Agency

The National Retail Federation released its 2016 economic forecast, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) will grow 3.1 percent, higher than the 10-year average of 2.7 percent.

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) announced it has changed its name to Prospanica, pronounced Pro-span-i-ca, effective immediately.

Grupo Gallegos announced that advertising industry veteran Luis Camaño has joined the company to lead its newly formed Brand Activation Group.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) Miami chapter announced its Board of Directors for 2016.

Univision Digital announced the launch of “Papás y Mamás,” a new bilingual parenting channel created in partnership with Ricky Martin’s popular parenting site, Piccolo Universe.

Most time-strapped executives know they should plan ahead and prioritize, focus on the important as much as the urgent, invest in their health (including getting enough sleep), make time for family and relationships, and limit (even if they don’t entirely avoid) mindless escapism. But doing this is easier said than done, as we all know—and as I, too, have learned during years of trying unsuccessfully to boost my effectiveness.

Many a job seeker has mistakenly assumed that their potential new employer won’t be able to find out something in their background that might cost them that new job.  While a new employer is sometimes legally required to ask your consent in searching your background data, if you respond that they cannot do so it will likely eliminate you from further employment consideration. 

Donald J. Trump, the former owner of the Miss Universe Organization, and Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) announced that they have settled their litigation arising from Univision’s decision not to broadcast the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants. 

The hottest topic in marketing, advertising and media is the PROGRAMATIC buying future.

Google’s Matt Brittin once likened programmatic to teenage sex – and it’s easy to understand why. Everyone seems to be worrying about whether the competition is doing more of it, or doing it better than they are. The truth, though, is that worryingly few people know what they are doing at all.

What comes to mind when you read the name Einstein? I am willing to bet an image like the one on this page comes readily to mind. But is that because he is distinctive or different? Many people have trouble distinguishing between the two qualities, but the distinction is important.

Clicks, views, posts, shares and visits have taken a back seat to acquisition, retention and revenue growth as core measures of customer experience and engagement success, reports the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council.

As concerns about ad blocking grow, influencer marketing is becoming more important to brands.

YuMe, Inc. announced the results of two online surveys focused on how viewers engage with The Big Game.

The verdict: Madison Avenue 2016 is desperately trying to release the social media Krakken at every turn. Still, methinks creatives are not consuming enough amounts of memes, Vine and Snapchat. Plus, planning is prevailing. Big time. Taking refuge in the warm womb of strategy is not enough, folks. Too much tried-n-true stuff. Madison Avenue needs to innovate way more. Yeah, I know, easier said then done.  By Gonzalo López Martí            LMMIAMI.COM

New American Dimensions announced  that Raul J. Lopez has joined the firm as Principal and Chief Research Officer in order to further develop its growing portfolio of regional and national accounts.

Marketers are increasingly adopting and incorporating new technologies into their strategy.

There was a time when understanding consumer use of the Internet was relatively simple — way more complex than understanding engagement with any other medium, sure, but still relatively simple. All we needed to deal with was engagement from computers. There were no tablets, no smartphones, no OTT; your thermostat wasn’t a connected device.

Branded content, ad blocking, digital advertising fraud, programmatic, total market and digital disruption are just some of the ever-evolving realities that are forcing marketers, media, agencies and the entire marketing ecosystem to explore a new future together.  These topics and more fill the jam-packed agenda of AHAA’s 2016 Annual Conference held April 18-20 in Miami.

Big data continues to be a central point of conversation in the market research world. Whether it is touted as the end of market research as we know it or the beginning of the new market researcher that weaves big data and custom research into a projection of the future, one thing is for sure, big data is here to stay.  By Mario Carrasco