text:
“We need to stop pigeonholing our young kids — boys and girls — into specific images,” said Jodi Norgaard, founder of Dream Big Toy Company, which makes Go! Go! Sports Girls. That truism was brought home to her one day in 2006, when after soccer practice, she went shopping for a present for her daughter’s friend. Norgaard was appalled when she found only a doll with a short skirt, cropped top, belly button ring, high heels, big hair and lots of makeup but no girl doll in a sports uniform.
It was the 21st century and gender stereotypes still shaped the toy market.
Because the dolls children play with shape how they see themselves, it’s important to emphasize what a girl’s body can do versus what it looks like, thought Norgaard. Instead of complaining, she was determined to do something about it. "I realized there was a need for a positive doll for girls that would be age appropriate, proportioned properly and send a positive message about a healthy lifestyle — physically, mentally and emotionally — through sports,” said Norgaard. One in three girls play sports — 17 million girls in the U.S.
Within two years, she had a prototype. On a whim, she called the U.S. Open. Norgaard was immediately connected to the right person and within five minutes had an order for 500 tennis dolls, which sold out in six days. With that market validation, Norgaard thought she’d take the toy industry by storm. Unfortunately, toy buyers at the 2009 Toy Fair in NYC only had eyes and wallets for fashion dolls.
What the toy industry didn’t get, the media did. Norgaard became a media darling. She appeared on Gretchen Carlsen’s Female Power Panel and the Today Show, and was written about in Self, Shape, Parents, the New York Times and Huffington Post. The dolls won awards, too, including Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for being innovative and engaging. In 2016, Norgaard was invited to the White House for an initiative on gender equality.
Parents could buy the dolls on Amazon and on her own site. However, to be profitable, Norgaard needed to sell more. She needed to be on the shelves of mass-market retailers.
By 2013, Norgaard was exhausted. She would give herself one last shot to “make it” at the Toy Fair. This time, she met buyers from Walmart’s Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative, which is committed to purchasing products from women-owned businesses. They not only got the doll but wanted books packaged with it. Norgaard was happy to accommodate.
Even with Walmart as a retailer, Go! Go! Sports Girls needed more orders to keep manufacturing costs down. The dolls needed to be sold globally. Realizing that her small team couldn’t do this by themselves, Norgaard explored bringing on equity investors or licensing. Then one day she spoke to a colleague who had just joined a fast growing toy company — Jazwares — which creates quality children’s products that push the boundaries of product design. During the first call, the companies realized their values were aligned. Norgaard sold 95% of her company to them. She still has creative say over the dolls and does PR, but Jazwares is in charge of manufacturing and distribution.
Learn more about how Norgaard identified and cleared roadblocks to success, evaluated the pros and cons of using sourcing companies, and setup manufacturing for specialty and mass markets, by watching this Women Entrepreneurs Grow Globally webinar.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again may sound trite. But these old adages are life lessons, which Norgaard’s experience exemplifies. What else can you try to build your success?


text:
Indian investigators will conduct a full investigation of the security breach, following Twitter’s reluctance to divulge crucial details regarding the hack.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter account was hacked at around 2 am on Dec. 12, 2021. The hack was used to send fraudulent tweets that India will accept bitcoin as legal tender and that it has bought 500 BTC, which it intended to give away to its citizens. Modi’s private Twitter account has over 73 million followers. The tweet included a fraudulent link. The destination of the link is unknown.
Twitter declined to elaborate on the details of the hack and whether additional security is applied to the accounts of high-profile individuals. They did, however, say that Prime Minister Modi has a 24-7 communication channel open with Twitter. The Indian Computer Emergency Response System will launch a full investigation, the outcomes of which will be included in a report that will be handed to the Ministry of Electronics and Information of Technology.
The account was re-secured shortly after the attack, confirmed by the @PMOIndia account urged that followers to disregard tweets sent from Modi’s personal Twitter while the account was breached.
Indians very interested in crypto
Roughly 83% of urban Indians are aware of digital currencies, while only 16% own them. Certain Bollywood stars have also contributed toward the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies in India, with veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan creating his own NFTs and becoming an ambassador for India’s first cryptocurrency unicorn, CoinDCX.
Indian Government’s stance on crypto still under review
This hack comes as the Indian Parliament is debating the merits of a new cryptocurrency bill that would see private cryptocurrencies banned, but others allowed for the development of the technology. Prime Minister Modi’s account was previously compromised in Sep. 2020, when scammers asked Modi’s followers for cryptocurrency donations to be made to a Covid-19 Relief Fund.
Earlier this year, crypto pundits called for cryptocurrencies to be treated as commodities by Indian law. Later on, during the Winter Session of Parliament, the Indian Finance Minister made it clear that India will not recognize bitcoin as a currency. In their view, only a central bank issues digital currencies. This was echoed by the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority commissioner recently when he said that the regulatory watchdog views cryptocurrencies as assets rather than currencies. India and South Africa have plans to launch their own CBDCs.
What do you think about this subject? Write to us and tell us!
All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.

domain: news


text:
UWT as exhibitor at China International Import Expo in Shanghai
The China International Import Expo CIIE is one of the most comprehensive international trade events in different industry fields and technologies. Organized by Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, CIIE 2019 took place at National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) (NECC). The expo was supported by international organizations such as WTO, UNCTAD and UNIDO and was hosted by the China International Import Expo Bureau and National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Joint sponsors include the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Municipal People's Government of Shanghai.
The Chinese government welcomed business communities, government officials, exhibitors and professional buyers across the world to participate in CIIE 2019 and to explore the Chinese market. The list of more than 2,800 exhibitors were like a Who's Who of well-known companies from a mix of diverse sectors such as Tesla, Facebook, SAP, Microsoft, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, KUKA or Siemens. Thus, it was very exciting for the UWT GmbH, as a German family-owned business, to be part of this important international event in the field of innovations from different industries and technologies. Together with the team of UWT International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. reliable technologies of measurement solutions for content and level limit detection as well as new sensor solutions for liquids applications were presented at the booth. Special solutions from UWT, such as the interface measurement solution, particularly attracted the visitors’ attention. Some mentioned enthusiastically that they have been looking for a suitable way to reliably detect solids in liquids for years and now they are happy to have found a good solution with UWT.
As the sensors of UWT are at home in almost every industry, there was a great exchange of experience with users from different sectors as well as interesting discussions about new technologies. The platform was also perfect for discussing the generation of reliable measurement results under extreme operating conditions as well as customer-specific solutions. Well-known companies in Germany and abroad have been relying on UWT products and services for many years. Thus the CIIE offered a good opportunity to further establish the company in the global markets.
In 8 halls with 270,000 m2 / 2,906,256 square feet there were shown products and services of the categories consumer electronics and appliances, apparel, accessories and consumer goods, automobiles, high-end intelligent equipment, food and agricultural products, medical equipment and health care products as well as trade in services. Further there was a country pavilion for trade and investment. Focus of the 6-day event was to support trade liberalisation and economic globalization, to provide new channels for countries and regions to do business, strengthen cooperation and promote world economy and trade.
The visitors very much liked the Bavarian motto at the UWT booth and a relaxed atmosphere for networking was provided.
A big thank you goes to all of our visitors for the interesting discussions and the positive vibes that you have brought to our booth!
We are happy about the great interest in our devices and the constructive discussions about applications and special solutions of UWT that will be installed into the visitors’ plant systems.


text:
Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, Narendra Singh Tomar today inaugurated 22 bamboo clusters in nine states — Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka — through video conference. On the occasion, the minister also unveiled the logo for National Bamboo Mission. Lauding the success of the National Bamboo Mission, Tomar said that the country is now gearing up to increase the export of bamboo products.
Addressing the video conference, the minister said that the government’s goal in the bamboo sector was being achieved with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders of the Bamboo Mission. Keeping in consideration the importance of bamboo, the Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in 2017 to remove bamboo for the category of trees. As a result, now anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products. Import policy has also been modified to ensure progress of the bamboo industry in the country. Tomar said, the use of bamboo has been an ancient tradition in India and it is now being supported with modern technology. Youth are also being given training for bamboo industry.
The minister called upon the states to take forward the objectives of the Mission. The support being given by the Mission to local artisans through locally grown bamboo species will also actualise the goal of Vocal for Local. This will help increase income of farmers and at the same reduce dependency on imports of some raw material. With the wealth of bamboo in India and growing industry, India should aim to establish itself in global markets for both engineered and handcrafted products.
The restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the complete value chain of the sector. The Mission is being implemented in a hub and spoke model, with the main goal of connecting farmers to markets so as to enable farmer producers to get a ready market for the bamboo grown and to increase supply of appropriate raw material to domestic industry, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.
According to the ministry, the bamboo ecosystem has been energised with 23 states being assisted, including all the eight states of North East. The 10 most important species which are required by industry have been identified and quality planting material is being made available to farmers for plantations. Assam has already engaged farmer producer organisations (FPOs) for raising plantations. New FPOs will also be formed under the recently approved scheme of Department of Agriculture, Government of India for formation of 10,000 FPOs in five years. Further primary processing, CFCs are being set up close to the plantations which will enable cost of transportation of whole bamboo to be reduced, increase local entrepreneurship and move to a zero waste approach.
These will be engaged in raising nurseries and plantations and/or product development like furniture, agarbatti, venetian blinds, chopsticks, toothbrush, lifestyle products, jewellery, bottles, yoga mat, charcoal, among other utilities. Together with industrial products, the National Bamboo Mission also endeavours to upgrade skills of traditional bamboo craftsmen as per requirement of contemporary markets with tie up with enterprises and premier institutes so that our cultural heritage is continued. The sector skill councils established under National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) will also impart skills and recognition of prior learning to traditional artisans. This will also encourage the youth to carry forward their family traditions, the ministry has informed.
The winner of the logo contest, Sai Ram Goudi Edigi of Telengana was selected from 2033 entries received on MyGov platform from across the country. The logo portrays a bamboo culm in the centre of a circle composed of half an industrial wheel and half farmers, depicting the objectives of NBM appropriately. The green and yellow colour of the logo symbolise bamboo often termed as green gold.


text:
It was a busy week across San Francisco last week as developers and industry participants from around the world came together for a series of crypto events. From hackathons to developer meetups to investor conferences, it was a time to catch up on the latest in crypto, hack new products, and push the boundaries of blockchain innovation. At Coinbase, we were excited to see everyone in our hometown and had a great time participating in a number of interesting discussions. Here’s a quick look at what transpired.
As a product-driven company, we know how important hackathons are to innovation. (In case you missed it, we even hosted our own internal Coinbase hackathon last month.) ETHSanFrancisco was the latest in a series of very successful hackathons organized by ETHGlobal. The weekend of October 5, more than a thousand engineers came together at the Palace of Fine Arts to hack together all sorts of dapps, on a range of use cases from games and digital collectibles to money transfer and financial services.
The event started with a fireside chat between Vitalik Buterin, one of the creators of Ethereum, and Coinbase Chief Technology Officer, Balaji Srinivasan. Moderated by ETHGlobal’s Kartik Talwar, it covered a wide range of thought-provoking topics about the current and future states of blockchains and user applications. If you weren’t able to attend in person, check out the video here.
Immediately after the opening remarks, with energy high and ideas flowing, the hackers got to work. In small teams, they put their heads together late into the night, building new solutions for tough challenges. The next morning kicked off with a panel called “Building an Open Financial System” that included some of the space’s most ambitious projects: 0x Project (exchange protocol), Dharma (debt protocol), Compound Finance (money markets protocol) and MakerDAO (stablecoin), moderated by Coinbase Wallet’s Product Lead, Sid Coelho-Prabhu. These crypto-entrepreneurs reflected on the opportunities and challenges of building a decentralized and interoperable financial system. You can watch the panel here.
By the end of the hackathon, more than 120 brand new products were built on the Ethereum blockchain using various protocols and tools. It’s always inspiring to see what talented and passionate developers can accomplish in just 48 hours. Some of our favorites were:
- SayToshi — the dapp lets anyone monetize their social media platforms by allowing others to pay them in cryptocurrency to post on behalf of them. It won both the Coinbase Wallet prize and the EthSF prize.
- AugurPro — Augur is a protocol that allows anyone to create and participate in prediction markets, and AugurPro is a mobile native interface to easily use the protocol. It received one of the EthSF prizes.
- Primotif — this project was hacked by Coinbase engineers Carl Cortright and Tyson Battistella, as well as one of our summer interns, Murat Firat. It allows anyone in the world to get exposure to major financial products such as the S&P500. It’s an exciting use case and was built by combining four different financial protocols, a trend we’re starting to see more and more. It received one of the 0x Project prizes.
- Gifty:// — this project won one of the EthSF prizes and was also hacked by Coinbase engineers, Andrew Gold and Alex Kern! Digital collectibles are another exciting use case for blockchains, and with gifty://, you can send one of these collectibles to a friend with just a text message—even if they’ve never heard of crypto!
Overall, the hackathon left us ever more excited about the pace of innovation in crypto and the new, open financial system we’re all building. Thank you ETHGlobal, and all the volunteers, organizers, and participants, for organizing another hugely successful hackathon! For a closer look at all the projects submitted, check out the full list here.
SF Blockchain Week
The ETHSanFrancisco hackathon was just one of several events happening throughout the week in San Francisco. The increasing demand to learn and contribute more to the space resulted in the organization of the first SF Blockchain Week, along with numerous other events put together by teams building in the space.
Coinbase kicked off the week with a keynote speech from our CTO Balaji Srinivasan. He opened with a simple definition of a blockchain–a database for storing things of value–and continued on to highlight ways that blockchains are already creating value and utility at 10x improvements from current systems. One example was Bitcoin being infinitely lighter than gold. It’s faster to transport internationally and cheaper to custody. He also went into more detail about how Coinbase is bridging the investment and utility phases through projects like Earn.com where senders pay users in crypto to reply to emails and complete tasks.
Throughout the rest of last week, Coinbase participated in a number of panels. Sam McIngvale, General Manager of Coinbase Custody, discussed the importance of institutional-grade features such as security and auditability in crypto custody with other industry notables. Reuben Bramanathan shared some thoughts about how liquidity is developing in crypto markets and what that means for the maturation of the asset class. Ada Yeo, Product Manager at Earn.com, joined a panel on the future of the token economy and the intersection of blockchain, crypto assets, and the decentralized web.
Coinbase Wallet also participated in the first DeFi Summit that took place with more than 150 attendees that are building pieces of a decentralized finance. Each interactive workshop gave a platform to specific building blocks of open finance, from security tokens to financial access in emerging markets. Coinbase Wallet’s Sid Coelho-Prabhu and Emre Tekisalp led a session exploring how consumers will access these new financial services via wallets.
We also hosted a “Meet the Coinbase Design Team” panel at Coinbase headquarters, attended by over 60 designers interested in the crypto space. The panel focused on the unique design challenges in crypto and how we’re tackling them. As Connie Yang, our Director of Design, has articulated very well: design is the killer app for crypto. To reach a billion users, every aspect of cryptocurrency will need simple, intuitive, beautiful interfaces that work for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Crypto is about building, together
At Coinbase, we have our sights set on a future where anyone with an internet connection can participate in the global financial system on equal footing. And this week in San Francisco, we saw first-hand the innovative builders and creators driving this movement. Together we’re all building an open financial system for the world. Big thank you to everyone who made this past week a success, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
If you’re as energized about this new financial future as we are, come help us build it. We have openings across the board, so be sure to check out our open positions.


text:
Responding to consumer concerns about possible chemical residues in milk, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it would begin regular, nationwide tests of the dairy supply.
It will monitor raw milk at 250 sites, beginning in early 1991, to detect possible animal drug residues. "It's just another level of protection," said FDA spokeswoman Bonnie Aikman. "It's not a widely extensive test. The key and critical test is still the one states do."
She said the FDA believes U.S. milk is safe. However, congressional and private reports released in the past year have questioned the purity of the nation's milk supply.
A General Accounting Office report issued in November said regulators check for only a limited number of the 53 different drugs approved for use on dairy cattle.
Tests will be conducted for eight sulfa drugs and three tetracyclines that are most widely misused by farmers. One milk sample will be collected each week at five of the selected sites. If harmful residues are found, state officials will be notified and the FDA will help them trace the problem.
The program marks the first time the FDA has been directly involved in routine milk testing. States will still continue to conduct their regular tests, which are designed to detect penicillin and penicillin-related residues in milk.
Some health experts say they fear that antibiotic traces in the food supply trigger the growth of bacteria strains that are resistant to these drugs, and later can cause illness and even death in humans.
Debate over the safety of the milk supply began last year when the Wall Street Journal and the Center for Science in the Public Interest said their own surveys of off-the-shelf milk supplies from around the country turned up drug traces in 38 and 20 percent of samples, respectively.
A follow-up FDA study said the "milk supply does not contain unsafe drug residues," although later tests showed low levels of sulfa drugs in a majority of the FDA samples.


text:
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- As regulators in Africa and the Middle East eliminate barriers in liberalized markets, VoIP opportunities emerge as lines are expected to more than triple from 2010 to 2015, growing at an outstanding CAGR of more than 28 percent, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com).
AME VoIP Prospects Brighten Thanks to Broadband Growth and Regulatory Relief examines the current and forecast VoIP landscape in AME in terms of subscribers and revenue and then looks more closely at the factors that will enable this evolution of the service. Case studies on market dynamics in Oman and the UAE follow.
"Pyramid projects VoIP lines to generate revenue of more than $1.1 billion in 2010," says Hussam Barhoush, Senior Analyst at Pyramid. "This growth of VoIP subscriptions, coupled with the high demand for cheaper international calling rates as well as regulators issuing more lenient rules toward VoIP as a service, will accelerate VoIP revenue prospects. Pyramid Research projects VoIP revenue in the AME region to reach $2.77 billion in 2015."
The control of fixed operator monopolies over their markets ends as the market is liberalized and additional fixed licenses are introduced to the market. "The process of liberalization in several markets has allowed new entrants to launch VoIP services using new technologies, such as WiMax. In Oman and Jordan, new WiMax operators have recently launched VoIP services," Barhoush explains.
The growth of broadband infrastructure and broadband users will steer the growth of VoIP services in the AME region. In 2010, broadband revenue will reach a total of $9.56 billion. This will grow to more than $20 billion in 2015. As regulators consider the implementation of VoIP rules and regulations, Pyramid Research believes that the percentage of broadband lines that will carry voice will grow dramatically.
AME VoIP Prospects Brighten Thanks to Broadband Growth and Regulatory Relief is part of Pyramid Research's Africa & Middle East Telecom Insider report series.
SOURCE Pyramid Research
If you run a small to midsized business and you're still relying on a traditional phone system, you need to rethink things. VoIP offers most businesses, regardless of the size, huge benefits. For small businesses, it unlocks the opportunity to have an enterprise-level communication system without the traditional expenses. more
If you’re interested in a straightforward way to improve the productivity of your employees, it's time to consider adopting a Unified Communications (UC) strategy. more
Q: When I call a customer, they see my VoIP phone number in their caller I.D....
Q: I'm a small business owner, and I need low-cost internet telephon...
5 Standard Features every business phone should have
This article provides a detailed checklist of business phone system features for...


text:
October 2015, TruckingInfo.com - Feature
By Tom Berg
‘We’re selling everything we can build,’ manufacturers say as they boost production, and they see no letup.
Tags: Cargo Vans, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Ram, Ford, General Motors, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation
August 2015, TruckingInfo.com - WebXclusive
By Jim Park
For a sneak peek at the next generation of the DD13, look to the latest new engine from Mercedes-Benz in Europe.
Tags: Emissions, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel Engines, Europe, Engines, Global, Daimler Trucks North America
April 2015, TruckingInfo.com - Editorial
By Rolf Lockwood
Dutch transport officials have a plan that would see self-driving trucks hauling freight from Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, to other cities in the next five years.
Tags: Mercedes-Benz, Self-Driving Vehicles, Future Trucks, Autonomous Drive
January 2015, TruckingInfo.com - WebXclusive
Most customers won't need a full-size van with this kind of off road capability, but for those who do, the Sprinter proves it can handle rough terrain.
Tags: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Full-Size Vans, Test Drive, Mercedes-Benz, Four Wheel Drive
May 2013, TruckingInfo.com - Test Drives
By Sven-Erik Lindstrand
The day after its introduction in Dusseldorf, in northern Germany, we reporters had a chance to drive Mercedes-Benz’s new Sprinter van for a few hours on various surfaces, from a test track to a dirt road and on a nearby Autobahn.
Tags: Cargo Vans, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Test Drive
We offer e-newsletters that deliver targeted news and information for the entire fleet industry.
The expert, Steve Carlson from Xantrex, will answer your questions
The expert, Brian Fletcher from Eaton, will answer your questions
Utility Introduces Light Weight 4000AE Flatbed Trailer
Tech Startup Overhaul Launches Online Marketplace for Shippers
Mobile Column Lift Designed for Flexibility
Truckstop.com Offers Freight Rate Analysis Tool


text:
So Facebook just dropped a cool $1 billion for Instagram (the app that turns your 5MP iPhone 4S camera into a crappy 1970s Polaroid). Apart from the fact that posting faded pictures of your dog on Facebook is going to get old pretty soon once everyone does it, there is actually a finance issue here.
Back in 1986, Michael Jensen argued that excessive free cash flow can lead to agency problems where managers use the cash to expand their empires (American Economic Review). This seems to be applicable in this case.
Instagram has no revenue to speak of, although it does have 30 million users (actually 30 million downloads of the app). There are currently 12 people working there (12 very rich people). While it is clear that Instagram must be worth something, $1billion seems a very convenient round number, and a rather high one at that.
When I consider other companies currently worth about a billion dollars: Strayer, Scholastic, Cooper Tire, I am forced to conclude that Facebook overpaid. But I am not surprised. Facebook is a classic case of what Jensen talked about in his seminal paper. The company has a huge amount of cash, it has no need to go to the market (and thus face market discipline), and the CEO has few limits on his decision making. As a result it will continue to burn money like there is no tomorrow.
Here's my Instagram tribute to the deal. A $10 bill (1/100,000,000 of the deal) on my copy of the classic corporate finance text that discusses managerial agency issues.


text:
The Internet has been both good and bad for entrepreneurs. It's upped the ante when it comes to hiring employees, forcing even the smallest firms to consider ways to offer corporate-style benefits and perks. Yet it's also made purchasing those items more affordable. Take 401(k) benefit plans for example: There are currently two companies with online plans, and the biggest benefit is that they're affordable for business owners with as few as five employees.
"One of the big barriers small businesses have faced is finding a quality 401(k) plan that's affordable," says Bill Carey, executive vice president for Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., which owns and operates fidelitye401k.com. Carey says that because the entire process-from enrollment and benefit explanations to administration-is done online, HR costs are significantly reduced.
"It also allows more of a personal relationship," says Robert Steinhorn, 48, owner of Walnut Creek, California-based ez401k.com. "In a lot of ways, sitting at the computer at 10 p.m., going over options for the 401(k) plan, is more personal than having a meeting with some strangers coming into the office and trying to do a sales job on you. You get the information when and how you want."
According to Carey, Web-based 401(k) plans are best for those companies that have the requisite computer hardware, that don't mind employees taking time from their workday to check investments, and that employ workers comfortable with doing business transactions over the Net.


text:
According to a large number of studies, women are greener than men in both their attitudes and their actions. One study shows that women have a greater stake in managing climate change as they are “more likely to lose their lives and otherwise fare worse than men in extreme events from heat waves to hurricanes and tsunamis.” According to an international survey by Synovate, women are greener than men. A study published by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economics shows that women emit less carbon than men. Men emit an average of 39.3 kilograms of carbon per day, women emit an average of 32.3 kilograms of carbon per day.
Here is a summary of the research that makes the point that women are better for the environment than their male counterparts.
According to Hansa-GCR women decision makers in business are more environmentally-conscious than men. The Center for Women’s Business Research (CWBR) released a brief called the “Environmental Consumerism Among Women Business Owners,” that reported the environmental friendliness of a product does have a moderate to major influence on the purchasing habits of 77% of women decision-makers in business.
According to a 2010 study by Tiller, more women than men said they would make a green New Year’s resolution. The study shows that women are more likely than men to experience “green guilt,” as the poll calls it–41% versus just 27% of men. As a result, women are more focused on following through with their green resolutions (52% will “very likely” adopt green habits in 2010, as opposed to 33% of men). About 41 percent of women compared to 27 percent of men cite eco-friendly living as a daily goal, a national survey finds. The same study showed that more women than men want to use reusable shopping bags and women reduce their household’s energy use.
Women are more likely than men to buy eco-oriented or recyclable products, according to an international study. This is significant because research indicates that women make at least 75 percent of home purchase decisions.
Women are the driving force behind two-thirds of households that regularly recycle. According to a 2009 survey. women also do most of the housework and therefore most of the recycling.
Response to Eco-Advertising
According to a 2009 report, State of World Population, women respond more positively to environmentally friendly advertising.
Women buy more environmentally conscious fashion design than men. The eco-fashion movement is big in women’s apparel. Women’s clothes are also smaller requiring less resources.
Women consume less meat and processed foods than men. According to two European studies – two categories of food that are especially resource-intensive. Women eat more fruits and vegetables, which use up less land, water and CO2.
Men drive and fly longer distances for their jobs, the European studies show. Women use more public transportation, which lessens their carbon footprint.
Aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway, says the U.S. Department of Energy, and studies repeatedly show that women drive slower than men and are less likely to speed than men.
© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.


text:
World trade recovery is less impressive then last year. (Photo AP)
World trade will grow by 6.5 per cent this year, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said Thursday, above the average rate between 1990 and 2008 of six per cent, but falling short of last year's dramatic rebound.
The WTO said growth in merchandise trade in 2010 as measured by volume of exports was 14.5 per cent, revised up from its previous forecast of 13.5 per cent.
Developing country trade as measured by exports growth is projected to grow by 9.5 per cent, while that of developed countries is set to grow only 4.5 per cent, the WTO said.
The Japan tsunami and nuclear accident have been factored into the prediction, but these twin disasters together with volatile commodity prices and turmoil in the Middle East make predictions particularly uncertain this year with risk on the downside, the WTO said.
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy sought to present the figures as evidence of "how trade has helped the world escape recession in 2010". "However, the hangover from the financial crisis is still with us," he said in a statement.
"High unemployment in developed economies and sharp belt-tightening in Europe will keep fueling protectionist pressures," he warned


text:
Instagram has backtracked on the product tests it previously rolled out, including full-screen photos and videos. Last month, The Platformer, a tech publication founded by Casey Newton who is also the contributing editor of The Verge, said the test version will be phased out in a week or two. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri also told The Platformer then that it will also reduce the amount of recommended posts in the app while working to improve its algorithms.
Instagram was criticised by celebrities Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner as well as netizens for attempting to be like TikTok. Although Mosseri has since explained that its shift to video is "not yet good" and that it's still in the testing phase, netizens still demanded for Instagram to switch its focus back to photo. A Change.org petition is also circulating online titled "Make Instagram Instagram Again", listing out users' demands such as having chronological timelines.
The total number of mentions between 25 to 28 July in Southeast Asia jumped 2,107% to 2.01k, according to Meltwater. Top keywords include "video after video", "actual friends", "photos", "random pages", and "many short films", among others. Most of the chatter came from Malaysia followed by Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. The majority of online sentiments were negative (82%) while 17% were neutral.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg further addressed the topic of Reels in Meta's recent earnings call, explaining that Reels is part of the trend that focuses on the growth of short-form video as a content format. Last quarter, Reels already formed 20% of the time that people spend on Instagram and in the second quarter, Meta saw more than 30% increase in the time that people spent engaging with Reels across Facebook and Instagram.
"AI advances are driving a lot of these improvements, and one example is that after launching a new large AI model for recommendations, we saw a 15% increase in watch time in the Reels video player on Facebook alone," Zuckerberg said.
While Reels poses an opportunity for Meta, it is also a near-term challenge because it does not yet monetise at the same rate as feed or stories. "So in the near term, the faster that Reels grows, the more revenue that act While Meta has the option of mitigating this headwind by being less aggressive in growing Reels, Zuckerberg said "that would be worse for our products and business longer term" since the company is confident that Reels will grow engagement overall and quality will eventually monetise closer to feed.
"Our work on ads monetisation efficiency for Reels is actually making faster progress than we'd expected. We've now crossed US$1 billion annual revenue run rate for Reels ads, and Reels also has a higher revenue run rate than Stories did at identical times post-launch. So the bottom line is I think we're on track here, and we just need to push through this one," he added.
Separately, Instagram is still garnering significant attention from users despite the rise in popularity of other platforms. In Singapore, for example, the proportion of content published on Instagram by the government increased by 5.34% from 9.71% in H1 2021 to 15.05% in H1 2022, resulting in 14.18% growth in interactions from 20.39% in H1 2021 to 34.57% in H2 2022. The proportion of Instagram interactions by ministries have also increased significantly from16.55% in H1 2021 versus 34.54% in H1 2022.
While video content has more engagement than images, Anish Daryani, founder and president director of M&C Saatchi Indonesia told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that the former is much more difficult to create and many creators might struggle to cope with new skills needed for shooting and editing high quality video content. "As photo publishers are now seeing lesser engagement on their posts compared to video content being published, their concern seems but natural. Besides, Instagram was primarily a photo-sharing platform, and that's what attracted users to it. But as it evolves, users are 'missing' the original platform that was all about great pictures," he explained.
This isn't the first time Instagram has adopted features from competitor apps. When Instagram launched Stories in 2016, many compared it to Snapchat since it also features ephemeral content. When Reels was launched in 2020, then-TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer called Facebook out for launching "another copycat product" after it shut down Lasso, a short-video sharing app which was launched to take on TikTok.
Sunny Johar, director, digital strategy, KRDS Singapore, said that although Instagram has always adopted features from other platforms, these were always integrated as additional features and not prioritised over existing popular features. Typically, these were introduced to solve a problem. In the case of Stories, Johar said they naturally fit into the user behaviour because the individual Instagram feeds had started to become more curated and Stories gave users the opportunity to share everyday moments that were natural, raw and had a different aesthetic to their feeds.
Furthermore, the UI/UX of Instagram gave Stories their own place with horizontal tapping, and the feed content its own place in the vertical scroll. Ultimately, Stories took precedence over the feed content - but it was a gradual and natural evolution, she said. According to her, the outrage over the prioritisation of video is a great example of what happens when the UI/UX of an app goes against user preferences and behaviour.
"By changing the focus of the app from an interface and experience standpoint, the video content is being promoted at the expense of other types of content that users still prefer to create, share and consume," she explained.
Meanwhile, Kevin Kan, chief experience officer, Break Out Consulting Asia explained that while Instagram is trialling the new features, users are treated to more ads and videos through Reels. "It feel that putting Reels of people you don’t know and the endless advertising that pops up on your screen is making Instagram a productivity vampire," he said.
When users sign up for a service, there is usually a level of trust in the service offered. When the service provider breaks that services without communicating about it, Kan said trust is lost. In this case, consumers signed up to Instagram to look at photos of their friends. While it is the trend these days to shift focus to the younger generation, Kan said Instagram didn't communicate that they were trialling new features to alert users.
"Communication is key to managing expectations and maintaining trust – especially for influencer endorsements and the advertising revenue they generate. There are opportunities here for Instagram. Advising users that new features are being trialled and that they would invite feedback on the new features, would be a great way to involve users in designing features and the UX," Kan said. Instaagram should make product development a part of the customer journey as this would be a sure way to enhance the customer experience.
Similarly, Forrester's VP and research director, Mike Proulx, said Meta is "desperately trying to increase engagement of Reels" to monetise it for ad revenue and this equates to essentially forcing it upon users. Instagram has also been testing a new full-screen UI that mimics TikTok to emphasise Reels in feed. In such instances, Proulx said:
A forced engagement strategy won’t bring Gen Z back to Meta’s platforms and could end up accelerating their exodus.
That said, perhaps it is also time for Kardashian and Jenner to switch up their content strategy. Claudia Low, Lion & Lion's head of creative content, said Instagram posts and Stories are the name of the game for both celebrities. However, when video content is what social media users are liking, sharing, and generally consuming more of these days, even on Instagram, and when multiple apps are racing to offer similar services, Low said this goes beyond adapting functions and instead reflects a sign of changing times.
What should Instagram's next move be?
Low described this to be a Catch-22 situation because while videos keep audiences hooked in a way that photos cannot, users generally don't like too much change all at once. "Instagram can't be another TikTok, but to dig in its heels like Facebook will make it obsolete," Low said.
She explained that this is a subjective issue because she personally likes using one app to consume what she chooses. "I think Instagram's going to have to stick to its guns and navigate the PR backlash with grace as it continues its testing and optimising," Low said. While it currently feels like Instagram is trying to be many different things at once, Low is all for an Instagram that gives her more options as a user and one that evolves to better serve content creators rather than influencers.
Mosseri did stress in the video that Instagram vows to get better and produce more effective and important ways to help creators reach more people. Meanwhile, Meta also said recently that Facebook will allow content creators to make more money from videos with licenced songs under Music Revenue Sharing. This allows video creators to receive 20% revenue share on eligible videos, with a separate share going to music rights holders and to Meta.
On the other hand, M&C Saatchi Indonesia's Daryani believes that Instagram will gain more by finding the unique role it chooses to play in consumers' lives rather than wanting to clone TikTok. This is because consumers focus on a channel mix where Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, for example, all have their place.
"Differentiation is key to being relevant, and that's what Instagram should focus on. As far as competition is concerned, Instagram has already been outwitted and outplayed by TikTok," he said, adding:
Perhaps it needs to stop trying to be everything for everyone, and make choices to stick to an audience that appreciates Instagram for what it is. Perhaps it's time to change the game.
From a PR recovery perspective, Break Out Consulting's Kan said Mosseri made the right move in tweeting out a video in the wake of the Kardashian-Jenner complaint. Moving forward, Instagram could take a leaf out of TV networks' book by holding an upfront event to inform users what's coming next and how it will enhance their social media experience. This way, user expectations will be managed and they will know what to expect in trials and upgrades.
"Listening to what users want is important but it is also important to know when to drag users into the new decade too. Just look at airbags in cars or the launch of the iPhone. Consumers didn’t know they needed it until they were given the product or feature," Kan explained.
Aside from the UX standpoint, Kan is also looking at this issue from a geopolitical lens. Based on this, it makes sense for Instagram to move into the video space given the global political climate. Hypothetically, if Russian sanctions were to be applied to China, that would mean Chinese companies such as TikTok's parent firm ByteDance could have sanctions levied against them or they could face public backlash. "This could lead to a migration of users from TikTok to Instagram if Instagram had the features users or influencers need to continue their video productions. In the world of Influencers and advertising dollars, you need to be ready to ride the next wave," he explained.
Meanwhile, KRDS' Johar believes in a more natural evolution in the user experience rather than forcing the audience to adapt through a downsizing of photography as a form of self-expression and art. "Users take to their Instagram feeds to view content from a mix of friends, family and influencers, celebrities or brands that they follow. However, on TikTok, the content is mostly creator-focused and the For You Page gets far more traction than the Following page," she said.
Thus, whilst TikTok is a strong competitor in terms of time spent in-app, Instagram has its own place as a means for people to keep in touch. It would be far more powerful if Instagram was a place where people could also create video content to share with existing and new audiences, in addition to all the other features they already enjoy, rather than a place where people can only predominantly do the same as what they can on TikTok and Snapchat, Johar added.
Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top marketing stories.
We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's marketing development – for free.subscribe now open in new window


text:
MILAN — Harmont & Blaine SpA is the latest Italian company to eye an initial public offering, although not before the end of 2016.
The Italian fashion company is seeking a financial partner to help support and accelerate its retail expansion around the world and, to this end, it has given a mandate to the corporate advisory group of UBS. The board of the privately held Harmont & Blaine is asking shareholders to approve a capital increase to allow the Menniti family to maintain control of the company while letting in a new partner. With the help of the latter, the plan is to invest around 100 million euros, or $131.7 million at current exchange, over the next three years and reach sales of around 200 million euros, or $263.5 million, prior to an IPO at the end of 2016.
Harmont & Blaine joins the likes of Lapo Elkann’s Italia Independent, which made its debut on the AIM Italia Alternative Capital Market, a segment of the Italian Stock Exchange for small and medium-size companies, at the end of June, while Moncler is reported to be looking at an IPO as well, possibly by the end of the year.
Harmont & Blaine chief executive officer Domenico Menniti said the goal is to go public because, once revenues have reached 200 million euros, a figure that is considered the “minimum level to be able to compete equally with international players, further important investments will have to take place and the resources will have to be recovered through the listing.” Menniti said that, following the listing, the family could consider a minority stake that would “allow us to control the company.”
Harmont & Blaine is looking at growth in Asia, Continental Europe, North American and Central and South America. In particular, the firm would like to open a branch in the U.S., and flagships in New York and Los Angeles. There are now 64 boutiques in Italy and 70 units in 54 countries around the world, with an established presence in the Middle East, Central America and Mediterranean Europe. The brand is carried in more than 1,500 stores around the world.
Men’s wear is the core business of the label, which is recognizable for its trademark dachshund logo and its stylish preppy looks.
Harmont & Blaine sales last year totaled 60.3 million euros, or $77.2 million at average exchange, up 12.6 percent compared with 2011. Revenues in 2013 are expected to climb 20 percent to more than 70 million euros, or $92.2 million at current exchange.
Last year, the group’s wholesale division accounted for 55 percent of sales.
The company recently opened monobrand boutiques in Mexico City, Yerevan in Armenia and at the Koltsovo Airport in Russia. In the upcoming fall and winter, boutiques in Prague and Moscow and a second store in Miami, at the Merrick Park shopping mall, are expected to be unveiled.
Harmont & Blaine, which is based in Caivano, on the outskirts of Naples, has more than 420 direct employees and more than 1,000 indirect employees.
In June 2009, the first Harmont & Blaine Café opened in Sardinia’s luxury resort Porto Rotondo.


text:
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Georgetown University in a ‘Conversation on Free Expression” in Washington, DC on October 17, 2019.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
Despite an increase in engagement on its some of its platforms “in places hit hardest by the virus,” Facebook says it’s seeing a weakening in its ads business in countries taking actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“As the pandemic expands and more people practice physically distancing themselves from one another, this has also meant that many more people are using our apps,” the company said in a blog post.
“We don’t monetize many of the services where we’re seeing increased engagement, and we’ve seen a weakening in our ads business in countries taking aggressive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Facebook’s announcement comes one day after Twitter withdrew its revenue and profit forecast for the first quarter as well as its outlook on costs for the full year, citing the potential impact of the spreading coronavirus on advertiser demand. Twitter’s usage is up, but uncertainty surrounding the severity of the economic impact of the pandemic will be likely to weigh on ad budgets.
Facebook stock dropped less than 1% after hours on the news, after rising more than 8% during a record day for market gains.
This story is developing — check back for updates.


text:
TOKYO — This year has been a turbulent one for Valentino. In the past five months alone, there has been a series of developments that will determine the brand’s future, including the acquisition of its parent group by equity fund Permira, the announcement of the retirement of its namesake designer and the appointment of a new creative director for women’s wear, Alessandra Facchinetti.
Stefano Sassi, chief executive officer of Valentino Fashion Group, and Graziano De Boni, Valentino SpA’s president of sales, marketing and retail worldwide, visited Japan several weeks ago to oversee a show and couture order event, and were greeted by Mitsuyasu Matsumi, the president of Valentino Japan since Sept. 1.
During an interview with WWD Japan, Sassi said “there were about 10 candidates on our list of successors, including Italian, French and American. Facchinetti was on the top of that list.”
When WWD pointed out Facchinetti has no experience in couture, Sassi said, “We have many artisans who have long experience in haute couture in the Valentino atelier, so there should be no problems in that regard. Facchinetti is quite precise and focused on details and the final product. That is quite haute couture-like and we believe that fits Valentino quality.”
Regarding the future relationship with Valentino himself, Sassi said he hopes that, “as [Valentino] Garavani has been the beacon for the brand, I hope he will continue his relationship with the company and the brand itself, through advice to Facchinetti and so on.”
The show and couture order event here were held in collaboration with Isetan. This was the first time Valentino has held such an event outside of Paris or Rome.
“We had about 30 people visit the two days of private viewing, which was more than we expected. We are already finalizing some of the deals, and this assures us that this type of sales strategy in Japan is promising. In the future, we would like to try the same strategy in markets outside Japan as well,” said De Boni.
When it was pointed out Valentino’s couture operation is in the red, De Boni said, “It is a fact that our haute couture is in the red, but as a whole, the brand is doing wonderfully, thus posing no problems for us to continue the couture business. We are a maison with haute couture. We can be certain of our position and pride in being the ultimate luxury brand by keeping a couture section.”
Couture sales for Paris fashion houses are heating up again as a result of the infusion of oil money from the Middle East and other newly rich people from regions such as Russia, India and China. Also, as Toshihiko Nakagome, managing director of Isetan, said, the wealthy in Japan are now looking into couture. “Recently, for example, the semicouture of Ungaro is doing quite well. Our good customers are interested in haute couture as well.”
Matsumi of Valentino Japan said, “Valentino is one of a few luxury brands that place prêt-a-porter as its main business. In Japan, many of the brands carry accessories like bags and do not shine out with prêt-a-porter. We would like our customers to recognize Valentino as a wonderful prêt-a-porter brand.”
In regard to the flagship on Namiki-dori Street in Ginza, he said, “Main streets like Chuo-dori Street or Harumi-dori Street are like the first-floor shop in a department store, where brands that put accessories as their main product compete with each other. We like the more exclusive atmosphere of Namiki-dori Street.”
Valentino is in the process of creating a new concept for its boutiques worldwide, and is planning to renovate all its stores according to this plan from the middle of next year. In Japan, there are 26 Valentino boutiques, most of which are located within department stores. In the next two years, all these stores will begin renovation.
Matsumi is the third president of Valentino Japan in the past year as the brand has struggled in the market with sales lower than those of other major luxury labels. Matsumi’s goal is to double sales of Valentino Japan in the next five years. The company’s first-half revenues worldwide were 120.7 million euros, or $166.6 million, of which Japan represents 10 percent.
At the moment, 49 percent of Valentino Japan is owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., and 51 percent by Valentino SpA, although this might change as the relationship between Japanese subsidiary and Italian headquarters becomes closer.


text:
Milan Shah, the agri-commodity analyst said that on the NMCE, India’s natural rubber prices are on Rs. 18680 which is a positive trend in rubber.
Rubber prices in India were not able to achieve the psychological Rs 200/kg mark even if the Tokyo Commodity Exchanged on Tuesday exhibited a sharp rebound on the India rubber prices as the effect of the cartelisation of the three largest producer of rubber in the world, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
On the other hand, the Kottayam markets located in South of India saw sales rate of 196/kg on Thursday.
There is a shortage present in the market though because of the rains. Many tyre manufacturing companies became active again.


text:
A digital freight platform allows truck drivers to quickly find suitable freight orders and avoid driving empty to their next destination. Rockcheck Group’s Chai Shuman described the platform as a “freight-version taxi-hailing app” that connects shippers and carriers using machine learning, automation, and other software services. The platform covers 30 provinces, regions, and cities and has an “intelligent dispatching” function to match trucks with shipments, creating an efficient network with lower market transaction costs. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has seen over 172,000 registered vehicles and over 82 million tonnes of cumulative shipment volume.
China’s digital freight industry has rapidly grown under the tide of informationization, with a market size of about 700 billion yuan in 2022. According to a report on China’s digital freight development, online freight platforms can increase vehicle utilization efficiency by about 50 percent, increase drivers’ monthly income by 30 to 40 percent, and reduce transaction costs by 6 to 8 percent compared to traditional freight modes. Carbon emissions from road transport in China account for more than 80 percent of that in the whole transportation field, and digital freight transport can play a key role in reducing empty-load rates, saving energy, and reducing carbon emissions.
Full Truck Alliance, a leading enterprise in the logistics industry, has utilized “platformization,” digitalization, and networking to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve carrying capacity with the big data of freight transport. Experts believe that the digital freight industry will continue to grow and release new growth drivers to boost China’s real economy. Construction of digital freight industry cluster zones and institutional innovation demonstration zones can promote the digital transformation of the freight industry deeper and wider, according to He Dengcai, an official with China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.


text:
'Final' sales for 2012-S 75th anniversary set below
- Published: Dec 11, 2012, 7 PM
The U.S. Mint announced Dec. 6 that the final but still unaudited sales of the 2012 American Eagle San Francisco Two-Coin Silver Proof set totaled 224,981.
That’s nearly 10 percent lower than the number of sets reported at the close of sales in July via the U.S. Mint’s online sales counter on www.usmint.gov. The sales counter reflected a preliminary total of 251,302 sets.
The set commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Third San Francisco Mint, which opened May 14, 1937.
U.S. Mint officials did not disclose a reason for the change in sales numbers. The Mint has previously canceled orders for numismatic products where the customer’s credit card was expired. Customers can also cancel orders on their own.
The two-coin set contains a Proof 2012-S American Eagle silver dollar (bearing frosted devices with mirrored fields) and a Reverse Proof 2012-S American Eagle silver dollar (with mirrored devices against frosted fields).
Both coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint with the S Mint mark.
The sets were offered at $149.95 per set.
The sets were offered by the Mint during a restricted sales period — from noon Eastern Time June 7 through noon Eastern Time July 5. The cumulative sales totals were posted online daily Monday through Friday during the sales period, with the final sales counter tally posted July 6.
The Reverse Proof coin was exclusive to the two-coin set. The Proof 2012-S American Eagle silver dollar was later also included in the Making American History Coin and Currency set, which went on sale Aug. 7. ¦
World Coins Sep 29, 2022, 12 PM
US Coins Sep 29, 2022, 11 AM
US Coins Sep 28, 2022, 11 AM
US Coins Sep 27, 2022, 12 PM


text:
NEC Corp. said it has resumed operations at five plants in three prefectures struck by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, but automakers are delaying restarting full-fledged operations due to a lack of parts.
NEC has restarted operations at five factories in the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima that were being inspected or repaired since the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
The five plants manufacture items such as communications equipment and electronics components.
The company has yet to assess the financial impact of the quake, an official said Wednesday.
Suzuki Motor Corp. said it would suspend car production at its plants Thursday and Friday as a result of difficulties procuring certain parts, though it managed to manufacture vehicles Tuesday and Wednesday using components in stock.
The automaker said it will continue to operate plants to assemble engines and produce cast components but will decide later when to resume operations next week.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it would assemble cars with components in stock at a subsidiary in Gifu Prefecture on Thursday and at the unit and a plant in Aichi Prefecture on Friday, while suspending operations at its plant in Okayama Prefecture on both days.
Isuzu Motors Ltd. said it will resume making parts Monday, but operations at its two domestic factories will remain suspended until Friday.
Hino Motors Ltd. was to continue its manufacturing suspension at its plants in Tokyo and Gunma Prefecture until Thursday, company officials said.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.


text:
That’s the question asked in a guest article by David Rosen of Wolfire Games, on Kotaku today, which brought up some issues worth debating. A few facts, from the article:
Mac sales of most blockbuster titles are minuscule, around 1-3% of the PC sales. However, a lot of that is due to the lag time before the Mac version is released. The article cites Modern Warfare, the Mac version of which came out 47 weeks after the game was available on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. Safe to say most Mac users who wanted the game got it on another platform rather than waiting almost a year for a Mac version.
Macs make up about 9% of the global computer market, but Macs are disproportionately owned by younger users, who buy more software and play more games. Indy game developers like PopCap report that Mac versions sell 20-25% for their titles.
As Mac sales continue to climb, more major game companies are putting attention and effort into their Mac ports.
It’s a good time to be a Mac gamer. Valve recently announced Steam for Mac, and that all their future games will be simultaneously released for Mac and Windows, including Portal 2.  Also, there are a number of other big games coming up that will be released simultaneously for Mac and Windows, including Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, and Rage. Some of the big developers are starting to realize that there are a lot of Mac gamers, and that porting to Mac is not very hard. If you can put in an extra 1% cost and get 22% more revenue ? why not make a Mac version? It would be worth it even if it were only an extra 2% revenue!
As you guys know, Blizzard is one of the only major PC game developers who create Mac versions of all of their products, which are released more or less simultaneously with the PC versions. Blizzard is presumably not doing this out of the kindness of their hearts; they’re hiring Mac programmers since the sales make it worthwhile. Ironically, as the Mac gaming market grows, it might become less profitable for Blizzard, since they’ve traditionally dominated the Mac market, almost by default. If more devs put out timely Mac versions, Mac games will have more options than Blizzard to choose from.
Our site stats tell us that the vast majority (85+%) of our readers are using PCs, but that doesn’t tell the whole story, since a lot of you guys browse from work during the day, where the office PC is your only option. Many of you may be closet Mac users in the privacy of your own home, where you game more than you browse. So, anyone out there using a Mac? Does Blizzard hold a special place in your heart just because they’ve always supported the Mac platform? Do you feel more able to use or switch to a Mac since you know that WoW and SC2 and D3 will be playable on it?
Update: This sort of view is why Mac gaming has a strong future. The majority of college aged computer users seem to be using… Macs. I saw mostly Macs being used in the library when I was finishing my degree a couple of years ago, and a friend of mine, a university prof, says at least 80% of the laptops she sees her students using are Macs.


text:
Survival game SCUM sold over 250k copies in 24 hours
Survival game SCUM sold over 250k copies in 24 hours ⚡⚡⚡ Esports and gaming news, analytics, reviews on WePlay! The latest news on WePlay!
Devolver Digital is on fire. Again. The publisher announced the release of their biggest title on August 29th. An hour later SCUM has appeared on Steam for Early Access. In less than 24 hours, over 250k copies of the online survival game were sold. This extraordinary mark became a good reason to show some joy on Twitter. Quote:
The SCUM community has been incredible and we’re thankful for the over 250k copies sold in less than 24 hours!
Rest assured, the team is working on updates to give you a best in a class survival game.
SCUM is a classic example of the online survival game with a deep customization of the character and progress system. But the key message of the game is obviously a survival: how to search for resources, equipment, escape from zombies and giant combat robots.
There are 2500 reviews on Steam and more than 50 000 users are playing SCUM at the moment. The biggest problem with the title right now is the lack of FPS limitation which is harmful for PC. Anyway, it's quite easy to fix and will be the first task for the developers to complete in the near future.


text:
Monthly Market Reports
Monthly insights into economic, finance and trade issues affecting global demand for wool, and what this means for the Australian wool industry.
There are no items in your cart.
Generally, mill operations at Korean wool spinners/weavers remain firm. However, textile orders received for the Autumn/Winter season 2002/03 were below forecast levels leading to top making and worsted spinning sector... Read more
Australian Wool Innovation announced today that a list of eleven candidates would be presented to wool producers for election to the AWI Board at the upcoming annual general meeting in Hay on 31 October. AWI Chairman,... Read more
A discussion paper on wool product and industrial marketing has been released today by Australian Wool Innovation to clarify the company's mandate to undertake proposals that maintain demand and develop a market presence... Read more
South-west Victoria wool producers and textile industry interests have been invited to hear the latest information on opportunities for textile and garment manufacturing in regional Australia at a public meeting in... Read more
Australian Wool Innovation has welcomed federal government support for its decision to comply with the constitutional requirement for candidates for election to the Board to be nominated by five per cent of shareholders.... Read more


text:
The Daily Dish (08/02/21)
Hellenic Dynamics, a Greek Medical Marijuana producer is heading to the London Stock Exchange through an SPAC merger with UK SPAC Plc in a deal that values the company at $62.5 million.
The company, which was founded in 2019, is currently building a 200,000 square meters cannabis cultivation factory in Northern Greece.
The company plans to start selling medical grade cannabis oils and flowers by early next year with a distribution deal already in place.
Europe’s cannabis market is currently valued at around £2.5 billion, but is forecasted to grow tenfold over the next 5 years amidst a wave of deregulation.
Southeast Asia’s Biggest food delivery group posted record sales of $507 million in Q1, ahead of the planned closure of its SPAC Merger with Altimeter Growth Corp in a deal that values the company at $40 Billion.
While many Southeast Asian firms have been impacted by the lockdowns and various restrictions, Grab continues to benefit from a boom in food and parcel deliveries.
The company expects that the demand for mobility services will continue to experience fluctuations as a resurgence in the pandemic had affected its markets.
While Grab originally started off as a ride-hailing business in 2012, it has leveraged its position to move into food and grocery deliveries and digital payments. Grab is the region’s most valuable start up, with operations which span across eight countries and over 400 cities.
Cazoo is on track to hit $1 Billion in revenues this year, as the used car website turned a profit in the second quarter. The online vehicle sales platform intends to go public through a SPAC merger with Ajax 1 in a deal which values the company at $7 Billion.
Cazoo’s revenues surged over 600% to about $196 million in the second quarter, with the number of vehicles sold through the platform rising 429% to 10,962.
In Q2, the company also brought vehicle refurbishment in-house and now has five vehicle preparation centres in operation across the country.
It also launched a car subscription service, offering consumers both new and used cars with the option to purchase, finance or subscribe, all entirely online.


text:
Nielsen has lately released a report and according to that Android, the Operating system from Google happens to be the prevalent piece of the U.S based consumer Smartphone market acquiring 39% of it. The iOS by Apple stands second with 28% whereas the RIM’s Blackberry OS has dropped down to almost 20%.
The graph provided by Nielsen in this regard shows that Apple has been still able to grasp the position of ‘Top Manufacturing Unit’ as they all along with RIM are the only manufacturers of their respective operating systems. On the other hand, Android Operating system is featured on hardware from various companies.
The popularity rate concerning Android has even exceeded its previous protrusions. In the last report by Nielsen, the month surveys concerning U.S. mobile-based consumers showed that there had been a progressively more variable change in the popularity and preferred of mobile operating systems. 31% of the consumers who were planning to opt for a Smartphone said that they would be going for Google’s Android as this is the platform they preferred. On the other hand, iOS by Apple has dropped a little to 30%. RIM Blackberry which was once a leader has only 11% interest whereas 20% were unclear and vague – though it seems that most of them would be going to Android!
With the continuous release of innovative smart phones, mobile devices and PC tablets, they are directly associated to the mounting innovation in these particular niches. Technological advancements and developments are creating a need for modern and compact mobile products.
Nielsen, one of the leading research based companies has lately confirmed it after they have conducted a research. The data being collected highlighted that the Smartphone market is exceptionally competitive and this makes the consumers take a new challenge when they are considering opting for their new Smartphone.
There are three leading manufacturers when it comes to the Smartphone market; however, Google’s Android Smartphone has finally taken the lead. According to the new data, the USA consumers prefer buying Android phones as compared to any other Smartphone model on the market. Both the iPhone and Blackberry have been sharing 27 percent market share for the past year whereas Google’s Android presently is holding around 29 percent of the entire U.S. based Smartphone market.
Android is offering its users with a lot more choices; this is something far away from the fairly low-tech Samsung Intercept to the high-end with Motorola Droid Pro. Android offers a large variety of manufacturers as the Operating System can be modified so that the models, features along with the overall user experience completely varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Nielsen explains this point that when it is about the producers then Apple winners and RIM, ever since they are the only ones that are creating and selling Smartphones with their respective OS. The company has further added that the HTC’s consumer base has 12% a HTC Android device and 7% own a HTC device running Microsoft OS. At Motorola, it is 10% and 1% of consumers who have Android and Microsoft OS.
The Nokia E7 is anticipated to be available in the early period of year 2011 and because of this; the 3G mobile networks are excited for this latest addition to the growing and escalating mobile phone market. This new gadget has some of the most unbelievable and amazing features and Nokia expects this model to be the most preferred by the business professionals as well as for routine day usage.
Nokia E7 has vital comforts that are alike to 4 in. it has an integrated 8-megapixel camera with twin LED flash, slip out QWERTY keyboard along with touch screen arrangements, 16 GB internal storage capacity, and also audio tech “SILK”. It is supporting a Symbian^3 operating system and an N8 aluminum physique.
Nokia E7 is extremely stylish and its estimated price until now is £584.99. The Smartphone can be accessed on 3G mobile networks and after it can be accessed upon all other networks. The gadget is truly the best for the song lovers as they can even listen to transparent songs. With the Symbian 3 OS support, it offers easy navigation, aging contacts and easy to supplement photos.
The head of Branded Devices at 3G networks, Sylvia Chind stated that they are pleased to add another Symbian 3 device to their Smartphone’s range. However, Nokia E7 is making the 3G-network display more strong with features such as customizable home screens, 4 inch screen for speedy browsing and accessing emails.
Nokia and Yahoo have now formed a partnership, and according to it, they will mutually present the exclusive content over their contrary platforms.
Nokia will be the exclusive content provider for navigation and maps for Yahoo; and Yahoo has offered Nokia with an exclusive email provider.
This has turned out to be a deeper collaboration than expected, and it could be particularly useful for Nokia to broaden its scope and range of messaging and email services in the upcoming markets, where it is already holding a strong market share.
This remarkable move made by Nokia has made its stocks price go up with a percentage of 0.4, whereas Yahoo got an increase of 0.8percent in its stock price. This partnership will definitely open new horizons for both the players as both are one of the best in their business. Yahoo could offer its other services and they can also come up with their own operating system which they can run on Nokia’s smartphones. Similarly, Nokia’s infrastructure can be a real benefit for Yahoo as well.
Today, Nokia has again slapped Apple with an additional patent-infringement suit, and this time it is about the technologies that have been used in iPhone and iPad 3G. Last October, the handset maker, claimed that iPhone violated around 10 of the patent rights, which hauled Apple into the court. This action results is a counterfeit Cupertino and both filed complaints with the ITC; in short, legal terms on both sides are updated.
In the latest lawsuit alleges the iPhone and the iPad 3G have violated five different patents. It generally involves ‘ enhancing the data transmission and speech by making use of positioning data applications and innovations in antenna configurations which are useful to improve the performance and save time, enabling compact and smaller devices.
Taking into consideration the preceding actions, it is just a matter of time ahead of Apple countersues Nokia in Wisconsin furthermore, both companies refine and modify their alleges with the ITC. One only has to speculate whether any of these cases will be resolved sooner than any other product launch and subsequent filing.


text:
Apple is about to face its biggest challenge from its most ambitious and formidable Chinese competitor, says CNBC. Huawei launched its high-end phone in the United States on Thursday. According to Richard Yu, director of Huawei’s consumer business group, the Huawei Mate 9 will be available in the United States through Amazon and Best Buy on Friday for $599.99.
Can the Huawei Mate 9 challenge the iPhone?
By volume, the Chinese company is the number three smartphone maker in the world, and it is hoping to become the number two within one or two years, said Yu. Getting to the number two spot means knocking down either Apple or Samsung.
According to IDC, the Chinese company shipped about 33.6 million smartphones around the world in the third calendar quarter, while Apple shipped 45.5 million and Samsung shipped more than 72.5 million. The Chinese company will now infiltrate Apple’s biggest market, the U.S., notes CNBC.
Last year was a bumper year for hedge fund launches. According to a Hedge Fund Research report released towards the end of March, 614 new funds hit the market in 2021. That was the highest number of launches since 2017, when a record 735 new hedge funds were rolled out to investors. What’s interesting about Read More
Yu said at at CES in Las Vegas, “We never hide our ambition. We have a vision to make the world’s best smartphone.”
Yu took a jab at Apple many times during his speech. He even noted that the more affordable Mate 9 is thinner than the iPhone 7, charges faster and has a longer battery life. In addition, Yu said Huawei made the first phone to sport a dual-lens camera like the iPhone 7 Plus.
The Mate 9 promotional video said, “Genius’ is no longer in the domain of a chosen few.”
The ad also showed a picture of a light bulb, another indirect hit at Apple, which is popular for its Genius Bar and has introduced an ad recently featuring bursting light bulbs, notes CNBC.
Huawie’s Mate 9 has received assistance from other Apple rivals as well, with the integration of Alexa, Amazon’s artificial intelligent assistant, and DayDream, Google’s virtual reality platform, notes CNBC.
Apple planning first retail store in South Korea
Apple also continues its land grab efforts in the smartphone market. The iPhone maker said recently that it is planning to open a retail store in South Korea. The store will be the first in the country that is home to its smartphone rival Samsung. On Thursday, the U.S. firm posted job listings for about 15 positions, including a business manager and store manager. The listings, however, neither specified the exact location nor said when those who are hired will start working, says Reuters.
In a statement on Friday, the tech giant told Reuters, “We’re excited about opening our first Apple Store in Korea, one of the world’s economic centers and a leader in telecommunication and technology, with a vibrant K-culture.”


text:
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today began his two-week visit to the US during which he will interact with global thinkers and political... ...http://news.rediff.com/commentary/2017/sep/11/rahul-gandhi-begins-us-visit/c4bca981a1d24a69035a4c8c62a2c73a
The OrcaPod is a prototype of what comes after boats, cars, trains and planes.It's India's foray into what Tesla founder Elon Musk calls the 'fifth... ...http://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/future-of-travel-indias-orcapod/20170828.htm
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for beating to death a University of Southern California graduate student... ...http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/man-gets-life-in-prison-for-chinese-student-s-beating-death-117081700100_1.html
BERKELEY, Calif: Amazon.com Inc is rolling out U.S. pickup points where shoppers can retrieve items immediately after ordering them, shortening... ...http://www.sify.com/finance/amazon-adds-instant-pickup-in-us-brick-and-mortar-push-news-technology-riptvKfhabhdd.html
Scientists have discovered a new way to activate the stem cells in the hair follicle, an advance that may pave the way for novel drugs to promote... ...http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/potential-stem-cell-therapy-may-help-promote-hair-growth-117081500755_1.html
He did M.Ed. in Master of Education...
Dr. Fabian Aguirre University of...


text:
Mercedes drives toward 10% long-term profit target
German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz has a long-term profit margin of 10 percent, and one investor thinks it might have already achieved that in the third quarter but it might be short-lived as the global economy gyrates.
Meanwhile, a big contributor to fat profits in the future will be the new Mercedes-Maybach S600, which will make its debut at the Los Angeles car show later this month. Mercedes dumped the Maybach brand in 2012 after it failed to make inroads in the market dominated by British-based Rolls-Royce and Bentley. But Mercedes has now decided to revive Maybach as a sub-brand.
Mercedes-Benz raised earnings before interest and tax by 29 percent in the third quarter to £2 billion compared with the same period of 2013, as buyers scrambled to buy its nifty new sedans and SUVs.
Commerzbank analyst Daniel Schwarz said Mercedes’ margin was 8.5 percent in the third quarter, and asked “what stands between this and a sustainable 10 percent EBIT margin?”
“Management sees several levers – cost and production inefficiencies need to be removed, catch up with peers in China (by the end of 2015 Mercedes should have closed the gap in terms of dealers) and more cars need to be built on cost efficient modular platforms. All of this appears on track and, most importantly, in management’s hands,” Schwarz said.
Bernstein Research analyst Max Warburton thinks Mercedes may have already reached 10 percent. The trouble is, it may be derailed by circumstances out of its control.
“The good news is Mercedes is ahead of plan and has probably just hit its long standing profitability target. The bad news is that due to the macro-economic context, there’s a risk we just saw Mercedes’ margins peak. Let’s hope the global economy proves more resilient than most fear – as Mercedes and the Daimler management team surely deserves better than to have all their hard work undone by events,” Warburton said.
“We’d argue that if the global economy – and premium car demand – holds up in 2015, then Daimler will prove capable of exceeding market expectations next year. But few are going to make that call at the present time,” he said.
Meanwhile the new Mercedes-Maybach S600 will be powered by a 6.0 liter, V-12 twin-turbocharged gasoline engine producing 530 hp. It will undoubtedly make huge profits, but probably won’t sell in big numbers. No word yet on price.


text:
YBOR CITY - With temperatures reaching the mid-80s underneath hazy gray clouds, it felt more like Sunday's Cigar Heritage Festival was held in an overstuffed Seventh Avenue humidor than in Ybor City's Centennial Park.
But the unseasonably sticky weather didn't prevent crowds - estimated to top 9,600 - from spilling into Ybor's brick streets surrounding the annual event, which since 2016 has held the title of "largest attended cigar festival in the world."
This year, there were more pressing matters for the cigar aficionados to discuss than box-pressed or round, shade-grown or sun, lancero or Presidente.
Since 2016, the few cigar manufacturers that remain in America's "Cigar City" have been locked in battle with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its decision to place the same regulations on premium cigars as those enforced for cigarettes, vaporizers, and other mass-produced tobacco products.
The Trump administration brought about a small victory for cigar manufacturers last year, when the FDA announced it would review its decision to include premium cigars in its regulatory expansion over tobacco. The agency accepted public comments on the ruling this year, from March to the start of July, said Daniel Trope, senior director of federal government affairs for the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association.
Since then, the issue has stalled in Washington, D.C. When the FDA released its "unified regulatory agenda" last month, Trope said premium cigars were given "long-term status," meaning changes weren't included in the FDA's plans for this year.
"Premium cigars are essentially in regulatory purgatory," Trope said.
Trope joined the trade association's executive director, Scott Pearce, at a shaded picnic table on Sunday, where the two registered hundreds of festival goers to join lobbying efforts through the IPCPR's new website, CigarAction.org.
The group aims to help premium cigar manufacturers like J.C. Newman Cigars, the only functioning cigar factory left of the more than 150 factories that once called Ybor City home. Even though J.C. Newman doesn't hand-roll cigars like the smaller shops on Seventh Avenue, the company has used the same machines since it began operations in 1895, producing 15 cigars a minute made only of fermented tobacco, water and vegetable glue.
Should the FDA follow through with the planned changes, J.C. Newman's owners estimated it would cost more than $30 million for its Ybor factory to comply with the product standards, health testing, warning labels and other new regulations.
"We liken it to the difference between a malt liquor and a very fine scotch," Pearce said. "The usage of these very specific types of products is very different than from the ways consumers get addicted to cigarettes."
Cigar smokers typically don't inhale smoke, and only indulge in cigars an average of once a month, he said. The CDC and FDA's own research even shows that the limited use means most cigar users experience no significant health effects, he said.
"The smoke doesn't even bother the chickens or the dogs," said Lisa Figueredo of Cigar City Magazine.
Figueredo, who helped organize Sunday's festival, is the product of generations of cigar rollers who have worked in Ybor City since her great-grandmother took a job in West Tampa rolling cigars for Cuesta Rey at just 13 years old. From the cigars themselves to their aroma, or their ornately decorated boxes, "it's a work of art. It's our history. It's our culture," Figueredo said.
"We're still fighting every day, and every day more people are joining the fight," she said. "It's a special club, and you can't take that away."
Contact Anastasia Dawson at firstname.lastname@example.org or (813) 226-3377. Follow @adawsonwrites.


text:
Dubai: Perseverance, hard work, integrity, etiquette and patience are the five principles of success, according to Dhananjay Datar, managing director and chairman of Al Adil Trading. Datar, a household name today.
Datar, who once struggled to meet the basic necessities of life, has openly spoken about his modest beginnings in his autobiography to be released in Dubai today amid the company’s 38th anniversary celebrations.
He said his childhood made him frugal, self-reliant and prepared him for challenges. Datar, who lived in a small village called Shirkhed in India before moving here, said: “My lunch box contained roti and chutney. My uniform was patched and generally worn out. I wore the same uniform every day through the year.”
However, at the age of 16, Datar secured a passport. “My father, who came to Dubai, sent me an air ticket, along with detailed travel instructions in a letter. Back in those days, phone calls were very expensive,” Datar said.
First trip to Dubai
On February 26, 1984, he took a plane for the first time in his life for his trip to Dubai. “There was another young boy travelling with me on the same flight. The lady at the check-in counter was full of admiration for us and she decided to upgrade us from Economy to Business Class. So, on my first flight ever, I travelled Business Class! For a poor boy, you can imagine how big this was.”
Datar’s autobiography, titled ‘Masala King — a journey of Memoirs’, is said to be an ode to everyone who contributed to the success of Al Adil Trading that marks 38 years of its presence in the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
“I have shared my five principles of success in the book which also highlights my tips to budding entrepreneurs on how to face financial challenges in a volatile market and come out of it successfully. There is also an emphasis on the importance of fitness and keeping good health. There is no point in all the money you make if your health is not good,” Datar said.
Al Adil, which has 50 outlets across GCC and India, also has its own manufacturing unit in the Al Quoz, where it produces masalas, spices, pickles, flours, pulses and other Indian foodstuff items under the Peacock brand name. It also has an Indian arm, Masala King Exports in Mumbai (India), which exports Indian pulses.
Datar said: “The secret of our success is that we know the pulse of the expatriate Indian community. Also, success is a journey, not a destination.”
“Customer is king,” continued Datar. “We have listened to our customers and delivered good-quality products to the best of our ability. Next is profit. Every business must be done with the aim of earning profit — but, in an ethical manner. A profitable business fetches success.”
Datar also believes that entrepreneurship should be taught at an early age. “Even if it is your own children, teach them to be independent.”
“Our shops at first were managed in a traditional way. There was no system in place to arrange the products properly. But we changed all that for the benefit of our customers. We did not want them to queue up for their items,” Datar added.
Datar said that post-pandemic, it became clear that one of the most successful businesses to be in is the food industry. “No one stopped eating. We took the benefit from the economy of scale and passed it on to our customers. Since we buy food items in bulk, we passed the benefits of pricing to our customers. Our prices are reasonable,” Datar explained.
Datar, who has also fought depression, shares his experience in his autobiography. He has written about how he resorted to yoga and meditation to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. “Mental illness is a big issue. Yet, it is one that is not openly talked about. When you deal with it and face it, you get great benefits. There is no shame in saying you suffered a mental illness. What is key in overcoming it is to let the world know. This is why I wrote about it in my autobiography,” he said.


text:
Dunkin’ announced it has signed agreements to open 50 new locations as it continues to focus on growth and development efforts outside of the Northeast. New locations
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo is home to the chain’s largest Teavana Bar and Japan’s first Princi Italian bakery location. It also marks the debut of the coffee
New York coffee roasters ...
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans, a New Orleans-based coffeehouse that positioned itself as “a southern hospitality experience,” signed
From New York to Los Angeles, coffee and bar service are hot. These three concepts capitalize on both with three different approaches to these
Experience-focused emerging coffee chain Alfred Coffee opened its eighth location, this one in new the LINE LA hotel in Los Angeles’
Tim Hortons has entered into an exclusive master franchise joint venture agreement with Cartesian Captial Group to develop and open more than 1,500 restaurants throughout
Global coffee behemoth Starbucks opened its first store in Uruguay, in the capital city of Montevideo.
DRNK coffee + teaand QWENCH juice bar opened in Sterling, Va. It’s the chain’s first outpost
Starbucks opened its first store in Jamaica and entered its 76th market globally.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Colectivo Coffee started 25 years ago as a small coffee roaster operating out of a warehouse basement.
Based in Washington, D.C., Slipstream is a hybrid concept. In the morning, the operation offers coffee and breakfast items like
When Peet’s Coffee & Teadecided to open a new unit in Washington, D.C.’s colonial Georgetown neighborhood, the restaurant’s
Starbucks Coffee Company announced the opening of its third Reserve Roastery in the U.S., on Chicago’s tourist-heavy Magnificent
Growing chains usually seek to build on previous successes — in both menu and in design. Swing’s Coffee Roasters prefers each
Italy-based illy coffee company opened two of its illy Caffè units in San
In the first in a series, rd+d takes a deep dive into beverage-focused concepts.
Luigi Di Ruocco is vice president of Mr. Espresso, his family’s 35-year-old artisan coffee roasting company and provider of
Vitality Bowls offers franchise options to add lucrative coffee options.
Jesse Jacobs opened his first Samovar Tea Lounge in San Francisco 14 years ago, sensing that the time was right to