Matt Iseman Joins Erica Olson as Genii Awards Co-Host

Is there a doctor in the house? The answer will be 'YES' (and no) at the upcoming Genii Awards! Alliance for Women in Media Southern California Foundation (AWM SoCal), today announced that former doctor turned comedian, Matt Iseman (American Ninja Warrior)will join Erica Olsen, CBS2/KCAL9, as a co-host for the 57th Annual Genii Awards to be held, Thursday, May 5th as part of Digital Hollywood at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Iseman, received his bachelor degree at Princeton and his medical degree at Columbia, but surprised everyone when he quit his job as a doctor and moved out to Hollywood to pursue stand up comedy and he never looked back. Iseman quickly began headlining comedy clubs across the nation and currently hosts AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR for NBC. Yes, he's tried the course. Nope, he's not a ninja. His work as a host for Style Network's Clean House Comes Clean garnered Iseman a Daytime Emmy®. He produced his first show "Saving Mom" for the Style Network. He's also produced and hosted the Best of AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR for NBC. Iseman made his movie debut in Transformers 2 and made appearances on the Drew Carey Show, NCIS, Courting Alex and had a recurring role on General Hospital. No, he did not play a doctor.

"I'm looking forward to hosting the Genii Awards with my friend Erica (Olsen) to pay tribute to the women being honored that evening, " stated Matt Iseman, Genii co-host. "I'm adding my own personal touch to the show, by including a ninja obstacle course for Honorees to complete on their way to the stage, because these women are all winning ninja's in my book and they have a better shot of finishing it than I do."

AWM SoCal is a nonprofit organization helping to empower and fuel professional development of women across the media landscape. The Genii Awards celebrate the notable achievements of women in media and entertainment; and programming for, by and about women.

"I am thrilled to celebrate the women being honored at the Genii Awards for their incredible contributions, " replied Olsen, Genii co-host. "And they will be happy to learn that Matt's ninja course idea was overruled by our producer. It's always a pleasure working and laughing with Matt - the show is sure to be entertaining and full of memorable moments (sneakers not required)."

Former AWM SoCal president, Erica Olsen, is an Emmy®-nominated On-air Host for CBS Local and has been the Station Host for CBS2/KCAL9 since 2009. Her credits include hosting Music Minute - weekday series featuring emerging bands performing in LA, Inside SoCal - guide to what's new and notable in LA, Night at the Sayers Club - music series, Lexus: Music UNCOVERED and Lexus Night Out - music specials surrounding the GRAMMYs, Level 8 at The Grove - summer concert series, Inside the LA Auto Show - yearly event special, AussieWeek - travel special on Australia. Plus, she's served as a reporter for the Doctors On Call Phone Bank series and Emmy-winning special Tutankhamen & the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.

Honorees and Presenters at the 57th Annual Genii Awards:
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer will present the Excellence in Documentary Award to her daughter Nicole Boxer, a documentary filmmaker (The Invisible War, The Hunting Ground) while Netflix board member and former president of Disney ABC Television Networks Anne Sweeney will present the Inspiration Award to friend Maggie Bellville, vice president at Hitachi Consulting. Tracey Edmonds and Charissa Thompson, co-hosts, Extra TV will receive the Excellence in Entertainment Award.

Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent (which produces the Spirit Awards, LA Film Festival, Film Independent at LACMA and Project Involve) will present awards to the following film competition winners: Debris: Escombros,directed by Mary-Lyn Chambers for Best Narrative Short - Drama; Three Strikes, directed by Susan Davis for Best Narrative Short - Comedy;Who Killed Eloa? directed by Livia Perezfor Best Documentary Short;Before the Bomb, written by Tannaz Hazemi and James Grimaldi for Best Short Script - Drama; and If I Don't Lose, I'll Lose,written by Jean St Clair for Best Short Script - Comedy.

Darnell J. Cates, Youth ambassador for the Freddie Mac Foundation Wednesday's Child program will present the Excellence in Journalism Award to Christine Devine, news anchor at FOX KTTV; Talaya Trigueros, on-air personality from 94.7 The Wave will present Pat Prescott, on-air personality for 94.7 The Wave with the Excellence in Radio Award; Xanthe Wells, former chief creative officer at Pitch Agency will receive the Excellence in Advertising Award; and actress Fran Drescher (The Nanny) will present Lisa Meier, Group Vice President, Time Warner Cable Media Sales, West Region with the Excellence in New Media Award; Donna Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sales at VUBIQUITY will present the Excellence in Management Award to Sherry Brennan, SVP, distribution strategy & development, FOX Networks Group; and Julie Kertes, general manager for the National Parenting Product Awards will present Annette Covarrubias, digital sales planner at CBS Radio with the Rising Star Award. 2016 student scholarship winners will also be honored at the Genii Awards show.

The Genii Awards acknowledge the notable achievements of excellence by women in media and entertainment and is sponsored by Hitachi Consulting, FOX Networks, SAG-AFTRA and VUBIQUITY. Media sponsors include Digital Hollywood and Multichannel News. Product sponsors include 240sweet, Athleta, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi DDS & Oral Essentials Inc,evian Natural Spring Water, KIND Snacks, KLARETY, Markwins Beauty - wet n wild, nodpod, PizzaRev, Rick Steves' Europe, Inc.,The Coffee Bean. Proceeds from the event support the AWM SoCal Foundation and its Student Scholarship Fund.

For tickets visit awmsocalfoundation.org/tickets. For sponsorships visit awmsocalfoundation.org/sponsorships.

For more information about Alliance for Women in Media Southern California, visit awmsocal.org.

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