-Colombia leads the awards table but 8 countries achieve glory-

Miami: 26th September 2012. Latin American brands and businesses have performed on a level with global companies such as Coca-Cola, Nike and HP having scooped half of the total awards haul at this year's Festival of Media LatAm 2012.

The success for companies as diverse as Copa Airlines, Dominican Republic's La Sirena store and Venezuela's Movistar ensured a real sense of celebration at the event in front of some of the most senior media industry luminaries at Miami Beach last night.

The success was truly pan-regional with 8 different countries winning awards in the 12 categories.  Competition had been fiercer than ever, with double the amount of entries than in 2011.

Pages BBDO / OMD Dominican Republic won the coveted Agency of the Year title having secured accolades for two different campaigns.  'Fashion for Less' won Best Communications Strategy and 'Try It On' - which let the women of the Dominican Republic try life-size paper cut outs of outfits - was highly commended in the Best Engagement Strategy category. Both campaigns were for Dominican retailer La Sirena.

Z+ Brazil won Campaign of the Year for The 'Einstein Blood Bank' initiative for Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paolo, which saw pouches of real blood placed in chiller shelves in key convenience stores in the city. The campaign generated enough donations to save 4,000 patients, securing the Best Event / Experiential award as well as a highly commended in the Public Service award.

Renault took the title of most successful brand on the night, with two wins for Best Entertainment Platform and Best Effectiveness Award, securing the title of overall Advertiser of the Year.

MPG, responsible for the two Renault campaigns, also won with Nike, making them the agency Network of the Year.

Colombia achieved most notable success, having already swept the board at shortlist stage, getting more campaigns than twice its nearest country-competitor through to the finals.  It won 3 of the 12 awards: for the Best Use of Emerging Technology award, Effectiveness award and Public Service award.

Brazil had the most campaigns recognised, securing 2 main awards and three highly commended.

One of the categories most admired by the judges was the Best Engagement Strategy award which included a campaign for coat hangers displaying Facebook 'like' numbers for the item hanging from it for C&A Brazil.

An equally successful category was the Creative Use of Media award, won by El Bocon of Peru for their removal of text to create 'empty pages', following the tragic death of a football supporter.

Overall, improvement was seen in the standard of digital entries, however the judges also identified an opportunity to take digital campaigns to the next level, citing a willingness to embrace and experiment with new technologies as key.

Talking about the awards, Chair of the judges and Vice President Global Integrated Media Communications, Colgate-Palmolive, Nadine McHugh said "The most exciting thing about media is that right now, in our industry, if you can think it, you can create it.  The results of the Festival of Media LatAm awards show us that this is happening in countries right across the region as well as globally which is truly inspirational for my colleagues in the sector".

The winner of the Media Accelerator Programme (MAP) was also announced.  Uruguayan start-up ComparTeVe won the title 'Hot Company of the Year', voted for by the 700 attending delegates.  ComparTeVe is a second-screen service provider which works out what you are watching and allows you to interact with your favourite TV shows. The offer for TV stations and brands is a Business Intelligence platform.

Festival Founder Charlie Crowe concluded: "Global brands no longer dominate the region and incredible creativity as well exemplary execution are singing out from multiple countries. At C Squared, we are working to establish a benchmark of campaign quality which will ensure the Festival awards continue to be the pre-eminent hallmark of excellence."

ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION TO BE INVESTED IN KONTEXTUA FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DIGITAL ADVERTISING PLATFORMS AND

TO PROPEL ITS EXPANSION IN THE U.S. AND LATIN AMERICA

Miami (September 24, 2012) - RedMas, the digital advertising unit of the Cisneros Group of Companies, today announced the acquisition of Kontextua, an online advertising company with an expansive network in Latin America and Spain that will strengthen the Group's digital presence in the region.  In addition, RedMas will invest $2 million in Kontextua to develop new digital advertising platforms and extend the online network's reach in Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and in the U.S. Hispanic market.

"Latin America's $2.5 billion digital advertising market is growing at an accelerated rate of 15 to 20 percent annually.  With Internet penetration at only 35% in the region, this market holds vast potential for RedMas," says Cisneros Group's Chief Digital Officer Victor Kong.  "The acquisition will not only contribute revenue to the Cisneros Group's other sites, such as www.venevision.com, www.noticierovenevision.com, and www.missvenezuela.com, but it will also complement its business strategy of focusing on digital advertising, e-commerce, and social gaming."

Kontextua was founded two years ago by German Herebia and Carlos Cordoba and developed into an innovative online advertising platform for the creation and commercialization of unexploited online advertising real estate, generating a new source of income for its more than 12,000 Spanish- and Portuguese-language affiliated sites, reaching over 60 million unique viewers.  Kontextua's technology scans website content, recognizing texts and images that can serve as anchors for contextual advertising.  Advertisers can then select from a variety of content categories or key words related to their products or services, and advertise with various audience segments.

With the acquisition, Mr. Herebia, co-founder of InZearch, and Mr. Cordoba, co-founder of ePlanning, join the Cisneros Group's digital management team.

"We are pleased to be part of an organization with a clear digital vision, and to be at the forefront of the expansion of its online advertising businesses in the region as part of the RedMas brand," says Mr. Herebia.

Separately, Mr. Cordoba says, "We continue to focus on technological innovations in digital advertising services, and now with RedMas' support, we are certain to accelerate the developmental process, enabling us to introduce several new innovations in the coming months."

Contacts:

Antonieta Lopez (212) 355-0620 / alopez@cisneros.com

Todd Michael Jamison (305) 507-6821 / tjamison@cisneros.com

George Simpson (203) 521-0352 / George@georgesimpson.com

ABOUT THE CISNEROS GROUP OF COMPANIES: The Cisneros Group of Companies is one of the largest privately held media, entertainment, telecommunications and consumer products organizations in the world. The Cisneros Group wholly owns or controls companies ranging from broadcast television and television production to consumer products, and real estate. The Group sells TV programming and other media content on five continents and in over 90 countries. Its media and entertainment holdings include Venevision, the leading television network in Venezuela; Venevision International, a global Spanish-language entertainment company; and Venevision Productions, a supplier of top-tier telenovelas for North American and world audiences. In addition, the Cisneros Group owns several digital assets, including RedMas, its digital advertising unit, Cuponidad, an online couponing site, and the websites www.venevision.com, www.noticierovenevision.net, and www.missvenezuela.com.

ABOUT KONTEXTUA: Kontextua is the leading contextual advertising network in Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets, which allows sites and blogs to monetize their advertising inventory across multiple formats, including in-text and in-image advertising. The network currently has more than 12,000 affiliated websites reaching an audience of 60 million Spanish and Portuguese speakers, and has over 800 advertisers with regional advertising campaigns.

Festival of Media LatAm organiser, C Squared, today reveals the full shortlist for the Festival of Media LatAm Awards 2012, chosen from over 200 entries. Now in their 3^rd year the Awards recognise and celebrate the most innovative and creative work seen over the last year.

The shortlist features 69 pan-regional and country specific campaigns, including work from 11 countries across the region. Top performers include Colombia, Mexico and Brazil with over 40 independent and network agencies represented.

Drawn up by the Awards jury, a group of over 25 of the most senior media and marketing executives from across Latin America, the panel is chaired by Nadine McHugh, Vice President of Integrated Media Communications, Colgate-Palmolive.

This year the Festival of Media LatAm Awards categories have been refreshed to include 13 accolades which span the diverse media and marketing landscape. In line with constantly developing industry trends, new awards such as 'The Public Service Award', 'Best Engagement Strategy' and 'Best Targeted Campaign' have been added to the programme. These appear alongside newly revised categories such as the award for 'Best Digitally Integrated Campaign'.

For the first time this year the Festival of Media LatAm, taking place from 23-25 September 2012, will end with a black-tie Awards Gala dinner for delegates and participants. This will see the Award winners announced at a grand ceremony at the Fountainbleau Miami Beach Hotel on 25 September, with over 300 of Latin America's marketing and media professionals in attendance. The celebrations will then continue at an exclusive after party at the Soho Beach House, Miami.

Commenting on this year's Festival of Media LatAm Awards, Nadine McHugh, Vice President of Integrated Media Communications, Colgate-Palmolive:

"We've seen an incredibly high standard in terms of the entries this year and I know all the jurors spent a great deal of time making their initial selections. The final judging process is sure to be a challenging but rewarding experience for us all! It's really encouraging to see the levels of creativity being demonstrated, as well as the all-important campaign results. I look forward to congratulating all the eventual winners in Miami."

As in previous years the Festival of Media LatAm, the only media event to cover all 23 markets across the region, will focus on inspirational speakers, thought provoking content and invaluable networking opportunities. Senior level delegates from across the worlds of advertising, media and marketing will explore the most influential issues affecting the industry during the two day event programme.

The full Festival of Media LatAm Awards shortlist can be viewed at - /latam/awards/shortlist

-ENDS-

For more information on the Festival of Media please contact Jessie Winston (+44 7977 118186) or Elizabeth Jones (+44 7825077686) at firstname.surname@withpr.co.uk

Or visit for all award entry and event booking information.

About C Squared

C Squared is the global media and marketing industry's fastest growing publishing and events business. Since the launch of its first international industry publication - Cream - in 2005, C Squared has grown twelve-fold and, though still headquartered in London, over half the Group's turnover now comes from outside the UK. Known for our creative approach, vibrant team and unrivalled global connections, C Squared's brands are leaders in their markets and offer knowledge and networking to senior decision-makers in advertising and communications across the world. Across C Squared's portfolio of market-leading magazines, websites and conferences, it has readers, subscribers, visitors and clients from over 50 countries and produces successful events on every continent - from New York to New Delhi; from Valencia to Vilnius and from Amsterdam to Accra.

www.csquared.cc

A unique two-day training event - not to be missed:

1. Work on a real life global brief presented by global advertiser AB InBev
2. Understand the advertiser viewpoint and learn directly from global
clients such as Nestlé and AB InBev
3. Be judged by the best and gain valuable feedback from the 
agency CEO's
4. Take advantage of our unique mentoring system
5. Cover topics such as: Mobile, Social and Branded Content
6. Network with your senior peers at The Festival of Media LatAm
7. Learn professional training techniques
8. Be rewarded and recognised at the Awards Gala Dinner

Click here to view the full programme.

Places are limited. To book your place contact:Rachel Barber, rachel.barber@csquared.cc or call +44 (0) 20 7367 6978

Under the theme 'Is Latin America fit to compete?' the conference agenda will explore whether the region is meeting the high standards set by global brands in education, organization, regulation and innovation.

Agenda Sessions

Keynote Speakers will include:

• Michael I Roth, chief executive, Interpublic Group
• Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, syndicate columnist

Future of print

The strength of TV and online are often touted as Latin America's strengths, but writing off print is unwarranted. This session will explore the promising future of print and how the region's approaching digital boom looks set to greatly benefit its print industry.

Speakers will include:

• Gabriel Dantur, managing director at lanacion.digital, La Nación
• Eva Hughes, chief executive, Condé Nast Mexico & Latin America
• Paul Rossi, managing director and executive vice-president, The Economist Americas
• Juan Senor, partner, Innovation Media Consulting Group

From Handsets to Mindsets

Mobile is not about technology, it's about consumer behaviour. This session will outline how effective mobile strategies can become an indispensable part of the marketing mix and why it should become second nature to all marketers in the region.

Speakers will include:

• Edmar Bulla, former brand and marketing LatAm VP Pepsi Co and Nokia
• Guilherme Gomide, chief executive officer , Casa (JWT Group Latam)
• Beatriz Nunez, mobile director LatAm, Terra

Latin Feel, Global Appeal

Latin America continues to astound the Festival of Media juries with the quality of ideas and creativity in communication. Latin content and innovation are becoming premium exports. This brand-led session will highlight some of the best marketing thinkers in the region. What can the world learn from Latin culture?

Speakers will include:

• Paul Bay, founder, CitizenBay
• Juan Carlos Ortiz, president, DDB Latina
• Ricardo Pérez, director of marketing communications, Grupo Bimbo
• José Vicente Marino, executive vice president, Natura      

Media Accelerator Program (M.A.P)

Handpicked by members of the M.A.P. Screening Panel, this session will provide a unique and exclusive glimpse into the game-changing media companies that will be pitching to Festival delegates, all hoping to be crowned the 'LatAm Hot Company of the Year 2012'.

Neuromarketing

This session will not only provide insight from pioneers in brain science but also from the practitioners who are applying their understanding of the mind of the consumer to marketing communications - both globally and regionally.

Speakers will include:

• Felipe Jaramillo, general manger, NeuroFocus LatAm
• Stanley Yang, chief executive, NeuroSky

People first, platform second

Social media is making profound inroads into Latin American culture. In this session delegates will hear from experts on social media & measurement on how to effectively integrate social media into the marketing mix.

Speakers will include:

• Alexandre Hohagen, vice-president LatAm, Facebook
• Gaston Legorburu, worldwide chief creative officer, SapientNitro
• Orlando Lopes, chief executive, Ibope Media Latin America
• Fernanda Romano, partner and creative director, Naked Brasil
• Mario Vera, vice-president, coffee and beverages, Nestle Mexico

Regulating Change

The Latin American region is in the midst of rapid change on several fronts, with new global realities requiring new rules and approaches from business and politicians worldwide. This session will address how the region deals with change and what is in store for its future.

Speakers will include:

• Adriana Noreña, managing director - Spanish speaking Latin America, Google
• Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, syndicate columnist

Television: too remote?

From global trends such as branded content, online video and the rise of 'double-screening' to local issues such as guaranteeing quality ratings, this session will assess the global and local picture in relation to the television dominated Latin American market.

Speakers will include:

• Gian Fulgoni, executive chairman and co-founder, ComScore
• Manuel Gilard  i, vice president digital & new media, Televisa

The sporting continent

Brazil will be the home of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. In this session experts in sport and brands who have successfully leveraged their association with sport will share their insight on how marketers should be getting involved now.

Festival Founder and CEO of C Squared Charlie Crowe comments: "The agenda for the Festival of Media LatAm 2012 is designed to celebrate the region's creative flair and ambition, while at the same time looking at the challenges that must be faced if Latin America is to achieve its full potential in the global marketplace. We've brought together an unparalleled speaker line-up, featuring a unique mix of global leaders and local pioneers, all ready to assist our delegates in finding the best way forward for themselves and their businesses."

-ENDS-

For more information on the Festival of Media please contact Jessie Winston (+44 7977 118186) or Elizabeth Jones (+44 7825077686) at firstname.surname@withpr.co.uk

Or visit for all award entry and event booking information.

About C Squared

C Squared is the global media and marketing industry's fastest growing publishing and events business. Since the launch of its first international industry publication - Cream - in 2005, C Squared has grown twelve-fold and, though still headquartered in London, over half the Group's turnover now comes from outside the UK. Known for our creative approach, vibrant team and unrivalled global connections, C Squared's brands are leaders in their markets and offer knowledge and networking to senior decision-makers in advertising and communications across the world. Across C Squared's portfolio of market-leading magazines, websites and conferences, it has readers, subscribers, visitors and clients from over 50 countries and produces successful events on every continent - from New York to New Delhi; from Valencia to Vilnius and from Amsterdam to Accra.

www.csquared.cc

Join LatAm's leading media influencers to discuss the agenda theme 'Is Latin America fit to compete?' through sessions which will explore regulating change, sport, exporting Latin culture and the evolution of the region's dominant print and television markets.

Inspirational speakers include:

• Gian Fulgoni, executive chairman and co-founder, ComScore
• Eva Hughes, chief executive, Condé Nast Mexico & Latin America
• Alexandre Hohagen, vice-president LatAm, Facebook
• Adriana Noreña, MD - Spanish speaking Latin America, Google
• Ricardo Pérez, director of marketing communications, Grupo Bimbo
• Orlando Lopes, chief executive, Ibope Media Latin America
• Micheal I Roth, chief executive, Interpublic Group
• Andrea Pinotti, marketing director, Itaú Unibanco
• Andres Oppenheimer, syndicate columnist, Miami Herald
• José Vicente Marino, executive vice president, Natura
• Mario Vera, vice-president, coffee and beverages, Nestle Mexico
• Patrizio Spagnoletto, vice president, global B2B marketing, Yahoo!

It is based upon the successful course, IMM (International Media Management) which has been developing media executives in Europe for over 20 years. Over 1,500 delegates - many now CEOs and CMOs in their own right - have attended IMM. Now, via The Festival of Media Academy - with its unique mix of training and teamwork - we bring this same ethos and opportunity to Latin America.

Find out more about Academy and reserve a place for your emerging young stars today.

In charge of Interpublic since 2005, Roth runs one of the world's largest advertising and marketing services networks, with a presence in every major market and over 40,000 employees worldwide. Giving a keynote speech to Festival delegates to open the event, he'll share his unique insight into why Latin America continues to be a key region on the global stage.

Pan-regional speakers include Jose Vicente Marino, Executive VP at Brazilian beauty brand Natura; Gabriel Dantur, Managing Director of lanacion.digital, the digital business arm of the Argentinian media group La Nacion; and Juan Carlos Ortiz, President of advertising network DDB Latina.

They will be joined by Mario Vera, VP of coffee and beverages at Nestle Mexico; Eva Hughes, CEO of publishing giant Conde Nast Mexico and LatAm; and Manuel Gilardi, VP digital and new media at Televisa, the world's largest Spanish speaking media consortium.

The Festival of Media LatAm 2012 is taking place at the Fontainbleau Miami Beach Resort, from 23^rd to 25^th September. 

Festival Founder and CEO of C Squared Charlie Crowe comments: "The Festival of Media LatAm is the only media conference and awards ceremony dedicated to all 23 Latin American markets, a fact that is reflected by the regional spread of the speakers we're announcing today. National personalities, global decision makers and inspirational thought leaders will all come together to learn about and celebrate the very best in Latin American communications, with further global level speakers to be announced shortly. The participation of industry leaders such as Michael Roth is testament to both the importance of the region and the increasing popularity of the Festival itself."

-ENDS-

For more information on the Festival of Media please contact Jessie Winston (+44 7977 118186) or Elizabeth Jones (+44 7825077686) at firstname.surname@withpr.co.uk

Or visit for all award entry and event booking information.

About C Squared

C Squared is the global media and marketing industry's fastest growing publishing and events business. Since the launch of its first international industry publication - Cream - in 2005, C Squared has grown twelve-fold and, though still headquartered in London, over half the Group's turnover now comes from outside the UK. Known for our creative approach, vibrant team and unrivalled global connections, C Squared's brands are leaders in their markets and offer knowledge and networking to senior decision-makers in advertising and communications across the world. Across C Squared's portfolio of market-leading magazines, websites and conferences, it has readers, subscribers, visitors and clients from over 50 countries and produces successful events on every continent - from New York to New Delhi; from Valencia to Vilnius and from Amsterdam to Accra.

www.csquared.cc

• Esteban Calvo, chief executive, Andean region, Havas Media
• Aline Clavellina, marketing vice president, Grupo Bimbo
• Juliana Constantino, executive creative director, AgenciaClick
• Jose Costa, vice-president marketing, Burger King
• Juan Davila, vice-president, director of content, LiquidThread Americas, Starcom MediaVest Group
• Edgardo Frias, chief executive, Mexico, MediaCom
• Xepus Ginebra, head of strategic planning and new business,
MPG Mexico
• Martin Guirado, managing director, UM Argentina
• Sergio Kessissian, chief executive, Initiative Mexico
• Johnny Matos, managing director, Dominican Republic, OMG
• Gabriela Montalto, managing director, central America, OMD
• Jerusa Moura, executive vice-president, Active Alliance Group
• Carlos Ospina, chief executive, Mindshare Colombia
• Paulina Parra, chief executive, Massive Colombia, MediaCom
• Raquel Solorzano, regional media head, Diageo


Watch this space, more judges to be announced soon!

24^th July 2012: Festival organiser C Squared today announces the theme for the Festival of Media LatAm 2012, the only media conference dedicated to all 23 markets across the region.

The event's theme - Is Latin America fit to compete? - will address the challenges that must be faced if the region is to continue to experience growth and provide creative leadership. Exploring whether Latin America is meeting the high standards set by global brands in relation to education, organization, regulation and innovation, participants including global leaders and local pioneers will help attendees find answers by sharing their unique insights from the Festival stage. 

A taster of the session topics for the Festival of Media LatAm is also being announced, with an agenda outline exploring everything from TV trading to social media management, while at the same time shining a spotlight on the Latin brands that are about to break into the global arena.

Now in its third year, the Festival of Media LatAm will take place from 23^rd to 25^th September 2012, at the Fontainbleau Miami Beach Resort. New for this year the conference will close with a black-tie gala awards dinner for delegates and participants, to be followed by an exclusive after party at the Soho Beach House, Miami.

Festival Founder and CEO of C Squared Charlie Crowe comments: "The Festival of Media LatAm was launched in response to tremendous demand from the media and marketing community across the region. The event's instant success and rapid expansion reflects both the importance of the region and its reputation for unparalleled creativity. The agenda this year has been designed to challenge and inspire in equal measure, looking at the issues that must be faced in order for the region to fulfil its amazing potential. We look forward to a lively debate!"

-ENDS-

For more information on the Festival of Media please contact Jessie Winston (+44 7977 118186) or Elizabeth Jones (+44 7825077686) at firstname.surname@withpr.co.uk

Or visit for all award entry and event booking information.

About C Squared

C Squared is the global media and marketing industry's fastest growing publishing and events business. Since the launch of its first international industry publication - Cream - in 2005, C Squared has grown twelve-fold and, though still headquartered in London, over half the Group's turnover now comes from outside the UK. Known for our creative approach, vibrant team and unrivalled global connections, C Squared's brands are leaders in their markets and offer knowledge and networking to senior decision-makers in advertising and communications across the world. Across C Squared's portfolio of market-leading magazines, websites and conferences, it has readers, subscribers, visitors and clients from over 50 countries and produces successful events on every continent - from New York to New Delhi; from Valencia to Vilnius and from Amsterdam to Accra.

www.csquared.cc