Blog

Hispanics are way ahead of the general market for social and mobile usage. The more acculturated the Latino, the more likely they are to use these technologies. That has huge implications for your marketing plans, regardless of whether Hispanics are in your target market.
Latinos Lead Mobile Usage

Hispanics are no more likely than the rest of the population to own a cell phone or a smartphone. However, they are more “cell phone focused” than other demographics. Over 50% live in cell phone only households. Plus, they are twice as likely as Anglos to go online primarily via their mobile.

That’s only the beginning. Hispanics are early adopters of virtually all mobile activities. They are three times as likely as the general market to check into locations. Two thirds of Latinos listen to music on their phone vs. 42% of Anglos. And cell based video chat is used by one third of Hispanics compared to less than one fifth of the general population.

Hispanics’ affinity for mobile usage extends to shopping. Latinas index at 156 vs white women for making a mobile purchase in the past thirty days. They also do more pre-shopping research via their phone. READ MORE

Edith Ramirez will be named to chair the Federal Trade Commission, USA TODAY confirmed Thursday.

President Obama plans to appoint his former law school classmate and friend who worked on his presidential campaigns to head up the government agency. She has been an FTC commissioner since 2010.

The FTC has authority over antitrust and consumer protection matters, such as deceptive advertising claims and anti-pyramid scheme enforcement.

The past few years, Ramirez has focused on intellectual property law in the technology arena and has also worked on cases to help protect vulnerable consumer communities, such as the poor and those who don't speak English. READ MORE

There is no doubt the digital media universe continues to shift and evolve with the constant introduction of new platforms and ways for consumers to engage.

Marketers looking for a massive demographic embracing this shifting landscape needs look no further than U.S. Hispanics. A community 52 million strong, representing 17 percent of all Americans, Hispanics are a marketer's dream: digitally savvy, young and socially connected.

Indeed, it's no secret that Hispanics are tech-forward. Digitally, Hispanics far over-index non-Hispanics. For example, smartphones are indispensable to their lifestyles, with the vast majority (72 percent) owing at least one device, according to a recent Nielsen Mobile Media Marketplace study. Web video? Hispanics watch 62 percent more digital video than non-Hispanics, according to Nielsen’s Cross-Platform Report. READ MORE

Whether it’s served hot or iced, black or con leche, one thing is certain: Latinos love their coffee. And a new study out by the National Coffee Association (NCA) is saying just how much.

According to the NCA’s National Coffee Drinking Trends 2013 market study, Hispanics are leading the way in coffee consumption. A whopping 67 percent of Hispanics said they drank coffee the day before. That number is 13 percentage points ahead of the population, with 47 percent of African-Americans and 64 percent of Caucasian Americans reporting drinking coffee up the day before.

The NCA has conducted the market study annually since 1950, but this is only the second year that they included ethnicity. This year, the study was designed to be more reflective of the United States population and involved 2,840 adults with ethnicities proportionate to the U.S. population’s makeup. Hispanics topped coffee consumption last year as well. READ MORE

As part of its Thought Leadership strategy to provide in-depth understanding of the diversity of the Hispanic market, AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing explores the Upscale Latino segment as part of its research series released during the AHAA 2013 Conference. The study revealed that this viable and sophisticated market boasts 40 percent of Hispanic Spending Power, lives in a world of cultural duality, and provides lifetime value and upside opportunities for many high-end and luxury brands. The most influential segment since the baby boomers, Upscale Hispanics will drive shifts in category consideration, purchasing behavior and brand relationship.

In alliance with Nielsen, AHAA conducted a comprehensive study on Hispanic households earning $50-100K annual income dissecting demographics, lifestyle, financial and investment behavior, purchasing habits, media consumption and technological adoption. At the direction of AHAA, this preliminary meta-study mined Nielsen's responder data, including P$ycle, Homescan, and Nielsen People Meter .

Young, urban and connected

In 2012, Upscale Latinos accounted for 29 percent, or 15 million, of the U.S. Hispanic population – that figure is expected to double by 2050. Younger than Upscale Non-Hispanic Whites (33 years old compared to 39 years old), they are living active lifestyles, often with young families – in fact, 85 percent of Upscale Hispanics having a household size of three or more, compared to 65 percent of Upscale Non-Hispanics. READ MORE

Paula Carde’s family business almost didn’t get off the ground, because no traditional bank was willing to extend an initial line of credit to the fledgling construction company. “I went to SunTrust, I went to BB&T, I went to Four Oaks,” says Carde, “and because our business was so new, they weren’t willing to give us enough.”

The only North Carolina financial institution willing to take a chance on Carde, her brother, and her father—all immigrants from Chile—was the Latino Community Credit Union, headquartered in Durham. The 26-year-old Carde had been depositing her paychecks there for years, and in retrospect she should have approached LCCU first. Taking chances on immigrants is what the credit union does.

LCCU, which has 10 branches throughout North Carolina, serves a population that most other financial institutions overlook. Many of its members live paycheck to paycheck, have never opened a deposit account, and don’t speak fluent English. Yet LCCU is one of the fastest-growing and most financially stable credit unions in the country, with a delinquency rate lower than those of its peers. READ MORE

Whether you run a small storefront business or a large corporation, or are looking for a job or a career change, the power of networking can unlock startling opportunities and bring new business or unexpected professional options. Learning from two successful Latinas who have built their careers through their networking skills could give you easy ideas to follow and help you find your own networking style.

Are you a people person?
As in every aspect of their business or career, Latinas have options to develop their networking skills according to their personality. Do you feel comfortable talking to people? READ MORE

"Jenny from the Block" wants the block to buy Verizon phones from her.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez on Wednesday announced she's opening a chain of 15 cellphone stores and a website under the Viva Movil brand. The aim is to sell Verizon phones and services to Latinos.

The first store will open in New York on June 15, with others following in Los Angeles and Miami. The stores will have bilingual staff and provide a "culturally relevant shopping experience," Viva Movil said.

Viva Movil will be an authorized Verizon reseller, with the same prices and plans as regular Verizon stores. READ MORE

Getting a personal introduction to a strategic investor or business partner means everything to an entrepreneur. Likewise, executives depend on being able to pick up the phone to get insights into a new market or find the world's greatest marketing guy.

Business life has always been about connections. Business leaders spend decades building and cultivating those relationships. They cherish their networks because they know it's their most valuable asset. And they're not about to do anything stupid to jeopardize them.

Unfortunately, you may be doing just that. If your networking strategy is simply to grow it, then you're likely doing more harm than good. Contrary to popular wisdom, bigger networks are not necessarily better networks. There are pitfalls I see too many of you falling into, these days.

Here are four ways to building and maintaining a network made up of strong, quality relationships that will last forever. READ MORE

“Come here. You've got a head you don't need,” America Chavez, a.k.a. Miss America, tells established Marvel Comics character Loki, the god of mischief.
With her short shorts, boots and American flag-colored jacket, "tough girl" Chavez is yet another Latino moving to the forefront of a Marvel Comics franchise in Young Avengers Vol. 2 Issue number one.

“People out there reading our comic books are of all sizes, creeds and colors and it’s our responsibility to make them feel included,” Axel Alonso, editor in chief of Marvel Comics, told Fox News Latino. “This isn’t some PC initiative, this is capitalism. This is about supply and demand.” READ MORE

When the Levi Strauss jeans manufacturing plant in San Antonio closed down in 1990, more than 1100 workers were left to find a new job. Some found low-wage work in the hotel industry, others had to take on two jobs just to make ends meet. But two of the plant’s former workers, Petra Mata and Viola Caseres, turned their misfortune into opportunity.

Mata and Caseres decided to start start turning the tide toward social justice by starting their own local denim fashion line called El Hilo de Justicia, which translated into English means the “thread of justice”. Today the group celebrates a dream come true: their very own home-grown jeans label that empowers women. The sewing cooperative is part of a larger community empowerment organization called Fuerza Unida, that runs several other social justice initiatives such as... READ MORE

Nely Galan, the media dynamo and one of the entertainment industry's savviest and firebrand talents, will keynote the Latina Empowerment Breakfast at USHLI's 31st national conference. Her address is scheduled for 7:30am, Friday, February 15, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, located at 301 E. North Water Street in Chicago.

Nely Galan has done it all, going strong, and is still doing more. As the former President of Telemundo, she was the first Latina to head a television network. Since 1994 she has operated her own media company, Galan Entertainment, which has helped launch 10 groundbreaking television channels in Latin America, produced an amazing 600 episodes of programming ranging from reality shows to sitcoms and telenovelas to talk shows. And, for 15 years Nely has owned a real estate development and investment company, which has residential and commercial holdings in multiple states.

As a public speaker Nely is well known for her powerful crowd-pleasing presentations on the Latino market, entrepreneurship, and Latina empowerment. In making the announcement, USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade said, "Nely is the personification of Latina empowerment. We are excited to have her as our conference kick-off speaker and looking forward to her keynote address with great anticipation."

A firm believer in education and self-improvement, Nely recently completed her Doctorate in Clinical and Cultural Psychology.

For more information regarding USHLI's national conference please call 312.427.8683.

Join USHLI and HispanicPro for one of the most important nights of business networking in Chicago.Connect with top influential leaders in business, education, government & politics from the state of Illinois and across the country attending the United States Leadership Institute 31st National Conference. 

Thursday, February 14

5 pm – 8 pm

Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and entertainment. Admission $10. Proceeds will benefit the USHLI Scholarship Fund.

ONE in six Americans is Hispanic. In politics, ignoring the Latino vote is suicidal, which is why the Republican Party is at last getting serious about immigration reform. In business, ignoring Latino tastes is equally daft, which is why American firms are at last getting serious about pursuing the Hispanic dollar.

Between 2000 and 2010 Latino buying power more than doubled (see chart), says the Selig Centre for Economic Growth. Mitt Romney’s drubbing by Hispanic voters last year was a wake-up call not only for his fellow Republicans but also for his fellow plutocrats. “CNN was saying the Republicans would become dinosaurs, and some CEOs said: ‘Wait, what about us?’,” recalls Roberto Orci of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies. READ MORE

According to a new study conducted by the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), Latinos that make above $50,000 a year are becoming a larger market segment and will most likely shape important consumption patterns in the overall U.S. marketplace.

The study found that in 2012, close to 15 million Latinos who earn between $50,000 and $100,000 a year represented over a quarter of the Hispanic population in the United States.

The study says, promisingly, that this number is expected to double by 2015.The Latino segment alone now has a spending capacity of about half a billion dollars, or 37 percent, of the $1.3 billion that the entire Latino population spend annually in the United States.

The study, "America's New Upscale Segment: Latinos," was designed by AHAA in collaboration with Nielsen and was presented by experts Reni Díaz and Carlos Santiago. READ MORE

The Chicago Auto Show will be held Feb. 9-18 at McCormick Place, Lake Shore Drive at 23rd St. In addition to serving as an official weekday discount ticket repository, Fifth Third will host an interactive display where the public can enjoy racing simulators, see the bank's #17 NASCAR Ford Fusion, and talk to bankers about all things related to auto financing.

"We are delighted to join forces with this wonderful organization and enjoy the opportunity of meeting the tens of thousands of visitors that the show will draw daily," said Robert A. Sullivan, President & CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Chicago). To find a nearby banking center, visit the branch locator at www.53.com.

The Chicago Auto Show, the largest of its kind open to the public, spans more than 1 million square feet of contiguous one-floor space. Nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display, including hundreds of interactive, aftermarket, accessories and auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, antique and collector cars.

"We're thrilled to embark on what we hope is the start of a long-term partnership with Fifth Third Bank," said Michael Ettleson, Chicago Auto Show chairman. "The Chicago Auto Show is constantly striving to bring value to our attendees, and now, show-goers will be able to approach Fifth Third representatives on-site with their financing questions."

General admission to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show is $12for adults (ages 13 - 61), $6for children (ages 7 - 12) and $6for senior citizens (ages 62 and up). Any child 6 years or younger may enter the show free of charge when they accompany a paying adult.  Advanced ticket sales are available online at www.drivechicago.com.

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the East Coast Chicano Student Forum at Harvard University, where I had the privilege of conducting a presentation to a group of college students from Ivy League Universities eager to learn how they could follow in the footsteps of Latinos who are using Social Media to implement positive change in their communities.

There is no denying that social media as a multi-faceted tool has been an enormous success. Not only has it allowed billions of people to connect on a variety of platforms -- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and so many others -- but it has also served as a valuable tool with the tremendous potential to help implement positive change among the Latino community.

When discussing the power of social media and how it can be used to impact communities in positive ways, Latinos simply cannot be ignored.

Latinos, who have been recorded as the group with the highest rate of early adopters are continuously embracing technology faster than any other demographic in the United States. READ MORE

Independence Day is a celebration of freedom. What makes this country truly unique and special is not only its people’s diverse ethnicities, but also the freedom we enjoy as Americans to honor our nation’s flag and all it stands for in our own distinct cultural manner.

In that spirit, here are some quick and easy ways to punctuate this great holiday with some sabrosura.

Burgers and corn with a little sabor

Elote is a delicious and easy option to diversify your 4th of July menu. (Wikimedia Commons/SimpleFoodie)
Hamburgers and corn on the cob are the most traditional summer holiday cookout staples, but forget the mustard, relish and pickles and try them instead with salsa rosada.

A popular condiment all over South America, this creamy sauce is a delicious yet simple combination of ketchup, mayo, lime juice, ground pepper and an optional dash of hot sauce guaranteed to give your backyard burgers some Latin flavor. READ MORE

The small business sector of the United States currently employs 60 million Americans full of entrepreneurial spirit, invaluable experiences and encouraging solutions for the expansion and growth of our economy.
Small businesses are the engine of our nation's economic prosperity.

They employ about half of all private sector employees, and they create nearly two-thirds of all new jobs. By far, they are the most significant, most populated and therefore the most potentially powerful sector of our economy and our electorate.

Hispanic Americans are a major force in this small business sector with 3 million Latino-owned companies and over $500 billion in revenue.

As administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, I led an organization that exceeded all previous records in small business loans, women and minority owned business support and private-public sector procurement opportunities, guaranteeing loans totaling more than $60 billion. READ MORE

The growing influence of Hispanics is front and center at “upfront week,” an annual event where media companies try to interest advertisers.

According to the New York Times, companies that feature online entertainment have been increasing their appeal to Hispanic audiences as a way to increase revenue.

Cesar Conde of Univision told the Times that, “everything we’re thinking about, we’re thinking about with our digital hat on.” READ MORE

Need a job? You need to network. Have a job and want to keep it? You need to network. Networking should be a career-long endeavor that is just as important as performing your job in an excellent manner. Here's why. First, if we have learned anything over the past four years, it's that job security does not exist - if it ever did. One big economic downturn - or any number of other variables you cannot control - and you could find yourself sending out resumes and hoping for a call.

Once you get that job, if you are not moving forward, you are moving backward. Career success is often found by moving up, and if you've been in the business world long enough, you know that the person most deserving of the promotion does not always get it. Sometimes, it's the "schmoozer." READ MORE