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France July final services PMI 56.8 vs 57.0 prelim
Latest data released by Markit - 4 August 2021
The preliminary report can be found here. A slightly weaker revision but it still reaffirms strong activity growth in the services sector for France in July. Markit notes that:
- Composite PMI 56.6 vs 56.8 prelim
"Although the headline PMI dipped slightly, the data is consistent with activity growing at a strong pace, much like we saw in the previous two months since pandemic-related restrictions have been peeled back. Pent-up demand is considerable, and firms are struggling to meet it, as evidenced by one of the strongest increases in backlogs of work for a decade. This is a good thing in the short-term as it means the economic recovery will have legs to continue through the third quarter and hopefully beyond.
"That said, current conditions have handed businesses an incredible amount of pricing power. While inflationary pressures are not quite as alarming as they are in the manufacturing sector, there's clear spillover effects from the severe supply chain disruptions, as firms cited this as a reason behind July's 34-month high in input costs. In response, firms upped their fees to the greatest extent in a decade. If the price rises we're seeing remain sticky, inflation will no longer be transitory."


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A beloved series' past mixes with a console of the preset to give a glimpse into the future of RPGs
Square Enix has revealed that a sequel to Dragon Quest Builders is coming to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Square Enix has confirmed that Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is headed west.
Square Enix wants to bring both new titles and ports to Nintendo's latest console.
Square Enix has released a new trailer for Dragon Quest Heroes II that reveals the PC release date.
Square Enix debuted some new gameplay footage of Dragon Quest XI during Jump Festa.
Square Enix has confirmed the North American and European release dates of Dragon Quest Heroes II.

domain: news


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India proposes allowing cross-border knowledge transfers with sure international locations in new privateness invoice
India has proposed a brand new complete knowledge privateness regulation that can mandate how corporations deal with knowledge of its residents, together with allowing cross-border switch of knowledge with sure nations, three months after it abruptly withdrew the earlier proposal amid scrutiny and issues from privateness advocates and tech giants.
The nation’s IT ministry revealed a draft of the proposed rules (PDF), known as the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, on Friday for public session. It didn’t say how lengthy it’ll settle for the views from the general public.
“The purpose of this Act is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” the draft says.
The draft permits cross-border interactions of information with “certain notified countries and territories,” in a transfer that’s seen as a win for tech corporations.
“The Central Government may, after an assessment of such factors as it may consider necessary, notify such countries or territories outside India to which a Data Fiduciary may transfer personal data, in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified,” the draft says, with out naming the international locations.
Asia Internet Coalition, a foyer group that represents Meta, Google, Amazon and lots of different tech companies, had requested (PDF) New Delhi to allow cross-border switch of information. “Cross-border transfer decisions should be free from executive or political interference, and should ideally be minimally regulated,” they wrote in a letter to the IT ministry earlier this yr.
“Placing restrictions on cross-border data flows is likely to result in higher business failure rates, introduce barriers for start-ups, and lead to more expensive product offerings from existing market players. Ultimately, the above mandates will affect digital inclusion and the ability of Indian consumers to access a truly global internet and quality of services,” the group stated.
The draft additionally proposes that corporations solely use the information they’ve collected on customers for the aim they obtained them initially. It additionally seeks accountability from the companies that they make sure that they’re processing the private knowledge for the customers for the exact function they collected it.
It additionally asks that corporations don’t retailer the information perpetually by default. “The storage should be limited to such duration as is necessary for the stated purpose for which personal data was collected,” a word from the ministry stated.
The draft proposes a penalty of as much as $30.6 million within the occasion a agency fails to supply “reasonable security safeguards to prevent personal data breach.” A $24.5 million fantastic if the agency fails to inform the native authority and customers for failure to reveal private knowledge breach.
The earlier proposed guidelines have been touted to assist shield the residents’ private knowledge by categorizing it into totally different segments primarily based on their nature, comparable to delicate or crucial. However, the brand new model is not going to segregate knowledge as such, in keeping with the draft.
Similar to Europe’s GDPR and the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) within the U.S., India’s proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022 will apply to companies working within the nation and to any entities processing the information of Indian residents.
The proposed guidelines, that are anticipated to be mentioned within the parliament after receiving public session, wouldn’t convey any modifications to pick controversial legal guidelines within the nation that have been drafted greater than a decade in the past. New Delhi is, although, engaged on updating its two-decade-old IT regulation that may debut because the Digital India Act. It will segregate intermediaries and are available because the endgame, India’s minister of state for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar advised Thealike in a current interview.
In August, the Indian authorities withdrew its earlier Personal Data Protection Bill that was unveiled in 2019 after a lot anticipation and judicial stress. At the time, India’s IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the withdrawal was thought of to “present a new bill that fits into the comprehensive legal framework.”
Meta, Google and Amazon have been among the corporations that had expressed concerns about among the suggestions by the joint parliamentary committee on the proposed invoice.
The transfer to convey a knowledge safety regulation got here privateness was declared as a elementary proper by the Supreme Court of India in 2017. However, the nation confronted robust criticism over its earlier knowledge safety payments as a result of their intrinsic nature of granting authorities companies the facility to entry residents’ knowledge.
At one of many classes through the G-20 Summit in Bali earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the principle of “Data for development” and stated that the nation would work with G-20 companions to convey “digital transformation in the life of every human being” throughout its subsequent yr’s presidency for the 19 countries-comprising intergovernmental discussion board.
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Great advertisements have become a part of the Super Bowl experience over the years so there’s always a lot of excitement to see which products companies will try to hawk during the game and in what manner will they try to capture viewers’ attention. As you can probably imagine, an ad spot during the Super Bowl costs quite a lot, a 30-second spot goes for $5 million and Google is going to spend that much money to promote Google Home.
On the surface, Google Home might look like just another connected speaker but it can do much more than that as it’s powered by Google Assistant. It’s a “Made by Google” product that highlights the company’s ability to make great hardware on its own.
The Google Super Bowl 51 ad comes after the company’s absence from the big game in 2016. Google hasn’t disclosed the details about its ad spot so we’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out just how effectively it’s going to use that $5 million ad spot to promote Google Home.
Rival Amazon aired an ad for its artificial intelligence assistant Alexa during last year’s Super Bowl. It already has a dominant position in this market as Google arrived with its product later, so now it’s going to put its resources to good use to try and get as many people as possible to pick up Google Home.


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William Hill has recently appointed Gamesys global head of CRM Despina Kokkaraki as their head of customer strategies. Kokkaraki has a lot of experience in customer acquisition having spent five years at 02/Telefonica and three years at Gamesys.
William Hill are also conducting a number of internal promotions including Lisa Ravencroft’s move to head of brand strategy from head of planning, and Tom Warren’s move to head of marketing planning and strategy. Head of research Katherine King has also been promoted to head of customer insight whilst Pete Spiers in now head of advertising and content.
Evolving The Brand
“These changes will ensure William Hill continues to evolve the brand, increasing its focus on customer needs based on customer insights,” CMO Alex O’Shaughnessy said.O’Shaughnessy himself was appointed as chief marketing officer in October having worked for William Hill since 2008.


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August 23, 2019
There’s seemingly a never-ending list of different diets that are “trending” at any given time, so much so that it can be difficult to keep up.
One such trending diet is the Optavia Diet, which was propelled forth by New Jersey’s Buddy Valastro, the “Cake Boss” who recently dropped 35 pounds on the eating plan.
Many people, including those that keep up with wellness trends, might not be aware of the Optavia Diet, so here’s the scoop:
The Optavia Diet essentially is a meal delivery service that ships low-calorie, nutrient rich meals — which it calls “fuelings” — to your house. But they are disguised as fan-favorites like chili, macaroni and cheese and more.
The catch is that these feedings occur multiple times per day, similar to the weight loss tactic of eating multiple small meals per day to keep you full while shedding pounds.
Participants can opt for three different Optavia plans depending on their needs and goals – which a survey on Optavia's website helps pinpoint. The plans feature a mixture of fuelings, including “lean and green meals” consisting of a protein, vegetables and healthy snacks.
However, there are over 60 different options including shakes, soups, bars and even brownies — all of which include protein and probiotics, according to PureWow.
While calorie restriction is known to help people lose weight, it is generally regarded as a short-term fix, according to Men’s Health. Optavia’s 60 offerings may sound like a lot, but they might grow old over a lifetime.
Of course, that isn’t the only con to the diet.
The monthly cost is high and it generally involves a lot of processed food, according to Very Well Health. Calorie restriction can leave you hungry and the diet can make you feel isolated at mealtimes. Additionally, the Optavia Diet deviates from federal dietary recommendations by severely undercutting daily calorie and macronutrient intakes.
In addition to weight loss, there are some good things about the diet, too. It takes the guesswork out of what to eat, offers social support, and everything is conveniently packaged.
Learn more about the Optavia Diet here.


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Semiconductor designer Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) said on Monday it has finalized the purchase of Xilinx Inc in a record chip industry deal valued at about $50 billion.
The closing of the deal comes on the heels of Nvidia Corp abandoning its plans to buy SoftBank-owned Arm Ltd, citing regulatory hurdles.
AMD's transaction moved ahead with all necessary approvals for the acquisition, it said.
The deal, announced in October 2020, was originally valued at $35 billion, but the rise of AMD stock has pushed up the price tag, according to AMD.
The purchase of Xilinx helps AMD "capture a larger share of the approximately $135 billion market opportunity we see across cloud, edge and intelligent devices," said AMD CEO Lisa Su in a statement.
The transaction comes as AMD intensifies its battle with Intel Corp in the data center chip market. The combined company will have over 15,000 engineers and a completely outsourced manufacturing strategy that relies heavily on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC).
The two U.S. companies have benefited from a more nimble approach to grabbing market share from Intel, which has struggled with internal manufacturing.
AMD has long been Intel's chief rival for central processor units (CPUs) in the personal computer business.
AMD's Su will lead the combined company as chief executive, with Xilinx's CEO Victor Peng as president of the newly formed Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group.
The companies expect the deal to generate $300 million in cost savings. Also Read:
The combination will create the industry's leading high performance computing company, significantly expanding the breadth of AMD's product portfolio and customer set across diverse growth markets where Xilinx is an established leader,
According to a complaint filed by Vivek Gupta, the Chief Financial Officer of JBM Group, Sector 44, it was on Friday that he received messages on WhatsApp requesting to transfer certain sums to bank accounts indicated in the messages.
With this, for the first time-ever all the three German luxury car companies, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, will have Indian executives holding the top position. Santosh Iyer will be the MD of Mercedes-Benz, Vikram Pawah is the CEO & President and CEO of BMW India, and Balbir Singh Dhillon is the head of Audi India.


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We often think of people in the news in terms of their abilities, accomplishments, and whatever makes them noteworthy. Here’s a different look at someone who’s had his share of headlines and successes in the last several years: “My Neighbor, Steve Jobs“
Are QR codes useful? Are they here to stay or just a passing tech fad? Here’s an interesting article that explores productive ways that print publications use QR codes and some helpful tips if you’ve been thinking of adopting them.
Walk past a bus shelter, check product packaging, visit a home improvement store and you’ll see Quick Response (QR) codes. They have gone mainstream, as 14 million people scanned a QR code in June, according to a new report from comScore, and it turns out that half of the time they scanned codes in a newspaper or magazine. Newspapers (and some broadcasters) are exploring how they can make good use of these codes to drive traffic from the print product to the Web via mobile devices, and it may be working.
Read full article: How 6 news organizations are using QR codes to drive traffic to news content


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Don't-Miss Android Stories
Aviate plays a role in Yahoo's efforts in contextual search
The unit recognizes U.K. accents and the metric system, Google said
A consumer who was hit with unwanted messages wants to start a class-action case
A new version of Android for Nexus devices is primarily a security update that patches the bundled OpenSSL library
The app provides filtering tools, saved search and notifications
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Yelp are among the apps being developed for Fire, according to Amazon.
Apple has an edge in a couple of areas, but there are still ways into its walled garden, Marble Security said.
Parallels Access expands into the Android ecosystem with Parallels Access 2.0, which includes improved iOS file management and IT control over which devices tunnel into the network.
Freely available documents describe 310 patents that Microsoft thinks it can use against Android vendors.
Intel shares hit 10-year high as reports on PCs, plus good news on smartphones and Internet advertising, generate optimism
The new tool is faster and better at predicting users' intentions, the company said.
The tablet weighs 294 grams and has a Super AMOLED screen with a 2560 by 1600 pixel resolution
The Sony tablet is thinner and lighter, but Samsung isn't far behind and offers a higher screen resolution
A reference design has been completed, and is being readied for two Indian smartphone vendors.
This major update introduces a new freemium model that signifies a new era for this fan-favorite keyboard app.


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(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) Gov. Nathan Deal, Partnership Gwinnett, Gwinnett County and a host of partners today announced that Carcoustics, a supplier to the automotive industry, will create 200 jobs and invest $6 million in a new Buford facility over the next five years. The newly created jobs will include positions in manufacturing.
“Georgia offers automotive industry suppliers such as Carcoustics the resources necessary to compete worldwide,” said Deal. “By choosing Georgia, Carcoustics will enjoy the benefits of a well-trained workforce, a thriving automotive industry, and the nation’s top business environment. I am also encouraged to see yet another German company locate here in Georgia, as our efforts to build international relationships continue to yield positive results. I welcome Carcoustics to Georgia’s growing community of auto industry suppliers and wish them great success here.”
The new 130-square-foot manufacturing facility, located at 4620 Thompson Mill Road, will house the manufacturing of solution-oriented acoustic and thermally effective components for the automotive industry.
“We are very happy to have found the location for our new plant in the South of U.S. here in Georgia. We have a great international transport connection here and are logistically well located between BMW in South Carolina and Mercedes in Alabama,” said Stefan Vallentin, project manager at Carcoustics. “There are many more potential customers such as Automotive Tier I/ Tier II, Volkswagen, Mercedes Vans and Volvo and Asian OEMs like Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai. This offers us new possibilities regarding the Carcoustics growth strategy, especially in the U.S.”
“We are excited about the continued economic development opportunities that are arising in Gwinnett County,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Carcoustics is joining a growing number of German automotive manufacturers who have found a home in Georgia, and we look forward to supporting their future growth.”
The international Carcoustics Group model brings together a central research center and a manufacturing structure that provides proximity to major markets, allowing the company to quickly make new products available worldwide.
“We are proud to welcome such a noteworthy company as Carcoustics to Gwinnett County,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chair Charlotte Nash. “They are joining a strong and growing base of international companies who have found Gwinnett to have the ideal mix of talent, resources, and location. We look forward to Carcoustics’ continued success and growth in our community.”
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Director of International Investment Nico Wijnberg represented the Global Commerce division in partnership with Partnership Gwinnett, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.
“This is a great win for the City of Buford and we are excited to welcome Carcoustics as one of our newest businesses,” said Bryan Kerlin, Buford City Manager. “We are confident that they will find the support and resources in our community that are necessary to remain competitive in the U.S. and around the world.”
“We are excited that global innovation leader Carcoustics has chosen to locate in Gwinnett County,” said Deven Cason, project manager with Partnership Gwinnett. “The new Buford facility is in the ideal location to serve their rapidly growing customer base all over the world. Carsoustics will join almost 100 other German companies operating in Gwinnett, along with 500 internationally owned and operated firms making Gwinnett a leader in International Business.”


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Amazon India announced a partnership with Startup India on 19 January, to launch an accelerator programme for early-stage startups in the consumer products industry to support them in selling their products in the international markets. This is an initiative under Amazon’s Global Selling Propel (AGSP), aimed at helping startups become global brands.
Under the accelerator programme, startups will get an opportunity to pitch their business proposition to VC firms – Sequoia Capital India and Fireside Ventures. They will also get a chance to win a total equity-free grant of US$ 50,000 from Amazon.
Startup India was launched in January 2016 and is the country’s flagship initiative to promote entrepreneurship. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi recently announced a US$ 133M seed funding at the Startup India International Summit: Prarambh, to boost the startup ecosystem of the country.
“Amazon Global Selling, our flagship program to grow Exports from India is witnessing tremendous momentum with increasing interest from exporters across India. Our partnership with Startup India to launch this accelerator program will provide emerging brands an opportunity to bring their business propositions to life and help create globally popular brands from India. With Amazon Global Selling we will continue to make exports simple and accessible to businesses of all sizes and fulfil our commitment of enabling US$ 10 billion in e-commerce exports from India by 2025,” said Amit Agarwal, global senior vice president and country head, Amazon India.
The Amazon Accelerator’s mentorship board consists of Amazon leaders from India and across the world, VCs and senior leaders from Startup India and Invest India. They will provide valuable one-on-one mentorship to emerging brands, tailored resources, insights on global market trends and help them build successful exports business through e-commerce.
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The first section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2020 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, Outboard Engine Sales Trends, is now available. Outboard engine retail sales rose for the ninth consecutive year in 2020 to a total of 330,000 units, the highest annual sales volume in 20 years and up 18% compared to 2019. Other key insights from the report include:
- Retail sales of outboard engines were up across all horsepower (hp) segments, with growth ranging between 6% and 38%.
- There was strong sales growth within the lower-powered engine segments in 2020. Engines rated 30 hp and below were up 25% to 72,000 units sold in 2020.
For more information, visit www.nmma.org/statistics.


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Two More Newbuilds Cancelled at Sainty Marine
- Business & Finance
Owner and operator of dry bulk carriers Precious Shipping has cancelled two more 64,000 DWT Ultramax bulk carrier newbuilds at the troubled Chinese shipbuilder Sainty Marine.
The order was placed in February 2014 comprising a total of ten dry bulk carriers and was followed by an order for two more in March at Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (Sanfu).
Construction price for the bulkers was estimated to be around USD 27.9 million per ship, putting the overall price tag of the deal at USD 333.8 million.
Most of the newbuildings were slated for delivery in 2015 with the last one to be handed over in late March 2016.
According to Precious Shipping, the cancellation was triggered by extensive delivery delays. As a result, the Thailand-based shipping company is seeking USD 11.16 million per vessel in advance payments plus interest.
Back in May, Precious Shipping declined to take delivery of a 64,000 DWT bulker duo from the yard. Namely, the dry bulk shipping company said that the bulkers did not meet the fuel consumption standards set by the company.
World Maritime News Staff


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Check out the cover art of Katy Perry and John Mayer's new song...OVER HERE!!
Is Zooey Deschanel a horrible boss? STORY HERE!!
Watch a video of Justin Timberlake...SINGING IN HIS NEW MOVIE!!
Glee has something special planned...FOR IT'S 100TH EPISODE!!
Orlando Bloom opened up about his break up...WITH MIRANDA KERR!!
The Victoria Secret model who dissed Taylor Swift...WILL NOT BE FIRED!!
Natalie Portman admits it wasn't her...KISSING CHRIS HEMSWORTH IN THOR!!
Jason Biggs called out a coffee shop...FOR EXPLOITING PAUL WALKER'S DEATH!!
There's a video fo Rose McGowan dancing naked aroud her home...NSFW!!
Gillian Anderson posed topless...WITH AN EEL AROUND HER NECK!?
Heidi Montag shows off her body...POST BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY!!
GQ released their year in babes list...SEE IT HERE!!
TRENDING VIDEO OF THE DAY:
A law firm in Alabama is in trouble over a racist ad that got posted online last month. It's a white guy speaking in an over-the-top Chinese accent and explaining that, quote, "Confucius say" you should visit their website. Now the law firm is trying to distance themselves from the ad, and they're blaming the production company for posting it without their permission.


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FCC Fines Carriers for Selling Customers' Location Data
The FCC has announced proposed fines totaling over $200 million against the nation's top four wireless carriers for selling customers' location data to third parties for years with little regard for customers' privacy or consent. T-Mobile is being fined $91 million, AT&T: $57 million, Verizon: $48 million, and Sprint; $12 million. "The size of the proposed fines for the four wireless carriers differs based on the length of time each carrier apparently continued to sell access to its customer location information without reasonable safeguards and the number of entities to which each carrier continued to sell such access." The fines will only be finalized after the companies have a chance to respond; the FCC could ultimately settle on lower fine amounts.
Samsung has a slew of new phones coming to the US in its more-affordable A-series, including one launching tomorrow for $110, and a 5G model launching this summer for $500. Galaxy A01 : One of Samsung's most affordable phones at $110.
Mar 17, 2020
At the request of the FCC Chairman, essentially all US internet and telephone providers have pledged to waive all late fees, and not disconnect any service due to inability to pay bills, for the next 60 days. This includes Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and Comcast.
Mar 18, 2020
When Samsung announced the Galaxy S10 Lite at the start of the year, there were no indications it would come to the US. But the FCC has just approved a variant of the S10 Lite that appears to be designed specifically for the US market.
Feb 26, 2020
LG today announced the V60 ThinQ 5G with LG Dual Screen. Its specs are flagship-level, but not quite as top-end as past V-series phones.
Mar 17, 2020
T-Mobile is closing 80% of its stores until at least March 31st, including all indoor mall locations, to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Sprint will close 71% of its stores, including all indoor mall locations.
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Motorola's newest patent is a foldable smartphone that turns into a tablet
Motorola, or better say Lenovo, doesn't want to be left behind in the race for the first foldable smartphone, hence the new patent the company filed recently. Although the patent that shows a smartphone that unfolds into a tablet was filed back in September 2016, it was approved in March 2018.
The hinge in the middle of the smartphone/tablet device doesn't seem like an elegant solution. As a matter fact, it looks pretty similar to ZTE's Axon M foldable smartphone that features dual screens.
The patent filing contains information about a cover that should not only protect the device but also act as a wireless charger when needed. Not sure how actual the device described in Motorola's patent still is compared to today's standards, especially that it was filed two years ago, but the important thing is more companies are tempted to bring new innovations in the smartphone industry.


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December 3, 2010 |
CK Narayan , President Treasury, Sharyans Resources , in an interview with ET Now talks about Bharti Airtel. Give us a strategy on Bharti at 351? Take your profit simple.
July 26, 2010 |
Sandeep Wagle , Founder & MD, APTART Technical Advisory Services, www.aptartindia.com What do you think of Bharti Airtel? The pattern of Bharti Airtel is very positive and I am convinced that at somewhere around 290-285, it has made a temporary bottom. Bharti Airtel for the time being is a buy on every decline and I see an upside of somewhere around 7% to 8% to the tune of around 330-340.
May 11, 2011
Sudarshan Sukhani , Technical Trends in an interview with ET Now talks about Bharti Airtel. What is the call on Bharti Airtel? Bharti Airtel is a blue chip stock that promises a strong uptrend. Every small dip in Bharti becomes a buying opportunity. Yesterday the stock was not doing anything, so we want to buy it before it does something on the upside.
October 14, 2011 |
In an interview to ET Now, Mitesh Thacker , miteshthacker.com gives his take on Bharti Airtel stocks. What is the call on Bharti Airtel? Bharti Airtel has also come back very strong, stronger than expected. I was not expecting a rally beyond 380 odd levels but it is clearly showing signs of continuation. I would probably give it some more space to about levels of 398-400.
July 8, 2011 |
Ashwani Gujral, Chief Market Strategist, ashwanigujral.com in an interview with ET Now talks about Bharti Airtel. What is the call on Bharti Airtel? Bharti after a decent correction, that should move higher towards levels of about 420. You should try to get in on all kinds of declines.
August 30, 2011 |
Sudarshan Sukhani, Technical Trends in an interview with ET Now talks about Bharti Airtel. What is the call on Bharti Airtel? Bharti Airtel has made a very interesting bullish pattern. Now the upside of course in Bharti cannot be 30-40% as it could be in Aptech or BGR but whatever the upside is, it is worth taking because you have been going for futures, you have a relatively safe trade on the long side in Bharti. There is a reasonably decent pattern now on way.
February 27, 2013 |
In a chat with ET Now, Prakash Gaba , CFT, prakashgaba.com, gives his stock recommendation What is your call on Bharti Airtel ? I would go long on Bharti. The stock is holding out. Have a stop below the levels of Rs 315 and expect it to climb to levels close to Rs 335.
May 27, 2012 |
NEW DELHI: Telecom giant Bharti Airtel today announced its foray into the mobile advertising (m-Advertising) segment in India to equip advertisers in reaching out to their potential customers. "Airtel's m-advertising platform will enable advertisers to land their message in a simple, effective manner in an increasingly complex media environment," said K Srinivas, President - Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel. He said with the mobile advertising market poised to grow by more than 40 per cent over the next few years, Airtel is placed uniquely to leverage this growing medium.
March 10, 2011 |
ET Now spoke to Sandeep Wagle, Founder & MD, APTART Technical Advisory Services, on his views on Bharti Airtel. What is the call on Bharti Airtel? Bharti Airtel will not break Rs 315-Rs 320 on the downside and it will again struggle around Rs 335-Rs 338 on the upside and a big move somewhere around Rs 360-Rs 365 would only come in case it breaks Rs 335. So my view is range bound, I am not bearish on Bharti Airtel. If Rs 315 were to be taken out, then we can talk of Rs 285-Rs 290 which as of now does not seem very likely.
December 11, 2008 |
MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel emerged as India's third-largest entity in terms of market capitalisation. Based on Wednesday's closing price, Bharti's m-cap stood at Rs 1.39 lakh crore, marginally ahead that of NTPC. RIL, with a m-cap of Rs 1.93 lakh crore, is India's most valuable company, followed by ONGC at Rs 1.45 lakh crore.


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“You need strong antitrust laws as a democracy protection,” author, professor, and former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout told Mila during our recent interview. “People hate corporate monopolies, and it’s actually one of those areas where the people are way ahead of politicians in understanding the power structures in this country.”
Listen to our interview with Zephyr here!
Teachout is the recent author of Break ‘Em Up: Recovering Our Freedom from Big Ag, Big Tech, and Big Money. It’s an eye-opening look at how the enforcement of antitrust laws has disintegrated in the US, and a call to action.
Check out this quick clip to learn why we stopped enforcing antitrust laws in the US.
“A monopoly is a private company that has governing power,” she explained. “The harm is not just about consumer prices. It’s about becoming a form of private government that’s sitting inside our democracy.”
Thanks to a full-scale assault on antitrust law by the Regan administration, monopolies have grown unimpeded for decades. Now, the most insidious monopolies in America are also responsible for your phone, computer, search results, shopping needs, and list of friends.
Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple have grown to genuinely gargantuan proportions in the last two decades. In so doing, they’ve become some of the biggest monopolies in American history. US Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, gave a similar prognosis in an October report.
“Each platform now serves as a gatekeeper over a key channel of distribution,” he wrote. “By controlling access to markets, these giants can pick winners and losers throughout our economy.” Think of Amazon’s algorithm favoring its own products on the shopping site it owns, or Facebook’s push to pick which news stories and outlets get seen on its platform.
“They not only wield tremendous power, but they also abuse it by charging exorbitant fees, imposing oppressive contract terms, and extracting valuable data from the people and businesses that rely on them,” the report continues. “Second, each platform uses its gatekeeper position to maintain its market power.” Facebook’s continual purchasing of smaller competitors comes to mind.
These tech companies also wield tremendous power in the form of the raw data they collect from us. They aren’t shy about using it to get what they want, according to our former guest Shoshanna Zuboff.
“Surveillance capitalists discovered that the most predictive data come from actually intervening in your action and learning how to use all of this knowledge about you,” she told Mila earlier this year, “to come back to you with triggers and subliminal cues that can tune and herd your behavior in a way that optimizes their predictions.”
Although this may not look outwardly monopolistic, surveillance capitalism is incredibly dangerous because it gives these companies a tremendous amount of leverage over you, allowing them to deepen their use of monopolistic practices.
These new monopolies are less interested in raising prices on certain items than they are in exerting control. When it becomes impossible to find your friends without Facebook, order books without Amazon, talk on the phone without Apple, or surf the web without Google, those companies have a monopoly, whether product prices are higher or not.
“By controlling the infrastructure of the digital age, they have surveilled other businesses to identify potential rivals, and have ultimately bought out, copied, or cut off their competitive threats,” Cicilline concluded. “Whether through self-preferencing, predatory pricing, or exclusionary conduct, the dominant platforms have exploited their power in order to become even more dominant.”
These monopolies are using their power more and more overtly. Facebook blocked thousands of Biden’s ads days before the election, overcharged him for other ads, and allowed Trump to run ads like this. Apple settled this week for more than $110M after slowing iPhones to hide battery problems. Google routinely uses its own search engine to promote itself.
Since Cillicine’s report and our conversation with Teachout, the DOJ filed a necessary antitrust lawsuit against Google, which could set off a flurry of similar suits. The DOJ isn’t enacting a new law or regulation. It’s merely enforcing existing law—something no one has done since Regan.
“This is a feudal form of government that is spreading across all these different industries,” Teachout noted. “The good news is, once you see this not as a technological feat, but as an old monopoly business model that keeps rearing its head every 30 or 40 years, you actually can feel a lot more power over it because we can ban these kinds of structures and we have in the past.”
According to Teachout, antitrust was once an integral part of American progressivism, and antitrust leagues abounded here. Returning to these roots and pressuring lawmakers to break up dangerous monopolies could quickly make a difference.
Even better, America already has good antitrust statutes. They only need to be enforced. A vigilant FTC chair could use existing laws to break up Google, Amazon, and Facebook—all without a single new piece of legislation.
“Right now, it’s as if there’s effectively no speed limit on the highway,” she said in regards to FTC regulations on mergers and antitrust. “You put in 65 MPH speed limits, and it would transform merger policy.”
We can break up the corporate monopolies that increasingly govern our lives—all it takes is political willpower and an informed, engaged populace.
Simon, Julia, et al. “Antitrust In America.” NPR, NPR, 23 Feb. 2019, www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/03/20/704426033/antitrust-in-america.
Kang, Cecilia, et al. “Justice Dept. Case Against Google Is Said to Focus on Search Dominance.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/09/22/technology/justice-dept-case-google-search-dominance.html.
Nieva, Richard. “Google Is a Search Monopoly, Justice Department Says in Landmark Antitrust Lawsuit.” CNET, www.cnet.com/news/google-is-a-search-monopoly-justice-department-says-in-landmark-antitrust-lawsuit/.
Guo, Eileen. “The DOJ Says Google Monopolizes Search. Here’s How.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 21 Oct. 2020, www.technologyreview.com/2020/10/20/1010891/doj-google-antitrust-lawsuit-monopoly/.
Service, City News. “Apple to Pay $113 Million Settlement Involving IPhone Batteries.” NBC New York, NBC New York, 18 Nov. 2020, www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/apple-to-pay-113-million-settlement-involving-iphone-batteries/2733099/.
Merrill, Jeremy B. “Trump Won Florida after Running a False Ad Tying Biden to Venezuelan Socialists.” Salon, Salon.com, 16 Nov. 2020, www.salon.com/2020/11/16/trump-won-florida-after-running-a-false-ad-tying-biden-to-venezuelan-socialists_partner/.
Challis, David, et al. “Facebook Overcharged Biden For Campaign Ads Compared To Trump.” Android Headlines, 2 Nov. 2020, www.androidheadlines.com/2020/11/facebook-overcharged-biden-campaign-ads.
Williams, Jordan. “Biden Campaign Slams Facebook after Thousands of Ads Blocked by Platform’s Preelection Blackout.” TheHill, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2020, thehill.com/policy/technology/technology/523520-biden-campaign-slams-facebook-after-thousands-of-ads-blocked-by.
Zuboff, Shoshana. “You Are Now Remotely Controlled.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Jan. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/opinion/sunday/surveillance-capitalism.html.
“Surveillance Capitalism: Shoshana Zuboff.” Future Hindsight, www.futurehindsight.com/episode/surveillance-capitalism-shoshana-zuboff/.
sal19. “Facebook Is a Social Network Monopoly That Buys, Copies or Kills Competitors, Antitrust Committee Finds.” CNBC, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2020, www.cnbc.com/2020/10/06/house-antitrust-committee-facebook-monopoly-buys-kills-competitors.html.
Kafka, Peter. “Facebook Has Finally Decided That the Best Way to Deliver News Is to Act like a Newspaper.” Vox, Vox, 25 Oct. 2019, www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/25/20931407/facebook-news-tab-newspapers-journalism.
Mattioli, Dana. “WSJ News Exclusive | Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 16 Sept. 2019, www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-changed-search-algorithm-in-ways-that-boost-its-own-products-11568645345.
“Investigation of Competition in Digital Markets Majority Staff Report and Recommendations.” House Comittee on the Judiciary , Judiciary.house.gov, judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/competition_in_digital_markets.pdf.


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Sotheby’s Bored Ape NFT Auction Attracts Nearly USD 20M In Bids
In another major non-fungible token (NFT) sale underway, New York-headquartered multinational corporation Sotheby’s is auctioning 107 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and 101 Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC) NFTs developed by Yuga Labs.
Bidding on BAYC tokens is set to close on September 9, 02:01 P.M. UTC, but the price offered for the Yacht Club collection has already exceeded the initial estimate of between USD 12m and USD 18m. As of September 6, 10:00 A.M. UTC, the current bid is USD 19m, with a total of 44 bids placed to date.
For the Kennel Club collection, for which bidders can place offers until September 9, 02:02 pm UTC, the estimate of between USD 1.5m and USD 2m has not been met yet. A total of 36 bids have been submitted as of September 6, 10:00 A.M. UTC, with the highest bid totaling USD 550,000.
Yuga Labs’ flagship BAYC is a combination of a digital art collection and an online community to which each of the 10,000 minted NFTs “doubles as your membership to a swamp club for apes.”
The NFTs were put up for sale by their developer this past April, priced at ETH 0.08 each. Since then, however, BAYC’s value has substantially increased, as indicated by the bids placed in the ongoing Sotheby’s auction.
Similarly to other trending NFT collections, BAYC has been boosted by the landmark March 2021 sale by British auction house Christie’s at which “EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS” by digital artist Beeple was sold for as much as USD 69.35m. The auction made Beeple one of the top three most valuable living artists, and his NFT the most expensive digital artwork to be ever sold.
The NFT market has experienced a rollercoaster over the past year, and some of this summer’s major NFT auctions tested buyers’ price ceilings, revealing that artwork by a budding artist can fetch USD 2.16m, while source code by an acclaimed inventor can reach USD 5.4m.


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Openings A to Z Tire Co. Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, has purchased a 43,000-sq.-ft. building in San Antonio to expand its warehouse operation and begin manufacturing truck retreads.
Formerly a tarp and awning manufacturing plant, the facility will now house about 20 employees, offices, warehouse space and a retread plant.
A to Z plans to use both Marangoni pre-cure and Teknor-Apex systems to produce about 140 retreaded tires per day.
President Philip Nussbaum said A to Z produced passenger retreads until about 20 years ago. It has several thousand wholesale customers in addition to its 26 retail and commercial locations in four states.
Englewood, Colo.-based Trans American Rubber Inc. moved to a new location in early February.
The company, which opened in 1976, purchased and renovated a 60,000-sq.-ft. warehouse for its nationwide wholesale business.
Trans American imports tires from Taiwan and Korea under its own brand. President Al Stone said the wholesale-only firm has annual sales of about $10 million and has plans to expand its business by acquisition.
Mr. Stone also said Ron Patrick, previously with Goodyear and Firestone, has been hired as sales and marketing director and new product development manager.
Donald B. Rice Tire Co. of Frederick, Md., has acquired Holmes Tire Co. of Mount Airy, Md.
Former owner, Pat Holmes, and his staff will continue to operate the dealership, which will become a Rice Service and Tire Center.
Rice Tire now has 11 locations and operates retail, commercial and wholesale divisions. It opened a truck center in Forestville, Md., in 1997.
The Mount Airy location will sell Goodyear, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Regul and Michelin brands and offer most auto services.
The firm has wholesale delivery routes in six states.
Bayshore, N.Y.-based Wholesale Tire Co. (WTC) has increased its roster of American Car Care Center dealerships with the opening of its latest location in Island Park, N.Y.
The new WTC location, formerly Richman Goodyear, has been renovated and updated with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. It is WTC's second new store this year.
The dealership will offer customers and area residents games, prizes and free food as part of ongoing grand opening specials for the next several months.
Wholesale Tire now has 17 locations in the New York City area.


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8.”We’re not sorry for the delay.”
There’s a reason why the salon is stocked with the latest edition of Vogue. Hairstylists — keen to squeeze in as many customers as possible — frequently run late. The trick for many busy hairdressers is to make customers wait — without them realizing they’re waiting. When hairstylists offer an extra special shampoo or conditioning treatment that lasts 30 minutes or more, it may well be because the salon is backed up, Loprete says. “Conditioners are used commonly in that fashion,” she says. “There will be no love lost by giving a healthy dose of vitamins for your hair.” However, other stylists may overbook on purpose in an effort to make more money and then juggle clients and make people wait, she says. Loprete says she tries to be conscious of people’s time. Any wait time over 15 or 20 minutes is unacceptable, she says.
Fitbit, Nike or Jawbone best?
As we wait for Sony's Core to come to market, three wearable health trackers are ready for your wrist right now: the Nike FuelBand, Jawbone Up and Fitbit Force. Digits puts them through their paces to see which may work best for you.
Consumers are not prepared to sit around all afternoon: A survey by Toa Technologies, which produces mobile workforce management software, found that around one in four Americans lost wages waiting for appointments. “In focus group after focus group, we hear that today’s busy singles and families alike are stressed out, exhausted and short on time,” says Rhoda Olsen, CEO of salon chain Great Clips.


text: How many hours a day to you spend sitting at work? If you work at a desk job, this time sitting probably comes close to your entire workday. According to the New York Times, many Americans spend up to six or seven hours sitting at their desks each day. We are not doing ourselves any favors staying sedentary for long periods of time. In fact, the damage can be so long lasting that even daily trips to the gym will not be able to reverse the harm done. Sitting might as well be the new smoking.


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That our planet is changing is an undeniable fact. While environmental transformations may differ regionally, the subsequent increase in wildfires – even in areas previously unaffected by such phenomena – is one of many warning signs that should not be ignored. PALFINGER MARINE specializes in solutions for this segment, which was recently showcased at the annual Interschutz trade show in Hannover, Germany.
Fire is a fascinating element. It provides us with warmth and comfort on cold winter nights. Yet fire is as frightening and dangerous as it is nurturing. Raging wildfires remind us of how important it is to protect ourselves and our environment in a rapidly changing ecosystem. PALFINGER MARINE had been providing specialized cranes for fire-fighting vessels for many years before starting to produce own fast-response fire-fighting boats. The industry as a whole covers a wide range of fields and technologies, all of which were represented at the annual Interschutz trade show from the 20th to 25th of June in Hannover, Germany.
An evolving market
Today, PALFINGER MARINE is known within the industry for fire-fighting vessels that regularly set new standards in terms of maneuverability and stability, even in toughest conditions. This reputation is based on years of experience in providing customized crane solutions for search and rescue organizations. Franz Schnöll, Head of Global Marine Product Management, explains …
We are proud of our deep roots in the fire-fighting industry, developed over many years through innovation and partnership.
Long-standing collaborations with expert suppliers and a strong sales network mean that PALFINGER MARINE has operated in and delivered its state-of-the-art cranes to this particular segment since its inception.
Lasse Pöppe, Global Product Manager Boats & Davits, knows what customers need: “Our vessels are robust and strong, customizable to meet the needs of the respective search, rescue and fire-fighting departments.” Following recent success in Asian markets, the next immediate aim is to expand the customer base in Europe. “The market is evolving constantly. Digitization, electrification, remote control systems, and safety technology are key elements that PALFINGER MARINE either already covers or is looking into. To this end, we have teamed up with leading suppliers to underpin our growth ambitions,” adds Lasse.
Safety and digitization determine the future
PALFINGER MARINE takes pride in pioneering new technologies. Lasse confirms that this mindset also applies to the fire-fighting segment: “Internally, we are already working on shaping the future of the industry. Our vessels are becoming faster, more intuitive to operate, and more powerful in terms of fire-fighting capabilities.” Braving elements like fire and water is a dangerous job, and PALFINGER MARINE is aware of its responsibility.
“One of the most important drivers of change in this industry is the desire to reduce the risk for firefighters. This is where digital solutions and remote control systems come into play,” Lasse explains. Given that climate change is the cause of the recent increase in wildfires, sustainability is an equally influential industry trend. “The electrification of products to improve sustainability is the future,” Lasse acknowledges.
One of PALFINGER MARINE’s more recent product innovations is the PALFINGER FRSQ 850 A TID FIFI. At an agile 8.5 meters long and 3 meters wide, it is perfect for swift deployment to fires in near-shore areas. The three-soul crew – and up to 12 additional people – can rely on two 292hp water jet propulsion engines to transport them to and evacuate from affected areas safely at a speed of up to 38 knots (approx. 70km/h).
PALFINGER MARINE’s potential for innovation has allowed us to further cement our position in the fire-fighting segment. Even in challenging times, highly customized solutions for the high-end governmental market ensure a strong order book. Cutting-edge technology and products allow customers to fight fire with PALFINGER.


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The limit relates to specific debts owed by the buyer, stated Linda Jun, senior policy counsel at Us americans for Financial Reform. Somebody with over one bill in collections could be inundated, quickly Jun said. вЂњIt could mount up quickly,вЂќ she stated.
In the event that loan companies emailed or texted all too often it will be considered harassment and start to become unlawful, in accordance with the CFPB.
But unlike with telephone calls, the bureau just isn’t proposing a cap that is specific the sheer number of connections.
The proposition additionally asks loan companies if they anticipate utilizing social media to make contact with payday loans without checking account requirements consumers while prohibiting such contact if maybe it’s seen by a 3rd party. Some collectors have previously discovered how to make use of media that are social.
Diandra Rivera of Brooklyn stated she stopped publishing to Twitter and shut her LinkedIn account after realizing collectors had started monitoring web sites. One combed through her LinkedIn web web page to locate a boss that is former also nearest and dearest, whom your debt collector then contacted, she stated.
Another monitored her Facebook web web page. The representative would mention social outings she had posted on Facebook, Rivera said during phone calls with the debt collection agency. The representative questioned why she had been behind in repaying her education loan re payments if she could manage to head to ApplebeeвЂ™s, Rivera stated.
вЂњIt really was creepy,вЂќ she said.
The proposed guidelines will likely set a battle up between loan companies and customer advocates. The CFPB received about 81,500 complaints about loan companies in 2018, relating to a report released in March, making the industry certainly one of the agencyвЂ™s many common resources of customer complaints.
Providing loan companies such wide latitude to expand electronic interaction is unwarranted, stated Christine Hines, legislative manager when it comes to nationwide Association of Consumer Advocates.
вЂњWith the extreme samples of collectorsвЂ™ harassment and intrusion of consumersвЂ™ privacy that weвЂ™ve seen, it is constantly an idea that is bad exempt loan companies from obligation or grant them a safe harbor, in every circumstance,вЂќ she said. вЂњSeems like a invitation to encourage more abuse maybe not deter it.вЂќ
Many industry officials state the transfer to the space that is digital be transformative. Loan companies already are combing through social media marketing to trace customersвЂ™ digital footprints and building models to ascertain whether or not they will be almost certainly going to react to male or voices that are female.
TrueAccord, launched in 2014, is trying to put a friendly face on your debt collection industry and rarely calls customers, Samet said. The business he co-founded вЂњcrunches plenty of dataвЂќ to create a profile of customers, considering what sort of items they usually have bought as well as on their past reactions to attempted connections, he stated. Ninety per cent associated with the ongoing companyвЂ™s interaction with customers doesn’t include a individual, he stated.
вЂњThere is machine learning at play right right here,вЂќ he said.
Samet said he thinks consumers appreciate TrueAccordвЂ™s approach. Texting and emails certainly are a вЂњchannel you engage with increased often but itвЂ™s a swipe of the finger to make me go away if you donвЂ™t like my email. It is possible to arranged filters. Can help you a complete great deal of what to handle your communications,вЂќ he said.
The CFPB has gotten significantly more than 50 complaints about TrueAccord since 2015, in accordance with the bureauвЂ™s database, which does not determine complainants.
вЂњThis lady keeps emailing me personally constantly. She’s got also went in terms of to share with me personally that she understands i will be starting the email messages. This woman is harassing me at this time,вЂќ according to a issue filed because of the CFPB earlier in the day this current year. вЂњThis just isn’t fine. Please assist me.вЂќ
In 2017, the CFPB was told by a consumer that TrueAccord was indeed too aggressive. вЂњThis email had been written in such a matter as to convince me personally me both physically and try to ruin my reputation that they will threaten. They claimed they might use any means offered to collect the funds they do say is owed,вЂќ in line with the problem.
Samet said the complaints are typical of this sort gotten by other solution organizations such as for example Comcast and a вЂњfractionвЂќ of what rivals get. вЂњWe never want individuals to complain,вЂќ he said.
To be certain, electronic communications from creditors can be beneficial to customers. Email messages and texts develop an impact which can be used to track straight down loan companies hiding behind post-office containers and shell organizations, stated Ohio lawyer Jonathan L. Hilton, whom practices customer law. In certain full instances, Hilton said he’s subpoenaed Google or cellphone businesses to get the names, details and also bank account information of loan companies. вЂњItвЂ™s extremely useful through the side that is investigativeвЂќ he said.
Vicki Chester, a retired nurseвЂ™s associate, said she had been overwhelmed with telephone calls from a financial obligation collector about a vintage $350 financial obligation for months before she relented and made two $60 payments. вЂњThe phone calls had been nasty,вЂќ said Chester, a customer of HiltonвЂ™s. вЂњI happened to be throwing and switching every night wondering if my goal is to be found.вЂќ
Finally, she asked your debt collector to deliver her an e-mail with information regarding the debt. This is certainly whenever Chester stated she understood she was being hounded about cash she did owe nвЂ™t. вЂњI noticed, that isnвЂ™t my financial obligation,вЂќ said Chester, whom received a $6,000 settlement from the business collection agencies agency. вЂњThey had the incorrect Vicki.вЂќ
The 1977 Fair commercial collection agency techniques Act ended up being written before cellphones became the constant companion of Us citizens. What the law states forbids loan companies from calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. and forbids harassment. However it failed to straight address most types of electronic interaction.
The CFPB proposition would alter that, which may be described as a relief for Elle Gusman.
Minnesota-based Direct healing Services has tried both texting and email messages, stated Gusman, whom founded the ongoing business in 2012. Email messages had been effective at first then again began getting flagged as spam by Bing, specially when sent call at big batches, she stated. The business also developed a domain that is new, but terms within the e-mails or their accessories — such as for example financial obligation, password, account, pay on the web — would get flagged, she stated.
вЂњIt wonвЂ™t get through,вЂќ said Gusman.
Customers additionally seemed to like getting texting about their delinquent bills, stated Gusman. вЂњMillennials only want to use the internet and spend their bills, she stated. вЂњIt could be crazy, within an hour or so of simply delivering our messages, we might get 20, 30 payments online.вЂќ
Giving the communications had been high priced plus it had been hard to add all the disclosures that are required a few figures, stated Gusman.
Among the people Recovery that is direct Services had been Fultz, the Ohio paramedic, whom stated he discovered the communications intrusive.
The business has stopped the practice but Gusman stated she’s hoping the CFPB proposal will enable the business to test once more.


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Indonesian rockers IGMO have offered up a brand new second single “Awesome” from their forthcoming album “Take It Over”.
The four pieces band’s new album will be available on all major music platforms from the 30th of April via Soundjana Creative label. Their latest “Awesome” video produced by Luapotalapo mixes some creative minds across from barber, pantomime, BMX, to graffiti and IGMO performing the track.
Their singer-guitarist Dio remarks about their latest song ‘Awesome’, “We’re celebrating the diversity with ‘Awesome’. We collaborated with some friends, had some fun here and there…and made something out of our differences. That’s the idea out of our differences. That’s the idea of ‘Awesome’. How we paint the world with our own colors.”
Watch their latest single “Awesome” below.


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How PepsiCo sweetens up consumer insights
PepsiCo is a not just a soft drinks giant, it’s awash in data. The information flows in from everywhere: grocery store cash registers, e-commerce portals, focus groups, ad surveys. But while collecting this data has become a matter of course, the challenge lies in making sense of it internally.
So PepsiCo’s North American Beverages insights team has devised a system of apps, experiential activations and quizzes to make the reams and reams of data the company produces internally more digestible for its increasingly millennial teams.
PepsiCo has many insights teams — at least 20 across North American beverages, corporate, the Frito-Lay group and so on. Each team, comprising about 18 people, boasts a sophisticated market research function that uses focus groups, sales data and research to figure out who its customers are and what they want. This data is then sent to other groups within the company — marketing or product, for example — so they can use it to make better decisions.
This was not always the way. For years, PepsiCo’s insights team had only one platform for translating consumer data for its marketing and product teams: PowerPoint decks. “It was very transactional,” said Stefania Gvillo, vp consumer strategy and insights at PepsiCo’s North American Beverages group, which handles Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist and scores of other drink brands. “We used to be seen as data providers.”
But Gvillo says it’s about more than that: “We drive decisions that ultimately lead to sustainable growth, and everything we do impacts the bottom line.”
So, for example, focus groups led by the insights team will decide whether the company pulls the trigger on specific commercials. Consistent customer surveys indicate which products are popular and which aren’t. And, especially important for the PepsiCo brand in an increasingly health-conscious market, figuring out how consumer sentiment is trending will influence actual product R&D, such as the removal of aspartame from Diet Pepsi products, for example.
That’s the kind of data that was usually communicated via “60-page decks, binders and spreadsheets,” said Gvillo. “That’s not very inspiring.” Adding to the need to change how insights were delivered was another, more familiar addition to the workplace: millennials.
“Millennials are here; Gen Z is about to enter the workforce. They communicate and experience content in very different ways,” said Gvillo. “They want digestible, quick and immersive.”
The brand worked with design agency StickyDocs to create a new app, which would let the teams create and distribute custom-designed content and data to marketing, strategy and product teams. The app also lets other teams download content that the Insights team creates.
There are eight brand-specific “publications” that are customized for each brand across PepsiCo. Each brand publication is different, but each includes data on the current surveys, which reflect what consumer attitudes are about specific beverages, how brands are performing in the market and how ads might be performing, for example.
There are also games and quizzes that ask employees to answer questions on data and the products, what Gvillo said is an attempt to make the learning process more fun. Employees don’t get into trouble if they don’t know answers; it’s just a way to keep them engaged with the data, she said. Gvillo added that she is also experimenting with data “experiences” and offline events “to engage people, and make it fun.”
“The only way organizations have ever distributed insight is through email and a powerpoint deck,” said Marcus Jimenez, founder and CEO at StickyDocs. “The practice of data visualization and insights socialization for the workforce is a new concept for many brands, and change at the organizational level doesn’t happen quickly.”
Making data “fun” is weighing heavily on the minds of CMOs these days. Spotify, Pornhub and OkCupid have all gathered insights on how customers use their services and created viral content based on it.
Also, workers and employees are now demanding that data become more exciting, said Jimenez. “It’s not just an imperative for brands to find ways to inform and inspire their teams; it’s inevitable as workers are demanding it.”
‘We’re letting Facebook grade their own homework’: Here’s how advertisers’ desired changes differ from overall boycott
The overall goals of civil rights advocates organizing the boycott differ slightly from those of advertisers.
How Facebook’s brand safety audit with the Media Rating Council will work
The MRC audit will determine whether Facebook has applied an advertising adjacency standard into its brand safety protections.
Member Exclusive‘Are you going to put people over profit?’: As Facebook boycott continues, DTCs still running ads on the platform in a tricky spot
The Facebook boycott is part of a larger cultural shift towards a more “values-based consumerism.”
SponsoredWhy data clean rooms are a start, but not enough
Clean rooms are intended to be a “safe space” for brands to collaborate with walled gardens, but the greater opportunity for all brands is bringing together all of their data to create a single source of truth that they own and can continually enrich.
WTF is California’s new, and potentially stronger, privacy law?
In November, California residents will vote on the state's second privacy law, which is basically the CCPA 2.0
‘Influencer deals are being paused’: As Facebook boycott begins in earnest, influencer marketing feels a sting
The latest move to pause influencer marketing comes as marketers are not only reconsidering where their ads appear and the kind of content they appear next to, but as they work to figure out how they can better support Black creators and Black-owned businesses following the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.


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All the gaming phone enthusiasts, get ready for the more splendid gaming experiences as the next of Xiaomi Black Shark - a game-centric smartphone is on the way to add an egg in one's beer.
Xiaomi’s Black Shark -a brand fecklessly and exclusively designed for games recently reported to launch the upcoming innovation in Black Shark after the launch of Black Shark 2 last week.
This will be the fourth gaming smartphone – in China after the great success & popularity of the Black Shark, Black Shark Helo and Black Shark 2. Moreover, it could with a higher screen-to-body ratio, owing to the cut-out instead of a bezel up top.
Read Also: Huawei Mate 30 Under Testing With 5G Support
Black Shark is constantly exhibiting its efforts on offering the best gaming experiences through the series of newly invented gaming models.The upcoming gaming smartphone which could be named as Black Shark 3 may enter with an all-display fascia.
According to some reports, In December 2018 Xiaomi filed the patent at the Global Design Database of the World Intellectual Property Office which was published on March 19th, 2019 and encompassed more then 48 sketches of eight different models.
Xiaomi described:thane name of this design product: mobile phone (Sky)’. Sky may resemble the model name of the gaming device like a Black Shark Skywalker was revealed earlier this year on Geekbench.
For the photo and videography, the upcoming model is expected to come with triple rear cameras, combined an additional ToF 3D camera lens (for depth-of-effect).
The phone is anticipated to be launched on 05-Jun-2019 at Rs.34,990 for 8 GB RAM/128 GB internal storage in India.


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Fifteen NSW Exporters Recognised at 2020 Premier’s NSW Resilient Export Awards luncheon
A high-tech aroma recovery manufacturer, a medical device innovator, a drone detection technology exporter and a dance company are among the fifteen NSW businesses to be recognised at the 2020 Premier’s NSW Export Awards Resilience luncheon.
The Premier’s NSW Export Awards have honoured the achievements of outstanding local exporters for the past 57 years. In the program’s 58th year, in 2020, the NSW Government adapted the awards program as a platform to celebrate and promote stories of resilience, perseverance and adapting under pressure from the NSW export community.
Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown said the Awards shine a spotlight on stories of innovation and quick-thinking pivots by determined business leaders in the face of unprecedented challenges.
“From regional to metro, and across exporters big and small, these are stories that highlight the tenacity of NSW businesses to keep putting their world-class goods and services in the hands of international buyers,” Ms Brown said.
“Supporting businesses to continue exporting or even pivot to global markets for the first time has been a cornerstone of the government’s strategy for economic recovery.
“Through Investment NSW, we continue to offer a range of support measures for businesses at every stage of their export journey, including up to $10,000 Export Assistance Grants to help businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19, bushfires and drought,” she said.
Chair of the Export Council of Australia Dianne Tipping said they’ve been inspired by the efforts of NSW exporters to sustain their businesses and continue in most circumstances to not only survive but in some instances thrive.
“While many business owners will continue to feel the strains of a global economic downturn for some time to come, the stories from NSW exporters have inspired others to adapt, innovate, and diversify,” Ms Tipping said.
The NSW Resilient Exporters of 2020 are:
- Atomo Diagnostics
- Christie & Christie (Nail Snail®)
- Cream Surfing Wax
- F&H Jewellery
- Global Study Partners
- Homart Pharmaceuticals
- Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin
- Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef
- Prophit Systems
- Shaun Parker & Company
If you are a NSW business and want to find out more about available NSW Government support for export, visit www.global.nsw.gov.au/nsw-export-assistance-package.


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The two-year study, from the University of Navarro in Spain, followed 6000 patients eating a Mediterranean diet, with its particularly high intake of monosaturated fatty acids.
"This is the first study that showed an inverse association between the consumption of low-fat dairy products and incident hypertension," reported lead author Alvaro Alonso.
"A diet rich in low-fat dairy products resulted in a greater decrease in blood pressure than did a low-fat comparison diet, which supports the beneficial effect of low-fat dairy consumption for the prevention of hypertension."
There are an estimated 10m people in the UK with hypertension, defined as having blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg. High fat diets have long been identified as a prime factor in increasing the risk of hypertension. This has led to a switch by many consumers to lower fat products.
In the UK, semi-skimmed, or half-fat milk, now accounts for 60 per cent of total milk sales. Skimmed milk is also growing in popularity, now accounting for a further 14 per cent of the total.
The Spanish researchers now suggest that special proteins in milk actually cut the risk of hypertension in a way that is countered when the full fat content is retained.
"Milk proteins - both caseins and whey proteins - are a rich source of angiotension converting enzyme inhibitory peptides. In animal models, these proteins… have been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure," Alonso writes in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 82, no 5, pp972-979).
"It is plausible that saturated fats in whole-fat dairy products somehow neutralize the beneficial effect of dairy protein."
The research followed volunteers with an average age of 37, adjusting its results for other nutritional factors including caffeine, sodium, alcohol, and fibre intake.
"We showed that the beneficial effect of low-fat dairy consumption is not restricted to young adults and obese persons," it concluded.


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At the November 2021 AHPA Executive Committee meeting, the AHPA board adopted the following revised policy on ingredients that are or are produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The revisions were made to improve the policy’s citations and update it to reflect the existence of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.
Presented by AHPA’s Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., Roy Upton, RH, DipAyu of American Herbal Pharmacopeia, and Steven Yeager of Mountain Rose Herbs, this virtual workshop provided a detailed orientation of botanical, macroscopic, and organoleptic identification methods, quality assessment techniques and terminology, and demonstrated how these techniques are used to evaluate crude plant parts in a scientifically valid manner.
Did you miss the Botanical, Macroscopic and Organoleptic Assessment of Herbal Ingredients for cGMP Compliance workshop but want to attend when it is offered again in the future? Email Natasha Weaver, AHPA’s Director of Education, at email@example.com to be placed on the waitlist and notified when the next workshop is scheduled.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on November 6, 2020, revising its regulations by adding new Crop Groups 25 (“Herbs”) and 26 (“Spices”).
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is issuing its annual call for candidates for elected trustees to the association's Board of Trustees. With the uncertainty of the number and types of in-person events to be held at Expo West in Anaheim, the Board of Trustees has made the decision that the election for the 2022 cycle will again be held in a virtual format during AHPA's annual member meeting, which is currently planned to be held in a hybrid in-person/virtual manner on March 9, 2022. Candidates should be prepared to participate in an online platform where they will have the opportunity to give a short address to the membership.
The December 2021 AHPA Report includes: Call for candidates to AHPA's Board of Trustees, Nominate your colleagues for the 2022 AHPA Awards, 2018-2020 Tonnage Survey; and more!
SILVER SPRING, MD, Dec. 6, 2021 – The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) today announced Melissa Do has joined the association as Director of Communications, reporting to Amber Bennett, Vice President of Marketing & Engagement at AHPA.
At its most recent meeting on October 26, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) considered several topics of interest to the AHPA membership and consistent with AHPA’s Mission to promote the responsible and sustainable commerce of herbal products to ensure that consumers have informed access to a wide variety of safe herbal goods.
Early this month, Amazon updated its policy for vendors of dietary supplements on the Amazon platform. Amazon has maintained such a policy since at least late 2018, and has amended the policy on several occasions in the interim.
AHPA is now accepting nominations for the 2022 AHPA Awards. The awards will be presented at the Annual AHPA Member Meeting March 9th.
2022 Annual Fund Sponsors
AHPA appreciates the support of its sponsors, but does not endorse, recommend, or provide a warranty for any sponsor company, its products or services. AHPA has no responsibility for any transaction entered into with any of these companies.


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Consumer spending decelerated and was weaker than expected. But, Personal income growth accelerated to a 0.4% gain and the personal savings rate increased to 4.6%, which was the highest since January 2022. This data points to consumers who have money but are paying off debt and building back savings as a primary goal. Spending on housing and vehicles is more of a need than a want in the aggregate so a lead or a shopper is more valuable now than ever before.
New Car Outlook
New car sales are as running close to 2019 sales but despite the news about new car supply, we are still running well below 2019 and 2012 levels and that is impacting used car trades. We need more new cars.
Used Car Outlook:
The sales rate is still trending close to 2019 with day-supply within below the normal range at 40. Days’ supply dropped at the end of June for all three segments and the acquisition rate still running higher than the sold rate.
Wholesale Outlook: The 3-year-old indexes depreciated 1.0% to 98 .7%. Both non-luxury and luxury decreased by 0.9%. All model years depreciated week over week. Sale prices continue to run further below MMR (-2.47%). Lane efficiency dropped for both 3- and 6-year-old models but ran ahead of 2023 MY.
Retail Spread: Wholesale to Retail Value Summary:
- 2020 model year non-luxury wholesale values decreased by 0.9%; retail values decreased by 0.5%.
- 2020 model year luxury wholesale values decreased by 0.9% and retail values decreased by 0.6%.
- Although retail values dropped at a higher rate last week, spreads continue to improve as wholesale values have dropped more sharply than retail values.
The market is slow and steady and the retail price is starting to reflect that. However, so is the acquisition market, and that value is declining almost 50% faster than the retail market. This spells good news for dealers and shoppers with used vehicles not increasing but decreasing eventually making them affordable to more buyers.
The economic conditions are not stellar but the bright spots mentioned above, higher wages and consumers saving more, means the future is bright. The key right now is every lead, every shopper every up is gold. If they are attempting to buy, they are more serious than in the past. Don’t let them slip away to another dealer. The law of averages is not on our side in this market.


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Your connection to the factory floor may be the same device you use for social media and gaming. Human-machine interfaces (HMI) have been experiencing long, slow, incremental growth for decades. Lately, though, HMI has rocketed into new tech territory as smartphones and tablets proliferate among consumers. Now, plant managers want the same sophisticated view into that plant that they get on their home devices.
Concurrent with the trend to consumerize HMI, we're seeing an increase in mobilized HMI. Not surprisingly, given all these new devices connecting to the plant, security is becoming an issue. Other HMI trends include TVized large flat screens, increased use of thin clients, a broader view of data on the screen, and everything HMI coming at a cheaper price.
Consumer devices take over the plant floor
With mounting customer requests to connect consumer devices to the plant system, automation vendors quickly adopted strategies to include these devices as part of their HMI offering. "On iPhone and iPad, there are a couple things we do -- we web-publish reports; you can pull up screen snapshots or customized reports on your iPhone or iPad," Tom Craven, operator interface product manager at GE Intelligent Platforms, told Design News. "More and more that's becoming a requirement on projects. Three or four years ago that was unheard of."
Even stationary HMI is shifting to consumer devices. "There is one application where a customer took an iPad touch, mounted it on the outside of a panel, and physically used the iPad as an HMI. All they did is wire power and use WiFi to get to the Internet," Nick Clute, business development manager at Turck, told us. "As consumer devices continue to grow, we're going to see more of these applications. We're going to see more industrial software written for consumer devices."
Data on the go
As well as the convenience of using familiar smartphones and tablets, plant engineers like these devices for on-the-go connectivity. Even non-consumer-device HMI is going mobile. "Mobility has been a big driver in HMI with most, if not all, vendors offering solutions," said Alexander Pinkham, product marketing manager at Iconics. "While many solutions are read-only extensions of current desktop offerings, Iconics provides a range of options from native apps for Apple, Android, and Windows to the ability to use HTML5 clients to interact with graphical displays."
Millennials want consumer-like capabilities
Young engineers are particularly drawn to consumer device HMI. They expect plant HMI to meet the technical sophistication of their smartphones. From there, they can create their own HMI interface. "The movement to quick mobile prototyping to achieve immediate results is stimulating for the younger generation of HMI engineers who are joining the workforce; the millennials," said Pinkham. "The more our customers explore our offerings, the more they find new things that they can trend or aggregate into displays to incite new ideas that can lead to more investigation and more effective visualizations."
Another aspect of HMI attractive to young engineers is TV-like screens. "We have graphics on 19-inch monitors that can be used on the machine. It's not a touch panel, but most shop guys don't like touchscreens," Randy Pearson, international business development manager at Siemens, said. "Touch is still new to all of us. Newer and younger engineers will bring touch in, and then it will be prevalent."


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Tesla has lately deployed their newest software program replace, 2022.24.5, and with it introduced a number of new options that weren’t included within the launch notes. One of many undocumented adjustments offers us a touch that Tesla might be making ready to launch their very own app retailer quickly.
You may try the total launch notes for 2022.24.5 right here.
Uninstall Video games
With the newest replace house owners can now unlock inner cupboard space and uninstall video games from the Tesla Arcade. When accessing the video games from the Arcade you possibly can see how a lot area each takes up, and for those who don’t plan on utilizing the sport once more there’s now an “uninstall” button.
We’ve not but been in a position to verify if the sport then disappears fully from the Arcade, or if there’s an choice to reinstall it after it has been deleted.
For reference, the onboard storage on a Tesla outfitted with MCU2 is 64GB, whereas these with MCU3 vehicles have 256GB, so uninstalling a recreation received’t have a big effect on the efficiency of your onboard laptop.
Nonetheless, this addition might be a precursor to the launch of the rumoured Tesla app retailer the place you possibly can obtain and set up apps from Tesla and third-party builders on to your automotive.
An app retailer has not but been publicly confirmed by Tesla, however a number of sources have mentioned one has been in improvement since round Might 2021 and will launch this 12 months.
Tesla has additionally modified the best way they show tire pressures. With the replace your car now exhibits the final identified tire stress, and the time it was final learn. This can be useful in realizing if the sensor readings are present or have but to replace on a brand new drive.
One other helpful addition is an inventory of the beneficial chilly tire stress in your automotive.
A extra minor replace is the location of the flip alerts has moved above the regenerative braking line on the primary show. That is to permit more room for the blind spot digicam, which has now moved to the highest of the display screen for higher visibility.


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More than 1,000 workers went on strike last week at an IBM(s ibm) server factory in southern China, demanding better wages (or decent severance) as IBM’s x86 server business gets sold to Lenovo. That strike is still ongoing, but Lenovo does not consider this to be its problem.
In a statement on Monday, Lenovo pointed out that it hasn’t taken over the relevant business yet — regulatory hurdles still stand in the way — and therefore “the strike at the IBM server factory in Shenzhen is the internal matter for IBM.”
“To ensure a smooth transition Lenovo is committed to provide opportunity for all employees from IBM’s x86 server department who transfer to Lenovo, without any reduction of their wages and benefits,” the Chinese manufacturer insisted.
However, the five-day-long strike continues. Per Reuters’ analysis, this is partly the result of a growing labor shortage in China, which is “emboldening” workers to stand up for their rights — and no doubt spurring on manufacturing outfits like Foxconn to cozy up to Google(s goog) for its nascent factory-automating robotics efforts.
Workers at a nearby Nokia(s nok) plant also put down their tools last November, in protest at the terms of the sale of Nokia’s handset business to Microsoft(s msft).
IBM itself isn’t budging. According to a Tuesday report in the Shanghai Daily, the company has fired 20 of the protestors for “disobeying company orders, absence without leave and gathering together during work times.”


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The advertising director of Sovran Financial Corp. sat in the Little Tavern hamburger shop in Georgetown last month, watching as rows of beef patties were grilled, stuffed into buns and sold by the bagful.
The executive, Dave Luck, was in town helping a camera crew capture local scenes for ads trumpeting Virginia-based Sovran's jump into interstate banking through its purchase of banks in Maryland and the District.
A venerated fast-food joint was a fitting setting to film, Sovran officials readily admitted. "Hamburgers, panty hose, bank services -- they are commodity products, and marketing them is very much alike," said Constance Wilsterman of Lawler Ballard Advertising in Norfolk, the firm that created Sovran's ad campaign.
Sovran, the area's largest bank-holding company and the first to complete mergers in Maryland and the District under new interstate banking laws, is selling financial services much as the Little Tavern or McDonald's or Wendy's sells fast food: "Our job is to create an image," Wilsterman said, "to give products personality."
Sovran's $3 million media blitz, which started four weeks ago and kicked into high gear last Monday, uses local landmarks as well as symbols such as soldiers piling out of a Trojan horse or George Washington crossing the Delaware to convey convenience, strength and an ability to move quickly.
Within the next 18 months, Virginia's second-, third- and fourth-largest bank-holding companies plan to follow Sovran and bombard area residents with similar ad campaigns. United Virginia Banks of Richmond, Bank of Virginia of Richmond and Dominion Bankshares of Roanoke all are buying banks in the District and Maryland, and, like Sovran, plan to use advertising to glue the pieces together in the public's mind.
First American Bank, based in the District, blazed the trail for the new campaign of multistate bank marketing several years ago, when the names of more than a dozen small banks were changed to First American. The banks had been linked into a chain decades earlier -- before there were legal restrictions on interstate banking -- but only when new owners took over were they given a common name and a joint marketing campaign.
However, compared with their competitors in the District and Maryland, Sovran and the other Virginia banks are strides ahead in the interstate banking race.
The top four Virginia banks have moved faster than their Maryland and District competitors to cross the invisible lines separating what bankers consider the indivisible market of Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland and the District.
James Madison Ltd. is the only D.C. bank-holding company that has mergers pending in both Virginia and Maryland under the new laws. No Maryland banks have made purchases in the District or Virginia, although some have been bought out in the interstate consolidation.
New local laws permitting out-of-state banks to cross borders through acquisitions still require bank-holding companies to operate banks within each jurisdiction as independent businesses. From a marketing point of view, however, marketers say the separately incorporated banks will look like a cohesive company.
Technology Brings Change
Pioneered in the 1970s by Citicorp and fostered by electronic technology, mass marketing of financial services has helped blur barriers between banks and other businesses.
"Bankers now finally realize that they are in the retailing business," said Glenn Monigle, a Denver-based marketing consultant. In the last few years, he has helped Sovran and Dominion Bankshares plot interstate marketing strategies.
This fall, Dominion -- the fourth-largest banking company in Virginia -- is expected to complete its interstate acquisitions and begin advertising the merits of interstate banking. United Virginia, the second-largest, and Bank of Virginia, ranked third in size, say they expect to follow early next year.
Like Sovran and First American, the three banks will unite their operations under one name freed of state or regional identification.
The combination of First and Merchants and Virginia National banks into Sovran, the transformation of Clarendon Bank into First American for interstate marketing purposes and the changing of the name of the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society to Meritor when it moved into Washington are evidence that bankers no longer serve markets defined by geography.
Soon, bankers say, the geographic differences will be no more significant than distinctions between the services banks offer.
"A checking account is a checking account," said United Virginia Vice Chairman Samuel P. Cardwell. "Products are all fungible. Convenience, service and pricing are not."
Marketers say that perceived differences among similar products are fostered through packaging, advertising and convenience. Although consumers are unlikely to give a lumpy potato mix or sour orange juice a second try, they might pick and continue using a good product largely because they like its image and find it easy to get.
Industry analysts and executives say financial services are no different. Bankers contend most consumers still pick a bank much as they do a fast-food restaurant. Potential customers are likely to walk into the first one they see, as long as they think an institution is safe. If two branches operate side-by-side, advertising likely will guide the choice.
The hassle of switching banks makes consumers reluctant to move their accounts, regardless of mistakes and bad service.
"If you can get the customer's checking account, you've got that customer, unless you beat them up," said Frederick Deane Jr., chairman and chief executive of Bank of Virginia.
Bank of Virginia plans to change its name to Signet and hopes by midsummer to have regulators' approval of its acquisitions in the District and Maryland. Early next year it will start an ad campaign.
Sovran and Dominion gained a lead over local rivals by settling on names and corporate logos at least two years ago in anticipation of interstate banking.
United Virginia appears to be running last of the top four Virginia banks. It says it will pick a new name, but will not have its new identity or marketing scheme in place before the summer of 1987.
Whether being first or last will make any difference is unknown.
"Sovran has the jump on us because they've gone through the name change," said James M. Wells III, executive vice president of United Virginia. "We're at an advertising disadvantage right now in the District, no question about it. But over time, convenience of customer service is more important than media hype. But that's not to say we wouldn't have a campaign going if we had the name."
Customers Rarely Switch
Richard Stillinger of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a New York securities firm specializing in banking, agreed. "To be first in a market is certainly better than not being first, but that doesn't mean Sovran will carry the day. People don't change banks easily. Even a concentrated ad campaign won't find it easy to woo customers."
Industry analysts and executives say that if Sovran's three competitors begin their marketing campaigns within 18 months as planned, Sovran will gain only a modest plus by being first. More important for selling products that can't be touched, smelled, seen or tasted will be long-term marketing efforts that create strong images and distinguish a bank from its competitors.
Sovran's ads are intended in part to reassure existing customers of its new subsidiaries, Suburban Bank of Bethesda and D.C. National, that service will not be interrupted, and to explain why it will be worth the temporary inconvenience of having to get new checks and other materials. Lawler Ballard's goal is to raise awareness in the metro area of Sovran's name to 70 percent, from its current 40 percent.
Sovran's competitors from Virginia are unlikely to spend as much as Sovran has for its campaign, and say they expect to increase the efficiency of their marketing when they begin interstate operations. When banks operate only in Virginia, they are cut off from two-thirds of their market and unable to do business with a majority of the potential customers reached by their advertising in Washington newspapers, magazines and broadcast media.
Mergers Bring Problems
Along with redoing their marketing, the new interstate banks must concentrate on postmerger problems, such as combining the new banks in ways that do not discard talent or bleed morale and achieving consistency between branches without sacrificing local autonomy.
"In a very real sense we're in McDonald's business," said W. Kelly Scott, Sovran's corporate executive officer in charge of marketing. "We have to project a unified image and offer consistent products no matter what office our customers walk into."
Joked Sovran Chairman C. A. Cutchins III, "We do hope we offer a larger selection than just hamburger."
Just as a fast-food operator hopes to sell french fries, soft drinks and dessert with every hamburger it sells, banks like Sovran are pursuing "relationship banking," pushing IRAs, credit cards and car loans to checking-account customers.
At Sovran, the traditional tellers will be renamed "customer service representatives" and will get new duties, including telling customers who come to the counter to cash a check about the other available services.
Money Is Good Incentive
Like other retail sales forces, these "representatives" are increasingly encouraged with bonus programs. "Money is the best incentive I know," said Cutchins.
According to a recent report by the management consulting firm of McKinsey & Co. for the Bank Administration Institute, a think tank financed by the industry, "Senior executives who have managed successful acquisitions and mergers say that 80 percent of the value is created during the postacquisition period."
"The winners and losers in banking will emerge during the next several years of consolidation," the study said. "Merger and acquisition sequences are like chess games -- the best players plan several moves ahead."
UVB officials say that is why the cover of their 1985 annual report pictures a chess game in progress. Sovran has picked bloodier images, such as William the Conqueror invading England and soldiers charging into battle in the Crimean War.
Mike Knaisch of Lawler Ballard said that the intent is to appeal to affluent achievers, who by sheer numbers dominate the metro D.C. market.
He said that this group of people "appreciate s the ideas of leadership and power."
The ads try to convince consumers that interstate banking is "a breakthrough in convenience," Knaisch said. They also attempt to convince executives that interstate banking merely extends the reach of Sovran, whose account managers already have ample authority to act quickly on loans and other business requests.
Although launching the first media campaign does not ensure Sovran of getting the greatest market share in the long run, it is sure to boost the institution's market value now.
"It puts Sovran in a good position as far as name recognition goes, and that increases the potential to be acquired at a good price," said marketing consultant Monigle.
Sovran insists it prefers to remain independent, but rules nothing out. "We've taken the position of being an acquirer," said Sovran's Cutchins.
"But we work for the stockholders, and if a deal comes along, we'd have to look at it from the shareholders' viewpoint," he said.