Premiere Investors Club: The New Chamber Program with a Bundle of Benefits

Platinum Level:
AT&T: The Future is Here!
CRA / LA

Silver Level
Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives
Kaiser Permanente: Looking for The Power to Change?
Paramount Pictures
Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate Services
Paramount Contractors & Developers

Bronze Level
5+Design
Alliance Realty Partners LLC
Andrews International
Briggs Law Office: Live and Work in Hollywood
The Clarett Group
Capitol Records
Gemstar-TV Guide

Premiere Investors Club - A Chamber Program with a bundle of Benefits

The Premiere Investors Club, a program launched at Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in January 2006, offers a platform that recognizes the Chamber’s large investors and provides a bundle of benefits for members who invest in the Chamber on an annual basis.

The plan has various levels of recognition based on the investment a member business makes in the Chamber. The levels range from Bronze, at a $5,000 investment, up to the Platinum level, for those investing $25,000 or more. “It is a great deal for those who are investing in the Chamber,” said Gubler. “Many of our members would already qualify for this program based on their past annual sponsorships, so they should be taking advantage of this additional recognition.

Members of Premiere Investors Club Can Accrue Special Benefits:
- a sponsor profile in Hollywood Business;
- an ad in each newsletter recognizing the members of the Premiere Investors Club;
- their logo shown on the homepage of the revamped Chamber website on a rotating basis;
- recognition in all programs and publications associated with Chamber events;
- automatic invitations to the bi-annual “Power Breakfast” with major employers;
- a special membership plaque; and
- one person admission to any chamber breakfast, luncheon, or mixer at no charge.

"Members interested should give me a call and I will be happy to explain the program.” Gubler can be reached through the Chamber office at (323) 469-8311.
or email to Join the Premiere Investors Club.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce would like to salute members of the Premiere Investors Club in Platinum, Silver and Bronze levels.

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ProfileS of Premiere Investors Club

Platinum Sponsor
AT&T: The Future is Here!
The new AT&T, formerly known as SBC, has become the first Platinum Level Sponsor.
“The Hollywood Chamber name is recognized worldwide and by investing in the Chamber at the platinum level, it gives the new AT&T the ability to interact with the Hollywood community and share the exciting new technological advances of the past 20 plus years,” said Michael-Jon Smith, Vice President of the new AT&T.

AT&T and the Hollywood Chamber have a longstanding relationship that goes back to more than 30 years starting with Pacific Telephone. “AT&T firmly believes in supporting the communities that it does business in such as the Hollywood community. Not only does AT&T invest philanthropic dollars in the community but also dedicates the time, energy and expertise of its employees,” said Mr. Smith, who has been involved with the Hollywood Chamber since 1994 and served as the chairman of the board in 2000/2001. “Serving as chair has been one of the highlights of my career,” he said.

The new AT&T is the largest telecommunications holding company in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services.

On the face of it, the creation of the new AT&T marks the culmination of a process that began nearly a year ago when the former SBC Communications announced its intention to acquire AT&T Corp.  “More significantly for our customers in the Los Angeles region and across the county, however, it marks a historic shift in the fundamental nature of our industry,” said Mr. Smith.

In 1984, Mr. Smith explained, “communications” for most meant a desktop phone, envelopes and postage stamps. For many, video entertainment meant three major networks and an occasional trip to the theater.  But all that was about to change with the divestiture of the old AT&T, 1984 marked the start of a telecommunications revolution – an unprecedented series of fundamental changes in the way we work, communicate and enjoy life.

Even with the dramatic developments of the past two decades, the telecommunications industry’s biggest technology shift, according to Mr. Smith, is just emerging. The advent of IP (Internet Protocol)-based communications will dramatically change how communications and entertainment services are delivered.

The linchpin of the new AT&T’s transformation effort is Project Lightspeed, an evolutionary initiative to drive powerful fiber-optic connections closer to consumers. “Imagine starting a call from the office, walk to the car, drive home and walk into the house. As your location changes, the call seamlessly switches from office network to the wireless network to the home network. Or how about viewing high quality IP video from your blackberry or wireless phone and then continuing to view the same high quality IP video on your television set when you arrive home,” said Mr. Smith. “The future is here!”

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Silver Sponsor
Briggs Law Office: Live and Work in Hollywood

Jeffrey C. Briggs, the new Chairman of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, first became involved in the Hollywood Chamber in the early 90’s, representing the Chamber in defending an attack on the Hollywood Sign Trust and the Hollywood Historic (Walk of Fame) Trust. Since then, Briggs has represented the Chamber and both trusts in trademark and licensing matters and other matters of all kinds. “I have worked closely with Leron Gubler and all of the board chairs over the past decade, as well as with the executive committee board members and others, getting to know them and the incredible work they all have done to revitalize what always has been a very special part of this city to me,” said Briggs.

He is a member of the Premiere Investors Club, a member benefit package which the Hollywood Chamber launched early in January 2006.

Briggs noted three major challenges of doing business in Hollywood:

1. Although a number of entertainment industry businesses of all kinds are located in Hollywood, Briggs noted that only a few of their lawyers and financiers are located here. “I would like to see that change, particularly because Hollywood has become such a great place to live. Right now we have lots of housing units coming on line, but we need more office space so people can both live and work here in Hollywood, and that would go a long way to helping alleviate traffic problems, because it is so easy to get around in Hollywood without a car. This area is the closest thing we have to a New York atmosphere. It is great to walk to and from places throughout the district to get one’s business done, and then stay here to shop and eat and sleep!”

2. The biggest challenge is to keep the TV and film and music industries in Hollywood specifically and Los Angeles generally. “The producers want to film here, and we don’t have to compete dollar for dollar with other states or countries because everything filmmakers need is already right here at hand. However, right now we need to do a better job of competing with those other locations because the industry affects so much on our local economy. Everything the filmmakers do trickles down to literally every other business in the area.” He stressed that legislators need to realize how important this industry is to the entire state at every single business level. “Locally we still have to fight to keep entertainment businesses in the immediate Hollywood area because every other part of the city wants a piece of that important action. We need to keep the business in Hollywood, but also need to reach out to our surrounding communities to make them feel a part of what Hollywood means to the whole city and region and state. For example, Pasadena has as much at stake in Hollywood’s future as does Hollywood itself.”

3. Briggs would like to see the industry talent, actors, directors, musicians, etc., make more of a commitment to Hollywood. “Most of them came here and walked on the Boulevard before they had a single paying gig, and we need them to be more committed to maintaining this area as a beacon for the dreams of all the aspiring performers that follow in their footsteps. Too many of them seem to have forgotten about what this area meant to them when they first arrived. The stars from the 1940’s through the mid 60’s are great supporters of Hollywood, and they really could teach the younger ones a thing or two about giving back to the community that made them what they are today and first brought them here. Hollywood Chamber’s Annual Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Tab Hunter, is a great example of someone who has remained a real contributor to Hollywood in appreciation for what this area meant to him growing up here and then as an actor and producer. I wish the stars of today would read his biography and have the same appreciation for this neighborhood that he has.”

Please visit www.jbriggslaw.com to learn more on Jeff Briggs and how he can represent your interests.

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Silver Sponsor
Looking for the Power to Change? Thrive with Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente first opened its doors to the Hollywood community back in 1953 with the opening of its hospital on Sunset Boulevard. Since then, the campus has grown into a major medical center as an integral player in the delivery of health care and in the overall economic health and vitality of Hollywood. 

Kaiser Permanente, a longtime supporter of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and one of the largest employers in the community, recognizes the role local business can play in creating a dynamic community and workforce. Past Chamber board member and Kaiser Permanente administrator Mary Ann Barnes proposed the idea of establishing a Health Care Committee that would bring together area hospitals and chamber businesses.  The committee has driven an important health care agenda, such as partnering with the city’s workforce development program to create educational opportunities for people pursuing careers as nurses and radiology technicians, often hard to fill health care jobs. Kaiser Permanente provided significant grant funding to develop curriculum and help reinstate the nursing program at Los Angeles City College (LACC) and continues to support that program, offering nursing students clinical rotations.  

With Kaiser Permanente’s continued support, the Health Care Committee keeps Chamber members informed about critical health care legislation and its impact on businesses.  In addition, the Committee provides member businesses with educational opportunities on topics such as workers’ compensation and connects them with local resources such as the Kaiser-on-the-Job program. Businesses, regardless of whether they have Kaiser Permanente insurance, can enroll in this injury and illness prevention and work site wellness program.

The Hollywood Chamber continues to benefit from the support of Premier Investor Kaiser Permanente. Recently, Nor Jemjemian, Assistant Medical Center Administrator at the Los Angeles Medical Center joined as a new board member, continuing the partnership between the Chamber and Kaiser Permanente that has spanned decades.

“As a nonprofit health care provider, Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care to our members, and to improve the health of the communities we serve,” says Nor Jemjemian. “Our mission aligns well with the Hollywood Chamber and I am pleased to continue our long standing relationship.”

Kaiser Permanente is committed to a long future in Hollywood, currently investing more than $500 million into the construction of its new flagship hospital, expected to open its doors in 2008.

The new, modern hospital will continue providing quality health care featuring the latest innovative medical technologies. Among the innovations, the computer infrastructure to accommodate Kaiser Permanente’s industry leading automated medical record system. This technology will enhance Kaiser Permanente’s integrated approach to healthcare by providing real-time information to physicians regarding patients’ medical history, test results, and appointment information. This will be especially useful for the Los Angeles Medical Center which serves as a referral center for Kaiser Permanente members across southern California.

Kaiser Permanente also plays a critical role in improving the health of those without access to insurance and routine medical care in Hollywood, which has much higher rates of uninsured adults and children than other L.A. County communities.  The organization has invested millions of dollars in local nonprofit health care providers to improve access for low income and uninsured families. In addition, Kaiser Permanente requires medical residents to perform part of their rotations providing medical care at community clinics such as the Los Angeles Free Clinic and Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center. 

For more than 50 years, Kaiser Permanente has made a significant, positive impact on the health of Hollywood. The Hollywood Chamber thanks Kaiser Permanente for their service to this community and continued support as a member of the Chamber’s Premier Investors Club.

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Coming up... More Profiles on other members of the Premiere Investors Club.
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