Do you represent an expert who can discuss a timely news topic but you aren't sure how to alert the media to the expert's availability? Take advantage of ProfNet's Expert Alerts service, which is included in full ProfNet memberships.
Expert Alerts
An Expert Alert is sort of a "reverse query" -- instead of a reporter asking for an expert, you tell the reporter about an expert who can discuss a timely topic. Alerts should be informational, not promotional, in nature. They can't be used to promote a company, its products or services, survey results, etc. Instead, they should focus on the expert's knowledge and/or opinion on an issue.
A ProfNet member can submit an Expert Alert on any topic at any time. Expert Alerts should include: expert's name, title and company; the topic the expert can address; a short quote explaning the expert's stance on the issue; a brief bio for the expert; and contact information, either for the PR person or the expert directly (or, if desired, both).
Examples:
Houston Ruling Impacts Attorneys’ Fees
Peter Scaff
Litigation Attorney
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP in Houston
“The rules on when a losing party has to pay attorneys’ fees are changing in Texas. While attorneys’ fees traditionally were recoverable for breach of contract, they were not recoverable for breach of implied warranty. However, Houston’s First Court of Appeals recently held in Howard Industries, Inc., et al v. Crown Cork and Seal Company, LLC, that attorneys’ fees are now recoverable for claims of breach of implied warranty of merchantability where the claims are based in contract. The appellate court’s opinion also impacts all parties along the distribution chain, from the manufacturer to the ultimate seller. This expanded ability to recover attorneys’ fees has the serious potential to change the fundamental economics of a lawsuit. It changes a defendant’s exposure from a liquidated sum to an uncertain and ever-increased sum, based mainly upon factors beyond the defendant’s control, namely the plaintiff’s choice of counsel. As the decision also puts intermediate suppliers on the hook, it greatly impacts their vulnerability and risk.”
Media Contact: ...
2013 Trends in Home Automation
Dion Persson
Vice President of Business and Strategy
Nexia Home Intelligence
"The home automation space is growing rapidly. In just two years, the industry will surge to $2.5 billion, which is a 30 percent growth in the number of homes featuring home automation systems. It is also predicted as one of the hottest trends of 2013 as consumers and home builders alike continue to look for smarter ways to remotely access and control their homes.”
Persson, an expert on home automation, is available to discuss what home automation actually means and how today's options are working harder to allow consumers to control lights, locks, thermostats, cameras and more, while also coordinating energy savings from their smartphone or tablet device regardless of location.
Media Contact: ...
Personal Choices Influence Healthcare Costs
Tanvir Hussain
Cardiologist
"In a time of skyrocketing healthcare costs, it's time for patients and families to start taking more responsibility for their weight and health habits. By not taking into account how our personal choices influence the healthcare cost dilemma, we are missing an important part of the conversation."
Dr. Hussain is a cardiologist with training in preventive medicine and nutrition, and a former adjunct professor of bioethics of the Pepperdine University School of Law. His areas of expertise are in nutrition studies (e.g., Mediterranean diet), preventive cardiology, and bioethics. He is based in Los Angeles.
Expert Contact: ...
Expert Roundups
From time to time, we'll also compile roundups of experts who can talk about breaking news. For example, we've done roundups on gun rights, Pope Benedict's retirement, Iran-U.S. relations; same-sex marriage, hurricane preparedness and many more.
Roundup submissions do not require a quote from the expert, although it is recommended.
Roundup topics are chosen by ProfNet editors and vary according to what's in the news. Once a topic is chosen, ProfNet will run a query letting members know about the roundup.
You can view an example of an expert roundup here: bit.ly/XLjiGz
Distribution
Alerts are sent to reporters daily according to the following schedule (subject to change, depending on volume and as news breaks):
Mondays: Business, Finance & Technology
Wednesdays: Government, Law, Education & Science
Fridays: Health, Entertainment & Living
More than 2,500 reporters have opted to receive them by email. Alerts are also distributed to more than 5,000 news organizations via PR Newswire's national news feed, and posted on PR Newswire for Journalists.
The deadline for each distribution is 3 p.m. EST the previous day. For example, a health alert must be received by 3 p.m. Thursday.
Submitting an Alert
To submit an Expert Alert, simply email it to profnetalerts@prnewswire.com. A ProfNet editor will contact you to confirm or with any questions.
Tips
Here's a quick primer on what to include and what to avoid when putting together Expert Alerts, along with a few other things to keep in mind: bit.ly/expertalerttips
[Please note: Expert Alerts submissions are available only to ProfNet members. Please contact us for more information on membership.]
