Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from November 2006:
Pyramid Power? No, say execs at music download firm BurnLounge. They see 'concentric marketing' as key to sudden sales surge.('multi-level marketing')(Alex Arnold, BurnLounge Inc.)
Nov 06, 2006; ... DOWNLOAD firm BurnLounge Inc. of Los Angeles has quickly become one of the music industry's hottest acts, ignited by an Internet version of multi-level marketing. In less than a year, it has caught on with such industry heavyweights as deejay Rick Dees, Justin Timberlake and ...
He's ready to get down to business.(Gary Toebben, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce)(Interview)
Nov 06, 2006; ... In July, Gary Toebben became president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, replacing Russell "Rusty" Hammer, who served five years but stepped down because of illness. Toebben is a veteran chamber executive, with stints at the Lawrence, Kan. chamber and, most ...
As spinach fears subside, pesticide suits target Dole.
Nov 06, 2006; ... After months managing the public relations nightmare following the E. coli outbreak, Dole Food Co. has another battle shaping up in its back yard. Nicaraguan field workers, who have filed 570 lawsuits against Dole and other companies, claim the Westlake Village produce supplier ...
Times are tough for suburban papers, too.
Nov 06, 2006; ... If the job cuts announced at the Los Angeles News paper Group on Oct. 30 surprised anyone, the reasons behind the layoffs became clear later the same day when new data showed an 8.2 percent average decline in circulation among the group's local newspapers. The decline was ...
Double donors lead to 'split' at UCLA.(Up Front)(University of California Los Angeles)
Nov 06, 2006; ... When are two buildings actually one? When they comprise a new research facility at UCLA. In an unusual building project at the Westwood campus, one large research facility is being built as if it were two separate buildings--the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center ...
Drink up: wave of wine shops opens across Los Angeles.(Up Front)
Nov 06, 2006; ... A handful of retailers are popping the corks on wine shops, seeking to capitalize on vino's increasing affordability and popularity. In the process, they may be cultivating a new generation of aficionados. "People are becoming more savvy and enjoying the quality wines ...
Roller Derby skaters come back in style.(Up Front)('Derby Dolls')
Nov 06, 2006; ... THEIR league certainly doesn't carry the cachet of the National Football League or Major League Baseball, but the names of its players are way better. Wanna Beatin, Tara Armoff and Paris Killton are all on the rosters of the Derby Dolls, L.A. County' s women's roller derby ...
New gig.(contracts)(Tom Cruise)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... New Gig: Tom Cruise reached a production deal with Metro-Goldwin Mayer in an effort to resurrect United Artists, the legendary studio formed 80 years ago. The deal will install Cruise and his production partner, Paula Wagner, who will be chief executive of United ...
Reliance buy.(News of the Week)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Reliance Buy: Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. acquired Carson-based Crest Steel Corp., continuing a baying spree that has seen it acquire more than 30 companies over the last decade. Crest, which specializes in the processing and distribution of carbon steel products, had sales of $129 ...
Disney deal.(Walt Disney Co)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Disney Deal: Walt Disney Co. is close to signing multiyear deals to keep supplying content to Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable, the two largest cable providers in the United States. According to reports, Comcast may buy Disney's 39.5 percent stake in E! Entertainment Television for $1.2 ...
Napster phones.(Napster Inc)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Napster Phones: Napster Inc. will be part of other music service providers that will jump on a new network by Cingular Wireless. The network, called Cingular Music, will allow cell phone customers to buy songs, ...
Calpers vs. UnitedHealth.(News of the Week)(alifornia Public Employees' Retirement System)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Calpers vs. UnitedHealth: The California Public Employees' Retirement System asked a U.S. District Court judge in Minneapolis to freeze outgoing UnitedHealth Group Chief Executive William McGuire's $1.1 billion retirement package, pending a lawsuit involving the legality of his stock ...
Music maker.(Disa Records and Edimonsa Publishing)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Music Maker: Univision Communications Inc. acquired the remaining haft of Mexico-based Disa Records and Edimonsa Publishing. The Los Angeles-based Spanish media company bought the remaining shams in the record company from the Chavez family of Monterrey, Mexico. The original 50 percent was ...
I quit.(Paul FitzPatrick resigned)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... I Quit: After being passed up for the top position, Crown Media Holdings Inc.'s Chief Operating Officer Paul FitzPatrick resigned. In addition to his duties overseeing distribution and human resources among others at the Hallmark Channel, FitzPatrick held the top position while the Studio ...
Earnings roundup.(News of the Week)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Earnings Roundup: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced fourth quarter net income of $58.7 million (97 cents per share), up 35 percent from $38.3 million (64 cents) for the same period a year earlier, beating analysts' projections. Revenue for the Pasadena-based engineering firm was up ...
Correction.(News of the Week)(Correction notice)
Nov 06, 2006 ... A caption with a photograph that accompanied an article headlined "Bitter Sweet: L.A. candy company closes after ...
Cooler properties? VH1's 'Really Rich Estate' will follow a sales duo as they market top-price houses.(News & Analysis)("The Fabulous Life Presents: Really Rich Real Estate")
Nov 06, 2006; ... ON their new reality show, Stephen Shapiro and Kurt Rappaport try to sell multi-million dollar homes to movie stars, professional athletes and heads of state. The question is: does anybody care? The duo's VH1 show, "The Fabulous Life Presents: Really Rich Real ...
City National wants to be more than 'bank of the stars'.(Company overview)
Nov 06, 2006; ... RISING interest rates in recent months and a softening housing sector have taken some wind out of the sails of Beverly Hills-based City National Corp., the largest independent bank company in the L.A. area. Indeed, City National in June revised its earnings outlook for 2006 to ...
Lowered expectations make hot topic stock look hotter.(MARKETPLACE)
Nov 06, 2006; ... WALL Street seemed to go out of its way to see the silver lining on the dark clouds over City of Industry-based clothing manufacturer and retailer Hot Topic Inc. Or maybe it was a case of lowered expectations. Hot Topic started last week by reporting a 7 percent ...
Gemstar's good numbers still aren't exciting investors.(News & Analysis)(Gemstar-TV Guide Inc.)
Nov 06, 2006; ... In the television industry, the time given for a show to establish its audience has dwindled from years to mere weeks, and the same mindset seems to apply to the stock of Gemstar-TV Guide Inc. Despite a good story line and improving numbers, the Los Angeles-based company can't ...
Patient Safety Technologies considers selling SurgiCount.(HEALTH CARE & BIOTECH)(HealthCare Partners LLC. acquires JSA Healthcare Corp)(CytRx Inc. gains orphan drug status for its product in europe)
Nov 06, 2006; ... PATIENT Safety Technologies Inc., a struggling Los Angeles-based maker of patient safety products, is considering an unsolicited buyout offer for its potentially most profitable unit. The holding company, which has faced repeated Amex delisting warnings, said last month it had ...
Investors check out prospects of companies with sales to China.(News & Analysis)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Once upon a time, Microsoft was an over-the-counter stock like many of our clients ... It's a hackneyed come on that stock promoters have used for years--and last week David Gentry, chief executive of RedChip Companies Inc., was not hesitant applying it to a client involved in ...
Eco-friendly deal.(Hawthorne)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Eco-Friendly Deal: Alcoa Kama, a division of Reynolds Food Packaging, came to an agreement with Hawthorne-based Cereplast, a company that produces hie-based, bio-degradable resins. Alcoa Kama will use the resins to create plastic sheets for food service packing ...
Ethanol plant.(Los Angeles)(Altra Inc. has began construction on ethanol production facility)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Ethanol Plant: Altra Inc., a Los Angeles developer of renewable fuel projects, began construction on a $200 million ethanol production facility in Carleton, Neb. Altra is working on renewable fuel projects across the country in an attempt to produce 500 million gallons per year of ethanol ....
Bank expansion.(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Bank Expansion: San Marcos-based Discovery Bank, a subsidiary of Discovery Bancorp, filed applications with the California Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to open a new branch office in downtown Los Angeles. The office plans to offer deposit and ...
Store opening.(Downtown)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Store Opening: Famima Corp., a Torrance-based convenience store chain, opened its eighth store. This one is in downtown Los Angeles at the corner of Figueroa Street and Eighth Street. Famima sells fresh prepared packaged gourmet meals including sushi, salads, sandwiches, dim sum, Chicken ...
Celebrity branding.(Brand Sense Partners LLC)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Celebrity Branding: Brand Sense Partners LLC, a Los Angeles rum that specializes in building brands around celebrities, signed a deal with Sheryl Crow to help her identify and execute new business ventures. Discussions with potential manufacturing and distribution partners have commenced ....
Homeless housing.(Skid Row Housing Trust)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Homeless Housing: The non-profit Skid Row Housing Trust is overseeing the opening of Rainbow Apartments, an 87-unit housing complex for the homeless. Located at 643 S. San Pedro St. in the Skid Row area of downtown, the building will include on-site ...
Retail purchase.(Equibase Capital Group LLC)(Highland Partners LLC)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Retail Purchase: Pacific Palisades retail center at the corner of Pacific Palisades and West Sunset Boulevard was purchased by Equibase Capital Group LLC, a private real estate investment firm based in Chicago ....
Amp'd in Japan.(Amp'd Mobile)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Amp'd in Japan: Amp'd Mobile, a mobile entertainment provider in West L.A., will deliver much of its exclusive entertainment content to Japan through a new portal service for the sub scribers of Tokyo-based KDDI Corp., a mobile communication company. The service is expected to launch in ...
Advertising campaign.(Zeesman Communications Inc)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Advertising Campaign: Zeesman Communications Inc., a provider of market solutions in Beverly Hills, unveiled a $1 million "By Reservation Only" advertising campaign in conjunction with the opening of the $93 million expansion and renovation of the Griffith Observatory. The campaign is ...
Theater reopens.(Cross Creek Plaza)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Theater Reopens: Cross Creek Plaza movie theater, owned by Portland, Ore.-based Hollywood Theaters, will reopen at its location in Malibu after being shut down in April ...
Federal grant.(Pasadena)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Federal Grant: The federal Department of Energy selected a team of companies and organizations including Pasadena-based Calstart to receive grant funding to begin a new alternative fuel network in the state. The grant will provide partial funding to build publicly accessible E85 stations ...
Online travel.(Groople)(LeisureLink Inc)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Online Travel: LeisureLink Inc., an electronic distributor of vacation rental properties, partnered with online travel booking resource, Groople. Denver-based ...
Clothing contract.(Van Nuys)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Clothing Contract: Van Nuys-based Cherokee Inc., a global licensor and brand management company, signed an international license agreement with Fawaz Al Hokair Group, the largest retail group in ...
Polish deal.(Tujunga)(Luvoo.com Inc)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006; ... Polish Deal: Luvoo.com Inc., an online dating company, is expanding its Web presence in Poland. The new site, luvoo.pl, will be a portal for members from the U.S. to ...
No milk moustaches for L.A. movie fans, thanks to Coca-Cola.(ENTERTAINMENT)
Nov 06, 2006; ... GOT an exclusive marketing agreement? The Coca-Cola Co. does, and its deals with several of the major movie theater chains mean that you won't be seeing many theaters ads asking if you've "Got Milk?" The soft drink giant is using its sugar-powered muscle to put a ...
Cache money: L.A. firm taps Russian roots for next-generation online archives.(Media & Entertainment)(SNAPSE Inc.)
Nov 06, 2006; ... SNAPSE Inc., a Los Angeles-based media and editing exchange system with Russian roots, is attempting to carve a niche for itself in the booming Internet archiving sector. What Snapse executives hope will separate it from the pack is the range of services that its Web site provides ...
Mediawatch.(MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT)(Statistical table)
Nov 06, 2006 ... <Pre> MOVIE BOX OFFICEWeekend TotalGrossGross Rank Title (mils) (mils) Distributor 1 Saw III $33.6$33.6 Lions Gate 2 The Departed 9.8 ...
$500 million in ad spending breaks the record for elections.(MEDIA)(USN Corp. predicts profits for the first time)(Celrell Associates Inc. will expand its ownership team)(Porter Novelli has formed a strategic alliance with Los Angeles-based Rose Group)(La Vibra will expand to five other metro markets)
Nov 06, 2006; ... CANDIDATES and political groups have purchased more than $500 million worth of advertising in California during this election season, shattering the previous spending record of $250 million set during last year's special election. For local TV newscasts and radio news-talk ...
Bright spot: UVDI makes filters that use ultraviolet fight to disinfect heating and air conditioning systems.(Innovation)(Company overview)
Nov 06, 2006; ... CONSUMERS have never been more aware that the germs and mold growth circulated by air conditioning and heating systems can cause colds, flu and other respiratory illness. Ultraviolet Devices Inc is hoping to shed even more light--ultraviolet, specifically--on the problem. ...
Investors race to place $40 million bet on spot runner.(TECHNOLOGY)
Nov 06, 2006; ... SPOT Runner Inc., the Los Angeles-based online ad agency, has secured a $40 million equity investment from a group of ad and media companies. The firm, which made its name by providing archived video templates that can be used by small businesses to produce cable TV commercials ...
Playing the field: David Carter is a USC professor specializing in sports business. He is also a founder of a sports-related consultancy. And now he's launching both a speaker series and a private equity firm.(dialogue with David Carter )(Interview)
Nov 06, 2006; ... IN the field of sports business, David Carter plays several positions. He's the go-to expert who's written three books on the subject, delivers regular commentary on NPR s "Marketplace Report" and has appeared on the "Today" show and other news outlets. His Sports Business Group is a ...
Thomas A. Hill.(appointment of Thomas A. Hill )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Thomas A. Hill has joined City National Bank's downtown Los Angeles office as vice president of the export finance ...
Christopher A. Joseph & Associates.(appointment of Bruce Lackow and Chad Flynn )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Bruce Lackow has been hired as senior vice president and Chad Flynn as geographic information services manager at Christopher A. Joseph & Associates, ...
Thomson Elite.(appointment of Peter Ozolin and Salim Sunderji)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Thomson Elite, a Los Angeles-based integrated information solutions division of Thomson Corp., has hired Peter Ozolin as vice president of practice management and Salim Sunderji as vice president of ...
Oscar Aguilar.(Engineering)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Oscar Aguilar has joined consulting engineering firm Psomas' Santa Clarita ...
Tennis Channel.(appointment of Neil Roberts )(promotion of Kate Varley)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Tennis Channel has appointed Neil Roberts to director of marketing and Lauren Leder to director of on-air creative. Additionally, Kate Varley was promoted to director of short-form content and ...
John Fernandes has been named as county ombudsman, leading an independent Los Angeles County division that provides assistance to residents in complaints over law enforcement and other county departments.(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... John Fernandes has been named as county ombudsman, leading an independent Los Angeles County division that provides assistance to residents in complaints over law enforcement ...
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made the following appointments: Jack Baylis of Los Angeles has been appointed to the state park and recreation commission; Bryan Brandes of Temple City was appointed to the state historical resources commission.(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made the following appointments: Jack Baylis of Los Angeles has been appointed to the state park and recreation commission; Bryan Brandes of Temple City ...
Industrial Development Authority of the City of Los Angeles.(Government)(Industrial Development Authority)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Larry Kosmont has been appointed as a board commissioner to the Industrial Development ...
Kor Hotel Group.(appointment of Nicholas Clayton as president )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Nicholas Clayton has been appointed as president of the Kor Hotel Group. Previously, he ...
Richards Watson & Gershon.(appointments of Robert Horton, Bill Dunsmore and Kevin Ennis )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Richards Watson & Gershon has hired Robert Horton as an associate and Bill Dunsmore as senior attorney. Kevin Ennis was named public law department chair ....
Wilkin Guge.(appointments of Chad Muhr, Shannon Carlson and Mike Disbrow )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Wilkin Guge, a marketing firm with headquarters in Claremont, announced the following hires: Chad Muhr as brand resource director, Shannon Carlson as media strategist, Mike Disbrow as finance and operations director, and Joseph Servia as ...
YMCA.(Non-Profit)
Nov 06, 2006 ... R. Todd Doney has been named to the board of the YMCA of ...
MacFarlane Partners.(appointment of Peter Houghton as managing director )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... MacFarlane Partners, a real estate investment firm, has hired Peter Houghton as managing director of investments ...
Westfield Century City.(Retail)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Alexis Tereszcuk was named marketing director of Westfield Century City ....
Rodeo Drive Committee.(appointments)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Rodeo Drive Committee has elected the following board members: Noah Alexander, sales manager at Ermenegildo Zeta; Jon Borland, manager of Salvatore ...
EHarmony.com.(appointment of Antone Johnson as vice president )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... EHarmony.com, a Pasadena-based Internet dating service, has hired Antone Johnson as vice ...
Mesoft.(appointment of Gerry Parham and Eric M. De Castro )(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Mesoft, a Burbank-based provider of media software technology, has appointed Gerry Parham as director of entertainment sales and Eric M. De Castro to vice president of ...
Pacific Resource Credit Union.(Kudos)
Nov 06, 2006 ... Pacific Resource Credit Union in Los Angeles received a fast place in statewide honors for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award program. Pacific Resource Credit Union received the award in recognition of a conference in partnership with ...
The South Coast Air Quality Management District presented its annual Clean Air Awards on Oct. 12.(Kudos)(Brief article)
Nov 06, 2006 ... The South Coast Air Quality Management District presented its annual Clean Air Awards on Oct. 12. Long Beach Alliance for Children With Asthma received the Public Education on Air Quality Issues Award; Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa received the Leadership in Government Award; Dr. Beate Ritz ...
Black and yellow propels a fellow in advertising world.(Featured Newsmaker)
Nov 06, 2006; ... AFTER trying his hand out in a variety of fields, Dale Everett has found his place in the advertising world. "It combined all the interests I had," he said, "From writing, film, photo, to creating a concept and building a team to see those elements through." In his ...
L.A. county-based banks: ranked by assets as of June 30, 2006.(The List)
Nov 06, 2006; ... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE 25 largest banks headquartered in Los Angeles County reported assets of $74.6 billion as of June 30, up 16.7 percent from a year earlier. Deposits increased by 13 percent to $57 billion while net income for the first six months of 2006 increased ...
L.A. county-based savings & loan associations: ranked by assets as of June 30, 2006.(The List)
Nov 06, 2006; ... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE number of savings and loans headquartered in Los Angeles County dwindled to just seven during the past 12 months. Monterey Park-based Standard Bank, No. 5 last year, was acquired by East West Bank in March. The thrift had $922 million in assets ...