EDUARDO CABALLERO

BIOGRAPHY

Just arriving from Cuba, Mr. Caballero began his career in Spanish broadcasting in 1962, working as a local radio salesman for WBNX-AM in New York City. That same year, he became that station’s General Sales Manager (GSM) - the first Hispanic to hold that position at a U.S. radio station. Eduardo moved into Spanish television in 1968, when he joined and became part of the original executive team (as Executive Vice President and Director of Sales) of the Spanish International Network (now Univision).

Caballero is best known for starting, in 1973, Caballero Spanish Media (“CSM”). Two years later, with the very well known Ricardo Montalbán as a host, Mr. Caballero created the first ever U.S. syndicated Spanish program, “Lo Mejor del Cine en Español” (The Best of Spanish Movies). The program ran every week, for five consecutive years, in 29 U.S. television stations (27 of them General Market stations), at a time when only seven stations in five cities, were carrying Spanish television programming. In 1974, he was awarded the Hispanic International Research Institute Hall of Fame’s “TV National Award” at their annual banquet, for “Lo Mejor del Cine en Español” and for his extraordinary and meritorious performance of civic, social, cultural and professional service in United States.

In 1975, when there were only 44 radio stations carrying Spanish programming in the U.S., (there are over 1300 today), Caballero founded what became the nation’s first national Spanish radio sales rep firm, Caballero Spanish Media. In just a few short years, CSM had grown to represent over 200 full-time radio stations (about 70% of the then existing Spanish stations in the country), covering close to 90% of the Hispanic household market within the U.S.

Prior to selling his network and Caballero Spanish Media, in acquiring the Spanish broadcasting rights from CBS Radio Network, started syndicating, for the first time in this country, the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series.

Simultaneously, and also for the first time in U.S. broadcasting history, CSM acquired, from NBC, the radio rights to broadcast in Spanish three Olympiads (from South Korea, Barcelona and Atlanta).

In partnership with MTV, CSM created, produced and syndicated MTV RADIO (in Spanish).

Caballero, together with Turner Broadcasting, created and syndicated CNN RADIO NOTICIAS (Spanish CNN Radio News).

In 1998, he founded a television network to target the young U.S. Hispanic market. The result was Caballero Television, the owner and operator of 12 Class A and LPTV stations in California and Texas, and MASMUSICA TeVe Network, a Spanish music video and entertainment network, with 41 affiliates within U.S. MásMúsica TeVe was a privately Hispanic-owned company and Caballero Television was, then, one of the largest Hispanic-owned television station groups in the country. In 2006, Caballero Television sold ten of its 12 owned-stations, and its Network, to VIACOM, to be part of a new MTV venture, MTV tr3s (TR3S, Musica y Mas) remaining as Strategic Ad Sales Consultant to MTV tr3s until 2008.

Caballero is a native of Sagua de Tánamo, Cuba. He graduated in 1953 from the University of Havana’s School of Diplomatic Relations and, in 1956 from the University José Martí (Havana), with a Doctorate in Law.

He was married to the late Mrs. Raquel Miller-Caballero, who also had a Doctorate in Law, from the University of Havana.  He has two children: Luis Angel, a Virginia businessman, and Rosamaria, a serial entrepreneur and a graduate of Wellesley and Georgetown Law. 

Eduardo is a proud United State of America Citizen for over forty years.

BIOGRAFÍA

Recién llegado de Cuba, Eduardo Caballero comenzó su carrera en la radiodifusión española en 1962, trabajando como vendedor de radio local para WBNX-AM, en la ciudad de Nueva York. Ese mismo año, se convirtió en el Gerente General de Ventas de la estación (GSM), el primer hispano en ocupar esa posición en una estación de radio estadounidense. Eduardo se trasladó a la televisión en español en 1968, cuando se unió y pasó a formar parte del equipo ejecutivo original (como Vice Presidente Ejecutivo y Director de Ventas) de la Spanish Internacional Network  (ahora Univisión).

Caballero es más conocido por haber empezado, en 1973, Caballero Spanish Media ("CSM"). Dos años más tarde, con el muy conocido Ricardo Montalbán como anfitrión, Caballero creó el primer programa en español sindicado de los Estados Unidos, "Lo Mejor del Cine en Español". El programa se exhibía cada semana, durante cinco años consecutivos, en 29 estaciones de televisión norteamericanas (27 de ellas de General Market), en un momento en que sólo siete emisoras de cinco ciudades llevaban programas de televisión en español. En 1974 fue galardonado con el "Premio Nacional de Televisión" del Salón de la Fama del Hispanic International Institute, en su banquete anual, por "Lo Mejor del Cine en Español" y por su extraordinaria y meritoria actuación en el servicio cívico, social, cultural y profesional en Estados Unidos.

En 1975, cuando sólo había 44 estaciones de radio con programación en español en los Estados Unidos, (hay más de 1300 en la actualidad) Caballero fundó lo que se convirtió en la primera empresa nacional de ventas de radio en Español, Caballero Spanish Media.  En apenas unos pocos años, CSM había crecido para representar a más de 200 estaciones de radio de tiempo completo (cerca del 70% de las estaciones en español existentes en el país), cubriendo cerca del 90% del mercado hispano de los hogares dentro de los Estados Unidos.

Antes de vender su red y Caballero Spanish Media, al adquirir los derechos de transmisión de CBS Radio Network, comenzó a distribuir, por primera vez en este país, la Serie Mundial de Béisbol de Grandes Ligas (MLB).

Simultáneamente, y también por primera vez en la historia de la radiodifusión estadounidense, CSM adquirió, de NBC, los derechos de radio para transmitir en español tres Olimpiadas (Corea del Sur, Barcelona y Atlanta).

En sociedad con MTV, CSM creó, produjo y distribuyó MTV RADIO (en español).

Caballero, junto con Turner Broadcasting, creó y distribuyó CNN RADIO NOTICIAS.

En 1998, fundó una cadena de televisión dirigida al joven mercado hispano de los Estados Unidos. El resultado fue Caballero Televisión, propietaria y operadora de 12 estaciones de Clase A y LPTV en California y Texas, y MASMUSICA TeVe Network, una cadena en español de video y entretenimiento musical, con 41 filiales dentro de US MásMúsica TeVe era una empresa privada hispana y Caballero Televisión fue, entonces, uno de los mayores grupos de televisión de propiedad hispana en el país.

En 2006, Caballero Television vendió diez de sus 12 estaciones de propiedad, y su Red, a VIACOM, para formar parte de una nueva empresa de MTV, MTV tr3s (TR3S, Musica y Mas) .

Caballero es nativo de Sagua de Tánamo, Cuba. Se graduó en 1953 en la Escuela de Relaciones Diplomáticas de la Universidad de La Habana y en 1956 en la Universidad José Martí (La Habana), con Doctorado en Derecho.

Estaba casado con la difunta Sra. Raquel Miller-Caballero, que también tenía un Doctorado en Derecho, de la Universidad de La Habana.  Tiene dos hijos: Luis Angel, un hombre de negocios de Virginia, y Rosamaria, una empresaria en serie y graduada de Wellesley y Georgetown Law.

Eduardo es un orgulloso ciudadano de Estados Unidos de América durante más de cuarenta años.

In 1988, Mr. Caballero was one of the two first inductees (together with Mrs. Alicia Conill) to Hispanic Business Magazine’s “Se Habla Español Hall of Fame”.

In 1993, “Inc” Magazine nominated Mr. Caballero as “Entrepreneur of the Year”.

In 1995, “Premio Cervantes”, Awarded to Eduardo by the National Association of Spanish Radio for Excellence in Spanish Advertising.

In August 1999, Hispanics Magazine presented Mr. Caballero with the ”Lifetime Achievement Award”.

In April 2000, Eduardo was also honored by the Broadcasters’ Foundation, with the prestigious
“American Broadcast Pioneer Award”, the first Hispanic to receive it.

In September 2002, Mr. Caballero also received the American Advertising Federation’s “Mosaic Award”, which honors extraordinary achievement in diversity and multicultural marketing.

In November 2003, the “Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame” inducted Mr. Caballero, again the first Hispanic to be, so honored.

In October 2005, the National Association of Investment Companies presented Mr. Caballero with the “Pacesetter Award”, for his business accomplishments, which generated numerous jobs for young Hispanics.

In September 2006, Mr. Caballero was also the first Hispanic inducted into the Library of American Broadcasting’s “Giants in Broadcasting”, honoring his visionary work and paving the way for the growth of Hispanic media.

In 2008, Mr. Caballero was selected to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Library of American Broadcasting, the first and only, inductee to become a member of the board.

In the spring of that year, Latin Business Magazine recognized Mr. Caballero, amongst
“100 Prominent Latinos in the Business World”.

In January 2009, the American Marketing Association (AMA - Texas) designated Mr. Caballero as the “Godfather of Hispanic Marketing”, for his achievements, both in Spanish Television and Spanish Radio, and because he had helped to create thousands of jobs for young Hispanic-Americans in the Spanish marketing, media and advertising industries.

In May 2009, Radio INK Magazine awarded Mr. Caballero the
“2009 Medallas de Cortez Lifetime Achievement in Hispanic Radio” and dedicated its May’s issue to his accomplishments in Spanish radio.

At the American Advertising Federation (AAF)’s 62nd Annual Advertising Hall of Fame Ceremonies, held in March 30, 2011, Mr. Caballero was the first Hispanic ever to be inducted to the
“NATIONAL ADVERTISING HALL OF FAME”.

Mr. Caballero, working with the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) formed – and became Chairman of -- the Hispanic Arm of the Media Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
He was also the force behind the formation of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), which permanently honored him by naming their annual highest award:

“The Eduardo Caballero Lifetime Achievement Award”

In 2011, at the “ADCOLOR COALITION” Awards event, Mr. Caballero was presented, with the
“Lifetime Achievement Award”, by James Edmund Datri, President of The American Advertising Federation.

Among other prestigious awards and recognitions, Eduardo considers himself very proud for receiving the 2013 “World Jewish Congress Medal” in honor of his exceptional commitment to the protection of the safety, human rights, and dignity of Jewish communities around the world.

In October 2014, he was recognized by “The Historic Cuban Foundation”, for his endless efforts in making Miami a better place.

In June 2015, he was recognized by The American Registry as one of
“American’s Most Honored Professionals”
For accomplishments realized only by the Top 10% of American Professionals.

In July 2015, at a memorable assemblage, the “Colegio Nacional de Periodistas de la Republica de Cuba en el Exilio” (National Association of Journalists of the Republic of Cuba in Exile), presented him with a distinguished honorary membership.

In March 2016, he was designated by CAMACOL “Hemispheric Congress of Latin Chambers of Commerce and Industry”, as the chairman of its Television and Radio Department.

In May 2016, he was introduced as Honorary Ambassador to “FuenteLatina”, an informative source of Israel and the Middle East.

VOLUNTEERISM

Caballero, working with the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) formed – and became Chairman of -- the Hispanic Arm of the Media Partnership for a Drug-Free America. He was also the force behind the formation of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA). AHAA has permanently honored him, by naming their highest annual award:
“The Eduardo Caballero Lifetime Achievement Award”

He has been a board member of many civic and professional organizations, including the Advertising Council, United States Information Agency (VOA), the National Drop-Out Prevention Foundation, the Marketing Advisory Board of the U.S. Postal Service. The Hispanic University of California, The National Association of Spanish Radio, “Premio Cervantes”
(Awards to Excellence in Spanish Advertising).

Board member of RADIO INK, 2016 Hispanic Radio Conference Advisory Board