MIAMI, Nov. 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The legacy of Louis Pagan, the late Latino social media pioneer and co-founder of Hispanicize Digital who used social media quietly to help people and organizations, is about to grow larger.
Today Hispanicize 2014 organizers announced that they will expand the Positive Impact Awards created in Pagan's memory in order to annually recognize 20 outstanding Latinos who do remarkable good works for their communities nationwide.
"Our national search for nominees and culminating gala event at Hispanicize 2014 will be one of the most inspirational programs ever created to showcase the good works of compassionate Hispanic Americans," said Manny Ruiz, founder and organizer of the Hispanicize event. "This event will be the centerpiece of Hispanicize 2014."
Each of the 20 Positive Impact Award winners will be flown to Miami for a gala event held in their honor on Thursday, April 3rd courtesy of Hispanicize 2014, the presenting sponsor of the Positive Impact Awards and supporting sponsors of the gala. The event will be co-emceed by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa of NPR's Latino USA. The red carpet-style awards show will culminate with a major performance by an A-list Latin music artist.
Said George "Urban Jibaro" Torres, co-chair of the awards and himself the first ever recipient of the Positive Impact Awards: "The worlds of media and social media will come together to uplift Latinos contributions to our fellow human beings. I'm proud to co-chair this program and am excited that our own Hispanicize advisory board is committed to making this awards program something that's truly transcendent."
National Call and Criteria for Nominees
Effective now through January 15, Hispanicize 2014 is accepting nominations for the Positive Impact Awards at http://www.hispanicizeevent.com/pia
-- Nominees can be of from any part nationality, resident status, education level, age, work and/or professional background.
-- Candidates can be nominated in one of several categories: General Category, Health, Education, Social Work, Music, Film, Entertainment, Legal, Business, Journalism, Social Media, Mentorship, Public Service and Military.
-- Even though non-profit organizations are likely to nominate their most outstanding volunteers, nominees do not have to be affiliated to any non-profit or organization.
-- There will be no restrictions about age. Teenagers and young adults are highly encouraged to be nominated.
-- Nominees can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else.
-- Special consideration will be given to individuals who volunteer and are not necessarily salaried employees of non-profit organizations or groups.
-- The top 50 finalists will be asked to produce two letters of recommendations and to submit a two-minute video on YouTube explaining what this award nomination means to them and the cause they're involved in.
The Top 50 nominees, their bios and photos will be uploaded to a dedicated website where the public will help vote for the final 20 winners. The top vote getter will win a special prize. All 20 winners will be individually promoted nationally and in their local media.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Sponsorship information is available by contacting sponsorship@hispanicizeevent.com or calling 203.364.4779.
Hispanicize 2014's social media agency partner is Burson-Marsteller.
About Hispanicize 2014
Now in its fifth year, Hispanicize 2014 (http://www.HispanicizeEvent.com) (#Hispz14) is the iconic, largest annual event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in social media, journalism, advertising, PR, film, music and innovation.
Co-chaired by award winning journalist Maria Hinojosa of NPR's Latino USA and Pat Pineda, Group Vice President of the Hispanic Business Strategy Group of Toyota Motor North America, Hispanicize 2014 is expected to gather more than 1,700 of the nation's most influential Latino professionals from the industries of blogging, journalism, music, marketing, film and business over four full days. Featuring U.S. Hispanic thought leaders and celebrities, the 5th anniversary edition of Hispanicize will be taking place at the InterContinental Miami hotel with several offsite events at major cultural venues.
The event is a launch pad for creative endeavors, new products, technologies, marketing campaigns, films, books and more targeting Latinos in the U.S. and/or Puerto Rico.
Hispanicize 2014, a partnership of the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), Hispanicize and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), will be held at the InterContinental Miami hotel, April 1-4, 2014 in downtown Miami.