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They’re often called “zombie cars” — discontinued models that still share our roads today. With automakers currently reacting hard and fast to the demand for SUVs, trucks and crossovers, and pushing for an electric future, many cars and sedans are on their way out. The same goes for diesel engines.
Is buying a discontinued model a good idea? You can certainly find deep discounts. And though some of these vehicles tend to lose their value, others become instant classics, with parts still readily available. Read on to see some discontinued cars that are very smart buys.
Last updated Sept. 30, 2020
The Ford Fiesta ended its U.S. production in 2019. This loss comes likely due to Ford’s new focus on crossovers, SUVs and electric vehicles. The Ford Fiesta has a lot of tech for the price and gets about 30 mpg. Try to find yourself an ST for a little more oomph. The latest model starts under $15,000.
The Volkswagen Beetle is dead. We probably should have told you to sit down for that huge news. “Why?” is probably all you’re asking. It’s been around since 1938 and ended production in July 2019.
In 2018, Hinrich J. Woebcken, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said the company wants to shift its focus to electric. Fortunately, you can own a piece of automotive history, with pricing for a new 2019 Beetle starting at $20,895. Also, find the Final Edition trim if you want a nod to the last of the last.
Hummer H2 and H3
Price: Under $15,000
The General Motors Hummer H2 and H3 were discontinued in 2010, but they’ve never really fully died. This smaller version of the Hummer has the potential to be put back into production, likely as an electric version.
Its 2010 death was a result of the recession and GM’s bankruptcy. But with the consumer call for more SUVs, a comeback has been rumored. If you’ve always wanted a GM version of the Hummer, but not electric, start shopping now just in case. H2s can cost under $15,000, and less for the H3.
If you’re craving an American-made performance machine, you might want to swoop in and snap up the discontinued Dodge Viper. The rumors of its comeback are likely always going to be just that.
It ended production in 2010 but was revived as a 2013 edition. Production ultimately ended in 2017, with reasons varying from poor sales to safety regulatory issues.
Still, how does a 645-horsepower 8.4L V-10 sound? Always tasty. It won’t be an inexpensive purchase, but it’s still going to be an “affordable” supercar. Kelley Blue Book shows the typical listing price for a 2017 model at $103,968.
Though these cars debuted in 2013, the Cadillac ATS-V coupe died in 2019, and the ATS-V and ATS sedans were laid to rest in 2018. But if you love this car and want the 464-horsepower petite V-series, buying the discontinued models will still get you Cadillac style.
You also get areas of complaint, such as a cramped backseat. But a bargain Cadillac is still a luxury Cadillac. You can find a 2019 ATS-V with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $68,790.
Price: Under $20,000
The Nissan Xterra went away after the 2015 model year due to weak sales and bad fuel economy. It was also outdated and needed safety upgrades.
But if you give up on it, you miss out on its good qualities. It’s a roomy, dependable, fun vehicle that’s capable as an off-road trail rig. It’s also big enough to be basecamp for overlanding.
Despite the negatives, pricing can be positive: under $20,000. Older used cars can be found for under $10,000. Besides, SUVs are en vogue again.
Chevy City Express
Birthed in 2014 and killed in 2018, the Bow-Tie just couldn’t unload the Chevy City Express. So if you need a no-frills van that’s fuel-efficient and nimble, look to this one — particularly the LT model, which comes with a few frills. Used, it can cost around $15,000.
As a best-seller-turned-slow-seller, Ford Focus ended its U.S. production in 2018. Ford really didn’t exaggerate when it described the car in 2017 as, “excellent balance of handsome styling, a fun driving character and high-tech features.”
From its start as a 2000 model year car until the bitter end, it held up its end of that bargain. Look for an ST or RS, the hopped-up performance models. The average price for a 2018 model is $14,871.
Chrysler Town & Country
The Chrysler Town & Country holds the glory for trailblazing the minivan segment. Buy one now and you still get a configurable cargo area, lots of standard features and a kind of lousy ride.
Still, for a minivan with a hint of luxury that debuted as a 1990 model and lasted until the 2016 model year, it’s worth investigating. There have been 2016 models for around $20,000.
Find Out: 30 Cars With the Highest Resale Value
Another victim of America’s desire for trucks and SUVs, the Chevy Impala will not return in 2020. For a car that debuted with the 1958 model year, it’s easy to feel bad about its demise — again. It was killed off twice before in its history — 1985 and 1996.
It’s a sedan with serious heritage and a solid package for a reasonable price. Later models can be found under $10,000, which is kinder to the wallet than the $38,000-plus for an original 1958 model. Meanwhile, a 2019 Impala starts at $28,895.
Price: Under $10,000
A car with legacy — originally available from 1960 to 1976 — the modern Dodge Dart came in 2013 and was a blast to drive thanks to its handling. It was also stylish, affordable and roomy for its size.
But the engine didn’t live up to its aggressive-sounding name, “Tigershark.” Therefore, it couldn’t compete with the other cars in its segment and its production ended in 2016. Still affordable without looking outdated, you can find one for under $10,000.
Ford C-Max Hybrid
In the U.S. since 2012 and discontinued in 2018, the Ford C-Max Hybrid had its strengths and weaknesses. As a hybrid with lower mpg than its competition, the buying public didn’t go for it. Still, with 40 mpg and an average price of $22,805, the 2018 model might be worth a look-see.
Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain Diesel
Price: $30,795 and $32,995
The Chevy Equinox and counterpart GMC Terrain will live on, but not their diesel versions come 2020. A diesel-powered vehicle is only going to become harder to find as time goes on, so if you’re looking for an oil-burner-equipped crossover from GM, look here.
There was low demand for the diesel engine, but you can get one packaged within a comfortable, capable ride. A 2019 Equinox diesel starts at $30,795. Since GMCs are considered the fancier version of a Chevy, the 2019 Terrain starts at $32,995.
The sporty, bite-size Audi TT will likely be replaced by something electric and similarly priced. Happy 20th anniversary, TT?
Audi calls the car a “design icon” and gave it a facelift for 2019, proving that getting one won’t extend your life span. Currently in its third generation, and now available with a seven-speed transmission for 2019, the car will likely stick around until 2022. Pricing for the 2019 model starts at $44,900.
Toyota Prius V
Price: Around $20,000
This larger, longer version of the Toyota Prius kicked off in 2011 and kicked the bucket in the U.S. in 2017. Blame the RAV4 Hybrid’s appeal. There’s supposed to be a replacement coming, but if you can’t wait or don’t feel like shopping for one in another market, you can buy a newer used for around $20,000.
The last Volt rolled off the assembly line in March 2019. Considered the poor man’s Tesla since its 2010 arrival, fans love its practical looks and 53-mile range in all-electric mode.
This innovative car cost more to produce than what returned in sales. But with a possible government tax credit, you can probably get a pretty solid deal on one today. A 2019 model starts at $33,520.
When Nissan debuted the Juke in the U.S. as a 2011 model, it touted the vehicle’s “striking design, agile handling and driving pleasure and user-friendly technology.” It definitely was sporty. It definitely was interesting-looking. It definitely was without storage space.
Low sales led to its final model in 2017. Look for a NISMO, which is peppier to drive, and can be had for around $15,000.
Ownership: 50 Cars That Are Better To Lease Than Own
The Jeep Patriot’s final model year was 2017. The Jeep brand is hot right now, so owning a piece of history could be appealing.
Technology seems to be the vehicle’s weakness. But don’t forget it’s a solid performer in the departments of value, fuel efficiency and fun off-road. You can find 2017 Patriots typically listed for an average of $14,282, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Ford has made no secret of its plans to end production of nearly all its cars, save for the Mustang. It’s not the first time the Taurus has had things come to an end since its debut in 1985 — it was discontinued in 2006 — but it’s still a famous member of the Ford family.
Since crossovers and SUVs rule these days, this award-winning car saw a sag in sales as a result. Production ended for the sixth generation of the car in March 2019. Find one now starting at $27,800.
The Lincoln MKX ended production in 2018 and was replaced by the Nautilus. There are some minor differences between the models, with a revised appearance and engine. But the two vehicles also have a lot in common.
So why get the MKX instead of the more up-to-date Nautilus? Lincoln spells luxury, and finding luxury on a budget is hard. Yet you can find a 2018 top-of-the-line MKX Black Label trim for around $31,000. A loaded Nautilus Black Label Series starts around $57,890.
Don’t panic — the Chevy Corvette isn’t dead. The brand-new C8 coming in 2020 is proof of that. But a new Corvette with a manual transmission is dead. Therefore, if you’re looking to row your own gears, you’d better snag the outgoing C7.
It’s also the last time the Corvette will have the engine in front, as the C8 gets a mid-engine design. Opting for the basic 2019 Stingray with manual trans starts at around $48,000.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ is an oldie but still a goodie. It was killed off in the U.S. market in 2014, leaving a long legacy. The FJ started in the early 1960s and ceased production in 1983. Then it started up again in 2007 for a final seven-year run.
Used FJs in good condition command top dollar, even between $50,000 and $75,000, according to Hagerty.com. However, used ones have been spotted for around $13,000. The FJ may be dead but it’s clearly not forgotten.
The Chevy Cruze — once the subject of a President Donald Trump tweet — competed with the Ford Focus before it became part of GM’s plan to wipe the car slate almost clean to focus on electric and crossover/SUV vehicles. But it was a good run for the compact car — 2011 to 2019.
Look for the 2019 — it’s new and improved, with a tweak to its appearance. Consider the diesel option for its high mpg, but be aware of the higher price. New, the car starts at around $18,000.
Nissan Titan XD Diesel
If electric vehicles are “the next big thing,” that makes diesel “the next dead thing.” Automakers are dropping the diesel engine option like crazy, and the workhorse Nissan Titan XD is no exception.
The Cummins 5.0-liter V-8 wasn’t necessarily at fault — it was a potent engine with 310 horsepower and 555 foot-pounds of torque that customers wanted. Rather, it seems the Titan as a whole may be to blame.
Pickups are hot, but this one was barely lukewarm in sales. Despite being a full-size pickup, it offered slightly less in all aspects of what its competitors offered. If you’re into diesel-equipped trucks, now’s your chance since it’s gone for the 2020 model year. Pricing for a 2019 model starts at $40,015.
Wait — if SUVs are all the rage, how did the Volkswagen Touareg end up on the death list for the 2018 model year? Blame its high price and low sales, coupled with a name no one could pronounce.
It came to the U.S. in 2002 and is on its third generation overseas. It’s survived here by the Atlas and Tiguan. Special editions are still a bit pricey, but you can find a regular 2017 model starting around $30,000.
More From GOBankingRates
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for illustrative purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the trims listed in this article.
Last updated August 26, 2019.


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With 700 million mobile internet users China is a fertile ground for mobile-first startups, says William Bao Bean, managing director of the ChinaAccelerator in the Korean Herald. And “In China, there is always a way,” Bean said.
The Korean Herald:
China is the second-biggest start-up market and the leading “mobile-first” (first encounter with Internet via mobile) market in the world, said William Bao Bean, partner at global accelerator program SOS Ventures in Beijing.
“There’s a lot of innovation coming up in China, which is particularly useful in (introducing products to) other emerging mobile-first markets,” he added.
There are foreign start-ups across many different industries, such as games, education, business-to-business and hardware.
Bean said foreign start-ups in China are mostly concentrated in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, although there is a small number of start-ups for gaming in Chengdu and for hardware in Shenzhen.
Foreigners do not need a visa to set up and can later obtain work visas through their own company.
However, setting up in China is heavily dependent on hiring agents, which is not legally required but “you’d be an idiot not to use one,” due to their ability to circumvent many start-up restrictions.
“In China, there is always a way,” Bean said.
Are you looking for more innovation experts at the China Speakers Bureau? Check out this list.

domain: news


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Dear Copiers, Followers, and Fellow Investors,
I hope your week is going well. This week I have outlined the major macroeconomic trends in China and potential opportunities for investors.
It has been a rough year for Chinese companies, with the main obstacle being the Covid restrictions that have been put in place. One major factor in the economic slowdown has been President Xi Jinping’s “zero covid” strategy, which has halted much of China's economic activity. However, China is recently moving to ease lockdown measures which caused stocks to surge Friday and continually rise at the beginning of this week. There is also a loosening of China's tech crackdown which had seen escalating scrutiny on major Chinese tech companies. One such company that suffered from the crackdown was Alibaba (BABA), whose CEO, Jack Ma, temporarily disappeared and stepped down from the CEO position. Social media giant Tencent (0700.HK) saw increasing fines and regulations at the hands of Xi Jinping's policies. There is a two-sided debate, with some feeling China is “shooting themselves in the foot” and others believing that these actions are in line with China’s best interests. Nevertheless, with crackdowns and covid fears easing, there is a great investment opportunity for those bullish on China’s potential for growth in the coming years.
Stephen Bird, CEO of Arbdn, a U.K.-based investment company, believes that China's stock market could grow fourfold by 2050. China also has the fastest-growing middle class in the world, swelling from 40 million to over 700 million between the years 2000 and 2018. The sheer size of the economy gives increased growth prospects for Chinese companies, and with the total investment of the economy in China reaching 41.6 percent of GDP, it puts them far beyond other countries in terms of domestic investment. Investors should be cautious however as China's zero covid policy is likely to stay in place for the rest of the year; therefore, a rapid shift in economic activity is not likely. If future Covid outbreaks occur, it would bring China back to square one despite the current ease in restrictions.
Chinese stocks have been underperforming, making them a riskier investment. The Hang Seng Index (HSI) is down over 27% in the past year, and the CSI 300 (CSI300) is down over 23%. China’s potential for growth, combined with the reality that stocks have seen major losses because of Covid and government regulation, should be very exciting for long-term investors. As U.S. stocks prove to be very expensive, one may consider looking to China as an alternative. Alibaba and NIO, the Chinese versions of the US companies Amazon and Tesla, have cheaper stock prices giving them more growth potential. With China's population totaling 4.35 times that of the U.S., it gives these companies a unique advantage in that they can focus more on domestic markets. Even if Chinese markets slump, there is no denying the growth potential that exists and the loss in value that occurred across the entire market. The barriers that Covid has caused will not last forever, so one must look to the long term to appreciate the value of these stocks. The question is when is the best time to invest in Chinese stocks? It is impossible to know how long Covid will affect the market, but many analysts are still bullish, saying the recent earnings beat in major Chinese stocks was merely due to base effect and cost savings. Weak consumer spending may take over as the main obstacle for Chinese companies. Analyst Manuel Muehl, a Frankfurt-based analyst at DZ Bank, echoes this view saying: “Next quarter will be very challenging when we begin to see the impact of the lockdowns on consumer spending and advertising budgets.”
One additional concern for investors is the tensions that the war in Ukraine has on the Chinese economy. There is much speculation surrounding China’s stance with Russia and the current conflict. Although there is no formal alliance between China and Russia, they have a strong relationship, especially as they are both rivals of the U.S. as well as other western nations. With the delicate situation in Ukraine, China's involvement in the matter could have serious effects on the markets. There is also tension surrounding China's involvement with Taiwan and lingering threats of war. China has for now stayed on the sidelines with what is happening in Ukraine, which has left a lot of speculation as to what the nation will do as the conflict unfolds. Even if economic conditions improve in China, factors like this may dampen growth or cause future volatility.
Overall, I am optimistic about China's future and I believe Chinese stocks are a great opportunity for investors willing to withstand the economic turmoil.
With very best regards,
PS. All my investments and portfolio are public. To join eToro please follow the link: https://bit.ly/3i7Yo3C
My Public Profile: https://www.etoro.com/people/mj_lux
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.


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Justin Bieber knows what women want. Especially because, more often than not, the answer is simple: him.
But now the 17-year old who has already come out with his own line of nail polish has announced he’ll release a perfume because, let’s face it…
“The way a girl smells is very important to a guy,” he told Women’s Wear Daily. “I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them closer to my world.”
And, really, is there any place a girl would rather be?
The scent will be titled “Someday,” retail for $35, be available in June and, because Justin Bieber is rather awesome, all proceeds will benefit charity.
[Photo: Fame Pictures]


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Amazon will introduce adverts into its Prime Video streaming service next year to raise more money with which to make original content.
Customers in the UK, US, Germany and Canada will start to see ads from early 2024, but they can avoid them by subscribing for an “ad-free” option at an additional cost.
Other territories including France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Australia will see adverts on Prime Video from later in 2024.
“To continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time, starting in 2024, Prime Video shows and movies will include limited advertisements in the UK,” Amazon said in a statement. It insisted the streamer still offered “compelling value” despite the changes.
Amazon said that it would aim “to have meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers”.
The company will get in touch with Prime members a few weeks before ads are introduced to show how to sign-up for the ad-free option if they wish to.
It’s been confirmed that the “ad-free” subscription tier will cost an extra $2.99 (£2.44) per month in the US, with pricing elsewhere in the world yet to be confirmed.
Live event broadcasts, like sports matches, will still include adverts even for those who sign up to the ad-free option.
Some of Amazon’s rival streamers, including Disney+ and Netflix, have also brought in adverts in recent months, particularly as they have struggled to hold onto customers amid growing inflation worldwide.


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First pressing on limited edition indie exclusive 3-LP red vinyl!
Radiohead announces KID A MNESIA, a multiple format triple-album release marking the 21st anniversary of Kid A and Amnesiac, out via XL Recordings!
KID A MNESIA collects Radiohead’s fourth and fifth albums alongside the debut of a newly-compiled third disc titled Kid Amnesiae.
Exclusive to this release, Kid Amnesiae is comprised of unearthed material culled from the Kid A/Amnesiac sessions. Along with alternate versions and elements of Kid A and Amnesiac album tracks and B-Sides, Kid Amnesiae features the never-before-heard ‘If You Say the Word’ and a previously unreleased studio recording of ‘Follow Me Around’.


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You might believe that the late Karl Lagerfeld said it best about Marine Serre, one of the designers speaking at this year’s Forces of Fashion conference in New York City in October: “One-meter-fifty, but a will of steel.” Yet Serre is no slouch when it comes to speaking out about herself, the industry, and the need for creativity to fight for sustainability, inclusivity, community, and visibility.
Serre appeared on the scene in 2017 and in the space of only a few months, was shortlisted for the Hyères International Festival for emerging designers, the ANDAM fashion prize, and the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, which she won. Nicolas Ghesquière has said of her walking off with the prize: “It was the way she represents dressing today: the sports clothes, the body consciousness, and a kind of romanticism and femininity. It really speaks of [this] generation.”
Let’s add to that the way Serre appeared fully formed as a designer, already firing on all cylinders with a look that was unmistakably hers from the get-go: A beautiful, jarring, and sometimes unsettling mix of logo’d bodysuits (often eerily covering the face), moire taffeta tailoring, upcycled scarf dresses, and spherical bags. The deep political and cultural seams she has mined have proved she’s unflinching in gazing at the world and works to reflect the reality of where we are today, and how things could be better, back into her designs.
Fashion is sometimes guilty of sidestepping the bigger, thornier questions of life. Not Serre. She even has a few answers, too. Here, five reasons why she is a force to be reckoned with.
She is all about fighting the fear
“I’m doing my best to fit in without compromise. I want to be radically open and never get stuck in a set brand identity. A year ago I was in school and couldn’t even pay for my apartment. But I’m not scared, because I have nothing to lose.”
She has to be the change
“I think we need to be a little aggressive in a way, because things are so stuck. If you keep doing things the same way, nothing will change. The biggest challenge for a young designer now is learning to take care of yourself so you can be sharper, because we have to be as quick as the big houses.”


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Microsoft continues to work on the planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In the quest for a well-known game brand, the publisher is considered the most influential, especially from franchises such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo. If the contract gets going for just under $69 billion, it would become the largest acquisition of the ever-growing tech company. There’s still quite a long way to go until then, as the US trade regulator is apparently considering filing a lawsuit against the takeover. And authorities in other countries should be convinced, too. Microsoft explained in England why no monopoly was feared by the presumption of Activision Blizzard. Interestingly, the successor of Skyrim, which is in development, was mentioned here. RPG fans prick up their ears.
Did you come to the Playstation?
Bethesda announced the sixth part of the legendary game series The Elder Scrolls in 2018. Over four years later, the title is still in the pre-production phase. Bethesda Game Studios is currently putting most of its resources into creating the sci-fi fiction film Starfield. The release of the action role-playing game, which was developed by the makers of Skyrim and Fallout, is planned for the first half of 2023.
After the launch of Microsoft Corp. ZeniMax Holding for 7.5 billion dollars in 2021, the worldwide question arose for videogame enthusiasts worldwide whether titles from Bethesda would continue to appear cross-platform or be reserved exclusively for Xbox consoles in the future. In Starfield, the crazes of playstation owners were true. Starfield is slated to open for Xbox, PC, and Game Pass in 2023. A similar approach is reportedly to be seen for the release of Elder Scrolls 6.
Microsoft defines Elder Scrolls 6 as a medium-sized game and confirms that it’s exclusive to Xbox 360.
Microsoft said to the UK’s authorities, it’s not any sense to deny the Call of Duty shooter series from Playstation players. The sales and the associated profits are very high for that. With this argument, Microsoft is trying to give up a monopoly on the Game Pass provider, if the regulators understand that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard would have a monopoly.
PC games reader also popularity is good for PC-friendly readers.
Starfield: According to the composer, it’ll change your life’s way of doing that.
Inon Zur was speaking about Starfield for a long time and gave his own opinion.
A recent leak provides many interesting details regarding the role-playing game The Elder Scrolls 6. There is a lot of information regarding the release.
For medium-sized games like Elder Scrolls 6, on the other hand, exclusivity is definitely planned, since they don’t have much impact on the market. The westerns may not think that this is pretty reasonable to play western roles. Even eleven years after the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the global pioneering western and open world role-playing game, still has a fantasy theme. The book sold 3000 copies for PC, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, too. On an early date, the Elder Scrolls six appear, so it remains to the end of the season in Tamriel. Who knows how old old consoles, like Playstation and Xbox, are still going to exist.


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UAlbany Breast Cancer Expert Chairing Premier Conference on Vitamin D Biology
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 7, 2021) – On October 13 and 14, 2021, Distinguished Professor JoEllen Welsh is chairing a virtual conference on vitamin D, bringing together global research leaders and rising scientists to discuss the latest research advances and accelerate scientific discoveries that optimize the health effects of the vitamin D endocrine system.
The conference, initiated by the non-profit Vitamin D Workshop, is part of the Keystone Symposia’s eSymposia Conference Series. Welsh recently received a five year renewal of the National Institutes of Health R13 Conference Grant that supports the Vitamin D Workshop, which has been the premier conference on vitamin D biology since 1973. The 2021 meeting will be the 23rd Vitamin D Workshop. James C. Fleet from the University of Texas, Austin is co-chairing the conference alongside Welsh.
Participants in this conference will share insight into the molecular actions and translational potential of vitamin D in a variety of disease-relevant physiologic contexts. Three key scientific questions will be addressed:
- How does vitamin D signaling influence immune cells to alter the response to infectious disease (such as COVID-19) or inflammation-driven diseases?
- What molecular mechanisms explain the impact of vitamin D on traditional (calcium/bone) and non-traditional (stem cells/cancer/development/aging) endpoints?
- What new analytical or computational approaches are available to expand our understanding of vitamin D action?
Any scientist, clinician, nutritionist, or public health worker with an interest in vitamin D is welcome to participate. For more information, please visit the conference webpage.


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Building inclusion from the inside out
For National Inclusion Week IMA-HOME’s Alex Uprichard outlines the importance of living and breathing inclusivity
In August The Mandarin Oriental launched their ‘Selfie in Paris’ initiative offering guests a tour of the French capital’s best selfie spots with a private car and driver, recognising that no one is too superior to selfie. Today it’s easy not to fit into a traditional marketer’s profile, research agency trendwatching suggests a new term — Post-Demographic Consumerism, driven by the widespread adoption of digital tech and an explosion in product and service choice. We’re embracing the freedom to be anything and do anything we want.
At the end of last year Rolls Royce made its debut in racing videogame Forza Motorsport, not your obvious platform for a car whose stereotypical customer base is Alan Sugar (yes he drives one), but then so does Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and even Lady Gaga. According to the IAB women now account for the majority of video game players and there are more gamers over 44 than under 18. This partnership is not about heritage, it’s about new behaviour.
George Ergatoudis, Head of Music at BBC Radio 1 said in May last year, “If you look at the list of 1,000 favourite artists for 60 years olds and the 1,000 favourite artists for 13 year olds, there is a 40% overlap.” showing that even our musical tastes cannot be segmented. This brings me onto my next customer… born in 1948, grew up in England, married twice, has two children, is wealthy and loves dogs. Ozzy Osborne I hear you say, actually no it’s Prince Charles. A strangely easy mistake to make on paper.
Read on for examples…
Ever thought of hanging your life insurance policy on the wall? A written document about the taboo subject of death, surely only for the macabre?
Born from the insight that 27% of people have ‘no idea’ where their most important documents are kept, new online insurance company Beagle Street wanted to find a creative way to make sure people never lost their policies. Teaming up with Rose Blake, Supermundane and RUDE they turned their documents into works of art.
For Beagle Street buying life insurance is an act of love, ensuring that your loved ones are looked after if the worst happens. Illustrating this concept through art brought the subject of life insurance and Beagle Street to the attention of a much broader audience, where the conversation of death is typically not front of mind.
Agency: The Academy
In their first campaign for the UK, Facebook bring to life their own ad space proposition, which targets interests and behaviour rather than traditional demographic segments. The TV and outdoor creative uses Facebook’s language to capture the meaning of friendship and celebrate the diversity of their audience.
Agency: The Factory & Mindshare
As a small business owner what and who influences the commercial vehicle you buy? Decision makers are often family men and women so a partnership with the RSPCA and a nationwide competition for kids to design the vans used to transport animals gave VW Commercial Vehicles a whole new fan base.
Agency: Richmond Towers
Origins anti-aging have delved into the deep-rooted concerns of millennials reminding them that “OMG is that a wrinkle?” should be on their list of insecurities. The digital campaign titled #QuarterLifeCrisis is rooted in a dialogue that’s already taking place online and includes social media, native content, strategic partnerships, and an app.
Agency: Laundry Service
Tope Onanuga shares five key ways the industry can move toward greater inclusion
Weirdo’s Kate Knowles urges brands to consider accessibility in all aspects of work
Allison unveils a new brand identity


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The Biden administration on Tuesday dropped a ban on imports of Apple Watches imposed by the US International Trade Commission, following a patent dispute over the devices’ blood oxygen monitor. The decision comes into force on Tuesday.
THE“was taking preventative measures to comply” in the event that the ITC’s decision was upheld, by stopping sales of the affected devices. The hiatus included the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The dispute stems from the devices’ blood oxygen feature, which allows Apple Watch users to measure the level of oxygen in their blood. Low blood oxygen levels can lead to serious health problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Apple’s decision came after the ITC ruled that the tech giant had illegally used blood oxygen technology from Masimo, a medical technology company, in devices and ordered Apple to stop using it. import them.
Apple said in a statement on Tuesday: “We strongly disagree with the USITC’s decision and the resulting exclusion order, and are taking all steps to return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the United States as soon as possible.”
Apple appealed the ban on Tuesday.
Masimo did not immediately respond to CBS News’ requests for comment.
While a presidential panel reviewed the ITC’s order, Apple preemptively removed the devices in case the panel upheld the ruling.
“After extensive consultations, Ambassador (Katherine) Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023,” the US Trade Representative said on Tuesday. in a press release.
Apple began including the pulse oximeter feature in its smartwatches with its Series 6 model in 2020.
The ban does not cover the less expensive Apple Watch SE or other previously sold watches.
Gn En bus


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Sources close to the now middle-aged chocolate factory owner Charlie Bucket have confirmed that he has been forced to put the entire site up for sale over a ‘huge’ inheritance tax bill. The recent death of Willy Wonka has triggered the final stage of the transfer of ownership, meaning that Mr Bucket is now faced with an estimated £200m balance to pay HMRC.
A close friend spoke to Southend News Network earlier today. He said: ‘When the factory was originally handed over in 1972, a clause in the contract stipulated that Willy Wonka would continue as the legal owner of the factory until he death, with Charlie and his family acting as live-in and work-in tenants – this was incredibly efficient for tax reasons.’
‘No inheritance tax was due at the time because nothing had technically been passed on. However, with Mr Wonka’s very sad passing, legal ownership has now been passed over. A number of the Oompah Loompahs have already been redeployed to Adventure Island theme park.’
‘With the factory and business estimated at £1.4bn including the on-site Oompah Loompah franchise, Charlie has been put in an impossible position. The factory can’t be sold as an ongoing business as nothing has been produced there since the everlasting gobstopper had to be recalled over those nut traces.’
A spokesperson for house builder Barratt Homes confirmed that they have made a bid to purchase the site, with more than 100,000 homes planned in streets named after key moments in the original movie.
He added: ‘What better tribute could there be to a movie that celebrates artistic creativity than creating 100,000 houses that look exactly like every other soulless shitheap in the United Kingdom. We may been get the local council to stick a mini roundabout in so that people think we genuinely give a toss.’
In a late development, Southend United bosses have confirmed interest in the chocolate factory site as a potential location for a new stadium.
It is thought that the deal will only proceed once Cadbury’s have agreed to buy their current home at Roots Hall for redevelopment as a South Essex factory.


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Days after cancelling a long-delayed graphics update for Minecraft, Microsoft has unveiled a separate boost for the block-based game’s visuals.
The update improves the way light bounces around game scenes to make Minecraft environments look more “realistic”.
However, the graphics patch will only be available to people with an Nvidia RTX graphics card.
Microsoft said it would be released in 2020 but gave no firm date.
The RTX graphics cards use a technique called “ray tracing” to do a much better job of working out how light bounces around the virtual scenes in games.
It can make on-screen visuals look more realistic as shadows, colours and the play of light in game environments will look more like the real thing.
“Ray tracing sits at the centre of what we think is next for Minecraft,” said Saxs Persson, creative director of Minecraft at Microsoft, in a statement.
“In normal Minecraft, a block of gold just appears yellow, but with ray tracing turned on, you really get to see the specular highlight, you get to see the reflection, you can even see a mob reflected in it,” he said.
Writing on the Rock Paper Shotgun game news website, Katharine Castle said the update looked “impressive in action”.
She added: “I do have concerns over how easy Minecraft’s RTX update will be to run.”
Ms Castle said it would take a “hefty” RTX card to run all the different lighting, shadow and atmospheric effects at the same time.
- Minecraft ditches Super Duper graphics plan
- Minecraft: 10 years on, what’s next?
- Minecraft player loses five-year-long game
The prices of Nvidia cards vary widely across online retailers, but low-end cards typically cost more than £300, The most expensive in the range can cost thousands. The update will also only be available on Windows 10.
As the update is being developed, Minecraft-maker Mojang said it would be added as an option on the settings screen so players could test it out.
It also added that it was working on a more general overhaul of Minecraft’s graphics engine. This, it said, should bring some visual improvements to people who do not possess an RTX card or who do not run the game on a PC.
“Not all devices will support ray tracing, but we will have some graphics enhancements on most devices,” said Mojang. No date has been given for when this general update will be available.
Both announcements were made on the eve of the Gamescom gaming show, which runs this week in Cologne.
News about the RTX release came less than a week after Microsoft announced it was cancelling what it called the “Super Duper Graphics” update for Minecraft.
Announced in 2017, this promised to improve the look of the game on every gadget on which the game was available.
The update was cancelled after two years of development, because the “technical challenges” of producing it had proved insurmountable.


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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported a confirmed positive sample of E. coli 0157:H7 in an open bag of spinach from a consumer who became ill in an outbreak of the bacterial disease that began 2 August.
While three manufacturers have already issued voluntary product recalls, this confirmed finding has helped narrow down the source of the contamination to California. Natural Selection Foods, the manufacturer that first issued a voluntary recall of spinach 15 September, manufactured the product in question.
One hundred and forty six people across 123 states have now fallen ill after eating spinach, the FDA said yesterday (21 September). This includes one death in Wisconsin and 23 cases of kidney failure.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially fatal bacterium that causes bloody diarrhoea and dehydration. Children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are at the highest risk.
“We have turned out principal attention to the farms,” said Kevin Reilly, deputy director of prevention services at California’s Department of Health Services. “We are working with nine farms right now.”
For now the FDA is advising consumers to steer clear of fresh spinach, or products that contain fresh spinach, no matter where it comes from.


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New Turbocharged Lexus IS 200t to Debut in the U.K.
The U.K. will be the first market to get the new Lexus IS 200t, which will be the brand's second turbocharged model following the 2015 Lexus NX 200t crossover. While Lexus has only confirmed the new engine for the U.K., it shouldn't be much longer before the automaker announces plans for a U.S.-spec version.
While the arrival of the Lexus IS 200t is certainly welcome news, it's unclear if the automaker will retire or keep the IS 250 and its 2.5-liter six-cylinder. That relatively archaic engine puts out a meager 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. For folks in the U.K., the IS 200t's 2.0-liter turbo-four will be tuned to 241 hp and 258 lb-ft and will be mated to an eight-speed automatic for rear-drive models.
This will put the base IS in a much better position against its competitors. The BMW 328i, for example, makes 240 hp and 255 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter I-4, while the Cadillac ATS churns out a healthy 272 hp and 295 lb-ft from a 2.0-liter turbo-four.
Lexus says the IS 200t will be available to order in the U.K. this September, with pricing details to arrive at a later date.


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Home Posts tagged Spring Collection 2017
Tag: Amway, Spring Collection 2017, Trend
Amway launches Spring Summer Collection of Attitude Colours
MediaInfolineApr 18, 2017
Amway India, the country’s largest direct selling FMCG Company, has launched Attitude Spring Summer collection under its colour cosmetics portfolio. The 12th edition...
Max unveils SpringCollection2017
MediaInfolineFeb 18, 2017
India’s leading fashion brand, Max Fashion unveiled its Spring 2017 collection recently with a one of its kind live mannequin display and fashion walk. The launch...


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Dhoni will endorse the brand for the next two years
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is on a signing spree. The dashing wicketkeeper, who is emerging as the latest pin-up boy of Indian cricket, is catching an increasing number of brands in his able gloves, these days. The rockstar hairstyled Dhoni has just been signed on by Sonata watches to endorse the brand for the next two years.
C Srinivasan, business head, Sonata, says, “The number one watch brand in the country needed the No.1 cricketer to endorse it. And who could have been a better choice than the No.1 ODI batsman in the world.”
Dhoni, according to Srinivasan, stands for reliability and credibility. “We hope that both, Sonata and Dhoni, an ideal partnership, will create a unique impression in the market,” he says.
Sonata, owned by the Tata group, is positioned as a brand for the unconventional achiever, who wants to make a unique impression.
Srinivasan says, “We hope that the new brand ambassador will help us to target our consumers in a better way, as this new face will give us the mileage to establish the new communication platform.”
For his part, Dhoni says, “Sonata, for me, embodies a fresh and aggressive attitude. It is a brand, which stands for the Indianness, consistency and reliability. It is my pleasure to be associated with a brand that has the backing of the Tata group.”
The flamboyant cricketer says, “I have always felt that Sonata embodies the young and go getter attitude. Sonata stands for a brand that is Indian, consistent, and high quality and is backed by the name of Tata Group.”
Currently, Sonata boasts a sales volume of over 40 lakh units, and a retail network of over 10,000 dealers across the country.
© 2006 agencyfaqs!


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HTC’s latest teaser for its upcoming big announcement shows an almost identical shape to a concept it revealed in early 2020.
The company announced an October 14 event late last month, promising “big news in a small package”. The marketing images so far show a black tube with a thick detachable cap bearing the VIVE logo. Settings such as eating popcorn on a couch and sitting crossed legged in a meditative pose suggest the product, whatever it exactly is, may be focused on passive use cases rather than active room-scale gaming.
The event’s tagline is ‘Go with the Flow’. HTC registered a new trademark, ‘VIVE FLOW’ last month. Statements of Use for trademarks are intentionally wide in scope, but VIVE FLOW’s is almost identical to that of ‘VIVE FOCUS’, suggesting either a new headset or new controllers.
The latest marketing image hints toward Vive Flow being a new headset. And not just any headset – the shape shown is almost identical to the Proton concept HTC showed in early 2020.
In January of this year, HTC EMEA General Manager Graham Wheeler hinted “we expect to see the rise of All-in-Two devices – lightweight glasses which are connected to a smartphone”, calling this device category “all in two”.
Taking these comments into account, looking at the marketing images for Vive Flow so far, and noting the similarity of the outlined shape to the Proton concept, it’s not much of a stretch to conclude HTC may be about to announce a lightweight viewer headset. Rather than competing directly with Oculus Quest in the room scale interactivity and gaming use cases, HTC could be aiming for a sub-market relatively untouched outside of China. HTC might be able to continue the idea popularized by Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Go (a category Facebook has now seemingly abandoned).
By focusing on passive media applications that already exist on phones, HTC would avoid the need to invest in VR-specific content at the scale Facebook is – a battle the comparatively small company would be unlikely to win.
So what exactly does the black tube have to do with this? It could be a container, a portable battery, a wireless compute unit, or some combination of the three – it’s too early to draw any conclusions.
Would you buy a compact headset designed for viewing media? What are you hoping for from HTC’s big announcement? Let us know in the comments below.


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The U.S. Department of the Treasury has labeled Vietnam a currency manipulator, accusing it of improperly intervening in foreign exchange markets to advantage its own exports.
Despite bandying about the accusation for some time, this marks the first time that the U.S. government has officially applied that label to the country, a designation that will now require it to enter into negotiations with the U.S. government and the International Monetary Fund to address the situation.
In its semi-annual report to Congress, released on December 16, the Treasury Department said that Vietnam “conducted large-scale and protracted intervention, much more than in previous periods, to prevent appreciation of the dong.” The report covers activity from July 2019 to June 2020.
While the report also scrutinized the exchange rate policy of other major U.S. trading partners, only Vietnam and Switzerland were deemed to have exceeded the criteria used to identify what the department views as potentially unfair currency practices that could harm U.S. workers.
As the New York Times points out, this is the third time that the Trump administration has taken the unusual step of labeling a country a currency manipulator. It applied the label to China in 2019, in the midst of the “trade war” between the two countries, but later dropped the designation. The U.S. also slapped the label on China in 1994.
In the case of Vietnam, Washington has been circling around making this designation for some time. President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken darkly of Vietnam’s allegedly unfair trade practices, and in January, Vietnam was one of 10 nations placed on a watch list for currency manipulation.
In October, the Trump administration initiated an investigation of Vietnam under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. This was intended to determine whether Vietnam has undervalued its dong currency in order to make its products unfairly cheap abroad, and to probe the country’s its importation and use of timber that was illegally harvested and traded.
This came after the U.S. Department of Treasury concluded in August that Vietnam had manipulated its currency in at least one case involving the export of light vehicle tires, on which U.S. tariffs were imposed in November. It was the first time the Commerce Department had considered the value of a foreign currency in that type of trade case.
For its own part, the Vietnamese government has denied the accusations. In October, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on President Trump to take “a more objective assessment of the reality in Vietnam.” Following the announcement, the State Bank of Vietnam said it would work with U.S. authorities to ensure a “harmonious and fair” resolution to the dispute. “Vietnam’s foreign exchange rate policy has for years been managed in a way to contain inflation, ensure macro stability and not to create unfair trade advantage,” the central bank said in a statement.
The main American gripe is Vietnam’s large and growing trade surplus with the United States. Vietnam is America’s 13th largest trading partner, and currently has the fourth-highest trade surplus with the U.S. this year, after China, Mexico, and Switzerland.
But the Trump administration’s obsession with Vietnam’s trade surplus stands to complicate the pursuit of important shared interests. To start with, it is counterproductive on its own terms. Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the U.S. is an unintended consequence of another Trump administration policy: the wall of tariffs that it has erected in its trade war with China, which, as intended, have forced many manufacturers to shift their production bases to other countries, including Vietnam. As a result, since Trump took office in 2017, Vietnam’s trade surplus with the U.S. has risen steadily, from $38.3 billion in 2017 to $39.4 billion in 2018 to $55.7 billion last year, according to U.S. Treasury data. This year, it is on track to reach a record $65 billion.
The Trump administration has evinced a tendency to treat trade surpluses as a result of unfair foreign trade practices, while ignoring the crucial factor of U.S. consumer demand. Throwing up tariffs on imports does little to address the fact that the American consumer economy is increasingly dependent on cheap goods from Asian countries – a demand that has only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. These cheap imports have to come from somewhere, so using tariffs to address trade deficits is tantamount to a game of whack-a-mole that simply displaces surpluses from one country to another.
This is all the more true given the unfeasibility of on-shoring the production of cheap consumer goods that have been the compensating inducement to decades of stagnating real wages and upward distributions of wealth in the U.S. economy.
As I’ve written before, the move – and the protracted negotiations that are set to follow – also threatens to inject frictions into Washington’s important strategic convegence with Hanoi, which has been mostly driven by shared concerns about China’s increasing wealth and behavior in Southeast Asia.
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, John Goyer, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s executive director for Southeast Asia, hinted that punitive tariff action would be strategically self-defeating. “It would send a bad message to Vietnam and it would have a real and consequential impact on the bilateral relationship,” Goyer said. “Rash tariff action will be damaging to the overall relationship.” This week, the U.S. Chamber also argued, contrary to Treasury’s claims, that Vietnam did not meet the department’s three-part test for evaluating whether a trading partner is engaging in currency manipulation.
With the Trump administration now heading for the exits, much of this may end up being moot. But for now, it looms as another classic example of how the administration has set about alienating the very allies and partners that it claims to need in order to confront and contain Chinese ambitions. Given the importance of the dawning U.S. relationship with Vietnam, it would not be surprising to see the accusations of currency manipulation quietly shelved by the incoming Biden administration.


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On April 1, we’ll be hosting First Fridays for Startups from our new premises at the Bowling Green, and we’re really excited to welcome attendees, virtually. If you’re wondering if First Fridays is for you, ask yourself two questions:
- Am I currently involved in a start-up?
- Do I want to get the inside scoop on the start-up ecosystem from experts?
If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those questions, then this event is definitely a must-attend.
First Fridays is a nationwide initiative that was rebooted earlier this year, and it offers those involved in the start-up ecosystem a chance to discover more about the world of entrepreneurship. They can also listen to informative discussions from those in the know and benefit from mentoring delivered by some of the world’s biggest tech successes.
Each month, hubs throughout the Irish Tech Hub Network will deliver these half-day events. The programme kicked off with a bang in Dublin, where Dogpatch Labs led the first at the beginning of March. Now, for the April edition of First Fridays, the PorterShed is gearing up to welcome people, virtually, to take part.
The day will feature four separate online sessions: Welcome, Mentoring, Educate, and Inspire, and we’re looking forward to seeing start-ups from across the country take part on Friday, April 1.
Mentoring: This is an invaluable opportunity for start-ups looking to learn from some of the leading minds in the ecosystem. Conveniently, attendees can book up to three sessions with mentors from across multinationals and start-ups. Entrepreneurs can list their topics of choice from sales and marketing advice, to learnings on how to enter new markets. Here, anyone involved in the start-up world can receive authentic feedback and insight from those who have vast experience in their field.
Make sure you grab time with a mentor by booking a few slots here: https://mentoring.firstfridays.ie/
Educate: First Fridays will have a panel featuring some of the most forward-thinking companies that Ireland has to offer. This month’s focus will be on deep technologies that are being developed in Ireland and in Galway.
Sign up for the panel with CEO and co-founder of Tympany Medical, Liz McGloughlin; Chief Data Scientist for Digital and AI at Genesys, Maciej Dąbrowski; and mbryonics CEO and Director John Mackey here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/educate–deep/register
Inspire: And when it comes to disruptive tech that really underlines Ireland’s innovation, there are few better examples than Bobby Healy and his latest venture, Manna Drone Delivery. Interestingly, the company uses custom-developed aerospace drones to deliver almost anything customers want – coffee, takeaway, groceries (even defibrillators!) – and have it delivered within three minutes straight to your door. Bobby will discuss his cutting-edge start-ups, his experience to date, and what he has learned throughout his career.
Make time for this inspiring talk with Bobby by signing up here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/inspire-with-bobby-healy
It’s sure to be an exciting, engaging, informative few hours across First Fridays, and it’s certainly a must-attend event for start-up players looking to make that all-important next move, whether it’s a first step or a giant stride towards something new and different.
More info: https://firstfridays.ie/april2022
By Trevor Murray


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Mahindra & Mahindra garnered over one lakh bookings for the Scorpio-N within the first 30 minutes of the weekend. Already 25,000 units were booked in the very first minute.
see all images
Record bookings for the Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV helped the Indian carmaker’s shares jump on Monday, two days after it opened slots for its customers to choose their SUVs. Mahindra & Mahindra’s automotive arm, which is registered on Nifty as Mahindra Ltd, saw its share prices rise by over six per cent today. the price of its shares hit 1,245 in early trade this morning. Mahindra & Mahindra saw over lakh bookings within the first 30 minutes on Saturday. car maker almost shut down 18 crore business, thanks to huge bookings on its latest SUV.
Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV can be booked here 21,000 through its digital platform. The carmaker has promised to start deliveries of the Scorpio-N SUV from September 26, ahead of the festive season. The delivery date will depend on the variant chosen by the customers. Mahindra has also said that customers will be able to modify their bookings by changing the choice of variant or color till midnight of August 15.
Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV was launched in India at a starting price of 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom). price rises 19.49 lakh for the Z8 L diesel MT variant. The benefit of starting prices of Mahindra Scorpio-N will be available on the first 25,000 bookings.
The Scorpio-N, which is the new generation model of Mahindra’s popular Scorpio SUV, is offered with both petrol and diesel powertrains. The SUV offers two-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive options across all its variants. Under the hood, the Mahindra Scorpio-N gets a mStallion petrol engine capable of producing 200PS and 380 Nm or a mHawk diesel engine producing 175 PS and 400 Nm.
Mahindra Scorpio-N is the carmaker’s third new generation SUV model after the launch of Thar and XUV700. The new Scorpio-N will take on the Tata Safari and Harrier, Hyundai Alcazar and Creta, Kia Seltos and MG Hector and Hector Plus.
First published date: 01 Aug 2022 12:40 PM IST


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Dave Saverin has been named senior vice president in the St. Louis office of Colliers International. Saverin has more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate.
Before joining Colliers International, Saverin was an associate director with Marcus & Millichap. There he specialized in single-tenant net-leased retail properties and anchored shopping centers.
In his career, Saverin has assisted developers, institutions and private clients in transactions totaling more than $600 million.


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When efforts to tighten economic and health-realted belts collide, adorable Girl Scouts lose.
It’s almost time to stock up on the iconic Girl Scout cookies this year. But because of economic concerns, 12 regional Scout councils are testing out a plan to sell only six varieties of cookies. Economically, it seems smart to keep it simple.
(More on TIME.com: See how the Girl Scouts are trying to stay relevant)
“Our top five varieties make up 77% of cookie sales,” Amanda Hamaker, the manager of national product sales for the Girl Scouts, told the Wall Street Journal. “The others are yummy and fun, but they’re side dressing—leaving councils with an awful lot of alternate varieties left over.”
But eliminating cookie types isn’t the only way the Girl Scouts are downsizing. Last year, those sneaky Scouts reduced the quantity of cookies per box and even made certain cookies smaller.
Check out the varieties still available. For the ones you’ll miss, check out eBay — or see our recipes to make the Girl Scout classics yourself. (via Wall Street Journal)
Still available: Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Samoas (also called Caramel deLites), Lemon Chalet Cremes and Tagalongs (also called Peanut Butter Patties).
Going into retirement: Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, All Abouts, Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip


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Islamabad, February 28, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan/Ministry of Commerce organized a “Look Africa” Trade Forum that was aimed at exploring new avenues of promoting trade and exports with African countries. The diplomats of Nigeria, Kenya, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Egypt attended the trade forum. Ms. Maria Kazi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Khalid Rasul, Director, TDAP were also present at the occasion.
Addressing the Trade Forum, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that 54 African countries were a market of over 1 billion people with huge potential for Pakistan to promote trade and exports. He urged that government should sponsor trade delegations to African region to explore new avenues of trade with it. He said that total trade volume of Africa was around $ 1 trillion, but Pakistan’s total trade with it was only 3 billion, which was quite negligible.
He emphasized that government should provide incentives to private sector for organizing exhibitions in African countries to introduce more Pakistani products in the region. He said Pakistan has resident missions in only 15 African countries and stressed that Pakistan should open its missions in all major African countries that would help in improving trade and economic relations with the region.
Ms. Maria Kazi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce gave a detailed presentation on trade potential with Africa. She said Pakistan’s exports to Africa were confined to few products including rice, pharmaceuticals, cement, textiles, surgical and sports goods and urged that private sector should focus on exporting more products to Africa. About planned initiatives of the government for Africa, she said new commercial sections would be opened in Africa and Pakistan would offer PTAs/FTAs on bilateral basis and with African Trading Blocks to promote its trade and exports.
She said local Trade Development Officers in African countries would be appointed in African countries where resident missions were not stationed. She said special incentives would be provided to Pakistani companies through new strategic trade policy framework for participating in trade fairs in Africa. She said pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments, electrical appliances, rice, wheat, corn, textiles, cement and constructions materials and services would be given priority focus for Africa. She said trade Fairs would be identified in Africa and single country exhibitions would be arranged in some African countries to introduce more Pakistani products.
Khalid Rasul, Director, TDAP said that government has planned to increase bilateral trade with Africa from existing $3 billion to $5 billion in next five years. Muhammad Naveed, Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President, ICCI thanked all the participants for attending the event.
Diplomats of Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria, Egypt and Sudan also spoke at the occasion and highlighted the areas that offered great potential for Pakistani products in in their respective countries. They said Western markets have now reached saturation point while Africa was future for trade and Pakistan should give more focus on African region. Zubair Ahmed Malik Chairman Founder Group, Mian Shaukat Masud, Tariq Sadiq, M. Ejaz Abbasi, Nasir Qureshi, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Khalid Malik, Fazl-e-Hanan, Ms. Amina Malik, Zikria A Zia, Naeem Siddiqui, Shakeel Munir, Ms. Fatima Azim, M.s Nasira Ali, Rashid Humayun and others also spoke at the occasion.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Tel: +9251 225 0526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +9251 225 2950


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Kodak Pharma has launched a new drug development and manufacturing arm, called Recursion, with plans to develop new anti-cancer drugs and new products in response to the Ebola pandemic.
The company said that it had acquired Recursion Pharma to “build on our strength in developing and commercialising novel anti-aging and immunotherapy drugs in Africa.”
Kodak Pharma CEO David Stover, speaking on CNBC on Wednesday, said the company plans to focus on “additional pharmaceutical development and development programs” in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, the AP reported.
Recursion Pharma will focus on developing and producing novel anti -cancer drugs in African nations, including Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, the company said in a statement.
It also plans to invest in developing innovative vaccines for diseases like Ebola, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
The acquisition, which comes just days after the company announced its first drug approval, will provide Kodak with additional opportunities to develop and commercialise new therapies in the region, according to Stover.
The investment is also expected to help the company to expand its existing manufacturing capabilities and accelerate the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Kodaker is a global pharmaceutical company with operations in 35 countries, according its website.
The world’s largest camera maker said in January that it planned to double its manufacturing capacity in the coming years, adding that it plans to “ensure that we are able to scale up in response” to the pandemic, Reuters reported.
The U.S. is the world’s second-largest producer of cameras, behind only China, according the company.


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The Nickelodeon store was opened last week with the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon theme park area set to open early in 2015. Both attractions are part of Malaysia’s Sunway Lagoon theme park.
The 1,700-square-foot Nickelodeon store is Nickelodeon’s first retail launch on the continent. It will be branded in Nick’s signature orange and carry an extensive range of Nickelodeon merchandise including t-shirts, slippers, stationery, school supplies, toys, apparel, branded drinks, party items, homewares and more.
“As we continue our strategic relationship with Sunway, I am really excited that Malaysia is joining our growing list of international retail destinations, expanding the Nickelodeon branded experience in Asia,” says Gerald Raines, senior vice president of recreation business development, Nickelodeon.
Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon is expected
“We have experienced a lot of exciting times here at Sunway Lagoon with over 20 years in operation, having provided a unique experience for visitors of all ages. The opening of the Nickelodeon retail store will certainly give families an exclusive opportunity to get a gist of what to expect from the upcoming Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, which will open in the first half of 2015,” says Sean Choo, general manager, Sunway Lagoon.
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The resilience and adaptability of wholesale auto auctions played a crucial role in bolstering used retail sales during these difficult six months and will remain critically important to the auto industry’s continued recovery.
The primary concerns for the auto industry heading into 2020 were affordability, credit and inventory, with used car dealers expecting their best spring since 2014. But, by March, hopes for a record year quickly shifted to concerns about survival as the industry and the economy experienced the most dramatic and sudden declines on record.
In the second quarter, used retail sales started to improve, benefitting from the pent-up demand created during the two-month lockdown, a build-up in wholesale supply, and the stimulus funds provided to businesses and consumers. By June, most markets were seeing year-over-year growth in vehicle sales. However, as we entered the back half of the year, conditions became less favorable for dealers as COVID-19 cases started increasing again, new restrictions were added, and consumer fear grew.
And yet, in good times and bad, wholesale auto auctions play a vital role for both the auto industry and its car-buying consumers. Auctions provide market liquidity by allowing consignors to quickly convert cars into cash and offer the ability to move large volumes of vehicles without depressing prices. Auctions also deliver credible pricing that comes from an objective view of what vehicles are worth in the marketplace and enable sellers to maximize their return on investment when using a reconditioning facility that many auctions provide.
For consumers, the indirect benefits of auto auctions range from ensuring dealerships have large selections of used vehicles to meet their needs and preferences to determining true vehicle values through wholesale marketplaces. Auctions also instill trust with strict standards and protocols determined by the National Auto Auction Association.
What’s ahead: Digital paves the way
The wholesale vehicle marketplace is now more digital than ever with 52% of sales already going to digital buyers before the pandemic hit. And year to date through July, that percentage jumped to an overwhelming 78%.
It’s become increasingly clear that the auction business model is changing. These numbers and others suggest that the digital marketplace is growing stronger. Due to the circumstances brought on by the pandemic, many of us, have developed new behaviors. It is said that it takes roughly 60 days for a behavior to become a habit. Many clients have formed new habits such as conducting more business digitally. But, that’s not to say that physical auctions are going away anytime soon.
After the winning bid: RunBuggy
The global pandemic also accelerated some aspects of the mobility evolution that will forever change the future of auto shipping to and from auctions, a great example is Runbuggy which is an open car transportation marketplace that gives you access to a nationwide network of car transporters through an easy to use app. It allows customers to quickly see where their vehicles are while in-transport and bridges that gap between the digital auction and the transporter to seamlessly handle the delivery.
From instant quotes to real-time tracking, we’ve pack a lot into an easy to use app.
If you’re interested in learning more about how RunBuggy works, lets schedule a test drive!


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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Money Reserve is proud to commence the 2021 Black Friday and Cyber Week Sale, which runs from 12:00 a.m. CST Friday, November 19, through 11:59 p.m. CST Friday, December 3. The online sale will feature special savings on an exclusive Reagan Legacy 2021 Silver American Eagle two-coin set in honor of the 35th anniversary of the iconic American Eagle Program authorized by President Ronald Reagan. U.S. Money Reserve's Black Friday and Cyber Week deals are available at usmoneyreserve.com/black-friday-cyber-week-2021/.
The Reagan Legacy 2021 Silver American Eagle two-coin set features both Type 1 and Type 2 designs of the Silver Eagle struck in 2021. The two-coin set features a PCGS specialty label hand-signed by President Reagan's son Michael Reagan. Both coins, struck from .999 silver and graded perfect MS-70, have been certified as “First Day of Issue” by PCGS.
“This is an exclusive set that precious metals owners will cherish,” said John Rothans, Chief Numismatist at U.S. Money Reserve. “Only 500 of these sets have been made available, and with Michael Reagan's hand-signed label, they are expected to sell out very quickly.”
This set celebrates Ronald Reagan's Liberty Coin Act, which authorized the U.S. Mint to strike the first Silver American Eagle coin in 1986. Since then, precious metals owners have been adding these coins to their portfolios. This set also provides individuals a unique opportunity to own the first year of issue of the new design. Both coins' obverse sides feature Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty, which was proudly featured on half-dollar coins from 1916 to 1947. A slightly updated version of this iconic design is depicted on the recently issued Type 2 coin. The Type 1 Silver American Eagle features the original Mercanti's Heraldic Eagle on the reverse side. Emily Damstra, an esteemed natural science illustrator, designed the reverse side of the Type 2 coin, which former U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso delicately sculpted.
“Over 35 years ago, President Reagan introduced the Liberty Coin Act, intending to allow American citizens to help protect their wealth while owning a tangible piece of history with the Silver American Eagle coin,” said U.S. Money Reserve CEO Angela Roberts. “Now, we're building on President Reagan's legacy by offering this historic set hand-signed by his son Michael Reagan for our Black Friday and Cyber Week Sale.”
This exclusive offer is only available from U.S. Money Reserve for a limited time. To own a piece of history this holiday season, visit the Black Friday and Cyber Week Sale at usmoneyreserve.com/black-friday-cyber-week-2021/.Read Original Article


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With its prime position as the gateway to Europe, the Netherlands continues to benefit from a thriving and dynamic economy—with Amsterdam championed by some as the future of European finance following Brexit. Businesses in the region also boast an ambitious digital strategy, alongside robust investments in environmental sustainability.
The nation continues to score highly in the Digital Economy and Society Index, due to robust business investment in digital technologies and the high prevalence of digital skills across its workforce. And it receives accolades for its material reuse rates and waste management.
With digital and sustainable ways of working, shopping and relaxing increasingly embedded into Dutch residents’ everyday life, business leaders face both considerable opportunities—and challenges—to keep pace with stakeholder expectations and adapt to changing business environments.
In our work to define what it takes to be future-ready—and how close businesses are to reaching a future-ready state—Cognizant commissioned Economist Impact to conduct a survey of 2,000 senior executives, including 135 executives from the Netherlands, across industries and geographies, as well as create a future-ready benchmarking tool (see our full report, “Ready for anything: what it means to be a modern business”).
Our own analysis of this data underscores what executives in the Netherlands and globally need to do now to prepare.


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A recent article from Business Insider, dated November 2023, reveals that Tesla owners are considering selling both their cars and shares following a post by Elon Musk about the upcoming Cybertruck. Musk's statement, shared on social media, has left some Tesla owners concerned about potential depreciation of their existing vehicles.
The article highlights the impact of Musk's announcement, wherein he hinted at the Cybertruck having advanced features that could outperform existing Tesla models. This has sparked apprehension among current Tesla owners, who fear a potential decrease in the resale value of their vehicles as the market shifts towards the anticipated Cybertruck.
Business Insider notes that some Tesla enthusiasts are not only contemplating selling their cars but also divesting from Tesla stock, expressing uncertainty about the company's future trajectory and the potential disruption the Cybertruck may cause in the electric vehicle market.
The report suggests that Musk's statements have created a ripple effect, prompting existing Tesla owners to reassess their investment in the brand. It underscores the influence of Musk's social media communications on both Tesla's stock and the sentiments of its customer base.
As the situation unfolds, the article speculates on the broader implications for Tesla's brand loyalty and the need for the company to address concerns among its existing customer community to maintain a positive market image.
----------This article is partly excerpted from Business Insider.


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HYLAND has hired Maria Casas as Head of Social since winning new business during the pandemic.
HYLAND Founder, Virginia Hyland said “We have known Maria for some time and always felt her attitude matched the culture of HYLAND.
“She is a problem solver, has an entrepreneurial spirit and a team player. Her experience is both broad across clients and variety of agencies, previously working at Social Soup as Group & Social Media Business Director, Head of Content at IKON and Head of Social Media at Saatchi & Saatchi. We welcome Maria with open arms and it’s so great to be hiring in an industry that been challenged by COVID this year.
“As our agency now integrates all communication disciplines Maria will play an integral role with our clients.”
Maria Casas commented about HYLAND: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join HYLAND. At a time like this, I believe brands need to consolidate their investments and find ways to make their efforts work harder. I can’t think of a better placed agency to deliver this for their clients.
“An integrated approach that is genuinely customer centric is only achievable in an agency that has no bias towards channel and execution. That is HYLAND in a nutshell. It’s an absolute privilege to be part of Virg’s team.”
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Leading Australian market research data brand, RDA Research, provides actionable consumer intelligence to help businesses inform decision making and growth strategies. RDA Research wanted to make its unique consumer data available for addressable digital targeting and required a data onboarding partner to help activate their data in an online environment.
Storytelling agency Enthral has appointed Channel 7 reporter and sports presenter Sean Sowerby as its new senior PR and content manager in Melbourne. Sowerby (pictured) started his award-winning career at 3AW before spending more than 15 years in television. Enthral founder and manager director, Cameron Smith, spoke of the significance of Sowerby joining the agency. […]
This week Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa are celebrating 10 years of their iconic radio show and plenty of famous faces have weighed in on the feat! For Fitzy & Wippa’s 10-year anniversary show they were joined by a bunch of special friends who shared their messages and favourite memories over the last decade. The guys […]
Ever since Google first announced it would be getting rid of third-party cookies on Chrome, digital advertising businesses have been actively sharing their plans for life after cookies. And now programmatic advertising company Blis might have come up with the most creative way to get the message across, in a new video which sees company […]
Integrated Melbourne agency Icon has taken top honours in the 2021 SABRE Awards, winning the coveted Australasian Consultancy of the Year for 2021 along with a host of category and craft awards. Icon led a large field of Australian agencies with a total of three major and seven minor awards, including gold in the cause-related […]
Former agency executives Tim O’Neill and Tim Fouhy have launched the auto technology startup Summon. Australia’s first full e-commerce service for prestige cars. O’Neill and Fouhy both founded Reactive, a digital agency, which was bought by Accenture in 2016. Following the deal, O’Neill and Fouhy ended up leading the company’s digital marketing arm, Accenture Interactive before […]


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Real estate continues to be called the ‘bright spot’ in the current economy, but there’s one thing that may hold the housing market back from achieving its full potential this year: the lack of homes for sale.
Buyers are actively searching for and purchasing homes, looking to capitalize on today’s historically low interest rates, but there just aren’t enough houses for sale to meet that growing need. Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains:
“Mortgage rates have hit another record low due to a late summer slowdown in the economic recovery…These low rates have ignited robust purchase demand activity…However, heading into the fall it will be difficult to sustain the growth momentum in purchases because the lack of supply is already exhibiting a constraint on sales activity.”
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), right now, unsold inventory sits at a 3.1-month supply at the current sales pace. To have a balanced market where there are enough homes for sale to meet buyer demand, the market needs inventory for 6 months. Today, we’re nowhere near where that number needs to be. If the trend continues, it will get even harder to find homes to purchase this fall, and that may slow down potential buyers. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, notes:
“The overall lack of sustained new listings growth could put a dent in fall home sales despite high interest from home shoppers, because new listings are key to home sales.”
The realtor.com Weekly Recovery Report keeps an eye on the number of listings coming into the market (houses available for sale) and the total number of listings staying in the market compared to the previous year (See graph below):Buyers are clearly scooping up homes faster than they’re being put up for sale. The number of total listings (the orange line) continues to decline even as new listings (the blue line) are coming to the market. Why? Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research at realtor.com, notes:
“The post-pandemic period has brought a record number of homebuyers back into the market, but it’s also failed to bring a consistent number of sellers back. Homes are selling faster, and sales are still on an upward trend, but rapidly disappearing inventory also means more home shoppers are being priced out. If we don’t see material improvement to supply in the next few weeks, we could see the number of transactions begin to dwindle again even as the lineup of buyers continues to grow.”
Does this mean it’s a good time to sell?
Yes. If you’re thinking about selling your house, this fall is a great time to make it happen. There are plenty of buyers looking for homes to purchase because they want to take advantage of low interest rates. Realtors are also reporting an average of 3 offers per house and an increase in bidding wars, meaning the demand is there and the opportunity to sell for the most favorable terms is in your favor as a seller.
If you’re considering selling your house, this is the perfect time to connect so we can talk about how you can benefit from the market trends in our local area.


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NYPD Evaluating Use Of Google Glass In Fight Against Crime
Google Glass has been a hot topic in the blogosphere for the best part of a year now, and although not deemed ready for consumers just yet, it’s worth remembering that the product is being developed with more than just the end-user market in mind. In fact, as per a report over at VentureBeat, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is currently assessing ways in which the face computer could be used in the ongoing effort to combat crime, and if this is indeed the case, one can envisage law enforcement agencies across the world following suit as Glass becomes more popular.
It has been pointed out many times before that Glass mightn’t be a suited to the consumer, at least not at first. Apple CEO Tim Cook has made this point in the past, suggesting that while the wearable gadget “may appeal to certain markets,” it will be a “difficult” sell to consumers. Cook’s sentiments have been echoed from various factions of the digital industry, and with the NYPD seeming to show more than just a fleeting interest in Glass, perhaps this is the kind of area in which the device will thrive.
VentureBeat spoke directly to a New York law enforcement official, who noted that the department is “looking at them [samples of Glass]. . . seeing how they work,” although from this, it’s hard to gauge whether the NYPD actually deems Glass as a genuinely useful device to counteract criminal activity or not. Then again, with the department’s “stop-and-frisk” system deemed to be in violation of rights by Judge Shira Scheindlin in a recent ruling, the subsequent recommendation that police test wearable cameras appears to have opened the door for Glass to be considered.
The NYPD seems to have acquired its units of Glass through the current Explorer Edition beta program just like everybody else, and although there’s no word on any pilot testing as yet, Glass could well prove a useful accessory to the crime-fighters moving forward.
What do you think – can you imagine a world where the police officers wearing Glass becomes the done thing? Moreover, do you feel it would help to reduce crime? Do share your comments below!


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The Power of Partnership
Sharjah-based Gulftainer Company Ltd is not a renowned international terminal operating company, but the past 18 months have seen the group invest in several overseas port and freight logistics projects. And, as John Fossey reports, other schemes are in the pipeline.
Gulftainer is one of the more recent entrants into the international container terminals and stevedoring sector, but it is a part of the company's business that is likely to become increasingly important.
'Our performance record at our home facilities in Sharjah and Khor Fakkan, speak for themselves said Keith Nuttall, commercial manager of Gulftainer. 'Our UAE terminals are among the most productive in the world and it was a combination of this experience, plus approaches we received from various overseas companies that wanted help in running their facilities, that led us to our international investment strategy.'
Gulftainer is now actively involved in five countries, with most of the ventures comprising joint partnerships.
Its most important overseas operations are:
- The Shuwaikh container terminal in Kuwait. The company is also a consultant to Kuwait Port Authority (KPA).
- Port of Moroni in the Comoros Islands.
- Port of Mutsamudu, also in the Comoros Islands, with effect from 2008.
- The GTL-MTI transport services group in Pakistan.
- A strategic partnership with Hyderabad based Lanco lnfratech Ltd.
Gulftainer's investment drive has to date, been focused on smaller general cargo/container ports in emerging markets. Quite often these ports have been experiencing rapid growth in their cargo volumes but have suffered productivity lapses and/or operational difficulties so have been in need of new investment, management procedures and/or systems upgrades.
Nuttall explained: 'In the port of Moroni, the main issue was the restricted working hours and the length of time ships spent discharging cargo which raised freight costs. We immediately introduced a seven day a week, 24 hours a day working regime, at no extra cost to our customers, and efficiency levels improved dramatically.'
According to Peter Richards, director and general manager of Gulftainer, this process is continuing as Gulftainer seeks further productivity enhancements at the port. Meanwhile the storage areas for containers have been expanded and new warehousing facilities are planned.
Traffic volumes have responded positively to the modernisation programme and new management initiatives introduced, with cargo volumes up significantly in 2007.
While Gulftainer did not reveal details of the cargo volumes being handled, Nuttall indicated that ships handling conventional, bulk cargo and containers were all being handled twice as quickly as in 2006.
Gulftainer's 15-year port management, stevedoring and warehousing licensing deal in the Comoros islands is being run though Gulf-Com Port Management, a joint venture with Al Marwan General Contracting Co of the UAE.
The contract has been in place since November 1, 2006, and also involves the port at Mutsamudu which the group is scheduled to take over in the early part of 2008.
Overall, Gulf-Com's plan is to raise the country's annualized container-handling throughput capacity from a current level of just over 100,000 TEU.
Gulftainer has been involved in Kuwait for more than five years. The company acts as the main consultant for KPA and offers a full range of advisory services which cover technical, operational, commercial and investment issues. Additionally, Gulftainer has established a dedicated team of professionals in Kuwait and these work alongside KPA officials to operate the main Shuwaikh container handling facility. This complex processes 75% of the country's box traffic.
Since becoming involved with the KPA in 2002, a significant amount of maintenance and refurbishment work has taken place, including the use of heavier duty block paving in the main Shuwaikh container terminal. Access roads have also been resurfaced and channels dredged.
According to Nuttall container volumes in 2007 were expected to ‘comfortably exceed 2006 levels', on the basis of the 19% increase posted in the first three months of the year. This followed a record performance in 2006 when the Shuaiba and Shuwaikh terminals handled in excess of 700,000TEU.
The increased demands being placed on the terminals, plus the highly optimistic cargo forecasts made on the back of an expanding Kuwaiti economy and a reconstruction of Iraq, have led the KPA to come up with a programme of significant infrastructural renewal and capital spending at the port.
'We are confident that Iraqi transit traffic will rise rapidly and that ocean carriers will need to phase in larger ships.
'Our advice to the KPA has fully taken this situation into account and it is actively pursuing tenders to upgrade cargo-handling equipment at the terminals as soon as possible ' said Nuttall.
In fact tenders were issued in 2007 for the supply of seven post-panamax cranes, with options for four more plus associated yard equipment, including rubber-tyred yard gantry cranes (at least 20 units) and terminal tractors.
In the Pakistani venture, Gulftainer's approach has been to offer shippers and consignees 'higher level integrated road transport and logistics service options', according to Nuttall, who said that the group was the first approved bonded carrier in the Country.
Working jointly with the Karachi-headquartered Pak Shaheen Group, one of the first moves of the joint venture company was to buy new tractor units equipped with global positioning satellite systems, thereby helping differentiate it from its competitors while ensuring that reliable services would be provided on a consistent basis to its customers.
Its main services involve the drayage of cargo (mainly containers) to/from the country's inland ports, although its domestic activities in moving raw materials and inter-city general cargo (freight) has also picked up. Nuttall also alluded to the company undertaking an increased amount of container repositioning work within Pakistan.
'The Pakistani market is highly fragmented and the flow of information generally poor,' Nuttall told CL. ‘We are revamping road haulage services in the country and by introducing new computer systems we will allow our clients full monitoring of their cargo. Shipping lines want access to the same quality of services that they have in other regions that they serve.'
This strategy has been highly successful' with Karachi-based GTL-MTI securing significant amount of new business over the past 12 months. Ocean carriers, such as CGM and Maersk Line and agency companies like Gulf Agency Co, have signed container drayage deals with the group, while some of Pakistan's biggest industrial enterprises, notably Ibrahim Fibres, Engro Chemicals and Rafhan Maize, are regular users of the company's services.
The growth in traffic bas meant a need for more equipment, with GTL-MTI now deploying 33 trucks. Another 17 units are scheduled to enter service by the end of February 2008 with the inventory due to reach 100 tractors by the end of 2008. The group has pioneered the use of draw-bar trailers in Pakistan, a development that means it can convey loads up to the maximum gross legal weight of 66 tonnes.
In addition, the company has various value-added services under consideration, with GTL-MTI planning to create a specialist contract logistics division. Meanwhile, the company intends building parking slots/depots and storage facilities for perishable products.
Recent years have seen Pakistan's involvement in the international seafood and agricultural trades increase while movements within the country have also risen.
However, the number of facilities available for ensuring the correct storage and transport of such time-sensitive products remains inadequate and this is viewed as an opportunity by GTL-MTI.
Also in the company's blue print is the use of rail as a means of helping alleviate congestion on Pakistan's crowded highways. In particular, GTI-MTI sees considerable potential in scheduling regular block train services to/from the country's main cities and the principal gateway port at Karachi.
Currently, GTL-MTI works out of its main operations centres in Karachi, Lahore Islamabad and Faisalabad, with boxes regularly relayed to/from the main box terminals in Karachi and Port Qasim.
Also in South Asia Gulftainer has concluded a strategic partnership with Hyderabad-headquartered Lanco lnfratech Ltd, which is one of the fastest growing integrated infrastructure development companies in the region.
Over many years, Lanco has emerged as a major player in the construction and subsequent management and operation of power plants and roads with strong order book amounting to more than USD2 billion.
According to Richards, the alliance combines the excellent construction and project management activities of Lanco with the terminal management and logistics transport skills of Gulftainer.
At the signing ceremony in September 2007, he said: 'The two groups working together can really make an impact on projects in the expanding and exciting port and transport field - as between us we have the ideal synergy, resources and determination. It will take Gulftainer's development plans on to the next levels.’
Richards referred to projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and India, worth almost USD1 billion, as already being under study by the alliance.
While Nuttall confirmed such activity, he stressed that in the majority of cases these were at the 'very initial stages'. Interestingly, not all of the schemes being evaluated are container related.
Meanwhile, in other developments, the Sharjah-based company is close to negotiating a deal to enter the fast-growing Turkish port and logistics market.
'It is to premature to reveal details at this stage,' Nuttall told CL. 'But we are involved in Turkey and we are close to concluding a deal with a large national logistics and transport company.’
'We might end up in one or more ports, probably in the Marmara region. We view Turkey as a major economic force with huge potential in the ports and transport sectors.'
Recent years have seen a boom in Turkey's international container trade, particularly with China and South Korea, with the result that many direct-call liner services have been launched. Unfortunately the country's port infrastructure has not kept pace with these developments, with delays and congestion never far way.
Gulftainer, though, is one of a number of foreign terminal operating companies to get involved, and the next five years will see a significant amount of new container-handling capacity come on stream.
Gulftainer, though, also sees Turkey becoming a significant player in the regional Black Sea transshipment business and any investment in the country is bound to also take this activity into account.
Selectively, but surely, Gulftainer is forging ahead with its investment and management strategies in the international terminal and logistics arenas and 2008 will witness further significant progress.
Indeed, this year could see a series of landmark developments take shape as the strategic alliance with Lanco leads to bigger projects coming to fruition.
There is no doubt that Gulftainer is becoming a higher-profile name in the international ports/terminal management sector and that this will grow further as it exploits its overseas opportunities.
Within the emirate of Sharjah, Gulftainer works on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority. The group has the operating franchise for both the Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT) and the Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) .
While Gulftainer's overseas ventures have gathered momentum in recent years, it has continued to invest heavily in its home territory facilities.
Both KCT and SCT have undergone recent upgrades and further substantial capital improvement projects are under way.
At KCT, phase II of the facility's expansion scheme started in June 2007, with the construction of a new 400m quay. This will raise the total berthing line at KCT to almost 1.5km.
At least six super post-panamax cranes will be delivered for the new terminal, which is scheduled to open in late 2008.
The latest development follows the commissioning of a new 400m berth with four super-post-panamax gantry cranes in late 2006. It is all part of Gulftainer's ambitious plan to raise KCT's throughput capacity up to four million TEU by 2012.
'Up until early 2007 our ability to attract more services to KCT was very limited,’ said Nuttall. 'We had to expand and we had to have in place the water and the infrastructure to service the mega-size containerships coming into service.'
Meanwhile, the strong growth in cargo handled at SCT has resulted in a significant expansion of that terminal. A second container berth is being developed with total stacking capacity for containers throughout the port being increased.
While additional mobile cranes have been commissioned, Sharjah Port Authority and Gulftainer have also ordered two post-panamax gantry cranes for the operation. These new units are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2008 and will speed up ship-to-shore cargo transfers significantly while opening up SCT to bigger ships.
Elsewhere, Gulftainer has added significant value to its inland container depot, which was opened in 2004. Located close to Sharjah city, the outer ring road, and the border with Dubai, it does, according to Nuttall, avoid the congested urban highway system of the city and the port complex at Jebel Ali. Effectively, therefore, it provides an efficient backdoor option into Dubai.
'We decided to build 11 warehouse units (2 x 600m3 and 9 x 800m3 capacity) on the site, all of which were commissioned in 2007 and were immediately rented out' said Nuttall. ''We are now planning phase two which means looking at additional warehousing space while evaluating the types of service we provide.'


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Founder and CEO, Dell (DELL)After taking back the CEO job earlier this year, Dell is trying to do for his eponymous company what Steve Jobs did for Apple a decade ago: Pull it out of a slump. Dell's biggest challenge: An organization that, despite touting its "direct" business model, grew distant from its customers. Signs of change abound: On May 1, the company announced it would sell and ship PCs with Linux preinstalled, and is putting its computers in Wal-Mart stores -- the kind of retail channel that Dell previously spurned.
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