The Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC) recently inducted Debbie Nason into its prestigious Hall of Fame, recognizing her profound and lasting impact on the Hispanic advertising and marketing industry. Ángela Rodríguez, Managing Director at alma, had the honor of presenting Ms. Nason, delivering a moving tribute to a woman she described as “a force of nature.”
Rodríguez eloquently celebrated Nason’s life and legacy, not just as a leader, colleague, or mentor, but as a “brilliant strategist, a compassionate friend, and a trailblazer.” She emphasized that Nason’s impact would be felt for generations within the industry.
Nason’s career journey began in the early days of Hispanic marketing at Mendoza-Dillon and continued through prominent agencies such as Focus Media, Noble, Rivero Messiano, and The Bravo Group. However, Rodríguez highlighted that Nason’s true impact stemmed from her “commitment to innovation.”
“In the late 90s, she embraced digital marketing, seeing the potential of new technologies,” Rodríguez stated. As president of RedClick, Miami’s first digital agency and one of the earliest in the industry overall, Nason leveraged her expertise to navigate the challenges of the burgeoning digital landscape. Rodríguez fondly recalled their time together at RedClick, describing it as “a sandbox for innovation” where they tackled the novelties of Flash 1.0 and animated banners.
Rodríguez underscored Nason’s pivotal role in elevating Hispanic marketing and contributing to the success of numerous major brands, including Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Company, McDonald’s, Sears, Miller Brewing, AT&T, and Microsoft.
However, Rodríguez emphasized that Nason’s most significant quality was her “ability to collect people.” She mentored countless individuals, guiding them not only to career success but also to find purpose in their work. Nason was remembered for her “fairness, authenticity, and a deep commitment to the people with whom she worked with and the craft she loved,” making everyone around her feel valued with her unparalleled sense of humor.
Rodríguez shared her personal experience as one of the individuals Nason “collected,” hiring her fresh out of college at RedClick. “She was the adult who taught me to never stop playing,” Rodríguez reminisced, highlighting Nason’s ability to make even challenging times, like the dot-com crash, feel manageable and fun. Nason set a high standard for Rodríguez’s expectations of work, bosses, and mentors throughout her career.
In a poignant conclusion, Rodríguez affirmed, “Debbie, you’ll never be forgotten. Your impact lives on in the work that we do and the leaders we continue to build in your memory and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing you. Your influence continues to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Debbie and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Rodríguez concluded by formally inducting Debbie Nason into the Hall of Fame, stating, “Know that your contributions are forever etched into the fabric of our industry, and we’re all better for having you.”
The HMC Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the U.S. Hispanic marketing industry. Ángela Rodríguez’s heartfelt tribute illuminated the profound and enduring legacy of Debbie Nason.
