Kavi Receives Academy Award Nomination for "Best Live Action Short Film"

Hollywood, CA - February 2, 2010: It's official. Kavi is going to the Oscars! Elevated Strategies congratulates Gregg Helvey on the nomination for "Best Live Action Short Film" and his continuous efforts to build awareness of anti-slavery.

Kavi is the story of a young boy who wants more out of life than work. Instead of receiving an education and playing with boys his age, Kavi is forced to work in the harsh environment of a brick kiln. Determined to keep his dream alive, he does whatever it takes to escape, unknowing if he will ever see his dream turn into a reality. For more information, please visit Kavi The Movie.

Malibu, CA - November 16, 2009: One of Coldwell Banker's consecutive top 2% real estate agents internationally, Madison Hildebrand, formulated an effective formula to success in his rookie year. His strategic goals and marketing plan led to his first sale and built the foundation for success in the real estate industry and in life.

Along the way, he became a breakout star of the hit BRAVO reality show, Million Dollar Listing; a panelist speaker for industry associations, universities and focus groups; and an active volunteer for services organizations in the Los Angeles community. Whether you are in the midst of job hunting, in or fresh out of school, an entrepreneur or a realtor, Madison's self empowerment guide will enable anyone to ignite their passion and live their dream.

Contact Elevated Strategies today for interview opportunities or to inquire about Madison speaking to the members of your organization, group, event or school.

Malibu, CA - November 15, 2009: The Inaugural Malibu International Marathon sprints ahead and Leticia Pierce runs to support the non-profit organization, Malibu Green Machine, a non-profit committed to "green" community areas with an emphasis on native plants and water efficient landscaping. Their first major $1.5 million median enhancement project on the Pacific Coast Highway has not only made the highway more attractive but offers a safer road for drivers and pedestrians, a fire-safe median and an environmentally friendly median. For more information, please visit: Malibu International Marathon and Malibu Green Machine.

Hollywood Hills, CA - November 8, 2009: Elevated Strategies' founder, Leticia Pierce, attended Reality Cares' Toy Drive hosted by Madison Hildebrand of BRAVO's Million Dollar Listing. With over 1,000 toys donated to benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, this successful event will provide new, unused toys to the current patients. For more information on becoming involved, please visit the following online: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Reality Cares.

Malibu, CA - November 2, 2009: Malibu-based professional photographer, John Hildebrand, announced today a limited sale from his personal work. Big Dume, Malibu (seen here) is a limited edition selection photographed at dawn along the coast of Malibu. John captured the essence of Malibu beach lifestyle with the soothing ocean colors and gentle waves. This photo is an archival print on glossy paper and is the 1st print of 25. For more information and to see the other works included in this limited sale, visit John Hildebrand Photography.

Hollywood, CA - October 10, 2009: The original laid-back luxury brand, SJOBECK Malibu, brought the beach to the runway, literally, at Live! on Sunset in Hollywood Saturday night. The designers stepped it up once again to reinvent themselves while staying true to their name as the original Malibu-based laidback luxury brand. SJOBECK Malibu can be found at fashion forward and trend setting establishments such as: Live! On Sunset, Fred Segal, Ron Herman and Harvey Nichols overseas. Visit SJOBECK Malibu for more information.

Los Angeles, CA - June 27, 2009: Elevated Strategies Founder, Leticia Pierce, will attend the 2nd Annual Michael Brownstein '99 Gap Year Fellowship Fundraiser this evening. The fellowship supports and inspires greater cultural awareness, humanitarian assistance and self-reliance among high school students during a "gap year" of meaningful international travel. For tickets and more information, please visit Brownstein Fund.

Beverly Hills, CA - June 1, 2009: Elevated Strategies donates promotional advertisement time and services to The Hollywood Entertainment Division of Best Buddies. Join Leticia Pierce and other entertainment industry professionals at the Peninsula Hotel Rooftop Garden on June 27 in celebration of their 20th anniversary. 

Hollywood, CA - May 14, 2009: DDOJ invited Jobs Participant, Karen C. and Young Hollywood Board member, Leticia (Leah) Pierce to dinner at Hollywood hotspot XIV. It was there the women had the ultimate "girls night out" feasting on a fourteen course meal prepared by Executive Chef Michael Mina. Chef Mina treated the girls to everything from caviar, to Kobe beef, to an amazing desert spread.

The DDOJ goal is to secure Executive Chef Michael Mina for the first ever First Lady's Food and Wine Challenge, which will be held on the 11th of September in conjunction with this year's Hearst Castle Ride. This unique event will combine the best of California cuisine, celebrity chefs and judges and will feature our very own Best Buddies as sous chef's to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

Jobs Participant, Karen C. would be just the right apprentice for Michael Mina as she is well seasoned in the food prep arena having worked alongside the chef of an assisted living home for over a year.

Karen had a fabulous time and the Jobs Team was happy to share such an experience with her. For more information, please visit Best Buddies California.

Los Angeles, CA - April 22, 2009: Elevated Strategies creates publicity materials for award-winning short film, Kavi. Bringing awareness of modern-day slavery to the big screen, University of Southern California (USC) graduate, Gregg Helvey's, emotional short fictional film, Kavi, premieres at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles on April 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

Kavi is the story of a young boy who wants more out of life than work. Instead of receiving an education and playing with boys his age, Kavi is forced to work in the harsh environment of a brick kiln. Determined to keep his dream alive, he does whatever it takes to escape, unknowing if he will ever see his dream turn into a reality.

Motivated by his passion for cinema and social justice issues, Helvey was determined to bring this story to the big screen. The inspiration for his film came when Helvey learned that more slaves exist today than during the entire 400 years of transatlantic slave trade. Many of the estimated 27 million people worldwide trapped in modern-day slavery are located in southeast Asian countries, but slavery truly extends to nearly every country on the planet.

"Bonded slavery is the biggest form of slavery today and I realized how important it was to raise awareness of this injustice through a great story," remarks Helvey. For more information and to download the press kit, please visit Kavi The Movie.

Malibu, CA - March 13, 2009: Bringing LA Fashion Week back to its roots where it belongs, SJOBECK Malibu and BOXeight join forces this spring for LA Fashion Week 2009, seamlessly combining fashion, art and music in the heart of downtown LA. On Sunday, March 15, the Malibu-based laidback luxury clothing line, SJOBECK, will premiere its Fall 2009 Fashion Show at The Los Angeles Theatre.

The inspiration for this collection was gathered from their surroundings, the Malibu lifestyle and American culture. "Influences from Native American and cowboy backgrounds became the foundation while considering Malibu luxury with functionality," remarks SJOBECK designer, JesseRay Vasquez.

"Our line is wearable, detail focused and unique in its own aspect. We are 100% American-made, and in these times, we find a real sense of pride to create a line that can truly say that." For tickets, media inquiries and to schedule an interview, please visit: SJOBECK Malibu.

Malibu, CA - March 8, 2009: Beloved Dr. Roy Adler, professor in the Business Administration Division of Seaver College at Pepperdine University, has passed away. A remarkable professor and mentor, Dr. Adler was a true inspiration in the founding of this company, Elevated Strategies, and he will never be forgotten. His advise and words of wisdom were an integral component of my journey, from my studies at Pepperdine to becoming a business owner, including statements such as the following:

"A wise person once said that your dreams are only dreams until you put them down on paper. After you write them down, they become part of a plan... Make yourself an expert on the area that no one else wants to fool with...  It is the message that matters, not which author is delivering it... Always keep your word...  Guard your reputation with your life. It is all you have... No one in business cares what you know - Everyone cares very much about how you can apply what you know... Facts change over time... Life is an adventure and fear is fun... Unfailing courtesy is perhaps the most important habit you can develop in your life... Silence is golden... Be proud of what you are and who you will become... Life itself is the most important thing, and taking the time to enjoy what you are doing - at every moment - is perhaps the ultimate measure of a successful life." For more information, I encourage you to read the book, Get Your Dream Job!

My heartfelt prayers go out to his wife Ceil, his family, friends, Pepperdine faculty and fellow students and alumni. Rest in peace Doc. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m. in the Stauffer Chapel at Pepperdine University's campus in Malibu.

Malibu, CA - April 15, 2008: Pepperdine University's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) hosted a panel discussion on the topic of academic freedom on April 15th at 8:00 pm in Elkins Auditorium at Pepperdine University's Malibu campus.

With the assistance of Business Advisory Board Member and Pepperdine alumnus Leticia Pierce, and Pepperdine student intern Stephen Roesler, Pepperdine professors and select outside sources shared research and perspective on the controversy of Intelligent Design (ID) in the classroom.

Panelists discussed issues and confusion surrounding the implications of Intelligent Design in the classroom and showed multiple clips from the highly anticipated and upcoming theatrical release of EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed hosted by Ben Stein. For more information, please visit: Pepperdine University SIFE and EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed.

Malibu, CA - December 18, 2008: In his new book available now, top producing real estate agent, Madison Hildebrand, inspires readers to consider their future in a bold new way. The author's journey, his career choice and his accomplishments, is no coincidence.

A clear narrative on career strategies, tips and advice, his secret to success in real estate and life is wise and innovative. With chapter titles like "Get Noticed...Consistently" and "It Is Your Time", readers are provided with effective information on what it takes to play in the big leagues' and win!

Elevated Strategies founder, Leticia Pierce, believes this book is a must read for anyone whether you're beginning college, fresh out of school or on the road to retirement and in need of a career change. To purchase your signed copy of Activate Your Passion - Create Your Career, please visit The Malibu Life.

Los Angeles, CA - December 17, 2008: Elevated Strategies founder, Leticia Pierce, is honored to receive acceptance into the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles program. The program's mission "is to help children in need reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships". Over the past year, more than 1,600 at-risk youth in the program were successfully matched with carefully-screened and selected adult volunteer mentors. For more information and how to become involved, please visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.

Santa Monica, CA - October 16, 2008: The Young Hollywood Board of Best Buddies raised over $8,000 during its first event, Jobtoberfest, at The Parlor Tuesday night. Founding board members Amber Coffman, Folayo Lasaki, Leticia Pierce and Natalie Poursorhab established the board in August to raise awareness and funds and to develop a strong network in support of Best Buddies through events and other fundraising opportunities. For more information, please visit Best Buddies California and The Young Hollywood Board of Best Buddies.

Los Angeles, CA - October 15, 2008: Motive Entertainment is proud to bring teaching materials for Fox Searchlight's upcoming movie, The Secret Life of Bees, in theaters nationwide this Friday, October 17. Motive has created a website designed for leaders, organizations and fans which provides FREE tools, resources and a discussion guide surrounding the movie's themes of forgiveness, faith, friendship and hope. For more information and to sign up to win free movie tickets, visit: BeesResources.com.

Los Angeles, CA - October 14, 2008: Motive Entertainment announced today after an amazing box office success and landing the title as the top grossing documentary of 2008, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will be making its debut on DVD on October 21, 2008. Distributed by Vivendi Entertainment, EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed will continue to open up the debate of freedom of speech and freedom of education in the United States.

The film's success speaks for itself. It opened in the Top 10, achieving the #5 position on a per-screen average and has already made its place in history as the #12 grossing documentary of all time and the #1 conservative documentary. The initial buzz about the film was so intense that it became the #1 most popular blog on the Internet (3/24/08), the #6 top search on Yahoo (4/8/08), and received over 2 million web hits, more than any other movie's website during this time.

All this, while surrounded by not only controversial subject matter, a but a lawsuit from Yoko Ono claiming unfair copyright use as the film uses and critiques the John Lennon song "Imagine". A federal judge noted the filmmakers would win on the doctrine of "Fair Use" and denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, which would have removed the film from theaters. For more information, please visit: EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed and Motive Entertainment. 

Culver City, CA - August 1, 2008: Leticia Pierce of Elevated Strategies is honored to become a founding board member of The Young Hollywood Board of Best Buddies along with Amber Coffman, Folayo Lasaki and Natalie Poursohrab in support of Best Buddies California. This new initiative is comprised of a group of young professionals dedicated to upholding the mission of enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,300 middle school, high school and college campuses across the country and internationally. Their six formal programs "Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs" positively impact more than 300,000 individuals. For more information, please visit Best Buddies California and The Young Hollywood Board of Best Buddies.

Los Angeles, CA - March 1, 2008: Co-founders Dave Urabe and Brad Ayres of Convolo Productions bring on Elevated Strategies' consultant, Leticia Pierce, as a key element in the business development and pre-marketing of their first feature length film, Run Baby Run, the life story of ex-gang warlord turned social diplomat and faith leader, Nicky Cruz. Cruz' story has become an international brand with the success of best selling book Run Baby Run, selling over 12 million copies worldwide.

Elevated Strategies is very excited about this project as the company's mission and goals and her expertise align with Convolo's mission. Convolo Productions exists to develop, produce and distribute engaging entertainment with social significance and inspiring messages that stir the soul. For more information, visit: Convolo Productions.

Malibu, CA - February 11, 2007: Entrepreneur and Pepperdine alumnus, Leticia Pierce, spoke to undergraduate business students at Pepperdine University in Dr. Frank Sadighian's class a few weeks ago to discuss entrepreneurship, business management and marketing with the students and provided the students in association with Pepperdine SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) the opportunity to develop a new marketing strategy for one of Leticia Pierce's clients. On Wednesday, the class presented their final plan to the company's marketing and promotions consultant. "It went really well," Pierce said in a telephone interview. "We got some great input." Pierce was particularly happy with the students creativeness and their promotional ideas.

Pierce, a recent Pepperdine graduate, came to SIFE a few months ago to present students with a real-world business problem. SIFE connected with Dr. Sadighian's class. "We felt that this would be a great learning experience for the class in entrepreneurship and marketing economics," stated Pepperdine SIFE's President, Gabriel Johnson. "It's also a great opportunity for our team to work as consultants educating a real company on how to implement the new strategy." For more information, please visit Pepperdine University SIFE