LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Blogs, podcasts and other web-related technologies are big news, but how do we as PR practitioners use them? What kind of audiences do they reach? What do bloggers and podcasters want from us, and what can they do for our clients and how should we be making use of these media channels to get our message out?

To find out, join us at the March 14 evening meeting of PRSA's Independent Practitioners Group. To guide us through the exciting but sometimes confusing world of new media and emerging technologies will be Eric Schwartzman, Managing Director of Schwartzman & Associates, a Los Angeles firm that helps organizations and agencies reach audiences online.

The former Director of Promotions at Rogers & Cowan, Eric established his agency in 1999 to offer technology, media and entertainment clients a full range of public relations services with an emphasis on integrating the Web into every aspect of media, community, analyst and industry relations.

Schwartzman is also the founder and president the iPressroom, which helps organizations extend the impact of their public relations, corporate communications and marketing programs through easy-to-use, interactive marketing communications software tools and services. In addition, he edits the blog, Spinfluencer, about how public relations, the news media and emerging technologies influence perception and shape popular opinion and hosts the popular On the Record... Online podcast, which explores how new media is changing -- and threatening to disrupt -- the mainstream media business.

The meeting will begin with "Speed Networking," during which each participant will have one minute to tell us:

1. Your name 2. Company 3. Practice area (e.g. media relations, writing) 4. What a good referral looks like

MEETING GUIDELINES: The purpose of the IPG is to enable independent practitioners to meet, exchange ideas and information, share resources and form collaborations. Our meetings are open to all PR practitioners; please see below for details.

When: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Where: PR Newswire TCW Building 865 S. Figueroa St., Suite 2500 Downtown Los Angeles Check in at the information desk to be given access by elevator to the 25th floor. Parking: If you're driving, park in Joe's parking lot at the corner of Figueroa and 9th. Parking is usually $5 (sometimes higher if there is an event at the Staples Center). For directions, go to http://www.mapquest.com/. If you are taking the MTA Rail, go to http://www.mta.net/ to find your nearest downtown stop. Meeting NO CHARGE for current PRSA-LA members Cost: $15 for non-members; pay by cash (exact change appreciated) or check at the door. RSVP: Please RSVP to Alex Auerbach at alex@aapr.com or 818-501-4221 so we will know how many will be attending.

CONTACT: Alex Auerbach, +1-818-501-4221, alex@aapr.com, for PRSA-LA

Web site: http://www.mta.net/

Web site: http://www.mapquest.com/