Congratulations to:
Alana Stewart
Excellence in Documentary Award
Lindsay Soto
Excellence in Sports Reporting Award
Burbank, CA (Wednesday, February 3, 2010) - American Women in Radio & Television Southern California (AWRT SoCal) is pleased to announce two new recipients of the 2010 Genii Awards. In honor of her work with Farrah Fawcett, Producer Alana Stewart will be presented with the Excellence in Documentary Award for the feature-length documentary "Farrah's Story," and Lindsay Soto, Reporter and Host for the NFL Network will be honored with the Excellence in Sports Reporting Award at the 2010 AWRT SoCal Genii Awards to be held Wednesday, April 14 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The 2010 Show marks the 53rd year of the Genii Awards, produced by the non-profit organization AWRT SoCal, and is dedicated to recognizing the "Best of the Best" within the media industry.
"It is our privilege to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of these two remarkable women," states Laura Behrman, President of American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California. "Their extraordinary works inspire us and they exemplify excellence in their craft."
"Farrah's Story" is a compelling and transparent chronicle of actress Farrah Fawcett's courageous fight against cancer. Early on when she was first diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, Fawcett's close friend Alana Stewart-who produced "Farrah's Story" and handled most of the camerawork-was by her side. Fawcett, a former Genii Award recipient and honoree, decided to film her experiences, and turned the camera duties over to Stewart, resulting in an honest and uncompromising look at Fawcett's vibrant life and indomitable spirit as she confronted her disease. The two-hour documentary aired May 2009 just one month before the star's tragic death. Alana Stewart is an accomplished producer, model, actress, and is also the author of the New York Times best selling book, "My Journey with Farrah: A Story of Life, Love, and Friendship" released in 2009.
Lindsay Soto currently serves as a reporter and host for NFL Network, Versus, NBC/ Universal Sports and FSN. She joined NFL Network in the Fall of 2008 and has served as an anchor on NFL Total Access, NFL Network Now, and Around the League. She also works as a reporter for Game Day Morning, Game Day Final and the network's coverage of the Senior Bowl. In her role at Versus, which she commenced in 2008, Soto provides sideline reports for the network's college football and NHL packages. Soto covered the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a reporter for NBC and will serve as a host for their Vancouver Olympics coverage on Universal Sports. Soto has also worked for FSN West/ Prime Ticket, in a variety of roles, since 2002. Currently, she serves as host of the network's USC football coverage. She has also hosted "Angels Live", "Ducks Live", "Southern California Sports Report" and served as the host of the "High School Spotlight" for 6 years. In her time at FSN, Soto was honored with Los Angeles area Emmys for "Outstanding Sports Reporting" in 2004 and 2005.
Previously announced 2010 Genii Award winners include:
Actress Betty White (The Golden Girls, Boston Legal, The Proposal) will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting. Mary Hart, Host for Entertainment Tonight, is the recipient for the Excellence in Television On Air Award. Lisa Foxx, On Air for Clear Channel Radio, 104.3MYfm Los Angeles, Star 101.3 San Francisco, and Star 94.1 San Diego, will receive the Excellence in Radio On Air Award. The honoree for Excellence in Radio Management will be Rosemary Hernandez, General Sales Manager at CBSNewsRadioLA, KNX1070 NEWSRADIO, and KFWB NEWS TALK 980. Karla Keller, Senior Account Executive for Anheuser Busch, will be the recipient of the Excellence in Advertising Award; and LaFern Cusack, AWRT SoCal Past President and Director of Community Affairs for Southern California Broadcasters Association, 710 ESPN and Radio Disney AM 1110, will receive the Tracey Miller Merit Award. Winner of the new Inspiration Award is the The Good News Foundation including Wendy Burch, Founder/Chairperson, and Reporter, KTLA; Pat Harvey, Co-Chair, and Main Anchor, KCAL; Christine Devine, Co-Chair, and Main Anchor, KTTV Fox 11; Dorothy Lucey, Secretary, and Host, Good Day LA, KTTV Fox 11; and Ana Garcia, Board Member, and Anchor/Investigative Reporter, KNBC-TV.
The American Women in Radio & Television Southern California extends congratulations to all of this year's notable winners.
The Genii Awards are granted to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in television, radio, and the allied fields. Honorees are commended for their alignment to the AWRT mission statement, "To Promote Progress and Create Change." Proceeds from the Genii Awards support AWRT SoCal's College Scholarship Fund and educational programs.
The 2010 Genii Awards Show in Los Angeles
MEDIA ALERT:
WHAT:
American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California 2010 Genii Awards
WHO:
NEW! Excellence in Documentary
In honor of her work with Farrah Fawcett
Alana Stewart, Producer, "Farrah's Story"
NEW! Excellence in Sports Reporting
Lindsay Soto, Reporter and Host, NFL Network
Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting
Betty White, Actress (The Golden Girls, Boston Legal, The Proposal)
Excellence in Television On Air Award
Mary Hart, Host for Entertainment Tonight
Excellence in Radio On Air Award
Lisa Foxx, On Air for Clear Channel Radio, 104.3MYfm Los Angeles, Star 101.3 San Francisco, and Star 94.1 San Diego
Excellence in Radio Management Award
Rosemary Hernandez, General Sales Manager at CBSNewsRadioLA, KNX1070 NEWSRADIO, and KFWB NEWS TALK 980
Excellence in Advertising Award
Karla Keller, Senior Account Executive for Anheuser Busch
Tracey Miller Merit Award
LaFern Cusack, AWRT SoCal Past President and Director of Community Affairs for Southern California Broadcasters Association, 710 ESPN, and Radio Disney AM 1110
Inspiration Award
The Good News Foundation
Wendy Burch, Founder/Chairperson; and Reporter, KTLA
Pat Harvey, Co-Chair; and Main Anchor, KCAL
Christine Devine, Co-Chair; and Main Anchor, KTTV Fox 11
Dorothy Lucey, Secretary; and Host, Good Day LA, KTTV Fox 11
Ana Garcia, Board Member; and Anchor/Investigative Reporter, KNBC-TV
WHERE:
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards Ceremony
TICKETS:
SPONSORSHIPS:
DONATIONS:
ABOUT AWRT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT) is the longest established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWRT is a National organization, with local chapters across the country. AWRT carries forth its mission by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members and the industry at large.
Founded in 1951, AWRT works to improve the quality of electronic media; promote the entry, development and advancement of women in the field; foster communication and idea exchange; and give back to the community we serve. For more information, visit www.awrt.org.
The Southern California Chapter of AWRT is a non-profit membership organization for women and men who work in the electronic media and allied fields in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Ventura counties. The Southern California Chapter of AWRT offers numerous local benefits to its members, including networking events, educational programs, community outreach, career counseling and occupational training. Founded in 1952, the first Chapter president was Jeanne Gray-McDonald, after whom the Chapter's prestigious Genii Award is named. For more information, visit www.awrtsocal.org.
ABOUT AWRT SoCal GENII AWARDS:
For over 50 years, AWRT's Southern California Chapter has presented the highest honor AWRT SoCal bestows in the name of Chapter Founder, Jeanne Gray McDonald. This special honor celebrates the notable achievements of excellence executed by individuals in radio and television broadcasting. The recipients of this prestigious honor are being saluted for their significant contributions to the industry aligned with the mission of the organization to promote progress and create change within the electronic media.
Genii honorees are recognized for their pioneering efforts, dedicated leadership, commitment to quality and excellence, and their community contributions. Saluting the Notable Achievements of Excellence by Individuals in the broadcasting industry, the Genii Awards benefit AWRT SoCal's scholarship fund, and educational programs.
Past Award Recipients Include:
Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Whoopie Goldberg, Doris Roberts, Leeza Gibbons, Fay Kanin, and Anne Sweeney, to name a few.
For a complete list of Genii Award winners and AWRT SoCal membership information, go to www.awrtsocal.org.
