National Networks to showcase programming at 1st Annual Texas Hispanic Upfront.

Univision, Telemundo, Azteca and V-Me will showcase their exciting fall programming at the first annual Texas Hispanic Upfront on June 5, offering an array of marketing, advertising and multi-media packaging for agencies and major corporations. Spanish language cable networks ESPN Deportes, Fox Sports en Español and MTV3 will join the 4 national broadcast networks to offer a comprehensive programming lineup to the local advertising community.

The Texas Hispanic Upfront is historic because it is the first time the national television networks are presenting their fall schedule outside of New York City, where the national TV Upfronts are typically held as independent events. The American Marketing Association and SAVisión, its Hispanic Marketing arm, are presenting the Texas Hispanic Upfront.

“Potential advertisers and marketers will learn about the new media options that can help them advertise their brands more effectively,” said SAVisión Chair Diane Huth. “It will provide great savings through Upfront media packages offering unique sponsorship and early-commitment rates previously available only to attendees at the New York upfronts.”

The Upfront will be held 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. At the Media Fair, scheduled 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., network representatives will meet one-on-one with potential advertisers. The network presentations will follow in the theater.

Entertainment will be provided by popular Latin group Pochimex, Mariachi del Pueblo, harpist Juan Cabrera, and Rosalinda Risso and the Trio Janítzio. Radio celebrity Sonny Melendrez will be the Master of Ceremonies.

At the Texas Upfront, advertisers will be able to take advantage of the networks’ special “Upfront” packages, which will put local agencies and advertisers on the same footing as the New York agencies which have traditionally had access to such specials.

The Upfront offers a lot of opportunities, says Huth.

“It brings access to information to the local advertising community, allowing local clients and agencies to take advantage of great savings and unique ad and sponsorship opportunities not previously available to them,” she said.

“It also provides a fabulous overview of the market and media options to general market advertisers who may not be well informed of the importance, dynamics and media options that can help them to effectively communicate to the large and growing Hispanic market.”

While the innovative event is hosted by SAVisión and the American Marketing Association, many leading trade and professional associations have provided endorsement and co-sponsorship because of the importance of the event.

Co-sponsors include The Advertising Federation of San Antonio (AdFed), the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC), The Association of Hispanic Ad Agencies (AHAA), and National Hispanic Professionals Organization (NHPO). HispanicAd.com, the leading online source of news and information for the Spanish-language advertising industry, is also a major sponsor due to the national stature of this event.

Attendees will include leading media directors from key Hispanic ad agencies and marketing companies in the region who have agreed to form the Upfront Ad Council, assuring the SAVisión organizers of the support of the key agencies and advertisers.

More than 13 agencies with national Hispanic clients operate in the South Texas region, creating Spanish-language advertising for a host of iconic brands, including Burger King, Coors, Miller and Budweiser, Mazola Corn Oil, Fisher-Price Toys, Coca Cola, Procter and Gable, Unilever, Dial, Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau, and many more. The region also is home to many large corporations, including AT&T, Dell Computers, HEB, and Republic National Distributing Company, all with extensive Hispanic ad programs.

Additional event sponsors include HEB, Republic National Distributing Company, Brown-Forman (distiller of Jack Daniels), Absolutely Everything Catering, Accu-Print printing, Marie Ferrante, graphic designer, Wickley Advertising, TMS Total Media Solutions, The Wedding Connection, and many other companies who have donated goods and services to ensure the event’s success.

Ticket prices range from $45-$60. Proceeds of the Upfront will fund college scholarships and internships for local marketing students.

Other features of the Texas Hispanic Upfront:

* Attendees will gain new insights about the size and dynamics of the large and rapidly growing Hispanic market and the media options available to reach them, both nationally and in Texas. They will be exposed to innovative new programming options that will debut with the fall TV season, and have the opportunity to sponsor programs, make cost-effective “Upfront” media buys, or even place their brands on-air in co-production agreements.

* The Upfront provides an unprecedented opportunity to meet and speak with leading network executives face-to-face to express opinions, seek information and propose partnership programs.

* The event provides sponsors with access to hundreds of affluent and influential customers who are active professionals working in the local marketing and advertising community.

Additional details are available on the SAVisión website http://www.savision.org> , where attendees can register. For more information, contact: Diane Huth, SAVisión Chair at (210) 601-7852 – dx****@va******.com, or Scott Keeler, Upfront Chair at (210) 859-6914 – sc**********@ci*****.com.