Posted by Elena del Valle on June 30, 2006
Jimmy Smits prepares for his first childhood visit to la Isla, circa 1963
Photos: courtesy of Jimmy Smits and WLIW New York
WLIW will distribute “The Puerto Ricans: Our American Story,” a program about Puerto Rico originally produced in 1999, a second time nationwide in August 2006. Entertainer Rita Moreno, late musician Tito Puente, actors Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Smits and Miriam Colón, singers Justino Díaz and Ednita Nazario, author Esmeralda Santiago, tennis player Gigi Fernández, and former Governor Pedro J. Rosselló share their personal stories.
Filmed in the continental United States and on the island of Puerto Rico, the program explores the customs and traditions that have bonded Puerto Rican families for generations.
The show’s producers set out to illustrate how Puerto Rico’s customs, traditions, music, and dances define the identity of a growing American community. According to them, these cultural connections are so powerful for Puerto Rican families they exist even for those living on the mainland who have never been to the island. They say that for those who have been to Puerto Rico there is an inextricable bond to the island.
The spectrum of Puerto Rican music and dance includes plena, whose rhythms and traditional costume reflect the island’s African influence, Hispanic Day Parade, New York City, October 1998
Jimmy Smits describes the preparations for his first childhood visit at age five as if it were a religious ceremony; with starched white shirt, vest, suit and tie. According to author Esmeralda Santiago (When I Was Puerto Rican), being Puerto Rican American is “like a child jumping double Dutch… two ropes [Puerto Rican and American identity] going in opposite directions very quickly… it is a constant juggling, a constant jumping up and down trying to be in one place or another.”
This duality put tennis player Gigi Fernandez at a crossroads as she prepared for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and had to choose between representing the mainland or the island. Fernandez talks in the program about her personal struggle with the two worlds of Puerto Rican life as “a hard emotional decision but a very easy career decision” because she knew the only way she would win was on the U.S. team. Representing the United States that summer, Fernandez became the first Puerto Rican woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
“The Puerto Ricans: Our American Story” was produced by WLIW New York. They have produced other public television specials celebrating the diversity and ethnic character in America such as “A Laugh, a Tear, a Mitzvah” (Jewish Americans); “The Cuban Americans;” “The Polish Americans” and “The Mexican Americans.” The production team included Ron Rudaitis, director; Roy Hammond, executive producer; Ron Rudaitis and Sam Toperoff, producers; Yvonne Rodriguez Sanchez and Robin Llompart, associate producers; and Sam Toperoff, writer.
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 29, 2006
Lunch panelists Ray Suarez, Rev. David Beckmann, Lou Dobbs, Jorge Castañeda, and The Honorable Bill Richardson
Photos: Elena del Valle and Melissa Gonzalez
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) hosted its 24th annual Convention and Media Career Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida recently. More than 1,400 print, broadcast and online media representatives from across the country attended eighty workshops and seminars and took advantage of networking opportunities during the four days of the event.
Several of the presentations, including a day long workshop and a luncheon, one of the events with the highest attendance, focused on immigration issues. Ray Suarez moderated “The Great American Immigration Debate” with panelists Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World; Lou Dobbs, anchor and managing editor CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight; Jorge Castañeda, professor New York University, and The Honorable Bill Richardson, governor, New Mexico.
There were sessions in English and Spanish on dealing with stress, changes in media, photojournalism, and even the downfalls of using Spanglish, a blending of English and Spanish. Speakers and panelists ranged from network executives to newspaper columnists. Maria Elena Salinas, an Emmy-award winning anchor of Noticiero Univision, and Henry Alfaro, a newscaster and founding member of the California Chicano News Media Association, were inducted into the NAHJ Hall of Fame.
Maria Elena Salinas
Immigration reform was a constant theme throughout the Convention. Sometimes with so much emphasis the topic took over the seminar. This was the case in “Missing the Mark: Newsroom Diversity In a Time of Latino Activism” where Chicano activist Juan Jose Gutierrez called immigrant workers modern day slaves.
Panelists of the all-day workshop “Immigration-A Hand’s on Workshop for Better Coverage in Your Community”
A controversial interview took place via satellite with Ricardo Alarcon the president of the Cuban National Assembly. Among the topics discussed was the treatment of journalists in the communist nation.
The convention included a Media Career Expo where sponsors had booth space. Media represented in the exhibit space included South Florida newspapers the Sun Sentinel and The Miami Herald as well as national media such as ESPN and National Public Radio. — Melissa Gonzalez contributed to this article.
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 28, 2006
Alejandro Cosentino, CEO, Voy Music
Photos: Voy Music, Starmedia.com
Miami, Florida – StarMedia and Voy Music recently launched StarMedia Radios, a joint online digital Latin music service powered by Voy. According to promotional materials, StarMedia Radios provides “the broadest selection of Latin music available online,” a network of 26 originally programmed radio stations, a music store, the world’s first Latin music virtual record label as well as podcasting, and news.
StarMedia Radios’ new media player offers streaming music and news that is “fully integrated” with other services including viral networking features allowing users to rate, recommend and share specific selections with friends.
“The launch of StarMedia Radios will provide StarMedia’s customers with a leading-edge digital entertainment platform to discover, explore and enjoy all facets of the Latin music experience,” said Alejandro Cosentino, CEO, Voy Music. “The service is intuitive and comprehensive, allowing Latin music fans to fully search, select, consume and share all things relevant to their passion for Latin music and the best of Latin culture.”
Juan Jose Nuñez, vice president, Operations, Starmedia
“StarMedia has continually sought to strengthen its brand by developing the variety and relevance of its content. The new StarMedia Radios service will significantly enhance our user’s online experience, through an innovative, cutting-edge digital music service, the latest in a series of recent upgrades to the portal,” said Juan José Nuñez, vice president of operations, StarMedia.
Starmedia.com is a free-to-web service connecting approximately 18 million Spanish-speakers through the Internet. Voy Music executives describe their company as a next generation platform dedicated to the discovery, promotion and marketing of Latin music. StarMedia has local operations in Mexico, Spain and the United States (Los Angeles, Miami and New York). It is wholly owned by Wanadoo, a subsidiary of the France Telecom Group and one of Europe’s largest online companies.
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 27, 2006
Yvonne Latty, author and NAHJ panelist
Photo: Andrea Cipriani
On Friday, June 16, a panel of journalists, anti-war activists, and Iraqi veterans voiced their concern for the media coverage of the Iraqi war and offered suggestions to improve the coverage of individual soldiers, particularly Hispanics, in the workshop “Through the Looking Glass: Latinos in the Iraqi war.” The panel was held during the National Association of Hispanics Journalists convention held at Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
Art Ruson, anchor for KTRK-TV, was panel moderator. Also on the panel were Yvonne Latty, author of In Conflict: Iraq War Veterans Speak Out on Duty, Loss, and the Fight to Stay Alive; Curt L. Brownhill, Air Force Command chief master sergeant, United States Central Command; Jorge Medina, an anti-war activist who lost his son in the war; Camilo Mejia, former National Guard sergeant and conscientious objector to the war; and Juan Rodriguez, sergeant. They discussed the media’s emphasis on negative issues and the failure to focus on stories that could help people learn more about the purpose of Latino soldiers.
“A lot of people view Hispanics as undocumented immigrants with what’s going on in the media,” said Rodriguez following the workshop. “I would say (of) those who go to Iraq, 50 percent or more of those are Latinos. I think along with everything else you get labeled and it’s important to look closer because a lot of Hispanics are joining military because we are proud warriors and its part of our culture.”
During the workshop, the panelists discussed the lack of media coverage for Latino soldiers and their impression that because of it the public has differentiated Latino soldiers even though they were just as focused as any troop in Iraq. Panelists also mentioned that many stories were overlooked. Medina commented that media outlets didn’t do as much as they could to cover his son’s death.
The speakers also discussed war exaggerations, fabrications, and the notion that negative issues sell much more for the media. According to some of the panelists, this notion has created anxiety and frustrations for them, especially for Latty who was bashed by some media during her book tour. The presenters expressed their concern that the media’s focus may have prompted people to view these soldiers as villains; and their belief that many soldiers want the war to end. The closing thoughts for the workshop involved the panelists’ suggestions for ways to improve Hispanic soldier related coverage.
“There are so many stories in our neighborhood,” said Latty. “Go and interview them because I feel like Vietnam; vets may be seen as the bad guys.” Following the discussion, Latty provided ways to give a voice to Latinos. “Those who are coming home, we have to see who’s Latino and not be judgmental. Latino journalists should look into the community.” — Sergio Carmona
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 26, 2006
Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos
A podcast interview with Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and director Latinos and Media Project, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses Latino media issues with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Subervi, who lives in Austin, Texas, is co-author of the “Latino Media: A Cultural Connection” chapter of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book. He directs the Latinos and Media Project, an emerging non-profit organization dedicated to the gathering and dissemination of research and resources pertaining to Latinos and the media.
In addition to his academic work, Subervi serves on editorial boards, and has been an advisor or consultant to various public and private entities such as Nickelodeon, Scholastic Entertainment, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Fox Family Worldwide, the National Research Council & Ford Foundation Fellowship Program, the National Latino Children’s Institute, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see the “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Federico Subervi,” hit the play button or download it to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the June 2006 section of the podcast.
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Posted by Elena del Valle on June 23, 2006
Little Soledad from “Soledad is Gone Forever”
Photo: Ron Koeberer
San Francisco, California – Haiku Films Producer and Director Mabel Valdiviezo will hold a benefit party, silent auction and sneak preview of the short film “Soledad Is Gone Forever” Friday, June 23 at 6 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the New College of California, 766 Valencia Street at 19th. The event is endorsed and supported by the School of Humanities of the New College of California and is sponsored by the Film Arts Foundation.
“We’re completing the shots and once it’s done we’ll be sending it to some of the festivals,” said Valdiviezo. “The goal to make the short film is to show the potential of the feature story.”
“Soledad Is Gone Forever,” a 14-minute film, is described by promoters as “a spellbinding, poetically haunting, psychological drama that explores the long-term human cost of state sponsored violence.”
Based on real accounts, the film is an intimate portrait of a young photographer, Soledad Gonzalez (Carla Ohana Sanchez), a child survivor of the Pinochet era. She witnessed the violent death of her father killed by the Chilean military twenty years ago and erased them from her memory. Through the film viewers follow Soledad’s journey filled with recurring visions and nightmares and her struggle to remain sane until she remembers her traumatic childhood.
Proceeds from the benefit will help fund the completion of the short film to be submitted to local and national film festivals. These contributions will also support the developing phase of the feature-length version of “Soledad Is Gone Forever.”
The silent auction will include a selection items from artists Carlos Cartagena, Martine Jardel, Ricardo Cartagena, Susana Aragon, Caleb Duarte, Indira Urrutia and Diallo John H. Jones. The auction will be followed by live music performed by Maria Loreto & Los Materos, Lalo Izquierdo, and Marina Lavalle & Rennea. Event sponsors are the New College of California, Le Beau Market, Rainbow Groceries, Conqueror Pisco, as Kodak, Spy Post and Outpost.
Valdiviezo, principal of Haiku Films, is a Peruvian born writer, director and producer of short films such as “The Water’s Muse” and “A Box Full Of Mirrors.” For information online, SoledadIsGoneForever.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 22, 2006
Enlace Yellow Pages in Spanish
Photo: Enlace
Louisville, Kentucky — Enlace Spanish Yellow Pages, one of the nation’s largest independent Spanish language directory companies (based on number of cities served), acquired Las Super Páginas Amarillas, an independent New York City area Spanish Yellow Pages directory. The directory, which targets the second largest Hispanic market in the United States, has grown exponentially over the last seven years.
The New York City directory covers the five boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island as well as parts of Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, New Jersey and Connecticut. Acquisition benefits include a Manhattan based sales force and Enlace resources.
“Enlace now reaches over 19 million Hispanics across the country. This coverage includes four out of the top five largest Hispanic markets and seven of the top ten fastest growing Hispanic markets. No other Spanish language publisher offers this type of coverage,” said Jonathan Blue, managing director, Blue Equity, LLC, Enlace’s parent entity.
To further its promotional reach Enlace recently signed an endorsement agreement with SFX and Alex Aragon, an emerging PGA golfer from Mexico City. Aragon wears the Enlace logo on the lapel of his shirt. He is the second Hispanic athlete to participate in a sponsorship deal with Enlace. Earlier this year, Enlace launched billboard campaigns in Sacramento, California and Louisville, Kentucky that showcased Francisco Garcia, the Sacramento Kings NBA rookie from the Dominican Republic.
Established in December 2003, Enlace publishes 24 Spanish language directories in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. Enlace has become one of the fastest growing Spanish Yellow Pages publisher.
Enlace is a division of Cobalt Publishing, LLC, a subsidiary of Blue Equity, LLC. For information online visit ElEnlaceLatino.com. Blue Equity is a leading independent, regional, private equity firm based in Louisville, Kentucky.
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 21, 2006
By Jesus Hernandez Cuellar, president and founder, Contacto News Service
Jesus Hernandez Cuellar, president and founder, Contacto News Service
Photo: Contacto PRNews
U.S. Hispanic news organizations know that media relations professionals do a valuable job. Hispanic news producers, editors and reporters expect you to send news releases about corporate and/or community events, new products and services, and other important announcements.
More than 200 U.S. Hispanic/Latino publications are members of the National Association of Hispanic Publications. Other 200 to 250 Latino periodicals also circulate in the United States, serving the 41.3 million members of the Hispanic community. There are also six U.S. Hispanic TV networks (Univision, Telemundo, Galavision, Azteca America, CNN en Espanol and Telefutura) with hundreds of affiliates across the country, airing up to four Spanish-language newscasts per day.
Click here to read the complete article
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 20, 2006
Motivational Speaker Joachim de Posada
Photo: MeetOurSpeaker.com
Coral Gables, Florida – Joachim de Posada will discuss “Don’t Eat the Marshmallow…Yet!” during a two-hour evening discussion in Spanish Tuesday, June 20 at the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel in Miami. The program, based on his book by the same title, is designed for Spanish-speaking audiences interested in opening a business and recently established companies who are not obtaining the results they expected. The evening will close with music “Fiesta Samba” by Brazilian singer and dancer Marta Rhaulin. Cost of admission is $97.
A recently published research study by the U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners, “Hispanic-Owned Firms: 2002,” shows that growth of Hispanic-owned businesses is triple the national average, revealing a 31 percent increase between 1997 and 2002. This is potentially good news for U.S. Hispanic business owners.
According to event organizers past studies have shown that the majority of new businesses only survive two years. Even though information and data varies between studies, some indicate that between 20 percent and 40 percent of past startups failed during the first two years. This is reflected in a study conducted by Wells Fargo and The National Federation of Independent Business’ Education Foundation which discovered that only 50 percent of businesses with employees continue operating after five years. Startups are mainly micro business, two thirds of which are home-based, and only 21 percent of these enterprises employ additional personnel.
Some believe there is an unifying factor preceding the three major reasons for business failure: inexperience, insufficient capital, and bad location. They are convinced companies who lack knowledge of methodology and strategies used by Fortune 500 companies are less likely to succeed. They believe it is these methodologies and strategies that have guaranteed the success of the Fortune companies after years of research, experimentation, and millions of dollars in investment.
According to marketing and motivational speaker de Posada, it’s all about human behavior, psychology, and emotions. He hopes to share his secrets and teach the audience how to overcome internal obstacles that stop business owners from succeeding. These psychological aspects, he says, are the main reason for the high failure rates in business.
“The goal is to identify my strengths, my weakness, what do I need to change, what needs to be strengthened and what tools do I have to be successful. This is how I can obtain what I want with what I have,” said de Posada.
During the event, de Posada, described in promotional materials as an international business expert, consultant and speaker will review the main 10 factors “all entrepreneurs need to understand to be effective.
“People will leave with a basic plan they can apply the very next day,” said Juan Esteban, the event organizer and executive producer of MeetOurSpeaker.com. For information online visit MeetOurSpeaker.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 19, 2006
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“Conector” album cover
Singer Hector Buitrago, best known as co-founder of the Colombian Latin alternative band Aterciopelados, is going solo. His inaugural album, “Conector,” is due out in the U.S. in June 2006. “Conector” features guest vocals from platinum-selling artists Julieta Venegas, Alex Ubago and Aterciopelados frontwoman Andrea Echeverri
The title, “Conector,” translates with a double-meaning of “with Hector” and also “Connector.” Buitrago is following in the footsteps of Aterciopelados frontwoman Andrea Echeverri, whose twice Grammy-nominated debut solo album was released last year (and produced by Buitrago).
Other contributors to “Conector” are Colombian musicians Ever Suarez, Martina Camargo, and Noel Petro. The album is described by promoters as “a musical and spiritual journey with Hector Buitrago forming connections between different cultures, ways of thought and life through music.” It is said to combine elements of contemporary rock and electronica with traditional Colombian and global rhythms as well as thoughtful and spiritual lyrics. The first single is “Altísimo” featuring the unlikely vocal pairing of Spanish pop artist Alex Ubago and Aterciopelados frontwoman Andrea Echeverri.
The Aterciopelados became known as singers of the hit “Gozo Poderoso” which landed the band 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.”
Buitrago is also working with Aterciopelados to finish the band’s next album, slated for release this fall on Nacional Records. Aterciopelados is scheduled to make a debut appearance at the Hollywood Bowl this summer with a July 8th co-headlining date along with Bebe, Reyli, and Mexican Institute of Sound (MIS).
To listen to Hector Buitrago “Altisimo” song from the recently released “Conector” album scroll down on HispanicMPR.com until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “Hector Buitrago Altisimo” by clicking on the title or on the play button. You can also download it to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the June 2006 section of the podcast.
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