Category: Marketing & Advertising

Playboy Honors Virgin Mary by Putting Her on Cover

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December 12 is one of Mexico’s most important holidays: It is the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe. And what better way to honor our Santa Patrona than gracing the cover of Playboy with Virgin Mary herself?

Well, sort of. This is María Florencia Onori, posing as Virgin Mary for this month’s Playboy Mexican edition, which in a matter of days has sold 80,000 copies, proving -once again- that print is not quite dead yet.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering: she is not the one who reportedly saved Oliver Atom’s life.)

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It is a ‘Transcreational’ Miracle: Japanese Soccer Anime is Saved by the Virgin of Guadalupe

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In marketing and advertising, the term “transcreation” is defined as “the process of using an original text as a brief for writing new copy that meets the conditions of the target audience.”

So I guess that’s why Captain Tsubasa, the Japanese manga, anime and video game series, has not only been re-named Oliver Atom in the Mexican version of the series (Los Supercampeones), but when in danger, he manages to be saved by the Virgin of Guadalupe. ¡Milagro!

Now I wonder if the dad’s moustache is also part of the Mexicanization of the series… anyone?

Cataluña Says: “Yes, he Can!”

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presidente-obamaYou might not know this, but people from Cataluña have a peculiar fixation with defecating people. Thus, the popularity of the caganer, those little statues that have become a true  Christmas tradition, along with Tío de Nadal, whose droppings eventually turn into wonderful presents for children (do not ask!)

After a few days in Barcelona,  I have encountered dozens of these funky statues, but today I finally came across one that explained what President-elect Barack Obama really meant when he kept saying ¡sí, se puede!

(For the record: I just paid 14 euros for this.)

Take the Challenge II: What do these Guys Do for a Living?

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Inspired by the popularity of the Latin Grammy Reading challenge, I decided to serve my readers with yet one more mind-boggling defiance: Without reading the following press release twice –and based only on the following first paragraph– please answer the question: What is The Hive Model all about?

Christopher Campos and Marco Castro announced the launch of an international search to maximize their pioneering and proven Brand Optimization business model in the US Hispanic advertising industry. The duo purposefully created the model to incite greater collaboration between Client and Agency—fulfilling the increasingly requisite role of going beyond long-established Hispanic ad agency services that primarily focus on brand promotion by incorporating functions related to brand marketing.

Ok, Ok… once you finish reading the whole thing, the answer becomes crystal clear:

Campos asserts judicious diligence in finding the right environment to expand their offering. He confirmed the uniqueness and comprehensiveness of their proposition provide the essential foundation to enable several opportunities.

[I’m just glad they will not specialize in writing press-releases]

Gringos Launch English-language Telenovela Featuring Univision-Size Boobs

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A Bay Area’s news station, Kron, this week announced the launch of Hacienda Heights, a weekly telenovela that will premiere Dec. 3. The new show, say its creators, features an all Hispanic cast in an English-language soap opera. Per a news release:

The story is about the trials and tribulations of the families in the fast growing city of Hacienda Heights. The conflicts that arise between the political, wealthy and the working middle class families are universal and extremely current in today’s world. The stories are rich and are portrayed fantastically by its talented cast.

I’m not sure if the weekly series will be able to compete with Univision’s highly successful telenovelas. But at least they seem to be casting actresses with the right amount of breasts talent, including Bibiana Navas (top) and Tara Ciabattoni.

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You can Never Have Enough Hispanic Dolls

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amd_maruJust when you thought there were enough Latino-themed dolls out there, a new Hispanic babe known simply as Maru, has made her U.S. debut. But, unlike certain others and according to her creators, she has it no easy down here. 

This little Hispanic girl has to leave her loved ones behind to travel to the United States, a foreign place where she doesn’t understand the language, says The Daily News.

So don’t be fooled by the cashmere scarf, skirt, tights, hat and matching purse with boots; this 21-inch sweetie was born in some far away place and has probably been smuggled here by some sleazy pollero. Hopefully, at $95 apiece, she might be able to send some cash home or, who knows, even pay to have the familia join her.

Spain’s Infanta Leonor Gets Own Rubber Doll. Looks Creepier than the Original

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Move over, Barbie doll, here’s the newest, hottest toy for this holiday season: a 45-centimeter version of Spain’s 3-year-old Infanta Leonor (neé Leonor de Todos los Santos de Borbón Ortiz), which according to its creators has a “soft” body (“es blandita”), with arms and legs made of rubber and is wearing a replica of the uniform at the Santa María de los Rosales pre-school.

A truly royal Cabbage Patch. Anyone says yo quiero una?

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Via: 20minutos.es

The Latin Grammys’ Reading Challenge is Here!

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grammy11I might be getting old, but after several failed attempts, I simply could not get past the first paragraph of the latest press release about this week’s Latin Grammy extravaganza. So I am hereby offering $5 pesos to those who manage to read the following sentence out loud and without suffering from a long-continued spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm. Here it is:

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — 12-time Latin GRAMMY(R) winner and current five-time nominee Juanes and five-time GRAMMY(R) winner John Legend will join together for a special performance, while three-time GRAMMY winner, Latin GRAMMY winner, current three-time nominee, and 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gloria Estefan will perform with six-time GRAMMY winner Jose Feliciano and 10-time GRAMMY and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner Carlos Santana on the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast, it was announced today by The Latin Recording Academy(R).

(You get a bonus point if you tell me, without re-reading of course, how many GRAMMYS and Latin GRAMMYS the above make up altogether.)

HBO Ad Gives Spanish-language a Rabbit Punch

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How many mistakes can you make in a 48-word print advertising?

The answer is: Plenty. Check out this full-page ad taken from the December issue of People en Español. And pardon the quality of this photo (I still cannot afford a scanner!)

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Here are some hints for you: 1. Todo los dias. 2) Empenzado. 3) Octobre. 4) Deciembre 5) Antes de ellos entrar.

You would think that someone who can afford a full-page ad in the country’s largest Spanish-language magazine, would be able spare a few dollars copy-editing this thing. (Pssst: talk to me, You might be able to afford me… and I might be able to finally get a scanner!)

Police Halts Fiesta Involving World’s Largest Piñata

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Marketers never stop crafting innovative ways to attract the attention of the media (and of idle bloggers like yours truly). This time it was the turn of Carnival Cruise Lines, which this weekend broke a Guiness record by building the world’s largest piñata, holding over 8,000 pounds of candy!

According to an onsite Guinness adjudicator, the giant mock donkey measured 60 feet, 4 inches long; 23 feet, 10.5 inches wide and 61 feet, 10.25 inches tall.

Alas, the original plan to tear down the six-story beast with a wrecking ball was halted by the Philadelphia police for “safety reasons,” leaving hundreds of attendees very disappointed.

Well, I guess all they have to do is keep the giant burro in the closest storage. I am sure it will come in handy next Cinco de Mayo.

Wal-Mart Finds Way to Sell Hispanics More Junk

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Attention, Hispanic suckers shoppers willing to pay an annual fee to buy groceries: The Sam’s Club division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. this week said it plans to open a new Mas Club, “that sells products imported from Mexico to cater to Hispanic customers.”

The 143,000-square-foot Más Club will offer fresh produce, meats and seafood, as well as a selection of Hispanic foods and international brands including beverages, spices and candy.

…. which is great, I think, ’cause last time I was in Mexico, everything on display at my local Sam’s Club was Made in China.

(Wal Mart has yet to inform us how Mas Club –sans accent- plans to cater “all Hispanics” with products from Mexico. Will Argentineans finally warm up to good ol’ chilpotle?)

Televisa Wants you to Know [Rich] Mexicans are Recession-Proof

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Give us earthquakes, floods, stock market crashes, currency devaluations, terrorist attacks, kidnappings, public beheadings and drug wars… Mexicans can overcome anything… just as long as they are rich and got themselves a juicy long-term contract with the Canal de las Estrellas —Otherwise, you’re pretty much screwed.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering… lots of these telenovela guys have already moved to Miami.)