A Star-Studded Night For The First Annual Noble Awards Honoring Charity Work

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The First Annual Noble Awards Event A Huge Success

The event honored  Morgan Freeman  - Lifetime Achievement Award

“It was a successful night, everyone who contributed and participated in the event came away with a warm feeling in their heart,” said Founder/Producer Janeen Mansour of The Noble Awards, held (Sunday, October 18^th) at The Beverly Hilton.

Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush hosted the first awards show, and he himself was also honored for his dedication as a board member and hustling fundraiser for the Lollipop Theater Network. They bring magic and movies currently in theaters to children confiened to hospitals nationwide due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.Morgan Freeman was honored for his work with more than dozen charities. He thanked everyone for supporting him and for the Lifetime Achievement

Award. A dozen other celebs received recognition and a Noble Award for charity work.Despite being a little under the weather for running a Trianthalon in the name of charity Terri Hatcher accepted her award from Actor James Denton, America’s favorite plummer also on Desperate Housewives. Other celebs included  Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali to name a few.

Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, and Annalynne McCord. There were some surprises, too like America’s Got Talent Nick Cannon as one of the presenters.

The awards were sculptured by Antonio Banderas the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.   Joel Madden said, “The artists at The Art of Elysium” should get an award, too.

Noble Awards Presenter  Dennis Haysbert (Jonas Blane)
The first awards show came off without a hitch and the live music performances enhanced an inspiration evening. It was an evening of entertainment and celebration that honors charities, celebrities and the tremendous work that they do. ‘This event and movement should inspire the next generation to be noble throughout their lives,” said Mansour. One of the highlights of the musical performance that brought the house down was Monica, introduced by Bill Bush. Born and raised in Atlanta, Monica Denise Arnold is a talented R&B / pop singer, songwriter and actress.  She became the youngest female artist ever to have two back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard's R&B singles chart.

Both songs from her three-times-platinum debut, “Miss Thang,” topped the Hot 100 chart and sold one million copies each. In 1998, “The Boy Is Mine” was released and had three consecutive No. 1 Billboard pop singles.

The title track with Brandy spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and eight weeks at No. 1 on the R&B listing. Additionally, the duet earned Monica a Grammy to add to her American Music, Soul Train and Billboard Awards.

The inaugural NOBLE AWARDS event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501c3, has a mission to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, philanthropists, media and every day citizens to create
an effective forum for change and service.

Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month and perform one of his songs live. Brian McKnight (Video)Another of the highlights of the evening was eight-year old Emily Bear, who performaned live at the Noble Awards show. (Youtube)

8-year old Emily Bear – Pianist Emily Bear has only been playing piano for three years, 


but at just eight years old, her accomplishments are inspiring and her talent is breathtaking. Classical, jazz and boogie come naturally to her. Emily’s songs were are all written and composed at age seven.

She performs a large list of classics and standards, and also composes her own magical songs. Giving and charity are very important to Emily and a portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Children's Hospital, among others. Her latest CD "Always True" is now available in the Store. Her first three CDs, "Five Years Wise", "The Love In Us" and "Once Upon A Wish" are also available.Julio Iglesias Jr.also provided some soul soothing live singing at the event.

Julio Iglesias Jr. was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home. The Lion’s King’s Timothy Mitchell also sang and played a powerful song on piano sounding much like Steve Wonder with a great stage band backing him up.

(Miss California pictured (L) Each year the Noble Awards will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. This year’s honorees, who attended to accept their award included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner for DoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds for Stand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden. Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children.  It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital. 
A big emotional time of the evening occurred when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication.  Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) witness her affectionate father while he introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much. The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.” Creator Janeen Mansour was thrilled to see her dream come true.
“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them," she said. "Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”
Humanity needs leaders like you (Be Noble and Take the Challenge (more)

(In photo on the left) Janeen Mansour with her husband Producer Ziad Batal (2nd from right) took all year to plan an idea that became a reality and a vision in Hollywood.




Photos by George S. Mc Quade III @MAYO Communications.com

Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum To Perform Live at First Annual Noble Awards in Beverly Hills Sunday

Teri Hatcher, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Billy Bush and Annalynne McCord have been confirmed on star-studded list of celebrity humanitarians attending the red carpet and Noble Awards event this Sunday, Oct. 18th at the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.
Morgan Freeman is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and is also confirmed.
Brian McKnight is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and pop and R&B musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who can play nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, French horn and trumpet. Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month. Brian McKnight (Video)
8-year old Emily Bear - One of the youngest if not the world’s youngest composer, who played at the White House will perform live Sunday at Beverly Hilton during the two hour Noble Awards show.

Emily was the youngest solo performer in the history of the Ravinia Festival, has performed with many well known musicians, appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" five times and performed at the White House. See Events for more info and Galleries for photos and videos.

Julio Iglesias Jr. - Dejame volar

Julio Iglesias Jr. was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home. Although he has spent his whole life surrounded by music, his own personal journey into the music industry didn't begin until the late 90's when he released his first album in English titled "Under My Eyes" with Epic Records. With the desire to go back to his roots and reestablish himself, the budding musician searched for new territory to conquer. Julio chose to sing in Spanish and the result is the mind-expanding Tercera Dimension.

Timothy Mitchum from his Across the Universe preforming part of "Let it Be" with Carol Woods
The two-hour event, hosted by Access Hollywood’s very own Billy Bush, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the impact of their work.Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up to Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), Annalynne McCord (The Blind Project), Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra El Cancer and Playing for Change will be honored along with six other previously announced charities.
During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.
“We are delighted to present these eleven distinguished charities and their celebrity supporters with the inaugural Noble Award,” said Janeen Mansour, creator and executive producer of the Noble Awards. “We hope this will inspire a revolution for giving not only in Hollywood, but globally.”
For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

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Humanity needs leaders like you (Be Noble and Take the Challenge)

Noble Awards Releases Five New Nominees Today For First Time Celebrity Charity Awards Event On Sunday

Noble Awards Announces Five New Nominees - Eva Longoria and Morgan Freeman confirmed as attending star-studded event

Eva Longoria

Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer)

Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer)  is among Celebs who will receive awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up to Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), Annalynne McCord (The Blind Project), Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

The five new award honorees released today for the inaugural Noble Awards this Sunday (10-18-09), at the Beverly Hilton Hotel include:  The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra El Cancer and Playing for Change. They'll be honored along with six other charities announced earlier.  Additionally, Academy Award-winning Actor, Morgan Freeman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his involvement in more than dozen charities.

The two-hour event, hosted by Access Hollywood’s very own Billy Bush, will honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them annually, boosting awareness of these organizations and the work they do. During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.  “We are delighted to present these eleven distinguished charities and their celebrity supporters with the inaugural Noble Award,” said TV Celebrity Anchor Janeen Mansour, creator and executive producer of the Noble Awards. “With the presentation of the Noble Awards, our goal is to turn the spotlight back onto these celebrities and charities to provide recognition, to educate, to inspire, and to encourage even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large,” explained Mansour. Morgan Freeman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work and dedication to over a dozen non-profits.    SPONSORS:Official partners for the 2009 Noble Awards include 7-Eleven which will launch their Cup with a Cause program at the event featuring celebrity designed coffee cups at 7-Eleven retail locations nationwide. Rumblefish Jewelry will design a jewelry line based on The Noble Awards and Be a Noble, where a percentage of sales will be donated to Noble charities.  Look to the Stars which will work year round with the Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.    Additional partners include: EIF/iParticipate, The Hollywood Reporter, Audi, Participant Media and Takepart.com, One Hope Wine, The Beverly Hilton, Mobile Cause, Rosenthal and GoodSearch. The film industry has the Oscars, television has the Emmys and the music industry has the Grammy Awards. Now, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters have The Noble Awards. More information is at www.thenobleawards.org.   Humanity needs leaders like you (Be Noble and Take the Challenge)

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Academy Award-winning Actor Morgan Freeman To Be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1st Annual Noble Awards This Sunday Oct. 18th

 Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds and Anna Lynne McCord are among long list of stars attending the Beverly Hills Awards show

Beverly Hills, CA – Academy Award-winning Actor Morgan Freeman can now boast about another award to add to his hall of fame in Hollywood. Morgan has been selected to received the First LifeTime Achievement Award at the 1st Annual Noble Awards, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA

TV Anchor Janeen Mansour and Executive Producer Ziad Batal are the founders of this Sunday's event, which will honor humanitarian celebs in a the two hour event produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation (CCAC); The CCAC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Other confirmed celebs attending include: Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Billy Bush and Annalynne McCord

 The star-studded awards event will also feature live entertainment with Brian McKnight, Julio Iglesias Jr.,  Emily Bear and Timmy Mitchum.

Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released a dozen albums, more than half of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold more than 20 Million albums worldwide. Brian has received numerous awards including Soul Train Awards and Image Awards, and numerous nominations including Grammy’s, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards and American Music Awards.

Currently in Spain but Julio Iglesias Jr. will perform at Sunday’s event and he willsoon be in Hollywood recording a new album and watch for his work in film. Although Julio   has spent his whole life surrounded by music (, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler, parents), his own personal journey into the music industry didn't start until the late 90's when he released his first album in English titled "Under My Eyes" with Epic Records. Igelsias chose to sing in Spanish and the result is the mind-blowing Tercera Dimension.

The Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an powerful forum for change and service with this first annual awards program on October 18th. The awards, which are more like sculptures were designed by Actor Antonio Banderas, who mustered the help of handicapped and child burn victims. The charity honorees for the first annual Noble Awards include:

• The Art of Elysium encourages actors, artists and musicians to volunteer their time and talent to children battling serious medical conditions.  
• Best Buddies, founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities 
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which treats the most seriously ill and injured children in LA is one of the nation’s best pediatric facilities
• DoSomething.org seeks to help young people to take action around any cause, aiming to activate two million people per year by 2011.   
• The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation offers ground-breaking research programs, prevention and treatment programs that bring dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide
• Keep a Child Alive offers life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India
• Stand Up To Cancer is Entertainment Industry Foundation program that unites major TV networks, Hollywood and prominent leaders in cancer research
• Women’s Sports Foundation, opens the doors for girls and women in sports and fitness through education, advocacy, recognition and grants
  
  

“Celebrities have been donating their time to charity they feel passionate about for a long time, "said Janeen Mansour, founder of the event. Earlier this year she launched the first successful Celebrity Shoe Toss, where music, TV and Movie celebs donated hundreds of shoes to needy families of the Salvation Army. For more on this story and event click here (MORE)

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Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds and Anna Lynne McCord are among stars attending First Noble Humanitarian Awards in Beverly Hills

Janeen Mansour

Creator Janeen Mansour of 1st Annual Noble Humanitarian Awards For Hollywood Charity Work Takes Center Stage Oct. 18th In Beverly Hills To Honor Celebrity Humanitarians


Beverly Hills, CA - Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Billy Bush and Annalynne McCord have been confirmed on a big list of celebrity humanitarians attending a star-studded awards event this Sunday, Oct. 18th at the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.


Morgan Freeman is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and is also confirmed.

Confirmed live entertainment includes: Brian McKnight, Julio Iglesias Jr.,  Andrea Bear and Timmy Mitchum.

TV Anchor Janeen Mansour and Executive Producer Ziad Batal are the creators of this Sunday's event honoring humanitarian celebs. Billed as the 1st Annual Noble Humanitarian Awards, the two hour event will be produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation (CCAC); The CCAC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Brian McKnight is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and pop and R&B musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who can play nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, French horn and trumpet. Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month. Brian has received numerous awards including Soul Train Awards and Image Awards, and numerous nominations including Grammy’s, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards and American Music Awards.


Julio Iglesias Jr. was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home. Although he has spent his whole life surrounded by music, his own personal journey into the music industry didn't begin until the late 90's when he released his first album in English titled "Under My Eyes" with Epic Records. With the desire to go back to his roots and reestablish himself, the budding musician searched for new territory to conquer. Julio chose to sing in Spanish and the result is the mind-expanding Tercera Dimension.  Currently in Spain but he will soon be in Hollywood to record a new album and do some cinema.

The Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service through the staging of the first annual awards on October 18th. The awards, which are more like sculptures are designed by Antonio Banderas along with handicapped and burn victims. The charity honorees for the first annual Noble Humanitarian Awards include:

• The Art of Elysium encourages actors, artists and musicians to volunteer their time and talent to children battling serious medical conditions. It provides artistic workshops in acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing 
• Best Buddies, founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities 
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, founded in 1901, has treated the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and is widely recognized as one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation 
• DoSomething.org seeks to empower young people to take action around any cause, aiming to activate two million people per year by 2011.  It enables a generation of teenagers to convert their ideas and energy into positive action 
• The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation offers innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts and rapidly expanding prevention and treatment programs that bring dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide
• Keep a Child Alive offers life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS
• Stand Up To Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, is a collaboration uniting the major television networks, entertainment industry executives, celebrities and prominent leaders in cancer research and patient advocacy
• Women’s Sports Foundation, founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, is dedicated to increasing opportunities for girls and women in sports and fitness through education, advocacy, recognition and grants

“Celebrities have been donating their time to charity hey feel passionate about for a long time, "said Janeen Mansour, founder of the event. Earlier this year she launched the first successful Celebrity Shoe Toss, where music, TV and Movie celebs donated hundreds of shoes to needy families of the Salvation Army.

Mansour has interviewed tons of celebrities and said she was inspired for this project after interviewing the Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and learning about her significant charitable work.

"Celebrities attract media coverage, and organizations benefit," she said.  "With the Noble Awards, we aim to turn around the spotlight onto these celebrities and charities in a move that recognizes, educations, inspires and encourages even more support from the Hollywood community and the public at large.  It’s an annual celebration of service and volunteerism,” said Mansour.

The Line up of Hollywood movers and shakes behind the cameras and scenes will also make for a powerful and emotional evening. The star-studded veterans of Hollywood teaming up for the Noble Awards Show production with Janeen Mansour include:

• Ziad Batal (Executive Producer), founder of All 4 Media, one of the  most prominent film/TV production companies, and the creator and producer of dozens of reality, talk and sports programs in the Middle East
• Michael B. Seligman (Producer), President & CEO of Seligman Entertainment, Inc, whose 35 years of work includes the Oscars, the Emmy's, AFI's, Kennedy Center Honors and Stand Up To Cancer 
• Tisha Fein (Producer), whose three-decade experience includes the Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, World Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Movies Rock and Stand Up to Cancer
•  Danette Herman (Producer/Executive in Charge of Talent), whose work spans the Academy Awards, Emmys, Kennedy Center Honors, CNN Heroes, Stand Up To Cancer and Live Earth

"Everyone should be part of the noble awards," said Executive Producer Ziad Batal. "Because it's something you can teach your kids. This is about giving awards to people who do noble, incredible things. We are inspiring a revolutioin for giving," he said.

Be sure to visit this blog for updates and developments on who's coming, who's participating and how you can get involved: If not you who else?

Humanity needs leaders like you (Be Noble and Take the Challenge)

LA Times Launches Envelope with more voices, images and stories about awards

Los Angeles, CA - Several hundred mostly Los Angeles Times writers, editors and staffers from LAT packed into a launched party on the top floor of a swank West Hollywood Hotel to launched theenvelope.com and awards season coverage.

“When we launched the Envelope a couple of years ago, we didn’t have as much video, we didn’t have as much breaking news and mainly covered Hollywood events and film festivals with all the guilds,” said Associate Editor Patrick Kevin Day. “We also have a lot more voices like Paul Gata the circuit blogger.”

TheEnvelope.com, which is billed as the "ultimate awards site," has helped the Los Angeles Times to significantly broaden its coverage of the entertainment business over the past year,” according to Film Critic Betsy Sharkey, formerly the editor.

The new editor is Sally Hofmeister, who introduced additional writers and staffers at this week’s (10-05-09) launch party.

The Envelope's purpose, according to promotional materials, is to raise awareness of award contenders, drive box office numbers, boost DVD sales, influence voting considerations of Academy and guild members and target consumers.

The Envelope receives five million visitors during the off season and much higher numbers during the high season – between November and February. It features interactive photo galleries, video clips of red carpet coverage, celebrity podcasts, blogs and a "Buzzmeter."

This writer asked Day how new media has impacted coverage in the weekly printed version of Envelope and the Online version.

“I think speed is the biggest thing,” said Day. “We have a host of competition from various websites trying into the entertainment awards area, so we have to keep an eye on them constantly and we can’t fall down at any point and be at the top of our game.”

"Don't call me, email works best, because I work out of my home literally blogging all day," said Elizabeth Snead, contributing editor of The Envelope. “I don’t go to as many mixers and late night parties as before, because now I have people I can send to them, so just being here is a rare thing for me.

Elizabeth Snead is the former fashion editor and entertainment writer for USA Today prefers "10 days advance notice of story pitches," since she covers three events a night. "I might not get back to you right away, but I do read my emails," she said.

Elizabeth Snead is the former fashion editor and entertainment writer for USA Today prefers "10 days advance notice of story pitches," since she covers three events a night. "I might not get back to you right away, but I do read my emails," she said.

For almost two years now, Snead has been writing for the http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag  blog. She focuses on news, celebs, awards, politics and pop culture.

A tip: don't pitch a hodge-podge of clients to The Envelope. "We're looking for a window into the lifestyle of a person so exclusives are given much more consideration," said Snead.

The LAT re-launched The Envelope to make it "more accessible to our users and the industry," said its former senior producer Joseph Kapsch.  He is now a producer of the Zap2it.com site of entertainment videos.

The site is broken down into sections on awards and includes photos, features and anything to do with the awards show in the subsections.

For example there are sections with videos and celebrity images on VH1's Hip Hop Honors, 2009 'VH1 Divas' Arrivals, 2009 Latin Grammy Awards Nominees, 2009 ALMA Awards Arrivals and Red Carpet Rewind: 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards.

"There is Academy news and breaking news on the site. We've created these multimedia models on each page for photos. We also host podcasts of nominees or anyone associated with the awards show," said Kapsch, who is now working for Zap2.it.com, as editorial director.

Kapsch was the former managing editor of AccessHollywood.com, as well as a producer of TV sites at ABC, NBC, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment and Viacom.

As far as pitching the writers and editors, all say email pitches are preferred.                     

'The Envelope' Contacts:

Sallie Hofmeister, Editor
Sallie.Hofmeister@latimes.com

Elena Howe, Editor, theenvelope.com
Elena.howe@latimes.com

Betsy Sharkey

film critic

Betsy.sharkey@latimes.com

Elizabeth Snead

contributing editor

Elizabeth.snead@gmail.com

Joseph Kapsch

Zap2it.com

Joseph.Kapsch@latimes.com