Univision hooks prez
Web to air Clinton town hall meeting in Argentina
The Spanish-language web will broadcast "Voices of the Future: Face to Face with President Clinton" from noon to 1 p.m. (PDT) Oct. 16; it will include participation by 125 Argentine business and civic leaders. About 150 Latino community members will be linked via satellite from studios in Los Angeles and Miami.
"It is our belief at Univision that this historic news event is an important step toward showcasing the shared destinies of the two Americas," said Univision prexy and chief operating officer Henry Cisneros in a statement. "This town meeting with President Clinton will give us the opportunity to take that message directly to U.S. Hispanic households."
B'cast live
White House officials said the town hall event is skedded to be broadcast live throughout Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal.
"This is truly a multinational conversation and will not be scripted," White House spokeswoman Estela Mendoza told Daily Variety. "We know that there will some questions on the economy, education, environment and illegal drugs."
Univision stock rose Tuesday, boosted by the announcement and continued rosy reports by financial analysts. Univision closed Tuesday at $58, up $3.75 in New York Stock Exchange trading.
"Cisneros' connections are having a very positive impact on the company," said Jessica Reif, an analyst with Merrill Lynch, referring to the Buenos Aires broadcast. "It shows up in other ways as well, because Cisneros is doing a great job in getting advertisers to pay attention."
Cisneros is a former secretary of Housing & Urban Development under Clinton, and sources said his connections to the White House remain strong.
Univision's market jolt also could be linked to a Merrill Lynch report released late Monday which predicts at least 20% growth in third-quarter revenue, and even stronger fourth-quarter results. The company's stock has jumped about 35% since mid-August, when Univision traded about $43 a share.
