LA BUSINESS TODAY – (Monday 1/30/2012)

Susan Yara, is leading the big publishing house Sandow Media into a unique new branding with interactive online media and a retail storefront. LA Business Today co-host Sharon Jimenez talks to Yara about the NYC and South Florida based magazine New Beauty partnering with the exclusive retailer Fred Segal to host a website inside the retail store in Santa Monica. LA’s celebrity and entertainment business leadership has brought the magazine to hire a senior editorial digital staff in Southern California. The interview provides a fascinating look behind the business of beauty in a struggling economy.

Jonathan Sheldon is an independent film, television, and music producer. Sheldon talks with Emmy winning talk show Co-Host Bob Jimenez about the recent battle between the Motion Picture Association of America and the titans of the Internet over the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and his new PBS show “My Future Baby” focusing on women freezing eggs to extend fertility as career demands and economic challenges delays marriage and family. As independent filmmakers make more movies than the six major studios Sheldon discusses his book “The Declaration of the Independent Filmmaker-How to Make Movies Outside of Hollywood.”

FEBRUARY LINE –UP

Monday, February 6^th

Norma Zager is an award winning print journalist with a lot to say about one of the most important commodities in LA- OIL. The LA press club award winning writer who took on Erin Brockovich in her book, “Erin Brockovich and the Beverly Hills Greenscam” says oil is too important to the economy to ignore while environmental concerns when it comes to public health make the job on reporting on the business of oil a challenging one. LA Business Today co-host Bob Jimenez interviews the investigative writer about her new role reporting in Los Feliz and where her next investigations might lead in Los Angeles.

Rob Rader says the Motion Picture Association of America and the studios behind the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) lost out to the Internet giants in the first round of lobbying to prevent piracy because they don’t understand the Internet. Rader is an entertainment attorney who has negotiated many film and video game deals in Hollywood. LA Business Today co-host Sharon Jimenez talks to Rader about the business of piracy and about the leadership he brings to the board of trustees of Santa Monica College. A colorful attorney who doesn’t mince words Rader provides colorful commentary on everything from pornography on the Internet to what it takes to survive in Hollywood.

Monday, February 13^th

Emil Gampe of EMILcouture has exploded on designer scene in Los Angeles after winning “Launch My Line” on Bravo. The Austrian born designer’s fabulous creations include a dress weighing over a hundred pounds made out of ‘red carpet.’ LA Business Today co-host Sharon Jimenez talks to the engaging designer about his passion for fashion and why Los Angeles is an important fashion center because of its glamorous awards shows and TV shows where beauty and fashion matter.

Ingrid Lazcano knows when you want a cookie the last thing you may be thinking about is nutrition. The creator and founder of Andean Dream produces cookies and other products with the highly nutritious food product quinoa. LA Business Today co-host Bob Jimenez talks to Ingrid Lazcano about the importance of this nutritious ingredient and why quinoa is an important food source for the world. In a lively conversation Jimenez & Lazcano explore a business which supports some of the poorest indigenous farmers in the world while giving Los Angeles a cookie that matters.

Monday, February 20th

Mimi Kennedy is part of the incredible ensemble cast of 2012 Oscar nominated best picture MIDNIGHT IN PARIS.  The LA based Kennedy was offered the role in Woody Allen's new comeback movie after Allen marveled over Kennedy's acting abilities in the independent film In the Loop.  Surviving four decades as a working actress Kennedy talks about the business and her incredible new movie Midnight in Paris.   Sharon Jimenez talks to Mimi Kennedy about her great career and how she has beat the odds in show biz.

Jane Pak's leadership in the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-LA) Hosting a Women in Power luncheon this February 2012 the organization continues to support and build the leadership of women in business.  Bob Jimenez talks to Jane Pak about women in business and the challenges in this rough economy.

Monday, February 27th

Sheldon Larry's very independent controversial film about the underground ball world of transgenders in Los Angeles made it from the LA Film Festival, to Toronto, and this February to the Berlin, Film Festival.  The USC Cinema instructor has taken an LA story and wowed the world receiving standing ovations in every city where "Leave It On The Floor" has played.   Congratulations to Sheldon Larry and USC on this film which humanizes the lives and the showcases the talents of this often maligned population. Bob Jimenez talks to Sheldon Larry about the success of his independent film.

Kathay Feng's political reform leadership in California helped create the first independent redistricting commission in the state's history.  The State Supreme Court recently upheld the new state districts giving needed creditability to the new process of drawing political districts which may well yield some new leadership in the state.  Sharon Jimenez talks to the Executive Director of California Common Cause Kathay Feng.

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