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A new campaign by the Human Rights Commission that attempts to portray casual racism in Australian workplaces has been lambasted as “unrealistic and divisive”.
The 30-second TVC shows a white man opening the lift to a female colleague but hurriedly pressing the door close button when a dark-skinned colleague approaches. Check out the ad below.
Although the Human Rights Commission has been applauded for taking a stand about racism in the workplace, many have called the ad unrealistic and another pot-shot at white males.
Conservative radio host, Paul Murray, led the condemnation posting to his Facebook page over the weekend: “Not a sketch, not a joke. THIS is what HRC thinks ‘White Men’ do in lifts. What rubbish!”
Advertising guru and Thinkerbell boss, Adam Ferrier, said the ad lacked subtlety and was a “ham fisted” approach to tackling the entrenched problem of racism.
Ferrier telling Seven’s Weekend Sunrise: “Advertising is not good at changing deep-seated values and views. People in these ads are obviously very, very racist and so it’s not really going to help change those types of views. The people who are responding badly obviously have deeply entrenched racist views, and an ad isn’t going to help that.”
Many others penned their disappointment about the ad to the Human Rights Commission’s Facebook page. “Of course it has to be a white man being racist and a white woman ‘calling him out’. What PC nonsense,” wrote one. While another added: “As a brown skinned female who is 52 years old, I have never experienced any form of racism in my life.”
However, some were more supportive of the ad’s message: “I have personally experienced racism and am grateful for this video. I have also stood by others when people have been racist towards them or us. So I suspect the comments denying it are generally from those who are too privileged to even notice.”
The campaign also includes a second ad, which you can check out below:
In this opinion piece, Alpha Digital’s head of performance Amir Rezaee outlines the impact to brands of a potential banning of TikTok in Australia The six weeks or so since TikTok announced its local Australian office has been a busy period. Aiming to make a similar impression on SMBs as it has on its 1.6m […]
Amid the sadness of magazine closures, the challenges of COVID-19, and industry concern as companies merge or change hands, some magazines are thriving. NextMedia titles such as the much-loved frankie and ABC Gardening Australia magazine have been enjoying a surge in sales during this period of home isolation. Gardening Australia retail sales have been robust […]
In this guest post, MINT’s publicity director, Nathan McIlroy (pictured below), explores the new norm for Australian media and says Bauer’s/Mercury Capital’s recent mag closures should be viewed as an exciting opportunity for the brave… Last week’s announcement that new owners Mercury Capital were to permanently close eight of Bauer Media’s magazines sent shockwaves through […]
In a first for the Australian insurance market, Club Marine, Australia’s largest provider of boat and pleasure-craft insurance, has released a new series of videos to help explain insurance cover. With a few familiar Aussie personalities to help out, Club Marine is helping its members, as well as the broader boating community, to understand the […]
Junkee Media and parent company oOh!media have launched a powerful new way to reach young Australians – the Junkee Network. Combining Junkee Media’s content platforms with oOh!’s leading Out of Home assets in venues and universities across the country, the Junkee Network will be the largest and most influential youth content network in the country. […]
Australian small business owners are turning to skilled local freelancers and upping their digital marketing spend as they move online to connect with customers and keep cash flow positive. The Federal Government’s pandemic response has earned a tick from small business owners as have those of New South Wales and Queensland, but one in three […]
In the last 12 months, Optus’ AI Assistant Chatbot has surpassed two million conversations, with 1 in 6 Optus customers having their queries resolved immediately, providing a seamless experience without needing to speak to a person. Optus Assistant greets every customer that comes through My Optus App Messaging and its Web Messaging service with on average […]


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In a recent article on Japanese outlet Newswitch, Ricoh CFO Shun Kawaguchi says that the company is looking to essentially dump some of its business in order to be able to focus its time and money on more lucrative areas of the company. There was no explicit mention of Pentax, Ricoh’s own branded cameras or the Theta series of 360° cameras, although logically, they might be some of the first up for the chopping block – and probably in that order.
Pentax’s defiance of market trends and its steadfast refusal to enter the mirrorless market could be its downfall. Who could’ve seen that one coming, huh? Pentax proclaimed in 2019 that users would start switching from mirrorless back to DSLRs within 1-2 years. Well, it’s 2022, and that hasn’t happened. In 2020, they reaffirmed their commitment to DSLRs. And just last month, they released the entirely underwhelming Pentax KF – which is basically just a K-70 with a flippy-out LCD.

domain: news


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Owner feeling 'surreal' as unique urban market opens in Thunder Bay,Nov 14, 2021 10:35AM ● By Editor
From CBC News · November 13, 2021
If the initial response to the Goods & Co. Market in Thunder Bay, Ont., is any indication, the future is looking bright for the future for the long-empty Eaton's building in the city's north core.
A line around the block full of eager shoppers greeted Maelyn Hurley when she first opened the doors of her new business.
Hurley, the local entrepreneur behind the long gestating project, said people of "all walks of life" came out for the opening of the space at the beginning of November.
"A couple of people were in tears that it was coming, you know, coming back to life, it's been really crazy," said Hurley.
She said some of the city's older population were in attendance to see the revitalization, many of whom remembered the original Eaton's shopping centre.
Aesthetically speaking, Hurley said it was important to lean into the future while still paying tribute to the past.
"Anything that was iconic to Eaton's or that was really good about the building, I wanted to restore. But I also wanted to bring this fresh, modern, really just simple Nordic vibe as well to the space," she said.
With 35 to 40 permanent vendor spaces, a common area and a variety of different products ranging from food to handmade items, the 20,000 square feet of market space has been put to use in all sorts of interesting ways.
The pinnacle of the market, in Hurley's eyes, is the "Woodside Bar", where thirsty shoppers can grab a signature cocktail or some delicious local fare.
"The Woodside Bar on the corner, is definitely the highlight, I think, for a lot of people in this space. We opened up the display case windows and made it so that people could actually see fully into the market space from the street," said Hurley.
Another highlight of the market is the Co. Lab Art Gallery, currently showcasing an exhibition organized by The Solidarity Collective.
"We have about 20 BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, people of colour] artists in this exhibition, all working in different mediums," explained Lara Northway, the director of the space.
"So some really large, colourful canvases and some screen printing, some felt work, some actual regalia and beadwork. It's a good blend."
Northway said they wanted to open the space with a show that reflects the goals and the "heart" of the space.
Currently the Goods & Co Market is open Wednesday to Sunday, but that's something that could change if there's an appetite for more, said Hurley.
To listen to an audio interview associated with this report and see related arts reporting, follow this link to the CBC Thunder Bay website. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/goods-and-co-thunder-bay-open-1.6246982


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COMMUNITY P.17 | AROUND AF P.27 | OPINION P.32 | BUSINESS P.33 | FAITH P.39 | GETOUT P.39 | SPORTS P.45| CLASSIFIED P.48
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS www.ahwatukee.com
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Bureaucracy slows Pima Canyon trail FOOTHILLS head NEWS project BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer
he controversial improvements planned at the busy Pima Canyon trail head are getting off to a slow start, with construction at least a month behind schedule after Ahwatukee residents won important concessions intended to protect their quality of life. In addition to major modifications that eliminated dimmed lighting and a parking lot close to some homes, the $2 million project has run into delays caused by the city’s own plan review office. Mike Francis, parks supervisor for South Mountain Park, said he is hopeful that construction will start in July but it may be pushed back to August. The original plan was to close the popular, heavily used trail head near the Arizona Grand Resort at the end of May, with construction starting in June and the area re-opening in October, when temperatures drop. But now, parks officials are hoping that construction will start in July – but are not ruling out a delay until August. Francis said he is still planning for Pima Canyon to reopen sometime during the fall, in either October or November. “I think we ended up with a very reasonable compromise,’’ Francis said. “We were improving a resource that has been falling apart around us.’’ Alonso Avitia, deputy director of the natural resources division at Phoenix parks, said that in response to residents’ concerns, “the footprint was cut in half ’’ from the original plan for expanded parking. “We still
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS SHE MOVED YOU
(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Photographer)
Pomegranate Cafe waiter Terry Drengson holds a cupcake that contains vanilla – an increasingly costly and scarcer ingredient that’s rocking prices of baked goods and ice cream in Ahwatukee and across the region.
Vanilla bean shortage threatens price of ice cream, baked goods BY WAYNE SHUTSKY AFN Staff Writer
WHERE TO WATCH
he vanilla ice cream cone is in danger. The quintessential summertime treat may be harder to find in Ahwatukee and the East Valley this summer as local purveyors feel the effects of a global vanilla bean shortage. Based on estimates from local business owners, the price of vanilla bean products – including extracts and pastes used to create ice cream — began to rise dramatically six to 10 months ago. The source of price spike is a shortage of vanilla beans from Madagascar, which provides roughly 80 percent of the world’s
supply. Chelsea Mellor of Ahwatukee, owner of the bakery Iced For Life in Gilbert, said she uses vanilla bean paste “and the price has gotten so expensive.” “Just last year I was getting one container for $40 or so and now the same container is about $94,” she said. “About six months ago, I decided to alter my vanilla recipe to require less bean in order to save on costs, but ensure the flavor. Our vanilla bean cake is one of our most popular, so it is crucial we still use the vanilla bean. But if it continues to rise we may have to find an alternative,” Mellor said. See
VANILLA on page 17
TRAIL on page 11
FIRST CLASS FREE! LOCATED AT RAY & 48TH ST.


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A Japanese toy shop selling Gundam figures based on the hit animated series ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ has opened in Bangkok, Thailand.
THE GUNDAM BASE THAILAND, the first Gundam flagship store in Southeast Asia, opened on November 11 in the Siam Center shopping district, a popular tourist spot in the Thai capital.
The shop sells exclusive Gundam items, and model kits known among fans as ‘Gunpla’ – which is shorthand for Gundam plastic model. The shop also boasts of housing the largest Gundam exhibit in Southeast Asia.
Impatient customers who can’t wait to unbox their purchases can assemble their models in a designated area inside the shop.
Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd., the company that produces the Gunpla model kits, said in a statement: ‘We hope to provide visitors with an experience that they can only get here, where you can see, learn about, buy, and enjoy Gunpla all under one roof.’
A total of 700 million units of Gunpla models have been sold since their release in July 1980. There are a total of 16 Gunpla stores worldwide including in Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, and Shanghai.
The genre-defining Gundam franchise is an influential sci-fi war drama that popularised the use of giant mecha robots in Japanese animations.


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It seems that Japanese PODs are picking up on the fact that there is money to be made in political tees. In Japan the latest Prime Minister has announced his resignation which was no big surprise really and in a press conference he said 「あなたとは違うんです。」 which translates as “I’m different from you.” I guess this statement riled a few people and the video was posted on youtube and the infamous ni-channel where it is said this gun-toting ASCII version of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda appeared first. Then it was quickly snapped up by ClubT to become one of their best selling t-shirts. The t-shirt is pretty cool and the design is available on a selection of items and shirts.
Please comment with your real name using good manners.


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AeroPest: PestWorld Promo Extension
October 18, 2022
Last week at PestWorld 2022 in Boston, Mass., the enormous support for AeroPest’s autonomous pest-identifying drone technology and customer interest exceeded company expectations. Because of the many requests from attendees still traveling, AeroPest is extending its two-year free software promotion to this Friday, Oct. 21. Visit online today to sign up and for more information.


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Relearning The Alphabet: A Lesson on Company Life Cycles
Get a different angle to Google’s reorganization into Alphabet. This article sheds a light on the bigger pattern of mature companies extending the company lifecycle by investing in high risk early stage companies, showing the drivers behind this trend.
Is Google’s restructuring a sign that the company is the new conglomerate? Or a venture fund? Neither of it. The restructuring is just a manifestation of a larger trend and it includes such giants as Amazon and Facebook.
There has been a lot of talk about Google’s recent surprise reorganization and rebranding of its holding company to Alphabet. On the one side, their mature advertising and internet businesses such as Google, YouTube and Google Maps will still run under the Google brand. On the other side, the younger portfolio companies such as Nest, Calico, Fiber, Google Ventures, and Google X will be independent from the ‘grown up’ Google. Both of these groups makes up the Alphabet. Although surprising in some way, this was a logical decision by Google’s leadership.
image credits: August_0802 & bikeriderlondon /Shutterstock


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As a result of growing demand, Kellogg's has finally debuted Cinnamon Frosted Flakes.
Fortune reports that since Frosted Flakes were introduced in 1952 as “Sugar Frosted Flakes,” there have only been three variations of the cereal. The first was Frosted Flakes Choco Zucaritas, and then there was Frosted Flakes with Marshmallows and finally, Frosted Flakes with Energy Clusters.
Now, for the first time in 64 years, Kellogg’s has added a new cinnamon variety. This is in response to fans taking to social media to heavily suggest the new flavor. “We started to really notice it over the last couple of years,” Brad Schwan, Kellogg’s senior director of morning food marketing said. “We’d see fans on Twitter talking about how cinnamon would be so terrific on Frosted Flakes and we really started to listen.”
So, after working on perfecting the recipe for about a year, and after going through about 100 different variations, Kellogg’s has landed on the much anticipated new flavor.
What makes it different? According to Brand Eating, fans were able to offer insight during the development process, and what they came up with was rather different than what you might expect. Kellogg’s is using korintje cinnamon within the coating of each flake, rather than dusting cinnamon over the top, where it could easily wash off into the milk.
The new Cinnamon Frosted Flakes will start hitting shelves this November, but will be widely available and much easier to find in January 2017. If you’re a Frosted Flakes fan, you’ll probably want to hurry off to the supermarket to try these. If you’re a Cinnamon Toast Crunch fan, you might want to taste test and compare to see what all of the hype is about. Maybe you get tired of the cinnamon washing off in the milk and want to try something a little different?
One thing I know for sure is that fans on social media will be stoked to find that their suggestions were taken seriously. It’s always great to know that your favorite brand actually listens and works with feedback.


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People are facing a cost-of-loving crisis as the price of a date night has soared in the last year. A good night out with a potential partner - including a new outfit, transport, meal, drinks and a visit to the cinema will cost around £295 per couple this January, compared to £268 this time last year, according to research by household finances app Nous.co.
Nous’ research found that almost two in five are concerned about how the cost increases will affect their love life and one in three have already noticed the cost of dating going up. And 72% of people say they have found that the cost of taking a date out for a meal has soared.
How much has a date increased?
Meal – If a nice meal for two costs £90 and given meal prices went up around 6.6% in the last year, you would be paying nearly £6 more now for the same food and drink.
Drinks – Four beers each for you and a date after the meal has risen from £31.68 to £34.
Taxi – A 2-mile trip in the capital which could cost around £14.30 could rise another £1.50 if increased tariff proposals are given the green light.
Cinema trip - Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas increased the average ticket price by more than 40% after screens opened again following Covid-19 restrictions. Cineworld now charges between £10.30 and £13 for an adult ticket after 5pm meaning prices have gone up more than £4.50.
Condoms - A pack of 12 has gone from £9.99 in January 2022 to £13.99 in a year.
Clothes – If you wanted a new outfit for the date too including new shoes, jeans, a shirt and a coat costing say £123. In July 2022, fashion items at Next climbed 6.5% so you would be paying nearly £8 more than previously.
Josh Graves, 21, said: "It's becoming harder and harder to afford to go out on a proper date. The price of a meal out seems almost to have doubled over the past 18 months. When you factor in the costs of drinks, maybe the cinema, and then an Uber home, it's not hard to blow £200 in a night. I'm sure that last year it was more like £150."
Single Josh, a researcher, added: "It's not just the nights out. I don't have a steady partner so I'm on Tinder and even the cost of that has gone up. It feels like that as well as soaring bills for everything else, I'm now being priced out of finding love."
Consumer champion Greg Marsh, founder and CEO of Nous.co, said: “People in Britain are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis in most areas of life and the cost of dating is no different. Fortunately falling in love is less about how much you spend and more about how much you share. So perhaps the cost-of-living crisis can be a good opportunity to find love after all.”


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Latest iPad Stories
Bar Zeev to reveal the ‘5 Secrets of App Distribution’ to help app developers succeed in a content-saturated market. Tel Aviv, ISRAEL (PRWEB) April 27, 2015
Today Vito Technology Inc.
VANCOUVER, Wash., April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Creating art on the iPad has just gotten a little bit more exciting with Wacom and Savage today announcing the compatibility of Procreate 2.3
A New Way To Stay Connected to the Moments That Matter DALLAS, April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Match is excited to reveal the next generation of the Match app--introducing the Match App
QVC for Apple Watch® is now available in the US, UK and Germany WEST CHESTER, Pa., April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, QVC,
Track the stock market, and the performance of your investments, from your wrist. New York, NY (PRWEB) April 23, 2015 Today, Toughturtle announced that
Fitnet 3 Debuts with Apple Watch Integration to Boost Social Exercise Challenges Blacksburg, Va.
Make History On The Go NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MLBAM officially announced R.B.I.
New survey shows 81% see a password manager App for Apple Watch as useful BOSTON, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Abine, the online privacy company, today announced its flagship Blur solution
The Kindle Fire is a mini tablet computer that was released in the United States on November 15, 2011. On September 7, 2012, updates became available to areas where the Amazon website is accessible. The Kindle Fire has a color seven-inch multi-touch touchscreen; it can be used to stream movies and TV shows, read Kindle e-books, and includes access to the Amazon Appstore. Amazon’s tactic for offering the Kindle Fire at such a low cost, was to make their profits from the sale of the...
The Nook is a brand of e-reader developed by Barnes & Noble with the original device released in November 2009. It featured both Wi-Fi and AT&T 3G, with a 6 inch display and a smaller touchscreen for data input. Since then there has been multiple versions and upgrades. A Wi-Fi only version released in June 2010 and the Nook color using LCD in November 2010. The second generation Nook was released in June 2011, and in February 2012 an upgrade was released to the Wi-Fi only version....
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed by Apple Inc., that uses Apple’s iOS operating system. The user interface of this device is a touch screen with a virtual keyboard and built in Wi-Fi, with some models having cellular connectivity. The iPad can take pictures, videos, play music, browse the internet, along with having GPS, gaming, and social networking capabilities. Over a million apps are available from Apple and third party developers in the App Store. Five generations...
- Emitting flashes of light; glittering.
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Technology Briefing | Internet: New Coalition To Fight Online Identity Theft
Published: September 3, 2003
Internet retailers and security companies have formed a group to battle online identity theft. The group, the Coalition on Online Identity Theft, includes companies like Amazon.com, eBay and Microsoft and will be administered by the Information Technology Association of America, a trade group. The coalition will focus on several goals, including expanding public education campaigns; promoting technology and tips for preventing and dealing with online theft; and documenting and sharing nonpersonal information about emerging online fraudulent activity to prevent future schemes.


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10/24/2013, 11:10 pm
Following an announcement that it would be replacing the black and slate first-generation iPad mini with a space gray version, Apple on Thursday began stocking the device at select brick-and-mortar stores.
10/24/2013, 03:10 pm
Using a new interactive publishing tool for Newsstand apps from Glide Creations, veteran Mac journalist Jim Dalrymple has retooled The Loop Magazine to reflect the dynamic look and feel of iOS 7, joining a growing number of publishers moving iPad digital distribution.
10/24/2013, 08:10 am
Apple's retail stores will open their doors early next Friday, Nov. 1, to offer customers the chance to be among the first to own the new lightweight iPad Air.
10/23/2013, 06:10 pm
A senior Microsoft executive on Wednesday fired out a post on the company's official blog deriding Apple's recent special event, saying the iPad with iWork is no equal to Surface 2 and Office.
10/23/2013, 05:10 pm
Apple has publicly posted three videos that were previously included in its iPad event yesterday, showing iPads at work around the world, the design process behind the new iPad Air, and its first TV commercial.
10/23/2013, 02:10 pm
Apple demonstrated its lineup of new iPads yesterday, introducing two new models, a Retina Display iPad mini and thin new iPad Air, with significant upgrades that were not expected.
10/23/2013, 02:10 pm
While Apple unveiled its newest iPads on Tuesday, rival Microsoft attempted to steal some of its thunder in releasing its competing Surface 2 tablet, along with the new Type Cover 2 accessory. AppleInsider provides a first look at the tablet that will go head to head with Apple's iPad Air this holiday season.
10/23/2013, 10:10 am
In response to Apple's new iPads, Amazon took a direct shot at its competitor on the front page of its website Wednesday, saying the Kindle Fire HDX is "lighter than Air" -- even though the new Kindle achieves that weight with a smaller display.
10/22/2013, 10:10 pm
After Apple unveiled the new iPad Air and Retina iPad mini, T-Mobile announced it will be offering the tablets to new customers with a free 200MB per month data allotment, a $15 savings from the carrier's closest competitor.
10/22/2013, 04:10 pm
Apple released an all-new, completely redesigned iPad on Tuesday, dubbed the iPad Air, alongside the much-anticipated Retina iPad mini, which now features a pixel count identical to the full-size model.
10/22/2013, 02:10 pm
Apple's new iPad mini with Retina display will debut in November for $399, while the first-generation iPad mini will live on with a new, lower entry level price of $299.
10/22/2013, 02:10 pm
Apple's full-size iPad has been given a new name: The iPad Air. The new model has a 20 percent thinner design, just 7.5 millimeters thick and weighing in at just one pound, making it the lightest full-size tablet in the world.
10/22/2013, 12:10 pm
Join us now in San Francisco, Calif., for live, in-depth coverage of Apple's media event, where the company is expected to introduce a redesigned fifth-generation iPad, second-generation iPad mini with Retina display, and more.
10/22/2013, 07:10 am
An Apple Special Event channel appeared on users' Apple TV set-top boxes on Tuesday as well as the company's website, indicating that the company plans to offer a live stream of the day's keynote, where it is expected to unveil new iPads and other products.
10/21/2013, 06:10 pm
T-Mobile chief executive John Legere intended to use Twitter to direct attention to Samsung Mobile's latest Note 3 phablet, but inadvertently did so via his new iPhone 5s, joining a list of major figures who have made the same mistake.
10/21/2013, 02:10 pm
More images of a purported gold-colored, Touch ID-equipped iPad mini have surfaced less than 24 hours before Apple's Oct. 22 special event.
10/21/2013, 01:10 pm
Apple's mid-range iPhone 5c is beginning to close the sales gap on the company's flagship iPhone 5s, while the iPad 2 commands the lion's share of the Apple tablet installed base, according to new data from mobile analytics company Localytics.
10/21/2013, 12:10 pm
Investors remain concerned that Apple may not be able to produce enough second-generation iPad mini units with Retina displays, with one analyst on Monday predicting that the company may not be able to ramp up production to satisfactory levels until next year.
10/21/2013, 09:10 am
Apple may be working on a new keyboard accessory for the iPad, one that would mimic the functionality of Microsoft's Touch Cover for its own Surface tablets, according to a new rumor.
10/21/2013, 08:10 am
Apple this week is widely expected to introduce a redesigned fifth-generation iPad that will be thinner and lighter -- and, in the eyes of one Wall Street analyst, the most important update to the full-size iPad since the first model was released in 2010.


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Tesco to pay £129m fine and compensate shareholders over accounting scandal
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Tesco has agreed it committed market abuse in relation to a trading update published on 29 August 2014, which gave a false or misleading impression about the value of publicly traded Tesco shares and bonds.
Tesco will pay compensation to investors who purchased Tesco shares and bonds on or after the 29 August 2014 and who still held those securities when the statement was corrected on 22 September 2014. The regulator estimates 10,000 retail and institutional eligible investors will be eligible for redress.
The scheme is expected to cost Tesco £85m, before accrued interest is added to claims.
This is the first time the FCA has used its powers to require a listed company to pay compensation for market abuse.
Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the FCA, said: “Dissemination of information that gives a false or misleading impression as to traded securities harms the integrity of our markets. The FCA is committed to UK markets being fair, transparent and thus competitive. Tesco and its board are doing the right thing here, taking appropriate responsibility and agreeing to rectify the consequences of the misconduct. They have cooperated fully with us and this sets a good example for the market and so is a good outcome for Tesco and investors.”
The accounting scandal saw the supermarket giant publish a trading update saying it expected trading profit for the six months ending 23 August 2014 to be in the region of £1.1bn. On 22 September 2014, Tesco published a further trading update which said it had “identified an overstatement of its expected profit for the half year.”
The FCA said Tesco “knew or could reasonably have been expected to know that the information in the 29 August 2014 announcement was false or misleading”.
Dave Lewis, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said: “Over the last two and a half years, we have fully cooperated with this investigation into historic accounting practices, while at the same time fundamentally transforming our business. We sincerely regret the issues which occurred in 2014 and we are committed to doing everything we can to continue to restore trust in our business and brand.”


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Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service is taking a new, more accessible direction. This new strategy could well breathe new life into the platform if Google manages to convince enough players, developers and third-party companies to participate in the adventure.
During his conference Google for Games Developer Summit, the American giant has announced that it will soon facilitate access to the Stadia offer. As Google revealed a few weeks ago, the company intends to sell the technology that underpins Stadia as a white label. This new initiative will be called “ Immersive Stream For Games ».
The company intends make its store more accessible by allowing access without a Stadia account. In addition, Google wants to introduce a new technology called ” Low Change Porting » (low-cost porting) for accelerate the arrival of new games on Stadiaand implement “free trials” for all games on the platform.
Google Stream devient « Immersive Stream For Games »
The white label that we knew as Google Stream will now be carried under the name “Immersive Stream For Games”. Google will therefore license its technology and sell it to its partnerswhich will allow developers who wish to offer paid games or free trial versions on the Stadia platform.
The company confirmed that AT&T was one of the first to test “Immersive Stream for Games” technology last year, when it allowed its subscribers to play Batman: Arkham Knight for free from a browser.
A redesign of the store will allow you to access the catalog directly on Google
Within a few weeks, the company will present a new public version of its shop which will be accessible without the need for a Google account. So you won’t have no longer need to connect to the service to consult all the games from its catalog and check if your favorite title is available among the hundreds of games on the service.
Thanks to this redesign of the store, Google therefore hopes attract new games its cloud gaming service by increasing its visibility on the web. We also remind you that Stadia offered 5 new games to its Pro subscribers in March 2022, including the famous Darksiders Genesis.
All Stadia games will be available to try, for free
Google has announced that type tests Click to Play will be open to a greater number of players since this feature will no longer require you to create an account. Remember, at the end of last year, Stadia launched a new feature allowing you to try certain games in the catalog for free for a fixed period of time.
The good news is that according to Google, all games should soon offer a free trial version. The company announced that gamers are more engaged when using a Click to Play trial. So chances are that developers are keen to add such a feature to their Stadia games. Creating a trial version should be fairly simple for different studios, as they would only need to decide on the length of the trial period and of determine if progress will carry over to the full game after purchase. Through another initiative Develop anywhere, Collaborate Everywhere “, developers should even be able to work more efficiently on their games from home.
Google wants to drastically increase the number of games on Stadia
The company also revealed a new initiative called Low Change Porting, which will allow developers to Port Unreal Engine and Unity based games more easily to Stadia. The company has been pushing new tools like DXVK, which automatically translates DirectX APIs, ” so developers don’t have to modify the rendering engine of their games ».
Several partners are already testing the program with their games, including Saber Interactive, Steel Wool Studios, Team 17, and Paradox Interactive with the next Stadia. The latter should arrive in spring 2022 on the platform. Later this year, the porting toolkit will be made more widely available to developers. The various video game studios will thus be able to port Windows games to Stadia, allowing Google to quickly expand its catalog.


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Uniqlo and German designer Jil Sander reuniting for new collection
The Japanese casual wear brand and the designer known for her minimalist style last released a +J collection in 2011.
Japanese casual wear brand Uniqlo and German designer Jil Sander are working together once again nine years after they ended their last collaboration in 2011.
Uniqlo announced the renewed tie-up in a media release on Wednesday (Aug 26), with the +J collection slated for launch in the fall season, which means it should drop soon.
The brand revealed that the collection will be made up of “versatile, exceptional pieces for women and men” and that it will “define the global modern uniform with understatement and ease.”
Uniqlo and Sander first collaborated 11 years ago in 2009, a relationship that lasted three years. The collaboration was known for staples such as white shirts, black pants and blazers.
Sander herself is known for her minimalist style. In an interview with Uniqlo, she said that her creativity relies on the fitting and experimenting with fabrics.
With developments in material and production techniques, there's a need for different cuts and patterns for new fabrics.
“Without necessarily being able to explain the zeitgeist, I can sense the need for contemporary sophistication. I feel today’s magnetisms, tensions and harmonies,” she said.


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Rising advertising income aided Line Corp towards profits in the first two quarters of the year; the Japanese company has made public the earnings for the first time since their market listing.
27 Jul 2016 – Reuters
Line enjoyed a stellar debut on both the Tokyo and New York exchanges this month after the tech world’s biggest initial public offering of the year, as investors brushed off concern of slowing user growth and the mountain Line would have to climb to challenge leaders such as Facebook Inc’s (FB.O) WhatsApp.
Ahead of listing, Line said it had singled out advertising as a future growth driver. On Wednesday, it said ad sales grew 76 percent in the first half from a year earlier, and that their share of overall revenue grew to 37 percent from 28 percent.
In particular, game- and cosmetics-related adverts made up half of ad-based revenue, Line said.
“The advertising business has grown to be the largest pillar for Line,” Chief Executive Takeshi Idezawa said at an earnings briefing. “The performance was stronger than we’d expected.”
Line booked net profit of 2.6 billion yen ($24.3 million) for January-June compared with a net loss of 5.3 billion yen in the same period a year earlier.
Revenue climbed 19.8 percent to 67.3 billion yen. In its communications segment – which includes sales of emojis and electronic stickers – revenue grew 14.1 percent.
But revenue from content, which includes games, fell 5 percent, and the segment’s proportion to overall revenue dipped.
Competition in mobile gaming took a significant step up at the beginning of the second half of the year with the release of blockbuster Pokemon GO, backed by Nintendo Co Ltd (7974.T). But Idezawa said the game posed no threat to Line.


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Amazon's streaming service has announced that "Reaper has come to Anime Strike." Season one of 2007 Aniplex super-powered espionage TV anime Darker Than Black has been introduced in English subtitled and dubbed formats. More after thejump.
After fans noticed that FUNimation is no longer listing Darker Than Black and the Air TV series, the anime distributor confirmed that they no longer have home video or streaming rights to super-powered espionage anime Darker Than Black.
FUNimation has announced that Darker than Black is coming to blu-ray for the first time in North America in a special Premium Edition. Since this release is coming by special arrangement it will be limited to 5,000 units. The premium edition with the complete first season, special packaging, 48-page art book and display easel sells for $98.98. More after the jump.
An unusual friendship between two very different characters, both created by the animation studio BONES was recently spotted in the glass showcase at the lobby of the studio and posted on Twitter by Takahiro Komori, the character designer of Hei from Darker Than Black. See the unusual, but adorable pair after the jump!
Retailer Manga Oh has begun listing a Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor Blu-ray set for a January 15th, 2014 Japanese release. The series, OVA and bonus CD will be offered in a 4-disc box set, with Yuji Iwahara illustration for 24,990yen. More after the jump.
It's been five years since the premiere of Darker Than Black, so, it must be time to start capitalizing on the nostalgia. SNK Playmore is prepared with a new pachislot machine based on Bones' super powered espionage anime. Get a look after the jump.
Heroes from Darker Than Black, Read or Die, Sgt. Frog, Slayers, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen and more meet in Bandai Namco's Heroes Phantasia for the PSP. The game boasts in intro featuring the collaboration of studios JC, Sunrise, Bones and Production I.G. See it and the latest commercial after the jump.
On Monday night, company reps Adam Sheehan and Justin Rojas took questions concerning FUNimation's Elite Subscription service. The hour-long look into FUNi's streaming offering is now available to be viewed, along with a slew of promos, after the jump!
Due to pre-holiday crowds at the media-presser, FUNimation has had to push back the DVD/Blu-ray complete set release of season 2 of super-powered espionage anime Darker Than Black from October 18th to November 8th. More after the jump.
FUNimation has posted a trailer for the DVD/Blu-ray combo pack release of the second season of super powered espionage series Darker Than Black. The set will be released October 11th. Check out the video after the jump.
This week, we have sakuga, full motion in anime, highlight compilation movies, with action animation great Yutaka Nakamura's (Sword of the Stranger, Cowboy Bebop. Blood: the Last Vampire) work on Darker than Black, impressive up and comer Hironori Tanaka on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, old school brilliance from Masahito Yamashita (Birth, Dallos,Harmagedon, MD Geist, Odin) and more.
First mentioned with a slate of licensing announcements back at Anime Expo 2010, FUNimation finally announced release plans for Darker Than Black 2, aka Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor. The 2009 series offers a follow-up to Bones' (Fullmetal Alchemist) 2007 super powered espionage series with a new, cuter lead. More after the jump.


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The Competition Tribunal has ordered a Gauteng hardware store to refund customers following an overcharge for surgical gloves during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
The store, Main Hardware, must also reduce its mark-up on surgical gloves to 10% during the remainder of the pandemic period and six months thereafter.
In terms of the refund, it will be the amount of money exceeding a net margin of 10% per box of surgical gloves that were sold. Where customers cannot be traced, the refundable amount will be donated to the Solidarity Fund to aid in the fight against the pandemic.
The tribunal on an earlier occasion ordered a Boksburg-based pharmacy to donate hand sanitisers, surgical gloves and face masks to the value of R25 400 to two old age homes as its penalty for having charged excessive prices for face masks.


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Digital ad revenues hit a new high of $9.6 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up 16 percent over the first quarter of last year, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
“Consumers are turning to interactive media in droves to look for the latest information, to connect with their social networks, and simply to be entertained. This first quarter milestone clearly illustrates that marketers recognize that digital has become the go-to medium for all sorts of activities on all sorts of screens,” said Randall Rothenberg, the CEO of IAB, an industry group.
Sherrill Mane, the group’s senior vice president of research, analytics and measurement attributed continuing double-digit growth to the “growing recognition by marketers that digital advertising is a critical part of all marketing in today’s world.”
Of course, the chart also sketches out the tech boom and bust cycles of the past couple decades. It also suggests that marketers began taking a larger portion of their end-of-the-year holiday marketing to the Internet in current hot cycle, which began in 2008.


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This report says that 50% of people who owned a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone are switching to an iPhone. As you know, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones have been exploding or setting themselves on fire all over the world and there has been a massive recall. Different airlines have banned people from taking these dangerous smartphones along. Samsung still hasn’t been able to figure out why its flagship phone catches fire and the company seems to have given up all hope on this device. They are stopping its production.
But this is not the only problem. Since they haven’t been able to figure out why the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone is a randomly catching fire, they cannot proceed with the production of the next version of the smartphone. The worst part is, during various testings, they haven’t been able to replicate the problem.
The exploding smartphone has shaken the confidence of people in Samsung and this is the reason why many of the previous owners of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are switching to iPhones. According to the IDC survey:
Half of the 24 Note 7 owners polled said they have or will choose an Apple iPhone to replace their recalled phone, while 17% said they would choose another Samsung. Most said they will return the phone through a carrier’s physical store.
So, it is Samsung’s loss and Apple’s gain.


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The World Bee Project wants to use blockchain to protect the global bee population. The initiative aims at a blockchain-based honey supply chain tracking solution and blockchain-based data sharing for researchers.
Bees are way more important for our planet than most people know:
- 87% of the world’s flowering plant species depend on pollination,
- 1.4 billion livelihoods globally rely on pollinators,
- 77% of the world food supply depends on pollinators,
- up to $600 billion worth of annual agriculture is at risk as a result of pollinator loss.
Those figures are estimates by the U.N.-backed Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Long story short: We need bees. And that’s not only because we want to enjoy honey for breakfast, but because bees are crucial for the global ecosystem.
That’s why the World Bee Project (WBP) was launched, a global honey bee monitoring initiative to devise innovative strategies to help farmers around the world to manage bee and pollinator habitats. The WBP has now partnered with Oracle, to leverage technologies that help accomplish the mission. One of those technologies is blockchain.
The BeeMark: Blockchain-based honey supply chain tracking
WBP and Oracle are working on a blockchain-based supply chain tracking solution for honey. Honey in supermarket shelves should get a “BeeMark” label, proving that it was produced under eco-friendly conditions.
Blockchain-based food labels are not a new idea. Bumble Bee Foods, for example, is using SAP’s cloud-based blockchain platform to track the supply chain of yellowfin tuna from Indonesia to the U.S. Tuna cans display a QR code which consumers can scan and access a blockchain-based database.
Likewise, Oracle and WBP develop a solution that certifies honey as genuine through information stored on a blockchain. It runs on the Oracle Blockchain platform and flags modifications to honey along the supply chain.
AI-based beehive monitoring and blockchain-based research data sharing
Besides the quality label, Oracle and WBP also plan on using blockchain to monitor beehives and deliver state of the art knowledge directly to the hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers around the world.
WBP is already using AI and sensor systems to gain insights into the inner lives of beehives. In the future, blockchain will aid the project by facilitating research cooperation.
Dale Gibson, founder of Bermondsey Street Bees in London, comments, “The World Bee Project has global ambitions but addresses issues and opportunities on a local level. We are beekeepers from London who work sustainably and own beehives in the countryside as well as in the city. We are excited about the idea of sharing our data and knowledge with the World Bee Project.”
Supply chain tracking benefits consumers and corporations
Food supply chain tracking is one of the most promising use cases of blockchain technology. Just recently, food retail giant Nestle has teamed up with the blockchain platform OpenSC to launch a supply chain tracking project. Walmart has announced a partnership with VeChain to track food via the Thor blockchain.
Increased transparency will not only add value to consumers but also to manufacturers. Food labels will provide them the opportunity to prove the quality of their products. It will also support corporations when applying for regulatory permits and improve their supply chain efficiency.
The WBP’s initiatives are neither about consumers nor corporations. It’s about bees. But eventually, all participants along the entire supply chain will benefit from greater transparency.


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Cooler Master, an industry leading chassis, thermal solution, peripheral, and accessory manufacturer, has announced the successor to its popular Silent Pro M, the Silent Pro M2 series.
This gadget plugs directly into an electrical outlet and extends the local network's Wi-Fi broadcast.
After the launch of the nation's first "Super Wi-Fi" network, the Wi-Fi Alliance is now annoyed about the usage of its trademark. An update to last week's Super Wi-Fi network launch is also included.
The first commercial TV white spaces network has been launched, leading to a nation-wide public internet access.
Currently present in its line of desktop and laptop computers (but not the Mac Pro), could Apple be bringing Thunderbolt to its media players next?
What goes great with a 450 Mbps dual band router? A similar media bridge to help keep your super-fast Wi-Fi network super stable while streaming HD content.
NETGEAR launched both a dual-band Wireless-N router and a gadget that turns your TV into a connected "smart TV."


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Midlands dairy herd to go under the hammer
A dairy herd located in the midlands is set to go under the hammer at Carnaross Mart tomorrow (Thursday, May 31).
Ray and Doreen Farrelly from Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath, have decided to put their entire herd of 80 cows and 52 bulling heifers up for sale.
The herd reportedly has a high EBI (Economic Breeding Index) value along with high milk solids and a low somatic cell count.
It is understood that the sale will get underway in Carnaross Mart, Kells, Co. Meath, at 12:00pm tomorrow.
Anyone looking for more information is advised to contact Michael Taaffe from Taaffe auctions on: 086-2545132. Alternatively, people looking for a brochure can email: [email protected].
Pedigree sale of Aberdeen Angus bulls
In other sale news, Ballyjamesduff Co-op Mart held an on-farm sale on Saturday, May 26, of 17 pedigree Aberdeen Angus bulls for the Lisduff Angus Herd.
A selection of red Aberdeen Angus bulls made from €3,200 to €3,750; while the black animals sold from between €3,200 to €3,600.
Well-know auctioneer George Chandler conducted the sale for Ballyjamesduff Co-op Mart. Good interest from customers in Northern Ireland was reported, resulting in 50% of the bulls going for export.


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Reports raising fresh inflation worries sent the dollar tumbling anew Wednesday despite reassuring words from the Federal Reserve that the economy was slowing to a sustainable growth rate.
The dollar flirted once again with record lows against the German mark and Japanese yen with the currency turmoil dragging down stock and bond prices as well.
The market turbulence began when the government reported that prices at the wholesale level climbed 0.3 percent in February while industrial production shot up 0.5 percent, pushing the factory operating rate to its highest level in more than 15 years.
The two stronger-than-expected reports rekindled inflationary fears only a day after a big drop in retail sales had been viewed by investors as evidence the economy was finally slowing to a rate less likely to cause problems.
Economists said it was not unusual for the economy to send out mixed signals at major turning points, and they predicted the volatility in market sentiment, too, would continue for several more months until the economy’s course becomes more clear.
The Labor Department reported Wednesday that the increase in its Producer Price Index was led by higher costs for food, energy and drugs.
And economists said big increases in the cost of goods at the crude and intermediate levels pointed to worse inflation down the road.
In a second report, the government said industrial production was up 0.5 percent last month, double the expected increase, as the nation’s factories, mines and utilities operated at 85.7 percent of capacity, the fastest clip since October 1979.
While both of those reports raised concern that the economy was still growing too rapidly and inflation was beginning to increase, a third report showed that business inventories accumulated at a rapid pace in January, suggesting that factories will soon be forced to cut back production in an effort to reduce unwanted stockpiles.
The Federal Reserve endorsed the slowdown scenario in its latest survey of economic conditions nationwide.
“Reports from the 12 Federal Reserve districts suggest that the pace of the economic expansion has slowed over the past two months,” the Fed said, adding, “There is little evidence that strength in labor markets or increases in commodity prices have spilled over into wages or prices of finished goods.”
But these comments failed to calm jittery markets. The dollar neared the record lows set last week against the Japanese yen and the German mark before rebounding slightly. And the renewed dollar weakness spilled over into stocks and bonds. A day after hitting a new high, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 10.38.
The inflation report showed that food prices were up 0.3 percent, a sharp turnaround after having dropped 0.6 percent in January. Prices turned up for dairy products, eggs, coffee and rice.
Energy prices rose 0.4 percent in February following a 2.3 percent January gain. The slowdown reflected smaller increases in gasoline prices.


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Bruegger’s Bakery-Cafe is teaming up with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to meet the dramatic increase in requests for toys this holiday season and to brighten the lives of less fortunate children across the U.S. Through its “Kids Helping Kids” campaign, nearly 275 participating Bruegger’s bakery locations across the country will become toy drop-off locations for Toys for Tots from now until December 15.
To teach children the joy of giving, families are encouraged to make a toy donation together at their neighborhood Bruegger’s location. For each new, unwrapped toy donated, kids can choose a free meal from the bakery-cafe’s new kids menu, launched in September 2009. All toys collected will be distributed locally to less fortunate children.
“Toys for Tots is such a great cause, and one we wanted to support locally,” says James Greco, Bruegger’s CEO. “They produce remarkable results every year and we hope to make 2009 even more successful.”
In 2008, Marines distributed over 16.2 million toys to over 7.6 million less fortunate children in 657 communities covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the National Center for Childhood Poverty reports there are 14 million U.S. children living in poverty and additional 15 million children living in low-income families.
“The numbers are staggering. As families continue to struggle to make ends meet, Toys for Tots fears many children will face Christmas morning without a toy,” says Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret.), vice president of marketing for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Our partnership with Bruegger’s will help us deliver the magic of the holidays to more children than ever before.”
Bruegger’s will not only give back to its guests during the toy donation campaign. For those adults who want to join in the giving, Bruegger’s will donate $1.00 for each guest who becomes a “Fan” of Bruegger’s Facebook page or who logs in to receive the Bruegger’s newsletter on the company’s Web site. Guests who visit Bruegger’s Facebook page can also donate cash directly to Toys for Tots.


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NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Smart card vendor association Eurosmart has confirmed its estimate that vendors shipped 350 million NFC secure elements last year, up 30% from the year before, fueled by embedded chips in Apple’s iPhones and what is probably the last significant growth spurt in NFC SIM card shipments. It predicts shipments of 550 million secure elements in 2015, up 57% from 2014, though revised downward from an earlier projection.
Eurosmart, made up of major card and chip suppliers, had in November predicted the 350-million-shipment figure for NFC secure elements, which cover both embedded chips and NFC SIM cards.
The vendor group, whose members are mainly based in Europe, in November had also predicted NFC secure elements would hit 600 million in 2015. But in its latest release, Wednesday, Eurosmart revised that downward to 550 million. The association didn't say why it cut back the estimate, though it may relate to lower than expected volumes of NFC SIMs.


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Thailand-based agritech startup Freshket announced raising $23.5 million in its Series B funding round led by SET-listed PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited.
Existing investor Openspace Ventures, a Singapore-based venture capital firm, also participated in the funding round, along with Betagro Holding, Orzon Ventures, and Volta Circle.
Freshket, founded in 2017, aims to provide consumers and food businesses with a wide variety of agricultural produce and the freshest ingredients, always sourced from local farmers and suppliers.
Today, the startup delivers premium quality raw ingredients, dry goods and various food products to doorsteps of customers, which is primarily restaurateurs and hoteliers but also household consumers.
This customer focus is driven by a fresh produce market for restaurant and hotel industries in Thailand that is worth nearly 200 billion Baht (US$5.9 billion) in annual purchases.
The fresh funding will be used to enhance Freshket’s operating system through supply chain tech development, improve service efficiency, penetrate into new categories of products and extend its in-demand service to other provinces.
Freshket will also focus on the development of demand forecasting technology to ensure transparency for all parties, the reduction of food waste, and effort to boost the quality of life for upstream entrepreneurs.
Ultimately, the startup said these improvements will ensure even more customers can enjoy the freshest quality products at reasonable prices, with convenience of online ordering and confidence in Freshket’s service reliability.
“This funding round was part of a key strategy designed to catapult the brand to achieving rapid and progressive growth this year. Freshket will grow alongside its business networks, OR group’s distribution channels as well as other joint investors, while also developing and launching products and services shaped to meet the needs of more users,” said the startup’s chief of staff, Komjak Rattakham.
For lead investor PTT Oil and Retail (OR), the investment reflects its objective to underline strategic cooperation with businesses and ensure inclusive growth with them.
“OR sees the flourishing potential of the restaurant and hotel industry in Thailand, as well as the opportunity for Freshket to complement OR’s food & beverage strategies as another food-supply platform for OR’s restaurant operators,” said Rajsuda Rungsiyakull, Senior Executive Vice President, ORion Project, PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited. – AsiaTechDesk.com


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Just a decade ago the idea of a smart home that could manage climate, keep us secure inside, and even manage itself was simply a figment of our collective imagination. This is no longer true in the age of hands-free homes using Google Home, Ring, Alexa and Nest.
Smart homes are the here and now, and unlike many real estate trends, one to keep a keen eye on. Whether you are looking for a home or want your home to stand out among a crowd, installing smart home products can be ideal for many looking to move a property.
According to a survey of 987 U.S. homeowners conducted by Houzz, nearly half (45%) of homeowners are installing smart systems or devices during their renovation projects. Smart home improvement technology products and other buzzworthy home tech creations can without a doubt help a home sell more quickly.
As a continual wave of smart technologies make domestic life more efficient, productive, and entertaining, today’s buyers are looking for homes that have invested in them. Here are five trends to watch out for in 2020 in the home tech arena:
High-tech security gadgets
The newest advancement in the smart home security sector is amped up security cameras. While many of these cameras alert you if someone is at your door, a small but growing crop of high-tech security gadgets are taking it to the next level by utilizing facial recognition to identify visitors.
With smart gadgets like Nest, homeowners can program heat or A/C to turn on remotely through an app before their commute home from work.
Smart technology will give the home theater a massive makeover. Each year we see more devices catering to recent trends such as online streaming, wireless surround-sound, voice control and virtual reality.
Home utilities management
Currently most homeowners have a rearview picture of their home energy usage. Smart technology is working to change this by deepening the relationship between homeowners and utility companies, and providing a more comprehensive view of a home’s energy usage.
The battle for voice-enabled tech is growing increasingly fierce, with two front-runners — Google Home and Amazon Echo The smart speaker market is expected to grow from 4 billion units in 2018 to 7 billion by the end of 2020.
Price points for smart home equipment, upleveled design aesthetics and the sheer availability of supporting mobile device apps for control and monitoring have made much of this smart technology more attractive to homeowners.


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According to IATA’s latest e‑AWB report, Cathay Pacific Airways now operates 46% of its international cargo shipments using e-Airwaybills, well ahead Emirates, which is in second place among the world’s major carriers at 28%. A recent push by Egyptair has lifted its e-AWB penetration to over 50%, but it doesRead More
Post Tagged with: "Emirates"
Effective 1 May, Dubai-based Emirates moved its main-deck freight hub from Dubai International (DXB) to the new Dubai World Central (DWC). Dubai International has become one of the world’s busiest airports for both passengers and cargo, and the congestion is only going to increase as it closes first one, thenRead More
Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of its sixth 777-200 Freighter last week (A6-EFH, msn: 35608), bringing the Dubai giant’s total 777 fleet to an astounding 114 aircraft. Just a few days earlier, Emirates had also taken delivery of its latest 777-300ER (A6-EGZ, msn: 41081). Another 777-300ER for the airline (A6-ENA, msn:Read More
Emirates SkyCargo is currently operating two 777 freighters, but has orders for six more. Adding the 777F to the fleet was a natural choice for the Dubai giant – it is the world’s largest 777 operator, with more than eighty of the various types of 777 in service. In fact,Read More


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Harry’s on the Hill, a family-owned GMC-Buick dealership in Asheville, N.C., recently removed a 23-foot-tall “Muffler Man” statue known as “Chief Pontiac,” which had fronted the business for more than 50 years. And the story of this removal might teach us all a little lesson in customer relations.
During the 1960s and 1970s, a company called American Fiberglass produced thousands of large statues as publicity devices for roadside businesses, many of which were muffler shops. These Muffler Men took the form of lumberjacks (the first Muffler Man was a model of Paul Bunyan), cowboys, spacemen, Indians like Asheville’s Chief Pontiac, and even bikini-clad women that reportedly bore a suspicious resemblance to First Lady Jackie Kennedy.
While known as an Asheville landmark and loved by many, the Pontiac statue had in the past received some criticism as an example of cultural misappropriation. In reality, though, the removal of this statue was prompted by an extreme and pretty ugly customer experience.
Sabrina Arch, a Cherokee woman, visited Harry’s hoping to buy an SUV. When she couldn’t reach an agreement on price, she told the Harry’s salesman that she was going to take her business elsewhere. She later sent him a photo of the SUV she bought from another dealer. He replied with an obscene and racism-tinged text message. The salesman later claimed he had meant to send the message to a colleague but copied Arch by accident. Not good enough. Harry’s fired the salesman and apologized to Arch.
GM stopped making Pontiacs in 2010 anyway, but in the wake of this fiasco, Harry’s on the Hill decided it was time to let Chief Pontiac go. In a Facebook post, the company denounced the salesman’s conduct and promised that “everyone who visits Harry’s on the Hill will be treated with respect and dignity.” The company also announced that it would be removing the statue as “a relic from a different era.”
As it turned out, the statue’s removal revealed that it was badly deteriorated and in need of repair. American Giants, a Virginia company that specializes in restoring Muffler Men, will repair Chief Pontiac. Reportedly, the statue will later be installed at the Pontiac-Oakland Museum of Pontiac, Illinois.
Far be it from us to mediate cultural conflicts. But one clear takeaway from this incident has to be a lesson in customer relations: Train your people to respect the customer; and, like Harry’s on the Hill, tolerate nothing less.


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This is not exactly BOP applications, but the spirit is the same. In our current research on how ICTs can help bridge information and knowledge gaps in agricultural value chains, we would like to come up with practical suggestions through which suppliers can make their customers happier and both can improve their financial condition, and who knows, even become happier human beings (I have been spending time in Bhutan, as you can see).
The excerpt comes from a longer story.
“It’s not true anymore that only the Procter & Gambles of the world can afford to do this,” he said. “You don’t have to run a wave of $100,000 focus groups across the country to learn things anymore. The most successful companies in the future, I believe, will be those who become progressively more and more customer-driven.”
That is the intention at Great Clips, the nationwide chain of hair salons. “The No. 1 reason we lose customers is because we make them wait,” said Tim Lawless, who owns Great Clips franchises in Indiana and southern Michigan. “That’s also the No. 2 and No. 3 reason.”
The online check-in option now being introduced at the Great Clips Web site, which allows customers to enter their ZIP codes through a computer or smartphone, checks the current wait times at nearby Great Clips outlets and lets customers choose the optimum location.
“It’s playing in Peoria,” said David Hands, who with his wife, Tanja, owns seven Great Clips locations in Peoria and the Bloomington/Normal area of Illinois, where walk-in customers have typically waited eight to 15 minutes for a cut. A recent cyber check-in, “a young guy on the go,” walked through the door, sat down and told Mr. Hands, “Thanks for giving me 10 minutes back to my life.” Only two months after introduction, Mr. Hands said, he is averaging 10 remote check-ins per outlet a day — about 10 percent of his business.
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apple customer care
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|Look up apple customer care in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.|
- apple customer care When the UK government launched its Decarbonisation and energy efficiency roadmap 2050 project – working with the UK’s eight most energy intensive manufacturing industries, including glass – British Glass saw an opportunity to develop a new type of relationship with policy makers. Replacing hardwood windows with aluminium took careful consideration, but the PURe® System looks fantastic and from a performance perspective, it has considerably surpassed my expectations. In fact we now intend to replace all of the windows in the house with PURe® windows!” The Barnsley based REHAU fabricator has seen a surge in enquiries from installers and consumers in response to its ongoing advertising, PR and web campaign and these are being passed to its stockists and distributors nationwide. Managing Director Martin Nettleton says: “Last month, we saw a record number of interactions from our website as a result of our advertising and PR, with enquiries coming directly from the contact form online, via email and via calls into our customer service department. The black-tie awards ceremony was held on 15 June at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, at the centre of the country’s great east-west glass manufacturing corridor – where nine out of ten of the UK’s largest glass manufacturers have production sites.
|This citi credit care page lists articles associated with the title Seo.
If an preventive care app led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.


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Infrared test shows new iPad running 10 degrees hotter than iPad 2
Left: New iPad, Right: iPad 2
Thermal imaging of the third-generation iPad and the iPad 2 demonstrates that the recently released iPad running 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) hotter than its predecessor.
Dutch site Tweakers.net performed the GLBenchmark test on the two generations of iPads for five minutes to measure a heat difference. Using an infrared camera, the publication discovered that the hottest part of the new iPad was 33.6 degrees Celsius (92.5 Fahrenheit), while the iPad 2 measured 28.3 degrees Celsius (83 Fahrenheit).
Though the new iPad does appear to run warmer than the iPad 2, it should be noted that the temperatures are still well within Apple's specified operating temperature of 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 35 Celsius).
The likely part in the third-generation iPad that may cause for the added heat is the new GPU. As far s you know, the new iPad has an A5X chip with quad-core graphics from the PowerVR SGX543MP4. Moreover, the recent teardown of the new Apple’s tablet revealed a new metal heat spreader affixed on top of the A5X.
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Three months ago, I published the media prediction that Facebook would “open” up its network by simply allowing people to let others follow them even if they were not friends. They are going two steps further… ReadWriteWeb reports Facebook’s announcement that they would open up their firehose of data to third party developers. Last week (via NY Times), Facebook also reported they will add user locational data to their streams, in order to match up with the mobile utility provided by Foursquare, Gowalla, Twitter and other geolocational apps.
Facebook was founded on and until recently maintained the policy of preserving member privacy, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg prepared for these recent announcements to open membership data in January by essentially saying the age of privacy is over. Developers will soon build applications to use and distribute member data similar to those now based on the Twitter API. The real time web becomes amplified once Facebook status updates potentially become the leading communication currency based on its massive membership.
What’s next? The classic challenge of interoperability. Real time conversations should be addressable from any application, whether one is on Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz or Foursquare. And of course, expect other networks like LinkedIn and MySpace to follow in line with the same network data opening strategems, or they will become isolated gardens that will eventually be ignored by users opting for a more universal real time conversation platform. New applications will evolve to thread these conversations together.
The opening up of geolocational data streams will spur adoption of hyperlocal applications providing useful community tools that were once the province of local newspapers and civic groups. Today, the techies are using Yelp and upcoming.com to review local businesses and publicize events. Facebook can accelerate the use of these applications beyond the tech crowd. Once Facebook members are exposed to and engaged in using applications that benefit them on a personal level – i.e., finding store coupons and one day sales, or searching for a nearby supplier of propane gas canisters – they will become loyal users.
Facebook’s impact on how data is shared will be powerful. Due to its sheer membership size, Facebook has captured a sizeable share of the general populace, and will introduce them to and educate them on using the social media through the applications that will be built around Facebook user data. It behooves Facebook to do so in order to fulfill their mission to create an advertising or marketing based revenue model based on massive daily use of social media.


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Downtown Los Angeles’ premier shopping destination, FIGat7th is hosting Fantastic Planet, a public art installation by highly acclaimed Australian artist Amanda Parer. Four of Parer’s giant illuminated humanoid figures will take over the FIGat7th plaza from October 30th through November 10th, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.
These human giants will take over the retail center with their gentle, quiet and curious personalities, exploring our ‘fantastic planet’! Snap a picture with them all while shopping and dining at FIGat7th!
Fantastic Planet arrives on the heels of Parer’s famous and celebrated installation of light sculptures, Intrude, which drew thousands of people to FIGat7th in 2016. Arts Brookfield has made Fantastic Planet’s visit to FIGat7th possible and open to the public as part of its continued effort to bring Brookfield’s public spaces to life through art.


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Instagram gives creators more ways to make money with today's launch of Instagram subscriptions. The feature, which was seen in the App Store back in November, is now officially in early testing with a small group of US creators who will be able to offer their followers paid access to exclusive Instagram Live videos and stories. Subscribers will also receive a special badge that will help them stand out in the comments section and creators' inboxes.
At launch, only 10 U.S. creators in total have gained access to the new feature, as Instagram considers this an "alpha" test designed to allow for feedback from both fans and creators, which it will then repeat.
Currently, the list of alpha creators includes actor and influencer @alanchikinchow; basketball player @ sedona._; astrolog @alizakelly; dancer / actress / model @kelseylynncook; digital creator @elliottnorris; Olympic silver medalist @jordanchiles; gymnast and creator @jackjerry; spiritual coach and artist @bunnymichael; XR creator @donalleniii; and digital creator @lonnieiiv.
Through the subscription product, creators can choose their own price point for access to their exclusive content. There are eight different price points to choose from, starting at $ 0.99 per. per month for as much as $ 99.99 per month. month, depending on how much a creator thinks their content is worth. Most creators are likely to start towards the bottom of this range, at price points like $ 0.99, $ 1.99, $ 2.99, $ 4.99 or maybe even $ 9.99 per. month before experimenting with higher prices like $ 19.99, $ 49.99 or $ 99.99 per month.
Once they have subscribed, users will be able to access previous content that is only for subscribers, such as stories saved as highlights. They will be warned about exclusive broadcasts where they will be able to engage deeper with the creators as the viewer audience will naturally be smaller. In stories that are for subscribers only, indicated by a purple ring, creators can share things like behind-the-scenes content, special polls, and more. Subscriber badges, also purple, will help fans stand out in the comments to public content and will help them be identified in creators' folders with message requests in their inbox.
Though there had been reports that Instagram developed technology that would prevent creators' exclusive content from becoming screenshots, Instagram told us that no such technology is available in this initial testing phase. However, redistribution of content is a violation of its terms, and creators are encouraged to report anyone who takes screenshots or records their content.
There is also no dedicated section for subscriptions in the creators' analysis dashboards during the early tests. But creators will be able to access their total estimated earnings from subscriptions, total subscribers, new subscriptions, and cancellations from their subscription settings. They are not capable of exporting subscriber lists or any kind of data, but Instagram says it hopes to build tools that will allow creators to connect with subscribers "off-platform" in the future.
For fans, signing up for a subscription to their favorite creators' content via traditional in-app purchases across iOS and Android. And for now, Instagram is not taking a cut in creators' revenue.
"We're the same as the whole Meta - we'll not take any revolutions until at least 2023," noted Instagram Co-Head of Product Ashley Yuki. "Our main goal here is to help creators earn a living ... We try to think of all the ways we can build revenue-generating products where possible."
Of course, Instagram is not just trying to help creators earn a living. It is also trying to strengthen its platform against the threat of competition, namely from TikTok, which has attracted an increasing number of creators who want to reach a younger generation Z entourage. It has also seen other major tech rivals, such as YouTube and Snapchat, try to appeal to TikTok users with similar short-form video products as Instagram's TikTok clone called Reels. Meanwhile, even Twitter has launched its own creative initiative with its Super Follow platform, and several startups are working on services that allow creators to consolidate, track and monetize their followers in new ways.
The activity in this space is a reflection of the size of the market. The creation economy is estimated to be just over $ 100 billion and growing. Although Instagram (and Facebook) are postponing the collection of their cut of creator transactions for a year, Meta sees it as a small investment in securing a larger portion of that cake in the future.
Despite the competitive landscape, Instagram believes its strength will come from the fact that it is does not a new product.
"One of the biggest differences here for creators and for fans is just the convenience of actually already knowing how to use all of these things. You're already on Instagram. And we hear a lot. [about] the friction of having to 'click out'. It may seem like a small thing. But in those moments, it can be the difference whether someone skips your subscription or not, ”Yuki explained. "The convenience of just having it all, where the conversation and connection already takes place, we think will be one of the strongest sides of this for both creators and for fans," she said.
Instagram subscriptions are just one way Meta has worked to help creators make money. Last year, Facebook renamed Facebook Fan subscriptions to "Subscriptions" only and allowed creators to download their subscribers' emails. Facebook creators can also use personal links to promote their subscriptions. And across Facebook and Instagram, creators can participate in Meta's $ 1 billion bonus program.
Over time, it seems that Facebook and Instagram subscriptions may merge. If that happened, fans would also be able to sign up on Facebook or Instagram - including via the websites where no App Store commission was to be paid. And these subscriptions can be transferred to the respective mobile apps. Yuki did not reject the idea when asked.
"In this alpha, it is not implemented yet. But it is something we could definitely consider for the future," she said.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also announced the launch on his Facebook profile today, noting that subscriptions would "help creators earn more by offering benefits to their most committed followers such as access to exclusive lives and stories."
"I'm excited to keep building tools for creators so they can make a living from doing creative work and soon put those tools in the hands of more creators," he wrote.


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Whether residents are choosing burial alternatives or simply don’t need the space, they’re now allowed to sell Oak Cemetery plots at current value.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved an amendment for ordinance 7-27(2) allowing the sale of plots and niches at Oak Cemetery at the current city-dictated price. Previously, these could only be sold for the price it was purchased.
At-large Director Robyn Dawson mentioned the issue at the board’s last study session, because she believes citizens should be able to sell spaces for the same amount the city is charging for new ones.
Parks and Recreation Director Doug Reinert wrote in a memo to City Administrator Carl Geffken, if a person purchased a gravesite for $250 in 1995, current laws say the spot can only be sold for $250 or less.
Resident David Harris said the ordinance change was problematic, because people may purchase plots in speculation that the price will increase and they can profit in the future. He also said the board sets the prices and could be pressured to adjust them higher for someone.
Reinert said, however, there have never been restrictions on the number of spaces purchased, nor has there been a way to hold people accountable for selling at the approved price. This means, they could have made a deal outside of the official purchase.
Dawson said people should be able to sell the rights for burial at a location for what the city charges and do so honestly. She also said people with money to invest aren’t going to put it in gravesites at Oak Cemetery.
Vice Mayor and At-large Director Kevin Settle criticized allowing someone to profit off the city saving them a spot to be buried. He said Fort Smith should have the option to buy plots back at purchase price, then sell them for the city’s current fee.
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard this, and if this was something that was a big deal, it would’ve been changed years ago. It never has,” Settle said. “Just because one person wants to sell it for a profit doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.”
Settle said the board needed to look at the decision long term instead of basing an ordinance change off one person’s request.
“I think I wasn’t clear in my communication. It’s not just one person that has brought this up. Being at the senior citizens centers in the area, there’s been multiple people that have talked about this,” Dawson said in response. “I just want to make it clear that it wasn’t just one person, but I’m going to tell you, if it was just one person and it was the right thing to do, it needs to be done.”
All sales must be endorsed by the city to be valid, according to the ordinance, and the transfer must be put in writing on the deed for the specific lot.
The ordinance amendment passed 5-2 with Settle and Ward 4 Director George Catsavis opposed.


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Sharks Partner With Solar4America MLB Releases Two Spots Honoring Ortiz Rams Documentary To Air Friday In St. Louis Oregon To Wear Duck-Inspired Uniforms WNBA Unveils New "Pass The Ball" Spot Blue Jackets, Papa John's Extend Partnership Cal Ripken Jr. Lists Maryland Home For Sale Trying To Find Right Balance With Ticket Prices Cubs Sue Area Merch Vendors For Infringement CBS/NFL Net See Gains For "TNF" Overnight
Fox Unveils On-Air Talent For "Crowd Goes W!ld" Show On FS1
Published July 15, 2013
Also today, Fox Sports released the online version of a 90-second spot promoting the Aug. 17 launch of its new FS1 national sports network. The ad, shot in multiple locations and featuring a slew of high-profile athletes, will begin appearing on TV tomorrow during Fox' broadcast of the MLB All-Star Game (THE DAILY).


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Resellers have been discouraged from giving up their customers to application service providers (ASPs) in return for a short-term commission deal.
Speaking at a conference hosted by database and tools vendor Progress Software, Robin Bloor, industry analyst, said there is no long-term business in resellers acting as sales agents for ASPs. Instead, they should look to stay in control of the software portfolio and use ASPs as little more than infrastructure partners.
Bloor said every reseller will have to look at its position in the new market, which is closer to becoming reality than many believe. Progress has 230 software developers signed up to its ASP enabler programme, 67 of which already have applications available for rental.
Cleveland-based SystemCare invested in offering its supply chain management and purchasing software for rental a year ago and has seen its turnover double. Three-quarters of its business now comes from the ASP model.
Mark Armstrong, business development director at SystemCare, said he is looking to recruit resellers in new vertical markets. "Having a reseller set itself up as an ASP with our applications is easier for us because we have only one site to support," he said. He added that as vendors start to offer products on a pay-as-you-use model, it is becoming cheaper to set up as an ASP.
Bloor said resellers with turnover of less than £500,000 will find it difficult to become ASPs. "But they had better change before the market puts pressure on them. Once that happens they won't have the funds," he said.
Bloor predicted ASPs will make acquisitions in the channel, to buy both the skills they need and resellers' customers.
Armstrong said SystemCare will use resellers to provide services such as LAN configuration, which are beyond its core skillset.
TSB IT fiasco has "all the hallmarks of an IT meltdown", claims Treasury Committee chair Nicky Morgan MP
The first appeals over Apple's Irish taxes will take place in the autumn, confirms Ireland's finance minister
Stephenson will design the inside and outside of the futuristic Lillium jet.
The new policy is aimed at making the social network a safer place


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If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of Claus-Dietrich Lahrs tearing down the slopes, relaxing at home with his family or taking a well-considered swing on one of his favorite golf courses, forget it. For as cordial and gracious as the chief executive officer of Hugo Boss may be, Lahrs makes it a strict policy not to mix private and professional matters.
This story first appeared in the January 16, 2012 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
“We don’t support personal p.r.,” he says bluntly. “I only speak about Hugo Boss, not myself.”
Fortunately, that leaves plenty to talk about. Backed by two years of record sales and healthy earnings, the German apparel giant recently raised its midterm guidance for 2015. Boss now projects sales of 3 billion euros, or $3.9 billion, in 2015, a sharp increase over the previously forecast 2.5 billion euros, or $3.3 billion, and its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) before special items is now expected to reach 750 million euros, or $976 million, up from 500 million euros, or $651 million. “This certainly doesn’t reflect what is currently going on in the world economy, nor does it reflect what’s going on in the premium luxury fields,” Lahrs notes. “But we are taking a bigger market share against the competition, not only in men’s wear but also with women’s wear and accessories. And we are gaining market share in very mature markets, like Germany, or very competitive markets like the U.S.”
Just back from a trip that included stops in New York, London and Asia, Lahrs is about to leave Boss headquarters for “our famous Betriebsversammlung,” an assembly of the company’s 2,500 employees in Germany. “It’s an important moment, our chance to tell them about the year and what we expect in 2012,” he says.
Lahrs has been addressing these topics a lot lately, quietly but authoritatively making the case for Boss and outlining the group’s five-year strategy in analyst meetings and in TV interviews on stations such as Bloomberg and Sky. The 48-year-old has been at the company’s helm since January 2009, having previously served as president of Christian Dior Couture in Paris and in other executive positions at Louis Vuitton in the U.S. and Cartier in Europe.
In 2009, as now, Hugo Boss was the undisputed market leader in premium men’s wear, but it wasn’t the easiest moment to step in as ceo. The company’s strategic realignment and special expenses were eating into earnings, and the global financial slowdown in the wake of Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy depressed both sales and net income. And yet Boss’ performance during that period reflected Lahrs’ steadiness and confidence—qualities still evident in the face of current economic turbulence and what he predicts will be a challenging 2012. “First, we managed to get through the crises less touched than other brands,” he says. “And second, we managed to get back into a very dynamic momentum faster than other companies.”
By 2010, Boss hadn’t merely bucked the crisis; it had the best year in the group’s history, with currency-neutral sales hitting 1.73 billion euros, or $2.3 billion, and net income surging 82 percent to 189 million euros, or $251 million. (All dollar figures are converted from the euro at an average exchange rate for the year.) The company expects to close 2011 with currency-adjusted sales growth of 15 to 17 percent, and a 25 to 30 percent increase in EBITDA before special items.
Not that the chief executive puts a narrow focus on numbers. “Lahrs has managed to find the balance between being an economically minded strategist and a grounded leader,” says Willy Oergel, chief operating officer of the Stuttgart-based fashion retailer Breuninger. “He’s a visionary who’s always close to those he operates with.”
Driving Boss’ success has been the shift from “a traditional wholesale model with some related retail activity to a professional retail model with continued wholesale activity,” says Lahrs. “When you take the final consumer as the decision- maker for what you do internally, you start to see things very differently.”
The insights Boss gleans from its stores—via sell-through analysis and customer-relationship management, or CRM, data—have produced a clearer picture of consumer expectations. In response, the company has fine-tuned its approach to everything from design to shipping, in ways that benefit not only Boss but its retail partners as well, according to Lahrs.
Boss’ directly operated retail business is expected to grow from its current 40 percent share of sales to 55 percent by 2015, and to generate 70 percent of medium-term growth. The company plans to add 50 new stores annually to its retail network, which in the fall included 219 freestanding stores and 290 shops- in-shop. Meanwhile, there’s a new retail concept in the works, to be unveiled in the Hugo Boss store on Paris’ Champs- Elyseés in 2012. “It will deliver a very warm, luxurious, feel-good atmosphere,” the executive says. What Boss has aimed to do with product—increasing the brand’s luxury quotient with the top-of-the-line Boss Selection and upgrading the core Boss Black collection—“is what we’re currently doing with our stores.”
Lahrs himself is a natural representative of the various Hugo Boss labels. With his trim frame, he can and does wear Hugo; his personal elegance seems ready-made for Boss Selection, and the Boss Green label complements his genuine passion for golf. In short, he embodies the brand. Moreover, anyone who’s had the opportunity to work through collections with him will tell you he’s enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable on the subject of product. “Boss has never had a ceo able to combine retail and product savvy,” a company insider maintains.
“Product is always the beginning of a successful company, be it in fashion, technology, service,” Lahrs says. “Once you have the product right in regard to what the consumer expects, you’ve already resolved a big portion of the total task.”
Boss sinks about $65 million annually into developing collections, if you count all phases, from the work of the creative teams in Germany and Switzerland to the presentation in Boss showrooms. The company also spends a bundle on major events to underscore the differences between the group’s Boss Black, Boss Selection, Boss Orange, Boss Green and Hugo labels.
Indeed, while retail expansion is the first pillar of Boss’ five-year growth plan, strengthening individual brand identities is the second. To that end, the Selection label is now shown at Pitti Uomo, where it’s seen by “all the important wholesalers and all the important press, in a very special environment,” Lahrs says. “We are by far the biggest brand in Florence, showing a very luxurious statement to underline and demonstrate how serious we’ve become about luxury tailored men’s clothing and sportswear.”
Boss Black men’s and women’s wear, on the other hand, took the spotlight at Hugo Boss’ New York runway show in September. “Here we want to send a strong message to say this is Black, while at the same time we’ve decided to stage an important show in Beijing of Boss Black and Boss Selection to make sure the strong distribution we already have there is supported by strong communication.”
Still, the collections may vary from one global market to the next. Take Boss Selection, a $65 million business that is expected to hit $130 million by 2015. In Europe, and to some extent in America, this elite brand is helping Boss reconnect with former Boss Black customers who gravitated to other labels as they traded up. In China, however, Boss Selection has played a key role in the company’s successful entry into the market. “[In China] it’s about shaping the conception of the consumer with high disposable income, which is why Selection is so important there,” he explains. Boss recently moved to offer the luxury-oriented Chinese customer Selection sportswear, completing a full range that includes shoes and accessories.
Not surprisingly, making the most of growth potential in China, as well as the United States, is the company’s third strategic focus. In the first nine months of 2011, sales in China jumped 73 percent to 125 million euros, or $175.9 million, while in the U.S., sales for the period rose 23 percent to reach 249 million euros, or $350.5 million.
Lahrs is particularly enthusiastic about the rollout of Boss Black to 17 leading Neiman Marcus stores. “I have
a very strong respect for Neiman Marcus and how they treat the customer and nurture the high end of the market,” he says.
The executive’s demeanor has often been likened to that of a statesman. As a close colleague notes, “He knows what he wants, but he also really listens and can rethink. His approach mixes being authoritative with a willingness to provoke reactions from those about him.”
As Lahrs sees it, this is critical for a global brand. “Our company is not a central decision-making entity,” he says. “Certainly, it’s driven by what we do here in Metzingen, in terms of product design, the retail concept, marketing and communication, sponsorship and the like. But it’s even more important to really listen to signals we receive from important marketplaces.”
With that in mind, Lahrs and other key Boss players spend about half their time on the road, traveling to markets where Boss already does business and where new opportunities beckon. The rapid yet highly organized growth in China fascinates Lahrs, but he remains a strong believer in the U.S. “When I lived in New York 10 years ago, all the important magazines were calling Germany the sick man of Europe…and look at Germany today.
“To be sure, America is facing issues and problems,” he continues, “but I’m convinced it will come back very strong. It’s extremely exciting to see how the team there is growing market share in one of the most challenging and promising markets in the world….The U.S. is still the most important consumer market in the world, and it will take China years to come close to that.”
For Hugo Boss, however, it all comes down to market share—and Lahrs maintains that the trend toward consolidation gives strong global players an edge. “I started my professional career in the luxury sector with Cartier, a leader in jewelry and watches,” he says. “And if you look at what made Cartier so successful, it was their ability to take market share from smaller players in each market.
“We’re currently seeing a similar trend in men’s wear,” Lahrs adds. “Which doesn’t mean local players like Savile Row will disappear. But by nature the market will be more consolidated, and it will be about taking brand strength and assets to a world stage. Not so many brands have the marketing, distribution and financial muscle to send a message to the world, and I think that will help us grow.”


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Disney Interactive Studios presented a decidedly different image at this year’s E3 in Los Angeles. Gone are princesses and fairy tales as the Mouse attempts to recapture a demographic of gamers often taken for granted: boys.
Film tie-in titles have always been big for the developer, but this year two of Disney’s biggest male-centric action properties are making their way to consoles.
“I think we’ve done a good job getting our target market demographic of tween girls (in the past). And this year we really have some games that are more for that core demographic of videogame players,” says Disney Interactive senior producer Daniel Tyrrell.
The first, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned,” expands the film franchise into an open world to explore. Players become pirates whose every decision puts them on a path to either greatness or infamy. Game is slated for release next year, when the next installment of the “Pirates” franchise sails into theaters.
The exhibit for the game was housed in a rickety cabin that looked straight out of the blockbusters.
And the men who were drawn to the booth by that display were rewarded with another much anticipated film tie-in: “Tron: Evolution,” tied to the December release of “Tron: Legacy.” Game will be available in stereoscopic 3D through Sony’s Playstation 3.
However, the biggest attraction at this year’s Disney booth was “Epic Mickey,” slated exclusively for the Wii this holiday season.
And far from being a cute girl-skewing mouse adventure, the game has an inky, gritty look and features steampunk-inspired iterations of famous Disney properties, from Mickey’s “Steamboat Willie” to Disneyland’s “Tiki Room.”
In the game, the iconic Mickey Mouse is armed with a magic paintbrush that changes his surroundings, and can turn foes into friends or erase them altogether with paint thinner. It’s a rare combination of family-friendly gameplay and an overall dark tone.
Warren Spector, the man behind the “Deus Ex” franchise, developed “Epic.”
“I think we have a really strong lineup with ‘Mickey,’ ‘Tron’ and ‘Armada of the Damned,’ but we also have a lot of games that are targeted more towards boys in the younger market like ‘Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales,’ ” adds Tyrrell.
But in a sophisticated turn for a brand more associated with the innocent elementary school set, both “Armada of the Damned” and “Epic Mickey” are mixed morality pieces. The decisions players make throughout the course of the games, whether to help or hurt those they encounter, will have an impact on the world they play in and the outcome of the story.
And while this is not a new idea, it’s certainly intriguing to imagine a world where Mickey Mouse can intentionally do wrong.