If food giant McCormick is serious about its recent Hispanic marketing push, it should seriously consider bringing Ventaneando’s Pedro Solá as spokesperson. Just watch him trying to spice up his salad with McCormick, ahem, Hellman’s.
Category: Latin America
What to Call a Mexican Ice Cream Chain in New York
If you are remotely familiar with La Michoacana, and its über successful chain of ice cream parlors throughout Mexico, you’d understand why this is one of the most brilliant monikers, like, ever.
Photo: Laura Martínez. Chelsea, NYC. June 26 (Gay Pride)
Why Carstens Might Not be Ideal for IMF Top Job
I always thought that one good thing about having Mexico’s Finance Minister Agustín Carstens replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn as head of the IMF, is that he would spend more time eating than groping chambermaids in hotel rooms.
But upon refreshing my memory with this picture from a recent Mexico visit by the Sarkozys, I became increasingly anxious at the possibility.
It seems our finance minister has a knack for both, eating and ogling women.
Ay, caramba!
¡Síganlo los Buenos! Chespirito is on Twitter
I guess it is never too late to start tweeting. Take 82-year-old Roberto Gómez Bolaños (aka Chespirito) who on May 28 sent out a very amusing first tweet ever:
“Hi, I am Chespirito. I am 82 years old and this is the first time I tweet. ¡Síganme los buenos!
Barely a day after that first tweet, Chespirito has already amassed over 206,000 followers, this blogger included of course!
(Not bad for a guy who has been killed several times already by the Twitterati.)
¡Bienvenido, pues!
U.S. to Visa Lottery Winners: ¡Lástima, Margarito!
If you were among the 22,000 chosen people to receive a green card through the process known as the U.S. visa lottery, you’d better put that bottle of champagne down. Due to a “computer glitch,” the results of a green card visa lottery on May 1 have been ruled invalid.
According to the U.S. State Department, a computer error meant that 90% of the winners had been selected from the first two days of applications rather than from the whole 30-day registration period. In a brief statement, U.S. officials simply said:
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience or disappointment this problem might have caused.”
Or, as Johnny Latino would have told his eternal game-show loser guest: ¡Láaaaastima, Margarito!
Gmail Wants me to Find Some Mexican Nalgas
Sure, I correspond often with Mexican people and write tons of emails about Mexican stuff with my Mexican buddies, but I don’t think I have ever been in need of Mexican nalgas, as Gmail is so eager to help me find (click on the image above to amplify.)
I mean, I’m all up for targeted advertising, but this is just unacceptable… If Gmail really knew me, it should be start helping me find a good pair of French ones.
Gee!
¡Que Pase el Desgraciado! … Laura Bozzo Weighs In On Cuba’s Leadership Changes
See? Its Not Only Latin American Presidents Who Like to Steal Stuff
It took the president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus a little of bit of time to take a pen during his latest visit to Chile, but he succeeded in the end.
Ah, que señores tan mañosos!!
Univision Realizes Not all Hispanics Eat Tamales, Speak Only Spanish, Watch Telenovelas
You can love or hate Univision; but one thing is certain: The message the network wants to send out to the world has changed radically from the years of Perenchio and his lieutenants, when talking about an English-speaking Latino was almost cause for termination of employment.
The Census might not bring about a revolution but someone at the 800-pound-gorilla has realized it is no longer Spanish only. Novelas only. Tamales only. When you have a population of 50.4 million people, you cannot assume everybody eats tamales or watches Univision’s nightly telenovelas. [I for one have very little tolerance for both.]
Now, Univision will have to work hard to change some of its programming to better reflect this so-called New America.
I’m just sayin’….
Jennifer Lopez Does Chichen Itzá in Ridiculously High Platform Wedge Heels
Jennifer Lopez this weekend dropped by Chichen Itzá, in the Yucatán Peninsula, to shoot part of exotic video I’m Into You, alongside rapper Lil Wayne.
But going to Chichen Itzá requires some “seamless blending with the environment” and –of course– appropriate pyramid-climbing gear, which is why the Bronx Diva climbed atop El Castillo dressed in a snakeskin outfit, a headwrap and ridiculously high platform wedge heels.
Because, you know, that’s what Mexicans do when we visit our sacred, archaeological sites.
Guess Who Rang Wall Street’s Opening Bell Today?
March 22nd is ‘Mexico Day’ on Wall Street: Mexican ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhán, joined leaders from Mexican companies in ringing the opening bell on Wall Street this morning.
Go figure.
Photo: Twitter.com/CNNMex
Carlos Fuentes Thinks Sarkozy Is a Banana-Republic Dictator [And NOT Because of This Photo]
I never thought I’d live to see the day in which a fellow Mexican would label the president of a European nation a Banana-Republic Dictator.
But that is exactly what Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes has called Nicolas Sarkozy for his handling of the Florence Cassez case, which “is nothing but a political maneuver to boost his popularity.”
I don’t know you, but after reading such a thing, I could only say one thing: Juay de agresion?
U.S. Hispanics Brace for the Ominous Advent of Laura… [And it’s not Me]
U.S. Hispanics, rejoice: Starting today (Feb. 7) Laura Bozzo’s Laura talk show will launch on the TeleFutura network.
Bozzo has been torturing entertaining Latin American families for years, first in her native Peru (where not even a three-year house arrest took her show off the airwaves) and then on Mexico’s TV Azteca, with Laura de Todos. But this time, la señorita Laura is coming to the U.S. courtesy of Grupo Televisa, Univision’s partner and programming supplier.
The new show, which in Mexico is called Laura de México promises U.S. Hispanics a showcase of “real-world” family situations and, hopefully, some more avenging fights and coming out dramas exposing -and embarrassing- Latin America’s minimally-educated, lower classes like the one shown below.
Aren’t you glad television is embracing diversity?
U.S. Gives Mexicans a Warm Welcome [Not Really]
Don’t believe everything you hear about the U.S. not wanting any more Mexicans. In fact, the U.S. government has just put in place a system to offer Mexicans -and other international travelers- a hassle-free entry into the U.S. Say what?
Aptly named Global Entry, the program allows international travelers (Mexicans included, of course) to use electronic kiosks at 20 U.S. airports to bypass the long passport processing lines. According to Global Entry’s Web site:
Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.
Alas, it looks like only a small portion of my paisanos will be able to enjoy the program, as it applies exclusively to travelers with a valid passport and U.S. visa.
Oh, and did I mention it costs $100? I guess membership does has its privileges!
Polo Ralph Lauren Might be Overlooking Huge Branding Opportunity in Mexico
I don’t know you, but if I were the marketing fellows at Polo Ralph Lauren I would be jumping on a major branding opportunity going on right now South of the Rio Grande: For some strange reason, it looks like every crook, rapist, kidnapper, drug dealer we succeed in catching, show up wearing the exact same type of Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, looking as proud as I would be wearing a pair of Prada shoes.
Will Polo Ralph Lauren wake up and smell the café? If not, can the rest of us try to persuade these fellows to switch brands so at least some of us can make a little out of the whole thing? Por favor?!
Hat tip: Hazme el chingado favor
