News (Noticias) Tagged ‘State Farm’

State Farm Insurance ® is empowering Latino students, teachers and administrators today to help solve the dropout rate. Through a $3 million education grant to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), State Farm will help NCLR in their goals to promote excellence in students, increase Latino graduation rates, and close the achievement gap nationwide. Approximately 2.9 million Latinos are enrolled in U.S. high schools—representing 17% of all secondary public school students—and are less likely than their non-Hispanic peers to complete high school.

The grant, paid over a three-year period, marks the first major contribution to NCLR’s Campaign for Stronger American Communities intended to strengthen the organization’s Affiliates, improve its programmatic outreach, and enhance its effectiveness and impact by strategically focusing financial, human and technical resources in the field on issues of strategic importance to Latino communities across the U.S., such as education. To support this work, NCLR is raising $15 million over the next three years.

“State Farm is a long-time partner of NCLR and has worked with us to strengthen Latino communities by supporting our education programs,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “This latest commitment takes that work to a new level and supports our outreach efforts through our nearly 300 Affiliates. We’re excited by the prospective impact these grants will have on decreasing school dropout rates and building future leaders.” NCLR’s Affiliates reach throughout 41 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

“It’s vital that young members of this growing part of the American community attain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to be full and equal participants in the economy,” said Ed Rust Jr., State Farm Chairman & CEO. “NCLR and State Farm share a vision that begins with making sure our children stay in school and ends with all children achieving their greatest potential.”

The announcement of the grant was made today at a partnership luncheon hosted by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) for State Farm to recognize the long-standing support and contributions made to NCLR, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. At the event, held at NCLR Headquarters in Washington, Ms. Murguía recognized Mr. Rust for his corporation’s support of NCLR’s initiatives.

State Farm’s commitment to NCLR spans over a decade, including NCLR’s community efforts, Annual Conference, Capital Awards, the Raul Yzaguirre Building Capital Campaign, and the NCLR ALMA Awards. Barbara Cowden, executive vice president at State Farm, sits on NCLR’s Corporate Board of Advisors and is the Chair of NCLR’s Education Task Force. As an early contributor to NCLR’s “Empowering an American Community” campaign when it was launched in 2002, State Farm’s commitment was a cornerstone in NCLR’s efforts to strengthen its long-term institutional abilities. “Latinos have a growing role in our nation’s future prosperity and well-being. At NCLR, we appreciate having such a dedicated and supportive partner as State Farm in our work to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans,” said Ms. Murguía.

The grant to NCLR is one of State Farm’s major commitments under its “State Farm Es Para Mí™” campaign, which focuses on citizenship, civic engagement and education in the Latino community. Other education elements include a directory of scholarships, internships and fellowships for Latino students and grant applications to non-profit organizations and public schools for 200 grants of $1,000 each (due November 4, 2008). For more information, please call 1-877-564-3119 to find a participating State Farm agent.”

In celebration of National Citizenship Day, Wednesday, September 17th, legendary slugger David Ortiz is joining forces with State Farm to assist legally documented Latinos who want to become U.S. Citizens. Born in the Dominican Republic, the five-time All Star took the Oath of Citizenship on June 11, 2008 in Dorchester, Mass.

“The United States is a great country and I’m proud to be a citizen,” said David Ortiz. “My family cheered me on every step of the way. Now it is my turn to help others who share the dream of becoming a citizen.”

Ortiz spoke about his personal citizenship story during a satellite media tour yesterday targeted toward Hispanic media. “As a new citizen, I appreciate what it means to be an American — the freedom we enjoy, the opportunity we have, and representative government,” said Ortiz

“In baseball you need courage, confidence and perseverance and the same is true with becoming a citizen,” said Aymee Ruiz, corporate public affairs at State Farm. “David is a great role model for Latinos and National Citizenship Day is a way for all of us to honor those who have become citizens through the naturalization process.”

State Farm is one of the lead sponsors of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Ya Es Hora (It’s Time) national civic engagement campaign to inform, educate and motivate Latinos to participate in America’s democracy. NALEO’s efforts include providing eligible permanent residents with information about applying for U.S. citizenship, assisting U.S. citizens in registering to vote and encouraging people to vote and be active in the civic affairs of their community.

State Farm’s extensive relationships with and outreach to the Latino community also includes a new public affairs campaign, State Farm Es Para Mi(TM). In addition to supporting the Ya Es Hora campaign, State Farm is using the offices of its agents with bilingual (Spanish and English) capability to serve as clearinghouses for citizenship and voter registration information, as well as information about scholarship and internship opportunities for Latino students.

“The State Farm Es Para Mi(TM) campaign underscores the importance of culture, education, and citizenship in the Latino community,” says Ruiz. “Through this campaign State Farm’s participating bilingual agencies serve as a trusted resource, helping to meet the needs of the fast-growing Latino community in the United States.” To find a participating agent, call
1-877- 564-3119.

About State Farm:
State Farm(R) insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 67,000 employees serve over 77 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R). “

The Cincinnati chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs has today announced the official lineup of panel speakers for its inaugural Executive Perspective event, sponsored by Accenture. Five of the six featured speakers are Cincinnati area executives. This year’s topic is: “Developing a High Performance Mindset,” at the program which will be held August 7 at the Westin hotel.

Presenters include:
· Steve Aguilar, VP of operations for the Mid-America Zone of State Farm
· Miguel Alemañy, Director of worldwide research and development, Procter & Gamble
· Mark G. Contreras, Senior VP of newspapers, E. W. Scripps Company
· Tillie Hidalgo Lima, CEO Best Upon Request
· Nelson Rosario, GM, international programs, General Electric Aviation
· Jay Zerbe, utility industry managing partner, Accenture

Each of the speakers is invited to deliver a brief presentation related to the event’s topic, followed by a question-answer session and networking opportunity.

“This event provides not only NSHMBA members but, since the event is open to the public, the larger community with an opportunity for personal development by listening to Hispanic executives talk about the things that have brought them success,” Cincinnati NSHMBA president Gema Bahns said. “Even more importantly, it provides Greater Cincinnati with a positive picture of Hispanics in general. We are elated to be working with Accenture in order to present Executive Perspective and look forward to working with them for years to come.”

The NSHMBA Executive Perspective panel discussion will be held Thursday, August 7 in the Taft Room of the Cincinnati Westin, 21 East Fifth St. downtown. The event will be from 6-9pm and will include refreshments. Business dress is preferred. The cost for the event is free to the public, and reservations can be made online at cincinnati.nshmba.org/home.asp. Questions can be directed to Glenna Anderson, VP Corporate Relations at recruiting@cincinnati.nshmba.org.

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About The National Society for Hispanic MBAs

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Widely known as the “Premier Hispanic Organization,” NSHMBA serves 32 chapters and 7,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development. NSHMBA works to prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the U.S. so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce. More information can be accessed at: www.nshmba.org.

Media Contact: Allison Brinkman, Eisen Management Group
allison@eisenmanagementgroup.com
859.291.4302″

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.

Latino Expo USA Features Free Services on Health, Housing, and Citizenship, Plus Celebrity Appearances and Giveaways to the San Diego Community

San Diego, CA – Families in the San Diego area can enjoy diverse activities that are free and open to the public from Saturday, July 12 to Monday, July 14 at Latino Expo USA, presented at the 2008 National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Annual Conference. NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. These events kick off with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 12 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Latino Expo USA is a free, family-friendly expo with fun activities and informative exhibit booths and fairs. At Latino Expo USA, the whole family can enjoy games, raffles, prizes, live music, dancing, food, and product giveaways, as well as receive information from more than 200 exhibitors. Children—and grownups—can pose for photos with favorite TV characters, including Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, PBS’ Maya and Miguel, Sea World’s Shamu the Whale, and the San Diego Padres’ mascot, the Swinging Friar. There will be a Kids’ Trail sponsored by McDonald’s that will lead children and their families to child-friendly booths and a showcase of San Diego’s emerging talent to find the next generation of Latino superstars.

Saturday will kick off with the NCLR Diabetes Dash, a 5k run/walk (3.1 miles) that aims to strengthen public awareness of diabetes. NCLR Affiliate San Ysidro Health Center, Inc. will bring out their mobile health unit and a representative from the American Diabetes Association will join to share information on diabetes prevention techniques and programs, and offer diabetes screenings. The race is open to all and free registration is available at www.nclr.org/diabetesdash. On-site registration opens at 5:30 a.m. at the San Diego Embarcadero, behind the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. The race begins at 7:00 a.m. Arrive earlier for the warm-up led by the U.S. Marine Corps. A free commemorative T-shirt will be available to all Dash participants.

On Saturday and Sunday, Latino Expo USA will also feature the Housing Fair and Health Fair. The Housing Fair offers free credit reports and other expert resources to families seeking information and counseling on such topics as establishing credit, qualifying and applying for mortgage loans, and finding ways to refinance mortgage payments. The Health Fair features bilingual health professionals, free health screenings, information on access to health programs and services, and family health tips. The free health screenings will check blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, and test for HIV/AIDS, among other health factors. Univision Communications, Inc. will also be helping attendees register for digital converter boxes for the upcoming digital transition out of their booth.

Also on Saturday, NCLR, in collaboration with the national campaign ya es hora ¡Ciudadanía! and ConAgra Foods, will host a free citizenship application session for the first 500 eligible legal permanent residents. Sunday will also feature a free HOME Clinic to help local families find ways to mitigate the effects of the mortgage crisis. Lawyers and financial experts will provide counseling and services to participants at no charge. Finally, Monday’s focus is on recruitment opportunities and will feature a special list of exhibitors who will have Human Resources staff on hand to answer career-related questions and share information about opportunities.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:	Fun events at the 2008 Latino Expo USA, presented by NCLR
ADMISSION:	FREE Parking at the San Diego Convention Center is $8.00.
WHERE:	San Diego Convention Center / Hall D 111 West Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101
WHEN:	Saturday and Sunday (July 12-13)10:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Monday, July 14 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:30-5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12 Diabetes Dash, 7:00 a.m., San Diego Embarcadero 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. (registration and warm-up at 5:30 – 7:00 a.m.) FREE Citizenship Application Session 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. / Hall C Latino Expo USA Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, featuring Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, PBS’s Maya and Miguel, and Shamu the Whale. 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. / Hall D Latino Expo USA Health and Housing Fairs 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Hall D San Diego Padres’ Third Baseman, Kevin ‘Kooz’ Kouzmanoff, Autograph Signing Noon – 1:00 p.m. / Hall D at the Entertainment Stage Talent Showcase, featuring local San Diego talent, DJs, and personalities, and Magic 92.5 FM’s ‘Xavier the X-Man’. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. / Hall D at the Entertainment Stage, hosted by Sí TV, Magic 92.5 FM, and Z-90 FM Sunday, July 13 HOME Clinic, a foreclosure prevention clinic featuring a series of workshops by housing counselors and financial services experts including Julie Stav, presented with the support of State Farm Insurance Co. 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. / Hall C 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. / Hall C Mariachi Music and Dance Extravaganza, featuring local San Diego talent hosted by Recuerdo 102.9FM and La Nueva 106.5 FM 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. / Hall D at the Entertainment Stage Monday, July 14 Career Day, featuring Human Resources staff ready to answer questions and accept résumés for open positions (see list at entrance for participating exhibitors/recruiters) 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:30-5:00 p.m. / Hall D

JOIN THE FUN AT THE LATINO EXPO USA, PRESENTED BY NCLR!

It’s easy to make it to the 2008 NCLR Annual Conference and Latino Expo USA. Families can avoid parking fees by taking the MTS trolley or bus service to the San Diego Convention Center. On weekends, two children ages 12 and under can ride free with an adult who purchases a transportation ticket. Visit www.sdmts.com to learn more. For more information, visit www.nclr.org/latinoexpo.

“*

If TV is the new radio, advertising firm Alma DDB has taken the concept a step further with the creation of Los Felinos de la Noche.

The regional Mexican group stars in a multimedia State Farm Insurance campaign that began in March and has it playing opening gigs for major acts until July 6.

The trio, which played together informally before being cast in a TV commercial for the insurer, is on retainer to State Farm via the ad firm’s FiRe Advertainment division, Alma DDB president/chief creative officer Luis Miguel Messianu said. The group is working on a pilot for a reality show and other forms of entertainment in which the State Farm brand can be integrated.”*

With an eye on the fast-growing Hispanic market, State Farm Insurance Cos. will announce Thursday that it will be the lead sponsor of the largest national campaign thus far to encourage Latinos to become U.S. citizens and register to vote. That will make it the first mainstream U.S. corporation to put money behind the massive mobilization effort ahead of the November presidential vote.

State Farm, one of the country’s top home and auto insurers, will inject $1 million into the “Ya Es Hora” (It’s About Time) campaign. The drive — backed by the largest Spanish-language broadcast and print media in the U.S., and spearheaded by a nonpartisan outreach group, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials Educational Fund — could influence the agenda and outcome of the 2008 election.”*

LATINA Style Magazine, the premier magazine addressing the needs of established Latina & Women entrepreneurs in the U.S., will celebrate the 2008 LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS) 10 Year Anniversary Tour in Atlanta, GA, June 19, 2008, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown, 590 West Peach Tree NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308.

The LATINA Style Business Series is the most successful ongoing business development program for Latina business owners in the nation. Over 17,000 Latina entrepreneurs and professionals have benefited from participating in this exciting and informative one-day business program since it first launched in 1998. The focus of the 2008 Series will be to provide a platform for women business owners who are looking to position their enterprises to succeed at the next level.

The 2008 LSBS title sponsor is Macy’s Inc. National sponsors include: AFLAC, Principal Financial Group, Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, United Healthcare and Wal-Mart. The series beverage sponsor is PepsiCo and its brands Aquafina and Propel.

Macy’s has partnered with one of their cosmetic brands, LANCOME, to feature an all-day cosmetics lounge. Additionally, Macy’s will host a Fashion Seminar “Do’s and Don’ts in Business Attire” that will feature how to transform business outfits into evening wear. Ms. Xanthe Tilden, fashion and entertainment correspondent and producer for CNN en Espanol, will moderate the Macy’s Fashion Show.

The event Co-chairs are Sandra Font, Interim President, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Judith Martinez-Sadri, Editor-in-Chief, Atlanta Latino. The GHCC is the leading Hispanic business organization whose mission is to promote domestic and international economic development of Hispanic businesses and Hispanic business people to link businesses in Latin America and in Georgia. Atlanta Latino is the largest bilingual weekly newspaper with an audited circulation of 30,000 copies. Atlanta Latino is distributed to over 2,100 points of distribution throughout 13 counties in the Atlanta area in 38 cities. The company also owns and operates metro Atlanta’s premier bilingual website: www.atlantalatino.com .

According to the 2002 Economic Census, a report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 18,310 Hispanic-owned firms in the state of Georgia generating over 4.2 billion dollars in gross receipts. In the city of Atlanta alone there are 14,988 Hispanic-owned businesses generating over 3.2 billion dollars in sales.

In addition, LATINA Style has partnered with the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LatinVision, Latinos in Information and Sciences Technology Association (LISTA), National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), National Society of Hispanic MBA’s (NSHMBA), PR Newswire, SCORE, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). The U.S. Small Business Administration will provide local support and have a presence at the event.

Local Partners include: Atlanta Latino, Atlanta Women’s Network, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Minority Business Enterprise Center, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Georgia Women’s Business Council, Groupo Laza, LLC, and Mundo Hispanico. Local radio media partners include: Viva 105.7 and El Patron 105.3.

The event includes exhibits and expert presenters who will speak on the topics of “Securing Capital to Build Capacity,” “Protecting You and Your Investments,” “Successful Marketing Strategies to Sell You and Your Business,” “Latina Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lessons Learned” and “Macy’s Fashion Seminar.” We will feature local business leaders and hear first-hand how they were able to find true business success! These women will share the obstacles they have overcome, their secret to work-life balance, and how they stay motivated in their business. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with all of our panelists during the luncheon.

Registration fee includes: free makeovers at the cosmetic lounge by LANCOME, dynamic panels, high power networking opportunities in the exhibit area, breakfast, lunch, commemorative gift bag, and a two-year subscription to LATINA Style Magazine, for a tremendous value of only $30! Over 70 cities have been visited since the inception of the Business Series in 1998. Since then, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Latina, Hispanic, and small-business communities. The Series has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, FOX network, Univision, Telemundo, the San Diego Tribune, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and SBTV. “*

What if, during the casting of a State Farm commercial, three struggling Mexican musicians with day jobs such as gardening and construction work meet for the first time and form a successful band, get gigs, release a CD, do radio and TV interviews, and live the American dream?

That narrative is unfolding right now. And it’s all being orchestrated behind the scenes by branded-entertainment company Fire Advertainment, working with Alma DDB, the U.S. Hispanic agency that did the traditional four-spot campaign for the insurance company, including one commercial featuring the aspiring musicians. “*

LATINA Style Magazine, the premier magazine addressing the needs of established Latina & Women entrepreneurs in the U.S., will celebrate the 2008 LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS) 10 Year Anniversary Tour in Atlanta, GA, June 19, 2008, from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown, 590 West Peach Tree NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308.

The LATINA Style Business Series is the most successful ongoing business development program for Latina business owners in the nation. Over 17,000 Latina entrepreneurs and professionals have benefited from participating in this exciting and informative one-day business program since it first launched in 1998. The focus of the 2008 Series will be to provide a platform for women business owners who are looking to position their enterprises to succeed at the next level.

The 2008 LSBS title sponsor is Macy’s Inc. National sponsors include AFLAC, Principal Financial Group, Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, UnitedHealthcare and Wal-Mart. The series beverage sponsor is PepsiCo and its brands Aquafina and Propel.

Macy’s has partnered with one of their cosmetic brands LANCOME to feature an all day cosmetics lounge.

The event Co-chairs are Sandra Font, Interim President, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Judith Martinez-Sadri, Editor-in-Chief, Atlanta Latino. The GHCC is the leading Hispanic business organization whose mission is to promote domestic and international economic development of Hispanic businesses and Hispanic business people to link businesses in Latin America and in Georgia. Atlanta Latino is the largest bilingual weekly newspaper with an audited circulation of 30,000 copies. Atlanta Latino is distributed to over 2,100 points of distribution throughout 13 counties in the Atlanta area in 38 cities. The company also owns and operates metro Atlanta’s premier bilingual website: www.atlantalatino.com .

According to the 2002 Economic Census, a report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 18,310 Hispanic owned firms in the State of Georgia generating over 4.2 billion dollars in gross receipts. In the city of Atlanta alone there are 14,988 Hispanic owned businesses generating over 3.2 billion dollars in sales.

In addition, LATINA Style has partnered with the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPHA), Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LatinVision, Latinos in Information and Sciences Technology Association (LISTA), National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), PR Newswire, SCORE, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). The U.S. Small Business Administration will provide local support and have a presence at the event.

The event includes exhibits and expert presenters who will speak on the topics of “Securing Capital to Build Capacity,” “Protecting You and Your Investments,” “Successful Marketing Strategies to Sell You and Your Business,” “Latina Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lessons Learned” and “Macy’s Fashion Seminar.” We will feature local business leaders and hear first-hand how they were able to find true business success! These women will share the obstacles they have overcome, their secret to work-life balance, and how they stay motivated in their business. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with all of our panelists during the luncheon.

Registration fee includes: free makeovers at the cosmetic lounge by LANCOME, dynamic panels, high power networking opportunities in the exhibit area, breakfast, lunch, commemorative gift bag, and a two-year subscription to LATINA Style Magazine, for a tremendous value of only $30! Over 70 cities have been visited since the inception of the Business Series in 1998. Since then, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Latina, Hispanic, and small-business community. The Series has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, FOX network, Univision, Telemundo, the San Diego Tribune, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and SBTV.

LATINA Style Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for the professional Hispanic woman, hosts the LATINA Style Business Series bringing resources to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in the local area.

For more information or to register for the Atlanta Business Series, visit www.latinastyle.com or call 1-800-651-8083.”*

TeleFutura, one of the largest Spanish-language networks in the U.S. and the ideal entertainment alternative for Hispanics across the nation, announced today the winner of its popular singing competition, “Objetivo Fama” (Objective: Fame). Cristina Eustace of Dallas, TX was declared the show’s fifth season winner during a star-studded grand finale show broadcast LIVE from the Centro de Bellas Artes in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Hosted by “Escándalo TV’s” (Showbiz TV) inimitable Charytín Goyco, the “Objetivo Fama” grand finale gala featured performances by reggeatón superstar duo, Wisin y Yandel, as well as Mexican singer and actress, Lucero. In addition, two of the shows’ previous winners Marlon, and Juan, as well as two of the top finalists from other seasons, Iván López and Erica Gonzaba, offered spectacular joint performances with this season’s finalists. Also present during the gala were this season’s 20 participants as well as the renowned panel of judges which included Roberto Sueiro, Fernando Allende, and Mexican singer, Jimena.

The program also included a stellar red-carpet pre-show hosted by “Escándalo TV’s” Marisa del Portillo and Lilia Luciano, who were joined by regional Mexican music star, Rogelio Martínez and popular salsa group, NG2.

Vying for the winning title were four young artists from all corners of the U.S.; Yaindhi Alvarez from New York, NY; Samuel Colón from Moca, PR; Jonathan Rios from Lares, PR; and Christina Eustace from Dallas, TX. After delivering a compelling performance of El Amor que Soñé and Como Yo, Nadie Te Ha Amado, (duo with last season winner, Juan), Cristina Eustace was announced as the winner chosen by viewers.

“Original productions like ‘Objetivo Fama’ exemplify the kind of thrilling and varied programming we consistently offer our audience,” said Bert Medina, senior vice president and operating manager, TeleFutura. “This year’s competition was one of the toughest by far and we sincerely congratulate Cristina for her outstanding dedication and extraordinary winning performance.”

Cristina Eustace will receive a series of valuable prizes, including a recording contract with Universal Music Latin Entertainment (formerly Univision Music Group); a GT edition of Pontiac’s all-new 2009 Vibe; $10,000 cash from McDonald’s; and $10,000 in merchandise from Sears. “Objetivo Fama” relies on the solid support of great sponsors including Pontiac, McDonald’s Corporation, and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Additional sponsors include Garnier Fructis, Maybelline New York, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and Walgreens.

“Objetivo Fama” has truly brought fame to its participants, starting with the Puerto Rican singer, Janina, whose debut CD Todo de Mí featured two singles that climbed to the Top 20 in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America. Second season winner, Anaís, who is Dominican by birth and a New Yorker at heart, made her professional debut with the album titled Así Soy Yo, taking her song Lo que son las Cosas to the #1 spot in the Top 20 for seven consecutive weeks. She has received prestigious nominations for major music awards such as the “Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina” and the “Latin GRAMMY®s”. Marlon, the winner from the show’s third season and a Cuban artist who carries tropical music in his soul and his country’s liveliness in his heart, recently launched his first CD, Mi Sueño and earned a “Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina” nomination. Last year’s winner, Juan Vélez, also from Puerto Rico, has already recorded his first album, Con Mi Soledad, which was recently nominated for several music awards.

Extensive online and mobile integration made “Objetivo Fama” anything but a typical reality talent competition. Fans logged onto Univision.com (Keyword: Objetivo Fama) to access exclusive coverage of the entire season and the grand finale. Video highlights of top performances and must-see moments from the “Fama” house were also featured on the mini-site. For those fans on the go, Univision Móvil offered SMS voting, downloadable voice tones and wallpapers of their favorite contestants, as well as a dedicated “Objetivo Fama” mobile portal. In total, viewers cast over 16.5 million votes for their favorite contestants throughout the season, with nearly 11% of votes coming in via mobile.

The Objetivo Fama 2008 voting platform was provided by Telescope, Inc.”*

Last night, the Univision Television Network celebrated the grand finale of the second hit season of “Nuestra Belleza Latina” (Our Latin Beauty), a show that combines the glamour of a beauty competition with the excitement of reality television. Hosted by popular Univision personality Giselle Blondet, the finale was a nailbitting elimination for the six finalists who awaited their fate in front of a live studio audience. Captivated viewers from across the country voted for their favorite contestant and crowned Melissa Marty from Puerto Rico, “Nuestra Belleza Latina” 2008.

In addition to the title, Melissa has won the opportunity of a lifetime with a contract as Univision’s newest on-air personality as well as $200,000 in cash and prizes. This season’s sponsors, which include AT&T, JCPenney, Garnier Fructis, Maybelline New York, Sony and State Farm, are also providing the winner of “Nuestra Belleza Latina” with an array of cash and prizes.

Melissa Marty is a versatile kickboxing, aerobics and ballet instructor and a former “Miss Caguas.” A college graduate with a degree in communications, she was a host for a local television show where she developed her presentation skills and broadened her knowledge of the broadcast industry.

“We would like to congratulate Melissa Marty on this great achievement and acknowledge all the contestants for their hard work and perseverance throughout the competition,” said Alina Falcón, executive vice president and operating manager for the Univision Network. “We are thrilled to have an incredibly successful second season of ‘Nuestra Belleza Latina’ which is due in no small part to the viewer participation in this competition. We would also like to give a special thanks to our sponsors who were an integral part of making this show such a success.”

Of the many women who auditioned throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, only 12 finalists representing the most charismatic, intelligent and captivating Hispanic women were selected to compete. Each week, they faced-off in a fierce competition that tested their character and determination. After a series of eliminations 6 finalists made it to the grand finale: Melissa Marty – the winner, Emeraude Toubia, Mexican/Lebanese from Brownsville, TX – first-runner up; Dayamí Padrón, Cuban from Miami, FL – second runner-up; Zoila Ceballos, Dominican from New York, NY – third place; Leticia Castro, Mexican from Las Vegas, NV – fourth place; and Manuela Arbeláez, Colombian from West New York, NJ in fifth place.

“Nuestra Belleza Latina” will be back next season with more excitement than ever, expanding to two full hours on Sunday nights to bring viewers even more thrills and glamour, with more content than ever before and increased viewer participation.

Univision Móvil delivered complete mobile integration for AT&T subscribers, including post-show highlights and behind the scenes video. Mobile coverage of the show also featured a dedicated WAP site, downloadable content from finalists, SMS alerts and the opportunity to vote for their favorite contestants via text message. Univision.com also provided online voting and an insider’s look at the lives of the contestants, with exclusive interviews, videos, and an interactive game.”*

Gorgeous weather, large crowds and a fun-filled day of activities greeted attendees of Fiesta Atlanta ‘08, Atlanta’s largest outdoor Cinco de Mayo celebration held on Sunday, May 4th in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The approximately 45,000 attendees enjoyed Hispanic food, live music by national and local artists, arts and crafts, a live soccer tournament, and various sampling booths, making it one of the largest crowds assembled at Centennial Olympic Park since the 1996 Summer Olympics.

“Fiesta Atlanta ‘08 was a tremendous success,” said Ralph E. Herrera, President of Lanza Group, LLC. “An event like this isn’t possible without our many sponsors; our thanks go out to Bud Light, AT&T, State Farm, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Viva and El Patron Radio, Monster Energy Drink, Atlanta Latino, Hyatt Hotels of Atlanta, MARTA and the many others who supported Fiesta Atlanta. We also want to thank all the musical artists who participated and all of the many people who joined us celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the heart of Atlanta… this year’s attendance was diverse and a true reflection of present-day Atlanta! I was proud to see how many volunteers and supporters were present throughout our week long series of events. We are looking forward to expanding our successful track record of events with the inaugural Fiesta Georgia in September and again with Fiesta Atlanta ‘09!”

In addition to the food, art and music, this year’s event also featured a Soccer Challenge with 16 teams competing. The winning team, Alianza Soccer Club, defeated Boca Juniors with a final score of 6-1. The Soccer Challenge was sponsored by: Mundo Hispanico, El Pollo Loco, Azteca America TV, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and POWERade.

“Fiesta Atlanta, only in its second year, is amazing,” said Teresa Callava, Director Sales & Marketing for the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. “It was truly impressive to see the organization, the large attendance, the mix of attendees including a large percentage of non-Hispanic festival-goers, the well-balanced flow of activities and the large amount of sponsors that participated in your event.”

For more information about Fiesta Atlanta ‘08 and ‘09, contact Caroline Elisabeth Peters at (404) 350-0200 or at cpeters@lanzagroup.com. You can also visit www.fiestaatlanta.com. Fiesta Atlanta is a Lanza Group, LLC production.

Lanza Group, LLC is Atlanta’s premier full-service Hispanic Market Advertising and Public Relations firm specializing in the growing US Hispanic market. The Lanza Group provides a full-line of bilingual & bicultural services.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Caroline Elisabeth Peters
(404) 350-0200

The State Farm Companies Foundation increased its investment and involvement in the Latino community today with a major, annual contribution of $285,000 to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. The latest financial support from the State Farm Companies Foundation will create additional scholarships and community education programs for Latinos this year.

“We are excited about expanding our long-established partnership with the State Farm Companies Foundation,” said Frank D. Alvarez, HSF President and CEO. “This grant demonstrates the foundation’s commitment to improving access to higher education for everyone.”

State Farm and the State Farm Companies Foundation are working with HSF to provide more scholarships, to present more informational and educational events, and, in general, to promote higher education among Hispanics through more community involvement. First, this grant creates the HSF/State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to Latinos, in their junior and senior years enrolled in four-year institutions, pursuing careers in education.

In addition to scholarships, State Farm’s investment further expands HSF’s capacity to engage and support Latino students seeking the education they need to become future professionals. As the leader in this field, HSF knows college-going promotion, conditioning and outreach efforts in the Latino community are also critical. The expanded partnership will include a series of seven Town Hall Meetings in selected areas of California. These two-hour, completely bilingual sessions introduce students and their families to HSF and explain the basic steps necessary to prepare for college.

In an endeavor to begin conditioning Latino and families and promote discussion of going to college, the State Farm Corporation is sponsoring with HSF a student essay contest in California. The theme of the essays is “Education - A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime,” and 18 winning students, ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, will each receive an award of $1,000.

Since 1989, the State Farm Companies Foundation has contributed more than $750,000 to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

“This increased level of commitment to the remarkable students and families that HSF supports is just one of the many ways in which State Farm seeks to improve the vibrancy and strength of the communities in which we live and work,” said Rand Harbert, Senior Vice President for State Farm in California. He added, “we hope this contribution will make an impact in the lives of these students, their families and ultimately our state.”

HSF President Alvarez said, “We sincerely appreciate State Farm Companies Foundation’s willingness to invest in Hispanic youth through HSF, as we work to double the rate of Hispanics earning a college degree. Working together with companies and foundations like these, we will positively impact the future and move closer to our goal of strengthening America by generating more Latino college graduates.”

About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975 as a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, HSF’s vision is to strengthen the country by advancing college education among Hispanic Americans. In support of its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees, HSF provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. During the 2006-2007 academic year, HSF awarded nearly 4,200 scholarships exceeding $26.5 million. In its 32-year history, HSF has awarded more than 82,000 scholarships worth over $221 million to Latinos attending nearly 2,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit www.hsf.net.

About State Farm Companies Foundation
The State Farm Companies Foundation was established in 1963 as an independent private foundation and is primarily committed to education, helping to raise the level of student achievement in our elementary and secondary schools. The State Farm Companies Foundation provides funding for its education initiatives in the following areas: K-12 public schools, service learning and teacher excellence. For more information about the State Farm Companies Foundation, please visit www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/part_spos.asp.

About State Farm
State Farm(R) insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 76 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.7 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).”*

LATINA Style Magazine, the premier magazine addressing the needs of established Latina & Women entrepreneurs in the U.S., will celebrate the 2008 LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS) 10 Year Anniversary Tour in New York City, NY, Thursday May 15th, 2008, from 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019.

The LATINA Style Business Series is the most successful ongoing business development program for Latina business owners in the nation. Over 17,000 Latina entrepreneurs and professionals have benefited from participating in this exciting and informative one-day business program since it first launched in 1998. The focus of the 2008 Series is to provide a platform for women business owners who are looking to position their enterprises to succeed at the next level.

The event co-chairs are Shirley Rodríguez Remeneski, President, 100 Hispanic Women, and Jerusha Ramos, Investment Advisor for NL Financial and community leader with many advocacy organizations.

Mrs. Rodríguez Remeneski founded 100 Hispanic Women in 1996 as a forum for Latinas, individuals and organizations who support Hispanic women, to come together and address issues affecting our communities. Prior to founding 100 Hispanic Women, Mrs. Remeneski held the position of Senior Vice President at the Empire State Development Corporation’s Economic Revitalization Division, where she was appointed in January 2002. At Empire State Development, Ms. Remeneski was responsible for overseeing economic development for distressed communities in New York State, and designing projects and programs to stimulate growth and development that lead to the creation of permanent jobs, and sustainable business enterprises.

Ms. Ramos is a well-rounded business professional who works with business owners and other high-earning employees providing them with quality financial analysis and strategies. She is active in organizations such as National Association of Women Business Owners, serving in the capacity of Former Vice-President of Membership, New York City chapter and former National Chair of Diversity / Market Development Forum. She is also involved with the New York State Federation of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. In 2007, she chaired the 24th Northeast Regional Convention of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

The 2008 LSBS title sponsor is Macy’s Inc. National sponsors include Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, UnitedHealthcare and Wal-Mart.

In addition, LATINA Style has partnered with the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), iHispano.com, Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LatinVision, National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), PR Newswire, U.S. Small Business Administration, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

Local partners include: 100 Hispanic Women, Dress for Success , Greater New York Chamber of Commerce (GNYCC), Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC), Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce (MCHACC), National Association of Women Business Owners - New York (NAWBO-NY), National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health (NHCCH), New York City Department of Small Business Services, New York State Federation of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NYSFHCC), New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce (NYWCC), Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) Women’s Bureau-U.S. Department of Labor & Women’s Venture Fund.

The event includes exhibits and expert presenters who will speak on the topics of “Securing Capital to Build Capacity,” “Protecting You and Your Investments,” “Positioning Your Company for Success in the Supply Chain,” “Successful Marketing Strategies to Sell You and Your Business,” and “Latina Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lessons Learned.” We will feature local business leaders and hear first-hand how they were able to find true business success!

Registration fee includes: dynamic panels, high power networking opportunities in the exhibit area, breakfast, lunch, commemorative gift bag, and a two-year subscription to LATINA Style Magazine, for a tremendous value of only $30! Over 70 cities have been visited since the inception of the Business Series in 1998. Since then, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response by the Latina, Hispanic and small-business community. The Series has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, FOX network, Univision, Telemundo and SBTV, and in the San Diego Tribune, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and the Dallas Morning News.

LATINA Style Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for the professional Hispanic woman, hosts the LATINA Style Business Series bringing resources to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in the local area.

For more information or to register for the New York Business Series, visit www.latinastyle.com or call 1-800-651-8083.”*

Senior executives from the nation’s top corporations shared their perspectives with a cross-section of U.S. Latino leadership convening in New York for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility’s (HACR) 16th Annual Symposium, April 28-29, 2008.

The Power of Hispanic Inclusion was the topic of discussion during the second annual HACR CEO Roundtable, hosted by Time Warner Inc. Chairman Richard D. Parsons. He was joined in a thought-provoking discussion by UnitedHealthcare President & CEO Kenneth A. Burdick, Coors Brewing Company President & CEO Peter Swinburn, State Farm Insurance Companies Chairman & CEO Edward B. Rust, Jr. and Univision Communications Inc. CEO Joe Uva. Pattie Sellers, Editor-at-Large of FORTUNE Magazine, was the moderator.

“HACR is pleased to have brought together the senior officers of companies that demonstrate the value of Hispanic inclusion in all aspects of their operations,” said HACR President & CEO Carlos F. Orta. “These particular executives recognize and appreciate the economic and social contributions of the Hispanic Consumer Market and the Latino community to their companies’ growth.”

“As a leading media and entertainment company, Time Warner helps tell the world’s stories to a global audience. Therefore, cultivating diversity – of our content, products, and people – is a business imperative,” said Time Warner’s Chairman, Richard D. Parsons.

“Our efforts in reaching out and serving the communities where we live and work is an important part of our mission. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of more than 25 million customers — of whom more than 2 million are Hispanic,” said Ken Burdick, president and CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

“Diversity cannot be a program. It must be a state of mind … that helps us better serve our customers and understand the marketplace,” commented Ed Rust, Jr. chairman and CEO of State Farm.

“Our commitment and support of diversity is an integral part of our business priorities because we know that a diverse workplace and supplier base contributes to our success, strengthens us as a company and promotes economic development. And, that benefits everyone,” explained Peter Swinburn, President & CEO of the Coors Brewing Company.

“As the leading Spanish-language media company in the U.S., today more than 80 percent of our workforce is Hispanic,” added Joe Uva, CEO of Univision Communication Inc. “Univision is in an enviable place in that we can attract and retain the best in our industry, allowing us to continue to deliver for our audiences, partners and community.”

“The purpose of the CEO Roundtable discussions is to bring together the top executive officers of our nation’s most respected corporate citizens in order to gain insights on matters of mutual interest,” stated Manuel Mirabal, Chairman of the HACR Board of Directors. “The opportunity to have our stakeholders learn about the best diversity practices of Fortune companies allows HACR to provide its Corporate Partners a higher level of support and assistance in the areas of corporate responsibility.”

About HACR:

Founded in 1986, HACR is the most respected advocate for corporate responsibility. Today its board consists of 13 Coalition Member organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. HACR’s mission is to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in corporate America at a level commensurate with the population’s economic contributions. HACR focuses on four areas of corporate responsibility and economic reciprocity: employment, procurement, philanthropy, and governance.

Through the HACR Research Institute, HACR publishes annual studies on the state of the U.S. Latino community and corporate best practices in governance, philanthropy, procurement and employment. The HACR Leadership Program prepares highly experienced professionals and entrepreneurs for corporate board nominations. HACR’s Corporate Index ranks corporations relative to their overall Hispanic inclusion performances.”*

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vetoed the Legislature’s resolution urging the president and Congress to end Cuban trade and travel restrictions. Many legislators figured the nonbinding resolution was a nice way to support state farmers and business people who’d like to see some economic opportunities with a nearby nation. “*

Lanza Group, LLC, one of Atlanta’s leading Hispanic market advertising and PR firms, today proudly announced that State Farm Insurance(R) is the official insurance sponsor of Fiesta Atlanta ‘08, an outdoor Cinco de Mayo festival celebrating Latino culture, music and food. Fiesta Atlanta ‘08 takes place on Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. “We’re happy to have State Farm Insurance as our official insurance sponsor,” said Ralph E. Herrera, President of Lanza Group, LLC. “Their presence last year helped to educate and inform many of our attendees and we look forward to more of the same this year.”"*

LATINA Style Magazine, the premier magazine addressing the needs of established Latina & Women entrepreneurs in the U.S., will celebrate the 2008 LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS) 10 Year Anniversary Tour in New York City, NY, April 25, 2008, from 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019.

The LATINA Style Business Series is the most successful ongoing business development program for Latina business owners in the nation. Over 17,000 Latina entrepreneurs and professionals have benefited from participating in this exciting and informative one-day business program since it first launched in 1998. The focus of the 2008 Series will be to provide a platform for women business owners who are looking to position their enterprises to succeed at the next level.

The 2008 LSBS title sponsor is Macy’s Inc. National sponsors include Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, UnitedHealthcare and Wal-Mart.

The event co-chairs are Shirley Rodríguez Remeneski, President, 100 Hispanic Women, and Jerusha Ramos, Investment Advisor for NL Financial and community leader with many advocacy organizations. Mrs. Rodriguez Remeneski founded 100 Hispanic Women in 1996 as a forum for Latinas, individuals and organizations who support Hispanic women, to come together and address issues affecting our communities. Ms. Ramos is a well-rounded business professional, who works with business owners and other high-earning employees providing them with quality financial analysis and strategies. She is active in organizations such as National Association of Women Business Owners, serving in the capacity of Former Vice-President of Membership, New York City chapter and former National Chair of Diversity / Market Development Forum. She is also involved with the New York State Federation of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. In 2007, she chaired the 24th Northeast Regional Convention of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

In addition, LATINA Style has partnered with the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, League of United Latin American Citizens, LatinVision, National Association of Hispanic Publications, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, PR Newswire, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Local partners include: 100 Hispanic Women, New York City Department of Small Business Services New York State Federation of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce & Dress for Success.

The event includes exhibits and expert presenters who will speak on the topics of, “Securing Capital to Build Capacity, ” “Protecting You and Your Investments,” “Positioning Your Company for Success in the Supply Chain,” “Successful Marketing Strategies to Sell You and Your Business,” and “Latina Entrepreneur Spotlight: Lessons Learned.” We will feature local business leaders and hear first-hand, how they were able to find true business success! These women will share the obstacles they’ve overcome, their secret to work-life balance, and how they stay motivated in their business. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with all of our panelists during the luncheon.

Registration fee includes; dynamic panels, high power networking opportunities in the exhibit area, breakfast, lunch, commemorative gift bag, and a two-year subscription to LATINA Style Magazine, for a tremendous value of only $30! Over 70 cities have been visited since the inception of the Business Series in 1998. Since then, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response by the Latina, Hispanic and small-business community. The Series has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, FOX network, Univision, Telemundo, the San Diego Tribune, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and SBTV.

LATINA Style Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for the professional Hispanic woman, hosts the LATINA Style Business Series bringing resources to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in the local area.

For more information or to register for the New York Business Series visit www.latinastyle.com or call 1-800-651-8083.”*

Former Dodger great, Pedro Guerrero, is teaming up with State Farm to launch Fiesta del Jonron Tour, a fully interactive fan experience at the AT&T Fiesta Broadway presented by State Farm on April 27, 2008. Over 500,000 Latino consumers will attend the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the country and have the opportunity to meet the Major League great.

In addition to the appearance of the 1981 World Series MVP, the State Farm Fiesta del Jonron Tour will include a home run competition, “Buzz vehicle”, personalized baseball cards, and the chance to win numerous prizes. This tour will bring families who share a love for America’s favorite pastime together unlike ever before.

“The largest Cinco de Mayo event in the country provides the perfect launching point for the Fiesta del Jonron Tour,” said Mark Gibson, assistant vice president of advertising for State Farm. “This tour serves as yet another example of State Farm’s commitment to engaging with our customers and their families in a culturally relevant way.”

After kicking off the Tour in Los Angeles, Fiesta del Jonron currently has sixteen additional tour stops scheduled including the MLB All-Star Game in New York from July 11, 2008 through July 15, 2008 and culminating with the Fiesta D.C. on September 28, 2008. Other stops include:

– May 3 - Cinco De Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival in Denver, Colo.
– May 9 - Fiesta in the Heartland, Kansas City, Mo.
– May 18 - Escondido Street Festival, San Diego, Calif.
– May 24 - Carnaval San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.
– June 7 - 116th Street Festival, New York, N.Y.
– June 14 - Tampa Bay Rays Latino Night, Tampa Bay, Fla.
– June 21 - Latino Fest, Baltimore, Md.
– June 29 - Fiesta de Puerto Rico, Miami, Fla.
– July 3 - Fiesta Goya on the Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa.
– July 25 - Gran Fiesta, Fort Worth, Texas.
– August 17 - Junta Hispana, New York, N.Y.
– August 23 - Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, Chicago, Ill.
– September 7 - Fiesta, GA - Atlanta, Ga.
– September 14 - Fiestas Patrias - Dallas, Texas.
– September 16 - Fiesta Patrias, Houston, Texas.

State Farm is also in the second year as a sponsor of AT&T Fiesta Broadway presented by State Farm and will be hosting numerous activities at their pavilion during the event. Visit www.statefarm.com for more information about Fiesta del Jonron and State Farm. “*

The National Hispanic Corporate Council will hold its spring member meeting in Bloomington, Illinois, April 22-24, 2008, hosted by State Farm Insurance Companies at their corporate headquarters. The Fortune 1000 member executives will confer on topics covering diversity best practices, leadership, community relations metrics and executive development. Supplier diversity will be the topic for NHCC’s second Think Tank.

Supplier Diversity Think Tank

NHCC continues its Think Tank series with a pre-conference seminar to be held at Illinois State University, Tuesday, April 22, 2008. This high level discussion, lead by noted experts, is aimed at program managers. Among the panelists, William Strauss, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; Hector V. Barreto, Jr., former Administrator, Small Business Administration and Chairman, Latino Coalition; Kurt Albertson, Director Advisory Services Procurement Practice, The Hackett Group; Willie Brown, Executive Vice President, State Farm Insurance; Patricia Richards, Corporate Supplier Diversity, Shell Oil Company; and Greg Scott, Corporate Supplier Diversity, Sprint Nextel Corporation. The group will discuss “Economic Globalization and the Affect on Supplier Diversity in the United States.”

“Building Brand Equity through Supplier Diversity and Measuring Supplier Diversity ROI” will be the focus of the second panel comprised of Cristina Benitz, President, Lazos Latinos; Allen Gutierrez, Former COO, USHCC and Board of Director, Latino Coalition; Gladys Lopez Medina, Corporate Supplier Diversity, American Express; and Diego Osuna, Corporate Supplier Diversity, General Mills. Al Barraza and Ray Celaya, Barraza Consulting Group, will facilitate.

Diversity

Dave Gonzales, Senior Vice President, State Farm Insurance Company, opens the conference and Christine Johnson, Ph.D., former President; Community College of Denver, will deliver the keynote speech, addressing the need to develop leaders with cultural sensitivity. Luke Visconti, Partner/Co-founder, DiversityInc. discusses how companies are structuring diversity initiatives to meet the needs of the corporation.

Executive Development and Leadership

Carl Kravetz, Chairman/Chief Strategic Officer, cruz/kravetz:IDEAS will cover the importance of developing one’s own “Authentic” leadership style including the four pillars revealed by AHAA’s four decades of economic research on Latino identity. A best practice panel on leadership development through ERG’s includes Bob Reed, Vice President Diversity & Inclusion, AT&T; Jeffrey Smith, Associate Director Global Diversity, Procter & Gamble; and Luke Visconti.

Juana Bordas, President, Mestiza Leadership International, will share the main characteristics of various Hispanic leadership styles. Bordas will focus on training and developing a work environment encouraging diversity and effective leadership. Fernando A. Mendez, Senior Consultant, Vice President, Personnel Decisions International rounds out the leadership session. Mendez will share findings from data collected on the personal traits and success factors of executive leaders.

Community Relations and School Program

Community Relations measurements and metrics will be shared by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. executives, Jose “Pepe” Estrada, Director Ally Development, Corporate Affairs; Mark Espinoza, Senior Director Hispanic & Asian Markets; and Roger Guzman, Senior Manager, Hispanic Markets. A community school program sponsored by State Farm, will be presented at Illinois Wesleyan University for 120 Bloomington area high school students and teachers. Dr. Samuel Betances of Souder, Betances and Associates, a diversity and executive development expert will address the group.

The National Hispanic Corporate Council www.nhcc-hq.org, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing its member companies resources on effectively maximizing the diversity of the Hispanic market opportunity through marketing, community relations, human resources and procurement. If you are interested in attending contact Helen Trinidad at htrinidad@nhcc-hq.org.

CONTACT: Helen Trinidad (703) 850-4338
Website:

*From: http://sev.prnewswire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish