Los Angeles Business Journal back issues from June 2009:
Ailing state too much for medical clinic operator: Fortune 500 company DaVita jumps to Denver.(HEALTH CARE)(Company overview)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Last week's announced departure of DaVita Inc., one of only 14 Fortune 500 companies in Los Angeles County, could be evidence that the state's worsening economy is driving businesses out of California. DaVita, which operates 1,400 kidney dialysis clinics in 43 states, on May 27 ...
Online business directory changes path: Citysearch revamps site to fend off upstart rival Yelp.(INTERNET)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Citysearch, the online business directory, is in search of its own comeback. A decade ago, the West Hollywood-based company was the undisputed go-to Web site for Internet users in quest of a dry cleaner, a bar or a restaurant. It was one of the first companies to post local ...
Namvar draws FBI's attention: agency probing bankrupt business.(REAL ESTATE)(Namco Financial Exchange Corp.)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Federal authorities are conducting a criminal investigation of Ezri Namvar. the bankrupt Brentwood businessman who has been accused of running a Ponzi scheme, the Business Journal has learned. Sources who were either interviewed by the FBI or were present for questioning of ...
Reality checks: unscripted shows channel business to L.A. entrepreneurs.(Los Angeles, California)
Jun 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TATTOO artist Kat Von D wasn't happy when producers told her to hire an all-female staff at her tattoo parlor. Matchmaker Patti Stanger was fed up with millionaires who wanted to get their products on TV more than they wanted to meet a soul mate. The guys ...
Inspiration straight from lab: boy's science project yields root beer brand named for family dog.(UP FRONT)
Jun 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] School science projects are often spoofed for their gooey messes and exploding brews of household chemicals. But for 7-year-old Oscar Youd, the result was a lot sweeter: a new line of natural, microbrewed root beer. Eighteen months ...
Reporting to head of class: out-of-work journalists enroll as educators for after-school program.(UP FRONT)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Ann Brenoff, along with 70 other editorial employees, got laid off March 23 from the Los Angeles Times, where she had worked 18 years as an editor and reporter. The next day, the 59-year-old journalist, who most recently made her name writing a syndicated column tracking ...
Sonic boomer: 'My Three Sons' star banks on retro appeal with rock band.(UP FRONT)(Fiamme's Club Inferno)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... His is a familiar face among the baby boomer set, and at least one local business is hoping he still holds appeal among his generation. Don Grady, who hit it big as Robbie Douglas on the 1960s television show "My Three Sons," has found success in the musical world with his band, ...
Loud, proud and geeky.(PAGE 3)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Some people are embarrassed to admit that they're geeks. Then there are those who not only embrace their geekiness, but throw parties to celebrate it. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's what happened May 11 at the W Hotel in Westwood, where an invitation-only event was ...
Handful for charity.(PAGE 3)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Robin Patterson, executive vice president and a founder of the American Business Bank in downtown Los Angeles, recently ate an elegant dinner using only his fingers. Some of his food dropped inelegantly onto the napkin stretching from his necktie to his lap. "I had a little ...
Oil snakeup: L.A. billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian has gained tighter control over Delta Petroleum Corp.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... OIL SNAKEUP: L.A. billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian has gained tighter control over Delta Petroleum Corp. The chief executive of the struggling oil-and-gas producer stepped down and a Kerkorian ally was installed ...
Jobless rate.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
Jun 01, 2009 ... JOBLESS RATE: L.A. County's unemployment rate fell slightly in April to 11 percent from 11.3 percent in March, according to state figures. California's Employment Development Department said 37,000 more county residents ...
Office sold: The investment company of former billionaire Louis Gonda has sold an office complex in the Miracle Mile area for $44 million.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... OFFICE SOLD: The investment company of former billionaire Louis Gonda has sold an office complex in the Miracle Mile area for $44 million. Lexington Commercial Holdings sold the office complex at 6310 and 6330 San Vicente Blvd. to a joint venture of PRP Real Estate Advisors ...
Appeal filed: MGA Entertainment Inc. filed an emergency appeal asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to halt the transfer of its Bratz fashion doll line to El Segundo's Mattel Inc.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... APPEAL FILED: MGA Entertainment Inc. filed an emergency appeal asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to halt the transfer of its Bratz fashion doll line to El Segundo's Mattel Inc. U.S. District Court Stephen. Larson had affirmed his order for Van Nuys-based MGA to ...
Stake unloaded: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., the Vancouver, Canada, independent film studio.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)
Jun 01, 2009 ... STAKE UNLOADED: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., the Vancouver, Canada, independent film studio. and entertainment distributor that has major operations in Santa Monica, is selling a 49 percent stake in its recently acquired TV Guide channel to a group comprised of One Equity Partners and ...
Name change: Santa Monica media venture capital firm Velocity Interactive Group has changed its name to Fuse Capital and announced it will become the manager of a new fund financed by big-box retailer Best Buy.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... NAME CHANGE: Santa Monica media venture capital firm Velocity Interactive Group has changed its name to Fuse Capital and announced it will become the manager of a new fund financed by big-box retailer Best Buy. Best Buy, which bought ...
Channel rebranding: Walt Dishey Co.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Walt Disney Co. Walt Disney Studios)(Jetix television channels )(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... CHANNEL REBRANDING: Walt Dishey Co. is renaming Jetix television channels acquired in five Central and Eastern European countries as the Disney Channel. The Burbank entertainment giant already has begun adding its shows, including the "Hannah Montana" series, to the Jetix schedule ....
Pipeline help: Amgen Inc. is paying partner Cytokinetics Inc. $50 million for rights to its heart-drug program, which includes a promising experimental drug.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... PIPELINE HELP: Amgen Inc. is paying partner Cytokinetics Inc. $50 million for rights to its heart-drug program, which includes a promising experimental drug. The Thousand Oaks biotech giant has been collaborating with the smaller South San Francisco drug developer since 2006 ....
Settlement reached: Health Net Inc.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... SETTLEMENT REACHED: Health Net Inc. has reached an agreement to pay at least $1.95 million to California hospitals that were not paid when patients' individual insurance policies were rescinded. The class-action case, which was organized by the California Hospital Association ...
Banking proposal.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... BANKING PROPOSAL: Los Angeles City Council member Richard Alarcon has introduced a motion to create banking development districts across the city. The initiative, modeled after a similar program in New York, would encourage the construction of bank branches by providing ...
TV suit: DirecTV Group Inc.(NEWS OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... TV SUIT: DirecTV Group Inc. has been sued by a New Jersey consumer who claims the El Segundo satellite TV provider's early cancellation fees are "unlawfully high and inadequately disclosed." The complaint ...
Impact on influence: business leaders say proposed ethics rules for L.A. do nothing to curb lobbying power of organized labor.(POLITICS)(Los Angeles, california)
Jun 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOCAL business interests are upset about a proposal to overhaul Los Angeles city lobbying rules, claiming it does nothing to address what they see as pervasive union influence at City Hall. The proposal, to be unveiled this month by the Los ...
Electric car maker's shifting factory plans a real buzz kill: Tesla seems to have passed on location in Long Beach.(MANUFACTURING)
Jun 01, 2009; ... It looks like Tesla Motors Inc. has pulled the plug on plans to build its electric car factory in Los Angeles County for now. Things have changed since two months ago, when Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk stood in a Hawthorne hangar and confidently proclaimed the company would ...
Cab companies hope hybrids can hack it in L.A.: taxi fleets are adding alternative fuel vehicles to mix.(TRANSPORTATION)(Los Angeles, California)
Jun 01, 2009; ... The typical cab is big and heavy, with Ford's two-ton Crown Victoria a popular model. Well, the auto revolution appears to be catching on with the taxi industry, a business where even front-wheel-drive cars are suspect. Hybrids are increasingly popping up in taxi ...
Clouds gather over state's storm water proposal: runoff plan could add millions to cost of building projects.(DEVELOPMENT)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Ashowdown is looming between developers and environmentalists in L.A. County over reducing water runoff. The battle will be fought in hearings scheduled by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. The board is preparing to craft a sweeping regulation to ...
Greenhouse suit.(REGULATION WATCH)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... In the first lawsuit filed by industry over implementing the state's greenhouse gas reduction law, a coalition of business groups is fighting the state Air Resources Board in its efforts to levy tens of millions of dollars in fees on industries that produce greenhouse gas. The ...
Businesses move in on twitter's mobile messages: companies leverage service to get word out to customers.(MARKETING)
Jun 01, 2009; ... TWITTER is often derided as a vehicle for the self-absorbed who think the world really cares what they're having for dinner. But L.A. entrepreneurs such as Babette Pepaj know there's gold in letting followers know what's baking in the oven. Pepaj, founder of the social ...
Case of half and have not for port truck funding: state board only delivers $49 million for clean air program.(FREIGHT)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... THE ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, along with truckers in desperate need of financing to buy new trucks, got some good news last week when state officials said some of the millions promised to them to help out will finally roll in. But the total will only amount to $49 ...
Port court battle.(TRADE & TRANSPORT)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Although the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are commonly the target of lawsuits, this time they're merely in the middle of one. Last month, the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit against the Federal Maritime Commission to force the agency to release internal ...
Rail car contract.(TRADE & TRANSPORT)(AnsaldoBreda)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week voted once again to delay a final decision for up to another two months on whether to grant a $300 million rail car contract to an Italian firm. The firm, AnsaldoBreda, was in danger of losing ...
Israel Conference.(News & Notes)
Jun 01, 2009; ... This Thursday, California businesses interested in trade opportunities with Israel facing companies can attend the Israel Conference at the Luxe Hotel in West Los Angeles by ...
HNTB.(News & Notes)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... HNTB, a Kansas City, Mo., company, was awarded a $9.2 million contract for airport pavement design and management at all three Los Angeles World Airports: Los ...
Calabasas company to brave markets with IPO: former Countrywide execs behind PennyMac's public push.(INVESTMENT)(initial public offering)(executives)(Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company, LLC. )
Jun 01, 2009; ... PennyMac, a controversial company started by former Countrywide Financial Corp. executives to invest in distressed mortgages, could become the first local company in more than a year and a half to debut in the public markets. The Calabasas company, which has been criticized for ...
Potential suitors on prowl for Cougar chief exec: company's billion-dollar acquisition burnishes CEO's resume.(INVESTMENT)(Cougar Biotechnology Inc.)(Alan Auerbach)
Jun 01, 2009; ... WHAT do you do after selling your company to Johnson & Johnson for nearly a billion dollars? Despite the Disneyland jokes making the rounds at Cougar Biotechnology Inc., Chief Executive Alan Auerbach is more likely to dust off one of his surfboards--eventually. Convinced of the ...
Billionaire professor.(HEALTH CARE & BIOTECH)(Patrick Soon-Shiong appointed at UCLA Wireless Health Institute)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Veteran biotech executive Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who had a recent big sale himself, also is being presented with new professional opportunities these days. The former UCLA researcher, who last year sold genetic drug maker APP Pharmaceuticals for more than $3.7 billion and ...
Short on details.(HEALTH CARE & BIOTECH)(Salus Surgical Group LLC.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Last summer's closure of Century City Doctors Hospital has also claimed the Beverly Hills parent company that managed the short-lived surgical hospital. Salus Surgical Group LLC last month converted its Chapter 11 reorganization into a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company's U.S ....
Subway campaign goes deep for Japanese chain: station blanketed with banners for Famima shops, eateries.(MARKETING)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... DENTSU America Los Angeles has driven its client Famima underground. But that's a good thing: The agency has placed Famima-friendly messages on all the billboards, benches and every other available space at the Seventh Street Metro station in downtown Los Angeles. Dentsu Los ...
Bilingual social networking.(ADVERTISING & PR)(VPE Public Relations)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... VPE Public Relations, a Hispanic agency in South Pasadena, has opened a division for Latino social media. In addition to maximizing exposure on sites including Facebook and LinkedIn, the unit will help clients grow their online visibility by providing Web site design, digital ...
Mammoth humor.(ADVERTISING & PR)(M&C Saatchi Los Angeles)(Elephant Odyssey)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... M&C Saatchi Los Angeles has developed a primitive strategy to promote the San Diego Zoo's Elephant Odyssey, the biggest exhibit in the zoo's history. Television and radio spots feature two mammoths who humorously confront the difficulties of life in Southern California 12,000 ...
Sensis.(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Sensis, a downtown L.A. interactive Hispanic ad agency, earned third place among the 2009 Inner City 100, a ranking of the fastest-growing businesses in inner-city locations nationwide. From 2003 to 2007, Sensis recorded 1,324 percent revenue growth and increased its ...
MPRm Public Relations.(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... MPRm Public Relations has landed two new event-based accounts. The entertainment-focused L.A. agency will handle promotion for Outfest 2009, the gay and lesbian film festival ...
Inter/Media Group of Cos.(Agencies & Accounts)(appointment of Malena Cruz)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Malena Cruz has been promoted to chief financial officer at the Inter/Media Group of Cos. in Encino. She has worked for the company since 1994 and ...
Bay Harbor Podiatry Group in Torrance is the new client of Bob Gold & Associates, a Torrance-based public relations shop.(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Bay Harbor Podiatry Group in Torrance is the new client of Bob Gold & Associates, a Torrance-based public relations shop. Gold will promote the clinic's ...
Government Solutions Group in Pasadena, an agency that specializes in connecting state parks and brand advertisers, reached its goal in the Reforest California campaign.(Agencies & Accounts)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Government Solutions Group in Pasadena, an agency that specializes in connecting state parks and brand advertisers, reached its goal in the Reforest California campaign, which raised money to plant 1 million trees by turning soft-drink purchases ...
Mediawatch.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Statistical table)
Jun 01, 2009 ... <Pre> MEDIAWATCH * MOVIE BOX OFFICE Weekend Gross Total Gross Rank Title (millions) (millions)Distributor 1 Battle of $70.1 $70.1 20th Century Smithsonian ...
Triumph of the museum.(OUTTAKE OF THE WEEK)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Moviegoers opted for the past over the future during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, boosting 20th Century Fox comedy sequel ...
Volume turned up.(TRI-CITIES: GLENDALE)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Volume Turned Up: Administaff Inc., a Kingwood, Texas-based company that provides human resources services to small and medium-sized businesses, has named its Glendale office ...
China power: Capstone Turbine Corp.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: CHATSWORTH)(China Southern Power Grid Co. Ltd.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... China Power: Capstone Turbine Corp., a Chatsworth manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, has reached a deal to provide three microturbine ...
SBA assisted: Earth Island.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: CHATSWORTH)(Small Business Administration)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... SBA Assisted: Earth Island, the manufacturing arm of Follow Your Heart vegetarian foods, is expanding its presence in Chatsworth with the purchase of a building for shipping and receiving food products. Earth Island is ...
'Heroes' only: Earth Island.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: NORTH HILLS)(Community of Friends and New Directions Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... 'Heroes' Only: A Community of Friends and New Directions Inc., non-profit organizations developing the Homes for Heroes apartments project at the Sepulveda Veterans Administration campus in North Hills, have received ...
Name change.(SAN FERNANDO VALLEY: SHERMAN OAKS)(Granada America)(ITV Studios Inc)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Name Change: Granada America, the U.S. production entity of ITV Studios PLC in London, has been renamed ITV Studios Inc. The ...
Industrial deal.(SOUTH BAY: COMPTON)(Forming Specialties Inc.)(Edison LLC)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Industrial Deal: Forming Specialties Inc. has purchased a Compton industrial building for ...
X-Ray Specs: OSI Systems Inc.(SOUTH BAY: HAWTHORNE)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... X-Ray Specs: OSI Systems Inc., a Hawthorne manufacturer of electronics products for the security and health care industries, has received a $3 million follow-on order for ...
Mixed-use property.(SOUTH BAY: ARTESIA)(Egari Revocable Family Trust)(AG/BPG Gridley Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Mixed-Use Property: Egari Revocable Family Trust has purchased an Artesia retail and office building for $3.75 million ...
Retail outpost.(WESTSIDE: LOS ANGELES)(People's Liberation Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Retail Outpost: People's Liberation Inc., an apparel maker based near USC, has opened a J. Lindeberg clothing ...
Strategic alliance.(WESTSIDE: LOS ANGELES)(jLine Group)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Strategic Alliance: Lippin Group, an L.A.-based PR and marketing firm, has formed a partnership with Beverly Hills-based jLine Group, a Beverly Hills event ...
Little fish.(WESTSIDE: WEST HOLLYWOOD)(Petrossian Inc.)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Little Fish: Petrossian Inc., a New York-based restaurant and cafe operator, and dealer in caviar and other food products, has reopened its West ...
Firmed up.(CENTRAL AREA: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Firmed Up: Todd R. Walsh has launched TRW Investments LLC ...
Open Kitchen.(NORTH COUNTY: VALENCIA)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009 ... Open Kitchen: California Pizza Kitchen Inc., the L.A.-based pizza restaurant chain, has opened a ...
Brew crew: Power Brands creates beverages for clients, helping with everything from ingredients to container design to advertising.(This Week: Niche)
Jun 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S wild what they say drinks can do these days: make you run faster, think quicker, lose weight or even be a better lover. Who makes all these crazy concoctions? Power Brands is one company that can mix together a set of ingredients to meet ...
Refashioned: Algerian immigrant and Guess co-founder Georges Marciano is making a long-shot bid for the governor's office.(PEOPLE)(Interview)
Jun 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GEORGES Marciano's entrepreneurial career started when he arrived in California from France in 1977 with $5,000. Three years later, he and his brothers launched Guess Inc. in a 600-square-foot room on Broadway in downtown, and the company grew into an ...
City National Bank.(BANKING & FINANCE)(appointment of Doerte Lindner and Syeda Hashmi)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... City National Bank has named Doerte Lindner vice president and manager at its Pasadena banking office, and Syeda Hashmi vice president and manager of its Torrance banking office. Lindner was ...
HSBC Private Bank.(BANKING & FINANCE)(appointment of Dana M. Jacobs)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Dana M. Jacobs has been appointed regional head of Western United States in the downtown L.A. office of ...
Canyon Capital Realty Advisors.(BANKING & FINANCE)(appointment of David Ridini)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... David Ridini has joined Canyon Capital Realty Advisors, a Century City money management firm, as managing director ....
Stuart Karten Design.(appointment of Andy Logan)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Andy Logan has joined Stuart Karten Design, a Marina del Rey industrial design consultancy, as ...
Antioch University Los Angeles.(EDUCATION)(appointments)(Brief article)
Jun 01, 2009; ... Antioch University Los Angeles has named Malcolm McNeil chairman and Ann Van Dormolen vice chairwoman. The university also appointed Joe Benites, Warren Bennis, William Brockhaus, James A. Fawcett, George Hayum, Rick Hesei, Neal King, Lillian Pierson Lovelace, Janice Pober, Chad Rack ...