Someone launched a fancy new website

Ah yes our dear friends at Being Latino have launched their brand new website. Um awesome? Originally just a Facebook page used to connect Latinos with pretty much everyone in the world, BL has pretty much turned into one of the most "go-to" media sites for everything Latino. Topics range from media, politics, entertainment and one of my favorites...food! BL has also developed content partnerships with various online followings.

So let's take a look at the site. Sure the WordPress site seemed a little outdated but it was still had a great following. Now with a .us domain, the site looks much cleaner and will soon be a $$ generator. That's what I'm getting from the "advertise here" banner. But unlike other sites, the homepage is very easy to read and there's not a lot going on...I like that. I'm also happy to see they highlight their writers above the fold; that's BL pretty much is about. It's about their writers and volunteers. I wish I still had time to write for them ::sad face::. Congrats Lance and the entire team. Here's to a great year.

Social media madness

Last year I told myself I would love to be a part of panel discussions a little more. And sure enough throughout the 2011 (and this) year, I've been speaking on various public relations, social media, marketing panels. One may think it's all fun and games but it's a lot of pressure and takes a lot of work. Preparing examples and getting your speaking points ready takes a lot of time. And you have to be sure to discuss things that people either don't know about or are aware; so don't make yourself look like an a**.

In the next few weeks I'll actually be discussing social media to two completely different audiences. The pressure is on I would say. The first will be at the Philadelphia Public Relation Association's "Leap Into Social Media with Gen Y" where I (along with two others) will discuss how to use social media to enhance your work. The good and bad about this workshop is that this will be a small discuss with "older" public relations' practitioners. A few days later I'll be at the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer workshops discussing communications and social media. 

I'm glad I agreed to participate in these discussions/panels because I can learn from them as well. There's no such thing as a social media specialist because things are always changing. Just look at Pinterest? I mean what the hell is that? lol. The only thing I don't want is to repeat what has been said in the past. When I go to different social media workshops, all I see is people nod their heads; never a perplexed or "oh wow that's new" look. These workshops/panels are also useful to people of all ages, not just young -_-.

Event Alert: Hispanicize 2012

There comes a time when Latino(a)s come together to talk about all things social media, entertainment and marketing. Yes it's the second annual Hispanicize conference thanks to the Pappy Blogger himself, Manny Ruiz.    Hispanicize 2012 brings brands, media, marketers, celebrities, filmmakers, innovators and bloggers together in a unique creative environment focused on creative ideas and best practices. The conference is a launch pad for creative endeavors, new products, technologies, marketing campaigns, films, books and more targeting Latinos.

Taking place April 11 - 12 in Miami, Fl, the conference will host sessions for all Latino (and non-Latino) professionals including media, public relations professionals, artists, politicians and more. Don't assume you can just register for free, there's always a cost. Attendees will have to fork up anywhere from $300 to $700 per registration. And if you are traveling from anywhere else other than Florida, add that flight and hotel stay.  I'd say it is pretty much worth the price, especially since all the influencers will be there. This is a perfect chance to learn about new innovative projects, network with like-minded individuals and just have fun. Enjoy! Wish I could make it :(.

Exploiting our culture through art

Jean-Michel Basquiat. Recognize the name? I didn't until a week ago when my friend introduced me to his biographic film "Basquiat." Truly an astounding artist and person , Jean-Michael painted because he just wanted to paint and express himself. Fortunately and unfortunately he was soon discovered and pretty much exploited his entire (short) career. Jean-Michael was half Haitain, half Puerto Rican which to his was a norm; but to society he was different. He was a "black" artist and Andy Worhol's "pet." Unfortunately through depressiona and an addiction to drugs, he died at the young age of 27. Today his paintings sell for millions of dollars.

LatinoLines Coalition demands representation

The drama continues with redistricting our community. The LatinoLines Coalition in Philadelphia is demanding everyone to tell the Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission not to allow the primaries to take place with decade old maps that are not representative of the population shifts in PA as shown by the 2010 census. And to be honest this makes so much sense (well the demanding). There was pressure to redistrict the city based on Census numbers and now voting will be based on old maps? Makes no sense at all. Some say the government is blocking voter justice.

Well if you want to do something about it join the LatinoLines Coalition on Monday, February 20 at 1 p.m. at the Federal Court House on 6th and Market. City leaders will be discussing the denial of Latino voting power in Pennsylvania’s state legislative districts. LatinoLines characterizes recent court rulings to ignore the legislature’s redistricting plans as an obvious robbery, committed in broad day light. So what's going to happen? Will these community leaders be able to run for state representatives? Only time and effort will tell.

J.Lo taking over our TVs

I'm not going to sit here and bash Jennifer Lopez but does she really need to be everywhere on television? As some of you know she has partnered with (former hubby) March Anthony for Q' Viva, The Chosen. So according to the Hollywood Reporter, "The singer-turned-reality star has sold an English-language version of her Univision competition series to the American Idol network." Really? Really? The show will air on Fox starting March 3 doubling up on footage since they are pretty much late. I wonder if I'll watch? Maybe. Anyways, her children, like many other celebrity children, will probably never have to work...EVER. She currently earns $20 million for her American Idol appearances; and now ill have over 60 hours on the Fox Network. So here's to more Latinas on mainstream television. Let's try to give others a try :).

Video: Sh** Latinos Don't Say

Because Being Latino creates awesome content :). "What's a bodega?" "I LOVE THE COLD!" lmao

The new-age American Latino

So who is the new-age American Latino? First of all, Latino has always been an American term...let's get that straight. Colombians in Colombia do not call each other Latino, Dominicans in the Dominican Republic don't call each other Latino and you get the point. The year is now 2012 and if you've been reading (online), everything is drastically changing and corporations are launching new platforms for people like you and me. Media companies are the obvious first adopters like the Huffington Post Latino Voices, NBC Latino and FoxNewsLatino. There's also talks about a 24/7 English-language news channel with ABC/Univision.

And just recently announced, Google is increased their focus on the Latino Market. A MediaPost article stated, "Google is accelerating its focus on building out YouTube channels for the Hispanic market through partnerships with independent and traditional media companies, such as Telemundo, and Univision. The consumer segments range from retail to automotive to consumer products to technology." Even Sonic has launched a bicultural site. Imagine that!? According to the press release, the website features a distinctly Hispanic flair while capturing the authentic dining experience that makes the popular destination unique in the restaurant industry.

So what industry will be next? The National Museum of the American Latino is going to have one hell of a job depicting our history. With a changing climate, this new generation is bound to get new messages from various marketers. Whether or not we pay attention is another story. There's a stigma that says Latinos only care about Latino things...wrong. We are a bicultural audience that loves arroz con pollo, french fries, American Idol, Sabado Gigante and everything in between. So what are you doing to reach this new audience?