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IMPORTANT NOTE: THE COMMUNITY MEETING, PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR 6PM ON NOVEMBER 13 AT THE ALHAMBRA HALL, 131 MIDDLE ST, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29464, HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO ALLOW FOR FURTHER REVIEW OF THE SITE.
Over 80 percent of Americans subscribe to a cell phone service today and more than a 1/3 of all cell phone consumers have discontinued use of a land line in their home.
A dramatic increase in data traffic is putting strain on existing wireless networks. For the first time in history, wireless phone calls are decreasing in favor of texting, email and the use of mobile applications to access the Internet. Wireless data traffic grew by 110% from 2009 to 2010 and by 2015 is expected to be 56 times the volume it was in 2009.
To keep up with the demand and to provide reliable coverage, wireless carriers are continuing to grow and enhance their networks with new cell sites.
A common question we get is why must new cell sites be built in residential areas? New cell sites have to be built close to where consumers are using their cell phones. Now more than ever consumers are using their cell phones at home, at work and throughout their neighborhoods.


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JUMPSTART GIVES KNOTICE $500,000
Provided by Akron Beacon Journal Written by Gloria Irwin
Venture capital investor JumpStart is betting $500,000 on an Akron company's ability to develop a better marketing idea.
Knotice Ltd.'s concept is based in a new software technology that matches consumers with the marketing that meets their specific interests.
Knotice, located in Akron's Merriman Valley, is the 10th Northeast Ohio company to receive such backing from JumpStart, which takes an equity position in the companies it helps fund.
Knotice initially served the cable and broadband markets. Now, the nine-employee firm intends to use the JumpStart money to hire about 20 people for new product development, sales and marketing, CEO Brian Deagan said.
"Consumers are tuning out these days,'' Deagan said. "They're putting down newspapers. They're turning off the TV.
"By them doing that, it's made it really hard for marketers to communicate with them, to connect with them.''
Deagan said his company has developed a product that would customize messages to consumers' tastes. For example, a muffler shop customer could choose to receive service alerts to a cell phone or e-mail and would also receive content geared to them when visiting the muffler shop's Web site.
"It's a lot less about advertising, and it's a lot more about communicating with customers,'' Deagan said.
Ray Leach, chief investment officer for JumpStart, said there's "an incredibly large market'' for such a technology.
The product is nearly ready to be rolled out, Deagan said.
"We are in very mature discussions with a handful of large business-to-consumer companies,'' he said.
Deagan, a native of Lake Township in Stark County, previously helped launch an Internet-related company called 600 Monkeys. About five years ago, he moved to Silicon Valley when the company was bought out.
He returned to the area in 2004, and has found an improved attitude toward entrepreneurial ventures.
"What JumpStart's doing is a great thing,'' he said. "Back in the '90s, so much of the money from this area was going to the coasts'' for investment.
JumpStart has invested $3.6 million in the 10 ventures, and those companies have attracted $3.2 million in additional capital, Leach said.

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2011 Volkswagen ‘NMS’ New Medium Sedan Artwork Released
With the updated 2011 Volkswagen Passat being shown at Paris this week, new artwork for its US-market replacement – the 'New Medium Sedan' – has been released today.
These latest illustrations, while highly st
With the updated 2011 Volkswagen Passat being shown at Paris this week, new artwork for its US-market replacement - the 'New Medium Sedan' - has been released today.
These latest illustrations, while highly stylised, look to be the next development of a sketchier image revealed earlier this year (see gallery).
Following in the style footsteps of the updated Passat and the new Phaeton saloon, squarer headlights are expected, flanking a slightly taller, three-faced version of the corporate 'letterbox' grille.
While it is known that the NMS has been designed specifically for the US market - including a production schedule for assembly in the US - rumours abound that the new sedan will be the international successor to either the Passat or the Jetta.
Speaking with TMR recently, Volkswagen Australia's Karl Gehling would not speculate on the possibility of the NMS’s availability in a right-hand-drive layout.
The as yet unnamed sedan is expected go on sale in the US around the first quarter of next year, but no official word has been offered on a launch date. A Detroit Motor Show debut in January is likely.


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What Is Kylie Jenner’s Net Worth In 2020?
3 April 2020, 11:53 | Updated: 3 April 2020, 12:05
The mother-of-one is now the richest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings.
Kylie Jenner has become the richest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings after her staggering net worth has been revealed.
The 22-year-old makeup entrepreneur - mother to her two-year-old baby girl, Stormi, with rapper Travis Scott - has officially become the youngest self-made billionaire ever, beating Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who became a billionaire at age 23.
In 2018, her Kylie Cosmetics company was worth an estimated $900 million, and she is the youngest person to appear on the annual ranking of America's Richest Self-Made Women by Forbes.
In late 2019, beauty conglomerate Coty bought a 51% stake in the Kylie Cosmetics empire for $600 million in cash - placing Miss Jenner's company at a staggering $1.2 billion worth.
In 2019, Kylie topped the Instagram Rich List for 2019 once again after it was revealed that she can earn up to $1,266,000 per post, thanks to her 141 million followers and promotional posts.
At the end of 2018, Kylie tied with Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z for fifth place on the Forbes Wealthiest American Celebrity of 2018, thanks to her ever-growing beauty empire.
The popular makeup products includes her famous Lip-Kits, Kylighters and eyeshadow palettes that consistently sell out within minutes, and, within the first 18 months of the brand's launch, Kylie raked in a staggering in $420 million in retail sales alone.
Her half-sister Kim lands in second place with an estimated net worth of $350 million, followed by Khloe, who had her first child with boyfriend Tristan Thompson.
Here’s how Kim, Khloe and the rest of the siblings rank:
- Kim Kardashian – $350 million
- Khloe Kardashian – $40 million
- Kourtney Kardashian – $35 million
- Kendall Jenner – $30 million
- Rob Kardashian – $6 million
During an interview with her mother and Kardashian matriarch, Kris Jenner, for LOVE magazine prior to her daughter's birth, Kylie discussed the future of her brand.
"Oh, I haven’t even dipped my toes in yet," she said, "There are so many products that I have yet to do. That will take years."
She added, "I think truly, I put a lot of hard work into this. It's not like I am doing this to make money. I don't even think about that part."
According to social media measurement firm D’Marie Analytics, Kylie Jenner's social media posts are now worth a staggering £1 million each.
The reality star is now a bigger social media influencer than Beyonce, despite having less followers.
The news comes months after Kylie announced the arrival of her first child with an emotional 11-minute video, following a 5-month social media hiatus.


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“Top Chef” alumna Jessie Sandlin says her new Canton restaurant, Jokers ‘n Thieves, “fits [her] dream pretty well.” The Low Country-influenced menu, bourbon-and-beer focused bar and casual décor (barn board walls, bare light bulbs, 10 flat-screen TVs), seem a logical step from Sandlin’s more recent venture, Oliver Speck’s barbecue in Harbor East. She’s aiming for a slightly more upscale crowd—”a place you can bring a date instead of going to Canton Square to get wrecked … or come in to watch a football game and eat well,” she says.
The menu hosts plenty of southern standards—fried chicken, pork cracklings, shrimp and grits—with a smattering of Asian flavors, like a brisket sandwich with peach and pablano pepper kimchi mayo and a lo mein bowl. Plus, there’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We’re still in the early stages of getting to know what people in Canton are into,” says Sandlin, a few months in. “And we’ve also tweaked the prices a bit”—for example, cutting a chunky 32-ounce steak (meant to be shared) to a more modest 8-ounce “that sells like crazy.” 3000 O’Donnell St., 410-675-4029, jokersnthievesbaltimore.com


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Audi Future Car Guide: What’s Coming 2018-2019Jul 26th, 2018
carscoops | Sergiu Tudose | 07/17/2018
The next couple of years are going to be very exciting for Audi fans, as the Ingolstadt-based automaker is set to launch a great number of new models and derivatives.
During the Audi Summit in March, the automaker announced that no fewer than 20 vehicles will be launched within the span of 12 months, including long-wheelbase versions of the Q2 and Q5, aimed at the People’s Republic. Otherwise, the cars will be either all-new, updated or featuring electrified power units.
Since Audi wasn’t generous enough to provide media members with a full roadmap, we’ve gone ahead and put together everything we know about their upcoming models, confirmed or rumored to see the light of day in either 2018 or 2019.
Coming In 2018
2019 Audi A4 Facelift
Even though Audi already unveiled their updated A4 a couple of weeks ago, the cars won’t end up in showrooms around the globe until later this year. In fact, pre-sales for the 2019 Audi A4 are scheduled to commence in Q3 of 2018, as future customers can begin choosing between the 4-door saloon or the Avant version.
Compared to the current model, the facelifted A4 boasts a new front bumper, new grille (on S Line models), trapezoidal exhausts, a more aggressive rear spoiler on the Avant and a new Turbo Blue paint finish.
2019 Audi TT Facelift
This one has been long overdue, which is why Audi is expected to drop multiple derivatives of the updated TT all at once. This means that TTS (pictured here) and TT-RS versions should be unveiled before the end of this year – in time for an early 2019 market launch.
None of these versions will look remarkably different compared to older models, however, leaked images and prototypes show more pronounced side skirts, a larger rear wing for the TT-RS and new taillight graphics. Inside, the TT will offer users a more up-to-date infotainment system.
2020 Audi R8 Facelift
If Audi will indeed pull the plug on the R8 in 2020 (let’s hope not), then this facelifted version might actually be the very last iteration of Ingolstadt’s mid-engine supercar.
Regardless, expect to see a wider front grille, more pronounced air intakes, a redesigned rear fascia, updated cockpit and a new GT flagship version with possibly as much as 670 horsepower on tap. Reports have it that the facelifted R8 range, including the GT, will be unveiled before the end of this year, with a market launch set for 2019.
2020 Audi S7
Audi might just bring the all-new S7 to this year’s Paris Auto Show in October, although nothing has been made official just yet. Still, seen as how S7 prototypes have been on the road ever since last summer, it’s unlikely that we’ll have to wait until next year to see the car sans camouflage.
Power for the S7 is rumored to come via the Porsche Panamera 4S’ twin turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine, giving the 2019 S7 at least 450 HP. However, a bi-turbo V8 with around 500 HP could also be the engine of choice.
2020 Audi S8
Despite the latest-generation Audi A8 having been around since last year, the German automaker has taken its time fine tuning the S8 version on the Nurburgring.
Under the hood, we’re likely to see a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 borrowed from the Panamera Turbo, but with 530 HP instead of the 550 produced for the Porsche. Could the S8 join the S7 in Paris this year? We don’t see why not.
2019 Audi SQ2
The SQ2 is one of the few models Audi has actually confirmed for this year. We know that it will debut this fall and that it will feature an upgraded braking system with S-branded calipers, four tailpipes and a few subtle exterior revisions.
Power could come from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot, which in the current S3 Sportback, produces 305 HP (310 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque.
2020 Audi SQ8
A slightly faster version of the brand new Audi Q8 is expected to be unveiled this December. According to Autocar, the SQ8 could get a petrol as well as a diesel power unit, although the latter is unlikely to make it in the United States.
The petrol is rumored to be a 500 HP mild-hybrid V6, whereas the diesel should have a 4.0-liter displacement, eight cylinders and 429 HP (435 PS) to go with 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque – that is, if the SQ7 is anything to go by.
2019 Audi Q3
The all-new Audi Q3 is yet another model that’s been confirmed for 2018, boasting a brand new design language that’s meant to bring it closer to its larger Q-named siblings.
The BMW X1 rival will feature a large trapezoidal grille, sharp angular headlights, more sculpted flanks and an overall more mature aesthetic that should help us forget all about the quirkiness of the current model.
2019 Audi E-Tron
Despite Audi announcing that the E-Tron’s August 30th reveal date has been pushed back, we’ll still get to see what the car really looks like before the end of this calendar year. Besides, thousands of deposits have already been registered.
The all-electric SUV is said to offer a total driving range of 248 miles (400 km), aided by a pair of electric motors and a 95 kWh battery back. While power figures have been kept under wraps, we expect somewhere in the vicinity of 400 horses.
Coming in 2019
2020 Audi S1
A hotter version of Audi’s latest A1 model is said to arrive towards the end of next year, powered by an upgraded 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine, producing around 250 HP, according to Autocar.
Power will be sent to all four wheels thanks to the automaker’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, enabling the 2019 Audi S1 to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 5.8 seconds, which is what the old S1 could muster.
Note: Audi A1 pictured
All-New 2020 Audi A3
Mind you, this is only a rumor, but word has it that an all-new generation of the Audi A3 will be unveiled next year in Sportback form, with the 4-door A3 Sedan to follow in 2020.
If this turns out to be true, then this might actually be Audi’s biggest reveal of the year, at least from a sales numbers standpoint. Either way, it seems that the 3-door version will be dropped from the line-up.
Note: 2017 Audi A3 pictured
2020 Audi SQ3 & RS Q3
While this prototype looks very similar to other camouflaged Q3 models, the reason why we suspect this is the RS Q3 is because according to our spy photographers, it was seen testing next to an RS3 and both cars sounded identical. Our sharp shooters also mentioned how the crossover seemed to have carbon ceramic disks with six-piston calipers up front.
Between the two, it’s the SQ3 that’s expected to arrive first, sometime next year, with the more powerful RS version to follow a little bit later on. Speaking of power, it the RS Q3 could have as much as 394 HP (400 PS) sourced from the RS3’s power unit, whereas the SQ3 might pack a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with 305 HP (310 PS), just like the SQ2.
2020 Audi Q4
Audi has gone on record saying that a new Q4 crossover will be launched in 2019, looking a little bit like the TT Offroad Concept unveiled in Beijing back in 2014.
As you’ve probably guessed, the Q4 will be a direct rival for the likes of the BMW X4 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, which means that the final product should be considerably larger than the concept on which it was based.
Note: Audi TT Offroad Concept pictured
2020 Audi RS7
Whether or not Audi does launch the all-new S7 in Paris this year, the more hardcore RS7 version isn’t expected until sometime next year, when it should hit worldwide markets as a 2020 model.
Initially, it was thought that power would come either via a twin-turbo V8 with around 650 HP, or through the plug-in hybrid unit from the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Now however, reports have surfaced of Audi head of design, Marc Lichte, confirming that the next-generation RS7 Sportback will get both power units.
The flagship PHEV version could produce as much as 700 HP thanks to a potent electric motor.
2020 Audi RS6
A test mule for the all-new RS6 has been spotted rocking what looks like a production-ready bumper, as well as improvised wheel arch extensions and oval exhaust tips.
At this point it’s safe to say that whatever power unit ends up in the RS7, will trickle down to the new RS6 too.
2020 Audi RS Q8
Audi is unlikely to wait more than a year to unveil the RS Q8, following the SQ8’s reported debut this December.
What’s testing our patience though is waiting to find out whether the RS Q8 will get the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 unit as the Lamborghini Urus (but with around 600 HP), or actually gain the hybrid power train from the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. If it’s the latter, than the RS Q8 will instantly become the most powerful crossover in the VW Group’s stable.
Coming either 2018 or 2019
2019 Audi S6
Odds are, the all-new Audi S6 will indeed be launched sometime next year, however, since a late 2018 debut is still possible, we just can’t slot it in as a surefire 2019 debut.
What we can tell you is that rumors point to the S6 getting the Panamera Turbo’s 4.0-liter turbocharged V8, although downgraded from 542 HP (550 PS) to 493 HP (500 PS). Still, we can’t rule out the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 from the RS4 and RS5, but if we had to choose, it would definitely be the Porsche unit.
2019 Audi A6 Allroad
We would also be surprised if the all-new A6 Allroad debuts before we turn the corner into 2019, but we can’t entirely ignore the possibility, which is why we’re not slotting it together with the rest of next year’s debuts.
Last month, we saw a well-camouflaged prototype wearing plastic fender flares, new side skirts and a modified rear bumper to go with what seemed like a few extra cm in ride height. Also, unless Audi is trying to play us, the next A6 Allroad will boast a unique grille with six vertical strips, offering it a more rugged appearance.


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If you’re looking to own a classic drop top with a lot of TV exposure, something like this Lincoln Continental Convertible will fit that bill perfectly.
It may not be identical to the car many have come to know from the Entourage HBO hit show (and 2015 movie), which was a 1965 model featuring a mid-cycle redesign, but it comes pretty darn close.
According to the Bring a Trailer ad, this 1963 model has a total of 64,000 miles (103,000 km) on the clock, and has been driven just 11,000 miles (17,700 km) since 2013.
The exterior looks a bit out of shape, thanks to all that corrosion and bubbling, but the car’s original white over red paintjob has been preserved. We imagine it could easily be restored to its full glory by whoever ends up placing the winning bid.
On a more positive note, a new convertible top was installed by the car’s previous owner and features a folding plastic rear window. The seller states that the electric folding system works well,aside from the fact you have to pull the top down manually at the end in order to get it to latch properly.
Inside, there’s new seat upholstery and carpeting, modern speakers and an LCD stereo head-unit fitted beneath the OEM radio. There is however an issue with the ignition, where you have to give the key multiple turns in order to engage the starter.
Powering the 1963 Continental Convertible is a 430ci (7.0-liter) MEL V8 mated to a 3-speed automatic gearbox. Output is around 325 HP – much needed in a car that weighs as much as a full-size modern SUV.
But you don’t get this one for the power, but the looks. After all, Entourage or not, driving around in a vintage convertible with suicide rear doors is, in and of itself, extremely cool. Just don’t hang oversized dice from the mirror like Johnny Drama, OK?


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Caught on camera: Florida man wanted on 72 charges related to pickpocketing
A Boynton Beach, Florida, man is wanted on 72 charges related to pickpocketing in at least four incidents since February.
Port St. Lucie police obtained arrest warrants for Devante Durham.
Police said he was targeting "unsuspecting victims at local grocery stores" and stole their wallets while they were shopping. The suspect would then go to nearby stores and use the cards to purchase thousands of dollars in gift cards.
Deb Pizzimenti was in a rush to get on the road to Daytona when she stopped at an Aldi in Port St Lucie, within seconds, "someone just took my wallet in the produce section," she said.
So Pizzimenti called police.
Detective Pietro Pizzani pulled the store’s surveillance tape that showed a man in a blue shirt swipe Pizzimenti's wallet and kept walking, and she wasn’t his only target.
"All of his victims were women and they were all shoppers at stores that would leave their purses in their carts unattended," Pizzani warned.
Police said they are hot on his trail, but he is still at large.


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World of Warcraft creator Blizzard Entertainment won a $6m judgement from the maker of a software bot that allows users to play the wildly popular game while away from their computers.
MDY Industries was ordered to pay the sum last week, following a court finding in July that its distribution of the Glider bot infringed Blizzard's copyrights and constituted tortious interference. Trial is scheduled for January where additional damages could be levied if additional violations relating to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act are found.
Between June 2005 and September of this year, MDY sold about 120,000 Glider licenses, bringing the judgment to about $50 per sale. Blizzard has argued that MDY's behavior was "willful and wanton" and that the company should therefore be required to pay a staggering $2,500 per licence. Over the past three years, Glider has generated about $3.5m in revenue.
Blizzard has long complained that bots like Glider degrade the WoW player experience by giving users an unfair advantage over non-users. Some Glider customers use the software to mine gold and other assets and then sell them for cash on auction sites, Blizzard asserts.
Blizzard has received more than 465,000 in-game petitions from users complaining about bots, "several thousand" of which mention Glider by name, according to court documents. The company spends close to $943,000 per year responding to bot complaints. WoW's user agreement expressly forbids the use of such software.
Glider is the brainchild of Michael Donnelly. It is popular with some WoW players who like the ability to automate tasks such as slaying monsters and collecting gold. At time of writing, mmoglider.com was still distributing the Glider software.
Sponsored: Webcast: Ransomware has gone nuclear


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Median pay in 2013 was 8 percent below its pre-recessionA recession is a significant and sustained decline in the economy. Typically, a recession lasts longer than six months, but recovery from a recession can take a few years. level. In a recent op-ed, Dartmouth’s Matthew Slaughter presents his solution: enable more trade.
In new research, Slaughter finds that pro-trade policies “could create 10 million new high-paying trade-connected jobs in the U.S. over the next decade.”
Additionally, research by Slaughter and other economists has found that workers at companies that operate internationally earn more than domestic companies to the tune of “about 15%-20% more in companies that export or import, and about 25%-30% more in multinationals.”
Perhaps most importantly, trade leads to higher incomes. Slaughter finds that international trade has increased GDP by $1.7 trillion higher in 2013 than it would have been otherwise. This translates to more than $13,600 per U.S. household.
So, how do we unlock further potential job and income gains from trade? Slaughter has some suggestions (emphasis added):
“Because trade involves a dynamic mix of products, customers and production methods, creating more good American jobs connected to trade requires a variety of policies. To open new markets and extend supply chains, this means liberalizing trade and investment through creative initiatives like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. To broaden business ties abroad, it means expanding and streamlining high-skill immigration. To attract and retain more global companies, it means reducing and simplifying America's high-rate, high-complexity business-taxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. code. To provide more workers the skills and opportunities to participate in and benefit from trade, it means strengthening America's education and safety net.”Share


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New Perch Eco Business Centre Bicester poised to open after securing UK's first Passivhaus Plus certification for a non-domestic building
The Perch Eco Business Centre in Bicester has become the first non-domestic building in the UK to achieve the new Passivhaus Plus standard, confirming its position as one of the country's most efficient...
Companies are missing out on major carbon savings by ignoring supply chain emissions, warns Karl Desai of the UK Green Building Council
New study from the University of Cambridge suggests seven per cent of global GDP could be wiped out by 2100 under business-as-usual carbon emissions scenario
Unchecked campaign launches with stark warning that funding for environmental enforcement agencies has been halved since 2010
Like a husband telling a suspicious partner he'll be home on time, Boris Johnson is telling the EU the UK wants to have 'world-class' environmental standards, but it also wants the freedom to change them if it chooses


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Samsung has released the 3rd One UI 2.0 beta update for the Galaxy S10 series in the beta supported countries. Now, what about the second One UI 2.0 beta update for the Galaxy Note 10 series? Yes, it is coming this week.
According to RPRNA, Samsung will roll out the second One UI 2.0 beta update for the Galaxy Note 10 series this week. The second beta update will include fixes for most of the errors, like the 3rd beta for the Galaxy S10 series.
This timeline for South Korea but not limited, which will reach more countries.


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As recently as 10 years ago, the idea of recreational marijuana being legalized would have been somewhat laughable. In the U.S. in 2009, just 44% of survey-takers favored the idea of a broad-based legalization, according Gallup, and not a single country in the world had passed a law allowing the consumption of recreational cannabis.
But what a difference a decade makes.
Today, 2 out of 3 Americans support a broad-based legalization of marijuana, with more than 9 out of 10 favoring the idea of physicians being able to prescribe medical cannabis to patients. Further, over 40 countries worldwide have legalized medical pot, with two — Canada and Uruguay — allowing adult-use sales. Canada is of particular interest since it’s the first developed country to give the nod to recreational cannabis…
Aurora’s secret weapon: Its international push
From this game-changing legalization has sprouted a legitimate cannabis business model, of which only a few names have really separated themselves from the pack. One such company is Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB), which is arguably the top pick among millennial investors.
Wall Street and younger investors are being lured to Aurora because of its industry-leading production potential. Although it has a couple of massive organic projects, including a 1.62-million-square foot grow farm in Medicine Hat, Alberta, known as Aurora Sun, and its state-of-the-art, 800,000-square-foot Aurora Sky facility, acquisitions have played an arguably bigger role in capacity expansion. None of these buyouts will prove more transformative than the $2 billion purchase of Ontario-based MedReleaf last July.
But what investors may be overlooking is a strategy component that’s even more important than how much marijuana Aurora Cannabis can produce — namely, the company’s overseas expansion strategy. Right now Aurora has a growing or distribution presence in 24 total countries, including Canada. That’s far and away more than any of its peers. But there are some nuances about its international strategy that you should be aware of.
1. International expansion targets a higher-margin consumer
The first thing you’ll want to know is that Aurora’s push into international markets is all about boosting its long-term operating margins. Whereas most growers are hell-bent on gobbling up as much recreational market share as possible, Aurora Cannabis’ brass has been clear that the company’s focus will be on medical marijuana patients going forward.
In return for giving up on a larger pool of consumers in favor of a smaller group of medical patients, Aurora’s reward is the potential for much higher operating margins. That’s because, according to the fourth-quarter National Cannabis Survey in Canada, medical pot patients use marijuana more frequently than recreational users; buy more often than adult-use consumers; and are far more willing to buy cannabis derivatives, such as oils, which feature higher price points and juicier margins than traditional dried flower.
As noted, while there are two countries that have legalized recreational weed worldwide (and perhaps soon to be three, with Mexico seemingly to be close to legalization), there are over 40 countries globally that have given medical weed the green light. That’s a budding market for Aurora Cannabis to tend to, and…
Continue reading at THE MOTLEY FOOL


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CTIA's omnibus wireless trade show starts Tuesday. Need a reminder? Check out all the mobile video deals either announced or strategically leaked today:
- Sony Pictures Television is launching mobile movie channel PIX for subscribers of AT&T Mobile TV (T) with films from Columbia Pictures, Tri-Star, ScreenGems and Sony Pictures Classics in May.
- NBC Universal announced deals with Verizon Wireless (VZ), AT&T and Research In Motion (RIM) to carry 60 ad-supported mobile Web sites, including NBC, USA Network, Bravo, Universal Pictures, etc.
- News Corp. (NWS) announced the launch of the Fox Entertainment Mobile Network, a portal of TV content from Fox, FX, SPEED and National Geographic, on AT&T and Sprint's (S) Wireless Web.
- Mywaves is set to announce tomorrow that its ad-supported mobile video service will include content from MTV, VH1 and Atom Entertainment (VIA)
- Bonus gaming deal: AOL (TWX) is launching a free, ad-supported mobile gaming network, powered by Cellufun with advertising from its mobile ad network, Third Screen Media.


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Car rental firm Hertz files for bankruptcy protection in US
Hertz, which has 38,000 staff, is one of the largest firms to be undone by the pandemic
The 102-year-old car rental firm Hertz has filed for bankruptcy protection after its business all but vanished during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hertz said in a US court filing on Friday that it had voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 reorganisation. Its international operating regions including Europe, Australia and New Zealand were not included in the US proceedings.


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Americans take down approximately $50 billion in pay day loans a each racking up hundreds of dollars in fees and interest year. But a little and service that is growing enables its users to just simply take an advance to their paycheck could be providing the pay day loan industry a run for the cash.
Also – San Francisco-based economic technology business
San Francisco-based technology that is financial also made headlines later this past year whenever Walmart, the nationвЂ™s biggest private boss, announced it might begin providing EvenвЂ™s solution as an element of its worker advantages package. Along with supplying tools that enable workers to trace their investing and spend less, Even features Instapay, makes it possible for users to advance several of their next paycheck as much as 13 times before payday. Since the user that is even making use of his / her currently accumulated hours, also does not charge the worker interest in the advance.
Also is regarded as a small number of technology businesses have actually popped up in modern times seeking to get wages to workers faster as well as on demand. Businesses like FlexWage Options and Instant Financial offer on-demand pay, but those solutions in many cases are linked with a debit card given because of the business as opposed to an employeeвЂ™s main banking account.
Even creator Jon Schlossberg has stated publicly that an element of the ongoing companyвЂ™s mission is to put the cash advance industry away from company, claiming it exploits the economically susceptible.


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Massachusetts Agriculture Officials Announce $439,000 in Federal Grants from USDA to Market Massachusetts Specialty Crops
BOSTON – Thursday, October 10, 2012 – Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Greg Watson today announced $439,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Massachusetts specialty crops. The grants will benefit 17 agricultural organizations across the Commonwealth.
“We are excited to assist our agricultural partners in promoting Massachusetts specialty crops,” said Commissioner Watson. “I’m confident the projects selected will accomplish the goal of expanding market opportunities, making the Commonwealth’s farmers more competitive.”
Organizations representing apple and cranberry growers, winemakers, and horticulture are among the recipients of this year’s USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants, which are funded by the United States Farm Bill. This year, the USDA provided an estimated $55 million to state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops – defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery products.
“Once again, I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made these funds available to Massachusetts and the 17 agricultural organizations across the state,” said Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “These funds will go a long way in helping these projects get off the ground and make the Massachusetts agriculture sector more competitive and successful. I want to thank the Obama Administration and our federal legislative delegation for their continued support and ensuring these funds were made available for Massachusetts.”
“These grants showcase how our farmers have diversified their crops and methods of production to meet the changing consumer markets. From the smallest to largest grant they help to sustain our agricultural heritage,” said Rep. Anne Gobi, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture.
This year’s grant recipients include:
- Massachusetts Farm to School Initiative (Amherst) -- $50,000 to provide resources and technical assistance to specialty crop growers, school food service personnel and institutional food service professionals to support and increase farm to cafeteria food sales.
- Nuestras Raices (Holyoke) -- $39,922.50 to increase the sales of specialty crops while also addressing the nutritional and educational needs of low income immigrant families.
- The University of Massachusetts (Amherst) -- $34,000 to demonstrate the feasibility of growing fava beans as a specialty crop in Massachusetts.
- New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (Lawrence) -- $30,000 to provide technical assistance to 30 beginning immigrant growers with a focus on specific products that are increasingly in demand at CSA’s and farmers’ markets as well as marketability of the products.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (South Deerfield) -- $30,000 to partner with the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, Berkshire Grown and Northeast Harvest will develop a marketing campaign to increase the consumption of 24 select specialty crops.
- Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association (Carver) -- $29,950 to develop a process and database to organize the pond/bog interactions, pond water quality, and identify likely Total Maximum Daily Load standards (TMDLs) regulatory issues prior to The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) involvement.
- Holyoke Kindergarten Initiative (Holyoke) -- $29,600 to launch a new program using local specialty crops to facilitate early childhood education in Holyoke Public Schools.
- The Worcester Kindergarten Farm to School Initiative (Amherst) -- $24,000 to expand their comprehensive nutrition education program that uses Massachusetts specialty crop snacks and specialty crop farm visits to teach young students about local food production and healthy eating.
- DAR’s “MassGrown & Fresher” -- $22,095 to will promote specialty crops through consumer events and an email marketing campaign.
- Sustainable Business Networks of Greater Boston (SBN) -- $20,000 to organize a trade show that will create connections between local and regional food systems, the consumers and the specialty crop producers.
- Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom (Seekonk) -- $20,000 to develop new initiatives that offer tools and training to inspire and enable Massachusetts educators to initiate new school gardens or expand existing programs.
- New England Apple Association (Hatfield) -- $16,000 to collaborate with Rhode Island Department of Agriculture will enhance the visibility of New England apples and develop an apple breeding program to add access to new apple varieties.
- Massachusetts Farm Winery Growers Association (Lincoln) -- $15,000 to expand the Massachusetts wine industry through the development of a mobile application to increase consumer awareness and drive wine sales.
- Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (Conway) & Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association (Bedford) -- $13,000 to develop a consumer and industry campaign to promote water conservation practices.
- University of Massachusetts Extension (Amherst) -- $8,470 to offer Better Process Control School (BPCS): a course that teaches key food safety processing fundamentals that will be offered through a scholarship to Massachusetts specialty crop growers interested in value added food processing.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets in partnership with MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources -- $8,000 to continue to research the UVM Extension hopyard project and enhance farmer capacity to produce high quality hops for the New England brewing industry.
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association (Barre) -- $5,000 to improve educational resources for Massachusetts organic vegetable growers.
DAR's mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions - Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, and Crop and Pest Services - DAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth's agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture's role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit DAR's website at www.mass.gov/agr, and/or follow at twitter.com/MDARCommish.


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Shares to buy for a recovery
Which stocks should I buy to benefit from Sarkozy's victory?
The new president's plans to cut taxes and introduce more flexible labour and trading laws could be good news for everything from housebuilders to champagne producers.
His proposals to exempt overtime payments from tax and make it easier for firms to hire and fire are expected to help the carmakers Peugeot and Renault, which suffer from high labour costs.
Clothes retailers, DIY stores and supermarket chains such as Etam, Mr Bricolage and Carrefour should benefit from his plans to allow all stores to open on Sundays.
Fund managers are also tipping luxury-goods makers such as LVMH, the group behind brands such as Moet & Chandon champagne and Louis Vuitton, as another beneficiary of Sunday shopping.


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The cruise industry is expanding fast. At this point, there are new cruise lines that even some of the most dedicated travelers haven’t heard of. That’s a beautiful thing! We want to live in a world where there is a specific cruise line that caters to everyone, and that’s what we’re headed towards. These three companies might be right up your alley if you want to check out a fresh cruise line with new ideas. There’s nothing wrong with being loyal to Royal, but why not switch it up a bit?
One of the most exciting new cruise lines to be announced in recent years is definitely Virgin Voyages. They currently have a fleet of two ships and have two more on the way in the coming years. The cruise line is focused on being as eco-friendly as possible with the elimination of single-use plastics and the implementation of an emissions-reducing energy system. Although they were technically founded in 2014, they still haven’t gotten the chance to debut their first ship, Scarlet Lady, to the world. There are still a lot of question marks out there about what the Virgin Experience will be like, but we know that their cruises are for adults only. Anyone looking to escape the family-centric cruises that currently dominate the market should be looking forward to Virgin Voyages.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton brand name carries the feeling of luxury with it. Their cruise line is set to live up to their reputation. The cruise line was announced back in 2017, but coronavirus-related delays have caused the company to put off their official debut for quite some time now. Their ships each have max capacities of less than 300 guests, and most of the itineraries announced thus far are 7 days long. Their prices are steep but all-inclusive. You even get a personal concierge. Nice.
A new Chinese cruise line from Carnival
Cruising is becoming more popular around the world. Many regions that previously ignored cruises are now beginning to develop their own cruise lines. One of those companies is China. Carnival announced a while ago that they had partnered with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation to create a cruise line that solely catered to the Chinese market. They began production on their first ship in November 2020, and we are still waiting to hear more details. Regardless, we’re really excited to see a major cruise company teaming up with another country to bring the fun of cruising to every corner of the world!
The cruise industry just keeps growing, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next. Keep your eyes on these three cruise lines. They may end up being massive successes!


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A lot of things changed following the global spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. And that includes altering major film releases, which turned out to be good news for Apple TV+.
Last month we reported that Greyhound, an action thriller set during World War II and starring Tom Hanks (Cast Away), was slipping the traditional theatrical release window due to the global pandemic. As a result, there was a bidding war for streaming services to obtain the film, and Apple won out. Which means we can add Tom Hanks as yet another legendary actor that has released content for Apple’s streaming service.
As the title suggests, now we know when we can all watch the film: July 10, 2020.
Inspired by real events, Captain Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks) leads an international convoy of 37 ships on a treacherous mission across The Atlantic to deliver thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies to Allied forces. Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, and Elisabeth Shue star alongside Hanks. The Apple Original film was directed by Aaron Schneider and produced by Gary Goetzman.
Check out the trailer:
So, we don’t have long to wait before this film makes its debut on Apple TV+. Are you looking forward to this one? Let us know in the comments.


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- Here comes JPM’s next multibillion legal reserve: Federal Probe Targets Banks Over Bonds (WSJ)
- Mulally Bows Out of Microsoft CEO Race, Staying at Ford (BBG)
- United States sending more troops and tanks to South Korea (Reuters)
- Eurozone unemployment sticks at record high (FT)
- China-Japan ‘Voldemort’ attacks up ante in propaganda war (Reuters)
- Alternative Lenders Peddle Pricey Commercial Loans (WSJ)
- John McAfee: glad Intel dropping name from security software (Reuters)
- Jobless Benefits Bill Stays Alive Amid Talks on Offsets (BBG)
- Chicago Colder Than South Pole as Frigid Air Clamps Down (BBG)
- Former Miss Venezuela shot dead in attempted robbery (Reuters)
- Bedroom-Invading Smartphones Jumble Body’s Sleep Rhythms (BBG)
- Netflix Loses Its Cloud Guru to a VC Firm (BBG)
- Goldman Sachs promotes investment bankers in U.S., Asia (Reuters)
- Swiss Anxiety Stoked by Immigration as Zurich Transformed (BBG)
Overnight Media Digest
* Federal investigators are probing whether a number of Wall Street banks cheated clients in the years following the financial crisis by deliberately mispricing a type of mortgage bond that was central to the economic turmoil.
* Three years after IBM began trying to turn its “Jeopardy”-winning computer into a big business, revenue from Watson is far from the company’s ambitious targets.
* JPMorgan will pay roughly $2.6 billion as part of several criminal and civil settlements that resolve allegations the largest U.S. bank failed to provide adequate warnings about Madoff’s decades-long Ponzi scheme.
* Investors are bailing out of emerging markets from Turkey and Brazil to Thailand and Indonesia, extending a selloff that began last year, amid concerns about faltering economies and political unrest.
* Goldman Sachs names George Lee as the chief information officer for investment banking, as part of an effort to shake up its technology banking team and raise its profile among startups. Viewed as Wall Street’s most tech-savvy firm, Goldman has often preferred to develop its own programs rather than bring in outside vendors.
* Citigroup Inc is considering selling its $1 billion stake in a private-equity fund to comply with new federal rules, said a person familiar with the matter.
* Amazon doesn’t rush into filling higher-level jobs. Indeed, the e-commerce giant has a gantlet of people, dubbed “bar raisers,” who must sign off on would-be hires.
* Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he won’t leave the auto maker to take the top job at Microsoft, ending months of speculation about his future.
* As Apple sells more iPhones and iPads, it also sells more apps. The volume of those sales became clear for the first time when Apple said it sold more than $10 billion worth through its App Store last year.
* Apple asked a federal judge late Tuesday to remove the lawyer she appointed to monitor the company’s e-book pricing reform, escalating an already contentious feud between the company and the lawyer.
JPMorgan Chase & Co agreed on Tuesday to pay $2.6 billion to settle a criminal prosecution and private litigation over failures to report suspicious activity involving Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.
Apple Inc said on Tuesday that its customers spent $10 billion on purchases in its applications store in 2013, roughly as much as it sold in the previous four years combined, cementing the company’s lead over Google Inc in a key battleground of mobile computing.
AP Moller Maersk has agreed to sell most of its stake in Denmark’s largest retailer, Dansk Supermarked, as the shipping-to-oil conglomerate continues to prune its sprawling portfolio.
The entire financial services industry should comply with tighter rules over the appointment of senior bankers, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) watchdog said on Tuesday as it admitted to shortcomings in its screening senior staff at the Co-operative Bank.
Centrica Plc finance director Nick Luff will quit this year to join information group Reed Elsevier, adding to a string of recent departures from Britain’s biggest household energy supplier.
Yields on government debt for the euro zone’s crisis-hit countries tumbled on Tuesday after Ireland made a storming return to the international bond market with bumper demand for the country’s first debt sale since exiting its international bailout programme last month.
* As part of a deferred-prosecution agreement, JPMorgan Chase & Co will pay $1.7 billion to the Justice Department for not maintaining proper anti-money laundering controls and failing to file a “suspicious activity report” on Bernard Madoff’s account.
* The Federal Trade Commission charged Sensa Products, L’Occitane, HCG Diet Direct and LeanSpa with deceptively marketing weight-loss products, asserting they made “unfounded promises” that consumers could shed pounds by using their food additives, skin creams and other dietary supplements.
* An indictment by the Manhattan district attorney’s office charged 106 people in the largest fraud ever perpetrated against the Social Security disability system. The scheme, stretching back to 1988 and involving as many as 1,000 people, many of whom are officers and firefighters already collecting pensions from the city, is suspected to have cheated the federal government out of about $400 million.
* The Senate voted to advance legislation extending expired unemployment benefits. The three-month extension of benefits passed on a vote of 60 to 37, and some of the six Republicans who voted yes said they wanted the $6.4 billion cost paid for through cuts elsewhere in the budget.
* While the federal government is spending more than $22 billion to encourage hospitals and doctors to adopt electronic health records, it has failed to put safeguards in place to prevent the technology from being used for inflating costs and overbilling, according to a new report by a federal oversight agency.
* A legal struggle over Utah’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage has catapulted the socially conservative state to the center of the national debate over who should be allowed to wed, and whether states have the right to limit marriages to one man and one woman.
* A U.S. military helicopter crashed on the coast of eastern England on Tuesday, and all four people aboard were believed to have been killed, authorities said. The cause of the crash was unclear. The helicopter was a United States Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk that was based at the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath in Suffolk, also in eastern England.
* Drawing on lessons from Hurricane Sandy, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined how the state would spend more than $16 billion in federal disaster aid on items like high-tech weather stations and seals for entrances to subway stations.
THE GLOBE AND MAIL
** Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport, said the deep freeze gripping the eastern part of the continent forced it to temporarily halt landings for hundreds of flights.
** Parka maker Canada Goose is trying to “bully” Sears Canada Inc and other retailers through litigation, Sears said in court documents as it hit back at a trademark infringement lawsuit filed last year. Canada Goose’s real motive is to curtail the sales of lower-priced winter jackets so it can keep selling its products “at a huge markup,” Sears said.
Reports in the business section:
** Insurers are expected to increase homeowners’ premiums by hefty amounts as the industry seeks to protect itself against the steepening costs of severe weather. Some property and casualty insurers are already charging more for home insurance following a particularly expensive year for claims from flooding, ice storms and hail.
** Two Canadian women were under Mexican custody, suspected of lobbing Molotov cocktails at Mexico City government offices. Late Sunday night, three suspects allegedly ignited a series of gasoline bombs at a Nissan Motor dealership and a high-rise building housing the offices of Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transportation.
** The “polar vortex” weather system blasting Canada and the U.S. with extreme cold has disrupted infrastructure and threatened crops and cattle. But economists do not expect to see a lasting impact on Canada’s GDP.
** The Desmarais family disposed of a major block of stock in Power Corp of Canada, for the third time in less than six years, through a marketed overnight offering. The latest deal was announced on Dec. 24 and marked the first sale since the death of Paul Desmarais, the company’s founder, last October.
– China’s box office generated 21.77 billion yuan ($3.60 billion) of revenue last year, an increase of 27.51 percent from 2012, according to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television. Meanwhile, overseas movies made 9 billion yuan, an increase of 54.32 percent.
– Sina Weibo, a popular micro-blogging site, and Alipay, an e-payment provider, announced on Tuesday that they would integrate their systems to boost e-commerce, in a bid to rival WeChat, an increasingly popular chatting app owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd.
– The marginal cost to China of accumulating foreign exchange reserves surpasses the marginal revenue and is no longer beneficial for the country, said Yi Gang, deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China. New foreign exchange measures will be introduced in 2014, he said.
– Revisions made by the Ministry of Finance to travel spending regulations have been successful, said an article in the paper that acts as the Party’s mouthpiece. The introduction of stringent travel management is not only to control invoices, but to promote thrift, it said.
EUROZONE LOSING ‘SAFETY MARGIN’ AGAINST DEFLATION TRAP AS CORE GAUGE FALLS TO RECORD LOW
Eurozone inflation has fallen to the lowest recorded under two key measures, raising the risk of a textbook deflation trap if recovery falters or there is an unexpected shock.
IMF TO REVISE UP GLOBAL GROWTH FORECASTS, SAYS CHRISTINE LAGARDE
The International Monetary Fund will revise upward its global growth forecast in about three weeks, Managing Director Christine Lagarde has revealed.
FCA STANDS BY DECISION TO SANCTION PAUL FLOWERS AS CO-OP BANK CHAIRMAN
The regulator who authorised Paul Flowers’s appointment as chairman of the Co-operative Bank faced intense criticism from MPs on Tuesday after he insisted he stood by the decision to allow the now disgraced Methodist minister to take on the role after a 90-minute interview in 2010.
JPMORGAN CHASE TO PAY MORE THAN $2BLN IN PENALTIES FOR MADOFF TIES
JPMorgan Chase & Co has agreed to pay a record $2 billion to settle charges that it knowingly ignored evidence that convicted fraudster Bernard Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme was “too good to be true.”
GATWICK CHIEF APOLOGISES FOR FLOOD FAILURE
Gatwick Airport ignored its own contingency plan when floods struck on Christmas Eve and tried to get as many passengers away as possible, even though it lacked sufficient staff or bus drivers to transfer travellers between terminals, Parliament was told on Tuesday.
HARVEY NICHOLS’ NEW CHIEF SETS SIGHTS ON CHINA
A former Burberry executive at the forefront of the designer’s transformation into a global powerhouse has been named as the new boss of Harvey Nichols and set out plans of how she plans to “supercharge” the luxury department store chain. Stacey Cartwright said that she wanted to introduce a Harvey Nichols own-brand clothing range, roll out more overseas stores, launch transactional websites and weigh up opening a store in mainland China.
EASYJET NARROWS GAP WITH RYANAIR AS PASSENGER NUMBERS TAKE OFF
EasyJet flew more than 60 million passengers last year as more Britons spent Christmas overseas. In total, the airline flew 61.33 million passengers in 2013, which is 3.6 per cent more than during the previous 12 months. EasyJet’s growth in 2013 helped it to narrow the gap with Europe’s biggest budget carrier, Ryanair, which saw passenger numbers grow only 2.3 percent last year.
MAN GROUP DENIES IT MISLED RICHARD DESMOND OVER ‘INCOMPREHENSIBLE’ DEAL
Hedge fund giant Man Group has brushed off Richard Desmond’s 20-million-pound High Court claim for losses on a financial product, insisting it did not even act as the counter-party in the disputed transaction.
Fly On The Wall 7:00 AM Market Snapshot
C.R. Bard (BCR) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Atlantic Equities
Comerica (CMA) upgraded to Perform from Underperform at Oppenheimer
Crown Holdings (CCK) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan
Guidance Software (GUID) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Benchmark Co.
Helmerich & Payne (HP) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
Hershey (HSY) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank
Integra LifeSciences (IART) upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill
Kraft Foods (KRFT) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank
MV Oil Trust (MVO) upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Raymond James
Manitowoc (MTW) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley
MetLife (MET) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup
NASDAQ (NDAQ) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup
Nabors Industries (NBR) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
Oceaneering (OII) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
PDC Energy (PDCE) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo
Panera Bread (PNRA) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo
Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
Philippine Long Distance (PHI) upgraded to Buy from Sell at Citigroup
Rite Aid (RAD) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan
Rowan Companies (RDC) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
TCF Financial (TCB) upgraded to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer
Tyco (TYC) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup
Valeant (VRX) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley
WESCO (WCC) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup
Ambarella (AMBA) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Needham
CME Group (CME) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup
Cardinal Health (CAH) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan
Clorox (CLX) downgraded to Underweight from Neutral at JPMorgan
Container Store (TCS) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merrill
Cooper Tire (CTB) downgraded to Hold from Buy at BB&T
Copa Holdings (CPA) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman
Dean Foods (DF) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank
Eli Lilly (LLY) downgraded to Underperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital
First Midwest (FMBI) downgraded to Perform from Outperform at Oppenheimer
Generac (GNRC) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel
Honeywell (HON) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup
Humana (HUM) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays
Ingredion (INGR) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at BMO Capital
J.M. Smucker (SJM) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank
KeyCorp (KEY) downgraded to Perform from Outperform at Oppenheimer
Magellan Health (MGLN) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays
McDonald’s (MCD) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo
National Oilwell (NOV) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital
Neurocrine (NBIX) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley
Noble Corp. (NE) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital
Steven Madden (SHOO) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray
Tenet (THC) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James
Transocean (RIG) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital
Twitter (TWTR) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Cantor
U.S. Bancorp (USB) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse
United Technologies (UTX) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup
Bank of America (BAC) initiated with a Buy at Jefferies
Brinker (EAT) initiated with an Outperform at Credit Suisse
Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) initiated with a Buy at UBS
Burger King (BKW) initiated with a Neutral at Credit Suisse
Burger King (BKW) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) initiated with an Outperform at Credit Suisse
Chipotle (CMG) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Chipotle (CMG) initiated with an Outperform at Credit Suisse
Citigroup (C) initiated with a Hold at Jefferies
Darden (DRI) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Darden (DRI) initiated with an Underperform at Credit Suisse
Delta Air Lines (DAL) initiated with an Overweight at Atlantic Equities
Ignite Restaurant (IRG) initiated with a Buy at UBS
IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) assumed with a Neutral at Citigroup
JPMorgan (JPM) initiated with a Buy at Jefferies
Jack in the Box (JACK) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Mallinckrodt (MNK) initiated with an Overweight at Piper Jaffray
McDonald’s (MCD) initiated with a Buy at UBS
McDonald’s (MCD) initiated with a Neutral at Credit Suisse
NeoGenomics (NEO) initiated with an Outperform at William Blair
Nimble Storage (NMBL) initiated with a Market Perform at William Blair
Noodles & Company (NDLS) coverage assumed with a Neutral at UBS
Panera Bread (PNRA) initiated with a Buy at UBS
Ruby Tuesday (RT) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
SodaStream (SODA) initiated with a Buy at KeyBanc
Sonic (SONC) initiated with a Sell at UBS
Southwest (LUV) initiated with a Neutral at Atlantic Equities
Starbucks (SBUX) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
Starbucks (SBUX) initiated with an Outperform at Credit Suisse
Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) initiated with a Neutral at UBS
United Continental (UAL) initiated with an Overweight at Atlantic Equities
Wendy’s (WEN) initiated with a Sell at UBS
Yum! Brands (YUM) initiated with a Buy at UBS
Yum! Brands (YUM) initiated with a Neutral at Credit Suisse
Hess Corp. (HES) filed for tax-free spin-off retail unit
Shares of Ford (F) were higher, Microsoft (MSFT) lower, in after hours trading after Ford CEO Mulally told the Associated Press he will stay at the carmaker through at least 2014
WellPoint (WLP) to sell online contact lens retail subsidiary 1-800 CONTACTS to Thomas H. Lee Partners
WellPoint (WLP) entered into an asset-purchase agreement for glasses.com and its virtual try-on technology with Luxottica (LUX)
Era Group (ERA) to purchase four S92 helicopters from Sikorsky (UTX) for $129M
Comcast (CMCSA) , Live Nation (LYV) extended partnership, naming agreement
Companies that beat consensus earnings expectations last night and today include:
Micron (MU), Apollo Education (APOL), Container Store (TCS)
Companies that missed consensus earnings expectations include:
AZZ Inc. (AZZ), Franklin Covey (FC), Micron (MU)
Companies that matched consensus earnings expectations include:
Federal investigators are probing whether a number of Wall Street banks (BCS, C, DB, GS, MS, JPM, RBS, UBS) cheated clients in the years following the financial crisis by deliberately mispricing a type of mortgage bond that was central to the economic turmoil, sources say, the Wall Street Journal reports
Three years after IBM (IBM) began trying to turn its “Jeopardy”-winning computer into a big business, revenue from Watson is far from the company’s ambitious targets, the Wall Street Journal reports
Forest Laboratories (FRX) is nearing an agreement to acquire specialty pharmaceutical company Aptalis Holdings from private equity firm TPG Capital for about $3B, sources say, Reuters reports
Chinese tycoon Chen Guangbiao dialed back his ambitious plans to buy The New York Times Co. (NYT) about a week after making his intentions public. Chen, does not hold shares in the Times, nor does he plan to buy any of its common shares, he said, noting that the Times rebuffed a request for a meeting. The company has a market value of $2.3B. Chen thinks it’s worth $1B, Reuters reports
Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) were forecast to experience fewer canceled flights today as weather warms and schedules begin to return to normal after winter storms erased more than 11,000 flights in four days and marooned millions of fliers, Bloomberg reports
Cisco Systems (CSCO) CEO John Chambers, speaking at the International Consumer Electronics Show, said that the Internet of Everything, connected products ranging from cars to household goods, could be a $19T opportunity, Bloomberg reports
Cedar Realty Trust (CDR) to offer 6M common shares
Rouse Properties (RSE) 7M share Secondary priced at $19.50
Rubicon (RBCN) 2.46M share Spot Secondary priced at $10.65
via Zero Hedge http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/zerohedge/feed/~3/pbSWSbQyuzE/story01.htm Tyler Durden


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Emirates connects business and leisure travelers around the world with its first ever passenger service between Dubai and Miami. The airline celebrated the inaugural flight of its service four times a week.
Emirates flight EK213 was greeted by Miami International Airport with a water cannon salute and drew an audience of passengers, aviation fans and guests. For the first flight, the airline operated its popular Boeing 777 Gamechanger and, on the ground, presented the interiors of the aircraft to guests, along with its popular first-class private suites. With floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and elegant design features inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ first-class suites on the Gamechanger offer up to 40 square feet of personal space each and luxury features. ultra-modern design.
The airline will then operate its three-class Boeing 777-300ER on the route, featuring eight private first-class suites, 42 business-class flat seats and 304 spacious economy-class seats for four-weekly service.
With Orlando, the new service to Miami provides an additional access point to and from Florida and expands the Emirates US network to 12 destinations on more than 70 weekly flights, offering more choice and convenient connections from the Emirates network. to south Florida. It also connects travelers from Miami, as well as southern Florida, South America and the Caribbean to over 50 points across the Middle East, West Asia, Africa, the Far East and Indian Ocean Islands via Dubai.
âWe are delighted to welcome new Emirates flights to MIA as we expand business and leisure travel options for residents and visitors to Miami-Dade, connecting them to new cultures and savings in growth, âsaid Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. âOpening our doors to new visitors to Dubai and adding to our growing list of destinations around the world continues to solidify MIA as a global travel hub. “
Essa Sulaiman Ahmed, Emirates divisional vice president for the United States and Canada, said: “We are delighted to launch our long-awaited service between Dubai and Miami for travelers. We expect the service to be popular with our customers looking for new experiences as countries like the United Arab Emirates and the United States advance their vaccination campaigns and the world safely opens up to international travel. “
âWith the better access offered by the new Miami service, we expect it to generate strong demand, improve business, cruise and leisure traffic, and forge more economic and tourism links between the two cities. and beyond. We are committed to growing our operations in the United States in line with the growing demand for air travel and would like to thank the authorities and our partners in Miami for their support and look forward to providing our unique product and award-winning service to travelers.
âWe are proud to welcome Emirates to MIA and look forward to welcoming their passengers from Dubai, the Middle East and points across the world,â Ralph CutiÃ©, Acting Director of Miami International Airport . âEmirates is without a doubt one of the leading airlines in our industry, and Dubai has become one of the most popular cities in the world for both leisure and business travel. As our local and connecting passengers continue to return to air travel, we are pleased to now offer them Emirates world class service to Dubai. “
âEmirates’ maiden flight from Dubai to Miami is a true testament to Greater Miami’s positioning as a global gateway and world-class destination. As we safely reopen to international visitors, we are delighted to welcome the Emirates customer who will certainly appreciate our diverse cosmopolitan metropolis, surrounding waters and pristine beaches, as well as perfect weather all year round, âsaid William D. Talbert III, CDME, President & CEO Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
To celebrate the new service, Emirates extended its signature inflight service to include non-alcoholic cocktails and specially crafted cocktails on the airline’s food and beverage menu, and customers from all cabins enjoyed a pie in the sky. tangy lime to finish their meal. To transform the in-flight experience on the way to Miami, the mood lighting was set to the iconic US colors red, white and blue during boarding and arrival. Customers of all classes enjoyed the selection of 4,500 on-demand ice entertainment channels, including a Miami-inspired music playlist, as well as Wi-Fi and live TV.
The new service will also add to existing commercial connections provided by Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, which has been operating passenger freight services to Miami since October 2020. Emirates offers cargo capacity to and from Emirates. Miami, facilitating exports of perishable goods. , electronics and other components as well as e-commerce products. Emirates SkyCargo has also operated several charter flights on its full-cargo Boeing 777 in the past to transport champion horses from Miami to equestrian events around the world. Since 2019, Emirates SkyCargo has transported more than 7,700 tonnes of cargo to and from Miami.
With the addition of Miami, Emirates now serves 12 gateways in the United States, including Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK and Newark), Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC and Orlando.
As international borders reopen and travel restrictions ease, Emirates continues to expand its network in a safe and sustainable manner. The airline has resumed passenger services to more than 120 destinations and by the end of July it will have recovered nearly 90% of its pre-pandemic network.


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Ripple Price Prediction March 28th
Ripple Price Prediction March 28th. Ripple after a significant move down to .000016 vs Bitcoin Ripple looks like it will breakout to the upside as a big move out of the low range of the bollinger bands has occurred taking a looking at the 1 day chart below. .000016 has had decent support before as an earlier spike down saw a reversal. If support at .000016 falls look for another move down to .000012. The price should rise to .00002 vs Bitcoin in the near future. The Stochastic RSI is in a downtrend at 10 and looking to flatten.The CCI is at 43 forming an uptrend after leaving the channel low range. There is a chance of the downtrend continuing so definitely keep an eye on lower support.
Ripple Continues Global Growth With New London Office to Serve European Bank Demand
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ripple, the global provider of financial settlement solutions, today announced the opening of its European headquarters to better serve growing bank demand in the region. The office will be located in London, and led by newly appointed Managing Director of Europe, Daniel Aranda. New hire and industry veteran Patricia Pittomvils will join him as Sales Director of Europe.
“We’re excited to continue growing our global presence by establishing roots in London, one of the most important financial centers of the world”
“We’re excited to continue growing our global presence by establishing roots in London, one of the most important financial centers of the world,” said Ripple CEO and co-founder Chris Larsen. “After establishing our APAC subsidiary last year, we’ve seen tremendous traction in Asia, leading to the recent creation of SBI Ripple Asia, and we’re looking forward to similarly rapid growth in Europe starting with this new office.”
With the opening of the London office, Managing Director Daniel Aranda is relocating from Ripple’s San Francisco headquarters to lead the company’s European presence. Aranda was among Ripple’s first employees and has served as a key member of the company’s business development team since 2013, helping shape the overall company strategy and build the customer pipeline. Today, the majority of Ripple’s current partners are based in Europe, such as Santander and Fidor Bank, and the company continues to see strong customer interest regionally for its cross-currency settlement solutions, the only enterprise blockchain products available in the market.
“The European region is unique as an established global financial center that is leading the industry in embracing new technologies and modernizing its banking infrastructure. We see enormous potential here,” Aranda said. “European banks are proving to be first adopters of distributed financial technology and, in particular, Ripple’s solutions.”
SBI Holdings (Ripple Partner) joins R3CEV
March 14 , 2016
SBI Holdings, Inc.
The Company ( Head Office : Minato-ku, Tokyo , President and CEO : Yoshitaka Kitao ) , this time the United States FinTech companies R3 CEV LLC ( Headquarters: New York, USA New York City , CEO: David ( David ) Rutter ( Rutter ) , below since it was decided to participate in the ” R3 CEV company” ) block chain consortium “R3″ to be led by , we will inform you .
R3 CEV , Inc., a US start-up companies with the strength to block chain technology , we are promoting a project for the establishment of the block chain technology on a global scale .
R3 consortium CEV Inc. -led ” R3 ” are financial institutions 42 companies of the current world countries are participating ( 2016 end of February ) , to take advantage of the block chain technology , the world’s largest to address the efficiency of financial markets It is the working group . In already part of the financial institutions participating in the consortium , has been promoting , such as demonstration of the block chain technology , we are promoting the use of the financial services of the same technology.
Available supply has increased over time, as Ripple Labs continues to distribute its XRP holdings, but total supply has only ever decreased. Calculating market capitalization according to available supply of XRP is in some ways similar to calculating Bitcoin market cap according to mined Bitcoins, as opposed to the total number that will ever be mined. Initially, coinmarketcap.com calculated XRP market cap according to total supply and received criticism that the number was misleading, since it did not represent the total number of XRP potentially available at market.


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Sustainability & Affordability
Why younger generations are fueling the rise of secondhand sales
The secondhand sales industry is booming. Amidst cries for sustainability in the fashion industry, which is the world’s second-largest polluter, more people are turning to used fashion as an alternative. As Reuters reported, “the resale industry is expected to grow 11 times faster than the broader retail clothing sector in the period to 2025… driven also by a growing awareness of fast fashion’s environmental toll”. Younger generations are fueling this growth. This is something Insider reported on earlier this year, noting “the sustainable aspect of secondhand clothing”, and how “Gen Z is more willing than any other generation to pay more for sustainable products.”
Aside from the growing popularity of thrift stores, online resale platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and the RealReal are becoming increasingly popular. Last month Etsy acquired Depop, confirming this trend. These platforms offer shopping with an emphasis on “circularity, reduced waste and access to clothing at reduced prices…checking many boxes for today’s consumer” (Forbes).
“The fashion industry is well known for creating an appetite for new things. But our definition of what “new” means is changing. Now, a new outfit could come from rental or resale. There has been a big shift with consumer opinions towards resale being totally revolutionized.”AnneMarie Tomchak via Forbes
As secondhand sales continue to grow, another question has come up—one that companies like The RealReal are trying to tackle—when buying secondhand, how do you know a product isn’t fake?
The case for brand protection with secondhand sales
The resale market isn’t just growing in the fashion world. Categories like sports equipment, electronics, and music equipment are also experiencing secondhand sales growth (World Resources Institute). As we know, counterfeit products can pose serious health and safety risks to your consumers, as well as damage your brand’s reputation. Companies are taking a variety of approaches to the counterfeit problem.
The value proposition of companies like The RealReal depends on authentication. The RealReal utilizes physical, in person authentication by trained experts. The downside to methods like these are the cost and labor associated with physical interventions, and their reliability can’t be guaranteed. Other authentication and anti counterfeit efforts include tagging clothes, but those things are often removed at the point of sale—making authenticity hard to prove if the product’s life cycle outlives a single consumer’s use for the product.
Especially as demand for certain products continues to grow amidst the supply chain shortages, scammers on third-party sellers, which includes resale platforms, are sure to take note. Heading into the holiday season, these resale platforms will be filling a different need—the supply chain one. Supply chain shortages “are expected to drive more people to secondhand clothing companies such as Poshmark Inc, ThredUp Inc, and RealReal, which are not as affected by global supply chain issues as they get their stock mainly from the closets of American households” (Reuters). While inventory predictability is a downside of secondhand shopping, it’s not a bad place to keep an eye on for those hard-to-find items and luxury goods. You might even save a buck doing so.
You cannot control the entire life cycle of your product, but there are steps you can take to educate your customer and protect your brand regardless of where your product moves in the world. Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the fashion industry—allowing for consumers to validate the authenticity of the product and companies to promote their brand story and further build brand loyalty.
How Vi3’s technology merges with your physical product to protect your brand
Blockchain technology has made its way into mainstream discussion around luxury goods. This year, Louis Vuitton announced its collaboration with Cartier and Prada on Aura, “the world’s first global luxury blockchain” (LMVH). Because blockchain provides an immutable transaction ledger, it’s an effective way to ensure authenticity.
Vi3 utilizes private blockchain technology, ensuring security and traceability around your authentication measures. By incorporating hyperunique, scannable identifiers into the materials of your products, your products serve as the communication channel between you and your consumers. Via V Connect, you can provide authenticity verification, share sustainability metrics, and more. Because these identifiers are incorporated into your physical product, your consumers will have access to this data for as long as your products are out in the world.
If you want to implement a solution that will last through your direct consumers and beyond, especially in today’s secondhand market, reach out to one of our experts today.


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Travel industry pushes for extra bank holiday later this year
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Leaders in the U.K.’s tourism industry are calling for another bank holiday to be added to the calendar as a way to help local businesses recover from the past year’s economic upheaval.
The most recent bank holiday on 3 May was essentially a washout across much of England due to rain and cold weather, so it did little to aid tourism-dependent operators who have seen business plummet since the start of the pandemic.
“It was only the second bank holiday most tourism businesses have been open for in the last 14 months – and indoor attractions still aren’t open, except in Scotland,” Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), told The Independent.
Businesses that are part of ALVA reported a 70% decline in visitors in 2020. For those establishments, a long holiday weekend arranged for later this year could bring in 15% to 18% of their annual income.
Kate Nicholls of U.K. Hospitality, which represents the bars, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, also said an extra bank holiday was needed in a Twitter post.
So how are bank holidays established? According to the House of Commons Library, bank holidays can be added or changed by Royal Proclamation. The Queen did this as recently as 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
There are two dates on the calendar some observers say make the most sense for the extra bank holiday. The first would be Monday 20 September. That day not only would have the advantage of more daylight, since the autumnal equinox comes two days later, but because it is the 54th anniversary of the launching of the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner.
The other potential option would be Monday 27 September. The one obstacle with that date is that it is also the day when students are set to return to a number of universities.
Ultimately, whether an additional bank holiday is added will be determined in due course. At this time, the first thing on the mind of many Brits is if international travel will be permitted to resume this month.
Featured photo by Alexander Spatari/Getty Images.
Welcome to The Points Guy!


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The Viking with a US mission
No fancy plaques, fine furniture or expensive works of art adorn the tiny office of Carl-Gustaf Johansson, chief executive of the new AstraZeneca North America. The only personal item is a Viking helmet, complete with hair and horns, ancestral hints of the iron determination he will need to conquer the US market. The helmet looks as if it would smell of ancient battles and human blood if you got too close.
Soft-spoken Johansson will need Viking strength to grow US revenues, extend market share, squeeze more profits out of an ageing line-up and deal with patent expiries on key drugs.
Key to the success of the merger of two medium-sized drug companies into a global giant will be the American market, underdeveloped by both before the month-old merger.
AstraZeneca gets half its $17.2 billion (£10.6 billion) in revenue and 50% of profits from the US, far less than its global rivals, which typically deliver about 65% of profits from America.
Johansson says he will "achieve at least that" within a few years. He does not, however, expect redundancies or cutbacks as the companies combine their US marketing, research and sales forces.
"Here in the US, both companies have traditionally underinvested in R&D, underinvested in their sales forces," he says. "We need to grow the US, not shrink it."
Investors have recently been cool to AstraZeneca, in part because a post-merger switch to a different accounting system has meant a delay in first-quarter earnings news.
However, the bigger concern is Losec, sold as Prilosec in America, which analysts estimate could lose as much as $3 billion in sales in coming years as its many patents begin to expire. Patent expiries threaten another $1 billion from two of Zeneca's top sellers, hypertension drug Zestril and cancer-fighter Nolvadex.
The newly merged company has promising drugs in the pipeline, which analysts say should help earnings pick back up in 2003, but none appears to have the blockbuster potential of Losec, projected to sell more than $5 billion this year, the final one of full patent protection.
Cost savings from the merger - a targeted $1.1 billion - will partially offset lost sales. A bigger benefit is in research and development.
It takes about $500 million to turn an idea into a marketable drug, and Astra-Zeneca executives say the combined reasearch and development budget gives them "critical mass" to spur drug creation.
R&D spending, now about
$2.2 billion, is expected to reach $3 billion soon and Johansson indicates that much of the increase in funding will be in the US, which now handles less than 15% of overall research.
He wants to shift more R&D to America to link patient needs with product development in the biggest, most lucrative market for prescription drugs. Johansson is confident that company sales can grow in double digits "in all therapy areas".
Johansson says that growing the American side of the business is such a high priority he dismisses suggestions by some analysts he should reduce the sales force of 4000 - now the second largest in the US - given that AstraZeneca's revenue ranking is seventh.
He thinks that the answer is to increase revenue, not shrink staff, and he intends to strengthen marketing efforts so there is more industry buzz about new drugs.
Johansson believes that product synergies will also boost sales. For instance, the combination of Astra and Zeneca respiratory drugs provides a full line of products for treating asthma.
He expects 12% or better growth in the respiratory therapy area, an underdeveloped market in the US where millions of peple suffer from asthma but newer therapeutic treatments are not in as widespread use as in Europe.
An optimist, Johansson dismisses suggestions by other drugs giants that the US market may not sustain
the double-digit growth of recent years.
He believes, instead, that the continued move to the managed care type of health coverage, which has shrunk margins but boosted volume, and the increasing maturation of the relatively under-developed American market mean growth can stay strong for the foreseeable future.
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CES has become the place for companies to showcase new, innovative and promising technology. And with the expo celebrating its 50th anniversary, it's more obvious than ever why the largest consumer electronics show in the world remains a must-attend event for forward-thinking advertisers.
A lot has changed since the first CES in New York, which showcased products from just 14 companies. Last year, it played host to nearly 4,000 exhibitors—with over 170,000 attendees getting a first look at new products and ideas.
As a svp of sales for CBS Interactive, I've worked with the CNET brand for over 18 years. I've watched more and more marketers make the trip to CES each year to understand how tech can help them better connect with consumers and which tech might help burnish their image as trendsetters.
What can brands expect at the 2017 show, which is set for Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas? Even more smart home and car tech. People have been talking about the advantages of connected appliances, home automation and tech-enhanced cars for the past few years, with many of the first announcements on autonomous cars and smart washing machines made at CES.
Now with top-tier companies including Amazon, Apple and Google investing in the future of our homes and cars, we're seeing voice-activation technology becoming the center of innovative platforms that brands can use to reach consumers.
The smart home offers a new level of ad targeting, with tech able to offer more relevant and personalized marketing messages to individual consumers. Imagine, after someone asks Google Home for traffic info before leaving for work, also being offered an opportunity to order coffee from their favorite coffee place for fast mobile pickup along the way.
Tech is no longer a niche market. It's at the center of almost everything we do each day.
That's why we're starting to see more nonendemic advertisers embrace the smart home. Real estate, insurance and security companies are incorporating smart home ideas into their marketing strategies. Why? Because our homes are getting smarter. But it's early, which means there's an opportunity today to be among the brands that help customers understand how things work and to help them choose the right tech for improving, simplifying and protecting their homes.
Take Coldwell Banker Real Estate. It's educating its sales associates on smart home tech so they can help home buyers and sellers accurately identify smart homes. This is part of the company's Smart Home Education Curriculum, exclusively for its agents. To help its policyholders save money, Travelers Insurance now offers customers with qualifying smart home devices discounts on their renters and homeowners insurance.
Expect more investment in these kinds of programs and services.
The opportunities aren't limited to big or occasional consumer purchases. Companies in the CPG space can market through the smart kitchen; furniture companies through the smart bedroom; DIY companies through the smart garden; health and wellness companies through the smart gym; and automotive makers through the smart garage.
Beyond the smart home tech, we're also starting to see a ramp up in discussion around the future of car tech. From electric cars to autonomous and self-driving tech, the auto industry is preparing for the biggest change in motoring since the Model T. Tech is becoming a game changer for Detroit.
About two-thirds of the estimated 90 million new cars to be sold each year will be "connected" and integrated with the internet and devices like our phones by 2020, according to automotive security manufacturer Giesecke & Devrient. More motorists are using their cars as an extension of their home, thanks to savvy technology for communications, navigation and entertainment. All those new systems offer brands the opportunity to extend their reach to consumers.
This year we'll see more brands like Toyota push the edges of self-driving technology. That's no surprise. But it's important to remember that self-driving tech is about more than convenience for automating wheels and pedals. It also has the potential to cut accident rates, shift your focus from driving to media consumption and improve roadway efficiency.
How can brands use this? Look to Budweiser, one of the world's most powerful brands. It garnered loads of publicity when it teamed up with Uber last month to deliver 50,000 cans of beer using an autonomous truck.
It's no secret the show is a place for brands hunting for the next big thing. There's no one better at making us all (myself included) smarter about what's coming next in tech than CNET's Brian Cooley, who's been covering the industry for years. "Great technology," he says, "has the power to be transparent, intuitive, intimate and constant."
Technology for the home and on the road offers brands new ways to reach consumers in intriguing new ways. Each year, CES peels back the curtain for advertisers, offering a peek at the future. Be sure to take a look.
Katie Kulik (@katiekulik) is svp of sales at CBS Interactive. She has worked for nearly two decades with CNET, one of the world's largest and most trusted online sources of consumer tech news and reviews. She is based in San Francisco.
This story first appeared in the January 2, 2017 issue of Adweek magazine.


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Air India Express had joined hands with Federal Bank to introduce a 10% cashback offer which ended on January 31st 2020.
We are thrilled beyond words. Yes, the response to the 10% cashback offer announced by Air India Express and the Federal Bank was truly mind-blowing.
The offer, which was introduced from December 1st 2019 to January 31st 2020, was availed by Air India Express passengers who made flight bookings directly on www.airindiaexpress.in, using Federal Bank debit cards.
The offer was available both for domestic and international flights. The minimum transaction amount to avail the offer was set at Rs. 12,000. For round trip bookings, the maximum cashback was Rs. 3000 and for one-way bookings, it was capped at Rs. 1500.
Air India Express thanks all its passengers for making the initiative a grand success.