News (Noticias) Tagged ‘AOL Latino’

AOL Latino, latino.aol.com, kicks off its coverage today of the Olympic Games in Beijing with the launch of Fanáticos.com, www.fanaticos.com, a sports blog destination written by a team of seasoned sports writers from Mexico, Argentina and the U.S. The site focuses on fútbol (soccer), baseball and boxing teams from the United States, Mexico, Latin America and Spain, and will include coverage throughout the duration of the games. Fanáticos.com is supported by AOL’s digital advertising business, Platform-A, www.platform-a.com, which will continue to offer relevant advertising opportunities in both display advertising as well as content-targeted links on the Web site.

“Latinos are passionate about sports and their favorite teams, and Fanáticos offers them a culturally relevant, Spanish-language outlet for their opinions,” said Miguel Ferrer, AOL Latino’s Director of Programming. “In fact, Fanáticos bloggers and the community will define the tone and flavor of the site.”

Fanáticos content is comprised of nine leading sports bloggers, whose expertise provides varied viewpoints into this highly anticipated, global competition. Some bloggers include:

* Pablo Seoane - a seasoned sports writer from Argentina with a history of covering Latin American sports trends and leading Latin American soccer tournaments such as Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamérica.
* Juan Vené - has spent nearly 50 years covering baseball and is best known as Major League Baseball’s voice “en español”.
* Omar Porcayo - is a soccer fan and expert, who will cover the soccer games from Mexico City.

In addition to the bloggers and content at launch, within the next six months users of Fanáticos.com will find dedicated team and player pages for fútbol (soccer). These pages will include biographies, Relegence news feeds on players, blog postings and editorial articles on the individual players. In addition, Fanáticos.com will be launching a video search hub powered by Truveo and expects to add more bloggers. Fanáticos.com was modeled after the popular AOL Sports, sports.aol.com, site FanHouse.com, fanhouse.com, which recently received an EPpy Award for Best Sports Blog1.

AOL Latino recently expanded into Latin America with AOL Mexico, AOL Argentina, AOL Colombia, AOL Chile, and AOL Venezuela. In the U.S., AOL Latino is the leading bilingual portal for Hispanics with more than 1.5 million unique visitors, according to the June 2008 comScore MediaMetrix. In addition, the site’s page views have increased 88% year over year2.

About AOL Latino

AOL Latino, latino.aol.com, is the award-winning bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL, www.aol.com. “

Universal City, CA – This morning on Wisteria Lane located on the Universal Studios back lot, NCLR
President and CEO Janet Murguía, Eva Longoria Parker (Desperate Housewives), and Cristián de la
Fuente (USA Network’s In Plain Sight and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars) announced nominees,
performers, and special honorees for the 2008 NCLR ALMA Awards.

The 2008 NCLR ALMA Awards will tape August 17 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The all-star
event, which celebrates the outstanding artistic achievements of Latinos in motion pictures, television and
music, will air Friday, September 12 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Television and film actress, Eva Longoria Parker, returns once again as executive producer and host of
the telecast. To date, confirmed performers and presenters include Black Eyed Peas, America Ferrera,
Carlos Mencia, Jessica Alba, Adam Rodriguez, Enrique Murciano, Sofia Vergara, Cristián de la Fuente,
Kate del Castillo, Pitbull, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. Special honors will be presented to
Linda Ronstadt, Shakira, and Narciso Rodriguez whose work has impacted the entertainment industry and
influenced American culture.

The two-hour special is presented by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national
Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The annual ALMA (American Latino Media
Arts) Awards recognizes and celebrates the outstanding artistic achievement of Latinos in film, television,
and music. The ALMA Awards was created by NCLR in 1995 as part of its strategy to promote the
diverse, accurate, and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the media and the enhancement of the Latino
image in the entertainment industry. The show is an example of how inclusion strengthens the
entertainment industry, just as diversity strengthens our country.

The show is presented with the support of sponsors and advertisers. Confirmed Presenting Sponsors for
2008 include Chevy and Target. Gold Sponsors are AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Frito-Lay/PepsiCo, and
Prudential. Silver Sponsors include American Airlines, Bank of America, Bud Light, ConAgra Foods,
M&M’s, McDonald’s, State Farm Insurance Companies, Verizon, and Wachovia. Key media partners for
the 2008 ALMA Awards include our Gold Level partners AOL Latino and MTV3, and our Silver Level
partner Latina Magazine.

This year, the executive producers are Michael Levitt, Janet Murguía, Eva Longoria Parker, and David
Chavez. For more information on the 2008 NCLR ALMA Awards®, please visit www.almaawards.com.

“Skateboarding and surfing have embraced and promoted the multicultural aspects of their sports,” NSAA headliner Guy Garcia told The Industry Report’s Paul Doherty. “That’s where I would be throwing my money.”

Garcia went well beyond his remarks from the platform - a presentation that elicited no questions or real buzz because it was essentially a summary of his new book, The New Mainstream: How the Multicultural Consumer is Transforming American Business.

Still, Garcia had plenty to say to the ski industry, but it took an exclusive interview with the IR after his speech to get it out. Garcia is a journalist, novelist, and multimedia entrepreneur and founder of Mentametrix, a multicultural research and marketing firm. He’s consulted with a number of major companies and trade groups, including Colorado Ski Country, USA. He was the AOL executive who launched the first iteration of AOL Latino. “*

AOL Latino, latino.aol.com, announced Horatio Nieto as the winner of the second season of Fashionista, the site’s popular online fashion designer contest. Three webisodes highlighting the final challenges for the finalists will be available to consumers starting today at aollatino.com/fashionista.

For Fashionista, AOL Latino also created the first AOL widget used for promotional programming. Contestants and consumers could download the Fashionista widget to their social networking sites in order to promote voting as well as receive contest updates.

“Fashionista has great appeal among the fashion conscious, and it’s a great way to recognize aspiring Latino designers,” said Miguel Ferrer, Director of Programming, AOL Latino. “We’re delighted at the success of our second season, and congratulate all the contestants who entered designs and the many AOL Latino users whose participation made the program a hit.”

For Fashionista’s second season, contestants submitted their designs directly on the AOL Latino site. AOL Latino fashion editors selected the top 20 contestants, and, from these, 10 were selected by online user votes to participate in a series of challenges. Three finalists came to New York City for the final challenge, hosted by Venezuelan-born actress and model Patricia Velásquez.

“Being recognized for your work is what every designer dreams of,” said Fashionista winner Nieto. “AOL Latino has provided an incredible platform for showcasing emerging designers who love what we do.”

Nieto will create a one-of-a-kind design for Mexican-born actress and model Ana de la Reguera, which she will wear to an upcoming red carpet event. Her most recent work includes the movie “Nacho Libre,” and she is currently one of the faces for CoverGirl.

Born and raised in Texas, Nieto moved to Chicago to pursue his passion for fashion design. He attended a private school where he majored in fashion design, and currently has his own line of menswear, Arlo. Nieto also had the opportunity to participate in this year’s Latino Fashion Week.

AOL Latino is the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics, and the sites’ page views have grown 165% year over year1.”*

FindingDulcinea (www.FindingDulcinea.com), Librarian of the Internet, today announced the launch of the groundbreaking, Spanish-language versions of its Web Guides.

FindingDulcinea is the best place to start Internet research on any subject. Its Web Guides are a series of more than 400 narrated guides to hand-selected, credible Web sites, presented in context, with insights and research strategies.

FindingDulcinea has translated into Spanish six of its Web Guides: “How to Search the Web,” “Health,” “U.S. Politics,” “Immigration,” “Cinco de Mayo” and “Survival Guide to New York City.” FindingDulcinea plans to add more Spanish-language Web Guides in the future, based on user feedback.

The AOL Latino 2006 Hispanic Cyberstudy revealed that only 15 percent of U.S. Hispanic Internet users read online content in Spanish only, with most users switching back and forth between English and Spanish. Says Juan Tornoe, publisher of HispanicTrending.net, a Latino Marketing & Advertising Blog, “Even Hispanic Internet users who are completely comfortable accessing English-language content may prefer to read explanatory information in Spanish.”

“FindingDulcinea was created because most Internet users cannot easily find credible, comprehensive information online,” said Mark E. Moran, Chief Executive Officer of findingDulcinea. “Our newest offering explains to Hispanic users, in their own language, how to find the best English-language Web sites on any topic.”

A March 2007 survey by Pew Hispanic Center reveals that, while more than 75 percent of Hispanics in the United States who consider themselves bilingual use the Internet, only 32 percent of those who consider themselves Spanish-dominant do so. FindingDulcinea’s Web Guides in Spanish are an excellent tool to help address this digital divide.

An October 2007 eMarketer study revealed that the current number of U.S. Hispanics online hovers around the 20 million mark and is expected to grow 21 percent over the next three years to 24.4 million in 2011.

To visit findingDulcinea’s Spanish-language Web Guides, go to

Tinbu, a leading provider of interactive content, is pleased to announce the launch of their interactive international soccer module.

Tinbu is launching the soccer module in English, Spanish and German. It will also become available soon in Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Arabic. The interactive soccer module can be reviewed here www.tinbu.com/soccer/

“We are excited to be bringing this soccer product to the global market. There is no other plug and play soccer product available that offers end-users and online media groups as many interactive features and customization options as this product does,” said John Brier, Tinbu’s CEO. “With soccer being the most popular sport in the world we feel this product will be in great demand by online media groups looking for a cost-effective, easy to use soccer product that will satisfy the demands of any soccer fan,” added Brier.Features include:

- 400+ leagues covered.
- 50+ International Cups covered.
- Available in English, Spanish, German.
- Live game scoring reports.
- Game schedules / fixtures.
- Fully customizable by each site visitor.
- League tables, player bookings, team statistics, team information, top scorers,
archived league information.
- Compare two teams.
- Team rosters.
- Yellow Card, Red Card, and scoring reports.
- Covers leagues from England, Mexico, Italy, Sweden, U.S., Portugal, France,
Netherlands, Argentina, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Spain,
Austria, Scotland, The Middle East, and other countries.

This module is available as a stand alone product, or bundled with Tinbu’s other Spanish language content modules, including lottery, weather, horoscopes, local gas prices, fitness videos, recipes, North American flight tracking, entertainment, finance, U.S. mortgage rates, and North American sports scores and odds.

For more information can contact the Company at Info@Tinbu.com.

About Tinbu:
Tinbu’s patent pending technology provides interactive content to leading online and wireless companies worldwide. Clients include AOL, AOL Latino, AOL Canada, AOL Mexico, Telemundo, MSN, MSN Espanol, MSNBC, USA TODAY, Bell South, ATT, Media General, Clear Channel Television, CBS Television, ABC Television, Fox Television, CBS Radio, Boston Globe, Tribune, Toronto Star, My Red Fish, Local Solutions Networks, Motricity, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Hello Metro, New York Daily News, DirecTV, Univision, Terra Networks, Yahoo!, People PC, and many others. To learn more about Tinbu visit www.Tinbu.com. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Cnote, an urban Latino group, hit the Top 20 this week with their debut single “Forgive Me” from their current self-titled CD. Charting at #21 on Billboard, Radio & Records and Mediabase’s Adult Contemporary Chart, the new group featuring five young, talented Latin performers have broken through to the mainstream with their powerful ballad.

Says John Holohan, President of JKH Records, “It’s exciting to see how well ‘Forgive Me’ is doing on the charts. All of the hard work that these young talented individuals have put into their music is starting to pay off. We expect this to be the first hit in a long line of hits for the group.”

Coinciding with the rising single, the group’s members, David “D’Lo” Perez, Raul “RaRa” Molina, Josh “J-Kid” Correa, Orlando “O.T.” Torres, and Johnathan “Jae” Lopez, recently launched their first AOL LATINO reality webisode series titled BREAKING THE BAND, which chronicles the group from its grassroots beginnings, in their quest to break into the music business.

The group has also appeared on national television Anglo/Latin programs such as Extra and Extra En Espanol, Despierta America, No te Duermas, El Gordo y la Flaca, and Escándalo TV, and has performed at such venues as the world renowned Copacabana in New York, the City of Miami’s Bayfront Park, Club Mansion and Club Brava. They also performed with Pitbull and Daddy Yankee in Dallas; and with Hector The Father at the legendary Pier 10 in Puerto Rico, also making an appearance in front of millions at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.

For more information please check out: musica.aol.com/artistas/acercate/c-note or www.cnote-online.com or

*From: http://www.businesswire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

By 2011, the current Mexican online audience of 23.6 million users—a 25% total penetration—is expected to grow to 39.5 million users at a rate of 14% annually. Currently, broadband penetration stands at a relatively low 16.4%, but is expected to roughly double to 32.2% by 2011. On an even steeper growth curve is the online advertising spend—now at $82 million—which is expected to reach $192 million by 2011 (E-marketer).

Hoping to capitalize on this largely untapped—and rapidly growing—online market, AOL has launched a Mexican online destination. While it will share some content with AOL Latino, that content will be localized to the tastes and interests of the Mexican Online audience. AOL has an office in Mexico City with a staff of 20; half of the workers are web developers, while the other half are working on exclusive editorial features.”*

*From: http://www.portada-online.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

OAKLAND, CA: From airline tickets to music downloads, Hispanic online shoppers spent nearly $12 billion in 2007. By 2011, Hispanic online spending is projected to grow to $21.6 billion. However, the US Hispanic consumer continues to be underserved by Web 2.0 services. With 22 million Hispanics now utilizing the internet, the need for interactive services within the US Hispanic community continues to be a hot topic.

deLatino.Com is a dynamic new entrant and first-mover within the US Internet Industry. The Official Launch Date is scheduled for Cinco de Mayo 2008. The San Francisco Bay Area company is set to be the first Hispanic-Focused Web Portal targeting English-Preferring, Bilingual, and Spanish-Preferring online users. The website will benefit: 1) companies who are forced to market to Hispanic consumers on multiple marketing mediums due to diverse levels of acculturation, 2) Hispanic consumers seeking non-predatory services, and 3) Hispanic online users seeking the latest news on a unique bilingual platform.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for all Latinos. I constantly read about how Brown is the New Green,” stated Jason Rivera, Director of Marketing for deLatino Interactive. “I find that notion to be somewhat disrespectful and greedy. The US Housing Industry situation is a perfect example.”

“We want deLatino.Com to be the hub for all things ‘Latino’…the place to talk politics, to educate, to reunite families, to share ideas, to find a job and so much more. We seek to partner with the best organizations to provide stellar promotions and offer much-needed charitable giving. We aim to accommodate even the most acculturated Latino.”

US Online Hispanic Population

Currently 44 million (15%), the US Hispanic community is the largest minority group in the United States. Today, US Hispanics are quickly approaching an annual buying power of $1 Trillion. This emerging market is projected to reach a population of 102.6 million people (24.4% of the US Population) by 2050.

Hispanics will increase online spending more than other ethnic groups in the next few years, are more likely than others to post feedback, and gravitate toward sites with social features (Jupiter Research, 2007). According to The AOL Latino 2006 Hispanic Cyberstudy, 77% of the US Hispanic online market now have access to broadband (up from 24% in 2000 and 36% in 2002). This emerging online market is projected to grow 188% (to nearly 130 million) during 2000-2050. By the end of 2006, the online US Hispanic population grew at a 13% rate in comparison to only 2% growth for the general population (comScore MediaMetrix).

Recent data also has shown that online US Hispanics prefer to research and apply for financial products via the internet. More than 40% of online US Hispanics have researched deposit or credit products in 2005. To add, nearly 25% have researched investments. According to findings by a 2006 Forrester Research survey, the average profile of an online US Hispanic financial shopper: 1) relies more on Spanish content, 2) 50% of online credit applicants are female, and 3) online investment applicants are considerably more wealthy than their offline peers (Forrester Research, Inc., 2006). US Hispanics represent one of the most active groups of online banking demographics. To note, English-dominant Hispanics outpace their Spanish-dominant peers in most online banking activities—like looking up balances and making transfers. Only 5% of US Hispanic internet users are 55 and over, as compared to 21% of the general online population. Due to their relative youth, online Hispanics are more likely to purchase event tickets, movies, music and computer software than the general online audience (Nielsen/NetRatings, 2004).

Media Contact:
Jason Rivera
Director of Marketing
deLatino Interactive
jason@delatino.com

deLatino Interactive
deLatino Interactive (DLI), parent company to deLatino.Com, was established in October 2007. The organization is dedicated to the empowerment of the US Hispanic Consumer. DLI enables its users to achieve more in life by providing trusted, assisted access to an online array of financial, personal and professional services. Additional DLI services include: LoansdeLatino, EnvíosdeLatino, AmordeLatino, CreditdeLatino, JobsdeLatino and VoicedeLatino. deLatino.Com aims to be the premier search/email/retail/homepage for the online US Hispanic community.

AOL Latino today launched a new immigration hub for the Hispanic-American community. The site offers users access to immigration news, blogs and message boards, as well as links to government resources, views of presidential candidates and information of immigration laws and policies at www.aollatino.com/inmigracion.

“AOL Latino strives to stay at the forefront of the most relevant issues in the Latino community and immigration is a hot topic that is important to our users,” said Ralph Rivera, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Latino. “With this launch, we are offering a home where our audience can stay on top of the ongoing immigration conversation via breaking news and interaction with leaders and peers.”

“This new immigration hub demonstrates AOL Latino’s strong commitment to providing up-to-date, user-friendly information on the issues Hispanics are most concerned about, which will help Latinos become better informed participants in American society. We look forward to continuing our partnership with AOL in the years to come,” stated Janet Murgia, National Council of La Raza President and CEO.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR works for the advancement of Hispanic individuals and their families.

Among the features of the immigration hub:

* The latest immigration news from a variety of news sources;
* Articles and blogs from members of the American Immigration Law Foundation;
* Quizzes in areas such as what to expect on the Citizenship Test;
* Links to governmental resources for renewing Green Cards or gaining permanent citizenship, etcetera;
* Message boards and chats;
* Interactive features that let users engage in conversations around the content.

The launch of the immigration hub comes on the heels of the relaunch of the AOL Latino portal (www.aollatino.com) which incorporated new features and made the site even more user-friendly.

About AOL® Latino

AOL® Latino (www.aollatino.com) is the award-winning bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL (www.aol.com).

About AOL

AOL® is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.”*

Jaman.com, the leading international and independent Internet film service, today announced a multi- year strategic partnership with Terra.com, the premier Latino Internet portal. The partnership connects two popular Internet communities to provide Terra’s users with the ability to discover, enjoy and interact with Spanish language films and film fans from around the world.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Terra to bring international and particularly Spanish language cinema to the Latino community” said Jaman’s CEO Gaurav Dhillon. “Terra is the leading Latino Internet portal and has an enormous user base that we are pleased to connect with our existing Jaman community. This partnership underscores that Jaman is the movie platform of choice because of our market leading high-def internet movie service and library of over 2,000 titles.”

Jaman will become a featured provider of Spanish language and Latino themed movies for Terra.com’s 6.6 million users. In addition, Jaman.com will showcase to its users Terra shorts, a collection of four short films especially commissioned for the Internet by Terra featuring prominent writers, directors and actors from the Latino film community. The shorts include the works of award-winning Writer/Director Guillermo Arriaga (Babel) and leading talent Alicia Braga (City of God ).

“Watching movies on-line is becoming part of people’s everyday lives,” said Michele Azan of Terra.com. “By partnering with Jaman today, we are providing our users with the best high-def movies from Latin America, Spain and the rest of the world.”

The four original short films being showcased on Jaman are as follows: — La Hora Cero: Set in Tehuacan, Mexico. A highway accident along the Mexican desert forces a couple to make a life defining decision. — Guillermo Arriaga, Writer; Gary Alazraki, Director; Jose Marnia Yazpik; Ileana Fox. — La Mujer de Hielo: Set in Patagonia, Argentina. A young woman condemned by an obsession…a story that becomes a legend. Leonardo Becchini, Writer/Director; Gaston Pauls; Belen Blanco; Lucas Akoski — Rummikub: Set in Playa de Barrina, Brazil. To whom does the poison belong? To the young lovers? Or their parents, whom in old hands “behold rusted hatred”? Jorge Furtado, Writer/Director; Alice Braga; Pedro Furtado. — De Paso: Set in Colombia. Where is the line that separates life and death? Do we actually realize that we have crossed it when the time comes? Andi Baiz, Writer/Director; Angie Cepeda; Carmenza Gomez. About Jaman:

Jaman.com is revolutionizing the way people discover, enjoy and share movies all over the world. The company is pioneering entertainment on the Internet by delivering hi-def films to a growing online community of fans and filmmakers. Jaman.com is based in San Mateo, California and is backed by luminaries in technology and media (more at www.jaman.com/about). Join Jaman, Join the World (TM)

About Terra.com:

Launched in January 2000, Terra.com has established itself as one of the leading US Hispanic Internet destination for users and advertisers. Having captured over 60% of top 100 US advertisers, Terra Sites rank #2 in reach to US Hispanics, above MSN Latino, Yahoo! Telemundo and AOL Latino (ComScore MM July 07) with 6.6 million monthly unique users and 94 million Page Views per Month (July 2007). The company has successfully crafted strategic partnerships with Comcast, Azteca America, Jamster, Cosmopolitan en Espanol, and V-me Media, among others. For more information go to www.terra.com/advertise/. “*

And while law enforcement authorities throughout the nation are pouring resources into baiting and arresting sexual predators who seek young victims through English-language sites, Spanish-language sites have received little attention.

But that’s starting to change.

Cyber-crime investigators are beginning to monitor chat rooms on Spanish-language sites such as Yahoo en Espanol, AOL Latino, MySpace en Espanol and Univision.com.”*

“AOL Latino (http://www.aollatino.com) today unveils a redesign of its award-winning Web site offering new easy–to-use features with a focus on expanding the community experience, providing more programming and adding extensive upgrades to current services. The site now offers users the ability to completely customize their homepage – from changing the colors and page size to getting stock quotes, traffic updates and “snag-able” content. Adding on to the core Spanish language programming of news, personal finance, music, entertainment and lifestyle, the site has added Juegos (for casual Games) and Comunidad de Blogs (Blogs Community). The newly retooled site also includes access to more than 200 radio stations both in Spanish and English and customized lottery results for all major cities.

“The relaunch of AOLLatino.com reinforces our ongoing commitment to providing the Hispanic community with the best online experience possible,” said David Liu, Senior Vice President, AOL. “Our new elements and services are specially designed to provide more bilingual tools, quicker and easier navigation, and a more engaging overall experience for our 1.4 million monthly visitors.”

With the burst in popularity of social networking and blogs within the Hispanic market, AOL® Latino now allows users the ability to create personalized Web pages, chat live with other users, “snag” their favorite video content and more as part of the revamped community area. Additionally, AOLLatino.com has both photo and video upload capabilities where users can post user-generated content for friends and family to see.

New AOLLatino.com features include:

* Customization: users will be able to completely customize their homepage, from the colors and page size to adding personalized weather reports, horoscope, fotos, videos, sports scores and more.
* AOL Latino Toolbar: with just a quick download, this easily customizable toolbar allows users to search the web and access their email, AIM® and AOL Latino content anywhere they browse.
* Email with Spanish AIM integration: free email will now let users interact with their AIM® Buddy List ® feature as they write and send email.
* Enhanced Interactive English Lessons: users taking AOL Latino’s free English lessons, powered by Berlitz, are able to follow along through new interactive audio quizzes for level placement, basic vocabulary, phrase of the day and cultural tips.
* Comunidad: AOL Latino now offers dozens of bilingual blogs and chats ranging in topics from music, entertainment, gossip, news, relationships, sports, cooking and more.
* Video: Easy access to user-generated video upload site which allows users to share content with friends and family across the globe. Additionally, users also have access to AOL’s extensive video offering in English and Spanish.

About AOL® Latino

AOL® Latino (www.aollatino.com) is the award-winning bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL (www.aol.com).

About AOL®

AOL® is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in New York City. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.”*

Si TV, America’s first and only media company to target the millions of 18-34-year old Latinos who prefer their entertainment in English, announced today the launch of a major new initiative that springs from the creation of two all-new community-based websites, entertainment.sitv.com/ and trends.sitv.com/. These sites provide the first content-based digital platform that delivers indie content tailored to young Latinos, while offering unprecedented opportunities for Latino artists and giving the advertising community a link to this high-growth demographic. Verizon Wireless, AOL Latino and Payless ShoeSource are among the strategic and advertising partners who are already demonstrating their commitment to the acculturated Latino population through integrated, multi-level partnerships with Si TV’s new digital initiative.

These websites are the first to deliver content created exclusively by and for the most dynamic demographic in America today, the Latino 18-34 segment, which is growing five times faster than total adults 18-34*. With 78% of English-dominant Latinos online** and 63% of young Latinos online four or more hours per day*** (81% of whom are acculturated and surf in English****), Si TV has identified an opportunity to bring the fresh content this demo craves to a mainstream audience.

“The launch of our new websites and related digital partnerships represents our company’s evolution from a cable/satellite network to a laser-focused media company with multiple distribution platforms and revenue streams. Reaching far beyond marketing the Si TV television network, our highly differentiated, content-based web strategy will offer young Latino adults unprecedented opportunities to be part of an online content-based community which creatively reflects the bicultural reality of their daily lives. For our business partners, Si TV’s entertaining, culturally-relevant content represents a bridge to build an important relationship with our coveted core audience by reaching them wherever they are, watching TV, online, or on the go,” says Michael Schwimmer, CEO of Si TV.

On the new Si TV sites, these engaged consumers will find a compelling alternative to the usual hit-driven culture, with cutting-edge, indie content about music, film, gaming, cars and more, as well as extensive video offerings from Si TV shows and talent. These robust social networking sites focus on content-creation and content-sharing, and allow users to create their own profiles, upload photos and blog. In addition, entertainment.sitv.com/ and trends.sitv.com/ offer consumers the rare opportunity to interact directly with emerging Latino artists across multiple platforms, including on on-air, online and mobile technology.

These new websites effectively create the world’s first digital talent incubator uniquely designed to give voice to and open doors for Latino artists and content creators across a wide spectrum of talents: musicians, songwriters, actors, comedians, deejays, athletes, writers, poets, models, performance artists and others. Artists can post profiles, videos and web links in a culturally relevant environment with a targeted, enthusiastic audience for their work.

“No longer do young Latino artists have to wait to be discovered — we encourage creative individuals to use our customized platform to build and grow their own community,” says Lisa Black, Senior Vice President of Digital Media for Si TV. “We created these sites with the unique characteristics of our audience in mind — their passion, their engagement, their connection to the culture and each other. That’s why these sites are all about connecting and sharing, with a definite voice and creative aesthetic that benefit both the talent and the enthusiastic website user.”

Featured artists whose work generates extensive community response can be discovered and promoted by Si TV and the company’s network of sponsorship and strategic partners in on-air, online, and mobile campaigns and promotions. In this way, the advertising community enjoys access to an extraordinary new pool of truly authentic, relevant talent and voices. Si TV has already signed contracts with 150 emerging artists, and has launched significant, integrated campaigns using this talent base on behalf of advertising and strategic partners including Verizon Wireless, AOL Latino and Payless ShoeSource.

Si TV has already created spots and promotions for its advertising and strategic partners, pairing them with talented emerging Latino artists who are part of Si TV’s signed talent roster, generating an array of unique, organic branded entertainment opportunities, such as:

Si TV and Verizon Wireless teamed up in August in a talent search for a new Latino co-host of Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Video mobile entertainment service. Aspiring performers were invited to post their video auditions and profiles online at www.beonvcast.com/, where website visitors could then vote for their favorite candidates. The new V CAST host — Angie Jerez of Queens, NY — was just selected from among the top 10 vote-getters. Jerez makes her V CAST debut on November 8 when she interviews the hottest Latin artists on the green carpet at the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY(R) Awards in Las Vegas.

Si TV joined forces with AOL Latino to launch a hub (entretenimiento.aol.com/television/sitv) where users can enjoy highlights from the hottest Si TV shows. In addition, AOL Latino helped promote Si TV’s “Jammin’,” a talent showcase for up-and-coming Latino bands. The bands were first discovered on Si TV’s unique user-generated community website, and voted on by passionate and opinionated sitv.com/ users. The winner, L.A.-based band Glory for the People, appears on Si TV’s flagship series, The Drop, during its new fall season.

For sponsor Payless ShoeSource, Si TV developed a customized, integrated beauty makeover sweepstakes featuring Carmen Palumbo, whose Si TV-owned website, luvcarmen.com/, dispenses dating advice and tips. The resulting 90-second spot gives a Si TV viewer a makeover with the help of Payless shoes and accessories. Using Payless product as the starting point, Carmen builds the ultimate “first date look” with a new hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe.

In addition, the network has completely revamped and relaunched its original website, sitv.com/, which will now focus exclusively on information about Si TV programming on the company’s linear TV channel, including schedules, talent bios and blogs, video clips, behind-the-scenes footage and other community tools. Also, trends.sitv.com/ will launch on October 29th.

About Si TV

Si TV is America’s first media company to reach the millions of 18-34-year-old Latinos who prefer their content in English and seek it across all platforms — including linear television, the Internet, video-on-demand and wireless devices. Si TV offers authentic, relevant content and a 60% original programming slate that ranges from outrageous comedy to music, independent movies, lifestyle and talk. The network is available nationwide on Dish Network, and in more than 200 cities and communities across America, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Denver, San Antonio and Las Vegas. Si TV’s cable and telco affiliates include AT&T, Cox, Comcast, Insight, Qwest, Time Warner Cable and Verizon, among others. For more information about Si TV, please visit www.sitv.com/.

SOURCES *Claritas 2007, 2010 vs. 2000 **Pew Hispanic Center: Latinos Online, March 2007 ***New American Dimensions: New Generation Latino, April 2007, Latinos 13-35 ****2006 AOL Latino Hispanic Cyberstudy

“C NOTE, up-and-coming urban Latino group featuring five talented performers based out of Orlando by way of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and New York, David “D’Lo” Pérez, RaÚl “RaRa” Molina, Josh “J-Kid” Correa, Orlando “O.T.” Torres, and Jonathan “Jae” López, just launched their first reality webisode series titled BREAKING THE BAND on AOL LATINO. The series chronicles the group from its grassroots beginnings, in their quest to break into the music business and release their new self-titled CD on JKH Records, currently in stores nationwide. Their debut single, Forgive Me (or Lo Siento), released in English and Spanish is currently # 71 on Mediabase and rising.

Chasing the group around the U.S., the series follows the ups and downs of the five young heart-throbs performing in front of thousands of young admirers both in the Latin and Anglo-American worlds. Raised in North America, yet whose personal backgrounds are representative of all the Caribbean Antilles, C NOTE, in the webisodes, is a group united together to bring a positive message to our youth.

Founded by Molina and Perez, the two auditioned three additional members to form the lineup of C NOTE. Says Perez, “We wanted to work with a group of performers with similar upbringings – a group of five Latinos raised in the United States, whose ability and artistic talent was a reflection of the best of both worlds.” He continues, “Our music combines pop/urban cultures and the typical Latin-American rhythms that were played to us by our parents.”

C NOTE has toured with Latin superstars such as Don Omar, Ví­ctor Manuelle, Daddy Yankee and Ivy Queen; and has also performed at New York’s Puerto Rican Day Parade.

For more information please check out the following links: AOL Latino C Note: Breaking The Band: musica.aol.com/artistas/acercate/c-note or www.cnote-online.com or

Everyone has something to say (don’t you?): Read more quotes

“As a national March of Dimes spokesperson and expectant mother, Thalia knows the importance of a healthy start for every baby. That’s why, starting this Wednesday, she is encouraging fans who would like to present her with gifts, to log on to the first-ever “virtual baby shower” on AOL Latino (www.aollatino.com/) and donate to the March of Dimes.

“The best gift you can give a baby is a full nine months of pregnancy,” says Thalia, the Latina superstar. “In giving to the March of Dimes, my fans can help support vital research and programs to help babies and their families.”

Thalia joined forces with the March of Dimes in 2005 to educate women about the steps they can take to reduce their chances of having a premature baby. Starring in a March of Dimes national public service advertising (PSA) campaign called “I Want My 9 Months,” Thalia urges women to take action before pregnancy by talking to their health care provider to assess their risk for having a premature baby. The campaign is part of an overall educational effort in the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

Thalia’s fans can donate to the March of Dimes online at: https://www.marchofdimes.com/howtohelp/donate_online_thalia.asp “

“In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month – a four-week national celebration beginning September 15 and ending October 15 – AOL Latino (www.aollatino.com) has launched a comprehensive hub highlighting the success of Latinos in the U.S. As part of the special hub, the award-winning portal has integrated various community and social networking elements - videos, audio, blogs and message boards - to let users express their Hispanic pride and learn more about the meaning of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“As a leader in the community, we’re excited to launch our Hispanic Heritage Month package with special campaigns discussing the impact of Hispanics in pop culture, news and politics,” said Miguel Ferrer, director of programming, AOL Latino. “While we celebrate Hispanic heritage year round, this nationally recognized month gives us the opportunity to connect with Latinos across the globe and celebrate the evolution of an increasingly influential culture.”

The site also commemorates the 45th anniversary of legendary Salsa band El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico with an in-depth look at the group. As part of the tribute, the site will feature an exclusive eight-part video interview with founder Rafael Ithier, exclusive in-studio “Sesiones” with the band performing their greatest hits, never-before-seen photos, behind-the-scenes footage, a newly created Salsa blog and more. Expanding on its social networking service, Latino AIM(R) Pages, the site will also allow users to upload videos and explain why they are the ultimate fans.

Additionally, AOL(R) Latino expands its role as the home of Latinos in Hollywood by rounding up some of today’s leading Hispanic actors, musicians, athletes and executives to discuss what being Hispanic means to them. Throughout the four weeks, AOL Latino will air exclusive video interviews with Reggeaton superstar Daddy Yankee, NY Mets Infielder Jose Reyes, former LA Dodger pitching star Fernando Valenzuela, Actor/Comedian George Lopez, Reggeaton group Calle 13 and legendary award-wining actress Rita Moreno, among others.

AOL Latino’s complete Hispanic Heritage Month programming package also will include:

– Bilingual blogs where users will be able to share their own colloquialisms and immigration stories through posts and videos.

– A community area where people can upload videos of themselves singing their country’s national anthem.

– A Latin American map that provides users with country facts and a travel guide featuring Latin American hot spots.

– A culinary guide complete with easy-to-do recipes from various Latin American countries including Cuba, Peru, Dominican Republic and more.

– A recap of the best Hispanic films in Hollywood.

– A series of quizzes on Hispanic influence in news, film, television, sports and more.

About AOL(R) Latino
AOL(R) Latino (http://www.aollatino.com) is the award-winning bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL (www.aol.com). “

“Tinbu, a Pensacola, Florida, based technology company, is pleased to announce the expansion of their Spanish language interactive content division. Tinbu uses patent-pending technology to create interactive turn-key modules used by online media groups to drive page views, repeat visitors, and advertising revenues.

“We have seen explosive growth in the demand for our Spanish language content modules,” said John Brier, Tinbu’s CEO. “Our interactive lottery, horoscope, and swimsuit modules are driving millions of page views each month for our online media partners, and we are pleased to see Spanish language media groups benefiting from our patent-pending technology,” added Brier.

Tinbu works with many leading Spanish language online publishers, including AOL Latino, Quepasa, MSN Espanol, Tribune, Telemundo, ABC Television, and many others.

See a full list of Tinbu’s clients here tinbu.com/clientlinks.htm .

Tinbu currently offers interactive Spanish language content modules in the areas of lottery, horoscope, and swimsuit models. In the next two quarters Tinbu will be launching additional Spanish language content modules in the areas of weather, global soccer, flight tracking, gasoline pricing, finance, and entertainment.

Tinbu’s current Spanish Language content modules can be seen at these links:

North American Lottery
tinbu.com/spanishlanguagelottery.htm

Puerto Rico Lottery
tinbu.com/lottery_results_spa.html

Mexico Lottery
tinbu.com/mexicolottery.htm

Horoscope
tinbu.com/spanishlanguagehoroscope.htm

Swimsuit Model
tinbu.com/model/index_spa.html

“We are excited to see our content being used by more and more Spanish language web sites. We take pride in customizing our content modules for each client, small or large, and watching our technology increase the traffic and revenues for our online media partners,” concluded Brier.

Online media groups interested in learning more about Tinbu’s content modules can contact the company directly.

About Tinbu, LLC:

Tinbu, LLC, and their wholly owned subsidiaries Gaming Solutions International, LLC, and CyberIntegrations, LLC, use patent pending technology to provide interactive data products to leading online and wireless companies worldwide. Tinbus clients include AOL, AOL Latino, AOL Canada, Telemundo, MSN, MSN Espanol, MSNBC, USA TODAY, Bell South, ATT, AccuWeather, Media General, Clear Channel Television, NBC Television, CBS Television, ABC Television, Fox Television, CBS Radio, Quepasa, Boston Herald, Tribune, Toronto Star, CBC New Media, My Red Fish, Local Solutions Networks, Motricity, uClick, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Hello Metro, and many others. For more information on Tinbu visit them online at

“LatinWorks said it would serve as lead agency for Batanga, a bilingual portal.

New marketing efforts, including an increase in social networking content, will help raise the portals presence in the competitive online space for young, bilingual Latinos. The media plan includes AOL Latino, mun2 and MySpace. LatinWorks is based in Austin, Texas; Batanga is headquartered in Miami.”

“AOL Latino and TRUE.com today announced the launch of a new online dating and relationship area called Amor y Amistad Love and Friendship, providing AOL Latino users the opportunity to make personal connections in a safer online dating environment with TRUE’s more than 17 million members. AOL Latino, www.aollatino.com, is the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics; TRUE.com, www.true.com, is the leading scientifically based online dating site.

For $59.95 a month, AOL Latino users will have access to all that TRUE has to offer, plus original love advice articles and blogs, relationship tips, quizzes and dating guidelines on AOL Latino. The online personals will be available through AOL Latino’s Community area, http://tugente.aol.com.

TRUE.comR is the only major Internet dating service that conducts criminal background screenings and single dating verification on its communicating members, making it the safest way to communicate with singles online. TRUE’s scientifically based compatibility tool – SexplorationR – which explores the intricacies of sexual compatibility.

“As more people hear success stories of couples who have met online, more people are willing to try it for themselves,” explains Herb Vest, founder and CEO of TRUE. “We’ve already seen an increase in the number of Spanish-speaking members who use our site, so naturally we formed a relationship with one of the top-rated Latino sites on the Internet. We look forward to AOL Latino’s users checking out what TRUE has to offer.”

“With the popularity of online dating on the rise with U.S. Hispanics, it was important for AOL Latino create an online dating area,” says Miguel Ferrer, director of programming, AOL Latino. “And thanks to our partnership with TRUE, we can offer one that includes industry-leading safety procedures, providing Hispanics a safer and effective way to meet.”

About TRUE
TRUE is the safer, savvy, and only scientifically based online relationship service, whose mission is to help singles find long-lasting and fulfilling relationships. Founded on an advanced, scientifically based compatibility test uniquely endorsed by Psychology Today and independently certified to meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, TRUE is the only major online relationship service that actively seeks to further protect the safety of its communicating members by conducting extensive criminal background screenings and Single VerificationR screenings. With the help of proprietary research and in conjunction with advisors in the field of relationships and psychology, TRUEs team of experts guides members step-by-step through all stages of the relationship-building process. To find out more about how TRUE helps people around the world Live.Love.Learn. please visit www.true.com.

About AOL Latino
AOLR Latino, www.aollatino.com, is an award winning bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL, www.aol.com. “

“Tu Ciudad, the English-language guide to Latino L.A., launches its new website http://ciudadmag.com/ to meet the growing demand of readers and advertisers. Launching July 1st, the new online portal provides daily updates of news impacting the Latino community, editorial features from the magazine, entertainment coverage, and user resources including calendar listings, a cultural dining guide, local retail shops, music playlists, plus much more.

“There has been a great need for a central, online presence for L.A. Latinos, especially with new statistics that show 78% of English-dominant Hispanics using the Internet,” states founder/publisher Jaime Gamboa. “Many national and local advertisers are looking for additional options that compliment their print advertising campaigns to reach this dynamic consumer and they can now do so with CIUDADMAG.COM.”

Overseeing the creative development of the website is Angelo Figueroa, Tu Ciudad’s Editorial Director and the founding editor of People en Espanol. Figueroa is no foreigner to the online world. As programming director, he was responsible for the successful re-launch of AOL Latino. He comments, “Ciudadmag.com will be the definitive online guide to Latino L.A., offering many great services to the magazine’s readers and the diverse online population. This launch represents a new phase for Tu Ciudad in its pursuit to provide quality media.”

Ciudadmag.com offers many great features for readers and advertisers, including custom editorial videos of local chef’s recipes, shopping finds, and nightlife entertainment; musical playlists from various personalities; forums for lively discussions; blogs on music, fashion and the Latino marketplace; weekend suggestions; archived stories from the magazine, and search engines for restaurants, clubs, stores, and theaters, all provided as free content. Gamboa insists, “the new website will be a daily resource for the magazine’s avid readers and thousands of others who are new to the product.”

Tu Ciudad magazine

Tu Ciudad is an award-winning, city magazine for L.A. Latinos, published 10 times a year. Copies are sold at stores throughout Southern California including Ralphs, Albertson’s, Vons, Rite-Aid, Barnes & Noble, Borders and newsstands throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. Tu Ciudad

CONTACT: Michael Montanez, Marketing Director of Tu Ciudad,
+1-323-602-0121, mmontanez@ciudadmag.com

Web site: www.ciudadmag.com/ “

“AOL Latino, the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics, today announced the premiere of a new interactive online reality series called “Fashionista” (www.aollatino.com) where contestants will compete to be named the top Latino fashion designer. The winner will have the opportunity to design a red carpet gown for actress/model and ex Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. The winner will also showcase his designs in the pages of a leading Hispanic magazine. Mercury Milan will be the exclusive sponsor of the program.

“AOL Latino prides itself in being able to create innovative multiplatform bilingual programming targeted to today’s Hispanic,” said Mark Lopez, publisher, AOL Latino. “We are thrilled to partner with Mercury Milan to offer fashionistas the chance to showcase their talent to a nationwide online audience, and provide users the chance to pick the next Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera.”

“The Fashionista program is a continuation of Mercury’s fashion strategy. We know that our Mercury Milan target is keenly interested in fashion and this is a real Hispanic passion point,” said Dave Rodriguez, multicultural marketing manager, Ford Lincoln Mercury. “Partnering with AOL Latino and offering this program digitally, is right in tune with our customers and the excitement of fashion.”

To kick off the competition, AOL Latino’s fashion editors picked the Top 20 designers from hundreds of submissions from up-and-coming Latino fashion designers. AOL Latino users will be able to vote for their favorites, ultimately selecting the five semifinalists. The ultimate winner will be chosen by a panel of judges including Torres and leading LA fashion designer Eduardo Lucero.

As part of the program, contestants will have the opportunity to create and manage their own Web pages using AOL Latino’s social networking service, Latino AIM Pages (http://latino.aimpages.com). Each page will include headshots, photos, bios, updates and blog entries. “

“AOL Latino, the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics, today launched Latino AIM Pages latino.aimpages.com, a social networking service built on the popular AIM platform that lets Hispanics connect with friends and family in new ways. As part of the launch, AOL Latino worked with Roselyn Sanchez to create a bilingual site featuring exclusive trailers, behind the scenes footage, photo galleries and a blog — updated weekly by Sanchez – for her new movie, “Yellow” yellowthemovie.com. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on June 22.

“We’re excited to partner with Roselyn to launch this new service and to showcase this latest facet in her career as an actress and a producer,” said Miguel Ferrer, director of programming, AOL Latino. “With the unique customization features found in Latino AIM Pages, we are confident that Hispanics will find this to be the best place online to express their creativity, showcase ideas and share their thoughts with others.”

“I’m honored to work with AOL Latino to create a website for my new film,” said Sanchez. “Today’s Hispanic is rapidly embracing the Web – logging on every day for hours. Teaming with AOL Latino is the perfect way to promote my picture and connect with my fans.”

Latino AIM® Pages builds on AOL’s popular AIM® service and iconic Buddy List® feature, letting users build personalized Web profiles to express their creativity and communicate and interact with friends in the U.S. and Latin America. Its easy-to-use tools make it simple to share hobbies, blog entries, photos and more.”