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EXPERT ALERTS
- Mexico Eyes Foreign Energy Investment
- Concerns Grow Over South China Sea Reserves
- Travel Insurance Policy Questions Regarding Travel to Libya, Egypt or Algiers
- Selecting a Digital Marketing Agency
- Home Assessment Value vs. Market Value
- Flipping a House
- Should You Trash or Donate?
MEDIA JOBS
- Higher Ed Reporter - Hayward, Calif.
- Business Reporter - Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Anchor/Reporter - Indianapolis
- Reporter - Harrisburg, Penn.
- Editorial Writer - Dallas
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
- Grammar Hammer: AR! A Pirate Argues About 'Presume' vs. 'Assume'
- Media News Highlight
- Focusing on Entrepreneurs for Hispanic Heritage Month
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EXPERT ALERTS
Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts
Mexico Eyes Foreign Energy Investment
Gabriel Ruiz
Attorney
Thompson & Knight in Monterrey
"Incoming President of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto has ambitious plans to open the nation's energy sector to greater foreign investment in the offshore oilfields in the Gulf and untapped shale reserves along the U.S. border. Mexico needs the outside capital and the technology to truly take advantage of its holdings, or risk becoming a net importer of crude within a decade. There are signs that the state-owned oil company Pemex recognizes the need for greater flexibility and commitment to collaboration in its contracting, but there's a delicate balance that still needs to be maintained between the financial risk to investors, the pricing caps imposed by Pemex and the political realities facing new government leadership."
This year, Ruiz served as lead attorney to domestic and foreign companies in securing two integrated service contracts in Northern Mexico with Pemex.
News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534
Concerns Grow Over South China Sea Reserves
Andrew Derman
Attorney
Thompson & Knight in Dallas
"Offshore energy reserves in the South China Sea are projected to hold up to 3.79 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 213 billion barrels of oil, but tensions are escalating as several Asian nations continue to argue over territorial claims to those holdings. There is a fear that exploration and production will be delayed as countries seek to unilaterally develop jointly claimed territorial areas. Through cooperative agreements, countries can agree to disagree over the delimitation of their borders, while developing oil and gas reserves for the benefit of their people. Our goal is to generate meaningful and productive dialogue and support peaceful resolutions for the entire region."
In October, Derman will serve as chairman of an economic summit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Representatives of more than 50 countries are expected to attend.
News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534
Travel Insurance Policy Questions Regarding Travel to Libya, Egypt or Algiers
Jim Grace
President and CEO
InsureMyTrip.com
"We don't know how many insured travelers have upcoming plans to one of these 'hot' areas, but it's safe to assume that many are now wondering if their travel insurance policy will provide sufficient coverage and protection for events like this. Travelers should understand what they have purchased and what may be the best protection for their trip, given recent events and their potential for impacting travel."
InsureMyTrip.com is making its Customer Care insurance experts available to any and all travelers with questions or concerns about their policy, whether they've purchased from InsureMyTrip.com or another company.
InsureMyTrip.com is an online travel insurance comparison site.
News Contact: Vikki Corliss, vikki.corliss@insuremytrip.com or +1-401-773-9210
Selecting a Digital Marketing Agency
Hassan Bawab
Founder and CEO
Magic Logix, a global digital marketing agency headquartered in Dallas
"Selecting a digital marketing agency is a tough decision for corporations because the field is new enough that factors continue to emerge. Not only do common criteria like experience, results, client service practices and capabilities come into play; but also how well the agency's recruiting practices, workflow processes and strategic partnerships integrate to allow the agency to fluidly deliver the kind of customized service that will allow the level of complexity and creativity that businesses need in today’s competitive digital space. Signs of the highest quality service providers include the ability to make open disclosures about project management and workflow approaches, recruitment policies and partnerships."
News Contact: Jeannie Lewis, jlewis@magiclogix.com
Home Assessment Value vs. Market Value
Kristin Brown
Realtor
Coldwell Banker
Brown can explain the difference between assessment and market value on a home: "The assessment value of a home relates to how much the local government places property taxes on the home. This value is determined by county and town specific calculations to determine the percentage of your home value that can be taxed. There are various factors that help determine the assessment value of a property, such as the home's condition, size and land value -- to name a few. In some municipalities, the assessment value of a property may be based on calculations that include an estimate on market value or the last sale price. Market value, on the other hand, is the dollar amount that the home is estimated to sell for in the current market. The market value of a home is calculated by looking at comparable local homes for sale, including the square footage, amenities, location, condition of the house, as well as local market conditions."
News Contact: Faith Mayer, faith@exposeyourselfpr.com or +1-617-797-9869
Flipping a House
Jim Lowenstern
Broker and Owner
Castles Unlimited in Newton, Mass.
"Flipping a house is not for everyone, but for those savvy enough to know how to do it successfully, it can be very lucrative. For starters, make sure you understand the ins and outs of buying a home. Next, make sure you know the current state of the market -- is it on the uptick or the downswing? Make sure you add enough money into your loan to do the repairs necessary and make sure you know how to do the repairs. Cheap labor is always a good idea if you need simple tasks done. For example, college kids can paint. Once the repairs and makeovers are complete, then you are ready to stage for resale. Getting in over your head is easy, so make sure you have all the necessary information upfront."
News Contact: Faith Mayer, faith@exposeyourselfpr.com or +1-617-797-9869
Should You Trash or Donate?
Peggy Patenaude
Realtor
Prudential, Howe and Doherty in Andover, Mass.
"If you are downsizing, and you have decided to clean up the clutter in your home, you may be wondering what to trash and what to donate. How do you know? A good rule of thumb is to call the charity you are considering donating to, and find out if they will take the item you wish them to have, and ask if they will come pick it up. If they are not able to pick up a large item, and you don't own a truck to move it, you may be better off trashing the couch or piano. Another question to ask is how used is the item? If the couch is 10 years old and has been drooled on by Fido, the kids and the company, chances are the charity will say 'no thank you,' but if it is an antique chair in need of some love you'd like to part with, they may be thrilled to have it."
News Contact: Faith Mayer, faith@exposeyourselfpr.com or +1-617-797-9869
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MEDIA JOBS:
Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard
- Higher Ed Reporter - Hayward, Calif.
- Business Reporter - Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Anchor/Reporter - Indianapolis
- Reporter - Harrisburg, Penn.
- Editorial Writer - Dallas
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 profnetalerts@prnewswire.com
- GRAMMAR HAMMER: AR! A PIRATE ARGUES ABOUT 'PRESUME' VS. 'ASSUME': ProfNet Editor Grace Lavigne debates about the correct usage of these two words: goo.gl/KoM6P
- MEDIA NEWS HIGHLIGHT: ProfNet Editor Evelyn Tipacti shares articles and stories from media and journalism that may be of interest to industry professionals: goo.gl/Ig3Oq
- FOCUSING ON ENTREPRENEURS FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: Veteran financial writer Melissa Preddy from the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism shares story ideas and resources for business journalists: goo.gl/3GTXL
