Want to take a peek behind the scenes at what it takes to plan and execute global PR campaigns for blockbuster films? Join us at this fun virtual program with María Cecilia Toro, a veteran film publicist who has worked with Warner Bros. Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. María Cecilia will share lessons from leading public relations initiatives for many hit films, including Barbie - the first female-led film to cross $1 billion - DC Comic’s latest film Blue Beetle, and more.
About María Cecilia Toro
Maria Cecilia Toro is a public relations executive, entrepreneur, and storyteller. She is the owner and principal of GUAPA Public Relations, a boutique consultancy connecting people to brands at the intersection of culture and media. Based in Los Angeles, Calif., the firm currently represents, leads and develops strategic marketing objectives for theatrical films, tv shows, series, and social impact causes.
Maria Cecilia most recently worked as Director of Multicultural Marketing and Publicity at Warner Bros. Pictures in Burbank, Calif. where she led national and field multicultural publicity campaigns for many films, to include Barbie, the first female-led film to cross $1 billion, DC Comic’s latest film Blue Beetle, and the six-time Oscar winning film Dune, among others.
Before her tenure at Warner Bros. Discovery, Maria Cecilia was the Director of Multicultural Publicity for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in Burbank, Calif., where she led public relations campaigns for theatrical films, as well as select films and series for Disney+ She previously worked on the campaigns for the $1.3 billion-grossing Marvel movie Black Panther, Coco – the first Pixar film to feature a Latino protagonist and celebrate Latine traditions, and LucasFilm’s highest-grossing film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Prior to her work in film and television, Maria Cecilia held various Public Relations roles at Disney Parks in Orlando, Fla. where she led U.S. Hispanic public relations for the destination, press engagement for Disney Dreamers Academy, and publicity efforts across Spanish-speaking Latin America and Brazil.
Born in Texas and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Maria Cecilia started her career working for Major League Soccer and several public relations agencies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of South Florida in Tampa and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. She lives in Pasadena, Calif. with her husband, her twin 5-year-old daughters and her Weimaraner, Pippen.