Nothing brings Latinos closer together than social media, blogging, the best in digital, entertainment, and a huge conference that ties it all in. Not only did we get a chance to rub elbows with the best in the blogosphere, but got a massive sense of pride in our Latin roots during this week. Click on the link to get more details about our Hispanicize experience.
'The aim of Hispanicize 2012 is to gather for the first time in one place the Hispanic bloggers, multicultural influencers in the nation, successful business leaders, as well as personalities of the Latino social media, public relations, entertainment and film, that are targeted to U.S. Hispanic market. The dynamic of this is that today more than ever, and possibly for reasons having to do much with the digital environment we are living, all these sectors are already collaborating with each other in different ways. And what Hispanicize 2012 does is just provide a platform where they can converge in a manner that is more coherent and dynamic. We are uniting people who work in any type or form of Latin media. Hispanicize is the event where these people come to know and learn the latest trends and best practices transforming the U.S. Hispanic market. Hispanizice 2012 is a transformative event and we are impacting the way other people think about the Latino market,' Manny Ruiz, chairman and co-founder of Hispanicize, explained.
Original quote: 'El objetivo de Hispanicize 2012 es reunir por primera vez en un mismo lugar a los blogueros hispanos y multiculturales más influyentes de la nación, a exitosos líderes empresariales, así como también a personalidades de los medios sociales hispanos, relaciones públicas, entretenimiento y cine, que están dirigidos al mercado hispano de Estados Unidos. Lo dinámico de esto es que hoy más que nunca, y posiblemente por razones que tienen que ver mucho con el ambiente digital que estamos viviendo, todos estos sectores ya están colaborando entre ellos de forma diversa. Y lo que hace Hispanicize 2012 es precisamente brindarles una plataforma donde ellos puedan converger de una manera más coherente y dinámica. Estamos uniendo a personas que trabajan en algún tipo o forma de medios de comunicación latina. Hispanicize es el evento donde estas personas van a conocerse y a aprender las últimas tendencias y las prácticas más transformadoras del mercado hispano de EE.UU. Hispanizice 2012 es un evento transformador y estamos impactando la manera en que otras personas piensan con respecto al mercado latino.'
Hispanicize is a major culture-focused event that unites big brands with bloggers and major figures in today's digital world to discuss just about everything. This year's panelists and presenters dealt heavily with social media and mobile, but more importantly they offered attendees an insight into the Hispanic audience in and out of the U.S.
'Every day, and now more than ever, Latino presence is increasing in the blogosphere. We see how traditional media platforms are now betting big on social media. There is no way to stop the force and impact that social media are having, and this is because the U.S. Latino consumer is aware of social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, like any other segment of the U.S. population. Social media has become an integral part of and are present in every aspect of our daily lives.' Ruiz said.
Original quote: 'A diario, y ahora más que nunca, se está incrementando la presencia latina en el mundo de los blogs. Vemos como plataformas de medios tradicionales están ahora apostando fuerte en los medios sociales. No hay forma de parar la fuerza y el impacto que los medios sociales están teniendo, y esto se debe a que el consumidor latino de EE.UU está al tanto de los medios sociales, como Facebook, Twitter, You Tube y los blogs, como cualquier otro segmento de la población de EE.UU. Los medios sociales se han convertido en parte integral y están presentes en cada aspecto de nuestra vida diaria.'
As a Hispanicize first-timer, I didn't really know what to expect. The schedule was packed with up to six panels, presentations, and/or speakers at any given time slot. From early morning breakfasts to late night soirees, it was one big party that brought with it loads of necessary knowledge. With so many opportunities to participate, question, and build new relationships, frankly I was overwhelmed. Positively overwhelmed.
Set in Miami, FL at the J W Marriott Marquis, the environment could not have been more lovely and more conducive to achieve what attendees sought. An exhibit on the third floor offered a look into brands that wanted to reach out to the Latin community with new products, new ideas, and lots of swag.
With Hispanicize nearing its end, it is safe to say that I understand the Hispanic audience better and what they truly desire from the media and brands. I'm coming away with great contacts, a few tricks up my sleeve, and boundless knowledge that will no doubt impress the best in the digital industry. 'Til next year!
