text:
Q2 2018 numbers
On September 14, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY) stock rose 7.9% in response to the company’s robust fiscal second-quarter results. The quarter ended on August 5.
The company’s revenue of $319.2 million and adjusted EPS (earnings per share) of $0.84 beat the analyst estimate of $311.9 million and $0.67, respectively. On a year-over-year basis, revenue was up 13.7% driven by new store openings. The company expects 14 to 15 new store openings in fiscal 2018.
Also, the company announced a $100 million additional share repurchase program and started a dividend program. Dave & Buster’s also raised the revenue outlook for fiscal 2018. The company expects revenues to increase to $1.23 billion–$1.26 billion versus earlier expectations of $1.20 billion–$1.24 billion.
Stock up an impressive 12.5% YTD
On a YTD basis, Dave & Buster’s stock is up 12.5% as of September 14. In comparison, peers Dunkin’ Brands (DNKN), Darden Restaurants (DRI), and Shake Shack (SHAK) have risen 15.2%, 24.0%, and 32.4%, respectively, as of September 14. However, Jack in the Box (JACK) has fallen 13.8% YTD.
The company is working on driving its top line amid a competitive environment. Dave & Buster’s has been focused on enhancing its games portfolio with special emphasis on VR (virtual reality) games to attract more customers. After the launch of Jurassic World VR Expedition in June, the company plans to add a few more VR games to its roster in the coming days. Also, the company is adding new items to the menu and improving the speed of service.
However, the declining trend seen in comparable-store sales is an area of concern. The company’s comps have declined in the first two quarters of fiscal 2018. In the second quarter of 2018, comps were down 2.4% due to a decline in walk-in sales.
A look at changes to PE valuation
As of September 14, Dave & Buster’s was trading at a 12-month forward PE multiple of 20.8x. Since reporting its second-quarter results, its forward PE ratio has increased 6.7%.
Darden Restaurants, Jack in the Box, Dunkin’ Brands, and Shake Shack are trading at 12-month forward PE ratios of 20.9x, 17.8x, 25.6x, and ~83.0x, respectively.


text:
Tokina 11-16/2.8 -- has anyone tried it?
According to the announcement ( http://www.dpreview.com/news/0711/07111601tokina116.asp ), the Tokina 11-16 is supposed to begin to be available in Japan beginning December 21st.
Just curious: has anyone gotten their hands on it yet? Maybe in BIC Camera or Yodobashi? What are the initial impressions? I'm particularly interested in the performance at f/2.8.
- Canon EOS M58.8%
- Panasonic G85/G803.3%
- Panasonic FZ2500/FZ20001.9%
- Panasonic LX10/LX151.2%
- Panasonic GH5 development3.6%
- Sony a99 II15.9%
- Nikon KeyMission 170 and 801.0%
- Fujifilm GFX 50S development28.3%
- Olympus E-M1 II development18.7%
- Olympus E-PL80.1%
- Olympus 25mm F1.2 Pro1.5%
- Olympus 12-100mm F4 IS Pro1.9%
- Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro0.1%
- Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art3.6%
- Sigma 12-24mm F4 Art2.6%
- Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport2.4%
- YI M12.2%
- GoPro Hero50.8%
- GoPro Karma drone2.2%

domain: news


text:
In the French Basque region a dairy co-op is helping to preserve the local sheep milk cheese – and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand its cellar space.
Based in the Sauguis-Saint-Étienne commune, the Etxe Gazna Co-operative includes 80 farms with 120 producers. They aim to raise €48,000 (£43,000) through the crowdfunding platform, which will enable them to maintain employment and improve working conditions. The members need a total of €154,000 (£138,000) for the refurbishment of their cellar, 56% of which will be covered by public subsidies.
Etxe Gazna co-op started life in 1985, when seven farmer members took over a ripening cellar in Gotein. Later on, in 1992 they built the current cellar in Sauguis-Saint-Etienne.
Since then, the cheese cellar has not benefited from any investments. If it secures the funds, Etxe Gazna will build an 80 sq m shelter, creating additional space so it can reallocate rooms for treatment, packing, shipping and additional storage. It will also invest in technology and materials such as computers and printers to improve working conditions and efficiency.
Etxe Gazna also plans to install a new cooling system, which will lead to a longer ripening process, enabling the development of new flavours.
At the moment, the main service provided by the co-op is cheese ripening, an important process which determines flavour. The co-op also purchases large quantities of supplies for its members, helping them save money through bulk-buying.
Once the cellar is revamped, producers – who make the cheese on their farms before bringing it to the co-op for ripening – will benefit from joint packaging, shipping and marketing.
The farmers produce cheese from three local breeds, Manex Tête Noire, Manex Tête Rousse and Basco-Béarnaise. Some still follow the traditional practice of transhumance, moving livestock to higher pastures in summer and lower valleys in winter. This allows sheep to eat mountain specific flora, which, in turn, gives the cheese a distinct flavour.
The co-op has supported families with a longstanding tradition in farming, helping to keep young people in the area. One of them is Thomas Arhancet.
Growing up in the village, he now works with his mother and aims to preserve the legacy of his grandfather’s farm, as well as the local culture and Basque language – which he feels is not used as much as it could be. “We have all we need to stay here,” he added.
Those interested in supporting Etxe Gazna’s cause can invest between €10 and €400.
The co-op is offering small rewards for those contributing the crowdfunding campaign. A €25 (£22.50) contribution will be rewarded with a letter from a sheep while a €50 contribution will give people the chance attend a cheese-tasting session. For €100 (£90), those contributing will be able to take part in transhumance, while a €500 (£450) contribution gives the contributor the opportunity to spend a summer day exploring the co-op.
So far, the Etxe Gazna Co-operative has raised €1,855 (£1,660) from 34 contributors. The crowdfunding campaign is open until 29 September.


text:
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has said the hospitality sector has immense potential to grow and urged the government to grant it the status of industry so that this sector could achieve better growth and play a more effective role in the economic development of the country.
ICCI President Muhammad Shakeel Munir said this while talking to a delegation of Islamabad Restaurants Association that called on him led by its President Khurram Khan on Tuesday.
Munir said that Pakistan is an emerging market in which there are attractive business opportunities for hotels and restaurants but due to lack of industry status, the sector has yet not grown to its potential.
He said that giving industry status to hotels and restaurants would increase investment in this sector and spur its better growth, which would create plenty of new jobs.
He said that currently thousands of people were employed in hotels and restaurants, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this sector has suffered huge losses.
He urged that the government should provide a relief package to this sector in order to alleviate the plights of its business community.
He assured that ICCI would extend all possible cooperation to the Association in resolving the issues of their business community.
Khurram Khan said that many small hotels and restaurants have faced closure due to the outbreak of coronavirus, but no relief was provided to them by the government.
He said that it was not possible to restore the closed hotels & restaurants without the support of the government.
He demanded that the government should provide relief in electricity and gas bills to this sector and also announce a relief package for revival of its business activities.
He said that a large number of people were working in the hospitality sector, but many of them have lost jobs due to the closure of some businesses.
He urged that the government should come forward to support the revival of closed businesses. He further said that the population of Pakistan was rising and there was a great demand for good hotels and restaurants in the country.
Therefore, he stressed that the government should give industry status to the hospitality sector for its better growth.
He said that in these difficult times, FBR was sending notices to the hospitality sector and urged that FBR should withdraw notices till the restoration of business activities to normal routine. —TLTP


text:
Tesla has been racking up spectacular gross sales figures within the Chinese language market. Within the first 5 months of 2023, the model offered over 200,000 domestically produced automobiles. A lot of the success is attributed to Giga Shanghai, which is liable for half of Tesla’s international manufacturing.
Earlier reviews highlighted Tesla’s growth plans in Shanghai to fulfill growing international demand. The model even sought regulatory approval to extend Giga Shanghai’s footprint, with a goal of accelerating powertrain manufacturing capability from 1.25M to 1.75M items yearly. The plan additionally consists of including a brand new battery line.
A brand new report means that Tesla’s ambition may need hit a bureaucratic hurdle. China’s Nationwide Growth And Reform Fee (NDRC) has been skeptical about approving new manufacturing plans attributable to oversupply and deepening worth struggle considerations.
The Austin-headquartered model reportedly desires to transform 70 hectares of former farmland, presently lined in wildflowers, for its new website. The brand new location is simply 1.9 miles away from the present plant.
Analysts instructed that Tesla’s worth cuts in China might result in small gamers shutting store. Tesla can maintain worth cuts, however a lot of its Chinese language rivals cannot. The China Affiliation of Vehicle Producers even requested for an finish to the value struggle.
Tesla might need to increase, however from the Chinese language authorities’s viewpoint, they’re coping with extra output, Invoice Russo, Shanghai-based CEO of advisory firm Automobility advised Reuters. Within the early days, China wanted Tesla to spur development in EV gross sales. However now the coin has flipped, as Tesla desires to learn from decrease manufacturing prices in China to fulfill its international demand, he added.
Tesla depends closely on Giga Shanghai for exports to Europe and Asia. Lately, an enormous Canada-bound Tesla cargo of Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y was captured by a drone close to the Shanghai port.
Lucid Motors and digital shopper items maker Xiaomi are additionally in search of entry into the Chinese language EV market, however their possibilities of getting regulatory permits appear low, based on the report.
CEO Elon Musk just lately visited Giga Shanghai, and likewise met with high officers within the Chinese language authorities, together with Qin Gang, the overseas minister, and Ding Xuexiang, China’s vice premier and one among President Xi Jinping’s closest support.


text:
Potential consumers are serious about buying embattled crypto lender Hodlnaut and its claims in opposition to defunct crypto change FTX, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 6. citing affidavits.
The paperwork be aware that completely different events are “serious about buying” Singapore-based Hodlnaut and have contacted the interim judicial managers of the agency. Hodlnaut filed for cover from collectors in August 2022, shortly after it halted buyer withdrawals.
The report famous that the judicial managers need to enter into non-disclosure agreements with the potential consumers. The affidavit additionally confirmed that Hodlnaut owes collectors a complete of $160.3 million.
A November 2022 submitting indicated that 72% of the belongings Hodlnaut deployed on centralized exchanges had been on FTX and valued at $14 million.
In the meantime, Hodlnaut collectors turned down a proposed restructuring plan in January and stated they most popular to liquidate the collapsed agency as an alternative.
The put up Potential consumers trying to buy Hodlnaut and its FTX claims appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Leave a Reply


text:
It seems like the coming month is going to be more adventurous because of the many smartphones’ launch. It is good news for Honor’s lovers that the company is going to release a smartphone next month. Honor President Zhao Ming has announced that a 5G-enabled Honor V30 Pro will launch next month. He did not revealed the exact date of launch. But surely we will get the exact launch date very soon.
Honor V30 Pro with 5G Connectivity to Launch in November
He did not reveal any specs details except that it will be a 5G phone. However, some rumours are claiming that V30 Pro will use the Kirin 990 5G chipset, which features an integrated modem. Moreover, it will have a 60MP camera on the back. Also, it will have an OLED screen with dual punch holes on the front. So, it may possible that there will be the dual selfie cameras
Moreover, there is also an option that the company will release the 4G version of the phone. Unfortunately, this is all that we know so far about the device. But surely, we will get more detail about the phone in the coming weeks. So, stay tuned for more updates.


text:
By MATT BLOIS
Nearly two dozen Williamson County companies were listed as some of the fastest growing businesses in the country by the business magazine Inc.
The Brentwood logistics and transportation company FreightWise was named the second fastest growing company in the U.S.
The magazine publishes a list of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. each year. The companies submit their own financial information to the magazine through an application process.
The 23 companies from Williamson County represent a large chunk of the 83 Tennessee companies that made the list. There were 19 companies from Nashville that made the list.
FreightWise achieved the highest ranking of any company in the region with a reported three year revenue growth of more than 30,000 percent. The company reported annual earnings of $33.6 million in 2018.
That means FreightWise earned close to $110,000 in 2015. Companies had to earn at least $100,000 of revenue in 2015 to qualify for the list.
Two other Brentwood companies also made the top 500. Perimeter Security Partners earned $15.3 million in annual revenue and more than 1,000 percent revenue growth. Staffing as a Mission reported $5.7 million in annual revenue and more than 1,200 percent growth.
The Brentwood staffing company Vaco had the highest annual revenue of any Williamson County company on the list with $517 million.
Vaco has been listed 13 times, more than any other company in the region. Cumberland Consulting Group, based in Franklin, has been listed 11 times.
Here are all the Williamson County companies that made the list.
|FreightWise||30,548%||Logistics & Transportation||$33.6 million||Brentwood|
|353||Staffing as a Mission||1,291%||Business Products & Services||$5.7 million||Brentwood|
|365||Perimeter Security Partners||1,248%||Security||$15.3 million||Brentwood|
|975||Virtue Capital Management||436%||Financial Services||$6.8 million||Brentwood|
|1684||5by5||243%||Advertising & Marketing||$3.2 million||Brentwood|
|1760||Petra Coach||231%||Business Products & Services||$5.1 million||Franklin|
|1827||Senior Solutions Home Care||223%||Health||$14.1 million||Brentwood|
|2441||REN Dermatology||163%||Health||$2.8 million||Franklin|
|2511||Michael Hyatt & Company||157%||Business Products & Services||$13.7 million||Franklin|
|2743||TFS5||139%||Construction||$14.6 million||College Grove|
|2969||Abenity5||126%||Business Products & Services||$7.1 million||Franklin|
|3692||Confirmation.com10||94%||Financial Services||$36.9 million||Brentwood|
|3840||OnSite Fleet||87%||Logistics & Transportation||$3.8 million||Franklin|
|4070||Cumberland Consulting Group11||79%||Health||$110.6 million||Franklin|
|4121||Vaco||77%||Human Resources||$516.8 million||Brentwood|
|4223||Jonathan’s Grille8||73%||Food & Beverage||$24.4 million||Franklin|
|4265||Resource Communications Group||72%||Telecommunications||$2.7 million||Franklin|
|4677||Benchmark Realty5||61%||Real Estate||$64.9 million||Franklin|
|4752||Jones Therapy Services||59%||Health||$3.8 million|


text:
London, 25 July 2017 – The Farfetch Group announces that David Rosenblatt, CEO of 1stdibs, has joined the Farfetch Board of Directors as a non-executive board member.
David brings 25 years of experience to the board. He is currently the CEO of 1stdibs, a leading marketplace for luxury goods. Since joining 1stdibs in 2011, he has successfully transformed the business from an advertising model to an ecommerce marketplace, globalized the platform and scaled operations.
Prior to 1stdibs David was the CEO of DoubleClick, the leading ad technology vendor and display advertising marketplace, which was acquired by Google for $3.2b in 2008. At DoubleClick, David helped create the display advertising industry, including overseeing the launch of the DoubleClick Ad Exchange.
José Neves, Founder, Co-Chairman and Founder of Farfetch Group said: “We are delighted to have David join our Board of Directors. David has a wealth of experience in building global technology-based businesses including DoubleClick and 1stdibs. We’re honored by his appointment and look forward to many years of working with him as we continue to expand our business."
David Rosenblatt commented: "José and the Farfetch team have done a fantastic job building a global, leading full-price luxury fashion e-commerce business and I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors to help contribute to the success of the company. Farfetch and 1stdibs have similar business models and customers, yet a different product offering, and I look forward to working with the company to further its growth." This announcement follows pivotal milestones for the company this year, including: the launch of Farfetch For All employee shares scheme, the appointment of Natalie Massenet as non-executive co-chairman, the unveiling of Farfetch’s business unit Store of The Future at Farfetch’s inaugural invitation only conference, FarfetchOS, the collaboration with Gucci to launch new delivery service Store to Door in 90 Minutes in 10 global cities, a global content and commerce partnership with Condé Nast and a strategic partnership with e-commerce giant JD.com, opening a gateway to China’s luxury market.


text:
On June 9, 2010 the Environmental Law Foundation (“ELF”) filed Notices of Violation of California Proposition 65 Toxics Right to Know law, alleging the toxic chemical lead was found in a variety of children’s and baby foods. The specific food categories included apple juice, grape juice, packaged pears and peaches (including baby food), and fruit cocktail. A complete list of the companies and products named appears with the notice and is located on the ELF website.
The notices claim that the children’s foods contain enough lead in a single serving that they require a warning under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (aka “Proposition 65” or “Prop 65”). Toxicologist Barbara G. Callahan, PhD, DABT, of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who has spent two decades performing public health and environmental risk assessments, called the lead concentrations in the ELF test results “alarming.”
Under Prop 65, the Governor publishes a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive harm.” Lead is listed as both and was among the first chemicals listed in 1987. If any consumer product contains a listed chemical at a level that presents a “significant risk” the manufacturer and retailer must give a “clear and reasonable warning” about the exposure.
ELF pinpointed categories of food and beverages for testing by examining publicly available government-sponsored testing and published studies—focusing on food product categories that children like and eat often and which the data showed had widespread presence of lead. ELF collected and tested as many brands in each category as it could locate in California.
Scientists agree that there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead accumulates in the body from multiple exposures over time and from multiple sources. According to Dr. Callahan, “Lead exposure among children is a particular concern because their developing bodies absorb lead at a higher rate and because children are particularly sensitive to lead’s toxic effects, including decreased I.Q.” Lead exposure also represents a heightened risk among pregnant and nursing women because lead passes from the mother to the developing fetus or infant. “Lead already stored in the mother’s bone tissue is mobilized along with calcium,” explains Dr. Callahan, “and additional lead exposure to the mother can further compromise the health of the most vulnerable among us.”
Lead has been and continues to be released into the environment from decades of lead-based pesticide application, use of leaded gasoline and lead paint, and burning of coal in power plants. The lead in the environment then can make its way into the food supply. But not every category or even foods within categories contains lead. There are things that consumers can do if they are concerned about their families’ exposure to lead.
Make informed choices.
Demand information before you buy.
Advocate for cleaner food and more comprehensive environmental
ELF’s Notices were sent to law enforcement officials, including the California Attorney General and 58 county District Attorneys, and to the affected manufacturers, retailers and distributors, notifying them that particular food products frequently consumed by children contain lead at levels high enough to require a warning under Proposition 65. These notices start a clock for the companies to bring themselves into compliance with Proposition 65 by either (a) reducing or eliminating the lead or (b) placing “clear and reasonable warnings” on the food packages. If, at the end of 60 days, no law enforcement agency is prosecuting the violation, ELF will file suit to enforce the law.
The notices were based on testing performed on 398 samples of 146 different branded products in the five categories. Samples were purchased throughout California. A list of all products tested and whether they did or did not exceed Prop 65's warning threshold is also found on ELF’s website.
“ELF has fought to protect families from lead exposures for two decades,” said Jim Wheaton, President of the Environmental Law Foundation. “We know the risk these exposures pose for children, and we know that our efforts can help keep children safer.”
Naturally Earth Friendly was born out of a love for everything healthy and good for our bodies and planet. This includes tips to adjust our everyday lives, environmentally conscious efforts we can make and smarter natural products that help make a difference. It's possible to head towards a more sustainable future and we can do it together.


text:
General Motors has confirmed two more electric commercial vans. The new models will join the previously-announced BrightDrop EV600, which was announced earlier this year.
GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed the two models during a recent discussion on the company’s earnings. The chief executive confirmed that the first new van will wear a Chevrolet badge. This van will likely be similar to the very old Chevrolet Express, but it isn’t clear if it will replace the Express or just complement it. Nonetheless, the new van will be battery-electric with GM Ultium battery system.
The second van is a little more interesting. It will not be exclusively powered by batteries. Instead, GM notes it will combine Ultium batteries with GM’s Hydrotec fuel cell technology. This certainly implies it will be a larger van designed for longer hauls, something EV’s are not necessarily optimized for yet. GM did not specify which brand will get this van.
This isn’t the only recent mention of GM commercializing its Hydrotec fuel cell platform. The company recently inked a deal with Wabec to develop locomotives powered by Ultium batteries and Hydrotec fuel cell technology. A similar deal has been sealed with semi-truck maker Navistar.
GM is likely trying to keep up with Ford Motor Company when it comes to commercial EV vans. Ford’s new E-Transit battery-electric van is launching this year and arrives with multiple configurations for fleet operators. Meanwhile, the BrightDrop EV600 is reportedly delayed with only a handful of units produced in 2021 by a GM supplier.


text:
- Jul 6, 2021
Three Senior Blizzard Devs Reportedly No Longer With Company Amid Activision Blizzard Allegations - IGN
Diablo 4 director Luis Barriga, lead level designer Jesse McCree, and World of Warcraft designer Jonathan LeCraft have reportedly been let go amid the ongoing allegations of harassment and abusive culture within Blizzard.
Three senior Blizzard employees are no longer with the company, according to a new report by Kotaku.
Diablo 4 director Luis Barriga, lead level designer Jesse McCree, and World of Warcraft designer Jonathan LeCraft have reportedly been let go amid the ongoing allegations of harassment and abusive culture within Blizzard. Their names are no longer in the company directory, and a source within Blizzard confirmed to IGN that they have also been removed from the company Slack channel.
While the development teams were reportedly informed of their departure, there has been no internal communication on the matter within Activision Blizzard, IGN's source says.
Both McCree and LeCraft were tied to the recent "Cosby Suite" report, which revealed that Blizzard developers would gather within a hotel suite to drink and make sexual remarks about women. It has been tied to the reported "frat culture" that led to California suing Activision Blizzard last month. Barriga had been with Blizzard since 2006 and worked on Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls and World of Warcraft: Legion.
Lead content designer Cory Stockton was also among those in the "Cosby Suite" photo, but is reportedly still with the company.
As the story has continued, we have compiled a timeline to continue tracking events. We also wrote an in-depth report based on conversations with several sources with Activision Blizzard.
We reached out to Activision Blizzard for confirmation of the departure of Barriga, McCree, and LeCraft, but have not yet heard back.
The story so far about Activision/Blizzard lawsuit
From the filing of the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard to the actions taken by former and current employees, here is everything that has happened since the state of California accused the company of fostering a "frat boy" culture in which female employees were subjected to sexual...


text:
Toyota recalling 369,000 vehicles worldwide
TOKYO (KABC) -- Toyota is recalling about 369,000 vehicles worldwide: some for a hybrid-system problem, the others for an engine-bolt defect.
The first recall involves Lexus RX400 and Highlander models, as well as the Harrier and Kluger hybrids in Japan. The carmaker says the inverter system may cause the alarm to go off and prevent the hybrid from running. Some 141,000 vehicles are being recalled in the U.S. and 15,000 in Japan.
The second recall is for the Lexus GS350, IS350, Crown and Mark X models, including 106,000 vehicles in North America, and 59,000 vehicles in Japan. Toyota says the bolts may loosen, causing the engine to stall. An early warning sign includes an abnormal noise just after start-up.
No accidents have been reported in any of the recalled models. Vehicle owners will be notified about the recall through first-class mail, Toyota said. You can also get information from www.toyota.com/recall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- Gusty winds elevate fire dangers in SoCal
- Mountain lion roams Hollywood Hills - video
- India asked to join hunt for missing plane
- Compton teachers call in sick, want pay raise
- LA Co. focuses on stormwater capture projects
- Business leaders concerned about LADWP
- Bizarre East LA bank robbery trial begins
- 39-year-old man found dead in Apple Valley
- 5-alarm fire destroys San Francisco building
- Colorado triple homicide: Friend arrested
- abcnews: Target photo flap creates thigh gap 50 min ago
- Elderly man fights off burglar with hammer
- Obama pushes health care on Funny or Die
- OTRC: Selena Gomez films Adidas ads (Photos)


text:
British Airways joined the low fare war by offering an all-inclusive fares starting at Rs 65,880 for select destinations in N America, Canada for a limited period.
The 'happiness blanket', which is woven with fibre optics, uses neuro-sensors to measure a person's brainwaves and changes colour.
The losses were announced after market closure. On Wednesday, the airline’s shares slumped 10% during morning trading on the Sensex.
"We fly about 340 flights a day. So you stimulate flights that need support or flights that you think would fly with more empty seats," said Kapoor.
The most recent figures show that Dubai "at least for now" has Heathrow beat for the crown of most international passenger traffic.
There are players who opt to send their clubs to a tournament site by express delivery so that they arrive before the players do.
Situated within eight flying hours of two-thirds of the world’s population, Dubai has set up an ecosystem that can connect virtually any two cities in the world with just one stop.
Safe-haven stocks were among the top gainers, including cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco, consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser and water utility Severn Trent.


text:
Company partners with Saxco International for innovative packaging
July 5, 2016
Baltimore, Md.-based Sagamore Spirit introduced its premium Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey in three major markets in the United States: Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and Delaware, with New York to follow shortly, the company says.
Around the Bend Beer Co.’s Puffing Billy American brown ale launched in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles for the first time. Named after a legendary steam locomotive, Puffing Billy presents a label that fits into the Chicago-based startup brewery’s existing profile with an imaginative steampunk-inspired design, the company says.
Real-sugar version of soft drink debuts in bottles
June 15, 2016
In celebration of its 100th birthday, the Southern soda brand Grapico announced the launch of a new campaign, vintage-inspired packaging and a real-sugar version, which will be available in glass bottles.
To celebrate the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka released two commemorative, limited-edition bottles. Fuzzy’s first is a 750-ml commemorative glass bottle that pays homage to the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and past Indianapolis 500 winners.
When Madonna sang, “You know that we are living in a material world, and I am material girl,” the American singer could not have foreseen that her “Material Girl” song would eventually characterize her in the mainstream media. Although Madonna was not singing about glass, aluminum or plastic, these primary packaging materials, like the 1984 pop hit, have become classics.
Founded in the 15th century, Hacker-Pschorr recently received a 21st century face-lift with a modern packaging redesign in the United States, the company says. The redesign was aimed to enhance the packaging’s quality and appearance and affected the brand’s entire line of packaging, including bottle labels and cases.
Limited-edition packaging design featured as part of It's Mine program
March 15, 2016
For the first time, Diet Coke released millions of unique package designs with the launch of the Diet Coke It’s Mine program. The innovative initiative, a continuation of the brand’s Get A Taste campaign, launched Feb. 1.
Our 6th Ibero-American Symposium Brewing and Packaging Technology was a success. On this occasion, more than 250 participants from the brewing industry, as well as suppliers of raw materials and equipment met in Itupeva, Brazil, to be part of interesting topics, and to establish and strengthen the network.


text:
George Maroufidis, travel lead at ECOMMPAY says the shifting technological landscape has had unexpected consequences Continue reading
Guest Post: Brand loyalty among travellers
George Maroufidis, travel lead at ECOMMPAY says the shifting technological landscape has had unexpected consequences
Modern technology has made travellers more fickle than ever before. The explosion of ecommerce, and an increasingly app-based travel industry has given them unparalleled choice.
In the old days, a traveller’s journey began with a venture down to their nearest travel agent, where they could build a personal familiarity with the people on staff and keep coming back as a result.
Nowadays, though, holidaymakers are far more likely to look for potential holiday destinations through Google than with the help of a travel agent, and to find their flights and accommodation through Expedia and AirBnB, whose presentation — merely presenting a list of available options from every possible operator, usually with the cheapest at the top — means clients are often hardly aware of who they’re even booking with.
Travel marketing for the modern consumer
The tech explosion has changed the face of travel in record time. The sudden growth of virtual reality (VR) technology — from the beefy, desktop-bound HTC Vive to the smartphone-based Gear VR — is already impacting how travellers, well, travel. While it’s habitual for holidaymakers to check out their potential destinations on Google Street View, some companies are taking this one step further with fully-realised, tailored VR experiences.
Best Western customers can explore their hotel rooms with a VR headset before they get there, while Qantas offers clients VR jaunts to Australia’s most picturesque hotspots. Getting ahead of the VR curve could be invaluable for building brand loyalty; as the technology develops and becomes more widespread, tourists may increasingly expect travel operators to provide VR samples of the accommodation and destinations they provide.
The other technological initialism that’s defining marketing in the modern era is AI. The application of machine learning to travel marketing is enabling operators to tap into consumers’ wants and needs with more specificity and accuracy than ever. Where once consumers would build up a relationship with a travel agent, who would make recommendations based on their personal familiarity, browser cookies and machine learning means online travel operators can offer tailored experiences to clients from the first time they arrive at their website.
Rather than throwing up a whole host of options and hoping one of them applies, AI allows travel companies to, say, offer a range of holidays in the Alps to a customer whose advertising preferences note a hobby for skiing. Offering a personalised experience to your consumers throughout the booking process, from their hotel room to their flight home, is vital to maintaining their loyalty.
Tailoring the customer journey
That personalised experience isn’t limited to computer screens, either. Consumers need to be able to access tailored content on all of their preferred devices, and it needs to be equally well-presented and easy-to-use on each. Mobile, in particular, should be as smooth an experience as possible, as more and more business revolves around apps and purchases made on the go. In fact, over half of internet traffic worldwide comes from mobile phones these days, making user-friendly, personalised mobile experiences absolutely necessary.
But the growing dominance of mobile doesn’t mean travel providers can afford slack when it comes to their other engagement channels. The rapid proliferation of diverse tech means travellers interact with companies through an increasingly diffuse array of means these days. An ad served on mobile might lead to research on laptop and a booking on a home PC. But all the ad-generated interest in the world won’t count for much if customers can’t navigate around your desktop website’s search function. Being able to unify those experiences, making them as cohesive as possible for individual customers, is the hallmark of a successful business in 2018.
Nurturing customer loyalty in the digital age
Changes in payment technology are leaving their mark on travel, too. Travellers want an experience as secure as handing over cash in a brick-and-mortar establishment, and they want it regardless of whether they’re using credit cards, Apple Pay, or an EFT payment. The catch is that they want it to be as simple as a cash transaction, too. Companies worried about balancing speed and simplicity with security will be relieved to hear that it’s possible to achieve both.
It might seem like technological growth has made consumer loyalty much harder to maintain, but it has provided incredible new avenues for loyalty retention at the same time. Tech like AI and VR means savvy companies have more opportunities to wow their potential clients, keeping them coming back to the provider that knows all their likes and dislikes, and that offers them opportunities to go on a tour before they go on their tour. The truth is, tech hasn’t made consumer loyalty an impossibility, it’s just changed the challenges involved.


text:
Sometime soon, there is likely to be some sort of breakthrough in sports entertainment where commentators get real-time access to data about each athlete and play drawn from sensors worn on the field or the court — how high that jump was, how fast the swing of that bat was, how much faster that player was was running compared to the defense.
It could be pretty exciting, especially for those of us who are more sensitive to the repetitive jabbering of sports commentary.
Athletes and their coaches are just starting to get access to some of that data today. One independent startup in the space, Zepp, makes a one-inch-square sensor that can be mounted on a baseball bat, golf glove or tennis racket.
Some other options include the 94Fifty from InfoMotion Sports Technologies, a smart basketball that helps coach people on their shots, and early sensor-sportswear from established companies like Under Armour and Nike.
Zepp is pretty new to the market. Launched in 2012, it has “tens of thousands” of customers, including some professional athletes, according to CEO Jason Fass. The Zepp sensors are sold in Apple and Verizon stores.
But Zepp is already starting to get a lot of data; its sensors have measured 500,000 golf swings in the past 30 days, Fass said.
Now Zepp has raised $15 million in funding led by GGV Capital, Legend Capital, Bertelsmann and Cherubic Ventures to expand its product and brand.
The company — which has 35 employees in Los Gatos, Calif., and Beijing — had previously raised $5 million from Legend Capital, which is the investment arm of Lenovo.
Fass said Zepp’s key trick is extracting actionable data for training purposes via specialized Android and iOS apps for each sport. Compared to various activity trackers, “making data actionable and meaningful is where I feel all these companies are failing,” he said.
And Fass knows a bit about that topic — his last job was leading product management for Jawbone, which makes the Up activity-tracking band. Before that, he helped lead the MacBook Pro division at Apple.
Going back to the opening premise, data from Zepp and other wearable trackers isn’t yet being used in sports broadcasts of golf, tennis and baseball. That’s a bit of a hypothetical leap, but not a huge one.
“We’re getting into a world — it may be two years, it may be 10 — where sensors are on every athlete on the field,” Fass said.
“Remember when the NFL was first considering the yellow line [to simulate where first downs are for TV watchers]? That was controversial,” Fass said. “Now it’s hard to imagine watching the game without that.”
This article originally appeared on Recode.net.


text:
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Establish Business Hub in Providence, Rhode Island
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, Providence, Rhode Island, to establish the Rhode Island Small Business Development Hub.
This project will provide support to small businesses including human resources, legal services, finance and accounting, marketing, and other professional services to help strengthen and support small business operations in Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington counties. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 500 jobs, retain 800 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Rhode Island Small Business Development Hub will provide small and disadvantaged businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create jobs and promote economic resilience in the region.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will bolster and diversify Rhode Island’s economy, leading to new, good-paying jobs.”
“Small businesses employ over half of Rhode Island’s workforce across our 39 cities and towns and have been at the forefront of our state’s economic recovery. We know that challenges persist from the pandemic, that’s why these CARES Act dollars will be so vital,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I thank President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, and the Economic Development Administration for this $4 million award, which will go a long way toward supporting our state’s small businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic.”
“CARES Act funding is a real investment in ensuring Rhode Island is well-positioned for a strong economic rebound,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This latest federal grant will help drive investment to underserved areas and strengthen Rhode Island’s minority-owned business ecosystem. It will enable Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to help small businesses with the training and support needed to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses and contribute to economic redevelopment across the state.”
“I’m pleased to see CARES Act funding, which the delegation worked hard to secure, invested in helping Rhode Island small businesses grow and add jobs,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “The Rhode Island Small Business Development Hub will be a one-stop shop for small business owners seeking professional services that they don’t have the resources to do in-house.”
“The new Rhode Island Small Business Development Hub will provide much needed resources for our small businesses and entrepreneurs – some of whom are still recovering from the pandemic and others who are looking to pursue their dreams and open a business,” said Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01). “I’m excited to see the growth, good-paying jobs, and diversified economy that this federal funding will help to create and will continue to work in Congress to provide our small businesses and entrepreneurs with the support they need to thrive.”
This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136 PDF), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.


text:
RAILWAY enthusiasts went full steam ahead at a popular exhibition in the city.
Almost 2,000 visitors made tracks to the Birmingham Model Railway Show over the weekend.
It was the fifth exhibition and included 19 railway layouts made to a variety of scales.
Event organiser Guy Craddock said: “Each year it is proving to be very popular with visitors who travel from all over the country to the show.”
It featured a large selection of model railway traders at the venue in Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre, in Kings Heath.
Birmingham Model Railway Exhibition is promoted by Redditch Model Railway Club whose treasurer, Mick Clements, became hooked on the hobby 40 years ago.
The 71-year-old, from Redditch, said: “We saw a lot of interest from people and the event is a good way for them to get into model railways. I’ve got my own railway room at home and it keeps you out of mischief. The Redditch Model Railway Club has been organising model railway exhibitions in Redditch for more than 40 years, the first being staged in December 1967.


text:
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. --
A customer is being hailed as a hero in Caroline County, Virginia, after taking on a gunman during a holdup at a convenience store. The store's surveillance tape camera captured pictures of the gunman demanding money from the clerk. As the clerk fumbled for the money in the cash register, the gunman fired several shots inside the store.
The tape shows the customer coming from behind the robber with a beer bottle and smashing the bottle over the suspect's head.
As the gunman ran off, he turned and shot the Good Samaritan four times. The customer was treated and released from a local hospital.
The suspect is still on the loose.


text:
In the 100th edition of Channel 9's Defrag Tools series, Chad Beeder and Andrew Richards take us on a video tour of the campus and talk about the history of Buildings 22 and 26 including the build lab
First Look: This is Tronsmart's $150 Ara X5 Windows 10 Mini PC
The Ashley Madison hack: a confusing battle between good and evil
...of Lumia flagships, Windows milestones, and Samsung's reminder to RTFM
One month on, what do you think of Windows 10 so far?
Samsung confirms devices it plans to upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Known issues with Windows 10 Insider build 10532
Microsoft is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the July 27th, 1993 launch of the Windows NT 32-bit operating system a day early with a new, if brief, blog post.
Check out Trivia Tuesday's awesome infographic pedigree of Microsoft operating systems, from MS-DOS and OS/2 all the way up to Windows 8, and everything in between. Yes, even Zune.
A new reports states that Dave Cutler, who lead the development of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system, has a new position at Microsoft that has him working on the Xbox team.


text:
Nintendo previously announced an Animal Crossing Nintendo Direct back in September, and now we finally have a date and time for the upcoming broadcast!
The Animal Crossing Direct is now scheduled for November 3rd at 7AM Pacific Time / 2PM GMT, and will be presented in both English and Japanese versions. We expect the presentation to focus heavily on the upcoming Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome amiibo update releasing later this fall.
There could be other surprises in store, like a new wave of Animal Crossing amiibo figures to go alongside the update. But don’t expect anything too exciting as unfortunately Nintendo has confirmed there will be no Nintendo Switch or mobile announcements in this Nintendo Direct.
UPDATE: Nintendo of America goes further with their announcement stating the Direct will be “focused exclusively on the new updates coming to Animal Crossing: New Leaf for Nintendo 3DS.”
The absence of the Nintendo Switch is no surprise at all to us given the system was literally just announced, but we had expected a solid chance of the upcoming Animal Crossing mobile game to be revealed. Despite being announced this spring, we have yet to see any footage of the game. Although after the mobile title’s delay to early next year, there’s still plenty of time for a reveal at a later date.
Oh and one more thing… Nintendo of Europe’s announcement on Twitter of the Nintendo Direct has revealed the English name of the new dog character who runs the campground, his name is Harvey! For a quick refresher, the campground is the new area in town where the RV trailers will hang out when you scan one of the new amiibo cards.
Stay tuned to Animal Crossing World for everything announced in this Nintendo Direct on Wednesday. For more on Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome amiibo update in the meantime, check out some of our past coverage:
- New amiibo Camera feature coming in Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s Welcome amiibo Update
- The new villagers in Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s update are from previous games, including Animal Forest e+
- New video and screenshots of the upcoming Animal Crossing: New Leaf amiibo update from September’s Nintendo Direct
- New Animal Crossing amiibo cards of new villagers are coming for Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s fall update


text:
8th April 2019
Pets at Home^
The pet care business
Pets at Home (‘Pets’) last reported through its Q3 trading statement on 22nd January 2019, which confirmed that the company delivered strong trading during Q3 (12 weeks to 3rd January 2019) that saw retail revenues grow 5.5% overall, with LFL growth of 4.7%. The vet division grew sales by 13.6% during Q3, the re-set is starting to come together, and the company highlighted that good progress is being made in the discussions with joint venture partners in buying-back practices. The company has now entered its closed period, ahead of prelim results on 22nd May. We, therefore, assume that the company continues to be comfortable with FY2019F consensus PBT of £83m and EPS of 13.2p, given that there has been no update since the January trading statement. We continue to believe that Pets operates in an attractive market with structural growth. The business is on the right track again to us, but there remains much work to do before earnings start to rebuild towards historic levels. We expect the shares to tread water for the time being and, therefore, reiterate our HOLD rating.
Investment in prices is delivering sales growth in the retail division
Pets has worked hard to reposition its proposition on price and this is reflected in the positive LFLs that the retail division has posted in recent quarters. The investment in product pricing came at a cost to gross margins, which at the time of the interims back in November saw a decline of 129bps in the period.
Vets business being reset
The company deserves credit, in our view, for addressing the issue of underperforming vet practices. 55 of the 471 practices have been highlighted as underperforming, so the company will offer to buy them back from their joint venture partners. 25 of these will be operated as company managed practices, whilst options for the remaining 30 practices will be considered, including closure. The company will incur exceptional costs of c.£49m over the next two years, of which £27m will be cash costs, as a result of this action.
Valuation looks up with events
In terms of valuation, Pets trades on a one year forward (year to March 2020F) PE multiple of 12.5x and an EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.8x. Given the re-set in the business, FY2019F and FY2020F are transitional years, as the company regroups to deliver sustainable growth over the medium term. We believe that the shares look up with events for now and, therefore, reiterate our HOLD rating, noting an attractive 4.6% dividend yield.


text:
Microsoft has been testing its Office 365 suit of cloud-based productivity applications with partner businesses since last October, but the company is now throwing to doors open to anyone who wants to give it a whirl. The public beta of Office 365 combined Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Lync Online to provide an always-available document and communications system that’s available from anywhere users can connect to the Internet—and the public beta is available in 38 countries and 17 languages for people to try out.
“We’ve been in the cloud for years supporting large enterprises such as Shell and DuPont, but Office 365 takes that same technology power and delivers it to small businesses,” said Microsoft Office corporate VP Kirk Koenigsbauer, in a statement. “More than 70 percent of the people who signed up for the limited beta were small businesses, so it clearly strikes a chord.”
Aimed primarily at businesses, Office 365 brings together Microsoft’s suite of Office Web Apples with hosted SharePoint and Exchange services to enable collaboration and communication, all held together by Microsoft Lync, which makes sure messages and documents stay up to date and synced across services and users. Office 365 can be used for everything from creating speadsheets, word processor documents, presentations, and public Web sites to email, instant messaging, and online meetings. Microsoft is using its ForeFront security technology to make sure information and materials stored in the service remain secure from prying eyes, and promised Office 365 will have 99.9 percent uptime.
Microsoft will also be running the Office 365 Marketplace, where Microsoft partners will be able to offer supplementary programs and services for sale.
For now, the Office 365 public beta is free to use; once the service launches, Microsoft will be offering the service in two primary packages, one for businesses with 25 or fewer employees and one set of plans for larger enterprises. Small businesses will pay $6 per month per person for Office 365; larger enterprises will pay from $10 to $27 per person per month. Separate plans will be available for educational institutions.
Office 365 is Microsoft’s effort to compete with Google in the cloud-based apps space, and while Microsoft may indeed have been in the cloud “for years” with its larger enterprise customers, Google has been in the cloud-based application service even longer—and has had more time to refine and tool their application offerings without the legacy weight of Microsoft Office. That said, Microsoft Office’s ubiquity in business and corporate environments should be a huge leg up for Microsoft as it tries to convince businesses to subscribe to Office 365—after all, if your business already relies on Microsoft productivity applications, it may not be hard to convince people cloud capabilities will be a good thing.
- Save $150 on a lifetime license for Microsoft Office for PC
- Best Microsoft Office deals: Get Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for free
- How to buy Microsoft Office: all methods, explained
- Apple’s Vision Pro to get bespoke Microsoft 365 apps at launch
- Copilot’s most exciting Office features will cost $20 a month


text:
IT was hardly a coincidence when, hours after Snapchat announced its newest innovation-a series of live augmented reality filters-Mark Zuckerberg got onstage at his company’s eighth annual developer’s conference in San Jose, California, and introduced Facebook’s own set of augmented-reality apps for its platform.
“In the future, technology is going to keep making us more productive and that’s going to change how we all work,” Zuckerberg said Tuesday in a speech that he might as well have plagiarized from Evan Spiegel, if Spiegel cared about productivity instead of cameras. “In the future, more of us are going to contribute to culture and society in ways that are not measured by traditional economics and GDP. That’s why I’m so excited about A.R.”
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, Snapchat should be honoured by the years Facebook has spent knocking off its features. Ever since Spiegel spurned Zuckerberg and his attempt to buy Snapchat for $3 billion, Facebook has issued clone after clone of parts of Snapchat’s core product.
A dozen iterations later, Facebook finally landed on something that seems to have stuck: Instagram Stories, a nearly exact copy of Snapchat Stories, which lets users upload pictures and video to the platform that can be viewed by friends for a full 24 hours before self-destructing.
That was in August: by March, when Snapchat went public, Facebook had added Stories features to WhatsApp, Messenger, and its main Facebook product.
In April, the company announced that Instagram Stories now has 200 million daily active users, surpassing the 161 million Snap reported in its last filing. That’s a 33 % jump since January, when Instagram hit 150 million daily users, a demonstration of just how quickly Facebook can increase engagement on its platforms by leveraging its massive user base against competitors.
So it doesn’t exactly register as a surprise that during his F8 presentation on Tuesday, an uncharacteristically animated Zuckerberg went so far as to gratuitously borrow language from Snapchat, which in September announced its first hardware product-Spectacles-and rebranded itself as a camera company.
“If you take one thing away from today: we’re making the camera the first augmented reality platform,” Zuckerberg said. “For those of you watching us roll out cameras across all our platforms, that was act one. This is act two.”
Zuckerberg’s decision to highlight augmented reality also seemed to be a tacit admission that Facebook’s efforts to develop full-on virtual reality haven’t been as successful as he would like. Last month, Facebook’s virtual-reality wunderkind Palmer Luckey, who joined when Facebook acquired his V.R. company Oculus, left the company. Oculus recently cut the prices of its signature headset amid reports of sagging sales. Earlier this year, Facebook poached ex-Googler Hugo Barra from Xiaomi to lead its V.R. team, a signal to some that Facebook’s V.R. projects needed more adult leadership.
Facebook’s new Camera Effects platform will first be available within the Camera feature on smartphones, but eventually it will become compatible with augmented-reality hardware devices, too. “I used to think that glasses were going to be the first mainstream augmented reality,” Zuckerberg said, either hinting at the possibility that Facebook will develop its own A.R. hardware, or taking a dig at Spectacles, or perhaps both. “We all know where we want this to get eventually. We all want glasses or eventually contact lenses that look and feel normal but let us overlay all kinds of information and digital objects on top of the real world.”
“Augmented reality is going to help us mix the digital and physical in new ways,” Zuckerberg continued onstage. “That’s why it’s such an important trend.”
Snapchat isn’t going anywhere yet-it had a euphoric I.P.O. in March, and it has a comfortable $23 billion market cap today, making it more than twice as valuable as Twitter, by Wall Street’s standards-but on Tuesday, Facebook sent a clear message to Spiegel and his company: we copied you once, and we’ll do it again.
Leave a Reply


text:
Prepaid Card Function Flaw Is Getting Fixed – Google Halts Prepaid Card Function
The prepaid card function has been halted temporarily as Google is trying to fix the flaw in its Google Wallet. There seems to be a security flaw in the mobile app and that has to be fixed permanently.
The credit cards and the offers can be stored on your phone with the help of ‘Google Wallet’ mobile app. So, when you visit any of the brick-and-mortar stores, which accept the Google Wallet, you can simply tap the phone at the point of sale to pay & redeem the offers. Setting up the ‘Google Wallet Prepaid Card’ account (using the app) is also easy. However, in case your phone is lost with all your prepaid card data, and if you haven’t locked your screen, then the hacker can easily hack you’re your prepaid card account, by just reestablishing the PIN for that app.
Osama Bedier, VP, Google Wallet & Payments, stated in a blog post that Google believes in taking concrete steps in order to offer protection to their users. He also added that they had to temporarily disable the prepaid card function in order to address this issue where there may be unauthorized usage of the prepaid card balance, in case the phone was lost without the screen being locked. This has been done as a precautionary measure, but the issue would be resolved shortly after fixing the problem permanently.
The security flaw that existed in Google Wallet was revealed by ‘The Smartphone Champ.’ The Google Wallet is easy to use and also does not require any additional software or any other rooted device. So, if the smart phone is lost and if the ‘lock screen’ option has not been set, then the flaw in the security system would lie exposed.
Since the credit card data is not tied to the smart phone user’s Google account, but to the smart phone itself, anyone with a ‘Google-Wallet enabled phone’ can easily change the PIN by going to the ‘application settings’ menu. Once the data is cleared for the ‘Google Wallet’ app, the app will then prompt the Smartphone users for a new PIN. After the prepaid card has been added to the ‘Google Wallet app’ and after the data has been reset by the hacker, the previous card data will then pop up and will thereby enable access to the funds in the card. Since more and more people are using their mobile devices to make payments, the problem needs to be fixed.
Latest Prepaid & Debit Card News
At the beginning of May, Samsung announced its partnership with SoFi, an online personal finance company, aimed at the creation of a new bank product called Samsung Money by SoFi. And now the company revealed more details on the offer. First of all, it became known that Samsung Money will include two possible options: a […]
Venmo, a PayPal’s subsidiary company, is expected to launch a new teen feature for its tap-to-pay debit card. Information about this appeared recently and has not yet been fully confirmed. A Venmo spokesperson’s comment was quite concise: “Venmo is constantly working to identify ways to refine and enhance the user experience. We frequently test product […]
The way people pay for things has changed over the past several years. Mobile payments, digital wallets, touchless credit cards, and online payments have all taken off, leaving that old-fashioned payment method, cash, in the dust.
When you’re booking a trip, how do you prefer to pay for it? If you said debit card or cash rather than credit card, you’re not alone.
If opening up your mail brings a feeling of dread, because you don’t want to see how much you owe to which credit card companies, you’re not alone. Many Americans are struggling to get out of debt, and at the beginning of the year, credit counselor and financial planners often see a surge in the number of people seeking out their advice.


text:
Lego Now World's Most-Valuable Toy Manufacturer
Posted on Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 at 7:28pm by John, BZPower Reporter
Lego's been growing unbelievably for years now, with sales of $4.04 billion in 2012. The company's estimated value has just climbed to $14.6 billion, topping Mattel Inc's $14.4 billion. This article explains some of the recent history of company and also delves into the shares of Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen's three children, all of whom seem to be billionaires thanks to the brick.
« Return to News


text:
Winter Olympics athletes in Beijing are striving to preserve the idealistic and purposeful values of the Games and protect “chivalry, honour and glory” despite the harsh realities of the modern world.
Alibaba CMO Chris Tung tells us about the company’s marketing campaign, as well as its technological support for the Tokyo games and the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics.
Authenticity and a dollop of inspiration, it turns out, are key elements to an influential Olympic Games campaign. Here are five of our favourites.
With the Winter Games coming to a close, the artistic director of the upcoming Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies talks about the brand challenge involved in such events
'Experience the moment' brings together athletes and their far-away support systems.
Built in a bid to change its brand perception, the Korean automaker’s striking pavilion in PyeongChang is turning heads.
Top news, insights and analysis every weekday
Sign up for Campaign Bulletins


text:
Venture capital (VC) firm Wingman Ventures has rebranded as Founderful, with an announcement that it has raised $85m for its new fund, with a goal of $120m.
The Zurich-based VC firm, which focuses on pre-seed startups, has a vast portfolio of 40 startups which it has already injected $60m into.
The new rebrand and fund, Fund II, will see Founderful “laser-focused” on the Swiss tech market.
The firm was founded in 2019 by Swiss unicorn GetYourGuide co-founder Pascal Mathis, former Switzerland lead at Creathor Ventures, Alex Stöckl, and EAT.ch co-founder Lukas Weder.
“We’re beyond grateful that we get to continue our work with the most ambitious founder teams of this exciting ecosystem,” Stöckl said.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below formBy GlobalData
He added: “Switzerland is one of the world’s fastest-growing venture capital markets. With the global shift towards more complex technologies solving some of our society’s most pressing challenges, it will become one of the world’s most important tech hubs.”
The news comes as the value of venture financing deals in Switzerland peaked in 2022, according to GlobalData’s deal database.
In 2022, the value of venture financing deals in the country totalled $2.8bn, a significant increase from 2021 which totalled $1.6bn.
In 2023, the value of venture financing deals dropped from the year prior to $1.3bn.


text:
After experiencing modest growth during the first quarter of this year, South Africa’s new vehicle market took a significant plunge in April, although the placement of the public holidays could have influenced the outcome to a large degree.
According to Naamsa, a total of 34 956 vehicles were sold during April, which is 13.4 percent down on April last year. Passenger car sales fell by 13.7 percent, while light commercials were down 13.3 percent, medium commercials by 3.8 percent and heavies by 12.1 percent.
Although the configuration of public holidays no doubt played a role, with the Easter weekend having fallen in April this year versus March last year, Naamsa warned that the extraordinary political events that occurred at the end of March tarnished the industry’s prospects for the remainder of 2017.
Tough times ahead
It warned that political and social polarisation, along with lower economic growth prospects would continue to weigh down on consumer and business confidence. Given how vehicle sales are directly linked to confidence levels, as well as interest rates and the exchange rate (which determines vehicle prices) the risk for the remainder of the year was on the downside.
Interest rate risk
According to Wesbank, confidence has been shaken by the news that ratings agencies have given SA’s economy a ‘junk status’ label: “The deteriorating rand has already resulted in a notable fuel price increase and the prospect of negative GDP growth is also likely to result in a cycle of interest rate hikes.
“Consumers who did purchase cars last month reacted sharply to these factors – WesBank’s data shows a 12.6% increase in vehicle finance agreements with fixed interest rates, compared to March, indicating that consumers are hedging the risk of possible future interest rate increases.”
Exports down, for now
Export sales also took a plunge in April, down 25.5 percent year on year, although reasonably positive global growth projections are likely to ensure a return to growth.
With the IMF projecting global growth of around 3.6 percent, Naamsa expects export sales to improve for the remainder of the year.
Hilux vs Ranger
In the local sales battle, it was a close call between Toyota’s Hilux and Ford’s Ranger bakkies, the latter taking the overall sales crown by just five units.
Toyota’s Fortuner SUV also enjoyed a relatively strong month, placing third overall with 985 sales. Its arch-rival from Ford, the now-locally-produced Everest, just missed a top 10 placing, with 414 sales.
THE NUMBERS: APRIL 2017
|1. Ford Ranger||1982|
|2. Toyota Hilux||1977|
|3. Nissan NP200||1191|
|4. Isuzu KB||1049|
|5. Nissan NP300 Hardbody||780|
|6. Chevrolet Utility||764|
|7. Toyota Land Cruiser PU||204|
|8. Volkswagen Amarok||169|
|9. Nissan Navara||156|
|10. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up||59|
Some popular passenger cars*
|1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo||1642|
|2. Volkswagen Polo||1581|
|3. Toyota Fortuner||985|
|4. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest||919|
|5. Ford Fiesta||875|
|6. Toyota Etios||698|
|7. Ford EcoSport||543|
|8. Renault Kwid||537|
|9. Renault Sandero||488|
|10. Toyota Rav4||426|
* Full ranking not possible as Hyundai, Kia, BMW and Mercedes refuse to report individual sales figures.


text:
AGAWAM -- Like the feel and look of the leather upholstering in the waiting room chairs at Sarat Lincoln in Agawam?
Then you can order that same leather in a new Lincoln automobile. Same goes for the wood grain of the shelving and display case holding the pamphlets. The same product comes as trim in a new Lincoln, said Jeff Sarat, general sales manager.
It's part of an immersive, luxury-themed experience at the new Sarat Lincoln dealership building, which opened in October at the Sarat complex of dealerships on Springfield Street in Agawam.
The Sarats renovated a former equipment rental store at a cost of $2.5 million as the first phase of building upgrades. The second phase, a $2 million redo of the Ford dealership building next door, opened just before the all-important Presidents' Day car-buying weekend in February.
Sarat said this week that his family is planing renovations at the Family Ford of Enfield location it owns, and work may begin later this year. Their remaining dealership, Ford of Northampton, is already a top-notch facility and is not slated for renovations, Sarat said.
At the Lincoln dealership, the placement of the wood and the leather available in the cars is, of course, no accident. Ford and its Lincoln division have dealer programs that help Ford and Lincoln stores like Sarat finance improvements.
In return, Ford and Lincoln get approval on pretty much everything from the floor tile to desks used by the sales staff to the restroom commodes. Not that Sarat is complaining.
"You know that very often when you look at an artist's rendering of a building, the building you get is never as good as the rendering?" he said. "This project was more than we expected."
But the decision to invest in Lincoln didn't come easily.
Ford offered Sarat the Lincoln rights for the Pioneer Valley in 2008 after a competitor decided to close a Lincoln dealership. But that offer came with the stipulation that Sarat build a dealership building for the luxury marquee.
"And my father and I held off for as long as we could," Jeff Sarat said last week, referring to his father, Jack. "The market conditions weren't right. We didn't know if the Lincoln would be around."
But Ford has invested in the brand, he said. Once a mid-sized Ford sedan and its Lincoln counterpart would have the same design team. No more, he said.
"The design is totally separate, the marketing is separate. The advertising is separate," he said. "Lincoln customers don't want a dressed up Ford Focus. They want something special."
And now they can get something really special. Sarat was recently designated a Black Label dealership. Being a Black Label dealership means Sarat offers interior and exterior colors and other fit-and-finish items other Lincoln garages don't have, he said. Black Label decorating schemes are organized on themes like "The Muse" or "Indulgence."
As it stands, Sarat is the only Lincoln dealer in a swath of territory from Connecticut to Vermont and New Hampshire and from Worcester west to Berkshire County.
Archival Cadillac no longer has any dealerships in all of Western Massachusetts.
The Lincoln garage has a bay where Sarat's staff back new cars in under a video monitor where costumers watch videos instructing them on how to use the self-parking technology, 23-setting seats and other equipment on their new Lincoln.
At Lincoln and at Ford, service customers pull up to a drive-through garage doors to drop cars up for service. When cars are ready -- at either dealership -- staffers pull them back around to the waiting area.
The service bays even have cameras that check tire wear, Sarat said.


text:
Famed car designer Gordon Murray will team up with former Honda engine specialist Osamu Goto and oil company Shell to develop a concept for "an ultra-compact, efficient car for city use based around the internal combustion engine." It's not intended for production. Instead, the project's ambitions are far broader, as Murray discussed in an interview with Green Car Reports this morning. The goal of the project is nothing less than a "step change" in the efficiency of engine-driven vehicles, both in operation and in their manufacturing. DON'T MISS: Gordon Murray's T25 Minicar Finally Revealed...
More Details On Yamaha Motiv-E, Electric Smart Fortwo Rival For Asia?
The Smart Fortwo is a car that heavily divides opinion. In the U.S, it's been less than successful. Sales have been much better in Europe, but even so other manufacturers have hardly rushed out to release competitors for the two-seat city car. Until now, that is. We revealed initial details of...Antony Ingram
Gordon Murray's City Cars, iStream Production Soon A Reality?
Lackluster sales of cars like the Smart Fortwo have illustrated that the market for really tiny cars still doesn't really exist in the U.S, but elsewhere things are quite different. In some European or far-Eastern cities, size--or lack of it--is everything. Those are the markets the T25 and T27...Antony Ingram
Tiny T25, T27 Three-Seat Minicars Delight To Drive, But Not For U.S.
We've been closely following the progress of Gordon Murray's T25 and T27 minicars for some time now, and like many green vehicles of recent years, they've often seemed so near and yet so far away. However, unlike some of the more recent startups, Gordon Murray has been keeping his cards close to...Antony Ingram
Five Electric Cars We Can't Wait To Drive
In recent months we've been lucky enough to get our hands on several different and important electric cars, be they range-extended EVs such as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, electric family cars like the 2011 Nissan Leaf or even the 2011 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, a compact electric microcar most at...Antony Ingram
From The Fastest To The Greenest: BMW F1 Expertise For EVs
"Racing improves the breed". So said the late Soichiro Honda, believing that the lessons learned on the racing cars and motorcycles could be used to improve the marque's road vehicles. The evidence is plain to see. Technologies such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, unibody chassis...Antony Ingram
News of Gordon Murray's decision to build a low-cost minicar created quite a stir when it was announced last year. That stir was in part because of the key driving force behind the project, Gordon Murray, ex-McLaren F1 designer and the pen behind the Caparo T1 supercar, but also because the car itself is an ambitious project. Designed to be tiny, efficient and flexible, the T25 has finally been revealed ahead of its first public appearance at the Smith School’s World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford, UK today. For those unfamiliar with the T25, it’s basically a design for...


text:
Japanese dairy company Morinaga Milk Industry Co. has announced the establishment of a subsidiary in Singapore.
The group said the new unit, Morinaga Nutritional Foods (Asia Pacific), represented another step to strengthen its sales of ingredients to manufacturers in the “fast-growing Asia Pacific market and to accelerate its globalisation”.
Morinaga supplies ingredients used in nutritional products such as infant formulas. The office would contribute to Morinaga’s sales of ingredients including whey protein concentrate and lactose. It will focus on markets including Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Singapore.
“Singapore is now becoming a focal point for major global infant formula manufacturers and raw material suppliers as a location to strengthen their sales activities in south-east Asia and Pacific Rim countries, thus we selected Singapore for the base of our ingredient sales activity in the region,” said Ko Shiino, general manager of the international department within Morinaga. “The location will enable the new subsidiary to better and faster serve its Asia Pacific customers and meet the growing market demand.
“Our ingredients, such as probiotics, whey proteins and hydrolysates have been used in our own various food products with great success in Japan for many years, and have been also sold as raw materials overseas. We are well prepared to take this step to expand our ingredient business in the area and contribute to human health and nutrition throughout the world.”


text:
AirTran Airways A+ Rewards Upgrades
||:: Late-Breaking News
(Posted: Sep 10, 2008)
In an industry where devaluation and the elimination of benefits is the current norm, AirTran Airways announced today some new benefits for A+ Rewards members aimed at its most frequent flyers.
Effective immediately, Elite members and one traveling companion will be upgraded to business class at the gate beginning 40 minutes prior to departure, regardless of the purchased fare class and based on availability. Elite members continue to have the option to purchase or redeem miles for upgrades, but the complimentary space available upgrades from all fare classes are a new feature.
Elite members and A2B corporate customers will receive priority standby. Elite members will also have access to an exclusive telephone line and will now receive the same benefits offered to Summit members when traveling on partner Frontier Airlines, including free DIRECTV, complimentary inflight beverages and exemption from redemption and change fees.
And effective Feb. 1, 2009, A+Rewards is getting rid of A+ Vouchers for flight awards. A+ Rewards credits can only be redeemed for flight or upgrades after that date.
Comments on this Article?
Return to NotiFlyer articles >>>


text:
Michelle Obama Is Speaking In BC Next Month & You Can Still Grab Tickets
She's only coming to one city.
The former FLOTUS is coming all the way to the Great White North this spring and, so far, she's just got one Canadian visit planned. On Tuesday, March 31, she'll be speaking in B.C. and tickets to Michelle Obama's Victoria visit are going on sale Wednesday, February 26.
"She is an inspiring leader and role model to so many. And because of her strong values and true convictions, she continues to drive important change in society," said Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in a release who is a sponsor of the event.
"A Conversation With Michelle Obama" is happening at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The tickets start at around $150 and go up to about $470. VIP tickets also are available for over $1,830, but these come with the added bonus of getting to actually meet-and-greet with Obama herself.
There are 7,400 seats in total at the venue, including accessibility seating; however, tickets could sell out quickly so get your hustle on if you want a seat.
As First Lady of the U.S., Obama has launched and led a ton of popular major initiatives including her "Let's Move!" campaign to solve the problems of childhood obesity.
If heris anything to go off of, this is one event you don't want to miss. You might leave all the better for meeting her.
This current visit caps off Obama's incredible, celebrating her memoir Becoming after it was launched to the #1 spot on the New York Times's best-seller list.
After being published in 2018, it sold more copies than any other book published that year, according to the release.
While the ticket costs might seem high, herhad people paying over $2,000 just to see her.
If you're a big fan of the Obamas, then you should make it out to this transformative event.
A Conversation With Michelle Obama
When: Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
Address: 1925 Blanshard St., Victoria, BC
Why You Need To Go: Listen to the inspirational former First Lady of the United States.


text:
Nextdoor Co-founder Nirav Tolia to Appear as Guest on New Season of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’
Nirav Tolia, co-founder of Nextdoor, arrives for a morning session of the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference July 11, 2018 in Sun Valley, Idaho. The Indian American serial entrepreneur is part of the upcoming season of “Shark Tank.” (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
India-West Staff Reporter
The Indian American co-founder of Nextdoor, Nirav Tolia, will be a guest shark during the upcoming season of ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
The multi-Emmy Award-winning entrepreneurial-themed reality show’s 13th season is set to premiere Oct. 8.
In the new season, the “Sharks – tough, self-made, multimillionaire and billionaire tycoons” – continue their search to invest in the best businesses and products that America has to offer. They will once again give people from all walks of life the chance to chase the American dream and potentially secure business deals that could make them millionaires.
The Sharks are billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of AXS TV and owner of the 2011 NBA champions, Dallas Mavericks; real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; “Queen of QVC” Lori Greiner; technology innovator Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert Daymond John; and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary.
Guest sharks on the new season include actor/entrepreneur Kevin Hart.
Tolia, a Stanford graduate, founded the neighborhood social network in 2010 and served as CEO until 2018. He previously worked at Yahoo and was the co-founder/CEO of Epinions, which was acquired by eBay.
In the United States, nearly 1 in 3 households turn to Nextdoor to access trusted information, give and get help, and build real-world connections with those nearby — neighbors, businesses, and public services, according to the company.
In July, India-West reported that Nextdoor Inc. and Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. II, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Khosla Ventures LLC, entered into a definitive agreement under which Nextdoor would become a publicly listed company.
Upon closing of the proposed transaction, the combined company will be listed under the ticker symbol “KIND,” a news release said. (Get more details on indiawest.com: https://bit.ly/3gGxHF5)


text:
Fixed-wing drone lands on vertical surfaces like a bug
Fixed-wing UAVs have just gotten more useful.
Canary improves livestream skills of its home security camera
The home security system finally gets a web app.
Samsung inexplicably opens up its Android browser
Another app nobody asked for, but it has its charms.
EFF says border control needs a warrant to search your tech
The number of warrantless device searches has more than doubled under Trump.
Parenting tip: Recover your lost parental control password, or not
Parental Controls on iOS are extremely helpful for parents of iOS-device-using kids. They allow a...
Nielsen reports that iPad is most wanted this holiday season
Nielsen has released its annual report on which electronic goodies consumers in various age gro...
iControlPad 2 reaches Kickstarter goal, shipping later this year
I'll be honest: I thought that US$150,000 as a Kickstarter goal for the iControlPad 2 wireless...
Hauppage releases the HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition, now with HDMI
Hauppage has released the second version of its "Gaming Edition" Personal Video Recorder, which...


text:
Trust Ranveer Singh when it comes to nailing some of the coolest and most outrageous looks. His sense of style has been the talk of town quite many a time and we aren’t complaining a bit. From donning low-waist pleated skirts to bold clashing prints to his metallic bling outfits (our personal favourite) – there’s nothing RS has not carried off with elan. His experimental fashion choices are what sets him apart from the current league of stars. Over the years, Singh has given us some right reasons to call him Bollywood’s King of quirk.
Just last year, the man took the runway by storm at Lakme Fashion Week for designer Manish Arora. The year didn’t just mark the designer’s return after 10 years of showing his collection in Paris but included Ranveer’s best look so far with his rainbow sequence bomber jacket from the ‘Cosmic Love’ collection.
Making heads yet again, Singh was seen in a Manish Arora ensemble looking effortlessly high on fashion last night at the MUD Studio launch. Styled by Natasha Gaurav - the star was seen sporting a bubble-gum pink bomber jacket with black and gold sequins accessorized with yellow-tinted frames and metallic pumps.


text:
Trust in Retail Banks Is Strong; Fake Accounts Not Pervasive, J.D. Power Finds
Banks Need to Focus on Fee Transparency and Reduce Sales Pressure
TORONTO: 7 Sept. 2017 — Retail banks have earned the trust of their customers, who believe banks help them find the right product based on their financial needs, according to the J.D. Power 2017 Canadian Banking Sales Practices and Advice Study,SM released today. The inaugural study gauges the effect of retail bank sales practices and financial advice on overall customer satisfaction across the five largest banks in Canada. While unauthorized accounts opened by banks are a serious issue, the study finds such occurrences to be rare. More common issues that destroy trust are customers feeling pressured to open an account and being surprised by fees after opening an account.
“When it comes to the most fundamental issues in a retail banking relationship—customers trusting their bank to do the right thing and to act ethically—Canada’s retail banks get a clean bill of health,” said Jim Miller, Senior Director of Retail Banking Services at J.D. Power. “But there are still areas where the perception of overly aggressive sales practices and surprise fees are having a negative influence on overall customer satisfaction. This creates a unique opportunity for retail banks to stop selling so hard and to start offering tailored financial advice, which can improve customer satisfaction and solidify the strong trust base that has already been built.”
Following are key findings of the study:
- Customers trust their banks and believe they act ethically: Among retail bank customers, 81% say they either “somewhat agree” or “strongly agree” that they trust their bank to do the right thing, and 75% say they believe their bank acts ethically. In-depth analysis shows that a statistically insignificant proportion of customers—less than 0.1%—had an unauthorized account opened by their bank in the past year.
- Pressure to open new accounts persists with deleterious effect: When opening a new account, 9% of bank customers indicate they felt sales pressure from bank representatives. Of those, 14% say the pressure was significant. Overall satisfaction scores are 97 index points higher (on a 1,000-point scale) among customers who did not feel pressured by a representative when opening a new account, compared with those who did feel pressured.
- Customers surprised by fees are less satisfied: When it comes to fees, 10% of bank customers indicate being surprised by fees associated with a new account. Overall satisfaction scores are 115 index points higher among customers who were not surprised by fees when opening a new account vs. those who were surprised. Fee surprises also destroy trust. Among customers who were not surprised by a fee, 45% say they “strongly agree” that they trust their bank to do the right thing, but drops to 23% among those who were surprised by a fee.
- Fee transparency and customer engagement lead to higher satisfaction: When bank representatives completely explain fees up front, the frequency of fee-related surprises drops to 5%. Likewise, when representatives ask questions before suggesting a new account, overall satisfaction increases 78 index points and overall levels of trust increase by 12 percentage points.
- Advice—not sales—is key to greater satisfaction and loyalty: Among customers who received financial advice from their retail bank, 71% say they acted on it and roughly 59% of those customers say they opened a new account as a result of the advice. Overall satisfaction scores are 64 index points higher when bank customers receive financial advice, with 93% of customers who receive financial advice saying they either “probably will” or “definitely will” use the same financial institution the next time they need a bank account or product.
About the Study
The inaugural 2017 Canadian Banking Sales Practices and Advice Study measures customer satisfaction among retail bank customers of the five largest Canadian banks who have opened a new account in the past year with a bank representative; received financial advice in the past year from a bank representative; and customers who said they had an account opened without their consent in the past year. The study is based on responses from 8,792 retail bank customers and was fielded in June 2017.
Banks included in the study are BMO Bank of Montreal; CIBC; RBC Royal Bank; Scotiabank; and TD Canada Trust.
J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. These capabilities enable J.D. Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and profitability. Established in 1968, J.D. Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., and has offices serving North/South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. J.D. Power is a portfolio company of XIO Group, a global alternative investments and private equity firm headquartered in London, and is led by its four founders: Athene Li, Joseph Pacini, Murphy Qiao and Carsten Geyer.
Media Relations Contacts
Stephanie Ronson, Cohn & Wolfe; Toronto, Canada; 647-259-3278; email@example.com
Gal Wilder, Cohn & Wolfe; Toronto, Canada; 647-259-3261; firstname.lastname@example.org
Geno Effler, J.D. Power; Costa Mesa, Calif.; 714-621-6224; email@example.com
About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules www.jdpower.com/about-us/press-release-info


text:
Diamonds are a boy's best friend: The launch of the male engagement ring
A band to bond: The male engagement ring
A jewellery chain is set to be the first in the country to sell engagement rings exclusively for men.
H Samuel says the move comes after demands from female customers for equality - as increasing numbers of women propose to their partners.
Called the Tioro ring, it is a titanium band embedded with a discreet diamond and is priced at a modest £79.99.
Male engagement rings are worn in parts of Scandinavia and Basque regions of Spain but are a rare sight in Britain where, up to now, they tended to only be available from upmarket designers or hand made on demand.
As well as issues of equality driving demand for male engagement rings, H Samuel says women are equally enthusiastic about them as a means of making it clear their men are spoken for.
An H Samuel spokesman said: 'Women are no longer waiting until the man pops the question. We are equals in the workplace, equals in our relationships and we make our own decisions.
'Over 60 per cent of our customers think it's a good idea for women to ask men to marry them and many are currently sealing the deal with watches and other jewellery.
'The men's engagement ring is a clear message to everyone that a man is going to be married and also works perfectly for civil partnerships.'
For those considering the move, there is a specific etiquette on how men should wear their engagement rings.
Prospective grooms-to-be should not wear both a wedding and engagement ring on the same finger as women do.
Instead, the male engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand up until the wedding, after which it is transferred to the same finger of the right hand and a wedding band worn on the left hand.
The spokesman added: 'The ring aims to redress the balance of one side of the couple giving and the other simply receiving, as well as being an outward and visible sign of being "taken".
'Both sides of the partnership can now wear a symbol to celebrate their forthcoming nuptials.'
The ring will become available online tomorrow.
Most watched News videos
- Boris Johnson admits his pet dog has 'endless romantic urges'
- Shameless thief uses angle grinder in attempt to steal motorbike
- Hero grandma catches toddler falling from 20ft high open window
- Shocking moment court bailiff attacked after Texas trial verdict
- Expert shows potentially damaging effects of heavy drinking on liver
- Moment customer uncovers plastic device restricting cash withdrawals
- Divers in Russia spot a pod of seven orca whales swimming together
- Marble Arch Mound wears a deserted look being shut after two days
- Close call! Cyclist narrowly avoids being hit by collapsing tree
- Dominic Raab: Vaccine passports will coax people to get jabbed
- Katie Price promotes Forex trader who conned her fans
- Flapping Boris battles with his brolly at police memorial dedication


text:
We Are Social’s Monday Mashup #269
New video tools available for Facebook Page admins
In the next few weeks, Facebook will roll out new tools for publishing videos. The tools will give Page admins the ability to customise who sees a video by age or gender, as well as being able to exclude videos from the News Feed and Timeline and publish only to their Page’s Videos tab. Admins will also be able to allow or disallow video embeds on third party sites as well as labelling videos based on specific interests, such as news or entertainment.
Instagram improves its web page search
Finally, after a long three year wait, Instagram users can search for hashtags, locations, and user accounts through the platform’s web page. Although Instagram has stated that the web is not their main priority, the new search features are a welcome change to someone who might be stuck at a desk all day, looking for cute pictures of cats.
Twitter makes it easier for brands to plan event activations
Twitter is the go-to place when it comes to following real time events and now the platform is making it even easier for brands to plan ahead for live campaigns. Its newly introduced event targeting is broken down into three areas: the ‘event calendar’ identifies major global events, ‘event insights’ allows marketers to gain access to learnings from audiences who followed an event last year and, finally, ‘event activation’ allows marketers to target relevant groups of people following this year’s event with just a couple of clicks.
New look for YouTube’s mobile site and app
YouTube has been making various changes recently. Not only can you now watch vertical videos in full screen on its app, but it has also introduced a new mobile interface. Now, when users visit the platform on either web or app, they will be greeted with three new tabs. The three-panelled look is designed to make it easier for people to find different videos by showing content based on their past viewing habits, the channels they subscribe to and their account activity. This is only currently on Android but will be rolled out to iOS soon, and highlights the importance of mobile in YouTube’s growth strategy.
YouTube makes ads more interactive
Always keen to skip an ad on YouTube? Well, now the platform is trying to hold your attention as it introduces 360 degree video advertising, following on from the launch of 360 degree videos in March this year. YouTube claims the more interactive videos have a 36% higher view rate than average. Here’s Bud Light taking advantage of the new feature.
LinkedIn ramps up business marketing
LinkedIn is keen to develop its business marketing from its premium subscriptions and job ads. Now, it’s bringing paid-for lead-generation to its Slideshare service, allowing companies who have uploaded documents to block their content until a user has provided their contact information. Marketers will be charged on a pay-per-lead basis. It’s certainly not the last we’ve heard from SlideShare, with its head of marketing stating that lead-gen is “laying the foundation” for more updates to follow.
The Rick and Morty interactive games comes straight to Instagram
One of the sci-fi fans – Instagram has released a new interactive game based on the world of Rick and Morty. Through 80 linked Instagram accounts, fans can explore up to 11 planets in the ‘Rickstaverse’ to find hidden objects. If this sounds like a lot to take in, take a look at the video below which explains it all pretty well.