Agency

The US retail industry’s advertising spending on paid digital media will reach $11.05 billion in 2014 and rise to $17.39 billion by 2018, for a 12.8% compound annual growth rate between 2013 and 2018. Even though digital spending growth for the industry has begun to slow, retail continues to spend more than any other US industry and will maintain this lead for at least the next several years, according to a new eMarketer report, “The US Retail Industry 2014: Digital Ad Spending Forecast and Trends,” part of our new report series, “2014 Digital Ad Spending Benchmarks by Industry.”

The US auto industry is in the midst of a tremendous run-up in digital ad spending, piggybacking on cross-industry shifts in marketing budgets and historically strong domestic sales volumes. Automakers and dealers will spend $6.15 billion on US digital advertising in 2014, up 18.8% from the previous year.

The survey also found that significant percentages of consumers — particularly younger ones — would be open to banking with technology players such as Google, Amazon and Apple if the companies offered such services. 

The film chronicles the compelling and inspirational story of four teenage boys, the sons of Mexican immigrants, who entered a sophisticated underwater robotics competition, going up against the likes of engineering powerhouse MIT.

Employed Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers may complain about being overworked—but for Millennials, getting more work is a major goal.

More than 10 million Hispanics are eligible to gain health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, representing unparalleled opportunity for businesses aiming to succeed in the emerging New Health Economy focused on delivering consumer-centered care, according to “Hispanics: A growing force in the New Health Economy” a new report from PwC’s Health Research Institute (HRI).

The South and West dominated the list of fastest-growing municipalities between 2012 and 2013, claiming all of the top 15, seven of which were in Texas. Frisco and McKinney (near Dallas), Odessa (in West Texas) and Pearland (near Houston) were the other Texas cities on the list.

Digital advertising spending is expected to grow faster in media and entertainment than in other US industries covered by eMarketer. A key driver behind the projected increases is the heavy use of video and rich media ads, the two fastest-growing ad formats, by marketers of news media, movies, TV shows, games and music.

Social TV has turned watching TV into an interactive experience—an experience that connects viewers in the moment with friends, content creators, stars, and likeminded—or not so likeminded—fans.

What makes a great ad? It’s an age-old question with no simple answer despite the countless hours and dollars that have been spent to find out.

I spent a good chunk of yesterday at LUMA Partners’ 6th annual Digital Media Summit. LUMA is made up of investment bankers focused on digital media — and its founder, Terry Kawaja, well-known for his LUMAscape market maps, always puts on a good show.

As retailers focus more on strategic initiatives amid more upbeat economic news, the 2014 BDO Retail RiskFactor Report found that they are also contending with growing workforce challenges.

Can’t go to Brazil this summer for the largest global soccer competition? No problem. AT&T is bringing Brazil and the Rio de Janeiro experience to U.S. soccer fans.

Siempre Mujer announced its sponsorship of the 57th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP).

Top 15 states with highest percentage of immigrants, California, New Mexico, New York.  A sharp rise in the number of immigrants living in the U.S. in recent decades serves as a backdrop for the debate in Congress over the nation’s immigration policies. In 1990, the U.S. had 19.8 million immigrants. That number rose to a record 40.7 million immigrants in 2012, among them 11.7 million unauthorized immigrants.

The ANA (Association of National Advertisers) and the Brand Activation Association (BAA) announced that their boards of directors unanimously approved plans for the ANA to acquire the BAA as of July 1, 2014.

MARCA Miami announced that Henry Gomez has been hired as its Senior Director of Strategic Planning.

AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing announced its Annual “Thinking Under the Influence” Conference will return to the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel in Miami on April 25 to 27, 2015. With its high-level speakers and breaking new research, AHAA will continue its dialogue on the extraordinary evolution of the American landscape and the power of multicultural apparent not only in the marketing industry-at large but also across consumer trends, purchasing behavior, pop culture and entertainment.

Univision and Eventus announced the dates and lineup of the artists who will headline the 2014 “Premios Juventud” VIP Tour (PJ VIP Tour) presented by Dr Pepper, a series of private concerts featuring performances by today’s hottest Latin music stars, including past and present “Premios Juventud” nominees and winners.

Cristy Verdeja Zaldívar has been promoted to Account Manager at the Miami headquarters of Pinta. She previously worked as a Senior Account Executive coordinating a variety of public relations and marketing campaigns for clients including T-Mobile, Nat Geo Mundo and Terra.