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Joe Morelli imagines a Blackglama store in Shanghai,
China, with 100 people lined up outside. He envisions
women in cities across Korea and Russia draped in
Blackglama fur, and carrying handbags with the Blackglama
“My dream? I want consumers around the world to look at
Blackglama the way they look at Louis Vuitton today,” said
Morelli, the president and CEO of American Legend
Cooperative (ALC), a company that markets and sells mink
fur out of a warehouse in Renton, Wash.
Each year, roughly 3.6 million pelts of North American
mink fur are auctioned off at the facility.
Blackglama is one of two brands sold exclusively by ALC,
and has become one of the most recognizable fur labels in
The label’s “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign has run
nearly every year since 1968. In has featured Hollywood
stars such as Bette Davis, Diana Ross, Lauren Bacall, Cher
and Judy Garland wearing Blackglama fur.
Now, as awareness and popularity of the Blackglama label
grow, the company has set sights on brand-extension and
hopes to evolve beyond fur into a “multi-faceted luxury
brand.” By October, Blackglama will release a line of
fragrances. After that, the Blackglama portfolio will
include jewelry, eyewear, shoes and other accessories.
Morelli, who came to ALC four years ago from Nike, hopes
the product expansion will only strengthen the sale of
A fur that ‘reeks of luxury’
Less than a million pelts of black mink fur each year are
given the Blackglama label; less than two-percent of the
“To put it in perspective, think about a farmer raising
his crop. A certain percentage of that crop is going to be
really, really nice and a certain percent isn’t,” Morelli
While a majority of the pelts come from Utah, Wisconsin,
Oregon and Idaho, several thousand mink that will be
branded Blackglama are raised on farms in Washington
“About 45, 50 percent of my mink end up with the
Blackglama label,” said a Western Washington mink farmer.
He asked that his name and location be withheld due to the
potential of retribution by animal rights groups such as
He has run the 20-acre farm since 1978, when he took over
the family business.
Roughly 10,000 mink are raised on the land each year at a
cost of roughly $40 an animal. With buyers paying a 20
apercent premium for Blackglama fur, he needs to focus on
the quality of the mink he’ll bring to auction.
A black mink can only get a Blackglama label if it meets
high standards for quality.
“Blackglama has very fine guard hairs, a very nice, plush
underfur. It’s very soft and supple,” Morelli said. “When
you put that into a garment form, it truly is like the
ultimate of luxury.”
A good time to be a mink farmer
According to the American Legend Cooperative, the
company’s revenue has increased three-fold since fiscal
year 2009, driven by growing demand from countries like
“The numbers of new millionaires in China every year is
astounding,” Morelli said. “It’s a status symbol. Young
women are the primary consumer in China.”
But unlike countries such as Russia and Korea,
manufacturers, brokers, and retailers in China have yet to
buy into the Blackglama label. Morelli said they will
increase marketing in China to push the brand there as
“In my four years, the marketing in China has been focused
on quality of North American mink as compared to Chinese
mink or Scandinavian mink,” Morelli said. “Pretty soon,
the marketing in China will be Blackglama, Blackglama,
ALC will continue to market Blackglama fur the way it has
for years: using celebrities. The campaign that began in
1968 with Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Barbra
Streisand and Melina Mercouri continues today.
After a six-year hiatus, “What Becomes a Legend Most?” was
revived in 2001 with supermodel Linda Evangelista. Then
came Gisele Bundchen, Cindy Crawford, Elle MacPherson,
Naomi Campbell and Elizabeth Hurley.
Featured in 2010 and 2011, Janet Jackson is the most
recent “legend” featured in the campaign and the only to
appear for two consecutive years.
Morelli said Jackson’s edginess has helped to make fur
“My farmers don’t always like hearing me say that no one
wants to wear grandma’s fur coat anymore, but that’s the
truth,” he said. “So, we’ve tried to make things way more
fashionable and less the old, traditional fur coat.”
But, regardless of who is photographed wearing it, some
will never see fashion in fur.
“Janet Jackson lost a lot of fans when she decided to take
money to drape herself in fur,” said Danielle Katz, a
manager with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“To promote the cruel fur industry is reprehensible and
frankly, it seems a bit desperate on her part.”
Regardless of demand oversees, Katz said fur as fashion in
the U.S. is about as popular as a “cold sore.”
Still, Morelli said the business has never been better and
points to the success of their Blackglama label as proof.
“I think there’s never been a better time in the world to
be a North American fur farmer,” he said.
Most mink farms in the U.S. have seen four or five
profitable years in a row, he said.
With the expansion of the Blackglama label, Morelli hopes
brand recognition will increase what consumers will spend
for Blackglama mink and bring fur farmers even more
As the brand extends first into fragrances, a second
Blackglama retail store is scheduled to open in Moscow.


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Four makers of flavored e-cigarettes have received warnings over their social media marketing initiatives, including the use of influencers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
In letters made public on Friday, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission allege that the companies' social media ads don't warn consumers that the advertised products contain nicotine.
The agencies note in their letters that the FTC requires in-ad disclosure of material health or safety risks, and requires social media influencers to disclose when they're paid for posts.
“These letters are a reminder that companies who use social media influencers to promote their products must comply with all applicable advertising requirements,” Andrew Smith, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
The letters were sent to Solace Vapor, Hype City Vapors, Humble Juice Co. and Artist Liquid Labs.
The FTC and FDA noted specific instances of allegedly problematic social media ads.
For instance, the letter to Solace Vapor referenced posts that appeared on social media accounts of “Pandora Blue” -- a vaper with 1.7 million Instagram followers. She promoted Solace products in at least six posts between October of 2018 and this April, but none of those posts said the products contained nicotine, according to the letter.
One of the posts flagged by the agencies features Pandora Blue holding a bottle of Solace's “sea salt blueberry.” The accompanying text reads: “Start your day off right with @solacevapor sea salt blueberry salt water taffy and tart blueberry flavors, refreshing your mind and thoughts.”
There doesn't appear to be a disclaimer stating that the post is a paid ad.
The FDA and FTC are requesting response from the companies within 15 days.

domain: news


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Marketing geniuses have given us culturally-relevant Hispanic cheese; deliciously weird tortilla-flavored chocolates, Mexican Coca-Cola and even a Hispanic lettuce. So it was really just a matter of time before somebody came up with a Hispanic tuna.
And that day, my friends, has finally arrived.
According to a press release:
“Auténtico products blend StarKist tuna with bold spices such as red, chili and jalapeno peppers […]”
…because as everybody knows, Hispanics like spices and seem to put jalapeño everywhere.
¡Chunta-chunta-chunta-chún, vamos a comer atún!
Hat tip: HispanicTips


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New Alternative to Bitcoin Uses Negligible Energy
In a new study by the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne in Switzerland, scientists suggest simpler, faster, and less energy-intensive "consensusless" algorithms that generate just a few grams of carbon dioxide per transaction as an alternative to the Bitcoin protocol.
Blockchain Consensus for the Internet of Things
"Blockchain-based IoT solutions are well suited for simplifying business processes while reducing overall costs and security threats. As an example, IoT can exploit blockchain technology to build trust among untrusted devices or federated IoT areas, reduce infrastructure costs, and accelerate data exchanges."
Blockchain Smartphones—Going Mobile
While blockchain smartphones are not yet widely available, telcos have been investing in combining blockchain technology with smartphones to create decentralized mobile devices, which could lead to the creation of a decentralized web.


text:
Car interior sketch
Discover Pinterest’s 10 best ideas and inspiration for Car interior sketch. Get inspired and try out new things.
The Tomboy electric car concept created by Sean Keunyoung, a student from the Korean National University of Art is actually really clever
Industrial Design,Architecture,Art Direction,Behance Mobile
If the Jeep of the future ever looks this dynamic, it would have to be at a time where fully autonomous features are the norm
The Bentley EXP10 Speed6 Concept has won many accolades since making its debut at the 2015 Geneva auto show. As well it should. The concept makes one of the most progressive design statements we’ve seen from Bentley for quite a while, and for a brand steeped in heritage that’s saying a lot. We spoke with interior design director Brett Boydell to get an inside look at how the concept was created. Developed over a period of 18 months in the […]
Following the first preview, Škoda has released new interior design details on the concept car that will make its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.
Mohamad Ghulman saved to Sketches and renders


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Although New Yorkers can buy Pat LaFrieda burger patties from FreshDirect, until now the meat distributor stuck to wholesale clients like restaurants. But hark! We hear that LaFrieda will appear on NBC’s shopping channel to roll out a new line of retail samplers, making it possible for meat fetishists across the country to get their hands on LaFrieda product.
ShopNBC, a shopping television channel and website, will be offering a grill sampler, burger sampler, and steak sampler. Apparently, those packages will include “eclectic blends of burgers, cuts of steak, and sausage links.”
LaFrieda will first appear on the channel on Monday, August 23, at 7 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 24, at 2 p.m. to pimp the meat and give tips for how to cut and prepare it.


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Last week, 55,000 plots of “virtual land” were sold on the Ethereum blockchain for more than $ 300 million, the largest non-fungal token (NFT) mint ever. It was not without controversy.
In exchange for a peel near $ 6,000, a buyer received Otherdeed NFT, which authenticates that buyer’s ownership of a piece of digital real estate in the new gaming environment from developer Yuga Labs.
What can you do with a virtual ground plot? Well, you can develop your own online games on it or build a digital art gallery, among other things. Moreover, you may be expecting a lot of internet traffic driving your way because the “world” of Otherside is an extension of Yuga’s popular Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFT project.
The sale began at 9:00 pm EDT on April 30, and the NFTs were exhausted in about three hours. During that time, gas prices on the Ethereum blockchain soared – with eager customers sometimes needing thousands of dollars to complete a single transaction. That is above and beyond the cost of the plot. Hundreds of investors not only failed to secure a Otherdeed token, but they also lost their Ether (ETH) gas quotas. The Ethereum blockchain has even darkened for a while.
Some have accused Yuga Labs of favoring the process, saying, for example, that it has kept all the good “land” for itself or existing owners of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs.
Others have wondered what all this has to say about gaming and NFTs. If it cost $ 6,000 per package, and as much as $ 6,000 in gas fees just to play, did it all become a playground for the very rich alone?
The sale also raised questions about the scalability of Ethereum – again – and the susceptibility of blockchain projects to manipulation and self-treatment.
The Metaverse shines brightly
However, even if Yuga Labs ’sales didn’t go quite smoothly, shouldn’t it still be celebrated as a milestone of sorts in the crypto / blockchain world, especially at a time when the price of Bitcoin (BTC), Ether and others. were cryptocurrencies flat or declining?
Consider a report published Kraken Intelligence last week, which reinforced the notion that Metaverse – a community of online “worlds” with many dedicated role-playing games – is one of the brightest stars in the crypto-based galaxy today. Over the most recent 12-month period, the metaverse sector has noted an annual return of + 389%, noted Kraken, compared to Bitcoin at -34%, Ether at + 3%, layer-1 networks at -10% and decentralized finance ( DeFi) projects at -71%.
The Metaverse sector includes activities such as Decentraland (MANA), The Sandbox (SAND), Axie Infinity (AXS), and also projects such as Apecoin from Yuga Lab (APE). In online “communities” such as Sandbox, an Ethereum-based game-to-win (P2E) game, players can build a virtual world, including the purchase of digital land, the ownership of which is guaranteed by an ERC-721 standard unbreakable token. The fungible SAND, a standard ETH-20 token, is used not only to purchase land, purchase equipment and customize avatar characters but also to enable owners to participate in the management decisions of The Sandbox.
“The Metaverse is still a relatively recent topic in the crypto industry,” Thomas Perfume, head of strategy at Kraken, told Cointelegraph to help explain why the Metaverse seemed to thrive when other sectors moved sideways. “When Facebook rebranded as Meta in the second half of 2021, we saw a corresponding rise in the price of fungible assets with metaverse like SAND and MANA. Before that, it wasn’t major for most market participants.”
It also represents part of the ongoing development of the crypto industry. Perfume said earlier in a press release that “it is expanding from financial utility to creative expression and community building.”
However, $ 320 million for 55,000 plots of “virtual land” seems a bit expensive. Mark Stapp, the Fred E. Taylor chair of real estate at Arizona State University’s WP Carey School of Business, was asked if “virtual land” has any special qualities or uses that can often be overlooked – and could explain the considerable expense. by Otherdeeds. and their kind. He told Cointelegraph:
“I view the ‘virtual country’ as having value for market purposes so the platform / world it exists within proximity to others. A relative place to capture visitors and awareness would be desirable attributes.”
In other words, it could improve your own or brand or game if you create it by having Snoop Dogg, for example, as a neighbor in your online ecosystem. This has been happening lately when someone reportedly paid $ 450,000 for a virtual parcel bordering Dogg’s estate The Sandbox.
Recent: Mixing reality with the Metaverse: Fashion icon Phillip Plein becomes crypto
It all seems like a new application of the traditional real estate: “place, place, place.” Like Sandbox notes on its website:
“LANDS that are closer to major partners or social centers are likely to receive higher player traffic, which may mean more revenue through monetization.”
Along these lines, some grumblers attended last week’s launch of Otherdeed on the quality of “land” offered to the public. The really good bits were kept by insiders as existing BAYC owners, while others were charged. According to Crypto Twitter celebrity CryptoFinally:
I wanted to participate in a game, but one of the worst parts of another deed: not BAYCs who want to participate, paid for a much worse land, BAYCS got the only land worthwhile. yuga does not seem to show interest in decentralization outside the existing core group. priced out.
– CryptoFinally (@CryptoFinally) May 2, 2022
Is a bladder forming?
What about the notion that the astronomical prices paid for metaverse real estate are indicative of an evolving bubble – one that could burst at any moment?
Lex Sokolin, chief economist at ConsenSys, told Cointelegraph he would call it a bubble. Rather, he prefers to talk about cases of “finding valuation of future appreciation”. But, in this case, as with crypto in general, different dynamics can play. Sokolin said:
“In traditional markets, you would discount future expectations based on some probability of meeting those expectations, and some cost of capital. In crypto, corporate value is immediately capitalized by tokens and becomes highly volatile when sentiment changes.”
That doesn’t mean the business ideas here are wrong or misleading, he added, just that there can be “long-term disconnections between how people project the future and how it’s actually constructed.”
Why is Ethereum gas so expensive?
Then there’s the issue of Ethereum’s gas quotas, which by one estimate may have reached up to $ 14,000 during the sale of Otherdeed. Should we worry about the world’s second largest blockchain network?
“There is no debate that gas quotas as high as $ 6,000 per transaction are indicative of the ongoing climbing challenges facing Ethereum,” Perfume told Cointelegraph. “But it is important to note that ordinary transactions and money laundering of NFTs are not fully comparable activities on the Ethereum blockchain,” he said, adding:
“In this specific example, too many people seem to be making money at the same time. As such, smart contract optimization by itself probably wouldn’t have changed much.”
Sokolin added that Ethereum provides scarce computing resources and is a natural destination for high-value transactions “because capacity is limited by blockchain.” And, there were also scalable solutions available that could avoid the transaction crisis, but Yuga Labs chose not to use them. “That said, having NFTs on Ethereum gives them higher perceived status and the largest secondary market, which is probably why Yuga Labs has gone this route.”
Presight Capital cryptocurrency advisor Patrick Hansen went even further, claiming that the launch somehow showed Ethereum’s current status. “Ethereum has massive challenges ahead, visible again in yesterday’s crazy gas quota,” he said. tweeted on May 2. “But the fact that some people are willing to spend a whopping $ 4k for #Ethereum transactions also shows how valuable its blockchain is. No other blockchain is close in that regard.”
Sokolin agreed. “Right. If people didn’t want to pay transaction fees, they wouldn’t pay.” It is one of the peculiarities of the crypto economy that the arbitrary activity in such events is so high that even the long-term players “have to pay a very high price to scalpers,” he observed.
Leaving a bad taste
However, the record launch left a sour aftertaste for some. “I think the sale of Otherdeeds was scammed, causing a reaction from users,” Aaron Brown, crypto investor, told Bloomberg.
But, perhaps a certain amount of manipulation just seems to come with the virtual territory? “I believe that what many companies call ‘ownership’ in the metaverse is not the same as ownership in the physical world, and consumers risk being deceived,” wrote lawyer João Marinotti recently.
Land scams are happening in the physical real estate world, of course, so there may not be too much of a reaction here, but there are some differences. “Normally a prudent and informed buyer of real estate would do due diligence, and the bidder would be subject to regulatory controls including required disclosures,” Stapp told Cointelegraph. In the case of virtual real estate, “I don’t know of any required disclosures or regulatory oversight,” he said, adding:
“Regulation aims to prevent fraud, misrepresentation and keep the uninformed out of trouble. The current environment to sell these ‘opportunities’ is ripe for fraud or at least disappointment.”
Betrayal of the roots of crypto?
Finally, what about inclusion and the favorite democratic atmosphere of the crypto world. What does it say if you need $ 10,000 or more just to participate in a blockchain-based community?
“There’s always been freedom in the idea that anyone could participate with any amount they want,” Mark Beylin, co-founder of Myco, told Cointelegraph. Bitcoin is separable to eight decimal places, so even if you owned only a tiny fraction of Bitcoin, you still got the same benefits as someone who owned a lot, like control of your own finances or freedom to trade, because for example, said Beylin, adding :
“This is not true for NFTs, however, because owning a fraction of NFT usually does not give any rights to owners, beyond the speculative additional potential.”
There were other kinds of disappointments as well. Some potential investors, for example, have lost all of their Ethereum transaction fees and have yet to invent any ground tokens. These “gas” losses have met with thousands of dollars in some cases. When Yuga Labs announced on May 1 that it was working to reimburse gas dues to all Otherdeed miners whose transactions failed, some were skeptical.
Recent: Enthusiastic work: Bitcoin change to proof-of-interest remains unlikely
However, on May 4, the developer posted this message:
“We refunded gas fees to everyone who made a transaction that failed due to network conditions caused by the mint. The fees were returned to the wallets used for the initial transaction.”
The developer repaid approximately 500 transactions with a collective value of 90,566 ETH, or about $ 244,000 at the time of repayment. The largest single refund was for 2,679 ETH, valued at approximately $ 7,877 on May 4 when refunds were sent, according to at the Etherscan.
Meanwhile, Beylin, who had some bitter things to say about Yuga Labs earlier this week, struck a more positive and philosophical note by the end of the week. “In the long run, the best projects will find a way to open up access for many instead of just a few,” he told Cointelegraph.


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The Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states accused Facebook on Wednesday of becoming a social media monopoly by buying up its rivals to illegally squash competition, and said the deals that turned the social network into a behemoth should be unwound.[…]
The prosecutors called for Facebook to break off Instagram and WhatsApp and for new restrictions on future deals, in what amounted to some of the most severe penalties regulators can demand.
I hope it gets that far. Next on the list? Apple and Google.


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Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more!
New York Comic Con 2021: What to know about this year's hybrid in-person, online event
After a two-year hiatus, ReedPop is bringing New York Comic Con back to the city that never sleeps. Much has changed in the world since the biggest pop culture gathering on the East Coast celebrated its last genuine edition back in 2019.
Taking COVID-related concerns into serious consideration, the organizers of the annual meeting have made some important changes to the way things are run in the uncertain pandemic age. New rules are in place and there are more ways to attend than ever before. So before you decide to put on your cosplay best and head over to Hudson Yards (where the convention center is located), here's everything you need to know about NYCC 2021.
When is it?
New York Comic Con 2021 will return to Manhattan's Javitz Center between Thursday, Oct. 7 - Sunday, Oct. 10. For individuals who either can't make it in person — or are still avoiding large crowds of people amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — there will be a schedule of digital events running concurrently with the physical ones.
"We look at it as our shows will never sell out again, in a good way," ReedPop President Lance Festerman recently said during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "If you want to be a part of a show like New York Comic Con, you’ll be able to be a part of it, whether you can buy a ticket or live in the area or not. We’re going to invest pretty heavily in that from a distance participation in shows like New York Comic Con."
How to attend
If you're planning on turning up to NYCC in person this year, there are two pre-requisites to keep in mind: 1) you must be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus (so bring your card along!) and 2) you must wear a face covering at all times, unless eating or drinking. If either of those requests are too much of a big ask on your part, then you simply won't be allowed in the building. If an attendee is under the age of 12 — and therefore not elligible to receive the vaccine just yet — they must arrive with an inoculated guardian and proof of a negative COVID test.
Fortunately, ReedPop is going above and beyond the vaccine, mask, and negative test requirements.
“If you walk up to a table you will have plexiglass there protecting both the fan and the guest,” ReedPop director for U.S. conventions Kristina Rogers told THR. “If anybody is a Star Trek nerd you can re-create that scene with Kirk and Spock really nicely. It looks really great.”
"What success looks like has changed in some ways," added Festerman. "We would think much, much less about the quality of the content and more about, 'Was it safe, and did people have fun?' So much of what we are focused on is logistics and safety and let’s bring people back together. And doing it in a safe way."
In-person and digital badges can be purchased right here.
While the full line up NYCC panels has yet to drop, below is small tasting platter of what to expect...
- Psych 3: This is Gus (Room 405 — Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. EST)
- One of Us is Lying (Room 405 — Saturday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. EST)
- The Girl in the Woods (Room 411 — Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6:45 p.m. EST)
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Friday, Oct. 8):
- Director and co-writer Jason Reitman will be joined by producer Ivan Reitman (director of the first two Ghostbusters films) and a portion of the cast for a discussion about the long-awaited sequel.
- The Legend of Vox Machina (Friday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. EST)
- The Expanse (Friday, Oct. 8 at 12:45 p.m. EST)
- The Wheel of Time (Friday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. EST)
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (Friday, Oct. 8 at 4:30 p.m. EST)
- Hanna (Saturday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. EST)
- Star Trek: Discovery (Saturday, Oct. 9)
- Star Trek: Prodigy special screening (Sunday, Oct. 10)
- Y: The Last Man (Empire Room/Javits Center — Saturday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. EST)
- What We Do in the Shadows (Empire Room/Javits Center — Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2:45 p.m. EST)
StarTalk Live — Science in Science Fiction (Thursday, Oct. 7)
The Shows That Changed the Way We Watch TV (Friday, Oct. 8)
Cosplay Central Crown Championships 2021 — NYCC Qualifier (Saturday Oct. 9)
ComiXology Originals presents: CONversations with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (Saturday Oct. 9)
VIZ Media Official Panel (Saturday Oct. 9)
Ghost Hunters LIVE! (Saturday Oct. 9)
If you can't make it to NYCC 2021 in person, don't worry. You can still pick up all sorts of exclusive swag via The Haul, "a new online marketplace that aims to be a true one-stop shop for fandom, bringing together the biggest brands in pop culture with small business retailers and independent artists in a virtual Show Floor," reads the official press release.
The goal is to replicate the thrill of walking amongst the various booths (and discovering the merch they have to offer) in a completely virtual setting. Not just at major conventions, but throughout the entire year.
As of today, you can pick up apparel, accessories, collectibles, board games, art, and toys from such brands as Zen Monkey Studios, Alex Ross Art, Icon Heroes, hustl., Jordandené, Mobyfox, and Tenacious Toys. Marvel, Star Trek, Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, and more of the hottest brands are all represented.
“One of the inherent experiences of a comic con is that sense of discovery fans get from exploring the Show Floor and Artist Alley, and the loss of in-person conventions over the past year was detrimental for artists and businesses who depend on large-scale fan conventions to bring awareness to their products,” Lance Fensterman, Global President of ReedPop, said in a statement. “As our team at ReedPop moves forward with a hybrid virtual and live convention model, we want to make sure we are maximizing the scale at which these businesses are being discovered by recreating that experience 365 days a year. The Haul will get new and exciting products — including the type of highly-coveted exclusive merch only found at a con — into fans’ hands all year long.”
“The convergence of digital and physical events has only accelerated the need for progressive brands like ReedPop to launch complementary channels like The Haul,” added Brandy Alexander-Wimberly, Managing Partner of Spaceshop Commerce. “We see a massive opportunity for ReedPop to grow this unique marketplace and to continue to innovate by integrating with additional platforms and channels. We look forward to continuing to support ReedPop’s transformational approach to the pop culture industry and the future of commerce.”
Click here for the entire New York Comic Con 2021 schedule


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Crain News Service report
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (March 19, 2014) — Lanxess A.G.’s new offices in Bratislava were inaugurated officially on March 13 by Rainier van Roessel, a member of the board and labor relations director, and Michael Schmunk, German ambassador to Slovakia.
The firm has been established in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for almost six years, but since January 2014, Lanxess Central Eastern Europe s.r.o. has been running its business for Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Hungary from a new CEE headquarters in Bratislava.
“This is a move that clearly demonstrates our commitment,” Mr. Van Roessel said. “It is our way of saying that we have confidence in the growing economic strength of the region—and in the robust future we envision here for Lanxess.”
The company has offices in Vienna, Austria; Warsaw, Poland; and Budapest, Hungary.
The firm said one of the key areas of operation in the five countries is business with high-performance rubbers and rubber chemicals for the global megatrend of mobility.
The company supplies its rubber specialties mainly to national and international tire manufacturers that are expanding their production capacities in central and eastern Europe and increasingly turning to green tires to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
This report appeared in European Rubber Journal, a UK-based sister publication of Tire Business.
Do so-called “Religious Freedom” laws in place in some states impact how companies do business, and do you support them?
|I support them and don’t think they have any effect on how I do business||
|I don’t support them; they have a negative effect on businesses||
|I think more research should be done about these laws’ impact before they’re enacted||
|They’re horrible, an infringement on the rights of certain groups or individuals and shouldn’t be the law anywhere||
Pirelli’s newest UHP tire – the P Zero™ All Season Plus


text:
Chinese exports were 49% of the government-alloted quota in the first 11 months of last year because the slowing global economy sapped demand, the ministry of commerce said in a December 27 statement. Overseas sales quotas may be virtually unchanged this year at 31,130 tonne, based on Bloomberg calculations.
Export quotas may be met this year as overseas demand recovers, Wang Caifeng, a former official overseeing the rare- earth industry with the ministry of industry and information technology, said in an interview in Beijing. High prices last year had deterred purchases and led to inventories depletion. Smuggling also hampered exports through illegal channels.
Prices of rare earths have tumbled since the third quarter as consumers including makers of electric cars and wind turbines sought to reduce use. The average price of lanthanum oxide, a rare earth used in rechargeable batteries and refining catalysts, was 129,167 yuan ($20,508) a tonne in the fourth quarter, 15% less than in the third quarter, according to data from Shanghai Steelhome Information.
Lynas, developer of the worlds largest rare earths refinery, fell as much as 4.7% to A$1.23 today in Sydney, set for its biggest decline in almost two weeks.
China produces at least 90% of the worlds rare earths, used in Boeing helicopter blades and Toyota Motor hybrid cars. The nation has curbed output and exports of rare earths since 2009, when quotas were set at 50,145 tonne, as part of its wider move to conserve mining resources and protect the environment.
Slashing exports boosted prices and sparked concern among overseas users such as consumers about access to supplies. China halted some mines last year, seeking to curb overcapacity, cut illegal mining and improve environmental standards.
The Chinese government allocated 10,546 tonne of first-round export quotas to nine companies, including China Minmetals and Sinosteel, that have met the governments environment protection standards, the ministry said. Another 14,358 tonne may be granted to 17 other companies, including Baotou Iron & Steel Group, Chinas biggest producer, that was not granted an export license for this year, it said. Baotou is one of 21 smelters waiting for approval, it said.
Baotou will be able to get the license to resume exports this year, Wang said. Its just a matter of time as it takes a while for the government to review the companys environmental improvement.
Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech, the rare earth unit of Baotou Iron & Steel Group, has yet to receive approval to resume exports, a company spokesman, who declined to be identified because of company policy, said .
Baotou Steel Rare Earth gained 2.6% to 51.50 yuan on Monday in Shanghai trading, beating a 0.4% gain in the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index.
China is encouraging its companies to develop rare earth mines abroad to help ease pressure on domestic producers, Wang said.


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By Wired News reporter Cyrus Farivar
Apple has declined to explain why its new DRM-free music files are watermarked with users' names and e-mail addresses.
Earlier this week, Apple iTunes 7.2 brought the new ability to download tracks from EMI Records without copy protection. But the unprotected files are labeled with the buyer's details, leading some to wonder if Apple is appending the information as an anti-piracy measure.
But Apple is remaining mum about its reasoning.
An Apple spokesman suggested by e-mail that Wired News contact Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Jupiter Research who has been briefed about iTunes Plus. The Apple spokesman didn't respond to further requests for comment.
Gartenberg said there are many reasons why Apple would want to tag music sold through the iTunes store. The information could be used as a proof of purchase, or to facilitate upgrades (songs previously bought through iTunes can be upgraded to higher fidelity versions for an extra 30 cents). The identifier could help identify songs missing from albums (iTunes offers a "complete album" feature), as well as to thwart piracy.
"In terms of sharing files, you're not legally permitted to do that anyway," he said. "You weren't supposed to that in the first place. You've technically violated the service agreement. Just because you've taken away the locks on the doors doesn't mean you can walk into someone's house and walk away with the TV set."
Meanwhile, eMusic, which also sells music without copyright protection, does not tag customers' purchases with any information that can be used to identify them.
"We don't put any identifying info on our files," said Cathy Halgas Nevins, a spokesperson for eMusic.
Still, that hasn't stopped privacy advocates from crying foul, especially because the identifying information isn't hidden or encrypted.
"There's absolutely no reason that it had to be embedded, unencrypted and in the clear," said Fred von Lohmann, a senior intellectual property attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "Some of the privacy problems, in light of this, is that anyone who steals an iPod that includes purchased iTunes music will now have the name and e-mail address of its rightful owner."
However, it would appear that short of spamming the iPod owner, there doesn't seem to be any compelling reason to encrypt that data – except for privacy's own sake. It is highly unlikely that any meaningful harm in terms of identity theft or harassment would come to the person who had lost their iPod in the manner that von Lohmann describes.
Nonetheless, he added that it would be very trivial for Apple to fix this problem by encrypting that information and "preserving any forensics value this might have."
Still, both Gartenberg and von Lohmann agreed that it's likely that enterprising software developers would quickly develop a way to circumvent, strip or otherwise spoof this information on the newly unprotected iTunes tracks.
"I'm also fully expecting that someone will build a tool that will change the name and e-mail address to Steve Jobs and firstname.lastname@example.org," he said. "If there's one thing we've seen about the internet, [it's that] people are sometimes able to build tools that help themselves."


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Samsung Electronics has partnered with South African online publishing company OnMag Online Publications to launch onTV, the first television application of its kind in Africa that brings together magazines, news, weather, games, and movie information and trailers – exclusively on the Samsung Smart TV range.
“Samsung has always been committed to ensuring our customers have access to the latest technology that lets them embrace the digital lifestyle from the comfort of their home. With the onTV app, we are taking this to the next level by working with OnMag to offer a proudly South African solution that brings together exciting news, sports, weather, gaming and movie previews,” says Justin Shaw, Business Leader for Visual Display at Samsung South Africa.
The onTV app became available on the Samsung TV app store on the 16th of November 2012 and will be available free of charge through the SmartHub available on Samsung Smart TVs, which can be accessed via an active broadband connection.
The app has five key sections to choose from including; Magazine, Movies, Daily News, AllCanPlay, and Weather. Built on a slick user interface, each section offers users a variety of content that includes a SAPA affiliated news feed – providing updates on the latest local, international, business, technology, sport, and entertainment stories around the clock.
There are five magazines covering subjects such as motoring, technology, architecture, sports, and real estate. In the movies section, users will find the release dates and previews of upcoming cinema releases and a selection of the current month’s DSTV premiers and other featured titles.
AllCanPlay.com offers previews and information on major upcoming game titles for children, hardcore, and casual game players. The weather section has regular updates on current conditions and seven-day forecasts for some of the major centres in South Africa.
“Samsung constantly improves the television viewing experience for our customers by creating locally relevant applications. The onTV premier lifestyle app provides connected users with another way to receive content that suits their diverse needs and provides an ever increasing entertainment experience,” adds Shaw.


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For those who remember, Silk Road was an online market for drugs.
Bitcoin Prices Continue to Surge, Regularly Breaking Records
CryptoCompare.com - Live cryptocurrency prices, tradesThe price of Bitcoin is difficult to predict as various factors impact the value of the digital currency.For example, software for Bitcoin includes Bitcoin wallets, mining pool programs, review apps, and cloud computing options for trading.
If it somehow acquired any value at all for whatever reason, then anyone wanting to transfer wealth over a long distance could buy some, transmit it, and have the recipient sell it.The public having a favorable, safe perception of the digital currency drives value.Clearly, staying informed about current events and news is important for any Bitcoin miner.
Bitcoin prices took a battering after China banned digital-token fundraising, but no one country will make or break cryptocurrencies.Bitcoin is traded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.Convert amounts to or from USD and other currencies with this simple Bitcoin calculator.
Some cite the fact that President Trump has some pro-bitcoin advisers in.Public perception of price is important to consider when investing in Bitcoin.
Economic shifts in China are one of many factors propelling cryptocurrency to record-breaking prices.As of March 2017, two requests by companies to create a Bitcoin ETF were denied by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).The Bitcoin price is highly volatile, may not be related to the underlying Bitcoin value and the highly promising blockchain technology that for the first time in history enables distributed consensus, triple-entry bookkeeping and programmable trust by being able to transfer value over a communications channel is still being proven.At the time of writing this book, Bitcoin prices have been hovering just above 100 USD per BTC (about 103 dollars).However, just as with venture capitalists and billionaire investors, expert opinions can be biased.Bitcoin price calculator, convert between Bitcoin and USD, EUR and more fiat currencies with realtime prices.When the F.B.I. busted the network they found sales revenues of more than 9.5 million bitcoins.
Bitcoin Prices Surge, Here's Why Cryptocurrency IsSky high-prices made exchanges a target for cryptocurrency exchange hackers.Knowing how different trends in the global economy, investments, and acceptance impacts possible price surges means you stand to make a bundle when it comes to Bitcoin mining.
Pro Cookies - Bitcoin Price - BTC Bitcoin value converterFind a variety of Bitcoin statistics including live BTC market price charts, blockchain coverage, and everything you need to know to invest in Bitcoin.
We have the Best Bitcoin Value Calculator that Automatically Calculates the Average Price of Bitcoins.So it was with bitcoin on Thursday, when the price of the digital.
Thought Bitcoin Was Dead? 2016 Is the Year It Goes Big - WIREDJapanese and South Korean buying helped drive the price of bitcoin to an all-time high this week, with the digital currency more than doubling its value since the.
Bitcoin: CURRENCY:BTC quotes & news - Google FinanceConvert amounts to or from USD and other currencies with this simple Bitcoin.Part of the appeal of Bitcoin is its ability to provide a more reliable alternative to traditional currencies and financial networks.
Bitcoin price calculator, Bitcoin exchange rate, Bitcoin converter, Bitcoin live price.The Bitcoin Cash price has been under attack by critics seeking to dump units on the exchanges.This foundation has given boosts to the price as well as for the international acceptance of the security.With huge value, major investors, and global economic turbulence many newcomers are wondering how they can get in on the action.
Transaction Fee Median Transaction Fee Block Time Market Capitalization Avg.No one controls these blocks, because blockchains are decentralized across every computer that has a bitcoin wallet, which you only get if you buy bitcoins.Due to the international expansion possibilities, and fraud protection, both the currency and the technology behind it is deemed as highly valuable by major investors.
How India Will Play a Strong Role in Bitcoin Price RiseAt the time, Silk Road was responsible for approximately half of all transactions involving bitcoins.
We bring you all the latest streaming pricing data in the world of cryptocurrencies.Buy bitcoins in the U.S. for the best prices and find sellers you can trust with BittyBot - the Bitcoin Price Comparison Website.A 2015 survey showed bitcoin users tend to be overwhelmingly white and male, but of varying incomes.
Does Bitcoin's Falling Price Signal The End? - Nasdaq.com
Japan, South Korea drive global bitcoin prices as retailAs it stands on September 12, a single Bitcoin is valued at.A Bitcoin ETF could greatly increase the value of the currency.
Bitcoin Price Live - Bigger and BetterTHE controversial digital currency Bitcoin has soared in value and is worth more than a nugget of gold.Just as average users become comfortable trading Bitcoin through the many tools available can cause prices to increase, so can the involvement of major investors.Conversely, if people are uncomfortable or intimidated by the tools trading can decline.
At one point in 2016 more than 70 percent of the transactions on the Bitcoin network were processed through just four Chinese companies.


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Police Blotter: Thurday, February 7, 2013
Defrauding secured creditor
SHAMOKIN - Daniel McKinney, of 540 Fir Road, Shamokin, has been charged in a private criminal complaint with defrauding a secured creditor.
According to a complaint filed by George Hess of Hess Ready Mix, Schuylkill Haven, McKinney failed to appear for execution sales Sept. 29 and Oct. 13 or have levied-on items valued at $1,273.35 available for sale.
COAL TOWNSHIP - Police are warning area residents about a mail scam.
Authorities say residents have received post cards in the mail claiming they won a $100 gift certificate from either Target or Wal-Mart. The postcard directs the claimant to contact a toll-free number, where they are asked to provide a claim number and credit card or bank account information to receive the gift certificate.
Police warn residents to use extreme caution when asked to provide personal or financial information over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet.
For more information, go to www.ftc.gov/idtheft or call (877) 438-4338.


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Launched in partnership with Lumos Labs, their first India focussed hackathon aims to open the world of decentralized “Internet of Trusted Thing” (IOTT) to the Indian developer ecosystem;
Winners stand to gain incentives up to $16,000 in funding along with potential seed funding opportunities through IoTeX investor network and mentoring;
IOTEX is the leading IoT and Blockchain solution that connects smart devices to the real world; Join the Hackathon and be a part of the future
IoTeX, a leading decentralized, scalable, and EVM-compatible blockchain network for real world dApps and digital assets, today announced the launch of their first India focussed hackathon, the IoTeX Hackathon India 2021. Launched in partnership with Lumos Labs, an innovation management firm, the virtual hackathon spanning over two months aims to mobilize the strong developer pool in India to build the next generation dapps that will revolutionize and explore the trillion-dollar opportunity in smart devices and real-world data. The winning projects will win prize money up to $16, 000 along with seed funding opportunities through its investor network and industry mentorship as well as go-to-market access to build a strong foundation for capital-efficient growth on a case-by-case basis depending on viability.
The 2-month long hackathon will focus on strengthening the developer ecosystem of India and helping them create next-generation dApps that can revolutionize blockchain and IoT technologies and aid decentralize data through IoT. Through this hackathon, young and talented blockchain developers will get a chance to join the thriving IoTeX ecosystem while exploring different sectors such as supply chains, data, and connected devices.
The hackathon will aim to identify interesting solutions across 3 tracks - data as a trigger: If-This-Then-That (IFTTT), Data-as-a-Service, and Pooled data from multiple Pebble Trackers with prize money for the top 3 projects in each track. Incentives include USD 100 per team for the Top 10 voted projects along with a “Halo” Grant to continue their work for selected projects by IoTeX Foundation. The Hackathon will be interspersed by multiple meetups and tech talks along with strong mentorship and training support from the IoTeX team throughout the hackathon. The ongoing support ranges from access to tech guidance on projects, networking opportunities, PR support and more. Beyond monetary incentives, participants will gain unique networking opportunities that will open various opportunities for them to become a part of the future of the blockchain-powered IoT ecosystem.
The hackathon is open to beginner blockchain developers beginning to explore dApps as well as experienced talent looking to enhance their existing dApp understanding. Through the IoTeX Hackathon India 2021, these developers will get the opportunity to build on the world’s most technologically advanced blockchain platform IoTex, which was architected by award-winning cryptographers and research scientists, that currently leads premier industry consortiums and standardization bodies. They would not only get to create dApps on the IoTeX platform, but would also learn to tokenize real-world objects, facts, and events and push trusted IoT data to smart contracts.
“We at IoTeX have a vision of transforming the world by integrating two emerging technologies, blockchain and Internet of Things by way of revolutionary dApps made by young developers. Through IoTeX Hackathon India 2021, we are hoping to broaden our developer base to India and help them build their ideas into thriving business solutions that change the way we see these two technologies today. IoTeX stands at the intersection of blockchain and IoT, both having the potential to grow bigger and better, and has managed to integrate these into various reliable products that are used by some of the world’s largest institutions. With this initiative, we are hoping to increase our ecosystem and get fresh perspectives into the way we can enable further significant development that will change the world.”
“Lumos Labs has always been passionate about emerging cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to change the way the world works. With IoTeX Hackathon India 2021 we broaden our horizons with the intersection of IoT and Blockchain. The way the IoTeX ecosystem enables the integration of two highly sophisticated technologies has been revolutionary and we hope to see more such ideas during this hackathon. Blockchain and IoT have been instrumental in the efforts towards making the world an efficient place in their own way but through IoTeX, we get to witness how they can optimize the world even more together. Through the course of this hackathon, Lumos Labs and IoTex hope to see young minds learning and navigating this efficient space and building solutions that reinvent how the dApps, IoT, and data sectors operate.”
IoTeX is the fastest, most secure, and most scalable blockchain platform on the market. Backed by award-winning research and technology, IoTeX leads the world's premier industry consortiums and standards bodies into the future. Launched in 2017, IoTeX is the leading blockchain in the IoT and smart device space. IoTeX already powers thousands of real devices, including award-winning blockchain-powered UCam from Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and the Pebble geo device, perfect for secure supply chain optimization in any industry.
The registrations are open today for developers across India. For more details on the hackathon and the registration process, visit - https://iotex.io/hackathon-india
Check out this video to know more about IoTEX.
IoTeX is the fastest, most secure, and most scalable blockchain platform on the market. Backed by award-winning research and technology, IoTeX leads the world's premier industry consortiums and standards bodies into the future.
Launched in 2017, IoTeX is the leading blockchain in the IoT and smart device space. WIth EVM compatibility, interoperability, and a robust API, this platform is built for investors, developers, and businesses alike. Some of the innovative products and services of IoTeX include Ucam, Pebble, Cyclone, ioTube, etc.
For more details, visit: https://iotex.io/
About Lumos Labs:
Lumos Labs is a Singapore-based innovation management firm that specialises in running technology open innovation programs. Founded in 2018, the company has run several accelerators and open innovation programs for multiple Indian and international technology firms, corporates, governments and investment firms. Their services include Growth Services, Open Innovation, Start-up Enablement, and organizing large scale developer & technology conferences & hackathons. Their clients include Aeternity Starfleet Blockchain startup accelerator, T-block blockchain startup accelerator, Genesis hack -
For more details, visit - https://www.lumoslabs.co/
Head of PR, Lumos Labs
email@example.com | 9900029191
PR Associate, Lumos Labs
firstname.lastname@example.org | 8826380775


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What's going on?
The price of metals including copper and zinc fell by 4%, to lows not seen in a year, on Wednesday. Investors are worried about the impact of mounting trade tariffs and bracing themselves for the possibility of lower economic growth in the future.
What does this mean?
Copper’s used in loads of stuff – from electric cables in televisions to roofing on buildings. When economic growth is high, people buy and use more copper, so investors look to its price as an indication of how the global economy’s doing.
Since there’s not been much change in the supply of copper, zinc or lead, the drop in price could suggest investors are selling in anticipation of lower future demand (due to slower-than-expected economic growth).
Why should I care?
For you, personally: New import taxes (a.k.a. tariffs) could lead to higher prices.
On Tuesday, the US government published a list of Chinese products that, at the end of August, will face 10% import tariffs. Targeted items include consumer products like food, tobacco, toilet paper and handbags and could (if you live in the US) result in higher prices next time you buy a purse or pair of skis. Since the average worker doesn’t have much more extra money than last year, people are likely to tighten the purse strings.
The bigger picture: Cheaper metals could actually stimulate economic growth.
Companies facing tariffs are debating whether to raise prices (which could put off customers and result in fewer sales), or – like Daimler – keep prices the same (and accept lower profits). Either way, the outcome’s usually lower economic growth, so firms will probably buy fewer metals to make their products in the future. That’s unless prices drop so much that it sparks companies and people to resume buying, which will reinvigorate growth. It’s the economic circle of life!


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Last November, YouTuber Samcrac paid $525 for a busted-up Domino’s DXP delivery car — a modified Chevy Spark with a warming oven on the side. He had it, ahem, delivered to his shop, then started chronicling the odyssey of restoring it, just one of 154 DXPs in existence.
It took several months, plus DIYing replacements for certain proprietary parts, and he even found some secret buttons inside:
But the real fun began several weeks ago, when Samcrac announced that he’d purchased his second wrecked DXP. Within days, he got a threatening call, later revealed to be from a Domino’s franchisee’s reps, that said, “Make it back into a Chevrolet.” He was told to remove all identifying Domino’s marks, including the car’s trademark pizza warmer.
The mystery men called again a few days later, and this time offered to buy the car from Samcrac. They offered $10,000, nine times less than the highest offer he’s received. He turned their bid down, but suggested they collaborate by having their “organization” (i.e., Domino’s corporate or the franchise) deliver 80 pizzas — the DXP oven’s max — to a school for children with disabilities. The men reportedly told him they’d consider it, but no headway appears to have been made. Samcrac has, however, now reportedly received a cease-and-desist letter.
Naturally, he posted an update explaining this development to his 150,000 YouTube subscribers:
Presumably for legal purposes, Samcrac hasn’t officially said Domino’s people were behind these calls. The website Jalopnik reports that Samcrac was “nervous on the phone” when they talked, but one of its reporters contacted the pizza chain directly to ask what’s up, and Domino’s gave this answer:
Here’s what we know: the franchisee to whom the car belonged offered this gentleman $10,000 for it; he countered with a request for $90,000. From there, it became a legal issue and that’s all we can say at this point.
Samcrac argues that it’s his right to drive his own personal Domino’s car around however he wants — with logos prominently displayed, should he so choose — because this falls under fair use. Meanwhile, his video about the threat has now hit nearly 850,000 views.
Legal experts watching this mess unfold aren’t sure he’s right, debating differences between copyright and trademark violations, and blah, blah, blah. By now, though, Domino’s and the franchisee (or franchisees) who owned the DXP cars probably wish they’d gone the easy route and just politely asked him to remove the decals and shipped 80 pizzas to those kids.


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Mattel reports third quarter earnings today. Industry analysts say toy sales overall this year could have been better — about $700 million dollars better. Mattel, the world’s largest toy maker, is faring better than its competitors in a market that’s still pretty flat.
Chris Byrne with TimeToPlayMag.com says for one thing, it’s not been a great year for toys based on kids’ movies. “The second reason is that it was a terrible spring and summer season, and a lot of merchandise didn’t sell,” Byrne adds.
But Mattel’s business is growing both in the U.S. and abroad thanks to core brands like Barbie and Fisher Price. “They have one of strongest line-ups of great licensed brands, like Sofia the First and Disney Princesses,” adds Laurie Schacht, co-publisher of The Toy Insider.
With new facial tracking technology that turns an iPad into a Barbie Makeover Mirror, Schacht says Mattel is also one of a few companies that have finally figured out how to make higher tech toys. “It was really last year and the year before when we started seeing toys that were using devices, but they just weren’t great and now they’re getting fabulous.”
Just in time for the holidays…
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.


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Paying is such sweet sorrow -- especially when you're not expecting it.
The Desk heard from two consumers last week who'd agreed to the terms of one deal only to be asked later for more cash.
Mistakes happen, of course. But consumers should pay close attention, because when businesses aren't clear about charges -- whether in signs, sales pitches or contracts -- consumers may have grounds to fight surprise fees.
In Judy London's case, a humming sound she thought was her 8-month-old thermostat led her to call the installer, Comfort Solutions Heating & Cooling. A technician showed up, took a quick listen and realized the noise was coming from a crusty wire inside an old doorbell hanging just above the thermostat.
In and out in under 15 minutes, the tech told London there would be no charge, and she signed a receipt that said so.
But the Clackamas company's business office soon called and said the tech made a mistake -- service trips run $99. Owner Brian Adams said he'd cut her a deal and London agreed to an $85 charge.
Problem was no one had ever told London there could be a charge for the call.
The Desk talked to Adams, who correctly pointed out that most service providers charge for trips, some as much as $120, to help cover the cost of keeping an employee and a loaded truck on the road.
But when asked, Adams admitted his office probably hadn't told London her trip could induce a fee because they'd figured the fix would fall under her warranty. When the company does warranty work, it waives the fee, he explained. But because there was no fix to be done, the fee applied.
Yes. Work = no charge. No work = $99. But The Desk digresses.
Adams said his company's paperwork doesn't outline the fee, but that he'll begin explaining to customers that service calls could result in fees if work doesn't fall under warranties. He apologized that it wasn't more clear to London and said he'd refund her the $85.
"Mostly I just didn't understand where that charge came from," said London, adding that although it was steep, it stung more because it was a surprise. That, and the fact she had signed the receipt that clearly said, "No Charge."
State consumer laws require companies to be upfront about charges, and when they're not, consumers have the right to file a complaint. Contact the Oregon attorney general's office at 1-877-877-9392 or doj.state.or.us; in Washington, 1-800-692-5082 or www.atg.wa.gov.
But before going that far, it's best to first give the company a call. Adams said he wouldn't have pushed the issue had London complained to him about the charge.
London said she didn't realize that was an option. Consumer Robert Faulhaber knew he could complain, but his fuss over $3 didn't get him far.
The Milwaukie man bought a Cricket Communications cell phone and agreed to a plan with a $38.40 monthly charge. Unlike some other, larger providers, the Portland-based Cricket operator doesn't require a contract; instead Faulhaber received a receipt that clearly said, in two places, "Total monthly charges: $38.40." But when he went back to the store to pay, he was charged $41.40.
Cricket charges $3 to pay a bill at its stores. Cheaper options exist. It's $2 to pay over the phone and $1.25 to receive a bill in the mail. But Faulhaber said he was never told about the charges and that only after he argued did the clerk lift up a clipboard that was covering up a sign explaining the charges.
"I couldn't have seen it -- nobody could see it," Faulhaber said. "It's just not right to charge money to pay a bill."
It's frustrating, but not illegal, and many companies have such fees. The Desk wrote last fall about T-Mobile's move to charge customers $1.50 to receive bills in the mail as a way to cut back on paper usage. Others followed, including AT&T, though T-Mobile ultimately ditched plans to charge customers.
Neil Grubb, president of LCW Wireless, which operates Cricket in Oregon, said the company is charging customers to pay bills because "there's a tremendous cost for us to be handling that much cash," such as banking fees and the need for armored cars.
Yes, banking fees have gone up. A lot. Still, The Desk finds it hard to believe that retailers, whose job arguably has always been to sell goods and accept cash, could begin to charge more money to do their job.
Grubb went on to point out that such fees help keep service prices lower. Customers can receive text messages with their balance and pay for free by mail, he said. Customers also can provide credit-card numbers for free automatic payments.
The state attorney general's office didn't like the idea of a customer walking away without a clear idea of what he might be charged.
"As a matter of principle, a consumer should be able to budget on what they've been told they'll pay," said Kate Medema, an agency spokeswoman, citing potential issues with disclosure or misrepresentation.
Grubb apologized that his customer wasn't aware and said that he'd check up on the store Faulhaber visited. He also offered to refund the $3.
"$3 is a big deal," said Grubb, adding that his company recently was approved to offer a $13.50 discount on bills to customers who receive federal assistance, such as food stamps or Medicaid. Applications can be found at Cricket stores or by calling the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (1-800-848-4442).
"People visiting our stores should be able to see the fees, they should be clearly marked," he said. "I apologize if he couldn't."
Have a complaint? Contact Laura Gunderson at The Desk: 503-221-8378.


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During the second quarter of 2023 (April to June), ComReg’s consumer news and publications included the following:
We informed consumers about
- our stand at The 50 Plus Show in the RDS, Dublin;
- tests on a new Emergency Alert system in the UK if mobile phone customers near border areas roamed into a UK mobile network while tests were underway.
We advised consumers to
- be vigilant and wary of an increase in scam text messages being sent to consumers;
- visit our Service Checker tool if unsure about a charge for a call or text which might be a Premium Rate Service (PRS).
In terms of research and reports we
- published Q1 Consumer Care Statistics with details of issues raised by consumers who contacted ComReg’s Consumer Care team from 1 January to 31 March 2023;
- extended the deadline for submissions to the consultation on the implementation of a Customer Charter and reminded consumers when that deadline was approaching;
- Launched a consultation on combatting scam calls and texts.
Our compliance work resulted in
- a District Court prosecution against SKY for breaches of the porting regulations;
- Meteor refunding 55,000 customers for certain data charges;
- Eircom refunding customers and paying a penalty for overcharging;
- Sky paying €54,000 for failing to put required information on bills.


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The brand kicks off its first-ever global program, rewarding fans for spotting a ‘Taco Moon’
Around the world, the moon is known for some playful influences, from turning men into wolves and women into witches, to providing spiritual and emotional guidance. Now, Taco Bell is harnessing lunar powers to celebrate Taco Bell tacos with the world. Twice a month, the moon resembles a taco, which is why on May 3, the ‘Taco Moon’ is set to provide just what Taco Bell fans need to score a free taco on May 4.
For those looking for a sign to have one of Taco Bell’s famous tacos, look no further. Taco Bell is inviting fans to pay attention to the moon’s taco-like shape on May 3. Taco-loving fans everywhere may notice that it emulates the shape of an iconic, craveable taco. By doing so, on May 4th fans can redeem FREE Crunchy Beef Taco when you order any of your Taco Bell favorites.
Taco Moon is the launchpad of Taco Bell’s overarching ‘I See a Taco’ campaign that aims to invite consumers to start to see tacos everywhere. Taco Bell is certain that once fans have a Taco Bell taco, they’ll start seeing tacos everywhere.
To learn more about the promo, follow and like Taco Bell Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.


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Chinese crane manufacturer Sany has unveiled the4,000 tonne SCC40000A, at a ceremony at its plant in Huzhou, China
Finnish aerial lift manufacturer Dinolift has appointed Avant Machinery as its distributor for Belgium.
The latest Cranes & Access magazine is online and available to download packed with articles it is free to download without the need to register
Gran Canaria rental company Elevaciones Archipiélago has taken delivery of five Snorkel scissor lifts
UK based Clements has hired Jason McCrae as business development manager and upgraded its delivery fleet
A man died in an incident on Monday involving an aerial work platform at a Biogas site near Cullompton, Devon, in the UK
UK crane rental company Bryn Thomas Cranes has opened a sixth depot and taken delivery of four Liebherr cranes
Chinese aerial lift manufacturer Sinoboom has appointed Kolin Kirschenmann as chief executive of Sinoboom North America
Cargotec has completed the sale of its 49 percent stake in its Chinese based joint venture, Rainbow-Cargotec Industries
A five axle All Terrain crane overturned in the town of Taunusstein, on the north side of Wiesbaden, Germany, last week.
Wiesbauer has taken delivery of the 250th SK1265-AT6 ‘Mighty Tiny’ self-erecting mobile tower crane.
Züger André has taken the first 26 metre Ruthmann TBR 260 truck mounted lift to be delivered in Switzerland.
Spanish lifting equipment manufacturer Airpes has expanded its dealer network in the US
Today is the official launch of the Sunbelt Rentals brand in the UK as Ashtead drops its A-Plant brand.
Schickling has become one of the first companies in Germany to purchase Genie’s four metre platform.
Italian truck mounted and spider lift manufacturer Multitel Pagliero has become a preferred supplier of the Cat Allied Vendor Programme
Wolffkran has launched a new 16 tonne luffing jib tower crane - the 235B - to replace the 224B
Cranes & Access
Vol. 22, Issue 3
Kran & Bühne
The Vertikal Guide
What policy is needed to end the current crisis?
Quotes updated every 15min - change since last close. Provided by Yahoo! Finance.
The Economy or Lives?
Climate change – is it real or imagined?
A long road ahead
A serious near miss
Dramatic Company Video
HIANZ - Hire Association of New Zealand annual conference
Queenstown, New Zealand
HCEA International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition
Concordia, Kansas, USA
bauma CTT 2020
The IPAF Summit and awards dinner
CICA Conference 2020
May 31, 2020
Monteur / Mechaniker / Techniker Service (m/w/d)
Großraum Münster und Osnabrück
April 22, 2020
Monteur / Mechatroniker/Techniker (m/w/d) im Bereich Miete
April 21, 2020
South East of England


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Internet Security by the Government... Really?
A new initiative by the government looks to streamline online security, but are there larger concerns about privacy that you should be asking?
Verizon Bets $130 Billion on the USA
The wireless landscape is changing and the biggest U.S. carrier is betting big on growth at home.
Is Apple's Expected New Tech a Huge Risk?
One expected new feature of the Apple iPhone 5S should have investors concerned.
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Polo Ralph Lauren has been a champion of gay rights for a quarter-century, but this marks the first time the company has produced a dedicated collection and digital marketing campaign to support the community.
The Pride capsule collection features a five-piece gender-neutral assortment for men, women and children that will be supported by a marketing campaign focusing on inclusion and individuality. One hundred percent of the purchase price from the sale of the graphic T-shirt and 50 percent of the price of each polo shirt, hoodie, hat and tote will be donated to the Stonewall Community Foundation, a nonprofit group that benefits LGBTQ-plus organizations around the world.
The digital marketing campaign will feature a diverse group of individuals with deep roots within the LGBTQ-plus community, including freeskier, Olympic medalist and activist Gus Kenworthy; ballet dancer Harper Watters; writer, comedian and actress Patti Harrison; photographer and model Jacob Bixenman; actress Josie Totah, and Hetrick-Martin Institute affiliates Evrisha, Tyriq and Cory, all photographed by Cass Bird.
The campaign launches today on the company’s digital and social media channels.
Alice Delahunt, chief digital officer of Ralph Lauren, said the company has supported the community for 25 years through volunteer activations, corporate initiatives and financial grants to HMI, amfAR, God’s Love We Deliver, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and other charities. The company also supports the United Nations global standards for business protecting the rights of the LGBTQ-plus, and has sponsored AIDS Walk New York since 1990.
“But we haven’t done a Pride campaign before,” said Delahunt, a gay woman who joined Ralph Lauren Corp. around a year ago from Burberry. “But it’s part of who we are and it means a lot to us.”
She said the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising was one reason the company opted to enhance its participation this year, but it’s also indicative of the other socially conscious initiatives it has launched lately. That includes an Earth Polo made from recycled plastic bottles for Earth Day in April and its elevated commitment to sustainability. Its Polo shirt has also been used to raise millions for breast cancer awareness through its Pink Pony Fund, and other initiatives for global disaster relief.
“We believe in our Polo and our purpose,” Delahunt said. “This is our moment to pause.”
She said the ambassadors used in the campaign were chosen for their authenticity. Images from the campaign center around the use of a rainbow-colored flag, a signature of the company that is usually grounded in red, white and blue. “The flag is such an important symbol for us,” she said. “It’s very authentic.”
The Pride capsule collection features the Polo Pony reimagined in rainbow stripes and prices range from $29.50 for a children’s T-shirt and $58 for an adult T-shirt to $128 for a hoodie.
The Pride capsule collection will be available globally starting this month in select Ralph Lauren retail stores; on ralphlauren.com; at Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and HBC in North America; as well as at David Jones’ Market Street and Elizabeth Street in Australia. The company is also planning to participate in Macy’s multivendor events in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco throughout the month of June.


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DENVER, COLORADO, 2018-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Brand USA, the destination-marketing organization for the United States, has introduced new marketing opportunities for its industry partners. The range of programs include Brand USA Original campaigns that feature music and culinary themes to promote U.S.-bound travel, and offer opportunities that allow partners to extend their marketing reach into specific global markets.
Brand USA Originals are cooperative-marketing programs that Brand USA develops and offers exclusively. Many are proprietary. Others are marketing packages that Brand USA creates in partnership with travel media, and major travel and lifestyle brands. These programs are available to Brand USA’s growing network of more than 800 partners.
“We are excited to now offer a variety of video-based products among our Brand USA Originals,” said Christopher Thompson, Brand USA’s president and CEO. “Video is a versatile and engaging medium, which can deliver inspiring, interactive storytelling programs that are highly effective for reaching targeted audiences.”
Thompson announced the new programs at IPW 2018, a major exposition for generating visitation to the United States, held this year in Denver. The U.S. Travel Association produces the annual event and Brand USA is its premier sponsor.
The new Brand USA Original campaigns include:
- Culinary – RoadfoodTM, an episodic content series, highlights hidden gems and iconic American dining experiences available to travelers who are driving from one particular U.S. destination to another. The series will air on GoUSA TV, Brand USA’s dedicated entertainment channel for streaming-TV platforms. It will also reside on Brand USA’s consumer website, VisitTheUSA.com and will be promoted across various social channels.
- American SoundTM – This series of music videos expands on the success of a recent campaign that used five new interpretations of the classic song “Do You Wanna Dance” to reflect the unique musical flavor of five different U.S. cities. Two new songs will be the basis for 10 more destination-inspired, music-video interpretations. All of the songs will air on Brand USA’s GoUSA TV program, “American Sound.” They will also be available on VisitTheUSA.com.
- Digital Tour-Operator Campaign – This pilot program, developed with six partners in the United Kingdom, used destination-specific digital media to increase U.S. bookings. The program started in January and runs through this month. It will resume in the fall. In 2019, Brand USA will expand the program to Brazil, France, and Germany.
- China (“Wander to the Rhythm”) – This interactive application builds on Brand USA’s current music-themed marketing. Chinese musical artists serve as guides for consumers who can take selfies and digitally insert themselves into featured U.S. cities, and accessorize the images with “”stickers” that feature landmarks and attractions linked to the highlighted U.S. locations. They can then share their images on social media.
- Entertainment & Culture Digital Content– This web-based program highlights the people, places, and sounds that evoke different U.S. destinations. Partners can leverage Brand USA marketing that hinges on high-quality, music-themed content that resides on VisitTheUSA websites around the world. The program also includes joint-marketing campaigns with Spotify.
Brand USA’s new market-specific programs include:
- Canada (Rogers Media) – Brand USA partners can target the Canadian market using TV spots and digital ads on the Rogers Network. Rogers Media is Canada’s leading communications and media company.
- Canada (FlightNetwork) – This alliance also allows partners to target the Canadian market. It uses travel promotions on FlightNetwork’s website, Facebook page and in email newsletters. FlightNetwork is Canada’s largest online travel agency.
- China (influencer program) – “I Know This Spot,” created by American-born influencer Jessica Beinecke, introduces Chinese followers to can’t-miss places and attractions in different U.S. cities. Beinecke, who speaks fluent Mandarin, also presents the nuances of American culture, like how to order a drink at Starbucks or access a particular city’s subway system.
- News U.K. – Combining advertorials in The Times and The Sunday Times, leading U.K. newspapers, with Storyful, a prominent global content creator, this campaign showcases the diversity of travel experiences available in the USA.
About Brand USA
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation’s first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the USA in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past five years Brand USA’s marketing initiatives have helped welcome 5.4 million incremental visitors to the USA, benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $38 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, more than 51,000 incremental jobs a year.
For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com. To discover more about the USA and the boundless diversity of American travel experiences and authentic, rich culture, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website VisitTheUSA.com and follow Visit The USA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
SOURCE: Brand USA
Director, Media Relations
Send Email | 202.793.6376 Ext. 376


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TUBES and pipes manufactured from steel will continue to dominate the overall market until the end of the decade, latest market reports claim.
They will make up 44 per cent of the total £2.9 billion market by 2010, according to industry analysts Market & Business Development.
This means a real term growth of 6 per cent over the forecast period and the overall production of pipes and tubes in the UK is expected to increase by 8 per cent to over £3 billion by the end of the decade.
Most of these tubes will be exported to mainland Europe.
The market will continue to fluctuate due to mixed trends in the main end user sectors of building and civil engineering.
The market grew steadily during the first half of the decade with falls of around 5 per cent in 2002 and 2003 offset by a 13 per cent increase to £2.7 billion the following year.


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Simulmedia has sweetened its targeting capabilities for TV buyers.
Through a strategic deal with consumer market research and retail analytics firm IRI, revealed Wednesday, marketers can now target their linear TV ads based on predictive purchase segments called IRI ProScores.
These segments determine consumers’ likelihood to purchase based on different propensities.
This is the first time IRI’s consumer purchase segments can be activated on TV, said Srishti Gupta, president of IRI’s Media Center for Excellence.
“We’re enabling a direct household-to-household match to national, linear television viewing data through Simulmedia, so [marketers can see] not only which shows are being watched, but what are the products most likely to be purchased,” Gupta said.
The Clorox Co. is one of the early testers of the partnership. The brand already applies IRI data in its marketing mix models, said Chris Neel, Clorox’s group manager for media, so it made sense to apply IRI to TV segments.
Clorox has found IRI data applies more universally to its products, Neel said. “[Other] shopper segments tend to be more heavily weighted to grocery, whereas we have a lot of products that fall outside of that category.”
And although Simulmedia has integrations to other shopper data partners like Nielsen Buyer Insights, which also combines panel and purchase data, IRI ProScores claims it offers unique insights into shopper affinities.
Because Simulmedia captures second-by-second viewing data, the goal is to merge purchase and viewing information in real time. Clorox specifically wants to understand how TV drives incremental sales – and will figure that out using lift studies.
The brand will also use Simulmedia/IRI to figure out which shows its audience watches and at what frequency.
“It’s allowing us to better identify programming on a national basis that has the propensity to reach our defined targeting sets,” Neel said. “Using data to perform direct matches creates more consistency in our buys versus piecing things together using lookalike models.”
TV used to be bought contextually (e.g., a planner would buy based on program ratings or broad demos). As more networks develop their own version of audience-based indexing, Clorox likes that Simulmedia is network agnostic.
In other words, its system isn’t limited to a single inventory source.
Simulmedia provides a direct match back to a sample of 7 million households across multiple MVPDs in 190 markets – all based on the US Census, according to Simulmedia President and CRO Tim Spengler.
“For mass brands, there hasn’t been enough targeting precision at the national level,” Spengler said. “In addressable TV, you can apply data, but it’s not mass reach. It’s not for mass brands. This is about moving the business of TV from proxies like GRPs and demographics to real metrics and currencies.”
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Being vegan just got a whole lot easier thanks to a new partnership between The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark and LiberEat, a popular food app that specialises in helping users find meals based on their individual preferences.
From today (31 March), users will be able to see specific products that are registered with the highly trusted and reputable Vegan Trademark in their searches.
The app makes it much easier and more accessible for vegans, their families and those following or trying a plant-based diet. It also helps those who suffer from intolerances or allergies. Using the available filters and based on their profile, users can make their search as specific as possible; for example, gluten-free vegan recipes..
While the in-app scanner lets users double-check whether a product is suitable for their vegan profile, the shopping cart means they can do the weekly shop from the sofa for the whole family and their preferences, knowing that everything in the basket is free from animal products.
With restaurants and cafes remaining closed due to the national lockdown, LiberEat has witnessed a huge increase in searches for specific products and recipes, with around 5,000 new users signing up every month since October.
While it formally launched as an app in 2019, LiberEat was founded in Aberdeen in 2016 by Barry Leaper and Louise Cahill.
Louise, a registered nurse, was inspired to create the app after years of struggling to find things to make and eat because of her dietary restrictions. As well as working on the app, she’s also spent the last year on the front-line of the NHS, working as the Clinical Coordinator of a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Newport, Wales.
Barry Leaper, LiberEat Co-Founder and Managing Director, said: “The collaborative partnership we have developed with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark is one we are very proud of and excited abouit. The two brands have many cohesive overlaps; both are here to signpost innovative and exciting new products suitable for vegans and to support and protect consumers from eating things they consciously avoid in their diet.
“We work with the trademark on the mission to make finding vegan food products and suitable recipes easy, safe and fun.”
On top of this 42 nutritionally balanced recipes, commissioned by The Vegan Society as part of their Vegan and Thriving campaign, have been added to the app’s already stellar vegan line-up.
Ericka Durgahee, Vegan Trademark Marketing Manager, added: “LiberEat really takes the stress out of searching for suitable vegan meals and products. Whether you’re eating out at a restaurant or making something yourself, we know how difficult it is to feel confident that what you’re eating is vegan.
“Everyone using the app can now look out for the Vegan Trademark and be completely satisfied that what they choose is suitable for vegans when they see it alongside registered products.”
Interest in veganism is at an all-time high, with an estimated 600,000 vegans in the UK and a record-breaking number of people signing up to this year’s Veganuary campaign. Meanwhile, 15,206 products were registered with the Vegan Trademark team in 2020 alone, bringing the total products registered today to over 48,000 globally.


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The apex trade body earlier promised giving the donation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated Tk 9 crore as Eid gift for the shop employees, traders and owners at the capital’s Bangabazar, who were affected by a massive fire on April 4.
Affected traders of Bangabazar yesterday started their business by setting up makeshift shops.
The fire at Bangabazar Shopping Complex and adjacent markets burnt down 3,845 shops and caused an estimated loss of Tk 303 crore, said the probe committee of Dhaka South City Corporation.
Shop owners of Bangabazar Shopping Complex, which was burnt to the ground last week, can start their business in makeshift shops from tomorrow, said the authorities.
Investigators of Dhaka South City Corporation suspect a burning cigarette or a mosquito repellent coil caused the devastating fire at Bangabazar Shopping Complex in the capital.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh today said that the shops at Bangabazar Shopping Complex may start makeshift operations from Wednesday as the cleaning work at the charred premises will be completed tomorrow..The mayor said this following a meeting with th
Hijra communities today donated Tk 20 lakh, raised from their members across the country, to the traders of Bangabazar Shopping Complex which was burnt to ashes in a massive fire last week.


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Burundi Kayanza Gatare
Historically Burundi has not been a coffee drinking nation. It also has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the poorest nations on earth, and has endured more than a decade of civil war (only having recently ended in 2005). Yet despite this, the country is discovering a way to rise above these circumstances by making a solid name for itself in the International coffee scene.
90% of the population rely on farming as their main source of income with coffee being by far their biggest export. Burundians have realised the great potential in coffee production, and with the freeing up of the coffee sector, Burundi has been able to build stronger ties to the international market. Producers are now more organised, having formed smaller co-operatives which work alongside washing stations – all in the effort to help drive up the quality of the coffee produced.
As well as gaining widespread attention throughout the specialty coffee community, Burundi is the second East African nation to host the coveted Cup of Excellence competition. Their first event is due to be held later this year.
In preparation for introducing a new country to the COE competition, Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), in conjunction with the producing nation, hold a trial run called The Prestige Cup. As in is the case with Cup of Excellence, The Prestige Cup invites an international panel of cupping judges to score and rank the coffees in preparation for a global auction.
This competition not only celebrates the best coffees in Burundi, but also provides opportunity for development of professional cuppers. (USAID, Burundi Agribusiness Program (BAP), and the East Africa Fine Coffee Association (EAFCA), in collaboration with ACE, runs the Burundi cupping training program). The feedback from these professional tasters is pivotal in assisting producers’ efforts in raising the quality of their coffee as well as adding more clout to negotiating direct sales contracts with specialty coffee buyers.
Mark Dunden from Silo, a green bean importer in Melbourne, travelled to Burundi last year. Mark’s journey to Burundi was not only for the purpose of participating as a judge in the Prestige Cup, but to also take the crucial step in starting some first hand relationships with producers and exporters.
Silo secured the Kayanza Gatare, one of 22 auction lots from the winning coffees of the Prestige Cup, and we are very excited to be able to bring it to New Zealand to share. It’s the first time a coffee from Burundi has featured here at Coffee Supreme. We look forward to seeing the continual development in the Burundi coffee market, as we’re sure many more great things are still to come from this nation.
The Burundi Kayanza Gatare will be available through all our retail locations, Customs and Woodward St in Wellington and Douglas St in Auckland, as well as through our online store from the 16th of May.


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CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada has elected Pamela Scarrow of Bridgestone Canada Inc. and Lou Monico of Giti Tire (Canada) Ltd. as new board members.
Ms. Scarrow, division general counsel at Bridgestone Canada, fills a seat vacated by fellow Bridgestone executive Darious Naylor.
Mr. Monico, vice president of sales and marketing for Giti Tire Canada, is filling a seat previously unoccupied.
TRAC Chair Maureen Kline — vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Pirelli Tire Inc. — said she is "confident their experience and proven business acumen will serve TRAC well in the coming years."
Seats on the TRAC board are for two years.
The board now comprises:
- Maureen Kline, Chair; Pirelli Tire Inc.
- Paul Downey, first vice chair; Pliteq Inc.
- Antoine Sautenet, second vice chair; Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.
- Matt Livigni, treasurer; Continental Tire Canada Inc.
- Neil Bansal, Western Rubber Group
- Chris Bitsakakis, AirBoss of America Corp.
- Paul Christou, Goodyear Canada Inc.
- Keshav Das, BKT Tires (Canada) Inc.
- Lou Monico, Giti Tire (Canada) Ltd.
- Robert Rist, Cabot Canada Ltd.
- Pam Scarrow, Bridgestone Canada Inc.


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HollabackPHILLY is a local chapter of the national Hollaback activism campaign, which is aimed at preventing street harassment. The Philadelphia chapter has opted to use a comic book as one of their tools to help spread the message.
This Saturday, May 25, Locust Moon Comics will be hosting an event to commemorate the book’s publication and also to continue raising awareness of street harassment in Philadelphia.
At the launch party for Hollaback: Red, Yellow, and Blue, attendees will have an opportunity to view and purchase the book and also meet its creators, including artist Erin Filson and HollabackPHILLY members Rochelle Keyhan, and Anna Kegler.
For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.


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While most of the stock market has reported earnings, we’re still in the midst of hearing from the retailers. With the U.S. economy being mostly consumer-driven, these reports are usually critical in trying to understand economic trends.
So far, it has been an extremely mixed earnings season.
For some retailers, there were no problems in the second quarter. Luxury retailer Michael Kors (KORS) saw same store sales rise 27.3% and Tiffany (TIF) had same store sales growth of 5% with gains in most regions.
But it’s not only the luxury end which saw growth.
Dollar General (DG) just reported a record second quarter with same store sales growth of 5.1% on increased traffic. Consumable sales, including tobacco, perishables, candy and snacks, led the quarter.
The auto retailers are also having their best year since the Great Recession, with double digit sales growth. The good times continued in August, as car and truck sales were the highest in 7 years.
But not all the retailers are smelling like roses. Wal-Mart (WMT), the king of retailers, recently lowered full year guidance. On the higher end, Macy’s (M) missed on the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first time in 5 years and saw its first sales decline since 2010.
The teen retailers have been awful. American Eagle (AEO) saw same store sales fall 7% on weak traffic and a slowdown in women’s sales. It also said the retail environment had become “highly promotional.” It saw the weakness continuing into the third quarter.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) said the same thing: weak traffic and continued softness in women’s with same store sales falling 11% in the second quarter. Aeropostale (ARO) had a “negative” outlook for the third quarter and said it expects that to continue due to the competitive teen retail environment.
But other non-teen retailers have also reported weaker store traffic.
Women’s fashion accessory and apparel maker Francesca’s (FRAN)which targets the female 18-to-35 demographic, missed on the Zacks Consensus Estimate today and lowered third quarter guidance. Same store sales fell 1% in the second quarter. Like the teen retailers, it said traffic was weak, especially in July, and remained so into August.
Are middle class consumers eschewing discretionary items like clothes, sunglasses and handbags, for “essential” items like food and cars?
What does it mean for the U.S. economy in the second half of the year if the consumer is turning cautious?


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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Two Major Publishers To Hold Back E-books Book2Book Wednesday 09 Dec 2009
Simon & Schuster is delaying by four months the electronic-book editions of about 35 leading titles coming out early next year, taking a dramatic stand against the cut-rate $9.99 pricing of e-book best sellers.
A second publisher, Lagardere SCA's Hachette Book Group, said it has similar plans in the works.
"The right place for the e-book is after the hardcover but before the paperback," said Carolyn Reidy, CEO of Simon & Schuster, which is owned by CBS Corp. "We believe some people will be disappointed. But with new [electronic] readers coming and sales booming, we need to do this now, before the installed base of e-book reading devices gets to a size where doing it would be impossible."
Wall Street Journal