LA Chapter to Explore Green Communications

Secrets to Successful Green PR & Marketing Sustainability Communications: Is Public Relations Delivering on the Green Promise? Monday, May 16 Half-Day Seminar 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. General Session and Panel Discussions Breakfast and Lunch Plus optional afternoon Breakout Sessions The Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Visit www.prsala.org for complete details. Co-Sponsored by PRSA Western District www.prsawesterndistrict.org

PRSA LA Presents Steve Rubel

The 21’st annual Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium

THE SHIFTING PR/JOURNALISM RELATIONSHIP

Thursday, April 14, 2011

6:15 – 7:00 PM Networking/Reception; 7:00 – 9:00 PM Program

Free admission to all

Presented By

USC Annenberg Public Relations Studies Program and PRSA-LA

Keynote Speaker: Steve Rubel, Director of Insights, Edelman Digital

Steve Rubel, a senior marketing strategist and one of the most influential bloggers in the world, according to Technorati, is charged with helping the Edelman team win new word-of-mouth marketing business as well as developing and executing client programs. He also explores how new technologies are transforming marketing, media and public relations on his well-read Micro Persuasion weblog. Widely viewed as an expert on conversational marketing, he has been named to several prestigious lists, including: Media Magazine's Media 100, the AlwaysOn/Technorati Open Media 100, and the CNET News.com Blog 100.

Rubel’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring:

• Geneva Overholser, Pulitzer Prize-winning director, USC Annenberg School of Journalism
• Geoff Boucher, LA Times pop culture writer and curator of the popular Hero Complex blog
• Joel Bellman, Press Deputy and curator of Zev’s Blog, Office of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
• Steve Rubel, Edelman
• Moderated by Jerry Swerling, Professor and Director of PR Studies, USC Annenberg School of Journalism

Cost: Free admission to all

RSVP: annenberg.usc.edu/rsvp

When: Thursday, April 14, 2011; 6:15 PM Reception; 7:00 – 9:00 PM Program

Where: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, East Lobby

Maps: http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/driving_directions/index.html

Accepting the gavel...finally

So here we are in April, and our previous Western District Chair, the fabulous Nancy Syzdek, handed over the gavel last December. No more hemming and hawing. It's official; the gavel is now mine. After a few months of focus on administration, such as transferring our bank accounts to our new treasurer, finalizing our contact list (really, why is this so difficult?) and lining our ducks up like so, we are poised for a terrific 2011.

I know this because we've a fantastic group of Board Officers on deck:

• Past Chair: Nancy Syzdek, APR, Las Vegas Valley Chapter
• Chair Elect: Kristin Bonilla, APR, Hawaii Chapter
• Treasurer: Keri Funkhouser, Pikes Peak Chapter
• Secretary: Julie Smith-Taylor, San Diego Chapter

I appreciate each of them stepping up, and have really enjoyed working with them. There is definitely talent to mine in the Western District. If you would like to meet and mingle with, and perhaps learn a bit from said talent, the 2011 WD conference in Las Vegas promises to be a fantastic event. Nancy Syzdek (conference committee chair) and her team have packed it with learning and networking opportunities. If you've never attended, this is your year! And if you have attended a WD conference before, you know what a valuable experience it is.

It's not too late to sign up for the conference. Don't miss last call. Visit www.prsalasvegas.com to register. Hope to see you in Vegas!