AHAA celebrates talented Young Professionals at 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony.

Three young Hispanic advertising professionals received top honors among their peers Friday at the 24th Semi-Annual Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies Conference. Launched last year, the Hispanic Media Buying and Planning Rising Star competition recognizes the boldly creative and emerging talent in the media buying and planning discipline within Hispanic marketing agencies.

This year’s winners were: David Queamante, Group Media Director, Bromley Communications; Stephen Paez, Associate Media Director, Machado/Garcia-Serra Communications; and Ryan Gallacher, Media
Planner/Buyer, Conill. AHAA agencies nominated their “rising stars,” and finalists were selected based on the innovative approaches used to reach and connect with Latinos; results delivered to their clients; and their support in raising the profile of Hispanic media.

“It is incumbent upon each one of us in the profession to foster and develop up and coming creative youth in our industry,” says Jose-Lopez Varela, AHAA chairman and CEO of ADN Communications. “We have a
responsibility to acknowledge and show appreciation for the originality and unmarked enthusiasm from these talented professionals. These winners represent the future of our industry. They are setting the stage for how we interact with Latino consumers – infusing innovation and cultural insights into critical functions within our agencies.”

Queamante, is considered “Best in Class” in the industry among his agency peers and clients, according to his nomination. His exemplary leadership, fearless approach to change and drive to lead innovation earned him the title of rising star. Queamante has an appetite for calculated risks and is in constant pursuit of what’s new and different, challenging clients and team members to think “outside-of-the-box.” His pioneering efforts in developing agency tools that define better connections with Hispanic consumers through multiple touchpoints are invaluable to his agency and are deserving attributes of this rising star in Hispanic advertising.

Twenty-six year old Paez, dominates the multicultural media buying profession with his development and implementation of thought-leading media strategies to reach bilingual, youth audiences and targeted tactics
utilizing digital and mobile advertising techniques including SMS with viral extensions. According to the nomination, his effective media campaigns have earned MGS additional market responsibility for client South
East Toyota client from one market to 10 and an increased investment of 248 percent within 4 years. Paez started as an intern and quickly made his mark on the MGS media division with his right-time delivery utilizing a broad range of media platforms.

In just two short years in the industry, Gallacher’s skills, attention to detail, ability to juggle multiple duties and maintain excellence and his connection to both media and the clients’ needs are already legendary at Conill and in the industry, according to the nomination. The young and ambitious Gallacher developed a unique integration evaluation system that improved a very ambiguous area of media and allowed his agency to better serve their clients. While the tool helps clients understand and appreciate the value of integrations as a valuable media extension for their brands and one that is now more effective and measurable with Gallacher’s procedure, it is also influencing interaction with vendors. His innovation has earned him the respect of peers and mentors as well as the title of AHAA’s rising star.