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Results: 7% increase on sales overall, Facebook brings better ROI than TV
Mondelez increased Crème Egg sales by switching ad spend from TV to Facebook. This case study looks at how a seasonal social media campaign that invited people to ‘Have a fling with Crème Egg’ on Facebook, created a long series of one-off posts that fed into an overall narrative across the three months- increasing sales by 7% as a result.
Budget one-third of TV (but almost same purchase intent)
The firm’s analytics showed that of the overall ROI (in terms of purchase intent of the viewer), 18% was driven by Facebook and 20% from TV advertising, even though the budget for social was around one-third the size of that spent on TV.
Key stats from Creme Egg “Have a Fling” Facebook activity
- Facebook matched TV in driving brand consideration for a third of the cost.
- Kantar ROI research shows consumers exposed to both TV and Facebook were 66 per cent more likely to purchase than the expected combined effect of both.
- Reached over 90 per cent of their 18-24 UK target audience, 9 times each on average.
- Drove 5 million active interactions with a total unique reach of over 15 million unique consumers.
- 15.2m Facebook users were exposed to the posts, with an average frequency of 7.6 impressions.
- 18-24 year-old users were reached nine times on average.
- 4.63m interactions were driven by paid media at a cost of 8p cost per engagement.
- As a result, sales of Crème Eggs increased by 7%.
Targeting fat-fingered typists across the UK, this clever search campaign from Snickers used misspelled words in Google keywords to capture hungry office workers’ attention during the working day. This case study outlines how the chocolate bar brand managed to reach 500,000 people within just three days of launch, without any seeding and for less cost than bidding on brand keywords.
Half a million people with no seeding
Snickers worked with AMV BBDO & Mediacom to produce a search campaign that tied in with their ‘You’re not you when you’re hungry’ campaign.
The concept was to bid on commonly misspelt words with an advert reading “Grab yourself a Snikkers” as “Yu cant spel properlie wen hungrie”.
Without seeding, the campaign smashed their target of 500,000 people within just three days of launch – showing that with a little creativity, search continues to throw up opportunities for increasingly cost-effective marketing.
As the PPC budget was being used on misspellings, naturally not nearly as competitive as the actual brand terms or popular keywords, Snickers was getting more bang for its buck.
Results: 9% increase in sales after Facebook camapign, Beter engagement than social media hotshot Oreo
Mondelez recently used Facebook to reinvigorate its Nilla Wafers brand and boost sales. A study showed Nilla Wafers sales increased 9% in test market locations among consumers who saw Facebook ads versus a control group of consumers over the course of a five-month campaign. The Facebook ad campaign for Nilla Wafers also was able to reach 11.3 million households through 190 million total impressions (16.8 impressions per household).
Targeting females pays off
A report from research firm Unmetric looked at Nilla Wafers’ performance and strategy on Facebook. By combining likes, comments, shares, and estimated impressions to create an engagement score, Nilla Wafers was found to have a score of 557 against 46 admin posts during the time period analyzed. This is a massive 11 times higher than the U.S. Food sector average. Social media buffs take note:
68% of Nilla Wafers’ fan base on Facebook is female and it looks like the brand has done its homework to understand the type of content that will resonate with this target audience.
How a cheese spread became part of a school curriculum – a lunchtime campaign backed up by social media
Results: $1.8 million in earned media… and a place on the curriculum
Back in 2012, Bel Group’s popular cheese spread Picon wanted to revamp its brand promise of ‘spreading happiness’ across Lebanon. The FMCG brand’s civic activism programme became part of the country’s school curriculum via some smart digital marketing. Each area of civic activism was represented by a Lebanese superhero, who represented the programme as an ambassador and spoke about the effort to the media.
Kids became proud to affix another badge to their Picon sash would be more inclined to eat a sandwich spread with Picon at lunchtime. Picon developed ‘Happiness Heroes’, a programme that taught civic education to school children and allowed them to apply those lessons outside of the classroom through civic works projects.
Superheroes and civic duty- A positive reason to share
The campaign reached 6,700 students. Together, those students collected two and a half tons of bottle caps, recycled two tons of paper, and planted 1,250 trees. The students also helped 158 families in need, entertained 2,000 seniors, renovated 15 public schools, and helped 550 people with special needs participate in sports events. Picon estimates that the company garnered $1.8 million in earned media and reached 2.5 million people. In 2012, Lebanon’s Ministry of Education announced that the Happiness Heroes programme would be integrated nationwide.
Results: 112% boost in traffic, 14% markets share growth, Second best selling brand
In the space of four years, Smart Balance managed to grow its US market share by 14%, giving power brands such as Flora, Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! something to worry about. This case study looks at how the health food brand made smart use of digital platforms, culminating in this years’ s Valentine’s e-cards promotion that boosted subscriptions 14% in the process.
Back in 2010, Smart Balance hired agency TBC to push its line of heart-healthier foods. The brand operated in a highly competitive area with rivals investing more than double Smart Balance’s marketing budget, such as Unilever’s Flora and Shedd’s Country Crock.
Reinvigorating a stale site with stronger content and calls to action
The Smart Balance site was languishing and had experienced declines in many important areas. Because of this, TBC was awarded the redesign project for SmartBalance.com. The project was to be much more than a re-skinning. TBC would implement a new, open-source Content Management System and bring day-to-day operations into the Agency. In addition to creating a fresh look more in-line with the brand, TBC introduced new health/nutrition content, recipes, seasonal promotions and coupons, and streamlined navigation across the site. In 2013, site visits were up by 42% and time spent on site has increased 27%, while bounce rates decreased by more than 16%. And along the way, several thousand coupons were delivered and the Smart Balance email database grew over 15-fold.
View the key stats below, comparing the 349 days since the new site launched to the 349 days immediately preceding:
Valentine’s Day E-Card Promo taps into seasonal trends
To keep up the momentum online, in February 2014 TBC created a free Valentine’s Day e-card promotion for Smart Balance in observance of Heart Month. The promotion was developed to strengthen user engagement on the website, create a relevant brand presence during Heart Month and grow Smart Balance’s database of emails for future re-marketing efforts.
The campaign yielded a 112% increase in site traffic (year over year), a 42% increase in average time spent on site, a 53% decrease in bounce rates and a 15% increase in newsletter subscribers. Overall, the continued brand advertising turned the buttery spread category on its head and helped Smart Balance to become the #2 brand in the category, behind Flora.


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Bentonville, Arkansas , Aug. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) today announced it will release fiscal 2020 first quarter financial results on Thursday, August 15, 2019, after the market closes. Senior management will hold a conference call the following day, Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern).
A live audio of the conference call will be accessible to the public by calling (877) 776-4031. International callers should dial (631) 291-4132. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins.
A conference call replay will be available two hours following the call for thirty days and can be accessed by calling (855) 859-2056, conference ID #8260815; International callers should dial (404) 537-3406.
A webcast of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s website www.car-mart.com.
About America's Car-Mart
America’s Car-Mart operates automotive dealerships in eleven states and is one of the largest publicly-held automotive retailers in the United States focused exclusively on the “Integrated Auto Sales and Finance” segment of the used car market. The Company emphasizes superior customer service and the building of strong personal relationships with its customers. The Company operates its dealerships primarily in smaller cities throughout the South-Central United States selling quality used vehicles and providing financing for substantially all of its customers. For more information about America’s Car-Mart, including investor presentations, please visit our website at www.car-mart.com.
Car-Mart was named to the Forbes 2019 America’s Best Mid-Size Employers list for two consecutive years and has sold nearly 650,000 vehicles since fiscal year 2000.
Contacts: Jeffrey A. Williams, President and CEO (479) 418-8021 or Vickie D. Judy, CFO (479) 418-8081

domain: news


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Netflix recently announced during its quarterly earnings call that it will charge users additional fees for sharing their account in 2023.
The streaming giant offers a huge selection of movies and TV shows old and new, tons of high-quality original programs, and an easy-to-navigate interface.
By creating compelling original programming, analyzing its user data to serve subscribers better, and above all by letting people consume content in the ways they prefer, Netflix disrupted the television industry and forced cable companies to change the way they do business.
Netflix is planning to crackdown on password sharing.
The company is set to roll out ad-supported plans soon.
Netflix has not revealed how much users will be charged for sharing their account.
The new rule would go into effect from 2023.
In order to ramp up its revenue, Netflix has also come up with cheaper ad-supported plans. The company will roll out its ad-supported subscription plan on November 1 in Canada and Mexico; November 3 in Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the US; and November 10 in Spain.
Competition in the so-called streaming wars has heated up with the growth of streaming platforms including Disney+ and WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, which are trying to attract users and filmmaking talent.
Netflix downplayed the effect of rivalries.
The streaming service may need to ask whether the actual product needs changing.
During the past two years, lockdown restrictions delayed the production of movies and TV shows that typically fuel Netflix’s growth.
Netflix has stopped losing customers, after struggling to hold on to them in the face of competition and pressures from the rising cost of living.
The streaming giant said it added 2.4 million households to its subscriber base over the July to September period.
Hits such as Stranger Things and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story helped draw viewers back to Netflix.
With subscription growth slowing, streaming services are trying to grow by spending billions on exclusive movies and TV shows to draw viewers and get them so hooked that they don’t cancel their subscription.
Mihir Gadhvi is a Director at Illustrake Digital Marketing Services Pvt Ltd. He has commercially focused on social media marketing through consulting and strategies while also helping various brands in growing their businesses. He has worked with over 200 start-ups, SMEs, brands and agencies across the world, offering strategic media support services that increase ROI. Illustrake helps businesses and individuals with all aspects of Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Marketing (SEO & PPC), Branding & Designing, Video Animations, Web/App Development, and Conversion Optimization. He is also the co-founder of 3nions and social media manager of a tech-based resource.
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JAKARTA, Jan 9 (Reuters) -
* Retail sales in Indonesia grew at a faster pace at 3.4 percent in November from a year earlier, compared with an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent in October, a central bank survey showed on Wednesday.
* November retail sales were supported by clothing, automotive fuel sales, as well as cultural and recreational goods.
* The survey predicted retail sales growth to pick up pace at 4.7 percent annually in the fourth quarter, compared with 4.6 percent in the third quarter. (Reporting by Tabita Diela; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)


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Carl Icahn takes a substantial stake in Apple and claims that the company is massively undervalued.
Larry Ellison appears to predict the death of Apple without Job’s guiding hand.
Who’s right? or are neither?
Icahn is an interesting chap. Above all he seems to spot value that others don’t. Even by taking his position, the stock jumps and the sheep that seem to follow his lead (is that really an investment strategy-we follow Icahn?) also take positions.
His recent history has shown Icahn to be adept at spotting hidden IP value. He is attributed as being the catalyst for Motorola’s splitting its mobile unit and this being patent attractive enough to persuade Google to acquire the cover that Motorola Mobility provided.
What little has been said about his reasons for investing in Apple so far seems to indicate the his main motivation may be Apple’s cash reserves ($147bn and rising) and the commitment made to return $100bn of this to investors by 2015. At the rate at which Apple is generating cash that may only be one third of its cash ay that point.
We have a different view of Apple. We’ve taken an IP fundamentals approach to looking at Apple and also believe that it is only just getting started and has a long way still to go.
Then Larry pops up. According to a report in Slashdot this morning, Larry predicts using sign language, the death of Apple, unable to disruptively innovate without Job’s guiding hand.
Oracle CEO Larry Ellison thinks that Apple will collapse without Steve Jobs at the helm. In a televised interview with CBS News, scheduled to air August 13, Ellison called the deceased Jobs ‘brilliant’ and compared him to iconic creators such as Thomas Edison and Pablo Picasso. When asked about Apple’s future now that Jobs is dead, Ellison didn’t hold back: ‘We already know, we saw — we conducted the experiment, it’s been done.’ Raising his hand above his head, presumably to indicate the rise of Apple’s fortunes during Jobs’ initial reign, Ellison said: ‘We saw Apple with Steve Jobs.’ Then he lowered his hand: “We saw Apple without Steve Jobs.” In other words, the period following Jobs’ ouster, when the company’s revenues declined and it launched whole portfolios of consumer products that failed. ‘We saw Apple with Steve Jobs,’ Ellison continued, raising his hand above his head again — this time, to suggest that incandescent period following Jobs’ return to the company, when it released the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and a variety of bestselling PCs. ‘And now, we’re going to see Apple without Steve Jobs,’ he finished, and his hand fell.”
Ellison is something of an enigma to me. Was I the only one that was surprised that Jobs and Ellison were such close allies, even friends, and that they shared long walks together? By reputation, Ellison seems to have the fear element cracked. One rumour is that the phrase “elevator pitch” was even invented to describe the 30 seconds between the elevator in Building 5 at Redwood Shores (Oracle’s HQ) leaving G and arriving at 5 during which any unfortunate Oracle employee would have to answer Ellison’s question of “So, what do you do for Oracle?”
Which of Carl or Larry is right? Maybe they both are (Icahn’s time perspective is what, two years, Ellison could be talking about a timeframe of 5+ years), maybe neither is?
We see great things being still possible for Apple. Unpicking their IP strategy, we think they’re very well poised to move to the next level. You know, I really should write a book about this.


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Bullies shifting focus to Facebook
What's more is that about 14 per cent of teens say the bullying was about themselves.
Under the guidelines of the survey, the social bullying was described as “mean or inappropriate comments” on social media sites.
With only 14 per cent of teens saying they were bullied on social networking sites doesn't seem like a whole lot. Some might expect the number to be significantly higher.
But what the survey is trying to point out is that a lot of this bullying could be taking place over mobile devices, away from parents and teachers.
That's because teen ownership of smartphones and other mobile devices is up to 43 per cent last year.
It's hard for parents to know what's going on behind the screens of their son or daughter's smartphones, and for teachers to be aware of what their students are chatting about online.
Apps like Snapchat – which lets users share pictures that 'expire' – help teens erase their digital tracks, creating an opportunity for bullying to take place without any traces of accountability.
Are you worried about online bullying?- Maurice Cacho, MSN Tech & Gadgets


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World's oldest whisky found in Scottish castle is fetching £13,000 a bottle at auction
and live on Freeview channel 276
The 'world's oldest whisky' found hidden in a Scottish castle and once sipped by Queen Victoria is fetching £13,000 a bottle at auction. The collection of bottles were discovered behind a cellar door in Blair Castle, Perthshire, Scotland - distilled around 190 years ago in 1833.
It is understood to be the oldest known Scotch whisky in existence with 24 bottles currently being sold by Perth-based Whisky Auctioneer. The bottles are expected to sell for over £240,000 - and several bottles have already hit their £10,000 reserve price.
The auction's leading lot has already attracted 27 bids of up to £13,000. The sale opened on Friday and is set to close on Monday (4 December).
Whisky Auctioneer said: "When discovered, the bottles were found with a plaque that stated the distillation year as 1833, the bottling year as 1841, and a subsequent rebottling year of 1932. Should these dates be accurate, this would mean the bottles contain the oldest known, by vintage, Scotch whisky left in existence."


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A batch of meatballs pulled from shelves at IKEA stores after Czech inspectors discovered they contained horsemeat had been on sale in several European countries, the company's Czech spokesman said on Monday.
The spokesman for the Swedish furniture store chain Petr Chadraba, said the batch of meatballs had been on sale in countries including the Czech Republic, Britain, Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium.
IKEA says the meatballs its sells should be made of beef and pork. The company intends to carry out checks on the popular minced meat lunch for the possible DNA presence of horsemeat.
The deep-frozen meatballs in question were produced in Sweden by supplier Familjen Dafgard, an IKEA spokesman said.
A horsemeat scandal in Europe has prompted widespread product withdrawals, consumer concern and government investigations into food processing systems across the continent.
Presented by Adam Justice


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Bloober Team (Medium, Observer System Redux, Blair Witch) has given a new gameplay video for its upcoming Layers of Fear remake. The new video provides some familiar sights while showcasing a newly unveiled character and how the game will look. The Layers of Fear remake is built using Unreal Engine 5 and will feature Lumen, Ray Tracing, HDR, volumetric lighting, and Niagra light rendering. The developers appear to have attempted to keep as much of the look and design of the original 2016 game while updating it for modern technology while adding a few new things along the way. Layers of Fear releases for PC and next-gen consoles in June 2023.
Description from Bloober Team:
Get an exclusive first look at the gameplay of Layers of Fear, the series’ crowning work, in this 11-minute walkthrough.
Follow the Painter from the original Layers of Fear, and join the Writer — a recently unveiled character — for a closer look at the latest installment in the Layers franchise.
As The Writer, enter the lone and ghastly Lighthouse — a newly-introduced location — and uncover an untold story that links all of the Layers’ characters and events together. Unravel secrets, solve puzzles, and face the threats of the old Mansion that can only be solved with a lantern — a new and essential tool to confront the nightmares in the game!
Feast your eyes on the vibrant visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, featuring technologies like Lumen, Ray Tracing, HDR, volumetric lighting and Niagara–creating graphics as lifelike as possible.
The canvas awaits its final brushstrokes.
The stage calls for its lead actor.
The novel needs its final chapter.
It’s time to face your fears.
One. Last. Time.
Layers of Fear coming out June 2023 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.


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Political Campaigns Use Artificial Intelligence to Detect Emotion in Videos with CampaignTester™
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Leading technology companies will be meeting this week at the Campaigns and Elections Innovation summit on Wednesday and Thursday showcasing the latest trends and techniques for optimizing the effectiveness of political campaigns. CampaignTester™, will be demonstrating its mobile focus group platform that measures eight different emotions as well as "engagement" in each second of the videos being tested. Engagement is defined by the company as meaning that a person is actually facing the screen on their device with the volume turned up. The information is then consolidated into dashboard reports in near real-time.
"In my 30 years in market research, CampaignTester is the most exciting development I've seen in qualitative insights. Emotion and sentiment data are on the forefront of content and message testing," said New York-based industry veteran, Shelli Garson. "Any company that is currently doing traditional market research to digital messaging should really take a look at CampaignTester - which is a fraction of the cost and time required to get actionable data."
The platform uses the company's emotiontrac™ technology which measures facial micro gestures from the participant's mobile device to determine emotion and engagement throughout each second of the video being tested. Each person "opts-in" to participate in the test to comply with disclosure and privacy policies and can receive a gift card for participating, similar to survey research.
"CampaignTester is not just for the political and advocacy marketing initiatives," said company COO, Bill Lickson, "We've had interest from movie producers, record labels, ad agencies celebrity influencers and companies from a variety of industries that want to add this unique data to their business intelligence."
For more information, visit CampaignTester.com or contact Ebony Hunter, 561-763-1716 firstname.lastname@example.org


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Redlands, California—Esri, the global leader in spatial analytics, today announced that it has entered into a collaborative agreement with Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of the Alibaba Group. The agreement will enable both organizations to deliver enhanced options to customers seeking to implement their Esri technology on Alibaba Cloud.Esri President and Founder, Jack Dangermond, described the agreement as both a recognition of successful implementations and a shared belief that location intelligence in cloud infrastructure was pivotal to addressing customers’ needs and solving real-world problems – especially those that need scalable computing, storage, and networking capabilities.
“We’ve seen our users achieve amazing results already with Esri technology in Alibaba Cloud,” said Dangermond. “This has been possible as both organizations have engineered interoperable and compatible technology, based on industry standards. The agreement will now bring our engineers together to collaborate on shared initiatives that deliver the next wave of location intelligence innovation on the cloud.”
Esri’s sole authorized distributor in Mainland China, Esri China, has a proven track record in helping customers implement Esri technology on Alibaba Cloud. The Ningxia Land and Resources Bureau has built their own foundational geospatial data platform using Esri’s ArcGIS Enterprise technology on Alibaba Cloud. The customer has consolidated their electronic map data, imagery, survey and 3-dimensional data in to a “one stop” catalogue used by all functions and levels of the Ningxia Autonomous Region government.
Esri China’s President, Francis Ho, has witnessed the rapid migration of location intelligence capabilities to cloud infrastructure, and believes that this will continue. “Organizations are rapidly adopting geographic information systems (GIS) and combining it with the capabilities of cloud technology,” said Ho. “Our users already rely on ArcGIS Enterprise and Alibaba Cloud to do this reliably and efficiently, using world-class innovation from our GIS experts in China, the United States, and around the world.”
To learn more about Esri’s capabilities, now available to Alibaba Cloud users, visit go.esri.com/Alibaba-Cloud.
# # #
Karen Richardson, Esri
E-mail (press only): email@example.com
General Information: firstname.lastname@example.org


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OnlineTenders sees more businesses relying on it to land lucrative tenders even in the pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect businesses, OnlineTenders also continues to help businesses across the country land lucrative contracts through its services. South Africa’s leading tender notification service sees a steady rise of companies and entrepreneurs joining the platform.
OnlineTenders‘ Managing Director, Avinash Samlall commented, “We’re also the best way for businesses and entrepreneurs to access government projects. Our platform puts both private and public sector contracts within the reach of local businesses at a time when perhaps they need it most.”
Some impressive statistics for the year 2020 from OnlineTenders include:
- More than 6,000 companies signed up on the OnlineTenders website to join a growing list of entrepreneurs accessing government projects.
- Over 160,000 new tenders and business leads were captured in 2020. This was mostly tenders in South Africa, and with approximately 55,000 tenders outside South Africa.
Mr. Samlall added, “We’re encouraged by these numbers, especially considering we’re working through a pandemic. OnlineTenders is proud of how it continues to enable local businesses and entrepreneurs win at the tender box, even foreign tenders. This is quite impressive, given the circumstances. We’re positive that our platform will continues to improve and serve our users quite well.”
There is still considerable uncertainty as to how COVID-19 will shape 2021 especially for businesses. In such challenging times, OnlineTenders is aware of the increasingly important role it has to play as online and digital tools have further proved their effectiveness to grow a business.
Founded in March 2007 and based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, OnlineTenders is a trusted tender notification service throughout Africa. Each day, new opportunities are listed from all levels of government and private sector companies throughout South Africa and Africa. Using hi-tech online Internet software, tenders and business leads are collected and classified by industry type, keywords and regions to match exactly the kind of tenders relevant to your business. You can learn more about the OnlineTenders at www.onlinetenders.co.za.
Phone: (+27) 010 823 2600


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THE biggest free parking offer the borough’s ever hosted is has now begun.
The free parking scheme started yesterday and will run throughout November and December, in the hope of boosting Christmas shopping.
After 3pm all Rugby Borough Council car parks are now free to park in every day. ]The offer has been organised by Rugby Borough Council and town centre management company Rugby First.
Aftab Gaffer, operations director at Rugby First, said: “This offer will give parents a great opportunity to shop in the town centre with their children after they finish school. Everyone I’ve spoken to is really excited by this - the traders, the council and Rugbeians who are about to get their shopping underway.”


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2015 Chrysler 200 driving to change perceptions
The vehicle designed to relaunch the Chrysler brand is driving into the end of the year with strong momentum, but has hit some speed bumps along the way.
Sales of the 2015 Chrysler 200 are growing since its introduction in May, and the car is attracting a more luxury-oriented buyer. However, tough competition and misconceptions are causing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV to place $1,500 in incentives on the hood of the all-new car, according to brand CEO and President Al Gardner.
"This house has very high expectations for this car and we're not there," Gardner told reporters at a recent media event. "We knew going in on Day 1 that we had to change peoples' minds and perception of what Chrysler — and specifically the 200 — was coming off of the old car."
Negative perceptions of the first-generation sedan and even its Sebring predecessor, last produced in 2010, are hurting the second-generation 200.
Kelley Blue Book analyst Tim Fleming said as negative perceptions of the 200 linger, positive perceptions remain for the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
"For decades, really, Japanese cars have led the segment … they're known for reliability, safety and their resale value," he said. "Even though the latest Camry didn't get the greatest reviews, it's still the best-selling car in the country."
In today's automotive industry, perceptions can carry more weight for car buyers. Being "good" just doesn't cut it anymore, according to analysts. Reputation and styling are the differentiators now that most new cars have the age-old standards of quality, safety and reliability.
"You have intense competition, product refreshes and new technologies," said Tom Libby, IHS Automotive manager of loyalty solutions and industry analysis.
Since the 2015 200 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January, Chrysler has looked to change the conversation surrounding the vehicle with heavy marketing and advertising touting the vehicle as "America's Import" — replacing the popular "Imported from Detroit" tagline.
Ads for the new 200 have ranged from a two-minute Super Bowl spot featuring musician Bob Dylan discussing what drives America, to a series of ads called "Born Makers" that focus on the employees and facilities. Chrysler invested $1 billion in its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to prepare for 200 production.
Chrysler even recently teamed up with Google Maps to launch a virtual tour that allows users to get up-close to aspects of the assembly process, taking them inside the 5-million-square-foot facility in Metro Detroit.
The brand also started the second phase of the 200 ad launch called "Ready to Take on the World" earlier this week. It is aimed to benchmark the all-new car against its foreign counterparts.
The ads start off in either German, Japanese or Swedish before the person doing voiceover realizes that he's not discussing a German vehicle but a Chrysler. The ad then shifts to an English voice-over introducing the car.
"The 200 is really setting a benchmark for us," said Olivier Francois, Chrysler chief marketing officer, in a recent phone interview. "We would not run a campaign like this without a very solid product."
When Chrysler touts the vehicle as "all-new," there's no need for an asterisk. It was built from the ground up with practically no parts besides an upgraded Pentastar V-6 engine from the first generation, according to a Chrysler spokeswoman.
New features for the vehicle include a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, rotary e-shifter and all-wheel-drive system that can fully disconnect from the rear axle when not needed, improving fuel economy.
Fiori Mangone, sales manager of Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, said buyers are attracted to the car because of its new exterior, then pleasantly surprised once they get behind the wheel.
"People are just really, really thrilled," he said. "You can't even compare it to the older models."
The interior of the 2015 200C, its luxury model, was named to the "Ward's 10 Best Interiors for 2014" with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Mercedes-Benz S550.
Another perception Chrysler could be shedding with the new 200 is its legacy as a rental sedan, which tends to hurt resale value and brand reputation. According to data from KBB and Polk, the 200 had the highest rental penetration in 2013, with roughly 43 percent, or more than 52,600 vehicles, going to rental fleets. That's more than double the segment average of 16.7 percent.
In September, Chrysler sold about 11,000 of the sedans, up 15 percent compared to the same month a year ago.
Gardner said sales are expected to increase going into the end of the year, but he wouldn't provide an outlook for the 200, which also replaces the Dodge Avenger midsize sedan. "We have a very long way to go, but we're on track," he said.
In 2013, Chrysler sold 122,480 200 models and 93,842 Avengers for a total of more than 216,300 midsize sedans. If the new 200 can achieve those sales, it wouldn't put Chrysler in the ranks of the Toyota Camry (408,484 in 2013) and Honda Accord (366,678), but it would put the car past the Kia Optima (155,893), Chevrolet Malibu (200,594) and Hyundai Sonata (203,648).
Gardner sees the new 200 as essentially re-launching the Chrysler brand, which is set to double the number of models it offers through 2018.
The brand currently offers the Town & Country minivan and 200 midsize and 300 full-size sedans. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV plans to launch a new compact "100" sedan in 2016 and yet-unnamed midsize and full-size crossovers in 2018 and 2017, respectively.


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America stands fractured, broken by an event known as the Death Stranding. Step into the well-worn shoes of courier Sam Porter Bridges as he embarks on a cross-country quest to reunite the nation and unravel the mysteries surrounding the cataclysm that tore us apart. The first release from Kojima Productions launches Friday on PS4.
PS VR owners have a special treat in store from the musical maestros at Harmonix — their rhythm shooter Audica launches Tuesday with a star-studded soundtrack, promising hours of immersive, pulse-pounding entertainment.
For a full list of new games coming to PlayStation next week, read on. And enjoy The Drop!
The information above is subject to change without notice.


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Locog defends role of embattled Olympic sponsors
By John Reynolds, marketingmagazine.co.uk, Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:30AM
Locog has come out fighting in support of its commercial partners, following a series of media reports criticising the role of London 2012 sponsors such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Adidas.
Over the weekend, The Observer featured a call from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for a ban on brands such as McDonald’s and Coca-Cola sponsoring sporting events, as part of measures to combat obesity. Those brands were singled out due to their sponsorship of the Games.
Meanwhile, a report in The Independent criticised sportswear brand Adidas, claiming its Team GB kit was being manufactured in ‘sweatshops’ in Indonesia. The article, headlined ‘Exposed: The reality behind London’s "ethical" Olympics’, featured several allegations about ‘abusive’ working conditions.
Meanwhile, various human rights and environmental pressure groups have joined forces this week to stage a campaign targeting Games sponsors Dow Chemical, Rio Tinto and BP. The joint campaign, ‘Greenwash Gold 2012’, feat-ures three animated films and asks the public to vote for the ‘worst corporate sponsor’.
Locog has shied away from defending sponsors in the past, arguing it was up to partners themselves to deal with such allegations.
However, given the recent media criticism, the organising body has issued a statement defending the role of its sponsors, which have contributed a combined £700m toward the cost of staging the London 2012 Olympics.
A Locog spokesman said: ‘Without our sponsors the Games wouldn’t happen. They provide funding and expertise to help us stage the Games. They are also integral to how the Games are promoted to sports fans all over the world.’
Heineken vows 'responsible' approach
Heineken will focus on responsible drinking as part of its Olympics sponsorship activity, writes Gemma Charles.
The brand this week unveiled ‘Holland Heineken House’ as the official hub for the Netherlands Olympic Committee at Alexandra Palace in North London.
Hans Erik Tuijt, the brewer’s global activation manager, said: ‘We are proud of what Heineken does in the area of responsibility and we will send that message out at the Olympics.’
He added that Heineken will draw back from running marketing activity around family events and focus on sports with links to drinking occasions.
This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk
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- Black horse returns in new Lloyds Bank campaign
- The man who made Grey matter
- Watch: Every Grand Prix winner from Cannes Lions 2015
- 'You're thirsty. We've got sales targets', says Oasis in summer campaign launch
- Heineken selects Publicis Worldwide to be lead global creative agency
- Programmatic adspend nears £1bn and doubles for mobile


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Fashion retailer Next has unveiled a new set of summer clothing and shoppers are getting very excited, as shoppers often do.
Posting to their Instagram, Next wrote: "Garden get-togethers never looked so good!"
The image shows a model with brown hair, with sunglasses perched on top of her head, carrying a wicker handbag, wearing a black top and a flower-print skirt. She is standing in front of a very posh-looking set of garden furniture, including a fire pit.
Shoppers said the outfit was "gorgeous," with one using emojis to indicate she "loved" it, but lamented the fact she could not find it in her size.
The main draw of her outfit, however, were undeniably the sandals, which were the subject of many questions in the comments.
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"I like these sandals," one shopper commented.
Another wrote: "Sandals currently out of stock in my size. Will they be coming back in stock please?"
Clearly, the sandals were in big demand, as another wrote: "Any ideas when the sandals will be coming back in stock please?"
Big win for sandals today, all hail sandals.


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Certainly not shy about experimentation, Adidas has taken another big step forward in footwear design, this time coming up with its first-ever laceless soccer shoe – the ACE 16+ Purecontrol.
While obviously a boon for those who haven’t yet mastered the art of tying shoe laces, Adidas actually designed them with top soccer players in mind. Forwards, midfielders, and defenders alike all know how knots and flapping laces create uneven shoe surfaces that can sometimes lead to botched plays (that’s their excuse, anyway), so these laceless alternatives allow players a much more controlled, and hopefully more accurate, kick of the ball.
In its own words, Adidas says the new design offers “a glove-like fit and the cleanest possible strike using a larger surface area to generate more power and accuracy.”
That glove-like fit comes courtesy of a thermoplastic polyurethane cage that secures the upper part of the foot, important if you don’t want the shoe flying off after a shot on goal. Further security comes by way of its knitted upper and an “internal knitted techfit locking system.”
To show it’s serious about the new design, the German sports-clothing giant has managed to persuade some of Europe’s top players to slip into the shoes for professional games taking place this weekend.
Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil and Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic are among the chosen few who’ll be wearing onto the pitch what Adidas describes in superbly crafted marketing-speak as its “most disruptive boot in years.” It also appears to be its flashiest boot in years, its dazzling green color ensuring there’ll be no hiding place for Ozil and Rakitic as they zip about the soccer field.
Ozil was apparently influential in the shoe’s final design, taking time out of his busy schedule to offer Adidas advice on its look and feel, and possibly its color, too.
“My whole career I have tried to minimise the impact of laces on my strike and ball control,” Ozil says, adding, “I revealed to Adidas in 2014 that in the changing room I knot the laces over and over again and then tuck in the ends, that way they do not interfere with my touch.”
He said when the company approached him last year with a prototype of the shoes, “it was like they have created my dream product. I cannot wait to wear them on the pitch.”
While these aren’t the first laceless soccer shoes to hit the market, they’re certainly the snazziest we’ve seen yet. Fancy your own pair of ACE 16+ Purecontrol shoes? It’ll be easier if you’re in Europe, as a limited number of pairs will soon be available in flagship Adidas stores in London, Manchester, Barcelona, Paris, and Marseille, price currently unknown.
- How about a pair of Xbox-inspired sneakers by Adidas?
- New Google and Adidas smart insole can turn your soccer moves into FIFA rewards
- Adidas has created a running shoe that’s made to be remade
- Esports protest sees soccer fans hurling controllers and consoles onto field
- Amazon Prime to show live games from the world’s most popular soccer league


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The success of the Apple (AAPL) iPad is not just a technology story. It's also a retail story.
Go into any AT&T (T) or Verizon (VZ) store and you'll see this clearly. Both have tablets, lots of tablets. Lots of lonely, over-priced tablets, gathering dust while iPads fly off the Apple Store shelves.
The carrier strategy of linking devices with service contracts doesn't work that well with the iPad, which was originally designed Wi-Fi only. To carriers, tablets represent a loss of market share and retail traffic, to a lot of users it costs more to serve than they may be worth. That's why they are so desperate to get app makers to pay for data transfers - they're bleeding.
Ironically, their best hope may lie in open source. The Mozilla Foundation is rolling out a new mobile phone design which is based entirely on open standards like HTML5. The idea is to get a patent-free device that can be sold at a rock-bottom price.
European carriers like Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom (DTEGF.PK) are reaching for the Mozilla design like refugees on a food truck. Such a phone would level the playing field now tilted entirely in the direction of Cupertino and, as a tablet, deliver something that might be practically free with a service contract.
The danger, of course, is that the carriers will do to Mozilla what they did to Android, namely, load the phone with proprietary "extras" designed to lock-in revenue, rather than focusing on building out Web app markets and selling hardware.
Personally I don't think they can, and the only way to play either of the big carriers is for the dividends, with yields on T currently at 5.77% with the 44 cent/share dividend and that on VZ at 5.24% with a 50 cent dividend.
Just remember that there's a reason for such fat yields, namely, an absence of capital appreciation and a serious risk going forward. Both companies are paying out about two-thirds of earnings in dividends, so if earnings drop pay-outs will have to decline.


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Photo: Ronen Topelberg California is planning to ban sales of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles, including motocross and enduro motorcycles. This will have a far reaching effect on the motorcycle industry The electric future is getting closer. The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, announced a plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered […]
Loud Pipes Not Allowed: The War On Exhaust Noise
Most motorcycle riders love the sound of a good exhaust. Many go out of their way, investing time and money on modifying their exhausts or buying aftermarket systems. Some just want to make their exhausts sound better. Many do it because of the common belief that “loud pipes save lives”. Unfortunately not everyone shares our […]
So, What’s the Deal with Reflectors?
There’s been a fair amount of discussion in forums and social media lately regarding the legal requirements for motorcycle reflectors. This came after reports of riders being fined for not having side reflectors fitted to the front fork of their bikes. The purpose of this article is to clear up some of the confusion regarding […]
New Mobile Phone Detecting Cameras In Operation This Weekend!
Back in July 2019 we reported that new mobile phone detecting cameras have been trialled in NSW. According to Channel 9 News the new cameras will go live this weekend! Both fixed and mobile cameras will be rolled out, with the location of the fixed cameras undisclosed New Camera Technology The new camera technology allows […]
The UK Government To Consider A Ban On Hands-Free Devices
Photo: Shanie Avrahami The Commons Transport Select Committee have recommended to the British Government a complete ban on hands-free devices for all drivers. A public consultation on the proposal should be published by the end of 2019. According to Motorcycle News the recommendation came after research showed that using a hands-free device while driving is […]
Noise Cameras Are Being Trialled In Europe
Photo: morebikes.co.uk Two months ago the UK Department of Transport announced they will start a crackdown on loud vehicles which break noise limit regulations. They will be targeting these vehicles by trialling new noise detecting cameras, a pilot which will last 7 months. While the Brits are planning, the French have already started trialling. The […]
New Mobile Phone Detecting Cameras: Revenue, Privacy and Safety
A legislation passed in NSW will allow police to use high resolution cameras to detect drivers using their mobile phones while driving. Will this increase safety or increase revenue? Is privacy an issue with this new technology? New Camera Technology A June 2018 NSW legislation enables the use of camera technology to detect mobile phone […]
Lane Filtering – the Safe(ty) Side
Lane filtering… lane splitting… lane sharing… different people call it a different name. It is the act of riding a motorcycle in a slow speed between two rows of slow moving or stationary vehicles heading in the same direction. All of us riders have done it, all of us drivers have seen riders doing it. […]


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A newspaper and a retailer that sells surveillance devices each bought the keywords “Eliot Spitzer” on Google a day after the news broke that the New York governor was allegedly a customer of a high-end prostitution ring.
Newsday.com, the Web site for the Long Island, NY, based newspaper, calls attention to its coverage of the Spitzer scandal. The sponsored result, headlined “Spitzer Prostitution Ring,” promises news, pics, and gossip about the guv.
Brickhouse Security sends visitors to a landing page, “Catch a Cheating Spouse” that features for sale semen detection test kits, covert GPS trackers, and other items.
Not to be outdone, NYPost.com also purchased the keywords, “Eliot Spitzer,” promising readers: “New York Post has Complete New York Coverage. Check it Out!”
On the other hand, there’s no takers for the keywords, “Emperor’s Club VIP,” the name of the escort service that apparently arranged the tryst.
Mother’s Day is big business for brands of all kinds. The National Retail Federation reports Americans spent upwards of $170 each on gifts ... read more
In this week’s #ClickZChat, we talked about location marketing, NFC, beacons, and their usefulness for marketers. I’ve pulled together as many stats relating to ... read more
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance for the food industry "to help growers, manufacturers and food service operators take steps to reduce levels of acrylamide in certain foods." A chemical formed in some foods during high-temperature cooking, acrylamide has been characterized by the National Toxicology Program as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." Suggesting "a range of possible approaches to acrylamide reduction," the draft guidance stops short of identifying a specific maximum level or action level for acrylamide, but includes recommendations for potato-based foods, cereal-based foods and other products.
To reduce acrylamide formation during the cooking process, the draft guidance addresses what types of raw ingredients to use; how to transport, handle, store, and process ingredients; and how to prepare both fresh and par-cooked ingredients. In particular, FDA recommends, among other things, that the food industry (i) use certain kinds of potatoes and grains, e.g., tubers low in reducing sugars that have achieved optimal maturity and low-asparagine wheat; (ii) increase potato peel removal, wash potato chips before frying and cut thicker potato chip slices; (iii) add calcium salts, acidulants or asparaginase to potato dough in fabricated potato products; (iv) decrease cooking temperatures for potato products; (v) replace ammonium bicarbonate in cookies and crackers with alternative leavening agents; (vi) replace reducing sugars with non-reducing sugars in cereal-based foods; (vii) modify baking time and temperature to lower thermal input; and (viii) provide adequate instructions on frozen foods to guide final preparation by consumers and food service operators.
According to a November 14, 2013, press release, FDA plans "to publish additional data on acrylamide levels in certain foods based on its recent data collection and analysis." The agency will accept comments on the draft guidance until January 14, 2014. See Federal Register, November 15, 2013.
In a related development, the European Commission recently published recommendations stemming from its investigation of acrylamide in food. According to the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and member states have monitored acrylamide levels in food since 2007 in addition to working with food industry stakeholders to minimize the amount of acrylamide measured in their products. Noting that a 2010 EFSA report found no consistent trend toward lower acrylamide levels across food groups, the Commission has replaced its 2011 recommendation with new indicative values for acrylamide that will trigger further investigation by regulators.
To this end, the recommendations include the following indicative values for acrylamide (i) 600 μg/kg for ready-to-eat french fries; (ii) 1,000 μg/kg for potato-based crackers, potato crisps and potato dough; (iii) 80 μg/kg for wheat-based soft bread and 150 μg/kg for other soft breads; (iv) 400 μg/ kg for bran and whole grain cereals; (v) 500 μg/kg for biscuits and wafers; (vi) 450 μg/kg for roast coffee and 900 μg/kg for instant coffee; and (vii) 200 μg/kg for biscuits and rusks intended for infants and young children. The Commission also clarified that these levels were not safety thresholds, adding that investigations into acrylamide levels should include the food business operator’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points procedures "with a view to exploring… whether relevant processing steps susceptible for the formation of acrylamide have been identified and whether appropriate measures have been taken to control them."
In the interim, the Commission has directed member states to continue monitoring "the production and processing methods used by food producers in cases where the level of acrylamide in foodstuff… exceeds the acrylamide indicative value for the respective food category." Member states will report their findings to the Commission by October 31, 2014, and April 30, 2015, for further evaluation. See the Official Journal of the European Union, November 12, 2013.


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Samsung today announced that its Samsung Flow app will soon allow users to use their Galaxy smartphone to unlock and manage notifications on their Galaxy tablet. In addition, the update will also let users use their Galaxy smartphone to unlock their Windows 10 PC or tablet.
Samsung is aiming to replicate the Continuity feature from Apple with its updated Samsung Flow app. Besides being able to unlock their devices and manage notifications, the app will also allow users to transfer content between two devices, continue browsing sessions started on one device to another, easily transfer large files, and automatically start mobile hotspot tethering when one device does not have internet connectivity.
All the above mentioned functionality will also be available on all Windows 10 running PCs and tablets.
Samsung will also be expanding the availability of the app to Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7, Galaxy A-series of smartphones, and many other popular Galaxy smartphones running Marshmallow or higher. The app will also work on all Galaxy and Windows 10 based tablets and PCs post the update.
The latest update to Samsung Flow with all the functionalities mentioned above is slated to go live in April.
The ability to unlock your Windows 10 PC or laptop just by using the fingerprint scanner of your Galaxy smartphone definitely sounds like a nice idea. However, it remains to be seen if Samsung’s implementation works in real-time or not.[Via Samsung]


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2010 Hyundai Sonata to be unveiled next week
As rumours fly around the web, Hyundai has confirmed to CarAdvice this morning that it is preparing to unveil its Sonata replacement, codenamed YF, next Thursday the 10th of September.
Powered by a 2.0-litre Theta-II four-cylinder petrol engine and mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission the fluid coupe-like sedan will deliver a combined fuel economy figure of just 7.8-litres per 100km on the combined cycle - the highest fuel economy in its segment in Korea.
The rendering preview photos we've received this morning show a coupe like body style and exudes a dynamic image. The front side communicates an image of strength through a wide radiator grille and sharp-edged headlamps.
The flowing coupe-like lines of the YF express Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design language, a new design direction that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the brand - first seen in the ix35 compact SUV launched last month in South Korea.
Hyundai is confident that the new YF, equipped with the company's latest technologies, will continue the long string of global successes earned by the NF Sonata over the years.
Since the launch of the very first generation Sonata in October 1985 in Korea, 4.45 million units of Sonata have been sold worldwide. In 2004, Sonata earned the highest ranking in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Survey in the Entry Midsize Car category.
“The all-new YF sedan is a car we very excited about,” said Kevin McCann, Hyundai’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “The YF promises outstanding fuel economy combined with cutting edge looks and we are confident that the car will attract customers seeking style and sophistication to the Hyundai brand.”
Australian specification and performance figures will be released closer to the local launch next year.


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Bing and Wolfram announced Wednesday that Microsoft would begin using Wolfram Alpha's service to power certain queries about math, health and nutrition as part of Bing's attempt to differentiate itself from Google, which still controls 70 percent of the search market.
That's what Bill Gates is betting after checking out the answers from Wolfram's computational search engine. Evidently, Gates questioned whether the search engine from math genius Stephen Wolfram could actually do math right, and once satisfied, signed a deal to pay Wolfram|Alpha for answers.
So for instance, Bing users who want to compare the nutritional value of a banana versus an orange will get a computed answer piped in from Wolfram|Alpha. Wolfram|Alpha will also be there for users who want the search box to be a very functional calculator or find some computable health information.
Microsoft's decision to try out some of Wolfram|Alpha's answers is yet another step in an industry-wide march towards returning more than just links as the answer to most search query. Search engines now routinely blend in maps, music, videos and reviews, in order to give better results to user queries.
Wolfram|Alpha also just released a $50 iPhone app that has proven unexpectedly popular. Microsoft is the first commercial user of the company's API.
Integration with a major search engine is a smart move for Wolfram|Alpha, given the narrow, but occasionally impressive and useful answers it returns. Don't be surprised if this leads to an acquisition down the road, if Bing finds that users are drawn to what Epicenter has called a search engine for Rain Man.


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To recover from the shock caused by the Corona epidemic and lockdown, auto companies have planned a comeback. In view of the upcoming festive season, companies are going to launch several compact SUVs with strong features priced from Rs 6.6 lakh to Rs 11 lakh in September.
Vehicle experts say that due to social distancing, the number of new car buyers has increased rapidly in the last two months. At the same time, the demand for sub-4-meter compact SUVs is increasing rapidly in the Indian market instead of full-size SUVs. Keeping this in mind, automakers are also launching their vehicles in these segments. Kiya Motors India, Nissan and Toyota are going to launch their compact SUV in this festive season. Kiya will launch its compact SUV Sonnet next month. The car is offered with three engine options, 1.2-liter petrol, 1.0-liter turbo-GDi petrol and 1.5-liter diesel. It is expected to be priced between Rs 6.6 lakh and Rs 13 lakh (ex-showroom). Nissan’s compact SUV Magnite will be launched in this category. The company will offer a 1.0-liter turbocharged, inline 3 petrol engine. This engine will be capable of generating 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of peak torque. The third compact SUV is launching the Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Toyota is launching the first compact SUV by the name of Urban Cruiser. The Urban Cruiser will be powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine that produces 105 PS of peak power and a maximum torque of 138 Nm. Talking about the price, the price of this car can start from Rs 8 lakh.
Two-wheeler will also come in the market
Many two-wheeler makers are also launching new models with the expectation of increasing sales in the festive season. Many companies including Hero, Honda, Bajaj, Royal Enfield are going to launch new bikes. Honda currently lacks entry-level bikes. Honda is trying to hold on to the rural market by bringing its most affordable motorcycle, CD110, at a lower price. Royal Enfield’s new bike Metor 350 may be launched in India soon.
Reducing GST will help
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had recently indicated that a GST rate of 28 per cent could be reduced on a two-wheeler. In such a situation, it is being speculated that the GST rate on two-wheelers will be reduced in the next GST Council meeting. Experts say that the Central Government will reduce the price of the bike by Rs 10,000 by reducing the GST rate on two-wheelers from 28 percent to 18 percent. This will help in increasing the sales of two-wheelers.
Double digit sales expected to grow
The passenger vehicle is expected to return to the booming trajectory in August after falling sales in the last few months. Analysts at Nomura Research and Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd say that passenger vehicle sales are expected to increase by double digits. Two-wheeler sales are expected to reach levels almost a year ago. Tractors are expected to maintain their strength. This boom is expected to increase further in the festive season.
Most demand for entry level vehicles
Social distancing and limited availability of public transport served to increase vehicle sales. The highest demand for this is for entry level model trains. Its sales have registered a growth of around 40 per cent. Hero MotoCorp and Maruti Suzuki have a wide presence and large share of low-priced products (entry level). Hence, sales of these two companies are expected to grow the most.
These rules will change from tomorrow, will have a direct impact on the common man’s pocket


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By SeafoodSource staff
Published on Monday, February 06, 2012
Swiss food giant Nestle SA is in talks to buy the Nordic operations of U.K.-based frozen food maker Findus from private-equity company Lion Capital, the Financial Times reported Monday.
Lion Capital and its financial advisers Rothschild are also speaking to Norwegian consumer goods group Orkla ASA and seafood exporter Leroy Group ASA, the paper said, citing two people close to the situation.
The deal could be worth 700 million euros-800 million euros, and could be used by Lion to pay down the debts of the rest of Findus, which Lion bought for GBP 1.1 billion three years ago.


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More THC, less body fat – new study tells us why
The connection between cannabis and weight loss is paradoxical. Consuming the plant can improve the appetite of patients with cancer and anorexia. But studies also show that on the whole, cannabis consumers have lower body mass compared to those who don’t partake.
Tetrahydrocannabinvarin (THCv), a cannabinoid found in strains like true Durban Poison, is known for its appetite-decreasing effects. Cannabis products with THCv may also promote a clear-headed, caffeinated type of energy.
Connection between CB1 receptors, THC, and body mass index
New research from the University of California Irvine has revealed more about the connection between cannabis consumption and body fat. Researchers noted the anti-obesity qualities of the plant in combination with the mechanism of cannabinoid receptors in fat tissue, and they wanted to learn more.
The study identifies the mechanisms at play when cannabis compounds break down fat and fatty acids and melt away energy. The plant does this productively by countering the endocannabinoid signals to adipose, the liver, and other organs.
THC congregates in fat deposits, fully engaging CB1 receptors. Studies have shown that activating CB1 receptors triggers fat tissue development– which confounded researchers alongside the data mentioned above showing that cannabis consumers have a lower body mass index (BMI).
To further investigate, the team posited that much regular cannabis use in adulthood started in the teen years. This thought opened a query: what if adolescent cannabis use triggers inappropriate CB1 activation?
Finding the truth behind THC and fat tissue
In the controlled rodent study, three groups of mice were given 5 milligrams of THC daily and observed. Male mice in the cannabis-consuming group showed lower body mass and energy metabolism. Researchers observed eating habits, activity levels, and other mitigating factors, but none correlated to lower body fat.
These results could not be replicated in young adult mice. Male mice also showed a higher energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory exchange rate (RER), or the intake ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen.
The sobered-up mice had so little THC in their system that it was untraceable that the EE and RER decreased. And while fat, body mass, and water weight remained the same once the cannabis left their system the mice did gain more lean mass.
Other findings from the study
Researchers also tested the groups’ abilities to regulate temperature, putting the mice into a cold space and monitoring how quickly they returned to homeostasis. The temps of cannabis-dosed mice plateaued at a significantly higher level compared to the control group mice.
This research illuminates the cannabinoid mechanisms in the human body– showing that cannabis use in adolescents can forever alter the function of CB1 receptors. The results prove that with more scientific understanding, cannabis could be used to treat various conditions.


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"The Rubber Manufacturers Association, AAA Texas, and Discount Tire Co. are teaming up to help educate motorists about proper tire care. Citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that under-inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year, the groups are hoping to bring those numbers down.Read the rest of the article in "Tire Industry Urges Drivers to 'Air' on Side of Safety", Occupational Health and Safety, August 7, 2010. Clcik here to learn more about tire safety and care.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Discount Tire always offers free tire pressure checks at its locations throughout the country, but today in select cities the first 50 people to visit one its sites to have their air checked out will receive a free RMA tire pressure gauge. RMA, the national trade association for tire manufacturers in the United States, notes that while summer is winding down, families are still packing their vehicles and heading out for vacations. And when under-inflated tires combine with fully loaded cars traveling at highway speed in summertime heat, the risk of tire failure rises."
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Dangers of Underinflated Tires


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Facebook Buys Neural Monitoring Startup CTRL-labs
Andrew Bosworth, head of Facebook’s virtual reality and augmented reality departments shared the news yesterday in a social media post. “We spend a lot of time trying to get our technology to do what we want rather than enjoying the people around us. We know there are more natural, intuitive ways to interact with devices and technology. And we want to build them. It’s why we’ve agreed to acquire CTRL-labs,” Bosworth wrote.
So far, the startup’s flagship product has been an armband that measures neuron activity in a subject and then replicates the same motion on a computer screen. The technology deployed in this wrist-worn device picks up on electrical impulses coming from muscle fibers as they move. A computer then imitates the muscle movement on a screen. Simply put, this invention allows users to move the arm on the screen by moving their physical arm, or even just by thinking of moving it.
Employees of CTRL-labs will be joining the Facebook Reality Labs team that’s working on VR and AR projects. Bosworth added that the goal of pairing these two teams is to further develop the technology CTRL-labs has been working on, to do it “at scale, and get it into consumer products faster.”
Facebook decided to go through with the purchase even though it is currently under two separate antitrust investigations by the Federal Trade Commission. Regulators will closely examine any acquisition made by Facebook while the investigation is underway.
“CTRL-Labs and Facebook are not competitors. Facebook does not currently have or make this technology,” a Facebook spokeswoman told Bloomberg of the deal announced on Monday. She added that the company would work with regulators to secure any needed approvals. “CTRL-Labs’s technology is an innovative input that Facebook hopes will be used to significantly improve the upcoming Facebook AR/VR experiences a few years down the road to fundamentally improve the user experience.”
According to CrunchBase, the four-year-old New York startup raised $67 million in three rounds of funding. Its list of investors includes some high-profile names including Google’s GV, Amazon.com, Inc.’s Alexa Fund, Spark Capital, and Founders Fund.
Ivana is a staff writer at SmallBizGenius. Her interests during office hours include writing about small businesses, start-ups, and retail. When the weekend comes, you can find her hiking in nature, hanging off of a cliff or dancing salsa.
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Boat sales soar on new rules
Changes in the tax law and fewer bureaucratic procedures have helped boat sales in Greece grow by as much as 100 percent in different categories, according to industry data. Figures from the Hellenic Marine Industry Association (SEKAPLAS) show that in recent years the number of speedboats being added to Greek waters every year reaches about 10,000. SEKAPLAS general secretary Costas Biskinis told Kathimerini that the boat registry grows annually by about 15-17 percent. «We are at the start of an upward trend which is likely to peak in the future,» he said. Among the recent changes introduced by the government is that taxpayers are no longer required to declare a minimum income based on the ownership of a boat. According to Ekka yachts, one category of boats priced between 250,000 and 13 million euros is currently showing annual sales growth of 100 percent.


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Levi Strauss & Co. has named T. Gary Rogers, top boss of Oakland-based Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, to be chairman of the board at Levi, the jeansmaker announced Wednesday.
Rogers, 65, will retire at the end of December after 30 years as chairman and chief executive officer of Dreyer’s. He will become chairman of San Francisco-based Levi Strauss in February.
With a partner, William Cronk, Rogers bought Dreyer’s in 1977 for $1.1 million. Over the decades, they transformed Dreyer’s from a regional ice cream business into the nation’s largest provider of premium and super premium ice cream.
In January 2006, Nestle completed its $2.59 billion purchase of Dreyer’s when it scooped up one-third of Dreyer’s to go along with the two-thirds Nestle already owned.
Rogers sees many similarities between Dreyer’s and Levi, including their approach to consumers and how they treat employees and their communities.
“Dreyer’s is a values-based company, and Levi always has been that,” Rogers said in an interview Wednesday. “They are both consumer products companies, although very different ones. But knowing the consumer is very important to both enterprises.”
He also sees similarities in the size of the two companies. “Dreyer’s is now approaching $2.5 billion in revenue; Levi is on the order of $4.5 billion,” Rogers said.
Rogers replaces Robert Haas, who is retiring as Levi’s chairman after 18 years. Rogers said he will become the first chairman at Levi who is not a family member. Rogers has been on the Levi board for 10 years.
“Gary is an exceptional business leader who has added great value to our board deliberations and strategic discussions for many years,” Haas said in a news release.
Rogers said he is taking on the chairman’s role at a time when Levi has managed to rebound from previous difficulties.
“Levi is in the late stages of a turnaround,” Rogers said. “The company is growing again. It is a matter of sustaining and building on that.”
Levi has a relatively new chief executive officer, John Anderson, who came up through the Levi ranks, Rogers said.
“I see the role of chairman as supporting the agenda and priorities of the CEO,” Rogers said.
In the first nine months of its 2007 fiscal year, Levi Strauss & Co. earned $193.2 million on revenue of $3.1 billion. Revenue for the nine months ended Aug. 26 was up 5 percent from the prior year; profit was up 35 percent.
“Levi had to go through a major change or reconstruction of its business model, going back quite a few years,” Rogers said. He said Levi at the time was one of the last apparel manufacturers that still making products in the United States. Like others in the industry, Levi has shifted that manufacturing overseas, Rogers said.
Rogers joked that in some ways it would be tough to leave Dreyer’s, especially considering what the company makes.
“It’s kind of hard to leave being the CEO of the largest ice cream company in the country, because it’s kind of like being Santa Claus,” Rogers said. “Everyone has their favorite flavor.”
He also enjoyed running Dreyer’s for so many years.
“Being CEO at Dreyer’s is a wonderful role, and I’ll miss it,” Rogers said. “Being chairman at Levi is a natural extension of the experience I’ve had. I’m looking forward to this.”
George Avalos covers jobs, economic development, commercial real estate, finance and petroleum. Reach him at 925-977-8477 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Berkeley Bowl reborn: Get your Snake Squash here!
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- Steve Brown
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If you’re running short of Naga Imo or Snake Squash, or maybe have a hankering for Durian, Lychee or Spiny Chayote, you can find them all in the produce section of the new Berkeley Bowl West.
This new store, which opened early this month at 9th Street and Heinz Avenue in West Berkeley, was designed by architect Kava Massih, whose office is right across the street from it.
Getting from designs on paper to an operating grocery store wasn’t easy. Some neighbors in the already crowded area where San Pablo and Ashby avenues meet spoke out against the project because of traffic and parking concerns, which plague the existing Berkeley Bowl on Shattuck Avenue. Bicycle advocates feared the store would block a bike route. This West Berkeley semi-industrial neighborhood already has a daily temporary traffic jam because of a local school where parents queue up in SUVs and Volvos to pick up their kids in the afternoon.
But eventually the project got done, fears were allayed, and so far the reviews of the new store are good.
Massih (who as a neighbor even had some doubts himself) said the long gestation did have some benefits. The delays and many hurdles to clear gave him a chance to get to know his clients very well.
“One of the best things out of doing this has been to get to know the Yasuda family that owns the bowl. It has been an absolute pleasure working with them,” Massih told me on Monday.
The Berkeley Bowl — named for its Ur-site, a former bowling alley — on Shattuck is infamous for the tortuous delays in its parking lot. “Once you go in the lot there, you are trapped,” said a Berkeley landscape architect who works nearby and refuses to drive there. So many desperate shoppers parked illegally in the drug store lot across the street that it had to put up signs warning them they’d be towed.
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Homebuying in Fountain Valley appeared mixed in early November while the countywide market was feeling an autumnal chill.
For the 22 business days ending November 8 -- latest DataQuick stats …
- 38 Fountain Valley residences sold vs. 25 deals closed in the matching period a year ago -- a 52.0% increase over the past 12 months.
- Countywide sales declined 1.7% in the same period.
- $485,500 was the Fountain Valley median selling price. That is down 8.8% in the year.
- Countywide median selling price of $409,000 was down 7.0% in the year.
- Homes in this community most recently sold at pricing 18.7% pricier than the countywide median price. A year ago, homes in Fountain Valley were 21.0% more expensive vs. Orange County pricing.
- As for homebuying trends, Fountain Valley home sales were 1.5% of total Orange County sales in the most recent period vs. 1.0% a year ago.
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Latest Fat Stories
New research from Uppsala University shows that saturated fat builds more fat and less muscle than polyunsaturated fat.
Proactol is a clinically tested fat binder that is highly preferred by many individuals worldwide.
New research has shown that shivering is as equally capable of stimulating the conversion of energy-storing "white fat" into energy-burning "brown fat" as bouts of moderate exercise.
Fatty Liver Diet, developed by Dorothy Spencer, is a brand new treatment for a fatty liver that uncovers natural remedies to help people get rid of this condition effectively.
Simple easy fat loss method revealed in a new free special report by Rick Porter, “Accidental Fat Loss Expert.” Barrington, Rhode Island (PRWEB) January
Providing tailored lipids and micronutrients essential to vibrant health, LipiLife marks a turning point in history in the way lipids are leveraged for life and health. Palo
In promoting the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a new study led by Washington State University has recently found that organic milk contains a significantly higher amount of the heart-healthy fats than regular milk from cows on conventional dairy farms.
Humankind has a weight problem – and not only in the industrialized nations, either: the growing prosperity in many Asian or Latin American countries goes hand in hand with a way of life that quite literally has hefty consequences.


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TransLink rolling out wearable Compass Card bracelets
Next week, getting on transit in Vancouver could be all in the wrist.
TransLink is rolling out a new type of wearable Compass Card starting next week – and let CTV News take it for a ride.
The waterproof, silicone wristband taps to open the fare gates just like a regular Compass Card. But there’s no doing what transit rider Suzanne Fife calls her "tap dance" – the juggle to find her wallet, pull out the Compass Card, and hope she doesn’t drop anything along the way.
"You put it on like a bracelet in the morning – that’s great," she said when we showed it to her at the Main Street-Science World Station.
But if she wants to get it – she might have to act fast. TransLink is releasing just 1,000 wristbands of each type -- blue for adult fare, orange for concession fare, and black for TransLink staff – starting Monday.
The wristbands don’t fit into regular vending machines, so passengers would have to go to the Stadium-Chinatown station. They’ll be available for the same $6 deposit as a Compass Card.
Given there are some 500,000 riders a day, 1,000 wristbands is not a lot, said TransLink spokesperson Jill Drews.
"If they go like hotcakes in the next week or so, we’ll order some more," she said.
The agency is catching up to other cities’ transit systems, such as Hong Kong’s Octopus Card, which offers passes in key chains, and London’s bPay band card from Barclaycard, which can replace the city’s Oyster Card.
And it gives options to some people who have used chemicals to dissolve the cards, remove their chips and antennae, and put them into anything they want.
One self-proclaimed "biohacker" in Australia, whose real, legal name is Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow, actually installed the RFID chip in his wrist.
That resulted in a ticket for him for not having a valid ticket – even though he had $14.07 on the chip. Meow-Meow pleaded guilty in a Sydney court to travelling without a valid ticket, but didn’t get a conviction.
"I’m not a doctor, but that seems risky to me, but it would also make your fare not valid. So to avoid getting a ticket for not having a fare, you should probably leave your Compass Card or wristband as it is," Drews said.
The wristband appeared to be noticed slightly slower than the regular cards – an issue that could be related to the device’s range.
And it’s important to wear the band on your right wrist, not your left, because the readers are on the right side of the gates – trying with your left hand will open another gate.
Some riders had other suggestions for the next item you should be able to put a Compass Card chip inside.
"Probably a phone case, that would be good," said one man.
Legislation has been changed that used to restrict TransLink to cards, Drews said, so that could be an option.
"We’re always looking for new ideas," she said.


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UNITED States-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) provider Ventura Foods is now gaining traction of the Asia-Pacific (Aspac) market since it expanded to the Philippines about a year ago to cater to the growing needs of the food service and restaurant industry in the country and the rest of the region, its top executive said.
International Ventura Foods President Yann Kervoern told the BusinessMirror they currently supply their products to more than 15 clients across Aspac from their facility here.
In 2015 the company tied up with homegrown Oleo-Fats Inc. to produce and market its products not just for the domestic market, but also for export throughout the region, specifically Southeast Asia, North Asia, China, Australia and New Zealand.
“As we continue building industrial capability across multiple product categories, such as specialty oils and mayonnaise, sauces and dressings, we are more on a start-up commercializing mode across the Aspac region. This being said, we are already securing some key customer wins across multiple categories and across the region,” he said.
Kervoern attributed their improved business to regional demand for high-quality and original sauces and dressings recipes, willingness to customize products and formulas to meet our customer needs, strong research and development support and customer service, as well as competitive pricing.
While Ventura has retail and industrial portfolios, it’s mainly focused on food service as it comprised two-thirds of its business. What separates it from competitors in the CPG category is its specialization in customization.
“We don’t make one product that we sell to everybody. We try to understand everybody’s different needs and tailor to their requirements,” Kervoern said.
Given its growing market, Aspac was a natural choice for Ventura to expand outside the US, and the Philippines is a strategic location to serve the entire region.
Ventura Food Director of International Operations for the Asia-Pacific Region Glenn Lobo noted it was the practice of quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains that expand globally to use local suppliers in many markets.
They had to make do with what’s available, because importing those same sauces from the US would be too costly, which would result in a less price-competitive end product, he said.
Another reason for the company’s foray in Aspac is to be competitive in terms of pricing and quality, Lobo said.
“In the region, we know we will be tariff and duty-friendly and cost competitive, but at the same time, to be able to make our customer and their customers happy what they’re eating is something similar to what they’ll be eating at when they’re in the US or anywhere else,” he said.
As Ventura Foods was looking for “the right partner” in Southeast Asia, Kervoern cited they considered the Philippines’s strategic location to not only serve the Southeast Asia markets, but also other regions, such as North Asia; very competitive sea freight from the country to all Aspac areas; as well as English speaking, talented and educated work force.
“In our search for the right partner in the Southeast Asia region, we were looking for a company that shares the same vision and values as Ventura Foods, i.e., our drive to help our customers delight their customers and our agility and openness to customize our product offering to their specific needs. And we found the same intent and philosophy with Oleo-Fats,” he said.
Ventura’s presence in the region is growing, and with local production capabilities, the company expects constant momentum that’s set to match the booming growth in various related and complementary industries, such as tourism and casual dining.
“We can expect significant growth as our base is still small and as we bring on new businesses and customers,” the president of International Ventura Foods said.


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NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Consumer confidence rose again last month. But slowing home values could put a dent in that confidence, especially if that slowdown becomes a decline in the final months of 2014.
The Conference Board's confidence index was up to 92.4 in August, up from 90.9 in July. Americans aren't necessarily taking the long view on the economy, but, with the exception of household income, they do like what they see in the short term.
"Consumer confidence increased for the fourth consecutive month as improving business conditions and robust job growth helped boost consumers' spirits," says Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the board. "Looking ahead, consumers were marginally less optimistic about the short-term outlook compared to July, primarily due to concerns about their earnings. Overall, however, they remain quite positive about the short-term outlooks for the economy and labor market."
But if Americans see the value of their homes slow down, that could be a game-changer for consumers. Homes represent one of the largest — if not the largest — investment they own.
Home sales were down by 3% in July and are down 12% on a year-to-year basis, according to RealtyTrac. July's numbers represent the third consecutive month in which home sales are down on a year-to-year level.
Median home prices are up 3%, but home values have slowed in 65% of the nation, RealtyTrac says, as more purchases of pricier homes have hidden weaker pricing activity in midsize and smaller homes.


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Sales up, earnings down at Cal-Maine Foods
by MBJ Staff
Published: July 25,2011
JACKSON — Cal-Maine Foods Inc., for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, recorded net sales of $242.4 million, compared with net sales of $222.1 million for the fourth quarter a year ago.
The company reported net earnings of $7.3 million, or $0.30 per basic share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, compared with net earnings of $21 million, or $0.88 per basic share, for the same period last year.
For the fiscal year 2011, net sales were $942 million, compared with net sales of $910.1 million for fiscal 2010. Cal-Maine reported net income of $60.8 million, or $2.55 per basic share, for fiscal 2011, compared with net income of $67.8 million, or $2.85 per basic share, in fiscal 2010.
Dolph Baker, president and CEO of Cal-Maine, said, “Our results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 reflect a more challenging environment compared with the previous year period. The higher retail demand associated with a late Easter holiday and a slightly smaller national flock helped boost egg prices by an average of five cents per dozen for the quarter. However, feed costs have continued to escalate and were up 12 cents per dozen compared with the same period a year ago, which affected our profitability for the fourth quarter.
“For fiscal 2011, we were pleased with our overall higher sales compared with fiscal 2010. Specialty egg sales, which carry a higher selling price, have continued to grow and accounted for approximately 24 percent of shell egg revenue and 16 percent of total dozens sold for the year. We are encouraged with the strong retail demand trends; however, we anticipate feed costs will remain very high and volatile.”
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The U.S. economy expanded at a robust annual rate of 4.1% last summer, even better than previously thought, the government reported today.
The Commerce Department said the gross national product, the broadest measure of economic health, was climbing sharply in the three months before the stock market collapse, led by strong increases in consumer spending and business investment.
But most analysts are saying that in the wake of Black Monday, consumer spending will be sharply lower.
The new figure on overall growth from July through September was revised from last month's estimate of a 3.8% summer growth rate.
Inflation, however, was a bit worse than initially thought. The GNP inflation index rose at an annual rate of 3.3%, contrasted with the previously calculated 2.7%.
The 3.3% inflation rate was still an improvement from the first half of the year, when prices were rising at an annual rate of 4.3%. A moderation of energy and food costs along with decreases in clothing prices were key factors in the change.
The 4.1% GNP growth rate contrasted with growth of 2.5% in the April-June quarter and 4.4% in the first three months of the year.
The economy will need to expand at a rate of just 1.8% in the current quarter to meet the Administration's forecast for growth of 3.2% for all of 1987.
But with the collapse of the stock market in October, some economists think even this growth level may be unobtainable.
They maintain that the record 508-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average Oct. 19, which wiped out $500 billion of wealth in one day, has made consumers jittery and less likely to purchase big-ticket items.
Some analysts are predicting that the recovery from the 1981-82 recession, which turned 5 years old this month, will not last through next year.
A survey of 49 top economists taken after the market crash found that 22% of them are now looking for a recession to begin in 1988, a prediction unlikely to cheer Republicans who hope to hold on to the White House in next year's election.
Trade Deficit Widened
In a separate report today, the Commerce Department said the nation's trade deficit widened to a record $39.8 billion from July through September as a rise in exports was more than offset by a surge in imports. The increase in the trade gap followed a $39.6-billion shortfall in the April-June quarter.
The new report confirmed parallel figures released earlier that put the third-quarter merchandise trade deficit at about $46.3 billion. Today's deficit figure is lower because it reflects trade on a "balance-of-payments" basis, omitting such factors as the costs of shipping and insurance.
Analysts saw the report as further evidence that the massive trade deficit had still shown little sign of abating through last summer, even though exports in recent months have been rising steadily.


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Ukraine: Inflation continues steep climb in November
December 8, 2014
In November, consumer prices increased 1.9% over the previous month, which was below the 2.4% rise registered in October and marked a three-month low. November’s figure was partly driven by a slowdown in food and beverage price increases as well as in alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Conversely, consumer prices for transportation decreased in November compared with October.
Annual inflation rose from October’s 19.8% to 21.8% in November, which marked the highest rate since January 2009. Inflation has skyrocketed since the onset of the military conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, annual average variation in consumer prices increased from October’s 8.3% to 10.1% in November.


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By Derek Schlennstedt
Australia’s Fine Wine specialists, Vintage Cellars, has recognised 21 top performing Australian and International wines, whisky, spirits, craft beers, and ciders in its annual Best Of Award 2017.
Yarra Valley’s very own home-grown chardonnay – Soumah Hexham Chardonnay Yarra Valley – took out the title of best premium white in the Vintage Cellars ‘Best Of Awards’.
The award-winning product was chosen amongst the best home-grown and international white wine talent.
Now in its seventh year, the Best Of Awards are built on a tradition of celebrating excellence and innovation in winemaking, brewing and distilling.
Each award is judged by an experienced panel of wine, liquor and beverage experts, with each product being judged on quality and flavour, appearance, and value.
Owner and vigneron of Soumah, Brett Butcher, was thrilled to see the Soumah Hexham Chardonnay, created by winemaker Scott McCarthy, be a part of such a high calibre of winners, and said they celebrated the win with a glass of the award winning chardonnay.
“As soon as we found out we celebrated with a glass of chardonnay of course!
“It’s a real honour to win this award as the judges looking at all the wines have great palates, and we are very proud our wine has shown so well,” Brett said.
“At Soumah, we have set out from the very beginning in 2005 to set up our vineyards and winemaking philosophy as one that delivers elegance and finesse. Our winemaker Scott has a fine hand for chardonnay and his recipe is about absolute balance.”
In previous years, the chardonnay has received a number of awards and already has a few under its belt – including being awarded with the Best Chardonnay and the Best White Wine trophies at the 2015 Royal Sydney Wine Show.
You can taste some of the multi award winning tipple at Soumah located at 18 Hexham Road, Gruyere.