Alberto Pozo Fernández

An experienced journalist in economic and opinion matters who was awarded in 1999 the José Martí National Journalism Prize for his lifetime work. A journalist by profession, he dedicated his life to promoting Cuban culture throughout the world. He stood out as a professor and disseminator of marketing, advertising and propaganda, in addition to his work as a writer in these fields.

"The duty of a journalist is not only to inform, but also to educate," were the first words of Alberto Pozo Fernández, José Martí National Journalism Prize winner in 1999, recognition granted by the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), for his lifetime work.

He graduated from the Professional School of Journalism "Manuel Márquez Sterling" in 1949, and began his journalism career at the radio station Unión Radio. In those years, prior to the triumph of the Revolution, he was a writer for the advertising company Mestre Conill.

He was part in 1960 and 1961 of an advertising team, directed by Mirta Muñiz, that used communication to encourage Cuban youth to participate in the literacy campaign. Pozo took pride in having carried out such a task that contributed to eliminating illiteracy in the country. He later participated in health education campaigns.

He joined the magazine Bohemia in 1968 as head of the economics section. For several years he published the column "Criterios". He worked at that publication for two decades. From 1980 to 1990 he had a section in the Morning Magazine, on national TV. He also collaborated in publications of the Prensa Latina agency.

He was a member of UPEC and the Association of Social Communicators. He was an advisor to the Culinary Association of the Republic of Cuba and founder of the Chair of Culinary Journalism.

He was a professor and lecturer at various institutions, including the Ministry of Interior Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba and the Superior Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI). He wrote the book "Marketing Notions".

In recent years he was part of the group of retired journalists from UPEC and systematic contributor to its news bulletin "La Esponja".

In the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón, where he lived for almost three decades, he directed a gathering that brought together poets, artists, musicians and journalists at the Hemingway Museum. For his work and activities with the community he received various recognitions, among them La Giraldilla of Havana.

Professional Development

He graduated in journalism from the "Professional School of Journalism Manuel Márquez Sterling" in 1949.
Shift supervisor of "Unión Radio" from 1950 to 1952.
He joined the advertising firm "Mestre Conill y Cía" from 1952 to 1960, as an Account Executive.
He attended the School of Advertising from 1954 to 1958.
He moves to the Advertising Consolidated, directed by Mirta Muñiz. He participates in the Literacy Campaign from 1960 to 1961.
He transfers to the state agency "Intercomunicaciones".
In 1963 he joins the propaganda team of the Ministry of Public Health and participates in Health Education campaigns.
When the Ministry of Food Industry was founded in 1965 he becomes part of the Product Studies Department of this organization. During these years he has taught courses at the Chamber of Commerce, under the presidency of Amadeo Blanco.
In 1968 he joins the magazine "Bohemia" as head of the "Bohemia Economics" section. The marketing and advertising theme is systematically present in his column "Criterios" from Bohemia.
From 1976 to 1977 he participates in an extensive course on marketing, advertising and propaganda in the Dissemination Department, directed by Mirta Muñiz, at the Ministry of Interior Commerce.
With the creation of the Superior Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI) in 1984, he joins the faculty to teach marketing and advertising courses.
From 1980 to 1990 he develops the section "Design and Quality", of a marketing nature in the "Morning Magazine", channel 2, of television.
He participates in presentations at the meetings of the Cuban Association of Advertisers and Propagandists. He is part of its first executive.
He participates as an honored guest and keynote speaker at national and international meetings of the Marketing Society of the National Association of Economists of Cuba.
Since the founding of the ACPP he has taught several courses on Services Marketing and Advertising, developed at the Institute of Foreign Trade.

Recognition
Title of "Outstanding Economist" of Havana.
José Martí National Journalism Prize (1999)
José Martí Order

Source: CubaDebate, Ecured, Cubaperiodistas