The Week’s Biggest Movers
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies closed up slightly for the week as the broader markets were flat.
Skechers Swings to Profit on Sales Growth
Skechers USA Inc. swung to a fourth quarter profit as the shoemaker reported a large increase in the sales of its women’s shoes.
14 Arrested in Stock Fraud Case
Federal authorities on Thursday announced the arrest of 14 people, some of them from Los Angeles, on charges of manipulating stock prices for profits of more than $30 million.
Teacher Fund Opposes Disney Governance Plan
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System announced Thursday it will oppose corporate governance plans from Walt Disney Co. at the Burbank company’s shareholder meeting in Arizona next month.
DirecTV Profit Surges
DirecTV Inc.’s profit increased 31 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by asset sales and lower tax rates.
MPG Opts for Piecemeal Sale of L.A. Portfolio
Shares of MPG Office Trust Inc. closed down 18 percent Wednesday following a report that the downtown L.A. real estate investment trust has failed to find a buyer for its portfolio of L.A. office properties.
Participant Media Launches Film Fund
L.A. production company Participant Media announced Wednesday that it has launched a $100 million film fund partnership with the Doha Film Institute, a Qatar organization working to grow the film industry in the Middle East.
Comcast to Own All of NBCUniversal
Comcast Corp. will own all of entertainment giant NBCUniversal after purchasing General Electric Co.’s 49 percent stake in the company for $16.7 billion.
L.A. Marathon Scores Asics Sponsorship
The L.A. Marathon has a new title sponsor: the maker of Asics shoes.
Molina Prices Debt Offering
Molina Healthcare Inc. announced Tuesday that it has priced a $450 million debt offering
Lions Gate Shares Climb on Earnings
Shares of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. hit an all-time high on Monday as the Santa Monica independent studio swung to a third quarter profit, due in part to box-office smash “Twilight.”
NBCUniversal, Hearst Launch Esquire Network
Cable channel G4 is getting a makeover and will be rebranded as Esquire Network, the channel’s owner, NBCUniversal announced Monday.
James Cameron to Leave RealD Board
Filmmaker James Cameron has resigned from the board of Beverly Hills 3-D technology firm RealD Inc. due to his heavy workload, the company announced Monday.
Wine Service Moves to El Segundo
Subscription wine service Club W is moving its headquarters to El Segundo from San Francisco after raising money from L.A. tech investors.
MRV Rebounds With New Hardware Connection
TECHNOLOGY: Shares rise as router maker names fifth CEO in three years.
Appointment of new chief executive powers up stock of equipment provider MRV.
Onetime Broadcast Bible Sees Ad Resurrection
PUBLISHING: TV Guide marks big jump in page count for fourth quarter.
TV Guide Magazine’s owners see the ever-expanding TV channel lineup as a big boon to business, since networks and studios are now spending in the magazine to cut through the clutter.
Facebook Stocking Full
Good investment lets painter brush up on his podcasting skills.
Facebook multimillionaire and artist David Choe records podcast rich with racy content
Report Suggests DreamWorks Layoffs Imminent
Layoffs are expected at Glendale animation studio DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. following disappointing returns from its latest release and an announcement that the studio will decrease its theatrical output this year.
Reel Estate
Art house film chain seeks future role as venue owner
Art house chain Laemmle changes focus from tenancy to ownership at its theaters.
Stations’ Yuletide Ratings Dip Seen as Short-Lived
Radio: Usual leaders lost ground to rivals’ switch to Christmas tunes.
A holiday season coup by stations that programmed Christmas music ended in ratings casualties at some of L.A.’s most popular stations – though a return to normalcy is expected soon enough.
The Week’s Biggest Movers
The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies closed up for the week as the broader markets reacted positively to strong fourth quarter corporate earnings and a temporary deal to extend the nation’s debt limit.
‘Shark Tank’ Contract Can Bite Entrepreneurs
When entrepreneur Scott Jordan pitched his business, Technology Enabled Clothing, to a group of well-heeled investors on ABC’s “Shark Tank” last season, he knew producers and the network in the future could take a bite out of his company -- even if he didn't receive an investment from any of the so-called sharks on the show.
TV Contest May Take Toll on Players
ENTERTAINMENT: ‘Shark Tank’ contract could bite entrepreneurs.
Idea-pitching entrepreneurs risk getting soaked by the contract terms of TV show “Shark Tank.”
Market Hopes Wine Customers Won’t Pass ‘Buck’
RETAIL: Trader Joe’s hikes Charles Shaw line from $1.99 to $2.49.
Trader Joe’s hopes customers are willing to swallow its Two-Buck Chuck wine’s new $2.49 price.
Bigger Picture
INTERNET: Local production of web video helps ease L.A.’s loss of more expensive TV comedies and dramas.
New focus on web video production helps offset some of L.A.’s losses from a dip in TV shoots.
Broadcasters Play for Time To Increase Ad Revenue
TELEVISION: Buyers fear extended period will boost costs, not effectiveness.
Some television network executives and ad buyers aren’t seeing eye to eye on how to price television ads.
Location Film Production in L.A. Sees Increase
Location production in Los Angeles picked up last year thanks to an increase in local film and commercial shoots, though TV production in Los Angeles continued its decline.
Satellite Widens Station’s Orbit
TV: KCET hopes merger deal has ratings headed up.
Public station KCET sees its prospects as sky high after linking up with satellite network Link TV.
Ex-Radio DJ’s Career Still In Spin
Trever Trent looks to push right buttons in jukebox business.
Ex-radio DJ Trever Trent now works to cue up revenue for his family’s jukebox company.
Radio Station Boosts Presence With Holiday Tunes
RATINGS: KOST-FM takes seasonal crown with switch to Christmas fare.
The lyric “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” has a special ring to it for KOST-FM (103.5).
The Week's Biggest Movers
The Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies fell for the week, as ongoing concerns of the “fiscal cliff” weighed on markets during the Christmas week of light trading.
Stations Dial Down Staff As Parent Cuts Expenses
RADIO: Clear Channel looks to save money while maintaining quality.
Clear Channel dials back staff numbers at local stations in a cost-cutting move.
Investors Have Faith in Religious Dating Websites
INTERNET: JDate parent Spark sees stock climb as it expands into Christianity.
Investors bless JDate parent Spark’s move to Christian-oriented sites.
Dodger Dogs Maker Settles in Discrimination Case
The Vernon meatpacking company that makes Dodger Dogs and other Farmer Johns meats has reached a settlement with thousands of women who claimed their applications were rejected by the company due to gender discrimination.
Layoffs Another Buzz Kill for Electric-Car Maker
AUTOMOTIVE: Coda cuts 50 positions as sales of its sedan remain sluggish.
Layoffs at Coda could be another sign that electric auto maker is running out of gas.
Geeking Out
ENTERTAINMENT: Podcast-comedy business Nerdist Industries not kidding about expansion after acquisition by film producer.
Podcast and comedy business Nerdist Industries hopes to laugh last as it moves into TV and movies.
YouTube Network MiTú Gets Funding
MiTú, a YouTube network targeting Hispanic audiences, has raised a fresh round of funding from Los Angeles media holding company Chernin Group and other investors.
L.A. Station Makes News as CNN Latino Partner
TV: KBEH to debut cable channel’s Spanish- language programming.
The newest entrant trying to grab the attention of L.A.’s Spanish-speaking population has an advantage; it’s already a household name.
Investors Check Into Gelson’s Market Operator
GROCERY: Shares go up and way down on Arden’s special $20 cash dividend.
Gelson’s parent Arden sees stock sacked after announcing cash dividend for investors
Internet Ad Firm Looks To Connect as Publisher
MEDIA: Woven steps into editorial content with deal for men’s site BroBible.
Online ad firm Woven is stitching together a network of editorial sites to display its advertorial content.
L.A.-Area Market Can Bank on More Branches
BANKING: Region adds outposts as number of sites dwindle nationwide.
L.A. bucks national contraction trend by adding branches.
Tinseltown Gets Friendly on Web
MOVIES: Startup casts social media in film promotion role.
FilmBreak looks to give social media a starring role in promoting Hollywood productions.
Digital Projection Firm Anxiously Awaits Releases
FILM: Cinedigm quarterly loss widens as studios push back movie debuts.
Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp., which helps theaters finance the costly conversion to digital projection, earns its money when studios release their movies.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: Prodege/ Swagbucks.com
We focused from the start on building a model that was sustainable and building out a team that was as passionate about the product as they were talented.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: True Car Inc.
We collect and analyze a wide range of data and provide it to more than 5,000 TrueCar dealers to assist them in competitively pricing their products.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: Equis Staffing
We recognized early on that technology was a hot, booming sector. We expanded Equis’ services from only financing and accounting to include IT services as well.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: Zambezi
When we started out, our strategy involved pitching and actively hunting new business in the sports/entertainment and active lifestyle realm.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: Arvixe
Our goal has been to provide the highest value product with the lowest price tag.
Ready Set, Go
Prop shops open outposts to work films in other states
Hollywood prop houses open satellite offices to score roles in out-of-state productions.
Fastest Growing Private Companies: Gravitas Ventures
The company has remained hyperfocused on video on demand, and its transactional, subscription and ad-sponsored business models
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