Acceller Connects Hispanic Markets With AT&T, Comcast

MIAMI, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to connect with over 50 million Hispanic and Latino Americans in the U.S. as of 2010, Acceller, Inc., recently launched Spanish versions of their digital services comparison shopping sites. Currently, Digital Landing has branded sites supporting the Hispanic offerings of two of their major partners in cable TV: Comcast XFINITY and AT&T U-verse. Those branded sites use the Digital Landing platform, which sorts deals on cable TV, high speed Internet and home phone services.

Hispanic and Latino Americans make up the second-largest ethnic group in the country, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, after non-Hispanic white Americans. They make up over 16 percent of the population. Acceller's sites represent both Comcast's XFINITY TV in Spanish, and AT&T's U-verse in Spanish.

A Hispanic version of Comcast's XFINITY brand offers the MultiLatino Max package, with over 120 Spanish cable TV channels for just $29.99 per month in many states. The package includes over 60 English channels, as well as Spanish channels like CNN en Espanol, CanalSur, Mexicanal, Telemundo and Univision. MultiLatino Ultra has 118 English channels, and 60 more in Spanish, like Discovery Kids, Disney XD and MLB Network.

There are multi-lingual call centers available for customers to make their experience even easier. Customers can call 1-877-782-3561 and speak with both English- and Spanish-speaking operators between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m. EST, six days a week, and between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST on Sundays. Customers that sign up for the Triple Play deal, which includes Internet and home phone service, will also get a $250 Amazon gift card.

All of the Spanish channels found on Comcast's XFINITY packages are listed on ComcastParaTodos.com, and many are on both the MulitLatino MAX and Ultra packages. Actress Sofia Vergara, from ABC's "Modern Family," recently signed on as the spokesperson for Comcast XFINITY TV in Spanish.

Those shopping for AT&T U-verse through ATTParaTodos.com can have U-family TV, Internet Pro and Voice Service 250 for $89 per month for 12 months. This is AT&T's lowest bundled price ever! U-family TV offers up to 50 Spanish cable channels, including channels like ESPN Deportes, TeleFutura and Estrella TV. Customers are also able to get up to $200 back in rewards.

The Internet Pro option with AT&T enables customers to download at speeds up to 3 Mbps. And the Voice 250 allows for 250 minutes of calling each month within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Again, customers can feel at ease knowing that there are multi-lingual call centers available to them at the same time periods, to assist them in signing up for AT&T's Spanish television programming. Users can call 1-877-782-3563 between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m. EST Monday through Saturday, and between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. EST on Sundays.

As more Spanish TV channels arrive on the cable landscape, both AT&T and Comcast are sure to add them to their lineups, as will other cable providers. Acceller also has plans to produce branded sites for other cable TV companies that have Spanish packages.

About Acceller

Acceller is a leading aggregator of Internet, television, phone, and other digital services to consumers. Acceller's innovative comparison shopping platform at DigitalLanding.com, enables customers to easily shop for digital services, compare offers, and place orders directly to leading providers; including Comcast, AT&T, Cox Communications, Verizon, Dish Network, and Charter Communications.

Acceller's innovative ecommerce platform powers consumer portals, including the Digital Landing resource for TV, Internet and related services, an XFINITY services locator, and an AT&T site for the latest U-Verse offers.

SOURCE Acceller, Inc.

Comcast to Expand Carriage of Hispanic Networks to Additional 14 Million Subscribers

PHILADELPHIA, Jul 26, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Comcast Corporation, one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communications companies, announced today that it is expanding the carriage of eight Hispanic networks by approximately 14 million total subscribers.

Among the public commitments made as part of Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal was an agreement to increase the distribution of at least three networks that are American Latino-owned or -controlled or target the Latino community by at least 10 million digital basic subscribers within six months after the deal closed on January 28. Comcast will surpass that goal by 40 percent by adding approximately 14 million subscribers to eight Hispanic networks.

"We are pleased to be bringing more Hispanic programming to millions of consumers across the U.S.," said David Jensen, Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast Cable. "Comcast strives to deliver programming that brings the world to our customers, and I'm proud that we were able to go far beyond our commitment by delivering this great new programming."

The eight Hispanic or Spanish-language networks that have expanded carriage on Comcast systems are Azteca America, Galavision, HITN, LATV, -mun2, Telefutura, Telemundo and Univision.

The increased carriage for these networks will be achieved primarily by adding the channels to new cable systems and markets. For example, the Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network (HITN) will be added to the Comcast cable line-ups in Boston, Atlanta, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Miami, Western New England, Michigan and Indiana. Azteca America will launch in New York and Philadelphia. Comcast, which serves more than 23 million subscribers across the United States, provides more than 60 Hispanic or Spanish-language networks on most of its major cable systems.

"This partnership with Comcast is a step in our expansion strategy to meet the demand of the increasing Latino community," said Jose Luis Rodriguez, President and CEO of HITN. "Our programming will now reach millions of new households, providing our viewers the tools they need to navigate life in the U.S."

Enhancing the reach of these networks is the latest in a series of steps Comcast is taking to increase the availability of minority-focused programming on its cable systems. Since April, the entertainment provider has announced plans to boost the reach of Mnet, the English-language Asian pop culture channel, by more than 2 million subscribers; while two African-American-focused networks, The Africa Channel and TV One, will be added to a combined 2.3 million new homes.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation is one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communications companies. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

SOURCE: Comcast Corporation

Peixe Urbano brings daily deals to Brazil — and beyond

Groupon’s IPO filing last month revealed just how quickly the market for daily deals has exploded in the United States. And since an appetite for bargains knows no borders, the Chicago-based company has expressed a keen interest in expanding abroad to fuel its future revenue growth. But Groupon is running into some increasingly stiff competition in its ventures abroad.

Take Peixe Urbano. The Latin American daily deals company has amassed a user base of more than 11 million subscribers since its launch in March 2010, co-founder Alex Tabor said in an interview last week. And according to him, the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-based company has no plans to stop there.

“Brazil as a country is growing very quickly and the amount of investment here is surging,” Tabor said. “We have a booming sector in the tech industry.” That environment also means that while Peixe Urbano is currently Brazil’s daily deals leader, it has no time to rest on its laurels. “We have a lot of competition, so we have to keep running at full pace.”

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Nissan to Unveil Spanish-Language Facebook Page and Host Latino Social Media Workshop at National Council Of La Raza Annual Conference

WASHINGTON, DC (July 20, 2011) - Nissan Americas will unveil its Spanish-language Facebook page on Saturday, July 23 at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Annual Conference, reinforcing its commitment to the Hispanic community and its long-standing relationship with NCLR. NCLR Family Expo attendees will be among the first to experience the Nissan's latest social media effort, which will offer Spanish-language information on Nissan's vehicles and provide the Latino community with a forum to express themselves and embrace their diversity. The site will be available at https://www.facebook.com/nissanespanol beginning July 23, 2011.

"Research shows that Latinos - who make up a rapidly growing demographic segment with a high proportion of young people - are using social media to find their voice and engage with consumer brands," said Erich Marx, Nissan's director of Interactive & Social Media Marketing. "At Nissan, we recognize how important social media has become within the Hispanic community and view our Spanish-language presence on Facebook as a critical channel for connecting with the Latino community."

At the conference, Nissan also is a sponsor of NCLR's Lideres Summit and, as part of the Summit, will conduct a workshop on social media aimed at helping students age 14-25 to better understand and prepare for career opportunities in social media marketing. The workshop will feature experts from Nissan and the company's social media and Hispanic ad agencies, Chiat Day, Team Ignition and Impacto, who will emphasize the skills students will need to be competitive in an evolving market environment. NCLR's Líderes Initiative is a national program designed to create opportunities for Latino youth to elevate their influence as leaders in the United States. More details about the Lideres Summit are available at http://lideres.nclr.org/section/events/lideres_summit1/2011_summitagenda.

"It is great to be working with Nissan and NCLR; who are both very proactive in bringing a greater voice to the Latino community," said Victoria Negrete, CEO at Impacto, Nissan's Hispanic PR agency. "We invite everyone to come join NCLR and Nissan at the conference, and learn more about the issues and opportunities that are important to U.S. Latinos."

About Nissan Americas
In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)-the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States-works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas-assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Please visit www.NCLR.org.

Why Quepasa Is Paying $100M for myYearbook

Publicly traded Latino social network Quepasa will pay $100 million for teen-heavy social network myYearbook, in what the companies are calling a merger.

MyYearbook CEO Geoff Cook argued, in a note he sent to AllThingsD, that playing games and using apps with new people — which is what myYearbook focuses on — is a different and potentially superior experience to doing so on Facebook, where posts about game play can pollute users’ interactions with existing friends and family. Quepasa, for its part, makes games for various social platforms through its Quepasa Games studio.

Cook, who will be Quepasa COO, writes:

“Finding a new friend is for many the search of a lifetime. It’s a search that may peak as a teen and young adult when so many enduring relationships are forged, but it extends beyond those years to everyone young or old. Meeting new people is now – and has always been—one of the Internet’s core activities, from the early days of AOL chat rooms to the glory days of Myspace to the unrealized promise of Chatroulette’s ‘Next’ button.”

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How and When to Partner with a Hispanic Marketing Agency

Hispanic Market Overview U.S.

• Rapidly growing purchasing power (by 2013 US Hispanic purchasing power should exceed $1.3 trillion)

• Average Household Income is $50K+ and growing

• Current Population of 50 Million (16%)

• By 2050, 33% of Americans Will be Hispanic

Hispanics Are Younger and Adopt Online Trends More Quickly

• 46% of Online Hispanics are under 35

• 32% of Hispanics access the internet through smart phones compared with only 20% of the General Market

• Hispanics are twice as likely to search the internet with an iPhone compared with the general market

More Hispanics Learn About Brands, Compare Prices, and Make Final Decisions Online Than General Market

• 57% of Hispanics always go to the internet to look for deals compared to 43% of the general market

• 72% of Hispanics prefer an online product rating over a friend's opinion

• 18% of US Hispanic Internet Users use Twitter compared to 8% of general market

Hispanics Are a Very Social Group with High Usage of Social Media

• 10% of online Hispanics have recently checked in compared to 3% of white Americans

• 54% of Hispanics regularly use Facebook compared with only 43% of white Americans

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Reading changing habits: How we read now

July 17, 2011|By Amanda Katz, Globe Correspondent

This essay is the second in a three-part series about reading. Part one focused on reading in the past, and part three will look at the future of reading.

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there,’’ wrote L.P. Hartley in the first sentence of his 1953 novel, “The Go-Between.’’ If you’d like to read more, you can buy “The Go-Between’’ in paperback, a 2002 reissue by New York Review Books. You can also borrow it from the library, or read large amounts of it on Google Books for free.

What you can’t do is buy it for download to your e-reader or your tablet, or as an audio file for your mp3 player. When “The Go-Between’’ was last republished, no one was selling books in those formats. As far as reading goes, 2002 is a foreign country; we do things differently now.

If you’re an adult who reads books today, you are an immigrant from that foreign land - a “digital immigrant.’’ You may love your new iPad, but you were raised in the old country of bookstores, marginalia, the scent of paper, flap copy written on actual flaps. Meanwhile, the toddler playing with his parents’ tablet today will grow up a “digital native,’’ as accustomed to the one-click book purchase as you are to a dust jacket.

We’ve been sailing toward this country for some time, but in 2011, we arrived. Last year, the publishers surveyed by the Association of American Publishers saw 8.3 percent of domestic net sales from e-books. Three months into this year, Simon and Schuster’s e-book sales had climbed to 17 percent of revenue; at Hachette, parent company of Little, Brown, the figure was 22 percent. From November to May, according to a Pew Internet Project study, the percentage of American adults with a dedicated e-reader (like a Nook or Kindle) leaped from 6 percent to 12 percent. Another 8 percent now have tablets. To add a little context, fewer than half of Americans even buy a book in a typical year. So for 12 percent of all Americans to have an e-reader is not trivial.


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