Hispanic PR Wire – Hispanic Public Relations Association Announces 2007 Officers

“The Hispanic Public Relations Association HPRA announced today that Romina Bongiovanni, Vice President, Edelman Multicultural, is returning to lead the organization as President in 2007. Leticia Rhi Buckley, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Music Center, Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County returns as Vice President. Among the newest members to join the HPRA Executive Board are Ivette Zurita, Senior Account Executive, Hill and Knowlton, who takes on Secretary duties, and Lucila Garcia, Public Relations Director, Ventana Health, Inc., who will serve as Treasurer.

2006 was a significant year for HPRA, marked by several key initiatives: the successful return of the Professional Development Seminar hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); the 22nd Annual PRemio Awards and Scholarship Dinner, chaired by industry veteran Stephen Chavez, Vice President, Orci Public Relations; and the enhancement of our website, www.hpra-usa.org, where members and non-members can post jobs, resumes, open their profiles, RSVP for events and renew or apply for membership

“Marketers are not just looking at the Hispanic market anymore. They are embracing it within their own organization’s culture and shifting budgets to create meaningful, relevant campaigns,” says Romina Bongiovanni, HPRA President. “The HPRA strives to ensure the growth of Hispanic public relations industry by nurturing the development of a pool of bright, talented professionals.”

In 2006 HPRA continued its commitment to professional advancement and awarded nine scholarships to Hispanic students in communications during its annual PRemio Awards & Scholarship Dinner. In addition, the HPRA Executive Board participated in a variety of educational activities at Southern California universities, including a HPRA Panel during Cal State Fullerton’s Communication Week.

“My life was blessed when I received the HPRA scholarship,” said Marisol Najarro, a senior at Cal State Fullerton and a 2006 HPRA Scholarship recipient. “I hope HPRA will continue to help students because a scholarship encourages us to be persistent with our studies.”

2007 key initiatives will include a presentation by Microsoft executives about the launch of Windows Vista to U.S. Hispanics; the HPRA Professional Development Seminar; and the 23rd Annual PRemio Awards and Scholarship Dinner, among other fundraising and industry efforts.

About the Executive Board
Romina Bongiovanni, a seasoned Hispanic public relations expert, currently leads the Edelman Multicultural practice in the Western Region as Vice President. Bongiovanni provides strategic counsel and oversees national campaigns for clients such as Starbucks, Microsoft Windows Vista, SC Johnson and Loreto Bay. Prior to Edelman, Bongiovanni worked at RL Public Relations, where she was responsible for planning and executing public relations campaigns for clients such as Sears, Roebuck & Co., the California Milk Processor Board (Got Milk?), the National Honey Board and Johnnie Walker.

Leticia Rhi Buckley has extensive experience in the general and Hispanic markets, with a 15-year career that has included positions at KROQ-FM, Ticketmaster and more recently, running her own marketing and public relations firm, The Selling Point. She is currently Director of Marketing and Communications for the Music Center of Los Angeles County, the 3rd largest performing arts center in the nation, where she oversees all marketing efforts for the Center’s dance series, speaker series, family programming and informal arts initiatives. In addition, she handles all press and publicity for the Center. Leticia has been featured on KTLA’s “Making It: Minority Success Stories” and was named as one of Hispanic Magazine’s 100 most successful Latinas in the nation in 2002.

Ivette Zurita is a Senior Account Executive for Hill & Knowlton’s Corporate Diversity practice in the Los Angeles office, where she works on media relations for the various clients like, Buena Vista, Lifeline Telephone Services and Hewlett-Packard. Before joining H&K, Ivette worked with Valencia, Perez and Echeveste Public Relations, where she handled the GMAC Mortgage account and worked with Target Retail Stores. Ivette’s other consumer marketing experience includes working with Miller Brewing Company, Ford Motor Company, TJ Maxx and more.

Lucila Garcia is the Public Relations Director for Ventana Health Inc. where she oversees direction on media relations initiatives and strategic planning for Zsweet(R), an all natural sugar alternative, Expo Comida Latina and Chef LaLa. She has 9 years experience in public relations and has worked for various recognized communication agencies in California. “

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