The Joy Writer PR

Red Carpet Fundraisers/Volunteering Social Media/PR Case Studies for Social Media Strategist, Joy A. Kennelly

By Joy A. Kennelly

Lately I've been volunteering, attending and covering numerous high-end, red carpet charity special events and realized it might be nice to showcase my blog coverage all in one place to make it easier to find.

So, without further ado, here's some of the charities I've supported in raising their profile through social media over the past couple of months (often resulting in placement in the Top Ten Searches of Google):

1.) Coach John Wooden's Pyramid of Success Awards Ceremony at HAX

Here's an excerpt to whet your interest:

HAX is a great facility and I'm very impressed with their Foundation. "The HAX Foundation helps at-need children gain access to educational and athletic programs in the Los Angeles area."

I believe this awards ceremony was a fundraiser - I got invited kind of last minute and only knew it was Coach John Wooden's event which clinched the deal since I respect him so much having heard him speak on the difference between winning and success on TED.

As a result, I was rather bummed we didn't get to hear Coach Wooden speak, but at 99 years of age (if I heard them right) you can't expect him to be everywhere. The evening was wonderful regardless. I hope they raised a lot of money!

Dick Vitale, honored with an Industriousness Award, sent a video acceptance speech due to family commitments, and was a lot of fun to watch even remotely. Baby! Never ever have I seen a man use his hands as much as he did in that short video!

I've never been into sports except for soccer and volleyball and never heard of Dick before that evening. Before each honoree they showcased video highlights of each person's career which was very helpful seeing as I didn't know anybody or anything. Wouldn't it be great if every person you met and knew nothing about came with a video highlight you could watch prior to meeting them too?:)

The big highlight of the evening for most of the male attendees was Captain, NBA Boston Celtics; President, The Truth Fund, Paul Pierce, recipient of the Competitive Greatness Award.

(Click here for the complete evening coverage. What a great man and what a legacy he's left behind.)

2. My next volunteer experience was for Surfrider's 25th Anniversary Gala and here's my coverage on it: Surfrider 25th Anniversary Gala raised $150k! Incubus, Pearl Jam & Actor David Chokachi honored

In any case, wanted to share the wonderful 25th Anniversary Surfrider Foundation fundraiser myself, and two of my friends, Angelique Chacon and Erica Forrette, volunteered for this past Friday evening.

We had the best time! Here's a little photo essay of our time there:

Always happy to find new gardens in Los Angeles and never knew this one existed until we showed up to volunteer at the California Science Center's Wallis Annenberg Building.

This is what it looked like when we arrived. There was a "blue" carpet in honor of the occasion.

We all were given assignments and wore t-shirts with this insignia on the front. They were rather cool as t-shirts go, but I just wish for once there were female style t-shirts since I hate how I look in men's t-shirts. Almost makes me not want to volunteer any more I hate them so much! LOL

We had a great time manning registration though. Got a chance to meet all the artist's whose work was on display and a lot of the VIP's in attendance too. Everyone was so nice and friendly it really made the night fly by.

I was able to meet Shaun Tomson which was fun since I had just read his book. We also met Erin McAlister of Tiny Seven Jewelry who was showcasing her necklaces she makes with sand from beaches all over the world. Her brother died of cancer and in his honor she and her family set up a scholarship for the New Jersey Surfrider chapter. Isn't that nice?

Click here for the entire blog story. It was a very fun event all the way through and even learned some things!

Here's another of my favorite events from this summer:

3.) #Walk With Sally's #White Light, White Night Fundraiser, July 10, 2010 with #Rocco Delucca & the Burden

I'm looking forward to attending the Walk With Sally White Light, White Night Fundraiser tomorrow night and thought you might like to join me and other celebrities, South Bay socialites, philanthropists, and music lovers all dressed in white who are also supporting this worthy cause.
Doesn't it look amazing? There's still tickets left which you can buy here. All the money raised supports Walk With Sally which provides mentor support programs and services to children, parents or siblings with cancer.

The final wrap up blog post is entitled:

#Walk With Sally with Rocco Deluca raised over $84,000! Awesome night!

As promised, here's the final wrap up details of the wonderful Walk With Sally fundraiser featuring the music of Rocco Deluca, the tireless efforts of Founder Nick Arquette, with hosts KTLA Newscaster, Mary Beth McDade, South Bay BMW, Ryan Choura, and everyone involved who really created a wonderful experience for all who participated.

From left to right: Actor Scott Elrod, KTLA Newscaster, MaryBeth McDade, and Walk With Sally Founder, Nick Arquette

Click here for the complete story. You can also scroll through and find others at the top of each blog.

The following weekend I had the pleasure of volunteering with Feed My Starving Children and since were so busy preparing food packages, I wasn't able to shoot as many micro blogs out as I would have liked, but it felt good helping nonetheless.

Here's the first of three micro blogs on my experience entitled:

4.) Just helped Feed My Starving Children - amazing experience

We just packed enough food bags to feed 39 children every day for a year. Very moving to be involved with this. Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Feed My Starving Children's goal - 130,000 meals prepared in 2 days

Really great experience today @ #Phenomenex, the host co.

5.) My most recent experience was helping out with registration for P.S. I Love You Foundation. What a great charity and what a positive, loving experience for at-risk children. Loved my time at their Day at the Beach event.

Here's some highlights:

#Trans Am Champion, Tomy Drissi, is a Mentor today!

"Great being here, as usual Wells Fargo is doing something good for children, and I wanted to help my buddy, Mark Wilhelm," says Tomy. "I grew up an inner-city kid in the Crenshaw district and it's really great to be able to come back & help out as much as I can."

The latest movie sponsor on their car, "Wall Street - Money never sleeps" opens 9/24 world-wide only in theaters.

Mark, the Wells Fargo rep, is a Board Member of PS I Love You and they are one of the largest sponsors of charities in the community. The kids are eating this up! I can't take close-ups of the kids for their privacy.

Other highlights include:

#PS I Love You's Day At The Beach - calm before the storm

#PS I Love You's Day at the Beach - let the mayhem begin!

Can you believe this isn't even all the kids?

#PS I Love You - Beach blanket bingo

Ice cream! Ice cream! We all scream for ice cream!

Good bye kids! We had a great time with you!

I'm looking forward to helping other charities and will be sure to tell you all about it. Thanks for reading these examples of my social media/blogging case studies. Please note, although not mentioned earlier, when I could I also tweeted this information out, posted it around the internet and encouraged people to participate.

Joy's Past Testimonials from Clients, Colleaugues, Former Bosses & Peers

By Joy A. Kennelly

Here's a sampling of some of the testimonials I have received from entertainment clients, colleagues, former bosses & peers over the years (this is also posted on my new Facebook Fan Pagealong with other examples from my portfolio):

TESTIMONIALS

“Having worked with Joy Kennelly on numerous projects, I find her work habits and ethics to be of the highest quality. She is personable, thorough and I consider her to be one of the pioneers in internet marketing and promotion.”
Owner, Entertainment Enterprises Pr & Marketing Firm, Marcia N. Groff

“Ms. Kennelly worked as a freelance publicist for Kahn & Jacobs Public Relations and Marketing. Though the company, of which I was Co-President, is now closed, it was ranked as one of New York’s top entertainment PR agencies.

During her time with us, Ms. Kennelly worked on a variety of projects, most notably the broadcast of a trilogy of HBO documentaries, the Human Rights International Film Festival, and the music for the hit film “The Red Violin.” The work required her to deal with a wide range of press outlets – from the national political press, to classical music critics, and national and regional news reporters in print, television, radio and online media.

We were very pleased with her. She was extremely diligent, reliable, responsible, well organized, and unfailingly pleasant with clients, co-workers and the press. But, most importantly, she achieved excellent results, amassing impressive national and regional press coverage on difficult projects. It is also worth noting that she was thrown into this work during a very busy time for us, and handled a pressured situation with grace, humor and equanimity.”
Former Co-President, Kahn & Jacobs Public Relations & Marketing, Sharon Kahn

“(Joy Kennelly) is an extremely intelligent, media savvy marketing talent who I would highly recommend for any project. She brings her expertise of producing large events, public relations skills, and new media knowledge to each project with humor and grace.”
Festival Chairman, World Animation Celebration and former CEO, Klasky Csupo (RUGRATS, WILD THORNBERRYS), Terry Thoren

“Joy Kennelly is an extremely talented writer and publicist. Highly energetic and personable, she is able to cut to the heart of any matter with her wit and strong sense of intuition. Her sensitivity and intelligence and kindness are a rare combination to beat.”
President, Noble House Entertainment, Inc. & Ceo, The Script Broker, Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein

“Joy's talent is one of unrivaled expertise and passion for her field. She not only coordinates the seemingly impossible, but she does it with a smile on her face.”
Director and Star of My Date With Drew, Brian Herzlinger

“I'd like to recommend Joy Kennelly as a publicist primarily because she really believes in what she does. For Joy the job is just not work, it is the mission. If she believes in you, she will find the way to get you going; sometimes she will find a way to motivate yourself as an artist too!

She is not only a hard worker, she is a believer. I have achieved so many goals while working with Ms. Kennelly: she repositioned my image, updated my networks, helped me sign with new representation, created my personal website, and got me press in the Los Angeles Business Journal and LA Confidential, among other things.

I would say she is a great publicist, but she might as well be an impresario. She helps her clients because she cares and understands that if they become big stars, she will be working with big stars, which is where she belongs.”
Actor, Domiziano Arcangeli

“I have worked with Joy for almost a year, and am impressed with her enthusiasm, her knowledge, her ability to strategize, her original ideas, and her ability to make contacts for me.”
Author/Script Consultant, Dr. Linda Seger, Advanced Screenwriting: Raising Your Script to the Academy Award Level

“(Joy) successfully oversaw the media blitz and represented Penton Media at Sundance and NATPE. We were very happy with Joy’s performance. We would recommend her for similar assignments where passion, creativity and professionalism are valued.”
Former Vice President, Internet World Events, Penton Media, Courtney C. Muller

“When it comes to public relations, Joy, quite simply, makes it happen. She was a master of online marketing before most people even realized what a major tool it would become. That’s not surprising, because she’s always making every aspect of the media work to her client’s advantage. But just as often, it’s her 6th sense about just the right phone call here, or detail there, that makes everything she does for her client extra special.

And the most amazing thing? She maintains her warmth, smile, and enthusiastic presence through it all. You’d never know she’s the most result-oriented PR person in L.A. Anyone who’s lucky enough to be represented by Joy is, quite, simply, very lucky indeed.”
David Tandet

“Joy, I enjoy attending your events... you're a charming and savvy hostess... keep up the good work!”
Producer, Daniel L. Paulson Productions (Saving Jessica Lynch), Dan Paulson

My 2009 in Review and looking ahead at 2010

By Joy A. Kennelly

The start of this year has been rather busy which has precluded my blogging. As I look back at 2009 and forward to 2010 I realize it is going to be vastly different.

Last year started with 1. Attending President Obama's Inauguration back in DC (I can't find my inauguration blog posts to share with you -when/if I do, I'll let you know.) Attending 2. Congresswoman Jane Harmon's private, Pre-Inaugural Brunch with Special Guests, Civil Rights Legend John Lewis, Astronaut Buzz Aldren, and numerous South Bay City Officials; then 3. Worked the Oscars as a Press Agent (don't be too impressed - more like a glorified PA which is why it's not listed anywhere and why I won't be doing it again. lol); attended Food & Wine Festivals around the country representing Chef David Linville at such events as the 4. 31st Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the 5. Grand Food & Wine Affair (wonderful experiences which I do hope to repeat with or without a Chef this year to enjoy more mind-blowing cuisine); 6.Attended BizBash Expo on VOX DJs behalf; (I would list all the events I attended on their behalf and the corresponding blogs, but last time I checked it was up to 17 blogs and counting. I'm going to spare you.:) 7. Attended the SES SJC Conference and numerous tech and other industries networking events (again, too many to list); 8. Produced a few networking events myself (Social Network Live) including one at my favorite new LA restaurant, EVA, with Chef Mark Gold and Producer Dan Paulson;  9. Attended LA Fashion Week Fashion Shows for my favorite Designers, Louis Verdad, and 10. Kevan Hall who was featured at the amazing Rusnak Night of Luxury event and new favorite, 11. Philip Rodriguez at Passion Revealed; 12. Attended the election celebrations for new Hermosa Beach City Council Members, Jeff Duclos

and Howard Fishman, (who I did social media marketing for successfully against an incumbent who lost - which I like to think was partly due to my efforts. Read it and see for yourself. Some of my posts are missing from my blog which I'm going to check on and post later.);
13. Attending my final client's VOX DJ's 25th Year Anniversary, and the grand finale, the 14. Lexus LFA Preview at a private Beverly Hills Estate.

I'm sure there were other events I'm not listing here, but if you search through previous blog posts you'll find them. I just need to wrap this up otherwise I could be here all night!

On a personal basis had a few wonderful private holiday events with friends too.

And the biggest news of 2009? I closed my award-winning PR & Marketing Firm, The Joy Writer PR & Marketing  once and for all which I haven't regretted. It feels real good to simplify my professional responsibilities to the aspects of PR & Marketing which I enjoy (blogging, social media marketing, and speaking) and leave behind all the others.

This year? I'm calling 2010 the year of Learning.

Just took a Franklin-Covey Leadership: Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great ResultsTM Training seminar (as a follow-up to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Training) through my wonderful part-time gig and am looking forward to taking many more classes in a wide variety of subjects because I love to learn.

Thanks for checking in.

And if you happen to find my lost Inauguration and Howard Fishman blog posts, let me know. If I find 'em, I'll let you know.:)

Now I leave you with a video of the LFA unveiling in Beverly Hills. Enjoy!

Applying Stephen Covey's training the last few weeks & other fun activities

By Joy A. Kennelly

I am very grateful to have recently taken Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People training because it's really helping me get better organized in all areas of my life.

If you're not familiar with his 7 Habits, here's a quick overview: 

Habit 1 : Be Proactive

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Habit 6: Synergize

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

If you click on each of the links above you will be able to read what each Habit means in greater detail. I read this book right after college.

My Dad is a big believer in goal setting which is why he had suggested I read it. He would also pay me for each book report I would write of every motivational book he suggested I read. Being eager for money while in college - I read a lot!

My Dad has been a big influence in my life on so many levels. He's extremely entrepreneurial and is very involved in real estate. We three girls grew up taking care of all his rental properties - painting, cleaning, laying bricks, etc. You name it - we did it.

Needless to say, not a typical female upbringing, but a good childhood nonetheless. My mom taught us to cook and sew and have nice manners which balanced things out.:)

My Dad also got us involved in sports at an early age. Because my birthday falls in the middle of the school year I was always the youngest on any soccer team. I'll never forget him pushing me to join a very skilled soccer team after the season had started and enduring their kicks to my shins during practice because they didn't want me there since I wasn't as good a player.

I learned early on to be tough and hold my own then. My Dad was constantly pushing me into things I didn't want to do like attend events alone, travel alone, and just be very independent from a very young age. Looking back now, I know it's made me a much stronger person as a result.

It's also allowed me to enjoy more activities because I'm not afraid to go alone anywhere (for the most part.) I have learned over the years it's usually going to work out ok and just go because you never know who you'll meet and how they'll positively add and/or change your life.

But I digress. This is supposed to be about Stephen Covey.:)

When you complete the Stephen Covey training you can sign up online to complete the 7 week follow up contract which I did. As a result, I've been planning my weeks in advance and actually writing down what I need to do all in one place which has been very helpful.

Just finished plotting next week and I have a lot to do! I like being proactive and planning ahead which is why this first habit is a fun one for me. The 2nd and 3rd Habits - Begin with the End in Mind and First Things First, are also habits I have followed for a long time and enjoy doing.

It's the 4th Habit Think Win-Win which I have been really working on since it doesn't come as naturally. I was raised to be very competitive and as a result often think in Win-Lose terms, especially in politics (which apparently is one instance where it's ok.)

However, when you apply the 5th Habit - Seek First to Understand, Then be Understood to the 4th Habit, it has really helped (as does prayer!) By staying focused on what I personally have control over and not allowing the crisis of the moment to sway me has also really helped.

I believe it is helping with my current part-time gig too which makes me happy to be effecting a small change there too. It's fun to see people begin to think ahead on what they want and need to be successful.

I'm beginning to experience the 6th Habit Synergize a little more, but am still edging up to that one. The last habit - Sharpen the Saw, is something I love. I love learning, reading, taking classes, and gaining knowledge and wisdom. I'm very excited to be taking the Stephen Covey Leadership Training early January now too.

What's been fun about learning these principles in greater detail at this past seminar, in addition to all the classes and seminars I've taken over the years and books I've read, is that I've been able to share my knowledge with friends and various groups I've started over the years.

Back when I was working for Sony Pictures Imageworks, I ran numerous concurrent "Goal Groups"  of 8-10 people on a bi-monthly basis. We would commit to meeting every other week for three months and set goals we wanted to accomplish by the end of that time. I was always amazed at what people were able to accomplish once they had the tools, knowledge and accountability.

I remember one friend ended up moving to Hawaii and I NEVER in a million years thought she had the guts to leave the comfort of her family and home town. She was thrilled too because she didn't think she would do it either, but she did!

Another woman was getting ready to retire and needed to get her finances in order. Something I wasn't trained in, but because she was held accountable by our group she set appointments with those who were and was very happy to achieve her goal. It gave her a sense of accomplishment and peace of mind which I find happens over and over again.

One of my close friends, as a result of participating in another of my Goal Girl Groups, ended up moving into a fitness career after many years of being a stay-at-home mom with no outside career aspirations since leaving law.

Now you can catch my Personal Pilates Trainer/Friend, Shana Stark, taking privates and teaching at Easton Gym in Hollywood!

One of the activities I like to incorporate into my groups is creating a Vision Board. (Click on the link for a full description and how to create one of your own by one of my favorite motivational and creative Singer/Songwriters I know, Christine Kane. Make sure to listen to her music for an added treat.)

I've also read other books on Vision Boarding or Treasure Mapping which it's also called, lead Vision Workshops, and taught people how to create their own Vision Board which is always fun. My friends used to laugh at me because I plaster my entire apartment with my vision boards, but hey, if it worked for Motivational Speaker, Chris Howard, it's good enough for me! Plus, it does help me achieve my own goals.:)

That's why when the topic turned to vision boarding at my latest Christmas Cookie Exchange party we all decided to create a Vision Board for 2010.
Pretty soon all of the details fell into place - now we're meeting January 7 at 7pm at a home in MB and having a potluck dinner while we create!

I am very excited to create my new 2010 vision and will keep you posted.

In the meantime, enjoy the rain! May be a good time to read Stephen Covey's book or listen to Christine Kane's music if you haven't already.:)

Digital Family Reunion pictures courtesy of Wm. Marc Salsberry

By Joy A. Kennelly

For everyone who isn't on my Facebook account, here's some pix from my F/B friend, Wm. Marc Salsberry, who shot a great slew of pix from the evening. (He's a great photog by the way if you're looking for someone to shoot your events.)

Click here to see all.

And to see some of me with my good friend, Janine Warner, and her fellow Dummies author, Paul Edwards, click here.

And some pix I caught on my Blackberry of new and old friends I was chatting with: Me with Janine again. We first met when I was running Digital Eve with my friend Regina Preciado a few years back. Both women are so inspirational. Some very funny guys I met too - Josh Highland with another guy whose name I unfortunately never caught who is enjoying being carried by the funniest guy of the night, Daniel Bedingfield. Who knew he was so talented a singer and not just another funny guy? :)

Click on his name to hear some of his tunes and yes, he's related to Natasha. Guess talent runs deep in that family. 

Me with Dan? (if you know this guy tell me his name - now it's bugging me!) and Mark Jeffrey who I first heard speak and met when Mark judged the 2007 StartUp LA Entrepreneur Conference's 60 second pitch contest. I won out of 60 other pitching contestants after presenting my client's Travel Tray product and received $1,000!

Here's a link to my blog coverage of my win. What can I say? Gotta flog the wins. Forgot about this one until I saw Mark at the party. A great guy. Brilliant. Truly he is. (And not just for voting me to win. Click his link and you'll understand what I'm talking about.)

Okay, that's all. Gotta run. The night awaits.

Blogging: What's the Story? - I'm ready for more speaking engagements!

By Joy A. Kennelly

Spoke this morning to a Women in Biz group over this interesting site called Blitztime which is an online networking site like nothing I'd ever experienced. I spoke for 20 minutes on Blogging: What's the Story?  to over 40 business people which was exciting. 

They seemed very happy with the information I presented which made me feel good to have helped. Here's the official description in case you missed it and would like to have me speak to your organization or group too. I tried to post it last night, but my computer protection system was eradicating a virus and prevented me from doing so.

Blogging: What’s the story?    

Ever wondered what the big deal about blogging is? How it can help your business? Increase your Search Engine Optimization and profile on Google and other search engines?   This session will explain:

·        what a blog is

·        what types of blogging platforms are available

·        how to get started blogging either personally or with a professional writer

·        the importance of linking when blogging

·        and other tips of the trade to gain visibility, expert status, increase your reputation and business while developing a following with blogs as examples.  

Join professional Blogger/Marketing Specialist, Joy Kennelly, as she teaches from her blogging expertise. She has blogged about fashion, entertainment, architecture, lifestyle, new media and travel for over five years for clients such as the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Shore Restaurant & Lounge, Long Beach Lobster Festival, and VOX DJs, among others.

As a Travel Writer, she has covered four-star hotels, food & wine festivals, tech conferences, Big Sur, political events in DC at the Inauguration and locally in Hermosa Beach.

It's been a long day, but hope you'll also read my personal blog: www.thejoywriter.typepad.com for highlights of some of the LA Fashion Week shows I attended. I still have a few more to write up, but haven't been feeling well enough to do so. 

I'm better now though and plan to wrap everything up this week. Thanks for reading!

Passion Revealed & Kevan Hall Fashion Shows, Hermosa Beach City Council Candidate Jeff Duclos

By Joy A. Kennelly

For those of you curious why I enjoy fashion so much, my AA degree is in Fashion Merchandising and for many years I worked in retail supporting myself through college.

I also attended numerous fashion events while attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before switching over to El Camino College to complete my degree. It's also one "business" experience where it's fun and a celebration to be female and feminine.

There is so much to write about regarding Passion Revealed which showcased numerous Asian designers with exquisite work, the after-party at the Cooper Building, and last night's Kevan Hall show.

Met and saw some great people too.

Recognize this handsome gentleman? Mike Lesner and I sat front row center for Passion Revealed which was a lot of fun.

I promise to write more soon, but right now have to dash off to work with VOX DJs' CEO/MC/DJ KC Campbell on promoting their 25th Year Anniversary party on November 14, 2009, attend Hermosa Beach City Council Candidate Jeff Duclos' open house, and am still waiting on images and information from the publicists before writing my grand wrap-up.

Trust me, it will be worth the wait. The fashions this weekend were stunning. Kevan Hall especially. Although some other designers from Friday night might be nipping at his heels now. One in particular. However, their styles are very different and won't compete in the same realm.

Although same level of sophistication.

Okay, that's all. Gotta run.

LA Fashion Week 2009 highlights coming soon

By Joy A. Kennelly

If anyone is interested in reading my coverage of LA Fashion Week events, please click over to my Pure, Unadulterated Joy blog.

I have five shows to write up from last night including one of my favorite LA designers, Louis Verdad, Photo Credit Stefhan Gordon

The Fashion Angel Awards Emerging Designer Show hosted by the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Cultural Affairs

and SkinGraft

at the Geffen Contemporary, MOCA

and will let you know when it's available in case you're interested.

Thanks for reading!

Surfrider 25th Anniversary Gala raised $150k! Incubus, Pearl Jam & Actor David Chokachi honored

By Joy A. Kennelly

May I just say I love my life? Now if I could fund the fun, or find a full-time job doing what I love it would be all good. LOL

In any case, wanted to share the wonderful 25th Anniversary Surfrider Foundation fundraiser myself, and two of my friends, Angelique Chacon and Erica Forrette, volunteered for this past Friday evening.

We had the best time! Here's a little photo essay of our time there:

Always happy to find new gardens in Los Angeles and never knew this one existed until we showed up to volunteer at the California Science Center's Wallis Annenberg Building.

This is what it looked like when we arrived. There was a "blue" carpet in honor of the occasion.

We all were given assignments and wore t-shirts with this insignia on the front. They were rather cool as t-shirts go, but I just wish for once there were female style t-shirts since I hate how I look in men's t-shirts. Almost makes me not want to volunteer any more I hate them so much! LOL

We had a great time manning registration though. Got a chance to meet all the artist's whose work was on display and a lot of the VIP's in attendance too. Everyone was so nice and friendly it really made the night fly by.

I was able to meet Shaun Tomson which was fun since I had just read his book. We also met Erin McAlister of Tiny Seven Jewelry who was showcasing her necklaces she makes with sand from beaches all over the world. Her brother died of cancer and in his honor she and her family set up a scholarship for the New Jersey Surfrider chapter. Isn't that nice?

I convinced her to walk the carpet since her story was so compelling and as a thank you she gave us all a necklace from her collection. This is Erin and Shaun Tomson's brother. (Isn't he funny?:) Thanks Erin!
Here's a link to all the artist's work up close and personal on surfline.com. I love fine art and grabbed these shots before everything got rockin' and rollin' to share with you too: Later when I went back to capture the auction in action, I couldn't even get in the room it was so packed. That made me feel good because all of us had really encouraged people to take paddles to bid on the art. I like to think we helped create a bigger buzz as a result.:)

"In conjunction with the gala, the Surfrider Foundation held its third installment of the popular "Art For The Oceans" auction series.  The live art auction featured twenty-five iconic waves interpreted by some of today's most celebrated artists (twenty-five in all) including Shepard Fairey, Thomas Campbell and Richard Pettibon and raised nearly $100,00 for the Foundation."

(From the official Surfrider Publicist, Alexis Henry. She and I took PR classes together at UCLA Extension. So happy Alexis is working for Surfrider since she is really good.)

After the show I was covering the art auction pick ups and met the funniest guy, Randy Hild of Quiksilver/Roxy. What a great sense of humor! Here's him goofing around with one of the pieces of art from the evening.

L-R Kerry O'Bryan, Randy Hild, Artist (whose name I thought was David Lloyd, but don't think that's right - if you know, tell me!) and guest

Kerry O'Bryan is with Shoshana Wayne Gallery and anyone in the art world knows this is a very prestigious gallery in Los Angeles located at Bergamot Station. I believe she's also a surfer. 

Phil Roberts work was also showcased. You may remember him from the Hermosa Beach Surf Memorial Fundraiser event last year. I blogged about it here.)

Our registration table was stationed in front of the Fuel stage which gave us an bird's eye view of who they were interviewing. Here's some highlights. You will be able to view the entire Surfrider Gala on Fuel November 23, 2009.

Host, Mark Hoppus from Blink 182   This guy was one of the few surfers I recognized from a surfing movie screening, but his name escapes me. (Anyone know?)

There were many world class surfers in attendance. We all had a chuckle over the fact that for a surfer to get dressed up means wearing a flannel shirt and new sneaks. We counted seven guys wearing flannel before we stopped.

Very cute guys can wear whatever they want in my book!:)

Baywatch Actor David Chokachi was up for a Surfrider Foundation's Keepers of the Coast award for his work as a Surfrider spokesperson. Pearl Jam and Incubus were honored as well due to "their significant contributions towards helping Surfrider Foundation fulfill its mission of protecting our world's oceans, waves and beaches."

Here's one of the official pix from the actual event courtesy of Surfrider Foundation. From the official press release, “Our 25th anniversary gala brought together activists, musicians, artists, supporters, staff, and board members,” says Surfrider Foundation’s CEO Jim Moriarty (he's wearing the light blue shirt and dark blazer and is standing next to Brandon Boyd of Incubus and David.)  “It was great to see so many different people coming together and ‘plugging in’ to our mission and celebrating where we have been and where we are going.”

  It was fun to see Ronald Reagan treated favorably.:)  

Co-Host of E!'s The Daily 10, Sal Masakela, was on hand and very friendly. What a nice guy. I grabbed a shot with him later too. Forgot to introduce myself, but maybe he'll read my blog. Hi Sal!:)

Audrina Partridge of The Hills was there too which made some people wonder, but hey, she's supporting

 

the beach! Give the girl a break.

Here's a link to Wireimage where you can see all the celebs who showed up in support. Super Model Carolyn Murphy was also there. Apparently Surfrider does this type of celebrity gala only once every five years...Sorry you missed her guys.

Over 600 guests partied throughout the night. We were assigned the VIP section afterward and bumped into my bud, Shawn Sedlacek, and his date near the turtle in the bamboo enclave. Apparently VOX was doing all the production and lights for the event. Shout out to Shawn!:)

VOX DJ's, my client who used to be a subsidiary of VOX, will be celebrating their joint 25th year anniversary with VOX on November 14th at the Manhattan Beach Country Club. More details coming.

Erica bumped into her old boss, Mike Matey, from Quiksilver who is an absolute riot too. I think Quiksilver must be a great place to work if these guys are any indication.

The evening concluded with a rocking performance by Camp Freddy.  Joining core members Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch and Chris Chaney on stage were Sum-41’s Deryck Whibley, Evan Seinfeld from Biohazard, Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, and 2004 Keeper of the Coast recipient Perry Farrell, who brought the house down with an amazing rendition of Led Zeppelin’s 'Whole Lotta Love.'"

   
And now from the official press release: "The money raised from Surfrider Foundation’s 25^th Anniversary Gala will assist the organization with several new campaigns and initiatives that are set to launch in 2010."

The Surfrider Foundation's 25th Anniversary Gala was made possible by Brita Filter For Good and Barefoot Wine.

About Surfrider Foundation The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.  Now in its 25^th year, the Surfrider Foundation has grown from a small group of dedicated surfers in Malibu, California to a global movement made up of over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide.

For more information visit  www.surfrider.org.

Surfrider 25th Anniversary party coming soon

I will write it up soon. I just need a break having written two today which take hours. Thanks for popping by. You can read my LA Fashion Week coverage of Fashion Palooza on my personal blog here.