Rico Paul Vallejos | Expertise Trifecta: Marketing + Culture + Language
|
Rico Paul Vallejos | Expertise Trifecta: Marketing + Culture + Language |
Marcom & PR
Working at the nexus of marketing, PR, and corporate communications, Rico brings fresh, outside perspectives on culture and language. He discovers, uncovers, and creates authentic and relevant concepts and communications.
Informed by sociolinguistics and cultural anthropology, Rico offers award-winning copywriting, translation, transcreation, and copyediting services. His work includes social media content and ads, radio and video scripts, speeches, presentation decks, press releases, custom publications, and other marcom assets.
Rico is a multilingual professional with native fluency in English and Spanish, conversational ability in Portuguese, and basic knowledge of French, Italian, and Finnish.
He has work experience in England, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States, and most of South America. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Argentina, he is based in Wayzata (Twin Cities), MN.
Email Rico at rico@vallejos.net
Certified Translations
Rico is a Certified Translator (English-Spanish) by the American Translators Association. His translation practice includes legal, academic, and literary works, such as books and poetry. Also, advertising and marketing copy (transcreations).
His Certified Translation experience includes background checks, Apostilles, marriage and birth certificates, academic transcripts, and professional licenses and certifications.
He has translated and transcreated for brands such as Verizon, Coca-Cola, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, American Express, Radisson, American Family Insurance, US Bank, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Regis Salons, Great Clips, Girls Scouts, Cargill, Toro, Lasik Vision Institute, BreatheRight, Neutrogena, Lupient Automotive Group, Thrivent, United Health Care, Optum, Fingerhut, Pearson, 3M, Hazelden, Starkey, Miracle Ear, Gold’n Plump, Land O’Lakes, Jostens, Rexona, Emerson, Disability Council, Tango Society, Origin, and several General Mills, Conagra, and Unilever brands.
Email Rico for a translation or transcreation quote: rico@vallejos.net
Presenter, Trainer, Facilitator, MC
"Many companies search for ways to increase cultural competency and employee engagement, but very few truly succeed. With [Rico’s] program, we nailed it."
-President, Healthcare privately held enterprise
On the Stage:
Speaker/Presenter
MC/Moderator
Behind the Scenes:
Speechwriter/Speech Coach
Group Facilitator
From Inspiration to Implementation
Whether presenting at a conference, facilitating a group discussion, or writing a speech, Rico delivers frameworks that translate inspiration into concrete steps.
Rooted in marketing, culture, and language, Rico brings fresh, relevant insights that challenge assumptions and spark new thinking.
From boardrooms to ballrooms, Rico delivers engaging keynotes and communications that blend cultural fluency, humor, and leadership insight, tailored to your organization's needs.
For help with your event, email Rico at rico@vallejos.net
Speaker Demo video (YouTube link): https://youtu.be/A6Z70hJK5dE
Conversational Spanish Coach
Rico established this Conversational Spanish Coaching service to assist Spanish learners, many of whom had studied with teachers and tutors for years, in becoming conversational in Spanish.
Using Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) techniques, such as Real-Life Scripts (written for the ear rather than the eye), daily immersion experiences, and comprehensible input, Rico will help you improve your diction, articulation, and rhythm. This will greatly enhance both your Spanish intelligibility and comprehension, both key to enjoying great conversations.
The experiences that equip him to serve as an effective Conversational Spanish Coach include over two decades of Neutral Spanish Accent Coaching in studio settings, as well as acting, public speaking, teaching Spanish, working as voice talent on many productions, and voice coaching native Spanish-speaking talents on even more audio, video, and broadcast productions.
Rico is Trustee Emeritus at Hamline University and served as Adjunct Instructor of Multicultural Communications at the Graduate School of Business of the University of St. Thomas (Master of International Management program).
Rico offers sessions for adults and for K-12 students (Spanish homework help) via SuperCoaches. See rates and booking options.
Organizational Value Alignment
Organizational Development informed by Marketing, Cultural Anthropology, and Sociolinguistics
Rico specializes in expertly navigating complex cultural and organizational dynamics, transforming potentially divisive topics into dialogues that foster understanding and strategic clarity. Moving beyond surface-level debates, he uncovers the actionable roots of genuine inclusion. Outcomes include:
• Higher productivity and profitability
• Lower turnover and reduced absenteeism
• Improved teamwork, communication, and collaboration
• Increased innovation and creativity
• Lower workers’ compensation costs
• Enhanced customer satisfaction
• True corporate culture authenticity
• More engaged employees and a stronger employer brand
See more and sample videos here: https://www.ricolatino.net/dei
About Rico
Rico earned degrees with honors from Metropolitan State University and Lakewood College, and completed studies in cultural anthropology and leadership with Germany-based G.B.F.A. while in England and Spain, doing fieldwork in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is Trustee Emeritus at Hamline University and served as Adjunct Instructor of Multicultural Communications at the Graduate School of Business of the University of St. Thomas (Master of International Management program). He is a Certified Translator (ATA) and a NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer (Hispanic Wealth Project).
Professional Memberships
Active member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Advertising Federation of Minnesota (AdFed), American Advertising Federation, Toastmasters International, Círculo Creativo, American Translators Association (ATA), Latino Chamber of Commerce-MN, Finnish American Chamber of Commerce-MN, Wayzata West Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Community Involvement
2025 Landmarks of Excellence Awards Judge (Public Relations Society of America Bluegrass Chapter)
2025 Ñ Awards Judge (National Association of Hispanic Journalists)
Juror for Addys and Effies advertising awards (various years)
Current board service: Public Relations Society of America-Minnesota, Tri-Dynamics Toastmaster Club VP Public Relations. Editorial Advisory Boards: MARQ magazine (Star Tribune); La Prensa de Minnesota. Civic Studies Fellow, 2016-2017, Augsburg University. Founding member of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota (2000-2006). Previous governance work/board service: Hamline University, Afton Historical Society Press, Teatro del Pueblo, The Push Institute, La Oportunidad, Marnita's Table, Minnesota Life College.
Awards
2023 Chamber Partner of the Year (Latino Chamber of Commerce MN)
2019 Multicultural Marketing Achievement Award
Silver Quill Award (International Association of Business Communicators)
ARC Silver Award (Midwest Direct Marketing Association)
Outstanding Achievement Award (Governor of the State of Minnesota)
Latino Marketing Award (DMA/ANA)
Minnesotanos Award (Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, State of Minnesota)
Minority Business Award (Business Journal)
Languages and International Experience
Rico is a multilingual professional with fluency in English and Spanish, conversational ability in Portuguese, a working knowledge of French, and familiarity with Finnish and Biblical Hebrew. His international work experience includes assignments in England, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Argentina, he is based in Wayzata (Twin Cities), Minnesota.
Contact
Contact Rico using this form, or email rico@vallejos.net, or call/text/WhatsApp 503-819-7582. And connect with him on LinkedIn!