Entertainment industry, TV/film production, International Trade cited as economic recovery drivers in new LAEDC Study – A separate report shows stirking economic and personal ties with Japan

Downtown Film Festival rec carpet event.

LAEDC Report Says  Southern California,  California, U.S.  Economic Recovery is Underway, Stronger Growth in ’12

In L.A. County, international trade, entertainment and tourism leads regional economy.

A separate report shows striking economic and personal ties with Japan

Dr. Nancy Sidhu

Los Angeles — The economic recovery is  under way led by increased international trade  and growth in the high-tech sector,  entertainment and tourism, according to  the 2011-2012 Economic Forecast and  Industry Outlook report released today by  the Kyser Center for Economic Research at  the Los Angeles County Economic Development  Corporation (LAEDC).

The Los Angeles economy “appears to be past the bottom of the recession and is starting up the recovery path during 2011 and 2012,” said LAEDC Chief EconomistNancy D. Sidhu, Ph.D. “Many industries are back in the black and employment is rising in some areas.”

Imports and exports have rebounded around the world. Increased international trade activity in 2011 will benefit the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which both posted strong years in 2010.

Hiring is also expected to  grow as well for the region’s  tourism and entertainment  sectors as a result of  increased filming and more    visitors to the region,  helped by the new  convention center hotel at  L.A. LIVE.

However, there is little likelihood the housing sector will escape another difficult year, even though 2011 is expected to bring some improvement. Housing activity will only see incremental improvement even though it has improved from the 2009 lows.

California, which had the second highest unemployment rate in the country in 2010 at 12.5 percent, will see employment growth in 2011. However, much like the national picture, California’s jobless rate will remain relatively high, with the LAEDC forecasting an average unemployment rate of 12.1 percent this year and the rate coming down to 11.5 percent by next year.

“We project that the California and U.S. economies will grow moderately in 2011 and 2012,” said Sidhu. “But the recession was so deep, 2011 won’t feel all that good despite improvements in most industries. However, the state is headed in the right direction, and the economy will seem even better by 2012.”

First-time US Japan Study by Kyser Center for Economic Research out today (LAEDC image)

Growing Togetherreport highlights L.A. County’s personal and economic ties with Japan

The LAEDC also released a separate, new report, “Growing Together – Japan and Los Angeles County”. The report describes many of the close ties that have developed between Los Angeles County and Japan, the number one source of foreign direct investment into L.A. County.

U.S. – Japan trade has increased dramatically over the past 50 years jumping from $3.2 billion to $211 billion at its peak in 2000. Japan is the second largest trading partner of the Los Angeles Customs District with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together handling nearly 25 percent of total trade between Japan and the U.S.

The report also documents the growing importance of foreign direct investment in this relationship, reviewing both investments made by Los Angeles area business firms in Japan and Japanese investments in Los Angeles County.

To discuss their investments made in the region, the LAEDC’s EconomicForecast event held at the Los Angeles Marriott on Feb. 16 features a panel of speakers from well-known Japanese companies. Representatives from Honda Motors, Union Bank and Yakult, makers of probiotic beverages, will discuss the significant impact of Japanese companies on the L.A. County economy.

For the full story  of the Forecast & Industry Outlook and  the first-time LAEDC  report “Growing Together – Japan and Los Angeles County.

Please visit: http://www.mayocommunications.com/2011-NEWS%20RELEASES/NR-377.htm

 

Los Angeles Times Entertainment Editors Speak Out on Social Media Influence @EPPS

Hollywood, CA –   LA Times Entertainment Editors media workshop offered up more than the usual PR insider tips recentlyh at the ICG Local 600 Union Auditorium, Hollywood, CA. (Nov. 18, 2010).

While one editor of an well known LA Times blog and print version of movie news, movers and shakers admitted she “doesn’t Tweet, or Facebook, except for to her friends.” We found that a little odd, since every man, boy pilot and bawanna are now into Social Media, when only  a year ago, most publicist were afraid of it and really thought it was extra work. It is extra work, but it has also become a big busines to some, even though a headache to others.

This was the superbowl of all media workshops when it comes to face-to-face meetings with the editors who put all the entertainment out through the LA Times. Even the editor was there, deleting inmails while particpating at the workshop. Now, that’s what I call multitasking….hmmm..hope it was my clients story pitch, though that got vaporized.

Lisa Fung, LAT

 

The consensus in contacting editors or pitching a story and the best advice comes from Panelist Lisa Fung, Online Arts and Entertainment Editor, LA Times.

“Just forget that you have a phone, so email me your pitch and I will get back to you as soon as possible that’s the best way for me to get back to you. I just received 80 emails sitting here.”

Fung says social media brings tons of traffic to the LA Times website and blogs.

The last time I checked LAT Twitter had 93,000+ followers, too.

Online Arts and Entertainment Editor Lisa Fung says the best way to pitch everyone is by email.  During the meeting she noted that 80 emails had just come in, and she was deleting many in her inbox while

listening to other panelists.

She currently oversees round-the-clock multimedia coverage of all arts and entertainment, including Calendar. The Envelope, Company, Town and more than a dozen latimes.com blogs. To Reach her email: Lisa.Fung@latimes.com.

One of the pet peaves of editors is sending multiple email pitches, which could be the kiss of death. Randall Roberts reminded everyone about the email overload.

Randall Roberts, pop music editor, LA Times said,” he relies on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc where there are a lot of thoughtful people who share stories, trends and ideas.”

Randall Roberts, LA Times

Roberts also echoed earlier comments that social media drives traffic, and influences his decisions on story assignments. Often Robert says, he gets a lot of people who care about what he writes, and trend stories often pop up on Twitter and Facebook.

Roberts currently oversees all of the rock, pop, hip hop, electronic, world music, soundtrack and country coverage – basically everything except jazz and classical. Randall seems to be the most interesting of all of the panelist, because he really talk about how, and where he gets his stories, and less about pet peaves of publicists he deals with. So you should add him on your Twitter and Facebook account, just to learn what stories turn the LAT on. Oh, by the way, the Calendar sectioni of LAT is the “Most Read” part of the paper according to the business editor at another industry workshop I attended, which is why I went to this one in Hollywood.

Before coming to the LA Times, Roberts served as music editor at LA Weekly. To reach him email is best at: Randal.Roberts@latimes.com.

Joy Press, Pop Culture & Deputy Television editor also told Entertainment Publicists to “keep your pitches short as “we are working on both print and Online versions of the Times.”

Pop Culture & Deputy Television Editor Joy Press also prefers email pitches from publicists. Press says they are always looking for good trend stories.

Press, before arriving at the Times, she was the culture editor at Salon.com, where she oversaw the entertainment, books and lifestyle sections and blogs.

She has written widely about TV, movies, music and all facets of popular culture.

(Joy.Press@latimes.com).

The Los Angeles Times Entertainment has several sections of the newspaper:  MOVIES TVMUSIC CELEBRITY ARTS & CULTURE COMPANY TOWN CALENDAR ENVELOPE BOOKS

Elena Howe, The Envelope Editor says she does not Tweet and does Faceboook “only with friends,” however she says “it will be her new goal to do it by the end of next year.”

Howe also says The Envelope does not take client photos or handouts, but rather relies heavily on the wire image news services.

Howe chronicles the highs and lows of the Hollywood award season as the editor of The Envelope.

Elena Howe, The Envelope Editor

She was previously an assistant editor for SoCal Living at the Times and has previously served as LIfestyle and news editor at several California publications. (Elena.Howe@latimes.com)

Howe also prefers email pitches on all stories.

The Envelope offers complete coverage of the Academy Awards, Oscar nominations, Golden Globes, Grammys, Emmys, red carpet fashion, news, celebrity gossip and more.

This lady has the most fun job, because she gets to stay up late at night attending all of those entertainment events, mixers and exclusive VIP parties, and then get up early in the morning. Best adice don’t call me in the early morning. Email me plase,” she said with lots of energy, and she really meant it. I think if you did call her early, she would probably never return your calls even if you had

God as a client.

Be sure to check out the images of the event on FACEBOOK @http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28363&id=152273848144795
and subscribe to this blog for future posts in your email. thx.

Sally Hofsmeiseter was the editor last year when The LA Times had The Envelope Launch kick-off party, October 2009.

The Winter and Summer EPPS mixer events are free to anyone interested.

Nikki Pesusich, CFO, Coterie Public Relations @EPPS LAT media workshop

Anyone reading this blog can contact us to learn more about EPPS and how to join, or be our guest at the next media workshop.

Nikki Pesusich, CFO, Coterie Public Relations @EPPS LAT media workshop, who won the EPPS door prize 2010 O’Dwyer PR directory (top 2,000 PR firms in USA) @ www.odwyerpr.com, Manhattan, NY.

MAYO PR – “We don’t guarantee media,
we just get it!”

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For information about EPPS visit:www.eppsonline.org.

For entertainment publicity contact George Mc Quade

past president, EPPS, board member about this story.

or

Publicity@mayocommunications.com or call 818-340-5300.

www.mayocommunications.com

Mc Quade is also the West Coast Bureau Chief

for O’Dwyer Publications, Manhattan, NY. #1 on

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scenes of public relations and entertainment pubicity.