Business

The Hispanic consumer is spending more dollars at retailers offering brand names with the fashion footwear styles they want. Channels that focus on brand names and command higher price points, such as department stores, are benefiting from the higher spend and posting stronger growth.

Marketing people and salespeople don’t like each other very much. Oh sure, to be politically correct, they will pay lip service to the ideal that they’re all part of one big happy family, working for the common good of the company. But deep down, you know what I say to be true. Salespeople don’t trust the sneaky and manipulative ways of marketing people. And marketing people think salespeople are a bunch of type A prima donnas. I know –I’ve heard the backstabbing begin when one or the other leave the room. These are two tribes that are uncomfortable sharing the same teepee.

The US economy is struggling to find a new formula for vigorous growth. But all growth opportunities are not created equal. A new report from the McKinsey Global Institute pinpoints five catalysts—in energy, trade, technology, infrastructure, and talent development—that can quickly create jobs and deliver a substantial boost to GDP by 2020.

Univision Communications, Inc. announced two key appointments focused on research and analytics. Dan Murphy has been appointed senior vice president, Audience Measurement and Analytics and Kevin King is joining the Company as senior vice president of Digital Research. The announcement was made today by Elizabeth Ellers, EVP, Corporate Research, Univision Communications, Inc.

As employers grapple with an increasingly competitive talent pool, the most innovative companies are redefining their human resources practices to differentiate themselves and rise to the surface in today’s dynamic job market.

Avocados From Mexico (AFM) announced several leadership additions to the new marketing agency. Kathleen Triou, formerly vice president of domestic marketing for the U.S. Potato Board, joins AFM as chief marketing officer, and from the Chilean Avocado Importers Association, Maggie Bezart joins as vice president, trade and promotions, effective immediately.

Advertising spend continues to rebound globally, though increases slowed in the first quarter of 2013. According to Nielsen’s quarterly Global AdView Pulse report, global advertising grew just 1.9 percent from the first quarter of 2012. Trends fluctuated across the regions, as quarterly spending dropped in Europe, marginally increased in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Asian-Pacific, and remained flat in North America.

A survey of teachers who instruct American middle and high school students finds that digital technologies are impacting student writing in myriad ways and there are significant advantages from tech-based learning.

It may not be the $3 billion or so that TV stations get in ad revenues from political advertising in major election years, but ad revenues surrounding the Affordable Care Act – which becomes law in 2014 — may generate some $500 million in the coming months, according to a survey from Kantar Media.

Univision Communications, Inc. announced the promotion of Ruth Gaviria to the position of executive vice president of Corporate Marketing. The announcement was made today by Kevin Conroy, president of Digital and Enterprise Development at Univision Communications, Inc. who also oversees the Company’s Corporate Marketing and Research functions.

By Enrique Turegano / Al Punto I saw an ad on Univision for an SUV…nice ad. But the VO caught me off guard. It was the poem by Antonio Machado and famous song by Juan Manuel Serrat, “Caminante No Hay Camino”. Great song, great poem…but I wonder how much it connects with US Hispanics….mostly US Mexicans. Do they even know it? Is it important to them? Does it connect emotionally like it does for Spaniards and some South Americans? Probably NOT. Here’s my guess:

1) The creative in charge is from Spain.
2) The creative in charge is a JM Serrat fan.

Thoughts?

   Over the last couple of years, we have been critical of an industry event called AdColor that was once associated with the ANA Multicultural Conference.  Lately they have had the need to go solo on their event, since they seem to be more and more African American Ad Industry focused and definitively represent the lack of inclusion in the ad industry. ADColor has taken advantage of the Extreme Guilt that Madison Avenue and the US Mainstream Ad Industry have in not hiring more minorities to work in advertising.

Younger Americans—those ages 16-29—exhibit a fascinating mix of habits and preferences when it comes to reading, libraries, and technology. Almost all Americans under age 30 are online, and they are more likely than older patrons to use libraries’ computer and internet connections; however, they are also still closely bound to print, as three-quarters (75%) of younger Americans say they have read at least one book in print in the past year, compared with 64% of adults ages 30 and older.

As the demand for skilled workers continues to grow, a new report released by Lumina Foundation shows that the rate of college attainment is steadily improving across America. Unfortunately, the pace of progress is far too modest to meet future workforce needs. The report also finds massive and ongoing gaps in educational achievement – gaps tied to race, income and other socioeconomic factors – that must be addressed.