Newswise — USC Marshall School of Business faculty experts are available to comment on current economic news, including extension of unemployment benefits and homebuyer tax credits as well as November economic indicators (such as retail, manufacturing and housing numbers) as well as consumer confidence and the effects of government initiatives.

RICHARD GREEN, director of USC's Lusk Center for Real Estate and a Professor at USC School of Policy, Planning, & Development and USC Marshall School of Business, is an expert in real estate and can discuss the housing market as well as real estate finance and economics.

LARRY HARRIS, Fred V. Keenan Chair of Finance and Professor of Finance and Business Economics, is available to discuss economic indicators and the effect of government initiatives. Harris served as Chief Economist of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, 2002-2004.

LARS PERNER, marketing professor, is an expert in marketing and consumer behavior. He is available to discuss consumer decision-making as it relates to the economy and economic recovery, Thanksgiving, “Black Friday” and holiday shopping, online shopping, and consumer decision-making.

ALEC LEVENSON, research scientist at USC Marshall’s Center for Effective Organizations, is a labor expert specializing in the economics of human resources, labor market trends, and changes in the world of work. He is available to discuss employment figures and trends; unemployment; compensation and executive compensation and bonuses; and the economic benefits of training and leadership development;.