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For the record I am a disabled vet.
In 1999 I presented a project to the A-R Department of Estefan Enterprises which was classified as "excellent".
For a period of many years I was told by the A-R Department that Emilio Estefan loved the idea and "was going to do it".
A-R said that they had conversations with Emilio Estefan on many occasions regarding my project and that he was going to meet with me. A-R asked me to travel to Florida numerous times for meetings with Emilio Estefan that were always cancelled at the last minute.
After the A-R manager left Estefan Enterprises he advised me to "restart" the process, not to worry that I had a history with the A-R Department.
So, Media Relations Department of Estefan Enterprises requested information on the project so that they could have an idea of what went on with A-R and to try and schedule the promised meeting.
After several months in an email Media Relations stated that they spoke to Emilio Estefan about my situation but he did not respond.
I was told to try getting the meeting through his assistant, which I did.
Everything asked for was submitted to Emilio Estefan's assistant who via email even SET A DATE for the meeting.
Guess what? That was cancelled because Emilio Estefan "could not over extend himself".
After contacting the Presidet of Estefan Enterprises in hopes that he would help me, I was told that Emilio Estefan never heard of me or my project!
What after eight years?
It seems that I have been mislead and lied to.
Letters to Emilio Estefan have been returned refused.
The President told me via email that the company is not interested in seeing me or hearing about the project.
I was strung along by this company.
I only wish that both Emilio and Gloria Estefan would understand about all the sacrifices I made. When you promise something for YEARS and do not deliver, a company owned by Emilio and Gloria Estefan who seem to have a reputation for integrity should stand by the promises of their high ranking employees.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
John Jacobs passed away in June of 2021.
He had been in communication with Estefan Enterprises president Frank Amadeo who was going to set up a final closure meeting with between Emilio Estefan and Jacobs.
Amadeo passed away of a heart attack and the closure meeting which was for Jacobs and Estefan to have positive talks, put the past behind them, and shake hands never happened.
John Jacobs was never given a fair shake by the courts, and it took years for Amadeo to agree setting up this meeting.
Jacobs passed away never having this decades long meeting with Mr. Estefan.
Many close friends believe the decades of fighting for justice and then begging for a meeting diminished his failing health.
John Jacobs had been advised by the medical staff at veterans hospital for many years that his priority should have been to address a multitude of health issues.
Instead, he continued to pursue his dream of working with Emilio Estefan based on promises made by
Mr. Estefan's A and R Director.
It was the A and R Department of Estefan Enterprises that repeatedly, for many years requested John's presence at Estefan Enterprises for meetings to discuss his project with the promise that Emilio Estefan was aware of the concept John was presenting, liked it, and was going to help John get it produced with the possibility of having it aired on both Hispanic and American TV.
A handful of Miami based celebrities had knowledge because John followed instructions given by the
A and R Department those being to go out and network at events, create a "buzz" and get known as this would play favorably on John's behalf when he and Emilio finally met under the direction of Estefan's
A and R Department.
Jacobs, pushed forward and attended the Cristina Saralegui show and upon introducing himself was shocked to find out she was aware of him, his project, and the ongoing meetings with Estefan A and R.
There were at least two Latin Billboard networking events Jacobs attended as per the instructions of Estefan's A and R where he introduced himself to Don Omar, and several other artists who showed interest in being guests on the show only if Emilio Estefan green lighted the project.
The "buzz" was being created and although not in the best of health, John Jacobs pushed through based on the promises being made by Emilio Estefan's company.
Years of dedicated effort continued because John Jacobs believed
Emilio Estefan to be a man of his word.
The A and R Director presented an unknown Colombian singer by the name of "Shakira" to Estefan and her career soon skyrocketed to International fame and success.
Jacobs believed Emilio Estefan would do the same for him and his project.
Years of networking in South Florida had given the New Jersey native enough "clout" that at a Univision Black Tie Gala in South Beach, all the "movers and shakers" attending, including Don Francisco, Tony Dandrades, and others were not surprised when Jacobs showed up, uninvited, after a day on the beach, wearing his $10 K Mart shirt shorts combination and a pair of plastic flip flops on his feet.
He was given carte blanche and even Chayratin acknowledged him with a kiss on the cheek.
John Jacobs did everything
Estefan Enterprises had asked of him and the missing piece of the puzzle was the meeting with Emilio Estefan where he would put his autograph on paperwork to get Jacobs project jump started.
A project that most of the Miami celebrity sector wanted to be a part of.
It never happened and you all know the legal battle John Jacobs, a disabled Vietnam veteran had to endure as he fought for justice.
Months before John's passing there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The late Frank Amadeo president of Estefan Enterprises was ready, willing, and able to get John and Emilio together at their office.
A meeting that would have given John Jacobs final closure, and the opportunity to shake the hand of a man he had long admired.
When John Jacobs found out that Amadeo had passed away he knew the meeting with Emilio, the decades of waiting would not come to fruition.
This was disheartening to Jacobs.
As fate would have it, on June 5th of 2021 Jacobs health hit rock bottom and he left this earth never getting that chance to meet his idol.
I worked for Bongo's Cuban Cafe at the Miami Airlines Arena from 2000 to 2004 as both door security and VIP seating.
Without question, I knew Jacobs was being given complimentary courtesy as our GM instructed us to "take care of him" whenever Jacobs flew in from out of state.
In addition, I was privy to the reason Jacobs was in Miami because the GM had told me in passing, that Jacobs had presented a bilingual entertainment concept to "EEI" and that Emilio had shown some interest in it.
I remember the day Jacobs, accompanied by another gentleman arrived at Bongo's for lunch after a meeting at the corporate office had been cancelled on short notice.
Jacobs seemed extremely distraught and if I recall correctly, could not finish his lunch.
This may have been on the same day that he accidentally lost his bowel ability at one of the malls.
Honestly, my years of employment with the Bongo's franchise were excellent and I was treated very well.
I am deeply saddened to have found out this individual passed away and that he was never afforded the opportunity to meet with Mr. Estefan to fulfil his dream.
I can't imagine what's it's like to give up five, six, or seven years of one's life for something that was not going to happen.
Jacobs seemed like a very nice man whenever he was given VIP at Bongo's and was always appreciative of what the staff at the club did to make him feel welcome.
I truly hope he is resting in peace.