Hundreds of former staff members of college radio station KCR at San Diego State University are expected to descend upon San Diego for a weekend-long reunion spanning 40 years of broadcasting Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Courtyard by Marriott Old Town and on the campus of San Diego State University.
Scores of media and entertainment professionals got their start in the safe haven of KCR's studios. Among them: Emmy-winning San Diego radio host and television reporter Ken Kramer, one of KCR's founders; Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, president of the Falcon Valley Group and talk show host at KCBQ-AM, San Diego; Orange County Register political reporter Martin Wisckol and Ted Giannoulas, better known as the "San Diego Chicken."
Sparked by the 35th reunion, KCR alumni have raised money for new equipment and station support through individual donation and through the sales of a KRC-produced CD of original surf music, "Aztec Beach."
Some activities for the weekend include seminars and discussions at SDSU for current students with KCR alumni, the chance for former college DJs to play their favorite tunes on KCR one more time and a dinner and awards banquet.
Additional information and registration is available at kcralumni.org.
Several of The Daily Transcript's staff and reporters were named as winners of the San Diego Press Club's 2009 Excellence in Journalism Awards.
The names of those announced as winners include: Erin Bridges, Rebecca Go, Jen Lebron Kuhney, Jenna Long, Elizabeth Malloy, A.T. Nelson, Carlos Rico, Jeffrey Terich and Monica Unhold.
The 36th annual awards will be presented Tuesday, Oct 20, at Balboa Park's San Diego Hall of Champions.
For more on this awards event, visit sdpressclub.org
The San Diego Police Officers Association recently retained Public Policy Strategies Inc. as its strategic consulting and advocacy firm.
PPS will assist the SDPOA with internal and external communications and legislative advocacy. PPS Director Kimberly Hale will lead the local government relations efforts and manage the SDPOA's communications program.
"Our firm is very enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with the more than 1,800 men and women who put their lives on the line each day to protect and serve the citizens of San Diego," said Geoff Patnoe, president of Public Policy Strategies. "We look forward to helping SDPOA enhance their member communications and raise awareness of the organization in the media, business community and local government."
SDPOA was established in 1912 and incorporated in 1953 to assist San Diego police officers in issues related to wages, hours and working conditions. They also aid members and their families in sickness, distress and death, and strives to improve social relations and welfare among the members.
The PRSA San Diego announced the winners of its annual Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards. A total of 60 awards were presented, recognizing the industry's finest PR tactics, campaigns and professionals, in categories including media and community relations, crisis communications and special events.
The ceremony was held last Thursday at Loews Coronado Bay Resort.
The ceremony featured four special awards. The Otto Bos Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tom Sprague, president of Tom Sprague Public Relations, the Deborah Baker Public Relations Professional of the Year Award was awarded to Joice Truban Curry, president and CEO at c3 Communications, the Eva Irving Community Service Award was presented to Indra Gardiner Bowers, president and COO of Bailey Gardiner and the New Professional of the Year Award was presented to Amber Strandberg, assistant account executive at Porter Novelli.
For a full list of winners, visit prsasandiego.org.
Receiving an award in nearly half of the categories presented, Barona Resort & Casino was the top winner at the Romero Awards -- Recognizing Excellence in Casino Marketing for 2009. Named for casino marketing pioneer and author John Romero, the Romero awards honor the most significant achievements in casino marketing and promotion within the gaming industry.
The awards ceremony took place at the Casino Marketing Conference at the Paris Las Vegas. The winning entrants were selected by a panel of casino marketing professionals in six promotion categories, with judging criteria based on the promotion or marketing concept; strategic rationale and execution; casino revenue and other measurable results; competitive advantage provided by the casino; and relationship of the promotion to the casino's customers, employees and local community. This year's Romero Awards received 132 entries and honored 30 winners.
Within the large casino category, Barona won the following awards:
Diamond Award: VIP Promotion: Diamond Cruise Giveaway; and E-mail Marketing Campaign: Take It or Leave It Casino Floor Promotion Support E-mail campaign
Gold Awards: PR Campaign: Tanker-A-Day Great Gas Giveaway; and Casino Floor Promotion: $800,000 Tanker-A-Day Great Gas Giveway
Silver Awards: Direct Mail: Seasonal Holiday Cash Offer Campaign
Listen to what the leaders of some of San Diego's top entrepreneurial companies have to say about marketing -- and thriving in today's economic environment. Join iMarketers on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 6-8 p.m. for their Internet Blunders & Wonders interactive panel discussion. Learn what strategies and tactics worked wonders and which bombed as blunders from real world experiences with successful local companies.
