New England Financial, Miami, Taps Corina Alvarez as Agency Multicultural Director

September 22, 2008 -- New England Financial, Miami, announced the appointment of Corina Alvarez to the new post of agency multicultural director, overseeing the recruitment, retention and marketing of Hispanic financial services representatives.

Alvarez previously worked as an entrepreneur, founding the marketing firm Coral Communications, and developing integrated marketing initiatives for non-profits and for-profit companies, per a press statement.

"This new position continues to build on our efforts to attract financial services representatives who reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity found in communities like Miami," said Carlos Suarez, managing partner, New England Financial, in a statement."With Corina's help, we are expanding our efforts to recruit representatives who understand the Hispanic community and can provide solid, culturally relevant financial advice."

'Selecciones' Names Cynthia Hack, Publisher; Bernadette Brennan, Marketing Director

September 22, 2008 -- Spanish-language monthly Selecciones has appointed Cynthia Hack, formerly associate publisher of Golf for Women, to the publisher's post.

Hack fills the spot left vacant by the recent promotion of former publisher Elaine Alimonti to vp, marketing and sales development/RD Community.

Hack comes to Selecciones from Golf for Women, where she was responsible for generating the highest revenue-producing issue at the magazine, helping to create the magazine's overall brand communication strategy, per a press statement.

Prior to that, Hack served as advertising director of Fitness, sales development director of W and eastern advertising director of Elle, after starting her career in media jobs at McCann Erickson, BBDO and FCB.

Separately, Bernadette Brennan, formerly of People en Español, was named marketing director, Selecciones.

Brennan previously worked as manager of sales integration and strategy, Starmedia Network, and as manager of ad sales marketing, Turner Broadcasting.

Dieste Appoints Elena Turner, Account Director

September 22, 2008 -- Dieste Harmel & Partners, Dallas, said last week it has hired Elena Turner to serve as account director.

She will work alongside Brenda Butler to manage the agency's direct and online/interactive marketing efforts for a client roster that includes AT&T, Nationwide, among others.

Turner comes to the Hispanic ad shop from prior posts at financial institutions including, Wachovia and Capital One, where she was managed direct response, indirect and retail marketing campaign strategies. Prior to that, she served as an independent agency owner for more than 10 years, serving clients including Nissan America, Quaker State and Sprint.

"Bringing in seasoned talent like Elena will help us further develop our unique direct marketing offerings as part of our communication strategy to intercept the consumer with the right tools," said Alvaro Cabrera, Dieste's executive director of integration, in a statement. He oversees the ad shop's media, direct marketing, interactive and live marketing strategies.

Accentmarketing Names José E. Pagan-Ortiz, SVP, Group Account Director

September 21, 2008 -- José Ortiz-Pagan, formerly of GlobalHue, has joined Accentmarketing as svp, group account director, leading the Chevrolet brand and retail account team, the Miami-based agency has announced.

He will be based in Accentmarketing's office in Detroit and will report to Lisette Hoyo, evp, director of client services, and a partner in the ad shop.

Ortiz-Pagan brings some 20 years of advertising, brand, sales and marketing experience to Accentmarketing, previously overseeing the multicultural program of the Dodge brand. Prior to his post at GlobalHue, Pagan-Ortiz worked for 11 years at Ford Motor Co., where he was a brand and marketing manager.

"José's strong track record, marketplace know-how and passion for the Hispanic automotive business will be a huge asset to the accentmarketing team," said Hoyo, in a statement.

HipCricket Names David Jones, GM, Hispanic Marketing Network

September 21, 2008 -- Mobile marketing network HipCricket of Kirkland, Wash. has appointed David Jones as general manager of its Hispanic Mobile Marketing Network.

Jones is the former CEO of CDK Media, a multimedia company serving the U.S. Hispanic market that he co-founded, overseeing the creation and execution of marketing, advertising, PR and sponsorship programs for clients including Volvo Cars North America, Southwest Airlines, Colgate Palmolive, L'Oreal, American Express, Nissan, Allstate, General Motors, ExxonMobil and Wal-mart, among others.

Jones comes to HipCricket with extensive experience in the Hispanic marketplace as the former co-founder and CEO at CDK Media, a full-service multi-media company serving the U.S. Hispanic community. Prior to that, he served as U.S. director of sales of Navisite and European sales director of Parametric Technology Corp.

"For years, David has created meaningful brand opportunities for companies seeking to interact with Hispanics in the U.S.," said Eric Harber, president and COO, HipCricket, in a statement. "We're fortunate to be able to add David's knowledge, talent and relationships to our team."