By George McQuade
West Coast Events Correspondent

Publicists were upbeat at EPPS' winter mixer.

"There are more employed publicists now than I can ever remember," said Henry Bollinger, a board member of the Entertainment Publicists Professional Society, at the group's winter mixer.

He had just returned from a meeting of a union that represents publicists belonging to the Cinematographers Guild-Local 600 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees.

Freelancer Michelle Caprario

"The film and TV industry are very strong. We went over the statistics covering the employment of PR people. Employment of publicists was stronger than any other sector," said Bollinger, who runs his own shop.

Michelle Caprario, a freelance writer who recently relocated to Los Angeles, said though she is the "new kid on the block, things are really popping."

"Everyone is swimming in new business," crowed Shayla Riveri of the Media Shop, a production shop.

Megan Homchick, of sportsclub.com, noted that the five-star spa is investing $6M for renovations "so we have a lot of great things going on in PR."