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US-based nanotechnology company Aqua-Yield has closed a $23 million Series A round. The raise will support growth of its nanoliquid products that mix with agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides to boost plant health and protection. Aqua-Yield says farmers can reduce their use of synthetic fertilizer and crop protection inputs by 25%-50%, which is significant given the inflationary environment, particularly for fertilizer right now.
- The automotive-cum-diversified investment business Larry H. Miller Company led the round, joined by Penny Newman Grain Company and consumer-focused private equity firm JH Partners.
How it works:
Aqua-Yield’s “nanoliquid” technology increases plants’ absorption of other liquid inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. The company says its products can help farmers reduce the quantity of inputs they have to use on crops without compromising yields.
- Nanoliquids are not chemicals or biologicals, and they are not meant to replace those options. Rather, nanoliquids are mixed with inputs to encapsulate them and make them more available to the plant. Importantly, these nanoliquids can deliver the inputs to the plants quickly, so that absorption happens before the inputs are lost to the surrounding environment.
- Nanoparticles protect the molecules found in inputs from environmental losses and bring those molecules into the plant cells before releasing them. The result is a more efficient uptake of the input; Aqua-Yield says farmers can reduce their synthetic fertilizer and crop protection inputs by 25%-50%.
- Aqua-Yield’s concentrated liquid products can be added to most spray mixtures used by farmers for crop protection and soil and plant health.
- Because the nanoliquids are designed to work with existing input products, farmers and growers can introduce the technology into their operations without having to change much of their processes.
- Aqua-Yield currently has 16 products that work with most input liquids out there, and on a variety of crops and farm sizes. Products are currently used on 4 million acres of farms across more than nine countries.
Why it matters:
“Stretch your 2022 input dollars” is the current tagline on Aqua-Yield’s website. It’s also a top priority for farmers around the globe right now, thanks to skyrocketing input prices. For example, a recent Rabobank survey found that year-over-year potash prices are currently “an indicative 30% higher at the wholesale level today, while phosphates are 20%-25% up over the same period.” Fertilizers typically include these inputs.
Elsewhere, Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture has found that high input costs are a “top concern” for nearly half of US farmers, and that 39% of these expect more cost increases in 2023.
These cost issues come alongside environmental concerns about the impact of chemical-based products on human and planetary health.
Nanotechnology is increasingly seen as a promising solution for making modern agriculture more resilient by boosting the efficacy of existing pest and disease management products as well as increasing nutrient uptake in plants. Relative to other crop health and protection options out there, nanotech is fairly new in agriculture, though it has existed for some time in industries like healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
“Nanoliquid technology enables growers to stretch their ag inputs,” Aqua-Yield CEO and co-founder Clark T. Bell said in a statement. “This has been key to growth as the agribusiness industry faces supply chain struggles, product availability, and the current environmental strains that will continue to play a key role in the future.”
He added that his company has “doubled in size year-over-year” since the start of the pandemic, and has conducted more than 750 field trials resulting in a 3:1 average return on investment for growers.
The Series A funding will largely go towards expanding the company’s commercial team globally and establishing “a strategic international footprint.”


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Two years ago, Iryna Korolenko was sitting in traffic, driving to an appointment at a beauty salon when she had an idea: What if there were an app that would enable customers to have beauty service providers come to their location?
“I’m a busy professional myself,” said Korolenko, a Los Altos resident. “I also have been doing modeling since 16. Just like any busy woman, I just want to take care of myself.”
Today, Korolenko runs the iSalon app, a mobile platform that provides beauty services on-demand. The app allows for freelance beauty service providers whose work includes personal care, hair styling, makeup, nails and massages – services that might be offered at a standard brick-and-mortar beauty salon – to create profiles and make themselves available to come to a customer’s preferred location.
The app is active in the Bay Area, New York and Los Angeles. According to Korolenko, there are approximately 200 service providers who use iSalon nationwide and an estimated 10 in Los Altos.
What sets iSalon apart from other apps that offer similar services is the variety of services, Korolenko said.
Originally from Ukraine, Korolenko has a business background in procurement. When she first launched the app, it took time to establish an image and build trust with customers. She collaborated with schools such as the National Holistic Institute’s massage school, marketing the app internally to graduates who might be interested in joining. Korolenko said she is selective about the professionals who are allowed to have profiles on iSalon, requesting certificates and doing background checks in addition to reviewing their portfolios.
Yanina Miller, who provides makeup services through the app, said it allows her to be flexible with her schedule. Miller also teaches makeup classes at the College of Marin.
“I believe the app is helpful because it helps to connect residential people who wouldn’t necessarily go to high-end services,” Miller said. “It’s easy to access professional services for everyday men and women.”
The app is marketed toward two different consumer desires, according to Korolenko. Some customers prefer convenience, and the app allows them to have easy access to booking. Others are more particular about the kind of stylist they want, so they can use a filter to select specific service providers and see reviews that other customers have left.
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting many beauty salons and their ability to remain open, iSalon has been booming during this time. According to Korolenko, the number of app downloads has doubled since the pandemic began. Although she had to shut down services through the app as individual counties were ordered to close personal-care services, she found it easier to adapt with a mobile app salon business compared to a regular salon’s struggles. Nothing has changed other than implementing stricter health regulations and communicating them to the massage therapists.
“It’s just the right time for this business to really go up and be seen and recognized,” Korolenko said. “When the quarantine took place, can you imagine if we didn’t have home delivery services like Amazon? It would be really, really challenging. It’s the same with this industry – iSalon being able to be adaptive to the environment and still be able to help people get access to their services.”
To download the iSalon app, visit apps.apple.com/us/app/isalon-beauty-app/id1305645161.

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Unveiling The Social Media Landscape of 2024: What Marketers Should Expect
In the ever-evolving world of social media, 2024 is set to witness a profound transformation, marked by shifts in user behavior, emerging technologies, and innovative marketing strategies. As marketers gear up to navigate this dynamic landscape, the predictions from MarTech shed light on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Let's delve into the anticipated trends that will shape social media in the coming year.
Social Media Engagement: The Tug of War Continues:
A critical question lingers: Are consumers growing disenchanted with social media? Despite potential concerns, marketers are poised to maintain their commitment to engaging audiences through both advertising and organic social campaigns. The social media space continues to diversify, fueled by the surge in user-generated content inspired by platforms like TikTok. Additionally, social commerce is offering new avenues for consumers to explore and brands to leverage.
The Potential Exodus: Will Users Opt Out?
While concerns about consumer disinterest in social media are evident, particularly amid increasing vitriol and conspiracy theories, the predicted mass abandonment seems unlikely. Gartner's projection of 50% of consumers potentially limiting their interactions with social media by 2025 raises questions about the future landscape. However, analysts suggest a more realistic scenario involves a minimization of engagement rather than a complete exodus.
If consumer apathy does take root, YouTube stands out as a potential refuge. Gartner data reveals that consumers are more accepting of advertising on YouTube, with 31% expressing openness to it. The platform's focus on entertaining and educational content aligns with user preferences, making it a potentially more enduring space amid a general downturn in social media engagement.
Social Media Advertising Fatigue: Challenges and Shifts:
Ad fatigue remains a persistent challenge for marketers on social media. Gartner's consumer data indicates a rise in total ad avoidance, increasing from 20% to 33% between 2021 and 2023. If marketers observe drops in engagement, the coming year might witness a shift towards other digital channels, such as digital video, streaming, and SEO investment.
Social Media's Vital Role in Brand-to-Consumer Interaction:
Despite potential ad fatigue and brand safety concerns, social media is expected to remain a top digital media investment for brands. The evolving landscape, driven by platform fragmentation, emerging technologies like genAI, and shifting consumer behaviors, positions social media as the nexus of brand-to-consumer interaction. Marketers are urged to recognize and harness this shift, emphasizing engagement, relevance, and delivering value in exchange for valuable consumer data.
Short-Form Organic Content Dominance: TikTok's Paradigm Shift:
The rise of short-form organic content, particularly on TikTok, has ushered in a paradigm shift in social media engagement. Established and newcomer brands alike are presented with new opportunities to connect with audiences. By integrating social within the overall marketing strategy, brands can leverage diverse platforms' unique strengths, ensuring a cohesive and effective marketing presence through memorable and resonant creative content.
Smaller Communities and Audience Focus:
Amidst the vastness of the internet, the trend of carving out smaller, more manageable community spaces is gaining momentum. Marketers in 2024 will prioritize better understanding and prioritizing audience segments, gaining insights into audience content preferences, and hiring specialized staff for audience development on social platforms.
Social VR and Gaming Experiences:
The advent of Social VR is anticipated to establish a core audience, offering brands opportunities to engage with audiences in-experience. While sales of VR and AR hardware experienced a dip in 2023, the anticipated release of Apple's Vision Pro headset signals potential growth. Brands can explore partnerships with platforms as early adopters in the evolving landscape of Social VR and gaming experiences.
Social Commerce: Opportunities and Challenges:
TikTok's foray into social commerce in 2023 marked a significant development, following in the footsteps of platforms like Instagram. However, consumer adoption of social commerce remains a challenge. Gartner's data indicates that adoption has remained flat over the last two years, down from 2021. Shoppable ads are yet to gain widespread traction, with consumer experiences often redirecting towards more trusted pathways, such as conventional search engines and retail media networks.
As we step into 2024, social media's evolution promises a multifaceted landscape, encompassing challenges and exciting opportunities. Marketers must remain agile, adapting strategies to navigate changing consumer behaviors and emerging technologies. Whether it's the potential exodus, the enduring appeal of YouTube, or the rise of Social VR, 2024 beckons a year of innovation, adaptation, and strategic prowess in the realm of social media marketing.
Want to learn how Sneeze it can help you take your marketing to the next level? Schedule a meeting below!


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Hurt by weaker demand in North America, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) revealed late Tuesday a sharply widened third-quarter loss, however its results landed ahead of expectations, leading the company to raise its fiscal view and sending the shares up 9% after hours.
The Redwood City, Calif.-based company posted a net loss of $322 million, or 97 cents a share, compared with a loss of $82 million, or 23 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.
Excluding one-time items, the company earned 59 cents a share, just ahead of average analyst estimates polled by Thomson Reuters of 57 cents.
Revenue for the developer and publisher of video game software and content, such as The Sims, EA Sports Active, Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer and Tiger Woods PGA Tour, was $1.41 billion, up from $1.35 billion a year ago, narrowly beating the Street’s view of $1.44 billion.
The company will repurchase $600 million of its shares over the next 18 months.
“We are pleased to report another strong quarter,” said Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello. “Our $600 million stock buyback demonstrates our confidence in EA’s digital strategy.”
Sales were hurt by weaker demand in North America and Asia, down 24% and 21%, respectively. European sales, meanwhile, slipped 2%.
Despite the softer sales, EA raised its full-year non-GAAP revenue guidance to the range of $3.68 billion to $3.78 billion.
The company sees GAAP earnings in the range of a 90-cent to 70-cent loss, though it anticipates non-GAAP earnings in the profitable range of 60 cents to 70 cents a share.


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All clear for Apple iPhone 6 to launch in China
Information reaching us from China this morning suggests that Apple has received a green light to release their iPhone 6 in China after the device passed through the trade approval processes in the world’s most populous country.
The news was passed on by Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology whose spokesperson sounded much delighted to deliver the information.
While Apple will be happy with the development, it should be quickly recalled that China is a market that has no love for western companies — that explains why Xiaomi is the top smartphone vendor there after Samsung’s two years of dominance came to an end.
The Apple iPhone 6, price-wise, is not the type of smartphones the Chinese want, unlike in the USA where the iPhone 6 duo gathered hundreds of thousands of anticipating customers outside Apple shops for weeks.
The popular “bendgate scandal” that scourged Apple on the Internet throughout last week will likely have a significant impact on the iPhone 6 sales though the malfunction seems to have only affected units of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus.
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WASHINGTON, DC – May 21, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a nearly $2.2 million grant to the Ogden City Corporation in Ogden, Utah. According to the grantee, the funding will help an Ogden-based company bring its advanced manufacturing operations back to the U.S. from Asia, creating 175 jobs and generating $12 million in private investment for the region.
“The Obama Administration and the Commerce Department are committed to helping companies reinvest in America and bringing more investment to our shores,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grant announced today will support an important manufacturing project that will create jobs and strengthen the economy in Ogden.”
EDA’s investment will support the construction of a new waterline to service the Ogden Business Exchange, a business and light industrial park currently being developed and marketed to businesses. Additional water service is needed to meet the demands of the park’s anchor tenant ENVE Composites, an established, growing Ogden-based company that currently employs 150 technology and advanced manufacturing workers in the area. According to the grantee, ENVE is committed to re-patriating manufacturing jobs from its Chinese manufacturing affiliates back to the United States and, to that end, is constructing a new, state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility that will leverage American worker productivity and technological capacity in carbon fiber product innovation as a result of this project. This upgraded infrastructure will provide additional capacity, which will allow other businesses to locate in the park, creating new job opportunities for the region.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.


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The Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors are heating up as we get closer to its expected launch, which is expected in early 2022. And the S22 will have to impress if Samsung is to improve on the reportedly poor sales of the Galaxy S21.
So far, the features tipped for the Galaxy S22 tend to be camera centric, notably that the phone could have a camera developed in partnership with Olympus. But other rumors have the Galaxy 22 predicted to get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 895 chip, a thinner design, slightly smaller displays and a possible under-display camera.
Notably, some refinement in camera performance would be welcome, as the likes of the iPhone 12 Pro set the bar high for smartphone photography over the past 12 months. And by the time the Samsung Galaxy S22 arrives, it will need to square off against the iPhone 13 and Google Pixel 6 and the latter’s new Tensor chip.
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The growth of U.S. exports of containerized distillers dried grains to China has fallen in the last five months.
International Import/Export Regulations
International Import/Export Regulations
26 Jun 2014
08 Apr 2014
Australia has secured a significant competitive advantage in the lucrative Japanese beef market over its main rival, the United States.
17 Mar 2014
The stricter enforcement of Chinese forwarding regulations could force container lines to turn away business and force forwarders out of the market.
16 Mar 2014
SHANGHAI — Forwarders in China still can’t deduct freight payments of a value-added tax, even though Chinese officials provided additional guidelines earlier this year.
12 Mar 2014
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to temporarily remove customs duties on Ukrainian exports to the European Union until Nov. 1, 2014...
06 Mar 2014
WASHINGTON — U.S. and Mexican shippers and transportation providers in their countries’ trusted traded programs could see faster cargo processing at the shared border as soon as late 2014, Mexico head of customs today.
02 Mar 2014
Japan becomes the latest country to require information from shippers of containerized cargo before the cargo heads to sea, with its 24-hour advanced manifest rule coming into force.
19 Feb 2014
U.S. beef, Chinese solar panels, genetically modified corn and U.S. software were high on the agenda at annual trade talks the U.S. and China held in mid-January. Chinese officials also revealed the top item on their agriculture wish list: access to the U.S. market for apples grown in China.
02 Jan 2014
China isn’t expected to approve a genetically modified strain found in corn and corn-based dried distillers grains with solubles until late spring, forcing some U.S. exporters to seek new markets or hold off on shipments, an agriculture analyst said today.
27 Dec 2013
U.S. corn exporters are bracing for a potential slowdown in shipments to their top foreign customer after Chinese authorities reportedly rejected imports of corn and corn-based dried distillers grains with solubles, citing the presence of an unapproved genetically modified strain.
12 Nov 2013
Maquiladoras, or manufacturers in Mexico focused on exports, were on a roll this year. Barely a week went by without a major shipper announcing its plans to set up shop or expand operations in Mexico. Then the government stepped in. Through a $14 billion tax plan, maquiladoras face a value added tax of 16 percent that kicks in 2015 and an income tax rise from 17.5 percent to 30 percent, starting next year
04 Nov 2013
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has finalized regulations for imports of bovine spongiform encephalopathy...
18 Oct 2013
The Australian red meat industry sold record amounts of beef and goat meat to China in August. China imported 19 percent of Australia’s total red meat shipments, compared with 4 percent in August 2012.
18 Oct 2013
Chinese consumers soon could be in line for a lot more U.S. pork in mainland grocery stores.
30 Sep 2013
The European Union and Indonesia today signed a voluntary partnership agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU to fight illegal logging.
25 Sep 2013
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced that peaches and nectarines from California and the Pacific Northwest...
18 Sep 2013
Amber Road has acquired EasyCargo, a Shanghai-based global trade management solutions provider specializing in trade regulations in China.
28 Aug 2013
China's new valued-added tax of 6 percent on logistics services and 11 percent on domestic transportation is racking confusion on the industry, as shippers and transportation providers try to interpret vague language out of Beijing.
15 Aug 2013
Vietnam will lift its remaining ban on white offal on Sept. 1, 2013, although it will simultaneously impose several new conditions on imports of the animal product, according to the European Commission.
14 Aug 2013
The National Industrial Transportation League is asking the federal government to find out how China’s recently implemented value-added tax on freight transportation relates to international cargo movements.
04 Aug 2013
30 Jul 2013
China and the European Union have resolved the accusations that China is dumping solar panels in Europe...
22 Jul 2013
Hong Kong Customs has seized more than 1,148 ivory tusks, valued at HK$17.46 million (about US$2.23 million), that were being smuggled through...
18 Jul 2013
The European Union will reopen its market to Myanmar on July 19 under the so-called “Everything But Arms” preferential trade regime...
12 Jul 2013
Kenya’s security agencies have seized two more containers full of ivory, after authorities vowed to increase surveillance at all entry points to the East African nation, Shanghai Daily reports.
11 Jul 2013
Russia is planning to introduce temporary restrictions on dairy, meat and seafood imports from Greece, starting July 15, according to the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service...
10 Jul 2013
India’s market has opened to Canadian eastern-spruce products.
10 Jul 2013
The European Union has launched its first formal trade dispute with Russia at the World Trade Organization.
09 Jul 2013
The Canadian government will no longer impose tariffs on imported baby clothes and selected sports equipment after receiving complaints from Canadian consumers about the high cost of consumer goods in Canada...
04 Jul 2013
Wine exports from Europe to Asia have become a major staple of backhaul eastbound container trades in recent years as alcohol demand has surged. Yet growth is now threatened by a trade dispute between the EU and China.
01 Jul 2013
European Union exports to South Korea have “grown strongly” in 2012, which is the second year of the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, according to the European Commission.
21 Jun 2013
The U.S. is now a “listed” country with the European Commission, meaning U.S. companies do not need to obtain an export certificate from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before shipping certain pharmaceutical products to Europe...
14 Jun 2013
The new listings of species, the 165 decisions and 36 resolutions adopted or revised at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora...
13 Jun 2013
The European Union has requested consultations with China in the World Trade Organization concerning anti-dumping duties of 9.7 percent to 11.1 percent imposed on imports of high-performance stainless steel seamless tubes.
07 Jun 2013
Taiwan has introduced new legislation, effective July 15, that will lift its ban on imports of live birds from the European Union.


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Many consumers feel eating healthier is too expensive. Organic and natural products are obviously a part of the healthy eating trend, and roughly a quarter of Americans eat organic foods on a regular basis—though the level has remained the same for years due to high prices. Manufacturers and retailers have tried to address consumer concerns about wellness and nutrition with more affordable healthy food options, and several retailers have built private label brands around a position of affordable healthy eating.
“Store brands have moved far beyond cheap generic knock-offs to become trusted, quality lines that can compete effectively with national brands. They usually have higher profit margins for retailers than name brands, help differentiate a retailer from competition, and help build consumer loyalty,” says Packaged Facts research director David Sprinkle.
Private label accounted for almost a fifth of the $530 billion total food and beverage market dollar sales in 2013. Packaged Facts estimates retail dollar sales of private label food and beverages were $102 billion in 2013, up about 2%. Food products accounted for approximately 80% of the private label segment’s sales.
Looking ahead, Packaged Facts projects retail dollar sales of private label food and beverages will grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% to reach $122 billion in 2018, due in part to the segment’s attractiveness to consumers seeking to eat healthy on a budget. Sales of private label food are expected to reach $98 billion.
Natural and organic private label brands have been around for a number of years led by Safeway’s O Organics, Stop & Shop and Giant’s Nature’s Promise, Food Lion and Hannaford’s Nature’s Place, and Supervalu’s Wild Harvest. These brands continue to expand and update with a focus on healthy product attributes. Other retailers are just catching up with the natural and organic trend, launching private label brands for first time.
Likewise, several leading private label retailers have evolved natural and organic positions to more modern wellness brands that shift focus from product attributes to lifestyle enhancement. Kroger’s Simple Truth, Target’s Simply Balanced, and Aldi’s Simply Nature all attempt to provide consumers with easy solutions for taking care of themselves and their families. The brands cross many food and beverage categories with affordable, nutritious products that are natural or organic, and free of artificial ingredients. Kroger has invested heavily to build Simple Truth and the company stated in the first quarter of 2014 it expected the brand to reach $1 billion in sales this year.
The findings were published in Private Label Foods & Beverages in the U.S., 8th Edition, a recently released report by market research firm Packaged Facts. The report can be found at: http://www.packagedfacts.com/redirect.asp?progid=86756&productid=8358109.


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12 Jan Digital Marketing Trends to Watch For 2022
We’re ringing in the new year with a look ahead at what is to come. Here are 5 digital marketing trends you should keep your eye on for 2022.
1. Reels continue to rise
Instagram Reels had a bit of a slow start when it launched in the summer of 2020. It offers a very similar format and many of the same features as its main competitor, TikTok and caters to the same audience. It took a while, but Reels has slowly and steadily been gaining traction amongst younger Instagram users. As more and more users are making use of this feature, more and more brands are getting in the game and starting to make Reels of their own as well. Expect to see Reels’ rise continue throughout 2022.
2. Trends won’t last as long
A trend about trends. In comparison to traditional media, social media and online trends have always seemed fleeting. They come and go at a much quicker pace than in older forms of media. This contrast looks like it will only be heightened as we head into 2022. Even by social media’s lightning fast standards, trends will be cycling through at a quicker pace. Brands will really need to be engaging in social listening and jump on any trends they see fast to avoid getting left behind.
3. Can’t do without paid social ads
Paid social media ads are nothing new. They’ve been around, and been popular, for years. But developments over the past few months and years will make them completely indispensable as part of a digital marketing strategy. The days of avoiding digital paid advertising are behind us. Any brand who is serious about their digital marketing presence needs to be making use of paid social media ads. Luckily, the ad capabilities across all social channels have continually improved over the years, making them quite user-friendly and easy to get started with.
4. Facebook improving tools for attribution and tracking
On the topic of paid social ads, Facebook ads in particular will be seeing some updates and changes this year. Namely, some of the tracking and attribution mechanisms Facebook uses for their ads will be updated, with the intention of providing a better experience and more data to brands who are advertising on Facebook. It remains to be seen how much of a difference these updates will really make, but it does look promising that they could have a positive impact on Facebook ad information for 2022.
5. Data will continue to be harder to come by
It wasn’t just the iOS update in 2021 that made some data harder to collect from users. Expect 2022 to be the year of increased privacy laws. It’s a hot topic in the digital world right now, and one that software developers, websites, and companies across the board are capitalizing on to enhance safety and protect their users’ data. These stricter regulations and changes will make it harder for some data to be collected from users, especially on mobile devices. This year, marketers will need to get creative and find some new ways to measure success for certain digital campaigns.
So there you have it. Expect data collection and privacy to be at the forefront of everyone’s minds this year, along with a heightened focus on paid advertising in an ever-changing digital landscape. Let us know if you have any other predictions for the world of digital marketing in 2022!


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Social media SEO: Social is the new search engine
According to new research, consumers, especially 16- to 34-year-olds, are more likely to turn to sites like Instagram or Facebook — instead of Google or Bing — to search for information about brands and products. And instead of clicking on keyword-rich landing pages, they’re more likely to prefer short-form videos, like those popularized by the social media platform TikTok.
This shift in search preferences is in part generational. Younger people use social media more than previous generations do. Almost 85% of people aged 18 to 29 and 81% of those 30 to 49 are active on at least one social media site — compared to 73% of those 50 to 64 and 45% of those 65 and older.
But the shift toward social search is also powered by technological advancements, including voice search, AI-powered algorithms, and more intuitive video-creating and editing tools, as well as the rise of new social platforms. Since 2020, new sites like Threads and Spotify Live — as well as more niche platforms like Clubhouse, Lemon8, and Polywork — are giving consumers more options when it comes to connecting with friends, family, colleagues, and brands.
Brands and retailers that want to capitalize on the shift to social media SEO need to embrace these new search engines with a social search strategy that keeps up with consumers’ evolving preferences for discovering new products.
Learn more from The Bazaar Voice: Social media SEO: Social is the new search engine | Bazaarvoice


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Current island retailers can find comfort that more proposed changes are being made to lighten a Town of Fort Myers Beach outdoor display zoning code in the downtown zoning district.
Last week, an informal "working group" held a second workshop, resolved some issues and offered amended regulations to the established 2003 ordinance regarding beach merchant outdoor displays.
Chaired by Councilman Dan Andre, the session featured members of Town staff, Local Planning Agency and Beach business people either directly or indirectly affected by the issue. Proposed changes will be crafted into a second draft ordinance -one that involves allowing current business owners who had legal outdoor display permits in 2013 to retain the right to have such displays in a "patio" setting, but does not allow such owners to transfer their permit or new business owners to display on a "patio."
If the proposed amendments to the outdoor display ordinance stand, Teeki Hut on 1028 Fifth St. will not have restrictions on the amount of merchandise on its “porch.”
It will be brought back to LPA for a public hearing and a formal recommendation to Town Council before those officials hold a public hearing to adopt an ordinance and give it legal binding.
At the workshop, consistent policy direction was sought to provide fairness to all involved. The key is to make all parties happy by having easier-to-enforce regulations, having affected businesses come into compliance, but not allowing displays to run rampant.
"In general terms, the draft ordinance hopefully is easier to understand and, from our perspective, easier to enforce," said Town Community Development Coordinator Walter Fluegel. "The apparent issue will be in the language to acknowledge and allow those that were out there to remain out there."
Town Attorney Marilyn Miller will be responsible to craft the language for the new draft ordinance.
"It sounded like everyone seemed to be OK with the concept of limiting it to the porch or enclosed merchandise area so long as the existing (businesses) that were out on the patio could stay," said Fluegel.
The issue to establish better clarity with zoning sections in the Town Land Development Code was discussed by the "working group" in August and the LPA earlier this month.
Last season, a code enforcement sweep of outdoor displays was conducted due to a reported complaints stemming from proliferation of displays.
"At the same time, a lot of retailers were not coming into apply for an annual outdoor display permit. Instead of going out and doing a selected enforcement that was complaint-driven, we decided just to do a sweep of all outdoor display," said Fluegel. "It highlighted an issue that the process and the rules were very confusing."
At its first workshop, the "working group" developed an outline of talking points desired to amend the existing ordinance. Afterwards, a draft ordinance was brought to the LPA, which reviewed and discussed it then recommended to bring it back to the group for another workshop.
This time around, the difference between porches and patios was defined. The proposed amendments to the ordinance mainly addresses merchandise being within a more enclosed area like an outdoor porch instead of a "market" style patio area, alleviated restrictions on the amount of merchandise one can have in an outdoor display and the requirement of point of sale being indoors.
"A porch provided a very clear and defined space, elevated with a rail. A patio can have a slippery interpretation. It became tricky in terms of defining how much do we allow in a patio area," said Town Zoning Coordinator Leslee Dulmer.
The proposed amendments could also stop the proliferation of patio-style outdoor display, like if someone were to come into Helmerich Plaza or Seafarer's Mall area and try to create a "flea market" by placing concrete pads down.
"Be careful for what it is going to look like out there if you allow t-shirt racks all over the place," warned Fluegel.
Business owner John Richard asked for all businesses to display a "funky but not junky" community vision.
Joni Hermansen of Joni's Gallery, one of the "patio" displayers who does not have a large enough porch, stated she really does not believe her property owner will build one if asked and needs her outdoor display to show potential customers her business exists, since the building is pushed back and surrounded by obstacles.
Business space lessee Robin Thurston has subletted her individual kiosks to business owners since 2006, but that "alley-way" space is on sand in Times Square at 1010 Estero Blvd. She has already faced judgement from Town's special magistrate since that space is on a nonconforming location. That case is being appealed.
"We have not been able to find any zoning approval there or any official zoning signature or anything that gives us any indication that it was out there legally and approved by the Town," said Fluegel. "You cannot 'grandfather' something that has been achieved illegal."
Enclosing that property area would shut off a long-time, well-used pathway from the beach to Times Square.
Local Color owner Anita Cereceda, whose family had an art shop in Times Square since 1983, confirmed there has always been a business at that location.
"That business was 'grandfathered.' It was basically a lean-to shed that leaned up against that building (currently occupied by Times Square Bazaar)," she said.
The shed was torn down by Hurricane Charley, but business has continued since.
Other Beach zoning districts regarding this matter will be looked at in the future.


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Our counterparts at GQ South Africa have put together a great read about Nelson Mandela’s signature printed shirts. Known as the "Madiba Shirt," the informal garment was a way for Mandela to sartorially identify with the majority of his people, who never wore suits, according to Yusuf Surtee, Mandela’s longtime tailor. While the history of the shirt dates as far back to Egypt’s first dynasty, the article says Mandela first became fond of the item when he was given batik print shirts by Indonesia’s President Suharto in 1990. The pattern is a traditional Indonesian one that’s still worn by world leaders like John Kerry and Indonesia’s current president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
To Madiba’s credit, the article points out he declined an offer to be dressed by designer Giorgio Armani in favor of locally-made suits by Yusuf Surtee and later the custom shirts he’d be known for, which came from South African designers Desré Buirski and Sonwabile Ndamase. While Mandela’s humanitarianism, wisdom, philanthropy, and political successes have had far more impact on the world, it’s still nice to know he even used his clothing as a way to exhibit himself as a true man of the people.


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Professional Profile: Port of Pensacola
The Port of Pensacola’s location didn’t happen by accident — it is strategically located on the Gulf of Mexico and primed with purpose.
The Port of Pensacola is a diverse and business-focused port that generates revenue from three primary sources: vessel and dockage fees, wharf fees and facility-use fees, which include warehouse leases.
Local, regional and nationwide logistics professionals rely on the port to export and import goods, making the port important to the economy of the region.
“Port of Pensacola is just as important to Pensacola’s future as it has been to its past,” said Clark Merritt, economic development manager for the Port of Pensacola.
“Local and regional shippers like GE Wind Energy, International Paper, CEMEX and Martin Marietta continue to rely on their local port to connect them to their customers and suppliers around the world, creating tens of millions of dollars in economic impact for the Northwest Florida region each year.”
As the port looks ahead, the future is filled with opportunity and potential — including infrastructure improvements, potential for development of marine research facilities, new tenants performing mineral processing, and continued support of the offshore vessel maintenance industry, all of which will contribute to and improve the port’s impact on local and regional business for years to come.
700 S. Barracks St. | (850) 436-5070 | PortOfPensacola.com


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A crucial collective effort in the growth of leather exports
Focus on trade
The production and export of exotic leather and leather products is an area where Zimbabwe is slowly developing a competitive advantage with the sub-sector supplying markets such as China, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and South Africa.
Currently, a number of projects and programs are being implemented to strengthen the value chain of the bovine leather component so that the entire value chain can be competitive in export markets and eventually become a player. major player in the global leather industry. These programs aim to unleash the capacities of developing countries, which are touted as the next leaders in the global leather value chain.
The International Trade Center (ITC) notes that “developing and emerging economies can now manage the entire supply chain on their own and are rapidly becoming the most important suppliers of value-added end products.”
In fact, production and supply are shifting from industrialized countries to developed countries through the transfer of knowledge, skills and machines.
This movement of influence levels is also based on the need to fully develop products at the source of raw materials, which reduces the final cost of finished products and saves manufacturers money.
In light of this, Zimbabwe stands to benefit from changes in the global leather sector, building on the growth of the head of cattle and the existing enabling infrastructure.
Without a doubt, Zimbabwe has the potential to become one of the leaders in the global leather network, relying on growing cattle, skilled skills and improved infrastructure.
To unlock this potential and increase their share of the international leather trade, estimated at around $ 80 billion per year by ITC, closer collaboration and links between actors across the value chain are needed.
Already, the government, through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) launched last year by President Mnangagwa, identifies the leather value chain as a key priority area of ââagrifood processing.
The national development plan notes that the leather sector is a handy fruit given the country’s competitive advantage in animal and plant production, which are key sources of raw materials.
The government has already launched the Zimbabwe Leather Sector Strategy (2021-2030), which is expected to transform the leather sector from a producer of primary products to value-added goods for domestic and export markets. Building capacity through collaborations The overall objective of the Zimbabwe Leather Sector Strategy (2021-2030), launched in April this year, is to improve the ‘competitiveness of the leather value chain by strengthening production capacities of stakeholders âand improving their access to international markets. The goals of the new strategy are to increase the capacity utilization of value-added products from 30 to 75 percent by the end of 2030; and improve the application of sustainable production technologies by manufacturing companies from 10% currently to 60% by 2030.
The new strategy also envisages increasing exports of leather products from the current 10 percent to 40 percent of production.
To build capacity, it is necessary to strengthen collaboration between actors in the sector and improve linkages between stakeholders along the value chain.
Although some activities related to this are ongoing, there is still a long way to go to ensure a rapid recovery of the leather sector.
For example, ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organization, has worked with the Zimbabwe Leather Collective, which is an inclusive marketing approach that brings together key producers in coordinated production and supply of leather products to them. national and international markets.
The Collective was proposed to allow sector actors at different points of the value chain to come together and speak with a collective voice on common issues specific to the sector. By finding common solutions, the Collective works in unison to promote Zimbabwe’s leather products at home and abroad.
The Collective has a digital marketing strategy, using a website as well as social networks such as Instagram and Facebook to promote interaction with domestic and foreign markets.
Through these activities, the Zimbabwe Leather Collective reduces the costs of market development, seeks solutions to common problems and finds sustainable production processes that take into account Zimbabwe’s comparative advantage over the competition.
The case of the Zimbabwe Leather Collective is just one example of how synergies between players across the leather industry will help increase exports.
Need to meet current challenges
In addition to improving links with the sector, the growth of leather exports also requires quick solutions to the current challenges faced in the sector.
One of the challenges is the current head of cattle, which Zimbabwe’s leather sector strategy (2021-2030) identifies as weaker compared to competitors such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Egypt.
Although the focus should be on increasing the national head, it is also necessary to focus on improving the quality of the skins, which opens up more opportunities for earning more income. The sector strategy already notes that Zimbabwe has better quality hides and skins in Africa. There is also a need for the country to make full use of its competitive advantage as a supplier of exotic leathers and leather products that supply a global niche market rarely affected by global recessions.
A significant portion of Zimbabwe’s leather exports consist of crocodile hides.
Encouraging more actors to enter the business is one way of improving the sector’s contribution to national exports.
Investment constraints have also affected the development of the sector, which is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises.
To meet the challenges of foreign direct investment in the leather sector, it is necessary to establish dynamic working groups that will examine the ease of doing export business, conduct a mapping exercise to determine financial support in each of the nodes of the value chain, and propose how these can be financed. Other challenges concern breeding techniques which have been identified as one of the main causes affecting the quality of the skins.
Current attention should be drawn to the severity of tagging and tagging techniques that have dominated beef production.
Communal farmers, who own the most cattle, are more concerned with the safety of their livestock and skin marking instead of the recommended marking on the animal’s neck.
Thus, it is necessary to give incentives to farmers to take good care of the skin because currently, slaughterhouses where the skins are separated from the meat, focus only on the weight of the animal.
In addition to this, solutions should also be geared towards improving the manufacturing sector, which is affected by outdated machinery. Capital financing and the development of special economic zones around the leather sector will also help increase production capacity, which in turn will help increase exports.
Allan Majuru is the Managing Director of ZimTrade


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Downham Market Heritage Society will be hosting another Tabletop sale at the Old Fire Station, Priory Road on Sunday 1st June from 9am – 12 noon.
As you know these have been very popular and have raised valuable funds for the
Society. In addition to the many items for sale there will be refreshments and a raffle. Their Appeal Fund has now just edged over the £5000 mark.
Also, For the first time, Downham Market & District Heritage Society is entering a
Float into the Festival Parade on Monday 26th May.
The ‘Float Team’ headed by Christine Leader have been working really hard on
the display and think it looks “great…..and amusing…..” and they hope “you and the
judges will agree.”
They will also have a stall with Tombola and a Dice game on the Howdale. Finally, they will be selling tickets for the Tom Barker “Old Downham’ slide show which will be held at 7.30pm on Friday 13th June in the Town Hall. This will be a rare opportunity to see this collection, and all proceeds go towards the Appeal Fund. Tickets just £5.


text: Supreme previewed its Spring ’19 collection this morning. The accessories include decks and vinyl inflatable pillows that feature original artwork by Andy Howell. The former New Deal pro cofounded the brand with Paul Schmitt and Steve Douglas, and would later launch Underworld Element, 411, and Element. His work with these brands helped pave the way for the marriage between skateboarding and graffiti culture. Howell’s new collaboration with Supreme is one of the brand’s most iconic deck releases in recent years. If you’re a collector, you’ll certainly want to get your hands on one when these drop in the coming weeks.


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Since 2016, when it became available only in the South Africa, the concept of Ford Troller T4 Rescue has been tested in that same area. According to the information our team has got, it seems that this vehicle is going to hit the US and European market soon, as a 2019 model.
When it comes to exterior of the 2019 Ford Troller T4 Rescue, this model is going to retain its typical features, but it will also get some serious updates and improvements in terms of design. The name ‘Rescue’ itself suggests that this model will be able to face the most challenging terrains and weather conditions in order to perform a successful rescue. Its off-road capability will be significantly enhanced as well as its high-performance suspension system found on the chassis. The new Ford Troller will be standing on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Mud Terrain tires. Since it will be significantly raised off the ground, this will only help its off-road performance. The exterior features of the new Troller, especially those found in the front fascia, have been largely compared to the Jeep Wrangler as well as the Bronco model. Its modern exterior styling will include lots of sharp lines. The front part will proudly wear a distinctive grille, LED headlights and a wide bumper. The overall visibility and lighting system will be improved for its rescue sessions and this model will also offer two packages that include the rescue, but also the firefighting equipment.
The interior of the concept of the 2019 Ford Troller T4 Rescue will mostly resemble the one found inside the model which has been available in the South African market. The good news for such a model is that the entire interior will be waterproof. Everything inside the new Troller, including the dashboard and the seats, will be water-resistant and created to enhance the off-road performance and rescue activities. The driver will get modern and simple dashboard with lots of improvements in terms of technology and necessary gadgets. You will also be able to install the rescue or the firefighting package in the back part of the vehicle.
The most possible option that will be found under the hood of the 2019 Ford Troller T4 Rescue is a 3.2-liter turbocharged inline-5 diesel engine that has been found in the European 2019 Ford Ranger. Such an engine is expected to deliver 197 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. The other possible options, numbers and transmission have still been a mystery, but we expect more information soon.
2019 Ford Troller T4 Rescue
The release date of the 2019 Ford Troller T4 Rescue has not been announced yet. When it comes to price details, the base model might cost around $50,000, but it could go up to $100,000 for the fully-equipped version.
Related Ford Search:
- ford ranger rescue
- ford troller
- Ford Troller T4
- troller t4 ford official website
- troller truck


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Surviving the Aftermath of Google’s Enhanced Campaigns
After months of advanced notice and much chatter amongst the online marketing community, Google made the switch to enhanced campaigns last July. While the big unveil was not quite the bombshell many anticipated (I would equate it more to a slow-burning sparkler) due to the fact that the transition continued weeks after D-Day, the changes were evident.
What’s all the fuss about?
Arguably the most notable difference between enhanced and “legacy” campaigns is the unified device targeting. Instead of having the ability to run a campaign specifically targeting desktops, tablets or smart phones, the new rollout has consolidated all devices into a single campaign. While some applauded the streamlined approach, many balked at the idea that they could no longer segment each campaign by device.
So why the switch?
Simply put, Google wants to track the consumer wherever they go, and whichever screen they may be affixed to at the moment. Whether your prospect is at home online shopping on a laptop, or across town looking up directions on their smartphone, Google has made it possible to stay connected – but you better first ensure you have to correct strategies in place to ensure that you meet your business goals.
One size does not fit all
In the past and even still today, many companies clung to the notion that the most valuable clicks are those that are gleaned from a desktop device.
This is simply not the case any longer.
A survey conducted by eMarketer reveals that US mobile ad spending is up 20% from where it was just two years ago and that trend is not projected to be plateauing any time soon. By 2017 mobile is likely to make up over half of search ad spend.
Enhanced campaigns have allowed companies/agencies to fine tune mobile bid adjustments from -100% (bidding nothing at all) to 300% to get the most out of your campaigns. Although different devices have now been steamrolled into the same campaign, a mobile consumer is a completely different animal and thus should have a different strategy implemented.
New bidding adjustments allow you to bid higher or lower based on location, hour or day. This feature is particularly useful if your business has historically recorded a spike in clicks on a particular day or hour. Advanced geo targeting may allow for a higher bid to be implemented within a certain radius of a storefront location allowing them to stay competitive on their own turf. What this ultimately boils down to is getting the most conversions and the best click-through-rate for your budget.
Tying it all together
For now the new bidding adjustments only apply to mobile, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that Google allows Tablet-specific bids to enter the picture soon. In our own agency, we have seen some clients face an initial decline in conversions due to the fact that tablets and computers are now one and the same. That is to say if your website is not tablet-friendly, your conversion rate is likely to suffer a blow.
The moral of the story?
Google has made it more important now than ever to optimize marketing collateral to mobile as well as tablets. Many of us fought enhanced campaigns until July 22nd was upon us. Some continue to put up the good fight but it is ultimately futile as it appears it is here to stay.
Also here to stay is the uptick in mobile ad spend. If you are not maintaining a mobile web presence you are likely to get left behind along with desktops themselves as more and more on-the go-consumers utilize their smart phones for search queries.


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The future of Nipsey Hussle’s brick-and-mortar Marathon Clothing Store has been unclear for some time. After the beloved rapper was gunned down by Eric Holder in front of the Los Angeles retail store in 2019, the location became a hub for visitors. The parking lot of the shopping center had to be shut down, and a gate was erected around it due to the high traffic. People from all over the world stopped by to see when Nipsey was murdered, and the place was covered in memorial candles, cards filled with condolences, stuffed animals, flowers, and more.
Expectedly, Hussle’s Marathon Clothing brand also saw a meteoric spike in sales. However, the storefront would later shut down because it became nearly impossible to operate as a business. Nipsey’s brother, Sam Asghedom, affectionately known as Blacc Sam, offered an update while visiting the Earn Your Leisure podcast. He explained that Hussle’s kids now own Marathon Clothing, and it was generational wealth that Nipsey always intended.
Nipsey Hussle Paved The Way For His Children
When he passed away, Nip was in a long-term relationship with actress Lauren London. The couple has a son, Kross. Hussle also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Emani, and London shares a son, Kameron, with Lil Wayne. “When I say we own it, it’s in Hussle’s kids’ names,” Blacc Sam explained. “This is something their father worked for and that they own. That’s important to me. Also, just having a brick-and-mortar once again reinforced what Hussle told us and taught us.”
Online sales often outdo storefronts these days, but Sam stressed the importance of passing on that legacy. Having something tangible to pass down to the next generation is valued among the Asghedoms. Further, as the chapter of Eric Holder’s trial and sentencing has concluded, the family looks forward to a brighter future.
Holder Learns His Fate
Last month, after years of litigation, Holder learned his fate. His defense argued that he suffered from mental health issues that contributed to the murder, but a jury still found him guilty. He received a 60-year prison sentence and could effectively spend the rest of his life behind bars. Holder and Nipsey were friends and were even a part of the same neighborhood gang. However, it was speculated that Nipsey said something about Holder being a snitch, prompting the violent altercation. Check out more from Blacc Sam above.


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Canada based Harbour Air Seaplanes says it is on track to begin initial test flights in December for its landmark new electric planes.
Earlier this year the airline announced it would convert its entire fleet to electric power.
Much of the work has been completed including installing the electric motors.
The remainder of the parts needed to go fully electric are being delivered over the next few weeks.
“We are in the midst of some of the most exciting and critical development work,” Harbour Air said in a statement.
The electric motors were designed by Seattle-based electric aviation company, magniX.
Harbour Air operates short flight segments so battery life and flight range is not a problem.
“Today’s batteries can provide them exactly the range that they need to operate,” magniX CEO Roei Ganzarski told CTV News.
“It is significantly cheaper to convert and operate an electric aircraft,” Ganzarski said.
Harbour Air carries more than 500,000 passengers on routes between Vancouver and Victoria, Whistler, Seattle and other Pacirifc Northwest destunations.


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Updated from 2:18 p.m.
announced post-close yesterday that it was cutting its third-quarter revenue estimates, citing weak European demand. Several analysts downgraded the company this morning and cut earnings estimates.
The chip-maker now expects third-quarter revenue to rise 3% to 5% from the second quarter's $8.3 billion. The Santa Clara, Calif., company said its third-quarter gross margin would fall to 62%, missing estimates of 63% to 64%. (
covered Intel's warning in a separate
Intel ended its day of madness down $13.55, or 22%, to $47.94.
Citing low cosmetic surgery product sales,
said it expects third-quarter EPS to fall below analyst estimates. The company, which produces medical equipment and supplies, sees third-quarter EPS between 12 cents to 14 cents. A
First Call/Thomson Financial
survey of seven analysts produced an EPS of 19 cents a share.
The company also expects third-quarter sales of $17 million to $18 million. Arthrocare's stock closed down $8.38, or 27.1%, to $22.50.
ended flat at $8.56 after saying it won't meet third-quarter revenue estimates, citing a slowdown in online advertising spending.
Revenue for the third quarter will be between $9.5 million and $10 million, the Westlake Village, Calif.-based company said. Analysts had predicted that revenue to exceed $12 million. (
covered ValueClick's warning in a separate
Mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures
announced an alliance to form a Web business-to-business exchange that would create technology to help businesses cut costs in delivering goods and services. Answerthink, an Internet consulting company, will create the exchange using i2 Technologies. No financial details of the deal were available. Answerthink ended up 50 cents, or 3.2%, to $16.
Mack-Cali Realty Corp.
canceled its $976 million agreement to acquire Prentiss Properties Trust
and expanded its stock buyback to $150 million from the previously announced $100 million.
Analysts and investors questioned the value of national expansion beyond the Northeast for Mack-Cali. The possibility of the deal's cutting about 10 cents a share from Mack-Cali's 2000 and 2001 earnings also troubled them. Mack-Cali closed up, though, $1.38, or 5.1%, to $28.56. Prentiss also closed up, higher by 94 cents, or 3.7%, to $26.13.
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Earnings/revenue reports and previews
announced that worldwide momentum is "clearly continuing" and that European demand is tracking within expectations. Compaq ended the day's trading up $1.88, or 6.7%, to $29.75.
After Thursday's Close
, an automotive parts seller, posted fourth-quarter profits of 84 cents a share, besting the 11-analyst estimate by a penny and the year-ago 64 cent result. AutoZone closed today up by 6 cents, or 0.6%, to $21.88.
reported fourth-quarter losses of $2.17, better than the eight-analyst prediction of a $2.45 loss, but below the year-ago $1.53 loss. (
took a look at CMGI's earnings in a separate
article.) Additionally, CMGI said that it would take AltaVista public by Oct. 31. CMGI closed down 38 cents, or 1%, to $36.06.
Chairman Kevin Rollins said the company is "still on track" to boost revenue 30% this year. Seems the market felt differently, though, as the company closed down $2, or 5.3%, to $35.94.
Internet-business services provider
reported second-quarter earnings of 3 cents a share, beating the nine-analyst break-even prediction and the year-ago 13 cent loss. The company closed up a whopping $21.13, or 24.3%, to $108.
Manugistics also announced that it has signed an agreement to buy the privately held
for about $366 million in stock.
Advertising and direct-mail company
reported that third-quarter and full-year earnings would come in below Wall Street estimates, due in part to pricing pressures. The company expects to post third-quarter earnings of between 46 cents and 48 cents, below the eight-analyst estimate of 49 cents. Valassis closed down $3.38, or 13%, to $22.50.
ended the day down 19 cents, or 1.1%, to $16.19 after posting first-quarter earnings of 52 cents, topping the eight-analyst forecast of 30 cents and last year's 42 cent result.
Walker Interactive Systems
, a manufacturer of applications software, announced that it will restructure the company and take a third-quarter charge of $1.5 million to $2.5 million. The company closed down 13 cents, or 3.3%, to $3.63.
, which provides outsource services to software publishers and computer manufacturers, reported that third-quarter earnings will be below expectations, citing market softness -- particularly in Europe. Zomax will report a 15 cent to 17 cent result, compared to the 28 cent analyst expectation. The company closed down $9.06, or 52.2%, to $8.31.
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This is like initiating coverage on
with a sell rating after
Little Big Horn
, but for what it's worth, analysts have been downgrading, cutting estimates and sounding pretty negative on Intel this morning, after the chip-maker issued an earnings warning yesterday, saying that revenue would fall short of expectations.
A multitude of analysts took action on Intel this morning, after some freely admitted being
wrong in supporting the company yesterday.
cut earnings estimates and suggested that other factors besides Europe could be at work, including inventory and demand issues. Merrill,
Credit Suisse First Boston
have notably not changed their ratings -- just lowered estimates.
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown
downgraded the company to market underperform from strong buy, as did
Chase Hambrecht & Quist
also lowered estimates.
Salomon Smith Barney
also downgraded Intel to outperform from strong buy, and
downgraded Intel to accumulate from strong buy.
Contrary to the dismal outlook by provided by Intel, Chase H&Q affirmed the health of the personal-computer industry, saying it sees 15% to 17% year-over-year unit growth.
Analyst Walter Winnitzki said Chase's "strongest picks" are
, rated strong buy,
, both rated buy.
Intel closed today, as noted above, down $13.55, or 22%, to $47.94. Compaq finished up $1.75, or 6.3%, to $29.63; Dell was down $2, or 5.3%, to $35.94; and Gateway ended up $4.50, or 8.8%, to $55.50.
Analysts also took action on other technology companies:
Alex. Brown and Chase H&Q lowered their ratings on competitor
Advanced Micro Devices
, both to market perform from buy. AMD closed up despite the downgrades, though, higher by $1.56, or 6.5%, to $25.50.
cut its rating on
-- which closed down #3.50, or 4.8% to $70 -- and
-- which closed down $4.94, or 11.5%, to $38 -- to buy from strong buy.
SG Cowen also lowered ratings on
. Credence closed down $3.19, or 8.2%, to $35.88; Nova ended down 50 cents, or 4.4%, to $11; Photronics was down 69 cents, or 2.8%, to $24.25; and PRI closed down $1.44, or 6%, to $22.38.
Merrill Lynch has defended other technology companies with European exposure, including
, but it did warn of worries for tech giant
, saying Europe could affect that company as well.
Cisco closed down 81 cents, or 1.3%, to $60.31; Nortel ended the day up $5.63, or 9.2%, to $66.63; and Microsoft closed down 94 cents, or 1.5%, to $63.25.
: price target UP to $52 from $47.50 at
The company closed up $1.31, or 3.1%, to $44.31.
: UP to buy from accumulate at Merrill Lynch. Axa closed up $4.44, or 6.95%, to $68.31.
: price target UP to $72 on higher cash flow and earnings per share view at Merrill Lynch. The airplane-maker ended the trading day up $3.50, or 5.8%, to $63.50.
: UP to buy from outperform at Salomon. The stock closed up 63 cents, or 7%, to $9.50.
: third-quarter EPS DOWN to 83 cents from 88 cents at Alex. Brown. The company finished down 44 cents, or 1.8%, to $23.50
Lernout & Hauspie
: DOWN to underperform from neutral at Lehman. L&H closed down by $1.50, or 9.9%, to $13.63.
: DOWN to outperform from buy at Salomon. Micron ended today down $3.13, or 5.7%, to $52.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
: Fiscal 2001 EPS DOWN to $6.00 from $5.55; fourth-quarter EPS DOWN $1.55 from $1.75 at Salomon. The stock finished up $1.25, to 1.4%, to $90.56.
: third-quarter EPS DOWN to $1.02 from $1.05 at Alex. Brown. Temple ended flat at $39.06.
: DOWN to neutral from buy at Merrill, and down to buy from strong buy at CSFB. As noted above, the stock closed down $3.38, or 13%, to $22.50.
: NEW hold at UBS Warburg; price target of $70. Amerada Hess finished down $1.31, or 1.96%, to $65.63.
: NEW strong buy at UBS Warburg; price target: $30. The stock ended today up 38 cents, or 1.9%, to $19.88.
Johnson & Johnson
: NEW neutral at Lehman. The Dow component ended the day up $1.63, or 1.7%, to $95.88.
: NEW buy at
W. R. Hambrecht
. The stock closed down $1.50, or 3.9%, to $37.25.
: NEW buy at CSFB. TiVo finished up 19 cents, or 1%, to $18.31.
Alex. Brown sliced its rating on three radio stocks:
- Entercom Communications (ETM) - Get Report: DOWN to buy from strong buy. Entercom closed down $2.50, or 7.3%, to $31.75.
Citadel Communications (CITC) : DOWN to market perform from buy. Citadel ended today down 19 cents, or 1.1%, to $16.31.
Emmis Communications (EMMS) - Get Report: DOWN to market perform from buy. The stock finished down $2.25, or 7.96%, to $26.
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Offerings and stock actions
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
ended the day up $4.44, or 6.6%, to $71.75, after saying it will offer about $300 million of five-year convertible senior debentures in a private placement.
The company plans to use the funds to refinance debt, to fund its North American and European subsidiaries, to have on hand working capital and to use for "other corporate purposes."
After Thursday's Close
, which provides financial customers with information-processing and check-imaging services, announced a 2-for-1 stock split. The stock ended today up $1.75, or 2.2%, to $80.
announced a 2-for-1 stock split. The company closed up 63 cents, or 0.9%, to $73.63.
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said Charles Davidson has been appointed president and CEO, effective Oct 2.
Davidson was president and CEO of
Vastar Resources (VRI)
until its recent merger with
. Noble ended the day up 25 cents, or 0.7%, to $36.81.
After Thursday's Close
closed the day down $2.06, or 7.6%, to $25.06 after announcing that it has filed suit against
. Xircom says 3Com's Type-III PC-cards infringe on its patents for its RealPort PC Cards.
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By the Numbers
The data on NYSE and Nasdaq percent winners and losers are filtered to exclude stocks whose previous day's volume was less than 25,000 shares; whose last price was less than 5; and whose net change was less than 1/2.
Dow point gain and loss data are based on New York closing prices and do not reflect late composite trading.
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14 May 2021 --- Following in the footsteps of Poland and the Netherlands, the term “probiotic” can now be used in Denmark as a mandatory category designation on dietary supplements. Industry experts speak to NutritionInsight about how this could mark a changing tide for European regulation and outline where there is room for further reform.
12 May 2021 --- Throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic, NutritionInsight is dedicated to bringing its readers all the latest and most relevant industry updates. Visit this regularly-updated news feed for the coronavirus information and insights you need to guide your business through this challenging period.
05 May 2021 --- Delivery formats, scientific backing and immunity are bound to shape the collagen space, according to industry experts. NutritionInsight discusses the expanding scope and potential of collagen with Bioiberica, Gelita and Lonza.Where and how the nutrition industry can capitalize on booming consumer awareness is also a point of interest, as well as rapidly advancing scientific...
Infant nutrition continues to be on the rise, with an average annual growth of +15% in baby & toddler product launches (Global, CAGR 2018-2020). Current and future trends happening in infant nutrition include products with digestive health claims, front-of-pack vitamin/mineral & protein claims, gluten-free claims, organically sourced ingredients and products containing human milk...
Sourced from an exclusive algae Euglena gracilis, nutritionally-rich BetaVia™ Complete is obtained through an optimized and sustainable patented process, providing a unique composition of >50% beta 1,3 glucans, proteins (>15%), vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and fatty acids. BetaVia Complete is characterized by a triple-action effect which includes priming key immune cells, fueling...
Lycored, a global specialist lycopene-based ingredients for food and beverages, has appointed Tammi Higgins as senior vice president of its Food Division. She speaks to NutritionInsight about the company’s application-based, go-to-market strategy centered on coloring solutions and taste ingredients targeting health and wellness applications.
PepsiCo launched Soulboost, a sparkling water beverage range with a “splash of real juice and functional ingredients.” Meanwhile, the international probiotics sector came to a consensus on how to classify postbiotics in contrast to probiotics. In immunity moves, Kemin Industries was granted a US patent for its beta 1,3 glucans, while plant-based beverage brand Rebbl added immunity...
In this edition you will learn more about:
- Throwback Snacks, Double-Digit Growth in Ready Meals, Top 5 Packaging Trends 2021, Dairy Ingredient Innovation, Umami & Kokumi
- Microencapsulation Advances, Trending Fruit Ingredients, Sports Nutrition Flavors, Whey & Permeate Nutritionals, Oats for a Gluten-Free Diet, Collagen-Boosting Moldavian Dragonhead
- Ready Meals NPD: Traveling through Taste
- Opinion Edge: Savory Foods Redesigned
- View from the Top: Kerry, John Savage, CEO of Taste
14 May 2021 --- Eat Beyond Global Holdings, an investment issuer focused on the plant-based and alternative food sector, has invested in Daydream Drinks. The Ontario-based beverage company has created Canada’s first sparkling water infused with... Read More
Weekly Roundup: Chr. Hansen and Nestlé settle HMO patent dispute, Progress Biotech lands approval for algal oil in formula
14 May 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, Chr. Hansen and Nestlé laid their year-long HMO patent dispute to rest, with both parties withdrawing their respective litigations and oppositions. Also, Progress Biotech received EU approval for... Read More
14 May 2021 --- Daily probiotic use was associated with fewer upper respiratory symptoms in overweight and older people in a new Gut Microbes-published study. Reducing the risk of respiratory infection by putting bacteria in the gut is... Read More
14 May 2021 --- PlantFuel, a plant-based nutritional brand, is launching by August 2021 thanks to a distribution deal with GNC. PlantFuel is a dietary supplement line that is positioned as environmentally friendly and sustainably packaged. It... Read More
Nutrition Focus : World wakes up to energy ingredient potential
Having experienced 50 percent average annual growth since 2017, supplements with energy and stamina claims are on the up and up. Within this, botanicals are picking up pace, as well as starring ingredients like zinc and maca extract. Additionally, F&B launches with energy ingredients that cater... More
Analysis Feature Minerals and vitamins innovation
The use of minerals and vitamins in sports nutrition and supplements has increased globally, featuring a +10% year-over-year growth when comparing 2020 and 2019 launches. In 2020, the top subcategory of global sports nutrition and supplements launches tracked with minerals and vitamins was Vitamins/Minerals (31%). In 2020, vitamin C was the leading ingredient among the minerals and vitamins...View Analysis


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Sells Southeast Asia Operations to Grab
On Monday, Uber announced it will sell its business in Southeast Asia to ride-sharing rival Grab, ceding the region’s 640 million potential passengers. However, the agreement will grant Uber a 27.5 percent share of the business, meaning it still has a significant strategic stake in the area. Singaporean Grab claims to serve 5 million daily users in Southeast Asia.
Uber’s sale to Grab follows several strategic deals during the past couple of years. In 2016, Uber sold its China operations to local ride-sharing service, Didi Chuxing, and last year, it merged its Russian business with local rival Yandex in a transaction valued at $3.7 billion.
Grab now operates in eight countries in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Despite its humble beginnings, the company has made strides during the past two years, and currently offers more than 10 transportation services including cabs, private cars, carpooling, bicycle-sharing and bike taxis.
The next stage of ride-sharing in the region will pit Grab against Indonesia’s Go-Jek, a $5 billion start-up backed by Alphabet and Tencent. Go-Jek is leading in its home market where it pioneered the type of financial products and on-demand services that Grab is only just beginning to launch in Indonesia. Go-Jek also plans to expand to new markets starting from 2018. The two companies will be fierce rivals.
We expect that Uber’s withdrawal will help Grab secure more resources for new investments in core areas, particularly as the Singaporean company needs to focus on developing more integrated digital services. It’s already venturing into services such as payments, where it competes with rivals such as Alibaba and Tencent. These two players are building their presence in Southeast Asia with their Alipay and WeChat Pay services.
Uber is showing that it can be nimble, quickly adjusting its strategy as local conditions dictate. The move to consolidate should enable the company to become more sustainable, helping it to cut losses and push toward profitability. The deal with Grab will also allow Uber to invest in other more lucrative markets, like India and Brazil, while taking a stake in Grab’s growing businesses. We believe Uber is likely to have been encouraged to repeat the approach it used in China with Didi Chuxing by SoftBank, which itself has invested more than $5 billion in Didi, over $1.3 billion in Uber and more than $1 billion in Grab.
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According to TOPO’s Account Based Benchmark Report:
- 86% of marketers think account-based marketing gets you more clients than conventional approaches
- 80% say ABM improves customer lifetime value
- And 76% report greater ROI
With metrics like these, it’s no wonder that interest in this B2B approach has risen over the last five years.
ABM was forecasted to be at imminent risk of becoming a buzzword by many experts, but interest has reached a crescendo and the approach continues to successfully meet marketing goals.


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Demand for automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) systems continues to increase and will reach $4.6 billion globally by 2027, according to an industry research report released April 3.
The market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 8% between 2019 and 2027, according to Dublin-based Research and Markets. Regionally, Asia-Pacific is expected to see the highest growth during that period due to rapidly growing healthcare, retail, food and beverage, and automotive markets, where demand for automated systems is on the rise. The declining cost of implementing automation in Europe is expected to boost adoption there as well, the researchers said.
By industry, the report shows that pharmaceutical markets will drive system implementation globally.
“Over the years, [AS/RS] technology has rapidly developed; new options offer a wide range of size, cost, speed, and flexibility, and [have] escalated the rate of system adoption. It has made [AS/RS] technologies one of the most common and impactful investment prospects available to most operations,” the researchers said.


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Mobile Phones were essentially created so that people could use them in emergencies and make long distance calls. However due to recent rapid development in Mobile handsets, people have become addicted to using cell phones and do things with it that no one could have imagined.
Mobile Phones or Smartphones have become our main companion 24/7, especially that 95% of new devices have the ability to connect to the Internet, and that without mentioning the integrated cameras that one of them has recently reached the 41MP.
Congratulations to Nadim Kamel, who has captured the reality of what this device has done to humanity. People are using their mobile devices in every single corner. They are either talking on it or reading a text message, drafting an email, surfing the web, playing a game, listening to music, reading the news, checking the weather, etc.
Nowadays we have become dependent of this device in a way we can no longer live without it or at least our life would not be the same if we do not own one.
What would this device be like in 20 years from now…lets wait…or just Imagine.


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News recently broke of the first-ever formal recommendations for vitamin D and calcium intake by the Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board. To the surprise of some, this committee recommended slightly higher daily vitamin D intake than was originally estimated 13 years ago. These recommendations, however, fall significantly short of recommended vitamin D levels set by researchers throughout the industry. In fact, the recommendations released yesterday suggest that individuals under 71 years old need no more than 600 IU of vitamin D per day. According to the Vitamin D council, this is roughly equivalent to less than two minutes of summer sunshine.
“The FNB is apparently also warning that natural vitamin D input – as occurred from the sun before the widespread use of sunscreen – is dangerous. That is, the FNB is implying that God does not know what she is doing.”
– Vitamin D Council
Equipped with this knowledge and an understanding of the benefits sunshine can provide ones health, it is reasonable to question such low recommendations. Aside from the medical industry and its constituents almost always downplaying the importance of supplement intake, the Institute of Medicine claims that 10,000 IU per day – roughly 1 hour of summer sun – has the potential to cause vitamin D toxicity, though studies solidifying this claim were never reproduced. In fact, researchers and industry experts point out slight elevation in serum calcium levels may have been discovered in individuals taking 20,000 IU per day, but these findings were disputed and certainly do not constitute clinical toxicity.
In addition, the industry was shocked to hear the Institute of Medicine claim that the current population is getting adequate amounts of vitamin D on a daily basis. Industry experts are quick to point out the prevalence of numerous issues thought to be a direct cause of vitamin D deficiency, namely “asthma, auto-immune disorders, and, as recently reported in the largest pediatric journal in the world, autism”.
Finally, the Institute of Medicine solicited reports from 14 of the top vitamin D specialists and researchers in the world. It is no surprise that each of these reports has been suppressed, not to be shared with the public. One such report was submitted by Robert Haney, a professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. A leading expert in vitamin D deficiencies, health benefits and supplementation, Haney says the Institute of Medicine’s recommended intake of 600 IU per day is “way too low. He says people should consider taking up to 4,000 IU per day.”
“For me, it’s a no-brainer. There is a large body of evidence for the benefit at intakes above the IOM recommendations. There is no risk, and very little cost, so why not take a chance of a benefit if there’s any possibility?”
Inevitably, this seems to boil down to one word, medicine. You see, the days of Hippocratic principles are long gone. Modern knowledge would suggest that “Thy food no longer be thy medicine” and thy medicine must be costly. Thus, a substance found to posses almost no negative qualities and with the potential to correct a wide range of imbalances, becomes a prime target for drug companies and the medicine industry to be strategically downplayed and marginalized. But hey, vitamin D could only relieve the need for some of today’s most prevalent prescription drugs. You make the call.
Vitamin D Council – www.vitamindcouncil.org
USA Today – http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2010-11-30-calciumvitaD30_ST_N.htm


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Gossard launches gravity-defying minimalist bra for bigger-busted women
When it comes to lingerie, women with a more ample bosom have long been forced to choose between support and sex appeal.
However, one manufacturer is hoping to consign those days to history – with underwear that makes the rather ambitious pledge to ‘challenge the laws of gravity’.
Wonderbra makers Gossard have invented a bra that claims to combine structure, comfort and glamour for customers with cup sizes DD to G.
Gravity-defying: The new Gossard Glossies bras have been moulded to embrace fuller cup sizes without using heavyweight material and are priced at £26
Unique: The Glossard moulded bra has a hidden wire for extra support and a double layered wing
According to research, the average bust size has increased from 34B in 1996 to 36D today, yet the range of bigger bras has lagged behind.
In response, Gossard have created
plus-sized Glossies – a lightweight range which they claim uses ‘unique
moulding technology to embrace fuller cup sizes’.
Head designer Stacey Lindsay said: ‘Historically bigger sizes have been based on the smaller sizes, but have sacrificed style to deliver the much-needed support.
‘Our team has worked relentlessly to find a way to make it possible to offer our most minimalist and sheer bra for our bigger-breasted customers.’
The bras, part of the brand’s autumn-winter line, will cost £26 and be available in black, white, mocha and nude.
The product has seamless inner ‘secret sling’ which gives extra lift and projection without using heavyweight material.It also has a hidden wire for extra support, a double layered wing to provide an anchored position and balanced support system.
Gossard will launch their new range with sizes ranging from D to GG as part of their Autumn Winter collection, along with their standard A-D cup sizes.
The bras were trialled by plus-size
women who each wore the bra for 50 hours each. The average bra size for
women in the UK has expanded from 34B to 36D in recent years, however
the selection of bras to fit these cup sizes has previously been
many years bra designers have stumbled when faced with the larger cup
sizes, and this has meant less attractive lingerie for ladies with a
fuller figure,' says Gossard head designer Stacey Lindsay.
'Historically bigger sizes have been based on the smaller sizes, but have sacrificed style to deliver the much-needed support.
Extra lift: The Glossies moulded bra, in cup size DD-G will be available in black, white, mocha and nude
'Our team has worked relentlessly to
find a way to make it possible to offer our most minimalist and sheer
bra for our bigger-breasted customers.
was a huge challenge, and we were pioneering never-tried before
techniques. But we’re now 100 per cent satisfied we’ve developed a
design that stays true to the core cup sized bra, without compromising
on style, comfort or fit.'
The bra manufacturer is famous for it's sexy campaigns, which includes a controversial advert featuring model Sophie Anderton which was launched in 1996 with the strapline 'Who said a woman couldn't get pleasure from something soft?'
High profile campaign: Sophie Anderton was nicknamed the 'girl in the grass' thanks to this Gossard billboard
Pushing boundaries: Eva Herzigova stars in the famous 'Hello Boys' Gossard campaign
Gossard managing director, Tony Jarvis, says he's delighted that boundaries are being pushed to deliver a pioneering approach to meeting customer demand.
'At Gossard we’re constantly striving to push the boundaries and apply new technologies and techniques to give our customers what they want,' he said.
'Glossies in bigger cup sizes is just the latest evolution, with gravity-defying design.'
The Glossies moulded bra, in cup size DD-G is available in black, white, mocha and nude from www.gossard.com and is priced at £26.
Last year, clothing retailer N Brown introduced a 42K bra. They plan to offer an L-cup from next year.
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“To have [LVMH] with an upscale hotel would be a big benefit to the street,” said Chuck Dembo, a partner in Dembo Realty in Beverly Hills.
Brexit jitters could already be felt at Première Vision Paris, while sustainability turned fun at Texworld.
Ideas for shopping, eating, art-viewing and pampering in between shows.
Born of the merger of the top two Paris fashion schools, the revamped Institut Français de la Mode aims to attract global creative talents.
While upcycling incurs high costs and prevents designers from being able to produce their collections in large quantities, it also presents myriad opportunities.
Around the globe, the $1.3 trillion apparel industry employs more than 300 million people and in some low-income countries the production of cotton alone accounts for nearly 7 percent of all employment.
On the eve of the FIAC modern art fair, Paris hosted parties for Valentino, Alexandre de Betak and Gagosian artist Katharina Grosse.
Guests snacked on avocado toast and were treated to an art-meets-skateboard performance at the Parisian department store.
After two years as communications director for Global Fashion Agenda, Thorsmark will take up her new role on Nov. 1.


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Alcoa, the aluminum producer, reported second-quarter profit that topped analyst estimates as the company raised prices. The shares gained in after-hours trading.
Alcoa is the first company in the Dow Jones industrial average to report results for the quarter through June. Earnings at Dow Jones companies probably declined an average of 10 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
Klaus Kleinfeld, who took over as chief executive in May, has raised prices to help make up for rising energy expenses, which account for about a third of the cost of producing aluminum. Alcoa sold aluminum for an average $3,058 a ton in the quarter, about 6.2 percent higher than a year earlier.
Net income for the quarter fell to $546 million, or 66 cents a share, from $715 million, or 81 cents, a year earlier, Alcoa said. Sales fell 5.5 percent to $7.62 billion after the company sold its packaging unit.
Excluding a charge of 5 cents a share because of lost production at a refinery in Australia and a smelter in Texas, profit was 71 cents a share, topping the 65-cent average estimate of 17 analysts in a Bloomberg survey.
The shares gained $1.13, or almost 3.5 percent, to $33.45 as of 7:59 p.m. in trading after the official close of the New York Stock Exchange.
Aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange averaged 6.9 percent higher in the second quarter than a year earlier and reached a record $3,327 a metric ton on Monday.
Alcoa, which is based in Pittsburgh, slipped to third among the world’s aluminum producers after a merger that led to the creation of United Company Rusal of Russia, now the largest. The Rio Tinto Group which acquired the Alcan for $38.1 billion last July, is second largest.


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- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Protecting your online reputation
Businesses should monitor what’s being said — and respond quickly
- Tanya Rutledge
When it comes to protecting the online reputation of a company, there is no such thing as overkill.
After all, waiting until negative information is brought to light by third-party forces causes the business owner to be reactive, rather than proactive — and allows the negative information to go undisputed for a longer period of time.
“You have to educate yourself about what’s out there about your company,” said Raj Tumber, a Las Vegas-based entrepreneur who spends 10 to 30 hours per week monitoring the Internet for posts about his company on a wide variety of sites.
Adrienne Cornelsen, global communications chairman for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, also suggests using a free service called Google Alerts, which enables the user to enter a keyword — usually the company’s name — for a search. The tool will monitor the Internet constantly for any mention of that keyword and will push the information to the user.
However, the most important part of protecting a company’s online reputation is not just being aware of online comments, but reacting professionally.
If the comment was posted on a company’s own website or Facebook, the owner simply can delete the comment. But if a negative statement appears on an external website, it can be a little more complicated.
If the statement is unfair or untrue, Cornelsen said owners first should reply by posting their own rebuttal under the original comment. They also can email or call the administrator of that site to state that the comment is incorrect or misleading, and even ask to have it removed.
Another tip: Ask satisfied customers to post comments about their positive experiences on the website where a negative comment appears, which will push the negative comment further down.
“Taking time to clarify your side of the situation is huge,” Tumber said. “If you don’t, it could grow worse.”
• Be proactive about monitoring the Internet for comments about a company (Google Alerts provides a free service for this).
• React to the comments professionally, and let people know — with a rebuttal post — what was done to resolve the complaint.
• Ask satisfied customers to post their own comments about their positive experiences with a company, which can help balance negative comments.
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MIAMI—A net-leased site in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood has hit the market. Gateway to Miami Beach, a two-building, 18,136-square foot retail asset, is listed $22 million, or $1,213 per square foot.
The South of Fifth neighborhood has become the most expensive section of Miami Beach. The area features high-profile restaurants and 18-acre South Pointe Park.
Scott Sandelin, a senior associate in Marcus & Millichap‘s Miami office, is representing the seller, a private party who developed the site. He says investor capital is flowing into Miami Beach in search of stable retail assets with quality tenants.
“The irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind Gateway to Miami Beach site features two buildings with national tenants, Pier 1 Imports and Burger King,” he says. “The Miami Beach market continues to mature, and this highly sought after site has liberal zoning that will allow for many different options in the future. Creative redevelopment will provide a significant increase in NOI and the property’s overall value.”
The Gateway to Miami Beach is located at 1100 5th St. in Miami Beach. Traffic counts along 5th Street total 92,000 cars per day. Best Buy, Petco, and Staples are located in the immediate vicinity and a Publix Super Market is nearby.


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@Sector Business Model
E-commerce Policy Won't Change Sector Biz Model: Analyst
Category : News & Analysis
Technology : Web Technologies
Amey Joshi, Associate Director, India Ratings & Research, explains why the government’s recently introduced e-commerce policy is unlikely to change the discounting model of online retailers in the near-term.