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Wednesday, May 9, 2007
So, I'm reading all this stuff about David Droga's new venture, Droga5 (its home page is pictured here), starting a new branded entertainment site, and frankly, it leaves me cold. Called HoneyShed, Droga apparently told the masses at the Microsoft Strategic Account Summit, that it would be "the world's first digital branded destination." If you've covered the Internet business for as long as I have, you learn to always tune out any claim to being first, particularly about a dozen years into the revolution. And, ask yourself, isn't any site consumed with one brand—be it Amazon or Nike—a branded digital destination? The site, which will debut in beta sometime this summer, apparently is meant to forge the back and forth that defines the relationship between brands and consumers. We shall see.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Here's a stream of the new Chrysler spots you may have read about that was posted to YouTube by Chrysler. Carrying the tag, "Engineered Beautifully," these commercials are about sixteen times classier than "Ask Dr. Z" (actually the Head On commercials were classier than "Ask Dr. Z"), but I'd defy anyone watching them to remember what the brand was a few hours later.
To contrast, another campaign launched yesterday. This one from Orbitz, in its first effort since moving from Young and Rubicam Chicago to Mullen. Now the commercials, aren't great—in fact the Chicago Sun-Times' Lewis Lazare gave the campaign an F—but at least Orbitz has posted them all to the Web.
Monday, May 7, 2007
From Advertising Age:
Nissan sorta-kinda doesn't think it's marketing is that good. New business directors, better send 'em that reel.
Bob Garfield likes a "slightly effeminate English adult with high-button shoes."
MediaVest takes its anger out on the magazine industry.
Euro RSCG's David Jones has found the woman for him.
Asked to come up with a hypothetical campaign celebrating Barry Bonds’ imminent breaking of Hank Aaron’s home run record, Daniel Russ of R&R Partners Las Vegas says, “As one who grew up in Atlanta idolizing Hank Aaron, I would implement a media agnostic, tactical, integrated, 360-degree, completely repurpose-able campaign, all tied into Hamburger Helper. Why? Because it's fake, it enhances something that's real, and no one has any respect for it.”
The Clios are going to be really good again—in about two years.Barbara Lippert thinks Rachael Ray for Dunkin' Donuts is lame-o.
Do worldwide creative directors really matter? Only if you want them to matter.
From The New York Times:
How many people are really in the market to have their cell phone branded with the name of a women's softball team?


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The worlds biggest mobile event is over for another year, and what did we learn this time?
Here are some of the highlights:
- Samsung dominated overall, followed closely by Apple, Facebook and Google which didn’t exhibit or make any announcements.
- The biggest device announcement was the Samsung Galaxy S5 followed by Samsung 3 smart watches
- IoT and wearables were the most talked about topics – a toothbrush turned out to be the most talked about IoT example and the Fitbit fitness band the wearable of the congress itself (we’ve never seen so many men in suits tracking their steps, pulse and calories burned)
- Mobile World Capital Barcelona (http://mobileworldcapital.com/en) showcased some great examples of IoT including mHealth, mSchools, traffic and mobile Shopping
- Android dominated even more than it did in 2013, with Firefox OS and Tizen playing lesser roles although both were part of major announcements
- NFC continued to dominate among the payment companies and showcases, even though the interest from carriers and retailers now seems limited due to the lack of Apple support
- Bigger touch screens are coming to our cars but the question is why they need yet another operating system
- If Mark Zuckerberg gets his way then Facebook and internet.org will play an important role in connecting citizens in developing countries to the Internet
Some of the most interesting presentations, panels and workshops took place outside of MWC at 4YFN, WIPJam, mPower and hotel penthouse suites including:
- Paypal developer workshop showing how developers can leverage Paypal payments and Beacons
- mPower had a fantastic agenda of presentations, best practice, case studies and panels on mobile marketing
- 100s of start-ups pitched their ideas to VCs from all over the world at 4YFN and other events
- Many of the more established start-ups in the battery, search and big data space showed off their latest technologies to handset manufacturers and carriers behind closed doors
Overall MWC once again really proved itself to be the most important mobile event of the year.
What does all of this mean for you:
For CMOs, CIOs, marketers, developers, and anyone else for that matter, mobile is becoming core to everything we do. To keep up with what’s going on in the space is getting harder and harder, and therefore, being able to see everything in one place is a huge advantage.
A couple of key take-outs were:
- IoT (or M2M) is going to impact almost everyone so start investigating areas of transformation and innovation for your business
- Wearables are the buzzword of the year but won’t have a big impact in the coming months outside of the health and fitness space
- The massive growth in mobile advertising last year has brought about considerable new innovation so make sure you keep up with mobile advertising 2.0
- Mobile payments are transforming the way that consumers pay for products and service now so evaluate how this can improve the experience for your customers
Stay tuned for more exciting news. We will continue to monitor and report from other mobile conferences throughout the year including CTIA Wireless, Mobile Asia Expo, Google I/O, Apple WWDC and more.
We have also created a Slideshare presentation that covers the key highlights, trends and announcements.
MWC 2014- key highlights, trends and announcements from DMI

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Apple Pay pushes payment security forward If adopted, trusted
Apple Pay, the new payment service Apple recently unveiled, is being heralded by some security experts as a positive step forward in eliminating plastic and reducing fraud. While it is no silver bullet, it can make mobile payments more secure for users of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus if it is widely adopted, said Kevin Grieve, a payment industry veteran and partner at consulting firm Strategy&. He leads the firm’s payments business.
Apple's mobile payment implementation eliminates the credit card number altogether and instead assigns a unique number to the device enabling payment to take place using a method associated with the user's account. Google Wallet, by contrast, stores the user data on the mobile device and transmits the cardholder data via near field communications to the merchant, a security risk, say experts. Here are 10 reasons why it pushes the envelope.
Apple replaces the 16-digit credit card number and other data associated with the magnetic stripe on standard credit cards by using tokenisation. Apple generates a one-time-use token with every transaction. The token is created in a way that makes it impossible for an attacker to reverse.
However it isn't foolproof, security experts say. An attacker could theoretically gain access to a token system that processes the transactions to glean some information. Still, tokenisation removes the point-of-sale system fraud (think Target and Home Depot breaches), by eliminating the credit card from the merchant's systems altogether.
2. Secure element
Apple is using a process that assigns a unique Device Account Number for each credit card that is added using its Passbook application. The unique number is encrypted and stored on a dedicated chip in the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch called Secure Element.
Apple pledges that card numbers will never be stored on Apple servers and, as an extra privacy measure, individual transactions will also not be viewed or logged by Apple. The credit card numbers never reach merchant systems either, Apple said.
The unique device token is coupled with a dynamic security code to process the transaction properly. The randomly generated number would be useless to credit card thieves without a variety of other information about the user, according to Apple. Security experts say this could increase the risk of Apple device theft. Other mobile security experts tell CRN US the new payment method may fuel account hijacking attempts against Apple cloud services.
Apple is using a communication protocol that is supported in widely deployed payment terminals in Europe and Canada called EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa.
The terminals support chip-and-PIN technology to cut down on card fraud. Target and Home Depot, two large retailers in the US that are reeling from massive data breaches, indicated they will have terminals in place supporting EMV. Other large retailers are expected to replace outdated terminals with new EMV-enabled equipment by October 2015.
The latest EMV terminals are encrypted and support NFC, contactless payments, said Ruston Miles, a PCI compliance expert and chief innovation officer at systems provider Bluefin Payment Systems.


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In-housing is about control, not costs
Corporate in-housing will continue to demonstrate rapid growth say industry experts, as brands are increasingly looking to assume control over their own data in the supply chain.
In August the IAB reported that nearly a fifth of marketers had taken programmatic buying in-house; later, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) revealed that nearly 80% of its members have some form of in-house agency, a number which has rapidly grown over the year.
Speaking at the 2018 Automated Trading Debate last week, Medialink's SVP Nick Manning said the lead motivation behind the acceleration of corporate in-housing is "clients no longer feeling that they can allow other people to control their data and the technology that manages it."
"The in-housing debate in my mind is much more led by the need to manage data than it is by the economies you can get. We hear a lot about the efficiencies and economies of in-housing, but I'm not sure they're accurate. By the time you implement a lot of the elements, you might not necessarily save any money," he said.
"In-housing is about having the motive to manage the supply chain: knowing exactly what technologies you're using and why, how much they cost, how much data sits within that, and knowing that the data is secure."
Additionally, the technology and platforms available to advertisers have improved hugely over recent years, giving them the means with which to "knit together" their own advertising - not just in media, but creative too.
Though whether advertisers manage to do a better job themselves or not is another matter, Manning added. "But those platforms do exist."
However, despite its sudden rise in popularity, Manning said he does not think that in-housing will be a short-lived fad.
"I think it's structural, and the need to control data is here to stay. While that remains, an element of in-housing has to happen - such as ownership of technologies. That doesn't mean to say there won't be a settling down into more hybrid solutions, which has already started to happen."
One brand that has already settled into a hybrid in-housing solution is Sony, according to the brand's head of digital for Europe. Having fallen foul of multiple high-profile data hacks in recent years, Sony took "drastic" action to ensure that all martech and suppliers go through "a very tough information protection process."
Seb Bardin agreed that in-housing has to start with data, confirming that this is a process Sony is currently undergoing. "It's about owning the data and then bringing more adtech inhouse," he said.
"Planning and buying is still with the agency, but we have to use our own adtech stack."


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This week’s Utah Crowd-Funding project takes the wet t-shirt to a different level.
Prismatik is a Salt Lake City company that is working to market the Splatter Tec shirt, a t-shirt with a special color dye that changes color when exposed to cold air or cold water.
According to the company’s website, a shirt that’s one color when at 76 degrees (such as when it’s worn on the body) will change colors when the shirt’s temperature drops below 69 degrees — like when it’s out in the cold or wet.
"These shirts bring people together to make water fights more exciting, summer days more creative, workouts more vibrant, people’s lives more lively, and the world a more colorful place!," the company writes on its Kickstarter page.
Benefits for backers range from a color-changing bandanna (for a $13 donation) to a deluxe package that includes eight t-shirts, two bandannas and an invite to a company pizza party/water fight (for a $500 pledge).
If you have a crowd-funding project you’d like mentioned on The Cricket blog, email it to: firstname.lastname@example.org. Be sure to put "crowd funding" in the subject line.
|1.||Chefs share tips for home cooks to waste not, want not|
|2.||Owner of dog shot by Utah police turns down $10,000 offer|
|3.||Restaurant review: Flavor and style — for a Park City price — at Burgers and Bourbon|
|4.||Annual liquor sales in Utah up $20 million|
|5.||Bagley Cartoon: Comic Con Controversy|
|6.||Salt City Vodka now available in Utah liquor stores|
|7.||Paul Rolly: Blogger fired from language school over ‘homophonia’|
|8.||BYU Football: Ranking the top-10 players of all-time|
|9.||Ordain Women, abuse, defections on tap for Mormon symposium|


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Wisconsin State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass is auctioning more than $2,000 worth of abandoned collectible coins and currency on eBay.
“An auction is both an exciting and poignant event,” said Treasurer Sass. “I would prefer to have the rightful owner or heir come forward and be reunited with their valuable coin collection, but after several years of abandonment, my office has to auction off the items in the vault due to capacity constraints.”
Among the current items up for auction are: a $50 Civil War note; gold bullion; United States Proof Sets; Singapore Mint Proof Set; dozens of Silver Dollar coins and much more.
Each year, the Wisconsin State Treasurer's Office receives the contents of safe deposit boxes from banks and other financial institutions that have been abandoned for at least five years. The names of the contents’ owners are published in local newspapers and entered into Wisconsin’s Unclaimed Property online database. The contents are then stored in the state's vault for at least three more years.
If the owners or their heirs do not come forward to claim the contents, the Treasurer's Office holds an auction of the contents. The proceeds from the sale are held for the rightful owners or heirs for an indefinite length of time.
“The exciting part of the auction is the potential for the forgotten item to have a second chance at life and either expand an existing collector’s set or hopefully help those wanting to start a collection,” said Treasurer Sass.
The auction started Tuesday, April 28, at noon (CST) on eBay and ends the following Tuesday, May 5, 2009. You can access the auction by visiting the State Treasurer’s Web site and clicking on the eBay logo.


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HTC may not seem to be in any big rush to announce the One M10, electing not to bring its latest flagship along to MWC last week, but we recently started seeing signs that the company is finally getting ready to make the phone official. One such hint arrived a week ago as HTC dropped what sure looked like its first real One M10 teaser, giving us a taste of the handset’s design while telling us to get read for the “power of 10.” Now that same tagline is back in a fresh HTC teaser, as the company takes to video to promote the One M10.
You’d think that a video spot would open up the opportunity to share even more hints about what to expect from the smartphone, but there’s precious little actual content here. HTC tells us that its employees have been working late nights as they obsess over to make good phones even better, but as for anything about features or design changes to look forward to from the One M10, we’re coming up short.
Considering the very basic production that went into making this clip, as well as the lack of any real content, we might be tempted into calling it fake – if it weren’t published on a seemingly legitimate (though not YouTube-verified) YouTube page for HTC’s Turkish arm.
We guess HTC’s just not feeling like getting very specific about its plans for the One M10 quite yet. Maybe that will change as we get closer to the actual launch, but as far as teasers go, this one seriously leaves us wanting.


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WhatsApp users are being warned of a con aimed at stealing their bank details.
Scammers are sending messages claiming that the user’s subscription has expired, and that they need to purchase lifetime access for 99p by following the link included.
However, the link takes you to a page managed by the scammers.
What the scam message looks like
Above is an example of one of many being shared on social media. In full, the text message reads:
“Your subscription has expired. To verify your account and purchase a lifetime subscription for just 0.99 GBP simply tap on this link”
This is a clever con as WhatsApp did charge users 99p a year to use in the past, and only went free in 2016.
So users might be duped into believing the app has gone back to its subscription model.
What to do if you get it
The app is definitely still free. If you receive the message, delete it immediately. It’s also worth ensuring your anti-virus software is up to date.
Given the popularity of the messaging app, it’s sadly not the first time we’ve seen scammers targeting Whatsapp.
Previously, scammers tried to trick Android phone and tablet users into downloading a malicious ‘upgrade’ called WhatsApp Gold onto their device.
Users received a message claiming they have been given an exclusive chance to make use of an improved version of the popular messaging app, which allows them to make video calls and send 100 photos at once.
It invited users to sign up by clicking on a link, which actually sent them to a fake website page and infected their device with malware.


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Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi has announced that the upcoming sixth instalment in Sony’s flagship racing franchise will receive a day-one patch.
The confirmation comes in light of news that GT6’s audio enhancements may not arrive in time for launch.
Indeed, this now seems to be the case, with Yamauchi-san also confirming to Eurogamer that the launch day patch will feature a number of other features to look forward to.
“It’s the same every time. Everything’s very tight. It’s an incredibly tight schedule. As to being able to include everything we want to on day one, we probably won’t be able to. I think for the 12 months following the release we’ll continue to update the software. Because in Gran Turismo 6 we’re preparing a lot of different things we haven’t even touched on yet.”
He added: “I think you’re sort of right in that we’ve really changed how we make games now. Even now when we’re near the end of development [on Gran Turismo 6] we’re still creating features that will be provided in this game in updates later on. I think it’s a possibility that one day these types of update will be continuing for our titles. More recently, the speed of our output is much, much faster.”
Gran Turismo 6 is scheduled for release exclusively on PS3 on December 6.


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Scottish fashion brand Isolated Heroes is opening a pop-up in Urban Outfitters Edinburgh over the bank holiday weekend to showcase its size-inclusive collection.
From May 28 to 31, Isolated Heroes will open a pop-up as part of Urban Outfitters Edinburgh’s festival marketplace offering their new collection available in UK sizes 6 to 24 featuring dresses, bomber jackets, sweaters, and face masks.
Alongside the new collection, Isolated Heroes will also be offering one-to-one styling sessions on May 29, to build body positivity and to empower diverse individuals “no matter their shape or size”.
The Scottish brand will also be giving VIP gift bags to shoppers who spend over 100 pounds.
Commenting on the pop-up, Samantha Paton, founder and designer of Isolated Heroes, said in a statement: “We are proud to be a sustainable, independent business with a loyal creative community of customers and I’m so proud that Urban Outfitters have exclusively chosen Isolated Heroes for this unique retail opportunity.
“We will be armed with our new collection in size UK6-UK24 and cannot wait to meet with some of our amazing customers who have supported us through the years plus meet new Isolated Heroes fans too.”
Elle Drummond store manager at Urban Outfitters Edinburgh, added: “Urban Outfitters are proud to be supporting Scottish talent and an Independent designer within our flagship Edinburgh store. With lockdown restrictions easing this has been the perfect event to merge a popular e-commerce brand and provide a unique in store shopping experience for the Urban Outfitters customer. The Festival Marketplace will include styling sessions, goodie bags and a chance for Urban Outfitters customers to shop unreleased Isolated Heroes styles.”


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Airtel takes 3.75G to Uganda
INTERNET| Aug. 13, 2012, 9:48 a.m.
By Omondi Julius Odera, Kampala, Uganda
Airtel has launched its 3.75G internet service in Uganda. Airtel subscribers can now enjoy high speed internet browsing, downloads, video calling and other data services at very affordable rates.
Airtel says the launch of the 3.75G platform promises profound changes in how customers in the country experience the web on internet-enabled devices. The improved technology will enhance multimedia functionality, high speed mobile broadband and internet access. With over 325 3G sites in the country Airtel boasts the best coverage in the industry with its closest rival having 285 3G sites countrywide.
Levy Nyakundi, Airtel Uganda’s Marketing manager, noted:, “This is in line with our goal of becoming Africa’s most loved brand; We are going to ensure consistent experience of fastest internet countrywide not only in Kampala because we are also backed by some of the biggest names in blue chip companies like IBM, Nokia and Siemens.”
He added: “Fast has become an attitude, especially in business. If you are not fast, you will not survive.”
The high-speed internet technology promises speeds of 21 mbps. Nyakundi added: “It is the fastest 3G available and will be enormously beneficial for a variety of users, which include large corporates, small businesses and the youth.”
“3G technology will give our customers the opportunity to interact with data in a different way,” explained VG Somasekhar, MD Airtel Uganda.
“This is why Airtel doesn’t see 3G as a product but a platform that enables the community to expand its social and commercial horizons, alongside the rest of the world.” The launch of 3.75 G is just one of the ways Airtel Uganda delivers on its promise of providing its subscribers with quality and innovative products and services noted Somasekhar. “Our internet is so fast it will blow you away," he remarked.
“Uganda is soon celebrating 50 years of independence and Airtel has put it on the global map with the 3.75G,” noted Somasekhar. He also added that since the telco’s entry into the telecom industry in the country two years ago, they promised to invest more than USD100 million and with the introduction of 3.75G, marks the investment of over USD130 million.
The Minister of ICT, Ruhakana Rugunda, who was also present during the launch, said: “There are unlimited possibilities that the new technology is going to open for the business community.”
“This initiative touches the core reason for our existence as a ministry of ICT; to ensure that Ugandans experience the best technology the world has to offer especially the business community that is usually affected by unnecessary bureaucracy,” he said.
He added: “The advancement in technology is expected to lead to corresponding percentage increment in economic velocity. This is because technology enables fast communication and transactions at a faster rate than before. Hence it opens up unlimited number of doors to the numerous business opportunities in the World over.”
With this kind of development, the minister challenged stakeholders to ensure that everyone was able to access it.
“During the drafting of Human rights Charter, internet was not yet known and could not be entailed in the charter; Therefore I implore internet activists to fight to ensure that it is everyone’s right to access affordable internet and I commend Airtel for taking the lead towards this direction," he concluded.
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FEATURED STORYIHS plans to inject fresh $500m to grow capacity
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Shin Megami Tensei IV Summons a European Release Date
Atlus has revealed the European release date for the well received Shin Megami Tensei IV,
The game launches on October 30th, at the very end of the tenuous release window Atlus shared back in December. Fans will be able to pick it up for a relatively modest €19.99 / £17.99, and the game’s various DLC packs will be released in the month following its launch.
Here’s hoping this release date sticks. Atlus always seems to have difficulties publishing in Europe in a timely manner.


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Tourism braces for minimum wage, longer school year
New York state’s tourism and hospitality industry is accustomed to legislative battles but threats are now coming from different sources.
Aside from traditional issues, such as under-funded tourism promotion programs, the industry is now bracing for a jump in the minimum wage and the potential of a longer school year. The state’s minimum wage may increase by as much as 24 percent on July 1, rising from $7.25 an hour to $9. That would directly impact many tourism destinations that hire part-time summer help — usually high schoolers and college students, said Jan Marie Chesterton, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association president.
Chesterton was the keynote speaker at Friday’s hospitality association “eggs & issues” gathering at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott.
Of equal concern is the proposal to extend the school year adding “learning days” around the Christmas/New Year’s holidays and starting the new school year in August instead of early September.
“I know it is pretty politically incorrect to talk against extending the school year,” Chesterton said. “But, from the view of our industry, you might be eliminating winter vacations and shortening the summer season.”
It goes beyond that, Chesterton said.
A shortened summer break may not only involve family vacations but also reduce the pool of workers that many destinations rely on for the June, July, August period.
“It is sort of a double whammy,” Chesterton said. “But, we also know this is a tough one to argue because we are talking educating our youth.”
In other topics covered during the session:
James Fink covers real estate, commercial development and government
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(CBS DETROIT)- The national retail federation estimates back to school spending will reach a record of $31.1 billion up more than $3 billion last year.
K-12 parents expected to spend over $800 per household.
Something the Nelson family in Detroit knows much about.
"My youngest will be Kindergarten, then we'll have a first grader, a six grader and an 8th grader this year," said Angelique Nelson.
Nelson says they also have a college student. Like many, her kids will start the school year off in person for the first time in 2 years, and she's noticing an increase in pricing for newly added items to the supply list.
"Clorox wipes, the hand sanitizers the Kleenex yes they were a little more expensive than the years before, but what can you do right," Nelson said.
According the CEO of GreenPath Financial Wellness Kristen Holt, there are several ways to save costs on back to school items.
"Where might those school supplies we've had for the past two years that we didn't use as much be," said CEO of GreenPath Financial Wellness nonprofit Kristen Holt.
Holt says most items are right in your home, she also says to shop around, don't try and purchase everything from one store. And when it comes to clothing…
"There's a lot of great resale shops out there where you might be able to pick something up that was barely worn by somebody else, but for a fraction of the costs," Holt said.
Holt also says stick to the list and don't over buy.
"We purchase a lot every year, it is what it is, there's a lot of kids," said Nelson.
Experts say if finances are tight check out one of the local school supply give-a-ways, there's plenty in the Detroit area, or if you're like the Nelson's and have a few extra items that you've purchased, donate them.
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China says global financial crisis not to reduce tourism in upcoming festival
Fewer inbound tourists due to the world economic slowdown will not dent China's traditional tourist peak during the upcoming Spring Festival, an official said here Monday.
Inbound tourism has shrunk by more than 30 percent as a result of the global financial crisis, said Wang Zhifa, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration.
That won't affect the whole tourist market during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which will last a week from Jan.25, as inbound tourists account only a tiny share of the cake, said Liu.
The number of tourists during the holiday period will continue to grow steadily, because tourism has become a holiday lifestyle for Chinese, he said.
Outbound Chinese travelers are expected to favor short- and mid-distance destinations such as Hong Kong, Macao and southeast Asian nations.
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This month, customers on Reddit celebrated the first birthday for the original Razer Phone’s July security patch. That seems to be the last update the phone ever acquired, the July 2018 security patch which it obtained in September of the previous year. There was no update to Pie and security patch updates since. For a phone that only launched not even two years ago (19 months ago, to be precise), from an organization that we know has the assets to offer better support than what customers are seeing, that is super pathetic.
In February of this year, it was reported that job cuts and reassignments have been to hit Razer’s mobile division. Interestingly, Razer’s remark to that report was, “We see nice opportunities within the mobile gaming space that we created with the Razer Phone and can continue to invest in this category through a combination of hardware and software initiatives.”
That doesn’t specifically mention updates for the original Razer Phone. However, the firm also stated, “The Razer Phone 2 will proceed to be on sale, and we’re committed to supporting it with the latest updates and features.”
So, while the unique device didn’t obtain any specific mention of support, the Razer Phone 2 did. Funny enough, that device appears to be sitting with the April security patch currently. It’s now mid-July.
For a corporation new to the phone game, among the best ways, we could think of to show potential clients that you’re serious in regards to the business could be software updates. Support the device with the latest available builds of Android or at least maintain them up to date with security patches. We’re sure that takes quite the funding to pull off. However, customers are paying their hard-earned money for a device, and there’s a certain level of expectation with regards to software updates.


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In a new book, Adcreep: The case against modern marketing, Mark Bartholomew, Professor of Law, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, argues that the creation of a world where advertising can be expected anywhere and anytime is transforming not only purchasing decisions but also personal relationships and people's sense of self.
For some time, public space, including parks and schools, has been invaded by brands as public bodies look for new ways to fund their requirements. But, says Bartholomew, "it's not just public space that is filling up with brand shout-outs".
Writing for Fast Company, he reported that in the course of research for his book "I discovered that a host of once ad-free environments – from the living room to our friendships – are now becoming sites for ads or surveillance technologies designed to make them more effective".
From smart technologies "embedded with what could be described as 'spying' capabilities", through the vast quantities of data accumulated by the likes of Google and Facebook, advertisers know more about us than ever before.
"Even our brains have become fair game for advertising annexation," Bartholomew notes, with companies spending millions on neuroscience to better capture the desires people won't or can't articulate.
"There are significant costs to opening up our lives to advertisers," Bartholomew states. "One is a loss of consumer agency."
By which he means that the use of brain scans to design more effective commercials "strips audiences of their ability to consciously shape the advertising content they see and hear".
He also worries about the implications for civic and personal values, as commercial messages invade school spaces and as people wonder if their micro-influencer online friend "is really a corporate shill".
And, he adds, "as commercial spying becomes routine, norms change to permit snooping in other parts of our life".
Bartholomew looks at previous US experience with advertising and new technologies and concludes that "the historical record shows strong precedent for using the law to keep some areas of life off-limits from commercial entreaties".
It is, he says, all too easy for a normalization process to occur once advertising enters a new territory. "Instead of defaults, the law needs to create hard and fast rules preventing the entry of advertising and corporate spying into these spaces."
Data sourced from Fast Company; additional content by WARC staff


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Stories from the Communities
Mexico Lindo was the first Hispanic store to open in Ottumwa 16 years ago. The store manager worked with Compre Saludable/Shop Healthy Iowa initiative for two years. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Economic Development coordinator has known the store manager for several years and has built a trusting relationship. The coordinator provided training on marketing and store layout changes and assisted the manager with improving the interior of the store. Quote from the manager: "I never received any training in store retail. I just opened the store and hoped it would go well.”
In La Pinata grocery store in Sioux City, the store owner, Marisela Trejo, makes the most of the limited space she has. Although the fruits and vegetables could not be moved to another location closer to the store entrance, one of the items purchased was a two-sided, three-level wooden box display that has wheels and could be placed near the front of the store when possible. When large shipments come in on pallets, Marisela can easily move the display to the side to unload. The display also has a chalkboard, which they have used to market the produce prices, using chalk pens to make the information more decorative and eye-catching.
After the program, the primary manager in charge of making the program’s changes stated that through the use of healthy retail initiatives, he could increase the sale of fruits and vegetables at Zamora’s Fresh Market, improve customer’s eating behaviors, and increase the sale of fruits and vegetables in his store. Additionally, the manager agreed that selling healthy items would increase the financial stability of the store, improve the public image of the store, and attract new customers to the store. After the program ended, the store manager wanted to maintain the changes in the store and continue to install attractive displays throughout the store to better market healthy products.
Hugo and Yadira view offering fresh produce and healthy food options at reasonable prices as a way to give back to their customers, many of whom rely on the convenient location of the store for meeting their grocery needs. Through Shop Healthy Iowa, they are able to highlight fresh produce in the store through improving the quality of their displays and baskets. The signs were such a big hit, Yadira used them to replace many of the advertisements for beer that covered the windows in order to block out the direct sunlight! The change is a message she can feel good about, especially, she says, because of the kids that stop in on their way home from school.


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TECH JACKET lifts off with otherworldly artwork reveal
June 4, 2014
June 4, 2014
Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics is pleased to reveal early artwork for the first issue of the eagerly anticipated TECH JACKET.
“Getting to bring back Tech Jacket to comics with Khary Randolph as an over-the-top, no-budget-constraint sci-fi blockbuster constantly upping the ante has been been absolutely thrilling to be a part of," said Keatinge. "Khary and colorist Emilio Lopez combine their great skill to create science fiction visuals on a galactic scale, which are set to blow the minds of all who behold them.”
“It’s rare to be a part of a project where everyone is on the same page, and I’m extremely honored and proud to be a part of such a team as the Tech Jacket crew," added Randolph. "This is a book that screams fun, excitement and energy, something that is sorely missed in a lot of comics these days. We’re hoping to bring that back in a big way.”
After the out-of-this-world sales of the TECH JACKET DIGITAL miniseries that debuted at Image Expo, Joe Keatinge (SHUTTER, GLORY) and Khary Randolph (Deadpool, Justice League Beyond) announced at Emerald City Comicon that they would team up once again to launch TECH JACKET #1, the first in an all-new print series.
Zack Thompson, community college drop out, a.k.a. "Tech Jacket," and self-titled "Galactic Guardian of the Earth" may have bitten off more than he can chew. A loved one is threatened, a new enemy rises to power, and Tech Jacket must reassess his alliances.
TECH JACKET will hit stores on 7/2. TECH JACKET #1 will be available for $2.99, you can pre-order it with Diamond Code: MAY140599. Final Order Cutoff for retailers is 6/9.


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Years ago, when Toyota was giving birth to its luxury division, Lexus, and Nissan to its luxury division, Infiniti, Mazda was determined to keep up. The company developed its own luxury brand and even designed a car that would be its first product. But at the last minute, the plug was pulled, and that car was eventually sold as the Mazda Millenia.
This is worth mentioning because the Mazda luxury brand was to be called Amati. Evidently, Kia liked that name, because they added an "n," and the Kia Amanti, which will go on sale this fall, will be the Korean company's first full-sized car.
It will, Kia says, go head-to-head with the Toyota Avalon, Buick LeSabre and Chrysler Concorde. The Amanti is 196 inches long, with a wheelbase of 110.2 inches, roughly the size of a Lexus LS430. It will be powered by a 3.5-liter, 195-horsepower V-6, with a five-speed automatic transmission. It's bigger than the largest sedan from its corporate cousin, the Hyundai XG350, which also has the 3.5-liter V-6.
Kia says the target buyers for the Amanti "hold professional or managerial jobs, are in their mid-forties to late-fifties and want a stylish, large sedan. Kia expects the typical Amanti buyer to be a married man, 55 years old, with a college education and a household income of $60,000-$80,000 per year."
"To consumers who have never considered a Kia, we say now is the time to put us on your list," said Walter Anderson, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America. "We believe Amanti will exceed the expectations of most large-car buyers, and it will do so with room, comfort and sophisticated safety features at a lower price than they would expect."
That price will be announced in late summer. Expect it to start at around $26,000.
MERCEDES DEBUTS CABRIOLET
Based on the CLK coupe launched last year, Mercedes will begin selling a convertible Cabriolet version this summer. It comes to the U.S. as two models -- the CLK320 with a 3.2-liter, 215-horsepower V-6, and a CLK500, with a 5.0-liter, 302-horsepower V-8. The current CLK430 will be dropped.
Both CLK versions will have a five-speed automatic transmission. The new car is roomier, has a stiffer chassis, and uses a new rack-and-pinion steering system. The price of the 2004 CLK has not been announced, but the 2003 CLK320 lists for just over $50,000.
One great-grandson, Bill Ford, went on to become the CEO of Ford Motor Co., but you may not be aware that another of Harvey Firestone's great-grandsons, Andrew Firestone, is enjoying some fame as well. Andrew Firestone, 27, is the centerpiece of the ABC-TV show The Bachelor. The show's purpose: To get a bachelor to choose his future wife from female contestants who appear on the show.
LOCAL RACING ROUNDUP
Late-model racer Mac McCullough was seriously injured in the closing stages of the 50-lap feature race at Ocala Speedway Friday night when his car collided with another, then hit the turn-two concrete wall at full speed. McCullough was cut from the car and airlifted to a Jacksonville hospital. At last report he is paralyzed from the chest down, but it is not known if the condition is permanent.
Though the remainder of the races at Ocala were canceled that evening, the track is back in action Friday night, as is the Orlando Speed World oval track and drag strip in Bithlo. Saturday, there's racing at New Smyrna Speedway, Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Auburndale Speedway, and Citrus County Speedway in Inverness.


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Only two of ten Norwegian salmon producers stay clear of deforestation risk
Only two Norwegian salmon majors, Bremnes Seashore and Nordlaks, have eliminated all links to deforestation throughout their entire soy supply chain, new market mapping conducted by Rainforest Foundation Norway reveals. High deforestation risk company Cargill remains supplier to the majority of the enquired companies.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian soy suppliers to the Norwegian salmon industry, CJ Selecta, Caramuru and Imcopa pledged zero deforestation in their supply chains. This bold move, which is the first of its kind for soy suppliers operating in Brazil, presents a new opportunity to Norwegian salmon producers: a value chain entirely stripped of deforestation risk.
That, however, requires that salmon producers steer away from the only salmon feed producer with significant deforestation risk, i.e. Cargill Aqua Nutrition. RFN’s mapping reveals that only two of the ten enquired companies stay clear of the deforestation risk that Cargill imposes on their business.
The commitment from the Brazilian soy suppliers to the Norwegian salmon sector implies a ban on trading soy grown on land deforested after August 2020 and states an important example, adding pressure on the industry leaders such as Cargill and Bunge to follow. Cargill still refuses to commit to the same cut-off date but insists on continuing to trade deforestation soy until 2030. The pledge opens the opportunity for salmon companies to break any links to deforestation in their supply chain and become truly deforestation-free protein suppliers.
This in stark contrast to most large-scale animal protein producers, which depend heavily on soy from high deforestation-risk suppliers in their feed.
Deforestation risk in the salmon soy value chain
The soy value chain in the Norwegian salmon sector consist of three exposure points to deforestation risk:
1) through the soy volumes.
2) through the soy suppliers.
3) through the feed producers.
Soy in salmon feed:
Soy is a crucial part of salmon feed and a source of protein in mainstream salmon feed.
Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC) is extracted from soy beans in processing plants in Brazil, then shipped to Norwegian salmon feed production facilities.
Norwegian salmon industry imports SPC equivalent to approximately 517 000 tons soy beans each year.
The specific soy volumes that are used in Norwegian salmon feed have insignificant deforestation risk due to the ProTerra certification that cover all soy streams to Norway (due to the Norwegian government’s GMO prohibition).
With the recent pledge from the Brazilian soy suppliers and the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system which they have agreed to, the deforestation risk embedded in the soy suppliers is also insignificant.
The only exposure to deforestation risk remains in one of the four main salmon feed suppliers that produce feed for the global salmon marked: Cargill. The salmon feed producers Skretting, Biomar, Mowi and Cargill use the same Brazilian soy suppliers and enjoy the same certified, deforestation-free soy volumes in their value chain.
In light of the new opportunity that the zero-deforestation pledge represents to produce “rainforest friendly” salmon, RFN conducted a market mapping to identify the salmon companies that utilise this opportunity and produce salmon with no links to deforestation. Among the 10 largest salmon producers, only two producers inform that they do not buy feed from deforestation giant Cargill, and thus have a value chain with no deforestation risk.
Our survey maps the following deforestation risk in salmon companies' soy supply chain:
Well-informed about Cargill’s controversial behaviour, at least seven companies continue to support this deforestation giant with their feed contracts. Norway’s leading salmon producer, Lerøy Seafood, even signed a new contact with Cargill after RFN’s revelation of Cargill’s role in driving the record reaching fire season in Brazil in 2020.
Another two companies (Cermaq and Mowi) inform us that they do not use high risk feed supplier Cargill in the salmon production in Norway, but in other part of their operations globally.
Mowi has not disclosed whether or not they have commercial ties to Cargill.
Deforestation risk embedded in feed supplier Cargill
Although the specific soy volumes that enter Cargill’s salmon feed production have low deforestation risk, Cargill is a company with high deforestation risk.
Cargill’s soy operations in Brazil have frequently been linked to widespread deforestation and forest fires: In 2019, tackling deforestation risk and its controversial operations in South America makes it among the top three soy traders with highest deforestation risk, according to Trase and the environmental NGO, Mighty Earth.
Moreover, Cargill ranks as one of the worst soy companies inThe same NGO has claimed Cargill to be “the worst company in the world” and frequently connects the company to ongoing deforestation and land clearance in the Brazilian Cerrado. The numerous and continuous documentation of Cargill’s role in driving the destruction of native forests in South America has been presented to Cargill’s customers within the Norwegian salmon sector.
Cargill’s links to deforestation is admitted by the salmon producer Grieg Seafood, as Cargill was excluded by a green bond issued by Grieg Seafood in 2020. However, Cargill continues to supply the remaining activity of Grieg Seafood.


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Annual E3 Conference
The E3 is a prestigious event that includes an exhibition floor for developers, publishers, and manufacturers to showcase titles and products for sale in the upcoming year. Before and during the event, publishers and hardware manufacturers usually hold press conferences to announce new games and products.
Over the years in the gaming industry, E3 has always been the most sought-after event by all forms of media all over the world. Some of the grandest gaming announcements were made in the E3, for example, the reveal of Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil 7, and new generations of Play Station
E3 2021 Will be Taken Online
After skipping 2020 for obvious reasons, E3 is still scheduled to return this June as some kind of all-digital event. Additionally, there are many rumors surfacing claiming that some elements of the show would be placed behind a paywall, with GeForce Now-powered streaming demos.
When it comes to exhibitors who will be showcasing their new projects, Xbox, Nintendo, Ubisoft, Capcom, Konami, Take-Two Interactive, Koch Media and Warner Bros. Games have already confirmed they’ll be attending. As for now, there’s been no word on participation from big parties such as Sony, EA, and Activision Blizzard. Especially Sony’s absence isn’t particularly strange, as they’ve not participated in E3 anymore since 2019.
E3 2021 will also feature co-streaming which will enable you to watch along with your favorite streamers, while also promising there’ll be numerous interactive activities you as a fan will be able to take part in over the course of the live stream. More details are expected to come out in the following month.
This year’s event is rumored to be held June 15 – 17, 2021. It’s expected to occur in Los Angeles.
Potential E3 Announcements
- A new Silent Hill game
- Further Xbox Series X/S improvements
- Highly anticipated Nintendo Switch Pro console
- Nintendo’s sequel for The Legend of Zelda title
- New game release from Ubisoft
- Amazon Luna-related announcements


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Cornwall ON – The Minimum wage in Ontario is going up Wednesday March 31 to $10.25 from $9.50. For the average 40 hour week that would be about $30 per week more into the pockets of employees before taxes.
While some companies are suggesting a negative impact to the economy a lot of people will now be able to put a bit more money into local economies. An extra evening out. Some clothing here and there.
What do you think Cornwall? Will the minimum wage going up impact your lives? Feel free to post your comment below.
please visit our local sponsors:


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Shuddhi Jewels, a joint venture between Gitanjali Group, the world’s largest integrated branded jewellery manufacturer-retailer, and MMTC Ltd, a Government of India enterprise, today announced the launch of ‘Sampoorna Vishwas’ campaign with Ameesha Patel as its brand ambassador. With the new campaign, the brand reinstates the assurance of purity and quality offered to its consumers through its products.
In the TVC, Ameesha Patel, dressed beautifully as a newly married woman adorned in a glittering gold choker set from the wedding collection, lets go of her fear and embraces purity and trust to give a beautiful start to her relationship. The campaign, conceptualized by JWT, has warm tones and earthy feel and is set against a traditional backdrop. While the print campaign has been shot by Vishesh Verma, the TV campaign has been shot by director Atul Manjrekar. The campaign, running amongst leading Indian publications and leading TV channels, is just one of many initiatives in a multi-pronged consumer campaign that Gitanjali Group – MMTC Ltd. will roll out this year for Shuddhi Jewels.
Commenting on her association with Shuddhi Jewels, brand ambassador Ameesha Patel stated, “The name Shuddhi itself signifies purity and inspires trust! Each piece of jewellery available at Shuddhi Jewels assures purity and quality that is unsurpassed. The collection of gold and diamond jewellery at Shuddhi Jewels, whether traditional or contemporary, will enhance the beauty of any woman.”
Shardah Uniyal, VP, Marketing, Gitanjali Group said, “Shuddhi, as the name goes, means pure. The new Shuddhi campaign, shot with Ameesha Patel as the lead lady, is a story depicting day today instances in the life of a newly-wed couple. The TVC conveys that relationships should start on the fundamentals of trust and purity, which is Shuddhi Jewels’ brand proposition as well. Ameesha was a natural fit for the brand for her natural beauty, versatility, intelligence and of course her love for quality jewellery.”
Shuddhi Jewels offer stunning contemporary creations and traditional ornaments in pure gold, as well as sleek and stylish diamond jewellery pieces that make striking fashion statements. It caters to women who prefer the traditional heavy gold jewellery, as well as the more modern women who prefer minimalistic and elegant diamond jewellery. Each piece of jewellery at Shuddhi Jewels is BIS hallmarked and all the diamond pieces are international laboratory certified providing customers, ‘Sampoorn Vishwas’ – a seal of trust.


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Country's earnings from exports grew 13.84 per cent to $6.62 billion during the first couple of months of the current fiscal year (FY), 2017-18.
A notable rise in apparel export had a role in the growth.
The earnings also surpassed the target set for the period by 7.96 per cent, according to official data, released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Sunday.
The country fetched $5.82 billion during the corresponding period of the last FY.
The single month earnings in August 2017 stood at $3.64 billion, marking a 10.71 per cent growth against the earnings amounting to $3.28 billion in the same month of last year.
Officials and exporters termed the growth a good sign. They opined that euro rebounded against dollar in recent months, and Bangladesh exporters to the European markets reaped benefit out of it.
Earnings from export of RMG products during July-August of FY 2017-18 grew by 14.05 per cent to $5.52 billion, which was $4.84 billion during the corresponding period of last fiscal, according to EPB data.
The country earned $2.86 billion from knitwear export during the period, which marked an increase of 16.02 per cent compared to that of $2.47 billion in the corresponding period.
The earning from woven garments in the first two months of FY 18 grew by 11.99 per cent to $2.65 billion, from $2.37 billion in the same period of FY 17.
Mahmud Hassan Khan, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), termed the RMG export growth 'encouraging'.
He, however, said it would not be wise enough to make any comment on the sector's performance based on only two months' data.
Despite a declining trend in apparel products' prices in the global market, the recent export data shows that export volumes in the major markets have increased, he noted.
According to the EPB data, export earnings from the US, the country's single largest export destination, increased by 10.23 per cent to $1.10 billion during July-August of current FY. The amount was $997.51 million in the same period of last fiscal.
Export earnings from the second largest destination - Germany - grew by 8.78 per cent to $1.06 billion during July-August of FY 18. It was $976.51 million in the same period of last fiscal, according to official data.
Export earnings from the UK, the third largest export destination for Bangladesh, increased by 29.30 per cent to $783.81 million during the first two months of FY 18, from $606.16 million in the same period of FY 17.
The EPB data showed that earnings from jute and jute goods during the July-August period of current fiscal grew by 10.34 per cent to $155.31 million, from $140.75 million in the same period of FY 17.
The country fetched $248.16 million from leather and leather product exports in the first two months of FY 18, marking a 9.54 per cent growth during the period.
Frozen food and fish exports in the first two months of FY 18 grew by 39.64 per cent to $124.99 million in this July-August.


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I would like to respond to the article “Track to the future” (MW February 9).
The article referred to Visa USA as one of the worldwide sponsors of the Olympic Games. The sponsor is actually Visa International. Visa USA is one of six regions for Visa International worldwide. The six regions are as follows – Visa Pacific, Visa Canada, Visa Central and Eastern Europe Middle East Africa (CMEA), Visa European Union (EU), Visa Latin America, and Visa USA.
Also mentioned in the copy: “The Atlanta committee has decided that Amex, and other credit cards and charge cards will be accepted this year, despite Visa’s TOP position.” This is not true. Visa has been a sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1986, and has retained its exclusivity as the only payment card accepted on-site at the Olympics in Atlanta.
Executive vice president Products and Marketing


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Chevy's James Campbell: The Toughest Job at GMBy
Chevrolet has a new chief, and James Campbell is as surprised as anyone that he's it. Campbell, who spent some 22 years helping dealers market cars, is one of several young executives promoted by CEO Edward E. Whitacre Jr. General Motors' chief expects Campbell to restore luster to a brand that now accounts for about 70% of GM's U.S. sales and has been losing share for years. "There's a lot of work to be done," acknowledges Campbell, who was appointed in December.
Campbell, 45, may seem a strange choice to run GM's most important brand. In a bombastic industry, his mien is more credit-union VP than flashy pitchman. A few years ago Campbell turned down a potentially career-making opportunity to run Chevy's marketing operations in China; after that many of his assignments were decidedly unglamorous (such as selling cars to rental companies). But Campbell's bosses say that his years on dealer lots gave him insights into the middle- and working-class people who buy Camaros, Malibus, and Tahoes. Campbell, who grew up in Michigan, notes that he comes from a Chevy-driving family. "He is Chevrolet," says GM's North American chief, Mark L. Reuss.
Campbell inherits a brand showing nascent signs of life, partly as a result of GM's post-bankruptcy marketing blitz and Toyota's (TM) meltdown. Consumer Reports' annual brand perception survey, released in January, shows that Chevy has zoomed from ninth to fourth place, finishing ahead of BMW and Mercedes. Edmunds.com reports that more visitors to its site have been shopping for Chevys of late. Such trends often predict a sales surge; they did for Ford Motor (F) last year.
For Campbell, the challenge will be getting Americans excited about the new small cars joining Chevy's lineup this year and next. His strategy is simple: buy lots of Chevy ads on sites where people go to price Toyotas and Hondas (HMC). "If they are shopping a Camry or Accord," he says, "we serve up information on the Malibu."
GM is phasing out Pontiac and Saturn, and Campbell wants to keep the 6.5 million customers who bought those brands over the past decade out of rival carmakers' showrooms. So he is trying to make it easier for them to stick with GM. Campbell already has dealers filling customers' in-boxes and mailboxes with deals on service and repairs. Next, he plans to offer potential buyers discounts on new Chevys.
In recent years, as Chevy kept raising the discounts, Toyota used philanthropy and guerrilla marketing to make it seem as American as Motown. Campbell wants to remind people that Chevrolet was there first. He's putting Chevy cars on display at Little League baseball games and letting people test-drive cars at second-tier auto shows around the country.
Campbell will have to keep discounting cars. But dealers say he is more strategic about discounting than GM has been in the past. Duane Paddock, who owns Paddock Chevrolet in Kenmore, N.Y., says he and other dealers told Campbell last year they needed to move their used cars before they could persuade people to pay more for new ones. Campbell got GM to offer cut-rate loans, but only on used models that were piling up. "He calls and wants to know what consumers want," Paddock says. "He actually uses our suggestions."
A man who never dreamed he'd be running Chevy has GM's hardest and most urgent job. With Whitacre determined to free GM from government shackles, Campbell may not have much time to prove his mettle. "As goes Chevy," he says, "so goes GM."


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UK retail sales rebounded slightly in the year to February and are expected to continue growing, according to survey results released last week.
The CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey involved 128 firms, of which 64 were retailers. It found that two in five retailers (40%) reported increased sales volumes in February, giving a positive balance of 9%, up from a fall of 8% in the previous survey.
Sales volumes are expected to rise again in the year to March, albeit at a slightly slower pace.
Ben Jones, principal economist at the CBI, commented:
“The rebound in retail sales suggests that some of the recent gloom about a slump in consumer demand at the start of 2017 may be overdone.
“However, retailers remain cautious about their prospects, expecting fairly tepid growth in sales volumes next month against a backdrop of rising inflation that is likely to erode households’ purchasing power through the course of the year.
“As the impact of the weaker pound feeds through supply chains, retailers are trying to absorb some of the increase in their import costs through savings.”
Investment intentions for the year ahead fell for the first time since May 2016, and — for the first time in four-and-a-half years — retailers expect their business situation to deteriorate over the next three months. The biggest factor driving this more pessimistic outlook was rising cost pressures.
In a supplementary question asked this month, 42% of retailers cited rising cost pressures as a factor driving the deterioration in the business situation, while 35% cited uncertainty over Brexit/EU negotiations, 23% pointed to expected weakening in sales volumes and 18% cited an expected weakening in profitability.


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With the economy still sluggish, many island golf courses said they are being squeezed -- by lower prices to attract more players and rising costs to keep the game going.
Before Brad Simmons grabs his golf clubs, he heads to his computer. "I'll come home from work and get online. Whatever golf course is providing the biggest discount -- that is where I will go," said Simmons, a Honolulu resident.
On Friday, Simmons ended up at Olomana Golf Links -- which is trying to get more golfers to tee things up by offering more deals online. There are discounted rates during the week and even on holidays. "Today, surprisingly, I got a good deal -- so here I am," said Simmons.
"We are running an internet special and we've been running it over the past 3 weeks. We offer different specials for different days. We've been going as low as $25 for a round," said Olomana head pro Ganin Asao.
By saving some green, some golfers said they headed to the greens more often. A number of courses offered discounts of 40-60 percent.
Justin Itoh had no trouble picking up his clubs after picking out a deal. "Let's say there is a sale at the mall -- I'd want to take advantage of that. It's the same thing with golf -- why not take advantage of it, if you can," said Itoh.
While the lower fees were good for golfers, they were hurting a number of golf courses -- where workers said they were also dealing with rising costs. "With the costs of our products going up -- from fuel to fertilizer, electricity and water, it gets tough," said Asao.
Many courses were trying to attract more long-time golfers, like seniors, but the future of some clubs may depend on much younger players. "That might be the next wave -- trying to get more juniors involved with the game of golf. Then we could hopefully get more parents to come out to the golf course," said Asao.
We checked out some of the deals for Oahu golf clubs on golfnow.com and found some as low as $15 for a round.
But the deals may not last. The specials may come to an end over the summer, when golf club employees said business picks up -- making it easier to fill up courses.


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In Europe, people are literally going nuts for the PlayStation 4. Videos have gone online of opening day store crowds in Germany and France running to nab in-store units.
Over 250,000 PS4 consoles were sold in the UK alone during its first 48 hours on sale, making it the fastest selling home console in the UK ever. That’s already larger than the total lifetime install base of the Wii U, and well above the impressive 170,000 Xbox One units sold in the UK during its first entire week.
Microsoft got its own back though in the U.S. where Infoscout reports that Xbox dominated Black Friday retail sales at Walmart and Target. The XB1 scored a 31% share of console sales, the XB360 took 30%, while the PS3 & PS4 scored 15% each. The success of the 360 is due to Walmart’s deep discounting of the Xbox 360 to just $99 for Black Friday.
The limited availability of the PS4 in North America is also said to be a factor, but the likes of TIME Magazine have called the site’s measurements into question. Whatever the case, it sounds like both consoles are selling so well that can’t keep up with demand.
Source: Cinema Blend


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Santiago-based biotech company Done Properly uses fermentation to produce healthy and sustainable food alternatives, including meat and additives. Mexico City-based climate tech VC Savia Ventures invested in the firm earlier this month.
Done Properly works with large food companies like Nestle to replace harmful additives with healthy ones, helping corporations transition to non-animal proteins. The company claims its products, including a fungi-based protein, use 10 times less energy, 20 times less water and 150 times less land than traditional alternatives, while reducing sodium and sugar by up to 40%.
Another Santiago-based lab-grown food producer, NotCo, raised $70 million in 2022, bucking the continuing downturn in financing for plant-based food startups (for context, see, “Plant-based versus lab-grown meat”).
Latam’s climate opportunity
The investment in Done Properly is the fifth from Savia, whose portfolio includes timber-based biocomposite firm Strong by Form, tire-life extending startup Ruedata and AI-based grid optimization company Splight.
“Latin America is the largest untapped climate market opportunity right now,” Savia’s Andres Beahr told ImpactAlpha at FLII (video). Beahr cites lower valuations, abundance of natural resources and nearshoring trends in northern Mexico and Central America.
“All of that will need solutions that reduce the amount of energy, optimize logistics and use better processes,” he says. “And all of that is climate tech.”


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by Lucinda Rowlands April 26, 2013
Oregon sales tax
Oregon is currently one of only five states without a sales tax. This may change though with upcoming legislation. On April 15th, Oregon lawmakers held a hearing to discuss whether the state should add a 5 % sales tax on most goods and services. As written, this proposal would exclude a few items like food and medicine.
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber didn’t give a clear opinion on where he stands on this new sales tax. He admits that Oregon needs to revise its current tax system and that an Oregon sales tax could be part of a solution. However, he also commented that he is looking at other financing alternatives.
This bill is still under discussion by Oregon legislators. However, a vote could go to the Oregon public later this year to decide whether or not the state should add a sales tax.
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text: Firefall, an upcoming MMO developed by Red 5 Studios, has recently revealed the Korean trailer for its maiden title (originally from PAX 2010). The game will be published by Webzen in Korea, although a date is still unannounced. Webzen currently has the global publishing rights for the game, less North America and Europe. According to reports, Red 5 Studios has also set up an office in Korea to provide better support for the game’s launch. Firefall is expected to be in full service by end 2011. Well, and here is the trailer! For more info on the game, click here.


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I’m kicking myself for missing the pirate mud wrestling event this weekend at Gotham City Comics & Coffee in downtown Mesa. But I can enjoy it vicariously through Darryl Webb’s amazing photos for the Ahwatukee Foothills News and East Valley Tribune.
Here’s a taste of the action — for more, check out the full slideshow.
Did you go to this event? Did it raise your mizzen-mast or shiver your timbers?


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There's a new device on the market for those who want to be able to brew beer at home on-demand. According to Bloomberg, PicoBrew — which is founded by ex-Microsoft vice president Bill Mitchell — has launched a new machine simply known as the Pico. The Pico uses prepackaged pods to brew beer similar to how the Keurig makes coffee, except instead of making one cup, it makes 5-liter batches.
The pods are the biggest advantage of the Pico, which is about the size of a large microwave. Instead of "loading up loose ingredients according to a recipe," users simply have to dump the contents of a pod — which include grains and hops — and some yeast (which comes in a separate pod) into the device to make beer. Currently, Pico offers PicoPaks (its term for pods) from 50 craft breweries including Dogfish Head, Rogue Ales, Elysian Brewing, and Peru's Cervecería Barbarian, notes the Kickstarter campaign. The packs start at around $19 for a 5-liter batch.
The downside, Bloomberg notes, is that the device doesn't contain the "mini keg" where the beer is stored, so your counter needs to have space for that too. Plus, you have to have room in your fridge to chill the beer as well. And the device is 30 pounds which means that it isn't the easiest to move around. The price point of the device is also a little steep. When the Pico hits the market in spring 2016, one unit will retail for around $1,000. However, those who pre-order the device through the Kickstarter can purchase one for $499.
This isn't PicoBrew's first Kickstarter campaign. Earlier this year, the company launched a campaign for a smart kegerator called KegSmarts. The device tracks how many servings are left in a keg and maintains beer at the "perfect temperature." It also shows users how fresh the beer is and display details about what style of beer it contains. Watch a video about the Pico below:


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PC Torque is happy to announce that Sager has drastically reduced pricing on all of its models, especially the 8662 and 2098. This is great news and just in time for Black Friday and holiday shipping. Take advantage and happy thanksgiving weekend to all!
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11/27/09 at 3:32pm


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CHICAGO Automotive supplier sentiment remained flat this month as delays in new vehicle program launches, Europes recession and the impact of federal budget sequestration held any optimism in check, according to the latest survey from the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
The automotive supplier barometer sentiment index was put at 55, unchanged from Januarys survey but 9 points below March 2012, according to Troy, Mich.-based OESA, which surveyed 102 companies.
Still, increasing vehicle sales and production levelsand stable growth in bothare encouraging for Tier I and II suppliers despite the economic headwinds, said Dave Andrea, OESA senior vice president and director of industry analysis and economics.
"We are still concerned about how much investment to make," one survey respondent said. "Are we still growing as an industry or getting near the top of the cycle?"
To meet current demand for parts, components and subassemblies, suppliers are creatively applying alternative work schedules. Sixty-three percent of responding companies said they are running alternative schedules: three-shift operations, four 10-hour shifts, 12-hour daily shifts, 24/7 operations or overtime schedules.
One company said it has added Saturday shifts to accommodate additional volume, while several others said they were running seven days a week with 10- or 12-hour shifts. One 24/7 operator said he is still adding capacity.
"We run three crews, but that is to match our customers (production). We do not quote business on an overtime basis unless the customer asks us to. Then we absolutely communicate it to our customers about that assumption to protect us if volumes change," another survey respondent said.
"We run what we have to in some cases. In others, we run what is most cost-effective for us and that is transparent to the customer," a third respondent said.
One respondent said he had to outsource tooling to other suppliers and his employees are still working overtime.
As a result, companies are spending more on hourly and salaried labor. One company reported that it is offering premiums to shift workers who volunteer to add hours to their schedules.


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Will Your Product Be Affected by the Proposed Nutrition Label Changes in US & Canada?
All food and supplement suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers labels be affected by the finalized nutrition label changes, in both the United States and Canada. Companies need to be aware of the proposed changes in order to think strategically about the ability for products to maintain claims in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the opportunity for products to take advantage of the nutrient and health claims available for their product. FDA has stated that “January 1, 2018 will be the uniform compliance date for food labeling regulations that are issued in calendar years 2015 and 2016.” In Canada, however, the passage of the Nutrition Facts Table (NFt) package is largely dependent on the October 2016 election; the new government elected may decide to suspend the existing proposed revisions to the NFt for changes, or even send the entire package of revisions back to the drawing board.
Since National Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) was implemented in 1994, the American diet has been very much altered, and FDA has also found that consumption can be influenced by nutrition information. FDA looked at a study by USDA that measured how consumers changed their consumption of fat and cholesterol in response to nutrition information flags on grocery store shelves. This study found “fat consumption fell an average of 1.25 percent and cholesterol an average of 0.1 percent for consumers at that grocery store in response to the nutrition values posted at the point of sale.” Due to this information, FDA feels that it is important to update the nutrition label information to more adequatel


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African Tribes mourn theft of burial statues for Western collectorsBreaking News
Hundreds of "vigango" totems have been looted from rural homesteads near Kenya's coast, home to the Mijikenda tribes about which little is known.
The 4ft wooden statues, carved with triangular etchings and believed to incarnate the spirits of dead elders, are shipped via dealers living in luxury beachside villas to private collectors in the United States and Europe.
"Moving these objects goes against every cultural and spiritual belief of these people, and they are too afraid to put them up now because they are sure they will be stolen," said Monica Udvardy, anthropology professor at the University of Kentucky and a specialist in east African tribal customs.
"It would be like us stealing our grandfather's tombstone or our grandmother's ashes, and selling them."
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‘Keep Planning For No-Deal Brexit,’ UK Govt Tells Pharma As Chaos Grows
Amid the growing mayhem in parliament over the Brexit process, life science companies have been advised to continue preparing for the possibility that the UK might leave the EU without a deal at the end of next week.
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The UK health department says it has purchased ferry tickets that pharmaceutical companies can buy in order to transport their medicines and other product using alternative shipping routes between EU and UK ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It has also updated companies on how they can access additional warehousing space for medicine stockpiles.
New, more flexible regulatory approaches will be needed to deal with the integrated therapies coming through company pipelines, and the European Medicines Agency should play a “key orchestrating role” in smoothing the way, says Sabine Atzor, Roche’s head of EU regulatory policies.
If successful, a new Swedish model for reimbursing antibiotics that involves guaranteed minimum annual revenues for companies, could be tested on other kinds of products.


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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- Hostess, the makers of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, is going out of business
The announcement comes after workers on strike did not return to work by deadline.
Now, the company says it will shut down 33 bakeries, 565 distribution centers and 570 bakery outlet stores across the Nation.
"When we were kids, we didn't get hostess Twinkies, or things like that very oft, but when we did it was always a treat, so I'm sad to see that they are not going to be on the shelves anymore,” said consumer Rene Hamman.
The shelves at local stores that carry hostess product already do look pretty empty. Festival Foods was completely sold out of Twinkies before noon Friday, and there are just a few of other products left.
"As a kid, you always had some, for those to be gone; it is like the part of your childhood is gone,” said consumer Kyle Carr.
Hostess workers walked off their job last Friday after turning down the latest contract offer that cut pay by 8% and benefits by 16%. The company did warn the employees that if they don't return to work by Thursday evening, hostess would have to file for bankruptcy.
"People have said hey you're threatening with liquidation and I've said all along this is a consequence of the strike but the economy is where it is. I think it's a very tough time for those families and for those employees to be out of work,” said Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn.
It's hard to tell how soon Hostess products will sell out, but people already started stocking up on their favorite snacks, leaving stores like the Hostess Bakery Outlet in Eau Claire half-empty.
"I can't imagine a child going through life not being able to have some of these products as they are growing up,” said Hamman.
More than 18,000 people will lose their jobs when hostess closes.
Many consumers are really hoping that someone buys Hostess products brand names, like “Twinkies”, and puts them back on the market.
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Hostess Brands says it is going out of business, closing plants that make Twinkies and Wonder Bread and laying off all of its 18,500 workers.
The Irving, Texas, company says a nationwide worker strike crippled its ability to make and deliver its products at several locations.
Hostess had warned employees that it would file a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to unwind its business and sell assets if plant operations didn't return to normal levels by Thursday evening.
The privately held company filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, its second trip through bankruptcy court in less than a decade.
STORY FROM 11/16/12
Hostess, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, is going out of business.
The company announced its move Friday morning after failing to reach an agreement with thousands of employees who were on strike. Hostess threatened to close permanently if employees do not return to their jobs. The company originally set a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, saying it would file for bankruptcy if normal operations did not resume. But, the more than 5,000 employees on strike weren’t backing down, saying they wanted to protect their wages and pensions.
Todd Moore with the Local 399 Operating Engineers said, "I'm afraid they've drawn the line in the sand. But, you know, I don't see why they want... America's gonna let 18,000 jobs go out of here with a good name like Hostess, it's just crazy. The fat cats keep getting fatter. CEOs, they keep making money. We've had six CEOs in ten
years, what's that tell ya?"
The union had released a statement saying the company’s failure is the fault of its management, and that workers would only return if pay and benefit cuts were reversed.


text: Strengthening the manufacturing industry and increasing domestic demand are key imperatives The IMF expects global economic growth to be just 3% this year, the lowest since the 2008 global financial crisis. Unlike in 2008, when India was insulated from a global economic meltdown, the economy now is on the ebb, with growth in the first quarter of 2019-20 hitting a six-year low of 5% and growth projections being slashed by agencies for the rest of FY20. What reforms can India pursue at this stage to align its manufacturing and trading activity with global demand patterns and protect itself from the world’s growth pangs? In a conversation moderated by Vikas Dhoot , Nagesh Kumar and N.R. Bhanumurthy look at the challenges and the road ahead. Edited excerpts: What has changed in the global economy in the last two years which has turned the headwinds India’s way? Nagesh Kumar:The latest IMF World Economic Outlook says there is a synchronised global economic slowdown. The trigger was probably the trade slowdown. Recently, the WTO also indicated that world trade growth would be 1.2% , down from 3%. So, a very anaemic or even a flat growth rate in trade is pulling down the economy. And because this is the age of global integration, all economies get affected. The trigger also lies in the protectionist tendencies of world economies and the U.S.-China trade war. India is also affected by this and other domestic issues. N.R. Bhanumurthy:The global slowdown seems to have started in early 2018 largely because of the premature withdrawal of the stimulus that the global economy was introduced to in the post-2008 crisis. Added to that, emerging market economies started showing some weaknesses. Brazil and South Africa have already got into the recessionary stage. A big country like China started slowing down although there are many who say it is deliberate to reduce the overheating the economy was facing. U.S. and China trade policies have worsened the global situation. The most unfortunate consequence of this for India is that compared to 2008, we are not immune to global slowdown. In fact, in 2008 we were growing faster. That is the main worry for us. Unfortunately, we seem to have realised only now that there is a slowdown. Some of us have argued it started in the second quarter of 2018 when we saw the pressure the domestic economy was facing. I would say that the global slowdown should take away almost 1.5 percentage points off the growth rate. The rest is domestically driven slowdown, with some cyclical and structural factors. I was looking at some of the numbers from the RBI. One scary number from April 2019 to right now: the net change in non-food credit to the commercial sector actually declined by Rs. 18,870 crore compared to the accretion of credit by Rs. 3.5 lakh crore a year ago. That shows the extent of the slowdown. In my view, it is becoming deeper now although the government has taken some measures in this period. My guess is we will be in the 6% growth rate (zone) for some more time. We thought India’s economy was largely insulated because of a large domestic market. Is there something that has changed in the last two years? NK:As the Indian economy has gradually opened up since 1991, the global economic situation has had spillovers in India. Between 2003 and 2008, the Indian economy was averaging between 8% and 9% growth. After the collapse of Lehman Brothers, it came down to 6.2%, but we were very solid. There is always a spillover of global headwinds on the Indian economy. Not only through trade, but through capital inflows which have been affected. What has also precipitated this, this time, is the Non-Banking Financial Companies [NBFC] crisis which has affected the flow of credit to capital goods. The demand for capital goods is down, as is car sales. Real estate is in trouble. The flow of credit to some of these sectors, which were an important determinant of sales, has been affected. This has resulted in a spillover in the rest of the economy. This is the time we have to worry about fiscal stimulus, not fiscal consolidation. There is a slump in demand. Public investment is very critical. Then there should be some kind of social spending which affects people in need with a high propensity to consume. Any cash reaching the poor will find its way into the market quickly. The reduction of corporate tax will have only a medium-term impact. In the short term, we need to get the money in the hands of the poor which pushes them to the market so aggregate demand gets generated and, in the process, we also address the inequalities in recent times. NRB:If you look at the global context, there are issues about how the U.S.-China trade war should have helped India. We should have done things differently. We started introducing import tariffs when we should have done the reverse. The reduction of corporate tax rates should have been done at the time of introducing the Budget. I am hoping that tariff duties will be reduced by the government. India’s exports have not been able to keep pace with expectations, especially in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, where Vietnam and Bangladesh have surged ahead. Is there something India can do to meet the challenges in the global landscape? NK:The dynamism in world trade is in the Eastern side. The Western markets are really flat. There is also a rise in protectionism. In such a situation, we need to tap the Asian markets. In that context, RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership] is an important initiative. It gives us a possibility to integrate the Indian economy and production with the value chains in east-Asian countries. However, you could be part of a trade agreement and not make use of it. And this is precisely the story of Indian industry. We have failed to make use of the preferential market access that was made available through various trade agreements. Indian industry has grown with the comfort of having a large domestic market. We need to nudge industry to look at global and regional markets, especially for labour-intensive goods.


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HTC One M8 for Windows Phone to launch on August 21
A cloned version of HTC One M8 running Windows Phone 8.1 launches soon
The news that HTC is working on a Windows Phone version of its latest flagship (One M8) have been circulating over the Internet and gaining attention for a few months. And now it seems that we are not far from the day when we will have this smartphone in our pockets.
Engadget is reporting that HTC’s first WP8.1 device will be coming to Microsoft Stores on August 21 and the phone will be called ‘HTC One (M8) for Windows’, according to leaked internal documents. The on-contract price is said to be $199, while the SIM-free version costs $610. The phone should also be available through Verizon Wireless in the US by the end of September 2014.
As far as the design we will probably have an exact clone of Android’s HTC One M8 with features like Boom Sound and Duo cameras. The new Windows Phone is expected to come with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) – a feature which will be enabled for us with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 (GDR1) expected in late 2014.
HTC One M8 has a 5-inch FullHD screen with 441ppi, quad-core processor at 2.3GHz with 2GB RAM, 16 or 32 GB internal storage plus microSD slot, 4MP Dual-camera on the back and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter. There is a 2600 mAh battery powering the handset.
Are you excited about HTC One with Windows Phone? Let us know in the comment section below.


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Vietnam steel imports increased by 18% in China as the largest supplier
- Issue Time
Vietnam customs data show that in February the Vietnamese steelimports 1 million 510 thousand tons, an increase of 17.6%. China is still thebiggest supplier of Vietnam from Chinese imports 859 thousand and 100 tons, anincrease of 6.7%, accounting for the total imports of the 56.7% dragons. Inaddition, Vietnam imported 227 thousand and 500 tons of steel from Japan,unchanged from last year, imports from Korea, 134 thousand and 200 tons, anincrease of 9.9%.
1-2 months of this year, Vietnam crude steel production 838thousand and 700 tons, an increase of 21.4%. Steel imports 2 million 740thousand tons, compared with the same period last year, little change, exportsof 662 thousand and 200 tons, an increase of 46.7%. Only 356 thousand and 800tons of steel exports in February, a substantial increase of 75.7%.
Vietnam steel demand in 2016 22 million tons, an increase of morethan 20%, crude steel production of more than 8 million tons, an increase of20%, steel imports of 17 million tons, an increase of 300-400 million tons,exports increased from 2 million 800 thousand tons to t.


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Sunday, October 16, 2005, 09:00 am PT (12:00 pm ET)
Apple drops $3.8B investment plan with SamsungApple Computer has voided a $3.8 billion joint investment plan with Samsung Electronics, according to a report published on Saturday.
The partnership had covered flash memory chips used in Apple's iPod digital music player devices, according to Seoul-based Korean Economic Daily.
"Apple had proposed about 4 trillion won joint investment with Samsung Electronics in the production lines of NAND flash chips used for its MP3 players," a senior Samsung official was quote as saying.
"But as the anti-Samsung sentiment has recently deepened among some political and civic groups, Apple ended the talks, complaining about the sentiment," the unnamed official was cited as saying.
Apple is now reportedly in talks with another memory chip maker for joint flash chip output in the United States.
Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics and its U.S. subsidiary pleaded guilty to price fixing charges and agreed to pay a $300 million fine for taking part in a conspiracy to fix the prices of semiconductors for computers and other electronics.
Both Apple and Samsung may be investigated by the Korean government for possible antitrust violations as a result of the conspiracy.
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Karachi November 14 2022: The EnVen plant tripped on Friday, November 11, 2022 due to a technical issue, according to company filing to the exchange.
The issue was fixed, and the plant resumed operations on Sunday, November 13, 2022, resulting in an estimated production loss of approximately 0.4% of the annual production.
EFERT share price drop 39 paisa or 0.48 percent in today's trading at Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Engro Fertilizers Limited is a public company incorporated in Pakistan on June 29, 2009 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Engro Corporation Limited (the Parent Company), which is a subsidiary of Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited (the Ultimate Parent Company). The principal activity of the Holding Company is manufacturing, purchasing and marketing of fertilizers, seeds and pestisides and providing logistics services.


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It was like an I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! commercial at a recent party at Salmon Creek resident Alice Bolen’s home. Guests played the part of Fabio, milling through the kitchen sampling sweet and savory recipes from Bolen and daughter Janelle Woolley’s new low-fat cookbook, “Simply Deliteful.”
“I can’t believe this is low fat,” friends said again and again, trying everything from hummus to Italian amaretti cookies to bruschetta topped with red peppers and sweet onion in balsamic vinaigrette with a hint of brown sugar.
Healthy cooking is more than a hobby for Bolen, a petite, 66-year-old who’s also an avid runner, it’s a necessity.
About seven years ago, Bolen discovered that her cholesterol levels were dangerously high despite an active lifestyle and reasonable diet. Bolen said she hoped to avoid statin drugs, so she revamped her arsenal of recipes, reducing the fat content, and substituting less healthy fats for olive and canola oils. Bolen was able to decrease her cholesterol count by more than 100 points.
In “Simply Deliteful,” the mother and Utah-based daughter share almost 200 pages of heart-healthy recipes, nearly all accompanied by a photo taken by Woolley. The book also contains nutritional analysis conducted by the University of Utah, as well as recommended grocery shopping and preferred ingredients lists.
Bolen, a foodie and self-professed “cookie junkie,” believes that it is possible to eat healthful foods without sacrificing taste.
“If we can find a way to sort of have our cake and eat it too, that’s perfect,” she said.