Louis J. Boeri and Minín Bujones Boeri Collection of Cuban-American Radionovelas

Louis J. Boeri, president of America's Production, Inc. was an Italian-American who operated a public relations agency in Havana and served as director for U.S. public relations for the Cuban Tourist Commission. He left Cuba in 1959 and settled in Miami, Florida. He formed America's Production Inc. (API) in 1961 employing 36 exiled Cuban actors and actresses, along with 20 extras, writers, directors, and technicians. Prior to the 1959 Revolution, Cuba was a major producer of radio and TV programming and supplied perhaps as much as 75% of all canned radio programs for distribution throughout Latin America. The industry collapsed following the 1959 Revolution. No other country was able to fill the void in program production. Additionally, Miami soon had a large community of highly talented Cuban exiles who could not work. Thus, Boeri was able to capitalize on the moment and from there came the inspiration to create America’s Production, Inc. or API. API began supplying radio programming not only to stations across Latin America, but also to a ready market for Spanish-language programming in the United States and Spain. Boeri highlighted the fact that his Cuban soap operas were very popular in part because the actors and actresses use a “neutral accent” that would appeal to Spanish-speakers regardless of national origin or socio-economic status. About the history of the company, Boeri explained that API began by producing very pointed anti-Communist programs for the US Government including some commissioned by Voice of America. However, such programming was not viable for distribution to commercial radio stations, so the company turned to producing entertainment programming with subtler, more covert messaging designed to inspire hope, self-motivation, democracy, and to encourage free enterprise among its listeners, particularly in Latin America. Entertainment programming produced by API included radionovelas/dramas, comedies, advice programs, biblical dramas, mysteries, spy stories, and variety shows. America's Production Inc. created and distributed radio programs through 1970.