POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: Cruzar la línea fronteriza de Tijuana, México para...

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: Cruzar la línea fronteriza de Tijuana, México para...: "Patricia Gracia: Cruzar la línea fronteriza de Tijuana, México para perseguir el sueño americano fue más que un reto, es un ejemplo a seguir..."

Cruzar la línea fronteriza de Tijuana, México para perseguir el sueño americano fue más que un reto, es un ejemplo a seguir.

Patricia Gracia: Cruzar la línea fronteriza de Tijuana, México para perseguir el sueño americano fue más que un reto, es un ejemplo a seguir.

La ejecutiva y mujer de negocios nos cuenta su historia personal llena de retos y sacrificios en pos de su sueño de toda la vida.



Patricia Gracia Fundadora y Presidente de Power Media Group Inc. (PMG) www.powermediagroup.com nació en Lima, Perú el 12 de noviembre de 1968. A la edad de 18 años, cumpliendo su mayoría de edad decide venir a perseguir sus sueños de toda su vida. Este viaje era el motor para poder encaminar el deseo de ayudar a su familia a salir adelante y estudiar para algún día llegar a la Universidad.

Para Patricia Gracia no es extraño recibir reconocimiento público por su éxito y su destreza en el manejo de negocios. Funcionarios públicos han dado Fe de su ardua labor, sin embargo todo esto no le ha llegado fácil, ni de la noche a la mañana. “Nada es fácil en la vida, pero cuando se logra una meta. Ya se ve mas fácil”- comenta Patricia.

Una mujer menuda, de corta estatura, pero un gigante en el ámbito de la publicidad. Gracia llegó a los Estados Unidos de la misma manera que muchos inmigrantes vienen a buscar el sueño americano - cruzó la frontera que separa al país de México a Tijuana.

"Cuando caminaba por las colinas en la noche y veía las luces que brillaban. Yo hablaba conmigo misma – ahí esta San Diego y pronto llegare con la ayuda de Dios”- Comenta Gracia "me dije a mi misma que algún día conquistaría las luces y utilizaría su energía para iluminar mi éxito y el futuro de los demás".

A los 18 años, sola, llena de metas y sueños, comenzó su nueva vida en los Estados Unidos, en el Valle de San Fernando. Un año más tarde, ella ya había conquistado la lengua y empezó a trabajar para el Hotel Península en Beverly Hills. Este gran Hotel de cinco diamantes y cinco estrellas le dio la lección que la clave de dar un buen servicio al cliente es prestarle atención a los pequeños detalles. "Siempre he puesto mi mejor esfuerzo y entusiasmo hacia adelante para superar las expectativas de mis clientes. Este ha sido mi enfoque desde que se fundo PMG.”

Una valiosa oportunidad se abrió para Gracia mientras trabajaba a tiempo completo en el hotel Península, le ofrecieron una beca para seguir la carrera de relaciones Publicas en UCLA. Inmediatamente después paso hacer sus primeras prácticas en la agencia de cruz / kravetz: IDEAS, donde, después de tan sólo 40 horas de formación, se le ofreció un trabajo permanente, posición a tiempo completo en el departamento de producción.

Doce años de experiencia en servicio al cliente en la industria de la hospitalidad formaron la base sólida para desarrollar su propia agencia en 2001, con un lema y la filosofía que, "Amamos a su negocio, como amamos a nuestro bebé".

A pesar de las tragedias en su vida personal, Gracia siguió la autonomía propia a través de la educación y la dedicación a su carrera como fundadora y presidente de Power Media Group Inc. Ella siempre ha renovado sus metas en la vida y ahora está totalmente centrada en la proyección de la mujer hispana como una mujer de éxito.

Patricia Gracia no solo es una gran empresaria, también es una mujer de carne y hueso, quien cuenta con el apoyo de una gran familia, su esposo Tony Gracia, quien le apoyo en un cien por ciento desde el primer día en su sueño de fundar PMG. Tony se une a Patricia hace cinco años y es el CEO/CFO de la agencia. Ambos tienes dos hermosos hijos, Vanessa y Michael-Antony Gracia de 7 y 3 años respectivamente. Vanessa es la imagen de la agencia y el slogan de la agencia “amamos su negocio, como amamos a nuestra bebe.” Se refiere a ella misma- Vanessa Gracia.

El conocimiento y la experiencia que adquirió como una mujer de negocios próspera y empresaria está siendo aplicado a un alcance ampliado a través del Centro de Negocios de Mujeres, Power Woman Business Center www.powerwomanbc.com que esta a disposición de miles de mujeres latinas de todas las edades que desean iniciar su propio negocio o iniciar una carrera. Esto centro servirá para llevar el proceso de gestación de empresas pequeñas y de esta forma podrán seguir las huellas y pasos ya trazados por Patricia para que el camino se les haga mas fácil.

Patricia comenta: "Ahora que he conquistado las luces brillantes que alumbraban Tijuana y el éxito personal, esta será la mejor forma de ayudar a otros a alcanzar el mismo objetivo". Para más información comuníquense con

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: SBA 504 Loan Enables PMG to Grow and Assist Other ...

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: SBA 504 Loan Enables PMG to Grow and Assist Other ...: "Power Media Group SBA 504 Loan Enables PMG to Grow and Assist other Entrepreneurs Nestled in the Santa Clarita Valley, just a stone’s t..."

SBA 504 Loan Enables PMG to Grow and Assist Other Entrepreneurs

Power Media Group


SBA 504 Loan Enables PMG to Grow and Assist other Entrepreneurs



Nestled in the Santa Clarita Valley, just a stone’s throw away from the second largest media market in the United States, is an impressive advertising agency that has seen 40 percent growth from 2006 to 2008.



Power Media Group began in 2001when Patricia Gracia, owner and founder, decided to open an advertising agency in her San Fernando Valley apartment with nothing more than a computer, fax and telephone. Today, she and her husband Tony Gracia, manage a multi-million dollar enterprise that specializes in creating Spanish language media campaigns for high-profile clients seeking to reach the growing Hispanic market.



The Gracias have created a successful niche business by targeting the Hispanic audience that marketing experts indicate will exceed $1 trillion in 2010 and by working hard and keeping to their values. “Nothing comes by accident,” said Tony Gracia, a former radio sales manager and currently the chief executive officer who joined his wife’s firm four years ago. “I think our integrity is why our clients are with us. Integrity is the cornerstone of our business.”



Power Media Group has attracted such clients as Universal Music Latin and Video Distribution, Vivendi Visual Entertainment, Maya Entertainment, Creativa Interior-Primor, Hamer Toyota, AB Underwear, Perfume Club, among others. The Gracias believe that their company’s success is also derived from their extensive knowledge of the Hispanic market and their attention to detail. “When I speak to my clients, I ask them, ‘Where do you want to go – national or local?’” said Patricia Gracia. “A campaign designed to appeal to someone from Mexico may not work for someone from Central America. If you understand the Hispanic culture and consumer, they will grab your product.”



Patricia Gracia, a genuinely charismatic individual, grew up in Peru and came to the United States when she was 18-years-old. She quickly mastered English and briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College studying psychology and sociology. At that time, while working at The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel, her supervisors recognized her superb customer service skills and after gaining admission to the University of California, Los Angeles her employer paid for her tuition where she received a degree in public relations. After graduation and working for the hotel she moved to Cruz/Kravetz Ideas, Inc. where she turned an internship into a full-time position.



Throughout the nine years Power Media Group has been in business, Patricia and Tony have earned dozens of awards, accolades and certificates of achievement from business groups, business journals, Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly and their member of congress. “I’ve always put forth my best effort and tried to surpass my clients’ expectations. That’s always been my focus since I opened PMG,” said Patricia. They have been diligent in both their business dealings and as community advocates such as organizing a benefit concert in 2007 a week and a half after a deadly Peruvian earthquake. They raised $6,000 and 45 tons of supplies for the survivors of the disaster.



In early 2008, Patricia learned of an available Spanish style multi-story house, which had been converted into an office but was left vacant by a church. Using an SBA 504 Loan for $406,000 and working with Southland Economic Development Corporation out of Santa Ana, California they received low, fixed-interest rate financing. Their ambition for the building was to not only house their expanding firm but also to create a business incubator for aspiring and current business owners. Their new company headquarters also houses Power Women Business Center. It is created to fill a void of a business center that offers opportunities for small business owners in our community: L.A County. Considering the high number of people unemployed or under-employed, of independent contractors and freelancers, suffering financially and emotionally due to the limited economic opportunities during a recession, we have created this center with the idea of re-energizing the local business community with optimism, creativity, technological know-how, entrepreneurial spirit, education, enthusiasm and visionary leadership.

After a thorough review of several recent marketing studies: “We found the enormous financial potential of small businesses to a strong economy in the U.S.” Specially if they’re women-owned enterprises. Patricia and Tony Gracia fully understand that one of the best alternatives to help people in general to come out ahead of the economic crisis, is to focus all efforts in assisting, supporting, educating and launching the business plans and goals on countless small business owners so they can develop profitable businesses and implement innovative strategies and creative products and services that will maintain a steady business evolution throughout these difficult economic times.

“Power Media Group has done exceptionally well and we hope that the assistance the SBA provided through our 504 Loan Program was one more ingredient to that success,” said Alberto G. Alvarado, Los Angeles SBA district director. “Using an SBA loan with a lower down payment allows a borrower like PMG to keep more cash on hand for working capital and business expansion. It usually results in lower interest rates and better terms too.”



Through the 11,000 sq. ft. center, she hopes to offer both women and men entrepreneurs the tools to succeed in their business endeavors. “The economy and recession is in the pockets as well as the minds of individuals, and the way you think and feel affects how you conduct your business, so our goal is to help individuals feel confident about what they are doing and prepare them for success,” said Patricia.

New York Times Paywall Starts March 28 at $15 per Month

Published on March 17, 2011

The New York Times rolled out a plan on Thursday to begin charging the most frequent users of its Web site $15 a month in a bet that readers will pay for news they have grown accustomed to getting free. Beginning March 28, visitors to NYTimes.com will be able to read 20 articles a month without paying, a limit that company executives said was intended to draw in subscription revenue from the most loyal readers while not driving away the casual visitors who make up a vast majority of the site’s traffic. Once readers click on their 21st article, they will have the option of buying one of three digital news packages — $15 every four weeks for access to the Web site and a mobile phone app, $20 for Web access and an iPad app or $35 for an all-access plan. Read the whole article from nytimes.com here.

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: What Responsibility Do Social Media Users Have Dur...

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: What Responsibility Do Social Media Users Have Dur...: "Peter Shankman is the founder of HARO and is generally regarded as one of the top social media consultants and marketing speaker..."

What Responsibility Do Social Media Users Have During a Crisis?

Peter Shankman is the founder of HARO and is generally regarded as one of the top social media consultants and marketing speakers working today. His clients include Saudi Aramco, NASA, The U.S. Government, Haworth, Disney, Foley-Hoag, American Express, and countless others. He blogs at shankman.com.

From the moment the first jolt was felt in Tokyo, there was no doubt — the earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent tragedy was going to play out first on the social web, and second on television.

Within an hour of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake, which occurred on a bright afternoon in Japan, Twitter updates were flying out of Asia at the rate of over 1,200 per minute, while Facebook posts, photos, videos, and blog updates were streaming in just behind.

As my CNN News alert hit my iPad, my first inclination wasn’t to turn on the TV, but rather go to the Facebook walls of my many friends in Tokyo to see if they were alright. The immediacy of the information flowing out of Asia took on a much more personal tone, as I was able to know instantly that eight of my nine friends had checked in to let their friends and family know they were OK.

This cultural shift can be seen throughout the web connected world, and every future “felt around the world” moment will bring us closer to this event horizon, where the news on television becomes secondary to finding out if our personal network is intact. In essence, we’re moving back toward a community model, where news comes not from a stranger on television, but from people we trust because we know them personally.

The phone call that used to take days — the “I’m OK, we just got phone service back” moment that felt like it took forever — has been shrunk to minutes, if not seconds in some cases. While it’s painfully obvious that the level of “global connectivity” hasn’t truly been reached in every part of the world yet, no one can deny that the proliferation of even the most basic mobile phones, even to areas without full electricity or plumbing, has made the ability to get critical information out that much faster, to a much more global audience.

With that awesome ability, however, comes responsibility. With everyone having the power to be their own “Anderson Cooper,” the job of getting out information to the world comes with clearly defined rules and objectives.

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Family and Friends First

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For hundreds of thousands of people, the simple act of pressing “send” on an “I’m OK” text message was the start, and a good one at that. One of the biggest problems with natural and man-made disasters is the immediacy of “aloneness,” as it were.

“Do people know I’m here?” “Does my family know I’m safe?” If you speak to survivors of natural disasters, almost all of them list that feeling of isolation as the key psychological barrier, even more so than the pain of losing their belongings. As the communication networks get stronger, the first message of our survival will be able to reach those closest to us, and the connection will provide information, updates, and yes, even companionship, digital as it might be. Knowing “I’m not alone” has saved many lives when those lives had nothing else to live for at that moment.

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Report What You Know, Avoid What You Don’t

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The odds of finding a cell phone in an industrialized nation without a camera in it are extremely small. This means that everyone can generate content with the push of a button. But we must be careful of the content we generate, and that which we pass along. Confirm your information.

A steam pipe explosion, like the kind that hit midtown Manhattan a few years back, can look to the untrained eye like a massive bomb has just decimated the entire block. Remember that what you post will be reposted, and there is no “Back” button once you hit send. The latest updated information is critical, and should be shared, but it’s our job to do so responsibly, to check our sources, and to confirm our facts before we post with reckless abandon. Not only can posting inaccurate information do great harm to those inside and even outside of the crisis zone, but it will also greatly diminish the level of trust people have for your future updates. Lose credibility, and you will simply be ignored.

In January 2010, an unattended bag was left in Grand Central. For New Yorkers, that was called “Wednesday.” But thanks to the over-zealous tweeting of a few people in Manhattan, the bomb squad was called, Grand Central was evacuated, and “Explosion and fire in Grand Central” flew around Twitter at the speed of light. None of it was true. Be aware of what you post.

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Think Before You Share

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Whether you like it or not, you’re now a historian, as well as a part of history. Remember that before you hit “share.” How do you want to be remembered? Whatever you share can be taken out of context. Something non-relevant — a sarcastic comment, even something you find humorous — while accepted by your “network,” can scale to huge proportions and reach a massive group of people who don’t know you, but only know what you sent. We’ve all done it, but now we need to be smarter.

You simply must pause and think before you submit content to the world, no matter how innocuous you think it might be. In a crisis, people are hungry for information. What you feed them will determine your destiny as well, whether in the middle of the fight, or thousands of miles away.

by Peter Shankman from mashable.com/

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: March 24: Women's History Month Event with Edward ...

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: March 24: Women's History Month Event with Edward ...: "March 24: Women's History Month Event with Edward Air Force AFFTC Kicked Off With Keynote by Patricia Gracia, Power Media Group Co-sponsor..."

March 24: Women's History Month Event with Edward Air Force AFFTC Kicked Off With Keynote by Patricia Gracia, Power Media Group

March 24: Women's History Month Event with Edward Air Force AFFTC Kicked Off With Keynote by Patricia Gracia, Power Media Group

Co-sponsored by AFFTC and NASA/Dryden: From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with speakers at 12:00 p.m. at Club Muroc

Media Advisory

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.- During a celebration that recognizes the "consistently overlooked and undervalued" achievements of women of the past, women in contemporary times who have made positive contributions such as Patricia Gracia will come together at Club Muroc to mark the progress women have made.

Gracia, who will keynote the event, is a petite lady whose work in the field of advertising and marketing, especially to the Hispanic market, has made a giant impact and attracted widespread public recognition through a business she founded in 2001 - Power Media Group Inc.

To talk to Gracia is to sense her commitment and drive. Her journey to success started in the San Fernando Valley at 18, when she, like many immigrants came searching for her chance at the American dream. The native of Peru quickly conquered the English language and, through her employer at the Peninsula Hotel, she attended UCLA and learned about business and customer service - valuable knowledge she applied to creating her own company.

With a tagline and philosophy of "we love your business, as we love our baby," Gracia developed and presented the image of a successful empowered Latina woman and grew a reputation for delivery on her promises to clients. Her work has been so successful that she has realized a lifelong dream of opening a business incubator for other women, aptly named, "Power Woman Business Center." The Center puts affordable office space and support within reach of others who are considering starting their own business.

Gracia believes that as she takes to the podium to deliver her keynote, she has reached a pinnacle in her career. "To be invited to participate in this way is the highest honor," stated Gracia. "From a single day recognizing women on March 8, 1857, to a full month-long acknowledgment of women's contributions to society, we truly are in line with the 2011 theme of 'Our History is Our Strength'."

To obtain a full biography of the achievements of Power Media Group or to arrange an interview and photos with Patricia Gracia, e-mail patricia@powermediagroup.com or call 661-505-1009.

MEDIA: Those wishing to cover the event may R.S.V.P. Captain Chelsea Lamping at 661-277-7616.

About Power Media Group Inc. (http://www.powermediagroup.com)

Advertising agency Power Media Group, led by Patricia Gracia and Tony Gracia, has achieved recognition from organizations such as: Patricia Gracia, panelist at the NAWBO-LA Speaker Series Featuring Women of Influence, the Latin Business Association (2008 Sol Award as Business of the Year),Addy Awards (2009 Excellence in Creativity for a TV ad in the General Market - Catalog Sales, three 2010 ADDY Awards), and San Fernando Valley Business Journal 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies of 2009 Patricia Gracia, panelist at the NAWBO-LA Speaker Series Featuring Women of Influence.

Patricia has been named United States SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year 2010.





____________________________________

Patricia Gracia

President – PR Director

17960 Sierra Hwy.

Santa Clarita, CA 91351

T:(661) 505-1009 | F:(661) 430-5491

www.powermediagroup.com

ww.powerwomanbc.com

www.powernews.tv

Small Business News: Embracing Social Media

Social media thought leader. In a series of conversations, Social Media Examiner founder Michael Stelzner talks with David Siteman Garland in this wrapup online video that leads into our small business roundup on social media today. Enjoy! Rise to the Top


Think social media will work for your company? Prove it. Many business leaders have questioned (and probably still question) the value of social media as a marketing, customer relations, branding and PR tool. You could show them all the data you want and put them in touch with plenty of success stories, but in the end, only one kind of evidence is likely to change anyone’s mind. Chris Brogan A recipe for great social media. Whipping up a successful social media campaign isn’t as tough as you may think. Use the right list of ingredients and you will create a sweet and tasty social media channel that will have visitors and potential customers clamoring for a piece. This post will show you how to bake a one of a kind business message with just the right topping. BizSugar Blog Tools


New app replaces business cards, makes introductions. Social media enthusiast Amber MacArthur a.k.a. Amber Mac introduces us to a new tool that can help you send digital business cards from your smartphone or introduce people via Twitter handle or e-mail. Check out this tool to learn more about how it could reviolutionize networking in your business today. The Globe and Mail


How group messaging can change your business? Imagine an application capable of bringing your team into conversations right from your iPhone. A tool expanding smartphone texting beyond the one-on-one into a new social dimension could make messaging a social activity between folks you interact with regularly. How could you use this tool to stay in contact with members of your team? How could it transform your small business communications? WSJ


From Small Business TrendsSmall Business News: Embracing Social Media

Conozca las 10 cosas que no debe hacer en Facebook

Todo lo que publique en las redes sociales es su responsabilidad. Evite dolores de cabeza.

En muchas ocasiones las personas no miden la información que divulgan en Facebook y olvidan que su 'muro' es una ventana de su vida privada a la que muchos tienen acceso.

Por eso, la revista estadounidense 'Time' realizó una lista de diez recomendaciones para que siga al pie de la letra si no quiere perder su trabajo, a su pareja, ser acusado de copia, ir a la cárcel o pasar un mal rato.

Vale la pena señalar que algunas de estas conductas son delitos,pero en Facebook se ve de todo y lo que leerá a continuación le ha pasado a alguien.

1. Extorsionar
La extorsión es ilegal. Sin embargo, la revista 'Time' expone el caso de un joven estadounidense de 18 años que engañó a sus compañeros, menores de edad, haciéndolos creer que era una mujer para pedirles sus fotos desnudos y luego chantajearlos. Lo condenaron a 15 años de cárcel.

2. Vengarse de un ex novio
No descargue el resentimiento que puede dejar el fin de una relación publicando fotos comprometedoras de su ex novia o ex novio, ni divulgue secretos personales. Actos como estos ya son un motivo de cárcel en Nueva Zelanda, donde un hombre estuvo preso cuatro meses por publicar imágenes de su ex desnuda.

3. Decir que se va de viaje
No olvide que los ladrones viven buscando víctimas y son los primeros en innovar a la hora de saber cuándo una casa está desocupada. Revise lo que escriben sus hijos sobre las vacaciones o salidas familiares, sobra decir que usted tampoco lo haga, pues esta es una invitación para que lo roben.

4. Admitir un crimen
Qué tal esta: un hombre en Estados Unidos escribió en su muro que había atropellado a alguien con su auto y huyó del sitio, porque no pensaba entregarse pues era "sólo un indigente". Después de muchos mensajes de amigos y conocidos, uno de ellos le dijo: "le acabas de decir a todo el mundo".

5. Cometer plagio
Preguntar sobre el tema de una tarea está bien, pero eso se convierte en plagio cuando copia las respuestas que están en los muros y en los grupos. De hecho, uno de cada dos estudiantes de la Universidad de Cambridge aceptó haber copiado.

6. Dejar el rastro de un crimen
Si va a hacer algo ilegal (según 'Time') no debería dejar evidencia y menos entrar a su cuenta de Facebook mientras roba una casa. Esto sucedió en EE. UU. y fue una pista para encontrar al criminal, así como una prueba del acto.

7. No hable (Mal) de su trabajo.
Si se siente frustrado, odia a su jefe o no quiere pasar un día más en el lugar donde trabaja, guárdeselo. Alguien puede leer lo que usted escribe. Por ejemplo, un empleado de un reconocido medio nacional, muy activo en las redes sociales, expresó su desacuerdo y poco aprecio hacia uno de sus jefes. Causa inmediata de despido.

8. Presumir de los regalos.
Hay quienes quieren contarle al mundo sobre su nuevo computador, iPod o iPad, pero lo que hacen es convertirse en un blanco para los delincuentes; sucede lo mismo cuando comenta sobre su próximo viaje a la India o Tailandia: además de decirles que es un buen objetivo, les abre la puerta de su casa.

9. Nada de fotos bebiendo.
Algunas oficinas de recursos humanos revisan las páginas de Facebook de sus aspirantes. Aunque sus amigos encuentren muy divertidas las imágenes en que aparece dormido después de una fiesta, seguramente sus empleadores no, así que elimine todas esas fotos comprometedoras y guárdelas donde sólo usted las pueda ver.

10. Rastros de infidelidad.
¡Los abogados también saben usar Facebook! Según la revista 'Time', el 81 por ciento de los abogados especializados en divorcios se han enfrentado o han utilizado como evidencia pruebas recolectadas en las redes sociales y el 66 por ciento de esas pruebas provienen de Facebook. 


Source: eltiempo.com

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for...

POWER MEDIA GROUP, INC: Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for...: "Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for Democrats; Weak Voter Motivation by Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, Pew Hispanic C..."

Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for Democrats; Weak Voter Motivation

Latinos and the 2010 Elections: Strong Support for Democrats; Weak Voter Motivation


by Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, Pew Hispanic Center

Hispanic Protestants Closely Divided Heading Into 2010 Elections; Hispanic Catholics Favor Democrats

Other Resources
In a year when support for Democratic candidates has eroded, the party's standing among one key voting group-Latinos-appears as strong as ever. Two-thirds (65%) of Latino registered voters say they plan to support the Democratic candidate in their local congressional district, while just 22% support the Republican candidate, according to a nationwide survey of Latinos. If this pro-Democratic margin holds up on Election Day next month, it would be about as wide as in 2008, when Latinos supported Barack Obama for president over John McCain by 67% to 31%.

However, Hispanic registered voters appear to be less motivated than other voters to go to the polls. Just one-third (32%) of all Latino registered voters say they have given this year's election "quite a lot" of thought. In contrast, half (50%) of all registered voters say the same. And when it comes to their intent to vote, half (51%) of Latino registered voters say they are absolutely certain they will vote in this year's midterm election, while seven-in-ten (70%) of all registered voters say the same.

The survey finds that among Latino registered voters, Republicans may be more likely to turn out and vote than Democrats. Some 44% of Latino Republicans say they have given the election quite a lot of thought compared with 28% of Latino Democrats. This partisan gap is consistent with survey findings of the full population of registered voters.

When it comes to opinions of President Barack Obama, a greater share of Latino registered voters approve of his job performance than do all U.S. registered voters-63% versus 47%. Yet when asked about the effect of his administration's policies on Hispanics, Latino registered voters are divided. More than half (51%) say his policies have had no effect on Latinos, while one-in-four (26%) say they have been helpful to Latinos and 13% say they have been harmful.

The new survey also reveals that the Democratic Party continues to hold a large advantage in party identification among Latino registered voters. More than six-in-ten (62%) Latino registered voters say they identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party, while one-quarter (25%) say the same for the Republican Party-a Democratic advantage of 37 percentage points.

Democrats are seen as the party that has more concern for Hispanics. Nearly half (47%) of Latino registered voters say this about the Democratic Party-down from 55% in 2008, but similar to the share on this question expressed by Latinos for much of the past decade. In contrast, very few see the Republican Party as more concerned about Latinos than the Democratic Party-just 6% of all Latino registered voters and 18% of Republican Latino registered voters say this.

When Arizona enacted an unauthorized immigrant enforcement bill earlier this year, the immigration policy debate reignited across the country. Even so, the new survey shows that immigration does not rank as a top voting issue for Hispanics. Rather, they rank education, jobs and health care as their top three issues of concern for this year's congressional campaign. Immigration ranks as the fifth most important issue for Latino registered voters and as the fourth most important issue for all Latinos.

However, the survey finds that two-thirds (66%) of Latino registered voters say they talked about the immigration policy debate with someone they know in the past year. It also finds that those who have had these conversations are more motivated to vote in the upcoming election than are those who haven't. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) Latino registered voters who have discussed the immigration debate say they are absolutely certain they will vote in November, compared with just four-in-ten (39%) of those who have not talked about the immigration debate.

This report is based on a nationally representative bilingual telephone survey of 1,375 Latinos ages 18 and older, including 618 registered voters. Interviews were conducted from August 17 through September 19, 2010. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level; for registered voters, the margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. For a full description of the survey methodology, see Appendix