Silicon Beach Young Professionals (YP) are defining the Digital Elite in LA

Silcon Beach YP is one of the hottest Young Professional Groups in SoCal.

SiliconBeach is a three-mile region in the Los Angeles metropolitan area rich in Internet technology-related startup companies. According to Wikipedia it’s the area that stretches from Santa Monica to Venice. It is also one of the best kept secrets, which is about to take off like the high tech explosion of the late 1990′s, when the Silicon Valley was the major hot-spot for emerging technologies.

“SiliconBeach is the epicenter for the Digital Elite and a hotbed for tech start ups,” said Founder Lucas Bean of the new Silicon Beach Young Professionals (YP). Bean is also the founder and CEO of [method] DRG, performance marketing experts in social media, web applications, video production and mobile marketing company in Manhattan Beach. A short list of clients include: Sony, Atari, MySpace and Experian to name a few.

At a monthly (May 16, 2013) Silicon Beach YP mixer, which is one of the fastest growing and most talked about high tech events in SoCal, Founder Lucas Bean said, “No one should ever have to pay for a mixer again,” he explained. “I’ve been to a lot of them where you pay $10 – $15 or more just to meet with young entrepreneurs in technology.”

The mixers, which started in January, have attracted nearly 300 young professionals at a time. And now, Google has become the main sponsor.

Lucas Beach Founder, Silicaon Beach YP with Noelle Miraglia, who volunteer to check off new attendees at the monthly meeting.

“Google is here, because they know where new business and new connections start,” noted Bean, who admitted he knows a lot of people, who work at Google, which helps.

Google was not the only big brand represented. Microsoft, MSN, Apple and a lot of CEO’s and entrepreneurs of startups, incubators and venture capitalists were attended.

There were bankers, realtors, lawyers and other young professionals of nearly every industry in SoCal wheeling and dealing like young professionals do at network events.

“We are here to connect LA’s brightest and most innovative young minds,” said Bean. “Most importantly it is taking place in our backyard.”

(LAEntertainmentPublicity© -copyright protected)

There was no cover for drinks and appetizers at the mixer held at the Q’s Billiard Club, Santa Monica, CA. Bean said, “I founded the Silicon Beach Young Professionals, because I saw the need to build this tech community and create something great.”

It was the chance YP newbies and regulars to meet some of the SiliconBeach’s most influential professionals. There were also some high tech reps. from San Francisco and San Jose, too.

“The free monthly mixer allows you to meet the CEO’s, developers and Social Media strategists of some of the most innovative startups in the tech community for Santa Monica and the greater LA area,” said Brian Gaouette, director of Social Media, [method] DRG. It’s also an event to keep up on the media trends such as mobilization of your company. “More people are spending a lot more time on mobile applications each day and if you’re not mobile optimized, you’re behind the times,” Gaouette said.

The only way to describe this event is “San Jose gone South”. What’s next for Silicon Beach YP? Gaouette said, “Look for more free mixers, high tech workshops with panelists and community organized networking events. We want to build the high tech community not just doing networking.” They’re on the right track and Google is giving them the “+” sign.

Silicon Beach YP packs the house at Q Billiard Club, Santa Monica.

Social Media hurts an actor’s pocketbook

This story first appeared on TECHNORATI.com

Social Media has helped black artists worldwide get great exposure, but there are drawbacks, said Annie-Marie Johnson, who attended opening night of The 21st Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF Feb. 7-18, 2013).

Annie-Marie Johnson on the red carpet at the Pan African Film Fest. (Fe. 7-18, 2013)

“Exposure wise it’s been great as an actress, however it has also dampened my ability to earn a living, because in the ether of new media, people don’t believe they have to pay for what they are viewing,” she said. Artists create this product, not only for viewership, but they also do it to make a middle-class living.”

The nation’s largest Black film festival has selected some 154 films, representing 34 countries. There are 23 documentaries, 13 short documentaries, 67 narrative features, and 51 narrative shorts.

Anne-Marie Johnson on the red carpet at P.A.F.F., Hollywood, CA

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) continues through Monday, Feb. 18 (Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15, 4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008)

Over the two decades, along with USA entries, the nation’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival has showcased films from such countries as Angola, Austria, England, Bermuda, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, South African and Nigeria.

“It’s refreshing, it’s new and material maybe we won’t get in global distribution like it should, so this is a great beginning,” said Johnson, who is working on her next film, “Knock ‘em Dead,” which is comedy-thriller in post production.

Also attending the film fest’s opening night with friend, Actor Blair Underwood, was Writer/Director/Producer Nia Hill, who’s featuring her film, “COLORED MY MIND” at PAFF. “My message to parents with children with Autism, just deal with the genius, because everyone’s minds are colored. Imposing your own ideas might compromised the opportunities that exist,” said Hill.

Opening night of the Pan African American Film Festival, Hollywood, CA on through Feb. 18, 2013.

For times and film schedules visit: http://www.paff.org/

Related articles

• Pan African Film Festival Daily Screening Schedule: Day 7 (947thewave.cbslocal.com)
• PAFF Founder Auyko Babu Shares His Proudest Moments Of The Fest (947thewave.cbslocal.com)
• Pan African Film And Arts Festival To Celebrate 21st Anniversary (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• The 2013 Pan-African Film & Arts Festival (zendialogue.wordpress.com)

Related articles

• Pan African Film Festival Daily Screening Schedule: Day 5 (947thewave.cbslocal.com)
• Pan African Film Festival Honors Industry’s Best (atlantablackstar.com)
• Pan African Film Festival Daily Screening Schedule: Day 7 (947thewave.cbslocal.com)
• Pan African Film Festival Daily Screening Schedule: Day 6 (947thewave.cbslocal.com)
• Pan African Film And Arts Festival To Celebrate 21st Anniversary (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• The 2013 Pan-African Film & Arts Festival (zendialogue.wordpress.com)
• African Movies to Look out for in 2013 (cinemakenya.wordpress.com)

How Social Media has become a game changer for journalists

SPJ LA discusses “Ethics in a digital space & Social Media” @ workshop at NBCLA newsroom, Burbank

This story first appeared on Examiner.com

How to handle negative comments, outside news sources and fake photos were among the Online hot button issues discussed Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 by members of the Society of Professional Journalists, LA Chapter held at NBCLA‘s newsroom.

Social Media has allowed the world to gain access to the news 24/7, however stations like NBCLA found the advancement of technology has prompted many stations to create a social network policy.

SPJLA members huddle in NBCLA’s newsroom to discuss “Ethics” Online.

“Often, when you’re dealing with Social Media harassment, people tend to have a gut reaction and a panic response, but that could get you into trouble,” explained Olsen Ebright, Social Media manager, NBCLA. Ebright says just having that Social Media “Playbook handy when someone is getting harassed, or when the user has gone too far, it sets the tone on how to handle everything professional.”

“If there are profanities or personal attacks NBCLA will delete those comments,” he said. “And sometimes we will post a little note that says, ‘Hey guys lets clean it up,’” Ebright said.

Jonathan LLoyd, managing editor, NBCLA illustrates fake photos and other images that create additional screening work in the news business.

Negative comments aren’t the only issues discussed. Megan Garvey, assistant managing editor, LATimes.com reminded SPJ LA members about the identity mistakes made during the Sandy Hook School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, last December.

Mekahlo Medina, Reporter @NBCLA talks about “Ethics in a Digital Space” at SPJLA media workshop held earlier this month.

“Our policy is to leave the original story up, but correct it with an updated version as soon as possible,” she said.

Smarter cell phones have created another challenge for the media when news tips and fake images sent into the newsroom.

Managing Editor Jonathan Lloyd showed SPJ LA members an example of a flood victim photo that had been touched up in Photoshop. He said it was not an easy catch, except for the level of the flood waters surrounding people trapped didn’t look right. And they didn’t match the shoreline level. The image was not used.

Jonathan Lloyd, NBCLA illustrates images sent to the newsroom, while SPJLA President Alice Walton looks on.

“One of the major challenges we have is vetting information from outside sources,” Lloyd said. “Everyone has a way to supply us with information. Some of the information is very alluring when it comes to the immediacy of it and the spectacle of it, especially if they’re sending us an image for example. So we face the challenges of how do we vet this information by outside sources, which include who may not be trained journalists?” explained Lloyd.

Lloyd also noted that journalists have to deal with these new digital issues the same way handle traditional news gathering sources.“We use the same instincts, the same methods and skills we’ve always relied on as journalists, whether we’re dealing with digital space or something outside of the digital space.”

As for celebrities breaking news or contributing to stories, he said,“Very few stories we produce are generated by celebrities, but if there’s story that impacts our viewers, we try to verify the facts before it airs,” said Managing Editor Jonathan Lloyd, NBCLA.

And NBC LA’s Digital News Anchor Mikahlo Medina agrees that the advancement of technology and Social Media have presented journalists with a whole new set of ethical issues.

“Dealing with Social Media, dealing with digital issues as a one man band, how to aggregate information from users into your story are some of the challenges,” said Mekahlo Medina.

“I think a lot of people want accuracy. No one wants to read a story, and then five minutes later find out it was not right or that police grabbed the wrong suspect,” he said.

Medina used the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut as an example of how the suspect’s brother was first arrested and how images of his arrest went viral Online and then later the story was corrected.

“I think it’s a work in progress and as journalists dive into Social Media and the digital space, they’re realizing that they have to take extra steps in confirming and going forward with different sources or different stories they’re reporting on,” Medina said.“I think especially with conglomeration of media entities you have a conflict of interest in so many cases and one of the guiding principles need to be full disclosure,” said Royal Oaks, an attorney who represents Radio and TV Journalists in SoCal (RTNA) over the last two decades. He was also attending the workshop at NBCLA.

“There’s an old saying that, ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant.’ You want to be transparent, of which newspapers do this pretty well when they make some acknowledgement that, some corporate parent owns them and they’re involved in the substance of the story,” Oaks said. “Broadcasters don’t put out quite as much disclosure and they need to focus more on that issue.”

George McQuade III  is national writer on Digital PR trends, business, smart grid technology, corporate communications, reputation management, SEO and entertainment publicity. He welcomes your comments and story ideas @ gmcquade@gmail.com. Thx for sharing.

 

Related articles

• How Social Media is a game changer for TV, radio and newspaper journalist (mayocommunications.wordpress.com)
• Journalists tackle “Ethics in a Digital Space” (technorati.com)
• reater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists to discuss ethic issues in the digital space (mayocommunications.wordpress.com)
• SPJ kills print edition of conference newspaper (jimromenesko.com)
• PIC: Joz crashes the anchor desk at @NBCLA after the @SPJLA event. Thx to @zachbehrens for the pic (jozjozjoz.com)
• University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication Announces 2013 Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism are Open for Nominations (prweb.com)
• IHT Rendezvous: How Much Do You Trust Journalists? (rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com)
• The Fall of Journalism (americanthinker.com)
• Matt Martin: Join us on Twitter for latest news,etc. (goerie.com)

 

Brace for tourist crowds coming to LA this summer – next stop the Hollywood Museum with Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (EPPS)

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Hollywood Museum is gearing up for a blockbuster summer tourism season and for good reason, too. LA Inc. reports a new record number of visitors and spending in the history ofLos Angeles occurred last year. About 26.9 million people visited LA in 2011, a jump of 4.2 percent more overnight visitors than in 2010. Tourist spending also rose with visitors racking up $15.2 billion in expenditures – an eight percent hike from the previous year.

(L-R) George McQuade, Henri Bolinger and Julian Myers at EPPS Winter Mixer at the Hollywood Museum, Highland and Hollywood Blvd.

“It looks like the economy is getting a little better,” Donelle Dadigan, founder & president, Hollywood Museum told this writer at the annual Winter Mixer of Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (EPPS). Dadigan said the museum has 10,000 real showbiz treasures, located in the historical Max Factor building near the Kodak Thater and Hollywood Walk of Fame
(Highland Ave. & Hollywood Blvd.).

Max Factor, wizard of movie make-up,
has worked his magic on motion picture stars since 1935. On the ground floor, you’ll find many original displays from the old Max Factor Make-Up Studio.

The lobby, has been restored to its original grandeur. A polished Art Deco gem – a white and rose-colored oasis of lavish marble, recreated historic chandeliers, pastel hues, antique furniture, trompe l’oeil, faux finishes with 22kt. gold and silver leafing.

EPPS Pres. Henri Bolinger poses for a shot with Founder and Pres. of Hollywood Museum, which is expecting record Crowds this summer.

The Hollywood Museum features four floors of exhibits
(two floors above the lobby and a basement below), offering more than 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. To give you an idea of the size, it is seven times the size of the nearby Guinness World of Record Museum (5,200 square feet). It is nearly four times the size of the neighboring Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum (10,000 square feet), and five times larger than the Warner Bros Museum
(at 7,000 square feet).

“We still really don’t have enough room to do justice to the thousands of items on exhibit here,” explain Dadigan.

The ground floor is made up of the historic Lobby, plus Max Factor’s restored make-up rooms, a vintage B&W photo gallery featuring more than 1000 B&W photos, Cary Grant’s Rolls Royce, Planet of the Apes, Jurassic Park, a tribute to Judy Garland and the “Red Shoes”.

The second and third floors are devoted exclusively to costumes worn by famous stars in famous films, corresponding props, photos, memorabilia and posters. Also featured is a wealth of Hollywood memorabilia, ranging from the earliest Technicolor film ever shot, to a Roman bed from “Gladiator”, to the dog from “There’s something about Mary”, to the gold Cadillac from “Dreamgirls”.

Marilyn Monroe's 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood. You could almost hear Marilyn say, "Okay, home james."

When you go down stairs to the open lower level Marilyn Monroe’s 1961 Cadilla Fleetwood greets you in mint condition. Be sure to visit the lower level, which was once a bowling alley and speakeasy during Prohibition days. Now it is where the Museum houses “all things creepy and scary”

You get to walk down the same jail cell corridor that Jodie Foster walked in “Silence of the Lambs”, and see Hannibal’s cell and a fantastic array of props from the film including Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s mask. Wear tennis shoes, because there are floors and floors of posters, black and white photos and memorabilia from Hollywood. If you park at the Kodak complex, the first two hours of park is free with validation.

LA Inc’s Mark Lieberman  said, This year’s impressive growth in tourism is great news for our local businesses that rely on tourist spending to make their companies both successful and profitable.” According to those people keeping track one out of every 10 jobs are related to tourism, which employs 364,000 people. And that’s why we should see a huge economic impact on tourism this summer, too.

Bloggers, Entertainment Publicists,Public Relations and Social Media Pros Gather In Los Angeles

Media professionals, entrepreneurs, marketers and public relations practitioners driving the next generation of media relations. RSVP @www.prsummit.org

Saturday, November 12, 2011

"How to Marshal & Inform Bloggers, Editors and Content Producers in the Most Effective Way!" Moderator: George S. McQuade III (MAYO Communications) Panelists: Matt Skallerud (Pink Banana Media), Jonathan Handel (The Hollywood Reporter) 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Break 2:30.

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SPEAKERS:

 

NBCLA's Mekahlo Medina

 

• Mekahlo Medina, NBCLA NBC Universal
• Darren Darnborough, (Founder, StuckForStaff)
• Linda Jones (Founder, The Mass Appeal)
• Chris Detert (Founder, American Rebel PR) 
• Zahava Stroud (Founder, iHollywood Forum)
• Jiyan Wei (Founder, Build Zoom)
• George S. McQuade III (GM, MAYO Communications)
• Matt Skallerud (President, Pink Banana Media)
• Jonathan Handel (Attorney/Journalist, The Hollywood Reporter)
• Jiyan Wei (Founder, Build Zoom)
• Tiffany Bradshaw (President, Bradshaw & Co.)

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AGENDA: 

• 11:00 AM – 11:55 AM: Registration Opens & Networking
• 11:55 AM – 12:00 PM: Opening Remarks 
• 12:00 PM – 12:55 PM:                                                                                                      
• Topic: ”PR for Startups & Small Business”                                                      
• Moderator: Tiffany Bradshaw (Bradshaw & Co.)                                                                                                      
• Panelists: Jiyan Wei (BuildZoom), Zahava Stroud (iHollywood Forum), Darren Darnborough (StuckForStaff), Linda Jones (The Mass Appeal)

•  1:00 PM – 2:00 PM:                                                                                            
• Topic: ”How to Marshal & Inform Bloggers, Editors and Content  Producers in 
• the Most Effective Way!”                                                                                
• Moderator: George S. McQuade III
  (MAYO Communications)                                                                                                            
• Panelists: Mekaho Medina, NBC Universal, NBCLA,
  Matt Skallerud (Pink Banana Media), Jonathan Handel (The  Hollywood Reporter) 
•  2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Break
•  2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: 
• Topic: ”Influencing The News Cycle In Real Time”                                       
• Moderator: Shaun Saunders (Graffiti PR)                                                                                                   
• Panelists: Chris Detert (American Rebel PR), 

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FEES:

• Registration fee: $30.00 
• On-site registration the day of:  $35.00  
• Tickets are non-refundable, but transferable
• Parking available onsite 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Public Relations Practitioners
• Media Consultants 
• Brand Managers 
• Startup Companies 
• Small Business Owners 
• Marketing Professionals 
• Non-Profits 
• Students 
• Press & Bloggers

Media is always heavy in Hollywood. Learn how to get them to your events at PR Summit.

Testimonials:

“Considering this was the first of an annual PR Summit Boot Camp, I found the quality of speakers and breadth of knowledge extremely valuable.  It was a pleasure to speak on such a panel, to pick up new tips, and hopefully impart some knowledge and experience, and all in the extremely fertile hub of entrepreneurship and modern solution-thriving city of San Fran.”
(Darren Darnborough StuckforStaff.com)

“The organization of PR Summit Bootcamp was carefully thought out and planned, each panel topic and panelist was clearly prepared to offer the most relevant information regarding Public Relations in today’s world. The conference was very professional, as well as very personal where everyone was interacting with everyone, and it was clear to see that not only were people listening, but they were acting on the knowledge. I look forward to PR Bootcamp 2011 Thank you to all those who made it such a great conference.” (Joanna Weidenmiller, CEO The One Page Company)

“PR Summit produced an excellent, informative, inspirational event, as always.”
(Lynn Friedman, KGO-TV/ABC7, Tango Diva)

Social Media insider tips for creating that right buzz for you business

Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (EPPS) huddle to talk about Social Media best practices.

Social media took publicists by surprise, providing immense opportunities and significant challenges for many PR Pros, who are still trying to figure out how to measure success. About 150 PR Pros packed into ICG Union Local 600 auditorium, Hollywood, CA. this month (10-21-11) to sort it all out.

EPPS President Henri Bollinger (left)
Dawn Wilcox, A and P and Tracy St. Pierre,
NBC at EPPS Social Media workshop.

The seven member panelist included Dawn Wilcox, A&P, Tracy St. Pierre, NBC,  Beth Braen, NATPE, Andrew Stachler, Warner Bros., Jenny Connelly and Laurel Whitcomb both of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.  It was moderated by Rosalind Jarrett, the Screen Actors Guild Awards®.

Beth Braen, NATPE at EPPS workshop.

One of the big concerns in social media is that business has only a small view of their social media marketing campaigns, and often have no clue of how something such as the rate of posting on Facebook might influence the amount money spent by first-time visitors. Or how retweets by an influential blogger might boost membership or awareness of a brand. Wilcox told the crowd unlike a year ago, social media has brought more accountability.

“It’s more challenging now, but it also now gives us the opportunity to be more strategic,” she said.

One hot button issue is how to respond to negative posts or comments on Facebook, Twitter, company websites or articles Online in the comment section. Most panelists agreed you can not ignore them, and Beth Braen, senior vice president marketing for NATPE  said her nonprofit organization is committed to being a catalyst for the content revolution. Braen says NATPE engages visitors and encourages them to participate on its site.

Todd Beck, president of Beck Media & Marketing, LA agrees.  He says don’t ignore the negative comments, but be careful responding until you’ve had a chance to analyze the motive or the reason for the posts.

Beck also noted that sometimes by taking the agitated visitor offline or sending a direct email or twitter message you can diffuse the situation.

Vice President Andrew Stachler of Interactive Marketing, Warner Bros. says at WB, despite cutbacks, the motion picture studio is careful what it posts, and recently “WB put one person in charge of social media,” he said.

“Think of Facebook to be used for marketing, and Twitter as a mini news releases,” NBC’s Tracy St. Pierre told the EPPS crowd.

NBC’s Tracy St. Pierrehas worked on everything from daytime, primetime and late night to specials and made for TV movies.  She continues to oversee campaigns for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Whitney” and the midseason drama “Awake.” Additionally,  she works with her PR, marketing and digital teams at NBC to create and implement social media events for the network.

Dawn Wilcox Allison & Partners

Panelist Dawn Wilcox, GM, A&P noted that the Social Media has changed the demands for new hires at her firm and she has seen noticeable progress in a technology difference just over the last year.
The growth of social media community is important from likes and comments on Facebook to retweets and direct messages on Twitter or Google+, a large amount of user activity on your company website shows not only you can engage your audience offline, but it also coverts those users on a path you have total control over – your website.

Once you bring in customers you also need to be consistent, aligning  everything with your main goal- revenue.

The EPPS media workshops are usually the third Thursday of the month.  For more visit: http://www.eppsonline.org.

If you are a publicists  or communicator you should join us on The

Linkedin.com Group:

ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICISTS & COMMUNICATORS
On  FACEBOOK.COM/MAYOPublicRelations
On Twitter.com/MAYOPR or /gmcquade and on GOOGLE+

D o you agree? Something left out of the story? Please feel free to comment and let us know your observations. thx. Please provide examples, too, if possible.  Be sure to subscribe in the top right hand column so you get updates automatically by email. Thanks!

George S. McQuade III to cover Los Angeles area business investment beat for Examiner.com

George McQuade during a live TV interview on "How to create a buzz for your business."

Los Angeles, CA – Communications expert and

award-winning Journalist George McQuade

announced today that he has accepted the

LA Business Investment beat for the Examiner.com.

George S. McQuade III

George S. McQuade III

• LA Business Investment Examiner

Subscribe to McQuade (more) 

George S. McQuade III is a national award-winning

 business investment writer, and multimedia expert

in L.A. He has earned “Best Breaking News, Associated

Press Managing Editors Assn, “Best Newswriting, Radio

TV News Assn.; “Best News writing” APTV,” “Best Media

Placement-Print from the PRSA. He’s past EPPS president,

Hollywood/ NY chapters,  and McQuade has covered high
profile stories in Los Angels for KNX, KFI, KGIL Newstalk
1260 AM, NBC Mutual News, AP, UPI, CBS and ABC
networks.

• View my:
• Activities
• Favorites
• Articles

Got a great Los Angeles area business story?
If you have a business investment story please send

it to GMcQuade@gmail.com with “Business Story” in

the subject line.

Remember to send you name, phone number,
and best time for interviews.

Also send images or link to a video, to enhance
the business investment story pitch.