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Listen to podcast interview with film director Mabel Valdiviezo about making films for Hispanic audiences

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 21, 2008

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Mabel Valdiviezo, producer and director, “Carlos Baron”

Photo: Mabel Valdiviezo 

A podcast interview with Mabel Valdiviezo, producer and director, “Carlos Baron” and “Soledad is Gone Forever” is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, she discusses the films and making films for Hispanic audiences with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.

Mabel is the founder of Haiku Films, a production company based in San Francisco, California.  She is the writer, director and producer of the short films “The Water’s Muse” and “Strange Machines: Music Boxes” that screened at the International Latino Film Festival and the de Young Museum in San Francisco.


Make your ads resonate with Hispanics
Listen to C&R’s Research Director Liria Barbosa in

“Hispanics’ Perspective on Advertising” audio recording

Liria Barbosa

Liria Barbosa gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about

• Type of ads Latinos prefer
• Latino top media choices
• Percent of Latinos who tried products because of ads
• Percent of Latinos who purchased products because of ads
• What makes an ad “Hispanic”
• If ad language is important for bicultural Latinos
• What to keep in mind when targeting bicultural Latinos with ads

Click here for information on Hispanic Perspectives on Advertising


Her short film “Soledad is Gone Forever” screened at the Short Film Corner Cannes International Film Market in May 2007 and was part of Sundance Producers Conference 2007. It was also nominated for the Emerging Filmmakers Award at the International Latino Film Festival. She is developing the feature length version of “Soledad is Gone Forever” and “Parallel Lies.” Mabel, who was born in Lima, Peru, was nominated for a Sundance NHK International Filmmaker Award.

To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Mabel Valdiviezo,” click on 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 January 2008 section of the podcast. 



Journalist examines racial, ethnic influence of Mexicans in U.S. in new book

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 18, 2008

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Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans & Vagabonds cover

Photo: John Nelson

Los Angeles syndicated op-ed columnist Gregory Rodriguez dedicated two years to researching and writing a book, the recently published Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans & Vagabonds: Mexican Immigration and the Future of Race in America (Pantheon Books, $26.95), to expose the relevance and influence of Mexicans in the United States. In the 336-page hardcover book on the legacy of Mexican-Americans, the largest Hispanic subgroup, he examines the influence and evolution of Mexicans in America from 1519 to the present.

In the heavily researched book (there are 39 pages of references at the back of the book), Rodriguez espouses a concept that is likely to make many conservatives cringe. He believes the Mexicanization of America will transform the U.S. into a mestizo culture and broaden the country’s belief in the melting pot.

Rodriguez follows the conquest of Mexico and the northward movement of the mestizo population to modern day America; he examines the rise of a new Mexican American identity in the 1930s in the wake of mass repatriations and deportations and offers a revisionist history of the Mexican presence in America’s Southwest. He describes the origins and culmination of the Chicano Movement, and looks at the importance of Mexican-American confidence and integration.

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Gregory Rodriguez, author, Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans & Vagabonds

In the book, he focuses on a topic many have been discussing of late, the increasing racial and cultural blending nationwide. He explores the idea that America is changing. In the Preface he promises: “…Mexicans, who have always confounded the Anglo American racial system, will ultimately destroy it too.” 

The book is divided into nine chapters: Birth of a People, The Rise and Fall of the Spanish Colonial Racial System, The Spaniards Venture North, Mexicans and the Limits of Slavery, The Anglos Move West, Caught Between North and South, Becoming Mexican American, The Chicano Movement and Mongrel America and the New Assimilation.

Rodriguez is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and a former MSNBC political analyst. His work has been published in The New York Times, The Economist, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. He is the director of the California Fellows Program and a Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation, a non-partisan public policy institute.


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Click here to buy Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans, and Vagabonds


Target Latinos effectively by anticipating changes in the market with

“Hispanic Projections with 2007-08 update” audio recording

Roger Selbert, Ph.D.

Presenter Roger Selbert, Ph.D.

Find out

  • About Latino buying power growth in the future
  • How Latino market growth compares with other markets in the U.S.
  • What drives the rise of Latino economic clout
  • Who should target the Latino market
  • What is the size of the Hispanic affluent market
  • If the luxury Latino market is growing

Stay ahead of your competion with “Hispanic Projections”


Survey: Latino voters favor Clinton

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 17, 2008

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Democrat Hillary Clinton

Photos: Richard Phibbs, JoinRudy2008.com

A recent survey, released by Avanze, Inc. in partnership with ImpreMedia, identifies Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani as top preferences for presidential candidates among Hispanic voters. The survey was conducted over 539 telephone interviews among a representative sample of Hispanic registered voters in California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois between November 27, 2007 and December 2, 2007. Respondents were asked about issues that they consider important in their decision making on Election Day 2008.

The top five issues these registered voters expected to take into account when they decide on a candidate are, in order of priority, the war in Iraq, immigration, the economy, healthcare and education. Issues that were culturally troublesome to some Hispanics include the death penalty, abortion and same-sex marriage. At the time of the survey, Democrats were in the lead for presidential candidacy support. Hillary Clinton had the support of 42 percent of registered Hispanics surveyed.

Rudy Giuliani was the favorite among registered Hispanic Republicans, with a 23 percent preference; followed by Fred Thompson, John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, all with slightly less than 5 percent support. Among Democrats, 55 percent of registered voters had an early interest in Hillary Clinton followed by Barack Obama with 6 percent. Bill Richardson, Joe Biden and John Edwards received 5 percent support.

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Republican Rudy Giuliani

At the time of the poll, 35 percent of Hispanic voters were undecided. This wide margin presents opportunities for Republicans to tip the scales; and Democrats to maintain their lead, depending on how the parties navigate the social, economic, and particularly, the immigration issues important to Hispanics.

“As the U.S. Hispanic population continues to grow, so do citizenship rates and voter registration. As a result, the struggle to persuade Hispanics to vote continues. The opportunity for either party is the one third of the Hispanic vote that is still undecided. Despite the widely varied origins, experiences and opinions, this group remains a rich source of votes for the candidates and parties that address the issues important to them and communicate in ways that are culturally relevant,” said Everett Hernández, president of Avanze, Inc.

Survey findings show that Latinos surveyed favor Democrats thanks to their position on immigration, the economy, healthcare and Iraq by a majority of Hispanic voters regardless of party affiliation. Independent Hispanics represent 15 percent of Latino voters. Independents who responded to the survey believe Democrats’ position on the immigration amnesty issue, the economy and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq was weak. Republicans could try to take advantage of this perceived weakness but risk alienating conservative non Hispanic voters, especially on immigration issues.

One in five registered Republicans favor a Democratic candidate, while at the time of the poll 44 percent did not yet have a preference. Registered Independents preferred a Democrat by a 5-to-1 margin, but more than one third were still undecided. Overall, respondents preferred a Democratic president by a margin of more than 3-to-1 (72 percent versus 20 percent).

Avanze is a San Diego, California public opinion and market research company focusing on multicultural markets. ImpreMedia is a Spanish language news and information company in the United States.


Make your ads resonate with Hispanics
Listen to C&R’s Research Director Liria Barbosa in

“Hispanics’ Perspective on Advertising” audio recording

Liria Barbosa

Liria Barbosa gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about

• Type of ads Latinos prefer
• Latino top media choices
• Percent of Latinos who tried products because of ads
• Percent of Latinos who purchased products because of ads
• What makes an ad “Hispanic”
• If ad language is important for bicultural Latinos
• What to keep in mind when targeting bicultural Latinos with ads

Click here for information on Hispanic Perspectives on Advertising


Latino voters to increase 23 percent in 2008 elections

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 16, 2008

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Chart: Tomás Rivera Policy Institute

The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) at the University of Southern California estimates that 9.3 million Latino voters will vote in the 2008 presidential elections. That represents an increase of more than 1.7 million voters or 23 percent when compared to 2004. Institute researchers believe that even in states without a significant Latino presence such as Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Washington, there may be thousands of new Latino voters in 2008.

“As the U.S. Latino population surges, we are seeing increases in registration and voter turnout due to increased naturalization numbers by Latino immigrants beginning in the 1990s and Latino youth coming of voting age” said Harry Pachon, Ph.D., president of the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute.


Make your ads resonate with Hispanics
Listen to C&R’s Research Director Liria Barbosa in

“Hispanics’ Perspective on Advertising” audio recording

Liria Barbosa

Liria Barbosa gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about

• Type of ads Latinos prefer
• Latino top media choices
• Percent of Latinos who tried products because of ads
• Percent of Latinos who purchased products because of ads
• What makes an ad “Hispanic”
• If ad language is important for bicultural Latinos
• What to keep in mind when targeting bicultural Latinos with ads

Click here for information on Hispanic Perspectives on Advertising


The potential impact of a Latino voting bloc is particularly high in states with large concentrations of Latinos. For example, in California, 3.1 percent of Latino voters can result in a 1 percent change in the state’s presidential election results. In Florida, 4.5 percent of Latino voters can create a 1 percent statewide shift in the vote.

“Even with such substantial increases, Latinos must significantly increase their rates of registration and voting in order to influence the election’s results,” said Rudy de la Garza, vice president, TRPI.

Founded in 1985, the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) advances informed policy on key issues affecting Latino communities through objective and timely research contributing to the betterment of the nation. TRPI is an affiliated research unit of the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development and is associated with the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy at Columbia University.


Find out which Latino markets are booming with

“The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets” audio recording

Dora O. Tovar, MPA

Presenter Dora O. Tovar, MPA

Click here for information on Secondary Latino Markets


ImpreMedia continues expansion, buys Texas Spanish newspaper network

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 15, 2008

John Paton

John Paton, chairman and CEO of ImpreMedia

Photo: ImpreMedia

ImpreMedia recently acquired Rumbo, a network of three Texas Spanish language newspapers with a combined print circulation of about 100,000. Company representatives declined to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition expands the company’s already extensive Spanish-language print and online audience to reach Rumbo’s market in Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

Circulation for the newly acquired publications distributed via street racks is 40,000 for the Houston newspaper and 31,000 each for the Rio Grande and San Antonio publications. Rumbo Digital reached 4,000 readers a week at the end of 2007.

“We will continue Rumbo’s mission of providing the Hispanic community in Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley with unsurpassed journalism,” said John Paton, chairman and chief executive officer of ImpreMedia. “We look forward to furthering that mission and building the Rumbo newspapers using the combined resources of our company.”


Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations Understanding and Targeting America’s Largest Minority book

Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations 1932534083

“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 information on the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations books


Plans are for Rumbo publications, previously created and published by Meximerica Media, Inc., to continue publishing full-color, Spanish-language tabloid newspapers. According to online sources, Meximerica Media is a U.S.-based publishing company of Spanish-language daily newspapers targeted at the United States Hispanic population. The Company was formed in 2003 by a group of media professionals.

“Acquiring Rumbo’s network of newspapers in Texas expands ImpreMedia’s national footprint to 7 of top 10 Hispanic markets, which allows ImpreMedia to provide advertisers a larger, national platform to present their brand messages while building sales volume locally,” said Erich Linker, senior vice president of Sales for ImpreMedia.

ImpreMedia is one of the leading publishers of Spanish language newspapers in the U.S. The company owns publications in 17 cities. According to an ImpreMedia spokesperson, following the purchase of the three Texas newspapers, ImpreMedia will reach 2.1 million Spanish speakers every week via nine newspapers and one magazine.


Target Latinos effectively by anticipating changes in the market with

“Hispanic Projections with 2007-08 update” audio recording

Roger Selbert, Ph.D.

Presenter Roger Selbert, Ph.D.

Find out

  • About Latino buying power growth in the future
  • How Latino market growth compares with other markets in the U.S.
  • What drives the rise of Latino economic clout
  • Who should target the Latino market
  • What is the size of the Hispanic affluent market
  • If the luxury Latino market is growing

Stay ahead of your competition with “Hispanic Projections”


Listen to podcast interview with Liria Barbosa, research director, C&R Research about Hispanics’ perspectives on advertisting

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 14, 2008

Liria Barbosa

 Liria R. Barbosa, research director, C&R Research

Photo: C&R Research

A podcast interview with Liria R. Barbosa, research director, C&R Research is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, Liria discusses Hispanics’ perspectives on advertising with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast. 

Liria joined C&R in 2005 bringing with her tri-lingual and multi-cultural moderating and analysis expertise. A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil Liria spent several years studying and working in Mexico. At Cultural Access Group, as well as at Synovate, she was responsible for multi-ethnic qualitative studies focusing on U.S. minority, Latin America and Caribbean markets.

Liria has experience working with household cleaners, automotive, financial services, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, alcohol beverages and health and beauty aide projects. She has moderating experience in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Liria has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration majoring in International Business from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She has also attended courses at the Burke Institute and Riva.

To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Liria Barbosa,” click on the play button below or download the MP3 file 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 January 2008 section of the podcast archive.


Make your ads resonate with Hispanics
Listen to C&R’s Research Director Liria Barbosa in

“Hispanics’ Perspective on Advertising” audio recording

Liria Barbosa

Liria Barbosa gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about

• Type of ads Latinos prefer
• Latino top media choices
• Percent of Latinos who tried products because of ads
• Percent of Latinos who purchased products because of ads
• What makes an ad “Hispanic”
• If ad language is important for bicultural Latinos
• What to keep in mind when targeting bicultural Latinos with ads

Click here for information on Hispanic Perspectives on Advertising


A video message in Spanish from one of our sponsors



Watch video – New York agency develops public service adoption ads in Spanish

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 11, 2008

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Photos, videos: Revolucion Hispanic Communications

According to the Administration for Children and Families, 300,000 children enter the United States foster care system each year. There are currently 514,000 children in the foster care system and 115,000 of these are available for adoption. At the same time, the majority of those in foster care are children of color and 15 percent of the children waiting to be adopted are Hispanic.

To address this issue and encourage Spanish-speaking Latinos to consider adoption from the U.S. foster care system, Revolucion Hispanic Communications and the Ad Council joined efforts to create the agency’s first pro bono Spanish language public service ad (PSA) campaign for AdoptUsKids. The new PSAs highlight the emotional and psychological rewards of adoption by showcasing everyday special family moments.

The tag for the campaign, created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families with the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids, is Completa una vida. Completa la tuya. (“Complete a life. Complete your own.”). Scroll down to watch three new AdoptUsKids public service announcement videos.

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Click on image to enlarge

“I am confident that this new campaign will remind the Hispanic community that there are every day rewards with adopting a child and providing them with a loving home,” said Peggy Conlon, president and chief executive officer of Ad Council.

The new adoption ads were distributed to more than 28,000 media outlets nationwide on Wednesday, December 12 through donated media space. The multi-media program includes Spanish-language television, radio, and print public service announcements (PSAs) issuing a national call-to-action in the messaging itself.

“Adoption messaging has been focused traditionally on creating an emotional connection to the children,” said Federico L. Mejer, chief strategy officer at Revolucion. “However, the adoption experience is extraordinarily powerful for the adoptive parents as well, and we felt that the most compelling approach to promoting adoptions among Latinos was to focus on the parents’ sense of fulfillment.”


Find out which Latino markets are booming with

“The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets” audio recording

Dora O. Tovar, MPA

Presenter Dora O. Tovar, MPA

Click here for information on Secondary Latino Markets


“You can’t really draw a comparison between general market and Hispanic advertising and media. When we produce PSAs for the Hispanic community, we develop culturally relevant ads that are based on consumer insights with the target audience,” said Ellyn Fisher, director of Corporate Communications of Ad Council, when asked how Hispanic announcements are received compared to how general media announcements are received. “We also distribute the PSAs and conduct outreach specifically to the Hispanic media market, which is a much smaller universe than the general market media. Our Hispanic ads receive generous support from the Hispanic media.”

Revolucion’s team on the PSA campaign included Mejer, Alberto R. Rodriguez, chief creative officer; Roberto Alcazar, executive creative director; Henry Alvarez, art director; Mercedes Leonard, executive producer; Patricio Diaz, studio producer; and Amy Gomez, vice president and account director. Film and editing crew included directors Roberto Alcazar and Pedro Castro, who also served as director of photography; Nicolas Entel and Frank Linkhoff, executive producers; Javier Perez Ravan, editor; Rob Filomena, composer; Luis Felipe Itemera, engineer. The ads were produced by Red Creek Productions with post-production by Xposure Productions and music and sound by Razorhead Productions.

“Our focus was to try to identify those little moments in life that really matter,” said Alcazar. “It’s not graduation day or Christmas morning that these kids are longing for; it’s moments like the Sunday visit to the pizza place with Dad that gives life its meaning.”

Revolucion Hispanic Communications is a seven year old Hispanic-owned brand-communications agency based in New York City. The Ad Council is a private, non profit organization that relies on volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver social messages to Americans.

The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids is a multi-faceted, five-year, federally funded project to recruit families to adopt the children waiting in foster care for permanency. The Administration for Children and Families is responsible for a variety of activities that promote the economic and social well being of families, children, individuals and communities.


“Beyond the 30 Second Spot” audio recording

Listen to a 105-minute discussion

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Panelists Ivan Cevallos, Hunter Heller, Kitty Kolding and Cynthia Nelson

Our panel of national experts discuss

• Challenges of measuring the impact of the 30-second ad spot
• Innovative tools are useful to reach Latinos
• Changes in marketing to Hispanics
• On which market segment are the changes most relevant
• Effects of technology and time shift on consumer behavior
• Role of multi-screens
• Getting started
• Tips for marketing professionals

Click here to find out about Beyond the 30 Second Spot


Search Engine Strategies Conference New York March 17-20, 2008

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 10, 2008

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Search Engine Strategies Conference
New York, NY
March 17-20, 2008

Learn the basics of constructing a search friendly Web site, optimization tips for organic search results, and creating unique content to effectively reach potential clients.  Engage in a high level discussion on topics such as managed paid search campaigns, social media optimization and reputation management, carving out a niche for specifics services in an extremely competitive marketplace.  SES New York | Register here

 HispanicMPR Subscribers: SAVE 10% when you use 10HMPR

Burger King launches diversity oriented print marketing campaign

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 10, 2008

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Ad with Cuban Vince Eupierre, a Burger King franchisee

Click on image to enlarge

Photo: Burger King Corp.

Burger King Corp. launched a print ad campaign highlighting its diversity and inclusion initiatives nationwide. The “Real People, Real Success” campaign focuses on BKC’s diverse employees, suppliers and franchisees. The first ad from the campaign appeared during the National Council of La Raza 2007 national conference in Miami.

Republica, BKS’s designated agency for diversity issues, developed the marketing and communications initiative for Burger King Corporation. According to a BKC spokesperson Burger King representatives are “still finalizing our media plan but we will be putting ads in such publications as Poder and Hispanic Enterprise. Currently the ad campaign does not have an online component.”

The campaign consists of a series of real-life testimonials of Hispanic, African American and Asian franchisees and suppliers. One ad is a stylized black-and-white portrait that highlights a Cuban-American businessman who began as a Burger King restaurant employee and now owns almost 40 of the hamburger chain’s restaurants. Another ad showcases an African American businesswoman who is one of BKC’s largest suppliers.


“Best in Class Hispanic Strategies” audio recording

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Presenters Carlos Santiago and Derene Allen

  • Find out what makes 25 percent of the top 500 Hispanic market advertisers out perform the remaining companies

  • Discover what questions to ask, steps to take to be a Best in Class company

Click here for information on “Best in Class Hispanic Strategies” audio recording


“BKC is committed to showing its support for a diverse workforce and business partnerships,” said Cirabel Lardizabal Olson, director of inclusion and external affairs, BKC. “One of our biggest strengths is our respect for inclusion, which helps reflect the demographics of our market today and our customers’ reality.”

The Burger King system operates more than 11,200 restaurants in 50 states and 69 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. According to promotional materials, 90 percent of Burger King restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. No information was available on the number of Hispanic owned franchises.

According to the Burger King website, the company supports Hispanic Heritage Council, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC).


Listen to Cesar Melgoza discuss

“Changing Latino Landscape” audio recording

Cesar Melgoza

Presenter Cesar Melgoza, managing director, Latin Force Group

Find out about

• How demographic, social, political and economic factors affect Latinos
• Number of Hispanics in U.S.
• Hispanics as a percent of the mainstream population
• Number of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico
• Hispanics, including Puerto Rico, as a percent of U.S. mainstream
• Number of Asians and African Americans
• Estimated size of Hispanic market by 2012
• Percentage growth of new Hispanics per year
• Number of counties where Latinos are majority
• Areas of significant Latino growth
• Area of U.S. with a 950 percent Latino growth
• Role of acculturation
• Hispanicity segmentation

Click here for information on the Changing Latino Landscape


Watch video – Cable companies, Hispanic non profits cooperate on $5 million national multicultural vote oriented campaign

Posted by Elena del Valle on January 9, 2008

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Ana Ortiz

Photos,video: Comcast

Comcast, the Hispanic Federation, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, launched “Our Time to Vote,” a year-long, non-partisan voter education and registration campaign designed to increase voting in Hispanic communities with cable access. Scroll down to watch a video of the Hispanic oriented public service announcement.

“Comcast recognizes that broader participation in the democratic process is important for our nation, and we are very pleased to launch this partnership to pursue that goal,” said David L. Cohen, executive vice president, Comcast. “This campaign reflects the cable industry’s commitment to strong local communities and to active public citizenship.”

Part of an estimated $5 million multicultural campaign, the program consists of four public service announcements (PSAs). One of the ads features Hispanic entertainers and leaders including George Lopez, Ana Ortiz and Janet Murguía, president and chief executive officer of National Council of La Raza (NCLR), encouraging Hispanic audiences to register to vote. In addition to the ads, the program established two nationally available voter education resources, OurTimeToVote.com webpage and a voter information resources hotline.

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George Lopez

The PSA, recorded at this year’s NCLR Alma Awards, will air prior to the 2008 primary elections in Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications, Inc. and Bright House Networks markets. A series of “Get out the Vote” spots will run from September 1, 2008, through November 3, 2008, prior to the general election.

“Hispanic voter participation is critical to the election of the next President of the United States and other key leadership positions,” said Congressman Joe Baca, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “If our community is going to have a say, now and in the future, on the issues that matter most to us, we must show our empowerment at the polls. This type of unique partnership serves as a great example for other corporations to replicate.”

“Voting is one of our most sacred responsibilities, as we nurture and advance our democracy with every vote cast,” said Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehntinen. “Being able to vote and not participating in the process is tantamount to giving up your right on deciding what public official will govern our affairs. I applaud Comcast for their continued leadership in our community and throughout the nation.”

The Comcast Foundation awarded grants to the following national Hispanic organizations to help support their voter outreach efforts: the Hispanic Federation, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund.


Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations Understanding and Targeting America’s Largest Minority book

Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations 1932534083

“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 information on the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations books


The Hispanic Federation is a membership organization of more than 94 Latino health and human service organizations that focuses efforts on voter education and registration programs during election cycles. The Comcast Foundation grant will assist the Hispanic Federation’s efforts to educate the public on the importance of voter participation through civic participation workshops, forums and other civic activities, expanded voter registration efforts and voter mobilization on Election Day.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is one of the largest and oldest Hispanic organizations in the United States that works to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 councils nationwide. The Comcast Foundation grant will support the LULAC Democracy Initiative, whose goal is to increase participation rates by immigrant and Latino voters in the 2008 elections.

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund is a Latino civic organization that promoters U.S. citizenship among Latino legal permanent residents and advocates increased access to the American political system. The Comcast Foundation grant will help to support NALEO Educational Fund’s “Ya Es Hora, Ve y Vota” (“Now is the Time, Go and Vote”) campaign.

“Latinos across the nation are eager to make their voices heard and participate fully in the American political process,” said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the NALEO Educational Fund. “Comcast recognizes this, and we are proud to be partners with them as the NALEO Educational Fund embarks on its largest voter outreach and education effort to date.”

“‘Our Time to Vote’ is designed to bring a wide range of diverse Americans into the voting process,” said Susan Gonzales, corporate senior director of Federal and External Affairs and vice president of the Comcast Foundation. “As a company dedicated to diversity, we are pleased to make this contribution to broadened civic engagement in the African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander and Hispanic communities.”

Comcast focuses its diversity efforts on attracting and retaining a multicultural workforce, developing a diverse supplier group, offering a wide selection of multicultural programming and pledging significant community investments.