In the last two weeks, the ANA has taken a beating for flooring a presentation by former Mediacom CEO Jon Mandel at the Association of National Advertisers Media Leadership Conference accusing agencies of taking rebates and kickbacks and adversely affecting the impact and effectiveness of their client’s media plans purely for selecting media that would help build their own bottom-lines in a world of increased pressure by procurement practices and reduced agency fees.
So we at HispanicAd.com ask if US Hispanic focused ad agencies, US Hispanic focused pr firms placing social budgets and media buying agencies with US Hispanic buying responsibilities are taking rebates or kickbacks? What do you think?

Newlink America has been accepted into the prestigious PR Council as the only Hispanic-owned member firm.
You’d assume that people who create media for a living would know how to present a positive image of themselves to the media. Clearly, that’s not always the case. I do a lot of media training with my clients, and I’d say the Sony execs could have used a touch-up on their message-delivery skills. And if other entertainment companies are smart, they’re booking media-training sessions for their executives as we speak.
The Hispanic Public Relations Association’s New York Chapter announced the 2015 Executive Board elected by its members. Maria Amor, vice president at FORMULATIN, will lead the organization as President, after having served as the organization’s Secretary in 2014. For the second consecutive year, Federico Mejer, partner at CommongroundMGS, and Veronica Potes, manager of network partners and client solutions at E!, will fill the Vice President roles. Maria J. Ramirez, director at FORMULATIN will make her board debut as Secretary, while former committee member Julie Mendez, senior director at Tractenberg & Co, will take on Treasury duties.
With increased demand from existing and new clients for Hispanic programming, Alison Brod has brought Adriana Lopez on board as Director of Multicultural Relations.
Las Vegas based Quillin Advertising, Public Relations & Social Media announced the addition of Marilyn Valenzuela.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) announced its call for entries for the 2014 National ¡BRAVO! Awards.
A new comprehensive study of U.S. online news users by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Edelman Berland shows that relevancy (90%) is the top factor in sparking interest in in-feed sponsored content, yet it also clearly demonstrates that the public’s feelings about the advertiser itself determines the success of this type of native advertising. Criteria such as brand familiarity and trust (81%), as well as subject matter expertise (82%), were identified as critical in driving news reading consumers’ interest in sponsored content.
Havas PR North America formalizes Havas Conexiones, an agency within an agency that helps brands connect with Hispanics with offices in California, New York and Texas.
The so called “American Exceptionalism” is still alive and well. The United States continues to live to the beat of its own and unique drumbeat. The belief in the “American Dream” and its meritocracy continues to be strong. Millions of people around the world still desperately want to come to “the land of opportunity,” the country that continuously advocates and supports democracy, freedom and liberty around the world. By Carlos G Giron

























