Pasadena, CA - The National Hispanic Media Coalition(NHMC) gathered 300 industry executives, celebrity talent and media insiders during the second annual MediaCon held at the Pasadena Convention Center on June 20. An excellent lineup of speakers and panelists
conveyed timely information on the state of Latinos in the media and entertainment industry and the path they are carving out in the future. MediaCon sponsors included Univision, Comcast NBC Universal, Entravision, Edison International, NuvoTV, CBS Corporation, Facebook, Fox Audience Strategy, Fox Deportes, the Nielsen Company, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Walter F. Ulloa, the Chairman and CEO of Entravision Communications Corporation, joined NHMC President & CEO Alex Nogales at Thursday's Luncheon to discuss his journey to lead the largest Latino own and operated media corporation in the nation. Entravision owns or operates 53 television stations, with television stations in 19 of the nation's top 50 Latino
markets, including Washington D.C., and is the largest affiliate group of both the top-ranked Univision television network and Univision's Unimás network. The company also owns and operates one of the nation's largest groups of primarily Spanish-language radio stations, consisting of 49 radio stations, and a robust digital media business. "You've got to learn the business to be in the business," said Mr. Ulloa to the 300 MediaCon attendees, "Enjoy what you're doing, pursue your dreams, and believe in yourself."
MediaCon assembled a stellar line-up of media experts covering all facets of the media industry from TV, filmmaking, digital content and talent management. The schedule included:
Opening Plenary: The State of Latinos in Media
Santiago Pozo, Inez Gonzalez and Harold Feld
On the inclusion of Latinos in film, television, and digital media. What market strategies will succeed in capturing the huge Latino demographic? Panelists included: Vincent Cordero, Executive Vice President/ General Manager,Fox Deportes; Inez Gonzalez, Executive Vice President,NHMC; Santiago Pozo, CEO, Arenas Entertainment and Harold Feld, Senior Vice President, Public Knowledge.
Web Content: Creating, Monetizing and Distribution
Alex Nogales, Shelley Acosta Smith, Alycia Sixtos, Carlos Portugal,
Bel Hernandez, Giselle Achecar and Julia Grob
The internet provides a new opportunity for content creators to share their own stories on the web. Challenges and opportunities of creating, monetizing and distributing content in the digital age were discussed.Panelists for Part 1 included: Bel Hernandez, CEO, Latin Heat Media; Carlos Portugal, Co-Creator/Producer, East Los High; Julia Grob, Creator/Executive Producer, East WillyB; Giselle Achecar, EcoRico TV; Shelley Acosta Smith, Writer, East Los High.
Panelists for Part 2 included:: Inez Gonzalez, Executive Vice President, NHMC; Katie Elmore Mota, Executive Producer, East Los High; Julia Grob, Creator/Executive Producer, East WillyB, Dennis Leoni, Executive Producer, Resurrection Blvd.
Power Brokers: Hollywood Agents and Managers Eric Rovner, Todd Christopher, April King, Mark Schulman and Alex Nogales
It is not just about representation anymore, it's about packaging. Talent agents and managers are playing a bigger role than ever before in the entertainment industry. Panelists included: Eric Rovner, Agent, WME; Mark Schulman, Manager, 3Arts; April King, Agent, ICM; Todd Christopher, Partner, Gersh Agency.
Advertisers: Courting the Latino Consumer
Advertisers are reaching out to the U.S. Latino audience as they look to tap into their $1.3 trillion annual buying power. How much are advertisers spending to reach the Latino audience? Can advertisers use their checkbook to influence programming and the utilization of Latinos in creating content and reach this important demographic? Panelists included: Carl Kravetz, CEO, Vida y Salud; Armando Azarloza, President; Leyla Fletcher, VP of Marketing Media, Arenas Entertainment; Hector Galvan, Hispanic Corporate Communications Manager,Sprint.
Empowering Latinas in Entertainment
Latinas in Entertainment share their stories on how they were able to build successful careers in entertainment. Panelists included: Ivette Rodriguez, President, AEM; Giselle Fernandez, Emmy Award Winning Journalist ; Gina Rodriguez, Actress, Filly Brown; Sandra Condito, Producer/Consultant.
Gina Rodriguez, Sandra Condito, Giselle Fernandez, and Ivette Rodriguez
Running the Show - on TV
A show runner/creator is the ultimate management and creative authority for a TV show. How do you get to "run" the show? High profile executive producers shared their journey to one of the most coveted and demanding jobs on television. Panelists included: Luisa Leschin, Executive Producer, The George Lopez Show; Pam Veasey, Executive Producer, CSI: NY; Alfredo Barrios, Executive Producer, Burn Notice; Ed Bernero, Executive Producer, Criminal Minds. The network reception was co-hosted by Eduardo Yañez, listed as one of the 50 most beautiful people by
People en Español, and one of Mexico's leading actors. Eduardo has starred in some of Televisa's greatest telenovelas such as
Corazon Salvaje,
Fuego en la Sangre and
Destilando Amor. His most recent and greatest hit,
Amores Verdaderos.
Elia Sanchez, Eduardo Yanez, Brenda Castillo, Alex Nogales
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