OCBJ’s 500 Influential Leaders, Todd Spitzer, and More

OC World’s Co-Founder and Executive Producer Scott Hays has written a compelling Leader Board column for the Orange County Business Journal about the community shifts in news coverage, public media programming, and other forms of storytelling. Hays argues that the future of local media depends not just on writers, reporters, and storytellers, but on a community willing to support them—which will require continued investment in the form of advertising dollars, sponsorships, underwriting, and grant opportunities. Without support from the community, local media will wither or simply disappear altogether.

OC World Co-Founder and Executive Producer Scott Hays has been named one of OC’s 500 most “influential leaders” in the Directory of Influence, published by the Orange County Business Journal.

The OCBJ’s OC500 Directory of Influence is an annual publication celebrating the “most impactful leaders, innovators, and change-makers in the Orange County business community.” Their editorial team and publisher carefully curate the list, selecting individuals based on their newsworthy achievements, recognition at prominent OCBJ events, and lasting influence within the business landscape.

As the county’s chief law enforcement officer, District Attorney Todd Spitzer has become a central—and often outspoken—figure in California’s criminal justice conversation. Known for his strong position on crime and his advocacy for victims’ rights, he has also drawn attention and debate over his approach to criminal justice reform and high-profile controversies during his tenure. In this exclusive interview, OC World Guest Host Gaddi Vasquez discusses the challenges and responsibilities of leading a prosecutor’s office in one of the most populous counties in the nation—and what Spitzer’s leadership signals for the future of justice in Orange County.

He’s arguably one of the most gifted athletes ever to come out of Orange County. Todd Marinovich’s flawless spirals and relentless training put him on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a teenager and into the national spotlight. After two years at USC, he was drafted into the NFL. Beyond the field, however, Marinovich’s life was a story of addiction — from marijuana and LSD in college to heroin, methamphetamine and deeper lows in the years that followed. His memoir “Marinovich: Outside the Lines in Football, Art, and Addiction” is available for purchase.

Photo: Todd Marinovich (left) and OC World Executive Producer Scott Hays.

OC World earned four nominations at this year’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, including in the category of Soft News Feature (over 5 minutes) for our “Giving Days in OC” program. The contest is open to all journalists covering arts and entertainment in the U.S., including international journalists, from such prestigious media organizations as The Hollywood Reporter, CBS Sunday Morning, Rolling Stone, Variety, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times, ABC News, New York Times, Reuters, and KNBC.

OC World was also nominated in the Soft News Feature, Music/Culture/Arts (under 5 minutes) for “Down for Dance”. OC World Executive Producer Scott Hays was nominated twice for Best Journalistic Use of Social Media to Tell or Enhance a Story: Danny Kwock’s Surfing Inspiration and Early IMAX Camera with Greg MacGillivray.

Winners will be announced at the NAEJ Awards gala December 7 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

The OC Effect cracks that culture open for those of us that didn’t get it then, offering not just history, but insight into the creative defiance that defined multiple generations and shaped a billion-dollar global industry.

The film’s strength lies in its authenticity. Producers Scott Hays and Terry Corwin deftly layer rare archival footage with interviews from the innovators who were the movement: surfers, skaters, founders and fearless creatives who weren’t just riding waves or rails but building the blueprint for a global identity. From the early visionaries behind Hobie, Vans and Hang Ten to the icons of the 80s and 90s like Volcom, RVCA, Etnies, and more, The OC Effect connects the dots between cultural rebellion and entrepreneurial explosion.

Through the voices of yesterday and today’s stars and tomorrow’s tastemakers, The OC Effect becomes not just a documentary, but a meditation on legacy.

The conversations with the cultural creators are genuine, making sure that everyone realizes the pulse and imagery of Southern California is rooted in Orange County and the storytelling never loses sight of its human core. The filmmakers don’t shy away from the contradictions: freedom versus corporate takeover, authenticity versus image, but instead use them to show how this culture continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

– R.C. Samo

Thank you for celebrating independent voices and giving creators a platform to shine. We’re honored to be recognized among such powerful storytellers.

The First Glance Film Festival in Los Angeles offers a platform for independent filmmakers to share their work with local audiences. Featuring a mix of shorts, features, and documentaries, the festival highlights a broad range of voices and storytelling styles.

Watch live on KCLS.org, or your local KLCS-PBS television station. Click here to find which channel carries KLCS-PBS in your area. Can’t make the broadcast? No problem. Subscribe to our YouTube channel where we will be publishing our episodes shortly after each broadcast.