JORGE RAMOS AND MARIA ELENA SALINAS
JOB DESCRIPTION: "NOTICIERO UNIVISION" CO-ANCHORS

Pedigree:
On April 9, U.S.-born Salinas marks 25 years at Univision- and joined its L.A. station in 1981, before the fledging Spanish-language net had even launched a national newscast. Ramos also got his start at L.A.’s Univision in 1984. He was made anchor of the nightly newscast in 1986, while Salinas climbed aboard as co-anchor in 1987.

Mantra:
“Back when I started, there were 14 million Hispanics (in the U.S.). Today there are 42 million,” says Salinas, who believes the Latino anchors play a greater role compared to their English-language counterparts- and not just because they don’t have to compete with 24-hour news providers. They serve as a bridge to U.S. life and issues for an audience that is growing in size and influence.  ‘Nowadays, presidents and candidates and officials come to us, and many of them make a huge effort to speak in Spanish,” adds Ramos.

Impact:
Their evening broadcasts frequently are the top-rated overall in key markets like L.A. and New York. And while the nightly news at rival English-language networks are undergoing changes and repositioning, Ramos and Salinas remain a top draw.

What’s next:
The anchor team continues to focus on issues relevant to their viewers, and in doing so, Ramos says, “we establish the agenda.”

-Mary Sutter