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What's New With Credit (2022)
Buy Now Pay Later services have received lots of coverage in recent months. The Covid Pandemic, coupled with unprecedented inflation in recent months, seem to have provided the perfect conditions for rapid growth in this industry, attracting predominantly younger consumers.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
Probably the biggest news recently in the BNPL arena is the entry of an offering from Apple called Apple Pay Later. It will be connected to use of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, the other financial services offerings by Apple. MarketWatch and Reuters look at the potential impact on the incumbents, most of which saw a loss in their stock prices on the Apple announcement.
This Verge article argues that the entrance of Apple into this field will bring even more attention and scrutiny into the practices of the companies offering these loans, and their impact on those using them. This may bring regulation to the industry sooner rather than later. Verge also goes into the impact on GenZ finances, as they are the biggest users of these services. The article quotes an SFGate report:
- 73% of BNPL’s users are GenZ
- 43% of those Genz users have reported missing at least one BNPL payment
- GenZ spending using BNPL has gone up 925% in just two years
The article goes on to cite additional reports and statistics on BNPL usage and the behavior of users.
Fox Business also reports that Millennials and GenZ are almost four times more likely than older generations to use BNPL. And they are more likely to use them for luxury items than for essentials. This also makes them more vulnerable to potential fraud.
BNPL can be the worst of both worlds because most companies do not report your payment history (no upside benefit), but may report missing/late payments. (CNBC) The fact that BNPL players don’t report most loans makes it hard for other lenders in general to get a true idea of how much any individual actually owes, and how much more a lender should be willing to lend them. A this point, BNPL lenders have very different approaches to handling missing payments. Regardless, the biggest concern is that consumers will get themselves in a dangerous debt spiral with these loans.
If you need a refresher on BNPL or would like to use a video tutorial to explain the basics of how BNPL works, this Today show segment would be useful. The video also explains how BNPL can be helpful, how it is dangerous, user statistics, and explains how the company AfterPay deals with late payments as an example.
The BNPL company Affirm is different than its competitors in how it funds the loans it makes to its customers. Affirm securitizes roughly one third debt it extends, and its valuation has plummeted of late due to rising interest rates and increases costs of this method. Securitization is when the company bundles chunks of these loans into a new vehicle, and sells “slices” of this new debt. If this sounds familiar, it is exactly what was done with subprime mortgages prior to the crisis of 2008. (LA Times)
(CNN) Credit card usage (outstanding debt) is back up to pre-pandemic record levels. It is not clear if this is a good sign or a bad sign about the underlying health of the economy. Even though consumers seem to be concerned about economic conditions, it does not appear that spending is slowing down.
Have you ever patronized a business that offers a discount for cash purchases? I have seen this most often in liquor stores, but have also seen it in small retail businesses. I don’t recall seeing this in a restaurant, but apparently it is totally legal to do this in restaurants. (However, I have been to restaurants that are cash-only.) It is usually about a 3% discount, either taken off the total, or two different prices are listed on a menu. Sometimes, instead of a discount, a surcharge is added to credit card orders, although this particular practice is prohibited in several states. (Verify This)
The Psychology of Money
This SciTechDaily article examines the “Cashless Effect,” which has been studied since 1979.
"The cashless effect describes our increased willingness to buy products and to pay more for them when no physical money changes hands."
Elizabeth Hirschman began to test her theory that those who use credit cards spend more than those who use cash back in 1979 by sending people out into the field to interview people after making purchases. Since that time, theories have been put forward to explain why this is so. One of those is that using a credit card reduces the “pain of payment.” It separated the pleasure of consumption from the pain of payment when the bill arrives. Apparently, it is not just delaying the payment that leads to spending more, as debit cards seem to have the same impact. Reducing the friction in the transaction seems to play a big role. An MRI study looking at the pleasure centers of the brain during purchases found:
"...buying things with credit cards activates the reward centres in our brains, and it does this regardless of the price. In contrast, when it comes to cash purchases, the rewards networks are only activated for purchases of cheaper items."
As we move to a cashless society, it is argued that we are getting used to operating in this environment, and technology allows us check our bank balances regularly, so the impact is muted. However, for those concerned about the tendency to spend more when no cash is in the picture, the article makes some suggestion on how to avoid overspending.


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The Apple Pay is being increasingly exposed to fraud, despite the high level of protection of the technology proper. According to Payspace, encryption of the credit card data, a built-in chip for storing transaction data and a fingerprint reader for authentication of the owner of the iPhone payment service do not solve the security problem. The vulnerability is noted when entering credit card data in a mobile wallet.
Apple Pay Appeared to be Vulnerable to Scams
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“If you are in the logistics industry, then you’re in the right place. Every week I’ll be bringing you the latest insight from our profession. This is not just the latest news, but how it will influence your logistics, so you can stay one step ahead and make the most of it.
Let’s work smarter, not harder.”
David Buss, CEO of DB Schenker, USA
New Shipping Legislation
Legislation aimed at restraining the power of the container shipping industry, which has seen prices increase during the pandemic, ran through the House last week and could head to the Oval Office for a signature as soon as this week.
The administration believes the law, which is designed to slash the bargaining power of container shipping companies and their industry alliances, will address a critical bottleneck in global supply chains — an issue economists widely believe is a key factor driving inflation.
That said, it’s not that clear cut. Many professionals in our industry caution that supply chain fixes for inflation can be elusive and that interfering with the logistical channels can have unexpected consequences.
Whether it’s the right economic call or not, is not for debate here – the reality is that it is going through the legal system right now. What is up for debate is how you react to this news, and how you forward plan your supply chain considering possible changes on the horizon. Do you have the right logistics partner advising you?
Your Supply Chain is Board Room Important
In March 2020, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic delivered global supply chains a rude awakening. More than two years later, amid China’s strict zero-COVID policy and the ongoing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s not new news that supply chains face their most acute crisis in decades.
In a post-pandemic world, supply chain and logistics will make or break profits. As businesses try to acclimatize the centrality of logistics to their operations, both technology adoption and capital allocation have become top of the agenda. Changes forecast to take years—and even decades—to occur are happening in a much shorter time.
Industrial surveys have found over and over that U.S. businesses want to “reshore” substantial parts of their operations back home. The appetite for reshoring is acute in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and defense hardware, and Congress is paying attention (see story above).
Businesses are prioritizing supply-chain visibility and resilience more than ever.
If you are a supply chain professional, you should have a direct line into your board room. The profitability and long-term viability of your busines could rely on it. When that call comes, make sure you have one of the largest supply-chain companies backing you up. With over 150 years of experience, we’ve weathered a recession or two.
Secure Your Cargo
The latest data from Verisk Analytics Inc.’s CargoNet suggests that cargo theft is on the rise. Higher-value goods such as vehicles and electronics are targeted, as inflation pushes up the cost of goods in the supply chain.
Estimated cargo theft losses in the United States and Canada jumped to $19 million in the first quarter of this year, a 73 percent increase over the prior-year period even as the number of reported thefts remained unchanged at 319.
The average loss value in the first quarter was $232,000, a 68 percent increase over the same period last year and more than double the average loss value
Companies can take steps to reduce the risk of theft, including installing tracking technology and hard-locking devices, using teams of drivers, and avoiding theft hotspots. When you use DB SCHENKERsmartbox, you get unparalleled transparency, security, and savings; including the monitoring of cargo conditions, increased lead-time and GPS real time tracking via web (24/7)
US is Stepping Up International Trade Negotiations
In the past week the US has been stepping up negotiations on international trade.
US Trade Representative announced May 25 – under enforcement action of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement – dispute settlement consultations with Canada over the handling of its dairy tariff-rate quota allocation measures. There are claims of allocation denial to eligible applicants and failure to fully allocate its annual dairy quoters in a timely manner.
On the other side of the globe, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Tuesday that the US is mulling adding more Chinese firms to the government’s banned entity list, which effectively blocks access to US exports. The US says some firms on the blacklist have aided China’s military operations by providing resources and know-how.
US firms are barred from selling some types of technology to Chinese companies because they’ve been designated as threats to national security by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security.
To stay ahead of the upcoming changes, shippers should use a leading global logistics company that offers single source comprehensive risk management & transportation compliance solutions, including cargo insurance, customs bonds, trade documentation, and compliance.
What Automotive Manufacturers Can Learn From Big Tech Companies
“It takes 2,500 parts to build a car,” Peter Hasenkamp, former head of supply chain strategy for the Tesla Model S, once said, “but only one not to.”
Latest research suggests that in 2021, automakers were obliged to cancel plans to build ten million cars. It is forecasted that they will cancel a further seven or eight million in 2022 and four million in 2023, as demand for semiconductors outstrips supply by 10 per cent.
How can business leaders prevent this from ever happening again? Very simply, they need to transform the way they interact with their suppliers. That’s every mission-critical company in their supply chain. And not just the semiconductor supply chain — while the shortage of semiconductors may be keeping them awake at night right now, in the future their sleep may be interrupted by a shortage of some other critical components — such as, batteries or tires.
Interestingly, when the semiconductor crisis struck, Apple, Dell, and large technology companies immediately swung into action, operating 24/7 procurement and supply chain war rooms. Unlike the automakers, they had learned from the last semiconductor crisis in 2017 and left nothing to chance. To fix their current situation, the leaders of automakers (and other companies impacted by the crisis) should take a series of urgent Big Tech-inspired steps:
- Establish their own bill of materials for semiconductors
- Make a non-cancelable and non-returnable commitment to suppliers for an 18-month to 24-month time horizon
- Ensure their suppliers earmark specific components for their sole use
- Collaborate with suppliers to track and trace every order
And, ever so importantly, ensure that parts that are produced, are delivered effectively and efficiently to where they are needed. That requires a global, fully integrated supply chain that can operate over all modes of transport, so your supply chain is flexible to the present economic and political trends.
And what goes for automakers also goes for many industrial companies because they too rely on semiconductors in their products. As the U.S. government noted in its “Briefing Room” blog, the paucity of semiconductors has not only been affecting the automotive industry, it has also been “dragging down the U.S. economy” and “could cut nearly a percentage point from GDP growth.”
Pay Your Suppliers on Time
Malcolm Harrison, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply has come out and said it. Too many large businesses are holding back on paying suppliers, forcing some out of business.
Harrison says, “Too many big companies have imposed unfair payment terms on suppliers who are grateful for the business, or they have taken many months to pay, which can result in bankruptcy for their smaller suppliers.”
Writing in a supply chain supplement that appeared in the UK’s Times of London newspaper, Harrison went on to say that strong relationships with suppliers has never counted for more.
He continued: “After the shock and turmoil of the past two years what has changed is a greater focus on resilience in supply, and not just cost savings.
“A built-in contingency that can flex quickly to handle fluctuations in demand, including switching to local supply or building up additional stock, has now become the strategy for many organizations.
“Developing the right resilient approach will depend on individual business objectives. For some, it can mean a clear onshoring or offshoring strategy, and not relying on only one supplier or one market for an essential component.”
And of course, as suppliers change, or become more fluid based on supply, your supply chain becomes ever more complex. That’ when you need to call in the professionals.
Are the Familiar COVID-19 Logistics Complications Just the Beginning?
We all know that the supply chain is a delicate and forces such as COVID-19 can cause mass disruption. But what if COVID-19 was just the short term, dress-rehearsal for more disruption? That’s the premise of the information and analysis in the Yale Environment 360 article by Austin Becker, a maritime infrastructure resilience scholar at the University of Rhode Island.
In Becker’s words, COVID-19 is “a temporary problem,” but climate change is “long-term dire. Climate change is a slow-moving crisis that is going to last a very, very long time, and it’s going to require some fundamental changes. Every coastal community, every coastal transportation network is going to face some risks from this, and we’re not going to have nearly enough resources to make all the investments that are required.”
The article suggested that climate change will further strain and could even break the supply chain. Rising sea level poses the biggest threat, as it will disrupt the existing coastal supply chain infrastructure. And there is more, there are likely to be more supply chain disruptions due to extreme weather events. We’re already seeing hurricanes, floods and wildfires that more intense, severe or long-lasting than they were a generation ago.
Which leads us nicely to…
DB Schenker Plans to Operate a Zero-Emission Autonomous Coastal Container Feeder
We just revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway. The fully electric vessel has a unique design, making it the first of its kind in the world.
Along with our strategic partners, we have taken the first steps in an ambitious joint project to replace the traditional feeder vessels utilized along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund. The new autonomous and electric, short-sea container feeder leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept that was developed in partnership with KONGSBERG and Massterly.
The vessel will operate between Ekornes’ own port, Ikornnes, and the port of Ålesund, which serves the main ocean freight ports in Europe. The ship will complete the 43-km (23-NM) journey within three hours, at a speed of 7.7 knots. The vessel will be 50 meters long and will be able to carry 300 deadweight tons of cargo. It is designed from the keel up for autonomous and zero-emission operation. It will run without a crew but will be monitored and controlled by staff at Massterly’s Remote Operation Center (ROC), whose team members include certified navigators and naval engineers.
The planned two-way data communication solution between the vessel and the ROC is destined to be another game-changer in the ocean freight sector.
The benefits here will be numerous, and include zero emissions, faster and more efficient transport, and reduced traffic on roads. As they lead the way to climate neutrality, the parties’ common interest is to unveil this pioneering vessel in Norway and then take the next crucial steps forward by obtaining approval from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and possibly governmental incentives for the sustainability and technology aspects.
Exciting times when technology can truly advance us closer to environmental goals.
Q1 Updates | Week 17
Reshoring and Nearshoring: A Practical Approach
I’ve written a couple of times about the trend we’re seeing in manufacturing for reshoring and nearshoring, so I thought it was time to make that a little real. Here is a snapshot on the strategies some of our clients are using to achieve this.
1 – Map your offshore supply chain
Identify all tier 1 and critical tier 2 and tier 3 offshore suppliers. While this mapping should have already been done, it is still not too late to start. It probably needs at least an update. This insight provides a good visual clue as to the actual locations of your suppliers, allowing you to be one step ahead when delays could be forthcoming.
2 – Reestablish relationships with previous suppliers of offshored products
Who have you worked with previously, and would you consider working with them in the future? In fact, those suppliers may have already been in touch, sensing a sales opportunity given the supply chain turmoil.
3 – Identify new sources of supply
The pandemic and related economic fallout has changed the supplier landscape. Your previous sources may have changed their business model or even closed their doors. Part of a reshoring and homeshoring strategy is to find new sources of supply.
4 – Commit to a new, long term supply strategy
Reshoring and nearshoring is about making a new strategy. It takes effort in time, energy, and money. By learning from the past 2+ years, you can build a stronger supply chain. Build in standard operating procedures and quality success factors into these relationships.
Supply Chain Technology Trends We’re Going to See This Year
Technology is a cornerstone of our industry. Here are three trends I expect to be remain critical as we continue in 2022:
1 – Shift to more automation in the warehouse and hub space
Companies will be leveraging technology like telematics that can give them real-time data to address ongoing labor shortage issues as well as automate key processes. One process is inventory management and tracking the flow of goods in and out of facilities. This has a cascading effect on driver wait time and can minimize human errors and streamline the accounting of goods being transported from site A to site B.
2 – The need for better quality data (not just more of it)
We will all be looking for actionable information that can exchanged and used to collaborate with all partners across the supply chain—shippers, transportation & logistics providers, 3PL, etc.—to help make more informed decisions.
With longer cargo wait time on docks, capacity issues on multiple modes of transportation, and the increasing costs associated with each mode, we need want better data—as opposed to more data—on their shipment of goods. Data such as utilization data or stationary time of cargo, captured from telematics devices, edge computing solutions and third-parties (such as ocean and flight data) can provide contextual and actionable insights when integrated into management solutions.
3 – Cold chain monitoring will continue to be critical
Have you seen our latest cold storage facility in Indiana? This is cutting edge. In the past year, the logistics behind COVID-19 vaccine shipping have driven new innovations in cold chain monitoring solutions designed to ensure the quality and integrity of vaccine shipments. We can expect to see new improvements in cold chain technology, including devices with better battery life, sensors delivering real-time data on light, temperature, humidity and shock to monitor perishables like food, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials with greater environmental granularity to ensure compliance with regulations.
I continue to write about technology in logistics, because this is the critical factor for so many of our clients.
Q1 Updates | Week 16
China – COVID – Your Supply Chain
Concern is growing that the spread of COVID cases and city lockdowns in China will have massive downstream effects for global supply chains globally that could dwarf previous disruptions since the start of the pandemic.
Last May, the huge Yantian container terminal at the Port of Shenzhen throttled down to 30% of normal productivity for a month to stamp out a handful of positive cases there.
The difference this time is that an entire metropolis — and highly interconnected global trade center — is essentially shut down. Not since the initial 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan have lockdowns been this extensive in China.
Spanish financial services firm BBVA predicts Chinese authorities will stick to the “zero-COVID” strategy and lockdowns until at least June. Other China observers say it could take even longer to meet China’s infection standard.
Most warehouses and plants are closed, nine out of 10 trucks are sidelined, the port and airport have limited function, shipping units are stranded in the wrong places, and freight is piling up.
The downstream effects for global supply chains are massive. If I had one piece of advice for clients today – irrespective of whether their supply chain is physically in China — it’s the ability to forward plan. Speak to us today for more information.
What Do We Want from Supply Chains?
As we move to a post-pandemic supply chain, it’s time to start asking some serious supply chain questions. In the past 2-years, logistics professionals have been focused on crisis management, some of which get to the core of what supply chains are even about.
What do we want from supply chains, and what do we want most?
Should companies focus on delivering same day or on being more environmentally friendly?
Should a chain be more resilient and able to withstand disasters, or should it be efficient above all else? Should it be shorter? Closer to home? More flexible? Can it be all those things at once?
Key to these questions is the subject of visibility. Survey responses in the Business Continuity Institute’s 2019 Supply Chain Resilience Report indicate that 57% of global companies surveyed likely lacked complete visibility into their supply chain – this is before the pandemic – and another 20% were unsure if they had it.
But let’s get real, not all companies have a strong incentive to be more transparent. Each individual link in a chain has different goals and makes decisions in its own best interests. This is a major obstacle to sharing data within the supply chain.
As I have already noted, Blockchain can be used to improve transparency by streamlining transactions. And once good data are available and accessible, they also can be shared selectively.
Bottom line – we have the technology. We have the need. Now let’s ask the serious questions.
Q1 Updates | Week 15
Who’s Driving the Trucking Industry’s Supply for Drivers?
The trucking industry needs an additional 80,000 commercial truck drivers to meet consumer demand. What are we doing about it?
The need for a strong, stable, and safe trucking workforce is not in contention. The facts are, however, that truck drivers are retiring at a faster pace than new members are entering the workforce, further widening the gap between need and availability.
The White House went into overdrive at an April 4 event to showcase the administration’s progress in easing the truck driver shortage and unclogging supply chains. It was a photo shoot.
The Biden administration is urging employers to use the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program for truck drivers to attract a next generation trucking work force. That’s a great start.
But we need more. And we need it now.
What do you think should be done to push progress on driver shortage?
US <> China Route Update
The two-phase lockdown in Shanghai that was meant to end April 5 is being extended indefinitely as the latest Covid outbreak is not contained and a massive testing campaign continues.
Although Shanghai’s air and ocean ports remain open, labor shortages are slowing operations. In addition, the availability of goods has dropped significantly as manufacturing and warehouses are closed. Trucking is increasingly unavailable because of quarantine rules and travel restrictions.
With limited goods available to ship, air cargo demand out of Shanghai is decreasing quickly.
Congestion is growing at Shanghai’s ports and at nearby alternatives like Ningbo. And though the outbreak in Yantian last May sent rates climbing just days after the shutdown began, transpacific ocean rates have remained stable, so far.
We’re predicting a volatile availability in the short term, so speak to one of our professionals if you are planning shipments on this route .
Q1 Updates | Week 14
Lifting of US/UK Tariffs
The United States, this past week, reached a deal with the United Kingdom to partially lift tariffs on steel and aluminum exports from the UK beginning June 1. The deal eases duties imposed in 2018 by former President Donald Trump. Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports as part of a strategy to prioritize domestic production and address an overcapacity of steel in China.
The deal also requires UK-based steel producers owned by companies in China to undergo a financial audit to evaluate whether there are any market distorting practices that “would materially contribute to non-market excess capacity of steel,” according to a statement. Aluminum shipments are subject to novel “smelt and cast” provisions, and producers must prove that products contain no aluminum from China, Russia, or Belarus.
More Tariffs – Tit for Tat
The 2018 tariffs on US goods like whiskey, peanut butter, and jeans were a retaliatory response to the Trump administration’s taxes on steel and aluminum from the EU, which at the time included the UK.
Once the US lifted its tariffs (see above), the British government said it would end the 25 percent tariff that had been imposed on these goods. The deal goes into effect on June 1, 2022, establishing the return of duty-free trade in spirits across the Atlantic.
The news provides additional relief for US producers who say that the 2018 tariffs caused a “significant slump” for exports in 2019 and 2020. EU tariffs impacting whiskey were lifted in January 2022, and in March 2021, an agreement between the EU and US lifted tariffs for US wine, along with certain other domestic spirits.
Q1 Updates | Week 13
Cybersecurity and Your Shipments
As if we needed reminding, data is ever critical for the smooth operations of our supply chains. Last week I highlighted that The Administration is focused on digital infrastructure to connect the supply chain with the launch of Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) – see the details below.
There have been recent ransomware attacks on the U.S. supply chain which are undermining national security (according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection intelligence bulletin last week). Hackers and ransomware groups are targeting American logistics and shipping companies, the bulletin states, and the ongoing attacks threaten to cripple the already strained supply chain, limiting customs enforcement capabilities and undermining national security.
Ransomware persists to be the most common and destructive form of cyber-attacks, allowing malicious entities to threaten data leaks on illicit markets, and expose information on critical infrastructure.
There are proactively two strategies that should be considered as a shipper. Firstly, cybersecurity is a measure that must be taken at all levels of the supply chain, so ensure you have a corporate technology plan in place. Secondly, prepare for delays that are outside of your control and plan your supply chain accordingly.
Russia’s War on Ukraine: Air Cargo Update
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has added another obstacle for air cargo-reliant supply chains already challenged by climbing rates and limited capacity.
Rerouted cargo flights and climbing fuel costs have resulted in higher surcharges for shippers and further flight cancellations as some services between Europe and Asia became economically unviable for carriers.
Some air cargo carriers are still traveling freely through Russian airspace. Airplanes for China Southern and Air China were doing so last week. But at least 11 of the world’s top 25 cargo airlines, according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2020 rankings, and smaller operators have made some sort of adjustment due to the war.
What does that mean? As a shipper you need to have a logistics partner that can service your needs with multiple carriers and modes of transport.
Q1 Updates | Week 12
Stop Complaining – Start Strategizing
There is a lot of talk put behind complaining how badly the supply chain has been affected by COVID, the Russian/Ukraine conflict, labor shortages, blocked canals, lack of containers etc. etc.
Maybe it’s time to learn from these ‘unprecedented’ times. Maybe the supply chain is distorted and it’s not returning to how it was.
For decades, some of the best manufacturing were driven by lean manufacturing – or JIT (just in time production). Keep your inventory as low as possible and get everything you require delivered as you need it. This reduces costs and that’s a great thing. Except for then it isn’t.
When supply chains are not predictable; when there are a multiple of factors outside of regular control, lean manufacturing falls apart. If that one chip set that is needed to manufacture a car is delayed, it doesn’t matter that the other 2,000+ chips hit the manufacturing plant on time.
Sometimes, extra inventory on hand is quite helpful. So that’s one thing that supply chain professionals must think about: Do the inherent efficiencies of having just-in-time justify the issues when a lot goes wrong?
Administration Announces New Initiative to Improve Supply Chain Data Flow
The White House is focused on addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and congestion, working to speed up the movement of goods, and lower costs.
As I have covered previously, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is now making a generational investment in our ports, highways, and other parts of our physical infrastructure, which will help speed up the movement of goods and lower costs.
Next, The Administration is focused on digital infrastructure to connect the supply chain with the launch of Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW), an information sharing initiative to pilot key freight information exchange between parts of the goods movement supply chain.
FLOW includes eighteen initial participants that represent diverse perspectives across the supply chain, including private businesses, warehousing, and logistics companies, ports, and more. The aim is to develop a proof-of-concept information exchange to ease supply chain congestion, speed up the movement of goods, and ultimately cut costs.
Q1 Updates | Week 11
You probably heard the news about Meta. Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook would be changing its name. Of course, this is more than a change in name, this is a strong message as to the direction of technology – and that’s something for us all to take interest in.
How does the Metaverse change the logistics industry?
Maybe the first thing to clarify is what the Metaverse is. Simply put, it’s the technologies that make up a virtual world that continues to exist when you’re not part of it. There are two major technologies to be aware of – and distinguish. There is virtual reality (VR) where you are fully emersed and augmented reality (AR) when a technology is superimposed on the real world in your view. Both VR & AR are accessible through PCs, game consoles, phones and of course headsets.
The reality of virtual reality is that it’s already in our industry. Here at DB Schenker, we have been trialing, developing and using augmented reality for over 4-years through a joint Innovation Lab with Cisco.
How will the Metaverse change our industry? The answer is of course unknown, but we what I see is a world of opportunity where we can increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and give better service and visibility to our customers. And that’s exciting.
Blockchain in the Supply Chain
While we’re focusing on technology – let’s demystify blockchain and how that is changing our industry. The Blockchain was invented alongside cryptocurrencies for powering and tracking that technology. Transactions are organized in blocks and chained to each other through cryptography — hence the name “blockchain.”
In supply chain management, blockchain offers full traceability of goods as well as authentication measures. As a result, supply chains can better monitor quality or products as well as data.
The most important characteristic of blockchains is their decentralized nature. The ledger is distributed to thousands, sometimes millions of different computers around the world. This decentralization means that there is no single entity that governs the blockchain. As such, transactions are made peer-to-peer, without the need for a third party to allow them or provide escrow.
Again, this is not new to DB Schenker, we have had various partnerships and success stories in the development of blockchain over the past few years. More importantly, what does that bring our customers?
1 – Decentralized Structure – because all the assets are created following a consensus algorithm, this gives the ability to the users to transact directly with each other and retain full ownership of their assets.
2 – Improved Security and Privacy – because the ledger is distributed to thousands of different participants, hackers are unable to exploit a single point of failure. Additionally, while entirely transparent, the distributed ledger is also pseudonymous. This means that transactions aren’t linked to the user’s identity, providing additional privacy.
3 – Reduced Costs – especially when compared with traditional financial transactions via banks. This makes them incredibly versatile for international money transfers, as their borderless nature doesn’t incur any additional conversion fees.
4 – Visibility and Traceability – because the blockchain ledger is entirely transparent and free for anyone to review. A single transaction can be traced back to its origin, and users can investigate its source. This is incredibly useful in situations where tracking is essential, such as the logistics industry.
I’m sure we’re going to be greater application and use in our industry as blockchain becomes more understood .
Q1 Updates | Week 10
The Ukrainian Crisis and Logistics
The Ukraine crisis has created logistics and supply chain changes that are being felt globally. As with any crisis, information is often scarce to start with and of course there may be incorrect information being disseminated. Given the fluidity, uncertainty, and unrest this situation has created, things are anything but predictable, but here’s what we can say is happening.
- The price of oil and gas is rapidly increasing – shippers and carriers are implementing contingency plans.
- Port operations in Ukraine have ceased, which in turn could disrupt vital shipping routes that carry much of the world’s wheat and other agricultural products
- Several global logistics and freight transportation services providers have halted service into and out of both Russia and Ukraine.
- Airspace restrictions are adding logistical complexity and cost for the air cargo sector.
- There is a reduction in air cargo capacity – particularly with heavyweight and outsize cargo that don’t fit well in regular cargo jets. Ukraine-based Antonov Airlines is continuing some operations with five AN-124 super-jumbo jets, but two of the aircraft plus a smaller freighter were not able to escape before hostilities erupted. And the company’s behemoth AN-225, which was undergoing repairs, was reportedly destroyed.
- With many industries previously relying on Russian parts/products for their own manufacturing, these are now being sourced from alternative countries, and that changing dynamic will alter logistics routes and assets.
We continue to have a large team analyzing the many factors of this crisis so we can provide contingencies for our customers.
Q1 Updates | Week 9
U.S. Department of Transportation report examines efforts to alleviate nation’s supply chain woes
A report released last week, entitled “Supply Chain Assessment of the Transportation and Industrial Base: Freight and Logistics,” presents steps and approaches, which can be taken by the federal government, Congress, states, and private companies to augment supply chains, both presently and in the future.
In the report, DOT made it clear that the nation’s economic strength and quality of life are dependent on the safe and efficient movement of goods both throughout its borders, as well as beyond. And it added that, for supply chains to perform well, they need to be successful in three key areas: transportation, production, and sourcing.
While the report’s findings do not as serve as an immediate solution to the supply chain problems encountered by many today, there are various components of the report’s findings and recommendations that have strong value.
I believe that this is an excellent outline for the next decade, and beyond. If these objectives can be met, then the supply chain that we operate as part of will be in a very strong position.
A thought about sustainability
Finding a way to deliver goods in a sustainable way to mitigate climate change is one of the major challenges that also is creating new opportunities for logistics companies and the companies we support.
As pioneers of innovative logistics solutions, we at DB Schenker are committed to becoming the leading green logistics provider. We are convinced that our success is about more than just our performance — it’s about our social, environmental, and economic impact.
Our goal is to reduce specific CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2020 and CO2e emissions by 50 percent by 2030 compared to 2006. Currently, we offer Eco Solutions for every mode of transportation, allowing customers to reduce or compensate for CO2 emissions along the entire supply chain.
But there is more to do. The sustainable movement of goods requires a variety of approaches, from more accurate forecasting to re-shoring production and vertical integration. The solutions range from improvements in infrastructure to deployment of clean delivery vehicles with low or zero emissions.
First, we have the desire – and that starts with education. Then we can build the strategies, and finally we can implement sustainability solutions.
Thanks for reading.
Q1 Updates | Week 8
Another Solution for the Ongoing Freight Backups at Ports
Last week I wrote about the ongoing freight backups at maritime ports and how they are disrupting global supply chains. In relation to that I highlighted how some logistics professionals are evaluating a balance between ocean and air freight (see below for more details).
The state of California moved last week to alleviate the same problem by announcing a deal to lease space at six state-owned sites with enough capacity to store 20,000 shipping containers and clear valuable space at ocean-side docks.
State leaders identified these six sites from the California Department of General Services for one year, with an option for a second year. They include three armories (in Lancaster, Palmdale, and Stockton), two fairground sites (San Joaquin County and Antelope Valley Fairgrounds), and a former prison site (Deuel Vocational Institute in Tracy).
We will continue to monitor this situation and bring you more good news as it happens.
At the beginning of the year, I mentioned five important logistics trends to watch. The fifth (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page) is autonomous vehicles.
Autonomous vehicles continue to evolve with improved technology making autonomous supply chains closer to reality. Last week I read with interest that a new company was founded (Parallel System), a firm specializing in autonomous battery-powered electric rail vehicles for shipping and freight.
Small autonomous vehicles will hold up cargo, like shipping containers, and allow it to be transported on railway tracks just like larger trains do. Since they’re individually powered, the railcars can be joined together to create a larger fleet or split off to multiple destinations with the cargo in hand. It also means that they’re more flexible, as the “platoons” won’t need to meet a certain amount of cargo before they can start moving. According to reports, the vehicles can carry up to 128,000 pounds, which is double what a semi-truck can carry, and each can travel individually for up to 500 miles.
Keep watching this space.
Q1 Updates | Week 7
Moving from Ocean to Air
As more and more ships continue to queue up outside of major ports, some logistics professionals are moving their cargo from ocean to air. This is being noted by some of the world’s biggest ocean shipping lines who are meeting that need by buying cargo planes.
Logistics clients are willing to pay extra to get around supply-chain snarls at sea resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes innovative ways to alleviate the current supply chain backlogs that are slowing shipments by utilizing air freight.
I look at this slightly differently. It’s never as simple to choose between air and ocean. Obviously, there is a time/cost payoff. But with ever more sophisticated data available, intermodal solutions can be considered. This allows a shipper to get the timeliness of air freight and the cost-effectiveness of ocean freight — intermodal is a logistics product that combines the best of both.
There are several advantages; a reduced freight costs in comparison with a standard airfreight shipment, a reduced transit time in comparison with a standard ocean freight shipment, it provides a cost-effective freight option for delayed ocean shipments, and it provides an option for tight capacity or expensive airfreight markets and lanes
By combining air cargo and ocean freight solutions, you can find the right balance between cost and time – adding flexibility to your supply chain. You can find out more here.
Update to Canada-U.S. Cross Boarder Trucking
Two weeks ago, I wrote that the U.S. closed its borders to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Canadian and Mexican truck drivers. That lead to – as I am sure you have seen in the mass media – protests.
The trucker blockade at the U.S.-Canada border ended over the weekend. Commercial traffic resumed late Sunday along the Ambassador Bridge after the week-long standoff. A larger protest against vaccine mandates for lorry drivers has been going on for two weeks in Ottawa, where hundreds of tractor-trailers blocked downtown streets.
The disruptions added costs to already elevated charges for freight between the U.S. and its largest trading partner. We will have to wait and see if the Canadian unrest sparks similar moves by like-minded transport workers in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Watch this space for updates.
Q1 Updates | Week 6
What’s Going On In China?
I thought the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics were spectacular. They showcased the determination and hope of athletes from around the world. As anticipated, they also thrust the political discussion of China to an international forum.
Companies, and countries, are taking a deeper look into their trading partner relationships for potential forced labor violations. The US has enacted new labor laws that could cause supply chain snarls. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act adds a presumption under the US Tariff Act that goods sourced from or produced in Xinjiang—home to many of China’s Uyghur and other Muslim minority populations—are made with forced labor.
To import products from the region, companies will have to document that they aren’t sourced from forced labor. Beginning June 21, importers will have to present strong documentation to the US Customs and Border Protection, showing that no part of their products contain components sourced or manufactured in Xinjiang or by Uyghurs.
Automating Warehouses – Update
As you’ll know, I pointed to five important trends to both watch, and act upon, in 2022. One of which is automating warehouses. The latest data is now available.
2021 saw more robots join the US workforce than any other year, and it looks like 2022 will bring about more of the same. Companies across North America laid out more than $2 billion for almost 40,000 robots in 2021 to help them contend with record demand and a pandemic-fueled labor shortage.
I’ve been a believer of this for some time. By blending robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence into the warehousing environment, we’re finding new ways to offset long-standing challenges such as the shrinking labor market and the demands of high-velocity e-commerce business models. You can see some of the advancements we’re making here.
Q1 Updates | Week 5
Do You Ship Canada-U.S. Cross Boarder?
The US has closed its borders in the past week to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Canadian and Mexican truck drivers.
“These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health, while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy,” Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
The impact will be felt most keenly at the Canada border, where around 160,000 truckers cross the border each year. If you have shipments crossing the border now or in the near future, contact your DB Schenker representative to find the best solutions for your need.
Good News for Ocean Freight
The Port of Long Beach is one of a few U.S. container ports that will benefit from the U.S. government’s pledge to invest $14bn in infrastructure projects, to strengthen the nation’s supply chain and its bid for sustainability.
“Long Beach is home to the second-busiest container port in the nation,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “Improving the ability of ships to navigate channels here will have economic benefits for the entire country. Locally, creating navigational efficiencies will move ships through the harbor faster, reducing air pollution. There will be a good return for this investment, and we thank our federal partners for this allocation to assist with our comprehensive harbor-deepening program.”
Among other features, the recommended plan includes deepening the Approach Channel from 76 feet to 80 feet, constructing an approach channel to Pier J South to a depth of 55 feet, deepening portions of the West Basin from 50 feet to 55 feet, and performing structural improvements to breakwaters at Pier J to allow for depths of 55 feet.
I’m excited to see this development work at The Port of Long Beach as it has great benefits for so many of our customers.
Q1 Updates | Week 4
Ocean News – How High Will It Go?
It’s not exactly news, but shippers are struggling as ocean rates continue to soar. The spot rate for a 40-foot container to the U.S. from Asia – according to some sources – hit the highest it has ever been in 2021. While it’s certainly not that high right now, many in the industry remember prices way lower.
We are now bracing for another round of supply chain disruptions as China imposes sweeping lockdowns in an attempt to keep the Omicron variant contained. Needless to say, a prolonged shutdown could certainly have major ramifications on global supply chains. So far, the effects of the lockdowns on Chinese factory production and deliveries have been limited. Four of China’s largest port cities (Shanghai, Dalian, Tianjin, and Shenzhen) recently imposed narrowly targeted lockdowns to try to control small outbreaks of the omicron variant.
While, as of this writing, these cities had not locked down their docks, logistics professionals should prepare now.
Q1 Updates | Week 3
Leading Maritime Cities of the World
In the last few of days, the Leading Maritime Cities of the World were ranked by Menon Economics and DNV. Ranked by five factors including law, technology, and ports, the top five cities (starting with the top ranked) are Singapore, Rotterdam, London, Shanghai & Tokyo.
Experts see Singapore, Oslo, Shanghai, and Copenhagen as best prepared for digital transformation (something I’m certainly watching), while Oslo tops the list for sustainable technologies and solutions for the oceans, followed by Singapore and Copenhagen.
What’s interesting to me is one city that doesn’t appear in the top five. Hong Kong has slipped out of the top five to the seventh overall position.
In related news, Hong Kong is planning to create a new transport bureau to enhance its status as an international maritime and logistics hub.
Hong Kong’s maritime policies are currently controlled by the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB), which many believe leaves the logistics industry overshadowed by the city’s acute need for housing.
Under the new proposals, the bureau will be split in two, creating the separate Transport and Logistics Bureau, a move welcomed by many of us in the industry. Of course, don’t expect too much over the next few weeks, as the Chinese New Year is almost upon us.
Q1 Updates | Week 2
Every year, it’s fun to see what the latest tech has to offer and of course that gets showcased at CES in Las Vegas every January.
In the area of transport, John Deere’s showcased their self-driving tractor. Deere showed off a tractor accessorized with stereo cameras on its front and back to allow it to operate autonomously. Deere has a somewhat simpler problem to solve than trucking logistics: agricultural vehicles move more slowly and won’t get honked at if they must pause in a field to get their bearings. But Deere will initially support only no-person-onboard plowing, not the more complex toil of seeding or harvesting.
That doesn’t mean there are not some great advancements in the logistics industry. If you missed it previously – check out what DB Schenker is doing in the area of trucking platooning.
Crisis – What Crisis?
Churchill is credited with saying “Never let a good crisis go to waste” in the mid-1940s as the world approached the end of WW ll. Logistics Management published a great article in the past few days: Supply Chain Disruption: A crisis yes, but an opportunity too.
As Logistics Management correctly point out, 2022 is likely to be challenging. But there is one deciding factor that will separate the successful from the frustrated, when it comes those planning their logistics. That’s going to be visibility, which in turn allows business planning. That requires a strong digital foundation.
If you have not signed up for eSchenker, then you should check it out. eSchenker is our most advanced logistic solution yet. It incorporates all eServices into one portal, giving you maximum support at every stage of your supply chain. From tracking and scheduling to booking and reporting, eSchenker has your logistics covered. You can find out more here.
Q1 Updates | Week 1
With the national recovery in full swing, e-commerce sales growing and consumer spending all remaining steady through 2021, demand for all areas of logistics is extremely high right now.
Concurrently, labor shortages, a lack of equipment and persistent supply chain shortages are impacting the smooth flow of commerce. These and other factors drove up freight rates and created capacity crunches that flowed right into 2022.
The transportation trends in 2021 were formed mostly by the necessity to deliver more products in less time, often with closed borders. Moreover, innovation technologies will guide the changes in logistics in the upcoming year.
From my point of view, I see five important trends to both watch, and act upon, in 2022.
Blockchain is one of the most exciting tech trends now. It is a distributed, encrypted database model that has the potential to solve many problems around online trust and security. While many know blockchain is important for crypto, we’re seeing a need for different blockchains for specialized industries. I believe we’re going to see it going into more traditional avenues of logistics.
Big data analytics
All the logistics statistics are essential for planning future deliveries and understanding what goods are needed for the market. I predict we’ll see the availability big data waterfall down from the largest organizations to professionals planning logistics at the business level.
AI already impacted the transportation sector in the last decade. Using AI helps improve the operation’s functionality, finding problems before they occur, and identifying opportunities. New transport technology in implementing AI was influential in the pandemic, as many people in management positions started to work remotely. I’m excited to see the next developments in 2022.
Transportation industry trends in 2021 were mostly focusing on the automatization of the manual workforce. Many logistic companies see the potential in automating and using robots for efficient warehouses. The goal of such a decision is to make routine work cheaper and more comfortable for the business. There’s a real need for more in 2022, so we’ll keep a close eye on this.
Trends in transportation also affect the use of autonomous vehicles for delivery. A few years ago, this trend was unreal for almost every manufacturer. Only a few giant companies were investing in autonomous transportation of goods (DB Schenker being one of them). Self-driving trucks can relieve drivers’ work in the future and be efficient in operating on busy roads to predict and analyze traffic. Watch this space.
Bookmark and come back weekly to find out how the logistics industry is trending in the weeks and months ahead.


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Blaze Entertainment and Edia Co Ltd are delighted to announce a new Evercade collection of twelve 16-bit retro games, originally released by the publisher Telenet Japan and Renovation in the US.
The Renovation Collection 1 cartridge will be releasing 12 games from the publisher in Early 2022 with pre-orders due to open in November 2021.
The list of games is as follows:
• Arcus Odyssey • Beast Wrestler • Dino Land • El Viento • Exile • Final Zone • Gaiares • Granada • Sol-Deace • Traysia • Valis: The Fantasm Soldier • Valis 3
This collection brings something to the Evercade physical cartridge system that the community and users have been asking for. Rare titles, interesting imports, and a wider mix of great Japanese-developed video games.
The inclusion of JRPGs and Shoot ‘em ups will be of great interest to Evercade fans and to collectors who wish to get their hands on fully licensed versions of these games.
Like all Evercade releases, this will come with a physical clamshell case with a printed manual included. This will be the 23rd retro gaming cartridge from Evercade featuring home console releases and will be numbered as cartridge 23.
This new collection will also be playable on all Evercade systems and marks the start of an incredible lineup of cartridges and collections for 2022.
The Evercade gaming system is a cartridge-based, retro gaming family that provides gamers with fully licensed curated collections of games from the past, and new collections of retro-inspired independent titles.
The Handheld allows for gamers to play their games on the go while the VS (Releasing Nov 2021) will allow for cartridges to be played on your TV with up to four players.
Evercade, Codemasters, and The Oliver Twins are delighted to share the news of the first donation to the National Videogame Museum.
Following the launch of The Oliver Twins Collection cartridge, exclusively for the Evercade Retro Gaming console, it was announced that all profits from this would be donated to the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield.
Today Evercade and Blaze Entertainment are happy to announce that the first payment of donations for over £11,000 has been made to the National Videogame Museum. The funds raised from all sales of The Oliver Twins Collection Cartridge from Evercade will continue to be donated until 31st December 2021, meaning that more donations will be made in the future.
Rick Gibson, CEO of the charity the BGI which runs the National Videogame Museum, said: “We have been preserving and displaying the Oliver Twins’ important work for the nation for many years and their support has been pivotal. We’re delighted and grateful for such generosity from Philip and Andrew, Codemasters, and Evercade. Thank you!”
“We’re absolutely delighted that the Evercade fans have responded so well to The Oliver Twins Collection,” said Andrew Byatt, Managing Director of Blaze Entertainment. “One of the key things about Evercade and its community is the desire for preservation of gaming history and the industry that forms an incredibly formative part of gamer’s lives. It’s our pleasure to donate these funds to the museum to help further their efforts and we hope that we can have just as healthy a donation in the future.”
“We loved seeing The Oliver Twins Collection added to the already impressive Evercade library and it’s been great to see fans old and new enjoying the games we created almost 30 years ago,” said Philip Oliver. “As patrons of the National Videogame Museum, it’s great to see our collection has raised these funds and we hope it will continue into the future. We also want to also thank Codemasters and Blaze Retro for supporting this great charity,” added Andrew Oliver.
“It’s incredible to see how much love there is for both the Oliver Twins and their early Codemasters titles,” said Jonathan Bunney, SVP Publishing at Codemasters. “The Collection, which wouldn’t be complete without Dizzy, is a time capsule for the die-hard Codemasters fans, and we’re proud to contribute towards such a worthwhile charity as the National Videogame Museum.”
The National Videogame Museum was originally opened in 2016 in Nottingham, before moving to Sheffield in 2018 and then taken over by the BGI in 2020, which is now a registered charity. The Coronavirus crisis has affected the NVM, as it has multiple places over the last year, although the NVM managed to briefly reopen.
The Evercade is a handheld retro gaming console that features curated collections of games from historic publishers like Codemasters, Team 17, Atari, Namco, Data East, and many more, all officially licensed. These are released in the form of physical propriety cartridges that work with the Evercade handheld console. The Oliver Twins Collection cartridge is one of 14 currently available since its launch in June 2020, and the Evercade will have over 250 games available by the end of 2021.
The ‘Evercade’, a brand new handheld is taking on the likes of Nintendo and SEGA’s ‘Mini’ consoles with an expanding library of cartridges that already includes the likes of Namco Museum (Pac-Man, Dig-Dug and Galaxian), Atari (Asteroids, Centipede and Pong), Interplay (Earthworm Jim and Clayfighter) and more – with over 100 games confirmed for the system already!
Cartridges offer between 6 and 20 games and come in classic numbered plastic cases, for those who love to display their game collections.
Product Development Director – Andrew Byatt quoted:
“We have seen the flood of ‘mini’ consoles into the market and whilst we love these products, they have a short shelf life. They’re great fun and offer excellent content, but they are not expandable. Our cartridge-based system enables you to purchase one piece of hardware and then add new content for a low additional cost. It’s a great value, future proof investment”.
The console features a 4.3″ screen (the same size as the original PSP) and has been developed to deliver an authentic gameplay experience. You can also save your game at any point and load instantly – making those difficult retro games that bit more accessible. The Evercade offers HDMI connectivity – with HD up-scaling on all games. This allows retro enthusiasts to play both on the move and in their homes. The best of both worlds.
Not limiting themselves to the games of the past, Evercade is also making indie games available on their new platform. They have already signed Mega Cat Studios (known for titles such as Log Jammers, Coffee Crisis and Almost Hero), with more to be announced after launch.
They have promised more retro cartridges to add to the 9 available at launch. All cartridges retail at only £14.99 / €17.99 / $19.99
Evercade will be available for pre-order worldwide from 10 am (BST) Friday 6th September from just £59.99 / €69.99 / $79.99 – for a complete list of stockists visit: http://evercade.co.uk


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Centaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…read more
Fast food sponsorship swamps childrens sport
Newly published research has found that Australian children are being bombarded with unprecedented levels of fast food and sugary drink advertising via companies sponsoring community sports clubs.
Children are being exposed to unhealthy messages for up to four hours per week during community sport, a rate researchers have described as exceedingly large.
The research comes as an international report last week revealed Australia’s adult obesity level is growing at one of the fastest rates in the world, while about one in four children are either overweight or obese.
The study, published by Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) in the upcoming edition of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, combined information about children’s participation in community sport with data on known patterns of food and drink sponsorship of NSW sports clubs, to estimate population rates of children’s exposure to sponsorship messages during sporting activities.
Lead author Dr Bridget Kelly, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, said her research team was staggered by the sheer magnitude of children’s cumulative exposure to these unhealthy messages.
Dr Kelly explained “with nearly two-thirds of all children participating in organised sport regularly, it is deeply concerning to see such a high frequency of fast food and sugary drink sponsorship at local sports clubs undermining the great health benefits of kids sport.
“Earlier research has already established that kids have high recall and awareness of the sponsors of their own clubs – particularly those featuring sports stars – associating them with positive brand attributes.
“Our study shows that fast food and sugary drink sponsorship of children’s sport is pervasive, with opportunities for company branding ranging from signage on uniforms and on field, to vouchers and other promotions.
“Kids playing outdoor cricket and rugby league were exposed to the greatest amount of unhealthy messages.”
Dr Kelly said the high rate of children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink marketing across a variety of mediums was widely recognised as a significant contributor to childhood obesity rates.
She added “if we are serious about tackling Australia’s childhood obesity epidemic, we need to limit children’s exposure to these unhealthy messages – particularly in environments that should be promoting activity and healthy initiatives such as community sport.
“With poor diet, obesity and physical inactivity identified as some of the major factors contributing to the burden of disease, our study reinforces the need for Government, peak sporting bodies and local sporting clubs to work together to implement initiatives to limit this sort of sponsorship across community sport.”
The study, Population estimates of Australian children’s exposure to food and beverage sponsorship of sports clubs will appear in the upcoming edition of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
Click here to visit the Sport Medicine Australia website.
2nd February 2014 - HEALTH GROUPS URGE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO CURB THE JUNK FOOD INDUSTRY
15th February 2011 - SPORTING STARS ENCOURAGE JUNK FOOD CONSUMPTION
24th August 2010 - NEW CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF CLUB SPORTS FOR KIDS
13th April 2010 - ONE IN THREE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN ARE COUCH POTATOES
29th June 2009 - NUTRI-GRAIN AND BILLABONG MOST RECOGNISED SPORTS SPONSORS
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The Ministry of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (KUKM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kemkominfo) and the local governments launched the Movement of 100 thousand MSMEs Go-online simultaneously in 30 cities on Friday (3/31). The launch was to commemorate National MSMEs Day which falls on March 31.
West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan welcomed the central government’s program, in supporting the development of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) with digital media to expand their market. He said MSMEs has become the backbone of economy both for the central and local governments. The economy is sustained by small businesses which usually survive during a crisis that makes big businesses collapse.
“In term of employment, MSMEs hire 89 percent of the workforce. The formal sector of large or labor-intensive industries actually only employ 10 percent,” said the man who is familiarly called Aher.
He added the government facilities can be utilized as a marketing tool, so that the MSMEs do not need to pay to advertise their products. With the availability of the infrastructures, Aher said MSMEs now could focus on increasing the quality of their products and continue to produce goods to meet the demand.
“Now what we need to do is encouraging the MSMEs to keep producing. Secondly, we will push them to increase the quality, to make the packaging better. So the production is there and the quality is good. Moreover, there is halal (kosher) label, nutrition table, ingredients; in short make it modern,” he said.
The number of MSMEs in Indonesia continues to grow each year. The data from the Central Statistics Bureau show the number of MSMEs in Indonesia was 56.5 million last year. Out of the 110 million total workers in Indonesia, 107 million are working in the MSMEs.
The development and empowerment of that is a strategic step in the ASEAN Economic Community, especially in the sector with significant role in increasing employment and boosting the economy of Indonesia. Recognizing the importance of the contribution of MSMEs, they are expected to be able to survive in their own country, as well as dare to compete in the global market.


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San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency’s directors voted on Tuesday to ban all marijuana related advertisements on their public transportation system. Part of the reason for the decision was to limit exposure to children and keep the system “family-friendly.” Do you agree that these advertisements should be removed?
As the cannabis industry takes shape in California, one place it won’t be able to advertise is on San Francisco’s public transportation.
The Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors on Tuesday banned ads for cannabis businesses from the transit system’s buses, trains, cable cars, stations and bus stops. The ban was a response to concerns that such ads are inappropriate for young Muni riders and might promote marijuana use among children.
Wilson Chu, president of the Chinese American Democratic Club, which had supported the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana use in the state, was among those pushing the board to act.
“There are many students that travel on Muni to and from school, and I think it’s a good idea to limit their exposure to these kinds of ads,” Chu told the board.
The board approved the prohibition on a 6-0 vote, with Director Malcolm Heinicke absent. It takes effect Wednesday just six weeks before the sale of marijuana becomes legal throughout the state and covers all commercial advertising of cannabis and related products, businesses and services, and was supported by Mayor Ed Lee.
Board Chairwoman Cheryl Brinkman said the ban was not intended as a statement about recreational marijuana use but was an attempt to protect children riding Muni from being surrounded by its promotion.
“We don’t intend this as any value judgment,” she said. Legalized marijuana “will be the law of the land. But we’re falling in line with what standard advertising practices are.”
Like many transit agencies, Muni already excludes advertising for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and firearms, but has allowed advertising for medical marijuana businesses since 2014. Three of the city’s 46 licensed medical cannabis dispensary and delivery services — Eaze, Urban Pharm and the Green Cross — promote their enterprises on Muni.
Muni has more than 100 ads for marijuana-related businesses on its property. They range from small posters aboard buses to large banner ads outside to buses entirely wrapped in baby-blue ads declaring, “Marijuana has arrived.”
Under the ban, existing ad deals with cannabis businesses will be honored until the contracts expire, but future displays will not be allowed. With sales of recreational marijuana to adults becoming legal Jan. 1, the demand for advertising from cannabis businesses is expected to boom. But no one opposing the ban spoke at Tuesday’s hearing.
Muni appears to be the first transit system in the Bay Area to enact a ban on marijuana ads, but that doesn’t mean the ads will start showing up on other agencies’ buses and trains in the region. BART’s advertising policy doesn’t mention marijuana, but Jim Allison, an agency spokesman, said the transit system’s general counsel believes cannabis ads would be rejected under an existing clause banning “unlawful or detrimental conduct.” That’s because marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
With legalization looming, San Francisco is struggling to figure out how to regulate marijuana sales. Gail Stein, the MTA’s finance director, had suggested that the board reconsider the advertising ban in six months, once the uncertainty had cleared.
But Brinkman said that if concern over exposing kids to cannabis advertising is the reason for the ban, that shouldn’t change when regulations are adopted. She also suggested revising the advertising policy to specifically build in protections for children.
The ban’s impact on MTA revenues is unclear. Advertising generates $19.6 million a year in revenue for Muni.
Denying marijuana ads could decrease revenues, but Ed Reiskin, the MTA’s transportation director, said other advertising is expected to make up for any loss.
After the vote, Chu said he was pleased with the board’s decision, describing it as family-friendly.
“There’s been an exodus of families,” he said. “This should help keep families in San Francisco.”
The post San Francisco Cannabis Advertising Ban appeared first on Marijuana News.


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Shark Tank India winners speak to Social Samosa, discussing how the show is not only a platform for funding, but a marketing vehicle that offers exposure akin to IPL, if leveraged in the right manner and within the stipulated time frame.
Shark Tank India, which was launched in 2021, has not only provided monetary assistance to Indian entrepreneurs and start-ups, it has given them an ocean of opportunities in terms of visibility and recognition.
The show has clearly been successful in making conversations around ‘entrepreneurship’ and ‘startups’ more mainstream and its IMDb rating is 8.8/10. The show gained 1 million followers on Instagram in two years.
The second season of Shark Tank India, which recently concluded on March 13, saw a total investment of INR 83.28 crores.
Social Samosa reached out to start-ups that gained popularity after being on the show to find out how Shark Tank helped them surf through tough macro-economic challenges by providing visibility, making them a part of pop culture.
Shark Tank India - The Marketing Chapter
Instantly after the episodes were aired, a few startups like HAMMER, Nish Hair, and Manetain were a total buzz on social media.
Hammer, a D2C and fast-moving electrical goods (FMEG) brand, is one of the most successful businesses to come out of Shark Tank India Season 1. As Shark Tank rose in popularity, HAMMER did catch the limelight and that was reflected in a wave of awareness and tangible orders. Prior to the show, Hammer had monthly sales of INR 70 lakh.
Sharing how the show helped his brand, Rohit Nandwani, Founder and COO, HAMMER, said, “We closed INR 30 lakhs revenue in a single day and achieved INR 1 crore revenue in a day from the website. During the telecast month, we saw a 5X increase in the traffic. We held onto the spotlight and sold the maximum of smartwatches and electric toothbrushes. Within 6 months, we have tripled the business and are aiming to reach INR 30 crores for FY23, and INR 50 crores for FY24.”
Another start-up that made circles on Social Media was the hair extension brand Nish hair. Founder Parul Gulati's response to the Sharks resonated with the audience and this helped the brand gain more recognition.
Speaking about her experience, Parul Gulati, said “Participating in Shark Tank is a huge milestone for any brand. The platform itself gives tremendous visibility, allowing it to reach a much larger audience than one usually does. Prior to appearing on the show, Nish Hair primarily reached its target audience (women) through social media platforms, mainly Instagram. Giving us an average reach of INR 2-2.5 Lakhs.”
The brand saw an increase in over 1 lakh followers on Instagram after appearing on Shark Tank and queries flooded in.
“Our DMs have crashed a few times and comments have stopped working because of the sheer volume of inquiries and questions from people trying to reach out to us. which I am extremely grateful for,” added Gulati.
Another hair care startup, Manetain, co-owned by entrepreneurs Hinshara Habeeb and Yuba Khan bagged an investment worth INR 75 lakh. The startup initially sold heat caps and later ventured into shampoos, conditioners, and several other hair care products.
Hinshara Habeeb and Yuba Khan, Co-founders, Manetain said that the benefit fades away. Ergo, it is important for brands to leverage the buzz right then.
“We saw excellent growth in the first two years, going from INR 17 lakhs to INR 1 crore in sales. After the investment, sales have gradually increased, but the benefit is temporary and fades away, requiring the brand to maintain pace. It has not only opened a new customer base but a world of new connections from the industry,” said the founders.
Also Read: Women’s IPL 2023: Brands put the spotlight on biases faced by women athletes in campaigns
A Tank Of Pop Culture
The show didn’t just end at SonyLIV. Whether it is Shark Namita Thapar’s iconic “Yeh meri expertise ke bahar hai. So, I’m out” or Aman Gupta’s “Toh hum bhi bana lenge” and Ashneer Grover’s “Yeh sab doglapan hai,” the conversations from the series made their way to the socioverse. The audience shared memes, GIFs and stickers on Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram.
SonyLIV maintained consistent engagement with the audience throughout the season with live updates, anecdotes from the Sharks, inspiring moments from the show, and highlighting each ‘deal’. To further connect with the audiences from non-business background, SharkTank also simplified the business jargon shared in the show for them.
A number of creators and influencers such as Kusha Kapila, Malika Dua, Ashish Chanchlani, and more were seen creating buzz around Shark Tank.
From impersonating the sharks to how people’s daily diction has changed post watching the show, influencers have covered it all. Stand up comedians like Biswa Kalyan Rath and Rohan Joshi also joined the bandwagon.
StartUps' Social Currency
As show’s popularity rose, start-ups benefited from it by gaining more followers and visibility. While brands like Bummer, Winston and Nuutjob couldn't get all Shark deals but have leveraged the visibility provided by Shark Tank.
Underwear brand Bummer grew exponentially in terms of revenue, after its appearance on the show. It also leveraged the conversation on social media and added more to it by turning its Shark Tank pitch into memes and Reels on its social media pages. Its bio also reads, “As seen on Shark Tank India.”
Sulay Lavsi, Founder and CEO, Bummer, said, “Appearing on Shark Tank has definitely had a positive impact on Bummer's social currency. It has been amazing to see the increase in our social media following and engagement since appearing on the show. Personally, seeing the impact that the show has had on our social currency has been one of the most rewarding aspects of appearing on Shark Tank. It has been a great boost for our brand in terms of brand awareness as well.”
Another brand that resonated well with the audience as it took them on a nostalgia trip was Skippi Ice Pops. First business to get an all-shark deal, it revived a childhood snack by making ice pops in liquid form and selling them to consumers at room temperature. They got a deal of INR 1 crore for 15% equity. After the show, the company saw exponential growth with an international presence today.
Ravi Kabra, Co-founder, Skippi Ice Pops, said, “For a company that serviced 20-30 orders daily we received 3000 orders in a single day after the episode aired live. Shark Tank has the most highly engaging and engrossing audience which is difficult to replicate even through normal TVC advertisements. Hence, it is an amazing opportunity for start-ups with limited marketing budgets.”
One of the most funded brands, Revamp Moto, a Nashik-based EV startup asked for an investment of INR 1 crore for a 1% share at a valuation of INR 100 crore. After a close fight between Sharks, Revamp Moto accepted the offer from Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal. The duo invested 1 crore in the company for a 1.5% stake at a valuation of INR 66.67 crore. Ashneer Grover also claims to have invested in Revamp Moto after the show.
Sharing how Shark Tank is becoming a good platform for start-ups, Pritesh Mahajan, Co-Founder, and CEO, Revamp Moto, said, “The increased credibility that came with our participation in Shark Tank helped us gain more traction and attract more customers. As a result, there was a heightened interest in our vehicles and this directly contributed to an increase in sales. Shark Tank has become a significant platform for start-ups to gain visibility and credibility in the market.”
With this, some start-ups believe that Shark Tank is becoming an Indian Premier League (IPL) of sorts for businesses who gain recognition, visibility and affinity by appearing on one national show.
Nuutjob, a brand that covers male intimate hygiene run by the two sisters Anushree and Ananya, believes that Shark Tank does provide noticeability, money, brand value and sheer love from the people of the city or state you are representing, which is similar to IPL’s effect.
Ananya Maloo, Founder, Nuutjob, said, “With the show airing, not just on OTT platform SonyLIV but also on Sony TV on prime time, the brand saw visibility that would have taken years for an intimate hygiene brand like ours to make. The concept was also a hit because you get to sell your brand without people thinking it's an ad and skipping it. You are the show and it's the best 10 minutes irrespective of the sharks investing or not to promote your brand.”
These entrepreneurs received INR 25 lakhs in funding for 20% equity from Sharks.
Another start-up Winston, beauty appliances company, also believes that Shark Tank is the new Indian Premier League for startups. There was a time when very few individuals were conscious of brand owners and brand stories but now with the means of Shark Tank, company stories are becoming beloved dinner table chats at plenty of households.
Just like IPL, Shark Tank is also becoming a group-viewing activity and this conversation stay with the family or friends for a long time.
Due to this effect, Winston saw its Instagram profile gaining 4.3 million in reach, and its crew is working overtime to keep up with the demand for collaborations. Its founder Himanshu Adlakha told Social Samosa that saying their social currency is at its peak after Shark Tank is not an outrageous statement.
“Not only did Shark Tank stand out in our hearts but also fared well in our accounting books! With an abundance of love, we got bountiful orders too with tremendous brand growth. Being aired on Shark Tank aided us with great visibility while driving high traffic to our website leading to a 300% increase in sales,” said Adlakha.
Making A Difference
While other start-ups led to memes and GIFs, these start-ups started important conversations by appearing on a national platform. Atypical Advantage and Medulance were two such brands that were praised by all Sharks, loved by audiences, and clearly made a difference.
Atypical Advantage, a platform to ensure economic livelihood for persons with disabilities started by Vineet Saraiwala from Jharkhand, has suffered from low visibility since childhood. Atypical Advantage has helped over 1,000 disabled people and 500 artists with jobs, performances, and commissioned work.
Vineet Saraiwala, Founder, Atypical Advantage, said, “Our website traffic skyrocketed to 15x, social media followers increased by 2X , sign up jumping to 10X and sales lead funnel jumping to 50X. Our corporate partnership doubled, sign up jumped 10X, Sales jumped by 20 percent Q3 vs Q4, website traffic was 15X vs DAU,and NGO partnership were 1.5 X.”
While Atypical did start a conversation about people with disabilities, it soon faded away. Vineet posed an important question here.
He said, “Can we measure the impact within senior leaders of Top companies who had never thought of hiring persons with disabilities starting their journey? Can we measure the impact within a child in Kishanganj with Cerebral palsy dreaming of becoming the CEO of a Giant Company? Can we measure the impact within the society who used to look at a child with disability with a lens of sympathy turning into empathy? Can we measure the impact within students in schools, colleges getting inspired to start their own ventures which gives back to the society? Can we measure the impact of Governments who have woken up to work for Disability Inclusion within their states?”
Vineet said that while they have doubled social media followers what mattered more to them was challenging mindsets and pushing people to rethink.
Another start-up that believes in making a difference was Medulance. Founded by Pranav Bajaj and Ravjot Singh Arora, it is a Delhi-based ambulance service provider on its mobile app and website in a bid to provide quick medical care to people. The startup raised a funding of INR 5 crores, the biggest offer in the history of the show, for a 5% equity.
Medulance wanted to use the exposure to talk about an issue that mattered.
Pranav Bajaj, Co-Founder, Medulance, said, “Shark Tank has helped Medulance grow by increasing visibility, creating awareness about our services and validating partners and future customer’s trust. Medulance has seen a significant change in its social currency since our participation in Shark Tank India S2. For us, the impact of saving even one life via our exposure from Shark Tank India would be the biggest currency for the brand.”


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Confidential documents presented in Epic’s lawsuit against Apple reveal that back in 2019, Walmart was considering the launch of its own cloud gaming service to rival the likes of Google Stadia and Microsoft xCloud. Yes, Walmart.
In the documents spotted by The Verge today, Walmart executives compare the initiative, codenamed Project Storm, most closely to Nvidia’s GeForce Now. Whereas Google and Microsoft’s cloud gaming services use custom hardware that games have to be specifically written for, Nvidia is streaming games from a Windows PC over the internet. Developers who have made their games for Windows don’t have to do any extra work.
One-stop shopping — That’s what Walmart had in mind for Project Storm. Using its existing server infrastructure to host games, the company would give customers a platform where they could buy titles from third-party PC storefronts, like the Epic Games Store or Steam, and access them all in one place. Think of the Apple TV app, which unifies different streaming entertainment platforms in one interface. Users would just need a fast enough internet connection. Performance of Stadia and xCloud has proven better than some initially expected, though, with minimal stuttering or frame rate drops.
Walmart painted a compelling argument for why it would be uniquely positioned to win in the cloud gaming space. Gaming companies believe the switch to cloud gaming could be lucrative because they could reach the vastly larger group of people who play games on smartphones rather than consoles. Walmart already has the eyeballs of these people — its research found that 70 percent of regular Walmart shoppers also regularly played mobile games.
Walmart said it would use free trials and in-store physical demos to market to this audience of an estimated 100 million gamers that were strolling into its stores daily. Walmart even designed a clip that would attach a controller to a user’s smartphone so the experience would be intuitive.
Epic — There’s no word on whatever happened to Project Storm or whether it’s still in the pipeline. Word of Walmart’s ambitions were revealed as Epic tries to argue in court that Apple wields monopolistic control over iOS that unfairly harms the competition. In fact, Apple has made it difficult for game streaming to live on iOS due to its complicated rules, and other services like Stadia have relied on web apps.
Walmart already has a relationship with Epic, selling Fortnite merch in its stores. In an email discussing Project Storm, Epic vice president Mark Rein is amiable towards Walmart and says the retailer was open to considering different revenue sharing models.
A big point of contention between Apple and Epic is the 30 percent commission charged on App Store sales. Apple has pointed to other gaming platforms like the Xbox and PlayStation to defend itself and argue that 30 percent is an industry standard. Walmart was expected to ask for the same, but in Rein’s email, he explains why Epic has attacked Apple but not the others. “Today we pay Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo 30% because they subsidize the hardware and do a lot of marketing for us,” he writes. “Clearly that’s what Walmart wants to do but the hardware stays in the data centers.”
Epic has said that Apple is different because it makes the bulk of its profit on hardware and only charges 30 percent because it can — developers can’t sell their apps outside the App Store. Apple says that it needs to charge the fees to cover its costs maintaining the App Store; Epic thinks that’s hogwash and that Apple is making a killing on App Store commissions, raising prices for customers and making it difficult for service’s that compete with Apple’s own to succeed.


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Ever wondered what it’s like to piece together Sony’s newest flagship Xperia Z, Cyber-shot RX1, or one of their HD camcorders? Sony wants to show you just that in a video recently released by the company, where the company’s engineers put together these three devices in 5 minutes — by hand. Check it out:
And if you play this video backwards, you get an official disassembly video straight from Sony!
[via Engadget ]


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The word of the week is 'anticipation'. We saw the resolution of that concept in Google's announcements of the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, along with a shiny new Pixel C tablet and updated Chromecast media streamers. But that's not all — we also saw the launch of the new OS X 10.11 El Capitan from Apple, bringing Macs around the world up to the latest and greatest
And while Apple and Google are busy resolving anticipation, it's only building for BlackBerry and Microsoft. BlackBerry's let loose a bit more about the BlackBerry Priv Android slider, but the week ahead is going to belong to Microsoft with an enormous New York City event where we expect to see not one, but two variants of the Lumia 950 as well as a Surface Pro 4 tablet and an even-bigger Surface XL tablet.
It was an exciting week, and it's going to be an exciting week. Let's dive in!
Windows Central — Anticipation
This week was a rather good week if you are into leaked news, bad if you are Microsoft and looking to keep a secret. Indeed, we saw more information about the new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL – expected to be announced this coming Tuesday – arrive in the form of new, high-resolution photos. That was after Microsoft accidently listed the phones on their website.
Likewise, the new budget Lumia 550 got some new renders and even Microsoft's new Treasure Tag accessory got peeked at via the FCC. At this point, Microsoft just needs to fill in the details like pricing and dates for their phones.
- Cand Crush Soda Saga now on Windows 10 for PC
- The Dell XPS 12 tablet with a 4K display revealed ahead of launch
- #AskDanWindows Episode 10 – Will the new Lumia cameras fare well against the iPhone?
- Full details about Dell's 2015 XPS 15 leak out
Android Central — All Nexus all the time!
It's entirely possible that we've never had a week as big as this one, having hit the West Coast for the Google's 2015 Nexus event, then the East Coast for an LG event with a big new phone, and a sneak peek at a new watch.
- Recapping the 2015 Nexus Event
- Hands-on with the LG V10
- The first things you need to know about the Samsung Gear 2!
CrackBerry — It's Priv time
With all the Priv by BlackBerry and earnings call news that happened last week, this was a little slower paced by comparison but there was still plenty more Priv to talk about and show off.
- Official Priv by BlackBerry images get shown off
- CrackBerry Asks: Are you planning on buying the new Priv by BlackBerry?
- BlackBerry welcomes Apple's new commitment to your privacy
iMore — El Capitan has landed!
Another week, another operating system from Apple! Joining iOS 9 and watchOS 2 we now have OS X 10.11 El Capitan and all new Mac mojo that comes with it! Of course, we're still in the midst of iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus launch-mania, and Apple TV and iPad Pro are still to come. So. Much. Fall. Stuff!
- OS X El Capitan review
- How to download and get started with OS X El Capitan
- How to set up and start using your new iPhone 6s
- How to use 3D Touch on your iPhone 6s
Kicked — The future is now: a hoverboard for real-life!
This week on Kicked Weekly we feature a high-tech hoverboard and a low-tech device to help you take selfies with your dog! We also looks at some other cool campaigns including a digital camera with a retro twist! You can probably guess Dan's favorite subject to shoot. Keep it tuned to Kicked as we've got some fun stuff coming up soon including another giveaway!
For the coolest crowd funding projects you need to know about (along with a few weekly antics) be sure to subscribe to the Kicked TV YouTube Channel and follow us on social media. We're active on Twitter, Facebook and of course Instagram.
Connectedly — For the connected life
This week on Connectedly, we learned that Amazon Dash buttons can be a lot of fun, with hacks that can control your Tesla and order you pizza. We also saw the release of a few new products, including the new TiVo Bolt home entertainment device, a new more "affordable" Red Raven 4K camera, Hero+ GoPro announced, and the Logi Circle home security camera. On the lighter side, we looked at tech products we can't believe actually exist, and tech struggles today's youth will never experience.
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Derek Kessler is Special Projects Manager for Mobile Nations. He's been writing about tech since 2009, has far more phones than is considered humane, still carries a torch for Palm, and got a Tesla because it was the biggest gadget he could find. You can follow him on Twitter at @derekakessler.