Hispanic Media, Entertainment, Technology and Advertising

Spicing up the Latino nightlife

2012-01-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

Jan 27, 2012 | by Alex Palmer

Queens’ Latino community has no shortage of nightlife options. Clubs like La Boom and Extravaganza showcase the music, dance and food of Hispanic countries, and in heavily Latino neighborhoods like Elmhurst and Woodside, the lines to get in have grown around the block.

Opened in September 2009, La Boom, located on Northern Boulevard in Woodside, has featured dozens of top Mexican regional, Latino American and Caribbean bands and performers on its stage.

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Univision spices up Delicioso

2012-01-26T07:01:00.000-05:00

Jan 25, 2012 | by Ed Waller

NATPE: Univision is looking at rolling out cookery show Delicioso globally as a format for local production, as it gives the show a 360-degree twist and a plum slot on its flagship network.

“We’re turning Delicioso into a brand, a franchise. It’s now a radio show, an app for mobile and online, and we’re moving the show from Telefutura to Univision on February 4,” said Luis Fernandez, president of entertainment and Univision Studios.

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Kohl's to sponsor Spanish-language TV series

2012-01-25T10:38:00.000-05:00

Jan 24, 2012 | by Rick Romell

Plunging further into the growing Hispanic market, Kohl's Corp. will be the exclusive retail sponsor for a Spanish-language television series in the vein of "American Idol."

The new series, "¡Q'Viva! The Chosen," will debut Saturday on Univision. It features actress Jennifer Lopez and salsa king Marc Anthony traveling Latin America and the United States in search of talented singers, musicians, dancers and other entertainers.

And as they journey through 21 countries, the famously estranged couple will wear clothes from their signature collections at Kohl's.

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Warm welcome for new Hispanic net: MundoFox

2012-01-25T10:08:00.000-05:00

Jan 25, 2012 | Ed Waller

NATPE: Market analysts and delegates here have reacted positively to MundoFox, the new US Hispanic channel unveiled by Fox International Channels (FIC) and Colombia’s RCN TV yesterday.

“The Spanish-language market is among the fastest growing in the US,” said Brad Adgate, senior VP and director of research at Horizon Media. “It typically has a larger family size than other segments of the population and its median age is about 10 years younger than ‘whites’”.

“Ad dollars continue to migrate to content providers targeting Latinos so while becoming increasingly crowded it’s a sound business decision to launch a new network.”

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Clorox launches "Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos" campaign encouraging Hispanic families to have a healthier home

2012-01-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To help Hispanic families kick-off their new year, The Clorox Company, in partnership with Spanish TV network Vme, has launched a campaign to encourage germ prevention, entitled "Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos." The program aims to help families create a healthier home by following three simple steps: receiving a flu shot, washing their hands and disinfecting surfaces. The campaign also includes a specially commissioned song called "Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos", composed by children's music author, Suni Paz and performed by Vme's TuBebe host, Minerva Borjas, as part of two musical video vignettes featuring Minerva and the characters from the famous Spanish cartoon series, "Las Tres Mellizas Bebes." The vignettes are airing on Vme and Clorox® Latino's Facebook page from now through March 2012.

"We thought the 'Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos' song would be a unique and fun way for parents to entertain and teach their kids how to help keep the flu and cold viruses away," said Jay Stilwell, marketing manager at The Clorox Company. "With this educational campaign, we hope to reach millions of Hispanic families as part of Clorox's commitment to help create a healthier home for families across the country."

In addition to recommending the flu vaccine and the use of disinfecting products, such as Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, the campaign acknowledges that washing your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds, can significantly reduce the spread of the flu virus.

The Clorox "Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos" vignettes feature Venezuelan singer, Minerva Borjas, who is already known in the parenting world thanks to her TV show TuBebe, where she offers practical tips and helpful information for current, soon-to-be and new parents.

"I'm very excited to be part of this great initiative and share the 'Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos' song with the little ones," said Minerva Borjas. "As a mother, I know that our children's health is our top priority, so what a better way to teach them to stay away from the flu than by singing and miming the key prevention steps together."

As part of the launch of the campaign, Minerva will make a surprise appearance at an elementary school in Miami to teach children the new song and the importance of following the tres pasitos to maintain a healthy home.

The "Hogar + Sanito en Tres Pasitos" campaign will run through the end of the flu season in March. For more information and to see the vignettes, please visit www.hogarmassanito.com or go to the Clorox® Latino Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cloroxlatino.

About The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,100 employees and fiscal year 2011 revenues of $5.2 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works® naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol® cleaners, Poett® home care products, Fresh Step® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration products, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees® natural personal care products. Nearly 90 percent of Clorox Company brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. The company's products are manufactured in more than two dozen countries and sold in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $84 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal year 2011 alone, the foundation awarded $4 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $13 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

About Vme

Vme, one of America's largest Spanish networks, entertains and informs Latino families in Spanish with drama, music, sports, news, current affairs and Latin cinema, food, lifestyle, nature and the most-widely distributed block of educational preschool content on Spanish TV. The 24-hour Spanish network, partnered with public television stations, is currently available in more than 10 million Hispanic homes reaching nearly 80 percent of the market. Vme is available free over the air and on basic digital cable; and is carried nationally via satellite in the basic and Hispanic packages of DISH Network® and DIRECTV®. Vme is also available on Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse where available. Vme is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, Vme Media Inc. To find out more please visit www.VmeTV.com.

SOURCE: The Clorox Company

Coca-Cola(R) sails with telenovela fans and families on Disney Cruise Line(R)

2012-01-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

MIAMI, Jan 20, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Six winners who wished upon a star will find themselves surrounded by breathtaking ocean views and animated motion picture characters after meeting two of their favorite telenovela stars in Miami. Through the Coca-Cola Telenovela Club, these winners and their families will embark on an unforgettable experience to mix and mingle with Jacqueline Bracamontes and Cristian de la Fuente before boarding the Disney Dream(R) cruise ship on a 4-Night Bahamian Cruise Adventure. The excitement begins on Friday, January 27 when the winners and up to five additional guests, convene in Miami, FL for the start of their magical journey.

"As part of our 'Open Happiness' campaign, the Coca-Cola Telenovela Club continues to find new and innovative ways to make our consumer's dreams come true," said Al Rondon, Senior Brand Manager, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "In this edition of the Coca-Cola Telenovela Club, we're offering the unique opportunity to meet two popular telenovela stars through an unforgettable trip. This is how the Coca-Cola Telenovela Club will continue its ongoing promise to 'open' happiness and make dreams come to life."

Two of the winners were selected through an online sweepstakes at www.mycokerewards.com , and the remaining four were awarded through sweepstakes with radio partners in New York, Chicago, Dallas and Houston. The six grand prize winners will receive complimentary round-trip air fare and hotel accommodations for themselves and their guests, as well as a full itinerary of exciting activities with the stars in Miami, including an evening gala. Following these star-studded events, the winners and their guests will receive roundtrip transportation to Port Canaveral and board the Disney Dream, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. In addition, they will receive a $500 on-board credit to enjoy throughout the four day cruise. Their experience will conclude with a Coca-Cola VIP farewell party to celebrate their memorable trip.

"Being able to connect with some of our biggest fans is one of the best parts of what we do," said Bracamontes. "They're our motivation, which is why we are delighted to be part of the Coca-Cola Telenovela Club in what promises to be a truly unforgettable event."

The Coca-Cola Telenovela Club is part of the Company's overall 2012 Hispanic marketing effort, which features both traditional and non-traditional media, including radio, digital, and retail point-of-sale elements. Fans should look out for more Coca-Cola Telenovela Club events in 2012.

About My Coke Rewards:

With more than 18 million registered members, www.mycokerewards.com is one of the top consumer packaged goods loyalty websites and the number one beverage website in the U.S. My Coke Rewards helps consumers find lots of little and big things that put a smile on their face every time they enjoy a Coca-Cola product. Consumers may join My Coke Rewards by going online and setting up a rewards account at www.mycokerewards.com . Members then accumulate points by entering the My Coke Rewards codes found under the cap or on inside flap of fridge packs of any of the hundreds of participating Coca-Cola products in a variety of brands and sizes. My Coke Rewards codes may also be found on bonus offers on cups, scratch cards and coupons. Members then easily redeem rewards for great prizes and gifts, enter sweepstakes or donate points to their local school, favorite charity or cause. Since its inception in 2006, My Coke Rewards members have entered more than 1 billion codes from participating brands.

About The Coca-Cola Company:

The Coca-Cola Company KO -0.40% is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

About Disney Cruise Line:

Since its launch in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has established itself as a leader in the cruise industry, providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create. Today, Disney Cruise Line continues to expand its blueprint for family cruising with two new ships constructed by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Filled with innovation and magical guest experiences, the Disney Dream ship sailed its maiden voyage in 2011, and the Disney Fantasy ship is scheduled to sail its maiden voyage on March 31, 2012. All cruises on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ships stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay and originate from Port Canaveral, Florida. Across the fleet, Disney Cruise Line offers a wide variety of itinerary options for families including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, among others.

SOURCE: The Coca-Cola Company

Entravision Communications Corporation launches "El Vacilon del Mandril" on La Tricolor Radio Network

2012-01-20T15:04:00.000-05:00

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 19, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC) today announced the launch of "El Vacilon del Mandril" on Entravision's La Tricolor format radio stations in nine markets, including Denver, Colorado, Sacramento, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The show, which began airing on Entravision's radio stations on January 18th, can be heard Monday through Friday at various times throughout the morning. Featuring veteran Hispanic radio personality and lifelong jokester Ricardo Sanchez, better known as "El Mandril" (the Baboon), "El Vacilon del Mandril" provides listeners with an entertaining array of wisecracks, hit music and prank phone calls. The family-friendly program includes guest segments from Tatiano, the effeminate problem solver, and La Toluca, Mandril's co-host. The program is sure to entertain La Tricolor listeners, no matter their age or geographic location.

"As a leader in Spanish-language radio, we constantly seek to enhance our programming lineup with fresh talent and shows to attract new audiences to our market-leading stations and provide advertisers with compelling opportunities to reach the growing Hispanic population," said Jeffery Liberman, President of Entravision's Radio Division. "The addition of 'El Mandril' to our slate of the most popular and entertaining Spanish-language radio personalities, such as Erazno Y Chokolata and Jenni Rivera, continues to set Entravision and its station formats, like La Tricolor, apart from the rest."

The show currently airs on Entravision's La Tricolor format stations in KPVW-FM Aspen, Colorado; KXPK-FM Denver; KMXX-FM El Centro, California/ Yuma, Arizona; KQRT-FM Las Vegas; KAIQ-FM Lubbock, Texas; KRNV-FM Reno, Nevada; KRCX-FM Sacramento; KLOK-FM Salinas, California; and KMIX-FM Stockton, California.

La Tricolor is a highly successful Regional Mexican music format that caters to men between 18 and 34 years old. Within the demographic, four of Entravision's stations are the number one rated station and an additional four stations rank in the top five in the same demographic, regardless of language. The music is a high energy mix of banda, corrido, nortena, ranchera and emerging Regional Mexican genres. La Tricolor's musical roster includes Banda el Recodo, Jenni Rivera, Gerardo Ortiz, Intocable, Vicente Fernandez and Joan Sebastian, among others.

About Entravision Communications Corporation

Entravision Communications Corporation is a diversified Spanish-language media company utilizing a combination of television, radio and digital operations to reach Hispanic consumers across the United States, as well as the border markets of Mexico. Entravision is the largest affiliate group of both the top-ranked Univision television network and Univision's TeleFutura network, with television stations in 20 of the nation's top 50 Hispanic markets. The company also operates one of the nation's largest groups of primarily Spanish-language radio stations, consisting of 48 owned and operated radio stations. Additionally, Entravision has a variety of cross-platform digital content and sales offerings designed to capitalize on the company's leadership position within the Hispanic broadcasting community. Entravision shares of Class A Common Stock are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: EVC.

SOURCE: Entravision Communications Corporation

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. announces preliminary fourth quarter 2011 results

2012-01-19T06:57:00.000-05:00

COCONUT GROVE, Fla., Jan 18, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (the "Company" or "SBS") SBSA +1.38% today announced preliminary financial results for the three-months ended December 31, 2011.

Based on preliminary information and subject to the year-end accounting close and audit, the Company expects fourth quarter 2011 consolidated net revenue to be between $37.5 million and $38.0 million, resulting in expected growth of 7.5% to 9.0% over the comparable period in 2010. The Company expects a significant reduction in its television segment station operating loss, a non-GAAP measure, during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company also expects operating income before depreciation and amortization, (gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net and impairment charges and restructuring costs, a non-GAAP measure, to be between $10.5 million and $11.5 million, resulting in expected growth of 10% to 21% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company's cash balance is expected to be above $70 million as of December 31, 2011.

"The significant improvement in our results for the fourth quarter reflects the continued benefits of a healthier advertising environment, the strength of our broadcasting properties and affiliated special events, and a singular focus on achieving profitability in our television segment," said Raul Alarcon, Jr., Chairman and CEO. "We are further monetizing and expanding our audience reach, while effectively managing our costs, which is leading to increased cash flow from our business. Moving forward, we remain well positioned in the nation's largest Hispanic markets and are focused on generating improved financial performance and long-term value."

The Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 are not yet available. The Company's expectations of its results of operations and financial condition discussed above are based upon management estimates. This financial and operating data is unaudited and is subject to revision based on the completion of the accounting and financial reporting processes necessary to finalize its financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. This information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for prior periods included in the Company's public filings.

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment company in the United States. SBS owns and/or operates 21 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Tropical, Mexican Regional, Spanish Adult Contemporary and Hurban format genres. SBS operates 3 of the top 6 Spanish-language stations in the nation including the #1 Spanish station in America, WSKQ-FM in New York City. The Company also owns and operates MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events and operates www.LaMusica.com , a bilingual Spanish-English online site providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. The Company's corporate Web site can be accessed at www.spanishbroadcasting.com .

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this press release. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these expectations. Forward-looking statements, which are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," "might," or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ are included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operation results.

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company provides television segment station operating loss and operating income before depreciation and amortization, (gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net and impairment charges and restructuring costs. These are not measures of performance or liquidity determined in accordance with GAAP in the United States. However, we believe that these measures are useful in evaluating our performance because they reflect a measure of performance for our stations before considering costs and expenses related to our capital structure and dispositions. These measures are widely used in the broadcast industry to evaluate a company's operating performance and are used by us for internal budgeting purposes and to evaluate the performance of our stations, segments, management and consolidated operations. However, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure used in determining our operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because television segment station operating loss and operating income before depreciation and amortization, (gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net and impairment charges and restructuring costs are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

SOURCE: Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

National Latino Broadcasting announces first-of-its-kind political programming from Washington DC targeting US Hispanics

2012-01-18T13:14:00.000-05:00

MIAMI, Fla., Jan. 18, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- National Latino Broadcasting LLC (NLB) announced today the roll-out of cutting-edge programming examining current political issues on Cristina Radio and En Vivo, its channels on SiriusXM targeting US Hispanics. NLB has made a commitment to provide extensive and insightful coverage of the 2012 elections from SiriusXM's Washington DC-based studio, where daily original content will be created. The media entity will also broadcast from its Miami headquarters and has established correspondents in major cities across the country with strong Hispanic presence.

"NLB's political programming offers a unique bicultural and bipartisan perspective on American politics and Latino voters, our country's fastest growing electorate. The first of its kind approach provides listeners real insight on the issues impacting the Latino vote through the lens of some of the nation's top Hispanic political strategists," said Nelson Albareda, President and CEO of NLB.

Both En Vivo and Cristina Radio will air political segments and provide election coverage across their entire programming grid, as well as offer listeners specialized shows with live feeds from Washington DC.

Cristina Radio will air From Washington al Mundo, bringing information from the nation's capital on current events in foreign policy. Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Capitol Hill insider, political advocate, and one of the nation's most widely-respected foreign policy commentators, will share his expertise on a broad range of international, political and economic affairs. From Washington al Mundo features interviews and discussions with national and international leaders, policy experts and opinion-makers and airs Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 pm ET. Premiering this week, Claver-Carone's special guest is U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Republican Congresswoman from Florida.

Also on Cristina Radio, a new generation of political commentators from opposite sides of the aisle will face off in Power Play. Two fresh voices on the political scene, Republican Bettina Inclan and Democrat Alicia Menendez, serve up a savvy combination of politics, pop culture and social issues with a Latino twist. By sharing their unique perspectives as young Latina political strategists in the world of campaigns and elections, they provide listeners insider access to the 2012 elections and beyond. In addition, Power Play will cover the Republican primaries including broadcasting from some of the key races. A new program airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 pm/ET.

En Vivo will air the segments providing insight into the world of politics and election coverage on its morning show, Tu Manana Live, on SiriusXM channel 147 at 6 am/ET.

Cristina Radio, which airs on SiriusXM channel 146, launched last Thursday, January 12th. The channel has been built around media mogul and talk show icon Cristina Saralegui who signed an exclusive radio contract with NLB in May 2011 and is making her satellite radio debut. NLB's other channel, En Vivo, airing on SiriusXM channel 147, is an innovative music channel offering exclusive Latin GRAMMY® related content, also hit the airwaves last Thursday.

In April 2011, NLB was selected by Sirius XM Radio to lease two channels on a long-term basis to air on each of the Sirius and XM satellite radio platforms. It offers listeners a wide array of 24/7 programming on a variety of subjects that include news, entertainment, music, and political issues.

About Mauricio Claver-Carone

Attorney, Washington insider, political power-player, Mauricio Claver-Carone brings over a decade of experience in academia, Capitol Hill, and the Executive Branch. He is one of the country's most respected foreign policy commentators.

About Bettina Inclan

A highly sought-after communications and political strategist, who served prominent roles in both the California and Florida gubernatorial races, where she helped Florida Governor Rick Scott win the majority of the Hispanic vote. Recognized as one of the leading experts in reaching Latino voters, she now serves as the Director of Hispanic Outreach for the Republican National Committee and has previously served as the Executive Director of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.

About Alicia Menendez

Well-known speaker, writer and television commentator. From Rock the Vote to Democracia USA, her work focuses on engaging more women, Latinos and young people in the electoral process. She is the co-founder of DailyGrito, a top website featuring a Latino take on politics; and DefineAmerican, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the national conversation around immigration.

About National Latino Broadcasting, LLC.

National Latino Broadcasting, LLC. (NLB) is a media company focused on serving Latino communities across the United States through the development of compelling entertainment content. NLB's multi-platform distribution channels allow the company to deliver entertaining and informative programming while creating innovative marketing solutions for marketers seeking to engage Latino consumers. The company's flagship media properties include two satellite radio channels on Sirius XM Radio. For more information on NLB, visit www.NLBlive.com.

About Sirius XM Radio

Sirius XM Radio is America's satellite radio company. SiriusXM broadcasts more than 135 satellite radio channels of commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to over 21 million subscribers. SiriusXM offers an array of content from many of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as from professional sports leagues, major colleges, and national news and talk providers.

SiriusXM programming is available on more than 800 devices, including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks, boats and aircraft, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. SiriusXM programming is also available at siriusxm.com, and on Apple, BlackBerry and Android-powered mobile devices.

SiriusXM has arrangements with every major automaker and its radio products are available for sale at shop.siriusxm.com as well as retail locations nationwide.

SOURCE: National Latino Broadcasting LLC

Hispanic Group to celebrate 10-year anniversary with Red Carpet Event

2012-01-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Hispanic Group, an independent, minority-owned agency specialized in offering customized approaches aimed at targeting specific nationalities within the U.S. Hispanic market, is reaching a major milestone: its 10-year anniversary. To celebrate its decade-long trajectory, Hispanic Group is rolling out the red carpet, literally, for the VIP guests: its clients.

Clients were invited to a cocktail reception that will take place on Wednesday, January 18 at the iconic, newly renovated Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne. Guests will be treated to a night of music and live entertainment with Miami's most amazing skyline views as a backdrop.

Hispanic Group credits its staggering growth and overwhelming success to its loyal clients, for whom this anniversary celebration is all about.

"Ten years ago we embarked on a journey, we have walked a long path, never slowing down and only stopped to check our baggage...and now we celebrate 10 years of relentless commitment as we gear up for the challenges the next 10 years will bring," reflected Jose Luis Valderrama, President and Founder of Hispanic Group.

The celebration warrants highlighting the top achievements of the last decade:

• Trailblazer as an independent, minority-owned agency aimed at ultrasegmentation within the U.S. Hispanic market.

• Restructured operations to spin off three business units: Hispanic Group, LatinAmerican Ethnic TV (LAETV) and Broadcast Productions.

• Amassed expansive rolodex of clients that now includes DISH Network, LAN Airlines, XOOM and Discovery en Espanol, to name just a few.

• Ranked #12 in Advertising Age's Hispanic Fact Pack 2007 list of Top 50 Hispanic Agencies in the U.S. and among the top 10 independent Hispanic Agencies on the same list.

• Employs forty-communications professionals specializing in marketing, branding, advertising, television and media buying.

• Pioneer in its ability to offer immediate access to street marketing research teams in 42 cities throughout the U.S.

• Unique capability to leverage more than 700 individuals working on specific campaigns, tailored to meet the individual needs of the company's clients.

"The entrepreneurial spirit is born from adversity, gets fertilized with ideas and flourishes with hard work. That has been the recipe for the last decade that enables us today to fill up with pride and say we have earned the confidence of our clients, esteem of our colleagues and credibility from the media," noted Valderrama. "Our tenth anniversary event is a celebration of our culture, what we represent and all those who have supported us from our humble beginnings to share in our success today," added Valderrama.

Hispanic Group has a keen ability to identify the behavior, location, culture and colloquialisms for each Hispanic group within the United States and reach them by speaking in their own language, customs and cultures. An Argentine will not generally be a regular customer for tacos and a Mexican will not be a fan of Colombian soccer teams. This know-how and market segmentation enables Hispanic Group to be effective and innovative reaching this demographic in the U.S.

"In this our 10th anniversary, I want to thank each and every Hispanic in the U.S., regardless of legal status, language preference or education, because beyond all the classification we (Hispanics) represent 50 million people living in the U.S.," added Valderrama. "I want to thank them all for this roller coaster ride. Cheers to the next 10 years," concluded Valderrama.

Follow the hashtag #HG10yrs for updates, pictures of the event or even to tweet your own good wishes.

SOURCE Hispanic Group

Univision Communications will be the presenting media partner and sponsor of Hispanicize 2012

2012-01-12T14:36:00.002-05:00

MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 12, 2012 – Univision Communications, the leading media company serving Hispanic America, is announcing that it will be the lead presenting media partner of Hispanicize 2012, the annual Latino trends event scheduled for Miami, April 11-13, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami.

“Univision’s prominent role at Hispanicize 2012 will be a boon to the talented speakers, cultural influencers, filmmakers and sponsors involved in this unprecedented event focused on Latino trends and trendsetters in social media, entertainment, marketing and media,” said Manny Ruiz, the event’s organizer and creative director.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to Hispanic America, we are thrilled to partner with Hispanicize for the 2012 event and have the opportunity to further extend the reach of this growing community – across the board,” said Monica Talan, senior vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Univision Communications.

Leading up to the event, Univision will leverage its TV, radio and interactive platforms to highlight Hispanicize 2012’s efforts. During the event, Univision’s beloved and leading personalities will participate as celebrity interviewers of key Latino innovators that will speak at Hispanicize 2012.

Univision Communications is committed to entertaining, informing and empowering Hispanics through its interactive, TV and radio platforms. As part of its comprehensive engagement strategy and creating interactive experiences, Univision engages with audiences on Univision.com, its Foros, as well as other social platforms such as Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr, Twitter and YouTube. Fans can connect with Univision on Twitter via @Univision, on Facebook.com/Univision and Foursquare.com/Univision.

Hispanicize 2012 is expected to host several hundred Hispanic journalists and Latino bloggers as the three-day event will include press conferences, celebrity interview opportunities, newsworthy programs and even professional development workshops tailored specifically to traditional Latino media and bloggers.

Now in its third year, Hispanicize 2012 (#HISPZ12) is a partnership of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), Hispanicize and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

About Univision Communications Inc. 

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. Its assets include Univision Network, one of the top five networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country reaching 97% of U.S. Hispanic households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network reaching 88% of U.S. Hispanic households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network, and a suite of six cable offerings - De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson, Telehit and Clásico TV; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for the Company’s platforms; Univision Local Media, which owns and/or operates 62 television stations and 70 radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Interactive Media, a network of national and local online and mobile sites including Univision.com, which continues to be the #1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. online Hispanics, Univision Móvil, a longstanding industry-leader with unique, relevant mobile products and services, and Univision Partner Group, a specialized advertising and publisher network. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.univision.net.

About Hispanicize 2012

Now in its third year, Hispanicize 2012 is the iconic annual event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in social media, marketing, entertainment and innovation. Hispanicize 2012 brings brands, media, marketers, celebrities, filmmakers, innovators and bloggers together in a unique creative environment focused on ideas and best practices. The conference is a launch pad for creative endeavors, new products, technologies, marketing campaigns, films, books and more targeting Latinos. Hispanicize 2012, a partnership of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), Hispanicize and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), will be held at the gorgeous JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Miami, April 11-13, 2012.

About the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA)

HPRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession. HPRA has more than 250 members representing public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and workshops throughout the year. The organization has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships to Latino students pursuing a career in communications during the last 25 years. HPRA strives to be a resource for communications professionals and for those seeking insights into the Hispanic market. For more information visit www.hpra-usa.org.

SOURCE: Univision Communications Inc.

Sheets(TM) and Global Latin Recording artist Pitbull launch National Campaign targeting the Hispanic Community

2012-01-09T08:54:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Sheets(TM) Brand Energy Strips, the new way to do energy, today launched a nationwide advertising campaign in an effort to reach the Hispanic community. Spearheaded by brand partner and international recording artist Pitbull, Sheets(TM) will penetrate the Hispanic community through a variety of media channels including broadcast, radio and in movie theaters, exclusively in Spanish.

Along with the new advertising campaign, today Pitbull will unveil his own Sheets(TM) commercial which he developed as part of the brand's national Facebook competition to find the next national Sheets(TM) commercial. Fans can submit their own take through Sheets'(TM) Facebook Page and the winning commercial will have their spot aired on national television and in movie theaters in 2012.

Pitbull and his team are at the forefront of the brand's entire Hispanic marketing efforts creating innovative advertising, marketing and promotional initiatives to reach Latino consumers worldwide.

"We are thrilled to team up with Pitbull and launch this new national campaign which will help us target the Latino community with a direct message developed exclusively for them," said Warren Struhl, CEO of PureBrands, owner of Sheets(TM) Brand. "We could not think of a better person to take the lead on this campaign than Sheets(TM) founding partner Pitbull who has very strong ties to the Latin community around the world."

"I use and I am a true believer in Sheets(TM)," said Sheets(TM) Brand Energy Strips co-founder Pitbull. "I am also extremely proud to be in charge of this new national campaign as I look to help energize, inspire and empower the Latin community."

Unlike other energy products, Sheets(TM) Brand Energy Strips are distinctive because they are paper-thin, individually wrapped, dissolvable pocket-sized strips. When placed on your tongue, the strips begin to dissolve instantly and are easily swallowed and digested, delivering energy for hours. With multiple flavors, Sheets(TM) won't spill or melt, have no calories, no carbohydrates, no sugar and require no water. Sheets(TM) uses proprietary technology that provides a breakthrough delivery system enabling consumers to get fast-acting energy -- anytime, anywhere.

About PureBrands, LLC

PureBrands, LLC, is a holding company that creates, acquires and markets proprietary and differentiated consumer products. The company's inaugural product is Sheets(TM) Brand Energy Strips, which launched in June 2011. Some of the world's best athletes and hottest entertainers are founding partners and/or investors in PureBrands, including superstar athletes LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire, as well as award-winning entertainers Drake and Pitbull. Please visit Sheets(TM) at http://www.sheetsbrand.com .

SOURCE PureBrands, LLC

Engagement doubled with mixed Spanish/English video ads, Tremor Video reports

2011-12-19T23:07:00.000-05:00

Dec 19, 2011 | by Daisy Whitney

Engagement with interactive online video ads can spike if targeted in a highly tailored fashion to the right consumer.

That’s what video ad network Tremor Video learned during a recent campaign for an adult beverage targeting Hispanics. In an innovative use of creative and ad formats, Tremor Video relied on English language creative, but then added interactivity in the Spanish language in the form of a “call to engagement” that yielded an average engagement of 105 seconds with the interactive portion of a 15-second pre-roll, said Jason Krebs, chief media officer for Tremor Video.

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ScottsMiracle-Gro wins Best Hispanic Campaign Award

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

MARYSVILLE, Ohio and MIAMI, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- In its first-ever Hispanic advertising campaign, ScottsMiracle-Gro won the coveted best Hispanic campaign award for TV and Radio at the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) 2011 Multicultural Excellence Awards.

One criteria for winning is a campaign that is both insights-driven and delivers a culturally relevant message. Recognized by the judges as exceeding the criteria with humor, Ortho Home Defense Max Insect Killer spot features an innocent chancla, also known as a flip flop, being used to smash cockroaches before taking on a life of its own, hopping about and spraying Ortho Home Defense.

"After extensive multicultural consumer research, we discovered that people were looking for a solution to an embarrassing situation," said Jim Lyski, chief marketing officer for ScottsMiracle-Gro. "Humor desensitized the bug issue and made the Ortho brand an ally. This campaign was wildly successful with Hispanic consumers and raised our brand preference in markets where it aired. We had several challenges to tackle with this campaign, the biggest being that that Latinos didn't have knowledge about a product that actually prevents insects from entering the home; and this campaign had to not only launch the Ortho® brand to this audience, but also educate consumers on preventive care. "

The Hispanic campaign was created by Grupo Gallegos, an advertising agency in Huntington Beach that specializes in the Hispanic Market. "The work reflects the importance of uncovering a real consumer insight, the type that drives behavior, translating it into an actionable strategy and then finding a creative way to communicate the idea. We are fortunate to work with a courageous client like ScottsMiracle-Gro that is willing to push the envelope creatively", said agency CEO John Gallegos We found that Latinos didn't have knowledge about a product that actually prevents insects from entering the home. We had the large task of making a :30 second TV spot tackle introducing a new brand to this audience and change indoor and perimeter insect control behavior from reactive to proactive; the use of the chancla and humor helped us tell the story and deliver the key points in a relevant and memorable way".

The (ANA) Association of National Advertisers announced the winners of the 2011 Multicultural Excellence Awards dinner sponsored by Arbitron. Now in its eleventh year, the awards recognize ANA member companies and other marketers for their work in producing superior multicultural advertising campaigns that ran between June 2010 and June 2011. The Ortho Home Defense campaign was one of nine category winners. ScottsMiracle-Gro edged out American Airlines and the National Basketball Association in the Hispanic category, while holding court in the competition with Ford Motor Company, PepsiCo, Verizon Wireless and Kraft Singles.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

About Grupo Gallegos

Grupo Gallegos was founded in 2001 by California born John Gallegos, who was inspired to start the agency with the idea of integrated marketing strategies for a multicultural audience. Grupo Gallegos leads the Hispanic market with campaigns for ScottsMiracle-Gro, Comcast, Target, Energizer, Fruit of the Loom, California Milk Processor Board (Got Milk?), Bally Total Fitness, and Liberty Mutual, to name a few. The agency's success in revolutionizing how brands communicate with the growing Hispanic market is due, in part, to John Gallegos' mantra: "Look for courageous clients who are willing to challenge convention." Gallegos believes in connecting with Hispanic consumers in a new effective way. The agency's mountain of awards and rapid expansion attest to the effectiveness of their campaigns.

SOURCE The Scotts Company

Advertisers seek inroads into growing Latino consumer base

2011-12-18T23:27:00.000-05:00

Dec 18, 2011 | by Julio Morales

In recent years more and more companies and advertisers have been launching initiatives and products specifically aimed at attracting more Latino consumers. With reason too, considering that the purchasing power of U.S. Hispanics is expected to grow 48 percent to $1.6 trillion between 2011 and 2016, significantly higher than the growth rate of the general U.S. population’s buying power over that same period, which is projected to be 27.5 percent, according to a study by ISISWorld.

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General Mills pilots Hispanic online sampling effort to reach consumers with new product sneak preview

2011-12-15T17:35:00.001-05:00

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- This morning, QueRicaVida.com(TM) members discovered a special offer for General Mills product samples in their email in-box. The Hispanic lifestyle website that caters to more than 300,000 registered members announced via email an exclusive deal featuring eight new products--from breakfast cereals to fruit snacks to handy dinner kits--bundled into a try-before-you-can-buy offer. For $18, Que Rica Vida will ship to consumers' doors a sampling of General Mills products before they're available on shelf, a $30 value. Plus they will receive $8 in coupon savings to purchase them at their local store.

"We're thrilled to present a valuable offer to our family of Que Rica Vida members through a fantastic sampling initiative," explained Rodolfo Rodriguez, director of multicultural marketing for General Mills. "Members can be the first to taste test the new products at home and enjoy them with family and friends; then in January, they'll start seeing them at the market. This value-driven approach enables us to reach Que Rica Vida members in yet another very meaningful and innovative way. It is a first for the company as we continue to develop engaging strategies that embrace our Hispanic consumers."

The box of General Mills foods features seven full-size retail packages and a single-size Betty Crocker(R) Fruit Roll-Ups(R) Quiz Rolls. All products begin shipping to retail and grocery store locations later this month and into January 2012:

-- Dulce de Leche Cheerios(R) (12 oz)

-- Frosted Toast Crunch(R) (12.3 oz)

-- Hamburger Helper(R) Ultimate Beef Stroganoff (5.5 oz)

-- Hamburger Helper(R) Cheesy Italian Beef (5.1 oz)

-- Multi-Grain Cheerios(R) Peanut Butter (11.3 oz)

-- Ocean Spray(R) Berries & Cherries (8 oz)

-- Ocean Spray(R) Assorted Fruit (8 oz)

-- Betty Crocker(R) Fruit Roll-Ups(R) Quiz Rolls Strawberry Twist & Punch Berry (single 5 oz pouch)

Rodriguez notes the breakthrough online sampling pilot is an important part of the company's strategy to showcase its popular brands given that a majority of online growth is fueled by Latinas. For the last five years, QueRicaVida.com has become a major hub of relevant, go-to information for Hispanic consumers, particularly Latina moms. When they register at the website, consumers receive coupons, exclusive member benefits and have quick access to a variety of helpful day-to-day information.

"QueRicaVida.com is expanding quickly in the digital space, and we're working hard to offer fresh, relevant content and resources to our members," Rodriguez said. "We can build stronger brand engagement with Hispanics by showcasing value -- whether that is an exclusive value-add sampling offer or a series of quick family recipes to quell the dinner hour dilemma."

Unlike some email offers orchestrated by larger online coupon companies, the Que Rica Vida sampling bundle is managed by General Mills and is only available to members registered as of December 13, 2011 on QueRicaVida.com. As part of this campaign, 1,500 sample offers are available while supplies last.

About Que Rica Vida

Now in its fifth year, the Que Rica Vida initiative is an important resource designed to provide Latina moms with culturally relevant lifestyle information and expert advice on Education, Holiday Occasions, Health & Wellness and Family--issues of great importance to Hispanic families in America. The program was developed by General Mills to help the Hispanic mother succeed in creating a healthier, easier, richer life for her and her family. The cornerstone of the Que Rica Vida initiative is its free quarterly lifestyle magazine and website of the same name, www.QueRicaVida.com

About General Mills

General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries. Its consumer brands include Cheerios(R), Haagen-Dazs(R), Nature Valley(R), Yoplait(R), Betty Crocker(R), Pillsbury(R), Green Giant(R), Progresso(R) and Old El Paso(R). Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2011 net sales of US$14.9 billion.

Ocean Spray is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

SOURCE: General Mills

TargetSpot partners with Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

2011-12-15T17:06:00.000-05:00

NEW YORK, Dec 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- TargetSpot, the largest digital audio advertising network, today announced that it will deliver in-stream audio ads for Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. As a result, TargetSpot expands its rapidly growing network into the Hispanic arena, with 1.3 million unique monthly listeners across Spanish Broadcasting System's 21 Hispanic-oriented stations. Spanish Broadcasting System's stations reach 42% of the total U.S. Hispanic population, with presence in key Hispanic markets such as New York, Miami, LA, San Francisco and Chicago.

"We are pleased to partner with TargetSpot to connect advertisers with our high-quality content and expansive audience reach," added Eric Garcia, Vice President Sales, Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. "Internet Radio listening, across all genres and formats, is a critically important way to reach the Hispanic audience."

Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and this audience represents 1.3 trillion dollars of purchasing power.(1)Studies show that Hispanics are truly engaged with radio, with an average of 33 days per year spent listening to radio, which equates to nearly 15.5 hours per week.(2)The value of targeted digital audio advertising for marketers looking to reach this demographic is great as the Hispanic audience is 53 percent more likely to purchase items advertised on Hispanic radio compared to English radio.(3)

"We are very pleased to enable our advertisers to reach such an important audience," said Eyal Goldwerger, CEO of TargetSpot. "This new partnership creates the ability to target highly-engaged Hispanic Internet Radio listeners anytime, anywhere, down to the zip code level."

TargetSpot's internet advertising network now includes more than 80 radio groups and pureplay online music providers, with thousands of music, talk/news and sports channels. Using the TargetSpot network, advertisers can target Internet Radio listeners based upon a variety of factors, including geography down to the zip code level, time of day, and personal listening preferences.

About TargetSpot

TargetSpot is the largest digital audio advertising network. TargetSpot connects top national brands, regional, and local advertisers to highly engaged Internet and mobile audiences. Advertisers work with TargetSpot's team or use its self-service platform to create rich media campaigns delivering high-impact audio, display and pre-roll video advertising across thousands of online properties. TargetSpot advertisers can target consumers by demographics, listening preferences, and geography down to zip code level; while benefitting from real time reporting and analytics. TargetSpot has 80 distribution partners, including CBS RADIO, AOL Radio, Entercom, Live 365, Yahoo! Music, and Slacker. TargetSpot is based in New York City. For more information, please visit www.targetspot.com .

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment company in the United States. SBS owns and/or operates 21 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Tropical, Mexican Regional, Spanish Adult Contemporary and Hurban format genres. SBS has 3 of the top 6 Spanish-language stations in the nation including the #1 Spanish station in America, WSKQ-FM in New York City (WPAT is ranked #3 and KLAX is ranked #6). The Company also owns and operates MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events throughout the country and operates LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English online site providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. The Company's corporate Web site can be accessed at www.spanishbroadcasting.com .

1. eMarketer, Hispanics Online: Demographics and Media Usage 2010

2. RAB Radio Marketing Guide, based on RADAR 1078 March 2011 Monday-Sunday 24-Hour Time Spent Listening Estimate for Hispanic

3. Univision Media Habits Study 2010

SOURCE: TargetSpot

Connecting to Hispanics aim of media agencies

2011-12-13T17:16:00.001-05:00

Dec 13, 2011 | by Rebecca Villaneda

The pulse of the Hispanic community is an intense one, and MEC Bravo and Republica are targeting it.

MEC Bravo, the fourth-largest Hispanic media agency in the U.S., has created successful campaigns for its clients to connect with the ever-growing Hispanic population. Its mega clients include AT&T, Chevron and Macy's.

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New Manu Chao ‘Alto Arizona’ protest video

2011-12-04T22:10:00.002-05:00

November 29, 2011. Phoenix, AZ - In September, Manu Chao ended his US tour with a ‘Festival de Resistencia’ free concert in Phoenix, Arizona, to protest against anti-immigrant policies that have made the state of Arizona a “capital of prejudice.” The free concert was held in collaboration with the National Day Labourer Organising Network (NDLON), whose ‘Alto Arizona’ campaign is part of an ongoing effort to bring visibility, recognition, dignity and healing to migrants who have been targets of hate in Arizona and around the world.

Last year, Arizona passed Senate Bill 1070, the beginning of a wave of the most anti-immigrant legislation the US has not seen in generations. The passage of SB 1070 Arizona dramatically expanded police powers to stop, question and detain individuals for not having proper identification, a move that encourages racial profiling and legitimizes intolerance.

NDLON is a national migrant worker organisation that has been seeking to bring relief to the state of Arizona and challenge the spread of Arizona-style laws to other states such as Georgia and Alabama. In Arizona, NDLON and local member organizations are asking the federal government to bring Maricopa County’s Sheriff Arpaio to justice by taking away his immigration law enforcement power and by concluding the three-year-old Department of Justice investigation into his civil rights abuses. The law is currently being blocked by a federal judge.

As the son of parents who fled Franco’s Spain, Chao can personally relate to the discrimination and displacement experienced under aggressive governance. “For the past year, we’ve carried the people of Arizona in our hearts as we witnessed them suffer under such ignorant laws” says Chao.

While in Arizona, Manu Chao visited the perimeter fence of the notorious jail facility known as ‘Tent City’, which was conceived by Sheriff Arpaio, and where inmates are forced to suffer degrading treatment and to endure the extreme temperature range of the desert by living outside in tents.

Manu Chao, along with bandmate Madjid Fahem, serenaded the walls of the jail with a heartfelt rendition of his song ‘Clandestino’. This version was captured on film by filmmaker Alex Rivera, whose work strives to draw attention to the Latin-American community in the US. The footage was produced by the National Day Labourer Organising Network (NDLON) and can be seen on the ‘Alto Arizona’ site http://www.altoarizona.com

SOURCE: NDLON

Walt Disney Records set to release Spanish language version of Disney's Los Muppets soundtrack on Dec. 6

2011-12-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and the whole Muppet gang are back and ready for their felt-frenzied close-up, as Walt Disney Records is set to release the Spanish language version of the soundtrack to Disney's Los Muppets, the brand new big-screen adventure starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams and the beloved Muppets. Featuring songs written by Bret McKenzie ("Flight of the Conchords"), updated versions of Muppet classics and familiar hits given the Muppet treatment, the Spanish language soundtrack arrives in stores and at online retailers December 6, 2011.

McKenzie, who created, co-wrote, executive produced and starred in the hit HBO television series "Flight of the Conchords," is the music supervisor, as well as the writer/producer of four original songs, including "Life's a Happy Song," "Let's Talk About Me," "Man or Muppet" and "Me Party." McKenzie also produced "Pictures in My Head" and "Rainbow Connection."

"Music was always an integral part of the 'The Muppet Show' and Muppet films," McKenzie said. "It's hard to think of the Muppets without thinking of songs like 'Rainbow Connection' or 'Mah Na Mah Na.' The Muppets don't sound like anyone else and that's what's great about them. It was a huge honor to work on 'The Muppets' and I took the job very seriously, even when I was recording a man pretending to be a penguin."

The Muppets turn in new renditions of "The Muppet Show Theme" (co-written by Jim Henson, the song opened and closed "The Muppet Show" for five seasons in the US and UK, from 1976-1981), the treasured Muppet classic and Academy Award ®-nominated "Rainbow Connection," (penned by Oscar®-winning composer Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher) as well as the original 1969 version of "Mah Na Mah Na." The felt gloves come off in new Muppet interpretations of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" and Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Also included are the original versions of Paul Simon's 1972 hit "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and Starship's 1985 chart-topper "We Built This City." The album also features 15 dialogue interstitials from the film.

The following is a complete song list:

"The Muppet Show Theme" - Performed by The Muppets, this is an updated version of the theme beloved for decades.

"Life's a Happy Song" - Sung by Gary, Mary and Walter the Muppet, this is one of the key tracks in the score that onscreen grows from a simple tune to an epic production number. "I wrote this in New Zealand when I was in a particularly good mood," says McKenzie. "I sat down at the piano and it came out very quickly."

"Pictures in My Head" – Kermit the Frog takes a solo turn in this sweetly humorous ballad, in which he remembers only the good stuff about his glory days with his fellow Muppets.

"Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" – Paul Simon's immortal hit from his 1972 self-titled solo album, perfectly captures the spirited fun of the film.

"Rainbow Connection (Moopets Version)" – Written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher, this is perhaps the best-known, best-loved Muppets song of all time. Here it is utterly twisted up by The Moopets (Fozzie Bear's tribute band to the original Muppets).

"We Built This City" – Starship's #1 smash hit from 1985 makes the perfect backdrop as the Muppets strive to save their studio.

"Me Party" – Destined to become a classic, Miss Piggy and Mary team up for this upbeat, disco diva throw down.

"Let's Talk About Me" – One of the soundtrack's most pleasant surprises is this die-hard hip-hop track, performed with charming malevolence by Tex Richman.

"Man or Muppet" – Performed by Gary and Walter, this power ballad is sung during one of the film's emotional high points.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" – The Muppet Barbershop Quartet of Rowlf, Beaker, Link Hogthrob and Sam the Eagle, takes on the timeless Nirvana hit. Kurt Cobain probably never imagined his music could be Muppetized.

"Forget You" – Wildly popular and often copied as Cee Lo Green's classic may be, it's guaranteed that no one has ever heard a clucked-up rendition like this one from Muppets Camilla and the Chickens.

"Rainbow Connection" – Here it is, the Oscar®-nominated ballad from "The Muppet Movie" (1979) sung by the beloved Muppet gang.

"The Whistling Caruso" – Noted whistling virtuoso Andrew Bird puckers his way through this delightful, wordless interlude, performed in the film by Walter.

"Life's a Happy Song Finale" – The entire cast teams up for a reprise of the opening number, in a joyous finale that audiences will not soon forget. Shooting the scene shut down Hollywood Boulevard for two nights and featured 80 dancers and 300 extras.

"Mah Na Mah Na" – The memorable track from the original "The Muppet Show," performed by Mahna Mahna and The Snowths.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary's girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With a screenplay by Jason Segel & Nicholas Stoller, the film is directed by James Bobin. Featuring signature celebrity cameos, Disney's "The Muppets" is in theaters now.

Disney's Los Muppets Spanish language soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on Dec. 6, 2011. For more information on Walt Disney Records' releases, please visit Disney.com/music, become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic.

SOURCE Walt Disney Records

Univision reveals megastar nominations for the 24th edition of “Premio Lo Nuestro®” Latin Music Awards

2011-12-04T20:15:00.001-05:00

MIAMI, FL – Dec. 1, 2011 – The “Premio Lo Nuestro®” 2012 Latin Music Awards gets underway as Univision Network reveals the full list of nominees during its hit blockbuster entertainment news show, “El Gordo y La Flaca” (The Scoop and The Skinny). The show’s popular hosts Raul de Molina and Lili Estefan welcomed former “Nuestra Belleza Latina” winners Alejandra Espinoza and Ana Patricia Gonzalez, as they announced the A-list names of artists nominated for one of Latin music’s most highly anticipated award shows.

The 24th edition of the “Premio Lo Nuestro” Latin Music Awards will be broadcast LIVE from the American Airlines Arena in Miami on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, from 8-11 p.m. ET on the Univision Network.

Nominations Summary

Six Nominations (Top Nominees):

Shakira

• Pop Genre – Two nominations for “Pop Song of the Year” (one shared with El Cata for “Rabiosa”); as well as nominations for “Pop Album of the Year” and “Pop Female Artist of The Year”

• Other – “Artist of the Year” and “Collaboration of the Year” (shared with El Cata)

Tito El Bambino

• Tropical Genre – Two nominations for “Tropical Song of the Year;” as well as nominations for “Tropical Album of the Year,” “Tropical Male Artist of the Year” and “Tropical Contemporary Artist of The Year”

• Other – “Artist of the Year”

Five Nominations:

Maná

• Rock/Alternative Genre – “Rock/Alternative Album Of The Year,” two nominations for “Rock/Alternative Song of The Year” and “Rock/Alternative Artist of The Year”

• Other – “Artist of the Year”

Prince Royce

• Tropical Genre – “Tropical Song of The Year,” “Tropical Male Artist of The Year” and “Tropical Contemporary Artist of The Year”

• Urban Genre – “Urban Song of The Year” (shared with Daddy Yankee)

• Other – “Collaboration of the Year” (shared with Daddy Yankee)

Four Nominations:

Ricky Martin, Natalia Jiménez, Wisin y Yandel, Alejandra Guzmán, Don Omar and Larry Hernández

Three Nominations:

Juanes, Daddy Yankee, Gerardo Ortíz, Gloria Trevi, Intocable, Joan Sebastian, la Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho, Reik, Romeo Santos, Voz de Mano and Zoe

“Premio Lo Nuestro” features nominees in 35 categories, representing Latin music’s most popular genres, including pop, tropical, regional Mexican, rock/alternative and urban. The night reaches an all-time high as winners in the renowned categories are announced: “Artist of the Year,” “Video of the Year,” and “Collaboration of the Year.”

The eligibility period for “Premio Lo Nuestro” 2012 nominations ran between October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011. The list of nominations was based on data provided by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS), the world’s leading provider of airplay tracking for the entertainment industry.

The “Premio Lo Nuestro” 2012 winners will be determined by popular vote. Voting began Thursday, December 1 at 4pm ET and will continue through Thursday, December 21 at 11:59pm ET at www.PremioLoNuestro.com

Fans can receive extensive coverage of “Premio Lo Nuestro 2012” nominees online and through their mobile device by visiting www.PremioLoNuestro.com. Users can access nominee profiles and vote online for the winners. Fans can also gear up for the show with exclusive videos and photos of the best backstage and red carpet moments from more than two decades of “Premio Lo Nuestro.”

Moreover, fans can engage with Univision on social platforms and count with the latest about the awards show, their favorite artists and exclusive tidbits about Premio Lo Nuestro on Twitter via @PremioLoNuestro and on Facebook.com/PremioLoNuestro.

About Univision Communications Inc.

SOURCE Univision Communications

Conill Advertising works with Upstairs for new 'Mi Tide' campaign

2011-11-30T18:19:00.000-05:00

November 30, 2011

Tide launched its “Mi Tide” campaign for Hispanic market in the United States, covering the scope of television, print, and online. Miami-based post-production company Upstairs was in charge of editing and color correction for the campaign.

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5 Omnicom shops win Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

2011-11-30T14:14:00.000-05:00

Nov 29, 2011 | by Noreen O'Leary

A group of five Omnicom agencies prevailed in the review for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida business currently handled by Draftfcb, Chicago. The IPG agency was a finalist in a search that began in March.

The Omnicom holding company agencies that have been selected are BBDO in Atlanta for brand advertising; TPG, digital and direct; Zimmerman, retail advertising, media planning, and buying; Alma, Hispanic advertising; and Footsteps, African-American advertising.

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Latino 96.3 FM to co-host CaliBash 2012 on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California

2011-11-25T16:59:00.000-05:00

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. entertainment division, SBS Entertainment and its leading Spanish-language party station, KXOL Latino 96.3FM, announced today the line-up for the CaliBash 2012 concert, featuring the music industry's hottest Reggaeton, Hip Hop and R&B stars. CaliBash 2012, co-hosted by Latino 96.3FM, is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 7 p.m. (doors open) and show begins at 8 p.m. at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.

SBS Entertainment and Latino 96.3FM promise California the biggest and best concert event of 2012. Ticket holders will experience an entire evening filled with musical performances by the biggest names in Reggaeton, Hip Hop and R&B, including: Wisin & Yandel, Jowel and Randy, and many more. Twelve of the best artists of 2012 will be part of the CaliBash experience.

"Once again SBS Entertainment is proud to present the most awaited show of the year in California, where the young crowd will enjoy three hours of pure fun. CaliBash 2012 arrives with a show filled with amazing optical illusions. SBS Entertainment consistently brings innovation and entertainment to the new generation," stated Lucas Pina, SR.VP of SBS Entertainment

Latino 96.3 FM's popular DJ's and radio personalities will be on hand as well, including: Raq-c "La Comadre," Sandra Pena, DJ. Eddie One, David Rolas, DJ J Rhythm, Nachin, Carolina Marquez and J Dubs. Prior to the show, all Latino 96.3 FM on-air personalities will be at the DJ stage, located in the parking lot to meet and entertain the station's fans.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 7 p.m. (doors open) and show begins at 8 p.m. at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Tickets are available at the Staples Center box office, at all Ticketmaster locations and at http://www.ticketmaster.com.

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment company in the United States. SBS owns and/or operates 21 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Tropical, Mexican Regional, Spanish Adult Contemporary and Hurban format genres. SBS has 3 of the top 6 Spanish-language stations in the nation including the #1 Spanish station in America, WSKQ-FM in New York City (WPAT is ranked #3 and KLAX is ranked #6). The Company also owns and operates MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events throughout the country and operates LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English online site providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. The Company's corporate Web site can be accessed at http://www.spanishbroadcasting.com.

SOURCE SBS Entertainment

Shakira became the first Colombian to get a Star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-11-21T04:44:00.000-05:00

Nov 11, 2011 | by Zohreen Adamjee and Michael Martinez

Hollywood (CNN) -- When Shakira became the first Colombian this week to get her name on a world-renowned monument to the entertainment industry -- the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- the 34-year-old recording artist recalled what her mother told her at age 7.

"One day, Shaki, your name will be here," her mother said when the two and a family friend visited Hollywood for the first time 27 years ago.

For Shakira, the star marked a personal triumph -- as an artist and a Latina.

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