Tropicana Products, Inc., a division of Quaker Tropicana Gatorade and PepsiCo, Inc. promoted Rick Gomez to chief marketing officer (CMO) of Tropicana. Gomez will continue to report to Tropicana President Greg Shearson.
Agency
Cell Phone Usage Highest Among African-American & Hispanic Consumers.
Telephia reports that African-American and Hispanic mobile consumers were heavy cell phone users in Q3. The latest data from Telephia’s Customer Value Metrics report shows that the African-American demographic group used more than 1,200 voice minutes on average per month during the quarter. Hispanic cell phone users followed closely with 979 total voice minutes used on average per month in Q3.
Amistad Media Group Closes Doors.
After more than 11 years serving the US Hispanic market as its leading media planning and buying agency, Austin-based Amistad Media Group has elected to close its doors as of January 31.
Modest December Gains Cap Solid Holiday Season for Retailers.
Consumers once again proved unflappable in the face of high energy prices as a late December shopping spree capped off another successful holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for December increased a strong 5.7 percent unadjusted over last year and were flat seasonally adjusted from the previous month.
Congress Must Reduce Disparities in Domestic HIV/AIDS Program.
The National Minority Health Month Foundation (NMHMF) announces a broad-based national campaign aimed at encouraging the U.S. Congress to support the reauthorization and modernization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in 2006.
TNS Forecasts 5.4% Increase in US Advertising Spending & 10.4% For Hispanic for 2006.
Total U.S. advertising spending is expected to increase 5.4 percent in 2006 to $152.3 billion, according to the full-year forecast released by TNS Media Intelligence. This solid increase follows the estimated growth of 3.0 percent in 2005, as the U.S. economy continues on a stable course.
NRF – Forecasts 4.7% Growth for 2006 Retail Sales.
Facing new economic challenges in 2006, consumers may be forced to find new sources for spending power. The National Retail Federation (NRF) released its 2006 forecast, predicting that retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.7 percent from last year.
VNU Goes Into Play … Could Be Broken Up.
VNU officially went into play, announcing it has received a buy-out offer from a consortium of private equity firms valued at about $8.8 billion.
