Latino Hollywood Insiders Honored for Accomplishments in 2008; Honorees Include Kenny Ortega, Producer/Director of Popular “High School Musical” Film Franchise

November 6, 2008 – BEVERLY HILLS CA. A veritable “who’s who” of Latinos in the entertainment industry was honored today at the 2nd Annual “Most Powerful & Influential” Latinos in Entertainment Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Presented by The Imagen Foundation and Inside Latino Entertainment magazine, the ceremony honored over forty industry producers, directors, and senior executives from film and television who have distinguished themselves this past year (see complete list attached). Among those honored was Kenny Ortega, executive producer/director of the very popular Disney “High School Musical” franchise, including the current boxoffice hit “High School Musical 3.”

“People tend to forget that, although Latinos have contributed to Hollywood from its earliest beginnings in front of the camera, behind the scenes Latinos have had a more difficult time in achieving executive-level positions. Now that we have progressed to find Latinos in decision-making positions at all the major entertainment companies, as well as producers and directors, it is imperative that we trumpet their talent and accomplishments of the past year,” said Helen Hernandez, president and founder of The Imagen Foundation.

The Imagen (pronounced ee-mah-hen) Foundation first began as The Imagen Awards program, established in 1985 to encourage and recognize the positive portrayal of Latinos in the media. Later, as The Imagen Foundation, it expanded its programs and initiatives to further its mission to serve as a bridge between the Latino community and the entertainment industry in providing access, education, and resources to Latinos in the industry as well as those seeking careers in entertainment. More information can be found at their website www.imagen.org.

IMAGEN FOUNDATION

2008 Most Powerful & Influential Latinos in Entertainment

• Jonathan Avila, Vice President, Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer - The Walt Disney Company

• Javier Avitia, Sr. Vice President, Business Affairs - CBS Paramount Int'l Television
• Arturo Barquet, Sr. Vice President, Production and Finance - Universal Pictures
• Patricia Boero, Executive Director - Latino Public Broadcasting
• Gary Bonilla, Sr. Vice President and Managing Director - Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group
• Emiliano Calemzuk, President - Fox Television Studios
• Carlos Carreras, Head of Latin Talent - United Talent Agency
• Lucia Cottone, Vice President, Series Development & Current Programming - Lifetime
• Ignacio Darnaude, Executive Vice President - Sony Pictures Releasing International
• Gilbert Davila, Vice President, Global Diversity & Multicultural Market Development - The Walt Disney Company
• Christina Davis, Sr. Vice President, Drama Series Development - CBS Entertainment
• Guillermo del Toro, Director, Producer, Writer - Cha Cha Cha Production Company
• Raul de Quesada, Sr. Vice President, Assistant General Manager - Fox Sports en Español
• Moctesuma Esparza, CEO, Chairman, Producer - Maya Entertainment Group
• Angela Mariana Freyre, Sr. Vice President & Deputy General Counsel - The Nielsen Company
• Jean Fuentes, Sr. Vice President, Human Resources - Fox Television Studios
• Kathryn Galan - Executive Director - NALIP
• Lino Garcia, General Manager - ESPN Deportes
• Rodrigo Garcia, Director/Writer
• Phil Gonzales, Vice President, Communications - CBS Entertainment
• Christy Haubegger, Lifestyle Director - Creative Artists Agency
• Jackie Hernandez, COO - Telemundo
• Silvio Horta, Executive Producer/Creator – “Ugly Betty”
• Alejandro Iñarritu, Director, Producer, Writer - Cha Cha Cha Production Company
• Margaret Lazo, Sr. Vice President, Human Resources - NBC Universal TV Network and Cable Entertainment
• Roberto Llamas, Chief Human Resources & Public Affairs Officer - The Nielsen Company
• Raul Mateu, Sr. Vice President and Managing Director - William Morris Agency
• Javier Maynulet, Sr. Vice President & CFO - NBC Universal Television
• Robert Mendez, Sr. Vice President, Diversity - Disney/ABC Television Group
• Edith Mendoza, Vice President, Comedy Series Development - CBS Entertainment
• Belinda Menendez, President - NBC Universal Int'l Television Distribution
• Cesar Millan, Television Personality (“Dog Whisperer”) - Cesar & Ilusion Millan Foundation
• Paul Montoya, Exec. Vice President, Media Sales - CBS Television Distribution
• Peter Murrieta, Executive Producer - The Disney Channel
• Armando Nuñez Jr., President - CBS Paramount Int'l Television
• Emanuel Nuñez, Motion Picture/Film Finance - Creative Artists Agency
• Kenny Ortega, Director & Choreographer - Kenny Ortega Company
• Marla Provencio, Exec. Vice President, Marketing - ABC Entertainment
• Eduardo "Piolín" Sotelo, Radio Personality - Univision Radio
• Nina Tassler, President - CBS Entertainment
• Claudia Teran, Sr. Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs - Fox Cable Stations
• Ligiah Villalobos, Writer/Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 19, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT:  
K. Forrest Beanum    
(310) 804-2591      
forrest@beanumgroup.com

WHAT:
23rd Annual Imagen Awards

SPECIAL FOUNDATION AWARD HONOREES:

• Tony Plana (Lifetime Achievement Award)
• Rodrigo Garcia (Creative Achievement Award)
• Ligiah Villalobos (Norman Lear Writer's Award)

WHEN:
Thursday, August 21st at 7:00 PM
PRE-SHOW AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT 5:00 - 5:30 PM
RED CARPET ARRIVALS: 5:30 - 6:45 PM
VIP MEDIA AWARDS ROOM (Open at 7:00 PM to Credentialed Media only)

WHERE:
The Beverly Hilton
9876 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverley Hills, CA 90210

PARKING:
Parking located on hotel premises - Partial validation available to ticketed/credentialed guests upon check-in.

BACKGROUND: The Imagen Awards, established 1985, encourages and recognizes positive portrayal of Latinos in all media and increases Latino representation at all levels in entertainment. The Imagen Awards Ceremony, attended by A-list stars and top entertainment industry executives, is recognized by the Latino community as the pioneer for accessing and developing all levels of talent and excellence. Awards are given in 18 categories.

Past Imagen Awards attendees have included, but are not limited to: Andy Garcia, Rita Moreno, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Jimmy Smits, America Ferrera, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, Mario Lopez, Melanie Griffith, Edward James Olmos, Wanda de Jesus, Danny Pino, Carlos Mencia, Constance Marie, and more...

For more information about tickets or media credentials, please visit www.imagen.org or call Forrest Beanum (310) 804-2591 with questions.

Please note: Absolutely no entry will be granted to individuals/crews who have not received prior media credential approvals.

Click here to view the 23rd Annual Imagen Awards Winners.

Expanded Event Set to Recognize Latino Excellence in Entertainment

 
WHAT: 23^rd Annual Imagen Awards Announcement of the Nominees and recipients of the President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement, Norman Lear Writer’s Award, and Creative Achievement Award

WHO: Helen Hernandez - President and Founder, The Imagen Foundation

Pili Montilla - Host, LATV’s En la Zona (In the Zone)

Humberto Guida - Host, LATV’s Wáchale

WHEN: Friday, July 18, 2008, 9:30 AM

WHERE: Hilton Los Angeles/ Universal City, 555 Universal Terrace Parkway, Universal City, CA 91608-1001, ROOM: Salon # 5

PARKING: Parking structure on the premises.

BACKGROUND: The Imagen Awards was established in 1985 to encourage and recognize the positive portrayal of Latinos in all media and to increase Latino representation at all levels in entertainment.

The Imagen Awards Ceremony, attended by A-list stars and top entertainment industry executives, is recognized by the Latino community as the pioneer for accessing and developing all levels of talent and excellence. Awards are given in 18 categories.

Past attendees have included, but are not limited to: Andy Garcia, Rita Moreno, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Jimmy Smits, America Ferrera, George Lopez, Hector Elizondo, Mario Lopez, Melanie Griffith, Edward James Olmos, Wanda de Jesus, Danny Pino, Carlos Mencia, Constance Marie, and more…

SAVE THE DATE: The 23rd Annual Imagen Awards, Thursday, August 21 at 7:00 PM, PST, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

Red Carpet arrivals: 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM

WEBSITE INFO: www.imagen.org

CONTACT: 

Imagen Foundation
Ph. 626.836.6100

K. Forrest Beanum
Beanum Group
Ph. 310.804.2591
forrest@beanumgroup.com

Washington, DC- The Imagen Foundation, in cooperation with Honorary Chair Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), hosted an event to celebrate Women's History Month by honoring the contributions that Latinas have made in their communities. Seven extraordinary Latinas and Latina Magazine were recognized for their leadership and work. They were joined by a prestigious Honorary Committee including Congresswomen Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).

"All of the women being honored tonight have had a positive impact on the Latina community and are an inspiration to countless young people nationwide," said Honorary Chair, Congresswoman Hilda Solis. "This dinner, being held at the Library of Congress, will give Latina leaders in business, government, media, and entertainment the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these distinguished honorees."

President of The Imagen Foundation Helen Hernandez said, "The Imagen Foundation's early mission to recognize and celebrate positive portrayals of Latinas in television and film has been expanded. This year's honorees include Latinas from many different professional fields, all of whom are making positive contributions to our country's overall social fabric." Hernandez continued, "This event provides the Latina community with the chance to honor those who have made phenomenal progress in their professional careers, as well as teach young Latina women that they can truly make a difference."

The honorees include Univision Television talk show host, Cristina Saralegui, former CNN reporter Maria Hinojosa, Latina Magazine, LULAC national President Rosa Rosales, national health care advocate Gloria Rodriguez, and environmental justice youth advocates from New York's UPROSE Jennifer Casamayor, Crystal Castro, and Judith Cardenas.

Cristina Saralegui, Univision's award-winning talk show host and an honoree tonight for her work in television said, "I am deeply honored to receive this award from The Imagen Foundation recognizing my efforts in what is most important to me, championing the needs of our community," Saralegui continued, "I commend the Foundation for their work in ensuring that the industry promotes positive portrayals of the Hispanic culture and salute Congresswoman Hilda Solis for her leadership and commitment to improving the lives of our community across the U.S."

The Nielsen Company is the presenting sponsor of the Latina Leaders-Celebrating Our Voices Dinner. Grifols, Inc. is the major sponsor of the evening, with several other corporations joining as sponsors including AT&T, Southwest Airlines, Arbitron and El Proyecto Del Barrio.

The Imagen Foundation, best known for its annual Imagen Awards which honors positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino cultures in television and film, was established in 1985. Imagen provides access, education, and resources to Latinos in the industry and those looking for careers in entertainment. Imagen has expanded its Awards to include events that profile positive and successful Latino/as as a way to share with the nation their positive influence on society and insight into the U.S. Latino experience.

Washington, DC- The Imagen Foundation, in cooperation with Honorary Chair Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), will host an event to celebrate the contributions that Latinas have made in their communities. At this year's inaugural dinner, seven extraordinary Latinas and Latina Magazine will be honored for their leadership and work. They will be joined by a prestigious Honorary Committee including Congresswomen Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).

The Nielsen Company is the lead sponsor of the evening. Several other major corporations have also joined in sponsoring this event including AT&T, Southwest Airlines, Grifols, Inc., and El Proyecto Del Barrio.

The Imagen Foundation, best known for its annual Imagen Awards which honors positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino cultures in television and film, was established in 1985. Imagen provides access, education, and resources to Latinos in the industry and those looking for careers in entertainment. Imagen has expanded its Awards to include events that profile positive and successful Latino/as as a way to share with the nation their positive influence on society and insight into the U.S. Latino experience.

What: Latina Leaders-Celebrating our Voices Dinner

Who: Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA), Honorary Chairperson
Award Winners:

• Univision Television talk show host, Cristina Saralegui
• NPR/PBS host and former CNN reporter, Maria Hinojosa
• Latina Magazine
• LULAC national President, Rosa Rosales
• National health care advocate, Gloria Rodriguez
• Environmental justice youth advocates from New York's UPROSE, Jennifer Cassamayor, Crystal Castro, and Judith Cardenas

Where: Library of Congress
James Madison Building, Montpelier Room
101 Independence Ave. SE

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
6:00 p.m.

CONTACT: Samantha Lasky
PHONE: 202-257-5327
 

***REP. SOLIS IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS BEGINNING MARCH 5. PLEASE CONTACT SONIA MELENDEZ AT (202) 225-5464 TO SCHEDULE A TIME.***