text:
Hunt Showdown patch 1.30 (1.6) is now rolling out for PS4 and Xbox One players. According to the official Hunt Showdown 1.30 patch notes, the latest update added new features, changes, and more. Apart from this, Hunt Showdown update 1.30 also includes stability fixes.
Previously, a major update was released with crossplay, new AI variations, new Time of Day: Sunset, new equipment and more. The long-awaited Crossplay function between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 is now available for players.
Unfortunately, many players are experiencing several issues since the release. Today’s Hunt Showdown version 1.30 update is expected to fix a few of these issues.
What is new in Hunt Showdown update 1.30 (1.6)?
- Interactive Mechanical doors now use a pitch randomization to prevent “phasing”.
- Reduced compression artifacts on many objects that produce audio (thunder, piano etc.)
- Fixed a bug that could cause Scrapbeak to get stuck.
- Fixed a bug on the death screen where Scrapbeak would not be correctly displayed as the “killer” if you died to his concertina wire.
- Fixed a bug that reduced the fire damage taken by Scrapbeak when in frenzy.
- Fixed a bug that caused shuttered windows to sound like they were Glass when hit.
- Fixed a bug that caused barrels to spawn in locations that intersect with other objects.
- Fixed a bug that caused players to become stuck on an ammo crate at Slaughterhouse.
- Fixed a bug that caused players to become stuck between some crates and the ceiling at Cyrpus Huts.
- Fixed a bug that prevents certain objects from rendering correctly in the underground area of Healing Waters Church.
- Fixed an exploit in Blanchett Graves that allowed players to reach an area that should not be accessible.
- Fixed several exploit spots in Lockbay docks that allowed player to get kills in an unfair manner.
- Fixed a bug that could cause the spider to get stuck inside the walls at Golden Acres.
- Fixed some geometry issues tied to the walkways at Fort Carmick.
- Improvements made the landscape around the spawn at Iron works.
- Fixed several exploit spots in Lawson Station that allowed player to get kills in an unfair manner
- Fixed an issue that prevented the display of the Bomblance hit marker when attacking a boss that is in frenzy.
- Fixed the missing “sell all” progress circle that should appear when holding the action shortcut in the store.
- Fixed a bug that caused the “leave group” button to not be disabled when the player is ready.
- Fixed a bug that reset the filters when going from the ‘upgrades’ to the ‘equipment’ tab.
- Fixed the incorrectly translated ‘Unlock’ pop up (Russian language).
- Fixed a bug that caused issues with the view contract shortcut where it did not work correctly for a new host in a group.
- Fixed a bug that caused the wrong ammo capacity to be displayed in the store for the Bomblance.
- Fixed some bugs that resulted in some inconsistent naming for ammo types.
- Fixed a bug that caused some legendary weapons to change position in the arsenal list when bought or sold.
- Fixed a bug that caused the sensitivity settings while in “Gunslinger mode” to not grey out.
- Fixed a bug where locked DLC’s were showing as buyable (button not greyed out as intended).
- Fixed a bug that resulted in some inconsistencies with the ‘rending’ icons in the store and roster tabs.
Read full Hunt Showdown update 1.6 patch notes here.
Download free Hunt Showdown patch 1.30 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.


text:
The government, on the direction of FATF has issued the ordinance to prevent the smuggling of currency and gold from the country, under which heavy penalty would be laid on the smugglers
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 01st January, 2020) The government, on the direction of FATF has issued the ordinance to prevent the smuggling of Currency and gold from the country, under which heavy penalty would be laid on the smugglers.The spokesperson of FBR , Dr Hamid Atiq briefed the media here on Wednesday .He told the journalists that Tax Amendment Ordinance 2019 , which has been signed by the President of Pakistan on 26th December , which mentioned that if someone would be caught while smuggling more than 10,000 USD or 15 tola gold would be punished for two years term and fine would be levied on him four times of the value of confiscated money or gold from his possession.
He said that during first six months of current financial year total revenues of Rs 2083 billion are collected , which is 16.3 percent more than the previous year's correspondent period. However the decrease in exports caused the fall of collection of customs duty by Rs336 billion ."FBR is committed to take the business community on board . We refunded Rs 103 billion to the businessmen and refund of Rs 39 billion are in the pipeline, whereas the refunds in the first half of the last financial years were just Rs 36 billion.
He said that Chairman FBR decided not to take any action against those people , who would become filer till next June, rather only tax evaders would be taken to the law. Till now some 186 retailers points of sale have been linked with the system of FBR, whereas about 40 retailers are connected online . Now FBR would attach 20,000 big shops with the point of sale system , whereas in the first tier , about 4700 large shops would be connected with the system.

domain: news


text:
The Korean carmaker is said to be targeting evergreen Toyota Prius customers with its new model, but it won’t be staring the Prius down with a direct competitor.
Instead, Kia is said to be combining elements from both the hybrid and compact SUV markets in a new model designed to capitalise on their respective - and current - popularity.
The UK’s Auto Express claims to have previewed the new model in a ‘no camera’ session at Kia’s new Namyang design centre, near Seoul, and reports the SUV will carry styling elements from Kia’s 2012 Niro concept.
While the Niro offshoot won’t be Kia’s first hybrid, it will be the first model from the Korean carmaker to be powered exclusively by a hybrid unit.
Kia already offers the Optima, Soul and others with hybrid options in various markets, and the carmaker already has a hybrid SUV in its line-up with the Sportage.
None of those models are currently offered to Australian customers with hybrid power, and Kia Australia’s COO, Damien Meredith, revealed in July that the situation is not about to change.
At the time, Mr Meredith said the Niro may preview a future compact SUV, but the model would likely target the US and Chinese markets only.
MORE: Kia Optima T-Hybrid: Diesel-Electric Sedan Revealed
MORE News & Reviews: Kia | Hybrid | SUV
- Interested in buying KIA ? Visit our KIA showroom for more information.


text:
That may not sound like much, but it’s a lot for a Chromebook at this point. Most of the Chromebooks we’ve reviewed lately offer 32 or even 16GB of storage, because until recently Chromebooks haven’t needed a lot of local storage. So not many devices offer it. Google’s $1,300 Google Pixel offers 64GB of storage, Lilputting is reporting, but not many others do. So the new Asus Chromebook C301SA offering 64GB for $300 is a nice surprise.
The new Chromebook isn’t yet available, but is listed at B&H as “coming soon”. Photos reveal a brushed metal exterior and a thick black bezel.
The Asus Chromebook C301SA is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Celeron N3160 quad-core processor, and offers 4GB of DDR3 memory. The 1920 by 1080 display is 13.3 inches.
You’ll find a couple of USB 3.0 ports, along with HDMI for external displays. And if the 64GB of storage isn’t enough for all those Android apps you plan on installing, there’s also an SD card slot.
This suggests that Asus expects storage to be on the minds of Chromebook shoppers, something which until recently wasn’t assumed at all.
And it isn’t just laptop makers who are preparing a Chrome OS full of Android apps for the problem of storage. Google added a storage manager to a recent Chrome OS release, allowing users to closely monitor how much free storage they have and what’s taking up all that room. It’s not the kind of feature the web-oriented system bothered to have until now.
It will be interesting to see how other Chromebook makers follow up. 64GB solid state drives aren’t likely to drive up the price of Chromebooks by much, and could soon become a key selling point, especially as Google rolls out Google Play and Android apps to more devices.
- ChatGPT: how to use the viral AI chatbot that everyone’s talking about
- The Framework Laptop 16 is officially my most anticipated laptop
- Bing Chat: how to use Microsoft’s own version of ChatGPT
- The Windows 11 taskbar is getting an important new update
- 6 things I want to see in the new iMac


text:
There seems to be no shortage of cool plastic doodads that people can make using their home 3D printer – but really big, structurally sound pieces are few and far between. The Amsterdam-based research and development company MX3D has been focused on changing that. Delving into the world of 2-wheeled creations, the crew has developed the innovative 3D printed, stainless steel arc bike.
A few months ago, students at TU Delft, one of the top engineering schools in the world, teamed up with MX3D to build a kind of ‘proof of concept’ for their unique style of 3D printing. The MX3D printing arms produce steel wires in any form by way of stacking spot welds on top of one another. The team isn’t claiming this is the most efficient way of building a frame – but it sure is a striking one. Built with a fixed gear, this bike is sleek, simple, and structurally sound. This model isn’t for sale, but hey – if you want to go and try to print one, no one is stopping you.


text:
The Essex girl took to Twitter last night to defend the supplements company who have sparked public outrage with their “beach body ready” posters featuring a slim model in a bikini.
The 28-year-old claimed that the brand was “promoting a healthy lifestyle” and that she would not buy the product if the ad featured a “fat person”.
“Why are protein companies getting slated for advertising with FIT looking models. These companies are promoting a healthy lifestyle not starvation tactics, she wrote.
“There's never been so many mainstream ways of getting fit & healthy with fitness programmes, these companies promote exercise alongside protein powders. People should try it before they start vandalising advertisements.
“So how about people start fat shaming on adverts for ‘plus sized’ clothing companies. Disgraceful.
“End of the day the woman on the advert exudes health and looks fit. would buy it based on that over a pic of a fat person. It's common sense,” she added.
Her comments were met with heavy criticism from her followers.
"Totally irresponsible tweet on your part but hey, keeps you in the media hey? #irresponsiblebrat," one wrote.
Maria’s tweets also followed the row that erupted after Loose Women’s Jamelia claimed that high street shops should not cater for overweight customers and plus-sized clothes “facilitate an unhealthy lifestyle”.


text:
As we roll toward the June sale of the Polaroid collection in New York, The Art Newspaper runs another story expressing the frustration of some artists whose work is in the collection. Today it’s Chuck Close. And though it is not Close’s responsibility to save the collection from a sale, the fact that no one has organized a purchase of the collection outright remains a central question to the story.
That’s further underscored by these two paragraphs in The Art Newspaper story:
“Nothing would be worse than a piecemeal sale,” said William Ewing, director of the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne, which holds a separate 4,500 works on loan. “I am hopeful that the entire collection, or at least our works, will be sold to a single buyer that will agree to leave them to the museum.”
Supporters of the “Impossible Project”, a Netherlands-based company which last month produced a new analogue instant film for Polaroid cameras, “recently placed a binding offer to purchase” the works at Lausanne, according to Marlene Kelnreiter, press spokeswoman.Continue Reading


text:
Met Gala 2019: All that you need to know about the biggest fashion event of the year
May 07, 2019 | Features
Print Prowl: Animal patterns surpass market territory
Apr 01, 2019 | Features
Kunal Rawal’s latest millennial-approved collection fuses Neo-Traditionalism with modernity at Lakmé Fashion Week
Feb 04, 2019 | Features
Anavila taps Vietnam’s Sa Pa tribe for her SS’19 organic collection at Lakme Fashion Week
Feb 02, 2019 | Features
Jun 18, 2019 | Features
Jun 07, 2019 | Features
Apart from the glam and razzmatazz associated with fashion weeks in general, the main idea behind an entire event such as this is to facilitate commercials for the creativity being put up.
Dec 15, 2018 | Features
The Pantone Color Institute has announced Living Coral as the Colour of the Year for 2019, a peachy, vivid tone which encourages light-hearted activity.
Dec 13, 2018 | Features
The Supreme Court of India passed a verdict abdicating Section 377 that decriminalizes homosexuality in India. This opens up a plethora of new opportunities for Indian designers and brands who can leverage the verdict to drive sales. Apparel Resources discusses…
Sep 06, 2018 | Features
Reliance Industries Ltd in partnership with United Nations in India and Lakmé Fashion Week have launched Circular Design Challenge at the ongoing Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2018. This challenge was introduced to distinguish fashion and product designers who uphold the sustainability banner high in India.
Aug 24, 2018 | Features
The boom in travel and leisure has directly impacted swimwear and beachwear... An analysis of market demand and opportunity areas for brands and retailers to consider.
Aug 14, 2018 | Features
Top Fabric Trends materials that last longer, perform better and have a sense of natural protection embedded in them without forgoing the fashion factor will be the winners going forward.
Jul 12, 2018 | Features
What ruled the ramps, what’s trending, who is collaborating with who, latest brand launches, and trends breaking the fashion market.
Popular In Business
Jun 25, 2019 | Retail
Jun 24, 2019 | Sustainability
Jun 23, 2019 | Retail
Be the first one to get the updates on many other interesting reads.
Jun 18, 2019 | by Deepak Mohindra
Jun 13, 2019 | by Deepak Mohindra
Jun 06, 2019 | by Deepak Mohindra
Apr 10, 2019
Jan 29, 2019
Jan 03, 2019


text:
What if Your Internet Vanished? The Problem With Oligopolies
Imagine that you have no money.
I mean, many of us are short on money, but imagine that you actually do have funds, but can’t get to them because the online banking system is closed down.
Stores cannot process your payments.
Mobile and internet services are cut off.
Banks, debit purchases, and passport offices have been sucked behind a glass window; you can see them but not touch them.
Yesterday, one of Canada’s telecommunications provider’s wireless networks went down, nation-wide, for a day.
Police told users with problems connecting to 9–1–1 to try again if their call fails, or call from a landline or cell phone with another provider. Also, don’t bother calling 911 to report that you can’t call 911.
Distress Centres services are being affected by the outage: texts, phone calls and chats can’t come through. Our chats can’t come through, which definitely makes our service useless for people who are in distress or crisis,” said spokesperson Leslie Scott.
Interac said in a statement the outage had affected its online services. Many businesses who rely on debit transaction were unable to process them, including grocery stores and retail outlets.
Banks and ATMs saw long lines as people sought to withdraw cash.
Bars and fast-food restaurants operated as cash-only establishments all day. Small businesses from retail to grocery stores lost thousands of dollars. Bigger stores had to have an employee at the front entrance to tell people that they had to use cash.
Rogers Communications was the affected provider. Evidently a software coding error called a Border Gateway Protocol took the network off the Internet, causing it to be ‘invisible’ to other networks:
This is serious, because there are only three providers in Canada; more than 90% of our wireless service is provided by telecom giants Bell Canada, TELUS Corporation, and Rogers Communications.


text:
Manufacturer Part Number:15098277
UPC:Does not apply
Tracking Devices for Sale
THE BOSS of BBC hit Top Gear says the presenters' childish antics are a success because they are a "release valve" for the increasing stresses of our working lives. Executive producer Andy Wilman said the programmes helped viewers to reconnect with their nine-year-old selves because life for adults is "bloody hard". In an interview with Radio Times, he also bemoaned the constraints of the workplace, which could be seen as a swipe at the strict levels of compliance which apply to BBC TV shows.Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700
The Audi Spectacle on Tower Bridge The picture at the top is one of a set of images (you can see them all in the gallery below) created by the Access Agency, which claims it is a concept for a series of adverts for Audi. Which it is. Sort of.Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800
Spyker Cars NV will rebuild Saab around the 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4X models if it buys the Swedish brand from General Motors Co., Spyker CEO Victor Muller says. Plans for a Saab 9-1 entry-level car would be put on hold. Muller said Saab would maintain its headquarters, engineering and production in Trollhattan, Sweden, under Spyker's ownership.
2002-2003 Chevy Trailblazer Envoy >< Onstar Communication Unit >< 15098277 on 2040-parts.com
Fort Morgan, Colorado, United States


text:
Home Tags Chickens
May is National Egg Month, and we're celebrating with some fun farm facts about eggs.
Technology advancements keep Alabama's poultry industry on the cutting edge.
Georgia poultry farmers turn a by-product into an asset.
The Georgia Poultry Laboratory's new facility serves the poultry industry.
Technology improves conditions, efficiencies.
Poultry industry helps drive Georgia's economy.
Crack open some facts about the delicious egg.
Alabama's poultry industry improves genetics, efficiency, technology and husbandry.


text:
There’s a good chance that you’ve already become addicted to Funko’s mega-popular line of POP! vinyl toys. I resisted for an admirably long stretch of time, but with so many horror icons to choose from, I ultimately found it impossible to not fall down the rabbit hole.
Villains like Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael Myers, Pinhead, and Trick ‘r Treat‘s Sam have all found their way into the POP! line, and today the fan website Pop Vinyl has announced that The Exorcist‘s Regan MacNeil will be joining them later this year.
Regan is wearing her signature blue pajamas, which she has just decorated with some tasty green vomit. Restraints tied to her wrists and gnarly cuts all over her face, this adorably terrifying toy depicts the young girl in her fully possessed form, and she’ll hit stores in October.
There are precious few Exorcist toys out there, the three that are currently available coming our way from NECA. In addition to a bobble head, the company also released a toy based on the infamous spider-walk scene, as well as a boxed set that featured head-spinning action.
Needless to say, a brand new Exorcist toy is something to be excited about. Check out the Regan MacNeil POP! vinyl toy below!


text:
News by Luke Jones on Monday August 04, 2014.
|Sponsored links, if any, appear in green.|
It has not been a good few weeks for Samsung as the company's mobile division has been subjected to several rounds of bad news. It is not over yet though as it emerged today that the Korean company's hold in China has been lessened by Xiaomi, a home grown company in the country.Samsung's recent woes have seen the company's mobile division fall by 31% amid declining sales, market share, and profit. One of the roadmaps for renewed growth detailed last week was that Samsung would target the Chinese market with better quality and more affordable handsets. China is considered one of the most important markets and the next frontier for substantial growth. Samsung has topped the mobile market there and it is one of the only places where it can get away from Apple's looming presence as the iPhone is not a huge seller in China. However, while Cupertino is less of a threat in the market, China's own Xiaomi is, and the brand thumped Samsung during the second quarter of this year. Xiaomi is known for building ultra-affordable but good quality smartphones that are exclusive to China, although the company is looking to expand in Asia and beyond. It is one of the brands that has eaten into Samsung's market share, and in China it does not look good for the Galaxy S5 maker. In fact, Xiaomi's is a whopping 39%, while Samsung has slipped to have just 12% of the market, the same as another Chinese manufacturer, Lenovo. Yet another Chinese giant, Huawei, is not far behind with 11%. Samsung's prediction that it will record growth (if not renewed profit) during the remainder of the year seems like an ever distant hope. source: Android and Me
Luke Jones is the Managing Editor at MobileBurn.com and is the person you need to speak to about the content on the site. Luke studied creative writing at degree level before carving out a reputation as a freelance tech writer. He settled here at MobileBurn, where he reviews devices and contributes to the news, as well as overseeing the site's content and direction.


text:
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — Increasing amounts of alternative protein sources are being sold in grocery stores amid great fanfare and intensive marketing.
That might have meat producers pondering their futures.
Plant-based competitors to meat, such as Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger, are in the market for the long-term and most people are likely to try them along with their regular meat purchases, said the editor of Meatingplace, Lisa Keefe.
Tyson, Cargill, Maple Leaf, Nestle, JBS and Unilever have invested in the alternative market, so the sector likely has a future, said Keefe at the Canadian Meat Council annual meeting held earlier this year in Niagara Falls.
The California-based company, Beyond Meat, issued a public share offering on the Nasdaq exchange, offering US$25 shares and raised $240 million. That gave the company a market cap of $1.5 billion, said Keefe.
About $16 billion was invested in plant based foods between 2009-18 with most of the financing coming in the last two years.
Revenues for these companies are hard to track but they are not running roughshod over other food corporations just yet. Coca Cola Corp., for example, reported a net profit of $6 billion from revenues of $32 billion last year, she said.
For some meat producers, these products are in direct competition to their industry, but in reality beef and pork sales are in good shape, said market analyst Kevin Grier.
“Despite what you read and hear, the meat industry is strong,” Grier told the meat council, which represents packers and processors.
Beef and pork per capita consumption in Canada and the United States has declined steadily since 1983 but on the demand side, the industry has made a strong turnaround starting in about 2014, said Grier.
“The demand for red meat is pretty darned good in Canada and the United States,” he said.
“Red meat demand in Canada and the United States is very positive. The product that you are producing is a product that is in strong demand by consumers. That is a big change from a lot of years,” he said.
Annual growth rates at the manufacturing level from 2013-18 showed the red meat industry has outpaced general food processing.
At retail, meat makes up about 20 percent of total food store sales, behind only beverages and vegetables.
As well, strong international demand improves the outlook.
“Growth in red meat exports has been exemplary in the last five years,” Grier said.
Last year, Canada exported a record 398,580 tonnes of beef worth $2.75 billion and 1.3 billion kilograms of pork worth $3.9 billion.
The threats to the industry’s competitiveness are the high price of feed barley, lack of growth in livestock herds and a critical shortage of labour.
The Agriculture Horticulture Development Board in the United Kingdom tracks international costs of production for hogs. Canada is competitive in terms of hog production.
However, the beef sector shows problems.
A recent study for the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association compared Alberta to Kansas, Texas and Nebraska. In the last year, Alberta has fallen behind because of the high cost of feed grain and higher taxes, said Grier, who participated in the review.
On the pork processing side, revenue generated from muscle cuts is relatively close between the U.S. and Canada. Facility costs are higher in Canada but they are falling more in line with the U.S.
In beef, facility costs are higher in Canada and probably less revenue is garnered on beef muscles or inedible products.
As well, meat companies continue to struggle with a labour shortage. More production and more value-added products could be generated if there were enough workers.


text:
Alight Analytics, the industry leader in marketing analytics, has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest, according to Inc. magazine.
The Kansas City company, which delivers end-to-end analytics solutions for marketers, is ranked No. 204 on the magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest list. Alight has appeared on the national Inc. 5000 list five years in a row.
“The Midwest isn’t just Alight’s home — it’s been the launching pad for every success we’ve had as a company,” said Matt Hertig, Alight’s CEO and co-founder. “While we serve clients across North America today, our first partners were Midwestern agencies and brands. Their partnership has given us the support we need to begin and continue growing.”
Alight Analytics has created a suite of end-to-end analytics solutions that bring together the technology, services and strategy that marketers need to measure performance, align marketing and sales, optimize marketing spend and plan more effective, more efficient campaigns.
Those solutions run on ChannelMix, Alight’s marketing intelligence platform, and are supported by Alight’s team of data engineers, tracking experts, report builders and other analytics specialists. Everything is available on a turnkey, on-demand basis.
“Our analytics solutions give marketers everything they need in one holistic package,” said Michelle Jacobs, Alight’s president and co-founder. “They don’t have to add staff or invest in additional tools in order to produce advanced analysis like attribution and media mix modeling.”
The Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest list was based on percentage revenue growth between 2017 and 2019. The list includes privately held companies from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The average growth rate for the recognized companies was 199 percent.
“This list proves the power of companies in Midwest states no matter the industry,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “The impressive revenues and growth rates prove the insight and diligence of CEOs and that these businesses are here to stay.”
ABOUT ALIGHT ANALYTICS
Alight Analytics is a leading provider of marketing analytics solutions. Alight’s marketing intelligence platform, ChannelMix, delivers a holistic experience for tracking and measuring performance across all marketing and sales channels, while providing attribution and predictive intelligence to drive organizational growth.


text:
If you think the stock market’s bottom is near and are looking for companies with exposure to U.S. and China consumer spending, a key supplier of iPhone lens from Taiwan may be a good bet after its shares fell by 28% since early November.
Largan Precision’s business will benefit if a version of Apple’s iPhone 7 expected in the second half of this year builds in dual cameras as a way to improve image quality, say research reports this month by Nomura and Daiwa.
“We now expect the 5.5” version of the next iPhone, which we call as iPhone 7 Plus” to include dual cameras and be launched in the second half of 2016, Daiwa said on Jan. 21. “Largan, the main lens supplier for iPhones, should be a major beneficiary.”
Daiwa has a “buy” on Largan and said the stock has a 66% 12-month upside of NT$3,060 from its close of NT$1,900 on Jan. 20. Daiwa used a five-year trading range of the company’s price-earnings ratio, which varied from eight to 24, to come up an average of 16 times earnings and its target price for Largan’s shares. Nomura said on Jan. 15 the stock could climb to NT$3,010.
The dual-camera arrangement hasn’t been confirmed yet by Apple, said Nomura, which expects more clarity after Chinese New Year.
Largan shareholders to make the Forbes Taiwan Rich List last year included billionaire Scott Lin.
--Follow me on Twitter @rflannerychina


text:
CityCenterDC has played a key role in redefining the shopping experience in downtown Washington, putting the urban center in the nation’s capital on the map as a premier luxury destination.
In the nearly three years since it opened in December 2013, the heart of luxury shopping in the D.C. area has migrated to the mixed-use center.
The center’s tenants read like a who’s who of luxury retailers and brands.
And luxury retailers continue to line up to fill the remaining available retail space.
Bulgari is set to open a 2,800-square-foot store in early October and Tiffany & Co. will open a flagship in the second phase of development of the project that also includes the Conrad Washington D.C., a 360-room Hilton luxury hotel, slated to come online in the spring of 2019.
Two codevelopers are behind the success of CityCenterDC: Hines, a privately held international real estate firm, and Qatari Diar, the real estate development arm of the Qatar Investment Authority.
They are close to completing phase one of the 10-acre, mixed-use center located on a 4.5-block parcel bound by New York Avenue and Ninth, H and 11th streets.
When completed, it will feature more than 60 apparel stores, restaurants and cafés in approximately 220,000 square feet.
The first phase of the development is close to being fully leased and another 30,000 square feet of retail space is in active negotiations as part of phase two.
The project also includes 520,000 square feet of office space, 458 rental apartments, 216 condominiums, a 1,550-space parking garage, a public park, a central plaza and pedestrian-oriented streets and alleyways.
A third phase, controlled by a separate developer — Gould Property Co. — will include approximately 500,000 square feet of office space and 40,000 square feet of retail space.
Among the most recent luxury brands joining the tenant mix in the past few years are Dior, Moncler, Paul Stuart, Canali, CH Carolina Herrera, and Estée Lauder’s British fragrance house, Jo Malone London. They join a high-profile group of luxury names, including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, David Yurman, Salvatore Ferragamo, Loro Piana, Zadig & Voltaire and Arc’teryx.
Part of the center’s success can be attributed to the urban revival of downtown D.C. But another key component has been the ability of the developers to build a critical mass of luxury retailers tied to a successful marketing campaign that has created an experiential shopping environment.
An estimated 20 million people visit D.C. each year. There are 15,000 hotel rooms within 15 to 20 blocks of the site and the close proximity to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center has provided a stream of potential shoppers and diners to CityCenterDC.
The center is located in the heart of the nation’s capital, drawing from federal office workers, lawmakers, foreign embassies, tourists, convention goers, local residents and financial and technology industries.
Howard Riker, managing director of Hines, said the objective behind the center has been to establish CityCenterDC as Washington’s luxury shopping destination.
CityCenterDC appears to be have won the battle for that mantel. One of its main competitors — The Collection at Chevy Chase — has seen several of its luxury tenants, including Gucci, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton, leave the Wisconsin Avenue site to open stores at CityCenterDC. Tiffany & Co. is the latest in a long string of high-end retailers relocating to downtown D.C.
Riker based the success of the center on “building a critical mass of fashion and specialty and continuing to complement the opportunities downtown. Traditionally, we had four or five department stores downtown and that’s where everyone in the metro area came to shop.…”
But D.C. has gone through an urban revival transformation.
“This is a trend that we are seeing around the country and around the world,” Riker said. “One of the true benefits is that what we’ve been able to do downtown with our project is very authentic, whereas the whole town center phenomenon and a lot of the projects that have come online were trying to replicate urban experiences.”
“This is a moment where D.C. is having its own renaissance, as many other cities are having,” said Timothy Lowery, senior manager at Hines. “Until about a decade ago, most of the buildings downtown had the kind of retail that would accommodate a businessperson who was there from 9 to 5. Now you are seeing activated spaces like CityCenter and others in development where there are options for people doing things after 5 p.m. and [well into the night].”
The urban experience and critical mass of luxury retailers were a big draw for Bulgari, which is slated to open a 2,800-square-foot store in CityCenter in early October, said Daniel Paltridge, president of Bulgari North America.
“Like many brands, we had been keen to look for a site that is actually in downtown D.C. But for years there was not an obvious solution or set-up for us,” Paltridge said. “Obviously, when Hines put together the CityCenter concept, it was something that was very relevant to a number of luxury brands — Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès — which were already there.”
The historical aspect of the nation’s capital was also important to Bulgari, which has its own legacy, having been founded in Rome in 1884.
“We need to have a mix of great brands all together. We need to have the mix of retail plus dining and in a location [that] is good for traffic and good for entertainment. At the end of the day, CityCenter is very close to the convention center and there are a number of hotels going up around it as well,” Paltridge said. “We believe that when that continues to develop in the future, it is going to be a real hub for downtown Washington, D.C. We have high hopes for it.”
It took an act of Congress — four acts, to be exact — to get The Wharf development project that is situated along a mile of Washington’s waterfront off the ground.
After cutting through red tape at the federal and local levels, The Wharf is under construction and in the process of transforming the nation’s capital’s waterfront. Once completed, the massive project promises to deliver a new mixed-use concept along the Potomac River that finally gives the city something the developers said it has always lacked: a true waterfront destination.
Taking the best features other worldwide harbor cities, the developers — PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette — aim to create a new project for the 20 million annual visitors and an estimated nine million local residents within an hour’s drive of the project.
“Washington, D.C., has 26 miles of waterfront, but it has never really been embraced as a waterfront city. We’re going to change that. This is a very transformative project. It’s a deal changer,” declared Monty Hoffman, founder and chief executive officer of PN Hoffman. “This [will] provide us with a world-class waterfront. We went all over the world cherry-picking the best — from Oslo to Helsinki to Barcelona [abroad] to San Francisco, parts of Miami and Seattle in the U.S. and picked the best of these areas, hoping to bring it here.”
The $2 billion mixed-use development will cover a mile-long strip of the city’s Southwest waterfront with 3.2 million square feet of residential, office, hotel retail and cultural space, and four newly built piers, 550 boat slips and 2,500 parking spaces. It is situated on 25 acres of land and covers about 50 acres of water, which the developers had to work with the Obama administration and Congress to secure.
All told, it will have 1 million square feet of office space, 335,000 square feet of retail, 1,400 residences and 685 hotel rooms with ballroom and meeting space, fitness centers and spas.
The project has broken ground on phase one, which is set to open by Oct. 12, 2017.
The first phase will include three hotels: a Canopy boutique hotel by Hilton, a Hyatt House and an Intercontinental four-star luxury hotel. Phase one will see 800 residences, a combination of condominiums and apartments and 475,000 square feet of office space in two separate buildings.
The entertainment centerpiece of the first phase is a 6,000-seat concert hall designed by the Rockwell Group, which also designed Hollywood’s Kodak-turned-Dolby Theatre, along with 9:30 Club music impresario Seth Hurwitz.
Phase one will also include a rum distillery and a market comprising seafood, meats, cheeses and other offerings.
The Harbor’s biggest competitor could be considered another waterfront mixed-use property located about 15 miles south of D.C. on the Potomac River in Oxon Hill, Md. The property — called National Harbor — boasts more than 150 boutiques and restaurants. There are also six on-site hotels ranging from such brands as Marriott to Wyndham and the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. It also features apartments and condos as well as a giant Ferris wheel attraction.
Washington also has a small harbor community in Georgetown, replete with an intimate boardwalk and flanked by The Watergate Hotel on one end along with waterfront dining establishments.
Hoffman said the waterfront in Georgetown is about one-tenth of the size of their planned project, which will differentiate itself with its location, boat slips and piers, among other amenities.
While The Wharf will contain some of the key elements of other mixed-use developments, what the developers stress is that people will not find anything traditional about it from a retail, office, residential or entertainment perspective.
“Rather than create a retail environment that is very predictable or replicated every 10 miles within the region, we wanted to create an environment that is dynamic, that is popular today but also timeless, not very fad-driven,” said John Asadoorian, president of Asadoorian Retail Solutions.
To that end, a focal point is centered around entertainment. Not only does phase one boast the 150,000-square-foot concert hall venue, but it also features an area dubbed Pearl Street, which is something akin to Bourbon Street in New Orleans and will feature several performances along the street.
“We do not have any anchors. That’s intentional,” Hoffman said. “We don’t want traditional-style anchors. Our anchor is the concert hall, which will have 60 marquee band performances annually. Our anchors are the hotels with ballroom space, and our anchor is Pearl Street. From there, we moved into restaurants and those are also our anchors. That’s what the real draw is.”
Edward de Avila, senior development director for Madison Marquette, said, “Shifting industry demographics are forcing all real estate owners to reevaluate how they offer space to users particularly in retail. This focus is on experiential, and retail is at the center, whether you are in an urban or suburban environment. That’s why food and beverage and entertainment have become so relevant here, and why the principals here are focused on that initially. It was the right move at the right time.”
Asadoorian said they are in lease discussions with retailers as part of the soft-goods strategy, which will feature a “tightly curated mix of users.”
Several retailers are in the letter-of-intent stage of lease negotiations but the developers declined to divulge names.
“Some names are known; some are independent and offer something you can’t find elsewhere and some might be players that are coming into Washington for the first time that have relevance,” Asadoorian said.
They promise to deliver a retail environment that “speaks to how people live. If you live within walking distance and you work here and you need something that fits your lifestyle, whether it’s a pair of running shoes or makeup, this is the place you can come to.”


text:
Google’s revised mobile-first indexing deadline is coming up in the next several weeks. Google said it is going 100% into mobile-first indexing. Google moved the deadline from September 2020 to March 2021. John Mueller of Google said today the March 2021 is an approximate deadline.
This marketing news is not the copyright of Scott.Services – please click here to see the original source of this article. Author: email@example.com (Barry Schwartz)
For more SEO, PPC, internet marketing news please check out https://news.scott.services
Why not check out our SEO, PPC marketing services at https://www.scott.services


text:
BOTH THE TAX INCENTIVES AND THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR TECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS AT A GLOBAL LEVEL, ARE FACTORS THAT HAVE HELPED THE GROWTH OF EXPORTS FROM GUATEMALAN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.
Businessman from the sector determine that the most demanded services are software development, creation of Apps, video games, digital strategies to promote brands, the use of drones for studies and data analysis.
The new president of El Salvador officially took office in San Salvador on June 1st. Nayib Bukele is only 37 years old and the former mayor of the city of San Salvador. He wants to put an end to violence and poverty in the small Central American country.
Bukele surprisingly made it to the first round of the presidential elections in February. He steered the conservative candidates, breaking a trend from the past. He officially took office last Saturday. “Our country is like a sick child, and we all have to take care of it,” Bukele said when he was initiated into parliament.
The Embassy of Costa Rica to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Mission of Costa Rica to the European Union, presents its compliments to the commercial chambers of Belgium, Luxembourg and those European commercial chambers present in Brussels and has the honor to transferring the invitation of the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) to participate in the Buyers Trade Mission, that will take place in San Jose, Costa Rica from September 17 to 19, 2019.
IN ORDER TO COVER THE TRANSPORT SECTOR’S DEMAND FOR THE PERIOD 2016-2030, THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTMENT OF AROUND 2.2% OF THE GDP ON INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT THE CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES ALLOCATE, ON AVERAGE, ONLY 1.8% OF THEIR GDP.
According to the study “Logros y desafíos de la integración centroamerican: aportes de la CEPAL” (Achievements and challenges for central-american integration: ECLAC Contributions), in between 2008 and 2015, Panama was the first country that reported a major average investment on transport infrastructure, 3.68% of their GDP. The second was Honduras with 2.21% of their GDP and following was Nicaragua with 1.99%.
The data also indicates an increase in investment in the Dominican Republic to 1.32% of their GDP, in Costa Rica an increase to 1.25%, to 1.23% in Guatemala and in El Salvador to 0.93%.
DUE TO THE FISCAL BENEFITS GRANTED LAST YEAR FOR THE IMPORT OF ELECTRIC CARS, THE NUMBER OF UNITS THAT ENTERED IN COSTA RICA GREW FROM 40 IN 2017 TO 350 IN 2018.
Last year the Law of Incentives and Promotion for Electric Transport came into force, which brought fiscal benefits to the importation of electric cars; benefits such as the exoneration of 50% to a 100% on taxes for sales, consumption and customs, according to the import value of each car.
Not all the units were brand new, according to data from the Ministry of Finance, from the 350 electric vehicles imported to Costa Rica in 2018, 33% of them were second hand.


text:
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- And the Beat goes on. Or maybe it doesn't.
General Motors Corp. GM, +0.32% announced draconian plans Tuesday to suspend its dividend, slash more jobs and lower the boom on R&D spending. It softened the blow a bit by touting a strategy aimed at revamping its lineup to meet what the public wants.
The crux of these cutbacks, at least on the product side, stem from curbing the development of bigger truck-based lineup and pushing more capital towards cars and crossovers.
Are Chairman Rick Wagoner and his crew finally moving fast enough to adapt to the changing times?
"GM's product mix has a long way to go to catch up with the competition," Jessica Caldwell, analyst at car-buying research Web site Edmunds.com, said. "Management is saying the right things right now, but they're usually behind the curve and always seem to be re-correcting themselves."
The future for GM hinges on this drastically tweaked approach to the U.S. market, whose denizens no longer yearn for lumbering trucks and SUVs.
Cars like the redesigned Chevy Malibu and the upcoming Volt will likely become the new face of a company known more, at least in recent years, for its Escalades and Hummers.
The GM braintrust knows this, reminding investors during the otherwise gloomy assessment of its financial condition on Tuesday that 11 of its last 13 products and 18 of its next 19 will be cars or crossovers. See full story.
"We are conserving our capital for those things that we know will move the mark," GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said on his blog. "We will continue to cut costs and adjust to changing market demands. We will adjust our portfolio to meet the market where it is headed."
The Chevy Volt, a much-hyped hybrid capable of running on electricity for about 40 miles before turning to the small gas engine for power, is billed as a potential savior. But, considering everything falls into place, it won't be here until 2010, leaving a gaping hole in the product plans for those seeking a more attractive, fuel-sipping small car now.
Toyota and Honda, with the Yaris and Fit, already have these kinds of cars to join their hybrid lineup. And they've quickly become staples in the fastest-growing car segment.
"GM makes some really good cars abroad, and they need take advantage of what they already have in their portfolio,"
Bringing a car like the concept Chevy Beat or Cruze, originally destined for overseas markets, to the U.S. could go a long way in satisfying these customers, making GM a strong contender in the popular segment. Though timelines are hazy at best.
"The Cruze and the Beat would do very well in the U.S., which is becoming more and more like Europe and Asia in terms of consumer tastes," Caldwell said. "GM makes some really good cars abroad, and they need take advantage of what they already have in their portfolio, maybe improve upon them and manipulate them to fit U.S. tastes."
She added that GM is capable of bringing these kinds of vehicles over to the U.S. market much faster than developing a new model from scratch.
The Chevy Beat, a subcompact designed and to be built in South Korea, won't arrive in the U.S. at least until the next generation, whenever that is. Lutz made it clear during a press conference Tuesday that the car wasn't engineered for safety standards in the U.S. and a GM spokesperson confirmed there are no immediate plans to add it to the Chevrolet portfolio.
Still, the Beat is a good example of the kind of vehicle that could drive sales and help reverse the perception GM can't compete in the surging segment.
The Chevy Cruze, however, is in the pipeline, slated to eventually replace the Cobalt, which could use a facelift. GM has proven capable of reinvigorating a stalled model in the case of the Malibu, left for dead before the 2008 version drew rave reviews and pushed sales higher.
The Cruze will be available in Europe next year and is slated for production in the U.S. in 2010 at the Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant. Pricing has not been announced.
David Silver, analyst at Wall Street Strategies, said he still doesn't understand what has taken GM so long to bring some of these models to its home turf.
"The company has been dragging its feet ramping up production for the smaller cars," he said. "I think management has secretly been holding out hope that oil and gasoline prices would drop drastically and Americans would again flock to get the SUV and light trucks."
To be fair, to go along with the Cruze, Chevy has three other small cars or crossovers in the U.S. pipeline in the next three years, including a redesigned Aveo, the Traverse midsize crossover and a new version of the Equinox compact crossover.
A few years from now, GM's lineup will hardly be recognizable to those that have followed the automaker's product path over the past 100 years. Now it's all about small, not big. Miles per gallon, not horsepower. Four cylinders, not V-8s. And, of course, cars not trucks.
Caldwell isn't necessarily convinced the revamp will be enough.
"The Volt and cars like the Cruze should put GM on the right track, but they're still playing catch-up," she said. "GM is reacting to market dynamics now with products coming out in two or three years. Who knows if by then they'll be too late and miss the mark again."


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Bundt cakes join the Memphis dessert train
The growing Memphis dessert community of cupcakes, frozen yogurt and cheesecakes is getting another entry.
Las Vegas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes, which specializes in Bundt cakes is opening its first Memphis location at 5679 Poplar Avenue, Suite 102.
“We’ve learned that Bundt cakes hold a special place in the heart of consumers across the nation, as many folks can remember a loved one baking a special Bundt cake just for them,” Dena Tripp, co-founder of Nothing Bundt Cakes, said in a statement. “Our franchisees are not only an integral part of our growth strategy, but they are also an integral part of connecting to the community through the love of the handmade Bundt cake.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes has 81 locations in 19 states across the U.S. Its cakes range from single serving to large, which can serve between 18 and 26 people.
The company will celebrate a grand opening during the week of Jan. 13, when it will host the Memphis Child Advocacy Center and the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce at its location. The Child Advocacy Center will receive 20 percent of sales Jan. 15. Jan. 17 will also include a Bubble and Bundts event where customers can taste popular cakes that will be served with sparkling wine.
Jan. 18, the first 50 customers who buy a cake will win free Bundtlets for a year, with a limit of one per month.
"It is so important to give back and we are really pleased to be supporting the Memphis Child Advocacy Center,” Amy Lupo, co-owner of the Memphis location, said in a statement. “They are doing amazing work, and we are thrilled to support them with proceeds from the sale of our cakes. We look forward to a long-standing partnership with this great organization.
Michael Sheffield covers bioscience and biotechnology; manufacturing; tourism and hospitality; and sports business. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.org.
- Most popular
- Carlisle Corp.: One Beale tower 'coming soon'
- Gordmans to vacate one of its Memphis stores
- Presenting the 2014 Memphis Favorites winners
- Google sues the state of Mississippi
- New butcher shop and cafe combo in East Memphis
- College conferences raking in big money from football bowl games this
- Memphis firm expands after striking WD-40 distribution deal
- Gigabit Internet coming to Mid-South, just not Memphis
- Memphis Tigers ready for first bowl game in 6 years
- Olymbec steps in as RE-CY backs out of Memphis purchase
US – Director of Sales (Coated Label Products) Green Bay Packaging Inc. | Green Bay, WI
Sales Manager NOVACOPY | Memphis, TN
RN or LPN Signature HealthCARE, LLC | Memphis, TN
Entry Level Sales / Customer Service – Part time / Full Time Vector Marketing | Collierville, TN
Computer Science Instructor Concorde Career Colleges, Inc. | Southaven, MS


text:
Financial literacy has never been more crucial with many looking for budgeting tips to reduce spending.
With gas prices and inflation at record highs, Canadians are trying to find more ways to make their paycheques last a little longer. According to a poll done by Angus Reid, inflation has been taking a toll on Canadian’s bank accounts with 47 percent of Canadians not able to save over the last month and 68 percent planning to cut back on major purchases, education, or activities this year. Two-thirds of Canadians (67 percent) believe inflation will be worse a year from now, that number raises to three-in-four in the Prairies and Atlantic Canada.
Financial literacy has never been more crucial with many looking for budgeting tips to reduce sacrificing things like travel, dining out, shopping, etc. In the hopes to aid Canadians, financial expert Jessica Moorhouse created the following key budgeting tips.
Track your spending
In the words of Jessica Moorhouse, “Tracking your spending and making it your monthly ritual is the best way to get your finances in control.” Jessica feels that the best approach is to create a customized spreadsheet to help Canadians get a better sense of their expenses, though there are apps that can aid you in this.
Change your mindset about cutting your spending
Cutting expenses does not always need to be a drastic step. To Jessica, it is about becoming more intentional with what Canadians buy. “Instead of blindly following some cliché savings tip, do this instead. Take a look at your spending and cut out anything that does not align with your personal values or does not bring you joy.”
Make a shopping list and save in advance
Shopping lists are great for the grocery store but creating lists before shopping in person or online could help Canadians from making needless purchases.
Have a wallet reminder
This is a tip that gives you a couple of extra seconds to think about your purchases before purchasing. According to Jessica, the tip works like this, “You may have never heard of this little trick before, but it is so simple and so effective. Put a card-sized piece of paper in your wallet, in the windowed space where you had normally put your driver’s license. On that piece of paper, write down, your top savings goals to keep you accountable, or a piece of advice that will help you close up that wallet and walk away from the checkout counter or close your Internet browser.”
Shop online and find cash back options
With prices soaring higher and higher, earning Cash Back on all purchases will give Canadians a bit more to spend with. [Check out the options.]
For more information on Jessica’s tips and recommendations go to her website at https://jessicamoorhouse.com/how-to-save-money-with-rising-costs/
To learn more about the polls done by Angus Reid go to https://angusreid.org/inflation-rate-bank-of-canada-june-2022/


text:
THIS is exactly the kinds of thinking we need to be doing. I’ve said it for a long time that we need to find a way to make fuel out of the things that NO ONE wants and is plentiful. (Kudzu…) Add coffee grounds to the growing list of things that could be a biodiesel source. I know many people use spent coffee grounds as a fertilizer of sorts, but the article reports that they estimate that spent coffee grounds could contribute over 300 million gallons of biodiesel around the world (I assume annually.)
The conversion process taking the oils from the grounds and converting to a biodiesel was cheap, the excess solids can be used as compost and is more stable than traditional biodiesels. Waste coffee grounds contain as much as 20% oil.


text:
A judge in a Chinese court may have thrown a wrench into Apple’s smooth-running retail operations after finding that the Taiwanese-owned company Proview Technology owns the trademark for the iPad.
More specifically, the Financial Times reported, Proview has owned the trademark for “IPAD” for years, and the two companies have disagreed over whether or not a 2006 deal that granted Apple the “global trademark” to the name in several countries included rights for China or not.
The ruling, from the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, denied Apple’s request to brand it the rightful owner of the IPAD trademark in China. Apple can appeal the decision.
If Apple loses its fight to stop a block on its products due to trademark infringement, it might have to stop selling its tablet in the two Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Huizhou, the report said.
Apple has made no secret of ambitions to charge into the Chinese consumer market; Apple CEO Tim Cook has said publicly several times that China is one of the company’s largest potential growth markets.
The news comes at a time when Apple is embroiled in several intellectual property disputes with makers of Android-based smartphones over software copyright infringement. Those cases have so far tended to swing in Apple’s favor, but this trademark dispute appears to be the exception.


text:
May 24, 2022
Few industries benefited from the COVID-19 crisis like the advertising and marketing industry. The pandemic helped create the WFM culture and accelerated the digitization process, increasing the demand from small, large and medium businesses to strengthen their online presence.
Because of their impact, it’s no surprise that advertising and marketing companies have grown exponentially. Here’s a list of the biggest ads and marketing companies by market cap.


text:
The Adidas Yeezy 350 Cleats have had quite a run over the past few weeks. After their official unveiling on Sept. 13, Adidas released the Kanye West-designed football cleats to the public on Sept. 15. The cleats sold out within minutes, and the buzz was only further amplified when the NFL banned the cleats from on-field action. Now that things have calmed down a bit, one YouTuber found a way to turn the spiked cleats into a wearable sneaker.
YouTube user RetroSnickers, who specializes in vintage sneaker restorations, fused the upper of the Adidas Yeezy 350 Cleat with the midsole of the Adidas Ultra Boost. However, instead of simply showing off the final product, RetroSnickers provides a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the process, including a rundown of all the materials and tools required to make it happen.
In the end, the customization went off without a hitch, and RetroSnickers was able to effectively turn the football cleats into a functional sneaker. Watch the entire process in the clip below.


text:
DARWIN – 9 January 2012
Darwin held its spot in the 2011 Australian top 20 destinations list compiled by leading accommodation website Wotif.com.
The list is based on more than 250,000 bookings per month by Wotif.com customers in 2011.
General Manager Wotif Brands Megan Magill said all Northern Territory destinations managed to retain their places in 2011, with no changes from 2010.
“There was no change to the top five booked destinations in the Northern Territory in 2011 compared to the year before,” Ms Magill said.
“It’s been a challenging year for the tourism trade in the Northern Territory.


text:
The twentysomething-year-old Israeli founders of
, a yet-to-be-launched "contact-management" Web site based in Redwood Shores, Calif., recently paid about $400,000 for that killer domain name. That sounded like a lot of money just a few months ago. But the young company was spending money from its venture capitalists, including
in Silicon Valley, and in light of the $7.5 million incubator
has paid for the name business.com, perhaps the Israelis got a bargain.
So when I first became familiar with
, a Santa Barbara, Calif., company that's been around since 1993, and makes messaging software for Internet applications, I had one thought: They don't need that name.
After all, companies that are focused on
kinds of software likely would be more than willing to fork over at least $7.5 million for such a moniker.
, for example, could make hay with the name Software.com. Newly public
, while exploiting an admired brand name in consumer software, really wants to be so much more than an antivirus company. And, of course,
-- would be much better off with software.com, methinks.
Software.com CEO John MacFarlane begs to differ.
"The name is actually quite appropriate," he asserts, pointing out that Software.com had its name long before most of us knew how to say "dot-com." He says just answering the phone at the company was a challenge in the early days because callers had trouble processing the name. The name is golden today of course, though probably not the reason Software.com's shares have rocketed from below 20 after its midsummer initial public offering to 108 1/4 Friday. The success has come from Software.com counting many of the top telecommunications companies as its customers.
SiliconStreet: Join the discussion on
Still, MacFarlane says that folks call "from time to time" to inquire about the name. Beyond.com in particular wanted the name before abandoning Software.net, but Software.com wasn't interested in selling.
Everyone -- and every company -- has its price, of course. Apparently Software.com's price just isn't $7.5 million.
And Briefly, on the VC Front
, the Mountain View, Calif., company that enjoyed a fawning, full-bore article about itself in
The New York Times Magazine
before it had a product, will announce today something even better than good publicity: It's raised more money and recruited a major investment banker to its board.
According to ePinions, Brad Koenig, who heads the
technology banking group in Menlo Park, Calif., is becoming a director. Not surprisingly, Goldman Sachs is becoming an investor as well. Goldman, together with
(a pre-IPO backer of
) and previous investors
, is investing a total of $25 million. The company raised $8 million earlier in the year.
The ePinions press release even has a comment from Goldman Internet analyst Michael Parekh, who normally passes judgment on public companies. Is there any doubt who will take this company public?
ePinions sports a cool concept: totally unbiased opinions from experts and users on consumer items from autos and home appliances to ski resorts and cell phones. It also rates banks and online brokerages, but not traditional investment banks or venture-capital firms (admittedly not consumer services). Still, an unbiased view of those industries at ePinions would be a viewpoint worth reading.
Also from VC land, Accel Partners will ballyhoo today the closing of its latest Internet fund and some of its high-profile investors: Dell,
. Top executives from another slew of leading Internet companies also have invested in the fund.
For those unclear on how this all works, follow the money-generation recipe: VC firm invests in startups and makes a killing, sometimes taking them public, sometimes selling them to big corporations; VC firm raises additional money and takes in big corporate partners and successful entrepreneurs as investors, promising to make them more money; VC firm makes a killing for its investors (the big corporations and prominent executives) by taking the start-ups public or selling them to big corporations and then makes investments in new startups founded by, guess who, executives from big corporations and previously successful entrepreneurs; repeat.
fin de siecle
Check out part two of today's column: a review of the Credit Suisse First Boston technology conference.
Adam Lashinsky's column appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In keeping with TSC's editorial policy, he doesn't own or short individual stocks, although he owns stock in TheStreet.com. He also doesn't invest in hedge funds or other private investment partnerships. Lashinsky writes a column for Fortune called the Wired Investor, and is a frequent commentator on public radio's Marketplace program. He welcomes your feedback at
Edie Yates assisted with the reporting of this column.


text:
Apple's iPhone will debut June 29, the company announced in new television commercials that aired last weekend on the CBS news show 60 Minutes.
The Friday release date gets the iPhone under Apple's self-imposed wire by just a day. Apple has repeatedly said it would unveil its first-ever cell phone this month.
Bloggers, analysts and other pundits have been picking iPhone dates for weeks, with June 11, June 15 and June 20 among the possible first-purchase days. The tag line at the end of each commercial sets the record straight: "Coming June 29." Presumably, the iPhone will be available in Apple and AT&T retail and online stores that day, and not simply ready for preorder.
Three commercials touting the iPhone have been posted to Apple's web site. Dubbed "Never Been an iPod," "How To" and "Calamari," the 30-second ads promote the phone's music and video play, its basic operation, and the connection between seeing a giant squid in a movie playing on an iPhone and a hunger for calamari.


text:
Next BigFuture, a leading blockchain software company, is announcing a blockchain-based certification program.
The company is seeking to bring certification to the blockchain technology ecosystem, and its goal is to provide blockchain technology certifications to the public.
The blockchain certification program, blockchain-certified developers, blockchain companies, and blockchain companies will collaborate to create a new blockchain certification model that allows blockchain developers, developers and organizations to work together on blockchain certification projects and provide certifications, said Next Big Futures President and CEO Chris Meech in a statement.
The program is open to any developer or company with a blockchain certificate, and participants will be given the opportunity to participate in the blockchain certification process.
The process will provide certifiers with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide the best blockchain certification experience, which can ultimately benefit the industry and consumers.
The certification process will take three months, and will involve at least three participants.
Participants will receive a certification to be included in the Next Big Promise Blockchain Certification Program, and are encouraged to join the Next Good blockchain certification.
The first blockchain certification in Next Big futures’ blockchain certification platform will be issued to the Ethereum blockchain developer community.
The Next Big Hope blockchain certification certification will be available in the coming weeks and months.
The platform’s blockchain certification has been the first blockchain certifications of its kind in the world, Meeich said.
The new blockchain-chain certification model enables blockchain developers to participate with blockchain companies in blockchain certification, and to have their certifications validated.
The system is also expected to be used to train blockchain certifiers for the next wave of blockchain certification applications.
“We are committed to creating a secure blockchain certification system that will allow blockchain companies to work with the blockchain community,” Meeching said.
“This new blockchain system will allow companies to have an identity, the blockchain and the blockchain ecosystem.
We are also excited to be partnering with the Ethereum community to create the blockchain-Certified Ethereum developer community.”
Blockchain certification in the next generation of blockchain applications will be developed to address the following challenges: A blockchain is a distributed database that stores and verifies the information contained in blocks, or “blocks”.
A blockchain’s blockchain database can contain a range of public and private keys, and each blockchain contains a record of the block chain, the public key of the blockchain, and a record that describes the public chain that contains the block’s blockchain data.
The public chain is the public record of all the blocks and is maintained by the blockchain itself.
The private chain is used by the individual blockchain developer and can be accessed by the developer only by creating a private key that is unique to that individual.
Blockchain data can be validated by a blockchain, as long as that data is stored in the public ledger.
The use of a blockchain’s private key allows the developer to verify that the private chain data is correct, and is therefore used by blockchain companies and developers alike to verify their own blockchain data, and other blockchain data in the network.
The developers will be able to validate the blockchain data by using a blockchain database.
This blockchain database will include a public key, a private secret, and an encryption key.
The encryption key is used to verify data in a blockchain.
When an encryption algorithm is applied to the data in that blockchain database, the data will be validated.
Blockchain companies and blockchain certifier groups will be allowed to submit blockchain-compliant blockchain applications, and these applications will then be evaluated for their blockchain compliance and certified.
The application is a blockchain application, meaning it contains a blockchain data and its blockchain application is part of a decentralized application platform.
Blockchain certification will allow developers to work on blockchain applications on a blockchain with their peers.
For example, a blockchain developer could be the creator of a block that includes a blockchain and a public/private key pair, but they would not be responsible for the validation of that data in their blockchain application.
A blockchain application developer could create a blockchain that includes data from their own application and would not have to validate that data or their application in the decentralized blockchain.
The developer could also submit a blockchain to a blockchain platform and participate in a certification process to ensure that their application is compliant with the requirements of the decentralized application.
This certification process is the next step of the certification process for developers and developers will also be required to submit their blockchain applications for evaluation by blockchain certification organizations.
Next Big future has been a founding member of the Ethereum Foundation, and has received funding from the Ethereum foundation, The DAO, the Bitcoin Foundation, the OpenLedger Foundation, The Open-Source Foundation, Coin Center, and the Ethereum Community Foundation.
The OpenLedgers team, along with the Blockchain Certification Alliance, has partnered with Next Big to create Next Big, the Next Next Generation Blockchain Certification Platform.
NextBig, along the way, has raised $6.3 million in seed funding from a wide range of partners, including Andreessen Horowitz, Digital


text:
Sampa USA proudly announces the grand opening of the new warehouse in Chicago, Illinois. Strategically located in Romeoville, IL, 35 miles southwest of Chicago, with fast access to the interstate network.
40,000 sqft warehouse will serve customers with 2,500 SKUs in the northern tier of the US, and several Canadian provinces. By doubling inventory capacity in North America, Sampa USA will be providing more efficient service, and support to OEM and the aftermarket, with a faster and more competitive delivery cost.
The countdown for the grand opening of the new warehouse has begun, and the ongoing expansion across the continent will continue with additional strategically located warehouses in the North.
We are Sampa. We are unique.
We're Ready for the IANA Intermodal Expo 2023
IANA Intermodal Expo 2023 will take place from September 11th to 13th in Long Beach, CA. Sampa USA team is excited about introducing our complete suspension systems.Read More >
The Turkish Women's Volleyball Team are the European Champions
The Turkish Women's Volleyball Team, also known as the "Sultans of The Net", are the European Champions!Read More >
We Hosted Our Esteemed Guests from Political World of Turkey
AK Parti Samsun Deputies, Mr Orhan Kırcalı and Mr Ersan Aksu, along with AK Parti Chairman of the Election Coordination Center, Mr Ali İhsan Yavuz, and AK Party Samsun Provincial Head, Mr Mehmet Köse, visited our Samsun campus.Read More >


text:
Adcock Ingram And CFR Reach Agreement Regarding The Proposed Creation Of A Uniquely Diversified Emerging Markets Pharmaceuticals Company
11 September 2013
In a joint announcement released on the JSE News Service today, Adcock Ingram Holdings Limited (Adcock Ingram) and CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A. (CFR) of Chile said the companies had concluded a transaction implementation agreement, which could see CFR acquire 100% of the ordinary shares of Adcock Ingram in a deal worth R12.6 billlion (approximately US$1.3 billion). The combination of Adcock Ingram and CFR would create a substantial and uniquely diversified emerging markets multinational, targeting patients across Latin America, Africa, South East Asia and India. The emerging markets pharmaceutical leader would have combined revenues of approximately R12.1 billion (approximately US$1.3 billion) and an asset base of approximately R215 billion (approximately US$21.5 billion).
The proposed offer price of R73.51 per ordinary share represents a 31% premium to the unaffected Adcock Ingram share price of R56.20 on 20 March 2013. The proposed offer price is currently worth R75.92 per ordinary share based on the closing price of CFR shares on the Santiago Stock Exchange on 10 September 2013.
A minimum of 51% and maximum of 64.3% of the proposed offer price would be settled in cash and a minimum of 35.7% and maximum of 49% in new CFR shares. CFR plans to seek a secondary listing on the JSE in a first of its kind transaction in South Africa.
The potential offer would represent foreign direct investment for South Africa of more than R12.6 billion and, through the proposed secondary listing of CFR on the JSE, would enhance South Africa's profile as an investment destination.
CFR and Adcock Ingram have completed reciprocal due diligence of each other's businesses. The potential offer, however, remains subject to certain pre-conditions. Adcock Ingram's Independent Board is of the view that the CFR proposal is the most favourable proposal received to date. Subject to the fulfilment of the pre-conditions and receipt of a favourable independent expert opinion, the Adcock Ingram Independent Board intends to recommend that its shareholders vote in favour of the proposed transaction.
Commenting on today's announcement, Chairman of Adcock Ingram Dr Khotso Mokhele said: "We have reached a significant milestone for both the Independent Board's process and our discussions with CFR, which are now far advanced. The CFR proposal remains the most favourable received to date and is evidence of our commitment to maximise value for our shareholders. It is superior in terms of proposed offer price, conditionality, strategic rationale, future value creation potential and execution risk. Importantly, it will ensure that South Africa remains core to the merged company thus delivering value not only to our shareholders, but also to our employees and South Africa at large. CFR also understands the importance and value of empowerment."
Adcock Ingram would be a central part of the combined business, generating approximately 40% of group revenues. Synergies stand to be unlocked through complementary product portfolios, business structures, geographical presence and manufacturing footprints. The consolidated manufacturing footprints will drive efficiencies and cost reductions, while also generating further investment into Adcock's factories. This is expected to have a positive effect on long-term employment and will drive exports from South Africa, in line with the South African government's strategic objectives for the country, as well as CFR's commitment to preserve and grow jobs within Adcock Ingram.
CFR's CEO, Alejandro Weinstein added: "We have committed to growing Adcock's business and plan to transfer a number products to Adcock's South African and Indian factories, which would help drive job creation and exports. Together, our combined businesses are expected to generate significant revenue and cost synergies, with an estimated net present value of approximately R4.4 billion. We would be uniquely positioned to capitalise on attractive market opportunities in South America, Africa and South East Asia."
CFR has concluded non-binding memoranda of understanding with Adcock Ingram's BEE shareholders, comprising both strategic BEE shareholders and qualifying staff, to remain invested in the company. Participants in each of Adcock's employee incentive schemes would also benefit from either the acceleration of their share options or an equitable offer from CFR.
In addition, CFR has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Baxter, the multinational partner for Adcock Ingram's hospital products division, to secure existing licensing, distribution and supply arrangements. Subject to final agreement, Baxter will irrevocably undertake to consent to the change in shareholding should the transaction be implemented.
Newswire Conference Call
Adcock Ingram and CFR will host a media conference call at 16h30 today
Dial in details:
+27 11 535 3600
0800 200 648
And ask to be put through to the Adcock Ingram conference call.
About CFR Pharmaceuticals
CFR is a multinational emerging markets pharmaceutical company. Similar to Adcock Ingram, CFR's roots lie in a family business which was started in 1922 by Mr Nicolas Weinstein. Today it is a well-respected business listed on the Santiago stock exchange and managed by the third generation of the Weinstein family. Since 1990, under the leadership of current CEO, Mr Alejandro Weinstein, CFR has successfully expanded beyond Chile into other countries in Latin America and other emerging markets. Today, CFR employs over 7000 people and has a market leading presence in Chile, Peru and Colombia. It also has operations in 12 other countries in Latin America and a growing presence in other emerging and niche markets including Canada, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
It specialises in the development, production and commercialization of specialty-brand generic drugs, including products sold under prescription. In 2012, CFR generated revenues of US$757 million. It recently reported strong 2H earnings for FY2013 and has a current market capitalisation more than US$2 billion. For more information go to www.cfr-corp.com
About the Chilean Business Environment
Chile is widely accepted as an attractive business environment, as evidenced by the presence of many foreign multinational's regional offices in Santiago. Chile is ranked 20th, immediately behind the US, in the 2012 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. South Africa ranks 69th.
Chile's sound regulation, combined with political and economic stability, has boosted foreign direct investment. This grew by 32% to more than US $30 billion in 2012, ranking Chile in the world's top 10 in foreign capital inflows for the first time. According to UNCTAD, FDI inflows to SA fell to $4.6bn in 2012 from $6bn in 2011.
In the past 20 years, Chile has recorded an average annual per capita growth of 3.8 % and per capita income almost doubled in real terms. The World Bank predicts GDP growth of 4.7% in 2013, almost double the expected 2.8 % for South Africa. Gross National Income per capita is US$14,280 for 2012, again almost double South Africa's $ 7,610.
The pharmaceutical market in Chile and neighbouring Latin American countries is one of the fastest growing in the world, due to rapid population growth and increasing life expectancy. According to Global Data, the total market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 10% over the next seven years (Source: Global Data)
About Adcock Ingram
Adcock Ingram is a leading South African pharmaceutical company. The company provides an extensive portfolio of branded and generic medicines, is the market leader in over-the-counter brands, and is South Africa's largest supplier of hospital and critical care products. Adcock Ingram has expanded its manufacturing and marketing expertise in to the Rest of Africa and India and continues to maintain its focus on the acquisition of businesses and brands in high-growth emerging markets. African investments include Zimbabwe, Ghana and Kenya. For more information go to www.adcock.com
For Adcock Ingram: Brunswick
Tel: +27 11 502 7300
+27 83 253 0478; [email protected]
+27 72 690 1230; [email protected]
For CFR: College Hill
+27 82 654 9241; [email protected]


text:
Forrester analysts recommend that companies similarly measure the return on investment that blogging brings.
General Motors' auto business hasn't been great of late, but its blogging strategy is paying off handsomely.
In 2006, the company's FastLane blog delivered an estimated $410,470 worth of customer insight and marketing at an approximate cost of $255,675 -- a return on investment of 67% -- according to a newly released report from Forrester Research.
Compare that to 2005, when GM's blog generated an estimated $578,374 worth of information and publicity at an approximate cost of $291,196. That's a 99% return on investment.
Forrester analysts Charlene Li and Chloe Stromberg chose GM as the subject of their case study to demonstrate that companies can and should measure the ROI of blogging.
"As blogging becomes more visible -- and expensive in terms of both time and money -- supporting blogging with informal budgets and borrowed resources just won't cut it," their report says. "Instead, marketers need to understand how and why blogging will affect their particular businesses, and calculating the ROI of blogging is the process by which marketers can obtain this understanding."
Li and Stromberg concede that it's difficult to calculate the ROI of blogging accurately, noting that indirect benefits can be hard to measure. "How do you assign a dollar value to the ideas sparked by a Web dialogue between an executive and a company's customers?" they ask.
And when you do assign a dollar value, as Forrester did in the case of GM, it's difficult to be sure the value is fair. Take the imputed value of the FastLane blog, which is based largely on the assumption that press coverage of the blog is worth what it would cost to buy an ad in the publication where the article appeared. That may be an inflated estimate if, as research firms such as Outsell have suggested, print ads are overvalued compared to online ads today.
Moreover, given that Forrester's estimate of GM's 2007 blog ROI will drop to 39% in 2007 -- mainly the result of diminishing novelty and press interest -- there's an argument to be made that companies should leave blogging to those employees who do it out of passion and off the books, rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on enterprise blogging tools.
But for companies committed to blogging, it may be comforting to know that ROI is a real possibility rather than a pipe dream.
How Enterprises Are Attacking the IT Security EnterpriseTo learn more about what organizations are doing to tackle attacks and threats we surveyed a group of 300 IT and infosec professionals to find out what their biggest IT security challenges are and what they're doing to defend against today's threats. Download the report to see what they're saying.
Infographic: The State of DevOps in 2017Is DevOps helping organizations reduce costs and time-to-market for software releases? What's getting in the way of DevOps adoption? Find out in this InformationWeek and Interop ITX infographic on the state of DevOps in 2017.
2017 State of IT ReportIn today's technology-driven world, "innovation" has become a basic expectation. IT leaders are tasked with making technical magic, improving customer experience, and boosting the bottom line -- yet often without any increase to the IT budget. How are organizations striking the balance between new initiatives and cost control? Download our report to learn about the biggest challenges and how savvy IT executives are overcoming them.


text:
What is in this article?:
- A newly completed winery, brewery and food-processing complex at the University of California, Davis, is set to begin operations as the most environmentally sophisticated complex of its kind in the world.
- The $20 million, 34,000-square-foot teaching-and-research complex is expected to be the first winery, brewery or food-processing facility to earn LEED Platinum certification.
High-tech processing systems
A technological capstone for the facility will be the world’s first wireless wine-fermentation system, a $1 million assembly of 152 wireless grape fermentors, designed, fabricated and donated by a team of research engineers led by T.J. Rodgers, founder, president and chief executive officer of San Jose, Calif.-based Cypress Semiconductor.
Each of the 200-liter, electro-polished, stainless steel fermentors is individually equipped for automated control of temperature and the “pump-over” process, controlling two of the most important factors in determining final wine characteristics and quality.
Additionally, newly designed fermentor sensors frequently and precisely extract and transmit sugar-concentration data from white and red fermentations across a wireless network. Data from the sensors can be generated every 15 minutes with a precision of 0.25 Brix, a measure of sugar content.
When completed, the winery is expected to contain one of the largest wireless networks in any fermentation facility in the world.
Meanwhile, the new brewery will provide a showcase for the latest in brewing technology, as well as a sophisticated laboratory for conducting research and training students in the science of brewing. It also is intended to provide commercial brewers and suppliers with a small-scale facility in which they can test new recipes or processes.
Good enough to eat
The general foods- and milk-processing laboratories have been designed and built to meet state and federal food- and dairy-grade standards, meaning that the products processed there are fit for human consumption during sensory and nutritional evaluations.
The food-processing pilot plant will facilitate research on a variety of topics including alternative food-processing methods and their nutritional effects; nutritional quality and shelf life of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables; nutritional enhancements from food-processing “waste” products; and improved food formulations.
The milk-processing laboratory will support research in a variety of areas including separation of milk components into functional ingredients, processing of milk that has been modified by the type of feed provided to the cows, and processing of milk from cows that were bred for specific characteristics.


text:
The zombie apocalypse isn't over yet, and the way it unfolds is entirely up to you in season two of The Walking Dead from Telltale Games. This sequel was launched on Amazon's Appstore a few weeks ago, but now it's in the Play Store, which most of you probably prefer. Hey, it's better than last time when it took three months to make the trip over to Google land.
Well, that didn't take long. Just a couple of hours after the end of Google's I/O keynote, the Android TV remote control app has burst on to the Play Store. Download it now to control all the Android TV devices in your home! Which are none. Because Android TV isn't released yet. And won't be until the fall.
If you're wondering why Google even bothered to put the app on the Play Store in the first place, it's because it's designed for the developer kits currently on display at I/O.
Google I/O is barely under way and already Google is dropping news that would be considered huge on any other day. The latest – the third piece of the Google Drive app troika has been announced. Presentation app Slides is now live in the Play Store.
Just like the previously released Docs and Sheets apps, this one plugs into Google Drive to give you full editing and document creation capability using Google's presentation tool.
Here's the gist: Google is experimenting with virtual reality displays at I/O 2014, including a new VR toolkit for developers to try out. They've also created an Android app that will let you simulate an Oculus Rift-style, dual-screen VR headset using only your phone, kind of like that Samsung rumor from last month. Here's the problem: you don't have a headset. Google I/O attendees are getting free headsets that they can build out of cardboard, which then holds their phone at optimal VR-viewing distance.
Google is taking the stage at I/O 2014 to announce a lot of really interesting stuff, but if you listen carefully, you may hear a shout out to Udacity. The official Android app has been released in conjunction with the show, allowing you to learn programming at your own pace from your Android device of choice.
Plants vs Zombies 2 launched last year with three worlds, and an update followed months later that added a fourth one with a sci-fi theme. Now Electronic Arts has rolled out another expansion of content that introduces more plants, zombies, and stages to occupy players' time. And this one is decidedly darker.
The biggest change, as the 'Dark Ages' name would suggest, is the addition of nocturnal stages. Sun power won't fall from the sky, and rather than sunflowers, players will need sun shrooms to harness light in the dark of night.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. In a conclusion to court cases that have been going around the country ever since the service started in 2012, the US Supreme Court ruled this morning that Aereo TV is in active violation of copyright law. The decision in favor of television and cable broadcasters and their corporate backers will effectively cripple the web and mobile streaming TV service, and may destroy the company altogether.
I don't think I've seen such a strange combination of traditional 2D fighting games and music-rhythm gameplay since the vastly underrated Slap-Happy Rhythm Busters. In The Rhythm of Fighters, you take SNK-Playmore's classic cast of King of Fighters characters (and a few others) and have them beat the crap out of each other. But instead of over-the-top button combinations and super moves, this game tasks you with tapping and sliding in time with the chiptune music, which will correspond with your fighter's moves.


text:
The UK games industry is expected to see strong growth in 2017, according to the latest data from TIGA, with profit and overall employment numbers rising compared to figures from last year.
In its latest Business Opinion Survey 2017 report, TIGA surveyed 50 games companies large and small across the country, and their outlook for the year was overall very positive.
88 per cent of respondents said they planned to grow their workforce over the course of the next year, up from 72 per cent last year, while 64 per cent said they expected the trend in their company's net profits to be up over the next twelve months.
Half also said that the outlook for investment in their business was more optimistic than twelve months ago. This includes investment for areas such as R&D, training and new games development.30 per cent, meanwhile, said their outlook for investment remained unchanged.
Games companies surveyed also reported their businesses were looking very healthy. 72 per cent said their company was performing well, while just 6 per cent said the company was doing badly.
It wasn't all good news, however, as 70 per cent of those surveyed said they expected company costs to increase over the course of 2017. This is up from last year's figure of 56 per cent.
Meanwhile, 40 per cent of surveyed businesses said they also expected their prices for consumers to rise in 2017. No business predicted prices to fall, however, as the remaining 60 per cent said they expected prices to remain the same.
Access to finance and discoverability were deemed to be the biggest obstacles facing the UK games industry this year, with 34 per cent apiece citing these as their primary concern for 2017. 16 per cent were also worried about skill shortages and skill gaps, but other key problems included scaling business operations, a lack of VR hardware, localisation challenges, management capacity, work peaks and troughs and overall diversity.
The UK video games development and digital publishing sector is set to grow in 2017. Our survey shows that games businesses in mobile, VR, PC and console are planning to increase investment and employment. This growth is being driven by three factors,” said TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson.
Firstly, the consumer market for games is big, broad and burgeoning. The UK is the sixth largest market for games in the world and 31.6 million people in the UK play games.
Secondly, the spread of mobile and tablet devices, the new console generation, the popularity of PC games and the advent of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are prompting investment in games.
Thirdly, Video Games Tax Relief, which TIGA played a decisive role in achieving, is fanning the flame of growth. Games Tax Relief effectively reduces the cost and risk of games development and it incentivises investment and job creation in the games industry. Games Tax Relief is predicted to create 2,800 new development jobs and 331 million in investment between 2016 and 2020.”
TIGA Chairman and Rebellion CEO and creative director Jason Kingsley added: 2017 is set to be another exciting year for the UK video games industry. We will see more start-ups, more existing firms expand and more innovation and growth in the sector. I am especially delighted that Video Games Tax Relief, a measure that TIGA consistently campaigned for over many years, is helping to drive growth in our sector.”


text: SPORTSWEAR manufacturing giants; Adidas have continued to maintain their own part of the bargain for the Super Eagles as it turned our new designs for the national team ahead of their encounter against the Amavuvbi of Rwanda on Wednesday.At the weekend, Equipment Manager, Chidi Ngoka and Team Scribe, Dayo Achor Enebi, took delivery of the wears and guess what, it was Dickson Etuhu who was the first to don the house wear version of the kits.'It's a New Year and we are happy with the new kits and we hope to celebrate the new design with a victory in Kigali ,' Enebi said. All the players and officials received the new sets of jerseys with glee and the promise is that it would bring new tidings to the team.'These kits are simply wonderful and Nigerians should pray that we come out victorious in the new kits because we have prepared well enough for the match', declared Team Coordinator Emmanuel Atta. Click here to read full news..


text:
Former Fresno Bee publisher Ray Steele will be recognized with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s top community recognition, the Leon S. Peters Award, at the chamber’s annual Valley Business Awards luncheon next week.
The luncheon is from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Fresno Convention Center’s New Exhibit Hall, 848 M St. in downtown Fresno.
In addition to the Peters award for Steele, the chamber will also present its array of Entrepreneur of the Year awards: the Harold Zinkin Award for enterprises in business for more than seven years businesses, going to menswear retailer Patrick James; the Rising Star Award for businesses that are seven or fewer years old, to Deli Delicious; the College Entrepreneur Award to Broadway Motion Design; and the High School Entrepreneur Award to Poppy’s Jam.
Tickets to the luncheon are priced at $55 per person or $440 for an eight-person table. Details: Fresno Chamber of Commerce, (559) 495-4800, email@example.com, or online at fresnochamber.com/attend-valley-business-awards-luncheon.