Digital and Social Media Convergence 2009 Conference: Meet the Latin Disruptors of Media, Entertainment, Technology & Advertising Attracts Influen...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Latin Media and Entertainment Commission of the City of New York (LMEC) and LatinVision Media announced today the full lineup of participants in this year’s Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Digital and Social Media Convergence 2009 Conference. Janet Robinson, CEO of The New York Times, will do the opening remarks. A three-hour Business Networking Reception follows where industry, talent and investors will be able to connect in a more relaxed environment at the crossroads of the world.

The 2009 Convergence Conference is the premier event for Latin media, entertainment, technology and advertising CEOs and executives looking to grow their business and explore new opportunities with Latin audiences and to reach the mainstream, which spotlights the constant state of creation and evolution required of business leaders in today’s rapidly changing digital and social media landscape.

“This year’s Convergence Conference will bring together the best minds of the country’s Latin media, entertainment, technology and advertising sectors to the center of the world’s greatest stage – New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “This collaboration between our City’s Latin Media and Entertainment Commission and LatinVision is another example of the great work our City is doing to solidify our position as the Latin media and entertainment capital of the world.”

Speakers are going to explore ideas and offer wisdom on the constant changes that are taking place within these industries. Among the varied topics are what creativity means in a digital world, whether the Web can support quality content, and how technology can change not only the way a company sends messages to consumers but also the way a company operates locally, regionally and internationally.

“Convergence 2009 captures the feverish pace of transformation happening in the media, entertainment, technology and advertising world today,” said Carlos Vassallo, CEO of LatinVision. “It is clearly a time of great change. A look at the top 50 US Websites shows that many are getting more traffic from abroad than from the US Spanish and is the third most used language in the world on the Internet with 130 million users after Chinese and English,” added Mr. Vassallo.

Speakers are a “who’s who” of CEOs, top marketers, senior executives, publishers, and industry gurus and experts. To view the speakers simply log onto

www.latinvision.com/conference/speakers.pdf

In addition to the lineup of keynotes, Convergence 2009 offers its attendees an unrivaled opportunity to learn from CEO’s and senior marketers who will share their experience from across a variety of emerging platforms including streaming, podcasting, radio, blogging, social networking, Internet, WiFi, audio, video and mobile casting and case studies of new ventures and how they got started through financing and networking events

For a full list of confirmed speakers and information on how to register, please visit www.latinvision.com/conference

Several sponsorship packages are still available. For more information on sponsorships, please contact Carlos Vassallo at 646-519-2452 or via email at: carlos@latinvision.com

About the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission (LMEC)
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg created the LMEC in 2003 with the mission to make New York the capital of Latin media and entertainment.

The Commission advises the Mayor on business development and retention strategies for the Latin media and entertainment industry, to retain, recruit, and expand Latin media and entertainment productions, businesses, and jobs in New York City and to attract and host high-profile Latin entertainment productions and events and to support and create New York based events

The Commission is made up of leaders from the Latin and mainstream media industry, community leaders from the nonprofit and cultural sectors, and leading executives from the financial, advertising, publishing, new media, and real estate sectors.

The heads of seven City agencies, under the direction of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, serve on the commission as ex officio members.

About LatinVision Media
LatinVision Media Inc. is a New York based Company that operates business portals targeting US Hispanic and Latin American professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and business owners in a small and medium-sized companies.
See all our sites here: http://tinyurl.com/LatinVision and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/latinvision

Contacts:
Carlos Vassallo
CEOLatinVision Media Inc.
POB 376 Church St. Station
New York, NY 10008
www.latinvision.com/conference
carlos@latinvision.com
Tel: 646-519-2452
Fax: 469-533-4874

Carlos Manzano
Executive Director Latin Media and Entertainment Commission
New York City Economic Development Corporation
110 William Street • New York, NY 10038
www.nycedc.com
cmanzano@nycedc.com

Carlos Manzano > www.nyc.gov/lmec

Carlos Manzano, Executive Director of the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission NYC.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business? Yes. I have the ability to shape and influence how non-Latinos and even Latinos view our great and rich culture as well as engage and participate.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
I keep reminding myself what my mother always said, “When you fall—and you will because that’s part of life—simply get up, take a deep breath, think strategically, and keep moving.” And try not to make the same mistake twice.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Running for political office was my biggest challenge so far. I did not succeed, but I sure learned a great deal about people.

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
I would have taken music and voice lessons early in my life.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to be a rock star.

Tell us about three people that you admire?
Elias and Fanny, my parents (sorry, can’t separate them =))
Mother Theresa
Harry Truman

For meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
It depends: For business short and to the point meetings; for politics lunch or dinner.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I spent a lot of time getting my education part time nights and weekends. During all those years, I gave up a lot of my social and personal life.

What is your favorite quote?
Don’t do onto others what you don’t want done onto yourself.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
It can be. There must be value in unconventional approaches for people to see why what you propose is good.

Biggest mistake made?
Nobody is perfect, and God knows I made a few in my lifetime.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes. I want processes and systems to be better, simpler, faster, more efficient, and fun. When you give people an experience, they’ll return.

About the Company:

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg created the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission to make New York City the Latin media capital of the world.

The Commission advises the Mayor on business development and retention strategies for the Latin media and entertainment industry.

LMEC Goals
Develop a strategic plan to retain, recruit, and expand Latin media and entertainment productions, businesses, and jobs in New York City.
Develop a strategic plan for New York City to attract and host high-profile Latin entertainment productions and events and to support and create New York based events.