News (Noticias) Tagged ‘sales’

The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA), announced today that September has been declared by Congressional resolution to be “National Tortilla Month.” The sale of tortillas is poised to outpace the sale of sandwich bread for the first time in United States history with sales crossing the $6 billion dollar mark making this a momentous occasion marked by the declaration.

In recognition of the growth and consumption milestones for tortillas in the U.S., tortilla and ingredient manufacturers petitioned Congress to identify the significant contribution of this Latin-based product on American culture and to the U.S. economy. The resolution was sponsored by Congressman Devin Nunes of California’s 21st District.

Tortilla sales in the U.S., split about equally between corn and flour, are growing at double digit rates according to research being conducted by TIA “Two factors are driving this growth,” says Jim Kabbani, TIA’s Executive Director. “One factor is demographic – increased immigration and birth rates of Hispanic Americans – but just as significant is the adoption of healthier eating habits by other Americans. People are eating wraps instead of sandwiches which is contributing to the positive trend in sales and consumption.”

TIA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1990 to assist member companies, and the industry as a whole, in efficient growth and development, and to promote the consumption of tortillas and related food products. The association has 200 member companies representing tortilleros, ingredient manufacturers and equipment suppliers. New membership in TIA has grown over the past year by 10% reflecting the growth of the industry. Members receive significant benefits through group buying, educational and business-building programs specifically designed for tortilla industry representatives.

At the upcoming TIA convention in Las Vegas, NV, September 29th through October 1st, members will compete to bake “the world’s biggest tortilla”. “We hope to host this competition each September during our annual conference to draw attention to how much bigger the market is growing, and to these products and the companies that produce them,” says Kabbani. “

As part of Tribune Company’s continued innovation in developing media products that connect with the Hispanic market, Marc Chase, President of Tribune Interactive, has appointed Terri Simpson to Vice President of Sales Operations, Multicultural for Tribune Interactive. Simpson will spearhead the re-launch of HoyInternet.com to ViveloHoy.com as her first major initiative at Tribune.

Simpson is a seasoned media professional with extensive experience in product development, marketing and sales.

Prior to joining Tribune, Simpson operated a media solutions company and was responsible for the development of ConserVerde, a Hispanic environmental initiative.

“Terri is a talented creator of new media solutions,” says Marc Chase, President of Tribune Interactive. ” We are proud to have her join the innovative team at Tribune Interactive.”"

GolTV, the only live bilingual channel delivering 24/7 soccer, announced today that Ivan Perez has joined the network as Vice President of Network Advertising Sales. With over 12 years of TV industry experience, Perez is charged with managing all aspects of GolTV’s network advertising sales initiatives.

Perez most recently served as Vice President/Director of Advertising Sales for Azteca America, where he was responsible for all new business development and ad revenue for the Southeast territory. At Azteca America, he also acted as the liaison for Azteca America’s online partner, Terra Networks. Prior to Azteca America, Perez was Director of East Coast Ad Sales at Sí TV.

“Ivan understands how to create an online and TV marketing mix that maximizes advertising efforts to create the best value and return for clients targeting the Hispanic audience,” said Rodrigo Lombello, COO of GolTV. “He is a valuable addition to our GolTV team, as well as an excellent resource for our current and future advertisers.”

Perez launched his TV career as a sales planner at NBC Television Network, and has held executive advertising sales positions with Sí TV, Fox Sports En Español and Galavision. Fluent in Spanish, Perez holds a dual bachelors degree from St. John’s University New York.

About GolTV

GolTV is where soccer lives in the US 24/7, 365 days of the year. Founded in 2003 and led by Chief Executive Officer and former international fútbol superstar, Enzo Francescoli, GolTV is the only bilingual US soccer network and the first channel conceived by professional athletes. GolTV is the only all-soccer network with unsurpassed exclusive soccer broadcast rights and an unmatched programming mix that speaks the universal language of soccer. The network brings viewers action from some of the world’s most competitive leagues and elite tournaments, offering over 8,000 hours of soccer action each year and more unique soccer matches than any other network. For more information, visit www.goltv.tv. “

American Latino TV (ALTV) and LatiNation, the award-winning, nationally syndicated TV programs, announced the addition of two new executives along with additional in-house promotions as American Latino TV continues its nationwide affiliate and ad sales expansion following its acquisition by LATV Networks earlier this year.  The syndication division, spurred on by record distribution and double-digit ad sales revenue growth for the 2007-08 season, has tapped VP, Business Development and Co-Executive Producer David Morales and Executive-in-Charge of Production Fonda Anita among others.

“Momentum is firmly on our side as we head into an exciting new era of producing culturally relevant content for the underserved U.S.-born Latino market,” said Robert G. Rose, creator and executive producer of American Latino TV and LatiNation. “This influx of talented individuals will help us to build an even stronger stable of programming and expand our business further throughout the U.S.”

David Morales joins as VP Business Development and Co-Executive Producer for the syndicated shows. Mr. Morales founded his own entertainment company Picante Pictures in 2000, financing film and television production in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2003, he moved to Brazil where he helped develop an original comedy series for Brazilian broadcast television which resulted in the first-ever, U.S.-style sitcom to air in the country.  As part of this effort, Mr. Morales brought to Brazil several famed veterans of the Hollywood comedy world including Debbie Allen who is well-known for her work in A Different World and Fame. In the U.S., Mr. Morales later developed the original TV comedy series, Pitbull’s La Esquina which airs on Mun2.  He will oversee new business and programming initiatives for the syndicated division as well as for LATV Networks’ digital broadcast network. A former Goldman Sachs employee, Mr. Morales is a Harvard Law School graduate.

Also joining the company as Executive in Charge of Production is Fonda Anita who just concluded various production stints in both television (MTV, BET, Grammys, Golden Globes, etc.) and film (Coen Brothers, Miramax) on both the east and west coast. Ms. Anita will be overseeing the business and legal aspects of the division’s productions including any new projects the company launches. Dolly Romero, former SiTV and Nickelodeon producer, joins the shows as west coast producer and will oversee the shows’ production team in Los Angeles.

In addition to the new hires, the company promoted several staffers including former LatiNation Producer Jennifer Pons who is now Supervising Producer of both syndicated weeklies, including American Latino TV, and The American Latino Presents specials. In addition to continuing to oversee the day-to-day creative aspects of LatiNation, Pons will collaborate closely with Erica Soto, American Latino TV head writer/segment producer who was promoted to Show Producer.

American Latino TV and LatiNation, award-winning, English-language Latino themed TV programs are part of LatiNation, LLC, and a subsidiary of LATV Networks.  They are seen in over 100 cities nationwide as well as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For more information, please go to www.AmericanLatino.tv. “

Spanish-language television, with its upfront still underway, is expected to net only a small gain in ad sales compared to previous years of double-digit growth. But the prospect of a modest growth (estimated at between 4% to 5% from 2007) in a time of economic uncertainty has not deterred Hispanic television networks from launching new shows and trying out new formats.”*

Juniper Content Corporation’s (OTCBB:JNPC)(”Juniper”) ¡Sorpresa! announced today that Jon C. Dubin has joined the Spanish-language children’s network as Vice President of Advertising Sales. Mr. Dubin comes to ¡Sorpresa! with over 20 years of experience in targeted advertising in the Hispanic marketplace. He will be based in Los Angeles and report to Mike Weiden, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales at ¡Sorpresa!.

“Drawing on his wealth of experience in TV advertising and other media, Jon will oversee business conducted in some of the country’s largest Hispanic markets,” said Stuart B. Rekant, Juniper Content Chairman and CEO of ¡Sorpresa!. “As we reach toward the 1.5 million subscriber mark, Jon’s relationships with media buyers and their clients should enhance our ability to access advertisers interested in reaching the Hispanic family demographic, which is the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population.”

Mr. Dubin joins the company from the City Reach Latino & Epic Media Group at Mobile Fleet Media, a mobile out-of-home media company where he was Vice President of Advertising Sales & Marketing in Los Angeles. Previously, he served as Vice President of Advertising Sales & Marketing in Los Angeles and Miami for Zoom Media Group Online Publishers’ two primary Latino-targeted publications, Poder and Loft magazines.

Mr. Dubin also served 15 years at Univision Communications, Inc. where he managed network, local TV, magazine, online sales and advertising efforts, and launched and managed the network’s website. He also held the position of Vice President of Advertising & Affiliate Sales in Los Angeles at Fox Sports, where he launched and managed day-to-day advertising and affiliate sales operations for Fox Sports International. Mr. Dubin holds a B.S. in Corporate Communications from Boston University’s School Of Public Communication. “*

Advertising spending on Spanish-language cable reached $220.7 million in 2007, a whopping 76% increase compared to 2006, according to figures released this month by Nielsen Monitor Plus.”*

Entrepreneur and speaker Camilo Cruz, Ph.D. believes everyone is a salesman and he sets out to explain his secrets of selling in his new Spanish language book Secretos del Vendedor Más Rico del Mundo (Successful Secrets From the Wealthiest Salesman in the World). Although the book was written with salesmen in mind, promotional materials promise it contains universal concepts applicable for achieving success in any area of life.

On the cover of his ambitiously titled soft cover 204-page book, Cruz promises 10 practical tips to sell better, offer better service and create clients for life. Published by Grupo Nelson, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the book sells for $14.99.”*

Japan-based Toshiba is growing strongly in Latin America. It posted sales growth of 80 percent last year and expects to reach 100 percent growth this year thanks to growing demand for notebooks and fast-paced markets like Colombia, Argentina and Peru. Agustin Corona, Toshiba’s Latin America commercial director for computing systems, talks to Latin Business Chronicle about the results and outlook.”*

When Corona Extra last year suffered its first sales decline in 16 years, executives at the brand’s U.S. importer said a price increase, not stronger competition, was to blame. If history was any guide, the executives said, sales would surge back to their usual robust pace as soon as the competition’s pricing caught up to Corona’s”*

www.latinforce.net [Latin Force Group, LLC] recently appointed Arthur Rockwell to the position as Vice President of Enterprise Sales.

Arthur is a respected sales and marketing executive within the industry and brings nearly two decades of experience to the Latin Force team. He has spent most of his career educating and working with clients to assist them with tapping into the increasingly diverse and affluent U.S. Hispanic market.

Most recently, Arthur worked for CBS Outdoor Latino as the Senior Vice President of Sales. While at CBS Outdoor, he piloted a new division to market, promote, and sell out-of-home media coverage of the U.S. Hispanic market. He has extensive experience in maximizing sales efforts by creating a motivating atmosphere for sales teams and fostering strong relationships with advertisers, marketers, advertising agencies, and media-buying organizations.

Arthur has an impressive background in sales and marketing, making him a significant asset to the Latin Force team. “Arthur’s experience leading sales organizations in multicultural media organizations will help ensure that more enterprises across industries and throughout the United States enjoy the benefits of Latin Force,” says Managing Partner and Co-Founder, César Melgoza.

Additionally, Arthur received a number of awards for his outstanding success. In 2006, he was named the Out-of-Home All Star by Adweek’s Marketing & Medios magazine. In 2007, Arthur was nominated for Hispanicad.com Media Executive of the Year. He was also named the Co-chairman of Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Multicultural Marketing Committee.

About Latin Force Group:
Latin Force Group is a strategy and market intelligence firm that provides cultural insights, consumer intelligence, go-to-market plans, databases, technology and analytics to help our clients achieve significant growth with America’s new mainstream consumers. The firm is headquartered in New York City with offices in Miami and Los Angeles. Among our diverse list of clients are: Allstate, American General Financial, BlueCross BlueShield, Farmer’s Insurance, DirecTV, General Mills, Humana, H&R Block, Mass Mutual, SuperValu, TracFone and Univision and. To learn more about the Latin Force Group, please visit www.latinforce.net.”*

AyQueChevere.com, the first online Spanish language marketplace of its kind, launches its ecommerce website today. AyQueChevere.com will bridge the gap between 45 million Latino consumers and Fortune 500 retail and financial service outlets. Now consumers who prefer shopping for products in services in Spanish can enjoy the enhanced features, benefits and convenience online shopping provides. At the same time, companies striving to connect with the fastest growing consumer group in the United States have a new, potent tool to educate and reach that market.

“Our approach is a paradigm shift from the way most companies approach their clients,” said Ray Jelley, CEO of AyQueChevere.com. “Our advantage is that we not only speak the language and understand the culture of our consumer base, but we truly understand the Latino consumer market’s needs, not what general market businesses perceive those needs to be.”

“The Latino community is now the largest minority group in America,” Jelley continued. “There are more than 18.8 million Latino citizens online today, and represents 15% of the total population. We wanted to give our Spanish and Portuguese speaking consumers the advantages of online features and benefits that were up till now, only available in English.”

AyeQueChevere.com is designed to be the Internet’s one stop shop for Latino consumers. One particularly popular feature of this site is its price comparison section that provides clients with cost saving options on services such as automotive, insurance, real estate, mobile & wireless, mortgage, and home improvement. Consumers have the option of logging onto the website or calling 1-800-AyQueChevere to speak with someone live in Spanish, Portuguese or English. Additionally, the website includes a visually-rich 3D virtual mall featuring brand name products from US retailers as well as products from over 20 Spanish and Portuguese countries..

Serving both the Latino consumer and the corporate sponsors who wish to serve this community, AyeQueChevere.com represents a true a partnership proposition. What makes AyeQueChevere.com so powerful is that it benefits its corporate clients on two fronts. By leveraging unique understanding, AyeQueChevere.com helps to better position and message current products so they are more appealing and accessible to the Latino market. At the same time, valuable demographic and market preference data is collected, interpreted and available for companies so they can improve the success of their new product designs and promotional campaigns.

CEO Jelley explained, “The beauty of AyQueChevere.com is that we provide a direct infusion of new targeted consumers to our vendor partners, and work directly with them in order to in turn help grow their businesses.

AyQueChevere translates to “very cool” in English. Making use of the “coolness” that pervades Latino music, AyQueChevere.com plans to build its brand awareness offline by hosting a series of lfestival style concerts around the country.

About AyQueChevere.com:

AyQueChevere.com is a California-based ecommerce and market development company, providing lead generation services to leading consumer retail and services companies, and providing the first of its kind in-language ecommerce Latino marketplace. Establishing itself as a conduit for the nation’s 45 million Latino consumers to the benefits of online shopping, AyeQueChevere.com is uniquely positioned to help US businesses navigate the needs of this marketplace. AyQueChevere.com is a privately held company.

AyQueChevere, AyQueChevere.com and the AyQueChevere.com logo are trademarks of AyQueChevere.com, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Vendor opportunities:

Contact AyQueChevere Sales
800.411.6057
sales@ayquechevere.com

Investor relations and press contact:

Ray Jelley CEO
AyeQueChever.com
949.228.2248
rjelley@ayquecheve.com

Many types of fraud start with a phone call. Do you know who’s calling you? If not, you may be putting your hard-earned money at risk. Fraudulent telemarketing calls affect millions of people every year. On May 20th the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the largest telemarketing fraud case sweep in their history, including 180 law enforcement actions by federal, state, and local agencies. The FTC itself filed federal district court complaints against 13 allegedly deceptive telemarketing operations. The FTC estimates the companies involved in these 13 cases defrauded more than 500,000 consumers, resulting in over $100 million in losses.

Hispanic consumers may more likely be victims of fraud. FTC’s fraud survey report, Consumer Fraud in the United States, showed Hispanics were more likely to have experienced fraud than non-Hispanic whites. Among Hispanics, the three most frequently reported frauds were fraudulent weight-loss products; fraudulent work-at-home programs; and being billed for a buyers’ club membership the consumer had not agreed to purchase.

Through it’s new Who’s Calling? Recognize and Report Phone Fraud campaign and Web site, the FTC provides three R’s that Hispanic consumers can use to stop fraud:

1. Recognize. Learn steps to avoid telemarketing fraud, including:

- Check the clock. Calling times from legitimate telemarketers are restricted to the hours between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

- Ask why they are calling. Telemarketers must tell you it’s a sales call, the name of the seller and what they’re selling before they make their pitch.

- Know who you’re dealing with. Do business only with companies that clearly provide their name, street address, and phone number.

- Protect your personal information. Don’t give your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number to unknown callers.

- Don’t be pressured to make an immediate decision. Just about any offer that’s good today will be good tomorrow, too.

- Get the offer in writing. Get all information in writing before you pay.

2. Report fraud to the FTC.

3. Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov, or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.

For more information about specific types of telemarketing scams, and to learn additional signs of fraud, go to ftc.gov/phonefraud. The site has information on common telemarketing scams, including two short videos. The site also is accessible in Spanish at ftc.gov/fraudetelefonico .

To set-up an interview with an FTC spokesperson who can speak on behalf of the campaign and provide more information about telemarketing fraud, call Rosario Mendez at 202-326-3749. Additional print and online campaign resources are at ftc.gov/phonefraud .”*