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NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Could it be that we're about to see an uptick in brand advertising? You might think so based on conversations today with some of the senior marketers attending the ANA's "Brand Building in Tough Times and Beyond" conference.
Brand Advertising Poised to Rebound?
Some of the results of a survey that the ANA plans to release next week were discussed at the event today, and among the findings was that 74% of senior marketers who responded believe "brand equity" is very important to their company's success. Of course, that hasn't stopped many marketers from paring back their brand-advertising budgets in the past year and focusing most of their efforts on cost-cutting and promotion.
But now, encouraged by the idea that consumer spending might have bottomed out -- or even be starting to trend ever so slightly upward -- some marketers said they would be returning to brand advertising soon.
Marty Ordman, VP-marketing and communications for the Dole Food Co., said that however strongly you believe in your brand, "you have to do your bit to reduce spending at tough times like these," adding that Dole has done some cost-based promotional efforts to reduce the gap between private-label prices and its own prices. However, having witnessed "an increase in the number of customers making multiple-item purchases," Mr. Ordman said that Dole, not historically a big brand advertiser, is eying some digital branding efforts and ramping up in-store ads again.
Need to build brand value
He also said that such periods remind board-level executives of the value of a brand -- especially true if, as in his case, you're competing with private label. That was a point echoed by Richard McDonald, senior VP-global marketing of Fender, the musical instrument brand. "The cost of raw materials is going up, and marketing is the only thing that offsets those increases. You have to build brand value and spend on marketing."
Mr. McDonald noted that while he's seen no improvement in sales of higher-priced musical instruments, Fender has noted improved sales at the lower end of the scale. He said the company is now "redirecting resources" to brand building, particularly through video games, other digital media and partnerships with other marketers.
MasterCard's senior VP-U.S. consumer marketing, Chris Jogis, said the company's belief is that it's important to invest in the brand. "Our strategy and our platform around 'Priceless' remains consistent," he said. "Our marketing plan this year is focused on what we're calling 'outsmarting the times,' and ensuring we are providing as much tangible value to cardholders as possible, to balance with the already strong emotional connection we've built with 'Priceless.'" Mr. Jogis said that while MasterCard might not be spending quite as much as it has in other years, it was able to take advantage of reductions in the cost of media to get more bang for its buck.
Cynthia Ashworth, VP-consumer engagement at Dunkin' Donuts, said that the economic climate had worked well for Dunkin', which she described as having established itself as an "everyman" brand. She said the company has boosted brand-advertising spending in some areas, and added that she expects Dunkin' to emerge from the recession with increased market share.
With other major marketers, such as IBM, General Electric and SAP having recently launched significant initiatives to support their brands, these senior marketers' comments might be considered optimistic signs, particularly for those in ad agencies and media companies.
It's worth noting, however, based on the top-line results of the ANA's upcoming survey, that these days marketers regard product as the key to building brand equity (89% cite it as very important in that regard). Other things they regard as very important to brand: customer service (86%), employees (81%), website (81%), marketing communications/CRM (78%), field sales (74%) and then advertising -- regarded by 73% as very important.


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Last week, ZTE made an announcement that shook the mobile industry: the company was forced to shut down after the US Commerce Department issued a ban against it.
This week, none other than US President Donald Trump stepped in to save the day.
On Twitter, as usual, Trump announced he had instructed his Commerce Department to help get ZTE back in business.
President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2018
That’s excellent news for ZTE, after being accused of selling US-made technology in Iran, thus violating US sanctions laws. In return, that had made the US Commerce Department ban ZTE from using any US made components, including Qualcomm chipsets and even Android software.
Now, with Trump’s intervention, things might be looking up for them.
However, other Republicans are still holding the line, insisting on more restrictions for Chinese companies.
Problem with ZTE isn’t jobs & trade, it’s national security & espionage. Any telecomm firm in #China can be forced to act as tool of Chinese espionage without any court order or any other review process. We are crazy to allow them to operate in U.S. without tighter restrictions https://t.co/AXtTDgufc9
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 14, 2018
Our intelligence agencies have warned that ZTE technology and phones pose a major cyber security threat. You should care more about our national security than Chinese jobs. https://t.co/7Ygh7805jg
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 13, 2018

domain: news


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When CenPho cyclists couldn't find bike co-op Rusty Spoke in the usual Bragg's Pie Factory space on Grand Avenue, rumors began to swirl that the community repair shop has shuttered. Thankfully, reports of the Spoke's demise were greatly exaggerated.
The co-op did move last fall, and has settled a few blocks southeast at 1023 Grand Avenue, (accessed in the alley). And the shop is once again filled with parts and work stands and still open to anyone who needs a little DIY wrench work.
"I think our move may have confused a few people," said Nate Leach, Rusty Spoke's director. "We are still very much open, but we're in a shared space and still operating very check to check."
"Our goal is to have our totally own shop."
Rusty Spoke was able to secure their new space and continue to operate thanks to a small grant from their partner and sponsor, Tempe-based bike co-op Bike Saviours. Monthly fundraisers, often in the form of benefit vegan dinners, music shows and bike washes, help keep the month to month costs covered.
The shop, open Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., still predominantly draws local residents who need to fix up their bikes or work on building up a new one as those two wheels are often their primary mode of transportation. But the group hopes to tap into the Downtown ASU students to continue to develop a customer base.
In terms of current shop needs (aside from funding), Leach easily identifies three desires: "We need a space that is monetarily secure, volunteers to fill it, and people who need help with their bikes to come and use what we have to offer."
The Spoke will be one of the primary benefactors from the upcoming San Tan Wheelie Jam, a new bike festival on April 23 at Indian Steele Park. The event is organized by the Tempe Bicycle Action Group and sponsored by San Tan Brewing Company.


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The majority (95 per cent) of Feihe’s revenue came from the infant milk portfolio last year, followed by other dairy products at 3.3 per cent, and supplements at 1.7 per cent.
Its leading brand Astrobaby (星飞帆in Chinese) is categorised as a super-premium brand.
Launched in 2010, its key ingredients include OPO, hydrolysed whey protein, and alpha-lactalbumin – a protein found in breast milk.
The other bestseller brand, Organic Zhenzhi (臻稚有机) is said to contain organic lactose, demineralised whey protein, DHA and ARA. It was launched in 2017.
Both are stage three formula for infants and toddlers 12 to 36 months old.
Its infant formula business is concentrated in mainland China.
Overall, the company’s total revenue last year was up 35.5 per cent to RMB$18.5bn (US$2.85bn). Gross profit climbed 40.3 per cent to RMB$13.4bn (US$2.07bn)
Aside from infant formula, the company also sells dairy products for children and adults, as well as health supplements, which contributed to 3.3 per cent and 1.7 per cent of the total revenue last year.
Revenue for the former was up 0.3 per cent, and the latter dropped by 46.1 per cent.
Its health supplement business is concentrated in the US, having acquired the retail health care business of Vitamin World USA in 2018.
It said its health supplement business contracted due to a decrease in consumer traffic and closure of stores in the US. Aside from the 62 outlets, the products are also sold via Amazon, Tmall Global, and JD etc.
Feihe said that a large part of its infant formula was sold via offline channels.
In fact, offline retail accounted 86.4 per cent of the total revenue last year.
This was achieved via over 110,000 retail points, including maternity stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets.
Its online retail, on the other hand, is mainly to target younger consumers, the company said. It is present in Tmall, JD, Suning, its own website and Wechat app etc.
The positive performance of both Astrobaby and Organic Zhenzhi showed that there was “enhanced recognition of the Group’s brand”, the company said.
The company has eight other infant and toddler formula brands. Of which, two were launched last year, they are Organic Chunrui and Miao Shu Huan, with the latter
It also launched a product branded Zhuoran for children aged three to six last year. Containing FOS as prebiotics, α-lactalbumin, DHA, ARA, vitamin D, vitamin A, lutein, it is said to produce immuno-modulating effects.
The company is expanding one of its production facilities and constructing a new facility.
As of Dec last year, it has eight production facilities to manufacture products for annual production capacity of 232,400 tonnes in total.
Factors for growth
Growing disposable income in lower tier cities and rural areas is a factor that will drive infant formula sale despite declining birth rate, the company said.
“These regions have larger populations and therefore higher potential for consumption growth,” the company said.
In addition, the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, a preference for local brands and premium products will continue to put the company in good stead, it said.


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Health Canada is urging Canadians to immediately get rid of products from an Ontario-based company selling unauthorized personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices online.
The company Maskopia, formerly known as Medkem Canada Inc., has been selling masks, gloves, gowns and other PPE without a medical devices establishment licence (MDEL) from Health Canada. The agency requires anyone who sells or imports medical devices to obtain this licence.
PPE sold by Maskopia “may pose serious health risks,” wrote Health Canada in a release Tuesday. “They may not provide the level of protection advertised due to unknown quality and safety.”
Health Canada said Maskopia has falsely advertised and sold non-medical masks as medical masks. While the company didn’t respond to Canada’s National Observer’s request for comment, on its Facebook page, it describes itself as a “manufacturer of disposable medical grade ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) surgical masks Level 1-3 Health Canada approved” — which is completely false, according to Health Canada.
Health Canada said it is illegal to sell or advertise health products “that make false or misleading claims.” It has seized many medical products from the company, including N95 masks, gowns and face shields.
The company is selling masks for as much as $175 for a 50-pack, according to its website.
Health Canada said it also refused to authorize an application from the company to sell its isolation gowns because they weren’t up to the agency’s requirements for COVID-19 medical devices.
What people are reading
Despite the order to stop gown sales, the company has continued to market them to health-care practitioners and consumers, according to Health Canada.
The company’s Facebook page says it manufactures 40,000 disposable isolation gowns per day in Newfoundland.
Health Canada recommends that people stop using and dispose of any items purchased from Maskopia and learn more about the risk of buying products with false or misleading advertising.
This isn’t the first time companies have sold fraudulent or unauthorized PPE. Health Canada warned people against fake N95 masks in the first wave of the pandemic.
The agency said it has also received reports about plant-based elixirs, Chaga mushroom blends and ultraviolet lamps that have falsely claimed to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19. It has ordered many companies to immediately remove these claims from their websites and advertising materials.
Yasmine Ghania / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada’s National Observer


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Donald Kaufman Collection to be featured in Sunday NY Times
VINELAND, N.J. – Bertoia Auctions has announced that the Donald Kaufman Antique Toy Collection will be featured in a profile appearing in the June 7, 2009 Sunday edition of the New York Times.
Recently Times reporter Richard Chang spent a day with Don and Sally Kaufman at their Massachusetts home. The result of that visit is an exciting introspective into the passion behind Don Kaufman’s 59-year pursuit of the finest antique automotive and other toys.
Chang’s article will appear in the newspaper’s Automobile section.
In their March 19-21 debut sale of the Kaufman Collection, Bertoia’s set a house record with a $4.2 million gross. The company will continue its auction series exclusively featuring the Donald Kaufman Antique Toy Collection on Sept. 25 and 26, 2009. Internet live bidding will be provided by


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All of us in this sector have been waiting for months for one of the international competition bodies to focus on the major problem of the shipping companies' unethical practices.
We freight forwarders have been putting up with it for a long time, much longer than is acceptable, to try to continue providing service to our clients, we have long since had to accept the octopus as a companion animal and now we have to say that it is also friendly. And we put up with this and whatever else, we are used to it, but we have to denounce the situation and make it public, because the problem is not really ours, we are only intermediaries, the problem is global, 90% of everything that is bought uses maritime transport and all of this is going to be made much more expensive by this problem.
We are not only talking about the disproportionate and abusive increases in costs of more than 600% in less than a year, we are talking about the general despotism with which they treat shippers and on their behalf we, the freight forwarders. For months now, many shipping lines have been abusing their power, abusing the "roll over" (passing from one ship to the next in the interests of the shipping line), delaying departure dates, carrying out unplanned transhipments, etc. ... it goes on and on.
Freight forwarders have a duty to be bothersome and to denounce what is an unmitigated abuse, which is threatening the recovery of the economy, and all this because of the boundless greed of the shipping companies and the negligence of the competent world authorities, which should ensure good practices in trade.
This situation was initiated by the collapse generated by the pandemic and is still there complicating everything, with the Chinese government closing in recent weeks ports like Yantian or Ningbo and airports like Shanghai, for a single case of Covid, but I firmly believe that the current level of freight and the extreme lack of equipment is mostly due to the excessive greed of the shipping companies, which have seen a vein in making the most of their size (which is allowed by the competent authorities, inexplicably). There are currently 10 shipping lines, grouped in only three joint ventures (services/ships), which have managed to monopolise almost 90% of the world's traffic.
The formula they use is simple, the huge size of the few vessels they operate allows them to alter/falsify the law that should regulate the market, the "Law of demand and supply". Their large size allows them to adjust supply to demand, withdrawing/suppressing ships, the weeks that demand slackens, (applying "Blank Sailings" a la carte), with this formula, they always achieve an extreme demand for the few spaces they leave operational, which "justifies" a fierce fight for those available spaces and a rise in freight rates, it is a perfect plan and the rises seem to have no limits.
The big losers of this plan are, as always, the users/loaders, who are paying historically high freight rates and who are also receiving a terrible and unacceptable service, which puts many businesses at risk.
BUT, this gloomy outlook, it seems, may be starting to change ...
Yesterday we learned that the furniture firm "IKEA" has bought its own containers and is going to charter ships, to avoid these supply problems.
Today it has been published the news that the third shipping company in the world, the French "CMA-CGM", has announced that it will not allow the auction of its spaces, until February next year, which aims to stop the escalation of freight, I do not know if it will be an effective measure if the rest of the shipping companies do not join, but something is something ...
Today the "World Shipping Council" is considering the implementation of a "Reform Act" for this mode of transport, which should re-atomise the sector, in order to bring back the necessary competition in the sector.
Anyway, we will see what happens in the coming days.


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Among the everyday products identified by the Which? consumer group were a pack of Birds Eye beef burgers with four fewer burgers than the original 16 despite the price increasing from £3.98 to £4.29 in Asda, Morrisons and Tesco.
Pledge furniture polish has shrunk by 17% but the price has stayed the same or risen, Nestle Munchies dropped from 150g to 126g with a disproportionate price drop from £1.67 in Asda and Sainsbury's to £1.59, and Thorntons Mini Caramel Shortcakes increased in cost by 10p in Waitrose despite shrinking from 12 cakes to 10.
The study found "anything from bags of crisps to packs of dishwasher tablets are getting smaller".
The watchdog said it was generally told by the product makers that they chose to shrink products rather than increase prices to cope with rising costs.
However, a poll of consumers by Which? found 58% would prefer prices rose than packs got smaller, while 37% would rather the pack shrank but only if they were informed. Just 3% said it was acceptable for the pack size to shrink and not be told about it.
Which? added that many of the manufacturers it spoke to said retailers ultimately set prices, but when asked if they reduced the wholesale price or set a lower recommended retail price to match shrinking products they either said they did not do this or would not comment.
Nestle said it had dropped the cost price but refused to say if it was proportionate to the amount its products shrank by, while Thorntons said shrinking allowed for better promotions.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "Shrinking products can be an underhand way of raising prices because pack sizes shrink but the prices don't. We want simpler pricing so people can easily compare products to see which is the cheapest, and for special offers to be genuine."
Which? surveyed 1,257 members in January.


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Authorities at the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) are reportedly included Bitcoin in its Vision 2024 development program.
The news was announced on April 1 by iaftnews, a local online news outlet. The post says, the KSCA has been playing with the idea of introducing Bitcoin as a new payment method in public transport since 2018. But at the time, the idea was abandoned due to high Bitcoin rate.
One of the objectives on the KSCA’s 2024 program is to revamp Ukraine capital’s public transport infrastructure to the standards of major cities abroad. By the most part, Ukraine is still using the USSR’s legacy subway infrastructure. The move to add Bitcoin to payment methods would be part of their ongoing modernization efforts.
Kyiv’s public transport system uses e-tickets along the paper ones. And by 2024, Kyiv authorities aim to replace all paper tickets with electronic ones, starting with Kyiv Smart Card which is already used in subway, buses, trams, taxis, and trains.
In this light, it seems it should not be a big technical challenge to add support for Bitcoin.
To this end, the KCSA has formed a committee and if things go well, Kyiv’s public transport system may soon add an option to pay fares and other fees in Bitcoin. The KCSA officials hope these changes and innovations would lead to larger crypto adoption in the country.
As of now, more than 100 countries have legalized Bitcoin while there are only 10 countries where the use of crypto is outright banned. Following the green light given to cryptocurrencies by Ukraine’s financial market supervisory authority in May 2018, the country has begun to explore the possibilities related to the blockchain technology. Such was an idea of voting on the blockchain and a Ukrainian state cryptocurrency
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SSP Group has secured a new 10-year contract at Dublin Airport by bringing the best of Ireland’s local food scene to the airport.
The deal will see SSP trade 24 units at the airport, and once the investment programme has been completed, is expected to contribute approximately €40-50m revenue per annum by 2023. Mobilisation of the units commenced earlier this month, and they will be rebranded over time to incorporate a mix of international brands, local Irish brands and partnerships with local suppliers as well as new concepts.
The new facilities are set to transform the food and beverage offering, improve passenger experience and make Dublin Airport a true dining destination for passengers. About 200 people will transfer to SSP from the existing units, adding to the team of more than 300 colleagues already employed by SSP at the airport.
In addition to renowned international brands, SSP is introducing a significant number of well-known and up-and-coming local brands to the airport to provide an authentic Irish experience whilst showcasing the best of Ireland’s vibrant food and beverage scene.
This includes –
Handsome Burger – the Galway based Burger offer, voted the “Best Burger in Ireland”
3fe – the Colin Harmon-led team roasting and serving exceptional coffee across Dublin
Camile Thai Kitchen – Irish headquartered international healthy food chain with 26 branches, voted most sustainable restaurant in Ireland
Cloud Picker Coffee Roasters – Based in Pearse St, Dublin city’s first micro roastery
Offbeat Donut Co. – with 11 Dublin stores, bringing “magic” every day in the form of fresh donuts
Bretzel Bakery – a multi-award winning artisan bakery renowned for its breads and pastries since 1870
SSP has also created bespoke concepts tailored specifically to the unique passenger mix at each terminal. At Terminal 2, for example, SSP will open several outlets that will celebrate close links between Ireland and the US to appeal to North American travellers, who make up over a quarter of all passengers passing through the terminal. This includes Whiskey Bread, an all-day Irish bar & kitchen that pays homage to the culinary history between America and Ireland dating back to the 1600s partnering with Dublin-based Teeling Whiskey.
The new SSP outlets will incorporate the latest technology, including mobile ‘order at table’ services to provide a smoother and quicker customer experience. Sustainability has also been a key element of SSP’s proposal, with a focus on a removal of single-use plastic. Local and certified ingredients will also be used in dishes served at the new units.
Richard Lewis, CEO of SSP UK & Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Dublin Airport to enhance and elevate the food and beverage offering at Dublin Airport. We are confident that our bespoke line-up will meet the diverse needs of all of our customers, providing a true Irish experience to the international traveller as well as those looking to enjoy a real taste of home.”
Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison said; “Dublin Airport is a thriving transport hub where more than 100,000 passengers and other airport workers transit through daily. We want to ensure our customers have a quality dining experience at Dublin Airport with a sense of connectedness to Ireland using fresh and local quality produce.”


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NAB survey shows Australian consumer anxiety is at highest level in 3 years
National Australia Banks’s consumer anxiety index spiked to 62 points at the end of 2018, showing that consumer anxiety was the highest in 3 years.
NAB’s Australian consumer anxiety index provides a measure of how anxious consumers are that their savings will be impacted in the future.
The survey found that consumer nxiety was mostly stemming from high levels of indebtedness and slower income growth in Q4 2018.
NAB group chief economist, Alan Oster said, ‘Anxiety increased most over the cost of living, and despite a healthy labour market, concerns over job security also climbed to its highest level since mid-2016'.
Last year’s Q4 survey found that consumers overall needed an extra $207 a week to ease their household’s cost of living, varying depending on income, gender, family status and location.
While this year, household finances, and retirement were the biggest worry, followed by raising an average of $2000 for emergency medical costs.
‘Against this background, almost four in 10 Australians said they had experienced some form of financial hardship last quarter, the highest in two years.’ Mr. Oster said.
Women most anxious about financial hardship
The survey shows women were the most affected, between the ages of 18-29, as well as low income earning households. Their concerns mostly stemmed from not being able to pay bills and financial hardship.
NAB’s survey has previously shown how consumer anxiety impacts spending behaviours. It finds that how consumers feel doesn’t always translate into how they’re spending.
Mr Oster said, in Q4 2018 consumers say they’re cutting back on non-essential things like travel, eating out and entertainment.
Household spending remains a concern
While household spending stilll one of the main causes consumer anxiety, recent statistics have shown December retail sales fell by 0.4%, leaving price-adjusted turnover for the quarter at just 0.1%.
Oster says, spending on "essentials" is still mainly driven by utilities, but less so than in the previous quarter.
Last quarter the study found more consumers faced some form of financial stress or hardship during Q4 2017, with financial stress over paying bills causing consumers the most anxiety.
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To ensure optimal transaction acceptance for the millions of users that donate to charitable causes, JustGiving requires a payment processing service capable of quickly accepting high volumes of payments. During peak times such as the London Marathon, the online giving platform handles up to 6,000 donations per hour. WorldPay meets JustGiving’s need for maximum payment uptime, allowing for sponsors to successfully donate at any time using their preferred method of payment.
Phil McGriskin, Chief Product Officer, WorldPay, comments: “By using WorldPay’s payment processing services, JustGiving can be confident that transactions are made swiftly and successfully. We are excited to utilise our expertise in global transactions in collaboration with JustGiving to help the service expand.”
Neil Bannister, Chief Financial Officer at JustGiving, comments: “In order to grow giving globally, it’s vital that online giving is as swift and seamless as possible, allowing donors to give whenever and wherever generosity strikes. We’ve chosen to work with WorldPay because we feel they’ll provide the best possible service for our users and will help us to grow charitable giving across the world.”
WorldPay’s Optimising your Alternative Payments report, an in-depth global whitepaper of the alternative payments landscape found that cultural differences influenced the ways consumers shop and pay for goods online.
Barclays has signed contracts with six of the fintech startups that just graduated from its second New York accelerator programme.
Company card killer Pleo has raised $3m in new funding as it prepares for public launch in the UK and Denmark.
Cheques are become less and less common in the UK according to new research from global market research firm Mintel which claims contactless card use has overtaken cheque payments in the UK for the first time.
Payments for digital and physical goods made mobile operating system-based payments platforms like Apple Pay and Android Pay are expected to boom in the next few years according to new analysis from Juniper.


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Finns call on cell phones to monitor traffic jams
Pilot program tracks signal movement
Published 10:00 pm, Tuesday, July 8, 2003
HELSINKI, Finland -- As if today's cell phones were not crammed enough with features, the famously wired Finns now look to be adding another: traffic congestion deterrent.
Using the signals from individual motorists' mobile phones as beacons, government researchers charted vehicular traffic patterns along stretches of road in and around Helsinki, the capital.
The Technical Research Center, the Finnish agency that published an evaluation of the technology this week, found it useful for helping to prevent traffic jams and urged that it be expanded nationally.
The center said the data it obtained would be useful in issuing travel advisories that authorities could transmit for use in TV and radio broadcasts.
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A joint pilot project of the Finnish Road Administration and a mobile phone operator, Radiolinja, the system tracks cellular phones that pass between measuring points spaced 3 miles apart.
The data was displayed on a Web site during last year's trial, offering real-time information on traffic congestion, the speed of traffic flow and estimated travel times.
"You can plan your driving and avoid the worst rush hour, decide on alternate routes, predict when you'll arrive at work and when to heat up the sauna," the road administration said. It is seeking funds to continue and expand the project.
Traditional traffic measurements work by simply counting the number of vehicles that pass a given spot on the road, typically using a camera or sensors embedded in the road or on a nearby pole.
By using cellular phones, the system can monitor how long it takes for cars to travel a stretch of road in real time and provide it instantaneously.
But the system isn't perfect.
"There will be errors, of course -- if a bus goes by with 30 phones in it, the system will register them all as individual vehicles. Or if somebody is picking berries in the woods, it will show up as a stationary item," said Timo Karhumaki, the project's manager.
So far, the administration has developed a formula for calibrating the figures by first watching the real amount of traffic, then comparing it with the data collected from mobile phones. Then, they figure out a weighting factor to correct for the errors.
In order for the system to provide reliable data, researchers say at least 5 percent of the cars must have a mobile phone in them. In urban areas, where traffic volumes are great, the system will work reliably with fewer cellular-phone users.
Radiolinja, for now the only operator in Finland with the service, said it is ready to expand the network and start testing in other European countries.
As is common when tracking cell phones is involved, there are privacy concerns. But project organizers say the only information recorded by the system is a random number linked to a cellular phone, the distance traveled, and the time it took.
There is no method, even in theory, to later link the identifying number with a particular mobile phone, Radiolinja said.


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Blog: Coke Amatil - makes ties with one, cuts loose of another?
Olly Wehring | 15 November 2006
The highlight of last week on just-drinks was the announcement that Coca-Cola Amatil has secured a tie-up with Maxxium in Australia.
The deal will see CCA’s joint venture with SABMiller, Pacific Beverages, sell and distribute Maxxium’s spirits portfolio across the country, as well as producing Beam Global Spirits & Wine’s RTD portfolio. In just one sentence, then, we see a company that specialises in soft drinks set to sell beer and spirits.
The move is a canny one, with CCA spreading itself but not overstretching itself. The crossover is not tenuous and, with Maxxium Australia helping out on the side, CCA is set for a whole new adventure.
What it might do, however, is take CCA out of the reckoning when it comes to buying New Zealand spirits group Independent Liquor. It looks like CCA will have its hands full for the time being. Meanwhile, our spies tell us that an announcement on who has won the race for Independent will be made in a matter of days.
Keep with just-drinks and, as usual, you’ll be the first to know.
Today is SABMiller's final day. Some time this evening, Brussel's time, the second-biggest brewer in the world will be subsumed into the biggest, creating a beer behemoth of unprecedented proportions....
No, this is not PepsiCo's new ad slogan for its Mountain Dew brand....
Major wine players flocked to China ready for online giant Alibaba's 9.9 Global Wine and Spirits Festival, which took place on 9 September....
In May, Heineken's CEO, Jean-François van Boxmeer, called Vietnam the "poster child" for international beer thanks to strong demographics and growing demand....
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New Yorkers are an inventive lot. Every year, a flood of patents for toasters, diodes, vaccines and even hair conditioners are awarded to local residents or assigned to New York-based companies.
The creative juices have flowed even faster lately: From 1990 through 1998, the most recent year for which the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has full statistics available, the number of patent issues in the New York metro area has surged by 61%. A 1998 court decision affecting Internet and financial services patents promises to boost those numbers even higher.
The fast pace of patents offers further proof of the booming local economy, and positions New York companies for dominance in the all-important arena of Internet commerce.
"Patents reflect the health of the economy," says Evan Katz, vice president of business development for IPnetwork.com, a Manhattan licensing exchange. "More patenting means there's more research going on."
Although the bulk of patents here and elsewhere are held by corporations, an astonishing number are still won by individuals.
Patents won by corporations increase their revenues and secure their market positions, while those won by individual inventors fuel small-business creation and growth.
Amid a wide range of players on the scene, a few corporate overachievers stand out: Columbia University, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York University and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the growing category of biomedical research; and IBM Corp., the biggest player by far in technology.
Corporations and universities use patents to generate licensing revenues, create lawful monopolies and protect against infringement. IBM, for example, derives more than $1 billion annually from licensing fees, and aggressively seeks patents to protect against "someone inventing (the same thing) subsequently," says Jerry Rosenthal, vice president for intellectual property and licensing at IBM in Westchester.
Radical patent change is afoot, and New York stands to benefit.
In 1998, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that patents could be granted on business methods. The decision vastly expanded the patent horizon, opening the way for thousands of patents on everything from the asset management techniques used by an investment firm to the Internet architecture of a Web retailer.
The 1998 decision has "opened the floodgates" for financial services and Internet companies seeking patents, notes Paul J. Sutton, chairman of the patent and intellectual property practice at Greenberg Traurig, a Manhattan law firm.
John Kennedy, an intellectual property partner at Manhattan law firm Morrison & Foerster, says that nine out of 10 of the companies seeking his advice on patenting are exploring business-method patents. Today, New York patent-seekers are service companies and new economy players who previously wouldn't have had anything to patent.
This spring, Citibank picked up patents for a method of integrating the global delivery of financial services via customer PCs and a method of pricing financial services based on customer relationships. AT&T Corp. was granted patents for a method of Internet billing, a method of Internet target marketing, and a method of securing an electronic auction service.
One potential cloud on the horizon, however, is the likelihood that business-method patents will spark far more litigation than patents for widgets and chemical formulae. This is a new and somewhat hazy area with little precedent.
Observers of the patent scene say fighting over patent rights will crimp business growth. "There's a lot of concern about companies' claiming proprietary rights on stuff everyone needs, based on ideas that have been out there," says Mr. Kennedy.


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After updating the roadmaps for all Pentax-branded lens mounts at CP+ 2015, Ricoh has patented a new lens, which could describe one of the models found in one of the roadmaps. The Pentax 18mm f/2.8 Macro lens has been patented and it describes an optic made for Q-mount mirrorless cameras with 1/1.7-inch-type sensors.
The CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2015 is underway in Yokohama, Japan and Ricoh has joined the event in order to make a few announcements. The company has released an updated Pentax lens 2015 roadmap, which reveals the new lenses that will become available soon for K-mount, 645-mount, and Q-mount cameras.
Ricoh is preparing for the CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2015 with another record-breaking product. After announcing the world’s smallest weathersealed DSLR, the Pentax K-S2, the company has introduced the HD Pentax DA 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE lens, which is the world’s shortest standard zoom lens.
Ricoh returns with another event full of Pentax-branded product announcements. The new Pentax K-S2 has just become the world’s smallest weathersealed DSLR camera. The K-S2 is based on the original K-S1, but the new model comes without its predecessor’s uncanny LED illumination system and with a traditional design.
Ricoh has confirmed that it is developing a Pentax-branded DSLR camera with a full frame image sensor that will be on-display at CP+ 2015. However, the company has not revealed any technical details of the shooter. Thankfully, the rumor mill has just leaked the first Pentax full frame DSLR specs list, which includes a 36MP sensor.
Ricoh’s final announcement of the day consists of the second telephoto zoom lens designed for Pentax K-mount DSLR cameras with full frame image sensors. The Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6ED DC AW lens has become official bearing no more, no less than four autofocus buttons on its barrel and will be released next month.
As the rumor mill has predicted, Ricoh has introduced a new lens to prepare itself for the upcoming Pentax K-mount full frame DSLR camera. The HD Pentax D FA 70-200mm f/2.8ED DC AW lens has become official, promising to deliver a high image quality and high-performance for portrait, action, and sports photographers.
After years of constant praying, the dreams of Pentax photographers will become a reality by the end of 2015. Pentax has officially confirmed that a Pentax full frame DSLR camera is in development. Moreover, a prototype of the device will be displayed at CP+ 2015, while its release date is set to take place sometime this year.
At Photokina 2014, Ricoh said that it was planning to release a Pentax-branded full frame camera sometime in 2015. Although the company’s CES 2015 event has been focused on APS-C products, it appears that the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 lens will be announced soon for DSLRs with full frame image sensors.
After previewing this product at the Photokina 2014 event, Ricoh has finally announced it. The Pentax 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 weathersealed lens will be released for K-mount DSLR cameras by the end of November 2014. The optic will provide high image quality, which will be appreciated by landscape as well as portrait photographers.
Ricoh is expected to officially introduce the HD Pentax DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR lens on October 30. The company previewed the product at the Photokina 2014 event and the rumor mill is claiming that the K-mount lens is bound to become official soon. The claims are backed-up by a specs list and a press photo of the lens.
The prayers of a multitude of Pentax fans will be answered in 2015. Ricoh has confirmed that the company is currently working on a Pentax full frame DSLR. Furthermore, it appears that the camera will be released sometime in 2015. On the other hand, three new K-mount optics were on-display at Photokina 2014.
With Photokina 2014 being just a few weeks away, official announcements have started to pour it. After Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus, it is Ricoh’s turn to introduce a new product. The Pentax K-S1 DSLR camera is official and it is packing an LED illumination system that will indicate the device’s state among other details.
Ricoh has allegedly scheduled the Pentax K-S1 announcement date for August 28. The new K-mount DSLR camera has had more of its specs leaked on the web ahead of this date. An interesting information consists of the purpose of the LEDs built into the grip, which are said to display the state of the K-S1.
After having some of its photos leaked, an insider has leaked the Pentax K-S1 specs list. Additionally, two more photos of the upcoming DSLR have been revealed, confirming that the camera will be released in multiple color choices. The K-S1 is expected to be announced by Ricoh sometime prior to the start of the Photokina 2014 event.


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It seems some bogus Apple watches are being sold at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Digitalspy is reporting that Hyperdon, a Chinese technology company, is marketing a watch that closely resembles Apple’s latest product. Named the Smart Watch, the high-tech wrist accessory has many of the same capabilities and runs on similar software.
The knockoff can even interact with the iPhone, just like the Apple version. It can operate as a hands-free device, complete with music playback and call handling capabilities. It also has run-of-the-mill functions, like a pedometer and alarm clock.
“The watch powers up via a USB connector and is allegedly capable of running for more than 180 hours off a single charge,” says one Digital Spy reporter.
According to some user reviews, the knock-off can stand up against its more expensive competition. The resemblance is very similar between the two products and it will be interesting to see Apple’s response to the knockoff.
Apple is rumored to release the Apple Watch in March.
The Consumer Electronics Show is closed to the public and is one of the largest trade shows in Las Vegas. Held each January, the show is considered the place to release the newest technology innovations.


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Here’s today’s AdExchanger.com news round-up… Want it by email? Sign-up here.
New Product, Old Partners
SAP and Accenture are continuing their partnership, this time by offering a product aimed at CMOs to “easily view and act on centralized key marketing performance data such as sales figures, media spend and social reach in near real-time.” Accenture will be the single point of contact for services running on the HANA platform, simplifying the process. The new CMO product, called the Marketing Performance Solution, will initially be targeted at retail and consumer packaged-goods customers. Read the release.
Retail dominates as the largest spender in digital media, according to an eMarketer report. Retail represents 22.3% of the total US digital advertising spending share; financial services comes in second at 12.4%. Within the retail industry, direct response makes up 64.6% of paid media — a lot of it channeled into SEM. Read more.
TV ratings are typically tied to how many people watched a particular show, but Placed decided to take it further and analyze how viewing habits relate to retail in its “Ratings to Retail – Fall TV 2013.” The study found that 43% of respondents watched TV on their smartphone, which was more than computers and tablets. The study also found that viewers of all the major TV networks were more likely to visit movie theaters. Read more.
Marketing-automation firm Marketo has teamed up with Google on a new AdWords feature that allows marketers to track when clicks on their AdWords ads result in leads or sales in the offline world. “Marketers can use this information to adjust bids for different keywords, locations, times of day and audience segments to improve the AdWords results for the outcomes they care about,” wrote Marketo marketing VP and co-founder Jon Miller in a blog post. Marketo also announced a partnership with B2B targeting and personalization platform Demandbase. Read more.
In order to nurture the next generation of college students, companies are turning to universities to train students right out of the gate on data analytics and the like. The latest company to jump on this trend, according to Ad Age, is A-B InBev, which will be opening its Bud Lab at the University of Illinois. Read the release.
- Former Yahoo and Microsoft Media Exec Scott Moore Tapped as Cheezburger President and COO – AllThingsD
But Wait, There’s More!
- AdYapper Raises $1.2 Million To Analyze Ad Viewability For Digital Campaigns – TechCrunch
- Twitter Said To Ban Auto-Follower Tech Firm In Australia – Brisbane Times
- WireDex: Making Sense of the Ecosystem – ExchangeWire
- Call-Through Rate: Key Mobile Ad Performance Metric – Marketing Land
- Interview With Monetization Platform Adzerk CEO James Avery – WRAL TechWire
- Apple Hiring for iAd Team as iTunes Radio Launch Approaches – Ad Age
- A Refreshing Collaboration With Sheknows Boosts Brand Lift For Starbucks Refreshers – Nielsen
- The BuzzFeed Numbers Jonah Peretti Won’t Talk About – AllThingsD
- The Ipad Is The Most Popular Device For Mobile Transactions From Emails – Experian


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Chinese technology company Tencent has invested $150 million in Reddit, leading users to respond en masse with images and memes of lovable children’s character, Winnie the Pooh.
The investment drew the ire of Reddit users due to China’s strict internet censorship laws, with many fearing that the platform’s content and free speech would be scaled back as a result.
The unlikely face of these protests would be A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, universally adored in most nations, but certainly not by the Chinese government.
Last year saw widespread removal of the character’s image online, as well as completely banning the release of Disney’s family film Christopher Robin in Chinese theatres.
The cull came as a result of images poking fun at Chinese president’s Xi Jinping’s likeness to the animated figure — particularly when pictured with other political figures — and in the wake of the Tencent deal, Reddit users acted accordingly.
The jibes did not just stop with the portly Pooh however, as responses ranged everywhere from legendary meme Bad Luck Brian and South Park’s “and it’s gone” to references to the infamous Tiananmen Square incident, including the enigmatic figure Tank Man.
The comments section was just as rife with mockery, with one user saying: “I, for one, welcome our new Chinese overlords”.
Another declared: “This has been a test of the emergency anti-Chinese censorship system.
“This was only a test. Had there been a real emergency, you would not have seen these memes.”
Yet another warned: “Don’t be silly, you’ll get away with this for a while. Then the dark shadow descends and the shadow banning begins”.
Ultimately, it is much ado about nothing, as the investment of a Chinese technology company has no bearing to the government’s censorship laws on users abroad, but the sensationalist response will likely continue for a while longer.
Canteen’s latest campaign features the combined talents of Director Luna Laure and creative agency Crater. The campaign strives to raise awareness for young people affected by cancer. The awareness campaign centres around Harry Barentson, who at 12 years of age found out his pregnant mum had cancer. While his mother fortunately survived, he lost his […]
In partnership with storytelling agency Enthral, AFL star Kevin Sheedy has voiced a video ‘Love Letter to Victoria’ using visuals to showcase the state’s natural beauty and culture. Victoria has been hit with the worst of the coronavirus pandemic compared with any other Aussie state experiencing four lockdowns. Sheedy has partnered with Ethral to share […]
Telstra’s lower-cost telco, Belong, has awarded its strategy and creative account to Howatson + White, and has reappointed OMD to its media buying account, after a competitive pitch process. Howatson + White will handle strategy, planning, creative and CRM, while former agency Clemenger will continue to have a relationship with Belong, managing PR and retail activation. […]
Coca-Cola Australia has rolled out its new campaign ‘Turn Up Your Break’. The campaign will be led by a TVC that encourages people to truly pause with a Coke on their break so they can walk away feeling refreshed and uplifted. The TVC features two busy chefs stepping outside for a break, the bustling kitchen […]
Nova 919’s Ben & Liam breakfast show announced that they’ll be throwing their support behind and raising awareness for a cause very close to their hearts, mental health. On Monday 21 June Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton will be locked in a purpose-built glass structure, in the middle of Rundle Mall, for an entire week […]
TRENDii has announced TRENDii Ads, a new contextual advertising solution that leverages content and context to promote eCommerce products at scale around the world. TRENDii Ads is user privacy friendly and offers a new way for businesses and brands to target consumers at the moment that they are most inspired to shop. “We believe good […]
ARN and The New York Times have reached an agreement for ARN to become the advertising sales representative for The New York Times’s podcast portfolio in Australia. The deal will enable Australian brands to connect with Australian listeners to The New York Times’s most popular podcasts, such as The Daily, Serial and This American Life, […]
Verizon Media’s talent program has come to an end for the third year, closing with a hybrid pitch-off event for Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD). The Verizon Media Academy class of 2021, made up of 44 emerging leaders from across Australia and New Zealand media, advertising and marketing industry, were given just one hour to […]


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The problems for Cyberpunk 2077 continue and the future of the game is uncertain. The controversy originated from the errors of the title in performance problems in PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. To this was added a bad communication on the part of CD Projekt RED.
All this together has not only annoyed the most loyal fans of the study, as a recent report states that the employees of the study are also angry. CD Projekt RED previously justified themselves and accepted that they had not done enough work on the version of the game for last generation consoles.
However, it appears that the explanations came too late, which has generated tensions and discussions between the studio’s employees and its board of directors. As you imagine, the developers want explanations that justify the disastrous launch of the title.
Get Cyberpunk 2077 on Amazon:


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1:31Now watching Up next
Smartphone News Byte: BlackBerry CEO Says the PlayBook Will Never Get BlackBerry 10
The dozens of loyal BlackBerry PlayBook owners out there were dealt a major blow on Friday when BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins said that he'd stopped plans to bring the new BlackBerry 10 platform to BlackBerry's 7-inch tablet. Heins said that he was "not satisfied with the user experience" that BlackBerry 10 provided on the PlayBook, which led him to make the "difficult decision" to stop the plan and instead focus on the company's core hardware products. While the news is certainly disappointing for PlayBook fans, it's not entirely surprising since the tablet didn't sell well when it launched two years ago and Heins has largely been cool to the idea of making a new version of the device. Samsung won perhaps its most significant victory to date when it defended an import ban with the U.S. International Trade Commission against various Apple products. The agency granted the company a limited exclusion order against older iPhone and iPad models, including the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. Microsoft continues to throw money down the Windows Phone well, perhaps buoyed by signs its ongoing marketing and platform support efforts are shifting the needle a few fractions. More evidence ? presumably ? of Ballmer?s money-throwing commitment to make its smartphone OS stick: carrier Telefonica has announced it will be collaborating with Microsoft to ?promote and foster sales? of Windows Phone 8.
iHeartRadio Music Festival 2014 (2 Day Event)
Tune in on Friday September 19th and Saturday September 20th to watch the iHeartRadio Music Festival LIVE.
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The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted
Music video by The Airborne Toxic Event performing All I Ever Wanted. (C) 2011 The Island Def Jam Music Group
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Guy drops iPhone 6 after queuing all night
Jack Cooksey was being interviewed on TV when he dropped the brand new iPhone.
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Vanity Code - How to Create a Viral Video (You'll Need a Cigarette-Smoking Panda)
Your boss wants to see results. You need a viral video, and quick. Have any adorable animals nearby? A child saying unexpected things? Viral-video gold.
Drive By Truckers - Drive By Truckers LIVE Concert
Tune in on Thursday, September 18th to watch Drive By Truckers perform LIVE from the South Side Ballroom, in Dallas, TX. Catch a new LIVE concert from Live Nation, on <a href="https://screen.yahoo.com/live"> Yahoo Live </a>daily, 365 days a year.
4:01Now watching Up next
Pitbull - Fireball
Music video by Pitbull performing Fireball. (C) 2014 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
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Brain Facts Your Brain Doesn’t Know About
How much does your brain know about itself?
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Lady Antebellum - I Did With You
Music video by Lady Antebellum performing I Did With You. (C) 2014 Relativity Music Group, LLC
2:30Now watching Up next
'The Judge' Trailer 2


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Toshiba has unveiled a 7-inch Android tablet creatively dubbed the Toshiba Tablet (AT1S0). The device, which will be available at the end of next month with a recommended retail price of $449, runs version 3.2 of Google's Android platform.
The AT1S0 tablet has an LED backlit multitouch touchscreen with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The tablet uses NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chipset.
The Wi-Fi-only tablet includes 8GB of internal storage as well as a microSD card slot, an Micro USB port and a Micro HDMI port.
It also includes two high-definition cameras, GPS and Bluetooth.
Like the Toshiba Tablet (AT1SO), Amazon's recently announced Kindle Fire has a 7-inch display. Other competing 7-inch tablets include 7-inch the Lenovo Ideapad A1 and the Acer Iconia Tab A100.


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Aldi's Specialbuys are absolutely legendary and the latest product from the supermarket is a laundry gamechanger.
Impressively, the product from the German supermarket can be yours for less than £30.
This should save you time and money - and it's proving so popular that customers are already being sent into a frenzy.
Aldi operates multiple stores in Birmingham having opened its first UK store right here in the city back in the 1990s.
The days of drying out clothes in the summer sun seem to be behind us so we have months of hanging wet washing indoors to look forward to.
Fortunately Aldi has a solution that means you won't need to cover your radiators with damp pants - and it should cut your drying time.
The heated airer should use less juice than a tumble dryer and means you won''t have to turn the central heating on just yet, reports the Daily Record .
Normally on the pricey side, Aldi's is a bargain at just £28.99, compared with £40 elsewhere.
It's available online and in store as one of their Specialbuys. For more information click here .
One customer left a gushing review over the product as we head into the winter months.
The shopper, seemingly pleased with their purchase, said: "Great buy, Bought this last time it was on offer.
"It is light, folds easily takes up little room when not in use. Clothes are dry in no time."
Aldi has a list of all its stores on its website, giving you the chance to scout out your nearest chance of buying the item.
Shoppers can find their closest Aldi supermarket by clicking on the link.


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Join with prime gaming leaders in Los Angeles at GamesBeat Summit 2023 this Might 22-23. Register right here.
Warner Bros. Interactive and Avalanche Software program revealed immediately that their lately launched Harry Potter sport, Hogwarts Legacy, has offered over 12 million items inside its first two weeks of launch. It additionally made $850 million in international gross sales. The title additionally set information on Twitch, being the most important single-player sport launch on the streaming platform. It hit 1.28 million concurrent gamers at its peak.
In accordance with Warner Bros., Hogwarts Legacy is now essentially the most profitable sport within the Wizarding World/Harry Potter franchise. David Haddad, president of Warner Bros Video games, mentioned in an announcement, “Our improvement workforce at Avalanche delivered a tremendous, high-quality Wizarding World expertise that really fulfills the fan fantasy of life at Hogwarts and our publishing groups have executed a globally impactful launch marketing campaign.”
The writer additionally revealed gamers have put 280 million hours into Hogwarts Legacy already. Along with the sport’s success, Warner Bros additionally reported an increase in engagement with the general franchise, together with a 300% rise in visitors on Wizarding World web sites.
The sport’s launch has been shrouded by controversy, with some avid gamers calling for a boycott over the alleged transphobic views of the Wizarding World creator, J.Okay. Rowling. Whereas Rowling didn’t have lively involvement in Hogwarts Legacy’s improvement, she advantages financially from its success.
GamesBeat’s creed when protecting the sport trade is “the place ardour meets enterprise.” What does this imply? We need to let you know how the information issues to you — not simply as a decision-maker at a sport studio, but in addition as a fan of video games. Whether or not you learn our articles, take heed to our podcasts, or watch our movies, GamesBeat will provide help to be taught in regards to the trade and revel in partaking with it. Uncover our Briefings.


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Consulting giant snaps up leading climate-focused advisors as it moves to beef up its climate risk and net zero transition expertise
McKinsey & Company has beefed up its presence in the green economy, after yesterday announcing it has snapped up leading climate and energy consultancy Vivid Economics and climate analytics specialist...
Bank of America, BlackRock, and Amundi deliver latest landmark green finance moves, as reports suggest leading banks are poised to beef up their decarbonisation strategies
Swedish tanker shipping giant sets out roadmap to decarbonise its fleet, as it steps up focus on zero emissions technologies and carbon neutral fuels
Supermarket announces it will gradually phase out 'bags for life' from all its stores over the coming year


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Moving to a new office can force businesses to leave lots of furniture behind. This could lead to a prime opportunity for waste, even if the company is trying hard to stay environmentally friendly. What’s the use in looking for a green office if you end up creating a mess on your way out? For a true impact on their carbon footprint, businesses need to think about the process from the beginning and not simply consign their furniture to the landfill.
Carbon49 recently looked at this issue by referencing an office renovation from 2013. According to this source, Chevron managed to avoid creating 537 tons of waste while renovating its Calgary office, including both equipment and furniture. With this and other models to go on, businesses should remember the commitment it takes to avoid the landfill and keep things green.
Working with office furniture liquidators is a beneficial alternative to excess waste. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies furniture under “durable goods,” as opposed to nondurable materials like paper and paperboard.
According to an EPA report, durable goods alone generated a total of 51.5 million tons of weight in 2013, with recovery accounting for 18 percent of generation.
While this is close to the amount of nondurable goods generated in the same year, (51.60 million tons) the data still shows a large amount of waste for businesses to address.
There’s one more reason to choose Northern California used office furniture liquidators: the local advantage. In addition to handling furniture effectively, liquidators based near your office will have less distance to travel, consume less energy while doing so and contribute more to the immediate community. Right away, you can make a socially responsible decision.
Have a big move coming up? Don’t discard furniture you could be putting to better use.


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Gold Rate in Pakistan today on, 31st August 2021
KARACHI – Today Per tola of 24-karat gold rate in Pakistan, Karachi (31st August 2021) was being sold at Rs 108000 on Tuesday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was Rs 92590 at the closing of trading. Likewise,10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs 84874 and a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 98999.
Gold Rate in Pakistan Today
Here you can see the updated price of Gold (Last Updated, 31st August 2021)
Karachi Is the main hub for Gold Rate, Every City Follows Karachi Sarafa Bazar Association For Gold Rate, Today Gold Rate for different Cities Including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, And Multan, Etc.
|Gold Rate||24K Gold||22K Gold||21K Gold|
|per Tola Gold||Rs. 108500||RS 101288||RS 96680|
|per 10 Gram||Rs. 93021||RS 85270||RS 81918|
|per Gram Gold||Rs. 8388||RS 8684||RS 8289|
BOL News keeps an eye on today’s Gold Rates in Pakistan, Karachi, and international markets on both a daily and weekly basis. Check latest Gold prices updated on BOL news’s official website.
There will be an additional tax on the electricity bills of those who work from home
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) member Internal Revenue Operations Qaiser Iqbal has...
Shipment of imported sugar for utility stores reached Pakistan
A consignment of 28,760 metric tonnes of imported sugar has reached Pakistan....
FBR server disruption, difficulties for online tax return submitters
Online Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) server disruptions have caused severe problems...
Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline last week, with...
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has imposed new conditions on loans
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has imposed new conditions on loans...


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TERA’S Summer Festival Has Begun on Console
Summertime has officially hit TERA on console, as the Summer Festival has begun. Going from Today until July 30th, and also features a wealth of quests and mini-games to experience in-game. There’s also the TERA: Swimsuit Trio Pack for 4.99 (50% off the regular 9.99 price) and it includes three swimsuits for the character of your choice, along with a random beach accessor. TERA is also being featured in the Xbox Ultimate Game Sale.
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Face masks will soon be compulsory for shoppers in England, after the government announced plans to implement new coronavirus protection measures.
From midnight on Friday 24 July, masks will be required by law when in shops, supermarkets, banks, post offices and indoor shopping centres - as well as on public transport.
While you do not need to wear a mask in a pub or restaurant, if you are buying food to take away (such as from a cafe or coffee shop) you will be legally required to wear a mask on the premesis.
In Scotland, masks are already compulsory in shops, whereas in Wales and Northern Ireland they are encouraged but not required by law.
Scientific advice states that when used correctly, face coverings can reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets, and can protect others from catching the virus.
Those caught without a mask, or who refuse to wear one, can be fined up to £100 by the police. This will drop to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Shops will have the right to refuse entry to anyone who refuses to comply with the new law.
It is also strongly recommended that masks are worn in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing is difficult or where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.
When do you have to wear a mask?
Masks will become compulsory inside shops, supermarkets, banks, post offices, indoor shopping centres and when buying takeaway food on Friday 24 July.
The law changes at midnight.
Who doesn’t have to wear a mask?
Children under the age of 11, and those with a disability that impacts their ability to wear or remove a mask, are exempt from the new law.
The government has stated that shop workers do not have to wear a mask under the law, however companies should consider recommending them where appropriate.
You also do not need to wear a mask if you are with someone who relies on lip reading to communicate.
Masks can be briefly removed for the purpose of age identification by staff, when eating or drinking and to take medication.
How to wear a face covering
A face mask can be a reusable or single-use face covering, or it can be a scarf, bandana, or religious garment.
A face covering should cover your nose and mouth, while still allowing you to breathe comfortably.
Ideally a face covering will have at least two layers of fabric, and be made from a breathable fabric such as cotton.
Unless the mask is disposable, it should be washed in the same way as other laundry items.
You should not share face masks with others, and should wash hands thoroughly before putting the mask on.


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Hero MotoCorp Joins Hands With HPCL To Set Up EV Charging Infrastructure Across India
Hero MotoCorp and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered into a collaboration to establish charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the country.
As a part of the initiative, the companies will set-up charging infrastructure for two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) across the country, thereby providing a fillip to mass mobility’s transition towards an electrified future, Hero Motocorp said in a statement on Tuesday (20 September).
"The two companies will first establish charging infrastructure at HPCL’s existing network of nationwide energy stations, with the likelihood of subsequently broadening the collaboration for supplementary business opportunities," the company said.
In the first phase, charging stations will be set up in select cities, which will then be expanded to other key markets with the aim of establishing a high density of EV charging station network across the country, it added.
Hero MotoCorp will lead the infrastructure development for the charging network.
Each charging station will feature multiple smart and fast chargers, including DC and AC chargers that will be available to all two-wheeled EVs.
The entire user charging experience will be controlled by a Hero MotoCorp Mobile-App, based on a cashless transaction model, the company said.
The HPCL energy station network will also provide accelerated opportunities to expand the scope of operations and services, it added.
“We believe that a smooth and rapid adoption of EVs will be possible only when the customers have easy and convenient access to the supporting infrastructure, especially public charging, and our collaboration with HPCL will go a long way in meeting this requirement," said Hero Motocorp chairman and CEO Pawan Munjal.
“With our vast network comprising more than 20,000 retail outlets & Hero MotoCorp having its strong presence in two wheeler segment bring a unique strategic partnership to create a pan India electric charging infrastructure & providing end- to-end EV charging solutions," said HPCL chairman and managing director Pushp Kumar Joshi.
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Kepler Capital Markets reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Glanbia (OTCMKTS:GLAPF) in a report released on Sunday, AnalystRatings.com reports.
GLAPF has been the topic of several other research reports. Credit Suisse Group assumed coverage on shares of Glanbia in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Glanbia in a research note on Friday, August 14th.
GLAPF opened at $10.50 on Friday. Glanbia has a fifty-two week low of $9.30 and a fifty-two week high of $12.76. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $10.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.93.
Glanbia plc operates as a nutrition company. It operates through three segments: Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Glanbia Nutritionals, and Glanbia Ireland. The Glanbia Performance Nutrition segment manufactures and sells sports nutrition and lifestyle nutrition products in various formats, including powders, ready-to-eat bars and snacking foods, and ready-to-drink beverages through various channels, such as specialty retail, e-Commerce, and gyms, as well the food, drug, mass, and club channels.
Featured Article: What is the return on assets (ROA) ratio?
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Facebook originally filed a lawsuit against Power Ventures and its now-defunct Power.com site, which billed itself as a portal for users’ social media accounts, in December 2008, claiming that Power.com accessed and stored users’ login information without permission. U.S. District Judge James Ware ruled in favor of the social network in February 2012, and Thursday, Facebook was awarded more than $3 million in damages, as well as a permanent injunction against Power Ventures and its founder, Steve Vachani.
Last week we learned of the outcome of Facebook’s lawsuit with Power Ventures aka Power.com – terms of service violations are not criminal offenses. This was somewhat of a loss for Facebook, and they don’t want users talking about it now.
Just last month Brazil-based Power.com launched a social networking aggregator that brought together your activity from across Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, and Hi5, to name a few. But just weeks after revealing its putlic beta, Power.com is being sued by none other than Facebook itself.
As a social networking aggregator Power.com doesn’t appear to be doing anything wrong, but the way in which it’s accessing Facebook user data is non-compliant with Facebook’s terms. According to The New York Times, Facebook has spent over a month in discussions with Power.com to try to reach an agreement in regards to accessing user data, but no agreement could be reached. As a result, Facebook has filed a complaint against Power.com in Unied Sates Disctrict Court in San Jose, California, for copyright and trademark infringement, unlawful competition and violation of the computer fraud and abuse act, among other charges.
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Verlasso inks deal for Texas distribution
In a new collaboration announced Wednesday, Houston-based seafood distributor Louisiana Foods will distribute Verlasso’s “harmoniously raised salmon” throughout the Texas market.
“Verlasso uses less resources and creates a quality fish with a great-tasting mild flavor and silky texture — a win for the environment, the oceans and consumers,” said Jim Gossen, founder and chairman of Louisiana Foods, whose 40-year-old company was acquired by Sysco in August.
“Oceans produce resources that we continuously take from but never replenish. In order to continue feeding consumers the seafood they crave, we have to recognize that the future is sustainable aquaculture, and the future of aquaculture is Verlasso,” added Gossen. “No other producer can match the Verlasso fish in, fish out ratio.”
As part of this new partnership, Verlasso will exhibit with Louisiana Foods at the Sysco Food Show on 3 October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Reliant Center in Houston. During the event, attendees will enjoy grilled Verlasso Salmon with Arugula Chimichurri prepared by Chef Jennifer Bushman, a culinary consultant for Verlasso, a brand and trademark of AquaChile.
“Verlasso has experienced steady growth over the last 11 months and we are moving full speed ahead. The goal of our partnership withLouisiana Foods is to extend our premium salmon to consumers in Texas who care about healthy, sustainable and delicious salmon,” said Scott Nichols, director of Verlasso. “Louisiana Foods shares our philosophy of sourcing fish in a way that ensures it will meet global demand for years to come. We’re a natural fit to fulfill Louisiana Food’s goal to offer sustainable seafood to its retail customers and their shoppers.”


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Stores That Will Be Closed Thanksgiving DayMore than 50 stores have already confirmed they'll be CLOSED on Thanksgiving.
The Stores Closed On ThanksgivingStores are fighting Black Friday by staying CLOSED on Thanksgiving.
Phillips Phunny: Hello... School Is ClosedA principal announced a SNOW DAY with a parody of Adele's "Hello".
REI Will Be Closed On Black FridayREI is closing its stores for Black Friday and giving employees a paid day off.
Phillips Phunny: School Is ClosedA principal announced a snow day by singing "Let It Go" from "Frozen".
Secret Beauty Things Women Do Behind Closed DoorsA new survey found the top things women do in the bathroom that they're most likely to keep a secret.
Courtney's Canine Clips: Dog Thinks Glass Door Is ClosedA dog won't come inside because it thinks a glass door is closed.
270 CLOSED at Mississippi River


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NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Kate Upton sent the rumor mill for a spin after stepping out in New York City on Thursday sporting a loose fitting dress.
The 22-year-old Sports Illustrated cover girl was shopping with fellow model Lily Aldrige when pictures of her in a baggy orange dress prompted several media sites to speculate she's pregnant with boyfriend Justin Verlander's child.
The model complemented her controversial dress with beige sandals, a white crossbody bag and dark shades. Aldrige, on the other hand, wore tight shorts, a crop top and converse for the outing.
Rumors triggered by Upton's curvy frame come days after the model confessed she used to "beg" for the body she has in an excerpt from the September issue of Elle U.K.


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SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea said Thursday the accumulated number of eco-friendly cars running in the country will reach 7.85 million by 2030, in line with its vision to go fully carbon-neutral by 2050.
The target will mark a sharp rise from 820,000 units tallied in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The emission of greenhouse gases from cars will also fall 24 percent over the period.
The announcement came as a part of the five-year fourth basic plan on promoting the eco-friendly automobiles. It will later be finalized at a Cabinet meeting.
South Korea has been making efforts to penetrate deeper into the future car industry in line with its green energy drive. As of 2020, South Korea was the world’s fourth-largest exporter of electric cars and the world’s top producer of hydrogen fuel cell models.
To meet the new target, public organizations are obligated to purchase only eco-friendly cars starting this year, while more incentives will be provided to the private sector as well.
South Korea plans to install at least 120 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles this year, which would allow them to travel 300 kilometers after being charged for 20 minutes.
Parking lots will be obligated to have at least 10 charging booths for every 200 cars starting in 2022.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars will be able to reach charging stations within 30 minutes nationwide. The government said it will especially focus on building more in the greater Seoul area.
To make eco-friendly cars more affordable, South Korea said it plans to slash the price tag by at least 10 million won (US$9,200) by 2025 through tax incentives and developing home-grown parts.
Other major goals include releasing fully autonomous vehicles by 2024.
At Level 4, a vehicle can drive itself under limited conditions and will not operate if all required conditions are not satisfied. At Level 5, a vehicle’s automated driving features can drive under any conditions.
Some 1,000 auto parts makers will be transformed as future-car related businesses by 2030 as well.
Outbound shipments of eco-friendly cars, which came to 280,000 units last year, will reach 830,000 in 2025, the government said, adding such automobiles will then account for 34.6 percent of the total shipments, up from 14.6 percent posted in 2020.
South Korea shipped $37.4 billion worth of automobiles in 2020, down 13.1 percent on-year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Exports of electric cars, on the other hand, shot up 39.9 percent to reach $4.6 billion.