Guild Toasts Members at 40th Annual Publicists Awards

Check out our Photo Gallery from the Awards

Nearly 1,000 members of the entertainment industry gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Mar. 19 to celebrate to the achievements of Local 600 members at the 40th Annual Publicists Awards.

Publicity and marketing executives, producers, studio and network executives, celebrities and union officials, including IATSE international President Tom Short enjoyed a festive luncheon ceremony hosted by actor Wayne Brady. Brady set the tone for the event by praising the discipline of publicity. “I take nebulous things and fool the audience into thinking they’re good – just like you do,” he offered. “Thank you for being my shield.”

Lois Smith, PMK/HBH Public Relations Executive, took home the Publicists’ top prize: the Les Mason Award. Long-time client Martin Scorsese made a surprise appearance to present the award, noting, “Lois stands out as a beacon in the industry. What matters to her is the art as it should be.”

The Maxwell Weinberg Publicists Showmanship Awards, which recognize outstanding achievements in publicity and promotion, were awarded to the teams behind Spider-Man(feature film) and The Bachelor (television).

“It took a village to get Spider-Man into theatres last year,” said Ileen Reich, Sr. VP Publicity, Columbia Pictures. “It was an incredibly challenging campaign because we released it worldwide same day and date. It’s very special to be voted by our peers.”

Union publicists who worked on Spider-Man include Jasmin Chavez, Karie DiNardo, Kira Feola, Jason Geffen, Adam Gordon, Claire Heath, Prue Knight, Sandy O'Neill, Toni Nicholls, Michelle Rasic, Sandro Renz, Gloria Rico, Alex Ritchie, Rochelle Romanelli and Amy Tesser. Lauren Tobin was the sole publicist who worked on The Bachelor.

Local 600 President George Spiro Dibie, ASC paid tribute to long-time publicist business agent Marlene Mattaschiam, who announced she will retire in July. “I’ve had a wonderful career as a publicist and a labor leader,” she intoned. “I will think of you very fondly.”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson helped honor movie action-hero and humanitarian Arnold Schwarzenegger with the Life Time Achievement Award. “The dedication and enterprise he brings to a wide variety of causes is truly out of the ordinary,” said Johnson.

Oscar nominee Nia Vardalos presented the Motion Picture Showmanship Award to My Big Fat Greek Wedding producers Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson & Gary Goetzman. “Their vision and commitment were rewarded beyond their own and anyone else’s expectations,” said Vardalos.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer became the first person to win both the Television and Motion Picture Showmanship Awards when he accepted the 2003 Television Showmanship Award for his exceptional grasp of marketing concepts in the presentation of CSI, CSI: Miami, Without a Trace and The Amazing Race. He and his late partner, Don Simpson, shared the Motion Picture Showmanship Award in 1988.

William Hendley earned the Bob Yeager Award for community service. The Press Award went to John Horn (Los Angeles Times), while Anita Weber (Uniphoto Press, Japan; Capital Pictures, U.K.; and Elite Photo Agency, South Africa) picked up the International Media Award.

Finally, Emmy nominee Adrianne Frants dedicated The 2003 Publicists Directory of Members Hollywood Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant for his enthusiastic support of the community and his boundless energy on its behalf.