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Restaurant businesses suffering
By Mike Jewell, Euroview contributing writer
Restaurants continue to suffer under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic. New data released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on 23 April show the deepening effects of the global crisis on Taiwan’s food and beverage sector.
The sector posted its biggest decline since records were first released 20 years ago. Revenue dropped 21% year-on-year in March, a fall of NT$15.3 billion (US$508.6 million), far greater than the NT$8.7 billion that had been predicted.
Restaurants, which make up the bulk of F&B sales, took an even bigger hit, plunging 22.3%. The decrease was mainly due to a sharp decline in tourism, as a result of the ongoing border closures, as well as to local consumers’ dwindling appetite for eating out for fear of infections, according to an MOEA spokesperson.
Meanwhile, revenue from the retail sector contracted 3.4% last month to NT$2.91 trillion, as sales of fuel products dropped 21.5% amid slumping oil prices.
The ministry’s figures reflect changing consumer purchasing behaviour, as referenced in our latest feature article, with the switch to online buying continuing to gather pace and registering a 19.1% year-on-year increase. And the stay-at-home mind-set is also benefitting supermarkets, with consumers buying more household and hygiene products, driving supermarket revenues up by 30%. The big losers were department stores, which suffered a decline of 21.6% in March sales compared to 2019, as potential purchasers preferred to reduce their discretionary spending in the face of uncertainty over the economy and possible future job losses.


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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is evaluating a 2011 decision made by Chrysler to limit an extended warranty coverage for rear glass separation on its 2005 Crossfire convertibles.
Over time, rear windows on 2005 Crossfire convertibles could detach from its adhesive bond attachment to the convertible top, according to an NHTSA bulletin.
In September 2011, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles issued an extended warranty to cover repairs or replacement windows. The repairs only covered vehicles shipped to Chrysler dealers in "warm-weather" states, like Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas, according to The Washington Post.
So far, NHTSA has received 158 separate complaints about the issue, but no accidents or injuries have been linked.
At least one complaint received by the agency was from an owner in a non-warm weather state, by FCA's standards, asking the NHTSA to open a formal probe to look into the issue.
"Owners of the vehicles in the covered states were provided an extended warranty of 10 years or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first," NHTSA said in its bulletin. "The petitioner's vehicle experienced a separation of the rear glass; however, it is not covered by the extended warranty."
If NHTSA complies, they would begin stage two of the recall process: the engineering analysis. This would require NHTSA to try recreating the issue in lab settings, according to The Post.
Ultimately, those tests would decide if a complete or partial recall of the Crossfire is necessary.
Approximately 15,000 vehicles are affected by the possible recall, according to The Washington Post. No probe or recall has been opened yet, so check back once we have more information.

domain: news


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AARP Virginia and other organizations across the state are asking communities to help supply area food banks during a statewide drive this week through Saturday, Sept. 15.
Food banks are experiencing daily increases in demand for assistance at this time of year, and “this food drive will help to fill our empty shelves with our most needed food items,” according to Joanne Batson, CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.
Persons interested in making donations should fill a bag with non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, crackers, hot and cold cereal, pasta, rice and canned fruit. No glass containers.
Bags can be dropped off at the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, 2401 Aluminum Ave., Hampton.


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Asus Transformer Prime is now the world’s first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet officially . yes that gets ICS update from Jan 12, Asus has announced that in NVIDIA press event at CES.
The tablet quipped with Gorilla Glass touch display with a 1280×800 super IPS, 1GB of RAM, a gyroscope, 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 front camera, a micro SD slot and mini-HDMI output.
ICS provides some vastly improved experience on internet surfing, and nice address book, redefined interface across tablets and smartphones. and as well as Transformer Prime works fine on ICS without any kinds of major issue. as tested videos, music and streaming HD trailer videos from YouTube and browsed well desktop websites. browsing feels much better.
Updates are available on over the air that you will get update notification, and also can check it up manually into Firmware Update section.
Google said in developer website, that now 0.6 percent of Android devices runs on Ice Cream Sandwich. and 55 percent of devices runs it’s 2.3 Gingerbread version, which is still the most popular version, ICS update will be over other all tablets soon.


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DTC’s Daily Digest brings you the latest news on the world’s fastest growing direct-to-consumer brands. In today’s edition: Nike takes on subscriptions; Atom bank awarded £10m to support SMEs; and Lootcrate announces bankruptcy.
Nike takes on subscriptions
Nike is stepping into the subscription field, with a new service for kids called Nike Adventure Club.
The launch comes just as the back-to-school season is in full force. There’s momentum in Nike’s kids business, which has grown revenue 11% over the past year on a currency-neutral basis. Aside from Nike, more brands, like Urban Outfitters and American Eagle, are testing subscription models, seeing this as a new source of recurring revenue and a way to amass more loyal customers.
It’s a smart move from Nike, with children under age three needing new shoes three to four times a year, with children ages four to eight needing two to three new pairs a year, and children eight to twelve needing about two pairs a year.
Nike’s first venture into subscription services also offers a glimpse to the future. The company hinted there could be more types of boxes to come, for example one for runners, with people training for marathons sometimes going through a pair of sneakers every three months.
Atom bank awarded £10m to support SMEs
Atom bank, the U.K.’s first bank built exclusively for mobile, has been awarded a £10 million grant to boost lending to SMEs.
Atom will use the grant to help transform banking for small businesses and deliver an additional £3 billion of business financing by March 2024. Atom will also create 70 jobs in the North East of England.
The grant is one of four from Pool C of the £425m Capability and Innovation Fund (CIF), that forms part of a £775 million package administered by Banking Competition Remedies Ltd. Atom, which has already lent in excess of £200m to UK SMEs, will use the funding to address overlooked customer needs, deliver change and innovation and drive economic growth by supporting small businesses.
Atom will launch a suite of Smart Lending products designed specifically with and for SMEs, underpinned by Atom’s unique smart contract technology and machine learning capabilities. The company will also provide the service as a free-to-download and use application, available to all SMEs. Atom will make available an additional £3bn of funding and aims to attract in excess of 340,000 small businesses to its innovative solution by March 2024.
Lootcrate announces bankruptcy
Los Angeles-based subscription box service Loot Crate, which ships curated fan boxes filled with “geek and gamer products” to subscribers each month, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and has laid off 50 employees, on top of the 150 workers released as a result of the closure of its Vernon warehouse in July.
Despite the announcement, Loot Crate plans to fulfil its remaining orders, estimated to be worth USD$20m (£16.6m), to its 250,000 subscribers, as well as commencing a sale process for its assets. Money Chest, an investor in Loot Crate, has supplied a bankruptcy loan of USD$10m (£8.3m) to support the firm’s operation during the bankruptcy period.
In a press release announcing the filing, Loot Crate co-founder Christopher Davis stated, “Daily operations will continue as usual, unique and exciting fan items will be purchased, crates will be shipped, and all aspects of the business will go on as before the Chapter 11 filing. Our employees will continue to be paid as usual during this transaction.”
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Indonesia’s 1st e-bike sharing service Migo stuck in traffic law debate
JAKARTA, NNA – Indonesia’s first electric scooter ride-sharing app service, Migo, is locked in a legal logjam with the government as traffic regulators are trying to figure out what laws to apply to the popular, new mode of transportation.
The local police department is threatening to bar Migo’s e-bike vehicles from busy public roads out of safety concerns as they are often spotted on highways along with licensed vehicles.
Indonesia has no clear regulations on electric bikes that can go fast, and are classified as neither bicycles nor motorcycles.
PT. Migo, owned by Chinese entrepreneurs, launched the app-based e-bike sharing service in the country in December. Migo quickly became a hit among students, commuters and shoppers in the capital where e-bike riders can cut through the heavy traffic.
Thanks to its reasonable pricing and convenience, Migo’s service draws 1,500 to 2,000 users daily, Sukamdani, operational manager of the company, told NNA.
Migo has 22,000 registered users in Jakarta.
Migo charges 3,000 rupiah (21 cents) per half hour for its e-bike sharing, which is much lower than the 8,000 rupiah per ride charged by the ride-hailing services Go-Jek and Grab.
But the absence of traffic laws governing e-bikes in the country is hampering Migo from expanding outside the capital as it does not wish to get stuck in a similar safety debate elsewhere.
Migo’s e-bikes carry no license plate but they have been allowed on public roads as their classification falls into a gray zone.
Pitra Setiawan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Transportation, said that the central government has no regulations on e-bikes but that it must find a way to categorize them.
Last month Migo discussed the issue with the ministry and the local police department but there was no agreement, according to Migo.
Initially, Migo argued that its fleet should be considered bicycles but it is now waiting for the regulators to come up with a new set of rules for e-bikes.
The government has told Migo it may draft bike regulations by the middle of 2019, Sukamdani said.
The company is now focused on keeping the existing 200 e-bike stations within the capital, suspending its plan to expand to 500 nationwide this year, he said.
Migo requires app users to be 17 years or older, wear a helmet and ride in a slow or bicycle lane.
The company does not allow users to share the rented bikes, but in reality, underage teenagers are often seen riding Migo e-bikes rented by a parent or sibling. The electric-motored scooters can accelerate up to 60 kilometers per hour.
Migo first entered the Indonesian market by offering a bicycle sharing app service in Surabaya, East Java Province, in 2017. It didn’t encounter any traffic regulation issues then.


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NEW YORK The Tennis Channel is planning a great U.S. Open run-not at this year’s tournament, which starts today, but next year’s, for which the network boasts broadcast rights and a few new advertisers.
The channel will share the 2009 broadcast with ESPN and CBS, taking over from USA Networks. Armed with new research about its upper-income viewers (their median household income starts at $82,754), it has signed up advertisers like US Bank, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and luxury goods seller Longines, said svp of ad sales Gary Herman.
Research showed close to 15 million viewers followed last year’s U.S. Open from the first week on USA to the finals on CBS. “While it is less than one-quarter of the 70 million total audience [including CBS-only] … they were more than twice as likely to reside in homes with household incomes over $125,000 than lighter or more casual viewers,” said vp of research Phil Duddy.
“It has smaller viewership,” said Longines U.S. brand manager Jennifer Judkins. “But because it’s so targeted, it’s a much better value for us.”
The Tennis Channel now has broadcast rights for all four slams — the U.S., Australian and French Opens, plus Wimbledon.


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Though we’ve known for several years that Mercedes-Benz was planning to launch a new compact crossover based on its latest ‘MFA’ small car platform, which currently underpins the latest versions of the A Class and B Class models overseas and is set to debut in the U.S. next year in the new CLA four-door coupe, this week Mercedes-Benz finally made it official.
At this week's start of production of the latest A Class at Mercedes’ plant in Rastatt, Germany, the automaker revealed in a statement that its new generation of compact cars will span five different models, including the A Class, B Class, a new coupe and a crossover.
While it’s not clear what the fifth model will be, the automaker may simply be referring to a new electrified version of the B Class though there have also been reports that a compact roadster dubbed the SLA was in the works.
Furthermore, Mercedes' comments that the new vehicles will be "sporty and emotive" bodes well for the possibility of a compact roadster, though this could be typical press release hyperbole.
As for the crossover, expect it to be called the GLA Class in line with Mercedes' new naming practice. To compete against the Range Rover Evoque, expect this GLA to be a bit more sporting in appearance than the average crossover, although engines are likely to be pulled from current A and B class offerings. In other words, expect the GLA to look fast, not go fast (unless, of course, an AMG version is eventually offered). The rendering above gives us an indication of what to expect in terms of its styling.
The GLA will almost certainly be offered to customers in the U.S., most likely sometime in 2014. The base engine should be a four-cylinder with 211 horsepower on tap, and should come matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It's unclear if both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations will be offered, or just the latter.


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Mattress Online, award-winning online mattress retailer, has been named as one of the UK’s official Top 100 SME Businesses by Elite Business Magazine.
The prestigious Elite Business 100 Top SME Business Awards, in association with Elite Business Magazine, champions new business and is interested in startups and SMEs that are spearheading Britain forward – focusing on the real movers and shakers in enterprise.
Believing it is important to highlight Britain’s best SME businesses, the Elite Business 100 list is published as an annual definitive league table to celebrate business excellence in the UK.
Mattress Online has ranked at seventh place this year and received the Elite Business Top 100 Innovation of the Year Award.
Launched to provide an alternative solution to mattress shopping, Mattress Online has grown from humble beginnings storing mattresses in a garage 19 years ago and in the past financial year, turnover has reached almost £30m.
Mattress Online is now the largest independent mattress retailer in the UK, employing 73 people and has built an excellent reputation for customer service, quality, and innovation. Building on this, the company recently opened physical stores in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Skipton as part of their ‘clicks and mortar’ expansion plan.
Mattress Online has seen a great level of success over the past 12 months and its incredible achievement has been recognised on a national level. This not only includes its ranking on the #EB100 list but also the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 Awards (ranking tenth) and the FEBE Growth 100 (ranking 68th).
Customers have rated Mattress Online as ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, with 95% of customers saying they would buy from the company again.
Steve Adams, CEO at Mattress Online, said:
“I’m elated by the EB100 results. We didn’t expect to rank as highly or to be taking home an additional award but to be recognised nationally on this scale is incredible.
“We’re a retail business in a traditional market but we lead from the front with innovation and our own tech and that’s fairly rare for a retailer, especially an e-commerce retailer. We’ve built from the ground up, developed our own website, our e-commerce platform, we have our own back-end systems – all developed with the customer at the forefront.
“We want to make our transactions as smooth and easy as possible and I’m so proud that we have won this, it’s a testament to the whole team’s hard work.”


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A month after their launch, spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have amassed over 192,000 bitcoins in holdings. This significant accumulation of the popular cryptocurrency in such a short time frame is indicative of the growing interest and demand for bitcoin investment products. The rapid growth of these spot bitcoin ETFs highlights the increasing mainstream acceptance and adoption of bitcoin as a legitimate investment asset.
The substantial increase in holdings of spot bitcoin ETFs serves as further validation of bitcoin’s status as a valuable and sought-after investment. The accumulation of over 192,000 bitcoins in just under a month demonstrates the strong investor demand for exposure to bitcoin through regulated investment products. This news also signifies the growing willingness of traditional financial institutions and investors to partake in the burgeoning cryptocurrency market. The spotlight on these ETFs showcases the continued evolution and expansion of the role of bitcoin within the broader financial landscape.
Overall, the article’s focus on the significant accumulation of bitcoins in spot bitcoin ETFs underscores the increasing adoption and legitimacy of bitcoin as a mainstream investment asset. The rapid growth of these ETFs’ holdings is a clear indicator of the rising demand for regulated bitcoin investment products, showcasing the expanding opportunities for traditional investors to access the cryptocurrency market. This news also underscores the continued integration of bitcoin into the broader financial ecosystem, further solidifying its presence as a well-established and reputable investment option.


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This presidential election season---okay circus---has been a ratings boon for network and cable news. Recently, CBS CEO Les Moonves even praised Donald Trump's candidacy, saying, "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS."
But television networks aren't the only ones benefiting from all this eye guzzling of political news. According to a new YouTube report released today, since April 2015, when most candidates began announcing their campaigns, a whopping 110 million hours of candidate- and issue-related content has been watched on YouTube.
Not only is that a 485 percent leap from last April, but it's roughly 100 times the amount of content that's ever aired on CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, and Fox News combined. Although, in fairness, the number of hours watched, multiplied by all the people who watch those networks, is much higher.
Still, for campaigns, the online video property is an increasingly attractive alternative to television and an important platform for getting a candidate's message out, both through the candidate's own YouTube channel and (luckily for YouTube) paid advertisements. That's true across digital platforms. According to one recent study, in 2016, $1 billion will be spent on digital ads, a 5,0000 percent increase from 2008.
YouTube is already seeing the fruits of that growth. Since October 2015, political ad spending on YouTube has grown 294 percent. And before the early primaries and caucuses this year, the platform maxed out its ad inventory in Iowa and New Hampshire, for the first time, as well as South Carolina, and Nevada.
One key reason for this is the fact that advertising rates on television are exorbitant in an election year, and often, the payoff is unclear.
On YouTube, says Kevin Bingle, John Kasich's digital director, "You are able to see returns for pennies on the dollar, not to mention using that economic efficiency to target the right audience in target areas whether it is a state, county, city or even a precinct."
Plus, advertising on YouTube offers campaigns more analytics than they'd get with television. "There have been many times where running various video creative to the same audience has shown us stats contrary to our gut instinct on which is more successful in keeping viewers to complete the entire ad," Bingle says. "This is an incredibly valuable tool to make sure advertising money is not wasted."
Another obvious advantage to advertising on YouTube is the fact that, according to the report, nearly 50 percent of all of the political watch-time happens on mobile. That's a 548 percent increase from last April. For candidates like Bernie Sanders, whose base skews younger, the ability to reach voters on their phones is crucial. And YouTube's audience is certainly young: 69 percent of the people watching political content on YouTube are under the age of 35.
"Our key focus has been mobile," says Keegan Goudiss, Sanders' digital ads director. "So we've been really happy mobile usage has gone up so much. Video is where we can make an emotional impression. It's more difficult with a banner ad."


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ANNOUNCEMENT 12 Aug 2012
In August 2012, the government of China announced an altered export quota.
NUMBER OF INTERVENTIONS
PRC Ministry of Commerce, August 16th, 2012. (《商贸函（2012）第627号》商务部关于下达2012年第二批稀土出口配额的通知)
On 12 August 2012, the Ministry of Commerce released the second batch of export quota on rare earth. The export quota are distributed to 24 companies. The export quota on light rare earth is 8537 tons, and 1233 tons on middle and heavy rare earth.
Comparing to the first batch of the quota, there is a 24% decrease on the light rare earth quota, and a 30% decrease on heavy rare earth quota.


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RadioShack's Bankruptcy Could Give Your Customer Data to the Highest Bidder
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The remnants of RadioShack's retail empire went on the auction block on Monday, giving bidders the first chance to snap up the company's trademarks; patents; leases; and the names, email addresses and phone numbers of millions of RadioShack customers. For RadioShack itself, the stakes are enormous. Bloomberg News reported Tuesday morning that Standard General, a hedge fund that's one of RadioShack's creditors, has won the auction. Hanging in the balance on Thursday, when a federal bankruptcy court is expected to approve or reject the asset sale, is the continuation of the 94-year-old retailer's operations.


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Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines on Tuesday said it fully supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approval of the five-year National Cybersecurity Plan 2024-2029 to address the rising incidence of cyberattacks targeting the government and private sector.
“We strongly support the President’s approval of the National Cybersecurity Plan as it is critical to the development of a thriving digital economy that will be a key driver of sustained growth and inclusive prosperity,” said CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Christopher Belmonte in a news release.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy recently announced the approval of the comprehensive five-year plan to operationalize the strengthening of the country’s defense against cyber attacks.
Belmonte, a former legislator, pointed out that the recent cyberattack attempts on Philippine government websites that were successfully thwarted by the DICT and allegedly traced to Chinese hackers amplifies the urgency to equip all sectors with cybersecurity skills and technology—from the institution to individual level.
“The landscape of cybercrime and nation-state attacks is constantly evolving with creatively deceiving tactics, posing an ever-increasing threat. This calls for nothing less than a vigilant and strategic approach in fortifying our cybersecurity defenses,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte stressed that all government agencies must implement robust security measures to safeguard not only the organization but also its stakeholders that need to interact with their systems to avail themselves of public services.
He also urged the private enterprises to protect both their businesses and their customers from hackers using their brands for scams.
“For all consumers and net users, our obligation in addressing cybersecurity risks is to exercise secure online behaviors, consisting of the use of sturdy passwords, often updating software, being cautious of suspicious emails and links, and be very protective of personal information to help maintain the security of our devices, data, and e-banking accounts.”
Moreover, Belmonte urged private enterprises to protect both their businesses and their customers from hackers using their brands for scams.
Belmonte underscored the importance of having a robust and seamless anti-cybercrime strategy. “The report from Globe Telecom revealed that 1.1 billion scam and spam messages that were blocked in the first quarter of 2023 showed a staggering increase of about five times compared to the same period in 2022, which emphasizes the alarming intensification of cyberattacks we are facing,” Belmonte said.
“The government should deepen its collaboration with private tech firms to appropriately integrate these scam-blocking technologies and also incentivize investments in cybersecurity initiatives,” he added.


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Thursday, June 24, 2010
By Lauren Elkies
An absolute must for a bride on her wedding day is primer, said makeup artist Alison Valk Woolworth.
“Anyone who’s not using primer on their wedding day is going to lose their [make-up’s] longevity, said Woolworth, a makeup artist for Youngblood cosmetics line at Henri Bendel as well as a freelance bridal makeup artist. Really, she said, women should be wearing primer on a daily basis.
Wedding-Scoops.com interviewed Woolworth after culling wedding day beauty tips of 140 characters or less from tweeps in the beauty industry for a post Tuesday.
She advises brides to exfoliate their lips on the two days prior to the wedding. That entails mixing table sugar or artificial sweetner with Carmex lip balm and smearing the concoction onto the lips with a fingertip.
“You want kissably soft lips for your wedding,” Woolworth said, noting that without hydrating, talking a lot and exhaustion can dry out lips.
She steers brides away from any shimmery product because it “makes you look white on camera.”
And Woolworth advises against changing a skincare routine less than two weeks before the wedding and says not to tan less than a week before the big day.


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President Donald Trump said Monday he's in no rush to respond to a coordinated attack that hit Saudi Arabia's oil industry over the weekend.Marketsread more
The price of oil could go sharply higher, depending on the duration of the disruption at Saudi oil facilities and whether there is a military response.Powering the Futureread more
Energy stocks, one of the worst-performing sectors this year, spiked Monday after an attack on Saudi Arabia's heart of oil production Saturday sent oil prices soaring.Marketsread more
The Saudi-led military coalition battling Yemen's Houthi movement said on Monday that the attack on Saudi oil plants was carried out by Iranian weapons and did not originate...Oilread more
"The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that...Politicsread more
Crude oil's spike following attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy supply has experts weighing whether or not the gains will last.ETF Edgeread more
"In the old days, the averages would've plunged on this kind of oil shock. I know because I've lived through a bunch of them, starting in 1973," Jim Cramer says.Mad Money with Jim Cramerread more
Traders in the fed funds futures market on Monday were pricing in a 34% chance that the Fed will stay put on rates.The Fedread more
The meeting comes amid months of stalled trade talks between Washington and New Delhi, resulting in both sides taking retaliatory measures.Asia Politicsread more
Gas prices could rise by about 20 cents per gallon "starting tomorrow," oil analyst Andy Lipow says Monday.Oil and Gasread more
Some operators are cashing in on the CBD craze by substituting cheap and illegal synthetic marijuana for natural CBD in vapes and edibles such as gummy bears, an AP...Health and Scienceread more
HANGZHOU, China — Chinese tech giant Alibaba's global headquarters in Hangzhou is more than an office or corporate campus. It's an incubator for all things tech, testing everything from self-driving cars to automated hotels.
One hour away by train from Shanghai, Alibaba boasts six campuses around Hangzhou. It also has other offices across China, and globally, including Silicon Valley.
CNBC recently took a tour of the company's main Hangzhou headquarters — Xixi campus, which is home to about 22,000 of its 100,000 global employees. Its main campus is also where its corporate office, as well as its major e-commerce brands Tmall, Taobao, and AliExpress, are at.
Alibaba was started as an e-commerce platform 20 years ago by Jack Ma, who recently stepped down as the company's chairman. Today, it has more than 30 business units that span from fintech platforms like AliPay, to its film division, Alibaba Pictures.
Various technologies are being tested across Alibaba's campus. Here's five things we noticed:
The campus is also home to the Alibaba museum, which features a history of the company's growth. There is a massive wall showcasing drawings of different icons, meant to recognize game changers of the world, according to Alibaba.
The wall includes Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Apple founder Steve Jobs, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Berkshire Hathaway CEO and self-made billionaire, Warren Buffett, and as to be expected, Jack Ma.


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PR Newswire 18-Jul-2017 8:30 AM
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --MobileIron (NASDAQ:MOBL), the security backbone for the multi-cloud enterprise, announced today that it will release its second quarter fiscal year 2017 earnings on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
MobileIron will host a conference call and live webcast at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (4:30 p.m. EDT) to discuss the company's financial results and business highlights. Interested parties may access the call by dialing 1-855-327-6837 in the U.S. or 1-631-891-4304 from international locations. The live webcast will be available on the MobileIron Investor Relations website at http://investors.mobileiron.com/. A replay will be available through the same link.
View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mobileiron-sets-the-date-for-its-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2017-earnings-announcement-300489465.html
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Coyote Hole Ciderworks Plans Production Operation In Mineral, Virginia
The Commonwealth is partnering with Louisa County and Coyote Hole Ciderworks on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). Governor McAuliffe approved a $20,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project, which Louisa County is matching with local funds.
“We are extremely excited and grateful to be working with the County of Louisa and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Chris Denkers, President & CEO of Coyote Hole Ciderworks. “We strive, personally and with our business, to support local small businesses and we are excited to be working with several Virginia orchards to use 100 percent Virginia apples. This grant will help us get up and running, grow more quickly and bring new jobs into Louisa County while supporting local businesses throughout Virginia.” Coyote Hole Ciderworks will purchase more than 1 million pounds of Virginia-grown apples and fruit over the next three years.
“Coyote Hole Ciderworks’s expansion represents another positive step for Virginia as we reinforce our reputation as a key player in the nation’s hard cider sector,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Basil Gooden, speaking at the event on the Governor’s behalf. “Craft beverages are contributing positively to cities and rural communities across the Commonwealth, adding to the Governor’s call to build a new Virginia economy.”
“Louisa County is fortunate to have Coyote Hole Ciderworks as part of our business community, the first of its kind in the County,” added Chairman Lloyd Runnett of the Louisa County Industrial Development Authority. “We are thankful for Chris and Laura Denkers’ entrepreneurial spirit and their proactive approach in pursuing their passion to bring a unique business, such as Coyote Hole Ciderworks, to Louisa County. These projects play an important role in tourism and the County’s agritourism industry, which is an increasing economic development focus for the County. We are excited to be a part of this important project and wish Coyote Hole the most success now and in the future.”
“Coyote Hole Ciderworks’s investment in Louisa County bolsters Virginia’s reputation as a top East Coast craft beverage destination and highlights the growing and important link between agriculture and tourism across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “I commend Coyote Hole Ciderworks’ commitment to locally sourced apples and their expansion exemplifies the economic strength of Virginia-crafted products. We will continue to support and invest in the Commonwealth’s diverse agricultural resources and showcase our outstanding local businesses that drive the new Virginia economy.”
According to state officials during fiscal year 2016, nearly 417,000 cases of Virginia cider were sold, an increase of more than 52 percent over fiscal year 2015. Currently, Virginia is sixth in the nation for number of cideries. According to a 2012 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry, including the Virginia cider industry, employs more than 4,700 and contributes almost $750 million to the Virginia economy on an annual basis.
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Etrio ventures into new electric three-wheeler space with the launch of Touro Max and Mini
Launches product variants for cargo segment catering to intracity logistics
Touro Mini is 100% Indian making it eligible for central and state government subsidy
National, 20th October 2020: Etrio, India’s fastest growing electric vehicle start-up with an aim of electrifying intracity logistics has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its new electric three-wheeler range of products under the brand name “Touro”. Catering to the cargo segment, the two new variants will be focused on intra-city logistics especially in last-mile delivery applications. The passenger variants of the three-wheelers will be rolled out soon. The company raised funding of $3 million, last month to facilitate these launches.
The brand, Touro, is derived from the Portuguese word Toro which means ‘a bull’. The design philosophy, thus, emulates the attributes of a bull such as strong stability, unmatched power, immense load carrying capacity, relentless work ethic and intense focus. Touro comes with bull inspired signature front grille and Etrio’s manufactured brake drums. The company takes pride to announce that the entire Touro family is going to be completely localized making it eligible for central and state government subsidy.
Commenting on the announcement, Deepak MV, Co-founder & CEO, Etrio said, “With the launch of Touro, we now have added new electric vehicles to our portfolio of retrofitted products. We are on a mission to electrify Intra-City logistics and bring the widest range of electric vehicles tailor-made for this segment. With Touro, the customer has dual benefits of operational cost savings of almost 70% and unmatched comfort to the driver through a gearless, smokeless and noiseless ride. We have built a product that delivers top performance in terms of range and volumetric capacity coupled with robust safety and stability standards.
We provide best-in-class warranties on the batteries and power train to deliver a hassle-free ownership experience. From a technology point of view, we bring various best in the segment features including hydraulic brakes with regenerative braking, independent suspension, cloud-based vehicle tracking equipped with a driver mobile app among others. While the primary focus remains on vehicles with advanced Lithium-Ion battery technology, Etrio also has a certified product range with lead-acid to cater to a range of end-users.
Etrio anticipates popularity for its Touro, basis the strong electrification mandate by e-commerce companies and the competitive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Touro vis-à-vis its diesel counterparts. Electric three-wheelers are a new territory for drivers as well and buy-in of driver-partners is mandatory for Touro’s success. We also take pride in Etrio’s comprehensive driver training and certification program including necessary orientation and handholding to run this new beast on road.”, he further added.
The technological edge of this workhorse helps the logistics and e-commerce operators supervise vehicle usage and monitor the real-time status of each vehicle including the current charging level. Preventive maintenance of Touro helps fleet operators keep their fleet in good shape and freeing operators from the agony of fuel theft. At the same time, human issues such as misuse of vehicles or rash driving patterns can be easily identified, and suitable countermeasures can be put in place. The fleet operator is always in complete control of Etrio’s Touro.
Etrio is working closely with its B2B customers like LetsTransport, Amazon, Big Basket, Ikea etc. thereby customizing the product basis operational requirements. The product does not have a fixed price as prices of the Touro range vary basis battery chemistry, payload required, cubic capacity, and number of desired kilometers to be run daily, depending on customers’ suitability.
Touro Max and Mini are going to be available on both sales and leasing options. The company will offer Touro on lease to leading organizations for orders of over 50 units over a three-year contract. The company has a production capacity of 500 units per month and is looking to rapidly scale up the deployment of Touro across the country through a mix of outright sales and leasing models.
Currently, Touro is undergoing pilot runs at leading e-commerce logistics companies in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Bangalore. The company is set to expand its footprint across the country in the coming few months. The passenger variants of the new electric three-wheeler shall be launched in the next few months during which the company plans to set up its dealership network in select locations.
With a rapid decline in the battery prices coupled with impressive EV policies from states like Telangana and Delhi, the transition to green mobility is gearing up at a faster rate across the country. Keeping this in mind and in tandem with the recent study by CRISIL stating around 50% new three-wheelers will be electrified by 2024, Etrio is committed to further promote circular economy through its breakthrough products such as Touro.
About Etrio: Etrio was founded in 2017 with a vision to provide “EV for All” and transform the environment, lives and businesses. The company brings the widest range of electric vehicles including two, three and four-wheelers to drive affordable electric mobility. Today, its portfolio has EV products across a payload ranging from 75 kg to 750 kg including new electric three-wheeler, new electric two-wheeler and a retrofitted e-LCV. With a comprehensive approach from building reliable and intelligent products and reducing total cost of ownership to ensuring a delightful customer experience, Etrio has in a short span of time established credibility and gained trust of leading e-commerce and logistics players including Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, GATI, LetsTransport, Delhivery and many others.


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In Mexico, where nearly two dozen states have legalized medical marijuana, one group has also run a successful small business selling CBD tinctures, oils, and creams online, making more than $500,000 last year.
But in Mexico, where the war on drugs has ravaged the country and the church is strong, the image of a marijuana-smoking nun is more of an act of rebellion. The nuns have their own Instagram, where they can be seen tending to cannabis, holding workshops, and participating in cannabis-related events.
"Brussels tripartite registered geopolitical tasks in an economical costume." Gantaharyan


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It’s fair to say that 2020 has been an unusual year in almost every respect, and even Apple’s manufacturing power has not been immune to the coronavirus ripple effect on supply chains. But the iPhone 13 launch will reportedly take place in September when things get back to normal.
This year’s iPhone 12 was officially revealed in a virtual event on October 13. And while two of the phones, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, were released a week later, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max weren’t available for purchase until a month after the event.
Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple analyst with the knack for getting the main details right, doesn’t see the same challenges for Apple this year. MacRumors reports that the analyst has predicted that the production of the iPhone 13 with Apple A15 chips will return to the “usual deadline.” That means we should see mass production in the summer and an iPhone 13 release date in September.
In a sense, this is not surprising at all. It was not Apple’s intention to delay production of the iPhone 12, and the progress of the vaccine sounds promising enough that we can all be hopeful that news about the coronavirus will fall off a cliff next summer.
But we can’t know for sure, and perhaps the most important conclusion here is that Apple has learned to fix the problems of a remote workforce and socially distant factories. Given the year we’ve had, it’s quite remarkable that not only was the iPhone 12 only a month late, but the company also found time to produce the Apple Watch 6, Apple Watch SE, AirPods Max, HomePod mini, and Apple Silicon MacBooks before. To end the year.
In other words, even if acceptance of the vaccine is not as fluid as we hope, it would not be surprising if Apple had a few tricks up its sleeve to return production to normal in any eventuality.
Kuo also noted that despite the lag and global recession, demand for the iPhone 12 remains strong. This is particularly true to iPhone 12 Pro models, which have suffered from shortages due to problems in sourcing camera components. Although we have heard that the iPhone 12 mini is fighting to set the world on fire.


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Transfer of new cargo services brings Varma, ready-made garments from China Created at 02/04/2016 03:59:46 AM , updated at 02/04/2016 03:59:46 AM
"China Southern Airlines" began the path of a new cargo ship from China's Hangzhou City, to Los Angeles.
Run the new road B777-200 freighter, providing 90 tonnes of weekly capacity. Goes the journey from Guangzhou, China, to Hangzhou, and finally to Los Angeles. The total transport time from Hangzhou to Los Angeles about 12 Saah.eetm exporting garments and textiles and mechanical parts, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to the United States from Hangzhou and neighboring cities Xiaoshan and Shaoxing, Ningbo, Jiaxing, Huzhou and Taycho.atalaq new China Shipping Services in the South will provide a direct channel high-end shipments to destinations in the "West Coast of the United States."


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Internet search giant Google has launched India’s own version of ‘Cyber Monday‘, or ‘Black Friday’ where products will be sold online within a day to encourage e-commerce sales in the country, the day is scheduled on 12th December 2012 as Great online shopping festival. Apart from Google, Citibank has also planned to offer discounts within a time frame of 24 hours on 5th December – making it the country’s first-ever ‘Cyber Sunday’ event.
First coined in 2005 as a marketing term by online retailers for the Monday coming after ‘Black Friday’, which itself is the name for Friday after Thanksgiving in the US, the ‘Cyber Monday’ has become a phenomenon over the years.
Google India has partnered with around 50 sites and is offering deals for the people. Participating sites include companies like Flipkart, JewelsKart.com, Utsav Fashion, Snapdeal, Goibibo, BagsKart.com, BigRock, Gitanjali, Tradus.com, Naaptol, WatchKart.com, Rightshopping.in, Zansaar, Timtara, Zivame, Jabong, Firstcry, Fabfurnish, Inkfruit, Makemytrip, Hushbabies, Zovi, etc. Customers can buy deals which are categorized into apparel, accessories, travel, home & kitchen, electronics, etc. Google with its basic objective to promote eCommerce sites has also included a tips page to educate the users with basic online shopping queries.
Whereas different from the Google’s deal idea, Citibank is offering discount up-to 60% limited to its own credit and debit cardholders, these discounts will be applicable for various product categories on 17 well-known internet shopping platforms like indiatimes.Com, ebay.in, snapdeal.com, indiaplaza.com, zoomin.com, yebhi.com, zovi.com, excluzen.com, highstreet labels.com, goodlife.com, pepperfry.com and myntra.com, etc.
Citibank said it aims to promote e-commerce by bringing together leading ecommerce players on one platform on the day through this event, named ‘OMG! Sale’. Citibank is yet to decide whether it would follow the annual ‘Cyber Monday’ model when it comes to the frequency of the event, as the dynamics of the Indian market might require it to be conducted at least twice a year.
Although the December 5 event would be limited to its own credit and debit cardholders, Citibank India Chief Marketing Officer Sanjeev Kapur told PTI that other players might also replicate the model and Citi is also open to joining hands with other like-minded partners as well in this initiative.
“There would certainly be other players, either banks or other institutions who may want to replicate it. We will not be surprised if other players replicate the concept either wholly or in part.
“If we get like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs who are agnostic to the market and do not have any specific agenda other than growing the online b2c commerce market and would like to partner with us to strengthen this platform for our customers, we will certainly consider it with an open mind.
“Consequently, if a media partner or a large group approaches us to make this proposition even bigger, we would be very happy to evaluate it, as our intention is to grow this market and proliferate the online commerce value proposition within the industry and consumers alike,” he said.
What do you think? Is the Indian E-Commerce scene finally maturing? Will such campaigns be able to change the Indian mentality and get them to buy online?


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In a move representing the future of alcohol delivery and ecommerce, Uber has completed its purchase of Drizly.
This deal was originally announced back in February.
The price paid was about $1.1 billion, consisting of approximately 18.7 million newly issued shares of Uber common stock, plus cash.
Drizly is the leading digital alcohol delivery service in North America, designed to be fully compliant with local regulations in more than 1,600 cities across 33 states. Drizly works with thousands of local retailers to provide consumers with a selection of beer, wine and spirits.
Drizly is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber.
In the coming months, Drizly’s marketplace will feature within the Uber Eats app, while also maintaining a separate Drizly app and web experience.
“Uber Eats and Drizly are truly the perfect pairing,” says Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “As we invest in expanded offerings in our delivery business — from grocery and convenience stores to a wide variety of retailers — alcohol remains a key driver of demand from consumers in the US. On the Uber Eats app searches for alcohol items have spiked by 200% in the last year alone. By joining forces with Cory’s talented team, we can accelerate our shared trajectory by introducing Drizly to Uber consumers and expanding its geographic presence in the years ahead.”
The matchup also makes sense from a data perspective, as both companies are known for their industry-leading consumer analytics.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team at Drizly for all the work that’s gotten us here today. We’ve spent the last few years building the infrastructure to bring this category online,” says Cory Rellas, CEO of Drizly. “Today is the start of another chapter and we couldn’t be more excited about becoming a part of the Uber family. With their platform, technology, scale, and expertise, we will accelerate our mission of becoming the go to place for alcohol — anytime, anywhere, for any occasion. We look forward to the journey ahead in continuing to create the consumer experience we all deserve in beverage alcohol. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating.”
To “toast” to this milestone, Uber and Drizly have offered a $5-off purchases made on Drizly through this Sunday, Oct. 17, with the promo code PAIR at checkout.
This follows recent news of Drizly launching a concierge service for wedding bar planning.


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One of the most popular LED TV brands in Pakistan, TCL has announced the launch of its summer sale, promising up to 25% discount on its LED television sets and air-conditioners.
The sale runs from 18th April to 30th April 2020. Amidst the Coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan and people staying indoors due to the lockdown, TCL seeks to address the entertainment and comfort needs of the customers in a substantial fashion.
The company is cognizant of the complex situation caused by COVID-19. To that end, the discounts are only applicable to online orders that are done through TCL Pakistan’s website. The orders will be delivered to the consumer’s doorstep with the options to pay online or cash on delivery. The idea behind this offer is to encourage people to stay indoors, so as to mitigate the spread of the virus.
One-stop easy purchase solution would allow the consumers to browse through their official website and order the product they require with ease. The ordered item will reach their house regardless of where they wish to get it delivered. In addition to this, the brand is offering free delivery.
Marketing Manager of TCL, Mr. Majid Niazi, talking about the sale, said:
“Our perspective is to provide convenience to our consumers as the prevailing situation continues in the country. TCL, as a brand, is an advocate of protective measures against COVID-19. For that, we have started the Online Summer Sale and are offering free delivery so that our consumers can shop from the comfort of their home without having to step out”.
For people with smart entertainment needs, TCL LED TVs are available at reasonable and discounted rates. Also, TCL offers discounts on its brand new AC range, which include Miracle and Elite Series. TCL LED TVs are available in formats and sizes ranging from 32 inches to 75 inches and ACs are available in sizes ranging from 1.0 ton to 2.0 ton.
TCL is taking all appropriate measures to protect its staff as well as the customers by adopting the health care measures advised by the World Health Organization. Both the consumer and delivery staff are advised to wear masks and use sanitizers frequently to stay safe from the virus.


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You already know that buying your produce from your local farmers market is healthier and more eco-friendly. Here's another great reason to shop there: Your purchases really do support local family farms. According to a report from the Colorado-based Boulder County Farmers Markets, farmers make 94 cents for every dollar spent at the farmers market versus just under 8 cents for every dollar spent when they sell to grocery stores. Not only is buying direct fresher, it's also much more financially beneficial to farmers.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION


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Summer is coming. The long Memorial Day weekend is just two weeks away and, of course, average gasoline prices in California are back up above $4 a gallon. On Friday, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California was $4.062, up 7.6...
Tags: Memorial Day, Petroleum Industry, Auto Trends, BP Plc, AAA
Channel 2 NewsGas prices in Anchorage are climbing again. According to GasBuddy.com, a website that tracks gasoline prices, average retail gas prices in Anchorage have risen 10.0 cents per gallon in the past week. According to the website, gas prices arounds this...
Tags: Petroleum Industry
Summer gasoline prices will be lower in the U.S. than they were last year. But they won't be much lower, experts say, because U.S. refineries have been exporting record amounts of fuel overseas. That's behind what would normally just be a good news...
California gasoline prices have fallen by 77.4 cents a gallon from the record of $4.671 set in October. But the state's prices remain among the highest in the nation, and today is no exception. California is running fourth behind Hawaii, Alaska and...
Tags: Petroleum Industry, AAA
Ford Motor Co. will offer a $25,000 first prize for whoever makes the best phone app for fuel efficiency. The Ford Personalized Efficiency Challenge runs through July 24. Anyone entering has to work through the automaker's OpenXC research platform....
NEW YORK (AP) — A sharp decline in the price of oil this month is making gasoline cheaper at a time of year when it typically gets more expensive. It's a relief to motorists and business owners and a positive development for the economy. Over...
The chairmen of Congress' primary tax committees, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), have launched a bipartisan effort to reform our messy, inefficient federal tax law. They've agreed to look for ways to lower tax rates on both...
California's strict low-carbon fuel standard could help reduce gasoline prices in the state, the opposite of what many have predicted, by encouraging the use of a relatively cheap and relatively clean U.S. crude oil, some experts now say. The standard...
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A key lawmaker working to raise more money for Michigan roads said he hopes to recommend a package of bills for consideration by early May, a sign that legislators may be getting more serious about a boost in taxes and fees...
WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices slid in March after spiking in the prior month as gasoline prices fell back — the latest indication that inflation remains subdued despite the Federal Reserve's continued action to pump billions of dollars...
The Hartford CourantRetail gasoline prices are dropping in Connecticut, averaging $3.81 for a gallon of regular Friday, according to AAA. The price is 35 cents lower than the same week last year, and almost two dimes below this year's peak of $3.99 per gallon in late...
Experts are saying American drivers, including Californians, can expect some of the lowest summer gasoline prices they have seen in three years. Some are predicting a steady decline in California gasoline prices to as low as $3.84 a gallon by August....
May 17, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
May 14, 2013 |Story| KTUU
May 8, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
May 2, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Apr 25, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Apr 22, 2013 |Story| Petoskey News
Apr 21, 2013 |Column| Los Angeles Times
Apr 18, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Apr 16, 2013 |Story| Petoskey News
Apr 16, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Apr 12, 2013 |Story| Hartford Courant
Apr 11, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
Original site for Gasoline Industry topic gallery.


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The Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has made the announcement that Nigerian brands who shot their adverts abroad will now pay N100k each time it is aired on local TV stations in the country.
Lai Mohammed who made this known on NTA’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme on Monday, March 29, added that Nigerian brands who also shot their adverts abroad and placed it in international TV stations will also pay same amount which will go to the Content Development Fund.
The Minister further stated that the new rule is embedded in the amended broadcasting code.
“If you do an advert in South Africa, you put it on CNN and we look at that advert and we see that the advert was not made in Nigeria but actually made in South Africa, or you see that five times a day, it is on CNN, you pay half a million to us. The half a million will go to the Content Development Fund.
“What is common today is to see products made in Nigeria but the advert for those products are actually probably done in South Africa or in the US.
“So, we amended the code to say that if a product you want to advertise in Nigeria territory is made in Nigeria, grown in Nigeria or processed in Nigeria, then you must make sure that the advert is also produced in Nigeria.
“Gulder is made, processed in Nigeria. If you go to South Africa to produce an advert which you are going to air to Nigerians because Nigerians consume Gulder, what we have amended the code to say is that for every time that advert is aired in Nigeria either on radio or television, you pay a fine of N100,000.
“We are not stopping you from making your production in America or South Africa but if you are going to advertise in Nigerian territory, you will pay a fine of N100,000.
Lai Mohammed also explained that Nigerian brands that invest in a foreign league must also invest at least 30 percent of the investment capital in Nigerian football.
The Minister added that Multichoice would no longer have the monopoly of broadcasting the English Premier League (EPL), as the NBC has been directed to implement a new rule which mandates exclusive licensees and broadcasters to share exclusive rights with other broadcasters.


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Supplier Spotlight: The power of local—how Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co. landed in Whole Foods Market
This RangeMe Verified brand caught the attention of Whole Foods Market with their handmade, outside-the-box marshmallows.
This Scottsdale-based independent market is using RangeMe to better serve their customers and support charitable causes.
Supplier Spotlight: How Cedar Lake Teas uses RangeMe’s Profile Insights to test new product performance
This Wisconsin-based tea brand is leveraging Profile Insights to test out their creative, innovative tea blends with buyers.
When their sales person felt exasperated trying to get buyers' attention, this Texas-based coffee brand turned to RangeMe for help.
For 30 years, Mark Hungarland dreamed of starting his own business. When he turned 55, he thought about what he would regret not doing in his life, and decided to pursue his dream.
Day to Day Imports continues to bring the latest products to consumers while working to expand their business to business relationships with big-box retailers.
On October 19th, executive leadership from Whole Foods Market, tenured suppliers, and industry leaders provided updates regarding the transition to a category management model and discussed the future of the retailer’s local programs.


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DHL, which employs more than 42,000 people in the UK, has launched its own Military Employability Programme to recruit drivers from the ranks of those leaving the armed forces. In partnership with the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP), a joint initative between the MoD and recruiter Manpower, the logistics giant has designed the programme to give armed forces personnel with up to six months left of their military service work experience at one of its 400 UK operations, with the likelehood […]
DHL Supply Chain has been reappointed by BP to manage its UK logistics operations for an additional three years.
The Quiet Cities video is now live on the event’s website, showcasing highlights of November’s two-day global summit at Twickenham Stadium.
Eddie Stobart and the Unite union will start talks at Acas this Thursday (15 November) in a bid to end the row over drivers’ jobs at Tesco’s Doncaster DC. A spokesman for Eddie Stobart confirmed to Motortransport.co.uk that the operator’s MD David Pickering will personally attending the talks with Unite at Acas. The move comes after a 72-hour walkout by 180 Unite driver members facing redundancy at the DC. This included a demo outside a Tesco store in Westminster. Eddie Stobart […]


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Taxi and ride-sharing organisation Uber is to pay $20 million (£16,252,235) to settle a claim that it misled prospective drivers by exaggerating how much they could earn in certain cities.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which brought the charges against Uber, allege that in order to attract new drivers, Uber exaggerated the yearly and hourly income drivers could earn in certain cities, and misled potential drivers about the terms of its vehicle financing options.
The FTC contends that although Uber advertised an annual median income of more than $90,000 (£73,230.27) in New York and $74,000 (£60,211.55) in San Francisco on its website, less than 10% of drivers earned these amounts. The FTC claims that drivers’ actual annual median income in these cities was $61,000 (£49,633.85) and $53,000 (£43,124.49), respectively.
The FTC alleges that Uber also advertised hourly earnings in job listings, including on Craigslist, that are higher than the typical driver earned.
In addition, the FTC claims that drivers were misled about Uber’s Vehicle Solutions Programme, which advertised that drivers could own a car for $140 (£113.91) a week or lease a car for $119 (£96.83) a week. The FTC, however, found these figures to exceed $160 (£130.19) and $200 (£162.73) respectively, with drivers receiving a worse rate on average than they would typically obtain with their credit rating.
Uber has agreed to pay $20 million to settle the FTC claim. The money will be used to refund affected drivers across the country. The stipulated order also prohibits Uber from misrepresenting drivers’ earnings and auto finance and lease terms.
Jessica Rich, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC, said: “Many consumers sign up to drive for Uber, but they shouldn’t be taken for a ride about their earnings potential or the cost of financing a car through Uber. This settlement will put millions of dollars back in Uber drivers’ pockets.”
An spokesperson at Uber said: “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the FTC. We’ve made many improvements to the driver experience over the last year and will continue to focus on ensuring that Uber is the best option for anyone looking to earn money on their own schedule.”


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This appeared in the April 2015 edition of NW Boomer and Senior News. Dawn Baby is super cool and stylish and can cut anyone’s hair, whether they are an ’80s boy, a ’90s chick, or 80 or 90 years old.
By Vanessa Salvia
Walk into just about any hair salon these days and ask for a shampoo set or victory rolls and most stylists will have no idea what you want. Walk into Dawn Baby Salon in downtown Eugene, however, and stylist and proprietor Dawn Baby will not only get right to work, she’ll most likely be looking the part in a 1940s or ’50s dress with her own hair in a vintage style to boot.
Dawn Baby’s grandmother, Irene Thompson, was a beautician along with two aunts, Beverley and Sally. Dawn Baby’s daughter, Amelia Hart, is now the fourth generation in the family with a hair stylist license“I’ve been hair stylist since I was 17 years old and,” Dawn Baby says, “and as soon as I was old enough to get my license—you have to be 18 to take your state boards—I’ve been cutting hair and I’m 55 now. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Dawn Baby’s real first name is Dawn, but she wasn’t fond of what her name would be after getting married 17 years ago. “His last name was Lotz, and I didn’t want to be Dawn Lotz,” she says. “It was too much like ‘Don Knotts.’” Her husband pointed out that they could change their name to anything they wanted.
“People have been calling me ‘Dawn Baby’ since I was 15 or 16 years old. We thought about being Rockefellers or Kennedys but I was like, ‘So many people call us ‘Baby,’ why don’t you be Mr. Baby and I’ll be Mrs. Baby.’” She’s gone by Dawn Baby ever since. Their son, Sterling, received a “normal” middle name, which he chose to use as a last name when he started getting teased for being Sterling Baby.
In the 1970s, Baby got her license thanks to a work-training program that paid her minimum wage to attend beauty college. Baby’s daughter Amelia, 25, joined the salon five years ago after getting her license. Baby’s older daughter graduated from college with a lot of debt, and Baby encouraged Amelia to get her hair license, at least until she could figure out something to do that would not result in the debt load of her older sister.
Amelia grew up in Eugene, although she just relocated to Portland. She is a colorful figure, known to sport pink, orange or purple hair that may change by the week, and specializes in hair color and makeup.
Baby, on the other hand, braids and pins her curly red hair, sometimes letting the bangs curl around her forehead while the rest is in a loose bun or ponytail. She opened her salon 7 years ago after buying the shop from a barber named Johnny. “It was Johnny’s Barber Shop for 50 years,” Baby says. “It’s been a barber shop as long as the building’s been in existence, for 85 years.”
Baby doesn’t have many older clients, unfortunately, she says, but she does have one man who “came with the building.” “I couldn’t even charge him how much I charge because Johnny had only been charging $10! I only raised the price a little bit because I didn’t want to break the bank with him or lose him,” she says. “He’s in his 80’s. He trusts me to do his hair.”
Even though cutting hair is a service, working with her clients is a bonding experience, and she gets to know them. “It’s made for some really awesome friendships,” she says. “Every six weeks you spend an hour with someone, after a while you get to know them. Sometimes you don’t even see your friends that often or that long.”
She isn’t sure why her family has four generations of hair stylists, although she thinks Beverley and Sally became beauticians because their mother was one. It seems significant now that they all became hairdressers but at the time it didn’t seem like something to talk about. Grandma Irene helped run a hotel in Colorado with a salon, and also had a salon in Riddle, Oregon. “The building still exists in Riddle and it still is a hair salon,” says Baby.
Beverley had nine children, so Baby thinks she got into hair because she had so many kids that needed haircuts. “She would do all of our hair,” says Baby. “It was like sewing or cooking, you’re saving your family money.”
Baby’s father was in the military, so whenever he was gone they would go to where her mother’s parents were in Colorado. When he returned they would reconvene in California. She’s been in Eugene since 1971.
Baby says Grandma Irene had the title of beautician, but she really wasn’t that good at hair cuts. “It was all about the style then,” she says. “You would get your hair cut to have it styled and you would wear it that way for a week until you would come in and have it shampooed and set again.”
Baby provides hair styling services for men and women for special events such as fashion shows and weddings, where people want a fancier, vintage look. When she wasn’t working for a salon or driving to people’s home with her freelancer’s license, she worked with the Eugene Opera on hair and also worked with television commercial and video production companies. “When I started I wanted to be a makeup artist and it turned out I was really good at hair cutting,” she says. “Everybody needs a haircut, not everybody needs their makeup done.”
She wishes that more people would come in and ask for vintage styles, but there’s not a huge market for it. “I wish I could do more of it,” she says, about vintage styles. “I like that people used to put effort into the way they looked more than they do now. There were more rules. People wore hats and glove. You would get dressed up to do stuff because you didn’t get to do much. You didn’t go out in your gym clothes.”
Baby became attracted to vintage clothing and style when she was in beauty college and couldn’t afford new clothes. “I like the way old clothes look,” she says. “I like the way they fit and I think they’re beautiful and I like hair styling so it all kind of goes together.” She enjoys watching old movies at home and practicing the hairstyles on her mannequin.
For her, hair styling is creative, and she knows that people enjoy having their hair combed and styled. “And everyday is different,” she says. “I really get attached to my clients. I had someone in here last week that I had been doing their hair for 25 years. He had dark hair when I started and now his hair is snowy white.” She appreciates that this job lets her be a part of the transitions of people’s lives while helping them feel and look good. “I’ll do it until I can’t do it anymore,” she says.


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UK industry newcomer, BD Auto, looks to convert diesel fleets to electric vehicles by offering to rent them vans with a promise to match wholelife costs
Citroën and Peugeot between them take the lion’s share of the small van market, with the Berlingo and Partner, as discovered in our latest electric van review.
Royal Mail will purchase 100 electric Peugeot Partner vans, to be used by postmen and women on their delivery rounds.
The Government’s new air quality plan says it will ban the sale of all new "conventional” fossil fuel vans by 2040.
Logistics provider Kuehne and Nagel will trial the effectiveness of low-emissions heavy-goods HGVs with demanding-duty cycles.
A 12-tonne Iveco Eurocargo from Fraikin’s rental fleet has become what is believed to be the world’s first rigid truck to utilise motor racing-style Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) regenerative braking technology.
UK Power Networks and logistics company UPS are set to increase the number of electric vehicles operating from one of central London’s biggest depots by almost 50%.
New proposals for road charging based on elements such as distance travelled and vehicle emissions could be a positive step for freight operators.
Deutsche Post subsidiary StreetScooter and Ford are entering a partnership to design and build electric delivery vehicles.


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CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
NuScale Power | March 10, 2023
On March 9, 2023, NuScale Power Corporation, one of the top providers of the advanced nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) technology, announced that it has placed the first order with Doosan Enerbility for the first upper reactor pressure vessel (RPV) long lead material (LLM) production. Doosan is a world-class engineering and manufacturing company.
The materials ordered are crucial for producing the first NuScale Power Modules, anticipated to be operational at the Carbon Free Power Project of the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems as early as 2029. NuScale Power and Doosan Enerbility also agree to manufacture extra modules for upcoming NuScale VOYGR™ SMR power plant projects with comparable delivery schedules.
President and CEO of NuScale, John Hopkins, said, "Finalizing and submitting this order to our valued partner, Doosan, showcases NuScale's transition to the manufacturing phase of our modules and highlights our advanced position in the market to deploy our SMR technology to customers by the end of the decade." He added, "Our strong relationships with experienced partners like Doosan demonstrate NuScale's robust global supply chain and positions us to meet the growing interest for NuScale VOYGR power plants that we are seeing around the world."
(Source – Businesswire)
To prepare for the long lead order, NuScale Power and Doosan began working together in April 2022 to manufacture the forging dies required for the upper RPV. Following the successful completion of this step, the newly-placed LLM order consists of heavy forgings, steam generator tubes, and welding material for six upper RPVs, totaling more than 2,000 tons in weight.
NuScale Power is enhancing its readiness in supply chain management by collaborating with a diverse group of high-quality manufacturers and suppliers both domestically and globally, in addition to Doosan Enerbility.
About NuScale Power
NuScale Power is a US-based company specializing in designing and developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Its innovative SMR technology offers a safer, cleaner, and more flexible solution for generating electricity, particularly in remote or off-grid areas. In addition, NuScale Power's SMRs are designed to be scalable, which can be combined to create larger power plants as needed. The company's mission is to provide reliable, affordable, and carbon-free energy to people worldwide while reducing traditional power sources' environmental impact.
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
Danimer Scientific | March 09, 2023
Danimer Scientific, Inc. commends the City of Jacksonville for its newly launched pilot program offering organic recycling solutions to restaurants in the Riverside and Avondale areas. Sunshine Organics and Compost, also known as Compost Jax, is partnering with the city to execute the six-month program.
After receiving training on proper diversion procedures, restaurants will have their food waste collected and delivered to the Sunshine Organics and Compost facility by the city every week for six months as part of the program launched on March 1. The accumulated food residues will be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to replenish soils and support the growth of more food.
Most of Northeast Florida's food waste is in landfills, making up a considerable portion of solid waste. As organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces hazardous methane that can contribute to climate change. Industrial composting, on the other hand, provides an eco-friendly way to treat organic waste, such as food waste, yard waste, and other organic matter, potentially lengthening the lifespan of landfills by years.
Sunshine Organics and Compost is authorized to process food and yard waste and can accept certified industrially compostable products, including Danimer Scientific's Nodax® PHA. This makes it different from other composting operations in the Jacksonville region. The Nodax® PHA created by Danimer Scientific is appropriate for food packaging applications because it has FDA approval for food contact and can decompose without generating any pollution.
About Danimer Scientific
Danimer Scientific is a biopolymer manufacturer that creates sustainable and eco-friendly materials. The company uses natural resources like canola, corn, and other plant-based oils to develop compostable, biodegradable products that replace traditional plastic materials. Its products are designed to reduce waste and promote sustainability, and its technology has applications in various industries, including food packaging, textiles, and more. Danimer Scientific is headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, and is committed to reducing the negative impact of plastics on the environment and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future.
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT, MARKET OUTLOOK
Globenewswire | March 23, 2023
NOVA Chemicals Corporation announced sector-leading ESG ambitions to drive the circular economy for plastics, in line with its vision to become the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America.
By 2030, the company aims to
Set new industry standards for driving the transition to the plastics circular economy and solidifying the market for recycled polyethylene, with 30 per cent of its polyethylene sales[i] from recycled contet;
Be at the forefront of decarbonization by reducing its Scope 1 and 2 absoute CO2 emissions by 30 per cent[ii]; and
Become a Top 30 company in Canada.
Outlined in NOVA 2030: Our Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership, NOVA Chemicals has also shared its aspiration to reach net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050.
“NOVA’s Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership details a strong plan forward for the company to become the leader in sustainable polyethylene production while building on our commitments to developing innovative solutions for our customers, enabling the circular economy, and being a responsible steward of our environment,” stated Danny Dweik, CEO. “Plastic products play an essential role in our daily lives. With our renewed purpose of reshaping plastics for a better, more sustainable world, we have developed a clear pathway to become a catalyst for a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future.”
To achieve these aspirations, NOVA Chemicals anticipates investing between USD$2-4 billion by 2030 to expand its sustainable product offerings, decarbonize assets, and build a state-of-the-art mechanical recycling business while exploring new advanced recycling technologies to create high-quality, high-performance recyclable and low carbon plastics.
Building on its proprietary, Advanced SCLAIRTECHTM technology, NOVA Chemicals will explore expanding its product portfolio to include the development of innovative, advanced materials. These new product offerings, which will include the company’s first ASTUTE™ polyolefin plastomers line, will better serve existing customers and provide more options for sustainability-focused end markets such as electric vehicles and renewables.
NOVA Chemicals has already begun growing its portfolio of recycled and recyclable polyethylene resins through its recently announced launch of SYNDIGO™ recycled polyethylene, a new portfolio of products made from circular polymers to encourage both waste and emissions reductions.
The company’s 2030 aspirations are shorter-term objectives that will help NOVA Chemicals reach its ultimate goal of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 absolute CO2 emissions by 2050. NOVA Chemicals has developed a technical solutions-focused roadmap for decarbonizing its asset base by improving energy efficiencies, electrifying and acquiring renewable power, and exploring clean hydrogen as a low carbon fuel source and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. The company will also continue to pursue new technologies to abate and eliminate emissions from its production processes, such as the development of its proprietary Low Emissions Ethylene Process technology.
The company has also announced a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Shell Energy for renewable power, marking the first of many opportunities to increase low carbon, renewable energy in its power portfolio.
Today’s announcement builds upon NOVA Chemicals’ long-standing commitment to developing innovative solutions for its customers while enabling the circular economy and preparing for and responding to a changing world. NOVA’s approach to managing its material ESG topics including Responsible Care® and its commitment to the environment, health, and safety, can be found in its annual ESG report.
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals aspires to be the leading sustainable polyethylene producer in North America. Our driving purpose is to reshape plastics for a better, more sustainable world by delivering innovative solutions that help make everyday life healthier and safer and acting as a catalyst for a low carbon, zero-plastic-waste future. NOVA Chemicals’ innovative and quality product offerings, value chain collaboration, and unique customer experience is what sets us apart; our customers use our products to create easy-to-recycle and recycled content films, packaging, and products.


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NEW YORK, N.Y. and POWAY, Calif., Feb. 23, 2004 – Falconhead Capital, a private investment firm specializing in leisure-, lifestyle-, media- and sports-related businesses, today announced that it has acquired National Powersport Auctions (“NPA”), the nation’s largest auction company focused on the powersport industry. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Both companies are privately held.
Founded in 1990, based in Poway, California (near San Diego), and with total 2003 auction sales of more than $100 million, NPA auctions repossessed, recovered and salvaged motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and personal watercraft exclusively to powersport dealers. In addition to Poway, the company operates a second facility in Austell, Georgia (near Atlanta). NPA forms a unique link between its suppliers—finance and insurance companies seeking to maximize their recovery from repossessed or recovered powersport vehicles, and its customers—powersport dealers seeking an ongoing supply of such vehicles for resale to end customers.
David Moross, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Falconhead, said: “NPA is the unquestioned leader in the U.S. powersport auction business, with an 80%-plus market share in its rapidly growing segment of the $4 billion U.S. consignment industry, and strong, long-term relationships with both its suppliers and its customers. We look forward to working closely with Cliff Clifford and his colleagues on the NPA management team to build the value of this unique enterprise for customers, dealers, and our investors.”
Mr. Clifford, who co-founded NPA (originally known as Cycle Express, Inc.) with Andy Lomas and several members of the Lomas family, will head the company as President and CEO. Mr. Clifford said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with David Moross and his colleagues at Falconhead Capital. They clearly understand our business model and the importance, in that model, of maintaining outstanding supplier and customer relationships. Moreover, they share our vision of finding new ways to build the value of those relationships for everyone concerned, such as by expanding our auction services to the Midwest and adding auction locations elsewhere around the country.”
Madison Capital provided senior debt financing for the transaction and also has an equity participation.
Falconhead Capital LLC (www.falconheadcapital.com), whose principal fund is Sports Capital Partners, L.P., is a private investment firm established in 1998 to provide investors with significant long-term capital appreciation by investing globally in leisure-, lifestyle-, media- and sports-related businesses. The firm's investment partners include the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), the nation’s largest public pension fund, which has committed to invest a minimum of $122 million in Falconhead funds. Falconhead’s investment strategy is also backed by its strategic partner, IMG, the world's largest sports marketing and management firm. Falconhead is headquartered at 527 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022; telephone: 212-634-3304.
Roy Winnick or Mark Semer
Kekst and Company
212-521-4842 or 4802


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Jeannie Mai and her husband Jeezy are among the most lovely pairs in the world of celebrity couples. During their outing at the recent New York Fashion Week, the couple stole the spotlight.
The New York Fashion Week is the much-awaited time for celebrities to flaunt their creativity and fashion sense, but for some, it presents the best time to grab headlines with their other half by their side.
One of the pairs to have colored this year's event is "The Real" star Jeannie Mai and her cute husband, Jeezy. The couple was among the breathtaking celebrities to have brought their A-game for the event.
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy at New York Fashion Week on February 07, 2020 in New York City | Photo: Getty Images
The TV personality stepped out for NYFW festivities looking adorable in a Chiara Boni La Petite robe look. The lovely ensemble featured a zip-up jacket and wide-leg trousers in a green plaid print finished with contrasting black stripes.
Adding spice to her outfit, Mai accessorized the look with Dan Deutsch oversized sunglasses and a Giuseppe Zanotti black shoulder bag. For her jewelry, the 42-year-old opted for earrings and necklaces from David Yurman.
Jeannie Mai and rapper Jeezy at New York Fashion Week at Pier 59 Studios on February 07, 2020. | Photo: Getty Images
Her stylish husband played his part and appeared for the event looking chic and ready to roll. He rocked a double-breasted suit styled by Kris Shelby.
Jeezy is not one to appear without exotic accessories. He finished the look with a pair of Cartier shades, a gold-colored Rolex watch, and a white Nike Air Force 1 Low sneaker taking in his legs.
In the posts Mai shared on her Instagram, showing her and her man walking down the road in their outfits, she looked satisfied with their appearance for the night. She captioned the post, "vibe recognize vibe."
In another post, the actress and her husband seemed to be enjoying a moment from the special fashion night. She shared a series of photos of them, including a clip of Jeezy helping her get ready for the night. The duo looked like the perfect lovebirds.
Following their wedding, Mai confessed that there had been a shift in their bond.
This would not be the first time the couple makes a grand statement with their outfits for a fashion event. Last year, the duo stepped out together for the New York Fashion Week, and they were quickly tagged as couple of the night by their fans.
The recently wedded pair attended Christian Siriano's show last year, and Jeezy, in his usual style, rocked an embroidered two-piece set and black jacket while his pretty partner Mai warmed up in a dark dress with a leather and fur coat.
The couple has come a long way since their relationship was made official. Last year, Jeezy popped the question, but all wedding plans were suspended until April this year due to the pandemic.
The lovebirds had the moment of their lives after walking down the aisle in Atlanta. The couple exchanged their vows in front of their close relatives and friends, and it was everything they had hoped for.
Following their wedding, Mai confessed that there had been a shift in their bond as they had grown more intimate and committed towards their home.
The 42-year-old once compared life with her musician husband to that of her ex-husband Freddy Harteis. While with her ex, her standards were low, but she since started living her dream.
Mai's comments about her romance once got her into trouble with fans after she made a comment about wanting to submit to Jeezy once they got married. Some fans and women criticized her, but Mai explained that all she meant was letting Jeezy be the man of their home.


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The Japanese earthquake and tsunami
The Japanese earthquake and tsunami:
TOKYO, Japan, March 14, 2011 – Honda would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of The 2011 Off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake in northeastern Japan and our sincere hopes for the earliest possible relief and recovery of the affected areas.
Honda has announced serious damage was caused at two of their research and development centers as well as the Tochigi factory and Honda Engineering complex. Tragically, one person was killed and more than 30 people were injured. The company is still accessing the situation and will suspend operations until next week. Honda will suspend regular operations at all Honda facilities in the Tochigi area, where damage was more serious, (including Tochigi Factory, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Automobile R&D Center (Tochigi) , Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., etc.), and focus on the recovery of each operation. Honda associates will not come to work during this time.
Toyota is reporting that no one was injured at any of their plants or corporate offices but the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Miyagi, and Iwate factories are offline.
Nissan appears to be one of the hardest hit as the company is reporting significant damage at six different facilities.
Mazda says they were relatively unaffected as the company’s factories and headquarters didn’t suffer any damage.
Suzuki says there doesn’t appear to be any damage to their facilities and all personal have escaped unharmed.
Subaru hasn’t released many details about their situation, but the company has reportedly halted operations for the time being.
For those who have applied for next year’s recruiting process starting in April of this year (associates who would join the company in April 2012) from the affected areas (six prefectures in Tohoku areas and Ibaraki prefecture), Honda will ensure that the testing/interviewing of those applicants will be conducted in June or later. More details will be posted on the recruiting section of the Honda website in April.


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Want to get in on the booming $50 billion commerce media market? Start with this recap of a recent Ad Age panel.
Commerce media — where chain retailers, hospitality, banking, travel, and many other brands offer advertising on their own websites — is a booming ecosystem ripe with opportunities for personalized, data-driven marketing. In fact, it’s expected to hit $50 billion this year, with 25 percent annual growth over the next five years.
Ad Age recently hosted a panel discussing opportunities in commerce media, which has been called retail media in the past. Host Christopher Hosford talked with Diaz Nesamoney, founder and CEO of digital marketing platform Jivox; Heather Marie Udo, CEO of Shoppable, an e-commerce platform that enables embeddable commerce experiences; and Cory Grever, director of trading strategy at The Trade Desk.
According to Nesamoney, commerce media’s use of data has evolved. Its first wave focused on search data, while the second wave centered on audience and demographics, like on social media. Now that commerce media is in its third wave, the focus is on purchase data — because what you’ve bought shows the intent of what you’re likely to buy in the future. Originally, that information came from large retailers like Amazon and Walmart, but it’s increasingly coming from apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats too.
Commerce data is expanding to purchase data beyond retailers like Amazon and Walmart, to apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Relevance drives sales, and customers want personalized experiences through dynamic product ads, so identity will be critical going forward. However, activating on commerce media can be complex because of the disjointed user journey. Nesamoney points out that the consumer wants to be treated as a person, not as a series of episodes across different channels.
That’s where identity solutions like Unified ID 2.0 come in. Partnerships between companies like The Trade Desk and Jivox also help brands build more personalized and frictionless customer experiences, delivering the right messages to the right people, in the right place and at the right time.
For a while, consumer packaged good brands were limited by no first-party data through retailers. But as Udo points out, that’s changing, thanks to Shoppable ads and other technology. These friction-free shopping experiences give brands more control and ensure that they can measure sales. Transparency and control are key to that experience, she adds.
Industry-wide solutions like Unified ID 2.0 help deliver more relevant advertising for customers, ultimately driving better outcomes.
Grever also brought up the importance of transparency and customer consent, especially since consumers are getting increasingly savvy about how and where their data is being used. In the future, consumers will have more control and an even better understanding of how their data is employed for relevant advertising. He says if it’s very clear there’s a value exchange — such as consumers receiving free content or a discount via a loyalty program if they allow a brand access to their data — they are more likely to opt in.
What actions can be taken today?
Panelists recommended that brands audit their first-party data and evaluate their current tech stack. Is it well integrated to deliver an outstanding user experience? How many clicks are required to purchase? To produce better sales and engagement, start with the consumer in mind. An audience-first approach is key to succeeding in commerce media.
You can now watch the full event.
1 Jivox, “The Commerce Media Market in the U.S. Is Expected To Grow by 25% Annually Over the Next Five Years,” 2022.
Stay ahead with our product news, trends, best practices, and more.


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Players in the hospitality industry in Kumasi are registering good business as Ghana prepare to take on Nigeria in the World Cup play-offs today.
Prior to the game, most hotels and guesthouses in Greater Kumasi are fully booked in advance.
The city’s restaurants, pubs and other entertainment centers are also expected to see an increase in footfall.
Hotels closer to the Baba Yara stadium were booked weeks before the game.
Proximity to the stadium makes these facilities the preferred choice for many guests.
“The day the march was set to be played in Kumasi; people started to book in advance. Normally, our customers are the managers of GFA. They were the first to book Ceeta-Kel Hospital. This hotel is fully booked,” Ceeta-Kel Hotel General Manager Baffour Ampadu Kyere said.
International and football events often stimulate patronage of tourism products and services in Kumasi.
The players in the tourism sector want events such as the football tournament to be organized frequently.
David Onyinah is Regional Chairman of the Ghana Tourism Federation and former Chairman of the Hotel Association.
“As people come to Kumasi, they will visit restaurants and eateries. I realized that some traditional restaurants (cutlet bars) attract new foreign customers. Car rental companies and commercial transport operators are attracting customers. Businesses in Greater Kumasi will benefit the most,” he said.
Meanwhile, there has been an overflow of guests to other hotels outside of Greater Kumasi.
Hoteliers are excited about the increase in operations when big football events are held.
“Before the football match, the occupancy rate was a bit low. But with Friday’s game, a lot of people went to Kumasi. According to my checks, hotels in Greater Kumasi like Golden Bean, Golden Tulip, Miklin, Noda Hotel are all booked. The others outside of Grand Kumasi, which are hotels 1 and 2, are still getting calls. It means people are really looking for accommodation,” he said.
Another said: “I was happy when the match was set to be played in Kumasi. It helps us a lot whenever there is a game to play here. The restaurants here are all profiting from it.”


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Check out these great hidden executive job opportunities from Crunchbase:
- DNX Ventures closes $315M for B2B fund
VC investor DNX Ventures closed its third fund, DNX Ventures Fund III, focused on early-stage B2B startups. The Silicon Valley firm plans to invest in seed-plus and Series A rounds for U.S.- and Japan-based startups in sectors including cloud and enterprise software, cybersecurity, fintech and retail tech.
- Progress to acquire Chef for $220M
Enterprise software provider Progress announced plans to acquire DevOps company Chef for $220 million in cash. Founded in 2008, Seattle-based Chef previously raised at least $105 million in venture funding.
- Snowflake sets IPO price range for NYSE debut
Data cloud warehouse company Snowflake has set a price range of between $75 and $85 per share for its upcoming IPO. If it prices in the middle of that range, the San Mateo-based company would have a valuation of $22.3 billion.
- BYJU’S raises $500M from Silver Lake
Online learning unicorn BJYU’S has raised $500 million in a new round that reportedly sets a $10.8 billion valuation for the India-based company. Silver Lake led the financing, which comes as venture and growth investment in the edtech space is hitting historical highs amid skyrocketing demand for distance learning.
- Truepill lands $75M for at-home testing
San Mateo-based Truepill closed on $75 million in Series C funding to launch an at-home lab testing network by the end of the year. Founded in 2016, the company has previously been best known for its pharmacy fulfillment services.
- LightForce secures $14M for 3D braces
LightForce Orthodontics secured a $14 million Series B funding round of funding to continue developing its customizable 3D-printed braces. Tyche Partners led the financing for the Boston-based company, which uses cloud-based CAD software to predict where teeth will be going to create braces.
- Keep up with the Crunchbase News Briefing
To keep up on breaking news throughout the day, check out the Crunchbase News Briefing. This new and continuously updated daily feature on our main news site has summaries of notable funding announcements, IPOs, M&A, and other happenings in the startup world.
- The monthly rundown: Startups to watch
In this month’s edition of “The Monthly Rundown: Startups to Watch” series, Crunchbase Sales Manager Shamus Noonan highlights five of the hottest startups you should be thinking about for your next outreach. From quantum computing to phishing attack platforms, Shamus’s August list of top five startups features a variety of companies across industries and geographies.
If you’re looking for hidden job market opportunities like these and want a proven step-by-step method for locating them, get my Career Power Strategy Session, “Executive Strategies for Tapping into the Hidden Job Market.”