Hispanic Advertising Conference Is Breaking Barriers.

The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), will host its 19th semiannual conference: Breaking Barriers, at New York’s Hilton Hotel, September 28 to 30, 2005. More than 500 leading Hispanic advertising minds are expected to gather in New York to participate in two full days of workshops, discussions and roundtables designed to challenge conventional thinking about how to reach the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity of Hispanic consumers. Conference topics include

– The Future of Hispanic Advertising — Advertisers to the Hispanic market have broken many barriers to gain both the credibility and attention enjoyed today, but what’s next? Chairman of AHAA, Alex Lopez Negrete, will provide insights into the future of Hispanic advertising, and how industry professionals can continue to break barriers by staying ahead of the game.

– Keynote speaker Bob Isherwood, worldwide creative director for Saatchi & Saatchi, will explore the importance of ideas and innovation in creating long-lasting and substantial relationships with consumers.

– Marketing to Latinos, a session detailing what it takes to market to the Latino audience with marketing executives from Toyota and Procter & Gamble.

– The 7th Annual Hispanic Creative Advertising Awards Gala honoring the best Hispanic targeted advertising across television, radio, newspaper, magazine, out-of-home, direct marketing and interactive.

– AHAA presents The Caballero Award to industry icon to Alicia Conill. Conill is often referred for as the mother of the Hispanic advertising industry. The Cuban born trailblazer founded Conill advertising, which is now 100% owned by Saatchi & Saatchi and generated an estimated $72 million in billings last year.

In addition, three targeted content tracks will provide opportunities for in-depth exploration and discussion of issues and trends faced by agency principals, account planners and creatives.

The conference also will feature an exclusive U.S. screening of the year’s best Spanish-language advertising and production from the Festival Iberoamericano de la Publicidad (FIAP) on Friday, September 30. The conference concludes with the 7th Annual AdAge Hispanic Creative Advertising Awards Gala, which will recognize the best of Hispanic creative with honors in
television, radio, print, out-of-home, interactive, direct, non-traditional and best in show.

“AHAA and its members, through their successful campaigns, continue to show the entire advertising and marketing industry why corporations should use Hispanic agencies,” said Alex Lopez Negrete, AHAA chairman. “This conference will continue to highlight to the media and attendees the growing sophistication and predominance of Hispanic advertising.”

The complete preliminary conference agenda is available online at http://www.ahaa.org.