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ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS JOURNALISTS
SHARE TIPS & INSIGHTS
On March 23, PRSA-LA hosted “At Breakfast with Arts and Consumer Entertainment Journalists,” drawing nearly 60 attendees. We’d like to thank VPE Communications for being the sponsor and Maricela Cueva, president of VPE, for serving as moderator. Journalists included Tricia Durrant, supervising producer, Entertainment Tonight, ETonline.com, Craig Nakano, assistant managing editor, Entertainment & Arts, Los Angeles Times, Pamela Avila, entertainment editor, USA Today and Paula Ulichney, photo editor, Associated Press.
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Here are the top tips the panelists shared:
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The future is digital - Tricia Durrant, Entertainment Tonight
- Think of your story being published online as well as any other medium you believe can be suitable for your client. Consider the news cycle and metrics certain stories are gaining and see if your pitch could be part of current trends.
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Pitch transparently - Craig Nakano, LA Times
- Nakano explained that PR professionals should pitch directly to the reporter they think is most suitable for the story or to a group of journalists to see if any one of them would like to cover the subject. Pitching multiple journalists from the same news outle individually isn’t feasible as there is discussion in the newsroom about who’s being pitched what.
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Not all pitches have to be about A-list celebrities - Pamela Avila, USA Today
- Avila shared that she is interested in receiving pitches about celebrities who might not be as well-known, but it will need to convey the importance of their story and how it will impact entertainment.
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Avoid using handout photos - Paula Ulichney, Associated Press
- There is difficulty in finding copyright for handout photos; therefore legal issues can ensue.
All the panelists emphasized that media pitches need to show why their audiences should care about these stories. To break through the clutter, presenting them with a brief pitch with game-changing facts can make your client stand out. Stay tuned for the next ABW in June.
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HAPPY NATIONAL APR MONTH!
Message from John McCartney, APR
PRSA-LA Chapter Treasurer
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I recently earned my Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), my career goal for as long as I have been part of PRSA, going back almost ten years. I formally started my APR journey through our friends at the OCPRSA chapter and their APR study course (virtual, of course).
There are two significant steps in the path to accreditation. The first is to present a strategic PR plan to three PR professionals who have earned accreditation. Once you pass this panel presentation, it's on to the computer-based exam conducted at a testing center. The test itself is about 172 multiple-choice questions. I first took this exam in Sept 2022 and missed passing by four percentage points. I then took some time to reset and decided to retake the exam in March, which I passed.
Getting your accreditation is something that I encourage anyone in the PR field to strive for. Your accreditation certifies that you know your public relations knowledge, skills, and abilities.
MORE INFO ON APR HERE.
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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Grazia Zuccarini
Founder of Grazia Communications
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Grazia Zuccarini let her heart guide her to LA when she fell in love and moved from her home in Italy to Los Angeles. Grazia’s more than 15 years of professional experience focused mostly on communications and public relations for beauty and high-fashion houses such as Armani Beauty, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo Fragrances, Shiseido Cosmetics, but in 2019 her career pivoted.
Grazia runs her own PR consulting business, she adds, that she didn’t want to create an agency but wanted to provide PR with a personal touch. These days, her portfolio is vast as she consults in the healthcare and wellness industry, as well as in corporate actively supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Italy. Additionally, Grazia is a lifestyle journalist for Vanity Fair, Elle, and Marie Claire in Italy. She also finds the time to teach the next generation of PR practitioners as an adjunct professor at various universities including UCLA. Her goal in joining PRSA-LA is to build her business and personal contacts through the organization.
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LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB -
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Come Join Us!
Date: Thursday, April 13
Time: 6 - 7 PM Via Zoom
Will you be graduating this year? Or, looking for an entry-level position in public relations? This FREE virtual event organized by PRSA-LA Young Professionals Committee is for YOU!
Moderated by Marisol Barrios Perez of Mission Driven PR and CSUDH Adjunct Lecturer, the event will feature YP Panelists, Melanie Gazazian of TriplePoint PR and Kayla Holley of Maverick Creative, who will help you navigate interviews and enter the PR workforce. Scott Pansky of Allison+Partners will share what his company looks for in prospective candidates. RSVP today!
REGISTER HERE
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33RD ANNUAL KENNETH OWLER SMITH SYMPOSIUM ON PUBLIC RELATIONS
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
Time: Program at 6 p.m. | Hosted reception prior to event at 4:30 p.m.
Venue:
Wallis Annenberg Hall (ANN), Auditorium
3630 Watt Way, Los Angeles
The Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium is USC Annenberg’s annual overview of the public relations industry. It has been the premier event for public relations students and practitioners in Southern California since its inception in 1990.
This year’s theme is “New Reputation,” a discussion about the evolution of corporate reputation and ESG. The program will feature corporate leaders from companies and agencies whose work is making a positive impact on their brands and society.
GET MORE INFO ON THIS FREE EVENT HERE
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#SPARKTHEFUTURE
CREATOR COMMUNITY PANEL
Date: April 26 • 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Venue: City Club LA,
555 Flower St., 51st Floor, Los Angeles,
This panel brings together digital creators, community connectors, and communication professionals to learn new ways to authentically bridge the values of Health & Wellness, Education, Workplace Development, Financial Literacy, and Racial Equity to their audiences. Join PRSA-LA for this FREE event in brought to you by VOICES for AAPI, HPRA Los Angeles, and Walmart.
REGISTER NOW!
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WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Date: April 26-28
Venue: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona
Register NOW to visit Tucson, Arizona for professional development opportunities, networking with peers and the beautiful weather of spring in the desert! Add-ons like the Dine-Around event, APR in a Box and Pre-Conference Leadership Workshop are available at registration to elevate your conference experience.
REGISTER NOW!
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ROAD TO PRISM: CREATING AWARD-WINNING ENTRIES
Date: May 4
Time: 12 - 1 PM Via Zoom
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!
REGISTRATION INFO HERE
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PRSA ICON 2023
Date: October 15-17
Venue: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN
The PRSA ICON event offers the chance to learn, grow, and network with fellow PR and communications pros from all over the world right in our own backyard. March 1 is the last day to take advantage of super saver registration.
REGISTER HERE
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PRSA-LA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 30! HAVE YOU APPLY YET? | |
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Win $1500 in scholarship award, plus an opportunity to be recognized at the 2023 PRSA-LA PRism Awards and network with working Public Relations professionals. In addition to the scholarship, students will also receive ONE (1) YEAR FREE access to all PRSA-LA webinars and events, giving them the additional opportunity to network and learn from PR professionals.
APPLICATION DEADLINE is Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
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