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Watch video – Marines target Latinos during HHM

Posted by Elena del Valle on October 25, 2010

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Photos: United States Marine Corps

Last month, the United States Marine Corps ( (USMC) launched Family Values, its first Hispanic Heritage Month promotional campaign consisting of snippets of testimonials and profiles of American citizens with backgrounds from Mexico and Puerto Rico. The idea behind it was “to celebrate the strong positive ideals shared by Hispanic Americans and the Marine Corps” through the personal testimonials of Latino men and women currently serving in the Marine Corps.

According to Wikipedia Hispanics account for 18 percent of enlisted Marines today. The site indicates 13 Hispanic Marines, such as France Silva and Guy Gabaldon (see WWII hero to be recognized in documentary to be released April 8), have received the Medal of Honor. A 2004 report, Recruiting Hispanics: The Marine Corps Experience Final Report by Anita U. Hattiangadi, Gary Lee, and Aline O. Quester of the Center for Naval Analyses, the Marine Corps has been very successful recruiting Hispanics.

The Family Values multimedia campaign had print and radio public service announcement extensions and was scheduled to appear on YouTube and Facebook. It included banners and Web page takeovers on ESPN.com, MLB.com, NFL.com and MySpace.com from September 15, 2010 through October 15, 2010. Scroll down to watch a video clip of the Family Values campaign.

Captain Hernandez

“The ideals of honor, courage and commitment are not exclusive to the Marine Corps,” said Lieutenant Colonel Darrin Kazlauskas, assistant chief of staff for advertising, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “Hispanic American families, like all great families, instill these values so that each generation can move forward and become positive members of their communities. We are proud to serve with all our Marine brothers and sisters who hold these values in high esteem.”

Through Family Values the Marine Corps set out to offer the public a window into the personal lives of the Hispanic Marines profiled in the ads with the intent of leading the audience to believe that there are ways in which the fundamental values of Hispanic Americans and the Marine Corps are one.

Gunny Sergeant Acero and Major Cortes

The concept development of the campaign, created jointly by the United States Marine Corps and UniWorld Group, commenced in April of this year. A spokesperson declined to identify a target profile or share details regarding the human or budget resources assigned to the project.

“We have seen traction of the media materials, especially the video content on key websites such as YouTube. Our Facebook threads have also generated positive comments from our fans and followers. We have been pleased with the campaign and believe that it is working to create a positive public dialogue about the supreme ‘call to service’ and the individuals who accept that call,” said a campaign representative by email in response to a question about campaign measurement efforts.

The Marine Corps executes a Black History Month campaign annually. This year’s BHM campaign was entitled, The Line, and traced the history of African Americans within the Marine Corps. The visual mechanism used in The Line was the blood-stripe or red piping located on Marine uniforms. That campaign included a TV spot, print ads, banner ads, a radio spot and a dedicated website.

Watch video – WWII Latino hero to be recognized in documentary to be released April 8

Posted by Elena del Valle on April 4, 2008

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East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon DVD cover

Photos, video: Arts Alliance America

On April 8, Arts Alliance America will release a new documentary on DVD about a Latino WWII war hero. The 77-minute film, East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon, narrated by Freddie Prinze Jr. in English sets out to tell the story of U.S. Marine PFC Guy Gabaldon posthumously. The film producers support a national campaign to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Gabaldon. Scroll down to watch a preview of East LA Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon.

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Guy Gabaldon

Financed by Fast Carrier Pictures, the film was produced and directed by Steve Rubin in 2006. Gabaldon died on August 31, 2006 without ever receiving the recognition many believe was his due perhaps in part because of his Latino heritage. During the bloody struggle for Saipan in July 1944, Gabaldon is officially credited with capturing over 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians. This, according to the film promoters, was accomplished single-handedly and is a record in the annals of American military history.

Gabaldon’s war accomplishments were portrayed in the film Hell to Eternity around 1960. Some credit him with sharing his experience and using his celebrity to inspire new generations who valued bravery and bravado, and helping wayward teenagers in the Mariana Islands when he returned there in 1980.

Arts Alliance America, formerly known as Hart Sharp Video, was founded in January 2003. It is a home entertainment company that develops, acquires, markets and distributes DVDs in the film, documentaries, special interest and sports genres. The company has partnerships with TV Guide, E! Entertainment Television, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, and Bombo Sports and Entertainment.