Texas Hispanic Upfront Draws Networks to San Antonio to Woo Ad Community.

In a year that is again seeing major shifts in the Upfront season, perhaps the most innovative and exciting change is happening in San Antonio. On Thursday, June 17th, SAVisión, the Hispanic marketing arm of the American Marketing Association, will host the second Texas Hispanic Upfront. An estimated 500 Hispanic advertising and marketing professionals will attend the gala evening event, featuring a Media Fair with dinner buffet, followed with multimedia presentations by a wide range of Spanish-language TV networks.

“Only a handful of media buyers can make the commitment to attend the week-long Upfronts in New York,” states Diane Huth, Chairman of SAVisión. ”By bringing the new television programming to us, hundreds of potential advertisers can preview firsthand the new fall programming, and take advantage of upfront buying opportunities.”

The first Texas Hispanic Upfront in 2008 drew more than 450 attendees to learn about the programming of a host of TV networks, including broadcast leaders Univision and Telemundo, along with 8 prestigious cable networks including FOX Sports en Español, ESPN Deportes, MTV TR3S, V-Me, and others. This year’s Upfront is expected to showcase 10 networks, along with a host of other non-TV media at the Media Fair.

The 2008 Upfront was rated by Gene Bryan of HispanicAd.com, as “one of the best local/regional events in our industry”, and the 2010 event promises to be even better, with additional programs and networking opportunities.

A group of leading media directors from key Hispanic ad agencies and marketing companies in the region agreed to form the Upfront Ad Council, assuring the SAVisión organizers and TV networks of the support of the key agencies and advertisers. The 2010 Upfront has also gained endorsement from other leading business organizations, including AHAA – The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies and CAB -The Cable Advertising Bureau.

The Upfront gala will be held on Thursday, June 17th, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the historic Aztec Theater in downtown San Antonio. The Media Fair will run from 5:30 to 7:00, and will include food stations, cash bar and live entertainment. The network presentations will follow in the theater, along with additional musical entertainment. The event will include a Media Auction along with a Silent Auction and Raffle to raise funds for scholarships.

An AfterParty from 10:00 pm to midnight at the Drury Riverwalk Hotel will allow for additional networking. The following day, a Media MarketPlace at the same hotel will allow qualified media buyers to meet in a business environment with the TV network executives to discuss details of media offerings.

The event is free to qualified advertising and marketing professionals, but an advance registration is required.

“Our goal is to create an event that is a win-win for all participants – allowing advertisers to learn about programming and ad opportunities, and enabling networks to reach scores of potential new advertisers”, stated Scott Keeler, Upfront Chairman. “By having the event sponsored by the AMA, a non-profit professional association, we can provide a level playing ground for all media participants, while bringing the participation cost down to a very modest amount for the media presenters.”

According to Debbie Richmond, Executive Vice President of Media for Viva Media, “This is an idea whose time has come. Many millions of dollars of Spanish-language media are bought here in Texas, and we look forward to viewing the new season programming and negotiating beneficial upfront deals for our clients without having to make the trek to New York.”

Full details of the event are available on the SAVisión website http://www.savision.org>, where attendees can register to attend. For more information, contact: Diane Huth, SAVisión Chair at (210) 601-7852 or ch***@sa******.org , or Scott Keeler, Upfront Chair at (210) 859-6914 or sc****@le******.com

SUMMARY OF EVENT:

DATE: Thursday, June 17 and 18th, 2010

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Gala presentation of upcoming fall programming by a wide range of national Hispanic TV networks to the Texas advertising community, to allow for “upfront” commitments to purchase advertising

UPFRONT GALA: Thursday, June 17th, 5:30 – 7:00 PM – Media Fair & dinner buffet with cash bar, plus Media Auction, 7:00 – 9:30 PM multimedia presentation of television programming

LOCATION: Historic Aztec Theater, 104 N. St. Mary’s at Commerce; downtown San Antonio

AFTERPARTY: 10 PM to midnight – Drury Plaza Hotel, 105 N St Mary’s at Commerce, 2nd floor balcony – hosted bar with appetizers

MEDIA MARKETPLACE: Friday, June 18th – 10 AM to 2 PM – One-on-one meeting between qualified buyers and network executives, Drury Hotel, 2nd floor balcony

PARKING: Available at multiple city and private parking lots

FREE EVENT: All Upfront activities are FREE for qualified marketing and advertising personnel

RSVP: You must RSVP prior to June 15th to attend. www.sa-ama.org/events

ATTIRE: Cocktail, black tie, or business attire