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North East based alcoholic tea suppliers NOVELTEA are exporting their Alcoholic Tea Blends to China after securing a new agreement with an investment and distribution company with strong links in Asia.
NOVELTEA, set up by former Newcastle University graduates and artisan tea mixologists Vincent Efferoth and Lukas Passia in 2016, has teamed up with the Asian investment and distribution company FEAST Holdings GMBH, in a bid to crack the lucrative Chinese/Asian markets and boost its global sales.
As part of the distribution deal, FEAST will receive an equity stake in NOVELTEA, an indication of the distributor’s desire to help the popular alcoholic tea succeed globally.
The business has just launched its third alcoholic brew – The Tale of Oolong – a blend of Chinese Oolong tea and Scotch whisky. The new ‘Tale’ adds to its existing distinctive products, ‘The Tale of Earl Grey’ and ‘The Tale of Tangier’ and complements NOVELTEA’s ambitious plans to boost sales and grow its business internationally.
Viewers of BBC2’s Dragons’ Den recently watched the NOVELTEA co-founders Vincent Efferoth and Lukas Passia turn down investment offers from three Dragons, after politely declining to give away 30% of their business. That decision was vindicated within days of filming, when the pair had raised a whopping £342,000 for approximately 9% of the business, giving NOVELTEA a valuation of £3.8m.
NOVELTEA’s Efferoth said: “We’re delighted to strike this innovative distribution deal with FEAST, supported by forward-thinking legal advice from Muckle LLP. We’re always looking for new partners that share our love of creativity and tea, and this deal is symptomatic of how we do business.
“NOVELTEA’s products have huge global sales potential and we have ambitious plans to extend our range and grow our overseas market.
“With a creative, confident team and a passion for doing business differently, we are teaming up with a distributor who has the drive, expertise and connections to help extend our networks, boost sales and increase profits.”
Janis Vougioukas, director at FEAST, said: “We’re thrilled to team up with NOVELTEA and to sign up to this mutually beneficial distribution deal. We have great connections in China and other parts of Asia so we’re confident that we will be able to help deliver strong sales and increased turnover for everyone involved.”
Legal work for the distribution deal between NOVELTEA’s holding company Tea Venture Limited and FEAST was completed by associate Amy Wanless and solicitor Tom Justice of Muckle LLP, the North East’s leading independent law firm for businesses.
Wanless added: “We have been working with NOVELTEA from early on in their journey, initially supporting them through our Mi Business legal services package, which is designed to help small and start-up business grow.
“What truly makes this a standout deal is that FEAST will receive an equity stake in NOVELTEA, and now both businesses are working to develop the brand’s global appeal and increase share value, benefitting all investors who have so far supported the company’s rapid growth.”


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While other major economies are feeling slumps in economic performance due to the coronavirus pandemic, China was able to bounce back a year after Covid-19 started to spread in their country.
China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Monday reported a strong 6.5 percent growth in the last three months of 2020 which is an improvement from the 4.9 percent growth posted in the previous quarter.
The improved Chinese economy in the second half of 2020 helped China post an overall 2.3 percent GDP growth in 2020 as many businesses and consumers resumed work after closures were issued earlier in the year to stem out the early spread of the infection.
As many major economies in Europe, North America, and Asia continue to struggle in controlling the spread of Covid-19 in their countries, China’s economy expanded last year making them the only major economy reporting positive growth as many factories and businesses remained open.
The world’s second-largest economy has recovered quickly in the second-half of 2020 even with continuing economic tensions with the United States that has unleashed a barrage of trade blacklists among big businesses, particularly from the Tech sector.
The Associated Press reported that the Chinese economy “recovered steadily” and “living standards were ensured forcefully,” the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement. It said the ruling party’s development goals were “accomplished better than expectation” but gave no details.
Quite pivotal to China’s recovery was its strict coronavirus measures at the onset of the pandemic which forced many major cities into lockdowns. State-led policy stimulus was also key to the quick economic recovery as many of the top manufacturing companies and exporters helped supply the need for medical goods and protective equipment needed to combat the pandemic.
China’s manufacturing sector also helped in its hastened recovery as industrial output was up at 7.3 percent in December 2020 as compared to a year ago.
In contrast, however, to the positive outlook in the manufacturing and export sector in China is the weakened consumer spending. This was evident as China’s NBS report indicated a 3.9 percent decline in retail sales in 2020.
Meanwhile, online sales of consumer goods increased to 14.8 percent last year as consumer spending shifted online due to lockdowns and store closures amid fears of the spread of the virus.
Despite the return of consumer spending in the second half of the year, retail sales in China were only at 4.6 percent as sales of fashion, cosmetics, and cars dropped in the last quarter of 2020. This is the first time that a contraction in retail sales has been noted since 1968.
China’s 2020 GDP growth was also it’s weakest since 1976 as travels and consumer spending expected in the first quarter of 2020 were badly hit by measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Read More Stories: Xiaomi Stocks Fall after Pentagon Announces Inclusion in Blacklist

domain: news


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Retail businesses are facing a wave of black tape in the growing and competitive Australian retail landscape, as the social licence to operate becomes a factor consumers are increasingly concerned about.
For retail boards today, the objective is not only revenue and profit growth but also how their organisation meets the new community standard, of what it means to be a socially responsible retailer today.
As a greater number of consumers shift their focus to social and environmental trends such as plastic pollution, climate change and public health, the spotlight is on retailers to reflect these changing values and respond to societal challenges.
With the green generation making sustainable shopping a priority, the need for ethical, social and environmental business models that underpin purpose-driven companies is critical.
New research by Unilever shows a third of consumers now choose to buy brands based on their social and environmental impact and one in five consumers say they would choose a brand if its sustainability credentials were made clearer on packaging or in the product’s marketing.
Today’s discerning consumers are more informed and now shop with their emotions and values, instead of just their wallets. Retailers and consumer brands are presented with both opportunities and challenges with the rise of the savvy shopper.
Businesses that make meaningful sustainability commitments by ensuring environmental, social and corporate governance policies reflect these values are likely to be seen as favourable by consumers.
KPMG’s Customer Experience Excellence Report 2019 highlights the average customer experience excellence rating in the Australian market was 7.14 out of 10, with the grocery retail sector maintaining its leading position for customer experience and improving its overall score to 7.4.
The report shows community-centric brands are rated as customer experience leaders in Australia.
These organisations exemplify authenticity through altruistic initiatives that reflect the intrinsic values of Australian society. As a result, a relationship of trust instilled and perceived customer experience is elevated.
Failure by businesses to define and act on sustainability initiatives can significantly impact a retailer’s brand and financial performance.
Over the past year, a series of Royal Commissions and subsequent media coverage have placed integrity and the social licence to operate at the forefront of any great retail experience.
The regulatory landscape has also reinforced responsible business conduct with the threat of heavy fines for non-compliance. Stricter regulations to protect consumer data and privacy, safeguard employee welfare and ensure accurate and fair business reporting for shareholders have come into effect.
It’s also clear from recently introduced legislation such as the Modern Slavery Act, Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme [NDB] and the General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR], that retailers must be transparent about the impact of their business activities across a range of areas.
Understanding the regulatory environment and the cost of non-compliance
It’s known that regulations in retail have been growing in number and rigour, with the cost of non-compliance on the rise.
Placing compliance at the heart of a retail business can create a strategic advantage by helping retailers manage risk in their supply chain, protect customers and safeguard employees more effectively.
Four pillars to align customer values and compliance requirements
To ensure compliance, protect your brand and manage financial risk effectively, every executive in a retail business has an important role to play.
1. Know your customers
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the damaging effects of plastic pollution on land and marine life, and they expect retailers to take action.
The source of food produce has also become a hot topic whereby grocery retailers offering regional produce are seen to be supporting local Australian businesses.
As consumers better understand the link between corporate activities and social impact, retailers need to consider the value their business can create for the economy and society as a whole.
Retailers need to focus on their supply chain and identify areas to improve environmental sustainability to reflect consumer values and allow them to make more informed choices.
Nowadays, organisations cannot just say they have a sustainability strategy, they need to show the consumer that they are acting upon it.
2. Protect your customers
Changes to privacy regulations in Australia are a top priority for businesses with regulations such as the NDB and the GDPR lifting the standard on security measures, organisation-wide data awareness and restoring trust of personal data with consumers.
Retailers should be aware of their data privacy obligations, while ensuring customers are at the heart of everything they do.
It’s critical that organisations understand data privacy changes and what action is necessary to comply with and how a data breach would be handled, especially as data breaches have potential for a significant brand and reputation damage.
3. Protect your people
An ever-growing number of household brands continue to fail to meet industry standards and regulations. In Australia, retailers must adhere to minimum wage regulations, national employment standards, as well as relevant awards and enterprise agreements.
According to The Fair Work Ombudsmen, more than $40 million in unpaid wages was handed back to Australian workers in the past financial year, with the Ombudsmen recovering money for 17,718 workers in 2018/19.
Understanding wage requirements and ensuring robust payroll process are in place remain essential steps for organisations to uphold brand integrity and maintain trust in the eyes of employees and the wider community.
4. Understand regulatory requirements
Organisations not only have to transform to remain relevant in this dynamic market, but must keep one step ahead of their obligations to prevent breaches across a number of potential exposures.
Retailers must define, identify and help mitigate conduct risks in their business and embed conduct risk management into daily operations and existing risk management frameworks.
Failure to manage the continual changes can have costly consequences – such as fines, suspensions, loss of operating rights, loss of customers, or severe reputational damage.
As human rights and social risks become mainstream and are placed on the corporate agenda, the onus is on retailers to ensure they have a sound strategy in place to keep track of updates and mitigate risk.
Effective compliance results in better outcomes for businesses, their customers and shareholders.
Five key questions to consider for managing regulatory compliance
- How well do you understand and prioritise regulations that impact your business?
- Can you clearly articulate how your business complies with regulations to policy makers?
- Do you have sufficient internal and external assurance to give confidence to regulators, the board and your customers, in the non-financial information you’re reporting externally?
- Have you implemented strategic, cost-effective internal risk and control systems to ensure regulatory compliance?
- Are you able to anticipate new regulatory developments and plan and implement new strategies to ensure compliance once they come into effect?
Download your free copy of the Australian Retail Outlook 2020 here.
Carly Richards, director, Retail Lead, Risk Consulting, KPMG


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Kajol’s announcement on Friday about taking a break from social media has turned out to be a marketing stunt for the release of a motion poster for her upcoming Disney+ Hotstar web series The Trial.
“Taking a break from social media,” Kajol posted on Instagram on Friday morning with a picture, before signing off with “Facing one of the toughest trials of my life.” She also deleted all of her previous Instagram posts, leaving her fans in shock and dismay.
However, the Gupt actress was back on social media in the evening with all her previous posts and shared a motion poster of her upcoming web series The Trial — the Hindi remake of The Good Wife. “The tougher the trial, the harder you come back! Catch the trailer for my courtroom drama #HotstarSpecials #TheTrial - Pyaar Kanoon Dhokha on June 12th. #TheTrialOnHotstar,” she wrote in the caption.
Netizens didn’t take Kajol’s promotional gimmick lightly. “Crying wolf! No one will believe you next time,” one user commented on her post. “Not any publicity is good publicity. Nobody is perfect and you are not expected to be a role model but please don’t act desperate,” was the response of another Instagram user. “Seeing you post something and taking a break from social media was concerning. To see it to be used for PR is disappointing,” said yet another user.
Kajol is not the first actress to resort to a marketing gimmick on social media to promote a show or a brand. In November last year, Kiara Advani had made a cryptic post on Instagram, fuelling rumours of her marriage. However, it turned out to be a promotional stunt for a lifestyle brand.
Similarly, Anushka Sharma had courted controversy after accusing sportswear brand Puma of using her photos without her consent. It also turned out to be a promotional exercise to announce her collaboration with the brand.
Malaika Arora, too, had shared a cryptic post on Instagram last year. “I said YES,” she wrote, triggering speculations about tying the knot with her rumoured-boyfriend Arjun Kapoor. But it turned out to be a promotional gimmick for her OTT reality show Moving In With Malaika.


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DOMOTEX, the leading trade fair for floor coverings, will be held this year from January 11th – January 14th at the massive Messe Fairgrounds in Hanover, Germany. Oscar and Sarkis Tatosian will represent Oscar Isberian Rugs at this year?s event.
Visiting DOMOTEX allows us to access design trends and new products that will shape the look of tomorrow’s homes and offices more quickly and easily than ever. We will keep you posted on the trip once we arrive. We are expecting an exciting show this year with many new products and styles.


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Forget acqui-hiring. Now you can go directly to startups themselves and start recruiting.
That's the suggestion of CB Insights, the venture capital and IPO research company, which has identified at least 60 companies in traditional startup corridors that may now be past their prime as takeover targets. In recent years, these companies might have been ripe for some sort of acquisition, as bigger companies looking to fill their ranks find it hard to locate tech talent. The trend is particularly acute, as the venture capital investing environment gets more and more challenging.
The so-called acqui-hire strategy refers to larger companies purchasing companies with promising development teams, rather than going out and hiring employees and creating teams to develop the products they want.
In the past, startups would most frequently become the targets of an acqui-hire if they'd raised less than $5 million, including in seed funding. And they'd most likely get acquired within 14 months of their latest round of financing, CB Insights has indicated in earlier reports. (And for many unprofitable companies, an acquisition might be a good alternative to simply going out of business, as may often be the case as companies blow through their funding.)
The companies identified by CB Insights range in geography from New York City to Massachusetts to Silicon Valley--three of the largest tech hubs today--and they run the gamut, from health care to gaming to the Internet of things technology. Yet all of the startups have received their Series A rounds more than 12 months ago, and have raised less than $10 million in total, without an acquisition on the horizon.
Need more proof that acqui-hiring may take a hiatus in 2016? Consider the tech giant Yahoo. After acquiring 30 companies in 2013, for example, Yahoo, one of the biggest acqui-hire companies out there, saw its acquisitions drop off by nearly 40 percent to about 17 in 2014, according to CB Insights. And 2015 looks to have been a quiet acquisition year for the struggling search company, which purchased only two companies this year.
Yahoo isn't alone, however. Tomasz Tunguz, a partner at venture capital firm Redpoint Ventures, of San Francisco has also reported that after peaking in the 2012, the acqui-hire trend has been steadily slowing, with about 61 for the full-year of 2014. That marked a 9 percent drop from 2012, and a 10 percent decrease compared to 2013.
And CB Insights suggests that directly raiding such companies for their employees might become the norm, rather than an acquisition, particularly if such companies aren't turning a profit.
"Talented people will become available as it gets harder for these 'non-profits' to raise follow-on financing," CB Insights said in a recent newsletter.


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The Women of the California Farmers Market Association
In 1994, Gail and Doug Hayden opened two farmers markets as part of the brand new California Farmers Market Association (CFMA). Today, the CFMA works with 280 farmers and 100 food purveyors at 15 certified markets in the region.
There are other local farmers market associations, but the CFMA has a particularly strong reputation for outreach and branding. Director of Marketing Moti Phillips, 27, explains: “It’s my job to help farmers market themselves. I can’t grow fields and fields of corn, but I can tell farmers how to design a banner. I can help them create recipes, write press releases, get media attention and use social platforms. We’ve just held a four-part workshop about how to use Constant Contact so the farmers can send out emails to their customers.”
So it’s one thing for farmers like Ivorrie Lo or Araceli Trejo to have a spot for their stalls, and it’s another for them to get dedicated marketing support. After all, farmers have enough to worry about without screaming for attention.
For her part, Gail Hayden, 61, holds a deep well of institutional knowledge. Whether talking about standard fruit sizes, parsing industry regulations, or conducting demand analyses, Hayden’s 37 years working with farmers markets (which includes eight years with the Department of Agriculture) make her exceptionally well-versed in California’s farmers market particulars.
Though Hayden’s not going anywhere, she’s already thinking of the next generation. Fortunately, the CFMA has a young, vibrant team, many of them women. In addition to daughter Kayla and marketing director Phillips, staffers include Patty Apple (a former vendor) and office administrator Jessica Wyatt, among others.
“I had no idea when I got involved in this in 1979 that it would be this long-lasting,” Hayden says of her enduring career. “I’m passing the torch to the millennials here. They really get it.”
Cheryl Sternman Rule is an award-winning San Jose food writer and the author of Yogurt Culture. She served as interim managing editor for this issue.


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Console & Associates, P.C. Explores Class Action Lawsuit Following Luttrell Staffing Group Breach
MARLTON, N.J. - Feb. 2, 2022 - PRLog -- Console & Associates, P.C. is actively investigating a recent cyberattack at Luttrell Staffing Group. If an investigation reveals evidence that Luttrell Staffing Group negligently maintained consumer data despite the prevalence of widespread cyberthreats, the company may be financially liable to those whose information was compromised.
The Luttrell Staffing Group security breach is just one of the most recent examples of the many data breaches that have occurred over the past few months, as hackers and other cybercriminals continue to prey on companies with vulnerable data-security systems. To be sure, companies whose computers are hacked are victims of a data breach; however, they are not the only victims, as the most serious harms may fall upon consumers.
There are many potential causes of a data breach. In this case, it appears as though a hacker installed malware on Luttrell's network. Malware, which is short for "malicious software," is a common type of cyberattack. Cybercriminals install malware over a company's network where it can wreak havoc, often by scouring the network for valuable data that can be used for identity theft and other frauds. While the hacker who orchestrates a cyber-attack is the only one who knows their true intentions, these events are frequently designed to obtain consumer data that can later be used to commit identity theft.
News of the Luttrell Staffing Group data breach only recently broke, and details are currently limited. However, the situation raises legitimate concerns about the company's efforts to keep consumer data secure.
Attorney Richard P. Console explains, "When consumers do business with a company or provide their personal information to an organization, they assume that it will remain private. And, after a data breach, it's natural to assign all blame to the hacker or other criminal party responsible for orchestrating the cyberattack. However, this overlooks the obligations that organizations owe to consumers. It isn't just about "good business"; organizations also assume a legal duty when they hold a consumer's information. This duty requires companies to implement data security measures that adequately protect consumer information from various cyberthreats. While developing a robust data security system requires a significant amount of capital and effort, it is a necessary cost of doing business that all organizations must take seriously in an environment in which the threat of cyberattacks is ever-present."
According to the Luttrell Staffing Group data breach notification letter, on June 14, 2021, the company became aware that certain files had been encrypted with malware by an unidentified party. The company then investigated the incident, and, on December 27, 2021, Luttrell Staffing Group confirmed that an unauthorized party gained access to files containing names and Social Security between the dates of June 10, 2021 and June 23, 2021.
According to one source, as many as 42,886 employees, former employees and associates were impacted by this data security event. While the company cannot tell which files the unauthorized party actually accessed or whether any data was removed from its servers, affected individuals should keep a lookout for signs of identity theft and fraud by closely monitoring their online accounts and credit reports.
Those receiving a Luttrell Staffing Group data breach letter should take the following steps to protect themselves:
To learn more about this data breach and investigation go to https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/
Consumers can reach Console & Associates, P.C. through the firm's website at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/
Console & Associates P.C. is dedicated to protecting consumers' privacy interests. The firm investigates all types of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other network intrusions to determine the legal rights of consumers who trusted corporations with their sensitive information. For more information, interested parties may visit https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/


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Impact of full car-sharing could be limited, manufacturer bosses suggest
06 July 2021
Author: Sean Keywood
A predicted future where the idea of drivers having their own vehicle is replaced by widespread car sharing may not come to pass, it has been suggested.
Hyundai Motor Europe president and chief executive Michael Cole was one of the industry figures asked about the topic at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) International Automotive Summit.
Cole suggested that while leasing had already prompted a widespread move from an ownership to a usage model in the new car market, the prospects for a further move to full car sharing were more limited.
He said: "Are customers going from car ownership to car usage? I think the reality is we've been going that way for some time, because PCP has been a very popular funding method for so many customers, [and] in reality that is a usage programme, albeit long-term.
"I think we will see increasing requirements, particularly in urban areas, for people to have usage on demand, but the reality still is that is a small part of the market.
"I think particularly coming out of Covid that people want their own vehicle, they want a personal space."
Cole did report that Hyundai had been piloting a three-month car subscription programme in Spain, and had picked up demand particularly from younger drivers those living in urban areas, but still added a note of caution.
He said: "What we're not sure of yet is what they will do at the end of that period. Will they want to extend or buy that vehicle or move into another vehicle?
"What we are not seeing is this desire to have rapid change, to try out different cars all the time. People still want their personal space, their own vehicle, for a period of time."
The summit also saw Volkswagen Group UK managing director Alex Smith asked what role an end of car ownership might play in the decarbonisation of transport.
He replied: "I think it plays a part, for sure, [but] in terms of its impact on what we have to achieve, the job list of what needs to be achieved in the next ten years to decarbonise or start the decarbonisation of transport, then it's probably not top three on the list.
"The automotive industry and automotive finance industry has a long and successful track record of being able to adapt to changing customer needs, bringing out appropriate products in terms of ownership, PCP, leasing, subscription etc.
"So, whilst it's a consideration, I think there are more pressing priorities that are going to take us on this decarbonisation journey."


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No matter where you go on the Web, you're likely to run into Google AdSense ads every few pages. Now, VentureBeat reports that Google intends to extend its advertising empire to cover video games. "Sources close to the matter" claim Google has been testing AdSense for Games technology for several months—and the search giant "could launch the technology fairly quickly, if it so chooses." Google could target not just PC games, but also console and cell phone titles.
In a demo of AdSense for Games, VentureBeat says Google showed a character introducing a brief video ad with a lead-in like, "And now, a word from our sponsor." This particular approach departs from that of other in-game ad firms (such as Microsoft's Massive), which tend to stick to believable ads on in-game billboards and the like. Of course, Google could conceivably do something similar in addition to more intrusive video ads, but VentureBeat doesn't mention that possibility.
As an interesting side note, the site says advertisers are pushing to increase their presence in video games because "it's one of the only ways to reach young male gamers who have stopped watching TV." Research firm Yankee Group estimates that the in-game ad business will grow to almost a billion dollars by 2011.
|Samsung's Portable SSD T3 reviewed||6|
|G.Skill hooks up the TR BBQ with some giveaway goodies||7|
|We threw a Minecraft party to test Samsung's Gear VR headset||8|
|Deals of the week: cheap solid-state storage and more||16|
|Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 480 hot-rods Polaris 10||55|
|AMD gets back in the black with its second-quarter financials||34|
|Nvidia unveils a Pascal-powered Titan X with 11 TFLOPS on tap||159|
|Nvidia harnesses eye-tracking to improve VR rendering efficiency||18|
|I'll...just review the thin air on my desk where a GTX 1060 would fit, since that's what we have.||+113|


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Google is planning to build its own Android smartphone in an effort to take the fight to Apple's iPhone at the top end of the smartphone market.
Sources reportedly told The Telegraph of the plans, claiming that the firm is in talks with mobile operators about releasing a Google-branded smartphone.
This marks a major shift from Google's standard strategy of partnering with handset makers such as LG, Huawei and HTC to develop Nexus devices that showcase the Android platform.
The Google-built handset will apparently make its debut later this year, so we'll assume it'll arrive running the firm's still to be named Android N software.
However, the Telegraph report suggested that the device will be distinct from the firm's current Nexus line-up, and will be sold in addition to partner-built Android N smartphones.
This makes sense, as Google CEO Sundar Pichai said earlier this year that the company will continue to support the Google-backed Nexus smartphones, and Huawei has already confirmed that it's lined up to build a successor to last year's Nexus 6P.
Huawei may also have caught wind of Google's plans to build its own smartphone, as rumours surfaced last week claiming that the Chinese firm is plotting to build its own mobile operating system owing to concerns that Google may tighten its grip on Android.
HTC is also thought to be building a Nexus smartphone for later this year. Codenamed 'Sailfish', the Android N handset will reportedly have a 5in Full HD display, 64-bit quad-core chip, 4GB of RAM, 12MP and 8MP cameras and a USB Type-C port, suggesting it will arrive as a follow-up to last year's LG-built Nexus 5X smartphone.
Google has yet to comment on these latest rumours.
Mark Vartanyan was working for Norwegian e-healthcare firm Dignio when he was arrested
Samsung can't see a way to profitably compete against Amazon and Google
Fix being rushed out - but not quite as quickly as an ambulance to an emergency
Massive miner Rio Tinto claims 20 per cent of pit-to-port train kilometres in Australia are now driverless
Rio Tinto today, TfL tomorrow?


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Volkswagen AG is considering not only a modern version of its 1960s Microbus, but also a more conventional minivan for the USA.
At the Geneva auto show, VW unveiled its freshened Sharan minivan for the European market. But unlike typical US minivans with their dual sliding rear doors, the Sharan has four traditional doors.
'Definitely, I think there is room for a car like this in the US market,' said Jens Neumann, a Volkswagen AG board member in charge of North American strategy. But the 2001 Sharan was not designed with the USA in mind, he said. The next edition of the Sharan, due in about four years, could well be geared for US tastes.
In the meantime, VW will focus its attention on its sport-utility for the 2002 model year, and development of a New Beetle convertible is well under way, Neumann said.
VW also continues to consider the return of the Microbus. Just as the New Beetle has a rich heritage, so would the Microbus, Neumann said.
'The Microbus has a heritage, and not just for some odd hippies,' Neumann said. 'But we still must overcome the difficulties posed by the flat nose and US safety standards.'
In January, Neumann said that VW has tried three times to design a Microbus that would capture the flavor of the 1960s-era bus but wrapped in a modern package.
A future VW lineup in the USA could include a Microbus, Sharan minivan, redesigned EuroVan, sport-utility and Passat wagon, he said. The challenge is trying to figure out what combination will work, Neumann said.
VW will not bring an entry-level car from its Skoda or Seat brands to the USA, Neumann said. 'To establish a new brand, with its dealer network, spare parts and all the service things that ago along with it, is a very expensive thing,' he said.
With regard to prestige models, testing and development continue on the D1 luxury car that VW has planned for 2002.
'That needs to be a big hit,' Neumann said.


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Two new cloud services have been introduced by Oracle in order to enhance its Cloud EU Region in Germany.
Announcing about modern Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) architecture and new IaaS and Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud services the global tech major has kept informing us about their grwoing breadth.
The President of Product Development of the company, Thomas Kurian has revealed the plan while interacting with reporters during Oracle's Media Day event.
Oracle Media Day event took place on Wednesday at Company's headquarter.
While the Oracle Cloud EU Region in Germany is going to appear online within a couple of months, the company has also teamed up with business mobility leader VMware Inc to make it easier to manage and enable advanced security features for Oracle’s suite of mobile business applications and Oracle Mobile Cloud Service (OMCS) for mobile devices.
With help of this the company's robust mobile ecosystem is now able to purchase application management and security through "VMware AirWatch".
Apple App store is mostly full with enterprise mobile applications of Oracle.
"We put our customers at the centre of everything we do and we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance our business applications to expand their software investment", Thomas was quoted while interacting with meda personels.
"We continue to see tremendous growth across our cloud business", he further added.
More than 195 countries has been blessed with 1,000 SaaS applications of Oracle and the transformation of critical business functions has become much more easier worldwide after NetSuite became a part of Oracle.


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It was kind of depressing to see the post on Effect Measure (Chemical
plants: internal dangers, external costs) about the
half-measures being taken to safeguard chemical plants and facilities.
The chemical security problem is as urgent
as it is obvious. Chemical plants are potentially static weapons of
mass destruction: large volumes of ammonia, chlorine, highly flammables
like propane, large repositories of chlorinated organic solvents and
chemical feedstocks like phosgene and more.
of Consumer Agency Opposed by Its Boss
By STEPHEN LABATON
Published: October 30, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 — The top official for
consumer product safety has asked Congress in recent days to reject
legislation that would strengthen the agency that polices thousands of
consumer goods, from toys to tools.
On the eve of an important Senate committee meeting to consider the
legislation, Nancy A. Nord, the acting chairman of the Consumer Product
Safety Commission, has asked lawmakers in two letters not to approve
the bulk of legislation that would increase the agency’s authority,
double its budget and sharply increase its dwindling staff.
The article points out that the director, Nancy A. Nord, is opposing
reforms that industry leaders are willing to go along with.
Specifically, she does not want to see enhanced protection
for whistleblowers, even though industry is willing to accept such
improvements. Furthermore, she opposes a ban on
lead in children’s toy’s. She does not think the
Commission needs a larger budget.
The Senate is considering legislation (S.
2045), approved today by the Commerce Committee:
The Senate Commerce Committee is set to
vote on Tuesday on the legislation, which is sponsored by Senator
Daniel K. Inouye, the Hawaii Democrat who heads the committee, and
Senator Mark Pryor, the Arkansas Democrat who heads the consumer
It would more than double the agency’s budget, to $141
million, over the next seven years, raise staffing levels by about 20
percent, and give the commission broad new powers to police the
marketplace. It would raise the cap on the maximum penalties, to $100
million, from $1.8 million.
by Wolfgang Meinhart
Gnu Free Documentation License
Why is more funding needed? Well, consider the situation.
The Commission has exactly one full-time employee devoted to
testing the safety of toys. They have a total of 15 people to
inspect consumer goods. Considering the sheer volume of
consumer goods involved, the inspections process is only one notch
better than nonexistent.
for the real questions. How is “consumer safety” different
than “homeland security”? I’d say that consumer safety is a
subset of homeland security, just like chemical plant safety.
So why isn’t Michael
Chertoff taking an active interest in these issues?
Why does the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) get two
trillion dollars for a war, while the Consumer Product Safety
Commission has to struggle to get an extra $141 million?
The answer is that DHS is not really about homeland security.
Is exists for a different goal; call it what it is: the
Department of Profit Security. If you
look at what they actually do, as opposed to what they say they do, you
will realize that is what they are. They do not exist to
protect the homeland; they exist to protect corporations.


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Huawei, the company you’ve normally known for releasing some of the best budget-oriented smartphones, has now teased a video on YouTube about its new fast charging tech. The tech was created by the Huawei Watt Lab and the company claims that it can charge phone batteries 10 times faster than a typical battery would.
A 2-min video was released on YouTube showcasing the whole setup. Huawei had already teased the same tech before in 2015 and they are teasing it again in 2018 yet again, which may lead to a possible launch with MWC 2018 closing in.
According to Huawei, the quick charging tech can refill a battery up to 48% in just 5 minutes! They also claim that once the battery is charged to 48% it can provide 10-hour talk time.
Huawei, in 2015, posted two videos showcasing a 600mAh battery charging to 68 percent in under 2 minutes, and the other one with a 3000mAh battery was charged to 48 percent in five minutes. The video which was released earlier this week seems to be the second video and has been included below.
There is a small twist in the tale. The video clearly shows us that the quick charging tech is an external device and to charge your batteries you need to remove them and plug into the device to move further. Nowadays, every smartphone comes with a non-removable battery especially the devices sold by Huawei itself like the Honor 7x and the recently launched Honor 9 Lite. Is this pointing towards a possible comeback for the removable battery era, I hope so.
Watt Labs eyes at a technical development to support a better-connected world with the help of sufficient energy and this just blends in. Huawei might introduce this new technology at the MWC 2018 in Barcelona and we hope to get more answers on the tech itself. With the possibility that Huawei’s tech isn’t ready to be implemented within a smartphone just yet, we might get to see a concept before it’s finally launched.


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Dec 10, 2020
Valmet and Metsä Group's innovation company Metsä Spring begin the construction of the 3D fibre product pilot plant in Äänekoski, Finland. The greenfield pilot plant enables further research and development of the new wood-based packaging solution and its production process. The cooperation was announced earlier this year.
The new plant will produce ready-made 3D fibre packages directly from wet wood fibre pulp without intermediate steps. The new type of more sustainable, environmentally friendly and easy-to-use packaging can replace similar products made from plastic and aluminium. Examples of such 3D fibre products are disposable plates.
“Valmet is committed to developing sustainable technology and processes and 3D fibre product pilot is a good example of that. Our position as the technology leader in board making machines gives us an excellent possibility to utilize our know-how in developing these kinds of processes. Together with our partner Metsä Spring, we are developing totally new technology to the plastic replacement area where the consumer need and awareness is growing strongly,” says Petri Rasinmäki, Director, Board and Paper Machines technology unit at Valmet.
The main raw material used for the 3D fibre products is responsibly produced wood fibre that is processed into high-quality packages. Environmental impact is minimized by a lightweight construction of the product and new manufacturing technology. As reported in an earlier customer survey, there is already a notable demand for the product.
“We have an ambitious goal to build a significant business based on the top-class know-how of Valmet, Metsä Group and several other companies. The pilot plant is developing and testing many new innovations that support one of our goals to replace plastic in various packaging solutions,” says Jarkko Tuominen, the project leader at Metsä Spring.
The construction of the pilot plant was started today, and the plant is expected to be ready by the end of 2021. The plant is built on Metsä Group’s industrial site in Äänekoski alongside with many other Metsä Group’s activities.
Valmet’s unique piloting opportunities move customers’ performance forward
Aug 20, 2020
By providing comprehensive piloting opportunities, Valmet helps it customers address some of the most challenging global megatrends and secure the future of their industries. Pilot testing also supports the customers’ own innovation and development work and helps strengthen their competitiveness.
Valmet continues to invest in its pilot facilities
Feb 11, 2020
Valmet’s Paper Technology Center in Järvenpää, Finland, provides the best available paper finishing piloting trials. To be even better and to correspond more accurately to the mill environment, the sizing section at the pilot facility has been updated with new spray beams, rolls, hard roll covers and web heating system.


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tech2 News StaffSep 08, 2021 11:22:55 IST
Apple will host a digital launch event on 14 September at 10.30 pm IST. Although the company has not revealed it yet, it is likely to launch iPhone 13 series, Apple Watch Series 7 and AirPods 3. The much-anticipated feature of the upcoming iPhone series is the emergency feature that will allow iPhone 13 users to place calls even when there are no cellular networks in the particular area. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the tech giant is planning to use LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite connectivity for this feature. However, it is expected that because of the limited hardware, this feature will be available in ‘select markets’ only.
Apple iPhone 13 series expected specifications, features
As per a report by MacRumours, iPhone 13 series might include a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max. In terms of design, the models might come with a smaller notch, the rest is expected to be the same as the iPhone 12 series.
Popular analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, in a note to investors, has suggested Apple will include the technology in the 2021 iPhones. The new-gen phone is said to come with hardware and software for easy connectivity with LEO satellites. With this, users will be able to send a message or call someone even when no 4G or 5G network is available.
As for the camera, Apple might bring a new sensor-shift optical image stabilisation for better autofocus and a better ultra-wide camera for Pro models. The company might also improve the iPhone 13 Pro camera to bring it in line with the Pro Max model.
The upcoming models might be powered by a new A15 chipset that brings speed and efficiency improvements along with 5G connectivity. In addition to this, the Pro models are expected to feature a 120 Hz ProMotion display. Bigger batteries and more storage are also expected for all the iPhone 13 models.
Suggested by Tipster Dave Zatz, an improved MagSafe charger might also launch alongside iPhone 13 series on 14 September.
New Apple MagSafe charger just went thru the FCC. Wonder what’s new. Wouldn’t it be cool if the new Airpods magnetically attached, too… pic.twitter.com/xdz1ORhuhe
— Dave Zatz (@davezatz) September 6, 2021
Apple Watch Series 7 expected specifications
Apple Watch Series 7 is likely to come with a flat-edged design, thinner edges and more display space. It is likely to come in two size variants that include 41 mm and 45 mm. It might be powered by a faster S7 chip and a bigger battery. However, the report suggests that the smartwatch will not include any new health sensors.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Watch Series 7 manufacturers are facing production difficulties, so there are chances that users will face a delay in its availability initially.
Apple AirPods 3 expected specifications
The third generation of Apple AirPods is likely to come with silicone tips and might look like AirPods Pro. The earbuds are expected to have a shorter AirPods Pro-like stem. AirPods 3 is likely to lack active noise cancellation.


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Written On 4/20/11 By Recentpoker.com staff writer Lenny Wasman :
60 percent rise in total net gaming revenues for financial year
Mobile telephone gaming specialist Probability plc has released trading results for its fourth quarter and financial year showing a 60 percent rise in total net gaming revenues to GBP 5,056,236.
Highlights of the report include:
* Net gaming revenues from January to the end of March 2011 of GBP 1,126,543
* Net gaming revenue up 45 percent year-on-year
* Monthly fixed operating costs were down 16 percent year-on-year
* 49,506 new customers registered in the three-month period to take total numbers to 248,667.
* Long term partnership signed with 888's b2b wing, Dragonfish.
* 37 percent of in-game deposits came from iPhone and Android smartphone users in March, compared to 27 percent in December.
Chief executive officer Charles Cohen told shareholders:
“Since the start of March, we have experienced a strong upswing in customer activity both in terms of utilisation and new customer registrations spearheaded by the launch of ‘Grease' slots across all networks and to our player base of over 400 000 customers.
“This game was an immediate hit, taking two million individual bets by new and existing players in the first month alone.
“This momentum has continued into April. Average daily net gaming revenues in the first half of April of 2009 was approximately 22 percent higher than the equivalent daily average across the whole of January of 2009.
"New customer acquisitions were twelve percent higher on the same basis.
“Most encouragingly, the average total deposits per cash player per day was 83 percent higher in the first half of April of 2009 than the equivalent figure for the whole of January of 2009.
“In 2009, we had anticipated that demand in January and February would be weak compared to the previous quarter as was the case in previous years but compounded by the recession. The return to growth and profitability in March of 2009 shows that we were right to maintain our disciplined approach to marketing and to continue to invest in new products to attract and retain customers in this tough environment.”
The report reveals that Probability has moved its operational base to Gibraltar from Alderney, and that it has applied for Italian market licensing.
Cohen also revealed that his company would “shortly be launching a new bingo product which will be the first ever to be made available for all types of mobile device, including iPhones, iPods and Android devices as well as more traditional feature phones”.


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Preparations are now under way in Dubai to create the ultimate showcase of jewellery that will present an opportunity for shoppers to purchase the world’s most unique pieces.
Returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre from De
UAE's Etihad Airways is showcasing its iconic ‘penthouse in the sky’, The Residence, inside luxury department store Bloomingdale’s – Dubai as the retailer launches its Fall 2016 seasonal campaign.
Emaar Properties, a leading Dubai-based global property developer and builder of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, is unveiling its ambitious 'The Opera District' - Dubai’s answer to the Sydney Opera House - at a sp
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is showcasing residential units at Al Waha community - including villas, town houses and apartments - at an industry event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The three-day event concludes on April 10 at the Je
Gloria Hotels & Resorts will introduce its new ‘Hello...Mice to meet you’ campaign to highlight the group's meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice) facilities at Imex 2016, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany
Microsoft Gulf has taken the role of exclusive technology partner to showcase modern workplace solutions at an upcoming summit in Dubai, UAE, as part of its ongoing mission to become the solutions provider of choice for small and medium busine
Netherlands-based yacht builder Feadship is showcasing a magnificient scale model of a yacht the company sees a landmark achievement - the Savannah, at the ongonig Dubai International Boat Show.
Farouk Nefzi, m
Dozens of first-time local and international companies are set to showcase at a leading platform for the broadcast, production, content, delivery, digital media and satellite sectors across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) in Dub
Emirates Insolaire, a pioneer in the development of new solar technologies and a joint venture of Dubai Investments and SwissInso Holding, is showcasing its unique technology and highlight the adaptability of its sustainable technology at a so


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Spirits cos, which expected most liquor shops and bars to relocate or reopen in a few months, now say the situation may normalise only by next year.
To prevent adulteration and revenue leakage, the Assam government has decided that country liquor would be grain-based, undergo chemical tests and be branded.
While cherishing the fine taste of these popular dark spirits, have you wondered why their tastes differ by age and why are certain ones expensive than the others? Here are the answers that explains the difference.
USL, which sells brands such as Johnnie Walker, Royal Challenge and McDowell’s, is alleged to have supplied products to the CSD at inflated prices.
UBL on February 6 had decided not to send notices and agenda related to board meetings and other "privileged information" to Mallya till the time Sebi order remained in force.
At present William Grant imports its brands — which include Balvenie single malt Scotch, Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey — into the country, attracting high taxes.
As many as 56 executives at United Spirits (USL) took home more than Rs 1 crore in salary in the year ended March — against 52 in the previous year.
Some people are terrified of empty beer glasses and the phobia is known as Censocilicaphobia.
"If there are only 20 bottles produced in the world, we can't afford to send one to the lab for testing," said the marketing head of one of the largest whisky producers in the world.
Researchers in Singapore have brewed up a beer containing probiotic bacteria that can improve gut health and boost the immune system.
As part of the agreement with Mallya last year, Diageo was to pay him the sum ($75mn at the time) over a five-year period in return for walking away from USL.
pictorial messages will serve as an alert or reminder to road users about the hazards of drunk driving and help in reducing the risk of road accidents tragedies.
Govt has called tenders for 350 outlets in first phase, on the condition that the shops should have detachable furniture so that outlets could be shifted to other locations depending on demand.
Jensen decided to partner with Chhabria, and both have informed the appeals court that they own Mansion House equally in India.
Indian liquor continues to dominate the top 100 spirits brands worldwide in 2016 despite the overall slowdown and increasing prohibition. Three local whisky brands figure within the top 10 with Officer’s Choice continuing to be the second largest spirits brand in the world, according to a July International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR) report. Let's have a look at the Top 10 liquor brands in the world
Three local whisky brands figure within the top 10 with Officer’s Choice continuing to be the second largest spirits brand in the world, according to a July IWSR report.


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Sustainability now considered economic and environmental
The vast majority (86%) of businesses now define “sustainability” as both environmental and economic, according to our latest energy research.
Our annual research revealed some other interesting trends.
Customers are driving change
Consumers are now becoming more selective in their buying behaviors and are, more and more, choosing suppliers that have a lower environmental impact. Of the most customer-focused businesses we interviewed in our research, 49% are trying to work with suppliers with decent sustainability credentials. In keeping with this, being “socially and environmentally responsible” is now a top three business priority for 43% of businesses - a significant jump from 2017, where it ranked a low sixth on respondents’ priority lists.
Perceived risks are growing
Businesses are also changing in how they view risk. Today’s businesses are faced with a diverse and ever-evolving range of risks – including cybercrime, natural disasters, financial risk, and disruption to their existing business models. In addition, as more and more businesses are pursuing digitalization initiatives, they are also increasing their reliance on energy. Energy resilience and security is now in the top 4 areas of perceived risk for businesses. By taking a more innovative approach to energy, businesses can ensure a reliable supply, and meet important environmental targets. Organizations which view energy as a strategic asset, rather than a cost, continue to outperform their competitors in terms of revenue growth prospects, reduced costs and brand reputation.
Energy is an increasingly vital part of an overall business strategy
As an increasing number of businesses are changing their legacy thinking around energy, they are making it a fundamental part of their overall business strategy. In fact, our research revealed a positive improvement in organizations’ energy maturity, with the proportion of organizations that consider themselves “very advanced” in terms of their energy leadership - that is having a detailed energy strategy which works seamlessly with the organization’s wider business strategy and implementing it - increasing by 6%. Back in 2017, we saw that organizations were beginning to think differently about energy, and this is a trend that has continued – the number of organizations with an energy strategy containing defined targets, actions and budgets has increased. Sustainable businesses lead the way with 87%, a clear 20% more than all other businesses.
Yet only 1 in 8 businesses are doing it successfully
Despite all of this progress, our research revealed that only 1 in 8 businesses can actually be classified as “sustainable businesses” – according to our Sustainable Business Model.
Those that are successfully balancing their economic and environmental priorities meet all of the eight criteria outlined by our model. In particular, sustainable businesses are implementing more advanced energy solutions which can lead to better operational efficiency, the ability to control risk and improve resilience, and drive better financial performance. For instance, 63% of sustainable businesses are investing in energy efficient solutions, compared with 28% of other businesses.
What does this mean for your business?
Becoming a sustainable business isn’t something that can be achieved overnight, and the journey can be challenging. Many successful businesses are complementing their internal expertise by engaging a third party, like Centrica Business Solutions, to help them understand the energy market and associated technologies, build business cases, engage stakeholders and support implementation.
Download our full report to learn more about the outcomes of our research, get practical advice on how to evolve your business, and find out how we can help.


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The story so far: On September 12, Justice Amit Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia started hearing what is being described as the most important case about the future of the Internet. Over the course of the next 10 weeks, Justice Mehta will hear arguments of the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and several U.S. States to the effect that Google used illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly in online search. Several top officials from Google, including CEO Sundar Pichai, are expected to be called in as witnesses. If the allegations against the $1.7 trillion Silicon Valley giant are upheld, Justice Mehta will begin a separate trial to decide on the action that needs to be taken. Other mega Internet companies such as Amazon and Meta are keenly watching the trial, as it will have major implications on how their own ‘anti-trust’ issues are dealt with.
What is the charge against Google?
The key allegation against Google is that its “arrangements” with Apple and other companies to be the default search engine on their devices, is unlawful monopoly building. The DoJ filed the charges on October 20, 2020, arguing that Google throttled competition from other search engines and caused harm to consumers, making it a prime anti-trust — targeting monopolies — case. “Two decades ago, Google became the darling of Silicon Valley as a scrappy start-up with an innovative way to search the emerging internet. That Google is long gone,” the DoJ had said in its initial filing.
Since the extent of harm that has been caused to consumers is the key deciding factor in anti-trust cases, the DoJ is expected to show how the default search position for Google on various devices limited options available to consumers. Focus may also fall on how a lot of the real estate on Google’s search result pages is often taken up by the company’s own non-search services — such as user reviews — at the cost of rival services. Google’s default position also creates a ‘feedback loop’ in which consumers are regularly giving the search engine their personal preferences, allowing Google to fine-tune its algorithm and deliver better search results and advertisements. “Google’s contracts ensure that rivals cannot match the search quality ad monetisation, especially on phones,” Kenneth Dintzer, the main lawyer for the DoJ in this case told the Associated Press. “Through this feedback loop, this wheel has been turning for more than 12 years. It always turns to Google’s advantage.”
However, Google argues that the reason it controls 91% of the global search market is that it provides better quality of services, rather than a lack of competition. Google says that consumers can always choose to change the default option and that any deals it has with device manufacturers like Apple are above board.
Is there a deal between Apple and Google?
While both Apple and Google have been secretive about their cooperation, several reports indicate that such a deal was renewed in 2017. According to The New York Times, while Google paid Apple to the tune of $1 billion in 2014, the latter now receives between $8 billion and $12 billion, amounting to 9% of its annual gross profits. Google’s willingness to pay such a huge amount is driven by the fact that 75% of its search revenue comes from iPhone and iPad users. It is also a precautionary measure as it holds back the creation of a rival search engine by Apple, one of the few companies that have the wherewithal to take on Google.
Google also understands a key lesson from behavioural economics — most people will not bother to change the default options made available to them.
Why is there a ‘techlash’ on anti-trust issues?
Google is no stranger to anti-trust cases, though not in the U.S. In 2017, it was fined $2.7 billion by the European Union for showing undue preference for its own services in search results. The EU has imposed a total fine of 8.25 billion euros on Google over three anti-trust investigations. The EU has also trained its anti-trust guns on other U.S. online giants such as Meta and Amazon.
On the other hand, the U.S. has been slow to act against homegrown behemoths, who also spend considerable amounts of money and effort on political lobbying. However, a massive ‘techlash’ has been building up in the U.S. in recent years with calls from both sides of the political aisle to restrict the influence that these companies can exert on aspects ranging from teenage mental health to personal privacy and the success of small businesses.
The current case against Google has the potential to redefine how anti-trust laws are wielded in the technology era against new business models. A key test of consumer harm under anti-trust law is the amount of monetary loss that has been sustained by consumers due to the monopolistic behaviour of companies. However, Google offers its search services for free. It remains to be seen how the DoJ, which has another anti-trust case in the pipeline against Google over its dominance in online advertising, will prove its point on consumer harm in this case.
Why are anti-trust cases important?
Anti-trust cases have the potential to completely revamp a sector of the economy. Such cases in the U.S. also have far-reaching impacts across the globe. The last major anti-trust case was over two decades ago, when the U.S. government took on the Bill Gates-led Microsoft which had near-total monopoly over the operating systems running personal computers.
In 1995, the Internet revolution was taking off with the Netscape browser being the key software for accessing the World Wide Web. Microsoft tried to squeeze out Netscape by bundling its Internet Explorer web browser for free with its Windows OS. The government took Microsoft to court in 1998, and in 2001 arrived at a deal that made Microsoft keep a more open Windows environment. Critics of this case say that it did not do much to shake Microsoft’s monopoly; Netscape lost its market leadership and eventually morphed into the Firefox browser from the Mozilla Foundation. Others, however, say that the open environment that the deal ensured saw to it that Microsoft did not crush the smaller technology companies that were developing products around the Internet, including one that was formed in 1998 in a garage in Menlo Park, California — Google.
- Over the course of the next 10 weeks, Justice Mehta will hear arguments from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and several U.S. States to the effect that Google used illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly in online search.
- The key allegation against Google is that its “arrangements” with Apple and other companies to be the default search engine on their devices, is unlawful monopoly building.
- Google argues that the reason it controls 91% of the global search market is that it provides better quality of services, rather than a lack of competition.


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Liverpool Culture Capital
By the time you read this, the champagne corks will have popped as Liverpool officially starts its tenure as European Capital of Culture 08.
The Liverpool 08 website toasts 4 June 2003, when the city won its culture bid, as ‘the day that changed Liverpool’. It says that, ‘At a stroke, national and international perceptions changed and the image of the city improved’.
Perhaps ‘at a stroke’ is pushing it. Just a year after Liverpool’s Culture success came The Sun’s belated full-page apology for its misjudged treatment of the Hillsborough tragedy. The exercise, to try and reacquaint the paper with any kind of readership in the city, fell on deaf ears.
And just a few months on, MP Boris Johnson was responsible for dragging up old stereotypes in the media, first through a misguided magazine article, then a bungled trip to the city to apologise.
But despite intermittent PR fauxs pas by those trying to win back the faith of Liverpudlians, the city has not been deterred from its Culture 08 plans. Now, as national attention turns to the city’s cultural heritage, Liverpool is in the throes of a new era.
In 2008, it can boast its own specialists of good publicity in the media, marketing and creative sectors.
Sarah Elderkin, development director of Liverpool and Manchester-based Design Initiative – which helps matchmake creatives and designers with the market – says there is a wealth of new talent in the city.
Through special portfolio sessions, the Design Initiative attempts to acquaint the budding creatives with a marketing structure. The popularity of these sessions, according to Elderkin, represents the strength of creative talent that exists in the city.
Throughout the industry, there’s been a marked lack of start-up activity. Not so in Liverpool, according to Elderkin. “Certainly in Liverpool we’re seeing a lot of designers and creatives coming to us wanting to start-up their own business. What they lack is a business plan, but there’s no doubt the talent is in the city and eager.”
Certainly, 2007 represented a big year for Liverpool’s media and marketing aspirations.
Liverpool Council continued its bid to readjust perceptions by tendering out its regeneration PR brief, scooped by the city’s Factory Communications. While details of the agency’s financial remuneration was closely guarded, there’s no doubting the profile kudos the account brings given Liverpool’s 08 status.
The Finch Partnership brought a big win to the city when it was appointed by budget fashion retailer Ethel Austin to administer its Autumn advertising campaign, an account the brand confirmed carried a £1m spend.
Clarity Creation arrived after outgrowing Liverpool’s longest-serving agency Paver Downes, with what it described as a “medium term plan.” The agency announced its strategy to be challenging for national and international contracts after a two-year period of growth.
Emap meanwhile, announced a bold move into the relatively uncharted territory of commercial talk radio with City Talk. The station’s launch is imminent, and many will be watching, guinea-pig like, to see if the format is a success. Indeed, Emap believes it’s sitting on a £20m goldmine as it looks to get blue-chip businesses advertising on its new station.
Now, everyone in Liverpool seems to be looking to the future. As part of the 08 celebrations, the city will play host to Design Show Liverpool, a joint venture between Momentus and Design Initiative.
The Design Show will run from 19-22 June and has already received 400 applications from potential exhibitors, with the rest of the month still left for entries.
“There’s a really good energy in Liverpool,” says Elderkin. “There’s a lot of activity across the design, creative and communications sectors and through events like The Design Show we’re trying to promote that,” she adds.
Also keeping Elderkin and Design Initative busy is the Futures project. Futures is Merseyside’s membership network for design professionals, which sports 50 member businesses and, says Elderkin, represents a huge pool of talent for the marketing and communications industry to tap into.
Developments are underway to grow Futures in 2008, hosting seminars from marketing industry professionals – Love’s Alistair Sim a recent participant – and to make the project more customer-facing to help scoop more contracts for its members.
Elderkin says that Futures, grouping members together as a network, is a way of getting the city’s talent noticed through strength in numbers.
But with so many eyes on Liverpool as the Capital of Culture, the city’s creative talent already has the best possible showcase. For Liverpool’s marketing, design and media folk, the Capital of Culture event represents the party to be seen at this year.


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A SUPERMARKET giant is calling on volunteers to give up some of their spare time to help a soldiers’ charity.
Following the success of fundraising days at ASDA in last year, the stores in Hartlepool and Peterlee are carrying out a similar campaign in aid of Help for Heroes.
The events will take place on May 12 and 13.
A spokesman for Asda said: “Our wonderful volunteers had a great time and enjoyed themselves knowing they have given a small amount of their time for our heroes.”
Volunteers will be collecting donations and selling merchandise at over 500 Asda stores throughout the UK.
For more information, visit http://asda.helpforheroes.org.uk


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Many of you might already know about Windows RT and Windows 10 S, but how many of you have heard of Windows Lite? Not many, and that may be so because Windows Lite is currently under development at Microsoft. However, from what we know so far, the next operating software would be a fascinating one. Also, can it outperform Chrome OS in the sector of notebooks?
Windows Lite would be the future Microsoft operating system dedicated for notebooks and, allegedly, a competitor for Chrome OS and Chromebooks. It would be a lightweight version of Windows, and it will run UWP applications downloaded from the Microsoft store, along with Progressive Web Apps that operates similarly to an offline app but via an online service.
Windows Lite, as a part of Microsoft’s Always-Connected laptop project, would work with any type of CPU to give more options for manufacturers and customers, as well.
Windows Lite – Can It Outperform Chrome OS?
Now, Microsoft did not announce anything about how when it will release Windows Lite. However, the company might announce Windows Lite at the Microsoft Build 2019 conference which would be held somewhen between April and May 2019. Also, some rumors said that Windows Lite wouldn’t be available for purchase, but it would come pre-installed on various notebooks targeting students and home users.
We don’t know yet if Windows Lite would outperform Chrome OS but, thinking that Windows 10 S was a disaster, to some extent, Windows Lite has to be better, so, eventually, it might be a fierce competitor for Chrome OS in the sector of notebooks.
Also, as Chrome OS is “builds off of the familiarity of the Chrome browser,” as Digital Trends reported, Windows Lite might also try to “overhaul the idea of what an operating system should look and feel like,” and head to a new direction.


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88mph Seed Accelerator Receives Venture Capital Funding From 4Di Capital
March 25th, 2013
Investment aims to spur more economic growth and expand the startup ecosystem in Afric
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – March 25, 2013
88mph, an African seed accelerator, announced today that 4Di Capital, an independent early-stage venture capital fund based in Cape Town, has invested in the private fund. This marks a first, as no other seed accelerator in Africa has received backing by a venture capital firm.
In addition to funding, the investment from 4Di also provides 88mph startups greater access to a vast network of local investors and gives them a better chance at securing follow-on funding. The partnership challenges misconceptions about African investments and aims to inspire new investors.
“The technology space in Africa is picking up and we’re seeing a lot of activity and opportunity,” says Kresten Buch, 88mph founder. “Investors are watching this and beginning to look outside of developed markets like the United States for growth, because those markets aren’t expected to grow as fast as they have in the past.”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts sub-Saharan Africa to be the world’s third fastest growing region in 2013 and 2014, with many African economies growing above 7 percent. Moreover, the MSCI Africa equity sub index posted returns of over 60 percent in the last 12 months.
Still, funding for startups continues to be a major hurdle in South Africa and Africa in general.
“88mph is unique in that they provide startups with actual funds, which is very rare for an accelerator in emerging markets and Africa especially,” says Justin Stanford, 4Di CEO and co-founder. “They have spent over one million dollars on investing and supporting startups Africa—far more than any other accelerator here. We have chosen to back this accelerator as a part of our desire to help foster and develop the nascent early-stage startup ecosystem in South Africa.”
88mph is partnered with Google for Entrepreneurs and is also funded by private investors including Hannes van Renburg, Fundamo CEO and Ranjith Cherickel, Head of Sales and Business Development, Africa at Nokia Siemens Networks.
“We’re very excited to have taken a concept from Kenya to South Africa with Google’s support and are now able to bring 4Di on board as well,” says Buch. “The more experienced companies and individuals involved, who inspire trust by attaching their name to this endeavor, the easier it is for these startups to get customers, investors and ultimately succeed.”
88mph opened in Nairobi, Kenya in 2011 and has since made 24 startup investments. The seed accelerator started operations in Cape Town, South Africa in February 2013 and plans to expand to Nigeria
88mph is a startup accelerator and seed fund, investing in web/mobile startups targeting the African market. The company offers three-month accelerator programs in Nairobi and Cape Town. 88mph makes investments simultaneously in 10-12 startups, enabling them to learn from each other and make use of an extensive network of business and technology professionals as well as dedicated startup entrepreneurs in residence. 88mph is Africa’s most active seed fund, with over 24 investments since 2011. To date, the company has spent over one million dollars investing and supporting startups in Africa.
4Di Capital is an independent early-stage technology venture capital firm based in South Africa’s “Silicon Cape.” The firm targets investment opportunities with high growth potential in the seed and early-stages in the mobile, enterprise software and web sectors in Southern Africa. Together the 4Di team draws on decades of global venture capital proficiency and proven startup operational experience.
For more information contact:
Public Relations, 88mph
+27 74 258 4275
Public Relations, 88mph
+27 74 233 8816


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Textiles maker Rivatex East Africa Ltd is eyeing regional and international markets with its planned Sh6 billion upgrade.
The modernisation drive will increase cotton consumption from 10,000 bales per day against a projected capacity of 100,000, translating to a daily production rate of 40,000 metres, up from the previous 5,000.
Managing Director Thomas Kipkurgat said the firm was targeting the AGOA (US) market through the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) as well as in East Africa and other parts of the continent.
“We expect to complete the modernisation by the end of April and enhance efficiency and quality,” said Prof Kipkurgat.
The firm won contracts to produce materials used to make new police uniforms and for other government agencies such as Kenya Power, the Geothermal Development Company, various hospitals as well as gowns for public and private universities, he said.
Rivatex secured a Sh3 billion loan from the Indian government last year and an additional Sh3 billion from the Treasury to replace its obsolete machines.
Prof Kipkurgat said the firm is targeting 40,000 cotton growers and more than 22 cotton-growing counties.
Cotton production is also headed for brighter times after Rivatex announced it will purchase the seed cotton at between Sh47 and Sh50 per kilogramme.
“We are sensitising farmers to take advantage of the modernisation to provide us with the raw materials. This will result in job opportunities for more than 40,000 farmers directly,” said Prof Kipkurgat.


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U.K. Taking ‘Enforcement Action’ Against Secondary Ticketing Sites
British government agency the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) is to take "enforcement action" against secondary ticketing websites it suspects of breaking consumer protection law.
British government agency the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) is to take “enforcement action” against secondary ticketing websites it suspects of breaking consumer protection law.
The announcement follows an almost two-year investigation into the sector that the CMA says “identified widespread concerns” about how secondary ticketing sites operate and “gathered evidence” about possible unlawful practice.
“Our investigation has identified concerns that the law protecting consumers is being broken,” said CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli in a statement announcing the escalation in proceedings.
“We are putting our concerns to these websites and will be requiring the changes necessary to tackle them,” Coscelli went on to say, warning vendors that the CMA “will use the full range of our powers to get the right outcome for these sites’ customers, including taking action through the courts if needed.”
Launched in June 2016, a key focus of the CMA’s inquiry into the sector was looking into whether the U.K.’s four leading secondary sites — eBay-owned StubHub, Switzerland-headquartered Viagogo and Ticketmaster-operated platforms GetMeIn! and Seatwave — were guilty of breaching the law as set out in the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
That piece of legislation dictates that secondary vendors must notify buyers of a ticket’s original face value and provide information on its seat number and location inside a concert venue. Other requirements include informing ticket buyers of any connections that sellers may have with the platform or event organizers, as well as any restrictions on resold tickets that could result in the buyer being refused entry.
Concerns that secondary sites were failing to abide by those rules were outlined in an earlier government-led review by Professor Michael Waterson, published in May 2016.
Nearly 18 months on, the CMA has found that the law is still being breached by a number of unnamed secondary platforms, but notes that “some sites have already made changes since it opened the investigation.”
Although the CMA does not have the power to issue fines, failure to comply with its findings can be passed onto the British courts.
Having unearthed evidence of suspected unlawful practice, the CMA has also now broadened the scope of its original investigation to look into pressure selling in the secondary market and whether claims made about the availability of tickets create a misleading impression or rush customers into buying a ticket.
The controversial practice of speculative selling, where businesses advertise tickets for sale that they do not yet own, is also being looked into as part of the broader investigation being conducted alongside partner agencies the Advertising Standards Authority and National Trading Standards.
The CMA says that it will listen to the websites’ responses to its concerns. A spokesperson for StubHub tells Billboard that the platform “remains committed to working with U.K. regulators to ensure that consumers continue to have access to a safe, secure and transparent ticket resale service.”
“It is great to see that the CMA is taking this much-needed step to enforce the law in the U.K. resale market,” added a spokesperson for Ticketmaster. They went on to say that the ticketing giant and operator of secondary platforms Seatwave and GetMeIn has been “working closely with the CMA to ensure that we are compliant with consumer law, offering unparalleled transparency to fans when purchasing tickets.”
Viagogo did not respond to requests to comment when contacted by Billboard.
“Beyond suspected breaches of consumer protection law, we believe the largest ticket resale platforms are riddled with bad practice, including speculative ticket listings, pressure selling and collusion with large-scale ticket touts,” said a spokesperson for the FanFair Alliance, welcoming the promise of action from the CMA.
“It is has taken far too long to get here, but a Sword of Damocles now hangs over the entire secondary market,” the spokesperson continued, warning, “If they fail to deliver root-and-branch reforms, we expect the largest resale platforms to face significant consequences.”


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BOTS, Inc., a global tech firm that specialises in Blockchain-based solutions such as decentralized finance applications for the financial industry, consulting, mining equipment repair, cybersecurity solutions, crypto mining and insurance, announced that its subsidiary, Cyber Security Group LLC, has launched Web Application Firewall (WAF), a proprietary software solution to protect web applications.
The cybersecurity market is being driven by rising cybersecurity events and rules demanding their reporting. Cybercrime, which includes data damage and destruction, stolen money, lost property, intellectual property theft, and other sectors, costs the globe around USD 600 billion each year, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and McAfee.
WAF protects against application vulnerabilities and data breaches. The following are some important advantages:
- Protection from web attacks and DDoS
- Controls access and authentication
- Automates and orchestrates security
- Protects applications and APIs
- Protects against business logic attacks
- Protects ecosystem around Blockchain
- Blocks malicious bots and automated attacks
- Protects from XSS & SQL injections
BOTS’ Cyber Security Group LLC subsidiary is an ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified Information Security Management System that seeks to capitalise on the fast-growing worldwide cyber security market with its exclusive range of SaaS products. WAF has been successfully battle-tested by financial services and e-commerce enterprises over a two-year pilot program and is now available to businesses all across the world.


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B Corp Beauty Coalition launches to improve beauty industry's sustainability standards
26 certified B Corp beauty companies have teamed up to form a new coalition to improve sustainability standards within the beauty industry.
B Corp Beauty Coalition aims to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint and raise public awareness of connecting beauty with responsibility, and is formed of certified B Corporations – businesses that balance purpose with profit.
Professional brands Aromatherapy Associates, Davines Group and Made For Life Organics are among the beauty companies that have helped form the group.
The launch of the coalition is extremely timely, as the home and personal care industry came fourth in a list of the top 10 industries with the most sustainable B Corporations around the world, according to new research by Money Transfers.
What will B Corp Beauty Coalition do?
Its mission is to deliver “beauty for good”, enabling collaboration and exchange between companies; identifying and sharing better practices; implementing improvement actions and publishing their outcomes; helping consumers more easily navigate the category; and influencing the beauty industry to trigger broader changes which can improve its social and environmental footprint.
“As certified B Corporations meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact, we have become increasingly uncomfortable with the social and environmental footprint of the beauty industry and concluded our respective solo efforts to enable positive change can be enhanced through a partnership of mutual commitment,” said Davide Bollati, president of Davines and founding member of the B Corp Beauty Coalition.
“So, we have decided to form a coalition to leverage our combined strengths and deliver tangible benefits to beauty customers, communities, and the planet we share.”
Shaun Russell, founder of home and body fragrance brand Skandinavisk and a co-founding member of the coalition, added: “Specifically, we commit to invest our time and efforts to improve four key issues that affect everyone and everything: ingredient sourcing and sustainability; greener logistics; packaging responsibility; consistent and clear external messaging that customers can understand and trust.”
Read B Corp Beauty Coalition’s full manifesto.
What else is the beauty industry doing to be more sustainable?
Last year, the British Beauty Council launched the Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) – a group which is working to tackle the global climate change emergency by creating a framework of action that the beauty and wellness industry could collectively follow to boost its sustainability efforts.
The SBC recently launched the Planet Positive Beauty Guide as well to help consumers confidently make greener beauty choices and spot when companies are “greenwashing” products.
Another important group to note is the Sustainable Spa Association (SAA) – a membership organisation which is offering advice to spa operators to help improve their sustainability efforts.
For small changes you can make today which will help the planet, check out our “10 ways to make your salon more eco-friendly” guide.
What do you make of the formation of this coalition? Tell us your thoughts below.


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By Gretchen Webster
WESTPORT — Signs planned for a new Big Y supermarket at 1076 Post Road won quick support from the Architectural Review Board last week.
The board’s blessing for Big Y’s signs was granted in sharp contrast to questions and complaints that engulfed the sign for an Amazon Fresh store previously proposed at the same location. Amazon, which cancelled plans for its tech-driven supermarket earlier this year, was forced to redesign its standard “smiling arrow” logo after several failed attempts to win approval from the ARB and Zoning Board of Appeals in 2022.
ARB members had only a few suggestions when they voted March 26 to accept two signs for the new grocery store, totaling 73 square feet: a circular Big Y logo, and a narrower, longer strip sign underneath, both designed by Graphic Images Inc., a Pittsfield, Mass., sign company.
The larger sign features the supermarket chain’s brand, “Big Y” in white lettering on a circular red background. The second sign reads, “Your Family Market,” in black lettering on a white background, which will be installed beneath the circular sign.
During review of the Amazon Fresh sign, the proposal prompted questions about its size and height from board members, as well as criticism from neighbors, who felt the store’s proposed lighting would be too bright.
Amazon, after gutting the interior of the retail space previously occupied by a Barnes & Noble book store at the Post Plaza shopping center, made no further progress in converting the property into a supermarket in more than a year’s time. The Amazon Fresh sign, approved only after an arduous review process, was never installed on the partially renovated storefront.
A concern mentioned by ARB members in their review of the Big Y application is the plan to install the signs off-center in relationship to the store entrance.
David Halpern, a recently appointed board member, suggested the sign would look better placed squarely above the entrance instead of toward the left side of the façade, as indicted on architectural drawings filed with the panel.
“Having it centered over the door would certainly complement the architecture,” he said.
The signs’ off-center placement was chosen to make them more visible to motorists on Post Road East, William Wand of Graphic Images, told the board. Big Y signs usually are placed directly above the doors at most of its stores, he said. But trees along Post Road East would block a view of the signs if positioned directly over the entrance.
Board member Jake Watkins, however, said that placing the signs a bit higher on the facade, if possible, would make them appear more centered on the storefront’s long, dark façade, even if not centered over the doors.
And member Vesna Herman suggested that the lower, white-background sign should be the same red color as the Big Y circular sign to create a visual link.
The board then voted unanimously to accept the Big Y application as submitted, with the suggestion that both signs have the same red highlights.
Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.


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Yep, they’re shifting into home shopping mode at CET for the 43rd annual Action Auction coming April 14-17. The station’s biggest fund raiser again needs donations of antiques, collectibles, vacation packages, concert and sports tickets, jewelry and gift certificates.
Action Auction chair Dr. O’dell Owens will be in the CET studio 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday for a kick-off party. Donors, sponsors and potential buyers can preview some of the items already rounded up for the April telecast, and drop off donations.
More information on sponsorship, donating items or volunteering is available at CETconnect. Or call the CET Events Line at 513-345-6549. CET, the nation’s first licensed public TV station, is a valuable community asset that needs you help. Think about how you could offer a unique item or volunteer your time to help at the fund-raiser. And if you’ve helped at the Auction before, post a comment to tell others about the experience.


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LIWF 2013 - UK: QR codes can halt counterfeiting - expert
Unique QR codes on alcohol packaging are the only way to eradicate fakes, a counterfeit expert has said.
Geert de Vries, from KPMG's risk services unit, said today (21 May) that technology such as holograms, and special ink are “relatively useless”. However, QR codes scanned in-store by consumers can instantly alert producers to where fakes are being sold.
“(QR codes) will grow to be enormous,” de Vries said in a seminar at the London International Wine Fair. “The whole illicit trade can be stopped by unique codes.”
De Vries added that the European Union plans to introduce laws that ensure all alcoholic packaging carries a unique code. He said the laws will follow the introduction in 2017 of codes on pharmaceutical packaging, and could be in place by 2020.
“It might be useful to be one of the first companies to do this,” he suggested. “That way you can see where the problems and where the advantages lie with it.”
QR codes are similar to bar codes and can be scanned by smart phones. When scanned, the code can be run through a manufacturer's database of known codes. If the code is not recognised, the manufacturer can ask the consumer to send details of where the product was bought, after which police can be contacted.
De Vries said Dutch company Bols used a similar method to stop high levels of counterfeiting of its products in Africa.
He added that marketing promotions can be used to encourage consumers to scan the QR codes and send back information to manufacturers.
This year, a wholesaler in China was jailed for selling “fake” Scotch whisky in the country's first case centred on the term 'Scotch'.
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Historical society seeks yard sale donations, vendors
The West Bloomfield Historical Society, 8966 state Route 5, needs items and vendors for its 29th annual yard sale scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 18.
Space rentals are $25 for nonmembers, $15 for members. Donations can be dropped off from 1 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 6-13, and 9 a.m. to noon July 10. Advance pickup of large items can be arranged. Baby car seats, computers, TVs, clothing and large fiber board furniture will not be accepted.
The Society welcomes monetary donations to support the sale and local history at P.O. Box 173, West Bloomfield, New York, 14585. Call 585-657-7060 or visit wbhsny.org for information.


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Pet Age Staff//April 22, 2020//
Pet Age Staff //April 22, 2020//
Press release: Good Boy Studios
Good Boy Studios (GBS), a global technology company and creator of Pet Parade, a leading digital marketing platform for the pet industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Nestlé Purina PetCare to provide gamification and consumer insights to support Purina’s digital initiatives.
Purina is a leading innovator in leveraging digital marketing, mobile and data technologies to engage with pet parents. As part of this strategic partnership, Nestlé Purina will deploy Good Boy Studios’ proprietary Pet Parade marketing and gamification platform to expand the core functionality of its digital properties and use the Pet Parade Online Marketing Platform to drive new user acquisitions and data insights.
“It is very rare to find a partner with expertise in building complex data and technology solutions while at the same time understanding how to craft compelling consumer experiences. Good Boy Studios checks all of those boxes for us,” explains Aaron Griffin, director of digital operations and delivery at Purina. “We are excited to be working with their talented team and the Pet Parade platform.”
Viva Chu, CEO and co-founder of Good Boy Studios, adds, “I grew up filling my pup’s bowl with Purina Puppy Chow. It’s an honor for us to be working with the world’s most iconic and successful pet company. We look forward to deploying our gamification and marketing platform to help Purina engage with its beloved pets and pet parents.”