World largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc and the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) launched a membership expansion and professional development initiative to enroll 150 new member publications from across the country and encourage former members to rejoin the Association. This new effort was announced during NAHP's Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV.
"Hispanic publications play a vital role in keeping their communities connected to local and national events. But they're also a bridge to the Latin American countries that many of their readers still call home," according to Wal-Mart's Director of Hispanic Markets Pepe Estrada. "From civic engagement campaigns, to homeownership information, to health fairs, and just your basic classified ads, Hispanic publications are active members of the communities they serve."
"Last week the Census Bureau announced that the number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States grew three times the national average between 1997 and 2002. Hispanic publications are part of that growth. But this growth doesn't come without the challenge to expand and increase their professional expertise," says Estrada. "Joining NAHP will expand their capacity to offer professional and quality information to the Hispanic community. Wal-Mart is proud to support the efforts to serve the Hispanic community through excellence in media."
As part of their $60,000 donation to the program, Wal-Mart will sponsor firstyear dues for participating publications as an incentive to join NAHP. The funding will also be used by the Association to develop new membership materials, membership management software and interactive membership tools on NAHP's website.
marketing@alchempro.com
