An Insider's Look at the 2010 Genii Awards

CLICK HERE to view the Genii Awards Booklet

A SCRAPBOOK OF GENII AWARDS MEMORIES:
As a storybook producer, I love to capture memories of family, friends, and special events that have made a difference in my life. For the past two years I have donated my time to serve on the Board of Directors for American Women in Radio & Television Southern California as their Press Director and during that time, I have garnered many wonderful memories. I am proud to serve with a non-profit organization that works to empower women, further careers, and supports our community. The Genii Awards is a culmination of these efforts, designed to honor achievements, promote education, and blaze new trails for those who would follow in our steps.

AWARDS SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
(Click on image to enlarge)

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS



The 2010 Genii Awards:
Hosted by Sam Rubin and Honoring Betty White, Mary Hart, Lisa Foxx, Lindsay Soto, Alana Stewart, Rosemary Hernandez, Karla Keller, LaFern Cusack, and The Good News Foundation: Wendy Burch, Pat Harvey, Christine Devine, Dorothy Lucey, & Ana Garcia. Special Guest Appearances by Maria Shriver, Jay Leno, Dr. Laura, Ajay Mehta, Steve Edwards, Carole Bayer Sager, Ann Cusack, Tom Feuer, Bill Denton, Ryan Seacrest, and Mayor Gary Bric of Burbank

The 2009-2010 Genii Awards scholarship
winners include:
Martin Briones-Soupcoff,California State University, Northridge
Esmaeel "Amir" Manesh,California Institute of Arts
Kristi Kahea Mathison,California State University, Northridge
Elizabeth Pinos,California State University, Northridge
Marshaa Robinson, California State University, Northridge
Kara Shand,Cal State, Los Angeles
Javier Sanchez,California State University, Northridge
Amy Teng,California State University, Fullerton
Edna Radbod, University of Southern California
Brittany Silverstein,California State University, Northridge
Aisha Nia Summers, University of California, Los Angeles

The above Genii Awards booklet was produced by StorybookProducer.com, powered by Heritage Makers. If you would like a hard-bound copy of the book, or would like to make your own book, please contact Kim@StorybookProducer.com. Photography by Jodye Alcon.


THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

Many thanks for the 2010 Genii Awards Sponsors, Contributors, and In-Kind Donors who made this event possible with their generous support of American Women in Radio & Television Southern California.

Jay Leno to Present 'Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting' to Betty White at the American Women in Radio & Television Southern California 2010 GENII AWARDS

"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno will present the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting to actress Betty White during the American Women in Radio & Television Southern California (AWRT SoCal) 2010 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 dedicated to recognizing the 'Best of the Best' within the media industry.

Well-known for her role on the "Golden Girls", 88 years-young, actress Betty White recently won the hearts of millions of movie-goers with her performance alongside Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock  in "The Proposal." Next, White charmed a new generation of sports fans with her hysterical role as a hard-knocks football player in the top-rated Snickers candy 2010 Super Bowl commercial. Even NBC took a few light-hearted punches from White when she appeared as sassy Auntie Em on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Now White is scheduled on an upcoming episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a result of an unprecedented online campaign launched by thousands of Facebook fans that rallied for her to host SNL. As a top film and TV actress, comedian, animal lover, and tough football player --there's no stopping Betty White.

When it comes to amazing careers, Leno himself can speak from experience. 

As the ratings leader of late night television for the last 15 years,  he followed in the footsteps of legendary NBC late-night hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson as "The Tonight Show" host. Pitted against another television superstar, David Letterman, in the ll:35 PM hour, Leno quickly topped the ratings charts and established firm leadership in all demographic categories, a winning streak now exceeding 50 consecutive quarters. In the process, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" has received numerous awards during its reign, including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy, Variety or Music Series, People's Choice Award, and other honors, such as the Harris Poll naming Leno as most popular star on television. "The Tonight Show" also took home the trophy for Favorite Late Night Show in the annual TV Guide Awards determined by voting viewers. 

Leno's personal highlights include receiving a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events. Leno's lifelong passion for automobiles is expressed in his popular new internet site, "Jay Leno's Garage" (Jaylenosgarage.com), which has gained vast public viewing and, in its first year, earned him still another kind of Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Class -Short-format Nonfictions Programs.

One of the country's premier comedians, Leno has appeared in hundreds of comedy shows around the United States for the past 20 years.  His "everyman" style and personality have helped him earn millions of fans worldwide.

"We are very excited to have Jay Leno present the Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting to Betty White at the Genii Awards Show," states Laura Behrman, President of American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California. "The time-tested careers of both Betty White and Jay Leno continue to amaze us. Their good works have brightened and lightened the lives of viewers around the world and in these challenging times, they remind us with every performance that laughter is a universal medicine."

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." In addition to AWRT SoCal lifetime achievement in acting Laurels and honorary service awards, Genii trophies for television on air, radio on air, documentary, sports reporting, advertising, and radio management will also be presented. Proceeds from the Genii Awards support AWRT SoCal's College Scholarship Fund and educational programs. The 2009-2010 student scholarship recipients will also be recognized during the event. 

Tickets are available online.  Seating is limited. For more information, visit www.awrtsocal.org or email info@awrtsocal.org.


WHAT:          
American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California
2010 Genii Awards, hosted by KTLA's Sam Rubin


WHO:
2010 Award Winners

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 Documentary Award
In honor of her work with Farrah Fawcett
Alana Stewart, Producer, "Farrah's Story"


Excellence in Sports Reporting Award
Lindsay Soto, Reporter and Host, NFL Network


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


WHEN:          
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
4:45 p.m. Red Carpet Arrivals
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards Ceremony   
             
WHERE:        
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049

TICKETS:     
www.awrtsocal.org


Click Here for more information.

American Women in Radio & Television Southern California Chapter Announces 2010 Genii Awards

Burbank, CA (Wednesday, October 28, 2009) - American Women in Radio & Television's Southern California Chapter (AWRT SoCal) announces the 2010 Genii Awards. Six women will be honored at the gala event Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA.

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 AWRT SoCal Past President and Director of Community Affairs for Southern California Broadcasters Association, 710 ESPN and Radio Disney AM 1110,
LaFern Cusack, will receive the Tracey Miller Merit Award.

"It is our honor to recognize the amazing contributions of this stellar array of talent who promote progress and create change within our industry. On behalf of the AWRT SoCal Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce the 2010 Genii Awards and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of these exceptional women at the Awards Show in April," says Laura Behrman, President of AWRT SoCal and Promotions Director for Radio Disney AM 1110.

The Genii Awards are annually granted to people 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 endeavors.

Sponsorship and ticket information is available at http://awrtsocal.org/awards_history.php. For more information, visit www.awrtsocal.org or email info@awrtsocal.org.

WHAT:
American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California Chapter's 2010 Genii Awards

WHO:
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

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Live Auction
8:00 p.m. Awards Show

WHERE:
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049

About American Women in Radio & Television,
Southern California Chapter:

American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT) is the longest established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWRT (www.awrt.org) 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 it serves.

The Southern California Chapter of AWRT (www.awrtsocal.org) 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.

Actress Joan Van Ark with attendees at the Genii Awards Show

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 program, and educational programs.

Past Genii 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.

The chapter's annual Genii Awards celebrates the contributions of esteemed colleagues, and helps to fund AWRT SoCal student scholarships.

For a complete list of Genii Award winners and AWRT SoCal membership information, go to www.awrtsocal.org.



# # # #
Media Contact:
Kim Spence
Public Relations Director
AWRT SoCal Chapter
press@awrtsocal.org
(310) 463-4201

Laura Behrman
President
AWRT SoCal Chapter
president@awrtsocal.org
(818) 569-3148


Table, Ticket, and Donation Contact Information:
Julie Kertes
President Elect
AWRT SoCal Chapter
info@awrtsocal.org
(818) 970-6673


Event Sponsorship Information:
Bonnie Gallanter
VP of Programming
AWRT SoCal Chapter
bonzzai@aol.com 
(310) 385-8401