If you didn’t see us in the paper well here it is..
The statesman journal did a story on us (project multimedia) not so long ago, They featured us on the B2B Magazine, they also put us on the Sat. December 9 2006 issue of their paper. That’s really cool. this is the first time I’ve had some real exposure, YES that’s me on the computer. That really is a bad picture of me,. I’ll be posting a good picture of me later.
TIMOTHY J. GONZALEZ | STATESMAN JOURNAL
Carlos Landa edits photos in the Salem office he will share with his business partner, Hamil Poton, in the former Planned Parenthood office on Capitol Street NE. Landa and Poton have been remodeling the building for their own business and for space to lease out.
One of the changes as part of the renovation was the addition of a small audio-recording room.
Multimedia firm targets Latinos
Two men open a new office in northeast Salem
JODI KERR
Statesman Journal
December 9, 2006
Sometimes, new ideas come to some people in the middle of the night. For friends Hamil Poton and Carlos Landa, ideas came while working in the garage. In April, the two transitioned from promotion hobbyists to businessmen with a building and a future.
Poton and Landa bring a fresh perspective based on Latino culture and a flair for all things artistic. Coined “Project Multimedia,” their project specializes in advertising, photography, music recording, and Web and graphic design for area clients.
Besides being part of a new generation of young Latinos starting their own business, they have created a niche market for other Latino business owners.
“We definitely have narrowed down a target audience,” Poton said. “The Latino community is tight; referrals get handed down very quickly. When someone says, ‘Hey, I like the work you do. I am going to tell people about you,’ they do it.”
Success has come quickly, and Project Multimedia has moved the think tank from the garage into a building that they are renovating on Capitol Street NE in northeast Salem. “It was getting a little difficult to bring people over to the garage,” he said. “We are now able to have the best of all four worlds all on a quarter-acre lot. We have a photography studio, a recording studio, a graphic-design office and an art gallery,” Poton said.
Building a business and setting up shop has been dicey, but switching from working with clients and making time for the paintbrush has been rewarding.
“Some moments, it has felt overwhelming, but we keep reminding ourselves that there is a real need for what we are doing,” Poton said.
The need they hope to fill is a place where Latino art and culture can mix between the non-Latino audience and everyone can gain an appreciation and an understanding for the two cultures.
Although 30 percent of customers are Latino, all types of business and cultures are benefiting from the fresh talent. Poton said advertising is not something that the Latino community puts a lot of stock into.
“In our culture, most Latino proprietors see advertising as a liability rather than a positive thing,” Poton said. “And because they don’t promote their businesses properly, they do not grow.”
The artist’s enthusiasm is contagious. Matthew Lind, a broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial, hired the design duo to help with a logo for his real-estate development business.
“I like their concept. I am excited for them,” Lind said. “I think they have a niche market that should not be underestimated.”
Salem is growing, and so is the enthusiasm for new markets.
“Hamil and Carlos are poised for success,” Lind said. “Business like this can help bridge the culture gap that exists. New businesses are coming into town every day, and they are going to need help. Project Multimedia can do that.”
Poton started college with a focus on a career as an optometrist.
“I just could never get away from the arts,” Poton said. “Carlos and I just decided to go ahead and really learn what we were doing. We are just going for it.”Satisfaction came on the street one day when Poton saw one of their band-poster designs displayed downtown.
“I called Carlos on my cell phone,” he said. “We went crazy. It was like being little kids again. We went all over town looking at it.” That enthusiasm draws a steep contrast between 23-year-olds and the businessmen who have saddled themselves with a mortgage.
“We live for contrast,” Poton said. “On some of our wedding photo shoots, everyone might be elegantly dressed, but the background is grunge.” Blending culture and contrast is a significant part of the business model.
A portion of the office will be an art gallery. “We want to promote an appreciation for urban art,” Poton said. He said the concept has been tried but was not successful.
“Latino artists have a different story to tell,” he said. “They are passionate people, and they have stories to tell about immigration and family struggles.” Project Multimedia is going to help tell those stories. “I want to teach customers to express their feelings in a positive artistic way,” Poton said.
The business has met their expectations. “We are in the game, and there definitely is a need for what we do.”
This story first appeared in B2B magazine.
