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The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) honored three Hispanic chambers for their accomplishments with the Chamber of the Year Award. The recipients were announced during the 2013 USHCC National Convention in Chicago, the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in the nation.

"The USHCC stands on the shoulders of America's local Hispanic chambers," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "As we honor these three outstanding chambers, we trust that they will continue to amplify the story of the Hispanic entrepreneur in their communities, reminding our nation – both at the local and national level – that the Hispanic businessmen and women are America's business future."

Applicants from across the nation were judged on their outstanding accomplishments, leadership, service and commitment to the Hispanic business community.

The winners of the USHCC Small, Medium and Large Chamber Awards are:.. READ MORE

Most U.S.-based firms have a significant corporate imperative to attract Hispanic consumers, given their tremendous demographic and economic importance. Some companies, such as McDonald’s, Budweiser, and AT&T, are spending significant resources to gain market share with Hispanics and are making inroads. But it’s no simple task. According to a 2012 Nielsen report, “Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic segment expected to grow 167 percent from 2010 to 2050, compared to 42 percent for the total population.” The report also found that Hispanics “will be the dominant and in many cases the only driver of domestic CPG sales growth.” READ MORE

On Sept. 19, CBS Interactive’s CNET will introduce CNET en Español, a Spanish-language edition of the tech news site that will be produced by a team of a dozen journalists.
To assist in the launch, CNET has partnered with Latin World Entertainment, a talent and marketing agency founded by Sofia Vergara—Pepsi and Cover Girl pitchwoman and star of ABC’s Modern Family—and her manager Luis Balaguer.
The firm is charged with bringing together CNET and Hispanic-targeted ad agencies, enlisting talent (CNET poached Univision’s Vanessa Hand Orellana to do video interviews and reviews) and identifying partnerships with Hispanic media.
CBSi and Latin World will share revenue, according to Eric Johnson, evp of CBSi’s Technology, Games and Lifestyle Group.
CNET aims to eventually expand the partnership by exploring Spanish-language opportunities for its entertainment and gaming categories, Johnson said.
CNET en Español videos will be available on AOL, Roku, Xbox, Blinkx, Samsung Smart TV and Panasonic Viera TVs. READ MORE

Andrew Sund, President, St. Augustine College

Andrew Sund is the President of St. Augustine College (Chicago), which for over 30 years has been serving the higher education needs of the Hispanic community. He assumed office on July 1, 2008.

During his five years as president, St. Augustine College’s enrollment has increased by 39%. Additionally, under his leadership the college opened a new site in Southeast Chicago, developed new programs, strengthened accreditation and has guided St. Augustine from a period of turbulence into one of stability and success. President Sund has raised the level of recognition and prestige of St. Augustine, making it a respected advocate and player in the Hispanic and general community in the Chicagoland area.

He was born in Venezuela and lived in Chile, Mexico, Mozambique, Swaziland and Tanzania before settling in the United States. In addition to English and Spanish, Sund is fluent in three other languages.

President Sund began his career at St. Augustine College where he served in various functions, including faculty, Director of Institutional Research, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment, Associate Dean for Student Services, and Interim Dean of Academic Affairs. He also worked at Olive-Harvey College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, as Assistant Dean for Research and Planning and Dean of Workforce and Community Education.

President Sund received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s Degree in History from Northwestern University. He is preparing to defend his doctoral dissertation in higher education policy and administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

David Gomez, CE0 & President - David Gomez & Associates Inc., Convention Chair, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) National Conference

David Gomez — the award-winning founder, C.E.O, and President of David Gomez & Associates, Inc — demands excellence across the areas of executive search and corporate board placement. His expertise in diversity consulting also has earned him a consistent and prominent presence in the pages of national and trade publications including the Wall Street Journal as well as Latino Leaders and Dinero magazines.

Under Gomez's leadership, DG&A has established strategic relationships with the nation’s leading companies, providing them with the talent critical to continued business success. Gomez and his team have assisted organizations -- spanning the Fortune 1000 -- with tough-to-fill assignments in Healthcare, Government, Consumer Goods, and Non-Profit organizations. Recently, with the Healthcare System reform, Gomez has been instrumental in helping billion-dollar healthcare organizations take advantage of our Inclusive Methodology platform to deliver diversity at the most senior level to represent the patient population they serve.
David was appointed as the Chair of Board Nominations on the Board of the Directors for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce after identifying its new CEO, Javier Palomarez. David also helped the formation of the New America Alliance (NAA), an organization of Latino business leaders, and co-founded the United Community Bank of Lisle, which, since its inception in 2002, had grown into a $400-million organization.
David Gomez received his Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois in 1974. Gomez has also completed University of Chicago’s Corporate Responsibility Program and Harvard Business School’s Best Practices in Corporate Governance curriculum. Also, as the Corporate Board Chairman of the New American Alliance, Gomez was instrumental in the joint venture between HACR and NAA to create the first Board of Directors Program at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

Edna Shmidt, Journalist & Co - Anchor, Noticiero Telemundo Chicago

Edna Schmidt has been recognized for her versatility, professionalism, and dedication as a news correspondent and anchor throughout a professional career that spans more than 20 years. During this time, she has covered several historic events, including the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York, the anthrax attacks, and the execution of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. Schmidt has also covered two World Cups, as well as the 5th Summit of the Americas, where leaders of the region had their first encounter with the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Telemundo Chicago announced on July 29 that Edna Schmidt has been named co-anchor for “Noticiero Telemundo Chicago” 5pm and 10 pm editions, effective immediately. Edna brings more than 20 years of journalistic experience, in-depth reporting and professionalism to the award winning news team.

Simon Lopez, President, Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)

With over 20 years of serving the Latino community through organizing, capacity-building, and economic mobility program and policy work, Simon has advocated for equal opportunities for Latinos to contribute to and benefit from our nation’s economy. He has helped establish innovative programs and partnerships across the country that prepare current and future Latino workers for high-demand career opportunities, designed national initiatives that promote education achievement and skills attainment, and worked with policy-makers, elected officials, and other key stakeholders to improve public workforce and education systems.

Simon has served on numerous local and national advisory groups that strive to ensure that Latino workers have access to meaningful education and training leading to economic stability. He continues to be actively engaged in dialogue and collaboration efforts with the White House, federal agencies, corporations, and nonprofits to shape national strategies around education and workforce development.

Time is running out to secure your ticket for the Hispanic Heritage
Month Kick-Off Networking Celebration this Friday. Don't miss out!

LinkedIn. Facebook. Twitter. All the social media sites. Who needs old-fashioned face-to-face networking?

Maybe a lot of us, according to two highly successful entrepreneurs: Lillian Bjorseth, president of Duoforce Enterprises Inc., Lisle; and Pat Palmer, CEO, Marketplace Partners LLC, a Rolling Meadows consulting and marketing services firm.

For both, establishing trust with your connections is key. For both, that's pretty much traditional networking.

Context first:

• Bjorseth, who teaches people how to establish a two-way, business-producing relationship with other networkers, is as successful a traditional networker as you will find. Yet her LinkedIn profile was among the site's most-viewed profiles in 2012. READ MORE

In the 1980s, Baby Boomers in general were conspicuous consumers. We spent lavishly to demonstrate the amount of money we made (or wish we made). Consumers didn’t purchase sale merchandise. Sale merchandise symbolically meant you couldn’t afford to pay full price.

The 2008 recession taught consumers and Baby Boomers in particular that saving money is a powerful and important concept. Purchase merchandise on sale can be wiser than paying full price. Throughout this wake up call, many mass market, discount and department store retailers are using a push strategy in the form of weekly sales. Statements that lead advertisement banners include “Red tag sales”, “red dot sales”, “dollar day sales” or “20% off sales”. Sales are becoming so frequent that I am often asked if consumers are even aware of the word “sale.” The answer is absolutely! READ MORE

Mayor Julian Castro urged Mexican business owners in San Antonio to continue to build business "bridges" between the city and Mexico as San Antonio strives to become the third large U.S. gateway to Latin America, after Los Angeles and Miami.

"Our economic destinies are linked," Castro told 178 people attending a breakfast meeting of the Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos -- a group of Mexican businesspeople living here -- at the Club at Sonterra. "What benefits Mexico benefits San Antonio. ... Everyone can feel welcomed, especially Mexican entrepreneurs."

Connections already are growing stronger, Castro said, citing a 132 percent increase in Mexican passengers into and out of San Antonio International Airport in 2012 over 2011. READ MORE

Leave it to Disney to create “The Quinceañera Princess.”

The keepers of “the happiest place on earth” are trying to make quinceañeras even happier than they have ever been.

They have created an elegant line of quinceañera gowns inspired by the personality, style and stories of Disney’s iconic princess characters, from Cinderella and Snow White to Ariel and Belle.

“We treat our daughter like a princess who has every Disney princess doll there is,” says Los Angeles businessman Jaime Garibay. “So if she wants a Disney quinceañera gown, I guess she can be a Disney princess, too.”

Those quinceañera princess dresses, priced at from $530 to $999, have only been out a few months, but Disney is gambling they will have a long future, given the Disney promotional machine and the multi-billion-dollar annual spending power of U.S. Latinos. READ MORE

The last time Diane Lerma's family needed a new vehicle, she walked into the dealership without her husband, picked out the car she wanted and bought it on her own credit.

“I had my heart set on a Nissan Altima, so one Saturday I picked up my mother and ... I walked into the dealership and bought it. I had been saving anyway — I think I put half down and everything just worked out,” said Lerma, a reading instructor at Palo Alto College and the mother of two children.

Lerma is just one of the 86 percent of Latinas who are making major household financial decisions, according to a study released by Nielsen earlier this month. Marketers have taken note and are aggressively targeting this new powerhouse — the Latina. READ MORE

The world’s biggest consumer goods companies are applying lessons from Latin America to their sales strategies in the US, as they try to woo the country’s 53m Hispanic consumers, whose spending power now tops $1tn.

Products ranging from Clorox bleach to Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies nappies and Nestlé hot chocolate are now being tailored to Hispanic tastes using knowledge the companies have gleaned in Mexico and elsewhere.

Hispanic people are the US’s largest ethnic minority, accounting for 17 per cent of the population, according to the Census Bureau. They are expected to reach 31 per cent – or 129m people – by 2060.

Until recently, many companies had sold generic products to US Hispanics without doing anything specific to cultivate them. READ MORE

Industry insiders are calling the Spanish-language film “Instructions Not Included” this season’s big surprise hit, the movie that snuck up on everyone. It’s not such a big surprise to some parts of the American population, though.

The comedy-drama directed by Eugenio Derbez that opened last Friday marks the biggest opening ever for a Spanish-language film in North America. The film took in $10 million and ranked fifth at the box office, even though it only screened in a fraction of the number of screens that played big-studio movies like “The Butler” and “One Direction: This Is Us.”

“Instructions” did make the number one spot on another list: It was highest grossing film per theater over the holiday weekend. “Instructions” averaged a whopping $22,594 per screen, compared to “One Direction,” which only averaged $5,777 per screen.

“Instructions” is also the highest-grossing film in the history of Pantelion Film, a joint venture of Lionsgate and Televisa. READ MORE

Hispanics represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the US population. According to the 2010 Census, the Hispanic population grew 43% since the 2000 Census. In 2010, there were nearly 50.5 million Hispanics in the US, and they comprised 16.3% of the total US population up from 12.5% in 2000.

Consequently, any baking and snack food company would like to see these consumers making repeat purchases of its products. But what are the most effective ways to reach these consumers, and how can you ensure your baked foods and snacks will appeal to them? READ MORE

Hispanic consumers are projected to comprise 30 percent of the population by 2060, but new research has revealed it will be Hispanic women, not Hispanic men, who will drive the purchasing decisions in these households.

Released on August 1, Nielsen's "Latina Power Shift" report found that Latinas will be the primary influencers of consumption among all demographics across a number of key categories: banking, cosmetics, household products, media and real estate, and provided data to support the notion that this shift is well underway.
Eighty-six percent of Latinas told Nielsen they believe they are the primary shopper in their household, meaning they command Hispanic shoppers' $1.2 trillion in buying power. Likewise, they are catching up to Hispanic males in big-ticket purchases, driving more home and automobile purchases than before. READ MORE

With a century-old heritage, JCPenney needs a miracle to ensure that it will be around for the next 10 years. The entire industry is watching to see what their next move will be, and all eyes are focused on what ad campaign the new agency of record, Y&R, will produce for the big broadcast reveal.
But this strategy may be missing a crucial element that could be the key to a successful turnaround -- JCPenney needs to reach Hispanic women. And while producing a successful television advertising campaign -- encompassing both General Market and Hispanic consumers -- will be important, there is another channel that presents a significant strategic and more targeted opportunity: social media. READ MORE

Things are changing quickly in the mobile space, and one group of consumers is adapting faster than others. New data just out from Jumptap indicates Hispanic consumers are one of the fastest adopting groups in the mobile space.

According to the Jumptap July MobileSTAT report Hispanics, who are the fastest growing minority in the US, and the report underlines how brands might use mobile to better engage this group.
One of the first ways: don't put all your mobile eggs in Apple's basket. That's because while Hispanics have shown a likeness for i-Devices, they're more likely to be in the Android space. READ MORE

Telemundo Chicago announced today that Edna Schmidt has been named co-anchor for “Noticiero Telemundo Chicago” 5pm and 10 pm editions, effective immediately. Edna brings more than 20 years of journalistic experience, in-depth reporting and professionalism to the award winning news team. She will join co-anchor Alfonso Gutiérrez, sports anchor Oscar Guzmán, Meteorologist Maricela Vázquez and a dynamic team of reporters including Alba Mendiola, María Elena Ponticiello, Cesar Rodríguez and newly appointed Karla Leal to deliver breaking news and the latest information on issues affecting the Hispanic community in the Chicago area.

“I am humbled by this opportunity given to me by Telemundo Chicago, it is exciting and fulfilling to be back on television, but more important is my return to Chicago, which I consider my home,” said Schmidt.
“We are thrilled to welcome Edna to our team,” said Diana Maldonado, Vice President of News. “Her vast breadth of knowledge and journalism experience throughout her successful career makes her the perfect leader to expand Noticiero Telemundo Chicago’s growth and evolution.”

Edna Schmidt has been recognized for her versatility, professionalism, and dedication as a news correspondent and anchor throughout a professional career that spans more than 20 years. During this time, she has covered several historic events, including the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York, the anthrax attacks, and the execution of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber. Schmidt has also covered two World Cups, as well as the 5th Summit of the Americas, where leaders of the region had their first encounter with the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Previously, Schmidt had the opportunity to moderate a panel regarding the crisis that unfolded with the Swine Flu in Washington D.C. She has also interviewed prominent figures in the political arena such as Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico; Pedro Rosello, former Governor of Puerto Rico; and Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles and Mireya Moscoso, former President of Panama, among others.
Schmidt began her career in 1988 as news reporter and anchor in her native Puerto Rico, where she worked for WSJN-TV, Noticias 24. In 1995, she joined Univision as main anchor for both editions of the local newscast of WGBO-TV, channel 66 in Chicago. In 2000, Schmidt, who had already reported for Univision at the national level, joined “Noticiero Univision” as chief and correspondent for the Chicago Bureau covering the entire Mid-West region of the country.

Recognized by her talent, charisma, and professionalism, in 2005 she was promoted to co-anchor of “Noticiero Univision Fin de Semana” where she not only led the weekend newscasts, but also reported for “Noticiero Univision,” “Última Hora,” and “Despierta América” during such historical events as Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Washington D.C. and New York, as well as the constitutional referendum in Venezuela.
Schmidt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Iowa State University.

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Telemundo Station Group, part of the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations division, owns 16 television stations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Producing and broadcasting more than 5,000 hours of unique and relevant local content each year, including award-winning news, public affairs and entertainment programs, Telemundo Station Group serves Hispanic viewers in the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago, Bay Area, San Antonio, Phoenix, Fresno, Denver, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson, and Puerto Rico. In addition, Telemundo Station Group offers support to 52 affiliates across the country and manages dedicated local websites and applications, and a digital out-of-home operation that reaches consumers in 17 Hispanic markets.

Contact:

Juan Orta
Station Relations Manager
312-965-5377

Gaby Ramos, 21, decided to move away for college against her parents’ wishes. “Having a Hispanic family, you’re expected to stay home until you get married. I knew my parents would freak out. They didn’t understand why I needed to move out.”

Ramos, who is from Chicago, attends St. Xavier University on the south side of the city. She says she could have commuted to college like her brother, but felt that she needed to become independent. To ease her parent’s anxiety, however, she compromised by going home every weekend.

“I work at admissions and I know a lot of Latino families who don’t let their daughters live on campus,” Ramos says. “I think in a way it’s kind of hindering them. You’re not going to live with your parents forever. Why not try it during college? I think it’s an experience that everyone should have. That way you would see how you could be on your own.” READ MORE

Hispanic household spending outpaced other ethnicities by more than 20 percent from 2003-2011, according to a study by Geoscape.

The Geoscape Back-to-School Spending Study explored back-to-school buying habits of U.S. consumers, segmented by ethnicity, and was compiled from data collected by the U.S. Census, the U.S. Labor Department and the Geoscape 2013 American Marketscape DataStream report.

The report's other findings show that spending by Asian Americans and African Americans is also rising, although the overall national average leveled off after 2009. The National Retail Federation's 2013 Back-to-School study, meanwhile, projects a slight decrease in average household spending for school supplies and clothes this year overall, while back-to-school spending by Hispanics is surging. READ MORE

On a recent Sunday, Spanish-speaking families swarmed the Panorama Mall here in the outskirts of Los Angeles for an afternoon of Latino entertainment.

"We come for the mariachi, then we eat something and go shopping," said Gloria Mesina, visiting the mall with her daughter, Viviana, and her granddaughter, Brisa.

That is music to the ears of José Legaspi, a real-estate broker who joined forces with the mall's owner, Macerich Co., MAC -2.03% to revitalize the shopping center by targeting Hispanics.

The partners are among an emerging crop of commercial-property investors responding to the same demographic reality that has rocked the political landscape: the rise of Hispanics. READ MORE

They’ve got the power: Hispanic women are a new power factor not only for the Latino community but also for the U.S. economy, according a new report released today by Nielsen.

The report shows the increasing influence of Latinas in the U.S. because of their will to improve their educational pursuits and career development.

Latinas are outpacing Latino males and continue to be overwhelmingly the decision-makers in household spending. But not only that: Hispanic women have surpassed the proportion of non-Hispanic white families with children, and through their youth and increased incomes, they have gained significant consumer power, leading them to be actively courted by marketers.

The most prominent points
Latinas’ embrace of culture and language is salient, in that over the past decade, bilingual language has held steady.

Latinas in the U.S. are expanding their purchasing power. They are rapidly catching up with or exceeding Hispanic males and non-Hispanic females in big ticket purchasing, and say they are the primary decision makers in their households, making them pivotal to the Hispanic market’s $1.2 trillion in annual buying... READ MORE