Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from January 2007:
2006: turnarounds and mergers helped stocks rock.(SPECIAL REPORT: YEAR IN REVIEW: Up and Over)
Jan 01, 2007; ... IT was one of the strongest years for U.S. public markets since the dot-com crash--and L.A.'s community of mostly small and middle market public companies in 2006 more than held their own. Skechers U.S.A. Inc. was the only company with. a billion dollar-plus market cap to see ...
2007: business bracing for minimum wage hikes.(SPECIAL REPORT: YEAR IN REVIEW: Up and Over)
Jan 01, 2007; ... FOR Selwyn Yosslowitz, co-owner of Marmalade Cafe in Los Angeles, the new year rings in a major hit to his bottom line: a 75-cent hike in the state's minimum wage to $7.50 an hour. With this increase, Yosslowitz is considering cutting back hours for some of his employees. ...
Revved Charney plans a massive global rollout: American Apparel CEO flush after reverse merger.(FASHION)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Just one week after striking a deal that took his hip, fast-growing American Apparel retail chain public, founder Dov Charney has souped up his worldwide expansion plans. The controversial Charney, who cut a reverse-merger type agreement that brings his Los Angeles company onto ...
Hotel owners open to truce on wages: referendum to block ordinance on track for ballot.(LABOR)
Jan 01, 2007; ... First the stick, then the carrot. Even as hotel owners and business groups are close to qualifying a ballot referendum that could overturn Los Angeles' ordinance to force a dozen hotels near Los Angeles International Airport to pay higher wages, business leaders say they are ...
Easy assignment? Selling tourists on Santa Barbara visit.(Up Front)(Cimarron Group)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Santa Barbara is hoping the Cimarron Group--the entertainment marketing firm behind the successful celebrity-driven "See My LA" tourism campaign--can bring more visitors to the Central Coast. Cimarron took over the high-profile L.A. Inc.'s campaign to hype L.A. tourism that was ...
Smart Cookie: Kookie Karma products aren't crumbling.(Up Front)
Jan 01, 2007; ... JULI Novotny's Kookie Karma cookies are organic, vegan, sustainable wheat-free, gluten-free, and peanut-free. Taste-free, too, one might imagine. But that's not the case. Cookie lovers find them delectable, and that has enabled Novotny, 27, to get her products into ...
Live nation taking its acts to Web.(Up Front)(promotes concerts through internet)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... It may not qualify as a New Year's resolution, but leadership at Live Nation Inc. is determined to cash in on its concert promotions operations via the Internet or some other new media venture. The Beverly Hills-based company, a subsidiary of corporate radio giant Clear Channel ...
Job division.(Up Front)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Employers in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys are more sanguine about their hiring prospects in the first quarter than are their colleagues in central Los Angeles and in the South Bay area. At least that's the indication of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the ...
City of giving.(News of the Week)(Angelenos, most generous givers )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... City of Giving: A study performed by the San Francisco-based NewTithing Group found that Angelenos were the most generous givers in the state. The study looked at Californians who earn at least $200,1300 annually, and have about $500,000 in total assets, and found that those who reside in ...
Happy holidays.(News of the Week)(decline in jobless rate )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Happy Holidays: Thanks to seasonal hiring in the retail sector, L.A. County's jobless rate fell in November to 4.2 percent, its lowest level in 30 years. Jobless levels in the county are now well below the statewide average of 4.6 percent and slightly below the national average of 4.3 ...
Reverse effect.(News of the Week)(Boston hospital system plans to reduce doses of anemia medicines)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Reverse Effect: Boston's largest hospital system plans to reduce doses of anemia medicines made by Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc. for kidney-disease and chemotherapy patients after a study linked them to heart risks. A competing drug, made by New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson, ...
Paper wait.(News of the Week)(Tribune Co. approachs Los Angeles billionaires for company bid)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Paper Wait: Some members of the Chandler family reportedly approached Los Angeles billionaires Eli Broad, Ron Burkle and David Geffen as well as at least one private equity firm or group in an attempt to form a bid for all or part of the Tribune Co. The Eli Broad Chandlers, who founded the ...
Giving back.(News of the Week)(Farmers Insurance Exchange decreases homeowners insurance rates )
Jan 01, 2007 ... Giving Back: Farmers Insurance proposed decreasing the homeowners' insurance rates for more than 1 million Californians by an average of 18 percent. The move comes in response to pressure from Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, who has been after the companies to either justify their ...
Louisiana shakeout.(News of the Week)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Louisiana Shakeout: KB Home has dropped plans to develop thousands of homes on a 3,000-acre tract in New Orleans. The homebuilder let its contract to purchase the land expire, an attorney for the landowner said. KB announced plans for the housing development, billed ...
Mobile TV.(News of the Week)(MobilePro Corp. and DirecTV Group Inc. sign a contract)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Mobile TV: Cell phone service provider MobilePro Corp. will offer DirecTV Group Inc.'s satellite TV service to its cell phone customers. CloseCall America will initially offer the DirecTV ...
Bed medicine.(News of the Week)(Blue Cross Association)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Bed Medicine: California's largest physician organization joined patients in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the state's largest insurer, Blue Cross, dumped policyholders after authorizing expensive medical treatment only to refuse to pay the bills. The request by the California ...
Comeback of comebacks.(News of the Week)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Comeback of Comebacks: Hollywood made a comeback in 2006 thanks mainly to the return of some famed characters. The big-screen replay of Captain Jack Sparrow, Wolverine, Superman, James Bond and even Rocky Balboa all contributed to a near-record year of $9.3 billion in box office receipts, ...
First stand, last stand? The original Fatburger is being sold for development. Preservation is a possibility.(News & Analysis)
Jan 01, 2007; ... THE site of the first Fatburger hamburger restaurant is for sale, and the broker representing the parcel envisions a residential development there, requiring the demolition of the 55-year-old stand. The full-block property is at 3001 to 3023 S. Western Ave., between 31st and ...
Alschuler breakup complete with launch of Dreier Stein: Grossman says firm will be stronger; clients include Blockbuster.(TRANSITION)(Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP)(Dreier Stein & Kahan LLP)(Marshall Grossman)
Jan 01, 2007; ... THE long percolating breakup of Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP is a done deal. Name partners Stanton "Larry" Stein and Bob Kahan are leaving with 30 to 45 lawyers to open Dreier Stein & Kahan LLP. Stein, one of the most-respected talent representatives in entertainment ...
Speaking Spanish.(TRANSITION)(Latham & Watkins LLP open offices in Spain)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... L.A.-based Latham & Watkins LLP has established a beachhead in Spain having recently opened offices in Madrid and Barcelona. The operations in Spain will be headed by partner Jose Luis Blanco, a merger and acquisitions specialist who is joining the firm from the Spanish company ...
Your honors.(TRANSITION)(Arnold Schwarzenegger appoints Alan B. Honeycutt, Edward B. Moreton Jr.and Michael Villalobos as superior court judges)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed three Los Angeles County Superior Court judges just before the end of the year. Alan B. Honeycutt, 36, of Torrance, was previously city prosecutor for the Redondo Beach City Attorney's Office. He is a Republican. Edward B. Moreton ...
Howdy Partner.(TRANSITION)(O'Melveny & Myers LLP elects partner class)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... O'Melveny & Myers LLP recently elected the largest partner class in its history. Of the 18 promotions, five are from its Los Angeles and Century City offices. Freshly minted L.A. partners are Robert F. Fisher in tax, John-Paul Motley in corporate finance and Ryan Yagura in ...
Mobile advertising sector takes more show on road: moving messages reach commuters where billboards aren't allowed.(MEDIA)(Mobile Vision Marketing)(Interview)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Blake Pollack opens his sales pitch by saying the San Diego (405) Freeway between the Sherman Oaks and Santa Monica is one of the most trafficked roads in the United States. Then he asks: How can advertisers reach those motorists? Most people answer "billboards," but ...
Local companies upbeat amid weak holiday sales.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
Jan 01, 2007; ... The gaudy holiday sales forecast by some economists never materialized, but Los Angeles-based retailers reported generally upbeat results and forward momentum heading into 2007. Early in the season, credit card company Visa USA predicted sales would rise 7.5 percent. That ...
Energy contract.(Rosemead)(Edison signs wind-energy contract with Alta Windpower Development LLC)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Energy Contract: Southern California Edison signed a wind-energy contract with Australia-based Alta Windpower Development LLC, a subsidiary of Alice Financial Group Inc., that will provide customers with a major new source of emission-free power. The deal secures 1,500 megawatts of power ...
Industrial property.(Pomona)(CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. handle sales and leasing for building)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Industrial Property: CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. will handle sales and leasing for 12 industrial buildings of more than 292,000 square feet in Pomona. Long Beach-based Seventh Street Development broke ground ...
Ethnic insurance.(Hanmi Financial Corp. acquires Chun Ha Insurance Services Inc. and All World Insurance Services Inc.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Ethnic Insurance: Hanmi Financial Corp., the holding company of Los Angeles-based Hanmi Bank, is acquiring two Korean-American insurance agencies. Chun Ha Insurance Services Inc. and All World Insurance Services Inc., were founded by Ki Hong ...
Online sales.(Hollywood)(Jiggerbug.com launches audio book sales site)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Online Sales: Jiggerbug.com, an audio book rental business, recently launched a new audio book sales site. The Hollywood company has up to this point ...
Property transactions.(El Segundo)(Kilroy Realty Corp.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Property Transactions: Kilroy Realty Corp. announced the sale of 2265 E. El Segundo Blvd., a vacant industrial building in El Segundo for $9.6 million. Kilroy Realty also recently broke ground on a 57,000-square-foot office project in San Diego ...
Restaurant approved.(Hermosa Beach)(Gene Shook)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Restaurant Approved: The Hermosa Beach City Council approved an upscale restaurant and carwash for the Hermosa Pavilion, being developed by Gene Shook. The project was scaled down to meet community ...
Online permits.(City of Santa Clarita)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Online Permits: The City of Santa Clarita has launched ePermit, a program that allows residents and businesses the ability to manage development permits through the Internet. The system allows users to check ...
Library sold.(Studio City)(Crown Media Holdings Inc. sells film library to RHI Enterprises LLC.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Library Sold: Crown Media Holdings Inc., owner of and operator of the Hallmark Channel, completed the sale of its film library to RHI Enterprises LLC. The sale includes the U.S. rights to over 600 ...
Recapitalization Move.(Woodland Hills)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Recapitalization Move: DLC Inc., a provider of high-end, project-based finance and accounting services, was recapitalized by Gryphon Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm. DLC's management team, including founder and chief executive David Lewis, will continue to run the ...
City v. City.(Burbank)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... City v. City: Burbank is bringing Los Angeles to court under the claim that a plan to run parts of a new interceptor sewer line near Burbank homes and businesses isn't environmentally safe. The L.A. City Council completed the project's environmental ...
Rink expansion.(Pasadena)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Rink Expansion: The Pasadena Ice Skating Center, currently at the Civic Center Ballroom, will be moved to a yet-to-be-built 62,000-square-foot facility in East Pasadena. The Pasadena City Council approved a $16.2 million price tag for the new rink, up from an original $12 million estimate ....
Eco-shopping.(Commerce)(Stater Brothers Markets Inc. uses resuable bags of Earthwise Bag Co.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Eco-Shopping: Stater Bros., a privately owned supermarket chain in California, will be using products from Commerce-based Earthwise Bag Co. Inc. in its 162 full service stores ...
Resort sale.(Century City)(American Property Investors Inc. acquires Laurus Corp. )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Resort Sale: Laurus Corp. in Century City negotiated the sale of the 213-room Le Meridien Cancun Resort and Spa to American Property ...
Magazine scene.(Thousand Oaks)(services of Sage Publications Inc.)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Magazine Scene: Sage Publications will begin publishing the journal Gifted Child Quarterly. The Thousand Oaks-based ...
Premiere of his own business a challenge for box office gum Exhibitor Relations seeks injunction to block former employee from using its data in his new tracking company.(EXHIBITION)(Paul Dergarabedian)
Jan 01, 2007; ... VETERAN box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian has launched his own firm, Media By Numbers LLC, 'and hopes to expand beyond movie receipts. Dergarabedian, who has spent the last 14 years as the box office guru at Exhibitor Relations Co Inc., sees a world of opportunities. ...
Backstretch boost: TVG's landing of Breeder's Cup fights could bolster Gemstar.(Media & Entertainment)
Jan 01, 2007; ... GEMSTAR-TV Guide International Inc.'s TVG Network--a cable channel dedicated to horse racing and in-home wagering that is available in 40 million U.S. homes--has won the right to carry racing and process bets from the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park tracks. The victory is a coup ...
Mediawatch.(MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT)(Statistical table)
Jan 01, 2007 ... <Pre> MEDIAWATCH MOVIE BOX OFFICE WeekendTotal Gross Rank Title (mils) (mils)1Night at the Museum $42.2$42.2 2The Pursuit of Happyness 23.1 61.4 3Rocky Balboa ...
Time Warner postpones plan for realignment of channels: delay is latest misstep by cable giant in takeover of L.A. market.(MEDIA)
Jan 01, 2007; ... THE executives overseeing Time Warner Cable s entry into the Los Angeles market were probably more than ready to turn the page on 2006. Last month, a channel realignment promised for--and promoted to--thousands of Time Warner Cable subscribers in West Hollywood didn't happen ....
Designs on Radio Dial.(MEDIA)(Discovery Communications Inc. Discovery Channel)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Christopher Lowell, host of the popular "It's Christopher Lowell" on the Discovery Channel, has a new radio show on interior design and home improvement. The two-hour program, produced at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills, will feature listener calls and Lowell's ...
There have been two more high-profile resignations from Los Angeles Times newsroom.(News & Notes)(Los Angeles Times Magazine)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... There have been two more high-profile resignations from Los Angeles Times newsroom. Rick Wartzman, the editor who oversaw last year's morphing of the Los Angeles Times Magazine into West, will go to the New America Foundation. Veteran writer ...
Northridge-based Pharmavite LLC has hired two agencies of record for its main brands.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Northridge-based Pharmavite LLC has hired two agencies of record for its main brands. RPA in Santa Monica will handle strategic planning, creative and media buying for the new Soy Joy nutrition bar. The launch campaign, expected early this year, will ...
Hispanic agency Grupo-Gallegos has won work with Target Inc. on the discount retailer's Web site.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Hispanic agency Grupo-Gallegos has won work with Target Inc. on the discount retailer's Web site. Gallegos, based in Long ...
Pollack PR Marketing Group has re-organized.(News & Notes)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Pollack PR Marketing Group has re-organized, naming Stefan Pollack president and William ...
Melissa Goldberg took over last month as the new public relations manager for the Los Angeles Opera.(News & Notes)(Los Angeles Music Center Opera)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Melissa Goldberg took over last month as the new public relations manager for the Los Angeles Opera. She formerly was manager of communications ...
Ash to cash: an eruption of Mount Etna damaged Italy's blood oranges--making them ideal for juice-making.(Innovation)
Jan 01, 2007; ... SOMETIMES, it seems as if it would take an act of nature to make a business boom. And sometimes it does. Adriana Kahane can thank Mount Etna for a large part of the success of her business, which is importing and distributing gourmet, organic blood orange juice. ...
Two of Revver's three founders step out as competition spikes: Steven Starr remains chief executive of video file-sharing company.(TECHNOLOGY)(Ian Clarke, Oliver Luckett)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... REVVER Inc., the Los Angeles-based video file-sharing Web site that has generated buzz with its unique business model, is rebooting. Two of the firm's three founders, Ian Clarke and Oliver Luckett, along with members of the support staff, are leaving the company. Steven Starr, ...
Old School, New Media.(TECHNOLOGY)(IDEAS Inc.)
Jan 01, 2007; ... While Revver's trying to make a go of it with a new business model, L.A. Ideas Inc. is taking a tried-and true format--syndication--and adjusting it for the Internet. Through its Web site BiggyTV.com, the company is marketing broadband content including independent films, comedy ...
Tunes and tickets.(TECHNOLOGY)(Ticketmaster Corp. acquires iLike.com )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Latest to jump on the social networking Web site bandwagon is Ticketmaster Inc., the L.A.-based ticket broker. The company is tapping into the independent music sector with its purchase of music Web site iLike.com for $13.3 million. Seattle-based iLike.com enables users to share ...
Computer bytes.(TECHNOLOGY)(Boingo Wirelesss expands Wi-Fi service in Europe)(Brandon Beck appointed as Riot Games Inc.'s chief executive)(Seth Hallen named senior vice-president of Testronic Laboratories Inc.)
Jan 01, 2007; ... Santa Monica-based Boingo Wirelesss Inc. has expanded its European wireless coverage with additional Wi-Fi hotspot service across Europe. Boingo has signed up a number of WiFi partners in Europe, including Germany, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands. ... L.A.-based video game company Riot ...
Threads to beds Efrem Harkham left the apparel business for the hospitality industry. His Luxe chain is booming thanks to technology--and community.(People)(Interview)
Jan 01, 2007; ... THIRTEEN years ago, Efrem Harkham decided the hotel industry was short on personality and long on broken promises. As the owner of two local hotels, he had tried working with franchises, experimented with management companies and reservation services. Every one came up short in filling his ...
Moss Adams LLP.(Accounting)(appoints Guido Marx )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Moss Adams LLP has hired Guido Marx as senior manager in the royalty compliance group. Marx was ...
Grant Rosenquist.(Advertising)(joins Inter/Media Advertising)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Grant Rosenquist has joined Encino-based Inter/Media Advertising as vice president of analytics ...
Big Fish.(Advertising)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Big Fish, a brand marketing and advertising agency, has named Matt Baxter vice ...
Tribal DDB Worldwide.(Advertising)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Tribal DDB Worldwide has named Geoffrey Gougion managing director of its Los ...
Brian Mitchell has joined Ah'be Landscape Architects in Culver City as vice president and director of operations.(Architecture)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Brian Mitchell has joined Ah'be Landscape Architects in Culver City as vice president ...
California United Bank.(Banking & Finance)(appoints Bart Aikman )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... California United Bank has hired Bart Aikman as vice president and relationship manager at its ...
Wells Fargo's Glendale/Burbank region.(Banking & Finance)(appoints Damien Haitsuka )(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Damien Haitsuka has been named vice president and district manager for Wells Fargo's Glendale/Burbank ...
Concrete Pictures.(Entertainment)(appoints Sam Schoemann)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Concrete Pictures, a creative agency and production company, has hired Sam Schoemann as vice president of client development at its ...
Jeff Beaulieu has joined Santa Monica-based post-production facility Ascent Media Creative Services Group as vice president of sales for television services.(Entertainment)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Jeff Beaulieu has joined Santa Monica-based post-production facility Ascent Media Creative Services Group as ...
The Central City Association of Los Angeles.(Government)(appoints Christine Essei, Andrea Van de Kamp, Alison Jackson, Kris David, Phil Recht, Tim McCallion, Greg Seibly, Steve Weston, Thomas Moran, Carol E. Schatz as board members)(Brief article)
Jan 01, 2007 ... The Central City Association of Los Angeles, a business advocacy organization, has appointed the following members to its board: Christine Essei as chairwoman; Andrea Van de Kamp, Alison Jackson, Kris David, Phil Recht, Tim McCallion and Greg Seibly as executive vice chairpersons; Tim ...
Frasco Profiles.(Human Resources)
Jan 01, 2007 ... Frasco Profiles, a pre-employment corporate investigation firm based in Burbank, ...