Telemundo launches 2013-2014 El Poder de Saber campaign.

Telemundo Media announced the launch of the network’s 2013-2014 edition of “El Poder de Saber” (The Power of Knowing), its signature multiplatform education initiative that promotes the educational advancement of young Latinos with an emphasis on preventing high school drop-outs. In association with its parent company Comcast/NBCUniversal, the ten-year-old campaign aims to empower and make a difference in the daily lives of U.S. Hispanic families in partnership with distinguished organizations including City Year, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. The year-long campaign will consist of on-air public service announcements starring top Telemundo talent and will feature Telemundo’s news reporter Vanessa Hauc, as its official spokesperson, coupled with education news stories from a team of local “El Poder de Saber” reporters. This year’s efforts also will include the distribution of thousands of backpacks to disadvantaged youth this summer and fall through local Telemundo stations in key markets. In solidarity with NBC News’ education initiative “Education Nation” in the fall, Telemundo Media will commemorate “Education Week” across its platforms with coverage of the challenges and success stories of Hispanics navigating the education system in the U.S. On the Web (www.telemundo/elpoderdesaber) users can access education-related resources, including links to local station and partner sites, and view the PSAs on demand.

“Telemundo Media is committed to empowering Hispanics and providing them information to enrich their lives and help them play an active role in our society,” said Emilio Romano, President, Telemundo Media. “Education is a critical factor in preparing our youth for future success. We are proud to launch the tenth edition of ‘El Poder de Saber’ and leverage every platform of our company to support students and their parents with the necessary tools and resources to help them fulfill their dreams.”

Telemundo will partner for the first time with City Year, a national organization that unites young people for a year of service in high need schools, to serve as tutors, mentors, and role models for at risk students. Telemundo also will continue its strong association with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), and, for the third year, Telemundo’s “El Poder de Saber” will join with NBC News’ “Education Nation” in its efforts to facilitate solutions-focused discussions among policymakers, elected officials, thought leaders, educators, members of the business community and engaged citizens.
The elements of Telemundo’s 2013-2014 “El Poder de Saber” campaign include:

–        Public service announcements featuring top Telemundo talent including the renowned sports anchor Andres Cantor; the veteran journalist Carmen Dominicci; Guadalupe Venegas, the popular VJ from mun2, Telemundo’s cable network for Latino youth; and top novela stars Jorge Luis Pila and Maritza Rodriguez. The messages, directed to students and their parents, stress the necessity of strengthening their command of the English language, the importance of parental involvement in their child’s education, and a reminder to students that staying in school is a better investment than dropping out in order to help support the family.

–        The distribution of thousands of Telemundo/El Poder de Saber backpacks to children in six key Hispanic markets in collaboration with Telemundo local stations and community organizations in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, Houston and Dallas.

–        Coinciding with NBC News’ “Education Nation” events in the fall in New York City, Telemundo network and stations will commemorate “Education Week” with special reports on the challenges and success stories of Hispanics navigating the education system in the U.S. Leading this coverage will be Telemundo’s news reporter, Vanessa Hauc, along with reporters from Telemundo stations, including Dunia Elvir in Los Angeles; Jorge Ramos in New York; Alba Mendiola in Chicago; Ana Cuervo in Miami; Antonio Hernandez in Houston; Patricia Batres in Phoenix and Tucson; Tamara Centeno in San Jose and Rosana Romero in Las Vegas, among others. Expanding the reach of “Education Week” across the network and stations will be content in the daily network morning show “Un Nuevo Dia;” the network news and entertainment show “Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste;” the local news and entertainment show “Acceso Total;” the nightly network news program “Noticiero Telemundo;” and the network and local editions of the public affairs program “Enfoque.”

–        City Year Corp Members will assist in the execution of Telemundo’s backpack giveaway in the summer and City Year representatives will serve as experts for education-related coverage on Telemundo news and public affairs programs throughout the year.

–        Telemundo’s “El Poder de Saber” will join Comcast/NBCUniversal, its parent company, in supporting LULAC’s community technology centers nationwide. Through 59 centers in 25 states, LULAC is fulfilling its mission to Empower Hispanic America with Technology – advancing education, careers and quality of life through access to technology. Comcast’s “Internet Essentials” has helped connect more than 150,000 low-income families (600,000 Americans) to the Internet.

–        Under the “CHCI/El Poder de Saber Scholars” program, Telemundo will continue to award $25,000 in scholarships and provide internships to deserving students across the nation.

–        mun2, Telemundo’s cable network for young Latinos, through its own pro-social initiative called “mun2unidos,” will work in tandem on-air, online and onsite with City Year to recruit college-bound students as City Year Corp Members.

–        At www.telemundo.com/elpoderdesaber, users will have access to informational resources, links to partner organizations and Telemundo local station sites, as well as “El Poder de Saber” PSAs and special content from the “El Poder de Saber” team of reporters, available on demand.

“Telemundo has demonstrated a true commitment to improving education for the Hispanic community, and we are honored that they recognize the positive impact City Year corps members have on students and schools in high-need urban areas,” said Gillian Smith, Chief Marketing Officer for City Year. “We are very excited to partner with Telemundo on their ‘El Poder de Saber’ initiative, as they leverage their powerful platforms to drive impact.”

“LULAC is proud to support Telemundo’s public service campaign, ‘El Poder de Saber’ which provides information and empowers the Hispanic community on critical resources and on the powerful role that education plays in a young person’s life,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “In order to make sure that the influence of the Hispanic community continues to grow we must support our young people’s pursuit of educational empowerment. Ensuring that the next generation of leaders is adequately prepared is vitally important to LULAC and we support Telemundo’s efforts to ensure the same.”

“CHCI is proud to continue its groundbreaking partnership with Telemundo through the CHCI/El Poder de Saber Scholars Program,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. “This creative and unique program provides life changing opportunities for Latino youth who not only receive financial aid to support their higher education goals but also obtain hands-on experience in the broadcast arena. We are collectively creating a pipeline of future leaders and we thank Telemundo for its ongoing commitment to education.”