National Association of Hispanic Nurses, LatPro.com Launch Online Job Center, Scholarship Program

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 13, 2006

Listen to Song from Sara Valenzuela Debut Solo Album

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 12, 2006

Sara Valenzuela

Sara Valenzuela, the former lead singer of Mexican alternative-pop band La Dosis, recently launched her solo debut album entitled “Lado Este” (Spanish for east side) released by Nacional Records. Sara Valenzuela is a Mexico City born and Guadalajara-based singer and songwriter who hosts the radio program Jazz Solo in her hometown. She began hosting the show in 1991 and considers her role on the program as a way to remain informed about her medium.

“I didn’t know I liked jazz when I started the show,” said Valenzuela. “But when I started to dig in I realized I liked the music a lot. And all different kinds, from ragtime to avant-garde. I used to be influenced by The Who, by Peter Gabriel, but also by soul singers like Marvin Gaye. Now I’m influenced by Billie Holiday and other jazz singers, because I try to be more open. It’s easier to find your voice that way,” said Valenzuela. 

For more information about Sara Valenzuela and “Lado Este” visit Nacional Records and SaraValenzuela.com. To listen to a song from Sara Valenzuela’s recently-released solo album visit HispanicMPR.com and scroll down until you see “Podcasts.” Select the files with the artist name and song title of your choice and click on the play button to listen to the songs online.

Comcast Launches Sí TV Chicago

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 12, 2006

Eric Schaefer, vice president sales and marketing Comcast Greater Chicago Region

Los Angeles (January 9, 2006) – Sí TV, the first English-language Latino cable network, launched its programming on Comcast Chicago. The launch rounded off a successful 2005 for Sí TV, which launched in several major markets including New York City, New York and surrounding areas; Los Angeles, California; Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; Detroit, Michigan; Fresno, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; West Palm Beach, Florida; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Bakersfield, California.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the broad-based digital offering Comcast Chicago provides its customers,” says Rori Peters, Sí TV’s senior vice president of affiliate relations. “The folks at Comcast Chicago are progressive and committed to serving the full breadth of their community.  While Sí TV is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, we applaud the fact that they are particularly responsive to their Hispanic and multicultural customers.”

“Comcast is committed to delivering programming that reflects the diverse interests of our customer base,” said Eric Schaefer, vice president of sales and marketing for the Greater Chicago Region. “We are delighted to launch Si TV’s extensive original programming to our broadest digital customer base in the city of Chicago.”

Sí TV executives recognized the importance of reaching the English-speaking Hispanic market that they believe drives 59 percent of the total Hispanic purchasing power in the U.S. and demonstrates strong demand for current and future video and broadband services, such as VOD (video on demand), high speed internet and DVRs. Sí TV is an English-language, Latino network featuring hip and culturally-relevant programming targeting the growing young Latino and multi-cultural TV audience. Voted by Multichannel News as one of the 2005 Top 10 Next Networks, Sí TV is available nationwide.  The network has forged affiliation agreements with Comcast Cable, Adelphia, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Echostar. Investors in the network include Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:  TWX), SYNCOM Funds, Columbia Capital, Rho Ventures, DND Capital Partners, EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), Llano Partners and company co-founders Jeff Valdez and Barshop Ventures.  For more information visit sitv.com.

Comcast Corporation is a leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content. The Company’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4, AZN Television, TV One and four Comcast SportsNets. Information on the corporation is available at Comcast.

The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region, regionally located in Schaumburg, Illinois, serves more than 1.9 million customers and employs more than 5,000 people in Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Televisa, Intel(R) to Deliver On-Demand Access to Televisa Programs

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 11, 2006

Emilio Azcarraga, president and chief executive officer, Televisa

Photo: Televisa 

Las Vegas, NV- Intel Corporation and Grupo Televisa, S.A. (NYSE:TV), one of the largest media companies in the Spanish-speaking world, will joint efforts to provide consumers, for the first time, with a wide choice of on-demand, Internet-delivered Televisa content through Intel(R) Viiv(TM) technology-based PCs. They will provide digital programming that can be viewed and shared in the home on an Intel-based computer and variety of viewing screens and other consumer electronic devices.

The companies expect to work together to enable and verify Televisa’s wide range of popular content for compatibility on the Intel Viiv technology platform. Televisa hopes to make its digital entertainment services available over the Internet from leading manufacturers later in the first quarter of this year.

Intel Viiv technology is designed to make it easy for people to download, view, manage and share digital entertainment on a wide variety of viewing screens and networked devices such as portable media players, digital TVs and routers. As part of the proposed collaboration, Televisa plans to offer a wide range of content for Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, including its soap opera, movies, sports, news and late night shows, as well as music from Televisa’s recently launched Tarabu digital music service, plus future services.

"Today, Televisa programming and content are enjoyed by more than 425 million Hispanic consumers in the Americas and Europe, and with this exciting new collaboration with Intel our distribution reach will grow significantly," said Emilio Azcarraga, Televisa president and chief executive officer. "Making Televisa content compatible with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs will ease the delivery of our programming and services with an enhanced user experience to any customer in the world who has a broadband Internet connection."

Intel will provide Televisa with engineering support, specifications and tools to test and verify that Televisa content services will display properly and work in full-screen formats using a remote control device. This will enable Televisa to offer its Tarabu digital music service and future digital video service featuring Televisa’s rich television programming for viewing on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

Kevin Corbett, vice president, Intel Digital Home Group and general manager Content Services Group

Photo: Intel

"Intel’s collaboration with Televisa is a big step toward enabling global broadband access to a rich universe of digital content from the world’s leading media and entertainment companies," said Kevin Corbett, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group and general manager of the Content Services Group. "Together we will deliver exciting new on-demand viewing opportunities on Intel Viiv technology-based platforms to Televisa viewers across the world."

Intel, a world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products, and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Intel and Intel Viiv are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Additional information is available at Intel.

Grupo Televisa, S.A. is one of the largest media companies in the Spanish-speaking world, and a major participant in the international entertainment business. It has interests in television production and broadcasting, production of pay television networks, international distribution of television programming, direct-to-home satellite services, publishing and publishing distribution, cable television, radio production and broadcasting, professional sports and live entertainment, feature film production and distribution, and the operation of a horizontal internet portal. Grupo Televisa also owns an unconsolidated equity stake in Univision, a leading Spanish-language media company in the United States.

Univision Soap Opera Outranks Major Networks

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 10, 2006

Contra Viento y Marea protagonists Marlene Favela and Sebastian Rulli

Miami, FL — Univision Network’s hit novela “Contra Viento y Marea” (Against All Odds) won the 8 to 9 pm time period among the coveted Adult 18-34 demographic, among all U.S. audiences during its first week of measurement by Nielsen’s national television ratings service, the Nielsen Television Index (NTI).  Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE: UVN) is a leading U.S. Spanish-language media company. The network’s 9 to 10 pm primetime novela, “Alborada” (The Dawn), ranked third overall in its time period, among Adults 18-34. During the same week, Univision ranked as the fifth most watched television network in the country in primetime among Adults 18-49, closely following FOX.

“We are thrilled with our first week’s performance,” said Alina Falcón, executive vice president and operating manager for the Univision Network. “Our prime time programming continues to deliver record audiences and the results underscore the fact that Univision is a true contender in the ratings race alongside the English language networks by offering its viewers culturally relevant programs they prefer.”

Nielsen Media Research’s National Television Index (NTI) started including the Univision Network as of December 26, 2005 making it the first Spanish language network to join NTI. Univision Communications Inc. is a premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, one of the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television networks in the U.S. reaching as much as 98 percent of U.S. Hispanic Households according to Univision. For more information, visit Univision

Univision, Telemundo Join Nielsen Television Index

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 9, 2006

Ray Rodriguez, president and chief operating officer, Univision Communications

Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE:UVN), a leading Spanish-language media company, and Nielsen Media Research recently announced that they have reached an agreement under which Univision will join Nielsen’s national TV ratings service, the Nielsen Television Index (NTI).  Telemundo Communications Group, Inc., another major Spanish language media company, and Nielsen Media Research made a similar announcement shortly after the Univision announcement. Telemundo and Nielsen have entered an agreement to include Telemundo in Nielsen’s National Television Index (NTI). Prior to this announcement, the Telemundo network only subscribed to Nielsen’s National Hispanic Television Index (NHTI), which measures only Hispanic audiences.

Univision was the first Spanish-language television network and Telemundo the second to be included in this service, which provides television ratings for all the major U.S. Networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Previously, the Univision Network solely subscribed to Nielsen’s National Hispanic Television Index (NHTI), which measures only Hispanic audiences. Univision will also continue to subscribe to NHTI.

“This is a historic step for Univision, which firmly plants us among the mainstream broadcasters,” said Ray Rodriguez, president and chief operating officer, Univision Communications.  “Univision will finally be measured alongside its main competitors, the major English-language broadcast networks, and for the first time, advertisers and media buyers will be able to see the audience Univision delivers in the national charts.  We’re confident that this move will validate Univision’s ability to successfully compete against any network in the country and provide us with a powerful tool to attract marketers that had previously been reluctant to advertise in Spanish.” 

As part of the agreement, Univision will maintain its subscription to NHTI until September 2007, when the National People Meter (NPM) sample, upon which NTI is based, will become the sole sample for both English-language and Spanish-language media.  The NPM sample, comprised of approximately 10,000 households, is subscribed to by broadcast networks, cable networks, syndicators, advertisers and agencies nationwide. 

“We are delighted to welcome Univision as the first Spanish-language NTI network,” said Sara Erichson, senior vice president and general manager of Nielsen’s national services. “As we move toward one comprehensive ratings system, we will continue to work with all of our clients to ensure that the NPM sample appropriately represents the growing U.S. Hispanic population. In the meantime, NHTI is still the largest, most representative national sample of Hispanic audiences currently available.”

“Univision’s audience will now take its rightful place, measured alongside its peer networks’ audiences,” said Ceril Shagrin, senior vice president of Corporate Research, Univision Communications. “We are pleased with the progress Nielsen has made to date and will continue to work with them to further refine the NPM sample. We are confident that with the initiatives Nielsen has in place, the NPM sample of Hispanic audiences will have as representative a sample as NHTI by September 2007 or earlier.”

Univision Communications Inc. is a premier Spanish-language media company in the United States.  Its operations include Univision Network, one of the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 98 percent of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 86 percent of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, one of the country’s leading Spanish-language cable networks; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 62 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, a leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 67 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and four stations in Puerto Rico; Univision Music Group, which includes Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, and a 50 percent interest in Mexico-based Disa Records labels as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies; and Univision Online, a premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S.  Univision Communications also has a 50 percent interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S., and a non-voting 27 percent interest in Entravision Communications Corporation, a public Spanish-language media company. Univision Communications is headquartered in Los Angeles with television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information on Univision, visit www.univision.net and for more information for Univision Online, visit www.Univision.com

Don Browne, president, Telemundo

"This agreement is a great step forward. The inclusion of Telemundo in NTI is a sign of the maturation of Spanish language television and a clear recognition of a robust, healthy and growing market. From now on, as marketers target their audiences, they will now have a vehicle that will transparently evaluate audience delivery in Spanish side by side with English language networks," said Don Browne, president, Telemundo. "From a consumer perspective, it’s a great day for the Hispanic consumer, as this agreement acknowledges the power of this audience by providing a more sophisticated tool to track their viewership."

"We are delighted to have Telemundo join our roster of NTI networks." said Sara Erichson. "This is an important moment for Spanish language media and we look forward to working with them."

Telemundo will maintain its current subscription to NHTI until September 2007, when the National People Meter (NPM) sample, upon which NTI is based, will become the sole sample for both English-language and Spanish-language media. The NPM sample, comprised of approximately 10,000 households, is subscribed to by broadcast networks, cable networks, syndicators, advertisers and agencies across the country.

Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network, is an essential entertainment, news and sports source for Hispanics. Broadcasting unique national and local programming for the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, Telemundo reaches 93 percent of U.S. Hispanic households in 142 markets through its 16 owned-and-operated stations, 36 broadcast affiliates and nearly 684 cable affiliates. Telemundo is wholly owned by NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.

Nielsen Media Research is a leading provider of television audience measurement and related services, worldwide. In the United States, Nielsen’s National People Meter service provides audience estimates for all national program sources, including broadcast networks, cable networks, Spanish language networks, and national syndicators. Local ratings estimates are produced for television stations, regional cable networks, MSOs, cable interconnects, and Spanish language stations in each of the 210 television markets in the U.S., including People Meter service in seven local markets (10 markets by 2006) and electronic set-metered service in 51 markets.

Nielsen Media Research, outside the U.S. and through international partnerships, operates TV ratings panels in 45 markets.  Nielsen Media Research also offers radio audience measurement, print readership, direct mail measurement and customized media research services outside the U.S.  In addition, Nielsen Media Research provides competitive advertising intelligence information in the U.S. and in 29 markets worldwide. Through a network of affiliates, advertising intelligence coverage is extended to more than 70 countries, representing 85 percent of the world’s advertising spending.  For more information, visit: www.nielsenmedia.com . Nielsen Media Research is a unit of VNU, a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in marketing information, media measurement and information and business information VNU is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Harlem, the Netherlands and New York, USA. The company employs 38,000 people.  Total revenues under IFRS amounted to EUR 3.3 billion in 2004. VNU is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam (ASE: VNU) stock exchange. 

Innovations in Hispanic Marketing 2006 to be Held in Miami

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 6, 2006

The Innovations in Hispanic Marketing 2006 will be held March 14-16, 2006 in Miami, Florida at the Radisson Hotel Miami. Building on the success of Innovations in Hispanic Marketing 2003, 2004 and 2005, MFM Trade Meetings will again present this breakthrough conference, March 14-16, 2006, at the new Radisson Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Over the years the Conference participants have delivered timely and innovative information that provides a blueprint for success which can be implemented in day to day operations and campaigns. Conference planners expect the Innovations in Hispanic Marketing Conference to touch on some of the most relevant and current topics that continuously face marketers including product placement and traditional advertising, online strategies and new research data . 

This is the planned agenda:

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 

8 AM  Attendee Breakfast and Registration
9 AM-9:45AM Catering to and Developing Brand Loyalty Among U.S. Hispanic Consumers 
9:45AM-10:30AM Engaging the Language Debate: Which is the Best Idioma to Use to Best Reach a Particular Hispanic Consumer 
10:30AM-11AM Networking Break 
11AM-12PM The Role of Today’s Hispanic Ad Agency- Navigating the Hispanic Campaign Landscape 
12 PM-2 PM Luncheon and Special Presentation 
2PM-2:45PM Driving Brand Awareness and Short Term Sales Through Promotional Campaigns 
2:45PM-3:30PM Developing and Implementing a Successful Segmented Marketing Strategy to Target Specific Groups Within the Latino Market 
3:30PM-3:45PM Networking Break 
3:45PM-4:30PM Creating Online Marketing and eCommerce Initiatives that Speak Directly to the Hispanic Market 
4:30PM-5:15PM Maximizing Brand Exposure and Marketing Value by Implementing Innovative Event and Experiential Marketing Strategies 
5:30PM-7 PM Cocktail Reception 

Thursday, March 16, 2006

8 AM-9AM Attendee Breakfast and Registration 
9 AM-10:30AM Implementing a U.S. Hispanic Marketing Strategy to Activate Consumers into Purchasing Your Product 
10:30AM-11 AM Networking Break 
11AM-12 PM Reaching the Young Hispanic Consumer Where and When They Want to be Reached 
12 PM-1:30PM Luncheon and Special Interest Roundtables 
1:30PM-2:30PM Product Placement and Branded Entertainment- Reaping the Benefits of Integrating Your Products with Entertainment and Media Properties 
2:30PM-3PM The Role of Public Relations in Hispanic Marketing Campaigns 
3 PM-3:15PM Networking Break 
3:15PM-3:45PM Successful Strategies for Marketing to the Older Hispanic Consumer 
3:45PM-4:30PM Partnering with Entertainment Properties to Boost Brand Awareness and Promote Marketing Message 
4:30PM Closing Remarks 

For further conference details and information visit www.trademeetings.com 

California Association of Hispanic Public Relations Practitioners Announces 2006 Officers

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 5, 2006

 Romina Bongiovanni, president HPRA

Los Angeles, California – The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) announced that Romina Bongiovanni will again lead the organization, while Leticia Rhi Buckley will be vice president. Returning members of the executive board include Michael Delgado as treasurer and Leticia Marquez as secretary.

“It is difficult to articulate how excited I am when thinking about our present plans for 2006,” said Bongiovanni. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as your new president.”

According to Bongiovanni, this year the organization  plans to strengthen its member base outside Southern California and to launch a national committee. More professional development opportunities are also planned  including partnering with the Hispanic Market Pro to hold monthly webminars on diversity and a half-day seminar in Los Angeles with various workshops for entry and mid-level professionals. In October, HPRA will hold its Premio Awards and scholarship dinner, an event that recognizes professionals in the communications industry and awards $10,000 in scholarships.

Romina Bongiovanni, a multicultural public relations professional with expertise in the mainstream, Hispanic and African American markets, has more than six years of experience in the field. She is senior account supervisor and western region manager for Edelman Diversity Solutions, where she oversees strategy development and planning for clients such as Starbucks, Merck, Loreto Bay and the New Mexico Tourism Board. She manages new business development for Edelman’s diversity practice in the western region. Prior to Edelman, Bongiovanni worked at RL Public Relations where she was responsible for planning and executing public relations campaigns for clients such as Sears, Roebuck & Co., the California Milk Processor Board (Got Milk?), the National Honey Board and Johnnie Walker.

Leticia Rhi Buckley has had extensive experience in the general and Hispanic markets, with a 12-year career that has included positions at KROQ-FM, Ticketmaster and more recently, running her own marketing and public relations firm, The Selling Point. She is currently director of Marketing and Communications for the Music Center of Los Angeles County where she oversees all marketing efforts for the dance at the music Center series, Speaker Series, family programming and informal arts initiatives including community and media outreach. Leticia has been featured on KTLA’s “Making It: Minority Success Stories” and was named as one of Hispanic Magazine’s 100 most successful Latinas in the nation in 2002. Michael Delgado is senior account executive with La Agencia de Orcí and Leticia Marquez is senior media relations officer at the University of California at Los Angeles.

HPRA was founded in 1984 as a nonprofit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession in the Southern California area. HPRA has more than 150 members representing public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and workshops throughout the year. HPRA also grants scholarships to Hispanic students attending Southern California universities and honors notable individuals in the communications field at its annual PRemio Awards.

Listen to Andrea Echeverri Song on HispanicMPR.com

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 4, 2006

Listen to a popular Andrea Echeverri song on the HispanicMPR.com Podcast section. Echeverri is the lead singer of Aterciopelados who won an MTV Latin America Award for Best New Artist.  Echeverri’s self-titled solo debut also recently received a Grammy nomination in the “Best Latin Pop Album” category, as well as two Premio Lo Nuestro nominations.  Her debut solo album “Andrea Echeverri” was released by Nacional Records, the new ADA/Warner Music Group-distributed label. 

To listen to  “A eme O,” a song from Andrea Echeverri’s recently-released solo album visit www.HispanicMPR.com and scroll down until you see "Podcasts." Select the files with the artist name and song title of your choice and click on the play button to listen to the songs online.

Andrea Echeverri Wins MTV Vmala Best New Artist Award

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 3, 2006

Andrea Echeverri, the lead singer of Aterciopelados, won an MTV Latin America Award for Best New Artist. She had recently been nominated for a Grammy and two Univision Premio Lo Nuestro awards. At the same time the new iTunes-only Andrea Echeverri/Aterciopelados live acoustic album entered the Top 10 Latin Albums Chart on iTunes.

Echeverri’s self-titled solo debut also recently received a Grammy nomination in the “Best Latin Pop Album” category, as well as 2 Premio Lo Nuestro nominations.  Her debut solo album “Andrea Echeverri” was released by Nacional Records, the new ADA/Warner Music Group-distributed label. 

Best known as the frontwoman for acclaimed Colombian Latin alternative band Aterciopelados, Andrea Echeverri has long captivated audiences with her potently melodic brand of feminism.  After the critical and commercial success of  Gozo Poderoso, which landed Aterciopelados on the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Latin Albums Sales chart as well as a coveted appearance on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno", Echeverri took time off for the birth of her first child Milagros, who has proven to be a new point of artistic inspiration.  The result is the self-titled album “Andrea Echeverri”, Andrea’s first solo release.  The disc was produced by Hector Buitrago from Aterciopelados and mixed by Thom Russo (Juanes, Kinky, Johnny Cash).

Listen to “A eme O,” a song from Andrea Echeverri’s recently-released solo album in the Podcast section of HispanicMPR.com.