Essay 164

Juan Valdez and Conchita joined the Geico Gecko as the country’s favorite advertising icons for 2005. The winners will be placed in the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. Wonder if the gala ceremony will be attended by prominent Latino advertising icons like the Frito Bandito, Taco Bell Chihuahua, Chiquita Banana and Ricardo Montalban. Next year, look for a strong showing by Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, Pine-Sol Sistah and Billy Dee Williams — or else Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be staging boycotts.