CORAL GABLES, Fla.–(HISPANIC PR WIRE – BUSINESS WIRE)–July 12, 2003–With over 50 years combined experience in the advertising industry, Manuel E. Machado and Al Garcia-Serra have partnered to create Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad, a national full-service advertising and marketing communications agency specializing in the U.S. Hispanic and Latin America markets. After just three months in business, Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad has acquired several high profile accounts, including famed jeweler Tiffany & Co., EXTENDA, the trade organization for Andalusia, Spain, Sprint Yellow Pages and Southeast Toyota Distributors, the largest Toyota distributor in the world.

“It is a strong statement to the fast growth and buying power of the Hispanic market, that, with the current state of the economy, Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad, in only a very short period, has been able to attract marketers recognizing the vast potential of this segment,” said Manuel E. Machado, who will serve as CEO of Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad, and is also the current president-elect of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (http://www.ahaa.org).

“I’ve seen the Hispanic market mature tremendously in my many years as an ad man, however, we still have a long way to go,” said Al Garcia-Serra. “We are excited and look forward to the growth and success of Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad.” Garcia-Serra will oversee all operations as COO of the new agency.

Manuel E. Machado’s professional career spans over 16 years, with key executive positions in companies of worldwide renown such as Burson-Marsteller, Univision Network and Bacardi. Machado previously founded The Meka Group, Inc., later known as BVK/Meka, in 1994, and the agency soon became one of the 25 fastest growing Hispanic companies in the country. Machado attracted fortune 100 clients, such as Sprint PCS, Nortel, Toyota, Nike, Pfizer and Tenet Health System.

Al Garcia-Serra has been a pillar in the business community for over three decades. As a founding partner of GS&B:LINTAS Advertising in the early eighties, Garcia-Serra guided the Agency to become among the top ten in the nation with blue chip clients, such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, McDonalds, Coca Cola Foods, Sara Lee, among others, and billings of over $60 million within ten years. Al Garcia-Serra is recognized in the industry for his leadership and vision in raising the awareness of the value of the Hispanic market beyond its infancy stage.

–30–EG/mi*

CONTACT:

Machado/Garcia-Serra Publicidad, Coral Gables

Manuel E. Machado, 305/444-4647

Photos: http://www.machadogarciaserra.com/photo