LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau Builds ``SeeMyLA'' Celebrity Campaign; Icon Della Reese and Korean Music Sensation ``Rain'' Latest to Sign On

Business Wire, Oct 27, 2004

LOS ANGELES -- LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau today announced the addition of two more celebrities to the city's "SeeMyLA" tourism marketing campaign: "Touched by an Angel" star Della Reese and Korean music sensation "Rain" have both signed on to help promote the Los Angeles destination to prospective visitors.

With a career that spans over sixty years and includes roles as gospel singer, jazz singer, television/movie actress, and author, Della Reese is truly an icon. Her appreciation for Los Angeles is echoed in her quote, which touts the geographic splendor of the nation's second largest city.

"Ocean, mountains, sunshine...LA is blessed with so much," says Della Reese in her "SeeMyLA" quote.

"Participating in LA's "SeeMyLA" campaign is a natural fit," said Reese. "I am thrilled to be able to give back to the city I call home by communicating to the world its many attributes."

Reese has garnered even more appeal in Los Angeles with her own ministry, now a tourist attraction. Rev. Della Reese gives Sunday services at the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church in West Hollywood, Calif. Services, which are open to tourists, commence each Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. For more information, call 310-641-7991 or visit www.upchurch.org. Church officials will work with bus companies to include her services on their schedules.

There's no mistake that the other new celebrity in the "SeeMyLA" campaign is also a music sensation. In fact, Korea's "Rain" does not hold back in touting Los Angeles as a music capital.

"For music, LA is one of the most happening places on earth!," says Rain.

Recognized as one of the most popular Korean singers and actors, "Rain," born Jung Ji Hoon in Seoul, is known for his HipHop, R&B and Funk style of music. His two albums, "Bad Guy" and "Running away from the Sun," have both placed the singer at the top of the charts. His role in TV series "Sang Du goes to school" brought the show to No. 1 in TV ratings among viewers 35 and under.

"We are excited that so many celebrities and icons who live and work in Los Angeles have allowed us to utilize their image in this groundbreaking campaign," said Mark Liberman, president & CEO, LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau. "No other brand in the world is better known for its celebrity draw than LA."

LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau's "SeeMyLA" tourism campaign uses the faces of celebrities and their favorite quotes to promote the destination for leisure and convention travel. The integrated marketing campaign appears in print media, collateral, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)'s customs and arrivals areas, and on the city's official visitor information Web site, www.seemyla.com. The campaign is scheduled to run through Sept. 2005.

Other celebrities participating in the "SeeMyLA" campaign include: Mattel(R)'s Barbie, Cheech Marin, David Hasselhoff, Della Reese, Diane Keaton, Doris Roberts, Edward James Olmos, skateboard star Eric Koston, LA Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, Nickoelodeon's Fairly OddParents, Korean LA Galaxy soccer sensation Hong Myung-Bo, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Behr, chef Joachim Splichal, Joe Mantegna, Japanese Los Angeles Dodgers player Kazuhisa Ishii, Lionel Richie, LA Galaxy former soccer player Mauricio Cienfuegos, Melissa Etheridge, Nancy O'Dell, Oscar De La Hoya, Raven, Ryan Seacrest, Sharon Lawrence, Sidney Sheldon, Ted McGinley, Tom Arnold, Tommy Lasorda and Wolfgang Puck.

LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit business association whose primary mission is to promote the city of Los Angeles as the premier site for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Though not party of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city's official tourism marketing organization.

For more information and images of the "SeeMyLA" celebrity participants, please contact LA INC. or visit www.seemyLA.com.

SEE MY LA -- QUOTES
                        (ALPHABETICAL BY NAME)

"Surf, shop and see what's new...there is so much for a girl to do
in LA."
    -Barbie

"From car shows to the Petersen Automotive Museum, LA is the world
capital of car culture."
    -Cheech Marin

"Come to LA for the sand, the sun and a whole lotta fun!"
    -David Hasselhoff

"Ocean, mountains, sunshine...LA is blessed with so much."
    -Della Reese

"I love LA's hidden architectural treasures. From downtown's movie
palaces to sleek modernist masterpieces."
    -Diane Keaton

"From the opera to the Sunset Strip, from snowboards to surfboards,
LA has it all!"
    -Doris Roberts

"You can't beat LA's film festivals, and rubbing shoulders with
the stars."
    -Edward James Olmos

"I've been skating Venice Beach for ten years. There's no other
place like it."
    -Eric Koston

"LA is a city of possibilities. Creative boundaries don't exist here."
    -Esa-Pekka Salonen

"LA has everything you could wish for!"
    -The Fairly OddParents

"Taking Metro in LA couldn't be easier. From subways to rapid buses,
it's warp speed ahead."
    -George Takei

"LA is a sports fan's paradise. With soccer, you can't beat it!"
    -Hong Myung-Bo

"World-class art museums, stunning architecture and a magnificent
public library -- I love downtown LA."
    -Jamie Lee Curtis

"With all the clubs on the Sunset Strip, it's always a party."
    -Jason Behr

"LA defines my passion for food, wine, art and culture, sports and
entertainment."
    -Joachim Splichal

"An alfresco cafe on Ventura Blvd., good wine and a cigar....I
love it!"
    -Joe Mantegna

"My family and I love LA for its spectacular weather, beautiful
beaches and of course, Dodger Stadium."
    -Kazuhisa Ishii

"No matter who I meet in the world, they all show up in LA."
    -Lionel Richie

"I love the Latin neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It's like traveling
all over Latin America without ever leaving LA."
    -Mauricio Cienfuegos

"Come for the weekend...stay for the entertainment and nightlife!"
    -Melissa Etheridge

"A concert at the Hollywood bowl on a starry evening is a perfect
LA night."
    -Nancy O'Dell

"Want to see what's next...right now. Visit the San Fernando Valley."
    -Nancy O'Dell

"LA knocks me out!"
    -Oscar De La Hoya

"For music, LA is one of the most happening places on earth!"
    -The Rain

"Shopping in LA is my favorite sport."
    -Raven

"Hollywood...the world capital for movies, fun and sun...I love it!"
    -Ryan Seacrest

"One of my favorite LA treats is a day at the beach."
    -Sharon Lawrence

"LA...the world of movies, magic and memories."
    -Sidney Sheldon

"Multi-cultural, exciting, beautiful, LA has it all."
    -Ted McGinley

"Catching the sunset while driving west on Mulholland is better than
a movie!"
    -Tom Arnold

"It's always a beautiful day for a Dodgers game in LA."
    -Tommy Lasorda

"Where else but LA could I live, love, and eat so well?"
    -Wolfgang Puck

"Ethnic, cultural, artistic and culinary diversity. LA...a feast for
the senses."
    -Yasmine Bleeth