Press Club Honors Legends In PR

By Frank Saldana

Two veteran publicists - Bill Seaton and Norrie West - retraced more than a combined century of public relations in November during the Press Club's annual Legends Luncheon at the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina on Shelter Island.

Ninety club members and guests filled the banquet room, said club manager Terry Williams.

Peppery as ever, Cathy Clark, veteran television anchor and newspaper reporter,  introduced the speakers to the audience.

Seaton, 76, recalled arriving jobless in San Diego in 1950 and soon joining the Phillips-Ramsey public relations firm before moving on to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and the state lottery.

He recalled discovering Joan Embery who became the Zoo's goodwill ambassador.  Embery along with Carol the artist elephant later became welcomed guests on the Johnny Carson late-night television show where Carol demonstrated her artistic ability by splashing Carson with her paint brush.  Embery frequently brought exotic animals to the show, giving the zoo national exposure.

At Sea World, Seaton became the master of massive media parties and later traveling about the state with lottery winners, introducing them to the media. After a stint as a lottery consultant, Seaton turned his talents into writing books, the first a spin off from his adventures at the zoo and more recently his family and children say. Throughout his talk, Seaton stressed laughter "is light internal jogging" and that humor not only improves a person's health, but adds to longevity as well.

West, 88, a Grossmont High School graduate, began his career in journalism, first working on the San Diego Evening Tribune in 1945 with such legends as Harold Keen, sports writers Nelson Fisher and Earl Keller. He served in the Navy during World War II with Herb Klein who later became a San Diego Union editor before joining Richard Nixon in his campaign for the presidency.  Klein later returned to the Union as its top executive.

As a golf promoter, West worked with the Andy Williams Open for several years and the Junior World Golf Tournament at Presidio Park for more than a quarter century.  West is now in the process of compiling a book on San Diego's 100-year history in golf, identifying the development of more than 60 courses throughout the county.

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Posted Dec. 2004