Business

Retail same-store sales excluding Walmart improved significantly in October, as shoppers expand their spending plans while they simultaneously retain the cautious shopping tactics they’ve used during the downturn, Retail Forward reports.

In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, the importance of creating a diverse work environment has never been more important. Yet, economic conditions are placing added pressures on many organizations, putting Diversity programs in the budgetary cross-hairs. In light of these challenging conditions and the resulting belt-tightening measures across nearly every corporate department, the time is ripe to reassess corporate Diversity Communications. What has become readily apparent is that the sustainability of Diversity efforts is essential. Much like ecological sustainability, Diversity programs must be protected and nurtured, or else we risk their very extinction.

On October 4th, 2009 I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the 3rd annual ADCOLOR Awards which took place in Phoenix, AZ at the Biltmore hotel amongst a record setting crowd of roughly 500 guests. In my opinion, the main highlight of the evening’s festivities was Cristina Saralegui, the Hispanic Media Mogul that is often referred to as “the Hispanic Oprah”, receiving the ADCOLOR All-Star Award. In her acceptance speech she stated that “Nosotros los Latinos venimos en blanco, negro, y hasta café con leche”; rough translation, “We Latinos come in white, black, and even coffee w/ milk”. This statement caused me to spring up out of my seat and feverishly applaud her (even if I was the only one that the comment elicited that reaction from at the time). By L. Moreno. To read El Blog CLICK above.

Nestlé Waters North America announced that it is celebrating its commitment to the Hispanic community with the opening of its first U.S. Nestlé Pure Life Mercado del Agua (Water Store).

Marketers have seen budgets slashed in the recession, but that can create a dilemma: More marketing spending in a downturn can help a company come out ahead when the economy picks up again. According to the “Small Business Marketing Health Check” report from Hurwitz & Associates, there is a correlation between small businesses that are doing well and greater marketing spending.

Stanley Works announced its launch of a nationwide Hispanic outreach program called “Hazla en Grande” — which translates to “Make It Big” in English — during its media debut at the 2009 STAFDA convention. The initiative is designed to provide materials that will build knowledge and/or skills among Hispanics working in the construction trades.

Orange Advertising Network launched in the US and Latin America to provide a complete portfolio of online marketing solutions.

Univision Communications Inc. announced a strategic alliance with MasterCard Worldwide to introduce two new prepaid financial services, the Univision Prepaid MasterCard Card (Tarjeta Univision MasterCard Prepagada) and the Univision MasterCard Gift Card (Tarjeta de Regalo Univision). These prepaid cards will be available nationally in 2010 and are being developed to provide Hispanic consumers with access to relevant, flexible and valuable financial tools that can be used anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted.

Julio Cesar Chavez is opening Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones (Champions), a one-of-a-kind boxing-themed restaurant and entertainment venue on November 10.

With many economists reporting that the worst of the global economic crisis appears to be past, consumers around the world are expressing more confidence about their personal financial situations according to the most recent Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, which jumped 9 points from 77 index points in April to 86 in October. Brazil, Hong Kong and South Korea recorded double-digit boosts in confidence, while the U.S. recorded its first increase in consumer confidence since early 2007. But even though most consumers are feeling better about the economy, they remain cautious about spending their money.