NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2009--
On Friday, October 9, 2009, Interpublic Group’s (NYSE: IPG)
Hispanic/Latino Heritage Group, SOMOS, in partnership with their
colleagues from IPG’s Multicultural Employee Resource Groups for
Excellence (MERGE), celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a Gala
Reception and Private Screening of Johanna Bermúdez-Ruiz’s documentary
film Sugar Pathways at Tribeca Cinemas in New York City.
“Our goal is to be the most inclusive and diverse marketing services
holding company,” said Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic
Group, who introduced the evening’s events. “That is only possible when
all of our employees are able to bring important aspects of their
heritage to bear on their professional lives. We want our employees to
share their stories in ways that enrich our workplace and inform the
work we do for our clients. I’m proud that SOMOS sponsored this event
and invited members of the community to join us,” Roth added.
Ms. Bermúdez-Ruiz introduced the film and described her journey as she
uncovered the untold story of the migration by Puerto Rican families
from the small Caribbean island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, to the U.S.
Virgin Islands. “Sugar Pathways has been a labor of love. It is
the story of how Black, Latino and Crucian people came together to
create a shared narrative and build a society that is inclusive
politically, economically and culturally. I am honored to have the
support of so many members of the community, IPG and SOMOS."
Ms.
Bermúdez-Ruiz is a writer and producer of narrative films, music
videos and television documentaries. She is a native of St. Croix and
her film company, Cane Bay Films LLC, is based in the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Her awards include the Maffa Film Festival Best Short
Documentary, San Juan Cinema Fest Humming Bird Best Short Documentary,
and Image Nation Special Mention Award.
SOMOS is IPG’s Hispanic/Latino Heritage Group and one of the four
Employee Business Resource Groups which belong to IPG MERGE. Its mission
is to energize and empower Latino employees by leveraging cultural
connections and creativity to advance their careers and make vital
contributions to our agencies. The idea behind SOMOS isn’t just to be
social and network, but to connect one’s culture with our professional
lives. The goal of MERGE is to bring people together in support of the
inclusion of all employees.
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising
agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include
Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack
Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, Magna, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM
Worldwide, Octagon, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands
include Campbell-Ewald, Campbell Mithun, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill
Holliday, Mullen, The Martin Agency and R/GA. For more information,
please visit www.interpublic.com.
About IPG MERGE
MERGE an umbrella organization for company-wide employee resource groups
formed to foster a culture of inclusion amongst all employees of the
company. Currently there are 4 employee resource groups: AHG – Asian
Heritage Group; BEN – Black Employee Network; IPGLBT – Lesbian, Gay,
Bi-Sexual, Transgender Network; and SOMOS – Hispanic/Latino Heritage
Group.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6073403&lang=en
Source: Interpublic Group
Interpublic Group
Eileen Mullarkey, 212-704-1329