AHAA Announces the 2011-2012 Board of Directors
The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies announced the 2011-2012 roster of its board of directors as part of its Annual Conference, which kicked off today at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach. Assuming the Chair position is CEO of Acento Advertising, Roberto Orcí, who will help lead the strategic direction of the organization alongside executive director Horacio Gavilan.
Roberto Orcí’s 30 years in marketing and advertising in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. make him a leader in his field. He was a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble (Mexico); VP Management Supervisor at Ogilvy & Mather in the U.S., Canada and Mexico; and until 2002, President of the fourth largest independent Hispanic Agency in the U.S., La Agencia de Orcí. Prior to joining Acento, Roberto headed Orcí Management Consulting, with a mission to guide companies in profitable business growth in the Hispanic market. Orcí has served on AHAA’s Board of Directors of two years, and his vast experience made him a prime candidate to lead the board.
“It is an enormous honor to preside over this organization and play a role in advancing the Hispanic advertising industry,” says Orcí. “In very few years, we have seen Hispanic marketing go from a nice-to-have to a must-have. We attribute that to smart client marketers and effective Hispanic marketers.”
Three new members are joining the board to support Orci and further AHAA objectives, bringing the total number of advisors to twelve:
Al Aguilar, President and Co-Founder, Creative Civilization
Al Aguilar is an advertising and marketing leader at the forefront of America’s changing consumer landscape. As the head of San Antonio based Creative Civilization, he leads a team that is redefining the role of a new model of advertising agency in reaching and impacting the diverse population of the country. Creative Civilization is a new breed of agency uniquely qualified in the general market, Hispanic market and business to business market. His agency’s national client roster of Sam’s Club, Más Club, Guitar Center, CTGroup, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with an impressive list of regional clients, is reflective of the Total Market assignments and responsibilities that are proving to be way of the future. The emergence of his total-market philosophy and approach is born from a rich history of Hispanic marketing leadership, having been a principal and chief architect of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates, formerly the largest Hispanic advertising agency in America and his position at Coca-Cola USA where he served as a manager of the first Hispanic marketing department for the company.
Danielle Gonzales, EVP, Managing Director, Tapestry
As EVP, Managing Director for Tapestry, a division of Starcom MediaVest Group, Danielle Gonzales oversees the largest multicultural media agency in the U.S. Under her leadership, Tapestry has consistently achieved double-digit growth over the past three years and continues to be a recognized leader in Hispanic marketing innovation. Regarded as a consistent business leader and trusted advisor to clients including P&G, Burger King, Kellogg and Allstate, Danielle has contributed to brand growth for her clients. Her advocacy and passion for following today’s consumer has brought many new brands into the Hispanic media marketplace. In the past 2 years alone, Tapestry has brought over 20 brands into the fold including Samsung, Microsoft and several CPG brands. Danielle also champions African American and Asian American consumer plans.
Jorge Plasencia, Chairman and CEO, República
Jorge A. Plasencia is one of the foremost experts on reaching the burgeoning multicultural markets and communities in the United States. Jorge’s celebrated career spans two decades of pioneering success in media, marketing, entertainment and professional sports. Having cofounded República in 2006, he has led the company from a small start-up to a key industry player with a growing staff in several cities and an illustrious clientele. República has won more than 30 ADDY Awards in the last two years alone, and has been ranked by Advertising Age as one of the “Top U.S. Agencies from All Disciplines” and one of the “Top 50 Hispanic Agencies.”
“At AHAA, our objectives for this year are to continue pushing thought-provoking data, showcasing the best practices of marketing to the Hispanic community, and serving as the voice for all agencies committed to innovation, creativity and collaboration in the Hispanic advertising industry,” said executive director Horacio Gavilan. “Our board of directors brings the best in Hispanic advertising leadership and strategic insight committed to help us to continually evolve, grow and stay on the cutting edge of the industry.”
