CENTRAL L.A.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Web Award: The website of SouthWest Water Co., a downtown L.A.-based provider of water management services, has won a 2010 Hermes Platinum Award for excellence in quality, creativity and resourcefulness. The Hermes Awards are given out by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, an Arlington, Texas-based non-profit association.
HOLLYWOOD
Making Grade: Gnomon School of Visual Effects, which trains students for computer graphic careers in the entertainment industry, has opened Gnomon Studios at its Hollywood facility. The studio will allow advanced students to work on short films under the guidance of industry professionals.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
ENCINO
Letting Hair Down: Salon Syndicate, an Encino boutique salon, has moved to a new location in the neighborhood. The salon, co-owned by Daniel Combs and Brian Dahl, is now at 16919 Ventura Blvd.
Financing Growth: USamp, an Encino-based online market research firm, has closed a $10 million round of financing led by OpenView Venture Partners of Boston. USamp executives said the money will go toward financing the firm’s growth plan.
New Office: Office Depot Inc., a Delray Beach, Fla.-based retail office supply chain, has reopened its remodeled Encino store at 16571 Ventura Blvd. As part of the reopening, Office Depot donated 100 children’s backpacks to three local non-profits: Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind, Stone Soup Child Care Programs and Keep Youth Doing Something.
PACOIMA
Mall Makeover: Plaza Pacoima retail center has reopened at the former site of the Price Pfister manufacturing facility. The $78 million center, developed by Beverly Hills-based Primestor Development Inc., is anchored by a Costco and Best Buy.
WESTSIDE
CULVER CITY
New Digs: Sussman/Prejza, a Culver City design and branding firm, has moved to a new office in the city. The firm’s new location is 5870 W. Jefferson Blvd.
SOUTH BAY
CARSON
Switch Flipped: Ducommun Technologies Inc., a Carson-based subsidiary of aerospace and defense contractor Ducommun Inc., has signed a deal to provide engine start switches for the 737 aircraft of Chicago-based Boeing Co. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
