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This 12 months, veteran online game builders Garry Kitchen and David Crane launched a brand new recreation for the Atari 2600 – although the console was discontinued some 30 years in the past. And so they’re not the one ones. Corporations equivalent to Restricted Run Video games and Strictly Restricted Video games are manufacturing model new cartridges, and generally never-before-released video games, for consoles that predate the smartphone. “The market’s not remotely useless for these consoles,” says Josh Fairhurst, head of North Carolina-based Limited Run. “There’s numerous demand, and it’s solely rising.”
Costs for retro video games have gone by the roof lately, as evidenced by a latest slew of record-breaking public sale bids for traditional titles, together with the sale of a mint copy of Super Mario 64 for $1.5m (£1.1m). The availability of previous video games is proscribed, and demand is rising: not simply from older individuals who need to accumulate video games they keep in mind from their youth, but in addition from those that weren’t even born when the Sega Mega Drive was cutting-edge. “New generations need to return and expertise the classics and personal them,” says Fairhurst. “There are recreation collectors born each day.”
For him, producing new cartridges is a approach to make these video games out there to individuals who can not afford the eye-watering costs that collectors are paying. He offers the instance of Shantae on the Sport Boy Shade, the primary title in a now common collection. Unique copies of this uncommon recreation promote for round $600, Restricted Run’s new cartridges value a fraction of that.
However why purchase a cartridge when a whole lot of traditional video games are already out there to buy digitally on trendy consoles, and plenty of extra could be performed without cost by legally doubtful emulation? It’s about authenticity, says Dennis Mendel, head of Strictly Limited Games in Stuttgart, Germany: “The actual deal is the unique console.” There’s additionally the tangibility of truly proudly owning one thing, he provides. With a digital recreation, the client merely buys a licence to play the title somewhat than proudly owning it outright. However his firm’s cartridges “can’t be up to date by a digital replace, and you’ll’t take away the rights to play them.”
Then there’s the sudden cool issue of bodily media, which Fairhurst likens to the best way vinyl has been embraced by youthful individuals: “Youngsters raised within the digital period, they’re craving for a few of this bodily stuff. And it’s turning into cool once more, in a way, as a result of it’s totally different than what they’re used to.”
Corporations aren’t simply re-releasing traditional video games on model new cartridges – they’re additionally creating new titles for previous machines, and even unearthing cancelled video games that by no means made it to market first time round. Strictly Restricted launched Ultracore for the Mega Drive in 2019, a recreation by Swedish developer Cube (now well-known for the Battlefield collection) which was cancelled by its writer in 1994, simply earlier than launch. The manufacturing run of two,000 cartridges offered out nearly instantly. “We underestimated the ability of retro video games at the moment,” says Mendel.
Restricted Run has additionally launched model new titles for previous techniques, equivalent to GALF and Jay and Silent Bob: Mall Brawl on the NES. Fairhurst says retro appeals to builders as a result of video games could be created with a staff of simply two or three individuals: “The video games don’t should be large in scope, they usually can nonetheless be enjoyable, they’ll nonetheless be partaking.”
For Garry Kitchen, nonetheless, returning to work on the Atari 2600 was all in regards to the problem of constructing the very best recreation for the system. Kitchen labored at Activision within the early 1980s, and alongside along with his brother Dan and Activision co-founder David Crane, he established Audacity Games earlier this 12 months. The corporate has simply launched Circus Convoy, a recreation three years within the making. “It was wonderful, as a result of there was no person respiratory down our necks … We labored on it till it was good,” says Garry. He has been greatly surprised by the response. “We get so many messages which might be simply: ‘I can’t inform you how essential it was to me, it was like I used to be 10 years previous once more, ready for my cartridge to return within the mail.’”
Kitchen is fast to confess that it’s extra in regards to the ardour than cash. Margins are tight in relation to creating these bespoke cartridges, and manufacturing runs are sometimes small, starting from round 2,000 to 10,000 models. Fairhurst says that Restricted Run works with a trusted provider to create customized PCB boards and plastic injection moulds for his or her releases, a course of that doesn’t come low-cost. “The precise value of these items could be $30–40, and the highest anyone can pay for them is perhaps $55. After which it’s a must to think about that we’re splitting that quantity with the software program licensor. On the finish of the day, we would make $2 for each certainly one of these items we make, so it’s definitely not tremendous profitable.”
He notes that bootleg replica cartridges typically promote for a lot much less, however are often created from low-cost elements that would doubtlessly harm a console and even catch hearth. And naturally, he says, the sport’s builders aren’t getting any royalties from bootlegs. Mendel agrees that financially supporting recreation creators is crucial for constructing a sustainable market. If builders obtain royalties from a brand new cartridge launch, he says, they could suppose, “hey, there’s curiosity on this, let’s make a sequel, or let’s create a brand new recreation”.
Mendel thinks there’s a sure social accountability to protecting these previous video games and techniques alive so that folks can recognize how video games have advanced, in the identical approach that film lovers recognize the movies of Charlie Chaplin. However extra merely, Fairhurst says, individuals identical to proudly owning one thing tangible. “They like the texture of opening a field, wanting by a guide, placing one thing up on their shelf, and constructing a group. There’s simply one thing interesting about that.”


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Dubai’s developer Salvatore Leggiero is trailblazing a novel approach to real estate, announcing his vision of the world’s inaugural Bitcoin Tower, set for a grand unveiling at the upcoming COP28 meeting. 🤯
Breaking away from the conventional, this unique venture is to manifest as a Bitcoin-themed hotel chain, blurring the lines between cutting-edge technology and hospitality. Committed to sustainability, the project harnesses blockchain and artificial intelligence, all while ensuring zero CO2 emissions.
An added twist in the tale, the hotel chain leaps into the NFT realm, rewarding its customers with distinctive utilities. For example, guests can stake cryptocurrencies and earn an APY, enabling a potentially profitable offset against their rental payments.
The 40-story Bitcoin Tower, far more than a skyscraper, is an homage to Bitcoin and its enigmatic creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Embodying a real estate revolution, it marries digital and physical assets in an unprecedented fashion.
The invitation to contribute is open to creatives worldwide, heralding a stride into the future. ⏩

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The first phase of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011’s big international marketing effort will be launched in Auckland today and everyone involved is remaining extremely, disappointingly but impressively tight-lipped about the whole thing.
Some billboards bleed. Some offer diamond earrings. And almost all shout a call to action. But the Fairground Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that was set up and funded by ecostore founder Malcolm Rands to create a healthier, more sustainable world, has taken a different approach to grabbing people’s attention after unveiling what it likes to call the “un-billboard”.
New Zealand maintained its reputation as a direct marketing powerhouse at the 32nd John Caples International Awards in New York late last week, with Colenso and AIM Proximity’s Yellow Treehouse once again in the upper echelons and DraftFCB and TBWA\Whybin\Tequila also claiming some precious metal.
For anyone unfortunate enough not to be at the 30th birthday shindig of the CAANZ Axis awards last night, you can read all about the glitz and glamour here. But why be forced to think and read boring words on a screen when you could instead let two of the exciting videos that were played at the event go inside your brain with the click of a button.
Fairfax Magazines has purchased Driver magazine and will merge it with New Zealand Autocar from the May issue, after it became clear to John Baker, of former Driver publisher Tangible Media, that the publishing landscape had changed and two magazines devoted to new cars couldn’t be supported, particularly given the large decrease in sales of new cars in recent times.
The Air New Zealanders have done it again, this time brewing up an interesting marketing ploy they like to call the Aviation Design Academy, which is asking customers from New Zealand and around the world to submit their ideas and add a few finishing touches to the offerings in the airline’s new 777-300 aircraft.
You can almost feel the collective hangover after 680 creatively-minded humans gathered together last night at the huge and rather impressive Orams Marine Boat Park to celebrate the 30th birthday of the CAANZ Axis awards, as well as the creativity, ideas and personalities the industry has fostered in that time.
Optimism was in the air at the New Zealand Marketing Association’s Northern Regional Event today, with the general consensus among some of the country’s bravest and ‘upto’ direct marketers being that with the fancy tools now in the box there’s never been a better time to be in the game.
In strange things for sale on TradeMe news, committed Mexi-Dougophiles can bid to get their hands on the authentic and presumably extremely valuable Mexi-Doug Instant Kiwi costume, with the proceeds from the auction going towards WWF’s Earth Hour.
Somewhat surprisingly, for a man who’s the president and chief creative officer of the massive behemoth that is the Time Warner Global Media Group (oh, and he’s also the senior vice president of Time Warner), Mark D’Arcy exudes calm and charm. And, with a silver tongue and a penchant for strange magazines like this, he seems like your quintessential creative director. The strange thing is he’s actually working for a media company and he’s at the forefront of what he sees as a move towards media-led creativity in marketing.
After analysing the visual searches and choices of more than 1.5 million creative professionals around the world and reviewing thousands of tearsheets, commercials and other websites to discover trends, the global creative research team at Getty Images has produced some rather revealing white papers that show how the kinds of imagery used in marketing material in the technology and telecommunications, pharmaceutical and financial sectors has evolved in recent years.
Wholly Bagels owner and founder Charlie Daily decided on his marketing strategy out of necessity: he had no budget for mainstream advertising, so, instead, he decided to use giving and generosity as his major marketing tool. And so far it’s proven to be a very effective approach.
All the news (about pyar, new baby food, ice cream, banned ads, loin tingling, non-profit organisations and green marketing) that’s fit to print – and now in handy meta format.
Why we like it: As Mother always said, put some animated needlework in your ads (or your songs) and you’re bound to win the TVC of the week prize on StopPress. And the artisanship on display in this quirky, handmade and awfully time-consuming little number that was …
Magnation, the purveyor of fine periodicals, has recently embarked on “its most revealing promotion ever” by offering customers that strip down to their unmentionables and head into one of the shops a reward for their brave exhibitionism. And, according to Sahil Merchant, the founder of Magnation and “chief magazineologist”, the promotion has been wildly successful, highly amusing and, given its unexpected popularity, nigh-on financially catastrophic.
Econsultancy and the Online Marketing Summit have produced a US-based report called the Value of Social Media that is based on a survey of more than 400 client-side marketers and agency respondents. And Andy Beal, founder and editor of MarketingPilgrim.com, took a gander, with his major observation being that 61 percent of the companies felt their measurement of the return on investment (ROI) from social media is either poor or very poor.
Claire Stapleton and Duncan Munro from Y&R Wellington have taken out the Bolly Award for their Metservice campaign ‘You Can’t Change the Weather’, impressing the boffins with a digital execution that allowed punters a chance to play God.
Absolut vodka today launched its new ‘Drinks’ campaign in New Zealand, with renowned fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth and smokin’ screen hotties Kate Beckinsale and Zooey Deschanel combining forces in an effort to show off some of the world’s best known drinks and the stories behind them.
This week in the [email protected], the Suzuki Swift is apparently still the one. And the ad is definitely still the one that will make you scratch your own eyes out. Protex follows suit with an ear/eye-scratchingly bad jingle of its own. Perhaps John Rowles should think about becoming a consultant following his famous victory in the Great New Zealand Twitter jingle survey recently.
NZ Lotteries isn’t spilling any beans on how much it paid to get Donald Trump involved with the new Big Wednesday promotion, but David Higgins of Duco, the events company behind the highly successful Tua versus Cameron fight, has intimate knowledge of the magnate in question and believes it probably cost much more than the estimates currently doing the rounds.
Penis graffiti and prophylactics collide head-on. Warning: animated genitalia with human characteristics and raunchy cartoon sex scenes involved (speaking of genitalia, check out this, perhaps apocryphal, tale of an Italian power company with an unfortunate name).
If we ever get a new flag, surely Justin Brown …
In the world of ‘feminine hygiene products’, sometimes known as ‘tampons’, there are certain advertising rules that have, over time, become engrained: weird blue liquid, euphemisms galore, unrealistic happiness, slow motion beach shots, dancing, basically all the things the above video parodies. But ad agency JWT and US tampon company Kotex decided to flout some those rules for a new campaign in an effort to ‘get real’ about ‘that time of the month’. But everyone knows TV isn’t about reality (unless it’s ‘gritty’) and it seems there’s no room for the horrible, disgusting v word on US TV screens.
Sam Neill is the new face of Kiwibank’s ‘Kiwi Thinking’ campaign. And part of the campaign implores Kiwis to submit their best ideas. Well, at StopPress we like ideas too. So we want you to submit your best ideas to us.


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Sainsbury’s and Asda had been so bullish about their blockbuster deal that they went straight for the hackneyed metaphor of “planets aligning” when picking their codenames.
Back in 2017, when talks first turned serious between the two supermarkets, "Project Solar" was hatched with Walmart dubbed "Mars" and Sainsbury’s "Jupiter".
However, the deal has come crashing back to earth after the competition watchdog delivered an outright block of the £10bn merger. The crushing blow prompts the question of what’s next for Sainsbury’s and its space cadet boss Mike Coupe.
Having spent the past 11 months loudly pleading that Sainsbury’s needed the deal to go through to compete with the discounters, suddenly Coupe needs to convince the City that the supermarket can survive on his own.
Had he succeeded, Coupe would have been praised for his ambition and boldness, but now it has flopped spectacularly it is looking more like arrogance that his team of lawyers could have second-guessed the CMA.
But is the 58-year-old the right person to lead an independent Sainsbury’s into its next chapter? For the time being, Sainsbury’s insists that he has the full backing of the board, but there is a long line of ousted FTSE bosses who have fallen victim to a sudden change of heart in the boardroom.
Analysts say that new chairman Martin Scicluna, who only took over from David Tyler last month, may want to bring in his own man - particularly as he played no part in designing the deal. Patrick O’Brien at GlobalData says that Coupe had “wasted a year chasing an impossible dream while its competitors took full advantage of its distraction”.
“Having pinned his reputation on the merger going through, it might now be difficult for Mike Coupe to remain as chief executive,” says analysts at Exane.
Others say that Scicluna faces a difficult balancing act as a change of leadership could risk destabilising the business further. “Given the poor trading performance of Sainsbury's supermarket it would hardly be helpful to our minds to change the leader at this juncture; the plight of the Tories comes to mind,” says Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital.
The Sainsbury spinners were out in full force arguing that Coupe had already delivered on the strategy he set out when he took over from Justin King in 2014. Coupe’s presentation was titled “Evolving to win”. Instead he has lost the biggest bet of his career.
In his defence, Coupe’s prediction that like-for-like sales in the sector would be negative for the next few years has come true - Sainsbury’s posted a 1pc decline in its most recent results.
He also forecast that Aldi and Lidl would continue to grow and win 15pc of the UK grocery market. At last count, they had a combined 13.6pc.
Coupe said that margins would be under pressure, and they are. Meanwhile, consumers have become more fickle and are doing smaller, more frequent shops.
He reckoned that convenience shopping would grow and Sainsbury’s has opened scores of smaller shops. And he said that online would become more popular, prompting Sainsbury's takeover of Argos, which has introduced a one-hour delivery service and expanded the retailer well beyond groceries.
There is no denying that the Asda deal would have helped Sainsbury’s in its strategy to become more competitive and lower prices. After all, in the companies’ submissions to the CMA, they even said that without the deal their "current respective cost bases will continue to constrain them from becoming stronger rivals to competitors, including Aldi and Lidl: both parties will be challenged to lower prices sustainably and make the necessary investments in quality, store environment and service”.
This means Sainsbury’s now urgently needs to find a way to do this without Asda.
The supermarket faces a looming existential crisis about its position in the market - where it offers neither the best quality products nor the cheapest. Its "Taste the Difference" range is now rivalled by the other supermarkets' premium versions, while shoppers looking for value will happily switch to a discounter. Jamie Oliver, for a long time the face of the supermarket, has been poached by Tesco.
“It needs to re-establish its place in an increasingly polarised market, with discounters like Aldi and Lidl on one side of the spectrum and premium players like Waitrose on the other,” says William Hall at global branding agency Landor. "Sainsbury’s finds itself somewhere in the ‘murky middle’, lacking relevance for the modern shopper and becoming increasingly difficult to tell apart from the rest of the crowd."
Sainsbury’s is due to present full-year results next week that are expected to show a decline in both sales and profits and detail the tens of millions it has wasted on legal fees. As a result, Coupe will be fighting a battle on two fronts: proving that Sainsbury’s can survive on its own - and that he can too.


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Doncaster College shows what it can do
Doncaster College showcased its courses at the re-launch of the Doncaster Show.
Held in a 12 acres of sports fields, the show was a fun-packed weekend of entertainment with craft stalls, classic cars, Zumba lessons and live music from local bands.
A college spokesperson said: “It gave us a great opportunity to meet potential learners of all ages, showcase what the college could offer as well as supporting a local charitable organisation.
“The event offered something for everyone from dog agility courses, giant inflatables and fair ground rides, classic cars, archery, a whole host of local music acts alongside local retailers and emergency services.”


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BEAVERTON, Ore. (June 21, 2007)- Coinciding with this year's Tour de France, Yakima, innovator in vehicle racks for boats, bikes and winter sports gear, and cargo boxes, has partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to create LIVESTRONGâ„¢ endcaps for consumers looking to customize their vehicle base rack systems. These endcaps, which showcase LAF's logo, fit on Yakima round bars and are available now. Yakima will donate 100% profit from all endcap sales directly to supporting the Foundation. MSRP: $15/set of four.
â€œThe Lance Armstrong Foundation has taken great strides in making the fight against cancer a national priority,â€ said Mike Steck, senior director of marketing for Yakima. â€œWe are proud to help broaden LAF's mission though our vehicle racks. â€œLike many, our employees have also been personally touched by cancer and wanted to do something to help those fighting the disease. This partnership enables our customers to show their support for the Foundation while doing something they love -- getting outdoors.â€
â€œThe LAF's mission is to inspire and empower people affected by cancer, and we are grateful to Yakima for its support of our efforts,â€ said Doug Ulman, president of the LAF. â€œYakima's new customizable endcap is not only a way to share our LIVESTRONGâ„¢ message, but also, enables outdoor enthusiasts to show support for people affected by cancer.â€
Yakima is a world leader in the design and manufacture of destination hardware and gear management solutions. Yakima's products include: vehicle racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment and gear; a line of cargo boxes and bags for a variety of needs; and Ground Control, an integrated gear management system for the home. Yakima Products is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. For more information, visit www.yakima.com.
About the LAF:
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people to fight cancer, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. We provide the practical information and tools people battling cancer need to live life on their own terms. We take aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent death and suffering due to cancer. We engage the public at large to pursue an agenda focused on preventing cancer, ensuring access to screening and care, improving the quality of life for people affected by cancer, and investing in needed research. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. UNITE at LIVESTRONG.org.


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In Europe, anti-dumping and countervailing duties have been in place on imported solar panels and cells from China since 2012. While the EU and China arrived at an agreement to introduce a ‘Minimum Import Price’ (MIP), a set price and an annual quota on Chinese solar products, the dispute is now past its fifth year and is the largest trade case, in terms of value, that the EU is currently prosecuting against China.
In 2015, SolarPower Europe, the only association for the solar sector at the European level, decided to call for the removal of the measures. This was a unanimous decision of the Board, including European panel manufacturers as it was agreed that this would support an increased demand for solar in Europe. Removing the duties would also be a boost for a sector that has seen declining rates of solar installation and jobs in Europe over the past 5 years.


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By Tyler Durden
Submitted by Daisy Luther via The Organic Prepper blog,
What lies ahead for the economy this year? Will the economy finally collapse as predicted by many or will the early positive signs in stock markets around the world continue and the global economy will flourish?
I’ve taken a lot of heat for being “gloomy” and for “fear-mongering” lately when I’ve said that President-Elect Trump is inheriting a mess of epic proportions and that we may still be in for a rough financial ride. While I do think that Trump is a far better choice than Hillary Clinton ever could have been, when a situation has been declining as long as ours has, it would take an absolute miracle to turn it around without some pain.
And it turns out, I’m not alone in my concern about the worst for our economic situation during the upcoming year.
Here’s what 12 prominent financial experts are predicting.
Lawrence Yun is the chief economist at The National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
“The budget of many prospective buyers last month was dealt an abrupt hit by the quick ascension of rates immediately after the election. Already faced with climbing home prices and minimal listings in the affordable price range, fewer …read more


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WASHINGTON – Consumer delinquencies continued to decline in the second quarter of 2012, with bank card delinquencies falling to 11-year lows as consumers shore up their financial base in an uncertain economy, according to results from the American Bankers Association’s Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin.
During the second quarter, bank card delinquencies dropped below three percent of accounts for the first time since 2001, falling 15 basis points to 2.93 percent of all accounts and well below the 15-year average of 3.91 percent.
The composite ratio, which tracks delinquencies in eight closed-end installment loan categories, fell 11 basis points to 2.24 percent of all accounts in the second quarter, below the 15-year average of 2.40 percent. (See Historical Fact Sheet.) The ABA report defines a delinquency as a late payment that is 30 days or more overdue.
James Chessen, ABA’s chief economist, attributed the improvement to continued efforts by consumers to manage their finances.
“Consumers are saving more and borrowing less as they work to pay down debt at a faster rate,” Chessen said. “Economic uncertainty has made consumers hesitant to take on new debt, and building a stronger financial base has become a priority.”
While Chessen found the continued decline encouraging, the report didn’t reflect the kind of comprehensive improvement across categories seen in the first quarter.
“The lack of broad-based improvement gives us pause about the future,” Chessen said. “The economy experienced turbulence in the second quarter. Slow job growth and continued uncertainty means many consumers will face challenges managing their debt going forward.”
Chessen also noted that delinquencies in all three categories of home-related loans rose in the second quarter.
“While the housing market appears to have turned a corner, we are many quarters away from seeing improvement filter through to reduce home-related delinquencies,” Chessen said.
Chessen said consumers should be congratulated on their prudent and cautious behavior toward credit, particularly given the uncertainty they face.
“Good financial planning is the best defense against inevitable economic bumps in the road that lie ahead,” he said. “The economic path is far from certain as Europe continues to struggle and big decisions are needed to deal with the looming U.S. debt cliff.” (See economic charts.)
Looking forward, Chessen believes that the future outlook depends on a growing economy with stronger job growth.
“A robust economy is the best protector against increased delinquencies,” Chessen said.
The second quarter 2012 composite ratio is made up of the following eight closed-end loans. All figures are seasonally adjusted based upon the number of accounts.
- Personal loan delinquencies rose from 2.01 percent to 2.15 percent.
- Direct auto loan delinquencies rose from 0.86 percent to 0.92 percent.
- Indirect auto loan delinquencies fell from 2.41 percent to 2.23 percent.
- Mobile home delinquencies fell from 3.25 percent to 3.15 percent.
- RV loan delinquencies rose from 1.11 percent to 1.15 percent.
- Marine loan delinquencies rose from 1.44 percent to 1.53 percent.
- Property improvement loan delinquencies rose from 0.83 percent to 0.90 percent.
- Home equity loan delinquencies rose from 4.00 percent to 4.09 percent.
In addition, ABA tracks three open-end loan categories:
- Bank card delinquencies fell from 3.08 percent to 2.93 percent
- Home equity lines of credit delinquencies rose from 1.78 percent to 1.91 percent.
- Non-card revolving loan delinquencies rose from 1.18 percent to 1.35 percent.
For borrowers having trouble paying down debts, ABA advises taking action — sooner rather than later — to solve debt problems with the following tips
- Talk with creditors – the sooner you talk to them, the more options you have;
- Don’t charge more purchases until your problems are solved;
- Avoid bankruptcy – it’s a short-term solution with long-term consequences; and
- Contact Consumer Credit Counseling Services at 1-800-388-2227.
For more information on budgeting, saving and managing credit, visit the ABA Education Foundation’s consumer web page at http://www.aba.com/Consumers/
Indirect auto loan: loan arranged through a third party such as an auto dealer.
Direct auto loan: loan arranged directly through a bank.
Delinquency: late payment that is 30 days or more overdue.
Bank card: a credit card provided by a bank.
Closed-end loan: a loan for a fixed amount of money with a fixed repayment period and regularly scheduled payments.
Open-end loan: a loan with a fixed amount of available credit but a balance that fluctuates depending on usage such as a line of credit.
The American Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation’s $13 trillion banking industry and its two million employees. Learn more at aba.com.


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It’s official, ipad fever has taken over South Africa.
After Apple’s iPad launched in South Africa at midnight on Thursday 27 January 2011, local distributor Core Group said they saw significant interest and sales in the product. Electronic and technology retailers Incredible Connection revealed 70 percent of its iPad stock had already been sold nationwide.
Although rumours and speculation are rife that Apple are set to announce its latest version of the iPad, South African consumers still flocked to retail outlets to buy the world’s most renowned tablet.
All six versions of the Apple iPad are available to buy eight months after its international debut. Out of all models, the most popular were the upper end 3G models, accounting for 85 percent of sales.
Prices start at R4399.95 for the basic 16 GB Wi-Fi versions and go up to R7599.95 for the 64GB 3G enabled device.
Incredible Connection CEO, Dave Miller said: “We were expecting a rush, however, as soon as word got out that the iPad was here, right on cue, there was pandemonium at some of our stores during the weekend.”
Miller revealed that manufacturing capacity had meant a delayed release in South Africa and even though a second version of the iPad is imminent, consumers simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to purchase the tablet.
“Demand for the iPad globally has been so huge that production simply hasn’t been able to keep up, causing delays in release of the iPad in South Africa as well as limiting the amount of stock made available now,”
“A lot of South Africans are not going to wait for Version 2, however. What matters is that they can get their hands on an iPad of whatever sort right now,” said Miller.
The fact that demand is so high just reflects the growing consumer market in South Africa. Growing consumer demand isn’t limited just to South Africa, but Africa as a whole in general has a growing middle class with increasing purchasing power. Something that needs to be noticed and taken seriously by foreign investors and firms. The upside is tremendous.
Here is a good ipad video about the device.


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Loss Of 500 Very Good American Jobs
Thank you, President Bush, for killing 500 good-paying American jobs -- the ones that earn between $50,000 and $60,000 a year -- and allowing the United States to become dependent on China for many of the components used to transport fresh water into people's homes and businesses. That's the message from McWane Inc., of Birmingham, Ala., the country's largest provider of ductile waterworks fittings with 7,000 employees.
The company has recently closed its U.S. factories that made water equipment fittings and has shifted its production to a 400,000-square-foot plant on a 50-acre site in China to produce the same products. Why? Because President Bush on March 3, 2004, overruled a six-to-zero vote by the International Trade Commission that determined Chinese producers were dumping waterworks fittings into the U.S. market. McWane brought the case before the ITC under Section 421 of the Trade Act and spent $1.5 million pursuing it. The ITC determined the industry was worthy of import relief consisting of duties of up to 50 percent on ductile iron waterworks fittings from China. But President Bush didn't agree with the decision, claiming that U.S. consumers were more important than U.S. producers.
"I find that the import relief would have an adverse impact on the United States economy clearly greater than the benefits of such action," Bush wrote in his memorandum denying relief. "I find that import relief would have an adverse impact on the United States economy clearly greater than the benefit of such action." Bush has vetoed every affirmative 421 case that has reached his desk on similar grounds.
The result of his decision with regards to McWane: "We have been forced to build facilities in China and import that product back into the United States because of governmental inaction here and the lack of any kind of protection for the investments we have made here to comply with U.S. environmental and safety laws and regulations," says David Green, executive vice president of McWane. "There has been an absolute surge of imports and it's gotten worse."
After the Bush decision, the company started reducing production at its ductile iron water works fittings plants in Alabama, Texas and Ohio. But it's not clear that consumers benefited from Bush's decision, as he said they would.
"You have one of our products per house in a subdivision -- one fitting -- and the consumer pays the same price because the only thing that happens is the contractor puts the savings in his back pocket," says Green. In fact, foreign imports might cost consumers money, given problems with quality, regulatory compliance and products being made overseas without there being any environmental controls.
There is a congressional effort to remove the president from being involved in 421 cases. A provision in the "Strengthening America's Trade Laws Act" (S-364), sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.), would place a "limitation on presidential discretion in addressing market disruption."
There is nothing wrong with the 421 provision of the 1974 Trade Act, say Washington lawyers involved in cases brought before the ITC. "The problem is the administration has been unwilling to save or protect domestic industries that are being hurt by unfair Chinese imports," says Paul Rosenthal of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon. "The rationale they have used to deny relief, even after the ITC has recommended relief, has been inexplicable."
Bush has stated that if Chinese imports were restricted, then imports would surge from other nations. The IPC has not agreed with that. Imports from other countries would not be as harmful as those coming from China because none of them are priced as low as Chinese imports, say those involved with the cases.
"All the arguments the administration uses are make-weights and don't justify their position," says Rosenthal. "I think they have just not had the political will to apply the statute."
In the case of ductile iron waterworks fittings, the ITC stated that imports from China "are a significant cause of market disruption to the domestic industry," and that despite an increase in domestic consumption U.S. production was in steady decline. Chinese prices were declining and there was clear evidence that the Chinese were engaged in "significant underselling of domestic products," said the ITC. "We find a direct and significant connection between the rapidly increasing imports of DIWF from China since 2000 and the recent and sharp decline in industry indicators."
A week after Bush decided against the ITC's recommendation, Green and his boss left for a tour of plants in India and China. They found the conditions to be "atrocious," says Green. "It's common knowledge but nobody wants to pay attention to it: environmentally, it's putrid."
In India, foundry workers don't wear shoes, socks, headgear, ear plugs or eye protection. They wear nothing other than flimsy boxer shorts, squatting on the floor next to burning-hot furnaces.
The next stop was China. "There are no U.S. environmental regulations in China," Green says. If there are any regulations, there is no enforcement whatsoever. If you took a U.S.-regulated, compliant facility and put it in China, "there is no way you could be competitive with all the other Chinese manufacturers," he says. If McWane has to invest hundreds of millions dollars in technology to meet the new EPA guidelines for new foundries in the United States "then there ought to be some support" for having to do so, says Green.
McWane's plant in China has emissions control devices that are six times more stringent than Chinese standards. "We laugh internally that the air leaving our emission control devices is cleaner than the air coming into our facility" three hours south of Beijing.
There are many thousands of foundries in China that use 40-foot-tall cupolas to light industrial grade coke, none of which have collection devices at the top of the stack. Black smoke belches out, creating a plume that stretches across the Pacific Ocean.
The Chinese aren't as efficient, either. At McWane's U.S. plants, it takes 15 man-hours-per-ton to produce ductile fittings, whereas in China, it takes 150-man-hours-per-ton. Moreover, there are no standards regulating arsenic in the coking coal used to make piping and components that carry fresh water, nor do the Chinese have certifiable radiation testing systems. The Chinese have also been found to be using asbestos to coat pipes and fittings in an attempt to minimize leakage.
The U.S. courts are also working against the interests of U.S. producers. In what is being described as a "stunning defeat" for the American foundry industry, the U.S. District Court in San Francisco recently ruled that Qiaoshan Casting Co. Ltd. and Hua Du City Pin An Foundry Ltd., both exporters of ductile fittings into the American market, "cannot be sued in American courts for quality lapses because those courts have no jurisdiction over them," according to the AB&I foundry in Oakland, Calif., a division of McWane.
AB&I sued the Chinese foundries for unfair business practices in the United States, but the court sided with the Chinese companies. "Contractors and others should consider the possible ramifications," states AB&I. "What, for example, would be the result of a case in which the claim was for injuries and damages, perhaps as a result of arsenic or asbestos, both proven to exist in some Chinese [products]? What if the product failed, resulting in losses to your customer? With the Chinese foundries' ability to claim lack of jurisdiction by American courts, who would be left to meet the claims of those damaged? Certainly the engineer, architect, owner and contractor would be involved and perhaps the importer (if they were still in business), but with the manufacturer out of the legal picture, the hit on the other parties to the transaction could be devastating."
Green believes the U.S. government's unwillingness to enforce its trade laws is leading to a potentially catastrophic loss of U.S. industrial capability and wealth. He says that BLS data show that only 400,000 new jobs over the last 10 years were created for men that paid more than the median wage. "There is such a thing as cutting your arm," says Green. "You can cut into the skin. You can cut into the fat. You can cut into the muscle and then you can cut through the bone. At this time, you're cutting into the bone. It's not that we're inefficient. That has nothing to do with it. It's because you're competing against a currency that is 40 percent undervalued, an unlimited amount of labor and lax regulatory control. I guess water is not important to this country."


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Last night, the House of Commons voted on the latest stage of the Agriculture Bill. I have received many emails on this subject and I have thought carefully about my vote having supported an amendment when the Bill was last before the Commons.
Whilst it is undoubtedly a positive step forward that being outside the EU gives the UK the opportunity to strike new trade deals across the world, this shouldn’t come at the expense of high-quality and popular produce from East Devon and elsewhere in the UK that we are quite rightly passionate about.
The government firmly agrees with this. I proudly stood on a manifesto that pledged that our very high animal welfare, environmental, food safety and food import standards will not be compromised in any future Free Trade Agreements.
This means that all food coming into our country will be required to meet existing import requirements. The Withdrawal Act will convert all EU standards into domestic law at the end of the transition period. We are not lowering our standards, we’re protecting them.
Crucially, this includes a ban on using artificial growth hormones in both domestic and imported products and nothing apart from potable water may be used to clean chicken carcasses. Chlorinated chicken isn’t and never will be on our shelves.
Future trade agreements will also be subject to public consultations and as your MP, I will continue to follow these carefully and would welcome your thoughts as and when consultations open. As you’d expect, regular updates are provided to Parliament on the progress of negotiations and I will continue to speak regularly with the Department for International Trade.
Every treaty will be debated and scrutinised in Parliament by law, and Parliament will have the opportunity to say whether a treaty should be ratified. Therefore, rigorous protections for our high food and animal welfare standards will be maintained and included in any future trade agreement we seek to sign.
In addition, since the last vote on the Agriculture Bill, when I supported a similar amendment to those before Parliament last night, a new Independent Trade and Agriculture Commission has been setup to advise the government on every deal as it progresses. The Commission will ensure that the voices of everybody involved in food production are properly heard. This will help to further ensure animal welfare and environmental standards in food production are not undermined. I believe the commission should be permanent and reiterate that Parliament already has the power to reject any trade deal that it does not like. I will be speaking to the Commission later this week to discuss its work on competitiveness, consumer interests and standards as I plan to make my position exceptionally clear at every opportunity.
With these safeguards firmly in mind, I did not support the amendments put forward to the Agriculture Bill this time around as I feel the government has now taken the steps necessary to protect the food we produce in East Devon and across the South West.
Given how I have previously voted on this Bill, please be assured that in the unlikely circumstance that a trade deal comes to the House of Commons which breaches our manifesto commitments, I would vote against it and I believe it would be roundly defeated, and rightly so.


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Apple has denied rumours that its Apple TV set-top device will be delayed until March.
A spokeswoman for the company told vnunet.com that it is business as usual for Apple TV. "We are still planning to release Apple TV in February as announced," she said.
A salesman at an Apple Store, who identified himself only as 'Derek', confirmed that any advance orders would ship in February. But he warned that the units might not reach consumers until March.
Apple chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple TV under the code name 'iTV' at a special media event in September.
The company has been accepting orders for the device since January's MacWorld Expo, when Jobs stated that the set-top box would ship in February.
Apple TV allows users to stream iTunes movies, songs and photos to a TV set from their personal computer using HDMI video and wireless networking capabilities.
Geoengineering on the sea floor near glaciers would form a new ice shelf to prevent melting
Alterations in capillary blood flow can be caused by body position change
Curiosity rover is in 'normal mode' but not transmitting scientific data back to base
NatWest outage comes a day after Barclays' IT systems shut out customers and staff


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Alarm as US clocks out of click banks
Virtual banks whose services are confined to the internet are losing ground in the US and Canada, where many internet-only brands are being closed, sold or absorbed into their bricks-and-mortar parents, a forthcoming report by the Chartered Institute of Bankers will show.
Internet-only banks appeal to only 15% of the market, even in net-happy North America, research sponsored by BT and Compaq has found. Single-product virtual banks fare even worse.
'Although up to 30% of customers use the internet, our research finds they do not want to rely upon electronic banking alone,' CIB e-commerce and technology head Tony Gandy said today. 'Customers want to be able to visit branches for a range of services, and they like quick and easy access to their cash.'
People also want advice, said Gandy, and the internet is not always the best way of getting it. CIB's report is based on interviews with North American institutions, including Bank of America, CIBC, Citibank, Chase Manhattan, Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion and Union Bank of California.
'Our research shows that many internet-only banking brands in North America are being closed, sold or re-incorporated into the bricks-and-mortar banks that offer a full range of services,' Gandy said.
Online share-dealer Charles Schwab reports that although 80% of its business is transacted over the net, 70% of new business and customer relationships start 'in branch'. Vice chairman Guy Knight recently announced that Schwab's internet service had passed the £1bn mark, yet each time the company opened a new office, the local customer base doubled.
These US findings will be of concern to British institutions who are piling into online banking, particularly as only 7% of British bank customers have faith in online banks, compared with 75% who prefer bricks and mortar, branding consultant Henrion, Ludlow & Schmidt found.
Egg, the Prudential virtual bank, is the latest e-trader to stop charging online customers £2 if they telephone, after research showing that people prefer a mixture of human and internet contact. Charges were introduced in an attempt to escape having to finance call centres.
Last week, energy supplier PowerGen was forced to advise online customers to cancel their credit cards after a security lapse led to details of 7,000 domestic and business customers finding their way on to the net.
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ESPN is launching a new version of its Apple TV app that lets viewers watch up to four live streams simultaneously. The new MultiCast feature is designed for following multiple games at the same time so you don’t miss key plays or have to flip between streams to see a score.
ESPN Stories August 16
ESPN Stories April 26
ESPN has announced some upcoming changes for the network today, including informing employees that 100 on-air talent positions will be cut as the company refocuses its content strategy. It also announced new features coming for the ESPN apps today, which is available to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users as well as on other platforms.
The best 4K & 5K displays for Mac
ESPN Stories April 4
Twitter seeking deal to allow users to watch live pay-TV channels within its app
If you enjoy following live sports games on Twitter while you watch them, you may soon to be able to watch pay-TV live broadcasts from within the Twitter app.
ESPN Stories April 3
ESPN is releasing a redesigned and rebranded app for Apple TV today, and in the process replacing the old “WatchESPN” app. The new app, dubbed simply “ESPN”, brings a revamped user interface that includes auto-playing live streams at launch and new on-demand content.
ESPN Stories January 10
ESPN has a significant update to its iOS app today that includes new sports features plus easier ways to watch video on Apple’s platforms with SSO and Chromecast support.
ESPN Stories March 17, 2016
T-Mobile adds YouTube, Google Play Movies & much more to Binge On data free streaming
T-Mobile is expanding its Binge On initiative that allows users to stream content in certain apps without using up their data allowance, and with today’s update YouTube, Google Play Movies, and many other services are now officially supported.


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Minute Maid Pulpy has launched a new creative campaign for 2016 to give surprises to consumers.
The campaign kicked off with Minute Maid Pulpy’s new TVC – “Adding pulp to the brim”, featuring acclaimed Chinese actor Hu Ge (胡歌).
In the commercial, Hu becomes “President” of Minute Maid Pulpy. Around 20,000 oranges were couriered by airship and released on the Minute Maid office building like a citrus rainstorm, and then spewing out from containers and elevators and formed an “orange river”.
“Adding pulp to the brim” is the first TVC created by MullenLowe China since it won creative duties for Minute Maid Pulpy.
Eddie Wong, CCO of MullenLowe China, said: “Our aim is to work closely with the client to create more groundbreaking commercials for Minute Maid Pulpy.”
“These films will get people talking and generate greater awareness of Minute Maid Pulpy.”
The integrated campaign covers TV commercials, online, mobile, social media and outdoor advertising.
Project: “Adding pulp to the brim”
Client: Minute Maid Pulpy
Agency: MullenLowe China


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Ford announced official details on the hybrid version of the 2014 C-Max. At the exterior, the company provides new tire deflectors, an active grille shutter, low-friction engine oil, a revised hood and new tailgate deflectors.
The low-rolling resistance tires are also available while several systems such as start and stop improve the fuel economy.
We don’t know which engine powers the American model but we do know that fuel consumption will be rated at 43mpg combined.
“The enhancements to the 2014 C-MAX Hybrid are expected to improve customers’ on-road fuel economy, especially at highway speeds,” says the company.
Ford also plans to make goodwill payments to current C-Max Hybrid owners offering them up to $550. More information including exact details and photos for the 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid will be released very soon.


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'Slime lab' at shopping centre
A "slime lab" will be held at a Woy Woy shopping centre this week, as a school holiday activity.
Participants will be able to make their own slime blob.
The activity will run daily from 10am to 2pm from today (Tuesday) until Friday, October 7, outside the Commonwealth Bank at Deepwater Shopping Centre.
Bookings are not required but seating is limited and short wait times may apply.
The activity will be available "while stocks last".
Media release, 24 Sep 2022


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This phone was initially seen over a month ago in a few listings that mentioned two models in particular – the Indian version and the global one
There is still not enough details about the Poco X5 5G, but recent listings on the FCC and BIS websites do reveal a few bits of information particularly the phone having a 4,900 mAh battery, which will most likely be marketed as a 5,000 mAh typical capacity one.
The phone will support the n5, n7, n38, n41, n77, and n78 5G bands and will also offer dual-band Wi-Fi. Last but not least, we now know that the Poco X5 5G will come with MIUI 14, which would indicate Android 13 is running inside.
A 120Hz LCD and a Snapdragon 778G+ chipset have been referenced in several Poco X5 5G rumors. So far, that’s pretty much all we know about the enigmatic phone.


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A day for entrepreneurship
At TW Group, we continue to support entrepreneurship. On this occasion, by forming part of the panel of judges for the most recent edition of the Entrepreneur Awards (the 21st) in Navarre.
Congratulations to the winning company, Smart Comfort, created by Aida Loperena and Gabriel Viscarret. For four years now, we have been aware of the interesting undertaking they are pursuing, AVIR, to improve productivity at intensive farms with a focus on animal welfare.
This award is more than just the financial prize of 5,000 euros. It provides access to an international support program in Silicon Valley, organized by Esade Business School in partnership with Google’s Singularity University, or an international course in growing business, Ignite Fast Track, from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom).
We have first-hand knowledge of the potential of this program, as the 2019 award winner was a firm in which TW Group holds part interest: BeePlanet Factory. Through its CEO, Jon Asín, this startup devoted to giving a second life to electric vehicle batteries was able to make the most of its time in Silicon Valley and the disruptive knowledge-sharing model of Singularity University.
The awards are backed by CaixaBank through DayOne, its specialized division for technology and innovation companies, and co-granted by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, through Enisa. In Navarre, they also enjoy the support of the Government of Navarre through Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación de Navarra (CEIN).
The judges’ decision was not easy, with the four other finalists being:
- Cocuus System Ibérica, a technology-based company working in culinary innovation.
- Familiados Healthtech, a platform of professional caregivers to find specialized assistance in under an hour.
- Fuvex, a company that replaces crewed helicopters with long-range drones for up to a 90% reduction in costs on inspection of line infrastructure and maritime services.
- Inbiot Monitoring, for the design, development and manufacture of smart solutions to monitor and improve indoor air quality.
The regional manager of CaixaBank Ebro, Isabel Moreno; the chief financial officer of ENISA, Pedro Da Silva; and the minister of economic and business development for the Government of Navarre, Manu Ayerdi, presided over the award presentation and extended their recognition of the attitude and quality of the entrepreneurs’ undertakings.


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Huawei (Thailand) appoints new president to drive country’s digital transformation
Huawei Technologies (Thailand) has cemented its status as ICT product and service leader by appointing Dr Chawapol Jariyawiroj as its new and first president.
Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand), said: “As Huawei aims to strengthen its executive team and workforce to support our business growth in 2021, we are announcing Dr Chawapol Jariyawiroj as the new president of Huawei Technologies (Thailand).
“Dr Chawapol comes equipped with exceptional expertise, leadership, and an extensive background in the ICT industry, both globally and locally. His industry expertise will, beyond doubt, contribute to enhancing capability and proficiency for Huawei’s sustainable business growth.”
Dr Chawapol Jariyawiroj expressed excitement over his new position and responsibilities:
“Huawei Thailand is a leading global ICT company with a broad range of end-to-end products and services. The new position at Huawei Technologies Thailand provides a perfect opportunity for me to utilise my 27 years of experience in the ICT industry, both internationally and locally, to help create new business value for Huawei in the market.”
Huawei said Thailand possesses a tremendous potential to grow regionally. Huawei is looking to grow with Thailand and further contribute to the country, the tech company added.
Its mission was to push for a fully connected and intelligent Thailand, in line with Huawei’s vision to bring digital innovation to every person, home, and organisation.
The synergy of knowledge and capabilities of Huawei Thailand’s CEO and president will reinforce the company’s ICT leadership in the Thai market, also helping to boost Thailand’s digital economy, it said.
“Dr Chawapol will play a crucial role in leading and aligning Huawei's business units in Thailand and reinforcing our position as the leading integrated end-to-end global technology enabler in the years to come,” Abel Deng concluded.
One of Huawei’s stated commitments is to grow with Thailand and continue to contribute to the country. Recently, Huawei received the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award as Digital International Corporation of the Year.
The award is an acknowledgement from the Thai government for Huawei’s 21 years of continuous effort to help the country, and proof that Huawei is a credible leading technology provider and trusted ICT partner, said the firm.
Moreover, Huawei has delivered more than 10,000 5G base stations to operator customers in Thailand and will continue to help operators build 5G networks in order to support 5G penetration rate, expected to reach 10 per cent by the end of this year.
For the Cloud market in Thailand, Huawei will continue its Bt700-million investment in the third local data centre in 2021, and cooperate with partners to launch the industrial Cloud platform and the SMEs Cloud platform.
The efforts will empower Thailand as a regional digital hub and help accelerate the country’s digital transformation, said Huawei.


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Updated January 8th, 2024 at 12:18 IST
Hyundai sells its car manufacturing unit in Russia
Hyundai has taken a hit of $219.19 million (approx Rs 1,830 crore) on selling the plant.
Plant sell-off: Hyundai Motor Company announced that it has sold-off its car manufacturing plant in Russia. The South Korean carmaker had stopped building vehicles at the St Petersburg plant in March 2022, shortly after the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Hyundai has taken a hit of $219.19 million (approximately Rs 1,830 crore) on selling the plant.
This plant was building the Creta, the previous-gen Verna (Solaris) and the Kia Rio sedan. The new Verna is now exclusively built in India for domestic and export markets.
In an official statement, Hyundai said in a board of directors meeting, the plan to sell its entire stake in Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus (HMMR LLC) to Art-Finance LLC was approved.
Currently, Hyundai is making the final arrangements with Art-Finance for details of the deal.
The company added that it will continue to provide after sales services and other customer care businesses to Hyundai vehicle owners in the country.
With this decision taken, Hyundai joins a list of other carmakers that are exiting the Russian market.
These include the likes of Volkswagen, Skoda, Stellantis, Suzuki, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, and Audi.
(With Reuters Inputs)
Published January 7th, 2024 at 19:26 IST


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Bed Bug Bully Free Samples Given Away To Subside New Bed Bug Outbreak
Since new reports of increasing bed bug infestations from health officials, coupons and free samples of the bed bug bully are being given away to subside the outbreak. All are encourage to attend the bed bug bully event and educational seminar.
March 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Bed bug infestations are becoming very expensive to the hotel industry as well as family households. In addition, many are not equipped to hire a bed bug exterminator and evacuate ones home.
For this reason, CEO of MyCleaningProducts.com using the new Green Bean Line is reaching out individuals and business owners to use the new natural bed bug bully, which eliminates bed bugs faster and are safer to humans and environment. Not only that, it's 100% organic product also prevents bed bugs from coming back. Currently, free sample and coupons are being given away in the entire US and neighbouring countries to help this bed bug outbreak.
Also, a free bed bugs seminar and workshop will be conducted this April.
Bed Bugs Infestation On The Rise ========================
"You heard it right. Bed bugs is up again according to health officials. You may wonder where these bed bugs came from and why are you having bed bugs at home. Well, most often, bed bugs are carried out by individuals at home from a travel and visiting theatre. Luggages, shoes, pants and even trousers are the places where bed bugs stay."
"With the growing bed bugs infestation at home, CEO of Green Cleaning products is giving away free samples to everyone worldwide. These products does not limit to bed bugs spray but also other household cleaning products such as mold clean up and rust removal products."
"Where are bed bugs hiding? ====================="
"WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - As families prepare for summer travel, pest experts warn they may bring back an unwanted souvenir: bed bugs."
"John Vermillion, a West Terre Haute exterminator, said he has gone from treating two bed bug infestations per year to treating over 50."
"Stopping the spread of the bugs can be tough, especially as people travel more, Vermillion said."
"They are great hitch-hikers," Vermillion said of the bugs. "They can get on your shoes or your trousers. (When) a lady sits her purse down, they can get on there and just hitch-hike home."
Read full report at: Kill Bed Bugs
Along with the "Winning the War on Bedbugs" seminar to be conducted by health officials, MyCleaningProducts.com is happy to be part of the workshop by presenting their list of green cleaning products such as BedBug Bully.
More information below: =================
"To battle back, health officials are hosting a "Winning the War on Bedbugs" seminar focusing on how to combat the pesky blood-sucking invaders."
"Bell Environmental Services, based in Parsippany, will offer some tips on preventing and eliminating bedbug problems during a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon April 5 in Council Chambers, located in City Hall."
"Roscoe, the bedbug-detecting beagle, will put his nose to the test."
"The best tip for prevention is education, said Glenn Waldorf, a Bell Environmental Service director."
Want Information on how to get rid of bed bugs? Use a non-toxic bed bug killer that acts as fast, powerful and environmentally-safe. Currently Bed Bug Bully is in most hotels as a preventive measure as well as a quick fix for any outbreaks as well.
Visit and "Like" our Bed Bugs Facebook Page to receive your free samples and coupons for any of the Green Bean line of bed bug products.
If you find this helpful, Check out "Bed Bugs Infestations in Savannah Suites and Other Motels" to learn more about bed bug removal.
Categories: Project and Program Management


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Glasgow-based Italian restaurant group Papa Tony's is planning a multimillion-pound expansion across the UK.
The group, which currently has two restaurants in Glasgow, hopes to open at least 23 new outlets within the next five years creating 500 jobs in the process.
Papa Tony's, which is owned by Asian entrepreneur Tony Hussain, will invest an initial £2m to create three new restaurants in Glasgow by then end of this year. It is then hoping to roll out further restaurants in major Scottish locations as well as in England.
Hussain, who also owns and runs the Cafe India in Glasgow's Merchant City and has interests in more than 30 other restaurants across Scotland, said he is looking for rapid expansion of the business.
"Papa Tony's is going to be a UK wide brand. Within the next few months we will have five up and running in Glasgow and at least another 20 across Scotland and south of the border in the next five years," he said.
He added that since opening the first Papa Tony's restaurant in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street and the second at Springfield Quay last year the increasingly popular brand has seen business grow by more than 25% over the last six months.
Papa Tony's is the first Halal Italian restaurant chain in the UK.
Hussain said: "All my meat, fish, vegetables and other ingredients are bought fresh from local businesses. People are fed up with being fobbed off with food that has been prepared in big industrial-style factories and then re-heated by untrained kitchen staff for which they are expected to pay a premium price.
"At Papa Tony's we know exactly where the food we serve comes from and that's what people want. We also understand that if we support local businesses it helps the community and they support us."


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Following the success of its previous global calls for start-ups, Go Ignite, an alliance of four leading telcos, has launched its third global call at the Four Years From Now (4YFN) technology and start-up event at the Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona.
Go Ignite comprises hub:raum, Orange Fab, Singtel Innov8 and Telefonica Open Future_, the open innovation arms of Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Singtel, and Telefonica.
The Go Ignite Third Global Call is seeking growth stage start-ups that have market-ready solutions in six areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, 5G, big data analytics, customer experience enhancement and Internet of Things.
“We are very pleased that the Go Ignite call for start-ups is gaining global traction. This year’s global call focuses on key areas which accelerate the digital transformation of the economy and will change every facet of our lives,” said Edgar Hardless, Chief Executive Officer, Singtel Innov8. “Together with our alliance partners, we look forward to helping qualified growth stage start-ups refine and bring their innovations quicker to our respective markets.”
Starting this year, the Go Ignite alliance has lifted the requirement for ideas to be submitted by a certain date, making it much easier for global start-ups to submit their ideas year-round. The winning start-ups will enjoy a wide range of benefits including mentoring expertise, contacts, office space, event support and access to a combined market of more than 1.2 billion customers across Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Axel Menneking, Head of hub:raum said, “With the new format of the Go Ignite Global Call we extend the opportunity for interested start-ups to approach the four telcos continuously. Together with them we can create new business opportunities and help them to access our respective markets.”
Through exclusive meetings, the winners will be also be given the opportunity to form business partnerships with the four telcos. They will also be introduced to the telcos’ key decision makers and’ venture capital teams where successful start-ups will receive funding to grow their business.
Bertrand Rojat, Orange Fab Managing Director, Orange said, “Co-innovation between telecom operators on strategic and disruptive fields is of great importance to Orange. Go Ignite is a unique opportunity to energise these joint initiatives in support of our business units’ key priorities and to attract international start-ups to help us accelerate our development plans.”
Miguel Arias, former entrepreneur and recently appointed Managing Director of Telefonica Open Future said, “Go Ignite is just another shop window to Telefónica’s open innovation approach, bringing down old boundaries and widening our reach and those of our partners. The business units of the alliance members face similar challenges, for us it really makes sense to join forces and find solutions together. On the other side, for a start-up, gaining access to the business of four leading telcos is a very powerful value proposition. It is the first Go Ignite call for me and I am eager to meeting the winning projects, hopefully as promising as in previous editions.”
The five winners of the last year’s edition – Sparkcognition and NanoLock Security for IoT Cyber Security; Cujo and Vayyar Imaging for Connected Homes and SafeToNet for Consumer Experience AI – attended a two-day workshop in Telefonica’s headquarters in Madrid where they met the key internal stakeholders of each of the four telcos. The meetings with experts in telco innovation, technologies and investments practices helped them to refine their solutions and sharpen their strategies to better align their innovations with market requirements.


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Instagram's fake follower problem highlighted by analysis of Love Island contestants' accounts
It is common for Love Island alumni to endorse clothing, cosmetics and lifestyle brands on their Instagram accounts
Analysis of the Instagram profiles of each of the 17 contestants appearing on the hit ITV2 reality dating show Love Island found that more than half of all the islanders' followers were actually fake.
The findings, from the marketing company Takumi, raise questions about the social reach of this year’s lineup.
Love Island endorsements
It is common for Love Island alumni to endorse clothing, cosmetics and lifestyle brands on their Instagram accounts after their stint on the show in lucrative sponsored content deals. And the decision to team up with participants on the show is based, at least partly, on the number of social media followers the islanders have accrued.
But the appeal of Instagram influencers may be wearing off as social media users grow wary of the endless endorsements.
Instagram impact wearing off?
A poll of 1,000 people commissioned by the Radio 4 consumer programme You and Yours found the majority of British shoppers do not trust influencers.
Another study, by the marketing firm CampaignDeus, found 12 per cent of UK influencers bought fake Instagram followers in the first six months of 2018.
A Love Island spokesman said: “We don't cast the show based on the volume of Instagram followers somebody has. The only stipulation is that applicants are over 18, single and looking for love.”
The spokesman declined to comment when asked whether companies who may wish to partner with members of this year’s line-up as a result of their perceived social reach were being misled.


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First there was the Cod War, and now a rather colder war has broken out between Iceland and the UK.
The Icelandic government is considering launching a lawsuit against its British supermarket namesake in order to strip it of its trademark.
The broadside against the frozen foods giant comes 45 years after it was founded in Shropshire.
Iceland Foods has a trademark registration for the word in the European Union, and the potential lawsuit would demand it give this up.
The Government of Iceland said that as a result of this filing, the supermarket had stopped Icelandic companies from using the word ‘Iceland’ to describe themselves.
"Based on this registration, Iceland Foods has pursued and won multiple...
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LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Kingfisher PLC, Europe’s largest DIY retailer, has acquired 15 stores in Romania from French retail company Group Bresson for an undisclosed sum, Kingfisher said on Thursday.
Kingfisher said there was a strong DIY culture among homeowners in Romania and there was scope to expand to around 50 stores in the longer term.
The stores recorded sales of 131 million euros in 2012 and core earnings of 5 million euros, a statement from Kingfisher said.
The deal is planned to complete in the next two months and is expected to be earnings neutral in the first year.
The newly acquired stores will be converted into Brico Depot stores, Kingfisher’s French format.
“The Brico Depot store model has proved very successful in France and Spain, and we have said before that it has the potential for further international expansion,” said Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher’s Group Chief Executive.
“The home improvement market in Romania has solid growth potential and the stores we are acquiring are in good locations.”
The deal increases Kingfisher’s selling space by 2 percent, and takes its total store numbers to around 1,050 in nine countries in Europe and Asia.
Shares in Kingfisher, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, opened up 0.1 percent at 292.7 pence.


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Things that were completely normal and expected a while ago seem to rapidly become obsolete.
Now, Walmart is experimenting with a self-checkout-only model.
If things turn out well, more locations may make the switch.
Is it time to say goodbye to cashiers?
Namely, a Walmart store in Fayetteville, Arkansas is testing using self-checkout machines only.
If they need help, customers can speak with the self-checkout hosts at the front of the store, who can even check out customer’s groceries for them.
Last year, when they started the test, the company announced that if this proves successful, it will roll this out in stores across the country.
Although they didn’t give a precise time, they explained that it will depend on several factors, including input from employees and customers.
According to Walmart representatives, they intend to make the entire process as easy as possible for all, customers and associates.
The massive interest in self-checkout machines is due to the cost savings.
For instance, a report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation showed that it costs about three dollars to check someone in at an airport at a staffed desk. When a customer uses an electronic terminal, that cost is reduced to just fourteen cents.
Supporters of these machines also claim that numerous customers enjoy the privacy and autonomy that they provide.
Christina Forest, a senior project manager for Fujitsu, which makes self-checkout machines, maintains that some people like to be in control of what’s going on and have a more private experience:
“If I’m going in and buying something that’s maybe a personal item, I might prefer to buy it on my own without help.”
Of course, there are a lot of people who dislike the use of self-checkout machines. Some customers are beginning to resent doing “unpaid work”.
Many customers face difficulties while using these machines, and end up in need of help anyway.
In this way, self-checkout ends up taking much longer.
Many are also worried that such a practice would put cashiers out of work.
However, on their website, Walmart explains the new system as a “full check-out experience”.
A greeter at the entrance will lead customers to the self-checkout area and employees will help them through the entire process.
They claim that this new style of cashing out will be more personal, not less.
John Crecelius, Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. Innovations Development, says:
“By nature, individual lanes make the checkout experience transactional, but being face-to-face, the interaction becomes a relationship. We want to make it a personal experience.”
Fayetteville Store Manager Carl Morris added that the new layout seems to be having a positive effect on the employees and their customer service.
“We will go to any register, and we will help you in any fashion you want, whether it’s checking out one item or all the items. Any questions you have, we’re right there for you.”
The new much more open-concept layout of 34 self-checkout machines is always open and much more adaptable to changes in customer flow than the traditional lanes.
Plus, they no longer have the problem with the lack of staff when a normally quiet time suddenly becomes busy.
Employees at the Fayetteville location claimed they are now happier at work, more productive, and working together more.
Front end team lead Matt Downing said:
“Now they [the checkout associates] get to run returns out to the store. They get to go to produce and bring someone a fresh apple that’s not bruised. They feel like they are a part of the store now.”


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It was all going so, so well for American ISPs. Not only did they have a former cable lobbyist as head of the Federal Communications Commission, but he was even planning to push through a new proposal that would have given them the power to create separate Internet fast lanes where they could charge more to Internet companies to ensure their traffic got delivered faster. And to top it all off, many of them were planning to engage in a huge wave of mergers that would give them even more power over the broadband and/or pay TV markets, from Comcast-Time Warner Cable to Sprint-T-Mobile to AT&T-DirecTV.
But alas for them, it seems that America’s ISPs have finally overreached. FCC chairman Wheeler’s proposal to allow for Internet fast lanes has created an enormous backlash not just from net neutrality advocates but also from major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, as well as major Silicon Valley venture capitalists and popular entertainers ranging from Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder to actor Mark Ruffalo to director Oliver Stone.


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Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: According to the teasers, Flipkart’s festival sale will start soon and feature significant savings on electronics. Although the sale date hasn’t been made public yet, a smartphone brand only recently disclosed that it will start on September 13. The discount event is anticipated to last through the end of the month on Flipkart. Flipkart has announced a few 5G phone discounts ahead of the sale, including the Pixel 6a and Nothing Phone (1). Here is all the information you require.
Discount on Brand new Smartphones
According to the description, Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale would include a sizable discount on the Google Pixel 6a. Given that the Pixel 6a was introduced at a price point of around Rs 40,000, the smartphone will be sold for an effective price of Rs 27,699. The 6GB RAM + 128GB storage option is included in this price.
Starting at Rs 43,999, the mid-range luxury phone made its debut in India. In essence, this means that Flipkart is promising to lower the Pixel 6a by Rs 16,300, which is a significant amount. However, it appears that the platform will not offer a 16,300 rupee flat discount. The e-commerce giant hasn’t provided any details, but we believe that the offer will likely be based on bank cards and there would be some sort of discount too on the handset.
Discount on Nothing Phone (1)
Similar to that, the Nothing Phone (1) will be sold in India at an actual cost of Rs 28,999. Customers will receive a discount of Rs 5,000 on the Nothing Phone, which is presently available on Flipkart for Rs 33,999. (1). That this discount offer would be applied to a bank card has been made clear in the advertisement. The variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage will cost the amount that was stated.
Do keep in mind that neither the Pixel 6a nor the Nothing phone come with a charger. Therefore, buying a charger will cost more, or customers would have to utilise an old charger.


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A FEW weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the speaker's dinner for the Thinking Digital Conference and was sat on a table with Steven Bathiche, Microsoft's director of research.
A truly fascinating person, his inquisitive outlook on life drives the development of innovations such as the Microsoft Surface and Kinect technologies.
At the dinner he demonstrated the latest version of Windows Phone 7, which had only been released a few hours earlier. Conversation soon turned to Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype and their partnership with Nokia.
Whilst Steven wasn’t one to give away any company secrets, it did leave me with some interesting thoughts to ponder around their new strategy.
It looks like Microsoft could be lining up a Normandy-scale assault on the mobile market, which has never been seen before. The launch of its highly acclaimed Windows Phone 7 in October 2010 was a fairly small affair, given its bottomless pit of cash, but Microsoft understood they were launching a product that was significantly less capable than industry rivals.
However, it looks like the launch of their new “Mango” update, recent acquisitions and new partnerships will spearhead this initiative. Within the next 18 months, its hardware and software are likely to become the envy of many iPhone and Android users around the world.
One of Microsoft’s biggest challenges has always been finding great hardware. Apple offers the fantastic iPhone and although HTC do produce Windows phones, they are secondary to their Android devices.
Nokia to the rescue! Their phones are prevalent throughout the world, where it’s easier to pick up a Nokia charger than even find an iPhone. Their Symbian operating system has become dated and lacked direction, but Microsoft can harness the technology and experience of their hardware teams. The new devices will be slim and lightweight, but more importantly, the cost of the new phones will be significantly cheaper than rival phones manufactured by HTC, Samsung and Apple.
However, Microsoft understands that even with a mature software and hardware solution, it still needs to build on a network of users. Step in Skype with its 663 million customers worldwide, obliterating Apple’s Face Time and Blackberry’s BBM service.
Microsoft has always had its Windows Live Messenger service, which has been a huge success, but as Skype arrived in the business environment it also provided a professional platform for users to migrate to. With their $8.5bn purchase and deep integration into all Microsoft’s new products, this network will become the backbone for their personal communications solution.
Once you add on the facility to create and edit business documents, integration of X-Box Live and implementation of Nokia’s fantastic Ovi maps service, you can see they will be a force to be reckoned with.
:: Rob Mathieson is managing director of Newcastle web development company AYO Media


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GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- You can now add renewing your vehicle registration or your driver’s license to your grocery list.
A new pilot program is adding Secretary of State kiosks to two Meijer stores to let people renew license plate tabs in less than three minutes.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says she was thinking of ways to reduce wait times at branch offices when she came up with the idea.
“I thought why don’t we put up these kiosks not just in the Secretary of State offices but when somebody goes to get bread, milk, shirt, a fishing pole, they can also get can also get their licenses plate tabs,” Johnson said during a press conference at the Meijer store at 28th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue.
Johnson said the Walker-based retailer made sense for the kiosks because Meijer stores are open 24 hours a day, making self-service machines accessible in the evenings and weekends when Secretary of State branches are closed.
People can already renew their licenses online at SOS.com, but the kiosks are intended to provide the service to residents who might not have access to the Internet. Johnson says about 25 percent of Michigan residents don't have web access.
The store, at 1540 28th St. SE, is one of two locations for the pilot program. Another self-service machine is located near the customer service area at the Meijer store in the Detroit suburb of Lincoln Park, at 3710 Dix Highway.
The stores were selected because they have a “great mix of customers, including customers who don’t have routine access to the Internet,” said Meijer co-CEO Mark Murray.
The partnership between the state and Meijer, which operates more than half of its nearly 200 Midwest stores in Michigan, is a good fit for many reasons, he added.
“We care about the state of Michigan,” said Murray. “When a government official comes and says “I have an idea to be more effective, customer oriented,’ we are happy to do it. When we can help this state get stronger, get more jobs, more prosperity and more efficiency, we love to throw our shoulder into it.”
The pilot doesn’t have a time limit but the state agency will be monitoring the usage weekly. The machines accepts debit and credit cards.
The goal is to shorten wait times at Secretary of State offices, Johnson said.
Although Johnson described the machines as “expensive” to buy and maintain, but with the potential to save the state money in the long run.
“It really helps our customer service in our branches because between the kiosks and SOS.com, we are shortening lines so when you do have to come in such as your eighth year to get your drivers license, you need to be photographed,” Johnson said.
Initial results look good. The machine at the 28th Meijer location already had 76 uses before the Wednesday, April 24, press conference, Johnson said.


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Rockford Products Corp. aims to sell remaining assets
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones/AP) -- A Rockford manufacturer wants to sell its remaining assets before its bankruptcy financing runs out.
Rockford Products Corporation is an automotive and commercial fastener manufacturer. The company says in papers filed yesterday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Rockford that it has "run out of time and money." The company says it is facing threats from its customers to take their business elsewhere if the sale isn't completed quickly.
The company said it has a prospective buyer lined up and hopes to finalize the purchase agreement by tomorrow. Rockford officials declined to identify the interested bidder.


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Ford Smart Jacket, an innovative wearable tech prototype, will help cyclists stay safe by acting as a mapping system.
Built in collaboration with software company Tome and wearable tech company Lumo, the unnamed Ford smart jacket comprises of built-in LED turn indicators, connected via a smartphone app, which provides navigational guidance using a series of sleeve-integrated, haptic vibrations. They work to indicate left and right turns, which will help to alleviate traffic accidents including cyclists and drivers who have trouble spotting them.
Its mapping system is also capable of directing riders through optimized routes, helping riders avoid busy areas and intersections. Even calls and massaging can be received. Every design feature is intended to help users avoid reaching for their smartphones, which may result in accidents.
"There is an immediate change in mindset once there is no longer any need to stop to consult navigation apps directly on your phone - or worry if you're heading into a particularly busy or dangerous road junction," said Tom Thompson, Ford Smart Mobility team lead.
No word if the Ford smart jacket will ever make it to market. However, efforts are underway to patent the application, which could end up being licensed to other tech companies.
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Malaysian customers are excited to participate in the first launch of a Samsung 4G Chromebook on May 22. The new Chromebook computer is 17.5 mm thin, weighs a mere 1.1 kilograms and comes with a built-in 4G chipset that enables seamless and always-on Internet.
Asus has finally decided to join the Chromebook bandwagon. The Taiwanese electronics manufacturer joins Acer, Samsung, HP and Lenovo as OEM partners and expects to have a Chromebook laptop available in the latter half of 2013.
The Chromebook Pixel will meet it's fair share of critics due to the heavy $1,300 price tag, but it will also appeal to the heavy Google drive users and we're sure it will win over the performance junkies.
The $199 Acer C7 Chromebook will now be sold at TigerDirect, NewEgg and Staples.com, joining the existing sellers including Google Play, BestBuy.com and Best Buy stores.
There are reports claiming that Taiwanese manufacturers HTC and Asus will not be partnering with Google on second generation Chromebooks, due to poor sales of the original Chromebooks.
Posted in Acer, Chrome OS, Chromebook, Models, New Model, Original Chromebook, Samsung, Second generation Chromebook
Tagged Acer Chromebook, new Chromebook, original Chromebooks, Samsung first generation Chromebook, second generation Chromebook


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Center for Advancing Retail & Technology Launch The Retail Innovation Pitch Webcast
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) and Winsight Grocery Businesstoday announced the Retail Innovation Pitch Webcast (advancingretail.org/innovation) designed to bring relevant and transformative innovation to the entire food retail industry. This year, for the first time, the CART pitch event is being opened up to all industry members to participate via a Webcast. CART has run the pitch as a private event for top food retailers and wholesalers for several years.
The Pitch Webcast leverages the pipeline of over 1,000 new startups CART looks at every year to curate the top solutions from across the US and international markets looking to enter the US marketplace.
“The speed and volume of innovation in commerce is staggering,” said Sterling Hawkins, who runs Venture Relations at CART. “There is no way retailers and brands can internally keep pace with industry transformation coming from emerging technologies such as robotics, AR/VR, Artificial Intelligence and IoT.”
The program will be run twice a year and will give emerging technology companies an opportunity to pitch the Webcast participants and key panelists from companies such as Supervalu, Lowes Foods, Albertsons and others. Attendees will learn about top new and curated innovation coming into retail.
“We at Grocery Business are redefining grocery trade media with our commitment to advancing the incredible transformation taking place in retail industry, where the intersection of technology and food is the crux of driving consumer engagement and sales,” affirmed Jeffrey Friedman, EVP of Winsight Grocery Business.
“This program can serve as the in-house innovation lab or incubator for retailers and brands,” explained Sterling Hawkins. “It is designed to act as an accelerator for the broader retail industry, especially important now that retail innovation is being increasingly driven from outside forces such as rapid adoption of consumer technology and new competitors like Amazon/Whole Foods and Google.”
The Retail Innovation Pitch Webcast will run at 2pm ET on May 15, 2018, with startup applications due by April 13, 2018.
Winners of the pitch will receive, $25,000 in CART services, and may qualify for a $25,000 cash investment from CART partners.
About Winsight Grocery Business
WGB is the Premiere source of information, ideation and inspiration for the retail decision makers. We analyze current news and combine insightful data trends that enable our retail executives to successfully run their business in this ever-evolving market.
CART is Advancing Retail by connecting the industry to innovation. Retailers, wholesalers and brands utilize CART to find, research and connect with solutions appropriate for their businesses. Solution providers use CART as go-to-market tool that connects them directly to their target retail audience, all the way into the brick and mortar store itself. CART has unparalleled insight into what’s next in retail and shares this information regularly through multiple channels.
Other Point of Sale News
- ETA Announces Forty Under 40: Recognizing Leaders Across the Digital Payments Ecosystem
- Chicory Announces Amazon Fresh and Instacart Partnership
- Online Buying Guide Helps Consumers Learn More About The Latest Product On The Market
- Shopping on Instagram Goes Global with Shopify
- Retailers to White House: ‘Do Right by American Families’ on Trade
- Greenlight Quadruples Customers & Announces New Product Feature
- AccelStor All-Flash Solutions Unlock Data Possibilities for AI and Cloud
- DHL eCommerce Unveils Parcel Metro, New and Flexible Delivery Service for Online Retailers
- NRF/Forrester Survey Shows Merging of Physical and Digital Retail


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LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Talk about hot to trot: Tickets to presumed summer sizzler “Sex and the City 2” began selling just over six weeks before the sequel opens May 27.
Tickets for summer tentpoles generally go on sale a few weeks early, but even May 7 opener “Iron Man 2” has yet to begin advanced ticketing.
Industry sources cited solid early interest since sales for the Warner Bros. release began at all Regal Cinemas locations on Wednesday. The studio’s executive vp distribution, Jeff Goldstein, described ticket sales as “brisk.”
The first big-screen adaptation of the HBO hit proved to be a powerful magnet for female moviegoers, grossing more than $415 million at the worldwide box office. Pundits expect the sequel to do better, thanks to the growing pull of niche-marketed movies and the generally dependable trend of sequels outgrossing originals.
Fandango spokesman Harry Medved said “Sex 2” was outselling pictures just days away from release.
“It was nearly 20% of our daily sales when it first went on sale, outpacing (new box office champ) ‘Kick-Ass,’ which was 17% of sales,” Medved said. “We saw surprisingly strong advance ticket sales on the first one, with many female moviegoers buying tickets en masse, planning screening parties for groups of friends who were flying in from out of town.”
Indeed, Regal is offering early ticketing on “Sex 2” so patrons can plan gals’-nights-out of the sort that marked the theatrical release of the franchise original, Regal marketing boss Dick Westerling said.
“Women across the country are anxious to plan events and activities related to their evening out to see the film, and they want confirmation that they have tickets,” Westerling said. “Based on our experience with the first film, this can become quite an elaborate and fun-filled evening. Aside from purchasing tickets to see the movie, they are already reserving limousines and making restaurant reservations.”


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It was announced last month that the new U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would be cracking down on the checking account overdraft fees charged by banks. The agency says the charges can “inflict serious economic harm” on consumers and, based on the result in the Chase settlement reported above, that must be true. The agency will begin collecting information to determine if banks are manipulating the system to “goose fees” and whether they are making it clear to customers how they can incur overdraft charges.
The fees have brought in about $30 billion in annual revenue for the banking industry over the past few years. Overdraft fees have been a source of tension between regulators and banks in recent years, and the CFPB’s announcement follows steps taken by other regulators, including the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, in response to complaints. The Fed cracked down on the practice by banning overdraft fees on automated-teller-machine and debit-card transactions unless consumers have actively selected an overdraft protection service. Those rules went into effect in July 2010, but they did not include credit cards, checks or online bill payments. Also in 2010, the FDIC issued guidance to banks to ensure excessive fees are not being charged. The new agency wants to build on this work and will use the information to determine if additional steps are needed. CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement:
Overdraft practices have the capacity to inflict serious economic harm on the people who can least afford it. We want to learn how consumers are affected, and how well they are able to anticipate and avoid paying penalty fees.
The agency said it will seek information directly from the large banks. It’s also putting out a request for input from the public. The agency said one area it will focus on is whether banks at the end of each day are processing large transactions first so that they can then charge a customer more overdraft fees for each subsequent smaller bill payment, check or ATM withdrawal. The FDIC also focused on this issue in its 2010 guidance.
The fees collected by banks totaled $37.1 billion in 2009 and are estimated to have fallen about 20 percent to $29.5 billion in 2011, according to the research firm Moebs Services. The information collection effort also focuses on whether consumers are being given enough information to understand and anticipate the overdraft fees they are being charged. The agency will seek feedback on a sample “penalty fee box” that could be included in a checking account statement detailing the amount that has been overdrawn and what fees have been charged. As we have reported, the bureau was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial oversight law and is charged with overseeing consumer financial products, such as credit cards and mortgages.
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