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A group of 2020 University of Texas at Austin graduates can now see the jewelry they designed on Kendra Scott’s shelves.
The Ciarla earring set available from Kendra Scott. Image courtesy of Kendra Scott.
As part of last spring’s 365 Textiles and Apparel (TXA) course, Accessory Design, Development and Merchandising, students were divided into teams and asked to develop jewelry designs for Kendra Scott, targeting Gen Z. The The winning team’s design is now on sale at Kendra Scott stores and online.
Part of Gen Z themselves, recent college students – Anita Ghamarian, Tianjie Pei, Julia Sotelo, Sara Kopenec, and Pinar Sarilar – took on the challenge of mixing fashionable tastes with an established brand aesthetic.
“We really wanted to get into the mindset of the Gen Z individual, so we went where they spend the most time: social media,” said Ghamarian, a Textiles and Apparel alumnus. Design who graduated in May. “We used a lot of pastel colors and astrological symbols for our final designs. We researched Kendra Scott’s previous and popular designs and symbols to get inspiration from our shapes in our designs.”
TXA 356 is offered as part of UT’s new Kendra Scott Women Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (WELI).
“Students can see up close what the process of moving from ideation to product development looks like through the lens of Kendra Scott’s design and merchandising team. They create designs based on pieces they would like to see in the collection and work as a team similar to how the process works in the industry, ”said Jessica Ciarla, who created and taught the course. “Proceeds from this product are donated to the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute to empower the next generation of courageous and creative women leaders who will change the world. The intention to showcase student designs is only for the purpose of showcasing the work of students and celebrate the partnership with UT. “
The winning team named their set of earrings and earrings Ciarla in her honor.
Each of the teams was made up of a variety of majors. The winning team included majors from TXA, majors in business, and a major in communications.
“It’s amazing how each major has a different way of solving a problem, so we cover more areas that textile and clothing students sometimes tend to forget,” said Pei, a recent double major in TXA. and in economics.
Each of the team members said they learned something new about the fashion industry many of them want to work in as part of the project, such as meeting Kendra Scott’s design team to get comments and make the prototype.
“For me, the design and CAD (computer aided design) part of the project was the most interesting,” said Sotelo, who hopes to work in fashion marketing. “As a PR specialist, I had never had any experience sketching, drawing, 3D rendering or using a 3D printer to bring our sketches to life. “
In spring 2020, the TXA 365 course was offered for the first time. Even though the semester was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, students continued to work remotely.
“It taught me a lot about communication and time management, and how to resolve conflicts! Kopenec said. “I also really learned to pivot, because COVID disrupted the course halfway through the semester. While there were some tough times, the end result was worth it!”
Over 5,000 people voted in the online contest to choose the winning design.
“I had great confidence in our product and am so grateful that it can be produced for the enjoyment of many,” said Pinar Sarilar, who recently graduated from Finance.


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The rollout of smart meters to 30 million UK homes and businesses will start in less than three years, Energy and Climate Change Minister Charles Hendry said today, unveiling new installation guidelines.
The guidelines stipulate that energy suppliers will not be able to make any sales pitches during the smart meter installation and must provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit.
All householders will also have to be offered an in-home display allowing them to see how much energy is being used and what it is costing.
“In less than three years energy suppliers will begin the mass rollout of smart meters across the country and I am determined that consumers are at the heart of this ambitious programme,” Hendry stated. “[These] tough guidelines on installation… will minimise inconvenience and help people to make the most of their smart meters to save energy and save money.”
The proposals also give consumers a choice about who has access to their data, except that needed for billing or other regulatory obligations, and aim to ensure that vulnerable and low income consumers can benefit from the rollout.
“I want to be absolutely clear to consumers that they will be in control of their energy consumption data,” says Hendry. “So apart from where it is required for billing or other regulated purposes, it will be for consumers to decide who can access their data.”
The plans have been largely welcomed by Consumer Focus, with chief executive Mike O’Connor commenting:
“We welcome the banning of sales during installation and that marketing will only be allowed if the customer agrees… We support the proposals to address consumer concerns around the privacy of information. But, to make this work, people must be aware of their rights and the choices available to them.”
The government’s smart meter rollout plan is scheduled to being in 2014 and be completed by 2019. As part of that programme, the government is also publishing today consultations on data and communications licensing conditions and technical specifications for smart meter equipment.
Energy supplier E.ON has been among the first to welcome the announcement.
“We aim to install one million smart meters during the foundation period which runs until 2014 and today’s announcement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change gives us greater confidence,” says Don Leiper, director of new business.
The company says that take-up of smart meters has been so high already that it is planning to open a second smart metering centre of excellence to provide advice from staff who have smart meters in their own homes.
For further information:
Honeywell and SSE rollout Thames Valley smart grid project (25-Jan)
Parliamentary committee warns of ‘uncertainties’ on smart meter rollout (17-Jan)
UK energy regulator Ofgem awards £57 million to six smart grid projects (29-Nov 2011)
British Gas chooses German company Elster for smart meter rollout (30-Sept 2011)
05 April 2012

domain: news


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Samsung, which has been very active in developing Neo-QLED panel technology in recent years, has released a new phone! The brand new 98-inch Samsung QN100B Neo QLED TV announced by the brand has a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, which can better express the advantages of HDR high dynamic range image quality compared to the 1,000-2,000 nits screen in the market! QN100B supports HDR10, HDR10 + and HDR10 + Adaptive display, uses Mini LED backlight technology, 14-bit bright and dark brightness panel, with Neo Quantum Processor + processor, can achieve 16,384 levels of dynamic brightness adjustment, making contrast the image is more realistic and natural! In terms of sound, the new TV has 6.4.4-channel Dolby Atmos speakers with a total output of 120W. The rest of the details are yet to be officially announced!
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???? ★ Post76 online store has opened “store.post76.hk”


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Picture this: You sleep through your alarm and wake up with 20 minutes to get to class. However, you aren’t frantically getting ready, brushing your teeth and throwing on clothes; instead, you’re moving with coolness and ease. Why? Because you have a Bird scooter. You don’t have to walk to class, you can glide — sweat- and worry-free.
Similar to many other campus phenomena, the popularity of electric scooters seems to have come out of nowhere. But now I see students zipping away on their Birds, both to class and on the weekends. I even witnessed a girl taking a Bird to a Friday happy hour on Route 1. They are simple and easy to use, and college kids love anything convenient. And since the weather hasn’t cooled down, the thought of not being drenched in sweat by the time you get to class is appealing.
Bird scooters are very different than the University of Maryland-sponsored electric scooters, VeoRide. VeoRide costs $1 to unlock, plus a fee of 15 cents per minute. The scooters are also only available for rent from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. — to ensure nothing dangerous goes down at night.
Bird scooters, however, have no nightcap. With a personal monthly rental, you can use them anytime, anywhere. You can rent a Bird day-to-day, but the more popular option is to rent one for a month; a $29.99, one-time payment. You sync the scooter to your phone’s app so only you can use it during the month. Essentially, it’s yours.
At first, I thought Birds were getting so much hype because it was the “cool” new thing to do. But, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Student riders attest that they don’t ride Bird because it is “cool” or “fun,” but primarily because it is convenient. Ben Birnbach, a junior government and politics major, said the electric scooter actually has the opposite effect of looking cool. Birnbach has been using Bird scooters off and on for about a year and recently signed up for the monthly rental program.
“When it’s 90 degrees outside and you’re sweating on your way back from class, and suddenly you feel a gust as someone zooms by you, you might feel some jealousy,” Birnbach said. “For me though, it comes down to laziness.”
The black scooter is a lot cheaper than parking on campus and electric scooters are less of a hassle than bicycles. However, there are some safety concerns around the scooter — San Jose State University banned Bird scooters earlier this year after rising collisions and falls, and other campuses are figuring out how to place restrictions on scooters. Students take Birds on sidewalks and roads, making it difficult to impose typical traffic regulations on them.
The nighttime freedom of Birds is a problem, which is why I suspect the Bird trend might end. Only time will tell if College Park will eventually restrict scooter usage. It is possible to safely drive them and follow traffic rules, but college kids tend to take things to the extreme. Any type of accident could draw attention to the dangers of restrictionless electric scootering.
Victoria Palmaccio, a senior physics major, said it’s dangerous if you go too fast or don’t pay attention, so she remains careful while riding. People are “crazed” about these electric scooters because they’re new and fun, but it’s more than just a trend, Palmaccio argued.
“I don’t ride it because I think it makes me look cool,” Palmaccio said. “I ride it because it’s so convenient and saves time. I’m such a busy person so this made getting to and from places so much easier.”
I have ridden on the back of my friend’s Bird and it was quite a time. Speeding around my fellow students with the wind blowing through my hair was thrilling, but frightening without a helmet — and most riders I’ve seen don’t wear helmets. It will be interesting to see if the electric scooter trend will slowly fade away or end in flames. Nothing is permanent in this crazy time we call college.


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Today: Android is surging in popularity among U.S. buyers, Nielsen reports. Plus: Is there an iPad inside Apple TV? Solar panels will be installed on the White House roof. "FIFA 11" sales kick EA's stock up 5 percent.
Android vs. iPhone
Mountain View Internet juggernaut Google's Android operating system has surged to become the most popular smartphone platform among recent buyers in the U.S., according to a report today from industry researcher Nielsen.
According to a blog post, 32 percent of smartphone buyers as of August bought an
As for the iPhone, it had 25 percent of recent buyers in August, after dipping as low as 21 percent in June and starting at 32 percent in July. Nielsen noted that its August data reflected the first full month of sales of the Cupertino Mac computer and "i" device maker's new iPhone 4.
According to Bloomberg News, Nielsen researcher Roger Entner said the Android platform is benefiting from the availability of numerous phones by makers such as HTC and Motorola from multiple carriers.
"Distribution and choice is king," Entner told the news service. "They expand their distribution to Verizon, Sprint and AT&T and
By contrast, the iPhone is only available in the U.S. on AT&T's network.
Among all smartphone owners, Research In Motion's BlackBerry platform still leads with a 31 percent share, although that has dropped from 36 percent at the beginning of the year. Apple's iPhone is No. 2 with a 28 percent share (which has remained relatively steady throughout 2010), followed by Android, which has surged from 8
In a news release today, AT&T said it would begin selling three new Android phones from Motorola at prices ranging from $79.99 to $129.99 for customers who commit to a new two-year contract.
Apple stock, by the way, closed today at $288.94, up $10.30, or 3.7 percent, on a very good day for U.S. stock markets (details below). Google climbed $15.88, or 3 percent, to finish at $538.23. RIM was up 72 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $49.68.
More Apple: Inside, the new Apple TV is very much like an iPad or iPod touch, according to a teardown analysis today from tech researcher iSuppli, which estimated the device contains $61.98 worth of parts and has a total manufacturing cost of $63.95. Apple sells the device for $99.
"The first Apple TV was built like a net-top computer. The architecture was basically a stripped-down, small-form-factor desktop PC," Andrew Rassweiler, iSuppli director, principal analyst and teardown services manager, said in an e-mail. "The second-generation Apple TV is more like an iPad or iPod touch with no display. The Apple TV's A4 processor core, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip and power management chip are the same building blocks used in the, iPad, iPhone 4 and iPod touch."
Solar-powered White House
President Barack Obama's administration is installing solar panels on the roof of the White House, EnergySecretary Steven Chu and Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the Council on Environmental Policy, announced today, according to a post on the White House website.
The project "demonstrates American solar technologies are available, reliable and ready for installation in homes throughout the country," Sutley said.
According to The Associated Press and Bloomberg, the move puts solar panels on the White House roof for the first time since former President Jimmy Carter's administration. Former President Ronald Reagan had the panels removed. However, former President George W. Bush had solar panels installed on White House property that provided power for a maintenance building and part of the mansion, as well as heat for the White House pool.
Silicon Valley tech stocks
Up: Apple, Google, Oracle, Cisco Systems, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, VMware, eBay, Gilead Sciences, Yahoo and most Silicon Valley tech stocks were higher.
Electronic Arts stock climbed 86 cents, or 5.1 percent, to $17.82. The Redwood City video game publisher said it sold 2.6 million copies through Saturday of its "EA Sports FIFA 11" soccer game since its debut in North America last Tuesday and in Europe on Friday. EA said that pace makes it "the fastest selling sports game ever."
U.S. stock markets rallied today after a report showing expansion in the service sector. In addition, stocks worldwide gained after the central bank in Japan cut its key short-term interest rate to near zero.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index: Up 55.31, or 2.4 percent, to 2,399.83.
The blue chip Dow Jones industrial average: Up 193.45, or 1.8 percent, to 10,944.72.
And the widely watched Standard & Poor's 500 index: Up 23.72, or 2.1 percent, to 1,160.75.
Check in weekday afternoons for the 60-Second Business Break, a summary of news from Mercury News staff writers, The Associated Press, Bloomberg News and other wire services. Contact Frank Russell at 408-920-5876. Follow him at Twitter.com/mercspike.


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Payments company Mastercard announced the expansion of its consulting service focused on new financial technologies, including cryptocurrencies, CBDC and NFT.
The firm plans to hire more than 500 young professionals and college graduates in addition to its 2,000 engineers and consultants in its data and services department. The division serves customers in 70 countries.
“Payments are just the beginning. For 20 years, we have worked with our clients in banking, fintech, retail, travel and other sectors, helping them understand and cope with all the challenges and opportunities that come their way. This evolution of consulting is a recognition of the changing world and the transformation of our business,” said Head of Department Raj Seshadri.
The company noted that its advisory services in the field of digital assets cover a wide range of opportunities: from early education, risk assessment, development of strategies for cryptocurrencies and NFTs, to the launch of payment cards and loyalty programs based on them.
According to the announcement, Mastercard has partnered with digital technology firms. This allows us to help fintech companies enter new markets and commercialize their strategies.
As another direction of the consulting service, Mastercard identified assistance to central banks in the study and deployment of CBDC. For these purposes, the company provides institutions with a test platform. It allows "to explore various scenarios and draw on deep knowledge of payment systems, policy, regulation and governance."


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First 3D PS3 Games Confirmed, Dated
Sony is getting set to push 3D gaming to PlayStation 3 gamers this year. Yesterday, the company’s plans became clearer with the announcement that three popular PSN downloadable titles will be receiving updates that allow them to be played in 3D.
Sony Japan revealed that Wipeout HD, Star Strike HD, and Pain will get updates on June 10th that allow the games to be played in 3D. While the 3D updates for Wipeout and Star Strike will be free for owners, Pain users will have to pay a one-time 300 yen (approximately $3.30 USD) surcharge to download the new 3D functionality.
Sony has also announced a Bravia TV promotion in Japan where consumers who buy a new 3D compatible set will received a code that gives them Wipeout HD, Star Strike HD, and Pain for free, as well as an exclusive 3D Motorstorm 2 demo.


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Today could be the first April, which can be famously understood across the world as April FoolsвЂ™ Day вЂ“ the afternoon where up until 12pm, individuals throughout the world could possibly get away with pranking one another at no cost. And thus, only at GDI, we’ve been monitoring the April FoolsвЂ™ antics of several of the most popular dating that is online.
Have a look at best online dating-related practical jokes with this year below.
Throwing from the April FoolsвЂ™ shenanigans ended up being TrueViewвЂ™s statement of an online daterвЂ™s вЂњdreamвЂќ service вЂ“ a digital sidekick device which makes use of the companyвЂ™s patent-pending вЂњAugmented-BlueNFC-Face-Recon-GEO-FlirtвЂќ technology to scan peopleвЂ™s faces and allow users understand if they have been single.
talking about TrueViewвЂs venture that is fake co-founder Matt Verity stated: вЂњWe stopped and took an extended hard glance at the internet dating landscape in general. The situation we felt is the fact that it offers be much more fragmented than previously.
вЂњSo many individuals take many services that are different. You must get swipe ache, constantly walk the streets or grow a beard even to have noticed.
вЂњWe thought what about we have a slightly various approach and enable visitors to find out most of the solitary individuals, across all the various solutions in real-time.
вЂњWe want visitors to see SideKick as a truly helpful device when you come in the surroundings where you stand almost certainly to fulfill a special someone and provide them the self-confidence they have to take up a conversation.вЂќ
In-keeping along with its April FoolsвЂ™ Day tradition, popular site that is dating announced it absolutely was establishing a whole new dating website to assist you вЂњMeat Your Burrito Soulmate!вЂќ
In a post, Zoosk revealed Burrit-Oh, the spoof site that matches people centered on their real burrito compatibility, which consists of eHarmony-ribbing 32 Components framework to set up users.
speaing frankly about its new relationship service, Robin Keller, Zoosk Senior Engineer stated: вЂњIt calculates just just what percentage of burrito match you might be predicated on the way you fill in the 32 products in your burrito purchase.
вЂњItвЂ™s nothing like weвЂ™re working on the project of Harvard grads or such a thing, but we discovered percentages in center school and theyвЂ™re a fairly tool that is effective this kind of thing.вЂќ
The Inner Circle
Exclusive platform that is dating Inner Circle additionally got in in the enjoyable with certainly one of our favourites for the time вЂ“ creating a pop-up message that showed up whenever users logged in, telling them the organization ended up being deleting records as a consequence of growing too fast, also to try to save yourself their account that they had to select вЂњPaperвЂќ, вЂњScissorsвЂќ or вЂњStoneвЂќ.
After selecting, users had been alerted that they had made the choice that is wrong a message that read: вЂњYour account was deleted. Because of our considerable development in London our company is now eliminating 33% of y our people. Sorry to see you choose to go and all the best on Tinder,вЂќ before exposing the laugh into the screen that is next.
On line marriage service Shaadi additionally duped its users into thinking they certainly were releasing a fresh high-tech wearable that will find users their match that is perfect.
Today, the site published on its web log you are attracted to somebody that it was releasing LoveBit, a wristband that uses biometric technology to monitor your pulse rate and heartbeat and determine how much.
After several hours, your website then took to Twitter to show it wasnвЂ™t starting LoveBit, notifying its 2m users that they had been April tricked.
If U thought weвЂ™re afrointroductions dating site soon establishing вЂLoveBitвЂ™ we would like to tell U tht U have now been Fooled
This current year, vehicle maker Nissan additionally took motivation from the realm of contemporary dating apps to pull down an April FoolsвЂ™ prank, the business announcing its N-Connect application, a dating solution for Nissan motorists it described as вЂњAustraliaвЂ™s # 1 Automotive Dating AppвЂќ.
Moreover it published information regarding the appвЂ™s functionality, including fat to your laugh by producing an array of fake N-Connect success stories.
Why don’t we understand what type ended up being your favourite into the feedback below, to see the very best of last yearвЂ™s online dating sites April FoolsвЂ™ pranks by going to our roundup here.
Author Danielle White
Danielle is a Junior Reporter at worldwide Dating Insights. Initially from Reading, she’s got examined Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University and it has a passion for reporting and writing. She enjoys travelling and loves to invest her spare time socialising with friends and music that is attending.


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Games are an important part of the Facebook ecosystem. As the games market diversifies, with new developers entering the mix, so do the titles available on the social network. At a media event for Berlin-based developer Wooga in San Francisco Thursday, Facebook Director of Games Partnerships Sean Ryan discussed the future of social games with AllFacebook, pointing out that Facebook is working to offer a more diverse array of games to users, as well as to make it easier for gamers to have a continuous experience on desktops, phones, and tablets.
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Even a casual Facebook user can see that the site has changed dramatically over the past year. On Thursday, Facebook’s developers team took some time to reflect on some of the highlights that made the social network what it is today.


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Seoul, July 1 (IANS) South Korea’s consumer price inflation stayed at the lowest level in nearly 14 years for two straight months due to the persistently stable picture of farm goods and oil prices, a government report showed Monday.
Consumer prices rose 1 percent in June from a year earlier, stayed at the level for the second consecutive month, according to a report by Statistics Korea. From a month before, the prices fell 0.1 percent, reported Xinhua.
The on-year figure was the lowest since September 1999 when the prices gained 0.8 percent, and remained in the 1-percent range for eight straight months.
The trend of stable prices was attributed to a continued fall in farm goods and petroleum product prices coming from good weathers and stable crude oil prices. Prices for agricultural and oil products declined 4.7 percent and 0.1 percent each in June from the prior month.


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The New Brunswick Elks Lodge is hosting a Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast at Applebee's at 324 Ryders Lane in Milltown.
The meal includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a beverage (coffee, juice, soda or tea). Applebee's menu items are not included. The cost is $10 per person and all proceeds will benefit the New Brunswick Elks Lodge. The event is on Saturday, June 23rd from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tickets are sold at the Elks Lodge or at the door. For more information, contact the New Brunswick Elks Lodge at (732) 249-3420.


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Meet 23 rising stars in public relations at top brands like McDonald's and OpenAI and agencies like Golin
- PR pros are asked to do more than ever before as economic belt-tightening continues.
- Business Insider identified PR's rising stars who can guide clients through a crisis or grab national attention.
- They include pros from Nextdoor, The Levinson Group, and other brands and agencies.
As belts keep tightening at some agencies and in-house PR departments, PR pros must now pivot as fast as their clients, moving from media relations to social platforms to content creation to crisis management, often in the same day.
In such a complex, rapid-response environment, talent matters more than ever. Business Insider has identified 23 rising stars in the PR industry who are meeting the challenge.
Though some are just starting their careers at PR firms like The Levinson Group and Finn Partners, they're scoring media coups, conquering social platforms, bolstering reputations, and delivering results that reinforce client relationships.
Other rising stars are in-house, helping brands like OpenAI, McDonald's and The Home Depot grow, managing comms teams, and working directly with CEOs. Several rising stars are former journalists who crossed into PR.
We used nominations and original reporting to find individuals with a track record of working with big accounts or major brands and demonstrating leadership abilities.
Scroll down to read the full list, in alphabetical order by last name.
Abdullah Alkudsi, senior associate, Bevel
Alkudsi joined New York's Bevel as a summer associate in 2021. He now oversees 10 accounts, including investment bank Recharge Capital and college-scholarship app Scholly. A specialist in crisis comms, Alkudsi advised several Bevel clients through 2023's Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank failures, and placed two Wall Street Journal op-eds that urged support for regional banks. He also scored widespread coverage in publications like The Financial Times, CNBC Squawk Box, Reuters and others that drove anticipation for Better.com's IPO — though the stock ultimately tanked. Alkudsi has also secured clients speaking slots at major conferences, including the Milken Future of Health Summit, WebSummit Rio, and Abu Dhabi Finance Week.drive
Eleanor Amari, creative and brand director, DADA Goldberg
Amari designs and manages the creative activations and digital-first comms that are a signature of this bicoastal real-estate PR firm. Her team has grown accounts for clients including The Lake House on Canandaigua, JDS Development Group, and ODA Architecture, DADA Goldberg co-founder Rebecca Goldberg Brodsky told BI. Amari's group has also launched social-first brands for clients including realtors OFFICIAL Partners, 888 Brickell, Dolce&Gabbana Miami, and furniture designer Nina Takesh. "Eleanor is a unicorn creative strategist who combines design direction with journalistic storytelling," Goldberg Brodsky said.
Infiniti Bowie, account director, W Communications
At this New York outpost of a London PR firm, Bowie oversees accounts including TJX retail brand Sierra, climate resilience platform ClimateAi, and F1 hospitality brand F1 Arcade. Bowie's credited with elevating Sierra's profile beyond local media into national platforms including CNBC and BI. Earlier in her career, at New York's Berk Communications, Bowie represented clients like Foot Locker, Keurig, and Global Brand Equities ―the owner, operator, and producer of spirits brands from Kevin Hart, Post Malone, and A$AP Rocky.
Libby Dolan, account supervisor of special situations, Sloane & Company
Dolan is a key player on the special situations team at this financial-comms firm, a practice that covers critical events like M&A, crisis response, and shareholder activism. Co-CEO Darren Brandt told BI that Dolan helped manage a major assignment in 2023: Advising a longtime healthcare client through a merger with a major health system. "Libby quarterbacked the entire engagement, creating and executing a comprehensive stakeholder communications plan that rivaled those put together by practitioners far her senior," he says. Sloane clients include Fortune 10 companies, small-cap firms, and start-ups.
Elie Georges, communications manager, OpenAI
An early member of the OpenAI team, Georges has shepherded one of the world's most talked-about brands through intense scrutiny and coverage. In the last year alone, Georges oversaw cover stories for Time —which hailed OpenAI's Sam Altman as CEO of the Year — and Fast Company, which featured CTO Mira Murati when it named OpenAI "Most Innovative Company of the Year." Georges has also steered long-lead stories in high-profile media including The Atlantic, and advises OpenAI founder Greg Brockman on TED Talks. Georges was one of more than 700 OpenAI employees who signed an open letter chastising the company's board of directors for firing Altman and removing Brockman from leadership. Both were later reinstated. Before joining OpenAI, San Francisco-based Georges worked in tech PR at Ogilvy and Edelman.
Antonia Gray, head of corporate communications, Nextdoor
A year into her role heading comms for this community-based app, Gray has managed almost all news related to its 85,000,000 "neighbors", or participants. Her scope at the publicly traded company keeps expanding; Gray now oversees business-to-business advertiser communications, along with international messaging across 11 countries where Nextdoor operates. She's also elevated Nextdoor's presence at conferences like Wells Fargo's Technology, Media and Telecom Summit. Before joining Nextdoor in 2022, Gray was a senior director in tech, media, and telecoms at New York PR firm FTI Consulting, where she handled media around space flights, M&A, and corporate transitions.
Colin Hayes, account supervisor, The Door
Five years into his tenure at this lifestyle PR firm, Hayes works with top-tier clients including Häagen-Dazs, Emeril Lagasse, Francis Ford Coppola Wines, and Williams Sonoma. Along with print, broadcast, and digital media, Hayes oversees key influencer marketing campaigns, managing budgets and creative briefs. In 2023, Hayes won food and lifestyle content creator Remi Cruz as a client. "Colin represents the model for what is and needs to be the PR executive of the future, one who can navigate earned, paid, organic, and more," Lois Najarian O'Neill, co-founder and co-CEO of The Door, told BI.
Lauren Lewis, vice president, Barokas Communications, a Finn Partners agency
After fashion PR stints at Cartier, Ralph Lauren, and superagency KCD, Lewis pivoted to tech in 2021, joining this Denver firm. She ascended to vice president within a year, overseeing high-profile aerospace accounts including Eviation Aircraft, electric aircraft-motor maker magniX, and Skyryse, creator of aircraft operating systems. Lewis led press efforts around Eviation Aircraft's first flight, generating more than 5,000 stories worldwide. Her campaign also helped Eviation snag awards including TIME100 Most Influential Companies, Robb Report Best of the Best, and Fast Company World Changing Ideas, along with more than 20 speaking opportunities for the company's then-CEO.
Tess Mattingly, director, US brand communications of trust and affinity, McDonald’s
Before she took on leadership of trust and affinity brand communications — whose aims include reaching diverse consumers — Mattingly helped create and build the practice within McDonald's, one of the world's largest brands. With responsibilities around internal and external communications, Mattingly oversaw the "Thank You Crew" campaign that let consumers share positive experiences in McDonald's stores. Inc. called the campaign a "powerful example of emotional intelligence." Chicago-based Mattingly also engineered visits from Grimace, the classic McDonald's character, to deliver limited-edition milkshakes to kids at Ronald McDonald House Charities nationwide.
Ari McDaniel, manager of executive visibility, Golin
For clients like PepsiCo, Sephora, and Johnson & Johnson, McDaniel leads initiatives around thought leadership, from op-eds to conference stages to podcasts. She's earned her clients coveted spots on media and panel appearances from Fast Company to the World Economic Forum. Based in New York, McDaniel co-founded the Black Tech Public Relations Society, which advocates for diversity in comms across tech and venture capital. McDaniel also heads her own consultancy, The Kill Kollective, which practices community-building "cult communications," a term she claims to have coined.
Natalia Moose, global lead of external communications and PR, nCino
Moose returned to the US in January after three years in London, where she oversaw comms around nCino's expansion in the UK and Europe. The company, which develops AI-powered "cloud banking" products for companies like Santander and Wells Fargo, also went public in 2020, and Moose managed media around that event. Now back in nCino's home city of Wilmington, North Carolina, Moose oversees PR, social, and content teams, along with executive communications, investor relations, and financial news from the company. She also manages relationships with multiple PR and creative agencies across continents.
Kylie Munnelly, managing director, The Levinson Group
This New York crisis PR firm advises headline-making clients including E. Jean Carroll and The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Munnelly, who joined in 2018, leads comms for the U.S. Women's National Team players and hospitality giant Delaware North, along with tech, finance, and media brands. A former CNBC producer, Munnelly also works to promote journalists and journalism. She also oversees communications for the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, which she co-founded. Munnelly has worked on corporate reputational crises, cyber-security threats, class-action litigation, and human rights issues, said The Levinson Group founder Molly Levinson.
Vincent Novicki, vice president, Risa Heller Communications
This New York firm handles high-profile situations around reputation, crisis, and public affairs. Novicki has advised clients Marblegate Asset Management, the largest owner of New York City taxi medallions, in announcing its agreement with New York City regulatory agencies on the city's taxi Medallion Relief Program and related settlement. He also worked with the journalism-focused Knight Foundation on the launch of a $500 million initiative to support local news organizations across the U.S. Novicki is leading a campaign for New York's Champlain Hudson Power Express, a $6-billion clean-energy transmission project set to launch in 2026.
Lindsey Okubo, associate director, Gia Kuan Consulting
Okubo, who started as a freelance account manager at this in-demand New York fashion PR firm, was named associate director this year. Okubo oversees press and brand development for giant clients like Nike's Jordan brand, along with fast-rising indie brands like London-based luxury menswear label Lu'u Dan. She also oversees narrative communications, including a collaboration with global fashion publication Office Magazine on one-off covers for Jordan Brand WNBA athletes. "Lindsey is a well-versed writer and a considered strategist," said founder Gia Kuan. Okubo was a journalist before starting her PR career.
Jennifer Reich, senior director of media strategy, August Twenty Eight
Paris- and New York-based comms firm August Twenty Eight is known for hand-picking high-impact media opportunities, and Reich architects much of that strategy. Reich and her team have earned adoring stories in outlets including The Wall Street Journal and Travel + Leisure for business-class airline La Compagnie. The airline's 2023 "Blue Friday" discount promotion scored nearly 400 million media impressions. And for The Plaza Hotel, Reich secured more than 138 million media impressions around a "Defying Gravi-Tea'' Afternoon Tea to celebrate "Wicked's" 20 years on Broadway. "Jennifer has always gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional media outcomes for our clients," said Anne-Cecile Blanchot, August Twenty Eight's cofounder.
Margaret Smith, director, strategic and CEO communications, The Home Depot
After a decade at The Home Depot, Smith took over in 2023 as director of CEO and strategic communications, a key role for the publicly traded company. Since then, she's expanded CEO Ted Decker's visibility across media and social platforms, and amped up internal comms targeting The Home Depot's more than 500,000 employees. A former journalist, Smith has also proved the axiom that less can be more in strategic PR. She has hand-picked opportunities with maximum impact, like a CNBC interview with Decker that got syndicated more than 80 times. Smith has also raised the profiles of other company executives in mass-market media like ABC's "Good Morning America."
Kishon Springer, director of public relations, CBS Media Ventures and CBS News and Stations
Not yet 30, Springer is the first comms executive with responsibilities across both CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures divisions of Paramount Global. She oversees PR strategies for shows including "The Dr. Oz Show," "Rachael Ray Show," "Inside Edition," and "48 Hours." Generating news coverage for media outlets can be challenging, but Springer's earned placements in outlets from the Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, and Variety to "The Drew Barrymore Show," and "The Sherri Show." Before joining CBS, Springer led PR for Cannon's production enterprise. "It's a treat to work with someone with Kishon's instincts," said Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition. "She knows which angles are important to publications and pitches them accordingly, while simultaneously making sure her clients' objectives are met — and usually surpassed." CBS parent Paramount Global announced massive layoffs this week, but the cuts did not affect Springer's role.
Meg Stagaard, vice president, 42West
At this leading entertainment-PR firm, whose clients include Tom Cruise and Martin Scorsese, Stagaard has overseen campaigns for properties including Lionsgate's "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Song Birds & Snakes" and the HBO documentary "The Janes," earning coverage from People to "Good Morning America" to the Associated Press. Stagaard's team also managed comms for Hollywood studio MRC — which developed films including "American Fiction" and "Saltburn" — along with the Peacock Originals series "Poker Face" and "Ted." "Meg is a key player on 42West's crisis and issue management team as well as an expert in media training, working with actors, authors, showrunners, and C-suite executives," said Susie Arons, 42West's president.
Karly Tokioka, PR and corporate communications, eBay
Tokioka's responsibilities broadened in her fourth year at eBay. Along with some consumer comms, she now manages the company's critical internal and external initiatives, including quarterly earnings, annual shareholder meetings, and M&A projects. "Karly's accomplishments underscore her unwavering dedication, versatility, and impactful contributions across multiple facets of our organization," said Trina Somera, her manager. Tokioka also mentors newcomers to eBay's communications team. Tokioka worked in media relations at Weber Shandwick's San Francisco office before joining eBay.
Karin Venegas, associate vice president, Anat Gerstein, Inc.
At a challenging time for nonprofit organizations, Venegas leads strategic media campaigns aimed at bolstering both profiles and bottom lines. Her clients, mostly in arts and culture and social service, include the Acacia community-services network, New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage, Flushing Town Hall, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. "Karin has been consistently strong in supporting nonprofits to attain their goals, address any crises, and strengthen our business development," said Jeff Simmons, managing director of Anat Gerstein, Inc. Venegas also directed the 2015 documentary "Unafraid: Voices from the Crime Victims Treatment Center", which is still shown at colleges, libraries, and nonprofits as a teaching tool.
Jack Wagner, director of communications and public relations, The Corcoran Group
Corcoran is the largest real-estate brokerage in New York City. From Los Angeles, Wagner oversees external and internal comms for its agents, and manages media for operations in South Florida, a key market. He's also the spokesperson for Corcoran during crisis management, news about the market, and brokerage announcements. When Corcoran opened its first European office, in Italy's Lake Garda region, Wagner managed PR outreach. He also oversees media for the company's annual BeCorcoran conference, which gathers thousands of affiliates. Wagner was at Compass before joining Corcoran and, prior to that, had a short stint at luxury PR firm Purple, promoting property projects like Zaha Hadid's 520 West 28th Street in New York.
Wilfred Maina Waimiri, PR senior account coordinator, NisonCO
Waimiri secured more than 400 published pieces in 2022 and 2023 for clients of this New Jersey firm, which represents brands in the cannabis, psychedelics, and blockchain industries. He has also advocated for changing perceptions of cannabis in Kenya, his home country, including recent panel discussions in Nairobi on decriminalization. "With a keen strategic mind and adept pitching skills, Wilfred is an invaluable asset, ceaselessly committed to elevating marketing strategies for the success of his clients, employer, and the global cannabis legitimization cause," said NisonCo content director Marissa Black-Smith.
Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.


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Jamba Juice has gone on a strange route to trade their stock on Wall Street. Instead of a direct IPO, they announced a merger with Services Acquisition Corp. Normally, I don’t like mergers, and this was no exception. It has taken some time for Jamba Juice to readjust and regain efficiency. In response to this, the stock has been beaten down since they began trading about a year ago. Several additional things have contributed to the stock being punished:
- Expansion – Jamba Juice is building more stores in more locations.
- Gas Prices – Jamba Juice profit margins have diminished with rising oil prices.
- E. Coli – Jamba Juice was stung by a few bad batches of fruit.
While store expansions will pay off in the long-run, there are additional things that Jamba Juice can do, in the meantime, to bolster profit-margins and increase the volume of products sold.
Location, Location, Location
Jamba Juice has strategically placed many of their stores in close proximity to Starbucks coffee shops. Thus, making their stores easy to locate. Often, you can see parents in line for a latte’ while their children are across the street getting a Jamba Juice smoothie. To further capitalize on their location and increasing throughput, Jamba Juice should install drive-thrus, which will entice people on-the-go to purchase smoothies. In fact, if there is a long line at the Starbucks drive-thru, some customers may end up switching to the Jamba Juice one.
Distribution is King
Jamba Juice can greatly increase their revenue by making distribution king. By taking a page from Starbucks playbook, they can capitalize on their branding by placing drinks in Safeway and Kroger grocery stories. Perhaps, instead of only smoothies, they can also provide a juice product-line.
Jamba Juice can further extend their reach by delivering products to corporations and schools during business hours. Think of it as pizza delivery for smoothies. To make this profitable, there should be a minimum-sized order. This should make Jamba Juice a convenient snack or power-up in the middle of the day.
In addition to the strategies above, Jamba Juice recently announced that they are launching their line of breakfast foods to go along with their smoothies. Together, these strategic moves will extend Jamba Juice’s reach. While not quite as addictive as caffeine, smoothies can become a life-long habit. Thus, giving Jamba Juice a golden opportunity for future growth.
One reply on “The Jamba Juice Opportunity”
Update: Jamba Juice just partnered with Nestle to offer bottled smoothies and juice drinks in U.S. grocery stores.


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Mobile camera and display rating firm Dxomark plans to visit India to engage with technology companies in 2021 to work on quality parameters of their products; a top company official said on Tuesday.
The France-based firm said India is important as the country is the second-largest smartphone market.
"We will be happy to engage with technology companies in India. This was planned already for 2020, but COVID-19 changed some of our plans. We hope to be able to travel to India in 2021 and engage with technology companies as well," Dxomark CEO and Chief Technology Company Frederic Guichard said on the eve of releasing mobile camera ranking.
In its report covering 12 devices, the company found Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra to have the best camera with an overall score of 133. It was followed by Huawei P40 Pro with a score of 132, Xiaomi Mi 10 Pr0 128, Oppo Find X2 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra with a camera score of 125 each.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max camera has been ranked sixth with a score of 124 in the Dxomark report. The company checks various parameters for evaluating cameras that include exposure, colour, texture and zoom.
Guichard said the company is looking at expanding capacity to include more devices in the test. Dxomark also announced foray into the testing of mobile screen quality.
"With the arrival of 5G and increasing AI capabilities in mobile devices, consumer expectations of the quality of video, gaming and camera features are rising," Guichard said. He added that smartphone experiences are multi-sensory.
"So, the addition of a display to our camera and audio testing provides consumers with a more comprehensive view of device performances."
In its report on mobile phone display of nine devices, Dxomark found Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G to have the best-quality display with a score of 89.
It was followed by OnePlus 8 Pro with a score of 88, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G with a score of 87.
The premium smartphone Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max was ranked 4th in the overall quality test with a score of 84. TCL 10 Pro, Oppo Find X2 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra, Asus Rog Phone 2 and Black Shark 3 Pro followed with scores of 83, 76, 73, 70 and 61, respectively, in the Dxomark report.
The company tests display across various parameters that include web browsing, night reading, in-car navigation, taking and viewing photos, and watching movies.


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Local businesses making changes to protect customers and staff from coronavirus spread
Many local businesses are taking a hit as people are social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Restaurants like A Bowl of Good in Harrisonburg are making changes to keep customers safe and healthy.
"We are really grateful that our customers are being sensitive to the community in that way, but it will affect our sales for sure," Catrina Didot, A Bowl of Good owner, said.
She said management came to a hard decision on Monday regarding the restaurant's operations during this time.
"As of Wednesday, we're going to shut down for in-house eating and we're going to do take-out and delivery," Didot said.
A Bowl is Good, like many other restaurants, both local and national, will be encouraging take-out and a new doorstep delivery option.
"We'll have GoPay available so people can pay outside and everything," Didot said. "We're also going to be delivering to people's front porches, so we'll be able to help people out in that way."
She adds the restaurant not being a social spot, for the time being, is disappointing, but she hopes customers will understand the decision.
"I know they will be supportive of us because they know we have their best interest in mind, and frankly, they have our best interest in mind, too," Didot said.
Bella Mia in Harrisonburg is also taking extra precautions with customers in mind.
"We're deep cleaning as much as we can, we're offering sanitizer when people come in if they want to use it. All my employees have to wear gloves," Salvatore Carannante, Bella Mia owner, said.
Carannante said they've been seeing a less crowded dining room, but don't plan on temporarily closing unless recommended.
"Right now, we're open. We offer to-go if they want to come in then go," Carannante said. "If they want to come in and eat, we have plenty of room so they have plenty of space to be far away from each other so they feel comfortable."
Carannante said if suggested by the government, he will suspend service at the restaurant if it means keeping the community and customers safe.
Some states, like Maryland and Ohio, have had their governors order restaurants and bars to close in-house dining and drinking. Virginia, at this point, has not.


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See whats inside the 100 000 Oscars gift bag
Every year, several Oscar nominees get the "Everyone Wins" gift bags from Distinctive Assets worth up to $100,000.
Everything to know about the Florida spa at the center of the Robert Kraft sex scandal
Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, is located in a strip mall 20 miles from Palm Beach and about 30 minutes from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
How the sex trafficking ring allegedly solicited by Robert Kraft worked according to investigators
The women lived at the parlors and performed sex acts in exchange for money during massage appointments, according to a police report.
The number of retail stores closing this year just doubled to more than 4 000 — heres the full list
The record-high rate of store closures over the last couple years is expected to continue in 2019.
6 unexpected tax breaks you can claim on your tax return
There are several legitimate ways to pay less taxes. Under-the-radar tax breaks include deductions for jury duty and bringing your pet to work.


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Evidence for Bioavailability of Au NPs from Soil within Earthworms
Jason Unrine, University of Kentucky, and colleagues are perhaps the first to demonstrate that a soil organism can ingest gold nanoparticles from their surrounding soil and accumulate them in their tissues. This CEINT-sponsored research was published in a paper titled, "Evidence for Bioavailability of Au Nanoparticles from Soil and Biodistribution within Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)," Environmental Science and Technology (DOI: 10.1021/es101565j).
Manufacturers are incorporating nanoparticles into hundreds of widely available consumer products, such as plastics, cosmetics and clothing. Normal use of these products can release nanoparticles into wastewater, where they end up in sewage sludge, which is often applied to agricultural fields as a fertilizer. Since earthworms are near the bottom of the food chain, their findings are important in understanding exposure to nanoparticles in food webs.
Read more about the impacts of this research online:
Nanoparticles Worm Their Way Into The Food Web, Chemical & Engineering News | 10.01.2010


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Last Friday, Reuters reported that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the new Wuhan virus did not appear to be as deadly as the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic (‘Wuhan virus does not appear to be as deadly as SARS, Singapore PM says‘, 24 Jan).
Nevertheless, he did say that Singapore is well prepared to tackle the Wuhan virus. He said, “MOH (Ministry of Health) has now activated plans to counter the spread of the virus, which so far does not appear to be as deadly as SARS was.”
Singapore suffered 33 deaths due to SARS, making it one of the worst hit countries outside China.
No need to rush to buy masks
Meanwhile, on Tuesday (28 Jan), Senior Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min posted a message on his Facebook page saying there is no need to rush to buy masks (‘Wuhan virus: Enough masks available, no need to rush, says Lam Pin Min‘).
“There is no need to rush to buy masks. We are working with retailers like NTUC FairPrice and Unity Pharmacy to push out the stocks,” he wrote.
He said some retailers have started to ration the sale of masks “to ensure there is adequate supply for Singaporeans and to prevent unnecessary hoarding”. He also cautioned retailers against profiteering.
Masks should be used only by those who are unwell
Yesterday (30 Jan), Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong revealed at a news conference that more than five million masks released to retailers “snapped up in hours” each time a batch of these were put up for sale over the past nine days (‘Wuhan virus: Masks should be used only by those who are unwell‘).
Minister Wong said that this had happened despite retailers limiting sales to one box per customer. “The current rate of consumption of masks in Singapore is not sustainable… especially with the global shortage and the likely export bans,” he said.
It’s not surprising that masks are being snapped up rapidly given that Singapore now has a population of more than 5.7 million.
Minister Wong and his colleagues now urged Singaporeans to refrain from hoarding masks and said that masks are needed only by those who are unwell and need to see a doctor.
Those who are well, do not need to don a mask and would be better protected by washing hands with soap and water regularly, the 4G leaders said at the conference.
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing added, “We cannot assume our supply lines are unconstrained or unaffected by the competition from others who are taking action to secure their own supply lines.”
He also accused those hoarding supplies as being “selfish” and “not appropriate”. With regard to the 4 free masks each Singapore household will be getting from the government, Minister Chan warned, “This is not a set of masks for us to take, open immediately, use it to go to the hawker centre. These masks are to be kept in the household for members of our families who might get ill and need to access medical help.”
He added, “We must all act in unison and not jeopardize the entire system by doing things that we think might benefit and protect ourselves, to the detriment of everyone else in society.”
This is also echoed by PM Lee in a Facebook post on Thursday evening, where he highlighted the MOH’s advice to only need to wear a mask if we are sick.
“There is no need to wear a mask if we are well.” wrote PM Lee.
He also reminded people that there will be a one-time mask distribution at Residents’ Committees and Community Centres.
Residents will need to bring their NRICs to verify their addresses in order to collect one pack of four surgical masks per household. PA volunteers will help distribute masks to residents who are not able to go to the RCs and CCs themselves.
The Health Ministry also placed a prominent advertisement on Straits Times today (31 Jan) telling everyone not to use masks if one is well.
The Government is currently sourcing for new mask suppliers and ramping up supplies from traditional sources.


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The New Zealand apple season is looking rosy as warm summer temperatures and cooler autumn evenings bring on a rich colour and full flavour to the new season fruit.
Hundreds of orchard workers have descended on the orchards of Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Otago to pick and pack apples, with total volumes for T&G, New Zealand’s largest apple exporter, expected to reach around seven million cartons, up on last year’s volumes.
New Zealand’s buoyant apple industry is set to produce another bumper crop, on the back of a growth strategy which will see the country hit one billion dollars in export sales by 2020. T&G is well on the way toward helping the industry achieve that.
“Our apples are looking good in terms of colour, texture, eating quality and flavour, and due to New Zealand’s superior breeding programmes, our world leading growing systems and post-harvest technology, it means only the highest quality fruit enters the market,” says Peter Landon-Lane, T&G’s Chief Operating Officer.
Around 95 per cent of the crop will be picked and packed for international markets, where premium prices are paid for T&G’s flagship, award-winning apples, JAZZ™ and Envy™.
JAZZ™ apples were first born in the leafy orchards following a natural union of Royal Gala and Braeburn varieties.
Seventeen years later JAZZTM apples have become not only a New Zealand favourite but a global favourite, now sold in 60 countries and grown in ten countries under a closely controlled quality growing programme, managed by T&G Global.
Jazz™, and its equally successful sibling, Envy™ are among the top five premium apples in the world with Jazz™ voted UK’s tastiest apple in 2018 and Envy was voted the number one apple of choice by US consumers last year.
Traditionally, most of T&G’s apples were being sold into the UK and US, but that is changing as Asia and the Middle East emerge as key markets, making up half of our exports.
Peter says while spring threw some challenges for growers in Hawke’s Bay, delivering wet weather, warm summer temperatures moderated by the recent cooler nights have meant good fruit size and high-quality fruit.
Meanwhile in Nelson, a wet winter was followed by good pollination conditions in spring. However, since the new year, there has been very little rainfall meaning an earlier harvest start date in the region.


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French prosecutors on Tuesday brought preliminary charges against Renault SA on suspicion of emissions fraud, adding to the fallout for auto makers following Volkswagen AG’s emission scandal.
The French auto maker said Tuesday it would need to pay a bail of 20 million euros, equivalent to $24.4 million, and provide bank guarantees of 60 million euros to compensate potential damages as part of the probe related to older diesel vehicles.
Renault denied wrongdoing and said its “vehicles have all and always been type-approved in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
It added that its vehicles aren’t equipped with rigging software for pollution-control devices.
French prosecutors opened an investigation into Renault in 2017 to probe whether the auto maker engaged in fraudulent practices that made its diesel-powered vehicles “dangerous to human and animal health.”


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Google has successfully addressed three security vulnerabilities identified in its Chromecast media-streaming devices, fortifying them against potential unauthorized custom OS installations and unsigned code execution. The vulnerabilities, designated as CVE-2023-48424, CVE-2023-48425, and CVE-2023-6181, were rectified with patches released on December 5.
The discovery of these flaws raised concerns over supply chain interception—a method where attackers tamper with legitimate software updates by substituting them with malicious variants. Nolen Johnson, a security consultant with DirectDefense, highlighted the risks associated with purchasing devices from non-official sources, such as eBay and other third-party retailers, where Android TV streaming boxes have been compromised with malware.
To mitigate these risks, Johnson advises Chromecast users to ensure their devices are updated through the Settings app. Google’s prompt response to the reported vulnerabilities included a bug bounty reward for the researchers who uncovered the issues and collaborated with Google to develop the necessary fixes.
The vulnerabilities were found in devices using the Amlogic-based chipset, which, if exploited, could enable hackers to conduct various attacks or gather sensitive information. The researchers also warned of the possibility of pre-installed malware or spyware on used devices, urging consumers to exercise caution when purchasing second-hand hardware. Google’s statement confirmed that no devices were affected prior to the patch, underscoring the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures.


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What the MORE Act would mean for the cannabis industry in the U.S.
Here is our short round-up of some fabulous cannabis facts to amuse and amaze.
Filling Vacancies for a California Cannabis Company During a Pandemic Can Make You Crazy — and Proud
Gen Z + Millennials Smoke Boomers in Vape Sales According to Data from Headset
Why choosing the right contract manufacturing partner is the best protection against your own success.
NewTropic CEO Alex Rowland was featured in a recent Forbes article by Warren Bobrow, editor of Vices.
Credit in cannabis is tough to come by. Here are 7 ways that cannabis operators can secure credit.
Learn how cultivators are overcoming the challenges associated with operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NewTropic CEO Alex Rowland explains how the cannabis industry can serve as a catalyst for economic transformation in a post-coronavirus economy.
Why everyone from cannabis companies to consumers should be concerned about how products are made and tested.


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Geelong buyers jump on home of Sam’s Cafe
Are the owners of Geelong’s Japanese food empire branching out from sushi rolls to shawarmas?
The couple behind the Hi Sushi restaurants emerged as the buyers of a Moorabool St freehold property that’s home to a landmark Lebanese cafe.
The two shops at 204-206 Moorabool St, Geelong, sold at auction last Thursday for $1.4m.
It was offered to the market for the first time in 43 years.
The 312sq m property and its classic Art Deco building has two street frontages, with Sam’s Cafe holding a 10-year lease at 206 Moorabool St, paying $30,000 per year, plus GST and outgoings.
The neighbouring shop is vacant, but has a projected $40,000 annual rent, based on the 112sq m footprint, plus a 65sq m mezzanine.
Three bidders contested the auction, including an investor on the phone from Brisbane.
The underbidder travelled from Melton and remains on the lookout to invest in CBD commercial property.
The buyers confirmed the purchase was as an investment.
“I think in Geelong more people coming to the area and property prices keep on going up and it’s good for an investment,” he said.
Mr Cortous said the property, which sat within a heritage overlay protecting the historic Moorabool St shopfronts was prime, blue chip CBD property.
“One title, two shops, the famous Sam’s Café is on a long-term lease and has been here for many, many years. They’re the shawarma kings of Geelong.” he said.
“The property has been held in the same family for 43 years, so when you talk about the time you hold real estate, it certainly does not get more tightly held.”
Mr Cortous said the property sold when it reached the $1.4m reserve price.


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CINEMANX has signed a deal with a DVD company for the home entertainment release of TT3D: Closer to the Edge.
The film has enjoyed hugely success in the cinema and now ranks as one of the top 10 performing documentaries at the UK box office.
CinemaNX chairman Steve Christian said: ‘We know that [DVD company] Entertainment One will do the best job of getting TT3D to its audience.
‘The film’s incredible theatrical performance has set it up to be a brilliant home entertainment release.
‘The DVD and Blu-Rau discs are going to be something really special that every film (and bike) fan will want to own.
‘We will have some astonishing additional material on there.’
Jon Bourdillon, of Entertainment One, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be releasing such an exciting film, one of the most successful within its genre of all time.’
The DVD and Blu-Ray will be released in the autumn.


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Innovative NMCL package will boost the performance of the UK’s advanced manufacturing supply chain as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy commitment to the UK’s automotive supply chains.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced its selection of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels (NMCL) programme as the mechanism to deliver the government’s national supplier competitiveness and productivity improvement initiative, as outlined in its Industrial Strategy, and Automotive and Aerospace Sector Deals. NMCL is designed to improve competitiveness, raise workforce capacity and increase productivity of UK manufacturers, thereby boosting the nation’s exports and economic growth.
Led and match-funded by industry, and with the backing of 25 of the UK’s largest manufacturers, NMCL has been jointly developed by the automotive and aerospace sectors for application across all areas of manufacturing.
NMCL Automotive, delivered by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), is the programme for the automotive sector and will make use of the £16m of government funding to develop sustainable and internationally competitive UK supply chains. The new NMCL approach has already been successfully piloted by companies in the North West of England.


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Time Warner Cable today announced it got better with the launch of a national campaign declaring the company’s points of difference by promoting the benefits of switching to Time Warner Cable, further demonstrating its confidence in its improvements with a guarantee promise. Time Warner Cable is delivering on that promise by offering a 30-day money back guarantee, which includes a refund on standard installation and monthly service charges. In addition to its customer service, Time Warner Cable’s performance has improved overall with better Internet capacity and better video and entertainment products. The campaign promotes its new innovations features and exclusive offers to better fit the needs of every home. The campaign is an extension of the company’s Enjoy Better brand campaign launched almost a year ago to promote how Time Warner Cable’s products and services can make whatever you love, even better. Customers who sign up for recurring bill pay can now subscribe to a two-year Triple Play offer starting at $89.99, which includes Standard TV, Basic Internet and Unlimited Nationwide Phone with no long term contract required. Eligible customers can also get a $200 Visa Reward card on all Triple Play packages. “We are not just a cable company. We are also innovators and providers of a better entertainment experience,” said Jeffrey A. Hirsch, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Residential Services of Time Warner Cable. “Every day, more people are choosing Time Warner Cable for better Internet, better TV and better phone. I’m proud to be able to back up our commitment to improving our products and services with our 30-day money back guarantee promise so our customers can enjoy the best in home and on the go entertainment.” Customers switching to Time Warner Cable can enjoy Internet that’s reliable, faster and can choose from a range of options such as Standard service that delivers speeds up to 5x faster than DSL. Other benefits include: Speed burst technology that can make websites download up to 50 percent faster; More On Demand choices with a selection of over 15,000 movies and shows ready to be watched instantly; Access to Live TV on a computer, tablet or phone in any room in your home; and up to 250 channels at no extra charge. Customers can also watch over 4,000 On Demand choices including primetime shows on their tablet and smartphone in their home, and much more.
The campaign incorporates testimonial TV spots from real customers that chose to come back to Time Warner Cable. To view the TV spots, click on the links below or go to Time Warner Cable’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/twc.www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com, www.navisite.com, and www.twcmedia.com.


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Fischbach co-founded the company and has been its CEO for 16 years, and more recently was a staunch defender of the company's foray into "mature" games via the commercial and critical flop, BMX XXX
. Rodney Cousens, Acclaim's global president and COO, has been named as Fischbach' successor.
Cousens took over the role of global president and COO on an interim basis following resignation of Edmond Sanctis in January. Cousens was formerly the the President and COO of Acclaim's International division.
In January, Acclaim announced that it would cut operating expenses by 35% and would set its product development costs at 21% of the company's annual net revenue in an effort to achieve a positive cash flow and reach profitability targets.
This Spring, a series of class-action lawsuits were filed against Acclaim, claiming that the company engaged in channel-stuffing practices in 2002, and alleging that the company executives mislead investors about "the development, content, cost, distribution and sales of products and that the declining demand for Acclaim's products."


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FREMONT (CBS SF) -- After days of contentious debate, Alameda County health officials have approved plans by automaker Elon Musk to fully reopen his Fremont Tesla assembly plant next week under the watchful eyes of the local police department.
Workers have been streaming into the plant since early Monday in defiance of a local coronavirus shelter in place ordinance while Musk has taken to social media to defiantly challenge the mandate. He even threatened to move the operation out of the state of California.
Both sides became entrenched for nearly two days in a standoff. President Donald Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom, local officials, Tesla workers, nearby business owners and Fremont residents all weighed in. Some showed their support for Musk's demands while others cautioned against what they believed was a too early reopening.
RELATED: Tesla Reopening Plan
On Wednesday, Tesla employees arriving at work were greeted by a crowd of demonstrators who want to see all businesses back to work.
One supporter told KPIX 5, "We are here to support Elon Musk and his ability to open up and have workers make money as they can save their families."
"We are the people, please listen to us," said small business supporter Mary Lynn Pelican. "We want shelter-in-place and safety but we want people to have their jobs back."
Tesla and Alameda County came to an agreement on safety measures for its employees. The factory is allowed to ramp up operations with specified guidelines. But the demonstrators didn't agree with that protocol.
"I think we need to let industries decide underwhat condition can they safely operate under the current situation," said small business supporter George Yang.
"We should not let our health officer tell us what to do they should make recommendations on how to open businesses are really hurting," said Anna Kramer with San Mateo GOP.
Those who obeyed the health order say this reopening system doesn't seem fair.
"We don't have to open up everything just like that," said one demonstrator. "But we do need to look at why do we have a Home Depot open and 200 in that store when we can't even put 10 people spaced properly in a mom and pop shop or restaurant tell me why."
On Tuesday night, the cantankerous debate appeared to have come to an end. But there are conditions.
"We reviewed the plan and held productive discussions today with Tesla's representatives about their safety and prevention plans, including some additional safety recommendations," the Alameda Health Department said in a statement. "If Tesla's Prevention and Control Plan includes these updates, and the public health indicators remain stable or improve, we have agreed that Tesla can begin to augment their Minimum Business Operations this week in preparation for possible reopening as soon as next week."
Health officials said the Fremont police department would monitor conditions at the plant to make sure proper social distancing practices were being maintained.
"We will be working with the Fremont Police Department to verify Tesla is adhering to physical distancing and that agreed upon health and safety measures are in place for the safety of their workers as they prepare for full production," the statement read.
Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council, lauded the agreement.
"Reopening our economy and getting people back to work safely isn't going to be easy, but it's absolutely necessary," Wunderman said. "We applaud Alameda County, Supervisor Scott Haggerty and Tesla for collaborating to reach a mutual resolution that will enable thousands of workers to get back to their jobs as we struggle through one of the most challenging crises we have ever faced."
"As we have maintained, the Bay Area's leaders, along with Governor Newsom, can take great pride in having saved many lives by taking early and aggressive actions to prevent the spread of the virus. Now that we are in the recovery phase, with new disease and hospitalization trends continuing to improve, we urge our leaders to move as quickly as possible, while still staying laser-focused on safety, to get people back to work and save many businesses that face potential closure."
RELATED: Musk Coronavirus Stories
- President Trump Says To Open Tesla Plant -- 'Now'
- Defiant Musk Confirms Tesla Fremont Plant Reopening; Gov. Newsom Unaware
- Tesla Employees Forced To Make Tough Decision As Elon Musk Takes A Defiant Stand
- Tesla's Defiance To Alameda County Health Order Raises Questions Of Fairness
- Flouting County Lockdown, Tesla Brings Workers Back to Fremont Factory
- Elon Musk Criticizes Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Orders, Calling Them 'Fascist'
Musk sent an email to his employees on Tuesday.
"Just wanted to send you a note of appreciation for working hard to make Tesla successful. It is so cool seeing the factory come back to life and you are making it happen!!
An honest day's work spent building products or providing services of use to others is extremely honorable. I have vastly more respect for someone who takes pride in doing a good job, whatever the profession, than some rich or famous person who does nothing useful.
When Musk defied the health order and reopened his plant Monday, it put the county in a difficult position: whether to force the shutdown of one of its biggest employers.
"This whole situation is relatively confusing to Elon Musk, too," said Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty. 'He has a federal order that says he's an essential business, he has a state order that says he's an essential business, and the county says 'No you're not and you can't open.' So I think he is in a difficult position to and he's trying to figure his way out."
And triggered a debate among local residents.
"I think they should open," said Stephanie Moniz, a dental assistant who remains out of work. "I mean, it's a big company. Everybody relies on that. I have family members who live here in Fremont who are not working because the company's closed."
Even among Tesla employees there is also some debate. Most welcome the return and a steady paycheck, while a few are worried about their health.
A Tesla production line employee, who did not want to be identified, told KPIX that he was told by his supervisor to return to work on Sunday at 6 p.m. However, the employee said he chose to follow the county's stay-at-home order instead.
"The employees are caught in a power struggle," he said. "I was told I was going to be removed from furlough, placed on unpaid leave and told that my unemployment benefits could be impacted."
Even with Tesla's extra precautions, the anonymous Tesla employee said it's still not enough. He has a newborn at home.
"You're going to be interacting with several different people all throughout the day, touching all the same tools that they're touching," he said.


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UK laser device distributor ABC Lasers has appointed consultant gynaecologist Dr Hina Pathak Sra as its new KOL for the FemiLift treatment.
Aesthetic clinic and distributor Rosmetics has become the exclusive UK distributor for the Carbomed CO2 device.
Manufacturer of aesthetic laser solutions and equipment, Alma Lasers, has launched a new treatment protocol which amalgamates two applicators, aiming to promote longer-lasting skin tightening and fat reduction in areas that are more challenging to reach.
Medical aesthetic treatment provider LightRx Face & Body has partnered with medical technology company Hologic, Inc. to provide SculpSure body contouring treatment at each of its 80 US centres.
The managing director of aesthetic device manufacturer 3D-lipo, Roy Cowley was featured on ITV’s Lorraine on April 19 to help raise the 3D-lipo profile.
Pharmaceutical and skincare manufacturer mesoestetic Pharma Group has formulated a new topical product that aims to eliminate localised fat and cellulite, while re-sculpting the contours of the body.
A study held by body contouring specialists at Cynosure revealed that 63.2% of men were dissatisfied with their body.
Cynosure has officially launched SculpSure Submental for non-invasive body contouring of the submental area.
The International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) Academy has updated its e-learning platform, which contains 2,000 video presentations.
On January 27, medical aesthetic practitioners gathered at the Thistle Kensington Gardens Hotel for the 1st International Aestheticians Association Meeting: Non- Surgical Techniques and Complications, hosted by YouGlo


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Minivan sales in the US are up 5% in the first quarter of 2021, which trails the overall market, up 12%, even though four of the five players in the segment were renewed, replaced or updated last year. The problem for the class is that the biggest seller of recent years has been taken out of production. Minivans now accounts for just 2.2% of the overall car market, down from 2.3% in Q1 of last year, but up from 1.9% in all of 2020.
Production of the old timer Dodge Grand Caravan ended last August, and the model sold just 1,700 units in the first quarter, indicating stocks are drying up and sales will slow to a trickle later this year. Its stablemate Chrysler Pacifica has taken over segment leadership, also helped by the low-budget version Chrysler Voyager. The couple of two nameplates for the same vehicle already took the title of best performing minivan of 2020 and continues on that strong performance with sales up 40% in the first quarter. The Toyota Sienna is actually the best performing model in the class with sales more than doubling thanks to the new generation. That leaves the Honda Odyssey down to third place with sales up just 22%, although that means all three top players in the minivan segment beat the overall US car market. Kia has just renewed its minivan and renamed it from Sedona to Carnival, the name it already has been using for the model in most other markets in the world. The model changeover causes the model to struggle in the beginning of the year, with sales down 29%.
US minivan sales 2021-Q1
|4||Kia Carnival / Sedona||2.550||3.608||-29%||3,0%|
|5||Dodge Grand Caravan||1.709||24.931||-93%||2,0%|


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HERCULES, Calif. - A crew of thieves that targeted Home Depot stores along the West Coast was arrested by Hercules police, bringing to an end a multi-million-dollar fraud ring, authorities said Monday.
The suspects would steal everything from smoke alarms and dimmer switches, then go to another store "to return the merchandise for cash," said Connie Van Putten, a reserve Hercules police detective.
It happened over and over - for four years, to the tune of $4.5 million.
Each time, the thieves got away.That is, until they came to Hercules.
"Our officers were alerted that there had been a number of thefts at Home Depots, and they thought the suspects were coming to Hercules," Van Putten said.
On Friday, an officer was flagged down by Home Depot loss prevention. The officer found a Ford Econoline van parked in a strip mall across from the store. It was the same van that Home Depot organized crime investigators had been looking for.
"He watched the van, which was unoccupied at the time," Van Putten said. "Then the occupants returned, he contacted the two males and detained them."
Inside the van, police said, was more evidence from the scam.
"They found almost $10,000 worth of stolen Home Depot merchandise in the vehicle," Van Putten said.
The suspects, Miguel Angel Alderete, 49, and Antonio Marquez, 56, had been busy, police say. The goods in the van belonged to stores in Tracy, Fairfield and Vallejo.
"It's sort of disheartening to hear that it was a statewide network," said Hercules City Councilmember Dan Romero.
But he added, "I am so pleased with our police department, and coming from a small city, it just shows how the city police department is working really well with the local Home Depot."
In a statement, Home Depot said, "Organized retail crime is a serious and growing problem for all retailers. The Home Depot has dedicated investigators who work with law enforcement at all levels to stop crimes like these, and we’re grateful for the partnership with the Hercules Police Department to make these arrests."


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Sony is gearing up for two major hardware releases next month. A brand-new PS5 revision has been announced, and leaks have pointed to a 10 November release for this console. A few days after this date, Sony will also debut the PlayStation Portal.
This device is meant to be sold as an accessory for the PS5, allowing PlayStation fans to take a console experience on the go through streaming. While it has sparked discussion about Sony’s position in the handheld market, the gaming giant appears indifferent.
Speaking to the BBC, Eric Lempel from Sony confirms that the device will not compete against the likes of Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.
Why it matters: This handheld has received mixed reactions so far, with many PlayStation users being skeptical about its limited use cases.
Sony has made it clear that it has no intentions of competing in the handheld gaming market for now. Microsoft has similar plans, with each gaming giant focusing on their home consoles and the ecosystem around them.
Eric Lempel believes the PlayStation Portal is:
“Something unique for the PlayStation audience.”
As a handheld, this device is limited to being an add-on for the PS5. Since it does not support direct cloud streaming, users will require their main consoles to utilize the PlayStation Portal.
Because of such limitations, Sony is aware that it offers no threat to the Nintendo Switch. However, it will benefit those who are dedicated to the PlayStation ecosystem.
In addition to official headsets, controllers, monitors, and more, the streaming handheld is one more add-on that will enhance the experience for dedicated users who prefer an all-PlayStation gaming setup.
This move will also benefit Sony, allowing it to invest further in research and development for the gaming division. While the PlayStation Portal does not do anything that isn’t already possible, it provides Sony a means to directly benefit from users looking for this feature set.
We believe this approach to the handheld market is quite interesting.
Compared to a dedicated portable gaming console, Sony will not be required to produce software and games tailored to the handheld, allowing it to focus development on the PS5 while also passing on those benefits to the handheld audience.
While the PlayStation Portal was expected to receive a lukewarm response, it was quickly sold out in Japan within 24 hours. Sony believes the handheld can co-exist with dedicated portable gaming devices, and the initial sales certainly suggest that this is the case.
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Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.


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- Sports industry vet Craig Thompson is raising $44 million for a new sports tech venture fund.
- The fund, Match Ventures, wants to capitalize on the explosion of new and existing sports.
- Thompson explained why the VC due diligence model is broken and how he and his partners plan to improve on it.
Sports industry vet Craig Thompson is raising $44 million for a new sports tech fund, Match Ventures.
The general partners are Thompson, the founder of Mindspring Capital, a sports tech-focused investor; and Anton Brams, who is also managing partner of Mindspring Sport, an advisory and incubator led by him and Thompson. Also leading Match Ventures is investment head Petr Zhukov, founder of the EU's Indigo Sports Tech, a sports-focused VC.
Match Ventures has raised about a third of the fund with a goal of closing it within a year. They're seeking to back 20 companies with initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $2 million and follow-on funding.
Sports has been a red-hot sector for investors at early and later stages, with tech giants like Amazon spending big for sports rights, the expansion of sports betting, and more. Thompson told Business Insider he's interested in backing companies that help teams and leagues improve profitability by growing fan engagement, improving team performance, and the like.
He sees an opportunity to capitalize on the proliferation of new and growing sports, from pickleball to volleyball, and the expansion of sports like cricket to the US. Match Ventures is based in Luxembourg, where the partners believe they'll have easier entrée to plentiful sports tech investment dollars available outside the US.
"There's an explosion right now of new leagues and new sports," Thompson said. "And all sports need technology."
The idea for Match Ventures grew out of a meeting with Zhukov, who was investing alongside Mindspring in a company called Horizm, Thompson added. "We started talking and realized we really saw the sports tech world similarly and had invested in very similar companies," he said.
Match Ventures is among other VCs reexamining their approach to due diligence. Instead of taking a couple months to evaluate a company, Match Ventures plans to advise for six to 12 months before deciding whether to fund a startup, an approach Thompson and Brams have been taking at Mindspring Sport and call "deep due diligence." They've been advising 15 companies in this way, with 10 that are ready to be funded.
Due diligence has been getting new attention following the collapse of crypto giant FTX and amid cutthroat competition to invest in buzzy startups. For his part, Thompson said he learned from his early investing experience that the traditional process didn't always identify problems that might come out later on.
"I thought we could make better investments and do a lot more for the companies," he said of his advising approach. "And is it really fair to invest in a company that you don't believe in and hope one or two of the 10 do well and make a profit?"
Their pitch for a more deliberate process might be an easier sell given today's tough funding climate, even for some parts of the red-hot sports sector.
Match Ventures leaders also bring a combination of sports industry, data, and financial experience that would be valued by many founders. Thompson, for example, helped found the UEFA Champions League in 1992 before going on to the Champions Hockey League and later becoming the CEO of the 34th America's Cup. Brams founded sports tech company Oppia Performance and was product director for Genius Sports, a data and tech company. Zhukov has a banking background, working at Credit Suisse and UBS before starting Indigo in 2011.
Thompson said he'll continue to run Mindspring Capital, which backs early-stage companies. Its portfolio includes LIGR Live, a sports livestream company; Credenza, which uses the blockchain to enhance teams' and athletes' relationships with fans; and Pumpjack, a platform with data about fans.


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Home & CondoQuest, the annual tour of new condominiums sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, takes place next weekend.
As apartments have blossomed and single-family home sales recovered during the past few years, condos seemingly have been left behind.
Developers hope to change that next weekend when 24 condominium communities open for Home & CondoQuest, the annual tour of new condominiums sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio.
The tour will showcase an array of options for condo shoppers, although none is in the Downtown area.
From a 1,400-square-foot, two-bedroom attached condominium in the Lewis Center area that sells for about $160,000 to a 4,200-square-foot four-bedroom, multi-level site condominium near Lewis Center selling for $1 million, the tour illustrates that condominium can mean many things.
Tourgoers will find town homes, ranches, patio homes and two-story properties from Grove City and Hilliard to New Albany and Westerville.
Developers see the tour as a chance to draw attention to a housing option that is finally starting to show some life.
In the first three months of this year, 682 condominiums were sold in central Ohio - 33 percent more than during the same period last year. Another 626 are in contract, said Jim Lubinsky, a condominium specialist with RE/MAX Affiliates in Dublin.
"It's picking up quite a bit from where it was a year ago," Lubinsky said.
One big reason: Condo shoppers, who are often empty nesters, are now able to sell their homes.
"People's homes are selling very quickly," said Nanette Overly, vice president of sales and marketing with Epcon Communities, central Ohio's largest condominium developer. "It's so nice to say that, for a change, we are definitely in a recovery."
Also helping drive the recovery are detached condominiums - units that stand apart, like conventional homes, but lie in communities that offer full exterior maintenance.
Epcon will showcase five communities in the tour, all with detached condominiums. The company launched the detached models three years ago in New Albany, and all of its new communities have gone to that design, Overly said.
Romanelli & Hughes, with seven communities open on the tour, represents the high-end suburban condominium world. Several Romanelli & Hughes models cost more than $700,000, and one - at Nelson Farms in Liberty Township - costs $1 million.
Most are detached units that look no different from conventional homes.
"A lot of people still want to feel like it's a house," said Shawn Taylor, marketing director for Romanelli & Hughes.
Taylor said popular features include an open floor plan, a finished basement and green space in the community. But those aren't the biggest reasons that shoppers consider condominiums.
"Maintenance-free - that's the main draw," he said.


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Full-service, integrated advertising and marketing agency, bigdog, today announces plans for the next Sky Betting and Gaming Facebook Live prize giveaway.
The activity, taking place Wednesday 13th December, marks the first time Sky Betting and Gaming has partnered with Amy Nickall – presenter, entertainment journalist, parenting author, children’s entertainer and interviewer. Amy was previously the face of Yahoo omg! and has worked with brands like Tesco and Playstation.
During the two 35min live streams Facebook Live viewers will see Amy in a room full of gem shaped balloons, and be able to comment as the action takes place. Amy will pop balloons as the game progresses, with each popped balloon revealing what prize that contestant has won. The prize will then be picked from a pile of prizes live in the video, reflecting the popular Sky Bingo Prize Burst game in a live action format for the first time.
Designed to convey Sky Bingo’s ‘Expect Excitement’ brand proposition, each aspect of the activity has been produced inhouse by bigdog. Creative from Sky Bingo’s TV ad – also created by bigdog – will be carried through to this activation, with overlaid graphics used on screen during the broadcast to encourage engagement from viewers, as well as to reveal the winners.
Just shy of £10k worth of prizes will be up for grabs, via two live streams at 4pm and again at 8pm.
As well as the giveaway itself bigdog created and executed a multi-tactic campaign to drive reach in the run-up to today’s event, ranging from scheduled posts allowing for advance subscription, through to email blasts, app notifications and more. This Facebook Live giveaway activity aims to support the Free to Play game “Prize Burst”, which bigdog developed and launched in November.
Michelle Keenan, Social Media Executive (Gaming) at Sky Betting & Gaming, said: “Although it only launched last month the Prize Burst game is already proving popular, and when we were looking at ways to promote it Facebook Live was an obvious choice. bigdog’s idea to create a live action version of the existing creative is sure to engage our viewers, and we’re really excited to be partnering with Amy for the first time.”
Joe Stevens, social media manager at bigdog, adds: “Facebook Live is a brilliant platform, especially for gaming brands like Sky, as we saw from the success of our previous Sky Vegas #WinningFeeling activity. We were able to apply lots of learnings from that to benefit Sky Bingo this time around, we’ve got a checklist in place. By looking at everything from optimising studio time to the importance of fast-paced, yet simple mechanics, we’ve been able to create something we know will hit the brief and exceed viewers expectations.”


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Powergen's Korean sale
Powergen has sold its 49.9% stake in Korean power project, LG Energy, to LG International for £33m. The disposal is in line with the energy group's aim to sell international assets, reduce debt by £1bn and focus on the UK and US markets.
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