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Hershey’s announces expansion in Monterrey
The great American chocolate bar is being produced right here in Monterrey.
The American multinational, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, The Hershey Company just announced its most recent expansion for its operations in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
The event was led by executives from The Hershey Company as well as state government officials such as Samuel García, Governor of Nuevo Leon, and Iván Rivas Rodríguez, Minister of Economy of Nuevo Leon.
The Hershey Company will invest $90 million USD to expand its facility in Monterrey, the 3rd largest in the world. They will increase their operations by 25%, reaching 3,000 employees, and a production capacity of 115,000 tons of chocolates like Reese’s, Kisses, York, and Hershey Bars.
Martín Venegas Gómez, Director of Manufacturing at Hershey’s, mentioned that they remain committed to economic development and environmental protection in Nuevo Leon.
“We will continue working to be a benchmark company in economic, social, and environmental matters. We are aware of the role we play with our people, with our community, with our customers, and with the planet”.
The Secretary of Economy, Iván Rivas, mentioned that international companies doing business in Nuevo Leon keep growing in the state because they find all the conditions they need in order to be successful, like the right human capital, infrastructure, and proactive business environment.
“Hershey’s is an example that large companies can expand and increase their production in Nuevo Leon, thanks to the skilled human capital, infrastructure, and optimal conditions provided by the state,” said the state official.
US companies such as Amazon, Mattel, and Stanley Black & Decker keep trusting Monterrey as the best place to invest in Mexico. Monterrey had a record-breaking year in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment from the United States with $3 billion US Dollars in 2021, an all-time high.


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Growth Street to appoint new CEO as part of next phase of growth strategy
Today, 4 December 2019, Growth Street announced that it will appoint a new CEO to maintain its growth and further the deployment of its digital strategy. GrowthLine, Growth Street’s overdraft-like product for SMEs, which differentiates it from other alternative SME funders, remains at the core of Growth Street’s digital strategy.
As a founder of Growth Street, Greg Carter will remain with the business in an advisory role during the next phase in Growth Street’s development.
Kim Goetzke, previously Growth Street’s operations director, has been promoted to chief operating officer and during this interim period, will assume many of Greg Carter’s day-to-day responsibilities, with other aspects of his role being shared amongst Growth Street’s highly experienced senior management team.
This announcement follows a year of exceptional growth for Growth Street
Over £500m worth of investor funds have passed through its platform since its launch in 2014,
Forging strong partnerships with Xero and Starling Bank to take advantage of the disruption brought about by the challenger banks, Open Banking and innovative cloud accounting tools,
Executing major improvements to Growth Street’s credit decision-making process with the purpose of bolstering investor protection,
Signalling a vote of confidence in the company by the investment community, Growth Street has raised over £17m of institutional investment.
Thomas Hoegh, Founder of Growth Street and Arts Alliance Advisors, said “We cannot thank Greg Carter enough for the role he has played in establishing and bringing Growth Street to this point. He should be incredibly proud of his remarkable achievements to date – the business is well positioned with a highly regarded lending product, backed by exceptional analytics, a strong team, and strong financial resources.
We are especially grateful that Greg will remain with the business in an advisory capacity as we embark on the next chapter of our growth. We are confident that the bold changes that have been made across the business will make us a leading funder for SMEs.”

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How long does Halloween candy last? What we know about storing treats this holiday season
It's been just over a week since trick-or-treating brought hauls of candy into homes nationwide – and if your family is still working on chewing away the holiday, it's important to note how long your Halloween treats are safe to eat.
Experts maintain that consuming aging sweets depends on a product's expiration, storage technique and personal judgment calls. Still, it's helpful to know basic guidance about the shelf life of your favorite treats at this time of year to both ensure safety and reduce waste.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, between consumers and the food industry as a whole, Americans are throwing out about one-third of the nation's food – costing around $161 billion each year. The FDA largely attributes this to consumer uncertainty and confusion about the real meanings of labels that include "use before," "expires on" and "sell by."
Although there is no federal law requiring manufacturers to place an expiration date on food (with the exception of a few products), the FDA stresses that standardizing the term “Best if Used By” could help address that confusion.
The myth of the poisoned Halloween candy:Here's how often kids are actually injured from their trick or treat stash
Yes, candy and treats can expire. But expiration date labels don't usually mark how long it's safe to eat something. Instead, they time the "peak quality" of a product.
"It's important to differentiate between 'Is it safe to eat?' and 'Is it going to taste good when I eat it?'" Joell Eifert, director of the Food Innovations Program at Virginia Tech, told USA TODAY.
"Consumers can have that misconception that 'Best By' dates on food packaging equates to food safety. So, when we're really talking about how long candy is good for, we're usually speaking in terms of how long it's going to taste good," Eifert said, noting that most food safety issues in nonperishable, commercially produced foods (like Halloween candy) come from contamination, not age.
Previous reports show that while expired candy can carry microbes that may make you sick, it's usually because something got into the food before the packaging was sealed. Serious health risks are rare.
To help guide the best post-holiday snacking, here's a look at some of this season's top treats and how long they last.
'Best By' labels:Will this make me sick? The date stamps on food items, explained
How much Halloween candy should you eat? Doctor tells kids to 'eat whatever they want'
When does chocolate expire?
The life span of chocolate depends on the kind. Taste of Home reports that dark chocolate lasts the longest, up to two years. In comparison, "soft chocolates" like milk and white chocolates last eight to 10 months.
Chocolates with filling (including peanut butter, nuts or caramel) typically have shorter shelf lives, ranging from six to nine months.
Eifert adds that people might see a white coating on older chocolate called "bloom." Bloom is not harmful and should not be confused with mold.
"If chocolate is held in poor conditions, under very wet conditions, you could get mold. But most of the time, even if that chocolate is held under cool, dry conditions, you're still going to see this white coating. ... It could be either sugar or fat that is separating out from the chocolate and migrating to the top," she said. "It might change the texture of the chocolate a bit, but it shouldn't really affect the flavor too much, and it's perfectly safe to eat."
Like most candy, chocolate is best stored in dry, dark and cool spaces, or at room temperature. It can also be frozen.
"Light and heat will oxidize and causes rancid flavors, and those are the things that can affect, especially chocolates and candies, the most [in storage]," she said. "The cooler the temperature, the longer those ingredients are going to stay good tasting. ... So you can certainly [store treats] in a pantry under cool, dry, dark conditions."
What about gummies?
According to FoodKeeper, a smartphone app developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help consumers gauge whether their food is still good to eat, gummy snacks can have a similar timeline. If the gummies are sitting in the pantry, the USDA says they should be consumed within six to nine months from the date of purchase.
How about candy corn, caramel and jelly beans?
The shelf life for soft candies often depends on whether the packaging has been opened. According to the National Confectioners Association, if already opened, both caramel and jellied candies can be kept at room temperature for six to nine months. If unopened, they can last up to one year.
Opened packages of candy corn can be stored at room temperature for three to six months. Unopened candy corn can last nine months.
When do hard candies go bad?
Further guidance by the National Confectioners Association says that hard candies can last up to one year when stored in a cool, dry location or at room temperature.
How long do baked goods last?
Of all the holiday treats, baked goods have some of the shortest shelf lives. FoodKeeper advises that commercial cakes and muffins be eaten three to seven days from the date of purchase if stored in the pantry, seven to 10 days if stored in the fridge and up to six months if frozen.
Commercial cookies can last longer. According to FoodKeeper, if kept in the pantry, crispy cookies should be consumed within four to six months and soft cookies within two to three months. If frozen at the time of purchase, cookies can last up to a year.
Eifert stresses that homemade goods are more perishable. "With products that are made at home, we really encourage those to be consumed within a week," she said.


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MediAvataar's News Desk
Kantar launches Entertainment On Demand service: most detailed view of US streaming service consumption
Spotify secured 29% of new audio streaming subscriptions in the 3 months to October 2019.
Pandora is the USA’s clear #2 service with 18% share followed by Amazon Music with 12% and Apple Music on 11% share.
61% of subscriptions in the quarter were first-time subscribers, 20% were second or more subscriptions
11% of subscriptions in the quarter were ‘switcher’ subscriptions where an existing subscription was cancelled to fund the new subscription – far ahead of 4% switching seen in video streaming market.
Spotify lead amongst major players in customer advocacy with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +54. Unlike its video service, Amazon Music has the lowest NPS of the tier-1 services with an NPS of +28.
Netflix secured 23% of new Video on Demand subscriptions in the 3 months to October 2019, closely followed by Hulu with 20% share.
56% of new VoD subscriptions were ‘stacked’ 2nd or 3rd subscriptions,
30% were 1st time subscribers – of whom 31% chose Netflix as their first streaming experience.
Netflix is tied in first place with HBO Now for customer advocacy – a key stat for retention and growth.
Subscription fatigue hasn’t kicked in yet, with average consumers holding almost 4 video subscriptions and less than two audio subscriptions.
Binge watching is a mainstream viewing habit.
These are some of the initial findings from Kantar’s new Entertainment On Demand service launching today in the USA. Entertainment On Demand is the newest offering from Kantar. The service is designed to help the music industry and investors understand the full consumer journey for digital video and music subscription services, and is based on a longitudinal panel of 20,000 consumers and boosted by 10,000 consumer interviews each quarter, including at least 2,500 new subscriber interviews.
Kantar Entertainment On Demand is delivered by the same team that provides the world’s leading mobile phone manufacturers with global mobile phone purchasing and usage trends. Entertainment On Demand is the only subscription service providing both quarterly installed base and new subscription market share alongside deep analysis on purchase motivations, customer experience, and diagnostics on ‘at-risk subscribers’ as well as guidance on acquisition and retention strategies.
Entertainment On Demand will provide fast, sophisticated and accurate research into behaviours like purchase triggers, post-purchase usage, loyalty and the customer experience, providing clients with a deep understanding of the reasons behind consumer subscription choice. Organisations will be able to use the service to help maximise their subscription sales, increase customer retention rates and refine their marketing strategies. Initially launching in the US in March 2020, Kantar Entertainment On Demand will also be available in the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan in the second half of the year.
Additional findings from the first quarter’s audio subscription behaviours in the U.S. reveal:
Across the industry the service website is the most influential pre-purchase touchpoint, followed by advice from friends and family – emphasising the importance of subscriber advocacy in future growth.
For Spotify, Podcast variety and ease of creating personal playlists are significant competitive advantages versus their competitors. Pandora’s discovery algorithm is hotter than any other service.
Amazon Music leads in value for money perception – but lags in artist variety.
Amazon Music drives significantly higher usage through Virtual Assistants than Spotify.
Apple Music has a strong reputation for streaming sound quality.
Additional findings from the first quarter’s video subscription behaviours in the U.S. reveal:
Amazon Video ranked third in new subscriptions followed by HBO in a distant 4th with 6% share of new subscriptions.
Netflix is king of the ‘gateway subscription’ with 31% share of first-time subscribers. 43% of new Netflix subscribers were signing up to their first video subscription service. Followed by HBO Now, for whom 32% of new subscriptions were first-time subscribers.
Hulu leads the market in ‘Stacked Subscriptions with 67% of new Hulu subscribers already subscribing to another service.
HBO Now and Netflix are tied for customer advocacy levels at a very impressive NPS of +63. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu are 10 points lower.
Hulu leads on ‘binge watching’ with 86% of their subscribers identifying it as important, followed closely by HBO Now.
Subscription Fatigue is not yet a major phenomenon in the industry. Overall 4% of new subscriptions were accompanied by the cancellation of another subscription. 6% of subscribers picking up Amazon Prime said they had simultaneously cancelled another service. There is already a significant groundswell – with 52 already saying there are too many subscription services.
With a net satisfaction of just +8% in ‘Value for Money’ – significantly lagging other subscription services - HBO Now may face future challenges in subscriber retention despite its overall strength in customer satisfaction.
Amazon Prime leads the pack in net satisfaction with the variety of TV series and Films while HBO has a marginal lead over Netflix on satisfaction related to original content.
Free trials and new smart TV purchases are the primary trigger for new subscriptions.
Netflix is winning the interface war, leading in ease of being able to pick up films/tv where left off, search functionality and suggestions of what to watch.
Dominic Sunnebo, Senior Vice President at Kantar, Worldpanel Division, comments “As we observed in our 2020 Media predictions, the streaming wars are heating up. Entertainment On-Demand provides subscription services and investors in the media industry with a new level of insight in to the motivations and habits of subscription service users. At Kantar we are focused on helping providers grow their subscriber base by driving new customer acquisition and improving customer retention by fine tuning the customer experience. Understanding key drivers behind digital behavioural patterns is vital for clients to understand what digitally focussed consumers want, think and do. He continues, “From our US research we can see that with the explosion in the number of digital subscription options available, the customer journey for different digital services is increasingly differentiated.”
Read Cundiff, North American CEO at Kantar, added “Kantar is the industry standard for understanding and tracking global Smartphone behavior and is the currency for the TV viewing habits in more than 60 countries around the world, as well as being the leading global source of ad spend. This new service expands our expertise in to the subscription market, and will help, major players, market entrants and investors understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘buy’ decision subscribers are making. The launch of this service reflects the rapid expansion in the digital subscription market as well as the changing needs of our existing clients who are expanding from hardware further into service provision.”
Marketing Leaders Must Develop Contingency Plans to Address Changing Customer Needs and Disruptions to the Workplace, Events and Tactics
Chief marketing officers (CMOs) and marketing leaders face an uncertain and rapidly evolving situation as a result of the coronavirus, and they must take an aggressively proactive approach to preparing their organization for disruption, according to Gartner, Inc.
“CMOs who wait for shifts in customer perceptions and needs, interruptions to supply chains and operations, or restrictions on mobility, travel and mass gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 crisis will only increase risks to their organizations and miss potential opportunities to build customer loyalty,” said Augie Ray, senior director analyst at Gartner for Marketers. “The key to managing risks and finding opportunities in such a period of significant uncertainty isn’t to predict a single likely outcome, but to recognize the range of possible scenarios.”
CMOs must take immediate action in monitoring customer channels for unexpected and quick changes to customer behavior and purchasing needs, and prepare for potential disruption to budgets, plans, campaigns and strategy in the months ahead.
Gartner recommends CMOs and marketing leaders take the following four actions to better prepare their organizations for disruptions related to the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis:
Build COVID-19 Contingency Plans
The key to mitigating risks associated with COVID-19 and identifying opportunities is rigorous scenario planning. Marketing leaders should create three scenarios, spanning from best- to worst-case, and consider the potential impacts to customers, the marketing team, and brand strategies and tactics.
While scenario-planning, it is prudent to coordinate with functional leaders across the organization in legal, finance, supply chain, IT and operations.
Monitor, Report and React to Shifts in Customer Behavior
Maintaining customer-centricity is of utmost importance during times of stress, greater needs and quickly changing expectations. Marketing leaders must not only monitor customer values and sentiment against a global backdrop; they should also improve real-time listening to detect shifting customer sentiment so they can react immediately.
In addition, as marketing leaders make decisions, they must carefully weigh short-term interests versus the value of sustaining and nurturing longer-term customer relationships during this time.
Prepare Marketing Teams for Interruptions and Challenges
The actions that marketing leaders take now will set the tone, internally and externally, for how the organization will weather the crisis. From an internal perspective, it’s important that marketing leaders anticipate how business disruptions will impact existing marketing operations and formulate strategies to protect and adjust budgets. In addition, CMOs must assess the needs of employees and prepare for alternate workplace operations.
Externally, marketing organizations should be ready for rapid changes toward at-home and digital delivery of products and services. Marketers must also consider changes that may need to be made to customer policies and procedures to stay attuned to the empathy that customers need and expect.
Review Marketing Plans for Potential Impact
Failure to anticipate potential change to campaigns, promotions, event marketing, sponsorships and other marketing strategies will leave marketing teams in defense mode throughout the duration of the crisis. Marketing leaders’ scenarios should consider how restrictions to events and travel will impact sponsorship activation plans or campaign messaging.
The coronavirus outbreak could also have significant impact on the timing of new products or campaign launches, and marketing organizations need to be agile in rescheduling or shifting messaging around these events. To avoid making reactive budget decisions, CMOs must begin to prioritize spending now and brace for rapid budget changes.
The recent incident in China has helped demonstrate the role that 5G can play in epidemic control. Here is how 5G can address the problem:
5G+ thermal imaging supports contagion monitoring- It can accurately monitor a moving object's temperatures in real-time without contact and, issue abnormal temperature alerts
5G enables continuous remote monitoring and diagnosis during patient transfer
5G remote platforms to improve consultation effectiveness and efficiency- The ideal technology to meet teleconferencing requirements to enable medical experts to treat patients without constraints on their physical location, and substantially improve the accuracy and efficiency of consultations
5G remote imaging diagnosis platforms enhance collaboration
5G SMART medical robots to help care for quarantined patient
5G Inspiring New Business Models-
As a result of 5G features such as high speed connection, high reliability and low latency, the healthcare system has benefited from improved response times, patient monitoring, data collection and analytics, remote collaboration and resource allocation. It also sets an example for digitalized, data driven and Cloud-based innovative major public emergency response platforms. The success of 5G applications in the public health domain could also inspire businesses in other sectors to leverage 5G's popularity and explore new applications of the technology. This demonstrates the new business models that industries can consider:
Epidemic monitoring platform- 5Gs s high-speed data transmission and advanced data analytics can consolidate large amounts of fragmented information and can improve monitoring accuracy and efficiency, and reduce heavy manual work
5G epidemic prevention patrol drone
5G smart robots
Smart City connected platform model
Natural disaster command centers- Natural disaster response can be equipped with 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) networks, enabling deep analysis of supply chains and providing real time information on front-line supply consumption, resource inventory levels, production capability, supply capability and logistics support decisions to balance supply and demand
Remote medical consultation- 5G networks can extend medical consultation into the community and even to individual households, enabling interaction between patients and doctors
A co-production with France’s Gedeon Programmes and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, the special features exclusive access to the area’s first archeological dig in over 70 years
Production makes significant new discoveries and leverages new technologies and science to recreate the final hours of those that perished in the eruption’s aftermath
CuriosityStream, a leading independent global factual media company, announced today that in partnership with Gedeon Programmes and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, it will televise the first large-scale excavation of Pompeii – once known as the crown jewel of the Roman Empire – in Pompeii: Disaster Street, premiering on March 19. Viewers follow archaeologists over 10 months as they uncover layer after layer of stone and ash, discovery after extraordinary discovery revealing evidence of daily life, works of art, mythical figures, and human remains buried for 2,000 years. With exclusive access granted to film the first excavations in Pompeii in 70 years, Pompeii: Disaster Street reveals the unexplored parts of the city and captures the major findings that emerged in front of CuriosityStream’s cameras.
After decades of neglect, and following water damage and collapse of walls, Italy and the EU funded the rescue archaeology operation in this new area of Pompeii, the famous historical site visited by 3 million tourists a year. With five generations worth of scientific advancement at their disposal, the archaeologists highlighted in the film are not simply attempting to restore mosaics and the city’s architecture, they are uncovering details about the people that inhabited the area at the time Vesuvius erupted.
To portray an accurate picture of what happened in Pompeii on that fateful day in 79 AD, CuriosityStream filmmakers took painstaking steps to recreate the society’s environment through a production that spanned two years.
The documentary’s set design is based on photogrammetry: a new technology made from mapping thousands of photos on a wireframe of laser data points creating a 3D image of streets and houses.
Exact architectural details were carved in polystyrene, including the roofs of the houses that eventually collapsed under the weight of pumice and a 250mph wave of hot ash and stone spewing from the volcano.
Rooms, street graffiti, and dynamic frescoes were made based on photographic copies from the excavation site, down to the textile moldings in each home.
“Archaeologists have uncovered entirely new areas and houses in ancient Pompeii; the first excavation there of this scale in 70 years, and with Pompeii: Disaster Street we are using the latest science and discoveries to tell the human story of what happened to the city’s residents,” said Clint Stinchcomb, President and CEO of CuriosityStream. “CuriosityStream is providing viewers exclusive access to the dig as well as new DNA science that is enhancing our understanding of history.”
Whether priceless mosaics and frescoes of a newly unearthed house, intact artifacts, or the remains of those captured in a solidified layer of ash for nearly 20 centuries, the findings contribute to a new interpretation of this infamous day in human history.
Regardless of whether you call it social distancing, quarantining or retreating to a safe place, heading home amid concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is bound to affect media consumption habits.
In fact, staying put in our homes can lead to almost a 60% increase in the amount of content we watch in some cases and potentially more depending on the reasons. Considering that consumers around the globe are already leaning into the growing array of content options and channels, a 60% increase is significant.
Media consumption in the U.S. is already at historical highs. As reported in the most recent Nielsen Total Audience report, Americans are already spending just shy of 12 hours each day with media platforms. What’s more, three-fourths of U.S. consumers are broadening their media options with streaming subscriptions and TV-connected devices.
CONNECTING DURING CRISIS
During crisis events, however, be it snowstorms, hurricanes or a global pandemic, media users ramp up their media consumption to stay informed, kill time, find solace and stay in touch with others. They also stock their pantries with the necessary food and supplies to help get them through these trying times.
For insight into how consumers adjust during crisis situations, Nielsen analyzed total TV usage (TUT) data during two major crises in recent history: during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and during a major snowstorm in January 2016. Not surprisingly, TUT levels increased significantly during both occasions.
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas. During the impacted period, a Nielsen analysis of that market found a 56% increase of TUT use compared with the preceding period and 40% higher than the period following the storm.
Similarly, over the weekend of Jan 23, 2016, a severe snowstorm dropped more than two feet of snow in the New York area, grinding activity in the market to a near halt. Comparing the Saturday of the snow event to the prior Saturday in the New York market, TUT usage was 45% higher. That same Saturday was also 49% higher than the Saturday following the blizzard.
So what were consumers watching as they stayed inside? We found that consumers gravitated to feature films, news and general format programming. The analysis also found a 61% increase in streaming via the TV. Consumers stayed warm indoors binging content, watching movies and keeping up with news from the outside.
SOUTH KOREA AND ITALY: A SAMPLE OF VIEWING DURING COVID-19
An analysis covering the global regions that have been impacted by COVID-19 found similar behaviors. In South Korea, for example, there was an increase in television viewing in the weeks after the first reportings of COVID-19 in early February. Comparing persons TV usage levels from the second week of February to the fourth week when there was a surge in the virus, the analysis noted a 17% increase in TV viewing—an increase of approximately 1.2 million viewers. During that same interval in 2019, it was just 1%.
And in Italy it was reported by the Italian Joint Industry Committee, Auditel that during the last week of February, compared to the previous week, there was a 6.5% increase in TV viewing and almost 12% more in the Lombardy region of the country, which was, subsequently, the hardest hit area so far. The increase has been driven by both news consumption as well as a consumer move to stay indoors.
WORKING VIRTUAL: REMOTE COMMUTING ALSO DRIVES A MEDIA INCREASE
While technology has fragmented the media landscape, it also has driven many companies to encourage remote commuting when possible. In many cases this has cut down overhead office costs, allowed for flexible work schedules, drawn from a more tech-savvy talent pool and, in the case of COVID-19 and unforeseen events alike, given companies in affected regions the ability to urge associates to work from home. In doing so, these companies have been at the forefront of social distancing, as urged by the CDC, while at the same time, given them an ability to keep operating without much disruption in production continuity.
Nielsen data suggest that employees that work remotely during a typical Monday through Friday work schedule connect over three hours more each week with traditional TV than non-remote workers, 25 hours and 2 minutes to 21 hours and 56 minutes respectively. In terms of devices, remote workers also spend a higher amount of time each week on their tablets—over four-and-a-half hours compared to the four hours for non-remote workers. Beyond viewing, remote workers also lean into listening. The reach of radio for remote workers compared to non-remote associates is nearly identical—both at just over 95%.
As COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S. and more companies allow and enact policies for work to be done virtually, the viewing behavior for employees working in the confines of their own homes could drive even greater media usage.
THE SOCIAL CONVERSATION SURROUNDING COVID-19
Beyond TV and media connectivity, consumers all over the world are using social media to help drive the conversation as well as to stay connected, informed and opinionated. According to Nielsen’s Social Content Ratings data, a snapshot from January through February 2020 showed that at its peak the social conversation mentioning either “coronavirus” or “COVID-19,” there were 110,000 TV-related Tweets mentioning these two keywords.
As COVID-19 continues to spread, this serious health threat has already shaken world markets and, no doubt, will affect the media ecosystem. Understanding, and potentially hedging ad and media investments could help buoy any shrinking margins, build awareness for public health messages and maybe even get consumers’ worried minds off a threat through the power of entertainment.


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Motorola is planning to create a Moto Mod that will attach to Moto smartphones to make them completely compatible with Amazon Alexa skills. Moto
In the current stressful negative political situation many people get frazzled and overloaded with negativity, the Feel-Goodies® Alexa Skill helps to lighten the load.
For nine years, Wireless and Mobile News provided the best cheapest Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals for our readers. Today, we found some
Sprint and the Sprint Foundation will help change the lives of 1 million high school students by giving them opportunities to reach their full
We at Wireless and Mobile News have been through many different upgrades of the iPhone and we have learned things to be careful about


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A new exhibition has been opened at Foxton Locks, showcasing what it was like to work and live along the canal in the 19th century. The Boilerhouse displays a range of exhibits, including an interactive game where visitors can stoke the boiler to create optimal conditions for the Inclined Plane, an enticing theatre and an app available from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that brings the boats back to life. (‘Foxton Discovery’ £3.99 in app purchase to unlock the full virtual experience.)
Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions comments: “The development of The BoilerHouse at Foxton Locks has created a major new visitor experience in Leicestershire, providing people with a virtual window into the sights of the Victorian waterways and the unique Inclined Plane boat lift at Foxton.”
All technology from the exhibit was delivered in partnership with Holovis and was designed at the company’s Innovation Campus in Lutterworth. A lot of hard work was put in to transform what was previously the Foxton Canal museum. The Boilerhouse displays similar things in new and innovative ways making it the perfect addition to what was already a fantastic place to visit.
Learn more in an article in the Loughborough Echo here.
If you’re visiting The Boilerhouse, why not pop in to The Foxton Locks Inn for dinner? See our current menu here.


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As China is busy preparing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the scorching weather across the country this summer has given its people a good excuse to show off their muscular arms, trim waistlines and six-packs.
China, the world’s most populous country, is developing faster and faster, and the burgeoning Chinese middle class want to travel farther, eat healthier and of course, become fitter as well. As a result, one third of the population are exercising regularly as of 2012, according to the General Administration of Sport of China.
In recent years Chinese fitness gyms have sprung up like mushrooms all around the country, transforming working out from a niche interest to a mainstream pursuit. Fitness fever has swept the whole nation, as more Chinese people are eager to show off a figure gained through hard training on social media.
From niche to mainstream
In the past, commercial gyms were unheard of in China, and the rural population whose work already involved plenty of physical activity accounted for 81% of the total population in 1980, just after China’s reforms and opening-up policy. It was not until in the early 1980s that the first fitness clubs began to make slow inroads.
“When I was a child, gyms weren't as popular as they are now. I had an interest in every kind of sports, and later through a chance event I became a personal trainer,” said Xu Wen, a 34-year-old trainer who works at the Xitihongshan fitness centre in Beijing.
“Nowadays an increasing number of people come to the gyms, but for different reasons. Most of them exercise in order to keep fit and stay healthy, and some people treat gyms as a place to relax and socialize after their work, while a small number of people go to the gym just because others are going and they want to follow the trend,” said Xu, who has been working in the fitness industry for 11 years.
Indeed, most gyms in China nowadays not only have a floor of weight machines, but also a swimming pool in the basement as well as rooms for different classes such as dancing, yoga and spinning, providing something for everyone.
Unlike other international cities, it is unusual to see joggers and cyclists on the street for fitness purposes in Beijing, where the smog shrouds the city most of the year and the only runners are those pedestrians who try to run across the street before the traffic lights turn red. Therefore, for many people, fitness gyms have become the main locations for exercising.
“As an alternative to bodybuilding with equipment, many people come to our gym just for a leisure swim or to relax their muscles after weight-lifting,” said Liang Siyuan, who is a swim instructor in a fitness centre in Beijing. “There are a variety of choices in a gym because fitness is something that people in different age groups can be involved in.”
The “gym rats”
For many people in China, going to gym has become a daily habit just like brushing their teeth every morning. The emergence of social media also made it easier for fitness enthusiasts to show off their muscles and share some exercising tips in their friends’ circle.
“Despite my busy work schedule, I go to the gym around five times a week, mainly to build up a nice shape for my body and also to stay healthy,” said Xiong Haowu, who spends up to 2500 yuan ($402) monthly on his membership fee of a gym in Shenzhen.
“Many of my friends are also very keen on fitness training, I can always see the pictures they post on Wechat and I guess they want to show their physical attractiveness on social media in order to gain attention from the opposite sex,” Xiong revealed to gbtimes.
However, a fitness gym is not only a place dominated by muscle-bound men to grab dumbbells and flex muscles, but also a place for women to stay in shape and pursue their hobbies.
More women in China take part in fitness activities compared to previous years, with 48.2% of women involved in sports of different kinds, according to the report by General Administration of Sport in 2013.
“I want to get sweaty and maintain a healthy lifestyle as I sit for long hours in my air-conditioned office every day,” said Xu Hanli, who works in the media industry in Beijing and goes to the gym two to three times a week.
“Like men, women can also do some light weight-lifting to build up a good shape,” said Xu, who often uses the fitness equipment in the gym, “I think posting working out photos on social media is a good thing, because we won’t be alone and it can encourage each other to stick to this habit and also see the result of exercising.”
While there has been a big increase in the number of people exercising, the penetration rate of fitness facility members in China mainland is only 0.3%, compared to 16% in the US, 15% in the Netherlands and 13% in the UK, according to Theo Hendriks, CEO of Sports and Leisure Group, a fitness company in the Netherlands.
The fitness gyms market will have great potential in China, as the Chinese middle class population is growing fast with a 44% increase per year since 2008, according to China Sports Business.
China’s health and fitness industry is set to generate $5.14 billion in 2015, with annualized growth of 13.7% from 2010 to 2015, according to a market research report of IBISWorld in June this year.
“The fitness industry is a sunrise industry and now many gyms are seeking business opportunities in second and third-tier cities in China as there is a growing need. In Beijing where the market is relatively saturated, therefore, the competition between gyms lies in service, professionalism, and user-friendliness”, said Xu Wen.
Xu told gbtimes that the income of gyms come from membership fees and also part of the money paid to personal trainers. “In large cities like Beijing, to hire a personal trainer in a gym can cost from 200 yuan ($32) to 2000 yuan ($320) per hour,” added Xu.
For many fitness enthusiasts in China, however, the V-cut abs and bikini bridge are worth the money spent. As the fitness fever is spreading, you know what to do next: hit the gym.


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The issue of the Government's long-awaited Resource and Waste Strategy proposal was a surprise. Much of the contents were as widely expected, especially the inclusion of DRS.
The contents will need further scrutiny from the industry, but initial reaction around the trade was probably best summed up by Dick Searle’s (Packaging Federation) comment that ‘the Devil is in the Detail’, with the strategy posing more questions than answers.
A key principle under EPR is that the ‘Polluter pays’ - should this be the ‘Producer pays’? Retailers, supermarkets, manufacturers and brand owners look set to be hit with substantial bills for causing litter but strangely this doesn’t appear to include the consumer. Does litter throw itself away?
Yesterday's report offers that 'Plastic is everywhere, for good reason’. Yet as plastic packaging is vilified, another update yesterday cited a new US and Canadian study into the environmental effects of plastics - it concluded that 'plastics were more sustainable than the alternatives, and replacing plastics with alternative materials such as paper and paperboard, glass, steel, aluminium, textiles, rubber and cork would result in significant net negative environmental impacts'. (Source: ACC, Nov 2018). Of course, any material can be littered, but we hope that future legislation will give the industry a sensible and rounded direction on which materials we should be using.
The report recognises the Pareto principle that '80% of the damage done to the environment from waste products can be avoided if more thoughtful decisions – about their design, the choice of materials and chemicals used, and how they will be distributed and sold to consumers – are made at the production stage. This is why it is so important to prevent waste occurring in the first place, as well as manage it better when it does'. We firmly believe that designing out waste before it happens is crucial to the success of this strategy.
Consumers should be able to make an informed choice of environmental impacts before buying packaged products, not just at end of life, and the industry must work towards a system that provides that information.
Read the Government's Resources and Waste Strategy Proposal here 👇 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove-launches-landmark-blueprint-for-resources-and-waste


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Last year the Illinois Solar Education Association raffled off a brand new Tesla Model X, the most advanced electric SUV on the planet. The Tesla raffle is back for 2022! Can you imagine how you would feel if later this year, the phone rings and it’s ISEA calling to say you hold the winning ticket for this year’s raffle?
Just imagine what it would feel like to sit behind the wheel of a Model X and know you are driving the car of the future, the car that opens its rear doors like the wings of a falcon, is one of the safest automobiles on the road, and constantly updates itself with the latest software. Superb handling and performance – zero to 60 in under three seconds – make driving this car exhilarating. How exciting!
The ISEA has raffled a new Tesla every year for the past eight years. In 2022, they are doing it again. Tickets to win a Model can be purchased up until 11:59pm CST on April 19,2022. The final drawing will take place on Earth Day – April 22, 2022 – at 5:00pm CST. Tickets are $100 each or you can buy four for $300. Only 2,500 tickets will be sold and each ticket has an equal chance of winning. You may see all the rules governing the raffle at this link.
This year’s raffle is a great chance for one lucky person to own a new Tesla, but don’t forget the purpose of the raffle: supporting ISEA‘s mission of solar education and advocacy. Thanks in part to its efforts, the state of Illinois has passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, legislation, which will accelerate the transition to clean energy in the Prairie State.
The goal is for Illinois to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. The CEJA unlocks funding opportunities for solar and wind investments that will provide Illinois residents with clean energy while creating jobs in sustainable industries throughout the state, especially in traditionally underserved communities.
The climate emergency is growing more urgent with each passing day. Fossil fuel companies with massive advertising and lobbying budgets are spending heavily to protect their business interests even while the evidence mounts that burning fossil fuels is leading directly to an overheating planet.
The Illinois Solar Education Association will put the proceeds of this year’s raffle to work to educate our citizens and political leaders about the benefits of renewable energy. Please help us with this important mission by supporting this year’s raffle. Thank you and best of luck to all.
This post is supported by ISEA.
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I’ve bragged before about daughter Sorenne’s knowledge of pet food and treat microbiological risks. The same applies to my four Canadian daughters.
I’m just really proud and full of love for all six of them (and they all play hockey, or did).
The last few months have seen numerous outbreaks or recalls related to pet food or treats.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) collaborated with provincial public health partners and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157 infections that occurred in three provinces. The outbreak appears to be over, and the investigation has been closed.
Based on the investigation findings, exposure to Carnivora brand frozen raw pet food was identified as the likely source of the outbreak. All of the individuals who were sick reported exposure to Carnivora brand frozen raw pet food, or to dogs fed this raw pet food, before their illnesses occurred.
In total, there were five confirmed cases of E. coli O157 illness linked to this outbreak in three provinces: British Columbia (2), Alberta (2) and Manitoba (1). The individuals were sick between early March and late May 2020. Two individuals were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after feeding, handling or cleaning up after pets. Animals fed raw meat diets are more likely to be shedding harmful bacteria like Salmonella and dangerous strains of E. coli even when they appear healthy, compared to those fed commercial kibble or other cooked diets. Regularly clean surfaces that come into contact with pet food or pets.
When possible, store all pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children.
In Nov., New Jersey-based Albright’s Raw Dog Food issued a voluntary recall for 67 cases of “Chicken Recipe for Dogs” because of Salmonella contamination.
The food was sold in 2-pound frozen chubs/rolls with the lot number C000185 and best-by date 19 May 2021.
They were sold between June 8 and Aug. 27 in 10 states, including New York and New Jersey.
One animal illness has been reported. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic, have diarrhea, fever, vomiting or abdominal pain.
In Sept., Real Pet Food Company of Phoenix, AZ voluntarily recalled one lot of Billy + Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe dog food in 4 lb bags because of a possible Salmonella health risk.
Each year, more than 50 million Americans develop gastrointestinal issues that lead them to question the safety of their most recent meals. It’s entirely possible that their distress could be caused not by the food they have eaten, but the meals served to their furry friends.
A study led by Purdue University’s Yaohua “Betty” Feng, an assistant professor of food science, showed that many Americans don’t wash their hands after feeding or playing with their cats and dogs and aren’t aware of the risk of contracting a foodborne illness from those activities.
“Almost all dog and cat owners interact with their pets closely like cuddling, sleeping with them, kissing them, but after those interactions fewer than one-third of them wash their hands with soap,” said Feng, whose findings were published in the Journal of Food Protection. “They don’t really consider that they could get sick or that a foodborne pathogen could be transferred from their pet to themselves.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella sicken nearly 48 million people, hospitalize 128,000 and kill around 3,000 annually. There is no data on how many of those come from pet foods, but there have been more than a dozen pet food recalls in 2020 due to the presence of a foodborne pathogen. Last year more than 150 people were sickened by salmonella in pig ear dog treats.
“Some dogs and cats do not have symptoms, even if they were contaminated with foodborne pathogens like salmonella. There’s potential for them to share those pathogens with their owners when interacting with them,” Feng said.
According to the survey of more than 1,000 cat and dog owners in the United States:
93 percent of pet owners cuddle their pets, 70 percent allow the pet to lick them, 63 percent sleep with their pets, and 61 percent kiss their pets.
Only 31 percent wash their hands after playing with their pets, and 42 percent do not wash their hands after feeding their pets.
8 percent reported eating pet food and treats themselves.
The study showed that 78 percent of people were not aware of recent pet food recalls or outbreaks associated with foodborne pathogens in those foods. One-quarter of people do not consider dry pet foods and treats as potential sources of these pathogens.
Raw meat or raw animal product diets are growing in prevalence for supposed health benefits. The study showed that about 25% of respondents feed their pets raw foods, but about half of those people did not report washing their hands after those feedings and allowed their pets to lick them.
Feng said the results suggest that pet owners need more education about the safety of pet foods and proper handling of food and pets to prevent contracting an illness. She plans to develop materials that will address those issues.
Some tips to keep pet owners from getting foodborne illness include:
Wash hands with soap and water after preparing food for pets, petting or playing with pets, and before preparing food for people.
Avoid feeding pets raw meat.
Handle and store pet food carefully to avoid cross-contamination.
Keep up with pet food recalls and keep records of pet food lot numbers and other information for potential tracking.
“We’re not saying you shouldn’t hug your dog, but you should know the risks and how to protect yourself against the possibility of contracting an illness,” Feng said.
Risk of Foodborne Illness from Pet Food: Assessing Pet Owners’ Knowledge, Behavior, and Risk Perception
Merlyn Thomas; Yaohua Feng
Pet food has been identified as a source of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli. A recent outbreak linked to Salmonella -contaminated pet treats infected over 150 people in the United States. The mechanism by which contaminated pet food leads to human illness has not been explicated. Pet owners’ food safety knowledge and their pet food handling practices have not been reported. This study evaluated pet owners’ food safety knowledge and pet-food handling practices through an online consumer survey. The survey consists of 62 questions and assesses (1) owners’ food safety knowledge and pet-food handling practices; (2) owners’ interaction with pets; (3) owners’ risk perception related to their own health, their children’s health, and their pets’ health. The survey was pilot-tested among 59 pet owners before distribution to a national consumer panel, managed by Qualtrics XM. All participants (n=1,040) were dog and/or cat owners in the United States. Almost all pet owners interacted with their pets (93%) and most cuddled, allowed their pets to lick them, and slept with their pets. Less than one-third of pet owners washed their hands with soap after interacting with their pets. Over half (58%) the owners reported washing their hands after feeding their pets. Most pet owners fed their pets dry pet food and dry pet treats. Some fed their pets raw meat or raw animal product (RAP) diets because they believed these diets to be beneficial to their pet’s overall health. Many owners (78%) were unaware of pet food recalls or outbreaks associated with foodborne pathogens. Less than 25% considered dry pet foods and treats as a potential source of foodborne pathogens. The findings of this study indicated the need for consumer education about pet food handling. The data collected can assist in developing more accurate risk assessment models and consumer education related to pet food handling.


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Speck, Zazzle and Artsprojekt have teamed up to offer another four all-new limited-edition Fitted Artsprojekt cases for iPhone 3G and 3GS: Random, Waves, Blue River and Koi.
Each design is printed on fabric that is then fused to Speck’s road-tested “Fitted” two-piece snap-together hard shell case. The fabric increases in-hand comfort, while helping phones stay securely in place when set down, according to the folks at Speck.
This new generation of Fitted Artsprojekt edition case designs, as well as previously released editions for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, are available now exclusively at http://www.zazzle.com/speck or http://www.zazzle.com/labz/iphonecases for a manufacturer's suggested retail prce of US39.95.


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IRIS USA News
IRIS USA Retools to Produce Consumer Face Masks in Wisconsin
Investing $10 Million in Pleasant Prairie Plant to Manufacture 70 Million Masks Per Month
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI (April 9, 2020) – IRIS USA, the U.S. division of Japanese-based household products manufacturer IRIS Ohyama Inc., today announced plans to add face mask production to its 570,000-square-foot, 250-employee manufacturing plant in Pleasant Prairie, WI. The new capability will support federal mask-wearing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control on April 3 to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
The company is investing $10 million in new machinery and planning to hire an additional 60 employees to enable manufacture of an estimated 70 million disposable 3-ply face masks per month. IRIS Ohyama has been producing masks in China for more than a decade and is a major mask supplier to the Japanese government.
The first U.S.-produced masks are expected to be available shortly after the new manufacturing line is completed in September. In the interim, IRIS Ohyama is shipping masks to the U.S. from its factory in China to help address the severe shortage. The first shipment is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. this month.
The Wisconsin plant will continue to manufacture plastic storage and pet products when the mask operation comes online. IRIS USA is also exploring opportunities to add other kinds of masks to its U.S. output.
The Wisconsin effort is part of a broader initiative that also includes adding mask production to IRIS’s manufacturing operations in Japan, Korea and Europe in anticipation of long-term global increases in mask adoption expected after current coronavirus crisis passes.
About IRIS Ohyama
IRIS Ohyama, Inc., is headquartered in Sendai, Japan, and is a global manufacturer of over 19,000 household products and consumables. IRIS Ohyama originated in 1958 and expanded into the U.S. market in 1992, with its principal U.S. headquarters located in Surprise, Arizona. IRIS Ohyama’s attention to its customers has resulted in growth of its operations to Asia, America and Europe. For information on IRIS USA, visit https://www.irisusainc.com/
IRIS USA, Inc. Announces 4th Facility in Pennsylvania
Surprise, Arizona, May 2, 2018 – IRIS USA, Inc., a leading manufacturer of plastic storage containers and pet products, is proud to announce the future location of its fourth manufacturing and distribution facility in Hazle Township of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. IRIS operates three (3) existing facilities in Arizona, Texas, and Wisconsin.
IRIS USA, who has recently expanded into new product categories such as housewares, small appliances, and RTA furniture, has recently chosen the Luzerne County area for its abundant workforce and geographic location in order to strengthen production efficiencies and supply channels through ecommerce distribution. With an overall investment of over $84M into the new facility, IRIS also plans to increase the number and variety of products offered to its customers.
IRIS USA President, Hiroyuki Takahashi, adds, “We are very pleased to be working with such fine individuals in Luzerne County and the state of Pennsylvania as we embark on our Company's first East Coast expansion plans.”
Construction of the new facility on approximately 30 acres within Humboldt Industrial Park is expected to begin in late 2018 with completion by early 2020. IRIS plans to create 95 jobs over the next three (3) years. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned to take place later this month.
Parent Company Profile:
IRIS Ohyama, Inc., is headquartered in Sendai, Japan, and is a global manufacturer of over 19,000 household products and consumables. IRIS Ohyama originated in 1958 and expanded into the U.S. market in 1992, with its principal U.S. headquarters located in Surprise, Arizona. IRIS Ohyama’s attention to its customers has resulted in growth of its operations to Asia, America and Europe.
Media Contact for IRIS USA, Inc.:
Jennifer Coker, Human Resources Director and Legal Affairs
IRIS USA, Inc.
13423 W. Cactus Road
Surprise, Arizona 85379
IRIS USA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Congratulations to Patricia Arban, Willow Canyon HS recipient of the IRIS USA Inc. Scholarship! Patricia plans to major in Communications. She will spend her first two years at Estrella Mountain Community College and then hopes to get into ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
Presenting the award to Patricia are Teresa Heatherly and Fran Sperling, Dysart Education Foundation Directors.


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Rumor: Zune Phone Is Coming to CES 2009
Posted by XanTium | December 10 13:59 EST | News Category: Xbox360
After years of rumors and brusque denials, it appears the Zune phone is the real deal.
According to Trip Chowdhry, an analyst at Global Equities Research, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will announce a Zune-style mobile device during his keynote address at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, on January 7, 2009.
In an article in Barron's, Chowdhry claims that the company's new centerpiece will combine the best features of the Zune media player with the hardware design of Danger's mobile Sidekick, in addition to "motion enhancement features," like an accelerometer.
Basically, this means the device will come with a physical keyboard like HTC's G1 and will likely feature a larger screen to accommodate heavy multimedia elements. And since we're all here copying each other's mobile phone features, we'll be shocked if the Zune phone doesn't feature multitouch capabilities.
Full Story: wired.com


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The Canadian-radio and Telecommunications Commission has created a new position. The national regulator now has a "chief consumer officer."
The CRTC's first CCO will be Barbara Motzney. Barbara was formerly the director general of copyright policy in the federal Heritage department. She will assume the position on October 1.
The chier consumer officer's job will be to put the interested of the public at the forefront of policy making. Quoth the CRTC:
The Chief Consumer Officer’s role is to better understand the concerns of Canadian consumers and bring them to the Commission’s attention during the decision-making process. This will be achieved by leading research activities on consumer issues to identify trends and best practices, including those in other jurisdictions. The Chief Consumer Officer will head the Consumer Affairs and Strategic Planning.
"The new sector, formerly known as Policy Development and Research, will continue to provide support and coordination to our core sectors of Broadcasting, Compliance and Enforcement, and Telecommunications," says Jean-Pierre Blais, chairman of the CRTC. "It will conduct research and planning activities with a focus on consumer policy. This will ensure that consumer issues are integrated into all aspects of the CRTC’s work and that its decisions are more relevant to Canadian consumers.”


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Samsung's challenge: Build software, platforms to offset hardware sales volatility
Samsung's fourth quarter preliminary sales show the mobile unit may be improving, but the company will need to provide applications with real Internet of things intelligence if it wants to smooth out the feast or famine hardware business.
Samsung's preliminary fourth quarter results highlight a mobile unit that may be on the mend as other growth drivers pick up the slack. In the future, Samsung may be a key Internet of things player, but the company's conundrum is the same as it ever was: It has to improve its software game.
The consumer electronics giant projected fourth quarter sales between 51 trillion and 53 trillion Korean won with an operating profit of 5 trillion to 5.4 trillion Korean won. BMO analyst Tim Long said sales were in line with expectations with operating profits a bit above.
Long said in a research note that BMO is projecting 101 million handset shipments in the fourth quarter with smartphones being 80 percent of shipments. Samsung is being squeezed by Chinese vendors on price as well as Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Analysts expect the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5 to at least stop the slide if not reverse it.
That smartphone tough sledding has been known for a while, but Samsung also makes a bit of everything from memory to screens to TVs to home appliances. Samsung also has an emerging enterprise unit which has made Android more secure and become a dark horse mobility management play.
The game for Samsung today is the same as it has been forever---sell more hardware. The enterprise unit for Samsung is largely about selling tablets and smartphones into companies, which generally think of the Galaxy line as the default Android device option. However, the win for enterprises is any integration and software Samsung can bring to the table.
When we look at B2B, we're uniquely positioned to take everything from the front-end experience on the device, whether it be a laptop or wearable, back through the applications, the service and support, and the solutions to bring all of that information together for customers in a way that allows them to access and activate it.
And there's the lesson the rest of Samsung needs to learn. The glue that will drive Samsung's results in the future will be based on software. For instance, Samsung's Boo-Keun Yoon, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics, said that the Internet of things (IoT) will drive everything for the company. "It's not science fiction anymore. It's science fact," Yoon insisted. By 2017, 90 percent of all Samsung products will be IoT devices. Also see: CES 2015: The Big Trends for Business
Yoon did note that Samsung has to show consumers and businesses the advantages of IoT.
And there's the catch. Samsung needs to be a platform. If Samsung doesn't become a software player that can take all that data from devices and provide real intelligence then it will forever be stuck in the hardware world of declining margins and commoditization. Samsung won't be the only company with most of its products connected to the Internet. Those connections are the easy part. Then what?
To date, Samsung has been focused on overlays to Android, value added apps, Smart TV interfaces, OS diversions such as Tizen with the occasional well-received venture into device security and management. Samsung's software history is a bit spotty. The reality is that those front-end efforts are really just an appetizer. The real will be giving me real actionable data from everything from my refrigerator to my TV to my phone to hospital stay and work and home personas.
Yoon said he believed that IoT "was already here," and that consumers will feel the "unimaginable changes" within two to three years. Yoon also said there was a decision-making body within Samsung on IoT strategy, with members that include JK Shin, co-CEO and head of the mobile division of Samsung.
How that IoT strategy emerges will go a long way to making sure that investors aren't worrying about feast or famine smartphone sales years from now.


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If the current Bitcoin bullish run isn’t enough to make up one’s mind, the flood of recent news and announcements probably should. CME Group introduced Ether futures, Tesla bought $1.5 billion in Bitcoin, and Mastercard is now accepting Bitcoin payments.
This week, Bitcoin payment service BitPay has announced that US holders of its Prepaid Mastercard can add their card to Apple WalletTM and spend with Apple Pay. Their virtual card can be added to Apple Wallet via the BitPay Wallet. Google Pay and Samsung Pay will follow later this quarter.
Stephen Pair, Chief Executive Officer at BitPay, said: “We have thousands of BitPay Wallet app customers using the BitPay Card who are always looking for new places and ways to spend their crypto. Adding Apple Pay and soon Google and Samsung Pay makes it easy and convenient to use the BitPay Card in more places from day-to-day items to luxury purchases.”
The BitPay Wallet app supports an array of options to buy and store crypto and make online payments. Users can instantly buy gift cards from hundreds of top retailers in-store and online. The BitPay app and its competitors are soon likely to boast thousands of top retailers as partners.
The BitPay Wallet app supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ether, as well as four dollar-pegged stablecoins, USDC, GUSD, PAX and BUSD. The company founded in 2011 raised more than $70 million in funding from leading investment firms including Founders Fund, Index Ventures, Virgin Group, and Aquiline Technology Growth.
With Google Pay and Apple Pay entering the ring of cryptocurrency payments in a pandemic-ridden global economy where online commerce has grown like never before, Bitcoin et al will be getting the exposure to Main Street that crypto enthusiasts have called for throughout the years.
As digital currencies expand from pure speculation to the real economy, trading platforms must add crypto to their portfolios to address the exploding demand from investors.


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The new vulnerabilities were discovered by a computer enthusiast known as 'cocoruder' and affect all Windows operating systems beyond Windows 95.
The flaws are in the Graphics Rendering Engine and could allow a hacker to exploit a memory overrun and crash a PC.
"Our initial investigation has found that these are not security vulnerabilities but rather performance issues that could cause an application to stop responding," said Microsoft in a statement.
"These issues do not allow an attacker to run code or crash the operating system. They may cause the WMF application to crash, in which case the user may restart the application and resume activity.
"Microsoft had previously identified these issues as part of its ongoing code maintenance and is evaluating them for inclusion in the next service pack for the affected products."
The flaws were posted on the Bugtraq mailing list, and code purporting to exploit the flaws appeared shortly afterwards.
Latest Tesla news: Tesla stock price tanks amid reports of 'widening probe' by SEC and claims the base Model 3 loses money
SEC 'probe' takes its toll on Tesla as new research suggests that Tesla loses $6,000 on every $35,000 Model 3
10nm Cannon Lake Core i3-8121U CPUs make a rare outing with Intel's NUC mini PC
'Notorious' Australian child hacker thought he had executed 'flawless' hack
The former employee says that Tesla fired him for bringing the accusations to management internally


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It turns out we're not the only ones who are obsessed with shopping on ASOS – Kate Middleton loves it too!
The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted wearing THIS black and white maternity dress that has already almost sold out. And Twitter cannot stop talking about it!
Kate Middleton steps out in @asos maternity!
— Dinah van Tulleken (@mirrorfashiondt) March 18, 2015
— Kate Middleton Style (@KateMiddStyle) March 18, 2015
Guys Kate Middleton is wearing ASOS! She's just like us pic.twitter.com/kaaCfTXeJp
— Alyssa Ashton (@AlyssaJAshton) March 18, 2015
At €47.82, it looks like Kate loves a good bargain just like we do.
It's not only Kate's perfect maternity style that sends consumers crazy, every dress/coat/bag/hat that she wears don't often take long to be swiped from shelves and rack around the world.
We're sure ASOS are delighted with their royal fan!


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With more than 1,600 stores worldwide, no one ever considered that Toys R Us was in jeopardy. From baby registries to toddler shopping sprees and children's birthday parties, it feels like a stop into the giant toy store is inevitable for most parents.
So it comes as somewhat of a shock that the baby and toy retailer is in financial trouble. Sources says that Toys R Us could make the move into possible bankruptcy in the next few weeks after suppliers have tightened terms ahead of the holiday season.
Toys R Us has around $5 billion in debt and the company is working on a loan as part of its bankruptcy filing to assure vendors that they can pay for the toys stocking store shelves.
It's no surprise that big box retailers are struggling because of the shift to online merchants like Amazon and Walmart. With more than a dozen significant retail bankruptcies this year, still no one was expecting it to come from the iconic toy store.
Penny-pinching parents are using online retailer's Amazon Family service to save 20% off regular deliveries of diapers, along with other lucrative offers for baby supplies. Walmart is also leading the way in voice-activated shopping which aids parents with small children to shop easily, with their busy schedules.
It's said the toy store is working with an investment bank to get funds to pay for the $400 million in debt that comes due next year. This comes along with possible restructuring within the company to help them avoid closing their doors for good.
Addressing the company's debt before the critical holiday season will give major brands like Mattel and Hasbro a more clear picture of the company's long-term plan to ensure toys continue to stock store shelves.
Toys R Us appears to be remaining positive about the whole situation, saying they are "evaluating a range of alternatives to address our 2018 debt maturities."
"We expect to provide an update about these activities, as well as the many initiatives underway to provide an outstanding customer experience in our global retail locations and webstore during the holiday season, during our second quarter earnings call on September 26," the company also said in an email statement.
Even if the company undergoes restructuring, it doesn't mean the store will fall off the face of the map. Payless ShoeSource, another struggling retailer, recently emerged from bankruptcy after closing several stores across the United States.
With this heated competition on the market, there's a good chance we will at least see some stores close its doors.
The retailer currently operates nearly 870 stores across the U.S. with 70 more locations in Canada.
It's unlikely we will see the big retailer close it's doors before its holiday season, since those earnings will go a long way to help pay down the debt that is owed, but I guess we'll see.
Are you surprised by the news? Share in the comments.


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3...2...1...done! – print24.com extends its popular delivery model by adding more products to it
The online print shop UNITEDPRINT SE, owner of renowned brands including print24.com, has extended its popular delivery model – with which customers receive the products in question within only three days for standard delivery, two days for express delivery and one day only for priority delivery – by adding many more products to it.
The number of products from the extensive portfolio of print24.com which can be ordered with fast delivery times has been doubled due to the very high demand. Customers can select products from different categories and can now order more using the 3-2-1-done delivery model – including popular Top sellers such as Flyers, Business cards and Postcards!
In this regard, the online print shop is further focusing on the consistent digitalisation of its products. In the first quarter of this year, print24.com invested millions in new HP 10000 and HP 12000 digital presses, showing that it will be able to sustainably tap into new market potential in the future.
“Investing in high-quality digital presses is one of our long-term strategies so that we can react even better and – in view of our 3-2-1 delivery model – even more quickly to our customers’ requirements in the future”, says Ali Jason Bazooband, Managing Director for Innovation/Marketing of print24.com.
print24.com is a UNITEDPRINT SE brand, a global and innovation-oriented e-commerce company for print and media. As one of Europe’s leading online print shops, UNITEDPRINT SE employs a staff of around 700 people and operates the renowned brands print24, Easyprint, Unitedprint, getprint, printwhat, FIRSTPRINT, DDK PRINT BIG, infowerk, and Unitedprint Shop Services (USS) in 26 locations worldwide (in Germany, 21 other European countries, and in Brazil, China, Canada, and the US). In addition to the standard printing products, Unitedprint provides its customers with high-quality products and services ranging from textile products, photo products, large-format, promo products, advertising equipment and catering supplies.
0049 (0)351 / 27225388
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Bella Hadid Headlines True Religion’s Latest Campaign20.8.2018 15:32 | Tiedote
True Religion has tapped Bella Hadid to be the face of the brand. The supermodel embodies all things True Religion, past, present and future; iconic, edgy and everlasting. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005283/en/ Bella Hadid Headlines True Religion’s Latest Campaign (Photo: Business Wire) An inherit fan of the brand, Bella was the natural choice to meld the iconic essence of the brand with the modern view of its future. An all-star team was assembled including photographer Boo George, stylist Mimi Cuttrell, and hair and makeup duo Jen Atkin and Mary Phillips to create imagery and complementary looks that usher True Religion into a new era that honors the heritage of the brand. A quintessential, confident LA girl with roots at home and abroad, Bella’s voice was not only an inspiration, but an integral part in imagining this campaign, envisioning the brand through her eyes for the next generation of True
FRISS Brings Claim Fraud Analysis to a Next Level With Web-IQ´s Innovative Online Network Solution20.8.2018 14:30 | Tiedote
Asking your neighbor or friend to sign as a witness to a claim for car damages at your insurance company will work no more, with the new Claim Fraud Analysis feature of FRISS. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005039/en/ Eldert van Wijngaarden (Web-IQ) and Philip van Waning (FRISS) shaking hands. (Photo: Business Wire) FRISS, the worldwide provider of AI powered fraud and risk solutions for the P&C insurance industry, recently added a new and innovative feature in their fraud analytics solution: Online Network Analysis from Web-IQ. This feature automatically identifies if the claimants and the insured or other involved persons are related to each other in an on-line environment. This is a proven and strong indicator for fraudulent claims. Especially with car accidents and other types of claims where multiple persons are involved, it adds a whole new approach to the traditional claim analyses. “Research sho
Veristat Congratulates Alnylam on the FDA Approval of ONPATTRO™ (patisiran)20.8.2018 14:30 | Tiedote
Veristat, a full service Clinical Research Organization (CRO), congratulates Alnylam on the recent FDA approval of ONPATTRO™ (patisiran), a lipid complex injection for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis in adults. “On behalf of the entire Veristat team that has supported Alnylam in the development of this therapy, we are humbled to have contributed towards this first-in-class drug approval for Alnylam, for the patients with hATTR amyloidosis and their families,” said John P. Balser, Ph.D., President and Co-Founder of Veristat. “We are continuing to support Alnylam as they look to expand regulatory approval of this treatment to other regions of the world.” Veristat began working with Alnylam over 11 years ago and helped design the studies and prepare the Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for patisiran. Our collaboration continued throughout the entire patisiran program inclusive of a phase 2 study, a phase 3 pivotal study
Global IBC Future Zone and IABM Future Trends Theatre to Explore the Latest Tech Shaping the Industry20.8.2018 14:18 | Tiedote
IBC2018, the world’s most influential media, entertainment and technology show, today announces the line-up for the IBC Future Zone and IABM Future Trends Theatre. Well established as part of the IBC Exhibition, from 14-18 September, the Future Zone brings together the very latest ideas, innovations and concept technologies from international industry and academia and showcases them in a single specially-curated area sitting alongside exhibition Hall 8. This year, the focus is on showing how new technologies grow from their first inception and progress through to research, development, and validation projects; right through to maturing into the ground-breaking applications and future product standards. Major industry trail-blazers presenting their visions of the future, include Japan’s NHK and BBC R&D from the UK. Both companies will demonstrate a number of technology advances, including: Web-VR applications; object-based media scenarios; pathways to 8K resolution for UHD; and Artifici
Ocean Ambassador of the Netherlands Joins Endowment for Clean Ocean’s Entrepreneur Judges Committee20.8.2018 14:07 | Tiedote
The Endowment for Clean Oceans (ECO) announced Willemijn Peeters, Ocean Ambassador of the Netherlands and the Founding Director of Searious Business has joined ECO’s Entrepreneur Committee that will vet contestants’ plans to remove macro and micro plastics from the world’s oceans. “I am working to solve the problem of what to do with the plastic once it is removed from the ocean, by helping to create a market for plastic recovered from the ocean,” said Peeters. “Just like we need to end the use of single use plastic, we need to replace the manufacture of virgin plastic and replace it with recycled plastics, and as much as possible needs to be plastic recovered from the ocean.” View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005004/en/ Contact information The Endowment for Clean Oceans Daniel Perrin Daniel.Perrin@endowmentforcleanoceans.org or email@example.com
HeartSciences Showcases MyoVista® Wavelet ECG at 2018 European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC)20.8.2018 14:00 | Tiedote
HeartSciences, a medical device company developing next generation ECG devices using continuous wavelet transform (CWT) signal processing and artificial intelligence, is proud to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the upcoming 2018 European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC). The Congress will take place at Messe Munich International in Munich, Germany and will run from August 25 to August 29, 2018. HeartSciences will highlight its MyoVista® Wavelet ECG (wavECG™) Cardiac Testing Device as well as recent clinical study results published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005047/en/ MyoVista Wavelet ECG 12-Lead Cardiac Testing Device (Photo: Business Wire) The JACC article titled “Prediction of Abnormal Myocardial Relaxation from Signal Processed Surface ECG” presented the results from the investigator-initiated clinical study that focus
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Nikon Japan has announced the short supply of superzoom Nikon COOLPIX P900 bridge camera.
According to recently rumors from CR, Canon currently is working on a new super telephoto lens that is slower than f/4.
The Zeiss Batis lenses has released yet, it will be officially released in July, 2015. diglloyd has a chance to review these two new Batis lenses.
Canon today filed a new lens patent for next EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens. Previous rumors said that Canon will release a new fast wide-angle zoom lens after EF 35mm f/1.4L II released.


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Cadbury to make Tang in India
Cadbury India on Thursday said it would start manufacturing of parent Kraft Foods' orange drink Tang, while it would also embark on a capacity expansion for its confectionery products.
“We will start local manufacturing of Tang in India. We are rejuvenating it and we will start producing it within this fiscal,” Cadbury India Managing Director Anand Kripalu told reporters here on the sidelines of an event.
He said Tang, which had been imported from Thailand to serve the Indian market so far, would be produced at the Kraft's Hyderabad plant.


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Emerging markets will need to be vocal about where their value lies for Private Equity (PE) entities to consider them for investment. But both pre- and post-Covid-19 circumstances have and will again make for sustainable returns for informed investors, says Bryan Turner of SPEAR Capital.
Of course, there are ongoing challenges for emerging markets investors, not least at this point in time. A recent survey by the World Economic Forum says that 38% of risk analysts fear economic collapse in these markets, as a consequence of Covid-19. Similarly, the World Bank has predicted that developing and emerging countries as a whole will contract by 2.5%, marking their worst performance since 1960.
Despite this negative sentiment there is also reason for optimism, given that numerous African economies have been on the rise since before Covid-19 hit, and will continue to grow as stabilisation returns. The continent’s overall economic power and stability will shadow the growth of its population, which is set to increase from around its current 1.3 billion mark to 4.3 billion by 2100. According to projections issued by the United Nations, Africa’s population will be equivalent at the end of this century to that of Asia. This means there is a rising tide of African consumers that has to be serviced.
The free movement of goods between countries on the continent and those overseas has and continues to be stifled, owing to pandemic restrictions and safety measures. The closure of many ports and airlinks across the globe forced governments and consumers to confront their nations’ dependence on international trade and reliance on imports. Economies realistically need to address their own sustainable futures and levels of self-sufficiency when globalisation channels and pipelines are interrupted by factors beyond anyone’s control. There are also undeniable signs of aversion to imports in some quarters, compared to the pre-COVID era, which are likely to endure.
Because of this, Africa will be forced to recognise and deal with its disadvantages while opening its doors to greater investment– its lack of food security for one. Recurring power supply disruptions have had a detrimental impact on the competitiveness of African countries, particularly in terms of manufacturing when compared with parts of Asia and the Americas. According to estimates by the African Development Bank, the continent’s infrastructure needs range from $130 to $170 billion a year, with a financing gap of $68–$108 billion. Significantly greater investment and subsequent development is needed to increase Africa’s infrastructural capacity, which in turn will boost its GDP as a whole – vital steps required to meet population growth and consumption. Thus far, the continent has battled to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), partly due to political instability and predictability. Nevertheless, as Malawi’s recent democratic elections suggest, the tide is beginning to turn and opportunities for investment are becoming increasingly attractive.
Investment in the sustained growth of the continent’s manufacturing capabilities, particularly in terms of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to service this demand and supply, has the potential to offset dependence on (and the monopoly of) foreign powerhouse FMCG manufacturers such as China. This, along with job creation, will give rise to a growing pride among Africans in locally manufactured, made-in-their-own-country goods as well as the growth of their own economies.
Private equity (PE), particularly from beyond the continent’s shores, remains largely untapped by emerging markets, such as those in Southern Africa (including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa) and East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, for example.
Private capital has shown steady and significant growth, gaining traction most notably in the USA, Europe and Asia. PE has proven to be a good diversifier for an investor because it is, in theory, long term and relatively uncorrelated with the average day-to-day volatility that may be found in other more liquid asset classes.
But the result is that, since the global financial crisis of 2008, there has been too much capital in the system which means that certain asset returns have been somewhat diminished. Investors are needing to spread their net in search of yield and have been looking for other avenues.
Now, add to this the fact that Western economies are receiving significant stimulus packages that their banks and trading blocs are putting into place to rekindle their economies; something that emerging markets don’t really have the bandwidth to do anywhere along the same lines, and yet their economic recovery is also critical. Therefore, these markets will be reliant on finding capital that will stimulate their economies from other sources, and PE is one place to which to turn.
However, education on all fronts will be key. On the one hand, emerging markets will need to educate companies in need of capital that the PE route exists, because it is by and large poorly understood – particularly among smaller companies and the all-important SME sector.
We see it in our own operation when we get pitches from companies that really should be talking to banks or venture capitalists – tech startups, for instance. In our business, for our clients, we would look rather to supporting companies that already have an existing track record but require capital to ensure further sustainability and growth. An example of this would be an online retailer such as RunwaySale, that has been around for eight years, already has strong technology behind its operation, and has built up a devoted customer base.
On the other hand, PE investors, especially those looking from abroad, will need to be carefully guided and advised. The overriding disclaimer here of emerging markets is that not all of them are created equal; you have to understand the specifics of each one.
In terms of Southern African emerging markets in the past – both from an economic and a Reserve Bank perspective – foreign capital has not always been made to feel particularly welcome. It is not being turned away per se, but it stands to reason that capital will be invested where it’s sought after, accommodated, creates value and achieves equitable returns. As a result, emerging markets such as those in Southern Africa have a tendency to be quite intimidating and murky to unfamiliar investors.
Returning to Africa’s rising tide of consumers and the critical need to step up local manufacturing and production, it is clear that businesses catering to this growing consumer base are, for the most part, an obvious bet. And yet, these manufacturing and FMCG areas are investments frequently overlooked and undervalued. But it stands to reason: if you are producing goods locally and selling them to a demanding market, the potential for growth and profitable returns is accelerated. It is vital that import substitution makes sense from a costing perspective. While opportunities do exist, it is important to ensure that the economics are stable. Local manufacturing only makes sense if conditions on the ground are conducive i.e. power is reliable, commercial terms are predictable, and there are measurable levels of political stability with fair playing fields.
However, to ensure these operations reach the heights to which they can aspire and become sustainable, they will need crucial cash injections – injections which PE can provide and from which these investors will then reap the reward.
There have been inefficiencies across the African economic system in the past, of this there can be no debate. However, in the light of the new world order, as a PE investor, I would see these inefficiencies in emerging markets as a positive point: companies will get better at what they do if they want to survive and those that do will rise as pockets of excellence. And investors will be able to clearly see the real quality operations in which they may want to invest.


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Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. (OTC:LBUY) (“Leafbuyer” or “the Company”) announces today its integration with five industry leading Point of Sale (POS) systems, including GreenBits, Adilas, Cova, MMJ Menu, and MJ Freeway.
POS systems help dispensaries in every legal market track cannabis products from seed to sale and then conduct a transaction. At any point, the dispensary’s POS system knows the total inventory for every product in the store. By integrating with these technologies, Leafbuyer is not only able to display real-time, accurate information to consumers looking to pre-order online, but will soon be able to pull purchase information.
“Integration takes our consumers’ online ordering experience to the next level,” said Mark Breen, COO of Leafbuyer. “Consumers need to know immediately if, for example, their favorite edible is in stock before they pre-order. If we didn’t integrate with POS systems, we would have to rely on people to update the inventory, which leads to human error. Now, it’s automated.”
Leafbuyer is working to expand its POS capability and plans to announce more in the near future as the company expands its national footprint.
Leafbuyer.com is one of the most comprehensive online sources for cannabis deals and information. Leafbuyer works alongside cannabis businesses to showcase their unique products and build a network of loyal patrons. The Company’s online network reaches millions of marijuana consumers every month. Leafbuyer is the official cannabis deals platform of LA Weekly, Voice Media Group, Dope Media, Grasscity, and The Stranger.
Learn more at Leafbuyer.com.


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Sony Xperia Z making its way to U.S. carriers soon
Consumers in the U.S. would soon have another top-of-the-line Android-powered smartphone to choose from - the Sony Xperia Z. The smartphone is set to make its way to a U.S. carrier soon, Sony's CEO Kaz Hirai said.
The waterproof Xperia Z, which was unveiled at the International CES in January this year, is already available in the U.S. (only via the Sony Store), albeit the unlocked version which costs a hefty $629.99. Currently, Xperia Z is not available on-contract. However, as indicated by Hirai, the subsidized Xperia Z will soon join the ranks of Android rivals Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One once it is made available on the U.S. carriers as well.
During AllThingsD's D11 conference, Hirai spoke about the Japanese company's product line-up for 2013 and said that the Xperia Z would be offered by a U.S. carrier soon.
"We still have a lot of stuff to do here in the market," Hirai said, per AllThingsD. "There is no question about it."
Hirai also let on that Sony would begin selling the flagship Xperia Z via a U.S. carrier soon and increased marketing efforts would give a fillip to the smartphone's sales. However, he did not divulge which U.S. carrier(s) would offer the Xperia Z.
The Xperia Z features a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. The smartphone houses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 2GB of RAM and Adreno 320 GPU.
The Sony smartphone also packs in 16GB of internal storage capacity, as well as a micro SD card slot (additional memory support of up to 32GB). The Xperia Z also features a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera and is both water- and dust-proof.
While Sony did not disclose the names of any carrier, earlier in May, the Xperia Z was spotted at the FCC with T-Mobile branding. This seems to suggest that T-Mobile could well be the U.S. carrier Hirai mentioned.
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What Could the Future Hold After Sony's $250M Investment in Epic Games?
Sony has made a $250 million investment in Epic Games, the two companies announced on Thursday, July 9. The deal means Sony gets a 1.4% interest in the game development studio and publisher and gives Epic a valuation of $17.86 billion, reports VentureBeat.
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For most of us, with the exception of secondhand finds and sale deals, items from luxury labels like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel are aspirational rather than attainable. But ever since the pandemic began earlier this year, there’s been a sort of humbling effect in the fashion industry. No one label has been immune to the effects of COVID-19 — which include decreased consumer spending, shut-down factories and distribution centers, and store closures — and every brand, from Urban Outfitters to Loewe, has had to adapt in order to stay afloat amidst the uncertainty. One way that luxury fashion labels have responded to the changes is by interacting more with consumers, not just by engaging with them online but also by inviting them to participate, with social media campaigns like #AtHome.
- Untold Story
- Thank Goodness We Can Stream These Reality Fashion Shows — We Need Some Creative Energy – POPSUGAR


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Mumbai BBDO, the global marketing and communications agency synonymous for its work on many of the world’s most famou
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