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Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular amongst the population, as many are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their C02 emissions.
The Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Market is expected to reach a value of $103.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 26.4% during the forecast period 2021-2028.
We take a look at 10 companies ( in no particular order) that are in the electric charging industry.
ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 20,000 charging locations.
Shell is another oil company to become involved with the EV charging business by acquiring the GreenLots business unit. It’s plan is to roll out 500,000 electric charging stations in just four years is the latest sign of an EV charging infrastructure boom.
BP has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Chargemaster, the UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging company.
The e-mobility business, which makes fast chargers for electric cars and buses, is benefiting from a global boom in battery-powered vehicles.
Hyundai has partnered with Kia to develop a wireless electric vehicle charging system . Hyundai has also created a solar charging system so that the solar panel is integrated into the roof of the vehicle.
A partnership with Daimler has allowed RWE to manufacture various types of electric chargers in-house for public and residential spaces.
Europe's largest engineering company is providing a number of charging solutions, for both home and public roads, for standard as well as fast charging.
EVBox designs, manufactures, and sells charging stations for electric and semi-electric vehicles. The company offers charging columns, wall models with fixed cables, home electric vehicle chargers, and business charging solutions.
Blink was once predicted to become the biggest company in the market. Currently, it has installed about 15,000 charging stations in the US and has about 150,000 registered members.
Tesla is the biggest Electric Vehicle company in the world, with the best charging stations. However, these Supercharger stations work solely with the Tesla models.


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Medmen Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS: MMNFF) continues to rocket up the charts this week quickly transforming into one of the most actively traded cannabis Companies on the planet. Last weeks acquisition of PharmaCann makes Medmen the biggest cannabis operator in the Country.
Cannabis is a great place to be; according to a recent report from Arcview Market Research and its research partner BDS Analytics, over the next 10 years, the legal cannabis industry will see much progress around the globe and spending on legal cannabis worldwide is expected to hit $57 billion by 2027. The adult-use (recreational) market will cover 67% of the spending; medical marijuana will take up the remaining 33%. The largest group of cannabis buyers will be in North America, going from $9.2 billion in 2017 to $47.3 billion a decade later. Of course much of this hinges on how laws progress.
Medmen Enterprises Inc (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQB: MMNFF) went public earlier this year through a reverse takeover in Canada. Medmen is a leading cannabis company in the U.S. with assets and operations across the country. Based in Los Angeles, MedMen brings expertise and capital to the cannabis industry. Since the recent PharmaCann acquisition Medmen now operates 79 cannabis facilities in 12 states. MedMen is headquartered in Culver City, California, in a 12,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art office complex that was designed and executed by MedMen’s own facilities team, showcasing the company’s design and construction capabilities.The Company operates 19 facilities under the MedMen brand name in California, Nevada and New York.
The Company employs more than 800 people across the United States. The predecessor to MedMen Enterprises was founded in 2010 by Adam Bierman and Andrew Modlin, two visionary entrepreneurs who saw not just a tremendous business opportunity in the growing legalization of marijuana, but a chance to re-define our society’s relationship with cannabis. MedMen supports sensible, clear and just drug laws. The Company is the single largest financial supporter of progressive marijuana laws at the local, state and federal levels, giving directly to pro-legalization groups, industry organizations and political candidates.
MedMen recently acquired a license to open and operate 30 retail stores in Florida and has signed binding agreements to acquire an operating retail store in Illinois, cultivation and retail operations in Arizona, and an additional non-operating retail license in California. The Company has cultivation and production facilities in Nevada and New York, and is building facilities in Desert Hot Springs, California and outside Orlando, Florida. PharmaCann is licensed for 18 retail stores in eight states and eight cultivation and production facilities in seven states. Combined, the two companies will be licensed for 66 retail stores and 13 cultivation and production facilities (including pending acquisitions by MedMen).
The Company is led by Adam Bierman who recently stated on CNBC “Every day I wake up I intend on building the biggest marijuana brand in the world. Our more mature stores in California are doing over $20 million dollars a year in revenue. When we get to a billion dollars in revenue we will look at what’s next but there is a lot of work to be done. Our mission is mainstreaming marijuana and how do you do that? you make it available for everybody. This is a consumer product and to address everybody you need to have a product for everybody. In our stores in California we have over 1000 skus in those stores so I think as these markets continue to evolve and mature I think that’s what you will see across the board. Our new slogan is ‘forget stoner’ marijuana needs to be mainstream, the concept of a stoner or stoners is yesteryear, this is about chardonnay moms, working days, this is about substituting and replacing other things that people are already utilizing that in some instances are detrimental to them.”
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Last week Medmen announced they have signed a a binding letter of intent to acquire PharmaCann in an all-stock transaction valued at $682 million. The deal is considered to be the biggest M&A deal to date within the legal marijuana industry and it will make Medmen the “largest U.S. cannabis company in the world’s largest cannabis market.”
The newly combined entity will result in MedMen having cannabis licenses in 12 states that will permit the combined company to operate 79 cannabis facilities. Through the transaction, MedMen will add licenses in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan.
Founded in 2014, PharmaCann is one of the largest medical cannabis providers in the U.S. It currently operates 10 retail stores and three cultivation and production facilities across multiple states, including New York, Maryland and Massachusetts, and in Illinois, where it is the largest holder of medical cannabis licenses. The company also owns licenses for retail stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan, and cultivation and production licenses in all of its markets, excluding Maryland. PharmaCann is known for its high-quality cultivation and production and has one of the best track records in the industry for cannabis license applications.
Medmen CEO Adam Bierman said “This is a transformative acquisition that will create the largest U.S. cannabis company in the world’s largest cannabis market. The transaction adds tremendous scale to our vertically integrated business model by expanding our U.S. retail footprint across important growth markets while strengthening our cultivation and production capabilities. With the revenue synergies that the deal is expected to produce, MedMen is well positioned to continue executing on our growth strategy. This would not have been possible even two years ago and is a testament to how far both the industry and these two companies have evolved. PharmaCann’s leadership has built a world-class organization, and we are excited about the value this transaction is creating for shareholders.”
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Currently trading at a market valuation in access of $2 billion Medmen has $12 million in the treasury, significant debt on the books and fast growing revenues reporting US$19.2 million (CA$25.2 million) in sales for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2018. Medmen is one exciting Company and has been on fire since the PharmaCann acquisition. which gives the newly combined entity cannabis licenses in 12 states that will permit the combined company to operate 79 cannabis facilities and makes Medmen the biggest cannabis operator in the Country. Adam Bierman recently stated on CNBC “Every day I wake up I intend on building the biggest marijuana brand in the world.” We will be updating on Medmen when more details emerge so make sure you are subscribed to Microcapdaily so you know what’s going on with Medmen.
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Disclosure: we hold no position in Medmen either long or short and we have not been compensated for this article.

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Sales of electric car company Tesla Motors in the first quarter of 2015 amounted to a record 10 030 cars, which is 55% higher than the same period last year.
Tesla Motor Inc. presented information on its sales in the first quarter of this year. According to the statements of the company, from January to March this year, the final consumers were supplied a record number of cars exceeded a similar indicator of last year by 55%. Figures all the more impressive that sales growth happened in the backdrop of falling oil prices (in the US, this implies a decrease in gasoline prices), which seriously worsened the situation of other manufacturers of electric vehicles. For 2015, Mr. Musk has set a target level of sales at the level of 55 thousand cars, and by 2020 — 500 thousand cars. And if the data of the first quarter still does not say that specified for 2015 plans will be realised, it is already likely that the company can easily surpass the performance of last year, when it sold 31 655 cars.
It is worth noting that despite the increase in sales, the company is unlikely to get a net profit until 2020 Tesla Motors makes large investments in expanding production capacity and developing new technologies. Also this year to begin deliveries of its new electric car Model X. published


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At the invitation of HE the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee held on Monday, 23 March 2020, a videoconference, to discuss the financial and economic impacts of the emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic. This is in light of the GCC Ministries of Finance role that aims to enhance financial stability, support the economies of the GCC states, stimulate the economy and the affected economic activities, stand with the private sector and support it to enable it to play its role in enhancing economic growth under the current exceptional circumstances, and to assess new developments and precautionary measures that the GCC States took to confront this epidemic and its financial requirements, and raise the efficiency of financial and economic performance.
The meeting was chaired by HE Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, during which their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Finance reviewed the precautionary measures and efforts undertaken by Member States to ensure the provision of the financial requirements necessary to implement the preventive and direct measures to deal with the consequences of the epidemic and limit its spread, enhancing confidence in the economies of the GCC states, achieving financial sustainability, and taking all measures to ensure the flow of basic goods and services to the GCC citizens and residents on a regular basis. As well as strengthening the cooperation between member states, stimulating the economy and affected economic activities, supporting the private sector and enabling it to play its role in enhancing economic growth, and the role of National Development and Investment funds to mitigate the negative effects of the emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19) expected on all economic sectors in each of the GCC States.
The GCC Ministers of Finance praised the urgent initiatives undertaken by Member States to support the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises and economic activities most affected by the consequences of this epidemic, as a contribution to support these activities and reduce their vulnerability to the preventive and direct measures taken to deal with the disease and limit its spread and its economic and social impact.
The Minister of Finance and Minister of Economy and Planning in charge, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reviewed the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Chairman of the G20 in dealing with this crisis and what the finance ministers and central bankers of the G20 countries are doing to support the global economy during this stage.
In this regard, their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Finance assured that the GCC States would contribute with the countries of the world by taking all necessary measures to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and comprehensive growth, and to prevent the negative risks of this epidemic and its repercussions on the global economy.
Their Excellencies, the GCC Ministers of Finance, stressed the need to coordinate precautionary measures among the GCC States on all sectors to support economic recovery, unify the measures taken to limit the spread of the epidemic, and facilitate the movement of goods between the GCC States, especially goods and shipments related to consumer and basic materials and materials related to economic growth in general.
Their Excellencies, the Ministers of Finance also directed the GCC General Secretariat to inform the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the results of the meetings of the ministerial and technical committees held to discuss the financial and economic impacts of the emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as preparing weekly reports on the steps taken by each Member State to prevent the negative risks of the emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide them to all Member States.
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Xbox One May 2019 Update Available Now
Microsoft does not rest in its mission to offer the best experience to its players. That is why its Xbox team has been working on a new update for Xbox One. In it, players will find a couple of changes to the messages, to the list of friends and more.
As reported in Major Nelson’s blog, this new update for Xbox One will make adjustments to the friend lists so you not only know what they are playing but also know from where. In other words, it will have an icon that will tell you if your friend is playing from an Xbox One, Windows 10 or a mobile device.
As we already mentioned, this update will also bring changes to the messages and that Microsoft says it will make them “smarter”. This will be achieved by filtering the messages that come from strangers and so they do not bother you while browsing your conversations with your friends. Keep in mind that this type of messages will now appear in a tab similar to the Message Request that is on social networks like Facebook.
The bad news is that this change will bring some consequences and it is that the group messages will be lost. Fortunately, you can visit the official Xbox site, log in there and look for them to be archived on your computer. In this way, your epic conversations will not be lost. We reiterate that this will only affect group conversations and your private messages while individual users are safe.
Finally, the Xbox team made adjustments to make it easier to find your favorite content in the My Games and Applications section. This is because the articles will not be considered when looking for games. For example, if you want to find The Witcher: Wild Hunt, it will appear if you are looking for Witcher’s W instead of The T’s.
Finally, Microsoft recalled that all these adjustments were possible thanks to the feedback of fans who are part of the Xbox Insider program. So, the company took the opportunity to thank their participation to make Xbox One a better console.


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Godrej Group company Godrej Security Solutions (GSS) is looking at a business turnover of Rs 740 crore in the next fiscal year, a senior company official has said. The company expects the growth to be driven by the retail segment, which includes home safe and electronic security systems. Besides, the Godrej group firm also plans to expand its reach to 250 districts totalling 8,000 retail outlets. It has also plans to spend over Rs 100 crore on advertising and R&D in two years.
“Our total business right now of security solution put together is around Rs 600 crore and we plan to increase it to around Rs 740 crore next year,” Godrej Security Solutions VP and Global Head – Marketing, Sales and Innovation, Mehernosh Pithawalla said. The company had a turnover of Rs 550 crore in FY 2018-19. GSS is expecting good business coming from the home safe segment and expanding its retail presence.
“We are around Rs 140 crore this year and we plan to increase 25 per cent year-on-year basis…the objective is to increase the market,” said Pithawalla. The Indian home safe market is considered to be around Rs 180 crore and the company owns 80 percent of the market. In the electronic security segment, where it does not have a very big presence, the company is planning to bring its own “artificial intelligence, building own capacity of software development” besides reducing dependence on imports from China. At present, GSS has around 50 models of home safe, priced in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 8 lakh; and for electronic security, it has different types of cameras, video surveillance, alarm system etc.
“We are planning huge spending on marketing and ad spend for the segment. We are going to start market campaign very soon,” Pithawalla added. The company has also launched a new range of home lockers in potential markets. “We are set to open over 1,000 new retail outlets in tier 2 and 3 markets to provide customers with new age home security solutions,” he said.


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Table of Contents
- The Controversy Surrounding “Violet Summers Leaked”
- The Rise of Violet Summers
- The Alleged Leak
- The Implications of the Controversy
- The Role of Social Media Platforms
- 1. Is there concrete evidence to support the claim of Violet Summers’ leaked content?
- 2. What steps can individuals take to protect their privacy online?
- 3. What legal actions can be taken in cases of leaked explicit content?
- 4. How can social media platforms improve their security measures?
- 5. What can we learn from the “Violet Summers leaked” controversy?
In recent years, the internet has become a breeding ground for scandals and controversies. One such controversy that has gained significant attention is the alleged leak of explicit content featuring the popular social media influencer, Violet Summers. This incident has sparked debates about privacy, consent, and the responsibility of online platforms. In this article, we will delve into the details of the “Violet Summers leaked” controversy, explore its implications, and discuss the broader issues it raises.
The Rise of Violet Summers
Violet Summers, a 25-year-old model and social media influencer, rose to fame through her captivating photos and videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. With her stunning looks and charismatic personality, she quickly amassed a large following, attracting millions of fans who admired her beauty and lifestyle.
As her popularity grew, Violet Summers became a prominent figure in the influencer industry, collaborating with renowned brands and gaining lucrative endorsement deals. Her success seemed unstoppable, until the fateful day when her alleged explicit content was leaked online.
The Alleged Leak
In early 2021, rumors began circulating on various online forums and social media platforms about the existence of explicit content featuring Violet Summers. These rumors suggested that private photos and videos of the influencer had been leaked without her consent, causing a frenzy among her fans and the media.
While the authenticity of the leaked content remains unverified, the incident has raised important questions about privacy and the vulnerability of individuals in the digital age. It has also ignited a heated debate about the responsibility of online platforms in protecting their users’ content.
The Implications of the Controversy
The “Violet Summers leaked” controversy has far-reaching implications that extend beyond the individual involved. Here are some of the key implications:
- Privacy Concerns: The incident highlights the pressing need for individuals to be cautious about the content they share online. It serves as a reminder that once something is uploaded to the internet, it can be difficult to control its dissemination.
- Consent and Exploitation: If the leaked content is indeed authentic, it raises serious concerns about consent and the exploitation of individuals in the digital realm. This incident underscores the importance of obtaining explicit consent before sharing or distributing any form of intimate content.
- Online Platform Responsibility: The controversy also brings into focus the responsibility of online platforms in safeguarding their users’ content. Many argue that platforms should implement stricter security measures to prevent unauthorized access and leaks.
- Legal Ramifications: Depending on the circumstances surrounding the leak, there may be legal consequences for those involved in the unauthorized distribution of explicit content. Laws regarding revenge porn and privacy vary across jurisdictions, but the incident serves as a reminder of the potential legal ramifications.
The Role of Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms play a significant role in shaping the online landscape and have a responsibility to protect their users. However, striking a balance between user privacy and platform security is a complex challenge.
While platforms like Instagram and TikTok have implemented measures to combat explicit content and harassment, leaks still occur. The “Violet Summers leaked” controversy highlights the need for continuous improvement in platform security and the development of robust mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to private content.
1. Is there concrete evidence to support the claim of Violet Summers’ leaked content?
As of now, there is no concrete evidence to verify the authenticity of the alleged leaked content involving Violet Summers. The rumors and speculation surrounding the incident have not been substantiated by any official statements or evidence.
2. What steps can individuals take to protect their privacy online?
Protecting privacy online requires a proactive approach. Here are some steps individuals can take:
- Regularly review and update privacy settings on social media platforms.
- Avoid sharing sensitive or intimate content online.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts.
- Be cautious about accepting friend requests or engaging with unknown individuals online.
- Consider using encryption tools and virtual private networks (VPNs) to enhance online privacy.
3. What legal actions can be taken in cases of leaked explicit content?
The legal actions that can be taken in cases of leaked explicit content vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances. In some countries, revenge porn laws exist to protect individuals from the unauthorized distribution of intimate content. Victims may pursue civil or criminal charges against those responsible for the leak.
4. How can social media platforms improve their security measures?
Social media platforms can enhance their security measures by:
- Implementing stricter authentication processes to prevent unauthorized access to accounts.
- Providing users with more control over the visibility and sharing of their content.
- Investing in advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to detect and remove explicit content promptly.
- Collaborating with cybersecurity experts to identify and address vulnerabilities.
5. What can we learn from the “Violet Summers leaked” controversy?
The “Violet Summers leaked” controversy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of privacy, consent, and online security. It highlights the need for individuals to exercise caution when sharing personal content online and for social media platforms to prioritize the protection of their users’ privacy. Ultimately, this incident should prompt a broader conversation about the ethical and legal responsibilities of all stakeholders in the digital realm.
The “Violet Summers leaked” controversy has ignited a significant debate about privacy, consent, and the role of online platforms in protecting their users. While the authenticity of the leaked content remains unverified, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks individuals face in the digital age. It underscores the need for individuals to be cautious about the content they share online and for platforms to continuously improve their security measures. Ultimately, this controversy should prompt a broader conversation about the ethical and legal responsibilities of all stakeholders involved.


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Michigan cole crops growers must be wary of a new pest, the swede midge, according to Ben Phillips, a Michigan State University Extension educator. Phillips discussed swede midge and how to manage it ... more
Vegetable producers, whether they grow under tunnels, in the field or in greenhouses, face a number of challenges. The growing environment can be difficult to c... more
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Luna fungicide is now approved for use on a wider range of fruit, tree nut and vegetable crops in California.
“This label expansion offers key f... more »
This season, California and Arizona growers have an entirely new fungicide option, KENJA 400SC from Summit Agro USA, at their disposal.
KENJA 400SC... more »
The Crops Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board has submitted a recommendation that crops using hydroponic, aquaponic, aeroponic and ot... more »
Pegasus Agriculture plans to construct a large hydroponic facility in Florida. The company has purchased a 15-year lease on 77 acres of land in the ar... more »
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) are collaborating to address produce-specific challenges surro... more »
Vegetable producers, whether they grow under tunnels, in the field or in greenhouses, face a number of challenges. The growing environment can be diff... more »
More than 30 seed growers, researchers, food industry representatives, consumers and others attended the first Cornell Kale Day at the Homer C. Thomps... more »
Ornamental cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephalaL.) are produced commercially during the summer and fall along with other crops such as as... more »
Researchers at the NH Agricultural Experiment Station have found that spinach grown in high tunnels during the coldest months of winter has the highes... more »
Bella Verdi has opened a new 20,000-square-foot greenhouse facility located near Austin, Texas. The new facility will increase production of the compa... more »


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Travellers prefer inclusive brands | WARC | The Feed
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Travellers prefer inclusive brands
Seven in ten consumers would be willing to pay more on travel options that emphasise inclusivity and make efforts toward universal accessibility in their practices, according to a report.
Why it matters
Accessibility, inclusivity, respectful language and an ethos of inclusion are all factors that many consumers now consider when choosing between different products and services. Marketers thus need to ensure they embody these principles in authentic ways across their operations.
Expedia Group Media Solutions, a unit of the digital travel platform, surveyed 11,000 adults across 11 markets – including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UK and US – in partnership with Wakefield Research. Its analysis found:
- Ninety-two percent of survey participants agreed it is important for travel companies to provide accessible options to travellers.
- Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported having made a travel decision after seeing themselves represented in advertising.
- Seven in ten respondents said that they would choose a more expensive hotel, destination or mode of transport if it was more inclusive to all.
- Almost two-thirds of respondents are interested in learning more about travel options that support local businesses and communities.
The big idea
“Our findings show that consumers today are paying close attention to whether travel brands are authentically demonstrating a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and accessibility” – Jenn McCarthy, Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Expedia Group Media Solutions.
Sourced from Hospitality Net
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due to the pressure of the Ministry of Commerce, online rumors yesterday afternoon, said Taobao mall will be a compromise to the small sellers, the provisions of the previous increase in the threshold to raise fees to develop a more detailed implementation plan. However, today morning, Alibaba vice president of the group denied the "Tao said negotiations", said the new measures to develop Taobao mall are reasonable, the other is the malicious attack Taobao mall, not with YY voice channel negotiation organizer.
yesterday afternoon, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce official said that after the incident, Taobao is actively considering the introduction of relevant measures, taking into account the relevant interests, refine the program, which can support large businesses to become bigger and stronger, but also the maintenance of the actual interests of small and micro businesses in the original mall.
involvement of the Ministry of Commerce, so that the development of things to the direction of Taobao small sellers. Yesterday, a well-known activist lawyer Zhao Zhanling Sina micro-blog said: the Ministry of Commerce’s position has risen to stabilize prices and support small and micro enterprises, Taobao and ma I have to make some compromises. The solution is to reduce fees or the unified Taobao mall is divided into different regions and for different charges? Or are there other options? At least the current situation in favor of small sellers in the direction of development, activism can be said to a stage victory, rights needs to be adjusted, according to the law of reason."
The other side of the
event, the anti Taobao union release information, said: our final appeal, the establishment of the electricity supplier Association, the rules of the rules, so that the size of the seller together to develop the deposit by the government regulation." But then, the Union also revised the wording, said the effort is to cancel the deposit".


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Analysis for 'MTM'
Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 5:59 PM ET|Posted by Will Richmond
Revenue in the U.S. from premium OTT services could double or triple from $4 billion in 2014 to $8-12 billion in 2018, according to new research study from Ooyala and Vindicia, which was conducted by MTM.
The study, based on input from 45 content and service providers, forecasts that just a small number of OTT providers, mainly existing ones, will dominate. Netflix is seen as the biggest of the group, although its market share will decline from 85% currently to approximately 50% in 2018. However, respondents were optimistic about the opportunity for niche OTT providers such as sports, kids, specialized entertainment and personality-drive services where they foresee 15-20 providers each having over 100K subscribers.
Video Research Around the Web
- TiVo Research: Smart TVs Deliver the Fastest Search and Discovery Multichannel News
- Disney Plus mobile app downloads hit nearly 41M, study says CNET
- Ad Execs Plan to Spend More on ESPN, HGTV Multichannel News
- Peak TV Update: Scripted Originals Top 500 in 2019, FX Says The Hollywood Reporter
- 2019’s U.S. TV advertising trends across Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Venture Beat
- Disney+ Has Gotten 22 Million App Downloads In One Month Tubefilter
- IAB Video Streaming Report: Higher Ad Revenue Growth For OTT Platforms, 'Walled Garden' Concerns Mediapost
- TV Industry Suffers Steepest Drop in Ad Sales Since Recession Bloomberg


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The newspaper industry is at the front of the digital wave that is engulfing all media companies. Faced with dwindling subscribers with an aging demographic and advertisers wanting cross-platform impact, the print industry is fundamentally changing working practices and delivery options to maintain their revenues and brand value. Print-only is no longer an option and print-based media companies are now producing content via online video, mobile phones and via a host of digital platforms and applications. In this session we will examine these strategies and whether digital content such as video can save the print industry.
Edward Roussel, Digital Editor, Telegraph Media Group
Bas Broekhuizen, Editor, Volkskrant TV
Charles de Vroede, Deputy Chief Editor, de Telegraaf
Adriaan Bouten, Senior VP, Chief Information Officer, (I&M), McGraw-Hill
Joris Van Heukelom, Director, Cross Media, DAG
The result. The same old stuff.
Who are the people who don’t get it? CEO’s, editors and ad sales people. Really! Some talk about who they would and wouldnt put in front of a camera. And (making the last point seem a bit odd) why newspaper video was different from TV. And why?Well, we never really got to that.
It seemed that the reason newspaper video was different to TV was that it is easier to say what newspaper video isn’t than define what it is.
The most sensible statement of the session came from the Telegraphs Ed Roussel. Sell the idea of video to a skeptical workforce by training. Yes.
In terms of good video the best thing to come out of the session was…


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Metaverse in India, Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Horizon Worlds recently merged with Facebook and their parent company Meta.
Zuckerberg, the owner of the company, is also campaigning on Facebook, but the lack of customer satisfaction for meta graphics is showing, but this time, meta is going to be included in Mukesh Ambani’s reliance industries company.
Metaverse in India As major brands like Gucci and Nike welcome their visitors, Indian e-commerce unicorn Flipkart is keen to launch its own virtual marketplace. Among Indian companies, Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Co. has now focused on the Reliance Industries Metaverse bandwagon, with Rill set to launch its earnings call in the virtual space to connect with shareholders.
Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani
Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani’s firm is set to tie up with GMetri, a no-code metaverse maker of a virtual declaration portal. Rill’s stakeholders can engage from any device. The group’s joint CFO metaverse india appeared at Metaverse to deliver an hour-long commentary on the results, which attendees could watch without wearing a VR headset attached to the session. Analysts and stock buyers can also view Mukesh Ambani’s speech without analysts through his own slides hosted on Metaverse and available in PDF format.
Ambani’s company, Reliance Industries, has potential in the metaverse in India
This is the starting point for the Reliance industries firm to host more immersive events. Shareholders will be able to manage the company’s operations by being present as avatars in real time. So far this year, Indians have hosted weddings on Metaverse and the virtual ecosystem continues to host events, art exhibitions and even concerts. Saudi Arabia is building a metaverse twin for the cognitive city NEOM, Ambani’s company is also looking at how smart urban spaces work in the future.
Dubai already has a restaurant that offers food in the Metaverse, and KFC is running a virtual dining space online.


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"The recent revelations that foreign nationals with suspected ties to the Russian government sought to influence the 2016 election through social media advertisements are deeply concerning and demand a response," 20 House and Senate Democrats wrote in the letter. "We are fast approaching the 2018 election cycle. As such, it is imperative the Federal Election Commission begin this effort in earnest," they wrote. CNN, which first reported on the Democrats' letter, cited Facebook sources saying they expect Congress may try to require disclaimers on online political ads in the future, similar to political television ads. The Democratic lawmakers suggested that any FEC guidance address how foreign actors can use corporate or nonprofit designations to avoid disclosing political spending; what advertisement platforms can do to prevent foreign campaign activity; and possible changes to disclosure standards for political advertisements.
Bodega's CEO sees it as a way to beat Amazon by offering immediate access to popular products, and TechCrunch reports the company has already raised $2.5 million, while Fast Company notes "angel" investments from executives at Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Dropbox.
The company has already begun testing 30 Bodega boxes over the last ten months, and unveiled 50 more boxes last week, with hopes to have over 1,000 by the end of next year.
It didn't actually measure sitting... In their words, "Our study has several limitations. First, the Actical accelerometer cannot distinguish between postures (such as sitting vs. standing); thus, we relied on an intensity-only definition of sedentary behavior." The "intensity-only" definition of sedentary behavior is based on metabolic equivalents, basically units defined by how much oxygen a person uses up doing various activities. But those definitions are also not cut and dried. There are no clear lines between lying down, sitting, standing in place, or light movement... Then there's the participant data: It's not representative -- like, at all... At the time of wearing the accelerometer, the most active group's mean age was 65. The mean age of the least active group: 75.
Groups were assigned based on just a week's worth of data -- or less. And the people placed in the least-active group were already more likely to be smokers, to have diabetes and hypertension, and to have a history of coronary heart disease and stroke.
As CNN reported Thursday, Facebook is still not sure whether pro-Kremlin groups may have made other ad buys intended to influence American politics that it simply hasn't discovered yet. It is even possible that unidentified ad buys may still exist on the social media network today.
"Instead, companies like Mygica and our sponsor Minix have been delisted by Gavora on Amazon, so that only Gavora's hardware can be sold, unless those companies pay him a fee to stay on the store. Now, if you do a search for Kodi on Amazon.ca, there's a very real chance that every box you see is giving Gavora money to advertise that they can run what should be the entirely free and open Kodi. Gavora and his company are behaving in true trademark troll fashion."
Bloomberg reported on Friday that a class action seeking to represent 143 million consumers has been filed, and it alleges the company didn't spend enough on protecting data. The class-action -- filed by the firm Olsen Daines PC along with Geragos & Geragos, a celebrity law firm known for blockbuster class actions -- will seek as much as $70 billion in damages nationally.


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The November median price of an existing home in Los Angeles County rose slightly from a month earlier as sales declined across Southern California, the California Association of Realtors reported Thursday.
The median price of $575,310 was 3.2 percent higher than in October and 21.2 percent higher than November 2004's $474,720. Sales of median-priced homes in L.A. fell 1.6 percent from October and 4.8 percent from November 2004, the association said.
Statewide, the median price of an existing home edged up 1.8 percent from October and 16.2 percent from a year earlier. Sales plunged 6.8 percent from October and 11.2 percent from November 2004.
The results confirm other home sales reports, including a Business Journal analysis published two weeks ago. That is, a market that shows signs of peaking on price and declining in sales volume.
The pattern of higher prices and lower sales was seen elsewhere in Southern California. In Orange County, the median price of $695,500 was only 9.8 percent higher than a year ago; sales were down 13.5 percent over that same period. San Diego County's median price of $616,840 was 9.2 percent above November 2004, and its sales dipped 11.4 percent from the year-prior period.
Four of the top 10 cities with the highest median home prices in California during November were in L.A. County: Manhattan Beach, $1,803,000 (No, 1); Palos Verdes Estates, $1,350,000 (No. 4); Rancho Palos Verdes, $1,197,500 (No. 7); and Calabasas, $1,195,000 (No. 8).
Thirty-year fixed mortgage interest rates averaged 6.33 percent during November, compared with 5.73 percent in November 2004, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable mortgage interest rates averaged 5.14 percent last month, compared with 4.15 percent in a year prior. The average number of days it took to sell a single-family home was 39 days in November, compared with 36 days for the same period a year ago, the CAR reported.
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- L.A. Home Affordability Dips in November


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Monolith Soft, the developers of Xenoblade Chronicles, have confirmed that they are working on a Wii U title, although they didn’t provide any further details on the matter. Monolith Soft, founded in 1999, has been working on Nintendo consoles for the past few generations, releasing titles on the Nintendo DS, GameCube and Wii. Their latest title, Xenoblade Chronicles, was even published by Nintendo, so it’s not surprise that the developer will be working on the Wii U. Hopefully we’ll know soon what they have in mind for the new console.
- Wii U has sold 560,000 units so far this (fis
- Nintendo Switch trailer doesn’t represe
- Analyst: Nintendo Switch could cost $250 and
- Check out these awesome themed Nintendo Switc
TAGS: Monolithsoft, Nintendo, wii u, Xenoblade


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Is Mackey too wacky to be CEO of Whole Foods?—that's the question the media is trotting out in the wake of the Wall Street Journal's recent disclosure that John P. Mackey has couched behind an online alter ego for the past seven years.
Using the handle "Rahodeb," an anagram of his wife Deborah's name, the vegan, organic-food-loving co-founder of the largest natural-foods chain typed out a voluminous 1,100-plus entries on Yahoo Finance's bulletin board, playing cheerleader to his own company, while occasionally skewering its rival, Wild Oats Markets, which Whole Foods is currently in the process of acquiring.
I'm still around observing the chatter. My long-term investment position is intact as is Whole Foods fundamental story. Fluctuations from quarter to quarter are irrelevant to a long-term investor such as myself. Mr. Market's manic/depressive behavior on Whole Foods recently has been interesting to watch but doesn't really matter over the long-term. It was inevitable that Whole Foods same store sales would regress back to their long-term average of 8%. Since the company will be comparing against 10%+ same store sales for the next 3 quarters I don't expect either the comparisons to be very strong (Whole Foods management has guided this way as well) or the stock price to gain very much (unless the stock market itself carries it up with a Bull Market which it might).What is the most interesting thing to me is that Whole Foods is building up its real estate pipeline at a rapid clip. 12 new store leases announced in the last 2 quarters and over 1.2 million sq. ft. of real estate in development. Growth will be accelerating again beginning next year. If the stores in development are good ones (and new leases keep being added at the same rate) then Whole Foods is going to be increasing both its top and bottom lines at a 15% to 20% for the next 5 years. If so, then the stock price will likely double in 4 to 5 years. Good enough for me!
It remains to be seen if Mackey will be written up for any legal shenanigans, though you'd think that the CEO of a publicly traded company would know to be more discreet with what could be construed as insider information, even if he thought he was safe behind the cloak of relative—till now, that is—anonymity.
Of Wild Oats, Rahodeb responded to a posting on March 28, 2006 with the following:
OATS has lost their way and no longer has a sense of mission or even a well-thought-out theory of the business. They lack a viable business model that they can replicate. They are floundering around hoping to find a viable strategy that may stop their erosion. Problem is that they lack the time and the capital now."
Mackey's alias came to light in a footnote in a 40-page court document filed on June 6 by lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission, which is impeding his company's potentially $6.8 billion-per-year merger with Wild Oats on the ground that it would "create a monopoly in the operation of premium natural and organic supermarkets." ::The New York Times and :: Salon


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HOUSTON – Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has announced its own economic rebate stimulus package for customers. Through the end of June, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks will offer a “Right on the Money” rebate on any purchase, lease or long term rental for three forklift truck models.
The rebate includes:
- $1,000 towards all Class I, electric counterbalanced Mitsubishi forklift trucks
- $1,000 towards all Class V, internal combustion pneumatic tire Mitsubishi forklift trucks
- $1,500 towards all Class IV, internal combustion cushion tire Mitsubishi forklift trucks
“Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks remains committed to supplying reliable and affordable equipment to customers, which we know is particularly important during tough times,” said Jerry Sytsma, general sales manager, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “The ‘Right on the Money’ rebate reinforces that commitment by providing a means for companies to save money while enhancing business operations.”
Rebates are available at local Mitsubishi forklift truck dealers through June 30, 2009. For more information or to locate a dealer, visit https://www.logisnextamericas.com/en/mit.


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Increasing online sales, flexible paper packaging, good quality print images are driving the demand for the market.
Market Size – USD 46.37 Billion in 2019, Market Growth - CAGR of 3.3%, Market Trends – High demand from the e-commerce sector.
New York, May 14, 2020 - The global Coated Paper market is forecasted to grow at a rate of 3.3% during the period 2020-2027. The market under study had a value of USD 46.37 billion in 2019. The demand for the industry is primarily driven by the rise in online sales or trade, rising demand for advertising and packaging in different sectors, demand from advertisement media like newsprints, magazines, brochures, and catalog among others.
The rise in e-commerce and online shopping of various goods and items is creating a huge demand in the packaging industry. This, in turn, is driving the growth of the industry and increasing its demand. Apart from that, people are also eager to use eco-friendly products and are willing to abandon plastic packaging. The food and beverage industry is also moving away from plastic packaging and adopting eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives. These factors are giving a huge boost to the industry’s growth. Governments in European countries, the USA, India, China, among others, are taking initiatives to ban plastics as packaging material, and paper packaging is coming up as the next best alternative. Thus, in a nutshell, changing trends in the packaging industry are predicted to contribute largely to the market’s growth during the forecast period.
Deforestation across the world is making the supply of wood pulp scarce, and its price is also increasing. This is creating some problems as the cost of coated paper products is increasing, and thus, the industry is facing stiff competition from its alternatives. The industry is also capital and labor-intensive, and increasing labor rates around the world are having an effect on the products in the market. Thus these are some factors which are restricting the industry’s growth. In order to solve these problems, major players in the industry are trying to develop innovative packaging, labeling, and printing solutions in order to reduce cost as well as maintain sustainability.
The COVID-19 impact:
COVID-19 is having positive effects on the industry to a certain extent as this crisis is constantly booming the e-commerce sector. Lockdowns implemented in various parts of the globe have restricted people from going outside, and they are largely dependent on online delivery services even for items they use in their daily life. These products need to be packaged before delivery, and this paves the demand for the market’s products. Coated paper is widely used in packaging or labeling, and this is fuelling the industry’s demand even in this crisis situation. But industry experts are also worried about the fact that demands may soon surpass supply as the production process has been disrupted to a large extent in many parts of the world. The major players are looking forward to increasing their production capabilities and take advantage of the situation, thus driving the industry’s growth further.
To identify the key trends in the industry, click on the link below: https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/coated-paper-market
Further key findings from the report suggest
For the purpose of this report, Reports and Data have segmented into the Coated Paper market on the basis of product, coating material, application, and region:
Product Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2020-2027)
Coating Material Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2020-2027)
Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2020-2027)
Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Billion; 2020-2027)
This list of professional tips can empower you in small ways, leading to big outcomes.Speak to Analyst
This list of professional tips can empower you in small ways, leading to big outcomes.


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Today, Hulu Live TV will be gaining support for mobile push notifications when a sports game starts, TechCrunch reports. Previously, users would be able to add their favorite sports teams to “My Stuff” which would put games with their favorite teams front and center. However, this pushes it a step further and notifies users on their iOS or Android device when a game starts.
The service will also be adding a personalized March Madness experience starting Monday. The experience will offer a list of all teams and will allow users to view highlights or the full game. Adding teams to “My Stuff” will automatically record games from said teams.
In addition to all the sports stuff, Hulu Live TV is also gaining support for more channels at 60 frames per second (fps). The company announced on Reddit that it will be adding an additional 33 channels to its 60fps lineup, in addition to all of the other channels it had previously announced.
Hulu is the latest to offer a TV streaming service. The company is known for its on-demand content, that is available for as low as $7.99 a month, however this plan includes ads. Hulu’s Live TV service starts at $39.99 a month, and that comes with typical ad-supported live broadcast TV, and 50 hours of cloud DVR.
In other internet-based TV news, YouTube TV recently added MLB and NBA TV to its lineup.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Realme has a big event coming up. On June 15, the tech company will launch the GT 5G flagship globally, but that is not going to be the only product to break the cover. Realme is likely to announce its first laptop, the Realme Book, as well. And now, there are high chances that the company’s first tablet may also debut on June 15. Realme’s marketing chief Francis Wong took to Twitter to run a poll on what the company should call its first tablet. That itself is a confirmation that the Realme tablet is happening. Now, the options are Realme Pad and Realme Tab, but a leak hints at the former.
Wong’s poll on Twitter gathered a huge response, which sort of shows that people are interested in buying tablets, the demand for which has grown manifold since last year because people were forced to stay at home. Wong threw two options in the poll, the Realme Pad and the Realme Tab. The poll ended with Realme Tab getting the maximum votes. It is not quite mandatory for a tech company to follow the decision of naming a product based on such polls. And that is why it is not certain that the company’s first tablet will be called Realme Tab.
To back up this, the Android Authority got hold of some images taken during a rehearsal of the June 15 event. And one of the slides during the presentation shows the Realme Pad as the name for the upcoming tablet. Now, the Realme Pad sounds more in harmony with some of the popular tablets on the market. There is the Apple iPad and the Mi Pad from Xiaomi. The leaked images do not show what the tablet looks like, but we may find out some information in the next few days until the launch.
Because leaks are not quite abundant, it is not clear what Realme Pad will come with specifications-wise. There is definitely going to be an Android operating system, but whether this first tablet from Realme will be a premium one is something we will have to wait to find out. If Realme is targeting the bigwigs, you can definitely expect high-end specifications, such as an OLED display, four stereo speakers, a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset from the premium lot, and good cameras, among others.
Realme Pad, although good, may not even be the final name. It is very possible for companies to make changes to the names of their products. And now that the cat is out of the bag, thanks to the leaked image, Realme may actually heed the poll and name its tablet Realme Tab, instead.
Meanwhile, Realme is also planning to launch some AIoT products at the upcoming launch. One of them might be the Realme Vacuum Robot, which India Today Tech exclusively reported earlier this week. The Realme Vacuum Robot is coming to India ahead of Diwali, but its global launch may actually take place on June 15 alongside the Realme GT 5G.


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Consumers have opted for lower-priced alternatives to industry merchandise, hurting revenue
(PRWEB) June 04, 2014
The Funeral Homes industry provides memorial services and merchandise for the deceased and facilitates the arrangement of the burial or cremation of a body. According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Leah Goddard, “Demand for industry services does not typically fluctuate with the business cycle but is rather a product of demographic factors and consumer preferences.” Canada's growing and aging population has resulted in the number of deaths trending upward over the past five years, boosting demand for funeral services. However, traditional and full-service funerals are costly and can put tremendous financial pressure on families looking to honour their loved ones. Consequently, a variety of cost-saving trends have reduced revenue and profit for many funeral homes.
Stagnant disposable incomes since the recession have motivated consumers to opt for lower-priced, simpler ceremonies and cremations rather than traditional funerals and burials. Moreover, there is a growing amount of discount retailers that sell caskets, urns and related products. As consumers increasingly purchase merchandise elsewhere, funeral homes lose revenue from sales of these items. As a result, industry revenue is forecast to marginally increase at an annualized rate of 0.3% to $1.4 billion over the five years to 2014. “Despite overall growth, the number of deaths and disposable income levels are anticipated to stagnate in 2014, resulting in a 2.0% drop in revenue during the year,” says Goddard.
During the five years to 2019, favourable demographic factors will drive Funeral Homes industry growth. As more baby boomers, or individuals born between 1946 and 1964, become seniors, the number of adults aged 65 and older is anticipated to increase. In addition, total health expenditure is expected to accelerate, raising the level of investment in medical research and development (R&D) and healthcare. The average life expectancy will grow along with advancements in medical diagnosis and procedures, enabling older individuals to live longer. As elderly individuals comprise the primary market for industry services, growth in the oldest portion of the population will benefit funeral homes. However, consumer preferences for less expensive and more environmentally friendly memorial options are expected to limit revenue growth during the five-year period.
For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Funeral Homes in Canada industry report page.
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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
The Funeral Homes industry conducts funerals and prepare the deceased for burial or interment. Funeral homes organize wakes, transport the deceased and sell caskets and related merchandise. This industry includes funeral homes combined with crematories; however, establishments that primarily conduct cremation are excluded from this industry and are included in the Cemetery Services industry (IBISWorld report 81222CA).
Key External Drivers
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Products & Services
Globalization & Trade
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US and Canadian industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.


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Target is collaborating with British fashion icon, Victoria Beckham, to roll out an exclusive spring collection for women and children next year.
Target has launched a limited edition spring collection with Victoria Beckham. Available from 9 April 2017 at all stores under the chain and online, the collaboration reflects the essence of the star, and includes original apparel and accessories for women, girls, and babies.
The tie-up marks the designer’s first foray into the kids’ category. Select pieces from the aforementioned line will be available for sale internationally via the artiste’s retail website. Victoria Beckham for Target is inspired by the shared experiences between mother and child.
With over 200 items featuring soft pastels and spring prints, the range is feminine, functional, and reflects its creator’s passion for quality craftsmanship. Standout pieces include dresses, rompers, tops, and bottoms for women, alongside corresponding styles for the other categories.
“It’s been incredibly exciting to see how Victoria Beckham’s brand has evolved over the years, and we are thrilled that our guests will be a part of that journey with this latest must-have collaboration,” said Mark Tritton, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Target.


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The go-to platform for mixes, Mixcloud has announced that they have signed a licensing agreement with Warner Music, paving the way for the launch of a paid-subscription service on the website.
Talking about the deal with Resident Advisor, a spokesperson for Mixcloud further confirmed that negotiations are underway to sign similar deals with major music distributing heavyweights Sony and Universal music.
Talking of the deal, co-founder Nikhil Shah said, “this new direct deal will enable to us to offer enhanced functionality, and we will soon be launching a new subscription offering built around individual creator channels. This will be a first-of-its-kind offering in the market.”
Having already taken ground from SoundCloud as the preferred platform of many international DJ’s for uploading entire mixes, it will be interesting to see whether this deal will propel Mixcloud even further.


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A few days ago NVIDIA announced Grace, a server CPU with ISA ARM and that will use next generation ARM Neoverse cores. This CPU is not designed to compete in the PC market and much less in that of smartphones due to its large size and consumption.
Intel Responds to NVIDIA Grace Announcement
Although NVIDIA Grace will not be launched until 2023 we have to put Intel’s response in context, and that is while NVIDIA was announcing its future ARM CPU for servers, Intel shares had a drop in their price due to the announcement. Which has led Intel to give an answer to calm its investors.
That is why through Yahoo Finance, Pat Gelsinger, current CEO of Intel, has given a response to the announcement of the NVIDIA CPU:
NVIDIA today announced some new chips for the data center market, with a particular focus on accelerating artificial intelligence applications with standard chips known as central processing units or CPUs. The stock market has reacted quickly. What is our position with them?
We announced Ice Lake (a new server processors) in the past week with extremely positive feedback. And with Ice Lake, we have an extraordinary expansion of capabilities for AI. It is NVIDIA that is not responding to us and not us to them. Clearly, the idea of an improved CPU for AI is the domain where Intel is leading.
We also have our Habana product line, a chipmaker specializing in AI that Intel bought in 2019, which is an aggressive move, and the computing deal with Amazon is proof of that. So clearly, I would say that the idea for CPUs comes from Intel. We are now building the AI into them and we hope this is an area where we are on offense, not defensive in the future.
Intel has plans to integrate your AMX units into your CPUs, these units perform the same work as systolic arrays or Tensor units. Which are widely used to accelerate the different artificial intelligence algorithms.
What does Intel have to fear from NVIDIA?
NVIDIA today it is no longer a company that makes graphics processors, but have made the leap to AI where the graphics they are just a small part. The reason for this is obvious, they see it as a much bigger business opportunity. The key to this is the implementation of its Tensor Cores in its GPUs and the development of units such as the NVDLA accelerator, but a Tensor Core is nothing more than a systolic array that can not only be implemented in a GPU but also in a CPU.
Although Pat Gelsinger’s words contain much of the truth, the problem for Intel is the software ecosystem based on CUDA and other NVIDIA tools in the high-performance computing market. It is the dependence of much of the software on NVIDIA tools that Intel has led them to have to develop their response in the form of OneAPI development technologies.
So NVIDIA’s advantage over Intel is in the software, which is a much more difficult stumbling block to overcome than NVIDIA will have once it has completed the ARM purchase.


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25 August 1999
Costs put off Indonesia’s coffee investors
HIGHER costs are deterring Indonesian farmers from investing in the production of arabica coffee and output is expected to be flat this year.
The country is Asias largest coffee grower and the worlds biggest producer of robusta coffee.
But the government has been trying to increase output of arabica, which carries a premium price on world markets.
The Indonesian Coffee Association said this years arabica output would remain at 10% of Indonesias total coffee production.
Total coffee production is expected to reach 381,000 tonnes in 1999, against 425,000 tonnes last year.
- Weather plays havoc with Indonesias coffee crop, FWi, 20 August, 1999
- Financial Times 24/08/99 page 28 (News Digest)


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XRP is one of the most valuable digital currencies globally, and its whale trading volume has increased in the past few days. Whale Alert, a leading blockchain tracking company, recently highlighted two famous XRP transfers with more than 124 million coins.
Whales Transfer 124.3 Million XRP Today
On July 19, 2021, a leading XRP address transferred 84.3 million coins to an unknown wallet at 4:26 UTC. The total value of the above transactions is approximately $50 million. The transaction is recorded on Bithomp.com.
In a separate transfer, around 40 million XRP coins worth more than 23 million dollars were transferred from the crypto wallet to the digital exchange Binance. The transaction was highlighted on Saturday, July 17th at 12:08 pm UTC.
XRP is currently the sixth-largest cryptocurrency in the world. Digital assets are more valuable than Dogecoin (DOGE), Polkadot (DOT), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). Last week, the price of XRP was hit hard, losing nearly 10% of its value. Currently, the transaction price for digital assets is close to $0.58 and the market value exceeds $27 billion.
XRP Whales account and Inflow of Institutional Investors
Since the beginning of 2021, the whale activity of XRP has been increasing due to sharp price increases. In May 2021, a crypto address transferred 139 million coins to an unknown digital wallet. A similar transfer was recorded in June 2021 when a crypto wallet transferred 176 million coins.
In addition to large-volume transactions, the institutional inflow of XRP investment products has also increased significantly this year. According to the weekly Digital Asset Flow Report published by crypto asset management company CoinShares in June 2021, the popularity of XRP among institutional investors rose in the last week of May.
“Investment product flows indicate that altcoins remain popular, with inflows into all altcoin investment products. The data suggests proof-of-stake coins remain the most popular with inflows into Cardano (ADA), Polkadot and XRP of US$5.2 million, US$3.8 million and US$4.5 million, respectively,” crypto asset management company CoinShares mentioned in the report.


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Company Warns of Non-Cooperation, Lengthy Court Battles
PRIVACY LAW—EUNovember 20, 2012
Out-Law.com reports on comments by Facebook concerning the inclusion of fines of up to two percent of a company’s global turnover for violations of the proposed EU data protection reforms. In comments to the Irish data protection commissioner, the social networking company said businesses may withdraw from cooperation with regulators and engage in lengthy court battles, the report states. “The high level of potential sanctions for breaches of the regulation risks turning relations between companies and regulators into a combative one and may undermine the incentive of Internet companies to invest in the EU,” Facebook has stated.


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Vine Losing the Battle To Instagram Video
Posted: July 7, 2013 by Maja Johnson
Even though it has only been a short while since Facebook released Instagram Video, the application's popularity has been overtaking Vine, Twitter's video sharing platform. The marketing agency, Marketing Land used the analytic tool Topsy to make a comparison between Instagram Video and Vine shares on Twitter. The results show that Vine usage has declined drastically while Instagram Video uploads are rapidly growing.
The numbers presented by the marketing agency are very disappointing for Twitter and Vine. Before the launch of Instagram Video on June 15th, Vine recorded almost 3 million video shares on Twitter. On June 26, that number dropped to 900,000. The agency also reported that on the night Instagram Video was launched, Vine shares dropped 40 percent.
Even before Facebook launched Instagram Video, Vine knew they would face strong competition. Instagram Video started with an existing user base whereas Vine built their user base from the ground up. On the other hand, Vine just became available for Kindle Fire on Amazon, and they also added front camera support through Android devices. While the drop for Vine may not be great for the company, it's excellent for the consumer. The two giant social media powers can compete over the same niche and we'll reap the benefits of new addons, updates, and improvements.


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Ford Motor Company announced this week that it will close all operations in Japan and Indonesia this year, because it sees "no reasonable path to profitability." Last year GM pulled out of Indonesia. What does it say that they are doing this with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on the horizon?
Ford is giving up on trying to crack the Japanese and Indonesian automobile markets, saying that the upcoming TPP does not address such problems as currency manipulation and other non-tariff barriers. the BBC reported, in "Ford pulls out of Japan and Indonesia":
In 2015, Ford sales accounted for just 0.1% of the Japanese market and only 0.6% in Indonesia.
In a statement, Ford spokesman Neal McCarthy said: "Japan is the most closed, developed auto economy in the world, with all imported brands accounting for less than 6% of Japan's annual new car market."
The 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement in its current form would not improve Ford's ability to compete there, he added.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also blamed TPP. The Hill reports in, "Dems blame trade deal as Ford exits Japan":
“The TPP’s lack of any meaningful currency protections means that it will be more of the same.” We need our government to fight for companies in the global marketplace in the same manner as some other countries do. This business decision by Ford is further evidence of the impact of unfair currency manipulation.”
"The ink isn’t even dry and we are already seeing proof that this massive agreement will sell out American workers and roll back the remarkable recovery of our auto industry," Brown said.
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) joined Brown:
Dingell said that "this business decision by Ford is further evidence of the impact of unfair currency manipulation.”
"Until our trade agreements meaningfully address currency manipulation, the mother of all trade barriers, American companies will continue to be threatened and disadvantaged by foreign governments who attempt to tilt the global playing field in favor of their industries and against the United States," Dingell said.
In fact Steve Biegun, Ford's vice president of international government affairs, said TPP would "lock in" our auto trade deficit:
"By our assessment, this TPP would lock in place a $50 billion annual auto trade deficit with Japan," he said at a hearing held by House Ways and Means Committee Democrats on Jan. 7.
"We do not expect that any global automaker will meaningfully increase exports to Japan as a result of this TPP agreement," he said.
TPP Opens U.S. Market While Not Helping U.S. Carmakers In Other TPP Countries
With U.S. automakers giving up on selling into TPP countries because of barriers that TPP does not address, TPP still opens up the U.S. market to even more Japanese cars. On top of that, it opens up the "country of origin" requirements for calling these car "Japanese" even if they are more than 50 percent made in or up to 65 percent made with parts from China.
TPP also does not include currency provisions that would be subject to TPP's dispute settlement provisions. Instead there is a "side agreement" in which countries basically agree to have discussions. But in November, right after TPP was completed, Japan's finance minister said that the TPP will not change Japan’s currency practices.
What does this mean? It is likely that if TPP passes, the U.S. will be swamped by Japanese cars with parts and manufacturing in China. Both countries hold their currency rates artificially low, which means things made or done there cost less than things made or done here. So, they get the business and we don't.
TPP is sold to us as good for jobs, exports, manufacturing, etc. It supposedly "opens up new markets." But a closer look reveals that TPP is clearly a continuation of our country's deindustrialization policy, intentionally transferring jobs out of the U.S. The idea of "free trade" is to enable giant corporations to move jobs out of the country to places where wages and environmental protection costs are very low, so shareholders and executives can pocket the difference. This also forces workers here to compete for the remaining jobs, driving wages here down as well.
TPP is also sold as "confronting China" by "writing the rules," but its loosened "country-of-origin" rules do the opposite. After the U.S. enabled mass imports from China we lost more than 50,000 factories and 5 million manufacturing jobs. Now TPP opens up the auto and other industries to China. Again, this is about deindustrialization, driving wages down and breaking unions, all so a few already-wealthy can pocket the difference.
Call your representative in Congress and your senators and let them know that you are watching to see how they vote on the TPP.


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CBN Speaks on Why It Introduced eNaira, Steps up Effort to Boost Cash Supply
- The CBN has once again provided an explanation on the eNaira project amidst the ongoing cash scarcity and the push to boost supply
- The eNaira was launched in October 2021 and was seen as a game changer in Nigeria's shift to a cashless economy
- Given the recent massive failure of the naira redesign project, many Nigerians continue to question the essence of the eNaira
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has clarified that the eNaira was launched to decrease the use of physical cash in transactions and encourage the adoption of digital payment.
Samuel Giwa, the CBN's acting manager of the Akure Branch, gave this explanation when he visited the palace of the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Adedelusi.
Punch reports that Giwa's visit was to drum up support for using the eNaira as a platform for business transactions in Ondo.
Benefits of eNaira
Addressing the crowd, Giwa explained that the e-Naira would improve how Nigerians carry out transactions, increase financial inclusion, reduce corruption and money laundering, and enhance the efficiency of the financial system.
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He emphasised that the e-Naira was not only a currency but also a significant step towards creating a more robust and secure financial ecosystem designed to make transactions easier, more efficient and more secure.
“The e-Naira has indeed become a critical part of the Nigerian financial ecosystem, and an alternate channel.
“It will not only support the Ondo State economy, but Nigeria as a whole; a symbol of progress and innovation and will pave the way for a more secure and efficient financial system.”
The CBN branch head also stressed that the eNaira would provide succor to the ongoing cash scarcity, as he urged the people of the state to download the eNaira app.
"Speed Wallet for easy payment for goods and services, as well as have convenient access to banking services.”
Giwa also encouraged Nigerians to promote the use of the eNaira and encourage others to explore its possibilities as a new digital currency, Vanguard reports.
In his response, the Akure monarch praised the CBN for introducing alternative means of economic transactions.
"Zenith *966*60#": Banks release codes for cardless cash withdrawal at ATMs
Meanwhile, in another report, Legit.ng revealed that commercial banks in Nigeria had introduced cardless ATM cash withdrawals.
To collect cash from an ATM without using a card, customers must generate a code on their mobile phones or through their mobile banking app.
The latest innovation in banking technology preaches convenience and comes when Nigerians are battling with cash scarcity.


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Mona Lisa Made from 3,604 Coffee Cups
Back in July, at the Aroma Festival at The Rocks in Sydney, Australia (an annual coffee festival), organizers used 3,604 cups of coffee — four shades using different amounts of coffee and milk — to make a replica of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Here's a stop-motion video showing the production:
Video: Stop-Motion Mona Lisa Made from Coffee Cups
For further reading, check out A Table for Two's great writeup and photos of the Aroma Festival at The Rocks.


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Mastercard & Bank of America Announce the National “Grow Your Biz Contest” Small Business Winner Arion Long, CEO and Founder of FemlyNovember 9, 2018
Femly takes the prize as the winner of $25,000 and industry-expert consultation
PURCHASE, NY – November 9, 2018 – Today Mastercard and Bank of America announced Arion Long, CEO and Founder of Femly, as the winner of the second annual Grow Your Biz Contest, which invited small business owners across the country to pitch how they plan to take their business to the next level for the chance to win $25,000. Finalists received individual coaching from industry experts on how to grow faster and smarter.
Small business owners were asked to submit a video online answering the question, “How do you plan to grow your small business?” Four finalists from across the U.S. were selected to take the stage and pitch their business in New York City at NeueHouse on November 8th. After a thoughtful deliberation, the panel of expert judges, including Create and Cultivate CEO Jaclyn Johnson, host of CNBC’s “Cleveland Hustles” Bonin Bough, Head of North America Small Business for Mastercard Ginger Siegel and Northeast Small Business Division executive for Bank of America Kevin Kelly, selected one grand prize winner, Femly.
The Femly Box was started after Founder, Arion Long discovered the dangers of chemicals found in conventional care. She went on to suffer from a cervical tumor, and wanted to support women’s wellness all over the country and the globe. The natural feminine care subscription company ships monthly menstrual cycle care packages including 100% natural cotton pads, tampons, snacks and body care products and more.
“These four finalists have displayed impressive ingenuity and passion for their businesses and are excellent ambassadors for this competition and all entrepreneurs,” said Kevin Kelly, Northeast Small Business Division executive at Bank of America. “We’re excited to congratulate our winner, Arion Long of Femly, and look forward to supporting her vision with an award that will give them the power to grow and pursue the next stage of their business adventure.”
The Grow Your Biz Contest launched as a Boston focused initiative in 2017 and this year was expanded nationally, uncovering diverse businesses across the U.S., including the four selected finalists. Whether it was Femly’s monthly natural feminine subscription box, Kin’s flavorful ramen, Draft Texas’ specialized draft beverage trailer or Cheeky Monkey’s joyful home accessories, each finalist showcased their unique business and passion to grow smart. To learn more, you can watch the “Grow Your Biz Contest” finalist videos here.
“While these businesses may be small, they are also mighty, and driven by an ambition to grow and expand their customer base,” said Ginger Siegel, Head of North America small business, Mastercard. “Most small businesses don’t have chief marketing, finance or risk officers to help get them there. Together with Bank of America, we are working to help fill this void by delivering the tools and solutions small business owners need, as well as partnering on programs like Grow Your Biz that provide the guidance and resources necessary to thrive.”
Mastercard and Bank of America want to ensure that small business owners across the U.S. have access to the insight, supports and solutions to help them achieve their growth ambitions. The Grow Your Biz Contest is just one program, equipping driven small business owners with the right resources and guidance to take their business to the next level.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,400 retail financial centers, approximately 16,100 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with more than 36 million active users, including nearly 26 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.


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An Apple Watch Series 7 user was unpleasantly surprised to see his connected watch battery overheat while wearing it before exploding, which could well have caused serious damage.
In a new report, our colleagues at 9to5Mac tell the incredible story of one of their readers who saw his watch battery explode. While it’s not uncommon to see Apple Watches save lives by detecting heart attacks or summoning help, ultimately Apple Watches can also be dangerous.
In fact, an Apple Watch Series 7 owner suddenly felt his watch overheating on his wrist. When he removed it, he noticed that the back was broken and WatchOS showed a warning announcing system shutdown due to too high a temperature. However, the ambient temperature was just over 21 degrees.
The clock battery goes up in smoke
After removing the device from his wrist, the user immediately alerted Apple support by phone. As expected, the matter was taken very seriously, the call was quickly transferred up several levels of Apple’s support hierarchy. An official of the American manufacturer has created a case for further investigation. Apple was reportedly unable to identify the problem with this call and simply advised the victim to do not touch the watch until contacted by service.
While the story could have ended there, the next morning, the owner of the Apple Watch Series 7 had the unpleasant surprise of discovering that histhe clock had become even hotter than the day before and that the screen was starting to crack from the heat. Instantly, the device finally started to go up in smoke, until its owner decides to throw it out the window. It was too late, his couch had already suffered several burn marks.
After this disturbing new episode, the owner of the watch finally went to the hospital for fear of lead poisoning. Fortunately, it appears that the watch does not contain enough to cause such poisoning. The victim does not report burns, as she would have managed to remove the watch just in time.
Also read: Apple Watch saved a man’s life after an electric bike accident
Apple wanted to keep the matter secret.
Returning from the hospital, the victim contacted Apple services again to report the new incident and send them several photos taken at different times of the scene as evidence. Apple assured him that his problem was a priority for the company., and promised to contact him again the following Monday. However, it took her much longer to hear news about his case.
As would be expected, Apple picked up the watch from home to take it to its own labs for more tests, probably to try to determine the exact cause of the problem.
The Cupertino company would even have tried to gloss over the matter. Apple reportedly asked the owner of the faulty Apple Watch Series 7 to sign a document agreeing not to share the story with anyone. The latter refused, and finally decided to publicize the case.
It’s clear that such a malfunction isn’t really what you’d call good publicity for Apple, which is more used to highlighting its life-saving connected watches. For the moment, everything suggests that this is an isolated case, because reports of such failures are rare. However, Apple may well have convinced other victims to keep the cases secret.
#Apple #Watch #battery #watch #explodes #sends #owner #hospital


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Singapore, Republic of Singapore – Vast online presence translates to higher return on investments and better business reputation. However, it can be hard to create web pages without getting buried over thousands of similar ones on the internet. Blend Local Search Marketing PTE LTD provides full internet marketing campaign with the goal of landing page design at the top of search engine results.
The American Dental Association has recently released a paper to members about the important issue of web accessibility because several dentists in Texas had received letters from attorneys alleging their websites violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (AwDA).
These company websites allegedly were not accessible to individuals with disabilities such as blindness or hearing impairment. Such letters typically request the payment of some amount of money in order to avoid a lawsuit, and may also insist on prompt compliance with the law.
Singapore SEO – Blend Local Search Marketing, a marketing agency focused on increasing orthodontists organic local business listings in search engines such as Google, has announced that they will be rolling out a new website for their company to showcase their services. The website will be mobile responsive with adaptive elements and will also go into greater detail on marketing for orthodontists.
“Orthodontists just do not have time to market themselves effectively” said Perry Stevens, the owner of the Singapore SEO company, “They need to spend time performing high quality services for their patients and making sure they are getting the highest quality treatment. That is their focus, as it should be. Most of these people have no desire to learn the often complex intricacies that goes into online marketing. That is something I totally get, and that is why my agency provides marketing services specifically for these individuals. We take it off their plate, and they can rest easy knowing they have an entire team of professionals on board to help grow their businesses using sound marketing practices.”


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Yuqing Zheng to Present Seminar on Impact of Grocery Tax on Food Consumption
Yuqing Zheng of the University of Kentucky will present his seminar titled, "Identifying grocery tax impact on food consumption using Nielsen data" on Friday, Oct. 26. The event will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. and will be held in AGRX 201 (Agriculture Annex Building). Pizza and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
Zheng's current research focuses on three components:
- Examining private and public food safety standards from firm's perspective (e.g., producers choosing certifiers in the the food safety certification [such as the British Retail Consortium standard, BRC standard] and organic certification markets)
- Government program/policy impact (e.g., grocery food sales tax impact on food insecurity, eating habit, and health)
- Demand studies using big data, focusing on tobacco (especially e-cigarettes) and beverage products.
He has published papers in American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Health Economics, PLOS ONE, Economic Inquiry, Southern Economic Journal, and Economics Letters, among others. His research has been funded by the USDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FDA CFSAN) and Center for Tobacco Products (FDA CTP). He directed the development of the FDA Food Regulation and Enforcement Policy Trade Impact Model and the FDA Tobacco Category Demand Model. His paper on sales tax received the 2013 Best Economics Paper Award from the food safety and nutrition section of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Zheng is an associate editor of Tobacco Regulatory Science, on the editorial board of Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and guest editor of Agribusiness: An International Journal.
Ryan P. Ruiz, communications manager
Agricultural Economics and Agri business
Arkansas Stories series continues April 26-27 with story-telling and 3D immersive VR experiences centered on a pivotal Native American site.
Physics professor Daniel Kennefick writes about the 1919 eclipse, which provided the data to confirm the revolutionary theory.
University and EnergySolutions officials met with members of the Strickler community to make the announcement.
A research team at the U of A help identify probable archeological sites of interest focused on the precolonial cities and kingdoms that arose in the African interior around the 1st millennium A.D.
Christopher Knighten, director of bands in the Department of Music, has been elected to the American Bandmasters Association.


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San Antonio — The Progressive Retailers Organization was at the Westin La Cantera Hill Coun
Indianapolis — Weaker sales and margins, and higher taxes and costs, led to sharply lower fourth-quarter and full-year profits for hhgregg.
For the fourth quarter, ended March 31, net income fell 81 percent to $9.9 million as net sales slipped 2.6 percent to $597.6 million and comp-store sales declined 9.8 percent.
Indianapolis — hhgregg has named former adman and Sears exec Jeffery Haines chief merchandising officer.
Haines is the second Sears veteran to hold the post, which was filled briefly last year by ex-Sears and Circuit City senior exec Doug Moore.
Prior to Haines’ and Moore’s appointments the top merchandising duties were helmed by Michael Larimer, who returns to his original CE focus as electronics merchandising senior VP.
Indianapolis — hhgregg said it will expand its furniture assortment, further develop the fitness category, and increase its majap market share in lieu of dwindling TV demand.
In a conference call to discuss the company’s soft third-quarter results and its game plan for the future, president/CEO Dennis May said that aside from cyclical blips following the introduction of new technology, the prospects for TV growth are slim.
Indianapolis – Weak TV sales and higher costs for store openings and home delivery took a bite out of hhgregg’s holiday quarter results.
Net earnings declined 22.6 percent to $17.4 million for the three months, ended Dec. 31, while net sales decreased 3.6 percent to $799.6 million and same-store sales fell 9.7 percent year over year.
The multi-regional CE, majap and furniture chain said same-store sales were primarily impacted by a 24.6 percent decline in video category comp sales, reflecting a double-digit decrease in unit volume.
Indianapolis — Weak TV demand led to soft holiday sales and a projected profit decline for hhgregg.
In a preliminary report, the chain estimated that net sales slipped 3.6 percent to $799.6 million for its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, while comp-store sales sank 9.7 percent.
Net income is expected to fall 22.7 percent to $17.4 million on sluggish TV sales and a one-time $500,000 impairment charge for one store.
Chicago – Premium gaming accessories supplier SteelSeries is expanding its North American retail footprint in time for the holiday shopping season.
Consumers can now find select SteelSeries gaming audio, mice, keyboards, controllers and mousepads at h.h. gregg, EB Games Canada, Staples Canada, London Drug, Target.com, Costco.com, Hastings, TigerDirect and The Source.
Indianapolis – hhgregg reported a 5 percent drop in net sales and lower net earnings for the second quarter, ended Sept. 30.
Net sales for the quarter decreased to $587.6 million from $618.6 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease for the three month period was the result of a comparable store sales decrease of 8.8 percent along with the lapping of strong grand opening sales performance from stores that opened in the prior fiscal year, partially offset by the net addition of 19 stores during the past 12 months.


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A revival in APAC business travel will vary across sectors and will accelerate revenue diversification and digitization in the industry, according to executives from business travel agencies.
The perspectives were shared in Amadeus’ new report “Reboot. Recharge. Rethink Business Travel”, that explores the factors and trends influencing the timeline for global business travel recovery. The report’s insights are based on interviews conducted with almost 100 executives from business travel agencies across the world, on their priorities, needs and businesses strategies in 2021 and beyond.
In Asia Pacific, the majority of executives were optimistic that business travel would resume first (38%) or at the same pace as leisure travel (47%) as more travel bubble arrangements are established between key markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Business travel is expected to vary across sectors, with 70% of APAC executives agreeing that marine and energy companies would resume travel first.
When asked about what the future of business travel would look like, there was consensus among APAC executives on the need for beyond-air content. To manage safety regulations and changing flight availability, 18% of executives said hotels content would increase in demand, alongside insurance (15%), new ancillary services (9%), and car rentals (9%).
But the “most voted” business travel evolution in APAC was the shift from unmanaged to managed travel. With travel restrictions and border closures changing frequently across markets, most executives believed that there would be strong business need for real-time information on quarantine requirements, schedule changes and route management tied to the establishment of travel bubbles.
When asked about what factors would help to drive business travel demand, many executives felt the factors were beyond TMCs control, such as international policies and travel regulations. More than one third (39%) said the removal of mandatory quarantine periods would be critical for a significant business travel rebound, coupled with the widespread availability of an effective vaccine.
Whereas travel budget was undoubtedly a key driver for business travel in the pre-COVID-19, APAC business travel executives believe price will be less important, with duty of care, risk management and traveler safety taking priority. Companies in APAC are expected to prefer “larger travel brands” that have robust and regulated safety standards – a trend observed across the whole travel industry. Interestingly, only 24% believe travel policies will be a key driver, compared to 48% on global average.
The report also revealed that business travel agencies’ most imminent challenge is survival. Given low business demand, many face significant cash flow concerns and a need to tightly manage costs. The main recovery strategy for executives in the APAC region was clear: 64% said cost optimization would be their top priority in the mid-term, with a focus on operational optimization using automation and digitization. This was closely followed by building critical workforce capabilities to manage new technology and deliver better journeys.
“In APAC, we are committed to working together with our customers, partners and the wider industry to rethink travel, ultimately ensuring it continues to be a key driver of global progress, positivity and prosperity. For our customers, technology is providing the opportunity to evolve at a pace that was never possible just a few decades ago. Flexible, scalable and cloud-enabled tools coupled with agile working practices allow companies to develop new innovations quickly to meet the new demands placed on them due to the pandemic. Data-led artificial intelligence and machine learning can speed up operational and commercial readiness at an unprecedented pace. Recovery will come. Rethinking travel is the first step,” said Renaud Nicolle, Vice President of Business Travel APAC, at Amadeus.


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by Marc Hurwitz
A local brewery is getting ready to expand to a new space, and it looks like it will include a taproom and an outdoor area.
According to an article in Boston Magazine, Mystic Brewery in Chelsea is opening a new, larger facility in Malden, with the 17,000-square-foot Charles Street space expected to include a brewhouse, beer hall, cheese counter, outdoor seating during the warmer months, and room for food trucks outside. It is not yet known exactly what will happen with the original space on Williams Street in Chelsea once the move takes place, though it is expected to remain in the hands of the brewery and could become home to a new project called Von Lüne Lagers.
If all goes as planned, Mystic Brewery's new facility could be up and running by later this year.
The current address for Mystic Brewery is 174 Williams Street in Chelsea, while the address of the new facility is 11 Charles Street in Malden. The website for the business can be found at https://www.mystic-brewery.com/
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Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area