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Official Retailer for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, Walmart helps raise funds for early education program and donates books to children in low-income communities
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (September 10, 2009) – Walmart and Jumpstart today formally announce a joint effort to highlight the importance of early education and literacy as Walmart joins Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign as its official Retail Partner. Jumpstart’s work with Walmart brings a critical retail presence to support Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, presented in partnership with Pearson, which shines a national spotlight on literacy by creating the largest shared reading experience.
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a celebration of reading, community service and fun to raise awareness about the importance of reading with young children to ensure they learn crucial early language and literacy skills to succeed in school and in life. The campaign also raises funding to support Jumpstart’s yearlong work with preschool children in low-income communities where Jumpstart is working toward the day all children enter school prepared to succeed. This year, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record has set out to break Jumpstart’s reading record as adults read the same book on the same day to more than one million children across the country.
The official campaign book for the 2009 Read for the Record is a special, limited edition of the Philomel Books classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. The commemorative book includes a foreword with messages from Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira of NBC’s TODAY Show, Tony-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Mary Louise Parker, and entertainer, actor, author, recording artist, two-time Grammy Award winner, and NAACP Image Award winner, LL Cool J. Walmart stores nationwide are offering the official limited edition copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in support of Jumpstart's Read for the Record. All net proceeds from the book sales* will be donated to Jumpstart.
"Access to books, especially quality literature, is one of the major factors of early educational success for children and Walmart is committed to doing our part to raise awareness and provide access," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. "From our associates who are reading in Walmart stores on October 8th to customers who support Jumpstart by buying The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Walmart, we're helping to instill a love for reading in children, planting seeds for later success."
“The books we read as children provide us with treasured childhood memories,” said Jumpstart’s President James Cleveland. “Unfortunately, most children in low-income communities have few, if any, age-appropriate books in their homes. As a result, they miss out on the reading experiences that form the foundation for success in school and life. In fact, each year one third of America’s children arrive at their first day of school without the skills necessary to succeed. At Jumpstart, we’re remedying this problem by giving these young people important individualized early education programming throughout the school year.”
“With Walmart’s generous support of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, I am convinced that this year’s campaign is going to not only break a record to raise awareness about the importance of early education, but also directly help us donate more than 250,000 official campaign books to children in need,” Cleveland added. “Jumpstart is proud to have Walmart as such a dedicated partner and integral part of the 2009 Read for the Record campaign.”
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record will be kicked off on October 8 on NBC’s TODAY Show with celebrity readers; the launch is followed by marquis events throughout the country in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Grass roots organizing efforts will also result in thousands of events planned in homes, schools, libraries, parks and community centers across the country.
Over the past three years, more than one million people have taken part in this record-breaking Campaign. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record has raised more than $3 million to support Jumpstart’s mission and more than 500,000 books have been donated to children in need. The campaign is further supported by presenting sponsor, Pearson and national campaign sponsors American Eagle Outfitters and Sodexo as well as Penguin Young Readers Group.
Anyone can join this record breaking celebration of reading, community service and fun – simply PLEDGE TO READ at readfortherecord.org; official campaign books are available for purchase at Walmart. For more information, visit www.readfortherecord.org – in addition to information on how to participate, the website provides information about donating books to Jumpstart children, hosting and joining shared reading events across the nation, as well as ensuring that time reading with a child in one’s life is counted toward the record.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that works toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. To cultivate a child’s social, emotional and intellectual readiness, Jumpstart brings college students and community volunteers together with preschool children for year long, individualized tutoring and mentoring. Since 1993, more than 70,000 preschool children across America have benefited from millions of hours of Jumpstart service. Jumpstart’s national sponsors include American Eagle Outfitters, AmeriCorps, Pearson, Sodexo and Starbucks. Jumpstart is the five-time recipient of the Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Award (2004-2008) and has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, visit the Jumpstart Web site at www.jstart.org.
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* A minimum of $1.00 (12.5% of the retail price) for each book purchased.


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Vodafone Japan Recruits Sony Exec.
Vodafone KK, the struggling Japanese unit of the world’s largest mobile company, has recruited an executive from electronics icon Sony known for his ability to read consumer trends. The Sankei Shimbun daily quoted a Sony executive as saying Nozoe, 56, was “the man who knows consumer trends best in Sony”, will become senior executive vice president of Vodafone KK as of September 5 and from October will head the marketing unit dealing with subscribers, Vodafone said late Monday.
Vodafone lost nearly 200,000 subscribers in the five months to May before a modest 5,300 rise in customers in June. It has said that it will try to reorient itself to young, tech-savvy customers in the cutthroat Japanese market. Nozoe, who went to work for Sony in 1972, was assigned to a US subsidiary in 1986. He eventually spent about 14 years in the United States, taking part in electronics, entertainment and other operations.

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Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States and Theme Park Capital of the World. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, we represent over 1,100 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
MISSION: Inspire, promote and grow global travel to Orlando for economic and community benefit.
VISION: To be the most visited, welcoming and inclusive travel destination in the world.
Who We Are
Founded in 1984, the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau was created by city and county officials, in partnership with local businesses, as an independent organization to promote convention and leisure travel. Today, Visit Orlando is managed by a board of directors that includes representation from a wide variety of government, tourism and community leaders. Consistently recognized as one of America’s top destination marketing organizations, we offer team members exciting and rewarding career opportunities that include professional growth, an enjoyable work environment and a complete benefits package.
10 Oct 23Partner News
Orlando Celebrates Pride with Dozens of EventsPride celebrations, theme parks and food and wine events make autumn a must-experience season ...Read moreOrlando Celebrates Pride with Dozens of Events - News & announcements
Pride celebrations, theme parks and food and wine events make autumn a must-experience season in OrlandoFrom Pride celebrations to Halloween thrills and culinary experiences, travellers to Orlando will find a host of special events all season long. This October, Central Florida will continue its tradition of gathering around National Coming Out With Pride Day in alignment with October’s National Gay and Lesbian History Month by hosting the 19th annual Come Out With Pride Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21st. Widely known as the biggest LGBTQ+ celebration in the Southeast, this year’s Come Out With Pride Festival will feature two stages of live entertainment, The Most Colourful Parade, a Pride marketplace, V.I.P. experiences, three food courts with over 40 vendors, family and youth zones, an all-new trans-pride march and a fireworks finale that will light up the night sky. Dozens of additional partnering events will begin as early as Oct. 10 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community throughout Orlando neighbourhoods, like Thornton Park, Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village. To learn more about these events and the Come Out With Pride Festival, visit www.VisitOrlando.com/LGBTQ or the Visit Orlando calendar of events. Come Out With Pride Celebrations in Orlando From live entertainment and performances to mingling mixers and pride-worthy brunches, here are some of the most anticipated LGBTQ+ events coming to Orlando during Come Out With Pride.
- Todrick Hall's Velvet Rage Tour (Oct. 10) – This Pre-Pride Celebration will present Todrick Hall at the House of Blues Orlando in Disney Springs. The event is 18+.
- Zebra Youth Strikes for Stripes Fundraiser (Oct. 15) – Zebra Youth presents their inaugural Strikes For Stripes bowling fundraiser at Aloma Bowl in Winter Park. Family and friends can bring their A-game and compete for fabulous prizes while supporting the future of LGBTQ+ youth.
- Baga Chipz at Hamburger Mary's (Oct. 17 – 18) – RuPaul’s Drag Race Season One fan favorite, Baga Chipz, will be performing at Hamburger Mary’s in Downtown Orlando on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m.
- 2023 Stronger Together Concert (Oct. 18) – Visitors and residents can celebrate the legacy of queer southern trailblazers with the Stronger Together Concert, a collaborative community effort in partnership with LGBTQ+ organizations across the city. Free to attend, this event will be held at First United Methodist Church of Orlando in Downtown Orlando at 6:30 p.m.
- Watermark's Movies Out Loud (Oct. 19) – Join Real Radio 104.1’s Sabrina Ambra and drag entertainer Trixie Deluxxe at Savoy in Ivanhoe Village Mainstreet District as they critique “Death Becomes Her,” the classic movie starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis.
- Final Stop: Florida – Familia en el Sur (Oct. 20) – The Trans Queer Liberation Movement is closing its “Familia en el Sur” tour at the historical LGBTQ+ center in the Mills 50 District. This movement spurs an initiative to connect with Queer and Trans Latine/Latinx folks with a night of family, fun, entertainment, games and food.
- "Please Say Gay" Pride Kick-off Party (Oct. 20) – Prepare for a community mini-block party in Thorton Park filled with bites, drinks and performances by local LGBTQ+ talents.
- Ready, Set, Pride Mixer (Oct. 20) – Mix and mingle, embrace love and celebrate Orlando Pride with Artisan’s Table from 6 to 10 p.m.
- Orlando Pride After Party (Oct. 21) – After the festival's fireworks finale, attendees can keep the celebration going in Downtown at The Abbey Orlando or dance with friends at the Iron Cow.
- Come Out With Pride: Sand Volleyball Tournament (Oct. 22) – The inaugural charity fundraising sand volleyball tournament will take place at Festival Park, featuring two skill divisions. All proceeds will benefit the Come Out With Pride and the Central Florida Softball League organizations.
- AC Sky Bar Drag Brunch (Oct. 22) – Enjoy views of Orlando at the AC Marriott in Downtown Orlando at the post-Come Out With Pride Drag Brunch. The meal includes a choice of one entre from our prix fix brunch menu, continental breakfast buffet and unlimited mimosas or Bloody Mary’s.
- Hers Brunch Orlando Pride Takeover (Oct. 22) – Join Artisan’s Table for the biggest all-girls pride brunch to touchdown in Orlando from noon to 6 p.m. Attendees must be 21+ to enter.
- Popular (and delicious) eateries include The Glass Knife – known for their beautiful, handcrafted pastries and scratch-made savory dishes; Se7en Bites – a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant serving Southern comfort dishes; and Hungry Pants – a “plant curious” restaurant serving up comfort food made with clean, high-quality ingredients.
- Meanwhile, Out Of The Closet thrift store in Winter Park, Maffrey’s gift store in Ivanhoe Village and Lacastro men’s clothing store on Mills 50 are just some of the LGBTQ+ owned stores in Orlando.
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE , where guests can savor exciting and unexpected flavours from around the globe as they circle the iconic World Showcase now through Nov. 18. This delicious celebration features over 25 global Marketplaces, including a menu of new flavours and sips, live entertainment, family activities and more. The festival welcomes back two booths from the 2022 season: “Hawaii,” featuring the tropical flavors of the Pacific paradise; and “The Noodle Exchange,” offering savory ramen and noodles bowl. Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets and make park reservations in advance.
- Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida (now through Nov. 4) returns with 10 new, movie-quality haunted houses featuring everything from cinematic greats to original abominations, including the all-new Stranger Things 4 and The Last of Us houses; five scare zones filled with creatures lunging from the shadows; and two live shows.
- Howl-O-Scream (select nights, through Oct. 31) will return after its “inaugural fear” to terrorise guests at SeaWorld Orlando with fright-inducing haunted houses and scare zones, thrilling nighttime coaster rides and experiences, an interactive bar and an electrifying live show.
- Central Florida Veg Fest Presented by Vegetarians of Central Florida (Oct. 28), the family- and dog-friendly vegan event held at Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando, returns for its 18th year. The event will feature a day of educational exhibits and activities from a diverse cross-section of vegan cuisines and lifestyles, including new products and ideas from over 200 vendors and 100 contributors to a wide variety of food preparation demos.
Welcome to the Orlando Travel Academy - News & announcements
01 Jun 23NEWS
Visit Orlando taps AviaReps for Europe, Latin America representationVisit Orlando has appointed AVIAREPS as its global representative across Latin America and Europe. The ...Read moreVisit Orlando taps AviaReps for Europe, Latin America representation - News & announcementsVisit Orlando has appointed AVIAREPS as its global representative across Latin America and Europe. The local tourism expert teams will be responsible for Visit Orlando's tourism trade sales representation in key markets the UK, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Germany and Ireland. It will do project work in Canada, as well as in secondary markets Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland. With owned offices in all key countries , AVIAREPS will implement a trade sales concept which can be adapted locally to each market. Duties include supporting Orlando tourism sales strategies and activities, in-market training and ensuring the trade is kept up to date. This will complement Visit Orlando's efforts to drive international visitors to Orlando. AVIAREPS will provide Visit Orlando with research and market intelligence, as well as MICE services. Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando said: "AVIAREPS can adapt concepts to each individual market to promote Orlando with the ultimate goal of increasing visitor numbers.” “The teams specifically provide the travel industry with personalised service and education." Visit Orlando is the official destination organisation for Orlando, Florida. It is the third-largest city in Florida and one of the most-visited cities in the world.
12 May 23NEWS
Orlando tourism welcomed 74 million visitors in 2022Orlando maintained its ranking as the country’s top tourist destination. Visit Orlando announced 74 million ...Read moreOrlando tourism welcomed 74 million visitors in 2022 - News & announcementsOrlando maintained its ranking as the country’s top tourist destination. Visit Orlando announced 74 million annual visitors in 2022, up 25% on 2021. It puts Orlando tourism at 98% of pre-pandemic levels. "This past year proved to be a key recovery timeframe for Orlando's tourism industry, with a lot of pent-up demand," said Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando. "Our new international brand launch and marketing initiatives helped Orlando maintain its leadership position." The uptick comes off the back of the new Unbelievably Real brand launch, first introduced in May 2022 to domestic visitors. It was then rolled out in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. In 2022, domestic leisure visitation completely recovered with a new record of 61 million visit. International visitation is now at 75% of pre-pandemic levels, reaching 4.9 million in 2022. Canada, UK and Brazil were the top three international markets. The new high speed rail service connecting Orlando and Miami is expected to boost visitation further.
26 Jan 23NEWS
SeaWorld Orlando Food Festival returnsSeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is back. Orlando’s largest theme park food festival runs ...Read moreSeaWorld Orlando Food Festival returns - News & announcementsSeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival is back. Orlando’s largest theme park food festival runs from February 3 – May 7, with more than 200 global food and drink offerings. Marketplaces showcase foods from Italy, Ireland, Brazil, Germany, Asia and beyond. New food items on the menu for 2023 include parmesan truffle fries, pork belly and black bean Brazilian stew, and Italian Beef Arancini. There will be an all new full-service menu at Sharks Underwater Grill. Guests can also try the all-new Caribbean Moonshine Tasting booth located next to Seafire Grill. SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival also features a concert series of Rock, Country, Latin, Hip Hop, and R&B artists. Concerts are included with park admission. Headliners include En Vogue, The Commodores, Don McLean and REO Speedwagon. Reserved Seating can be purchased here.
15 Nov 22Partner News
Orlando Spreads Holiday Cheer All Season Long with 50 Days of Events and FestivitiesOrlando is unwrapping a full lineup of holiday celebrations to spread holiday cheer all ...Read moreOrlando Spreads Holiday Cheer All Season Long with 50 Days of Events and Festivities - News & announcementsOrlando is unwrapping a full lineup of holiday celebrations to spread holiday cheer all season long. Throughout December, visitors and locals alike can deck the halls in all eight of Orlando’s theme parks and enjoy festive celebrations beyond the parks, including luminous light shows featuring millions of lights, the longest running holiday parade in Central Florida, and various holiday concerts and stage productions in Orlando’s state-of-the-art performance venues. Visitors can find even more magic with hotel savings of up to 30% off and special festive experiences to create unforgettable holiday memories. “Orlando adds a little extra magic this time of year with more than 50 days of holiday festivities to enjoy throughout the season for travellers of all ages,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. Additional information on Orlando’s holiday happenings can be found here and on VisitOrlando.com, the official visitor information source for the destination. On the website, visitors can also make an appointment for a complimentary, personalised one-on-one Vacation Planning Service with one of Visit Orlando’s vacation planning experts for advice and guidance on building the perfect holiday itinerary. HOLIDAY THEME PARK EVENTS Walt Disney World Nov. 8 – Dec. 30
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will return to Magic Kingdom Park for 24 select nights (Nov. 8 – Dec. 22) this holiday season. This event will offer an evening of merriment featuring “Minnie’s Wonder Christmastime Fireworks,” “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout the park, three jolly new photo opportunities and more (separate ticketed event).
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth (Nov. 25 – Dec. 30) takes guests on a global holiday celebration with a candlelight processional, storytellers, costumed performances, seasonal food throughout the World Showcase nations, along with sights, sounds and flavours of the season celebrated by cultures near and far.
- At Disney's Animal Kingdom brings a holiday twist to the magic of nature with festive flotillas featuring holiday percussionists and Santa sailing down the Discovery River. Discovery Island will spring to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of artic animals like penguins, reindeer, polar bears and more during the Merry Menagerie. As nighttime falls, a festive edition of the Tree of Life Awakening will begin accompanied by a heartwarming musical score.
- At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can dine with Minnie and friends at Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine, enjoy a holiday finale featuring Olaf during the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, catch a glimpse of old St. Nick as he cruises in his candy-apple red convertible down Hollywood Boulevard and experience a captivating projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
- Grinchmas™ at Universal's Islands of Adventure brings holiday charm to Seuss Landing with The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch™. The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast will return this year, on select dates from Nov.12 – Dec. 29, allowing guests to start their day with breakfast and appearances by Dr. Seuss characters, including the Grinch himself.
- Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ features seasonal holiday shows and festive decor in both Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Once night falls in Hogsmeade, guests can revel in a spectacular holiday projection on Hogwarts Castle during “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
- At Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, characters from Illumination’s “Despicable Me” and DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek” and “Madagascar” – along with larger-than-life balloons, dozens of holiday floats, hundreds of festive performers and Santa – will fill the streets of Universal Studios Florida. Guests can also enjoy the iconic sounds of the season with live performances by holiday artist, Mannheim Steamroller, at Universal Studios Florida on select dates Dec. 3-11.
- Universal’s Holiday Tour, a festive add-on experience, offers guests a guided tour and special access to holiday entertainment taking place across Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, including an exclusive after-hours showing of ““The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle”, access to reserved seating at the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular”, character meet-and-greets and more.
- During SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, SeaWorld Orlando transforms into a winter wonderland featuring millions of sparkling lights throughout the park. Included with theme park admission, this year’s festivities include live performances, seasonal food and character dining add-ons: Sesame Street Breakfast at SeaFire Grill, offering breakfast classics with Sesame Street characters dressed up in festive attire and Dinner with Santa, an opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal with Santa Clause himself.
- Holidays at LEGOLAND® will feature a giant LEGO Christmas tree, seasonal shows, holiday characters, special treats, LEGO® activities, twinkling lights and more.
- Christmas Nights in Lights, an all-new seasonal attraction, will debut at Dezerland Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1. The immersive light show experience will take guests through a showcase of holiday displays and more than 1.5 million lights as part of a drive-thru light show fully synchronized to popular holiday classics tuned directly to each vehicle’s car stereo on a private radio frequency.
- Give Kids The World’s Night of a Million Lights will return for its third year at Island H2O Water Park Nov. 11 – Jan. 1, 2023. The all-new venue will transform into a winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive holiday experience. Proceeds from the event will once again benefit Give Kids The World Village, 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish holidays at no cost.
- Jingle Eve, a free event held in Ivanhoe Village on Nov. 19, will feature a variety of yuletide festivities from beer gardens to live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a children’s holiday village, a fireworks finale and more. The event will also feature the ticketed “12 Wines of Christmas” Wine Walk experience for access to tastings among a curated selection of wine options at 20 locations.
- Crayola Experience’s Colorful Christmas, taking place Nov. 19 – Jan 3, includes a life-sized snow globe, complete with falling snow, a light show featuring Scarlet and her singing reindeer and crafting unique gifts.
- Harry P. Leu Gardens will transform once again into a winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures during “Dazzling Nights” Nov. 25 - Jan. 1, 2023. This year’s event brings a completely redesigned show featuring new lighting installations, character meet-and-greets, a kids play area and food offerings.
- Celebrating its 70th year, Winter Park’s annual Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade, the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida, will be held on Dec. 3 featuring over 80 participating organizations, marching bands, an appearance by Santa Clause and more.
- Gatorland’s Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down, will return for its third year on select dates Dec. 3-18. The family-friendly event, included with park admission, will feature live music, festive food items and displays with interactive characters like Gator Claus, Merry Elves and more.
- The Outta Control Magic Comedy Holiday Show at WonderWorks Orlando will receive a holiday makeover this season, from Dec. 10 – Jan. 1, featuring festive décor, special storytelling and tricks for a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience along with audience participation.
- The Orlando Repertory Theatre in Loch Haven Park will present “True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical” Nov. 19 – 22. The world premiere production centers around a magical and insightful story about being authentic, accepting change, and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas.
- The Orlando Shakespeare Theater will present “A Christmas Carol”, on select dates Nov. 30- Dec. 24, the story of the ghosts of Christmas and Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s redemption at the Margeson Theater once again featuring fresh hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies at intermission.
- The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host award-winning electronic violinist, dancer and artist Lindsey Stirling for the Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour on Nov. 30 in the Walt Disney Theater.
- The 10th Annual Violectric® Holiday Show will be held at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, Dec. 10. The free, family and pet-friendly 90-minute concert will feature traditional holiday songs mashed up with classic rock tunes and modern hits, delivering an energetic and unique holiday show.
- The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return to Orlando’s Amway Center to rock into the holiday season on Dec. 17 to present The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.
- Universal Orlando Resort will offer savings of up to 30% off five-night accommodations, Nov. 12 – Jan. 1, at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal’s Aventura Hotel as part of a special holiday package for the holidays.
- JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa will offer a ‘Deck the Halls’ experience, a complete décor package featuring a decorated Christmas tree, personalised stockings and a gift, for guests to transform any guestroom or suite into a festive wonderland from Dec. 17 – Jan. 2.
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort will feature festive programming ranging from cookie decorating with Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber and pizza-making classes with Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi. The Resort’s complimentary kids camp, for ages 4-12, will offer interactive programming such as Santa’s helpers workshop craft time, holiday-themed scavenger hunts, supervised “polar plunge” swim times and more.
05 May 22Partner News
10 New Orlando Experiences for Summer 2022As one of the most sought-after destinations in the U.S., Orlando maintains its popularity ...Read more10 New Orlando Experiences for Summer 2022 - News & announcementsAs one of the most sought-after destinations in the U.S., Orlando maintains its popularity as one of the top places for summer holidaymakers and promises an array of new experiences for visitors planning their next trip to the Theme Park Capital of the World. In addition to new attractions at Orlando’s theme parks, the destination is offering up even more new adventures ranging from a new golf entertainment venue from Tiger Woods to an alcohol-free speakeasy concept. “Orlando is ready to welcome summer travelers with unforgettable new experiences,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Whether you’re a theme park expert or a first-time visitor, there's always something new to discover in Orlando with a variety of new hotels, unique restaurants and one-of-a-kind attractions to explore and create new vacation memories.” Continuous updates on what's new in Orlando can be found at VisitOrlando.com, the official visitor information source for the destination. On the website, visitors can also make an appointment for a complimentary, personalized one-on-one Vacation Planning Service with one of Visit Orlando’s vacation planning experts for advice and guidance on building the perfect itinerary.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion opens May 27, featuring a new storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
- Ice Breaker, SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster features four launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch with a 93-foot-tall spike with 100-degree angle, the steepest vertical drop in Florida.
- Aquatica Orlando’s newest water slide, Reef Plunge, offers eye-catching translucent cutouts and rings with twists and turn though 330 feet of fiberglass. A vibrant array of marine life, Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks and a variety of other cold-water fish are also part of the new dynamic habitat.
- PopStroke, a golf entertainment venue created in partnership with Tiger Woods, will offer a menu of handhelds and pizzas to enjoy from the indoor-outdoor dining room overlooking two 18-hole miniature golf courses. PopStroke even has an app to automatically keep track of scores on the course and is set to open in May at Waterford Lakes Town Center.
- Take a short drive to explore Orlando’s local neighborhoods and experience The BANDBOX – Orlando, Central Florida’s first alcohol-free speakeasy cocktail tasting lounge and vintage shop, will open this summer at Ivanhoe Village in Downtown Orlando.
- Immersion at London House, a new boutique restaurantby Chef Rikku Ó'Donnchü, features a tasting menu-only concept with a sensorial dining experience focused on science, climate change, sustainable farming and zero waste, where texture, scents and sounds are as important as taste.
- The New York Beer Project,set to open this summer in Winter Garden, will resemble an indoor beer garden complete with a gastropub, sidewalk bistro and up to 20 craft beers on tap.
- Three-time James Beard Award semifinalist and “Top Chef” contestant Chef John Tesar has brought his concept Knife Burger to the JW Marriott Orlando. Featuring a slightly more expanded menu than the original Texas location, the poolside restaurant offers classic, high-quality burgers as well as seafood burgers and salads, all made with the finest ingredients.
- The Tuscan-inspired, 126-room ette Hotel Orlando opens in June near Disney World. Focusing on wellness as an alcohol-free property, the hotel offers culinary experiences in partnership with Michelin Star Chef Akira Back, along with The Spa at ette, with services for everyone from the modern minimalist to the unruly naturalist.
- AC Hotel by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista will offer a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness facility, inventive chef-tailored dining and signature cocktail service. The property is set to open June 2022.
10 Dec 21NEWS
Miami, Orlando secure funding for 2026 FIFA World Cup bidsEnterprise Florida, Inc.'s voted to award $10 million in funds to support the Miami and ...Read moreMiami, Orlando secure funding for 2026 FIFA World Cup bids - News & announcementsEnterprise Florida, Inc.'s voted to award $10 million in funds to support the Miami and Orlando bids to be selected as U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The funds will support the cities' planning and operational needs in hosting fans during the tournament. It would support security, transportation and other infrastructure needs, with $5 million grants going to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. Read full story
19 Nov 21NEWS
Florida visitation tops pre-pandemic numbersLatest data shows Florida tourism is booming. Q3 (July to September) 2021 estimates by Visit ...Read moreFlorida visitation tops pre-pandemic numbers - News & announcementsLatest data shows Florida tourism is booming. Q3 (July to September) 2021 estimates by Visit Florida recorded 32 million visitors to Florida, which is up .3% from 2019 and 60% from last year. It was virtually all domestic visitors during the quarter although borders have now reopened. Orlando International Airport posted the highest passenger traffic during the quarter with 5.3 million flyers, up 200% from 2020. Read full story
02 Nov 21NEWS
Michelin Guide, Visit Florida announce guides for three Florida citiesMichelin and Visit Florida together revealed an expansion of The Michelin Guide, with the announcement ...Read moreMichelin Guide, Visit Florida announce guides for three Florida cities - News & announcementsMichelin and Visit Florida together revealed an expansion of The Michelin Guide, with the announcement of The Michelin Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa. "Michelin Guide inspectors look forward to discovering the culinary landscape in Miami, Orlando and Tampa," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides. The inaugural edition for Guides to Miami, Orlando and Tampa will be announced in 2022. The new restaurant selections will join Michelin's selection of top rated hotels in Florida, curated by Tablet Hotels, the hotel experts at the Michelin Guide. "Visit Florida, along with our destination partners, Visit Orlando, Visit Tampa Bay and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, are thrilled to partner with Michelin to develop a Michelin Guide to further establish Florida as a world-renowned culinary destination," said Dana Young, President and CEO of Visit Florida. "This gives Florida the opportunity to highlight the dynamic and unexpected culinary adventures the Sunshine State has to offer."
21 Oct 21NEWS
Virgin Atlantic restarting Orlando, Las Vegas flights for US border reopeningVirgin Atlantic will resume flight operations to Orlando and Las Vegas on the 8 November, ...Read moreVirgin Atlantic restarting Orlando, Las Vegas flights for US border reopening - News & announcementsVirgin Atlantic will resume flight operations to Orlando and Las Vegas on the 8 November, the same day that the US borders reopen. Connections between the Big Apple and the north of England are also receiving a boost, with flights between Manchester Airport and New York also resuming. Services to Orlando will depart daily from both London Heathrow and Manchester. The route is currently the most booked across Virgin Atlantic's global network. To meet increased demand, the airline will deploy the newest, largest plane in its fleet, the Airbus A350-100 from 8 -14 November on its London Heathrow to Orlando route. Las Vegas flights will operate daily from London Heathrow on the airline's Boeing 787-900, with daily services from Manchester to New York resuming on an Airbus A330. Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said; "Our customers are ready to begin their US adventures, therefore it's only right that we offer them the opportunity to fly as soon as we can." The airline offers unlimited free date and flight changes for new bookings as part of a series of enhancements to give added flexibility to customers in uncertain times. The rebooking horizon has been extended for all customers until 30 April 2023, giving a broader window of time to reschedule plans if needed.
10 Sep 21NEWS
Visit Orlando launches UK campaignDestination marketing organisation Visit Orlando recently launched a 2021 autumn/winter campaign targeting UK travellers. 'The ...Read moreVisit Orlando launches UK campaign - News & announcementsDestination marketing organisation Visit Orlando recently launched a 2021 autumn/winter campaign targeting UK travellers. 'The Wonders Remain' campaign rolled out on 1 September in the UK and will run through 31 January 2022. It seeks to recapture travellers' imaginations and inspire them to visit when transatlantic leisure travel resumes. The multichannel strategy includes national television, paid social and SEM. "Our goal with this new campaign is to bring Orlando to life for those who are dreaming of and planning for their 2022 holidays," said Casandra Matej, president & CEO of Visit Orlando. "There is huge pent-up demand for Orlando, and after a very challenging year for the travel industry, this campaign will help increase sales and revenue opportunities for our trade partners." The campaign's call-to-action drives consumers to Visit Orlando's UK website, VisitOrlando.com, for the latest travel information and tools to make holiday planning easier. Consumers are encouraged to book via key travel partners such as Virgin Holidays, BA Holidays, TUI and Ocean Florida. Specific resources for travel professionals, including the Orlando Travel Academy, collateral, sales aids and itinerary planners can be found on Visit Orlando's trade site, VisitOrlando.com/trade. Visit has representation in more than a dozen countries around the world.
2023 Holidays in Orlando | Visit Orlando
Celebrate the magic of the holidays in Orlando!
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Starring Christopher Lee and Andrew Keir, the film is being released in the UK in conjunction with STUDIOCANAL in March 2012 as a Blu-ray Double Plat edition which includes a copy on DVD.
Other classic titles will be released in Blu-ray for the first time as part of Hammer’s restoration efforts which are being co-ordinated with distribution and production partners around the world.
The studio says it will be releasing “definitive versions” of its the hugely-influential Gothic classics The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy in the coming months.
Last week Hammer CEO Simon Oakes said: “Our decision to restore some of Hammer’s most famous titles not only allows existing fans to experience the films again in high definition, but also encourages a new global audience to discover Hammer for the first time.
“We have a busy year ahead but are confident that our Blu-ray plans will ensure that Hammer’s legacy will live on for generations to come.”


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Robots are welcome to clean our houses, but we’ll hang on to our jobs: Research reveals Aussie attitudes
Monday, November 6, 2017/
The potential impact that automation will have on employment across a variety of industries is a growing focus, however, new YouGov Omnibus data shows Australians are maintaining perspective on the pros and cons of the rise of the robots.
According to YouGov data collected in September from a sample size of just over 1000 people, nearly two-thirds of Australians believe robots “will make our lives easier”, and three-quarters agree robots “can do things humans don’t want to do”.
YouGov found that fewer than one in seven Australians say they would not want a robot in their lives, and when survey respondents were presented with 12 different potential robot functions, help with house cleaning ranked as the most popular after being chosen by seven out of 10 respondents.
Robot security proved another popular proposal (selected by 55% of respondents), along with help in the garden (chosen by 43%).
Women and men largely concurred on the role of robots in helping with household chores, however, when considering socially oriented tasks, 27% of men said they would want a robot to assist with care of the elderly, compared to 15% of women, and 26% of men were keen on a robot for companionship, as opposed to 17% of women.
Meanwhile, three-quarters of Australians agreed that robots will take jobs away, yet just one in 10 believe a robot would be better than them at their job.
Younger generations are more inclined to believe that a robot would do a better job than them, with 13% of respondents aged 18–29 saying they believed this to be the case, as did 15% of those aged 30–44. This compared to 8% of those aged over 45.
Concurrently, 37% of respondents aged 18–29 said a robot would not be better than them at their job, as did 43% of those aged 30–44. In comparison, 59% of those aged over 45 said they would out-perform a robot.
According to YouGov, nearly eight in 10 respondents agreed that robots should be regulated carefully.
Forget marketing, the secret to business success is being well-liked Ian Whitworth Scene Change co-founder
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Four tips for playing the long game in business, from Victoria's Small Business Woman of the Year Fiona White Own Body founder


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The size of the global third-party logistics (3PLs) market is expected to grow from $900 billion (2021) to $990 billion this year at 9.4% CAGR, according to Business Research Company. The strong increase of global retail systems, especially in developing countries, is expected to be the main driving force to help drive the 3PL logistics market to grow strongly in the coming year. In recent years, the retail system and e-commerce in general have changed the consumption habits of most global people.
In addition, the increasing rate of internet usage shows that a clear shift to the “virtual world” is taking place. Many international retail businesses with headquarters in many countries have actively implemented online – offline combinations to expand brand coverage. As a result, 3PL logistics service providers can take advantage of opportunities and promote end-to-end freight services such as warehouse leasing, inventory management, packaging, express delivery…
According to a report by Business Research Company, global 3PL logistics is expected to grow from $900 billion in 2021 to $990 billion in 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 9.4%. The global industry share is expected to reach $1,410 billion by 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%.
Currently, third-party logistics (3PL) consists of three main segments, divided by type of service, mode of transport and by industry. Specifically, the type of 3PL service includes transportation under a dedicated contract; domestic and international transport management; Warehouse; distribution and other types of services. Modes of transport include rail, road, water and air. The 3PLs are aimed mainly at industries related to life such as technology, cars, retail, necessities, food and health care products…
In particular, the future 3PL logistics trend is predicted to increase the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This modern technology is increasingly being used by industry logistics businesses and retailers. In addition to optimizing transportation routes and managing fleets, AI also supports intelligent classification of packages by size, weight … helping businesses save time, costs, and effective labor.
For example, there is the case of Verte, an e-commerce service company based in the US, which has launched an omni-channel supply chain platform with integrated AI technology for retailers and service providers. 3PL logistics services. Verte technology solutions provide real-time supply chain insights.
The results obtained are analyzed based on centralized data to ensure the transparency of the supply chain. This platform will provide aggregated data solutions to solve inventory-related problems, meet customer needs, enable retailers, store owners, logistics enterprises 3PL and network operators operate more efficiently.


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The newly-elected District Congress Committee (DCC) president T.J. Vinod, currently Deputy Mayor of the city corporation, said he would take a call... ...http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/DCC-president-elect-vows-to-strengthen-party/article16778897.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
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Demonetisation has proved to be a bonanza for e-wallet companies, according to Nielsen Mobile data. Weekly installation numbers doubled in the week... ...http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/catalyst/the-first-week-that-was/article9416274.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
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On June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision allowing states to require online retailers to collect sales tax regardless of whether...(read more)
WCA on the Move
WCA is always on the move, from testifying at the State Capitol in Madison to presenting to a county board in Northern Wisconsin. Be sure to stay tuned to this special section of our site, where we post the latest happenings via video.
For questions, please contact Michelle Gormican Thompson at her email or at 866.404.2700.


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David Potts wasted no time in stamping his mark on Morrisons when he took the helm of the retailer in March.
After years of haemorrhaging sales, the ailing supermarket was in urgent need of a turnaround. And for the 58 year-old retail evangelist, that meant not only making sweeping changes at the top – including taking the axe to the retailer’s management board – but even responding to special requests from staff and changing the music played in the supermarket’s stores.
He visited 90 of the retailer’s 500 stores in his first seven weeks to listen to what staff and shoppers had to say and has responded by pledging to add over 5,000 staff to the shop floor, improve product availability, reintroduce more staffed checkouts, and ordered a spring cleaning of its stores.
“I honestly believe that if we listen hard to customers and staff then we won’t go so far wrong. They already hold the keys to the kingdom... they know why people choose Morrisons,” he told reporters last month.
Now, almost three months into the job, Potts has made his first offensive move against rival discounters after launching his first significant round of price cuts yesterday on 200 everyday goods ranging from tuna to sugar.
Although analysts say it is still too early to call the shots, there are signs that Potts’ efforts of the last three months may be already bearing fruit.
Recent data from Kantar Worldpanel showed promising signs of recovery, as Morrisons outperformed its other big four rivals to post a rare sales rise in the three months to 24 May.
HSBC’s David McCarthy cautioned that part of this uptick in sales will be due to Morrisons now trading against easier comparatives following its aggressive price investment last year, flattering its performance.
But Shore Capital’s Clive Black added that Potts’ “unrivalled” experience of the grocery sector (he started his career as a shelf-stacker at Tesco) and the “considered manner” in which he is going about things also bodes well.
“The big difference between Dalton Philips and Potts to our minds is experience, perspective and insight plus an unrivalled understanding of the British superstore grocery scene,” Black told City A.M..
“After a period of considerable visiting, listening and observation, Potts is now starting to make more discernible front-end decisions, on which we expect a lot more.”
Credit has to be given to Potts’ predecessor Philips who instigated Morrisons’ £1bn three-year price cutting plan in March last year. However the move came too late and followed a number of errors including Morrisons’ ill-fated acquisition of Kiddicare and its late entry into convenience and online.
Philips was also criticised for taking Morrisons too upmarket by introducing “fresh format” stores and investing in US-style vegetable misters.
With a new chairman and chief executive in place and a renewed focus on its core business, Morrisons hopes that it can put its worst years behind it. After culling most of the management team, Potts still needs make some key hires. He is also under pressure to show that he recognises that Morrisons is a different beast to Tesco.
Potts will update the market in September with his full strategy. And with Morrisons’ 87-year-old lifelong president giving a public show of support to the new management at the annual meeting last week, Potts certainly has plenty of time to prove his worth.


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Small-business owners have little to say about Twitter
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Six out of 10 small-business owners believe social-media tools are valuable to their company's growth, but most aren’t impressed by Twitter, according to a recent poll conducted by The Wall Street Journal.
Only 3 percent of 835 business owners surveyed last month by the Journal and Vistage International said Twitter had the most potential to help them, the Journal reported.
LinkedIn topped the survey, with 41 percent of respondents singling it out as potentially beneficial to their company. Sixteen percent picked YouTube while and 14 chose Facebook.
The findings illustrate the challenges facing Twitter in demonstrating to small-business owners the benefits of using the short-messaging service to reach customers, according to the Journal. Twitter is just beginning to court small businesses, which make up the bulk of U.S. companies.
About 14 percent of the business owners surveyed said they use Twitter, according to the Journal's report. A report last year by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found about 15 percent of all online adults are Twitter users.
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Last year, for the first time, more money was made on streaming and digital music downloads than on the purchases of discs and records and other physical formats, according to figures from the industry organization IFPI.
In 2015 the amount of money made on music purchases was 123 kroner, an increase of 3.2 percent from the previous year, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry informs.
The last time the income in the music industry increased this much was in the late 1990s.
The different streaming services increased their income with 45.2 per cent in 2015, compared with the previous year and those services had around 68 million subscribers in total at the end of last year.
This means the streaming services made almost as much money as iTunes and others selling music downloads over the Internet.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today


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From December 1, all four million plus customers will be able to add TV, mobile, landline or broadband bundles to their existing package for free
TalkTalk is offering free upgrades to all of its home customers as a goodwill gesture following last month’s cyber attack on its website.
From December 1, all customers will be able to add a selection of the following to their package for free: TV content including movies, kids, entertainment and sports; a mobile SIM with a monthly allowance of free calls, texts and data; unlimited UK landline and mobile calls; and a broadband health check by experienced engineers.
In addition, TalkTalk has also created a new bundle of online and telephone security features, designed to improve protection from scammers, malware and cold callers.
This includes web filter HomeSafe; anti-virus protection from F-Secure; and cold calling features that allow customers to block calls from withheld numbers, block the last number that called you, and see the number for incoming calls.
The gesture of thanks is available to all TalkTalk customers, regardless of whether or not they were affected by the cyber attack. They can find out more information at talktalk.co.uk/customerupgrade.
TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding (pictured) said: “TalkTalk takes the security of customers’ data extremely seriously and we are taking significant further steps to ensure our systems are protected, as well as writing to all our customers outlining what we are doing to keep their data safe.
“In recognition of the unavoidable uncertainty, and because we know that doing what is right for our customers will ensure the best possible outcome for the company over the longer term, we are today announcing the offer of a choice of free upgraded services to all our customers.”


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CENTENNIAL, Colo., Nov. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- International Media Distribution (IMD), an industry pioneer in the distribution of 24-hour global networks in the United States launched its first mobile app in collaboration with Bizooku Technologies, a real-time mobile application development company based in Seattle, Washington.
The new mobile app is available for affiliates and consumers alike on all mobile devices by searching "IMD Calendar" through iTunes and Google Play. The goal of the app is to provide easy access to important dates in the lives of Americans served by IMD programming.
Key features of the IMD Calendar app include a 2015 calendar with integrated holiday listings, educational insights and a built-in reminder feature which synchs directly to the user's online calendar. In addition, the app includes direct access to the IMD social media pages on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. User-friendly in its simplicity, the app allows multicultural marketers to have important dates at their fingertips for strategic planning and customer communication efforts.
Developed as a digital guide to IMD's 2015 calendar "Now Boarding," the mobile app includes cover art matching the printed edition of the calendars, just released.
Scott Wheeler, SVP of International Media Distribution says, "Each year, IMD produces an original limited edition printed calendar for affiliate contacts and business partners. We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback on its usefulness so we are proud to launch this digital companion piece for our customers to take with them wherever they go."
Dan Hagen, CEO of Bizooku says "In launching this app, IMD recognizes and embraces the next phase in mobile: providing relevant content that fosters deeper personalized human engagement. We are humbled that IMD chose our radically different mobile app platform and anticipate a long-term partnership, delivering many more industry firsts, with them."
About International Media Distribution
International Media Distribution (IMD) has been a leading provider of in-language programming in the U.S. for nearly two decades. IMD represents over 35 TV services with content from a variety of international sources: ABP News (Hindi), Antenna Satellite (Greek), ART (Arabic), ATV (Cantonese), CCTV-4 (Chinese), CTI-Zhong Tian Channel (Chinese), Channel One Russia, Dom Kino (Russian), DW Amerika (German), Eros Now (Hindi), Filipino On Demand (Tagalog), Life OK (Hindi), Lifestyle Network (English/Tagalog) Mediaset Italia (Italian), Muzika Pervogo (Russian), Myx TV (English), Phoenix InfoNews (Chinese), Phoenix North America Chinese Channel (Chinese), Rai Italia (Italian), RAI News (Italian), RAI Premium (Italian), RTN (Russian), SBTN (Vietnamese), STAR India GOLD (Hindi), STAR India PLUS (Hindi), TFC (Filipino), Tivi5Monde (French), TV Asia (Hindi), TV JAPAN (Japanese), TV JAPAN HD (Japanese), TVK (Korean), TVK2 (Korean), TVK-Pop On Demand (Korean), TV5MONDE (French), TV5MONDE Cinema On Demand (French), VIJAY (Tamil) and Vremya (Russian).
International Media Distribution is an NBCUniversal company.
Bizooku is a mobile application platform software development company offering a radically different "learn and adapt" platform that changes the world of mobile engagement. The proprietary platform supports unique and personalized engagement in real-time, anywhere and anytime. Bizooku serves enterprise clients and partners worldwide, cross-platform and in multi-disciplined industries including media companies, technology companies, education, human resources and non-profits. The company is based in Seattle, WA. For more information, go to www.bizooku.com.
International Media Distribution
(206) 321 9461
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imd-launches-mobile-app-for-instant-access-to-holidays-and-cultural-observances-relevant-to-asian-european-and-middle-eastern-consumers-300000904.html
SOURCE International Media Distribution


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2014 stands out for U.S. consumers carrying the largest amount of auto loan balances ever at $886 billion.
New car loans and leases are growing, but credit unions are also keeping an eye on rising auto loan delinquencies.
Small credit union CEOs share their tips to boost to the bottom line.
Read about two sharply different paths to substantial auto loan growth.
Auto shopping platform adds more vehicle inventory and more mobile access.
The increase in loan volume results in two consecutive quarters of total revenue growth, the industry's best numbers in five years.
The $3.3 billion credit union says since it discontinued its leasing business, it no longer has use for the lot.
Read what a Cadillac finance manager says credit unions can do to get more auto loan business.
CUNA Mutual's Steve Rick shares why loan growth has doubled so far this year.
League's service corp partners with CRIF Lending Solutions.


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UV robots and a sanitizing butler are becoming important commodities in luxury homes as the trend towards so-called “disinfection rooms” gains pace, according to report in Forbes.com.
Luxury apartments and condos are increasingly making use of disinfection spaces in order to prevent the spread of germs. But what does a “disinfection room” consist of? According to Forbes, hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations are the absolute minimum requirement, though some also include machines that can wrap a temporary cover over people’s shoes, and still others come with gowns that can be fitted over your clothes while visiting.
Also, copper-based metals such as brass are increasingly being used in the design of disinfection rooms for their self-sterilizing characteristics. That’s because the copper ions are natural antimicrobials that can kill bacteria and viruses.
Some luxury apartment buildings are capitalizing on the disinfection trend in order to advertise how they can keep their residents safe during COVID-19, and prevent the spread of germs among them, For example, some are employing COVID-19 killing robots that use UV-C lights to destroy germs in common areas such as the elevators and lobbies, and also in some personal residents if the owners request it. The robots are pricey at around $125,000 each, so they’re only seen in the most luxurious residences at present.
Others are employing humans to do similar jobs. The Continuum on South Beach in Miami Beach has hired a sanitizing butler who goes around disinfecting beachfront furniture and table surfaces after they’ve been used by residents. The butler also cleans lounge chairs using a special sanitizing formula. In addition, the building requires that each residents books an appointment in order to use its fitness room facilities so as to avoid overuse and maintain social distancing. Between appointments, the staff disinfects the entire gym, ready for the next guest. There’s also an automated health kiosk that checks the temperature of everyone who enters the building.
In another example of how luxury residences are combating COVID-19, the Legacy Hotel & Residence at Miami Worldcenter, a $500 million 55-storey tower, has introduced touchless technologies, antimicrobial materials, hospital-grade air purification and filtration systems throughout the building.


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Back to Fluid Thinking
Social media roundup: January ’12
We missed last month’s social media roundup due to a busy December but worry not, our monthly roundup is back for the new year, and we’ve found some clever campaigns to kick off January…
KLM Meet & Seat
Dutch airline KLM will soon be introducing its Meet & Seat app on Facebook – it will allow passengers who have opted in to choose who they sit next to based on their social media profiles. I’m guessing the majority of us have had a bad experience sitting next to someone we’d rather not – my most prominent was when I sat next to a nervous flyer who shouted, ‘WE’RE GOING TO DIE, WE’RE GOING TO DIE!’ through every bit of turbulence. Although that particular journey was slightly disturbing, it still wouldn’t be enough to push me to use KLM’s Meet & Seat service – to me, it seems a bit too set up, and if you end up disliking the person, there’s no escape. I’ve had some brilliant conversations with interesting people on flights, but I also like the time to sit back, read and relax – the idea of being forced to talk to someone doesn’t appeal to me. The campaign has a lot of potential though, and I think the number of people joining the mile-high club would increase significantly.
KLM isn’t the first airline to embrace social media, Malaysia and Delta Airlines both have Facebook apps that allow users to purchase tickets, check in, view seating plans and share their itineraries with friends. Virgin America is using Foursquare to promote brand loyalty by asking fans to check-in and post geo-located photos in return for loyalty points. People naturally post holiday photos and check-in at exotic destinations so this is a brilliant idea to build brand loyalty and also gives the user money off a future break. The loyalty campaign is run by Topquest and also includes the Hilton and Best Western hotels.
Strada uses user-generated content to drive sales
Strada is encouraging Facebook users to share their dining experiences by posting photos or writing reviews on popular social networking sites in return for promotional vouchers. Tragus Group own Strada, Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia, and all three are using this user-generated content strategy to help drive more foot traffic into their restaurants. Bella Italia recently ran a Facebook campaign where users were able to make their own personalised pizza and share it with friends in return for a money-off voucher.
Levi’s uses Instagram to find a model for upcoming ad campaign
Instagram is a popular photo-sharing app currently only available on the iPhone but still has over 10 million users. Levi Strauss has opened worldwide casting via Instagram to find a new model for their September 2012 campaign. Users are to take a photo of themselves with the tag #iamlevis to be in with the chance of becoming the new face of Levi’s.
It’s not the first time the brand have used Instagram as a marketing tool, Levi’s Brazil set up an Instagram account ‘levisbrasil’ to keep users visually updated with their latest items. The Brazilian campaign didn’t reach a huge audience but as the number of users on Instagram keeps increasing so will its popularity. It’s interesting to see how brands are choosing to use the application for marketing, and I hope other brands follow suit in the future.


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Nike (NKE 4.38%) had some bad news for investors in the earnings report it delivered last week. The apparel giant's global revenue took a surprising step backward after its rebound in the prior quarter. In its fiscal 2021 third quarter, which ended Feb. 28, sales fell by 1% -- a jarring shift from the 7% increase that the company achieved in the period that ended in November.
Management described the slump, plus a related spike in inventory, as just a temporary problem driven by shipping issues rather than a slowdown caused by customers shifting to competing brands, or by weaker demand for its footwear and apparel. In fact, CEO John Donahoe and his team still expect to hit their aggressive fiscal 2021 targets.
There are at least three reasons investors should lend credence to that ambitious outlook.
1. China sales are booming
The Chinese market contributed a huge portion of Nike's growth in 2019, but it was the first to fall during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. But that important geography is back in full expansion mode today. Sales there jumped by 42% in fiscal Q3, accelerating from a 19% increase in the prior quarter.
That spike offset sales declines in Europe, where new rounds of social restrictions meant to slow the surging spread of COVID-19 hindered retail. It also marked the second consecutive quarter during which the China division produced more than $2 billion in revenue. The company's rebound there offers a great example for the path that it could take in other markets as the coronavirus threat fades.
2. The U.S. market is healthy
Investors just glancing at the U.S. segment might conclude that there's been a brutal shift in domestic demand trends. Sales fell 11% after rising 1% in the prior quarter. Inventory levels soared 31%, too, which might normally signal a period of costly markdowns ahead.
But both of those metrics were driven down by shipping container shortages that delayed the flow of goods from overseas factories to domestic customers. Pricing and demand at retailers, in contrast, were strong as shoppers continued to snap up new launches across the footwear portfolio. Nike is predicting no lingering impact from the shipping issue on either sales or profits. "We expect to capture this delayed revenue in the fourth quarter," Donahoe said in a call with investors.
3. Profitability is still rising
Despite the shipping issues, gross profit margin still jumped by 1.3 percentage points to 45.6% of sales this quarter. That's strong evidence supporting management's explanation that demand held up well in fiscal Q3 even though reported revenue fell.
It's also a sign of positive things to come since those rising margins are a consequence of the company's continued shift toward direct digital sales. Nike's e-commerce channel is more profitable for it than its wholesale channel, and that segment was booming in fiscal Q3, with sales rising 54%.
That strong digital growth is the main reason why management is estimating that gross profit margin will rise by 0.75 percentage points for the fiscal year -- a bit more than it predicted back in mid-December. The upgraded outlook is a clear sign that Nike sees its weak third quarter as just a speed bump on the way to a full growth rebound. And the forecast gets brighter from there, with many years of profitability gains ahead as the company shifts its focus toward high-margin e-commerce sales.


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Tag: Bucket seats
Bride has made a “rocking bucket seat” for the new normal!
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Nikon withdraws offensive ad
The League Against Cruel Sports yesterday advised its members that Nikon was advertising in the Shooting Times, implying that its rifle scopes would be a useful tool for shooting foxes after hunting with dogs is banned.
Following numerous complaints from the public, Nikon UK today responded with an apology and a promise to withdraw the ad. A representative of the company said:
"Nikon UK would like to apologise for any offence that this advertisement has caused. This advertisement was placed by a UK appointed distributor of Nikon without consultation and Nikon UK have asked the distributor to withdraw it. Nikon UK appreciate that this is a sensitive issue and do not adopt this style of advertising. Nikon Corporation does produce rifle scopes, as do many other optic companies. However, the market for them in the UK is predominantly for the sport of target practice. Again, Nikon UK would like to apologise for any offence caused and assure you that the advert has been withdrawn."
League chief executive Douglas Batchelor today welcomed Nikon's withdrawal of the offensive advertisement, saying:
"Companies must understand that the majority of the public are horrified by bloodsports and will not knowingly consume the products of any firm profiting from cruelty to animals in the name of sport."


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Square, Inc. (SQ) Research Coverage Started at Bank of America Corporation
Analysts at Bank of America Corporation assumed coverage on shares of Square, Inc. (NYSE:SQ) in a research note issued on Tuesday. The firm set a “neutral” rating on the technology company’s stock.
A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on SQ. BTIG Research restated a “neutral” rating and set a $20.00 price objective (down previously from $21.00) on shares of Square in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Deutsche Bank AG boosted their price objective on Square from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Stephens boosted their price objective on Square from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “buy” rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Square in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus restated a “buy” rating and set a $23.00 price objective (up previously from $21.00) on shares of Square in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the stock. Square currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $24.64.
Shares of Square (NYSE SQ) opened at 27.57 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $25.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.56. Square has a 12-month low of $10.88 and a 12-month high of $27.97. The firm’s market capitalization is $10.58 billion.
Square (NYSE:SQ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The technology company reported ($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the Zacks’ consensus estimate of ($0.05) by $0.01. Square had a negative return on equity of 12.41% and a negative net margin of 4.13%. The business had revenue of $240 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $228.64 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.08) EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 40.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Square will post $0.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
In other news, CFO Sarah Friar sold 38,400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.22, for a total transaction of $930,048.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 375,023 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,083,057.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director James Morgan Jr. Mckelvey sold 400,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.02, for a total value of $10,008,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 507,385 shares in the company, valued at $12,694,772.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 553,600 shares of company stock worth $13,928,064 over the last ninety days. 32.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Square by 22.7% during the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 5,883 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $102,000 after purchasing an additional 1,090 shares during the period. Glassman Wealth Services raised its position in shares of Square by 1,987.3% during the first quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 6,575 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 6,260 shares during the period. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Square during the second quarter worth $117,000. Concert Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Square during the first quarter worth $144,000. Finally, Riverhead Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Square during the second quarter worth $149,000. 82.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Square, Inc (Square) is a commerce ecosystem. The Company enables its sellers start, run and grow their businesses. It combines software with hardware to enable sellers to turn mobile devices and computing devices into payments and point-of-sale solutions. Once a seller downloads the Square Point of Sale mobile application, they can take their first payment.
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South Korea annual inflation rate slowed to 1 percent in November of 2014 from 1.2 percent in the previous month. It is the lowest rate since February due to a fall in prices of industrial goods.
Year-on-year, cost of industrial goods decreased 0.1 percent and prices of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products dropped 0.1 percent. In contrast, cost of services rose 1.6 percent.
Prices of fresh food decreased 5.2 percent.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.2 percent, following a 0.3 percent fall in the previous month.
Annual core inflation rate slowed for the third consecutive month to 1.6 percent.
12/1/2014 11:34:43 PM


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The price of Intel Celeron 266MHz part will drop to $55 when prices are cut on 14 September, according to industry sources.
The claims were denied by Intel which dismissed that prices would drop so low, but other sources believe the price is likely to be around the $85 mark.
Intel is, however, expected to announce pricing for its Katmai and Tanner chips on that date, according to the source. If true, that could mean that the processors will arrive into the market far faster than anyone expected.
As the PC industry ramps up towards its busiest period of the year, AMD confirmed - as ?VNU Newswire? revealed four weeks ago - that it is on target to release its 350MHz K6-2 next week.
Rana Mainee, strategic marketing director at AMD, said that if the price cuts were as low as this, it was an indication that Intel?s Celeron strategy was showing strong signs of faltering.
"How much do you pay for yesterday's newspaper?" said Mainee. "I really believe the Celeron 266 has been the biggest nonentity this year." He claimed that Intel had pumped money into the Celeron to persuade OEMs to use the part.
"Mendocino is completely different," he said. "If they had waited three months they would have had a useful strategy."
Intel will release two versions of its Mendocino Celeron processors on 24 August.
Geoengineering on the sea floor near glaciers would form a new ice shelf to prevent melting
Alterations in capillary blood flow can be caused by body position change
Curiosity rover is in 'normal mode' but not transmitting scientific data back to base
NatWest outage comes a day after Barclays' IT systems shut out customers and staff


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It could potentially be a very bad Monday for Starbucks lovers with a nut allergy: The company is recalling its fruit and nut boxes from Washington State stores due to some "undeclared cashews" that may have snuck in with the almonds. Customers can return them for a full refund, though people who aren't allergic to cashews should be just fine.
In other, non-allergic reaction triggering news today: The people of Flint, Michigan are fighting for higher fast-food wages; McDonald's in South Korea is getting awfully fancy; Rwanda is trying to convince its citizens to pick up a caffeine habit; prison food in Italy is actually really good; and in Poland, milk bars are an endangered restaurant species.
— Presidential candidates from both sides of the aisle are visiting Flint, Michigan for their respective debates, and the city's workers are seizing the opportunity to demand $15 an hour. Fast-food workers staged walkouts on Thursday to protest outside the GOP debate, and they'll do the same for Sunday's Democratic debate. Flint's much-publicized water contamination crisis is just one of the problem it faces: "We're going on strike and rallying outside the presidential debates because the politicians who are failing the people of Flint are too similar to the billion dollar companies like Yum!, which owns Taco Bell and pays its CEO more than 37 million a year while locking us workers in poverty," writes a Taco Bell employee named Tyrone Stitt.
— Rwanda exports millions of pounds of coffee beans each year, but most of its own citizens don't drink it. Since the coffee has to be exported for roasting and then re-imported, a cup runs about $3, which most people simply can't afford. But now the government is trying to persuade its growing middle-class to start drinking it as a way to help strengthen its economy. Could there be a future for Starbucks in Rwanda?
— In Italy, saying something tastes like prison food can actually be considered a compliment. A medium-security prison in Milan is home to a sophisticated restaurant that's earning high marks from diners and critics for both its food and its daring concept. Inmates who work in the restaurant can earn more than $1,000 a month, which sure beats the pennies per hour U.S. prison laborers are paid.
— Why is McDonald's in South Korea so much cooler than what we get in the States? One store just started serving beer, and now the company will deliver French macarons to customers' doors as part of its McDelivery service. What is the proper name for McDonald's macarons, anyway — McMacarons? McArons?
— Poland's milk bars are dying out. A holdover from the nation's Communist days, the state-subsidized cafeterias provide rib-sticking meals like perogi and borscht at bargain-basement prices all citizens can afford. But as the country's growing economy provides a market for independent restaurants and foreign fast food companies, milk bars are closing in droves and the government is cutting funding. Will low-income Poles be forced to resort to fast food instead?


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The developers of V4 introduced a new class
The Korean version of the fantasy MMORPG V4 will soon receive a new playable class, Maestro.
It's a penguin-like creature who wields a sword and a pistol. There are no more details about the new class yet, except for the date of the release: it will appear in the game on August 4th.
V4 is a cross-platform MMORPG from South Korean company NAT Games, which was published by Nexon for mobile devices and PC. The project has classic gameplay elements of RPG such as dungeons and world bosses, a combat system with target allocation and auto-battle functions. V4 will be released worldwide on July 23rd; until that time, it has only the Korean version.


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Axie Infinity(AXS) is taking the altcoin market by storm: It started the month at $5 but a week later, two consecutive rallies pushed it past $19. The token has since dropped slightly and is currently changing hands at $18.34, yet its 45% gain is nothing short of impressive.
Inspired by Pokemon, Axie Infinity is an open-world game, which allows players to raise, breed, capture, train, and battle tokenized creatures called Axies. These adorable creations are also converted by the platform into nonfungible tokens(NFTs) that can be traded at a digital asset marketplace.
Axie Infinity exploded in popularity in June and now hosts over 250,000 active players each day. But its success has surprised many given the demanding prerequisites that players have to fulfill before their entry.
To become an Axie trainer, players have to first acquire three Axie NFTs -- a cost-intensive requirement since the cheapest creature on the platform is currently priced at 0.1014 ETH, or $214. With more than 1 million unique Axies out there, the most expensive token ever sold was priced at 300 ETH, which is equivalent to $633,000 at spot price.
The AXS, or Axie Infinity Shards, are a type of governance token based on the ERC-20 standard. Players can use them to participate in the platform’s governance protocol or exchange them for ETH to cash out their earnings.
Gaming tokens have fluctuated a lot in the last week. Like AXS, MANA and SAND also recorded a rise in their value. But as of yesterday, all these tokens are on a downward trajectory, which has chipped away at some of the gains from their seven-day rallies.
Blockchain gaming is still in its nascency and poses several technological and financial challenges before interested investors, but this week’s upward momentum could be a sign of a promising future.


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Unrest in South Africa - Impact on Shipments
The arrest of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court last week has seen growing disturbances across the country as a result.
Across the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, banks, shops, malls and some of South Africa’s largest corporations have closed as a result with online orders/deliveries also impacted. Truck deliveries have been affected by looting and increasing violence.
The South African national defence force has been called in to restore stability. Airports and ports are open, but delays are expected due to security concerns - all office and the majority of other staff members are working from home and freight will only be moved if considered safe to do so.
We will continue to monitor the situation and update you accordingly.
If you have any concerns about your shipments, please get in touch with your local Woodland representative or contact us here.


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beat both the bottom and top-line targets on solid chip sales but failed to provide a dazzling business forecast.
The San Diego wireless tech shop posted earnings, excluding one-time items, of 54 cents a share. That's nearly in line with the pro forma profit of 55 cents the company posted in the year-ago period. The adjusted profit was 2 cents better than analysts expected, according to Yahoo! Finance.
Sales for the quarter ended last month were $2.75 billion, which also is flat compared with $2.76 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected sales of $2.73 billion.
Qualcomm updated its fiscal third quarter outlook with a
Looking ahead, Qualcomm said low chip inventory and strong demand should put some wind in its sails. Qualcomm sells chips to mobile phone makers like
and collects licensing fees or royalties from nearly all the major wireless device makers.
"Despite the global economic uncertainty, we anticipate another strong quarter for our chipset shipments in the fourth fiscal quarter," CEO Paul Jacobs said in a press release Wednesday. "We are raising our fiscal 2009 revenue and operating income estimates given the strong underlying fundamentals of our business."
Qualcomm says it expects sales in its fiscal fourth quarter ending in September to be about $2.65 billion, that is down 18% from year-ago levels and below the $2.73 billion target analysts are holding. The low guidance is typical of Qualcomm, which often updates the forecast later in the quarter.
Qualcomm shares fell $2.10, or 4%, to $46.35 in after-hours trading as investors -- who have pushed the stock up 35% this year -- mulled the lackluster guidance.


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New characters give ‘Thomas & Friends’ a jolt of girl power
NEW YORK (AP) — Girls are finally getting a bigger role in Thomas the Tank Engine’s boy-dominated world.
Mattel, the toy maker that owns the Thomas brand, will add two female main characters to the “Thomas & Friends” TV series next year. Nia and Rebecca will appear in each episode and help fix the gender imbalance at the shed where Thomas and the other main characters live: Three of the seven engines at Tidmouth Sheds will be female, up from just one.
The gender shakeup is just one of the many changes coming to the 30-year-old show. Thomas visits real countries for the first time; the animation will move at a faster pace; there’s a new theme song; the characters will crack more jokes; and the narrator will be gone, replaced by the voice of Thomas.
It’s all an effort to shake Thomas’ stodgy image, compete with flashier preschool shows and fight a drop in toy sales. It’s a big risk for the franchise, which got its start as a book series more than 70 years ago. To avoid any missteps, Mattel consulted with parents, young fans and even the United Nations. In all, the company spent two years working on the makeover.
“It’s such a huge shift,” said Kate Schlomann, a vice president of branding at Mattel. “We want to make sure we’re here another 70 years.”
Nia, an engine from Kenya, will make her debut next summer in the movie “Big World! Big Adventures!” and then join the TV series in the fall. Experts at the U.N. advised producers with Nia’s name (it means “purpose” in Swahili) and helped select the African pattern that runs across Nia’s body.
“When you’re designing an engine from any country, you want to be spot on,” said Schlomann.
Rebecca’s origins are less exotic. She’ll come from the Mainland near Thomas’ fictional island of Sodor. She’ll first appear on screens in the TV series next fall. Henry and Edward will get the boot from Tidmouth Sheds to make room for the two new girls, but the boy engines will still appear on the show from time to time. (Mattel refers to the characters as girls and boys, even though they are engines.) Producers wanted Nia and Rebecca to have starring roles, and they’ll join Emily, who has been the only girl engine among the crew of main characters for about 13 years. Other girls in Thomas’ universe have had smaller roles.
“We have added new female characters before, but I think, with a show like Thomas, they tend to fall into the background after initial introduction,” said Ian McCue, a “Thomas & Friends” producer. “What we wanted to do here was really bring these two female characters to the forefront.”
Thomas will meet other female characters, such as an airplane in Australia. And in India, there’s a female train controller in charge of the railway, another first for the show, Mattel said.
“Gender equality is something that’s really important to us in this new series and going forward,” said producer Micaela Winter.
Viewership of “Thomas & Friends” is evenly split between girls and boys, Mattel said, and girls are more likely than boys to watch every week. But the brand hasn’t catered to them. Girls will be in more Thomas toy commercials and on the box. Nia toys will be on sale next fall after the movie release, and Rebecca toys will follow in 2019. More T-shirts, pajamas and bed sheets will be aimed at girls.
“I think it’s actually giving them what they want,” said Schlomann.
Mattel has made changes to its other toy brands in an attempt to be more inclusive and appeal to today’s parents. Barbie and Ken dolls now come in different skin colors, body shapes and hair types. And the first boy doll was added to the American Girl lineup earlier this year.
Mattel took control of “Thomas & Friends” five years ago, after it bought production company Hit Entertainment for $680 million. Since then, it has tried to put its stamp on the brand. Engines from India and China, for example, rode into Sodor last year to add some diversity and appeal to viewers who live in the 110 countries that watch “Thomas & Friends.”
But Thomas has big competition from shows on Disney Junior and Nick Jr., whose characters are also in toy stores with Thomas. Mattel said in July that second-quarter sales at its Fisher-Price unit, which Thomas is a part of, slipped 3 percent compared to the same period the year before. “Our Thomas business remains challenged,” said Mattel Inc. Chief Operating Officer Richard Dickson in a July conference call with investors. But he said there were a couple of new opportunities for the franchise, including girls.
As for Thomas, Mattel said it was fans who wanted the blue engine to get out of Sodor more often.
“One was a little boy saying, ‘Trains can go anywhere, but Thomas never goes anywhere,’” said McCue. “That really got us thinking.”
Thomas will spend half of the 26 TV episodes on railroads in other countries, such as Australia and China. Producers and writers met with the U.N., which has an office that works with movie and TV productions, to help represent different cultures, such as when Thomas takes part in the Chinese New Year.
“It’s really about learning about the world and bringing the world into the living room for a preschooler,” said Schlomann. “Which we haven’t done before.”
Associated Press video journalist James Brooks in London contributed to this report.
Contact Joseph Pisani at http://twitter.com/josephpisani


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2020 was difficult for all: OYO founder, Avana CEO learnt perseverance, resilience and trusting people
Start-up founders in their 20s reveal how they raised money during the pandemic.
DP World’s deal with Shreyas Shipping in troubled waters
The shareholders have asked for a reversal of the transactions in representations ma...
Coming soon: E-commerce platform for small traders
CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said that the e-commerce national marketplace ha...
Avaana Capital infuses fresh funds in Frog Cycles
Frog already has a formidable retail presence in over 250 cities across 600+ retail points. It has previously raised funds from Fireside Ventures.
Royal cousins defend electoral forts for Congress & BJP in Bharatpur
Vishvendra Singh, the sitting Congress MLA from Deeg-Kumher, is facing stiff competition from debutant Shailesh Singh who is contesting on a BJP ticket.
After Hours: IPO buzz, Nifty’s chart reading & trending stocks
Before you get over the not-so-pleasant Tuesday, here are a few interesting details about the session.
Avana Logistek files IPO papers with Sebi
ICICI Securities and Axis Capital are the lead managers to the issue.
ICICI Bank, Ruchi Soya, DRL and Vedanta among top stocks to watch today
Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in today's trading session -
At 92, age no bar for Karunanidhi's passion for screenwriting
Still going strong at 92, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo Karunanidhi continues to actively pursue his passion for screenwriting, a habit he has been nurturing for about 75 years now.
Dussehra: New age Ravana wired up to meet fiery end at finale
This year, some Ramlilas have used electronics to make Ravana’s death more agonizing. Special effects will be accompanied by loud screaming.
Tata Advanced in JV for integrated security solutions
Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) and US-based AGT International (AGT) today announced the formation of a joint venture company to provide integrated solutions for the emerging internal security market.


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DigiFest’s first ever virtual exhibition
The Durban University of Technology, hosts its first virtual Digital festival exhibition.
The 7th edition of DUT’s faculty of Arts and Design DigiFest’20 is held as a virtual event from the 4th to the 6th of November 2020. The theme for this year is Synergy, which means an interaction of two or more things to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
The events Aims for this year is to promote collaborative practices across art, design and technology.
Speaking to the host of the event SamaJobe Sithole, he explained that the event has gained a bigger audience this year.
“Hosting DigiFest online is different because we are able to have guests from around the world, including international audiences, and what is different about this year’s event is the fact that everything is done online even the launching of DigiFest 2020,” he said.
The virtual exhibition will be using virtual gallery to showcase and celebrate creative projects that align with the event theme. Exhibitors include DUT students and staff, other institutions and industry in and outside South Africa.
Nontando Mhlongo, DUT Journalism Student who attended the event said “Due to the pandemic, I was a bit taken back to the fact that the DigiFest will no longer be a physical contact event. However the online experience has been amazing. I attended the radiocracy segment yesterday and it was very informative. My expectations were exceeded with the amount of knowledge I garnered,” she said.
She further explained that “today being the last day I hope to learn more about how the new norm and technology will continue to merge. The transition from traditional media to new media is no longer a term we’ll meet in the future, but it’s happening now and rapidly,” said Nontando