IDT announced the launch of TúYo Mobile, a new prepaid wireless service. TúYo Mobile is designed especially for the mobile communications needs of US Hispanics.
Agency
Buchanan’s Scotch Whisky Celebrates Mexican Independence.
On September 16, when Mexico celebrates its independence, more than 30 million Mexicans living in the United States will join the festivities with enthusiasm. This year, for the first time ever, Diageo, the maker of Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky and the world’s leading premium drinks company, will distribute thousands of leather wristbands with the colors of the Mexican flag. As early as August, the Mexican community will be able to show off their wristbands as a symbol of Mexican pride.
HPRA National AD HOC Committee For 2006.
The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) is currently accepting submissions from interested individuals who would like to be a part of a national ad hoc committee to further expand HPRA’s presence across the country.
Wheaties Pays Tribute To Roberto Clemente.
Wheaties will commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with the release of a new special-edition package honoring the late Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. The package was unveiled today at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, with members of the Clemente family and representatives of Major League Baseball taking part in the ceremony.
Advertising Market Grows 4.5% – US Hispanic Down.
Total advertising expenditures for the first half of 2005 increased 4.5 percent, compared to the same period in 2004, to $70.5 billion, according to data released today by TNS Media Intelligence (TNS MI). The 4.5 percent first half growth follows a first quarter increase of 4.4 percent, indicating that the advertising market is maintaining spending.
On the other hand, US Hispanic media expenditures have slowed down since the initial report this year by TNS that stated that US Hispanic advertising expenditures would grow by 10.5% for 2005 vs. 2004 and that they grew by 5.8% in 1stQ 2005 vs. 2004. TNS states that for the first half of 2005, US Hispanic advertising expenditures grew by 3.4%, a figure that potentially could put the market in low 2% growth rate for total 2005 and/or flat or below 2004.
Consumer Confidence Index Rebounds In August.
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in July, rebounded in August. The Index now stands at 105.6 (1985=100), up from 103.6 in July. The Present Situation Index increased to 123.6 from 119.3. The Expectations Index edged up to 93.7 from 93.2 last month.
Back-To-School Raises Sales – Not RSPI.
While rising temperatures and back-to-school shopping brought consumers out of the sun and into the stores, the retail sector saw mixed results in August, according to the NRF Retail Executive Opinion Survey. Despite increased traffic (50.0), strong sales (56.3) and a jump in the average transaction per customer (59.4), the Retail Sector Performance Index dipped slightly in August, down 1.6 points to 53.3 from the previous month’s reading. (The RSPI measures retail executives’ evaluations of monthly sales, customer traffic, the average transaction per customer, employment, inventories and a six-month-ahead sales outlook expectation. The RSPI is based on a scale of 0.0-100.0 with 50.0 equaling normal.)
U.S. Hispanics Entertain At Home.
A recent study conducted by ICR reports that when compared to the general population, U.S. Hispanics are more likely to purchase media and entertainment products for the home. This finding includes DVR’s, cable products, video game systems, video games, movies and music.
LA’s Diversity Showcased During Hispanic Heritage Month.
Los Angeles celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month — Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 — con mucho entusiasmo. Timed to coincide with several important events — Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), Central American Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (all on Sept. 15), and Dia de la Raza (Oct. 12). Events are planned all over the city — large and small, festive and somber.
