Cuellar's Sandra Abrevaya meets the press in Laredo ; LNB's boot and tack ads strike a positive chord

 

It was a pleasure to meet Sandra Abrevaya, Congressman Henry Cuellar's press secretary, who visited Laredo recently. The Chicago native graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in English. No media neophyte, Abrevaya was deputy press secretary for Howard Dean's presidential primary race. She is the former production director at the political consulting firm The Strategy Group in Chicago , where she worked on the presidential campaign of John Kerry and the senatorial campaign of Barack Obama.

That's a handsome ranching motif campaign the Laredo National Bank has launched for print and Spanish and English TV. That beautiful footage of well-worn boots, saddles, ropes, hats, and the Río Grande present a message that is meaningful to many in South Texas . According to LNB's Armando Chapa, the boots ad, which presents quite a sampling of tried and true footwear, has struck a chord with Laredoans and fostered much discussion. Chapa said the ads, which were produced by Chris Hancock, reflect the history of ranching, the bank, and South Texas . There's a wealth of subtexts to the ads, too, about utility, longevity, independence, and the value of being homegrown. The Hancock Agency, which has managed advertising campaigns for hospitals and banks for over 30 years, is in its first year of work with LNB. That's Nestor Cobo's voice on the Spanish language ads.

“We ourselves are provincial and take a lot of pride in being Texans. That was one of the messages we were getting across in this campaign,” said Hancock.

What a good newsletter we received from Tatiana Friar Porter for Women in Community Service (WICS). Modestly produced but well written, Volume I, Issue 4 of the News from WICS newsletter provided a wealth of information about the work of the Laredo Job Corps, its educational programs, and recent placements for jobs, as well as information about upcoming community events like El Día del Niño.

A cordial note from Steve Lyerly:

I'm not sure who writes Mixed Media, but I'd like to offer “just an o'pinion” myself. For a year and a half I lived in Laredo . Loved every bit of it. I am Laredo Proud. In fact, I still have a deep connection; my future wife-to-be Patty Kirby. However, I feel your magazine (or whatever it is) has a grudge against me. You've written that it takes a stout cup of coffee to watch me, that I wake up the parents and I've recently been referenced as being childish. That's fine. However, I wish you would understand that in the aftermath of my Gateway City exit, I have spoken of Laredo as a second home. A great place, filled with wonderful people. I was fortunate. I was offered an anchor/reporter job in the nation's 28th media market, Charlotte , North Carolina . I am now at FOX News Charlotte. I'm still the same clown. I guess an idiot to you. But this was a hard move. I understand, being in the media puts a target on your head. But, this hurts a little. I love your town. More so, the people. So, please understand if you want to bash me, that's okay. Call me non-professional . . . fine. Just keep in mind, I love your city and hope to be a wonderful ambassador for Los Dos Laredos for many years to come. I'll keep reading, even if it stings a little.

 

Regards and Best Wishes,

Steve Lyerly