ProfNet Experts Available on Big Data, Energy Industry, Drones and More

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2015 /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.

If you are in need of additional experts, you can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network. You can filter your request by institution type and geographic location to get the most targeted responses. The best part? It's free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://bit.ly/findexperts?tc=alerts22315.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any aspect of ProfNet, please drop us a note at [email protected].

EDITOR'S NOTE

• How Do You Use Mobile in Your Reporting?

EXPERT ALERTS

• The Quest to Create and Monetize Data Creates New Challenges
• Information Industry Well-Positioned to Address Global Issues
• Severing Ties During the Energy Slump
• Drones Will Require Unique Insurance Coverage
• Energy Bargains for Players With Less Capital

MEDIA JOBS

• Technology, Innovation and Tourism Reporter – Post and Courier (SC)
• Copywriter/Story Architect – Wall Street Daily (MD)
• Writer/Editor – Tech.pro (TX)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Beyond Print Media: Six Ways to Find Writing Assignments
• PR Newswire's Media Moves, Feb. 16 Edition
• The Blog Blog: Fighting Blogger's Block

EDITOR'S NOTE:

To better understand how members of the media use mobile devices (phones or tablets) to produce stories, PR Newswire for Journalists is asking users to participate in a quick, eight-question survey. The survey will remain open until Feb. 28: http://bit.ly/prnjmobile

EXPERT ALERTS:

The Quest to Create and Monetize Data Creates New Challenges
Leigh Watson Healy
Chief Analyst
Outsell, Inc.
"The quest to create and monetize human data, combined with the proliferation of machine intelligence and devices that sense, track and measure, is presenting unprecedented opportunities and threats to the $738 billion information industry. We are living in a data-driven planet, where tracking and analytics sense and evaluate everything we do. Our challenge is to use this extraordinary convergence of technology and human insight to create productive and meaningful growth."
In her capacity as chief analyst and early member of the Outsell team, Watson Healy has co-created and led all aspects of Outsell's activities in producing research, advisory, and consulting services for the information and publishing industry. She relies on her extensive experience in market and opportunity assessment, strategic and business planning, and product planning to serve as an executive-level advisor to a broad range of Outsell clients. As a primary spokesperson for Outsell, Watson Healy writes and speaks frequently about key trends and issues in the information industry. Today, she leads the development of Outsell's long-term strategic relationships with industry leaders and drives delivery of trusted, value-add programs that meet clients' needs. She co-chairs Outsell's Leadership Councils, a member-service for CEOs and senior executives of media publishing and information-provider firms. She is available to discuss trends, issues and strategies in the information and publishing industry, and Dow Jones in particular.
Media Contact: [email protected]

Information Industry Well-Positioned to Address Global Issues
Anthea Stratigos
CEO and Co-Founder
Outsell, Inc.
"Dramatic changes in marketing automation, analytics and CRM are being led by innovative organizations. This is just the beginning. As our industry capitalizes on these paradigm shifts, companies will also be well-positioned to address global issues like sustainability, equal access to education, and better outcomes in health care."
Stratigos co-founded Outsell with Gregory Chagaris, creating the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on media, information, and technology. She established the company's research agenda and served as the firm's first chief analyst. As CEO, she draws upon her deep experience in research and analytics businesses to drive product development and branding for Outsell and its analytic agenda. She is also Outsell's primary spokesperson, identifying, writing, and speaking extensively about key trends in the industry. She chairs Outsell's Leadership Council, a member service for CEOs and senior executives in the industry, and has an ongoing and trusted relationship with industry leaders across the media and commercial information marketplace. She serves on the board of directors of Innodata, Inc., and is a former board member of American Business Media (ABM).
Website: http://www.outsellinc.com
Media Contact: Sadie Smith, [email protected]

Severing Ties During the Energy Slump
Micah Prude
Attorney
Thompson & Knight, Dallas
With oil prices leveling out at near historic lows, many energy-related companies are facing workforce reductions and reorganizations to stay afloat. The downturn may result in the loss of more than 140,000 jobs in Texas alone, with the resulting potential for claims of wrongful termination from employees who are let go. There are no "magic words" for releasing employment claims, with one exception: Federal law requires employers to follow strict procedures and timelines to obtain a valid release of potential age-discrimination claims from employees who are 40 or older. Says Prude: "Texas employers aren't required by law to pay terminated employees severance, but often it's a good idea to do so, especially in instances where an employer thinks it will need to rehire some or all of the terminated employees once oil prices improve. Employers who decide to foster goodwill by offering severance packages should be sure to obtain a release of any future employment claims in exchange for the severance pay."
Media Contact: Barry Pound, [email protected]

Drones Will Require Unique Insurance Coverage
Beverly Godbey
Attorney
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Dallas
The release of the Federal Aviation Administration's long-awaited proposed policies regulating remote-controlled aircraft brings the era of commercial drone use just a little bit closer. Although the first permits are not expected until 2017, businesses should start working now on insurance coverage. Says Godbey: "Businesses that anticipate adopting drones into their operations will need to add specific coverages. Because a typical commercial general liability policy excludes coverage for aircraft, as drones have been defined, it is important to obtain special owner/operator coverage for property and liability insurance. Some insurers have proposed endorsements to existing liability policies, but others offer 'all risks of ground and flight' coverage similar to aviation policies. The coverages vary widely, so prudent businesses should start early and make sure the coverage meets their proposed applications."
Media Contact: Rhonda Reddick, [email protected]

Energy Bargains for Players With Less Capital
Cliff Vrielink
Private Equity and Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer
Sidley Austin LLP, Houston
Companies and investors with capital can go bargain-hunting when oil prices are down. But remarkably, there also are opportunities for those with limited assets, or even debt. Says Vrielink: "While master limited partnerships have slowed down, the number of new, often complex, structures is on the rise. These include investments tied to specific assets only and other structures that provide investors some security, but allow the borrowers to recapture some of their equity if commodity prices return. A recent example is how highly leveraged Linn Energy lined up a half-billion-dollar capital commitment enabling the company to take advantage of the cheap oil that posed a threat to its own existence. There are opportunities for those with foresight and the right advice."
Vrielink is co-chair of the global energy practice group at Sidley Austin LLP.
Media Contact: Kit Frieden, [email protected]

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: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/

• Technology, Innovation and Tourism Reporter – Post and Courier (SC)
• Copywriter/Story Architect – Wall Street Daily (MD)
• Writer/Editor – Tech.pro (TX)

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.

• BEYOND PRINT MEDIA: SIX WAYS TO FIND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS. As a freelance writer, you've probably seen some of the outlets you write for close down. Fear not, there are still plenty of assignments out there for you. You may just need to look in new places. Here are six ways, beyond newspapers and magazines, to find writing assignments: http://prn.to/1ATbAR8
• PR NEWSWIRE'S MEDIA MOVES, FEB. 16 EDITION. PR Newswire's weekly audience research newsletter, PR Newswire's Media Moves, is chock-full of media news and job changes. In this week's issue, you'll read updates on NBC Nightly News, Politico, The Hill, Houston Chronicle, Star Tribune, Washington Post, Indianapolis Star, Vox, Crain's Chicago Business and more: http://prn.to/1FitwXT
• THE BLOG BLOG: FIGHTING BLOGGER'S BLOCK. Blogger's block is quite common. Months of consistent blogging can really burn you out. Some days you'll be swimming in a sea full of ideas, and other days you'll be asking yourself, "Now what do I write about?" Caught in a similar predicament? Here are seven ways to help alleviate blogger's block: http://prn.to/1DvcBAN

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