Posted by Elena del Valle on February 8, 2010
Maria Azua, vice president, IBM Enterprise Initiatives
Photo: IBM
A podcast interview with Maria Azua, vice president of Cloud Computing Enablement, IBM Enterprise Initiatives, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, Maria discusses Latino culture in social networks and cloud computing with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.
Maria has deep technical skills and extensive experience in software development, managing new innovation projects, start-ups, acquisitions, solution delivery and process excellence. She is responsible for the technical implementation, deployment and operations of the Common Cloud Platform Living Lab share service, as well as the IBM Smart Business Development and Test on the IBM Cloud. She is also responsible for the creation of a community of independent software vendors, business partners, and technical community that fosters cloud computing IT methodologies and applications.
Maria is also the author of The Social Factor Innovate, Ignite, and Win Through Mass Collaboration and Social Networking (2009 IBM Press, Pearson Education), a book about social networking based on Maria’s leadership in social networking tools at IBM (see IBM Executive discusses social media business benefits).
Prior to her current role, Maria was vice president of Technology and Innovation, reporting to the IBM chief information officer. In that role, she focused on the development of innovative IT solutions and the integration of new technologies. She created and managed the Technology Adoption Program (TAP) innovation program, where more than 120,000 IBM employees participate to create innovations in a development community. Her responsibilities in the CIO office also included the creation of the first IBM Green Data Center.
Maria was inducted into the Women In Technology International (WITI) Hall of Fame, and was named one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by People magazine in 2006. She has 50 patents and 39 patents pending that span a wide spectrum of technologies. In 2006, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) recognized Maria with The Star Award for her contributions and dedication to the Hispanic community.
To listen to the interview, scroll down until you see “Podcast” on the right hand side, then select “HMPR Maria Azua,” 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 it to disk. The podcast will remain listed in the February 2010 section of the podcast archive.
Click here to buy The Social Factor
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 5, 2010
The Wolfman stars Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro
Photos, video: Universal
I know, I know another wolfman movie. How many wolfman movies can they make? And yet, this one, The Wolfman, due out February 12, has been on my list of maybes since I first caught a trailer a couple of months ago. If nothing else the cast intrigued me. Two award winners, Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro, star in the movie as well as Emily Blunt (who recently played young Victoria, the British monarch) and Hugo Weaving (seen in Lord of the Rings and The Matrix). Scroll down to watch trailers.
In the film, according to promotional materials (no screener was provided by the studio) Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro), a nobleman, returns to his family estate to search for his missing brother at the behest of his brother’s fiancee (Blunt). After reuniting with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins) he finds out “something” has been killing local villagers and drawn Frederick George Aberline (Weaving), a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector to investigate.
Of course, nothing is as simple as it seems. In his search for his brother and a way to protect the villagers from danger he is attacked. Later he makes a startling discovery about himself. Any guess what that might be?
Released by Universal Pictures the film was directed by Joe Johnston (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and produced by Scott Stuber, Benicio Del Toro, Rick Yorn, and Sean Daniel. Other noteworthy contributors include six-time Academy Award-winning creature effects designer Rick Baker (Del Toro was fitted with a prosthetic chin, cragged dentures with sharp canines, a real hair wig and a beard that was applied with bits of follicles glued to his face; the wolf suit was made with yak hair, crepe wool and leg extensions); a bass baritone opera singer for the perfect wolf howl; and triple Oscar-winning costume designer Milena Canonero.
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Filed Under: Video
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 4, 2010
Information provided by our Event Partner
Search Engine Strategies London Conference & Expo 15-19 February 2010
Just because you know a thing or two about search marketing doesn’t mean you can relax – especially in this market. This is why we’ve assembled a team of experts each with decades of experience to head up a number of tracks focusing on advanced marketing techniques. Learn More
Join Avinash Kaushik, Jim Sterne and others on 15 – 19 February as we break down analytics heading into 2010, laying out the measurability of social media, explore advanced paid search methodology and more at this year’s SES London 2010.
View the complete programme at http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/london/agenda.php
Enter UK15MPR to save 15% off the registration fee.
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 4, 2010
Information provided by our Event Partner
Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards – April 26-29, 2010
Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, Puerto Rico
Live from Puerto Rico!
Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards – April 26-29 * Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, Puerto Rico
Special Offer for HMPR!
Pay only $499 for the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards (a $200 savings!)
Just use promo code: HMPR when registering.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards, presented by State Farm, the most important Latin music industry event in the world will unite today’s top Latin music artists, executives, managers, sponsors, media and many more.
Visit the website for the most up to date information.
www.BillboardLatinConference.com
Posted by Elena del Valle on February 3, 2010
By Josh Norek
Josh Norek, deputy director, Voto Latino
Photo: Josh Norek
My wife – a first generation Salvadoran-American attorney who grew up in some of the roughest areas of Los Angeles – once described part of my nearby hometown of Albany, NY as “the scariest place I’ve ever been.” When a girl from East LA thinks Albany is the most dangerous city in America, you know upstate New York has a problem.
Make no mistake: upstate New York is a microcosm of America’s Rust Belt and agricultural communities. As manufacturing and farming declined upstate, so did the area cities’ populations and their corresponding tax bases: in the Capital District region, Albany’s population dropped by 29%, Schenectady’s by 32% and Amsterdam’s by a staggering 43% between 1950 and 2000. Had Latino immigrants not moved to these small cities in the past two decades, the population losses would have been far higher.
Click here to read the complete article.
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 February 1, 2010
Many young women wear comfortable shoes to work and change into stylish shoes on arrival
Many moons ago, I won’t say how many, someone I held in high regard said to me that a lady could always be identified in two ways, by her hair style and the shoes on her feet. Yesterday’s lady is today’s working woman. Whatever the driver is many women who work today have a fondness or fascination for shoes. For career minded women shoes, 64 percent according to a recent Mintel survey, are the preferred accessory to complete an ensemble.
Respondents to the survey on women’s attitudes towards work attire indicated they favor shoes and dress boots over other types of accessories. After footwear jewelry was the second most popular embellishment while purses, belts and scarves were the least likely additions; 52 percent of working women said they finish their looks with necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Only one third of women said they rely on purses, belts and scarves.
As women age they are less likely to change from comfortable into stylish shoes once they are at work. About 44 percent of women surveyed aged between 35 and 44 said they change into more stylish footwear on arrival at work while only less than a third of women 35 and up said they do that.
“Shoes and boots have come into the fashion forefront as women look for ways to make their outfits stand out,” said Kay Fay, senior analyst at Mintel, in a press release. “Demanding shoe styles, especially those with sky high heels, aren’t ideal for walking long distances. But many young women don’t care; they’re perfectly content to cart in a second pair of shoes so they can commute in comfort yet look stylish in the office.”
Most women who participated in the survey, 82 percent, said they dress for themselves; and only 34 percent said they dress to be fashionable. Among respondents, young women were the most concerned with trends; 46 percent of young women, aged 18 to 34, like to follow trends. While only 33 percent of women overall said they like to try new styles, 47 percent of women aged 18 to 24 responded that they like new designs. No information on preferences by ethnic or racial group was available from the survey.
The survey was conducted online in August 2009 among a sample of 503 women parents aged 18 and older who had access to the internet and who worked outside the home. Mintel is an international supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence.
“Happy for No Reason” audio recording
Presenter Marci Shimoff, author, Happy for No Reason
What: An audio presentation by Marci Shimoff and Q&A with Marci Shimoff and HispanicMPR.com audio program host Elena del Valle about finding happiness.
Available exclusively on HispanicMPR.com!
Click here to listen to a short interview with Marci
Click here for more information on “Happy for No Reason” audio recording with Marci Shimoff
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 29, 2010
Winning Job Interviews book cover
Photos: Career Press, Paul Powers, Ph.D.
In Winning Job Interviews (Career Press, $12,99), a 218-page softcover book, Paul Powers, Ph.D. offers readers strategies and techniques to help them get the job interview they want. He discusses how readers can overcome difficult obstacles, be prepared to answer interview questions, increase the quantity and quality of job offers, avoid social networking mistakes, secure their jobs and be ready in case of trouble.
The book, published this year, is divided into nine chapters: Why Job Hunting Sucks; How To Get More and Better Interviews; You Are in Control; Building Your Winning Interview Plan; How To Have Glowing Job References; How To Close the Deal and Get the Job Offer; Turning the Offer Into a Job You Love; Glitches, Potholes, Calamities and Idiots; and The Winning Job Interview Toolkit.
Paul Powers, Ph.D., author, Winning Job Interviews
Powers, a licensed psychologist and former chair of the Massachusetts Board of Psychologists, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is a speaker and executive coach dedicated to helping other achieve a more rewarding career, a more productive organization and a more balanced, satisfying life.” He divides his time between Massachusetts and Florida.
Click here to buy Winning Job Interviews
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Filed Under: Books
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 27, 2010
Angela M. Kelley, vice president, Center for American Progress
Photo: Center for American Progress
While everyone is talking about unemployment and the recession who is paying attention to the increasing costs of maintaining our borders safe? Miles and miles of fence and even a portion of wall mar the United States Mexico line. Taxpayers are footing the ever growing bill that has jumped from $326 million in 1992 to $2.7 billion last year (The Economist, January 20, 2010).
At the same time, recent data indicates the cost of catching illegal immigrants is on the rise. In 2008, the border patrol made more than 791,000 arrests. Each one cost a little more than $3,000. Some question the efficacy of these efforts since illegal immigration tripled in those 17 years. In part, they believe, it is because many immigrants arrive into the country legally with tourist visas and remain illegally.
Looking inward, the question remains of how to deal fairly with the 12 to 15 million undocumented immigrants that are now in the country. Deporting 12 million illegal immigrants would require a convoy of more than 200,000 buses over more than 1,800 miles and that mass deportation would cost nearly $300 billion over five years, according to Principles for Immigration Reform Guidelines for Fixing Our Broken Immigration System, a report of the Center for American Progress (CAP) written by Marshall Fitz and Angela Maria Kelley and published December 2009. The Center for American Progress is a Washington, D.C. based think tank dedicated to “improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action.”
Some believe legalizing the status of the millions of undocumented residents would boost the economy over the long term. Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda, Ph.D., founding director of the North American Integration and Development Center at the University of California, Los Angeles conducted research that leads him to believe that legalization of unauthorized workers would yield $1.5 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 10 years. In three years it may generate $4.5 to $5.4 billion in tax revenue and consumer spending to support 750,000 to 900,000 jobs. In these days of economic contraction, unemployment and outsourcing, shouldn’t the powers that be listen to credible people promoting ways to generate jobs and additional GDP while saving millions in deportation costs?
“These are stark and significant numbers that lawmakers should commit to memory,” said Kelley, vice president for Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the Center for American Progress. “We have got an issue where we know we can improve the economy. It would be to their peril for lawmakers to be short sighted and not pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will reverberate and rev up the economy and help all Americans.”
According to Dr. Hinojosa’s research, a comprehensive immigration reform plan that legalizes the status of unauthorized workers and establishes a flexible visa program could result in higher wages for all workers in the country; while deporting the workers could cost $2.5 trillion over 10 years. That would be in addition to the costs of deportation of at least 12 million people.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 26, 2010
Information provided by our Event Partner
Oct. 27-29, 2010, Miami, Florida
Discover New Growth Opportunities within the Multicultural Markets
The 7th Annual Multicultural Marketing Summit will showcase solutions from Fortune 1000 companies that are successfully targeting multicultural audiences. The Summit is hosted by Geoscape and will take place October 27-29, 2010 at the Epic Hotel in Miami, Florida.
The Summit is a standout, five-star event, highly rated by participants for the quality of its agenda and speakers. The chic ambiance of the Epic Hotel creates a luxurious atmosphere where senior executives can network and learn from peers about the latest in market intelligence, case studies and best practices across numerous industries. Firms will provide examples on how repositioning their companies within multicultural markets contributed significantly to increased revenue and profits. Presenters and attendees from past years include executives from leading companies such as Qwest Communications, Toyota Financial Services, Johnson & Johnson, Univision, H&R Block, Wrigley, Fox Home Entertainment and much more.
A favorite feature of the Summit is the live musical entertainment each night. Last year, attendees were engulfed in the true sounds, tastes, and sights of the multicultural landscape. The night began with a cocktail reception followed by Latin and Asian-infused fine dining and an eclectic mix of performances including:
Blues, Funk, and Jazz-inspired music by The Collaboration Band
High energy showcase featuring Gospel Hip-hop artist, Prodigal Son
Extreme dancing by the world-renowned Al Fuentes High Voltage Extreme Acrobatic Dance Team
An exclusive mural created and presented to retired Miami Heat point guard, Tim Hardaway
Indulge in the vibrant Epic Hotel while networking with business executives from around the country. This truly remarkable event will provide you with unparalleled insight to help your company succeed within the multicultural markets.
Lodging:
Register before March 31st and stay at the Epic Hotel for only $89/night. But hurry…rooms fill up quickly!
Special Offer for HispanicMPR subscribers:
**As a valued media partner, HispanicMPR subscribers will receive $50 off registration (use code: HMPR2010). **
For More Information and to register:
Please visit www.multiculturalmarketingsummit.com or call 888-309-2005.
Posted by Elena del Valle on January 25, 2010
A mother and her daughter enjoy an embrace
Photo: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office (PIO)
Native born Americans are people who are born in the United States and its territories or born of one or both parents who are United States citizens. Naturalized Americans are foreign born although their children, whether they are born in the United States or abroad, may claim United States citizenship. In 2007, one out of eight residents (38.1 million people out of a total population of 301 million) of the United States was foreign born. In contrast to the last 40 years when most immigrants haled predominantly from Europe, in 2007, 80 percent of all foreign born residents was born in Latin America or Asia.
While the majority of the native born, 78 percent, was White only 46 percent of the foreign born self reported their race as White. The second largest racial group among the foreign born was Asian, 23 percent; and Some Other Race was the final group with 21 percent. Looking at it another way, the race with the highest proportion of foreign born was Asian with 67 percent, followed by Some Other Race (43 percent), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (24 percent).
Foreign born Mexicans represented the largest subgroup among the foreign born (see Mexico remains top country of origin of foreign born); they reported 53 percent White and 45 Some Other Race. That represents a contrast with Cubans which reported 87 percent White; and people born in Vietnam (99 percent), China and Korea (98 percent), the Philippines (97 percent) and India (94 percent) who reported Asian race.
At the same time 47 percent (18 million people) of the foreign born self reported being of Hispanic ethnicity. Among them 54 percent were White and 43 Some Other Race. More than 75 percent of Hispanic foreign born residents were from Mexico and Central America and 83 percent of those were from Mexico originally.
Forty percent of the 45.4 million Hispanics in the United States was foreign born. Among those the percent that is foreign born varies depending on the country of origin. For example, 40 percent of Mexicans was foreign born; 61 percent of Cubans was foreign born and 66 percent Salvadoreans was born on foreign land.
This data is based on Race and Hispanic Origin of the Foreign-Born Population in the United States: 2007, a report by Elizabeth M. Grieco of the United States Census Bureau released last week.
“Marketing to Multicultural Kids” audio recording
Michele Valdovinos gives a presentation and participates in an extended Q&A discussion about multicultural children based on a Phoenix Multicultural and Nickelodeon study of 1,300 multicultural children in 16 United States markets.
Find out about
• The Phoenix Multicultural Kids Study
• Relationship between children and their context
• Issues relating to family, technology and media, diversity, buying power, relationships in household, self perception, values, acculturation, cultural heritage, frequency of media activity, income and spending, brand preferences, the American Dream
• How many billions of dollars buying power multicultural kids children have
• Children’s spending attitudes, habits by ethnicity
• How much money a year Hispanic kids have available to spend
• Types of products Hispanic kids buy
Click here for information on “Marketing to Multicultural Kids” audio recording
