International Conference on Spanish-Language and Latino Media

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
February 13, 2009

The Center for the Study of Latino Media and Markets (CSLMM) in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Texas State University-San Marcos is preparing to host the second annual International Conference on Spanish-Language and Other Latino-oriented Media.

Approximately 60 speakers from throughout the world will converge for the conference, scheduled for Feb. 19 to 21 at the Texas State campus, to address university students and faculty as well as media professionals. With the center only in its first year, Texas State professor and CSLMM director Federico Subervi said the conference is a great opportunity to showcase the University's efforts for study in this field to some of its top people.

"This is the signature major inaugural event of the Center," Subervi said.  "It puts us, and Texas State, on the national and international maps as an academic unit that is on the cutting edge for research, teaching and professional service related to Latino media and markets."

Attendees will include television and print journalism managers and editors, educators and also the communications strategists responsible for the Latino-oriented campaigns of President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain during their 2008 presidential campaigns. Subervi said one topic of conversation will be increasing collaboration in higher education institutions for improved research on the topic.

"During the conference, we also plan to discuss the establishment of an inter-university consortium that will allow for extended collaboration between national and possibly international academic units that teach and conduct research about Spanish-language and Latino-oriented media and markets."

The opening and closing sessions of the conference will be free and open to the public while other events will be limited to registered participants only. The opening session, beginning Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. on the 11th floor of the J.C. Kellam building on campus, will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Spanish-language press in the United States and will include presentations on current Latino-oriented media. The closing session, beginning Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:15 p.m. will feature strategists involved in the Latino-focused parts of the 2008 presidential campaign.

The conference is being sponsored by several private companies and organizations as well as various Texas State University departments.