Agency

Luxury consumers in the U.S. and much of Western Europe are remarkably similar in many ways, especially in the emphasis consumers place on experiences, rather than something that one has or owns, according to a report released by the Consumer Research Center of The Conference Board.

The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI), based at the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California, released its detailed findings and strategies compiled from a host of the nation’s top corporate, financial and Hispanic community-oriented companies and organizations in a new report sponsored by Merrill Lynch.

A study released by the Federal Trade Commission confirms that African American and Hispanic drivers pay more for auto insurance because insurers use credit scores todetermine premiums. The use of credit scores in insurance has long been a controversial practice because of its discriminatory impact on low income and minority families.

Measurement is easier for direct marketers.

Direct mail and e-mail had the highest return on investment of any target marketing method in 2006, according to Harte-Hanks’ “Target Marketing Priorities Analysis: 2007 Key Trends” study.

Tere Zubizarreta passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Zubizarreta was best known as the founder and CEO of Zubi Advertising, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic-owned advertising agencies. A proud Cuban-American, she was one of the community’s most beloved leaders and visionaries – a charismatic and imaginative human being who devoted her life to helping others. She was also actively involved in her South Florida community, serving as the first Hispanic woman to be elected to the Board of Governors and Committee Chair of the United Way of America. She also served on the board of directors for the Orange Bowl Committee, Beacon Council and Miami Children’s Hospital and was a co-founder and former chairperson of FACE, Facts About Cuban Exiles.

Verizon Wireless has consolidated all Hispanic responsibilities at Detroit-based Global Hue.

comScore released the first report on Latin American Internet usage, based on data collected through the comScore World Metrix audience ratings service. The following are the findings from the study of the online behavior of Latin American Internet users age 15 and older, accessing the Internet from either a home or a work computer in June 2007

New vehicle registrations among ethnic groups increased by nearly 11 percent from 2003 to 2006, according to data released by R. L. Polk & Co. Hispanics, Asians and African Americans are represented in the category. Polk also reports non-ethnic new vehicle registrations are down seven percent for the same timeframe.

Superstars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony will co-headline their first tour together this fall. It a mega-wattage match-up of some of the most exciting music in the world, and Lopez’s first concert tour ever! The multi city tour of the US, Canada and Puerto Rico kicks off September 29 in Atlantic City.

A group of five Latina marketing agency principals from throughout the country today announced the formation of the Latina Agency Alliance (LAA), a coast-to-coast network of advertising, marketing and communications services targeting the Latino market.

Though the summer is still in full swing, families across the nation are already planning back-to-school shopping trips. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2007 Consumer Intentions and Actions Back-to-School survey, conducted by BIGresearch, families with school-age children are expected to spend $563.49 on back-to-school merchandise, up 6.9 percent from last year’s $527.08 average. Total back-to-school spending this year is expected to reach $18.4 billion.