Continual Innovation: The Key to Stand Out and Win in Retail
The need to differentiate from the competition is as great as it has ever been. While global consumer confidence was flat in third-quarter 2013 from the previous quarter, confidence was on the rise in over half of the countries Nielsen surveys, including the U.S. Still, many shoppers remain focused on value for their money. At the same time, e-commerce has attracted a growing number of users. Innovation, however, can give retailers the all-important edge.
We’re more than a week into 2014, and 2013 has already become a memory. But it was a big year in tech, marketing, and a big year for Millennials (as they officially became a buzzword), and we don’t want to let the last 12 months go without looking at the lessons we’ve learned.
Meredith Hispanic Media (MHM), publisher of Siempre Mujer and Ser Padres magazines, released findings from its Auto Trends Report detailing the car-buying habits and attitudes of the modern Latina.
LAPIZ announced the hire of Diego Figueroa as SVP, Strategy and Participation Director. With a keen understanding of the General Market and Multicultural planning, Figueroa will oversee the agency’s Strategy department, which encompasses brand strategy, consumer engagement, research and shopper marketing.
(Think green: please save the headline above for reuse over the next decade.)
Shopping for healthcare has become a frightening experience for 2 million exchange eligible consumers. Although enhancements were made to federal and state exchanges call centers and online platforms, the experience they offered was far from “best-in-class”. This was especially so for Hispanic and Millennial (ages 18-34) eligibles, who are facing a range of enrollment obstacles that go beyond the now infamous Obamacare site glitches. The lack of truly culturally competent channels for segments with limited healthcare literacy, and the lack of clear explanation of benefits for eligible, have drastically impacted the proportion of Millennials and Hispanics enrolled in ACA exchanges by the deadline for 1/1/14 coverage.
The study, which surveyed thousands of audio listeners who use one or more of the following audio sources – personal music collections (CDs, iTunes downloads), broadcast radio, streaming AM/FM radio, custom online playlists, satellite radio, online music videos and digital music channels on TV – shows that consumers recognize unique and important benefits for each audio platform, and will choose each based on the time of day and situational needs.
Dieste Inc. has hired Gustavo “Zeta” Zapata to head the Art Direction Team, officially starting on January 2. He will work across all the agency’s current clients.
NUVOtv will showcase all eight seasons of the SHOWTIME drama DEXTER. The award-winning, critically acclaimed series will make its basic cable premiere on NUVOtv beginning Monday, January 13, 2014 at 9:00 PM/ET – presented uncut and in their entirety.
On a chilly Tuesday in Miami, ESPN Deportes brought the heat to South Beach with an all-day celebration of its 10 year anniversary, marking record-breaking growth for the multiplatform sports brand.
LatinWorks relationship with Chevy will be coming to an end as McCann’s Casanova Pendrill will assume multicultural creative campaign development responsibilities.
Pinta, a full-service agency reinventing the art of cross-cultural marketing, officially opens its doors today. Spun off from the U.S. operations of JeffreyGroup. The new agency adds capabilities, executive talent and new offices in a dramatic departure from its PR-agency origins. 
Tr3s recently developed a new report, “The Latinization of America … A ‘Next Normal’ Exploration.” This analysis highlights the latest research on Hispanic Millennials’ contribution to the changing demographics of the United States, what life is like for the fast growing second-generation population, and new meanings of acculturation.
As World Cup fever grips soccer fans across the globe, Coca-Cola is giving young players the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to win a trip to the Copa Coca-Cola Soccer Camp in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In a widely rumored move, Miami-based Hispanic media company SBS on Monday completed its transition of WXDJ-FM’s “El Zol” Tropical format to 100,000-watt powerhouse WRMA-FM by debuting on WXDJ what may be best-described as a hybrid Tropical/Spanish Contemporary format under the moniker “I-95” – pronounced “E-Noventa-y-Cinco.” BY ADAM JACOBSON
Estrella TV announced it will have its annual upfront dinner on Monday, May 12, 2014 from 7:00-10:00PM in New york City. 
It’s a postholiday tradition up there with returning unwanted gifts and vowing to exercise more: spending a few hours cleaning out your e-mail inbox. If you’re wondering why marketers seem intent on e-mailing you more and more, there’s a simple explanation: it works. E-mail remains a significantly more effective way to acquire customers than social media—nearly 40 times that of Facebook and Twitter combined.
Orci announced the release of the latest Hispanic effort for the new 2014 Honda Civic Coupe. The campaign, which focuses on the Coupe’s fun, youthful and stylish attributes, airs on national Spanish network and cable TV, and also includes online, mobile and video executions.
On Dec. 5, 2013, Mark Bradbury wrote Still Relevant: Top 5 Predictions For 2014 in this space. His points were well made. However, you won’t find the driver of improved sales to Baby Boomers (born before 1964) in a company’s planning department, or marketing/advertisement departments.
While investments are unquestionably rising across the board, each industry is adopting digital at its own pace as it rises to meet its own unique challenges and opportunities. Some industries—such as retail and financial services—are early adopters in their use of digital tactics as part of integrated, multichannel campaigns. Others—such as healthcare and pharma—are further behind on the adoption curve.
