Marroquín to lead marketing efforts at Batanga.com.

In this newly created position, Rick Marroquín – chief marketing officer will oversee all marketing efforts for the company’s various media and entertainment ventures, including a top online entertainment destination (www.batanga.com), social networking, nationwide events and three distinct magazines that reach today’s scholastic youth. Marroquín will report directly to Batanga CEO Rafael Urbina and will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Coral Gables, Fla.

With more than 10 years in the industry, Marroquín has extensive knowledge across marketing disciplines, including research, strategy, advertising, media and promotion. In fact, he has previously worked with one of the most recognized brands in the U.S. Prior to joining Batanga, Marroquín was the director of marketing at McDonald’s USA. He spearheaded marketing efforts targeting U.S. Hispanic consumers including establishing objectives, strategic leadership, tactical development, English and Spanish creative and marketing activation, which led to 41 consecutive months of profitable sales growth in Hispanic Consumer Market stores. Before leading McDonald’s USA’s Hispanic marketing efforts, Marroquín was the senior manager of marketing and assisted in the development of marketing plans targeting young males, including the launch of the “I’m lovin’ it” campaign in 2003.

“Marroquín’s experience with Hispanic consumers will be a great asset as Batanga’s reach continues to grow and further penetrate the markets within the U.S.,” said Rafael Urbina, Batanga’s CEO. “Batanga’s overall business strategy is to expand and reinforce its products and services to the New Generation Latino with relevant passion-driven content. Now, we will also have the marketing backbone to promote our unique entertainment platform to advertisers and consumers alike.”

Previously, Marroquín was a senior account supervisor at top U.S. Hispanic advertising agency, del Rivero Messiano DDB in Coral Gables, Fla. In this role, he was the agency lead for U.S. Hispanic strategic plan development and sell-in for the agency’s lead account, McDonald’s.

In 2006, Marroquín was named one of AdWeek’s MarketingyMedios’ Marketers of the Year, and during his tenure there, McDonald’s was named Advertising Age’s 2004 Marketer of the Year. He is a frequent speaker on multicultural marketing and has recently presented at such conferences as Innovations in Hispanic Marketing, The Conference on Marketing, AHAA, ALEx, MPA, Time Warner Sales Conference and SRI Ethnic Marketing.

Originally from Chicago, Marroquín has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on international financing, marketing and political science from the University of Miami.

Recently, Batanga announced the acquisition of LatCom Communications from Davis Media Group combing one of the fastest growing U.S. Hispanic online destinations and Batanga music magazine with LatCom’s NGL college, comedy, and music event series and magazine targeting Latino college and high school students. In addition, Batanga launched an online music store. Sponsored by GM, the site boasts more than 21 music categories ranging from Reggaeton to Hip Hop and from Salsa to Boleros, visitors can search and shop for their favorite single or album from the latest Latin tracks