Halloween is one of the most profitable commercial holidays in the United States. For many retailers and entertainers, Halloween is the true beginning of the busy holiday shopping season. Hispanic Americans partake in the celebrations, but for their relatives, friends and business associates in Latin America, Halloween is considered an oddity.
Ghosts, goblins and tales of the supernatural are part of Latin American culture, but they are not celebrated in a commercial fashion like in the United States. In Mexico, for example, the Day of the Dead is a major celebration that combines elements of Roman Catholic reverence for the dearly departed with indigenous traditions of observing ancestors who have shuffled off this mortal coil. The colorful and detailed iconography of the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico has gone far beyond its borders, and it is often depicted in Halloween costumes and decorations.
A Distinctive Style
Grupo REV is a Hispanic business that understands the commercial appeal of Halloween. Grupo REV started designing masks and customs in Mexico City 20 years ago, but the company's clients were not limited to Mexicans who purchased materials for Day of the Dead celebrations. The Mexican tradition calls for families to craft their own masks, costumes and decorations in the iconic black and white skull and bones design. Grupo REV applied this skilled tradition to typical Halloween designs in the United States.
The distinctive style of Grupo REV's design is not limited to Day of the Dead imagery. Monsters, ghosts, ghouls, witches, wizards and even politicians and celebrities are part of the company's catalog of high-quality masks, disguises and props. To improve fulfillment for its major wholesale clients, the company established a warehouse and shipping center in the United States, thus becoming another Hispanic business contribution to the national economic recovery effort.
Going Beyond Business
Grupo REV's decision to establish operations in the U.S. began when a Mexican family relocated to Atlanta due to a work assignment. The head of household began to explore opportunities through an executive recruiting firm and was placed with Grupo REV. Now that the company is comfortable doing business in the U.S., it is already looking towards its future in the country. Managing executive Manuel Valero is already thinking about his company's corporate social responsibility; he wishes to become a mentor for Latinos who want to find success in the business world.
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