David Beckwith, the longtime publicist of Elvis Presley’s Graceland, died January 19 in Phoenix after a hip replacement surgery followed by sepsis. He was 67.
His friend, publicist Lynn Weiss, confirmed the news.
Born on April 28, 1956, in Albion, Ne, Beckwith began his career in 1979 at Rogers & Cowan and formed his own business, The Beckwith Company, 13 years later.
In 1982, Beckwith was chosen to open Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis as a public museum. More than 700 media members attended the opening news conference with Priscilla Presley, and Beckwith continued his work with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises until his death.
Beckwith was the gatekeeper of Graceland and molded the image presented to the public for 42 years.
He also represented Wolfgang Puck and Spago for many years, including the Academy’s Governors Dinner, along with repping Freddie Gershon and Music Theater International.
He was a champion of the LGBTQ+ community, serving on the...
His friend, publicist Lynn Weiss, confirmed the news.
Born on April 28, 1956, in Albion, Ne, Beckwith began his career in 1979 at Rogers & Cowan and formed his own business, The Beckwith Company, 13 years later.
In 1982, Beckwith was chosen to open Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis as a public museum. More than 700 media members attended the opening news conference with Priscilla Presley, and Beckwith continued his work with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises until his death.
Beckwith was the gatekeeper of Graceland and molded the image presented to the public for 42 years.
He also represented Wolfgang Puck and Spago for many years, including the Academy’s Governors Dinner, along with repping Freddie Gershon and Music Theater International.
He was a champion of the LGBTQ+ community, serving on the...
- 1/24/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
David Beckwith, the veteran publicist whose crowning achievement was his work representing Elvis Presley’s Graceland museum since it opened more than four decades ago, has died. He was 67.
Beckwith died Friday in Phoenix after his hip replacement surgery was followed by sepsis, fellow publicist Lynn Weiss announced.
Beckwith for many years also represented Wolfgang Puck, his annual Governors Ball dinner at the Academy Awards and Spago. With the chef and agent Swifty Lazar, he arranged a fine dinner at Spago for industry heavyweights who were not at the Oscars, complete with a large-screen TV for them to watch the show.
When Presley’s home in Memphis, Tennessee, was first opened to the public in July 1982, Beckwith helped manage the 700-plus members of the media there for the opening news conference with Priscilla Presley. He continued his work with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises until his death.
Born on April 28, 1956, in Albion,...
Beckwith died Friday in Phoenix after his hip replacement surgery was followed by sepsis, fellow publicist Lynn Weiss announced.
Beckwith for many years also represented Wolfgang Puck, his annual Governors Ball dinner at the Academy Awards and Spago. With the chef and agent Swifty Lazar, he arranged a fine dinner at Spago for industry heavyweights who were not at the Oscars, complete with a large-screen TV for them to watch the show.
When Presley’s home in Memphis, Tennessee, was first opened to the public in July 1982, Beckwith helped manage the 700-plus members of the media there for the opening news conference with Priscilla Presley. He continued his work with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises until his death.
Born on April 28, 1956, in Albion,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Three years after its launch, boutique PR agency Smithhouse Strategy is doubling its staff, adding five veteran communications executives to its offices in Los Angeles and New York. Joining the company, run by founder and president Dustin Smith, are executive VP Hillary Povar, senior VP Joanna Brahim and directors Raúl Rojas, Stephanie Silva and Maura Welp.
“Smithhouse has quickly built a brand rooted in timely and timeless storytelling, allowing our team to raise the bar when it comes to strategic planning, creative brand moments and high-impact media relations for our clients,” Smith said. “With our business doubling in the past twelve months, these best-in-class hires further enable Smithhouse to meaningfully expand our services and deliver unrivaled results in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.”
The existing Smithhouse team, includes senior VP Lynn Weiss, VP Stephanie Berman and account specialist Zac Stein. Smithhouse’s clients include ABC, Amazon Studios, Casting Society of America,...
“Smithhouse has quickly built a brand rooted in timely and timeless storytelling, allowing our team to raise the bar when it comes to strategic planning, creative brand moments and high-impact media relations for our clients,” Smith said. “With our business doubling in the past twelve months, these best-in-class hires further enable Smithhouse to meaningfully expand our services and deliver unrivaled results in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.”
The existing Smithhouse team, includes senior VP Lynn Weiss, VP Stephanie Berman and account specialist Zac Stein. Smithhouse’s clients include ABC, Amazon Studios, Casting Society of America,...
- 2/17/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
On the USA Network primetime show "Royal Pains," actor Mark Feuerstein plays Hank Lawson, a physician who treats well-heeled denizens of the Hamptons, the ritzy beach community on New York's Long Island. But three years ago, he was just a worried father of a very sick little girl.
Feuerstein's daughter Adelaide, now 3, was born with a congenital defect that put her in intensive care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles for almost three months, where she had two open-heart surgeries. The cost of her treatments came to more than $1 million. Feuerstein and his wife Dana Klein, a TV producer and writer who worked on "Friends," have the means to pay for such expensive care, but the ordeal gave them a new perspective on the plight of of the uninsured.
"The reality that there are families all over this country who are discovering heart defects and any other kind of disease or...
Feuerstein's daughter Adelaide, now 3, was born with a congenital defect that put her in intensive care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles for almost three months, where she had two open-heart surgeries. The cost of her treatments came to more than $1 million. Feuerstein and his wife Dana Klein, a TV producer and writer who worked on "Friends," have the means to pay for such expensive care, but the ordeal gave them a new perspective on the plight of of the uninsured.
"The reality that there are families all over this country who are discovering heart defects and any other kind of disease or...
- 7/26/2013
- by Jeffrey Young
- Huffington Post
Rick Markovitz, President of Weissman/Markovitz Communications, has been elected to a two-year term as President of the Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (Epps). He replaces Epps founding member Henri Bollinger who will continue to serve on the organization’s Executive Committee along with former President Scott Pansky, General Manager of Allison & Partners; and Secretary-Treasurer Sue Procko, President of Sue Procko PR. As President of Wmc, with partner Murray Weissman, the firm’s clients include Paramount Pictures, FX, Food Network, Reelz and Starz, several independent films as well as the Art Directors Guild, the International Cinematographers Guild and the Hollywood Museum. Markovitz will be supported by a Board of Directors that includes the following PR executives: Kelly Bennett, President, Kelly Direct; Henri Bollinger; Karen DeMarco, PR Consultant; Steve Elzer, VP, Corporate Communications, Sony Pictures; George McQuade, President, Mayo Communications; Sandi Padnos, President, Scoop Seminars; Scott Pansky, Partner. Allison & Partners; Amy Prenner,...
- 7/9/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
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