Business

Hispanics are already the largest minority group in the United States—accounting for 47.4 million people or 15.8% of the total population—and that percentage is expected to nearly double by the middle of this century. As their population grows, so does the importance of how they are portrayed in the media.

Total measured advertising expenditures in the first nine months of 2009 dropped by 14.7 percent as compared to the same period in 2008, according to data released today by TNS Media Intelligence, the leading provider of strategic advertising and marketing information. Ad spending during the third quarter of 2009 was down 15.3 percent versus last year, the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines.

The worst recession since the Great Depression has caused an advertising downturn unprecedented in modern times. We estimate that global ad expenditure will have dropped 10.2% over the course of 2009. It is normal for ad expenditure to exaggerate general economic trends: when the economy shrinks, ad expenditure shrinks faster, and by more. The corollary to this is that when recovery is complete, we can expect the ad market to outperform the economy as a whole.

Nielsen’s latest A2/M2 Three Screen Report – a quarterly analysis from our Anytime Anywhere Media Measurement initiative – shows considerable year over year growth in DVR (up 21.1%) and online video (up 34.9%) in Q3 2009. Given the consistent spike in usage among the three screens of television, Internet and mobile, consumers are clearly adding video platforms to their schedule, rather than replacing them. Download report here.

A cross-section of business and industry leaders agrees the strategies applied will bring long-term relief. Leaders from seven key industries face similar challenges; marketing used to emphasize quality over price Advertising Roundtable. By Caribbean Business on HispanicCMO.com

Comcast and General Electric announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture that will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast. The joint venture, which will consist of the NBC Universal (NBCU) businesses and Comcast’s cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, will be positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive media and digital environment.

With consumers becoming increasingly price conscious in a highly competitive marketplace, maximizing the return on their advertising spend is more important than ever. Ensure ad dollars are allocated to activities that best maximize sales. Download report here.

Univision Interactive Media, Inc. announced the launch of the Univision Partner Group. The new unit targets U.S. Hispanics and provides a far-reaching digital advertising and publisher network comprised of pre-screened, high-quality Spanish-language online and mobile websites.

In the 25 largest metropolitan areas of the United States, immigrants are contributing to the economy in very close proportion to their share of the population, according to a report released by the Fiscal Policy Institute. The report looks at all immigrants—documented and undocumented, across the economic spectrum.

Global consumers are increasingly feeling confident about the state of the economy and their own finances, and while Asia has spearheaded that rebound, signs are pointing to improved consumer behavior in other parts of the world. According to the latest edition of the Nielsen Economic Current, volume and value sales reached their highest point since the monthly survey was launched in January 2009. Of the twelve countries examined, only one – Germany – showed a decline in the survey, while France and Taiwan recorded improvement.

As markets begin to stabilize, CEOs of the nation’s leading private companies surveyed for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Private Company Trendsetter Barometer anticipate improvements in the US and world economies within the next 12 months (43% optimistic about the US economy). This sentiment was mirrored by international marketers, with 49% of reporting CEOs optimistic about the world economy over the next 12 months, up 19 points from the prior quarter and 30 points from one year ago.

América TeVé (Sherjan Broadcasting) announced the association of a joint venture (JV) with CV Network (CaribeVisión) to operate the network in Miami, Nueva York y Puerto Rico on the CV Network channels: Canal 48 Miami, Canal 34 Nueva York, Canal 24 Puerto Rico.

Univision Communications Inc. announced the dedication of the building that is home to network operations in Miami to former president and chief operating officer Ray Rodriguez. In a ceremony which took place today at 2pm in front of the Univision building, Joe Uva, president and CEO of Univision Communications Inc., and Cesar Conde, president of the Univision Networks, presented Rodriguez with a commemorative plaque and named the building the “The Ray Rodriguez Broadcasting Center.”

Univision Interactive Media, Inc. announced that it is partnering with YouTube to make short-length and long-form Univision videos available on the YouTube.com website.