Posted by Elena del Valle on November 25, 2008
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization, which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.
Click here for the full text of Associate Director of External Affairs/Director of Media Relations
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 21, 2008
PR 2.0 New Media, New Tools, New Audiences
Photos: FT Press
In the wake of this year’s presidential elections the enormity of what transition officials are calling Obama 2.0 is becoming evident. During his 21-month campaign for the White House the Illinois legislator built an online grass roots support group of 10 million, including 3.1 million contributors. With his army of online supporters he raised $660 million and developed a following his team plan on continuing to leverage now that they are headed to Washington. The idea is to convert Obama’s online support base into a viral lobbying and communications machine, making him the first president to be “wired” in the digital sense of the word.
The success of these monumental efforts may be the final proof change resistant and anti Internet business people and communicators needed to come to terms with the advances in media and the way today’s society communicates in America and the world. Obama 2.0 illustrates the point about new media that Deidre Breakenridge, a public relations practitioner from New Jersey, makes in her recently published book: online and digital communications, including social media, have become powerful stand alone resources that must be considered as part of a comprehensive public relations plan.
In PR 2.0 New Media, New Tools, New Audiences(FT Press, $24.99), Breakenridge’s third book, she discusses new media and how its advent affects the practice of public relations. She promises readers that PR 2.0 will illustrate for them the idea of protecting and preserving brand reputation through social media strategies while taking advantage of their knowledge and the Internet to develop powerful campaigns.
Deidre Breakenridge, author, PR 2.0
The 284-page hardcover book is divided into 15 chapters and four sections: The Transition to PR 2.0, A New Direction in PR, Embracing PR 2.0 and The Future of 2.0. In the book, she outlines the importance of being familiar with new media much of which she says involves social networking including website interaction and blogging.
She goes on to say that being familiar with new media is not enough. She believes new media should be an integrated part of the public relations resources and tools available to practitioners everyday. And, that it’s up to each practitioner to know when and how to take advantage of them.
Breakenridge, president and director of communications, PFS Marketwyse, is an adjunct professor at Farleigh Dickinson University. A 20 year veteran in her field, she is also author of Cyberbranding and The New PR Toolkit.
Click here to buy PR 2.0: New Media, New Tools, New Audiences
Cyberbranding: Brand Building in the Digital Economy
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Filed Under: Books
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 20, 2008
Shoot Down DVD
Photos: Rogues Harbor Studios
On February 24, 1996, four members of the Miami based Brothers to the Rescue volunteer group were shot and killed by two Cuban military fighter jets while flying, unarmed, over the area between Florida and Cuba, in international waters, in search of Cuban refugees. In January of this year, the film Shoot Down, which told their story as seen from the American side, opened in theaters – click here to read more about the film. The 88-minute documentary film about the tragedy was released on DVD November 11, 2008. Scroll down to watch a Shoot Down video clip.
Shoot Down was winner of 2007 Sonoma Film Festival honors for Best Documentary and described as the first feature-length film about the true story of the 1996 shoot down of the two unarmed United States civilian planes by Cuban fighter jets. According to promotional materials, although the film was denied bookings in most theaters in the United States it was one of the top grossing documentaries of the year. The DVD sells for $29.95.
“The great thing about a thorough and fact-based documentary is that people can watch the film and make up their own minds, without any filters,” said Douglas Eger, the film’s producer. “There is still a great deal of resistance to the full story of what happened back in 1996 reaching the public. We have been successful licensing the TV rights internationally but still no domestic TV outlet will broadcast Shoot Down; that amazes me! DVDs might be the only way Americans will be able to see this film. There are powerful interests that just don’t want this story to be told.”
Cristina Khuly, director, and Douglas Eger, producer, Shoot Down
Target Latinos effectively by understanding how they shop
“Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
Manuel Delgado, CEO Agua Marketing, gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about
- Hispanic shopping patterns national survey
- Why Latino consumers may be more desirable than general market shoppers
- Hispanics holiday shopping patterns and behaviors
Click here for information on “Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
The DVD features never-before-heard 30-minute audio tapes from the cockpits of the lead Cessna with conversation between that plane and the two planes shot down; a 12-minute unedited recording of Raul Castro discussing the incident, and a full-length Spanish version of the film. It also comes with the unedited 90-minute voice recordings between the Cuban MiG’s and Cuban Military Control intercepted by U.S. intelligence surveillance.
“U.S. Civilian aircraft were shot down by a foreign government and not may people know about it, let alone why it happened. I can’t think of many issues where you would find Amnesty International, The European Community, conservative Republican Cuban-Americans, and Al Sharpton on the same side of an issue and it doesn’t make headlines, wow,” said Cristina Khuly, director, Shoot Down.
“With a new administration in Washington, it is critical that we remind the public of this important piece of history. DVDs are the primary way independent films reach their audience.”
In addition to the husband and wife team of Eger and Khuly, Shoot Downproduction staff include Claudia Raschke-Robinson, director of photography; Malcolm Jamieson, editor; and Edward Bilous, composer.
Rogues Harbor Studios staff believe film should entertain, educate and empower audiences. The company mission is to create content that is “challenging and purposeful, uniting engaged consumers with entertaining ideas.”
Click here to buy Shoot Down
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 19, 2008
Bob Liodice, president and CEO, ANA
Photos: Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Yesterday, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) has announced the winners of the 2008 Multicultural Excellence Awards during the 10th annual ANA Multicultural Marketing Conference in Boca Raton, Florida. In its eighth year, the awards recognize ANA member companies and marketers in six categories for their work in producing multicultural advertising campaigns that aired between June 2007 and May 2008.
This year, the ANA created a new category for strong work across all ethnic segments in Digital Media. The winners in each category were: Blue Shield of California won the Hispanic ad category for the Blue Shield of California ad. In the African American category, Prime Access, Inc. was recognized for the Partnership For a Drug Free America ad; and in the Asian category interTrend Communications won for its State Farm Insurance ad.
Make your ads resonate with Hispanics
Listen to C&R’s Research Director Liria Barbosa in
“Hispanics’ Perspective on Advertising” audio recording
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 Vidal Partnership received the recognition for Digital Media for the Cadbury Dentyne ad; DDB won in the General Market Category for its McDonald’s ad; and Grupo Gallegos won in the Campaign with Significant Results category for its Energizer ad.
Hispanic category winners: Juan Zubiate, Latino project manager and Seth Berman, director of Marketing Stratey and Operations, Blue Shield of California and Miss USA, Crystale Stewart
“Our winners have established themselves as leaders in the world of multicultural marketing and their work represents the best in our industry,” said Bob Liodice, president and chief executive officer of the ANA. “I am thrilled that through the Multicultural Excellence Awards, the ANA is able to recognize the contributions these organizations have made and the growing importance of speaking to consumer through multicultural channels. I offer all of them my congratulations.”
The awards are sponsored by the ANA Multicultural Marketing Committee. The winners, selected by members of the 134-member committee, were judged on a scale of one to ten (where 20 was a perfect score) for creativity and relevancy to multicultural markets. Established in 1998, the committee is dedicated to helping ANA members share knowledge and best practices in marketing to America’s ethnic markets.
A portion of the proceeds collected from the awards submission fees is earmarked to help fund scholarships for multicultural students pursuing careers in advertising and or marketing.
The ANA’s mission is to “provide indispensable leadership that drives marketing communications, media and brand management excellence and champions, promotes and defends industry interests.” The ANA is a source of marketing communications best practices information. Tasked with leading industry initiatives, influencing industry practices, managing industry affairs, and advances, promoting and protecting advertisers and marketers; the trade association represents 400 companies with 8,000 brands that collectively represent $250 billion in marketing spending.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 18, 2008
Maru ,Tanya and Jamie
Photos: Maru and Friends LLC
After working in marketing for 25 years in Miami, Florida, Maritza Gutierrez decided to pursue her life-long passion for dolls. First she created Maru; followed by Tanya and Jamie. The dolls, designed by Dianna Effner and sold by Maru and Friends LLC, are 21 inches tall and weigh 3.6 pounds. They are made of vinyl in China and sell on the company website exclusively for $95 each.
Maru was designed to reflect the life of a young girl who moves to the United States where she has to adapt to her new environment and make new friends. The story of Maru and her friends, told through the eyes of an eight year old girl, can be found in Maru and Friends, a storybook that comes with the doll.
In the story, Tanya and Jamie, help the young girl through her journey. The dolls were designed to showcase child-like facial features representative of their ethnic culture. The idea was for them to reflect ethnic and cultural diversity.
Maru
Maru made its debut in October 2008 at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan in New York. The doll received the 2008 Greatest Poducts iParenting Award and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2009. Maru also premiered as the Exclusive Doll of the Stars in the Distinctive Assets Backstage Gift Lounge at the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards earlier this month.
According to her website, Dianna Effner has been making dolls for over 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bradley University, where she studied painting, sculpture and ceramics. In the early 80’s she began to make her own original limited edition porcelain dolls.
Target Latinos effectively by understanding how they shop
“Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
Manuel Delgado, CEO Agua Marketing, gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about
- Hispanic shopping patterns national survey
- Why Latino consumers may be more desirable than general market shoppers
- Hispanics holiday shopping patterns and behaviors
Click here for information on “Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 17, 2008
Rio album cover
Photo: Nacional Records
In the recently released Rio album, Aterciopelados singer Andrea Echeverri and her music partner Hector Buitrago offer a prayer for their city’s polluted river to the beat of funk rock. Scroll down to listen to Rio from the Rio album.
“When I was growing up, the Bogota River was considered a mythic and iconic place, and now it’s a tiny stream,” said Echeverri. “Musically and lyrically, the track Río is unlike any previous Aterciopelados song. I’m even singing in a different way than in the past. With this one, we reached an entirely new place.”
Oye, a previous album, won them a Latin Grammy and Premio Lo Nuestro. Rio, the new album was recorded in the band’s hometown of Bogota and mixed by Héctor Castillo (Brazilian Girls, David Bowie, Gustavo Cerati) in New York City. It is described in promotional materials as “an impassioned, socially conscious record with the group’s signature organic rock sound.” The album’s opener and first single is the title track which coincides with a proposed Colombian constitutional referendum that declares the country’s bodies of water deserve basic rights.
Hector Buitrago and Andrea Echeverri of Aterciopelados
Before the official release October 21, the album was available for special iTunes pre-order where fans would receive an exclusive track, entitled Errante Diamante (Wandering Diamond), and Rio, the album’s first single. Errante Diamante is the theme song behind Destierro y Reparacion (Exile and Reparation), a Colombian project focused on educational and cultural activities designed to generate social consciousness about the implications of forced displacement and its effects on society. On Bandera (Flag), Aterciopelados speak out on immigration.
“We have toured across the world many times, yet every time, certain countries give us so much trouble when entering,” said Echeverri. “My problems with traveling are so small compared to others across the world but I thought I could give all these people a voice.”
Album guests include rapper Gloria “Goyo” Martínez (of Colombian hip hop act Choc Quib Town) on 28; the Andean group Kapary Walka on Madre and Agüita. Echeverri’s daughter, Milagros, also made an appearance on Ataque de Risa. The band completed a European tour this past summer and plans to tour the United States to promote Rio in early 2009.
Aterciopelados is a rock band co-founded by Echeverri who is responsible for vocals and guitars and Hector Buitrago who handles bass, arrangements and production.
Click on the play button to listen to Rio from the Rio album.
Click here to buy Rio
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 14, 2008
Little Book of Big Ideas Business book cover
Photo: Chicago Review Press
In Little Book of Big Ideas Business (Chicago Review Press,$14.95) John Lipczynski, a professor of industrial organization in London, showcases what he believes are the 10 most important trends in business; and 50 people responsible for their development.
The 128-page hardcover book is divided into seven chapters: Pioneers, Industrialists, Entrepreneurs, Financial Geneuses, Mavericks, Strategists and Theorists. He dedicates two pages to each individual, outlining the person’s date and place of birth and death as well as his or her importance.
He begins with Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman who went on to become the developer of McDonald’s as a franchise business with restaurants in the United States and 100 other countries. Other familiar names include Warren Buffett, Peter Drucker, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Jack Welch.
There are people from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Korea, and United States on the list. He also included three women in the Entreprenuer section: Anita Roddick, the English founder of The Body Shop, credited with developing a multinational business that mixed principles and profit; French fashion icon Coco Channel who he describes as one of the world’s best known couturiers; and May Kay Ash, the American founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics who he says developed a unique business approach.
Lipczynski chairs postgraduate courses in the business department of London Metropolitan University. He is coauthor of Economics of Business Strategy, Economics of Industrial Organization and Industrial Organization.
Click here to buy Little Book of Big Ideas
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Filed Under: Books
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 13, 2008
Lazos de Amor DVD cover
Photo: Xenon Pictures
Earlier this year, Xenon Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment released on DVD Lazos de Amor, a telenovela (Spanish language soap opera style program) which at the height of its popularity had five million nightly fans. The single-disc DVD with more than 304 minutes of content is in Spanish with English subtitles and sells for a suggested retail price of $19.98.
Winner of the 1996 TVyNovelas Award for Novela of the Year the program aired on television in 1995, capturing a consistent 24 rating on the U.S. Nielsen Rating scale. Some fans believe the serialized program’s success was due in part to its star, Lucero, who earned the TVyNovelas Award for Best Actress for her performance as identical triplets with disparate personalities.
Other cast members include Luis José Santander (Te Sigo Amando); Marga López (El Manantial), a three time Silver Ariel winner; Luis Bayardo (Amarte es Mi Pecado); Demián Bichir (Sin Noticias de Dios), Silver Ariel and MTV Movie Award winner; Maty Huitrón (Amor Real); Felicia Mercado (Entre el Amor y el Odio), and a young Angelica Vale, prior to starring in La Fea mas Bella.
Lazos de Amor (Spanish for Love Ties) is the story of Maria Paula, Maria Fernanda and Maria Guadalupe, identical triplets who look alike but have very different personalities. When the girls were very young, their parents were killed in a terrible auto accident caused by Maria Paula who covered her father’s eyes while he was driving. The accent left Maria Fernanda blind and Maria Guadalupe with amnesia.
Maria Guadalupe was rescued by a woman who raised her as her own daughter, while the others were raised by their grandmother Doña Mercedes, who never lost hope of finding her lost granddaughter. Maria Fernanda grows up to be a sweet and generous girl; Maria Paula becomes willful, capricious and egotistical, always needing to be the center of attention. The story climaxes with the inevitable encounter of the three sisters, which will have serious consequences in their lives and in the lives of those close to them.
Click here to buy Lazos de Amor
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 12, 2008
Latino Voter Preferences in 2008 election – click on chart to enlarge
According to exit polls of Latinos in nine states, Hispanics in the November 4, 2008 election voted more than two to one in favor of Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden over Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin. In at least one state this voting pattern represented a reversal from the last election when many Latinos voted for the Republican candidate.
A report updated November 7 and written by Mark Hugo Lopez, associate director, Pew Hispanic Center indicates 67 percent of respondents said they voted for the Democratic candidates while 31 percent said they voted for the Republican candidates. The findings represent responses from Latino voters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico and Texas.
Across the country Latinos voted for Obama in significant numbers. A slightly higher percentage of Hispanic women voters (68 percent) than Hispanic men voters (64 percent) favored Obama. Young Hispanics voted like most of the youth in the country. Seventy-six percent of young Latinos supported the Democratic presidential candidate compared with only 19 percent who voted for the Republican presidential candidate.
Target Latinos effectively by understanding how they shop
“Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
Manuel Delgado, CEO Agua Marketing, gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about
- Hispanic shopping patterns national survey
- Why Latino consumers may be more desirable than general market shoppers
- Hispanics holiday shopping patterns and behaviors
Click here for information on “Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
In states with large Latino populations Obama was the victor by large margins. The most notable of these was Florida. In past elections many of Florida’s Latinos voted Republican. For example, in 2004, 56 percent of Latino voters supported President Bush. This year, 57 percent of Florida Latinos voted for Obama.
In other states with large Latino populations the margin favoring the Democratic candidates was more pronounced. In New Jersey, Obama carried 78 percent of the Latino vote; in Nevada, 76 percent, and in California, 74 percent.The findings are based on analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center of exit polls from Edison Media Research published by CNN.
The Center’s researchers estimate there was a 1 percent increase in Latino voters compared to the last elections; 9 percent of the voters in the 2008 election were Latino compared to 8 percent in 2004.
The Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization, is dedicated to improving public understanding of the Hispanic population in the United States and to chronicle Latinos’ growing impact on the nation. It does not take positions on policy issues.
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 information on the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 11, 2008
BT&T BiBi Tapes – Click on image to enlarge
Photo: BB&T Corporation
BB&T Corporation recently donated $100,000 worth of educational audio tapes to The Salvation Army of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The tapes are designed to help Hispanic immigrants adjust to life in America. The Salvation Army began to distribute the BiBi Spanish-language tapes at its annual Christmas service registration drive during which qualifying residents receive food, clothing and toys from the Salvation Army.
The BiBi tapes, which cover housing, education, health care, insurance and basic finance issues, will also be distributed at the Salvation Army Corps Community Centers staffed by Spanish-speaking officers.
“BB&T has been one of The Salvation Army’s most important corporate partners in Winston-Salem, and has demonstrated once again its commitment to help us place resources to support those in our community in greatest need,” said Maj. Terry Israel, area commander.
Target Latinos effectively by understanding how they shop
“Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
Manuel Delgado, CEO Agua Marketing, gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about
- Hispanic shopping patterns national survey
- Why Latino consumers may be more desirable than general market shoppers
- Hispanics holiday shopping patterns and behaviors
Click here for information on “Hispanic Holiday Shopping Patterns” audio recording
“The Salvation Army is well known for providing its neighbors with basic necessities like food and shelter. We also provide assistance with life skills. Now, thanks to BB&T, we can also bring expert advice and guidance on issues most relevant to members of the Hispanic community.”
More than 16,000 Hispanics live in Winston-Salem, representing nearly 10 percent of the population. North Carolina’s Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing in the United States.
The BiBi Community Outreach Audio Series, with a character named BiBi (pronounced Bee-Bee) as the host, was introduced in 2002 as part of a corporate-wide Hispanic marketing effort. The 10-part series of tapes and CDs is available at BB&T financial centers across 11 states and Washington, D.C.
“BB&T is proud to partner with The Salvation Army of Winston-Salem and bring some clarity to Spanish-speaking immigrants on the nuances of life in the United States so that they can feel at ease living here,” said Cantey Alexander, president of BB&T’s Winston-Salem-based Triad Region. “Equally important is to work together and bring some good to the communities where we live and work.”
The Salvation Army was established in Winston-Salem in 1907 and serves more than 30,000 people in Forsyth, Davie, Yadkin and Stokes counties each year. It offers financial assistance for rent and utilities and operates the only emergency shelter for homeless families in Forsyth County.
With $137 billion in assets, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based BB&T Corporation is the nation’s 14 largest financial holding company. It operates more than 1,500 financial centers in 11 states and Washington, D.C.
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 information on the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations books
