News

In my last blog I addressed the question: do Latinos need a national leader?  I proposed that Hispanics are best served by multiple leaders who offer varying perspectives that reflect the richness of Latino internal diversity.  It just so happened that I recently glimpsed a vision of that expanding leadership.  By Dr. Carlos E. Cortés is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of California, Riverside

Thirty-four million Americans are planning to purchase a vehicle in the next six months and a new report, “Digital Influence on Auto Intenders,” from Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and Prosper Insights finds that these consumers are almost twice as likely to be swayed by auto-focused digital marketing than the general population (21% vs. 12%). Moreover, automotive shoppers are 71 percent more likely to be influenced by digital advertising across multiple retail categories than the average consumer.

What’s driving this growth? Up-and-coming products—such as 3-D printers, Bluetooth wireless speakers, convertible PCs, health and fitness devices, smart watches and Ultra HD television displays—which CEA estimated would drive 65% of total industry revenue growth, despite representing just 3% of the sector overall. Revenues for these products as a whole are expected to come in at more than $6 billion this year.

“Nuestra Belleza Latina” (Our Latin Beauty), is getting a fresh new look and cast for the eighth edition which debuts Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

The 10-part original program, which captures the sexy nightlife of Cabo, airs on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 10:00PM/ET and will air weekly on Tuesdays through April 1.   

Azteca International Corporation (AIC) and Northstar Media, LLC (Northstar) announced the consummation of a transaction resulting in the transfer of control and reorganization of the television broadcast licensee subsidiaries of Una Vez Mas, LP (UVM).

Going out to the movies once was, and for many still can be, an exciting night out. However, a new Harris Poll finds that while roughly two-thirds (68%) of U.S. adults went to the movies at least once in 2013, just about the same percent (66%) say they’re going to the movies less often now than a few years ago.

Everywhere consumers go, they are being bombarded by messages that tell them that brand A is ever so slightly healthier than brand B.  Consumers are noticing, and more purchasing decisions are being made on the basis of health and wellness. The 2013 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health, commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation, found that for 64% of consumers, “healthfulness” is considered to be the most important factor driving foods and beverages purchase decisions, up 6 points since 2006 when 58% considered healthfulness the most important purchase driver and trumped only by taste and price.

The need to differentiate from the competition is as great as it has ever been. While global consumer confidence was flat in third-quarter 2013 from the previous quarter, confidence was on the rise in over half of the countries Nielsen surveys, including the U.S. Still, many shoppers remain focused on value for their money. At the same time, e-commerce has attracted a growing number of users. Innovation, however, can give retailers the all-important edge.

We’re more than a week into 2014, and 2013 has already become a memory. But it was a big year in tech, marketing, and a big year for Millennials (as they officially became a buzzword), and we don’t want to let the last 12 months go without looking at the lessons we’ve learned.

History sometimes repeats itself.

So those with longer memories may start to see parallels between the rapidly growing content amplification space, led by content marketing distribution platforms like Outbrain and Taboola, and the rise of the search engine marketing industry in the early 2000’s. Will the CAA (content amplification agency) be the new SEM agency?

Kantar Media reports that more than 287 billion Free Standing Insert (FSI) coupons were distributed in 2013,  a 4.5 percent increase in activity  compared to 2012. This represented a distribution of $467 billion in consumer incentives, an 11.2 percent increase over the prior year. Average Face Value also increased to an all-time high of $1.63, representing a 6.4 percent increase over a year ago.

Meredith Hispanic Media (MHM), publisher of Siempre Mujer and Ser Padres magazines, released findings from its Auto Trends Report detailing the car-buying habits and attitudes of the modern Latina.

LAPIZ announced the hire of Diego Figueroa as SVP, Strategy and Participation Director. With a keen understanding of the General Market and Multicultural planning, Figueroa will oversee the agency’s Strategy department, which encompasses brand strategy, consumer engagement, research and shopper marketing.

(Think green: please save the headline above for reuse over the next decade.)

How many years have been “the year” mobile advertising finally catches up to the massive growth in consumer time spent on mobile? As you marinate on that question, take a second also to reflect on how often you’ve read the headline that “this is the year” digital advertising dollars finally catch up with the amount of time consumers are spending with digital media. It’s become a cliché at this point.
(Spoiler alert: digital advertising still hasn’t caught up with the amount of time people spend there.)

“Who cares!?! Have you seen how fast mobile usage is growing!??!?!!”

Sigh…

Telemundo announced the return of international TV personality and fashion mogul Daisy Fuentes and renowned entertainment anchor Jorge Bernal as hosts of “La Voz Kids,” the highly anticipated Sunday night reality show, set to premiere in the spring of 2014.  

As Senior Vice President for Station Services, Mr. Sepúlveda will report to Michael Jones, PBS Chief Operating Officer, and become a member of PBS’ senior management team. His chief responsibility will be to represent the perspective of PBS’ independent member stations in the ongoing management and strategic direction of PBS to ensure that PBS programs, products and services support each station’s connection to its community and audience.

Shopping for healthcare has become a frightening experience for 2 million exchange eligible consumers. Although enhancements were made to federal and state exchanges call centers and online platforms, the experience they offered was far from “best-in-class”.  This was especially so for Hispanic and Millennial (ages 18-34) eligibles, who are facing a range of enrollment obstacles that go beyond the now infamous Obamacare site glitches. The lack of truly culturally competent channels for segments with limited healthcare literacy, and the lack of clear explanation of benefits for eligible, have drastically impacted the proportion of Millennials and Hispanics enrolled in ACA exchanges by the deadline for 1/1/14 coverage.

The study, which surveyed thousands of audio listeners who use one or more of the following audio sources – personal music collections (CDs, iTunes downloads), broadcast radio, streaming AM/FM radio, custom online playlists, satellite radio, online music videos and digital music channels on TV – shows that consumers recognize unique and important benefits for each audio platform, and will choose each based on the time of day and situational needs.

Dieste Inc. has hired Gustavo “Zeta” Zapata to head the Art Direction Team, officially starting on January 2. He will work across all the agency’s current clients.