Executive Bios

Gaby Alban

Gaby Alban is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Conexión, a strategic marketing and public relations firm that specializes in reaching the Hispanic market. An entrepreneur at heart and by heritage (her family created La Salsa, the original chain of fresh Mexican taquerias) Gaby co-founded Conexión in 2002 to marry her deep knowledge of both the corporate world and the U.S. Hispanic community. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and of Mexican decent, Gaby is passionate about sharing the traditions of her Hispanic culture with the United States’ mainstream. In 2006 and 2007 Gaby was named to Latin Business magazine’s Latin Business 100 list.

Gaby’s roots in the service industry fuel her desire to ensure that Conexión’s clients receive an unparalleled level of service and quality. To that end, she takes a strategic approach to her clients’ Hispanic marketing programs, helping them achieve their goals not just on individual campaigns, but year after year. And because she understands that any marketing campaign is only as good as the infrastructure in place to support it, she provides clients with strategic plans to fill all of their Hispanic marketing needs—from research and planning to staff development, communications strategy, media relations, advertising creative and media buying, Web strategy, event planning and more.

Gaby and her team pride themselves on meticulous planning based on thorough research. Rather than telling you what they think you want to hear, they’ll always tell you the truth about what they believe your business needs—and they’ll show you the research that framed those beliefs. Most importantly, they’ll show you how that information can contribute to a strategic plan that will help your business succeed.

With offices in Los Angeles and Miami, Conexión boasts an impressive list of Fortune 500 clients including Ford Motor Company, Bank of America Corporation, ESPN Deportes, Payless ShoeSource, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and many others. In 2005, Conexión was inducted into Lumin Collaborative, a unique think tank of distinguished, independent agencies working together to share resources, identify best practices and develop new concepts, products and services. The collaborative includes the highly esteemed firms Capstrat, CRT/Tanaka, Conexión, Dix-Eaton, Padilla Speer Beardsley (PSB), Peppercom and Springboard Consulting.

Before founding Conexión, Gaby played an integral role in the growth and development of Orci Public Relations, a division of La Agencia de Orci, where she strategized, planned and consulted on the “latinization” of The Bold and the Beautiful, a CBS Television Network drama broadcast in over 100 countries daily with an audience of more than 300 million viewers. At La Agencia de Orci, Gaby also worked with PepsiCo Foods Imports, Allstate, Walt Disney Pictures, Krispy Kreme and other key clients. Gaby was responsible for the talent management on several programs for the Telemundo Network in Los Angeles and Miami.

A graduate of Pepperdine University, with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on Intercultural Communications, Gaby is passionate about giving back to her community. She and her husband, a physician, regularly volunteer their time at the Painted Turtle, one of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps for children with chronic illnesses. Gaby has previously volunteered with the San Fernando Valley Youth Partnership, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Hispanic Employees of Restaurants Outstanding Service Awards (HEROS), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and other organizations.

A native Californian with roots in Mexico, Gaby is truly bilingual, bicultural and connected to both of her cultures equally.

Martín Llorens

Based in Conexión’s Miami office, Martín oversees the overall strategies and creative direction for Conexión’s Clients and is responsible for business development and growth.

Martín’s main passion in public relations and marketing is working in conjunction with Clients on the strategic planning to develop and implement successful programs that positively impact the bottom line and empower the U.S. Hispanic community. His goal is to close the gap between the Hispanic and general market in the U.S. by helping create a mutual understanding and respect of each one’s culture and traditions. Most of all, Martín strives to achieve his dreams by establishing “conexions” between Conexión’s clients, their target audiences and the media, while at the same time improving the community.

A native of Spain, Martín moved to the U.S. in 1995 after completing his graduate degree in Advertising and Public Relations at the Complutense University in Madrid. That same year, he landed a position with Publicis Sanchez & Levitan, one of the leading advertising and public relations firms specializing in the U.S. Hispanic market. From 1995 through 1999, Martín executed local and national campaigns for clients such as Seagram Americas, Coca-Cola, BellSouth, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Starbucks Coffee.

Prior to co-founding Conexión, Martín was Group Account Supervisor at Orcí Public Relations, a division of La Agencia de Orcí. In 1999, Martín moved from Miami to Los Angeles to oversee and launch the Public Relations division of La Agencia de Orcí. At Orcí Public Relations he was responsible for business development and strategic planning.

In 2002 Martín co-founded Conexión to leverage his professional experience and offer potential clients the opportunity to reach the Hispanic consumer and expand their business possibilities. With his deep knowledge of the Hispanic market and savvy business tactics, Conexión secured an impressive roster of Fortune 500 clients including Ford Motor Company, Countrywide Financial, ESPN Deportes, Payless Shoe Source, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and many others. With T.J. Maxx in the Conexión client roster, Martín served as the official U.S. Hispanic spokesperson for the national retailer. This opportunity made it possible for him to travel the country conducting fashion segments for the top-rated Spanish language entertainment shows and newscasts.

Throughout the course of his career, Martín learned that his main goal in life is to build relationships between people and came to realize that he has an innate ability to communicate with and influence audiences. Inspired by the mentors and friends that touched his life, as well as his desire to help others accomplish their own dreams, he set out to share his positive message of personal improvement.

In August of 2007, Martín joined Univision’s top rated national morning program, Despierta America as the official fashion and image advisor. As such, Martín presents weekly fashion and beauty segments and is also called upon by the show to provide expert commentary on the most important red carpet and celebrity events in the Hispanic community.

In June 2008, Martín accomplished yet another one of his coveted goals by joining the #1 Spanish language radio network, RadioCadena Univision, with the hugely successful radio show, Hola Martín. Featuring a call-in format and his approachable personality, the show has resonated with thousands of listeners from coast to coast who tune in daily to hear his uplifting advice and empowering approach to life. This hour long program features tips on everything from fashion, food, and travel to positive thinking, healthy lifestyle choices and personal improvement, along with commentary from Hispanic celebrities and lifestyle experts. Martín’s first book Discover Your Style: Learn How to Dress for Your Body Type is scheduled to launch the summer of 2009.

Fourteen years ago Martín traveled overseas to begin accomplishing his dreams in this country. Since then he has established himself as a successful communications guru and TV personality, yet the passion that sparked his drive to engage in this industry still burns strong.