April 10, 2006

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa opened the semi-annual Conference of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) in Los Angeles April 5–7.

The Association conference had the theme “AHAA Knows Latinos: Insights on Media Behavior.” It also recognized 16 member Hispanic advertising agencies for their pro-bono work valued at more than $12.1 million for more than 25 media campaigns.

“The Hispanic advertising agencies that donate their time and resources to benefit the Hispanic community do more than share their professional talents,” said Villaraigosa. “They provide a public service that benefits all of us whether creating healthier environments or ensuring the next generation of US Hispanics thrive. I commend members of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies for their generosity and commitment.”

Media work for organizations including March of Dimes, United Way, Heal the Bay, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Aids Foundation for Chicago and many others are being featured during AHAA’s conference. AHAA members helped convey issues including birth defects, drug use, animal cruelty, spirituality, obesity, driving safety, environmental, child safety and others affecting the Hispanic population.

The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) is the national organization of firms that specialize in marketing to the nation’s 41 million Hispanic consumers, the most rapidly growing segment of the American population. AHAA promotes the strength of the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry to the private and public sectors.

The current issue of Time magazine has a lengthy series of articles focusing on different aspects of global climate change. One short profile, on Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, describes his effort that begun in February 2005, in launching the Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement after 141 countries endorsed the Kyoto Protocol – but not the U.S.

So far, the profile states, 218 mayors in 39 states, representing nearly 44 million Americans, have signed on to a 12'step program to meet or beat Kyoto’s original target for the U.S., cutting greenhouse gas emissions to seven percent below 1990 levels over the next six years.

Austin Mayor Will Wynn, an early backer of the Nickels initiative, says, “We’re frustrated by the lack of national leadership. This is about the future of the planet.”

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich won reelection on April 4. Begich said he was humbled by his margin of victory: about 13 percentage points, with all but absentee and questioned ballots counted. "Far more than anticipated," he said.

Manitowoc (WI) Mayor Kevin Crawford will be a featured speaker with two industry water experts on Asset Management, hosted by American Water Works Association (AWWA). The webcast will be held April 19 at 1pm ET and will last 90 minutes. For more information, please go to www.awwa.org/education/webcasts