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JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KMIZ)
A bill that would allow state and local governments to collect online sales tax from companies without a physical presence in Missouri won House approval Thursday.
House Bill 554, sponsored by Rep. J. Eggleston, R-Maysville, would allow for the collection of a use tax from online businesses not physically located in Missouri. Eggleston says this bill is intended to even out the playing field for local businesses to compete with online companies.
Missouri is one of the only two states in the country that does not collect tax from online businesses located outside of the state. Purchases from businesses such as Etsy, Ebay and Wayfair will include a use tax if this bill is passed.
Ray McCarty with Associated Industries of Missouri said his is one of the many organizations in support of this bill.
"Our businesses in the state of Missouri that sell over the internet to Missouri customers are charging sales and use taxes now while companies outside of the state of Missouri are selling to those same customers are not," McCarty said.
Many local businesses were affected by the pandemic and some were unable to reopen because of the losses they suffered. Customers were forced to find new ways to shop for necessities when everything shut down. Many of those customers continued with online shopping rather than shopping locally because there was no additional tax and also for the convenience.
Boone County voters rejected a local use tax measure two years ago. Boone County Northern District Commissioner Jan Thompson said "a lot of local businesses didn't seem to understand that this would help them, so they didn't come out in support of it when we put it on the ballot last time."
Thompson said some may have not understood that this was not a new tax but rather a tax at the same rate as if they were to shop locally.
"There's always a better way to explain it and I'm certain we didn't do as good of a job as we should have," Thompson said.
Thompson has strongly supported the idea of a use tax or Wayfair tax because she believes it will help to support local businesses and government.
"That tax would then go to services that government provides, it would go to serve the streets, for law enforcement for all of the things that we rely on," Thompson said.
Thomspon said these online companies use Missouri roads in order to deliver products purchased by Missourians but do not contribute to the upkeep.
The Senate has already passed a similar online sales tax bill.


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Apple Addresses Crackling Bug Via iOS 11.0.2
Apple today released iOS 11.0.2 for the iPhone and iPad. The minor update tackles a bug that resulted in crackling during voice calls on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Apple didn't say if the release resolves other bugs. iOS 11.0.2 is free to download over the air.
Apple Improves iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with 3D Touch
Sep 9, 2015
Apple today announced the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which are enhanced versions last year's iPhones. Like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the 6s and 6s Plus have 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens, respectively, slim metal designs, and fingerprint readers built into the home button.
Apple Targets Business Users with iPad Pro
Sep 9, 2015
Apple today announced a new, larger tablet called the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro boasts a 12.9-inch screen with 2,723 by 2,048 resolution, totaling 5.2 million pixels.
Apple Releases iOS 11.1.2 to Clean Up More Bugs
Nov 16, 2017
Apple today released iOS 11.1.2 for the iPhone and iPad. This minor release primarily fixes bugs.
iPad Earns Its Own Version of Google Assistant
Mar 13, 2018
Google today announced a new version of Google Assistant specifically built for the Apple iPad. Google says Assistant on iPad can do all the same things Assistant can do on the iPhone, and yet it takes advantage of the added screen real estate of the iPad to display more information.

domain: news


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Binance granted license in Dubai while facing hurdles in Canada and UK
Under this phase, Binance will be permitted to extend limited exchange products and services to pre-qualified investors and professional financial service providers, while being monitored progressively to open access to the retail market.
Binance has experienced quite a few regulatory hurdles in 2021 and continues to do so in 2022. While having been awarded its first license in the Middle East from the Bahrain authority, the crypto platform has recently suspended its Ontario (Canada) operation for the second time, and is being closely watched by the UK FCA.
In the meantime, Binance has been granted a Virtual Asset License to enable it to operate within Dubai’s ‘test-adapt-scale’ virtual asset market model as a base for expansion into the region.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange is among the first global VA exchanges to receive a fully governed license to offer prudentially regulated crypto trading services to sophisticated investors.
Dubai has set up a specialized regulator for the VA sector and will be further developing this governed ecosystem, which ensures Binance will be able to operate its regional business from Dubai.
Progressively open access to the retail market
The Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) initial regulatory phase includes rigorous regulatory oversight and mandatory FATF compliance controls.
Under this phase, Binance will be permitted to extend limited exchange products and services to pre-qualified investors and professional financial service providers.
Binance will anchor a blockchain technology hub in the Dubai World Trade Centre, to seed new talent and build a vibrant blockchain ecosystem, while being monitored progressively to open access to the retail market.
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and CEO of Binance, said: “High standards of regulation and compliance are critical to the development and maturing of the global crypto and blockchain industry, which is why our team has been working tirelessly to demonstrate how we meet and exceed the requirements of regulators such as the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority.”
“Binance is appreciative of being awarded this license in such a progressive regime, targeting uncompromised governance and market security. The collaborative way in which Binance has been engaged to bring proven industry compliance leading experience to the Dubai ecosystem is indicative of the unique operating model that the VARA is creating for the global industry.”
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority that houses VARA, said: “The new VARA is symbolic of Dubai’s confidence in the potential of this future economy driver – if introduced with prudence and legitimacy. To this end, our regime is structured to catalyse collaboration, foster innovation, and most critically secure public interest. Onboarding Binance within the VARA is reflective of their commitment to the Dubai agenda – to provide the global industry the certainty of governance, enabled by ‘shared industry responsibility’ and legislative security for society.”


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When FaceTime over cellular first launched as a feature on iPhones and iPads back in September 2012, Apple allowed wireless carriers to determine how they’d implement it. Verizon Wireless and Sprint simply opened it up to all customers with a data plan. But AT&T, not exactly known for outstanding customer service, decided to limit FaceTime only to those customers who paid for shared data plans. The move drew the ire of iPhone and iPad users on the carrier and even drew the attention of the FCC. After public pressure mounted, AT&T took a step back and opened up FaceTime to users with LTE-equipped iDevices, but those on older models were still out of luck.
Today, the company has seemingly come to its senses, announcing on its consumer blog that FaceTime over cellular will be made available to all iPhone and iPad owners with a data plan.
Both Google and Facebook are in early talks with Skype about a possible acquisition or joint venture according to a report by Reuters. The deal could be valued at $3 billion to $4 billion. Skype is slated to do an IPO in the second half of 2011 in which it expects raise about $1 billion. A Skype acquisition by either of these companies would be beneficial.
Facebook has supposedly been looking to implement video chatting/calling in their chat service for quite some time now and this would be a perfect way to do it. Google recently enabled video calling on Android using Google Talk, but a Skype acquisition would provide Google with even better technology. And let’s not forget, an acquisition would mean Facebook or Google would gain access to Skype’s intellectual property portfolio.
By now you have most likely heard that Verizon now will be offering the iPhone as of February 3rd for existing customers and then rolling it out to everyone on the 10th. Are you considering switching from AT&T to Verizon? Here are some things you will want to know to make switching your iPhone carrier a bit easier.
First, let’s start by discussing what is the same on both AT&T and Verizon. No matter if you are on AT&T or Verizon your iPhone will feature the Retina display, the App Store, 5-megapixel camera with LED Flash, Safari web browser, iPod functionality, HD video recording, and the A4 processor.
One of the most prominent features in the Apple iPhone 4 is the ability to make handset-to-handset video calls between other iPhone 4 users through a built-in application dubbed as “FaceTime”. While this is a great feature – especially seeing as how the device has both a front and rear-facing camera – many people have been quick to point out one major flaw in the concept; FaceTime only works over WiFi. This means users that are not in range of a wireless access point cannot take advantage of FaceTime via their 3G data service. While some people have learned to live with this limitations, others have circumvented the issue altogether by using jailbroken iPhone firmware. However, amidst their recent meltdown, Skype has managed to revamp their mobile application for the iOS platform, which now allows users to conduct video calls between other Skype users – over WiFi or 3G.
While the Skype application is not as “native” as FaceTime in the sense that it’s developed by Apple, the fact of the matter is both Apple and Skype have the potential to benefit from this sofware update. You see, this introduction will likely add new users to Skype’s user-base (or refresh current users), meaning Skype will be seen as a larger and more “standard” network to conduct business on. From there, I’m sure Skype will see an influx of users on the PC and Macintosh platforms in a snowball-type effect.
If we take a look at the way people communicated before technology became a prevalent part of our every day lives, it does not take much time to realize that it was a completely different world than it is today. Today, there are a multitude of ways to communicate with other people. Mobile technology is the current hot market and will (I’m betting as well as many others) be for years to come. Companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Motorola, HTC, and the list goes on, are all looking to build the ultimate mobile communication device.
Each of these new devices improves our ability to communicate with others. Whether it be due to better social integration, video calling, or various other features, we are now more connected to each other than ever before. We have access to the Internet, email, social networks, text messages, GPS, games, applications, and of course, a telephone right in the palm of our hands. It’s incredible. But what will be the next big thing?
Recently it was reported that Skype filed for an IPO. In the filing, one particular number that stood out to me and a few others I’m sure was that Skype “users made 95 billion minutes of voice and video calls” during the first half of 2010, with a full 40 percent of those minutes being video. Stop right there. So, 40 percent of the 95 billion minutes used by Skype users in the first half of 2010 were video calls? That’s 38 billion minutes of video calling. That is amazing and it is also just what Apple needs.
A Skype acquisition by Apple would be perfect. Not only does Apple acquire Skype, it would further enhance FaceTime. As I wrote about in my previous article on FaceTime for the iPod the potential for FaceTime (or an equivalent) on Mac OS X is huge. A Skype acquisition could be the way in. You could have unlimited Skype-to-Skype, FaceTime-to-FaceTime, and with an acquisition, FaceTime-to-Skype video calls on all devices. iPhone’s, iPod’s, and Mac OS X computers.
It has been almost 5 months since the first iPad has come out and people are already wondering what the next iPad should have. Since the release of the iPhone 4, people have found some features on the phone that should be on the 2nd generation iPad. For example, people are really hoping to see a retina display on the next iPad. After using the iPhone 4 for over a month now, I couldn’t agree more. The retina display is absolutely stunning and the thought of having it on a 9.7 inch display would be even better.
That brings me to another point: screen size. People are saying that they think the next iPad should have a smaller screen. I am going to have to disagree there. After using the iPad for a little while, I don’t think I would want anything much smaller. What would be really nice is if they could somehow reduce the weight of it. Another big request is either a front facing camera, back facing camera or both. At first, I didn’t really see a need for it, but after using the iPhone 4 and its FaceTime feature, I really see an advantage to having some kind of FaceTime feature on the iPad.


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Released on = August 7, 2007, 4:34 am
Press Release Author = Michael Valentine
Industry = Financial
Press Release Summary = Sterling Card have just launched a new easy to use website where users can instantly apply online for Prepaid Debit Cards to coincide with the official launch of the brand and product which some industry insiders are already tipping to becoming a big player within the UK Prepaid MasterCard market.
Press Release Body = London, UK – Sterling Card have been officially accredited by MasterCard as issuers of their prepaid credit cards and are definitely a brand within the personal finance industry to keep an eye out for and their new website illustrates just this with its stunning graphics and flash animation along with simple interfaces making signing up for prepaid credit cards easier than ever.
Prepaid cards (other known as pay as you go debit cards) are a relatively new product to the UK market and are the perfect solution to the mounting debt crisis that the country faces as unlike traditional credit cards they do not carry hefty interest charges or the risk of getting into debt.
A prepaid MasterCard means that like a pay as you go mobile phone, holders need to put money on their account before they can use it. It is not a debit card that is linked to a bank account or credit card where holders pay for their transactions at a later date allowing its users to easily control their spending. Similarly to pre pay mobile phones, Sterling pay as you go debit cards can easily be “topped up” for free in UK Post Office branches or alternatively can be recharged online, via standing order, or direct by paying in wages onto the card. Alternatively, top-ups can be loaded onto the card in one of 500 retailers nationwide.
Michael Valentine, operations director of Sterling Card comments: “Getting a Sterling Prepaid Debit Card is the best way to enjoy the freedom and security of a MasterCard credit card without the risk of running up debts as there are NO interest fees. Also no bank account is required to get a Sterling Card and customers still get the same fraud protection as a conventional credit card. It is also ideal for travelling abroad because regular banks may charge exorbitant cash withdrawal, exchange rate and transaction charges.”
The Sterling Prepaid MasterCard is accepted globally in stores and online in approximately 25 million locations and 1 million ATMs wherever the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed. Also the chip and pin facility means that having a Sterling Card is far safer and more secure than carrying cash around with the same protections against fraud that a normal credit card offers.
This makes owning such a card not only ideal for everyday use, but also a particularly useful tool for travelling and shopping online. Another increasingly popular use for pre pay debit cards is for parents to have added peace of mind by giving an additional card to their children whilst at University. This is because they can feel safe in the knowledge that their children are not creating more debts for themselves while at University than necessary with a secure MasterCard that encourages them to manage their finances sensibly.
Unlike many other Prepaid Credit Card providers, Sterling Card’s new website is uncomplicated with everything explained in plain English. The new website lists the core benefits of applying for prepaid debit cards as follows:
• Top-up at a Post Office(R) branch or online for free
• 100% acceptance guaranteed*
• No credit history required
• No bank account required
• No hidden charges
• Stylish MasterCard design
• Accepted wherever the MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed (internationally)
• Great security for all Internet usage
• Easy online application
• Same protection against fraud that card holders would expect from a normal credit card
For more information or to apply online for a sterling card please go to www.sterlingcard.co.uk
Web Site = http://www.sterlingcard.co.uk
Details = PO Box 52768
Tel: 0208 736 0060


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Posted: August 21, 2011
Banks are now getting strict with the rules and regulations while granting approvals for credit cards for customers with no credit history. Hence, college students who have no credit history or any other financial background are finding it very difficult to avail credit cards. But, there are ways… Continue reading
Posted: February 6, 2011
The new credit card rules have introduced certain new terms that pose specific problems for those with no income. If you have no credit history and no income of your own, it might become very difficult to get credit card. But all is not lost and there are still options that will help you build… Continue reading
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SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - One day after deputies made multiple arrests after raiding several stores accused of selling illegal synthetic marijuana in Seminole County, some store owners were arrested and charged as well.
Deputies said Thursday that five more suspects were arrested Wednesday as part of their investigation.
The suspects have been identified as Faramarz Arfaee, owner of the Citgo in Altamonte
Springs; Iradj Mohamadzadeh, a clerk at the Citgo; Dib Diab, owner of Chuluota Grocery; Lydia Colon-Lopez, owner of Tobacco and Beer Outlet in Winter Springs and Angel Cabrera, a clerk at Tobacco and Beer Outlet.
In recent months, law enforcement officers said they visited convenience, liquor and tobacco stores throughout the county to ensure harmful synthetic drugs are not made available for sale.
During the visits, undercover agents said they purchased samples of suspected synthetic drugs. The drugs were then analyzed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's crime lab to identify the presence of those chemicals prohibited by emergency order or by state law.
Overall, investigators said they confiscated nearly 800 packages of synthetic and imitation drugs in their raids. Some of the illegal substances were marketed under several names, including bath salts, K2 and Spice.
Authorities said some of the confiscated packages tested positive for synthetic drugs, while others did not.
On Tuesday, agents identified four suspects as Derick Pagan-Cordova, Maged Youssef, Maurice McKnight and Nereida Pagan.
Channel 9's Tim Barber has been working the story for months, since a woman called in the fall alerting WFTV to a store in Casselberry selling the illegal synthetic drugs.
Barber contacted authorities and found the store was one of the four that was busted by the FDLE, Casselberry police and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
Over the last few months, Channel 9 learned undercover agents were purchasing samples of suspected synthetic drugs and then having them analyzed by the FDLE.
Pagan-Cordova was arrested at a Citgo on Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs.
Undercover agents said they purchased the synthetic marijuana Mr. Nice Guy Shamrocks from Pagan-Cordova. Agents said the business also had K2 and Spice but did not put them in view of the public.
Pagan-Cordova has been charged with possession of synthetic narcotics with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver and possession of drug equipment.
Youssef was arrested at Chuluota Grocery on East Seventh Street in Oviedo.
Undercover agents said they purchased the synthetic marijuana known as Mr. Nice Guy from Youssef, who has since been charged with possession and
the sale of synthetic drugs.
McKnight was taken into custody at Casselberry Liquor on State Road 436.
Agents said they were able to purchase the synthetic drug Outer Edge from McKnight. He was charged with the sale of synthetic narcotics, possession with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, possession of bath salts and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon.
Pagan was arrested in Casselberry and charged with the sale of imitation drugs and possession of drug equipment.
Authorities said they successfully purchased imitation drugs and paraphernalia from Pagan at Tobacco and Beer Outlet on State Road 434.
Authorities said the synthetic drugs purchased at Tobacco and Beer Outlet did not test positive for the banned chemicals so Lopez and Pagan were only charged with selling imitation drugs.
Lopez allegedly told authorities she wanted to sell a natural alternative to the banned substances, but deputies said she was retailing it for human consumption.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said prosecutors may have a hard time getting those charges to stick because the term "imitation drug" is vague.
"This is always going to be a cat and mouse game," said Sheaffer. "Criminal statutes are narrow, and these people can keep changing what's in the drug."
But deputies still said the bottom line is that if something is represented as an illegal drug, along with drug equipment, it is a felony.
The entire undercover operation took in 800 packages of synthetic drugs and more than 500 items of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.


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Phone cases have come a long way since the nineties, and now that the gaming platform is allowing normal sized cellular devices like the iPhone 5 and other Android models like the Galaxy S4 the ability to pull the processor power needed to heighten the whole gaming experience, there still leaves a void in actually harnessing a built-in controller on a device without taking away precious screen real estate.
Well, the folks over at Zagg, makers of iFrogz cases, are introducing a pretty unique iPhone case called the Caliber Advantage ($60) that literally slides open to reveal a stereo set of joystick controllers along with buttons and sliders. The phone of choice can also be rotated 90º from landscape to vertical, depending on the design of the game app, so serious gamers will feel right at home blasting away. The whole beauty of the design traces to its main function as being a protective phone case, but now you’ll get the added bonus of essentially turning your smart phone into a more hardwired gaming device, giving the Sony PSP or Vita a serious run for the money.
So far, it looks like it will debut this fall solely for the iPhone, but I am pretty sure there will be a few Android models slated on the horizon.


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Philadelphia Eagles Say No To New Nike Uniforms
The Philadelphia Eagles are saying 'thanks but no thanks' to Nike for a 2012 uniform upgrade. All NFL team uniforms were given a complete overhaul right down to logos and fabric technology, but players and owners in Philly have exercised their right of refusal... and will continue to hit the field with nothing new but the Nike swoosh in place on their jerseys.
The new, lightweight, more breathable fabric unveiled by Nike this week would help to keep the players from feeling weighed down especially when wet.
The Green Bay Packers also declined the switch, but Seattle and the other professional football teams in the league are embracing Nike's new vision. So get ready for a lot of trying to figure out who's who this 2012-2013 NFL season.


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Topps is planning a mobile app for its NOW platform as it prepares for a third season of on-demand baseball card production. The company has sold over one million NOW cards since the beginning of the 2016 season.
Jeff Heckman, Topps’ Director of New Product Development and eCommerce Marketplace, told the Huffington Post that they are looking at an app to “create a richer and more seamless vehicle for fans to interact and engage with Topps NOW.”
Heckman also said Topps is hoping to increase fan involvement with creation of the cards, which are produced on a daily basis as news and milestones warrant. The standard cards are priced at $9.99 but are cheaper in quantity. Topps prints only the number or cards ordered by fans and collectors. Autograph and relic versions, numbered in small quantities, are also available at higher prices at certain times.
Yankees rookie Aaron Judge was far and away the most popular Topps NOW order last year. After breaking the rookie home run record, Topps sold over 16,000 of the card that commemorated the milestone. Judge had four of the top five selling NOW cards in 2017 with Derek Jeter Day coming in at number 5.
Giancarlo Stanton got his first Yankees card Tuesday via the NOW program with an image from Monday’s news conference showing him in pinstripes. The card will be on sale through early Wednesday afternoon via this page.


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|"AI or Bye-Bye": Burhan Hamid's Wake-Up Call to Publishers
Image sourced from Callie Richmond Photography
|In an enlightening keynote at our Publisher Forum Austin, Burhan Hamid, CTO at TIME, shared his vision on the evolving role of AI in publishing during his talk, The Publisher's AI Advantage: Leveraging the Power of AI to Stay Ahead of the Curve. "If you're not using AI today, I guarantee you, your competitors are," he declared, basically telling us it's AI or bye-bye time in digital media land.
Hamid emphasized the industry's critical need to adopt AI to keep pace with competitors and enhance productivity and innovation. Think of AI as the Robin to your Batman, taking care of the dull stuff so you can zoom in on the cool, strategic heroics. “AI enables us to do more with less," he shared. Think of being able to do 10X our current productivity.
He highlighted practical applications, such as using AI for content summarization, personalization, and contextual advertising, emphasizing the necessity of thinking "AI-first" in today's digital landscape. AI can even analyze first-party data with tools for insights but capabilities are still developing. By interacting more conversationally with AI models and learning the art of prompt engineering, publishers can extract more specific and useful information, a skill that Hamid suggests is essential in the modern digital environment.
He also demonstrated the potential of tools like Perplexity, an AI-powered research assistant, for generating summaries and citing sources, showcasing how AI can aid in content creation and SEO optimization.
But, it's not all rosy. Hamid was candid about the challenges and responsibilities associated with AI integration, warning us to keep our brains in the loop. "Use your brain and have a human in the loop to verify the facts," he advised. He also cautioned against sharing proprietary data on these platforms.
Looking ahead, Hamid's crystal ball predicted a digital media landscape with fewer but smarter, more innovative players, leveraging AI to gain a competitive edge. The next-gen publisher born in 2024 is going to look entirely different. "Does it look like Perplexity?" he asked. As well, the relationship between publishers and AI platforms will likely involve more licensing agreements to compensate publishers for their content.
|Major Brands Still Tangled in the Web of Spammy Sites
|It's like déjà vu all over again. Despite last year's uproar and the ANA's stern warnings, giant brands seem to be playing a never-ending game of tag with MFA sites. Yes, it's true. Adalytics recently revealed that heaps of big brand ads are still swimming in these spammy seas.
While Walmart's DSP and The Trade Desk have steered clear of this mess, many other ad tech players haven't had much luck even with loads of nifty tools in the ecosystem available to shield brands from the dark alleys of MFA sites. The hundreds of brands identified as landing on MFA sites include such heavy hitters as Google, Disney, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, AT&T, Pfizer, and even the US Army. H&R Block served over 2,000 ads to a single consumer in under an hour on one of these sites. And, Kroger and Comcast are shelling out thousands of dollars to reach one consumer on an MFA site.
But, HP — kudos to them — managed to wrestle their offsite Amazon ad placement with MFA sites down to 9.8% by using a good old inclusion list. Yet, this solution feels like patching a leak with chewing gum, MacGyver style. It's laborious, time-consuming, and doesn't quite get the job done.
Amazon's retail media network? A regular at the MFA party, it seems. Brands like Hershey's, Unilever, and Coca-Cola were spotted there. But there's a twist. Many of these ads were adorned with tags from verification bigwigs like Integral Ad Science and DoubleVerify. So much for keeping an eye on things. And let's not forget the agencies. Every major agency, from Havas to Omnicom, has been caught red-handed dealing ads on MFA sites. It's like a who's who of the advertising world, with names like IPG, Publicis, and Dentsu all making the list.
From rampant ad overexposure to the astronomical costs of reaching a single consumer, it's clear that the ad tech ecosystem is still grappling with the slippery slope of MFA sites. Brands, agencies, and ad exchanges are all part of this intricate web, and it's high time for a clean-up. Who's going to grab the broom?
|LinkedIn Is Emerging As News Pubs BFF
|While Facebook and Twitter are hitting the brakes on news, LinkedIn is hitting the gas, reinventing itself as the go-to source for quality news. They're focusing on professional-grade content and collaborating with over 400 global news publishers, leading to increased traffic referrals to news publishers.
Tools and features, like publisher notifications and featured posts, designed to boost the visibility of news content could be a game-changer for publishers. Additionally, LinkedIn's shift towards offering diverse content formats, including newsletters, podcasts, and video, provides publishers with varied avenues for audience engagement and content monetization. This evolution positions LinkedIn as a key player for publishers looking to expand their reach.
|Is AppleTV+ Joining the AVOD Sanctuary?
|It looks like Apple TV+ is taking a page out of the 'more ads, more fun' playbook. They just scooped up Joseph Cady, an ad whiz from NBCUniversal, to spice up their advertising squad. With a 14-year stint in the ad biz, Cady's joining a crew of ex-TV bigwigs who could be crafting Apple's ad strategy. And with Apple already flirting with ads in Major League Soccer (hello, $4 million ad deals!), it's like watching that friend who said they'd never join social media, now posting selfies daily. Everything is an ad network, isn't it?
With Netflix, Disney+, and even Amazon Prime Video embracing the ad life, Apple TV+ might just be the final hold out. After all, who can resist the siren call of ad revenue? Barclay's analyst Tim Long whispers Apple's streaming content costs are a few billion-dollar headaches, and ads might be the aspirin needed. And with consumers canceling their subscriptions due to rising costs, streamers are fighting to retain them including offering low-cost subscriptions subsidized by hybrid AVOD models.
|Microsoft's New Ads API Edges Towards a Cookieless Future
|Microsoft Edge is ushering in a new era of digital advertising with its Privacy-Preserving Ads API, aiming to replace traditional third-party cookies. This API is designed to respect user privacy while still delivering relevant ads, using technologies like K-anonymity, differential privacy, and Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs). This shift aligns with industry trends toward minimizing user tracking, driven by privacy concerns.
Microsoft's approach, while similar to Google's, introduces unique features like multi-size and multi-slot auctions and compatibility with Google's API. The gradual phasing out of third-party cookies in Edge starts with tests on a small user base, emphasizing the need for industry adaptation to this significant change.


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TERRIFIC turnaround news that Thomson Cruises will be the latest line to launch a Liverpool cruise programme starting in May 2014.
It will be the third company to operate cruises from Liverpool Cruise Terminal next year, joining Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Discovery and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca.
Thomson – the Marks & Spencer of the travel world – will field MV Thomson Celebration for three Liverpool turnaround cruises on May 7, 14 and 24, 2014.
If the availability of five star-rated ships continues in 2014 with further cruises from Liverpool by QM2 and Celebrity Infinity then the city will offer departures at almost every level.
Readers with long memories will recall Thomson Cruises in 2007 announcing a very comprehensive Liverpool cruise programme, including a return transatlantic crossing to Brazil, sailing 1,000 miles up the Amazon to Manaus (replicating Booth Line’s long lost service).
They also may remember the aborted launch of this programme in October 2008 when 800 passengers (myself included) spent a weekend onboard Thomson Celebration trapped in Langton Dock.
Instead of the delights of an Irish Sea mini-cruise to Cobh and Dublin we enjoyed the smells and sounds of the freight docks, plus views over Europe’s biggest scrap heap (aka the Sierra Metallica). As the lights twinkled off the piles of steel my then 13-year-old son said to me: “It doesn’t matter being in Bootle, as when it goes dark you could be anywhere.”
Thomson Cruises said it was too stormy for the liner to leave Langton Dock. In fact both Thomson and Fred Olsen threw their rattles out their prams on finding they were barred from the new Cruise Terminal at Pier Head. The sorry result was both cancelled their Liverpool programmes.
Presumably they were led to believe turnarounds were allowed from the new landing stage when they planned schedules, only to discover the awful truth and find Bootle’s finest terminal beckoned at Langton Dock.
However these ructions gave the impetus to sort out the turnaround mess and finally it’s all worked out well (albeit five years later).


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Duaiv in Norwegian Cruise Line - Encore - December 10 to 15 2019. Miami, FLorida. San Juan, Puerto Rico. St Thomas, Virgin Islands. Tortola, Virgin Islands. Miami, Florida.
Duaiv McLaren 720S Spider in Automotive Rhythms, September 2019.
Duaiv proudly announces that his Facebook account has reached more than 3,000 followers, Instagram more than 1,000 followers, Pinterest with 2,000 impressions and counting even more traffic at www.duaiv.us


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Healthy food brands are throwing all sorts of curveballs at flavor and color companies, such as clean label requirements, simpler ingredients, natural and organic standards, sweetener restrictions, and more. These demands are stemming directly from the rising popularity of products, such as plant-based concoctions, fermented foods and drinks, and even the most talked about nutraceutical darling, CBD.
According to Christopher Naese, vice president of business Development, Florida Food Products, Eustis, FL, the growing distaste for artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and other additives across the food and beverage industry has an even firmer foothold in products formulated for the health and wellness market.
Healthy, Clean, Simple & Sustainable
In the case of flavors, there is a tendency to kill two birds with one stone by choosing flavors that also have function. Philip Caputo, marketing and consumers insights manager, Virginia Dare, Brooklyn, NY, believes that, because they’re often perceived as healthier, “There is an increased interest in flavor profiles associated with active ingredients that have health and wellness claims, such as green tea, ginger, tart cherry, turmeric, lime, and cascara.
Some examples of flavors by functionality include peppermint, ginger, and fermented ingredients with sour profiles like kombucha, which all cater to gut health, as well as blueberries, bilberry, black currant, cherries, grapes, dark chocolate, turmeric, celery, and green tea, which all have anti-inflammatory properties.
Focusing on cleaner labels and ingredient transparency, Ray Hartman, master flavorist, food and beverage, Prinova USA, Hanover Park, IL, said that new flavors getting the most traction across all categories of food and beverage are those aligned with the simple-label trend. “A short and simple ingredient statement that reads like a recipe card for a homemade meal is resonating with today’s consumer,” he commented. “Consumers want to be in control of their diets and there is a growing public mistrust of complicated, chemical sounding ingredient statements.”
In fact, according to Innova Market Insights, 91% of U.S. consumers believe food and beverage options with recognizable ingredients are healthier, Hartman noted.
“Beyond the perception of naturalness, consumers yearn for authenticity and wholesomeness in their foods,” Hartman explained. “They hope to understand how the product they are purchasing is made, how it compares to real food, and is it made with genuine farm-to-fork ingredients with minimal processing. As a result of these consumer motives, we are observing increased requests for organic, non-GMO, and pure and natural flavors.”
Because there is no real definition for what constitutes “clean label,” Heather Young, account manager, Mother Murphy’s Laboratories, Inc., Greensboro, NC, said defining what this means on a client-by-client basis is imperative prior to development. “Consumers are looking for products with ingredient statements that align with their dietary goals and beliefs. Unfortunately, the term ‘clean label’ can mean different things to different people.”
“We understand the challenges that come with formulating healthy foods and beverages,” Young continued. “With our catalogue of natural and organic flavors, as well as our Bitter Blocker and Bittermask ingredients, we are able to work with our clients to develop healthy foods and beverages that don’t compromise on flavor while maximizing the health profile of the finished product.”
Functionality, sustainability, plant-based innovations, and snacking are trends that continue to influence the flavor market, according to Anu Fisher, marketing analyst, Flavorchem, Downers Grove, IL. “Consumers are looking for fortified and functional foods that promote gut health, fuel their brains, and benefit their physical appearance, while not wanting to give up taste,” she said. “They not only want food that is nutrient-dense, but also sustainable. More than millennials, generation Z consumers are ‘clean-eaters’ that have a strong interest in transparency, product sourcing, and social responsibility.”
Speaking of clean eating, Innova Market Insights noted that products featuring flower flavors increased 132% between 2015 and 2017, and continue to go upward with the plant-based food trend on the rise. “Consumers’ desire for clean, natural, and real ingredients has fueled the use of floral flavor applications in the food and beverage industry,” Fisher said. “Trending floral flavors in nutraceuticals include elderflower, rose, and lavender.”
Prinova’s Hartman agreed, pointing out that botanicals and florals have moved center stage in 2019. “They embody the natural diversity of flavors found in nature, and have potential to meet consumers’ increasing demand for new and novel product offerings. Botanicals like lavender, rose, jasmine, and orange blossom have a rich heritage in the world of fine fragrance and personal care.”
Hartman feels this strong association with beauty and wellness works well in all categories of functional foods, with new entrants like elderberry blossom, sakura (cherry blossom), and hibiscus generating a lot of excitement. “Fruit/floral combinations are also becoming more relevant. We feature many of these exciting new flavor combinations in our own portfolio of trending flavors. Pairings like Grapefruit Rose and Lavender Lemonade are creating a lot of interest among our ‘good-for-you’ functional food customers.”
Kayla Blanding, applications technologist, Synergy Flavors, Inc., Wauconda, IL, noted flavors such as florals, herbs, name of origin flavors, and superfruits are very popular because they tend to fall under the “health halo” and have a natural association. Flavor examples include lavender, rosemary, chamomile, citrus, and hibiscus.
In contrast to pairing botanically-inspired flavors with plant-based products is a trend toward what Fisher called “childhood indulgences.” She said consumers are looking for a balance between exploring new taste experiences and grounding themselves with nostalgic flavors of the past.
“Novelty flavor profiles such as apple pie, cookie dough, and s’mores are making their way into health and wellness products as consumers look to modernize their daily diets with familiar flavors in unexpected applications,” she said.
One ingredient that is a shining example of both flavor and functionality is turmeric. “A trend that we are facing in the market—and we see no slowing down—is an increase in flavors where the ingredient has associated health benefits,” said Alexandre Massumoto, marketing, Synergy Brazil. “Turmeric is one of the best examples of that and has earned its status as a superfood in recent years thanks to its active ingredient curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties.”
“We saw a great interest in turmeric last year and it is starting to appear not only as an ingredient/spice but as a flavor in products like beverages, bars, and cereals—up 51% last year in product launches in North America, according to Mintel,” Massumoto added. “Matcha and tart cherry are also good examples of flavors that showed growth in product launches for their antioxidant properties, which are both up 520% and 220%, respectively, in the last five years in North America.”
Hartman believes adventurous consumers are looking for flavor discovery, and that tropical fruits are a means of exploring beyond the boundaries of their ever-expanding palates. “Tropicals are increasingly paired with mainstream fruits, creating an abundance of taste impressions that are pleasantly familiar with a novel twist,” he said, adding, “Turmeric and ginger are being paired with staple fruits, particularly citrus. These pungent spices add a touch of heat and a small measure of thrill that often accompanies the unfamiliar.”
Speaking of adventure, Florida Food Product’s Naese, considers fermented foods part of a larger shift in the food and beverage industry toward authentic, natural ingredients that provide health benefits and unique experiences. “As consumers eschew sweets and crave the savory, umami, and other flavors commonly associated with fruits, vegetables, and active ingredients with health and wellness claims, fermented flavors have found a wider appeal, especially among consumers under the age of 40 who are seeking novel, multisensory food experiences,” he said.
As cultural influences and the desire for diverse flavor options increase, consumers will look to global flavors for exploration. This year, Massumoto sees consumers looking toward Asian-Pacific flavors, putting flavors like yuzu (citrus fruit native to central China and Tibet and popularized by Japanese cuisine) in a prime position to innovate beverage, confection, and nutrition products.
He also said unusual and innovative flavors are expected to make their way into food in 2019, including taro, acai, and pitaya (dragonfruit), which have seen a lot of action in the Latin American market recently, and have shown great potential to cross into U.S. product development.
Up to the Challenge
To solve some of the challenges inherent in natural products, be it clean-label requirements or major ingredient off notes, Flavorchem offers a flavor system called Nature’s Best Combinations. “Nature’s Best Combinations are those botanical flavors that come from nature, creating a natural taste that is true to the plants, florals, herbs, and roots from which they are derived,” said Flavorchem’s Fisher. “Satisfying the millennials’ adventurous palates and clean-label criteria, the trend will be to create unique botanical flavor combinations.”
Symrise has also been hard at work satisfying the needs of millennials who are looking for cleaner products. In response to this demand, it has launched a new collection of organic-certified and non-GMO flavors under the umbrella of Code of Nature, a new positioning that offers taste solution platforms to food and beverage brands that want to meet the demand for more nutritious food while still delivering on flavor.
“Millennials are the fastest-growing demographic of consumers who want what’s best not only for themselves but their families, too. So, when it comes to foods and beverages, organics are on the top of their grocery lists,” explained Emmanuel Laroche, vice president of marketing and consumer insights, and global marketing leader for Symrise.
Currently, millennial parents constitute 52% of all parents buying organics for their households. Due in part to the trend of healthy indulgence by millennial consumers, the organic snack market alone is projected to grow over 60%, or $745 million, between 2016 and 2021.
This category of consumers is turning to organics in order to find healthy options for the whole family across all food and beverage categories that taste better and have a greater nutritional value than their non-organic counterparts. By developing Certified Organic flavors across a spectrum of traditional flavor profiles, Symrise aims to help satisfy millennial demand for better-for-you (BFY) choices with organic and sustainable ingredients that fit the needs of growing families concerned with leading a healthy lifestyle.
Switching gears a bit, one of the most high-profile newcomers on the nutraceutical scene is cannabidiol (CBD). This is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, which has been blazing a trail in the industry for the last couple of years. The light on CBD has grown brighter alongside new regulations regarding its legal status. The legalization of marijuana in some states has also added to the popularity of CBD, allowing many to cash in on the cannabis craze.
One company that has spent quite a bit of time researching this market for solutions to the off-notes frequently posed by CBD infusions is Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Northbrook, IL. “There is a lot of fantasy about what CBD can do, which is driving a lot of the activity in the healthy ingredients market today. So we’ve been doing a lot of work around CBD to identify what the flavor opportunities are,” said David Banks, marketing director, Bell Flavors & Fragrances. “There are more than 200 terpene compounds in the cannabis plant, so you will get piney notes, as well as citrus. We are working with these characteristics to pinpoint the right flavor combinations.”
Currently, the most popular applications for CBD from a flavoring standpoint include beverages, gummies, and shots. With the latter, dosage can impact how to flavor that application. “Our flavorists have several tools they can use to mask the off-notes. They can also use flavors that complement the inherent flavor of CBD. Or they can use a concentrated flavor to both cover up and complement the CBD flavor,” said Jenna Schowalter, sweet lab manager, Bell Flavors & Fragrances.
Playing with Proteins
Plant-based protein continues to dominate the conversation in healthy foods, according to Virginia Dare’s Caputo, with a third of protein consumption anticipated to be plant-based by 2054. While this is good for the health of consumers and the planet, proteins from pea, rice, and soy can introduce a musty off-note to an application, creating challenges for formulators.
“Understanding the variables causing undesirable taste in plant-based products allows Virginia Dare to develop successful flavor masking systems and techniques. We have identified specific proteins, fatty acids, and enzymes that contribute to off-flavors and texture, and we understand how preparation or processing methods contribute to these challenges,” Caputo explained. “By assigning taste descriptors to each offending variable in plant-based ingredients, we know which components are deemed offensive and how to selectively mask those off-notes.”
William McCormack, business development manager, Nutrition, Synergy Flavors, Inc., also considers plant-based proteins challenging from a taste and texture standpoint. “To overcome these challenges Synergy utilizes a combination of sensory and analytical chemistry to understand the inherent flavor profile of the protein or proteins contained in the finished product. Once the sensory and analytical data is matched, we then pair flavor profiles with the base that enhances the positive attributes that a plant-based protein may have while also mitigating the inherent off-notes that the base may contain,” he said.
Mother Murphy’s also has a solution for plant-based products. “Plant-based proteins serve as a sustainable protein replacement. Unfortunately, the flavor profile of plant-based proteins poses problems in terms of functionality as well as off-notes in the final product,” Young offered. “Through extensive internal testing, Mother Murphy’s developed Bitter Blocking ingredients specifically to deal with the challenges of these plant-based proteins and the unique off-notes they contain. This enables developers to create a finished product that meets the consumer demand for plant-based proteins while delivering the taste they desire.”
Some of the popular flavors for proteins include brown sugar, maple, and coffee. “We look at the nuances of the product when unflavored and then try and find a flavor that complements it. For example, if the protein is pretty bitter, then we might add coffee flavor because your brain associates coffee with “bitter.” Certain flavors like berry and citrus don’t work very well with protein products. Sweet, brown profiles are the best fit for these applications,” Bell Flavors’ Schowalter said.
Similar to the popularity of proteins, companies have been launching essential amino acid (EAA) products, which bring their own set of challenges, according to Angela Skubal, applications lab supervisor, Prinova. “Unlike branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) that mostly contribute a bitterness, the EAAs bring a savory note to the table that has been hard to cover up with a flavor like lemon lime or orange mango,” she said. “Luckily, at Prinova we have developed a masker that is specifically formulated to help block the savory off-notes of EAAs. With that masker, the customer is able to get a beverage with a healthy dose of EAAs, while maintaining a refreshing sports drink profile.”
Sugar Reduction Showdown
Sugar has been taking it on the chin for the last several years, which has caused upheaval in many corners of the food and drink market in the form of massive reformulations. At the same time, adjusting to this new normal has spawned some interesting innovations.
Finding a replacement for sugar is one of the biggest challenges flavor companies face today. In addition to providing sweetness, sugar also provides mouthfeel, which is hard to come by with many low- and no-sugar options. However, new technologies are paving the way for flavor combinations to help healthy food
Synergy’s Blanding said sugar reduction trends have made it necessary to review and revise the formulations of existing products, which usually involves rebalancing the flavor and strength in order to maintain the desired profile. “We may need to provide a flavor that compensates for lack of sweetness in the base or flavors that complement natural sweeteners,” she said. “As consumers’ taste for sweetness continues to change, we may see less indulgent profiles and more natural profiles such as fruits, citrus, herbs, and botanicals.”
Prinova’s Skubal agreed that sugar reduction remains a tricky area for flavorists. “With keto being a huge buzzword as of late, everyone wants low-carb, high-fat products. This means that whatever sugar was in your product either needs to be taken out and replaced with a high intensity sweetener, or complemented with dietary fiber to make a net-carb claim. Either way, there are going to be formulation challenges that come about,” she said. “In beverage, the removal of sugar not only changes the sweetness, but also the mouthfeel, which has a large impact on flavor perception.”
Luckily, natural, high-intensity sweeteners have come a long way, Skubal said “So we not only have Reb A as an option, but we can also use a blend of stevia products that imparts the most sweetness, while minimizing the off-notes and ‘stevia’ aftertaste. With this new technology, we have been able to use our most common flavors without having to compromise on taste, but will always struggle with the ultra-indulgent flavors that the consumer expects to be super sweet,” she explained.
In other applications like nutritional bars, Skubal said this has been a bit more of a formulation struggle because of how crucial sugar syrups are in the binding and texture of bars. “Without sugar, a lot of bars come out either too dry and crumbly, or too sticky. It has been interesting trying to find the best balance of sugar syrups, fiber syrups, and other ingredients like nut butters to create an optimal nutritional bar that hits the low-carb claim.”
Caputo of Virginia Dare said sugar—like salt, fat, and acid—enhances flavor, mouthfeel, impact, and overall taste. He attested to the taste preferences that have shifted from overly sweet products to those with natural or balanced profiles, sour and bitter flavors, lightly sweetened or complex sweetness (from sources like raw sugars, maple, honey, molasses, etc.), and texture-focused experiences.
“Traditionally, sugar was used to cover-up off-flavors inherent in healthy ingredients like grains, seeds, vitamins, and minerals. Reducing sugar affects taste, so refining or improving product formulation after removing sugar may require a combination approach of boosting flavor impact, creating greater complexity of flavor and texture, or boosting the perception of sweetness through modulation,” Caputo said.
“Our sweetness modulation typically employs a low amount of existing sugar in a product combined with natural alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, or sugar alcohol, and changing other attributes like texture and aroma to boost the perception of sweetness. Instead of using sugar to hide off flavors, we use taste-masking solutions to improve the taste of a formulation,” Caputo added.
Key consumer trends from the broader nutrition market, such as transparency and traceability, are increasingly important when considering the inclusion of color in healthcare products such as dietary supplements, according to Barri Sigvertsen, senior marketing manager, Lonza Consumer Health & Nutrition, Greenwood, SC.
Lonza’s proprietary research, conducted by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) with 2,000 U.S. consumers, showed that 80% of survey respondents wanted to know the sources of the ingredients in the products they use, while 54% said they would prefer to buy dietary supplements derived from natural sources—an increase of nearly 60% compared to 2013.
Just as it has impacted flavors, the clean-label trend has also influenced the color market, according to Cori Satkowski, product development technologist, California Natural Color, Fresno, CA. “Companies are switching from synthetic colors to colors from natural sources because consumers are asking for products with ingredients they understand,” she said. “An example is using either radish or black carrot color in a fruit punch beverage instead of Red 40 to give the product a vibrant red color.”
At California Natural Color, food and beverage colors are selected based on the flavor, type, and market of a product. And for these applications, the company produces liquid and crystal colors that come from nature and help companies meet the demand for clean-label products.
Christiane Lippert, head of marketing (food) for Lycored, Orange, NJ, believes clean label has transcended trend status to become a standard consumer expectation. “Around 80% of consumers want to know more about a product’s ingredients before making purchase decisions as part of their quest for healthier products and greater ingredient transparency,” she said. “As a result, there has been an increase in demand for non-artificial ingredients, including colors, with a third of consumers stating that a product being ‘free-from artificial colors’ has a major impact on their purchase decisions.”
Lippert referenced a recent Mintel report which identified a marked rise in the use of non-artificial colors, increasing penetration to 6.4% in 2018 within the beverage segment, including meal replacements and juice. She said Germany and the U.K. were the two most active countries in this area with the most launches using these types of colors.
The sunshine spectrum—bright yellow through to deep orange—will stimulate colorful food and beverage development as consumers seek out products that inspire upbeat, positive emotions, and unite people with a feeling of joy, according to GNT Group, Tarrytown, NY.
Shoppers—particularly younger ones hailing from generation Z—will gravitate toward food and drink colored with natural yellow and orange shades in order to tune into the optimistic sentiments they convey, the company said.
Maartje Hendrickx, market development manager at GNT, said consumers today prefer food and drink that can arouse a sense of freshness and light, qualities that yellow and orange shades deliver. “Just as pink was embraced by millennials, generation Z will channel the positivity of sunshine shades to sprinkle cheerfulness into their lives,” she said.
The Sunshine Shades range has been developed as part of GNT’s new Love Color with EXBERRY initiative for 2019, which will explore how color can influence mood and deliver feelings of excitement and contentment, while also satisfying adventurous, curious consumers who are keen to discover new experiences.
Hendrickx added: “Natural yellow and orange coloring foods fit perfectly with the desire among consumers to reconnect with the natural world. We are planning some exciting activity in 2019 to maximize engagement with Sunshine Shades, with innovative product concepts and technical information in the pipeline.”
One area Lycored is active in is plant-based proteins for use in meat alternatives, which can be difficult to work with as both the raw and cooked appearance needs to be considered during formulation. “The heating process and time on display on shelf in typical meat type conditions (such as chiller cabinets) may also impact on color and visual appeal,” said Lippert. “The intended format also has an impact. For example, for a burger-type alternative the raw meat may need to have typical color effect of beef (red) when raw but brown when cooked, while deli meat types like ham will need a different shade.”
Speaking at last year’s IFT Show, Amanda Topper, associate director of food service research at Mintel, highlighted ingredients such as algae, purple yam, and matcha because they add a pop of color and flavor to foods and beverages. The purported health benefits associated with these ingredients, she said, adds bonus appeal.
About the author: Becky Wright has 20 years of experience in the nutritional field as a writer and marketer. She previously worked for companies such as OmniActive Health Technologies, Aker BioMarine, and Rodman Media. She currently runs Wright On Marketing & Communications, a small independent agency that offers related services to clients. She can be reached at email@example.com.


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Bentley revealed some new features of its line in 2014 on Tuesday (25). One concerns the Continental GT Speed, whose engine W12 6.0 shall deliver 10 horsepower more than the 2013 model are now 626 bhp and 83.5 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Institute for Transportation Research at the University of Michigan released a study entitled "Mortality in traffic accidents in 193 countries: a comparison with other causes of death." In the material, are disclosed various data relating to insecurity in traffic.
The Mercedes-Benz would be working on developing a new SUV, which would be positioned below the newly presented GLA (above). According to information from the British magazine Auto Express, the Class X would be even lower than the GLA.


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While drones are primarily associated with military use, this does not eliminate the fact that they can have peaceful applications as well. The consulting company Deloitte estimates that in 2015, there will be 300,000 drones sold for non-military use. This will push the number of active devices to over a million with a market value of over 200 USD. The primary uses of these drones will be for observation and small parcel delivery.
However, new applications for unmanned aerial vehicles are still being explored. The UAE government recently concluded its “Drones for Good” competition, organized to expand the applications of drone technology for use in everyday life. The Polish team AeroAtena (created by Tomasz Muszyński, Ilona Muszyńska, Kaja Muszyńska, Andrzej Majka, Rafał Nowak and Karol Borys) participated in the international category of the competition. Their Robolifeguard entry made it to the semi-finals of the competition.
The Robolifeguard project proposed creating a drone to save people stranded at sea or washed overboard. The device would be equipped with floatation devices which would let the drone land on water. Survivors would then hang on to the buoyant drone via special handles, increasing their chances of survival. An integrated communications system would also allow survivors to communicate with rescue services until they arrived.
Zortrax, a producer of integrated 3D printing systems, helped create the Robolifeguard drone prototype and also re-designed some of its elements. The model was printed out using the Zortrax M200 printer with two different types of filaments: the deformation-resistant Z-ULTRAT and the translucent Z-GLASS. AeroAtena ultimately submitted this prototype as their entry for the Drones for Good competition.
“We began as a tech start-up, so we want to continue to support similar initiatives. We accepted the proposal by AeroAtena right away because this was a unique opportunity participate in a fascinating project that explored new, life-saving applications for both drones and 3D printing. Not only did we prepare the print itself, but we also provided the help of our designers in the model’s processing,” said Karolina Bołądź, COO Zortrax.While Robolifeguard reached the semi-finals of the Dubai competition, its creators plan to develop their concept further for use by lifeguards and coastguard services.


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If you read some of the press you’d might think the interest in electric cars has peaked. Some of the press, especially on the right (Wall St. Journal, The Hill), are already predicting the demise of EVs. But that’s all mostly political and bears nothing close to the truth.
The adoption curve of new products is rarely linear or exponential. It usually has several inflection points. Right now we are approaching one of those points between Early Adopters and Early Majority that is made up of several factors. First, the growth of the market leader Tesla, who once had 100% of the market, is stalling, and it’s upcoming quarter may be one of the worst in terms of year over year growth.
While Tesla unit sales have grown about 50% per year until last year, last quarter sales grew just 20% year-over-year, and some now think the next quarter might be flat or even down. If you look at Tesla’s own statements, they say they’ve had a cumulative production of 6 million cars to date. From the company’s historical data, Tesla reported sales of 5.57 million cars from inception as of 12/31/23. This implies Tesla produced 430,000 cars in Q1’24, down 13% from 495,000 cars in Q4’23.
Since Teslas has 60% of market share, the slowdown in Tesla sales has contributed to the major reduction in overall EV sales, but masks some of the large increases experienced by the many new entrants. BMW for example grew its EV sales by 48% year over year.
Slowing sales at Tesla are the result of a number of factors that have nothing to do with EVs. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made no friends with his bizarre behavior, admitted drug use, and support of right wing and Nazi propaganda, turning off many potential buyers. His cars have not changed in their basic design in over eight years, something no normal car company could tolerate. As for his Cybertruck, that’s more of a vanity project that’s not of interest to most car buyers. So Tesla is about to begin a tailspin, much of it self-inflicted.
The other contributions to slower sales are the stumbles GM and Ford have made with their EV strategy. GM in particular first canceled and then restarted the Chevy Bolt, one of the best selling, least expensive EVs. Then they stumbled with the introduction of the Chevy Equinox that had catastrophic quality issues with its electronics. Ford in their exuberance, overpriced some of their models and are now making corrections across the board.
Forecasters expect 2024 to provide good overall growth following a strong 2023 with 1.19 million all-electric cars sold, up 46% from the prior year, according to Cox Automotive. “EV sales are increasing faster than any other segment in the industry,” said Michelle Krebs, executive auto analyst for Cox.
There are now more than a dozen manufacturers of EVs, all of whom are bringing out multiple models with a wide variety of body styles to offer something for everyone. There’s even a new 3-seat SUV from Kia that’s heavily backordered. The choices have never been as broad as they are today.
2024 looks to be a strong year with EV sales expected to be 10% of car sales.
Like most new products, initial models are premium priced to gain sales from early adopters willing to pay more to be first. As new models arrive, competition increases, prices drop, and new lower cost models are introduced. The cycle is predictable and happens with all consumer products where there are multiple players.
The adoption curve for EVs is following the same curve we had for large screen flat TVs, where batteries can be compared to flat display panels. Each constitute the largest cost element in their respective products and both continue to drop in price through manufacturing efficiencies and technical advancements.
Initially a 50-inch plasma TV cost $5000 for a couple of years, then began to drop in year 3 to $2500 for LED TVs. As new manufacturers and cheaper technology came on line, we see prices now as low as $400 for even better performing sets. The same is beginning to happen with battery technology.
Inherently, an EV is a vastly simpler car to manufacture and much less expensive to own than a gasoline powered one. As the cost of batteries fall, we will eventually see EVs costing significantly less than internal combustion engines cars.
A lot has been written in the press attributing slow sales caused by a lack of a widespread charging infrastructure. That has created fears among the public, but much of that is unwarranted, since nearly 90% always charge their cars on a home charger. To counter that concern, some car companies are offering a free loaner car for long trips to alay any fears.
The shift to electric vehicles will continue with a few bumps, but based on the 2023 sales and 2024 forecasts, we are entering the rapidly rising Early Majority phase where sales will accelerate, reach a plateau and level off once most of us have an EV.


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This month, in honour of International Women’s Day and it’s theme “choose to challenge”, we are celebrating the ways women use Pinterest to inspire them for their own life challenges both big and small. Women have always come to Pinterest to discover inspiration to create the life they love. Now more than ever, they are in search of ideas for how to reimagine their careers and to navigate through times of change.
A recent study shows 822,500 (ONS, 2021) women currently face unemployment across the UK and while many people’s careers were affected as a result of the pandemic, women were impacted the most, facing challenges such as job loss or juggling multiple responsibilities including childcare, job and home life. On Pinterest, we are seeing women around the world searching for job-related inspiration more than ever -- boards created by women for “dream jobs” have increased by 10x¹.
“Around the world, working women were the most affected by changes we saw in 2020 and so we launched the International Women's Day Shop as a way to support and show our commitment to small businesses. Pinterest has always been the place to be inspired and discover new brands. We are thrilled to give these women-run businesses a platform to shine.”
For the month of March, Pinterest has also set up an International Women’s Day fund and will match donations from employees to nonprofits helping women succeed like the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Global Fund for Women. Because when women succeed, we all do.
¹Increases are calculated by comparing the number of newly created boards with the indicated titles in the month of January ‘21 to January ‘20; global, female audience.
³Trends are calculated by comparing normalized searches in the month of January ‘21 to January ‘20; global.


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Contact Energy shares have fallen nearly 9 per cent today after reporting a plunge in half-year profits.
Problems with its billing system and strong competition have contributed to a 54 per cent drop in half-year profit to $51 million.
The electricity generator and retailer's earnings also fell, down 3 per cent to 257 million for the six months ended December 31 last year but the company says its dividend will remain steady at 11c a share.
"The first half of the 2015 financial year (1H15) was a transitional period for Contact as the Te Mihi geothermal power station and the new retail system were integrated into the business," said chief executive Dennis Barnes.
"Following the go-live of our new retail customer billing and service system we have made considerable progress in stabilising the system and the processes that support it. A system change of this size always creates challenges," he said.
Retail margins were hit by intense retail competition.
Barnes said it had integrated the Te Mihi geothermal power station into its generation portfolio increasing renewable generation from 68 per cent to 76 per cent of total output.
Underlying earnings after tax was $76 million, $21 million (22 per cent) lower than the first half of the 2014 financial year reflecting lower retail margins and the impact of plant outages reducing earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and financial instruments ( EBITDAF) by more than the increased depreciation and interest costs following the completion of the significant capital programme.
Following the go-live of our new retail customer billing and service system we have made considerable progress in stabilising the system and the processes that support it. A system change of this size always creates challenges
Operating cash flow after tax was $227 million, up $54 million or 31 per cent.
"The retail electricity market remains highly competitive with discounting dominating the market. Maintaining sales volumes has been important to us as we grew our share of the small business market and cooler temperatures drove a 1 per cent increase in residential usage per customer."
This was partially offset by residential customer losses as the company implemented a new retail system.
"As our systems and processes have stabilised we have been able to resume customer acquisitions which saw us reverse customer losses and add 450 customers in January."
Contact said it would not raise energy charges but from April 2015 will be passing through to customers changes in the costs charged by network companies, increases and decrease.
In the generation and trading business cost of energy improved by $2 per megawatt hour as Contact's percentage of generation from renewable fuel increased but this was partially offset by lower plant availability and reliability, with extended outages at Te Mihi and Poihipi reducing geothermal generation, and increased unit gas and carbon costs.
"Following a transitional period the second half of the 2015 financial year is expected to see improvement. Te Mihi power station is now performing better than business case expectations which, combined with changes to the existing Wairakei resource consent, are expected to increase overall geothermal generation," said Barnes.
The limited growth opportunities in New Zealand meant Contact was looking overseas to expand.
We believe that in the current environment, material growth opportunities in New Zealand that leverage Contact's long history in geothermal and hydro development and operation are unlikely. Therefore, we are investigating options to leverage our skills and experience to grow in international markets."


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Yahoo said today that board member and former internet executive Thomas McInerney would lead the business that remains after the sale of its core assets to Verizon is completed. The internet pioneer said the sale of its main operating unit was on track to be ... Business Standard, 1 month ago
US tech giant Yahoo's top lawyer, Ronald S. Bell, has resigned and its CEO Marissa Mayer lost her 2016 bonus after a board investigation of the 2014 theft of information on over 500 million user accounts, the media reported.Senior executives, company lawyers ...Prokerala, 1 month ago
NEW YORK - Verizon Communications Inc sought almost triple the price reduction that it ultimately obtained for Yahoo Inc's core assets following two massive cyber attacks at the internet company, according to a Yahoo filing. The closing of the deal, which ...Sify, 1 month ago
Yahoo! Inc general counsel Ronald Bell has left the company after an investigation of security breaches found the legal team had enough information to warrant further inquiry but didn’t sufficiently pursue it, according to a key report ahead of the planned ...The Financial Chronicle, 1 month ago
* Yamato rises on report it will raise shipping rates * Cos running online shopping businesses fall By Ayai Tomisawa TOKYO, March 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share averageedged down on Tuesday morning, following Wall Street's lead,with investors deterred by ...Sify, 1 month ago
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Gust announced that it is developing Ar no Surge, a companion RPG to its life simulation game Surge Concerto: Ciel no Surge. The RPG is reportedly set in the same universe – which itself has ties to the Ar Tonelico series – but in a different time period. Main character Delta, a trained combatant discharged from his host organization, makes ends meet working in a restaurant and somehow winds up protecting a heroine who fights via song magic.
Ar no Surge hits the PS3 in Japan on January 30 for 7,140 yen. No global release was announced. The presence of a hot tub based team-building mechanic has also not been confirmed.
Via press release, NIS America announced the launch of Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. The third entry in the series, Knell is now available for the PS3 at most North American retailers, and Premium Edition packaging includes a collectible art book and soundtrack disc.
NISA has announced that Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel will be released in North America on March 15. There will be a premium edition that includes a soundtrack CD and a hard cover art book. In addition, pre-ordering one of the first 1000 units from NISA’s store will get you a special limited edition Cosmosphere Calendar. Those who are not as fanatical about Reyvateils can opt for the standard version, which includes only the game and none of the swag.
The ESRB recently released its rating for Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. The third game in a series that has become increasingly suggestive, Ar tonelico Qoga has received an M rating for overt sexual content and language.
The game has nude female characters whose breasts and genitals are covered only by hands or beams of light, female characters wearing only their underwear, and a scene that shows bare buttocks. One scene features a male character verbally coercing a female character to strip, and the installation port scenes have heavy innuendo and moaning. There’s also some swearing; the ESRB description says that “‘sh*t,’ ‘a*shole,’ and ‘b*tch,’ appear in the dialogue.” All ESRB ratings descriptions are censored in this manner, so the game may show the words in their entirety.
At a recent NIS America press event, Souhei Niikawa – best known as the producer of the Disgaea series – announced that the company will from now on limit the number of releases per year. Niikawa stated the move is intended to allow developers to focus on game quality and customer satisfaction, though the exact limit was not specified. Three upcoming titles were announced as part of this new policy:
- Cladun: This is an RPG, according to the press release, is an action-adventure built around a retro dungeon crawl. Bound for the PSP via PlayStation Network, Cladun will feature character creation, randomly generated dungeons, and multiplayer through the PSP’s ad-hoc feature. The current release timeframe is fall of this year.
- Zettai Hero Keikaku, a strategy RPG centered around creating your own superhero, was simply referred to as Z.H.P. in its own press release. The Disgaea team will be developing Z.H.P., which is currently set for a winter launch on the PSP.
- Ar Tonelico 3 got a formal title: Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel. Billed as the final installment in the Ar Tonelico series, the PS3 title will have more action-oriented gameplay. The release window for North America and Europe is spring of 2011.
Niikawa also made mention of the next Disgaea title, bound for the PS3 in Japan. Few details were given, but he affirmed that more information would available “by the time
Tokyo Game Show comes around.”
The Chinese Stealth Armor is the only way to travel in Adams Air Force Base. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 01/14/10’ »
That Ys game is a PSP remake of a PC remake of Ys III. Just pointing that out. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 11/28/09’ »
Shiren the Wanderer 3 remains the title despite the localization, so as not to screw up our tags. Carry on. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 11/25/09’ »
La Pucelle Ragnarok needs an English release date. Continue reading ‘Mass Media 11/20/09’ »
How come when it’s us, it’s an abortion, and when it’s a chicken, it’s an omelet? Continue reading ‘Mass Media 11/11/09’ »
This week’s issue of Famitsu offered the first look at Gust’s upcoming RPG Ar tonelico 3, which will be released in Japan for the PS3 on January 28, 2010.
Continue reading ‘Famitsu Reveals Ar tonelico 3’ »
Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica is set a year and a half after the events of Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia. It’s a true sequel, though that does not become apparent until later in the game when references to Melody of Elemia start cropping up. The story centers on Croix, a knight of the Church of Pastalia, and a baffling epidemic that has been crippling many Reyvateils, the world’s magical songstresses. As these things go, he has the choice of pursuing one of two lovely Reyvateils — with a third option opening up later — in a quest to help the goddess or overthrow her.
Continue reading ‘Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica – Staff Review’ »
NISA has good news and bad news for their upcoming release of Ar tonelico 2: Melody of Metafalica. On the one hand, it comes with the game, a soundtrack and an art book. But on the other, since there’s been a slight delay, you’re going to have to wait until January 20 to get your hands on it.
NISA has confirmed via press release that more diving, singing, and sword-swinging action will be coming to North American PS2s this December.
Continue reading ‘Ar tonelico 2 Bound for North America’ »
Japan is that country that brought us the idea that several big robots could combine to make a giant robot. Compile Heart’s Agarest Senki staff has taken the idea and applied it to RPGs to form Cross Edge, a PS3 collaboration between Capcom, Namco Bandai, Nippon Ichi, Idea Factory, Gust, and Compile Heart. The team from Compile Heart responsible for Agarest Senki is leading the development. Continue reading ‘Japan Combines Every RPG Ever, Forms Voltron, Taunts English Speakers With Cross Edge’ »


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Buffalo-headquartered ACV Auctions provides a mobile app and web platform for car dealers.
CEO George Chamoun says it allows dealers to quickly buy wholesale vehicles through live auctions.
"The company's mission is to provide trust and transparency for dealers in buying their used cars," Chamoun said.
The company on Wednesday introduced virtual lift, an app-based technology which allows it to take a high resolution photo of a vehicle's undercarriage simply by driving over a phone connected to the hardware.
"In history so far, dealers have been buying used cars without knowing and/or inspecting the undercarriage of the vehicle," Chamoun said.
He said the new technology is the result of the company's investment into its research and development arm. In four years the department already has 88 employees. In fact, Chamoun said ACV has 800 total employees across the country, is hiring 50 more each month, and 300 are located in Western New York.
"Buffalo has all the resources that we need to build just a tremendous business," he said.
In 2015, the company got its launch as the top prize winner of New York state's 43North startup competition. Along with $1 million, it received incubator space, mentorship and connections to investors.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul holds ACV Auctions up as an example of the competition's success.
"These people could work anywhere in the country and they are now calling Buffalo home," she said.
Despite 44 companies in 43North's portfolio, ACV accounts for more than half of the 500 regional jobs the state said it's produced over five years. Critics have pointed out some winning companies have failed to develop while others have moved after fulfilling their one-year commitment to locate 50 percent of their staff and the CEO in Buffalo.
"If you kind of think about venture capital, venture capital is you invest in 10 companies and one or two of them work out," Chamoun said. "You don't expect all of them to work out."
The competition said while some companies like ACV hit home runs, companies that get doubles and singles are important to the economy as well. Chamoun said even if just a few companies have major success, the return on the state's $5 million annual investment, is worthwhile.
"It's more than 300 jobs," he said. "It's the hotel rooms. It's the restaurants. We have visitors every single week coming in. It's the belief that this is a place you can build a business."


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Among many things, the city of Denver is known for its love for local coffee shops and having a community full of furry companions.
As a way to do their part in helping shelters find animals their forever homes, Doug and Saadia Naiman, co-owners of Aviano Coffee in Cherry Creek, and Stuart Crowell and Delroy Gill of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, are bringing together coffee and community, but with a twist: a doggy fashion show where you can enjoy drinks while watching pups with their owners strut their stuff on the catwalk.
“The event is a community charity event designed to be a fun and lighthearted local pet and owner fashion show aimed at benefiting MaxFund,” says Doug Naiman. “We believe this is a cause that everyone can get behind.”
"We believe this will be a really fun and engaging way to bring out the community of Cherry Creek in a setting that everyone can appreciate," says Crowell. "After all, we all love our pets, so why not combine a chance to give back with a chance to have a fresh new community event."
Supporting a no-kill shelter such as MaxFun hits close to the hearts of the Cherry Creek community as well as the staff at Aviano and Sotheby’s - a community that is already brought together by their love for specialty coffee.
“This event is important to us because of our, along with our community’s love of animals,” says Saadia Naiman. “Aviano Coffee strongly supports no-kill animal shelters and animal adoption centers. As a community member serving as a community hub, we believe we’re well-positioned to influence and support a local cause with the ability to foster and encourage increased support for MaxFund, a true no-kill animal adoption center.”
“In Cherry Creek, our pets are part of our community as well,” says Doug Naiman. “They are our most loved loyal companions and friends. Our staff, but especially our customers, love their pets. We’re proud of them. We want to show them off. Let’s have a little fun while at the same time raising awareness and money for less fortunate animals in need of rescue.”
Join Aviano Coffee and LIV Sotheby's on Saturday, May 30, for a night of fashion and fur with Paws for a Cause benefitting MaxFund, a no-kill animal shelter in Denver. For more information on the event, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paws-for-a-cause-tickets-98702462723.


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Sahara's Plaza, Dream Downtown hotels in US up for sale?
The group has been trying hard to raise funds including through refinancing of loans on these two hotels as also on the historic Grosvenor House property in London.
National Highway toll plazas to rename as 'fee plazas'
Any structure or booth made for collection of fee will be known as "fee plaza" and a l...
New York’s Plaza Hotel auction: A look at the hotel's gilded history
The 282-room iconic hotel is expected to sell for more than $1 billion, ...
Pankaj Mathur appointed as general manager of Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity
Mathur has over three decades of experience in the hospitality industry and brings with him a wealth of operational & management expertise.
Marriott buys Starwood, now largest hotel chain
Marriott International closed on its $13 billion acquisition of several of the best-known names in travel. In total, 30 hotel brands now fall under the Marriott umbrella.
Seville, from its foot-tapping flamenco to mosaic-clad plazas
Years of external domination and cultural intermingling have resulted in a diversity that has today become Seville’s imprimatur.
Hotel operators, investors keen on buying Taj Mansingh hotel
The hotel is one of the most iconic in the capital city. Indian Hotel’s lease for the property ended in October 2011, but it has got several extensions since then.
We expect a revenue of Rs 97-100 crores from Sau-Kala toll plaza: Jayant Mhaiskar, MEP Infra
Mhaiskar said, "The tolling should start anywhere between second week of September. So that will give two quarters revenue in FY 17."
Race to acquire two hotels of Leelaventure Ltd begins again
The assets are under the control of JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co, which acquired Leelaventure’s debt two years ago when the company failed to find buyers.
These online budget hotel startups swear by the full inventory model
The online budget room space, it seemed, was getting cramped, and there was no room for people like Gupta who had embraced a full inventory model.
ICICI Bank eyes 30 lakh transactions via e-toll plazas by March
Electronic toll collection (ETC) enables vehicles to pay highway tolls electronically without stopping at toll plazas.
Subrata Roy-owned penthouse in Plaza Hotel up for $50 million
The 6,319 square feet palatial property occupies three floors at the top of the hotel which are connected by a curved staircase.
Bird Group to open 3 hotels in India; mulls acquisitions
The company already has land for these hotel properties, he said, adding all hotels of the Group are luxury boutique hotels.
DIAL invites bids for building a hotel close to Terminal 3
The Indira Gandhi International Airport houses the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s Holiday Inn Express, which is open only to transit passengers.
Keys Hotels hires new staff at senior levels
ET had reported this month that the mid-market chain is undergoing a churn. with several senior staff members quitting the company.


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Vijay C Roy
Today News Online Service
Chandigarh, February 19
Having ranked eighth in terms of exports in the last fiscal, Punjab’s share in the country’s textiles and garment exports has declined. From 5.14% in 2017-18, it has fallen to 4.52% in 2019-20. However, the share of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the country’s exports is on the rise.
In terms of quantum of exports, Haryana has been ranked fourth, Uttar Pradesh fifth and Rajasthan ninth.
According to data, Haryana’s share in exports touched 9.09% in FY20 compared to 8.44% in FY18.
Similarly, UP’s share in exports rose from 7.76% to 8.54% in FY20. Rajasthan’s share increased from 3.53% to 3.80% during the period.
During the past three years, the country’s exports declined by 6.55%. However, the quantum of decline was 18% in Punjab, much more than the national average.
“The state is facing fall in exports as many garment units have come up in Noida and a sizeable business has shifted to them as operational cost there is low as compared to Punjab,” said Harish Dua, an exporter from Ludhiana.
“Many export houses are manufacturing in Punjab but exporting from Delhi and this is reflected in Delhi data,” he said.


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announced today that Battlefield 3
, a title powered by Frostbite 2
, the next generation of DICE
's gaming engine, will be released in the UK on October 28th, 2011 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. This game includes a full single-player campaign and a co-op campaign - the game will also see the return of jets, prone, and 64-player multiplayer (on PC). Two new videos and a couple of fresh screenshots
have been added in our download section.


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Chick-fil-A (Atlanta)PR agency
Jackson Spalding (Atlanta)Campaign
Spicy Chicken Sandwich launchDuration
Just under $100,000
Prompted by consumer demand, Chick-fil-A developed a Spicy Chicken Sandwich a few years ago. As the economy worsened, it held off on the launch in part to cut expenses, including separate kitchen tools needed for isolating the spicy ingredients. This year, it decided to roll out and promote the product with a PR-heavy campaign.STRATEGY
In the early development stages, the company leaked information about the imminent launch. The PR team, including AOR Jackson Spalding, promoted the fact that it was coming, and used franchise and media outreach, says Donald Perry, VP of corporate PR at Chick-fil-A.
"This product had been in development so long, it wasn't that we were trying to make a surprise announcement," he says. "We wanted to build buzz."TACTICS
Beginning in late May, the team launched getspicy.com. It delivered sandwiches to media in about 30 key markets, promoting the effort via Twitter and franchisee outreach. Throughout the launch in June, outlets received "spicy b-roll" featuring president Dan Cathy.
On May 31, the team introduced a six-day consumer sampling promotion, open to Facebook fans and e-mail customers first, explains Perry.
"Over a week-long period, we could serve it, talk about it, and answer questions," he says. Jackson Spalding PR consultant Bryan Harris adds that local franchise operators initiated their own promotions for the spicy launch, including driving around on fire trucks.RESULTS
The company sold 3.3 million sandwiches between June 7 and 21, and gave away 1.2 million during the sampling period. The launch received more than 150 broadcast mentions and placements in outlets including the Houston Chronicle and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.FUTURE
The team will focus on promoting the campaign's positive business results, including sales "in a down economy," says Perry.


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CENTRAL ILLINOIS -- Central Illinois McDonald's Operators and Owners are loving this year's fundraising efforts.
Tuesday, the owners and operators presented the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois with a check for $49,500. The money was raised in September during the group's annual Ronald McDonald "For The Swing of It" Golf Outing.
Organizers say this year's event had a special meaning, as they changed the name in memory of one of their own.
"We have been doing this for about 10 years, but in honor of our recently passed operator, Dave Cope, we've renamed it the Dave Cope Annual Golf Tournament," said Robert Dobski, owner and operator.
Dave Cope died suddenly in April of this year.
He and his wife, Jayne, owned and operated the Canton and Farmington McDonald's locations for more than 20 years.


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Boots Pharmacy is now back to normal opening times.
When open, we will allow just one customer in store at any time, So you may have to queue for some time outdoors.


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Sheep and goat farmers met Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis at the presidential palace on Monday to discuss ongoing issues with the handling of the halloumi PDO.
The meeting, which Kadis described as constructive in a statement released after its conclusion, focused on several key points deemed crucial by farmers.
The focus was the farmers’ request to set the percentage of sheep milk in halloumi at 30 per cent and at 15 per cent in goat’s milk, in order to make the product viable for cheesemakers.
“The meeting was carried out in a productive atmosphere,” Kadis said. “The farmers were informed about the government efforts to facilitate the implementation of the PDO implementation.
“We are aware that they have faced challenges due to the new rules they will have to abide by during the production process of the cheese.
“We listened to their proposals and we will hold talks with other interested parties, such as the cow dairy farmers.”
Last month’s protest turned ugly when farmers dumped gallons of milk and blocked roads outside the palace, later cutting access to key traffic arteries of the capital. Authorities arrested several people after identifying them on CCTV cameras.
Halloumi secured PDO status last April and its production under that status started in October, however, seven months later, the relevant legislation has not been fully implemented.
The core of the dispute centres on the PDO stipulation that by 2024 51 per cent of the milk used in halloumi must be from goats or sheep. Until then, 20 per cent of the milk must be from goats and sheep. The farmers say producers are not strictly abiding by that.
Farmers will also ask for the full implementation of the PDO legislation, following the opinion of the Legal Service.
Goat and sheep farmers are reportedly convinced that should the PDO legislation get officially implemented, demand for goat and sheep milk will soar and prices for their products will eventually be higher than the production costs.
At the start of June, a support scheme for cheesemakers who, due to the coronavirus pandemic, were left with a large excess stock of halloumi last year was launched by the agriculture ministry.
Eligible to apply are licensed cheese manufacturing companies which hold a trademark certificate for halloumi for the year 2021, issued by the ministry of commerce. Those companies should also have had over 100,000kg excess supply of the traditional cheese by September 30, 2021.
Furthermore, companies in the milk and dairy products industry who have a relevant approval by the competent authority and as of September 30, 2021, also had 100,000kg of excess halloumi stock are also eligible for the scheme.