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Your ad here. And here. And here. And here and here and here.
A whole new level of advertising -- roughly knee-high -- has opened up around Times Square with the arrival in the last week of a small army of privately owned trash baskets. Hooded, green and four feet high, each one is enclosed by four 30-by-18-inch display panels.
The baskets, called Receptasigns, are already a dominant street fixture in the area. There are now 148 along Broadway and Seventh Avenue; in other words, 592 mini-billboards.
While public spaces are increasingly being overrun by commercialism -- vinyl billboards, lamppost banners and illuminated displays -- Times Square may be one place where such aggressive promotion fits right in.
''For us, advertising is not anathema,'' said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Business Improvement District. It is running the Receptasign program on a one-year trial with the city Sanitation Department and a company called City Media Concepts of Long Island City, Queens, which was founded by Dominick Fertitta, Scott Blaine Hoffman and Peter Arbor.
When installation is complete, there are to be 300 Receptasigns throughout the business improvement district, Mr. Tompkins said. The district runs irregularly between 40th and 53rd Streets, Avenue of the Americas and Ninth Avenue.Continue reading the main story
''The innovative design of this street-level kiosk allows the advertiser to effectively solicit their product/brand without having to compete for a consumer's attention,'' City Media Concepts says on its Web site.
The city Art Commission ordinarily must review and approve the design of art, architecture and street fixtures on city-owned property. It did not do so in this case because the installation was done on a pilot basis, according to the mayor's office.
Two dozen Receptasigns have also been installed in the Steinway Street Business Improvement District in Astoria, Queens.
For now, Receptasigns do not advertise anything except the program itself, as the company could not begin to sell space until the baskets were installed, he said. A few promote the city's 311 information number. Ten percent will be available for announcements by the Times Square Business Improvement District.
Receptasigns cannot advertise tobacco products, Mr. Tompkins said. Nor can a basket in front of one business be used to promote a competitor.
City Media Concepts is to pay a minimum fee and a percentage of advertising revenue, which will be split by the business improvement district and the sanitation agency. Mr. Tompkins declined to specify the amount, other than to say it would be ''more than tens of thousands of dollars.''
Employees of the improvement district remove the liner bags from the baskets and leave them on the curb for sanitation workers. But the baskets themselves are maintained by City Media Concepts, the theory being that advertisers -- perhaps leery of the idea to begin with -- would have no interest in appearing on dirty garbage cans.
Workers in bright orange polo shirts are scheduled to make the rounds every two hours, armed with cleaner and polishing cloths.
And they were out on Friday as Times Square hobbled back to life from the blackout.Continue reading the main story


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Home >> Daily News >> Myanmar News >> Commodities >> Myanmar to hold mid-year gems emporium in Oct-Nov
|24 August 2009
Myanmar to hold mid-year gems emporium in Oct-Nov
Myanmar will hold a mid-year gems emporium here in October-November this year to encourage national gem traders to sell more quality gems, jade, pearl and jewelry, Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted sources with the Central Committee for Holding Myanmar Gems Emporium as saying Sunday.
Without specific date set, the 18th Mid-Year Gems Emporium will take place at the Myanmar Convention Center on the basis of competitive bidding, the sources said. Mid-year gems emporium is introduced in addition to the annual ones to boost the country's foreign exchange earning.
In March this year, an annual gems emporium, which was the 46th, took place in Yangon, putting over 5,000 lots of jade among others. Around 2,300 foreign merchants mostly from China, China's Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, India, Italy, Britain, Japan, Australia, the United States and Canada attended the annual event which reportedly fetched $191 million.
Again in late June this year, Myanmar held a 13-day special gem show here, earning $292 million.
The authorities designated the proceeds from the sale of gems at these emporiums as legal export earning to encourage the private sector in the development of the gem industry.
Myanmar started to hold gem shows annually in 1964, introducing the mid-year one in 1992 and the special one in 2004. Myanmar, a well-known producer of gems in the world, boasts ruby, diamond, cat's eye, emerald, topaz, pearl, sapphire, coral and a variety of garnet tinged with yellow.
The government's Central Statistical Organisation revealed that in the fiscal year 2008-09, Myanmar produced 32,921 tons of jade and 18,728 million carats of gems which include ruby, sapphire, spinel and peridot, as well as 201,081 mommis (754 kilograms) of pearl.
Myanmar gems, along with all its imports, face US sanctions which were extended in July for another three years.
The ban, which began in 2003, was tightened further in September 2008, as part of the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008, which extended the ban to include a prohibition on stones processed in third-party nations, such as Thailand, closing a loophole in the original legislation.
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DURANT, Okla. — A new manufacturing and distribution center in Durant will mean 60 new jobs for the region and several million dollars in investment. Durant officials announced plan on Tuesday to bring The Tile Shop to the city to open a new manufacturing and distribution center.
“It’s an exciting day for … our community,” said Durant Industrial Authority Executive Director Tommy Kramer. “Again we’ve been truly blessed with an out-of-state company wanting to come here and create jobs.”
The company manufactures all the products necessary for residential tile instillation and distributes title and its products to showroom stores across the country. The jobs are expected to be created over three years with an average wage of $22,880 to $29,120. Kramer said the deal is a $16 million project and federal, state and local incentives for the company are expected to total approximately $2 million.
He said the Oklahoma Department of Commerce will provide job training to employees and the Durant Industrial Authority is providing a $500,000 no-interest equipment loan. The deal also includes a five-year tax abatement for the manufacturing portion. Kramer said all the details of the incentives haven’t been finalized yet.
“It’s clear to me … that The Title Shop and Durant and Bryan County have chosen not to participate in the slow down of the last few years,” said Durant Mayor Jerry Tomlinson.
The Tile Shop Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Kinder said the 27-year-old company has had its four best years since the economy dipped in 2008. He said the company controls its own supply chain, distribution and retail and said that is why it has been able to secure a “bigger piece of the pie” even as the home construction sector has suffered.
The Tile Shop currently has 64 stores and plans for 100 more. Most stores are currently in the eastern portion of the United States, but Kinder said the company has aspirations to become a national company.
The Durant distribution center will occupy the 150,000-square-foot building at 1800 W. Arkansas, and the company will build a 35,000-square-foot building on the site for its manufacturing. Kinder said the company hopes to close on the building on Dec. 20 and immediately begin improvements.
Operations in Durant should be up and running by April or May, and the distribution center will immediately serve eight stores. Two new stores in Denver and two in Dallas are planned for the near future Kinder said.
“This distribution center, probably within three years, could be serving 30 stores,” Kinder said. The new distribution center will make stores possible in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, according to information provided by the company.


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A lot of really interesting things also get lost in the crowd at IFA — many of them by smaller manufacturers, struggling to get their product noticed.
Accenture to prepare roadmap to revive jewellery sector as Thailand, China intensify competition.
The gem and jewellery industry is upset over finance minister Arun Jaitley’s decision to continue with 10% import duty on gold in the budget.
Accenture has identified policy paralysisas the main reasons for this drop and has suggested the govt to take proactive steps.
Gitanjali said it plans to raise up to Rs 175 crore through issue of warrants for expansion of diamond and jewellery business globally.
Gitanjali Gems Ltd is a 'BUY' call with a target of Rs 84 and a stop loss of Rs 70.
The former government's Economic Advisory Council chief C Rangarajan had also said that India can tolerate $ 30 billion worth of gold imports.
As the US, Europe markets are not so attractive due to fall in demand, India's diamond industry is focusing on the Chinese market.


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SBC Communications, Flycast Partner
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SBC Interactive, the online publishing company of SBC Communications Inc., and Web ad network Flycast Communications Corp. signed an agreement in which SBC will deliver Web advertising solutions to local and regional businesses in its seven-state region.
SBC Interactive operates Yellow Pages and information Web sites calledSMARTpages.com serving California, Texas, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.
The partnership is positioned to address the anticipated growth of local online advertising, which represents approximately 50% of total offline media spending. This agreement allows SBC Interactive to help its advertisers expand their market presence on the Web through Flycast's network of more than 780 Web sites. Financial arrangements were not disclosed.
San Francisco-based Flycast said the partnership also marks the expansion of its Local Market/VAR Division, which enables local advertisers and e-commerce businesses to maximize their return on investment in Web advertising. In working with SBC, Flycast will build on the relationships and experience the company has developed since launching the Local Market/VAR Division last fall.
SBC Communications is a leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 37 million access lines and 6.9 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 11 countries. Subsidiaries include Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, SNET, Nevada Bell and Cellular One.


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Is Greece’s tourism restart about to be the biggest flop in history, or will last-minute bookings rescue the COVID stricken economy?
The Greece tourism seasons restart is still on despite Britain labeling the country an “amber” risk destination. Beaches are already open.
On the eve of Greece reopening to tourists, COVID-19 cases have spiked to 3,421 in a 24 hour period. Is Athens moving too fast?
Athens has announced reverting to lockdown measures for Kalymnos Island just days before a general reopening of tourism.
With just days to go before Greece is open to tourists, Greek hoteliers are asking the government’s help with operating costs.
According to Greek officials, there were 2,155 laboratory-confirmed new cases of Covid-19 in the country over the last 24 hours.
On May 3rd, the day after Orthodox Easter, the lenient lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Greece will essentially end.
The tourism flood gates are about to open in Greece. Meanwhile, most citizens are torn as to whether or not its a good idea.
TUI Russia says it will bring 300,000 Russian tourists to Greece this year. The guarantee takes effect once travel restrictions are lifted.
Dutch travelers hit Rhodes this week to quarantine at Mitsis Grand Hotel for a test vacation to prove travel can be fun no matter what.
Greece may be the backdrop for a new Sci-Fi horror, a dystopian nightmare where tourism euros are now worth more than people.
This week travel experts discuss the need for Greece to adapt in the wake of COVID-19, and more news on the economy and summer vacations.
Friday has been a pretty busy news day where the tourism sector is concerned. Here’s a brief rundown of the news and events from Greece.
Greek officials are planning additional interventions for sectors including tourism, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said earlier today.
Greek officials are on a marketing campaign that is misleading, at best, touting the country’s safety when citizens are still in peril.


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After giving away free downloads of its StarOffice office productivity suite for more than two years, Sun Microsystems Inc. today announced that it will begin charging for the software beginning in May, although it plans to include support and services to users.
In an announcement today, Sun said that its next version of the suite, StarOffice 6.0, will be released in May under a tiered, per-user pricing structure. The prices are not yet being released, according to the company.
Mike Rogers, a vice-president of office and desktop productivity applications at the company, said the move is being made because StarOffice user companies have said they would be willing to pay for the software if it came with support.
“We’ve responded to the feedback,” he said. “We want people to use this product … and adopt it.”
While Sun will discontinue its free downloads of StarOffice when it begins selling the suite in May, it will continue to enable no-charge downloads of the open-source OpenOffice.org version of the application, which is available through the OpenOffice.org project. Sun will continue to support the development of the open-source product through OpenOffice.org, Rogers said.
The two products aren’t identical, but offer substantially the same source code, he said. The major differences are that the free version doesn’t include third-party features, including some fonts, filters and foreign language tools. “In many cases, the features will be there, but they won’t be identical features,” Rogers said.
By providing the retail and business versions of the suite, along with the free open-source version, Sun will serve both ends of the market, he said. Sun had nearly 1 million download requests for StarOffice 6.0 beta in just three months, he said.
Rob Enderle, an analyst at Giga Information Group Inc. in Cambridge, Mass., said that charging for the suite could give Sun some credibility among enterprise decision-makers who might have previously looked away from the suite because it was free.
“The problem with a free product is no one really believes you’re going to stick with it” as a manufacturer, Enderle said. “Corporate users want something they can wrap their arms around” that has a viable business model.
Enderle said that Sun may get some traction with the new fee-based suite, because many corporate customers are still angry at Microsoft Corp. in connection with the higher licensing fees it announced for its Microsoft Office suite last year. “The customers took it as a tax increase” for using Microsoft’s products, he said.
But another analyst, Joshua Greenbaum at Enterprise Application Consulting in Daly City, Calif., called Sun’s move “much ado about nothing.”
“Without a doubt, the Microsoft monopoly [in the office suite market] is so well established,” Greenbaum said. “So it could have been the world’s greatest office suite and it still wouldn’t have made a dent. That’s not Sun’s fault.”
Sun said it will continue to distribute StarOffice 6.0 through agreements with hardware OEMs, Linux distributors and software vendors. The retail boxed version will include a software CD and user manual, Web-based training and a bundled support incident certificate.
StarOffice includes applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawing, Web publishing, charting, formula-editing and database uses. The suite is available for Windows, Linux and Sun Solaris operating systems.


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Local fish stories differ by catcher, buyer
By JEAN L. KAESS
MORGAN CITY, La. — It’s a tale of two seasons locally — salesmen report having no problems finding seafood to sell, while shrimpers report having trouble catching shrimp.
Tuyet Tran on the St. Theresa, homeported at Morgan City, fishes from Cameron to Houma.
After Hurricane Isaac, she said, there was too much damage to catch shrimp. Now they can go out, but there is not enough shrimp to be caught. In fact, there are less shrimp than is usual for this time of year, but Tran said this is a normal occurrence after a hurricane.
Tran said, there is too much organic debris in the water, clogging the St. Theresa’s nets and making catching shrimp difficult.
Capt. Earl Aucoin of the Miss Janet, also homeported in Morgan City, agreed there is “a lot of trash” in the water — everything from wood and grass to cans, old nets and crab traps.
“I guess that storm got so bad it stirred up everything on the bottom … stuff gets caught up in the turtle shoots (turtle excluder devices) and you lose everything,” Aucoin said.
Aucoin said fuel prices combined with the low catch have caused him to tie up the Miss Janet for the foreseeable future.
“We’re pretty much out of circulation with the fuel so high,” he said, adding that the catch as well as the size of it is down this year.
On the other side of the sales process, both Rouses Supermarket in Morgan City and Patterson Seafood Market noted no noticeable problems in finding seafood to bring to consumers.
Rouses Seafood Manager Katherine Richardson said her vendors, which include local crabbers and shrimpers, have had no problems continuing to bring their catch to her at the volume she normally orders.
In addition, all finfish sales have been strong, she said.
At Patterson Seafood Market, Sean Stephenson said, “The local shrimp beds and hatcheries were stirred up a little, but there was no noticeable effect to any crabs.”
In contrast to local reports, the U.S. seafood catch reached a 17-year high last year, with all fishing regions of the country showing increases in both the volume and value of their harvests.
Commercial fishermen last year caught 10.1 billion pounds of fish and shellfish valued at a record $5.3 billion, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That’s a 23 percent increase in catch by weight and a 17 percent increase in value over 2010.
Louisiana was second in catch volume and fourth in catch value, according to the NOAA report.
New Bedford, Mass., was the highest-valued port for the 12th straight year, due largely to its scallop fishery. Dutch Harbor, Alaska, was the No. 1 port for seafood volume for the 15th year in a row.
The increases are evidence that fish populations are rebuilding, said Sam Rauch, deputy assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service.
Still, a number of fisheries are in trouble. The Department of Commerce has declared disasters for cod and other so-called groundfish in New England, oyster and blue crab fisheries in Mississippi, and chinook salmon in Alaska’s Yukon and Kuskokwin rivers.
“Overall nationally, the numbers are very good news,” Rauch said. “But we don’t want to miss the fact that there are parts of the industry that are or soon will be suffering economic pain.”
Alaska led all states by far in catch volume, with 5.4 billion pounds, followed by Louisiana, California, Virginia and Washington, according to the report. Alaska was also tops in the value of its catch, at $1.9 billion, followed by Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana and Washington.
Fishermen brought 706 million pounds of product to Dutch Harbor, the leading port by volume, while New Bedford, the top port by value, had $369 million worth of seafood cross its docks.
All nine of NOAA’s fishing regions saw the volume and value of their catches go up in 2011. The numbers nationally were boosted by sharp increases for Gulf of Mexico menhaden, Alaska pollock and Pacific hake, also known as whiting.
The report also showed that Americans ate an average of 15 pounds of seafood per person in 2011, down from 15.8 pounds in 2010.
About 91 percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. was imported, up from 86 percent in 2010. A portion of the imported seafood, however, was caught by U.S. fishermen, exported to other countries for processing then imported back into the U.S.
Additional reporting from The Associated Press.


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The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) and Sunshine Foods will team up Friday, Oct. 19 to talk to consumers about the price of food and how corn affects those prices, while also providing great perks for shopping at Sunshine that day.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sunshine location at 57th and Cliff Ave. in Sioux Falls, consumers will be given $5 in ethanol when they purchase a gallon of Sunshine milk during the “Kernels of Truth” Customer Appreciation Day. “Kernels of Truth” is an educational campaign by the SDCUC which explains the relationship between food, fuel and farming in South Dakota and how corn prices impact the cost of food in grocery stores.
“South Dakotans are savvy when it comes to cutting through misinformation in main stream media and finding out the real truth behind what impacts their pocketbooks,” said Jerry Rubendall, president of the SDCUC. “On Friday, we will empower consumers with knowledge while thanking them for being users of the safest, most affordable and reliable food and fuel products in the world, produced right here in South Dakota.”
During the two hour event, consumers will have several opportunities to savor information, product samples and huge savings on food and fuel, such as the following:
Receive $5 ethanol certificates when purchasing a gallon of Sunshine milk (one certificate per customer)
- Sample various corn-supported products such as milk, pop, cornflakes and pork samples sponsored by the South Dakota Pork Council
- Sunshine milk will be priced three gallons for $10
- Register to win $250 in groceries OR $250 in ethanol
- Ethanol will be discounted 20 cents per gallon at the Sunshine pumps with any in-store purchase
Nationally, the corn industry is being blamed for everything from increased food costs, increased fuel prices, obesity and more. The truth is, very little impact is made by corn on consumers’ food products and corn-based ethanol actually helps keep food and fuel prices down. The SDCUC and Sunshine just want consumers to know the truth.
“This event is more than a feel-good consumer appreciation campaign, but rather a concentrated effort to shed light on the controversial content in the national media today. This information is hitting the Heartland and consumers should be outraged by the messages they’re being fed. The Sunshine event will bust the door open on the real truth behind the misinformation,” said Rubendall.
South Dakota producers are currently harvesting what is being billed as the state’s largest corn crop on record, a projected 520 million bushels. Even so, the information to be shared at Sunshine ranks at such an importance that several producers will come off their combines and be in the store on Oct. 19 to meet and talk with consumers during the event.
“We are proud to partner with the SDCUC and ag producers to communicate what factors actually go into the cost of food,” said Brent Bosch, manager of Sunshine Foods. “We support our local farmers and that is why it is so important to dispel the myths that are out there not only for corn and ethanol but also for grocery retailers. The cost of food has gone up and we’re here to explain why while also thanking our customers for their food and fuel purchasing business.”
For more information about “Kernels of Truth” visit the SDCUC website at www.sdcorn.org; or call 605-334-0100 to learn more about the SDCUC-Sunshine promotion on Oct. 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sioux Falls Sunshine Foods’ 57th and Cliff Ave. location.


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The changing landscape for international intermodal rail reflects the fierce competition among US East Coast ports to attract away from the West Coast discretionary cargo into and out of points east of the Ohio Valley.
13 Jun 2017
"We’re not going to go chase your pallet-rate customer,” Rick O'Dell says as Saia looks to add long-haul volume, density through Northeast expansion.
18 May 2017
Roughly $4.6 billion is needed at East and Gulf coast ports to remedy pinch points in harbor infrastructure.
07 Apr 2017
The Federal Maritime Commission’s unanimous decision not to block the East Coast Gateway Port Terminal Agreement, the first of its kind in the United States, sets a precedent for port partnerships of this kind.
10 Mar 2017
A shortage of ocean containers may spell transloading opportunity for US trucking companies.
14 Jun 2016
A new port at Anaklia will be able to handle the ships that Georgia's top ports of Poti and Batumi cannot.
28 Apr 2016
The government of Ukraine plans to significantly reduce tariffs on container shipments via the trans-Caspian international transport route.
22 Mar 2016
The Conti Group, a U.S.-based global developer and builder of capital-intensive assets, has won a tender for the building of a deep-sea port on the Georgia Black Sea Coast at Anaklia, according to recent statements of Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Georgia’s prime minister.


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By Marianne Smallwood
As consumers, we are well familiar with nasty headlines decrying corporate scandals: Ikea using forced prison labor to make furniture; Patagonia sourcing wool from animal-cruel ranches; Volkswagen deliberately cheating U.S. diesel emissions tests. And this week's egregious corporate crime: Nestle's seafood supply chains use trafficked and child laborers.
After commissioning an independent study with nonprofit Verite, Swiss multinational Nestle S.A. announced that Verite had found indicators of forced labor, trafficking and child labor within Nestle's seafood value chain in Thailand. The $140 billion global seafood industry is no stranger to controversy and has come under intense scrutiny in the past year, with numerous news outlets highlighting the industry's abuses in human trafficking and slave labor. In Thailand alone, the country's fishing industry faces an annual approximate shortage of 50,000 sailors, a gap typically filled by Cambodian and Myanmar migrants whose poverty and unregistered status leave them especially vulnerable to traffickers.
Verite lauded Nestle for its initiative in undertaking the study and revealing its findings, and the company has quickly committed to eliminating forced labor in its Thai supply chains and has urged others to do the same. Given that the spotlight still hovers on the seafood industry and Nestle, that reaction is expected. But what happens once media attention shifts, as it always does, to a different industry and corporate culprit?
How a company internalizes this responsibility and who leads its vision for change is a significant factor in determining the longevity of the company's sustainability strategy. One notable success story is that of outdoor clothing company Patagonia. Founder, rock climber and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard engrained into the company the value of sourcing products using fair labor and paying living wages. The company has an internal Social and Environmental Responsibility team and works with reputable external auditors who monitor Patagonia's overseas facilities and supply chain.
The costs from sourcing fair trade supplies, paying fair wages and training its production workers are reflected in higher retail prices for Patagonia's products. Despite these higher prices, the company's target and loyal consumer base is willing to pay a premium for the quality behind the brand. Patagonia's permanent integration of responsible business as core to its company ethos and operations has made it the gold standard for corporate responsibility. If Nestle internalizes the results from the Verite study and can successfully integrate traceability measures and associated costs into prices that consumers accept, it will succeed in some measure.
External factors such as time and politics, however, can impact the progress of a company's well-intended commitments; the global palm oil industry is a prime example of this. Palm oil is an ingredient found in 50 percent of all supermarket products and is a critical export for Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer. In September 2014, several global palm oil giants (including Minnesota-based Cargill) signed the Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge, or IPOP, following intense global pressure from consumers and environmental groups to improve their practices within an industry that drives deforestation.
One year later, and at the behest of a new Indonesian government, a second group and agreement has been established to alter and replace the deforestation commitments made under IPOP. Previous pledges made by the IPOP company signatories to preserve forests are now in conflict with new land concessions proposed by the Indonesian government, a situation that has proved contentious and remains unresolved. Particularly in Southeast Asia, the unpredictable dynamics of government can halt even the best laid plans.
Like the garment and palm oil industries, the seafood value chain of which Nestle is a part includes national and local governments and an immense network of individual farms, boats, boat captains, brokers and other intermediaries. Many of these smaller parties operate using casual and informal contracts or agreements. The complicated nature does not excuse the human rights abuses, nor does it give Nestle and other companies a reason to claim ignorance. It does attest to the difficulty in ensuring a completely sustainable, accountable and abuse-free supply chain.
No matter how big the multinational or beloved the brand, a company's value can plummet when scandal breaks. Volkswagen is testament to that. In initiating the public examination of its flaws, and in working with an organization like Verite, Nestle has already gone a more honorable and transparent route than other companies have done. But while it has taken the first step toward being a more responsible company, Nestle's commitment to funding a long-term strategy -- and how it pushes beyond the inevitable roadblocks ahead -- will determine its ultimate footprint and legacy.
Image credit: Flickr/Pedro Angelini
Marianne Smallwood is a diplomat for the U.S. Agency for International Development and freelance writer based in Bangkok, Thailand. She focuses on international affairs, poverty, social impact, and sustainability. She is a graduate of The University of Minnesota and earned her master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Marianne tweets at @marianne_is and writes on her blog The Outsidist.


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RANGOON — After hitting a record high last month, gold prices have continued to rise to their highest point ever due to increasing global gold prices, industry sources say.
The local price for one tical, a traditional Burmese weight measurement equal to 16.33 grams (just over a half ounce), jumped to almost 840,000 kyats (US$685) this week, up from last month’s 812,000 kyat peak.
The price has been pushed up by global prices and influenced by Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) last month. Gold dealers said this is the highest price on record since the country opened its economy to external trade in 1988.
“Today’s local price is a record, and the global gold price is only going to increase in the coming days. Gold shop owners are seeing decreased sales, but there are many sellers coming here and trying to profit on goods they bought for a lower price,” said Kyaw Win, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association.
On July 8, the global gold price reached US$1,363 per ounce, up from $1,300 last month.
“The local gold market is indirectly affected by matters in the EU, but I don’t think the price will go down again right away. There is the potential for it to go even higher seeing that the actual Brexit has a long way to go still,” Kyaw Win said.
“People are selling their gold and saving money or investing in the US dollar, as this is not a good time to invest in property,” he said.
Because the US dollar exchange rate has stabilized around 1170 kyats per dollar, investors are hoping to profit by shifting their investments from gold to dollars, Kyaw Win said.
It is a good time for people who have hoarded gold to cash out in the market, said U Maw, owner of Aung Thamadi goldsmith in Mandalay. “Many gold shops are now buying gold from their customers. Trading has reversed.”


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The Global Precious Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 4.2% for this month’s reading, as the gold price took losses early in the month before bouncing back.
More MetalMiner is available on LinkedIn.
Gold price recovers
The gold price bounced back after falling to around $1,730 per ounce in early August.
From there, the U.S. gold bullion price rose to $1,815 by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar, which typically has an inverse correlation with gold, picked up in the first two-thirds of the month. The dollar index peaked at 93.57 on Aug. 19 before retracing, closing the month at 92.63.
In other relevant indicators, 30-year Treasury bond yield rates opened August at 1.86% and climbed to a high of 2.03% on Aug. 12 before retreating. The 30-year yield rate closed the month at 1.92%.
Thus far in September, the 30-year yield has continued to retreat, closing Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 1.85%.
Meanwhile, the 10-year yield opened August at 1.20% before closing the month at 1.30%.
Andean Precious Metals reports strong Q2 results
Vancouver-based Andean Precious Metals reported Q2 2021 revenue of $38 million, up from $12.6 million in Q2 2020.
The firm reported net income of $3.9 million, up from a loss of $300,000 in Q2 2020.
Silver equivalent production surged to 1.4 million ounces, up from 886,000 ounces.
For the first half of the year, the miner reported silver equivalent production of 2.9 million ounces. The firm set its FY 2021 guidance for silver equivalent production at between 5.8 million and 6.1 million ounces.
“Andean’s assumed commodity prices supporting this estimate are $24.00/ounce silver and $1,750/ounce gold,” the firm said.
CPI rises 0.3% in August
Runaway inflation remains a concern for consumers and industry alike, as prices for everything from food to energy to construction materials weigh on the economic recovery. In July, the Federal Reserve reiterated its long-term inflation objective of 2%.
However, in August, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose by 0.3%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
The CPI had jumped by 0.5% in July and by 0.9% in June.
For the 12-month period ending in August, the CPI had jumped by 5.3%, down slightly from 5.4% for the 12-month period ending in July.
Meanwhile, the energy index rose by 2.0% in August, up from 1.6% the previous month. For the 12-month period ending in August, the energy index surged by 25.0%. Within energy, gasoline jumped by 42.7% during the 12-month period.
The new vehicles index jumped by 7.6% during the 12-month period, while used cars and trucks surged by 31.9%.
Monetary policy and COVID
In comments delivered during an economic policy symposium sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, inflation emerged as a consistent theme from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
“Seventeen months have passed since the U.S. economy faced the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Powell said. “This shock led to an immediate and unprecedented decline as large parts of the economy were shuttered to contain the spread of the disease.”
However, Powell said “strong policy support” has led to a “vigorous but uneven recovery” from the brief but disruptive pandemic recession.
“In a reversal of typical patterns in a downturn, aggregate personal income rose rather than fell, and households massively shifted their spending from services to manufactured goods,” Powell continued. “Booming demand for goods and the strength and speed of the reopening have led to shortages and bottlenecks, leaving the COVID-constrained supply side unable to keep up. The result has been elevated inflation in durable goods — a sector that has experienced an annual inflation rate well below zero over the past quarter century.”
While rising inflation is a cause for concern, Powell added, he cited several factors that indicate elevated inflation could be a temporary phenomenon.
Powell cited the “absence of broad-based inflation pressures,” moderating inflation for some higher-inflation items, wage increases that do not appear to threaten “excessive inflation,” longer-term inflation expectations and “global disinflationary forces” over the past quarter century.
Actual metals prices and trends
The U.S. silver ingot/bars prices dipped 5.3% month over month to $24.12 per ounce as of Sept. 1.
The U.S. platinum bar price dropped 4.5% to $996 per ounce. U.S. palladium bars fell 8.4% to $2,382 per ounce.
The Chinese gold bullion price was relatively unchanged at $58.39 per gram. Meanwhile, the U.S. gold price ticked up slightly month over month to $1,815 per ounce.
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Microsoft has been off to a hot start when it comes to their direct-like livestream event — Xbox Games Showcase 2020. Following up the epic look into Halo: Infinite, Microsoft teased another epic franchise — Forza.
Yes, Microsoft has announced its latest entry in the long-running franchise; and it is officially titled as Forza Motorsport. The debut announcement trailer was captured entirely with an Xbox Series X, and the graphics are out of this world. The photorealistic cars, engine sounds, and tracks will definitely be something you never seen before, so expect a good time with this racing game.
Check out the official announcement trailer for Forza Motorsport down below:
Witness the power of Xbox Series X through Forza Motorsport. Automotive entertainment is reimagined for a new generation.
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Showcases 2020, is filled with some awesome announcements and the show is still ongoing. We’ve seen an extensive look at the highly anticipated shooter — Halo: Infinite, a tease for State of Decay 3, and much more. Make sure to catch up on the latest Xbox news right here!
What has been your favorite announcement of the show so far? Let us know in the comments below!


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Reworking of Lexus RC F’s naturally aspirated 5.0-litre engine shows how hydrogen could preserve the combustion engine.
Yamaha is developing a hydrogen-fuelled 5.0-litre V8 engine for Toyota as part of the two company’s ongoing commitment to internal combustion.
Toyota and Yamaha – along with Mazda, Kawasaki and Subaru – have previously pledged to continue investing in combustion technology. The five Japanese manufacturers appeared in a joint press conference late last year to express their interest in “expanding fuel options”, while other global manufacturers embrace all-out electrification.
The new hydrogen V8 has been detailed following Toyota’s deployment of a hydrogen-combustion Corolla in Japan’s Super Taikyu race series, and the subsequent reveal of an identically powered GR Yaris prototype.
The new engine is based on that used by the Lexus RC F sports coupe, with modifications to the injectors, heads, intake manifold and elsewhere. Yamaha claims it delivers 330kW at 6800rpm and 540Nm at 3600rpm – near-identical figures to those of the hardcore RC F Track Edition.
As with Toyota’s previous hydrogen-combustion creations, there remains no indication that the modified unit could find its way into a production car, but Yamaha president Yoshihiro Hidaka has been vocal about his belief in the technology’s potential.
He said: “Hydrogen engines house the potential to be carbon neutral while keeping our passion for the internal combustion engine alive at the same time.
“Teaming up with companies with different corporate cultures and areas of expertise as well as growing the number of partners we have is how we want to lead the way into the future.”
Yamaha says it began developing a hydrogen car engine “about five years ago” and is also working with Kawasaki on a potential use for such an engine in the motorcycle sector.
Takeshi Yamada, who works in Yamaha’s dedicated hydrogen engine development team, said hydrogen engines have “very fun, easy-to-use performance characteristics”.
He added: “Hydrogen engines have an innately friendly feel that makes them easy to use even without resorting to electronic driving aids. Everyone who came to test drive the prototype car would start off somewhat sceptical but emerged from the car with a big smile on their face at the end.”
One particular characteristic Yamaha highlights is the V8’s raucous engine note, which can be preserved by adapting it to burn another type of fuel. Toyota said the same thing of the hydrogen-fuelled GR Yaris ‘H2’ prototype it showed last year, reinforcing the potential for the technology to serve the sports car segment in particular.
Toyota’s Europe boss, Matt Harrison, said at the time that burning hydrogen would allow the car maker to “deliver almost zero tailpipe emissions without electrification, but it does so whilst retaining the things which fans love most about race cars – the speed and the noise.”
It is not the first time the two firms have collaborated on a highly strung sports car engine. The Lexus LFA hypercar’s 412kW 4.8-litre V10 was a shared effort and entirely bespoke to that car.
Yamaha also designed the cylinder heads, inlet valves, camshafts and intake for the 2UR-GSE V8 used by the Lexus IS F, Lexus RC F, Lexus GS F and the Toyota Hilux Dakar racer.


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by Francesca Kitch
CRAFTSBURY – Since 1973, on a Saturday in July, vendors from all over Vermont gather on Craftsbury Common to sell their crafts. Ranging from woven baskets and flowers to vintage jewelry and ceramic pieces, this event offers both the “antique” and the “unique”.
The “Antiques & Uniques” event has not been held since 2019 due to COVID complications; however, organizers are hopeful for this years’ event, as a number of changes have been made, including fresh ideas from new board members and learned experience from complications from years past.
Attendance has hovered around 3,000 in the past, even hitting over 4,000 one memorable year, with a parking lot full of license plates from both in- and out-of-state.
Though the event is celebrating its 50th anniversary since the inaugural fair in 1973, the Town of Craftsbury has only been organizing it since 2010. Prior to that, the Vermont Children’s Aid Society out of Burlington used to organize and fund the event. As a nonprofit, this was their biggest fundraiser of the year, and they had volunteers working to make it happen. As the organization began to decline, the Town of Craftsbury took over as directors.
With this new influx of organizers and ideas, the board decided it needed something “to make it a kind of unique, stand-out event” according to Bruce Urie, longtime board member. Under the leadership of Karen Bartlett, rather than paying workers to help out with the event, the board decided that their wages would instead be donated to a local organization of the volunteers’ choice. These could vary from the Craftsbury Public Library to the Community Care Center or any similar organization. Michelle Warren, Co-Chair of the Antiques and Uniques Organizing Committee, said that she doesn’t “know any other event like it,” with their volunteer plan being what sets their event apart from others and “makes Craftsbury special.”
Urie also notes that Craftsbury has always had a friendly competition with the Antique market in Chelsea, over vendors. The largest number of vendors to date has vied for a spot in the Common next weekend. With over 100 vendors listed on the website – over 25 of which are antique dealers – and many more sponsors, the 2023 event is the biggest yet.
Additional changes have been made since the last event, with a hired musical set and food vendors, relieving the board of their historical cooking duties. Urie emphasized the event’s accessibility to all, with a plan for handicapped shuttles to run to and from the parking lot, and a covered area to sit in while eating or taking a break from shopping.
The history of this event has been community- and family-oriented, as families and businesses have been coming back since the beginning. Urie, who had a stand for his business, Stillmeadow Gardens Flowers, for many years, noted that an older couple who have always had a booth next to his own got a booth this year with their grandson, who is skilled in his forge work and will be selling his own crafts.
“There’s just something about it that has a vintage feel to it, yet it attracts a lot of different ages. It’s not just all older people looking at older things, it’s got fun jewelry and crafts” said Warren. Urie added that it’s a great event for the family, noting that it’s “such an interesting collection [of people] because kids can be there and be happy getting French fries, or getting their faces painted at the children’s events” while their parents shop and their grandparents meet up with old friends or sit and enjoy the music.
The event will take place this Saturday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome and, in typical Kingdom fashion, they are encouraged to spread the word.


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Spending budget of large Thai food suppliers
on Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2011,
signal for expansion of restaurant industry
After the overwhelming feedback from exhibitors and visitors as well as sponsorships from food and beverages business partners on the first Thailand International Restaurant and Bar in 2010, the event has become one of the most interested food event on record. The great return will be officially announced for industry briefing on 15 March 2011.
Thailand Restaurant News in cooperation with IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. host the event titled Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2011 or R&B 2011 with sponsorship from three large food business firms such as Chaitip Co., Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of Panomrung Rice Brand; Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd.; and Duck King Co., Ltd. The event aims to continue its great, to fasten the strength, to improve professional in food and beverages industries, and to emphasize the strength of trade exhibition and conference for hotel, bar, caf, restaurant, and catering industries and services sectors which will be officially hosted during 7-9 July 2011 at Building 2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. Visitors will obtain knowledge and entertainment from many special activities; for example, cooking demonstration, latte art and fancy bartender contests.
Ms Pornpan Bulner, assistant director of Projects of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. said “As a professional organizer in trade exhibition and conference and having a partner who is the first and solely restaurant business magazine that is being treaty accepted by almost every restaurant operators like Thailand Restaurant News as a co-host for the first Thailand International Restaurant and Bar hosted last year, brought us the great success after opening the first phase since the event was well accepted from small to large sponsors, exhibitors, and professional associations in food and beverages industries. The greatness of the second edition is returning and also well accepted from the professionals in hotel, bar, caf, restaurant, and catering industries and services sectors as well as the coming back of last year main sponsors such as Chaitip Co., Ltd., the manufacturer and distributor of Panomrung Rice Brand; Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd., the first brewery of Thailand under the Singha brand name. Duck King Co., Ltd, manufacturer and distributor of quality fresh duck meat came back from an exhibitor last year to a main sponsor this year due to the improvement in market share after the first edition of trade exhibition and conference. We are confident that visitors will attend this year event much more than last year.”
Ms Chattaporn Yoelao, managing director of C Ad Promotion (1997) Co., Ltd., the publisher of Thailand Restaurant News revealed that “We are certain that the trend of food and beverages industries in Thailand are growing continuously, so the R&B 2011 event is the best source for suppliers in exploring their latest technology, products, services, materials, equipments, ideas and solutions and expanding their industry and professional networks by meeting with many targeted buyers in food and beverages operators both local and international. In addition, the event will be the best source for operators to meet with international and regional dealers and distributors. The special promotion for quality products and services will be offered exclusively at the event. Besides, visitors will have chances to learn and gain knowledge on the latest trends and future of the industry and market which is suitable either for large or small businesses.”
The industry briefing on “Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2011” held on 15 March 2011 at 01.00 pm at Function Six A & B, 6th Floor, Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa, aims to announce details and progress of the host of the second edition in July 2011. Visitors are invited to share experiences, learn, and gain knowledge on the latest trend and future of the industry and market by the dialogue titled “Supply Chain Change Value Chain” operated by Amorn Ngammongkolrat Ph.D, executive vice president/acting president of National Food Institute; Mrs Prapim Borisuthi, director general of Department of Environment; Ms Teeranat Limpichotikul, food segment manager of SGS (Thailand) Co., Ltd.; and Dr Thanawat Phonwichai, director of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Economic and Business Forecasting Centre.
At the event, visitors will be offered lots of special promotion packages such as 10% discount on the standard booth or 15% discount on the larger one; and have a chance to win a lucky draw: grand prize 9 sq.m. booth worth Bt5,000; second prize 50% discount on any sizes of booth; third prize gift voucher for using at IMPACT’s restaurants worth Bt3,000; forth prize 2-year membership of Thailand Restaurant News Magazine; and last prize 1-year membership of Thailand Restaurant News Magazine.
Interested persons who would like to attend the industry briefing on Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2011, please call 66 2833 5112 or visit www.thairestaurantandbar.com for further information.
ที่ปรึกษาด้านการประชาสัมพันธ์ บริษัทกนกรัตน์ แอนด์ เฟรนด์ จำกัด โทร 0-2284-2662


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TOLEDO (WTOL) - It’s been more than a week since Hurricane Michael made landfall and on Thursday, a group of Toledo teenagers partnered with Impact With Hope to package meals for those who lost everything.
About a dozen students with Toledo Christian Schools donned hairnets and aprons to package 5,000 meals during a school day of service.
"It's amazing the way we live now that we can be in Ohio and help somebody across the nation," student Kennen McIntyre said.
The students stand in an assembly line, packaging meals of rice and beans with soy protein. It’s an easy meal meant to be easily prepared in disaster areas.
"Each bag makes six meals, it's easy to cook, all you need to do is add boiling water," Karen Smith with Impact With Hope said.
The food will go along with a 53-foot-long trailer filled with supplies. Many supplies are packaged in five-gallon buckets to minimize cardboard waste.
“The people pack a five-gallon bucket with either cleaning supplies or personal hygiene items, baby care type things,” Smith said.
The buckets make it easier to hand out goods in non-traditional ways, like with an air boat, and can be re-used.
That leaves one less thing people need to worry about cleaning up as they put their homes and lives back together following the storm.


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CCP Games, the developer behind the sci-fi MMORPG EVE Online, recently announced that it had secured $40 million in funding with the venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) leading the round.
CCP Games plans to use the funds to create a new game within the EVE universe that will incorporate blockchain technology and be classified as a AAA title.
Other investors participating in the $40 million round include the Japanese-South Korean video game publisher Nexon, venture capital firm Makers Fund, the global investment platform for gaming, Web3 and immersive technology BITKRAFT, the London-based investment company Kingsway Capital and the crypto assets fund and community builder HASHED.
The Iceland-based company said in a press release that the upcoming EVE game would incorporate on-chain systems, focusing on “persistence, composability, and genuine open third-party development” to establish a new bond between players and virtual worlds.
“CCP Games is a pioneer in virtual worlds and digital economies with 25 years of experience creating living sandboxes with unparalleled depth. They’re a veteran team and we believe in their ambitious vision to deliver incredible player experiences at the intersection of best-in-class game design and blockchain technology.”
Jonathan Lai, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz
CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson explained that the goal of CCP Games is to design virtual worlds that are more significant than the real world. He said that with the latest advancements in blockchain technology, the company could create a new universe incorporating its knowledge of player autonomy and agency. It also could offer players new ways to interact.
A16z general partner Jonathan Lai said that CCP Games has a long history of creating dynamic and immersive virtual worlds with complex economies spanning 25 years. Lai mentioned that the team behind CCP Games is experienced and skilled, and a16z supports its ambitious goal of providing players with unparalleled experiences that combine exceptional game design with blockchain technology.
Alli Óttarsson, Principal at Makers Fund, expressed excitement over CCP Games’ plans to leverage blockchain technology in expanding the EVE Universe. He added that the intricacies and complexities of EVE have made it a common reference point in the blockchain gaming world.
Carlos Pereira, a partner at BITKRAFT Ventures, shared his insights on the compelling stories of interstellar conflict, lost spaceships, and unpredictable player behavior that have developed in EVE.
He said that he is excited to see how the team will use blockchain technology to give players more freedom to imagine and create in the game world because of the team’s unparalleled passion in the project.
CCP’s foray into Web3
Although this is CCP’s initial step into Web3 gaming, Pétursson has been fascinated with how blockchain technology could transform the gaming industry, particularly regarding user ownership and open economies.
However, he has been practical and pragmatic about the possibilities and limitations of this technology. Pétursson expressed this view to Decrypt in 2020, saying that the market size for blockchain games was limited at the time, making it impractical for CCP to venture into that space.
The CEO also acknowledged the challenges associated with cryptocurrency and predicted that it would take five to 10 years for a blockchain game to become a bona fide “killer app.”
“But you could foresee a time where there’s a killer app, where you just really have to get involved regardless of whether you need to figure something out, and that pulls in a wave of people and kind of starts an avalanche,” Pétursson said.
Speaking to VentureBeat, Pétursson elaborated that the inception of this project could be traced back to 2015 when someone inquired about the possibility of putting game assets on the Bitcoin blockchain. Pétursson had limited knowledge of the concept then, but he sought information and consulted with others to gain a better understanding.
“Frankly, some of the deepest thinking on game economies I have observed happens at blockchain conferences, due to the fact that everything had to be so sparse and you had to be very deliberate about what to do.”
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO at CCP Games
He then embarked on a personal quest to understand the topic and learn more about it. Despite holding a degree in computer science, he found the process of familiarizing himself with the subject surprisingly protracted.
In 2017, Pétursson observed the growth of CryptoKitties, which involved buying and selling NFTs, and CCP Games began exploring its ventures. However, there were numerous restrictions then, such as difficulties in scaling transactions up to large numbers.
He believed that the most profound thoughts about game economies “happens at blockchain conferences” because of the need for intentional and concise decision-making due to the limited resources available.
Throughout the pandemic period, Pétursson further delved into the concepts. As blockchain games gained traction in 2021, the industry solutions progressed significantly, prompting CCP Games to conduct broader experiments.


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LAST UPDATED : Apr 15, 2019, 10:59 AM IST
- GST collections in May at Rs 1 lakh crore
GST collections touched Rs 1 lakh crore in May, as compared to Rs 94,016 crore in the year ago period, the government said on Saturday. The gross collection in May at Rs 1,00,289 crore is, however, lower than Rs 1,13,865 crore collected in April. A total of 72.45 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed in the month of May, higher than 72.13 lakh in April.
- Single authority for sanctioning, processing GST refunds likely by August
A single authority for sanctioning and processing GST refunds is in the offing as the finance ministry looks to speed up and simplify the process for exporters, an official said. The current mechanism entails a twin refund sanctioning authority of the central and state tax officers but that could well change by August.
- Builder's call will decide your GST rate
Under the revised regime, the GST Council has lowered the levy from 12% to 5% (and from 8% to 1% for affordable housing) but taken away the benefit of tax credit on inputs such as cement, paints and steel as builders were seen to be pocketing it and charging 12% flat GST.
- Automated GST refund for exporters by next month
Currently, manufacturing exporters and suppliers to SEZ, who want to claim a refund of ITC, have to file an application in Form GST RFD-01A on the common portal and then manually submit a print out of the form to the jurisdictional officer. Once automatic GST refunds begin the time period for such refunds will come down to about a fortnight from months at present.
- GST collection at Rs 1.13 lakh crore in April, highest ever
GST collection scaled all-time high of over Rs 1.13 lakh crore in April, up from Rs 1.06 lakh crore in the previous month, the finance ministry said Wednesday. Total number of summary sales return GSTR-3B filed for the month of March up to April 30 stood at 72.13 lakh. April is the first month of 2019-20 fiscal.
- ED seeks details of fake GST invoice scam for probe
A fake GST invoice fraud, involving several steel and infra companies, has come under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). ED has written a letter to director-general of Goods and Services Tax (GST) intelligence department as well as the anti-evasion wing of GST commission rate of Hyderabad seeking information on the companies involved in the scam.
- GST, Companies Act boost demand for CAs
A total of 3,815 job offers were made to the 6,646 qualified CAs who opted to take part in the placement cycle of ICAI in February-March 2019, up from 1,473 offers received by CAs during 2018. Accenture, Alstom, Barclays Global Services, Flipkart, Amazon, ITC and ANI Technologies (Ola) are some of the companies that hired CAs from ICAI campus placements this time.


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News in 30 minutes or your next podcast is free!
Oct 14, 2012
[News]Neil, Chris and Andi discuss this week's incomprehensable
news... Including news on Microsoft points, creation rules and
Windoes 8 store. Borderlands 2 news and Sony lawsuits and sales
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Some of Publix’s newest stores aren’t doubling coupons, raising concerns that existing stores could follow.
Archive for February, 2014
New printable coupons for Hormel, Bertolli, SunButter and more are available today from Coupons.com, SmartSource and Hopster.
New research shows that grocery shoppers who use reusable bags end up spending more – on both healthy and not-so-healthy products.
Get a sneak preview of all the coupons from SmartSource, RedPlum and P&G in your March 2, 2014 Sunday newspaper.
New printable coupons for Zest, One a Day vitamins and more are available today from Coupons.com.
Now your supermarket’s overhead lights can track your movements and offer you special coupons and deals.
The Pentagon proposes slashing the taxpayer subsidy to U.S. military Commissary grocery stores, which could wipe out most of their savings.
New printable coupons for Burt’s Bees, Covergirl, Snickers and more are available today from Hopster and Coupons.com.
A new survey shows that many shoppers are overwhelmed to the point of indecision, about the abundance of choices in their grocery store.
New printable coupons for Pedigree, Mars Easter candy and more are available today from Coupons.com.


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DUBLIN — An attempt to stem a possible influx of new tobacco sellers, hoping to locate here before the city can adopt tough new tobacco rules, fizzled at the city council meeting Tuesday.
Mayor Tim Sbranti had sought to place a 45-day urgency moratorium on issuing business licenses or permits to new tobacco retailers but failed to gain enough support to bring it to a vote.
Dublin is in the process of developing an ordinance to limit how close new tobacco retailers can be located to schools, parks and to other tobacco retailers.
With council member Kasie Hildenbrand absent from Tuesday’s meeting and Kevin Hart taking issue with the precedent it sets with the business climate in the city, the moratorium did not have the required four votes to pass.
“My concern for bringing this up was that we have precedent for this,” said Sbranti, who cited the city’s work on past development plans and moratoriums. “We are looking at a tobacco ordinance, and we don’t know what is going to be adopted.”
In April, council members approved the framework for an ordinance that would keep new tobacco sellers from opening between 500 or 1,000 feet from places children frequent, such as schools, parks and day cares. It would also restrict the density of new tobacco-based shops — retailers would have to be at least 1,000 feet away from each other — and implement a licensing system to monitor retailers and punish those selling to minors by revoking or suspending their licenses.
A grandfather clause is also being worked out that would exempt the city’s 25 current tobacco retailers from most of the ordinance, except for the licensing system.
Hart is not a smoker, and has voiced support for the city’s efforts against secondhand smoke, but he took issue with the city placing limits on where a legal product can be sold.
“I think we are overstepping our boundaries on such an ordinance,” Hart said. “It is not something we should be in the middle of. Where do we draw the line? This is big brother, and to me we are saying you can’t buy cigarettes.”
Representatives from 7-Eleven urged the council to follow the rules it had in place when it applied in January 2011 to open a store in an old Carl’s Jr. restaurant on Dublin Boulevard.
Denis Daley, senior real estate representative for 7-Eleven, said the moratorium could have prevented them from opening the store, for which a lease has been secured and $100,000 has already been invested.
“We have a franchisee in place who has invested a lot of money,” said Daley, who noted that cigarettes represent 25 percent of business. “Without the ability to sell cigarettes, they won’t be able to make a profit.”
Tobacco-free advocates said 25 places in Dublin to buy cigarettes was enough and that Alameda County has one of the highest rates in the state for sales of tobacco to minors.
“Two-thirds of all teenagers go to convenient stores at least once a week,” said Serena Chen, policy director for the Bay Area region of the American Lung Association. “Those stores are filled with enticing ads for tobacco.”
Dublin’s tobacco ordinance for new retailers is not expected to come to the council for a vote until September or October. If passed, the city would join Contra Costra County and six East Bay cities (Albany, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland, Richmond and Union City) that have similar ordinances, according to the Center for Tobacco Policy, which is a project of the American Lung Association.
Contract Robert Jordan at 925-847-2184. Follow him at Twitter.com/robjordan127.


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The Family Place’s Partners Card, which raises funds for the domestic violence resource organization, is celebrating its 30th anniversary starting Oct. 28.
Cards are currently on sale for the annual fundraising event until Nov. 6. Each $75 card purchase donates 100% to The Family Place and pays for a one night stay for a domestic violence survivor.
Neighbors also receive a 20% discount at retailers and a 10% discount at restaurants participating in Partners Card during the 10-day 30th anniversary fundraiser, which runs from Oct. 28 – Nov. 6.
The week-long event will be led by co-chairs (pictured above) Andrea Cheek, Wynne McNabb Cunningham, Hannah Fagadau, Lisa Hewitt, and honorary chair Paula Davis.
The Partners Card was first launched in 1993 as a way to support the services and programs provided by the Family Place. That first year had 175 participating stores. This year, there’s more than 700 stores.
Cards can be purchased on the Partners Card website.


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Private equity firm Duke Street has sold noodle restaurant chain Wagamama to The Restaurant Group for £559 million, generating a 3.4x return on investment.
Wagamama was established in London in 1992 and operates noodle restaurants offering fresh, pan-Asian cuisine. The restaurants provide noodle and rice dishes, as well as salads and side dishes, juices, hot drinks, wine, sake and Asian beers.
Duke Street acquired Wagamama in 2011 for £215 million when the Group had 70 restaurants. Since then the business has grown considerably and now has 133 restaurants in the UK, 5 in the US and 58 franchise restaurants in Europe, the Middle East and New Zealand.
Wagamama grew its UK revenues by 17% compound annual growth rate between 2015 and 2018 and in the year to August 2018 had revenues of £307 million and EBITDA of £43 million post pre-opening costs.
Peter Taylor, Managing Partner at Duke Street, said: “This is one of the largest ever transactions in the UK casual dining space, a market which has been challenging in recent years. Duke Street has supported an outstanding management team under Jane Holbrook’s leadership to transform the company and ensure that Wagamama has emerged as the standout success story of the UK casual dining sector.”
Jane Holbrook, CEO of Wagamama, added: “Wagamama has enjoyed a very strong track record both financially and operationally, driven by the ongoing successful execution of our growth strategy. Duke Street has been hugely supportive, investing heavily in the key resources to drive our position as the UK’s leading casual dining chain, while also helping us take the business and the brand to a growing international customer base.”


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Android, iOS Leave Little Room For CompetitorsAndroid, iOS Leave Little Room For Competitors
Together, Apple's iOS and Google's Android own more than 90% of the smartphone market. That leaves very little room for Microsoft and RIM.
January 28, 2013
Smartphone shipments surged by 38% during 2012 and reached a staggering 217 million devices in the fourth quarter alone. Of those 217 million, 92% are running either Android or iOS, according to Strategy Analytics. In other words, Microsoft, RIM and others are fighting over scraps.
Globally, hardware makers shipped 700.1 million smartphones during 2012, which is up significantly from the 490 million shipped during 2011. "We estimate 152.1 million Android smartphones were shipped globally in Q4 2012, nearly doubling from 80.6 million units in Q4 2011," said Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. "Android's share of the global smartphone market has surged from 51% to 70% over the past year, crushing Symbian, Bada and other platforms in its wake. Almost half-a-billion Android smartphones were shipped in total worldwide during 2012. Android is clearly the undisputed volume leader of the smartphone industry at the present time." [ Does Apple need to release more new versions of iPhone to keep up in the fast-paced smartphone market? Read Apple Needs More Than One iPhone To Compete. ] Apple's iOS is a distant second to Google's Android, with fourth-quarter shipments of 47.8 million and total 2012 shipments of 135 million. The rest of the market, which includes BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone, Bada, Symbian, Tizen and others, added up to an anemic 17 million for the fourth quarter and 85 million for the year. Strategy Analytics calls the smartphone industry a "duopoly" that has "polarized around mass-market Android models and premium Apple designs." They aren't wrong. Microsoft relaunched its Windows Phone platform during the fourth quarter in a bid to win some market share from Apple and Google. So far, it hasn't. Nokia, the largest provider of Windows Phones at the moment, shipped 4.4 million handsets during the fourth quarter, less than 10% of what Apple shipped during the same period. HTC and Samsung have not provided a breakdown of their Windows Phone sales, but surely they aren't anywhere close to Nokia's figures. In the U.S., RIM's BlackBerry OS is all but forgotten. Hardly anyone purchases RIM's legacy BlackBerry 7 devices. RIM is hoping to change that later this week with its launch of BlackBerry 10. BlackBerry 10 is an entirely new operating system and will ship on entirely new hardware from Research In Motion. Obviously, RIM and Microsoft both have long roads ahead of them if they hope to steal market share from Apple and Google. The Enterprise Connect conference program covers the full range of platforms, services and applications that comprise modern communications and collaboration systems. Hear case studies from senior enterprise executives, as well as from the leaders of major industry players like Cisco, Microsoft, Avaya, Google and more. Register for Enterprise Connect 2013 today with code IWKPREM to save $200 off a conference pass or get a free Expo Pass. It happens March 12-21 in Orlando, Fla.
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Starbucks Tuesday released more details about the planned expansion of its delivery program, a move the coffee giant first announced last month.
After a test at more than 100 stores in Miami last year, Starbucks Delivers will expand to six new markets by this spring, the company said.
Delivery begins Tuesday in San Francisco, with expansion to select stores in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., in coming weeks. All deliveries will be carried out by Uber Eats and orders will go through the third-party delivery service’s app.
The delivery program is also spreading to London, which will be the first European city to see Starbucks delivery when it begins there later this month. In China, Starbucks delivery is available at 2,000 stores in 30 cities. In all, delivery is available in 11 of the company’s global markets.
U.S. consumers will pay a flat fee of $2.49 per order, and there is no minimum.
Starbucks says all orders will arrive within 30 minutes.
The company developed off-premise packaging, including a tray for beverage delivery and tamper-evident sealed bags for Uber Eats couriers, according to a Starbucks spokeswoman.
The Seattle-based coffee company, which has about 8,000 company-owned locations in the U.S., has struggled with traffic over the past year.
“We know we have untapped customer demand for Starbucks Delivers in the U.S.,” Roz Brewer, Starbucks group president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.
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(TWINSBURG, OH)— Pepperl+Fuchs has received FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approval on 10 new RFID read heads. All of Pepperl+Fuchs IDENT RFID products that operate at frequencies of 125 kHz, 250 kHz and 13.56 MHz and that intentionally radiate an electromagnetic field are FCC approved to satisfy the radiated emissions limits per FCC CFR 47: 2004, Part 15, Subpart B, Class A.
“An increasing number of companies are requiring FCC approval for all products installed in their facility, as products such as WiFi LAN connection equipment, industrial PCs, industrial monitors, and ID Systems must work together simultaneously, and without electromagnetic
or radio frequency interference,” says Tim Cicerchi, RFID Product Manager for Pepperl+Fuchs. “Though such approval does not guarantee compatibility between products, or that two products won't interfere with each other, it is the first step in keeping unapproved products and potential electrical noise generators out of one’s facility.”
: Design World :
Filed Under: Packaging, Data acquisition + DAQ modules, I/O modules, PCs


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There is no shortage of reports and news items mentioning several cities in the US where it is cheaper to buy a starter home than to rent; conversely, there are also cities where it is still considerably cheaper to rent than to buy. Some of the statistics are persuasive, due to massive rent increases in some areas over the last two years, particularly for smaller apartments. From a range of reports and news items dealing with this issue, a consensus indicates the following:
Cities where buying is cheaper than renting:
Birmingham, Alabama – city where buying is most beneficial, being 44.3% cheaper than renting
Cleveland, Ohio – places second to Birmingham regarding benefits of buying versus renting
St. Louis, Missouri
Tampa, Florida – buying costs are 25.5% cheaper than renting
Orlando, Florida – buying costs are 27.1% cheaper than renting
Cities where buying is more expensive than renting (in almost half of the major metropolitan areas in the US, the monthly cost of buying is, on average, 24% higher than renting):
Austin, Texas – cost of buying is a staggering 76% higher than renting
New York, New York
San Francisco, California
Rochester, New York
Los Angeles, California
Affordability continues to be a major issue everywhere and for those people stuck in the trap of paying so much in rent that they cannot afford to save for a down payment, such comparisons are largely irrelevant. Sadly, the problem of coming up with a down payment when one’s rent keeps increasing, along with the price of property, is a massive stumbling block for many, ensuring that even the most ‘affordable’ properties remain constantly out of reach. For those lucky enough to have a choice, however, and who are not committed for reasons of work or family ties to a particular location, it may be worth looking at those areas where it’s clearly favorable to buy.
However, it is still not quite that simple. Rental costs are clear: one pays the agreed amount until such time as the landlord can legally raise the rent, and that is it. But what does the monthly cost of buying cover? This is where reading various reports can be frustrating, with many simply giving a figure that represents the monthly cost of buying, without always clarifying what that monthly cost includes. One suspects it’s simply mortgage payments plus property taxes, but buying a home involves far more expenses than that. What about the extra insurance needed when you’re insuring your building, not just your contents? Or the ongoing maintenance and/or strata or homeowners’ association fees? When these additional costs are taken into consideration, the true monthly cost of purchasing may be far higher. Without a comprehensive breakdown of the realistic monthly cost of purchasing a home, the comparisons made in reports are of limited benefit and reports often differ in the costs they include or exclude. One recent report from Fortune does state exactly what is included in its estimate of buying costs: “…down payments, taxes, homeowners’ association fees, and mortgage rates.” The down payment referred to in this report is based on 7 percent of the purchase price and does offer would-be buyers the benefit of a more accurate comparison. A Forbes report mentions that its monthly buying costs “do include taxes and insurance” but also assumes a 20 percent down payment in its calculations – an amount that is likely out of reach for most first-time buyers.
While one can get into a rental property with just two months’ rent paid upfront, purchasing a home usually requires at least 5 percent down, with 20 percent being recommended, in addition to legal fees and real estate transfer taxes. (While some states do not have real estate transfer taxes, those that do range from 0.01 percent in Colorado to 4 percent in the city of Pittsburgh.) Even if potential buyers do have a down payment saved, tying it up in a house purchase also means they will lose any interest that would otherwise be earned on that money. A down payment of $100,000 means forgoing perhaps $5,000 a year – possibly more – in interest, adding as much as $400 dollars a month in lost income to the true cost of purchasing, while even a minimal down payment of $20,000 could mean forfeiting around $1000 a year.
Do all these extra expenses mean it’s better to continue renting? That will depend on individual situations; for young people who expect to move in a few years, whether to upgrade to a larger property or to relocate for work or personal reasons, the flexibility of renting will be preferable, and likely a better decision financially, as the upfront costs of ownership can take up to three years to recoup. However, for those who intend to stay in a home for a longer period, even if the real costs of ownership are being underestimated, it’s likely that purchasing will still be the better option in the long term. If they are fortunate enough to live in, or are able to move to, one of the cities where buying is more advantageous than renting, that’s just a bonus, and makes the decision to buy a no-brainer.
But what of the areas where renting is cheaper than buying, substantially so in cities such as Austin? Considering the extra costs involved in a purchase, not to mention the costs of selling and repurchasing later when the “starter” home has become too small, perhaps one might choose to delay purchasing, although that would still be a risky decision in today’s housing market; when property prices rise, rents will rise also, rapidly sometimes. Additionally, there is the strong possibility that current low interest rates will come to an end soon; in this case, buying now and locking in a low rate would seem a very sensible move.
Renting in these areas would be a sensible option only for those who either have no choice due to affordability, or who plan to move soon and need the flexibility to relocate without incurring the considerable costs involved in selling property. The savings made by renting a home that would cost considerably more to buy are still only attractive to those who envisage relocating within a few years and are also able to invest the money they are saving in the interim. If would-be purchasers can afford the additional costs of buying, they will undoubtedly reap the benefits in the long term.
Home ownership is still strongly desired by most Americans, and there are significant emotional factors that enter the equation when weighing the benefits of buying or renting one’s first home. When one owns one’s home one can make changes, decorate, renovate, or even extend. If it is a single-family home, one can develop a garden, own pets, or rent out the home without any restrictions. Tenancy is secure, unless one suffers a sudden loss of income, and owners start to build equity, which can be used later to finance home improvements, consolidate debt, or even invest in a second property. Renting offers none of these benefits – even if the monthly costs are cheaper.


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With western world interest rates now tantamount to free money, unsurprisingly common sense has gone out the window. The Uber float raising US$8 billion, epitomised this.
Described subsequently as a terrible flop because the issue price lost 8% on the first day, the reduced share price still valued the company at US$76 billion. For that reason I’d have called it an astonishing success.
Since establishing the company a decade back, so far it’s lost US$10 billion. That’s explicable given the promoters global scale instigation approach. Additionally, there’s no doubt Uber’s established an enormously popular customer base and presumably that fact has given the investment Funds, currently desperate for investment outlets, a rationale to buy.
The fact is its analogous to creating a global company offering to exchange a dollar for two dollars. Such a company would also quickly establish a huge happy customer base and also like Uber, chew up billions of dollars of losses.
To me it’s economic structure simply doesn’t add up at the most basic level. We read the same Uber drivers story everywhere, including here in New Zealand, namely that their returns are abysmal. There’s a New Zealand National Uber Drivers Association and last year it’s president pulled stumps, telling the news media it was simply a mediocre deal once the cost of the car and it’s maintenance was taken into account. So they keep tossing it in and being replaced by fresh sucker drivers but sooner or later that process must grind to a halt.
I appreciate Uber has a number of efficiency advantages for consumers but it’s principal one is cost over traditional taxis and that’s certainly never been a high paid activity. Accordingly, to sustain the exercise the driver rewards will have to rise, ergo, the loss of it’s main advantage.
Another weakness is it’s lack of a monopoly factor and already competitors are popping up, particularly in America and Asia.
After drinks with our staff got out of hand in our Glasgow office a few weeks ago, about 9pm our manager booked pre-paid Uber drivers to take everyone home. To my home cost £4. Our driver, a young married Indian fellow, told me he worked from 6pm to 11pm each night after his day job was over as he was saving for a house deposit. I gave him a tenner tip and he stared at it disbelievingly, then said, that’s more than he’d earned so far that night, this after 3 hours. I’m told tipping is not customary with Uber anywhere.
This is simply not a sustainable exercise and all the new services they might think up, such as Uber Eats, will not overcome the sheer inadequacy of the driver returns. In Europe many governments are looking at this, concerned at the unintended cheap labour factor. Some have already declared the drivers to be employees, thus bringing into play minimum pay laws, holiday pay, paid sickness leave and other conventional employer costs.
The US$8 billion raised in the initial public offer should sustain a few years further losses whereupon it’s odds-on there’ll be a rights issue to raise more sustaining capital. But unless drivers are adequately rewarded the current model simply can’t last. Still, it may well be that customers will pay more given it’s efficiencies. We shall see.


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The fifth edition of the Miss Round will be held Jan. 21 at the show ready-to-wear who’s next. The Parisian salon, a partner of Miss Round committee for the first time, through this event wants to participate in the fight against discrimination of women round and highlight the brand offers “plus size”. Who will succeed Aurelie Philippe, the 2011 Miss Round?
At a time when more and more people raise their voices against the diktat of the thinness, the national committee organizes the Miss Round 5th Round of the Miss France election at the show Who’s Next.
The 21 candidates from regional competitions held during the year 2011, march 3 times before a jury of eight persons.
The show Who’s Next Paris Ready to Wear is held twice a year (January and June) in Paris Expo. Rendezvous of the fashion world, this new edition is actually a merger of the two salons “Who’s Next” and “Ready to Wear Paris.” Result: more than 2 500 international brands represented and more than 60,000 visitors to see the future trends of ready-to-wear, men’s fashion and urban, young designers and fashion accessories.


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2020 Ford Super Chief Release Date- Portage Super Chief wasa thought vehicle that was at first displayed in 2006. Assessing by the most current reports the maker will take the advantage of its F-250 and also F-150 plans, and furthermore start with the assembling of the 2018 Ford Super Chief. In style, the 2018 Ford Super Chief will surely comprise of the format setup of F-250.
This vehicle will absolutely look additional enormous where the maker has really guaranteed concerning its modern productivity. One could see the front grille that is a ton greater in measurement holds a logo plan of the producer at the.
2018 Ford Super Chief Price and Release Date
It is expected that 2018 Ford Super Principal will positively go from around $65,000. We need to hold up till auto maker Ford has really come to claim something concerning the plan formally. On standard, it is approximated that Ford’s $5,000 much more inclined to lift costs for the major sort of vehicle. There is no one of a kind data concerning the dispatch day. That demonstrates, the vehicle maker will absolutely make a news concerning the dispatch day to a great degree rapidly.
It is expected that 2018 Ford Super Principal will positively go from around $65,000. We need to hold up till auto producer Ford has really come to claim something concerning the outline formally. On standard, it is approximated that Ford’s $5,000 much more prone to hoist costs for the major sort of vehicle. There is no one of a kind information concerning the dispatch day. That demonstrates, the vehicle producer will surely make a news concerning the dispatch day amazingly rapidly.
Ford Super Chief 2017 – Predicted Release Date and Price:
Since the Ford Super Chief 2017 is a luxury concept pickup truck, the prices of the same are little higher. It might be in the range of $65,000 – $70,000. No fixed date regarding a release of Ford Super Chief has been obtained. However, speculations in the automobile industry are that the pickup truck might be available by the end of 2016 or early 2017.
2017 ford super chief interior
Welcome to automoviles-santamaria.com right now you’re opening a submit titled 2017 Ford Super Chief. For those of you who’re right now searching for references autos that can be discharged in 2017 or 2018 you can take a gander at this site. 2017 Ford Supe


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Left Alive was previously given a February 2019 release date in Japan, and now we know that the Western launch will occur soon after. Square Enix has officially announced that Left Alive will be releasing on March 5, 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and PC. In addition, some special additions for Left Alive were announced.
Check out the Left Alive release date announcement trailer here:
Early adopters of Left Alive can get their hands on the Day One Edition. It will include the full game, as well as an exclusive PS4 theme. The Day One Edition will also include the Survival Pack DLC, which features:
- Ammo Pack
- Light Body Armor
- Recovery Pack
- Slava Weapon (exclusive)
- Material Pack (exclusive)
The Day One Edition can be preordered on the PlayStation Store now.
Square-Enix will also be selling a “Mech Edition” of Left Alive that will only be available on the Square Enix e-Store. It will include the full Day One Edition of Left Alive, as well as a bunch of other goodies. It comes with a figurine of the mech Volk, which has interchangeable features, an exclusive art book featuring concept art, a steelbook case, and a collector’s box. The Mech Edition is billed as “extremely limited,” so you may want to preorder it now if you want your hands on it.
Left Alive Release Date Announced by Square-Enix
Left Alive releases on March 5, 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and PC.
[Source: PlayStation Blog]


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Forrester Research Senior Analyst Sarah Rotman Epps blogs about the release of the Nokia/Microsoft Lumia 900: “The smartphone market is ripe for disruption — Palm is dead, Symbian is sunsetting, RIM is faltering, and every player in the ecosystem (other than Google and Apple) want a third player to wedge between Google and Apple. Windows Phone, led by Nokia, can — and should — be the market disruptor.”
The challenges, Sarah notes, are paying off the channel and targeting the right customer. The Lumia 900 “positions Nokia and Microsoft as a viable third platform and a foil for Google-Apple hegemony. In the dog-eat-dog smartphone market, viability in itself can be disruptive.” Read more of Sarah’s blog post.


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Believe it or not, the end of 2023 is upon us. Even Spotify released their highly anticipated wrap campaign just a few days ago. Time flew by, didn’t it? In the same vein, we’ve gathered here to wrap up this eventful year and reflect on some of the most impactful and popular marketing news and campaigns. Perhaps some of you are still processing some of these moments… Personally speaking, we’re constantly fascinated by the ever-evolving power of AI. With new developments emerging almost each month, the anticipation for the upcoming year is truly exhilarating. Well, anyway, let’s dive in, shall we?
Catch the Highlights in Marketing News
The Grand Arrival of ChatGPT
We can’t say that we were gradually introduced to ChatGPT, at least not here in Bulgaria. Suddenly, everyone was talking about it one day — some even shared their screenshots on LinkedIn, discussing ideas with the AI system and attempting to implement them in their work. It happened incredibly fast! Wow! Of course, as a marketing agency, we quickly jumped on the opportunity to try it ourselves and have been utilizing it ever since! It’s not perfect, but it does help improve our workflow and automate some mundane tasks. Can you relate? Feel free to share your experience, too!
Short-form Videos Soar in Popularity
Have a question for you — have you noticed that social media platforms are slowly turning into an engaging sweet escape from your daily routine, rather than just checking up on your pals? Honestly, ever since the launch of TikTok, the short-form video format has been gaining popularity across various social media platforms. Last year, Instagram bid farewell to its IGTV app and embraced Reels. The competition is fierce, with the goal of retaining users on Instagram for longer durations, ensuring both user satisfaction and advertiser loyalty. In 2023, video marketing has witnessed a significant surge in popularity, and users have become accustomed to receiving information in a concise and entertaining manner. If your brand fails to hop on this trend, it risks falling behind.
Musk Bought Twitter, Advertisers Pull Out
One of the highlights of this year was undoubtedly the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk and the subsequent rebranding of the platform. However, these events were not as shocking as what followed. Twitter’s users were quickly confronted with a multitude of policy changes and controversial adjustments. The platform’s atmosphere underwent a noticeable shift, sparking heated discussions among its diverse user base. Formerly a platform championing free speech and safeguarding against propaganda and hatred, Elon’s X app has now become just that. The chaos is so enormous that many advertisers decided to pull out, which “previously made up 90% of Twitter’s revenue”. Not only did advertisers depart from the social media platform, but so did many users, celebrities, and media organizations. It makes us wonder — what’s going to happen with X next year? Feel free to explore more about this topic here.
Remarkable Marketing Campaigns in 2023
Coca-Cola Smartly Utilizes Gen AI
Earlier this year, one company embraced generative AI with open arms and truly stood out among its competitors. That’s right — it’s Coca-Cola, everybody. You must be familiar with their ad campaign “Masterpiece” that was produced with AI and human talent. It was developed in partnership with OpenAI, using their DALL-E2 generative image model and ChatGPT. The whole idea behind the campaign was to show everyone that there’s nothing intimidating about AI when used right, empowering creators with the most effective tools out there. There was genuinely positive feedback, which you can gauge by checking the comments below the video. Coca-Cola was perceived as a forward-thinking company, embracing and leveraging new technology to present itself in a progressive light.
Raise Your Brows for McDonald’s
When first seeing the billboards of McDonald’s ‘#RaiseYourArches’ campaign in Sofia, we were baffled because most of the brand’s campaigns usually feature burgers. So we were quick to find out more about it and ended up Lovin’ it. In short, it revolves around office coworkers subtly inviting each other to go grab a Maccie, without saying it — just raise an eyebrow, and that’s all it takes. Can’t deny, it’s a clever use of the brand’s distinctive assets, creating a craving for their tasty burgers. The campaign proved so successful that it has been replicated in over 35 markets since its initial launch in the UK. Good job, McDonald’s, you nailed it.
That’s Barbie’s Pink Year
The most anticipated movie this year was undoubtedly Barbie. The marketing around it was so incredibly effective that everyone was still buzzing about it months later. And there was one unmistakable element that shouted Barbie — the color pink. Spot a poster dominated by pink? It had to be about the upcoming Barbie movie! Random folks flaunting an all-pink outfit on the streets? They must be catching the Barbie movie. Without a doubt, it was a brilliant move by the marketing team. Not only did people enthusiastically join the trend, but even other renowned brands and celebrities hopped on board! Namely AirBnB, NYX Cosmetics, Uno Cards, Aldo Shoes and many more. The business social media platform, LinkedIn was on fire as well — numerous local brands and businesses were sharing their own Barbie campaigns, sparking even more significant interest!
Certainly, this year has been quite a journey in the marketing world, marked by creativity and innovation taking center stage. As we wrap up our 2023 marketing recap, it becomes clear that the industry saw a mix of trends, triumphs, and transformative campaigns. Whether it was the impactful use of generative AI or the vibrant return of distinctive brand assets, marketers explored new territories, making a lasting impact. We are eager to discover what 2024 has in store for us! Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in brainstorming creative campaigns together and making an impression that will leave a lasting impact on your audience.


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Watch Aphex Twin’s full Field Day 2023 set in 360 video — for free
NTS Radio has released a 360 video of the headlining performance.
Image: Andrew Whitton
Aphex Twin’s recent performance at 2023’s Field Day festival is now available in its full glory online.
- READ MORE: Talks from Spotify, TikTok and YouTube will feature in ADE’s Essential Insider Knowledge Series
Earlier this month, the DJ put on his first UK show since 2019 at Victoria Park, setting the festival ablaze with an hour and a half of groovy techno beats and intoxicating visuals. The performance saw Aphex Twin sampling tracks from his extensive discography, including hits from his new EP ‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760’.
And now, NTS Radio has released a full stream of the entire set in 360 video (and spatial audio) for you to relive the show. Watch it below. You can also check out our review of his set here.
The festival also saw Aphex Twin marking his headlining performance with the release of a limited edition run of 12’’ vinyls. Limited to just 100 copies, the Field Day-exclusive 5-track vinyls were said to be snapped up by 2:30pm on the day of its release.
Many of those records, which cost just £5 to purchase, are now going for more than 100x their original price online. A quick scan through eBay shows one seller listing the vinyl for a whopping £599 while another recently sold it for £520.
The record’s tracklist, according to Discogs, is as follows:
A1 Korg Funk5
A2 Korg 1B RU,EC,E
B1 Soog E
B2 Body Pads
B3 Dgitne Tst1e
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DANGEN Entertainment held its 5th Year Anniversary Show broadcast. The presentation featured a good number of RPG-related announcements.
Kingdom of Night
A satanic cult has summoned the demon Baphomet, and it’s up to unlikely protagonist John to try and save the town and rescue his friends from the impending demonic invasion.
Black Seven Studios
A satanic cult has summoned a great evil, and it’s up to an unlikely hero to save the day in Black Seven Studios’ Kingdom of Night. The game is expected to launch on consoles and PC in 2021.