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Have you ever looked at those eye-popping before-and-after photos and wondered whether there was more to those images than met the eye?
Well, good for you. Often, when there's something advertisers don't want to brag about, they tend to bury it in the fine print.
Take the infomercials for Winsor Pilates exercise DVDs. In the commercials, noncelebrity enthusiasts boast: "I lost over 100 pounds using the Winsor Pilates program."
Was it all due to the Pilates program, though? What the ad glosses over is that the "special bonus" aerobic tape and the "Win in 10 Weight Loss Plan" aren't just for fun but crucial for taking off the pounds.
Company representatives, however, told us they believed the ad is clear -- that you have to follow the entire program to lose the weight.
A Sampling of Our Favorite Ads
Over the years, "20/20" has caught other advertisers playing all kinds of sneaky games with their before-and-after pictures. Here's a sampling of some of our favorites.
In 2004, we reported on an ad for an old formula of the weight-loss pill Hydroxycut.
Marla Duncan said that she had lost 35 pounds. It was "so easy," she said in the ad. Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, however, found one very good reason why. When she took the before picture, Duncan had recently been pregnant and just given birth.
Nixon said, "We wouldn't be suing people if we didn't think that they were deceptive."
Hydroxycut told us many of its ads disclosed Duncan's recent pregnancy, and denied any misrepresentation. Hydroxycut paid $100,000 to settle the case while denying any wrongdoing.
Then there was Mike Piacentino. In 2001, he was featured in before-and-after pictures for the popular pill Xenadrine.
What consumers didn't know was that he had started out as a competitive bodybuilder. Todd Macaluso, an attorney who is fighting Xenadrine over its weight-loss claims, said Piacentino testified that the company had paid him to eat.
"They gave him a food allowance, and they said, you know, 'You've gotta fatten up. Eat like a pig. Gain as much weight as you can. Stop working out,'" Macaluso said.
That's precisely what Piacentino did, gorging on boxes of doughnuts and gallons of ice cream and not working out. Piacentino said he put on the pounds for the before picture.
Piacentino testified that Xenadrine officials even coached him on posing for the before photo.
His lawyer described it like this: "They told him to stick his stomach out, to have a frown on his face. They told him to pull his shorts down below his belly button. And they told him to stand there like he was a slob."
Mission accomplished. With the before photo in hand, Piacentino said the company then had him reverse the process. He took Xenadrine but also used his bodybuilding expertise, working out hours at a time, to get back into shape. The result: a miraculous after photo.
But at least it was actually him in both pictures.
'From Flab to Rock-Hard Abs'
We also checked out the commercial for the Ab Energizer that showed what seemed to be an unbelievable transformation. The commercial promised, "You can go from flab to rock-hard abs."
If you looked more closely, as "20/20" producer Glenn Ruppel did, one guy in the ad had a birthmark and the other didn't. They were two different people wearing identical bathing suits.
When we questioned Ab Energizer about it, the company said there's no implication it's the before and after picture.
I asked Bob Garfield, advertising critic at Ad Age Magazine, about the whole before-and-after technique and told him I believed the ads.
"OK," Garfield said. "You're naive. … They're creating the illusion that you're going to achieve some miracle effect, when, in fact, you're not."
"Sometimes what the advertisers don't want you to know is that they're lying to you, which is what's going on here. They're lying with photographs."
Weight-loss ads aren't the only commercials that make promises that are too good to be true.
The Truth Behind Hair Genesis?
In 2003, "20/20" investigated the impressive before-and-after pictures from a baldness infomercial for Hair Genesis.
Dr. Dan Didocha, a disgruntled former business partner, told us that some had so much more hair in the after photo because they also had hair-transplant surgery, he said.
How could he be so sure? Didocha said he performed the surgeries himself.
He said, "In at least two of those [ad images], I know for sure that the main improvement was through the surgery."
It wasn't just on some of the before and after subjects, according to Didocha.
He said that he also operated on the Hair Genesis medical expert and the product's creator -- before their bitter falling out. The company insists the hair growth was due to its scientifically proven product.
What's more, Hair Genesis still uses the images on its Web site that Didocha's referring to.
So take Garfield's advice: Beware.
"Most of these before and after pictures work only on those who suspend common sense altogether."


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POMONA, Calif. (AP) - Studying for a bachelor's in beer? Or perhaps a master's in malt?
POMONA, Calif. (AP) — Studying for a bachelor's in beer? Or perhaps a master's in malt?
Those degrees aren't out there yet but more college students are learning to brew craft beer as part of their studies these days.
At California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, students are not just making beer at the college's new Innovation Brew Works. They're also selling it to fellow students at the microbrewery's cafe.
Cal Poly officials believe their campus is the first in the U.S. to offer such a total immersion in beer studies.
But perhaps not for long.
Colorado State University, which offers a degree in fermentation science, is also looking into selling its own beer.
Industry officials say the growing academic interest in beer is driven in part by increased consumer demand for craft beer.

domain: news


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18 March 2019 – The 2019 edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna has come to the end today. The event continues to grow, and the results confirm that it is a landmark event exhibition the entire beauty industry.
“Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2019 has achieved an important goal, with over 265,000 cosmetic beauty professionals, and an increase in visitors from abroad by 10% – says Gianpiero Calzolari, Chairman of BolognaFiere – These data, together with the record of exhibitors – 3,033 companies from over 70 countries – makes us proud of the results, and they give us the energy to face new projects. From Bologna, Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna I ready to reach the whole world, with trade events on all continents. Together with Asia, North America and India, the collaborations in the markets of South America and South East Asia, and after the growth in Europe thanks to the acquisition of the German group Health & Beauty, we are now ready to explore new territories. All these projects are being put into reality thanks to the support of the Ministry of Economic Development, ITA – Italian Trade Agency, and our partner Cosmetica Italia. For 2020, new projects are being defined both in Asia and in Africa. The Cosmoprof platform is going to become more and more international, to better fulfill the needs of companies in the sector”.
“The associated companies attending the event have recorded a significant increase in the quality of contacts with sector operators – says Renato Ancorotti, president of Cosmetica Italia –As a consequence, companies have promoted a targeted offer of products and services. The quality and competitiveness of the Italian cosmetic industry on international markets are therefore confirmed again. Not surprisingly, exports, up 3.6% to a value of 4,800 million euros, continue to support revenues, which exceed 11.2 billion euros, up 2.1%. These data support the positive figures of the fair declared by our historic partner BolognaFiere Cosmoprof: together we will continue to promote made in Italy cosmetics in the world”.
ISSUES AND TRENDS OF THE EVENT
In the same days when the whole world celebrated the Earth Day, Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2019 turned the spotlight on the importance of a first step on a new path for the industry, with greater attention to sustainability, energy saving and the correct use of environmental resources.
The initiatives in the event, like NO. CO. – NO COMPROMISE, the installation of The Cosmopack Factory project, the contents expressed during Cosmotalks and installations with sustainable materials highlighted the attention that the event gave to environmental issues. The attendance of the more than 30 talks scheduled at the Service Center and the interest arisen by the special areas dedicated to green beauty well represent the choice shared by professionals and companies in the sector.
For further information, visit www.cosmoprof.com


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An instance of Adobe Stock’s Creative Democracy pattern Adobe Stock2019 is simply across the nook and information from the largest searches in 2018 can assist photographers, videographers, and different creatives decide which tasks will resonate most. Looking at search information from 2018, inventory pictures corporations like Adobe Stock and StoryBlocks need to search information to pinpoint the 12 months’s developments. Knowing what photographs folks seek for additionally gives a glimpse into our collective emotions about what’s happening in society, what occasions are most vital, and the commonalities that draw us collectively.
While the studies spotlight developments inside “just” a photograph, a number of of the famous developments point out one thing extra. Many of those predicted developments tie right into a humanitarian, holistic thread utilizing imagery to make a press release on social points. Others level to the elevated significance of authenticity and inclusivity, whereas additionally displaying modifications within the business like an rising protection of reports and the quicker tempo of content material creation.
Identifying developments isn’t nearly realizing what’s common; it gives actionable intelligence to the world’s creatives, giving them an thought of the forms of content material they need to concentrate on. “By understanding visual trends and becoming visually fluent, creatives can apply these findings and add fresh, timely elements to their own work,” Adobe Stock’s Brenda Milis advised Digital Trends.
From self-expression to model ethics
As various as the expected developments for 2019 are, all of them carry the same humanitarian theme for each self-care and look after the world round us. On reviewing Adobe’s predictions, Milis stated, “I was a bit surprised by how holistic the trends are for 2019. At the outset, the four trends [Natural Instincts, Creative Democracy, Disruptive Expression, and Brand Stand] present as rather unique and separate. Yet when you take a deep dive into each, what you see is growing commitment among consumers to care for both themselves and the world, as well as growing interest to express this commitment publicly.”
Natural Instincts, the primary of Adobe’s 2019 predictions, captures the pure world as a strategy to escape from the more and more digital one. The pattern is one which goes past simply imagery, Adobe says, with extra U.S. customers on the lookout for merchandise that use pure sources.
While the primary pattern reveals an escape from the technological world, the second exaggerates it. Creative Democracy is a pattern in direction of genuine photographs with vivid coloration, in a nod to the rising approach people create their very own content material. The pattern is influenced by social media, in addition to mobile-first instruments like live-streaming. Images and video following this pattern, Adobe says, have brilliant colours and various topics.
Extreme self-expression encompasses the Disruptive Expression pattern, from protests to disruptive photographs with out an agenda which might be merely eye-catching sufficient to face out within the noise. Adobe says the pattern is about embracing identification and celebrating individuality, however with depth.
Brand Stand is Adobe’s last 2019 pattern prediction that’s primarily based on a research suggesting virtually half of millennials imagine corporations ought to take a stand on social points. Brands are both taking a public stand, Adobe says, or serving to customers make ethically-aware choices.
Authenticity and variety
Authenticity is as soon as once more a significant pictures pattern. StoryBlocks
Searches are displaying extra correlation with present occasions. StoryBlocks
Diversity and authenticity is a prime pattern for 2019, StoryBlocks says. StoryBlocks
Search information suggests a rise in time-saving templates StoryBlocks
To pinpoint upcoming developments, inventory picture firm StoryBlocks appears for spikes within the variety of searches. “We see a huge push toward authenticity and inclusivity within the creative community,” StoryBlocks CEO TJ Leonard advised Digital Trends. It’s a prediction the corporate additionally made for 2018, which is now using a robust tailwind into 2019.
“The cable wars and ‘fake news’ movement have content creators hungry for material that better represents the world they identify with — one that is diverse and inclusive,” Leonard stated. “We see this trend play out everywhere from stock media to big-budget films like Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians.”
StoryBlocks information additionally reveals a rise in searches associated to variety. The time period “Islamic” is up 185 %, “African” 176 %, and “elderly” 121 %.
Along with authenticity and variety, searches have elevated for templates and audio surrounding breaking information, suggesting extra creators need to produce journalistic content material as customers grow to be cautious of pretend information.
StoryBlocks additionally famous a surge in searches associated to present occasions, developments which generally don’t pop up immediately. The variety of customers looking for “trial” soared by greater than 700 %, significantly across the time of the Kavanaugh affirmation. Increases for climate, Facebook, and elections had been additionally famous.
Finally, the platform famous a soar within the variety of searches for parts that assist save creators time, like “easy to use templates,” typography templates, and video results. “The mega trend we are watching is the evolution — and consolidation — of the creative workflow,” Leonard stated. “Time saving tools and new content types are just a couple of ways storytellers are looking for support as they see a huge uptick in shorter-form projects.”
As content material is compelled to grow to be ever extra digestible, Leonard stated it has led to a rise in demand for templates, which permit creatives to provide bite-sized content material extra effectively. But maybe what’s most attention-grabbing about these predicted developments is that creatives particularly attempting to capitalize on them could fail. For instance, in case you’re attempting to seem genuine simply to be on-trend, you aren’t actually being genuine — and viewers may even see proper by it. On the opposite hand, a drive towards authenticity could make it simpler to easily be your self and concentrate on what’s vital to you.


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Ecommerce News is an English-written blog that focuses solely on the ecommerce industry in Europe. Every weekday we keep our readers up-to-date with interesting news, handy facts, insightful interviews and more. On Ecommerce News, you will find everything that happens in the European ecommerce industry, from acquisitions and cross-border news to country statistics and startup launches.
For more information visit: http://ecommercenews.eu/
E-Commerce Nation is the first global cross-border e-commerce community, offering the latest news and expert tips from all over the world. We cover the online retail industry from a global perspective by inviting collaborators to contribute their field experience to our platform through profoundly written articles. While we publish on all topics, we focus on helping small to medium online retailers take their businesses cross-border.
For more information, please visit: https://www.ecommerce-nation.co
The Location Based Marketing Association is a international group dedicated to fostering research, education and collaborative innovation at the intersection of people, places and media. Our goal is to educate, share best practices, establish guidelines for growth and to promote the services of member companies to brands and other content-related providers.
Members of the LBMA include retailers, agencies, advertisers, media buyers, software and services providers, and wireless companies. Simply put, we want to help those engaging location-based services be as successful as possible.
For more information, please visit https://thelbma.com/


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Hull seafood giant Andrew Marr International saw sales slip almost 10 per cent as it faced up to the dual impact of Covid and Brexit.
The sea-to-plate operator saw turnover fall from £744.7 million to £672 million in the year to March 31, 2021. Margins improved, with operating profit up from £11.3 million to £15.9 million.
Giving an overview in the chairman’s statement accompanying the recently-published results, Charles Marr described it as “another good year of further progress across all of our businesses with strong profits and underlying cashflows” for the Hessle-headquartered firm.
He said: “The group continues to invest in its fish catching operations in the UK. The group remains supportive of appropriate fishery management measures to ensure long-term sustainability of fish stocks.
"Brexit has proved to be an unsettling time for the UK fishing industry. However, the group intends to maintain constructive engagement with UK government, Defra and devolved administrations to navigate our way through these challenges and maximise UK industry advantage from UK status as an independent coastal state.”
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Employee numbers dropped from 356 to 315 over the period, with staff praised “for their continued hard work and expertise throughout the year in difficult conditions”.
The group’s Grimsby-based Fastnet business, which trades frozen seafood in the UK, Europe and the Far East, “recorded a good result in the year despite challenging trading conditions and significant inflationary pressures in seafood products”.
Mr Marr said the business has “continued to expand its product range in the period in both retail and food service sectors and is well positioned for the future”.
Export element J Marr Seafoods “continued to extend its range of frozen commodities, and open up new markets in pelagic fish, meat and poultry in Sub-Saharan Africa”, while the Marrfish delivery business to restaurants pivoted to home-service through the lockdowns but is “well set and now looks to the future with optimism”.
Cold storage element AJK “performed well,” Mr Marr said.


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Children in the United Kingdom will no longer be able to be entranced by the glow of their cell phone screens while eating their spaghetti and meatballs. Teenagers will—god forbid—have to go without refreshing Instagram or sending Snaps while eating their pizza, and may actually have to share a conversation with their parents.
At least, that may be the case at Italian-American-themed restaurant Frankie & Benny’s, which, as of tomorrow, is launching a campaign encouraging diners to place their phones in a “no phone zone” box at the table, as reported by The Independent.
Explaining the move, Frankie & Benny’s issued a statement to the Independent reading, “We’ve found giving families the chance to part with their devices for a mere couple of hours is a great way to bring them closer and embrace family time.” (MUNCHIES has also reached out to Frankie & Benny’s for more information about the campaign, but has yet to receive a response.)
With about 250 locations across the UK, Frankie & Benny’s fashions itself a “New York Italian” restaurant and bar. Its menu is an incongruous mix of “cheeseburger dough balls,” “Nashville hot chicken skewers,” pastrami-topped burgers, and barbacoa-covered hot dogs, alongside red sauce pastas and calzones. With dishes like the “mac ‘n’ cheese sailboat,” it is also quite kid-friendly.
The focus on family is pretty big for the chain, it seems. Aside from its wide menu of options for kids and parents, the company pushes the idea that “parents win,” presumably through their dining experiences that include free balloons—and now, no cell phones.
Though the Independent called the family-focused chain the first in the United Kingdom to “implement a ban on mobile phones,” the move is not actually mandatory. “Of course, we can’t force them to hand over their phones,” a spokesperson told them. Still, use of the dropbox will be encouraged by staff and incentivized through free kids meals for diners who choose to take part.
And while Frankie & Benny’s campaign might not be an outright ban, that’s not unheard of either for restaurateurs these days. Restaurateurs such as Gordon Ramsey, David Chang and Danny Meyer have long complained about the smartphone’s effects on dining ambiance; Meyer even went so far as to liken their presence to “clouds of cigarette smoke and pungent fragrances.” Their shared desire: get diners to actually talk to each other.
Despite the ubiquity of cell-checking at the table, it seems to be a very widely despised aspect of modern dining. The arbiters of manners at the Emily Post Institute have said that texting and presumably most other phone usage at the dinner table is rude (duh), and a study from September showed that phone usage during dining actually makes everyone at the table unhappy—including the person using it.
That being said, the side of searing resentment that results from taking away a kid’s cell phone, even momentarily, could also easily result in a less-than-enjoyable dining experience.


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Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has confirmed selling $6.9 billion worth of shares in his electric vehicle company, saying it was done to cover the risk that he loses his legal battle with Twitter and is forced to takeover the social media platform.
“In the (hopefully unlikely) event that Twitter forces this deal to close *and* some equity partners don’t come through, it is important to avoid an emergency sale of Tesla stock,” he said in a tweet late on Tuesday.
In early July Musk tore up his April 25 agreement to buy Twitter for $44 billion. That led to Twitter suing Musk to force him to complete the transaction, with the group saying he had “buyer’s remorse” in the wake of a plunge in technology stocks and dismissing his claim he was misled about the number of spam accounts on the social media platform.
The two sides will outline their positions when the matter goes to court on October 17.
BREAKING: Elon Musk has filed a total of six Form 4s with the SEC tonight showing that he sold 7,924,107 $TSLA shares worth about $6.9 Billion.
Weighted average price was $869.09.
The sales took place on August 5th, 8th and 9th. pic.twitter.com/SueP2AYGNR
— Sawyer Merritt 📈🚀 (@SawyerMerritt) August 10, 2022
“Street will read through this poker move that chances of Twitter deal more likely now,” Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, tweeted.
In other comments on Twitter on Tuesday, Musk said “yes” when asked if he was done selling Tesla stock, but also said he would buy Tesla stock again if the Twitter deal does not close.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tesla Shares Up on Climate Bill
Musk, the world’s richest person, sold $8.5 billion worth of Tesla shares in April and said at the time no further sales were planned.
But legal experts have suggested since then that if Musk is forced to complete the acquisition or settle the dispute with a stiff penalty, he was likely to sell more Tesla shares.
Musk sold about 7.92 million shares between August 5 and 9, according to multiple filings. He now owns just over 155 million Tesla shares or just under 15% of the automaker, according to Reuters’ calculations.
The latest sales bring total Tesla stock sales by Musk to about $32 billion in less than one year.
Tesla shares have risen nearly 15% since the automaker reported better-than-expected earnings on July 20, also helped by the Biden administration’s climate bill that, if passed, would lift the cap on tax credits for electric vehicles.
Musk also teased on Tuesday that he could start his own social media platform. When asked by a Twitter user if he had thought about creating his own platform if the deal didn’t close, he replied: “X.com”
X.com was an online bank founded by Musk and several others in 1999 in California. It merged with Confinity Inc and changed its name to PayPal, which was bought by eBay for $1.5bn in 2002.
- Reuters with additional editing by Jim Pollard


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LONDON, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympia -- Kognitio, driving the convergence of Big Data, in-memory analytics and cloud computing, today announced its support for Amazon Web Services' new High Memory Cluster instance, with pricing beginning at the unheard-of price of one cent per gigabyte per hour.
In doing so, Kognitio Cloud becomes the first big data analytics platform specifically designed to take full advantage of the new Amazon Web Services high-memory cluster instances on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) that were introduced earlier this month.
Continuing the tradition of improving the price to performance and compute capacity characteristics, high-memory cluster instances advance the economics of cloud computing, providing even greater analytical capability at a smaller investment.
Through its High Memory Cluster, Amazon has actively recognized the growth and importance of in-memory computing. Kognitio clients can benefit from that change immediately, by being able to pin four times as much data into memory at a significantly lower cost. As an example, companies can now pin a terabyte of data into memory and make it available for in-depth, active cloud-based analytics for less than $100 of software licensing costs per business day.
Kognitio made the announcement today at Cloud Expo Europe. Kognitio is a sponsor; Polly Gowers, CEO of Everyclick, has spoken at the conference about how her company uses Kognitio Cloud for analytics to support Everyclick's efforts on behalf of UK-based charities.
"We have been eagerly awaiting these new high-memory instances from AWS," said John Coppins, senior vice president of Kognitio Cloud. "Our clients' demand for real-time applications will benefit from the ample CPU and RAM available—it is exactly what is needed to support the business analytics we provide for media, healthcare, retail and social media analysis."
Kognitio Cloud is developed to take advantage of the Amazon environment; company officials said that the Kognitio software has been capable of running across multiple nodes in production on AWS, with several customers and partners already taking advantage of this capability today. Companies with AWS accounts can implement multi-node instances of Kognitio Cloud with a simple web-based utility that provisions AWS servers immediately.
Today's announcement again confirms the consistent innovative leadership of Kognitio in the Big Data analytics marketplace. Last year, it began offering its first-of-its-kind in-memory analytical platform software free of charge. Full-feature, perpetual use licenses for up to 128GB of RAM can be used in the cloud or on-premises, allowing organizations of any size to gain insight from Big Data, unifying the "information anywhere" approach that more companies are demanding.
Kognitio is driving the convergence of Big Data, in-memory analytics and cloud computing. Having delivered the first in-memory analytical platform in 1989, it was designed from the ground up to provide the highest amount of scalable compute power to allow rapid execution of complex analytical queries without the administrative overhead of manipulating data. Kognitio software runs on industry-standard x86 servers, or as an appliance, or in Kognitio Cloud, a ready-to-use analytical platform. Kognitio Cloud is a secure, private or public cloud Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), leveraging the cloud computing model to make the Kognitio Analytical Platform available on a subscription basis. Clients span industries, including market research, consumer packaged goods, retail, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, gaming, media and utilities.


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CLIENT_ Stacy's Pita Chips
AGENCY_ Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
In honor of International Women's Day, Stacy's Pita Chips released nine limited-edition chip bags paying homage to women-empowered artwork and artists. Only a number of special bags' were released for free, and those interested in receiving a bag could register for one online.
Stacy's donated $10 for each bag registered to Step Up, a non-profit organization helping under-resourced girls attend college. The bags sold out in 5 hours on the day of their release, and Stacy's made an $80,000 donation. The campaign crowdsourced three additional bags to add to the collection, and the illustration I made was selected to be created into one of them.


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UK: Decision On The Future Of Lantor Weaving Delayed
An announcement on the future of a weaving company that has been threatened with closure for the last four months has been delayed.The IPT Group had planned to issue a statement today about Lantor Weaving, which is based at Standish in Lancashire. Lantor Weaving was one of two companies warned in May that it faced the possibility of closure. The other company is Carrington Performance Fabrics, which is based at Dewsbury in West Yorkshire. Since then, IPT has been working to find a potential buyer for the businesses, which produce fabrics for the apparel, sports and leisure industries. A total of 226 people are employed at the two factories.IPT is still talking to a potential buyer for Carrington Performance Fabrics, but the group says there is now little prospect of Lantor Weaving being sold. An announcement on the company's future has been delayed for two to three weeks. IPT finance director Douglas Waddell, however, said that there was still no reason for optimism.
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Most of those that had invested in the previous round—KKR, Temasek, Falcon Edge Capital, Chiratae Ventures, and Bay Capital—are participating in this one. Another two-three funds, such as Fidelity, are also said to be in negotiations with the Lenskart management in what will be a primary fund infusion.
One of the people cited above said that this is not a pre-initial public offer round as has been the case with other unicorns in the past few months. The company's management feels it would like to scale up globally before deciding on a market listing in the next two-three years, he said.
Lenskart will use the money to build technology, strengthen its supply chain and expand distribution.
“The company will use funds to open up some more technology centres around the world, including the US, and it will also invest about $100 million in developing the US market,” said a fund manager with knowledge of the deal. “Also in the works is another facility for global delivery, which will cost the company approximately $200 million. Since they operate on an integrated model—from frame to lens—they will have to build two-three plants at least, such is the demand situation.”
Lenskart CEO and co-founder Peyush Bansal didn’t respond to queries. The investors cited above couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
The company is betting big on subsidiary Neso Brands, which will house international D2C (direct-to-consumer) eyewear brands along the lines of the Luxottica Group, the global leader in premium, luxury, and sports eyewear. Though the parent company is also investing in Neso, the management is in the process of raising external funding for the subsidiary, with a total outlay of $100 million.
“The appeal of global brands and the back-end strength of the parent company in technology, supply chain, and distribution will create a global powerhouse in eyewear,” said a fund manager aware of the Lenskart round. “Bansal wants to create a business that is born in India but successful globally. His ambition is to build a $50 billion kind of business out of India and he has found investors who are ready to back up his vision.”
The company will create more brands such as John Jacobs, now worth Rs 700 crore, and acquire others from overseas, including fashion houses.
Softbank owns about 20% of Lenskart, while TPG and IFC were also early investors, along with marquee angel investor Ronnie Screwvala.
The company’s expansion plan revolves around four focus markets--India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the US. It is already the largest eyewear chain in Singapore, with 27 stores and $30 million in revenue.
Entrepreneurs such as Bansal are creating a new paradigm in the Indian startup ecosystem by seeking global scope.
“The Indian startup ecosystem has entered a new era and taken its place on the global stage,” said Sanjeev Krishan, chairman, PwC India. “With over 38,000 startups, 70+ unicorns, 50% of which joined the unicorn club in 2021 alone, and total funding approaching $40 billion – India’s entrepreneurial spirit knows no bounds. The sheer ambition, drive and potential behind these startups have been evidently driving global appetite in this space.”
Apart from the online business, Lenskart is now touching 1,000 stores combined in all markets.
The company has said it will launch a plant in Bhiwadi in Haryana in July next year with an investment of $150 million with an annual capacity of 50 million pieces of eyewear. Lenskart currently ships about 30,000-35,000 glasses every day from its Gurgaon centre, as per the investor presentation.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for corrective eyewear such as contact lenses and spectacle lenses went up. As most people were stuck at home peering at phones and tablets, Lenskart said it experienced peak sales. Meanwhile, there wasn’t much demand for sunglasses.
“If I was Luxottica, I would be keeping an eye out for Lenskart,” said an angel investor.
Indian startups have been on a fundraising spree this year, according to a recent PwC report. Cumulative fundraising crossed $10 billion in a three-month time frame for the first time in the July-September quarter. As per Fintrackr data, in November, 34 growth and late-stage startups and 92 early-stage startups raised around $4.33 billion in total. A record number of startups have attained unicorn status in 2021, with the latest tally being 79 at a total valuation of $260.5 billion, according to a government of India website.
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Gautam Adani and his family have repaid ₹9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) of debt backed by shares early as the cement-to-coal conglomerate sought to soothe investor nerves. This follows a $110 billion erasure of equity value after the Hindenburg report was released on January 24.Govt Against $3b Vedanta Intl Zinc Biz Sale to HZL
The government has raised objections to Vedanta Resources’ proposal to sell its international zinc assets for nearly $3 billion to Indian subsidiary Hindustan Zinc (HZL), people aware of the development told ET.Special Situation Funds Lap up Adani Bonds
A number of global special situation funds — high-yield and distressed-debt specialists — bought large amounts of foreign currency bonds of Adani Group firms in the days following the January 24 Hindenburg report, three people directly aware of the matter said.
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Blizzard caught a ton of deserved flak for the myriad of launch issues that plagued Diablo 3 last week, and in particular Error 37 seemed to get the most scathing attention of angry gamers. Error 37 basically meant that you couldn’t connect to the Diablo 3 servers to play the game, which is required due to the fact that you have to be online to play the game period. It’s called an “Always-on” DRM model, and it isn’t the most ideal way to protect your IP.
Regardless, it is what it is, and since late last week D3 has performed well without issue, but Blizzard will never be able to hide from the mishap. For old time’s sake you should check out one of the latest Error 37 parody videos below just to give you an idea of what many gamers were experiencing last week. You’ve been loving and sometimes hating the passion of the gaming crowd…
[#ff entbuddha] “Making you a better geek, one post at a time!”


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The MHRA has called for input into a consultation on how it can improve medical device regulation
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a 10-week consultation on the future of medical device regulation. It is seeking opinions on improvements to the regulatory framework from those who research, manufacture, supply, and use medical devices.
The MHRA currently regulates medical devices used in the UK under the Medical Devices Regulations 2002. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the MHRA said it is now looking to create a world-leading regimen that prioritises patient safety while fostering innovation, including streamlining the approval of medical devices.
The MHRA described the consultation as a ‘once in a generation opportunity to ensure the safety and quality of medical devices’, and said it ‘covers a broad range of regulatory issues—from requirements for running clinical investigations, to how devices are assessed before being placed on the market, through to importer and distributor obligations and post-market surveillance to transparency and the role of patients’.
Dr June Raine, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said: ‘The launch of this consultation is an exciting step towards a more robust, world-leading regulatory framework for medical devices in the UK, one that enhances medical device safety and quality, access to devices, and has patients at its heart.
‘This consultation offers a once in lifetime chance to help shape the regulations. In order to reach this goal, we want to hear from a wide range of people.
‘This is your chance to make a difference to people’s experiences with devices by helping shape the regulations around medical devices—from how much scrutiny they face before they reach the market, to how they are tracked and monitored, and what actions are taken if problems with a device arise. It is also an opportunity to impact what products the MHRA regulates—for example, should the MHRA have a role in the regulation of other products which are similar to medical devices such as cosmetic coloured lenses or dermal fillers?’
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘The UK is home to one of the world’s most renowned regulators, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the medicines and medical devices that we all rely on. This consultation will allow us to revolutionise the regulation of medical devices, making sure our pioneering life sciences sector can continue to lead the world and safeguard the health of our nation.
’From pacemakers to contact lenses, wheelchairs to pregnancy tests, medical devices play a vital role for the vast majority of us, and I encourage everyone who wants to be a part of this mission to put forward their views.’
The consultation will close at 23.45 on 25 November 2021.
The MHRA said it plans to run a number of webinars over the coming months to provide more information about the consultation and how to respond.
Lead image: Proxima Studio/stock.adobe.com
Image 1: Proxima Studio/stock.adobe.com


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DETROIT, MI - Popular Detroit-based luxury watch company, Shinola, will head up efforts to bring holiday shopping into Detroit by running a shuttle into the city Saturday.
Free shuttles will depart from the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School park-and-ride lot at 601 West Stadium Boulevard throughout the day Dec. 13 as part of a Midtown Shopping Excursion.
According to a release, the shuttle will loop between the two cities six times throughout the day Saturday, dropping shoppers off at Shinola's flagship store on West Canfield in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood.
The shuttle will depart from Ann Arbor at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Shoppers can catch a return shuttle to Ann Arbor, departing from the Shinola store, at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The roughly 45 minute trip will drop shoppers in the middle of a collection of Detroit retail shops, including Willys Detroit, Source Booksellers, Flo Boutique and City Bird.
A complete list of Midtown companies can be found here.


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Home » Business News • UK Business News • UK Employment news » John Lewis announces 200 job cuts in customer service
John Lewis announces 200 job cuts in customer service
John Lewis will cut around 200 jobs as it scales back the number of customer service staff contracted through Foundever.
Foundever has been managing most of the struggling company's customer service operations for 17 years.
The department store, which employs over 1,000 customer service staff, announced the move as part of a strategy to resize its in-house customer service team to pre-Christmas levels.
Despite efforts to find alternative roles for those affected within the company, John Lewis acknowledged some redundancies are inevitable.
Due to these adjustments, the company said that its internal customer service team will revert to its pre-Christmas numbers.
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A John Lewis spokesman said: “Customer service is incredibly important to us and our team is made up of both in-house partners and support from third parties.
“We’re constantly reviewing our model to make sure we continue to meet our customers’ needs.
"We’re working with Foundever to support their staff and offer alternative roles within our own business where we can.”
This news follows Sharon White's recent announcement of cutting 11,000 jobs at the company in a profitability driver.
White assured employees that the company would surpass the break-even point, rebounding from a £234 million loss the previous year.
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Facebook, Pandora and Twitter seize mobile ad display market
An IDC study finds that major publishers have wrested mobile display ads away from advertising networks
IDG News Service - An IDC study has found sweeping changes in how mobile display advertisements are sold, with Facebook, Pandora and Twitter successfully wresting away control from advertising networks over the last year.
Advertising networks, which sell online advertising for publishers, controlled the market for mobile display advertisements until 2012, according to IDC's report, released on Tuesday. But then it drastically changed.
"In display ads, the era of ad network dominance has come to an end," IDC said. "New mobile ad budgets flow more easily into the coffers of publishers than into those of networks."
IDC attributed the change in part to sales of tablet computers, which have attracted more brand advertisers directly to high-quality publishers. Growth in mobile traffic also allow publishers to run their own sales teams rather than use advertising networks.
Interestingly, most of the leaders in mobile display advertising weren't selling any mobile display advertisements in 2011, IDC said. Facebook, which secured the number one spot, only started selling mobile advertisements in the second quarter of 2012.
Mobile display ads accounted for $1.7 billion of spending in 2012, up from $700 million the year before.
Facebook and its closest competitor, Pandora, netted more than $200 million in display publishing in 2012. Twitter came in third with more than $100 million in net revenue, followed by AOL, The Weather Channel, Microsoft and Yahoo, according to IDC. Pandora was the only company selling mobile ads of all of those companies in 2011, IDC said.
Facebook will likely keep its top spot ahead of Pandora this year, IDC said. But it said Twitter's prospects "of very strong growth are more doubtful given the very hard time the company seems to have to monetize the service."
In search advertising, Google remains dominant, controlling some two thirds of that market, IDC's report said.
"We do not see how anything that Microsoft or Yahoo could do would erode Google's dominance in the short term," the report said. "The only potential source for disruption would be if Facebook entered the search advertising space in earnest -- as IDC believes it should -- perhaps with Microsoft providing the technology."
IDC expects mobile advertising spend to reach $7 billion this year, up from $4.5 billion in 2012. It remains the fastest-growing digital advertising format, IDC said.
Send news tips and comments to email@example.com. Follow me on Twitter: @jeremy_kirk
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New Barbie’s a code slinger
After computer engineers got wind of a Mattel voting campaign to figure out Barbie’s next career, the newest doll comes dressed in a binary code tee and comes complete with a cell phone headset, laptop bag and pink laptop. A computer engineer version of the iconic doll beat out other choices, including making Barbie an architect, anchorwoman, environmentalist and surgeon.
Today on Marketplace, check out our story on out why engineers campaigned to make Barbie one of their own.
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Diffiniti will work with its own clients in the UK, which include AOL, HBOS, Teletext, Coca-Cola and Autotrader. It will also work closely with Aegis-owned media network Vizeum.
However, clients from Aegis's other network, Carat, will now be looked after by Carat Digital, which launched in June. The combined online billings of Diffiniti and Carat Digital are in excess of £34m and grew by more than 100% last year.
The new division is to be headed by Robert Horler, the former managing director of Carat Interactive. Horler also heads Isobar UK, Aegis's new global digital network. He will report to Nigel Sharrocks, the chief executive of Aegis Media UK and Ireland.
Sharrocks said: "The online and digital market is developing all the time and we are seeing an increasing demand for a broader range of digital marketing services from clients.
"The growth in digital media is behind the creation of Isobar and the subsequent launch of Diffiniti. Both are part of the first stage of an ongoing programme of development and expansion of our online and digital marketing capabilities."
Isobar launched last month to integrate all Aegis's digital businesses. The Isobar brand is designed to provide a clearer, more integrated model for clients. It incorporates digital services from 25 offices in 19 countries.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.


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Leicestershire satchel maker settles lawsuit over copied ideas allegation
A satchel manufacturer has settled a legal dispute with a rival business after allegations it copied some of its ideas.
The Cambridge Satchel Company (CSC), which has a factory in Wigston, took action against Leicester Remedials and Sewing (LRS).
LRS began making satchels for CSC in 2010, but decided to launch its own brand of bags under the Zatchels name last year.
LRS, of Charter Street in the city, denied it had copied CSC's work, but said it had decided to settle the dispute out of court because of the huge cost of defending the case. LRS has paid CSC an undisclosed sum.
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CSC was set up by Julie Deane about four years ago and its leather satchels are sold in Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
Earlier this year, Bloomingdale's New York store dedicated all seven of its windows to showcasing the bags during New York Fashion Week.
As the company grew, it began using outside manufacturers, including LRS, which was recommended to Mrs Deane. LRS is run by Dean Clarke and Brian Brady and carries out technical sewing and footwear repairs for other companies.
LRS, which employs 60 people, said it ceased working with CSC in spring last year and launched the Zatchels range at about the same time.
Zatchels have gone on sale in retailers including Liberty, Urban Outfitters, Jones Bootmakers, Asos, the Pedlars concession in Selfridges and a large number of boutiques.
Mr Clarke said sales were expected to double to £4 million next year.
Documents posted with the high court by CSC as part of the dispute alleged LRS/Zatchels and/or its two directors were in breach of contract, traded on CSC's reputation and used some of CSC's designs.
The documents also stated the Cambridge business was seeking compensation and damages for the "unlawful use, retention and conversion by the defendants or one or more of them of various goods and chattels, including in particular various stocks of leather".
Mrs Deane said: "I set up The Cambridge Satchel Company in 2008 to create good-quality, handmade British satchels to fund my children's education.
"Since then we have been overwhelmed by the support for our brand and the loyal following we have amassed.
"I want to raise awareness of the misconduct which we believe has taken place and to assure our customers that we will stick to our principles and continue to create the best products for them."
A statement from Mr Clarke and Mr Brady, of LRS, said: "While we strongly consider the claims to be speculative and unfounded, with all of the costs and unpleasantness involved with high court action, we have decided to settle the claim with a payment.
"This is to avoid a protracted and long-drawn-out litigation so we are able to concentrate on our business, which continues to flourish."


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Can the Web save the Big 3 automobile companies? Probably not, but making Web-friendly vehicles could help to sell a few more cars. Tech companies have increasingly been showcasing web applications for automobiles. Microsoft was working with Hyundai on making an in-car computing system and OnStar may be incorporating Twitter into its vehicle systems. Now Ford will be allowing owners of the Ford F-150, Super Duty, E-Series and Transit Connect trucks and vans to access the web from their vehicles through the Opera mobile browser. Opera will be the featured browser on Ford’s first broadband-capable, in-dash computer.
Ford is purposely installing these computers in trucks and vans to appeal to contractors, farmers, and construction workers to turn these cars into “mobile offices.” Truck owners will be able to use the in-dash browser to access sales information, contact databases, job-site plans, inventory lists, calendars, e-mail, or even the weather.
The Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer is integrated into the vehicle’s center stack, filling the same space normally occupied by the standard radio. It is equipped with a 6.5-inch, high-resolution touch screen, four gigabytes of memory, a secure digital slot for added memory, a USB port, a wireless keyboard, a mouse, and a bluetooth-enabled, battery-powered inkjet printer.
The concept of a “mobile office” that incorporates Web 2.0 capabilities is definitely compelling. If Ford rolls this feature out to other cars besides SUVs and trucks, the idea could really take off. For instance, it would be a great option for cars in rental fleets that are commonly used by business people who are on the go.


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Clay Market at Broad and 2nd streets was quiet at 11 a.m. last Thursday.
But Alex Paul, who was manning the counter at the downtown convenience store, said it wasn’t that way just a few months ago.
“I could not even spare time to talk to you right now,” he said.
A block over from Clay Market, the Friedman’s Loan Office is similarly empty at the 118 E. Broad St. storefront it has operated out of for more than 70 years.
“We used to have people in all the time,” Friedman’s employee George Thomas said. “People used to stop in all the time between bus stops to talk.”
But crowds waiting for the bus in front of Friedman’s and Clay Market have thinned since this spring, and that’s pumped the brakes on business in the three- to four-block section from the beginning of East Broad Street to the convention center’s Broad Street Lecture hall.
At least two shops within the area have shut in recent months, including one of the few national retail chains on that stretch.
Much of the change seems to stem from the new temporary bus transfer plaza on 9th Street near the John Marshall court building that the Greater Richmond Transit Co. opened in late April. The GRTC is using the plaza to test the feasibility of building and maintaining a permanent transfer station downtown, said GRTC Director of Planning and Scheduling Garland Williams.
About 3,100 people come through that transfer plaza each day, and that number is steadily rising. Previously, Williams said, nearly all of those riders likely would have stopped on Broad Street.
Paul anticipated business would slow some when the buses began bypassing Clay Market. Since April 20th – Paul was quick to remember the date the new transfer plaza opened – the convenience store has been much emptier than he had imagined.
“It’s been a drastic drop-off,” Paul said, holding his hand at eye level as if to say ‘business was up here’ before throwing it down and smacking the counter in front of him. “Boom!”
While Friedman’s and Clay Market are still sticking it out on East Broad Street, a pair of shops just a couple blocks farther east are closing. Landlords and shop owners for the retailers blamed the closures on the drop in bus passenger foot traffic.
The Foot Locker at 312 E. Broad St. went dark in recent weeks after about an eight-year run. Eden’s Wig Shop across the street is also in the process of shutting down, and a shop owner who declined to give his name said the retailer is closing because bus riders no longer come by the store.
Scott Boyers is the managing member of the group that owns the Foot Locker building. He had high praise for the business as a tenant – one of the only national retailers on the street – that he said likely paid more rent than other Broad Street shops.
Still, Boyers said he’s been asking the city to lighten bus traffic at his front door for a decade. GRTC’s move is happening as the area around the former Foot Locker may be on the cusp of change in the storefront streetscape, Boyers said.
“That area for too long has had as its only demographic the people who ride the bus down there, and nobody wants to go down there,” he said. “There’s a fairly predictable change of the guard, if you will, that’s kind of in motion.”
A recent BizSense walkthrough counted 44 businesses operating out of Broad Street-facing storefronts between Foushee and 4th streets. Another 22 spaces were vacant, leaving an occupancy rate of about 67 percent.
That tally takes into account only occupied and vacant stalls. It does not account for square footage numbers, which were not readily available, and storefronts too run-down to house a business in their current condition were counted as vacant.
The storefronts that are fully are occupied primarily by retailers mixed with a few offices. They include several apparel shops, a handful of convenience stores, salons, pawn shops and a few quick-service restaurants.
Martin Blum, a commercial real estate broker with Colliers International, is tasked with filling the space Eden’s Wig Shop will vacate. He said he expects that other nearby shops on Broad Street could struggle without the bus traffic, but he wasn’t able to pinpoint any specific businesses that may be currently on their way out.
Interest has picked up in the area, Blum said, but it hasn’t been from the same type of shops that currently operate on East Broad Street. Retail real estate in that part of town is now being driven more by restaurants, and not the Subway, New Fish Market and Ann’s Soul Food lunch service eateries that run on Broad Street today.
Blum specifically mentioned more upscale tenants like the Julep’s moving in next to Pasture on Grace Street and Graffiato, which opened last week in the former Popkin Tavern at Broad and Jefferson streets.
Blum said he is courting both retail and restaurant tenants for the wig shop and the storefront next door. He sees the surrounding run on East Broad Street as a busy arts and restaurant district in the coming years, but said it isn’t quite there yet.
“The first thing is that it has to be safe and walkable,” he said. “I think that we’re starting to get to that point, but downtown just is not seen as a retail district yet. It’s not a Carytown and it’s not a Libbie and Grove.”
A step in that direction could be spurred by Washington, D.C.-based Douglas Development. The company is working on putting more than 200 new apartments in the Central National Bank building, a 23-story former office tower at Broad and 3rd streets.
That conversion on its own is a $20 million project, but Douglas is aiming for a much bigger slice of East Broad Street than just the single acre beneath the Central National Bank.
Douglas owns more than 10 other properties with Broad Street-fronting retail space clustered around the CNB building. The company picked up most of that space between 2005 and 2008. It bought the bank tower property in April 2005 for $5.29 million.
Virtually all of Douglas’ storefronts surrounding the tower are empty. Friedman’s owns its building, as does the McCormick’s Progressive Barber Shop half a block away, but Douglas has nearly all of the remaining storefronts on the north side of East Broad Street’s 100 block.
Every one of the other stalls on the block is boarded up, and Thomas said it’s been that way for several years. In fact, Clay Market and a carry-out fish market next door are the only active tenants in Douglas-owned Broad Street space.


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Volta. Cadence. Bar Tartine. Bourbon Steak. Ame. Ninebark. Range. LuLu.
All these restaurants — and many more — closed in 2016. Following a year where highly regarded projects struggled to last even a few months, and well-known operators decided to shutter their projects, one question remains: What’s next?
The answer might be a mixture of profitable familiarity — proven formulas and bar-centric concepts — and a few moments of singular ambition.
A cadre of chefs and restaurateurs is doubling down with offshoots and replicas. Several are aimed toward the exploding fast-casual market.
“Everyone talks about rents being expensive and labor costs. On the restaurateur side, there is a natural reaction to that,” says Evan Rich, chef-owner of the popular Rich Table in Hayes Valley. He and his wife, Sarah, are planning a nearby spinoff this year named RT Rotisserie (101 Oak St.), a counter-service restaurant specializing in sandwiches and roasted chickens, with lower price points (nothing over $21).
“How do I make a sensible business that combats the expenses that it takes to run a restaurant in San Francisco? Is it going to be worth doing?” Rich says. “That’s what people are looking at more closely now.”
While a recognizable name doesn’t automatically spell success, it can provide leverage in what has become a nebulous dining landscape.
The ethos is evident in Michael Mina’s upcoming move to SoMa (350 Mission St.) with a yet-to-be-named Mediterranean-leaning project. And Christopher Kostow, Katianna Hong and Nathaniel Dorn — the folks behind Napa Valley’s four-star Restaurant at Meadowood — have plans to open their more casual effort, the Charter Oak, in St. Helena’s bygone Tra Vigne (1050 Charter Oak Ave.). Not far away, Cockscomb’s Chris Cosentino is opening the Acacia House in St. Helena’s Las Alcobas hotel (1915 Main St.).
Russell Moore and Allison Hopelain of celebrated Camino are taking over the old Salsipuedes space (4201 Market St.) in Oakland to create the Kebabery. And the team behind Wood Tavern and Southie will unveil the Wolf (3853 Piedmont Ave.) also in Oakland, an homage of sorts to the location’s former occupant, the landmark Bay Wolf. Preeti Mistry of Juhu Beach Club is expanding to Emeryville’s Navi Kitchen (5000 Adeline St.), a counter-service spot with market-driven Indian-inspired food and Indian pizza.
Namu’s Lee brothers are opening two new joints: a noodle one (2405 Third St.) and a stone pot one (553 Divisadero St.). Nick Balla and Cortney Burns, fresh off their Bar Tartine time, are hoping to nail down a location for their upcoming Crescent while they cook at the now-open Motze.
The Mission might overflow with Louisiana fare this year as two restaurants are slated to open in the neighborhood with similar themes. Alvin Garcia of Popson’s Burgers and his chef-partner Adam Rosenblum are opening Cajun-inspired Alba Ray’s (2293 Mission St.) in the former Hapa Ramen space. Not far away is Bayou (3412 17th St.), from ex-Garcon chef Arthur Wall.
While many of the area’s new restaurants will come from familiar faces, out-of-towners are entering the fray, too.
Nobu, the global high-end Japanese restaurant chain, will arrive in Palo Alto’s Epiphany Hotel (180 Hamilton Ave.) this year. And quirky Portland, Ore., ice cream shop Salt and Straw has plans for a few San Francisco locations, the first of which is a 2,400-square-foot outpost at 2201 Fillmore St.
Acclaimed ramen chain Ippudo is finally coming to San Francisco — on the ground floor of the Four Seasons (757 Market St.) .
New York City’s popular street-food vendor Halal Guys continues to expand in the Bay Area; next is San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood at 340 O’Farrell St.
Despite the rise of fast-casual, the year will still see a few ambitious projects, the most notable being China Live (644 Broadway), a 30,000-square-foot mega-marketplace on the border of North Beach and Chinatown. The space will span two floors and will include a fine dining restaurant, to be named Eight Tables.
Rooh, an upscale Indian restaurant, is taking over the 3,600-square-foot space in the Dropbox building (333 Brannan St.). It is the first American enterprise from the India-based Good Times restaurant group and will feature a modern tasting menu inspired by regions of India.
Che Fico (838 Divisadero St.) will bring yet another notable restaurant to the Western Addition; it’s a rustic Italian project from David Nayfeld, Matt Brewer and Angela Pinkerton, who have worked in top Chicago and New York restaurants.
On the bar side, Dominique Crenn is opening Bar Crenn (3131 Fillmore St.), a wine bar next door to her Michelin two-star flagship, Atelier Crenn. And fresh off a second Michelin star of its own, the Lazy Bear team is working on a cocktail bar a few blocks away in the short-lived Tradesman (753 Alabama St.).
Food and drink continue to ally. Former Nombe chef Noriyuki Sugie is joining the scrum with Hitachino Beer and Wagyu (639 Post St.) in the Tendernob. Glena’s Tacos and Margaritas (632 20th St.) will open in Dogpatch, led by Kin Khao opening chef Michael Gaines.
Despite the ongoing popularity of neighborhood bars, the Bay Area’s drinking scene continues to diversify as places focus on subsets of alcohol — and potential clients.
“San Francisco is big enough so if you define your space and stick to it, people will get excited,” says Jen Pelka, the PR maven spearheading the Riddler in Hayes Valley (528 Laguna St.), due to open in the next week or so.
The project is backed completely by women, and will have 100 varieties of Champagne.
“I think limiting a concept breeds the most creativity,” Pelka says.
Similarly hyper-focused is Thad Vogler’s newest project in the Mission, a rum bar named Obispo (3270 24th St.).
To do the project justice, and to keep it from straying into the realm of tiki or Prohibition-era Cuba, Vogler (Bar Agricole, Trou Normand) has been working with the city’s Museum of the African Diaspora.
“More and more we’re seeing bars with something very specific to say about a particular region or spirit,” he says. “Ten years ago, the opening of a rum bar was news. Now we see a cultural landscape where rum bars are a category within which different bars differentiate themselves.”
Looking ahead, Pelka sees the trend of food and drink options diversifying even more, like a wine bar that focuses on a single varietal or region: “If you look at what’s successful in the city, they are tightly focused concepts.”
Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email firstname.lastname@example.org Twitter: @JustMrPhillips


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As previously reported, this will be an interesting model for Kia as it is set to be its first proper, dedicated sports model. Power is likely to come from Hyundai’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 churning out around 270kW. It is going to be rear-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive probably won’t be out of the question for some markets.
From recent spyshots of the model, we now know that it isn’t really a sedan per se, as it actually has a liftback tailgate, a la the Audi A7 Sportback. With a sporty rear-wheel drive platform, honed on the Nurburgring no less, the Kia GT looks set to take on the big boys in the sports sedan market.
The first teaser video for Kia’s elaborate reveal takes place at the Nurburgring. There’s not much to make out out aside from the car’s instruments and its exhaust note. Nonetheless, the car’s presence on the hallowed German circuit is a serious statement of intent from Kia.
For now the teaser video and the scant info posted to Kia’s dedicated website is all we know, but the firm promises new teasers throughout December, so we should learn plenty more soon.


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Even though Madeon and Porter Robinson's tour ended in late April, Shelter Live was one of the most sought after events all year round. As thousands of fans were reached in a number of ways, Porter Robinson and Madeon have decided to team up once again to release an exclusive merch line for the song and world tour.
The additional merch line for their new Shelter gear was inspired from the short film that the duo did for “Shelter” (as seen below). Despite the new Merch line, the duo initially released a line of shirts, hats, and beanies, with the cover art for Shelter. Now the duo has teamed up once again to release a beach towel, a stuffed bear, a hat, and multiple shirts. Take a look at the merch line below.
See more merchandise here.


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The family-run Carmarthenshire ice cream maker won a multi-year contract to supply NHS hospitals in Wales.
The order saw Frank’s Ice Cream, based at Capel Hendre in Ammanford, which has been in business for over 80 years, produce more than a million small tubs of strawberry and vanilla ice cream a year.
Director, Giulio Dallavalle, who runs the firm with brother Renaldo, commented they have a special ice cream to win the contract.
Mr Dallevalle said the beauty of the contract to supply hospitals in Wales was that it “de-seasonalises” the ice cream market, and that they were working non-stop, partly to meet the new demand – indeed employees stepped up production working round-the clock, seven days a week!
“This is a substantial contract for us and we’re delighted with the outcome,” he said. “We developed a distinct recipe and a specific product in order to meet the nutritional and dietary requirements of the NHS.”
The contract was awarded by Welsh Health Supplies (WHS), a service provider to the National Health Service in Wales
Keir Warner, WHS’ commodity manager, said they had identified the need for an ice cream contract to cover hospitals’ requirements in 2008.
“WHS worked closely with dieticians to ensure that the appropriate nutritional standards were achieved.”
He said the firm’s purpose-built factory holds a gold award from the Food Standards Agency.
After the announcement, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, commented it was encouraging to see the NHS use local suppliers.
“The local sourcing of food and drink is one of our priorities because we not only minimise the energy used in food production, transport and storage but we are also securing a sustainable future for our farming and food industries.”
Mr Dallavalle said a £140,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development had helped them put in a new production line “which has really helped in developing the product into what it is today”.


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AGCO casts net overseas while sales up 49%
AGCO, the parent company of Massey Ferguson, Fendt and numerous other machinery manufacturers throughout the world, reports record sales and earnings for the second quarter of its fiscal year.
Net sales of $871.9m and net earnings of $48.7m were recorded, says the company. Sales increased by 49% over 1996 mainly due to new businesses acquired in the latter part of 96 and January 97. It will be recalled that Fendt was purchased in January.
Referring to sales in western Europe, company chairman Robert Ratliff highlights the decline in tractor sales which amounted to about 2% below 96 levels overall and, about 1% for AGCO-owned manufacturers.
"As in North America, AGCOs retail volume in western Europe has been affected by the anticipation of the launch of the new Massey Ferguson mid-range tractors – the 4200 Series. Sales of Fendt tractors continue to exceed our expectations," he says.
On a more worldwide note, Mr Ratliff points out that economic growth in developing countries will continue to drive the demand for agricultural products.
"As both population and income grows in these markets, the major exporting countries will need to respond with increased agricultural production," he explains. "Developing countries will need to continue to develop and invest in agricultural mechanisation to provide for their own needs."
For the home markets though, Mr Ratliff expects farm amalgamations to lead to a reduction in the total number of units sold and a shift to higher horsepower, more expensive machines.
"This shift will benefit AGCO. We now have a significant position in the western European high horsepower segment."n
AGCO chairman, Robert Ratliff: "Economic growth in developing countries will continue to drive the demand for agricultural products," he says.


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Just got the word that Jason Fischer, Owner and Creative Director of Surreal Media Lab, will be Producing and Directing “Creatives Gone World.” A zesty new reality show about a group of up and coming artisans who do things like jewelry design, create home accessories and other crafts. Beginning in October, the film crew will travel all the way to Amsterdam to get their feet wet with some of the first round draft picks for the show.
Creator Kiera Howell of Phresh Phactory, Inc. says this won’t be a show filled with chaos and drama but, will instead focus more of the passions and stories of each artist. Among life’s daily challenges of family, finance, and business the show will also capture them meeting our management team who will instruct them on getting their products produced, packaged and to market. All which will give the artist a big boost in sales and stability.
“People love to watch artists at work and want to know how to be successful,” says Kiera. “What people want is seeing someone with so much talent finally getting their chance to shine at what they do best.”
All and all, this new show plans to burst from the seams from the excitement of both the artist and their fans whom have grown to love their work and overcoming challenges. Be on the look out for more of “Creatives Gone World.”


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Fort Collins International Center is seeking donations of international items to sell at its annual fundraiser Nov. 10.
The donated items will be sold at The International Bazaar, which is part of the World Unity Festival at CSU. All proceeds support FCIC programming. To donate items, call (970) 490-2434 and leave a message. For more information about FCIC or the World Unity Fest, visit fortcollinsinternationalcenter.org and click on fundraisers.


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PLANS for a new 15-storey block of apartments, office and retail space have been submitted.
The proposed development on the Devil’s Tongue, Queensway will also create a new pedestrianised area adjacent to the Waterport fountain.
Approval for the multi-storey building is set to be discussed shortly by the Development and Planning Commission.
The architects on the project, 1508 London, said they were excited about the development.
“The pivotal location has become a congested setting with traffic and pedestrian movement around the site,” a spokesman said.
“Our proposed design aims to create an architectural proposal that will establish the Waterport site as a destination and ‘gateway’ for tourism and the locals of Gibraltar.”


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'Frozen' Tops Japanese Box Office for 10th Consecutive Weekend
on May 18, 2014
Frozen topped the box office chart for a tenth consecutive weekend in Japan, raising its weekend total from the previous frame by 8%. The film is the biggest Disney release of all time in Japan and the biggest ever wester animation release in the country. Frozen is the #3 western release of all time in the market and the #6 biggest industry release of all time in Japan. Frozen has grossed a total of $179.6 million in Japan.
No comments were posted.


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Island businesses need to draw on their digital strengths and sustainability expertise to progress in a post-pandemic environment.
That's according to Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, Warwick Long, as the bank published its new 'Navigator' report.
The report draws from a survey of over 2,600 companies in 14 countries and territories.
Of those who took part, 61 per cent think virtual collaboration will become standard practice over the next two years, whilst 91 per cent said they aim to be 're-engineering' their companies to be more sustainable.
Speaking about the results, Mr Long says: "Businesses aren’t waiting to be told how to ‘build back better,’ they’re starting now and technology and sustainability are at the forefront of their thinking.
"The Crown Dependencies have been very successful in setting out their stall as expert hubs in digital innovation and sustainability and, as this report shows, now more than ever island businesses are going to need to move faster and smarter if they are to thrive in this new environment."


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In the AI Startup of the Week, the editorial staff of ai.nl is featuring promising AI-startups, their innovations, solutions and challenges. In this second episode, we are taking a look at Amsterdam-based Dashmote, a scaleup helping companies make better sense of their data.
Data is the element on which success of an artificial intelligence (AI) application depends. Depending on the quality of training data, an AI program will either deliver an expected inference or deliver a less desired result. However, the process of turning that data into actionable insights is not that easy.
Amsterdam-based Dashmote offers an end-to-end AI solution that allows companies to understand data and unlock its power. The startup has raised €3M since its founding in 2014, according to Crunchbase, and even pivoted to offer a meal delivery radar with lots of data points attractive to meal delivery companies during the pandemic.
End-to-end AI solution
Every company out there wants to be a data company right now. We have seen the transition from enterprise software company to tech stack provider to data company. Since the narrative “data is the new oil” caught steam, every company is trying to extract as much value as possible from the data available to them.
However, having abundant data and being able to turn them into useful insight, is a different ball game altogether. Dashmote enters here with a simple solution that allows enterprises and individual innovators to fully understand the data and unlock its real potential.
The Dutch startup makes this transition possible with the help of its vision-based services. There are nearly three billion images uploaded to the internet each day and Dashmote uses its AI stack to analyse these images and deliver valuable insights based on them. This stack of services allow companies to better connect with the market around them, and also with their customers.
With offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, New York, and Vienna, Dashmote is an AI-fuelled company that brings diverse groups of professionals from many different countries together. It already counts companies such as Heineken, Coca Cola, Unilever, and L’Oréal among its customers. These customers use Dashmote to understand their audience and assess the markets they enter.
The startup has people representing 21 nationalities with an average age of 27 and 15 spoken languages. The company is so data focussed that it says that more than 9,999 cups of coffee have been consumed in its offices.
Dashmote: a look at its AI solutions
The end-to-end AI solution from Dashmote includes advanced analytics catering sales leader, insights leader and even an analyst. This dashboard allows leaders to take an holistic view of their business with options to apply multiple filters and data visualisation layers. There is also a sales insights that offers data insights required to scale the business and find new business avenues.
The best example of Dashmote’s ability to turn data into insights came during the pandemic when it introduced meal delivery radar. This offers strategic insights into the meal delivery market. From a data analyst to channel development manager, the data platform serves as a one-stop shop for learning more about the meal delivery industry.
Dashmote saw 193 per cent year-on-year growth in 2020 as many industry leaders began seeking opportunities in industries poised for disruption due to the pandemic. As the world embraced online commerce, Dashmote’s data insights became vital for their business excellence.
There is also an e-commerce radar offering a salient view of the e-commerce industry while Dashmote AI labs offers rapid prototyping and fast results through data and AI. This platform offers fast results that aims to cut through the noise by focusing on the impact of data science.


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Starbucks to offer 31 ounce iced drinks
Yes, because the Venti is certainly not enough!
In an effort to satisfy America’s love of coffee and super-sized drinks, Starbucks will be adding a new size to their menu – the Trenta. It’s a bigger sized beverage, 31 ounces to be exact, just an ounce shy of a 7-Eleven Big Gulp!
The Trenta, available only for iced coffee, iced tea and iced tea lemonade drinks, will be in every U.S. Starbucks by May 3 and will cost 50 cents more than a Venti.
Just last month the world’s biggest coffee company unveiled a new logo, which drops both the name ‘Starbucks’ and the word ‘coffee’. The new design still features the image of a twin-tailed siren on a green background, but without text or border.


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Food — a basic need of the human body, for which you have to pay. Given the decline in real incomes, residents of Russia to purchase food comes at a price, and mercilessly beat on the wallets of consumers. However, since June, the citizens noticed that began to spend on products less: average market price of the food basket fell by 12%.
According to the Federal state statistics service (Rosstat), the average cost of food set in Russia dropped to 3 thousand 729 rubles. Reduce the cost of the food felt as consumers of Moscow, the price of edible baskets decreased by 12.5% to 4 541 thousand rubles, and St. Petersburg, where a set of products fell by 8.85% to 4 thousand 584 roubles, follows from the calculations of statisticians.
Thank you for the fact that the prices have gone down, I must say harvest. A seasonal price decline for fruits and vegetables favorable impact on the cost of citizens. Noticed a trend in the decline and customers of the trade network “Pyaterochka”, where the cost of pradarshini was even less than the national average. Price prodnabor in Moscow stopped around 3 856 thousand rubles, which is 15% less than the cost calculated by Rosstat. In “Pjaterochka” located in the Northern capital, food basket cost 4 194 thousand rubles, 9% less than the figure recorded by statisticians.
Drivers nationwide decline in prices of steel vegetables and fruit. Only one potato fell by 18.9%. The cost of the carrots also demonstrated a rapid decline of minus 18.4 per cent. Onions sold is 21.7% less, and the cabbage and apples were off 7.8 per cent and 16.6 per cent respectively.
Note that the stores of a large retailer, the cost of the above-mentioned and other goods was even smaller. For example, the price of sunflower oil was below the average for the country at 32%. Kilogram of cabbage sold cheaper by 27% and wheat flour by 15%. Carrots in a “roundabout” was worth 13% less potatoes by 12%, and the apples and sugar as well as chilled and frozen chicken cost 19% less than the average for the Russian market.
The retailer said: “For Russia, the index of “the five” (the ratio of the value of prodnabor on average prices in the stores and the cost of a set of Rosstat. — “MK”.) in September was at the level of 96%, 85%, St. Petersburg – 91%”.
For clarity: if the buyer has collected a set of food in the stores “Pyaterochka” 33 of the most affordable in their products, edible basket cost him 40-50% less than the average cost of a set designed by the statistical office.


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William Reed Business Media SAS (a William Reed Business Media group company), is a business-to-business publisher supplying strategically relevant news directly to the desktops of decision-makers in the science, cosmetics and food industries. The group runs innovative online marketing solutions for leading international industry providers.
Today, the company runs 19 highly targeted industry platforms and over 30 e-newsletters in industries such as food, beverage, nutritional supplements, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
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UAE company gears up to export camel milk to Europe.
UAE camel-milk firm sets sights on US
DUBAI // As the UAE prepares to start shipping camel milk to Europe, it is already eyeing the huge US market.
After five years, Camelicious, owned by the Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products, received EU approval last month to export its products there.
Shipping will begin on April 1, first with camel-milk powder for use in cosmetics and medicines.
"Our first shipment of camel-milk powder will be in April," said Mutasher Al Badry, Camelicious's deputy general manager.
"We made a lot of efforts and I'm confident this will open more doors to other markets. Our next plan is to start with the US market, to be registered at the Food and Drug Administration."
The company will start by exporting a tonne of powder a month to a cosmetics company in France, which will make lotions and creams. Another 1,200 kilograms will go to a large pharmaceutical company, which plans on using the powder for medicine.
"One of the products is for the H. pylori infection [a stomach bacterium] and one is a cream for acne treatment."
Camelicious plans to work with a European university to research the potential of camel milk to aid the immune system and help treat cancer.
"We will also work to isolate its insulin because it's good for type-two diabetes," Mr Al Badry said.
The company also intends to distribute its chocolate, Al Nassma, all over Europe.
"We will start targeting the duty frees and the big, high-end department stores like Harrods," Mr Al Badry said.
Last year, 10 tonnes of powder were shipped to Austria to manufacture 35 tonnes of chocolate. But it had to be sent back to the UAE because the company was not licensed to sell the chocolate in Europe.
Production of the powdered milk for chocolate is set to increase, from the current 10 tonnes a year to 15 tonnes - but that will still not be enough to meet the demand sparked by the European approval, in countries including Australia, Japan, the US and Canada.
"We've already got a request from Canada for 500 tonnes of camel-milk powder," said Dr Ulrich Wernery, the director of Dubai's Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, which owns Camelicious.
"Since the war in Somalia, 30,000 Somalis migrated to Canada and they all want to drink camel milk."
The markets in Canada, the US and Singapore are "huge".
The company also expects to receive approval for shipments to Malaysia in the next two months, and South Africa shortly after.
But the question remains whether the company will be able to produce much more camel milk.
"We're thinking of having a new camel dairy farm which produces only powder and a small plant to package it," he said. "It's all possible and I hope other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman will follow because there's a lot of potential since the market is open."
In the meantime, the farm plans to increase its herd of 3,000 camels to 6,000 in the next two years and to 9,000 within three years.
Camelicious also plans to add high-capacity drying machines to increase powder production from 1.5 tonnes a month to 6 tonnes.
By the end of this year it hopes to start shipping camel-milk cheese to Europe.
"We're also thinking of making a product maybe for instant milk powder in sachets but it's not confirmed yet," said Mr Al Badry.
The next challenge is to work out how to package the products to European standards - and tastes.
"We are consulting our marketing agency at the moment."


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Self-healing tires; robots that invent their own language; and flying drones that safeguard highway motorists…such technologies could make our lives easier, but wouldn't happen outside of a sci-fi novel. Or could they?
University research promises disruptive changes in biotechnologies, robotics, networked sensors, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, but how do we bring all of this research to market? Global manufacturing partners that produce the world’s consumer goods believe partnering with research institutions may just be the key.
With research institutions' main goal being to invent and discover new technologies, methods and materials, they’re not always focused on technology transfer to the market. However, partnering with a global manufacturing company with deep expertise in optimizing manufacturing processes at scale, universities find an outlet to apply their ideas in real-world scenarios. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that, “investment in R&D is not synonymous with innovation.” In other words, manufacturers might not necessarily gain added innovation by spending more on research and development internally. However, through university partnerships, the research becomes available to manufacturers without huge capital investments. Universities gain prestige, student internships that provide experiential learning opportunities on complex, real-world problems, research grant opportunities, intellectual property and more.
The White House recently announced a call-to-arms in domestic advanced manufacturing partnerships between industry and academia, with investments totaling more than $500 million dollars. The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, an initiative launched by U.S. President Barrack Obama, aims to encourage university and manufacturer research partnerships to strengthen U.S. advanced manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing relies on emerging technologies like nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, robotics, and advanced materials to build the products the future demands, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/drones, smart medical devices, cloud computing infrastructure, robotic limbs and more.
With funding from the U.S. government, academic research institutions and U.S. manufacturers have a unique opportunity to bring research to market, producing consumer products that might otherwise remain in a university laboratory. By minimizing costs, both universities and manufacturers have more resources to focus on intellectual property, commercialization and infrastructure. Even more important, collaborative partnerships provide training for advanced manufacturing’s next generation of innovators.
Jabil is aggressively building university partnerships globally. In fact, Jabil’s design team is working with leading researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena, Germany. The teams are working closely to improve camera lens technology using biomimicry modeled after insects’ complex, multi-faceted eye structures.
Former intern and current Technical Project Manager at Jabil, Girish Wable, oversees an internship program for the Advanced Technology Group and is on the lookout for university interns that want to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. He has presented to groups of engineering students, represented Jabil in a career fair and is mentoring a student chapter involved in electronics manufacturing at USF.
“I benefited from the program that was established in our group developing printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) innovations. I am now extending this into diversified manufacturing and am seeking engagements with universities that have programs in robotics, plastics, medical devices, automation, RF/wireless, instrumentation, printed electronics, additive manufacturing, and technology platforms aligned with the company’s strategic direction. Jabil benefits from the fresh vision, enthusiasm and ability to select and incubate the talent it needs for today and most importantly for developing innovations for tomorrow," said Wable. Jabil plans to strategically leverage the association with key schools and the relevant research conducted at the centers when necessary. Mentoring students and listening to their candid feedback allows the engineering and management staff to reflect on their own work and provides them the opportunity to seek innovations that lead to manufacturing improvement, according to Wable.
With U.S. government support, manufacturers and research partners can bring novel research to market by creating futuristic devices capable of everything customers expect, before they expect it. If your company is developing tomorrow’s technology today, does your manufacturing partner foster research partnerships with universities that will help your products change the World?


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MediaVest bags the media duties for Axis Bank
Axis Bank one of India’s most respected private sector banks has shifted its media business to MediaVest Worldwide, an agency belonging to the Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG). MediaVest would handle the business from its Mumbai office. The account was earlier with Madison Media. The mandate covers media planning and buying for all Axis Bank campaigns and is effective August 1, 2012. This prestigious win adds to the long list of new business wins for Starcom MediaVest Group since last year that include like Aircel, Dabur, Novartis, Supermax, Zee Learn, Sterling Holidays etc. SMG has been strengthening the MediaVest brand across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and will soon announce a few senior management hires.
Axis Bank is the third largest private sector bank in India. Axis Bank offers the entire spectrum of services to customer segments coveringLarge and Mid-Corporates, SME, Agriculture and Retail Businesses.With its 1622 branches (including extension counters) and over 10,000 ATMs across the country, the network of Axis Bank spreads across 1,050 cities and towns, enabling the Bank to reach out to a large cross-section of customers with an array of products and services. The Bank also has overseas offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Colombo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Confirming this development, Manisha Lath Gupta, CMO Axis Bank says “While evaluating, we realized SMG has robust planning tools which will help us integrate across different mediums. With their Human Experience Strategy and approach, we believe, they are well poised to handle the media challenges lying in front of Axis Bank for the future”.
Malli CR, CEO SMG India says “Axis Bank is a blue chip client and we are honored and delighted to have them on board. They have an exciting brand vision and we look forward to delivering their goals with SMG’s future focused media product that is predicated on Insights & Analytics, Digital and Content”.
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Set in the distant future, after a deadly virus decimated almost all of mankind, those who have survived have become blind. When all humanity has lost the sense of sight, humans must adapt and find new ways to survive.
So yes, while it's a little goofy to think about a tribe of blind warriors participating in massive hand-to-hand battles where it seems impossible to distinguish between friends and enemies, Momoa's towering physical presence and the show's lush locations lend it a mythic power which may easily pull us in when we see all of this in context. Emmy-winner Alfre Woodard is also along for the ride as Paris, Baba Voss' "spiritual leader".More news: In US Open final, Nadal seeks 19th major, Medvedev eyes 1st
The official synopsis reads: "In the far future, a virus has decimated humankind".
See is written and created by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence.
On top of that, Apple announced that their streaming service will cost just €4.99 per month, after a seven-day free trial, or a one-year free trial for anyone who buys a new iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.More news: Apple's iOS 13 Will Arrive on September 19
Apple TV+ says the first shows on the service will launch on November 1st, with additional Apple original shows coming shortly thereafter.
Among the original series Apple has teed up are The Morning Show, a drama starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell that is set against the backdrop of a TV network's morning news show, and For All Mankind, an alternate-history series about the space race in which the Soviet Union put a man on the Moon before the United States.
Apple has confirmed the United Kingdom launch plans for their streaming service.More news: Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer to hit Hard Rock Stadium