Agency

Grupo Gallegos announced the hiring of Joe Da Silva to the agency’s first-ever position of Managing Director, effective October 1, 2012.

Lower-income households represent a high growth opportunity sector for retailers and manufacturers. Over the next ten years, more people will move into the lower-income group, which is expected to grow twice as fast as total households. Over the next ten years, the total number of households in the U.S. is expected to grow by eight percent; however, households closer to the poverty level will grow twice as fast, at 17 percent. To better understand consumers across the economic spectrum, Nielsen conducted an analysis of media usage and purchasing behaviors. Results revealed dramatic differences in the media consumption patterns and delivery platforms across income levels. The same differential was found in CPG shopping behavior, alongside notable similarities in some categories. Available on HispanicCMO.com

As the largest racial minority group in the United States, the influence of African-Americans on the nation’s culture is pervasive_. With a collective buying power estimated to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015, Black consumers remain at the forefront of social trends and media consumption, according to the new African-Americans: Still Vital, Still Growing 2012 Report-the second installment to The State of the African-American Consumer Report released last year, a collaboration with Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Available on HispanicCMO.com

The ANA (Association of National Advertisers) today announced the finalists for the 2012 Multicultural Excellence Awards. The awards recognize ANA member companies and other marketers who produced industry leading multicultural advertising campaigns between June 2011 and June 2012.

Dieste announced a series of senior-level hires that, according to the agency CEO Greg Knipp, will enable Dieste’s clients to achieve superior business results and greater brand affinity.

McCormick has selected Alma as its agency of record to manage their consumer products media planning, digital, creative and strategy in the U.S. Hispanic market.

Following a better-than-expected back-to-school season, retailers are optimistic for year-end retail sales. According to a new survey from BDO USA, LLP, retail CFOs expect a 4.5 percent increase in total 2012 sales. While the forecast shows improving confidence when compared to sales projections for 2011 (+3 percent) and 2010 (+2 percent), retailers have been relatively guarded in year-end expectations. In 2011, total retail sales exceeded expectations and increased 7.3 percent, according to the Commerce Department.

The National Coffee Association finds that Hispanic-Americans drink significantly more coffee than their non-Hispanic neighbors.

Nearly half (45%) of the nation’s Hispanic1 population lives in just 10 metropolitan areas, according to tabulations of the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center.

Veteran US Hispanic sales, marketing, media and research executive Arthur Rockwell has departed Geoscape where he was VP of Sales and has been named President & CEO of Precise Engagement, LLC, an engagement marketing firm.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) will honor Hispanic industry leaders and recognize the best in Hispanic public relations campaigns at its 28th Annual PRemio Awards and Scholarships Gala to be held Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Cicada in the historic art-deco Oviatt building in Los Angeles. The evening will be hosted by Diana Alvear, “NBC News” correspondent.

Dial Global and National Latino Broadcasting (NLB) announced a partnership to provide a wide array of programming aimed at Hispanics across the country. Beginning in October, NLB’s two 24/7 radio formats, Cristina Radio and En Vivo, will be distributed to radio stations nationwide by Dial Global.