Communications Building B, Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712; ph: 800/445-4005
Latino USA airs on about 200 stations nationwide as well as on Armed Forces Radio so military personnel and Americans overseas can stay abreast of news in the U.S. The program is a National Public Radio affiliate and its key promoters are public radio stations and the Federation of Community Broadcasters. These journalists are more than congenial, but don't pitch them an idea that doesn't tug on what's pertinent to Latinos.
SECTIONS: News This 30-minute weekly program is a marriage of news and information: business, political, religious, home, technology, health, financial, societal and educational topics are explored. The foundation of Latino USA is fresh commentary and analysis from a cadre of experts, including literary types like poets and writers. And the program doesn't shy away from controversy: last week it took on the hotly contested issue concerning the push in California to eliminate bilingual scholastic programs in favor of English-immersion programs.
PRODUCERS: Executive Producer Maria Martin, Acting Associate Producer Alex Avila; For both: Fax: 512/475-6873 E-mail: [email protected]
DAYS TO CONTACT/DAYS TO AVOID: Thursday is deadline day and contact with these radio journalists should be avoided at all costs on this day.
This is a news operation that relies on general mail, e-mail and faxes to get information, press releases, backgrounders and other details.
METHODS: Call only if you're on a first-name basis with these journalists and have worked with them in the past. And don't expect a call back if your idea doesn't grab their fancy.
COMMENT: Avila is another one of those producers who's swamped with stuff he'll never use because the idea isn't new or well-supported. A pitch that has merit for them is one that allows them to take a point-of-view angle and peel back various layers to explore how Latinos are affected.S
Editorial Contacts At Latino U.S.A Radio
- Main Number - 512/471-6178
- Host - Maria Hinojosa 512/471-6178
- Executive Producer - Maria Martin 512/471-6178
- Executive Director - Christina Cuevas 512/475-6767
- Technical Producer - Walter Morgan 512/471-6178
- Acting Associate Producer - Alex Avila 512/471-6178
Facts on the Latino Market in the U.S.
- More than half of the Latino population was born in the U.S. and a majority speak English.
- Arbitron data showed a 15 percent jump among Latinos listening to public radio between 1994 and 1995.
- On average, stations that carry Latino USA attract a younger and more ethnically diverse audience during that half hour.
- The Latino population grew by 53 percent between 1980 and 1990 - since 1990, it grew another 32 percent.
- Latinos account for 11 percent (more than 29 million) of the U.S. population.
- Latinos are the fastest growing population in the U.S., expected to reach 42 million (15 percent) by 2110.
Source: Latino USA