Posted by Elena del Valle on June 16, 2006
John Mayerhofer, CEO, VoiceIndigo
Photo: VoiceIndigo
HispanicMPR.com podcast enthusiasts now have the opportunity to listen to podcasts on their mobile phones thanks to VoiceIndigo, a mobile distribution service for podcasts. HispanicMPR.com is available for download on VoiceIndigo’s website along with BBC, ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, and six other Hispanic market oriented podcast programs. The distribution service enables different phone brands to deliver audio podcasts to mobile phones, including those sold within the last two years.
“The ability to get a podcast is a powerful tool for Hispanic community to stay connected and get news and programming not offered through other channels,” said John Mayerhofer, CEO for VoiceIndigo. “Cell phones are much more common, while not everyone has a computer. We think podcasting is a powerful form of openmedia. The cellphone is a popular device and it’s the only way a podcast can be as popular as radio.”
VoiceIndigo has more than 1.7 billion subscribers and was among the 2006 OnHollywood 100 list of top private digital entertainment and media innovators in the world. The company has worked with AT&T Wireless, Virgin Mobile, The Interpublic Group, Ogilvy & Mather, Infoseek, Apple, Yahoo!, Napster, and BroadVision.
Mobile phone podcast enthusiasts can register for free on the Voice Indigo website, where they can listen to HispanicMPR.com podcasts as well as others from their desktop by getting a personalized account and from their mobile phone by using a VoiceIndigo mobile application or clicking a button next to specific episodes. A digital audio capable phone is required to activate VoiceIndigo.
Phones that have the capability include Motorola RAZR(Cingular/T-Mobile), Samsung A900/A920 (Sprint), Treo 650/700w (all carriers), Nokia 6230, 6102, and 6682 (Cingular/T-Mobile). To take advantage of the service, users will need a data plan from their mobile carrier. They can also use Palm OS and Windows Mobile mobile devices. It’s also possible to enjoy VoiceIndigo by listening to podcasts on any WiFi enabled PDA, laptop, or MediaCenter PC without a separate mobile client. Additional information is available online at VoiceIndigo.com — Sergio Carmona
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 15, 2006
Frank Ovaitt, president and CEO, Institute for Public Relations
Photos: Institute for Public Relations, State Farm
The Institute for Public Relations Issues recently issued a request for proposals and is offering grants to encourage new research about diversity, including Hispanic oriented practice, and public relations. The organization expects proposals to be submitted by educators, graduate students, and working professionals interested in diversity and public relations.
“This research program will focus on the science beneath the art of relationships with diverse constituents, communicating with diverse audiences, through diverse means, to support the value of diversity,” said Frank Ovaitt, president and CEO, Institute for Public Relations.
Funded by an initial contribution from ConAgra Foods, Inc., the Institute is seeking proposals from scholars and professionals for grant awards of $1,000 to $10,000 to fund studies in this area. The online application form and more information can be found at Instituteforpr.org.
Mike Fernandez, vice president, Corporate Communications & External Relations, State Farm Insurance
“Public relations is fundamentally about managing relationships for institutions, and how we identify and communicate with diverse groups is critical to success,” said Michael Fernandez, a trustee of the Institute who was previously senior vice president and chief communications officer, ConAgra Foods, and is now vice president, corporate Communications & External Relations, State Farm Insurance. “But the core notion of diversity itself is different and changing. This will have profound implications for the messages we craft and the public relations tools we use for years to come. The goal of this research effort is to make sure that the profession is adequately prepared to meet the challenges ahead.”
The Institute defines itself as an “independent nonprofit foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations, that exists “to build and document research-based knowledge in the field of public relations, and to mainstream this knowledge into practice.”
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 14, 2006
Cynthia Nelson, contributing co-author, Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book
Photo: Cynthia Nelson
Cynthia Nelson, contributing co-author of the “Marketing to Hispanics Online” chapter in the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book, will be a speaker at the upcoming 2006 7th Annual Hispanic Boom conference at the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, June 15 she will discuss “Branded Entertainment: Looking beyond the 30 Seconds Spot to Cultivate Relationships with the Target Market (Case Study)” from 11:30 a.m. to 12. That same day, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., she will discuss “How to Get the Most from Branded Entertainment Tie-Ins Breakthrough Strategies.” She will be available to sign copies of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations during the conference.
Cynthia is chief operations officer of Spanish language media company TodoBebé™, Inc. In her current position, she is responsible for operations and business development of TodoBebé™, Inc., a leading integrated media company (television, radio, online, events) dedicated to providing information around babies and pregnancy for Spanish speakers worldwide.
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 13, 2006
Singer and songwriter Diana Mera
Photo: SGM Records
An instrumental version of Diana Mera’s song “Bésame” from the “Dianamera” album will be the theme music for future HispanicMPR.com audio recordings. SGM Records and Diana Mera, the singer and song writer of the song, provided HispanicMPR.com the music and permission to feature it in upcoming recordings. The first podcast to feature the new music was an interview on June 12 with Martin Castro, president and CEO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF).
Diana Mera wrote “Bésame” during the summer of 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she found inspiration to write the songs of her first album. The full length of the song with lyrics, which is available at iTunes, is about four minutes (3:54). The “Bésame” music video has aired on MTV/VHUNO, Televisa, Ritmoson Latino, and Univision.
“Bésame means a lot to me and it feels amazing that it is taking me to do and be part of great projects like being the theme song of the Podcast of HispanicMpr.com,” said Diana Mera.
Mera, born in Quito, Ecuador was raised in Lima, Peru. She has lived in México, Venezuela, Switzerland and the U.S. where she now resides. Mera, who always wanted to sing, started her career on television shows such as “Despierta América” on Univisión and “De Mañanita” on Telemundo.
SGM Records, a record label and production company, conducts digital video production specializing in music videos, TV commercials and public service announcements. It manages and promotes Mera’s career. SGM Records is a young enterprise owned and operated by Hispanic women committed to excel “in all areas of the business by working with the most competitive and dynamic professionals in each field.”
To read past HispanicMPR.com articles on Mera, go to Diana Mera. For additional information Mera’s music online, visit DianaMera.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editors: JPG photos available
Long Beach, CA and Boca Raton, FL June 13, 2006 — An instrumental version of Diana Mera’s song “Bésame” from the “Dianamera” album will be the new theme music for HispanicMPR.com audio recordings starting this month. HispanicMPR.com, the first website and podcast on Hispanic marketing and public relations, serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.
The first HispanicMPR.com podcast featuring the new theme music is an interview with Martin Castro, president and CEO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations serving Hispanics, which aired Monday, June 12th.
“SGM Records is delighted to work with HispanicMPR.com to have Diana’s music featured in their podcasts and presentations reaching thousands of marketing experts, advertising executives, and communicators targeting Latinos across the country,” said Soledad Herrada, production director and chief executive officer, SGM Records.
Diana Mera, the singer and song writer of the song, wrote “Bésame” during the summer of 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she found inspiration to write the songs of her first album. Bésame’s music video has aired on MTV/VHUNO, Televisa, Ritmoson Latino, and Univision.
“Bésame means a lot to me and it feels amazing that it is taking me to do and be part of great projects like being the theme song of the Podcast of HispanicMPR.com,” said Diana Mera.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with SGM Records and incorporate the upbeat and distinctive music from Besame, Diana Mera’s beautiful song, into the HispanicMPR.com recording series including our podcasts and presentations,” said Elena del Valle, MBA, editor of HispanicMPR.com. “Diana’s young and enthusiastic music is a perfect fit for our new online medium and downloadable files.”
The HispanicMPR.com podcast and Resources Section presentations provide listeners essential first hand information from leading Hispanic market experts on how to reach America’s largest minority with marketing and public relations tools.
SGM Records, a record label and production company, conducts digital video production specializing in music videos, TV commercials and public service announcements. It manages and promotes Mera’s career. SGM Records is a young enterprise owned and operated by Hispanic women. For more information online, visit http://www.dianamera.com/ and https://www.hispanicmpr.com/
Contact:
Emilio Zuleta
emilio@sgmrecords.net
562-621-6535
Elena del Valle
elena@lnaworld.com
305-270-6309
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 13, 2006
Editores: Fotografía disponible en JPG
Long Beach, CA y Boca Raton, FL – 13 de junio, 2006 — Una versión instrumental de la canción “Bésame” de Diana Mera del álbum “dianamera” será el nuevo tema musical principal de las grabaciones de audio de HispanicMPR.com desde este mes. HispanicMPR.com, el primer portal de la red y podcasts enfocados en marketing y relaciones públicas del Mercado Hispano, sirve como un foro de intercambio de información e ideas de mercadeo.
El primer podcast de HispanicMPR.com que destaca el nuevo tema musical es la entrevista con Martin Castro, presidente y CEO de Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, una de las más grandes organizaciones sin fines de lucro que sirve a los hispanos, que salió al aire el lunes 12 de junio.
“En SGM Records, estamos encantados de trabajar con HispanicMPR.com para que la música de Diana sea tema principal de los podcasts y presentaciones que llegan a miles de expertos en marketing, publicistas y comunicadores cuya audiencia son los millones de latinos en los Estados Unidos” dijo Soledad Herrada.
Diana Mera, la cantante y compositora de la canción, escribió “Bésame” durante el verano del 2002 en Phoenix, Arizona, donde encontró la inspiración para escribir los temas de su primer álbum. El video musical de Bésame es transmitido por MTV/VHUNO, Televisa, Ritmoson Latino y Univisión.
“Bésame significa mucho para mí y se siente súper que esta canción me lleve a formar partes de proyectos tan importantes como ser el tema principal del podcast de HispanicMpr.com” dijo Diana Mera.
“Estamos muy emocionados de trabajar en colaboración con SGM Records para incorporar el ritmo y distinción de la música de Bésame, una bella canción de Diana Mera, a la serie de grabación de nuestros podcasts y presentaciones en HispanicMPR.com” dijo Elena del Valle, MBA, editora de HispanicMPR.com. “La música de Diana que refleja juventud y entusiasmo es perfecta para nuestro nuevo medio y para los documentos descargables”.
El Podcast y las presentaciones de HispanicMPR.com proporcionan a la audiencia información especial y de primera mano de expertos líderes del Mercado hispano acerca de cómo tener alcance a la minoría más grande de los Estados Unidos con herramientas de marketing y relaciones públicas.
SGM Records, sello discográfico y compañía de producción, realiza producciones de video digital especializándose en videos musicales, comerciales de TV y anuncios de servicio público. SGM maneja y promueve la carrera de Mera. SGM Records es una empresa joven, que pertenece y es operada por mujeres hispanas. Para más información visite http://www.dianamera.com/ y https://www.hispanicmpr.com/
Contactos de prensa:
SGM Records
Emilio Zuleta
emilio@sgmrecords
562-621-6535
elena@lnaworld.com
305-270-6309
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 12, 2006
Martin Castro, president and CEO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
Photo: MAOF
A podcast interview with Martin Castro, president and CEO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses the Foundation with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
As head of MAOF Martin administers government and private sector funded projects, including management and administrative duties, for MAOF’s reorganization and expansion. Prior to June 2000 Martin was administrator and director of the MAOF Kern County Programs. He administered the county’s computer, medical worker, bookkeeper, and basic skills training programs as well as foster grandparent and senior citizens community service employment programs. He initiated the organization’s literacy programs.
Martin, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree form California State University at Bakersfield (CSUB), is a member of the Montebello and Bakersfield chapters of Rotary Club, Los Angeles County AP Alliance, Programa Paisano, and of the California Childcare Network Association.
MAOF, one of the largest nonprofit organizations targeting Hispanics in the U.S., serves the working poor, welfare to work recipients, older adults, youth and children. MAOF operates 27 childcare centers and serves 5,458 children daily in 1,248 licensed and exempt license provider homes. It has a presence in five California counties with 33 service locations and more than 800 employees. The organization’s annual budget exceeds $50 million.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Martin Castro,” hit the play button or download it to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. You can also subscribe to the podcast by right clicking over the podcast box and selecting “copy shortcut” then inserting the URL address in the podcast section of your iTunes program listed under the “advanced” column. The podcast will remain listed in the June 2006 section of the podcast.
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Posted by Elena del Valle on June 9, 2006
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Hummersqueal: left to right Normand, Christian, Poncho and Salvatore
Los Angeles, California — SourPop Records, a leading Latin alternative independent label, recently welcomed a new addition to its musical family, the band Hummersqueal from Mexico City. With a career that spans more than six years, Hummersqueal is dubbed by promoters as an outstanding indie rock band in Mexico.
According to promoters, the band has received consistent radio play at “Reactor,” a popular pop/rock station in Mexico City, recurrent video play and sales of more than 5,000 units in their native country.
“Di:Helo,” the band’s self-produced debut album in the United States, was recorded in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico. Mastered by Don Tyler (Beck, Devo, Nirvana, Jimmy Eat World, Julieta Venegas, Jumbo) at Precision Mastering in Beverly Hills, California, it was set for release stateside this month.
Hummersqueal has toured in major the Mexican markets of Mexico City, Toluca, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, and Veracruz. In Mexico, the band has shared the stage and rocked alongside Audioslave, Tristeza, The Misfits, Jumbo, Genitallica, and Amigos Invisibles.
Hummersqueal band members, natives of Mexico City, are: Salvatore Vitale, (guitar) Alfonso Contreras, (drums/vocal) Normand Olea (bass) and Christian Guijosa (guitar/vocals). The band’s collective mission is to play “good/intelligent rock-and-roll about life experiences in the big city, growing up and love, for the new generations regardless of language.”
The band took the unusual name from an equally unlikely source a 1970’s Czech film in which the main protagonist (an autistic child) sports that very word embroidered on his jacket. Hummersqueal is scheduled to perform in the United States (West Coast) during the summer of 2006.
Since 2000, SourPop Records has been a pioneering Latin Alternative label in the United States, uniting bands “that celebrate the spirit of independent music” from the U.S.A., Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Colombia and Japan. SourPop Records’ is distributed in the United States and Puerto Rico by DLN.
To listen to Hummersqueals “Buick A Monterrey” song from the recently released “Di:Helo” album scroll down on HispanicMPR.com until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “Hummersqueals Buick A Monterrey ” 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.
Click the button to hear the podcast:
Click here to sponsor a HispanicMPR.com podcast
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 8, 2006
Seminar presenters Ira Guevara and Cynthia Zak
Photo: El Paracaidista
Miami Beach, Florida – El Paracaidista, the Coral Springs International Partnership and the City of Coral Springs are offering a two-hour Spanish-language seminar in Coral Springs for professionals graduated from foreign universities seeking certification and licenses in Florida. The seminar, scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday June 10, is part of an on-going series established in 2004. It will take place at the Northwest Regional Library Multi-Purpose Room, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs. Admission is $40, including materials.
Seminar organizers hope to assist Spanish speaking residents to practice their professions or occupations under Florida law, and find a better qualified job in their fields. Seminar presenters, Ira Guevara and Cynthia Zak, will cover information on requirements, exams to take, costs, application processes, tips on academic credential evaluations, description and contacts of government regulatory entities involved in the licensing and certification process in Florida, and at the national level (when required). They will also discuss procedures on alternative licensing routes for substitute teachers, certified nursing assistants, dental hygienists, and foreign legal advisors.
Participants will receive information about licensing and certification procedures for professions and occupations such as: Accountants (CPA), architects, audiologists, auto mechanics, barbers and cosmetologists, counselors, dental hygienists, dentists, electricians, engineers, general contractors, interior designers, laboratory technicians, lawyers, medical doctors, certified nursing assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants, psychologists, real estate agents, registered nurses, teachers, technical radiologists, speech pathologists, and veterinarians.
El Paracaidista, a free monthly printed and online newspaper and orientation guide in Spanish, was established in 2001. It is distributed in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The Coral Springs International Partnership is a Coral Springs non profit organization. For information online, visit ElParacaidista.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on June 7, 2006
By Suzanne Irizarry de Lopez, Eastern Research Services
Suzanne Irizarry de Lopez
Photo: Suzanne Irizarry de Lopez
We are experiencing a demographic reinvention and movement towards a global community. Generations of transnational mobility, intermarriage and cultural give and take have yielded new arrangements of people, identities, and social practices that are challenging the definitions of self and the usefulness of racial categories for marketing purposes.
Not that America — the nation of immigrants — wasn’t diverse before, but before the Civil Rights movement, diversity was not a good thing. Assimilation (melting into the common pot) was the ultimate objective.
Prior to the mid 70’s, when cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead announced that “Being American is a matter of abstention from foreign ways, foreign food, foreign ideas, foreign accents,” people suffered for being different. Parents struggled to ensure their children assimilated to the mass, spoke English, and rid themselves of “foreign signs,” such as speaking a language other than English, having a foreign accent, dressing in foreign clothes.
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