Posted by Elena del Valle on June 22, 2012
Chef Carlos Rodriguez with Margarita Martinez, host of Neighborhood Kitchens, at Orinoco, a restaurant in Boston’s South End
Photo: WGBH
Last Sunday viewers of WGBH, a PBS station in Boston, had a chance to see the premier of Neighborhood Kitchens, the television content producer’s new 30-minute program about well known neighborhood eateries in the Massachusetts area. The season will have 12 episodes, each one profiling one restaurant in Boston and Cambridge, which will air for six weeks and resume with new episodes from September through October 2012. Producers hope to eventually find private sector sponsors and expand the geographic scope of the program to most of New England.
Filming began March 2012 and is scheduled to continue throughout the summer. The series initial season will feature a heavy Latin theme with cuisine from Venezuela, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Peru as well as an Italian restaurant and a New American restaurant with menus heavily influenced by Latino executive chefs.
For inclusion, restaurants are “considered by their overall excellence in food and service, as well as having a significant tie to the neighborhoods they reside in. The restaurants featured are all established eateries, with very strong reputations in their communities; (they) are all excellent in the cuisine they present, as well as being part of the fabric of the neighborhoods they reside in; every restaurant chosen is really beloved by the residents in their neighborhoods,” according to a station spokesperson who indicated that suggestions for restaurants may be sent to the station.
The first restaurant featured was Orinoco, a popular Nuevo Latino Cuisine style restaurant with Venezuelan roots and three locations in Boston. During the 27-minute program, Chef Carlos Rodriguez demonstrates for viewers and the program’s host how three of his dishes are prepared: a portobello arepa (a Venezuelan style cornmeal dish) with Latin truffle (a corn fungus infused) cream, a salmon marinated in panela raw sugar and a torta fluida molten chocolate cake.
Bronx born Margarita Martinez, a trained actress and graduate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, hosts the series. Patricia Alvarado Nuñez is the series producer and has the final word on restaurant selection.
Neighborhood Kitchens can be seen on WGBH in Massachusetts, and parts of New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Viewers can also see the episodes online at wgbh.org/neighborhoodkitchens after the primary broadcast play. The first episode is already available at wgbh.org/programs/Neighborhood-Kitchens-1859/episodes/Orinoco-in-Bostons-South-End-39469
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 11, 2012
Piratas, a new series airing on Vme – click to enlarge
Photos: Vme
There is good news for Spanish speaking United States audiences left hungering for more pirate fun after the last of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In 2010, Telecinco of Spain produced a pirates series set in the eighteenth century. Thanks to Vme Spanish speakers in the United States will have an opportunity to see 10 60-minute episodes beginning April 19 at 10 p.m.(ET/PT).
The cast of Piratas – click to enlarge
Piratas (Spanish for pirates), filmed in coastal Spain with a budget exceeding $1 million per episode, showcases the adventures of an “unabashed and philandering member of the nobility” forced to infiltrate the pirate crew of the legendary Captain Bocanegra.
Described as light-hearted and peppered with humor in promotional materials, the series follows Álvaro Mondego, a privileged member of the noble class as he is captured by Captain Bocanegra pirates, along with Carmen, his daughter, and crew. The programs are said to be filled with gorgeous ships, stinking dungeons, brave rescues, fierce battles and a daring race for riches.
Vme, a 24-hour Spanish language network partnered with public television stations, is available in 10 million homes possibly reaching as much as 80 percent of the Spanish language market.
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 30, 2012
Confessions of an Ecoterrorist film poster
Video, photos: Peter Jay Brown, Blue Rage Media & Ignition Creative, Kelsey Stevens
Where documentaries often adopt a slow pace side by side with a serious and even somber tone Confessions of an Ecoterrist, a 90-minute docu-homage to the Sea Sheppard, its captain and crew and their exploits, manages to address a topic the film makers are obviously passionate about (30 years of activism attests to that) with a light tone, self deprecating humor and an undertone of incredulity, is fast paced and action packed, for a documentary. Completed in 2011, Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist Nature Needs a Mother Like Him is dedicated to journalist Bob Hunter and contains footage from 1977-2010. SnagFilms, a distributor of independent films on digital platforms, is releasing the feature documentary in the United States for pay-on-demand purchase on Earth Day, April 22, 2012. Click on the play button below to watch a trailer of the film.
The organization’s seaborne positive activism activities over 30 years are summarized and shared in a first hand one sided, account, by Peter Jay Brown, director, activist and longest serving Sea Shepherd crew member. He tells of the exploits, successes and disappointments of Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the stars of Whale Wars, Animal Planet’s Emmy-nominated series. The narrator’s admiration for Watson and the crew is evident.
Baby seal scene from the film
He peppers his narration with humor. For example, early on he explains that the organization relies on the work and support of volunteers aboard including many vegans. “A race of highly dedicated people; healthy, strong and perpetually pissed off,” he says of them. At the same time, he explains volunteers are not on a pleasure cruise and illustrates the hardships they endure such as constant seasickness and limited access to comforts such as showers (once a week). Watson he says is “a brilliant tactician and strategist with uncanny good luck.”
“Many young people today are losing hope. ‘Why bother? Nothing changes!’ they might say. Well I am here to say that change starts with everyone of us and those of us who are determined actually get things done. Get off the couch and get out there and make a positive difference. I did, so can you,” said Brown when asked to comment on the goal of the film.
During the society’s voyages the crew engaged in dramatic conflict including the boarding of ships, arrests (of the captain by the Canadian government, for example), being fired upon by a multimillion dollar vessel of the Norwegian Navy, boarding by an Ecuadorean admiral and successfully ramming and/or sinking illegal whaling and fishing vessels around the globe. According to promotional materials, the group is credited with stopping drift-netting worldwide and saving the lives of millions of marine wildlife.
Most of the film takes place on board or near a Sea Sheppard vessel, in the high seas and coastal areas of the United States, Canada, Antarctica, Faeroe Islands, Norway, Japan, and Galapagos islands of Ecuador. Among other things it includes images of the bloody killing of harp seal and the blood smeared faces of the seal “hunters.”
A scene from the film
The film was released in German speaking countries in December 2011 and is available there in cinemas and on DVD. In the United States, it is scheduled to become available in the VOD (video on demand) sections of cable networks, iTunes, Hulu-Plus, Amazon, and NetFlix in the coming weeks. The price is being determined. DVDs should be available in late April 2012, according to a spokesperson.
Established in 1977, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization with a stated mission “to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.” Toward this end Sea Shepherd uses “innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas.” SnagFilms features free, sponsor-supported, on demand viewing of more than 3,000 award-winning, fiction and non-fiction titles. SnagFilms’ curated collection is available on its own site and a digital network of more than 110,000 affiliated sites and webpages.
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 8, 2012
Nelson Albareda, president and CEO, NLB
Photo: Event US Live
Last month, National Latino Broadcasting, LLC (NLB) launched En Vivo, a music channel targeting United States Hispanics 18 to 49 years of age with a mix of hits and live performances; and Cristina, a talk show centered channel relying on the well known television gabber, part of a two-channel deal with Sirius XM Radio.
En Vivo, airing on SiriusXM channel 147, is expected to feature Tu Mañana Live, a bilingual morning talk show; The Mash Up, an English and Spanish language contemporary music program; Concierto En Vivo, offering concerts from around the world; and Club En Vivo with live broadcasts from some of the nation’s best clubs.
“We are convinced that En Vivo will become a favorite for Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike looking for a channel where Latin music is more than a preference; it is a lifestyle. The sheer diversity of genres within this music makes the programming possibilities truly exciting and our partnership with The Latin Recording Academy makes this endeavor unique and unprecedented,” said Nelson Albareda, president and chief executive officer, NLB.
Thanks to an exclusive deal with The Latin Recording Academy, according to promotional materials, En Vivo will become the official satellite radio part of the Latin Grammys. En Vivo plans to air daily content related to the Latin Grammy Awards and archival material.
Cristina Saralegui will have a one-hour show on the Cristina Channel
The En Vivo slogan is Donde Nace la Música (Where Music Is Born). The channel will broadcast from a new state-of-the-art facility in Miami and has secured partnerships with studios in New York and Los Angeles. These performance studios will allow live concerts to be broadcast as daily and weekly specials. Additional programming highlights include new music and a live recorded performance per hour.
The Cristina Channel with Cristina Saralegui will include a one-hour show with the talk show host targeting women 24 to 54 years old. NLB also plans to offer 24 hour daily programming on news, entertainment, music, and political issues on that channel.
National Latino Broadcasting, LLC (NLB), owned exclusively by Eventus, according to a spokesperson for Eventus is a media company targeting Latino communities in the United States through “entertaining and informative programming while creating innovative marketing solutions for marketers” targeting Latino consumers. The new channels will be promoted via a public relations campaign in English and Spanish.
SiriusXM, a satellite radio company, broadcasts 135 satellite radio channels of music, and sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to 21 million subscribers.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 23, 2012
The cast of Melodia de Amor on Tutele
Photos: Tutele/Maker Studios
In November 2011, Maker Studios, owned by “top YouTube stars,” backed by venture capital firms and funded by YouTube as an Original Partner, began targeting Latinos in the United States, Mexico, South America and Spain with The Tutele Network, Tutele and Tutele Dos, on YouTube. The two channels, youtube.com/tutele and youtube.com/tuteledos, offer three original bilingual English and Spanish web programs each per week. Tutele.tv, a similarly named website, is not affiliated with the Network. Plans are in place to develop a website for The Tutele Network.
Jay Bugarin, head, Bilingual Programming Tutele/Tutele Dos
“Tutele is our main hub, currently our programming consists of our action/comedy show Si, es I, Pepe, the novela Melodia de Amor and our own News, Variety and Entertainment show Hello Domingote,” said Jay Bugarin, head, Bilingual Programming Tutele/Tutele Dos. “Tutele Dos has extras such as behind the scenes videos, interviews with our talent, and ‘confessionals’ from the characters of the shows. This will give our viewers a front row seat to the interesting world of our creative talent and to the many adventures of our unique team.”
“Our content gets monetized through adsense, sales, brand integrations, product placement, etc. We work closely with YouTube in relation to potential brand integration that may be fitting for our network,” he replied when asked how The Tutele Network, generates revenue.
Sam Macaroni as the evil “El Jefe” on the action comedy show Si! Es I, Pepe
Tutele, the net’s main portal, and Tutele Dos, its ancillary content portal, have programming in Spanish, English and Spanglish. Tutele has 12 online channels and two hub channels. The network’s focus is cultural programming for young and adult Latino audiences. Executives plan to broadcast behind-the-scenes videos, interviews with network talent and guest stars, and “confessionals” from characters of the shows on the network on Tutele Dos. Also, The Tutele Network partnered with already established and successful online channels aimed at the Latino community.
According to promotional materials, Maker Studios is an online media company featuring content from KassemG, The Game Station, NicePeter’s Epic Rap Battles of History, the ShayTards, LisaNova and Ray William Johnson. Maker Studios boasts of having over 500 million views online per month. The company, which produces and distributes content for 250 online channels with 31 million subscribers and 1.8 billion views, produces or manages and distributes 16 of the top 20 channels on YouTube.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 20, 2012
Los Kennedys, a miniseries with Spanish language voiceovers
Photos: Vme
Beginning at 10 p.m. January 30 Vme will air Los Kennedy, an eight-part Emmy award-winning miniseries, for the first time with Spanish-language voiceovers. The Kennedys series, starring Greg Kinnear, Katie Holmes, Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson, first aired in the United States in English last year on the ReelzChannel. The final 60-minute segment will air March 19, 2012.
Marian de la Fuente, Vme host and news anchor, will introduce the episodes, highlighting events of historic interest to the Spanish language preferring audience and speculating on how she believes the events depicted in the series may impact viewers lives today. Catherine Siachoque, a Colombian actress, lent her voice for the Spanish-language voice of Jackie Kennedy. Julio Bracho was the Spanish language voice of John F. Kennedy and Gabriela Vergara the voice of Marilyn Monroe.
“Jackie Kennedy” in Los Kennedys
Los Kennedy explores the events that shaped the infamous Kennedy dynasty from the 1930s to 1968, including the patriarchal attitudes and tactics of Joe Kennedy, John’s first run for Congress, the death of Joe Jr., Robert’s loyalty to John’s political career and John’s marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier, ending with the assassinations of John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
The miniseries was produced by Muse Entertainment (Human Trafficking, Pillars of the Earth) and written by the producers and writers of 24, Steve Kronish and Joel Surnow. The Kennedys series met heavy resistance from the inception of the project and early scripts were criticized by former colleagues of President John F. Kennedy and some guardians of his legacy.
This year, according to Vme promotional materials, Los Kennedy has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Mini-Series by the American Society of Cinematographers, the 2012 Producers Guild Award. Jon Cassar, the director, was nominated for the Directors Guild Award.
Vme, a 24-hour Spanish language network partnered with public television stations, is available free over-the-air, and on basic digital cable nationally via satellite; in the basic and Hispanic packages of Dish Network and DirecTV and on Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 18, 2012
Loteria, a bilingual board game, will be available in the United States in Spring 2012
Photos:G.S. Schwartz & Co. Inc.
Techno Source, a division of LF Products, and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension of FremantleMedia, expect to sell to Mexican Americans “hundreds of thousands of units a year” of Loteria, a $5.99 board game that is popular in Mexico. Loteria is Spanish for lottery.
Toward that end and assuming the country’s large Hispanic population will be interested in their new product last month they announced a licensing agreement whereby Techno Source will sell Loteria board games made in Shanghai, China in the United States. The game is expected to arrive at mass and specialty retailers in spring 2012.
Eric Levin, division head, Techno Source
“The primary market for Loteria is the Mexican-American population. It is such an iconic game that anyone with Mexican heritage knows and loves from childhood. Now they can easily buy Loteria for their families here in the USA and pass along this great tradition,” said Eric Levin, division head, Techno Source when asked about the target audience for Loteria. “Additionally, it is a great family game, appropriate for everyone ages 6 and up. It includes English and Spanish translations, so it’s easy for those who are fluent in either language and also a great teaching tool for those who wish to learn. Techno Source has been tracking the growth in the Hispanic population and hearing steady feedback from our retail partners that they are looking to better serve this population in their stores. This was a natural fit and is and great way to bring an extremely well known product to the US market.”
According to promotional materials, Loteria originated in Italy in the 1400s and was introduced to Mexico in 1769 where it became very popular. Loteria is a bingo style game of chance that uses colorful, iconic images of Mexican culture on playing cards instead of numbers on ping pong balls.
Naz Cuevas, senior manager, Consumer Products, FME
“We are excited to work with Techno Source to bring the Loteria family board game with its deep cultural roots and recognizable imagery to families in the U.S.” said Naz Cuevas, senior manager, Consumer Products, FME. “Their marketing expertise and vast distribution network will allow us to reach the young Hispanic market, the fastest growing segment in the U.S. with more than 44 million people, and also broaden the audience for this historic brand.”
Techno Source, a division of LF Products and part of Li & Fung Limited, is one of the fastest growing global toy companies. The Techno Source game portfolio includes 20Q, Tetris, Disney, Rubik’s, Nickelodeon, Bicycle (The United States Playing Card Company), Intellivision, Guess What I Am!, and Electronic Touch-Screen Sudoku.
FremantleMedia Enterprises is a full-service brand building company that specializes in rights management and exploitation across multiple platforms such as consumer products, sponsorships, interactive and mobile, and live events. FME’s portfolio of third-party brands includes Rebecca Bonbon, a girls fashion brand designed by Yuko Shimizu, the original creator of Hello Kitty; Endless Summer, a beach culture and lifestyle brand inspired by the 1964 cult classic film; Condè Nast lifestyle brands Self and Epicurious, and Bellator, a mixed martial arts fighting championship brand.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 4, 2012
Photo: Hulu Latino
Hulu, an online portal offering ad supported video content from NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon among others, decided recently to target Spanish speakers in the United States with a new channel, Hulu Latino (hulu.com/latino). Content for the new portal, only available domestically, is provided and selected by eleven companies: Azteca America, Butaca, Caracol Televisión, Comarex, Estrella TV, Imagina US, Laguna Productions, Maya Entertainment, RCTV, Todobebe Inc, and Venevision.
Hulu staff hope to capture the under served market segments of the video watching Hispanic market. They believe that, based on Nielsen data, 78 percent of that segment is bilingual. A spokesperson explained by email that promotion of the new channel will be the responsibility of its content partners. She declined to identify Hulu audience numbers, the exact target audience for the new portal or the exact number of Spanish language videos on offer.
She responded by email saying “The portal launched with hundreds of hours of Spanish-language film and TV shows on Hulu and Hulu Plus;” and “Hulu does not break out specific viewership information, but what we can say is that we are very excited about the new audiences we expect to serve with this content.”
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times (Hulu launches Latino service with Spanish-language programming) December 13, 2011 there are five Hulu Latino sponsors, Corona, Modelo, Toyota, Pantene, and Volkswagen of America.
NBCUniversal (Comcast/General Electric), News Corporation, The Walt Disney Company and Providence Equity Partners (owner of Newport Television) own Hulu. Founded in March 2007, Hulu has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Tokyo and Beijing.
Posted by Elena del Valle on December 14, 2011
Thalia at SiriusXM Studio November 1, 2011 in New York City
Photos: SiriusXM, WGBH Radio, Vesper Public Relations
This holiday season classical music and Latino holiday music fans may enjoy the radio selections of Frank Dominguez on Feliz Navidad from Concierto. The host and producer recorded eight hours of bilingual classical music targeting a public radio audience and educated audiences of Latino origin who he believes are the fastest growing arts audience, and the most under served.
Feliz Navidad from Concierto will air on WGBH Radio Classical New England at 99.5 on the radio dial and online on Friday December 23 between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. According to promotional materials, during the pre-recorded program Dominguez shares traditional Spanish language holiday villancicios and sacred works by Joaquin Rodrigo, as well as traditional international carols and Christmas songs performed by Placido Domingo and pianist Gabriela Montero.
Feliz Ano Nuevo with Concierto! is scheduled to air the following Friday at the same time. During that program, Dominguez explores the New Year’s tradition with a Spanish language orientation, sharing with the audience traditional Mexican waltzes played by Cuarteto Latinoamerican, and Viennese Waltzes conducted by Argentina natives Daniel Barendoim and Carlos Kleiber.
Frank Dominguez, host, Concierto
Based at WDAV in North Carolina, Dominguez, host of Concierto, has also directed and hosted live concert broadcasts by the Charlotte Symphony, Opera Carolina, Charlotte Chamber Music, the Spoleto Festival USA and the Brevard Music Center. In addition, he has worked extensively in local theater as an actor and director, including productions for Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, CAST, Theatre Charlotte and Opera Carolina.
Los Tigres del Norte
Between December 2, 2011 and January 6, 2012 SiriusXM Navidad will be available on channel 501 to subscribers of the satellite music service. Music from Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Thalia, José Feliciano, Aventura, Marco Antonio Solís y Christina Aguilera is planned.
Charlie Zaa, guest DJ, SiriusXM
Guest DJs include Romeo Santos, Charlie Zaa, Thalía and Los Tigres Del Norte. Some of the songs scheduled to air are El Año Viejo, Llegó La Navidad, La Parranda, Rodolfo El Reno De La Nariz Roja, La Temporada es Buena, Feliz Navidad, Aires de Navidad, Navidad Sin Ti, No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente y El Burrito Sabanero. Navidad is available on Edge and Limited Engagements 3 by SiriusXM Internet Radio channel 813.
Posted by Elena del Valle on November 2, 2011
Bob Nocera, director of new video services, Cox Communications
Photo: Cox Communications
Cox Communications is reaching out to Latinos with On Demand content and public service announcements as part of its partnership with The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and a new marketing campaign.
In its programming Cox has on offer, especially during the recent Hispanic Heritage Month, selections that focus on Hispanic American history, documentaries on education and housing issues as well as cooking shows and entertaining programs. Some of the On Demand offerings include Quinceanera (A Sony Pictures Classic Release), Camino a la Corona 2011 (Telemundo), Mira Quien Baila! (Look Who’s Dancing!, Univision), The Motorcycle Diaries (Universal), Latino List (HBO) and Tropico de Sangre (HBO Latino). Some programs are free and others range in price starting at $1.
“Cox is deeply committed to offering a rich diversity of educational and entertaining programming, such as the influential and award-winning selections that celebrate Hispanic heritage,” said Bob Nocera, director of new video services, Cox Communications. “It gives our customers an opportunity to revisit favorite titles, or explore a new genre of programming, with the convenience of On Demand.”
For the new marketing campaign Cox relied on Yarel Ramos. The campaign, in Arizona, California, Las Vegas, Oklahoma and New England markets, includes 30 and 60 second Spanish and English-language television and radio ads, direct mail, print, online banners and a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. The campaign was designed to drive traffic to Cox retail locations, calls into the call centers in Spanish or English and Cox’s websites.
Tony Maldonado, vice president of marketing acquisition and sciences, Cox Communications
“Cox has been a part of the Hispanic community for years, and we’re excited to introduce a fresh campaign to this audience,” said Tony Maldonado, vice president of marketing acquisition and sciences, Cox Communications. “Yarel is passionate about working with the community and widely admired for her work with Mun2 and not-for-profit organizations, and we’re excited to work with her on this campaign.”
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing digital video, internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide network. Described in promotional materials as the third largest cable TV company in the country, Cox serves more than six million residences and businesses.
