“How to get published” in Los Angeles Times Entertainment -Calendar, The Envelope and more at media workshop for publicists

Hollywood, CA – “She was a tough lady, but will always be remembered as one who was very protective of her clients as we should be,” said EPPS President Henri Bollinger, who had talked to the slain longtime Publicist Ronni Chasen the day before she was gunned down in Beverly Hill, Ca.

The Publicist was driving home on Sunset Blvd. from an after-party and the premiere of Cher’s new movie “Burlesque.” Detectives said they believed it was a deliberate hit, when they discovered the publicist in her black Mercedes sedan, which was wrapped around a light pole.  Chasen had suffered five gunshot wounds to the chest according to police.

“I was so traumatized that I realized that I was still only worried about an answer on a project, when a friend called and told me of her tragedy,” said Bollinger.

“It was then I realize that we need to live for the day, and you can not always be concerned over what you believe is important or a benefit to me. It took the better part of the day to reconcile,” he said.

Bollinger offered a moment of silence at the LA Times Entertainment Editors media workshop, immediately following his remarks at the ICG Local 600 Union Auditorium, Hollywood, CA. (Nov. 18, 2010).

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.

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.

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!”

Check out related stories and Related Content

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

Google on insider tips on media and behind the

scenes of public relations and entertainment pubicity.