George L. San Jose, the founder and CEO of The San Jose Group (SJG), began his career in 1981 with only $247, which he used to purchase a used desk and office chair. He then built SJG into one of the largest minority-owned marketing and advertising agencies in the United States. By 2007, SJG had grown significantly, reporting $55 million in billings.George L. San Jose recounts his humble start with $247 and a shoe box, Business Entrepreneur September 2008George L. San Jose Reaches the Quarter Mark with Billings of $55 Millions, HMW Jan 2007George L. San Jose featured Article Las Cosas Buenas Requieren Sacrificio, Hoy Chicago April 2006
In 1988, San Jose established San Jose Consulting, the first marketing consulting group specializing in Multicultural segments, to identify and quantify share growth opportunities for U.S. Fortune 1000 clients. He further expanded his portfolio in 1990 by creating SJ Public Relations. He currently serves as president and CEO of both companies.George L. San Jose interviewed for Smart Leaders Profile Article, Smart Business Chicago June 2007George L. San Jose Feature Article on a Major in Minority Advertising, Screen Magazine Feb 2009The San Jose Group Gets a New Look, Interview with George L. San Jose, Market Wire July 2012
In 1991, San Jose founded and currently serves as chairman of The San Jose Network Ltd. (SJN), which provides services to U.S.-based corporations seeking expansion and growth opportunities in Latin American markets. Headquartered in Chicago, SJN's conglomerate of independent advertising and marketing communications agencies operates 28 offices in 15 countries, serving 32 markets across the U.S., Latin America, and Canada. The agency also works in conjunction with Synergage.George L. San Jose offers insight into Chicago-Based Ad Agencies Offer Insight into Latino Values and Behaviors, Splendor Magazine 2007George L. San Jose Expands (SJN) and Transworld Advertising Agency Network (TAAN) Create Unprecedented Alliance, PR Newswire February 2010George L. San Jose Welcomes Media Management Firm Kelly Scott and Madison as New Affiliate, Haptics Today September 2010
An entrepreneur, San Jose is responsible for introducing some of America's major brands to the U.S. multicultural and Latin American market consumers. Utilizing his proprietary Convergent Marketing Solutions Model, he has developed advertising campaigns that proved effective across markets of the Americas and garnered relationships with multinational clients such as Anheuser Busch, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Hormel, S.C. Johnson, and Exelon. In 2007, San Jose became the longest-standing active president of any U.S. multicultural marketing and advertising agency.George L. San Jose Pioneer and Industry Insider on Illinois Tourism, News July 2005George L. San Jose Award Nomination, Adcolor February 2016
Early life and education San Jose is the son of George D. and Thelma San Jose. He was born into a middle-class family in Havana, Cuba. His father was a financial auditor for a U.S.-owned electric company, and his mother was a judge's clerk. Most of his family was involved in the legal system, particularly his grandfather, who served as one of the five justices that made up the Supreme Court of Cuba. He was raised in a household where ethics, morals, and values were strictly enforced. This upbringing helped shape the principles that guided San Jose through all of the responsibilities and challenges in his career. In 1967, his family migrated to Spain, where they lived until they came to the United States, settling in the New York City's metro area in 1968.George L. San Jose shares his Perspective on Increasing Hispanic Impact on Chicago Market, Chicago Advertising & Media March 1990
From an early age, San Jose was fascinated by motorcycles and cars. Before he turned thirteen, he purchased a minibike and fully rebuilt it to go as fast as 45 miles per hour. By fifteen, he was able to buy his first car, a 1964 mustard color Mustang with a purple hand-painted stripe. When San Jose bought it, he had no idea whether he could get it to run since it hadn't started in several years. It also had no windows, dashboard, or radio. He eventually got it going. This experience helped him in later years as he worked his way through college as a full-time mechanic of old U.S. cars and European sports cars.George L. San Jose Profile Feature Interview, Hispanic CMO April 2011
San Jose left high school and enlisted in the United States Air Force just two days after his 17th birthday. While serving, he pursued higher education, attending the University of Texas for a few years before completing his degree in business administration at the Ft. Lauderdale Business & Finance College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.George L. San Jose Nancy A. Villalpando Interview, HMW February 2016 HMW
Career San Jose's first job out of college was with Ryder Truck Rentals, where he quickly rose through the ranks and set new sales records. In 1977, he returned to New York City and joined Chanty Inc., selling health and beauty aid items to wholesalers and distributors along the East and West Coast markets. While working at Chanty, San Jose wrote, directed, and produced his first TV commercial. He experienced the power of advertising firsthand when the warehouse was cleared out of the shampoo he had advertised.George L. San Jose featured in Ryder News for High Achievement, Ryder Truck Rentals June 1978
Having found his lifelong passion, he continued to launch successful advertising campaigns and, in 1979, was recruited by Spanish Advertising and Marketing Services (SAMS). Established in 1962, it was the largest and oldest Hispanic marketing and advertising agency serving the U.S. Hispanic market. Hired as a manager trainee, San Jose worked closely with every advertising business unit and reported directly to the agency's President, Luis Diaz Albertini. Luis, often referred to as the “Father of Hispanic Advertising,” was a legendary executive credited with launching the U.S. Hispanic “Madison Avenue” advertising era. Luis was known for his early morning starts, often arriving at the office by 6:30 am. Recognizing an opportunity to stand out, San Jose made it a point to arrive at the same time. His dedication didn't go unnoticed, and soon, Luis took San Jose under his wing and taught him the intricacies of the business, from agency presentations to new business pitches and solving complex advertising and client challenges. San Jose was eventually appointed general manager in 1980, and by April 1981, he was entrusted with opening the Chicago SAMS office, located within offices of its parent company, D’Arcy Masius Benton Bowles.George L. San Jose Opens Chicago Office for Darcy's SAMS, La Raza May 1980San Jose Knows the Way to Hispanic Market, Adweek Dec 1981
After working for SAMS for two years, San Jose founded The San Jose Group in Chicago in 1981, a marketing and advertising agency specializing in multicultural lifestyle and behavioral marketing aimed at helping companies reach the U.S. Hispanic market in more meaningful and measurable ways. In 1985, San Jose received the Businessman of the Year Award from the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, and in 1990, he received the Businessman of the Year Award from the Cuban Chamber of Commerce. In 1993, the Advertising Federation of Greater Miami recognized San Jose for his lectures at Advertising Age Seminars and the Se Habla Español Annual Conference, as well as for his creative work with Anheuser-Busch.George L. San Jose receives Businessman of the Year Awards from Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, La Raza November 1985George L. San Jose Receives Award from Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Mercurio June 1990George L. San Jose honored at Advertising Federation of Greater Miami, AdLibs October 1994George L. San Jose Selected as Key note Speaker to Hispanic Business Annual Conference, December 1999
In 1996, San Jose co-founded the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) and served on the board, first as director and later as the treasurer until 2012. In March 2000, he was appointed chairman of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for AHAA and published a guidebook for newly formed agencies.George L. San Jose Inducted into Marquis Who's Who, June 2015.
In 1996, he was awarded The Honored Patriot Award for his service to The United States of America.George L. San Jose feature article on his Entrepreneurial Persistence, Reclama December 2011Honored Patriot Award March 2006
In 1999, in recognition of his commitment to community service, President Bill Clinton appointed San Jose as director and chairman of the Selective Service System Board of Appeals.George L. San Jose receives Presidential Appointment to Serve on the SSS Appeal Board, December 1999George L. San Jose Receives Presidential Certificate of Appointment to the Appeal Board of Illinois December 1999 San Jose was also inducted into the Who's Who in Leading American Executives in U.S. Registry in 1999.George L. San Jose Inducted into the Who's Who In Leading American Executives, U.S. Registry
In 2001, San Jose developed and launched the renowned God Campaign Nationwide.George L. San Jose's launches God campaign for HCCA, HispanicAd April 2001
In 2003, his agency's billings grew 36.5%, making it the third fastest-growing agency in Chicago. That same year, San Jose's agency became one of the 25 Most Influential Advertising Agencies in the U.S., and San Jose was nominated for an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Northwestern University. Additionally, he led the agency to win an International Gold Quill, the highest honor in public relations, for his work with The National Pork Board.Selected as top 25 Most Influential Advertising Agencies in The U.S., Ricardo Munoz City of Chicago November 2003The San Jose Group grows by 36% --Making it the 3rd fastest growing agency in Chicago, Crains August 2003IMC Nomination from Clarke L. Caywood, Northwestern University July 2003George L. San Jose leads a win of an International Gold Quill for its work on The National Pork Board, Chicago Sun-Times July 2003
In 2004, San Jose was featured on the cover of Screen Magazine—the leading resource for Film, Television, and Advertising—as a visionary and creative powerhouse. In 2006, San Jose led the agency to win the coveted Effie Award for its marketing communications work on the National Pork Board account. In 2005, the agency celebrated its 25th anniversary, and it had now passed the $55 million in billings mark. By this point, the San Jose Network he led had grown to 41 offices, 800 employees, and $528 million in capitalized billings, and comprised best-in-class marketing communications agencies throughout Latin America and the U.S.George L. San Jose Wisdom Applied 25 years of Hispanic Buying Opportunities, HMW January 2007
In 2010, Advertising Age ranked The San Jose Group as the 18th largest agency in Chicago. That same year, San Jose formed a strategic alliance between The San Jose Network (SJN) and the Transworld Advertising Agency Network (TAAN). SJN focuses on culturally convergent markets in the U.S. and complex markets in Latin America, while TAAN leads the global advertising network, serving Europe and Asia. The alliance of these two networks created the largest marketing communications group, uniting 69 agencies across 65 countries and 87 markets with combined billings of $1.1 billion.George L. San Jose's Agency ranks 18th of Chicago's Largest Advertising Agencies, Crain's Chicago Business August 2010