to our readers:

Winter has officially set in and festivities of the season have already begun; a host of holidays are steadily approaching. Regardless of race or ethnicity, creed or religion, every one of us will bond in a collective sentiment of warmth and good cheer. At this time of the year, there is a noticeable excitement and an added touch of love and acceptance in all of our connections with one another. We chose an energetic and tight-knit community in discussing Italian Americans this month. It is one culture that truly values family, tradition, and a good celebration. Auguri di buone feste e felice anno nuovo. Seasons greetings and a prosperous new year!

-- From all of us at Améredia

spotlight french spotlight on: the italian community

In 1492, one of the most familiar early Italians, a mariner from Genoa named Cristoforo Colombo sparked the exploration of a "new world" that would set a precedent for centuries to follow. In 1507, our continent was officially named America, from the Italian forename of Amerigo Vespucci, the cartographer that advised the first drawing of the map. Italians are the fourth largest European ethnic group in the U.S. An estimated 4.5 million Italian immigrants entered the United States from 1899 to 1924, the largest wave from any one country during that time. More than 1 million followed after World War II ended in 1945.

The vast majority of immigrants originated from Southern Italy, a region that suffered in economic unrest from feudalism and damaging shortages of resources. Families worked their plots of land collectively to earn a meager living; most could not escape extreme poverty. Many Italians first hoped to travel to America temporarily, returning with money earned.The 2000 Census estimated almost 16 million Americans were of Italian ancestry. The figure translated to roughly 5.5% of the total U.S. population.

"In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine". - Robin Leach

Chain migration brought many people from particular towns or regions in Italy to the same American neighborhoods in the Northeast and Midwest regions, creating unique Italian colonies endearingly called Little Italy. They often developed within major urban centers like New York City, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Miami. Italian Americans began to establish institutions of the arts, theater, and music. Opera started in Italy at the end of the 16th century and quickly spread throughout Europe, Germany, France, and England. Italian opera music halls in the U.S. easily became a sophisticated attraction favored by the wealthy. Many other ventures central to the Italian identity grew in time including churches, almost all Roman Catholic, restaurants and social clubs.

Italian-Americans are family-oriented but also an out-going group that nurtures community efforts. Italian-Americans often stand closer to one another, keep eye-contact, and embrace with handshakes and kisses on cheeks. Italians value personal relationships, most importantly, loyalty within family or kin. Traditional family customs include obedience and respect for parents, elders, seniority, hard work, and commitment. They tend to dress more formally when meeting with friends and often host large dinners at their homes that start relatively early in the evening and can last for many hours. Food is certainly one trademark of the Italian-American influence. Their cultural cuisine is best known for pasta, fish, and meat dishes as well as the use of many types of herbs and seasonings, olive oil, vinegar, and tomato sauces. It goes without saying that they are perceived as connoisseurs of fine wine and also, cheeses.

Notable Organizations
National Italian American Foundation
National Organization of Italian American Women
Italian American Museum
American Italian Historical Association
Order Sons of Italy in America
Italia Unita
FIERI

to go: community events

Throughout the month of December, festivities are celebrated among the ethnic communities here in the U.S. Go out, experience, and enjoy!

Dec 3-5: 2009 Arab Film Festival @ Dearborn, MI

Dec 4-20: "Spanish Cinema Now 2009" @ NYC

Dec 5-6: Literacy Now and The Latino Book & Family Festival @ Houston, Texas

Dec 11-13: Annual Indian Market 2009 @ NYC

Dec 11-19: Lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah @ Grandy Army Plaza, NYC

Dec 26-30: Divine Performing Arts: 2009 Chinese New Year Spectacular World Tour @ San Diego, CA

Dec 31: The Apex Museum 'Kwanzaa Festival' @ Atlanta

spotlight italian to go: professional events

Want to be more involved in the multicultural professional environment or learn about the ethnic markets? Here are some events you might be interested in.

Dec 3: "Images and Perceptions of Arab Americans Arab America: Bridging the Gap A Cultural Education Workshop" @ Dearborn, MI

Dec 3: The LatinVision Hispanic Business Networking Event @ NYC

Dec 8: "NYWA Star Breakfast 2009" @ NYC

Dec 8: RADIO INK Presents "Forecast 2010" @ NYC

Dec 8: Women's Leadership Exchange West Coast Summit @ Costa Mesa, CA

Dec 10: Advertising Women of New York Media Insights Breakfast @ NYC

Dec 10: Asian Women in Business Holiday Party 2009 @ NYC

Dec 14: The Pentagon Defense Technology & Intelligence Career Fair @ Arlington, VA

Dec 15: Sacramento's Business and Career Expo @ Sacramento, CA

spotlight french in the know: market research
New report shows robust immigrant contribution to GDP
New York, NY, Nov 30, 2009 -- In the 25 largest metropolitan areas of the United States, immigrants are contributing to the economy in very close proportion to their share of the population, according to a report released today by the Fiscal Policy Institute. The report looks at all immigrants - documented and undocumented, across the economic spectrum.

In the 25 largest metropolitan areas combined - comprising more than half of the country's Gross Domestic Product, and two thirds of all immigrants - foreign-born workers are responsible for 20 percent of economic output and make up 20 percent of the population. The same basic relationship holds true, with slight variation, for each of the 25 areas, from metro Pittsburgh, where immigrants represent 3 percent of population and 4 percent of GDP, to metro Miami, where immigrants make up 37 percent of the population and 38 percent of GDP. The report for the first time estimates immigrant share of Gross Domestic Product in metro areas, based on wage and salary earnings plus proprietors' income.
Link: Fiscal Policy Institute

spotlight french in the news: our clients

Comcast and General Electric announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture that will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast. The joint venture, which will consist of the NBC Universal (NBCU) businesses and Comcast’s cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, will be well positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive media and digital environment. More ...

GMA Life TV is now available on all Comcast systems in Northern California. The second international channel of GMA Network, an industry leader in the Philippines, GMA Life TV offers an exciting line-up of heart-warming and innovative programs that feature the Filipinos' lifestyle and interests above any other. More about GMA Life TV ...

spotlight french about us: agency report

Recent Work: See what we've been up to lately; take a peek at our current creative campaigns.

EMMA Honors: AMÉREDIA CONTINUES WINNING STREAK AT 2009 EXCELLENCE IN MULTICULTURAL MARKETING AWARDS
Améredia received two first-place and one second-place title for marketing tactics devised in various campaigns with Comcast Corporation. Read more.

Updates: We enjoy producing exciting multicultural campaigns. See our clients and partners.

We would love to hear from you! Submit tips and contributions to newsletter@ameredia.com.

We love multiculturalism and it shows. Call/email us or fill in this form for new business inquiries.

Sources: United States Census Bureau (2000) , The Food Network

“The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity. - John Hume

multicultural snapshot
The celebration of the Epifania di Gesú commemorates the 12th-day, reincarnation of God in human form and is actually the most important day of the Christmas holiday season in Italy. It occurs on January 6 and can be likened to Christmas Eve including the folkloric legend of La Befana, a kind witch who like our treasured Santa Clause, delivers candies and gifts to good children and coal to those who have misbehaved.

media sheet
Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI Italia) is a network based in Italy that broadcasts internationally including distribution in the U.S. and North America. The network features the majority of Italy's most popular programming of dramas, news, sports, and other unique cultural presentations.

bite-sized language
Italian is spoken by almost 60 million people in Italy and is the primary language of the Vatican City. It is a romance language derived from Latin. There are numerous dialects that distinguish particular regions and cities. The U.S. Census reported over 1 million Italian-Americans spoke Italian at home namely in communities in New York and New Jersey. Hello = CIao! Goodbye = Arrivederci. Merry Christmas = Buon Natale!

good eats

Tiramisu is one of the most popular dessert cakes, the word literally meaning "pick-me-up” in Italian. There are a wealth of variations in recipes but the main ingredients are certifiably invigorating: chocolate and espresso.

ingredients:
24 packages of ladyfingers
6 egg yolks
1 pound of mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 cups of espresso, cooled
3 tablespoons of sugar
2 teaspoons of dark rum
optional: 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or syrup.

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease a shallow baking pan.

1. Mix egg yolk and sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer to beat into a thick paste for roughly five minutes.

2. Add mascarpone cheese and continue beating until smooth. Add one tablespoon of espresso and continue mixing thoroughly.

3. Pour the remaining espresso and rum together in a small, shallow dish. Dip each ladyfinger into the liquid for five seconds; avoid soaking enough for them to fall apart.

4. Place the ladyfingers at the bottom of a 13x9" baking dish. Spread mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Repeat once more adding another layer of ladyfingers topped with the mascarpone mixture.

5. Cover tiramisu and refrigerate for a few hours (at least two). Before serving you may sprinkle with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder. You may also decorate the plate with a bit of chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

creative