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Dewey Square Group Launches DSG LATINovations, New Practice Focuses on Hispanic Community
Intent on building on its experience as one of the country's leading public affairs firms, the Dewey Square Group today announced the launch of DSG LATINovations, the firm's new venture to tap the country's fastest growing population.
DSG LATINovations will be led by former DNC Communications Director Maria Cardona and former Congressional Hispanic Caucus Executive Director Maria Robles Meier, bringing decades of experience in communication strategies, coalition building and marketing within the Hispanic community. Cardona is based in DSG's Washington office and Meier is based in the firm's office in Los Angeles.
"The very fabric of America is markedly different in this generation than in any generation before it," said DSG Chairman Chuck Campion. "Today, the success of a growing number of public policy initiatives and products depend in no small part upon the ability to build support among the Hispanic community. DSG LATINovations can become Washington's strongest Hispanic public affairs firm by building that support with some of the country's leading Hispanic strategists."
As the buying power of Latino consumers approaches $1 trillion and many states experience rapid growth among Latino populations, effective communication, outreach and marketing demand strategies that include these communities.
"Hispanic Americans are far from a monolithic community, and reaching them effectively is imperative but can be challenging as it needs to be done in an appropriate manner," Cardona said. "DSG LATINovations was created to help the public and private sectors build relationships with, navigate and successfully tap into the distinct and growing communities throughout."
DSG LATINovations currently represents Fortune 500 companies in the technology, finance, health care and automotive industries.
"We are proud to bring together DSG's diverse set of services and talents and apply them to help ensure that the power and voice of the Hispanic community is known and heard" Meier added.
Joining Cardona and Meier at DSG LATINovations will be DSG Principal Cynthia Jasso Rotunno, a former special assistant to the President and former White House chief of staff for the Political Affairs Office and DSG Associate Carissa Faña, a former policy analyst for Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
About the Dewey Square Group: Founded in 1993, the Dewey Square Group is one of the nation's leading public affairs firms with offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Tampa, Sacramento and Detroit, and affiliates in every state. DSG builds critical support for the policy positions, products and brands of our clients, which including Fortune 100 companies, major national associations and not-for-profit organizations. To find out more, please visit www.deweysquare.com.
The DSG LATINovations Team
Maria Cardona
Cardona is former Senior Vice President for the New Democrat Network and Director of NDN's Hispanic Project. A former DNC Communications Director, Cardona served in the same position for the Department of Justice's Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and was the Clinton Administration's chief spokesperson on immigration. At the Department of Commerce, Cardona served as Deputy Press Secretary to Ronald H. Brown and later as Press Secretary to Secretaries William Daley and Mickey Kantor.
Maria Robles Meier
Meier is a Capitol Hill veteran and the former Executive Director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Meier directed national strategy for the 21-member CHC and formed CHC partnerships and coalitions with other organizations, elected officials and businesses to further the CHC agenda. Meier also directed outreach for Representative Robert Menendez and was the Associate Director of the Democratic Steering & Coordination Committee in the Senate. In 2004, Meier helped manage Hispanic messaging and policy for the Kerry/Edwards Campaign.
Cynthia Jasso Rotunno
Before joining DSG, Rotunno served as the Executive Director of the Don't Count Us Out Coalition - an advocacy group addressing the undercounting and under-representation of minorities in the TV ratings business. Rotunno served the Clinton/Gore Administration from 1996-2001 in various capacities including: Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for Political Affairs Office at the White House (1997-2001); Deputy Director for Government, Business and Community Affairs on the 53rd Presidential Inaugural Committee (1997); Deputy Public Liaison Director on the 1996 Clinton/Gore Campaign.
Carissa Faña
Faña has served as a Legislative Assistant for the Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, US Rep. Nydia M Velázquez, where Faña managed a cross section of issues, including immigration reform, environmental policy, telecommunications, and worked closely with Hispanic small businesses throughout the country. Faña also served as the congresswoman's liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, providing policy recommendations through the Housing, Business and Economic Development task force, coordinated conferences and established strong working relationships with national and local Hispanic organizations.
