Based in Los Angeles and first formed in 1985, the Television Publicity Executives Committee (TPEC) includes senior-level publicity executives who represent original, prime time television programming. TPEC serves as a forum for the discussion of publicity-related matters common to the membership; works to improve the relationship between reporters and publicists; and, strives to be one of the foremost sources of information for college students seeking careers in publicity.

Each year, TPEC produces the TPEC Guide: The Essential Reference Directory for Television and Entertainment Publicists. The 2009 Guide is available now. Click here to download the order form, and order your guide today.

Give This Holiday Season!

At the December 11 TPEC meeting, members had an opportunity to do something a little different—network and give back. The wonderful event hosted by the Hallmark Channel at the Laurel Tavern in Studio City supported three worthy charities. We encourage you to take a moment and read about the charities below and consider contributing to one or all of them:

• Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are no more homeless pets.  The society’s leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country’s largest no-kill sanctuary.  This work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation. The organization also has an initiative for keep pets in their families called “First Home Forever Home.”
  You may donate online here: http://www.bestfriends.org/.

• The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire.  Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. Proceeds received between July 2009 and June 2010 will benefit Feeding America (the nation's leading hunger-relief organization), The Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA (dedicated to improving treatments for girls and boys with leukemia, aplastic anemia, solid tumors, blood diseases, and various genetic disorders), Hope North (a campus in northern Uganda where refugees, orphans and escaped child soldiers find a place to call home) and Malaria No More (determined to end malaria deaths by making high-yield investments of time and capital to speed progress, unlock resources, mobilize new assets and spur the world toward reaching this goal). The Foundation collects donations year round.  Clothing and accessories from red carpet events, award shows, premieres, talk show appearances, photo shoots, concerts, stage/television/film costumes, signed memorabilia (posters, scripts, DVDs, CDs, etc.) are all welcome.  If stars have worn it or signed it, we’ll auction it off to raise money for worthy causes. Monetary donations also are welcomed.
  Donations can be made online here: http://www.clothesoffourback.org/donate.php.

• The TPEC Scholarship Seed Fund is a brand new initiative that we kicked off at the December luncheon.  We created it so TPEC could have a channel to provide grants or scholarships to worthy undergraduate or graduate students specifically pursuing a career in television public relations.  Collected funds will be placed in an interest-bearing account where TPEC members and sponsors will be able to continue to contribute until a large enough fund is available to begin awarding grants. Setting up such a scholarship fund has been a goal of the organization for some time, and with your donation this holiday season, you have the opportunity to be involved from the get-go. Download and fill out a contribution form, and mail it to TPEC, P.O. Box 556, Beverly Hills, CA 90213.