Agency

Rafael Monteiro, President of HOLA Networks and his daughter Virginia share a special holiday tradition. For the past several years, they have brought holiday cheer to hundreds of troubled children in Miami by appearing as Santa and Elf and visiting local children’s centers to distribute donated toys and candy.

Upon the news that his dad, back home in Caracas, was terminally ill with cancer and had no more than a month to live, Alejandro Sánchez, a media strategist at The San Jose Group, booked a flight and told his boss that he’d be flying out the next day. Sánchez’ teammates were understanding and helped plan to cover his workload. By the end of the day, Maria Flores, an SJG administrative assistant, picked up a sympathy card and had it signed by almost all of the employees at the agency, and collected cash from them to help him out with travel expenses.

I wanted to respond to your call for submissions of stories about Hispanic Advertising industry employees that go above and beyond the call of duty in their communities. Somewhat nepotistic, I want to nominate my brother, Kelly Kirschner, acting VP of Papel Multimedia Network.

This statistical profile of the foreign-born population is based on Pew Hispanic Center tabulations of the Census Bureau’s 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).

This statistical profile of the Latino population is based on Pew Hispanic Center tabulations of the Census Bureau’s 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).

According to the Nielsen Economic Current (NEC), we can expect a global slowdown in 2009 gross domestic product to a lackluster 0.4%, with significant declines in North America and Western Europe. Post-recovery, NEC predicts that an ailing economy will recuperate below potential, only to plateau at a level below past rebounds. Fortunately, the fast-moving consumer packaged goods industry is holding its own, with price increases offsetting negative volume trends and private label benefiting from frugal shoppers.

Marketers have come into 2009 with several challenges heavy on their mind. However, the economy by far is the most pressing concern across industries. Marketers are scrambling for ways to maintain their advertising presence with consumers, while addressing diminished marketing budgets. In this uncertain climate, information that helps an advertiser understand what media best reach their actual brand targets—not traditional media age/sex buying demos—are critical assets in a marketer’s arsenal.

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) Tenth District will present its highest honor of leadership and innovation in advertising to Walmart Stores, Inc. and the retailer’s portfolio of agencies including GlobalHue; I W Group; Lopez Negrete; the Martin Agency; and MediaVest at a ceremony May 7, 2009, in Rogers, Ark. The award acknowledges the company for its “Save money. Live better.” brand positioning campaign.

Arbitron Inc. confirmed that it has been extending to all PPM markets a number of the key methodological enhancements that the company committed to in its agreements with the Attorneys General of New Jersey, New York and Maryland.

Victor Ornelas, founder of Ornelas & Associates, has joined forces with Matador Marketing Group in Fort Worth, Texas, it was announced by Luis Caballero, president of Matador. The alliance reunites Ornelas and Caballero 18 years after Caballero launched his career as an intern at the renowned Dallas agency.