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Google just unveiled six partnerships with third party firms to help businesses better manage their Google+ Pages. They are with Buddy Media, Context Optional, Hearsay Social, HootSuite, Involver, and Vitrue. These partnerships are just the latest development in the week-long life of Google+Pages. Since its launch Google has introduced a new tool or tweak to the product almost by the day.
Webinars to Guide Firms
Google is holding webinars for companies interested in the Page+ platform. On Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 2 pm ET is hosting “Getting Your Business on Google+”. On Thursday, Nov. 17 between 12 pm and 3 pm ET, it is hosting a face-to-face with a Google+ expert using its group video chat product, Hangouts. Discussion will focus on technical tips, content strategies, and potential use cases for your business.
Case Studies Start to Mount
Case studies on how businesses are using Google+Pages are already available. Google offers this video about Zen Bikes' experiences.
Google+ Page Connects to AdWords via Social Extensions
When Google+ Pages debuted, Google said users would be able to link the Page to AdWords campaigns. One benefit to that is that all of a company’s +1s — from the Page, its website, ads and search results — get tallied together and appear as a single total. That functionality is now available, rolling out to all advertisers globally over the rest of the week, via a new AdWords feature called Social Extensions.
With Social Extensions, consumers will be able to see all the recommendations a business has received, whether they are looking at an ad, a search result or the Google+ Page. Currently (and for campaigns that don’t have Social Extensions enabled) AdWords ads only show +1’s from people who have +1’d that ad’s landing page.
Social Extensions also comes with new reporting segments — by adgroup, keyword or ad by a new +1 annotation segment. To enable Social Extensions click the Ad Extensions tab in the account menu and select Social Extensions from the drop down menu and choose new extension.
It Responds to Complaints
Bank of America found its brand hijacked on Google+ Pages, with a site established to make fun of the bank. The Page appeared to have been running for about a week – but after it got some notoriety Google took it down, presumably at Bank of America’s request.


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- Just one in five entrepreneurs surveyed by Advertiser Perceptions has trimmed their budgets in the confront of growing inflation. Budgets dropped, on ordinary, by 16%, according to results the agency shared in an e mail with Internet marketing Dive.
- Cuts have been most clear in upper-funnel channels, with 47% pausing related Tv (CTV), 44% digital online video and 42% linear Tv. Decrease-funnel spots of shelling out like paid research, print, radio and addressable Tv set had been the minimum impacted.
- 4 in 5 respondents plan to revive their budgets by the conclude of the fourth quarter, but techniques are established to modify. Advertiser Perceptions forecast that 50 percent will change their messaging tactic, whilst to start with-celebration facts will consider better priority as entrepreneurs concentration on retaining old and present customers as opposed to snapping up new ones.
Advertiser Perceptions’ most up-to-date conclusions tee up a quieter time period for advertising as brand names test to make their dollars go even further, however savvy leaders could have a window to usher in some imaginative innovation. The company surveyed 300 advertisers at the stop of April to glean its insights.
The small-phrase image is not really, with a few-fourths of respondents emotion a unfavorable influence on their company. Inflation has not shaken all regions of the market equally. Although 90% of packaged products and retail marketers have been harm by soaring shopper price ranges, only 42% have reconsidered their messaging approach. That serves as a distinction to the 70% of clothing and fashion marketers and 56% of economic marketers that have finished so.
Macroeconomic problems have worsened due to the fact the spring, when the study was fielded, suggesting tendencies identified in the report could in fact be more acute nowadays. Inflation surged 9.1% 12 months-on-12 months in June, according to the newest information from the Bureau of Labor Figures, surpassing economist forecasts to hit its maximum degree in much more than 40 decades.
The upshot is that a lot of marketers are peeling again expensive upper-funnel pursuits that play an essential position in manufacturer-constructing. CTV and electronic video clip — prior benefactors of the pandemic-driven change toward streaming and social media — have felt the dampening outcome. 30 % of respondents claimed they would change the CTV taps again on when inflationary alerts wane, nevertheless June’s snapshot implies that second could not be before long.
In the meantime, decrease-funnel advertising and marketing has benefited from the risky environment. Entrepreneurs have flocked to efficiency-oriented techniques like retail media to check out and tie their endeavours closer to very last-click outcomes. Advertiser Perceptions expects the retail media growth will proceed, supported by the current stock overload that is pushing extra merchants to maintain closeout gross sales.
The flight away from the upper funnel also opens chances. Electronic movie now has considerably less level of competition and decrease advertiser density, indicating marketers could wring far more out of their campaigns on the channel, for every Advertiser Perceptions.
Even if advertising exercise rebounds in 2022 — and it appears like Q4 and the holidays could see a spike — messaging is primed to evolve. The looming loss of life of the 3rd-party cookie is placing a quality on media enriched by first-celebration information. Offered this, it could possibly be a lot easier for manufacturers to goal consumers with whom they have an existing romance vs . leaping by means of hoops to obtain info on new consumers in a much more stringent privateness landscape. That scenario could, in convert, guide to far more substantive brand-creating following a comparatively dry period for standout innovative.
“Media with initial-get together facts can make the strongest scenario for upper-funnel or model advertising and marketing, particularly in which it’s turning into fewer highly-priced than functionality channels,” claimed Nicole Perrin, vice president of small business intelligence at Advertiser Perceptions, in a statement. “That’s a substantial prospect exactly where the crux is context and viewers somewhat than clicks.”

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Optoma, a designer and manufacturer of projection and audio products, has announced that it has formed a new distribution partnership with Mustek Limited, for its operations in South Africa.
Effective immediately, Mustek will bring Optoma’s cost-effective business and IT range of projectors to South Africa and its surrounding regions. Nick Price, Territory Manager, Optoma said, “We are delighted to announce Mustek as our new distribution partner in South Africa. With three decades’ experience, Mustek has a great knowledge of the local market and an excellent reputation for supplying high quality global brands which have real synergy with Optoma.”
David Kan, CEO, Mustek, said, “We look forward to developing a strong partnership with Optoma, which already has a good reputation across South Africa. We supply the biggest top tier ICT brands to the country and firmly believe that Optoma, well-known for its high quality projectors, will enhance our portfolio of products and brands that we can offer our customers.”
Mustek will be stocking Optoma’s S321, S341 X341 and W331 projectors. According to the company, these SVGA, XGA and WXGA desktop models are lightweight and portable and offer great connectivity with brilliant image quality.


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As if Facebook wasn’t in hot water already when they, in their own terms “unintentionally” leaked 1.5 million emails of the general consumers.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Now Ever since Facebook invited the wrath of users in the
Cambridge Analytica Data Harvesting Scandal they are constantly promising users for better security experience. Fast forward to today, they admitted that they stored thousands of passwords in an easy to read format. They also admitted just recently that they harvested the email info of 1.5 million users. They claim that it was “unintentional” but at this point who knows what blunders will they make next
Facebook also demanded the passwords of several users. They asked people about their email passwords to “confirm” their email address rather than just asking the facebook password. Now they could’ve just asked the email address and send a confirmation email but they decided to take the harder and path that makes less sense
The Future that is ahead
Many are once again ready to give another chance to Facebook to redeem itself, while others are just whipping up conspiracies that go from mildly plausible to outright outlandish. You’re bound to make a mistake sooner or later if you are one of the biggest social giants. With all the controversies from Cambridge Analytica Scandal to the password harvesting “mistake”, Facebook is barely keeping something at bay
With the increasing social addiction, we can’t just turn a blind eye to our privacy. No company should be able to record all your internet footsteps as they please even. Even if they can do that easily, which they can, they shouldn’t invade the privacy of a user without their permission first.
The users should also be aware of what they accept and what they don’t accept. The terms and conditions are there for a reason, so one should just skim through it to know what to expect. It’s better to be safe than sorry
Though if you’re concerned about your privacy way too much then there are always other options like Telegram where user privacy is a much bigger priority
So what do you think about all this? Is this just one of the occasional slip ups by yours truly,Facebook.Or is there a deeper meaning behind all these “unintentional” slip ups? Do Let us know


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Carolina Thread Trail receives $15,000
grant to fund new riverside trail
Charlotte, N.C. – Fort Mill, S.C., residents will soon be able to enjoy a new 1.3-mile trail along the Catawba River thanks to grant funding awarded to the Carolina Thread Trail. A $15,000 grant from REI will be used to build the natural surface trail, which will connect to Piedmont Medical Center Trail at Riverwalk, a 2.3-mile paved Thread Trail located across the Catawba River in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Thread Trail will hire a contractor to build the trail and will oversee construction. The land and conservation easement for the new trail is being secured through Catawba Lands Conservancy and Nation Ford Land Trust.
“REI continues to be an amazing partner for the Carolina Thread Trail and this grant enables us to preserve nature and offer more outdoor recreational opportunities in an area that is developing quickly,” said Tom Okel, executive director of the Carolina Thread Trail.
“Building upon the success of the Riverwalk Trail, which sees about 10,000 users a month, this project will allow runners, walkers and bikers to enjoy a longer distance path for exercise and outdoor exploration,” said Okel.
The trail project is a part of the Thread Trail’s “North-South Spine,” a critical 120-mile planned trail corridor that will stretch from Statesville, N.C., to Great Falls, S.C. The creation of a signature, long-distance trail for the region is one the Thread Trail’s top priorities. With 37 miles of this corridor complete, the Thread Trail continues to work with communities to complete remaining segments.
There are currently three segments of Thread Trail open in Fort Mill: Baxter Village Trail, Blue Star Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway and Nation Ford Greenway. To learn more about these and other Carolina Thread Trails, visit www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org.
In 2014, REI awarded the Thread Trail a $15,000 grant to build a trail and kayak and canoe launch along the Rocky River in Midland, N.C. The launch is part of a planned 60-mile blueway, or paddle trail that will stretch across 4 counties in North Carolina.
In additon, REI will partner with the Thread Trail in support of National Public Lands Day Volunteer Trail Workday at Buffalo Creek Preserve in Mount Pleasant, NC on Sept. 26. For more information, click here.
About The Carolina Thread Trail
The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is a 15-county, two-state initiative designed to create a regional network of trails, blueways and conservation corridors that would link more than 2.3 million citizens. With technical resources and catalytic funding from The Thread, local communities plan and implement their portions of this greenway system. The Carolina Thread Trail region includes Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties within North Carolina and Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for The Thread, which is working in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas and many local partners. Currently, 220 miles of The Thread are open to the public. For more information, visit carolinathreadtrail.org.
REI is a national outdoor specialty retailer and the nation’s largest consumer co-op with 5.5 million active members. In addition to its own line of high-quality award-winning gear and apparel, REI offers products from the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members pay a one-time $20 membership fee, receive voting privileges to elect REI’s board of directors and share in the co-op’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases.
Headquartered outside Seattle in Kent, Wash., REI is recognized as a leading multi-channel retailer with 140 stores in 33 states; telephone and mail-order operations; two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures.
REI partners with local nonprofit organizations to preserve and maintain trails, waterways and parks where community members enjoy the outdoors. Partnerships include event promotion, gear donations and financial contributions. This year REI will invest $5.9 million in local communities to help care for outdoor spaces


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Articles tagged with: BMW 7
Audi announced that the premiere of the All-new 2011 A8 will be at November 30
Finally, after a lot of speculations and waiting, Audi finally set a date to unveil the new A8. The car will …
Audi A6 Information and Reviews. Read Audi A6 news. Audi A6 Blog. A6 photos and pricing at Audicts.
Audi A8 Blog. Read Audi A8 news and reviews at Audicts.com Audi A8 photos and pricing.
Audi Q7 Blog. Read Audi Q7 TDI News and Information. Audi Q7 Reviews and Photos at Audicts.com
Category dedicated to all Audi RS models.
Audi TT Blog. Read Audi TT news and information at Audicts.com Audi TT photos.


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NEW YORK, JUNE 22 -- Imperial Chemical Industries said today it will sell its Stauffer Chemical Co.'s speciality chemical unit for $625 million, more than a third of the price it paid for the entire Stauffer company earlier this month.
Akzo American Inc., a subsidiary of Holland-based Akzo NV, will pay $614 million in cash for the unit and assume about $11 million in long-term debt, Imperial Chemical spokesman Ray King said.
Imperial Chemical originally acquired Stauffer, headquartered in Westport, Conn., from the Anglo-Dutch multinational giant Unilever for $1.69 billion on June 5.
Stauffer was first acquired by Chesebrough-Pond's Inc. three years ago and became a part of Unilever when Chesebrough-Pond's was taken over by Unilever.
The Stauffer unit makes high-performance lubricants and flame retardants, catalysts for petrochemicals and additives for synthetic rubber manufacture.
The sale, which will include its research, manufacturing and marketing interests in the United States and worldwide, is expected to be completed in a "few weeks," King said. Some 1,800 employes will be affected, but it is not known whether the Dutch company will retain them after the deal is completed.
In London, Imperial Chemical Chairman Denys Hunderson said, "Akzo is a company that we know and respect. We believe the agreement we have reached is good for ICI, good for Akzo, and good for the speciality business of Stauffer and its employes."
Imperial Chemical acquired Stauffer mainly for its agrochemical business, which it needs for its expansion both in the United States and worldwide, the company said.
In what one analyst termed the "classic British-asset-stripping strategy," the decision to sell the speciality chemicals division will also help Imperial Chemical recoup more than a third of its outlay to Unilever for Stauffer.
The $625 million represents about two times the speciality chemicals division's current sales and about 17 times its earnings, which one analyst said appeared to be on the high side.
But since the transaction is in dollars, the Dutch firm might come out ahead because of the appreciation of the guilder against the dollar in recent months.
Anthony Pearce-Batten of Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. of Baltimore said the acquisition should help Akzo increase its involvement in the United States at a time when several major foreign companies are trying to do the same.
Imperial Chemical also is seeking to sell Stauffer's basic chemicals business, which currently has sales of about $550 million, King said. He said "several parties" have expressed interest. King declined to put a price tag on the business.


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The report issued today from the Academies of Science which essentially stated that GMOs in our food supply are safe for humans to consume came under fire by several consumer advocacy groups. The media coverage of the report can easily be found, and in fact, USA Today did fair and balanced overviews of both sides of this argument.
The focus of this commentary on my own blog here is to not delve into the specifics of the report from this organization, but rather to focus on the facts and implications that still remain in the “great GMO debate” in America. Most of you know as readers of my prior work on the topic of GMOs that I am very strongly anti-GMO. That stance has been honed by researching tons of scientific studies and empirical data from trusted sources and reading accounts of the effects of herbicides such as Roundup and their impact on the soil and crops in our country over a period of roughly 20 years.
Despite what this report released today states, GMOs are not safe for humans to consume, products such as herbicides and pesticides have caused all sorts of illnesses in children and adults. The use of genetically engineered seeds and other products in our agricultural production processes has a direct correlation to increased incidences of gastrointestinal, autoimmune, cancers, and other diseases.
Several other consumer advocacy groups and others involved in the food industry agree with my view on this report and on this situation. The reason: the Academies of Science report is tainted, it is skewed because the scientists and other members of the organization are linked with the large biotech companies and the agricultural production giants such as Monsanto. This effectively caused one group, Food & Water Watch (which is a respected consumer advocacy group) to call the results “watered down”.
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the biotech and big agricultural giants like Dow Chemical and Monsanto got involved to directly or indirectly influence a report or a legislative measure when it comes to GMOs. I have written numerous articles over the past few years on this same subject with political donations being linked to high powered politicians who then change the course of a particular bill so that it is favorable to the big business interests involved.
This should come as no surprise to anyone in the audience because the genetic engineering of food has always at the core been inherently about pure greed. The ability to grow more product or make the food last longer so that stores had less perishable or expired inventory has been the catalyst behind a “make it GMO or bust” mentality.
The evidence of that is clear in the U.S. according to reports published in USA Today, Yahoo! News, and other trusted sources the following numbers for 2015 are staggering with regard to the prevalent nature of genetically engineered produce in our food supply. I have listed below the percentage of each crop that is genetically engineered:
Sugar beets = 99%
Soybeans = 94%
Cotton = 94%
Feed corn = 92%
I have written previously about the pervasive and persistent nature of the GMO problem in the U.S. based on these numbers above. It has created conditions where now the staple products are genetically modified and the soil has been degraded to a point where it is not capable of growing non-GMO produce. The other issue which is just as troubling is that the seed used in so many crops are genetically modified and two main companies – Dow and Monsanto control a huge market share in the seed business for our food supply.
The amount of feed corn that is genetically modified is also a tremendous problem because it has a direct impact on so many areas of agriculture which impacts the food that is provided to many of our sources of animal protein. In turn that creates a scenario where it is very difficult to avoid GMO containing products in your given daily food intake.
In any case, despite your view on the situation, God created all that we have been given here on Earth, every living thing, the soil, the seeds, the water, and the Sun. Then mankind came along and decided that they knew better than God and they decided to alter what God created in the name of enhanced profit margins. There are many other people and groups out there that also agree with this component of my argument against GMOs.
The incidences of increased levels of autoimmune diseases such as celiac, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, certain types of cancers, and other gastrointestinal diseases all jumped up in the past 20 years since man decided that they would alter the crops and the seeds and the soil with chemical ingredients and herbicides.
I cannot emphasize enough that the ties to the Academies of Science and the biotech and agricultural products suppliers casts a huge cloud of suspicion over the validity of the report issued today. It certainly was a far cry from an independent analysis on this issue.
National Geographic put together a really informative and well done piece on the effect of Roundup brand herbicide on the crops and the soil in the American farming system. The results, and the amount that we do not know about such a widely used chemical are alarming.
The final subtopic I will touch on with regard to this issue is the labeling of GMO product which is a debate that I have covered vigorously over the past few years as well. The consumer groups today stated that the majority of Americans still believe strongly that they have the right to know if the food they are consuming is GMO containing. That fight over labeling standards and a national protocol for labeling food products is not going away with this announcement today.
The basic premise being that even if a group states that GMOs are safe, the majority of people, whether they believe those ingredients are bad or unhealthy or not, still maintain that they should know whether the product they are going to purchase contains genetically engineered components.
The fact that so many of the staple food crops that I referenced earlier in this piece are genetically engineered creates a potentially very negative situation for certain large food producing companies such as Nestle and ConAgra just to name two. The consumer will most definitely think twice about buying a can of soup with genetically modified soy in the ingredients.
The federal government has to get involved with a standard protocol because each individual state cannot have their own separate ways of declaring GMOs on labeling for grocery products, it will become a complete nightmare for interstate commerce.
In the end, the report today did nothing to quell the debate over GMOs in the food we eat, instead it stoked the fire. This debate will continue because there is a mountain of evidence to refute what this report claimed today. The trend toward healthy and fresh/ organic eating habits in the American consumer will not change because of this report today. The distrust of the government, the disdain for lobbyists, and the general skepticism towards large corporations will continue in America, and in fact was emboldened by this report today. I urge you to educate yourself on this topic because it can have a dramatic impact on your health and that of the rest of your family. This report cannot change that fact.


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Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is leading 27 companies from the local travel and hotel industry for the four-day Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai and South Africa’s Indaba exhibition both taking place this week to May 14.
The tourism fairs come at a time when the country is enjoying international attention and endorsement as a peaceful nation following a successful and calm General Election held in March this year.
KTB Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa says the exhibitions will provide a platform for the country to drive the message of a new business environment after a peaceful election.
“The emphasis by the new government on tourism as a key growth driver to support Kenya’s economy is highly applauded,” said Ndegwa.
He said the tourism industry was dynamic and international fairs provided an opportunity to benchmark with best practices globally as KTB seeks to diversify tourism products to target varied preferences by visitors.
While wildlife, safari and beach remain key products of Kenya’s tourism, it is clear that other areas have emerged as competitive among them being water sports, birding, adventure, golfing, MICE, culture among others.
“The focus on eco-tourism and Meeting Incentives Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) has also been key,” said Ndegwa while confirming that Kenya would be host of the International Conference on Eco Tourism in September, 2013.
Effects of economic recession on tourism, stimulating jobs and investment in the industry, elimination of barriers to travel such as visa restrictions and taxation are among key challenges to be discussed during the fairs.
Both UAE and South Africa markets have shown remarkable growth in tourist numbers to Kenya with KTB redoubling its marketing efforts in tapping into these markets.
In the year 2011 for example, Kenya recorded 38,354 tourists from South Africa and 40,707 in 2012 translating to a six percent growth.
The UAE market has shown remarkable growth and resilience in the past three years and has become one of the fastest growing source markets for Kenya.
Last year the market grew from 21,128 arrivals in the year 2011 to 40,485 translating to a growth of 92 percent jump.
The growth from the UAE has been boosted by established routes from key airlines such as Kenya Airways, Emirates, Etihad among others has continually partnered with these airlines to promote Kenya as a destination of choice to tourists.


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Siemens announced development an online networking and communications platform for members across the additive manufacturing (AM) supply chain. Scheduled to launch mid-2018, it will offer collaborative tools that will facilitate co-invention and communications between distributors, further launching AM into the mainstream for quick-turnaround production of industrial parts.
Under development by Siemens' Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software business, the part-manufacturing platform could be used by job shops, 3D printer OEMs, material suppliers, and expert services providers to ensure optimal use of global AM resources. Collaborative tools will include a co-invention platform for designers, and networking for part buyers and micro-factories among others.
“Siemens is one of the only companies addressing the diverse needs of all AM market participants – from designers and engineers, to manufacturers, 3D-printing machine OEMs, material vendors, and software providers—with a comprehensive set of seamless technology solutions for distributed industrial additive manufacturing and co-innovation,” says Tony Hemmelgarn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens PLM Software.
Siemens also invites interested parties to ask about early access membership before the mid-2018 launch. For more information visit NX Manufacturing News.


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Jersey Shore Business Journal
Written by Staff Reports Thursday, January 09, 2014 10:09 am
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE —The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce was recognized by the Southern New Jersey Business People Magazine with the IMPACT Award for contributions to promote business and tourism in Cape May County. The award was accepted by Chairman Scott Campbell (TD Bank), and Vicki Clark.
The chamber’s tourism marketing, public-private partnerships, and leadership in advocating for the importance of tourism to Cape May County and all of New Jersey were cited in the award ceremony at the Mansion in Voorhees, according to chamber officials.
Written by Staff Reports Thursday, January 09, 2014 12:00 am
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — David and Maggie Robinson, co-owners of Holly Shores Campground in Lower Township, presented a $10,000 check to Joanne Carrocino, FACHE, president and CEO of Cape Regional Medical Center, which represents the third payment toward a $50,000 pledge.
Written by Staff Reports Thursday, December 05, 2013 07:35 am
ATLANTIC CITY — Dr. Eric Thomas, a dentist in Cape May Court House, was among those honored when the New Jersey Conference of NAACP branches presented its distinguished healthcare professionals awards for 2013 at its annual state convention Oct. 12.
Written by Staff Reports Wednesday, December 04, 2013 02:39 pm
ATLANTIC CITY — Robert O. Williams, photographer of the book “Wildwood's Neon Nights and Motel Memories,” will present a seminar at the Atlantic City Convention Center 11 a.m. until noon Thursday, Dec. 5, as part of the Sign World International trade show, hosted by the United States Sign Council.
Written by Staff Reports Wednesday, December 04, 2013 01:29 pm
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE– Louise Sandora, a food production worker in nutritional services at Cape Regional Medical Center, is the Service Excellence of the Month award recipient for October.
“Louise goes the extra mile every day, using her creative talent to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Vince DePietro, executive chef. “Louise is a team player who offers to help and assist her fellow associates. We are proud to have Louise as a member of our team.”
Written by Staff Reports Wednesday, December 04, 2013 01:27 pm
MAYS LANDING – Atlantic City Electric reminds home and business owners to use care when someone claiming to represent a business contacts them either in person or by telephone, especially during the holiday season.
Recently, Atlantic City Electric has been alerted to a “Green Dot” scam. Information from law enforcement officials and other utilities has indicated that scammers are targeting residents and businesses. It has been reported that scammers are telling business owners that the location's electric service account is delinquent and it will be shut-off for non-payment unless the business purchases a "Green Dot Money Pack" for a specific amount from stores including CVS, Rite Aid and WaWa. Victims are then given instructions to call a telephone number with the card’s account number and pin. Once the scammer obtains the card’s identifying information, the value is then downloaded, swept and stolen. These transactions are untraceable.
Written by Staff Reports Wednesday, December 04, 2013 01:25 pm
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The EtCetera Shop, formerly on the Cape Regional Medical Center campus, has relocated to the Acme Shopping Plaza in Cape May Court House.
The thrift shop is run by the Cape Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
Written by Staff Reports Tuesday, December 03, 2013 02:00 pm
Sam Allen, Walmart manager, presents a sponsorship check to Boardwalk Basketball Classic Committee members Jodie DiEduardo and Dave Troiano. Walmart is a corporate sponsor of the 2013 Boardwalk Basketball Classic.
- Small business in regional looking forward to 2014
- NBC affiliate WMGM 40 is under agreement of sale by Access 1
- East Lynne Theater Company receives state grant
- Carole Seibert honored for work
- Ocean City Home Bank seeks star savers with Lights, Camera, Save! video contest
- Local pet sitter honored at pet-care convention
- Sturdy Sponsors Boy Scout Awards Event
- Randazzo fund donates to cancer center
- Cape names new vice president
- Pre-Med at the Shore program graduates 12
Page 6 of 9


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Moments ago, Google announced that the next update, hitherto called Android Q, will be actually called Android 10, thus also deserting the idea of naming its OS updates after a dessert, beginning with Android 10. Before you could blink though, Nokia has come up with release date plans for as many as 17 of its devices that will receive the Android Q, err, Android 10 update.
Update [May 14, 2020]: The Android 10 update is now available for Nokia 3.1 Plus users. The update is available for the users in many countries but will be limited to 10% users in the first phase, with 50% users covered in the second phase that begins on May 16th, and finally, all the 3.1 plus users on May 18th onwards.
Update [April 29, 2020]: Nokia 1 Plus is now receiving an update to Android 10 Go edition. The update is rolling out to users in Sri Lanka, Tunisia, UAE, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, and Yemen.
Update [April 28, 2020]: HMD Global’s CPO, Juho Sarvikas announced the release of Android 10 to its mid-range Nokia 6.2 smartphone. The company has revealed that the update will complete getting rolled for all approved markets by May 3, 2020.
The rollout has already started for users in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Cambodia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Update [April 23, 2020]: If you own a Nokia 2.3, we have got some great news for you. Starting today, the Android 10 is being rolled out to the Nokia 2.3 handsets. It should be reaching your phone pretty soon.
Update [April 15, 2020]: Nokia took to Twitter today to announce the rollout of Android 10 for the Nokia 8 Sirocco handset. Here’s a list of countries eligible for the rollout that will be completed in three stages — 10% Nokia 8 Sirocco users in those regions getting the update today itself, 50% by April 18th, and the remaining users by April 20th.
Update [April 09, 2020]: Nokia today announced that the rollout of Android 10 update for Nokia 4.2 handsets has begun. Here’s a list of countries eligible for the rollout that will be completed in three stages — 10% getting the update today itself, 50% by April 12th, and the remaining users by April 14th.
Update [April 07, 2020]: Nokia has begun the rollout of Android 10 update for its Nokia 3.2 handset. The big update arrives as software version V2.270, sized 1.31GB, and is becoming available as an OTA right now.
March 31, 2020: Nokia is now rolling out the Android 10 update for the Nokia 7.2 handsets. The rollout was announced on Twitter, and a few users have already confirmed receiving the OTA update.
March 17, 2020: Nokia 2.2 is now receiving the Android 10 update, announced the company on Twitter. The update also brings the February 2020 security patch.
February 6, 2020: Android 10 update has arrived on two models (TA-1050 and TA-1068) of the Nokia 6.1, carrying version V4.10C and weighing 1444.3MB. The TA-1050 model corresponds to units in the UK and Australia with 3GB/32GB configuration; while the TA-1068 model is the Global 4GB/64GB dual-SIM version. We can expect a similar update to be pushed to other models of the device.
The update brings with all the features of Android 10 including Smart reply, dark mode, gesture navigation, and additional controls for location and privacy. Besides that, the update packs the December 2019 Android security.
January 07, 2020: A day after the Nokia 6.1 Plus received it, HMD Global has started pushing the official Android 10 update to the Nokia 7 Plus. The update, weighing 1422.3MB, carries the software version V4.10C and brings with it the December 2019 Android security patches. It comes with Dark mode, new gesture navigation, Smart Reply, and the latest privacy and location controls. Android 10 update to the Nokia 7 Plus is rolling out to users in India, Finland, Philippines, Egypt, UAE, Sweden, and Norway (via Reddit).
January 06, 2020: The Nokia 6.1 Plus is now getting an update to Android 10 with December 2019 Android security. The update weighs around 1302MB and carries the version V4.10C featuring Dark mode, Smart reply, new gesture navigation, and updated privacy controls.
Which Nokia devices have received the Android 10 update and when?
These Nokia devices have received Android 10 update:
- Nokia 9 PureView
- Nokia 8.1 (October 09)
- Nokia 8 Sirocco (April 15)
- Nokia 7 Plus (January 07)
- Nokia 7.1
- Nokia 7.2 (March 31)
- Nokia 6.2 (April 28)
- Nokia 6.1 Plus (January 06)
- Nokia 6.1 (February 06)
- Nokia 4.2 (April 09)
- Nokia 3.2 (April 07)
- Nokia 3.1 Plus (May 13)
- Nokia 2.3 (April 23)
- Nokia 2.2 (March 17)
- Nokia 1 Plus (April 29)
Which Nokia devices will receive the update now?
In Q2 2020, Nokia might update these devices to Android 10:
- Nokia 1 Plus
- Nokia 5.1 Plus
- Nokia 2.1 (Android 10 Go edition)
- Nokia 3.1
- Nokia 5.1
- Nokia 1 (Android 10 Go edition)
Nokia claimed — somewhat dubiously, albeit! — that they were the fastest to roll out an Android Pie, and we would accept that claim actually because they were indeed better at rolling out Android Pie for such a large portfolio of devices, covering even the most budget of Android handsets they released. If you ask us, they were easily one of the top OEMs to roll out Android Pie update in a very timely manner. Let’s hope Nokia can replicate the feat with Android 10 too.
→ When will your Android device get Android 10
Android 10 Go update
Nokia moved quickly to share its plan on releasing Android 10 Go update for the Android Go devices. Here’s what they shared (via Twitter).
Nokia has already released (April 29) the Android 10 Go update for Nokia 1 Plus. We can thus expect the Nokia 2.1 and Nokia 1 to get the update in Q2 2020.
Not that this is entirely a new piece of info, as Nokia has already told us these dates for these devices earlier.


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General Motors is shifting output of the battery pack for its Chevrolet Spark EV to its own Brownstown Township battery assembly plant. The Spark EV’s lithium ion battery packs had been sourced from A123 Systems, which filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and later was acquired by Wanxiang Group.
GM disclosed in April that it would invest $65 million into the site to expand lithium ion battery production as the carmaker press for in-house development and manufacturing of EVs. GM builds its own battery packs and some of the motors for its EVs and plug-in hybrids.
In 2013, the carmaker started assembly of the Spark EV’s 85-kW electric motor at its White Marsh powertrain plant in Maryland. Larry Nitz, executive director of GM global transmission and electrification engineering, said in a statement that the carmaker’s in-house engineering and manufacturing expertise has allowed them to deliver a battery system that is more efficient and lighter than in the 2014 Spark EV.
The Brownstown battery assembly plant produces lithium ion battery packs for the Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera and Cadillac ELR extended-range EVs. GM has disclosed that the 2015 Spark EV’s battery system will weight 474 lbs -- around 86 pounds lbs lighter than in the 2014 model.
The pack will have storage capacity of 19 kW and use 192 lithium ion cells. The cells will be produced at LG Chemical’s Holland site in Michigan. GM spokeswoman Annalisa Bluhm noted that while the new Spark EV battery pack is lighter than its predecessor, it still allows the vehicle to achieve a fuel efficiency rate of 119 mpg equivalent and cruise for 82 miles on a single charge.
GM spokesman Dave Darovitz remarked that the production of the new Spark EV battery packs will not result to new jobs at Brownstown Township battery assembly plant, which already employs 100 people. Darovitz said that GM will add jobs “if consumer demand requires.” The 2015 Spark EV carries a starting price of $19,995 after federal tax incentives.


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Pete Tong announces first-ever Essential Mix Live event in US
Electronic music’s most influential radio host, Pete Tong, has announced the launch of his world-renowned Essential Mix brand in the US early next year with a series of live events. The first ever US Essential Mix Live event will take place in Los Angeles at Exchange LA on January 22, with techno icon Richie Hawtin.
Pete Tong moved to Los Angeles from the UK several years ago, and has chosen his newly-adopted hometown to launch the US Essential Mix Live series because of its significance in the global electronic music scene. “The Essential Mix has always been about championing what’s new and next,” says Tong. “So much has happened to electronic music in America in the last five years, and much of that change has been born out of LA, and the community of artists and industry professionals that live here. We’re incredibly lucky to kick start this American series with Richie, who has been such an influential artist in the story of American techno music.”
Tong has hosted the Essential Mix for 20 years, helping transform it into the most reputable mix show in the world. Appearing on the show and delivering a two-hour Essential Mix has become a rite-of-passage for aspiring electronic musicians.
Richie Hawtin has had an equally storied career, shaping electronic music in North America and beyond. The techno pioneer has hosted his iconic ENTER. live series around the world since launching it in Ibiza in 2012, not to mention continuing to promote cutting-edge talent on his labels Plus 8 and M_nus.
Bringing the two legendary figures together behind the decks, the inaugural Essential Mix Live in the US show will not be an event to miss.
Tickets are available here.


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African Nations One Step Ahead than Other Nations, Embracing Cryptocurrency
African nations are one step ahead than other nations in embracing cryptocurrency. With Bitcoin leading the way, it has found enthusiasts in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, and South Sudan. Emmanuel Tokunbo Darko, the Vice-President of Marketing for ICO Watchlist said citizens of African countries transact in Bitcoin ‘as opposed to their local currencies, which are plagued with hyperinflation. And with the respective countries governments not taking a stance on regulating cryptocurrency has in fact boosted the digital currencies.
The African Revival says that cryptocurrency-based remittance services are coming up. “These services include Abra, which operates in Malawi and Morocco, GeoPay in South Africa, BitMari in Zimbabwe and London-based Kobocoin, which was launched by a Nigerian entrepreneur.” There is also Kenya’s BitPesa that facilitates virtual remittances transfers to African and international locations and between users’ mobile wallets. Countries have adopted cryptocurrencies, recent examples being eDinar, the Tunisian government has issued this digital currency, and then there is Senegal with its eCFA. The Chief Executive Officer of South African-based cryptocurrency consulting firm, Liquid Crypto-Money, Shireen Ramjoo predicts Africa will have more government-issued cryptocurrencies.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is contemplating to license digital currencies. And if successful, it may pass cryptocurrencies as legal tender. The Deputy Director of SEC, Paul Abadio said “We have adopted a wide range of changes on it and we are still doing our research and gathering information, and we welcome any input that people might have to help us formulate a view on how we should deal with it in Ghana.” He said by making cryptocurrency a legal tender, they are hoping to stop illegal operations within the crypto scope. Moreover, cryptocurrency developers have been excluded from paying tax incentive by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) as it recently re-categorized digital currencies as ‘financial instruments’. As per the new categorization, cryptocurrency development businesses no longer can claim a significant tax deduction. It also means that any losses made while trading cryptocurrencies will be ‘ring-fenced’ and treated in the same manner as promissory notes, future contracts and commodities-based derivatives.
Experts say that people of African countries are adopting cryptocurrency fast because of limited access to traditional banking and unstable national currencies. Cryptocurrencies are filling up the void and its plus point is that there is no geographical restrictions and no involvement of banks. Users can tap into cryptocurrencies with internet connection and smartphone.


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Mr. Bigshot Lemon Shot announces its arrival in the Philippine Market
Mr. Big shot Inc. Philippines, a food and beverage company announces it’s initial offering through their Energy Drink line called: The Mr. Big shot Lemon Shot.
A product originally from the U.S., Mr. Bigshot Energy Drink was first introduced in its initial test markets with it’s original chemical elements as manufactured in the United States but had to be reformulated to cater to the Filipino genetic composition, as explained by Mr. Erick Mosteller and Nestor Bonifacio Jr. founders of Mr. Bigshot Inc. The Energy drink finally got its license approval to sell and distribute its introductory product, after a series of testing and redevelopment in compliance to FDA’s strict standards on energy drinks.
The Lemon Shot as it is popularly called have gained a big following and strong acceptance through its numerous events and bar invasions known to the public as “Mr. Bigshot Invades’”
Mr. Bigshot Energy drinks are now available for distribution. For inquiries please contact the company at email@example.com


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Continuous Scaled Manufacturing allows 3D printing of continuous fiber at speeds of up to 1,200 inches per minute.
David Savastano, Editor08.03.16
The world of 3D printing holds so much promise for many industries, and there are new technologies that are improving the 3D printing process. Through its Continuous Scaled Manufacturing process, Continuous Composites (CC3D), located in Coeur d’Alene, ID, is helping to move the technology ahead.
Continuous Scaled Manufacturing is a new 3D printing process that prints continuous fiber with UV thermoset resin. As a result, Continuous Composites received the Emerging Innovation Award at RadTech’s 2016 UV/EB Conference in Chicago.
From its first provisional patent for Continuous Composite Three Dimensional filed in August 2012 to today, Continuous Composites is creating strong, functional, lightweight parts at a lower cost and at greater speed. Two years ago, the company pioneered its AMG (additive mechanical growth) concept, which utilizes tubular printing techniques to digitally produce advanced structures with potentially unlimited size and shape. CC3D&rsqu
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The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a historic layoff trip that has forced companies to reconsider not only where to work, but how to improve the employee experience.
According to new research from LinkedIn, some companies have navigated these seismic shifts to work better than others.
On Wednesday, the networking platform released its annual list of Top Companies identifying the top 50 places in the United States for professionals to grow their careers. Amazon ranked No. 1 on the list, followed by Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Wells Fargo.
Here are the 10 best companies to work for in 2022 according to LinkedIn:
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
MANAGER: Andy Jassy
Headquarters: Mountain View, California
MANAGER: Sundar Pichai
3. Wells Fargo
Headquarters: San Francisco California
MANAGER: Charles W. Sharp
4. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Headquarters: New York, New York
MANAGER: Jamie Dimon
Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas
MANAGER: Doug McMillon
Headquarters: Armonk, New York
MANAGER: Arvind Krishna
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
MANAGER: John T. Stankey
8. Bank of America
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
MANAGER: Brian Moynihan
Headquarters: Cupertino, California
MANAGER: Tim Cook
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Industry: Telecommunications, Entertainment
MANAGER: Brian L. Roberts
For the report, LinkedIn reviewed millions of employee profiles and insights about companies posted on the platform between January and December 2021. Researchers focused on companies with at least 500 employees and assessed each organization based on seven factors:
- Ability to advance: the frequency and speed with which employees are promoted
- Skills development: how employees gain new skills once they are hired
- Company stability: attrition and retention of employees
- External option: how often recruiters from other companies search for and contact employees
- Company affiliation: how many employees are linked to each other on LinkedIn
- Gender diversity: gender equality in a company and its subsidiaries
- Educational background: the different levels of education among the employees
Amazon claimed this year’s No. 1 spot after making “significant investments” to improve employee well-being and support their upgrading skills, Dan Roth, editor-in-chief and vice president of LinkedIn, tells CNBC Make It.
“What we measure on this list is ‘do it here’ [company] help you grow in your career? and according to all our data, Amazon is definitely the best place for it, “he adds.
In the last 12 months, the e-commerce company has more than doubled the maximum basic salary for company employees, introduced new mental health services and announced that they would cover 100% of the tuition costs for hourly wage earners, to name a few examples.
However, it is important to note that Amazon has been subjected to a barrage of criticism for its treatment of warehouse workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and the promotion of a brutal workplace culture. Last week, Amazon workers at a warehouse in Staten Island voted to join unions, and they became the first group at a U.S.-powered technology giant to do so. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC Make Its.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged that the company could improve its treatment of employees during the GeekWire Summit in Seattle back in October. “I think if you have a large group of people that we have – we have 1.2 million employees – it’s almost like a small country,” he said. “There are many things you could do better.”
There are three elements that set the best companies apart from their competitors: offering flexible work arrangements, ample opportunities for professional development (job rotations during teaching, mentorship) and robust mental health services (free counseling, extra paid free), Roth adds.
Disclaimer: Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC.
Apple, Meta and Amazon drop Comparably’s 2022 best corporate culture list after topping last year’s ranking – here’s the reason
10 companies with the best workplace cultures, including pay, perks and work-life balance
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt on why office work is better: “I do not know how to build great management” virtually
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Our weekend reading list - October 16th - 23rd
As every week Searchcowboys informes what were the hot topics of the week, both on Searchcowboys and on other places of the world wide web.
The week was not filled with big news this time until Twitter decided to make deals with both Bing and Google. There were also some interesting researches being published and Google Analytics chose this week to ad some great new features! Have a good weekend!
Our top stories on Searchcowboys this week:
Our weekend reading list from around the web:
Image of the week:
Video of the week:
Found links to Searchcowboys.com:
Tagcloudeurope website yahoo street view blog a4uexpo browser london ses tools adwords ppc app interview images internet viral android event sea news seo search engine microsoft maps sem china streetview searchcowboys twitter advertising russia privacy social mobile ads search engine strategies youtube baidu bing
12 June 2013 / 13 June 2013


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In over 10 years of advising clients on acquisitions, auctions and selling their collections, we have very rarely posted about upcoming auctions. Today we are posting to discuss the Roy Welland Collection. His first sale delivered eye-popping results in September. The second half of that auction is coming up on November 21 and 22, also with Wally’s, but in LA instead of New York. Roy has stored with us for many years, and the provenance of this cellar is impeccable.
Join us as Domaine Chicago welcomes Fritz Hatton and Arietta Wines on Tuesday, October 4th. This marks a rare opportunity to taste wines sold only through mailing lists and select restaurants.read more
Domaine Chicago is now the midwest distribution point for Heritage Wine Auctions. Bottles purchased from Heritage are being shipped free of charge to our facility for storage or local pickup and delivery.read more
We are excited to announce that Manhattan-based City Winery is expanding to Chicago, and equally excited that Domaine Wine Storage Chicago will be their official storage partner.read more
We are proud to announce our partnership with ReCork, the innovative cork recycling program. Simply bring your piles of old corks to our wine storage facilities and we will ship them to the recycling center in bulk.read more


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TV personality Ryan Seacrest has teamed up with Meat District for a new “Feeding The Frontlines” initiative.
The initiative will donate over $2 million worth of food to supply chain workers and their families who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Meat District press release obtained by the Daily Caller.
“Feeding the Frontlines would not be possible without the support of our retail partners distributing donations to charities and families in need in our local communities,” CEO Erik Litmanovich said. “With extraordinary teamwork between Meat District and our retailers, we are able to help feed thousands of families across the country.”
Meat District will be donating $150,000 worth of food to participating grocery stores’ charitable foundations where it will be distributed to families in need. (RELATED: Ryan Seacrest Donates $1 Million To Coronavirus Relief Efforts In New York, Los Angeles)
“We are extremely grateful for our partners in launching our ‘Feeding the Frontlines’ initiative,” COO of Meat District Zack Levenson said. “We are excited and honored to have the opportunity to give back to supermarket workers, butchers, truck drivers and every supply chain employee who work tirelessly to ensure families are being fed. We wanted to offer our appreciation and ensure that supply chain workers and their families are being taken care of especially during the pandemic.”
Seacrest is also launching “Feeding The Frontlines” on his iHeart radio show, where callers can nominate people each week to receive a $1,000 gift card for groceries. The initiative will run through June 7.


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Gartner: BI software spending to hit $17.1 billion by 2016, but pace of growth slowing
- 19 February, 2013 15:36
The global market for BI (business intelligence) software will hit US$13.8 billion in 2013, but the pace of growth will be slower than in past years, according to new figures from analyst firm Gartner.
This year, BI market spending will rise by 7 percent, compared to a 16 percent uptick in 2011, Gartner said. Total spending will rise to $17.1 billion by 2016, the report adds.
"As more and more information is generated, business models need reinvention, and it's increasingly clear that mastering analytics on big data will be a key driver for the next economic cycle," Gartner analyst Dan Sommer said in a statement.
BI spending will continue to increase because of other factors, such as the desire for department-specific and personal BI tools, according to the analyst firm.
But BI market growth will likely remain in the high single digits in coming years, due to "sluggish" macroeconomic indicators as well as "slowing sales cycles of multimillion-dollar end-to-end BI deals," Gartner said.
The BI market could also see a new era of expansion thanks to a trend Gartner calls data-as-a-service. Rather than buy traditional software tools to build analytic applications, "organizations increasingly will subscribe to industry-specific data services that bundle a narrow set of data with BI and analytic capabilities embedded," Gartner said.
Meanwhile, Gartner recently released a report on overall application software spending. The market will rise to $158 billion by 2016, up from $115.1 billion in 2011, according to that report.
Application spending this year is expected to be concentrated on industry-specific products; upgrades to important systems within customer environments; products that securely link mobile devices to "established systems"; and SaaS (software as a service) deployments that either extend or supplant existing systems, Gartner said.
IT budgets will also increase this year, but only to a modest degree, Gartner said. Fifty percent of IT budgets overall will see a rise, compared to 64 percent in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, according to the report.
Chris Kanaracus covers enterprise software and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Chris' email address is Chris_Kanaracus@idg.com
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Cloud debate now about speed and sophistication
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CIOs who want to shift their leadership focus beyond the IT function need to cultivate and emphasise leadership competencies that will equip them to lead effectively at the enterprise level and at the business strategy table.


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For wealthy executives, owning a high-end liquor brand can be an expensive hobby that takes the mind off corporate headaches. But for Bob Pittman, the founder of MTV and chief executive of Clear Channel Communications, his ultra-premium tequila, Casa Dragones, is like any of his other businesses. That is, it makes him feel 18 years old again
Mr. Pittman belongs to a select group of bold-faced names who craft luxury spirits for connoisseurs. They include former Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons, who produces a respected Tuscan wine, and Dan Aykroyd, who puts out diamond-filtered Crystal Head Vodka. But the Clear Channel chief also gets a kick out of being an entrepreneur.Now coming up on the third anniversary of its launch, Casa Dragones is on track to double sales this year to 24,000 bottles, according to Mr. Pittman and co-founder Bertha Gonzalez Nieves. At a retail price of around $275, that would give the tequila well over $6 million in sales.Mr. Pittman insists that profitability isn't that far away, not counting the $10 million to $20 million he's invested in the venture. But the pleasure of owning a tequila that comes in signed, hand-engraved crystal decanters doesn't have a lot to do with making money.Casa Dragones makes him feel 40 years younger because he believes it's unlike anything else on the market—just like MTV back in 1981."These kinds of businesses bring out the passion," Mr. Pittman said in the offices of his private equity firm, Pilot Group, where Casa Dragones is based. "I'm almost addicted to it. It's like with Clear Channel. I had no interest in being CEO. Then I made the mistake of looking at the business, and I went, 'Wow, you've got this and this and this'—and suddenly I'm 18 years old again."


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Mark Carpenter, CEO of Motorpoint responds to the SMMT's used car market report with insight from the company's stores
- Motorpoint CEO responds to latest SMMT used car registration figures
- Mark Carpenter says low consumer confidence has changed buying habits, with buyers returning to showrooms to find the best value
- Outlook for 2023 Is generally positive
- Motorpoint will continue to invest and grow in the year ahead
The very modern phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) has been fuelling an increase in footfall at traditional used car stores, according to the boss of the UK’s largest independent retailer of nearly new cars and vans.
Mark Carpenter, CEO of Motorpoint, was responding to today’s publication by the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) of the latest used car market data, which showed an 8.5% decline in 2022 vs 2021.
And he said the drop in sales volumes, caused by subdued consumer confidence and supply chain problems in the new car sector, was bringing about change in the buying habits of customers.
According to Carpenter, there had been a marked increase in store traffic across all 19 of Motorpoint stores as rising interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis led many car buyers to revert back to the comfort zone of more traditional, physical retail environment.
Customers, he said, are ‘treasure-hunting’ as they aim to make their money stretch as far as it can while seeking the reassurance that comes from browsing stock in person, touching and test driving the cars they’re interested in and dealing with a real sales person.
“The last 12 months have been challenging for everyone in automotive retail and the used car sector is no different, But there are green shoots of recovery as we start to see new car supply filter through. Our average prices have come down by around 10-15% over the last quarter and the whole market feels like it’s returning to a state of normality.
“The first quarter of 2023 feels a bit better. As a brand we grew our volumes in December and January, and we see lots of reasons to be positive. But if other retailers are experiencing similar growth the challenge for the sector will be that supply will start to tighten again and prices will start to go back up.”
On consumer buying habits, Carpenter added:
“One very interesting outcome of the turmoil of the past 12 months has been the resurgence in store sales vs online sales.
“We are seeing a return to in-store shopping because people want to know they’re getting the best value. Rather than just buying something online, they want to come in and make sure they are not missing out on something better. It’s a real FOMO behaviour and whether it’s a car, a pair of jeans or a tin of beans, consumers want to know they’re getting the best value-for-money.
“People are also more open minded to try something new and switch brands in store whereas online they’re more likely to stick with what they know.”
Carpenter was also quick to underline his confidence in Motorpoint’s strategy for growth in the medium and long term. The brand will open two new stores in Ipswich and Milton Keynes in the coming months and has no plans to stop its roll-out there. It also continues to invest heavily in developing its online presence, with the opening of a new digital hub in Manchester aimed at attracting the very best tech talent.
“We’re really confident. Every market we’ve ever gone into, we take market share by bringing our unrivalled offering to customers, so I have real faith. When we go into a market, I know we’ll offer something that’s of real benefit to car buyers in that area.
“Even though the market is in a period of uncertainty we will continue to invest. This is an investment at the bottom of the cycle that will take us up into the growth of the cycle and we’ll benefit from that.
“As the market recovers, we’ll grow our share and we’ll grow our volume.”


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This Disney Princess Belle Doll is simply beautiful. The beloved princess from girls' favorite Disney fairytale looks as enchanting as ever in her sparkling gown. Belle wears a one-of-a-kind outfit in her signature color and comes with a matching tiara, a beautiful gem necklace and shimmery shoes. The glittering detailed bodice and sparkly skirt make her a royal beauty. This Disney princess doll will give your little girl hours of imaginative fun, as she recreates scenes from one of her favorite movies, Beauty and the Beast.
Walmart ad features Disney Princess Sparkle Doll Deal at Walmart is $7.97 each.
The Walmart Black Friday 2015 sale starts at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day in stores. The online Walmart Black Friday 2015 Sale is expected to launch at midnight on Thanksgiving day or early morning. Walmart hosts three doorbuster events. The first Walmart Black Friday doorbuster event with the 1-Hour Guarantee deals takes place right at 6pm. The second Walmart Doorbuster deals event is at 8pm on Thanksgiving Day. The 3rd event is on Black Friday morning at 6am.
Walmart is again one of the best stores to shop for Black Friday 2015 deals. Very few retailers adopted the doorbuster in stock guarantee Walmart introduced three years ago. This year Walmart offer 9 1-Hour Black Friday doorbuster deals.
Disclaimer: The Black Friday deal information given above is without warranties on accuracy and availability. Black Friday deals tend to sell out very quickly and as retailer only keep low inventories for doorbuster deals.
Disney Princess Sparkle Doll Deal at Walmart is $7.97 each
Black Friday 2015 is here. The early Black Friday 2015 Sales launched. I4U News is features in-depth coverage of Black Friday 2015 ads, deals, and sales. We have more Black Friday services and content than ever before. Find below the highlights.
Black Friday 2015 on I4U News
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I4U News is daily News site for the Geek Mind. Expect the latest technology news including the juiciest rumors. Stay up to date with the biggest discoveries in science. Other featured news topics include cars, celebrities, movies and more.Read more.


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‘Tough medicine’: How agency combinations could help bolster holding companies traditional creative agencies
When it comes to agency combinations, WPP CEO Mark Read has led the charge.
Last week, the global agency holding company continued its matchmaking ways as it once again smooshed together two agencies — Grey and AKQA — to form AKQA Group. In doing so, WPP added to its list of consolidated shops; Grey and AKQA joined VMLY&R (formerly the separate entities of VML and Y&R) and Wunderman Thompson (previously Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson).
“It’s been an open secret that WPP’s legacy creative agencies need to be reinvigorated — especially in North America — and this infusion of data and technology should be a big help,” said Gregg Paul, principal at consultancy R3 Worldwide. “We would presume there will be more structural shake ups in the future. Marketers are looking for bigger, bolder creative ideas underpinned by world class data — this is a step in the right direction.”
WPP isn’t alone. Just this past May, another set of agencies were combined: Shortly after Wendy Clark became global CEO of the Dentsu Aegis Network, Dentsu and Mcgarrybowen were merged to create the mouthful that is Dentsumcgarrybowen. The AKQA Group name isn’t as convoluted this time but the latest agency combination is unlikely to be the last holding company arranged marriage. With agencies facing on-going business challenges, many of which have been accelerated due to the coronavirus pandemic, cost-cutting consolidation will continue.
Holding companies won’t come right out and say it’s about cost-cutting but if you read between the lines it’s clearly a main factor in the strategy, according to industry analysts.
“Holding companies cannot afford legacy agencies having incomplete product offerings,” said Michael Farmer author of “Madison Avenue Manslaughter” and executive chairman at TrinityP3. “[The combined agencies] offer full services to clients and reduce costs. This is not a decline of the creative agency, but a way of bolstering it with tough medicine. Clients are not paying for [creative agency] legacies, they’re not paying for how great an agency used to be.”
That cost-cutting strategy could look like a death knell for the traditional creative agency — as many seem to be combined with shops known for their digital prowess — but industry analysts and insiders say it’s a necessary transformation to make those holding company shops more nimble as well as infusing more data into the decision-making process. And merging two shops to become one full service agency is cheaper and faster than pushing to agencies CEOs to separately work to add missing capabilities to their shops to become full service agencies, noted Farmer.
It’s worth noting that when it comes to the transformation of the creative agency that’s underway, holding companies’ creative shops are under a different sort of pressure than independent agencies, according to Ann Billock, partner at consultancy Ark Advisors.
“Holding companies’ agencies have to hustle to become all things to all people,” said Billock. “That’s why the mergers are happening — they’ve got to deliver data and technology [as well as creative]. The future for purely creative agencies is still strong, but I have a feeling it will live more in the independent world. They can afford to stay smaller [and] deal with project-based orientation of today. They will carry the torch of creativity.”
Nancy Hill, founder of The Agency Sherpa and former 4A’s president, echoed that sentiment. “Many times when these kinds of environments are created — pandemic and economy — this is when new and young agencies start,” said Hill, adding that new agencies like Mischief have already launched during this time period. “I would not be surprised if we have new young agencies on the cusp of starting now.”
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Trent Lloyd, co-founder and head of brand solutions, Eyeota Google’s updated timeline for its Privacy Sandbox rollout, including its two-year delay of third-party cookie deprecation on Chrome, didn’t come as a surprise to many industry observers, given the limited utility of Google’s FLoC and the slow momentum of the Privacy Sandbox in the World Wide […]
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China’s Richest Man Plans to Make Hollywood More Chinese After Investing in Sony Pictures
Fresh off purchasing a controlling stake in Hollywood film studio Legendary Entertainment earlier this year, Wang Jianlin, China’s richest man, has signed up to invest in Sony’s film studio.
With hopes of highlighting “the China element” in the studio’s film productions, Jianlin has reportedly signed an agreement to invest in Sony Pictures through his company Wanda, reports Fortune.
With the deal announced on Friday, Sony Pictures can expect to have a greater platform to promote its films as the Chinese firm currently owns a chain of cinemas in China. For Wanda, it’s an additional boost in Chinese influence in the global film industry.
The agreement will have Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group marketing Sony Pictures’ films and co-financing some of its upcoming movie releases in China. The partnership will also further forward Wang’s goal of making his company an international entertainment powerhouse. The 61-year-old billionaire has earlier said that he intends to bring Hollywood to China through aggressive acquisitions. Last month, he told Reuters that he is looking into buying Hollywood’s “Big Six” studios.
Wanda has recently held talks with Viacom Inc. expressing its interest to invest in Hollywood’s “Big Six” studios that include Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney, Universal Pictures and Columbia. “We are interested not only in Paramount, but all of them. If one of the Big Six would be willing to be sold to us, we would be interested,” Wang said.
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Robots used to be something present in science fiction movies and fantasy novels. But not anymore. A robotic workforce has already replaced more than 80 percent of the manufacturing sector. And other sectors are following suit. Some of the largest companies in the retail and food industries are ramping up their robotic automation tremendously. So what will this mean for consumers, as well as employees, in the future?
Robotic automation offers many advantages, but it also introduces change. While there are several benefits to a robotic workforce, there is also the costs to appreciate. While convenience, efficiency and even safety may be enhanced, that doesn’t mean new challenges will not be encountered. Customers and workers alike need to prepare for these challenges as it appears that a robotic workforce is inevitable


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Google announced Friday it is shuttering Helpouts because the 1-year old video tutorial service isn't growing as fast as the company wants.
"The Helpouts community includes some engaged and loyal contributors, but unfortunately, it hasn't grown at the pace we had expected," reads a blog post about the shutdown.
Consumers will no longer be able to take a Helpout after April 19. On April 20, users can download their Helpouts history using Google Takeout. This download option will be available until November 1.
The Internet giant was trying to capture a slice of the video tutorial marketplace. While the Google name may have lent some legitimacy to the content, the company was up against a slew of free tutorial videos available on its own video-sharing site YouTube. Google wasn't the only company experimenting with one-on-one video services. Amazon in SeptemberMayday, a tech support feature for Kindles that connects a user to a customer service representative. The e-commerce giant has had more luck with the feature -- which lets users ask for any kind of technical help, -- and often boasting about its customer reviews of the experience.
Google created a similar experience for Samsung's Chromebook 2, whichpowered by Google Hangouts, which is also the technology behind the Helpouts service.
Correction, 5 p.m. PT: This story initially misstated the service that powers the Chromebook 2. It is Google Hangouts.


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- Oatly is being accused by short-seller Spruce Level of overstating its income and margins and deceptive the general public about its sustainability efforts in a 124-page report revealed Wednesday. Oatly didn’t reply to a request for remark at press time.
- Spruce Level, which has a brief place in Oatly — that means it makes cash if the inventory value falls — desires Oatly’s board to have an impartial forensic accountant open an investigation into its claims. “Spruce Level finds proof that revenues, gross earnings, stock, capex, and worker accounts are inaccurate. Thus, we name into query the accuracy of Oatly’s total monetary statements,” the agency wrote in its report. It additionally accuses Oatly of overstating its sustainability contributions, finding its vegetation removed from the place oats are grown, and having wastewater points at its services.
- Oatly accomplished its IPO in Might because the maker of oat-based milks, yogurts and frozen desserts capitalized on rising client demand for plant-based choices. Oatly entered the U.S. in 2016, and final 12 months posted a loss, regardless of promoting $421.4 million price of merchandise in 20 international locations worldwide.
Spruce Level has constructed its status on taking publicly traded firms to process for what it defines as deceptive statements and disclosures. Oatly, which hasn’t even had a quarterly monetary report since its IPO in Might, is the newest firm that the agency says has overstated its financials and sustainability impression.
In accordance with its registration submitting with the U.S. Securities and Change Fee, Oatly remains to be working at a loss — $60.4 million in whole final 12 months, nearly doubling the $35.6 million lack of 2019. In its submitting, the corporate says it believes it could possibly turn out to be worthwhile because it will increase its manufacturing capability and continues to develop globally. However in its report, Spruce Level disagrees.
“We consider Oatly will sorely disappoint buyers and can by no means obtain profitability,” the report says.
Oatly, in response to the report, has a number of accounting and monetary management weaknesses, and has gone by three auditors in six years. The corporate’s CFO and audit chair had been each beforehand concerned in firms with company accounting scandals, it notes. And the corporate’s inventory, which had been price greater than $22 a share on Tuesday, is way overvalued, the report says.
“We don’t suppose any of that is within the narrative in the intervening time,” Spruce Level founder and Chief Funding Officer Ben Axler stated in an interview with CNBC. “We predict it is a robust promote, and the inventory value might be 70% overvalued.”
Since Oatly first entered the U.S. market in 2016, it has been seen as a stylish and sustainable plant-based participant. The Swedish firm is credited with inventing oat milk within the Nineties and helped propel it to turn out to be the second hottest different dairy milk in the USA final 12 months, in response to SPINS. Oatly’s recognition accelerated through the pandemic, with oat milk being one of many largest beneficiaries of pandemic-influenced grocery buying.
Shortages and an funding from the environmentally controversial developer Blackstone could not sink the model’s recognition. As a substitute, Oatly used these points as alternatives, increasing its U.S. manufacturing footprint and utilizing Blackstone’s funding to point out the way it may also help an organization have a look at sustainability in a brand new method and alter. As buying and selling of Oatly’s inventory started in Might, CEO Toni Petersson stated in an interview that he noticed solely alternatives for development.
It isn’t clear if this report is perhaps the factor that slows Oatly down. Spruce Level has focused different firms within the meals house, together with the previous Boulder Manufacturers and Arm & Hammer proprietor Church & Dwight Co. Its 2013 report on Boulder Manufacturers detailed accounting points. The then-CEO of Boulder Manufacturers would later resign, and the corporate was purchased by the previous Pinnacle Meals quickly after.
Sustainable plastics firm Danimer Scientific, which went public in December by a cope with a particular objective acquisition firm, is a newer Spruce Level goal. The quick vendor revealed a report in April attacking the corporate’s claims of creating biodegradable plastic — which was additionally mentioned in a Wall Road Journal article — in addition to claiming company governance crimson flags from a number of the its executives. Updates to the preliminary Spruce Level report had been revealed in Might, and the securities regulator in Kentucky, the place Danimer has a manufacturing facility, has launched an inquiry into the complaints. However so far, Danimer’s inventory value has stayed pretty constant because the Spruce Level report got here out.
Contemplating Oatly’s observe report of smart-tongued and sharp responses to critics, it may be anticipated that the corporate may have a witty response to the Spruce Level report sooner or later. It stays to be seen if that ethos — and the model’s mega followers — will maintain the bigger criticism from sticking.


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Estimates coming in assessing the impact of this summer's high heat, including a Sept. 12 USDA report that lowered its estimate of this year’s corn harvest by 3 percent below the previous month's forecast, continue to drive up commodity cost predictions. Those forecasts, coupled with a continuing hay shortage in the country, are continuing to pressure milk and dairy prices upward. The department predicts that even though farmers will continue to increase milk production slightly into next year, exports will also rise through 2011 before softening slightly in 2012. USDA reports in spite of increased milk production for each of the last several months, dairy prices continue to climb. Overall retail dairy prices were up 1.2 percent from June to July. Dairy prices are just under 8 percent above the July 2010 level. The The Chicago Mercantile Exchange product breakdowns go like this:
• All Milk: Up 4.25 percent for the month; almost 39 percent compared to the same month last year.
• Cheese: Block cheese up 0.74 percent for the month; 36 percent compared to the same month last year. Barrel cheese up 3.13 percent for the month; 39.3 percent compared to the same month last year.
• Butter: Down 3 percent for the month; up almost 15 percent compared to the same month last year.
Why the continuing rise, even in the face of slowly increasing supplies, and where’s the end?
Despite continuing pain caused by almost nonexistent profitability at the farm gate, retail dairy prices are being driven by a combination of high fuel prices impacting the distribution chain coupled with strong demand driven by dairy commodity exports.
USDA's milk production report for June milk production showed production up 1.4 percent from a year ago for the 23 reporting states; 1.1 percent for the entire country. Milk cow numbers likewise continue to increase, with estimated U.S. cow numbers up by 10,000 head in June and 0.9 percent higher than a year ago. Cow numbers have increased each month beginning in October of last year. However, the latest milk supply increase is the smallest relative increase this year. Increases have been below 2% since April.
Dairy demand in southeast Asia, particularly Korea and Japan, has increased significantly in recent years, and now the weakened dollar has multiplied the effect. Dairy exports have added strength to nonfat dry milk, cheese and butter prices. Compared to year ago, first quarter exports of nonfat dry milk and skim milk power were more than double, total cheese exports were 86 higher and butter exports were almost double. Calculated on the basis of solids, 13 percent of all U.S. milk production is now being exported.
When demand driven by domestic sales and strong exports remains strong, the question of when prices cool off will come down to how much milk we farmers produce this summer and fall. As always, much of that question hinges around expectations for our largest input cost: feed. Feed prices will remain high, although some relief is expected with the supply increase accompanying the new crop harvest. However, the southern drought is taking a heavy toll on the all-important hay supplies dairies rely upon. Western supplies of hay remain tight; stockpiles on May 1 were 63 percent below a year ago in both California and Idaho, the lowest in more than ten years. However, despite the higher feed prices, returns over feed cost remain in the black. As a result, dairy farmers have been producing all the milk they can, trying to play catch up on the losses we took during what amounted to a milk price depression of 2009.
If milk production continues at this slower growth, it increases the probability that milk prices can hold near current levels and in fact show strength this summer and fall. Watch carefully the outcome of this year’s crops. It will be a key factor affecting the number of milk cows, milk per cow and total milk production going into 2012. We’ll keep you apprised.
Your customers have seen the headlines:
"Food prices increase most in 36 years," CBS News breathlessly reported in March.
In one sense, they’re correct. Take those cotton prices, for example. Prices paid to farmers of cotton have risen about 150 percent since last summer, reaching their highest point last winter since the Civil War 150 years ago. Cotton has led a similar run-up in most of the major commodity prices, most notably corn and soybeans, not only which make up ingredients in most CPG center store items but also a large portion of which are used as feed by the farmers who grow your meat, milk and eggs.
Farmers understand consumers are looking to fix blame for those increases. However, retailers should be aware of some realities of farm economics, as underscored again by a recent report for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And cotton, again, presents one of the most stark examples of how far farm prices have diverged from the realities of final product pricing.
Before this current run-up in cotton prices, for example, for every dollars’ worth of apparel and household textile products consumers have bought, the farmer’s share was estimated to come to just under 2.5 pennies. Likewise, for every dollar spent on bakery and cereal products, the wheat farmer has earned an average of about 7 cents.
The stark economic reality cotton farmers face is they could give away their farm products and it would cut the cost of clothing and household textiles by a meager 2.5 percent.
It’s a reality grocers need to help their customers understand. USDA’s latest “Food Dollar Series” released in February demonstrates not only how small todays share of dollar is for the farmer, but ironically how similar are the plight of both farmer and grocer. The report divides the consumer's food dollar into the value added for 10 industry groups as food passes from farm to plate: farm and agribusiness, food processing, packaging, transportation services, energy, retail trade, food services, finance and insurance, advertising, and legal-accounting-bookkeeping services. For year 2008, the freshest data available, the breakdown shows farmers and grocers share a remarkably similar share of that dollar: Just under 12 cents and 14 cents, respectively. In contrast, the food-service sector and processing sectors take up more than half the dollar, more than double the share of farmers and grocers combined. And absent more recent data, we can only guess, but it's reasonable to assume the share of transportation and energy will take a larger bite out of the post-2008 dollar.
In another bit of ironic solidarity between grocery and farmer the report underscores, USDA notes that the food-at-home retail sector has followed another trend that mirrors farming: Using annual data on the total number of supermarkets, full-service restaurants, and limited-service restaurants per capita in the United States for the years 2000-08, as the chart below demonstrates, USDA shows the number of supermarkets has steadily declined during the past decade, even as the share of dollar going to the sector has held steady or declined slightly. Meanwhile, the number of food-service establishments continues to rise (pre-recession, anyway), as that sector captures the lion's share of the food dollar. What's it mean? Similar to the situation farmers have faced until this current boost in farm prices, fewer food retail stores per capita suggests that declines in the average price of food retailing services over the study period might have come from increasing economies of scale in the sector.
Food pricing is a complex topic, and grocers and farmers can and should work together to give consumers a more nuanced explanation than they're likely receiving in the media.
A U.S. calf crop predicted to be the smallest in a half century has led to some dire predictions. Some insights on what the numbers really hold in store.
The final tally for the 2010 U.S. beef calf crop is expected to be at its lowest since 1950 and, worse still, it's expected to continue falling for the next three years. According to analysts, that means the supply of domestic cattle available to go into final beef production, the feedlots, won't start to increase until 2015; beef, until 2016.
USDA believes that while turning beef cow inventories around this year from their ongoing decline could be possible, it is not likely, especially with beef replacement heifer numbers at their January 1, 2011, levels. Cow slaughter — with only a minor weather related
break — is continuing thus far in 2011 at rates only slightly below the ending rates of 2010. The implications of continued cow slaughter in the face of the reduced beef cow herd, along with the expectation that some 7 percent fewer beef heifers will calve in 2011 than in 2010, are for a further reduction in the national beef cow herd during 2011. A smaller cow herd and any future heifer retention for breeding would likely lead to exceedingly tight feeder cattle supplies, at least through 2012 and 2013.
Those extreme numbers have led some analysts to predict significant changes in the American beef sector. Cattle feedlots and packing plants that already can't buy enough animals to fill their capacity may be forced to shut down, even as retail beef prices rise on the heels of shortages. That could spell a longterm depression in demand for beef, which would dampen companies from returning to the market, even as supplies pick back up. One maverick analyst, Olathe, Kan., consultant Bill Helming, goes so far as to predict demand for ground beef, which can price competitively next to pork and poultry, will rise on the shortage of middle cuts, leading to a longterm shift in the beef market away from quality cuts and toward cattle finished specifically for the ground beef market.
Others disagree. Mark McCully, Director of Supply Development for Certified Angus Beef, says, "I've always believed and will continue to believe the American beef producer's global competitive advantage is in premium, grain-fed beef." Demand may temper for that high-quality beef, McCully believes, but it will not diminish significantly, especially as the world economy recovers. "Where else in the world do you have the combination of factors that add up to make high-quality beef more affordable? Every time the American farmer takes his eye off producing for high quality, we lose track of what made us successful."
His advice to grocers in the face of this market? Keep doing what you're doing. Highlight the inherent quality in beef, and look for opportunities to sell value of beef balanced against the cost competition of low end ground beef and poultry, and if the market does shift toward ground beef, capitalize on the upsell potential possible with premium ground beef.
Continued expected drought in the Southern Plains threatens to make those already tight beef supplies even tighter.
The latest estimates for the final size of the 2010 U.S. crop of cattle available for slaughter puts supplies at their lowest point since 1950. Worse still, supplies are expected to continue falling for the next three years. Now, adding insult to injury, severe drought throughout the Southern Plains -- the source of 25 percent of the nation's cow slaughter today -- threatens to accelerate the drain on cattle supplies.
Analysts now expect the supply of cattle available to go into feedlots, the final phase of growth before harvest, won't start to increase until 2015; beef, until 2016.