BPRS-LA ROUND-UP: April 2019
General Body Meeting
Come out to our first General Body Meeting of 2019 to meet, greet and get to know the  BPRS-LA  family!

Location:
The Parlor
 7250 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Date & Time:
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
6:30pm - 8:00pm


BPRS-LA Career Listings
LAULYP is looking for a volunteer Publicist for the 2019 Entertainment Summit

The Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals will host it's 2019 Entertainment Summit on October 5 and 6, 2019. The team is looking for a Publicist to draft and distribute about 3 press releases, talent and media outreach, as well as work with the LAULYP marketing team on a social media strategy. Please express interest and share relevant experience to Jasmine Kent at  Entertainment@LAULYP.com  by April 20.


Company: ARRAY
Job Title: Director of Marketing (Full-time)
We are looking for a results-oriented, multi-hyphenate creative mind to join our team as Director of Marketing. Based at our Los Angeles campus in Historic Filipinotown, our dynamic Director of Marketing will oversee all aspects of developing ARRAY's brand identity, campaigns for our acquired film slate, promotion of on-campus programs, and general publicity to amplify ARRAY's mission and creative space. If you are familiar with the term "elbow grease" and know how to apply that to a work environment then ARRAY might be the place for you.

In this position you will be expected to
  • Launch multi-faceted campaigns that not only speak to diverse film audiences but also ignite conversation.
  • Provide strategic development and creative execution of content-based campaigns that include trailers, poster art, design assets, social media, print collateral, media buys, e-newsletters and podcasts. We will typically have multiple initiatives happening at once.
  • Initiate publicity plans which tell the stories of ARRAY filmmakers, executives, and public programs.
  • Maintain ARRAY's website and update consistently with most recent organization happenings and news.
  • Develop ARRAY's merchandise/swag as well as identity materials such as business cards, letterhead, logos, one-sheets and pitch decks.
  • Identify potential partners and cultivate relationships that align with ARRAY's mission.
  • Rally and grow our tribe of ARRAY Maverick volunteers.
  • Manage membership and donor contribution campaigns and perk fulfillment.
  • Track and communicate press requests and hits for both ARRAY and Forward Movement productions and executives.
  • Act as the central cross-functional liaison amongst internal teams as related to marketing initiatives for film distribution collective ARRAY Releasing, non-profit arts organization ARRAY Alliance, and production company Forward Movement.
  • Communicate effectively (verbally, written, and visually) with ARRAY team members, board members, partners, production executives, filmmakers, and talent.
  • Be comfortable with actively using both your left and right brain.
  • Bring a little something extra to our space. Our team is proud of our diverse backgrounds that include publicity, film/TV production, real estate, graphic design, education, and non-profit experience. We welcome people that add to the broader team’s knowledge and talents.
  • Roll with new ideas, initiatives and projects across ARRAY companies/brands as a member of our team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications:
  • A minimum of 5-7 years of entertainment marketing experience either at a brand or entertainment creative agency, network/studio marketing team.
  • Preferred expertise in the areas of publicity, advertising, visual communications and/or brand management.
  • Passion for advocating inclusive representation of underrepresented communities in front of and behind the camera.

The ARRAY Companies
Founded in 2010 by Ava DuVernay, ARRAY is a film collective dedicated to the amplification of images by people of color and women directors of all kinds. Now in its ninth year, ARRAY Releasing focuses on grass-roots distribution of feature narrative and documentary work by varied voices. Newly formed non-profit ARRAY Alliance expands on the organization’s deep roots in independent film through special programming geared towards impactful, inclusive initiatives. Production company Forward Movement's slate includes the Oscar-nominated criminal justice documentary 13TH, critically-acclaimed TV series QUEEN SUGAR, 2012 Sundance Film Festival's Best Director winner MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and the upcoming project WHEN THEY SEE US based on the infamous crime case known as Central Park Five.

For consideration, please kindly submit your cover letter and resume to  careers@bprsla.org

*Due to a high volume of incoming mail we will only respond back to potential candidates under review.

All open positions listed at  http://www.arraynow.com/job-opportunities .




Quartermain Media is a nimble production team headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. We help brands and advertisers to avoid misappropriating the colorful, growing, economically powerful, and extremely influential African American consumer. Our production services include:
● Commercials
● Music Videos
● Film + TV
● Branded Content
● Digital/Social Media Marketing
● YouTube Channel Management

We are seeking an intern excited in the growth of our company. The ideal candidate will be well versed in Youtube talent and trends, and be able to confidently maintain and streamline processes, execute our company social media strategy, and help us with production coordination.

Responsibilities:
You’ll have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a part of a production company, working directly with executives and creators. You will gain exposure to various other aspects of
the film and television business. Primary functions will include:
- Conduct monthly Industry trend research and reports
- Maintain account organization and streamline processes
- Design and execute Quartermain Media’s social media strategy
- Research and help organize our influencer directory/roster
- Production coordination

Basic Qualifications:
Creative Undergraduate Student with an interest in film and/or marketing.
Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate passion and knowledge of branded digital content.
Available during the months of May through August for our 2019 Summer internship program. Available to work up to 10 hours per week in exchange for receiving college credit. Have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the session. Attend two (2) in-person meetings each month in Leimert Park/Baldwin Hills area.

Resumes and cover letters can be sent to   Jasmine@Quartermainmedia.com .


BPRS-LA's Yumiko Whitaker featured in LA Sentinel
God’s Faithfulness Strengthens Whitaker in P.R. Profession

By Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion Editor
Published March 27, 2019

March is Women’s History Month – Champion of Faith Yumiko Whitaker
As Women’s History Month concludes, the L.A. Sentinel Religion section celebrates by highlighting Los Angeles-area “Champions of Faith,” which features ordinary people inspired by their faith to make a difference in the community .

What is the mission of your profession?
I view my work with clients as divine assignments, and am privileged to work with a mix of businesses, non-profits and public entities to shape positive change. I grew up in the Crenshaw District and attended local schools, including a self-financed earned degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.

Hummingbird PR’s mission is to help organizations build capacity and strengthen their position in the marketplace. The significance of hummingbird as part of the company name imbues my way of working as hummingbirds hover above with a big picture perspective, yet a keen focus on the task at hand. They are small, yet efficient, effective, graceful, swift and humble. I love the challenge of going in, getting the job done, and moving on to the next challenge.

My decades long experience in the public, private and non-profit sector, growing the footprint, revenue, awareness and relevance on behalf of entities such as IKEA, Gap, Inc., American Cancer Society, Nakatomi PR, the State of California and Ocean Park Community Center, has aided me greatly in solving unique problems with a highly disciplined, strategic approach.

What role has God or your faith played in your profession?

My faith has played a very significant role in my profession. I have often been the only person of color and/or the youngest person with a seat at the table or serving in a leadership capacity. I endured numerous trials, and was often given the most challenging, undesirable assignments, which only proved God’s faithfulness, as He continuously opened doors, and made crooked places straight and rough areas smooth.

My work with IKEA involved a lot of solo international travel to Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands and Finland. I was grateful to God for these opportunities, and trusted Him for traveling mercies, wisdom, protection, favor, peace, discernment and positive outcomes.

Another instance where faith was key was with the decision to go out on my own to form Hummingbird PR. This leap of faith has allowed me to truly test my knowledge and skillset. It also allowed me to take a more active role in caring for my elderly mother who recently turned 91 on February 25. By faith, my siblings and I balance the rigors of her daily needs. After seven years, Hummingbird PR continues to thrive, and I continue to trust God for His daily guidance.

What is a memorable experience during your profession?


While serving as a legislative aide to former Senator Diane E. Watson (my first job after graduating college), the L.A. uprising erupted and it was utter chaos. I remember the pervasive sense of unbelief, disappointment, anger, and the eventual boiled over frustrations in response to news of the officers’ acquittals. People were in pain, and it’s been a long road to recovery. I also remember our district office’s swift response as a community hub and salve during this difficult time. What a blessing to be an answer to those in need.
 
What are you doing or working on now?

I am managing client projects, and also serving as a board member of the Black Public Relations Society of Los Angeles (BPRS-LA). A stealth focus of BPRS-LA is to connect public relations professionals to tangible opportunities within the industry. Our aim is to equip professionals through mentorship, career-building resources, and access to decision makers. We are also working with companies toward a common ground understanding for successful onboarding and retention. We are a great group of solid professionals, and I am excited to play a role in bridging this gap.
 
How can others get involved in your efforts? 

Anyone looking to connect via Hummingbird PR may reach me at  yumi@hummingbirdpr.net . As a non-profit, BRPS-LA is open to value-added resources or collaborative support. Learn more at bprsla.org.

TEC Leimert: TEC Conference 2019
*Click graphic to view trailer
About this Event
TEC Leimert is leading the way for technology and entertainment convergence in South Los Angeles bringing together industry experts, thought leaders and influencers from across a spectrum of top Fortune 500 companies. The conference focuses on the exchanging of ideas and highlighting new pathways to monetize in an environment of constant change brought on by technological innovation. If you are an entrepreneur, urban professional, student, creative, tech enthusiast or simply interested in navigating the digital economy this is where YOU want to be!

You will have the opportunity to be front and center of a number of engaging topics addressed by experts in their respective fields. Black Hollywood brings industry experts like CAA and Paramount Pictures to discuss a new wave of content in Film & TV. In E-Sports, hear how this burgeoning industry is more than a game and how companies like Riot Games are leading the way. Come hear influencers from Apple Music, Universal share how artist can monetize in the digital era in The Business of Music. Learn about this new field of interest in our Hacking Cannabis panel and the innovation driving it. And Black Genius, which will host thought leaders discussing the future of tech and what it means to our communities.



Location:
Leimert Park Village


Date & Time:
Saturday, April 27, 2019
12:00pm - 5:00pm


Hire A Black Publicist T-Shirt


Get your 'Hire A Black Publicist' T-Shirt!

Comes in Men's & Women's Small to XL
Price: $30


Join BPRS-LA
Become A Member Today!
Professional Membership: $99
Student Membership: $30