to our readers:

After setting our clocks ahead to embrace this new season, we’re ready to spring forward in our personal lives and pursue our professional goals with new energy, maximizing upon the team’s awesome efforts. Fresh, new projects are heating up. What better motivation is there than the sun steadily breaking through the long hold of winter? Our forecast says April will be raining inspiration.

-- From all of us at Améredia

spotlight chinese spotlight on: the polish community

The first Polish settlers arrived in 1608 in the earliest European settlement, Jamestown, Virginia. Today, almost 10 million Americans identify themselves by Polish origin. The Polish have assimilated into American culture quickly and what may seem more easily than many other groups. Between 2000 and 2005, the Polish community in the United States grew by roughly nine percent. Poles make up the largest immigrant group in the United States from Eastern Europe and the third largest from Europe, after the Irish and Italian. By 1990, the U.S. census noted that a mere 750,000 Polish Americans claimed to speak Polish in the home. However, culturally, Polish Americansdo tend to hold firmly to folk traditions and continue to celebrate national customs, passing them on to younger generations.

The largest Polish communities include Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania . A number of states have showed large increases in Polish populations over the last decade including Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and major cities on the West Coast. The 2000 Census noted that the median annual income of a Polish Americans family was $10,000 above the national average at $61,635, 88% of Polish Americans have graduated from high school, 33% have earned at least a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Pulaski Day
Since 1937, more than 100,000 Polish Americans parade through the streets of New York City every year in October, attracting thousands of tourists and spectators. Participants wear traditional clothing, elaborate headdresses, and plenty of red and white carrying the official colors of their flags with pride. The event commemorates Casimir Pulaski, a Polish hero of the American Revolutionary War. Many community leaders lead the parade and give public speeches. Merchants and vendors load the streets with food, toys, and other gifts displaying Polish themes and designs.

Chicago
The Polish-American population in Chicago is the second largest after the capital city of Poland, Warsaw. It is the epicenter of Polonia, a term of endearment for America’s Polish community. A ‘Taste of Polonia’ Festival is celebrated in Jefferson Park annually. Streets named Pulaski and Solidarity Drive display the influence of the Polish there and 150 years of immigration to Chicago.

Notable Organizations
Piast Institute
Polish American Congress
Polish American Chamber of Commerce
Polish American Association
Polish Initiative of Chicago
Polish Museum of America
US-Polish Trade Council

Get more stats on the Polish-American community on our web site.

professional events to go: community events

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

Apr 6-7: Asian Culture Festival @ Homestead, FL

Apr 7-13: 17th Annual New York African Film Festival @ NYC

Apr 9-11: The Atlanta Multi-cultural Book Festival @ Atlanta, GA

Apr 10: Cesar E. Chavez Holiday 2010 @ San Francisco, CA

Apr 11: Sensational India! Festival @ Salem, MA

Apr 17: Bengali New Year 1417 Festival @ Austin, TX

Apr 17 -18: Atlanta Arab Festival @Atlanta, GA

Apr 17 -18: Chicago Latin Book & Family Festival @ Chicago, IL

Apr 20-May 2: The 11th Annual Polish Film Festival @ Los Angeles, CA

Apr 23 -May 2: Jazz & Heritage Festival @ NewOrleans, IL

Apr 29 -May 2: 'Festival of Nations' @ St. Paul, MN

Apr 29 -May 2: "Lucky Rice Asian Food Festival" @ NYC

Apr 29 -May 3: South East European Film Festival @ Los Angeles

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.

Apr 7: "Marketing to Latinos: Sports & Networking Conference" @ NYC

Apr 10: Cultural Cloth: Exploring and Expressing Our Cultural Histories @ Durham, NC

Apr 15: The Multicultural Social Communications Leadership Forum @ NYC

Apr 15 -18: The Hispanic Business and Consumer Expo @ Orlando, FL

Apr 20 -21: Utah Multi-Cultural Business Expo 2010 @ Salt Lake City

Apr 20 -22: "The African American Travel Conference" @ Niagara Falls, NY

Apr 21 -22: Sixth Annual Marketing to Women Conference @ Chicago, IL

Apr 21 -23: Forging New Pathways for Diversity and Inclusion @ Washington, DC

Apr 22: Diversity in Advertising Career Day @ NYC

Apr 26 -29: Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards @ San Juan, PR

Apr 27: Diversity Inc. Webinar Series: Recruitment

in the know: market research

Births to Minorities Are Approaching Majority in U.S.

In 1990, reports showed non-Hispanic whites accounted for almost two-thirds of annual U.S. births. Recent statistics reveal minorities account for 48 percent of all births in the nation. This article examines the burgeoning multicultural majority and further describes the minority majority approaching early in the next century.
Source: N.Y. Times

Higher Broadband Adoption Rates Among Blacks

African American and Hispanics are narrowing the digital divide, adopting broadband internet and and embracing online content. College-educated minorities are adopting broadband at the fastest rate of any group in the entire country.
Source: The Joint Center For Political & Economic Studies

United States Cenus 2010
The US Census is a survey of all the residents in the United States and Puerto Rico.The information collected is used to determine the number of seats a state occupies in the US House of Representatives and how billions of federal funding is spent. Historically, ethnic minorities have been undercounted and participation is extremely important and encouraged. Every member in the nation should be accounted for. To accommodate America’s ethnic melting pot, bilingual (English/Spanish) forms will be sent out for the first time and Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian forms are available upon request.

Make yourself count for your future. http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

spotlight russia in the news: our partners

Comcast and local Bay Area News Group (B.A.N.G.) honored 47 Bay Area residents for making a positive impact in their communities at a Thursday, March 18th ceremony in Oakland. More...

Your Help Matters
If you would like to make a donation toward Chile or Haiti earthquake relief, please consider donating to these organizations:
Americares
Hope for Haiti Now
American Red Cross

about us: agency report

We start Q2 in great stride after completing one of the best quarters for the company in Q1. The agency is gearing up for new partnerships cemented earlier this year strategizing and boosting greater success for our clients in targeted ethnic markets. This quarter we also step into the gaming and entertainment industry, developing culturally relevant materials and communications for a leading resort. We are delighted to continue spreading awareness and catering to a truly multicultural nation.

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 agency updates and news.

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), Food Network, Comcast Corporation, N.Y. Times, world wide web

“No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive."
- Mahatma Gandhi

multicultural snapshot
Easter celebrations are some of the most deeply rooted traditions in the Polish community. It stems from a rich Roman Catholic heritage and its customs unify all. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and is full of festivities and important religious rites performed in the home and also at church. Special foods are prepared of course, particularly meats like sausages, ham and a variety of cakes – babka, pound cakes, poppy-seed, and cheesecakes. Sharing a boiled egg with one’s relatives is a national tradition and symbolizes a wish for mutual good health and happiness. In ancient Poland, eggs were a symbol of life. The intricate coloring of eggs as gifts and as decoration for Good Friday is still practiced today. It is a social time of hospitality for relative and friends alike.

media sheet
The Polish American Journal is the largest, independent English language monthly newspaper dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Polish American culture in the US. Published since 1911 in Buffalo, New York, The PAJ boasts readers around the world.

bite-sized language
Polish is a West Slavic Language similar to Czech and Slovak. It has Latin roots but much of modern vocabulary is borrowed from a number of other languages including English. Numerous tribal dialects are also known. The largest concentrations of Polish speakers reported in the U.S. Census, over 50% in the nation, live in three states: Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. How are you? = Jak się masz?

good eats

Babka is a sweet traditional yeast cake made for Easter Sunday. The pastry has a spongy, delicate texture with a yummy raisin filling.

ingredients:
6 cups flour
1 lb cake yeast
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup of water
3/4 cup of golden raisins
3/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 lb. of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 eggs, beaten

1. Heat milk in a saucepan; add butter and wait until completely melted. Pour into large bowl, stir in sugar and salt, let sit and allow to cool.

2. Stir yeast into warm water until it is dissolved. Let sit for roughly 5 minutes and add to milk mixture.

3. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour and knead dough in bowl (for approximately 1/2 hour if done by hand) until dough no longer sticks to hands. Add raisins, mix and knead into dough.

4. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.

5. Press down dough. Cover and let rise again. Press down once more.

6. Divie dough in half and put into greased bread pans. Mix 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush top of bread with mixture and let rise uncovered in a warm place until doubled.

7. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes or until bread is golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!

creative

Here's a recent Polish print creative from our Comcast Xfinity campaign targeting the Greater Chicago area.

global calendar

Apr 1: April Fool's Day

Apr 1: Republic Day (Iran)

Apr 2: International Children's Book Day

Apr 4: Independence Day (Senegal)

Apr 5: Ching Ming Festival (Taiwan)

Apr 7: World Health Day

Apr 8: Hana Matsuri Flower Festival (Japan)

Apr 12: Cosmonaut's Day (Russia)

Apr 13: Songkran Day (New Year, Thailand)

Apr 21: Kartini Day (Indonesia)

Apr 22: International Earth Day

Apr 23: Peppercorn Day (Bermuda)

Apr 26: Union Day (Tanzania)

Apr 30: Walpurgis Night (Sweden)