ProfNet Experts Available on Anti-Spam Legislation, Data Breach, More

NEW YORK, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition. 

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EXPERT ALERTS

• New Anti-Spam Legislation
• Feds Signal Fierce Prosecutions for Foreign Companies
• Defense Data Breach Offers Security Lessons
• Smithfield Farms Sale About More Than Ham

MEDIA JOBS

• Assistant Editor – Museum of Modern Art (NY)
• Local Editor – AOL Patch (CA)
• Beat Reporter – The Commercial Appeal (TN)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Q&A Team: The Role of Humor in Journalism
• Five Tips for Landing a Second Assignment
• Media 411: Newsrooms in TV and Film

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EXPERT ALERTS:

New Anti-Spam Legislation
Lani Barnes
Attorney
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson in Charlotte
"Canada has enacted new Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) that is anticipated to take effect in the fall of 2014. Currently, U.S. businesses can send electronic marketing messages to anyone, including Canadian residents, without permission, unless and until the recipient opts out by expressly notifying the sender that they do not want to receive such messages. Once CASL goes into effect, companies will not be allowed to send any commercial electronic message (CEM) to any person or business in Canada without the prior express or implied consent of the recipient, unless the CEM falls within one of the limited exceptions to the new law. As a result, companies and individuals that use electronic marketing to reach customers or potential customers in Canada should start preparing for the new legislation now by developing and implementing compliance programs in order to ensure that they have the appropriate consent from each recipient. Penalties for violating CASL can be severe; the maximum penalty per violation is $1 million for an individual and $10 million for a corporation, and directors and officers may be held personally liable for their company's violation."
Barnes is engaged in the practice of intellectual property and technology law.
Media Contact: Alex Zsoldos, [email protected]

Feds Signal Fierce Prosecutions for Foreign Companies
Tom Fox
FCPA and Compliance Ethics Lawyer
Tom Fox Law in Houston
"French oil and gas company Total SA recently settled an Iranian bribery case for $398 million following charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (The company paid the fourth-highest fine ever under the federal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which covers many companies doing business in the U.S.) This FCPA enforcement action shows the DOJ and SEC are targeting foreign-based companies with U.S. operations in a big way, even when the alleged bribery takes place in a third country, as happened in the Total SA case. In addition to the nearly $400 million settlement, Total SA also agreed to implement a best practices compliance program, retain a corporate monitor to oversee this program for three years, and retain a compliance consultant."
Media Contact: Mary Flood, [email protected]

Defense Data Breach Offers Security Lessons
Matthew Yarbrough
Cybersecurity Attorney
Yarbrough Law Group, P.C. in Dallas
"The data breach of two North Texas-based defense contractors offers lessons for all firms that outsource their production. A recent Pentagon report indicated that Chinese hackers accessed data for nearly 40 U.S. weapons programs, including the V-22 Osprey, which is manufactured by Fort Worth-based Bell Helicopter, and an advanced Patriot anti-missile system produced by the Grand Prairie-based Missiles and Fire Control unit of Lockheed Martin. Media reports indicate that the outsourcing of defense work is a contributing factor to the loss of sensitive trade secrets. Just as companies must fiercely guard their confidential information and trade secrets in their own servers and facilities, they must screen subcontractors for their abilities to protect sensitive information, which is the lifeblood of many U.S. corporations."
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]

Smithfield Farms Sale About More Than Ham
Clayton Bailey
Agribusiness Litigation Attorney
Bailey Brauer PLLC in Dallas
"The proposed sale of Smithfield Farms, the country's largest pork producer, to China's Shuanghui International for $7.1 billion ultimately may be positive for the American pork market, but it is nevertheless a complicated transaction unfolding in a difficult political climate. The simmering distrust between the United States and China over trade secret matters, combined with Americans' concern over Shuanghui's track record on food safety issues, mean that the Smithfield transaction is more than 'just business.' There's no denying that, by further opening the Chinese market to American pork exports, it could be a boon for U.S. pork producers, but the big question is how will Americans feel about eating pork that's being produced by a company that's owned by the Chinese?"
Media Contact: Amy Hunt, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: http://bit.ly/pncjobboard

• Assistant Editor – Museum of Modern Art (NY)
• Local Editor – AOL Patch (CA)
• Beat Reporter – The Commercial Appeal (TN)

See more listings here.

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

THE Q&A TEAM: THE ROLE OF HUMOR IN JOURNALISM: The use of humor is journalism can be a difficult thing. In this week's installment of the Q&A team, Polina hears from four ProfNet experts who share their expertise on using it in your writing: http://bit.ly/11Jt4Jm

FIVE TIPS FOR LANDING A SECOND ASSIGNMENT: You've worked hard to land an assignment at your dream publication. But how can you make sure the assignment doesn't turn into a one-hit wonder? Read on as Dawn Papandrea explains how to make sure your first article leads to a long-term working relationship: http://bit.ly/1atjJx7

MEDIA 411: NEWSROOMS IN TV AND FILM: Whether it be to poke fun at the industry and the personalities involved, or a true to life drama, many movies and shows that revolve around media have become cult classics. Maybe it's wanting to feel like you're on the inside or maybe you just want to have a laugh at an industry that becomes part of the news too often these days: http://bit.ly/15nNOZw

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SOURCE ProfNet