This year saw Pina's debut Las Vegas staging of Calibash, SBS' signature multi-artist reggaeton show. It was the first Latin show held at the new T-Mobile arena and moved 14,000 tickets (a sell out). "Lack of vision," is the biggest problem facing the Latin industry today, says Piña, who is also producing a series of Latin music themed cruises for early 2018. "The biggest problem is not believing."
JESUS SALAS, 41
Executive vp programming/multiplatform coordinator, SBS
The Miami-born, Cuban American Salas oversees programming for SBS' very distinct radio stations, including La Mega in New York, which has spent several months as the city's most-listened to station in the past year. La Mega's reggaeton heavy programming reflects the genre's current domination. "It's the new pop of the Latin world," says Salas, who is also proud of SBS' efforts for the community post Irma, Harvey and Maria. "TV was gone, Internet was gone, but radio was on. People were not alone," he says.
2017 Proudest Achievements: "Being No. 1 in New York, and our relief efforts in Puerto Rico."
PEPE GARZA, 51
Programming director, KBUE (Que Buena) Los Angeles; TV/radio/online personality, Liberman Broadcasting
As a judge on Estrella TV's Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento, Garza determines the ascent (or not) of aspiring singers. Garza also created the Premios de la Radio awards show, bringing national attention to regional Mexican acts. His day gig includes programming KBUE and overseeing its popular morning show, Don Cheto Al Aire, which is one of Los Angeles' top-rated Spanish-language radio programs. Meanwhile, his celebrity-driven YouTube channel ("Pepe's Office") has over 500,000 subscribers.