Spanish Media Myths and Truths
PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Spanish Media Myths and Truths

I began my PR career at a Hispanic boutique agency. I didn’t know the difference between “general market” and Hispanic market media as a new grad, but soon learned about the divide. At a Hispanic or multicultural agency, you’re going to focus on the unique cultural attributes and communication preferences of a niche audience. 

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Help Tell Latino Stories
PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Help Tell Latino Stories

Think back to your American history class days. Which races were reflected in the textbook? The hard truth is that they probably weren’t Hispanic. Latinos are not even categorized as a race by the U.S. government. We’re an ethnic version of white. Is there a more symbolic way to explain how the Latino story is missing its rightful place in American stories? 

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Clarifying Hispanic Heritage Month
PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Clarifying Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept. 15 marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. This cultural observance month is the only one celebrated in the United States that starts and ends mid-month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Día de Los Muertos is celebrated not long after on Nov. 1. This means many areas of the nation may experience some type of Hispanic or Latino cultural expression anywhere between September through November! 

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Respect Educational Diversity
Public Relations, PRSA Columns Melissa Vela-Williamson Public Relations, PRSA Columns Melissa Vela-Williamson

Respect Educational Diversity

When is the last time you thought about the education level of your stakeholders? As PR professionals, we may think more about visual indicators of diversity than how people differ in ways we can’t see. The level of education people have can affect all aspects of their life. Have you considered tailoring your PR strategies in relation to educational diversity?

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Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers
PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

Making Connections with Hispanic Influencers

How do you connect with the Hispanic market? That’s a top question for organizations because Hispanics accounted for 52 percent of the U.S. population growth in the last decade and have an economic buying power of $1.5 trillion. Hispanic consumers are tight-knit networks — we are wired for referral based, word-of-mouth marketing. A primary trust factor is whether a family member or friend has referred us to an organization, product or service.

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National Museum Elevates Latino Contributions
PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson PRSA Columns, Public Relations Melissa Vela-Williamson

National Museum Elevates Latino Contributions

My family and I recently explored the first iteration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. As the Smithsonian works to secure a stand-alone museum site, the Museum of the American Latino has been integrated into the National Museum of American History through the construction of the Molina Family Latino Gallery. 

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