News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Toyota’

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) - the organization that pioneered the concept of raising the literacy level of parents and children simultaneously - today announced five new cities in the Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP).

Today’s new cities are Las Cruces, N.M.; Las Vegas; Long Beach, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Springdale, Ark. That brings the total number of TFLP cities to 25 and represents an additional $3 million investment from Toyota in the program, which is the first nationwide project of its kind to focus on the needs of Hispanic and other immigrant families. Since 1991, Toyota’s commitment to NCFL programming has exceeded $36 million.

Created by NCFL in 2003, TFLP increases basic language and literacy skills among Hispanic and other immigrant families, and provides parents with the skills they need to help their children succeed in school. It serves children in kindergarten to third grade and their parents.

TFLP is unique because it not only brings parents and children together in a classroom but also includes programming that is culturally relevant to the populations served.

Statistics show the investment couldn’t come at a better time. The nation’s largest and fastest growing minority group is also the only one that has experienced a decline in literacy in the last 15 years - contributing to Hispanic dropout rates that are four times higher than those for whites. However, the dropout rate for Hispanic students who speak English well is only 16 percent, compared to 59 percent for Hispanics who do not.

Results from the TFLP programs already implemented include:

* Significant literacy gains by adults with 54 percent improving literacy scores by at least one level. This has contributed to an improved understanding of basic oral and written instructions in English, reading a note from a teacher, setting up a doctor’s appointment, and displaying basic computer literacy skills (word processing and sending email);
* Children in the program exceeded peers in such areas as academic performance (79 percent), motivation to learn (86 percent), attendance (96 percent), classroom behavior (91 percent), and involvement in classroom activities (88 percent).
* 92 percent of parents stating they are better able to help their child with homework; and
* 91 percent of parents stating their child’s grades have improved.

“NCFL has pioneered a proven formula and delivery of family literacy services that not only works for the participants, but for the betterment of the communities,” said Sharon Darling, president and founder of NCFL. “The program’s expansion into 25 cities is a result of the impressive gains made by the thousands of TFLP participants since 2003.”

NCFL announced today that Toyota will fund another round of five cities for the program, for a total of 30 cities. Those applications will be accepted in December and awarded in 2009.

“The expansion of the Toyota Family Literacy Program into 25 cities since 2003 is a tribute to NCFL and educators throughout the nation who have made it a success,” said Patricia Pineda, group vice president, philanthropy, at Toyota Motor North America. “Through the dedication of NCFL, we have seen first-hand how the program has improved the literacy skills of thousands of children and their parents across the nation.”
Since its inception in 2003, the Toyota Family Literacy Program has been implemented in large and small cities - those with a long history of large Hispanic populations and ones that are seeing a new influx of immigrants. The 25 cities are:

Chicago
Washington
Los Angeles
New York
Providence, R.I.
Chelsea, Mass.
Denver
Detroit
Santa Paula, Calif.
Shelby County, Ala.
Chula Vista, Calif.
Orlando, Fla.
San Antonio Wichita, Kan.
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Salt Lake City
Burien/Seattle
Mesa, Ariz.
Miami
Oakland, Calif.
Las Vegas
Las Cruces, N.M.
Long Beach, Calif.
Memphis, Tenn.
Springdale, Ark.
ABOUT NCFL:

The National Center for Family Literacy, founded in 1989, is the worldwide leader in family literacy. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, contact 1-877-FAMLIT-1 or visit www.famlit.org.

ABOUT TOYOTA

Since 1991, Toyota and NCFL have forged successful programs to promote family literacy in the United States. Today, the Toyota/NCFL partnership accounts for 241 family literacy sites in 47 cities and 29 states. As part of this partnership, the Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award has been presented annually since 1997 and recognizes individual teachers’ contributions to improving literacy among youth and adults. Additional information on Toyota’s commitment to improving education nationwide is available at www.toyota.com/about/our_commitment/philanthropy/education. “

Nobox Marketing Group has placed the user front and center in its new branding campaign for Scion of Puerto Rico (www.scion-pr.com).  The Scion Home Page as well as their online promotional banners have become a virtual canvass for user-generated artistic expression that makes for one very creative and popular, interactive, real-time client-brand experience.  Scion Art, as the campaign is called, invites users to express themselves by playing with the brand and, in the process, also contribute their individual points of view to the new branding campaign.

At the heart of this creative endeavor is a “builder” application, developed by Nobox, which engages users in real-time on the Scion website and on their banner ads (www.pointroll.com/PointRoll/AdDemo/Toyota/PRToyotaScion_728×90_Exp_DEMOPd1.asp); users get to design their own individual canvass, by choosing amongst an array of backgrounds, graphics, texts and stickers to create a personalized design that best expresses their sense of the brand.  The result is an original, one-of-kind, Scion-branded work of art which not only takes its place in the online Scion Art gallery, located on the website’s Home Page, but is additionally transformed into rich media banners for the interactive marketing campaign currently running.

“We felt the best way to promote a brand that stands for uniqueness and creativity was through the eyes of its uniquely creative audience,” noted Nobox President Jayson Fittipaldi.  “We’re totally amazed by the artistic quality of the submissions; it’s more than evident the Scion brand is very dear to its consumers.”

According to Maribel Bengoa, Marketing Manager of Scion in Puerto Rico, “Scion is a brand that celebrates the creative energy and the qualities that make us unique; Scion Art reflects this spirit. Like our models, the essence of Scion Art is to provide a custom experience, giving everyone the opportunity to interact with the brand.”

The Scion Art campaign is representative of a Best Practice example of the power of interactive marketing; what could be more aspiring for any brand than to have its users interacting with all its various elements – logo, images, etc. – to engage them emotionally through art.  It’s no wonder the numbers of submissions have surpassed all expectation during the campaign’s first week.

About Nobox Marketing Group

Nobox Marketing Group is an interactive agency specializing in universal integrated marketing strategies.  The agency creates innovative campaigns that integrate a variety of effective marketing strategies that cut through the clutter and help industry leaders effectively communicate messages to audiences throughout the world.  Nobox clients include: Copa Airlines, Mozilla, Verizon Wireless, Toyota, Scion, Lexus and Banco Popular. The agency, which maintains offices in South Florida and Puerto Rico, is the recipient of numerous international design and marketing awards. For more information, visit www.nobox.com.”

2008 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Vikki Carr, Flex featuring Belinda, David Lee Garza, Juanes, and Rosario are the latest performers announced for the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards telecast, it was announced today by The Latin Recording Academy®. Actors Cristián de la Fuente and Patricia Manterola will host the Latin music industry’s premier event. Confirmed to present awards are current Latin GRAMMY nominee Buika, and actors Karyme Lozano, Eugenio Siller, and Mayrín Villanueva. The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will take place on Nov. 13 at the Toyota Center in Houston and will be broadcast on the Univision Network from 8 – 11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

International superstar Juanes is nominated for five awards: Album Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Album for La Vida…Es Un Ratico, and Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Me Enamora.” Reggaeton artist Flex has two nods for Best Urban Music Album (Te Quiero) and Best Urban Song (”Te Quiero”). Latin pop artist Rosario is up for Best Female Pop Vocal Album (Parte De Mí).

Previously announced performers include current Latin GRAMMY nominees Café Tacvba, Kany García, Alejandra Guzmán, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón and Julieta Venegas. Previously announced presenters feature actors Daniela Castro, César Evora and Eduardo Santamarina; current Latin GRAMMY nominees Ednita Nazario and Ximena Sariñana; and two-time GRAMMY® and nine-time Latin GRAMMY winner Juan Luis Guerra.

Preceding the Awards show telecast, Univision will present exclusive “Noche de Estrellas” (Night of the Stars) coverage of the celebrity arrivals direct from the Latin GRAMMY Awards Green Carpet starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central). Presented by “Primer Impacto” co-anchor Bárbara Bermudo and host of “Nuestra Belleza Latina” Giselle Blondet, “Noche de Estrellas” will feature live interviews and commentary on the stars and their fashions, and provide viewers an intimate and up close look at Latin music’s most glamorous gala event.

The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will feature 49 categories and will be supported on radio via Univision Radio (the official Spanish-language radio network of the Latin GRAMMY Awards), and highlighted on the Internet by Univision Online (the official Spanish-language Web site of the Latin GRAMMY Awards) at www.univision.com (Uniclave Latin GRAMMY). For more information and a complete list of nominees, please visit www.grammy.com. Tickets are available to the general public and can be purchased at the Toyota Center Box Office at www.toyotacentertix.com, or by dialing 1.866.4HOUTIX (1.866.446.8849).

9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Performers and Presenters

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and

cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community. For more information about The Latin Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

—————–

belinda, VIKKI CARR, FLEX, DAVID LEE GARZA, JUANES,

Y ROSARIO ACTUARAN EN LA 9A. entrega

anual del latin GRAMMY®

LOS ACTORES CRISTIAN DE LA FUENTE Y PATRICIA MANTEROLA SERAN los mAESTROs DE CEREMONIAs DE la gran noche de la mUsica latina

Buika, Karyme Lozano, Eugenio Siller, y Mayrín Villanueva se Unen a la Lista de Presentadores del Evento Principal  De La Industria De La Música Latina Que Se Realiza en el Toyota Center en Houston Por Primera Vez Y Se Transmitirá

En Vivo el 13 de Noviembre Por La Cadena Univisión

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (23 de octubre de 2008) —  La homenajeada con el Premio A La Excelencia Musical de La Academia Latina de la Grabación® 2008 Vikki Carr, Flex con Belinda,, David Lee Garza, Juanes, y Rosario se unen a la lista de artistas que participaran en la transmisión de la 9a. Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY®, según lo anunció hoy La Academia Latina de la Grabación. Los actores Cristián de la Fuente y Patricia Manterola serán los maestros de ceremonias de la gran noche. Confirmados para anunciar algunas de las categorías son la actualmente nominada al Latin GRAMMY Buika, y los actores Karyme Lozano, Eugenio Siller, y Mayrín Villanueva. La 9a. Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY se llevará a cabo el 13 de noviembre en el Toyota Center en Houston y se transmitirá en vivo por la Cadena Univisión de 8 – 11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. hora central).

La estrella internacional Juanes tiene cinco nominaciones por Album Del Año y Mejor Album Vocal Pop Masculino por La Vida…Es Un Ratico, y Grabación Del Año, Canción Del Año, y Mejor Video Musical Versión Corta por “Me Enamora”. Flex tiene dos nominaciones por Mejor Album De Música Urbana (Te Quiero) y Mejor Canción Urbana (“Te Quiero”). La Artista de pop Latino Rosario esta nominada a Mejor Album Vocal Pop Femenino (Parte De Mí).

Entre los artistas anunciados previamente para actuar en el espectáculo se encuentran Café Tacvba, Kany García, Alejandra Guzmán, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, y Julieta Venegas. Entre los presentadores previamente anunciados se encuentran los actores  Daniela Castro, César Evora y Eduardo Santamarina; los actualmente nominados al Latin GRAMMY  Ednita Nazario, Ximena Sariñana, y el ganador de dos GRAMMY®s y nueve Latin GRAMMYs Juan Luis Guerra.

Previamente a la transmisión de la entrega del Latin GRAMMY, Univisión presentará “Noche De Estrellas” con cobertura exclusiva de la llegada de las estrellas directamente desde la alfombra verde de los Latin GRAMMY a partir de las 7 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. Central). Presentada por la co-presentadora de “Primer Impacto” Bárbara Bermudo y la presentadora de “Nuestra Belleza Latina” Giselle Blondet, “Noche De Estrellas” presenta entrevistas en vivo y comentarios de las estrellas y su moda, ofreciendo a los televidentes una visión cercana e íntima al evento de gala más glamoroso de la música latina.

Artistas y Presentadores de La 9a. Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY

La 9a. Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY incluirá 49 categorías y contará con el apoyo radial de Univisión Radio (la cadena de radio en español oficial del Latin GRAMMY en los Estados Unidos), y la presencia en el Internet de Univisión Online (el socio cibernético oficial del Latin GRAMMY) en latingrammy.univision.com. Para más información y  para ver una lista completa de los nominados por favor visite www.grammy.com. Algunos boletos para el público todavía quedan disponibles para la 9a. Entrega Anual del Latin GRAMMY y se pueden comprar por teléfono a 1.866.4HOUTIX (1.866.446.8849) o por el Internet a www.toyotacentertix.com. Boletos también estarán a la venta en la taquilla del Toyota Center.

La Academia Latina de la Grabación es una organización internacional compuesta por artistas, músicos, compositores, productores, y otros profesionales técnicos y creativos de la grabación, de habla hispana y portuguesa. La organización se dedica a mejorar la calidad de vida y las condiciones culturales de la música latina y sus creadores. Además de producir la Entrega del Latin GRAMMY para premiar la excelencia en las artes y ciencias de la grabación, La Academia Latina de la Grabación brinda programas educativos y de asistencia para la comunidad musical latina. Para más información acerca de La Academia Latina de la Grabación, por favor visite el sitio en Internet www.grammy.com.”

“should be compared to Bob Dylan, U2, or the Clash” - All Music Guide

“[Latin] music’s greatest statesmen… Los Tigres sell millions of records, regularly top Billboard’s Latin charts and draw tens of thousands of fans to stadiums… In short, they are among the most popular acts in Latin music today… …Los Tigres del Norte have been singing border stories for more than three decades” - New York Times

After Garnering The Best Norteño Album GRAMMY Award For The Second-Consecutive Year And Notching  Another #1 Album With Their Recently Released Album Raices (Roots), The Legendary Los Tigres Del Norte Continue Their Touring Tradition Of Bringing Multi-Hour Shows To The Mexican Immigrant Community Across The Country

LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE Will Perform At These Upcoming Tour Dates

8-02 Anaheim, CA-Anaheim Convention Center           9-21 St Paul, MN-St Paul Armory
8-03 Ventura, CA-Ventura Fairgrounds                        9-27 Los Angeles, CA-Los Angeles Sports Arena
8-08 Santa Rosa, CA-Fairgrounds                               9-28 Denver, CO-Pepsi Center
8-09 Salt Lake City, UT                                               10-04 Dallas, TX-AA Center
8-10 Lemoore, CA-Tachi Palace Casino                      10-05 Houston, TX-Toyota Center
8-11-to 8-27 – Tour of Spain                                      10-25 San Diego, CA-San Diego Sports Arena
8-29 Portland, OR-Expo Center                                   10-26 Sacramento, CA-Arco Arena
8-30 Tacoma, WA-Tacoma Dome                               11-01 Laredo, TX-Laredo Entertainment Center

8-31 Reno, NV-Fairgrounds                                        11-02 Mc Allen, TX-Dodge Arena

9-07 San Jose, CA-HP Pavilion                                   11-26 Austin, TX-Palmer Convention Center

9-13 Phoenix, AZ-Radio Festival                                  11-27 Forward, TX-Far West Rodeo

9-14 Las Vegas, NV-Thomas & Mack Center             11-28 Oklahoma, OK-Far West Rodeo

9-19 Des Moines, IO-Val Air Ballroom                        11-29 Tyler, TX-Far West Rodeo

9-20 Omaha, NB-Omaha Convention Center

- - - - - - - -

“the godfathers of norteno music, Los Tigres have crossed many borders in their career…the group updated the traditional conjunto sound and turned it into an international phenomenon…their music has helped to break down barriers between cultures, generations and even countries, particularly between Mexico and the United States …long revered as the voice of the Latino immigrant community, Los Tigres spends 10 months on the road… Its ever-expanding fan base inspired the Grammy-winning group’s latest disc, “Raices”… when Los Tigres take the stage, they celebrate these roots but also the ongoing saga of the immigrant experience.” - Chicago Sun-Times

“the most popular Norteño group in the world… these grand men of music have taken their message of hope and hardship beyond the borderland and into millions of hearts throughout the United States and Mexico.” –Dan Rather

“norteño icons Los Tigres del Norte [are] the most influential regional Mexican group in the United States… Los Tigres are not just another popular musical act… Instead, they’re widely viewed as the voice of the people, capable of making you dance to a cumbia one instant, [or] weep the next with a woeful immigrant’s tale” –Billboard

“Singing Stories From Lives Lived Far Away From Home…Los Tigres del Norte have perfected a ground-level symbiosis with their fans. … Their show on Saturday night, was mega-size: music all night and far into the morning hours… Los Tigres playing 42 songs, finally ending at 3 a.m… each time Los Tigres bit into the groove of a two-beat ranchera, sustenance was served in jolts… the band’s [leader] Jorge Hernández…was mesmerizing”

- New York Times- “Arts & Leisure” COVER – Concert Review

“Los Tigres del Norte has reinvented Mexican music… Every record sells a million copies… Its logo is as well known in Mexican communities as Coca-Cola’s… Los Tigres [are] the most perceptive chroniclers of the Mexican-American experience. In song, they reflect its most personal feelings, and [take] the side of millions of immigrants who are voiceless on both sides of the border… following a Los Tigres concert schedule is to discover all the places Mexicans live … Their songs remain one of the clearest windows into the immigrant soul.” – Los Angeles Times

MIAMI/SAN JUAN, July 22, 2008 – Consumer concerns over the ongoing increases in the price of oil are motivating automobile manufacturers to become more creative in marketing their products.  That’s the reason Toyota of Puerto Rico turned to Miami/San Juan-based Nobox Marketing Group; these past years the agency has been consistently producing award-winning interactive marketing campaigns for Toyota as well as other global blue chip accounts

Nobox’s solution for Toyota: “The Incredible Gas Saving Machine”.  The Spanish-language website (www.LaIncreibleMaquinadeAhorrarGasolina.com), launched last week, reinforces Toyota’s commitment to addressing the needs of those clients struggling to navigate the current economic volatility.  The website, which also seeks to develop greater environmental awareness, is an ingenious approach to helping consumers gain a better understanding of the many myths associated with gasoline consumption.

According to Maribel Bengoa, marketing manager for Toyota of Puerto Rico, “The website offers us a unique opportunity to connect with our consumers, in a fun and engaging way, to empower them with vital information about smart gasoline consumption in today’s economy.  Nobox’s novel approach will provide our customers with much needed clarification regarding numerous doubts and concerns commonly associated with this topic as well as allow them to compare fuel consumption on Toyota’s models with those of our competitors”.

“Our creative team has enjoyed journeying back in time to develop a 19th century-themed website where users take part in helping our tinkering inventor fix his great gas saving machine”, noted Nobox President Jayson Fittipaldi.  “In playing the game, Toyota’s clients embark on a fantastic adventure, intended to further educate them about the realities of gasoline usage and environmental impact”.

Nobox has been collaborating with the Toyota Group over the past eight years.  Their most recent project for Toyota of Puerto Rico was the creation of dedicated, stand-alone website for Scion (www.scion-pr.com).  Last fall, the agency also developed a micro-site for Lexus USA; the luxury automaker tapped Nobox to design an online component where tennis enthusiasts were able to easily access information on Lexus-sponsored events that took place during the 2007 USTA US Open, the iconic Grand Slam tournament held each year at Flushing Meadows.

About Nobox Marketing Group
Nobox Marketing Group is an interactive agency specializing in universal integrated marketing strategies.  The agency creates innovative campaigns that integrate a variety of effective marketing strategies that cut through the clutter and help industry leaders effectively communicate messages to audiences throughout the world.  Nobox clients include: Copa Airlines, Mozilla, Verizon Wireless, Toyota, Scion, Lexus and Banco Popular. The agency, which maintains offices in South Florida and Puerto Rico, is the recipient of numerous international design and marketing awards. For more information, visit www.nobox.com.

The Group’s Live Show Has Been So Well Received On The Warped Tour That They Have Recently Been Added To The Skate Stage In Addition To The Skull Candy Tent For The Rest Of The Summer’s Dates

Upcoming Tour Stops Include Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and California

Read The Pinker Tones Regularly-Updated Tour Blog: www.thepinkertones.wordpress.com

“This Barcelona duo hit like a spicier Daft Punk, keeping the retro electronica but trading the po-mo mind games for hip-twisting grooves. Bring oil if you catch them on Warped Tour this summer–you will be doing the electric slide.” - SPIN (6/08)

“The Pinker Tones ruled. So up my alley, three dudes dressed alike — in silver and black, no less — bumping electro jams that reference the DFA’s urban chic, Daft Punk’s fun and Eurodisco’s overall danceability. The Barcelona trio also appeared to be having the most fun of any group there.” - RIVERFRONT TIMES (St. Louis, MO - 7/1/08)

“Warped pioneers.” - ORLANDO WEEKLY (Orlando, FL - 7/10/08)

“These Barcelona synth-rockers have found a way to become the next big Daft Punk confection without seeming derivative.” - NEWSDAY (Long Island, NY - 6/29/08)

“Spain’s dynamic DJ duo The Pinker Tones blow the laces off the Vans Warped Tour and defy (or maybe redefine) music genres.” - HISPANIC MAGAZINE (6/08)

“Barcelona’s playful Pinker Tones just might be the most eclectic group to play America’s Warped Tour. - FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM (Fort Worth, TX - 7/20/08)

“Mister Furia and his partner Professor Manso reflect the diversity of their city and serve up an fantastic mix of pop, funk, soul, bossa-nova, break-beat, swing, lounge, and psychedelia beats–a surreal and über happy and upbeat cocktail of booty-shaking bass electronica.” - ON TAP MAGAZINE (Washington, DC - 7/2/08)

“Amid the sound and fury of this year’s Vans Warped Tour… fans will hear a unique blend of pop, rock, funk, bossa nova, lounge, psychedelia, Euro-dance and electronica emanating from one of its many stages.” - VIRGINIAN-PILOT (Norfolk, VA - 7/14/08)

“Wild Animals is a series of synth-gilt pelvic meditations on the the real world stars and audience both occupy, with tracks like “Worker Bees” and “Sexy Robot” distilling the anomie into bootilicious joy.” - MEANSTREET MAGAZINE (Los Angeles, CA - 6/08)

“Global dance party: Pinker Tones give Warped Tour international flair.”
- ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH (St. Louis, MO - 6/28/08)

“[Pinker Tones' 'Wild Animals' is] an endorphin-goosing dance album.”
- ROLLING STONE (6/12/08)

” Raising the bar for electronica used to be the realm of bands like Depeche Mode and New Order  – but now groups like The Pinker Tones are bringing a wild energy and ambitious focus to a new generation.” - ASSOCIATED PRESS (6/2/08)

” Whatever crops up in the music — retro-funk breakdowns, bachelor-pad bossa novas, catchy choruses in Romance languages — the beat endures and thrives [on Wild Animals].” - NEW YORK TIMES (6/1/08)

“The boys from Barcelona hit the streets with [Wild Animals], a surprisingly confident and joyful collection of jaunty hooks and mondo beats that fully exploits all that the Pinker Tones hear and integrate in their port city.”
- THE WASHINGTON POST (5/6/08)

“This group from Barcelona has developed a brilliant way to bring people to a musical climax thanks to their genius fusion of languages and rhythms in an electronic mood. ‘Wild Animals’ is one of the most amazing albums of the year.”
- PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL (5/08)

“Like some sort of hipster virus, the Pinker Tones’ poppy electronica has spread from the duo’s hometown of Barcelona.”
-BILLBOARD (4/13/08)

THE PINKER TONES ON VANS WARPED TOUR 2008
(SKATE STAGE + SKULL CANDY TENT)

Wed Jul 23 - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, MA
Thu Jul 24 - Darien Lake P.A.C., Darien Center, NY
Fri Jul 25 - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
Sat Jul 26 - Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
Sun Jul 27 - Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
Mon Jul 28 - Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
Tue Jul 29 - Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake, Pittsburgh, PA
Wed Jul 30 - Riverbend Amphitheatre, Cincinnati, OH
Thu Jul 31 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Noblesville, IN
Fri Aug 01 - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
Sat Aug 02 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Sun Aug 03 - Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
Tue Aug 05 - Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK
Wed Aug 06 - Race City Speedway, Calgary, AB
Fri Aug 08 - Idaho Center Amphitheatre, Nampa, ID
Sat Aug 09 - Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Sun Aug 10 - Columbia Meadows, St. Helens, OR
Wed Aug 13 - Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA
Thu Aug 14 - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Fri Aug 15 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Sat Aug 16 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Marysville, CA
Sun Aug 17 - The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

For more information about The Pinker Tones and Wild Animals, please contact:
Paul Dryden (paul.dryden@cookman.com) or
Jennifer Sarkissian (Jennifer.sarkissian@cookman.com)
at Nacional Records - 818.763.1397.

www.NacionalRecords.com

In a pair of unscripted TV spots breaking today (July 21), Toyota is challenging Hispanic consumers who have a need for speed and performance to test drive the 2009 Camry with a professional driver and rethink their preconceived notions.”*

The Group Joins The Vans Warped Tour For 44 Dates, Kicking Off In Phoenix On June 25th

The Pinker Tones Will Perform An Extended Set Each Night In The Skull Candy Electronic Music Tent

“[Pinker Tones' 'Wild Animals' is] an endorphin-goosing dance album.”
- ROLLING STONE

“This Barcelona duo hit like a spicier Daft Punk, keeping the retro electronica but trading the po-mo mind games for hip-twisting grooves… for fans of Chromeo and Kraftwerk.”
- SPIN MAGAZINE

” Raising the bar for electronica used to be the realm of bands like Depeche Mode and New Order  – but now groups like The Pinker Tones are bringing a wild energy and ambitious focus to a new generation.”
- ASSOCIATED  PRESS

” Whatever crops up in the music — retro-funk breakdowns, bachelor-pad bossa novas, catchy choruses in Romance languages — the beat endures and thrives [on Wild Animals].”
- NEW YORK TIMES

” The boys from Barcelona hit the streets with [Wild Animals], a surprisingly confident and joyful collection of jaunty hooks and mondo beats that fully exploits all that the Pinker Tones hear and integrate in their port city.”
- THE WASHINGTON POST

“This group from Barcelona has developed a brilliant way to bring people to a musical climax thanks to their genius fusion of languages and rhythms in an electronic mood. ‘Wild Animals’ is one of the most amazing albums of the year.”
- PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL

“Like some sort of hipster virus, the Pinker Tones’ poppy electronica has spread from the duo’s hometown of Barcelona.”
-BILLBOARD

The critics are buzzing about Barcelona-based electronic act The Pinker Tones‘ new album, ‘Wild Animals‘, as the group prepares to join the Vans Warped Tour on June 25 th in Phoenix. The dynamic duo will perform an extended set each night in the Skull Candy electronic music tent on the entire 44 date tour (SEE FULL TOUR DATES LISTING BELOW).

‘Wild Animals’ features a wide array of special vocal guests including reggae soul legend Jimmy Lindsay from Cymande on “The Whistling Song” and Amparo from Spanish band Amparanoia on “Electrotumbao”. First single will be the track, “Happy Everywhere.”

“Our last album, ‘The Million Colour Revolution’, was about utopia, a projection for how we wanted the world to be,” Mister Furia explains. “‘Wild Animals’ is about reality, our interpretation of the actual world we live in. Songs like “The Whistling Song”, “24″ and “On Se Promenait” are some of our happiest and most nostalgic yet.”

Just in 2007, the group was the subject of a New York Times feature, had an A&E television special, performed on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic”, had a song featured on hit sitcoms “Ugly Betty” and “Entourage” and saw heavy video play on networks like mtvU, MTV Tr3s, Mun2, and LATV. The Pinker Tones also made a major splash at last year’s SXSW, where they performed five shows in only 36 hours and also blew away the audience at KCRW’s Sounds Eclectic Evening in Los Angeles alongside leading artists like The Shins, Lily Allen and Rodrigo and Gabriela. The Pinker Tones recent single “Karma Hunters” was also selected by national bilingual youth network Mun2 as the theme song for its popular reality show ‘Chicas Project’.

This past August, The Pinker Tones released ‘More Colours!’, an album complete with infectious remixes and collaborations featuring a stellar lineup of artists including Kinky, Nortec Collective, Zeta Bosio (Soda Stereo) and Mexican Institute of Sound.   Over several national U.S. tours throughout 2007, the DJ crew brought their electrifying set to fans across the country. The New York Times even claimed that, “Unlike many electronica acts, The Pinker Tones thrive onstage.” With a live show that combines the intensity of a rock band and the excitement of a DJ set, the group is moving along on the path to global domination. The Pinker Tones have ventured from Barcelona to such faraway places as London, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Toronto, Beijing and Johannesburg.

THE PINKER TONES ON VANS WARPED TOUR 2008 (SKULL CANDY TENT)

Wed Jun 25 - Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Thu Jun 26 - New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sat Jun 28 - Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City, UT
Sun Jun 29 - Invesco Field At Mile High, Denver, CO
Tue Jul 01 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St Louis , MO
Wed Jul 02 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS
Thu Jul 03 - Superpages.com Center, Dallas, TX
Sat Jul 05 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX
Sun Jul 06 - Sam Houston Race Park, Houston, TX
Wed Jul 09 - Lakewood Exhibition Center, Atlanta, GA
Thu Jul 10 - Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando, FL
Fri Jul 11 - Vinoy Park, Petersburg, FL
Sat Jul 12 - Bicentennial Park, Miami, FL
Sun Jul 13 - St Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton, FL
Mon Jul 14 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
Tue Jul 15 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
Wed Jul 16 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Thu Jul 17 - Tower Amphitheatre, Cleveland, OH
Fri Jul 18 - Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Sat Jul 19 - Downsview Park Allen Road, Toronto, ON
Sun Jul 20 - Park Jean Drapeau, Montreal, QC
Wed Jul 23 - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, MA
Thu Jul 24 - Darien Lake P.A.C., Darien Center, NY
Fri Jul 25 - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
Sat Jul 26 - Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
Sun Jul 27 - Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
Mon Jul 28 - Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
Tue Jul 29 - Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake, Pittsburgh, PA
Wed Jul 30 - Riverbend Amphitheatre, Cincinnati, OH
Thu Jul 31 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Noblesville, IN
Fri Aug 01 - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
Sat Aug 02 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Sun Aug 03 - Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
Tue Aug 05 - Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK
Wed Aug 06 - Race City Speedway, Calgary, AB
Fri Aug 08 - Idaho Center Amphitheatre, Nampa, ID
Sat Aug 09 - Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Sun Aug 10 - Columbia Meadows, St. Helens, OR
Wed Aug 13 - Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA
Thu Aug 14 - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Fri Aug 15 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Sat Aug 16 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Marysville, CA
Sun Aug 17 - The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

For more information about The Pinker Tones and Wild Animals, please contact:
Paul Dryden (paul.dryden@cookman.com) or
Jennifer Sarkissian (Jennifer.sarkissian@cookman.com)
at Nacional Records - 818.763.1397.

Cuauhtemoc (pronounced quaw-TEH-mok) Blanco arrived in town last year with a reputation as a great player with an uncanny ability to get under his opponents’ skin. A former Mexican League MVP, where he starred for Club America, and a Mexican national team mainstay, he gained international fame for his blind passes and stutter-step dribble, and international notoriety for his on-field run-ins and theatrical goal celebrations. Not surprisingly, he also gained legions of Mexican fans. When the Fire made the 35-year-old midfielder their first-ever Designated Player last year, they expected he would draw crowds. They haven’t been disappointed.

After Blanco arrived midway through last season, the Fire sold out seven of their remaining nine games at the 20,000-seat Toyota Park. Through five games at Toyota Park this year, attendance is up more than 3,000 per contest compared to last season’s pre-Blanco dates. And then there’s the road factor.”*

Univision Online, Inc., the interactive subsidiary of Univision Communications Inc., the nation’s leading Spanish-language media company, today announced the launch of a groundbreaking music microsite on Univision.com called “En Directo” with a free online concert by Colombian Latin GRAMMY(R) artist Fonseca. The Fonseca concert will stream on Thursday, June 12 at 7 p.m. ET. The concert will be available on Univision.com (Keyword: En Directo).

“This event marks Univision.com’s first-ever full-length video streaming of a concert, giving fans the chance to view top-tier concerts recorded live and streamed on Univision.com,” said Cesar Conde, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Univision Communications Inc.

The “En Directo” microsite includes:
– Video streaming of concerts recorded live
– Exclusive video of the backstage footage and pre/post concert
– Downloadable songs from featured artists
– Photo galleries

Toyota is the exclusive launch partner of “En Directo,” which features the Fonseca concert with 10 songs from his latest release, Gratitud. This exclusive event allows Fonseca fans to connect with him online, while providing a digital platform for the launch of the all-new Toyota Corolla.

Univision.com is the #1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. Hispanics(1) for the 7th year in a row.(2) It attracted over 17 million unique browsers, 38 million visits and nearly 13 million video streams in May.(3) Currently Univision.com delivers 11 channels on topics ranging from health and entertainment, to finance and sports. The website also includes a video portal providing instant access to thousands of free videos from one central location, extending Univision’s most popular TV programming to broadband users across the Internet.

About Univision Online, Inc.
Univision Online, Inc. is the interactive division of Univision Communications Inc., the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Univision Communications Inc. owns and operates Univision Online, Inc., the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S., located at www.univision.com , and Univision Móvil, the most relevant Spanish-language mobile content and video, which includes in-show wireless integrations, PSMS programs and the industry’s most comprehensive downloadable content catalog. Univision Communications Inc.’s operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 97% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 85% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 63 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; and Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, visit www.univision.net . “*

Major League Soccer today announced the 2008 schedule for Verano MLS presented by Tang. In its second edition, Verano MLS presented by Tang, a free summer soccer program, will be offered by MLS teams Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and Kansas City Wizards in their home markets.

One of League’s successful Hispanic grassroots programs, Verano MLS presented by Tang provides youth ages 8-12 a free opportunity to play pick-up-style soccer twice a week in a safe and controlled environment. Working closely with select MLS teams, the four to six week summer program will provide a weekly soccer playing destination, while creating a connection between youth soccer players and their favorite MLS stars. Up to 200 youth will participate in Verano MLS in each market and they will be selected by the participating MLS team.

“Verano MLS returns to offer first-hand professional training in a summer camp setting for upcoming soccer players,” said Neel Shah, Major League Soccer’s Director of Fan Development. “Whether they call it football, futbol or soccer, MLS is proud to provide yet another opportunity for the youth playing the game in the U.S. to have a unique experience while creating a connection with their local MLS team.”

In addition to free soccer training, participants will receive a Verano MLS adidas soccer ball, a Verano MLS adidas t-shirt and an opportunity to meet MLS players and coaches. Each participating Verano MLS team will host a special Verano MLS Family Night during a home game. In addition to a complimentary game ticket for participants and their families, Verano MLS Family Night attendees will receive on-field access and will get an opportunity to sit in a special section in the stadium dedicated to Verano MLS participants.

Each market will have two full-time MLS affiliated coaches who will be present for the entire program. In addition, a minimum of five support coaches will be used to provide additional instruction and guidance. Support coaches will consist of players from MLS Developmental rosters, as well as from the MLS Under-23 and MLS Under-19 rosters.

Verano MLS is part of the successful MLS Hispanic grassroots lineup that includes MLS Futbolito, the League’s official 4-v-4 soccer tournament, and Sueño MLS, a month-long tryout that drove significant media attention while creating the opportunity for players to earn a spot on MLS teams.

Specific market by market Verano MLS presented by Tang event details are as follows:

2008 Verano MLS presented by Tang Schedule
Chivas USA
Location: Bell Gardens Sports Center (8000 Park Lane, Bell Gardens, CA, 90201)
Dates: June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 (First Group)
July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 (Second Group)
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm each clinic date

Kansas City Wizards
Location: Swope Park (6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO, 64132)
Dates: June 24, 26, July 1, 3, 8,10,15,17
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm each clinic date

Houston Dynamo
Location: Melrose Park (12200 Melrose Park Rd., Houston, TX)
Dates: July 1, 3, 8, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am each clinic date

FC Dallas
Location: McInnish & R.E. Good Park (2335 Sandy Lake Rd., Carrollton, TX 75006)
Dates: July 1, 3, 8, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm each clinic date

Chicago Fire
Location: Toyota Park (7000 S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455
Dates: July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm each clinic date”*

Yo quiero Taco Bell. It takes quite a bit of skill to provoke deep thinking about what may have been one of the most inanely addictive advertising campaigns of all time.

But for Ilan Stavans, a prolific author and professor at Amherst College, Spanglish — the mix of English and Spanish used by immigrant communities and increasingly in popular culture — is a source of fascination. Spanglish, Stavans thinks, is a “cultural phenomenon.”

“With Latinos, there is something unique taking place,” Stavans told us this week as a visiting distinguished speaker to the Stanford center in Santiago. “Instead of losing [the immigrant language], it is becoming stronger.” The retention of Spanish in the U.S., and the Spanglish that is resulting, is so important, Stavans said, that Toyota is using it to sell cars. In a recent ad for hybrids, a bi-lingual father alternates between talking to his son in English and Spanish as he explains how the car works, concluding that hybrids, both of cars and language, are “for the future.””*

Five new channels join the exclusive Latin American network line-up, making LAETV the only media sales rep firm that covers 50 percent of available

Hispanic channels in the country

Miami, Florida (May 14, 2008) — Latinamerican Ethnic TV (LAETV) announced today the addition of five new networks to its portfolio, which makes it the largest Latin American television network sales rep firm in the United States, covering 50 percent of available U.S. Hispanic network options.

“Without a doubt, we are the most qualified option for those advertisers seeking to establish brand recognition and to increase their products’ demand.  We have definitely become the best connection between the media and the Hispanic communities originating from Mexico, Central and South America,” said Kurt Pflucker, president of LAETV.

Experience and knowledge of the market has allowed LAETV to provide Hispanic’s in the U.S. with excellent programming from their countries of origin. In addition to keeping them in touch with their roots, it allows advertisers to establish more emotional ties to this community and reinforces their brand loyalty.

The networks represented by LAETV range from those specializing in sports and news, with direct broadcasts from Latin American countries to those specializing in entertainment and general information, these channels include CANAL SUR, SUR Perú, TV Venezuela, SUR México, TV Colombia, Telefe, Ecuavisa, TV Chile, CentroaméricaTV, 22 México, Once México, AYM Sports, Televisa Michoacán and MI CINE México.

It’s important to emphasize that the increase in the number of networks represented implies potential access to almost 100 percent of all the diverse nationalities that comprise the Hispanic market in the United States.

Businesses oriented towards the Hispanic market seek to maximize the awareness already gained in Latin America of their brands.  By having networks with original content from these countries and offering a portfolio with so many options, LAETV responds to the needs of these companies.

“We know very well each of the idiosyncrasies of the different groups that comprise the Hispanic community.  We know what they watch, what attracts them and what they buy.  Thanks to our varied and extensive portfolio, we offer our clients the possibility of a real closeness with these groups,” stated Pflucker.  “Although our signals are not yet measured by Nielsen, our clients continue to buy our networks because of the reaction of their audiences to the brand and during direct response campaigns that have proven to be successful,” concluded Pflucker.

LAETV offers its services to clients from diverse industries, from airlines to car dealerships, phone card and remittance companies.  The current portfolio of clients, include LAN Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Toyota, Lexus, Americatel and Western Union among others.

About LAETV

LAETV, the largest U.S. Hispanic cable/satellite television sales rep firm in the United States, offering new alternatives focused specifically on attracting this lucrative market.  With headquarters in Miami and offices in New York and Los Angeles, the company provides specific local programming, an opportunity that allows advertisers to establish closer emotional ties with consumers from these Hispanic communities.  LAETV represents 14 of the principal Latin American networks that reflect the views and diversity of the Hispanic segments that live in the United States, proving to be highly efficient in brand positioning and in generation of direct responses.

For more information visit www.latinoethnictv.com

The Group Is Currently Preparing For This Summer’s Entire
43 Date Vans Warped Tour Across The U.S.

Digital Edition Of The Album Lands At Online Stores On May 20th.

“The boys from Barcelona hit the streets with [Wild Animals], a surprisingly confident and joyful collection of jaunty hooks and mondo beats that fully exploits all that the Pinker Tones hear and integrate in their port city.”
- THE WASHINGTON POST

“This group from Barcelona has developed a brilliant way to bring people to a musical climax thanks to their genius fusion of languages and rhythms in an electronic mood. ‘Wild Animals’ is one of the most amazing albums of the year.“
- PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL

“Like some sort of hipster virus, the Pinker Tones’ poppy electronica has spread from the duo’s hometown of Barcelona.”
- BILLBOARD

“Barcelona’s Pinker Tones are just flat-out unbelievably fucking great…they rate as one of the finest exercises in pop confection currently working in the known universe.”
- LA WEEKLY

The critics are already beginning to buzz about Barcelona-based electronic act The Pinker Tones‘ new album, ‘Wild Animals‘, in advance of its release on June 3rd. The album will be available at digital outlets on May 20th. The dynamic duo’s third U.S. album continues the explosive momentum sparked by their 2006 debut ‘The Million Colour Revolution’ and 2007 remix album ‘More Colours!’. The group is currently preparing for their set this summer on the entire 43 date Vans Warped Tour across the U.S. (see tour dates below). They will perform an extended set each night in the Skull Candy electronic music tent.

‘Wild Animals’ features a wide array of special vocal guests including reggae soul legend Jimmy Lindsay from Cymande on “The Whistling Song” and Amparo from Spanish band Amparanoia on “Electrotumbao”. First single will be the track, “Happy Everywhere.”

“Our last album, ‘The Million Colour Revolution’, was about utopia, a projection for how we wanted the world to be,” Mister Furia explains. “‘Wild Animals’ is about reality, our interpretation of the actual world we live in. Songs like “The Whistling Song”, “24″ and “On Se Promenait” are some of our happiest and most nostalgic yet.”

Just in 2007, the group was the subject of a New York Times feature, had an A&E television special, performed on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic”, had a song featured on hit sitcoms “Ugly Betty” and “Entourage” and saw heavy video play on networks like mtvU, MTV Tr3s, Mun2, and LATV. The Pinker Tones also made a major splash at last year’s SXSW, where they performed five shows in only 36 hours and also blew away the audience at KCRW’s Sounds Eclectic Evening in Los Angeles alongside leading artists like The Shins, Lily Allen and Rodrigo and Gabriela. The Pinker Tones recent single “Karma Hunters” was also selected by national bilingual youth network Mun2 as the theme song for its popular reality show ‘Chicas Project’.

This past August, The Pinker Tones released ‘More Colours!’, an album complete with infectious remixes and collaborations featuring a stellar lineup of artists including Kinky, Nortec Collective, Zeta Bosio (Soda Stereo) and Mexican Institute of Sound.   Over several national U.S. tours throughout 2007, the DJ crew brought their electrifying set to fans across the country. The New York Times even claimed that, “Unlike many electronica acts, The Pinker Tones thrive onstage.” With a live show that combines the intensity of a rock band and the excitement of a DJ set, the group is moving along on the path to global domination. The Pinker Tones have ventured from Barcelona to such faraway places as London, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Moscow, Toronto, Beijing and Johannesburg.

THE PINKER TONES ON VANS WARPED TOUR 2008 (SKULL CANDY TENT)

Wed Jun 25 - Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Thu Jun 26 - New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sat Jun 28 - Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City, UT
Sun Jun 29 - Invesco Field At Mile High, Denver, CO
Tue Jul 01 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St Louis , MO
Wed Jul 02 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS
Thu Jul 03 - Superpages.com Center, Dallas, TX
Sat Jul 05 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX
Sun Jul 06 - Sam Houston Race Park, Houston, TX
Wed Jul 09 - Lakewood Exhibition Center, Atlanta, GA
Thu Jul 10 - Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando, FL
Fri Jul 11 - Vinoy Park, Petersburg, FL
Sat Jul 12 - Bicentennial Park, Miami, FL
Sun Jul 13 - St Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton, FL
Mon Jul 14 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
Tue Jul 15 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
Wed Jul 16 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Thu Jul 17 - Tower Amphitheatre, Cleveland, OH
Fri Jul 18 - Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Sat Jul 19 - Downsview Park Allen Road, Toronto, ON
Sun Jul 20 - Park Jean Drapeau, Montreal, QC
Wed Jul 23 - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, Mansfield, MA
Thu Jul 24 - Darien Lake P.A.C., Darien Center, NY
Fri Jul 25 - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
Sat Jul 26 - Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
Sun Jul 27 - Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
Mon Jul 28 - Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
Tue Jul 29 - Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake, Pittsburgh, PA
Wed Jul 30 - Riverbend Amphitheatre, Cincinnati, OH
Thu Jul 31 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Noblesville, IN
Fri Aug 01 - Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
Sat Aug 02 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Sun Aug 03 - Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
Tue Aug 05 - Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK
Wed Aug 06 - Race City Speedway, Calgary, AB
Fri Aug 08 - Idaho Center Amphitheatre, Nampa, ID
Sat Aug 09 - Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Sun Aug 10 - Columbia Meadows, St. Helens, OR
Wed Aug 13 - Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA
Thu Aug 14 - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Fri Aug 15 - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Sat Aug 16 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Marysville, CA
Sun Aug 17 - The Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

For more information about The Pinker Tones and Wild Animals, please contact:
Paul Dryden (paul.dryden@cookman.com) or
Jennifer Sarkissian (Jennifer.sarkissian@cookman.com)
at Nacional Records - 818.763.1397.

www.NacionalRecords.com

Nobox Marketing Group, a global interactive agency specializing in universal integrated marketing strategies has collected two Best in Industry awards at the Web Marketing Association’s 2008 Internet Advertising Competition.  The coveted prizes were granted for the Best Advertising Microsite / Landing Page (www.fromnobox.com) and the Best Application Service Provider Online Ad (Mozilla Thieves Banners) categories, respectively.

“We’re extremely pleased to be recognized with these honors,” noted Nobox President Jayson Fittipaldi.  “We’re especially flattered that two Best in Industry category awards were granted to Nobox for its work on behalf of Mozilla as well as the agency’s recent holiday initiative on behalf of our clients, friends and colleagues.”

Nobox has previously won Web Marketing Association Outstanding Website WebAwards in 2005, 2006 and 2007; however, this is the second time the agency has earned a Best in Industry award, having done so before in 2006 (Best Automobile Website for Toyota).  Additional information on the 2008 IAC Award winners may be viewed at: http://www.advertisingcompetition.org/iac/winners.asp

Now in its 11^th year, the Web Marketing Association’s Internet Advertising Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.  The awards are given annually by the Boston-based organization, in an effort to promote high standards of excellence for Internet marketing and corporate web development.  The competition was judged by a team of experienced professionals representing all aspects of the advertisement and Internet worlds, with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in adverting design and technology.  The 2008 judges represented some of the best agencies within the Internet Advertising community.

About Nobox Marketing Group

Nobox Marketing Group is a 100% Hispanic-owned interactive agency specializing in universal integrated marketing strategies.  The agency creates innovative campaigns that integrate a variety of effective marketing strategies that cut through the clutter and help industry leaders effectively communicate messages to audiences throughout the world.  Nobox clients include: Copa Airlines, Mozilla, Verizon Wireless, Toyota, Scion, Lexus and Banco Popular. The agency, which maintains offices in South Florida and Puerto Rico, is the recipient of numerous international design and marketing awards. For more information, visit www.nobox.com.

Toyota today announced that four Oakland elementary schools will be among the newest sites for its successful Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP). TFLP — the first nationwide program of its kind to focus on the needs of Hispanic and other immigrant families — is coordinated by the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), the country’s leading advocate for family literacy.

Toyota has contributed $600,000 to fund the program at International Community School, Garfield Elementary, Manzanita SEED and Manzanita Community. All four schools are located in the Oakland Unified School District, and average between 46 percent and 78 percent Hispanic enrollment.

TFLP — which got its start in 2003 and is now functioning in 20 cities across the U.S. — aims to increase basic language and literacy skills among Hispanic and other immigrant families, and provide parents with the skills they need to help their children succeed in school. The program specifically serves children in kindergarten to third grade and their parents. TFLP is unique in that it incorporates NCFL’s multicultural family literacy model, which combines key components including: ESL courses, children’s education, parenting education, Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities, and computer-literacy instruction. Since its inception, Toyota’s commitment to the program exceeds $35 million.

In addition to launching the program at these four schools, the funding will allow NCFL to provide comprehensive support for training, educational materials and assistance at each site. Oakland Unified School District is working hand-in-hand with NCFL to implement the family literacy program.

Along with Oakland, four other cities are part of the latest expansion of the Toyota Family Literacy Program: Salt Lake City, Utah; Burien/Seattle, Wash.; Mesa, Ariz.; and Miami, Fla. A total of 230 school districts submitted applications for the five spots.

“Early literacy is the cornerstone of our effort to ensure that all Oakland Unified students graduate prepared for success in college and the workplace,” said Vincent Matthews, State Administrator for the Oakland Unified School District. “We are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of socioeconomic circumstance, ethnic background or language barrier, receives the academic foundation they need to succeed. By bringing parents into the classroom to learn alongside their children, the Toyota Family Literacy Program moves us closer to the day when this goal becomes reality.”

Results from the TFLP programs already implemented include:

* Significant literacy gains by adults, the majority of which
improved their literacy scores by one or more levels
* Ratings for children in the program that exceeded peers in areas
including academic performance, motivation to learn, attendance,
classroom behavior, involvement in classroom activities, and other
areas
* 92% of parents stating they’re better able to help their child with
homework
* 91% of parents stating their child’s grades have improved
* Waiting lists at the majority of program sites due to high demand

“By partnering with Toyota, NCFL has nurtured a proven formula of research and delivery of family literacy services that not only works for the participants, but for the betterment of the communities,” said Sharon Darling, president and founder of NCFL. “And, we’re proud to say, our path to success here in Oakland has been set by the impressive gains made by thousands of TFLP participants in family literacy programs nationwide.”

“Due to the incredible commitment of NCFL, the Toyota Family Literacy Program has helped improve the literacy skills of thousands of families in diverse communities across the U.S.,” said Patricia Pineda, group vice president, philanthropy, at Toyota Motor North America. “We’re excited to bring the program to Oakland, and look forward to making even more positive and lasting contributions to students and families.”"*

The Spanish-language starMedia Portal announced the launch of starMedia EntertaiNEWS ( www.us.starmedia.com/entretenimiento/entertainews ), a new online channel which taps starMedia’s extensive content resources to bring Spanish-speakers throughout the US the most current and broadest array of global entertainment news and programming.

“As a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading media organizations, starMedia accesses an extraordinary variety of content. That allows us to continue developing and introducing a new generation of services and resources for our users and advertisers,” noted starMedia COO Juan Jose Nunez. “starMedia EntertaiNEWS is the first of a series of new offerings we look forward to launching over the next few months.”

The new channel, developed together with C3 Entertainment, recaps the week’s most important entertainment news and also provides comprehensive information about concerts, movies, theater and other cultural events. Visitors to starMedia EntertaiNEWS may additionally opt to watch movie previews and other video clips; peruse celebrity photos-of-the-week; and, receive exclusive reports from around the entertainment world.

Toyota has taken the lead in sponsoring the new channel’s weekly headliner show: a highly entertaining, fun and at times irreverent 5-minute, news Webisodio, or Webcast. The fast-paced video capsule features the hottest acts from across the entertainment world, snippets of top box office trailers, exclusive interviews and the spiciest insider celebrity news and gossip.

“starMedia continues to affirm its market leadership position by introducing diverse and relevant content for its US Hispanic audience,” added Nunez. “We’re totally committed to empowering our users with information and entertainment they value.”

About starMedia.com
starMedia.com is a free-to-web global service connecting more than 24 million Spanish-speakers through the Internet as well as providing them with the most relevant and extensive information and services. starMedia has local operations in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Spain and throughout the United States (Los Angeles, Miami and New York); and, is wholly owned by Orange ( www.orange.es ), a subsidiary of the France Telecom Group (NYSE: FTE).”*

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

Three young Hispanic advertising professionals received top honors among their peers Friday at the 24th Semi-Annual Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies Conference. Launched last year, the Hispanic Media Buying and Planning Rising Star competition recognizes the boldly creative and emerging talent in the media buying and planning discipline within Hispanic marketing agencies.
This year’s winners were: David Queamante, Group Media Director, Bromley Communications; Stephen Paez, Associate Media Director, Machado/Garcia-Serra Communications; and Ryan Gallacher, Media Planner/Buyer, Conill. AHAA agencies nominated their “rising stars,” and finalists were selected based on the innovative approaches used to reach and connect with Latinos; results delivered to their clients; and their support in raising the profile of Hispanic media.
“It is incumbent upon each one of us in the profession to foster and develop up and coming creative youth in our industry,” says Jose-Lopez Varela, AHAA chairman and CEO of ADN Communications. “We have a responsibility to acknowledge and show appreciation for the originality and unmarked enthusiasm from these talented professionals. These winners represent the future of our industry. They are setting the stage for how we interact with Latino consumers - infusing innovation and cultural insights into critical functions within our agencies.”
Queamante, is considered “Best in Class” in the industry among his agency peers and clients, according to his nomination. His exemplary leadership, fearless approach to change and drive to lead innovation earned him the title of rising star. Queamante has an appetite for calculated risks and is in constant pursuit of what’s new and different, challenging clients and team members to think “outside-of-the-box.” His pioneering efforts in developing agency tools that define better connections with Hispanic consumers through multiple touchpoints are invaluable to his agency and are deserving attributes of this rising star in Hispanic advertising.
Twenty-six year old Paez, dominates the multicultural media buying profession with his development and implementation of thought-leading media strategies to reach bilingual, youth audiences and targeted tactics utilizing digital and mobile advertising techniques including SMS with viral extensions. According to the nomination, his effective media campaigns have earned MGS additional market responsibility for client South East Toyota client from one market to 10 and an increased investment of 248 percent within 4 years. Paez started as an intern and quickly made his mark on the MGS media division with his right-time delivery utilizing a broad range of media platforms.
In just two short years in the industry, Gallacher’s skills, attention to detail, ability to juggle multiple duties and maintain excellence and his connection to both media and the clients’ needs are already legendary at Conill and in the industry, according to the nomination. The young and ambitious Gallacher developed a unique integration evaluation system that improved a very ambiguous area of media and allowed his agency to better serve their clients. While the tool helps clients understand and appreciate the value of integrations as a valuable media extension for their brands and one that is now more effective and measurable with Gallacher’s procedure, it is also influencing interaction with vendors. His innovation has earned him the respect of peers and mentors as well as the title of AHAA’s rising star.
For more information about the Association of Hispanic Advertising agencies or for interviews with award winners, contact Elinor Kinnier, ekinnier@cmgresults.com, or 703-610-0204.”*

*From: http://www.earthtimes.org
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