Hispanic Digital Media

VidaySalud.com(TM) Reaches 1,000,000 Page Views In its First Six Months of Operation

2009-12-09T06:47:00.000-05:00

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Today, in Los Angeles, health expert Aliza Lifshitz, M.D., better known to the Latino community as la Doctora Aliza(TM), announced an important milestone for Spanish-language health site www.VidaySalud.com(TM).

"In just six months from its launch, VidaySalud.com(TM) has reached one million page views as measured by Google Analytics. This speaks to the appetite for factual, science-based health information in the U.S. Hispanic community and the Spanish-speaking world at large," said Dr. Lifshitz. "In addition, we are now delivering over 70,000 double-opt-in newsletters monthly to engaged subscribers."

This landmark event caps an eventful two quarters in which VidaySalud.com(TM) has entered into a content affiliation with the Harvard Medical School, teamed with Meredith Hispanic Ventures' Ser Padres in its Pregnancy and Children's Health channels, developed a BabyCare initiative with Warner Brothers' Baby Looney Tunes, launched new Healthy Home and Oral Health channels and entered into relationships with several blue-chip advertisers.

Read full article

Tribune Company Launches Cross-Platform Sales Group Aimed at Growing Hispanic Market

2009-12-08T12:06:00.001-05:00

CHICAGO, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company today announced the creation of Tribune Hispanic, a cross-platform national media solutions group designed to help advertisers reach the growing Hispanic market through an array of products including print, online, television, mobile, out-of-home, digital signage, and events.

Tribune already reaches 1.7 million Hispanic consumers every week through the company's four Spanish-language media properties -- Hoy Chicago, Hoy Los Angeles, El Sentinel Orlando and el Sentinel South Florida -- markets in which about 28% of the nation's Hispanic population resides. As part of the Tribune Hispanic initiative, these newspapers will re-brand their entertainment sections as "ViveloHoy." Special sections also will be created in conjunction with events such as the 2010 World Cup and the bicentennial anniversary of Mexico's independence.

"More than ever, national advertisers require innovative, consistent and engaging solutions to reach this unique consumer group," said John Trainor, general manager of Hoy Chicago. "Our increased level of collaboration will shortly translate into more meaningful, efficient and consistent solutions our national advertisers can tap into."

Tribune Hispanic capitalizes on a growing consumer market that covets its newspapers. Nationwide, Hispanic consumers will soon represent close to $1 trillion in purchasing power. Tribune research shows that 53% of Hispanic newspaper readers have been reading their favorite newspaper for three or more years; 63% of Hispanic newspaper readers frequently pay attention to the advertisements; and 55% of all Hispanic newspaper readers state they use coupons from the newspaper regularly.

Read full article

Comcast Fuels Hope At Indie Networks

2009-12-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

Independently-owned cable networks are cautiously optimistic about Comcast’s pledge to offer greater carriage opportunities in the wake of last week’s Comcast-NBC Universal joint-venture agreement.

In an effort to help smooth the regulatory process for its multibillion-dollar deal, Comcast has outlined several public interest conditions — one of which is a promise to launch at least two independently owned cable networks on its programming lineup once Comcast completes its full infrastructure upgrade to digital.

Industry executives said the pronouncement comes as independent networks struggle to secure significant distribution on Comcast-owned systems.

“Remember how independent networks have fared when they’ve called on Comcast in the past. … There has been an attitude of equity investment for carriage within Comcast so we’ll see what happens,” said Gary Lico, president and CEO of CableU, a cable-network research company. “I’m going to take it on good faith because the plain and simple of all of it is you have to do business with everyone. The proof will be in the putting.”

Hispanic-targeted indie network Sí TV is taking a wait-and-see attitude regarding the announcement. Network CEO Michael Schwimmer said the MSO’s track record with regard to launching independent networks is not stellar, particularly when compared to its distribution of its in-house owned-and-operated channels.

Read full article

Univision Gives Real-Time Control to Hispanic Advertisers

2009-12-04T11:54:00.000-05:00

Univision is launching an online ad network designed to help advertisers better connect with US Hispanics. Called Univision Partner Group, it will encompass its own properties as well as third-party publishers based in the US, Latin America and Spain and will feature "a collection of premium Spanish-language websites and mobile web publishers handpicked by the Univision editors."

The network will give companies targeting Hispanic audiences the ability to control their campaigns and monitor their earnings in real time, writes MediaBuyerPlanner. The Univision Partner Group is working with Adify, Quattro Wireless and AdReady to help deliver ads across the network. Publishing partners will have complete control over which ads run on their sites, and the sites in the ad network will potentially have access to smaller, local advertisers via AdReady’s new, self-service platform.

Other Efforts

The ad network from Univision complements similar initiatives launched recently by Yahoo and the Orange Advertising Network to target this demographic. Last month Yahoo introduced a Spanish-language mobile homepage, Mobile en Español, available on more than 1,900 mobile device models. In addition to mobile search, Spanish US and global news, email and social networking connections, it also provides marketers with "a variety of mobile advertising opportunities and formats."

Read full article

NBC-Comcast: Done Deal

2009-12-04T11:42:00.001-05:00

Cable giant Comcast finally has its content deal, making official an agreement with General Electric Thursday morning that will give the largest U.S. cable operator a 51 percent stake in a joint venture that combines Hollywood player NBC Universal with Comcast's content assets.

The agreement values NBCU in its current form at $30 billion. This compares with the $43 billion valuation that formed the basis of the 2003 deal that created NBCU in its current configuration. However, that came before such recent acquisitions as cable network Oxygen and iVillage.com.

Comcast is contributing its cable nets, including E!, Versus, Golf Channel and 10 regional sports networks plus digital media properties. All this is valued in the deal at $7.25 billion, up from the previously expected $6 billion price tag. In addition, Comcast will pay GE about $6.5 billion in cash, up slightly from what Wall Street had pegged at $6 billion. The final cash figure will depend on adjustments made before the deal closes, including certain performance measures.

When combining the results for Comcast and NBCU, the revenue of the assets that the cable giant would control reached $51 billion in 2008, exceeding those of Walt Disney, Time Warner and News Corp.

Read full article

Terra launches EZTarget Media, its ad network for the USA and Latin America

2009-12-03T16:53:00.000-05:00

New York, November 4th, 2008 – Terra (www.terra.com), the largest Internet company in Latin America, launches EZTargetMedia, its new business line in the region and in USA. EZTarget Media is born already as the largest Ad Network - network of alliances with media companies that offers advertisers, publishers and end users a new experience in the consumption of online publicity – from the Hispanic market in the USA to Latin America, with a reach of approximately 30 million users, according to data from comScore.

EZTargetMedia will allow Terra to promote its own brands and leverage its expertise in online publicity in the Hispanic US and Latin America to support publishers and advertisers. The launch of the new business line is marked by an alliance with Spanish media group Prisa, allowing Terra to negotiate exclusively in the USA and Latin America the Internet traffic of the group's assets, including the online version of the El País newspaper.

“EZTarget Media offers Terra the possibility of expanding its reach in the Latin segment of the USA and all of Latin America by delivering relevant publicity to users and ensuring effective results to advertisers", said Riza Soares, director of Ad Network for Terra Latin America and USA.

Read full article

ImpreMedia Announces Plans for Hyperlocal Coverage

2009-12-03T11:45:00.001-05:00

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ImpreMedia, the nation’s No.1 Spanish-language online and print news publisher, announced today its plans to introduce hyperlocal coverage, initially in New York and Los Angeles, via community blogging partnerships.

As part of its commitment to serve the Hispanic community, the company will set up impreMedia Community E-Journalism Media Labs in its newsrooms in New York and Los Angeles to assist local bloggers in their efforts at covering the community at a deep and meaningful level.

“The focus will be on hyperlocal journalism,” John Paton, Chairman and CEO of impreMedia, told more than 1,500 media executives gathered at the 62nd Annual Congress of the World Association of Newspapers. Media companies must become hyperlocal and that means “they will have to harness the power of bloggers,” Mr. Paton said. (A copy of Mr. Paton’s speech can be found at http://www.impremedia.com/john-paton/.)

The selected bloggers will take part in four-week orientation sessions working out of the Community E-Journalism Media Labs set up in the newsrooms at El Diario La Prensa in New York and La Opinion in Los Angeles. Mr. Paton said the company will also give the bloggers training in sales and create mutually beneficial sales arrangements.

Read full article

Radio measurement tool under fire from minority stations

2009-12-02T09:28:00.001-05:00

A small pager-like device designed to measure radio station audiences could be muffling minority radio stations.

At least, that's what minority and urban radio stations are saying. And Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is hoping to get some answers at a hearing on the matter this morning.

Arbitron, the primary radio audience measurement firm based in Columbia, Md., spent the past 15 years developing the Portable People Meter (PPM) to get a more accurate read on which stations consumers are listening to. PPMs are tiny devices meant to be worn on your belt or stashed in your purse, and they can detect which radio station you are tuning in to.

The devices, which were rolled out in 2007, are given to a sample of listeners and hundreds of hours worth of data is downloaded to get a better picture of who is listening to which radio stations at what times. PPMs replace the old method of audience measurement: asking people to keep a diary of every station they hear throughout the day. (Most people simply waited until the end of the week and tried to remember every station they listened to during the previous days.)

When PPM results started coming in, Arbitron noticed a few trends. For one, listeners actually listened to a greater variety of stations than they reported in the diaries. They also spent less time listening to their "favorite" stations and more time flipping through and lingering on other stations.
But that poses a problem for the stations with the most loyal audiences. Talk radio, Christian broadcasters and Hispanic broadcasters saw a 10-15 percent drop in listeners. Urban stations saw a 25 percent decrease.

Of course, a decline in audience size negatively impacts advertising revenues. So the PPM Coalition formed to lobby against the new measurement method.

Read full article

Discovery En Español Offers Viewers A 360 Degree Look Into El Caso Colosio

2009-12-01T11:46:00.001-05:00

Miami, Florida, December 1st, 2009– The assassination of the leading contender for the Presidency from Mexico’s reigning political party, the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional), Luis Donaldo Colosio, marks one of the most pivotal moments in Mexico’s recent political history. Now 15 years later, the case is still shrouded in mystery. Discovery en Español’s original presentation of El Caso Colosio premiering on Sunday, December 13 at 9 PM E/P, takes on each and every aspect of this tragic event, extensively looking at the theories and dissecting the evidence via powerful testimonials and recreations.

On March 23rd, 1994, Luis Donaldo Colosio falls to the ground a victim of two deadly gun shots amidst a crowded election rally in Tijuana, Mexico. A lone camera captures the mortal shot to the head, but the same video fails to capture the identity of the assailant. Amidst the confusion and panicked crowds, Mario Aburto Martinez, a laborer from a local factory, is arrested and pronounced guilty. Mexico’s Attorney General declares the case closed shortly thereafter, but many remain skeptical! How is it that a lone laborer was able to shoot the candidate at close range while surrounded by personal security, police and thousands of associates? The inconsistency of the evidence presented by the authorities and the detailed analysis of the video conducted by key media outlets do nothing more than heighten suspicions.

Many contend that the man that the police arrested at the scene does not resemble the one that appears one day later at a press conference. Others ask how it’s possible to be shot twice, once to the head and then abdomen on the opposite side, with bullet holes of different sizes and seemingly produced by different caliber weapons. Does this mean that there was more than one assassin involved? Was the crime part of a bigger political conspiracy?

Filmed over a seven month period, this one hour documentary dissects the different theories of the investigation via insightful interviews, dramatizations and CGI. The program contains detailed testimonials from journalists, political analysts, and local political representatives. Among the key figures that appear are: Antonio Cano, former President of the PRI in Tijuana, Jesús Zambrano, member of the Congressional Investigative Commission, Othon Cortés, suspect originally implicated in the crime, and Miguel Montes, the special prosecutor who gained notoriety by confirming the lone shooter assertion. With meticulous attention to detail this insightful documentary delves into each and every existent theory with the intention of offering viewers the facts allowing them to come to their own conclusion.

El Caso Colosio is a production of Discovery en Español under the direction of Michela Giorelli, Director of Production and Irune Ariztoy, Producer, with the support of Tomlinson-de Onis Productions under the Direction of Alan Tomlinson.

For Discovery en Español programming information, interactive games and more, viewers may log onto discoveryenespanol.com .

About Discovery en Español

Discovery en Español is the Spanish-language voice of Discovery. It is the premiere network dedicated to offering the finest in quality programming in the areas of science and technology, world culture and history, nature and wildlife as well as real-life drama. The network creates an indelibly enriching experience by collecting the best of what Discovery’s networks have to offer in combination with its own original Spanish-language content. Created by the world’s most trusted media brand, Discovery en Español translates not just the words, but the feeling of Discovery, educating and engaging audiences nationwide with fascinating glimpses into the incredible world they inhabit. For more information, visit www.discoveryenespanol.com .

The Associated Press and impreMedia Team Up To Deliver impreMedia’s Industry-leading Hispanic News Content over Mobile Devices via AP Mobile

2009-12-01T09:34:00.002-05:00

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Associated Press and impreMedia (www.impremedia.com), the leading Hispanic multi-platform news and information company in the U.S., announced today an agreement to distribute impreMedia’s Spanish-language content over its award-winning multimedia news portal, AP Mobile (www.apnews.com), featuring stories from more than 1,000 local news providers across the country. ImpreMedia content will be featured on the “AP Mobile Noticías en Español” channel, which is available to consumers in the United States who want their international, national and high-level local news in Spanish.

Through this content distribution deal, AP Mobile's customers will now be able to access impreMedia's award-winning Spanish-language content as it relates to their geographical area. Customers can now receive content anytime and anywhere from impreMedia’s network including El Diario/La Prensa in New York, La Raza in Chicago and La Opinion in Los Angeles.

AP Mobile is a mobile application designed specifically for market-leading smartphones. First-time users configure their location settings to receive local news content. Users can also customize homepage categories, use content ratings, share and save articles on their mobile devices as well as choose their language preference.

“This exciting new development is consistent with our strategy to extend our journalism over the media platform of the customer’s choice,” said John Paton, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of impreMedia.

"The popularity, compatibility, and ease of use of AP Mobile's application have made it a favorite news reader in both Spanish and English,” said Arturo Duran, CEO of impreMedia Digital.

Read full article

Univision launches new digital ad and publisher network

2009-11-30T15:50:00.000-05:00

Univision Interactive Media announced the launch of the Univision Partner Group (www.univisionpartnergroup.com). The new unit targets U.S. Hispanics and provides a far-reaching digital advertising and publisher network comprised of pre-screened, high-quality Spanish-language online and mobile websites.

Said Kevin Conroy, president of Univision Interactive Media: “By developing a network with such broad reach, we are meeting the needs of our publishers and advertisers in a way that has not been done before in this category.”

Univision Partner Group publishers include leading Spanish-language websites in the U.S., Latin American and Spain that effectively reach U.S. Hispanics. Univision Partner Group enables publishers to maintain control of the campaigns on their websites and monitor their earnings in real time. Publisher content ranges across several categories, including entertainment, news, sports, business & finance, parenting, home & garden, education, music, video and health. Top UPG publishers currently include Caracol Televisión (www.caracoltv.com - entertainment), Revista Caras (www.caras.com.ar - entertainment), Perfil.com (www.perfil.com - news) El Espectador (www.elespectador.com - news), TyC Sports (www.tycsports.com - sports) and Ambito Financiero (www.ambito.com - business & finance), among others.

Read full article

Price War Brews Between Amazon and Wal-Mart

2009-11-30T15:36:00.000-05:00

Ali had Frazier. Coke has Pepsi. The Yankees have the Red Sox.

Now Wal-Mart, the mightiest retail giant in history, may have met its own worthy adversary: Amazon.com.

In what is emerging as one of the main story lines of the 2009 post-recession shopping season, the two heavyweight retailers are waging an online price war that is spreading through product areas like books, movies, toys and electronics.

The tussle began last month as a relatively trivial but highly public back-and-forth over which company had the lowest prices on the most anticipated new books and DVDs this fall. By last week, it had spread to select video game consoles, mobile phones, even to the humble Easy-Bake Oven, a 45-year-old toy from Hasbro that usually heats up small cakes, not tensions between billion-dollar corporations.

Last Wednesday, Wal-Mart dropped the price of the oven to $17, from $28, as part of its “Black Friday” deals. Later the same day, Amazon cut its price, which had also been $28, to $18.

“It’s not about the prices of books and movies anymore. There is a bigger battle being fought,” said Fiona Dias, executive vice president at GSI Commerce, which manages the Web sites of large retailers. “The price-sniping by Wal-Mart is part of a greater strategic plan. They are just not going to cede their business to Amazon.”

Read full article

MegaTV in Puerto Rico TV

2009-11-30T06:56:00.001-05:00

Spanish Broadcasting System, announced that starting November 2009 its television programming will be seen on the entire island of Puerto Rico. Due to an acquisition of new technology, audiences will be able to tune in to the channel over the air through a converter box, as well as on cable and satellite.

The broadcast frequency for the over the air signal via a converter box will be Channel 60. Cable and satellite users can watch Mega TV® on Choice Channel 16, Liberty Channel 45, OneLink Channel 60, DIRECTV Channel 169 and Dish Network Channel 60.

“With these new signals, not only will everyone on the Island be able to watch our programming, we will also have a clearer image. For geographical reasons, most of our households without cable or satellite couldn’t receive our signal in the past. With this new technology, everyone on the island will enjoy Mega TV’s popular and impactful programming,” said Luis Roldan, Senior Vice President, and General Manager for SBS and Mega TV in Puerto Rico. “We are very pleased with the acceptance that the Puerto Rican community has given us and we are committed to keep on bringing excellent programming.”

Read full article

Quepasa Finally Poised to Profit? Growing Latin Social Networking Site Says 'Si'

2009-11-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

When Quepasa.com re-launched 15 months ago as a full-fledged social networking platform, its Web traffic soared.

But the money didn't follow.

In June, the Nasdaq stock exchange informed Quepasa -- the world's largest Hispanic-oriented social networking site -- that it was falling short on the revenue requirements for listing on the Nasdaq composite index. Quepasa had little choice but to remove itself from the list.

But now, executives at Quepasa believe the site is poised for profits.

The basic premise behind the company's elaborate strategy is simple: tap into the human desires that cause us to show off, compete, trade tokens of affection, and, above all, flirt. To such an extent, of course, that users feel compelled to pay.

Read full article

Butterballs or Cheese Balls, an Online Barometer

2009-11-26T05:46:00.001-05:00

If you are in Oregon this Thanksgiving, you stand a better than average chance of encountering Tofurkey. More people in New York are looking for caterers to prepare the holiday meal than anywhere else in the country. Live in the Southeast? Brace yourself for a big scoop of broccoli casserole.

And no matter where in the United States you are, don’t be surprised if the host molds refrigerated breadstick dough and bakes it into a cornucopia centerpiece. It is the break-out hit recipe of the season at Allrecipes.com, the nation’s largest cooking Web site.

Now that millions of cooks seek out recipes online, the culinary habits of a nation on its greatest food holiday can be codified and analyzed — a boon for marketers and trend watchers.

Read full article

'Palo' y 'zanahoria' para el internauta

2009-11-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

James Harding ha dicho basta. El director de The Times está cansado de que los lectores digitales lean sus noticias sin pasar por caja. Por lo que a partir de la próxima primavera su edición online será de pago. "Vamos a atacar la cultura de lo gratis", advirtió Harding la semana pasada en una reunión de directores de periódicos en Londres.

Son palabras que resumen el punto de inflexión al que se acerca el consumo de información y bienes culturales en la Red. Nunca se había accedido a tanta cultura, pero nadie parece encontrar la fórmula para rentabilizar ese volumen de potenciales clientes. De momento, la búsqueda de nuevos modelos de negocio se combina con la coerción.

Por un lado, proliferan las medidas de control de Internet. El Parlamento Europeo ratificó ayer casi por unanimidad la directiva que permite desconectar a los usuarios que se descarguen archivos con copyright sin necesidad de una orden judicial previa. Francia y Reino Unido elaboran legislaciones para sancionar con desconexiones a los internautas y Estados Unidos impulsa un acuerdo internacional para que se pueda perseguir a los proveedores de Internet (ISP) que permitan el intercambio de archivos protegidos. Mientras tanto, el magnate Rupert Murdoch planea hacer de pago las ediciones digitales de sus diarios (entre ellos The Times).

Lea el artículo completo

América TeVé Takes over CV Network Operations

2009-11-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

MIAMI, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- América TeVé (Sherjan Broadcasting) today announced a joint venture with CV Network (CaribeVision) to manage the network's operations in the Miami, New York and Puerto Rico markets through the already established channels: CV Network Channel 48 Miami, CV Network Channel 34 New York, and CV Network Channel 24 Puerto Rico.

According to the terms of the agreement, América TeVé will operate, distribute and market CV Network's stations through the América TeVé Network. "Integrating both companies constitutes an opportunity to create new content, consolidate existing programming, develop new markets and access a distribution platform offering greater coverage," said Omar Romay, President and CEO, América TeVé.

Alejandro Orvañanos of CV Network said: "This agreement opens a new page of cooperation between the two networks. I am sure that in the future our cooperation will be even more complete and comprehensive, including news sharing, co-producing programs, and joint purchasing of soap operas and television series, among others."

Read full article

Ubisoft partners with Univision for Assassin's Creed 2

2009-11-25T09:49:00.001-05:00

Univision Communications has formed a partnership with Ubisoft to kick-off a campaign to reach the untapped Hispanic consumer with the launch of its new video game Assassin’s Creed II.

The multi-faceted television and digital campaign will reach hard core Hispanic gamers in Spanish through some of the biggest Spanish-language events such as two upcoming Futbol Liga Mexicana (Mexican League Soccer) playoff games. Viewers will also have an opportunity to take a deeper look into Assassin’s Creed II with Galavision’s “Acceso Máximo” (All Access), where video game expert Orlando León, will give viewers the ins and outs of the game and provide in-depth analysis and tips for players to discuss on how to play the game in order to win. The Futbol Liga Mexicana homepage as well as the “Deportes” (Sports) page on Univision.com will have custom skins to commemorate the launch of Assassin’s Creed II. The campaign will run through 11/30.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ubisoft as they lead the gaming industry in targeting Hispanic hard core gamers to deliver growth today,” said David Lawenda, president of Advertising Sales and Marketing, Univision Communications Inc. “We are at a tipping point where it is now a business imperative to market to Hispanics in the language of their hearts. As such, Univision is pleased to connect Ubisoft to one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population and create an innovative marketing strategy to help them grow their business.”

Read full article

New broadcast partners sign on for Grandpa

2009-11-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

Decode Enterprises has revealed that a raft of new broadcasters have come on board for family series Grandpa In My Pocket.

Cbeebies Latin America has acquired the series alongside sales to HOP Israel, RUV Iceland, Okto in Singapore and Greece's MCOM.

A home entertainment deal has also been agreed with ABC Home Video for Australia, where the series airs on ABC TV, rating as one of the top children's programmes in 2009 to date. ABC TV has also picked up the second series for broadcast.

Read full article

GolTV Dedicates Full Afternoon to Live Coverage of FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in ‘El Clasico’ on Nov. 29

2009-11-23T11:37:00.000-05:00

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GolTV, the only bilingual channel delivering 24/7 soccer, will telecast live coverage of La Liga’s most anticipated match between rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as they compete in El Clásico on Sunday, Nov. 29th. Currently the top ranked clubs in La Liga, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will face off for the first time this season at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Starting at 12:00 noon ET GolTV is committing two extra hours of programming time around the match to give soccer enthusiasts the in-depth, pre- and post-game analysis they demand. Additionally, GolTV is sending legendary sportscasters Luis Omar Tapia and Eduardo Biscayart to Barcelona’s Camp Nou to provide live exclusive, Spanish-language commentary throughout the match, delivered in their uniquely dynamic styles.

“This year’s El Clásico is one of the most eagerly awaited, star-packed soccer games in the sport’s history,” said Enzo Francescoli, CEO and founder of GolTV. “Our pre- and post-match shows will build excitement around the game that will determine La Liga’s top club and set the tone for the rest of the season.”

Read full article

ESPN Deportes unveils campaign for Dominican League B-Ball

2009-11-23T06:52:00.000-05:00

Just as the season of Major League Baseball comes to a close, ESPN Deportes has launched its coverage of winter baseball from the Dominican Republic with a new campaign. Dubbed, “Durante el invierno el béisbol viaja al Caribe,” (During winter, baseball travels to the Caribbean), the campaign trails baseball as it travels south with ESPN Deportes as the winter baseball season returns yet again to the network. The campaign features animated spots highlighted by a winter baseball themed ‘flight to the island’ and baseball terminology, identifying that the ultimate destination for winter baseball coverage can be found only on ESPN Deportes.

In many Hispanic communities, Baseball is more than just a sport; it is part of their heritage. As the winter approaches, Caribbean communities, mainly on the east coast, begin to think about the traditions they shared back home, where the weather is warmer and baseball is part of their childhood. So through this campaign, ESPN Deported is transporting Caribbean fans back to their hometowns for just a few months and this campaign plays on the communities desire to go home for the holidays.

The TV and radio spots feature the voices of Carolina Guillen, host of the network’s weekly baseball show Béisbol Esta Noche as a flight attendant and Dominican Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal along legendary baseball commentator Ernesto Jerez, as captains of the flight. The print creative also reflects this ‘travel’ theme. The designs feature an airline ticket and a safety aircraft card which highlight the message of the campaign as well as contain network tune-in information.

Read full article

RCN Adds V-me To Its Lineup In Four Markets

2009-11-21T14:16:00.001-05:00

V-me Media Inc. has reached an agreement with RCN to carry V-me in its systems in Boston, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.
Under the deal, terms of which were not disclosed, V-me is now available on its digital -cable plan and as part of its MiVision Lite, MiVision Plus and El Paqueton Hispanic programming package.

The network, which provides pre-school education, cooking, lifestyle, nature, music, movies, drama, news, sports and current affairs programming, had already been available to RCN subscribers in the Washington, D.C. market.

"V-me presents high quality entertainment for Spanish speakers of all ages, including "V-me delivers smart, engaging entertainment for adults and kids, which makes us a real alternative for Latino families, "said Carmen DiRienzo, president and CEO of V-me Media Inc., in a statement. "We are delighted to add RCN as a carriage partner across the various Top 25 Hispanic markets where they are an important home entertainment service provider."

Read full article

Papatel Launches Free Phone Service Nationwide for US Hispanics

2009-11-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

MIAMI, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Papatel, a new long-distance service that allows customers to call anywhere across the globe for free, today announced that it has launched nationwide after experiencing exponential growth during its test phase. In less than one year, Papatel has garnered more than 80,000 customers who use the service to call loved ones back home at no cost. The service is easy-to-use and takes less than five minutes to join, by logging on to www.papatel.com or calling 1-(866) PAPATEL.

Enrique Baiz, Founder and President of Papatel, commented; "many of us have families abroad, and keeping in touch with them internationally can be very costly. Particularly in this difficult economic climate, Papatel makes it free and easy to keep in touch with loved ones."

It is so easy. Users establish an account by simply providing basic information including the numbers they will be calling from to make their long-distance calls (whether it be from the cell phone or landline) and they can start using Papatel immediately, with no strings attached. The registration, which takes less than five-minutes, is strictly confidential and the information is never shared with any other entity.

The free service is made possible through an innovative model in which advertisers place ads at the beginning of the calls and after long segments of conversation. Every week, users can acquire 1,000 free points, which allows users to call loved ones in Argentina or Mexico and talk up to 1.5 hours for free. Each time customers listen to an advertisement, they earn points, which provides them with more free long-distance minutes. Consumers can also hear weather reports or their horoscopes if they choose to.

Read full article

Report: Hispanics most avid mobile broadband users

2009-11-19T13:37:00.000-05:00

While Hispanics trail other U.S. populations in overall access to the Internet, they also are among the most avid users of mobile broadband in Colorado and other states where they represent a large portion of the population, a new report finds.

In fact, 53 percent of Hispanics use mobile broadband, compared to 33 percent of whites, according to the report, published Wednesday by the nonprofit Hispanic Institute.

Hispanics also outpace the general population when it comes to digital media consumption, with 42 percent accessing and downloading digital media, compared to 35 percent of those in the general population.

The report notes that there are 48 million Hispanics living in the U.S. with 81 percent of them concentrated in 10 states, including Colorado, whose population is 20 percent Hispanic.

The report suggests that policymakers consider Hispanics’ concerns as they develop a national broadband strategy.

Read full article

Yahoo, HBO, Others Reach U.S. Hispanics via Mobile

2009-11-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

Yahoo is making its Spanish-language counterpart, Mobile en Espanol, available on more than 1,900 mobile device models.

The Spanish-language mobile homepage is customized for the specific needs of the U.S. Hispanic consumer, delivering what Yahoo says is a highly engaging mobile internet experience. The site allows users to bring together their favorite content and services from across the internet to create a personally relevant mobile experience, Yahoo says. It offers mobile search, Spanish U.S. and global news, email and social networking connections, sports, local information, RSS feeds, weather, stocks and horoscopes.

It will also be offering advertisers a variety of mobile advertising opportunities and advertising formats.

Several other recent campaigns have used mobile to reach U.S. Hispanics. HBO PPV, for example, used HipCricket’s Hispanic Mobile Marketing Network to promote the Mayweather-Marquez fight and generate opt-ins for its mobile VIP club. Consumers were asked to text “PELEA” (FIGHT) for a chance to win a signed boxing glove. They received an SMS message inviting them to join the club - an offer on which 12.9% clicked. Of those, nearly 70% opted in.

A similar Rite Aid campaign, which provided coupons when consumers texted “MARCA” (BRAND), garnered a 7.6% clickthrough rate. Other brands running recent Hispanic-targeted campaigns using HipCricket include Harley-Davidson, Arby’s, and Cheetos.

Read full article