American Academy of Ophthalmology Honors Five Members of Congress for Efforts to Ensure Quality Medical Eye Care

April 14, 2016

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The American Academy of Ophthalmology is honoring five Members of Congress for their outstanding legislative efforts to advance the quality of eye care available in the United States. The Academy is presenting its 2016 Visionary Awards to Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-La., and Reps. Phil Roe, M.D., R-Tenn., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., Raul Ruiz, M.D., D-Calif., and Ami Bera, M.D., D-Calif.

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Each year in April, in conjunction with its annual legislative visit to Capitol Hill, the Academy presents the awards to members of Congress who are leaders in supporting issues important to ophthalmologists and their patients. The awards recognize individuals for important efforts to advocate for enhancing and preserving access to quality eye care in the United States.

Advancing consumer protections for electronic health records
Sen. Cassidy introduced legislation to help ensure that certified health information technology systems meet expectations. His bill, the Transparent Ratings on Usability and Security to Transform Information Technology (TRUST IT) Act of 2015, would improve care by enabling providers and patients to get the information they need when they need it. It would also require the Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare Information Technology and the Office for Civil Rights to update its website to ensure patients better understand the rights they have to access their personal health information.

The legislation would also would require the establishment of an electronic health record vendor rating system to hold them accountable. It would require vendors to publish results of product performance on their website for three areas: security, usability and interoperability. These published ratings would help bring transparency to the health IT market and enable consumers to compare different products based on performance.

Preserving patient access to sight-saving, cost-effective medications
Reps. Roe, Tonko and Ruiz are spearheading an effort to help ensure access to Avastin for ophthalmic applications. This is a safe, cost-effective drug used by ophthalmologists in the treatment of a serious eye disease, age-related macular degeneration. Millions of patients with macular degeneration face potential blindness if they do not receive regular treatments. In its efforts to enact stronger regulations for compounded and repackaged biologics, such as Avastin, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recommending restrictions that severely limit the option of using Avastin for critical treatment of macular degeneration during the patient’s initial visit.

This would unintentionally force unreasonable cost burdens on patients and the Medicare system if ophthalmologists are forced to use costlier treatments as a first option. Reps. Roe, Tonko and Ruiz generated a letter from members of the U.S. House of Representatives raising this issue to the FDA. The letter urges the agency to abandon current policies that unreasonably restrict access to compounded and repackaged prescription drugs such as Avastin.

Preserving cost assurance for Medicare patients through bundled prices for surgery
Rep. Bera led a successful initiative in the U.S. House of Representatives urging house leaders to reverse a decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to rescind a new Medicare rule to end global payments for surgical procedures starting in 2017. Ophthalmologists are among the many medical specialists who contend that such a policy will confuse beneficiaries. It will also create an administrative burden for surgeons by unbundling the services that are presently covered for all necessary services before, during, and after a surgical procedure. This legislative fix ensured that patients will continue to know upfront what surgical procedure and post-operative care will cost them, including their out-of-pocket expenses.

“The efforts of these legislators and their tremendous commitment to health care are critical for ensuring that our nation’s eye physicians and surgeons can continue to serve our patients.” said David W. Parke II, M.D., CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “The Academy is appreciative of their partnership in helping to enhance quality eye care and ophthalmologists’ ability to deliver it in a sustainable manner.”

The Academy is the leading voice for the profession of ophthalmology in Washington. The organization takes an active role in working with Congress and government agencies on policy issues that affect how medical and surgical care is provided in the United States.

Read about previous Visionary Award winners from 2015, 2014 and 2013.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit www.aao.org.

Trump Should Issue Plan to Make Social Security Financially Sound, AARP NY 50+ Voter Poll Finds

April 14, 2016

ALBANY, N.Y., April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Donald Trump is the only presidential candidate who has not laid out a plan to make Social Security financially sound for future generations – and 88% of New York’s undecided Republican voters 50 and older think he should, according to a poll of the state’s largest voting bloc commissioned by AARP.

The survey of 399 Republican and 401 Democratic voters age 50 and above, conducted by Precision Opinion, found New York native Trump and former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton of New York with commanding leads approaching next Tuesday’s New York presidential primaries – but with huge numbers of voters undecided.

On the GOP side, businessman Trump was favored by 40% of respondents, with 12% supporting U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, 9% backing Ohio Governor John Kasich, and 36% undecided.

Among Democrats, former First Lady and Secretary of State Clinton had 48%, with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont at 21%, and 26% undecided.

AARP is a non-partisan social mission organization that does not endorse candidates. But the 38-million-member association – with 2.6 million members across New York – is conducting a “Take a Stand” campaign to urge that all candidates lay out detailed plans to ensure Social Security remains financially sound for future generations.

Due in part to the tireless work of AARP volunteers who’ve been questioning candidates at events in the battleground states, every presidential candidate has issued a Social Security plan except Donald Trump.

“New York’s largest voting bloc is saying loud and clear that presidential candidates should put their Social Security cards on the table,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP in New York State. “The 50+ agree that having a plan to ensure Social Security is financially sound for their children, grandchildren and future generations is a basic threshold for presidential leadership.”

The 50+ make up the largest voting bloc in New York; they accounted for 57% of all votes in the last presidential election in 2012 despite making up less than 52% of the state’s voting-age population. And nearly 65% of New Yorkers 50 and older went to the polls in the last presidential election, well above the 52% rate among younger voting-age New Yorkers.

Nearly 3.5 million New Yorkers receive Social Security – including almost nine of every 10 New Yorkers 65 and older. The 80-year-old federal earned benefits program keeps a third of New York’s 65+ population out of poverty, and makes up 50% or more of the income of nearly half the state’s 65+ population – and 90% or more of the income for more than two of every 10 New Yorkers 65 or older.

Among the 50+, the poll found 96% of Democratic and 92% of Republican voters said it’s important candidates lay out their plans to update Social Security, while 90% of the Democrats and 83% of the Republicans agreed that having a plan for Social Security is a basic threshold for presidential leadership.

Republican women were more likely than GOP men to say it’s “very important” that Trump lay out a plan for Social Security (57% vs. 46%), as were Republican voters earning under $50,000 a year compared to those making over $100,000 (65% vs. 44%). Republican men were far more likely than GOP women to say it was “not important at all” for Trump to issue a plan (16% vs. 6%).

The telephone poll of registered voters was conducted April 5-8. Each sample – 401 Democrats and 399 Republicans – has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 5%.

Note: Voting rates and percentages for New York’s 50+ are based on statistics found at https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2012/tables.html, Table 4C

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org

FDA approves folic acid fortification of corn masa flour

April 14, 2016

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logo

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved folic acid fortification of corn masa flour. The approval allows manufacturers to voluntarily add up to 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound of corn masa flour, consistent with the levels of certain other enriched cereal grains.

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Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, is a B vitamin that when taken by a pregnant woman may help prevent neural tube defects, which are birth defects affecting the brain, spine, and spinal cord. Pregnant women with folate deficiency have a higher risk of giving birth to infants affected with neural tube defects.

Corn masa flour, sometimes called masa (Spanish for dough), is produced by cooking corn in alkali and then grinding it. Corn masa flour is a staple food for many Latin Americans including individuals of Mexican and Central American descent in the United States. It can be used to make foods such as tortillas, tortilla chips, tamales, taco shells, and corn chips.

Currently, manufacturers may use folic acid as an optional ingredient at specified levels in breakfast cereals and certain other foods, such as infant formula and medical foods, so that it is easier for people to get enough folic acid in their diets. Additionally, folic acid must be added to certain enriched grains and enriched grain products like breads, rolls, noodles and pasta. The March of Dimes Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others submitted a food additive petition in 2012 to request the extension of voluntary fortification to corn masa flour to increase the folic acid intake for U.S. women of childbearing age who regularly consume products made from corn masa flour as a staple in their diet.

“Increased consumption of folic acid in enriched flour has been helpful in reducing the incidence of neural tube defects in the general population,” said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Our analysis shows that adding folic acid to corn masa flour will help increase the consumption of folic acid by women who consume this flour as a staple in their diet.”

The FDA may approve the use of a food additive only after conducting a scientific safety review of the information provided in the petition to ensure that the additive is safe for the general population. With regard to folic acid, the FDA evaluated the projected human dietary exposure, toxicological data, and other relevant information, including whether folic acid remained stable in corn masa flour.

The FDA worked with the petitioners throughout the review process to obtain data needed to address safety questions as expeditiously as possible. Based on that data, the FDA concluded that the petitioned addition of folic acid to corn masa flour at a level not to exceed 0.7 milligrams of folic acid per pound of corn masa flour is safe.

Exposure estimates from the FDA and the petitioners show that adding folic acid to corn masa flour could increase folic acid consumption in those who regularly consume products made from corn masa flour, including many Latina women. The petitioners contend that increased consumption of folic acid will reduce the risk of births with neural tube defects among this group. The FDA’s approval is not based on the possibility of this reduced risk, but is instead based on a review of the safety of the proposed use of folic acid.

Manufacturers may begin voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid on April 15, 2016. Consumers wishing to purchase products made with corn masa flour fortified with folic acid should check the ingredients statement for the presence of folic acid.

For more information:

FR Notice: Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption; Folic Acid

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

Media Inquiries: Megan McSeveney, 240-402-4514, [email protected]
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

Goya Foods Pays Tribute To The 65th Infantry Regiment, The Borinqueneers For Its Military Service To The United States

April 14, 2016

Goya Foods pays tribute to the 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers, a Puerto Rican regiment that bravely fought and served the United States with valor, determination and extraordinary loyalty during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Rafael Toro, Director of Goya Foods and Carlos Ortiz, Legal Counsel of Goya Foods presented Delfin Diaz Mandez, a 94-year-old Borinqueneer a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, yesterday at The Capitol in Washington D.C.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, pays tribute to the 65^th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers, a Puerto Rican regiment that bravely fought and served the United States with valor, determination and extraordinary loyalty during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

“It is an extraordinary honor for Goya to be a part of this special day and have the opportunity to present each of the veterans of the 65^th Infantry Regiment with a special Medal of Honor for their incredible dedication and service to the United States,” says Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods. “We must always remember and acknowledge all U.S. soldiers who fought and continue to fight for the freedom and liberties that we have today.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) presented a Congressional Gold Medal to representatives of the 65^th Infantry Regiment during a bipartisan, bicameral ceremony held on April 13, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. ET in Emancipation Hall. To follow, 300 veterans will then receive a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal and a certificate, presented by Goya Foods.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor the United States Congress can bestow. In accordance with Public Law No: 113-120, a single gold medal has been struck to honor the 65^th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers, for its valor, determination, and bravery displayed during the Korean War. For its extraordinary service to the nation in the Korean War, the Regiment earned nine Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars, and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts. For a look at the history of the Congressional Gold Medal, click here.

About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

Press contact:
Natalie J. Maniscalco
845.659.6506 / [email protected]

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Advocates Hail FDA Decision To Improve Infant Health, Prevent Birth Defects

April 14, 2016

The FDA approved a "Citizen's Petition" filed by the March of Dimes and partners asking for voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with the B vitamin folic acid. When women consume folic acid prior to pregnancy, the B vitamin plays an important role in preventing serious birth defects of the brain and spine, known as neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are more prevalent in the Hispanic population than other racial or ethnic groups. The March of Dimes expects this action will lower the rate of NTDs among Hispanics and give more babies a healthy start in life.

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Advocates enthusiastically praised today’s announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the agency will permit fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid to prevent birth defects, effective immediately. The announcement reflected a decision to accept a Citizens’ Petition filed in 2012 by the March of Dimes, American Academy of Pediatrics, Spina Bifida Association, National Council of La Raza, Royal DSM and Gruma Corporation.

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In 1996, the FDA directed all manufacturers of wheat and many other types of flour to fortify them with folic acid in order to increase folic acid levels across the general U.S. population. In the years following mandatory fortification, neural tube defects dropped by 27% — a major public health victory, which prevents about 1,300 births per year from being affected by neural tube defects. However, neural tube defects remained higher in the Hispanic population. One theory for this disparity was that corn masa flour, a dietary staple for many Hispanic families, was not required to be fortified with folic acid. Today’s decision will allow corn masa flour to be fortified as well.

“Today’s announcement represents a major victory for maternal and child health, especially in our Hispanic communities,” said March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse. “The FDA’s decision will prevent numerous cases of devastating birth defects like Spina Bifida. The March of Dimes and our partners applaud the FDA for moving forward with this vital public health effort.”

“Fortifying grains with folic acid has been a tremendously successful intervention in promoting healthier pregnancies and preventing birth defects, leading to a one-third decline in neural tube defects,” said AAP President Benard Dreyer, MD, FAAP. “The American Academy of Pediatrics welcomes FDA’s action to permit folic acid fortification of corn masa flour; mothers and young children will be healthier and safer as a result.”

When leading Hispanic non-profit organization NCLR (National Council of La Raza) reached out Gruma Corporation to support folic acid fortification aimed to reduce risks of neural tube defects within Mexican and Hispanic populations living in the USA, the company immediately responded favorably to this request. Gruma Corporation is the world´s largest producer of corn masa flours and tortillas; for most U.S. residents of Mexican and Hispanic descent, corn tortillas are a staple food.

Being a social responsible company and caring for the nutrition of our customers is not only Gruma’s Corporation vision but also a directive from CEO and President Juan Gonzalez Moreno. “We will continue to honor and contribute to these initiatives and will put our best efforts to deliver the higher quality and improved nutrition that folic acid will bring to our Hispanic customers in the USA,” said the company.

Sara Struwe, MPA, CEO of the Spina Bifida Association, commented, “We’re thrilled that the FDA has prioritized the extension of folic acid fortification to corn masa flour which will help a great deal to prevent birth defects such as Spina Bifida in Hispanic populations. Women need 400 mcg of folic acid daily, thus, this is a giant step forward in contributing to the prevention of neural tube defects and a decision to be celebrated. I want to thank all our elected officials, partners, and those at the FDA that have worked so hard to bring about this important policy change.”

“Latinos are disproportionately affected by Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects. The scientific evidence that the major cause of this disparity is the absence of fortification of corn flour products is convincing,” stated Charles Kamasaki, Senior Cabinet Advisor at NCLR. “That’s why NCLR is proud to join the March of Dimes, Spina Bifida Association of America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Gruma to petition the FDA to permit such fortification.”

The FDA’s announcement that corn masa flour may be fortified with folic acid at a level not to exceed 0.7 milligrams per pound is effective immediately. The announcement was accompanied by language making this change in the applicable federal regulations.

Folic acid has long been known to prevent many cases of serious birth defects known as neural tube defects, such as Spina Bifida. These birth defects occur early in pregnancy when the neural tube, which becomes the spine and brain, fails to form properly. Ideally, a woman should have adequate folic acid levels before becoming pregnant to help prevent neural tube defects. Rates of neural tube defects vary by racial and ethnic background. For example, Spina Bifida affects 2.73 per 10,000 live births among non-Hispanic blacks or African-Americans and 3.09 per 10,000 live births among whites, but 3.80 per 10,000 live births among Hispanics. In many other nations where corn masa flour is a major part of the diet, governments have encouraged and endorsed fortification with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects.

The organizations listed above filed the Citizens’ Petition regarding fortification of corn masa flour with FDA in April 2012. In 2013, the FDA requested additional scientific data to support the petition, which required the petitioners to design and execute a new research study. Funded by the March of Dimes, this study was completed and the data submitted to the FDA in late 2015.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose volunteers and staff work to improve the health of infants and children by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 64,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit http://www.aap.org or follow @AmerAcadPeds on Twitter and Facebook.

About the Spina Bifida Association
The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Since 1973, SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research, and service.

About the National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States and works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

About Gruma Corporation
Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., known as Gruma, is a Mexican multinational corn flour and tortillas manufacturing company headquartered in San Pedro, near Monterrey, Mexico. It is the largest manufacturer of corn flour and tortillas. Its brand names include Mission (Misión in Mexico), Maseca, and Guerrero.

StarShop and Tu Visión Canal announce an exclusive joint partnership to market to U.S. Hispanics

April 14, 2016

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — StarShop and Tu Visión Canal announce an exclusive joint partnership in developing a Spanish Language Shopping Portal and Mobile App. This initiative joins the ideology of Tu Visión Canal which considers Language and Culture in giving Spanish Speakers the On-Line Video experience they deserve with high fashion, high quality and the affordable products of StarShop. Together they will capture a large percentage of the $1.5 Trillion+ U.S. Hispanic retail purchasing power.

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StarShop represents brands from renowned retail international companies and examples of brands being sold on StarShop include Guess, Ray-Ban, LG, Canon, Dyson, and Clinique. These brands will be married to Tu Visión Canal Content Creators to integrate organically into their weekly videos uploaded onto Tu Visión Canal, to deliver a unique shopping experience.

“StarShop is excited to be changing the face and future of Shopping again. This will have benefits to our current Customers and our new Latino Customers, our Vendors and our Shareholders. I saw the future 30 years ago standing next to my Father, the Founder of QVC, when it went live. I get to experience it again with StarShop and Tu Visión Canal,” says StarShop COO, Marvin Segel.

“This joint venture is a perfect match. StarShop is changing the retail industry and Tu Visión Canal is changing the face of Social Technology. Together we will serve the Latin World community by uplifting the community with empowering family friendly content, technology and now the power of shopping in their language at their fingertips with confidence. The world for ‘Nuestra Comunidad’ is changing,” expressed Founder and CEO Ulysses Alvarado.

StarShop “Compra Como Una Estrella” will be available on TuVisiónCanal.com and integrated into the Tu Visión Canal Mobile App, now available for iOS and Android, during the summer of this year.

About Tu Visión Canal: Tu Visión Canal is a Latino Social Media Technology Company that is focusing to uplift the 528 million + Spanish Speaking World Community by providing a Spanish Language social video tech platform and app where general public & professional content creators can upload and share their empowering and inspiring videos and more worldwide.

Social Media
Instagram: @TuVisionCanal
Twitter: @TuVisionCanal
Facebook: Tu Visión Canal
tuvisioncanal.com

App Available on Apple App Store and Google Play

Press Contact
[email protected]

AHAA Pulls Out all the Stops for Its Annual Conference and Focuses on the Future of Marketing

April 13, 2016

MIAMI, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — 2016 is a big year for AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing – not only is the organization celebrating its 20^th anniversary but it is putting on the most anticipated multicultural marketing conference of the year. AHAA 20/20: The Future in Focus, taking place at the Nobu Eden Roc Resort in Miami on April 18-20, acknowledges the tremendous growth of the past two decades but also lasers in on how exponential changes in technology and demographics are shaping the U.S. marketing landscape of today and tomorrow. AHAA has jam-packed the most buzzed about topics, such as demographic disruption, social native content, digital fraud, programmatic and ad blocking, into a powerful, three-day agenda.

“Our market is more relevant than ever – second- and third-generation Hispanics have become the lifeblood of our nation and the strategic linchpin to the most successful marketing campaigns,” said AHAA Chair Linda Lane Gonzalez, president of viva partnership, inc. “Brands, media and agencies that are looking to evolve with this dynamic marketplace will be attending this landmark conference.”

The party starts Monday evening when singer/songwriting duo and sons of legendary singer Ricardo Montaner, Mau y Ricky, will perform live during the welcome reception and cocktail party. Attendees will be the first to hear their new sound, as they will debut songs from their first album title ARTE at AHAA. Kicking off the conference Tuesday morning is opening keynote speaker Wendy Clark, President-CEO of North America DDB.

Other notable speakers include film and television screenwriter and producer Roberto Orci, billion-dollar filmmaker behind some of the decade’s biggest films including Mission: Impossible III, Eagle Eye, Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Cowboys and Aliens and the Star Trek films; Eric Reynolds, SVP-Chief Marketing Officer, The Clorox Company; Rich Benjamin, Author of Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America; Luis Balaguer, founder and CEO of Latin World Entertainment (LatinWE), the premier Hispanic talent management company in the U.S., along with digital superstars Juan Pablo Zurita, the #1 Vine and Snapchat personality in Latin America, and Miss Colombia 2014 Ariadna Gutierrez, who became one of the most recognized beauty queens in the world when host, Steve Harvey, accidentally announced her as the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant.

This year, State Farm® will be crowned the 2016 AHAA Marketer of the Year, joining a prestigious short list of elite brands that have received the award, including McDonald’s, Toyota, and Walmart. Leif Roll, marketing vice president at State Farm, will accept the award on the company’s behalf and join Luis Miguel Messianu, Chairman and CEO of Alma, for a candid discussion on the State Farm brand’s successful 20-yearlong commitment to Hispanics and what it takes to stay relevant in a changing marketplace.

The accolades don’t stop there – AHAA is honoring agency pioneer Ernest Bromley with the Caballero Award and Ceril Shagrin, executive vice president of Audience Measurement Innovation and Analytics for Univision Communications Inc. (UCI), with the Lifetime Achievement Award during a special luncheon that also will feature a donation ceremony as representatives from the Smithsonian Institute will accept artifacts from AHAA’s YEAR Voto campaign, which will be included in the National Museum of American History. In addition, past presidents will join the honorees and blow out the candles for AHAA’s 20^th birthday.

Finally, AHAA is known for its breakdown sessions that allow attendees a deeper dive into key tracks, including research, digital and public relations:

Known for its breaking research, AHAA is bringing the latest studies from Nielsen, The Futures Company, U.S. Census, YuMe and Culturati. Attendees will be armed with new information on disruptive demographics, consumer purchase behavior, culturally-relevant video content and messaging.
Spearheaded by AHAA’s Hispanic Digital Media Committee (HDMC), the digital track will cover automated advertising, digital product branding, digital audio, social native content, and digital advertising fraud.
In partnership with the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), the public relations track features leading Latina PR business owners, including Roxana Lissa, founder and CEO, RL Public Relations & Marketing and partner, Sportivo, Yvonne Lorie, founder of Refresh PR, and Audrey Ponzio, founding partner, APC Collective, as they share their experience and insights on and what it means to be a power player in the communications industry. Moderated by Sabrina Macias, head of PR & Communications, DraftKings, this session covers how to drive revenue in an ever-evolving communications industry, attract and retain top talent, and deliver excellent client service. In addition, as the agency leading Hispanic public relations strategy for the launch of the all-new Hyundai Sonata, Lorie and her team will provide a glimpse into how they were able to penetrate the saturated auto market and develop a meaningful and engaging program driving approximately half a million dollars in earned media

AHAA would like to thank its generous sponsors for making this special iteration of the AHAA Annual Conference possible: Audio Ad, Azteca America, BrightBox, Clear Channel Outdoor, CNN En Espanol, Entravision, HispanicAd, Hispanic On Demand, iHeartMedia, IP Advertising, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Multicultural Marketing, NBCUniversal Hispanic Group, Nielsen, Orci, Portada, PRODU, SBS, Univision, Yahoo, and YuMe.

For more information, please visit http://ahaa.org and follow all conference chatter on Twitter using the @ahaa handle and hashtag #ahaafuture.

About AHAA: Founded in 1996, AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.

Discovery En Español Premieres The Documentary SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST, A Story Of Tragedy And Triumph

April 13, 2016

A Sherpa climbing up Mount Everest as seen on the documentary SHERPA, HEROES DEL EVEREST. Premieres April 24 at 9PM on Discovery en Espanol.

MIAMI, April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Discovery en Español gives viewers an up-close look at the deadliest avalanche ever recorded on the mountain in SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST. Airing in more than 220 countries and territories, the BAFTA-nominated production chronicles the tragedy itself as well as changes made to the climbing industry in response to the disaster and the struggle for recognition of the Sherpa community. SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST premieres Sunday, April 24 at 9PM E/P during the Discovery a Fondo (#Afondo) block.

Boiling unrest in the Sherpa community, which culminated at a highly-publicized confrontation between Western climbers and a group of Sherpas, brought Director Jennifer Peedom to the base of Everest. While capturing the shifting dynamics of Everest climbing culture and Sherpa Phurba Tashi’s world record-breaking attempt to summit the mountain, Peedom’s team witnessed the single deadliest day in the mountain’s history.

On April 18, 2014, a massive avalanche tore through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. Considered the worst tragedy in the history of Everest, the avalanche sparked a debate about the vital and uncredited role of the Sherpa guides in helping climbers up the mountain. SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST captures the exact moment the disaster struck and the struggle of a community united in grief and anger, as they reclaim the respected mountain they call Chomolungma.

The documentary also exposes the Sherpas’ precarious working conditions and their demands that the government help improve their dangerous line of employment. Ultimately, they must decide whether to continue their climb to provide for their families, or to cancel the season out of respect for themselves and those who lost their lives in the avalanche.

“Director Jennifer Peedom has skillfully captured an underexposed community in its momentous journey through hardship and obstacles,” said Angela Recio Sondon, Vice President of Content for Discovery en Español. “The documentary SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST has the ability to inspire positive change for the surrounding Everest communities and will forever alter how audiences see the mountain.”

SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST was produced by Bridget Ikin, co-founder of Felix Media, a leading independent film and television company in Australia, and John Smithson, Joint Creative Director of Arrow Media in the UK. For Discovery Channel, John Hoffman served as Executive Vice President of Documentaries and Specials with Jon Bardin as Director of Development and Production of Documentaries and Specials.

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About Discovery en Español
Discovery en Español connects Spanish-speaking viewers in the U.S. to the world and all its wonder and possibilities. It provides quality programming focusing on bold storytelling across core genres including adventure, ingenuity, natural history, investigation and current affairs. Created by Discovery Communications, Discovery en Español is widely distributed on Hispanic tier packages throughout the country. For more information, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/discoveryenespanol, Twitter @DiscoveryenESP and Instagram @discoveryenespanol.