Interactive Food & Beverage Marketing: Targeting Latino Youth in the Digital Age

Marid Gonzalez

Bilingual Market Consultant

A meticulous researcher and a partner on the US population growth trends, Ms. Gonzalez provides the latest insight and analysis on how to market to the fastest growing segment of the US population for the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, her cutting edge research can also prove vital to managers out there who are interested in marketing to the US Latino community in general. Check it out and order your copy today:

“Interactive Food & Beverage Marketing: Targeting Latino Youth in the Digital Age”

Is Your CEO/Director/ Manager Getting With The Program?

I was reading Jeff's Blog August's entry on how to get the CEO to buy into social media, and I feel to this date, many CEOs and executive directors still doubt the benefits and power of social media to engage customers and per see increase the bottom line. Moreover, realizing the benefits of targeting segments like generation X and Y and beyond. This is your chance to check it out again and convince your CEO, director, or manager to get with the program:

9 Ways To Convince The CEO To Use Social Media

Also, I want to mention the findings of a recent Harvard survey conducted by the Society for New Communication Research tittled, "30 Key Findings On How The CEO Engages With Social Media" surveyed CEOs, directors and managers(Those who are listening) utilizing social media as part of their strategic communication inside and outside of the organization.

Among the key findings, one of them I can attest to being very true from my own experience working with clients in the realm of social media; the three main social media applications most widely used by people and organizations are: Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Infinite Social Media Benefits For Small Businesses

Here is some great and important information about the tangible benefits social media offers many small businesses out there. Savvy businesses ranging from big to small size already realize how to turn the power of social media into real sales.

Here are some stats cited from JeffBullas’s Blog- one of our favorite bloggers:

1. 300,000 businesses have a presence on Facebook
2. Gary Vaynerchuk grew his family wine business from $4 Million to $50 Million using Social Media
3. He found $15,000 in direct mail generated 200 new customers
4. $7,500 Billboard provided 300 new customers
5. $0 on Twitter produced 1,800 new customers (well.. someone had to spend some time “Twittering” it’s not exactly $0, because time costs but hey.. it wasn’t much in dollar terms)
6. Wetpaint/Altimeter found companies widely engaged in social media surpass their peers in both revenues and profits (Companies with highest levels of social media plus18% in sales, Company sales with least social media activity minus 6 %
7. Lenovo saw 20% reductions in call centre activity as customers go to a community (Social Media) website
8. Burger King’s ”Facebook Application investment of $50,000 received greater than $400,000 in PR media value (32 Million free media impressions, that's like reaching the combined populations of 19 States of the USA
9. Blendtec increased sales by 400% with “Will It Blend” YouTube videos
10. Dell sold $3,000,000 of computers on Twitter
11. Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI
12. “You can’t just say it. You have to get the people to say it to each other” – James Farley Chief Marketing Officer - Ford
13. 37% of Generation Y were aware of the the Ford Fiesta via social media before its launch in the USA
14. 25% of Fords marketing spend is on Digital/Social Media
15. They are the only US Auto company not to take a government loan
16. Naked Pizza set a one day sales record using social media (68% of sales from Twitter and 85% of new customers from Twitter)
17. VW goes 100% mobile for launch of GTI
18. “Social Media is not only for B2C”
19. Intuit introduced “Live Community” into their Turbo Tax products 2 years ago – Unit sales up +30% each year
20. Software company Genius.com reports 24% of social media leads convert to sales
21. Barak Obama – 5 million fans on Social Media – 5.4 million clicked on a “I voted for Obama Facebook Button” – 3 million online donors equals $500 million – 92% of donations were in increments of less than $100
22. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre saw a 9.5% increase in registrations using social media
23. Web Host Provider “Moonfruit” with a $15,000 social media investment saw their website traffic increase 300% and sales 20% as well as being on Google’s first page for “free website builder”
24. eBay found participants in online communities spend 54% more $’s
25. Customer support cost is $12 via the contact center vs 25 cents via self-service
26. “Why are we trying to measure Social media like a traditional channel anyway? Social Media touches every facet of business and is more an extension of good business ethics” – Anonymous
27. ”You can’t buy attention anymore. Having a huge budget doesn’t mean anything in Social Media… the old paradigm was “Pay to Play”. Now you get back what you authentically put in. You have to be willing to “Play to Play” – Alex Bogusky, Co-Chairman, CP& B
28. @llonlineblogera “ When I’m asked about the ROI of Social Media sometimes an appropriate response is … what’s the ROI of your phone?”
29. 71% plan to increase investments in Social media by an average of 40% because: You get “Low Cost Marketing” and “Get Traction” and we have to do it!

The Cost of doing nothing is greater than the cost of doing something. If you are not sure how to get started with social media, that's OK. We are here to help you. Take the first step and visit our site to understand more about social media. And then fill out the form and contact us for a free consultation.

What are you waiting for? The power of social media is here to help you.

Visit us today for a free consultation:
LLOnlineBlogera.com

Become a fan on our Facebook Page:

LLOnline Blogera, LLC Fan Page

Efren Penaflorida CNN Hero of 2009

Thank you to all who voted for Jorge, An Angel In Queens. I wish he would have won the contest but I'm still very happy for Efren Penaflorida's win. Like he said in accepting this award: "Every person has a hidden hero within.. just search it in your heart" beautiful words from a true hero.

Congratulations Efren Penaflorida!

Watch tonight's CNN's Hero Of The Year Especial at 9pm ET.

Latina on A Mission: Giving Stuff Away

My friend at @MsLatina is giving away some cool stuff. Check out her website below for more details to see how you can win:

MS Latina Cool Stuff

Spooky Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!

Latino Lobby Wants Lou Dobbs Off The Air

Editor's Note: Odette Keeley, news anchor for "Stories From The Ethnic Media" on NAM's radio program, "New America Now" on 91.7 FM KALW, talks to ethnic media professionals about their outlets' news headlines and their take on the news of the day.

This Week on "Stories From the Ethnic Media": A Latino lobby wants CNN Anchor Lour Dobbs off air, and African-Caribbean deportees are punished twice.

Read the rest here: Latino Lobby Wants Lou Dobbs Off The Air

Shakira- Otro Rollo 2002 Interview

Courtesy of Otro Rollo, 2002 Televisa

I remembered watching this interview and learning more about Shakira back in a small village in Honduras as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Then, I knew Shakira will not only attain global success—conquering different markets throughout the world because of her artistic talent— but, moreover, because of her intelligence and humanness. As a critical fan of any artist, I recognized then she was not an airhead like many other artists who come and go... Over the years, she is shown her human side and awareness about her roots and the social reality surrounding her.

Check her out in this interview seven years ago with former host, Adal Ramones in Otro Rollo. Despite fame and success, Shakira remains real and further acting responsibly towards combating social illnesses and poverty in Latin America through her work at ALAS and her foundation, Pies Descalzos.

President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

Here's another acronym that is recently been surging in pop culture for our Commander in Chief: OBAMA = "Outstanding Best American Man in Action!"

Hooray for our President! Que viva Obama!

Vote For An Angel in Queens To Be CNN's Hero Of The Year

I found out today that Jorge, Founder of An Angel in Queens, has made it to the top 10 finalists on CNN's hero of the year contest.

Let's help bring Jorge and his mission home by voting for an Angel in Queens Today!

Vote On CNN's Site Today: CNN Heroes

Visit the official website: An Angel In Queens Website

Become a fan on the Facebook page: An Angel In Queen Fan Page

See The YouTube Video: An Angel In Queens

An Angel In Queens on the New York Times: NYTs Article

Because of people like Jorge and the other finalists, I still believe that despite all odds, we can still improve our overall human condition by helping to improve the lives of others.

Thank you Angel!

Paz Sin Fronteras: A Victory For The Cuban People!

I am sure the critics will say whatever they want of this concert after it is over, there are those who never agreed with the making of this concert in the first place, and will never agree because of the Cuban regimen. However, if you saw the concert online just like I did, you would noticed the happiness and rejoice music brought to the souls of the Cuban people. That is the goal and I believed all those who made Paz Sin Fronteras possible: mission accomplished!

Juanes, Olga Tañon, Miguel Bose, Cucu Diamantes, and all those other courageous artists that showed up to play at La Havana, deserve praise and gratitude. Because they did not let fear intimidate them and despite all , they showed and deliver for the Cuban people.

But most important, I believe in Juanes' lyrics conveyed in his popular song, "It's time to change- El Odio por Amor" is a truism that must be recognized all over the world. No matter social class, race, language, ethnic origin, or anything. It is time for all of us to make this world a better place. Just like Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

That change is being made today by the young generation of Cubans and all those around the world. A realization that it is up to us to change the world to something better that we all aspire to live in. According to concert sources, more than a million people showed up to la Plaza de la Revolucion in La Havana to witness these artists. And more than that, they made history for themselves and to demand a better future for themselves from those in power on the island.

This was not Juanes' victory for pulling this out in the face of all controversy, nor the artists that showed up and broadcasted their music to the Cubans and the world, this was a victory for the Cuban people for being present and showing the world that they too can make history. This was the Cuban people's victory!

Que viva Cuba libre!!!

To the Rhythm of Ozomatli

Ozomatli entertaining at the CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama Final Remarks

Final remarks by the President at the CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama Marks the Beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month @ CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama addressing the crowd at the CHCI Gala 2009 and marking the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month in his Administration

President Obama Appearing on Stage CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama and First Lady at the CHCI Gala 2009

Soledad O'Brien CHCI Award Recipient

Soledad O'Brien is an American television journalist, currently the host of CNN Special Investigations Unit on CNN, and is best known for anchoring the CNN marquee morning newscast American Morning

Leguizamo Doing Roll Call @ CHCI Gala 2009

Comedian, actor, voice actor and producer. John Leguizamo did Roll Call at the CHCI Gala 2009

John Leguizamo Roll Call Introduction CHCI Gala 2009

A Colombian-American comedian, actor, voice actor and producer. John Leguizamo did Roll Call at the CHCI Gala 2009

CHCI Fellows Introduced @ CHCI Gala 2009

CHCI 2009 Public Policy Fellows

MC Maria Hinojosa CHCI Gala 2009

Award Winning Journalist and Author, Maria Hinojosa was the MC for the evening @ CHCI's Gala 2009