FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(l-r) Consul General Diego Brasioli, Cara Mia DiMassa of the Los Angeles Times, and NIAF Vice Chairman Joseph R. Cerrell at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) media networking dinner in Los Angeles at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura on Wednesday, March 1, 2006.

This year, NIAF partnered with Italy’s Consul General Diego Brasioli and the Instituto Italiano di Cultura (IIC) to host its March 1 media networking dinner in Los Angeles. Journalists from print and broadcast media mingled with Italian representatives from Fiero Milano, MiWine, Ferrarelle and Union Camere Campania at the dinner held at the Italian Cultural Institute.

IIC Director Francesca Valente and Mr. Brasioli opened the program. NIAF media hosts: Cara Mia DiMassa of the Los Angeles Times, and Laurence Darmiento, of the Los Angeles Business Journal, welcomed the journalists and spoke about the importance of NIAF’seducational programs and networking among colleagues. NIAF’s Vice Chairman Joseph R. Cerrell thanked the media for their participation and gave an overview of NIAF’s mission and upcoming programs.

Guests, including Pete Dalis, a NIAF Graduate to Leaders Communications participant, Doug DeLuca and Marcella Leonetti-Tyler, NIAF area coordinators, watched a screening of the trailer of the Academy Award nominated film, “Don’t Tell” (La Bestia nel Cuore) by Cristina Comencini and listened to a piano concert by Maestro Alessio Avarone. After the short program, dinner was served in the gallery. Representatives from KTLA-TV, Fox News, Reuters, La Repubblica, The Los Angeles Times, Corriere della Sera, Bloomberg, and Art and Living Magazine feasted on Italian delicacies.

These events give professionals in the field of communications an opportunity to meet their fellow colleagues and establish better working relationships and learn about the work of the Foundation. Through these dinners, NIAF has established an excellent rapport with the media and continues to work with them to promote Italian Americans.