Entre Amigos

Phoenix is still Hispanic friendly says its PR guru

City of Phoenix PR person David Ramirez sent us an e-mail  reminder that Phoenix is still Hispanic friendly, despite the local county’s sheriff’s campaign targeting Latinos. “As you know, Phoenix has received tons of local and national media attention focusing on the many anti-immigrant measures that have been implemented over the recent years,” he says. …And a vigilante group known as the Minutemen routinely stage demonstrations in immigrant neighborhoods hurling anti-immigrant sentiments and carrying racist signs.”  Despite this hostile environment, he adds, the city continues to proudly reach out to the Spanish-speaking immigrant community. How?  

• The city translates every press release and posts them daily on the city’s Spanish Web site.
• The city has a full-time translator position (for Spanish).
• The city has a full-time public information officer devoted to Spanish-language media.
• The city hosts several programs on leading Spanish-language radio stations and TV stations.

“As the deputy director for the Public Information Office, I am very proud of these and many other accomplishments aimed at helping our immigrant, Spanish-speaking community,” says the PR guru.