Hasta La Creative!

Some advertisers in Venezuela are halting or delaying ad campaigns during the official seven-day mourning period following the death of Hugo Chavez. After that ends, ad spending is expected to ramp back up again at least in part as campaigning begins for the presidential election that is supposed to be held within 30 days of Mr. Chavez’s death on March 5 (although that date may slip).

With massive government spending behind him, Mr. Chavez’s chosen successor Nicolas Maduro, who has already stepped into the role of acting president, is the front runner to win the presidency.

In the last presidential election, held in October 2012, Mr. Chavez’s use of almost endless government resources to fund his re-election campaign was believed to be a major reason for his 11-point victory over opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Continue reading at AdAge.com