Category: Marketing & Advertising

California Lures Mexicans to Activities Other Than Fruit Picking

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Because you can never get enough Mexicans in California, the state’s Travel and Tourism Commission has launched an all-Spanish-language Web site to “help lure more Mexicans to The Golden State.”

Visita California informs my people about the many wonderful things we can expect to do in the Golden State, including sun-bathing, surfing, golfing and -of course- rafting.

According to Caroline Beteta, CTTC president & CEO and chair of the U.S. Travel Association:

“This new Spanish-language Web site is part of one of the ways we hope to make planning a California dream vacation easier and more compelling to this important market.”

I suppose Ms. Beteta is talking about the “other” important Mexican market; and not the one charged with cleaning their hotel rooms and picking their fruit…

I wonder.

Sonia Sotomayor Joins Sarah, Michelle, Hillary and Caroline as Cartoon Superheroine

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Because I’m sure you were dying to know: Sonia Sotomayor’s ascension to the U.S. Supreme Court will hit the comic stores in April 2010, as Bluewater Productions prepares a new series featuring the Neoyorican judge. The pitch:

The Supremes have a new member! Meet the latest justice to don the black robes of America’s highest court. Sonia Sotomayor rose from humble beginnings in a Bronx housing project to become only the third woman and the first Latina to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Relive her historic journey in a comic book biography that’s ripped from today’s headlines.

With this, Sotomayor becomes the first Latina to appear in Bluewater’s Female Force collection: Other “luminaries” include Hillary Clinton, Barbara Walters, Caroline Kennedy and Lady Gaga.

I guess we should congratulate Sonia for yet another mainstream achievement.

Should we?

Stop Wracking Your Brain. Good Copy -and Strong Visuals- Will Have Latinos Buy your Stuff

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Forget Verizon’s mariachis, Kellogg’s Touch of Honey or Absolut Vodka’s re-drawn borders.

Here is a great example of how a good visual -and a kick-ass name- will have Latinos run and buy your product, without spending a fortune on media or dealing with those impossible Argentine creatives.

Toma tu Bizcocho is a product of Union Telecard, the creators of Mi Cubanita, and from now on my favorite company, like, ever.

It’s NOT the Network. It’s la Fiesta Total!

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I suppose my career counselor was right when he said advertising was not for me. Otherwise, how could I possibly explain my failure to conceive a creative piece like the one above? Showing mariachis and folkloric dancers to show your cellphone provider has coverage in Mexico??!

Shame on me.

Still, there are other creative pieces I like much better, at least in their use of the ubiquitous Mariachi, including French’s, Lucas and CNN Expansión. [Not to mention, of course, political campaigns like that of Miss Meg Whitman in California.]

Ajúa!

Adweek’s ‘Marketing Special’ Unveils Shocking Revelations About U.S. Hispanics

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Nielsen-owned Adweek, Brandweek and Mediaweek magazines, which -surprisingly- are still around, this week released a 5-page special advertising issue featuring some shocking revelations about U.S. Hispanic market, including:

-Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S.

-Famous Hispanics include Salma Hayek, Alex Rodriguez and Gloria Estefan

-Not all Hispanics are created equal; there are Mexicans, Dominicans, Cubans, Chileans, etc. etc. etc. z z z z z z z

-You can reach Hispanics in Spanish AND in English

-Hispanics don’t live in a vacuum [I suppose they live in apartments, houses or -as is increasingly the case- in mobile homes]

Turns out, the “special feature” is nothing but an advertising section, presumably (or shall I say, hopefully?) paid for Acento advertising and People en Español.

Phew!

Click on the following link if you are brave enough want to read the full report:

1130_HispanicMktg_lo_res

FULL DISCLOSURE (And before you think I’m just resented, here): I was the founding editor of Marketing y Medios, an English-language trade publication co-branded with Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek and I’m a regular blogger for AdAge.)

Hot, Passionate, Illegal… and Fully Literate?

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Man, there was so much I didn’t know about Cristián de la Fuente, including the fact that he is prepping for the Dec. 29 release of Hot. Passionate. And Illegal (Penguin $24.99) a 304-page personal account of his experiences as a Latin person in the U.S.

According to Penguin:

“De la Fuente uses his personal and funny experiences as a Latino in Hollywood to dispel common myths and admit the sometimes embarrassing, yet endearing, truths about Latinos.”

Basically, what that means is: you will be paying $24.95 to learn about some “embarrassing, yet endearing, truths about Latinos,” something I’ve been doing for years (at absolutely no cost for you!)

So, if your financial situation is not looking very peachy, just stick to this blog, and uncover some embarrassing things about Latinos , including recent literate incursions here, here and here.

[See? I might not be very caliente or apasionada, but hey, at least I’m generous… And don’t get me started on the legal, illegal thing.]

Mexicans Rejoice! You Too Can Own The Diet Ring

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Adiós Dr. Manny!

Mexico’s chubby taco-crazed populace is abuzz with the recent introduction of The Diet Ring, an “intriguing magnetic spiral ring” that will help you lose up to 38 pounds in one week (even while you cook or lie down doing absolutely nothing!)

The contraption, developed by prominent “Oriental scientists” retails for “only” $399 pesos, which is approximately eight times Mexico’s minimum wage. But, what the heck! As happy customer Marcela Carrasco tells us in the following video, it is very well worth the expense.

[I just wonder if you lose weight because by buying the ring you can no longer afford buying any food]

In a Coup Against the McSkillet, a Hispanic Chef Latinizes the Burger

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If you thought Latinos were going to stay on the sidelines after McDonald’s made the bold step to put its Big Mac on a tortilla, you were plain wrong.

In an unprecedented, culinary vindictive coup, Hispanics (in Miami, where else?) are striking back by launching the Latin Burger Truck, a kitchen on wheels featuring the $5.75 Latin Burger, a “blend of ground chuck, chorizo and sirloin, topped with melted Oaxaca cheese, caramelized onions and red-pepper mayo,” so that you, too, will be able to boost your cholesterol levels á la Latin style.

The Latin Burger on wheels is the brainchild of Ingrid Hoffman, the Colombia-born host of Simply Delicioso, a Food Network cooking show that (I hope) teaches us a little more than adding chorizo on American junk food.

The ‘Guadalupe Scale’ Offers Personalized Message in Spanish. Mine Said: ¡Deja de Tragar!

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Driving back home from Washington D.C. this weekend I stopped in charming Freehold, New Jersey only to find this machine waiting for me at the entrance of a crowded public restroom.

Manufactured by Impulse Industries, the Guadalupe Scale offers Latinos a chance to find out how much they weight AND receive -at no additional charge- a free, inspirational message from none other than the Patrona de México.

Brimming with joy, I jumped on the Guadalupe Scale only to have La morenita scold me for the excess turkey, pumpkin and alcoholic beverages I gobbled down this past weekend.

“Step off, and ¡Deja de tragar!” she told me.

Good Lord! I guess it’s time for me to seek Dr. Manny’s advice

Coca-Cola Lays Out Hispanic Marketing Plan for 2020: Soccer is for Men. Novelas are for Women

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If you thought the soft drink giant a.k.a. The Coca-Cola Company couldn’t care less about the growing multicultural crowd, think again. The company this week laid out its vision for the future, which means a “strong focus” on multicultural marketing as soon as … 2020.

But that is not all. As Katie Bayne, CMO of Coca-Cola North America, was quoted saying:

“Our multicultural plans are now 12-month plans. It is no longer Hispanic heritage month followed by Cinco de Mayo […] We have a deep connection through the World Cup with Hispanic males and through the novelas with Hispanic females.”

No matter Cinco de Mayo (which happens in May) is actually followed by Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept.-October)… Coca-Cola will be using soccer to attract Hispanic men, and novelas to attract Hispanic females.

Yupi! I cannot wait for 2020…

Source: Advertising Age

And Now… a Shiraz for the Fine Hispanic Palate

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Tired of your same old Yellow Tail? Here is a 2007 Shiraz that will lift your spirits and will probably leave you wrestling a mortal resaca the following morning.

Introducing Australia’s Luchador Shiraz.

According to wine enthusiasts, the Luchador Shiraz is “dark purple and deep red in color and has copious amounts of vanilla, black licorice, oak, and blackberry jam on the nose.”

I don’t know you, but this blogger is reluctant to try anything that will potentially make you feel like having “blackberry jam on the nose.” But after embarking on a 2-minute Google search serious investigation, I found that this wine is for real and was conceived by some Aussie guy who wanted his beer-drinking beers to try something a little more sophisticated.

According to the wine’s creator:

“A Mexican friend of mine took a bottle to a family party of about 200 in East Los Angeles and someone commented, ‘I’ve never seen a wine with Hispanic appeal before.’ I love it when stuff like this happens.”

Alas, at $17.99 a bottle, the thing is a little too steep to appeal this particular Hispanic (i.e. an underpaid blogger). So next time I attend a family party of about 200, I will stick to my case of Coronitas.

Hat tip: Marco Vega

Eva Longoria Named ‘Philanthropist of the Year.’ Perhaps She Can Treat me to Some Tortilla Española

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You might not know this but The Hollywood Reporter this week named Eva Longoria (a.k.a. La Prieta Fea) “Philanthropist of the Year,” reportedly…

“For her relentless dedication to giving back to her community and serving others as well as for her long-standing commitment to Latino causes.”

Which I think is great, because as a member of the uninsured Latino community, I could use a discount on the $34 Spanish tortilla that graces the menu pages of her Hollywood eatery.

Now, that would be very philanthropic… and delicious!

Julio César Chávez to Launch Restaurant [I Only Hope I Will be Able to Afford it]

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energy

Julio César Chávez, the famous Mexican boxer who brought us the Energía de Campeones energy drink, is making his debut as a restauranteur with Campeones, a 30,000 square-foot eatery in Mesa, Arizona.

The new restaurant -scheduled to open Nov. 10th- promises customers authentic Mexican food, a full sports bar and even a Boxing Museum, where you can host your upcoming quinceañera.

No word yet on the price of food, though I can only hope it will be a little less steep than Eva Longoria’s Beso, where you can snatch a Spanish tortilla for “only” $34.

Latin-Celebrity Look-a-Like Sperm Now Available en Español!

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javier_bardem.0.0.0x0.300x400.jpegTired of looking for the perfect guy?

Worry no more. If you are a single, desperate Spanish-dominant Latina in search of a good-lucking bundle of joy, now you can get your frozen sperm from a bank that specializes in celebrities look-a-likes. And that is not all: you can also run your entire search online en español!

Cryobank, the California-based sperm bank that specializes in “Look-a-like sperm” this week is launching Criobanco, which according to one top executive:

“Offers a wide array of Latin donors who look exactly like Latin celebrities, including Oscar De La Hoya, Javier Bardem, y Gael Garcia Bernal.”

Enough said. I’m off to the bank.

A Hot Potato and Lots of Bulls Star in Mike Bloomberg’s Latest Hispanic Campaign Push

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You gotta appreciate the efforts done by Michael Bloomberg, who wants to be re-elected, like, forever as mayor of New York City.

And in his relentless push to attract Spanish-language voters (and presumably Spanish people too) he is actually telling us that Nueva York es de “toros” y lo hacemos entre “toros”. (“New York belongs to bulls; and it’s being built by bulls.”)

And if that’s not Spanish enough… I don’t know what is!