Bailando with the Brands of Hispz13

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!!  You wanna hear something amazing I heard and learned from Hispz13?? Brands actually want US to approach them with ideas. Si, they actually said that. Find an idea that's organic to your blog's voice and present it. Quee?? JU SO FONII!!!  But of course BB put forth ideas, 'cause you don't get more organic than Babushka!

Primero, First- to Crest

Don't know if you can read that ad, but they had a fabulous panel stating what they were looking for in a blogging partner.

For my part- here's the pitch BB threw at them.

There are 2 things Latina Abuelas are known for, it's spoiling their grandchildren and always trying to feed them. Especially Sweets. Bueno... why not have a campaign showing Abuelita doing just that with the parent shaking their head in the background.  We then see abuela reading the web (she's a hip old lady) and then seeing it on TV where the stats for toothcare are not good for Hispanics.  Next we see her giving more sweets, but this time giving the child a tube of Crest and a spin toothbrush to use afterwards. Next shot- everybody's smiling overlooking the child while he's brushing.  Good verdad?  They seemed to like it.  P.S. Crest- BB's also an actress and wouldn't mind being the sugar shoving Grandma as well as the creative brains.  Just Sayin' .

Segundo, Second- Swiffer

They've got a real cute campaign going on, "Aprobado por Abuelita".  It's showing how their Swiffer products would be "Approved by Grandma". 

Good, but BB can make it better.  

First off, let's get a Granny with her Groove On!

Put on that Salsa music ♪♫, Swiffers attached to the hips and Watch Out!!

And can't you just see a Babushka Hat made out of Swiffer Dusters and headbanging?  

ROCK  DUST ON!!!

Truthfully, wouldn't you just love to see that??

And because good things come in 3-

Third, Tercera- United Health Care   UHCLatino 

Russ Bennett VP of Latino Health Solutions UHC Speaking


My friend Amanda of Brandon's Puppy did a great post about this panel.

Their website sounds super because not only is it in English/Spanish, but it has podcasts for those not too net savvy or who just like to hear their information.  This and the poster showing how everyday activites burn calories was what I liked best about the panel. Apparently our culture isn't too much into the exercising/eating healthier- especially the older generations; this made me think of La Tata and I stated that.  At 90 or 92, any attempt of having her walk a little more was met with "Ya pa' que?"  Cuban for "at this stage of my life, whatever for?"  Bueno, you don't get to be that age w/out being a bit feisty so I challenged her to walk just a little bit more each day.  And it worked!!  Mr. Bennett liked the idea so much he said they were going to start podcasts called "Ya pa' que?" w/BB overseeing something or other.  Russ- looking forward to working with you on that one.  Not only will the audience say #JUSOFONII but they'll learn alot on realife ways for healthier living.

What do y'all think?  

Would you like to see these suggestions come to life?  How many would Tweety or Feibu about them if they did?  

Bailando with Brands- go ahead, lead the dance once in awhile.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

Hispanicize 2013- ESO!!! Swag & Song

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!  Bueno, as you can tell by the title, BB once again was very happy with "The Potencia that is Hispanicize". 

This year there was so much in store for attendees that the event was 5 days instead of 3!

 Along with the published program, there was an app for up to the minute changes and additions.  And boy were there additions- VIP's and impromptu get togethers abounded!  But more on that later.  Primero, first, following in last year's steps (because if it ain't broke don't fix it and Hispz12 was so good for Babushka) I bring you-

THE SWAG

Not bad huh??

Gracias to all the exhibitors-

 starting with and alphabetically:

AARP, AD Week, Ask Media Production, AT&T, Avocados from Mexico, The Axis Agency, Bacardi, Baja Libros, Balsera communications, Being Latino, Bing, Bumble Bee Foods LLC, Business Wire, Charmin,Chevrolet, Clorox, Coca-Cola, Collective Bias, Crest, Digi Bunch, Disney, DDM Brands, El Sentinel,ESPN Deportes, Fender, Ford, Fox News Latino, Friends of the Ntl. Museum of the American Latino, General Motors, Getty Images, Google, Greater Miami Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Hispanic Market Weekly, Hispanic PR Blog, HMW, HPRA, InterPress, The Jeffrey Group, Jurnid, Lanugo, Latin Heat Media, Latin Mix, Latina Mom Bloggers, Lowe's, Mamiverse, Market Wire, Maseca, McDonald's, Media Moves, MundoFox, Nascar, NBC Latino, NBCUniversal, P&G, Pandora, PR Newswire, PRODU, PRSA, Radio Shack, Regal Entertainment, SAG-AFTRA, Sensis Agency, Sherwin-Williams, Sprint, St. Augustine, Steady Images, Swiffer, Target, Telemundo, Tide, Transitions, UnitedHealthcare, ViSalus, Visit Orlando, VPE Public Relations, Yo Soy Segundo, The Zocalo Group

Quee?? JU SO FONII!!! But of course I linked ALL the exhibitors to their sites, that's the least Babushka can do; they helped make Hispz13 an unforgettable event. Besides, BB never takes less than 2.5 hours to write a post, because showing gratitude is always worth the time.  And for those who haven't attended a Hispanicize conference, believe me when I say it is sooooo Worth Your Time! 

Now on that first day BB took public transit so I lamentablemente missed the first session, but I was on time to enjoy the networking and yumminess of sights y sabores in the beautiful terrace of the Eden Roc, where we took over for 5 nonstop days. Si, THE Eden Roc, historic home of the Rat Pack y for a few dreamy hours, La Babushka.



And speaking of dreams...

Attendees were given the opportunity to preview Filly Brown before the general public AND have a question and answer with the cast and writers.  The dream here was being with actors I have long admired and an up and coming actress that I know will be a major star.

Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, James Olmos, Yousseff Delara, Michael D. Olmos

Ok My Beautifuls, you've seen the SWAG, but where's the SONG you ask?

First we got to attend a screening with the stars and then we got to screaming w/the stars.

Hispanicize founder Manny Ruiz w/Lou Diamond Phillips

who says he now has one less "Bucket List" item.

 I'm very happy for Manny- who by the way is a lovely person, happy that he lived out a dream.  

As for BB, all of life is but a dream and I am very thankful that Hispanicize and you are part of my dreaming.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.  

P.S.  Of course pics will be posted on Feibu and Youtube will show other videos from that night.

Noches de Diseño 3- A Pre Hispanicize Event

Noches de Diseño, sponsored by Sherwin Williams, was an early event for attendees of Hispanicize 2013. It was so rich and full in its' activities Babushka had to make it into a series. Oh yes I did! In Part 1 it was the art galleries to show us the colors. Part 2 highlighted the stunning and savvy Sonia Velasquez and shared a Sherwin Williams store grand opening showing us how to use the colors.  Y now My Beautifuls the final post and proof of appreciating the way we embrace colors into our culture, the heart of who we are - our food.

Ok si, of course BB would give comida a starring role, but think about it- isn't it truly part of our spirit and story?  The history of our meals, the love passed on from past generations in our platos favoritos, the sense of belonging in our sofritos- oh yes My Beautifuls, the color of our lives is definitely embraced by our food.  In this, I think the choice to dine at El Mercadito was brilliant.

Excellent ambience at El Mercadito.

Esta bien, all right, maybe the bit about being brilliant with the pic of the lights was a bit of a groaner, but believe BB when I say my joke was the only thing bad about the evening.  The food was not only colorful, but the sense of community was definitely put into play.  The organizers of the event had chosen the Sharing Menu option which was fun and very tasty.  Of course those of us who hadn't been there before were grateful we had eaten at the gallery and grand opening because we couldn't imagine a "sharing" option would really be enough.  Oh us of little faith- and Latin appetites!!  

Tacos de Pescado- Fish Tacos

Flautas

It was more than enough!! Plates and plates of each course- appetizer, main dishes and- 

DESSERT!!

Flan de Cajeta, Morenita de Chocolate & Pastel de Queso


Oh my and Oh Yeah.


Pero sabe que?  Ya know what My Beautifuls?
Amazingly as it may sound, this wasn't the best part of the evening for BB.

For Babushka the best part was:

Sweetest of Swag

Quee?? JU SO FONII!!!  Ok si, BB's love of swag is almost as infamous as her love of food, but it's the meaning and thought behind this particular swag that Babushka cherishes. The quality of product is excellent and not cheap on any level; this shows they think the same of us.  Not only did they give us some of their best to help us do our best, they took the time to research what else was in store for us during Hispanicize 2013 and gifted us Rita Moreno's autobiography for her to sign during the Adelante Movement/Coca Cola event.  That's the extra step that makes all the difference in Babushka's eyes.   From the hiring of art curator and tour organizer Susana Baker and the multi talented Sonia Velasquez, to including the memoir of one of our own, Latinas were highlighted.  Mil Gracias Sherwin-Williams for your insight, acknowledgment and appreciation.

Showcasing the best, because we deserve it.  

Let's not forget that My Beautifuls.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Once again, this was not a sponsored post, just BB sharing her thoughts and showing her thanks.

P.P.S.  Sherwin Williams had many more wonderful times in store for us via their "Colores Latinos;Artistas Latinos" project, 
but that will be part of my Hispz13 recap.