MAYO Communications Offers Help to Fellow PR PROs and Southland Companies Caught in Blackouts

International, award-winning, high-tech public relations/marketing communications company sends statewide message to firms hit hardest

Los Angeles, CA, March 20, 2001 - We often wondered ourselves, what would happen if we were working on a major client account or pitching the media and the power went off," said Aida Mayo, president, MAYO Communications, a full service Los Angeles Area public relations firm. MAYO Communications offers a unique and personal touch, and when it comes to a crisis even our competition might need us, so were offering our services to any PR firm or company needing corporate communications or media relations."

As rolling blackouts swept through California in March, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham warned the country that it faces its "most serious shortage" since the 1970s.

Soaring utility rates have been the subject of much debate in California as the wholesale prices of electricity have skyrocketed, jumping from an average of $30 per megawatt hour last year to $330 in January.

Responding to the increase, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered some wholesalers to justify $124 million in charges sold to California utilities in January and February or pay refunds. The commission is asking for refunds whenever prices rose above $273 per megawatt hour in January and $430 per megawatt hour in February. The suppliers defended the increases, blaming them on a shortage of power and uncertain finances of the state's two major utilities, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Edison International.

Many businesses are forced to shut down during the power crisis and we feel if we lend a helping hand to PR firms or companies facing the power dilemma they might not feel the crunch as much," said Mayo.

About MAYO Communications
MAYO Communications is a full-service public relations firm based in Los Angeles that offers strategic, external and internal communications solutions, and specializes in high-tech, media relations and governmental affairs. The company is also nationally recognized for its crisis communications.