The San Jose Group Co. (SJG) is a privately held marketing and advertising agency based in Chicago. The agency was founded by George L. San Jose in 1981.San Jose forecast on reaching Hispanic Audiences, Advertising Age. February 1997 SJG is a member of the San Jose Network Ltd., which operates 28 offices in 15 countries, serving 32 markets across the U.S. and Latin America. The agency works in conjunction with Synergage,https://Synergage.com San Jose Consulting (SJC),https://SanJoseConsulting.sjadv.com and SJ Public Relations (SJPR).https://SJPublicRelations.comSan Jose Knows Way to Hispanic Market, Adweek. December 1981The San Jose Group Celebrates 25 Years of Hispanic Buying Opportunities, HMW. Jan 2007The San Jose Network Welcomes Media Management Firm Kelly Scott and Madison as New Affiliate, Haptics Today. September 2010
History SJG was founded and named after George L. San Jose in 1981.The San Jose Group. A Major in Minority Advertising, Screen Magazine. February 2009 The agency's first office was located in Chicago on Jackson Blvd., and in 1988, it moved its offices to Michigan Ave—an avenue well known for housing some of the top advertising agencies in Chicago. The agency was among the first Hispanic agencies to operate on the national level and used a lifestyle consumer-centric behavioral approach towards creating universal Spanish messaging with local nuances — versus specific regional dialects—to ensure clear and culturally relevant communication with the consumer.The San Jose Group's George L. San Jose recounts his humble start with $247 and a shoe box, Business Entrepreneur. Sept 2008The San Jose Group grows by 36% --Making it the 3rd fastest growing agency in Chicago, Crains August 2003San Jose Chimes in on how Brand Centric Hispanics Impact CPG Trends, HMW. February 2013
George L. San Jose, the founder and CEO of The San Jose Group (SJG), began his career in 1981 with only $247, which he used to purchase a used desk and office chair. His beginning marked the start of an advertising company that has grown to become one of the largest minority-owned advertising agencies in the United States.Weiner, Laura. "Advertising Agencies Spread the Word," MBE, September/October 2008. This company, that started up with $247, reported $55 million in billings by 2007.Chicago Shop Reaches The Quarter-Mark. Hispanic Market Weekly. 1 Jan 2007. [The San Jose Group Chicago Reaches the Quarter Mark with Billings of $55 Millions]
In 1988, SJG established San Jose Consulting, the first Hispanic Marketing Consulting Group, to identify and quantify share growth opportunities for U.S. Fortune 1000 Clients.The San Jose Group Gets a New Look, Hispanic MPR. Jul 2012
In 1990, George founded SJ Public Relations to serve as a separate division and support The San Jose Group's clients with their marketing communications services.The San Jose Group gets a New Look, Market Wire. 2012
In 1991, George founded The San Jose Network (SJN) to provide services to U.S.-based corporations seeking expansion and growth opportunities in the markets of Latin America. Headquartered in Chicago, SJN's conglomerate of best-in-class independent advertising and marketing communications agencies offered a convenient one-stop-shop approach to serve the distinct local markets that make up Latin America.
In 1999, the company changed its name from San Jose & Associates Inc. to The San Jose Group Co.
In 2003, The San Jose Group's billings grew 36.5% which made it the third fastest growing agency in Chicago.Sneak peek: Largest ad agencies. Crain's. 1 August 2003. [The San Jose Group grows by 36.5% - Making it the 3rd fastest growing agency in Chicago]
1980s In 1981, San Jose & Associates (SJ&A) was established as a full-service agency focusing on the national Hispanic market. The agency was selected to handle advertising for Aeroperú, Allstate Insurance, Anheuser-Busch's regional promotions, Chanty Inc., and Deluxe Ice Cream Co. SJ&A employed "Universal Spanish" to address the linguistic regional diversity among Spanish-speaking audiences and aimed to fill gaps in national Hispanic advertising.Maples, Margaret G. "San Jose Knows Way To Hispanic Market," ADWEEK, December 21, 1981.
In 1982, Shasta Beverages retained San Jose & Associates to manage Shasta Beverages first Hispanic marketing and advertising campaign for Capri-Sun in the U.S.Hayward, Cal. "Shasta Beverages Capri Sun Targets Hispanics via San Jose & Associates," ADWEEK, 1982. The campaign promoted Capri-Sun, a juice-based drink in flexible foil pouches, which was positioned as a "Fun Drink" for children and mothers. The agency's work involved advertising, promotion, and public relations to support the product's launch and distribution in various U.S. markets.B. Fernandez a Distribuir Los Refrescos Capri-Sun Cualidades de Ganador. (1982). The San Jose Group.Wagner, J. F. (1982). Foil Pouch Drinks no Longer Unusual. Caribbean Business.Shasta Taps San Jose for Hispanic Assignment. Adweek, October (1983).Advertising Age. (1984). Shasta Fights Crowding in Juice Market. September 3.
In 1983, San Jose & Associates was appointed by the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. to coordinate a regional public relations campaign targeting Hispanic consumers. The campaign included community and special events such as parades, fundraisers, and the International Battle of the DJs in Chicago.Coke Goes to San Jose. (1983). CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, April 20. That same year, Zayre Corp. appointed San Jose & Associates as counsel on public relations programs aimed at the Hispanic market. The agency was responsible for program recommendations, community service, special events, and promotions.Bell, Clark. (1983). Zayre Picks San Jose. Adweek, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, September 21.
In 1984, Anheuser-Busch appointed San Jose & Associates to handle Hispanic sales promotion and marketing services for the Chicago area.Midwestern Accounts. (1984). Advertising Age, June 25. The agency was tasked with planning merchandising programs, sports sponsorships, and community events.Anheuser-Busch Concert Series. (1984). Chicago Sun-Times, June 18. The agency was responsible for activities related to the promotion of Anheuser-Busch beers, including Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob.
In 1985, San Jose & Associates played a notable role in the expanding Chicago Hispanic market. The agency worked on projects including creative, media buying, marketing, and research, making it a key Hispanic agency in the region. The agency's total capitalized billings in 1984 were $3.1 million, with a projected increase to $3.7 million for 1985.Curme Bell, Emmett. (1985). Hispanic Agencies Surge With Chicago Market. AdWeek, October 14. San Jose & Associates was retained by Anheuser-Busch Inc. to develop and place print and broadcast advertisements for Budweiser and Michelob in the Chicago regional Hispanic market. The estimated $1 million campaign was scheduled to launch in early June.Adweek. (1985). Newswire Roundup. May 27.
San Jose & Associates was selected by WIND-AM to handle advertising, promotions, and public relations in 1987. The agency was also tasked by S.C. Johnson & Sons to create TV, radio, and promotional materials for the launch of Future floor wax in the Miami market. Additionally, San Jose & Associates managed the first advertising campaign for S.C. Johnson & Son's Soft Sense skin lotion, which was introduced with radio and TV spots on the West Coast.Advertising Age. (1987). Marketing to Hispanics Perspectives. December 28.
In 1987, San Jose & Associates was appointed by the Chicago White Sox to handle Hispanic promotion and public relations activities."The Chicago White Sox hires San Jose & Associates for promotional & PR effort", AdWeek. (1987). Newswire Roundup. April 13.Lazarus, George. (1987). The Chicago White Sox hires San Jose & Associates for promotional & PR efforts. Page 4, Section 3, Chicago Tribune, April 15.
In 1988, San Jose & Associates was appointed by S.C. Johnson & Son to handle the campaign for Shout soil and stain remover in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego.Advertising Age. (1988). Hispanocare launches TV & Radio campaign via San Jose & Associates. Product and Account Activity. June. The company was also appointed to handle advertising, promotions, and public relations for Hispanocare, a new independent physicians association focused on Spanish-speaking families. Hispanocare was a joint venture between Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Mercy Hospital, both located in Chicago.Adweek. (1988). San Jose Finds the Way to Health Account. June 13.
In 1989, San Jose & Associates was selected by Walgreens, a Chicago-based company, to handle its $1.5M Spanish-language advertising account.Advertising Age. (1989). Walgreen Co appoints San Jose & Associates. More Account Activity. May.AdWeek. (1989). Walgreen Co selects San Jose & Associates for its Spanish language advertising. Account Acquisitions. May 1."Walgreens Recently Launched an Aggressive New Hispanic Broadcast Advertising Campaign," The Newsletter for the Hispanic Marketing Community, November 1989. Additionally, the agency was appointed by Goya Foods, Secaucus, New Jersey, to develop new marketing programs.Goya Foods names San Jose & Associates to develop new marketing programs, AdWeek. May 1989 The agency was involved in these assignments to cater to Spanish-speaking audiences and expand market reach. In August of the same year, the company handled Spanish-language advertising for the Pan American Festival in Chicago, which celebrated the diverse Hispanic culture and music of Latin America. The festival featured various Hispanic musical acts and attracted an estimated 300,000 attendees each year.Lynch, Ginie. (1989). Coast to Coast: CHICAGO'S PAN-AMERICAN FESTIVAL. Adweek. August
1990s Viva America Radio Network, which was recently formed at that time, named San Jose & Associates as its public relations agency of record to develop promotional sales programs. Veryfine Products named San Jose & Associates as its first Hispanic agency following a competitive review.Advertising Age. (January 1991). San Jose feeling very fine. Product & Account Activity.Advertising Age. March 1990, 1 of 2. Money in Power play: Media moves.
In 1991, SJ&A was appointed as the agency of record by Ace Hardware for its first foray into Hispanic marketing. This assignment highlighted Ace Hardware's commitment to reaching Hispanic consumers as part of its broader national marketing strategy.Adweek. (January 1991). Newswire Roundup."San Jose Named in Ace Hispanic Entry," The Newsletter for the Hispanic Marketing Community, February 1–15, 1991.Chicago Advertising & Media. (February 1–15, 1991). San Jose named in Ace Hispanic entry. Issue no. 33.
In 1994, San Jose & Associates was selected by Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers' Chicago Division for its $1 million-plus Hispanic regional marketing programs. This marked a shift from in-house marketing management to external agency's expertise in targeting diverse Hispanic audiences.Advertising Age, "Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers of Chicago goes to San Jose & Associates", Account Activity, June 1994.Pepsi Goes with San Jose, Advertising Age, July 1994, Vol. 65, Issue 29 George L. San Jose, President and Executive Creative Director of San Jose & Associates, was recognized by the Advertising Federation of Greater Miami's AdLibs. The company was acclaimed for its creative work for Anheuser-Busch.Advertising Federation of Greater Miami, "AdLibs," October 1994, Vol. 4, Issue 7 SJA was also noted for its role in integrated marketing and advertising campaigns.Kim, Junu Bryan. "Market Forces Integrated," Advertising Age, January 1994, Vol. 65, Issue 5Chicago Advertising & Media, "Enterprise," 1993. Page 17