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Social Media Industry,
Business is Booming!
December 28, 2011
The major source of revenue for worldwide social media are marketing advertisements. These include display advertising and digital video commercials on any device including PCs, mobile as well as media tablets.
And now, marketers have begun to transition from ‘onetime placement and click-on-ads’ toward ‘ongoing engagement’ with the Internet user. This will therefore result in a higher percentage of marketing and advertising budgets being allocated to social networking sites. This is mainly because social networking sites, with the help of analytics firms, are able to unlock the interconnected data structures of users — mapping lists of friends, their comments and messages, photos and all their social connections, contact information and associated media.
From a revenue perspective, the social media market is still in its early stages as marketers hurry to build new business models to tap into this increased usage and users’ increased level of engagement.
Old Galaxy Inn on Vine St. to Become Housing for Homeless
December 06, 2011
Last month the LA County Board of Supervisors approved $250k in construction funding for the rehab and conversion of the 34 unit Galaxy Inn into permanent housing for mentally ill homeless people. The three-story old Galaxy Inn located at 1057 Vine St., now empty and uninhabitable, will be renovated and will include 32 efficiency units, each with a bathroom and kitchenette, and two manager units. The ground floor will have community rooms, offices, a commercial kitchen and a cafe open to the public.
The building, which was built in 1924, sits on a strip of Vine St. just south of Santa Monica Blvd. Funding for the rehab comes from money set aside by the Board of Supervisors in 2005 for supportive housing and shelters. Staff for the center will provide two meals a day, mental health assessment, life skills and vocational training, and social programs for residents.
The project is a partnership of Step Up on Second, a nonprofit mental health provider, and the Hollywood Community Housing Corp.
Hollywood Center Studios Goes Green –
New solar power system will help light sound stages built in 1919.
October 27, 2011
Stages Five and Six at Hollywood Center Studios were built in 1919 and originally included clerestory windows so that film productions could be lit with natural light. Now, those stages will again be lit, at least partially, by the energy of the sun through a new solar power system that is one of the largest of its kind in Hollywood.
Hollywood Center Studios has built two large solar power systems that will generate electricity for its 11 stages used to produce film, television and commercial productions. Together the systems, designed and built by Roseville, California-based Solar Power Inc., are expected to generate more than 350,000 kilowatt hours per year. That will help reduce the studios’ electricity bill and further its goal to be a “greener” operation. “We hope to slow electrical consumption, especially during peak hours, and that could have a significant effect on our energy costs,” says Hollywood Center Studios Executive Vice President and COO Tim Mahoney. “Solar energy also appeals to the environmental concerns we share with many of the production companies that use our stages.”
More than 700 solar panels have been installed on the roofs covering Stages 10 and 11, the lot’s newest stages, and some 384 modules have been installed on the roofs of Stages Five and Six, the lot’s original stages. Performance of both systems is monitored on line via a mini-weather station, which provides climatic data along with the power throughput to the grid.
Design and construction of the system took more than a year. Hollywood Center Studios has plans to add similar systems to other stages and buildings. Hollywood Center Studios has been actively pursuing a number of initiatives to operate in a more environmentally friendly manner. It has an ongoing program to replace the thousands of incandescent light bulbs on the lot with low-power LED units. It also operates a recycling program that salvages tons of material that would be otherwise thrown away—everything from soda cans to large television sets. Henry Rosales, Hollywood Center Studios’ electrical foreman who oversaw much of the project, said that the studios’ effort to go solar has received a warm welcome. “The feedback from our staff and our clients has been 100 percent positive,” he said. “They are impressed that a 92-year-old studio can do something so progressive.”
BID Services Keep Your Property
or Business Clean and Safe
June 16, 2011
Highland Ave. looking north from Melrose Ave.
Also, the Media District contracts with Universal Protection Services (UPS) to provide Security Patrols within the BID. These patrols are by foot, on bicycles, and in the Media District’s security vehicle. Patroling security officers are present throughout the District 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If needed, they can be directly contacted by calling 323.871.4150.
If you are having any problems keeping your property or business clean and safe – trash dumped or graffiti, suspicious or nuisance individuals coming onto your property or into your business – please consider completing two very important forms that can help. These forms are: a “Trespass Authorization” form and a “Graffiti Paint Out Agreement” form.
The first form is a “Trespass Authorization” that gives permission to Officers of the LAPD and the Media District to come on to your property and exercise enforcement of your No Trespassing signage. (Please note, you must have No Trespassing signs posted.)
The second form is a “Graffiti Paint Out Agreement” that allows HBT to come on to your property and paint out tagging and graffiti. Also, upon request they will accept paint from property owners and businesses in order to match your existing colors.
To obtain these Authorization and Agreement forms, or to request any other services within the BID, please contact Jim Omahen, Operations Manager for the Media District at 323.860.0088 or email jim@mediadistrict.org .
A Bit About BIDs
January 06, 2011
A business improvement district (BID) is a defined area within which commercial property owners pay an additional assessment in order to fund improvements within the district's boundaries. BIDs may go by other names, such as business improvement area, business revitalization zone, community improvement district, special services area, or special improvement district. BIDs provide services, such as cleaning streets, providing security, making capital improvements, and marketing the area. The services provided by BIDs are supplemental to those already provided by the local municipality.
The first BID was the Bloor West Village BIA, which was established in Toronto in 1970. The first BID in the United States was the Downtown Development District in New Orleans in 1974. BIDs have been established around the world, including in New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Serbia, Albania, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. A study in 2007 found 739 BIDs worldwide, but current estimates are that there are over 900 BIDs in the United States alone.
Legislation is necessary to permit local governments to create BIDs. The process for creating a BID varies from one jurisdiction to another, but generally three steps are involved. First, some number of property owners in the area organize and petition the local government to create the BID. Second, the local government determines that a majority of property owners, usually done by a vote, want the BID. Third, the local government enacts legislation creating the BID. Residences and some governmental entities are usually exempt from making any contributions, and the operating budgets of BIDs range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars.
A BID may be operated by a nonprofit organization or by a quasi-governmental entity. The governance of a BID is the responsibility of a board of directors composed of some combination of property owners or their designated representatives. The management of a BID is the job of a paid administrator usually called an executive director or a management company and often other managing staff.
BIDs have also become a powerful lobby group, lobbying government for improvements such as new sidewalks, trees, park benches and other restorations. BIDs can also lobby different levels of government for a complete facelift on their area if they feel it is necessary. BIDs have been created in situations where neither the private sector nor government can adequately provide needed changes or services for the betterment of a specific area.
There are four BIDs in Hollywood: Hollywood Media District, Hollywood Entertainment District, the Hollywood & Vine Business Improvement District, and the East Hollywood Business Improvement District.
Media District Dining Guide
June 17, 2011
Ammo, 1155 N. Highland Ave.
With an upscale atmosphere and an air of sophistication, AMMO has been located on Highland Avenue since 1996. With a full bar, AMMO is a great place for lunch or dinner. www.ammocafe.com
Cafe Baccio, 6541 Santa Monica Blvd.
Intimate Cafe mainly catering to theatre goers, right next to the Hudson Theatre. Sandwiches, snacks and beer, plus a cool vibe.
Cafe Muse, 6547 Santa Monica Blvd.
This cafe/coffeehouse has already garnered a devoted following, thanks to their delicious mainly-vegetarian menu, nightly live entertainment, and selection of organic coffees, teas, and treats. www.cafemusela.com
Chinese Express, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
Inexpensive chinese food, good combo deals available.
Crown of India, 6755 Santa Monica Blvd.
Come see why people are flocking to this authentic Indian eatery! Amazing food with great lunch specials keep this place bustling.
Grub, 911 Seward St.
Serving up California Comfort Food with a side of sass and a quirky and inviting atmosphere! Now open for lunch or dinner everyday, plus weekend brunch on Sat-Sun (and also now serving wine and beer). www.grub-la.com
Hollywood Canteen, 1006 Seward St.
This place has a lot of history to it, but the food and atmosphere are what keeps customers coming in today. www.hollywoodcanteenla.com
The Hollywood Corner, 1156 Highland Ave.
This place has a little of everything, including wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, an amazing breakfast menu, beer and wine, and red velvet mini-cakes to die for! Sign up for their loyalty program and get 15% off your meal. callthecorner.com
Jack in the Box, 1243 N. Highland Ave.
Fast food with an eclectic menu - everything from salads to burgers, to egg rolls and tacos. Drive-thru open late. www.jackinthebox.com
Raffallo's Pizza, 716 N. Highland Ave.
Great pizza and sandwiches in this little Italian place tucked into a strip mall. Beer and wine available.
Shakey's Pizza, 7001 Santa Monica Blvd.
Known for their large buffet, Shakey’s is a favorite lunch time spot for many employees in the District. Mojo Potatoes are just one of the highlights here. www.shakeys.com
Subway, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
A healthy alternative to fast food, who doesn't love a Subway sandwich? www.subway.com
Susan Feniger's Street, 742 Highland Ave.
Inspired by exotic "street" food from around the world, this relatively new joint is in the space formerly occupied by The Dive (and earlier, Highland Grounds). www.eatatstreet.com
Taqueria La Pinata, 6751 Santa Monica Blvd.
This taco stand, formerly Benitos and more recently Hoagie's and Wings, is now operated by the same folks that run the Crown of India Restaurant directly behind it. So expect the same quality food and service but with a latin flavor!
Tasty Thai Restaurant, 718 N. Vine St.
Great lunch specials at this hole-in-the-wall asian eatery.
Xiomara Restaurant, 6101 Melrose Ave.
A favorite of the Media District Board of Directors, this exotic restaurant features Cuban-inspired food and a full bar where you would think the mojito was born. Great lunch specials, too! www.xiomararestaurant.com
Yoshinoya, 6300 Santa Monica Blvd.
Home of the Beef Bowl, Yoshinoya is fast food with a Japanese twist. Drive through available, open late. www.yoshinoyausa.com
Did we miss you? We aimed to include every restaurant within the boundaries of our District, so please let us know if we failed to include something. Email Jim Omahen, jim@mediadistrict.org with your information.