Posted by Elena del Valle on August 16, 2005
The Jaguares
Mexican rock supergroup Jaguares announced new dates as part of their extensive U.S. tour, which has already seen sold-out dates in San Francisco, Denver, New York, and Las Vegas. The band is touring in support of its recently-released studio album ‘Cronicas de un Laberinto’ (Sony/BMG). Jaguares recently returned to American television with a special performance on CBS “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson.” The group has been in the midst of a 30 city U.S. tour in which they are hitting many new markets for Latin rock, including such unlikely destinations as Oklahoma City and Memphis.
The new disc was co-produced in Nashville by Jaguares friend and King Crimson member Adrian Belew, who has also worked with David Bowie and Frank Zappa. The follow-up to 2002’s platinum-selling ‘El Primer Instino’ live acoustic album, ‘Cronicas de un Laberinto’ features 14 new tracks, including "Hay Amores que Matan."
“I think that love created us, but it also can kill us,” says vocalist Saúl Hernandez.
“The song talks about the many loves – love of one’s country of one’s family, of the person you’re in a relationship with. But in the end, there is just one love that kills you – that is the love you don’t have.” According to Hernandez, the new album’s title ‘Cronicas de un Laberinto’ (“chronicles of a labyrinth”) is an analogy for the present state of Mexico, and on a larger scale, humanity. “In our country, we are kind of lost, whether it be economics, politics, or society. This idea of political change in Mexico is not working well. We are in a labyrinth, walking on a road,” he says.
“They are still killing the Indians here. The economic situation still primarily only benefits the wealthy. We are lost – that is the image is of a labyrinth. The first song on the album is about entering the labyrinth, while the end of the album is the hopeful exiting of the labyrinth – not depending on the government all the time, being responsible for ourselves, making a better country – be it Mexico, the United States, or any place.”
The new album has an increased emphasis on melody. “With our previous studio album, we worked on a harder, more vintage guitar sound,” says Hernandez. “On this record, we were working on a different sonic idea – melodic guitar lines. There were three guitar players – Adrian Belew, Cesar “Vampiro” Lopez, and myself. We realized the best way to work together was to make an ensemble instead of emphasizing solos. When you hear it, you never know who is playing the guitar lines. It’s one sound.”
Over the past three years, the Jaguares has appeared on Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Tonight Show w/Jay Leno & FOX Good Day NY, received a Grammy nomination, and landed its previous album Cuando La Sangre Galopa in the top position on the Billboard Top Latin Albums & Heatseekers Sales Charts. The Jaguares found poetry in darkness, strength in musical mystery, and modern innovation in Mexican tradition. The group can play for 120,000 fans in the Zócalo of Mexico City one week, and then light up 31,000 more people in the United States. Jaguares’ music when performed live is far more than a concert; "it’s a communal ritual between thousands of singing strangers". Candles are lit, priests take the stage, and in the space of a single evening, the concert becomes a holy rock-and-roll ceremony.
Jaguares U.S. Tour Dates
Sept. 15 Los Angeles, CA Pantages Theater
Sept. 19 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
Sept. 20 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
Sept. 28 Philadelphia Trocadero
Sept. 29 Atlanta, GA Earthlink Live
Sept. 30 Memphis, TN State Fair – Main Stage
Oct. 1 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
Oct. 2 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 11, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — First American Title Insurance Company announced the launch of an enhanced Hispanic marketing program in Orlando, Florida., designed to help increase homeownership opportunities within Orange County’s Hispanic community. The program’s goal is to address the specific needs of Hispanic homebuyers by helping real estate practitioners better serve this growing homebuyer segment.
The Orlando kickoff marks the expansion of First American’s Emerging Markets Program, a comprehensive program helping increase home sales to Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and other traditionally under, served consumer segments-into Florida. The program has been successful in California, Arizona and other key regions across the United States.
"First American has proven itself to be a true industry leader in helping explain, simplify and increase access to homeownership," said John Sepulveda,chief executive officer of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). "We are proud to support the expansion of their innovative program into the state of Florida and we look forward to the continued growth of our partnership with them."
Hispanics, African-Americans and Asian-Americans are the fastest growing segment of homebuyers in the nation. First American has set the goal of becoming the leading provider of title insurance and real estate information services to this growth segment.
The Florida Hispanic Marketing Program will help breakdown the cultural, language and financial education barriers that often arise when Hispanics begin the homebuying process. It is comprised of consumer-focused outreach and educational events, specialized programs for real estate professionals, and the hiring and training of key First American staff to better service ethnically diverse communities.
"By working in close coordination with our industry partners, we can potentially create tens of thousands of new homeowners in the state of Florida," said Matias Correa, regional director of Emerging Markets for First American Title Insurance Company. "Over time, this strengthens both our communities and First American’s role as a trusted advisor among Hispanic homebuyers."
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 8, 2005
Brisbane, CA, August 8, 2005 – Informative, Inc., a leading provider of web-based solutions that allow companies to drive brand advocacy and word-of-mouth, launched a new Hispanic Brand Advocacy Solutions. The service offers marketers information on what is most important to their customers – in their own words – in the language they feel most comfortable – English or Spanish.
Informative’s Hispanic Brand Advocacy Solutions will provide tools to benchmark brand advocacy, determine the impact brand advocacy has on a business, identify and prioritize Hispanics most important thoughts and ideas. In addition, Hispanic Brand Advocacy Solutions will identifies some of the most persuasive and socially connected customers to leverage in word-of-mouth campaigns to increase brand recommendations and influence purchase decisions.
“Hispanic marketers have long wished for deeper insight into understanding Hispanic consumers – in their own words and beyond traditional focus groups where size is a limitation,” comments Richard Israel, VP Hispanic Solutions for Informative, Inc., and contributing author of the soon to be released book ‘Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, Understanding and targeting America’s Largest Minority’.
Using proprietary methodologies and patented technologies, Informative’s scaleable solutions propose to capture the collective wisdom and cultural experiences of thousands of Hispanic consumers — in their own words — and distill actionable insights that can immediately impact business. The results, they hope, will be better-selling products, greater customer acquisition, improved brand loyalty and word-of-mouth.
Informative is a leading provider of web-based solutions and strategic services that help companies engage and collaborate with their customers to capture and analyze their thoughts, ideas, opinions and perceptions. Companies, including 1-800-Flowers, Bose, Intuit, Kodak, LEGO, Procter & Gamble and Royal Mail, rely on Informative solutions to improve and innovate their products, create more relevant messages and marketing campaigns, and increase customer loyalty and evangelism. Founded in 1999, Informative is headquartered in Brisbane, CA. For more information about Informative, go to www.informative.com.
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 5, 2005
Home Improvement, Grocery, Telecom, and Apparel Purchases at the Top of the List
COLUMBUS, OH — (MARKET WIRE) — 08/04/2005 — Just when marketers thought it couldn’t get any more difficult targeting ad dollars, African Americans and Hispanic consumers are adopting new media as an influence on their purchases, according to BIGresearch’s spring (May/June) Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM VI) of 14,847 respondents. A higher percentage of African Americans and Hispanics than non Hispanic Whites say new media, such as blogging, instant messaging, and picture phones influence their purchase decisions for home improvement, grocery, telecom, and apparel, among other categories.
"The mobility of many new media options appears to suit the multitasking lifestyles of African Americans and Hispanics more than Whites," said Joe Pilotta, PhD, V.P. Research for BIGresearch. "These media represent an extension of word of mouth and pose a serious challenge that marketers will have to deal with," said Pilotta.
Please tell us which of the following media influence your…
African
Home Improvement Purchases Americans Hispanics Whites
========================== ========= ========= =========
Picture Phone 2.6% 4.2% 1.4%
Instant Messaging 3.3% 5.1% 1.5%
Blogging 2.4% 3.8% 1.5%
African
Grocery Purchases Americans Hispanics Whites
========================== ========= ========= =========
Picture Phone 3.7% 4.7% 1.5%
Instant Messaging 3.5% 6.1% 2.4%
Blogging 3.6% 4.4% 1.8%
African
Telecom Purchases Americans Hispanics Whites
========================== ========= ========= =========
Picture Phone 5.4% 5.2% 2.4%
Instant Messaging 5.2% 5.6% 2.4%
Blogging 4.6% 4.7% 2.0%
African
Apparel/Clothing Purchases Americans Hispanics Whites
========================== ========= ========= =========
Picture Phone 3.4% 4.5% 1.3%
Instant Messaging 4.2% 5.2% 1.8%
Blogging 3.5% 4.1% 1.7%
"In any media plan, influence needs to be factored in to improve advertising ROI. The early adoption of new consumer-controlled media as a purchase driver by African Americans and Hispanics will disrupt traditional media plans as it shifts even more power to consumers from marketers. By creating a mobile shopping environment wherein a conference among a social network may result in a purchase on the spot, long term advertising effects may also be diminished," said Pilotta.
BIGresearch is a market intelligence firm providing analysis of consumer behavior in areas of retail, financial services, automotive, and media. The syndicated Simultaneous Media Usage Survey (SIMM) monitors more than 12,000 consumers twice each year to identify opportunities in a fragmented and changing marketplace including the media. BIGresearch’s methodology provides consumer information in the industry with a margin of error of +/- 1 percent. Complimentary findings are available at www.bigresearch.com.
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 4, 2005
A study titled "The Future Use of The Spanish Language In The USA — Projected to 2015 & 2025" just released by Hispanic U.S.A. Inc. reveals information about the continued growth of Spanish-speakers in America.
The study challenges the assumption that the use of Spanish will decrease in coming years as succeeding generations of Hispanics are born and grow up in this country. The study projects that the number of Spanish-dominant and bilingual Latinos will increase by 45 percent over the next two decades, adding 12.4 million Spanish-speakers to today’s population.
Unlike other immigrant groups, even third-generation Hispanics – those born to Latino parents who themselves were born in the United States – will continue to speak Spanish in extraordinarily large numbers.
"We know that the number of Acculturated Hispanics will continue to grow, but what this study clearly shows, is that Spanish is here to stay, and in a big way. Our study has far-reaching implications from a marketing and media perspective. The fact is that Spanish connects on an emotional and visceral level with Hispanics in a way that English does not. We want to be courted in the language we make love in, for most of us, that would be in Español," stated Jose Cancela, Principal of Hispanic USA Inc.
The study, conducted by Roslow Research Group on behalf of Hispanic U.S.A., is based on a comprehensive analysis of Census data and national research by multiple internationally recognized institutions, which projects the use of the Spanish language through the year 2025. "We believe this study sets the record straight as it relates to the future use of the Spanish language among Hispanics here in the States," stated Peter Roslow, Founder of the Roslow Research Group.
The study indicates that by 2025, the number of Spanish-speaking Latinos in the United States will reach 40.2 million, up from 27.8 million today; two-thirds of Hispanics, five and older, will speak Spanish 20 years from now; on average, 35 percent of third-generation Latinos in the United States speak Spanish; the 18-and-older Spanish-speaking population will increase by 53 percent, to 15.2 million by 2025; the key 18-to-49 year old demographic will grow by 7.5 million, and will include 59 percent of all the Spanish speakers.
In addition, the study gives a detailed breakdown of the expected growth of Spanish-speakers in the top 25 Hispanic markets in the country. The projections show striking across-the-board increases of 40 to 55 percent in every one. Los Angeles leads the way in numbers while major cities such as Boston, Las Vegas and Austin top the charts with an expected 55 percent growth in each. San Diego, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta are close behind.
Hispanic U.S.A. Inc, founded in January of 2005, is a full service Hispanic Market Consulting Firm whose mission is: "To make it easy and profitable for our clients to understand and market to Hispanic USA, by providing direct insight accumulated over 25 years of hands on experience in the National Hispanic market."
www.hispanicusa.net
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 2, 2005
Latin rocker Elan releases the follow-up to her breakthrough debut album "Street Child", which featured guest appearances by Grammy Award Winning guitarist Slash (Velvet Revolver & Guns N Roses), Grammy Award Winner and Beck producer Brian Paulson, David Immergluck of The Counting Crows, legendary Mexican composer/arranger and former Herb Alpert, Paul Anka musical director and Latin Grammy Nominee Eugenio Toussaint, Alan Weatherhead of Sparklehorse and mixed by Grammy Award Winning engineer Jeff "The Pirate" Poe (Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Santana).
"With the release of ‘Street Child, Elan fans brought down three national servers in Central and South America with e-mail requests for her first single, ‘Midnight’, jamming phone lines in most radio stations for days on end…" reported Rafael Villareal. "Midnight" smashed English language radio play records, gaining the top spot on the charts and not relinquishing its position for up to twenty weeks in some Latin American territories.
Also awarded the Rolling Stone En Español "People’s Choice Awards" in 2004, for "Best new Latin Artist" and "Best Latin Solo Artist" Elan had four top ten videos on MTV Latin America, Telehit, MTV Australia and Channel V. Upon its release to Australian radio (released through Festival Mushroom Records), "Midnight" was the second most added track, across the boards, all formats, nationwide (second only to Eminem).
The Mexican born singer/songwriter made a name for herself by being the first internationally
successful Latin American independent artist as well as the first female Latina to begin her career with an English language album written completely on her own.
Posted by Elena del Valle on August 1, 2005
Sara Valenzuela
Sara Valenzuela, the former lead singer of Mexico’s popular alternative-pop act La Dosis, steps forward with a new solo album "Lado Este," released in the U.S. on Nacional Records July 26, 2005. Valenzuela is joined by prominent musicians such as Marc Ribot (Elvis Costello; Tom Waits) and Melvin Gibbs (Rollins Band; Marisa Monte). Lado Este (“East Side”) was produced by Dougie Bowne (Iggy Pop, Cibo Matto, Arto Lindsay). Similar in style to Julieta Venegas, Suzanne Vega, or Ely Guerra. A solo debut from former lead singer of La Dosis, it features prominent guest musicians Marc Ribot (Elvis Costello; Tom Waits) and Melvin Gibbs (Rollins Band, Marissa Monte). Lado Este includes the first video/single “Para Continuar.” For more information about Sara Valenzuela and Lado Este visit www.NacionalRecords.com or www.SaraValenzuela.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on July 27, 2005
Sounds Eclectico Cover
KCRW, in conjunction with ADA/Warner- distributed Nacional Records, will release a Latin-themed live collection entitled ‘Sounds Eclectico,’ featuring platinum-selling artists and some of Latin music’s most popular acts. ‘Sounds Eclectico’ is a compilation of live recordings originally broadcast on ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic,’ the daily freeform music program hosted by Nic Harcourt at public radio station 89.9 fm KCRW in Santa Monica, California. Some of these recordings were re-broadcast on the weekly syndicated program ‘Sounds Eclectic’ distributed by Public Radio International. All of the performances were recorded live to two track digital audio tape and/ or pro tools sessions, and can be found archived in their entirety at KCRW.com.
Featuring artwork By Beck, the album is a definitive collection of live performances from many of Latin music’s biggest and critically acclaimed artists on a radio show, ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic.’ Morning Becomes Eclectic has been a rare outlet for Latin alternative artists in America, and Harcourt one of the genre’s most passionate champions. Among the artists whose live performances appear on the album are Julieta Venegas, Brazilian Girls, Manu Chao, Ozomatli, Café Tacuba, Kinky, Thievery Corporation, Aterciopelados, Sidestepper, and Plastilina Mosh.
Many of the participating acts received their first significant U.S. radio airplay on KCRW. Set for release on September 13th, ‘Sounds Eclectico’ was co-produced by Nic Harcourt and Tomas Cookman. Original artwork for the album’s cover was created by Beck. All of the participating artists on the album have donated the proceeds from their live performances to KCRW, with the funds directed toward the support of music progamming on the station.
Track listing:
Cafe Tacuba – La Muerte Chiquita
Julieta Venegas – Lo Que Pidas
Sidestepper – Deja
Juana Molina – Insensible
Jorge Drexler – El Pianista del Gueto de Varsovia
Thievery Corporation – Shadows of Ourselves
Plastilina Mosh – Baretta 89
Aterciopelados – Baracunatana
Los Amigos Invisibles – Gorditas de Mario
Manu Chao – Clandestino
Omara Portuondo – No Me Vayas a Enganar
Brazilian Girls – Homme
Los Lobos – Carabina 30-30
Ozomatli – Saturday Night
Kinky – Sol (Batucada)
El Gran Silencio – Sound System Municipal
Click here to buy their album
Posted by Elena del Valle on July 26, 2005
NOP World changed its name to GfK NOP’s Hispanic OmniTel. Hispanic OmniTel is a national telephone omnibus that provides information on the lifestyles, buying behavior and unique perspectives of Hispanic Americans.
Posted by Elena del Valle on July 25, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 21, 2005– A new event called RITMO!PALOOZA highlights the Florida’s Latin flavor. RITMO!PALOOZA is scheduled for September 1, 2005 in the heart of Walt Disney World as part of the BizBash Florida FunShops to be held at the WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotel, located at 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
Stimulating sight, sound and touch, RITMO!PALOOZA is designed to provide a fun and memorable Latin carnival atmosphere where the audience is invited to participate and become part of the total interactive Latin entertainment sensory experience. Features will include surround-sound, conga drum, timbales, Afro-Cuban Bata, djembes, maracas, dancing to Latin and American top 40 popular music, and Latin dance show production.
ENTRUS will partner with ConceptBait, Panache Party Rentals, and Ed DiAntonio, Director of Catering for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, to create RITMO!PALOOZA show.
"RITMO!PALOOZA is not specifically for a `Latin’ audience," said Bobby Ramirez, creator of the RITMO!PALOOZA entertainment concept. "It is for anyone from any culture to experience, share and enjoy as part of a community event, festival, wedding or corporate function; reaching across generations of young children, teens, whole family, adults and senior citizens." Details at http://www.ritmopalooza.com
