Elena del Valle
Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations
2901 Clint Moore Road #265
Boca Raton, FL 33496
Phone: 561-892-0494
E-mail: sales@hispanicmpr.com
Websites: www.hispanicmpr.com

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In addition to my national role as editor of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations website and host of the HispanicMPR weekly audio program, I have serve on the Executive Committee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) National Multicultural Professional Interest Section since it’s inception in 2000 and edit the Section newsletter. I also serve on the PRSA National Advocacy Advisory Board and the board of directors of the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association. In past years, I have served on nonprofit boards dealing with public healthcare, women business owners, and housing for the formerly homeless.

Hispanic MPR is new. In 2007, HispanicMPR.com, our website and podcast, were nominated for 4 Blogger’s Choice Awards (international): Best Business Blog, Best Design, Best Podcast and Best Marketing Blog.

In January 2007, we received the national 2006 Outstanding Academic Title recognition from Choice Magazine, part of the American Library Association, for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book, the first and still the only book in its category, to ever be recognized. Only about 3% of all titles that year were winners.

Please provide a brief overview of your company.
Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations and HispanicMPR.com, the website and companion podcast, provide you essential information on America’s largest minority.

Understand and market effectively to one of the most desirable markets in America today by taking advantage of the many multimedia unique and exclusive tools on HispanicMPR including

• Website, audio and video content
• Daily articles
• Weekly podcast interviews with leaders, newsmakers and experts on America’s largest minority
• A nationally recognized book and 2006 Outstanding Academic Title
• Guest articles
• Exclusive audio presentations and extended interviews with national experts

When and why did you start your business?
HispanicMPR.com was born following the publication of the nationally recognized Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations Understanding and Targeting America’s Largest Minority book in 2005. The book is the work of 19 contributing authors and national experts. I organized, contributed a chapter (the only chapter in print on Hispanic media training) and edited the project, taking the book from concept to publication with the help of many kind souls along the way. The book was the first title in its category selected Outstanding Academic Title (2006).

We created the website to keep the enthusiasm and momentum of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book going; and provide a forum where we, the authors, could continue the conversation we began with our readers. It was also designed as a place to provide practical, objective information about the Hispanic market and how to target to US Latinos effectively. Most of the authors have contributed guest articles and recorded interviews and presentations. Later we published updates on related topics and soon these became daily articles. Eventually I began hosting the podcast and at the end of 2007 we added video capability.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

• Completing my graduate studies (while working and studying full time)
• Writing (and finding a publisher when everyone said it couldn’t be done) for my first book (dedicated to my mother and sold out) to help patients and relatives understand and deal with a life changing condition (the first title in its category) and two other non fiction book projects after the first book was published that were also firsts in their categories and well received.
• Making time to give back to my community and profession by serving as a board member and volunteering for professional organizations, non profit causes and leadership programs ranging from chambers of commerce, housing for the formerly homeless, a scholarship program for at risk high school students and community healthcare.
• Participating in local, national and international leadership programs to be a better volunteer (Leadership Florida, National Hispanic Leadership Council, Council for Creative Leadership, Harvard the Embassy of Spain Young Hispanic Americans, the Cuban American National Council, and the Harvard John. F. Kennedy School of Government)
  Establishing my business
• Marrying an intelligent, supportive and wonderful man with whom I constantly laugh and share my life!

What advice could you offer women looking to get into business for themselves?

• If you’re sure starting your business is what you want to do, are willing to make the sacrifices and have confidence in your ability to do it, go for it!
• Remember your due diligence.
• Whenever you can give back to your community, your profession, and your colleagues.
• Find like minded people to network and do business with. Good luck!