National Spanish-Language Networks to Showcase Fall Programming at 1st Annual Texas Hispanic Upfront

Business Wire, June 2, 2008

Organized by SAVision, Hispanic Marketing Arm of the American Marketing Association, Historic Gala Event Offers Unprecedented Opportunities for Large Corporations, Advertisers

SAN ANTONIO -- Univision, Telemundo, V-Me and other Hispanic television networks and media will showcase fall programming at the first annual Texas Hispanic Upfront June 5, offering marketing, advertising and multimedia packages for ad agencies and major corporations. Spanish-language cable networks ESPN Deportes, Fox Sports en Espanol and MTV3 will join national broadcast networks to offer a comprehensive programming lineup to the local advertising community.

The Texas Hispanic Upfront is historic because it's the first time the national television networks are presenting their fall schedule outside of New York City, where national TV Upfronts are typically held as independent events. The American Marketing Association and SAVision, its Hispanic Marketing arm, are sponsoring the Texas Hispanic Upfront.

"Potential advertisers and marketers can learn about the new media options that can help them advertise their brands more effectively," said SAVision Chair Diane Huth. "The Upfront will provide great savings through Upfront media packages offering unique sponsorship and early-commitment rates previously available only to attendees at the New York Upfronts."

More than 400 local and regional advertising and marketing executives will be attending, as well as TV network executives, producers, ad agencies, marketing firms, advertisers, and major corporations. "This historic Upfront offers access to information to the local advertising community, allowing local clients and agencies to take advantage of great savings and unique ad and sponsorship opportunities not previously available to them. It also provides a fabulous overview of the market and media options to general market advertisers who may not be well informed of the importance, dynamics and media offerings that can help them to effectively communicate to the large and growing Hispanic market."

* Attendees will gain new insights about the size and dynamics of the large and rapidly growing Hispanic market and media options available to reach them, both nationally and in Texas.

* Attendees will be exposed to innovative new programming options that will debut with the fall TV season, and have the opportunity to sponsor programs, make cost-effective "Upfront" media buys or even place their brands on-air in co-production agreements.

* Attendees are provided with an unprecedented opportunity to meet and speak with leading network executives face-to-face to express opinions, seek information and propose partnership programs.

* Sponsors gain access to hundreds of affluent and influential customers who are active professionals working in the local marketing and advertising community.

* Entertainers are donating their services to gain exposure to scores of decision-makers who select spokespeople, soundtracks, music scores and performers for films, programs and commercials produced locally.

The Upfront will be held 5:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. At the Media Fair, scheduled 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., network representatives will meet one-on-one with potential advertisers. Network presentations follow in the theater.

Entertainment will be provided by popular Latin group Pochimex, Mariachi del Pueblo, harpist Juan Cabrera, and Mexican actress and singer, Rosalinda Risso, and the Trio Janitzio. Radio celebrity Sonny Melendrez will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Co-sponsors include The Advertising Federation of San Antonio (AdFed), the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC), The Association of Hispanic Ad Agencies (AHAA), and National Hispanic Professionals Organization (NHPO). HispanicAd.com, the leading online source of news and information for the Spanish-language advertising industry, is also a major sponsor.

Attendees will include leading media directors from key Hispanic ad agencies and marketing companies in the region who have agreed to form the Upfront Ad Council, assuring SAVision organizers have the support of key agencies and advertisers.

More than 13 agencies with national Hispanic clients operate in the South Texas region, creating Spanish-language advertising for a host of iconic brands, including Burger King, Coors, Miller and Budweiser, Mazola Corn Oil, Fisher-Price Toys, Coca Cola, Procter and Gable, Unilever, Dial, Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau, and many more. The region also is home to many large corporations, including AT&T, Dell, HEB, and Republic National Distributing Company, all with extensive Hispanic ad programs.

Additional event sponsors include HEB, Republic National Distributing Company, Brown-Forman (distiller of Jack Daniels), Absolutely Everything Catering, Accu-Print, Marie Ferrante (graphic designer), Wickley Advertising, TMS Total Media Solutions, The Wedding Connection, and many other companies who have donated goods and services to ensure the event's success.