Posted by Elena del Valle on April 19, 2007
Juan José Nuñez, vice president, Operations, StarMedia
Photo: StarMedia
Miami, Florida – Although it’s parent company, Wanadoo, is changing names, StarMedia will maintain its brand. StarMedia, a multi-platform media organization wholly owned by Wanadoo, serves three million U.S. Hispanics. Wanadoo, now Orange, is one of Europe’s largest online companies.
As a part of the global re-branding campaign, StarMedia plans to maintain its brand name, and incorporate the Orange footer on the company Spanish language website Starmedia.com.
“We’re very proud to be preserving our own identity, in view of this major new global branding effort by Orange parent company France Telecom Group,” said Juan José Nuñez, StarMedia’s vice president of operations. “This decision speaks directly to the success and brand loyalty the StarMedia name has come to enjoy.”
The Orange brand name was born in the United Kingdom in 1994 as a mobile phone service provider. The idea behind Orange was to offer a new identity with a rational and emotional appeal. Over the past few years, France Telecom Group has been extending the Orange brand to incorporate mobile, fixed line, Internet and TV offers.
StarMedia.com is a free-to-web service connecting more than 22 million Spanish-speakers through the Internet, StarMedia has local operations in Mexico, Spain and the United States (Los Angeles, Miami and New York). Orange is a subsidiary of the France Telecom Group (NYSE: FTE).
“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 April 17, 2007
Luis J. Echarte, chairman, Azteca America
Photo: Azteca America
Los Angeles, California – In 2006, according to a Bigresearch study reported on eMarketer, 65 of adults and 74 of teens in the U.S went online while watching TV. Hoping to draw online and TV audiences, Azteca America and Terra Networks have joined to create a co-branded Internet site powered by Terra.com and showcasing Azteca America content via online video. Through the new alliance the companies hope to reach Spanish dominant Latinos who go online while watching television.
The organizers plan to encourage audience interactivity in real time through polls, live chats, and community pages. Site access is via Aztecamerica.com and Aztecaamerica.terra.com.
“This venture is the marriage of two leading players in Hispanic media, and we are excited about synergies going forward,” said Luis J. Echarte, chairman of Azteca America. “Aside from the proven portal management experience, clients have the best of both broadband and broadcast worlds to maximize their brands.”
Under the agreement, Terra Networks will be responsible for hosting and editing content with the collaboration of Azteca America. In addition to displaying TV Azteca’s extensive content, the site is supposed to feature exclusive U.S. Hispanic content including headline video reports from “Noticiero Azteca America,” Azteca’s daily news program.
The new website is expected to have special in-depth features and video clips from “Suegras,” a new Azteca America reality series. Promoters hope the show, coupled with visitor’s online interaction, will drive additional users to the portal. Online sales for the site will be handled by Terra Networks with coordination for television sales with Azteca America.
“Now is the ideal time to leverage the online TV multitasking space, with the majority of U.S. households on broadband,” said Fernando Rodriguez, chief executive officer of Terra Networks. “Terra Networks and Azteca America are delighted to step up to the challenge to create both a compelling user experience for our combined, tech savvy audiences and exciting interactive opportunities for advertisers, such as live chat sponsorships occurring during the TV shows.”
Azteca America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V, one of the largest producers of Spanish language television content in the U.S. Terra.com, the U.S. Hispanic arm of the Terra Networks group, provides a portal and services to Spanish speaking users.
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 an audio recording with a presentation on marketing to Hispanics online by Joel Bary and interviews with Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 16, 2007
Eric Weymueller, motion picture producer
Photo: Eric Weymueller
A podcast interview with Eric Weymueller, motion picture producer and chief executive officer, zyntroPICS, Inc., is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses cybernovela Alamo Heights SA with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Eric’s prior affiliations include Warner Bros., Universal, National Lampoon, Alliance Atlantis, The WB Network, Regency Television. Additionally, he established emerging media and technology businesses in digital effects and streaming video. He boasts of extensive international co-production experience. More recently he has committed his efforts to original, ad supported, Internet television production and distribution.
Discover how to reach Latinos in language today with
“Hispanic Market Translation Issues” audio recording
Presenter Martha E. Galindo
Certified translator and translation company owner Martha E. Galindo explains why it’s important to reach your clients in language to convey your message effectively. She walks you through the ins and outs of translations issues, how to select a translator, what to expect, how to save on translation costs and much more.
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording presentation and bonus discussion on Hispanic Market Translation Issues by Martha E. Galindo
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Eric Weymueller,” 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 April 2007 section of the podcast archive.
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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
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 9, 2007
Singers Frankie Alvarado and Diana Mera
Photo: SGM Records
Singers Diana Mera and Frankie Alvarado recorded their first duet single which will be released in May 2007 as the promotional track of Mera’s second album. The song, “20 Pedacitos,” will also be included in Alvarado’s debut album when it’s recorded. Mera, who is also a songwriter, wrote the song in memory of a close friend who passed away. Alvarado recently joined the SGM Records label, the first La Academia USA singer to obtain a record deal.
“When Frankie got to the label, I already had the performer chosen for the duet of ‘20 Pedacitos’ but when I heard his voice, I stopped everything! I even postponed my recording dates to wait until he came back from Puerto Rico,” said Mera, who is a direct descendant of Juan León Mera, a writer and novelist. “I felt he was the angel that I needed for this song that I composed with Dany Tomas, who I respect immensely and who I thank for being an accomplice in my ideas and also for teaching me to fly confidently with my own style.”
“I think people will be able to identify with the song and they will apply their own experiences,” said Alvarado. “Recording with Diana Mera was good and fulfilling. We had a great time at the studio, we joked and everything but always focused on the job.”
According to promoters, “20 Pedacitos” finds it’s genre in pop rock. SGM Records produced the song with Tomas who is a producer and song writer.
Fan clubs for Mera and Alvarado opened in time for the release of the duet. The USA fan club for Mera, MySpace.com/dmera, opened the first week of April 2007. That same week, another fan club was established in Puerto Rico for Mera and Alvarado, MySpace.com/Diana_FrankieFanClub. SGM Records works closely with the fan club presidents. Judianny Ayala is president of Mera’s USA fan club and Betsy Santiago leads the Puerto Rico club.
To listen to a sample from the single duet “20 Pedacitos” with Frankie Alvarado and Diana Mera, click on the play button below.
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Discover how to reach Latinos in language today with
“Hispanic Market Translation Issues” audio recording
Presenter Martha E. Galindo
Certified translator and translation company owner Martha E. Galindo explains why it’s important to reach your clients in language to convey your message effectively. She walks you through the ins and outs of translations issues, how to select a translator, what to expect, how to save on translation costs and much more.
Click here to purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording presentation and bonus discussion on Hispanic Market Translation Issues by Martha E. Galindo
Posted by Elena del Valle on April 4, 2007
Spanish artist Bebe performs in Central Park at LAMC 2005
Photo: LAMC
The Latin Alternative Music Conference, LAMC, described by promoters as the “biggest event in the world for cutting edge Latin music,” will take place July 10 – 14, 2007 in New York City. Organizers promise 30 to 50 artists, free concerts, film nights at the Central Park Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn Festival at Prospect Park, industry panels and artist showcases. Last year’s LAMC drew more than 1,250 industry representatives and 25,000 concert goers.
“It is my pleasure to welcome the Latin Alternative Music Conference back to New York City,” said Michael Bloomberg, mayor, New York. “Events like the LAMC are a boon to our economy, bringing visitors to the City and generating jobs, and I would like to thank the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission for attracting the conference back to the Big Apple. With our diverse and vibrant Latino population, there is no better place to hold Latin events than in Nueva York. As they say in Spanish, que empiece la fiesta.”
The four-day conference is designed to provide attendees networking opportunities with the genre’s leading artists, label executives, journalists, marketers, managers, retailers and programmers. Admission costs $199 for early bird registrations and $299 for walk ins.
“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 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 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 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
Posted by Elena del Valle on March 14, 2007
Latin rocker Ceci Bastida and East Los Angeles’ Quetzal
Photos: peermusic
Los Angeles, California – Peermusic will expand its presence at this year’s SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Four of the ten acts peermusic will showcase during the week of March 14-18, are Latino oriented performers Charanga Cakewalk, Upground, Ceci Bastida, and Quetzal. They will all perform at Spiro’s on Saturday March 17. Other peermusic showcases, open to all registered SXSW attendees, will include performances by Donovan, Robert Shields, The Tragically Hip, The Shys, The Procession, and Ox.
Charanga Cakewalk will perform at 9 pm. Charanga Cakewalk’s music is described as a melding of tejano, flamenco folklorico, merengue, garage, ska and reggaeton.
Young band Upground recently inked a deal with peermusic after winning the Sprint Battle of the Bands in 2006. The band’s music is a “hybrid sound of cumbia, reggae, swing, and ska.” Upground will perform at 10 pm.
Charanga Cakewalk
Ceci Bastida, one of the first women to rise in the ranks of Latin rock, with stints in Mexican ska-punk band Tijuana NO and with alterna-pop-rocker Julieta Venegas, will perform at at 8 pm. Bastida recently recorded demos with producer Jason Roberts (Control Machete, Plastilina Mosh), Grammy-nominated guitarist-songwriter Marthin Chan (Volumen Cero, JD Natasha) and Grammy-winning bassist Wil-Dog Abers of Ozomatli.
East Los Angeles’ Quetzal’s musical tapestries are described as varied and rich in their sounds, colors and messages. Spearheaded by a “fiercely independent spirit,” the group recently released its fourth CD, “Die Cowboy Die,” and will perform at 12 am.
The four-day South by Southwest Music and Media Conference features hundreds of music acts from the U.S. and abroad in 50 stages across Austin, Texas. In conjunction with the musical performances participants also attend music related discussions and presentations from hundreds of speakers.
Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 35 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company’s catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock ‘n’ roll, peermusic is one of the largest privately owned companies of its kind in the world.
“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 12, 2007
Cristina Perez host of “Cristina’s Court”
Photo: Twentieth Television
A podcast featuring an interview with Cristina Perez, host of “Cristina’s Court,” is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, she discusses the show with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Cristina Perez is a lawyer, television personality, radio host, entrepreneur, business owner, author, and national columnist. She is host of Twentieth Television’s new first-run syndicated court show “Cristina’s Court.” Prior to the new show she hosted the Telemundo court show “La Corte De Familia” (“Family Court”). Promotional materials describe her as the first television judge to cross-over from Spanish-language to English-language television.
As the first woman television judge to air in national syndication on a Spanish-language network series, Cristina presided over “La Corte De Familia” cases related to relationships, including physical and verbal abuse, paternity claims, child and spousal support and infidelity. “La Corte De Familia” was Telemundo’s number two daytime show for four straight seasons. The program also aired in 15 additional countries. Prior to being named host of “La Corte De Familia,” Cristina made her television debut as host of “La Corte Del Pueblo” (“The People’s Court”) on KWHY in Los Angeles, California.
The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Cristina was born in New York, New York. She lived in all types of places from one of the poorest neighborhoods of New York, to the big city of Guadalajara, Mexico, to the border town of San Ysidro, California to Hartford, Connecticut, and then to California, which she has called home for over twenty years.
Find out how to reach Latinos through TV and Radio campaigns with
“Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations” audio recording
David Henry presenter
Find out
Click hereto purchase a downloadable or CD audio recording with a presentation on Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Public Relations by David Henry
Driven to further build on her family’s good fortune in America, Cristina, and her husband Christopher Gonzalez, founded the Los Angeles-based law firm Perez Gonzalez. Their practice focuses on immigration, entertainment, athletic, technology, corporate, business and investment fields.
Her first book “Living by Los Dichos,” a collection of life lessons Cristina learned from her family and continues to apply to her personal and professional life, was recently released by Simon & Schuster.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see the “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Cristina Perez” click on the play button below or download it to your iPod or MP3 player to listen on the go, in your car or at home. To download it, click on the arrow of the recording you wish to copy and save to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the March 2007 section of the podcast archive.
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