Complaint Review: Estefan Enterprises Inc - Miami Beach Florida

Since Janet De Armas, Emilio Estefan's assistant was communicating with him about my situation. Emilio does know. Frank Amadeo telling me that Emilio Estefan never heard of me is NONSENSE! Or, was Janet lying? You guys at "EEI" are going to learn one thing if nothing else. Never lie or mislead someone for years then try to hide it. It is up to Mr. Estefan to be aware of matters such as these, not just Frank. Some people may feel like it's no big deal. People and companies lie all the time. Fine. But for years and years? Life goes on at Estefan Enterprises. Gloria has a show at the Foxwoods, and both Mr. and Mrs. Estefan are getting a nice award from some spanish museum in New York. Maybe the museum should also the emails I received from Estefan Enterprises that will confirm what I am writing.

Why did you lie for eight years making me believe your "fibs" And then state very calmly that Emilio never heard of me. Then one sunny Miami day Johnny came to the office Jairo with your lies so great, when will you help clean the slate All of the other workers seem to lie and hide the truth, but those that know the real story know that Johnny has the proof. Come on Emilio and Frank too when will you decide to say, let's just meet with this-is Jew Now let me say "buenas noches" to all my "compadres" at "EEI" don't ever forget that Johnny about this has never lied.

Why did you lie for eight years making me believe your "fibs" And then state very calmly that Emilio never heard of me. Then one sunny Miami day Johnny came to the office Jairo with your lies so great, when will you help clean the slate All of the other workers seem to lie and hide the truth, but those that know the real story know that Johnny has the proof. Come on Emilio and Frank too when will you decide to say, let's just meet with this-is Jew Now let me say "buenas noches" to all my "compadres" at "EEI" don't ever forget that Johnny about this has never lied.

Why did you lie for eight years making me believe your "fibs" And then state very calmly that Emilio never heard of me. Then one sunny Miami day Johnny came to the office Jairo with your lies so great, when will you help clean the slate All of the other workers seem to lie and hide the truth, but those that know the real story know that Johnny has the proof. Come on Emilio and Frank too when will you decide to say, let's just meet with this-is Jew Now let me say "buenas noches" to all my "compadres" at "EEI" don't ever forget that Johnny about this has never lied.

Why did you lie for eight years making me believe your "fibs" And then state very calmly that Emilio never heard of me. Then one sunny Miami day Johnny came to the office Jairo with your lies so great, when will you help clean the slate All of the other workers seem to lie and hide the truth, but those that know the real story know that Johnny has the proof. Come on Emilio and Frank too when will you decide to say, let's just meet with this-is Jew Now let me say "buenas noches" to all my "compadres" at "EEI" don't ever forget that Johnny about this has never lied.

Janet, Why did you set up my meeting with Emilio, then did what Jairo did for years and cancell it? I honestly thought that you being Emilio's assistant had ironed this out. The only straight answer came from Frankie by telling me that there would be no meeting with Emilio. Unfortunately for me, that was many years too late. You see by that time I had been assured that Emilio WAS going to meet with me on the project. How many people employed at Emilio's company play the "string along" game? How do Emilio and Gloria go out and hold their heads up like everything is OK, when this was done to me? You guys should be ASHAMED of yourselves! Oh, by the way, I am still willing to meet Emilio on any TV show and discuss and/or debate this matter. I will win, you know why? I have the emails and photos from the office taken over the years that prove eveything I have posted on the report is the truth.

Hum...Gloria's on a tour, busy, busy.You guys got time for a disabled vet? When are you people going to let me "pitch" the project? Ignore me, laugh if you will, but I will continue to tell my tale. The story of a dream and believing what I heard, was it a lie Jairo? Well you have some nerve. Frank must have said something to Emilio and Gloria but so far it's all silence from the conga line, even though their company wasted my time. Seconds, minutes, weeks, days and months I have been made to look like a fool but I sure aint no punk. My father was a pearl harbor survivor, with eight major sea battles to his credit and was given the PURPLE HEART. I, like he am a survivor as well and I will get through all this nonsense. While I personally laid at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia, PA I eagerly awaited for our meeting Emilio, the meeting that never happened. I put my health on hold Emilio for several years while your employee Jairo Martinez continued to promise, set up, then cancell the meeting with YOU. The lack of professional courtesy that your company has shown me that some of your executives don't give a crap about me or my situation. Knowing that you are aware and have not done anything to correct the situation is very disappointing Emilio Estefan. It makes me uncomfortable to do this and lay it out, but I have had no choice my friend. I wouldn't have treated a dog like this.

Why not just send/fax copies of your report to executives at Estefan Enterprises? It may get your plight noticed by Mr Estefan. In fact, it may not be a bad idea to make copies and send them to as many reporters and media outlets as possible. Someone might take your situation and story a little more serious and want to interview you. It is a shame when our vets are treated this way. But, to have experienced this from within the entertainment industry, from professionals , this is shamefull. Nominate the A/R Department of Estefan Enterprises into the Hall of Shame for stringing this you along!

Jairo Martinez A/R Department Janet De Armas Assistant to the CEO Frank Amadeo President EMILIO ESTEFAN This is the cast, in case you wondered who the players might be. Times passed, no answer. About the only one with some truth was given to me by Laura Mejia Cruz, Media Relations. "I spoke to Emilio about your situation, but he did not respond". Emilio why didn't you respond? According to Frank you told him you never heard of me or the project, right? So, why respond to Frank, but not Laura? Why would Janet be so nice and helpfull as to set a date for the meeting, then cancell it because you could not get involved in any "new" projects. If that be true why did Janet set a date in the first place? That was a real downer Emilio. I wait close to eight years finally get a date to meet with you and it's cancelled. Hum...sounds like a novel, if not a movie. After all WE CAN ALWAYS DREAM, AND DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

Same old, same old. You all know all about it. Where is my answer guys from the "office"(Estefan Enterprises). Can you give me a straight answer? No answer? Will I have to wait another eight years? I apologize to the people out there that have to read this and may be geeting a little tired of it, but all I can do is tell the truth. Jairo and my friends at the office, you can't ignore a disabled vet whose "dream" were shattered by years of promises that added up to one big lie.

I often wonder how many people this may have happened to, but are afraid to say anything. The hardest part for me was having to look "foolish", waste time and really hurt a project that according to Jairito Martinez was "exactly what Emilio and Gloria Estefan were looking for". Unfortunately, the "lies" that the A/R Department told me will follow Emilio because I am going to have to tell my story in order that people who have known about this understand that my trips to Miami were very real and so were all the promises the A/R Department of Estefan Enterprises, Inc. and Mr. Jairo Martinez. What emoloyees say and do will almost always lead to the CEO of a company especially if the CEO, and/or President do nothing to correct the problem. What Estefan Enterprises is going to learn and understand is that I am not just someone who walked through the doors of their office with some "mickey mouse" type project. I am not a "ghost" that sent them a demo "hoping" Emilio or Frank might get to hear it and maybe have the same luck Laurena had when she gave Emilio her demo at the gym. You don't just "string" someone along for years and then act like everything is "AOK", it is not. I intend on keeping my story "fresh" and in the minds of everyone until the day comes, not matter how much longer it takes, that I can post on this report that this situiation was finally resolved.

Jairo Martinez I tried to give you a courtesy call on your cell phone and the voice mail said your out of town. Why did I call? Well, as I near the NINE YEAR anniversary of the project presentation to you at the A/R Department of Estefan Enterprises I was hoping that I could ask that you call Emilio or Frank and politely and professionaly request the meeting that you had promised me. While this may sound like a "broken record" it is a request that should have been honored a long time ago. If you were able to be part of introducing Shakira to Emilio, what is so difficult about making this happen for me? Like you said to me on many occasions at the office, " people wait a long time to see him, he loves your project and is going to do it". Had you been able to have Emilio sit with me, who knows how far my project would have gotten by now. I may have been as famous as others that Emilio has met with. But, it was never about fame or money. As you know, it was about meeting Emilio. And you would have been a part of any success associated with the project. Just think Jairo, you could have been a part of it all. All you had to do was follow through with your promises. What's so hard about Emilio sitting with me for 10 minutes?

Jairo Martinez former A/R Director of Estefan Enterprises were you being truthfull to your friend from NJ, disabled vet John? Were you really outside Emilio's office in the hallway waiting to set up the promised meeting two years ago? Employees told me you were NOT in the building that day and had not been seen there in quite sometime. What about the 15 something calls to your cell several years ago when you told me that Emilio was in the limo with his driver and you were trying to set it up at that time? Since it all started with you when you were employed by EEI and as per your own words "I have know Emilio for close to 20 years", then what about calling him at home or on his cell? Can you go to Star Island and talk to him for me Jairo? I can't see having wasted all this time and years waiting to meet Emilio.You kept promising the meeting so how about it Jairo?At this point I don't care what Emilio would say. All I want is the meeting that I was told year in, year out I would have. Emilio if you are listening, I am a disabled vet and I would like to sit down with you to discuss my project. I keep hearing that your company is not taking on new projects and that you do not have time, but you have somehow found time to meet with some of your famous celebrity friends to discuss their ideas and get involved with theirs. I been waiting since 1999.

Mr. Jairo Martinez I am not too happy with having wasted years because of your promises. I suggest that you try to make this right. Get in touch with Emilio, after all, like you told me you have known him for what, twenty years, is that right? Since you kept promising the meeting and by now Emilio is aware of the situation you should put it together. Have some respect for a disabled vet that sacrificed much. If you are a friend Jairo Martinez, then work to get me a meeting with your former boss. How hard can that be Jairo? I have been mislead all along. At least Laura Mejia referred me to Emilio's assistant after several months and apologized. And, she confirmed that Emilio knew, because she spoke to him about the situation and Emilio did not respond. That to me means that he knew then and knows now. Unlike that email Frank Amadeo sent me giving me that bs about Emilio never having heard of me or the project. I networked just like you suggested Jairo. You said that it would impress Emilio. Emilio would be more impressed if he sat down and met with me. Gave me a chance to present the project, you know the one Jairo. It's called, "MIAMI BEACH", THE GAME! Why have Mark Burnett, Diddy, Pitull, and others been given the chance to discuss projects with Emilio when I have been waiting since 1999? Jairo, didn't you say that Emilio loved the project and was going to do it? Jairo, Jairo Martinez can YOU hear ME? If you do, so can Emilio.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FORMER A/R DIRECTOR OF ESTEFAN ENTERPRISES. My friend, it's been awhile since I spoke with you. Now let's get to the problem. Have you spoken to Emilio lately? After all, when you were presenting my project to him you kept telling me that he loved the idea and was going to do it, right? Remember, you kept asking that I come back for the meeting with Emilio, but he was always busy or out of town and you would tell me, "he's going to do it" "just come back". The good old days...you would put me on the "list" at the club, great time, I really felt like a part of the "inner circle" at "EEI". Listen, you are a nice guy, but what happened to all the promises you made that Emilio Estefan was not only interested in the project, but that he wanted to get involved and that HE was looking forward to meeting the "guy from New Jersey"? Remember one of the many requested trips to meet with Emilio? You know, the one where you kept asking me to call you back and aftter about FIVE hours and about TEN to FIFTEEN calls to your cell phone you told me that Emilio was in the limo with his driver to give you ten minutes. That ten minutes turned into an hour and as you know I had to be at the airport three hours after that call so there was no chance that I would meet Emilio on this trip. In your own words, "when are you coming back, we can set it up then". Fast forward. Remember the most recent time that you told me even though you were no longer with the company you were going to try and make good on the promise. You told me you were sitting in the hall outside of Emilio's office waiting for him to finish up on a meeting, do you remember? You were wispering into your cell phone and asked me to call back in an hour. That turned into about two hours and three call backs. You told me you were trying to get the meeting schedule for the following morning since I was leaving that afternoon. It never happened, like in the past. Why? When I got back to New Jersey I called Estefan Enterprises and guess what? I was told that you had not been in the building that you said you were sitting outside Emilio's office. In fact I was told that the office had not seen you in quite sometime. Humm..Jairo, you knew that I was only coming to Miami because as you said "Emilio loves the project and was going to do it". And nothing else. How can I be told that Emilio never heard of me or the project? I don't understand. It is going on nine years in April. Thanks for your help Mr. Jairo Martinez!!!

April 2009. NINE YEARS. Wasted time, sacrifices, struggles and a lsot "dream". A lawyer for this company was nice enough to accept my call and listen to what happened. Told me he would see whwt he could do asking that I call back in a few days, which I did. I was by this person that there was nothing they could do. That the office advised they not get involved. In their own words "Sorry I can't be of help". "You will have to take it up with the office". OK. I, John Jacobs a disabled vet is now accepting inquiries. If there is anyone who would like to interview me about what happened with this company please get in touch.

Mr. Estefan: The A/R department of your company promised that I would have a meeting with you for many years to discuss an entertainment concept. That department continued stating that they had conversations with you on this matter and that "you were going to do it". After the A/R department suggested that the process start through your Media Relations person I was informed that this department spoke with you about thi situation but you had not responded. I was advised to go through your personal assistant who event set a date for the meeting, only to later tell me that you could not take on any new projects. Your company wasted my time and sacrificed my project all these years, and only at this point tell me "no". Then about a year later when I asked the president of your company to try and schedule the meeting that was promised he tells me that there will be no meeting and that you have never heard of me or the project? There are a lot of inconsistancys in all these "stories" Mr. Estefan. Since I am left "out to dry" and no one in your organization has shown me, a disabled vet any courtesy,there is no alternative but for me to start considering any possible interviews regarding this experience.

Lets be honest and to the point. Estefan Enterprises has employed people that lie. Why else would they tell me that Emilio Estefan loved the concept my friend and I created, state that they are having conversations with Emilio Estefan and promise certain things and never deliver? All lies. When years later the President of Estefan Enterprises tells you that the man knows nothing of you or your past history with their comapny, well that is a lie.

I decided to check out the Latin Grammy event on TV as Gloria Estefan was getting several awards. As I observed Emilio Estefan I noticed that this guy has not a worry. Even with the details of what his company did to me out, I am starting to believe that this guy really does not give a d--. See, if he did, knowing full well that I am not classified as a "disabled vet", this in part due to the exhausting trips and hectic pace while going to his office, he would have had enough decency if nothing else than to communicate. When you are telling the truth and believe in it you never, EVER give up. To be continued...

In the interest of keeping things "fresh", here's the latest. Estefan Enterprises continues doing nothing to resolve the injustice we endured. The information below is from some of the many email responses received. Emails go back several years prior to 2006. 1/10/2006 Laura Mejia Cruz, "In the meantime, I would love to know a little bit more about the project you wish to present him(Emilio Estefan)" 4/6/06 Laura Mejia Cruz, "In the meantime-so I can present him with the idea...besides what you sent me via email-is there any way of getting more information about this so he(Emilio Estefan)can know a little bit more? 4/7/06 Laura Mejia Cruz, "Lets start the process with the fax. Since I was not in the original meetings-I do want to follow up with Emilio upon his arrival-and remind him about it". 4/17/06 Laura Mejia Cruz, "Yes I did". "I just got into the office from the holidays". "I will follow up with Emilio". 5/16/06 Laura Mejia Cruz, "Yes-I was told that you guys passed by". "I am really sorry I couldn't meet you-but I had a crazy day". "As soon as I hear back from Emilio I will keep you posted". "Thanks again for your patience". 6/15/06 Laura Mejia Cruz, "I am really sorry I have not been able to help you out". "I HAVE SPOKEN TO EMILIO about the situation but he has not given me any response". "My only suggesstion is to contact his assistant Janet de Armas". 4/23/07 Frank Amadeo, "I am going to make one final attempt at bringing closure to this matter". "Mr, Estefan is NOT aware of you". "Nor is he aware of your attempts to deliver unsolicited material". Hum...

This situation has not only been stressfull, but has cause us a great deal of embarrasment. There is no getting around the fact that there are now many reality shows that have and are using concepts and principles that we created exclusively for the project that we waited so patiently for many, many years to present to Mr. Estefan. How are we to make this "dream" a "reality" when with the passing of the years, a hot and exciting idea has lost "steam" and is no longer as unique as it once was? There was a tremendous amount of time, energy, creativity, not to mention money that was invested in our trips to Miami because of what we kept hearing from Estefan Enterprises, "You guys have an excellent project, Emilio likes it and is going to do it, but you have to come back". We put out "heart and soul" into this and what really hurts is that Mr. Estefan has refused to not only meet us, but to even give us the courtesy of speaking to him by phone. As we were waiting, it seems that Mr. Estefan had time to meet and discuss potential projects with many who were of "celebrity status". Yet, not a mere 10 minutes for two guys who sacrificed so much over the years. Are we that unimportant? The A/R Department made us feel like we were part of the Estefan Enterprises "family" with all of it's promises. We feel more like "outcasts" now. And, let's play "devils advocate" for a minute. Even if Mr. Estefan was not aware of what his company was promising in the beginning, he certainly has known of this situation for well over a year. By now, we expected more from the man who we thought acknowledged hard work, creativity, honesty. The man known for those famous words, "You can always dream, and dreams do come true". If only he would have given us the same opportunity he gave others, a few minutes of his time. That to us would have been priceless. Joe, Co Creator "Miami Beach", The Game!

We would like to bring forth additional information on this matter. Throughout this journey, we saturated the entertainemnt market by our extensive networking efforts. Our appearances were geared to create a "buzz" and tie our names directly to our reality show concept and projects. It is a FACT that the previous A/R Director of Estefan Enterprises, Jairo Martinez encouraged us to do this. He stated that these efforts would be seen favorably by Mr. Estefan since specific individuals, including celebrities, who were attending these functions were personal friends, associates, and known by Mr. Estefan. To name but a few: RMM Salsa Concert, MSG, New York, NY Shakira, MTV House, Seaside Heights, NJ The Rosie O'Donnell Magazine Premier Party, Chelsea Piers, NY The Cristina Show, Blue Dolphin Studios, Miami, FL Making the Band Auditions(Bad Boy Ent.)South Beach, FL Calle Ocho, Little Havana(Introduced ourselves to TeleMiami) Latin Billboards(Parties and "Meet and Greets") La India/Huey Dunbar Concert, Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton Marc Anthony Performance, Images, Pennsauken, NJ There is no way possible for Emilio Estefan to be unaware of us. And still no meeting. After all this, no more bubble gum, just hard times.