Bill Seaton

Biography

BILL SEATON
was one of San Diego’s premiere public relations executives for over 40 years. He headed San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld PR departments for 20 of those years.

Seaton joined the zoo staff in the mid-l960s as coordinating producer of the syndicated TV show, “Zoorama.” He later created the position of zoo ambassador for Joan Embery and placed her on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, where she became a perennial guest and national celebrity.

Seaton then headed SeaWorld’s PR department for 13years. The local PR Club twice named him “PR Man of the Year.” In 1984 he proudly represented SeaWorld in running a leg of the Olympic torch relay.

In l985, Seaton was appointed by California’s Governor as the lottery’s first public affairs director. His duties included creating the TV network for the The Big Spin Show and presenting million dollar checks to winners on TV. (He says not one ever bought him a dinner!)
The San Diego Press Club named him a “Headliner of the Year” for his role in helping promote the Lottery to record heights.

A 50-year Point Loma resident, Bill is father of four, grandfather of six.
A long-time Little League manager - he boasts that he once coached ex-Yankee-Padres star pitcher David Wells.
Now an author and screen- writer, his zoo memoirs won lst Place honors for “Best Humor” in the annual San Diego Book Awards competition.

Jack Hanna, TV personality and ex- zoo director, says: “Seaton’s 1960s ‘tails’ capture the crazy zoo business like no one else.”

The book sells for $20. Bill will personally autograph it for you. It’s a fun behind-the-scenes look at the world’s largest collection of wild animals.

Where to find Bill Seaton online

Where to buy in print

Books

My Seven Years in Captivity - Tails & Misadventures in the San Diego Zoo
Price: $7.89 USD. Words: 73,070. Language: English. Published: June 28, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Humor & satire
From tales of the painting elephant that appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, to encounters with a "psycho" duck, a baby gorilla and an escaped kangaroo, PR man Seaton, describes his fascinating experiences during his tenure at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. A self-described "non zoologist," he amusingly describes his cherished days in captivity as press agent for the beasties.

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