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The movie business was one of the hardest-hit sectors of the entertainment industry during the pandemic. Only theme parks and live entertainment could rival it for the hit it took, given all three are forms of in-person entertainment.
With the worst of the pandemic seemingly behind us, and the country open for business over the past year, VIP+ has returned to its annual analysis assessing trailer spend on TV, which still remains the broadest way to reach a mass audience even in the age of viewer fragmentation.
According to data from advertising analytics firm iSpot for movie trailers airing between Feb. 28 and June 20 this year and equivalent periods in prior years, trailer spending is up for most weeks versus 2021, seeing increases of between $2M and $6M.
Yet spend still lags behind the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019 for all weeks other than June 13-20. This hints at a fundamental shift in the business, as several blockbusters have returned this year and the country has been reopened for over a year.
This shift is illustrated when looking at weekly box office totals. While there are three weeks in the year to date where 2022 beats out 2019 (spearheaded by “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World Dominion” — all sequels), most weeks see box office gross remain below 2019. At least it is persistently greater than 2021.
Overall box office receipts for the year to date total $3.5 billion, an increase of 281% versus 2021’s $912 million; however, this is 35% below 2019’s $5.4 billion in takings.
But the post-pandemic movie world is different from that of pre-pandemic — far fewer movies are released now weekly. Compared with last year, most weeks have seen more releases, but these figures considerably lag when looking at 2020 pre-COVID (number of releases down by between -34% and -53% each week) and 2019 (down by -50% to -64% for all weeks but one). The movie business may be fundamentally different in the emerging COVID landscape.
One reason for this may be the shift to streaming. HBO Max spearheaded same-day release of movies on an SVOD and in the theater in 2021. While this has shifted to a short delay after an exclusive window in the theater for most studios, it has altered how consumers view content.
In exclusive data fielded for VIP+ by GetWizer, a consumer research agency, a majority of those over 45 and close to half of those 30-44 said they preferred watching new releases at home versus going to the theater.
Leaning into what consumers like is always a wise move for success. This will contribute toward the fundamental shift Hollywood is undergoing — fewer box office releases, more sequels, overall lower gross and lower trailer spend — with consumers often content to wait for big-name movies to turn up on their TVs. Considering these factors, it’s hard to see levels bounce back to rival those of the times before COVID-19.
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Galaxy Communications, locally owned and operated for over 20 years, is pleased to support and recognize local businesses in the Syracuse area.
Partnering with Syracuse First and CenterState CEO, Galaxy launced the public service campaign “Buy Local, My Local” to highlight CNY businesses and raise awareness of the great local companies, and what they’re doing to help the community.
“We understand that small local businesses are the life blood to any economy. We are excited to be a part of Buy Local, My Local because we understand that banking, shopping & dining at locally owned companies means investing in your local community” Paul Mello, Solvay Bank
Locally owned companies that have been recognized by “Buy Local, My Local”

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Mobile phone users who are being charged for receiving nuisance texts are fighting an uphill battle to get their money back. They are often forced to deal direct with the obscure companies behind the unwanted messages as their network provider – which profits from the texts – refuses to intervene.
The Mail on Sunday has shone a spotlight on rip-off premium rate texts in recent months – and received strong backing from MPs who are now demanding better consumer protection from the regulators.
A plethora of online companies – providing competitions, lottery updates, games and X-rated content – are involved in the scandal, sending frequent messages to subscribers as part of their ‘service’.
The Mail on Sunday has shone a spotlight on rip-off premium rate texts in recent months
They charge up to £4.50 per text via customers’ mobile phone bills. Yet many customers say they never subscribed and instantly deleted the messages believing they were spam. Small sums added to phone bills can go unnoticed but when paid over several months or even years, the money lost to nuisance texts is significant.
PASSING THE BUCK
Unhappy consumers say securing refunds is extremely difficult because no one is prepared to take responsibility for the problem.
Mobile phone networks often profit from premium rate texts but are inconsistent in how they treat complaints from customers.
Sometimes they refund, but often they deny responsibility and refuse. Instead customers are told to contact the company with which they supposedly had a contract.
This is despite customers arguing they did not consent to being charged and have never heard of the company sending the nuisance texts.
They hit another brick wall when then told by the third party they did sign up and perhaps did not read the accompanying terms and conditions.
The ‘contract’ is supposedly established when a customer provides their phone number online and then enters a confirmation PIN delivered to their mobile. This then enables the company to start sending the annoying texts.
Yet a number of third parties have been fined by the regulator – the Phone-paid Services Authority – for failing to supply evidence that customers consented to receiving the texts. In the 12 months to April last year, the regulator found against 11 companies where consent to charge was an ‘issue’.
A number of investigations into other third parties are ongoing.
My fury at paying £370 for a service I didn’t want – with no refund
‘Annoyed’: Paula Kelly was told to check her bills carefully
Accountant Paula Kelly is ‘annoyed and frustrated’ she cannot secure a refund from either her mobile provider or the company that sent costly and unwanted texts to her phone.
The 53-year-old only discovered a long history of charges for premium rate texts when her mobile phone contract was suspended in July last year.
When she complained to her mobile provider Virgin Media, she was told to contact WinTrivia, the company behind the texts.
At this point, it emerged she had been paying for a competition service since Christmas Day 2015 at a weekly cost of £4.50. In total, she was charged around £370. Paula, a mum to 15-year-old Maria, says: ‘This service is not something I would knowingly subscribe to.
‘Upon receipt of the texts, which I considered a nuisance, I immediately deleted them.’
WinTrivia told her: ‘Due to the service terms and conditions presented to all our consumers on our sites, we do not issue any refunds.’
It added that the service she joined is ‘compliant with necessary regulations’.
Virgin Media told The Mail on Sunday: ‘We are sorry to hear that Paula Kelly has been charged for services from a third-party she did not want.
‘To prevent her from incurring further premium rate charges for other message subscriptions, we have blocked such services from her account.’
It added: ‘We urge all customers to check their bills carefully. We also provide customers with advice about premium rate services on our website. We are happy to add a call-barring facility which prevents access to premium rate numbers to any customer who requests one.’
The Hub Group was recently fined £150,000 by the regulator and ordered to refund customers for shortcomings in how it provided its ‘Playzone’ games subscription service, which costs £4.50 a month.
The regulator received 37 complaints about the service with one complainant saying: ‘I did not sign up to this service. This is an unsolicited text, charging me £4.50 for the privilege of receiving it.’ Another pointed out that although a charge for a premium shortcode text service showed on his bill, no number or other details were given.
The regulator says The Hub Group ‘did not hold robust evidence of consent to charge for any customer signed to the service’.
Previously, Intrugo was fined £250,000 for lacking the necessary evidence that customers had subscribed to its £3-a-week glamour video subscription service.
It operated under brand names ‘Hot New Babes’ and ‘Hot Mobi Babes’ and sparked 450 complaints to the regulator.
It was recently fined a further £175,000 for continuing to charge customers after its original reprimand and before establishing a proper process proving people had signed up.
Anyone who is being charged for texts they did not consent to receive should contact the Phone-paid Services Authority. It will act on complaints it receives and fine businesses that breach its code of practice.
Visit the website at psauthority.org.uk or call 0300 3030020.
‘Stunned’: Karen Thompson
Karen Thompson was charged by mobile provider EE for a subscription to a games service between August and November last year.
Unlike Paula Kelly, she managed to secure a refund – but only after much complaining.
The 70-year-old, who refuses to use social media, was stunned to discover she paid money for mobile games such as ‘Paint the frog’ and ‘Buggy off-road racing’. One month’s charges amounted to around £20.
She says the experience of attempting to get a refund left her ‘stressed’ and ‘not in control’ of her own money.
Karen adds: ‘I am angry this happened. I think it is high time mobile companies took responsibility. It is a disgraceful practice but they refuse to admit it is a problem.’
EE insists she subscribed to the service but has credited her account with the charges she incurred ‘as a gesture of goodwill’.
It added: ‘If customers find they are being charged for services they do not remember subscribing to, we recommend they contact the third-party service provider directly.
‘We recommend customers check their bill regularly and contact our customer services team immediately if they have any questions.’
Five tips to help you get money back from a nuisance message firm
1. Trawl through old mobile bills to check for charges relating to premium rate texts that you did not request. Add up the costs and note the numbers they came from.
2. Ask your mobile phone provider for a refund. You can also ask it to place a bar on your phone blocking premium rate services. Note, this will also block services you might still want such as paying for parking or donating to charity via your mobile.
3. Complain to the third party if your mobile network refuses to refund you. You can find out which company is behind the texts by asking your mobile network provider. Alternatively, use the regulator’s number-checker at psauthority.org.uk/about-us/number-checker.
4. Be factual, succinct and dispassionate when making a complaint – and get it down in writing, keeping a record of all correspondence.
5. Escalate your case to the Phone-paid Services Authority if you do not get a satisfactory conclusion.Visit its website psauthority.org.uk or call 0300 3030020 during office hours.


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Perhaps the most important challenge is to make growth equitable, sustainable, lasting, structural, at higher growth rates than those before the pandemic, which were very low and caused recurrent crises, which lasted many years.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi, during the press conference following the approval of the Update to the Economic and Financial Document (Italian acronym – DEF).
- The debate of ideas
Prometeia - September 2021 Forecast Report: despite some optimism, the coming months will be a testing ground for the Italian economy
After GDP growth in the second quarter (+ 2.7% compared to the previous one) and the summer performance of the economic indicators, "the hypothesis that our country could grow at a rate close to or above 6% this year and surpass our main European partners, is becoming a reality". The Prometeia department research suggests this forecast in its September report, highlighting the positive choice to focus on the vaccination campaign, the growth of Italian manufacturing exports and public finances. Here to learn more.
- Studies, research and numbers
Istat, trade balance down to 1,583 million
According to Istat estimates, in August 2021, exports to non-EU countries decreased by 5% compared to July and increased by 15.7% compared to August 2020. On the other hand, imports increased by 6.5% and 39.9%, respectively. In August 2021, the trade balance recorded a surplus of 1.583 million, down compared to August 2020 (+3.581). The trade surplus decreased also for non-energy products (+4.719 million compared to +5.231 million in August 2020). On an annual basis, energy exports grew by 80.6% while energy imports by + 88.5%. Istat explains that the economic downturn in exports to non-EU countries in August is conditioned by the occasional high-impact operations (shipbuilding) recorded in the previous month; net of these, the export increase is estimated at 5.5%. Here the note by Istat.
Bankitalia: Tourism turnover down by 40%, tourists decreased by over 50%, foreigners by 70%
In 2020, the pandemic caused an intense decrease in tourist flows throughout the national territory. Tourists decreased by 52.3%, and the decline affected both the domestic component (-33.8%) and, to a greater extent, the foreign component (-70.3%), which in 2019 represented half of the arrivals. Tourism is doubtless one of the sectors most affected by the epidemic. According to the data provided by the Bank of Italy in the Note "The tourism sector and the Covid-19 pandemic", the health emergency impact on tourism caused a drastic decline in turnover and profitability. The report shows that the joint-stock companies operating in the accommodation, catering and entertainment sectors suffered a turnover contraction of 40% in 2020, about four times the reduction recorded by the average companies (11 %). Here to learn more.
Istat: production prices on the rise in August
Industrial producer prices rose in August (+ 0.5%), mainly driven by intermediate goods. Istat highlights that, on an annual basis, prices continue to speed up (+ 11.6%, from + 11.2% in July), increasing in almost all economic sectors. According to Istat estimates, on the domestic market prices rose by 0.4% compared to July and by 13.8% on an annual basis. The domestic market recorded an increase of 0.6% (+ 0.7% in the euro area, + 0.6% in the non-euro area) on a monthly basis and 6.4% (+ 7.1% euro area, + 5.8% non-euro area) on an annual basis. Here the note by Istat.
Economic sentiment stable in the EU and the euro area
According to the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Community (DG ECFIN), in September 2021, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) remained unchanged in the EU (at 116.6) and broadly stable also in the euro area (+0.2 points to 117.8). In the Eurozone, consumer confidence decreased to -5.2 from -6.3, in the industry remained stable at +12.1 points, in services decreased to +15, 4 from +16.8 points, and in the retail trade to +2.3 from +5.1 points, in financial services dropped to +25.3, while in construction, confidence reached + 5.5 from 3.7 points. Here to learn more.
Istat: in August employment fell, but from January increased by 430 thousand units; unemployment remained stable at 9.3%, among young people at 27.3%
In August, the number of employed people decreased by 80 thousand units compared to July, while remaining positive (+ 162 thousand) compared to August 2020. The labour market balance has remained largely positive since the beginning of the year, increasing by 430 thousand units between August and January. However, the number of employed people is lower by 390 thousand units than pre-pandemic levels (February 2020). Moreover, Istat highlights that the monthly decline affects men and mainly women, employees and self-employed persons, and all age classes. In August, the unemployment rate remained stable at 9.3%, in line with July and down by 0.7 points compared to August 2020. It is also stable among young people (27.3%) compared to July. Here the note by Istat.
Censis Confcooperative: over 233 thousand profiles are missing
The economy is recovering, companies want to hire, but over 233 thousand professional profiles are missing. The gap between demand and offer on the labour market costs Italy over 21 billion, equal to 1.2% of GDP. These data emerge from the Censis-Confcooperative focus " Mismatch, il grande gap da sanare. La ripresa c'è, i lavoratori no.” According to the report, if companies had hired all the staff they needed, GDP growth in 2021 would have risen from 5.9% to 7.1%. Here to learn more.
Istat: inflation at + 2.6% in September on annual basis.
In September 2021, the national consumer price index for the whole nation (NIC), including tobacco, recorded a decrease of 0.1% on a monthly basis and an increase of 2.6% on an annual basis (2.0% in the previous month). Inflation continues to speed up, reaching the highest level since October 2012. Istat preliminary estimates on inflation highlighted that "even the prices of grocery and unprocessed food are speeding up, but the increase remains much lower than the entire basket." Core inflation (excluding energy and unprocessed food) was 1.1% (from +0.6% in the previous month) and inflation excluding energy was +1.2% (from +0.5% in August). Here the Note by Istat.
The Bank of Italy: € -coin falls in September.
The Bank of Italy announced that € -coin fell in September (0.75 from 0.98 in August). According to its monthly € -coin update, the decline of the indicator mainly reflects a softening in business confidence, although confidence remains at high levels. The € -coin indicator developed by the Bank of Italy provides a summary index of the current economic situation in the euro area. It is an estimation of the quarterly GDP growth rate shorn of the most erratic components (seasonal variations, measurement errors and short-run volatility). Here the Note by the Bank of Italy.
Less cash and more credit cards thanks to online commerce
The Credit Cards and Digital Payments Observatory coordinated by Assofin, Nomisma and Ipsos, in collaboration with Crif, recorded an increasing number of transactions (+ 6.3%) made by credit cards in the first half of 2021, compared to the same pre-Covid period. On the contrary, "bank transfers" did not recover the levels recorded in 2019 (-9.6%). According to the Observatory, the volume of instalment payments by cards is still decreasing (-16.7% in the 1st half of 2021/19) due to the uncertainty on the recovery and the diffusion of alternative digital payment tools, particularly for e-commerce, which increases the incidence of online transactions that reached 22% of total transactions by both credit or charge cards in the first six months of 2021. Here to learn more.
- The voice of Stakeholders
Unimpresa: in the first half of the year businesses and professionals' turnover up by +253 billion
The turnover of companies and professionals increased by 253 billion euros (+ 21%) in the first half of this year compared to the same period of 2020. According to an analysis carried out by Unimpresa Study Centre on companies’ and professionals’ fiscal data, in the first half of 2021, professionals recorded an increase in turnover of 15.4 billion (+ 24%) and companies of 237.5 billion (+ 21%). The growth is driven by the recovery of manufacturing activities (+ 31.1%) and above all by the real estate sector: construction (+ 36%) and other real estate activities (20%) recorded the most significant growth. Friuli-Venezia Giulia (+ 31.9%), followed by Calabria and Sicily (both with + 21.9%), showed the most significant increases at the territorial level. Lazio was the only region recording a decrease (-0.8%). Here for further information.
Confesercenti: new businesses down by 75 thousand units in 18 months
The pandemic has caused a sharp fall in the number of new businesses. According to a Confesercenti elaboration based on data from the Chambers of Commerce, between 2020 and the first six months of 2021, new businesses fell by 13.3% compared to the pre-covid period. The crisis caused the failure of 75 thousand new enterprises. This collapse affected all economic sectors: 25 thousand firms are missing in wholesale and retail trade, accommodation, catering, travel services, tour operators and car rental. Manufacturing lost almost 6 thousand firms, construction three thousand. Geographically, the decrease in new businesses affects all regions, but Liguria with -18.4%, Umbria with -17.3% and Molise with -16.4% suffered the most severe reductions. Here to learn more.
Confcommercio: GDP up by 5.9% in 2021, 4.3% in 2022
The recovery of the Italian economy is more intense than expected. Still, the post-pandemic rebound alone is not sufficient to guarantee robust, widespread, and lasting growth prospects. The structural weaknesses of our economy, in particular excessive taxation and bureaucracy and gaps in infrastructure, education, and justice, weigh on the slow long-term growth and the current phase of economic expansion. In this scenario, the macroeconomic forecasts for 2021 are + 5.9% for GDP, + 4.9% for consumption and +1.3 million units for employment, while for 2022 + 4.3%, +3, 5%, and + 965 thousand, respectively. These data are reported in the " Note sulla condizione economica dell’Italia dopo la pandemia (Notes on Italy’s economic condition after the pandemic)" released by Confcommercio during the annual meeting. Here the note by Confcommercio.
Confartigianato: in 2021, food sector production at a record high thanks to the contribution of 51 thousand SMEs. High commodities prices (+ 29.8%) concern.
In the first seven months of 2021, manufacturing production rose by 19.4% compared to the previous year and is approaching pre-crisis levels, marking -2.2% compared to the first seven months of 2019. Italy is recovering more quickly than France (-6.5%) and Germany (-6.7%). Thanks to the positive boost recorded during the pandemic, food and beverage production recorded the best performance since 1990, the beginning of the historical series. The increase of 1.1% in food production in Italy represents a better performance than in France (+ 0.5%), while the sector is lagging in Germany (-0.8%) and Spain (-3, 5%). In parallel, in the first six months of 2021, Italian exports rose by 4.1% compared to the corresponding period of 2019, exceeding the increase of 1.2% recorded in German exports. Confartigianato provides these data in the sectoral analysis "Dentro la ripresa, tra rimbalzi e incertezze. Prospettive d’autunno per le MPI (Inside the recovery, between rebounds and uncertainties. Autumn prospects for SMEs). Here a detailed article.
Confartigianato: SMEs drive the labour demand, with 66.7% of new jobs in the first half of 2021
Despite the difficulties of self-employment persist, micro and small enterprises remain protagonists in the labour demand. According to the analysis carried out by Confartigianato on the data provided by the Ministry of Labour, Anpal, Istat, Inps and Inail, in the first half of 2021, micro and small enterprises with less than 50 employees (in which 50.5% of employees work), represented 66.7% of jobs, based on the balance between new hirings and terminations. Confartigianato explains that the analysis of data by the Unioncamere-Anpal Excelsior system also confirmed this trend. 62.5% of the expected revenues between September and November 2021 derive from micro and small enterprises. Here to learn more.
Ossevatori.net: in Italy digital content up by 21% in one year, a market worth 3 billion euros
The market of the B2c distribution of digital content continues to grow in Italy. On the one hand, in 2021, Italian consumers will spend up to 3 billion euros in subscriptions and/or single purchases, 21% more than 2020 (when spending had already increased by 39%). On the other, after the slowdown caused by the pandemic (-2%), investments in advertising (+ 9%) in digital content and distribution platforms returned to grow in 2021, exceeding 1 billion euros. This scenario emerges from the "Digital News & Ebook" report, produced by the Digital Content Observatory of the School of Management of the Politecnico di Milano. According to the report, music represents the most digitally advanced content and will exceed 200 million euros in 2021, up by 31% compared to 2020, with 76% of consumers in 2021, compared to 68% in 2020. Here to learn more.
The value of Open Source for an independent and competitive digital Europe
The European Commission has published the results of a study analysing the economic impact of open-source software and hardware on the EU economy. According to the study, EU companies invested around 1 billion euros in open-source software in 2018, with a positive impact on the economy estimated at 65 and 95 billion. The analysis predicts that an increase 10% in contributions in open-source software code would annually generate an additional 0.4% and 0.6% GDP and more than 600 additional ICT startups in the EU. The European Commission promotes public policies on open source. It focuses on strategic initiatives, such as Developers Italia, to further encourage the industrial development of this sector and the dissemination of skills in the public sector. Here and here to learn more.
Fondazione Italia Digitale: 3 Italians out of 4 consider digital an opportunity, 73% say yes to smart working
3 out of 4 Italians think that the digital transformation will give our country more opportunities than risks. This issue is analysed in the study on digitization and interaction between public administration and citizens by Fondazione Italia Digitale. According to the analysis, 74% of over 55s consider digital technology an opportunity, while only 13% of Italians over 55 consider it a risk. In the "ranking" of the digital channels used by Italians to access public services, 61% prefer websites and apps. Here to learn more.
Smart city, the "Eur agreement" to push innovation in Italy.
New ideas for smart cities: the change, from networks to buildings, comes from software and technologies saving consumption. Digital innovation is not only a technological issue. It manages information systems or infrastructures that connect people, sensors, or machines, creating a new idea of a society where digital is a fundamental pillar with sustainable development and social and gender inclusion. In this context, "Sustainable Places" will be held in Rome-Eur. 250 researchers, 1500 research organizations and universities from all over Europe involved in over 150 projects for a value of 876 million under Horizon 2020 will attend the three-day event. Here to learn more.
Estimates for Italian robotics revised upward, but the chip crisis gives rise to concerns
"Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa di Ucimu-Sistemi per produrre" revised upward the 2021 forecasts relating to the Italian machine tool, robot, and automation manufacturing industry. The sector will grow by 22% up to 6.3 billion euros thanks to the excellent performance of deliveries by Italian manufacturers and exports reaching a value of 3.4 billion, 19% more than 2020. According to Ucimu's elaboration of Istat data, in the first six months of 2021 (latest data available), the main import countries for the Italian machine tool offer were: Germany (+ 64.4%), United States (+ 8.7%), China (-16.5% ), Poland (+ 77.8%) and France (+ 1.6%). Here to learn more.
- Gender equity
Women's equality festival: gender equality at the centre of the political agenda
Gender equality is the theme of the first national event entirely dedicated to women's empowerment that will take place in Lecce. "We -Women's Equality Festival" is the title of the kermesse scheduled from 1 to 3 October at the Apollo Theatre. The event aims to bring the theme of gender equality back to the centre of the public debate, emphasizing the fieldwork of numerous national associations and organizations. Several problems, such as employment, economy, health, culture, and social issues, will be widely discussed thanks to the contribution of companies and associations that have always been committed to diversity & inclusion and gender equality. Here for more information.
- Local Authorities
NRRP: The Minister of Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility signed six decrees for 1.9 billion of the complementary plan.
The Minister of Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility (Italian acronym MIMS), Enrico Giovannini, signed six decrees allocating additional 1.9 billion euros of the NRRP complementary plan. One billion euros to strengthen the technological monitoring and safety of the A24 and A25 highways (Rome-Pescara and Rome-Teramo), 720 million to favour green navigation, and 200 million to renew railway infrastructures and rolling stock for freight transport. The Ministry has already allocated 74% of the resources for 45.4 billion to the implementing bodies. Here the press release by MIT and here the updates on the "Giornale dei Comuni."
- The world of MEF
MEF: the guidelines for "talia Domani" are now online
The Ministry of Economy and Finance published the guidelines for "Italia Domani", the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, to offer an overview of the structural reforms and investments approved by the Government and by the European Commission to boost the country's economy after the pandemic crisis and achieve greater environmental sustainability. Mef illustrated the key objectives and resources for our country within the "Next Generation Eu" initiative, from the schedule to governance, from the implementation procedures to the role of administrations. The overview highlighted the six missions, the six priority areas of intervention, and the reforms envisaged in the Plan. Here and here to learn more.
OECD, Tax Administration 2021: Tax administrations continue to accelerate their digital transformation
Tax Administration 2021 is the ninth edition of the OECD Report in the series dedicated to tax administration. It provides internationally comparative data on aspects of tax systems and their administration in 59 advanced economies. According to the latest edition, tax administrations are investing significant resources in digital transformation to improve and provide digital services, which proved invaluable during the Covid-19 crisis. Here to learn more.


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Photo: Afghan National Police
Inditex, the Spanish parent company of clothing chain Zara, has postponed the rollout of a new anti-theft system in its Zara stores. New technology is having teething problems. For example, employees in various countries have already expressed concerns to management that technology could make theft easier, Bloomberg News reported based on informed sources.
CEO Oscar García Maceras unveiled the new technology in March and promised to roll it out for testing in all Zara stores around the world in July, but that has yet to happen. The system uses tiny chips called RFID and is intended to put an end to large hard plastic tags on clothing that cashiers must remove.
According to the sources, initial experiments in some Spanish stores showed that shoplifters were easily able to detect and remove security tags. Another problem is that alarms go off when customers enter the store to return items purchased online.
According to informed sources, the delay in introducing the new system is also partly due to bottlenecks in chip supply. Inditex itself downplayed the problems. According to the group, the process of implementing the new warning system is proceeding according to the established plan and without any significant incidents.
Experts say the new method, in which microchips are placed on labels or in the fabric of clothing, would reduce theft at Inditex by 60 percent. Other retail companies are also stepping up their fight against shoplifting. This increase appears to be due to higher inflation rates.
The British Retail Consortium recently reported that shoplifting increased by 27 percent last year in the UK’s ten largest cities. Clothing chain Primark also announced on Tuesday that it would deploy more security guards and cameras to combat the phenomenon. US department store chain Nordstrom recently announced that thefts were “historically high” when publishing its quarterly figures.
Avid music fanatic. Communicator. Social media expert. Award-winning bacon scholar. Alcohol fan.


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Nike hands search business to Mindshare
Shanghai - Nike has handed search marketing duties to Mindshare China, expanding a global partnership the two agencies already hold.
The appointment comes off the back of a competitive pitch and expands Mindshare China's currently relationship to handle Nike's media communications across the globe.
Melvyn Goh, president of Mindshare, said Nike has a long history of success which the agency is keen to extend.
"Given the brand's willingness to challenge and grow search in this competitive market, Mindshare now has a significant responsibility ahead to boost Nike's competency and investments in this arena," he said.
Festival of Media Asia
The Festival of Media Asia is coming to Singapore in November in partnership with Marketing Magazine.
For speaker information and event details see the site festivalofmedia.com/asia
- MindShare China
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Anuncie su casa, auto, mascota, empleo y mucho mas. Miles de visitantes buscando comprar. Miles de anuncios de casas, autos, empleos, mascotas, servicios, muebles, ropa, prendas IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL #2021020039 This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: 123456 Rear View Camera Software Update NHTSA Recall #21V077 . March, 2021 . 21V077 . 123456 . Mercedes. Dear Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Owner: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act the O ver-The-Air (O TA) update under NHTSA Recall # 21V058. Customers who subscribe to the Mercedes Me service may check the status of the update through the associated website www.me.mercedes-benz.com. Once your vehicle has installed the software it will state successfully installed. If the vehicle is subscribed to th
The issue prompted Mercedes-Benz to issue a recall The issue can be easily straightened out through a software update, either through an authorized Mercedes dealer or via OTA updates for. Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly 1.3 million vehicles but owners can skip a trip to the dealer with an over-the-air software update. In paperwork released Monday by the NHTSA, Mercedes said that. Daimler AG's U.S. unit Mercedes-Benz USA said Saturday it is recalling 1.29 million vehicles sold since 2016 because software may fail to communicate correct vehicle location in the event of a crash Recalls for Mercedes-Benz Diesel vehicles involving software updates In order to obtain clarity on a very complex matter, Daimler is appealing against the recall notices. Independently of the legal clarification of this matter, Daimler will implement the mandated recalls, continue to cooperate fully with the authorities, and create transparency
Mercedes says it will notify owners affected by the issue and upgrade the software for free. The company is expected to begin the recall on April 6. CBSNewYork Tea Get detailed information on recall 17V272000 from the NHTSA and RepairPal experts. Learn what to do if your vehicle is affected. Mercedes-Benz Recall 17V272000: Software Updates Cause Problems With Stability Control, Air Bag Control, Engine Management Syst Mercedes-Benz Diesel Recall: What Owners Need to Know All will receive a software update and new nitrogen oxide sensors, and any vehicles without a copper catalyst will get one, as well. MB snuck an engine software update on to our car - tagged on to the end of a gearbox software update without warning and without being able to stop it. It did indeed overwrite the GAD remap. Fortunately, Will reinstalled the map at a reasonable labour charge Mercedes in the UK told the BBC: This software update will also be implemented in other countries and we are in close contact with the local authorities. An investigation into the fault was launched by Mercedes in October 2019 after the eCall center reported a single instance in Europe of the automatic eCall system relaying an inaccurate.
Overview service measures and recalls involving software updates at Mercedes-Benz in Europe. Please note: With many models, only a certain production period is affected by the recall. From the model and engine name alone it is therefore not possible to reliably tell if a vehicle is part of the recall Feb 13, 2021. Mercedes-AMG. Nearly 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the U.S. are under recall for a problem that could send emergency services to incorrect locations in case of an accident.
Mercedes-Benz Recalls More Than 375,000 Cars, SUVs, and Vans for Backup Camera Problem. Software problems cause blank screens, but the fix can be sent to cars without a trip to dealershi . Recall for more than a million Mercedes cars, concerning a call location glitch that is supposed to alert the emergency services. German car. The Mercedes me connect app lets you pair your vehicle and activate services like Remote Engine Start, Remote Door Lock & Unlock, Locate Vehicle and more, all on-the-go. Simply scan the QR code in the vehicle's multimedia system, or enter your Vehicle Identification Number in the app to pair your vehicle Mercedes recalls diesel cars for emissions software update. Almost every new Mercedes-Benz diesel car bought in the UK during the past six years is to get a free software upgrade
Owners/Lessees will be asked to contact their local authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealer to arrange for an appointment to complete the Emission Modification, or they can also contact the MBUSA Customer Assistance Center at 1-833-841-9362 for further assistance. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will install the Emission Modification at no cost to. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 Recalls of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This online tool enables you to check if your vehicle is affected by any of the following three measures: Diesel software update Mercedes chose to conduct a voluntary recall as result. The Solution. The car maker will order dealers to update the software in affected models, free of charge, according to the NHTSA. There is currently no timetable for dealer or owner notification. Share this. Subscribe to Recall News NHTSA has published today, Recall # 21V058 for certain MB 2016-2021 models including CLA250, CLA35,CLA45, A220, etc. for the reason of Inaccurate vehicle location for emergency services. MBUSA will notify affected owners and perform a software update. Details for this Recall are at..
The multimedia system software will be updated by dealers, or through over-the-air (OTA) updates, once owner notification letters are mailed July 13, 2021. Mercedes owners may contact the. Mercedes says it will notify owners affected by the issue and upgrade the software for free. The company is expected to begin the recall on April 6. CBSNewYork Tea The recall was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mercedes says that it will issue a software update to be installed by dealers or over the air for some of the vehicles
Mercedes-Benz wants to keep you informed about any applicable US recall campaign that may include your US vehicle. Mercedes-Benz combines luxury with performance across the full line of models including luxury sedans, SUVs, coupes, roadsters, convertibles & more February 14, 2021 at 6:34 pm EST. Mercedes-Benz USA issued a recall Saturday for 1.29 million vehicles sold since 2016 because a software glitch in their emergency-call system may dispatch first. . #5 • Jun 30, 2007. the original ecu recall was for cold starting issues (at least recently in february) (lol cold starting in florida, yeah right!). then they stopped doing it due to numerous complaints of 'check engine' coming on. went in for service end of may and they reflashed a new 'ecu' software update Daimler must recall the affected vehicles and update the software and certain hardware in order to remove all defeat devices and ensure the vehicles comply with all applicable emission standards. Due to variation within the affected Daimler fleet, there are 12 subgroups of fixes, or vehicle updates
What You Should Do: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12. Mercedes-Benz said that it will notify affected owners and update the software systems at no charge, according to filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation. It expects to begin the recall on April 6 AEM Component Updates. Availability of AEM. EMC 1. Sprinter (MY13-16) 6-cyl. 74,332. Software Update; New copper catalyst, if not already installed; New NO x sensor; New instrument cluster (if existing part number is 9069018200 or 9069018600) Upon Effective Date of Consent Decree (March 9, 2021) EMC 2. Sprinter (MY10-12) 6-cyl. 46,086. Software. Mercedes-Benz said that it will notify affected owners and update the software systems at no charge, according to filings with the U.S. Department of Transportation. It expects to begin the recall. .3 million vehicles due to faulty emergency-call system software, which could send responders to car crashes to the wrong location. The recall.
Mercedes-Benz is issuing a recall for certain 2016-2017 GLE43 AMG Coupe and 2017 GLE43 AMG vehicles due to the need of a software update. According to the company, those vehicles have an engine. Mercedes diesel software update. The envelope is marked safety recall and the letter makes clear it is being driven by the German authorities. as they would have been obliged to. January 2012: A recall was issued for Mercedes-Benz w204 C320 CDI and C350 CDI models fitted with the OM642 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, and manufactured from November 2009 to July 2011. Per the recall, the fuel filter was believed to be leaking diesel fuel, which, in turn, posed a potential hazard to other drivers and road users The Mercedes-Benz emissions scandal, impacting thousands of the company's BlueTEC diesel vehicles, involves the cloud of a governmental probe and class action case, not only concerning owners, but leaving a very murky future ahead for how the vehicles, their performance following any attempted fix and re-sale values will be impacted by.
Mercedes-Benz issued a recall for certain 2018 S-Class vehicles because their automated steering functions may continue to work even when the driver's hands are off the wheel. Consumer Reports has. Mercedes-Benz recalls 342,000 cars for glitched backup cameras can be a quick fix for those with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle capable of over-the-air updates. The company plans to push a software. Hi guys and girls!Probably my most requested video. Most Mercedes A Class vehicles on the roads have the original software version which has be coined as FU.. Mercedes recalls 'compelling evidence' of nitrogen oxide problem, lawyers say Edward Thicknesse in which software updates are being installed, pursuant to an administrative order by the KBA Software updates are also critical to lowering the exhaust temperatures. All of these things work as a system. Mercedes is now fixing some of these things as part of the recall. While Mercedes has updated and modified virtually every part in the engine and emission system, that doesn't mean they will replace everything. Far from it
MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019 Mercedes-Benz Reveals Latest Update to MBUX & New Technology. July 8, 2020 by Lynn Walford. No other innovation in recent years has so radically changed the operation of a Mercedes-Benz as MBUX. Mercedes Battery Drain Failure Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints about sudden vehicle battery failures across the Mercedes-Benz line, including Class S, Class C, Class G, GLE (once Class M), and Class E vehicles. Owners and lessees across the U.S. report leaving their cars for several hours without any lights or electronics on, only to retur The recall involves a simple over-the-air software update. Yes, but the software update is to fix a major safety issue, says the media. In fact, the whole thing is about a simple.
MatthewVD writes Our cars run millions of lines of code that need constant and, often, critical updates.Jim Motavalli writes that Mercedes-Benz's new mbrace2 'cloud infotainment system' has a secret capability: it can update software automatically and wirelessly.In a process called 'reflashing,' the Mercedes system turns on the car operating system (CU), downloads the new application, then. Mercedes-Benz's latest recall of additional diesel vehicles in the UK for an emissions related software update is a strong indication the manufacturer knows it has a larger dirty diesel problem here, according to lawyers working on a potential group action litigation on behalf of UK Mercedes owners An over-the-air (OTA) update for a car is a software improvement that a car company sends to your vehicle through wireless means. These days, cars are practically computer processors on wheels run by a series of electronic control units that oversee everything from the powertrain to navigation. OTA updates allow automakers to quickly. View recall reports to see if the 2016 GLE-Class was recalled for safety-related defects or non-compliance with U.S. safety standards. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017.
Recall Information. At Mercedes-Benz, your safety is our priority, and we're committed to keeping you informed about any applicable US recall campaigns that may include your vehicle. Simply enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see the most complete and up-to-date information on current or previous recalls Owners/Lessees will be asked to contact their local authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Dealer to arrange for an appointment to complete the Emission Modification, or they can also contact the MBUSA Customer Assistance Center at 1-833-841-9363 for further assistance. An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Dealer will install the Emission. Mercedes-Benz recalls 13 lakh cars in the US over software glitch: Things to know. Daimler AG's US unit Mercedes-Benz USA said that it is recalling 1.29 million vehicles because of software glitch. The recall is likely to start on April 6. Note: All images are used for representational purposes only
. Recalled vehicles are to have their air conditioning systems modified by the Mercedes-Benz service organisation so that the new refrigerant can be used. Please note: with many models, only a certain production period is affected by the recall For vehicles with a 'Mercedes Me' subscription service, the software update will be performed OTA and so a dealer visit is not required, the recall notice states The general public and the average Mercedes driver aren't always notified of available software updates for their vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers have not quite nailed down a good system for notifying their customers about how and when to update software, but, as previously mentioned, occasionally manufacturer recalls are related to software.
If you are a former owner or lessee of a Registered Subject Vehicle, you will receive a payment if you submit a Valid Claim by July 12, 2021, or by the date the Court finally approves the Mercedes Class Action Settlement (if after July 12, 2021). For updates about this deadline, please continue to monitor this website Use Software service CD for improving the software of the COMAND system. Validity Models 211, 219 Procedure for downloading the image file (with Nero): 1. Label the unwritten blank CD with a permanent marker as follows: Software Service CD, W211 589 13 22 00 2. Proceed with a left mouse click on the software download and Save the file. 3
ABOUT THE MERCEDES EMISSIONS RECALL. Mercedes emissions software updates have been applied to vehicles across Europe following a voluntary service action that started in 2017 and has so far involved around 3 million diesel vehicles. German regulator the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport Authority) concluded hearings in Germany whereby. Daimler vows to fight any UK group action over emissions after multi-billion-dollar US agreement; Mercedes-Benz sent recall notices to UK Mercedes diesel vehicle owners on September 4, saying an engine control unit software update was needed to help 'further reduce the average nitrogen oxide emissions while driving on the road' Mercedes-Benz Campaign No. 2018070005, July 2018 ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS C-Class and GLC-Class (205, 253 platform) Model Years 2015-2018 Update Audio 20 Control Unit Software Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain MY 15 All vxdiag diagnostic tools need to update the firmware and driver, then update license to use device properly after update the VX Manager to V1.8.0. 3. If vx manager shows license will expire in October 2020, it does not matter. Enable network connection, update software license, the license date will be renewed. ##v188.8.131.52 2020.04.16
Article content. For just about all car companies, the only time a vehicle owner will receive notification of software updates is either when they're part of an official recall or when the. Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling 4,871 vehicles, including the 2014-'15 Mercedes-Benz E250 Bluetec and E250 Bluetec 4Matic, because an oil leak may increase the risk of a fire. Read More. Mercedes. September 15, 2020 / 6:54 AM / AP. Automaker Daimler AG and subsidiary Mercedes-Benz USA have agreed to pay $1.5 billion to the U.S. government and California state regulators to resolve. A good example is Porsche recently announcing a recall on all Taycans for a software update that the automaker apparently couldn't do over the air despite listing the capacity as an important. But not just any Foxwell, it has to be the FOXWELL NT510 Elite Mercedes Scan Tool. This is the upgraded 2021 version and it packs all the good attributes. Full system diagnostics. This is one of the features that put the NT510 Elite among the best Mercedes Benz scanner diagnostic tools
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC agreed Monday to settle allegations they violated U.S. and California emission rules in an agreement topping $1.5 billion in penalties and other costs.. Separately, Daimler. . Audi, Seat and Skoda cars are also affected, as.


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Oxford County Council has announced that it’ll be launching a Zero Emission Zone in the city next month…
Oxford Gets Zero Emission Zone
Both Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council have announced their intention to launch a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in the city next month. The first of its kind in the UK, it’ll launch in two phases. During the initial launch, both diesel and petrol cars will have to pay to enter the city centre; this will be called the ‘red zone’. The so-called ‘green zone’, which covers the rest of the wider city centre, will go live at a later date.
In essence, the plan is a stricter version of London’s ULEZ. Less-polluting vehicles in London dodge fees, but in Oxford’s ZEZ they face a reduced fee. Only zero-emission vehicles will be able to travel through the ZEZ without facing any fees at all; making it the strictest measure yet implemented in any British city.
The red zone will be live between 7am and 7pm. Non-compliant vehicles will face a charge of £10 to enter. Local residents, however, will be exempt until 2025. The likes of buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and ‘historic’ vehicles (registered 40 years or more ago) can enter for free. Blue Badge holders won’t pay until 2024 and local businesses will get a discounted rate until 2030.
‘Leading the Revolution’
Councillor Tom Hayes, cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, commented on the upcoming ZEZ. He said, “with our strengthened Zero Emission Zone and the introduction of hundreds of supporting charging points, our medieval city is leading the electric vehicle revolution”.
He continued, “our two councils have taken a fresh look at the big idea of charging commuters to drive polluting vehicles in and out of the city centre. And we’re listening to Oxford’s Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change by speeding up our journey to a city-wide Zero Emission Zone”.
Government Cuts Plug-In Car Grant (Again) – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/government-cuts-plug-in-car-grant-again/
22,000 Parking Tickets Are Issued In The UK Every Day – https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/22000-parking-tickets-are-issued-in-the-uk-every-day/


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IU economists expect the trade war to take a bite out of the economy next year.
The Kelley School of Business annual forecast predicts “anemic” growth for the Indiana economy, at one-and-a-quarter-percent.
The national forecast is only slightly better, at two-percent.
Economist Kyle Anderson says the trade war has begun to take a toll on the economy.
Back-and-forth tariffs are driving up costs along the supply chain.
And Anderson says the erratic way trade policy is being carried out, with tariff threats giving way unpredictably to trade truces and back again, creates the kind of uncertainty that makes companies sit on their capital instead of investing it.


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From Nikhil Kamath's Chess controversy to Glance buying Shop101 and Bitcoin jumps on another Musk tweet, here's a quick look at the top tech news today.
B2B marketplace Jumbotail raises Rs 35 crore from Alteria Capital
Jumbotail, a business-to-business marketplace and retail platform, will use...
Jumbotail looks to hire 400+ employees across multiple geographies
The organisation is looking for top talent across the functions of technol...
B2B grocer Jumbotail gets $14.2 million to close Series B funding round
Jumbotail, a business-to-business e-commerce marketplace for groceries, will use the funding to fuel its expansion plans, double down on its J24 store network, and launch a suite of services for FMCG firms.
ETtech Deals Digest: FreshToHome, Finova Capital, InVideo raise funds this week
A quick look at this week's most important investments in the tech and startup space.
Jumbotail bags $11 million in funding led by Heron Rock
The startup said it will utilise the fresh capital to expand its marketplace into new geographies across India and also scale its J24 store network.
Arkam Ventures raises Rs 325 crore in first closure
Arkam, formerly known as Unitary Helion, has raised Rs 325 crore anchored by US-based Impact investor Capria. Other investors include Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) and prominent family offices in the US and India, the company said.
Agri-startups can offer tech solutions to keep food supply chain rolling amid COVID-19 crisis: Study
Highlighting agri-tech solutions, the study said agri-startups can provide aggregation and distribution of farm produce from point of collection to consumption centres.
Jumbotail, NinjaCart raise more as B2B Ecomm finds love
NinjaCart, which connects farmers directly with businesses by cutting out middlemen, issued 300 debentures to Trifecta Capital for a total consideration of Rs 30 crore on October 24, regulatory filings showed.
BigBasket merges 2 core arms to speed up delivery
The move is expected to help it better compete with established ecommerce players Amazon and Flipkart and food delivery company Swiggy, which has recently forayed into the grocery segment.
Udaan to raise $500 million, valuation may climb 2x to $2.2 billion
Round may see new investors like Hillhouse, Altimeter along with existing backers.
Jumbotail raises Rs 90 crore in Series B funding
The company said that it would use the funds to invest in artificial intelligence driven operational excellence in supply chain.
Startups are deploying tech to improve farm-to-fork supply chain and offer farmers better prices
Companies like Ninjacart, Crofarm and KrishiHub are now procuring directly from farmers and selling to retailers, thereby eliminating middlemen and tiers of commissions.
WayCool in talks with PEs to raise $25 million
The Chennai-based startup is in early stages of talks with food and agri-focused global funds and impact funds, according to two people aware of the development.
ShopX raises $35 million from Fung to fuel expansion plans
The Indian B2B retail industry is estimated at over $100 billion, and with negligible online penetration, it offers good opportunity for players.
Udaan gets $50 million in Series-B round to take off
This is one of the biggest funding rounds at an early stage in the Indian startup ecosystem.
B2B ecomm firms see the goods in kirana solutions
The consumer goods market is expected to grow three times in 10 years and companies like ShopX, Kalaari Capitalbacked Jumbotail, and Lightspeed India-backed Udaan are focused on bringing kirana store owners online.


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06 Jun 2022 in TechWe explore Jacktrip, a new platform aimed at real-time remote performance, collaboration, and recording for musicians, studios, and venues.
17 Results for "Remote"
04 Apr 2022 in TechHitSend is a neat system for connecting with your mixing and mastering clients. A payment gateway and DAW integration make your life easier!
30 Jun 2021 in StudioIt's smart, it's yellow and it used to be called Aloha: Elk LIVE is a clever system for online music collaboration that's just opened for pre-orders.
16 Feb 2021 in StudioLANDR Sessions is a plug-in that you insert on your master track in any DAW to stream audio and chat over voice and video at the same time. Neat!
13 Aug 2020 in StudioMixBucket aims to make documenting song feedback faster, easier, and possible from a distance, and uses Dropbox and Google Docs. Oh, did we mention it's free?
30 Jun 2020 in StudioDeveloper Radu Varga has released an app that lets you map a MIDI controller to the UA Apollo Console software. That sounds like a very useful tool for Apollo owners, and there's even a free version!
14 Jan 2020 in GuitarAnother pedal with Plexi in the name of Carl Martin: PlexiRanger. What could be behind the overdrive pedal with added boost? A treble booster with a low cut?
16 Nov 2017 in OtherTeenage Engineering have been working with Chinese company Raven to produce artificially intelligent smart speakers the likes of which you've never seen. Currently, H and R only speak Chinese and love cake.
10 Jul 2017 in SynthsPercussa have asked the Eurorack community if they fancy a Super Wavetable Oscillator in their rack with 64 parallel oscillators, 18 CV inputs and fully configurable routing and modulation. What do you think?
11 Jan 2017 in StudioAnnounced almost a year ago, Mackie's AXIS live digital mixing system is finally shipping - but a quick look at the price list suggests this could be a prohibitively expensive system to implement fully...
15 Dec 2016 in StudioZoom continue to pioneer the field recorder market by introducing the F-Control mixer and remote for their F8 and F4 recorders, adding new features.
10 Dec 2016 in StudioSchwerkraftmaschine or 'Gravity Machine', has now landed and is available to order - is this the most advanced compressor we've seen this year?


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Restaurants line up for the deck
Where should we go to dinner tonight? Just shuffle the deck and choose a restaurant. That's what Patrick Finan envisioned three years ago when he first introduced Buffalo Dining Cards. "It's a deck of 50, $10 discounts to locally owned restaurants," he explains. "You buy the deck for $20 at Valu Home Centers or other retailers."
Each card in the deck saves you $10 off the purchase of $30 or more at a locally owned restaurant, along with two "wild" cards for free food items. "The idea is to support locally owned businesses and give people an excuse to go out and try something new," Finan said.
He calls it a low cost way for restaurants to get their name out to the public and it's so popular that the deck is full. "We have a waiting list every year for restaurants and the response has been awesome," he said.
City Dining Cards are now in eight cities in the northeast. With the expansion, come more new ideas like "Fridge Phrases," which are new this year. "They are 220 Buffalo word magnets for the refrigerator," Finan said. "Think of magnetic poetry, but a localized version with words like butter lamb, grain elevator and loganberry! It's a great, fun stocking stuffer!"
Finan is also saying "cheers!" over the a new project, "We now have cocktail cards as well, which are 50 buy one, get one free drinks at locally owned bars."
Will customers and businesses alike continue to "eat up" the concept? Stay Tuned. Chances are, you'll find plenty of decks of dining cards in stockings this holiday season.
You can get more information at the website http://www.citydiningcards.com/
Elizabeth Carey is Buffalo Business First's broadcast reporter
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A couple who took advantage of Hotel Zed’s viral “Nooner Babymaker” package have given birth to a baby girl, inspiring the campaign’s triumphant return on February 14, 2021.
The bold hotel brand became a media sensation last Valentine’s Day after introducing a playful campaign encouraging lovebirds to indulge in a midday romp. As a frisky bonus, the package offered a free stay every Valentine’s Day for the next 18 years to any guests who birthed a child nine months after check-in. In December, Nicole and Alex – the couple who became pregnant thanks to Hotel Zed’s feisty offering – welcomed a new baby girl into the world, adding to their family of three.
This year, with safety protocols firmly in place, Hotel Zed is once again encouraging local lovebirds to treat themselves to a saucy, four-hour Valentine’s Day escape. The promotion is open to families of all kinds, whether that be through IVF, surrogacy or adoption. As long as the baby arrives within nine months of check-in, the parents will receive a complimentary annual stay for 18 years.
“The Nooner campaign was meant to restore excitement around Valentine’s Day, but we never expected it would create such joy. We were so excited to meet this beautiful baby girl, after nine months of waiting almost as eagerly as her parents!” said Mandy Farmer, president and CEO of Hotel Zed. “We’re looking forward to re-introducing the Nooner this Valentine’s Day, and continuing to spread the love – and meeting Hotel Zed’s love children – for many years to come.”
Hotel Zed’s Nooner package starts at $49 for four hours; to extend the romance, splurge on an overnight stay for $79 in Kelowna, $99 in Victoria and $169 in Tofino. While the campaign is targeted to locals, the Hotel Zed team looks forward to welcoming out-of-town travellers when it’s safe to do so. For more information, or to book, visit hotelzed.com.
Photo courtesy ©Flytographer.


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Committed to offering customers quality service, Scotiabank has launched its new Alternate Channels campaign, “Turn Your Bills Into Cash.” With this initiative, it will hold a sweepstakes in which participants can earn up to $1,000 in cash.
“Aware that technology has become the protagonist of our lives, we recognize the need to keep up with the technological advances and always offer a modern and agile experience. This time we are rewarding our customers for making payments through two of our most important alternative channels, thus encouraging the use of these convenient tools that allow us to save time,” said Denis Vaz, vice president and country head of Scotiabank U.S. Caribbean.
From June 1 through Sept. 30, customers who pay their auto loan, credit card, personal loan or any of their debts registered through Scotia Online or Scotia Mobile during the campaign period will be automatically entered to win 10 prizes totaling $500 each or 5 grand prizes of $1,000 each at the end of the campaign.
“At Scotiabank, we continue to improve and transform our platforms to offer our customers all the alternatives that make their banking experience one that meets and exceeds all their needs and expectations, allowing them to manage their accounts and finances remotely, 24/7,” said Ricardo Domenech, vice president of retail banking.
“We remain committed to our customers, placing tools at their disposal that give them the opportunity to achieve their financial goals, and above all, save time. With an investment of approximately $80,000, the launch of “Turn Your Bills into Cash” is an advertising campaign that includes traditional and non-traditional media, educational promotions, branch labeling, social networking and digital media, among others,” said Michelle Pérez, vice president and head of marketing.
To learn more about this campaign and other products and services, visit www.usvi.scotiabank.com; call the Contact Center at 1-877-766-4999, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; or visit a local branch.


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Gran Turismo Sport was launched a little over a month ago on Sony’s PlayStation 4 console with 162 cars, which some would say is a far cry from Forza Motorsport 7’s gargantuan list of 700+ vehicles. But the silver lining is that the racing game’s creator Polyphony Digital is taking baby steps to address this relatively low number of available vehicles by adding more in the near future.
In a blog post this week, the folks behind the award-winning Gran Turismo video game franchise revealed three free cars will be introduced with the Update 1.06 content set to go live on November 27. The cars in question are the IsoRivolta Zagato Vision Gran Turismo, Audi R18, and the lovely Shelby Cobra 427. At some point next month, Gran Turismo Sport will receive a more substantial Update 1.07 content and that will bring an extra 12 cars, also free of charge:
- Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD);
- Nissan Skyline GT-R V・spec II (R32);
- Nissan Skyline GT-R V・spec II Nür (R34);
- Ford F-150 SVT Raptor;
- Lamborghini Countach LP400;
- Ferrari F40;
- Ferrari Enzo;
- KTM X-Bow R;
- Suzuki Swift Sport;
- Volkswagen Samba Bus Type 2 (T1);
- Chris Holstrom Concepts 1967 Chevy Nova;
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible (C3).
But wait, there’s more. Polyphony Digital has promised to roll out roughly 35 extra cars until March next year. Not only that, but the number of tracks will grow in the months to come from the current 17, though the video game developer is not specifying for the moment how many locations will be added.
Check out the source link below to find out the other changes prepared for the two updates due before the end of the year.


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Get Smart: Garcia Automotive to sell snazzy, teeny European car
- Megan Kamerick
- NMBW Staff
Richard Lampert first tried to buy a Smart Car while shopping on a swanky street in Rome.
Wedged between the Prada and Armani boutiques, he and his wife found a store selling Smarts. But, to their chagrin, when they tried to buy one, the manager explained it wasn't possible.
"He said 'We ship it, you drive it 2,000 or 3,000 miles, the car dies, there's no one to work on it, you put the car in your backyard and stick flowers in it,'" said Lampert, who owns Zaplin Lampert Gallery in Santa Fe.
His wait will soon be over. The Garcia Automotive Group will open the state's first, and only, dealership selling Smart Cars on Jan. 8. It will be one of 74 Smart dealers across the country opening next year. The company bought a shopping center next to Garcia Infiniti at 1234 Renaissance Blvd. NE, which it is converting into a 10,000-square-foot showroom designed by Van H. Gilbert Architects. Enterprise Builders is doing the build-out.
Although the official opening is in January, Smart enthusiasts will be able to test drive a car before Christmas, said Carlos Garcia, who will manage the new dealership.
Garcia has 400 reservations for Smart Cars from around the state. As part of a national marketing push last summer, Garcia offered test drives of a Smart and the response was overwhelming, he said. Smart Car USA created an online reservation system earlier this year where customers can log on at www.smartcarusa.com and pay $99 to reserve a production model and customize it with trim level and color preferences. The first ones to place a reservation will be the first ones to get their cars.
Smarts are small, at about 8.8 feet long and 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide. The model rolling out in the U.S., the Fortwo, is a two-seater. For 2007, its mileage rating is 40 miles per gallon in the city, 45 on the highway, said Ken Kettenbeil, spokesman for Smart Car USA. That will drop in 2008 because the Environmental Protection Agency is recalculating how mileage is determined, so it will be 33 in the city and 41 on the highway.
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Update: Halo Infinite isn’t changing.
It’s looking like 343 Industries might very well drop Xbox One support for the upcoming Halo Infinite. This follows its delay, which was initially slated to launch alongside the Xbox Series X, but felt they couldn’t finish in time due to developmental issues and COVID-related snafus. The realization, which was taken in many different ways, led to the release window changing to sometime in 2021.
In a rumor circulating around ResetEra, it cites the base Xbox One is struggling to run the game, even claiming it to have a resolution below 900p, meaning it can’t even reach the standardized 1080p modern-gen gamers have grown accustomed to. They also claimed it was having serious asset loading issues, issues that were even worse than what was seen in the demo, which was running through the power of a PC.
343 Industries also reportedly is trying to fix the issues by changing how assets load on an engine-level and various other tweaks as a last bid to get it back on the current-gen train. But, with how it’s going now, the rumor-starter claims the idea of them delaying the game again in favor of an early 2022 release isn’t “off-the-table.”
It seems Microsoft and 343 Industries want Halo Infinite to be the best entry we’ve ever seen and is willing to make sacrifices if they must. This may even extend into scrapping the Xbox One support altogether and going all-in on next-gen hardware.
Follow A to Play on Twitter for more updates on the Xbox brand!


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Several international platforms, such as Revolut, Bitpanda, Crypto.com and Vivid, have joined the list of registered crypto providers in Spain in 2023.
The official registry of licensed crypto providers published as an Excel document on the website of Spain’s central bank states that 30 companies were granted a virtual asset service provider license in the country in 2023.
That means that the number of crypto companies officially allowed to operate in Spain grew by about 56% this year. The registration started only in 2022. In that initial year, 53 firms rushed to gain national registration. Despite a lesser number added this year, the license applications remain active.
Moreover, some global players like Revolut, Bitpanda, Crypto.com and Vivid have obtained Spanish registration in 2023. Nevertheless, local companies still dominate the national market, currently holding 61 licenses out of 85.
Some major industry players are still not on the list, though. For instance, Coinbase registered with the Bank of Spain back in September. The registration as a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian wallet provider will allow Coinbase to offer a full suite of products and services to retail and institutional users in Spain. The firm has also recently secured an Anti-Money Laundering compliance registration. Nevertheless, the provider still hasn’t got a full virtual asset service provider (VASP) license in the country.
Coinbase finds Spain as a prospective market. According to the firm’s data, cryptocurrencies are now the second most popular payment method in Spain, with 60.7% of Spanish citizens motivated to buy cryptocurrencies for long-term investments, and 35.7% to make payments. Embracing cryptocurrencies in Spain is much easier now when MiCA legislation was introduced by European Union policymakers.
Local regulators are proactive with the crypto legislation. Recently, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation announced that it would implement the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation six months before the deadline. Trading crypto in a transparently regulated environment gives more confidence to both consumers and crypto service providers.


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For the first time ever, Jaguar has taken its electric I-Pace concept car to the streets of London. The Jaguar's I-Pace concept car also debuted recently at the Geneva Motor Show. And select journalists who tested the car gave positive feedback of their experience with the auto machine.
The Jaguar's I-Pace concept car should roll out of production lines next year. It is not clear if the manufacturer has estimated the price yet, but interested consumers are encouraged to register for one. This means consumers will be the first to take delivery once the greatly anticipated car hits dealership centers in 2018. This underscores how proud Jaguar is to unveil its new electric concept car to the world at the auto shows.
Testers Satisfied With I-Pace's Performance
According to Jaguar executives, the I-Pace electric concept car will utilize a 90-kWh battery which will reach a 220-mile distance. The motors for the axle on the vehicle are estimated to supply 400 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, according to CNET. To this extent, it is estimated that the electric car will reach 60 mph within 4 seconds.
The Jaguar's I-Pace electric concept car debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show very recently. A number of news reporters were asked to test its potential operation on the streets of London via virtual reality. The journalists ended up reporting that they experienced the inside and outside of the concept car and quite a worthy of trial when it actually becomes a physical reality.
Jaguar's Design director Impressed With Car's Performance
Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar, was ecstatic about the performance of the I-Pace, Clean Technica wrote. He said the I-Pace is an electric package with "supercar inspired aesthatics, sports car performance and SUV space." He also added that the design team was impressed with the performance of the concept car on the streets of London, since the testing signaled satisfactory performance in real-world situations.
According to Callum, the new electric I-Pace concept indicated "the next generation of battery electric vehicle design." This car is scheduled to hit dealerships in the second half of 2018 and promises to be a real bargain for auto consumers. More technical information will be revealed about Jaguar's I-Pace concept electric car as the date for real-world launching draws closer.


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The GoldenGate chip, as it’s nicknamed, isn’t meant to attack Broadcom at the high end of the market. That’s where San Jose-based Cavium, with its XPliant Packet Architecture, intends to battle the chip giant.
Rather, GoldenGate has its crosshairs on Broadcom’s Trident II chip line — the current face of the franchise — claiming a lower price point as sales leverage. Public pricing information was not immediately available for either chip line.
Centec has raised only $28 million since being founded in 2005 and employs about 150, but keeps overhead low by operating out of China.
More important, Centec finally reached parity with leading competitors’ performance. CEO James Sun has been frank about the fact that Centec’s previous chips, going back to about 2007, didn’t have the performance to be relevant in the market. But that all changed with the company’s previous chip generation, GreatBelt, released in 2013 and nicknamed after the bridge in Denmark.
The GoldenGate chip brings Centec to the 10-Gb/s market, with 1.2 Tb/s of total throughput. It’s targeting the mainstream segment of Broadcom’s switching franchise — that company’s newest line, Tomahawk, claims throughput of 3.2 Tb/s. The new Centec chip can also provide 100-Gb/s uplinks for more advanced work.
XPliant and Barefoot Networks are offering protocol flexibility for Ethernet switching, but Centec hasn’t gone down that route yet. “Even tunneling protocols are stabilizing,” says Sun. “You don’t expect to see new tunneling protocols any time soon.”
Instead of protocols, Sun says Centec has put more energy into management and analytics.
“We actually think it’s more important to SDN than new protocols,” says Sun.
Broadcom has also ramped up its focus on analytics. The company’s Tomahawk chip includes monitoring and analytics capabilities, a feature set named Broadview.


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12.2020 Group Briefing
Far Eastern Department Store manufacturers' association in 2020
Far Eastern Department Store / Zheng Jiahui
The annual Far Eastern Department Store manufacturers' association was held on October 15 in Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei. Chairman Douglas Hsu and President Nancy Hsu led the management team of Far Eastern Department store invited the manufactures to unite with the theme of "2020, we are a team" and declared the intention to exceed the anniversary performance target, which also set the goal for the Jhubei Far Eastern Department Store that is to open soon.
At the dinner party, Douglas Hsu shared the current economic environment and retail market situation, and encouraged everyone with "there is nothing certain, but the uncertain", emphasizing that the future of department store retail will be changed through digital technology.
At the end of the event, 12 store managers of Far Eastern Department store made up a team, waving shop flags and reading the anniversary declaration, hoping that the Far Eastern Department store would continue to "make breakthrough and innovate and be formidable ".


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Organisers are predicting record numbers of enthusiasts to attend for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC this week.
Last year’s event attracted up to 55,000 people and bosses believe that figure will be topped by this year’s celebrations.
The show, which starts today, is believed to bring in around £11 million annually to the local economy.
Show director Mark Wein said costs this year had risen to £3 million from £2.7 largely to cover production of the expanded jubilee event.
Mr Wein compared the event to having Wimbledon hosted in Birmingham and said the venue, “is a great home for the show’’ and described it as “an equestrian, theatrical extravaganza unrivalled in this country.”
He said a recent independent survey commissioned by the City Council estimated the show brings in £11 million into the economy.
He added: “We’ve already sold out most of the performances and there are a limited number of tickets available. This year, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary diamond jubilee. Sunday night is going to be a night to remember and we will certainly celebrate that in style. There will also be some surprises to close the event which I can’t reveal yet.”
The culmination of the event will crown the “champions in the world of sports equestrianism. “
Celebrities and families are coming together to celebrate and commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the event.
Mr Wein said the show has always targeted families with the event’s competitors range in age from four to 70 or older. Around 1,500 horses will grace the new Caldene Arena.
Celebrity guests including Martin Clunes and Anthea Turner, due to attend. Katie Price is also set to take part in dressage, as well as later signing autographs. She will also launch her new clothing line, KP EQUESTRIAN.
Mr Wein urged people to allow more time when travelling.
* For more details call the box office on 08719 45 45 00 or visit the website www.hoys.co.uk.


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The UK economy is stalling, but not in recession
- 25 January 2012
The official first guess that GDP declined by 0.2% in the fourth quarter is within the margin of error of a flat economy. There may have been a small depressing effect on the number from a combination of mild weather, the public sector strike and one fewer working day in the quarter compared with the prior four years. (Mean temperatures in October, November and December were above long-term averages, contributing to lower electricity and gas consumption.)
GDP is estimated to have risen by only 0.9% in 2011 but there was a big drag effect from the North Sea – the onshore economy grew by 1.4%.
Business surveys and labour market indicators suggest marginally firmer activity as the quarter ended. The hope is that the economy will benefit from global lift and an abatement of the inflation squeeze on consumers and businesses as 2012 progresses. Inflation, however, may fall by less than the Bank and consensus expect – see my post last week – while monetary trends have yet to show significant improvement (December numbers are released next week).
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COVID-19 has sent ripples through supply chains across the world, and no industry has been immune. At the same time, demand for supplies has spiked. And companies everywhere are struggling to keep up.
Proto Labs Inc.—an ecommerce-based provider of manufacturing services such as 3D printing—recently surveyed 108 designers, engineers and supply chain managers in 12 industries to gauge their response to the pandemic and how digital manufacturing can help them survive COVID-19 and beyond. The results show that the pandemic has prompted many manufacturers to adopt modern technology to automate traditional manufacturing and industrial practices.
“The most important takeaway here is that this is the new normal,” says Bernadine “Bernie” Henderson, director of procurement at Protolabs. “People are changing how they work, and more people than ever are working from home. With those dynamics, companies must embrace a more digital world.”
Productivity and supply chain disruptions
The survey report, “Product Development and the Supply Chain: How to Survive a Pandemic with Digital Marketing,” revealed that working remotely has created productivity challenges for manufacturers. 67% of respondents said that more than half of their staff was working from home in June. Among that same subgroup of respondents, 53% said remote work was causing a lack of tools needed to be productive, and 52% said their biggest challenge related to remote work was dealing with a reduction in collaboration among teams.
Henderson says another challenge during the pandemic has been the weakness COVID-19 exposed in the traditional supply chain. “Within the traditional supply chain model, companies are building inventory into their supply chain—sourcing supplies from around the world—to drive the raw material costs down,” she says. “In the world of speed, that doesn’t really work—and it ties up cash flow.”
The survey showed that nearly three-quarters of respondents experienced supplier delays during the pandemic, and at the same time, 56% saw a shift in demand. According to Henderson, speed, quality and reliability are the most essential benefits companies can gain from their suppliers. With suppliers not being able to deliver on that promise—at a time when it’s more important than ever—that traditional supply chain model failed for many companies.
COVID pressures lead to innovation
“COVID-19 exposed the need for manufacturing to shore up resources now, but the companies that thrive in the future will take the lessons learned during this crisis to build agile, resilient and modern supply chains that spurt innovation,” Protolabs says in the survey report. “Digital manufacturing provides that critical speed and flexibility.”
The Protolabs report cites several cases of companies that used digital manufacturing services this year to deal with disrupted supply chains.
- Breathe99, a manufacturer of B-1 breathing masks used for protection from such common things as pollen and dust, used 3D printing to develop and manufacture new versions of its masks suitable for protection from the coronavirus;
- The Cleveland Clinic worked with Protolabs and injection molding through digital manufacturing to develop new “High-Line” equipment designed to let medical professionals work more efficiently and safely with intravenous treatments.
- FOAM-iT, a producer of equipment used in spreading disinfectants for industrial cleaning, worked with digital manufacturing to modify products and keep up with surging demand as some of its suppliers went off-line during the pandemic.
Surviving—and thriving—with digital manufacturing
Many companies seem to be embracing these disruptions as a new normal, the survey indicates. 64% of respondents said they don’t think supply chain risk will change for at least another three months, and more than half don’t think inventory will be at more predictable levels for at least three more months.
Still, many see a bright future ahead. 86% of respondents said they are optimistic about the future of their business, and two-thirds said COVID-19 has uncovered areas for innovation. Additionally, 82% say they expect to see an uptick in new product development by the end of the year while 30% believe innovation is already on the rise.
While traditional supply chain strategy was about finding the cheapest parts wherever possible, some manufacturers recognize the flaws of that model. And many are now investing in digital manufacturing to build agile, resilient and modern supply chains that will protect them against both the new and ongoing crises around the world.
The supply chain of the future
According to the survey, COVID-19 has underscored the importance of building a supply chain that is future-proof. But there are some important lessons manufacturers should consider when leveraging this opportunity.
They should plan for changing conditions in the supply chain and the ability to quickly adapt. They should thoroughly research their supply chain and identify weaknesses. Using regional suppliers is also a good way for companies to avoid global disruptions. “Protolabs, for example, is a global provider with regional suppliers,” Henderson says. “That helps us maintain our supply for our customers when they need it.”
On-demand production is another attribute of a modern supply chain. When demand increases, supplies can be produced quickly, which helps companies navigate market volatility as well as keep inventory and warehouse costs low.
Supporting mass customization
A mass customization approach can also support supply chains and mitigate disruptions. While mass production used to be the norm, mass customization is changing how manufacturers must react to market demands. On-demand manufacturing has the digital capacity and rapid capability to meet those mass customization needs.
And finally, the ability to act quickly in times of change can help companies minimize disruptions. Leveraging the help of a digital manufacturer that can offer reliable, fast lead times will help companies respond to market demands as well as uncertainty in the supply chain.
But to truly adopt an agile, resilient and modern supply chain model, Henderson says companies need to start by rethinking their key metrics. “Sure, it’s always important to look at revenue and bottom-line profitability. But as they change how they operate, key metrics should change with it,” she says. “And consistently thinking through what those metrics are is what will ultimately drive behavior.”
Cate Flahardy is a Chicago-based freelance journalist covering business and technology.
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Samsung factory to supply ME and Africa from Egypt
Technology giant, Samsung Electronics has announced that it will be establishing a factory in Egypt; making it the first of its kind by the company in the MENA region. The factory which will be located at the Kom Abu Radi Industrial Zone in Al Wasta City, Beni Suef will be covering 336,000m². The announcement was widely applauded in the country.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Hesham Kandil, said “technology is constantly becoming an integral component of everyday life” before thanking Samsung for choosing Egypt. He went on to further say that the government will “always welcome and encourage foreign investment.” Egypt as a market recognizes that there are diverse business opportunities across a broad range of industry sectors to venture into. The MENA region has been yearning for the establishment of a factory by Samsung. The plant is expected to begin operations before the end of this year. Its activities will be adding a twist to the diversity of Samsung’s creative products and contribute to increasing its growing clientele in the region.
The plant is likely to put more emphasis on making television sets and monitors and other state-of-the-art tools. Its products will be distributed in Egypt and by 2016, it is expected that the plant will be able to supply markets in 10 different countries in the Middle East and Africa. In the next five years, the plant’s yearly manufacturing output is set to be over 2 million units.
Egypt has been making headlines in the past years for the economic and financial crisis it is experiencing. Talks with the IMF for loans have also been suspended. The government will nevertheless will be hoping that Samsung’s decision influences the decisions of other companies and investors.


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President Francois Hollande’s government has denigrated France’s entrepreneurs with its attitude toward business and its “confiscatory taxation,” said Alain Afflelou, the founder of a chain of eyeglass stores.
“We must stop saying that company chiefs are dishonest people and thieves,” Afflelou, who’s moving to London, told RTL Radio Dec. 22.
Afflelou is relocating for “two to three years,” though he says he’s moving to work more closely with his eponymous company’s new British shareholder, Lion Capital, and to expand the chain into Northern Europe, not to shrink his tax bill.
Hollande, elected in May, is imposing a 75 percent tax on income of more than 1 million euros, keeping a campaign pledge. The millionaire tax has been followed by new levies on capital gains, an increased tax on wealth, an increased tax rate for income of 150,000 euros or more, a boost to inheritance charges and an exit tax for entrepreneurs selling companies.
Though there are no official statistics yet, tax lawyers say they’ve seen an increase in French people moving to Britain, Belgium or Switzerland to avoid the new taxes.
The government is seeking to bolster revenue through taxes on large companies, Internet startups and private fortunes to make its budget-deficit target of 3 percent of gross domestic product next year. Hollande, the first Socialist president in France since 1995, has called on those “with the most to show patriotism” in tough economic times.
French billionaire Bernard Arnault, chief executive officer of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, filed an application for Belgian nationality in September. While he promised to continue paying taxes in France, the action prompted fierce criticism from Hollande and his supporters.
This month, actor Gerard Depardieu, who played Obelix in films on one of France’s most beloved fictional characters, said he’s moving to Belgium and selling his Paris home. Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called Depardieu’s actions “pathetic,” drawing a protest from the actor.
“I am leaving because you consider success, creativity, talent, anything different are grounds for sanction,” the movie star, known for such classic French roles as Cyrano de Bergerac and the musketeer Porthos, wrote in correspondence to Ayrault published in Le Journal du Dimanche. “I don’t expect to be pitied or praised but I reject the word pathetic.”