Business

Language of the Heart: Code-Switching as Culture, Strategy, and Belonging

Language practices like code-switching, bilingualism, and Spanglish are completely intertwined with personal and collective identity among U.S. Hispanics; oftentimes, these linguistic practices are signals of belonging, adaptation, community building.  By Alexa Ramos - B.A. in Literature, Media, and Culture Florida State University, Class of 2024 - M.S. in Applied American Politics and Policy Florida State University, Class of 2025

How Language Usage Influences Hispanic American Consumer Behavior

For most Hispanic Americans, language is a crucial marker of their identity. According to our research, “both the behavior and perceptions of consumers who speak more than one language might change depending on the language in which the interaction takes place”.  By Hector Rodriguez & Sean Happel

Beyond Translation: How Language and the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Inform Hispanic Advertising

Language is a fundamental element in developing thought, identity, and behavior. Among U.S. Hispanic populations, language serves as a communication tool and a conduit of culture, memory, and emotional resonance. In this essay, I explore two language-related topics that are crucial to understanding Hispanic consumer behavior and marketing communication: (1) whether language influences how Latino consumers behave in the marketplace, and (2) the implications of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.  By Madison Pellicer 

Mainstream Media and the Spanish Language: Change, Representation, and Expression

The origin of the Spanish language in media dates back to 1598. The definition of “media” at the time was much narrower and included newspapers, manuscripts, and performing arts. It was at this time that conquistador Juan de Oñate’s men improvised a performance based on their adventures in New Mexico. This marked the first European-style live theater performance to take place north of the Rio Grande (Wilkinson, 2016). Since then, the media has always played a powerful role in the lives of Hispanics.  By Meghan Bannister & Samantha Humphrys 

The Growing Hispanic Market: From Workers to Consumers

Over time, the U.S. workforce has experienced a demographic evolution. The workforce has become a melting pot of people, just like the country itself. The workforce of the U.S. is comprised of more and more minorities, such as Hispanics. Furthermore, there is a positive association between the rise in Hispanic workers and Hispanic buying power (Korzenny, Chapa, Korzenny, 2025). This implication is one that marketers must be proactive in responding to.  By Samantha Humphrys

Critical Essay on Hispanic Consumer Trends in the U.S.

Are Hispanic Brands Taking Over the Grocery Store Shelves?  For this paper, I’ve chosen to focus my research on food brand marketing and the influence that the Hispanic population has had on this industry.  By Sofia Martinez

Authenticity Is the Strategy. Culture Is the Stage.

Buchanan’s Whisky and Global Superstar Rauw Alejandro Partner to Fire Up Summer with New Buchanan’s Asados Unidos

Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky is heating up the grill with the launch of its new creative campaign, Buchanan’s Asados Unidos, inviting 200%ers and Latinos from all over to join the brand in celebrating the summer rhythm and flavor that make their carne asadas, parrilladas and barbecues so distinct and delicious. Together with Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning and 4x GRAMMY®-nominated global superstar Rauw Alejandro, Buchanan’s is sparking up a flavorful cultural debate to determine who has the best asado.

What Latin Music’s Global Rise Teaches Us About Culture, Consumers, and the Future of Marketing

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Jose Abreu, Vice President of Digital Marketing & Streaming, Latin Iberia Region, at Sony Music Entertainment, explores how technology, culture, and consumer behavior are reshaping the future of music and what brands can learn from it.

The Government Told Me to Leave the Country

On the night of April 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emailed me a notice basically saying I had to self-deport within seven days because “DHS was now exercising its discretion to terminate my parole.” The sender was legitimate. It came from a “cbp.dhs.gov” email address, and the recipient addressed was my email address. This was not a forwarded email from a client either.

A Love Letter to Our Roots: Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway

There are rare, sacred moments in life when art leaps beyond the stage and cradles your soul. Last night, Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway gifted me one of those moments—a celebration of Cuban culture so tender, so profound, that it moved me to tears and filled my heart with an indescribable pride.  By Luis Miguel Messianu

As Penetration of 5G Home Internet Service Grows Among U.S. Households, New Horowitz Study Shows High Satisfaction

Mobile providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon have been aggressively rolling out 5G home internet (also known as FWA, or fixed wireless access) in more U.S. markets over the past year. Penetration of the service has now reached 12%, and more than half (56%) of non-FWA subscribers are likely to consider the service when it becomes available in their area, according to Horowitz’s latest annual report, State of Media, Entertainment & Tech: Subscriptions 2025.

Why the Work of the Immigrant Archive Project is More Important Now Than Ever

In a time when the contributions and struggles of immigrant communities are being systematically erased from public consciousness, the Immigrant Archive Project (IAP) stands as a powerful counterforce—preserving the stories that define America’s rich and diverse narrative. The IAP, the leading oral history project documenting the modern immigrant experience, is more than a repository of memories. It is an essential safeguard against the dangers of historical erasure, and its work has never been more crucial than it is today.  By Tony Hernandez - Founder of The Immigrant Archive Project

THE LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY® ANNOUNCES NEW TRUSTEES

The Latin Recording Academy® announced new serving Board members for the next three years. The new Trustees include Gabriel Abaroa, Jr., Pedro Blanco, multi-Latin GRAMMY® winner Gustavo Borner, Rafael Fernández, Jr., Dr. Chelsey Green, Jorge Hernández-Toraño, and Latin GRAMMY winner Berta Rojas, who will assume the great responsibility of helping chart the course of the organization and ensure its continued success.

Critical Gaps in Preventive Care for Women

A new Ipsos poll commissioned by the Alliance for Women's Health and Prevention (AWHP) reveals that 42% of women are forgoing preventive care services such as annual check-ups, medical tests or treatments, and vaccines, or had trouble getting an appointment with a provider in the last year. The survey of 3,199 American women aged 18 and older looked at their experiences with and perceptions of preventive healthcare, where and how they receive their health information, and existing disparities.

The Fallout of the Venezuelan Vote: A Community at a Crossroads

As a follow-up to my previous #DecodingLatinoVoter editorial, the current political landscape has placed Venezuelan U.S. citizens—many of whom helped elect Trump—at the center of an unfolding crisis impacting their communities. The same Venezuelan American diaspora that rallied behind Trump, drawn to his anti-socialist rhetoric, now faces the consequences of his shifting policies, particularly regarding immigration protections.  By Gabriela ‘Gaby’ Alcantara-Diaz, Founder and President, Semilla Multicultural

THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION hosts Emerging Artists Intensive with Berklee Global

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, in partnership with Berklee Global, hosted the debut of their new Emerging Artist Intensive, the first in a series of immersive learning experiences for aspiring music creators.

A Bad Bunny blueprint for brands: Speak to the universal by elevating the specific

How the Puerto Rican artist’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, is a master class in cultural storytelling.  As a proud Puerto Rican, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion listening to Bad Bunny’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. It’s a deeply personal — sometimes painful — love letter to Puerto Rico and, by extension, to all Latinos navigating the complexities of identity, heritage and contemporary life.  by Omar R. Quiñones / MEL

Critical Role Played by Hispanic Voters in the 2024 Presidential Election to turn the tide towards Trump, and shape America’s Future

Una nueva era, How Hispanic Voters Turned the Tide in 2024, detailing the quantitative impact Hispanic voters had on the outcome of 2024’s Presidential Election.

The Spanish Language: A Gateway to Our Shared American Heritage and Global Future

In an era defined by global connectivity, sidelining a language spoken by over 53 million Americans—who collectively contribute $2.8 trillion to the U.S. economy—is more than a misstep; it’s a missed opportunity. Yet, during the second-term Trump administration, the Spanish-language section of the White House website was deactivated, sending a stark message to millions of Americans and international stakeholders. Spanish is not just a language of history—it is a vital engine for cultural, economic, and international growth, and ignoring its significance undermines one of America’s most valuable assets.  By Gabriela Alcántara-Díaz