NEW YORK: Mónica Talán is stepping down from her role as Univision Communications’ EVP of corporate comms and PR to join startup PreK12 Plaza.
Her last day at Univision will be August 26, according to an internal memo obtained by PRWeek. Upon her departure, Rosemary Mercedes, the Spanish-language media company’s newly minted SVP of corporate communications, will take over her duties until a permanent replacement is found.
Univision Communications CEO Randy Falco, to whom Talán reports, referred to her in the memo as "one of UCI’s greatest champions and tireless brand ambassadors." He noted that her new company is "a promising startup focused on education and technology within the Hispanic community."
PreK12 Plaza’s website says it uses technology to "bring the best-quality education to underserved communities. We give priority to Title 1 schools with a large population of first-generation immigrants and at-risk students."
Talán has been in her role at Univision Communications for eight years, developing and managing all of its PR, including internal communications, with a team focused on b-to-b and entertainment PR, according to her LinkedIn page.
The company reported total revenue growth of 5.7% in the first quarter to $660.4 million and net income of $65.7 million, up from a net loss of $139.7 million in Q1 2015, according to Variety. It is set to release its second-quarter results on August 4.
Falco added in the memo that since joining the company in 2008, Talán has "transformed" its relationships with key members of the media, stakeholders, and influencers.
"[Talán’s] strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in evolving [Univision’s] perception from a Spanish-language TV company into a true multiplatform media powerhouse," he wrote. "She was also instrumental in the revamp of our internal engagement efforts working with many of you to provide employees another communication touch point via UCI Central."
Before Univision Communications, Talán was an EVP at FleishmanHillard, where she helped to launch and grow the firm’s Hispanic practice, according to her LinkedIn profile.
In April, Talán was inducted into the inaugural PRWeek Hall of Femme. Last year, she won In-House PR Professional of the Year at the PRWeek Awards.
