Brisa Communications
What We Do

Based upon a demonstrated synergy, President Paul Saldana,  Executive Creative Director Ruben Cubillos, and Vice President Megan DeLuna decided to merge talents in 2010 to form Brisa Communications.  Brisa Communications translates our business model and approach with ease, strategic thinking with an open mind and a willingness to explore new innovative solutions. 

With a combination of over 40 years of proven public relations, marketing and communications experience we provide representation and build brands with a  personal touch, because it matters.  Our talents have shaped numerous projects, initiatives and brands by delivering culturally appropriate messages while elevating business and brand to the next level.

Government Relations – Utilizing our over forty years of experience we provide innovative and strategic consulting and lobbying-related services  for clients for governmenta  and/or public approvals for specific projects and issues.   Our governmental relations experience includes the full spectrum of city, county, state and federal governmental approval issues.

Media Relations and Communication Strategies – We provide a breathe of fresh air and vision by executing an effective bilingual communications  for branding, messaging and earned media plans.   We will raise the level of visibility desired and produce winning results.

Crisis Issues Management – Our crisis communications and issues management services have proven results to produce effective results.  

Creative Development & Branding – We provide full service marketing solutions and branding to meet all of our clients needs.

We also specialize in effective minority recruitment strategies, business development initiatives, and creating opportunities for solidifying a competitive strategy and position for future growth and leadership. We have successfully developed and implemented strategies and programs specifically geared towards HUB, MBE/WBE and DBE outreach and inclusion programs.


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Our Work

Project: The Palms (formerly the Malibu Apartments) Affordable Housing Development –

We continue to serve as the lead consultant to the Mulholland Group providing government relations, public participation, community outreach, and media relations strategies to secure funding and a partnership with the City of Austin, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the North Austin Civic Association to redevelop a forty-year old apartment complex into a quality, sustainable, affordable, ADA/Accessible living community. This $ 25 million redevelopment is current under construction and will formally be unveiled in the fall of 2011.

 

The Holly Decommissioning Project – City of Austin

Working as the lead communications subconsultant to TRC Solutions, we will use  a mix of strategies designed to reach the greatest number of stakeholders and residents in the Holly Street Power Plant area including an understanding of key stakeholder insights, perspectives and expectations; getting multimedia information to the general public; working with relevant community organizations; communicating via churches, schools and nonprofits in the community;  and increasing the interface and trust between the City and Holly Neighborhood to ease residents’ concerns.  Our communications team will come prepared with a crisis control strategy for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances.

During this eighteen month decommissioning project, we will utilize a public involvement plan with grass roots techniques and activities that respect the cultural values of the East Austin community and neighborhood to inform, educate, and involve targeted members of the community, organizations, and the public with an inclusive and transparent detailed schedule and process.

The Holly Shores/Festival Beach Master Plan Project – City of Austin

Working as a communications subconsultant to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. (MVVA) a nationally respected landscape architecture firm that creates environmentally sustainable and experientially rich places across a wide range of landscape scales, we will develop a public involvement and communications strategy to develop a City of Austin Masterplan for the redevelopment of the 91-acres of greenspace along the Holly Shores and Festival Beach.

Project: Capital Area United Way – Making the Connection an Examination of Volunteerism in the Greater Austin Area Hispanic/Latino Community

 Served as the lead consultant in demographic research and data analysis to develop a volunteer model to engage the Hispanic/Latino community in the greater Austin area. We facilitated community stakeholder meetings, focus groups and surveys and developed a demographic profile of the Hispanic/Latino engaged and identified the top priorities and issues facing the growing Hispanic/Latino community.

Project: City of Austin Hispanic Quality of Life Initiative  

Served as the lead consultant to the City of Austin responsible for managing, organizing and facilitating the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Initiative was a multi-phased process that included demographic research, trend and data analysis; community engagement and understanding through public forums; community input using print and online surveys; and oversight team review culminating in a final recommendations report.

Project: Westin Hotel Project at the Domain (White Lodging Services/Simon Properties)

Served as the lead consultant to develop a strategic action and implementation plan to meet the City of Austin’s good faith efforts and requirements for the potential use of MBEs and WBEs for the design and construction of the Westin Hotel at the Domain project.

Project: Villas on Sixth Street Affordable Housing Mixed-use Development Project

We served as the lead consultant providing government relations, public participation, community outreach, and media relations strategies to secure a partnership with the East Austin community, City of Austin and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the development of a $20 million affordable housing mixed-use development in the heart of East Austin providing affordable housing at 30 to 60 percent median-family income along with retail and commercial opportunities for small businesses and social service programs to improve the quality of life in East Austin. The Villas on Sixth Street has become a state-wide successful model that other developments have attempted to duplicate.

Project: Central Health (Travis County Healthcare District)

Served as a strategic consultant to Central Health in the development of a comprehensive action plan to raise the level of visibility of services provided by this healthcare organization.

Project: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), Austin, TX

Served as the lead consultant in the development of a governmental affairs, media relations and communications bilingual outreach plan to garner support and approval for CTRMA’s proposed toll road plan in Central Texas. We facilitated community meetings for public education and stakeholder input. Worked closely with local elected officials to include concerns of constituents in proposed plan.  Addressed community issues for outreach and provided client with community feedback and concerns.  Maintained media relations for client throughout public involvement process and leading up to project approval. Implemented several methods of public relations and public affairs strategy in order to foster public education and secure project success.

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Who We Are

 

 

Paul Saldaña, President

In January 2003, Paul Saldaña  co-founded Adelánte Solutions, Inc. a public affairs consulting firm offering  government relations, crisis issues management, public relations, media and communication services. In 2010, Adelante Solutions, Inc. transitioned to Brisa Communications, LLC to expand existing services to include marketing, advertising, creative branding  and real estate consulting services for development and construction clients.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Mr. Saldaña has spent more than 20 years in local municipal government, public policy public affairs and political consulting. Most recently as the Chief of Staff for the first elected Hispanic Mayor of Austin, Gus Garcia. As Chief of Staff, he served as the lead policy advisor to the Mayor developing comprehensive public policies and strategies in the areas of public safety, transportation, affordable housing, public finance, water/wastewater issues, economic development, education, and health care.  In addition, he was directly responsible for managing media, community and intergovernmental relations.

Previous experience also includes working as President & Principal of Adelante Solutions, Inc, Vice President of Martin & Salinas Public Affairs and Regional Director for Franchising and Government Relations for Western Integrated Networks (WIN) Telecommunications.

Mr. Saldaña is a firm believer in giving back to the community through volunteer work, service on various Boards and Commissions and being actively involved in issues that enhance and impact the quality of life for all citizens of Austin.  Saldaña currently serves as the Executive Vice Chair for  Legislative Issues on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce.  He previously served as the Chairman of the Board for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and on the Executive Board of Directors for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. In 2007 Saldaña was also among thirty-five national Hispanic Executives selected to participate in the inaugural National Hispanic Executive Leadership Academy at the prestigious University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Ruben Cubillos, Executive Creative Director

Ruben Cubillos was associate creative director at Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar — the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the country at the time. Coca-Cola, Burger King, Western Union, Bud Light, and American Airlines made up part of the impressive client roster. It was the advent of Hispanic marketing and a momentous time to be in advertising. But, as is the nature of the business and life, the seasons changed and so did Ruben’s path. For the past seven years, a big chihuahua has fostered the growth of Hispanic Advertising and strengthened relationships among the Hispanic consumer. Our brand-building work for clients such as Jack Daniels, Jose Cuervo and McCormick & Company has earned us well-deserved praise for strategic insights and compelling ideas.

Megan D. De Luna, Vice President

Megan D. De Luna serves as Vice President for Brisa Communications working directly with the  U.S.  Hispanic Contractors Association directing strategies on Legislative issues. Additional client work includes project management on the Malibu Affordable Housing Development, Saving Austin Historic Preservation Group and business development.

She brings years of experience and a wealth of expertise in the arenas of project management, site planning and market research analysis.

Prior to these positions, Megan worked as an Engineer Associate with Bury+Partners, Inc., in Austin, TX.

All of Ms. De Luna’s career choices have allowed her to shine when it comes to working with teams, communications with management and workers, and advanced design implementation.

Megan graduated from Oklahoma State with a Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Agriculture Engineering.

Genoveva Rodriguez, Office Adminstrator & Project Manager

Genoveva is a recent graduate of Texas State University’s School of Mass Communications and Journalism where she earned a degree in Public Relations.  Genoveva will serve as the lead on social media initiatives, research, earned media plans and project management for various clients. 

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