All posts by LosAdmin

Journalistic Juggles: Transformations at the Times

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There have been a few shake-ups and changes in journalism in LA recently, in particularly at the Los Angeles Times.  First, there was the announcement of the new editor-in-chief and second, the unprecedented (and somewhat dramatic) decision to unionize.

Replacing Lewis D’Vorkin at the helm, a man with a slew of journalistic experience will take over as editor-in-chief at the Los Angeles Times.  With a resume including managing editor at the Chicago News Cooperative, Chief of Editorial Operations at Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as editor-in-chief (and publisher) at the Chicago Sun-Times, Kirk’s most recent position was working until now at the Times’ parent company, Tronc. With D’Vorkin moving over to another position at the paper, this is just one of a variety of major changes in recent times, including Ross Levinsohn’s unpaid leave following “inappropriate behavior” allegations. Still, Kirk is hoping to tell “the newsroom… that we will be working together as one team starting tomorrow to do the best work we can.”

In 136 years no editorial employee at the Los Angeles Times has joined a union.  That is about to change with the vote in favor of joining a union; 248 (in favor) to 44 (against) according to National Labor Relations Board. Works will be represented by the Washington-based NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America.

Downtown LA: The New Place to Be

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We have seen already in the last few years – and increasingly over the last few months too – the rise in popularity of DTLA.  There is so much construction going on in the area, while at the same time, there are a ton of extra people moving in.  as such, the area is becoming quite the hub for technical companies which are moving headquarters to the area. There are more offices being leased and rent growth has increased.  With all this, there is a lot more developed planned for the near future.

So why the popularity?  Is it sudden?  What’s the story?  Some people in the commercial real estate industry are actually tracing it back to a new addition that occurred around 10 years ago – the opening of Ralphs Grocery Store on Ninth Street.  According to Peter Johnson, OUE Limited Senior Vice President of Leasing said that Ralphs was needed as there was “residential growing [but a severe lack of places] to go shopping.”  Ralphs seemed to be the answer – a store that really was able to “promote downtown residential life.”

Construction work is set to begin later this year on Frank Gehry’s renderings of ‘The Grand.’  This is to be a ‘mixed use development’ featuring dining, entertaining, hotel, residential and retail components.  A public plaza will offer five levels of parking.

Insights to Building a Business in LA

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There are many tips from seasoned experts on how to grow one’s company.  When referring to businesses in LA, according to a recent Forbes article,

“Developing a relationship with the local community can be key to your business’ success. It can help give you visibility and attract customers to your establishment. Taking advantage of every resource your community offers to you is also a must if you want to cement the position of your business locally.”

It makes sense.  If locals know about your business they might very well support it.  People like to support the local economy and if it’s marketed well and the product is good they generally prefer using local than going further afield.

But how do you nurture such a relationship?  According to Spencer Chambers of locally-handcrafted Honest Abe Cider, being written up in local newspapers was hugely helpful for his business.  Perhaps the success was also helped by his marketing of being a locally handcrafted business also.

Maybe new business leaders in the area could jump on the bandwagon of the possibility of getting a second Hollywood sign in California.  Should an additional one be built (as has been suggested given the poor location of the first one for this much visited world-renowned icon) perhaps local businesses could find ways to partner with it, publicizing their products and services!  Who knows; these days in the marketing world, anything is worth a try!

LA: Watch This Space

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New project proposals are cropping up in the Los Angeles area and will be in the pipeline over the next few years.  One example is Angels Landing, in downtown Los Angeles. Over the next 5-10 years it is hoped that the area will house Western America’s tallest building, as well as two new hotels, apartments and condos and a charter elementary school.

For 2018, there are other projects that should start (and even be completed).  These include:
At Mateo (designed by Edge Architecture in partnership with the County of L.A.) building brick and glass structures with 50,000 square feet of office space, 130,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and a 540-space parking structure for tenants and customers.  The La Plaza Cultura Village which will comprise arts and historical spaces providing an educative endeavor on the city for visitors.

And as pointed out by Mary Holland in a recent article, the growth of DTLA (downtown Los Angeles) that began in the late 1990s has really started to gather pace, transitioning a few years ago “from bleak badlands to vibrant cultural mecca.”

2018: How LA SMEs Can Grow

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The  mood among SME owners in LA has been quite positive, with a recent Reuters report finding that approximately 60% anticipating increased revenue and 40% set to expand their workforce. Various marketing strategies have thus been directed locally to the community with notable success.

In terms of real estate, there is also good news.  According to Burts and Associates realtor Cynthia Burts, much is going well, and the Washington Boulevard Corridor’s Metro Line has been a part of this growth as well as LA City Council’s community plan to revitalize the neighborhood.  Burts expanded:

“The city has new plans that seek to reward builders with incentives on the kinds of projects that residents and planners want to see more of.  Developers who build affordable housing may get away with less parking or more units to compensate for income they might have gained by building market-rate housing. [She thus advises people] to buy and take advantage of the lower pricing, lower interest rates and incentives offered to developers.”

On the job front things are looking good for California too, having added 47,400 net new jobs while watching the unemployment rate drop from 4.9% in October to 4.6%, the lowest level in more than four decades.  According to chief economist of the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at Point Loma Nazarene University Lynn Reaser, California now seems to be “on a strong growth trend,” having bounced back from quite a wane earlier in 2017.

 

 

Upcoming Conferences

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Between January 14 and 18th, the National Farmers Union (NFU) 2018 Women’s Conference will take place.  Held in San Diego, CA, the theme this year is Women in Leadership.  Given the work women have already put in within the agricultural industry, at this conference the NFU hopes to build on this idea, assisting participants in developing their own future in this area.  In particular, the issues covered will be: business planning, innovative marketing and networking.

The first Freeform Summit will take place in Los Angeles in a few weeks’ time. Scheduled for January 18, this daylong event will comprise panel discussions on: activism, representation in TV, social change and other aspects impacting youth today.  This year the event is going to be instead of its presentation that Freeform would have given at the Television Critics Association press tour.

Next month will see a Las Vegas summit organized by the  Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.  The 2018 D.I.C.E. Summit (#DICE18) event will take place February 20-22, 2018.  Participants will include: video game creators and executives who will benefit from the networking event while hearing from key speakers discuss the theme of the conference – Made Better – which will focus on the biggest trends and ideas in the industry today.

LA: News on Structural Developments

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There are some impressive new structures in various stages of development/renovation in the LA area right now.  The ones we are going to review briefly here are: Silver Star Apartments, 1249 S. Grand Avenue, Elysian Lofts complex, Capitol Milling Building (renovation) and College Station.

In terms of being environmentally friendly, the Silver Star Apartments is exceedingly impressive.  LA is now able to offer its very first Zero Net Energy  project, featuring houses that are affordable as well! The way it works is by using a Solar Photovoltaic system which covers the project’s roofs.  It also features vertical solar facades which are aesthetically pleasing and can be viewed from the courtyard.  What’s even more amazing is that homes and supportive services will be provided through this project for veterans who have, until now, been homeless.

Moving over to 1249 S. Grand Avenue is 4D Development CEO David Pourbaba who is leading the construction of 115-apartment E (featuring studio and two-bedroom apartments).  This is the company’s first Downtown LA project and is using AFCO Architects designers.  Based in the Beverly Grove neighborhood, each unit will feature: hardwood floors, marble showers, a NEST thermostat system, washer and dryer.  Each unit ABOVE the ground floor will also have a balcony.  Average prices are approximately $3.20 per square foot.

At the LA State Historical Park, there are some major renovations happening within Chinatown, Canyon and Solano neighborhoods. This has the potential to transform the area – that to date has been working-class industrial – into “mid-rise urbanism.” This includes: the Elysian Lofts complex (which is being handled by Lincoln Property Company, S&R Properties, and Newman Garrison + Partners), the restoration of the  Capitol Milling Building and the creation of a mixed-use complex – College Station which will feature 770 dwelling units, 51,000 square feet of ground floor commercial spaces, and parking for 1,179 cars and 899 bicycles.

The Hot Hub of AI Tech: The OC

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The OC has become a hub for Artificial Intelligence development.  Featuring 2,400+ technology companies that have their HQ in the area, the OC is also home to America’s top talent in the fields of engineering, math, science and technology.

Vis-à-vis AI, OC companies are able to access more than 415,000 STEM professionals which is the highest for any area throughout Western America. Home to the founding of  Oculus VR, just in the last 5 years, more than $5 billion has been drawn from these companies in VC funding, putting it at Number 9 in America.

One example is Irvine’s Cylance which was the first company to apply AI, machine learning and algorithmic science to cybersecurity.  To date, the firm has received the most cumulative funding in any AI startup – $177 million

Today, companies in Southern California account for most of California’s AI grants awarded by the National Science Foundation and AI experts in the area are in high demand.  It is believed that the OC is likely to become America’s center for AI due to the University of Irvine boasting the largest engineering and computer science program throughout California.  According to a Southern California Association of Governments and OC Business Council chief economic advisor Obviously, Dr. Wallace Walrod. “A.I. ecosystems with big data analytics, in cybersecurity, virtual reality and advanced transportation will fuel future high-paying job growth in this region, both in their own sectors and in the wider economy due to multiplier effects.”

Perhaps not surprisingly therefore,  a new CBRE report, noted a staggering 23 percent increase in OC office rents between Q2 in 2015 and 2017.  One senior manager at CBRE Kurt Strasmann pointed out that while San Francisco and LA have traditionally been the areas to have thrived, the OC “has been kind of a hidden gem.” Now however, tech firms are expanding there, in particular in Irvine due to the supply of many skilled workers in the field as noted above.

Christmas Is A-Coming…

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There are plenty of things to do in the lead up to Christmas in the LA area.  One very traditional one is the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. From November 17, this becomes home to LA’s brightest traditions featuring lights, real live reindeer and old St. Nick!  Pre-paid online tickets are just $10 for the extravaganza and the event is on until January 7, 2018.

Alternatively (or in addition) one can enjoy another $10 event at Lake Perris State Recreation.  The event is actually free (when you bring gifts worth at least $10) but register in advance. This starts in 3 days’ time.

There is also a mile and a half 25 minute car ride of special Christmas twinkling lights for pre-paid $20 from November 17 to the end of December at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

These are just some of many festive events leading up to (and following) the Christmas period in Los Angeles.