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!)

hbo

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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pinata1

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.

Westchester Invites Hispanics to Vote…on Nov. 9

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Ok, you guys. This is getting ridiculous! A Spanish-language letter that was sent today to thousands of suburban voters in Westchester County had the wrong date for Election Day, urging them to cast their votes on November 9. According to AP:

The mailing, about the availability of ballot marking devices used by disabled voters, was in English and Spanish. The Spanish section said Election Day was Nov. 9 instead of Nov.4.

So, be careful with what you receive, and watch out for wrong dates and funky machines. You might end up just like Homer when he decided to cast his vote…

This ‘Lotería’ Character has come a Long Way

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Artist and museum education consultant Eduardo Pineda has come up with an innovative, politically-correct (and politically-desirable) interpretation of the now-infamous El Negrito, a fixture in the ages-old game of La Lotería.

It is still to be seen if  “that one” will make it to the White House, but I can tell you the image above is way more refreshing than the original one.

Via: Open Door Contemporary Art Projects

Obama and McCain will have a ‘Sábado Gigante’

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Yes, my friends. Hold on to your sombreros, because on Saturday Nov. 1 you’ll be able to see both John McCain and Barack Obama having a blast with none other than Don Francisco himself, during his recently digitally-enhanced Sábado Gigante variety show.

Per a Univision press release: Presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama will be profiled and sit down for interviews with “Sábado Gigante” (Gigantic Saturday) host Mario “Don Francisco” Kreutzberger in order to address U.S. Hispanics on Spanish-language television’s longest-running, most popular variety program.

Alas, the interviews will not be live… which is too bad because it would have been great to see the candidates dancing about the set in the arms of some scantily-clad women. Talk about Saturday Night fun!

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?)

Here’s How We Plan to Populate the U.S.

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A Queens mother this month gave birth to six healthy (if tiny) babies, in what is believed to be first sextuples ever born to a Hispanic couple in the U.S.

Baby A, a boy, was born at 10:36 a.m.

Three more boys – B, C and D – arrived at 10:38.

Last came the girls – baby E 10:39 and F at 10:40.

Mother, father, and letter-named baby boys and girls are fine -and already thought of as the target of many, many market studies in the years to come. Will they be Spanish-dominant? Bilingual? Bicultural? Bicoastal? Bi-polar? Acculturated? Straight? English-dominant?

Only God, and market research, will tell.

Welcome all, paisanos (and be gentle with the little one on the right. He looks a bit squeezed there!)