Marketing Conference Confirms Hispanic is A Natural Selection

Evolution of Hispanic Consumers and Marketing is Focus of Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) Annual Conference in Miami

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Natural Selection is a key mechanism of evolution and the fitting description for what is occurring today in the U.S. population and Hispanic-specialized marketing.  The AHAA Annual Conference, appropriately themed Natural Selection, will examine the core values and traits of U.S. Hispanics that have made survival among consumers and specialized agencies possible, and the key driver of volume and profit for advertisers.  The conference is being held October 6-8, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami.

"Our industry is at a crossroads more so now than ever before," says Gisela Girard, AHAA chair and president/CEO of San Antonio-based Creative Civilization.  "The sheer number of U.S. Hispanic consumers has grown rapidly in the past 10 years and Hispanic-specialized advertising has changed the way advertisers connect with consumers.  But this explosive growth in our market and advertising industry profession also brings challenges.  The AHAA Annual Conference brings together agency leaders and professionals from every discipline — and this year advertisers — to discuss with fresh perspective and re-energized passion the influence Hispanics are having and will continue to have on our society and our response as an industry."    

The AHAA Annual Conference sessions will provide forums to discuss the tough issues facing our member agencies from procurement trends to consolidation excuses, stir debate, and uncover new consumer and business trends to prepare advertisers and marketers for the next phase of growth and change in the industry.  Session topics include:

• Recent Macro Trends in the Hispanic Consumer Market presented by Iconoculture, a leading consumer strategist firm in Latino markets
• The Census 2010:  With much speculation around the upcoming results, Census staff will set the record straight on what we can expect
• A panel discussion about the cultural evolution of U.S. Hispanics, the distinctiveness of this consumer segment, and their desire to attain balance between American values and their Hispanic identity
• Effective return on investment (ROI) techniques for side-by-side comparisons of Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic marketing ROI
• Workshops specifically designed for each agency discipline, plus special invitation-only sessions for advertisers. Workshops will cover new media measurement tools, social media, and innovation
• Agency leader sessions include one-on-one presentations to agency search consultants by appointment only, CMO insights, and principal forums to address critical issues such as cost-cutting and consolidation among advertisers, the economic and consumer behavior impact of immigration, and much more
• A roundtable of transformative brands featuring CMOs from Best Buy and General Mills addressing opportunities and barriers to success in the Hispanic market
• The unveiling of new third and fourth screen research from Nielsen

"Moving to one conference provided AHAA with an opportunity to re-think and re-design the gathering of marketing professionals and infuse new learning opportunities and networking our industry professionals expect," says Jessica Pantanini, AHAA chair-elect, conference co-chair, and COO of San Antonio-Bromley Communications. "We have deliberately designed a conference that elevates the conversation.  You won't find the same case studies or 101s here.  If you are craving an opportunity to learn, challenge, and gain fresh perspective, then this is the conference that will deliver for you. It's a stimulating combination of general sessions and interactive discussions, intimate business-building opportunities, and hands-on workshops that are reasonably priced.  We've even got some surprises thrown in but you'll have to be in Miami October 6^th through the 8^th to find out."

Visit www.ahaa.org to register for the conference and to view the complete agenda.

About AHAA:

The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) is the national organization of firms that specialize in marketing to the nation's more than 46 million Hispanic consumers:  the most rapidly growing segment of the American population with an estimated buying power of nearly $1 trillion.. AHAA agencies offer a unique blend of cultural understanding, market intelligence, proven experience and professionalism that deliver Hispanic market success for advertisers. AHAA agencies help organizations gain market share, increase revenue and grow profits.  AHAA is the voice of the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry.  Visit www.ahaa.org for more information.

SOURCE Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies