a focus on professional services. . Stacy currently sits on the board of PRSA-LA and leads the Independent Practitioners Alliance group.

Melendy A. Britt is a seasoned communications professional with 20+ years of international experience in branding, marketing, and PR. Melendy leads integrated campaigns designed to transmit core brand values via enriching experiences that build lasting bonds with the consumer. Currently, she leads B2B and B2C campaigns for healthcare, CPG, and travel clients at be360.

Cynthia Lieberman LieberComm is a recognized marketing and communications expert with more than 25 years of leadership experience in entertainment, education, and digital media marketing. Throughout her career, Cynthia has led countless marketing and publicity campaigns for every major Hollywood studio, working on numerous high-profile entertainment projects. Her extensive media industry experience has contributed to the decade-long success of LieberComm, a content marketing and digital media relations firm servicing clients in evolving digital technologies, digital literacy education and ed tech, AR/VR/MR, entertainment, special event planning and philanthropy. A true storyteller at heart, Cynthia’s is a frequent guest blogger and her expanded talents include content creation, public relations, social media engagement. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at University Texas Austin (UTLA) in “Discoverability: How to Get Your Project Found in Hollywood” and has frequently taught Social Media, Influencer Marketing and Entertainment PR for UCLA.
‘
Lynn Lipinski is a content strategist, writer and editor drawing upon decades of experience working in strategic communications at three PR agencies, the Anderson School at UCLA, Metropolitan Water District, ICANN, and as president of her company Majestic Content Los Angeles, Inc. since 2015. She has written three thriller novels, had a video go viral about throwing her books at Disney Studios so they’d make them into a movie, and earned a master of fine arts in creative writing from Mount St. Mary’s University.

Tickets:
PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, BPRS-LA Member: $35
Non-Member: $40.00
REGISTER HERE.

At Breakfast with ... Hispanic Journalists
2022-10-07 08:30 - 09:30
AT BREAKFAST WITH HISPANIC JOURNALISTS
DATE: Friday, October 7, 2022
TIME: 8:30 – 9:30 am PT
Via Zoom

Hispanics make up roughly half of the Los Angeles County population, according to the U.S. Census. This is the largest of any county in the United States. Reaching this growing and dynamic consumer group is now a business imperative for companies and organizations looking to do PR in LA.

PRSA-LA is partnering with HPRA-LA to bring top Hispanic journalists to discuss their beats, coverage interests, and tips for pitching stories.

COST: $15 for PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, and BPRS members;$20 non-members; $10 students

<<RSVP HERE>>

SPEAKERS:

Andrew Campa, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times
Andrew J. Campa covers the coming and goings of the Eastside, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, parts of the San Gabriel Valley and the Southeast Corridor. He previously worked at the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader, Whittier Daily News and Pasadena Star-News and has covered education, sports and general news. He’s a proud Cal State Fullerton (#tusksup) and Pasadena City College alumnus. He hopes the Chicago Bears will get back to the Super Bowl before he dies.

Jacqueline Ramirez, Assistant News Director, Univision KMEX-TV
She has worked in news for more than a decade and she is a four-time Emmy award winner. In 2014, Jacqueline joined the Univision Los Angeles team as the Executive Producer for the morning newscast Noticias 34. She currently serves as Assistant News Director.
Jacqueline received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast from Cal State University, Northridge. She obtained her first job as a news producer shortly before graduating college. Two years later she was promoted to Executive Producer.
Jacqueline was born in El Salvador and moved to the U.S. when she was nine years old. She discovered her passion for news when she was a little girl, she grew up watching Noticias 34 with her parents and knew that one day she was going to be part of the team.
Her passions are reading, meditating, and simply enjoying life.

Daniel Vasquez, Editor, Calo News
Daniel Vasquez is an award-winning journalist and columnist, who has covered crime, courts, politics, and consumer technology. He is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Editorial Writing for a yearlong series on ethics and government published by the San Jose Mercury News. He also has worked for The Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, and South Florida Sun Sentinel. After leaving the newspaper industry, he spent two years as a brand marketing writer for Studio 1847 based in Los Angeles, winning a national Pearl Award and an International News Media Association award. As a freelancer, Daniel has broken the national and international story of the police shooting death of actress Vanessa Marquez (“Stand and Deliver,” “ER”) and wrote a magazine-length piece about a retired LAPD detective’s pursuit of the truth about his father’s role in the Black Dahlia murder, LA’s most notorious unsolved killing. More recently, was named Managing Editor for CALÓ NEWS, a Los Angeles-based newsroom dedicated to coverage of Latino/a/x community in California. Daniel previously served as the Editor and Director of the California Student Journalism Corps for EdSource, a non-profit newsroom with the largest education news team in the state. Daniel has also coached and mentored interns for Bay City News and Local News Matters. He is also a guest speaker at the University of Southern California, California State University, Los Angeles, and various other campuses.

Maria Paula Ochoa, National Network News Correspondent, Telemundo Network
“Challenge accepted,” this simple phrase has encapsulated my professional value proposition ever since I started working at the age of 15. As an ambitious young woman seeking to progress, learn, and serve, “no, I can’t” wasn’t an option. Instead, I always figured out what was needed, even if I had to create it myself, to assure that I successfully completed everything I did.
I grew up in a third-world country where resources are scarce. I used intelligence, determination, and resourcefulness to achieve my biggest dream: to become a United States citizen and to be part of this great Country’s culture. For 20 years I built my career as a journalist and became a National Correspondent for one of the world’s leading national Hispanic networks – and earned 4 Emmy awards along the way.
Being an ethical, fast learner who connects easily with people enabled me to become a credible and trusted source of information for the national Hispanic community. My expertise is centered on telling stories that provide accurate, timely facts and information to provide greater access to services and resources that improve quality of life. I develop strategies and action plans to create compelling stories (both in words and visuals) to capture the attention of audiences and engage them by communicating important facts in a relatable, clear, and efficient manner.
I accepted the challenge of making diversity a key strength and I have built my reputation and my entire career around helping organizations to formulate and deliver stories and information that change lives.

<<RSVP HERE>>

2022 PRism Awards
2022-10-13 18:00 - 21:00 | The Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA, 90402, United States
PRSA-LA 58th Annual PRism Awards
October 13, 2022
at the Annenberg Community Beach House
415 E Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Cocktail Hour/Networking
6:00 – 7:00 PM PDT
Awards Presentation
7:00 – 8:30 PM PDT
REGISTER HERE
As we continue to celebrate PRSA-LA’s 75th Anniversary, we are proud to present our signature event, the 58th Annual PRism Awards. This event will be held on Thursday, October 13 at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.

Congratulations to our PRSA-LA 58th PRism Awards Finalists and Communications Team of the Year!

A beachside and under-the-stars cocktail event and awards presentation, the ceremony will confer more than 50 strategic campaign and tactics awards across a variety of categories, in addition to special awards for Best in Show and the President’s Award. This year we’ll have KTLA’s anchor Glen Walker as our special guest host. The event is cocktail-style, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine with theatre-style and lounge seating for the awards presentation. Come celebrate with us!
PRSA-LA Member: $75; Non-member: $95

REGISTER HERE

BE A SPONSOR!
Take this opportunity to show your support to the industry and our profession. Complete and submit your sponsorship form to executive.director@prsala.org or call (626) 313-4343.

<< DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE >>

Thank you to our 2022 PRism sponsors.

GOLD SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Quality Time with PR Minds
2022-10-22 09:00 - 10:30, 2022-10-25 18:00 - 19:30
Quality Time with PR Minds is back!
Saturday, 10/22, 9-10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, 10/25, 6-7:30 p.m.
via Zoom
RSVP HERE

Quality Time with PR Minds is a one-day community service opportunity for PR professionals, presented in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Now celebrating its 18th anniversary, this annual event brings together professional volunteers and local nonprofits for one-on-one counseling.
This year we are excited to offer a Spanish language option to the nonprofits that join.
This is a great opportunity to give back to the organizations that make Los Angeles a great place to live and work and is a unique venue for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Gain insight as you team up with other PR professionals and nonprofits for productive brainstorming sessions.
All PR, communications and marketing professionals with at least two years of experience from anywhere in Southern California are welcome to volunteer. No experience working with nonprofits? No worries! You’ll be teamed up with other professionals to help come up with great ideas.
Use your creative thinking and problem-solving skills to help local nonprofits with their communication challenges!
PR pro volunteers will be able to register for either session or both!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
SAT. OCT 22: 9 AM
Joe Marchelewski, AIJ Communications
For more than 22 years, Joe Marchelewski has worked for public relations agencies, law firms, small businesses, and large companies, handling all aspects of media relations, marketing, knowledge management, market analysis, public relations, website development, online marketing, trade show coordination, event planning, advertising and communications.
For the last 19 years, Joe has been employed by some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world, working hand-in-hand with attorneys and legal staff on public relations and business development matters. He’s managed whole teams, run complex media campaigns, supported senior partners in business development matters and helped build departments from the ground up.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-marchelewski-6576a413/

TUE. OCT 25: 6 PM

Stephen Chavez, Chavez PR
For more than 25 years, Stephen has created and managed award-winning public relations campaigns on behalf of governmental agencies, nonprofits, and major U.S. brands, including the California Department of Health Services, Families Forward Learning Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, National Institutes of Health, National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Northgate González Market.
Clients come to Stephen to help solidify partnerships and collaborations, leveraging his deep relationships with key Hispanic community stakeholders. Today, his PR consultancy focuses on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, and philanthropic endeavors.
Stephen aspires to do meaningful advocacy work, bringing new ideas and opportunities to life. He enjoys leveraging his strong media relations and community knowledge and insights.
Giving back is part of Stephen’s DNA. He serves as Vice Chair of the Advisory Board for the Latino Equality Alliance in Boyle Heights, President-elect for the Public Relations Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter, and National Board Member of the Hispanic Public Relations Association. A former journalist with the Los Angeles Times, Stephen is married and a foster dad to a sibling set.
stephen@chavezpr.com
(310) 486-4104
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenchavezpr/

RSVP HERE

PRSA: ICON 2022
2022-11-13 08:00 - 2022-11-15 17:00 | Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas, 1501 Gaylord Trail,, Grapevine,, TX, 76051, United States
ICON 2022
Dallas-Fort Worth
Nov. 13 – 15, 2022
Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas
Join us in Dallas-Fort Worth for ICON 2022, which we plan to hold in person for the first time since 2019!
Our headquarters hotel for PRSA and PRSSA will be the one-of-a-kind Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, where we’ll be celebrating PRSA’s 75th Anniversary. ICON 2022 will present top-notch thought leaders, an extensive array of breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and more. You’ll be able to enhance your perspective and skillsets, renew old friendships and make new contacts, and meet representatives from leading industry service providers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

PRSA-LA Gives Back
2022-12-10 08:00 - 17:00
PRSA-LA Gives Back!
Saturday, December 10, 2022
PATH West Los Angeles

Join PRSA-LA to give back this holiday season! We will be cooking meals for unhoused residents living in PATH’s interim housing in West LA. There are three shifts available on Saturday, December 10, and teams will be responsible for planning an easy and healthy menu and shopping for food in advance, and then preparing and serving. More details will be provided to registered volunteers.

Available shifts are:
Breakfast – 6:30am-8am (Breakfast served at 7am)
Lunch – 10:30am-1pm (Lunch served at 12pm)
Dinner – 4:30pm-7pm (Dinner served at 6pm)

We are asking for a $20 donation from each volunteer, to cover the cost of food. Any additional funds will be donated to PATH.

Please note that this is a small team of volunteers, so we kindly ask that you only commit to a shift if you know for certain that you will be able to attend.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER.

PRSA-LA Holiday Party
2022-12-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Dream Hollywood, 6417 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA, 90028, United States
JINGLE JINGLE — IT’S TIME TO MIX & MINGLE!
It’s time to gather our great community of PR professionals and celebrate the season together!

Join us on Thursday, December 15 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to enjoy an evening made possible by our event partner

Venue
Dream Hollywood – Lobby Bar
6417 Selma Avenue, Hollywood 90028
Tickets: $20 include two drinks and entry in the holiday raffle
All event proceeds go towards PRSA-LA’s Future 75 Fund

RSVP Here.

PRSA-LA ABW (At Breakfast With...) the Los Angeles Business Journal
2022-12-16 08:30 - 09:30
At our final “At Breakfast With” event for 2022, we’ll chat with the editorial team at the Los Angeles Business Journal. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn (direct from the source) how to score great coverage in one of Los Angeles’ leading outlets for local business news.
PRSA-LA’s AT BREAKFAST WITH THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL
Friday, December 16th
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Via Zoom
Tickets: Member – $10; Non-Member – $15; PRSSA Students – Free
REGISTER HERE

Panelists:
Charles Crumpley, Editor-in-Chief, LABJ
Charles began his tenure at the LA Business Journal in 2006. He is the winner of numerous national awards for his work as an editor, columnist, and reporter. Before joining the LABJ, he worked as an editor and writer at the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Daily Oklahoman, and Kansas City Star. He earned an undergraduate degree in English and Journalism from the University of Missouri and was a Fulbright scholar in Japan.
Destiny Torres, Technology Reporter, LABJ
Destiny covers all things tech for the Los Angeles Business Journal. She recently graduated from USC with a master’s degree in journalism and has four years of journalism experience. Along with her work at LABJ, Destiny has written for the Los Angeles Times, Remezcla, and the LA School Report.
Twitter – @yagurldest
Howard Fine, Healthcare/Infrastructure Reporter, LABJ
Howard is a 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles Business Journal. He covers stories pertaining to healthcare, biomedicine, energy, engineering, construction, and infrastructure. He has won several awards, including Best Body of Work for a single reporter from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers and Distinguished Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists. He earned an MS in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BA in English from Bates College.
Twitter: @howardfine
Moderator:
Erik Deutsch,
Principal, ExcelPR Group;
PRSA-LA Board Member & 2014 President
Twitter: @ErikDeutsch
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA 2023 State of the State of PR
2023-01-26 18:00 - 20:00 | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St,, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
PRSA-LA 2023 State of the State of PR
Thursday, January 26, 2023, 6 to 8 pm
at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles

REGISTER HERE.
PRSA-LA’s annual State of the State of PR program is an engaging discussion that focuses on the dramatic changes happening in the area of news coverage, how the landscape is ever-changing, and the impact of these changes on the practice of public relations. We host this program with notable panelists and moderators who discuss the challenges in the PR world.
This year, we are honored to have a panel of diverse speakers sharing with us their in-depth discussion on the state of the state of PR today!
Join us and network with local business leaders and learn about ways YOU can make a difference in our association and our PR community in 2023!
Panelists:

Gustavo Arellano
Los Angeles Times Columnist
“The Times” Podcast Host
Gustavo Arellano is author of Orange County: A Personal History and Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of its daily news podcast “The Times,” and has been an essayist and reporter for various publications and a frequent commentator on radio and television. He was formerly editor of OC Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, California, and penned the award-winning “¡Ask a Mexican!,” a nationally syndicated column in which he answered any and all questions about America’s spiciest and largest minority. Gustavo is the recipient of awards ranging from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies for Best Columnist to the Los Angeles Press Club President’s Award to an Impacto Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and was recognized by the California Latino Legislative Caucus with a 2008 Spirit Award for his “exceptional vision, creativity, and work ethic.” Gustavo is a lifelong resident of Orange County and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants, one whom came to this country in the trunk of a Chevy.

Deborah Lee
Senior Producer, IW Group
Deborah Lee is a Senior Producer at the IW Group, working on brands including McDonald’s and Lexus. Her work focuses on curating impactful experiences through strategic insights in the Asian-American community where culture and innovation intersect. She has a passion for uplifting emerging influencers and exploring non-traditional ways to bring forth memorable events. Deborah stays curious in this space, eager for the next opportunity to piece together signature brand experiences with unique content creators.

Laura Guerrero
Director of Content & Influencer Marketing, Sensis
As the Director of Content & Influencer Marketing at Sensis, the largest independently minority-owned multicultural agency in the United States, Laura is responsible for the strategy and execution of influencer campaigns across all clients. In addition, she oversees social media and digital efforts for all clients.
Prior to Sensis, she worked at various national public relations firms, managing all influencer and celebrity partnerships and national public relations campaigns for hospitality, consumer lifestyle brands, and events including Colgate, Colourpop, Cameo, Art of Elysium Gala, Gold Meets Golden, Patrick Ta Beauty, 1 Hotels, The Sixty Hotels, and more. She has over 7 years of experience and her expertise lies in targeted celebrity wrangling, product seeding, event management, and brand recognition through focused talent and media outreach. Her current clients include a range of California-based organizations, including the California Department of Public Health, Chef Merito Seasonings, California DMV, UnidosUS, California Realtors Association, and more.
Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and public relations from California State University, Northridge.

Nycole Hampton
Senior Director, Social Media, GoodRX
Nycole is a seasoned marketer with 18+ years of marketing strategy experience, largely focusing on social media, influencer and brand marketing. She is currently the Senior Director, Social Media at GoodRx where she is the head of Social Media, Community and Influencer Marketing. Prior to that, Nycole spent the past few years building global influencer and social practices at agencies. She is a builder, problem solver and passionate storyteller who thrives on constantly evolving a brand’s story utilizing multi-channel strategies.
Nycole has paired her experience and passion to lead successful campaigns and programs across industries such as healthcare, tech, CPG, retail, travel + hospitality, airlines, wine & spirits, restaurant/QSR, pro sports, and technology. Her work has come to life for clients and strategic partners like Samsung, American Airlines, Air New Zealand, Impossible Foods, So Delicious, Barefoot Wines, Kimpton Hotels, Bolthouse Farms, Harry Potter Flagship, Auntie Anne’s, Cheesecake Factory, ALDI, Rite Aid, NFL, Chicago White Sox, James Beard Foundation, Lean Cuisine, Milk PEP, USA Rugby, New Zealand All Blacks, Microsoft and beyond!

PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, BPRS-LA Members $35
Non-member $45
PRSSA Student $15
REGISTER HERE.

We want to thank our event sponsors:

Fenton
The Pollack Group
IW Group, Inc.
Chavez PR
Sensis Agency
The Wolcott Company

PRSA-LA Comms & Cocktails - FREE EVENT
2023-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Arts District Brewing Company, 828 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90013
PR CEOs to ACs – Come network with young PR pros and veterans alike!
PRSA-LA COMMS & COCKTAILS
Tuesday, March 14
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue:
Arts District Brewing Company
828 Traction Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013
REGISTER HERE
Attention PR Pros!
Come network with young PR pros and veterans alike at the PRSA-LA Comms & Cocktails event on Tuesday, March 14 in DTLA at 6:30 pm! Join us for our first PRSA-LA Comms & Cocktails, a free networking event to connect, network, and mingle with other PR professionals across industries. The first drink is on us – see you there!
There is No Cost to this event but advance RSVP is required. This event is open to members and non-members.

REGISTER HERE

This event is proudly sponsored by:

PRSA-LA At Breakfast With (ABW)... Arts & Consumer Entertainment Journalists
2023-03-23 08:00 - 09:00
PRSA-LA’s At Breakfast With (ABW)
Arts & Consumer Entertainment Journalists
Thursday, March 23 | 8 am to 9 am
Via Zoom

$15 for PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, and BPRS-LA members | $30 for non-members | Free for PRSSA students

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

REGISTER HERE

Panelists:

Tricia Durrant
Supervising Producer, ET, ETonline.com,
Tricia Durrant has 15 years of experience in talent relations, booking, and producing entertainment news. She has worked at E! Entertainment, ‘Access Hollywood,’ and currently ‘Entertainment Tonight.’ She is a proud University of Miami Hurricane.

Craig Nakano
Assistant Managing Editor, Entertainment & Arts, Los Angeles Times
Craig is the assistant managing editor for entertainment at the Los Angeles Times, running a team that covers movies, TV, music. podcasting, celebrity news, internet culture, books, and fine arts. He previously served as deputy editor for the department, and prior to that, as arts editor coordinating critics and reporters covering art, architecture, theater, classical music, and dance. Since starting at The Times in 2000, he also has been an editor for the Home and Travel sections. Before Craig moved to L.A., he was an editor at the San Francisco Chronicle and the Desert Sun in Palm Springs. He is an alum of Northwestern University.

Paula Ulichney
Photo Editor, The Associated Press

Pamela Avila
Entertainment Editor, USA Today
Pamela Avila is a journalist, editor, and social media strategist based in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Her reporting focuses on entertainment, pop culture, and books with a lens often on the Latinx community and the way those topics intersect with social justice issues. She currently serves as USA TODAY’s Evening Entertainment Editor and Latinx Culture Writer. Previously she worked as a social media manager for Los Angeles Magazine, and more of her bylines can be found in Business Insider, Hunker, E! News, Shondaland, and the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Moderator
Maricela Cueva
President, VPE Communications,
PRSA-LA Board Member

Via Zoom | $15 for PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, and BPRS-LA members | $30 for non-members | Free for PRSSA students
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA Young Professionals Event: Landing Your First Job - What You Need to Know
2023-04-13 18:00 - 19:00
Landing Your First Job – What You Need to Know
Webinar held by the PRSA-LA Young Professionals Committee.
Thursday, April 13 • 6:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
REGISTER HERE

Will you be graduating this year? Looking for an entry-level position in public relations?

Join the PRSA-LA Young Professionals virtual event, “Landing Your First Job: What You Need to Know,” on Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Moderated by Marisol Barrios Perez of Mission Driven PR and CSUDH Adjunct Lecturer, the Zoom event will feature YP Panelists Melanie Gazazian of TriplePoint PR and Kayla Holley of Maverick Creative, who will provide information to help you navigate interviews and enter the PR workforce. Scott Pansky of Allison+Partners will share what their company looks for in prospective candidates.

MEET OUR SPEAKER PANEL:

Kayla Holley, Maverick Creative
Kayla Holley is a marketing communications professional armed with over 2 years of agency experience in the travel, hospitality, nonprofit, construction, and education industries. During college, she lived, studied, and worked in Dublin, Ireland for 3 months where she secured her first marketing internship and more importantly than that, gained cultural intelligence.
She finished her second internship with a marketing communications agency her junior year and was promoted to a coordinator position shortly thereafter. She took client calls between classes and shifts at her second job for her last year and a half of college. Serving on PRSSA National Committee senior year, she organized and produced several articles for PR Daily, wrote blogs and hosted podcasts for various PRSSA platforms, served on the PRSA Board of Ethics & Professional Standards, and helped create better autonomy within the PRSSA organization.
Kayla graduated with a B.A. in public relations and a B.S. in business administration from SUNY Oswego in May 2022. Since graduating, she has progressed in her goal of visiting 30 countries before 30, spending time in Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Nice, Florence, Rome & Barcelona. In October she left home and moved across the country to Los Angeles. Kayla is now an assistant account executive at Maverick Creative agency, supports her mom’s bookkeeping business, travels often, and volunteers with PRSA-LA.

Melanie Gazazian, TriplePoint PR
Melanie Gazazian has been in the PR industry for the last four years with a focus on technology, startup culture, virtual reality, and video games. After her first internship, she knew this would be the career for her.
Melanie graduated from USC with a Master’s in Public Relations and Advertising after graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and English from the University of La Verne. She is currently an Account Coordinator at TriplePoint PR supporting accounts like Blizzard Entertainment, Paradox Interactive and more.

Scott Pansky, Allison+Partners
Scott is a co-founder of the agency and leads Allison+Partners’ Social Impact group. He developed the agency’s proprietary Corporate Socialanthropy™ process, which helps corporations identify social impact partners and builds the foundation for long-term campaigns that incorporate employee recruitment and retention programs, internal and external communications, and cause-related marketing strategies. READ MORE…

Moderated by
Marisol Barrios Perez, MSPA, APR
Founder, CEO, Mission Driven PR, Inc.
With more than 25 years of successful experience in communications, public relations, and the nonprofit sector, Marisol creates impact with GRACE, a five-step process in public relations to transform an organization’s mission. Through her company Mission Driven PR, Inc. and Nonprofit PR Academy, she helps nonprofit communications and development professionals generate impact in public relations that align with their missions. In addition, she provides event management to her nonprofit clients. READ MORE…

REGISTER HERE

2023 PRSA Western District Conference
2023-04-26 - 2023-04-28 | The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, AZ, United States
Plan to join the 2023 PRSA Western District Conference in Tuscon from April 26-28!
Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration – NOW: https://lnkd.in/eqrK6PxH

PRSA-LA IPA Event: Building and Maintaining a Business Pipeline
2023-05-03 12:00 - 13:00
PRSA-LA’s IPA section presents

Building and Maintaining a Business Pipeline
May 3 • Noon – 1 pm
via Zoom
RSVP HERE

One of the most challenging aspects of having your own business is building and maintaining a viable new business pipeline. Join PRSA-LA’s IPA section for a virtual programming session and hear from PR industry veterans Jonathan Fitzgarrald, Managing Partner of Equinox Strategy Partners, Larry Kohn, President, Kohn Communications and Claudia Santa Cruz, President Santa Cruz Communications, Inc. valuable insights on how to develop a strong business pipeline while keeping your current clients happy.

TICKET AMOUNT / PRICE
Member: / $10
Non-Member: / $20
Student: / $5
Other: / $20

Panelists:

Jonathan Fitzgarrald
Managing Partner
Equinox Strategy Partners
What does it take to transform a nonexistent book of business into a multimillion client pipeline?
Jonathan Fitzgarrald, Managing Partner of Equinox Strategy Partners, looks to undervalued professionals, untapping their potential to grow revenue, market visibility and their practices. Many of the professionals Jonathan advises report up to 20 percent increases in revenue within the first year. Jonathan’s personalized business strategies lead clients to discover their own business motivations. But what accounts for his motivation? Quite simply, Jonathan enjoys empowering professionals to succeed.
Jonathan’s proprietary approach adapts a Moneyball strategy by recognizing and coaching traditionally overlooked, highly skilled professionals in legal, financial, accounting and professional services firms.
His keynote, retreat and leadership programs cover such topics as the cross-generational tension, succession planning from the Next Gen’s perspective, using culture to manage teams better, partner compensation and connecting emotionally with clients.
Speaking to a range of audiences, from the Managing Partner Forum to the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Jonathan is a prolific presenter of business programs and media commentator. He has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal, The Recorder, ABA Journal and has appeared on The CBS Evening News.
He believes that leaders are made not born. Competing in equestrian events has been a major influence and resilience builder—Jonathan literally must jump over every obstacle until he is the last one standing.
Social Handles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfitzgarrald/
Twitter/Instagram @JRFitzgarrald

Claudia Santa Cruz
President
Santa Cruz Communications, Inc.
Claudia Santa Cruz is the President of Santa Cruz Communications, Inc., a woman-owned, award-winning Hispanic public relations boutique agency found in 2001. A seasoned Public Relations professional, with over 25 years of experience, Santa Cruz currently leads and oversees the agency’s work, developing strategic campaigns that produce measurable results to a roster of national organizations who seek to reach the coveted U.S. Hispanic market. Some of its current and past clients include No Kid Hungry, Telemundo, City of Hope, Adsmovil, Billboard, e-Salon, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, among others. Prior to starting her own business, Santa Cruz, who co-authored Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, worked for ten years in the corporate world, specifically at Telemundo network in Miami, and Telemundo 52 and Univision 34 in Los Angeles. A recipient of a PRSA PRISM Award and a Latino Marketing Award, Santa Cruz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University, Northridge. She was born in Peru, and lived in Bolivia, the Philippines and Norway prior to moving to the United States.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santacruzpr
LinkedIn: @Santa Cruz Communications
Twitter: @SantaCruzPR

Larry Kohn
President
Kohn Communications
Larry Kohn has been assisting professionals in their business development for over 40 years. He was an early pioneer in the practice of Executive Coaching. His long-term success is due to his ability to help his clients develop comfortable and effective strategies for meeting new contacts and creating motivational content. He has also developed the web app BizDevCoach which is a combination of technology and tutorial to help his clients create and implement their biz dev plan. For more information visit www.kohncommunications.com
Linked in address: www.linkedin.com/in/LawrenceKohn

MODERATOR

Stacy Schwartz
Independent Public Relations Strategist and Consultant
Stacy Schwartz is a seasoned and award-winning public relations professional with nearly twenty years of experience across multiple industries and media verticals. She works successfully with public and private companies and brands to provide high-level strategy and implement media campaigns, including corporate communications, media relations, product launches, crisis communications, social media programs and special events. Her client experience is broad yet focused, including both B2B and B2C expertise, with a focus on professional services.
A veteran in the industry, Stacy prides herself on her keen ability to know what will resonate with media, influencers, and key audiences, and provides high-level guidance to her professional service clients in the banking and finance and legal industries to achieve their goals through both creative and tried and true media strategies. She works regularly with clients who need help creating favorable brand awareness and corporate positioning for clients in the banking and finance and legal industry, helping to position top executives as thought leaders in their specialty areas and raise awareness for the company’s profiles. Her work with these clients focuses on media relations in multiple media markets throughout California and nationwide, where she garners significant media coverage on a regular basis and liaises with national teams to drive the overall PR strategy and campaign direction.
Stacy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of California, Davis. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors hiking and at the beach. She currently sits on the board of PRSA-LA and leads the Independent Practitioners Alliance group.
Linkedin: @Stacy Wonacott
LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2081289/

RSVP HERE

Road to PRisms: Creating Award-Winning Entries
2023-05-04 12:00 - 13:00
The Road to PRisms: Creating Award-Winning Entries
Featuring Runyon Saltzman, Two-Time Best In Show Winner

Thursday, May 4, 2023
Noon – 1 PM
Via ZOOM
REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT HERE

For two years in a row, RSE’s strategic communications work for the Governor’s Office of the State of California’s COVID-19 communications earned them PRSA-LA’s PRism Award for Best In Show, meaning their entry scored the highest of all submissions entered for the annual awards.
Hear from the team behind this award-winning work and how they won big, not only with getting Californians vaccinated against COVID-19, but with multiple PRism Award wins!
REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT HERE

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Mixer
2023-05-11 18:00 - 20:00
AAPI Heritage Month Networking Mixer hosted by PRSA-LA and AAJA-LA
Thursday • May 11th, 2023
6.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Sake Dojo, 333 1st Street, Los Angeles

REGISTER HERE

PR Pros and Journalists – Cocktails and Chatting It Up for AAPI Month
Come celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with both PRSA-LA and AAJA-LA on Thursday, May 11th at 6:00 pm PDT at Sake Dojo, located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Attendees will have the opportunity to make new connections and to hear others share their AAPI background and story and the important issues facing the AAPI community. The first drink is on us as well as complimentary appetizers – see you there!

Event is open to members and non-members.
To get your free drink ticket, you must be on the RSVP list.
Members (PRSA-LA, AAJA-LA): $15
Non Members: $25

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

REGISTER HERE

PRSA - APR: Nuts and Bolts – APR Panel Presentation
2023-05-17 09:00 - 09:45
Do you want to learn more about the Panel Presentation Process? Join us for the next APR Nuts & Bolts Series event as Becky Best, APR outlines the protocol and what to expect when a candidate presents to a panel of APRs.
Have you ever thought about earning Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)? Do you have questions about the APR process? If so, PRSA has the perfect forum for you.
Join us online for the next events to learn all about the APR process and have your questions answered:
Webinar Schedule
APR: Nuts and Bolts – APR Panel Presentation
Wednesday, May 17 at Noon-12:45 p.m. ET
APR: Nuts and Bolts – APR Examination
Wednesday, June 21 at Noon-12:45 p.m. ET
Register >> http://bit.ly/3Zxzh0j

PRSA-LA & Weber Shandwick Comms & Cocktails
2023-06-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Weber Shandwick Los Angeles, 1840 Century Park East (Rooftop), Los Angeles, CA 90067, 90067, United States
PRSA-LA & Weber Shandwick Comms & Cocktails
Thursday, June 15, 2023
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Weber Shandwick Los Angeles
1840 Century Park East (Rooftop), Los Angeles, CA 90067
Park in the 1840 garage, levels A1-7. Please pull a ticket and we will provide validation. No cost but advance RSVP is required. This event is open to members and non-members.

PRSA-LA and Weber Shandwick Los Angeles present Comms and Cocktails – Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Weber Shandwick Los Angeles’ rooftop. Mix and mingle with young PR pros and veterans alike!
Attendance is free but you must be on the RSVP list. There will be light appetizers and beverages available. The event is open to members and non-members.
REGISTER HERE

PRSA - APR: Nuts and Bolts - APR Examination
2023-06-21 09:00 - 09:45
Do you want to learn more about the Panel Presentation Process? Join us for the next APR Nuts & Bolts Series event as Becky Best, APR outlines the protocol and what to expect when a candidate presents to a panel of APRs.
Have you ever thought about earning Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)? Do you have questions about the APR process? If so, PRSA has the perfect forum for you.
Join us online for the next event to learn all about the APR process and have your questions answered:
Webinar Schedule
APR: Nuts and Bolts – APR Examination
Wednesday, June 21 at Noon-12:45 p.m. ET
Register >> http://bit.ly/3Zxzh0j

Comms & Cocktails with HPRA-LA & NAHJ-LA
2023-06-22 08:00 - 17:00
Comms & Cocktails with HPRA-LA & NAHJ-LA
Thu., Sep. 21
More info tba.

PRSA-LA Holiday Party
2023-06-22 08:00 - 17:00
PRSA-LA Holiday Party
Thu., Dec. 7
More information tba.

State of PR Technology 2023 Presented by Prowly
2023-07-19 12:00 - 13:00
The State of PR Technology 2023″ Webinar
Presented by Prowly

Wednesday, July 19th at Noon PT
via Zoom

PRSA-LA Members: FREE; Non-PRSA-LA Members: $25 each
REGISTER HERE

Join us for an engaging online conversation on July 19th at noon PDT as Prowly and PRSA-LA present “The State of PR Technology 2023” webinar. This event will provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of PR technology and its future implications. Here’s what you can expect from “The State of PR Technology 2023” webinar:

Explore the latest industry trends and best practices in PR measurement and reporting, empowering you with the knowledge to stay ahead.
Learn how to make informed decisions when investing in PR tools and software, even when facing tight budgets.
Discover how PR tools can help streamline tasks and boost productivity, optimizing your time and resources.
Gain valuable insights into the integration of AI in PR and learn how to leverage it effectively in your work.

💡 Meet our esteemed speakers:
🌟 Aleksandra Kubicka – PR evangelist at Prowly. With 14 years of experience in the PR and B2B communication industry, Aleksandra has worked with diverse organizations, including tech PR agencies and multinational startup teams.
🌟 Tonya McKenzie – Founder and CEO of Sand&Shores. Tonya is a highly regarded leadership and communications consultant specializing in helping businesses and entrepreneurs tell their stories, elevate their message, and build a strong reputation in the media and their communities.
🌟 John McCartney, APR – Founder and Principal of Jmac PR, PRSA-LA Board Member and Chapter Treasurer. With over two decades of experience in PR and marketing, John has led successful campaigns for technology, advertising, consumer, entertainment, and media brands.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the state of PR technology and its future implications. Register today to secure your spot for “The State of PR Technology 2023” webinar, and join us on July 19th at noon PDT for an enriching online discussion!
REGISTER HERE

PRSA-LA 2023 Sunrise Honors
2023-08-04 08:30 - 10:00 | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St,, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
PRSA-LA’s 5TH ANNUAL SUNRISE HONORS
A Celebration of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Sunrise Honors is part of PRSA-LA’s mission to foster and support those who promote diversity and inclusion. The honorees are trailblazers!
Friday, August 4, 2023, 8.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
REGISTER HERE
The Sunrise Honors Celebration is part of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA-LA) mission to foster and support those who promote diversity and inclusion. The honorees are trailblazers on the front lines in and out of the boardroom. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership and influence to advance diversity and inclusivity within their organization or industry.
Join us on Friday, August 4, at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for PRSA-LA’s 5th Annual Sunrise Honors: A Celebration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The prestigious PRSA-LA Sunrise Honors recognizes leaders who have gone above and beyond to open doors and make lasting changes in the PR industry.
Here are this year’s honorees!

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Members: $50 (includes PRSA-LA, BPRS-LA, HPRA-LA, VOICES)
Non-members: $70
Students: $12
REGISTER HERE
Parking – There is $20 parking off Arcadia Street behind the La Plaza de Cultura y Artes building. Additional parking is also available at Olvera Street.
Refund Policy – Refunds up to 1 day before the event. Eventbrite’s fee is nonrefundable.
Be an event sponsor and show your support for our event and the PR community. CLICK HERE for more information on sponsorship.

PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night: Hit a Home Run for PRSA-LA Scholarship Program
2023-08-17 19:10 - 22:00 | Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Join PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night: Hit a Home Run for PRSA-LA Scholarship Program!
Thursday, August 17th at 7:10 pm PT
RSVP HERE: https://bit.ly/43lrGD1

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

PRSA-LA is thrilled to announce our highly anticipated Dodgers Night on Thursday, August 17th, at 7:10 pm PT! This exciting event aims to raise funds for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program, supporting outstanding college students pursuing Public Relations or Communications degrees.

After a four-year hiatus, the PRSA-LA Dodgers Night is back and better than ever. We have secured 40 tickets for this exclusive event, so grab yours before they’re gone!

By participating in this event, you get to enjoy an exhilarating Dodgers game and contribute to the future of PR by supporting deserving students through the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program. These scholarships help recognize and assist exceptional undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing a career in Public Relations or Communications.

Student scholarship winners will be announced in the summer and awarded their scholarships for the fall semester. They will also receive one year of FREE access to all PRSA-LA webinars and events, providing valuable networking opportunities and the chance to learn from seasoned PR professionals.

Ticket Pricing:

PRSA-LA Members: $35 each
Non-Members: $50 each

For more information about the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program and its impact, please visit the Scholarship home page here.

Join PRSA-LA at Dodgers Night and help us hit a home run for the PRSA-LA Scholarship Program! Your support makes a difference. We’ll follow up with the attendees on where we’ll meet at the game for some fun networking.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP HERE: https://bit.ly/43lrGD1

At Breakfast With (ABW) Health Journalists
2023-08-24 08:00 - 09:00
AT BREAKFAST WITH (ABW) HEALTH JOURNALISTS
Via Zoom
8 am, Thursday, August 24
$15 for PRSA-LA, HPRA-LA, and BPRS-LA members | $30 for non-members | $5 PRSSA students
Sponsored by:

REGISTER HERE

Speakers:
Kathleen Doheny

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness, and lifestyle stories. She reports for WebMD, Medscape, MD Edge, Psycom.net, Practical Pain Management, Senior Planet/affiliated with AARP, NextAvenue.org and other sites. She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop. Current fitness motivation: keeping up with 2 energetic grandchildren.

Denise Dador

Denise Dador is the Eyewitness News Health Specialist whose “Circle of Health” reports can be seen on ABC7 Eyewitness News at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Since joining ABC7 in 1998, Denise’s mission has been to help Southern Californians improve their lives with timely medical information and advice. Through her reports, L.A’s top medical experts become accessible and relatable. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, her stories played a pivotal role in helping Angelenos navigate their changing world. Besides volunteering to help groups that fund medical research and patient care, Denise also represents KABC in her work with various Asian Pacific Islander and Filipino- American community organizations.
Denise grew up in San Francisco. She attended Long Island University in Brooklyn and graduated from Mills College with a degree in communication. At WXYZ-TV in Detroit, she anchored the weekend news and hosted a weekly talk show. At KMPH in Fresno, she was the main anchor of their 10pm news.
Denise has received numerous journalism and community service awards including national recognition for her work with Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches. She received Emmy awards for News Feature Reporting and Outstanding Children’s Programming.
Outside of work, Denise is a wife and mother of a teen-aged son and daughter who both have big dreams. While she would like to say she is an avid runner or skier, streaming historical documentaries and period dramas has become her latest obsession.

Robert Garrova

Robert covers mental health at a time when L.A. — and the nation — is failing people who live with a serious mental illness. The L.A. County jail system is the de-facto mental health institution for our region, and people who want help with their mental health often can’t get it, even if they can afford it. He’ll work to help Angelenos understand how we got here and what reforms aim to change things. He’ll do this through the stories of people struggling with their own mental health and those trying to get care for a loved one.
His reporting has taken him to the edge of wildfires in California, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, steps away from a robot that’s now exploring Mars, and into the homes of countless Angelenos.
Robert has had many jobs in radio. He used to help produce and direct the flagship show for Marketplace, a daily business and economic news show. He also spent a couple of years in the Northeast working as a reporter. He found his love of audio journalism while interning on LAist’s (formerly KPCC’s) Off-Ramp in 2013.
He was born and raised in SoCal. He is most proud when his journalism can help raise the voices of people struggling in this beautiful region stricken by inequality.
REGISTER HERE

Green PR
2023-09-14 08:00 - 13:00 | RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, 90401, United States
Green PR
Thursday, September 14

8am – 1pm PDT

Hosted by

REGISTER HERE

Who should attend: This session is designed for any and all communications professionals – from public relations, investor relations, and marketing — at all levels, including executives.
A half-day seminar of speakers and panels describing the latest thinking, strategies, and issues facing companies and organizations in communicating their sustainability efforts, compliance with a growing number of regulations, responding to consumer demands for more sustainability products or operations, how to answer accusations of “greenwashing” or respond to allegations of “woke capitalism” and more.
Our opening session is with David Fenton, founder of Fenton Communications, one of PR Week’s 100 most influential PR people, and considered a pioneer in social-cause public relations. Attendees will get a copy of his recent book – “The Activist’s Media Handbook.” Our luncheon speaker is Magali (Maggie) Delmas, Professor of Management at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA Anderson School of Management, a foremost expert on corporate sustainability reporting. Maggie and her colleagues have recently released a “Transparency Index” into corporate sustainability.
Other speakers during our morning panels include Eliza Ruggiero, SVP of Abernathy H-Advisors; Erik Olvera, Chief Campaigns Officer at Fenton Communications; Erin Curtis, Vice President at Fiona Hutton & Associates and former Deputy Secretary, Communications & External Affairs at CalEPA; and Aurora Winslade, Edison International’s Director of Sustainability.

Pricing:
Early bird rate (Sales end on Sep 6, 2023): PRSALA members $200. Nonmembers $275
Regular rate: PRSALA members $275. Nonmembers $345. PRSSA Students $25
Lunch session only: PRSALA members $50. Nonmembers $65. PRSSA Students $15.
REGISTER HERE

Speakers are:
David Fenton, named “one of the 100 most influential P.R. people” by PR Week and “the Robin Hood of public relations” by The National Journal, founded Fenton in 1982 to create communications campaigns for the environment, public health and human rights. For more than five decades he has pioneered the use of PR, social media and advertising techniques for social change. Fenton started his career as a photojournalist in the late 1960s – his book Shots: An American Photographer’s Journal was published in 2005. He was formerly director of public relations at Rolling Stone magazine and co-producer of the No-Nukes concerts in 1979 at Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and other artists. He has also helped create JStreet, Climate Nexus, the Death Penalty Information Center, and Families for a Future. He sold Fenton a few years ago to work on climate change full time. (https://davidfentonactivist.com/)
Magali Delmas is a Professor of Management at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and the Anderson School of Management. She is the director of the UCLA Center for Corporate Environmental Performance and the Center for Impact@Anderson. She was the President of the Alliance for Research in Corporate Sustainability (ARCS) from 2014 to 2017, an organization that serves as a vehicle for advancing rigorous academic research on corporate sustainability issues. Her research interests are primarily in the areas of Business strategy and Corporate Sustainability. Magali Delmas has written more than 90 articles, book chapters and case studies on business and the natural environment. She is the recipient of the Academy of Management/Organization and the Natural Environment Distinguished Scholar Award. She works on developing effective information strategies to promote conservation behavior and the development of green markets. Here is a short video of her recent work on green consumers, and a link to her recent book: The Green Bundle: Pairing the Market with the Planet published at Stanford Press. (https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/person/magali-delmas/)
Eliza Ruggiero provides ongoing strategic communications and investor relations counsel to clients during special situations, including mergers and acquisitions, business transformations, shareholder activism defense and proxy contests. Eliza brings an analytical approach to her work, helping clients across a range of industries assess and develop stakeholder communications programs that effectively build and protect value.
In addition to her special situations work, Eliza is passionate about advising clients on the implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) communications and disclosure programs. Eliza brings extensive experience advising clients on the development of ESG reports, assessing ESG ratings and rankings, helping clients enhance ESG disclosure, implementing reporting frameworks and supporting constructive engagement with shareholders on ESG issues and proposals. (https://abernathy.h-advisors.global/portrait/eliza-ruggiero/)
Erik Olvera is an accomplished communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience working with several of the nation’s leading environmental, LGBTQ, racial justice and voting rights organizations. He currently serves as Fenton’s Chief of Issue Advocacy, providing organizations focused on advocacy, politics and social justice with communications strategy and support to achieve their goals through campaigns that increase awareness, shape public discourse and build loyalty with new audiences. Prior to joining Fenton, he served as the Chief Communications Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), where he oversaw all aspects of the racial justice organization’s legal and public policy communications. While there, he provided strategic guidance as the organization looked toward its future and led several projects to deepen the legacy organization’s work with the communities that it serves. Before SPLC, he was the head of communications for environmentalist Tom Steyer’s GOTV and political organizations, where he helped develop the Need to Impeach movement. He previously served as the Senior Director of Communications for Earthjustice, where he was responsible for shaping discourse for the organization’s legal and public policy work. The Regis University alumnus also spent several years leading communications for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), where he worked on a wide range of LGBTQ legislation and legal cases. Some of his work at NCLR includes designing the Born Perfect public education campaign to end conversion therapy on minors nationwide and developing the communications plan that helped lead to the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court marriage equality victory. (https://fenton.com/expert/erik-olvera/)
Erin Curtis, Vice President, Fiona Hutton & Associates
Issue Areas: Water and Natural Resources, Climate, Air Quality, Renewable Energy, Environmental Regulations, Public Lands, Higher Education, Federal, State & Local Government
Expertise: Strategic Media Engagement, Reputation Management, Message Development, Crisis Communications, Policy Development & Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, Issue Campaigns, Event Planning
Recognition: Associated Press – local journalism awards; National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District Communicator of the Year
Affiliations: California Public Information Officials; PRSA California Capital Chapter; Phi Delta Kappa; California Community Colleges Public Relations Association (former); Association of California Community College Administrators (former); National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (former); National Institute for Leadership Development (Leaders 2004)
(https://fionahuttonassoc.com/team/)
Aurora Winslade serves as Edison International’s director of Sustainability where she is responsible for the company’s sustainability strategy, goals and programs, publication of the annual sustainability report, sustainability disclosures, and serving as a key sustainability spokesperson for one of the nation’s largest all electric utilities that is helping lead the transformation of the electric industry towards a clean energy future. She previously was the director of the Office of Sustainability at Stanford University, where she led the effort to advance operational sustainability across the university, realize the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and zero waste by 2030, and launched the Living Lab Fellowship Program for Sustainability in collaboration with Doerr School of Sustainability. Prior to Stanford, Aurora was the director of Sustainability at Swarthmore College, where she built and led the Office of Sustainability and launched new programs such as “To Zero by Thirty-Five: Swarthmore’s Carbon-Free Future Plan to Eliminate Swarthmore’s Carbon Emissions by 2035”; the college’s zero waste program; the award-winning Carbon Charge program; and the President’s Sustainability Research Fellowship program. Previously, she has built, led, and redesigned sustainability and energy programs for the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Energy, and the University of California Santa Cruz. She also co-founded and teaches in an international certificate program in “Social Entrepreneurship and Leading Change” with the Bard College Sustainable MBA program, where she has been an instructor in the #1-Ranked Green MBA program in the U.S. (according to Princeton Review) since 2017. Aurora holds an MBA from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts, Agriculture, Ecology & Political Economy from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Dr. Howard Botts is CoreLogic’s Chief Scientist and Executive leader of the Science and Analytics team. Dr. Botts leads climate change and natural hazard science, data science, and geo-spatial professionals who generate and maintain solutions for the insurance, real estate, capital markets, mortgage, banking, and energy industries. With more than 30 years of experience in geo-spatial modeling, Dr. Botts is a recognized expert in developing natural hazard risk solutions and his work has been published extensively. He frequently presents to business and professional organizations on a variety of topics, climate change impacts on the real estate ecosystem, natural hazard risk, and weather forensics. Dr. Botts earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in geography from California State University at Northridge and received a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Quality Time with PR Minds
2023-10-07 08:30 - 12:00 | Allison, 3105 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90016, United States
Saturday, October 7
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(light breakfast will be served)
Location:
Allison
3105 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

REGISTER HERE
Quality Time with PR Minds is Back In Person!
Quality Time with PR Minds is a one-day community service opportunity for PR professionals, presented in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Now celebrating its 19th anniversary, this annual event brings together professional volunteers and local nonprofits for one-on-one counseling.
Quality Time with PR Minds is a great opportunity to give back to the organizations that make Los Angeles a great place to live and work and is a unique way to collaborate and share knowledge with other PRSA-LA members. Gain insight as you team up with other PR professionals and nonprofits for productive brainstorming sessions.
All PR, communications, and marketing professionals with at least two years of experience are welcome to volunteer. No experience working with nonprofits? No problem! You’ll be teamed up with other professionals to help come up with great ideas.
Use your creative thinking, and problem-solving skills to help local nonprofits with their communication challenges!
Event is free but you will need to RSVP.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Allison

DoGoodery

Cause Communications

Mission Driven PR
