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About two weeks ago, millions of Google Chrome users were signed up for an experiment they never agreed to be a part of. Google had just launched a test run for Federated Learning of Cohorts—or FLoC–a new kind of ad-targeting tech meant to be less invasive than the average cookie. In a blog post announcing the trial, the company noted that it would only impact a “small percentage” of random users across ten different countries, including the US, Mexico, and Canada, with plans to expand globally as the trials run on.
These users probably won’t notice anything different when they click around on Chrome, but behind the scenes, that browser is quietly keeping a close eye on every site they visit and ad they click on. These users will have their browsing habits profiled and packaged up, and shared with countless advertisers for profit. Sometime this month, Chrome will give users an option to opt-out of this experiment, according to Google’s blog post—but as of right now, their only option is to block all third-party cookies in the browser.
That is if they even know that these tests are happening in the first place. While I’ve written my fair share about FLoC up until this point, the loudest voices I’ve seen pipe up on the topic are either marketing nerds, policy nerds, or policy nerds that work in marketing. This might be due to the fact that—aside from a few blog posts here or there—the only breadcrumbs Google’s given to people looking to learn more about FLoC are inscrutable pages of code, an inscrutable GitHub repo, and inscrutable mailing lists. Even if Google bothered asking for consent before enrolling a random sample of its Chrome user base into this trial, there’s a good chance they wouldn’t know what they were consenting to.
(For the record, you can check whether you’ve been opted into this initial test using this handy tool from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.)
Since Google doesn’t have a good track record of being forthright about its privacy practices, we decided to write up the basics of this tech, the trial, and why FLoC’s promises aren’t actually all they’re cracked up to be.
In Google’s own words, it’s a “privacy-preserving mechanism for interest-based ad selection.” In normal human words, it’s a way to track users across the web for ad-targeting purposes, in a way that’s more privacy-friendly than the cookies and code advertisers have relied on until now—at least, that’s what Google says.
It’s a bit complicated. When someone floats from site to site across the web using a FLoC-powered browser, that browser will use an internal algorithm to suss out an appropriate “interest cohort” to lump that person into, and these cohorts will get recalculated on a weekly basis. These specific cohorts, Google says, are built up of thousands of different users at any given time, making tracking and targeting your specific browser history nigh impossible for any sleazy adtech types.
Just as an example here: I’m in the middle of refurbishing my apartment, which means I spend a good two hours a day clicking through sites for stores like West Elm, Target, IKEA, and the like. In this situation, my browser could (pretty accurately) label me as a home decor nerd, and lump me into a cohort with thousands of other people that also spend hours poring over couches.
Under FLoC, every cohort is given a name that’s a jumble of letters, numbers, or both, so let’s just call the home-decor cohort HGTV, after the legendary channel of the same name.
The next time I visit a site for tips about, I don’t know, reupholstering my couch, that site can ask the cohort I’m a part of. When it gets notice that I’m a part of the HGTV cohort, the site can then keep track of my behavior on-site and the couch ads that I inevitably click on, and then aggregate that data with other folks from the same cohort as they trickle in.
Every so often, that aggregated data about what the HGTV cohort is into (couch reupholstering! removable wallpaper! granite countertops!) gets uploaded to any ad networks an individual site might be working with.
Let’s just say the network in question is Google Ads since just about every site is using it. If I try browsing an ad-supported news site—like the one you’re on right now—after checking out that Couch Content, that news site will also ask my browser about the cohort I’m in (HGTV).
Once that’s settled, my cohort ID gets beamed to that site’s partnering ad networks, which naturally includes Google’s network. Based on the data this ad-serving system gleaned on this cohort previously (ie, they could probably use a new couch), it reaches into its back catalog of ads from about 7 million different advertisers that are waiting to run. The ad platform finds an ad for a new sofa and plunks that on the news site, where I see it, immediately give up on the idea of reupholstering anything, and click.
The trackers that FLoC is meant to replace are known as “third-party cookies.” We have a pretty in-depth guide to the way this sort of tech works, but in a nutshell: these are snippets of code from adtech companies that websites can bake into the code underpinning their pages. Those bits of code monitor your on-site behavior—and sometimes other personal details—before the adtech org behind that cookie beams that data back to its own servers.
That’s one of the key differences between FLoC and the current cookie hell we’re enmired in. With FLoC, my thousand-person strong cohort is the only thing an outside advertiser sees. Anything else—like the names of sites that I visited or details about couches I’ve clicked on in the past—are stored locally within the browser. In the cookie case, all of these details are beamed to an external server where the company in charge can pretty much have free reign: they can pawn off this data to other adtech firms, or they can merge their data with data from other cookie co’s, or in some cases, they can give that data to police.
This is why Google’s pitch sounds semi-appealing. Sure, you’re still being behaviorally profiled in what’s inarguably a kind of icky way, but at least you can’t be picked out of a lineup.
The catch is that Google still has all that juicy user-level data because it controls Chrome. They’re also still free to keep doing what they’ve always been doing with that data: sharing it with federal agencies, accidentally leaking it, and, y’know, just being Google.
It depends on who you ask. Competition authorities in the UK certainly think so, as do trade groups here in the US. It’s also been wrapped up into a Congressional probe, at least one class action, and a massive multi-state antitrust case spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Their qualms with FLoC are pretty easy to understand. Google already controls about 30% of the digital ad market in the US, just slightly more than Facebook—the other half of the so-called Duopoly—that controls 25% (for context, Microsoft controls about 4%).
While that dominance has netted Google billions upon billions of dollars per year, it’s recently netted multiple mounting antitrust investigations against the company, too. And those investigations have pretty universally painted a picture of Google as a blatant autocrat of the ad-based economy, and one that largely got away with abhorrent behavior because smaller rivals were too afraid—or unable—to speak up. This is why many of them are speaking up about FLoC now.
Again, it depends who you ask! Google thinks so, but the EFF sure doesn’t. In March, the EFF put out a detailed piece breaking down some of the biggest gaps in FLoC’s privacy promises. If a particular website prompts you to give up some sort of first-party data—by having you sign up with your email or phone number, for example—your FLoC identifier isn’t really anonymous anymore.
Aside from that hiccup, the EFF points out that your FLoC cohort follows you everywhere you go across the web. This isn’t a big deal if my cohort is just “people who like to reupholster furniture,” but it gets really dicey if that cohort happens to inadvertently mold itself around a person’s mental health disorder or their sexuality based on the sites that person browses. While Google’s pledged to keep FloC’s from creating cohorts based on these sorts of “sensitive categories,” the EFF again pointed out that Google’s approach was riddled with holes.
“Behavior correlates with demographics in unintuitive ways,” wrote EFF technologist Bennet Cyphers. “It’s highly likely that certain demographics are going to visit a different subset of the web than other demographics are, and that such behavior will not be captured by Google’s “sensitive sites” framing.”
I know, right?????????
“How do I get all this across to my uncle/parent/neighbor/estranged nephew that’s not tech-savvy, but wants to know what FLoC is all about?”
Just remind them that this is a privacy product being pushed by Google. Google. That’s all they need to know.


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Kraft to eliminate processed cheese from Pa. plant
April 27, 2007
by FoodBusinessNews.net Staff
ALLENTOWN, PA. — Individually wrapped Kraft Singles and other processed cheese products will no longer be made at a Kraft Foods Inc. plant near Allentown in Upper Macungie Township as it is eliminating its processed cheese manufacturing line.
The plans are to consolidate production of processed cheese in three plants in the Midwest by the summer of 2008. The Pennsylvania plant will still produce Tassimo T-discs, Grey Poupon Mustards and A-1 Steak Sauces and continue to package Kraft natural cheeses and single-serve items for food service.
"The consolidation is not a reflection on the employees at the Lehigh plant," said company spokesperson Cathy Pernu. "This is a business decision about the most efficient use of our assets based on our plans to purchase and install new, more efficient process cheese equipment elsewhere in our network. The equipment will enable us to use newer technology, operate more flexibly and with greater energy efficiency, and meet demand for process cheese by sourcing from fewer plants."

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Thinking about making eBay your full-time gig? They might have some money for you–if you’ve got a top notch business plan.
eBay launced a new contest on Tuesday, offering four winners $25,000 each for coming up with the best plans for a business start-up using the online marketplace.
The eBay Sellers Challenge is designed to "inspire entrepreneurs to grow existing businesses – or start new ones – on eBay", according to the company. The Sellers Challenge asks entrepreneurs to answer the question: “How would you use $25,000 to grow – or start – an eBay business?”
Four winners will each receive a $25,000 business grant, along with marketing advice and assistance from eBay. The challenge requires entrepreneurs to develop a compelling plan for growing or establishing an eBay-based business, using the powerful tools and access to buyers offered by eBay.
“The eBay marketplace is a community rich in innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces. “The Sellers Challenge helps underscore this simple truth, and along with the powerful selling tools available on eBay, signifies our fundamental commitment to ensuring the success of our sellers.”
With 88 million active users worldwide and more than 15 million average daily live listings, the eBay marketplace represents the largest e-commerce community in the world. Every year, total sales on eBay top $60 billion dollars, more than any other online retailer and nearly a quarter of all online sales combined. eBay offers entrepreneurs truly unrivaled access to customers and unlimited potential for profit and growth.
Entrants are encouraged to submit a business plan and an accompanying video in one of four categories:
* Current or former members of the Unites States armed forces;
* Individuals or small businesses who have not sold on eBay;
* Part-time sellers who want to go full-time on eBay; and
* Full-time eBay sellers who want to grow their business further.
Submissions will be evaluated by eBay and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world’s largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. Working with eBay, the Kauffman Foundation has also made available a wealth of information and resources for entrepreneurs – including tips for success, guidance for starting and growing an online business and advice on business plan development – at the eBay Sellers Challenge website.
“Because entrepreneurship is central to the economic welfare of the United States, the Kauffman Foundation is pleased to see companies such as eBay work to inspire entrepreneurs everywhere,” said Thom Ruhe, director of entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation. “We are always proud to work in partnership with organizations that support our mission: to help individuals attain economic independence and entrepreneurial success.”
Eight finalists – two in each category – will be selected based on perceived business challenges and obstacles, clarity of business plan, passion for using eBay and appropriateness to contest theme. Buyers and sellers of eBay will then be invited to review and vote on each finalist’s entry, and the most popular entry in each category will win. Each of the four challenge winners will receive a $25,000 business grant from eBay, as well as marketing services and support from eBay; runners-up will each receive a $5,000 grant.
Both established and aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit a special website, through July 7, 2009, to submit their business idea and review the Official Rules applicable to the contest. Winners will be announced on August 11. The eBay Sellers’ Challenge is open to registered members of eBay who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and 18 years of age or older. Winners must use grant funds to start or grow a business on eBay.


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Those were the words of advice offered by Apple CEO Steve Jobs to a customer who emailed Jobs after experiencing antenna performance issues with his new iPhone 4 purchase.
What’s going on Apple?
Apple were allowed to capitalise on their advancements because lazy handset vendors were unprepared and unable to react quickly enough. Many attempts were made to duplicate iPhone’s innovative touch screen user interface, most notably the much heralded Palm Pre, but none of them could claim to be a success. But that was then.
It took another relative newbie to the world of mobile devices to mount a serious challenge to Apple’s dominance – and that was the mighty Google. While Apple was content with making minor improvements to their devices, Google was plotting a revolution of their own.
Step up Google’s Android platform. Android has slowly gained momentum and adoption in the smartphone marketplace and recent handsets such as HTC’s Desire have finally become a credible alternative to iPhone.
Some would argue that Android’s capabilities have actually surpassed those of iOS (the new name for iPhone’s operating system). Credit for that in part is due to the decision to release Android as Open Source, while iOS has remained proprietary and tightly controlled by Apple – much to the chagrin of mobile application developers. In the first quarter of 2010 Android devices outsold Apple for the first time – and by quite some margin. Apple’s reaction was to sue HTC.
So what of iPhone 4? Apple are in the unusual position of playing catch-up but this latest addition to the iPhone line up has failed to impress. Apple’s marketing campaign for iPhone 4 claims “This changes everything. Again.” Something has definitely changed, but not in a good way.
One day after the official iPhone 4 launch and customers are already complaining of poor antenna performance, yellow tinted displays and the ease of accidentally smashing iPhone’s “ultradurable” aluminosilicate glass panels. These problems would ordinarily have been identified during pre-release testing, but Apple’s paranoia dictates that test devices cannot be used without their protective plastic shroud and so early adopters have unwittingly become iPhone 4’s beta testers. There are parallels here with Microsoft’s old approach to product development, this is not something that Apple consumers are used to.
Customers forgave the original iPhone for its idiosyncrasies, restrictive capabilities and lack of features because it was something very special. Now there are many new mobile handsets that can justifiably claim to be special. iPhone 4 and the iOS 4 software update have brought iPhone up to a comparable specification level, but iPhone has lost its crown as the undisputed smartphone champion and the next generation are snapping at its heels.


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// John Lewis calls on Chancellor to scrap business rates system
// Chair Sharon White said the main purpose of John Lewis is ensuring its own survival
// She has asked to replace the business rates system with a new land tax
John Lewis chair Sharon White has reportedly called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to ditch the business rates system to help level up the retail playing field.
She has asked to replace the system with a new land tax to allow high street retailers to compete more fairly with online competitors.
White said that radical reform is required to provide a “much more stable and enduring way to tax” with bricks-and-mortar retail, The Telegraph reported.
- Sainsbury’s hires former John Lewis boss Paula Nickolds to head up Argos, Habitat & Tu
- John Lewis Partnership to donate £1m to local charities fighting child poverty
She added that the main purpose of John Lewis is ensuring its own survival.
“As we get the shot in the arm from the vaccine and the economy takes off we can’t lost sight of adapt, adapt, adapt. Those retailers who adapt survive and those who don’t will die,” she said.
White warned Sunak that reforms to how businesses are taxed must allow retailers of all types to adapt to new patterns of consumer spending.
She also dismissed calls for an online sales tax.
White announced the closure of eight John Lewis stores last July, and another eight this March, leaving it with 34 stores nationwide.
John Lewis has cut the number of shops from 51 to 34 since the pandemic began, putting almost 3000 jobs at risk.
The eight John Lewis stores identified for closure included four smaller At Home shops in Ashford, Basingstoke, Chester and Tunbridge Wells plus four full-size department stores in Aberdeen, Peterborough, Sheffield and York.
John Lewis Partnership said at the time that the eight shops were financially challenged prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that it did not believe their respective trading performances could be improved.
“We had doubled the number of stores from 2008,” White said.
“The decisions we have taken have basically taken us back to where we were in 2012. So we have fewer, but now your stores have got to be extraordinary and they have got to be destinations”
In April, John Lewis department store boss Pippa Wicks said the business will not close any more shops and defended its strategy.
Wicks said John Lewis does not have any more “proposed closures” as it “would not be appropriate for customers or partners”.


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Midlands private equity deals saw a ten-fold increase in values in 2010 – but experts have cautioned that the apparent surge doesn’t reflect the true market.
The region saw 20 private equity-backed buyouts in 2010 worth £1.7 billion, compared to 16 in the previous year valued at just £140 million, according to newly-published figures.
Those numbers are still well down from the peak of the market in 2007, which saw 52 deals worth £3.1 billion, according to research from The Centre for Management Buy-out Research (CMBOR), sponsored by Ernst & Young and Barclays Private Equity.
But despite the seeming resurgence of deal values in 2010, Phil Griesbach, a director in the Birmingham office of Barclays Private Equity, sounded a note of caution.
He said: “I would say that the local market has been relatively quiet compared to the country as a whole.
“Whilst the quantum of £1.7 billion has gone up from hundreds of millions this time last year, that’s probably skewed by one or two large transactions which would have impacted those figures quite considerably.
“The transactions generated in the Midlands were still relatively quiet compared with what’s happening in the national market, which is a bit more buoyant. A better reflection of general activity in our market is the number of transactions rather than the value.”
On a national level, there were 164 UK private equity backed buy-outs in 2010 with an overall value of £18.2 billion, compared to 22 in 2009 with a value of £4.7 billion.
Manufacturing was the largest sector by value in 2010 with a combined value of £5 billion, a figure which included the £2.9 billion public to private deal of engineering firm Tomkins. Business services was the most active sector in 2010 by volume, with 37 buyouts compared to 22 deals in 2009.
Mark Stanway, transactions director at Ernst & Young in Birmingham said: “Confidence is gradually returning to the UK buyout market.
“Very few large deals grab the headlines, but it is key for a regional market like the Midlands to note that overall volumes and values are up in 2010 and 75 per cent of all UK deals are sub £100 million.”
Mr Griesbach said he expected 2011 would not see any dramatic change in the Midland deal market: “I think it will be pretty steady on this year as people are still getting to grips with the impact of the spending review. That has yet to filter through.
“There’s increasing chatter about interest rates having to go up next year and the key is what impact it’s going to have on consumer spending and industry’s ability to keep investing.”


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Industrial hemp bill aimed towards helping ag industry passes State House
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A bill to allow private farmers to grow and sell industrial hemp through permits from the State Department of Agriculture (HB2555) has unanimously passed the Hawaii State House of Representatives and will crossover to the Senate.
Rep. Kaniela Ing (D-Kihei), who wrote and introduced the bill along with 34 of his colleagues, expressed that the purpose of this measure goes beyond a single crop.
"Farmers called for the legalization of industrial hemp, and I am ecstatic to help answer that call. However, industrial hemp is only a part of our necessary vision for renewable, no-burn, diversified agriculture on Maui. My goal is to help form new and much needed unity on Maui. After all, we all want to keep Maui green, and save hundreds of jobs."
The bill is the most robust industrial hemp bill being considered this year, and follows models in Kentucky and Colorado to legalize industrial hemp to the full extent as permitted by Federal law by requiring all growers to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State Department of Agriculture.
Ing says that the measure is part of package of bills to respond to HC&S recently announced cessation of sugar on Maui.
"Amid the tragic end of the sugar era, we must act quickly to prevent a dustbowl, prolonged joblessness, or rampant development. I am also working to incentivize biofuel crops like sunflowers, form ag-parks so new farmers can grow local food like mango and avocado, and extend training assistance to displaced sugar workers."
Public support has been growing with over 4,500 people signed onto a change.org petition in support of industrial hemp on Maui, and Maui Brewing Co. recent announcement of their soon-to-be released promotional Hemp beer.
Copyright 2016 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.


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Trucks delivering the energy drink Red Bull into Syria appear to be funding the global terror organization ISIS, which controls majority of the entry points within the war-torn country.
The ISIS may be a growing global terror threat, but just like any organization, it too needs funds and dedicated individuals. While it certainly doesn’t have a dearth of hardcore fundamentalists, it seems to have discovered multiple revenue sources that is keeping it well funded. One of the simplest techniques to keeping the coffers filled is to extort money, and ISIS has discovered that disputed border check-points are the cash-cows.
ISIS commanders, who have placed large groups of their armies at majority of the border crossing points between Turkey and Syria have been extorting money from the truck-drivers who have been delivering supplies into the latter country. Despite being a NATO member, Turkey is shipping billions of dollars’ worth of goods into the war zone.
Turkey appears to be exploiting an international trade loophole to supply goods to Syria. Though Turkey imposed sanctions on Assad three years ago, the cross-border trade is very much legal and officially shows up in Turkish customs data, reported Bloomberg.
But with ISIS taking near complete control of Syria, State control by the Damascus government is now non-existent and transporters pay heavy tolls and ‘fees’ to whoever controls the crossing. Estimates indicate more than £163 million in goods have already made it to Syria via the Turkish border towns of Cilvegozu and Oncupinar. But, the data shows that though any country will require basic staples, Syria’s consumption of Red Bull surpasses all other goods.
Data indicates that, though cement, vegetable oil, Bulgar wheat, flour, salt and tinned fruit are regular goods, Red Bull imports are astonishingly high. In September alone, the Red Bull consignments made up, along with the other goods, trade with Syria worth an estimated £800 million.
Though these are mere trade statistics, industry insiders speculate that Red Bull isn’t just helping the ISIS militants financially, but offering them a ‘high’ too, reported UPI. Unsurprisingly, buyers of the energy drink prefer to remain anonymous, stated Mustafa Yilmaz, owner of Turkish trucking company Cem-Ay Transport,
“Every day we have four or five trucks carrying Red Bulls to Syria. Buyers on the Syrian side don’t identify themselves to the transporters but we know where this stuff is going.”
[Image Credit | Getty / Reuters]


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Whether it’s for business, news, promotional or just enjoyable, everyone worldwide are utilizing social networking for many different meaningful needs. Although it is more accessible everywhere than previously, some region and areas accessibility particular systems a lot more than more stations.
Evaluating stats detailing these types of practices is an excellent option to notify the international digital online marketing strategy. Help the ways your market over social media and grow your market by comprehending which region utilize which social platforms.
Which Region Usage Social Media Marketing the essential?
Perhaps you have come interesting on which nation will be the social media marketing kingpin? Better, in Manila, social networking appears to be the key thriller. As of 2018, the Philippines has got the highest social media usage speed worldwide, based on the 2018 Global Digital document. That’s a title the country has additionally used during the last two years.
Customers during the Philippines invest about three days and 57 minutes every day on social media marketing. Which almost one-third of that time they invest in websites everyday (nine hrs and 29 moments), positioning the Philippines next global for net utilize alongside Thailand. You’ll find 67 million people when you look at the Philippines making use of fb while another 10 million surfing Instagram. Over 10percent of social networking consumers decide to try YouTube in southeastern Asian country also.
As a whole, Asia eats social media marketing to a thorough degree. These are the instances allocated to social channel for multiple high-ranking Asian countries listed in the 2018 international online document:
Social networking increases continues to speed up over the continent, with Saudi Arabia, in particular, revealing visible advancement. Between January 2017 and 2018, the Middle Eastern country keeps seen social application grow by 32percent, one percentage in front of Asia. Indonesia (23%) and Vietnam (20percent) position third and 6th, correspondingly, showing so how vital social networking is now.
Think about the U.S. and Canada?
You expect America to rank large regarding social media marketing application as it is the birthplace of most social media marketing stations, best? As evidenced by astonishing figures that Asia try producing for social media marketing in addition to internet need, North America just isn’t even coming close.
The United States positions 24th on the planet in normal social media practices time at couple of hours plus one min while Canada is placed 30th at an hour and 48 mins. Additionally, in line with the same worldwide online document, neither nation has many new registered users to feature. Between January 2017 and January 2018, there were 9% a lot more social media marketing customers in Canada when compared with just 7per cent in the us of America. Main-stream knowledge explains these figures.
Since social media initial shot to popularity in united states and in addition because online rates commonly quicker normally across the region, social media marketing growth therefore the energy spent waiting for feeds to load on the web will likely be decreased. Although it’s maybe not higher, consumption still is regular in both Canada therefore the U . S ., just like you might anticipate because of the source of most social networks as well as the extensive incorporation of its utilize into various areas of life, whether businesses or personal.
In accordance with the Pew data Center, the social media land in the us are explained by a mix of long-standing developments and newly-emerging habits. The land is actually dominated by Twitter and YouTube consumption, with 73per cent of people spending some time uploading statuses on Facebook, and 68percent streaming video on YouTube. For several adults ranging from many years 18 to 24, 78% need Snapchat, with 71% of the people visiting the app many times each day. You can find 71per cent within that exact same age group exactly http://hookupdates.net/pl/biracial-randki/ who search, lookup, and post on Instagram every day besides. 1 / 2 that percentage uses Instagram while Pinterest (29per cent), Snapchat (27%) together with business-centric method LinkedIn (25per cent) may familiar with sizeable grade.


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The Fiat 500 Is Now Only Sold as an EV - Here’s What You Need to Know About It
EV technology is still not foolproof and people still have range anxiety. That is one of the reasons why buyers are steering clear from EVs until the range issue becomes as minuscule as it is in internal combustion cars. Perhaps that is why automakers are focusing on building urban EV commuters where the range anxiety is not the biggest issue.
Fiat is the latest automaker to dive into the urban EV market with its offering, the 500. Although it seems to be the electric version of the 500 hatch, the 500 is actually built new from the ground up.
2019 Fiat Concept Centoventi Points to the Automaker’s Future While Celebrating its Past
Fiat is at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show with the goal of flipping the narrative in terms of electric car ownership. That “goal” arrives in the form of the Centoventi EV Concept, a futuristic interpretation of a future mass-market electric car. The Centoventi EV Concept’s existence is not only owed to Fiat’s long-awaited plans for electrification but to also celebrate the automaker’s 120th anniversary. Yes, Fiat has been around that long. Celebrations aside, Fiat aims to turn the Centoventi EV from a concept showcase of its future to an actual production model with the cheapest electric battery on the market. Whether the automaker can pull it off remains to be seen, but the important thing, at least for now, is that the wheels are in motion for that to happen.
2019 Abarth 595 Esseesse
Fiat will launch a new performance flagship model for the 500 range in the form of the new, 2019 Abarth 595 esseesse that’s set to debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show. The Italian brand is also not only celebrating its 120th anniversary this year but the 70th anniversary of Abarth too, hence why it’s bringing this 500 and a limited series version of the Abarth 124 roadster to the auto show.
2019 Abarth 124 Rally Tribute
Abarth is headed to 2019 Geneva Motor Show with a spicy special edition sports car that pays tribute to the Abarth 124 Rally racer that triumphed in the 2018 FIA R-GT Cup. The special edition 124 Spider is appropriately called the Rally Tribute Special Edition, and it packs a collection of exclusive features that celebrates its status as a tribute car to the rally racer that, in addition to winning the R-GT Cup, also collected 40 class victories in the 12 national championships in which it competed. Only 124 units of the Abarth 124 Rally Tribute will be made. Pricing and allocation details haven’t been announced, but expect the special edition 124 to fetch north of $30,000 on account of the base Abarth 124 that starts at $28,295.
Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep are Now Skipping the Paris Auto Show Too
The auto show exodus isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Now, three of FCA’s biggest brands have announced their intentions of skipping the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Fiat, Jeep, and Alfa Romeo won’t be in attendance in Paris this coming September, joining a long list of companies that include Lamborghini, BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz that won’t be around when the Paris Motor Show opens its doors.
2018 Fiat 500 Urbana Edition
Originally introduced in 1957, the Fiat 500 remained in production for nearly 20 years, during which it became one of the most iconic vehicles in history. The nameplate was revived in 2007 as a competitor for the modern Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper and was received with great enthusiasm. However, Fiat didn’t do much to upgrade it over the last 11 years, with only two minor facelifts launched as of 2018. The latest update was unveiled at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, where Fiat also brought the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine back to the U.S. in a non-Abarth model. Two months later and the Italian brand launched a new special edition model called the Urbana Edition.
It’s become quite common for automakers to add special edition models when their facelifts aren’t very consistent, and this is exactly what the Urbana Edition is all about. With add-ons that include black trim, new wheels, and a limited color palette, the Urbana Edition was designed to keep things interesting for a vehicle that’s getting a bit long in the tooth. The 500 is not alone in this though, as both the 500L and 500X received identical packages. The 500 Urbana Edition will become available this spring.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat 500 Urbana Edition.
2018 Fiat 124 Spider S-Design
Revived in 2016, 50 years after its iconic predecessor first hit the streets, the Fiat 124 Spider was the first compact to challenge the popular Mazda MX-5 Miata after many years. Ironically, the Italian roadster sits on the same underpinnings as the Miata, as Mazda and FCA co-developed most of the chassis. But the 124 Spider received its very own styling — some say that it looks more elegant than the Miata — and borrowed its engines from other Fiat models. And unlike the Mazda, it uses turbocharged units too. With less than two years on the market, the 124 Spider lineup has already expanded to include various trims, an Abarth model, and even a racing version. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Fiat launched yet another variant, the 124 Spider S-Design.
If you’re tempted to think about Audi S-Line models, you’re not doing it wrong. The S-Design package is somewhat similar, adding extra features inside and out. The exterior is slightly sportier and boasts an exclusive set of wheels, while the cabin gets extra standard equipment that enhances luxury and comfort. Was another package necessary with so many trims and special-edition versions already available? Not exactly, but this is what keeps the market going and the customers coming into dealerships. Let’s find out more about the S-Design upgrade below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat 124 Spider S-Design.
2018 Fiat 500 Abarth
Without a doubt, the Fiat 500 is an absolutely iconic automobile. First rolling off the production line way back in 1957, this tiny little go-getter found owners across Italy, eventually selling nearly 4 million units by the time it was discontinued in 1975. In 2007, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reintroduced the nameplate as a modern front-engine, FWD city car, infusing it with as much charm and fun as possible in an attempt to rekindle the old Cinquecento flame. Although bigger and heavier than those first 500’s, the new model managed to offer some real smiles behind the wheel, especially with the go-faster Abarth versions. Taking cues from the old school sport models, the new 500 Abarth gets more power, firmer suspension, and nippier steering, not to mention every aesthetic performance nod possible in such a small package. Fast forward to today, and the entire Fiat 500 lineup was upgraded for the 2018 model year with a turbo engine and a new look, but the fastest and most aggressive of the bunch remains the Abarth model. Upgrades over the normal 500 once again include all the right stuff – big wheels, big brakes, hard suspension, and more power, not to mention the requisite go-faster stripes in the flanks.
All told, the Fiat 500 remains a quirky and fun little city car with a decent splash of performance, a modern take on a classic micro machine. However, with so many other killer hot hatches on the market, such as the Ford Fiesta ST and Mini Cooper S, can the 500 Abarth keep pace, or has the scorpion lost some of its sting?
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth.
Fiat Bringing Abarth 124 GT with a Carbon Fiber Roof to Geneva
Fiat is bringing the Abarth 124 GT to the Geneva Motor Show with something no other roadster on the market has: a carbon fiber rooftop. The new special edition model will grace Geneva with a style upgrade we rarely see from a sports car in this segment. It’s got plenty of exclusive features beyond the carbon fiber rooftop; all adopted to make this particular version of the Abarth 124 GT stand out from the rest of its kind.
2018 Fiat 500
One of Fiat’s most iconic nameplates, the 500 was originally introduced in 1957 and kept in production for almost two decades, until 1975. The nameplate was revived in 2007 as a neo-retro design based on the first mini car. It was Fiat’s answer to the modern Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper, introduced in 1997 and 2000, respectively. The new 500 was received with great enthusiasm, and the addition of convertible and Abarth models made it that much more popular. However, unlike the Mini Cooper, the 500 soldiered on unchanged for years, with its first update launched in 2015. Three years have passed, and Fiat is again updating the small hatchback.
Unveiled at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show alongside the rest of Fiat’s North American lineup, the update is far from spectacular, but it does add a few new features to the 500’s cute exterior. The interior carries over unchanged, which is somewhat disappointing, but the drivetrain department has a new engine to brag about. It’s not as new as it is rehashed from an old model, but it’s significantly more powerful than the outgoing unit. More about that in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat 500.
If The US-Spec Fiat 500 Received an Updated Styling, Why Does it Still Look the Same?
The updated Fiat 500 has been revealed at the Chicago Auto Show, and as far as revelations go, it didn’t really reveal anything of importance other than the hatch getting a standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. The new 500 also received what Fiat described as a “sportier appearance.” That would’ve been great, except that, by and large, the 500 still looks the same.
The Chicago-Bound Fiat 500 Is Really Old, Including the "New" Turbo Engine
The Fiat 500 may have received a turbocharged engine at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, but it’s not something you should get excited about. The force-fed 1.4-liter four-cylinder is actually at least five years old and its introduction is more of a return to the market. The engine was first offered in the 500 Turbo model in North America in 2013 and remained into production until 2016. It was rated at 135 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, only two pound-feet short of the "new" engine. A similar unit, but with the full 152 pound-feet, was previously offered on Euro-spec Abarth models.
Fiat Adds Turbo Fun Across The 500 Lineup At Chicago Auto Show
When the Fiat 500 was first introduced way back in 1957, it was offered as a zippy little runabout that could tackle the pressures of city driving in style. While not necessarily fast, the 500 was considered quick enough, and it offered the diminutive exterior dimensions desired for urban living. Since then, the 500 has changed. It’s bigger now, and the name has been applied to other segments as well, with both a tall-riding crossover and all-electric iterations making their debut over the years. Unfortunately, as we all know, these segments aren’t necessarily bywords for fun, and the world’s standard for “quick enough” has moved on. Now, though, it looks like the Italian icon is getting a little closer to its fun-to-dirve roots thanks to a solid dose of turbocharging under the hood.
Continue reading for the full story.
2017 Fiat 500 60th Anniversary
The modern Fiat 500 has been around for 10 years as of 2017 and so far it has done a great job keeping the original car’s legacy alive. The small size and the vintage design help, but Fiat also launched several special-edition models that paid tribute to the first 500 over the last decade. Come 2017 and the Italian firm has developed yet another anniversary model, this time around to celebrate the 500’s 60th anniversary.
One of the most iconic vehicles of all time, the Fiat 500 was launched in 1957 and the first unit was produced in the city of Turin on July 4. Fiat sold over four million examples until the car was discontinued in 1975, making way for the equally successful 126 model. The 500 nameplate was revived in 2007 and the second-generation city car became a success story too. Fiat says that the new 500, which is sold in around 100 countries, will reach sales of two million units in the first half of 2017. This is an impressive figure for a ten-year-old model in this day and age, and needless to say, it wouldn’t have been possible without the legacy of the original Fiat 500.
Limited to only 560 units, the 60th anniversary model was launched at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show and goes on sale starting March, meaning it will hit the streets just in time for the day the first-ever 500 left the factory back in 1957. Let’s find out what this limited-edition model is all about.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat 500 Special Series.
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Europa
The Fiat 124 Spider may be a new car on the surface, having first been introduced at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. But there’s more to the lightweight two-door roadster than what meets the eye. For instance, the 124 Spider may consider the Mazda MX-5 Miata as a direct rival, but the two so-called competitors have more in common than people think, including the fact that they share the same underpinnings. Here’s another surprising fact about the 124 Spider: it wasn’t supposed to exist. Yep, the framework that led to the development of the 124 Spider was supposed to be for an Alfa Romeo roadster. But FCA, owners of both Fiat and Alfa Romeo, ultimately decided to give it to the Fiat. And so, the Fiat 124 Spider was born.
Today, the 124 Spider has been a busy sports car for Fiat. It’s been featured numerous times in various special edition variants. That now includes two versions of the car that will be on hand at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. One of those models is the Abarth 124 Spider Scorpione, which our colleague Jonathan Lopez featured a few days ago. The other is this one: the Fiat 124 Spider Europa.
Developed to celebrate the launch of the original,
designed 124 Spider that swept many enthusiasts off their feet back in 1981, the 124 Spider Europa gets its fair share of unique features, not the least of which is a body finish that Fiat describes as the “ultimate color that identifies Italian sporty two-seaters.” The special edition roadster also gets components from Mopar and a slew of exclusive touches that have been thrown in to highlight the car’s celebratory special edition status.
All these items add up to create an impressive two-door roadster that does its predecessor and its legacy proud.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Fiat 124 Spider Europa
2017 Fiat Fullback Cross
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is launching a special edition version of its new-for-2016 Fiat Fullback pickup. Now entering its second year in production, this mid-size, body-on-frame pickup arrives at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in Fiat’s “Cross” trim. The truck comes with several new exterior add-ons designed to appeal to lifestyle customs that want something more stylish. The Cross version is available with the four-door Double Cab configuration.
But before we dive into what makes the Fiat Fullback Cross edition different, let’s get reacquainted with the truck.
The Fiat Fullback should look familiar. That’s because it’s a rebadged Mitsubishi L200. FCA is also using the fifth-generation L200 as its new Ram 1200 pickup, sold in global markets outside North America. But that’s beside the point.
The Fullback uses Mitsubishi’s powertrain, too. The Fullback Cross comes with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. This common-rail engine produces 180 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Customers can opt for a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. In either case, the Fullback’s top speed is 111 mph. Fiat elected to display an automatic-equipped Fullback at Geneva. 4WD is optional, of course, and includes a two-speed, electronically controlled transfer case from Torsen. It includes both 4WD High and 4WD Low range gears. An electronically operated locking rear differential is also standard with the 4WD system.
Electronic control and traction systems abound. They include ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, Trailer Stability Assist, and Lane Departure Warning. Other safety systems include seven airbags, three-point seatbelts, and a front crumple zone. Cruise control is also standard.
Inside the cabin, the Fullback comes with leather seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, automatic dual zone climate controls, and a seven-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. The system includes Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a CD/MP3 player, satellite navigation, and a backup camera. The driver rides in comfort with a six-way power-operated seat.
With that covered, let’s jump into what makes the Fullback Cross unique.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat Fullback Cross.
2017 Fiat 500X S-Design Special
There once was a time when a high-riding Fiat 500 would’ve amounted to some form of ridicule. The 500, after all, has been around for 60 years and at no point did it venture past being a small compact car. But time has a way of flipping long-standing narratives in the auto industry, and no more is that more evident than the launch of the Fiat 500X back in 2015. Essentially a small crossover version of the 500, the 500X checks off some boxes that the traditional 500 can’t. It’s bigger, more spacious, and provides a fresh alternative to the established compact city car. Ahead of the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the 500X will be well-represented at the event with a special edition model called the 500X S-Design Special.
Mind you, this isn’t exactly unchartered territory for the biggest variant of the Fiat 500. We’ve seen it get an Opening Edition in the past and it’s also been a staple in SEMA for the past few years. But the S-Design Special is different, not only because it’s Geneva-bound, but because it’s also arguably the most dressed-up version of the Fiat 500X that we’ve seen so far.
Okay, so it’s not exactly dripping with exclusive features, but it does have a lot of unique qualities unto itself. It has a new paint finish and a slew of unique exterior and interior details that help shape the exclusivity attached to this model. It also has tinted windows, which apparently is significant enough to warrant a mention in the Italian automaker’s press release.
Altogether, these features help create the identity of the Fiat 500X S-Design Special Edition. For what it’s worth, we’re all going to see how appealing the special edition 500X is in the eyes of customers since Fiat plans to open orders for the model in June 2017, a few months after it debuts in Geneva.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Fiat 500X S-Design Special Edition
2017 Fiat Tipo S-Design
Using a name that dates back to 1988, the Fiat Tipo returned to the market in 2015, after a 20-year hiatus. Designed to replace both the Linea and Bravo, the Tipo is offered in three body styles — sedan, hatchback, and wagon. All three versions are already available in showrooms and, for 2017, Fiat is launching a new model. Dubbed S-Design, it features a few sportier elements on the outside and unique features inside, giving it a distinct personality. The S-Design upgrade will be available for both the hatchback and wagon and the former will make its public debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Launched alongside other special-edition Fiats, especially 500 hatchbacks, the Tipo S-Design is actually a trim level that will probably become the most expensive in the lineup. But, while the exterior and interior is stands out by means of extra features, the drivetrains carry over unchanged. And the fact that Fiat isn’t offering the base gasoline and diesel engines in the S-Design is confirmation that the new model is set to become the range-topping Tipo.
There’s no word on pricing and availability yet, but the Tipo S-Design should go on sale in all European markets where the Italian compact is already available.
Continue reading to learn more about the Fiat Tipo S-Design.


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Visa has gone down, leaving many customers around the world unable to make payments, reports claim.
Downdetector, the troubleshooting website, reported the issue on Christmas Eve, which left last-minute shoppers unable to use their cards.
In a statement on Twitter, Downdetector said: "Visa is having issues since 1.19pm EST (5.19 UK time)."
The issues are believed to mostly be affecting users in the US, with unconfirmed reports claiming there has been a "nationwide outage of all debit and credit transactions".
One user in the US, Drew, tweeted: "When its Christmas Eve and the PA comes on at Kroger and says that debit/credit system is down... and it's not just them?"
A large number of problems were also reported in Germany.
The problems were confirmed to have been resolved a couple of hours after they were first reported.


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August 20, 2020
Update: This story has been updated with additional information from Carré Technologies.
OMSignal, a Canadian digital health startup that helped to pioneer the smart clothing space, is out of business as of February 2019, MobiHealthNews has learned. The company declared bankruptcy and sold some of its patents to Honeywell Safety Products.
According to a notice published by PricewaterhouseCoopers...
November 27, 2018
Smart sock maker Sensoria is teaming up with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and independent research group Neuroscience Research Australia to launch a 100-patient clinical trial looking at what smart textiles in socks can do for Parkinson’s disease patients.
The trial, called Standing Tall-PD, is supported by a grant from MJFF. The first part of the study will test the potential for smart textiles...
January 4, 2018
Mobile textile company Sensoria Health (an independent strategic partnership between Sensoria Fitness and Genesis Rehab Services) and diabetic mobility garment maker Optima Molliter are collaborating on a smart footwear product capable of measuring diabetes patients’ compliance to prescribed mechanical offloading protocols.
“By combining the best innovations in diabetic footwear technology and...
October 5, 2017
Mobile textile company Sensoria Fitness and Genesis Rehab Services, a subsidiary of Genesis HealthCare have entered into a strategic partnership to form a new company called Sensoria Health, the companies announced on stage at Health 2.0 in Santa Clara. Sensoria Health will be using digitally-enhanced footwear — such as the updated Sensoria smart sock and new Sensoria smart shoes — to monitor the...
January 11, 2017
Our roundup of 31 health devices at CES covered a wide range of interesting launches, but there were a number of additional devices we didn't get to. In this part 2, check out 12 more digital health devices that debuted last week at the Las Vegas tech show.
We covered BACTrack's smartphone-connected breathalyzer way back in 2013, but at CES the company introduced the next generation: a wearable...
May 12, 2016
Sensoria, a textile sensor company, has launched a new app, called Sensoria Walk, which helps users track their activity during rehabilitation after a stroke or post-surgery. The app aims to speed up patient recovery time.
Sensoria first announced the Sensoria Walk app at CES 2016.
“This solution is designed specifically for people in particular circumstances where a traditional wrist-based...
February 11, 2016
It's been just a week since MobiHealthNews rounded up personnel moves in digital health, but already a few more companies have announced C-level hires.
Treato, an Israeli company that scours thousands of social media sites to glean patient insights about pharmaceuticals and treatments, has hired Greg Gallo to be the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. Gallo previously worked as Chief Commercial...
October 6, 2015
The non-connected Moore Balance Brace.
Textile sensor company Sensoria has expanded its offering beyond the realm of wellness tracking for athletes and is developing a device to sell to healthcare providers via a partnership with New York medical device company Orthotics Holdings Incorporated (OHI). Sensoria demoed the new provider-facing system at the Health 2.0 event in Santa Barbara this...
July 21, 2014
Sensoria Fitness socks, which come with a snap-on anklet.
Sensoria Fitness, the wearable sensor company formerly known as Heapsylon, has raised $5 million from Italian investor Reply SpA. In exchange, Reply SpA will acquire a hefty 20 percent interest in the company. Although Sensoria reported the raise in a press release, VentureBeat uncovered the amount.
Reply SpA will also work with...
June 20, 2013
Someday soon having to remember to put on your digital health tracking device in the morning might no longer be an issue. If the latest crop of health-minded wearables companies succeed, health sensors will make their way into things we are already wearing -- like undershirts, underwear, and socks.
Digital health wearables are slowly but surely making their way into clothing.
One longtime digital...


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In June of 2013, exports increased to 31 billion USD, from 30 billion USD in the same month last year. Oil exports accounted for USD 3.7 billion, up by 0.4 percent year-on-year. Non-oil exports increased 4.8 percent yoy, mainly due to a 9.6 percent increase in automotive shipments, which offset a 4.9 percent drop in exports of agricultural products.
Non-oil exports to the United States increased 4.9 percent yoy while shipments to the rest of the world shrank by 4.4 percent.
In June of 2013, imports rose to 30 billion USD, from 29.6 billion USD a year earlier. Oil imports increased 1.3 percent year-on-year while non-oil imports rose 1.8 percent. By commodity, imports of consumer and intermediate goods rose 5.2 percent and 1.8 percent respectively, while those of capital goods dropped again by 3.3 percent.
In the first six months of 2013, both exports and imports showed annual increases of 0.6 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively, resulting in a deficit of USD 1.86 billion.


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MG ZS electric SUV crossed 3k bookings in
India sold 158 units
The MG Motor has announced that the MG ZS EV has crossed the 3,000 bookings in India. Till now it has managed to sell 158 units of the electric SUV. This electric SUV is currently available in 5 cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The carmaker will, later on, introduce the ZS EV in other cities in a phased manner. MG ZS electric SUV bookings.
MG ZS electric SUV
The company rolled out its first electric SUV in the Indian market, MG ZS EV with a price tag of Rs 19.88 lakh for the Excite variant and Rs 22.58 lakh for the Exclusive variant. The MG Motor had confirmed that the ZS EV will be sold to the first 1,000 customers at a special introductory price.
MG ZS EV specifications
If we look at its technical terms-specifications, MG ZS EV is powered by a synchronous motor that gives 141 bhp and produces 353 Nm of peak torque. It is equipped with a 44.5 kWh battery pack which provides a range of 300 km on a single charge. It accelerates 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and it gives a top speed of 140 km/h.
Its lithium-ion battery can be charged up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes with the help of a 50 kW DC charger. It takes seven hours to charge it with a standard 7 kW charger. It is IP67 certified which means it is water and dustproof.
First showroom in Guwahati
Recently, according to a press release, MG Motor India has today announced the grand opening of its first showroom at NH-37 in Guwahati. The carmaker will further strengthen its market presence in the North-East region with two more centres slated to be operational by the end of 2020.
For any promotions and advertisements on electricvehicles.in, please send an email to email@example.com


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Demand for electric clippers has surged as Britons are forced to cut their own hair during lockdown.
Major manufacturers Philips, Wahl and Braun have all recorded a sharp rise in sales - with some saying they are even higher than the usual peak at Christmas.
Chris Barleycorn, marketing manager at the country's biggest clipper maker Wahl UK, said its haircutting products are being snapped up more rapidly than during the festive season.
Philips reported a steep increase in demand compared to a year earlier, especially since the beginning of April, while Braun said sales of clippers and beard trimmers have increased noticeably.
Mark Leftwich, managing director of Philips UK’s consumer business, said there has also been a fourfold rise in customers watching tutorial videos which teach people how to cut their hair while avoiding any undesirable lines or patches.
Research by GfK showed that sales of hair clippers surged by 160pc towards the end of March compared to the same period last year, driven by a 365pc jump in online sales.
Demand is expected to grow further as the lockdown stays in place until at least early May, forcing hairdressers and barber shops to remain shut.
Meanwhile hairdressers have been among the first stores to reopen in parts of Europe as countries seek to ease restrictions.
Denmark reopened hair salons and barber shops on Monday. Switzerland, Germany and Portugal plan to allow operations to resume within the next two weeks.
Mr Barleycorn stressed that once the lockdown is lifted in the UK, customers should continue to visit their local barber shop or salon to support local businesses - while maintaining their home grooming routine.


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ATL Events Group's director of operations detailed the firm's expansion efforts in two major markets. He also outlined an upcoming incentive trip and the travel opportunities his team enjoys.
Smyrna, GA , October 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Opening new markets is one of the most exciting things a company can do, and the leaders at ATL Events Group are in the midst of an aggressive expansion. The firm now has new offices in Denver, Colorado and Seattle, Washington. “We are thrilled with the progress we are making in these vibrant markets,” stated Brandon, the company’s director of operations. “I know these efforts will lead to great things for our firm and the brands we represent.”
Company leaders selected Thomas and Will to travel to the Denver market to train the team. Victoria, Genesis, Bryan, and Jordan were chosen to represent the firm in the new region. “I have full confidence that our high achievers will continue setting and reaching ambitious goals in Denver,” added the director. “Seattle offers a lot of promise as well, and I can’t wait to get up and running there too.”
Brandon and the rest of the ATL Events Group knows that companies must set high benchmarks to stay relevant. “It’s critical for us to keep aiming high,” the director said. “We have achieved great success on behalf of the brands we promote, but we feel we’re just getting started. We are looking forward to making strong impressions on consumers in Denver and Seattle. More than that, we are ready to establish lasting relationships with customers and business partners in these growing markets.”"It's critical for us to keep aiming high,"
ATL Events Group’s Director Discusses Team Travel Opportunities
The team at ATL Events Group enjoys a range of travel options, including industry conferences and educational seminars. They also get the chance to unwind at corporate retreats from time to time. “We have a pretty amazing bonus trip coming up soon,” the director remarked. “It’s a free trip to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, and the person who earns it will be very happy. This is going to be an incredible vacation with plenty of fun in the sun.”
Company leaders explained that the individual who achieves the most growth in the next period will increase his or her chance of gaining a spot at the retreat. They will announce who gets to attend the Bahamas trip soon, but there are also some other travel opportunities for the firm’s associates in the coming months. Brandon added, “We like to give our people lots of chances to grow and develop through travel. Whether it’s an exotic retreat or a business seminar, they always get something valuable out of venturing away from the office together.”
ABOUT ATL EVENTS GROUP, INC.
ATL Events Group, Inc. is a full service marketing firm dedicated to helping clients break into new markets. Using unique communication channels and innovative advertising strategies the firm’s brand ambassadors leverage interactive communication channels to produce immediate results. ATL Events Group, Inc. creates strong bonds between clients and their customers, a strategy that is scalable and has worked well for companies of many sizes from small start-ups to immense multinationals. To learn more about how the firm helps business grow through a new approach in marketing, visit www.atleventsgroup.com.
Source: ATL Events Group


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Sonja Waller wants to give everyone some encouragement to keep the resolutions they made for the new year.
That’s why, she said, now is the perfect time of year for the new health forum she has organized at Cherry Lane shopping centre this weekend, bringing together a dozen health-oriented businesses for a one-stop information session and show for shoppers.
“Week three of January, that’s when people give up on their resolutions,” said the organizer of the New You Health Expo. “They need something to motivate them and get them back on track.”
Everybody makes their new years’s resolution, they are going to get fit, become healthier, the new you kind of thing, she said, which is why she wanted the event to take place while those pledges are still fresh.
The 12 vendors she has brought together represent a variety of health and wellness services, and all are going to be providing information and demonstrations.
“You can go have a massage on site, you can have an acupuncture treatment and then go down and see another vendor and get them to design a workout specifically for you at the gym,” said Waller. “Everything is there, absolutely everything you can think of that is going to help you become a healthier, happier you.”
It is the time of year to think about health — the South Okanagan Healthy Living Fair is also coming up at the end of February, offering Healthy Heart screening with medical professionals for pre-registered participants along with 60 health and fitness exhibitors.
But Waller thinks there is an appetite for more information about wellness.
“I think people are very open to finding out new and unique ways to get healthy and fit,” she said. “And it’s a perfect location, Cherry Lane, for people to come in and have a look.”
The New You Health Expo starts today at 10 a.m. and runs until 8 p.m., then again from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Waller said one of today’s major events will be vitamin specialists on site at London Drugs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Saturday is going to feature speakers and demonstrations on stage, starting at 9 a.m. with a tai chi demonstration. That will continue with new presentations on the hour until 4 p.m. Saturday.


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Scotland-based ingredients supplier Macphie has partnered with Loch Lomond Distillery to create a hand sanitiser for frontline care services during the coronavirus outbreak.
The disinfectant hand rub is designed for use by primary care providers, including hospitals and care homes, and to help mitigate nationwide shortages.
Loch Lomond Distillery is blending ingredients supplied by Macphie with its own alcohol, before the bakery manufacturer bottles and packs the final products in its North Lanarkshire production site.
“We’re facing difficult times right now and we want to do everything we can to help the people fighting to get us through this pandemic,” said Andy Stapley, CEO of Macphie.
“Hand sanitiser has been flagged as an important tool in combating the coronavirus and I’m proud that Macphie is part of this collaboration. We will continue to honour this commitment for as long as possible.”
“We’re working hard to continue production while adhering to government guidance and, most importantly, keeping our people safe.”
Bottling will start this week with around 11,000 bottles in the first batch.
“I welcome the proposal by Macphie along with Loch Lomond Distillery to make and supply hand sanitisers to help fight this outbreak. Their action and community spirit show what a local family company can do in times of crisis, and I commend them for this action,” said Richard Lyle, MSP member of Uddingston and Bellshill.
Macphie has also been donating baked goods and long-life products to local nurseries, care homes and vulnerable families that have been struggling to access food supplies.


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Whalers Brewing giveaway: a keg of beer to every restaurant and bar in RI
Local breweries faced a lot of challenges during the past year. But one of them, Whalers Brewing Company, isn't thinking about that.
Instead, the owners of the South Kingstown brewery want to do their part to help all the restaurants and bars in Rhode Island.
They are giving away a free keg of Rise, their flagship beer, to each restaurant and bar. That's a number they estimate to be 800.
The cost of the giveaway, according to brewery founders and brewers Josh Dunlap and Wes Staschke, is "priceless."
But if you do some math, kegs produce approximately 40 glasses of beer. If each glass sells at $6 or $7, the financial benefit to bars and restaurants, as a whole, could be up to $224,000 at retail.
Whalers has grown into a regional brewery
The brewers said they are so excited to get into good weather, they want to do their part and brighten everyone's mood. They see it as a way to kick off Summer 2021 in style.
"Everyone had a tough year," said Staschke.
The brewers said bars and restaurants across the state put them on the map. They figured, what better way to say thank you and help ring in summer.
"Who doesn't love free beer?" he asked.
"We faced a lot of challenges but kept everyone hired," said Dunlap. "We want to do our part to help everyone else now," he added.
The beer crew has been working around the clock over the past two weeks to make enough Rise to pull this off, they said.
Rise is an American Pale Ale with tasting notes that describe "a bright citrus aroma that leads to a pleasantly smooth body with a subtle hop spice that lingers in the background."
The kegs will be delivered by their distributor, Horizon Beverage. To get their free keg, all bars and restaurants have to do is ask their Horizon sales representative.
Whalers was founded in 2011. Co-owners Dunlap and Staschke have partners and long-time employees with equity in the company.
A dog-friendly taproom in South Kingstown
Their dog-friendly taproom is located in South Kingstown in the historic Palisades Mill where they brew all their beer. They say they are the largest brewery in the state to do so. They've been named to the Brewers Association top 50 Fastest Growing Breweries in the United States, including in 2018, and have taken home many other brewing awards.


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NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Weight loss is a common goal for thousands of individuals throughout the United States. While the truth is that the combination of a healthy meal plan, regular exercise routine, and a weight loss supplement like Hydroxycut™ is the best way to approach any weight loss effort, there are other changes that a dieter can make to improve their success. One of these changes, according to NBC News, is to skip eating lunch out and, instead, pack a lunch from home.
The article reports that opting to cook one's own food, instead of dining at fast food joints or restaurants, is the best way to maximize efforts regarding a healthy diet.
"Eating meals in restaurant[s] may result in lack of control over calorie intake," notes the article. "Women who ate lunch outside their home at least once a week lost five fewer pounds on average, compared with those who ate out less often. The more meals out that women ate, particularly lunches, the less weight the women lost. And fast food can't be blamed, according to the study, because only 10 percent of participants reported frequenting fast-food restaurants."
The bottom line, then, is maintaining an understanding of how many calories are consumed to better manage a weight loss plan. According to the makers of Hydroxycut™, having greater control and tracking the food that is consumed will assist in making healthier choices and sticking to an established weight loss routine. Diners who opt to eat out, regardless of if they choose to visit a local fast food joint or a sit-down restaurant, give up the control they need to ensure that their meals meet their dietary goals.
In a recent press statement, the makers of Hydroxycut™ remarks: "Eating out is, for many people, more about the experience than about the actual food. While it is certainly nice to have someone else cook the meal and clean up after it's over, it is possible to create a similar experience in the home while maintaining control over caloric intake."
The makers of Hydroxycut™ encourage dieters to approach home-cooked meals as an experience in the same way they would a night out. Getting dressed, cooking a full and balanced meal, and enjoying the time to relax are key.
Hydroxycut™ is America's #1 best-selling weight loss supplement brand. The key ingredients (lady's mantle extract, wild olive extract, komijn extract, and wild mint extract) in Pro Clinical Hydroxycut have been shown to reduce BMI and promote weight loss for subjects in two clinical studies. In fact, the average weight loss with these key ingredients was 20.94 lbs. in one 12-week study and 16.50 lbs. in one 8-week study. All groups followed a calorie-reduced diet.
Hydroxycut™ is produced in multiple forms, including Pro Clinical Hydroxycut™ Caffeine Free, Hydroxycut Herbal, and more.
For more information, visit www.hydroxycut.com.


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Meet the Mission-Driven Founders of Sequoia Spark 02
Ten of 15 Spark 01 startups have gone on to raise their seed & Series A while one has recently been acquired, totaling USD 51 million of capital post Spark. Today, we’re excited to introduce the second cohort of the Sequoia Spark Fellowship program!
Team Sequoia India & Southeast Asia (now known as Peak XV)
Published January 19, 2023
Today, we are beyond thrilled to present the second cohort of the Sequoia Spark Fellowship program, comprising 12 ambitious, mission-driven female founders from across India and Southeast Asia who share a deep desire to drive meaningful impact at scale.
Eight of the founders from Spark 02 are from India and four from Southeast Asia. Some of the cohort are second time founders, some have scaled businesses before, and many have deep domain expertise.
Spark 02 founders are tackling a diverse range of problems across sectors and industries like climate tech, healthtech, SaaS, B2B, web3, consumer internet and D2C.
From helping brands adopt materials made from seaweed to replace single-use plastics; building a purpose-driven consumer health company to transform young Indians’ wellness journey; helping digital-first brands tap into more consumers by providing them everything they need to expand offline, empowering farmers and small communities in Indonesia by making carbon credits market accessible to them; and even democratising deep tech so that companies of all sizes can leverage it – these women are building startups to solve for some of the biggest challenges we face today.
We are blown away by their ideas, their intensity and their passion. To know more about their mission and the companies they are building, meet Spark 02.
Spark 02 founders will get one-on-one mentorship from a set of very seasoned founders from Sequoia India and Southeast Asia’s portfolio. A huge shout out to our mentors, who are so generous with their time, experience and expertise.
Sequoia’s mission is to help daring founders build legendary companies, from idea to IPO and beyond. We are always on the lookout for the outliers and innovators who have that certain ‘founder’s DNA’, and have created a number of programs, including Surge, Pathfinders, Build, Guild and more, to support them at various stages.
We launched the Sequoia Spark Fellowship program, which includes a $100,000 equity free grant and mentorship, in 2021 to encourage more women in India and Southeast Asia to become entrepreneurs. By offering in-depth, hands-on mentorship and a rigorous curriculum to women-led startups, and capital to cover some of the early costs of starting up, we hope to help them navigate the 0-1 stage of company-building as they prepare to raise their first round of capital.
Spark 01, which kicked off in January 2022, was a cohort of 15 companies and 20 female founders from India, Singapore, Indonesia and Dubai building across EdTech, FinTech, SaaS and web3. As of December 2022, 10 of 15 startups in the cohort have raised their seed and Series A rounds from venture capital firms and angels across the region, and one has been acquired by Wipro, totalling USD 51 million of capital post Spark, and demonstrating that they are building disruptive, scalable tech businesses.
Applications for the second cohort closed in October 2022 and an overwhelming number of women applied. Our team spent hundreds of hours poring over applications and meeting female founders across the region, before making the tough decision on which startups to bring into the cohort. The volume and quality of the applications we’ve received for both Spark 01 and 02 continue to dispel the myth that there’s a shortage of female founders in the ecosystem. We are already looking forward to the inspiring founders we will get to meet once we open up applications for Spark 03 in the coming months. #staytuned
We’re at a pivotal juncture in our region’s startup ecosystem. More and more people are recognizing that diversity is good for business, for society and for economies. We look forward to collaborating with other funds and angel investors to support our Spark founders on their journey – and to inspire the next generation of female founders.
It’s time to #SparkTheFlame!


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It seems like Google is going to run out of time as it has shown no interest in slowing a bit and take a look at what it has done. Since 2011, Google has came up with Android 4.0 which was powered in the Flagship Galaxy Nexus and later on it brought in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean which has been integrated to the units of Nexus 7.
But the question from the enthusiasts as they heard about the rumors about the successor OS is that what’s next? To answer the following, we must stand to ground till its officially declared by the makers. Oh please, who can stop themselves after hearing about this OS fiesta. So search was on and along came rumors with them tumbling down the road.
The first news that came about the Android 5.0 is its label which is supposed to be Key Lime Pie and the release date stood at 29 October 2012 which later on came to be a rumor. But the codename still stands and new updates of this OS has been leaked by Qualcomm documents. But these documents have no guarantee to be true at all.
According to those leaked documents and some SamMobile sources, Key Lime Pie would be available for Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3,Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 8.0 and of course the newly released Galaxy Note 10.1. The featured OS is to be added with 3.8 Kernal of Linux allowing to optimize the usage of RAM and creating a good phone which is able to do multi-tasking swiftly. Google is still to verify those configurations and relieve our stress.
SOURCE: Tech Radar


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Mumbai: Onions from the buffer stock will be made available to retail consumers at a subsidized rate of ₹25 per kg through retail outlets and mobile vans of the (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India) NCCF from Monday, the government said.
The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) is already selling tomatoes on behalf of the central government at a subsidized rate and it has now been mandated to retail buffer onion.
For the fiscal year 2023–2024, the government has built up a buffer stock of 3 lakh tonnes of onions. Additionally, it has chosen to purchase an extra 2 lakh tonnes of onions for the buffer this year.
“To begin with, we will start retailing buffer onions in Delhi. We will sell at a subsidized rate of Rs 25 per kg through our mobile vans and two retail outlets,” NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra told PTI.
In the nation’s capital, around 10 mobile vans will be sent out on Monday, and further locations will be gradually covered. The national capital’s two NCCF retail locations, situated at Nehru Place and Okhla, will also offer the product, according to the spokesperson.
According to her, NCCF is figuring out the modalities for selling onions online using the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) platform.
Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, and Assam have been chosen by the government for market intervention. By eliminating buffer onion from the wholesale and retail sectors, availability is increased in these five states. In retail marketplaces, buffer onions are sold at a discounted rate of Rs 25 per kg, whereas they are offered at mandi rates in wholesale markets. Retail sales will start in Delhi on Monday, while they would start two days later in the other four states, she added.
According to government data, the average retail price of onions throughout all of India rose by 19% on Sunday to Rs 29.73 per kg from Rs 25 per kg in the same period last year. Retail onion prices in Delhi have climbed from Rs 28 per kg to Rs 37 per kg during the same time period.
In Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, NCCF has been selling tomatoes for a reduced price for the past month. When costs in the retail market were over Rs 250 per kilogram, it first went on sale for Rs 90 per kg. The subsidized fee has been decreased to Rs 40 per kilogram as a result of the better arrivals.


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Photos on a French site look like they may be a mock-up of the rumored iPad mini. Nowhereelse.fr
Photos purportedly mock-ups of the yet-to-be released (and still technically nothing but a rumor) iPad mini have surfaced on a French website developing a bit of a reputation for posting leaked Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) images.
The photos depicting various angles of a silver rectangle, somewhere in the Goldilocks zone between the iPad and the iPhone, appeared this morning on the French blog Nowherelse.fr, and according to the site, originated from the Chinese site, Dgtle.com.
In August, CNET reported that photos of what could be the new iPhone were also posted to the French site.
It is widely believed that on Wednesday, Apple will unveil its new iPhone—possibly called the iPhone 5—and some have speculated that there may be a surprise double launch including the iPad mini, though other reports place the miniature tablet’s release date sometime in October.
At this point, what we know for sure is that Apple has one heck of a shindig planned at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center and that tech bloggers the world over will be chomping at the bit to bring their readers the breaking news.
Michael earned his BA from Mercer University, along the way excavating a Roman bathhouse with the American School of Archaeology. Plus, he provided security at Oxford University, where he also studied literature and philosophy. He earned his MS from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism while training for and running in the New York marathon.
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Yahoo security recently uncovered a coordinated attempt to break into Yahoo Mail accounts by attackers using stolen passwords. The passwords were likely stolen from a third-party database and not directly from Yahoo’s systems; however, a large percentage of people use the same password for several online accounts, so these passwords were used to attempt to access Yahoo Mail accounts. Yahoo has reset the passwords for affected Yahoo Mail accounts, but it is likely a good idea for any Yahoo Mail users to change their passwords. Remember, as always, it is not a good idea to use the same password for different online accounts.
The GradHacker blog from Inside Higher Ed recommends seven productivity apps for Android and iOS to help you gain more productivity in the new year. Users in the comments also pitch in with helpful recommendations. A couple of the apps are based on the Pomodoro Technique, which is a time management method that breaks down work into 25 minute intervals separated by short breaks.
The University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom announced last week that they would be accepting Bitcoin payments on a trial basis for two specific programs that focus on complementary currencies. While the University of Nicosia in Cyprus was the first private university to announce Bitcoin as a form of payment, the University of Cumbria is apparently the first public university to do so.
Bitcoin is a digital currency introduced in 2009 that allows the transfer of funds between individuals without a central authority or regulation by a government or financial institution. The University of Cumbria was founded in 2007 and based on a “distributed learning network”, so that teaching takes place on a main campus and at other satellite campuses and colleges.
The original Apple Macintosh was released 30 years ago today. Apple has an interactive website celebrating the Mac’s 30th anniversary featuring a video with influential artists, educators, and programmers talking about the impact Macs have had on their lives. The website also has a short feature with UO Professor of Digital Arts Craig Hickman, creator of the child-friendly drawing program Kid Pix.
You can also share your first Mac experience (if you had one) with Apple in an extremely brief survey.
Joshua Kim of Inside Higher Ed gives the pros and cons of the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet/laptop hybrid from an educator’s perspective. If you’re a dedicated Windows and Office user, the Surface Pro appears to be a good fit for online learning and teaching on a budget.
Major updates were released today for Windows, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and Reader, and Java.
If you are a Banner user, it is recommended that you wait till Tuesday, January 16 to upgrade Java as the newest version of Java has tighter security settings that prevent Banner from running. If you have already updated Java, follow these directions to allow Banner to run.
Between November 27 and December 15, an estimated 40 million Target customers had their credit and debit card account information stolen in a massive data breach. That number has dramatically risen to 110 million with a new disclosure that more customers’ personal data had been stolen (warning: auto-playing video).
While an investigation is ongoing, reports indicate that malware was installed on Target’s post-of-sale registers.
Target is promising to provide a year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection to affected customers, hopefully starting some time this week. In the meantime, it is always a good practice to check your credit, banking and investment accounts regularly and keep an eye out for unusual account activity. Here are also some very good tips if you believe you may have been affected by this data breach.
Late last month, Ed Tech magazine featured 18 interesting infographics from 2013 including a helpful infographic on why the password is obsolete, how your password can be stolen, possible password alternatives in the future, and what you can do to improve your passwords’ strength and online security. The infographic is a quick–but informative–read. As always, we recommend using different passwords for different websites and using a password manager.


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[Ip-health] Market or data exclusivity for biologic drugs?
james.love at keionline.org
Wed Jan 26 12:12:12 PST 2011
Among other things, no one is certain whether or not the new Heath Care
Reform legislation provides 12 years of market or data exclusivity, or
something else. Jamie
JANUARY 26, 2011
Firms Push for Biotech Generics
By ALICIA MUNDY
A battle is heating up over the meaning of a single word in the health
overhaul that could mean billions of dollars to the makers of
The word is "exclusivity." Last year's health law says brand-name makers
of the blockbuster medicines are entitled to 12 years of it. The
question is whether makers of generics have to wait the whole period
before even beginning to seek approval—or can get a head start with
regulators so their copies can hit the shelves as soon as the 12 years
Companies including pharmacy network CVS Caremark Corp. and insurer
Aetna Inc. want to get their hands on the cheaper generics as soon as
possible, and they're calling on the Food and Drug Administration to
interpret the law in a way favorable to generic-drug makers.
Biotech medicines, or "biologics," are derived from proteins and used to
treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. Some cost tens of
thousands of dollars a year per patient, adding a big cost burden for
insurers, Medicare and others who pay for the drugs.
The health-law provision, years in the making, for the first time
creates a path to approval in the U.S. for less-expensive generic
This week three Democratic senators and Republican Sen. John McCain of
Arizona came to the generic drug makers' aid.
"We are extremely concerned about possible interpretations ... that
could further delay the availability of generic biologic drugs,
restricting access for many Americans and driving up costs for the
federal government," said a letter signed by Mr. McCain, a longtime
drug-industry critic, and Democrats Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Tom Harkin of
Iowa and Charles Schumer of New York.
The letter amounted to a counterattack against another bipartisan
quartet of senators who asked the FDA earlier this month to preserve
"incentives for innovators to research and develop new treatments."
Those other senators and brand-name drug makers such as Amgen Inc. said
the FDA should establish 12 years of "data exclusivity." That would bar
generics makers from drawing on the existing product's data during the
exclusivity period, delaying the generic drug's application for
CVS Caremark interprets the law to mean that branded drug makers get
only four years of data exclusivity and 12 years overall sales
protection. The company, a big distributor of generic drugs, joined
Aetna, Humana Inc. and seniors' lobby AARP in a letter to the FDA, dated
"The availability of biogenerics will help reduce costs for health
plans, employers and federal programs and will help make these
medications more affordable to patients," said a CVS spokeswoman.
The FDA says it is reviewing all the comments.
State pension funds in California and Ohio have called for early access
to generic biologics to save money. A spokeswoman for the Ohio Public
Employees Retirement System said: "If OPERS could achieve at least a 25%
reduction in the cost of biologic drugs, it would save the system over
$12.7 million in one year," she said.
Medicare paid more than $2 billion for three antianemia biologics in
2009, said an agency spokeswoman.
Biotech-drug makers say they need 12 years protection from generics to
pay for costly research. "Congress intended data exclusivity to be an
incentive for innovation," said Amgen, which makes several top-selling
The health-care law doesn't specify "market" or "data" exclusivity, said
generic drug lawyer Kurt Karst of Hyman Phelps & McNamara PC. He noted
that the wrangling is only the latest episode in an the ongoing war over
generic biologics, also called biosimilars. President Barack Obama's
administration wanted only seven years of sales exclusivity in the bill,
but he was outgunned by industry lobbyists including the Biotechnology
Industry Organization or BIO.
"This fight was bitter from the start, because the brand-name companies
won 12 years exclusivity," said Mr. Karst.
Making the matter trickier, some companies produce both brand-name and
generic medicines. The world's largest generic-drug company by sales,
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., also has a branded biologic for
Teva, which is part of the generic drug makers' trade group, applied for
membership in BIO recently, a move that industry lawyers in Washington
said caused consternation among BIO's established members. They said BIO
members must pledge to support the group's policy positions, and it
advocates 12 years of data exclusivity.
"We have publicly stated that we intend to grow significantly in
biologics. Membership in BIO is a natural fit," said a Teva spokeswoman.
A BIO spokesman said Teva's application "will go through our
board-approved review process."
Write to Alicia Mundy at alicia.mundy at wsj.com
James Love, Director, Knowledge Ecology International
http://www.keionline.org | http://www.twitter.com/jamie_love
Wk: +1.202.332.2670 | US Mobile +1.202.361.3040 | Geneva Mobile +41.76.413.6584
More information about the Ip-health


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The brand is branching out beyond its roots in golf sportswear to expand into tailored clothing through a new licensing agreement with Samtex Fashions Ltd. The first product will launch for spring.
The tailored collection will have two components: tailored separates in dress fabrics; and casual, soft tailored separates in linen and cotton blends. The styling will be classic with a modern fit and feature performance attributes such as stretch for added comfort and wearability. Retail prices will range from $100 to $250.
“This is a lifestyle brand, not just a golf brand,” said Michael Setola, president and chief executive officer of Tharanco Lifestyles LLC, parent company of Greg Norman Collection. “We’ve worked hard to develop the collection beyond golf shirts.” He said the company’s Greg Norman for Tasso Elba collection for Macy’s as well as its accessories and sunglasses are doing well, giving the company the confidence to take the plunge into more tailored offerings.
In addition, Jeffrey Stein, the vice president and general manager of Samtex Fashions Men’s division, worked with Setola at Oxford Industries, Inc. when Setola was its president and Stein was at Oxford’s Lanier Clothes division. “Jeff is such a creative guy and we felt comfortable with him. We like the Samtex organization and the product.” Setola said Samtex will work with the Greg Norman design team on the product, which will be “country club-ish. I don’t wear a suit much anymore,” Setola said, “but I will wear a nice dress trouser and a sport coat.”
He said the product will be offered to the company’s 3,000 green grass shops, but he expects the most traction to come from men’s shops at resort locations. “I’d say one in 50 of the green grass shops will carry a sport coat, but at the resort level, most clubs have golf shops and men’s stores. And our microfiber trousers and high-end golf shirts do well there. I can see them adding a sport coat.” He said he hopes that Macy’s and Belk, which carry the product, will add some more tailored pieces.
“The Macy’s line has been a great lifestyle extension for us,” he said. “Now we will have the opportunity to put tailored product there as well.”
@kering_official is spinning off its stake in puma in an effort to focus on its luxury brands, the brand operator announced yesterday. “We are proud to have supported the turnaround of Puma, which now has unrivaled capabilities to take full advantage of the specific dynamics of its global markets and is poised to achieve substantial growth,” said François-Henri Pinault, Kering’s chief executive officer and chairman. Artémis will become a “long-term strategic shareholder” of Puma with a 29 percent stake. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @jilliansollazzo)
The fashion world mourns for celebrated street style photographer, Nabile Quenum, who died at age 32 in Paris.
Quenum, creator of the fashion blog “J’ai Perdu Ma Veste,” was a fashion week fixture, and regularly shot for New York magazine’s The Cut, among other outlets, and brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moncler and Adidas. He was also actively involved in the #NoFreePhotos initiative, which kicked off in the fall. Read more about Quenum in @kbsmoke's story on WWD.com. #wwdnews
@verwanggang and @maisonladuree have teamed up on a dessert collab called Vera Wang Pour Ladurée. The collection, which launched this week, features a specialty macaroon, as well as a wedding cake inspired by one of the designer’s gowns. “I could not imagine a more delicate or sophisticated creation to grace any couple’s celebration,” said Wang. #wwdfashion
“I’m Russian and I love to use all these little tricks that I got from my grandma or my mom. We didn’t have a lot of money for creams or anything like that so we would use a garden as a beauty treatment regime. We’d put cucumber in the fridge and do a cucumber mask,” says model @irinashayk on one of her beauty hacks. WWD asked celebs what their go-to self-care rituals are. See what Naomie Harris, Freida Pinto and more said on WWD.com. #wwdeye #wwdbeauty (📷: @zefashioninsider)
Exclusive: @viktorandrolf are teaming up with @Zalando on a collection made from leftover clothing. The lineup, which lands at the retailer February 1, includes 17 pieces adorned with sliced up and repurposed overstock from the retailer’s private label collection. Pictured here is a look from the collection –– see more on WWD.com. #wwdfashion #wwdnews
@duewestnyc is the newest bar joining the collection of intimate neighborhood-focused spaces in the West Village. The cocktail menu, which includes bitters and syrups made in-house, offers a “Build Your Own Old-Fashioned” – like the one pictured here – where guests can choose from a list of spirits and unexpected sugars and bitters. #wwdeye
Spotted at last night’s National Board of Review gala in NYC: Angelina Jolie. Jolie – along with Meryl Streep, @lupitanyongo and more – continued the all-black dress code from Sunday’s Golden Globes. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)