Look Who’s Leading…

Hispanics are growing in numbers and stature in the U.S. and Latino influence is changing the complexion of American culture. The advertising and marketing industry is no exception.

In a rousing, star-studded, three-day event, the Hispanic-specialized marketing industry will explore the dynamics of leadership in all areas of our society and the link to the opportunities and what is occurring daily in agencies creating advertising targeted to Latinos.

The fall AHAA conference will focus on creative and planning in Hispanic-specialized agencies culminating with the industry-acclaimed 10th Annual Advertising Age Hispanic Creative Advertising Awards and gala.

Featured speakers at the conference include:

· Opening day keynote Geraldo Rivera, award-winning broadcast journalist, investigative reporter and foreign correspondent, attorney, author, and current host of the Fox News Channel’s Geraldo-At-Large.
· Friday keynote Brown Johnson, president of animation for Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group, the driving force behind the number one preschool brand, Nick Jr. Her creative leadership nurtured and grew the groundbreaking properties Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, Go, Diego, Go!, The Wonder Pets!, Yo Gabba Gabba! and most recently, Ni Hao, Kai-lan. Johnson spearheads all preschool content across Nickelodeon networks seen in over 96 million homes.
· Lider-ship in Entertainment panelists:

o Writer, actor, Emmy-nominated director, and producer Luis Avalos, best known for his featured regular role in the Emmy and Grammy award-winning program, “The Electric Company.” Avalos has directed numerous notable films in the U.S. and Mexico and in 2000, he founded the The Americas Theatre Arts Foundation in Los Angeles and serves at the artistic director for the organization.

o Filmmaker and writer/producer of non-fiction programming Bernardo Ruíz. His most recent documentary, “Roberto Clemente,” is a moving examination of the athletic career and cultural background of the baseball star of the 1960s and 70s.

o Actress, author and screenplay writer Yareli Arizmendi, who is working on a book entitled, I Am AmeXican: A Declaration of Identity for the 21st Century (working title) – a look at how growing up bi-lingual, bi-cultural and bi-national empowered her to success.

o Six-year start of the hit television series, “CHiPs,” Erik Estrada. Starring as California highway patrol officer Frank Poncherello, as well as other motion picture and television shows, Estrada most enjoys and prefers being a role model to millions of children worldwide.

o Dubbed by the LA Times as the “Ed Sullivan of Latino Talent,” Jeff Valdez. Once a stand-up comedian and comedy club owner, as well as writer, producer, director of myriad of projects, Valdez is founded Sí TV and is co-chairman of Maya Entertainment, chairman of Que Pasa.com, and co-chairman of Sandbox Entertainment.

· Cannes award winner Ulises Valencia of Groupo W. Mexico, Enrique Codesido of JWT, Mexico, and Maximiliano Anselmo of Santo in Argentina – leaders in creativity in Hispanic-specialized agencies tackle today’s most important issues to the creative community.

For more information at http://www.lookwhosleading.com/>