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The Tourism Ministry has been aggressively promoting different tourism products and destinations
Ganga Vilas cruise ship is only a mirror for the untapped potential of state tourism. In fact, the tourism industry offers immense potential and expects to earn $50.9 billion by 2028. India showcased its different tourism products and potential at the Arabian Travel Market, Dubai-2022, as the Middle-East has always been one of the major target markets for Indian Tourism.
The Tourism Ministry also undertook ‘Namaste India’ campaign for encouraging international visitors to travel to India during this mega event. Several state governments from India participated in the event, showcasing their major tourist destinations. India displayed itself as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, such as spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and many more things.
The Tourism Ministry has been aggressively promoting different tourism products and destinations. The major focus has been given to the potential of MICE, Film Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Medical Tourism, Luxury Tourism, Wildlife Tourism and Adventure Tourism. By 2028, Indian tourism and hospitality is expected to earn $50.9 billion and the travel market in India is projected to reach $125 billion by FY27 from an estimated $75 billion in FY20.
The Middle-East becomes very important for the Indian tourism industry, as around three million Indians are living in different countries of this oil-rich region of the globe. Large number of tourists from the Middle-East visit India for MICE, medical, wellness, luxury tourism, etc. Hence, the Ministry of Tourism, has been holistically promoting Indian tourism in the Middle East market.
Participation in Arabian Travel Mart has been one such initiative by the Government. During the event, it was highlighted that India has opened up for the International visitors. Along with the ‘Namaste India’ campaign for encouraging international visitors, the ministry has also been focusing on confidence-building strategies post-pandemic.
The importance of film tourism and the potential of India as an-important destination for film-making, having all physical geographical features and landscape were also discussed at length. The role of North-eastern states as a potential film shooting destination was also showcased. The role of Indian diaspora for publicity and promotion of India in the overseas market was also discussed and sought for.
The appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘Chalo India’, urging Indian Diaspora to inspire at least five of their non-Indian friends every year to visit India, calling them ‘Rashtradoot’, was also highlighted. The role of the Indian diaspora with regard to the promotion of India in the overseas market was also discussed.
Experts also highlighted the role of social media for the promotion of tourism in India, which they said, could prove the game-changer for the tourism industry. Lots of millennial tourists use social media looking for promotional content such as travel and tourism. Social media also plays the role of influencers in engaging a large number of tourists.
The government showcased India’s rich and diversified tourism potential by providing a platform to the tourism stakeholders to showcase the various tourism destinations and products, including niche ones. It presented India as a ‘Must See, Must Visit’ destination. The India Pavilion showcased India as a ‘365 Days Destination’ with its culture, adventure, cruise, golf, MICE, luxury, wildlife, wellness, and medical tourism, etc.
Various verticals of tourism potential in India were discussed during the event. State governments are also participating vigorously in the event. For example, the government of Uttarakhand discussed the importance of tourist destinations in Uttarakhand that can be leveraged for the promotion of tourism such as adventure tourism, wedding tourism in the State of Uttarakhand. States also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the respective government with regards to increasing the footfall of tourists in the state. Uttarakhand government also discussed various infrastructure development projects such as Haridwar International Airport and way forward strategies being undertaken by the Govt. of Uttarakhand.
Along with the participants from India representing state governments, tour operators, travel agents, and hoteliers/resorts, are also present in the India Pavilion showcasing the diverse tourism products and services. States like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland are enthusiastically participating in the event.
The Ministry of Tourism has recognised adventure tourism as a ‘Niche’ tourism product in order to promote India as a 365 days’ destination and attract tourists with specific interest. The Ministry has issued guidelines for the approval of Adventure Tour Operators, open to all bona-fide Adventure Tour Operators. A Task Force on adventure tourism has been set up to act as a forum for resolving issues related to development and promotion of adventure tourism in the country. The Ministry of Tourism has formulated ‘Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines’ (Version 2.0) on safety and quality norms on adventure tourism as basic minimum standards for adventure tourism activities covering 31 verticals involving land, air and water in respect of adventure tourism activities.
Identification and development of tourist places or centres is primarily responsibility of the concerned state government or UT administration. Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, had launched the ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’ in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country. Under the scheme 15 thematic circuits were identified for development. The projects under the scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Government/UT and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. Since its launch in January 2015, the ministry has sanctioned around 76 projects worth Rs 5667.39 crores to 30 states and UTs covering the thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
India’s rising middle class and increasing disposable income has supported the growth of domestic and outbound tourism. By 2028, Indian tourism and hospitality industry is expected to earn $50.9 billion as compared with $28.9 billion in 2018. The travel market in India is projected to reach $125 billion by FY27 from an estimated $75 billion in FY20. The Indian airline travel market was estimated at $20 billion and is projected to double in size by FY27 due to improving airport infrastructure and growing access to passports.
The Indian hospitality market, including domestic, inbound and outbound, was estimated at $32 billion in FY20 and is expected to reach $52 billion by FY27, driven by the surging demand from travelers and sustained efforts of travel agents to boost the market. During 2019, foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India stood at 10.93 million, achieving a growth rate of 3.5 per cent year on year basis. In 2020, FTAs decreased by 75.5 per cent YoY to 2.68 million and arrivals through e-Tourist Visa (Jan-Nov) decreased by 67.2 per cent YoY to 0.84 million. As of March 2021, the e-Tourist Visa facility was extended to citizens of 171 countries.
In April 2021, the percentage share of FTAs was highest from USA (26.85 per cent), followed by Bangladesh (15.65 per cent), Afghanistan (6.92 per cent), UK (5.87 per cent), Nepal (4.59 per cent), Canada (4.27 per cent), Iraq (2.99 per cent), Portugal (2.40 per cent), Germany (1.42 per cent), Russian Fed (1.41 per cent), Maldives (1.39 per cent), France (1.33 per cent), Sudan (1.21 per cent), Korea (Rep.) (1.18 per cent), and Australia (1.02 per cent).
(The author is a senior journalist)


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Ford has a thing for bringing back once popular nameplates – as the reborn Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup clearly demonstrate. Now, it seems, the automaker is going back down to the basement to dust off another musty old nameplate: the Maverick.
The Detroit automaker was slow to market with the revival of the Ranger a couple years back but, as sales surged without tanking demand for the full-size – and higher profit – F-150 – Ford planners figured that the brand could use yet another, even smaller pickup.
The project got the green light in mid-2018, and things have been moving along quickly, as these spy shots, used courtesy of website Motor1.com, clearly demonstrate.
While the automaker has been largely mum about the compact pickup program, all sources appear to agree that it will come to market late next year as a 2022 model to be dubbed the Ford Maverick.
The Maverick name has been around for a long time at Ford and seen numerous different applications. American motorists are most likely to be familiar with the compact 2- and 4-door compact models that were sold here from 1969 to 1977, continuing on in some Latin American markets for several more years. The name, of course, was meant to tie in with Ford’s most venerable product line, the Mustang — as was the subcompact Pinto.
Globally, the nameplate has found a variety of other applications. It was used for a rebadged version of the Nissan Patrol SUV Ford sold in Australia from 1988 to 1994, for an early European version of the Ford Escape, and for a rebadged version of the Nissan Terrano II SUV Ford sold in Europe from 1993 to 1999.
Now the badge will make its way back to its original U.S. market but bolt onto the back of the new Ford pickup.
According to the Motor 1 report – which briefly posted, then removed, pictures of the Maverick pickup in bare metal – the truck looks a lot like a downsized Ranger, though it features wheel well creases more closely resembling the F-150.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the tiny cargo bed which could prove to have severe limitations for anyone thinking of using it for commercial purposes. That seems to suggest the 2022 Ford Maverick would be aimed at retail buyers, perhaps aiming to recreate the phenomenon that made small trucks wildly popular with young Baby Boomers back in the 1970s.
That’s similar to what Hyundai has in mind with the Santa Cruz pickup it confirmed last month finally will go into production in 2021, about the same time that the new Maverick appears due.
As with the Santa Cruz, Ford won’t rely on a classic body-on-frame platform for the new Maverick. It will share its platform with the new Bronco Sport model that began rolling into U.S. showrooms last month. That would strongly suggest that the new truck will be assembled alongside the SUV at Ford’s big assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.
As for powertrains, the Ford Maverick would be highly likely to share the SUV’s current powertrain options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder.
Whether Ford can stick to the schedule and launch the new Maverick on time for the 2022 model year remains uncertain in this era of pandemic manufacturing constraints. Though Bronco Sport hewed pretty much perfectly to schedule, the bigger Bronco 2- and 4-door models have been delayed from spring to summer 2021, Ford has confirmed, due to problems getting the removable tops sourced from supplier Webasto.
How big a market might there be for a pint-sized pickup? One of the reasons such products were so popular a half-century ago was their rock-bottom price. These days, it could be difficult to position the Maverick in the same niche – though producing the pickup in Mexico will clearly shave costs. The hardware on the spy shots suggest that Maverick could have off-road capabilities similar to those of the Bronco Sport, enhancing its appeal.
Ford’s willingness to revive old nameplates has had some real successes, the Ranger and Bronco two of the most obvious. But there have been failures, as well. The attempt to revive the Thunderbird early in the new millennium was a major flop, however, and Ford didn’t fare much better when it tried to bring back the Taurus badge a few years ago. We should get a sense of how well the reborn Maverick will do next year.

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Analysts expect Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ:SLAB) to post earnings of $0.47 per share for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks Investment Research. Four analysts have provided estimates for Silicon Laboratories’ earnings. The highest EPS estimate is $0.48 and the lowest is $0.46. Silicon Laboratories posted earnings of $0.87 per share during the same quarter last year, which suggests a negative year-over-year growth rate of 46%. The firm is expected to announce its next quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, April 24th.
On average, analysts expect that Silicon Laboratories will report full-year earnings of $2.89 per share for the current financial year, with EPS estimates ranging from $2.77 to $3.01. For the next fiscal year, analysts forecast that the business will post earnings of $3.73 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $3.44 to $4.08. Zacks Investment Research’s EPS averages are an average based on a survey of research firms that that provide coverage for Silicon Laboratories.
Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ:SLAB) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 30th. The semiconductor company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.94 by ($0.03). Silicon Laboratories had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 12.13%. The firm had revenue of $215.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $224.21 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.93 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year.
Shares of SLAB traded up $2.78 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $85.22. 183,919 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 334,836. The company has a quick ratio of 5.19, a current ratio of 5.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Silicon Laboratories has a 1-year low of $73.13 and a 1-year high of $110.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.61 billion, a PE ratio of 29.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 1.47.
In related news, Director William G. Bock sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.74, for a total value of $87,740.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 38,751 shares in the company, valued at $3,400,012.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.
A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisor Group Inc. increased its holdings in Silicon Laboratories by 13.9% in the fourth quarter. Advisor Group Inc. now owns 1,345 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in Silicon Laboratories by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 30,969 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $2,441,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in Silicon Laboratories by 9.0% in the fourth quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 2,923 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its holdings in Silicon Laboratories by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 17,230 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,358,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Xact Kapitalforvaltning AB increased its holdings in Silicon Laboratories by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Xact Kapitalforvaltning AB now owns 7,037 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $555,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.33% of the company’s stock.
Silicon Laboratories Company Profile
Silicon Laboratories Inc, a fabless semiconductor company, designs, develops, and markets mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) in the United States, China, and internationally. The company offers Internet of things products, including 8-bit mixed-signal, 32-bit wireless, and ultra-low-power 32-bit microcontrollers; wireless connectivity devices, such as multiprotocol wireless Gecko system-on-chip devices; real-time operating systems; sensor products comprising optical, relative humidity/temperature, and hall effect magnetic sensors.
See Also: Why do earnings reports matter?
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The new NSA700-476 kraft paper liner has been produced using around 70% recycled material
VPF, a provider of self-adhesive materials, has introduced a new advanced release liner based on recycled paper.
The new NSA700-476 kraft paper liner is claimed to be the first release liner in the market, which is mostly made of recycled paper.
VPF has used approximately 70% of recycled material in the production of the new release liner.
The FSC-certified 70 g/m² kraft paper minimises the use of virgin fibres, as well as up to 60% of the energy and up to 70% of the water, said the company.
VPF kraft paper liner is said to have an improved carbon footprint and helps to reduce waste compared to conventional liners.
VPF stated that it has subjected the Kraftliner NSA700-476 to all the general tests and determined its long-term ageing resistance with all common dispersion acrylic and UV acrylic adhesives from the company’s portfolio.
The material is incorporated with a slightly increased release value for paper and film face materials.
VPF is offering the new sustainable, film-based and transparent R-PET liner with a thickness of 30µ.
With a 70% post-consumer waste content, the new liner is coated on one side with easy-release silicone.
VPF offers environmentally friendly face materials to improve the positive sustainability effect. The materials, including 100% recycled, grass and bagasse papers, can be used in a range of applications.


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When it comes to targeting consumers on digital media, over half of retailers said this is not a priority right now. A new Altimeter study of 500 CPG brands and retailers showed that most brands utilize digital media for brand-building, missing out on the opportunity to send relevant, personalized messages to local consumers.
Digital targeting offers brands an opportunity to bridge the online and offline experience. However, the study found that only 37% said they had an online-to-offline strategy in place geared towards creating a unified customer experience.
The study argues that data and the evolution of digital media/tech has introduced new ways for brands to drive consumer actions via relevant advertising that can translate into actual revenue. Retailers in particular have a lot to gain from increased foot traffic given that the majority of purchases still take place in brick and mortar locations.
Similarly, yet more generically, retailers aren’t delivering a “seamless retail” experience to customers according to research from Accenture. While the Accenture study looks more at commerce and the in-store shopping experience, it suggests that retailers are still behind in utilizing available tech to improve the customer experience with their business.


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Elite 60 serves up new lease of life for famous dining location
A new restaurant has opened on the site of one of Liverpool’s most renowned dining establishments.
The owners of 60 Hope Street announced in May this year that it was closing its doors for the final time because they deemed it was financially unviable, following the impact of the coronavirus.
However, a new restaurant has now opened in the same location.
Elite 60, set across three floors, boasts a cocktail bar downstairs as well as a private dining room upstairs.
The venture is a concept created by renowned chef Bayram Yuce who says he will bring a new take on fine international cuisine that’s beautifully presented, with key ingredients including wagyu beef, lobster, quail and a selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The A La Carte menu will be made up of exquisite dishes created with the finest ingredients, focusing on the highest quality seafood, the best cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables to celebrate each and every ingredient.
The restaurant has been restored with emerald green and gold hues dominating the main dining room on the ground floor.
It has 44 covers, as well as an exclusive private dining room upstairs.
Downstairs, there’s an upmarket cocktail bar serving a range of expertly created cocktails including classics such as Pornstar Martini, Negroni, Cosmopolitan and Mojito, as well as whisky, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, and brandy based cocktails.
Elite 60 will be open Tuesday to Sunday 3pm-11pm for the restaurant, and 3pm-12am for the cocktail bar.
Chef Yuce also has Kassap on Bold Street in the city centre, and Macello Meathouse in Childwall and West Derby.
He said: “Elite 60 is a new and exciting concept that will take our guests on a culinary journey.
“Showcasing the very best produce, and cooking them with love and attention, we’ll be presenting them perfectly to ensure we deliver the highest quality dishes. We’ll be creating a very welcoming, yet luxurious ambiance that’s complete with our cocktail bar downstairs.
“We’re very excited to welcome everyone during the festive season and beyond to experience our fine international cuisine set in what is a truly iconic building.”
The 60 Hope Street restaurant opened on St George’s Day, 1999, and was among the best eateries in the city having established a reputation for fine dining and a celebrity following.
But in May this year its owners, brothers Colin and Gary Manning, announced: “Regrettably, we have made the very difficult decision to close the doors of 60 Hope Street for the last time.
“This has been and is very upsetting news for everyone.
“1999 St George’s Day we opened the doors of 60 Hope Street with amazing support from family and friends. Over the past 22 years it has taken us on an incredible journey.
“We have had so many highs and were privileged to work with some amazing people. Back in 2008 we were proud to be at the heart of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and the renaissance of our fantatsic city.
“We would like to thank everyone who made it happen, blessed by the most loyal support from all our customers, some whom have become friends.”
Their sister restaurant, The Quarter, continues to operate nearby.


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Bitcoin mining has been a money losing endeavor for several years now, especially with Canaan’s second-rate mining machines.
It’s everyone’s dream to get paid to do nothing. Bitcoin miner Layer1 is turning that dream into reality — having figured out.
Bitcoin To Usd Google A report by Arcane Research shows that African countries have some of the world’s highest crypto ownership rates. The report. Cryptona.co All About Coins Marvel Ultimate Alliance Gold Edition Microsoft has announced this week’s Deals With Gold for Xbox Live Gold members. These deals run through Tuesday, May [. ]. Bitcoin Breaks 1000 Cny Bitcoin breaks
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Ammann and Yanmar dissolve European partnership
06 September 2010
Ammann and Yanmar have dissolved their mini-excavator manufacturing joint venture in Europe. Yanmar will now run the French excavator plant on its own and Ammann will focus entirely on the compaction market.
The two companies, who created the partnership in 1989, said the split was amicable and based on business logic, with the synergies that prompted the venture no longer existing.
Ammann-Yanmar said Ammann's acquisitions of Stavostroj in 2005 and Antec/IRM last year had made it a strong company capable of "standing on its own strong legs"; and that there was a decreasing number of dealers carrying both Ammann and Ammann-Yanmar products.
It said the two product lines were penetrating the market independently and that "synergies were no longer always present."
In addition, "sales markets have shifted noticeably towards rental markets in recent years. That is an activity which Ammann/Avesco pursues only through its Cat Rent Store operation in Switzerland." Ammann is the owner of Avesco, the dealer for Caterpillar construction machines in Switzerland.
The two companies will, however, retain close links, with Ammann's sales and marketing organisations in France, the UK and Russia still representing Yanmar.
Yanmar created a new European company, Yanmar Construction Equipment Europe S.A.S., on 1 September and said it planned to expand the range of products made at its Saint-Dizier plant in France. The facility can handle excavators from 0.5 to 10 t for the European market.
Yanmar said that having sole responsibility for the mini-excavator range would "make it possible for [Yanmar] to produce and market more of its own range here in Europe."
The two companies have worked together in Europe since 1979, when Ammann acted as dealer for Yanmar in Switzerland, France and Germany. The manufacturing and sales partnership was created as a response to anti-dumping lawsuits brought by Yanmar's European competitors and because the Yanmar products made it easier for Ammann to expand its dealer network.


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Thanks to the ever-increasing prevalence of probiotic foods and supplements — not to mention cutesy ad campaigns featuring bouncing, smiling blobs of bacteria — ‘probiotics’ has joined the ranks of popular health buzzwords.
There are countless claims about the health benefits of probiotics; they’re often said to improve digestion, promote resistance to illness, provide relief from gastro, and many more.
However, a new study from the University of Copenhagen has concluded products marked ‘probiotic’ aren’t necessarily the silver health bullet they’re cracked up to be.
Researchers reviewed seven small, randomised control trials, which investigated the impact of probiotic products — commonly taking the form of capsules, milk drinks, yoghurts or sachets — on the gut bacteria of healthy people. The findings, published in Genome Medicine, suggest there was little effect.
“While there is some evidence from previous reviews that probiotic interventions may benefit those with disease-associated imbalances of the gut microbiota, there is little evidence of an effect in healthy individuals,” lead researcher Oluf Pederson notes.
If you're already healthy, probiotics mightn't do much for your gut. (Image: iStock)
In other words, putting your money towards a gym membership or adding some more leafy greens in your shopping trolley is probably going to be more useful for your health.
If you're sitting there thinking, 'This is all well and good, but what even is a probiotic?', we can help.
Probiotics are often referred to as "good" or "friendly" bacteria, but it's not quite that simplistic. "They are defined as live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts," explains Dr Vincent Ho, clinical academic gastroenterologist to the University of Western Sydney’s School of Medicine.


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Amazon blocks pre-order of Disney DVDs
SAN FRANCISCO — Amazon.com blocked the pre-order option of Walt Disney hit movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and other titles in disk form, repeating a tactic used in disputes with publisher Hachette and Warner Bros.
“Maleficent,” another Disney summer blockbuster, also isn’t available for DVD pre-order on Amazon’s website. The world’s largest online retailer still offers both movies in pre- order on its online streaming service.
Amazon’s clashes with media companies have intensified in the past months as the Seattle-based company seeks to use its heft in markets from books to home video to demand better terms from its vendors. While the dispute with Time Warner’s Warner Bros. is getting resolved, the spat with French publisher Hachette Book Group is escalating.
“They are squeezing studios on DVD pricing, understandable given their market position,” said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities who rates Amazon the equivalent of a hold. “Disney can’t cut them off, and Amazon can cut Disney off, so I would say Amazon has the leverage.”
Home Media Magazine reported the disappearance of the pre- order option for some Disney DVDs, also including “Muppets Most Wanted” and “Million Dollar Arm,” last week. When Amazon removed pre-orders for Warner Bros. titles from mid-May to late June, it was the first time it used the tactic during negotiations with a movie studio, Home Media Magazine said.
Paul Roeder, a spokesman for Burbank, Calif.-based Disney, declined to comment. Amazon didn’t return calls seeking comment.
Studios count on the home-entertainment market, including DVD sales from Amazon, to help deliver profits. In fact few films reach profitability in theaters because studios split ticket sales with exhibitors.
“Captain America” is the top-grossing movie in U.S. and Canadian theaters this year, with ticket sales of $259.5 million, according to researcher Box Office Mojo. “Maleficent” is fourth.
Among the Warner Bros. pre-orders that Amazon blocked for about a month earlier this year were “Transcendence” with Johnny Depp and “The Lego Movie,” the second top-grossing movie this year. Those titles are now available.
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Which 5 Artists Have Generated the Most Money at Auction This Year—and What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Market?
You can probably guess the top seller—but the breakdown of the rest, courtesy of the Artnet Price Database, may surprise you.
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and Picasso being the top-selling artist at auction worldwide.
The prolific Cubist—whose works have sold for $353.9 million at public sales thus far this year—has long maintained pole position as the most lucrative artist at auction. Look beyond Picasso, however, and you’ll see that the upper ranks of the market are shifting.
Often, that has as much to do with the availability of good material as by any particular shift in taste. One or two major lots from an estate can be enough to vault a particular painter or sculptor into a top 10 position as one of the best-selling artists at auction. Monet is a good example: only seven of his works hit the block so far this year, but they happen to have been heavyweights that earned him fourth place, with $131.6 million in art sold from January through July. (For this article, we examined total sales at auction recorded by the Artnet Price Database from January 1 to July 31.)
Other top-selling artists are propelled by volume as much as the value of individual works. Banksy’s top auction price so far this year—$23.1 million for Game Changer, which was sold to benefit the U.K.’s National Health Service—was a relatively small fraction of his total haul. Cumulatively, his 677 lots delivered $125.4 million, putting him in fourth place.
So who are the top earners this year thus far?
- Pablo Picasso: $353,881,105
- Jean-Michel Basquiat: $304,380,831
- Andy Warhol: $154,051,449
- Claude Monet: $131,633,070
- Banksy: $125,370,068
(Sidenote: If you’re wondering where the women are in this top five, the answer is nowhere. The first woman to appear on the list of top-selling artists in 2021 to date is Yayoi Kusama, who comes in at number 11, with $81.7 million in total sales.)
For a deeper look at who’s up, who’s down, and what the rankings tell us about the direction of the market, read on for a more detailed analysis.
On paper, Picasso’s presence on this list might seem as boring to you as golf is to me. He’s always top of the class—what else is there to say? But in fact, the fluctuation of the volume and total sales of his work at auction echoes how the art market has evolved over the past few years.
Just like the broader market, Picasso’s total sales plummeted in the first half of 2020 as the auction calendar fell into disarray and buyers speculated on younger artists selling works for lower price points online. The average price of a Picasso—$137,940 at this point in 2019—fell 51 percent, to $67,828, in 2020.
As the tide turned this year, however, bigger-ticket items began hitting the block, bringing total sales—for both Picasso and the market at large—above 2019 levels. To date in 2021, four Picassos have sold for over $20 million each, including one, a portrait of Marie-Thérèse Walter, that exceeded $100 million. These trophies have also driven up Picasso’s average price, which comes in at $230,541 so far this year—earning him, yet again, a place at the top of the list.
Picasso’s trajectory follows that of the broader market; Banksy’s, on the other hand, has ripped away from the trend line and taken off for outer space. Try this on for size: between 2004 (the first year his art came up for auction) and 2020, Banksy’s work generated a combined total of $184.7 million. In the first seven months of this year alone, it’s made $125.5 million (!).
This year also marks the first time the artist has cracked the top five sellers at auction; at this point in 2020, he was ranked 42. Between then and now, his total sales have ballooned almost 80 percent, to $125.4 million, putting him between Monet and the late Chinese-French painter Zao Wou-Ki. His success has been driven by a dramatic increase in the volume of his works at auction (it’s spiked almost 320 percent over the past five years), as well as an increase in the value of his work (his average price has grown 675 percent since 2016).
Consider it a feedback loop: As demand for Banksy rises, auction houses organize more and more sales of his work, which seems, so far at least, only to fuel more demand. While an artist like Monet doesn’t have enough material available to enable this kind of glut, Banksy has a robust secondary market for his prints, as well as for his harder-to-come-by paintings. In fact, I hate to break it to you, but he could be heading for the kind of art-market omnipresence we currently associate with Picasso or Warhol. Just accept it!
Some online commenters were scandalized to see Basquiat’s work presented alongside a Tiffany necklace in the company’s latest ad. They must not have noticed that billionaires routinely compete for the artist’s work at auction, pushing his paintings up to eight-figure sums in less time than it takes to microwave popcorn.
If any artist has been thoroughly co-opted as a status symbol for the wealthy, it’s Basquiat. So far this year, his pieces have generated $304.4 million at auction, making him the second-best-selling artist behind Picasso. This growth has been driven primarily by the sale of a handful of high-priced trophies: five works by the artist have sold for more than $20 million at auction in 2021, including one—the deep red skull painting In This Case—for $93.1 million. As a matter of fact, 10 fewer works by the artist sold at auction this year than in the equivalent period in 2019. Yet Basquiat’s total sales have increased 360 percent in the same period.
O.K., now we’ve talked about some of the top sellers. Now, let’s shift our focus to a few artists who have fallen in the rankings… .
At this point in 2019, KAWS’s auction sales actually exceeded those of Jean-Michel Basquiat. How times have changed.
To date this year, the street artist-turned-market darling has generated $17.2 million at auction, down 76.6 percent from the peak of KAWS-mania two years ago. Currently the subject of a blockbuster retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum, KAWS continues to be a frequent presence at public sales: 690 of his works have hit the block this year, 13 more than Banksy. And like Banksy, KAWS has a robust print market, as well as a strong collector base for his toys and editioned sculptures.
But the American artist’s top price in 2021 is much lower than Banksy’s: $1.5 million for a 2013 painting of a blob, which sold at Poly International Auction in Beijing in June.
Whatever happened to Wool’s market? Like KAWS, he has seen his total auction sales tumble not due to a reduction in volume, but due to a dip in high-priced works.
More lots by the artist hit the block in the first seven months of this year than in either 2019 or 2020, but his total sales have shrunk. So far in 2021, Wool’s work has generated $7.3 million at auction—that’s down almost 80 percent from the equivalent period in 2019.
The priciest painting by the artist to hit the block this year is an enamel 1992 text painting that reads “Hole in Your Head.” It fetched $3.5 million with premium, barely hitting the low estimate (which does not include fees). This is particularly surprising considering Wool’s text works from the ‘90s are arguably the most sought-after part of his oeuvre. In 2019, the (admittedly more famous) painting emblazoned with the word “Fool” fetched $14 million. Wool’s auction record for a single work, nearly $30 million, set in 2015, is significantly higher than both of those more recent sales combined.
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Mar. 9th, 2005 10:15 am
Sonic the Hedgehog, SEGA's popular and enduring game icon, was one of four characters honored at the first annual Walk of Game at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco. Since his introduction on the SEGA Genesis in 1991, the blue dude with a 'tude has excited multiple generations of gaming enthusiasts, successfully transitioning from a 2D side-scrolling star into a cutting-edge 3D icon.
In addition to presenting a retrospective Sonic video, SEGA of America president Simon Jeffery and Takashi Iizuka, game director, SEGA Studio USA surprised attendees of the 'Walk of Game' induction ceremony with a sneak-peek of a mysterious trailer labeled Shadow the Hedgehog; one of several new projects coming from the Sonic franchise in 2005. SEGA did not release any details about this new game, but assured fans that there will be more information about several new Sonic titles forthcoming.


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After leakers revealed several cosmetic items that could be added to Fortnite: Battle Royale in the upcoming weeks, we now have a clue about what’s possibly the next Starter Pack.
Leaker Lucas7Yoshi revealed game files that show a tag ending with “CobaltStarterPack.” And among the leaks yesterday, an outfit named Cobalt was revealed. It’s an Epic skin that looks like a special ops soldier wearing a cobalt mask with some kind of writing on its forehead.
If Cobalt is the outfit that will be featured in the next Starter Pack, it means that Fortnite developer Epic Games will put it on sale for $5 with some extra benefits. Previous Starter Packs could be bought by any players from the in-game Item Shop, and they usually come with an outfit, back bling, pickaxe, and 600 V-Bucks for $5. That was the case with the Summit Striker and Rogue Agent Starter Packs in 2018.
Starter Packs rotate in and out of the game, and their cosmetics usually return to the Item Shop for high V-Buck prices that convert to a much higher real-money cost.
Epic has yet to reveal the next Starter Pack coming to Fortnite, but it should do so soon. There’s no Starter Pack available for players right now, and some of them could make good use of the extra 600 V-Bucks to buy this season’s Battle Pass before it’s too late to get season seven rewards.


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Auto Finance News is pleased to present its inaugural Executives to Watch feature, highlighting auto finance executives who exude experience, leadership and vision, and are expected to shake up the industry in 2020 and beyond.
Ian Anderson’s first financial services position was at a bank close to the beach, a job he chose so he could surf at lunchtime. The traits he developed riding the waves — patience, flexibility and determination — have enabled Anderson to grow Westlake Financial’s portfolio 40% year over year, to $8 billion, and steer the company to No. 30 on the Big Wheels Auto Finance Data ranking of the nation’s top financiers.
Anderson, group president at Westlake Financial and the executive responsible for Westlake Financial and its six subsidiaries, leads a team of 2,300 employees, executing the company’s management with laser precision and a fresh approach.
That mindset has created for Westlake a multi-faceted business that reaches beyond traditional auto finance. In the past year, the Los Angeles-based company has launched direct and peer-to-peer lending businesses and a mortgage lending offering for dealerships. It has expanded its third-party servicing operation and started to lend in Canada.
Inevitably, though, the road to success is bumpy. “We’ll try 10 things, eight will fail, two will be a success, and one we’ll actually move forward,” Anderson explained. Constant innovation is one of Westlake’s core values, bolstered by the fact that all executives starting at the director level are well-versed in Microsoft Excel and fluent in coding languages SQL and Visual Basic.
“That’s what makes us different,” Anderson he said. “I tend to think we’re a technology company that does auto finance,” he added, pointing out that an in-house program, dubbed Westlake University, teaches technical skills to interested employees. “We’re able to get that data, analyze it and make a decision very quickly.”
Coming up on his 15th anniversary with the lender, Anderson is focused portfolio growth in the prime and super-prime space, which accounts for 11% of Westlake’s business, from 4% in 2012. Anderson is also looking to deepen existing strategic partnerships with dealership groups Berkshire Hathaway, AutoNation and CarMax, as well as pass-through programs with Ally Financial and Flagship Credit Acceptance. Already, the ink is drying on three more pass-through agreements slated to start next year, he noted.
Westlake will leverage partnerships with online marketplaces, too. A fresh deal to provide financing on the CarGurus buying platform is likely to boost volume next year. To prop up its peer-to-peer lending business, Westlake is working with Tred in a partnership slated to launch in early 2020. With the seven businesses under his watch and new ventures in sight, Anderson is steering Westlake to catch the next wave.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the December issue of Auto Finance News, available now.


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The leaders of west Africa’s 16-country trading bloc have agreed to sign an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, the European Commission says.
The announcement comes after months of wavering by the region’s largest economy, Nigeria, and two and a half months before a deadline set by the EU. If no deal had been in place before 1 October, the region’s wealthiest countries – Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire – would have lost some of their existing trade privileges from the EU.
The west African leaders have yet to put pen to paper, and hopes have been raised and dashed before. Negotiators settled their differences in February and the EU had hoped that the political leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) countries would sign the agreement before an EU-Africa summit held in Brussels on 2-3 April.
At the last minute, however, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan decided not to go ahead with the deal. In March, the Nigerians presented statistics suggesting that Nigeria would be better off without an EPA, an argument to which Ecowas responded by launching a country study.
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Karel De Gucht, the European commissioner for trade, nonetheless felt confident enough to issue a statement welcoming the political breakthrough and hailing the economic partnership agreement (EPA) as “a foundation of long-term growth and future prosperity in a region that is so close to Europe”.
De Gucht also stressed “the need to implement this deal as soon as possible”.
An EU member-state diplomat said that, in practice, the 1 October deadline obliged Ecowas to accept an EPA by Tuesday (15 July), because of the EU’s internal procedures.
Others suggest, however, that the long and difficult history of the deal and its potential boost to other pending trade deals make it unlikely that internal processes would be allowed to scupper an agreement.
When signed, this will be the first EPA – a new generation of more ambitious trade deals – that the EU has signed with an African region.
The EU still entertains hopes of agreeing EPAs with a bloc of six southern African states and the five members of the East African Community.
The EU has been negotiating regional and bilateral EPAs in Africa for a decade, with only fragmentary progress. Only a small set of African countries have signed a bilateral deal with the EU or reached interim arrangements.
Individual countries’ interest in an agreement with the EU has varied in part based on their income. The EU has decided to extend its generic system of trade privileges – its ‘generalised system of preferences’ – to all countries with which it does not have a fully fledged agreement, such as an EPA. Most African countries would not be affected by such a shift, but richer African states would lose some of their traditional advantages. That prospect encouraged Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to reach bilateral interim EPAs with the EU, but they had not ratified the interim deals or completed full bilateral deals by the time the prospects for a region-wide deal were revived last year, thanks largely to Nigerian interest.
As well as setting terms for the liberalisation of trade in foods and other goods, the EPAs ease trade in some services and contain chapters on investment, enforcement and trade-related aid.
The EU will accompany the EPA with west Africa with funding intended to help develop trade-related systems and infrastructure.


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* 企业大事纪- */>
On December 23, at the 2020 "Foshan Online Consumer's Favorite Brand" series of activities-Foshan Digital Economy Summit and Brand Foshan Award Ceremony, Jianlibao won the honorary title of "2020 Online Consumers' Favorite Foshan Brand".
On the morning of August 18, 2020, the signing ceremony of the distribution cooperation agreement between Guangdong Jianlibao Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Huaxin Trading Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Huaxin Group") was held at the headquarters of Huaxin Group.
In 2020, Jianlibao reached a strategic cooperation with China Food and Fermentation Industry Research Institute.
In 2020, Jianlibao will implement a series of sustainable development measures to effectively enhance and improve production efficiency by relying on project innovations in the field of water saving and energy saving in the beverage industry, and won the "Green Water Green Mountain Cup" 2020 China's beverage industry water-saving/energy-saving outstanding enterprise honor .


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The woman who created Kate's dress wins Designer of the Year at top award ceremony
- Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton collects the prize at Harper's Bazaar's Women of the Year Awards
The woman who created the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress has been named Designer of the Year by an influential style magazine.
The Harper's Bazaar award for Sarah Burton comes after the Duchess herself was named 'Britain's queen of style' as she topped the magazine's Best Dressed list.
Miss Burton, 37, creative director of fashion brand Alexander McQueen, clinched the coveted award at the fashion magazine's Women of the Year Awards at Claridge's Hotel in London last night.
Year to remember: Designer Sarah Burton's award came seven months after the dress she created for the Duchess of Cambridge was seen across the globe at the Royal Wedding
Designer Sarah Burton managed to keep her involvement with the creation of Kate's ivory lace and silk dress a secret from her closest friends and family
The dress which Kate Middleton wore for her wedding to Prince William in April cemented her place as a fashion icon, while also making Miss Burton the most in-demand designer of the moment.
The wedding and bridesmaid dress designs have both since been replicated by high street stores, with Debenhams launching its own 'Pippa Middleton-style' gown last week.
Miss Burton revealed last week that the Duchess's wedding dress was such a closely guarded secret even her parents were unaware she was working on it.
The Alexander McQueen creative director was so keen to disguise her involvement with the creation of the dress that she informed no one but a small group of colleagues who would work with her on the design.
At the awards ceremony, Dame Judi Dench received a Lifetime Achievement award while fashion designer and Oscar-nominated film director Tom Ford received the award for a Man in a Woman's World.
Winners: Jessie J, who turned heads at the awards in a purple jumpsuit, won Breakthrough of the Year, while Dame Judi Dench was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award
The International Woman of the Year title went to Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the news website The Huffington Post.
Jessie J received the award for Breakthrough of the Year, Tracey Emin was named Visionary of the Year and Helena Bonham-Carter took the Role Model of the Year prize.
Other winners included supermodels Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, Eva Herzigova, Yasmin Le Bon and Cindy Crawford who were collectively named Fashion Icons of the Year.
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SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 7 — It ought to quickly be doable for Google Assistant to execute certain recurring commands with out having to say the well-known “Ok Google” or “Hey Google.” Google’s Pixel smartphones would be the first to supply this new service.
US tech media are reporting on a brand new function in Android 12 that will considerably enhance the person expertise of Google Assistant.
The concept is that certain common actions no longer want to be launched by the standard “OK Google” command. In concrete phrases, new, extra personalised shortcuts ought to seem on the backside of the smartphone display screen within the Google Assistant interface.
This new function may concern, for instance, stopping an alarm or a timer — quick commands pronounced shortly.
Eventually, many widespread commands resembling turning on the sunshine or taking part in music could possibly be immediately activated with out the tedious “Hey Google” when they’re recurring actions and Google Assistant chooses to spotlight them.
This form of enchancment of Google Assistant isn’t shocking, as a “Conversation” mode already permits customers to launch a collection of commands with out having to systematically repeat “OK Google” earlier than every of them.
For the second, Google has not made the hearsay of this function (code identify “Guacamole”) official.
It’s anticipated that this function may initially be obtainable solely on the brand new vary of Google Pixel 6 smartphones, earlier than being regularly prolonged to different producers.


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Day 2 at HORECA witnessed the success of a show that was attended by thousands of people from the food and hospitality industries and beyond. The even bigger surprise was that many of the visitors simply came to the show because they heard how fun day 1 was and they wanted to be a part of that excitement. There was booth after booth of mouthwatering food samples followed by a whiff of vintage Lebanese wine in the large tent where hundreds of people were enjoying an early happy hour. The mouthwatering smell of freshly cooked food filled the air as live cooking competitions and demonstrations took place in different sections of HORECA. With international guest chefs and outstanding local talents, HORECA Show 2011 was definitely not an event to be missed!
The Librairie Gourmande hosted two book signings:
“Soups & Snacks” by Andrew Mitchell
“Wala bil Ahlam” by Nermine Henno
An award was presented to the best product of the year.
The Live Junior Chefs Competition welcomed junior chefs from universities, schools, and hotels who competed with several dishes to win first prize.
A Live and entertaining bartending competition took place. Several Lebanese talents competed to win the prize for best bartender.
The Atelier Gourmand hosted Chef Tony Moudawar, the executive chef of Moulin d’Or, who demonstrated how to prepare chicken pesto with grilled vegetables and mixed cheese and garlic bread. This was sponsored by Puck.
The Lebanese Culinary Heritage featured a Tahini workship where the audience discovered new recipes with Tahini by chef Joe Barza, Consultant Joint Operations Expert.
A national extra virgin olive oil contest took place and the winner was voted by the press.
The Wine Lab hosted a best waiter and wine service competition, and a presentation of wine lists.
The Hospitality Salon Culinaire hosted a Prunelle sandwich-making competition.


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You may know his face more from cosmetics and haircare products than from tequila, but John Paul DeJoria has just become the principal owner of Patrón tequila, a company he co-founded.
The transaction was announced in late July, but just become official. DeJoria now is No. 1 at Patrón Spirits International AG (formerly Caribbean Distillers Corp. Ltd.), the parent company of The Patrón Spirits Co. In addition, a subsidiary of Bacardi Ltd. now holds "a significant minority stake in the company," according to the announcement.
DeJoria, 64, is the founder with stylist friend Paul Mitchell of John Paul Mitchell Systems, the hair care products line that has made him a billionaire.
To Dowd's Wine Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook
To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Non-Alcohol Drinks Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
Back to Dowd On Drinks home page.


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GRAND RAPIDS — A cute puppy or kitten might have made a fun Christmas present, but what about the next day when your cute little gift soils the rug?
Or, the day after that, when you have to be at work and now must make pet-sitting arrangements?
Scenarios like this illustrate why many animals bought at the pet store in December will end up at the local animal shelter or Humane Society by Valentine’s Day.
Both organizations generally see an increase in pet surrenders in the first months of the year, a spike that pet experts say is attributed in part to well-meaning gift-givers who don’t quite think through everything pet ownership entails.
"If you think about what the average family household has going on around the holidays, that's generally not a good environment to introduce a new pet into," said Carly Luttmann, program supervisor at the Kent County Animal Shelter.
For that reason, the shelter, as well as the Humane Society of West Michigan, discourage or deny gift adoptions around the holidays, a time when traffic in pet adoptions increases for a variety of reasons not necessarily related to gift-giving.
At the Humane Society, Jennifer Self-Aulgur, humane education coordinator, says the staff gives people looking to adopt for a relative a gift certificate instead.
It’s a common move for pet shelters who want the person taking ownership of the animal to be the one who goes through the adoption process. People are encouraged to wrap up a bone or dog collar, or give a card of some kind and bring the pet home later.
Owning a pet should be a family decision, say both organizations. At the Humane Society, they often see a mom and dad bring the kids with in beaming smiles, because “we’re getting a puppy today.”
“That’s a big difference than the brother who comes in to get a dog for mom,” said Self-Aulgur.
It doesn’t always register with people that their cute new puppy will need food and training, said Luttmann.
“They don’t really think past, ‘That is cute. I want it now,” she said. “Were talking about a 15-year commitment in most cases. It’s a living, breathing animal.
“This takes some thought.”
Still, not every gift adoption is destined for failure, she said. People can be very resilient to change. Nonetheless, a new pet is a “big upheaval.”
At the shelter, the adoption process includes some “getting acquainted” time with the animal, and an application that covers the basics of the household. They try not to adopt to renters who have landlords that don’t allow pets.
Then, there’s a session with a trained counselor who shares staff observations about the animal’s temperament and what they know about the health history. Eventually, if all goes well, the new pet owners pay their fees and leave with the new family member.
The counseling includes discussion about bringing the pet back if it doesn’t work out. The shelter would rather have the pet come back than become abused, neglected or put out on the street.
“The conversation is very educational,” said Luttmann.
E-mail the author of this story: firstname.lastname@example.org


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I have had my fair share of launch events — from Samsung to Infinix and Tecno, to name a few. And while some of them are interesting, others are, you know:
However, the food (and the goody bags) served at these events makes it worth the while.
Me at launch events:
But would I pay to attend to one if I am not MissTechy?
Well, I can’t say, for now (I’d pay to watch Elon Musk launch something, though). But OnePlus actually wants their fans to pay $40 (Approx N15,000) to physically attend the launch of the OnePlus 5t which would be unveiled on the 16th of November in New York.
While opening up press events to fans is cool, charging $40 for a ticket seems a little steep, but OnePlus has clarified that the money received for tickets will be going to charity.
Now, imagine if your favorite phone manufacturer did something similar in your country, would you pay to attend?


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Mike Grover, director of Marketing for TechWeb, founded in 1994 as the first online news source for the IT industry, says the concept was born out of how the company thinks people are using the Web.
"People are using the web as a functional space, so if someone's doing something while online, reading an article for example, clicking a banner represents losing your place," says Grover. "We decided to create a banner with a separate DataPop icon they can click on to get an email when they have more time. We think people have a different frame of mind when on email than when on the net."
But that is still a theory to be proven. "We talked to Forester and Jupiter and neither of them had evidence to support this theory," admits Grover. "We'll know very soon if it's valid. It's for people who are busy, and who isn't?"
With the site just launched on Monday, there's no feedback yet. "We're eagerly awaiting a response from advertisers and the user audience."
The DataPop concept doesn't completely stop the interruption to the flow of work, however. When you click on the DataPop icon next to the banner, a second window pops up with a form to fill out and submit to receive the ad message. So the real advantage is you don't need to take time to evaluate the product and make a decision at that point.
"The concept is to put the user in the driver's seat. The email option allows users to read ad messages at their leisure." And security is preserved as the email the user receives is between CMP and the user, not the advertiser.
"While there's not a big security threat to the user," says Grover, "this is more of a matter of allowing the user to read the ads on his or her own terms. In email they can forward it, discuss it with friends, associates, etc."
The emails now are only in html, which allows the email to even be a page of the advertiser's web site, if that's what they choose to have sent. The email size is 360 pixels wide by any length, "allowing branding," Grover says. But is html-only an issue for people who don't want it or can't read it?
"Our users give us feedback," says Grover. "If they say they need this in text we'll do that. It's straightforward html, so for email clients that read html it's going to be very easy to read. Advertisers can put forms in the email, a big advantage for ecommerce."
The cost for this new twist depends on the size of the ad buy. "If you buy ads from us and want DataPop attached, there's no charge," says Grover. "It's a cost per click model. If the buy is under $50,000 it's $10 per email and it drops as low as $5 per email, which is fully commissionable to ad agencies."
The concept is being promoted first to TechWeb's large advertisers on its big enterprise sites including TechWeb.com, NetworkComputing.com, InformationWeek.com, and InternetWeek.com. "We have a high-end b2b market," adds Grover. "We're reaching out to them as added value. We'll have results within days on proof of concept." Each DataPop email will include a DataPop masthead to brand the service. Advertisers can opt for monthly reports or daily updates through their sales reps.
Grover says he'd "like to see this become a really effective opt-in marketing methodology that's focused on the user. I'd like to see advertisers get a lot of positive results and the user get a lot of info to act on."


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The Maserati Levante SUV has at last been officially revealed by the evocative Italian firm – its first-ever SUV that will make its public debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
A key part of Maserati’s future strategy, the Levante will go head-to-head with the Porsche Cayenne; drawn from the Quattroporte platform, the firm will be aiming to give it a similarly sporting setup.
Indeed, this is partly why the much-anticipated Levante is so late to market: earlier iterations were based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, but Maserati felt this simply couldn’t be made sporty enough. Hence, the switch to the air-suspended, all-wheel drive Quattroporte, making it 100% Maserati (and a year late).
Maserati is stressing this is just an exterior styling reveal for now, possibly influenced by leaked images of the car being published earlier today. We’ll have to wait for Geneva to see the interior and find out confirmed stats from what’s under the bonnet (and thus just how high-performance this sporty SUV really is).
We know mechanically what’s behind that big, bold grille though: the V6 turbo petrol and diesel engines, and the V8 turbo petrol, of the Ghibli and Quattroporte. All-wheel drive will be standard too, although Maserati will not wish to pitch this as a go-anywhere alternative to a Range Rover. Its natural home is on-road.
The styling? This is likely to be the controversial bit. But Maserati insists the associations with brand heritage are clear: the three air vents on the front wings, trapezoidal C-pillar with Saetta logo and frameless door glass.
It has a sporting-look rear with tapered roofline and bulging arches, although the front end appears more bluff and upright in images. We look forward to seeing it in the metal.
Customers won’t have to wait long for it either. Surprisingly, Maserati has revealed production of the first cars has already begun – and deliveries in Europe are scheduled to begin in the spring, with the rest of the world following later in 2016.
Maserati is desperate for the Levante’s arrival. It previously set an ambitious goal of reaching 50,000 sales in 2015, a remarkable turnaround after years in the doldrums. It missed this by more than 15,000 cars – because the Levante was a year late.
Sales predictions have thus been revised but the Levante will have to perform straight out of the box if Maserati’s plans are to get back on track.
For now, all we have to go on are the looks. Over to you: does it seem like a winner, or would you rather take a Porsche Cayenne or Jaguar F-Pace instead?


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The auto industry is a very important sector that reacts strongly to economic growth or economic slowdowns. For the month of July 2014, Total U.S. new motor vehicle sales came in at 1.43 million, a 9.1% increase compared to July 2013.
Although the economy seems to be at a point that is higher than pre-recession levels, auto sales are still in line to reach pre-recession levels only this year. So as the auto industry slowly returns to form, investors might want to focus on the best names in this space. Fortunately, there are several Zacks Rank #1 Stocks in the sector which may be intriguing buys to play off of this solid trend, such as the three companies highlighted below:
Zacks Top Ranked Auto Stocks
Tesla Motors ( TSLA )
We have ranked the ever-popular Tesla a Zacks Rank #1(strong buy) thanks to strong earnings estimate revisions for the current quarter and year. Tesla Motors reported strong revenue of $769 million in the second quarter beating their first quarter reported revenue of $620 million.
In spite of negative EPS (before non-recurring items), Tesla has beat earnings estimates with an average surprise of 74.44% for the past year so it will only be a matter of time until Tesla goes into the positives from this type of earnings look. Furthermore, in the pipeline, Tesla and Panasonic recently just announced their Gigafactory agreement which is a large-scale battery manufacturing facility and is on track for more than 35,000 deliveries in 2014.
Tesla has massive potential for growth in the future, especially in the alternative energy auto market, which is one of the biggest drivers for investors right now. Tesla will only be able to ride that wave for so long though, as more progress on the earnings front, and progress with new models, will be needed to justify their lofty valuation levels.
Nissan ( NSANY )
We have also given Nissan a Zacks Rank #1(strong buy) thanks to positive earnings revisions and an average positive surprise of 47.75% for the past four quarters. In the second quarter, Nissan reported strong sales of $24.2 billion and a net income of $1.1 billion giving an EPS of .54 and a 22.73% positive surprise. Shares are currently trading at $19.59, up about 1.03% for the day.
Nissan is the largest of the three stocks in this article, and is on the right path to gain market share against the US big three (GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler). In order to do this, Nissan has established a plan for alternative-energy and hybrid vehicle to try and gain market share in the renewable energy auto market.
Nissan's challenges will be including volatility in prices of steel and aluminum in terms of exchange rates along with potential appreciation of the Yen against the US dollar making sales in the US less valuable to Nissan.
Tata Motors ( TTM )
Analysts have ranked Tata motors #1(strong buy) given strong positive earnings estimate revisions. Tata is nearing all-time highs after a positive earnings report for their first quarter (FY 15) and is currently trading at $45.49 per share. Revenue was reported at $7.2 billion with a net income of $925 million after taxes.
The strong second quarter was supported by continuing favorable macroeconomic conditions with solid growth in the US and UK with continuing growth in China, a key market for Tata. It is also worth noting that Tata had retail volumes increase by 22% since last year same period with Jaguar up 12% and Land Rover up 24%.
The company continues to invest significantly in capital expenditure and R&D and has indicated capital spending will be in the region of $4.68 million to $4.94 million for FY15. The United States experienced a strong rebound after the weather-related disruption in Q1 and recovery in Europe remains slower but growth in sales in Europe have grown to 13.4% YoY.
While Tata is showing great dependence and reaction to economic climates across the world, they are eagerly looking for strategies to limit the volatility of sales in this cyclical industry, while still tapping into quickly growing emerging markets.
Key statistics and Comparables
Since all three have top ranks and are looking great from an earnings estimate revision perspective, let's look at some key ratios in order to differentiate the members of this group. The forward P/E ratio for Tesla Motors, Nissan, and Tata are 78.52, 12.8, and 9.81 respectively, indicating that Tata is the best bang for your buck considering the future one year annual estimate of EPS.
If we look at Price/Sales (ttm) ratio we see a pretty similar story of Tesla being overpriced compared to Nissan and Tata Motors. The P/S (ttm) ratios for Tesla, Nissan, and Tata are, respectively, 13.40, .39, and .70 indicating a high price to pay for Tesla and a relatively good bargain for Nissan and Tata, with Nissan being the better of the two.
The PEG ratio tends to tell a different, yet still informative, story on overvalued and undervalued stocks and the PEG ratio (5 year expected) for Tesla, Nissan, and Tata are, respectively, 4.88, .74, and N/A. This is indicating that Nissan investors are not fully valuing the stock to its deserved growth rate and Tesla investors are paying for a rich valuation right now.
Finally, if we look at profit margin as of today investors receive some more interesting information regarding how these three stack up. The profit margins for Tesla, Nissan, and Tata are -6.83%, 3.91%, and 7.06%, respectively, indicating the inefficient return on sales for Tesla, but Nissan and Tata having similar returns on sales showing solid return on sales.
Investors and mainstream media love Tesla right now while Nissan and Tata continue their strong and steady growth in the auto industry. These key ratios only tell the statistical side of the story and the fundamental analysis of each stock, but discovering what these companies have in the pipeline for future growth is very hard to tell, and all of us will have to wait and see on that front.
These three auto industry stocks have different aspects to bring to the table, but they are all strong buys. Whether that is Tata's stronger growing presence in Europe and Asia, Nissan's move to becoming a big player in the auto alternative energy market, or Tesla's potential to change how alternative energy cars are used, it is important to see why these stocks could have a good ROI.
The auto industry is a cyclical business that heavily depends on consumer prosperity and economic climate, and it is important for investors to look at the bigger picture of what drives growth for the auto industry rather than hard numbers on these companies' balance sheets.
Nevertheless, these three auto industry stocks outlined above have had strong earnings estimate revisions, and given the solid position of the sector right now, these could really be in the driver's seat for investor portfolios in the near term.


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Snowshoe delays opening until Dec. 4 because of unseasonably warm month
POCAHONTAS COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Snowshoe has announced it’s delaying opening day for the 2020/2021 winter season.
Snowshoe will now open for the winter season on Dec. 4.
The ski resort says it is experiencing an unseasonably warm November and there has been a lack of snowmaking opportunities.
The resort says despite the fact that the ski lifts won’t be running for a couple more weeks, it still plans to open the mountaintop village for dining, shipping and adventure activities in time for Thanksgiving.
Copyright 2020 WSAZ. All rights reserved.


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NIKE and a collection of other supporters have dropped Lance Armstrong from being a sponsor after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a report on several allegations of doping against Armstrong which included several former workers. Armstrong has been part of NIKE since 1996. Radio Shack, Anheuser-Busch InBev and the makers of Trek BicycleCorp. FRS energy drinks, Honey Stinger energy foods & the Giro bike helmet makers also have either dropped Armstrong as a sponsor or have distanced themselves. Last week, Mr. Armstrong’s former team director stepped down from a Radioshack sponsored cycling team.
Still outstanding is Oakley Inc. which has been with Armstrong for two decades.
NIKE said they plan to rename their “Lance Armstrong Fitness Center” to something new.
Here is the official NIKE press release,
“Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer. “
Disclaimer: Articles featured on Oregon Report are the creation, responsibility and opinion of the authoring individual or organization which is featured at the top of every article.


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BMW has announced that its pay-as-you-go car club, DriveNow, will launch in London, following on from Berlin, Vienna and San Francisco. DriveNow works by giving users access to a fleet of BMWs and Minis for a registration fee. Whereas alternatives, such as the well-established Zipcar, require vehicles to be picked up and dropped off in the same location, DriveNow has the advantage of allowing cars to be parked in a range of local areas.
Consumers renting things isn’t new. Most domestic accommodation across the EU is rented and, to a lesser extent, so are vehicles, capital goods, luxury items such as watches and even clothing. But renting is set for a growth spurt, fuelled by online platforms which enable efficient matching, monetising and management.
Environment, producers and consumers
Known as “the sharing economy”, this kind of collaborative consumption is also gaining political backing for the way that sharing goods encourages re-use and sustainability. Dutch MEP Judith Merkies’ paper, The lease society: the end of ownership, advocates the benefits of sharing resources to cut down on waste for the benefit of consumers and the environment. It has passed EU committees, so we can expect a push on “sharing” from EU regulators too.
The sharing economy is important for producers as well as consumers and has the potential to change consumption for the benefit of all. Take the example of cars. Manufacturers can no longer rely on growth through private sales as cars are built better and last longer, and car ownership has dwindled along with an increasingly urban global population. So, manufacturers need a new business model for growth.
Consumers gain in the flexibility that sharing gives them. very different to old fashioned renting which inevitably required the consumer to “buy in” for a period of time. With sharing you can mix and match your consumption as and when you choose. You are not tied in, it’s all about being available and easy to use. Schemes such as DriveNow offer people the opportunity to drive prestige cars they might not be able to purchase, as well as the variety of options from Minis to the bigger BMW models.
A growth business
Since the advent and immense popularity of bike-hire schemes in cities across the world – from Chicago to London – new initiatives to get city dwellers to engage more with the business of sharing keep on coming. In 2015 French entrepreneur Vincent Bolloré will be launching an electric car-sharing scheme in London, based on his Parisian Autolib’ prototype. It will allow drivers to book a car using their mobile phones and smart cards for short periods of time from £5 for half an hour.
Car sharing is a growth business – the number of people involved increased by 50% worldwide in 2013, with the US and Germany the forefront in terms of the number of car-sharing club members. But similar businesses are being set up all over the world – including in China and Malaysia, suggesting huge growth potential.
It is likely to be the companies that can tailor their offerings to the needs of city inhabitants who will be the winners in this new market. Convenience of access and ease of use and location will be paramount. It’s not just transport that suits the sharing economy. Fashion is another product category, increasingly being used for sharing with websites like Girl Meets Dress and Fashion Hire giving people access to designer dresses and handbags they can’t afford to own outright.
An important element of this market is that it is open to consumers as well as businesses to engage in. So, if anyone has something to share then they may be able to make some money out of it by simply plugging into these ready-made platforms. Airbnb, where travellers rent private accommodation, is an example of businesses and the owners of accommodation benefiting. Airbnb takes a cut of the rent that customers pay owners of rooms and homes around the world at reasonable prices.
Similarly justpark.com allows owners of parking spaces around the UK to rent them out to travellers needing a safe place to park in congested cities and of course Uber has offered car owners the opportunity to become taxi drivers. The space is still wide open for businesses and consumers alike – and with the promise of greater access, at lower cost to the consumer and less strain on the planet’s natural resources, it does sound like a triple-win. So if you’ve got it, why not share it.


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Many football clubs (soccer clubs for our American readers) are currently experiencing a range of cyber attacks targeting their ads and stores.
Fresh off the backlash of clubs trying to join the European Super League (ESL) many fans are now staging a digital protest against club owners.
In this article, we’ll be looking at why their own fans are doing it and how much it’s costing them.
Fans of football clubs like Manchester United are currently staging an online campaign to cause the club and their sponsors serious financial losses.
Called the #NotAPennyMore campaign, fans are purposely clicking the Google ads of sponsors associated with Manchester United. Currently, these include big brand names such as:
- TAG Heuer
- Maui Jim
According to CEO Brett Jacobson from the digital agency Mediaworks, the barrage of click fraud has cost sponsors in excess of £1.2 million so far. And with the online protest growing in size, future ad losses are expected to skyrocket.
In addition to fraudulently clicking their paid ads, fans are also causing havoc with the club’s online store and data analytics. Many Twitter threads have been showing fans and supporters how to “mess with their analytics” and ensure they can’t sell any goods from their store.
By fooling the system into thinking all their stock is “reserved” by other buyers, this stops any genuine buyers from making a purchase. The result is less merchandise sold by the club and more financial damage.
But why exactly are so-called fans of the club doing all of this in the first place?
Discover the true cost of click fraud in our global click fraud report
Why Are Fans Attacking Their Own Club?
Back in April, there was news that a new football league was being formed known as the European Super League (ESL). Without getting too much into the details about it, many football fans from every club were outraged at the suggestion.
Not only would it destroy football that the fans loved, but many of their clubs had already signed up to the new league without consulting their fans. This decision by the owners and executives of clubs such as Manchester United severely angered fans.
For many Manchester United fans, this was the tipping point.
Having had a frosty relationship with the Glazers for decades, fans felt like they weren’t being listened to, and their club was slowly being destroyed.
The idea behind the digital protest is that if fans can cause enough financial damage to the club, then the owners will have to listen to them.
How Are Fans Costing Sponsors Millions?
With fans looking to cause as much financial and reputational damage, as well as chaos for the club as possible, how are fans attacking sponsors?
Supporters of the #NotAPennyMore campaign have made plenty of step-by-step guides to share online. Here’s an example of one circulating on Twitter right now.
As you can see, the simple graphic shows anyone how to cost advertisers money by simply Googling their brand name and clicking on their ads. For every click the ad receives, it can cost the advertiser $1 – $10 depending on their industry, and that’s just one click! Supporters of the movement are urged to click multiple times per day on multiple ads to improve their effectiveness.
With the clicking of ads from different IP addresses and devices, Google can’t detect the clicks as fraudulent. This means every click is treated as genuine, and therefore advertisers end up paying for each one.
The movement has also published an open letter to the CEO of TeamViewer Oliver Steil, calling for him to pull his company sponsorship from the club or face further losses. With continued click fraud pressure they’re hoping TeamViewer pulls their sponsorship just like The Hut Group.
Who’s The Next Target?
Although this #NotAPennyMore campaign targets Manchester United and its sponsors, there’s no saying who could be the next target. If sponsors do end up pulling out from the constant ad fraud and attacks, then supporters of other clubs could start similar campaigns.
This means there are plenty of other businesses out there that could soon be facing the wrath of angry football fans. And there are plenty of businesses that could be caught in the crossfire.
In this screenshot, you can clearly see there are several companies bidding on the TAG Heuer brand name. But who’s to say fans will only click the first official ad and not all of them? Businesses such as Goldsmiths & Beaverbrooks could easily lose significant amounts of money from invalid clicks through no fault of their own.
And that’s what happens to thousands of businesses every day who advertise on Google Ads.
Hopefully, this article has opened your eyes to how expensive a coordinated click fraud attack can be. No matter if they’re angry football fans, disgruntled customers, or your competitors, the truth is this type of attack can happen to anyone.
Unfortunately, relying on Google to protect your ad spend is no longer enough.
If a few hundred football fans can evade the detection of Google and cost advertisers millions in revenue and reputation, then imagine what damage sophisticated ad fraud rings can do.
Think you’re the victim of angry customers and fraudulent clicks?
Get a free invalid traffic audit to check the quality of your paid traffic and how much you could be losing to invalid clicks.


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Missguided founder and chief executive Nitin Passi will exit the business as it enters its next stage of growth.
The fast-fashion retailer has also appointed advisory firm Teneo to explore its “strategic options”.
It said it had made “significant progress” in its turnaround plans tackling stock issues, simplifying warehouse operations and reducing head office costs.
Missguided is looking to find a new “strategic partner” with the infrastructure and operational know-how to take it forward.
Passi will step down as chief executive but will remain on the holding company’s board and continue to have a stake in the business.
Missguided chair Ian Gray said: “Missguided has made substantial operational progress since receiving new investment at the end of 2021, placing us on a sounder footing in a very short space of time and I want to thank everyone for their hard work.
“That work means we’re now in a position to accelerate plans to explore strategic options for the business.
“Missguided is one of the most vibrant brands in young women’s fashion and that’s down to more than a decade of hard work by Nitin.
“I recognise that it’s never easy for founders to decide to step away from day-to-day leadership of the businesses they create but I respect Nitin’s decision and look forward to his continued guidance as a member of the holding company board.”
Passi added: “When I set up Missguided back in 2009 with a small loan from my family, I had no idea about the impact the brand would make and I have great pride in what we’ve built.
“But this is now the right moment to step away from day-to-day leadership as the business explores strategic partnership options for Missguided.
“I look forward to making a continued contribution on Missguided’s holding company board.”
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“People have used technology for a long time to speak to the gods,” says Erica Robles-Anderson, an assistant professor at New York University, riffing on the old cult-of-Apple meme for Atlas Obscura.
Robles-Anderson is being led on a tour of Gotham’s Apple Stores as the faithful gather on iPhone release day, or what staff writer Sarah Laskow, calls the Feast of Jobs.
At NYU, Robles-Anderson teaches a course called Architecture as Media. At the SoHo Apple Store, she is drawn to architectural elements borrowed from ancient temples and churches.
On the portal to the street:
“The oversized doors are fantastic,” says Robles-Anderson. “There’s no reason for them.” They’re there only to communicate that this place is important. Also, they’re heavy, like church doors, to give purpose and portent to the entry into the space.
On the Soho store’s central staircase:
This is an old, old trick. “It’s used in ziggurats, even,” Robles-Anderson says. “It creates a space that emphasizes your smallness when you walk in. You look at something far away, and that makes your body feel like you’re entering somewhere sacred or holy.”
On the lack of lines at Samsung’s store:
The problem wasn’t just a lack of PR. “It was a deep misunderstanding about special access, as opposed to what Apple has built, which is the feeling of being in it together, as though you were fighting something,” Robles-Anderson says, “even though it’s the most valuable company in the world.”
Link: Are Apple stores the new temples?
Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter at @philiped. Read his Apple (AAPL) coverage at fortune.com/ped or subscribe via his RSS feed.


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In September of 2012, Rich’s Culinary team of fourteen technically skilled and savvy professional chefs experienced three-days of intense learning, creating and exploring food trends in the kitchens of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, amid the lush vineyards of the Napa Valley, California. This rare and extraordinary opportunity for the culinary team to unite as one is imperative for growth, professional certification and rejuvenation.
“Beyond the critical continuing education that’s offered at these workshops, our team gets an exceptional chance to be together, to experience the benefits of camaraderie and to appreciate and encourage one another,” said Jake Brach, Manager-Culinary Learning and Development. “Each of us walks away with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and purpose, and our customers reap the benefits.”
Rich’s original culinarian and 38-year foodservice veteran, Dr. Shirley Brown, Director of Product Training, organized the session with CIA chef, Tucker Bunch. Together they incorporated Rich’s products into a curriculum that explored Gastronomy, the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine. This latest foodservice trend had led to an explosion of new Gastropubs popping up across the US.
Bunch brought the CIA’s expertise and ingenuity to the training, challenging Rich’s chefs to excel, innovate and reach beyond what’s called the “house palette” taking products and flavors to new heights.
“When we get together we can share knowledge of what we’re seeing in the marketplace,” said Brach. “Our chefs get to use more Rich’s products in the kitchen and we’re able to experiment and bring new flavor profiles back to our customers.”
“At the end of the day, it’s all about what we can do better for our customers,” said Glenn Forbes, Zone-1 Culinary Manager. “If we are product experts and we know our markets well, it’s easy to be an innovative solutions-provider to our customers.”
Bunch gave the group a comprehensive overview of the philosophy behind Gastropubs. This British phenomenon brings the flare of pub-life to consumers with an emphasis on fine cuisine, flavor, small plates and affordable luxuries. Gastropubs have re-imagined comfort foods and deliver intense culinary skill, seasonal ingredients and handmade, artisanal products at higher prices. And customers are lining-up at neighborhood pubs!
To stay on-trend and help customers meet these demands, Rich’s culinarians spent hours in the CIA kitchens experimenting with Rich’s products, stretching their imaginations and perceptions to create unique dishes with an emphasis on carriers.
“The results of our efforts were incredible!” said Brown. “We found so many exciting new ways to use our immense product line; we even tried using donut dough as a sandwich carrier.”
While in Napa, the team also toured wineries, critiqued local restaurants and visited a thriving young farm that delivers fresh produce, micro greens and herbs to area restaurateurs.
The team rose early each day, spent long hours creating and evaluating new ideas in the CIA kitchens, and completed assignments and shared experiences throughout the evening. It was a grueling schedule to fulfill the necessary certification requirements and meet learning objectives but each culinarian left the Valley rejuvenated, refreshed and eager to share their new learning’s with customers.
“We’re the face of Rich’s to so many customers. We’ve been in their kitchen, solved their problems, trained their staff and worked together to develop menu ideas,” said Forbes. “Rich’s emphasis on professional growth and our strong relationship with the CIA builds credibility and trust with customers.”
Rich’s is well known for its culinary expertise, having the foodservice industry’s largest team of trained culinarians. The team likens the annual CIA experience to management training offered to Rich’s leaders throughout the company. Rich’s commitment to ongoing education and professional growth positions associates as industry experts and valued partners to customers.
“We continually challenge ourselves to be innovative and fresh in our thinking and cooking,” said Brown. “Our job is to show customers how to use Rich’s products in a successful way. If we do that well, sales are a natural by-product of our work.”
The fourteen culinarians at Rich’s each have a distinct role within a market segment, but no two days are alike and one job description is nearly impossible to write. Whether a chef works in chain accounts or regional sales, they perform a litany of responsibilities varying from menu engineering, troubleshooting and product expertise, to food preparation and presentation and technical support for sales.
“When we have product expertise and we understand the unique needs and abilities of our customers, we can fit the two together and everyone is successful,” said Brown.
Brown continues to look for ways to expand the team’s skills and capabilities and plans to incorporate even more growth opportunities for culinarians moving forward. She hopes to take the team to the CIA’s newest training facility in San Antonio, Texas, next.


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After Microsoft had tantalized attendees with a few breathtaking glimpses of Gears of War 2 gameplay at its
E3 2008 press conference
, Microsoft devices division VP Don Mattrick took to the stage for the mandatory chest-thumping talk. He pompously announced that he expects Xbox 360 to trounce PS3 over the entire course of the current console cycle.
Then he triumphantly stated that Xbox Live had generated more than $1 billion in sales and dispersed 500 million pieces of content. Microsoft also announced that it has partnered with NBC and Universal who will now make their content available through the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Interestingly, Microsoft never made any statements regarding how it plans to wrest the no.1 spot from Nintendo. Has it relinquished all such hopes and desires? Have your say.
Image Credit: TechPics


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Honda has just lifted the veil on the first two official photos of the new 2015 CRF 1000L Africa Twin.The Africa Twin myth is back for this year.
Nick Campolucci, big boss of Honda Europe, said: “We are excited about the Africa Twin here in the UK The return of this iconic name has already caused a stir and we wait to see land in showrooms.”
The first Africa Twin was born in 1988, just after the third consecutive victory in the Paris-Dakar. It was distinguished by his versatility, his ability to sneak up on all roads and elsewhere, robustness, agility, comfort … It was THE reference!
For its rebirth, the Africa Twin inaugurate a new development in the gearbox dual clutch (DCT – Dual Clutch Transmission), still single box system in the world of motorcycling. And this has been developed to meet the demands of driving enduro.
The new Africa Twin has, according to Honda, pretend to offer all that can wait for the biker who will travel on paved roads as much as over rough terrain. And it is defined as a true adventurer!
In addition, operator side, we can expect a 1000cc L-twin 90 °. But for now, no information was available about the power and torque values. Let’s hope that the Africa Twin 2015 show among the lightest in the category, agility pledge in off-road!