Based in Conexión Public Relations' Miami office, Martín
oversees the overall strategies and creative direction for Conexión
PR'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,
Martin strives to achieve his dreams by establishing "conexions"
between Conexión PR's clients, their target audiences and
the media while at the same time improving the community.
Prior to establishing Conexión PR, 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. Since its inception, Orcí
Public Relations has received national recognition for projects executed
for CBS, Shell Oil Company, Krispy Kreme, Gamesa, Allstate and Verizon.
A native of Spain, Martín moved to the U.S. in 1995 after completing
his MBA in Advertising and Public Relations at the Complutense University
in Madrid. During the course of his studies, he learned that his main goal
in life was to build relationships between people and he discovered a great
opportunity in the diversity of the United States. Originally from
a small town in the Mediterranean, Martín traveled oversees to begin
accomplishing his dreams in the vibrant city of Miami.
Between 1995 and 1999, Martín worked at Publicis Sanchez & Levitan,
one of the leading advertising and public relations firms specializing
in the U.S. Hispanic market. At Publicis Sanchez & Levitan, he executed
local and national campaigns for clients such as Seagram Americas, Coca-Cola,
BellSouth, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Starbucks Coffee. Martín is
strongly committed to serving the community he lives in through volunteerism
and in 1998 was honored as "Volunteer of the Year" by the American
Red Cross where he served on the Board of Hispanic Outreach.
Through his many years of experience, Martín has been immersed in
several top U.S. Hispanic markets and has lived for short periods of
time in the top cities such as; Miami, New York, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio,
Dallas, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
Gaby Alban - Co-founder & Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Based in Conexión Public Relations' Los Angeles office, Gaby
oversees the operations and services for Conexión PR's Clients
and serves as Chief Financial Officer.
An entrepreneur at heart and in heritage, Gaby drives Conexión
PR's operations and services. Having grown up in a very entrepreneurial
family that created the original chain of fresh Mexican taquerias, La Salsa,
Gaby believes in sharing the traditions of the Hispanic culture with the mainstream
culture in the United States. With a deep-rooted understanding of the service
industry, Gaby's passion is to ensure that Conexión PR's Clients
receive an unparalleled level of service and quality.
Prior to establishing Conexión PR, Gaby played an integral
part in the growth and development of Orcí Public Relations,
a division of La Agencia de Orcí. While at La Agencia de Orcí,
Gaby strategized, planned and consulted on the "latinization"
of The Bold and the Beautiful, for the CBS Television Network. The drama is
broadcast in over 100 countries daily with an audience of over 300 million
viewers. She consulted with the CBS team on various aspects of the show in
order to make the show more appealing to the U.S. Hispanic market.
At La Agencia de Orcí, she also worked with clients such as PepsiCo
Foods Imports, Allstate, Walt Disney Pictures and Krispy Kreme.
Before joining La Agencia de Orcí, Gaby was responsible for talent
management on several programs for the Telemundo network in Los Angeles and
Miami. Furthermore, in the area of fashion, Gaby has experience with
the fashion forward retailers, Charles David & Guess Footwear and Fred
Segal.
A graduate of Pepperdine University, with a bachelor's degree in International
Studies with a specialization in Intercultural Communication, Gaby
is passionate about giving back to the community she lives in. She is currently
on the Pepperdine University Hispanic Council and is very involved with the
San Fernando Valley Youth Partnership. In the past Gaby has volunteered with
organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Hispanic Employees of Restaurants
Outstanding Service Awards (HEROS) and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Born and raised in Los Angeles of Mexican descent, Gaby is truly bilingual,
bicultural and connected to both of her cultures equally.
Lizette Carbajal
Lizette is responsible for the day-to-day activities and public relations
for Payless ShoeSource and Ford Division's Spirit of Accomplishment Scholastic
Award and Health on Wheels programs. Most recently, she worked on the implementation
and execution of the promotional and media relations campaign surrounding
T.J. Maxx's "Talent to the Maxx" Latino Model and Talent Search
and Ford Motor Company's Centennial Celebration.
Prior to joining Conexión, Lizette was part of the public relations
team at La Agencia de Orcí where she worked on various projects
for Verizon ("Este Es Mi Mexico", National Children's Art Contest),
Bulova, Cazadores Tequila, Allstate, Krispy Kreme and CBS' The Bold and the
Beautiful.
Lizette, a California native of Mexican decent, received her bachelor's degree
in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Minor
in Marketing from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal
Poly Pomona).
Michael Valdes-Fauli
A native of Miami, Michael is responsible for day-to-day activity and public
relations efforts for the Genworth account.
Prior to joining Conexión, Michael worked as a Publicist
at Arenas Entertainment, the Hispanic division of Universal Pictures. At Arenas,
he dealt closely with the corporate client, actors and media alike, spearheading
Hispanic publicity efforts for several successful theatrical release
campaigns, such as 8 Mile, Red Dragon and 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Prior to joining Arenas, Michael worked for Strategic Communications Group,
a technology public relations firm in Washington D.C. As an Account
Executive with Strategic, his responsibilities included all account management
functions for business-to-business high-tech clients, including BulkRegister.com
and worldwide leader Software AG. He began his public relations career
at the global PR firm, Fleishman Hillard where he worked on several national
and political campaigns, including AARP and Laura Bush's National Book Festival.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University.
Aïda Shalkow
Originally from Mexico City, Aïda is responsible for the day-to-day
activity and public relations efforts for the Ford SDDD and Ford Breast
Cancer / Breast Health Awareness accounts.
With over six years of experience working in the U.S. Hispanic market,
Aïda's expertise lies in public relations, media relations, event
marketing and promotions. Additionally, Aïda has extensive experience
in grass roots campaigns, product sampling programs, sponsorships, endorsements,
couponing and on-site retail programs.
Prior to joining Conexión Public Relations, Aïda was Account
Supervisor at Publicis Sanchez and Levitan in the Public Relations and
Promotions division. At Publicis, Aïda was responsible for the development
and execution of public relations campaigns including special events,
sweepstakes, promotions and media relations for clients such as Chivas Regal,
BMW, Nestlé (Frothé, Nescafé, Stouffers, Aguas Frescas,
Kerns from Libby's), Lifestyle Connections and Acción USA (non-profit
lending firm for small businesses) among others. While working on the Chivas
Regal account, Aïda oversaw the 2003 La Ley Tour in 7 markets.
Before joining Publicis Sanchez and Levitan, Aïda served as Senior Account
Executive for the Southwest office of GlobalHue, an urban advertising and
public relations agency for the U.S. Hispanic markets. At GlobalHue,
her clients included all of the nameplates for DaimlerChrysler, Continental
Airlines, Kmart and Corona. Aïda played a leading role in the execution
of the "DaimlerChrysler Latinas on the Move" one-day seminar designed
to educate the Hispanic woman on health, career, motherhood, fashion and personal
development.
Aïda is a graduate of the Universidad de la Comunicación
in Mexico City.