Posted by Elena del Valle on November 30, 2006
Laura Rosa Hernandez Corry
Photo: Laura Rosa Hernandez Corry
Fort Lauderdale, Florida — The SPCA Wildlife Care Center (WCC) recently announced two new members to the nonprofit organization’s board of directors including its first Hispanic board member, Laura Rosa Hernandez Corry and Randy Wadle. Corry is a lead intergovernmental representative for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), where she is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships and cooperative partnerships with elected officials and community leaders.
A University of Florida graduate, Corry also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 1999, she was one of 25 Hispanic women leaders nationwide, selected to participate in the National Hispana Leadership Institute. She has also served as the first woman President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce of Broward County. Governor Jeb Bush has twice appointed her to serve on the Commission of Volunteer Florida.
“The expansion and development of our board is crucial to the long term and continued success of the SPCA Wildlife Care Center,” said Jonathan Lappin, CEO and executive Director of the SPCA. “Heading into our fourth decade of operation, it is critical that we have a board comprised of South Florida’s sharp business minds, conscious citizens and community leaders. I applaud the efforts of our distinguished board and look forward to many more decades of treating the animals that are so important to our natural environment here in South Florida.”
Serving the South Florida tri-county region, the mission of WCC is to rescue, rehabilitate and release native wildlife that have been harmed or displaced; to treat and place certain domestic, exotic and farm animals; and to educate the public toward co-existence with all animals. With five acres of property, two full-time ambulances, the help of 70 employees and 800 volunteers, WCC is home to 700 injured, harmed or orphaned wildlife at any given time. Last year alone, nearly 14,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals passed through the Center’s doors. Over the past 37 years, the SPCA Wildlife Care Center has grown to be the largest facility of its kind in Florida.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 29, 2006
Jose Lamas, host, “Buenos Dias, Chicago – Noticias Al Dia de La Raza“
Photos: Jose Lamas, La Raza
Chicago, Illinois – A Chicago ethnic radio station, WSBC-1240 AM, recently began hosting “Buenos Dias, Chicago – Noticias Al Dia de La Raza,” (“Good Morning, Chicago – La Raza’s News Today”) a morning drive-time newscast. Under a brokering agreement with Access Radio Chicago, Chicago Spanish language media leader, Jose Lamas will be producing and hosting a two and a half hour newscast from 4:30 am through 7 am, Monday through Friday.
“I am pleased that our news program will serve the entire City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs with 1240 AM’s powerful Omni-Directional signal,” said Lamas. “In addition, our alliance with La Raza newspaper, Chicago’s leading Hispanic publication, as a content provider and promotional partner will tremendously enhance our news coverage and enable ‘Buenas Días, Chicago’ to provide a vital service to Chicago’s Hispanic community.”
“Buenos Días, Chicago – Noticias Al Día de La Raza” includes local, national and international news mainly provided by La Raza newspaper, with live segments from Miami with journalist Rafael Orizondo. The newscast also offers analysis of immigration issues with attorney Connie Lara during a daily segment, ‘Linea Abierta.’
“What’s most ironic is that the show’s first broadcast was on January 6, 1969, over 37 years ago, on the very same frequency that the show is now returning to, 1240 AM,” said Lamas. “At that time, 1240AM was the dominant Spanish language radio station in Chicago, with such radio legends as Orlando Miranda (Pelencho) and Jose E. Chapa, whose programs truly served the public interest and informational needs of our community. I look forward to keeping this tradition alive.”
Robert J. Armband, publisher and CEO, La Raza newspaper
“Jose Lamas and I have had a professional relationship for more than 15 years. I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with him on this important morning drive-time Hispanic radio news program,” said Robert J. Armband, publisher and CEO of La Raza newspaper.
Lamas and La Raza will package advertising and promotional opportunities for clients interested in reaching Hispanic consumers through news formats on radio and in print. There are also plans underway to stream the radio broadcast on La Raza On-line.
Lamas is a Cuban political exile who came to Chicago in 1963. His first involvement with Spanish media started in 1966 when he began to host and produce Spanish radio programs. In 1970, he co-founded OMAR (Operations Marketing Advertising and Research), Chicago’s first full service Hispanic advertising agency, where he was vice president of Marketing and Sales. In 1985, Lamas joined WSNS-TV Channel 44 as general manager.
La Raza newspaper is a leading Spanish language newspaper in Chicago with an audited circulation 190,544 according to Certified Audit of Circulation (June 30, 2006). It is also among the largest Sunday Hispanic newspapers in the United States. La Raza Chicago, Inc., is a subsidiary of ImpreMedia LLC. ImpreMedia is a leading publisher of Spanish language newspapers in the United States. It publishes Spanish-language newspapers in six top Hispanic markets.
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Posted by Elena del Valle on November 28, 2006
Bruce Barr, vice president, GfK Omnibus Services
Photo: GfK Omnibus Services
New York, New York — GfK Omnibus Services, a division of GfK Custom Research North America, recently released the results of its Hispanic OmniTel® Retail Study on where Hispanic shopping preferences. According to their findings when asked to name which major store or retailer they felt does the best job of catering to the Hispanic or Latino consumer, Wal-Mart was the top selection at 35 percent. Home Depot was a distant second at 7 percent and Target was third at 5 percent.
The study was conducted October 2006 among 502 Hispanics aged 18 and older nationwide by telephone. Respondents were given the choice of completing the survey in English or Spanish. Asked which factors are most important when deciding where to shop, Hispanic Americans cited the same priorities that other Americans have when choosing retailers such as convenience, low prices, and a wide range of merchandise.
A second-tier of priorities unique to the Hispanic market was cited by about half of Hispanics as “very important,” including store employees speaking Spanish, products relevant to Hispanic consumers and Spanish language signage. Following is a breakdown of factors considered very important in choosing a shopping destination:
Low prices: 75 percent
Convenient location: 69 percent
Wide range of merchandise: 66 percent
Employees who speak Spanish: 51 percent
Wide range of payment options: 49 percent
Products relevant to Hispanic consumers: 48 percent
Spanish signage: 47 percent
Product packaging and labels in Spanish: 43 percent
Owner is a member of the local community: 33 percent
Asked about their retail shopping habits, following is a breakdown of the types of stores respondents say they shop in often:
National discount chain stores such as Wal-Mart or Target: 56 percent
Local stores that specialize in serving Hispanic and Latino customers: 37 percent
National home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot: 32 percent
National mid-priced department stores such as Kohl’s, Sears or JCPenney: 23 percent
Electronics, entertainment or appliance stores such as Circuit City or Best Buy: 15 percent
Specialty clothing stores such as the Gap or Old Navy: 12 percent
National upscale department stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom or Lord & Taylor: 10 percent
Sporting good stores such as the Sports Authority: 8 percent
“The survey shows that mainstream national retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target are highly attractive to Hispanics, but that the key to differentiation stems from meeting and delivering the unique needs of Hispanic consumers,” said Bruce Barr, vice president, GfK Omnibus Services. “To stand out with Hispanics, retailers need to consider offering such things as Spanish-speaking sales clerks, Hispanic-oriented merchandise, and Spanish language signage. Wal-Mart has clearly demonstrated they have taken the next step in their marketing efforts to ensure they have catered to the Hispanic consumer effectively.”
GfK’s Hispanic OmniTel is a monthly survey of the Hispanic American market targeting Hispanic American adults nationwide. Conducted in English and Spanish, Hispanic OmniTel is national telephone omnibus survey that offers to help marketers understand the lifestyles, buying behavior and unique perspectives of Hispanic Americans.
Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is a company of the GfK Group. GfK Omnibus Services resides in the GfK Princeton, New Jersey offices. With home offices in Nuremberg, Germany, the GfK Group is the fourth largest market research organizations in the world. Its activities cover five business divisions: Custom Research, Retail and Technology, Consumer Tracking, Media and Healthcare. In addition to 13 subsidiaries in Germany, the GfK Group has more than 130 subsidiaries and affiliates in over 70 countries.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 27, 2006
David Henry, president, TeleNoticias
Photo: TeleNoticias
A podcast interview with David Henry, president, founder, TeleNoticias is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses electronic publicity and broadcast public relations and his chapter of the same title in the Hispanic Market & Public Relations book with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
David has 15 years of experience providing broadcast strategy and counsel to a diverse client base. He touts an understanding of and experience with electronic media. David, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, has experience counseling Fortune 500 clients, public relations agencies, associations and nonprofit organizations. He has executed broadcast strategies for new product launches, existing brand communications, issues management, crisis communications and special events.
David began his career at Creamer Dickson Basford, a New York public relations agency. He then held positions at broadcast public relations companies Medialink, Orbis Broadcast Group and On The Scene Productions. His past clients include Goya Food Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Visa, Levi Strauss & Co., Pfizer, Inc., Post Cereals, Mattel, Inc., McNeil Consumer Products, Sears, Philips Electronics, GlaxoSmithKline, Proctor & Gamble, Nabisco, Weight Watchers, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals and the American College of Physicians.
A member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for more than 15 years, David has earned the designation Accredited in Public Relations (APR). He was the 2003 chair of the PRSA National membership committee and 2003 chair of the PRSA Health Academy, one of the largest groups in PRSA. He has also served as a judge for the PRSA Silver Anvil Awards and for the New York chapter’s Big Apple Awards for the past 13 years. He is a frequent guest lecturer at New York University and has spoken a various public relations conferences.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see the “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR David Henry” 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 November 2006 section of the podcast.
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“Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations” audio recording
David Henry presenter
To purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation on Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations by David Henry visit the HispanicMPR.com Resources Section
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 17, 2006
‘druthers film poster
Photos: SGM Records
Latinos can find their way into anything. Regardless of how it happens, the presence of the largest minority in the U.S. is felt in all aspects of American life. Singer Diana Mera’s music even found its way into a film about an Austrian woman with a Jewish background.
Mera’s song “Besame” was chosen to be part of the soundtrack for the new film “‘druthers.” The Ecuadorian born and Peruvian raised singer is thrilled to have one of her songs showcased in a film. “When I learned that “Besame” was going to be in this movie, it was a wonderful surprise,” said Mera.
Jenna Bari, Soledad Herrada (Diana’s manager) and Diana Mera at the movie screening
The independent film was co-created and co-produced by Jenna Bari, Pollyanna Jacobs, Claudia Kindl, and Adam Wilhite; all four also act in the film. According to promotional materials, “‘druthers” displays the baggage that people carry in their everyday lives, from the cultural to the emotional. Trinity, played by Claudia Kindl, makes her way to Los Angeles after her last living relative in Austria passes away. The film presents the culture shock she experiences not only in the outside world but also within her own American family.
The film focuses on the cultural differences the character faces throughout the many scenes of the film. “Besame” helps lighten the mood when Trinity finds herself with two men who only speak Spanish. The scene portrays the difficulty of communication and also the connection music can form. The film producers found it very important to have all the scenes tie in smoothly with the music. — Melissa Gonzalez
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 16, 2006
Eddie Gonzalez, Chairman and CEO, The Bravo Group
Photo: Young & Rubicam and Wunderman
Miami, Florida — The Bravo Group recently was integrated into the existing Young & Rubicam and Wunderman operations in Miami. The merger results in one of the larger agencies in Miami, with over 70 employees.
“With their combined expertise and success in targeting the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets, it is a natural fit to join these operations to better serve our clients,” said Eddie Gonzalez, Chairman and CEO of The Bravo Group. “The synergy resulting from this integration allows the combined teams to be more client-focused while operating more efficiently; at the same time we will be in a better position to compete and win business in Miami and nationally.”
Leading Bravo Miami will be Eric Hoyt, president of Young & Rubicam Miami and Wunderman Miami. Hoyt is an industry veteran with over 20 years in the agency and marketing communications fields, including 17 years with Young & Rubicam and Wunderman in Latin America and the U.S.
“Our focus continues to be superior skills and capabilities for an increasingly complex marketplace,” said Mr. Hoyt. “By evolving and expanding our service offering, Bravo Miami and our entire operation are in a better position to provide integrated communications solutions which generate superior business results.”
The Bravo Group, a Young & Rubicam Brands company, is an agency with over 25 years serving multi-national companies trying to reach consumers within the U.S. Hispanic marketplace. Established in 1980, The Bravo Group creates marketing programs that include research and strategic planning, advertising, interactive/digital, direct, promotional and event marketing, media planning/buying, branded entertainment and public relations. The company is headquartered in New York.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 15, 2006
Vista Magazine October 2006 cover
Photos: Vista Magazine
New York, New York – ImpreMedia, LLC, one of the nation’s leading publishers of Spanish language newspapers, purchased Vista Magazine, one of the best known dual language general interest publication claiming distribution of one million in 29 markets 11 times annually. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This is the sixth company acquired by ImpreMedia, and the second this year following the acquisition of La Prensa in Orlando and Tampa. The acquisition of Vista comes less than a week after ImpreMedia’s launch of La Vibra, the premier entertainment publication with a distribution of 530,000 copies in ImpreMedia’s key markets as well as the launch of LaVibra.com.
Vista Magazine November 2006 cover
“We are very excited to add Vista to our company,” said John Paton, chairman and CEO of ImpreMedia. “By adding Vista, we now offer advertisers publications that can reach all Top 10 Hispanic markets in the U.S. This is an unmatched footprint which allows advertisers access to markets which are home to over 26 million Hispanics, more than 60% of the U.S. Hispanic population. This is a first step for ImpreMedia into the vibrant Hispanic magazine field and we hope to expand that presence soon. We have the finest journalists producing original content working in Hispanic media today and the most knowledgeable and creative research and advertising sales people in the business. We will bring all of those resources to Vista and work with Publisher Gustavo Godoy and his team to successfully take Vista to its next stage of development.”
“Our team at Vista is excited about joining ImpreMedia and its family of quality publications. We remain committed to bringing our readers the superior journalism they have come to expect from us and we look forward to bringing many new innovations in the months to come,” said Gustavo Godoy, publisher of Vista.
ImpreMedia publishes Spanish-language newspapers in six Hispanic markets: La Opinión and La Opinión Contigo in Los Angeles, El Diario La Prensa and El Diario Contigo in New York, La Raza in Chicago, El Mensajero in the San Francisco Bay Area and La Prensa in Orlando and Tampa.
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Posted by Elena del Valle on November 14, 2006
Rafael Urbina, CEO, Batanga.com
Photo: Batanga.com
Miami, Florida – Batanga, one of the largest Hispanic streaming media websites in the U.S., recently launched an online music store. Sponsored by GM, the site boasts more than 21 music categories including the latest reggaeton, hip hop, salsa and bolero sounds.
“We are pleased to provide Hispanic music fans with an online store where they will be able to search and listen to a variety of music genres,” said Rafael Urbina, CEO of Batanga.com. “We are committed to delivering music fans around the world with rich and relevant content. As the Latino community continues to grow and diversify their multimedia needs, we continue to roll-out products specifically tailored to them.”
According to the latest comScore Media Metrix U.S. Panel data, Batanga is now the fastest growing U.S. Hispanic online destination with 4.5 million unique visitors per month during the past year. According to promotional materials, visitors on Batanga spend five times more time than average per monthly user than the nearest competitor.
Once they complete registration via the Batanga website, visitors are able to browse through different categories such as the Top 10 Best Selling Songs, Top 10 Best Selling Albums, Favorites and the latest releases for $.99 per song download. They are also able to enter a drawing to receive their first 20 downloads for free by registering at the site.
Batanga.com claims the largest inventory of streaming media, including video and audio, 26 online Latin radio stations, thousands of on-demand videos, and custom content in the music, sports, autos, women and entertainment categories.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 13, 2006
Tracy Vega, director, Marketing & Publicity, Rio Nuevo Publishers
Photo: Tracy Vega
A podcast interview with Tracy Vega, director, Marketing & Publicity, Rio Nuevo Publishers is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, she discusses book publishing and Latino markets with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
As a native of Arizona, Tracy has spent a life immersed in the diversity of cultures in the American Southwest. She received a BA in English and in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. While pursuing her degree, Tracy interned with the University of Arizona Press Marketing Department and got a taste of the publishing industry.
Prior to her career in the field of publishing, Tracy’s work experience included tending bar, waiting tables and Early Intervention for the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities. She feels each job has enriched her effectiveness to interact with individuals across the boundaries of ethnicity, socio-economics, and ability.
In 2003, Tracy accepted a position at Rio Nuevo Publishers. During her time as Director of Marketing and Publicity, she promoted many award winning books such as Birds of Prey in the American West, winner of the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association Best Art Book (2004); Voice of the Borderlands winner of the Western Spur Award in Poetry (2006) and most recently, Yard Full of Sun: The Story of a Gardener’s Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand winner of the American Horticultural Society Book of the Year Award (2006).
She is currently working on Rio Nuevo Publisher’s most recent release A Taco Testimony: Meditations on Family, Food and Culture by award-winning author Denise Chávez, and the upcoming title, The Reaper’s Line: Life and Death on the Mexican Border, scheduled for publication September 2006. Tracy lives with her son in Tucson, Arizona.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see the “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Tracy Vega” 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 November 2006 section of the podcast.
A Taco Testimony by Denise Chavez (Rio Nuevo, $16.95)
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Posted by Elena del Valle on November 10, 2006
Love by Wanda Benvenutti
Photos: Wanda Benvenutti, Angela María Ortíz S. and Claire-Morales
Los Angeles, California — The work of six Latino photographers will be part of a the Cactus Gallery’s upcoming exhibit, “Shut Up & Shoot: A Photography Show of Unexpected Moments.” The show will open November 11, 2006 in Eagle Rock in Northeast Los Angeles. An artist’s reception will be held Saturday, November 18, 2006 from 7-10 p.m.
“Shut Up & Shoot” features eleven photographers from the Los Angeles area and Washington State. Although the photographers come from diverse backgrounds, they share common ground in their passion for shooting everyday life. The photographs were chosen for their intensity meant to make the viewer pause and look.
JC’s Hands by Angela María Ortíz S. and Accordion Player in NY Subway by Claire-Morales
From Andrew Ward’s shot of the glaring eyes of a young boy inhaling glue, to Wanda Benvenutti’s emotionally charged “Love,” and Aurelio José Barrera’s accordion player on a street in Boyle Heights, the gallery staff believe the images will stay engrained in the visitor’s mind because of their depth and humanness.
“We seek to inspire and enliven the community by giving opportunities to experience the eclectic diversity that is the arts. In our creative space, we’ve enjoyed the spontaneity of live drawing; live painting and live music. Cactus is ever evolving and ready for the next idea,” said Sandra Mastroianni, gallery director and owner.
Los Angeles resident photographer, Angela María Ortíz S., who is originally from Panama, was the curator and organized the display in the show. Other photographers are: Ariana de Lena, Domenico Foschi, Kevin Gray, Claire Morales, Aja Kai Rowley, David Saucedo and Lorena Villegas.
