West Angeles CDC – SPOTLIGHT:ENTERTAINMENT INITIATIVE

Doing Business with Show Business

On Saturday June 9th, 2007 West Angeles CDC sponsored a panel discussion, “Doing Business with how Business,” in conjunction with the Hollywood Black Film Festival at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. Using a grant awarded by the City of Los Angeles, this event served as the culminating event for a year long Entertainment Initiative to help small entertainment related businesses grow.

 Under the Entertainment Initiative, WACDC’s goal has been to create jobs, increase revenue, and enhance access to capital for the twelve participating businesses. WACDC strived to meet the needs of smal businesses often not met by other institutions. In order to address the specific needs of each business, WACDC procured consultants for the businesses in areas such as accounting, marketing and sales. Along with continuous consulting sessions throughout the year, WACDC also provided three workshops: certification training for minority-owned business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise (MBE/WBE), preparation on pitching and marketing to studios; and a job fair. Some of the businesses that benefited from the initiative are Sky’s Tacos (production site catering), SRS (production site waste hauling), and Hobokenwest Digital Media (post production media services).

 “Doing Business with Show Business”, panelists included representatives from NBC, Universal, FOX, ABC Walt Disney, and Time Warner. Two panels were held to help small businesses understand what they need to have in place to obtain procurement opportunities with studios and networks. Rami Rivera Frankl, CEO of Hobokenwest Digital Media said “We had an opportunity to hear two panel discussions and meet with the executives which proved to be extremely valuable for us. We were able to pitch our businesses and be critiqued, which was fantastic. I was able to establish relationships and I have continued to build upon these relationships with some of the studios. I have the CDC to thank for that .” The event concluded with each small business participant presenting their business and services to the studio. representatives. The event was informative, rewarding, and most of all successful.