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LONDON, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MindFly has secured pilots with FC Bayern Munich, 1.FC Köln, FC Barcelona, Real Sociedad and more, and is set to disrupt the sports industry and the streaming & viewer experience.
MindFly, an Israeli sports tech startup, has developed a fully automated, AI powered, cloud platform and AI BodyCam that enables fans to experience the game from the point of view of any player. The MindFly solution, designed for mainstream Pro Sports and Athletes, spans the entire process from content creation to distribution, across all media platforms and screens. As an alumni startup of the HYPE GVA Program, MindFly has secured a $1.3M Round. In this follow-up round, HYPE Sports Innovation has increased its shareholding in MindFly. The partnership will create more opportunities for MindFly to develop their product and reach new global sports brands.
HYPE Sports Innovation, Founder and President Amir Raveh remarked:
"HYPE continues to build its equity portfolio, by investing in startups impacting the future of sports. We see MindFly as a catalyst for the next generation of AI Streaming solutions."
In addition to direct investment in selected startups, HYPE has an exclusive community of Sports Tech investors - VCs, angels, family offices that look to increase their exposure in Sports Tech. HYPE provides a personalized match making between investors and startups from its constantly growing high-end sports tech portfolio, based on the specific interests of both sides.
A Gamechanger with a Different Point of View.
With MindFly, anyone can be the creator. Players as creators will allow fans to experience the thrill of being the star of the game. Ballboys & Linesmen as creators allow fans to be up close and personal with the game. And, Referees & Umpires as the creators will give a unique view of the action that will be great for post-game refereeing evaluation. See it in Action!
The MindFly Technology
The bodycam uses SteadiCam like stabilization technology and AI auto-direction with multicam switching to emulate professional Camera Persons and Directors. The footage is uploaded in real time by AI editing software to the MindFly Cloud, where it is then shared to the viewers on an almost instantaneous level.
Eran Tal, Founder and CEO of MINDFLY, added: "MindFly is happy to join forces with HYPE Sports Innovation, the leading sport innovation hub, to transform the way fans experience sports."
MindFly Limited has developed an innovative, First-Person-View (FPV) solution that enables fans to watch any game from the POV of the Player. It is fully automated, end to end (content creation to distribution) and designed for mainstream, pro sports.
About HYPE Sports Innovation:
HYPE is the leading global platform for Sports Innovation, with 40k+ members including Startups, Sports Leaders, Clubs, Brands, Investors, and Mentors. HYPE is a proven gateway for converting SportsTech into Business Success. HYPE also created an unmatched success portfolio including 200+ startups that graduated from their programs, raising more than $200M, and 50% of them have also raised the 2nd round of funding.
For more info regarding investing via HYPE:
Contact Pini Listenberg, VP Investment & Strategy at: [email protected]
SOURCE HYPE Sports Innovation


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Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park has launched a promotion for the first summer without COVID-19 restrictions.
During a press conference at the St Thomas attraction on Thursday to announce the All You Can Play Summer promotion, Country Manager Andrea Franklin said the company wanted to take advantage of having no COVID-19 measures, and expose the venue as an all-day multi-use adventure park.
She reminded that the facility did not just have Harrison’s Cave to offer but a ziplining experience, an obstacle course, a rum tasting bar and a poolside grill.
Sales and Marketing Manager Leah Roach said the June 15-September 15 summer promotion will include a variety of packages.
She said the company, which falls under the Chukka Caribbean brand, was offering a 15 per cent discount on combination tours, such as ziplining and the challenge course, as well as ziplining and rum tasting. She said that as part of the business’ signature park pass, the cave tour could be paired with the zipline or challenge course.
There are also pool day passes, bar passes and other activities which include, half-off Wednesdays, limes, sushi making classes, a nature trail and a Sunday barbeque buffet.
Special rates for groups and CARICOM nationals are also being offered.
Roach added that the company was bouncing back from the economic challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that from January to May this year, about 36 000 people patronised the eco-park, which translated to about 7 000 people monthly. Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of those numbers reflect local interest.
Business is expected to resume to pre-COVID-19 levels by next year.
The company will also be rolling out a membership card soon.

domain: news


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The re-opening of the showrooms in the Greater Montreal, on Monday, 25 may, dealers will try to lure you to their offering you large discount on the purchase of their cars.
The idea will likely be to take an inventory of cars in a much larger than normal, so that many vehicles are waiting for the end of the containment in the course of the dealers.
These cars will have to be liquidated and tempting offers will surely to consumers. These are approximately 4 million people who will have access to the showrooms, like the one of BMW Park Avenue, which has never had so much choice of vehicles to offer to its customers.
“Our manufacturers have helped us with great offers such as a 2% discount by loyalty, three instalments free of charge, reports of payments… The manufacturers are there to help us and, most importantly, help the consumer. I think it is the best time to buy a car, ” a delighted Roberto Barba, vice-president and general director of BMW Park Avenue, in an interview broadcast on LCN Saturday.
“A BMW X1, which could, prior to the period of confinement, to sell at around $ 700 per month, taxes included, zero cash… You can buy it for 550, 600 $, an economy with still substantial on this type of vehicle, in addition to the three payments free. ”
Net income decrease
This dealer montreal welcomes the reopening of its doors, but does not hide the consequences of the spreading spring of the COVID-19 in the metropolis.
“It hurt us, admits Roberto Barba. The retail industry in general has suffered when the same losses. People like to try before you buy a car. Yes, it has sold vehicles in line and at a distance because we did not have the choice to make it like this and it is still good, but, in all honesty, our month of may…
“We’re still going to suffer losses at the level of our sales. We are talking about an achievement of 60, 70 % of what we did last year, a decrease of 30% to 40% of the income, according to this DG.
The dealers in montreal have shown a lot of imagination to stay in contact with buyers, and this creativity should continue even after the reopening.
As we have seen in the region : measures distance physics have been taken : plexiglass in front of the sellers, disinfection of cars after the road test – a series of measures that will transform the customer experience.
It is now better to make an appointment before visiting a showroom because it is more certain that you will be able to enter unless someone is free for you to receive.
– According to the information of Richard Olivier for VAT New


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Sam Missingham, founder of The Empowered Author coaching website, has called on publishers to ensure greater transparency and effective communication with their authors, following research conducted in partnership with the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG).
Speaking on Tuesday (9th March) at the inaugural IPG International Forum in a conversation hosted by author and industry coach Alison Jones, Missingham explained a top priority for publishers should be clarity around the publishing process.
“We should be trying to be significantly more transparent about how the publishing process works — people do not know how to get published,” she said.
Citing research she conducted in tandem with the IPG, Missingham found only 52% of 122 authors surveyed in February 2021 felt confident they knew how the process worked, even after signing contracts.
After being signed by a publisher, 48% of the authors were given author packs. Missingham suggested author packs could be better utilised to inform writers about deadlines, publisher expectations and the support available to them. She said the packs provide an opportunity to educate authors on marketing and publicity, explaining royalties, demystifying how sales are calculated and explaining specific terminology.
“There is never too much communication in my experience,” she said, "particularly with new authors".
The survey found only 42% of authors felt publicity and marketing was completely explained to them, while a further 42% said it wasn’t explained well, and 16% were not communicated with regarding it at all. Pre-publication, 59% of authors said their publishers clearly explained every stage to them.
Addressing smaller and independent publishers, Missingham said presses should “build a community around their authors”.
“Authors are surprisingly loyal to indie partners, more so than bigger publishers,” she said.
She advised publishers to suggest authors visit their local bookshops, and equip them with the tools to self-promote, both in person and over social media. According to the survey, 56% of publishers only provided guidance with this on request. Learning to work social media and efficient online marketing, such as newsletters, and encouraging author societies and Facebook chats would build author confidence, Missingham said.
She added it was very important to “set expectations” for authors. "[They] watch while others are treated better — and they’ve never been told there’s a sort of hierarchy,” she said. “Have an honest conversation, explain what happens after their first book is published." She urged publishers to “improve the efficiency of information” around sales figures, to ensure authors know how well their books are selling, and how this is determined.
“Even if it’s bad news, authors prefer to hear it,” she said. Touching on author care, she added: "[This] needs to go beyond flowers and booze and lunches — if you want authors to be loyal, there are lots of quick wins but communication, taking care and setting expectations — we have to be open and honest.”


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A new government report shows the economy sank at a pace of just 1 percent in the second quarter of the year. It was a better-than-expected showing that provided the strongest signal yet that the longest recession since World War II is finally winding down.
The dip in gross domestic product for the April-to-June period, reported by the Commerce Department on Friday, comes after the economy was in a free fall, tumbling at 6.4 percent pace in the first three months of this year. That was the sharpest downhill slide in nearly three decades. The economy has now contracted for a record four straight quarters, underscoring the grim toll of the recession on consumers and companies.
Many economists were predicting a slightly bigger 1.5 percent annualized contraction in second-quarter GDP. It's the total value of all goods and services — such as cars and clothes and makeup and machinery — produced within the United States and is the best barometer of the country's economic health.
Less drastic spending cuts by businesses, a resumption of spending by federal and local governments and an improved trade picture were key forces behind the better performance. Consumers, though, pulled back a bit. Rising unemployment, shrunken nest eggs and lower home values have weighed down their spending.
An important area where businesses ended up cutting more deeply in the spring was inventories. They slashed spending at a record pace of $141.1 billion. There was a silver lining to that, though: With inventories at rock-bottom, businesses may need to ramp up production to satisfy customer demand. That would give a boost to the economy in the current quarter.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said he thinks the recession will end later this year. And many analysts think the economy will start to grow again — perhaps at around a 1.5 percent pace — in the July-to-September quarter. That would be anemic growth by historical measures, but it would signal that the downturn has ended.
President Obama's stimulus package of tax cuts and increased government spending provided some support to second-quarter economic activity. But it will have more impact through the second half of this year and will carry a bigger punch in 2010, economists said.
This program aired on July 31, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.


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A Denver court issued an $8.8 million judgment against the owners of the once-thriving Colorado marijuana chain Sweet Leaf for unpaid rent, late fees and interest in breaching four commercial leases in Denver.
Denver District Judge Edward Bronfin issued the decision against Sweet Leaf co-owners Matthew Aiken, Christian Johnson and Anthony Sauro on behalf of the properties’ landlord, RF Elati 4125. RF Elati’s principal is listed as Ryan Fox of Saguache, Colorado, according to Secretary of State filings.
Sweet Leaf earlier this year lost all 26 of its marijuana cultivation, processing and dispensary licenses in Denver for allegedly allowing customers to exceed daily purchase limits.
A Sweet Leaf store in Portland, Oregon, is still listed as open.
Denver cannabis law firm Greenspoon Marder represented RF Elati in the case against Sweet Leaf’s co-owners.
Rachel Gillette, chair of Greenspoon’s cannabis practice, said in a statement that the firm’s goal is to help marijuana businesses become a “normal and trusted part of the corporate world.
“This case represents justice for the business owner playing by the rules, regardless of the type of business.”


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More than 80% of consumers have at least one poor kitchen habit that puts them at risk of food poisoning, according to a survey.
The poll for the Food Standards Agency found that 43% would eat food after the "use by" date, 29% would eat food that has been dropped on the floor, and more than a third (36%) wash chicken before cooking it, potentially splashing bacteria around the kitchen.
The study, to mark Food Safety Week, also found that 35% of people do not check "use by" dates, with 85% of this group preferring to sniff food to decide if it is safe and 68% looking at its colour.
Unlike "best before" dates, "use by" dates relate to safety and are based on scientific testing.
More than a fifth of those questioned (21%) said they do not wash their hands properly before preparing food.
While 83% admitted to one or more habits when cooking at home that could put them at risk of food poisoning, the same percentage said they have confidence in their food hygiene all or most of the time and 93% believe they have never given family or friends food poisoning.
If they do fall ill themselves, only 5% consider whether the cleanliness of their own kitchen is the cause.
KITCHEN SAFETY FOR DUMMIES:
- Use by dates are for food that goes off quickly, so don't eat it if it's past this date.
- However 'best before' dates are on food with a longer shelf life so there's a bit more leeway.
- If it says eat within two or three days of opening, follow the instructions exactly
- Cool leftovers before putting them in the fridge
- Don't reheat leftovers more than once
- Use separate chopping boards for meat and veg
The agency is launching an online "kitchen check" which asks consumers to look at their food preparation practices, and gives a score and some tips based on their answers.
FSA food safety expert Bob Martin said: "By not washing their hands before preparing food at home, or ignoring 'use by' dates, people could be setting themselves and their friends or family up for a bout of really unpleasant illness.
"We've created the kitchen check to help people to think about what they do in their own homes and make it easier for people to be knowledgeable and confident about storing and preparing food."
:: Censuswide polled 2,199 UK residents between May 3-9.


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Earlier this week Pokemon X & Y players from both Europe and North America reported in a serious issue plaguing the titles. Saving the game in Lumiose City would end up corrupting the save files and hence force the players to start all over again.
Nintendo has today acknowledged the bug. Posting on their Japanese website the company said that the development team is working on a fix that will be released soon. It didn’t mention any specific timeline, only that the fix is being considered top priority and will be released as soon as possible.
In the meantime Nintendo advises all players to retreat inside buildings when they wish to save their game with Lumiose City.
Players also should hold out on their corrupted save files. According to Nintendo, the fix is being worked on to deal with the said corrupted files. So there’s a chance that the fix will be able to render the bad files workable. However, if you feel like starting all over again, be my guest.


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FRANCE Flowers: French chairman Emmanuel Macron has actually promised so you can plant 1bn trees because of the 2030 – 10% of your own state’s most recent forested urban area – in the a quote to generally meet environment and nature goals, EurActiv stated. Macron launched his the tree strategy in a presentation to help you firefighters on id listing temperature missing 72,one hundred thousand hectares away from tree this summer, six times more the typical of your last 10 years, predicated on EurActiv.
- Number of years of Bolsonaro’s Auction web sites destruction, inside satellite files – Fabio Bispo and you can Leandro Chaves, InfoAmazonia
- Environment change pushes Thai growers off rice sphere – Kultida Samabuddhi, Mekong Vision
- Environment transform is actually pushing Kenyan people to depart their houses trailing – Michelle Buky, Sandra Mutuku, Christopher Deane, Emma Howard and you may Diyora Shadijanova, Gal-dem
- Rishi Sunak is consider prime ministers try replaceable, variety are not – Asia Bourke, The brand new Statesman
The brand new research
New research revealed the new the amount from an excellent seagrass environment off the shore of one’s Bahamas – totalling about 66,one hundred thousand square kms – and you may showed how important the region is for carbon dioxide stores inside the the sea. (more…)


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The FTC released its Do Not Call Registry Data Book (“Data Book”) on November 23, 2021, providing a look into statistical data about phone numbers on the Do Not Call Registry (“Registry”), telemarketers and sellers accessing phone numbers on the Registry, and consumer complaints.
As a bit of background, the Registry was created in 2003 with the goal of stopping unwanted sales calls. Consumers can register their home or cell phone number and have it added to the Registry the next day, and telemarketers and sellers must remove the number from their call lists within 31 days. This year’s Data Book shows that consumers are increasingly eager to add their numbers to the Registry as robocalls and live telemarketers continue to inundate consumers with unwanted calls. Both the number of people registered and the number of complaints filed rose from 2020. The Registry now contains 244.3 million actively registered phone numbers, up from 241.5 million at the end of 2020. The number of consumer complaints also increased from nearly four million in 2020 to over five million this year.
Topping the list of complaints this year were reports of imposter calls, with almost 594,000 received during Fiscal Year 2021. These calls included imposters posing as government representatives, such as the Social Security Administration or IRS, businesses, or people affiliated with these groups.
Despite the growing number of people on the Registry and the increase in reports and complaints, consumers will likely continue to receive unwanted calls. As the FTC continues to take a more proactive regulatory role under the new administration, companies subject to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“Rule”) should carefully review their obligations under the Rule, and take extra care in their telemarketing efforts.


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7 things you need to know today
Compiled by Dhivana Rajgopaul
CAPE TOWN - Good morning. This is all the latest business news that you need to know today.
The appointment of a White treasurer at South Africa’s debt-addled power monopoly has become mired in allegations of racism, deepening a political dispute between a rabble-rousing opposition party and a Cabinet minister.
South Africa’s Sasol warned on Tuesday it will report an annual loss after a drop in oil and chemical prices and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic hit earnings.
The liquid Fuels Wholesalers Association of SA (LFWA) has warned that the supply of fuel to rural areas may dry up as independent fuel retailers are struggling against an unfair pricing methodology system that is tilted towards the oil majors.
AngloGold Ashanti was in solid shape after generating $177million (R3.12billion) in free cash flow during the six months to the end of June compared with an outflow of $31m for the same period last year as it rode the wave of the higher gold price.
The Lewis Group, a retailer of household furniture and electrical appliances, took a hit in the last quarter of its financial year, with March merchandise sales declining by 24.8percent.
JSE heavyweights Naspers and Prosus shed more than 4percent and 5percent, respectively, on Friday, exposed to financial material risk via their stake in Tencent, after US President Donald Trump prohibited US residents from doing business with Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat apps.
The MTN Group is considering selling its stake in Iran’s ride-hailing app Snapp as it trims its e-commerce portfolio and plans an exit of the Middle East.
BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE


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Buying a call option at a price of $27 per contract means that one’s losses are limited to the premium. If Apple stock is below $500 by the expiration date, one only loses the $27 per share premium. If Apple were to land in-the-money (ITM), the profit would be the difference between the price at maturity and the strike minus the premium. That means the cost of one call option contract would be $2,550 to $2,700. This means sellers are asking for $2,700 per contract while buyers are looking for $2,550.
Tech, in particular, does well in a “reflation” because its duration is very long. In other words, most of the anticipated cash flows of these companies comes far out in the future. Apple currently trades at around 30x forward-twelve-months (FTM) earnings. Apple regularly buys back its own shares to benefit stockholders. This would also have the effect of getting a slightly more optimal debt to equity balance in its capital structure.
- Still, investors believe the impact on Apple’s financials will be temporary, followed by a surge in demand once the coronavirus outbreak eases.
- Treasury debt issuance, higher oil prices and the Bank of Japan easing off on its yield curve control policy.
- If we subtract out the debt to give the equity value we get $1.32 trillion to $1.72 trillion.
- That rises another 42% in 2025 to $1.28 trillion and 15% in 2026 to $1.47 trillion, before starting to come down.
The campus features a massive circular building nicknamed The Spaceship and provides working space for over 12,000 employees. The circular shape houses a park and a pond and there are many amenities within the facility including cafes, a wellness center, care clinics, and terminals for the shuttle system. Founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, it is now the leading producer of consumer electronics and an economy all of its own. The was valued at over $2.6 trillion in 2022 and brought in $0.4 trillion in revenue making it equal in size to the economies of Thailand and Belgium which are ranked 24th and 23rd largest worldwide.
After the announcement, Apple scrambled in the following months to turn Jobs’ demo phone into a mass-market product. As of July 16, 2021, Apple had 16,530,166,000 shares outstanding. On Oct. 6, 2021, Reuters reported that the European Union (EU) will soon file an antitrust charge against Apple over the company’s near-field communication (NFC) chip technology, according to people familiar with the matter.
The SPDR Gold Shares fund (GLD) was tracking toward its third negative session in four on Tuesday afternoon. Homes under contract totaled 675,000 for the month, down 8.7% from July, according to the Commerce Department. Economists polled by Dow Jones anticipated a total of 695,000, which would have represented a 2.7% fall from unrevised July totals. After complaints that the new phones are getting very warm, Apple has said that the device may what is pessimistic feel warmer in the first few days “after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity.” Apple AAPL on Saturday said it has identified a few issues which can cause new iPhones to run warmer than expected, including a bug in the iOS 17 software which will be fixed in an upcoming update. Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28).
- Apple had a net income of $21.7 billion for the quarter that ended June 26, 2021, according to its most recent quarterly filing, which was released on July 28, 2021.
- These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through September 4, 2023.
- Apple also said the issue is not a safety or injury risk, and will not impact the phone’s long-term performance.
- Later, after a closed session in the courtroom and a break for lunch, Google lawyer John Schmidtlein led Cue through a history of the Google / Apple partnership, and a history of the Safari browser.
To execute the trade, buyers have to execute at the ask (sometimes called the offer) while sellers have to execute at the bid, or somewhere agreed to in between. Some traders like to use price levels, trendlines, and various other indicators as part of their analysis. But it’s important to not get overly hung up on a certain level or trend or anything related to something that is based on what happened in the past. For example, if a market maker is underwriting put options, it will often hedge that exposure (because of the limited upside, large downside) by delta hedging the position.
However, in trading, such over-fitting and reliance on past data is generally not appropriate. These days, with cheap and abundant computing power and various forms of back-testing software, it is easy for traders to identify what approaches would have worked in the past and what how to calculate lot size forex has done poorly. Some traders will use a combination of both top-down and bottom-up fundamental approaches. Issuing dividends can also help diversify the shareholder base by getting more investors seeking the safety of dividends, even if the dividend is a nominal amount.
Activist investors might also target capital structure improvements in a company they hold a stake in. For example, they might ask an under-leveraged company to issue debt to buyback equity. This would not only improve the share price, but also get the capital structure composition to a more optimal point, and therefore also benefit the valuation from the financial engineering tailwind. Firstly, they can buy shares in companies on the exchanges where they are listed.
Stocks open lower Tuesday
Analysts’ steady views regarding the company’s earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term. It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers’ vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.
Some investors will use a combination of both approaches, identifying asset classes and sectors that are a good fit from a top-down perspective and finding the best companies to invest in within that framework. Additional services include Apple Arcade, Apple Card, Apple News+, Apple TV app, Apple TV channels, and the Apple TV+ subscription service. Its Services portfolio includes the App Store, cloud services, Apple Music, Apple Pay, AppleCare, and licensing.
The Magnificent Seven could be called the messy seven after a ‘meh’ third quarter
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock’s future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements. You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities. Short-selling a security can have an influence on pushing a stock down.
Fundamentally, the value of a business is the amount of cash you can take from it over its life discounted back to the present. Apple Inc. closed $24.48 short of its 52-week high ($198.23), which the company achieved on July 19th. Upgrade to MarketBeat All Access to add more stocks to your watchlist. Sign-up the no-spend challenge guide to receive the latest news and ratings for Apple and its competitors with MarketBeat’s FREE daily newsletter. Apple’s first-quarter revenue came in above estimates but lagged behind the year-ago quarter.Apple’s first-quarter revenue came in above estimates but lagged behind the year-ago quarter.
Wall of corporate debt refinance starting in 2024 is another stock market headwind
Within each asset class, they may also want to better balance their risk and allocate a certain amount to tech, consumer products, and so on. Then they’ll go within each sector to identify the best companies and buy and sell at the appropriate price points. Apple’s effective cost of debt is around 2 percent, which lowers the overall cost of capital of the company. On a weighted average basis, given equity is about 93 percent of Apple’s capital structure and debt is 7 percent, its overall cost of capital is about 6.65 percent. 34 Wall Street research analysts have issued “buy,” “hold,” and “sell” ratings for Apple in the last twelve months. There are currently 8 hold ratings and 26 buy ratings for the stock.
Can I trade in a device that’s part of the iPhone Upgrade Program?
The tech giant slipped under the $3tn handle last week but its stock has weathered almost every storm this year.The tech giant slipped under the $3tn handle last week but its stock has weathered almost every storm this year. The Big Tech firm is not likely to bring about a complete overhaul of the flagship phone. Nonetheless, Apple stock moved higher in pre-market.The Big Tech firm is not likely to bring about a complete overhaul of the flagship phone. A local computer store chain, The Byte Shop, was planning to sell Steve Jobs’ bare circuit boards for $40 each, but instead was convinced to order 50 of Jobs’ fully assembled Apple I computers, paying $500 on each delivery.
Part of Apple’s growth strategy has been to purchase small tech companies that it can easily integrate into its expanding line of products. Four years after its founding, on Dec. 12, 1980, Apple went public through an initial public offering (IPO) at $22.00 per share. Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. This can help get an under-leveraged capital structure to a more optimal point on the curve. As mentioned, this may not only increase the share price but also help in a financial engineering sense. It could add more debt to more cheaply capitalize the business, but based on the shape of its capital structure curve, it wouldn’t add much benefit to the company’s stock price.


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The Universal Selection Source: Cosmetics Ingredients
A SpecialChem Client is offering a novel polyurethane chemistry that enables intrinsic self-healing properties. The producer is looking for new applications and partners valuing th...
Smart Coatings: Update on Current & Future Opportunities
Mar 23, 2017
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Mar 28, 2017
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Oct 17, 2016 |
Merck KGaA has announced its effect color of the year 2017. It is blue-glow purple. The violet shade continues trend towards shades of reddish blue and bluish red. With its effect pigments the...
Sep 27, 2016 |
DuPont demonstrates the company’s involvement in the cosmetics industry by its new design material collection. Through DuPont’s collaboration with Albéa on projects such as the Grandiôse Liner...
Sep 9, 2016 |
Sun Chemical presents SunSHINE Mystic Black, a new black pearlescent effect pigment that can be used to create beautifully bold formulations for lipsticks, mascara, eyeliners and more. It is based...
Aug 9, 2016 |
ACS Central Science researchers report a new approach and a new catalyst that can produce not just hydrogen but also the most common ingredient in nail polish. They produced H2 gas and ethyl...
Aug 3, 2016 |
Mintel says American tweens and teens are indulging in makeup. Most of them use mascara, eye shadow, eye liner, eyebrow pencils and hair-coloring products. This new research reveals that 80 percent...
Oct 6, 2016 |
Sun Chemical will present SunSHINE Mystic Black, a new black pearlescent effect pigment at in-cosmetics Latin America 2016 to cosmetic chemists. It can be used to create beautifully bold...
Sep 16, 2016 |
Merck has launched Ronastar® Royal Sparkle. The refined premium pearl luster pigment is for high-quality cosmetics with exceptional optical and haptic effects. It imparts an intense sparkle and...
Aug 16, 2016 |
From BB creams, CC creams, serums, essences, ampoules, sea weed face masks, scrubs to topical gels with botulinum, lips and hair shading, beauty trends and products from Asia are setting the tone...
Aug 4, 2016 |
New research from Mintel finds that while UK sales of lip color cosmetics grew by 8% between 2014 and 2015, sales will rise by an estimated 12% in 2016 to reach a stunning £306 million. Growth is...
Qosmedix has expanded into stock lipstick tube packaging by introducing 2 new items; a Matte Black Lipstick Tube with Silver Band and a Black Lipstick Tube with Clear Cap. The sleek matte black tube...
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A brazen gang worked as a team as they took over 30 items from a sports shop in Tipperary.
Gardai made four arrests after over €2,000 worth of goods were taken out of the store on Saturday.
The group had entered the store and "worked as a team" according to the guards who said the total amount of items taken came to a sum of €2,060.
The shop raised the alarm shortly after the fleecing, and the Clonmel Regular Unit started their search for the culprits almost immediately.
Soon after the incident four people were found "making efforts to leave" the Tipp town with the goods - which officers took back off them and returned to the store.
The four in question were all arrested and have now been charged to appear before a judge.
The gardai said: "Four individuals working as a group entered a sports shop in town, took 31 items to the value of €2060 and left the shop having concealed the items.
"Following a search by the Clonmel Regular Unit members, the suspects were located close by making efforts to leave Clonmel undetected with all of the stolen property.
"They were all arrested, detained and interviewed and have now been charged to court. The stolen property was recovered and has been returned to the owner."
- Tributes flow following death of Cork city basketball player Garreth Blount
- Toddler dies in tragic incident in West Cork town
- Matthew Healy remembered as 'one of gentlest people you could meet' at funeral


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Wang Jianlin appointed Vice Chairman of APEC China Business Council
Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin was appointed Vice Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation China Business Council, which was established in Beijing on August 16.
Members voted on the council’s constitution, selected its Chairman and Vice Chairman, and listened to the development plan and budget report at the founding ceremony and the first plenary session of the council.
Upon being appointed Vice Chairman, Wang Jianlin gave a speech to council members.
The council aims to get Chinese business circles more involved in APEC’s development, build a platform that promotes communication and cooperation for Chinese business companies, as well as encourage participation of Chinese companies in events throughout the 2014 APEC Chinese Year.


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The stock exchanges in New York started trading with small losses on Thursday, following the record levels of a day earlier. The European stock exchanges also took a step back.
The new coronavirus continued to determine market sentiment. According to the latest figures from the World Health Organization, the death toll increased to 2129 and the number of infections is getting closer to 100,000.
Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow-Jones index was 0.1 percent lower at 29,321 points. The broad-based S&P 500 also fell 0.1 percent to 3382 points and technology exchange Nasdaq dropped 0.2 percent to 9800 points. The indicators ended with records on Wednesday.
At the takeover front, Morgan Stanley bought the online broker E-Trade Financial to strengthen its asset management services. A $ 13 billion price tag was attached to the transaction. The Morgan Stanley share fell by around 4 percent.
The companies also paid a lot of attention to Victoria’s Secret lingerie brand. Investor Sycamore takes a majority stake of 55 percent in the lingerie fashion house, known for its fashion shows with top models.
The remaining shares remain in the hands of parent company L Brands, which lost nearly 9 percent in the first minutes of trading. Victoria’s Secret has recently been accused of a woman-unfriendly attitude.


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- 26 May 2021
- Transport / Logistics Services
Three quarters of Australians who choose same-day delivery only want a guaranteed or fast delivery according to Hubbed, the Australian pick-up/drop-off (PUDO) network. Just a quarter of those choosing same-day actually need the goods that day.
The Hubbed survey was of 1,005 Australians. The company has more than 2,000 locations across the country, that include parcel lockers, petrol stations, convenience stores and independent retail outlets.
It found that 48% of those ordering same-day needed their parcel within 2-3 days, and 24% felt that same-day would guarantee the parcel would arrive. Just 28% needed their parcel that same day.
David McLean, CEO and founder of Hubbed, said, “Given the fact that most online orders aren’t needed urgently, the availability of same-day delivery options is placing additional pressure on retailers to process orders in tight timeframes, as well couriers, who are already handling unprecedented parcel volumes.
“Given this, it may be important for retailers to ensure other delivery choices are available to customers, such as click and collect. This allows customers to have more control over their parcel deliveries and ensures the swift delivery of items without the pressure of having to fulfil orders within a day.”
Another insight from the research is that most shoppers prefer PUDO to delivery at home. It showed that 59% find it easier to collect parcels than to have them delivered to their home.
McLean added: “With online shopping showing no signs of slowing down, offering alternative delivery locations will appeal to consumers. It solves issues around missed deliveries and provides convenience for consumers, who can choose where they receive their parcels. Now that Aussies are returning to the workplace, they may be more inclined to select alternative options, which are open after hours and on weekends.”


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The latest tech giant expected to open its own stores is Google. The idea of a Google retail chain, first reported by 9-to-5 Google, isn’t so far-fetched even though Google has so far focused on direct sales to consumers through its online Google Play store.
Your Amazon Prime membership entitles you to one free book "rental" per month. So why does Amazon make them so hard to find?
Amazon plans to give away tens of millions of dollars in its new virtual currency, Amazon Coins, which Kindle Fire users can use to buy apps and games in the Amazon Appstore.
Amazon Web Services' Relational Database Service now lets users keep track of their databases with email and SMS notifications.
Visitors to what used to be Buy.com will see changes on the front page this week—including a pronunciation guide for its new name.
Amazon eschews Android exclusivity to offer its in-app purchase API for use in traditional computer games. One-click broadsword orders, here we come.
A federal judge in California has ordered Apple and Amazon.com to sit down and attempt to settle a lawsuit between them over Amazon's use of the "Appstore" name for its online application marketplace.


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SEOUL, Korea – Samsung Electronics on Tuesday, April 8 posted estimated first quarter operating profits of 8.4 trillion won ($7.96 billion), marking a second straight year-on-year decline as growth in global smartphone sales slows.
The estimate was in line with market expectations, with analysts having forecast profits for the world’s largest mobile phone maker between 8.14 and 8.63 trillion won for the January-March period.
“The operating profits fell for two straight quarters year-on-year as profit margins in smartphones were falling and the growth rate in smartphone sales was decreasing due to growing competition,” analyst Young Park of Hyundai Securities told AFP.
While the figure marks a 1.08% increase on the previous quarter, it is 4.3% lower than a year earlier, when the South Korean giant – the world’s largest technology firm by sales – recorded operating profits of 8.78 trillion won.
It marks the second quarter of year-on-year decline in a row after Samsung posted Q4 operating profits 6.0% lower than those a year earlier.
The company estimated a modest rise in first quarter sales to 53 trillion won, up 0.24% from a year earlier.
Shares in Samsung fell 0.29% midday while Seoul’s main stock market gained 0.07%.
Fixed first-quarter earnings are set to be announced later this month.
The figures come as growth in smartphone sales slows, with mature markets like North America and Europe near saturation.
This, coupled with the rapid expansion of smaller rivals like Chinese giant Huawei, has pressured Samsung to roll out cheaper handsets to woo consumers in emerging markets, especially China.
Analyst Greg Roh of HMC Investment Securities estimated the average price of Samsung smartphones at $209 in the fourth quarter of last year, down from $235 in the second quarter.
Nonetheless, estimated profits for Samsung’s mobile division grew to 6.2 trillion won in Q1 of this year, up from 5.5 trillion won in the three previous months, Park said.
This follows the earlier-than-expected release of its latest smartphone in South Korea, analysts said.
The Galaxy S5 – which Samsung hopes will cement its lead in the global smartphone market – came out at home on March 27, two weeks earlier than the global launch slated for April 11.
Park said Samsung’s television division was expected to have fared poorly this quarter due to sliding global prices, but that profits for the company’s semiconductor division would be about the same as in Q4.
For the whole of 2014, Samsung’s operating profit is likely to be around 37 trillion won, about the same as last year’s, he added – although Roh said the figure would probably fall to 35 trillion won because of the slowing demand for smartphones.
The company made more than 30% of all smartphones sold in the world last year, nearly twice the share of its arch-rival Apple.
But Samsung is also faced with a daunting challenge to keep momentum in the increasingly saturated market.
Major handset makers have recently stepped up efforts to develop wearable devices, seen as a new source for growth – though few have managed to garner large consumer excitement or sales.
Samsung’s first Internet-enabled smartwatch, introduced last September, was greeted coldly by consumers who viewed it unfashionable. Its second edition, the Gear 2, was launched in February.
Apple is believed to be planning its own smartwatch launch soon, while Google is moving towards a wider consumer launch of its Internet-enabled eyewear Glass.
Samsung is also under pressure to set aside more cash for legal bills as years-long patent battles against Apple continue.
The two have locked horns in patent suits in several nations involving design and technologies on their smartphones and tablet computers.
A fresh patent trial opened in the United States last week, with Apple vowing to prove that Samsung flagrantly copied iPhone features and should pay more than $2 billion in damages.
Samsung is believed to have set aside an additional 300 billion won in the first quarter for patent payments, according to Byun Han-Joon, analyst at the Seoul-based KB Investment & Securities.
Operating profits are expected to climb to 9.3 trillion won in the second quarter as sales of Galaxy S5 pick up globally thanks to a lack of competing models, Byun said. Apple is not widely expected to update its line-up until September.
The 9.3-trillion won estimate, however, would still be lower than the 9.5 trillion posted in the second quarter of 2013. – Rappler.com


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Shipping container volumes continued to rise at the Port of Long Beach in November after the busy late summer and early fall season. The numbers could point to an uptick in the economy.
According to a news release from the port, 569,599 TEUs moved through the Port of Long Beach in November. The November number was 2.5 percent higher than November 2012 figures. TEU stands for 20-foot equivalent container units.
The increase in cargo containers came after the oceanic shipping industry’s peak season between August and October when retailers get ready for holiday shoppers.
Imports that arrive in November are typically planned for store shelves in the New Year, the port news release said.
Imports increased 6.5 percent, and exports rose 9.9 percent for the month. The export total of 151,950 TEUs is the second-highest number the port has seen all year. Empty containers dropped by 12.7 percent to 121,011 TEUs, a difference port officials said coincided with a rise in U.S. exports.
Cargo container numbers have been higher all year at Long Beach.
“For the first 11 months of calendar year 2013, cargo container volume is up 12.1 percent – including 14.4 percent more imports, 10. 8 percent more exports and 8.6 percent more empties,” the port release states.
Copyright © OOIDA


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Amazon Prime Day 2022 starts now. While we’re used to seeing early Prime Day deals, this year Amazon is starting earlier than ever, with exclusive Prime member deals on Fire TVs already and with discounts on Echo devices and more to follow.
So, we’re rounding up the best Amazon deals you can shop today. Remember, you must be a Prime member to access these deals. (If you’re not a Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial (opens in new tab) or free 6-month trial if you’re a student (opens in new tab)).


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The new NOW TV sports pass promo code for oshkosh b gosh is available alongside the original.
The bundle deal also comes with a NOW TV Box so you can stream direct to your.
There is no limit to the number of passes you can purchase, and there is also a bundle deal available, giving you extra days and saving you money. .The NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass is designed for sports fans who dont want a long-term deal, but still want to enjoy the premium and exclusive content from Sky Sports. .Sky Sports Day Pass, which has also seen a reduction in price.99 for a limited time only.The top, nOW TV, sky Sports Week Pass is now available at just.99 for a limited time only, offering 7 days' worth of access to the biggest sporting events across all 7 Sky Sports channels.Gidion Katz, Director of NOW TV, said: With the start of the football season just days away, this is a great time to be giving sports fans even more choice. We know our sports fans are hungry for more flexibility in how they watch sports and the new Sky Sports Week Pass offers just that.Sky Sports on August 16th.Last season 49 of the 50 most watched matches were broadcast via the dedicated sports channels, and this year matches including last season's top 4 teams (Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal) will be exclusive to the network.Welcome to the Digital Spy forums.Registered in England 112955.The pass, which launched on Thursday, allows users to stream the channels directly to a number of popular devices, including mobile phones, tablets, games consoles and the dedicated NOW TV set top box.Now fans simply have to decide if they want to snack on a day pass or feast on a week's sport for just.99.The streaming service from NOW TV can be used with a number of web-connected devices, and can be streamed on Smart TVs as well.
Sky Sports has long been the home of dedicated sports coverage, with rights to some of the Barclays Premier Leagues most highly anticipated matches, as well as live cricket, golf, tennis and rugby. .The exhilarating excitement of Formula 1 is given its own channel throughout the season, and with Sky Sports News youll be able to get the latest stories as they happen.Entertainment and, movies passes, from the, nOW TV website.If youd like to join in, please sign in or register.The new release comes just in time for the fast eden crest vacation rentals promo code approaching Premier League season, which kicks off.Register, digital SPY, part OF THE hearst UK entertainment network 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP.Both passes are available, plus the popular Sky.Sky Sports 5, the new home for European football, and the new-look Sky Sports News.With the NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass, youll have unlimited access to all 10 Sky Sports channels for 24 hours, which means you can enjoy all the exclusive action, expert analysis and breaking news, and there is no contract or subscription.That includes brand new channel.Sky, sports, with the, day, pass on, now,.


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As temperatures cool in Hong Kong and outdoor exercise becomes a bit more bearable, adidas Hong Kong and JOOX are teaming up to make your next run a more immersive one.
To promote adidas' X9000 series running shoe, the two brands have developed a 3D audio campaign that will transport Hongkongers into a cyberpunk-inspired, futuristic world utilising the JOOX music streaming platform.
Comprising four 3D audio ads and a branded playlist, the campaign brings listeners into "adidas 3D異元世界 ('alien world')", an imaginary and mysterious universe in Hong Kong that will enhance the running experience and features music by artists including Bruno Mars and others.
Unlike traditional audio or even surround sound, 3D audio technology makes the listening experience more immersive than ever before. With only a simple pair of stereo headphones, 3D audio's expanded sonic field enables sounds to approach the listener from all directions, which made it the perfect fit for the experience that adidas and JOOX wanted to create. According to research by Advertiser Perceptions, 46% of brands have turned to digital audio as a key driver for their marketing efforts.
In addition to the audio spots, banner and splash ads were also developed to help the playlist reach more listeners.
“JOOX strives to create innovative opportunities for advertisers who wish to engage with Asia’s youth segment and we’re delighted to gain the trust of adidas Hong Kong to co-create this set of compelling 3D audio ads – which is sort of a breakthrough for marketers in Hong Kong," said Norman Tam, general manager of international business group at Tencent.
"We believe that digital audio ads are highly effective to narrate a compelling brand story, and the 3D audio could help further elevate the sensational experience that brands would like to deliver."


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Elo tinderWhat will be the Tinder ELO rating? The ‘desirability standing’ has stopped being employed by online matchmaking program
What’s the Tinder Elo have? visualize: Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty images, Tim Robberts via Getty creative
May be the Tinder «desirability standing» nevertheless getting used? A tweet in regards to the well known Elo score test circulating on Twitter and every person is freaking apart.
Actually ever thought about exactly what the Tinder «desirability rate» is? Do you have idea there was clearly demonstrably such a thing? Keeps your very own careless swiping diminished her amazing Elo status? Just what hell additionally ended up being an Elo score? As a result of a tweet from Twitter consumer abbygov, internet is now freaking
A tweet posted yesterday evening (Feb 24) demonstrated that «dating tools advise individuals fit for you according to in private determined appeal score». (suite…)


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The prices for the first 3D HDTVs is going to be pricey. Panasonic has confirmed that a 50″ 3D HDTV with a 3D Blu-ray player and one set of glasses will retail for about $2,900. Extra 3D glasses will cost you another $150 per pair according to the company. Samsung says their deal on a 46″ 3D HDTV, with a 3D Blu-ray player and two pairs of glasses will be $3,000 and includes a 3D movie.
There is good news. The HDTVs can switch between 3D and 2D, which doesn’t require glasses to view. LOL
Panasonic recently announced that the company will be partnering with Best Buy once the 3D sets hit the stores. But it makes one wonder just how many of these new 3D sets will sell at such high prices?
I know I will be waiting for prices to drop and also to see just how popular 3D will be for home use.


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Banana farmers and fans are being urged to expand their tastes, with fears the popular Cavendish variety might soon be wiped out.
Around half of all bananas sold in the world - and almost all we see in the West - are Cavendish, which is at risk thanks to infections and climate change.
The problem is Cavendish bananas are all clones, so there's no genetic diversity.
"When you have monoculture, you just have this endless amount of food for the pest," Cardiff University ecologist Angelina Sanderson Bellamy told LiveScience. "It's like a 24-hour buffet."
The Cavendish bananas we know today were developed in the mid-20th century to replace the Gros Michel variety, which had been devastated by disease. But since the 1990s Cavendish bananas have faced threats from fungal diseases, including fusarium wilt and black sigatoka, raising fears it could be wiped out.
Because they don't reproduce sexually like most plants, Cavendish bananas are slow to evolve. But they're popular because they're good at resisting environmental disasters and quick to recover, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
Experts are now looking for potential replacements, should disaster strike.
"We are now making an inventory of all types of bananas found in the local market, mainly for their taste quality, to convince breeders to focus on these," Nicolas Roux, banana genetics researcher, told LiveScience.
"We are in danger, with so much of the market taken up by this one subgroup."
Around 50 billion tonnes of Cavendish bananas are produced every year.
- Kiwis eat more bananas than most - but are we paying a fair price?
- Metal object discovered in Queensland banana
An alternative scientists are working on is finding ways to edit the Cavendish genome to make it more resistant to threats.
Dr Bellamy said diversifying banana crops into other varieties will end up costing consumers more, but that's the price we might have to pay if we want to keep eating bananas.
"I think there is a crisis in our food system, and I think the [Cavendish] banana is a good example of the way that crisis is manifesting itself."


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Apple’s new iPad seems to have been a huge success since making its debut last month. Although it doesn’t feature a new form factor and actually measures in a little thicker than its predecessor, that high-resolution Retina display, the 5-megapixel iSight camera, and voice dictation have all made this iPad a crowd pleaser, helping Apple shift 3 million units in its first three days of availability.
However, Raymond Soneira, CEO of DisplayMate Technologies, claims that this isn’t the iPad Apple wanted to release. Soneira says that Tim Cook and co. wanted to make the tablet thinner and introduce a new display with IGZO technology from Sharp. Instead, the company had to resort to “Plan B.”
DisplayMate is a company that specializes in calibrating, testing, evaluating and comparing displays from devices like monitors, HDTVs, projectors, and mobile devices. According to the company’s about page, its technology is used by “ever major manufacturer in their research labs.”
In a recent interview with CNET, the company’s CEO revealed that Apple wanted to introduce Sharp’s IGZO technology into its third-generation iPad that would make the unit thinner than the iPad 2. But it reportedly had to go to “Plan B” when the technology just wasn’t ready in time.
“The plan was to use this new technology called IGZO from Sharp — a lot higher electron mobility that allows them to make the transistors a lot smaller and the circuit elements a lot smaller,” he [Soneira] said. In short, smaller transistors and circuit elements allow more light through and reduce the number of backlights needed, resulting in a thinner display assembly.
There was one problem, though. Sharp didn’t have its IGZO display tech ready in time. So, Apple had to fall back on more conventional amorphous silicon technology.
“There’s no question that the iPad 3 is Plan B. They pushed amorphous silicon to a higher [pixels per inch] than anybody else. but the light throughput is not good. So it has roughly twice as many LEDs, and they had to get a a 70 percent larger battery,” Soneira said, referring to today’s third-generation iPad.
Soniera’s comments fit in well with a number of rumors that circulated in the months leading up to the new iPad’s unveiling. Several suggested Apple would opt for IGZO technology for its next tablet to make the unit thinner and more energy efficient while adding a Retina display.
However, it has also been reported that Sharp just could not provide the number of IGZO displays that Apple needs to meet demand for its hugely popular device.
Even so, the new iPad seems like a pretty incredible compromise if you ask me.


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- Tsar Network to Reinvent the Blockchain Experience with its Simpler, Faster & Secure Platform
London, UK, 24 Sep 2021, ZEXPRWIRE, TsarNetwork has proudly announced the recent publication of its white paper to introduce the world to the all-new, game-changing digital financial platform. Aiming to demystify blockchain and cryptocurrencies, TsarNetwork has been developed as an inclusive, no-barrier, blockchain-based ecosystem for techies and non-techies alike. The platform is presently welcoming everyone to invest in the future of custom smart contracts. According to the co-founder of TsarNetwork, Lucia Cermakova, the blockchain technology has only realized a fraction of its true potential. This new digital financial network will focus on real-world applications of blockchain technology, making it accessible for all.
“The booming, trillion-dollar blockchain industry has over-promised but under-delivered. Only a handful of people have access to blockchain technology and an understanding of it,” said CEO, Natalie M. Webb, while talking about the state of current blockchain networks and platforms. “In a race to achieve a computational edge over rivals, the powers that be in the blockchain world forgot the basic principle that trends finish, things become obsolete, and even technological marvels die if they fail to get mainstream,” she added.
According to Webb, TsarNetwork aims to create a highly trusted and reputable blockchain network with its focus on real-world utility through purposeful solutions designed for practical use cases.
Even after a decade of Bitcoin’s launch, less than one percent of the world uses blockchain technology. When the world wide web emerged in the 90s, the internet became a global phenomenon because its adoption was simplified for the masses. However, unnecessary complications and mist around the basics of blockchain technology has confused regular people about the very concept of cryptocurrency. There is a strong need for industry experts to understand this issue and make it easier for the public. Such a development could potentially replicate the internet boom of the 90s in this 21st century.
“Emerging as the future of Custom Smart Contracts, Tsar Network is being woven as the world’s first blockchain platform with a drag-and-drop contract builder,” said Webb while talking about the network. “When most of the existing platforms are heavily developer-focused, we want to balance the scales by providing a platform that is both, developer-friendly and user-friendly,” she added.
The key here is breaking technical barriers and unnecessary complications. To achieve this, TsarNetwork employs a zero-code approach that lets non-technical users focus on the business, not the code.
The Tsar Ecosystem is an integrated network consisting of a frontend platform for end users, a blockchain that services the platform underneath, and a utility token that enables a powerful economic model across the whole network. It is an ecosystem that empowers its users to carve their digital financial world as they see fit. Its polished, ergonomic frontend is where ordinary users will interact with the network most of the time. It is a comprehensive, all-inclusive suite of blockchain-based financial applications that are practical, affordable, user-friendly and secure.
The industry-forward interface of TsarNetwork will expedite the practical adoption of TsarChain for a diverse pool of stakeholders. It enables parties willing to enter a contract to define its scope, identify beneficiaries and transaction values, determine the nature of assets related to the contract, and support their digitization. Moreover, it will let users define the execution date and set conditional logic related to the contract if required. The on-chain digital IDs (optionally linked with real-world identities) can be used to sign the contract before it is finally pushed to the blockchain.
“Tsar is also throwing a treat at nerds by providing them with a state-of-the-art blockchain, TsarChain, that will be open for all sort of developmental activities related to both, everyday and mission-critical smart contracts,” Webb added.
Following the publication of its whitepaper, TsarNetwork is now launching its own ICO for TsarToken—the fuel that powers TsarChain. It will be available for trade and use as a transactional unit for services across the platform. Moreover, Tsar supports a generous economic model of 50% revenue share with its users.
Tsar wants to move away from the current trend of technically-challenging interfaces and provide something that the non-technical public is used to interacting with, similar to interfaces on the traditional web. The interface has been designed with features of prevalent internet applications, hiding the blockchain infrastructure from the end user as much as possible. At a very high level, the frontend will present blobs or modules that can be dropped onto a canvas to design a workflow. These modules make up the contract logic, terms and conditions, and make calls to the backend infrastructure behind the scenes.
“We kept user experience at the forefront of our design and development processes when creating Tsar’s interface. This will be an ongoing process as simplicity and ease of use are cornerstones of our development philosophy,” said Webb.
For more information and to become a part of this emerging network, please visit the website at:
Connect with TsarNetwork
The post Why Code Smart Contracts When You Can Design Them? appeared first on Zex PR Wire.


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By Business of Fashion
This article was published in the Business of Fashion February 3, 2022. We are sharing because it addresses an industry-wide shift in focus to areas such as diversity, sustainability, and logistics.
When Deloitte appointed its first “well-being officer” in 2019, fascination with the unconventional title was so intense that publications from Forbes to Adweek wrote articles breaking down its meaning.
The job, which Deloitte describes as driving “the strategy and innovation around work-life, health and wellness” for the firm’s employees, was part of a wave of new executive positions sweeping through the business world. From chief metaverse officers to happiness chiefs, companies are increasingly willing to stray from the standard list of C-suite roles.
Fashion is no exception. Brands and retailers are shaking up the executive ranks, making space on the top floor for leaders in areas like diversity, sustainability and logistics. Often, these new and evolving roles come in response to cultural shifts, whether it’s 2020′s racial reckoning, climate change or the pandemic.
But whether big brands are tapping diversity chiefs, virtual reality heroes or climate change rockstars, the stream of new C-suite posts signal a recognition among companies that their upper ranks must adapt to meet the demands of increasingly outspoken consumers and employees.
“There’s all this power that sits within the consumers and there’s a whole load of power that sits within the employees of an organisation right now — more than they’ve ever had,” said Paula Reid, president of the executive search firm Reid & Co.
BoF identified six C-suite titles that are gaining traction in the fashion industry.
Chief Growth Officer
Where they work: Asos, Gap Inc., Target have added this position in the last two years.
Why they’re hired: The appointment of a CGO can signal one of two things: a company is worried about stagnating sales, or it’s on a hot streak and looking to extend its run. It’s no coincidence that before reaching fashion, the CGO was most popular in media and tech.
Also known as: Chief revenue officer, chief commercial officer
What they do: CGOs identify, pursue and maintain revenue streams. That can mean finding new sources of sales or finding ways to squeeze more out of existing channels. They may directly oversee broad swaths of the company but are just as likely to collaborate across far-flung teams, from merchandising and product design to sourcing and customer experience.
Challenges: It’s critical that this role serves to bridge departments rather than create more segmentation, said Reid.
Reporting structure: A CGO often serves as a translator, synthesising data and analysis from multiple teams in a way that’s digestible to the CEO, said Caroline Pill, London-based partner at executive placement firm Kirk Palmer Associates. They may hold sway over merchandising, marketing, sourcing and product procurement and customer experience, among other departments.
Chief Diversity Officer
Where they work: Macy’s, Nike, Kering, Prada, Target
Why they’re hired: The title has its roots in higher education but began to pop up at tech and consumer goods companies in recent years. The post was rare in fashion until the summer of 2020 when international outrage over the police killing of George Floyd touched off a broader racial reckoning across the industry. Postings on Glassdoor for executive roles such as “chief diversity officer,” “head of diversity and inclusion,” and “vice president of diversity and inclusion” more than doubled practically overnight.
Also known as: Chief talent and culture officer, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer or chief diversity, inclusion and talent officer. At many companies, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) matters continue to be handled by human resources departments.
What they do: CDOs are responsible for crafting and implementing a company’s strategy for a diverse and fair workplace. This includes creating and overseeing policies that address and prevent workplace discrimination, increasing the representation of minority groups across all levels, launching initiatives that shape a company’s culture and stemming attrition among underrepresented groups.
Challenges: “The risk with this role comes when it’s viewed as, ‘oh, we have to have this role” and there’s not a really thoughtful approach to what its goals are and how it really integrates across the organisation,” Reid said.
Reporting structure: Experts say the most effective CDOs have a direct line to the CEO, giving them more power to change the corporate culture than if they sit within the HR department.
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Where they work: Nordstrom, Revlon, Tory Burch, Macy’s
Why they’re hired: Even before the pandemic snarled global supply chains, the CSCO was becoming a more common sight in the C-suite. The growth of online shopping and evolving consumer expectations around corporate social responsibility has pushed fashion firms to create more comprehensive strategies that connect their merchandising, product design and human resources departments with product procurement.
Also known as: Chief operating officer
What they do: A CSCO serves as a centralised command for departments such as manufacturing, procurement and sales, operations and planning. This executive — who ideally has a mix of technical and strategic leadership skills — can help a company coordinate quickly to respond to production crises. The best CSCOs also recruit top logistics talent to optimise supply chains and nimbly respond to crises.
Challenges: CSCOs are constantly fighting fires these days, said Craig Rowley, a senior client partner at business consulting firm Korn Ferry. That leaves less time to identify supply chain innovations and recruit talent.
Reporting structure: Reports to the CEO, and may sit alongside a chief operating officer (if they haven’t replaced that role entirely).
Chief Brand Officer
Where they work: Moncler, Valentino, Versace, Theory
Why they’re hired: Consumers are increasingly conscious of whether a brand’s internal culture matches the image it’s projecting in marketing. Enter the CBO, who serves as the architect for a company’s image, crafting a vision that applies equally to advertising campaigns, internal communications and even HR policies, and ensuring that this vision is in sync with the target customer.
Also known as: Chief marketing officer
What they do: The CBO is a chameleon who works across the company connecting departments ranging from PR and corporate communications to human resources and customer service to ensure consistency. The job is typically broader than a CMO, who tends to be more focused on product, design and marketing, with performance more closely tethered to the bottom line.
Challenges: Since this role is relatively new and has significant overlap with the duties of a CMO, a CBO may struggle to define their mandate and measure success. The role can be short-lived if a company is averse to change beyond its external marketing.
Reporting structure: Most CBOs report directly to the chief executive officer. If the company has a CMO, that person may report to the CBO or work alongside them. Often, the marketing department falls under the CBO’s purview.
Chief Sustainability Officer
Where they work: L’Oréal USA, Chloé, PVH Corp.
Why they’re hired: As pressure mounts for the industry to address its environmental impact, companies are testing new strategies to operate more sustainably — and make sure consumers know they’re trying.
Also known as: A chief supply chain officer or chief operating officer are often given the sustainability mandate in the absence of a CSO.
What they do: A CSO helps ensure a company is compliant with internal and external sustainability guidelines. They create and implement a strategy to curb an organisation’s carbon footprint, and address issues ranging from waste to water usage to labour rights.
The challenge: Experts disagree on whether it’s better to have a single person overseeing sustainability, or to make sustainability a goal for all departments, with resources to support their efforts.
“It’s great to have new titles like this but then we need to be clear about what sits under them, what success looks like, and how that role will evolve once the basic problems are resolved,” Pill said.
Reporting structure: A CSO is most effective when they have the CEO’s ear, typically as a direct report. Procurement, design, supply chain and operations departments tend to fall under a CSO’s purview, though rarely reporting directly to them.
Chief People Officer
Where they work: Rag & Bone, Burberry, Under Armour, Stitch Fix, Fashion Nova
Why they’re hired: CPOs are a rebrand of the human resources chief, signalling an expanded role beyond hiring and firing and that a company intends to invest more in its people and culture. The CPO typically champions values, ethics and building a company’s culture.
Also known as: Chief human resources officer.
What they do: Like CHROs, CPOs have leadership oversight of areas such as succession planning, employee benefits and compensation but their core duties are more closely linked to the employee experience and engagement. A CPO steers the development of culture, values, ethics and a firm’s mission. This may range from helping to onboard new hires to launching employee development programs and crafting messaging around culture.
The challenge: “As we’re working from home and our work life has become so complicated that’s where this role becomes really important but also challenging,” said Pill. “This person has to make sure the culture is on point and that there’s a sense of community, even when people are not sitting together in an office — they have to ensure that’s there’s some caring organism within.”
Reporting structure: CPOs report directly to the chief executive and oversee all HR functions.
Additional reading from Business of Fashion:


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The Concord Pavilion has announced another free ticket give-away for Concord residents.
As one of the benefits of the recent contract between Live Nation and the City of Concord, the Pavilion is offering 250 free tickets to the KISS/Def Leppard show on Wednesday, July 2.
The tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday, July 1 at the Pavilion box office from noon to 4 p.m.
Residents must bring a utility bill and driver’s license (or other government-issued ID) with matching addresses with them to claim the tickets.
Live Nation also offers a second program for Concord residents that allows them to purchase tickets at the box office on the day before the tickets go on sale to the general public. A special resident hotline at (925) 363-5701 has information about presale dates.
Non-residents and residents alike can buy tickets at the box office on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. without a service charge.
The Concord Pavilion box office is on the grounds of the facility at 2000 Kirker Pass Road.
Tickets are also available online at Livenation.com, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.


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Next Wednesday sees the sixth annual Oystercatchers Club Awards which celebrate the intense energy, innovation and creativity that agencies and their teams devote to new business and marketing, and of course, results achieved.
A terrific line up of jurors have judged submissions and the winners will be revealed at the awards. Commenting on this year’s judging, Suki Thompson our CEO said that the jury was incredibly proud to see the creative bar raised once again this year. “Three trends stood out: great story telling anchored in effectiveness; the ability to disrupt and personalise; and partnership.”
Our awards evening will also host a panel of client/agency partnerships who will be sharing their insights into some of the best pitches we’ve seen this year. On stage are Samsung & Wunderman; Bower&Wilkins & Droga5; Kepak & Porter Novelli; Bwin & BBH.
Looking forward to seeing our Club members, tapping into the secret of pitch success, and, celebrating our award winners.
Awards jury: an impressive collection of senior business leaders including:
Nigel Gilbert; CMO, TSB
Darren Peacock; Director of Brand Marketing EMEA, Avis
Andrew Cocker: Senior Marketing Director, Expedia
Hazel Pitchers: Global Head of Marketing, AXA IM
Ian Armstrong: General manager, Global Advertising, Jaguar Land Rover
Roger Binks: Customer Experience Director, Intu Properties
Abi Comber: Head of Customer, British Airways
John Norton: Head of Fundraising, Royal British Legion
Toby Horry: Customer Propositions Director, Tesco
David Bower: Marketing Director, EMEA, Invesco
Andrew Slamin: Marketing Director, Head of European Operations, Kettle Foods
Gabriella Neudecker: Head of Marketing, Experian
Jason King: Marketing Director, Williams & Glynn
Andria Vidler: CEO Centaur Media
Will Abbott: CMO, Currently Consulting
Feilim Mackle: CEO Services, Dixons Carphone
Yianni Papadopoulos: Head of Marketing, Bookdepository.com (Amazon)
The awards night takes place on Wednesday 22nd November at the May Fair Hotel, London. Please contact firstname.lastname@example.org for details.


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There’s a number of chatter on-line about which meals may assist mother and father and caregivers handle signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in youngsters. Separating the great ideas from the dangerous ones generally is a problem.
Right here, specialists reveal the reality about 4 widespread ADHD food plan myths — and the info that may empower you to make smart selections about your youngster’s diet.
Fable 1: Sugar Is a Prime Reason behind ADHD
A lot of the proof associated to sugar and ADHD is anecdotal. “Many mother and father have advised me they see elevated impulsivity following consumption of sugary drinks or meals of their youngsters,” Dr. Karnik says.
Medical analysis findings associated to ADHD and sugar have been blended. For example, one small study published in January 2022 in BMC Pediatrics confirmed that unhealthy consuming behaviors, together with excessive sugar consumption, had been extra widespread in children with ADHD than in youngsters with out the situation. However a large study published in January 2019 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which included practically 3,000 youngsters ages 6 to 11, confirmed no hyperlink between consumption of sucrose — a sweetener generally present in smooth drinks and processed foods — and ADHD.
What is obvious: Although the jury remains to be out on how sugar impacts ADHD, limiting your youngster’s consumption of the candy stuff is a good suggestion generally. Added sugars are related to an elevated threat of heart disease amongst all youngsters in america, based on data published in August 2016 in Circulation.
Excessive sugar consumption additionally has been proven to lift the chance of childhood obesity, which may result in the untimely onset of hypertension and insulin resistance, based on a study published online August 3, 2021, in the journal Children.
Amy Reed, RD, a pediatric dietitian at Cincinnati Kids’s Hospital in Ohio and a spokesperson for the Academy of Vitamin and Dietetics, says her suggestions for sugar consumption amongst youngsters with ADHD are not any completely different from her suggestions for kids with out ADHD — not more than 6 teaspoons, or 25 grams, of added sugar every day. These quantities are based mostly on a 2016 scientific assertion from the American Heart Association, she explains.
If you happen to’d like to assist your youngster devour much less sugar, suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics published in April 2019 in the journal Pediatrics counsel that you simply:
- Learn the nutrition label on packaged meals. It would let you know the quantity of added sugar in every serving. Additionally verify the components record. Sugar may be listed below many various names, together with agave nectar, barley malt syrup, corn syrup, date sugar, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltodextrin, maltose, molasses, rice syrup, and xylose.
- Serve healthier beverages, resembling water and milk instead of sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit drinks, sports activities drinks, and power drinks. The Cleveland Clinic suggests attempting naturally flavored sparking water or just including a number of items of cut-up fruit to water for sweetness.
To seek out extra pleasing replacements for meals containing a number of added sugar, Reed additionally recommends working with a registered dietitian.
Fable 2: Omega-3 Dietary supplements Can Deal with ADHD
Reality: There’s no laborious proof that omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements are useful for ADHD signs.
In some scientific research, omega-3 supplements have proven promise in serving to handle ADHD, says Karnik. For example, a review of 16 studies including more than 1,500 kids and young people with ADHD, published in the Journal of Lipids in 2017, discovered that omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation could possibly be viable additions to conventional ADHD therapy regimens.
Different research, nonetheless, have been inconclusive, Reed notes. What’s extra, the research which have proven advantages of omega-3 dietary supplements have a number of limitations, together with small numbers of members and brief period. Earlier than omega-3 dietary supplements may be routinely really helpful for ADHD, researchers must conduct bigger and longer-term research.
For these causes, Reed warns that dietary supplements ought to by no means be used instead of commonplace, evidence-based ADHD remedies resembling medicines which were authorized by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you happen to suppose you’d prefer to have your youngster attempt an omega-3 complement, ask your pediatrician for a advice. Additionally, keep in mind that dietary supplements will not be regulated as strictly as FDA-approved medicines, and the standard of omega-3 dietary supplements might differ from model to model.
Fable 3: Elimination Diets Diminish ADHD Signs
Reality: Elimination diets — any food plan that includes chopping out sure components and even total meals teams — might do extra hurt than good, and a review published in November 2017 in the journal Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care states there’s no adequate proof to point out that any meals or nutrient-based interventions assist deal with ADHD.
For ADHD, essentially the most generally touted elimination food plan is the Feingold food plan, which includes avoiding all sweeteners, preservatives, synthetic colours, flavors, and the ingredient salicylate, based on Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
“Many research [related to elimination diets] didn’t present a major distinction in outcomes,” says Karnik. “As well as, these strict dietary restrictions might have a unfavorable impact on a baby as they really feel they can not freely take part in enjoyable social actions that occur at college, resembling a birthday celebration. Not permitting youngsters to take part in consuming cake or cookies might exacerbate social anxieties or isolation.”
Reed agrees, including that unnecessarily eradicating main meals components like gluten or sugar might imply taking away many nutrient-rich meals resembling fruits and entire grain bread.
“I’ve labored with households which have gone by means of elimination diets to see if it improves conduct after which by the top, they notice they’ve had to remove a number of their youngsters’s favourite meals,” explains Reed. “Now they don’t seem to be consuming very nicely, and their conduct actually hasn’t improved both.”
Fable 4: Since Diets Don’t Work, My Youngster Doesn’t Want a Meal Plan
Reality: Many youngsters with ADHD have irregular or impulsive consuming habits and need assistance sticking to an everyday consuming schedule, which has advantages for each their well being and their conduct, Karnik says.
Some ADHD medications can suppress urge for food quickly, Reed explains. Then, when the medicine begins to put on off, starvation can come again fairly all of the sudden and intensely. This could result in binge consuming behaviors in youngsters, resembling not consuming all through the college day, then consuming all the pieces they will as soon as they arrive residence.
What’s extra, hallmark ADHD signs like hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity also can make consuming persistently all through college days more difficult.
In flip, lengthy durations with out consuming or consuming make it more durable for a kid to focus and suppose clearly, Karnik says. “It is vitally necessary that youngsters with ADHD eat wholesome meals commonly and hold well-hydrated. Hydration is equally necessary for correct mind perform.”
Have a wholesome snack prepared after college and persist with a constant dinner schedule so your youngster would not miss a meal or graze all through the night, Reed advises. And at college, contemplate working along with your youngster’s academics to kind a meal and snack schedule to make sure your youngster eats commonly all through the college day.
Fortified dietary shakes may be useful for kids and youths with ADHD as a result of they are often consumed rapidly, Reed provides.
The Backside Line: What Ought to Children With ADHD Eat?
Per the U.S. Division of Agriculture (UDSA) Dietary Guidelines for Americans, your youngster’s food plan needs to be wealthy in these nutrient-dense meals:
- Whole fruits
- Complete grains, resembling entire wheat or whole-grain bread
- Dairy, together with fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Protein-containing meals like poultry, eggs, lean meats, lentils, nuts, and seeds
- Wholesome oils, resembling olive oil and different vegetable oils
As well as, USDA specialists advocate limiting your youngster’s consumption of:
- Added sugar
- Saturated fat


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New Pardot User Interface Update
You will have noticed Pardot recently released a beta ‘Lightning Style’ update to its UI. This can currently be toggled on and off at your discretion.
As of Wednesday the 20th the UI update will no longer be in its beta phase; this will now be the default view for new users and accounts.
New users will see a notification explaining how to turn off the new updates and go back to the ‘classic’ Pardot style. Existing users will be notified that the beta has now finished.
You will also notice the new UI update is now referred to as the ‘New Pardot Style’.
The Pardot login screen will have a style update to keep it in line with the new UI.
The impending release of the Engagement Studio, which requires the ‘New Pardot Style’ to be enabled, will mean once it hits General Availability the ability to toggle the new style on and off to the ‘classic’ style will be disabled. This also means the platform will stop supporting Internet Explorer 9 and 10.


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EK Servicegroup signs UK licensing deal for Intersport
EK Servicegroup has signed a licensing agreement with Intersport International Corporation (ICC) to build the brand’s presence in the UK and Ireland. The move will expand the German retail co-operative’s activities in the sportswear sector, said EK CEO Franz Josef Hasebrink in a press conference at the Spring edition of EK Live.
“This is another important step towards becoming a European platform for medium-sized companies. We are pleased that IIC has trusted us with this business,” said Franz-Josef Hasebrink.
EK Servicegroup is also responsible for the Intersport brand in the Netherlands through a Hoevelaken-based subsidiary.
The announcement followed the release of the group’s preliminary results for 2019. Sales for the period declined by about 5.5% to €2.3 billion, while the number of members decreased slightly from 2,061 to 2,005.
EK said the decline was partly due to the termination of an agreement with a Dutch furniture association, which had previously generated triple-digit income. Adjusted revenues were up 2.1% on the previous year.
“EK is a company in constant development, even in its 95th year. With a focus on the needs of end consumers and trading partners, we are constantly developing our digital services and our shop concepts. The positive development of many of our members shows us that we are on the right track,” said Hasebrink.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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INDONESIA: Garment factories fall short on health and safety
Garment factories in Indonesia continue to suffer from high levels of non-compliance on occupational safety and health (OSH) issues, according to a new report.
The findings come in a report compiled by Better Work Indonesia (BWI), a partnership of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation tasked with improving performance and competitiveness in Indonesia’s garment sector, while also improving compliance.
The report found that while there were high levels of OSH non-compliance across the garment sector in 2013, there had been a gradual improvement for factories taking part in their second year of services.
However, OSH management systems were mostly weak, with little improvement in emergency preparedness causing particular concern for BWI.
To address this, BWI is joining forces with Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower to adapt OSH general expert training and to provide additional support to factory once training is over.
BWI said employers were also still finding it difficult to meet the legally required 1% quota of staff with disabilities, but continued efforts had led to two factories now meeting the target.
Meanwhile, workers continue to be incorrectly remunerated, especially for overtime, with a BWI production specialist set to work with a pilot factory to help managers correctly define daily production quotas.
Finally, the ILO-supported Garment Sector Trade Unions Programme will continue to strengthen the ability of factory trades unions to negotiate on their members’ behalf.
In non-unionised factories, more support is needed to strengthen the ability of worker representatives to negotiate issues on behalf of their colleagues, BWI said.
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• Dangote’s $500m sugar plant to save $1bn, create 150,000 jobs
The proposed $500 million Dangote sugar processing plant in Awe, Nasarawa State is expected to meet one third of Nigeria’s consumption needs, save the country some $1 billion and create more than 150,000 jobs.
President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, announced that they have acquired 60,000 hectares of land in Awe, Nasarawa State to grow “up to one third of Nigeria’s sugar consumption, which is almost a million tonnes”.
He said the initial investment for this project was about $480-500 million noting that the CBN will provide support to make it a reality.
Similarly, rhe Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has hinted at plans to include sugar and wheat on the list of commodities that will be banned accessing foreign exchange (FX).
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele made this disclosure on Thursday in Awe, Nasarawa state when he went on an inspection tour of the proposed $500 million Dangote sugar processing facility.
His words, “we are looking at sugar and wheat. We started a programme on milk about two years ago, eventually, these products will go into our FX restriction list..
“Hopefully, within the next two years, we will provide that support. That is our interest here to reduce reliance on importation” he said.
CBN’s decision to include sugar and wheat on the FX restriction list he said is because “we spend $600m to $1 billion importing sugar into the country annually”.
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Backbone Media: Small town agency with big reach
The Aspen Times
In a small building on the corner of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue in Carbondale, employees of Backbone Media are hard at work representing brands they believe in as they head into their 25th year.
Some work standing, others in soundproof “Zoom tubes,” and some are just getting in after a morning of skiing. The office is filled with puppies wandering around, looking to be pet. The buzz throughout the building suggests the staff is working hard to represent their outdoor brands.
According to Backbone President Greg Williams, their personality as an agency is a “mountain guide.”
“Backbone is an extension of the brands we work for. We are a network. And that network has grown over time through the brands that we work with,” he said.
They currently work with 100 clients, including some iconic outdoor lifestyle brands such as Black Diamond, Eddie Bauer and Osprey. One notable brand they have helped for over 10 years is Yeti.
“When [Yeti] started out, nobody had ever heard of them,” Williams said. “Now they’re a multibillion dollar, publicly traded company. We’ve been with them from the start, and have evolved that relationship.”
Backbone views client relationships as crucial. Although their headquarters is in Carbondale, they have an office in Denver and remote employees across the nation. Operating out of a small town comes with its challenges, but the positives far outweigh the negatives, Williams said. Being in a mountain town where there is hiking, biking, skiing and climbing just outside the office allows Backbone to test out the products they support.
“We’ve always been a little bit of road warriors. We’re not afraid to get on the road. We want a seat at the table,” said Williams.
While some companies may find a nationwide reach to be scary or intimidating, Williams called it motivating. Additionally, Zoom has allowed them to connect with clients and enabled them to do their work.
Backbone may have started as a public relations firm, but they have extended the breadth of their services so much that they don’t consider themselves just a PR firm anymore. Their 130 employees do everything from digital media, media planning, social media, marketing strategy and search engine optimization in addition to public relations.
“It was just me buying advertising for a long time. Now there’s 50 people on the team that are just buying advertising all day, optimizing campaigns, and reporting on campaigns,” said Williams.
The employees aren’t thrown into working with a brand they don’t like or know anything about. The brands each employee works with are catered to the things they care about.
“I have a little niche going. I’ve created my portfolio with sustainability-oriented brands,” said Keile Kropf, media director at Backbone, who works on accounts such as Patagonia and Smart Wool.
“I knew that I wanted to work in marketing, but not in just any industry. I wanted it to be an industry I was passionate about and connected to what I like to do,” she said.
The team at Backbone is filled with motivated, career-oriented individuals who embody the saying “work hard, play hard,” Williams said.
“They want to grow and they care about the type of work they do. We like to hire intellectually curious, entrepreneurially-minded individuals that can work within an organization that has structure, but also has a lot of freedom,” he said.
Sometimes, a work day at Backbone looks like taking a magazine editor out on the slopes with new gear Backbone is trying to promote.
“It’s definitely a lot of fun work, but hard work, too,” said Charles Lozner, vice president of digital media at Backbone. “There’s a lot of a lot of accountability and a lot of reporting. In some ways we’re like a portfolio manager for these brands. They give us millions and millions of dollars, and we’ve got to put it to work and make it perform in a very short amount of time.”
Marketing agencies are notorious for being cutthroat, but not Backbone, according to Williams. He said they take pride in being a low drama agency where everyone cares about each other and celebrates each other’s successes.
“When somebody gets promotion, when somebody runs a great campaign, when somebody has success, we want to celebrate that,” he said.
The care Williams and the leadership show toward employees has earned them a spot on Outside Magazine’s “Best Places to Work” list for five years running. They want to see each employee succeed, and will continue to provide opportunities for business to team members so they can grow their careers, Williams said.
With the new year comes a rebrand for Backbone Media, which will now officially be known as just “Backbone.”
“What we say our promise is, is we connect brands to the here and the next, not the here and the now, the here and the next,” Williams said. “The here is we’re engaged, we’re present, we’re writing for the brand. But we’re also looking into what’s next.”
Going forward, Backbone will continue to be an agency for people who want to be outside and move. Their team, made up of “specialists of stoke,” as Williams called them, always looking to what’s next for the brands they work with, he said.
“We want to show up with energy. We want to show up with smiles on our face. We want to show up with enthusiasm,” he said. “And that’s important.”
To reach Audrey Ryan, email her at email@example.com.
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