66 - Grupo Salinas

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issue
August 2013 • Issue 66 •
66
Azteca
Banco
Azteca
Celebrates
Its
Celebrates
19th
Anniversary
Five Years in Peru
p.p.54
Azteca
Azteca and
Celebrates
Its
Grupo
Elektra
19th
Anniversary
Present
Sustainability
Reports
p.p.74
Azteca Prepares
Premiere of
La Academia Kids
p. 8
Azteca Celebrates 20 Years
On August 2, 1993, Ricardo Salinas Pliego led a group of investors to acquire a series of
television stations from the Mexican government: Televisión Azteca was born.
Thanks to all those who
have been a part
of the Azteca family
Today, Azteca is proudly celebrating 20 years of success and expansion. It
has transformed how television is made in Mexico, breaking a broadcasting monopoly, and revolutionizing production processes and relationships
with viewers.
As Ricardo Salinas cut the commemorative cake, he noted: “We’re going for more.” Azteca
CEO Mario San Román added, “We showed people that we can not only make television,
but good television; television with values.”
(cont. p. 3)
Letter to Our Readers
This month we’re celebrating Azteca’s 20th anniversary. It’s easy to say, but the opportunities we have created are thanks to the tenacity and vision of our chairman, Ricardo
Salinas, and the effort and talent of a great team of collaborators who make quality
television day in and day out.
We also detail the presentation of Azteca and Grupo Elektra’s sustainability reports, using an internationally renowned methodology; the documents reaffirm our companies’
social responsibility.
Azteca is preparing the premiere of the new reality show La Academia Kids, in addition
to other launches and an exciting boxing schedule for the fall.
We also feature the call for entries for the ¡Que viva la Selva Lacandona! drawing contest,
which promotes with children the preservation of this national reserve in Chiapas.
Fundación Azteca activities transcend borders with great impact, as shown in the interview
with Ricardo Salinas for the Pictet Report magazine.
Finally, we honor the participants in the ALAS leadership training program who concluded
their projects last month.
As always, thank you for your interest in our activities. Enjoy this issue of Grupo Salinas
Hoy.
Luis J. Echarte
Content
•2
Ricardo Salinas Shares His Vision of Corporate Social Responsibility …………………………....... 4
Banco Azteca Celebrates Five Years in Peru ……………………………………………………………….. … 5
Solid Advance in Building Latin America’s Largest Fiber Optic Network …………………... ……. 6
Azteca and Grupo Elektra Present Sustainability Reports ……………………………………………... . 7
Azteca Prepares the Premiere of La Academia Kids ………………………………………………………. 8
Fundación Azteca Announces Tenth ¡Que viva la Selva Lacandona! Contest ………………... . 9
Italika Honors Its Pilots …………………………………………………………………………………………….. . 10
Advance America Employees Support Their Industry ……………………………………………………. 11
ALAS Leadership Program Presents Latest Class of Graduates……………………………………….. 12
Paving the Road for Ciudad de las Ideas 2013 ……….………………………………………………….. 13
Azteca 7 Announces Next “Dinamita” Márquez Fight ………………………………………………….. 14
Names and Faces: Román Gómez …………………………………………………………………................. 15
The Best of Ricardo B. Salinas’ Blog …………………………………………………………….................. 16
Contacts …………………………………………………………………………………………………….................... 16
(cont. from p. 1)
Azteca Celebrates 20 Years
Station employees also made a pilgrimage to the Our Lady
of Guadalupe Basilica.
Two decades after beginning the adventure, Azteca’s influence transcends borders and reaches new media like Internet and mobile devices, with cutting-edge production and
distribution of news, sports, and entertainment.
Today more than ever, Azteca reiterates its commitment to
our audiences, advertisers, and partners as we continue to
position our company as a world-class television production company.
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•4
Entrevista de Pictet Report
Ricardo Salinas Shares
His Vision of Corporate
Social Responsibility
Ricardo Salinas was recently interviewed by the Pictet Report, sharing his vision of corporate social responsibility.
In the interview, published in the June issue, Mr. Salinas said Grupo Salinas’ social initiatives
began in the 1990s, setting a standard that is a model for many Mexican companies today.
He also emphasized the important contributions that private industry has made to improve
society. “Business foundations are more results-oriented, and governments should see this
trend as positive.”
To read the full interview, go to
http://perspectives.pictet.com/2013/06/17/disruptive-technologies/
We Changed the Banking System in Latin America, Too
Banco Azteca Celebrates
Five Years in Peru
Lío Messi in his
Banco Azteca uniform
Banco Azteca recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its operations in Peru, where Grupo
Elektra has had a presence since 1998.
With the solid growth over its first five years in Peru, Banco Azteca is currently one of the top
financial institutions in the country.
As part of the activities, Banco Azteca sponsored a soccer match featuring Barcelona soccer
stars Lionel Messi and Neymar. In attendance were customers, suppliers, and friends of Banco
Azteca del Perú, as well as special guests from a local orphanage. The event supported Lionel
Messi’s personal social action foundation.
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•6
In Colombia
Solid Advance
in the
Construction
of Latin
America’s
Largest Fiber
Optic Network
Azteca announced that it has installed 12,000 kilometers of
fiber optic cable in Colombia. This is part of the telecommunications project that will include a 19,000-kilometer
network throughout the country. This translates into 452
municipalities currently connected by the company out of
a total goal of 753 when the project is finished.
As we have reported before, in Colombia, Azteca is building
Latin America’s largest fiber optic network, representing a
significant increase in telecommunications infrastructure.
According to Colombian government estimates, the number
of municipalities with fiber optic coverage will increase from
27% to 96%, with the aim of boosting development.
Azteca will market world-class connectivity services at accessible prices to large segments of the population, increasing
productivity for families and businesses in the region.
The commercialization of telecommunications services will
also foster the diversification and strengthening of Azteca’s
bottom line by adding their operations to its solid media
business performance.
Social Responsibility
Azteca and Grupo Elektra
Present Sustainability Reports
Azteca and Grupo Elektra presented their first sustainability
reports using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Guide
methodology.
More and more companies worldwide are sharing the social
and environmental benefits of their operations. Azteca and
Grupo Elektra are part of an elite group of companies that
use this methodology to present socially responsible activities.
Azteca and Grupo Elektra actively support the activities
of Fundación Azteca. Each company also carries out its
own initiatives individually in fields like energy and
waste management, workplace environment, human rights, corporate governance, anti-corruption
practices, and management of dishonesty, among
many others.
To consult the reports and learn more about
Azteca and Grupo Elektra’s sustainable activities, visit
https://www.irtvazteca.com/downloads/
responsabilidad.aspx
https://www.grupoelektra.com.mx/
Downloads/ResponsSoc.aspx?lang=es
What is GRI?
GRI is an international organization that fosters sustainability reports using indicators to measure and present socially
responsible corporations’ economic, environmental, and social performance. A sustainability report is a key platform for
communicating qualitative and quantitative results and positive impacts of strategies, campaigns, activities, and initiatives
that socially and environmentally responsible corporations organize in their communities.
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•8
Music Gets Reinvented
Azteca Prepares Premiere of
La Academia Kids
Azteca is finalizing the details for its premiere of La Academia Kids, a musical reality show
for youth who seek future stardom.
Casting began in July to select the 32 hopefuls who will participate in the first show at the
end of August. From there, 18 finalists will be picked to continue on the musical talent show.
La Academia talent scouts have scoured Mexico, Guatemala and the United States, looking
for boys and girls between the ages of five and 14. They have also done online casting calls.
Ingrid Coronado and Mauricio Barcelata will host the show, with a judging panel made up
of top names in the music business.
Promoting Conservation
Fundación Azteca Calls
for Entries for the 10th ¡Que
viva la Selva Lacandona!
Contest
Fundación Azteca has called for entries for the 10th ¡Que viva la Selva Lacandona! drawing
contest. This Grupo Salinas initiative promotes awareness, particularly among children,
about the national and international importance of the Lacandon Jungle.
The competition invites youth from all over Mexico to express ideas about this important
ecosystem in the state of Chiapas. It disseminates information about its flora and fauna,
the benefits it offers humanity, and the care and conservation efforts in the Montes Azules
Biosphere Preserve.
The jury selects a winning drawing from each state of Mexico and Mexico City. The prize
is an all-expenses-paid six-day trip to the Lacandon Jungle, during which the prizewinners
will have exciting adventures and get to know the ecosystem to, in turn, become promoters
of its conservation.
For more details about the contest, visit
www.fundacionazteca.org/selvalacandona
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•10
Outstanding Employees
Italika Honors Its Pilots
Italika has
assembled more
than 2,000
motorcycles in
a single day
Italika’s pilots assemble
motorcycles on the
production line
Mexico’s leading motorcycle brand, Italika, part of Grupo Elektra, honored top employees at its assembly plant, Ensamblika.
The company awarded motorcycles and certificates to 242
employees of excellence, called “pilots,” whose dedication has
made it possible for Italika to continue growing.
This annual awards ceremony was held in the plant itself,
located in Toluca, State of Mexico. In 2012, 120 employees
received similar recognition. Of those, 87% continue working
at the plant.
Promoting the Importance of Credit
Advance America Employees
Support Their Industry
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Each year as state legislatures around the United States debate changes to the laws that
govern the payday lending industry, employees of Advance America step in to make sure
lawmakers understand the importance of short-term credit in our customers’ lives.
In addition to the company’s outstanding government affairs specialists, staff from Advance
America centers across the country step forward to show their support of the payday loan
industry time and again. These dedicated employees write to their representatives, attend
and testify at legislative hearings, send letters to the editors of their local newspapers, and
connect lawmakers with satisfied customers.
Dawn Swensen, vice president for external affairs,
coordinates these efforts with the help of Advance
America’s government and external affairs teams. “We
could not be as effective in protecting our business
without the involvement of employees from our centers who do such a terrific job sharing their personal
experiences and telling the story of the customers
they work with every day,” said Swensen. “They add
a crucial, grassroots voice that would otherwise be
missing from the legislative process.”
Recently, more than 50 Advance America employees and customers attended a meeting
of the Consumer Advisory Board for the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the
federal agency that regulates payday lending. Wearing stickers that read “My Credit, My
Decision,” supporters packed the meeting room and spoke about the value of cash advances
to the customers and communities we serve.
Advance America
employees met with
US legislators
Through their hard work, our employees help to challenge preconceptions of short-term
lending, and to educate policymakers, journalists and the public about the important role
that companies like Advance America play in the consumer financial services marketplace.
Download
your app
for Ricardo
Salinas’
blog now
•12
Developing the Future Leaders of Grupo Salinas
ALAS Leadership Program
Presents Latest Class of Graduates
Graduation was held in June for the
third generation of participants in the
Aprendizaje Avanzado para Líderes a
través de la Acción Sistemática (Advance Leadership Learning through
Systematic Action) (ALAS). The program
is supervised directly by Ricardo Salinas
and organized by the Centro de Liderazgo de Grupo Salinas (Grupo Salinas
Leadership Center), headed by Lucila
Galán, and advised by Noel Tichy, a
consultant and professor at the University of Michigan Business School.
Twenty-six participants, organized
into five teams, graduated. Of those,
four teams focused on seeking in-
novative solutions to challenges in
Grupo Elektra’s operations, while the
fifth researched proposals for Azteca.
ALAS trains leaders in four primary
areas: 1) the philosophy of Grupo
Salinas; 2) leading people; 3) leading
business; and 4) leading social action.
The aim is to detect the talent that
will eventually head our companies’
expanding activities.
and evaluating them. In addition, each
participant becomes involved in social
actions, supporting a not-for-profit
institution so it can be more efficient.
The programs focus on i) diagnosing
areas of opportunity in real situations
in company operations; ii) developing
a comparative analysis of other worldclass companies; iii) proposing improvement plans; and iv) implementing
The teams are guided by outstanding
Grupo Salinas senior executives, and
Ricardo Salinas monitors the advances
of each team. During the entire process,
participants are supported by the Centro de Liderazgo and Professor Tichy.
All this takes place at the same time
that the executives are doing their
normal jobs, which means increasing
their activities by 30% to 50% for
about six months.
Ricardo Salinas with third generation graduates and the executives who supported them
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Festival of Brilliant Minds
Paving the Road for
Ciudad de las Ideas 2013
Ciudad de las Ideas, the festival of brilliant minds, is a celebration of creativity and curiosity.
The event has been held every year since 2008 through Poder Cívico, curated by Andrés
Roemer. Year after year, Roemer brings together cutting-edge thinkers from around the
world to share ideas.
This year’s theme is “Dangerous Ideas,” a tribute to the thinking that changes paradigms,
breaks with the status quo, and turns rebels into great nonconformist minds.
The countdown has already begun for this year’s event, slated for November 7-9 in the city
of Puebla. Some of the committed speakers to date are:
Eric Whitacre, music composer; Alondra
de la Parra, orchestra director; Alfredo
Quiñones-Hinojosa, neurosurgeon specializing in stem-cell development; Elisa
Carrillo Cabrera, classical and contemporary dancer; Elsa Punset, philosopher
and researcher in the field of emotional
intelligence; and Daniel Libeskind, architect and designer.
“Breaking with schema
and not believing everything
we traditionally think is a
fundamental premise for those
of us who attend this forum.”
Ricardo Salinas Pliego
www.ricardosalinas.com/blog
Some of the outstanding participants
•14
Welterweight World Championship
Azteca 7 Announces Next
“Dinamita” Márquez Fight
Once again, Azteca 7, “The Home of Boxing,” will broadcast a top boxing event. On October
12, Juan Manuel Márquez will face Timothy Bradley at Las Vegas’s Thomas and Mack Center.
Azteca 7 will cover this fight between two of the boxers who have defeated Manny Pacquiao.
The transmission will feature top commentators and the in-depth analysis of Box Azteca,
which has become a reference point for the resurgence of the sport in Mexico.
Juan Manuel Márquez aims to be the first Mexican to win the title in five different divisions. But to do that, he will have to beat Bradley, who seeks world recognition as one of
today’s best boxers.
Names and Faces
Román Gómez
Adjunct Director for Engineering
and Development at Azteca
It was more than 25 years ago when Román Gómez began to operate Elektra Telecomunicaciones, a company owned by Ricardo Salinas that sold and serviced parabolic antennas
and multi-line switchboard consoles.
“When I came on board, they already had lots of customers, but there were problems with
proper installation and post-sale service,” he says. After increasing the product line and
incorporating servicing standards and a specialized sales force, Román turned his hand to
developing a technical proposal for cellular telephony licenses.
Even though they didn’t get the licenses, they did get permits for trunking frequencies, the
basis for what is now Nextel, and other radio locators, which gave rise to Biper, Mexico’s
best-selling radio-localization service in the early 1990s.
After the successful bidding for what was to become TV Azteca, Román received responsibility for the Engineering Department of the previously government-owned television station,
which had 72 transmitters with obsolete technology. The first challenge was to improve TV
Azteca’s signal for the 1994 World Soccer Cup. He achieved his goal and rapidly increased
coverage from 1993 to 1996, until it exceeded international standards.
From there, he continued improving the equipment in
the Azteca Digital studios, and later the news studios and
local stations, with cutting-edge technology.
One of the projects he has carried out has been to reequip the studios for HD production. Román is particularly proud when he says that the fiber-optic-connection
infrastructure between the control centers and master
transmitters makes it possible to emit better signals than
current HD standards require.
With the years, he says, he has learned that “everything
can be done. No matter how unusual or strange the
request, it can be built.”
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•16 The Best of
Ricardo Salinas’ Blog
Plantel Azteca, an Excellent Investment
Plantel Azteca is the embodiment of our social commitment focused on quality education for young people
from low-income families. Through this Fundación
Azteca initiative, we have proven that investment in
education can yield very tangible results without wasting resources.
Many top-ranking universities –such as the Universidad
Iberoamericana, the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), the Tec de Monterrey, the Universidad Panamericana, and the Center for
Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE)– have created 65 special scholarship funds for Plantel
Azteca graduates, which represents the confidence in our student body. Plantel Azteca students
know perfectly well the difference between going to school and getting a real education.
Starting Over, a Way of Life
Contacts
This book by Grupo Salinas executive Luis J. Echarte shares
his personal experiences and his vision of the world of
business as a global executive who is not afraid of transformation. Luis is convinced that the only constant in
our world is change, especially in business. With this in
mind, he says that to succeed we have to accept this and
rapidly adapt to new circumstances. We need the capacity
to continually reinvent ourselves. He also shares his career
as a Grupo Salinas executive and the work he did before,
first in construction and later as the head of Bacardí, which
he transformed into a global brand.
Investor Relations, Grupo Salinas
Bruno Rangel • (5255) 1720-9167• [email protected]
Public Relations, Grupo Salinas USA
Nathalie Rayes • (818) 683-4178 • [email protected]
Press Relations, Grupo Salinas
Daniel McCosh • (5255) 1720-0059 • [email protected]
Information GS Hoy
Elena Arceo • (5255) 1720-0060 • [email protected]
Editorial Committee
Daniel McCosh • Bruno Rangel • Elena Arceo • Arturo Longares • Linda Garcidueñas
• Alejandro Vázquez • Carlos Casillas • Jesús Velázquez • Rolando Villarreal