Maria Shriver to Present ‘Excellence in Television On Air’ Honor to Mary Hart at the American Women in Radio & Television Southern California 2010 GENII AWARDS

Burbank, CA   (Wednesday, March 24, 2010) - California's First Lady, Maria Shriver, will present the prestigious Excellence in Television On Air Award to Mary Hart, host for "Entertainment Tonight," 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 is dedicated to recognizing the 'Best of the Best' within the media industry.

"Mary Hart is a trailblazer in entertainment journalism and a role model for women in media. Her remarkable career has touched the lives of millions of viewers from around the world," said Maria Shriver. "I am thrilled to present the Excellence in Television On Air Award to this extraordinary woman."

Maria Shriver is a trailblazer herself and has used her voice to advocate on behalf of women by creating groundbreaking programs and initiatives that honor people she calls "Architects of Change" in their own lives and the lives of others. As an award-winning journalist and producer, best-selling author and mother of four, Shriver has transformed the office of First Lady by approaching it as a job with real purpose and a platform to make a difference.

Shriver became California's First Lady when her husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, became the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003.  Combining her journalist's eye for the needs of real people, with her passion for service and activism, as First Lady, Shriver developed WE programs motivating people to unite and get involved across gender, economic, and party lines. Shriver's message to all Californians is to look within and find out what "WE can do together when WE come together."

"We are very excited to have Maria Shriver present the Excellence in Television On Air Award to Mary Hart at the 53rd annual Genii Awards," states Laura Behrman, President of American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California. "Ms. Shriver's continued good works and advocacy on behalf of women embodies the very heart of our organization's mission. We are fortunate to be surrounded with these accomplished women in media who have genuinely made a difference in our profession and through their efforts have removed obstacles and paved the way for future generations of women to walk in their footsteps."

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. 

Best rates for show tickets will extend to Friday, March 26. 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