Business

In today’s fast-changing environment, it seems like we’re bombarded by new approaches and techniques to help us understand how much consumers “love” a new product idea every day. Product innovation specialists spend time and energy pursuing trends and various techniques, whether it’s “gamification,” the wisdom of the crowds, or the various “quali-quant” approaches prominent in new product innovation processes. The point of this post isn’t to debate the merits or limitations of these approaches—lots of great thinking is taking place in the market today. But we spend a lot of time on finding the “the new new thing” in order to pick the “best” idea and not enough time on the fundamentals.  By Ramon Melgarejo, SVP, Innovation Practice

The Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) announced on March 14th the 50 Most Powerful Latinas (MPL) in corporate America.

You’d have to be older than a Millennial to remember a time when corporate CEOs were heavily involved in marketing decisions, like increased spend on media, the development of new Big Idea ads, the launching of new consumer products (rather than the spitting out of line extensions) and the formulation of strategies designed to outsmart competitors. That was a time before “shareholder value” became the universal corporate objective — the value to be delivered to shareholders because of management’s ability to grow earnings, dividends and share price.  By Michael Farmer / Madison Avenue Manslaughter Archives

HAVANA: Although the US trade embargo on Cuba still exists, a new report from Kantar Millward Brown advises international brands to take a serious look at the opportunities the country presents.

Casa Modelo announced the launch of its newest ready-to-serve chelada, Modelo Chelada Tamarindo Picante.

The death of retail as we now know it is greatly exaggerated. Retail isn’t dying, it’s evolving and doing so out of necessity. The current retail evolution is being driven by a confluence of change. Changing consumer attitudes, behaviors, and demographics; ongoing channel and digital disruptions; and increasing competition for consumer mindshare and dollars are forcing a shift in long-held paradigms – continuing the status quo is no longer an option.  By Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst – Retail, The NPD Group

Markets are always complex, but there’s a phenomenon that gives them the illusion of predictability. This phenomenon is potential. Potential, in this instance, means the gap between the current market state and a possible future state.  The presence of potential creates market demand. Every time a new product is introduced, a new potential gap is created. Supply and demand are knocked out of balance. Until balance is regained, the market becomes more predictable.

By Gonzalo López Martí – Creative director, etc. / LMMiami.com

• The echo chamber in our industry tricks us into believing that everyone shares common experiences.
• We operate under the assumption that there’s a mutual canon of knowledge binding us together.
• Nevertheless, there’re still lots and lots of folks out there that are happily, productively and utterly uninterested in, say, the latest social media flavor of the month.
• I just found out that a good client of mine, late 40s, highly educated, world traveler, comfortably perched in the upper tax bracket is entirely unaware -and uninterested in- Twitter and twitterspeak.

For those of you wondering what the first three Rs might be according to Mars’ Allison Miazga-Bedrick, they are reach, relevancy and reaction. But I am going to propose a slightly different list that includes receptivity and risk.  by Nigel Hollis

  Marking the first time in 65 years that a group of actors at a major television network sought a unionization election, the vote is a momentous step toward ending the double standard that has existed for decades between Spanish-speaking performers at Telemundo and their English-speaking colleagues at NBC.

The island of Puerto Rico as many of our readers know is a territory of the United States governed by United States Federal Law.  It also considered a major US Hispanic Market, but since it resides on an island many place it under the international division.  But it has turned into a petri dish for many of this century’s testing: birth control, mass sterilization, agent orange and more up to the ad industry’s test of transparency.

With responses from nearly 70 food retailers representing more than 4,600 stores across 34 states, the comprehensive study details growing investments in social media, mobile and more relevant promotions by U.S. grocers in response to changing consumer buying behavior.

Batanga Media announces a full rebrand, changing its corporate name and identity to Vix. Effectively immediately, Batanga Media will be known as Vix, a digital media company dedicated to generating curiosity and leaving a positive influence for audiences across the Americas.

By Gonzalo López Martí – Creative Director, etc. / LMMiami.com

• We need to get America to love Latinos again.
• We used to be political & marketing gold.
• Overnight, we became a political piñata, outcasts and, by extension, a marketing taboo.
• We need to roll out a charm offensive.

Latin restaurant chains get lost crossing continents when they lose touch with their brand culture, their true recipe for success. Menus may not translate to new U.S. markets, even heavily Hispanic ones, but authentic brand culture and communications will always transcend time and place.  by Stephen Rosa / (add)ventures

Entravision Communications Corporation announced that it has promoted Jeffery Liberman to the additional position of President, effective immediately. As Entravision’s President & Chief Operating Officer, Liberman will continue to lead the management and operation of all of Entravision’s radio, television and digital media properties

PwC released its 2017 Global Digital IQ® Survey, a comprehensive look at how companies around the world are striving to stave off disruption by elevating their digital acumen and capabilities.

Entravision Communications Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Headway, a provider of mobile, programmatic, data and performance digital marketing solutions primarily in the U.S., Mexico and Latin America.

Walmart, The Home Depot and Macy’s fiscal Q4 2016 earnings painted a mixed picture Tuesday, but they all highlight one common theme: Physical stores are still important, and online sales and digital strategies are key to bringing traffic and sales to stores.

Media is viewed as a complex headache by advertisers who are failing to provide leadership in this critical investment area, according to a new report from media change consultants ID Comms.