Volume 3 Issue 6 November/December 2008 - Sunset Gower Studios

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HollywoodBusiness ADVOCATE Volume 3 � Issue 6 � Nov./Dec. 2008 Bimonthly Published by HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 7018 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, California 90028 MAIN (323)469-8311 • FAX (323)469-2805 www.HollywoodChamber.net Subscription available for $25/year Considerable effort is made to ensure accuracy and reliability of the information published, but the Chamber does not guarantee accuracy nor does it assume any liability for the use of any information published. Official positions of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are taken only as a vote of record of the Board of Directors and clearly referenced as such in Hollywood Business. OFFICERS Mark Panatier Chair of the Board Bill Farrar, Jr. Senior Vice Chair Heather Cochran Vice Chair Maureen Schultz Vice Chair MD Sam Smith, CFP Vice Chair Marty Shelton Treasurer Laurie Goldman Secretary Jeffrey C. Briggs Imm. Past Chair DIRECTORS George Abou-Daoud Shake Bakalyan Christopher Barton Randall Baumberger Cindy Chong Jeffrey Cohen Matt Cooper Mark Costa Michael Druyen Susan Durante Dave Gajda Duke Gallagher Bruce Gorelick David Green Philip S. Hart Fariba Kalantari Milt Larsen Earl Lestz Carol Massie Scott David Moe Mitchell Nedick Sharon O’Rourke Fred J. Rosenthal Thaddeus H. Smith Frank Stephan Tej Sundher Robert Swift Michael Taylor Steven Tronson HONORARY DIRECTORS Oscar Arslanian Chris Baumgart Karen Diehl Beatrice Girmala Don Jacinto Dr. Jamillah Moore Kerry Morrison Fred Rheinstein Michael-Jon Smith Don Tillman Christi Van Cleve STAFF Leron Gubler President & CEO Mick Barrett VP of Administration Bette Jean French VP of Membership Kaylee Kiecker VP of Marketing & Business Development Vivian Kish Executive Assistant Ana Martinez-Holler VP of Media Relations Tim Overbeck Membership Account Executive Marléne Panoyan Director of Communications Nicole Shahenian VP of Public Policy Steven Shawver Director of Information Technology Jann Talarico Membership Account Executive 4 � hollywoodchamber.net � Since 1921... Promoting and enhancing the business, cultural and civic well-being of the greater Hollywood community. Message from the President’s Desk, Leron Gubler Business Survival 101: Take Advantage of Chamber Membership In the current economic downturn with its breathtaking swings in the stock market and real estate declines, it is easy to get discouraged about the future. Yes, this may be the worst downturn in our lives, but we should remember that every downturn eventually ends and that new opportunities arise. I’ve been in Chamber work for 30 years and 16 years at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. We’ve seen downturns before. Based on past experience, I can tell you that this is the time that our members need us more than ever. Here are some tips on how we can help you: � Get out and network! Your Chamber offers you many, many opportunities to meet other business people and to build your reputation, build relationships and build your business. There is a right fit for you – whether it is our monthly Business After Hours Mixers, or our General Membership Luncheons, or participating on one of the Chamber’s committees. We have many members who have given us testimonials of new business that they have generated for their businesses through the personal relationships they have established at the Chamber. � Take advantage of the Los Angeles State Enterprise Zone (SEZ) that takes in most of Hollywood. There are hiring tax credits, sales or use tax credits, business expense deductions, net operating loss carryover, electrical rate discounts, etc. The Chamber sponsors seminars roughly every six months on the SEZ and how you can benefit. We also have members who specialize in helping you take advantage of the SEZ. � Sign up to visit with our SCORE counselor, a retired senior level business executive who is here every Friday to provide free advice to small businesses. � Call us about advertising opportunities within the Chamber that allow you to reach a very select market of business executives for a very reasonable cost. Did you know that you can advertise in our online newsletter as well as our Hollywood Business Advocate. The Hollywood Business Resource Book is a top quality piece that people keep as a resource all year and can give you repeated exposure. � The Chamber website, www.Hollywoodchamber.net, receives more than two-million hits monthly. Each member receives a free listing in our directory on the website. If you want more exposure, give us a call to place a banner ad on the site. � Save yourself some money. Did you know that many members have more than paid for their chamber membership by using our Office Depot Discount Program. You can save between 15 and 25 percent on your annual office supply costs. You can even place online orders. If you travel frequently, you should also ask about our new expanded Parking Spot discount program benefits. Call B.J. for information about these programs. � Join the Member2Member Savings Program. If you can give a minimum 10 percent discount on your product or service, you could be listed on our website at no cost. And don’t forget to also check that list for other vendors and businesses that YOU can get a discount from! � Attend special seminars that the Chamber offers. On November 14th, we are offering a Growing Your Business Roundtable where you can exchange ideas with other businesses. We are also planning a program with our bankers to discuss credit issues. � Take advantage of our annual Hollywood Business & Tourism Expo, which takes place next March. For a very reasonable fee, you can personally present your services to several hundred local businesspeople. � Write a press release about something happening in your business - a new product, a new employee, a promotion, recognition by an association, a great sale, whatever. Send it to Marlene@hollywoodchamber.net for placement in the Member News section of our online newsletter. It’s Free and a great way to get more mileage from your membership. All of this, and more, is happening at the Chamber. We’re working for YOU!. When you think of where your dollar will benefit your business and our economy the most this year, remember … “The Chamber … now more than ever!”
� Creating a Strong Economy � Promoting Hollywood � Political & Legislative Action � Networking & Promoting Your Business � Assisting the Community HOLLYWOOD BUSINESS ADVOCATE COVER EXCLUSIVE New Stakeholders Bet on Hollywood’s Future Continued from Page THREE “We want to create a ‘sense of place’ for all of the independent companies,” Stern emphasized. “Our goal is to make everyone feel this is where they belong no matter how small the space they have leased.” Barton noted that the KTLA lot, now renamed Sunset Bronson Studios, was acquired with a 5-year leaseback to KTLA. “We continue to have discussions with them about about their future needs,” he stressed. “Our hope is to keep KTLA as a long-term tenant.” At the time they acquired Sunset-Gower Studios, work had already begun on the Technicolor Building. Technicolor received a temporary certificate of occupancy in April and is now feverishly working to complete tenant improvements, valued at $25-million. Completion is anticipated in the December timeframe after which they will consolidate operations from other Hollywood locales and move the corporate headquarters from Burbank. “Technicolor is the first new office building in Hollywood that has been built since the 1970s,” said Stern. “This helps to legitimize Hollywood as a top flight market for corporate space. This is a 100,000-sq.ft. tenant leaving Burbank!” Stern said his firm welcomed competition and other new office buildings that are proposed for Hollywood because they will help to establish the viability of Hollywood as an office market. He noted that one of the major reasons for the exodus of businesses from Hollywood in the 1980s and 1990s was because there was no new office product. “When you compare apples to apples, why wouldn’t a business want to come here,” he offered. “Look at the amenities – the easy freeway access and mass transit and nearby residential.” “We’re really committed to Hollywood,” concluded Barton. “That is why we jumped all the way in.” CHAMBER BUSINESS BENEFIT building a strong economy Much Anticipated Palladium Rehab Complete The newly renovated Palladium re-opened its doors in October after a year-long rehabilitation project. The $2.5 million exterior rehab restored the facade of the Palladium to its 1940s appearance as well as other improvements, including renovation of the marquee, ticket booths and installation of new retail storefronts along Sunset Boulevard. Earlier this year, the Hollywood Chamber supported the Community Redevelopment Agencies’ funding of the rehab noting that as Hollywood continues its revitalization efforts, projects like this, that preserve Hollywood’s historic landmarks become increasingly important. The Palladium has held a very special place in Hollywood history since its star-studded opening in 1940. The historic venue has hosted Emmy and Grammy award ceremonies, and many dignitaries, including five presidents. Additionally, the Palladium has served as a filming location for several movies and was the home for weekly broadcasts of The Lawrence Welk Show. Located in the heart of Hollywood’s historic studio district, the Palladium sits on the site once occupied by the original Paramount Studios. VIEWPOINT How do you view the current economic turmoil affecting the entertainment industry in the coming year? As we know, Hollywood usually flourishes during recessions because the public wants entertainment to take their minds off their problems. The severe drop in Wall Street media stocks and the instability of the European funding will undoubtedly affect the film and television production, but the WGA strike and the stalemate of the AMPTP/SAG agreement have caused a more immediate and direct impact on employment in our town than anything else. There are many feature film and television projects that have been “green lit” waiting to start production, but until they actually begin, those jobs are severely affected. Network and cable episodic, reality television and commercial production seem to remain fairly steady and legitimate theater seems to be on an upswing. The migration of “Ugly Betty” to New York brought the news of tax incentives from other states to the general public, but it hasn’t been enough to energize enough of our own legislators into protecting our California jobs. Sue Cabral-Ebert, President, Make-Up Artists & HairStylists - Local 706 IATSE “The financial crisis will have varied impacts on the industry’s different sectors in the short and long terms. There have been reports that feature film production will not be impacted in the short term and will ramp up in the spring and summer of next year, since financing is already in place to produce films for the 2010 and 2011 slates. But, a prolonged credit crunch and faltering stock market could impact financing for films beyond this time. We have seen significant declines in the amount of on-location commercial production shot locally over the last three months, as advertising spending has been cut back. In the longer term this may impact television production, which will require advertising dollars to support its programming beyond the current show cycle.” Todd Lindgren, Vice President of Communications, FilmL.A. Inc. The economy will likely be in a state of flux well into 2009, and will have an impact on all industries. While production will certainly be affected, and may slow down, it will not come to a standstill. Advertisers will still want fresh content for all media, including television, especially to create appropriate messaging for their brands in these economic times. That being said, corporate America is certainly tightening its belt and will approach marketing plans conservatively as they weigh the impact of the economy to their business. Some advertisers will pull back; others will seize the opportunity to have a louder voice than their competitors do. Matt Miller, President and CEO, Association of Independent Commercial Production (AICP) The Entertainment Business in Hollywood will not escape unscathed in the current economic turmoil. Production and post production will initially feel the pinch in tighter budgets, but should weather the storm. The wild card is the potential effect of a possible Actors strike which in an economy already shaken by the Writer’s strike could well be calamitous. Fred Rheinstein, Chairman, The Production Group Studios hollywoodchamber.net � 5
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Volume 3 Issue 6 November/December 2008 - Sunset Gower Studios

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