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An interesting article on the tourism sector, which unfortunately ends with the usual government spin "we have done enough, its up to you Zambians to make it work...etc "
Credit crunch hits hard tourism sector, Charity Moonga, Times of Zambia, Commentary :
The global economic crunch seems to have become the most popular phrase in the day-to-day lives of people in the world today. Hardly any serious meeting takes place without any mention of the current global financial crisis, which has hit many countries. Many people are gathering in diverse areas of the world to find solutions that will cushion the impact of the financial crisis on their economies.
Zambia, as a developing country, has not been spared this global economic meltdown. The country has of late experienced negative economic indicators as a result of the global financial crisis. One area of development that Zambia has seen hardly hit is the tourism sector.
The Zambian Government has in the past identified the tourism sector as a priority area in the development of the country and, in this vein, the Government introduced the national tourism policy. The Government has stated that it is aware of the role the tourism sector can play in the development of the country, especially in the generation of foreign exchange, employment and income and other Government revenues. It has since accorded the tourism sector the second priority rating after agriculture because of its importance to the economic development of the country.
The Zambian Government’s policy, which promoted a private sector-driven tourism has in the past seen an increase in tourist arrivals into the country. Under the tourism policy, incentives have been put in place to ensure that tourism flourishes in the country because the industry is a generator of foreign exchange, of which many of the world’s least developed countries, among them Zambia, are in need. Because of the good incentives, investors have been attracted to the tourism sector, and the industry has acted as a source of income, creating jobs and acting so as to evenly distribute economic benefits generated by foreign and domestic visitor spending in the country.
The industry has been doing very well in the past few years but with the coming in of the global credit crunch, it has greatly been affected.
Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala has conceded that the Government is worried about the effects of the global economic crunch on the tourism sector in the country.
Ms Namugala says that Government is worried that the global economic slow down will impact negatively on the tourism sector. “There is need for the sector to adjust and adapt in order to stay afloat. Now is the time to survive. We must not look for extraordinary profits but we must do our best to ensure that we avoid job losses in the sector,” Ms Namugala says.
She says the Government is encouraging the growth of the tourism sector to assist cushion the impact of the global economic slowdown on the economy considering that the mining sector, which has been the main stay of the economy, has suffered low copper prices. “Tourism has been growing steadily, helping to reduce poverty levels. I have no doubt that the sector will survive the difficult financial crisis and meet the projected contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of eight per cent by 2010. It will not be easy,” Ms Namugala says.
According to the Livingstone Tourism Association, the tourism sector in Livingstone has already suffered the negative effects of the global economic recession. The tourist capital has so far recorded a 50 per cent decline in business as a result of a reduction in the number of tourist arrivals due to the global credit crunch. Most tourists who had pre-booked had cancelled their bookings citing the financial crisis. “The number of visitors coming to Livingstone has drastically reduced, hence affecting the tourism sector in the tourist capital,” Livingstone Tourism Association vice-chairman, Graham Nel says.
Mr Nel says most tourists from the United Kingdom (UK) have cancelled their bookings as a result of the global economic recession. “The decline in business in the tourism sector in Livingstone is so big and is likely to affect all other businesses in the tourist capital,” Mr Nel says. He says most tour operators have already started downsising and realigning jobs due to loss of business in the industry. Boat cruises in the tourist capital have also reduced by about 30 per cent with the number of visitors that have reduced.
Since the number of international tourists has drastically reduced, the tour operators in Livingstone are now calling for the promotion of local tourism as a way of promoting of the tourist capital as a tourist destination and beating the credit crunch. It is very true to say that some Zambians, and even those that were born and brought up in Livingstone, have never seen the falls. They admit that they have heard that there is a water falls in Livingstone but they have never been there due to various reasons, including lack of interest and little knowledge of the site.
But Mr Nel says his organisation would do everything possible in conjunction with the Government to promote tourism in Livingstone. Mr Nel says his organisation is also working on republishing the historical record of Livingstone and increasing its membership. “We are also running a website which will be operational in April and will promote all organisations in Livingstone,” Mr Nel says.
Mr Nel urges the Government to reduce transport and fuel prices as well as include Livingstone in the economic zone to boost the sector. He said the proposed increase in Zesco tariffs and anti-dollarisation would have a negative impact on the tourism sector along with load-shedding. “As a tourism sector in Livingstone, we deal with the international market and people would rather be quoted in the currency which they understand,” Mr Nel says. He also states that the continued rise in the water levels in the Zambezi river will also have an impact on the tourism sector in Zambia.
Other tour operators in Livingstone have also called for the promotion of domestic tourism as a way of boosting tourism in the tourist capital. The tour operators said this at a recent tourism forum held in Livingstone.
Visit Livingstone Zambia Limited representative, Humphrey Mhango says it is sad that domestic tourism in Livingstone has been neglected. “We need to re-look at domestic tourism to boost the industry in Livingstone. So far, there is no leadership when it comes to domestic tourism,” Mr Mhango says. Another tour operator, Constance Lewanika says there is need for Zambia to take advantage of the presence of the Victoria Falls to woo more tourists to Livingstone.
The tour operators further call on the Government to deal with bus fares as a way of wooing more local tourists to Livingstone and other tourism facilities in the country. They say that at the moment, bus fares are just too high while the roads leading to tourism destinations are in very poor condition, hence discouraging local tourists. “Currently, the occupancy levels in our hotels, lodges and guest houses have gone down and that is why we need to focus on promoting domestic tourists,” the operators say.
Zambia Tourist Board chairman, Errol Hickey, however, assures that his organisation is doing everything possible to market Zambia as a tourist destination with the available funds. “We have applied for a supplementary budget of K2 billion and we are hoping that once released, the money will greatly assist us market Zambia,” Mr Hickey says. He says his organisation is also working with the SEED programme to promote domestic tourism packages.
Economics Association of Zambia president, Mwilola Imakando calls for diversification if Zambia is to develop. “We need to diversify from mining to agriculture and tourism,” Dr Imakando says. Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) president, Mark O’donnell says Zambia is likely to record a decline in the country’s export earnings from the projected US$4.8 billion to $3.3 billion as a result of the global economic crisis. He says the country’s export earnings will this year reduce because of the global economic crunch.
Mr O’donnell said this during the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) discussion forum on the impact of the global economic recession on the tourism sector in Zambia at Livingstone’s Protea Hotel recently.
Stakeholders at the forum called on the Government to work with its citizens to ensure that Zambia was reduced from an expensive tourist destination to a cheaper one. “Visitors say that Zambia is an expensive destination and as a country, we need to respond to that by increasing the number of airlines coming here and reducing the fuel prices. Once our costs are down, we will receive more visitors,” Mr O’donnell says.
There is also need for Zambia to avoid harassing and arresting innocent tourists over trivial issues, and the number of unnecessary roadblocks should be reduced as they do not give a good impression of the country.
Mr O’donnell also condemns the over 12 licences in the tourism sector in Zambia. “The tourism sector in Zambia is also over-licensed. There are 12 licences that are required if you want to set up a tourism business in Zambia and these should be cut down to reduce on obstacles in the industry,” Mr O’donnell says. Mr O’donnell also bemoans the enactment of the Tourism Act, accusing it of not being responsive to the needs of the tourism industry, hence the need to review it. He says some of the rates charged in the country must also be reviewed as they are discouraging investors in the sector. “Some of the rates being charged in the country are too high. An example is of the property that we own in Chibombo where the rates were increased by the council there from K15 million per year to K350 million. ‘‘We contested the matter and filed an injunction against that council and the case is now in court,” Mr O’donnell says.
ZTB has called on the Government to scrap visa fees as a way of attracting more tourists to the country. Mr Hickey says the $50 tourist visa fee being charged is too much for the tourists, hence the need to suspend it for a year. “Let the tourists come in for free and see what we have. Let us do more to get the maximum benefit from the Victoria Falls,” Mr Hickey says. It is also important to ensure that borders do not discourage visitors by harassing them unnecessarily.
Mr Hickey, however, urges tourism operators in the country to ensure that they retain their employees despite the ongoing global financial crunch. He says the economic crunch has affected most sectors of the economy and it is important for tour operators not to re-deploy their employees. “The economic crunch will hit all of us, so let us try not to re-deploy our people. Try to keep the people that have worked with you for a long time. You have trained them and you understand each other better,” Mr Hickey says.
He bemoaned the budget of $600,000 that has been allocated to the ZTB, saying it is too small to adequately market Zambia’s tourism. “We have a mandate to market but it is difficult because our budget this year is a disaster. We are inviting the private sector to work with us. ‘‘We have come up with a strategy to work with partners who will help us adequately market Zambia’s tourism,” Mr Hickey says. He, however, calls on local tour operators to come up with local tourism packages that will be affordable to the local visitors.
Mr Hickey also bemoans the state of the Livingstone-Zimba road, saying it is discouraging would-be tourists and investors. He, however, commends the Government for coming up with a one-stop shop, saying it will go a long way in boosting the tourism industry. Mr Hickey says last year, the tourism industry registered 750,000 visitors and was targeting one million visitors by 2010.
Mr Hickey urges all tour operators to raise the standards of their services to woo more tourists. Zambia has some of the richest tourism resources and has the capacity to increase tourist arrivals and earnings, and the challenge now is for Zambians to ensure that they maintain this strong growth and improve on it. One other way of improving tourism in Zambia is for the country to work hard in making its tourist destinations competitive.
“As for Zambia, there is need for Zambians to work together and support and encourage quality visitor experiences by ensuring that marketing promises are delivered and that the tourism destinations remain competitive,” the stakeholders in the tourism sector state. Zambians must also understand the different visitors’ needs because these people spend huge sums of money and time to travel to the country. “We need to enrich the tourist experience by providing quality assurance and improve accessibility to quality information,” the stakeholders add.
Visitors that come to Zambia must also be assured of safety and security of their persons and properties. The country should also have control of threatening behaviour and there must be a policy of evacuation procedures for the tourists.
On issues of health, it is important for Zambia to ensure that the health and hygiene standards in the country are upheld. “We need good health facilities and a policy and implementation programme on hygiene in the country,” the tourism stakeholders say. There should also be visitor-friendly immigration procedures and defined complaint handling procedures.
The stakeholders further feel that the high quality experience needed by the industry to compete domestically and internationally will only result in having a majority of quality tourist operators.
In her paper presented to a recent seminar in Livingstone dubbed ‘Keys for successful management and destination competitiveness’, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) coordinator for destination management, Esencan Terzibasoglu said tour operators needed to work together for sustainable tourism.
She said, tourism, being an extremely competitive industry, required a coordinated management approach based on a collective vision and strong partnership. “If you are pursuing the same strategy with the same structure you had five years ago, it is likely that, at best, you will be missing opportunities and at worst, you will be undermining the future of your toutrism industry,” Ms Terbasoglu says. She says the Governments has a role to play in the development of the tourism sector in the country. The Government needs to establish a safe and stable environment for tourism to flourish as well as facilitate and provide appropriate incentives for private sector investment in tourism.
Ms Terbasoglu says the Government should also make good tourism policies and ensure the safety and security of residents and visitors. Promotion and marketing are also two important factors in ensuring the success of tourist destinations in the country. Tour operators must have a knowledge and understanding of the needs of the country’s target markets and the “new tourists”. They should also capitalise on the opportunities brought about by new technologies.
Ms Terbasoglu also calls for the improvement of the visitor experience and be innovative in the management of the tourist product. “There should be public-private sector partnership in the key areas of management and marketing. Tour operators must continuously adapt to the dynamically changing macro, competitive and market environments,” Ms Terbasoglu says.
There is also need for countries like Zambia to have critical knowledge and information of competing markets and an evaluation of a destination’s tourism potential.
Countries should also realise that travellers now are very particular about going to destinations where authorities have put in place environmental protection, measures and regulations. Tour operators should also realise that quality is perceived as a potential factor to raise income, but that it does not mean luxury. The common quality challenges of tour operators that have come up in several tourism stakeholders’ meetings are that tour operators are avoiding environmental damage and prevention of infrastructural collapse. Tour operators also say they have problems of preventing insecurity at all levels and to fight the weak hygiene or health and sort out the problem of poor public transportation.
The tour operators are further facing the challenges of a lack of effective information that would affect the comfort and confidence of tourists. There is need for continuous improvement of tourist destinations to woo more tourists.
In Zambia, stakeholders in the tourism sector urge the Government to identify a carrier that will identify the country with to assist the tourism sector. LTA, for example, bemoans the inadequate tourist attraction currently available in the tourist capital. The association states that the tourist product in Livingstone has remained undiversified, hence the need for expansion.
Association member, Munukayumbwa Munyima says the tourist product in Livingstone remains the Victoria Falls, together with the Zambezi river and the gorges, Mosi-oa-Tunya national park and the Mukuni village. He calls for the establishment of more tourist attractions to complement the existing ones. Mr Munyima cites Kazungula district as one area, which can be promoted as a tourism destination. “The more tourist attractions we offer, the longer our tourists will be compelled to stay with us, and the more business opportunities the private enterprises will have,” Mr Munyima says.
The LTA has from time to time bemoaned the dry waterfalls during the dry season and has called on the Government to discuss with Zesco the possibilities of the institution closing the power station or operating only at night during this period. Mr Katanekwa says the dry waterfalls is of great concern to the industry as the visitor numbers from August to November are just too small, hence the need for the Government to find ways of equally dividing the waterfalls’ rights between Zesco and the tourism sector.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe reiterates Government’s commitment to promoting the tourism sector. “Government has already put a tourism policy in place and we are currently working on our infrastructure,” Mr Hakayobe says. He says the Government is working on the Kazungula bridge and the Livingstone-Zimba road works will be completed this year. Mr Hakayobe, however, calls for a public-private partnership in marketing Zambia’s tourism and ensure economic development.
The patents and companies registration office has also opened an office in Livingstone in a bid to attract more tourism investment. Patents and companies registrar, Anessie Banda Bobo says Livingstone is well-positioned in terms of tourism, hence the move to open a companies registration office there.
“Livingstone has got the capacity to greatly contribute to foreign direct investment, so that is why we have decided to bring our office here so that we make it easy for investors to do their business,” Mrs Bobo says.
The patents and companies office is currently working with the Zambia Development Agency and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to ensure that business takes place under a one-stop shop.
“We are hopeful that by opening an office here in Livingstone, we have done our part in easing the process of doing business in the province. Our process has become very easy and people of Southern Province will no longer have to come to Lusaka for their business,” Mrs Bobo said.
The National Airports Corporation (NACL) has also come up with a system to curb delays in clearing passengers at the Livingstone International Airport in a bid to promote tourism in Livingstone.
As stated above, the Government and other institutions as well as tourism stakeholders and operators have stated their position on the improvement of the tourism sector as it strives to succeed in the midst of the global economic crisis. The call is now coming to Zambians to take care of the country’s tourists. There is a purpose why some tourists elect to travel to Zambia, hence the need for the community to appreciate them.
Dealing with tourists may not be very easy and it is important for the local Zambians to find out what exactly individual tourists wanted to come to Zambia and provide them with the comfort. “It is important to bear in mind that tourists may be wealthy because they work very hard and when they decide to take rime off from their busy schedule to visit Zambia, they are in need of comfort. Not for them to be made to stand in long queues for hours,” one tourist once said.
The Government has put in place the much-needed infrastructure, legislation, regulation, support and information to assist improve the tourism sector and it is now up to Zambians to play a role in achieving economic development in the tourism sector. It is now the duty of Zambians to work together and assist improve the country’s tourism sector and boost the economy amid the global credit crunch.


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The Apple HomePod has to be one of the more interesting Apple products to come out in the past couple of years. It neither a phone nor a computer, it’s a smart speaker that sounds good but can’t do a lot partially because it’s locked in the Apple ecosystem.
Apple made a few announcements during their WWDC 2018 keynote include updates to iOS, macOS and more.
Google has announced their experimental augmented reality app, Just a Line, now allows users to draw with a friend on both Android and now iOS.
Apple has announced that their wireless speaker, the HomePod will be officially coming to Canada on June 18th.
Lego has announced new lineup called Powered Up, which is a series of Lego sets that can be controlled and programmed via your smartphone.
NPR along with WNYC Studios, WBEZ Chicago and This American Life has announced that they’ve acquired the popular podcast app, Pocket Casts from Australian developer, Shifty Jelly.
Netflix has introduced a new feature they’re calling mobile previews. Essentially, they’re short video trailers that are around 30 seconds in length.
Even since the introduction of the iPad back in 2010, Apple touted the device as a great device for consumption. Whether it was apps or games to watching movies and TV shows, the iPad was great for all of that.
Apple has introduced a (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition of their iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, similarly to what they did last year with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

domain: news


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The relaunch of the denim brand Baldwin as the contemporary fashion brand, BLDWN, was short-lived.
Investors have reportedly shutdown the company amid the economic downturn forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. A source from the company said Wednesday was employees’ last day.
According to WWD, the Los Angeles-based men’s and women’s fashion brand is preparing to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and liquidate all assets, indicating that it does not plan to try to restructure the business.
The layoffs affect all employees at BLDWN’s Los Angeles and Kansas City offices, as well as the employees at its seven stores in Austin, Dallas, L.A., New York, San Jose and Kansas City, where it runs a pair of shops.
The brand debuted as “Baldwin” in 2009 in Kansas City as a denim-focused men’s brand. In 2018, it rebranded as BLDWN and moved its headquarters to L.A. with ambitions to expand into a lifestyle brand.
Along with the abbreviated moniker, the brand hired a new president and creative director, Johnathan Crocker, and adopted an entirely new design direction based on classic American sportswear and a stronger focus on women’s wear.
BLDWN celebrated the grand opening of its 1,100-square-foot flagship on Melrose Avenue in August, however, Crocker left the company two months later. No replacement was ever named.
As of Thursday, the BLDWN website is void of any images and includes only the message: “We hope you and your families are safe and healthy. We are sorry to announce that we are no longer able to take any new orders or returns.”


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anyone on St. Charles Avenue for this weekend's Mardi Gras parades can attest, there's one thing
that's just as important to a successful celebration as bands,
decorations and a festive atmosphere: portable toilets. It's a lesson
that Gov. Bobby Jindal seems to have taken to heart.
finance reports filed last week reveal that in addition to paying for a
stage, banners and other items for the governor's inauguration last
month, Jindal's campaign spent about $10,000 to rent the portable
facilities. The rental makes up a small portion of the $156,000 the
campaign spent on the inauguration in 2011, and officials said a similar
amount was spent on the event after Dec. 31, during a time period not
covered by last week's reports.


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AI Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now live, offers lots of automation – Technology Org
Microsoft revealed its new artificial intelligence-based office software features collectively named AI Copilot. For now, the testing opportunities of this new product are limited.
The announcement came just two days following a similar reveal from Google, where the competing company introduced functionality-wise similar features for its Google Docs system.
Microsoft demonstrated elements of its new AI Copilot for Microsoft 365. The product is now being tested in a limited environment, by around 20 selected enterprises.
New functions that come with this significant update are basically all related to automation. For example, AI is able to create document drafts in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Furthermore, it can also perform cross-application tasks according to a user’s written command.
Now, you will be able to control even spreadsheet creation using plain text descriptions. The only requirement is that you will need to be able to describe the type of calculations using words.
AI Copilot is also able to summarize virtual meetings – those that are organized using its Microsoft Teams software.
According to Microsoft’s comment, all this should speed up content creation and minimize the required employee time input.


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OCS Environmental Services are pleased to reveal a newly designed website which is now live at www.ocsenvironmentalservices.co.uk
The modern design not only improves the look and feel of the site, but better navigation also makes it easier for visitors to find the information they are looking for, whether it is asbestos removal services
they require or the latest industry news.
With a responsive design, you can view the website from your smart phone, tablet and desktop.
We will continually update the website, adding latest news and information to help you and your business, and keep you up to date with industry developments.
We hope you like it!


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- Sterling lost ground on the euro and US dollar on Friday.
- GBP/EUR fell by 0.35% on the day after opening at 1.1410, trading a high of 1.1433 and closing at the low of 1.1370.
- GBP/USD followed a similar pattern to GBP/EUR with it trading up in the morning before falling and closing on the low of the day. The open, high and close were 1.3230, 1.3257 and 1.3146, respectively.
- 10 Downing Street said on Friday that Theresa May would ‘never agree’ to a permanent customs union with the EU following concerns from ministers that this could be part of a compromise to achieve a Brexit deal.
- It emerged on Friday that the M26 in Kent will be closed overnight while work is done to see if it can it can be used a car park for lorries in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Subsequently it was closed last night between 10pm and 5.30am and will be closed again between the 19th November and 21st December.
- It was very quiet day in terms of economic data but we did see Eurozone industrial production m/m beat expectations at 1.0% vs 0.4%.
- US import prices m/m came in better than expected at 0.5% vs 0.3%.
- US preliminary UoM consumer sentiment came in at 99.0 vs 100.4 expected.
Over The Weekend
- Government sources have warned that Brexit negotiations have hit a ‘real problem’ over the issue of the Irish border.
- There were hopes that there would be a breakthrough with Brexit secretary Dominic Raab making an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday.
- He met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier but talks faltered over the need of a backstop to avoid a Irish hard border.
- GBP/AUD, GBP/NZD and GBP/JPY are currently trading 1.8405, 2.0101 and 146.58, respectively.
- Sterling gapped lower on the open against the US dollar with the market opening at 1.3083 following a close of 1.3146 on Friday.
- US core retail sales m/m and retails sales are due to be announced at 1.30pm.
- Following that we will see the BOC business outlook survey at 3.30pm and from New Zealand CPI q/q at 10.45pm.
|Currency Pair||Interbank Rate||% Change on Day|
|Time (GMT)||Region||Data Release||Forecast||Previous|
|13:30||USD||Core Retail Sales m/m||0.4%||0.3%|
|13:30||USD||Retail Sales m/m||0.7%||0.1%|
|15:30||CAD||BOC Business Outlook Survey|
|Tent||USD||Treasury Currency Report|


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The campaign, launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), aims to help buyers identify the signs of a deceitful seller – also known as petfishers.
Petfishers are sellers who lie about the health of an animal and or the conditions in which they have been raised.
They may pretend that the puppy or kitten comes from a happy home, when in reality they were bred in poor conditions.
DEFRA has released a short video featuring a number of animated cats and dogs, each one speaking in a different accent.
One by one, the animals warn potential buyers to “always Google the poodle” and search the pet seller’s name online.
They also advise against buying from sellers with “lots and lots” of adverts, and to always visit a pet before purchasing.
When going to visit a seller, potential buyers should make sure the pet or puppy is “home safely with their mother”, DEFRA adds.
“Foil any evil plans by asking to see health records which honest sellers will provide.”
Finally, the video warns buyers to always ask themselves whether they believe they can trust “the person behind the pet”.
The survey of 1,009 adults, carried out by Opinion Matters, found that 27 per cent of pet owners had come across a seller or advert that made them feel suspicious of the welfare of an animal when searching for a pet.
Additionally, only a third of respondents said they felt “very confident” that they could spot a low welfare puppy or kitten seller.
Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, said pets bred in low-welfare conditions are often separated from the mother too soon.
This can lead to severe health and behavioural problems, and high vet bills for new owners.
“Christmas can be a difficult time to settle a pet into a new home and it’s vitally important that people not only research the breed of animal they want, but also the person selling it to them,” Middlemiss said.
“We urge people to remain vigilant and to always thoroughly research pet sellers before getting in touch.”
Experts have also advised potential owners to check that puppies and kittens are at least eight weeks old before buying.
“Buying a puppy is a huge decision and all prospective owners should do the proper research and have all the facts available so that they can make an informed decision, Bill Lambert, health and welfare expert at The Kennel Club said.
“We know there has been a surge in demand for puppies during the pandemic.
“The current mismatch between supply and demand can lead to more people being duped by rogue breeders and scammers, and inadvertently fueling low-welfare breeders.”
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Creative-as-a-Service business, Shuttlerock, has appointed Guillem Bonavia as its Chief Strategy Officer. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Guillem will report to CEO and founder Jonny Hendriksen.
The recent leadership changes at Shuttlerock have been triggered by the company’s recent global success with a 50% year-on-year growth trajectory since switching from an à la carte model to subscription model, the company said.
Shuttlerock added that a recent survey of marketing leaders globally found that “nearly two-thirds of businesses are seeking a fixed subscription pricing model for creative services as media platform requirements for video continue to expand and inflation causes uncertainty and cost increases in services.”
“The strategic goals for Shuttlerock are to double down on our focus on the Creative-as-a-Service model, increase our active customer base by delivering best-in-class value and build up key technology and creative capabilities that set our customers up for success,” said Bonavia.
The new appointment follows the recent hire of Kirsty Traill as Chief Customer Officer, as well as two additional senior promotions of Cameron Burns as Chief of Staff and Arron Redmore as Chief Creative Officer.
Bonavia has previously held positions at Accenture and Everis along with key roles at leading financial & consultancy institutions such as Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, and McKinsey & Company. In 2016, Guillem was appointed by Lloyds Banking Group to drive the Digital Transformation journey.
In 2018, Guillem took his digital strategy expertise to New Zealand where he was hired as the Head of Strategy (Digital) for Woolworths NZ. In this role, Guillem shaped the Digital Strategy & Transformation portfolio, achieving the lead position in the online grocery market in NZ..


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Old Forge bakery closes after 115 years
Agostini Bakery opened in 1907, but closed over the weekend due to "circumstances beyond their control."
A more-than-century-old bakery in northeast Pennsylvania closed over the weekend.
On June 14, Robert Agostini posted on Agostini Bakery’s Facebook page that the business had to cease operations. He didn't give further explanation.
Located on South Main Street in Old Forge, the bakery had been in operation since 1907.
“Thank you for being with us during all the ups and downs,” Agostini’s post said. “We wish you well in these trying times.”
The bakery was known for its Italian breads, buns, hoagie rolls, Old Forge pizza kits, and pizza shells. Old Forge calls itself the “Pizza Capital of the World.”
Restaurants and sandwich shops in the area had relied on the bakery for their products, especially when they lacked the time or space to prepare dough or bake bread. Grocery stores stocked two-packs of Agostini’s pizza shells for at-home preparation.
Tom Obrzut Jr. runs the kitchen at the Polish American Citizen’s Club in Dupont. He said his operation isn't as large as others who might use the shuttered bakery's pizza shells, but he's still going to miss them.
"Agostini’s shells have been with me for the seven years I’ve been [at the Polish Club]," Obrzut said. "Honestly the best quality shells in the area."
Agostini’s abrupt closing is already causing some restaurants to scramble.
Obrzut said after he heard the news of the bakery's closing, he went to Malacari's Produce and Deli to buy out the rest of their pizza shell stock.
"In fact one in West Pittston called Weiner World is closed, because they source 90% of their buns from Agostini’s," Obrzut said.
A Facebook post by Weiner World said they expect to have a new supplier figured out within a few days.
Obrzut said he hopes someone decides to take over the bakery and purchase Agostini’s recipes.
"It might not be the Agostini’s name, but if the quality's there, that's something that's gonna be good for everybody," he said.
More than 440 people had shared Agostini Bakery’s closing announcement on Facebook by Wednesday morning.


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We are halfway through National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the offers for pink items are everywhere.
You can’t walk through a store without seeing some pink product.
Those hawking the goods say that if you buy something with a pink ribbon, part of the price goes to benefit breast cancer research. But just how much?
I even found a pink ribbon shop online, where items from angels to umbrellas are adorned with a pink ribbon.
The site says purchases have helped donate more than $27,000 “to various organizations in an effort to find a cure for cancer, assist cancer patients and reduce cancer deaths through education initiatives that promote early detection.”
It does not specify which organizations.
So why buy pink?
“People shouldn’t be buying products unless they want to in the first place and should be looking for packaging that is explicit about which charity is receiving the funding and how much they will receive,” said Sandra Miniutti, vice president of marketing for Charity Navigator, a nonprofit watchdog.
Charity Navigator has reviewed the financial health of more than 20 of the largest charities working to fight and prevent breast cancer in America, rating them based on various factors, including how much is spent on the organizations' mission, administrative expenses and fundraising.
Miniutti brings up the point that companies often have a cap on how much they will donate, so when you make a purchase, that company may have met its limit and your money may not be doing much to help the cause.
Two charities – Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Breast Cancer Research Foundation – actually have policies that companies have to sign off on if they want to use their logos, but Miniutti said not every company takes the time to get permission.
There are more than 1,000 breast cancer-related charities, so deciding which one to donate to can be mind-boggling.
Her advice: “Ultimately at the end of the day your best bet is to write a check to a vetted charity.”


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Barnes & Noble launched a $50 7-inch Nook tablet back in November, but it's now halting sales due to a defective charging adapter.
The $50 Nook raised plenty of interest due to its attractive price tag, but some issues are now affecting its availability.
The tablet is currently listed as not available online and it's no longer on sale in stores either. Barnes & Noble quietly pulled it off store shelves, without issuing any statement or public announcement.
A Reddit user claiming to work at Barnes & Noble says that earlier this week, the company's corporate HQ demanded that all remaining inventory of the $50 7-inch Nook tablet be shipped back to them.
"[E]arly this week we received a project to remove every device from stores. It was very important that they be shipped out quickly, there was no explanation given, and so far this week the signs are still up in the windows," says the Reddit user. "There has been radio silence and no further instruction other than get them boxed, get tracking numbers, and ship them out. There's no script for customers, and no recall I can find publicly."
Nook Spyware Did Not Cause The Recall
The purported employee initially assumed that the quiet recall might be tied to the spyware found on the Nook tablet, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Barnes & Noble later released a software update to remove the exploit.
Nevertheless, recalling the product with no warning or official announcement seemed odd and prompted various speculation, so the folks over at Android Police contacted Barnes & Noble and found out the real reason why the 7-inch Nook is being pulled off store shelves. It has nothing to do with spyware, but it's not a tiny inconvenience either.
Nook Charging Adapter Issues
A Barnes & Noble representative says that the company received three complaints regarding the charger adapter, as its casing was breaking apart while still plugged in.
This can be dangerous and pose threats to users' safety, so Nook tablet owners should stop using the adapter until they get a replacement. Until then, users can charge the device via a microUSB cable plugged into a computer or a power bank. Barnes & Noble apparently plans to issue a full recall through the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The charging adapter issue doesn't affect the Nook itself.
It remains unclear for now just when Barnes & Noble will start handing out replacement charging adapters to Nook owners, but the company says it's working closely with the CPSC to figure out all the details of a public recall.
The company should provide more details regarding this matter shortly, and should put the $50 Nook tablet back on sale once it solves the defective charging adapter issue.
Nook tablet owners who have encountered this issue and have not contacted Barnes & Noble yet are advised to do so and wait for a replacement adapter. In the meantime, it's best to follow the company's advice and avoid using the faulty component.
As always, we'll keep you up to date as soon as more information comes to light, so stay tuned.


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Samsung calls ‘first dibs’ on Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chips
Samsung may not be putting out anything big during the Mobile World Congress but they still manage to make a stir as they grab the majority share of Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 835 processors.
Thanks to this move, Samsung’s competition will be forced to utilize the older Snapdragon 821 chips for their latest flagship phones, reports The Verge.
Meanwhile, Forbes has reported an April 14 release date for Samsung’s Galaxy S8. This means that no other manufacturer will be able to get hold of a Snapdragon 835 until Samsung releases their flagship smartphone.
It may seem like a rather harsh move for Samsung, but it can be argued that the Snapdragon 821 has been proven to work very well on Google’s Pixel phones, as well as on the OnePlus 3T.
In retrospect, the relationship between Qualcomm and Samsung with regards to the former’s chips has improved rapidly. This could be one of the reasons that allowed Samsung to strike a favorable deal with Qualcomm and get first dibs on the new Snapdragon 835s.
Moving forward, the market can expect the summer of 2017 to be quite busy once the Snapdragon 835 becomes widely available, and companies can incorporate the chips into their own high-end smartphones to rival the Galaxy S8. Alfred Bayle
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.


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With an aggressive new growth strategy, NFLPI is looking to score big in brand licensing as it looks beyond traditional products to drive retail sales.
Disney Club Penguin is bringing the magic of Disney’s Frozen to Club Penguin Island from Aug. 21–Sept. 3 with the Frozen Party.
For the first-time ever, Transformers character Optimus Prime visited Northern Ireland last weekend to take part in the Belfast Ultimate Strongman Giant Weekend.
Big Tent Entertainment has teamed up with NFL Players Inc. to bring together Domo and National Football League players on a series of co-branded products.
Mercury Inpress has secured its first licensing agreement with Mind Candy to create next-generation coloring and activity books for the Moshi Monsters brand.
In honor of back-to-school season, Warner Bros. Consumer Products has launched an educational program featuring Scooby-Doo.
The iStoryTime digital book library, powered by Cupcake Digital, will now include titles from Nickelodeon.
The World of Eric Carle will expand its current ranges of infant and toddler products with a host of new offerings including sleepwear, graphic tees, blankets and layette.
Withit Licensing has appointed licensing agency AI Licensing to represent its character brand Joey and Joy in the Far East, the Middle East and India.
From the Simpsons to Sons of Anarchy, Fox Consumer Products has the savvy instincts needed to develop a broad array of licensed apparel programs.
Animal Logic Entertainment and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment will develop and produce the first-ever feature-length film starring iconic character Betty Boop.
American Greetings Properties has signed its first licensing partners for the Care Bears franchise in China.
Garfield will be featured in a month-long promotional event at buffet restaurants in the U.S.
Big Tent Entertainment has signed two new long-term deals that will bring its Domo character to electronics cases and puzzles.
Big Tent Entertainment has signed two new deals for costumes and apparel featuring the Internet meme Domo.
Ludorum has teamed up again with Budge Studios to launch a second preschool app based on the TV series, “Chuggington.”
Team! Licensing has unveiled a new style guide for Sanrio licensees in G/A/S that will allow the use of multiple characters at once.
Giromax has released a new line of collectible Angry Birds stickers in the U.K. and Ireland.
Hasbro has teamed up with comic book publisher IDW for a new standalone comic series featuring Transformers and G.I. Joe.
A new exhibition featuring items from the Walt Disney archives opened at the Museum of Science and Industry Wednesday in Chicago, Ill.
Paws, Inc.’s Garfield is the latest character to join Digital Giving’s new app, “T-Shirt Booth.”
©2014 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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Two of LG's newest handsets from MWC 2015 feature Android 5.0, 8-megapixel cameras and barely-there curved displays.
The electronics giant is prepping a super-size Android device, code-named Tahoe, with midrange hardware components, according to industry scuttlebutt.
As one example, the iPod lineup will be moved to the Apple accessory section so customers can simply pick one up off the shelves, says 9to5Mac.
Unveiled at MWC 2015, the BlackBerry Leap runs the new 10.3.1 OS, and is equipped with a 5-inch HD display and 8-megapixel camera.
The budget-friendly Redmi 2 Prime is the Chinese company's first mobile phone made in India, its largest market outside of China.
The megapixel war may have been declared over a little too early, but phone cameras aren't just about the numbers any more.
"ClearMotion," "TruMotion," "Motion Rate 240" and "Effective" refresh rates are not true refresh rates. Here's why.
All GoPro cameras are definitely not created equal. Here's a breakdown of each of the company's five models to select the right one for your needs.
An unlocked Android phone from a brand-new company: we take a first look at it in our hands.
LG refreshes its budget-friendly 3G smartphone with a larger display and the latest version of Android.


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During these unprecedented times, digital dependence among Indians has grown exponentially. Netizens are utilising their time and going digital to binge-watch, read, learn and seek ideas on how they can stay productive indoors. To help brands unravel the mystery of what their target audience is looking into and help them understand the potent implication from search trends, Google India today released its report What is India search for: Insights for Brands Report.
Sapna Chadha, Senior Country Marketing Director, Google India and Southeast Asia at Google said; “As people are jolted out of their routines and forced to reevaluate decisions that previously required little to no thought, we see dramatic shifts in how people search and what they care about. The report provides early insights on how people’s needs and behaviours might evolve as they seek to regain a sense of balance. Some of the trends are likely temporary, but as people are forced to adopt new behaviours, they may begin to see the value of sticking with them even after the pandemic is over. And one can clearly see a pattern that demonstrates an evolution in behaviour that was already taking place and is accelerated by the crisis. We hope these insights will help marketers find the answers to what’s important here now and what is here to stay.”
The report highlights the top five consumer trends and corresponding findings under each of these:
- Always-on: Lifeline, not a distraction: “Always-on search” has become an established habit for Indian consumers. Closure of malls and unavailability of ration delivery has pushed consumers to look for chemists and kirana stores around their geographical locations. Owing to this, “near me” searches have seen a massive uptick since March 2020. Queries like “pharmacy near me” (+58%), “grocery delivery near me” (+550%), “ration dukaan” (+300%), and “vet doctor near me” (+60%) have become increasingly common. Another interesting finding was that even in the wake of COVID-19, consumers are looking for “the best” of whatever they need and business that can help them find it. “Best” searches, which have consistently seen high growth in India, continue to see a sharp rise despite the current scenario. While 2019 saw a significant jump in queries like “best headset” (+140%), “best/top 2W insurance” (+116%), and “best mattress” (+150%), “best” searches in 2020 have adjusted to the idea of limited mobility. They include queries like “best movies” (+35%) on YouTube and “Best trading platforms” (+45%).
- Power to know more: From due diligence to understanding how things work, Indians are coming online to enrich their knowledge base, enhance their skill levels, and seek validation for their purchasing decisions. Consumers are vigorously searching responses to questions like “gym at home” (+93%), “5 minute recipes” (+56%) as well as searches related to advanced skill sets like “machine learning” (3X) and “data science” (3X). With a majority of users being homebound, there has also been high growth in queries like “learn online” (+85%), “teach online” (+148%), and “at-home learning” (78%). Queries in health category have recently pivoted toward “immunity” (+500%). Searches for vitamin C, which grew by 40% in 2019, have surged by over 150% in recent weeks, as have queries for herbs with medicinal properties like “गिलोय” (Giloy) (+380%) and Ayurvedic home remedies like “काढ़ा” (Kadha) (+90%).
- Optimize, personalize and humanize: Despite the unprecedented scenarios, consumers continue to project that they want multi-moment brands to understand their likes, dislikes, and interests based on their online footprints. In fact, 1 out of every 2 consumers is seeking personalized information from brands by searching for queries like “how to homeschool kids” and “how to WFH”. Well, while custom goods seem to have seen a slight dip, personalisation is clearly here to stay.
- Tap and Transact: With social distant lifestyle becoming the new normal, cash transactions are taking a backseat. Queries like “How to pay electric bill online” (+180%) and “बिजली बिल चेक” (electricity bill check) (+80%) are seeing an uptick. Growth of searches like “overnight mutual funds” (411%) and “mutual funds to invest now” (249%) also shows that many consumers are now relying on online resources to take care of their long- and short-term financial goals.
- Anything, anywhere, anytime-on demand: Indians, especially the young, are increasingly seeking to move toward a hassle-free and convenient lifestyle with the help of on-demand services. This changing mindset is driven by a very simple logic: “If I can get a cab or pizza on demand, then why not everything else?” This new development is evidenced by the growth in searches for “consult doctor online” (+60%), “collaborative software” (+40%), and “free video dating” (+70%). The demand for such near-instant gratification has, in fact, led a lot of traditional businesses to pivot to digital to meet people’s evolving needs. A core element of on-demand gratification has been video.


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LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot day. That was the case for many people at Riehle Plaza Saturday for the third annual Beers Across the Wabash.
- RELATED | Photos: Beers Across the Wabash
Residents were able to taste beers from 33 Indiana microbreweries. The third annual event was put on by the Friends of Downtown.
Money raised from the festival will go towards lighting the Tippecanoe County Courthouse and parts of downtown during the holiday season.
“This is the funny mechanism to get that done to make downtown Lafayette look pretty,” said Friends of Downtown president Steve Bultnick. “Beer on a hot day can work.”
There were also two food vendors and pretzel necklaces available for purchase to help balance out the beer.


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Cellulant team at the 2017 KPMG Top 100 Gala Dinner
Mobile phones have become ubiquitous in Africa. According to GSMA — the organization that represents mobile operators worldwide, with more than 420 million mobile subscribers, mobile money accounts are replacing traditional bank accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has made the need for growth in the financial technology sector essential to accelerate the growth of African economies.
This is where Cellulant comes in.
Cellulant is on a mission to digitize payments for Africa’s largest economies. Recently recognized for innovation and KPMG Top 100 club 101, Cellulant is a payments company that is powering mobile and digital payments in Africa; and redefining Financial Technology in Africa. The company has transformed from it’s early days when we used to offer digital content, to what is now a payments network of serving more than 40 million customers across the continent.
“From the onset, we set out to solve real problems for everyday Africans. That meant that we built operations that were agile enough to meet market demands,” said Ken Njoroge, gCEO and founder of Cellulant.
One of the most recognized work done by the company is the innovation we brought to Nigeria, impacting agritech and the way farmers accessed subsidies. Having obtained a licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate a mobile payments’ scheme in 2012, Cellulant took to market one of the large-scale uses of mobile commerce to drive sector transformation by rolling out an e-wallet for the Federal Government of Nigeria. The solution was dubbed the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme and it has since powered more than one billion dollars in subsidy payments to more than 17m farmers. This eWallet has also been adopted by other countries such as Liberia and most recently Afghanistan.
But the journey has not been easy.
Despite the having to contend with the slow regulatory framework in adopting policies that favor acceleration of Financial Technology solutions, Cellulant is showing a lot of promise in becoming a leader in the payments space in Africa.
From building the first BOT program to connect MPESA to banks, to building a mobile banking app for 33 markets in Africa, Cellulant is known known as the company that gets things done. One of the key factors to the company’s success is the focus on building products that are relevant to consumers. Most recently, the company launched Mula, and Tingg– payment solutions that enable African consumers to make payments and manage their money from a single platform.
Felix Nthigah, Cellulant Kenya MD says that Cellulant company is positioning right at the intersection of it banks, consumers and mobile operators in order to deliver the best payments services that connect people to their money every day. This gives Cellulant the vantage point of adding value to more 100 million customers in Africa and digitizing their payments experience.
“ there are different ways consumers can get value from the ecosystem Cellulant has built. Simply, we are building products whereby whether the money is seating in a bank or in an MNO wallet, customers can access their money and use it however they wish,” explains Nthigah.
In addition to the recent KPMG Top 100 recognition, Cellulant also has a number of awards under their belt. Just recently, Cellulant was named the Best Payments and Transfer Company in Africa 2016 by FinTech Africa 100. This year, they have several notable achievements as well. Among them; being featured by the London Stock Exchange as a Company To Inspire Africa; becoming the first company in Sub-Saharan Africa to join the Global Endeavor Entrepreneur Network and was named Company of the year by the African Diaspora Awards in New York City.
For those looking to venture into entrepreneurship, Ken Njoroge simply says “know your why.”
“Invest a lot in figuring out your “why”. Why do you do what you do? why have you chosen the business you’ve chosen? Why is a skill so important? Why do you choose to institutionalize a business this or that way? Then more grit and determination than anyone. Ultimately, have the willingness to outwork anyone and to not give in to the blockages in the road and push through them and stick to the vision.”
Cellulant Feature in Business Daily in Kenya- December 1, 2017


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Insight from RAMetrics
In an increasingly digital world, the fate of print advertising is often called into question. Does the rise of the internet mean the death of newspaper ads?
This is a topic of debate which frequently rears its head and we have to acknowledge that, in recent years, the circulation of newspapers has fallen. However, according to the latest PAMCo data, news brands are healthier than ever before.
Data shows that readers’ increasing appreciation and demand for journalism as a trusted source of information has never been greater. Daily digital national news readership is up 20% year-on-year, this translates into an extra 3.7 million people reading national news brands online every day. Across the total news sector, there are now 49 million monthly readers, which is more than Google and Facebook respectively.
The knock-on effect that declining print circulation seems to be having on advertising spend is disproportionate, with the decrease in spend far outpacing the declining print audience, which is still a significant 20 million a week, representing a third of the population.
Evidence shows that print effectiveness is growing over time and as a result, bucking the overall trend of decreasing campaign effectiveness. Furthermore, print readers tend to be the most engaged and attentive. According to the latest IPA TouchPoints data, readers are spending 24% longer reading their newspaper during the coronavirus pandemic, working out to a significant 1 hr and 40 mins of quality time on the days they read.
News brands’ high engagement provides healthy returns to advertisers and brands, both in terms of short-term business metrics such as sales and market share, but also longer-term business metrics such as price sensitivity, loyalty, customer acquisition and profit.
The IPA Databank Study shows that including new brands in the marketing mix means they are becoming more effective over time at driving longer-term business effects, vs campaigns that don’t use new brands.
Campaigns that use news brands are significantly more likely to drive and deliver sustainable share growth, attract new customers and also increase loyalty among existing customers. They reduce price sensitivity and therefore reduce the need to rely on short-term cost-cutting promotions, which leads to bigger profits and a larger ROI.
When looking for some substantiation as to why news brand advertising is becoming more effective over time, we can look to RAMetrics, a database that tests hundreds of ads and articles across multiple measures, within both print and digital news brands to provide benchmarks that help us understand how new brand ads are likely to perform.
RAMetrics data highlights that print ad recall has improved significantly over the past decade, by an impressive 67% between 2009/10 and 2019/2020, from 46% to 77%. We see similar uplifts when comparing other brand measures among readers who noticed the ads – paying close attention to ads has more than doubled, from 23% to 49% and readers are also 147% more likely to have an emotional reaction. Action metrics have improved too, visits to the advertiser are up by 75% and to its website by 125%, with purchase intent more than tripling over the decade, from 7% to 22%.
The trend is similar for digital news brands. Ad recall has increased by 109% from 22% in 2009/10 to 46% in 2019/20. All brand and action measures have improved among readers who’ve noticed the online ads, attention is up 129%, from 24% to 55% and likeability has increased by 111% from 28% to 59%. Digital news brand ads are perceived more positively than they were a decade ago, an increase of 117% from 29% to 63% and they are also seen as increasingly beneficial, up 105% from 22% to 45%.
We know from our work with group M that advertising in quality environments, more specifically on news brand websites, drives greater engagement and greater brand response – significantly higher than industry standards.
Eye-tracking shows that ads on news brand sites get noticed more and for longer. As a result, the inclusion of digital news brands within the advertising mix drives both short-term and long-term business effects.
When comparing and contrasting the performance of the latest print and digital news brand ads, among those who have read the newspaper or visited a news brand website, print outperforms digital across all brand and action measures:
- Ad recall is 1.7 times higher for ads within print news brands than it is for ads appearing in digital news brands (77% vs 46% for digital)
- Branding is 185% stronger in print advertising vs digital advertising (37% vs 20% for digital)
- Readers are 152% more likely to pay attention to print advertising vs digital advertising (38% vs 25% for digital)
- Print ads are 141% easier to understand (52% vs 37% for digital)
- Readers are 139% more likely to say that print ads are interesting to them (39% vs 28%)
- When it comes to driving action, despite digital being a tried and tested response vehicle, RAMetrics data points towards print advertising driving higher levels of web visits (20% vs 19% for digital), recommendations (32% vs 23% for digital) and discussions (20% vs 14% for digital).
- Digital ads are less recalled than print ads but they are more effective than print ads at converting engaged readers into action takers (64% vs 55% for print).
RAMetrics data suggests that digital ad performance is better compared to print ad performance among news brand readers who recall seeing the advertising. This holds true across several engagement measures such as ‘likeability’ (59% vs 49% for print); ‘fresh approach’ (69% vs 54% for print) and easy to understand (81% vs 68% for print). The same goes for action metrics such as ‘looking for more information’ (47% vs 30% for print); ‘visit advertiser’ (46% vs 25% for print); ‘visit website’ (44% vs 27% for print) and ‘recommend’ (49% vs 41% for print).
News brands provide advertisers with direct access to an incredibly engaged audience in an effective and trusted environment. Both print and digital news brands perform very well separately in delivering important business effects, but there is a strong multiplier effect from using both in combination. Having both print and digital news brands in your campaign mix deliver almost three times the business effects of campaigns using just one platform.


text: The 2021 Ford Trends Report, released this week, examines changing patterns in consumer behavior and attitudes around the globe to help decision makers understand how these shifts may influence the world in 2021 and beyond.In a global survey of 14 countries, 69% of respondents say they are overwhelmed by the changes they see taking place in the world. When asked how well they have adapted to the changes during the pandemic, 53% say adapting has been “harder than I imagined,” while 47% say it has been “easier than I imagined.” Younger generations have taken it harder than their older peers: 63% of Generation Z (8-23 years old) say adapting has been harder than they imagined, vs. 42% of Baby Boomers (56-74 years old) who say the same.Ford focuses on global trends each year to gain insight into how consumers are changing, what the business needs to understand about shifting consumer behaviors and what comes next in terms of connecting with them. The report also reflects on past trends. “As we barrel into 2021 and look forward to a post-pandemic world, it’s clear that the changes brought about by Covid-19 have changed us – but to what degree?” said Sheryl Connelly, global consumer trends and futuring manager for Ford Motor Company, based in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.A.The ninth annual “Looking Further with Ford Trends Report,” include the following highlights:Pressure Points: Worldwide, anxiety is high — fueled by fears of contracting Covid-19 and concerns about the pandemic's impact on communities, employment, education and more. 63% of adults globally say they feel more stressed than they did a year ago, and 4 in 5 say they should take better care of their emotional well-being. Acutely aware of the implications of the pandemic on mental health, people are finding innovative ways to cope and connect.Time to Escape: “What day is it?” has become a common refrain as the demarcations between work and life disappear. To beat back the monotony of the pandemic and the confines of home, consumers are looking for new ways to escape – and many are seeking refuge in their vehicles. More than 1 in 4 adults globally who own a vehicle say they use their vehicle to relax. Close to 1 in 5 say they use their vehicle to find privacy. And 17% say they use it as a place to work.The Company You Keep: The pandemic has put a spotlight on consumer’s need for companionship and reshaped their sense of family. Loneliness is pervasive across the globe—one in two people say they feel lonely on a regular basis. Younger generations feel this most acutely: Gen Zers are nearly 2x as likely to say they feel lonely on a regular basis as Baby Boomers (64% vs 34%). As a result, many are reconsidering where they live, moving closer to family, and finding companionship in new ways – online and off.Minding the Gap: Worldwide, gaps in inequality and inequity loom large – particularly as the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, ethnic minorities and women. As consumers become more aware of the divide, brands are stepping up as activists and entrepreneurs. 76% of adults globally say they expect brands to take a stand on social issues – and 75% say they think brands today are trying to do the right thing.Good Buy: Amid the pandemic, how we buy — and what we seek to buy — has transformed. Companies big and small are adapting at blazing speed – and many consumers are embracing and enjoying the new normal. 75% of adults globally say they appreciate the ways in which companies have improved the shopping experience since the pandemic began – and 41% say they don’t want to go back to the way they shopped before the pandemic.Traffic Detour: Personal transportation is flourishing. Bike sales have soared and cities have shut down streets to make space for cyclists. Car sales have boomed as people seek security in knowing they can control their environment. And smart city planning is accelerating the way for fully implemented autonomous driving. 67% of adults globally say they are “hopeful about the future of autonomous vehicles,” and 68% of parents say they’d rather see their children ride in a self-driving car than with a stranger.Sustaining Sustainability: In the early days of the pandemic, air quality emerged as a possible silver lining to the worldwide lockdown, but that optimism quickly diminished as the world retreated to plastics and other disposables – making it clear that being sustainable and staying sustainable are not always in lockstep. Younger generations are particularly concerned: 46% of Gen-Z-ers globally say the pandemic has made us more wasteful – and 47% say that long-term, the pandemic will have a negative impact on the environment.For the full Looking Further with Ford 2021 Trends Report, visit www.fordtrends.com.


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MYRTLE BEACH — Myrtle Beach-based Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar plans to move its flagship store inside a vacant space next to Coastal Grand Mall that formerly housed a Sticky Fingers Ribhouse.
The dessert bar’s owners recently announced they are moving into the free-standing building, located at 2461 Coastal Grand Circle, by next March and closing the original location inside 810 Billiards at Market Common which opened in June 2020.
“While growing pains are never pleasant, we have outgrown the original kiosk space we started in and our future no longer fits in that 400 sq. foot space,” the owners said in a statement. “Although we are grateful for the opportunity we had to get started, it is time to move on to better and that means an environment better suited for our brand while keeping our staff and patrons happy and safe.
“The Crazy Mason is more than just crazy milkshakes and this new location gives us room to be what we always dreamed it would be, the ultimate dessert destination.”
Founded by Bo and Sherri Steele, the mom-and-pop dessert store has expanded across the state since the original Myrtle Beach location opened two years ago, with locations now in North Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Mount Pleasant. Additionally, the chain has recently branched out into other states, with stores in Gatlinburg, Tenn., Lynchburg, Va., Baltimore, Md., and future planned spots in Charlotte and Wilmington, N.C.
Crazy Mason’s menu features multiple desserts served in cups, between chocolate chip cookies or in the store’s signature Crazy Mason jars. The company is known for locally grown produce and toppings sourced from partnerships with local bakeries and businesses.
The owners said the new Myrtle Beach corporate store will allow them to expand from the current smaller footprint at Market Common, with future offerings including cakes, cakes by the slice and ice cream cakes made in house.
“There will be even more unique mocktail drinks, smoothies, flavors of ice cream, waffles and even healthier dessert options,” the Steeles said. “It will offer a different unique experience to table service and ordering, outside seating along with to-go and order ahead.”


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The Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. is increasingly taking a global view in 2014, and has its eyes trained on emerging markets, particularly China.
Lauder president and chief executive officer Fabrizio Freda acknowledged a slowdown across China’s tier-one cities, but said the country’s tier-two, -three and -four cities are gaining at a healthy clip as the middle class grows. And those cities are precisely where Lauder plans to expand its distribution and e-commerce presence. His upbeat outlook contrasted sharply with the recent action of Revlon, which was recently forced to exit the market. In addition, L’Oréal withdrew its Garnier brand.
“We are [adapting] to the new growth model,” Freda told WWD on Wednesday following the company’s second-quarter earnings call. “[In China], the companies that are flexible and adjust their models to evolving opportunities will win. Other companies may be struggling, but we remain very committed to China and Chinese consumers, wherever they shop,” he added, referring to the company’s travel retail business.
He also emphasized that while China is Lauder’s largest emerging market — with Mainland China accounting for 6 percent of sales — the sum of its remaining emerging markets is larger than China, and grew at a double-digit rate during the quarter.
During the quarter, Lauder said net earnings attributable to the company declined 3.4 percent to $432.5 million, or $1.09 a diluted share, compared with $447.5 million, or $1.13 a share, in the prior-year period.
Net sales gained 3.1 percent to $3.02 billion compared with $2.93 billion in the year-ago period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange, sales gained 4 percent in the quarter.
Excluding restructuring activities in the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, net earnings for the three months ended Dec. 31 were $430.2 million, or $1.09 a diluted share.
“Our fiscal second-quarter sales growth was in line with our expectations, despite softer than expected markets in some geographies,” said Freda.
During the quarter, the makeup category was the strongest performer, gaining 8 percent to $1.12 billion, driven by MAC’s latest products and geographic expansion into Turkey, Russia, Brazil and South Africa, as well as strong sales of Bobbi Brown and Smashbox. Freda acknowledged that company’s midsize brands are growing faster than Lauder’s largest brands, with the exception of MAC, which he sees as a positive development. “The amount of brands that impact our growth is increasing,” he said.
The company said makeup is expected to outpace the remaining categories for the bulk of the year, particularly in light of upcoming introductions, such as the Estée Lauder brand’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick, which is slated to bow next month.
During the quarter, makeup was followed by fragrance, which increased 4 percent to $477.8 million, driven by luxury scents such as Jo Malone and Tom Ford, and also Tory Burch, which launched exclusively at Bloomingdale’s and was the number-one scent there during the holiday.
Hair care was third, growing 2 percent to $135.1 million, boosted by Aveda. Skin care lagged, dipping 1 percent to $1.26 billion. The company said it has a strong new product pipeline for Clinique to restart growth in the category.
Freda emphasized that the category remains a strategic priority for the company. “Much of our global innovation will be centered on skin care,” said Freda.
He named Clinique and Estée Lauder’s entry into the “watery lotions” segment in China as an example. He noted that Lauder will continue to focus on similar opportunities for growth in the Asian market.
By region during the quarter, net sales in the Americas gained 5 percent to $1.19 billion, and increased in Europe, Middle East and Africa by 7 percent to $1.18 billion. However, sales in Asia-Pacific declined 6 percent to $643 million, due to lower local currency sales in China, Taiwan and Korea.
For the first half, net earnings attributable to the company decreased 1.9 percent to $733.2 million, or $1.86 a diluted share, compared with $747 million, or $1.89 a share, in the year-ago period. Net sales gained 3.8 percent to $5.69 billion, compared with $5.48 billion in the year-ago period.
Freda said prestige beauty is expected to grow 3 to 4 percent in fiscal 2014, and Lauder plans to grow at nearly twice that rate with sales growth between 6 and 7 percent.


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- Personal computer maker Vaio Corp. is in final negotiations for a three-way merger with Toshiba Corp.’s and Fujitsu Ltd.’s PC divisions, according to a Bloomberg report.
- The negotiations, expected to wrap up by the end of March, could help the companies save money by consolidating research and development as well as production.
- Vaio would likely own the largest stake in the partnership, which would create a PC producer that could encroach on NEC Lenovo’s currently dominant market share, Bloomberg reports.
Vaio, Toshiba and Fujitsu reportedly have been considering a merger for months, but now it appears the Japanese companies are close to striking a deal. By working together, the three Japanese producers could create a PC that has more broad market appeal. With consumers constantly turning to smartphones or tablets for their computing needs, PC makers have struggled to stay profitable as their markets shrink.
Even Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker, has struggled. In the last quarter of 2015, it saw its revenues decline by 8%.
In January, research firm IDC said that global shipments of personal computers dropped more than 10% compared to the prior year, the largest decline since the firm began tracking shipments. As the market has continued to shrink, leaders in the field have recommended that PC companies consolidate to improve their returns and stay afloat in the market.


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The discovery of a new game cartridge patent has added fuel to the rumours that Sony may well be considering a new PlayStation Portable console to rival the Nintendo Switch.
Rumours of a potential new PSP started to appear earlier this year after comments made by Sony during an annual financial report. The report included a statement in which Sony explained its reasoning behind staying in the smartphone market, with a focus on 5G technology (with which all portable devices can be connected to the cloud) standing out as its main focus. The statement said that Sony is "aiming to develop 5G technology as a competency that can be used across the Sony Group".
With 5G intended to be utilised "across the Sony Group", eyes naturally fell on Sony's portable gaming efforts. If a PSP featured 5G technology, Sony theoretically wouldn't have to worry about internal power and processing, and could instead stream top-tier PS4 games such as God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 onto the portable device.
So, about this new patent. As originally discovered by TechTastic, the new type of cartridge sort of resembles the PS Vita cartridges of days gone by and could, therefore, seemingly be used in a theoretical, new Sony handheld. Exciting, right? Not quite.
Our pals at Push Square have done some digging and discovered that it was actually used in the Sony Toio – a children's toy which was released back in 2017 – that's a photo of it up there.
While it's certainly true that the Switch has been something of a game-changer and may well have convinced some within Sony that handhelds aren't a dead end after all, it's unlikely that this particular patent holds the key to a new PlayStation Portable.
Do you think Sony would be wise to launch a new handheld system to rival Switch in the future? Share your thoughts with us below.


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Missed out on the first physical run of Ikaruga for Switch? Well, you’ll get another chance to add the game to your collection soon!
It looks like The Binding Of Isaac series is not quite done with Nintendo Switch gamers yet.
It looks like HyperParasite fans will be able to add the twin-stick shooter/brawler adventure to their shelves next year.
It looks like musically-inclined fans in the west can finally add KORG Gadget to their physical collection very soon.
Atlus West announced on Twitter today that action adventure game Code of Princess will no longer be available on the 3DS eShop starting this April.
Been looking for some more indie gems for cheap? Well, some of Nicalis’ games will be seeing a price cut over in Europe.
For awhile now, Switch fans have been clamoring to own the classic shoot-em-up Ikaruga in physical form – especially ever since the game launched more than a year ago on the eShop. Well, the opportunity to grab a copy is finally coming up.


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Razer Blade 14: Last Monday (14), Razer announced the arrival of its newest gaming notebook, the Razer Blade 14, during its conference at E3. After a three-year hiatus, the line received an update with the mighty Ryzen 9 5900HX and debuted AMD processors in the Blade series — a long-awaited new addition to the brand’s fans.
The Ryzen 5900HX has 8 physical cores and 16 threads, with the ability to reach 4.6 GHz maximum clock rate. All this performance is achieved efficiently, producing less heat and noise emissions, ensuring up to 12 hours of use away from the socket, according to the brand.
In addition, the new Blade 14 will come with the RTX 3080 graphics card from Nvidia and a choice of FHD screens with a 144 Hz refresh rate or QHD, with a 165 Hz refresh rate. In keeping with tradition, the entire package is finished with a modern design and RGB lighting — Razer’s signature. According to the company, this is the smallest 14″ gaming notebook on the market, with dimensions of just 32 x 22 x 1.68 cm.
AMD’s senior vice president and general manager of the customer business unit, Saeid Moshkelani, commented on the processor’s debut on the Blade 14: “As gamers demand lighter, more powerful form factors in gaming laptops, we remain committed to our aim to provide best-in-class mobile processors for premium OEM designs,” he says.
The new Razer Blade 14 is now available for sale on the international market and can also be found on the brand’s official website. The suggested price is US$ 1,799, about R$ 9,000 in direct conversion. There is no expected arrival in Brazil.


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When it comes to crossovers, luxury crossovers get the top billing for obvious reasons but it seems that 2019 Nissan Quest is all set to buck the trend as the news of the minivan’s imminent launch did the rounds. Naturally, we decided to collate all the info that we could locate on the upcoming model and sifted through interviews, leaked images, and even vetted the rumours before going ahead with the review.
Let’s just state for the record that we were blown away by the images as it provided us with a glimpse of what this minivan had to offer; so let’s tackle it and take a closer look at the new Nissan quest, shall we?
2019 Nissan Quest Overview:
It seems that the 2019 Nissan Quest comes with the same block shape and angular lines as last year but keep in mind that high roof and the squared rear end, the van has indeed managed to carve a niche for itself in this stratified market. But we do hope that when the van gets a new makeover, they would d away with the bulky look and co-opt something that’s more aerodynamic. The new model does come with more than a few changes and is definitely looking all the better for it.
Exterior, under the hood:
The 2019 Nissan Quest is offered in various trims and comes with a huge chrome grille with wraparound glass, giving the minivan a nice aggressive look. As far as styling goes, there have been more than a few changes, making it look even more refined and aggressive in the process. The grille and the front end have been ramped up along with Quest S and SV being launched with 16-inch wheels while the SL and platinum trims come with 18-inch wheels. It is a little shorter than its competition but more than makes up for it with more headroom in the interior.
The LED headlights, as well as the front bumper, have undergone mild changes, the side panels remain the same and as for the rear end, it sports on the same changes as the front end. The overall styling is from the chrome grille to the high roof managed to make the van stand out, for obvious reasons. The overall impression is that the Quest is a lot easier on the eye now as the higher trims are downright comfy.
The 2019 Nissan Quest comes with a complete makeover on the interior; it comes with heated leather seats (for the top trims) and a driver’s seat that can be adjusted in multiple positions making it easier for you to enter and get out of the van with ease.
The dashboard is elegantly designed with instrument clusters within easy access along with a large touchscreen infotainment panel. The new model also comes with advanced safety features and several add-ons, along with double layer cushion for the seats, along with metallic trim and colour-coded interior panels as well as sound deadening features which should make driving this van seem sweet.
2019 Nissan Release Date, and Price
The 2019 Nissan Quest is currently available with a 3.5-liter V6 engine which is mated to a CVT automatic transmission and it comes with 260 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque.
The encore certainly seems to pack it with smooth shifting and where comfort, style, and luxury are concerned. It is expected that the new model will out in a few weeks; it can even happen a lot sooner. As far as pricing goes, it is expected that the price would range from $28000 onwards.


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Homegrown crypto platform Coins.ph is aiming to capture a pie of the multi-billion remittance market from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as it announced a bold leap onto the global stage with an ambitious expansion plan into Australia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
At a recent media briefing, Coins.ph CEO Wei Zhou said OFWs can save on remittance cost if they use cryptocurrency instead of traditional methods such as banks and wire services where money transfer fees can be ridiculously high.
In 2023, OFWs sent $31 billion in remittances to relatives in the Philippines.
The company’s goal of targeting the OFW market also dovetails with its announcement is now extending its reach beyond national borders and joining a small cohort of local startups that have expanded globally.
The crypto firm’s global expansion is fueled by its rapid acquisition of licenses in various regions across the world. In addition to Europe and Latin America, the company previously announced it secured licenses in Australia and Africa.
“At Coins.ph, we’re not merely crossing borders, we’re redefining them. By securing licenses across various continents, we uphold our pioneering spirit in delivering regulated and compliant digital asset services, a legacy we’ve proudly established in the Philippines,” stated Zhou.
Coins.ph, which now has 18 million users, was founded in 2014 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ron Hose in 2014. As it grew, the company attracted international and local investors until Hose sold it to Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek for $72 million. In 2022, Zhou, a Chinese-American former chief financial officer of Binance, led the buyout of the startup for almost $200 million.
Beyond expansion, Coins.ph said it set to integrate the Solana chain by February. This, it said, will unlock access to an array of projects and assets being built on Solana, the third largest chain behind Bitcoin and Ethereum.
It also recently rolled out support for the Universal Money Address (UMA), allowing users to send and receive Bitcoin using email-like addresses instead of a complex string of alphanumeric characters that typically comprise wallet addresses.
“Our vision as we expand globally is to bridge the gap between the fiat world and the emerging digital asset economy,” said Zhou. “We do this by creating easy on and off-ramps and simplifying access to innovation so that every individual and business anywhere in the world can participate and thrive through safe and secure digital asset services by Coins.ph.”


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It may not come as a surprise, but of all online stores German consumers visit, Amazon is the one they spend the most of their time. The top ten of online stores where users spend the most time also consists of Chinese ecommerce giant AliExpress, shopping app Wish and online flea market Shpock.
Statistics are boring? Hell no! They can be very interesting, if you are interested in the ecommerce industry that is. Check out this category to see some stunning numbers and data about the ecommerce industry in different European countries or about a certain company.
The business-to-consumer ecommerce turnover in the United Kingdom has increased to 13.7 billion pounds, 15.6 billion euros, last year. This is a 13.65 percent increase and for next year, a growth rate of 14.3 percent is predicted, which means ecommerce in the UK could be worth 17.8 billion euros.
The total value of online sales in Italy has doubled in the last four years. The online retail industry is now worth about 24 billion euros and accounts for 6 percent of the total retail industry in this Southern European country.
The business-to-consumer ecommerce turnover of Switzerland grew by 8.7 percent last year and was worth 6.25 billion Swiss francs, or 5.27 billion euros. This year, a growth rate of 10 percent is predicted, which would mean ecommerce in Switzerland will be worth just below 7 billion euros.
UK online food delivery service Deliveroo is the fastest-growing company of Europe. Between 2013 and 2016, the company’s revenue increased by 107,117 percent. That’s more than the number two on the list, German heating provider Thermondo, achieved during the same period.
Ecommerce shows to be an increasingly important part of the Otto Group’s business. The company saw its online revenues worldwide increase grow 10.9 percent to 7.8 billion euros. In Germany, the online business of the Otto Group generated revenues of over 5.4 billion euros, an increase of 10.2 percent. Growth drivers are OTTO and About You.
Ecommerce in the Netherlands was worth 22.5 billion euros last year and could be worth almost 25 billion euros at the end of this year. This would mean an increase of almost 11 percent. This growth rate is somewhat lower than in 2017, when the Dutch ecommerce turnover increased by 13 percent.
The ecommerce industry in the Nordics (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland) was worth 209,6 billion Swedish kronor, which corresponds to over 20.6 billion euros, last year. Almost forty percent of the total Nordic ecommerce revenue was generated in Sweden.
The ecommerce in the Netherlands was worth 22.5 billion euros in 2017. This is an increasement of 13 percent when compared to the situation one year before. The Dutch made a total of 201 million online purchases last year, which is 17 percent more than in 2016.
Sales of the 20 biggest online-only retailers in the United Kingdom have increased by 23 percent last year. Their revenues went from about 7.6 billion euros in 2015/2016 to over 9.4 billion euros one year later. The increase is mostly because of the rise of mobile commerce.
Turkey aims to raise its ecommerce revenue to over 10 billion euros by the end of this year. The Turkish ecommerce association ETID thinks the ecommerce industry in Turkey could increase significantly this year.
Mobile commerce sales in the three biggest ecommerce markets of Europe – the United Kingdom, France and Germany – will reach over 85 billion euros this year. Almost 57 percent of this amount will come from the UK, while Germany will have bigger mcommerce sales than France.
Ecommerce in Switzerland has increased by 10 percent in 2017. The online turnover generated in Switzerland with B2C and C2C sales of products, so no services included, was worth 8.6 billion Swiss francs, which corresponds to 7.4 billion euros.
Ecommerce in Sweden has increased by almost 16 percent last year. The online retail industry in this Scandinavian country was worth about 67 billion Swedish kronor, or 6.7 billion euros, which is just below the forecast of 67.7 billion kronor.
The mobile phone and the tablet account for two thirds of all ecommerce visits in Sweden. Already in 2015, the share of ecommerce visits that took place on a mobile device, i.e. a mobile phone or tablet, was up over 50 percent. And during the last two years, the same shift occurred for orders and revenues coming from mobile devices.


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The American economy is in a recession. California faces at $10 billion budget gap. San Francisco’s projected budget shortfall is approximately $350 million. That our neighborhood isn’t exempt from financial problems is attested to by many empty storefronts, including four on Castro Street between Market and 19th Streets. On 18th Street between Castro and Collingwood Street a former laundromat is empty. Across from it, the space housing De La Sole will soon be vacant, as the shoe store relocates. When they move, three spaces on that block will be empty.
Empty storefronts attract vagrants, litter, and crime. Thanks to San Francisco District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty, during the 2007-08 fiscal year, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development awarded the LGBT Center a $25,000 Business Attraction Grant. The Castro/Upper Market Community Benefits District (CBD) added $15,000 and the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC) contributed $10,000 to fund the program. Thanks to Ken Stram, the Center’s Director of Economic Development, much has been done to attract new businesses to the neighborhood and dispel misperceptions that the Castro is anti-commercial enterprise. The process is slow and hence, thanks to Dufty, the City will renew its grant for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The CBD will again contribute $15,000. MUMC, however, which operated at a deficit last year, won’t contribute. Dufty will ask local businesses to make up that shortfall.
Walgreen’s wants to expand into the long vacant former laundromat on 18th Street to accommodate new health services that offer a holistic approach to physical well being, including nutrition counseling. Walgreen’s won’t duplicate services or products they currently offer at their store on Castro and 18th Street. The new space will also have a meeting room that will be made available at no cost to community groups.
Is Walgreen’s a good corporate citizen? They recently donated $5,000 to a Eureka Valley school and replaced the worn out carpeting at the Community Meeting Room above the Bank of America Branch on Castro Street. They are strong supporters of the CBD. They’re working with Supervisor Dufty to design more attractive window displays at their main pharmacy.
Some people prefer to wait indefinitely for another tenant, although no one else has shown interest in this space. Others claim that Walgreen’s is offering new services to make a profit. But profit is the engine of
American capitalism. Still others doubt the viability of the new programs, despite their success in other locations.
Opposing Walgreen’s expansion and its willingness to make a long-term investment in our neighborhood without offering a viable alternative sends a negative message. It says that despite the financial contributions of the city and neighborhood groups aimed at bringing thriving enterprises to the area, the EVPA prefers a dingy, empty storefront to a dynamic, viable business.