Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from November 2008:
Maguire takes flight: real estate veteran lands in aviation.(Robert Maguire)
Nov 03, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STANDING on the tarmac at Van Nuys Airport last week, Robert Maguire was loose and upbeat in his blue blazer and khakis. And he had reason to be. He's back in the game. Just months after being deposed from his namesake real estate ...
Law firms pull reins on raises: automatic increases may become a thing of the past.(PAY)
Nov 03, 2008; ... The days may be numbered when top young lawyers, recruited out of school with salaries of $160,000, are guaranteed annual raises and bonuses. Some big-name law firms with a significant presence in Los Angeles are eliminating guaranteed raises for junior lawyers. The ...
Caruso too busy for a campaign? Developer to announce if he'll run for mayor.(POLITICS)(Rick Caruso)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Billionaire developer Rick Caruso is creating suspense with his expected announcement this week on whether he will challenge Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the spring election. And if he does take on the mayor, the upscale mall developer will break the mold for the ...
Right hairdos: Westlake Village salon in spotlight after making cut with Sarah Palin, Cindy McCain.(UP FRONT)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An unassuming salon in Westlake Village is fast becoming the mecca of Republican hairstyles. The Hair Grove has drawn nationwide attention for designing the hairdos of two of the GOP's biggest names, vice presidential nominee and Alaska Gov ....
Asian angle: South Korean, American apparel businesses get opportunity to connect during Textile Week.(UP FRONT)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Designers of women's apparel sent fashion models out on the runway clad in everything from conservative knit suits to urban street wear. Your typical fashion show--but with an Asian flavor. It was this year's Global Korea Textile Week's fashion show Oct. 27 at downtown's ...
Liberal advice for grand old parties.(PAGE 3)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... If you're thinking of crashing any of Tuesday's election parties, Hal Dash says go ahead. Most parties don't require a ticket, so just act confident and walk right in. It's best to show up early, like before the polls close, said Dash, who is something of an election-night party ...
Seeing red.(PAGE 3)(Video & Audio Center)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... As an executive for 27 years, Joseph Akhtarzad has clone many things. But he finally got to host his first red-carpet event. Akhtarzad, 50, hosted the Oct. 23 reopening of the redesigned Video & Audio Center in Santa Monica. The electronics retail center, where Akhtarzad is vice ...
Pay cut.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)
Nov 03, 2008 ... PAY CUT: A dozen top executives at the parent company of the Daily Grill restaurant chain plan to take a 10 percent pay cut to help offset impact of the ailing economy. The cuts, effective immediately, will affect executives whose annual salaries range ...
Default.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)
Nov 03, 2008 ... DEFAULT: High-profile British developer CPC Group Ltd. has defaulted on a $365 million loan for prime land it bought last year in Beverly Hills with the intent to build luxury condominiums. Representing a group of creditors, Credit Suisse Group filed a notice of default with the Los ...
Opposition.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... OPPOSITION: The Federal Maritime Commission plans to ask a U.S. District Court to strike down parts of a landmark pollution-control program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The request would jeopardize key aspects of the ports' efforts to tighten control over trucks that ...
Suspended: Chad Therapeutics Inc.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... SUSPENDED: Chad Therapeutics Inc. suspended operations after a deal fell through that would have provided capital to market its new sleep-disorder products. The Chatsworth medical device company, which has had trouble raising expansion money since the onset of the credit crisis, reached a ...
Departure: DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(David Geffen)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... DEPARTURE: DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. said co-founder David Geffen was stepping down from the board. Geffen's departure had been rumored for months, ever since he helped partner Steven Spielberg arrange financing and distribution deals to launch a ...
Layoffs.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... LAYOFFS: Facing falling revenue in a stalled economy and a huge debt load from its acquisition by a group lead by Chicago entrepreneur Sam Zell, the Los Angeles Times laid off 75 editorial employees last week. In February, the Times cut 100 jobs, including more than 40 in the newsroom, ...
Investment: City National Corp.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... INVESTMENT: City National Corp. in Beverly Hills said it would receive a $395 million capital infusion from the U.S. Treasury as part of the government's $250 billion bailout program. The parent of Los Angeles County's largest locally based bank said it had no "explicit or implicit ...
Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.(EARNINGS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. reported net income rose 6 percent to $21.5 million compared with a year ago. The ...
DineEquity Inc.(EARNINGS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008 ... DineEquity Inc. reported its third quarter net loss grew 41 percent to $16.4 million compared with a year ago because of impairment charges and interest ...
Occidental Petroleum Corp.(EARNINGS)
Nov 03, 2008 ... Occidental Petroleum Corp. reported third quarter net income jumped 71 percent to $2.27 billion compared with a year ago. Los ...
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.(EARNINGS)
Nov 03, 2008 ... DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. reported its third quarter profit fell 21 percent to $37.4 million compared with a year ago. The ...
East West Bancorp Inc.(EARNINGS)
Nov 03, 2008 ... East West Bancorp Inc. reported a third quarter net loss of $31.2 million due to provisions for loan losses and securities impairment charges, ...
Correction.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Correction notice)
Nov 03, 2008 ... The List of talent agencies in the Oct. 27 issue included incorrect titles for Jeffrey Berg and Chris ...
Funny, seriously: Bush-Kerry viral video maker JibJab gets down to business with e-cards.(INTERNET)
Nov 03, 2008; ... WITH election season coming to a close, it must be asked: What happened to those wacky Jib Jab guys? Four years ago, JibJab Media Inc., a little-known animation studio in Los Angeles, helped define the presidential election with its hit parody video "This Land." More than 80 ...
Further declines in housing prices predicted before recovery: analysts at Milken Institute event see recovery in late 2009.(REAL ESTATE)
Nov 03, 2008; ... There's considerable pain ahead in the region's housing market as prices drop an additional 10 percent to 20 percent in coming months, but the bottom is likely to come late next year with a slow recovery to follow. That was the message delivered last week at a panel on the real ...
Refugees from dissolving firm flood L.A. market: Locke Lord latest to bring in attorneys from Heller Ehrman.(STAFFING)(Los Angeles, California)(Locke Lord Bissell & Lidell LLP)(Christopher Husa)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... THE nation's largest law firms continue to pick up attorneys from San Francisco-based Heller Ehrman LLP as it dissolves, and Locke Lord Bissell & Lidell LLP joined the trend by adding former Heller Ehrman attorneys to its Los Angeles office. Last week, the ...
Election protection.(LAW)
Nov 03, 2008; ... As Nov. 4 neared, local attorneys were preparing to participate in Election Protection, a nonpartisan voter protection coalition designed to help voters gain access to the polls and overcome any obstacles to voting on Election Day. The coalition, which is led by the Lawyers' ...
Female power.(LAW)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Female attorneys and executives overran Los Angeles two weeks ago when several national law firms held networking events. Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold LLP lawyers invaded the exclusive Peninsula Beverly Hills for tea, while attorneys from L.A. firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & ...
CEOs face 'extreme anxiety'.(LAW)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... SPEAKING last week to a roomful of top local executives, Richard Welch was blunt in his assessment of the effects the financial crisis is having on companies. "What we face right now is extreme anxiety," said Welch, managing partner in charge of mergers and acquisitions for the ...
American apparel seeks to clear name of CEO: company would pay ex-employee to drop sexual harassment lawsuit.(RETAIL)(Dov Charney v. Mary Nelson)
Nov 03, 2008; ... American Apparel Inc. is demanding an exoneration from a former employee who has accused Chief Executive Dov Charney of sexual harassment. In return, the Los Angeles company would pay her $1.3 million to make her lawsuit disappear. That's the broad outline of a tentative deal ...
'Guitar Hero' picks celebrities for new campaign: activision hopes star shine rubs off on 'World Tour' title.(VIDEO GAMES)(Activision Blizzard Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... VIDEO game maker Activision Blizzard Inc. in Santa Monica has pulled out all the stops for the TV campaign to launch "Guitar Hero World Tour," the latest installment of the popular series. The campaign features celebrities trying to lip-sync Bob Seger's tune "Old Time Rock and ...
Culture change.(ADVERTISING & PR)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Mendelsohn Zien Advertising in West Los Angeles has become the agency of record for Farmer John, a division of Hormel Foods Corp. For the last four years, the meat packer had concentrated on the Hispanic market with agency al Punto Advertising in Torrance. The selection of MZA ...
Networking works.(ADVERTISING & PR)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... The online agency formerly known as Avenue A Razorfish has released a study that shows three-quarters of visitors on social networking sites welcome advertising. The Seattle-based shop, which recently shortened its name to simply Razorfish, was purchased by Microsoft Corp. in ...
PR agency Levine Communications Office has signed iChooz.tv, a startup video Web site that allows networking between film and music stars and fans.(Agencies & Accounts)(public relations)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... PR agency Levine Communications Office has signed iChooz.tv, a startup video Web site that allows networking between film and music stars and fans. LCO ...
CBS Paramount Network Television in Los Angeles has formed a partnership with the Saturn unit of General Motors Corp. to launch a Web video series called "Novel Adventures.".(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... CBS Paramount Network Television in Los Angeles has formed a partnership with the Saturn unit of General Motors Corp. to launch a Web video series called "Novel Adventures." Each Webisode is shot in Los ...
Starfish Creative Events.(Agencies & Accounts)(Gail Cayetano and Stephanie Hansen)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Gail Cayetano and Stephanie Hansen, managing partners of L.A.-based Starfish Creative Events, are finalists in the Best Young Entrepreneur category at the annual Stevie Awards presented by ...
It Girl Public Relations in Los Angeles has added Key Closet, a men's causal fashion line, to its client list.(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... It Girl Public Relations in Los Angeles has added Key Closet, a men's causal fashion line, to its client list. The PR firm recently placed Key's major product, a $10,000 ...
Truck owners, drivers air emission complaints: delay sought on state deadlines to reduce diesel pollution.(TRANSPORTATION)
Nov 03, 2008; ... As state air regulators get set to vote next month on sweeping regulations to reduce diesel emissions from big-rig trucks, major fleet owners and truck operators are stepping up their campaign to postpone the deadlines, citing the recent financial crisis. Late last month, the ...
No slacking on rest periods.(REGULATION WATCH)(Brinker International Inc. Romano's Macaroni Grill v.employees)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... California employers appeared to get a break a few months back when a state appellate court ruled California law requires only that employers provide meal periods, but not force employees to take the break at particular times. The ruling came in a case involving Brinker ...
Concrete decision.(REGULATION WATCH)(Shamrock Base Corp.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... A long-running dispute between a local concrete and asphalt recycling company and the city of Los Angeles took another turn recently when the Building and Safety Commission voted to reject the company's appeal to obtain a permit to continue operating in Boyle Heights. Shamrock ...
Beverly Hills now known for dollars and scent: Chamber of Commerce licenses city logo for luxury perfume.(RETAIL)(JT Brands)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... BEVERLY Hills has long been a city of luxury. And soon you could also have a piece of that luxury that might even make you smell luxurious. The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has licensed the city's iconic shield logo for a luxury perfume. The perfume is expected to launch ...
Splitting up.(MARKETPLACE)(Fashion District)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... The Fashion District's business improvement district is dividing into two following protests from some property owners that the district had grown too big and annual dues were too high. Kent Smith, executive director of the Fashion District, said the BID's leaders decided to ...
Barbecue, anyone?(MARKETPLACE)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Their nouveau Korean cuisine concept has been successful on the Westside, so now two neophytes in the restaurant game are dreaming of creating even more eateries. Gyenari in Culver City was the brainchild of Danny Kim and William Shin, who teamed up with L.A. restaurateur Robert ...
Andaz West Hollywood.(News and Notes)(Hyatt Corp.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced it will open the second location of its luxury boutique brand in January. The Andaz West Hollywood will be at the site of the old "Riot Hyatt," so ...
Jakks Pacific Inc.(News and Notes)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Jakks Pacific Inc. has teamed up with eBay to auction off four one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kids dolls created to look like Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin to ...
Media watch.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Statistical table)
Nov 03, 2008 ... <Pre> * MOVIE BOX OFFICE Weekend Total Gross Gross Rank Title (millions) (millions) Distributor1High School Musical 3$42.0$42.0 Walt Disney 2Saw V ...
Non-profit director takes charge of movie shoots: Arizona executive to handle county permits for FilmL.A.(PRODUCTION)(appointment of Paul Audley)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... WITH states such as Michigan, Louisiana and New York giving filmmakers access to their treasuries through generous tax incentives, Los Angeles officials are doing what they can to stem runaway production. Even if that means choosing an unlikely candidate to run one of the ...
Uproar at retail.(MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... While traditional music labels have had to adapt to the consumer-driven downloadable landscape of digital music, comedy specialist National Lampoon Inc. is just pushing for CD shelf space in traditional retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart. Los Angeles-based National ...
Extreme outsourcing.(MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... As Walt Disney famously said, "It's a small world after all." Apparently, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Daily News and the Orange County Register agree--at least when it comes to newspaper editing. Each one of the newspapers, which are in the throes of ...
Moving in.(MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT)(Bernhoft Law Firm S.C., )(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Bernhoft Law Firm S.C., a Milwaukee-based law firm that has made a name for itself recently representing some high-profile celebrities in trouble, has ramped up its L.A. presence. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The firm just opened an office in Century City after several ...
Stock Extension: Image Entertainment Inc.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: CHATSWORTH)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Stock Extension: Image Entertainment Inc., a Chatsworth-based producer and distributor of home entertainment programming, has been given an extra three months to meet ...
Office space.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: NORTHRIDGE)(Asset Management Consultants Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Office Space: Asset Management Consultants Inc. has purchased an office building from a tenants-in-common ...
Play in L.A.(CENTRAL AREA: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES)(Entertainment Software Association)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Play in L.A.: The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced that the Entertainment Software Association will hold its annual Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Los ...
Tea Time: Tea house Siptea has opened in downtown Los Angeles' 9th and Broadway building.(CENTRAL AREA: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Tea Time: Tea house Siptea has opened in downtown Los Angeles' 9th and Broadway building. The tea house is part of the Valley Economic ...
Building bought.(WESTSIDE: WESTWOOD)(Sky Broadway MVB LLC.)(Realty Center Management Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Building Bought: Realty Center Management Inc. has acquired a building in Los Angeles for $21.5 million from Sky Broadway ...
Hotel debut.(WESTSIDE: WEST HOLLYWOOD)(Hyatt Corp.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Hotel Debut: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the Hyatt West Hollywood will be made over into the new Andaz ...
Bathroom business.(WESTSIDE: CULVER CITY)(Servicon Systems Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Bathroom Business: Servicon Systems, a Culver City-based facilities maintenance contractor, has formed a partnership with Falcon Waterfree Technologies, a ...
Property acquired.(MID-CITIES: SOUTH GATE)(Harold Leo Caplan Revocable Trust)(Jay Investment LLC)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Property Acquired: Jay Investment LLC investors Naresh and Priti Solanki have purchased property known as the Tweedy & State Center ...
Lofts Launched: Vermont Avenue Lofts.(SAN GABRIEL VALLEY: GLENDORA)(Gangi Development Co.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Lofts Launched: Vermont Avenue Lofts, a Glendora residential-retail property at 130 N. Vermont Ave., ...
Office opened.(NORTH COUNTY: SANTA CLARITA)(Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Office Opened: Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., a real estate and financial and services firm based in Chicago, has opened a ...
Repurchase Program: Simulations Plus Inc.(NORTH COUNTY: LANCASTER)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Repurchase Program: Simulations Plus Inc., a Lancaster pharmaceutical software provider, has authorized a share ...
Baked Goods: Dot's Cupcakes.(TRI-CITIES: PASADENA)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Baked Goods: Dot's Cupcakes is expanding its presence in Pasadena with a new ...
Project Leader: Parsons.(TRI-CITIES: PASADENA)(Naval Facilities Engineering)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Project Leader: Parsons, a Pasadena-based engineering and construction firm, has been selected by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic to assist in a capital improvement ...
Bedside relief.(TRI-CITIES: GLENDALE)(ApolloMed Hospitalists)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Bedside Relief: ApolloMed Hospitalists has signed a hospitalist service agreement with Pacific IPA of El Monte to provide inpatient care at San ...
Building purchased.(SOUTH BAY: LONG BEACH)(Long Beach Redevelopment Agency bought office building from Susanne Bard and the Jewish National Fund.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Building Purchased: Long Beach Redevelopment Agency has bought an office building for nearly $5.1 million from Susanne ...
Retail property.(SOUTH BAY: LAKEWOOD)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Retail Property: An investment group led by Salvador Gomes has purchased a 7-Eleven retail building in ...
Pharmacy pickup.(SOUTH BAY: TORRANCE)(Finley Co.)(Brief article)
Nov 03, 2008; ... Pharmacy Pickup: Finley Co. has purchased a Rite-Aid building in Torrance from a private family ...
Crunch credit: E.D. Produce has tapped into L.A.'s Middle Eastern immigrant community with its Persian cucumbers.(This Week: FAMILY BUSINESS)(Company overview)
Nov 03, 2008; ... IF anyone embodies the multicultural melting pot that is Los Angeles, it's Dantee Cardenas and his downtown Los Angeles produce company. Cardenas grew up on a family-run farm in Baja California and speaks only Spanish. At the behest of his family, Cardenas established E.D. ...