Daily Business Report — June 27, 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

PR Women Paid Less

Women working in public relations earn $8,000 less than men, according to a new SDSU study

In the field of public relations, women are paid less than men by $330,000 over their careers, according to new research by San Diego State University professors. The study, by SDSU public relations professors David Dozier, Bey-Ling Sha and Hongmei Shen, considered gender, professional experience, career specialization and managerial roles, among other factors. “For the first time, we were able to statistically account for and thereby eliminate all the excuses in the public relations profession,” Sha said about gender pay-gap disparities. SDSU researchers surveyed more than 4,500 randomly selected public relations professionals from December 2010 to January 2011. The surveys showed men’s average income was $21,600 greater than women. The study revealed that women work in lower-paying public relations specializations such as media and community relations, have fewer years of professional experience and have more frequent career interruptions with reduced participation in management decisions.

“Even when you account for all the other possible things that affect pay, women still make $8,000 less than men annually in public relations,” Sha said. “That’s really the key message.” Sha said women take some of the blame for unfair pay. “As an employer, one can choose to pay women less than men,” Sha said. “But people who are paid less than they’re worth also make the choice to accept that and stay with the company instead of moving on or doing something about it.” The findings were recently presented at the 2012 International Communication Association Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. — Reported by David Rozul, SDSU NewsCenter

New Wave of Foreclosures Expected in S.D. County

Blue Sky Capital, a San Diego-based real estate investment firm, claims San Diego County is in store for a second wave of foreclosures  much bigger than the foreclosure wave that hit the county several years ago. The company said it has been tracking area properties and found that mortgages secured with Option Arm and Alt-A funding are about to reset at much higher rates. That will mean larger mortgage payments for homeowners who can’t afford it, pushing many into foreclosure. “While these Option Arm and Alt-A loans exist throughout the county, areas like Carmel Valley are filled with them,” said Chris Williams, CEO. “During our tracking of distressed properties in the county we found many homes in areas like Carmel Valley were purchased with zero, or a small amount down, so there is very little equity in theses properties.” With more than 36 percent of all mortgages in San Diego underwater, or having negative equity, Blue Sky Capital said it expects things to get worse before they get better.

Pre-Paid Utility Accounts Proposed By
SDG&E Blasted By Consumer Advocates

California regulators are getting an earful this week at several public hearings about part of San Diego Gas and Electric’s latest rate proposal, reports KPBS. The utility wants to create pre-paid utility accounts. The voluntary prepaid accounts would allow customers who’ve had trouble paying their bills to get utility service without a deposit or credit check. Consumer advocates say it strips away consumer protections afforded customers who only pay for power after they use it. Opponents of the idea argue people who enter the prepaid plan lose existing power cutoff protections. “The question is why a regulated utility, with an essential public service, should require the people who are least able to pay, to pay upfront,” said Kim Malcomn of the Utility Consumer’s Action Network. “While people with jobs, people who are affluent, are able to pay after they use their service.” SDG&E fficials stress that any prepaid program would be optional and they would not allow customers with certain health conditions to take part. The idea is part of the utility’s rate request before state regulators.

SDSU No. 20 in U.S. for Most Bachelor’s
Degrees Awarded to Ethnic Minorities

San Diego State University ranks No. 20 in the nation for bachelor’s degrees conferred to ethnic minorities, according to the June issue of Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The rankings, which reflect 2010-2011 data, are part of the magazine’s annual list of “Top 100 Undergraduate Degree Producers.”  SDSU also ranked No.12 for Hispanics, No. 21 for Asian-Americans and No. 19 for American Indian bachelor’s degree recipients. More than half of  the university’s students coming from historically underrepresented student groups.

PERSONNEL MOVES

San Diego — Dalton Sprinkle has joined OneRoof Energy as vice president of corporate development and general counsel. Sprinkle will manage the company’s legal affairs and will provide leadership in the company’s corporate development efforts with its finance and operational relationships. Sprinkle, who has 14 years of executive and legal experience, previously was executive vice president and chief legal officer for Carbon Motors Corp.