Posted by Elena del Valle on March 30, 2007
Opening the Borders book cover
Photo: Level 4 Press
About the only agreement in the vitriolic illegal immigration debate is that it’s one of America’s thorniest hot-button issues and will play a pivotal role in the 2008 presidential election. Politicians are tap-dancing around the topic and offering few practical solutions. Is there a logical and humane answer that benefits the United States and Mexico? Journalist Larry Blasko dives head-first into this raging controversy with a new 211-page hardcover book, Opening the Borders: Solving the Mexico/U.S. Immigration Problem For Our Sake and Mexico’s (Level 4 Press, $24.95).
Research indicates there are between 10 and 12 million illegal Mexican immigrants in the United States. That enrages some Americans who feel their tax dollars are supporting illegal immigrants. Other Americans champion anyone’s right to find jobs and build better lives for their families.
“You have one side shouting ‘Deport Them!’ and the other side shouting ‘Love Them!’” said Blasko. “But the reality is hand-wringing and finger-pointing solve nothing. A logical solution could be implemented by now with all the energy both sides have expended screaming for extreme measures.”
According to promotional materials, in Opening the Borders Blasko outlines the early, rocky relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. He then hones in on the immigration issue today, and reminds readers that America was founded by immigrants.
By illustrating the impact illegal Mexican immigrants have on the U.S. economy, Blasko makes a case for hammering out an agreement between U.S. and Mexican leaders that would benefit both nations. He points to a speech by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg detailing the crucial role immigrant workers play in that city’s economy.
Opening the Borders takes a close look at the argument that illegal immigrants are stealing jobs from law abiding Americans. “Let’s be realistic for just a minute,” said Blasko. “Sure, you can say that these low-paying jobs have been proliferated by illegal immigrants, but ask yourself, are there really millions of Americans lining up for these jobs?”
Blasko served for more than three decades with The Associated Press as writer, editor, columnist and executive. He is the author of two other books, ABCs of Computing, a Plain-English Guide, and Vamp!
Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations Understanding and Targeting America’s Largest Minority book
“A must resource for practitioners/professionals expecting to reach US Hispanics; also valuable for college programs in marketing, public relations and communications. Highly recommended.”
Choice magazine
Click here for more information and to buy your copy today!
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Posted by Elena del Valle on March 29, 2007
4th Annual Multicultural Marketing for Financial Services and Health, Life and P&C Insurance Companies
March 29-30, 2007 Marriott New York at Brooklyn Bridge
The Center for Business Intelligence is pleased to present this premier annual event that focuses on multicultural initiatives specific to the financial services and insurance industries. This is the only event of its kind that offers practical tools and communication strategies that allow you to effectively reach out to rapidly ascending diverse markets.
Our 2007 event includes multiple perspectives on the Hispanic market. The event features presentations from industry leaders: Chiqui Cartagena covers key trends in marketing to the financial services sector; Steven Palacios of Cheskin discusses Product Innovation through cross-border opportunities in the Hispanic market and a pre-conference workshop on Translations and Transcreations is facilitated by Leticia Fernandez Godwin of BCBS Florida and Alfredo Ortiz from Grupo Mas. Attend this interactive and educational two-day conference to hear high level informative presentations, explore key development strategies, and maximize marketing resources to reach important and growing diverse markets. For more information, please call 800-817-8601 (outside the U.S. 781-939-2438), visit http://www.cbinet.com/ or email cbireg@cbinet.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 29, 2007
Liria Barbosa, senior research analyst, C&R Research
Photo:C&R Research
Hispanic oriented research firm LatinoEyes, a division of C&R Research, will ask bicultural marketing, research and advertising professionals interested in the Hispanic market what they like and dislike in today’s Hispanic-targeted advertising during a live and free webinar. “Voices of the People — Hispanic Consumers Speak Out About the Most Effective Ways to Connect with Them” will take place online at 3 pm Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Organizers, Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa, hope to hear what grabs respondent’s attention, makes them connect with brands, and drives them away from brands.
“I think this is a great opportunity for marketers, researchers ,and anyone with an interest in the Hispanic market to hear how bicultural Latinos feel about marketing vehicles and Hispanic-targeted advertising,” said Barbosa, senior research analyst, C&R Research.
“The Pew Hispanic Center has just released a study showing that 76 percent of bilingual Latinos use the internet. Hence, marketers can now take advantage of the quick and cost effective online methodologies they’ve been using for the General Market and apply them to the acculturated and bicultural Hispanic market. Therefore, online research tools are now more important than ever and this session will showcase one online method for reaching your Hispanic consumer.”
The discussion will take place in an interactive query session which brings multiple respondents together to answer questions simultaneously and provides immediate results. This is a hybrid of qualitative and quantitative research that mixes pre-programmed quantitative questions with open-ended qualitative questions.
The software also allows facilitators to add questions or probe deeper on participants’ answers on the fly. The information collected during the Interactive query session will be available in a report a week after the live session.
LatinoEyes offers qualitative and quantitative marketing research, including an exclusive LatinoEyes.com online panel of thousands of acculturated, bicultural and unacculturated Latinos across the country.
Hear from market researchers about the Latino family in
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 28, 2007
Miguelito Gonzalez as “Handyman”
Photo: WSBS
WSBS- Mega TV Channel 22 in Miami recently launched “Handyman,” a weekly lifestyle program hosted by comedian Miguelito Gonzalez, at 9 pm on Mondays. Gonzalez, as “Handyman,” promises to inspire Miami residents with comic relief and touching moments.
In each dramatic episode of “Handyman,” Gonzalez and his team of colorful handymen will work with a participant to remodel and redecorate a room in their home. Producers expect the modeling rejuvenation to touch the lives of the audience and the participants by providing uplifting inspiration and motivation to those less fortunate or in need. During the first episode, “Handyman” helped a child with a dream of becoming a professional skier, and a mother hoping for her son’s safe return from the war.
Gonzalez is a former member of the “Fonomemecos,” a Cuban entertainment troop. After defecting from Cuba, Gonzalez sought asylum in the Dominican Republic and shortly after arrived in the United States. Eventually he found his way back to the entertainment business.
In 1995, Gonzalez began a new phase in his career as a radio host for Spanish Broadcasting System’s WXJD, El Zol 95.7 on “El Show de la Mañana.” He then worked on a local Miami television show, “El Mikimbín de Miami,” where he fleshed out a number of characters based on his own life experiences. Following his television experience he returned to radio entertainment.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment companies in the United States. SBS owns and operates 20 radio stations located in Hispanic markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico. The Company also owns and operates Mega TV in Miami.
Reach Latinos consumers with electronic publicity tools with
“Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations” audio recording
David Henry presenter
Broadcast publicity expert David Henry shares insights drawn from years of experience to help you target Latinos effectively during this presentation and interview.
Find out how: to reach Latinos with electronic publicity; how many TV stations offer news programming in Spanish in the U.S.; which markets have the number one newscasts in Spanish; which markets offer bilingual news TV programming; and much more.
Click hereto purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation on Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations by David Henry
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 27, 2007
Latino Internet Usage
Click on image to enlarge
According to the findings of a recent survey, Latino access to the Internet is linked to English proficiency, educational level and country of origin. Latinos Online, a report by Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet & American Life Project and Gretchen Livingston of the Pew Hispanic Center, indicates Internet usage varies widely among Hispanics depending on language proficiency, educational level and country of origin.
The researchers’ findings indicate only 56 percent of Latino adults visit the Internet; while 71 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 60 percent of non-Hispanic blacks go online. Fox and Livingston believe socio-economic factors such as low educational levels and language limitations play a role in the lower Internet access of this large minority which represents 14 percent of the U.S. market.
The report is based on telephone surveys of 6,016 Hispanic adults between June 2005 and October 2006; and 2,098 non-Hispanic adults in August 2006. Latino respondents had an option to respond in English, Spanish or a combination of both languages.
The report revealed that more than two thirds of English dominant (78 percent) and bilingual Latinos (76 percent) use the Internet while only 32 percent of Spanish dominant adults do so. A significant number of U.S. born Latinos (76 percent) go online while less than half (43 percent) of foreign born Latinos visit the Internet.
Educated Latinos are more likely to go online than uneducated ones. More than two thirds of Latinos with a degree are likely to go online (89 percent). At the same time, 70 percent of Latinos who graduated high school go online but only 31 percent of Latinos who did not complete high school go online. Although Internet access among uneducated non-Hispanic whites and blacks is also low, the percentage of Latinos without a high school degree (41 percent) is noticeably higher than it is for non-Hispanic whites (10 percent) or blacks (20 percent).
Although Mexicans are the largest group of Latinos in the U.S., they are, according to the study, less likely to visit the Internet than other Latinos. Only 52 percent of Hispanics of Mexican descent use the Internet. At the same time, 58 percent of those of Central American origin, 59 percent of Dominican extraction Latinos, 66 percent of Puerto Rican and 64 percent of Latinos of Cuban descent go online. Seventy percent of Hispanics of South American origin go online, making them the most likely Hispanics to surf the Internet.
Latinos also access the Internet by cell phone. More than half of Latino adults (59 percent) have a cell phone and almost half (49 percent) of Latino cell phone users say they send and receive text messages on their phones. On the flip side, a quarter of Hispanic adults have no cell phone or Internet connection.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project and the Pew Hispanic Center are non profit initiatives of the Pew Research Center. The mission of the Pew Hispanic Center is to improve understanding of the Hispanic population and chronicle their impact on the country. The Pew Internet & American Life Project looks at the social impact of the Internet.
“Search Engine Marketing to Hispanics” audio recording
Presenter Matias Perel, founder and president, Latin3
Find out about
- The 16 million Latino online users
- Types of online access among Hispanics
- Latino online user language preferences
- What they do online
- Usage by age
- Income levels among Hispanics who visit the Internet
- Internet use by Hispanics
Click here to purchase a recording about search engine marketing to Hispanics
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 26, 2007
Singer Lumidee
Photo: TVT Records
At 19, Puerto Rican, Spanish Harlem rapper and singer Lumidee, scored a hit with her debut single “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh).” Now, after a brief hiatus, she will launch a new album, “Unexpected,” in the U.S. April 17, 2007.
In 2003, her song soared to the top of the charts, reaching the third slot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Described as having “sweet vocals, catchy hook, infectious Diawli dancehall rhythm, and clap-heavy backdrop,” “Never Leave You” made it to the number one spot in Germany and topped the pan-European charts in the summer of 2003.
Lumidee is now signed to TVT Records through Mach 1 Records and preparing for the release of her second album. Her new single “She’s Like the Wind,” already entered the Pop 100 charts featuring R&B singer and Terror Squad member Tony Sunshine. The song remakes the same-named Patrick Swayze cut of “Dirty Dancing” fame.
The idea behind redoing the classic tune came from Lumidee’s European label, and she was intrigued by the possibilities. When asked to suggest a male vocalist to collaborate with her, she recommended Tony Sunshine. After hearing Tony’s vocal presence on the track, Lumidee was inspired to write some flirtatious, uptempo rap lyrics to give the song a stronger urban feel. Although Lumidee was confident about the song she never considered it as a single. To her surprise, it became the album’s lead single, and is quickly climbing up the charts.
“People will be surprised by what I am bringing to this project,” said Lumidee. “It incorporates so many flavors, rap, R&B, Caribbean music, all the sounds that influence me. I feel confident about this album because I really get to show the public more of what I’m all about.”
Lumidee’s sophomore effort includes appearances by several artists such as Shaggy, who she worked with on the reggae-tinged “Feel Like Making Love;” Harlem-bred rapper Jim Jones, who brings his gruff voice and street swagger to “I’m Up;” Pitbull, who brings some of his energetic, rapid-fire flow to “Krazy,” which was produced by Lenky; and reggaeton and rap star N.O.R.E. on “You Got Me.”
Lumidee is no stranger to adversity. Her father passed away in 1995 and her mother spent most of Lumidee’s childhood in prison, leaving Lumidee and her siblings to be raised by their grandparents. Lumidee was forced to slow down when, at 14, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the joints and the surrounding tissue. Due to a misdiagnosis (doctors originally said she had lupus and prescribed the wrong medications), by the time her real illness was detected, her condition had become dire.
In some ways Lumidee’s condition may have been a blessing in disguise, forcing her to concentrate on her writing. Despite the obstacles, she persevered and, with the right treatment, defied doctors’ expectations, returning to school to complete her final year and maintaining a rigorous recording schedule. In 2002, before the release of her debut, she underwent hip replacement surgery. After the procedure she was able to dance and perform.
“Latino Family Dynamics” audio recording
Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with extended information on Latino Family Dynamics by Brenda Hurley and Liria Barbosa
To listen to the single “She’s Like the Wind” from the new “Unexpected” album click on the play button below.
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Posted by Elena del Valle on March 23, 2007
Monica Lozano, publisher and chief executive officer, La Opinión
Photos: National Hispana Leadership Institute
The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) will host five empowerment programs from January to August 2007. The first event will be held in Los Angeles, California on March 30. Additional programs will take place May 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center; June 1 in Hartford, Conneticut at the Hilton Hartford; June 27 in Orlando, Florida and August 17 in Houston, Texas.
The Los Angeles program is scheduled to begin at 8 am and conclude at 12:30 pm. Following registration and breakfast, NHLI President Marisa Rivera-Albert will open the program with “Preparing Latinas for Leadership Positions,” a discussion about the National Hispana Leadership Institute.
Julie Stav, financial planner, Julie Stav, Inc
A presenter from The Gallup Organization, Zulma X. Barrios, L.H.D., will dedicate two hours to “The Seven Demands of Leadership.” During that time she will discuss the leadership demands she believes are essential for Latinas to master. These are Visioning, Maximizing Values, Challenging Experience, Mentoring, Building a Constituency, Making Sense of Experience and Knowing Self.
The event will conclude with a five speaker panel discussion, “Latinas Sharing Their Secrets of Success.” Panel members are: Monica Lozano, publisher and chief executive officer, La Opinión; Jennifer Korn, associate director, Office of Public Liaison, White House; Julie Stav, financial planner, Julie Stav, Inc.; Lulu Sobrino, founder and chief executive officer, Lulu’s Dessert; Monica Garcia, board member, District 2, LA Unified School District; and Charline Espinoza, agent, State Farm Insurance Companies. Admission to the half day event costs $30.
Founded in 1987, the National Hispana Leadership Institute promotes leadership for Hispanic women. Its mission is “to develop Hispanas as ethical world leaders through training, professional development, relationship building, community and world activism.”
“Latino Identity and Situational Latinidad ” audio recording
Presenters Diana Rios and Ph.D., Federico Subervi, Ph.D.
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with presentations on Latino identity by Diana Rios, Ph.D. and Federico Subervi, Ph.D. and a bonus interview with the professors
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 22, 2007
Andres Fuentes
La Opinión hired Andres Fuentes as vice president of Sales. Fuentes will oversee the publication’s advertising sales organization including local retail, national, online, integrated sales and new business development. Additionally, he will work with ImpreMedia corporate sales in building out cross-market integrated sales programs. He will report to Monica Lozano, publisher and chief executive officer of La Opinión.
“Andres brings enormous dynamism and a proven track record to La Opinión,” said Lozano, “His experience in cross platform sales is critical to our organization as we diversify the scope and product mix to meet customer expectations and sustained revenue growth.”
Most recently Fuentes was the general sales manager at Univision Radio’s KLVE-FM and KTNQ-AM. He worked with Univision for seven years. KLVE-FM is described in promotional materials as one of the largest radio stations in the Univision Radio Network.
In the 1990s, he worked at La Opinión as general manager of La Opinión Para Ti, a home delivered publication co-produced in partnership with the Los Angeles Times. Fuentes is a graduate of the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile.
La Opinión is a leading Spanish-language daily newspaper. According to promotional materials it distributes 124,000 copies throughout the five-county Southern California area and reaches over 482,000 readers on a daily basis. La Opinión is owned and operated by ImpreMedia LLC.
“Latino Media and Hispanic Media Training” audio recording
Presenters Federico Suverbi, Ph.D. and Elena del Valle, MBA
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with Latino media and Hispanic media training presentations by Federico Subervi, Ph.D and Elena del Valle, MBA
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 21, 2007
By Patrick Osio, Jr.
Editor, HispanicVista and columnist, San Diego Metropolitan Magazine
Patrick Osio, Jr.
Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), at what was dubbed a “think tank” conference on January 26th to review immigration issues promoted in part by San Diego University’s Trans-Border Institute (TBI), called on the Department of Homeland Security to use eminent domain to purchase from half-mile to a mile of land along the US-Mexico border, and demolish the buildings to create a “border security zone” to “insulate ourselves” from Mexico.
Krikorian’s bizarre ideas would demolish San Ysidro, and Otay Mesa, in San Diego. Do away with much of Calexico in Imperial Valley, California; Nogales, Arizona, El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville and numerous smaller border towns in Texas.
Click here to read the complete article
Target Latinos effectively by anticipating changes in the market with
“Hispanic Projections” audio recording
Presenter Roger Selbert, Ph.D.
Click here to learn more and to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation by Roger Selbert, Ph.D. on “Hispanic Projections”
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 20, 2007
Fredrik de Wahl, CEO, Joost
Photo: Joost™
New York, New York – Voy and Joost™ recently announced a partnership in which Voy will deliver branded channels, including a slate of fresh Latin programming, via Joost’s global distribution platform. Voy promises to deliver a variety of programming created by award-winning Latino producers from the U.S. and Latin America. The programming will include short films, magazine shows and TV series.
“Voy is proud to join forces with Joost on their global venture. Together we seek to serve the Latino community and those interested in Latin culture with great programming delivered in an innovative way that reflects today’s consumers,” said Fernando Espuelas, founder and CEO of Voy. “Latinos are the foremost consumers of technology and media in the U.S. With Joost, we connect this sophisticated audience with relevant content on a leading edge platform that has natural appeal to Voy’s global audience.”
“We are partnering with Voy to deliver programming that is relevant to Latino viewers, and others interested in Latin culture,” said Fredrik de Wahl, chief executive officer of Joost. “Voy will provide Joost viewers with unique and engaging programming in a broad array of genres.”
Joost, still in beta, provides an innovative platform combining television and Internet features. Though only available to the public by invitation, the free service promises access through a secure, peer-to-peer streaming technology service reached through broadband Internet.
The Voy channels on Joost will include: “Voy Filmmaker Showcase” offering short films, music videos and commercials made by Latinos or featuring Latinos; “LatinEyes,” a magazine style program highlighting Latin culture in the United States and abroad;”Voy to Hollywood” has celebrity interviews, featurettes and behind-the-scenes news on movies and shows of interest to Latinos; “Hola America!,” a news magazine focused on Latino personalities making an impact in the United States; “LowLos,” a weekly show dedicated to Lowriders and the Lowriding culture, lifestyle; “(IN)Pulse,” described as a Voy original hosted entertainment weekly show with a Latino twist.
Voy is a digital media company offering culturally relevant entertainment to English-speaking Latinos and those discovering Latin culture. Voy executives strive to connect the brand with its audience through various emerging and traditional distribution vehicles such as broadband, wireless connecitivy, broadcasting and DVDs.
Joost is a combination of online features and television style programming. It is based on a state-of-the-art, secure, peer-to-peer streaming technology that provides full-screen television entertainment with online interactivity without requiring downloads.
Reach Hispanics online today with
“Marketing to Hispanics Online” audio recording
Identifying and characterizing the booming Hispanic online market
Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
Click here to purchase a recording with a presentation on marketing to Hispanics online by Joel Bary and interviews with Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
