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Slotting brands into the game
April 5, 2011 in -e.social
By Steve Mullins. WildTangent is rolling out its BrandBoost ad platform in the UK to enable brands to reach consumers playing Facebook games.
Cadbury is using BrandBoost to offer social gamers virtual goods in Cupcake Corner, Happy Aquarium and Mall World for free, in return for engaging with a series of branded mini-games.
Namco Bandai is promoting Dr Kawashima’s Body And Brain Exercise’ for Xbox Kinect across multiple games by rewarding players with items when they watch a clip about the Kinect game.


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Australia’s national self-exclusion register, BetStop, is set to be launched next month to advance a government ambition of further protecting nationals from online gambling harms.
After first being detailed in June 2021 when Big Village, formerly Engine Australia, was tasked with delivering the project, August 21, 2023, has now been stipulated as the debut date.
This will enable Australians to voluntarily self-exclude from all 150 licensed interactive wagering service providers free of charge, from a minimum of three months up to a maximum of a lifetime.
Operators will be required to promote BetStop through their websites, apps and marketing material, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which will be responsible for regulating BetStop, to run a public awareness campaign.
“Protecting Australians from online gambling harms is a key priority for the Albanese Government,” commented Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications.
“The launch of Australia’s first National Self-Exclusion Register, BetStop, is a game changer, and will make it easy for vulnerable consumers to self-exclude from online wagering services.
“BetStop is the last of 10 measures to be implemented under the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering, to empower Australians through stronger consumer protections.”
Complementing this launch will be the introduction of mandatory customer pre-verification, which will require this process to be undertaken when registrations for new accounts are submitted. This must be undertaken before players for wager, and will replace an existing 72 hour requirement.
BetStop is the final measure of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering. Consistent gambling messaging and training for wagering staff came into effect in March of this year.
“With the introduction of BetStop, all measures under the National Consumer Protection Framework will be realised, with significant action delivered by our Government in just over a year,” said Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services.
“These measures will help to minimise the harm we see as a result of online gambling. For many people, it will change their lives.”
“We know minimising the harm caused by online gambling is not a set and forget exercise and I look forward to working with my state and territory counterparts on what comes next to continue this positive change.”
This pair of launches follow past government introductions, including a ban on the use of credit cards for online wagering and strengthening classification of gambling-like features in video games, including loot boxes.

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The potential for a merger between Sprint and T-Mobile is tenuous at best, but a recent move by T-Mobile’s parent company might signal that the two wireless carriers are considering giving it a try anyway. Re/code came across a regulatory filing on Thursday which states that Deutsche Telekom has reorganized its U.S. holdings, moving them from Germany to a wholly owned subsidiary in the Netherlands. According to BTIG Research analyst Walter Piecyk, holding a stake in the Netherlands can be very “tax-efficient” for a company looking to sell its assets. More →
T-Mobile might have been last in launching a 3G network in the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped it from moving right along. We had already known that T-Mobile was planning on lighting up its 7.2Mbps speeds in some cities by the end of 2009, but it looks like HSPA+ is kicking in just months later. Slated for mid-2010, a number of U.S. markets will have data speeds of up to 21Mbps on T-Mobile’s network. There are also a decent amount of handsets that will be able to take advantage of the 7.2Mbps kick, like the G1, CLIQ and the myTouch 3G, but we’re really looking for what T-Mobile has in store for the masses once HSPA+ hits. In addition to the speed upgrades, the company is also continuing to spread its 3G footprint across the country. Now where are those Nokia N900s with AWS 3G support? More →
As we inch closer to the day when Project Dark is finally realized, we’re getting more news regarding what it is and what it definitely isn’t. In addition to what we’ve reported with network speed boosts, unlimited rate plans and new devices, we’re hearing that getting the device of your dreams is going to be easier than ever. It’s definitely an unconfirmed rumor right now and we’re working on getting more solid details for you guys, but apparently “Even More Plus” will give those who would otherwise qualify for FlexPay the option to finance a phone. It sounds crazy, right? Our sources tell us that the phones will not be subsidized and so there won’t be contracts for the devices, which means you pay the full retail price over the course of a set amount of time (up to 20 months is what we’re told). Not bad — for a $500 device over that time is just $25/month, as an example.
We’re also hearing that the “Most Affordable Unlimited Rate Plans” are going to include three tiers of unlimited options: unlimited voice, unlimited voice and text, and unlimited voice/text/data all priced at $40, $50 and $60, respectively. Again, none of this is completely confirmed, but it does jive with what we’ve been hearing in the past and the ad pictured above. With plans, pricing and financing like that, is it possible for T-Mobile to shoot its way out of 4th place and past Sprint for 3rd?
Our pals across the pond are going to be facing some changes in the coming months as Deutsch Telekom and France Telecom are planning a massive merger in the UK. The companies are reportedly preparing to combine T-Mobile UK and Orange to form what will become the largest telco on the island, assuming the joint venture is approved by antitrust regulators. The deal is expected to be inked toward the end of October, giving the parties involved plenty of time to iron out details in the interim. The bright side for consumers, we suppose, is expanded network coverage — the downside of course being the fact that the two carriers will no longer be competing for business. So, what do our UK friends think?
Thanks, Roger A!


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Private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners in Palo Alto said it acquired a majority stake in Fox Head Inc., in a deal estimated at more than $200 million.
The Irvine-based motocross equipment, apparel and accessory brand, founded in 1974, generates $230 million to $240 million in annual revenue but is unprofitable, according to The Deal Pipeline article that broke the news of the pending sale back in September.
The company’s founders, the Fox family, will continue to hold a significant minority interest in the company. Other shareholders identified in the deal include motocross riders Ricky Carmichael and Carey Hart, and Hybrid Apparel in Cypress, which will become “a strategic supply chain partner to the company.”
“I have never been more optimistic about the future of the brand or the business," Geoff Fox, founder of Fox Head, said in a statement. “We’re excited to work with Altamont as we prepare for a new chapter in our story.”
Fox Head Chief Executive Nick Adcock, who had been on the job since February, has left “to pursue other opportunities,” according to the company. Scott Olivet, a partner at Altamont, is taking over as interim chief executive while the search is underway for a new one.
Chief Financial Officer Bill Bussiere also has left the company and taken the same position at Australia-based Billabong International Ltd., according to his LinkedIn profile. Pete Fox, a former Fox Head chief executive and the founder’s son, will return as the company’s chief creative officer.


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Lisbon is ready to host the first ever entrepreneurship program at the Moxie Hub, created to help local entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
The digital advertising program is part of the Urban Entrepreneurship Ecosystem’s initiative to help business owners and entrepreneurs across Maine expand their e-commerce skills and grow their online presence.
“The digital marketing program is the first step in adding programs to the Moxie hub,” said Brett Richardson, director of business and community development in Lisbon. “We have a community that we are building there and offering resources to people who want to build and expand their business.”
The city and Ancient York Lodge 155 signed a letter of intent to develop the hub in July after receiving a $ 60,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Downtown Center of the Maine Development Foundation last year.
The hub is intended to serve as a low-cost platform for starting a business for young entrepreneurs.
According to the city’s website, there are currently 36 companies in Lisbon.
While the hub is still being developed, Richardson said they’d like to take advantage of the space and have regular meetings where business owners can come together, share their products with the community, and learn from experts.
They also work with the Masons at Ancient York Lodge to provide resources to local entrepreneurs through the center.
“We’re moving in two different ways,” added Richardson. “One is the slower, physical improvement of the facility and the other is the use of space. Even if the hub is not yet ready for permanent regular use, we want people to know that a place is available for them. “
Richardson mentioned that one of the challenges in rural states like Maine is that there aren’t that many people and the only way to reach the more important markets is through digital advertising.
The program and hub are promoted across the state through a variety of resources and social media platforms.
However, Richardson did not provide any indication of when the development of the hub will be completed.
“This marketing series is intended to initiate the use of the area at the hub, but in the sense of a formal opening and the offer of co-working office spaces or pop-up details. We’re not quite there yet, ”he said.
To date, 12 entrepreneurs from across the state have signed up for the program. The program takes place every third Wednesday of the month from October 20, 2021 to March 16, 2022.
The program is offered by Rockland’s Dream Local Digital, a digital marketing agency. While the first and last training takes place in the hub, the rest is done online via Zoom.
In addition, at the end of the program, the Lisbon entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs will receive one-on-one advice from the representatives of the marketing agency Dream Local Digital of Rockland.
More information is available at www.lisbonmoxie.org
Pats plans to focus on details after an erroneous loss
Men don’t have to apply to the largest e-scooter factory in the world


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Apple is struggling to sell the HomePod after strong pre-order numbers.
Recent Apple HomePod Stories
A credible report explaining how Apple failed to capitalize on being first-to-market with Siri has triggered some fan fiction.
Sonos to start selling two One speakers for the price of a single Apple HomePod starting tomorrow.
Apple's HomePod smart speaker is finally shipping this February, with pre-orders opening on Friday.


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Eurovestech's chief executive plans to start a charity to get companies to give shares to good causes.
The chief executive of an investment company listed on the London Stock Exchange wants to set up a charity to encourage other blue-chip companies to donate a proportion of their shares to good causes.
Richard Bernstein is chief executive of Eurovestech, a venture capital fund that has been making charitable donations since 2001 by creating and giving away new shares.
Eurovestech recently passed the £1m mark in share donations with a gift to deafblind charity Sense, which the charity sold for £15,000. Bernstein now wants to set up a charity, independent of his company.
"There's been a good reaction to what we're doing," said Bernstein. "We're probably going to form a charity in the coming months to raise awareness and get corporate heavyweights and high-profile business dealers involved. We've had a meeting with other chief executives, and one or two other blue-chip companies came along to try to get a consensus on the best way to take it. The idea is to encourage other companies to copy the scheme because it's so easy to do."
Bernstein says donating shares will have little impact on a company's financial position. He claims many companies are not in a position at present to give significant cash donations, but may be able to consider the issue of new shares, thereby creating donations that might otherwise not have happened.
Eurovestech approached Sense after a shareholder who regularly donates to the charity suggested it could benefit from the scheme.
"It's a fantastic scheme," said Tiffany Garside, manager of corporate fundraising at Sense. "We don't need to supply any resources from our side in terms of manpower or costs, but the income was huge. Because it was unrestricted funding, we could determine what we wanted to do with the money we raised. The more companies that do it, the better."
Bernstein said: "It's a meaningful way of engaging with the real world, and I think it's what businesses should be doing. It makes no real difference to the owners of a company, but it makes a huge difference to society."
Nick Brooks, head of not-for-profit, Kingston Smith LLP
The general gifting of shares scheme has not been well taken up since it was introduced with GiftAid in 2000. It's not a well-used scheme, so anything that can stimulate that type of giving is a good thing.
Bernstein seems to want to do two things. First, his own company is creating new shares and giving them away. Second, he wants to set up his own charity, which presumably will be funded by share donations.
I don't think it's quite as simple as he says. When you issue new shares, you have to go through the formalities, and the same applies to gifting the shares. Although it's not hugely complicated, there are procedures that have to be followed. Shares go up as well as down, so their value depends on when charities decide to cash them in. They will also have to have some sort of facility with a bank or a broker to sell the shares, and that might be an extra cost for them.
But if it's a question of getting shares or nothing else, you're better off having the shares.


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B2B marketers all agreed that they needed to shift more into the digital space. Yes, they were masters of targeting e-mails but in many ways, they were still in their infancy in terms of what digital could really do. Then came the pandemic and a rapid growth of using digital across all channels which was something of an adolescence. Now, as we enter 2022, here’s what B2B digital adulthood will look like.
The world of NFTs has opened up the metaverse for brands, with the likes of Coca-Cola, Dole and Twitter all jumping into the community. But what value does it bring to marketers?... read more
The race to have a solid first-party data strategy is on, as the industry watches the gradually diminished use of the cookie. Ahead of the curve is leading publisher News Corp in... read more
As the NFL's London Games return after a pandemic-enforced hiatus, the sports giant's director of digital and social content, Jamie King, gives us a play-by-play rundown... read more
Take that Burger King. Wendy’s has leapfrogged this mighty competitor in the burger wars. How did they do it? Was it Rick and Morty’s doing? And what’s with all their chatter... read more
We all know consumers have flocked to on-demand premium video content over the past year but what does that mean for inventory? This session will give practical tips for buying the... read more
While it may seem the only constant in digital is change, this session will help distil the future of ad tech into three important trends in APAC. Industry leader Sonal Patel, managing... read more


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Intro has designed the cinema poster for acclaimed Scottish director Lynne Ramsey’s latest film Morvern Callar, as well as creating the cover for the soundtrack CD. Intro senior designers Julian House and Mat Cook cite New York filmmaker John Cassavetes and classic Polish movie posters from the 1960s among the visual influences. Their stark, two-colour design focuses on a large and radically treated close-up image of the film’s star, Samantha Morton, shot by photographer Gautier Deblonde. The film opened nationwide last Friday and the CD was released by Warp on Monday.
Integrated packaging design specialist Equator, offers tips on how to keep new business coming through the door.
The company is claiming that it dismissed Conze in October for revealing confidential information, and has now filed a lawsuit against him.
A round-up of moves, changes and appointments in the design world.
Stories of sexism in the industry, a £200,000 interiors redesign for the V&A Museum of Childhood and a nostalgic look at magazine The Face – the news from the last


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SEGA has announced it’s to make some of its PC games available on EA’s Origin, starting with Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai which is now available for pre-order on the service. In addition, Team 17 Software, Rebellion, and Kalypso Media Digital have also signed on with the service, which brings Origin’s total partners to 35. Titles from the aforementioned studios will be released in the “coming months.”
Buy our t-shirts, yeah
They're far more stylish than your average video game website tat.


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Marc Dolce, Denis Dekovic and Mark Miner are now adidas employees. The three former Nike designers were ensnared in a nasty legal battle with the company, which claimed that they stole millions of dollars worth of trade secrets when they left for adidas in 2014. The designers now work for the company out of Brooklyn, New York, where Adidas will soon open a creative studio.
Per Portland Business Journal, “Industry analysts called the hirings of Dolce, Dekovic and Miner a ‘key step’ in adidas' effort to get back on track in North America, a critical market where it had lost ground against Nike and Under Armour. adidas has done that, likely without contributions from the three designers who have seemingly sat on the sidelines for more than a year due to standard non-compete clauses.”
You may recall that in December 2014, Nike filed a $10 million lawsuit against three of its former senior shoe designers, accusing them of stealing its trade secrets and joining rival, Adidas. Specifically, the Oregon-based sportswear giant alleged that former Nike employees, Denis Dekovic, Marc Dolce and Mark Miner violated their non-compete agreements by stealing years worth of trade secret information (think: confidential design and business documents, including drawings for unreleased shoes made for one of Nike’s sponsored athletes) and taking that info to Adidas where they are setting up a copycat of Nike's design studio.
To this, the three designers filed claims against Nike, accusing the company of creating a "culture of distrust and intimidation" which caused them to seek employment elsewhere; hacking their phones, emails and social media accounts; and filing this "meritless" lawsuit purely as a "publicity stunt." The case was ultimately settled out of court in June 2015.
According to a statement released by the designers’ counsel, "The case was resolved through a confidential settlement.” The settlement comes on the eve of a June 10th deposition of Nike chief executive Mark Parker, which Nike’s counsel fought, contending that the request amounted to harassment. The parties were also scheduled to head to trial on the near future, on June 22nd through the 26th. A spokeswoman for Adidas said the company would not comment.


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Rocky Ford, Colo., melons linked to illness, deaths
An Oklahoman who ate cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford, Colo., area is among those sickened in a multi
Authorities are trying to determine if six other Oklahomans also have been infected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this is the first outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe.
The state Health Department joined other state and federal officials to warn high-risk consumers – older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women — not to eat cantaloupes grown in the Rocky Ford area.
“Throw it out. Do not eat it if it's from the Rocky Ford region,” said Pam Williams, state Health Department spokeswoman.
Contaminated cantaloupes may still be in grocery stores and in consumers' homes.
“We need for people to check their food at home and make sure it's not the listeria-tainted cantaloupe,” Williams said.
Consumers should check the label on cantaloupes at home or check with the store where they bought the fruit to see if it came from the Rocky Ford region. It's not clear whether Rocky Ford cantaloupes have been sold in metro area grocery stores.
Cantaloupes from the Rocky Ford area should be closed in a plastic bag and placed in a sealed trash can so people or animals will not eat it, health officials said.
- Related to this story
- Article: Tracking produce from Oklahoma, one watermelon at a time
Signs of infection
The first reports of suspicious symptoms of fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea reached the Health Department between Aug. 1 and Sept. 7, Williams said.
Symptoms may occur from a few days after consumption of the infected food to as long as two months later.
Since Sept. 12, health departments have identified 15 cases in Colorado, Texas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Four people in Colorado and New Mexico have died from listeriosis. No deaths have occurred in Oklahoma at this point.
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal feces. Infections may happen by consumption of raw vegetables contaminated by the soil or manure used as fertilizer.
For more information about the outbreak, go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at 1.usa.gov/pSzV3M.


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Apple has been forced to make major cuts to production forecasts for its Vision Pro augmented-reality headset due to design complexities, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing people with direct knowledge of the process.
The Vision Pro, launched last month and expected to be available early next year in the U.S., has a starting price of $3,499 - over three times the cost of the priciest headset in Meta's line of mixed and virtual reality devices.
The report said Chinese contract manufacturer Luxshare, Apple's only assembler of the device, was preparing to make fewer than 400,000 units of Vision Pro in 2024.
That is below Apple's earlier internal sales target of 1 million units in the first 12 months, according to the FT.
Apple and Luxshare did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
"Apple's Vision Pro headset was already running up against challenges, given its high price point, and now it's veered into another potential setback," said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets, Hargreaves Lansdown.
Streeter, however, added Apple has encountered post-launch problems before but recovered "spectacularly well" once products have been tested by users.
The FT said Apple has asked two China-based suppliers for enough components for 130,000 to 150,000 units in the first year, adding that plans for a more affordable version of the device have been pushed back.
A big difficulty in the production process is the manufacturing of the micro-OLED displays for the device, with Apple being unhappy with the yield of micro-OLEDs that are free of defects, the report said.
The production forecast cut also "disappointed" Luxshare, the FT reported, as it was set to increase its capacity to be able to build almost 18 million units annually in the coming years.
Shares of Apple were down 0.3%, after it became the first company to end a trading session above $3 trillion in market value on Friday.


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Mr. Chris Moulson of Sugarbud reports
SUGARBUD ACCELERATES CANNABIS 2.0 PRODUCT LAUNCH VIA PURCHASE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH CANNMART INC. AND COMPLETES DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIVE-FREE, 100% CANNABIS FULL-SPECTRUM VAPE CARTRIDGES
Sugarbud Craft Growers Corp. has entered into a national product purchase and supply agreement for the company's cannabis 2.0 products with Namaste Technlogies Inc.'s CannMart Inc.
Sugarbud is also pleased to announce that, as part of the previously announced contract manufacturing agreement with Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp., it has completed the final development and qualification of its additive-free, 100 per cent cannabis full-spectrum vape cartridges.
Under the terms of the supply agreement, CannMart will have the ability to purchase Sugarbud branded cannabis extract products for subsequent national distribution and sale to provincially/territorially authorized distributors/retailers under their own sales licence and Sugarbud will process and package the Sugarbud branded craft cannabis extract products on behalf of CannMart. The agreement with CannMart is subject to customary regulatory, licensing and new product notification requirements.
"Our entry into the adult-use recreational cannabis 2.0 market in Canada is a major catalyst for the company and we couldn't be more excited to be partnering with CannMart to accelerate our plans to bring our expanded Sugarbud Craft cannabis collection to our target markets and consumers in Canada," stated Sugarbud chief executive officer John Kondrosky.
"Our partnership with CannMart is a very significant step forward in the rapid evolution of our company and just another example of how we continue to focus and execute against our strategic priorities and hit the milestones we have laid out for the company. Together with our previously launched dried cannabis platform of products, our partnership with CannMart both expands and accelerates our penetration into our core focus markets," concluded Mr. Kondrosky.
"We are pleased to welcome Sugarbud to our portfolio as many companies are seeing added value in Namaste's distribution footprint," said Meni Morim, chief executive officer of Namaste Technologies, CannMart's parent company. "We look forward to working closely with our new partner to expand their reach to Canadian cannabis consumers."
Sugarbud now expects to be in a position to begin shipping its Sugarbud branded cannabis extract products to provincially/territorially authorized distributors/retailers by the end of Q1 2021.
The company's agreement with CannMart also covers the time between today's announcement and when Sugarbud expects to receive authorization from Health Canada to sell its cannabis extract products directly to provincially/territorially authorized distributors/retailers and registered patients.
The company expects approval for its own amended sales licence permitting the direct sale of cannabis extracts in early Q3 of 2021.
Under the terms of the previously announced manufacturing agreement, Heritage will continue to provide Sugarbud with extraction, formulation and production services for the continuing supply of its prefilled vape cartridges utilizing proprietary, additive-free 100 per cent cannabis formulations. Additional details are available in the company's press release dated Oct. 15, 2019.
"Our high-quality, 100 per cent cannabis vape products are a natural and logical extension of our inhaled product strategy. Sugarbud vape products leverage and embody the quality, consistency, flavour profiles and aromas found in our exceptional craft cannabis flower," stated Mr. Kondrosky.
New cannabis derivative products and formats such as vape cartridges and pens are a rapidly growing segment of the Canadian adult-use recreational market and Sugarbud expects that its high-quality, additive-free 100 per cent cannabis vape products will become a significant catalyst for future growth.
"We are confident that our partnership with Heritage will equip Sugarbud to deliver high-quality products to consumers with the safety, integrity and exceptional outcomes they demand," concluded Mr. Kondrosky.
About Sugarbud Craft Growers Corp.
Sugarbud is an Alberta-based, consumer-driven boutique craft cannabis company focused on the cultivation and production of superior, select-batch, craft cannabis products. The company's vision and mission are to become a trusted and well-respected consumer brand renowned for providing exceptional high-quality craft cannabis products to legal markets by delighting the most discerning of cannabis consumers.
About CannMart Inc.
CannMart is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namaste Technologies, a leading platform for cannabis products, accessories and education.
We seek Safe Harbor.
© 2022 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.


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The Next Web (TNW) Conference made a welcome return to Amsterdam at Taets Art and Event Park from June 16-17, 2022. The two-day tech festival – dubbed the “Woodstock for innovators” – attracted 10,000 attendees from over 90 countries to explore how tech can help shape the world of tomorrow.
Covering a range of topics across 8 themes, TNW presented a program packed with startup battles, networking sessions, and over 150 industry pioneers leading talks on tech and money, human-centred AI to business scaling and sustainability. Since its founding in 2006, The Next Web has grown into a global brand, establishing itself as “the heart of tech”.
Support from the Amsterdam Convention Bureau
This year, the Amsterdam Convention Bureau, together with StartupAmsterdam and Smart Health Amsterdam, brought the Amsterdam Pavilion to TNW 2022. Amidst the bustling conference floor, the Amsterdam Pavilion provided attendees with a lounging area, fresh coffee and the opportunity to learn about the 12 Amsterdam-based startups pitching their business ideas during the daily Startup Pitch Hour.
“It’s always a pleasure to exhibit at The Next Web, represent the city, and shed a well-deserved light on innovative startups from our ecosystem,” says Alexandra Belicova, Partnerships & Events Lead, StartupAmsterdam. “The relationship between Amsterdam and TNW is a no-brainer – the event creates great opportunities for its attendees”.
Because of Amsterdam’s strong focus on collaboration and social connectivity, Amsterdam Convention Bureau is able to create opportunities for conference parties, meeting planners and attendees to connect with the city’s knowledge institutes, talent and businesses all within the local ecosystem– including the tech industry.
A leading tech hub
Large-scale game-changing events like TNW showcase the strength of Amsterdam’s technological environment and digital infrastructure. By granting associations and attendees a look at the city’s people-centred approach to technology, Amsterdam continues to collaborate with startups and international organisations to encourage innovation that will shape the capital’s—and the continent’s—future.
To find out how the Amsterdam Convention Bureau can support your next event, contact us at firstname.lastname@example.org or via WhatsApp +31 (0) 682747079
Read more about why Amsterdam is the ideal place for tech events or more about the tech sector in Amsterdam.


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Amid a scandal over the sale of rotten meat, Brazil's government has been bending over backward to assure foreign consumers there has been no health threat. The president himself chose to deal with the matter.
In a desperate move to prove that Brazilian meat was safe, President Michel Temer on Sunday night invited ambassadors to a steak dinner against a backdrop of allegations that corrupt exporters had sold deliberately mislabeled rotten meat.
The scare started at the end of last week, when police raided more than a dozen processing plants. Three facilities were shut down right away and at least 30 people were arrested after it became known that bad meat had been sold and fraudulent certificates issued.
In some cases, carcinogenic chemicals had been used to mask the smell of the meat, authorities confirmed.
Mercosur deal in jeopardy?
Brazil has suffered from two years of recession. The meat industry has been one of the few bright spots in Latin America's biggest economy.
Meeting ambassadors, Temer had the daunting mission of calming the scandal, which was threatening the reputation of the world's biggest exporter of beef and poultry. Brazilian meat is shipped to 150 nations; sales last year reached $5.9 billion (5.48 billion euros) in poultry and $4.3 billion in beef, according to government data.
In Temer's address to the ambassadors (only 19 out of 33 took him up on the invitation), the president acknowledged that the scandal had caused "major concern."
But he insisted that the tainted meat occurred in "only a very few businesses" and did not represent a wider problem.
Brazil's food safety authorities have intensified their investigations following raids on Friday which found that 21 of more than 4,800 meatpackers in operation were affected by the scandal.
There were worries, though, that the recent revelations could hurt attempts to negotiate a trade deal between South America's Mercosur group and the European Union. That's because the countries which are party to trade deals must not only have good reason to be confident that each others' regulations are properly designed to protect consumers - the regulations must also be properly implemented.
The fallout continues
So far Germany has not been affected. Gero Jentzsch from the German Butchers’ Association says that he only knows what is being published in the press and that we must wait to see what the investigations reveal.
Nonetheless, he calls for better structures in the agriculture and meat industries, which would make transparency and traceability easier for consumers. "A close relationship between farmers and butchers, as well as a personal relationship between butchers and their customers would be an ideal situation."
But for Brazil the knock-on effects of the scandal keep coming. China and Chile have both now temporarily suspended imports of Brazilian meat. Though a source told Reuters that China's temporary ban is only a "precautionary measure."
Shares of Brazilian meatpackers BRF SA and JBS SA slumped on Monday. Even shares of Minerva SA and Marfrig Global Foods SA, which are not involved in the investigations, likewise fell sharply as traders fretted over the possibility of further import bans.
The threat to Brazil's reputation as the world's biggest beef and poultry-exporting nation keeps growing.
hg/tr (AP, AFP, Reuters)


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AF&PA Applauds EPA for Taking Action to Identify Solutions for a Stronger Domestic Recycling System
Nov. 15, 2019 - American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for bringing together recycling stakeholders, decision makers and government officials to celebrate recycling and identify solutions for a stronger domestic recycling system. Brock attended the second annual America Recycles Summit, hosted by the EPA at its DC-based headquarters on Friday.
“Successful outcomes result from partnership and collaboration. That's why the EPA deserves a round of applause for bringing together recycling stakeholders, decision makers and government officials to celebrate recycling successes, learn from each other and address the challenges before us. For our part, as an industry we are working to remove confusion about what is recyclable – pizza boxes, for example, which are recyclable.
“Paper and paper-based product manufacturers have a long history of applying sustainable business practices to innovate and adapt to market demands to drive future successes. Take the U.S. paper recovery for recycling rate. In 2018, industry and consumer commitment to increasing the quality and quantity of paper recovered for recycling contributed to a record high 68.1 percent rate. The paper recovery rate has met or exceeded 63 percent for the past decade.
“That's called progress, and we're eager to share how we achieved it, learn from others and work together to advance the use of all recovered materials to manufacture a wide range of renewable products, create jobs, protect the environment and improve the quality of life for all Americans.”
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.
The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures approximately $300 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 950,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $55 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.


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TERNEUZEN, Netherlands—Trinseo S.A. has opened a new compounding factory at its Hoek site in Terneuzen.
Officially opened on June 26, the facility replaces a facility at Terneuzen Industrial Park, said the maker of plastics, latex binders and synthetic rubber materials.
The relocation to Mosselbanken in Hoek was partly driven by a lack of space for expansion at the Terneuzen Industrial Park.
The 450-employee Terneuzen site is Trinseo's second largest of Trinseo's 16 production sites and 11 research and development centers worldwide.
The new compounding plant is in close vicinity to Trinseo's new R&D center, which was officially opened in September 2017.
A decisive advantage of the new location is the proximity to the firm's storage and distribution partner Katoen Natie, Trinseo pointed out.
The unit "represents a long-term investment in the future," according to Frans Kempenaars, managing director of Trinseo Netherlands.
According to the MD, the Hoek-site facility incorporates special features developed by an experienced team of Trinseo employees and contractors.
It is "going to take some getting used to at times," Kempenaars said. "We are very positive about the opportunities offered by this general change."


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For the 5th year in a row, Mango Materials has been named to Biofuels’ Digests “Hottest” list! This time Mango Materials was named as the 12th Hottest Technology in the Advanced Bioeconomy. We are honored to be named to this list with some amazing technologies such as Impossible Foods, LanzaTech, Genomatica, AMSilk, and Modern Meadow.
Click here to see the full list of “Hot” Technologies!
Tze Wei U, a member of the Marketing and Customer Development team at Mango Materials was named as a 2018 Green Warrior from Green is the New Black. Wei was featured among others in the environmental space around the world who are working on zero waste solutions, saving the oceans from plastic pollution, and producing more environmentally friendly materials.
To reach Wei’s bio and see the other Green Warriors, click here.
Photo credit: Flavien Prioreau and Zoe Kovacs
Fashion for Good unveiled their new interactive museum on Oct. 5, 2018 that aims to teach visitors about innovations in the fashion and textiles space. Among the innovations showcased include biodegradable glitter, leather made from apples, dyes from microorganisms, and Mango Materials’ biodegradable polyester.
The museum is interactive through the use of RFID bracelets made from recycled plastic. Located at Rokin 102 in Amsterdam, the museum takes visitors through the garment making process, highlighting innovations and awesome innovators along the way. Be sure it check it out the next time you are in Amsterdam!
Clothes are being made at a rapid pace and entering the waste system just as fast. In Anthropocene Magazine, Veronique Greenwood discusses how we got to the fast fashion movement and highlights unique solutions to address the end of life issues of garments, including Mango Materials’ biopolyester.
Greenwood states, “One company in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mango Materials, has been working for eight years on commercializing a process in which bacteria convert methane into a biodegradable plastic; last summer, the company found a way to spin the substance into polyester-like fibers that can be used in clothes.”
Click here to read more from the sustainable fashion article in Anthropocene Magazine.
RISE® — The Research, Innovation & Science For Engineered Fabrics Conference, will be held September 11-13, 2018, at the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel, Raleigh, N.C. The conference, now in its eighth year and organized by the Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), focuses on innovations in global plastics extrusion, multifunctional fabric technologies, innovative apparel manufacturing and disruptive engineered materials with the aim of connecting innovations with real-world applications. Mango Materials will be presenting at the conference along with other companies such as Gingko Bioworks, Performance Biofilaments, Fiber Innovation Technology, Lenzing AG, among others.
Click here to read the article about the event.
In the third installment of a three part series, writer Mary Catherine O’Connor provides some solutions to the microfibers problem, which includes Mango Materials’ biodegradable fibers. Other solutions include catching the fibers in the washing process or using additives to enhance biodegradation at the wastewater treatment plant.
Click here to read the entire article.
Molly had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lowell for a recent “Learning with Lowell” podcast. They discussed biodegradable polymers, what is it like starting a company, and a few of Molly’s favorite things.
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Click here to subscribe to Learning with Lowell.
On June 14, 2018, Molly presented to corporate partners and members of the textile industry at Fashion for Good’s Innovation Fest in Amsterdam. As the final event of the 3 month accelerator program, Innovation Fest featured all of the start-ups in Batch 3, along with some of the new members of the Fashion for Good Scaling Programme.
To see Molly’s pitch, click here.
In Spring 2018, Anne Schauer-Gimenez was interviewed by SEAL Awards as part of their emerging sustainability leaders interview series. SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership) Awards “celebrate the companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability, and develop innovative initiatives that will positively impact the environment for centuries to come.”
To read the interview, click here.
Mango Materials selected as one of 15 innovators in batch #3 of the Fashion for Good – Plug and Play accelerator
Mango Materials has been selected as one of 15 innovators for the Fashion for Good – Plug and Play accelerator. As part of Batch #3, we will be participating in events from March to June at their facility in Amsterdam that include meetings with brands, mentors, and corporate partners in the sustainable fashion space.
Fashion for Good was launched in 2017 and the Accelerator Programme is part of the Innovation Platform, which also includes a Scaling Programme and the Good Fashion Fund.
Molly and Anne will be attending several focus weeks and the accelerator will conclude on June 14th with a graduation at the Fashion for Good hub in Amsterdam, where we will showcase our biopolyester made from methane to an audience of industry leaders and investors.
Read more about all of the innovators here.


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The category of cheap smartphones under the price of $ 400 includes tons of devices, such as the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, iPhone SE, to name a few.
Not only that, the best phone makers like Samsung and Google also have something to offer people who are on a tight budget.
(Photo: by LLUIS GENE / AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A person uses a smartphone at Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s largest mobile fair, on February 26, 2018 in Barcelona. – The Mobile World Congress is being held in Barcelona from February 26 to March 1.
Cheap smartphones on a tight budget
It’s also worth noting that phone makers from time to time release budget devices as the market continues to grow. However, it has created countless choices for those looking for their inexpensive phone. As such, it became difficult to choose the perfect budget smartphone.
That said, this list of the top 5 cheap smartphones could help cut down on the cluttered space of budget deals.
Top 3 Best Cheap Smartphones Under $ 400
Without further ado, we’ve listed some notable budget smartphones that cost less than $ 400.
iPhone SE 2020 ($ 300)
Apple’s budget smartphone, the iPhone SE 2020, may seem out of place on the list due to its dated design and limited specs, but it’s still the best way to own a cheap iPhone.
Not to mention, the iPhone SE 2020 still does a good job in most of the essentials, like taking photos, battery life, and speed.
According to The edge, the inexpensive iPhone sports a familiar, proven design that first saw the light in the six-year-old iPhone 6.
(Photo: by Jack Taylor / Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: An iPhone 8 plus is held up for a photo on September 22, 2017 in London, England. Apple today launched its new mobile phone, the iPhone 8 and 8 plus in the UK ahead of the iPhone X’s release in November.
As such, expect the bezels on this device to be larger than anything sold today, as well as the tiny 4.7-inch LCD screen.
While its appearance is undoubtedly dated, Apple has always packed a next-gen A13 Bionic processor that doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance, as the iPhone 11 sported it as well. Also, don’t expect this device to come with 5G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G ($ 279.99)
As the name suggests, this Samsung budget phone supports 5G, along with other facets including long battery life, capable cameras and a slightly modern design, according to PCMag.
Galaxy A32 5G’s large 6.5-inch display is perfect for 2021, but the dewdrop selfie camera module makes this phone slightly cheap
The prominent feature of the A32 5G is its impressive 5,000mAh battery life that can last for days with moderate use.
Meanwhile, the Samsung phone sports a MediaTek Dimensity 720 5G chipset with 4 GB of RAM.
Read also: IPhone 13 price: How many working days do you need, depending on your country
OnePlus Nord N10 5G ($ 299)
Another 5G-capable budget phone on the list is the OnePlus Nord N10 which displays a 6.46-inch LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, according to GSMArena.
This inexpensive OnePlus device comes with a Snapdragon 690 5G processor and 6GB of RAM, which is enough to power moderate to light tasks.
Additionally, the Nord N10 5G also has a 64-megapixel primary shooter that does the job well in daylight.
Associated article: Top 5 smartphones with headphone jack in 2021: Samsung, Pixel and PLUS
This article is the property of Tech Times
Written by Teejay Boris
2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


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Lithium batteries have the potential to revolutionise energy storage, but there’s no clear standard.
That means the industry is scrambling to make sure they’re safe and reliable.
Today, ABC News investigates what you need read before investing.
1:40The most common type of lithium battery used in mobile phones and computers is called an autocraft.
These batteries are made by a company called Lithium Battery Solutions.
Lithium battery chargers use a battery that has been melted down, cooled and stored in liquid electrolytes, which are a type of liquid electrolyte.
These types of batteries are used in electric vehicles and in many other high-energy applications.
Lithia batteries are very safe to use, and they’re not a new technology, but they’re relatively new to the market.
They are very versatile, but their durability is not always good.
Lithias lithium batteries are extremely durable, but when they get hot they lose energy, and that’s why the battery industry has to be careful when it comes to lithium batteries.
The battery industry is looking for better ways to keep lithium batteries safe.
The first step in that process is to design and develop new batteries.
That’s where Lithia Battery Solutions comes in.
The company says it is focused on battery safety.
It has developed battery charger systems that work by using liquid electrolytic storage.
This type of battery uses liquid electrolysis to create electricity.
The electrolyte has a high degree of purity, meaning the battery has been carefully cooled.
The battery is then stored in a special tank.
When the battery is fully charged, it has a very low voltage.
When it gets very hot, the battery will lose its charge and start to leak electrolyte, and it can explode.
Lithia Battery Solution’s solution uses a lithium polymer battery in its chargers.
It says these batteries are safer than the batteries made by other companies.
The batteries used in Lithia battery chargings can be made with one of two materials.
One is a metal, or an alkaline metal.
The other is a lithium metal.
When they are made with these two materials, the batteries can be used in many different applications.
The batteries are safe to handle, and their durability also has not been a problem.
They work in a range of applications.
They are not very durable, so you might need to take the battery out of the charger for a couple of days.
Lithi batteries also have a high energy density, meaning they have a capacity to store energy that can last a long time.
They have the capacity to last up to a decade.
The new batteries also work in the presence of air.
These lithium batteries also can withstand high temperatures and high pressures, which means they can handle very high temperatures, as well.
If you want to make a battery, you have to be able to store the energy that it will produce, and you need a way to store it for a long period of time.
Lithiac batteries can do that.
The main use for Lithia-based batteries is in electric cars, but Lithium-based lithium batteries can also be used to store electricity in solar panels.
The first generation of Lithium Ion batteries came into the market in 2012, and lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in laptops, laptops with mobile phones, and electric vehicles.
But these batteries have not been widely deployed for power storage applications.
That changed in 2014, when lithium batteries became popular with electric vehicles, like electric cars and buses.
That’s when Lithia Power came on the scene.LITHIA POWER is a company that’s focused on the development of lithium-based battery technology.
Its chief technology officer, Dr. James McWilliams, says the main goal of Lithia is to be a leader in the power storage industry.LTHIA POWER developed an improved version of its Lithium Power batteries, called Lithia Procell batteries, which have a higher energy density and are more robust.
It is now making these batteries available to other companies and the consumer market.
Dr. McWilliams says the company has found a solution that can work with all of the energy storage technologies currently available.
Dr McWilliams has been with Lithia for three years.
He says the battery technology is very simple, so it is very straightforward to use.
There is a lot of technology that is out there, but it’s not easy to integrate.LIVE UPDATES: Watch the ABC’s live updates on the lithium battery.
LTHIA PROcell batteries are the first lithium battery chargeries that can be placed in an electric vehicle.
The lithium batteries work by taking a lithium ion polymer battery, and using liquid-liquid electrolytes to create electrical energy.
When LithiaProcell batteries get hot, they start leaking electrolyte and they start to melt, and the batteries will start to burst.
The process is very different to what we’ve seen before,


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It also found that nearly two-thirds of individual investors surveyed viewed climate risk and sustainability as key factors that would affect the performance of their portfolios.
However, nearly two in five respondents say they do not have enough time to research and implement more sustainable investments (19%) or that the information is unclear, unavailable, or non-existent (18%).
It is not just investments that are increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability.
The IBM poll also asked about consumer attitudes and found that, on average, three out of five respondents say environmentally sustainable or socially responsible products made up at least half of their previous purchases.
high price, low wages
Even in low-income households, consumers are willing to pay a premium for these items.


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Alaska Airlines has introduced its first ever custom craft beer, created exclusively for the airline by Seattle, US-based Fremont Brewing.
The airline’s latest IPA – called Cloud Cruiser – will be served in first and premium class as a complementary beverage, and will be available for purchase in the main cabin.
Fremont Brewing collaborated with Alaska Airlines to create various beer blends. These blends were taste-tested at 30,000 feet before both parties decided on Cloud Cruiser – an Indian pale ale with orange, melon and tropical flavours.
Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of guest products, said: “The Cloud Cruiser is the result of two Pacific Northwest brands coming together…The only place in the world you’ll be able to find this one-of-a-kind craft beer is if you’re flying on Alaska or in one of our lounges.”
Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing’s founder and owner, commented: “Cloud Cruiser IPA is brewed with a select blend of malts and Washington-grown to stay fresh in the air”.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024


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WATCH: 2024 Chevrolet E-Ray Corvette Filmed Playing In The Snow
This Christmas couldn’t get any better for C8 enthusiasts. Corvette tipster Corvette Nut uploaded a 30-second teaser video of the upcoming E-Ray doing four-wheel drifts in the snow, a video that appears to feature the same camouflaged prototype teased by GM in a video from April 2022.
We’ve known that General Motors will electrify the C8 before the Stingray was presented in July 2018, with the convertible version of the Stingray following suit in October 2019. After taking the veils off, the biggest automaker of the Big Three in Detroit indirectly confirmed that electric assistance is coming by means of the 2020 model year Stingray owner’s manual.


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- Canada's #1 sportscast, SPORTSCENTRE, to broadcast live from 10 communities this summer -
- $250,000 in community awards available to be won from Kraft Canada -
- The Kraft Celebration Tour has helped Canadians live healthier lives through $1 million donated to deserving communities across the country since 2009 -
To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/17rstl0
TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada becomes the backdrop for the country's biggest summertime celebration as the award-winning Kraft Celebration Tour gets set to hit the road for the fifth consecutive year. Beginning today, Canadians can nominate their city or town for the chance to win $25,000 toward a community project that improves an existing space or helps create a brand new one. Each winning community will also host one of 10 live broadcasts of Canada's most-watched sports news program, SPORTSCENTRE, as part of this summer's cross-country tour from August 16-25.
Also joining the Kraft Celebration Tour once again this summer is RDS, as the network's daily sports talk show, SPORTS 30 LE MAGAZINE, broadcasts live from winning communities in Quebec.
The Kraft Celebration Tour recognizes the passion and community spirit that brings people together and promotes healthy active lifestyles from coast to coast. Since 2009, the Kraft Celebration Tour has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians in 40 deserving communities with a total of $1 million toward projects such as:
- Building a skateboard park
- Upgrading a sports field
- Improving a boxing facility
- Renovating a community youth centre
"Each year we embark with TSN on the Kraft Celebration Tour and are amazed at how committed Canadians across the country are to improving the communities that they live in," said Jack Hewitt, Vice-President, Marketing Insights and Services, Kraft Canada. "Watching cities and towns rally around a common goal and show such incredible hometown pride is inspiring, and we look forward to experiencing it again this year and for years to come."
"Through the Kraft Celebration Tour, we've been able to continue our tremendous partnership with Kraft Canada and give back to deserving Canadians across the country," said Stewart Johnston, President, TSN. "The communities that are honoured and the stories that are told by the Kraft Celebration Tour help remind us how fortunate we are to live in such a diverse and beautiful country filled with countless remarkable people. To be a part of something as special as this program is an honour for all of us at TSN and we can't wait to head out on the road again."
To nominate a community, Canadians are asked to submit a short essay and up to five photos explaining why their community deserves to be a part of the Kraft Celebration Tour and how the $25,000 community award will go towards the creation or improvement of a local community space. The essay should also touch upon how the award would help promote community spirit, a passion for sports, and an active lifestyle.
Leading the special SPORTSCENTRE broadcasts are anchors Darren Dutchyshen, Jennifer Hedger, Jay Onrait, and Dan O'Toole. For SPORTS 30 LE MAGAZINE, RDS anchors Marc Labrecque, Luc Bellemare, and Valérie Sardin will broadcast live from winning communities in Quebec.
On June 30, TSN and RDS will announce the 20 finalists selected by a panel of judges. Then it's up to Canada to decide the 10 winning Kraft Celebration Tour stops via 10 weekdays of head-to-head online voting beginning July 8.
Fans can keep up with the Kraft Celebration Tour on social media by visiting and liking the Kraft Celebration Tour Fan Page on Facebook and by following and interacting with the tour's personalities on Twitter. Official Twitter hashtags for the Kraft Celebration Tour include #KCT and #tourneedecelebrationkraft.
This year's Kraft Celebration Tour follows last year's cross-country event, which garnered a record 572 nominations from communities across Canada and saw more than 4 million votes cast to select the 10 winning communities (click here for more information on last year's tour stops and community award recipients).
Launched in 2009 in celebration of TSN's 25th anniversary, the Kraft Celebration Tour has garnered numerous accolades, including a 2012 Award of Distinction at the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada in the Media Sponsorship category, along with a Silver 2012 PROMO! Award for Best Sponsorship Campaign, and a Gold 2011 and Silver 2010 PROMO! Award for Best-Building Campaign.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Kraft Celebration Tour: @KCTAndy, www.Twitter.com/KCTAndy
Darren Dutchyshen: @dutchysc, www.Twitter.com/dutchysc
Jennifer Hedger: @jenniferhedger, www.Twitter.com/jenniferhedger
Jay Onrait: @JayOnrait, www.Twitter.com/JayOnrait
Dan O'Toole: @tsnotoole, www.Twitter.com/tsnotoole
Marc Labrecque:@mlabrecqueRDS, www.Twitter.com/mlabrecqueRDS
Luc Bellemare: @lucbellemareRDS, www.Twitter.com/lucbellemareRDS
Valérie Sardin: @valsardinRDS, www.Twitter.com/valsardinRDS
Hashtags: #KCT and #tourneedecelebrationkraft
About Kraft Foods Group
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRFT) is North America's fourth largest consumer packaged food and beverage company, with revenues of $18 billion in 2012. Launched as a public and independent company on Oct. 1, 2012, the new Kraft has the spirit of a startup and the soul of a powerhouse. The company has an unrivaled portfolio of products in the beverages, cheese, refrigerated meals and grocery categories. Its iconic brands include Kraft, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Planters and JELL-O. Kraft's 23,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada have a passion for making the foods and beverages people love. Kraft Foods Group is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the NASDAQ-100. For more information, visit www.kraft.com and www.facebook.com/kraft.
TSN is Canada's Sports Leader and #1 specialty network. With a broad portfolio of multimedia sports assets, TSN delivers world-class content across industry-leading platforms including TSN2, TSN.ca, TSN Radio and TSN Mobile TV. Official broadcaster of the Grey Cup, IIHF World Junior Championship and FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, TSN's slate of live sports coverage includes NHL, CFL, NFL, NBA, MLS, Season of Champions Curling, UEFA Euro 2016, MLB Sunday Night Baseball, Barclays Premier League, Golf's Majors, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Canadian Tire Series, F1, Grand Slam Tennis, NCAA March Madness, and Skate Canada events. TSN is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.
Image with caption: "Kraft Celebration Tour (CNW Group/TSN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130429_C9473_PHOTO_EN_26105.jpg


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GUEST OPINION: The recent Zero Emissions Day (21 September) marked the day for us to reflect on what we can better do to reduce harmful carbon emissions and find more sustainable solutions in our ways of life.
Intel subsidiary Moovit has released analysis of millions of users’ journey requests in over 100 cities across 28 countries, combined with user research, revealing that due to COVID-19, 31% of Australians want to know how crowded a mass transport vehicle is before boarding, and 24% demand mobile payment to ride safely in 2021.
The total number of MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) platform users globally is forecast to grow b y over fivefold by 2021 compared with 2019, resulting in worldwide market reach to over 1.3 million users in 2021, according to new research.
Sydney public transport commuters using their credit card or mobile device to ‘tap on and off’ Opal enabled train, light rail, Sydney Metro and ferry services are set to receive the same Opal travel benefits as they would using their adult Opal card.
A new update to the Samsung Pay app allows use with NSW Opal public transport terminals.
Australia’s debit network, eftpos, has announced it is "fast-tracking the enablement of eftpos Tap & Pay technology for use on buses, trains and ferries, following new consumer research that shows Australian commuters would prefer to pay for transport with eftpos debit".
Five of a potential 32 micro buses have arrived in six inner west Sydney suburbs, letting you book a dedicated seat via app or phone to get to destinations around the area with much greater ease.
US global transport systems company Cubic Corporation has announced its Cubic Transportation Systems business division has been selected by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads to provide a new ticketing system for the state.
A resident of NSW has won the right to be allowed not to register his details when using a seniors Opal card, a smartcard that is used for transport in the state.
Transit Systems and Bridj are launching its "Demand Responsive bus services" in Western Sydney in late November, disrupting the Australian public transport space while still complementing public transport.
Google Maps' Transit feature now includes route and schedule information for New South Wales public transport.
Australians could be enticed to avoid travelling on packed and congested public transport during peak times with offers of incentives, including rewards like restaurant vouchers and relevant merchant offers, according to a newly published study.
Uber and TripGo have partnered "to help complement and extend the reach of public transport networks across seven Australian cities".
Aiming to simplify commuting, Ericsson is enabling TransLink Systems to "provide innovative fare collection services for commuters across the Netherlands".
The Malaysian Government’s public transport regulator has awarded a $27 million contract to Melbourne-based global smart booking, ticketing and payment solutions company Vix Technology.
Semble, the New Zealand integrated mobile wallet app for mobile network operators, has added public transport to its service offerings.
Victoria’s Auditor-General has issued a scathing report on the state’s trouble-plagued myki public transport ticketing system ahead of the re-tender of the contract for operating the system.
A new version of the Moovit public transport app for Android delivers several new and improved features, with an emphasis on usability.
There’s been a global explosion in the number of consumers purchasing tickets online for public transport or events using their mobile phones, tablets and PCs, with online ticket sales predicted to double over the next four years.
The Moovit local transport app is now officially serving selected Australian cities following a beta period that attracted more than 200,000 users.
What a great offer.Buy your mobile plan from us at a low price for the first six months then you[…]
China use it more than we do :) - they were over 95% mobile payments back in 2018 (there is[…]
I would love to know if it has the equivalent of the HP E-print. That was such a great feature[…]
I wonder what ACMA is going to do to help those people who are disadvantaged? Send out inspirational messages to[…]
The link to Vodafone in the article links to the Vodafone group website in the UK, not the Australian site.[…]


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HONG KONG (AFP) - US auto giant General Motors is withdrawing a global advertisement which refers to China as the land where people say "ching-ching, chop suey" after admitting it contains "offensive content", a report said on Wednesday.
The television advert for the Chevrolet Trax SUV, one of GM's latest car models, had been running in Canada since early April and was also posted onto Chevrolet's European website, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
The offending advert features a song which includes the lyrics "In the land of Fu Manchu, the girls all now do the Suzie-Q, clap their hands in the centre of the floor, saying 'ching-ching, chop suey, swing some more'".
The advert was replaced with a new version without the lyrics for Canadian broadcasters around a week ago and will be removed from all Chevrolet websites worldwide, GM Canada communications director Faye Roberts told the SCMP.
"Once the issue was called to our attention, GM immediately removed the offensive content from the commercial," said Ms Roberts.
She said the commercial had "received some negative feedback regarding the lyrics" and that "it is never our intention to offend the audience".
The incident comes at a time when GM seeks to maintain its dominance in the lucrative Chinese car market where its sales rose an annual 11.3 per cent last year to a record 2.84 million, according to the company.
Last month the US automaker announced it will this year launch 17 new or updated models in China, the world's largest car consumer, as it aims to make inroads into the country's luxury auto market.


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One of the world’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturers, CNH Industrial, announced its exit from Russia, according to the company’s press service. CNH Industrial, which owns companies such as Case and New Holland, has Russian assets valued at $60 million. The company’s facilities in Russia manufacture construction and agricultural equipment, as well as housing a warehouse for spare parts. Around 200 employees worked at these sites.
In the financial year of 2021, CNH Industrial’s revenue in Russia amounted to $380 million, constituting 2% of the company’s consolidated revenue. Furthermore, CNH Industrial has estimated additional costs of $20 million due to the alienation of assets in Russia.
- 56% of global corporations remain in Russia, possibly funding two months of its war against Ukraine – report
- British company supplied $1.2 billion in electronics to Russia despite sanctions – FT
- Nearly year after Ukraine invasion, only 17 of 122 top companies have exited Russia – watchdog
Tags: Business boycott


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Just weeks after Netflix let its deal with Viacom expire, the media conglomerate has expanded a multiyear, multinational licensing agreement with Amazon to bring “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Dora the Explorer” and hundreds more TV shows to the Internet retailer’s Prime Instant Video. The pact is thought to be the biggest yet for the subscription streaming service, reported the Los Angeles Times. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources told the Times it’s estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Under the deal, children’s programming including “Bubble Guppies,” “The Backyardigans,” “Team Umizoomi,” “Blue’s Clues” and “Victorious” will now be available to Amazon Prime subscribers, as well as future episodes of “Dora the Explorer,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Fairly Odd Parents” and “Fresh Beat Band.”
“Kids’ shows are one of the most watched TV genres on Prime Instant Video,” said Bill Carr, VP of digital video and music for Amazon. “And this expanded deal will now bring customers the largest subscription selection of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. TV shows online, anywhere.”
In addition, MTV and Comedy Central series such as “Awkward,” “Tosh.0” and “Workaholics” are included in the pact. LoveFilm customers in the United Kingdom and Germany will get some of the same programming later this summer.
“We are thrilled to be extending and deepening our relationship with Amazon,” added Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman. “This innovative agreement will provide Prime members with access to even more of our best programming from our major television brands, including many digital video subscription streaming exclusives.”
The move comes as much of Viacom’s content has fallen off Netflix, which is looking to enter selective licensing agreements with content providers rather than broad, multiyear deals. Meanwhile, Amazon is making a run at its fiercest rival, acquiring exclusive web rights to “Downton Abbey” and CBS’ upcoming “Under the Dome,” as well as launching a half-dozen original series of its own.
Although some shows under Viacom’s new deal with Amazon won’t be available on any other digital video subscription service, nonexclusive content still could find its way to Netflix and elsewhere.


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FRANCE: Lidl plays down shift in positioning
Lidl has 1,600 stores in France
Lidl has denied reports it is shedding its hard discounter role in France by selling more major brands.
However, a spokesman told just-food Lidl, which has 1,600 stores in France, had unveiled a new strategy for the company at a gathering of 3,000 managers during in Paris last week.
Commenting on reports Lidl France was to become a mainstream 'soft' discounter, he said: "This has not come from us. We already stock around 300 national brands in our stores. Together with our own brands, customers have a choice of approximately 1,250 brands in total.
He declined to go into detail on the new strategy but did reveal Lidl was looking to develop more in-store bakeries.
He added the new strategy would "position us as a fully-fledged retail brand in its own right without becoming a traditional retailer".
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Press Releases | Visa
January sales dip for the first time since 2013
Mark Antipof, Chief Commercial Officer at Visa, commented:
“Consumer spending entered the New Year on a downbeat note, falling for the eighth time in the past nine months, as Britons continued to cut back on spending. Clothing, furniture and household goods bore the brunt of consumers’ caution yet again, while spending on the British high street in general fell sharply as the traditional January sales failed to bring shoppers out in numbers this year.
“The transport and communications sector was another victim of the spending squeeze, posting the sharpest decline of all spending categories. Given the widely reported slump in car sales in recent months, this was perhaps to be expected.
“It wasn’t all doom and gloom in January though. Britons tackled the January blues with evenings out and early holiday bookings, giving a boost to hotels, restaurants and bars. Spending on jewellery, beauty products and trips to hair salons recorded strong growth too, as consumers continued to prefer small treats over big tickets items.”
Annabel Fiddes, Principal Economist at IHS Markit, said:
“Latest Visa UK CSI data signalled a disappointing start to the year, with consumer spending falling for the fifth month in a row on an annual basis. This suggests the weak expenditure trends in 2017 have carried through into 2018, as households continue to face rising living costs and lacklustre wage growth.
“Subdued spending trends coincide with a slowing of the overall UK economy during 2017, while the PMI surveys for January point to a further softening of growth momentum at the start of the year. Lingering uncertainties around the outcome of the ongoing Brexit negotiations are also weighing on consumer confidence, which has stayed well below the levels seen prior to the 2016 Brexit vote.
“However, labour market conditions remain tight, with employment at a record-high, which is expected to place greater upward pressure on earnings growth going forward. Combined with forecasts of cooling inflationary pressures over the coming months, these factors could lead to a relative improvement in expenditure trends as the squeeze on pay-packets unwinds, although overall trends are likely to remain largely subdued in the current economic environment.”


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NEW DELHI: Nestle, the maker of Maggi noodles and KitKat chocolate, said it is consolidating its product portfolio to focus on high-performing brands.
The Swiss company, which launched more than 40 products over two years, is reviewing categories across chocolates, confectionery, coffee and the dairy segment.
“We are in the process of evaluating what is working and what is not. We cannot support so many products,” Nestle India chairman Suresh Narayanan told reporters on Wednesday at the setting up of the Nestle Food Safety Institute.
The institute will conduct training programmes on food safety management, testing and regulatory standards, said Pawan Agarwal, chief executive officer of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, the regulator.
“We hope this institute will help meet India’s growing demand for safe and healthy food. I believe that there is a need for such institutes to spread awareness on safe and healthy food,” Agarwal said.
The regulator banned Maggi noodles in June 2015 following allegations that the popular snack contained excessive lead and that there was mislabelling related to flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate.
If Future is allowed to renege on its contract with Amazon, it may signal to global investors that investments in India are risky, the U.S. company alleges. That is an inconvenient image at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs foreign investment to create jobs and reboot an economy pummeled by the pandemic.


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According to a study by the World Gold Council, China has become the biggest consumer market for the precious metal. It toppled India, which had led the table ever since official data were first made available.
The survey found that Chinese customers had bought a total of 1,066 tons of gold products in 2013, up 32 percent from 2012, while their Indian counterparts had purchased 975 tons, up 13 percent from 2012 levels.
The council noted that another 300 tons of gold bought by Chinese clients last year were most likely not registered statistically.
“Although demand for gold has continued to shift, the growing hunger for bars, coins and jewelry is a global phenomenon,” the London-based council announced in a statement. It added, though, that global consumer demand for the precious metal had dropped by 15 percent in 2013, to 3,756 tons, as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) reduced net gold holdings by 881 tons.
The mounting Chinese hunger for gold was mainly attributed to a fast-growing wealthier middle class in the country and a lack of other sound investment opportunities and instruments to protect against inflation.
China is also the world’s biggest miner of gold, producing 428 tons in 2013, government reports indicated.


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Billabong was the biggest loser in terms of Australian brands last year, while the ANZ bank added more than $2 billion to its brand's value.
Brand Finance’s latest Australian study suggests that retail brands are struggling. This is evident in the loss of brand value of Billabong, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Westfield, and Myers. The strong dollar and propagation of internet shopping has meant that savvy consumers are tightening their purse strings and looking online for cheap imports.
Billabong’s recent difficulties have been well publicised. Unsurprisingly it has lost $179 million in brand value dropping 24 places since 2012 to rank at No.43. However the brand remains an important asset in the business, the value of which fell by a relatively larger amount over the same period.
Commenting on the results Xander Bird, MD of Brand Finance Australia, said “The historic strength of the Billabong brand has bought the company time to turn itself around. However that time is fast running out. Unless perceptions can be changed, Billabong will remain a brand of the past, rather than being associated with the future.”
Despite the performance of other retail brands, Woolworths and Coles have done well in this year’s study. The products they offer are not at risk from imports and online substitution in the way that other retailers are.
ANZ is this year’s standout performer and has assisted the Australian banking sector’s growth to outperform the global banking sector. Following reported profits of $5.7 billion in the year to 30 September, a 6% year-on-year increase, brand value has also increased 66%. An impressive $2.198 billion of brand value growth takes its total to $5.531 billion and No.5 in the Australia 100. With the Australian Banking sector achieving 32% growth overall, Australian Banks have displayed their strength and stability since the GFC, this is in contrast to the slow recovery of banks in emerging markets which averaged just 15%.
It is perhaps unsurprising that financial service brands have done well, as consumers are spending more cautiously and saving more than they have for some time. The cost of living in Australia is high relative to similar countries which are dampening spending. With the strong AUS dollar this has given Australian banks an opportunity for growth.
Telecoms brands continue to grow in value as our mobile devices become essential rather than discretionary spending. Telstra comes in at 3rd place having increased their brand value by $618 million to reach $5.747 billion while rivals Optus are 10th with a value of $2.821 billion.
The commodity sector is still growing with the huge demand from China. Even though the Chinese economy is expected to cool in coming years the demand for Australia’s natural resources is remains high. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are rivals within the top 10 with brand value of $6.136 and $3.931billion respectively.
The good news is that the league table shows that the economy is rather well balanced and not dependent on one particular sector.
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Canteen’s latest campaign features the combined talents of Director Luna Laure and creative agency Crater. The campaign strives to raise awareness for young people affected by cancer. The awareness campaign centres around Harry Barentson, who at 12 years of age found out his pregnant mum had cancer. While his mother fortunately survived, he lost his […]
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Telstra’s lower-cost telco, Belong, has awarded its strategy and creative account to Howatson + White, and has reappointed OMD to its media buying account, after a competitive pitch process. Howatson + White will handle strategy, planning, creative and CRM, while former agency Clemenger will continue to have a relationship with Belong, managing PR and retail activation. […]
Coca-Cola Australia has rolled out its new campaign ‘Turn Up Your Break’. The campaign will be led by a TVC that encourages people to truly pause with a Coke on their break so they can walk away feeling refreshed and uplifted. The TVC features two busy chefs stepping outside for a break, the bustling kitchen […]
Nova 919’s Ben & Liam breakfast show announced that they’ll be throwing their support behind and raising awareness for a cause very close to their hearts, mental health. On Monday 21 June Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton will be locked in a purpose-built glass structure, in the middle of Rundle Mall, for an entire week […]
TRENDii has announced TRENDii Ads, a new contextual advertising solution that leverages content and context to promote eCommerce products at scale around the world. TRENDii Ads is user privacy friendly and offers a new way for businesses and brands to target consumers at the moment that they are most inspired to shop. “We believe good […]
ARN and The New York Times have reached an agreement for ARN to become the advertising sales representative for The New York Times’s podcast portfolio in Australia. The deal will enable Australian brands to connect with Australian listeners to The New York Times’s most popular podcasts, such as The Daily, Serial and This American Life, […]
Verizon Media’s talent program has come to an end for the third year, closing with a hybrid pitch-off event for Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD). The Verizon Media Academy class of 2021, made up of 44 emerging leaders from across Australia and New Zealand media, advertising and marketing industry, were given just one hour to […]


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By Cleona Godinho
Microsoft stops production of add-on HD DVD drives for Xbox, support still available
Microsoft has announced that it will no longer manufacture HD DVD add-ons for its Xbox 360 console, following Toshiba's recent decision to end support for the format.
In an official statement posted on the firm's Gamescore blog, Microsoft officials commented: "As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market."
They went on to say, "As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."
Meanwhile, there are rumours that Microsoft plans to release a Blu-ray optical drive add-on for the Xbox 360 , however the firm has yet to comment on these rumours.


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Freedom Furniture, one of Australia's leading furniture and home ware retailers, has continued its expansion into the Middle East by opening a new store in Mirdif City Centre, Dubai.
Under license with the Apparel Group, the company has also opened stores in Bahrain and Kuwait with a view to promoting its design concepts in the region.
"Freedom Furniture offers the largest ranges of furniture including chaise lounge from it's own manufacturing plant (Australian made), leather sofas, dining suites, bedroom sets, office furniture and outdoor collection," it said.
"Freedom Furniture always believes in delivering to its customers anywhere anytime."
The company has been operating in Australia and New Zealand for 25 years where it has over 100 stores.
It said that in addition to its furniture offerings, customers can access a decorator service that allows them to redesign entire spaces.
"The in-store experience at Freedom Furniture is about providing our customers an informative and friendly service," it added.
Opened in March last year, Mirdiff City Centre is a large shopping centre located in the Mirdif area of Dubai.


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Apart from launching some great phones last year like the Poco F1, Xiaomi made some mistakes as well. One of the biggest mistakes was to launch multiple phones around the same price, which resulted in Xiaomi competing with itself. Moreover, the company didn’t launch any good phone as a competitor to Realme and Asus that launched some really good value for money phones like Realme 2 Pro and Max Pro M2.
But this year, Xiaomi is ready to disrupt the smartphone market again. The ‘Redmi’ brand launched its first smartphone a few days back in China, the Redmi Note 7, and for a starting price of $150, you are getting a Snapdragon 660, 48MP camera, a glass build, Type-C port, a big battery and more. With every new phone, Xiaomi adds some new wallpapers into it and if you liked the Redmi Note 7 stock Wallpapers, then here in this article, we have shared all of them in full resolution.
Like all our Wallpapers posts, we have added the Google Drive link of the ZIP file containing all these wallpapers so you can download that file to get all the walls in one click.
DOWNLOAD XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 7 STOCK WALLPAPERS
And here is the link to the ZIP file containing all the wallpapers.
Check out some more wallpapers –
- [OFFICIAL] Download HTC U12+ Wallpapers – ZIP File Included
- Download Honor V20 Stock Wallpapers – ZIP File Included
- Download OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition Wallpapers – ZIP File Included
- Download Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 Stock Wallpapers – ZIP File Included
- Download Google Pixel 3 Wallpapers + APK – ZIP File Included
Narzo 20 Series launched – Narzo 20A, Narzo 20 & Narzo 20 Pro
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Moto E7 Plus launching on September 23rd in India
Almost a week ago, Motorola launched the Moto E7 Plus in Brazil with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset & a...
Realme Narzo 20 Pro to launch at Rs 16,999 in India
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OnePlus Nord N10 5G to launch under $399 with Snapdragon 690
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Realme 7i launched with Snapdragon 662 & a 90Hz display
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Sony Xperia 5 II launched, priced at a hefty $949
In the September of 2019, Sony launched its Xperia 5 smartphone featuring the flagship Snapdragon 855 SOC, triple 12 Megapixel...
Realme Narzo 20 & Narzo 20 Pro specs surface online
Realme has already announced that the Narzo 20 Series is launching in India on September 21st so it is no...


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CEO Mark Parker announced a month ago that he himself would remain with the sporting goods company Nike until after 2020. At the same time, he told his company employees in a memo that Nike had received complaints of inappropriate behavior in the workplace. And he announced: "We are lucky to have such a strong management team that is well positioned to take us to the next level of growth and monitor and develop our culture in the future," Parker says.
Now the management is changing: Vikrant Singh, Nike's Senior Brand Director for basketball in North America and Daniel Tawiah, Vice President of Global Brand Digital-Marketing Innovation, have left the company according to the Wall Street Journal. Antoine Andrews, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, is also said to have left the company.
Nike's number two, brand president Trevor Edwards announced his resignation in March. Until his official retirement from the company in August, he will only provide advice to Parker.
Parker has been CEO of Nike since 2006. In 2016, he also took over from Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who retired at the age of 78. In this respect, experienced leaders have a long tradition at the sporting goods giant. Originally, however, Parker wanted to retire as a 65-year-old after his contract expired in 2020.
Edwards was one of the few considered possible successors to Parker. COO Eric Sprunk and Michael Spillane, responsible for design, products and merchandising, will now be given even better chances for the CEO position.
The Oregon-based company is still number one in the sporting goods business. In 2017, it sold $ 34.35 billion, Adidas follows with more than $ 26 billion. But while Nike sales stagnated, Adidas' sales under CEO Kasper Rorsted rose nearly $ 4 billion in one year.
Adidas is therefore already planning how it can overtake the Americans. Rorsted focuses on Nike's home market, where Adidas has recently enjoyed over 27 percent growth. Adidas also wants to lead the digital transformation. "We are a digital company", says Rorsted.


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Beer Board approves permit, business name change
The Jackson Beer Board approved a special occasion permit, a business permit and the changing of a business name at its meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
The board approved the request of William Diamond to change the name of his business from Sharky’s Bistro and Brew to Slide-n-Ride Tavern on Old Hickory Boulevard.
Diamond, who owns several Slide-n-Ride’s throughout other counties, said the name change is a branding decision that will allow them to negotiate pricing better with vendors and insurance rates.
“A business next door recently shut down, and immediately within the first weeks of that I had a tremendous drop in traffic to the shopping center,” Diamond said. “There’s no nightclub in the shopping center anymore, so it’s really us and O’Charley’s right now. I saw the writing on the wall — I needed to do something with a little cross-branding.”
Diamond said the Slide-n-Ride on Old Hickory Boulevard will remain a bar and grill and no structural changes will occur.
The board approved a business permit request from Richard Hughes to sell, store and serve beer at Tap Bar and Grill at 719 Old Hickory Boulevard. The permit is contingent on Hughes completing the ownership agreement with the previous owner.
The beer license under the previous owner will be replaced with the new one once the deal is completed. Hughes said the bar will remain closed until he receives his alcohol and beer permits. Hughes added he plans to reopen the restaurant under the same name.
Hughes said he plans to have the bar open from noon to 3 a.m. daily.
The board also approved a special occasion permit to Abby Lackey to sell, store and serve beer at the Twilight Run, a nonprofit 5k for the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, June 8 in Downtown Jackson.
Reach Omer Yusuf at firstname.lastname@example.org or (731) 425-9637 and on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.


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Tmall.com, a Chinese online retailing website with more than 230 million users, is encouraging small New Zealand businesses to use its platform to tap into the huge Chinese market.
Formerly Taobao Mall, Tmall.com, is a Chinese-language website for online retailing in China. It is owned by the world’s largest online and mobile commerce company, Alibaba Group.
Tmall.com touts itself as an “online shopping mall” where products are sold and brands are marketed to China’s increasingly wealthy middle class.
Alibaba Group spokesman Ken Ma said Tmall.com, used China’s advanced courier infrastructure to deliver goods to customers within one to three days, meaning goods purchased in New Zealand could wind up on Chinese doorsteps within a few days.
For example, Ma said, in a recent Tmall.com campaign promoting New Zealand fresh seafood, more than 50,000 live oysters were sold in one week and the Chinese customers who ordered them had live oysters delivered from New Zealand to their doorstep within a day or so.
The site gives New Zealand businesses access to China’s third and fourth tier cities, which historically could not access fresh international foods or the latest fashion trends, Ma said.
To read more about this story, click here.


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Twenty-four Amazon warehouse workers in New Jersey were taken to hospital on Wednesday after a warehouse robot set off a can of bear repellent spray. One of the workers was reported to be in a critical condition. The accident took place at a warehouse in Robbinsville, near Trenton.
The bear repellent spray, of which Amazon stocks a variety, was reported to have been a 255g can containing a concentrated chilli pepper compound called capsaicin. Local media reported that the can was punctured by an automated machine after it fell off a shelf, releasing the harmful spray into the warehouse.
Regarding the incident, Amazon said in a statement: "All of the impacted employees have been or are expected to be released from hospital within the next 24 hours. The safety of our employees is always our top priority and a full investigation is already underway."
Amazon had previously said that the 24 employees were only taken to hospital as a precaution.
The president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Stuart Appelbaum, said: "Amazon’s automated robots put humans in life-threatening danger. This is another outrageous example of the company putting profits over the health and safety of their workers, and we cannot stand for this. The richest company in the world cannot continue to be let off the hook for putting hard working people’s lives at risk."
Amazon workers often have to grin and bear it
The accident in New Jersey is just the latest in a long line of incidents that have raised concerns over working conditions in Amazon warehouses. Senator Bernie Sanders has been a vocal critic of the company. In September, Sanders introduced a bill titled the BEZOS Act, designed to force companies like Amazon to pay its workers higher wages. The bill would tax corporations for every dollar that their low-wage workers receive in government assistance.
In some US states, nearly one in three Amazon workers are reported to be on food stamps. Conditions in the UK are not much better. Between 2015 and 2017, ambulances were called to Amazon warehouses 600 times.
What do you think about the incident? Freak accident or indicative of a wider problem? Let us know.
Source: The Guardian


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Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance has announced their winners of the 2019 Golden Partner programme for Franchised Dealers.
Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance has announced the winners of the 2019 Golden Partner programme in the Franchised Small, Medium, Large and Mega Dealer categories.
"In light of COVID-19 we have opted to announce the winners digitally, but in early 2021 we'll invite you and celebrate this occasion like we normally do," says Faisal Mkhize, Managing Executive: Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance.
"If we reflect on the Awards that we are doing today, it's based on the 2019 financial year performance. As a business we have shown a very strong performance during that period and in fact we have outperformed the market."
Faisal thanked all the participating dealers for their hard work and tenacity and committed Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance to supporting all dealers in the year ahead as the industry emerges from the lockdown.
The privilege of announcing the winners fell to Charl Potgieter, Golden Partner Programme Executive at Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance.
Managing a dealership as well as a satellite dealership in another province is not an easy task, but this is exactly what Jose Menezes has been doing since August last year.
Volvo Trucks South Africa has opened a new R130 million dealership facility in Durban to support the growth of the brand’s vehicle parc in the region.
Servicing and maintaining a vehicle are necessary but can often be viewed as a grudge purchase.