CENTRO Tampa Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary

USA - English

• Latin America - español

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTRO Tampa and CENTROtampa.com celebrate five years as the leading Spanish-language newspaper and  Web site in the Bay area.  The first issue of CENTRO Tampa was published under the name CENTRO Mi Diario on Oct. 21, 2005. The initiative was launched by Media General, Inc., which locally owns and operates The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com, and WFLA News Channel 8.  The objective of the publication was to become the center for news and information for the diverse Hispanic population of Tampa Bay.  Under the leadership of General Manager Orlando Nieves, the publication is on the forefront as the No. 1 Spanish-language newspaper in Tampa.  

CENTRO Tampa leads in providing relevant news and information to the Hispanic audience in Tampa Bay.  The Web site is a portal for Hispanics to be informed with daily updates, breaking news, local events and news from their home countries.  In 2006, the annual Florida Quince Guide was launched to connect with young Hispanics, and to provide ideas and educate readers on the traditions associated with a "Quinceanero(a)".  Annually, CENTRO Tampa together with Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc. produces the Official Hispanic Heritage Kickoff event "Festival del SABOR."  According to Orlando Nieves, "We are extremely proud of the work we do and we're thrilled to see the loyalty in our readers."    

CENTRO Tampa has the largest circulation as a Hispanic niche publication with 41,000 copies distributed weekly.  This is the only Spanish-language newspaper in the Bay area to offer free home delivery to self-identified Hispanic households. The tabloid-sized newspaper is also one of only three Spanish weeklies in Florida to be audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

CENTRO Tampa also has received numerous accolades for the work done thus far including:

Sunshine State Awards, presented by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ):

• 2006: Excellence as Spanish-language publication. Third place.
• 2007: Excellence as Spanish-language publication. Second place.

Florida Society of News Editors (FSNE)

• 2008: Honorable mention for the article "A la espera de la muerte" by Gonzalo Paez.
• 2008: Excellence as Spanish-language publication. Second place.
• 2010: Graphic design. First place. By Joel Bustamante.
• 2010: News. Third place.  Editorial "Sueno Americano se desploma."

CENTRO Tampa is prepared to continue growing and providing the best editorial coverage possible to Hispanics in Tampa Bay.  As the face of the market changes, the publication is also a bridge to businesses and advertisers looking to reach the Hispanic community in the Bay area.

CENTRO Grupo de Comunicacion is a Spanish-language print and online media operation of the Florida Communications Group.  The Florida Communications Group (FCG), owned by Media General, includes newspapers, broadcast television and online operations in West Central Florida. It incorporates Media General's converged operations in Tampa, including The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and WFLA-TV (NBC).  FCG also includes Highlands Today, Hernando Today, 12 weeklies, and several shopper and niche publications. 

SOURCE CENTRO Grupo de Comunicacion