Meximerica Launches Chain of Hispanic Daily Newspapers

Posted on April 30, 2004

Meximerica Media, a U.S-based Spanish-language newspaper publisher, has announced the launch of Rumbo (pronounced room-bo), a new network of Spanish-language daily newspapers throughout the United States. The first four publications will be distributed beginning at the end of the second quarter of 2004 in several Texas locations including Houston, San Antonio, Austin and the Lower Rio Grande Valley, comprising Brownsville, McAllen and Harlingen. The newspaper design is being led by Roger Black of the US-Mexican firm Danilo Black. Jonathan Thompson, former CEO of the newspaper advertising and consulting firm Sawyer Ferguson Walker, is COO of Meximerica and head of advertising.

Rumbo, the Spanish word often associated with the Latin American phrase meaning "heading north for a better life," will be a daily tabloid built around local news and a core of common content through modular publishing. The publication is primarily aimed at Hispanic men and women between the ages of 21 and 45, and will include relevant Mexican, U.S. and international news, as well as sports, entertainment and lifestyle content.

"The introduction of Rumbo in primary Hispanic markets throughout Texas is an important first step in our longer-term strategy to distribute a national newspaper targeted exclusively for the Spanish-speaking American population," said Chief Executive Officer and Editorial Director of Meximerica Media, Edward Schumacher Matos. "Our highly experienced management team is poised to service the largest and most rapidly growing minority market in the United States by representing the interests, lifestyle and culture of our readers unlike any other Spanish or English newspaper in circulation today."

Meximerica Media has been acquired by Recoletos Grupo de Comunicacion S.A. and received a first tranche of $16.5 million this year in order to fund the launch of its first four newspapers. As part of the investment agreement, Meximerica could receive additional capital from Recoletos beginning in 2005 to continue building the four papers in Texas and to launch new newspapers in other U.S. states. Recoletos is a separately listed, Spain-based company whose principal shareholder is Pearson Plc., the international media company.

Meximerica Media is a U.S.-based publishing company and the creator of Rumbo, a network of Spanish-language daily newspapers targeted at the underserved Hispanic-American population throughout the United States. The company was formed last year by a group of media professionals with experience in the relevant editorial, publishing, commercial and financial fields.