Telemundo.com ranks in the top three most engaged video experiences among all TV networks in July

In July 2011, Telemundo.com ranked as one of the top three most "engaged" video experiences among all television networks and ranked highest for "viewser" engagement among other Spanish language websites, as measured by the number of videos per visitor and minutes per viewer, according to comScore.

Telemundo.com is one of the top three television network websites across several key categories. The site reports an average of 21.5 videos per viewer and 67.6 minutes per viewer. Telemundo.com delivered twice as many videos per viewer and minutes per viewer than Univision.com.

Telemundo.com recently delivered its best quarter ever, reporting a record in video streaming with nearly 31 million streams delivered for the quarter, plus 128% year-over-year growth. Telemundo.com also delivered record unique visitors for the quarter, attracting nearly 3.5 million uniques.

A recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that U.S. Hispanic adults are the most active demographic with regard to broadband Internet use for watching videos online. 81 percent of Hispanic adults watched videos online in May 2011, compared to 76 percent of African American adults and 69 percent of white adults.

About Telemundo

Telemundo Communications Group, LLC & Subsidiaries ("Telemundo"), a division of NBCUniversal, is a world-class media company, leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content across its multiplatform portfolio to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. Telemundo's multiple platforms include Telemundo, a Spanish-language television network featuring original productions, theatrical motion pictures, news and first-class sports events, reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic viewers in 210 markets through its 14 owned stations, 1 independent station (WKAQ in Puerto Rico), 46 broadcast affiliates, and over 1,000 cable affiliates; mun2, the preeminent voice for bicultural Hispanics in the U.S., reaching over 35 million U.S. TV households nationwide on digital and analog cable, and satellite; Telemundo Digital Media, which leverages Telemundo's original content for distribution across digital and emerging platforms including mobile devices and and ; and Telemundo Internacional, the company's international distribution arm which has positioned Telemundo as the second largest provider of Spanish-language content worldwide by syndicating content to more than 100 countries in over 35 languages. 

Source: comScore 

National Weather Service launches new heat safety website en Español

The National Weather Service is redoubling efforts to help America become a “Weather-ready” nation, and has launched a new heat safety website in Spanish. The new site aims to educate the nation’s growing Hispanic population about the health dangers of prolonged heat exposure.

Texas, home to more than nine million Hispanics, has been particularly hard hit during this summer’s intense heat wave, which continues to rage in the south central United States. Those working in outdoor jobs, such as farming, fishing, forestry or construction, are particularly vulnerable to heat illness.

The site, http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index-s.shtml , includes a wealth of information. It explains the different heat forecasts issued by the National Weather Service, defines the heat index, outlines various heat hazards, discusses the dangers of leaving children and pets in a car, includes a variety of heat safety tips and includes information about heat disorders to help people recognize when they are in trouble.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. 

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Mexicanal continues to build net through digital multicasts

August 24, 2011 | by John Eggerton

Spanish-language network MEXICANAL continues to build its coverage through broadcast multicast channel deals. The latest is with WDVB New York for carriage on channel 23.2.

New York is the largest Hispanic market according to the 2010 census, with 2.3 million. Not surprisingly, MEXICANAL has been targeting TV stations in Hispanic-heavy markets, including digital multicast channels Los Angeles (KBEH), Dallas (KTAQ), Phoenix (KTVP) and San Antonio (WOAI).

"WDVB has a commitment with our viewers in the New York Metro area to bring culturally relevant programming. Working with partners like MEXICANAL, we keep our promise and bring a great option for Hispanic viewers," said Deepak Viswanath, managing partner, Edison Broadcasting.

The National Association of Broadcasters has been arguing that the use of multicast channels to serve niche and minority populations is one of the reasons that broadcasters need to be left with enough spectrum to continue to deliver those services. 

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Online meetings just got better: WebEx offers new lower price package

August 17, 2011 | by Jennifer Carole

If you aren’t using online meetings, you are working too hard.

Taking it online gives you the freedom to do more, work effectively and maybe even get a bit of your life back. With the added convenience of mobile access, recording and Outlook scheduling, using WebEx to host your meetings online is smart.

Unlimited WebEx meetings with up to 8 people just $19/month. Learn more.

While executives are clear they need a powerful communication’s arsenal (see report here) smaller businesses and individuals aren’tyet reaping the rewards. WebEx wants to make video conferencing accessible to everyone in any sized company – from the 90% of employees who work offsite cited in the report, to freelancers, home businesses, start-ups and more.

Powerful features, smaller room, great price. Get it now.

WebEx 8 has all the functionality of WebEx with a smaller meeting room and a lower price. With WebEx 8, you can have a host plus seven – totaling 8 participants. It is compatible with WebEx Mobile, which means both hosts and attendees can use the free mobile apps to participate. It also includes:

Desktop sharing: share your computer desktop or just a file with anyone in your meeting. This streamlines collaboration and speeds communication as you easily work together on the same thing at the same time.

High Quality Video: web camparticipants are featured dynamically as they speak, with the same ease of an in-person conversation. While web cam use is optional, it is a powerful tool for making a personal connection.

Recording: record your meeting so team members can replay it later, or package your meeting like an event and post it on your external web site. Get tips from WebEx Channels to help you create a recording worth watching.

Integrated Outlook scheduling: integrate WebEx with the tools you use every day. Schedule your WebEx via Outlook with visibility to your team’s calendar and easy access to email.

If you been thinking about using online meetings to change the way you do business, now is the time to get started. Get WebEx 8and then join us on Facebook to learn tips and tricks for getting the most out of WebEx.

The Fine Print: WebEx 8 is just $19/month and only available online and in the United States at this time. Meetings cannot exceed one host and seven guests. Meetings withone host and up to 25 participants are $49/month and available here.

The Latino Sound of Digital Music

August 16, 2011 | by  Gustavo Razzetti

Spotify, the Swedish online music-on-demand service, has teamed up with Warner Music Group to launch the site in the U.S. With over 10 million European subscribers and followers, including celebrities such as Mark Zuckerberg and Demi Moore, Spotify could definitely benefit from targeting Latinos in order to develop its U.S. presence.

Latinos are listening to more and more music. If you take a look at CD purchases, Latinos over-index, and this is even higher among lower acculturated Hispanics. Paradoxically, they show the same passion about digital music. As I discussed in previous posts, Latinos are embracing and leading adoption of new technologies such as mobile and social media. Ubiquity has become the new norm and this is true with music too. Latinos want to access their favorite artists and songs everywhere, all the time, and in every format possible.

The Digital Shift

Latinos are leading the shift to listening to music online and on computers at a faster pace than the general population. Hispanics are downloading and streaming music with a tendency to use many platforms. Part of the reason is that they first try to find the song for free and if that's not the case, then they buy it online.

Among Hispanics, the shift to mobile is greater than the general market. On Pandora, Hispanics skew 72 percent mobile and 28 percent web, and mobile is responsible for 83 percent of Hispanic listening hours, reaffirming that ubiquity is the new norm to music.

The Battle for Listeners

Although Latinos use many platforms like Rhapsody, Napster, Last.fm, etc., there are two players that have been growing in terms of preference: Pandora and Batanga.

Pandora reports that Hispanic users doubled in 2010 and currently has 6.5 million registered users who identify as Hispanic, of which about 2.7 million visit monthly and 550,000 visit daily. Eighty-five percent of Hispanic users are actively engaged with their music and "thumb" their favorite songs and spend about two hours on Pandora each day. Interestingly, 75 percent of Hispanics on Pandora speak Spanish while only a quarter speak only English, showing that language preference among Pandora Hispanics is not skewed to English-dominant.

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Movie makers may want to pay more attention to mobile, Hispanic demos

August 15, 2011 | by Kristina Knight

Summer is winding down in the US, and so is the blockbuster movie season. But, as Hollywood looks ahead to the holiday season, ad-makers may want to push to target more of the Hispanic and mobile demographics. According to a new report from Briabe Mobile and MocoSpace, Hispanic consumers are hungry for movie-related information and most are connecting to find reviews, showtimes and locations from mobile devices.

• 75% of Hispanics go to a movie theater once/month

• 65% of Hispanics use mobiles to find movie showtimes/locations

• 55% of Hispanics use mobiles to fetch movie info within four hours of showtime

• 39% of Hispanics use mobiles to watch movie trailers

"This report proved to be a treasure trove of relevant information for both the entertainment industry and marketers," said Briabe Mobile CEO James Briggs, "as it highlights numerous opportunities for deploying mobile strategies to successfully get Hispanic moviegoers into theaters."

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Bilingual Internet training program announced to close digital divide in U.S.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Club Digital, the most comprehensive bilingual, multimedia Internet training program, has been launched in the California state and will be expanded nationwide in an attempt to close the digital divide affecting Hispanic families in the United States.

Officials from the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and the State of California joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and impreMedia publisher Monica Lozano as well as other national and community leaders to commend Club Digital on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Club Digital's summer pilot program will reach nearly 3 million Hispanics in California. The program has started on Aug. 1 with an extensive 30-day multimedia Internet training program in select impreMedia publications, including La Opinion, La Opinion Contigo and El Mensajero, and a network of community-based partnerships.

Club Digital will provide a free opportunity for Californians to learn basic Internet skills. The program also includes an interactive bilingual website, www.laopinion.com/clubdigital, updated daily throughout Aug. with new training lessons.

"Without access to the Internet and basic computer skills, millions of Californians remain at a competitive disadvantage in the job market," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"I am proud to support a program that empowers the people who remain on the wrong side of the Digital Divide by giving them the tools they need to take the first step into the digital age."

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VerveLife Launches Promotional Music Store: RhymbaLatino

CHICAGO – August 9, 2011 – VerveLife, a leader in tech-driven music marketing solutions, announced today the launch of RhymbaLatino, the first customizable promotional music store containing nearly 170,000 pre-licensed songs for the Latino audience.

The total spending of the Latino market is predicted by Forrester Research to reach $1.4 trillion in 2013, requiring brands to focus on this audience. RhymbaLatino’s musical breadth provides advertisers with a turnkey solution to connect with this diverse and musically engaged population.  

Chosen under the musical guidance of Thom Russo, who has won 11 Latin Grammys for his work as a Latin music producer, engineer and songwriter, RhymbaLatino’s tunes reflect the tastes and lifestyles of the audience. 

RhymbaLatino’s catalog includes music ranging from today’s cutting-edge tunes to popular classics from Latin America, Spain and the American Latino community. The music library contains artists like Shakira, Maná, Pit Bull, Juanés and Enrique Iglesias. A mix of musical styles provides something for everyone: salsa, boleros, hip-hop, calypso, Latin jazz, norteño, Latin rock, reggaetón and bachata. 

“VerveLife received such a positive response from current and prospective clients on the launch of our first two promotional music stores, RhymbaKid and RhymbaTween, that it was only natural to build on that success,” said Victor Siegel, president and CEO of VerveLife. “With the Latino music scene exploding, this customizable library allows brands to leverage our marketing expertise to fulfill an unmet need in the advertising industry.”

RhymbaLatino offers a host of unique features to build customer engagement: 

- Bilingual navigation that allows consumers to choose Spanish or English 

- A one-of-a-kind platform to handle streaming or downloading, delivery, redemption, tracking, and reporting

- Branded streaming radio with five pre-set stations or stationsthat can be customized by genre, mood, or activity

- Brand messaging between tracks, and single-click cart checkout

- Customized interface allows brands to use their logos, colors, and brand icons

- Powerful data and analytics system to track music, manage codes, and report usage

"With the surging growth of the Hispanic audiences and their increase in spending, we can’t think of a better product to be launching at this time. We look forward to working closely with U.S. marketers and their agencies to customize RhymbaLatino to meet their market needs,” Siegel said. “VerveLife’s RhymbaLatino clearly meets industry demand.”

About VerveLife:

With offices in Chicago, New York and Dallas, VerveLife provides the most comprehensive technology-based products, creative services, and digital music marketing expertise to brands and retailers looking to attract and engage consumers, accelerate growth and build relationships that drive loyalty. The company has earned numerous awards for its work in the digital music promotions industry. Learn more about VerveLife at www.VerveLife.com.

Source: VerveLife

Comcast Announces Ambitious Initiative to Help Close the Digital Divide for Hispanics

MIAMI, Aug 04, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Comcast Corporation, one of the nation's leading media, entertainment and communications companies, announced today the launch of Internet Essentials, an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption initiative designed to help bridge the digital divide in America. Offered to low-income families with children who are eligible to receive a free school lunch as part of their enrollment in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Internet Essentials will provide families with low-cost monthly Internet service, an affordable computer and digital literacy training, available in both English and Spanish for Hispanic households.

The program, which was officially kicked off to the Hispanic community today by Comcast Corporation Executive Vice President David L. Cohen, will be rolled out in more than 4,000 school districts within 39 states, plus the District of Columbia. Internet Essentials could be particularly impactful in the Hispanic community given that Hispanic children make up almost one-third (32%) of all children receiving free lunches through the NSLP.

According to Cohen, "Internet Essentials represents an important opportunity for Comcast to help bridge both the digital and cultural divide for Hispanics in the U.S. This program will not only help connect Hispanic students with their teachers and other educational resources, it will also help members of their households do things like apply for jobs online, improve language skills, or learn more about healthcare services available where they live."

Internet Essentials addresses what research has identified as the three primary barriers to broadband adoption, which include: A lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; the cost of a home computer, and the cost of Internet service.

Service Details:

Qualified Internet Essentials families will receive:

- Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month + applicable taxes.

- A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax.

- Access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.

Additional benefits include a complimentary Norton(TM) Security Suite ($160 value) for comprehensive online security protection.

Eligibility:

A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:

- Is located where Comcast offers Internet service.

- Has at least one child who is eligible to receive a free school lunch under the NSLP.  (As an example, according to the Department of Agriculture, a household of three would have to make less than $25,000 a year in income).

- Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days.

- Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years, through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided a child eligible for a free lunch remains living in the household.

For general information about Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner . Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 or, for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.

About Comcast Corporation:

Comcast Corporation is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. 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

impreMedia Launches Club Digital

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To help close the Digital Divide that disproportionately affects Hispanic families in America, impreMedia is launching Club Digital, the nation's most comprehensive bilingual, multimedia Internet training program.

Club Digital's summer pilot program will reach nearly three million Hispanics in California. The program launches August 1st with an extensive 30-day multimedia Internet training program in select impreMedia publications, including La Opinion, La Opinion Contigo and El Mensajero, and a network of community-based partnerships. Club Digital will provide a free opportunity for Californians to learn basic Internet skills. The program also includes an interactive bilingual website, www.laopinion.com/clubdigital, updated daily throughout August with new training lessons.

"Going online is a fast and easy way to find benefits that not only save money, but also transform lives," said Monica Lozano, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, impreMedia. "It's all there for the taking, whether we are talking about job listings, scholarships for college students, educational opportunities, medical resources or government services."

Training lessons will cover a range of topics including Internet basics, Internet safety, online employment, education and health care opportunities. All lessons will be available on Club Digital's bilingual website with many lessons accompanied by entertaining step-by-step instructional videos.

"Without access to the Internet and basic computer skills, millions of Californians remain at a competitive disadvantage in the job market," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "I am proud to support a program that empowers the people who remain on the wrong side of the Digital Divide by giving them the tools they need to take the first step into the digital age."

While the adoption of broadband technology is steadily expanding across the nation and in California, and people increasingly use cell phones to go online, there are still vast differences among various ethnic and socio-economic groups, according to a 2011 statewide survey on Californians and Internet Technology by the Public Policy Institute of California. "We want to connect all Californians, especially the underserved, to the resources of the Internet," said Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). "Together we can work to close the Digital Divide and ensure no one is left behind."

Club Digital has been made possible through a partnership with impreMedia, AT&T, CETF, and Dewey Square Group. "AT&T is committed to bringing high-speed Internet access to as many people and communities as possible," said Anita Gabrielian, Regional Vice president of AT&T External Affairs. "The Club Digital training program will provide new opportunities and an improved way of life for all people."

The California pilot program is the first step in a nationwide campaign. Club Digital will expand nationally in January 2012, and will reach more than 9.4 million Hispanics across several major U.S. cities.

About impreMedia

impreMedia is the leading Hispanic news and information company. impreMedia's multi-platform offerings range from online to video, social media, mobile, audio, newspapers and magazines, including the http://www.impre.com portal. 25.5% of U.S. Hispanic adults use an impreMedia network product. The network is also the nation's largest Hispanic newspaper publisher with newspapers in top U.S. Hispanic markets, reaching 15 markets total that represent 59% of the U.S. Hispanic population. Its leading publications include La Opinion in Los Angeles and El Diario La Prensa in New York.

About California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF)

CETF provides leadership statewide to minimize the Digital Divide by accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband and other advanced communication services to unserved and underserved communities. The organization invests in programs and projects to improve access, affordability, applications, accessibility, and assistance to broadband –to help increase broadband adoption throughout the state.

A portion of Club Digital was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Funds and the California Emerging Technology Fund.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

About Dewey Square Group (DSG)

Dewey Square Group is one of the nation's leading public affairs firms, providing communications, grassroots organization and strategic services to a wide range of non-profit and corporate clients. A pioneer in the application of private sector strategies to public sector problems, DSG this year launched a nationwide Social Innovation and Philanthropy Practice, dedicated to creating innovative public-private solutions to a wide range of social challenges including bridging the digital divide, connecting families to money-saving programs and services, and creating opportunities for special needs communities.

SOURCE impreMedia