text:
Nokia announced the launch of the Nokia Advertising Alliance, promising to “simplify mobile advertising for brand advertisers.” The handset maker said the program brings together leading mobile marketing solutions, including couponing, location-based targeting, image recognition and other emerging technologies, in the hopes of enabling advertisers a simple way to increase consumer engagement.
Nokia also promised that alliance members will be able to plan, execute and measure mobile advertising campaigns through a single Nokia interface. A range of companies have been initially certified as Members of the Alliance, including i-movo, Mobile Acuity, Mobiqa and uLocate; Nokia said many more potential members are in testing. Leading brands from the automotive to entertainment industries have built campaigns using the Nokia Advertising Alliance, Nokia said.
“Succeeding in mobile requires much more than a banner ad alone. Brands have the opportunity to deliver immersive, highly engaging experiences to consumers. The Alliance gives brands access to a range of novel mobile ad experiences from one trusted vendor,” said Mike Baker, vice president and head of Nokia Interactive Advertising, said in a statement.


text:
This isn’t Squarespace’s first trip to the rodeo. As the last four years will attest, the brand knows a thing or two about creating buzz with Super Bowl advertising that ties directly back to its product, and just happens to be pretty damn funny. Whether an IRL manifestation of the Internet, Jeff Bridges lulling you to sleep, or Key & Peele live big game commentary, each ad and the pre-game hoopla that surrounded it was worthy of the big game spotlight.
In that sense, 2017 is no different. But this time, there’s John Malkovich. The game ad is simply an extension of the campaign launched in January, created with agency JohnXHannes, featuring the award-winning actor’s completely real and serious transition to being a fashion designer, but adds a sizeable smirk to it all. We got a taste of it last week, when we saw Malkovich begin his search for the owner of JohnMalkovich.com, and the Super Bowl spot is another view of that same conversation. Surprising it doesn’t feel like the main event? Maybe. But these days the Super Bowl ad can still function as a high-profile cog in a bigger marketing machine.
Squarespace chief creative officer David Lee says this campaign came out of conversations with Malkovich while the two worked on the “Playing Lynch” collaboration with the David Lynch Foundation last year. That’s when Lee found out Malkovich had a clothing collection he wanted to launch, but didn’t have an e-commerce store or website to put it out to the world. This–much like working with Bridges or Leon Bridges on their own personal sites–presented the brand with another opportunity, not only build an online store that fit Malkovich’s own brand, but to tell his story of shifting from one career to the next. That became the Make Your Next Move campaign.
While the first ad in the “Make Your Next Move” campaign is more serious and earnest in tone, the ads around the Super Bowl give us a look at Funny Malkovich. Lee says that came out of a script they just couldn’t ignore. “There was one script on the table that everyone really liked, but it didn’t quite fit with the over-arching narrative we were going for with (the first ad). But it was so simple and witty, we decided to shoot it anyway,” says Lee. “John took the blueprint of that script and made it his own. On the first take, it was just genius, so we knew we had something fantastic and that’s what became the new spots.”
But Lee also says it wasn’t always the plan for this to be the brand’s Super Bowl ad. “I’d be lying if I said we knew going in that this was going to be a Super Bowl campaign, but part of the beauty and magic is when you see something come together that’s so sharp, simple and genuinely funny, it was the perfect fit for something like the Super Bowl,” he says. “We go into the Super Bowl every year with a clear head and fresh eyes. We want to push ourselves to do different things on the biggest stage. There were a couple differences this year, in that we decided to shift our strategy to a new product we launched last spring, which is Squarespace Domain, to get the word out there that people can use to get their domain and build their website. That’s why this creative is sharp because it so directly promotes that product.”
The brand’s overall strategy for the Super Bowl is to have a specific plan to change the plan at any time. “While we’ll always have a specific strategy, in reality, a lot of it is about calling audibles,” says Lee. “Sometimes these original ideas can shape-shift, and we’ve really learned to be more flexible and agile. You have to be willing to take some big calculated risks and stand behind them. In the last three years we’ve gone into it with some very different ideas. We want to push our platform and tell a simple story.”
One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is how even the silliest concept is tied to a very real product. “Everything we do is real. There are no gimmicks,” says Lee. “We actually did pull off a live blogging platform with Key & Peele. We actually made an e-commerce store to sell sleeping tapes by Jeff Bridges. For John Malkovich, he needed an e-commerce store to sell his clothing and we did that. it’s all rooted in real case studies. For us, the amazing thing is, around the Super Bowl ad, John had a real story about someone else owning his domain. So the ad is rooted in truth.”

domain: news


text:
Just a few weeks ago, Phillips, in association with the Bacs and Russo auction house, held his auction in New York where 100 percent of the lots and over $ 35 million worth of watches were sold. . The auction marked several milestones for the house, which today announced its most successful year in auction history, both live and digitally online. The annual auction total was over $ 209 million, a first for an auction house. Interestingly, while the number was up 57% from 2020, it was almost 90% growth from pre-pandemic sales figures in 2019.
“The watch auction market has grown exponentially and we have seen a massive increase in the number of participants in global auctions this year, âsays Aurel Bacs, senior consultant at Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo. âPhillips organized our sales with the utmost attention to detail, selecting only the highest quality watches, which is reflected in the fact that we have sold 100% of the watches offered this year. “
In fact, this 100% sale year was also a first for an auction house in history, and Phillips can boast that more than 27 of its timepieces have passed the $ 1 million mark. Notable world records have been set for certain watches in particular, including an Omega, Philippe Dufour, Roger Smitha and others. Additionally, Phillips’ retail destination, Perpetual, both online and through a dedicated store, experienced unprecedented growth in 2021 compared to 2020 with a 245% sales increase.
In a private interview, Paul Boutros, Phillips’ Americas Watch Manager, said there are many factors that have contributed to the sensational growth of the pre-owned watch market. âThe market is the strongest it has ever been for collector’s watches with an unprecedented number of people discovering the watches. The supply is so low and cannot meet the demand. The pandemic is one reason, but another is the influence of social media, the number of celebrities wearing more and more beautiful watches on their feeds and in the movies, and the fact that there is a lot of cash. People have made their fortunes in cryptocurrency, and they are looking for physical assets so that they can have fun with their money.
In fact, according to year-end statistics released today by Phillips, auction participants throughout 2021 were from 84 countries and over 40% of registrants were new to Phillips. About a third of all bidders were under 40 years old.
According to Boutros, with so many brands unable to keep up with demand, customers who want something immediately, especially newcomers to the world of watch collecting, without having to wait years for a particular watch, are turning to to the secondary market. The watches they want range from the biggest brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, A. Lange & Sohne, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin, to small independent brands like FP Journe, Richard Mille, MB&F and others.
Perhaps this is the reason why the Patek Philippe Ref. 5711 Nautilus with Tiffany BlueÂ® dial sold at auction in New York in December for $ 6.5 million. He set a new world record and the proceeds were all donated to The Nature Conservancy as requested by Tiffany. Before the auction, Patek Philippe had announced that it would cease production of the Ref. 5711, but the special edition was announced and collectors rushed to get one. Hence the auction tag of $ 6.5 million for a watch that should have sold for between $ 50,000 and $ 120,000.
At that same December auction, which grossed over $ 35 million, an Omega Speedmaster once owned by author Ralph Ellison also sold for a record amount for that watch: $ 667,800.
The list goes on and on and records have been set by other auction houses besides Phillips. It is indicative of the state of health of the second-hand watch industry for old and modern watches (1980 and newer).


text:
The Countdown to the Amazon Black Friday 2014 Deals Week sale starts already on October 31 according to information of I4U News. The Countdown to the Amazon Black Friday 2014 Deals Week started on November 1st in the past years. I4U News has already predicted that the Black Friday 2014 sales season starts on Halloween.
Amazon is taking the Friday before the first November weekend and makes Halloween the first early Black Friday of 2014. The end date for the Countdown to the Amazon Black Friday 2014 Deals Week sale has also been adjusted to Wednesday, November 19.
Amazon will offer daily early Black Friday deals until the week long Amazon Black Friday 2014 sale starts.
When is Black Friday 2014? Black Friday 2014 is on November 28th.
Again Black Friday retailers will have a whole month to market Black Friday 2014 deals and their highly anticipated Black Friday 2014 Ads. We will bring you extensive news, ads, deals and reviews of all what Black Friday 2014 has to offer and will guide you to the hottest bargains like we did in the past years.
If you have a question about Black Friday, send a message to our Black Friday Expert.
The Black Friday sales event is bigger than ever and extends into the steadily growing Cyber Monday sales event. Cyber Monday 2014 will be on December 1, 2014.
Check out the lists of the best Black Friday 2013 Deals the best Cyber Monday 2013 Deals, to set your exceptions to which deals you can expect this year. It is not clear yet if we will see any new hot product trends for 2014. So far it looks like we will again focus on TVs, Tablets and smartphones. Last year the new Xbox One and PS4 did not play a role in Black Friday sales. That will change this year. We will see great Sony PS4 Black Friday 2014 deals and Xbox One Black Friday 2014 Deals.
Check out Black Friday 2014 Countdown to find out how many days are left to wait until Black Friday 2014. New to Black Friday? Check out this in-depth report on the history and secrets of Black Friday.


text:
The wheels of electric vehicles are rolling us into an emission-free future so specific attention needs to be given to how the tyre industry is preparing to manage this uplift, according to the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA).
SG Tyre Wholesale has acquired the exclusive rights for the Yeada PCR brand on the island of Ireland.
Tyrecall is currently in attendance at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, taking place between 19th-21st September.
Pirelli has stated that it will not bid for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) tyre supply contract from 2025-2027.
Edwin Goudswaard has taken charge of the research and development activities at Continental Tires. He replaces Dr. Boris Mergell, who
Nexen Tire has agreed a “multi-year” tyre supply contract with Policia Nacional, the Spanish police force.
Our offices will be closed on Tuesday, 19th September to mark the passing of Bridget Deane, mother of Padraic Deane, the owner of Automotive Publications Ltd., the publishers of TyreTrade.ie.
Pirelli has become the official tyre partner of the Goodwood Motor Circuit, providing tyres and comprehensive support for a range of motorsport events and activities held at the West Sussex venue.
Hankook’s newly developed race tyre was in action last weekend at the Hankook 24H Barcelona and enjoyed a successful premiere at the endurance classic.
OTR tyre specialist Magna Tyres has opened a new European distribution site in Belgrade, Serbia, which will serve both Serbia and Montenegro.
Bridgestone Ireland recently attended Mondello Park’s successful Historic Festival as the official tyre supplier to its driving experiences, which uses the Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyre.


text:
It’s been a difficult journey for the cryptocurrency market until 2022. By November the market had dropped by more than 70 percent from its previous high on November 20, 2021. And just when things were looking down, the FTX crash turned things more dire. What is the likelihood that the crypto market recover in 2023?
Crypto Market Dips are Cyclical
The market for crypto, particularly Bitcoin, has seen many dips over the years. Each time, it’s bounced back with a big increase.
For instance, in 2013, Bitcoin reached a peak of $1,160. It then plummeted for a full year before reaching a bottom of $150. But, in 2017, it broke that record and hit a record record high of $19,600. Then, in 2018, it was trading at $3,100. And in 2020, it broke through the resistance, and reached a record peak of $68,000 in the month of November 2021. And just like that, we’ve seen another dip. However, the past has proven that at the end of every dip the bull runs.
Every Dip is Followed by a Long Bull Run
Just like we’ve seen in the past, dips are typically followed by a lengthy bull run, which eventually breaks through the resistance created by the previous market’s highest price. This pattern can be seen not only in Bitcoin but also in other cryptocurrency.
Growing Use of Crypto and Blockchain
Crypto and blockchain technology have come a long way in recent years. With more and more businesses and industries adopting it, its usage and acceptance is growing. From gaming to finance the use of crypto is increasing in a variety of ways. This growing demand could lead to more people getting involved in the market which could drive the prices up.
Increased institutional interest in cryptocurrency
In recent times we’ve witnessed a rising demand from investors of institutional scale in cryptocurrency. From hedge funds to banks numerous large institutions are starting to explore the possibilities in crypto currencies. This increased interest from institutions could bring more stability to the crypto market and lead to greater prices.
Regulations from the Government
As the crypto market is maturing, governments around the world are starting to create more favorable regulations for cryptocurrency. This could help attract more investors and boost the adoption rate of crypto.
More use cases for blockchain
The technology that is the basis of the majority of cryptocurrencies, blockchain offers a variety of potential use cases that go beyond financial transactions. For example, from supply chain management and voting, many companies are starting to explore how they can benefit from blockchain technology. This could drive more investment and interest in cryptocurrency.
Technologies are constantly evolving.
Crypto and blockchain technology are at the very beginning of development. As advances continue to be made in areas like security and scalability, the potential of crypto assets will increase. This could lead to more use and increase in prices.
Global economic uncertainty is growing
In the current instability in the economy caused through the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors increasing numbers of investors are starting to look for safe haven assets such as gold and crypto. Since the economic outlook for the world is uncertain, this could lead to an increase in demand for crypto and increased prices.
Interest from retail investors
Institutional investors aren’t the only ones showing interest in cryptocurrency. Retail investors, or even individual investors, are also starting to invest in the crypto market. With increasing numbers of everyday people become aware of crypto and the best ways to invest in it This could result in more demand and higher prices.
The growing awareness and acceptance of cryptocurrency
As the crypto market grows increasing numbers of people are starting to learn about and appreciate the concept. As understanding and acceptance of crypto grows, it will lead to more people purchasing or holding cryptocurrency, and this could drive up prices.
The Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is an area that is rapidly expanding in the crypto market, which allows the provision of financial services built using blockchain technology. As DeFi grows and more platforms and projects come online, this could result in increased use and increased prices for crypto.
Advances in crypto-based payment methods
As the market for crypto grows increasing numbers of companies are starting using crypto to be a means of payment. This could lead to an increase in the use of crypto in regular transactions and an increase in the cost of transactions.
Increased investment from sovereign wealth funds
Sovereign wealth funds, which are government-owned investment vehicles, are beginning to show interest in crypto as an asset class. As more of these funds dedicate a part or their entire portfolios to cryptocurrency, this could lead to increased demand and more expensive prices.
Cryptocurrency is used for payment across borders
One of the major benefits of cryptocurrency is its ability to facilitate swift and affordable cross-border transactions. As more and more people and businesses are beginning to make use of cryptocurrency for international transactions this could lead to increased demand and higher prices.
An increasing number of crypto ATM’s
With the amount of ATMs for crypto continue to increase it will be more convenient for consumers to purchase and store cryptocurrency, which can increase demand and price.
Development of security tokens
Security tokens, also known as digital assets that are used to represent ownership of an asset, such as stock or real estate is a fast-growing segment of the cryptocurrency market. As more security tokens are issued and traded, this could result in a rise in demand and higher prices for crypto.
Merchants are more likely to adopt the concept.
With the increasing number of merchants begin accepting crypto as a form of payment, this makes it easier for consumers to hold and use crypto, which can drive up demand and prices.
Will crypto be on the increase in 2023? Only time will tell. However, with these aspects in mind, it’s likely that the crypto market will be able to see a rebound in 2023. For those in it for the long haul Being patient and disciplined is crucial.


text:
You can experience artistic fresh floral and living displays and new spring home décor collections at Roger’s Gardens on Thursday, March 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy tastings of new spring artisan cocktails and savory bites by Chef Richard Mead at Farmhouse. You’ll be inspired by the beautiful environments that celebrate nature, habitats, and sustainable living, while bringing beauty into your own home and garden. The event fee is $25 per person, and tickets can be purchased here.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Ecology Center’s “Grow your Own” program. The Ecology Center is a non-profit eco-education center focused on creative solutions for thriving on planet Earth.
Roger's Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road in Corona del Mar.
The Latest from greer's oc
North Italia’s spring community dinner
North Italia’s first date for its signature spring community dinner series will begin on Monday, March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring seasonally-driven four-course meals with pairings. Community dinners in the series will continue on April 24 and…
Stars of Ballet at Festival Ballet Theatre’s ‘Don Quixote’
International stars of ballet will perform with Festival Ballet Theatre in FBT’s production of Don Quixote on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26. It’s also an extra special production since two of ballet’s most prestigious dancers will appear…
Ruby’s Grand Opening Weekend at Outlets at San Clemente
This weekend, March 25-26, Ruby’s Diner at Outlets at San Clemente will be celebrating its grand opening featuring special promotions, giveaways and activities. It’s one of the few Ruby’s Diner locations that offers premium wine and beer, as…
Antonello Ristorante’s Honors 50th Anniversary of SCP
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of South Coast Plaza, the shopping and dining destination founded by Henry Segerstrom, restaurateur/chef Antonio Cagnolo at Antonello Ristorante will honor his legacy by serving his favorite meal throughout March.
Gamberi alla Henry, large prawns…


text:
With few exceptions, most people book a Ryanair flight for the cheap fare. The airline endlessly promotes its low prices. Its CEO brags incessantly about them. The airline’s oft-changing baggage policy is a manifestation of its ever-more-complicated attempts to make tickets even cheaper.
But the thing that Ryanair is most known for also appears to be hurting its profits. In its second profit warning in four months, the low-cost European airline warned that it was lowering expectations. From November on, fares fell by 7% on average, steeper than the 2% guidance the carrier gave to analysts. At its financial year end on March 31, profit will fall between €1 billion and €1.1 billion ($1.14 billion to $1.25 billion), which is €100m lower than a prior forecast.
Outspoken CEO Michael O’Leary said, “While we are disappointed at this slightly lower full year guidance, the fact that it is the direct result of lower than expected second half air fares, offset by stronger than expected traffic growth, a better than expected performance on unit cost and ancillary sales is positive for the medium term.”
In other words: While passenger traffic growth is on the up and income from checked bags, priority boarding, and lukewarm beer is strong, fares are too cheap to generate the profit that airline execs expected. Part of this is because there is too much competition in the low-cost, short-haul sector, driving prices even lower. (Ryanair itself is often the aggressor in the industry’s price wars.) O’Leary has been very vocal in his prediction that competitors like Wow Air and FlyBe may not survive the winter period, emphasizing to shareholders that others have it much worse.
In addition, uncertainty over the outcome of Brexit—which O’Leary has been outspoken about, too—could hit traffic on key routes in the coming months.
Ryanair shares fell 5% immediately after the announcement before regaining a bit of altitude as the day went on. Ryanair’s share price has fallen by 40% over the past year, underperforming short-haul rival EasyJet.


text:
UK: Peacock Bids £51.3m For Rival Bon Marche
Discount clothing retailer The Peacock Group announced on Wednesday it has bid £51.3 million for women's fashion chain Bon Marche. The company said the consideration is to be satisfied by the payment of £25.4m in cash, the issue of £2.75m of guaranteed loan notes and the issue of 18.31 million Peacock shares. Bon Marche recently posted a 33 per cent jump in pre-tax profit to £7.6m.
Get full access to all content, just $1 for 30 days
A Message From The Editor
just-style gives you the widest apparel and textile market coverage.
Paid just-style members have unlimited access to all our exclusive content - including 17 years of archives.
It’s our best ever membership offer – just for you.
Leonie Barrie, editor of just-style
Help test our new apparel sourcing tool.
- Outlook 2017 – What next for apparel sourcing?
- $1.7bn package to boost Pakistan clothing exports
- Mexico riots hit apparel retailers and shipments
- Is China about to burst its apparel trade bubble?
- Outlook 2017 – What else is the industry watching?
- MAS Holdings planning second industrial park
- M&S quality focus finally lifts clothing sales
- Aéropostale to reopen 500 stores across the US
- JC Penney latest retailer to shutter stores?
- Sri Lanka on track to regain EU GSP+ benefits
- Global apparel markets: product developments and innovations, October 2016
- Anti-odour clothing: fresh fashion for an active lifestyle
- Outdoor performance apparel 2016: A broader perspective
- Global market review of lingerie – forecasts to 2022
- Southeast Asia strategic sourcing review – a focus on Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar


text:
The first breakthrough in diamond technology in 100 years provides a bold new world of color.
Lab-grown diamonds are that answer for many.
The GJEPC is monitoring the situation closely and will base all future decisions on pipeline demand, ensuring a win-win for all stakeholders.
It was found at the Letšeng mine in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho.
But De Beers and Alrosa are reluctant to slash prices.
The company offers over 800 rough diamonds from 5-10 carats batches.
The grading report will be the most comprehensive available on the market today for lab-grown diamonds.
Pink diamonds outpaced blue and yellow diamonds, research shows.
Color went from near colorless to blue color.
Institute collaborates with John Glajz to create the Collector’s Edition.
Alrosa revealed the find in September.
The goal is to provide confidence to sellers of pre-owned diamonds.
It's an easy-to-use tool to help jewelry retailers protect their natural and laboratory-grown diamond supply chains.
The stone resembles a traditional Russian Matryoshka doll.
It is a portable DVI used to identify potential lab-created diamonds.
This bizarre specimen was found in Yakutsk, Russia.
She'll use technology that mimics the visual effects of a black hole.
Alrosa’s 'Spirit of the Rose' is described as 'internally flawless, with perfect visual characteristics.'
It was discovered at Lucara’s Karowe mine in Botswana.
The middle markets are in danger of collapse, says Rapaport Group chairman.
INSTORE helps you become a better jeweler
with the biggest daily news headlines and useful tips.
(Mailed 5x per week.)


text:
CX best practices for the live events industry
It’s the summer of live entertainment’s big return, as stadium roofs open and festival grounds grow packed with fans excited for the energy of in-person events. According to Allianz Partners USA’s 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index, 60% of those surveyed say they plan to attend at least one ticketed event this year, and 20% plan to attend three or more events before the end of 2022.
This desire to attend live events shines through in the financial reporting of major industry companies. Live Nation Entertainment reported a record first quarter of 2022 with 70 million tickets sold – double-digit growth from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. Meanwhile, ticket resale platform SeatGeek also reported record growth earlier this year.
Though it is encouraging to see the rebound of live entertainment, the bounce back hasn’t brought the industry to the same place it was before. Customer expectations have evolved. Today, a growing number of consumers expect a connection between digital and in-person experiences, increased safety measures to counter new threats and greater support in the face of uncertainty (like postponements and cancellations). To state it simply: Ticket platforms are being called upon to rethink their approach to customer experience (CX).
Customer experience best practices
A defining characteristic of the event ticketing industry is its high level of interaction between customers and online platforms. Beyond the initial purchase, platforms often facilitate the selling of add-ons like relevant merchandise, and ticket reselling, transferring, cancelling and refunds. This leaves a lot of room to build out a unique customer experience that fosters loyalty and drives further sales.
Here’s a look at four industry best practices to help build a deeper connection with customers and leave a lasting impression beyond the event.
1. Journey mapping
Tickets are an investment. Customers pay in the present for an experience in the future. One way to maximize the return on that investment is to take a step back and look at the entire journey – pre-event to post-event. Every touchpoint is an opportunity to reduce friction and add value, from the way the customer finds out about the event in the first place to how they receive their tickets, from the event experience to what’s next.
At SoFI stadium, home of the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, engineers partnered with Google Cloud to build a concierge app that tailors game day experiences that includes everything from locating available parking, to real-time transportation data. A similar approach is put into play by SeatGeek’s Rally platform, which bridges the gap between day-of details like ordering food at the venue and purchasing must-have merchandise. SeatGeek’s offering even helps coordinate ridesharing through a partnership with Lyft. This approach to CX considers the entire journey, including user actions, emotions and any pain points that could arise.
For many customers, buying tickets to a sporting event, concert or festival is rooted in passion. People aren’t just buying a ticket; they’re buying the experience and supporting something they love. Ticket platforms find success when they offer up more of what their customers love, and the key to that lies in customer data.
A recent survey by TELUS International found that 43% of customers believe CX interactions should become more personalized. In exchange for personal data supplied by customers, ticket platforms can bring together the powerful duo of fandom and personalization.
The appetite is already there. According to Atvenu, a point-of-sale and inventory management platform for live events, fans responded to the pandemic’s slowdown by ramping up their purchase of merchandise and other add-ons in 2021. One-in-five people purchased merch in 2021 versus one-in-ten in 2019.
So how can brands personalize for event-goers? Here’s a few tactics used by leaders in the industry:
- In the lead up to an event, a fan is more likely to be on the hunt for merchandise to wear on the big day. Why not offer a discount to ticket holders, or access to exclusive items?
- Encourage customers to drum up excitement. Make it easy for them to share that they’re going, and consider incentivizing them to get others to join them.
- After the event, let customers know about further opportunities to see their favorite team or artist next time they’re in town, or other similar events that are likely to be of interest.
With live events, timing is critical, everything from purchasing in-demand tickets before they sell out to showing tickets at a venue has to be streamlined. Customer support needs to be easy to access and efficient, across platforms – whether the customer is trying to get a quick answer while buying tickets on their computer at home or standing at the gate of an event with a mobile ticket waiting for entry. This underlines the importance of omnichannel CX.
One of the most notable live entertainment industry trends over the past few years has been the rise in virtual events. While the rise in these types of events may have been borne out of necessity, they’re sticking around and have led to the emergence of hybrid events. For those unable, or not yet willing, to attend an in-person event, there are now platforms like Live Nation-owned Veeps that address the fear of missing out.
From a ticket platform perspective, this necessitates critical thought. Customers should have a consistent support experience whether they’re in the front row or on the couch, but at the same time, brands should still tailor the experience to the different mediums and their likely pain points. While the sources of frustration may differ — say, long lines for entry versus log-in difficulties — the need for empathetic and timely support is the same.
4. Trust and Safety
Unfortunately, there are those who wish to put a damper on live entertainment’s big return. Amid all the excitement, industry players are tasked with addressing threats to customer trust and safety. Fake tickets, scams and data breaches are not to be taken lightly.
That message has been received by ticket platforms. Many have seen the the growing comfort levels with digital technology and introduced innovations related to digital tickets and cashless interactions.
Live Nation, for example, includes a barcode on mobile tickets with technology that makes screenshots and printouts unscannable, making it so a ticket can only be used by its rightful owner. Resellers like SeatGeek have created a safe space for fans to resell their tickets, guaranteeing their legitimacy and ensuring they don’t have to meet up with a stranger. For hybrid or online-only events, platforms like Eventbrite offer functionality to control who can gain access and what they can do once they’re in.
Back to the future of live events
Whether customers are buying tickets for events to attend in-person or virtually, there’s no question that the live entertainment industry looks very different than it did a few years ago. Regardless of medium, there is a stable market willing to pay for experience and connection. That’s an opportunity for ticket platforms just as much as it is for the athletes on the field or the artist on the stage.


text:
OWINGS MILLS doesn't have a heart. It has got businesses, retail stores and townhouses and condos, but what's lacking is a central focus. It needs a Main Street.
There are already 34,000 residents in the Northwest Baltimore County community, with another 40,000 expected before build-out is completed in this designated growth center. But aside from a cookie-cutter indoor mall, there's no focal point.
Now Baltimore County officials want to transform the Owings Mills Metro station into the town's Main Street. Along this tree-lined boulevard would be a library, a community college, a hotel and retail shops on the first floor of four-story buildings with residents living on the upper levels.
All this would be close to the Metro station, which is used by 1.2 million passengers each year. Replacing the Metro parking lots would be multi-story garages open to the public without charge.
The county's concept of a town center already has drawn interest from more than 100 developers. But to make this plan work, state and county governments must first put up money for the garages, the streets and utility lines.
That means a $2 million contribution from the state this year -- and $13 million overall -- matched by the county.
Gov. Parris N. Glendening should not hesitate to find the cash. This project symbolizes his Smart Growth philosophy.
The plan would create a "density center" with apartments, shops, businesses and lots of foot traffic, thanks to the Metro station. Transit riders could drop off dry cleaning, buy a birthday card or pick up food on the way home. It would give many folks a sense of community.
The rewards would be enormous. Mass transit could begin to fulfill some of its untapped potential as the new Main Street throbs with activity day and night, weekdays and weekends. Owings Mills would finally have a heart.


text:
The car company Kia has informed owners of almost 380,000 of its vehicles to park their cars outside due to the possibility that the engine could catch fire. It is currently recalling specific Sportage SUV models from 2017-2021 and Cadenza sedans from 2017-2019 in order to repair the issue.
According to the Associated Press, “The company says a short circuit in the hydraulic electronic brake control unit can cause excessive current, increasing the risk of a fire. Owners should also park them away from structures until repairs are made.”
Those who own the vehicles can look out for certain signs of danger before a fire starts in the engine. Warning lights such as the tire pressure light, anti-lock brake, or other system alerts could appear on the dashboard. There could also be a “burning or melting odor” for which owners should be on the lookout.
Kia will start informing owners of the vehicles about getting the issue fixed beginning on April 30. Dealerships are set to switch out the “fuses in the electrical junction box” in order to repair the cars and prevent fires.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued documents on Tuesday wherein Kia stated that so far there have been no incidents or complaints about injuries, fires, or collisions because of the issue.
This is not the first time that the car company has dealt with issues of engine fires.
According to the AP, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating fires in Kia and Hyundai engines in 2019. “The agency opened the probe after the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety filed a petition seeking the investigation. When the inquiry began, the agency said it had owner complaints of more than 3,100 fires, 103 injuries and one death.”
In November, NHTSA stated that the two companies — Kia and Hyundai — have to pay out $137 million due to fines and to pay for safety improvements since the companies didn’t move quickly enough on recalling over 1 million vehicles that had engines that could break down. According to the AP, these “fines resolve a government probe into the companies’ behavior involving recalls of multiple models dating to the 2011 model year.”
Kia denied any fault in the accusations, but acknowledged that it wanted to stay away from an extensive legal battle.
The AP reported that “Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015, according to NHTSA documents.”
As reported by NPR at the time of the 2019 investigations, “According to the NHTSA, the investigations will ‘assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of alleged defects’ relating to ‘non-collision’ fires in the vehicles.”
The Center for Auto Safety was the group that petitioned for the investigation and initially requested that the NHTSA investigate the Optima, Sorento, Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles in June 2018. The next month, it included the Soul on the roll of vehicles causing problems. The center also requested that Congress look into the fires.
Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, released a statement at the time. “It is long past time for the full power of the federal government to be brought to bear to answer why so many thousands of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been involved in non-crash fires,” Levine said.
The Daily Wire is one of America’s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.


text:
Ljubljana wants a decision allowing Croatia to use the Teran wine name, which is already protected by Slovenia, to be annulled.
Registrations driven by strengthening European economies and the availability of newly introduced models that made inroads with consumers such as SUVs and hatchbacks from France’s Renault and Peugeot.
Slovakia and Czechia say EU has not been doing enough to stop food, beverage and other household consumer products companies from selling “second-class” goods to their citizens.
Growth to exceed 4.5% this year as economy rebounds strongly after a long downturn, but further reforms are now needed to increase investment, boost productivity and raise living standards.
Private equity investment rose to €1.6bn in CEE ex-Russia last year, while fundraising for investing in the region soared 62% to €621mn.


text:
RALEIGH, NC (WNCN) — Rockers KISS is bringing their final tour to Raleigh in 2019, Live Nation announced Monday.
The “End of the Road Tour 2019” is coming to Raleigh’s PNC Arena on April 6.
Full tour dates and more information can be found on the band’s website.
Ticketmaster lists ticket prices at $25.50 to $996. Pre sale and more ticket information can be found here.
In late September, the group announced the massive world tour – saying it would the final tour.
Singer Gene Simmons, 69, wrote on Instagram “This show will have the most explosions, the most hits and be the loudest yet!”
View this post on Instagram
KISS has been wearing makeup, showing off chest hair and sporting heels since the early 70s in New York City.


text:
Walmart is adding a service that offers delivery straight to a customer’s kitchen as part of its membership program.
Walmart’s InHome service will now be offered as part of Walmart+, the company announced on Wednesday. There's no limit to how many times customers can use the service, or a requirement to tip.
It’s effectively an upgrade for Walmart+, as Walmart said the InHome service will be available for an additional $7 a month or $40 per year. The base price for Walmart+ is s $12.95 a month, or $98 a year.
Walmart is also growing the geographic footprint of InHome, aiming to reach more than 30 million US households this year. With Wednesday’s announcement, Walmart said it is expanding to Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Dallas, Austin, San Jose and San Francisco. This nearly doubles the footprint of locales where the service is available.
Launched in 2019, InHome is designed to provide grocery delivery for customers, even if they aren’t at home. Shoppers order groceries online. Then, a full-time Walmart associate enters their home via smartlock or garage door opener. (For those who don’t want to have someone enter their home, a doorstep delivery option is available).
Offering the “direct-to-fridge” service allows Walmart to make delivery more convenient. At the same time, it relies in part on the trust of consumers, who must be willing to provide entry into their homes.
By combining the two services, InHome will be added to the growing list of Walmart+ perks. Initially, the membership included free shipping and delivery, and scan-and-go service for in-store shopping. This year, it expanded a fuel discount to 10-cents a gallon and extended it to gas stations beyond Walmart, offered six free months of Spotify and held members-only deals events such as the recent Walmart+ Weekend. Walmart hasn’t yet revealed membership numbers for Walmart+, but leaders have said it is a key part of its growing digital business.
Walmart said it is making the move to combine the programs under one membership in response to asks from consumers who want to complete all of their ordering and delivery steps in one place.
“When Walmart+ members ask for something, we work around the clock to make it happen for them,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP and GM of Walmart+, in a statement. “Our members want options and a shopping experience that is easy to navigate and accommodates their individual needs, while saving them time and money—this is true now more than ever.”
Walmart said the move to bolster Walmart+ is among the steps it is taking to continue to invest in its ecommerce business, which grew 38% over the last two years.
Surcharges for suppliers coming
Elsewhere in its business, Walmart is planning to add fees to account for rising costs of fuel and transportation. According to Reuters, the company sent a memo to suppliers – or, the vendors that produce and provide goods sold by the company – detailing two new fees that will be enacted in August for those who use Walmart services to transport goods to warehouses or stores. The fees include a fuel surcharge, and a new “collect pickup charge” that will be calculated as a percentage of the cost of foods received.
Walmart is among many retailers facing rising costs during the current period of 40-year-high inflation. The company cited fuel costs as among the reasons it was cutting its full-year profit outlook in its first quarter earnings report.
It’s not alone among those upping fees, either. Amazon enacted a 5% fuel surcharge on third-party sellers in April, saying at the time that it intended the fee to be temporary.
At Walmart, the new charges “allow us to share cost accountability with our Collect suppliers, helping to enable us to meet our everyday low price commitment to our customers," the retailer’s memo said.
As costs rise, it grows more likely that they will be passed down the supply chain.


text:
CBD oil: Federally banned, just a click away
If cannabidiol is under federal prohibition, the Internet’s marketplace doesn’t know it.
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, is widely available online via Google search---it's commonly found in pill form, in bottled liquid form or infused into gummies.
The substance extracted from the cannabis plant is allowed under several state laws, including in Indiana---but here, it’s only for select epilepsy patients.
According to Robert Capecchi of the Marijuana Policy Project, lawmakers have seen medical benefits in CBD oil as national media covers success stories, resulting in CBD-specific legislation popping up starting in 2014. Governor Eric Holcomb signed Indiana’s CBD law, HB 1148 in April.
- WEBB: Illinois pushes toward recreational marijuana; Indiana lags behind
- Gov. Holcomb plans to sign bills on abortion, gun rights, school prayer
- Potent legislative mix of cold beer, marijuana and vaping lands on Gov. Holcomb's desk
- Indiana medical marijuana backers take hope in bill hearing
- Lawmakers consider allowing hemp in treatment of epilepsy
Although these state laws treat CBD oil much differently than whole plant marijuana, federal law offers no such distinction.
Capecchi said the government isn’t putting full force behind the federal prohibition as these products continue to be sold.
“I don’t want to speculate on why there has been no enforcement action, but I would hate to see that happen,” he said. “If people are benefiting from CBD oil, I’d want them to have access. I think (the lack of government action) is just a matter of resources.”
In 2015 and 2016, the Food and Drug Administration issued 14 warning letters to a number of companies selling CBD oil products. The letters focused on the labels claiming to treat disease despite not being FDA approved, as well as the lack of actual CBD in the products marketed to contain the substance.
“The FDA has not approved these drug products marketed as containing cannabidiol for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease,” FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum told the Courier & Press via e-mail. “Cannabidiol products that are sold on the Internet and distributed interstate. . . . are marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.”
Felberbaum emphasized that the FDA defers to the Drug Enforcement Administration for primary regulation of marijuana products.
“I don’t think the DEA is going to raid these businesses,” Capecchi said. “The letters were sent and keened in on the fact that the products were making health claims. I think that these letters were kind of cheap ways to enforce the federal law and give the companies a bit of a heads up that it’s illegal.”
On May 22, the Indiana State Excise Police investigated a Columbus tobacco business and in the process, found CBD oil products in the forms of pills and gummy bears.
“We are beginning to receive more citizen complaints and have found several violations at ATC permit locations in recent weeks,” Corporal Heather Lynch said.
CBD oil possession is treated the same as whole plant marijuana possession.
“(CBD oil) is being ingested in many forms---vaping oils, candy, capsules, cookies and other edibles,” Corporal Heather Lynch with the Indiana State Excise police said. “(The products being infused into gummies) is very common, which is even more problematic because they are enticing to children.”
Lynch said these products are dangerous because there’s no way to guarantee what substances the products actually contain without FDA testing.
“The presence of illegal substances that can be ingested in many ways is becoming more prevalent,” Superintendent Matt Strittmatter said in a May 23 press release. “Excise officers will diligently investigate all complaints regarding alcohol and these other products that can potentially have devastating consequences to the health and well-being of Indiana citizens.”
However, Capecchi doesn’t believe in those devastating consequences.
“CBD oil is not addictive,” Capecchi said. “There are no addictive properties and nothing psychoactive.”
Dr. David Bearman, a physician in Goleta, California, who specializes in pain management and the use of medical marijuana, said he’s concerned about the practice of infusing CBD oil into gummies, but it’s not for the same reason as the Indiana State Excise Police.
“It’s been a trend, and I’m concerned about that,” Bearman said, “because I think there’s more than just one therapeutic constituent in cannabis.”
Bearman, as well as the team at the Marijuana Policy Project, would rather medical marijuana as a whole plant be legalized than just the CBD-specific laws such as Indiana’s.
“Most of the members of the state legislature didn’t go to medical school,” he said. “If you’re going to make laws dealing with medicine, that process ought to involve M.D.’s and Ph.D’s. Even then, not all M.D.’s know everything. Only 13 percent of medical schools teach about the use of cannabinoids.”
Although Bearman advocates for using the entirety of the marijuana plant, he said the benefits of CBD alone include anti-inflammatory effects, fighting cancer and muscle relaxation.
“In the past 50 years, people that have been growing cannabis have been growing for the recreational market,” Bearman said. “Only recently has there been an excitement about CBD even though marijuana has always contained it.”
Bearman is concerned because the widespread availability of CBD oil products online doesn’t mean they’re highly effective or even what they advertise to be. If someone is seeking out CBD products, Bearman said it’s best to exercise caution.
“The biggest problem with these products online would be whether you are really getting CBD,” Bearman said. “You need to see what kind of testing was done, if this is really CBD. If you’re going to buy online, you need to find out.”


text:
World Bank Seeks SA Firms’ Participation in $45b Projects
By Dipo Olowookere
South African companies have been invited to stake a claim to the $45 billion that the World Bank Group has set aside for projects in Africa.
Executive Director of the World Bank representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa, Ms Bongi Kunene, made this call at a seminar on Doing Business with The World Bank Group that was co-hosted with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Trade Invest Africa Division in Sandton.
The purpose of the seminar was to provide a platform for the Group to share information on how it works with the private sector in partnership with governments, as well as its private sector financing vehicles.
“This seminar provides a perfect opportunity for us to share with the private sector opportunities that are available in the World Bank Group. We have raised $72 billion for the low-income countries of the world and as a board we have decided that $45 billion of that money will be spent in Africa.
“The clients are African governments but as you know, most of government work is executed by contractors. Today is the opportunity for the World Bank to explain to all of you South African businesses how to make it as a contractor,” said Ms Kunene.
She added that the money will be used in various sectors of infrastructure. These include economic infrastructure such as roads, water and energy.
“But we will go beyond economic infrastructure and also touch on social infrastructure including hospitals. We will also help government to procure goods and services such as books, computers and medical equipment. So this provides a vast opportunity for any company that qualifies to be able to participate in the projects,” stressed Kunene.
Acting Chief Executive Office of Trade Invest Africa (TIA), Ms Lerato Mataboge said the seminar was in line with TIA’s mandate of assisting South African businesses access investment and trade opportunities in various parts of the African Continent.
“It was essential for us to partner with the World Bank Group for this seminar so that companies would get directly from the Bank’s officials the projects that are available and what the requirements and processes that they need to follow are. We are hoping that most of the companies in attendance here will be able to get slices of the $45 billion cake,” said Ms Mataboge.


text:
The one-time relaxation does not defer e-invoicing per se, but provides a breather to industry just ahead of the critical festive season.
"As a last chance, in the initial phase of implementation of e-invoice, it has been decided that the invoices issued by such taxpayers during October 2020 without following the manner prescribed under rule 48(4), shall be deemed to be valid and the penalty leviable under section 122of the CGST Act, 2017, for such non-adherence to provisions, shall stand waived if the Invoice Reference Number (IRN) for such invoices is obtained from the Invoice Reference Portal (IRP) within 30 days of date of invoice," the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said in a statement late Wednesday evening.
No such relaxation would be available for the invoices issued from November 1, 2020 and such invoices would be considered invalid, inviting penalties.
Industry has been seeking voluntary e-invoicing till January 1, 2021, and make it mandatory post this limit, so as to reduce compliance burden.
Experts lauded the relaxation. "This relaxation provides the much needed relief for businesses and is a win-win for the government and businesses with neither the implementation/ anti-evasion objective being deferred nor businesses facing the penalties of non-compliance. This flexibility was a much needed one and would be significantly applauded by the industry," said Abhishek Jain, Tax Partner, EY.
“Waiver of penalty, for one month on non compliance with B2B e-invoicing procedure is in a way an indirect extension and should definitely provide a sigh of relief to the industry," said Harpreet Singh, partner indirect tax at KPMG India.
Companies in the FMCG, consumer durables, auto and other sectors are relying on the October to December quarter, which will have Diwali and Christmas, for revival in demand following an extended lull that began from April this year. The relief would have helped industry already suffering from the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic and the lockdowns that followed.
In a separate relaxation, the government has allowed companies with turnover more than Rs 500 crore will have till December 1 instead of October 1, to implement dynamic quick response (QR) code on their invoices issued to customers.
Customers typically scan a QR code to make digital payments. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had mandated that companies must publish QR code on their invoices issued to customers.
Earlier in the month, the GST Network issued clarifications through frequently asked questions on electronic invoicing standards for businesses above Rs 500 crore turnover, where it said that a dedicated mobile app to scan and verify the validity of QR codes will be provided by the government.
- Front Page
- Pure Politics
- Around the World
- DB, Cerberus to Lead $1.7-b Credit Raise by SP Promoters
Deutsche Bank (DB) and Cerberus Capital Management, a special situations specialist, are leading the $1.7 billion credit raise by the promoters of Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group, the Mistry family. Deutsche Bank is also book runner and lead arranger of the capital raise along with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB).Markets Rally for 2nd Day on US Debt Deal Hopes
India’s stock market witnessed a broad-based rally Friday, helping local shares regain their positive momentum, on expectations of the US government edging closer to a deal to raise the national debt ceiling.Tata Motors and M&M Apply Brakes on EV Fundraise Plans
Plans by Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) to sell stakes in their respective electric vehicle (EV) units have stalled over valuation mismatches, causing both to suspend the process, said people aware of the development.
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
ETPrime stories of the day


text:
Bangladesh has appealed to the Indian government to withdraw the ban imposed on onion export as soon as possible, keeping the import flow of onion from India uninterrupted.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam said yesterday: "We are expecting a positive result soon in this regard, Dhaka has requested New Delhi to revoke its ban on onion export as India earlier had made an 'unofficial' pledge to Bangladesh of a continuing supply of onion here."
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India this week issued a notification imposing restrictions on onion export with immediate effect. This decision has posed a negative impact on onion markets in Bangladesh.
Veteran Indian politician and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar has also requested the Indian government to lift ban on onion exports, saying "this decision has led to strong reactions from the onion growing belt in Maharashtra".
The ban jeopardises India's export share in the onion markets of Gulf countries, Sri Lanaka and Bangladesh, he tweeted.
Alam said there is an "unwritten" understanding between Bangladesh and India that New Delhi would not impose a ban on onion export and if New Delhi takes such a decision, they would inform Dhaka beforehand.
Being informed about India government's decision of imposing ban on onion export last night, the State Minister said Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has raised the issue to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs immediately.
Alam also added that the Commerce ministry of Bangladesh is looking into the onion import issue..


text:
Nokia G50 could be the next member under the G-series. The image of the upcoming handset was accidentally posted on the official Nokia Mobile Instagram account in France. The post was removed immediately afterward; however, thanks to NokiaMob.net for saving it which reveals the design and few features of the upcoming Nokia G50 smartphone.
Nokia G50 Features Accidentally Revealed
The design of the Nokia G50 looks similar to the Nokia G10 that is yet to be announced in India. The Nokia G50 is seen with a triple rear camera placed into a circular module. The main lens was mentioned as 48MP and it will be a 5G-enabled phone.
Upfront, the phone is appeared to have a water-drop notch to house the selfie camera sensor and is seen with two color options – Midnight Sun and Blue. Further, the branding logo is seen on both the front and rear panels. Apart from this, the post has not shared any details regarding the Nokia G50.
Nokia G50: What More To Expect?
The brand is yet to confirm the details of the upcoming Nokia G50. However, the handset was previously spotted on the certification site, revealing few features of the device. The Nokia G50 is expected to be the most affordable 5G device from Nokia and will ship with the Snapdragon 480 chipset. It is also likely to run Android 11.
Last month, the price of the handset was also tipped via a UK retailer. Going by this, the smartphone will start at GBP 207 (roughly Rs. 11,000) for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant, while its 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model is said to be available in Australia at AUD 477 (roughly Rs. 25,400). The handset is also said to come with a Forest Black color option.
Nokia G50 Expected Launch
As of now, the exact launch date is still unknown. Since the device appeared on Instagram that means the launch is just around the corner. Further, it will be better to take this as a hint until the brand confirms anything. In the same news, the Nokia G20 is the latest model that is selling in India at Rs. 11,990.
Most Read Articles
Best Mobiles in India
You have already subscribed
Story first published: Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 18:02 [IST]


text:
With global price inflation taking off despite the denials of various governments, people are becoming more selective about what they eat. As Phil Bloomer of Oxford international put it, “The world’s attitudes to food are shifting in the face of rising prices.” Pasta is becoming the preferred food of choice worldwide.
On this blog, we’ve chronicled a litany of health benefits from consumption of olive oil ranging from a reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes to reduced incidence of heart disease, and this new finding is every bit as big a deal: New study finds that olive oil may protect against strokes.
Pour some more of that EVOO on your plate — a new French study finds that eating more olive oil could be linked with lower stroke risk in older people. The results of the study by the University of Bordeaux and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research were published in the online issue of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.Medical records of 7,625 people 65 and older who lived in three French cities were examined by researchers to determine how their olive oil consumption affected their chances of having a stroke. The participants had no history of stroke at the beginning of the study. In this study, participants were surveyed about how much olive oil they consumed: About 23 percent used none, 40 percent were moderate users (cooking with it or using it as a dressing or with bread) and about 37 percent were intensive users (using it in cooking and as a dressing or with bread).
In an average 5.25 years of follow-up, 148 strokes occurred. Those who were intensive users had a 41 percent lower stroke risk compared to those who never used olive oil. Researchers arrived at that number after adjusting for such factors as body mass index, other stroke risk factors, diet and physical activity. The results were statistically significant for ischemic stroke (caused by blockage of an artery to the brain) but not hemorrhagic stroke (caused by the rupture of a blood vessel).
Studies continually conclude that extra virgin olive oil is one of the absolute best substances you can put in your body if you want to live a long, healthy life.
If you’re looking for some healthful summer salads which are easy to prepare and easy on the digestion, think seafood salads. Fish, shellfish and succulent delicacies such as squid and octopus are light and refreshing, but they are also filling enough, even in a salad, to make a satisfying main course for dinner. The bonus is that fresh seafood is a cinch to cook. In fact, the simpler the better, so the delicate flesh and flavor won’t be overwhelmed by other ingredients or fussy preparations.
Most fish pair well with every ingredient you might think to put in a salad. Halibut with cooked potatoes and green beans; tuna with golden beets and peas; shrimp with beans and corn. Use raw vegetables such as tomatoes and sliced carrots for color, avocado and jicama to provide a variety of textures, a sharp onion — scallion, red onion or chives — to add some vitality to the milder ingredients. Cooked vegetables work, too, and you can use the leftovers from last night’s dinner: kernels stripped from grilled or steamed corn on the cob, cut-up cooked broccoli or asparagus.
Think about sweeter foods too: orange segments with snapper or shrimp, dried cranberries with salmon, peaches with bluefish, for example. Or add chunks of cheese: feta, blue cheese and goat cheese would work with most fish. Deli items are suitable: tangy, imported olives and sun-dried tomatoes, for example. And to add more substance and appeal for those who may think a fish salad isn’t satisfying enough, you can include cooked pasta, whole grains and potatoes.
Salad needs dressing, of course. It’s tempting, especially in the summer when you don’t really feel like cooking, to open one of the bottled brands you bought at the supermarket. Don’t do it.
Bottled dressings are convenient, but they’re also salty and often contain unwanted additives. Homemade dressings take less than 5 minutes to mix. All you need are good olive oil and a piquant wine vinegar or citrus juice. Mix them to taste (the ratio is anywhere from 2:1 to 4:1 parts oil to acidic liquid, depending on your particular taste buds) and you’re done. Of course you can get creative by adding any fresh herb that might enhance the fish. Try these: dill, tarragon, thyme, mint, oregano or coriander. Or switch from olive oil to corn or canola, or mix in a little bit of almond or avocado oil for extra flavor. And use different vinegars for different salads; say, use rice wine vinegar on a shrimp salad, sherry vinegar with tuna. Or add a small amount of orange juice to bring out a sweeter taste. Experiment away. Make seafood salads this summer and you’ll never be bored with dinner.
Here’s a recipe for Grilled Halibut Salad with Avocado, Tomato, Olives and Egg with Herb-Garlic Toasts
Makes 4 servings
16-20 ounces halibut or other firm white fish such as cod
5 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 large hard-cooked eggs
1 large avocado
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup coarsely cut imported black olives
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Heat an outdoor grill or oven broiler. Brush the fish with one tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill or broil for about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Cut into bite-sized chunks and set aside. Cut the eggs, avocado and tomatoes into chunks and place in a bowl. Add the olives and fish and toss ingredients gently. In a small bowl mix the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and mustard. Pour over the ingredients and toss gently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving over Herb-Garlic Toasts (2 per person).
Herb and Garlic Toasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 1/2-inch slices Italian bread
1 large clove garlic, mashed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Heat the oven to 425 degrees (or use an outdoor grill). Brush a small amount of the olive oil on one side of each slice of bread. Mix the remaining olive oil, garlic, parsley and lemon peel in a small bowl. Place the bread slices, oiled side up on a cookie sheet. Bake for 3 minutes. Turn the slices over and spread with the olive oil-parsley mixture. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 3-4 minutes or until crispy. Let cool.
Enjoy some delicious salads this summer and remember to use your Mamamiafoods 100% Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil!
For those of you not keeping up with current events in Europe, there’s been a huge E. coli food scare over the last few weeks. The death toll is currently 17 with over 1500 cases discovered so far. Germany has been hit the hardest (of the eight European countries affected virtually all of the sick people either live in Germany or recently traveled there) and scientists’ best guess is that the infected foods originated in Spain. So far cucumbers, tomatoes, and leaf lettuce have been identified as culprits. This is a very serious situation and more details can be found in the following story:
By DAVID RISING and MARIA CHENG
AP Photo/Petr David Josek
Buy AP Photo Reprints
BERLIN (AP) — The number of people hit by a massive European outbreak of foodborne bacterial infections is a third bigger than previously known and a stunningly high number of patients suffer from a potentially deadly complication than can shut down their kidneys, officials said Wednesday.
The death toll rose to 17, with German authorities reporting that an 84-year-old woman with the complication had died on Sunday.
Medical authorities appeared no closer to discovering either the source of the infection or the mystery at the heart of the outbreak: why the unusual strain of the E. coli bacteria appears to be causing so many cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, which attacks the kidneys and can cause seizures, strokes and comas.
Germany’s national health agency said 1534 people in the country had been infected by enterohaemorrhagic E.coli, or EHEC, a particularly deadly strain of the common bacteria found in the digestive systems of cows, humans and other mammals. The Robert Koch Institute had reported 1169 a day earlier.
The outbreak has hit at least eight European countries but virtually all of the sick people either live in Germany or recently traveled there.
The Robert Koch Institute said 470 people in Germany were suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, a number that independent experts called unprecedented in modern medical history. HUS normally occurs in 10 percent of EHEC infections, meaning the number seen in Germany could be expected in an outbreak three times the size being currently reported.
That discrepancy could indicate that a vast number of cases haven’t been reported because their symptoms are relatively mild, medical experts said.
But they also offered another, more disturbing theory – the strain of EHEC causing the outbreak in Europe could be more dangerous than any previously seen.
“There may well be a great number of asymptomatic cases out there that we’re missing. This could be a much bigger outbreak than we realize right now,” said Paul Hunter, a professor of health protection at the University of East Anglia in England. “There might also be something genetically different about this particular strain of E. coli that makes it more virulent.”
There are hundreds of different E. coli strains in the environment – every person naturally carries the bacteria – but only a very small percentage are dangerous. EHEC is not normally in the environment, but improper use of manure can contaminate fresh produce.
German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner said scientists were working nonstop to find the source of the EHEC that is believed to have been spread in Europe on tainted vegetables – and where in the long journey from farm to grocery store the contamination occurred.
“Hundreds of tests have been done and the responsible agencies … have determined that most of the patients who have been sickened ate cucumbers, tomatoes and leaf lettuce and primarily in northern Germany,” Aigner said on ARD television. “The states that have conducted the tests must now follow back the delivery path to see how the cucumbers, or tomatoes or lettuce got here.”
German authorities initially pointed to cucumbers from Spain after people in Hamburg fell ill after eating fresh produce. After tests of some 250 samples of vegetables from around the city, only the three cucumbers from Spain and one other of unknown origin tested positive for enterohaemorrhagic E.coli, or EHEC.
But further tests showed that those vegetables, while contaminated, did not cause the outbreak. Officials are still warning all Germans to avoid eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes or lettuce.
Some experts said it might be impossible to ever identify what caused the outbreak, as much of the tainted fresh produce may already have disappeared from markets.
“As in many foodborne disease outbreaks, the culprit may never be identified and the epidemic just fades away,” said Brendan Wren, professor of pathogen molecular biology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
To identify which E. coli strain is responsible, scientists must grow the suspect bacteria in a laboratory, which can take up to two days. Once that’s done, tests to characterize the strain may take another day or two and those tests can only be done in specialized labs.
“These are complicated molecular tests and it’s not something you can do in one day,” Hunter said.
Spanish officials said, meantime, that they were considering legal action after Europeans swore off Spanish produce in droves after the initial report. And in Germany, farmers’ association president Gerd Sonnleitner said the call for people to avoid raw vegetables had cost local farmers an estimated euro30 million ($43 million) so far.
Germany typically sees a maximum of 50 to 60 annual cases of HUS, which has up to a 5 percent fatality rate according to the World Health Organization.
More than 60 percent of the EHEC cases in Germany have been women – 88 percent over the age of 20 – and nearly 90 percent of the HUS cases have been women over the age of 20.
Experts suspect the outbreak may be mainly striking women because they are the ones most likely to be eating fresh produce. “We should be open to whatever the investigation shows, but adult women are more likely to be exposed to vegetables than other populations,” said Hilde Kruse, a food safety expert at the World Health Organization.
Last week, Reinhard Burger, head of the Robert Koch Institute, said it was also possible more women were affected because they were predominantly the ones handling food in the kitchen.
The World Health Organization said cases of EHEC have been reported in nine European countries: Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. All but two cases are either people in Germany, or people who had recently traveled to northern Germany, the organization said.
In addition, Sweden has reported 15 cases of HUS, followed by Denmark with 7, the Netherlands with 3, the U.K. with 2 and Spain with 1, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
It’s “extraordinary” to see so many cases of the kidney complication from a foodborne illness, said Dr. Robert Tauxe, a foodborne disease expert at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There has not been such an outbreak before that we know of in the history of public health.”
He added that the strain of E. coli in the European outbreak has not been seen in the United States, where there have been several high-profile foodborne outbreaks in recent years, but none with such a high death toll.
There’s little precedent in Europe, either. In 1996, an E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom caused 216 cases and 11 deaths.
The World Health Organization said 86 percent of those sickened in the current outbreak were adults, and two-thirds were women. It said it was unusual that more children weren’t affected.
Kirsten Grieshaber and Juergen Baetz in Berlin, Maria Cheng in London and Jan Olsen in Copenhagen contributed to this report.


text:
Finalists for the 2019 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year were announced Wednesday at the 2018 LA Auto Show.
The jury, composed of automotive media from North America including three Internet Brands Automotive editors, narrowed the semi-finalist list to just three cars, three trucks, and three crossover SUVs.The original list of nominees included 46 new or significantly changed vehicles. In September, the jury sliced that list nearly in half to 29 semi-finalists.
Last year’s winners were the Honda Accord, Volvo XC90, and Lincoln Navigator.
This 2019 award’s car finalists include:
– 2019 Genesis G70
– 2019 Honda Insight
– 2019 Volvo S60
The crossover SUV finalists include:
– 2019 Acura RDX
– 2018 Hyundai Kona
– 2019 Jaguar I-Pace
And the truck finalists include:
– 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
– 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
– 2019 Ram 1500
The overall winners will be…


text:
In 2021, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East collectively received less than 2% of the $643 billion global venture capital funding.
To enable access to capital in these regions, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a $225 million fund to invest in early-stage companies addressing development challenges through technological innovations in climate, health care, education, agriculture, e-commerce, and other sectors.
Access to capital has been exacerbated by a slowdown in global venture capital investment, the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in food and supply chain costs, higher interest rates, and currency depreciation.
In addition, tech ecosystems are nascent or even nonexistent outside of more established markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, and South Africa. "IFC's Venture Capital Platform will help tech companies and entrepreneurs expand during a time of capital shortage, creating scalable investment opportunities and backing countries' efforts to build transformative tech ecosystems. We want to help develop homegrown innovative solutions that are not only relevant to emerging countries but can also be exported to the rest of the world," Makhtar Diop, IFC's Managing Director, said.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East and North Africa, technology could boost GDP by 40%, or $1.6 trillion, and create 1.5 million manufacturing jobs in the next 30 years.
In Pakistan, the digital transformation can unlock up to $59.7 billion in annual economic value by 2030, equivalent to about 19% of the country's GDP.
With this fund, IFC will strengthen the nascent venture capital markets in these regions, which have demonstrated early growth potential but face challenging global economic conditions. IFC will make equity or equity-like investments in tech startups and help them grow into scalable ventures that can attract mainstream equity and debt financing.
IFC will also use the platform to collaborate with other teams in the World Bank Group to create and bolster venture capital ecosystems through regulatory reforms, sector analyses, and other tools. The platform will also focus on investments in low-income and fragile countries and help generate a pipeline of credible early-stage companies.
The fund will build on IFC's investments and efforts to build tech ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pakistan through initiatives such as the IFC Startup Catalyst Program. IFC has invested in companies like Twiga Foods, a Kenyan-based technology food distribution platform; TradeDepot, an e-commerce startup connecting international brands with African retailers; and Toters, a leading on-demand delivery platform in Lebanon and Iraq.
The platform will be backed by an additional $50 million from the Blended Finance Facility of the International Development Association's Private Sector Window, which helps de-risk investments in low-income countries. In addition, IFC will mobilize capital from other development institutions and the private sector to support entrepreneurs and tech companies in those countries.


text:
2020 has been a harrowing year for most of the nation, with lockdowns, increased financial stress and anxiety the increase in Australians reporting poorer emotional and mental wellbeing has increased dramatically.
The increase of incidence of Mens Health has surged with an increased need for support particularly in Mental Health
During July and August 2020, compared to the previous two months calls about their mental health from Men increased by 95%, calls about work and employment increased by 48% and calls about relationship issues increased by 36%.
With the stronger COVID-19 restrictions for Victoria, during August the MensLine Australia website saw its biggest jump in visitors from Victorian residents.
The founders at the The Gin Birds values lie in supporting local businesses and supporting charity, these Gin Champions have years of experience with technology and online events with their corporate leadership roles and so wanted to harness their passion and experience to give back. Having recently raised thousands for Breast Cancer with their biggest Pink G & T Party the Gin Birds wanted to raise awareness and funds for Movember
They are running and hosting An Eighties themed Movember fundraiser while launching their Polly Waffle Inspired Gin, folks can participate online wearing their BEST or WORST 80's OUTFITS AND JOIN THE BIGGEST 80's themed Movember party drink Polly's gin and paired tonic whilst being entertained with guest distiller. speakers, 80's quiz and Polly Waffle inspired tastings.
Co Founder Chamaine Lovett also a Clinician says the team are passionate about giving back to charity " I personally love being able to give back to health and wellbeing charities, we are delighted we can host fun interactive events whilst raising funds and spending some time discussing the serious health topics and give back to our community"
The Gin Birds and their digital Gin Store Gindex has been helping Australians discover small craft gin brands since last year, during the bushfire and Covid crisis distillers really felt the economic strain and The Gin Birds jumped in and launched free online events and support for distillers.
Tickets are on sale at
https://www.trybooking.com/BMEPG or visit The Gin Birds at gindex.com.au


text:
LONDON (GC Intelligence) — European nylon 6 (PA6) prices rolled over from January to February, according to GC Intelligence market assessment.
Prices did not change despite the upward pressure from higher benzene costs, increasing for the third consecutive month in February.
The higher benzene values did not filter downstream because both caprolactam and PA6 markets remain oversupplied.
Participants in both markets had to absorb the cost increases and experience yet again a contraction in margins.
But this situation could reverse in March after the substantial fall in benzene prices.
PA6 and caprolactam prices will probably decrease in March in line with benzene, but so far there have been strong indications that these are relatively small.
PA6 producers in the next few months have a good chance to expand margins that have been under considerable pressure for quite some time.
Future profits, however, are under threat for all market participants as the coronavirus outbreak will probably hit demand in most sectors across Europe.
NOTE: For price indices, forecasts, and a more in-depth market analysis take a look at the GC INTELLIGENCE® Market Reports…→


text:
For a little over a year now, Zynga has been making a name for itself on its own. When investors started looking at the company as not just connected to Facebook and FarmVille, Zynga went and told the social media giant that they'd probably be better off as just friends, and decided to branch out and do something on its own. At the beginning of this year, we saw Zynga gain more investor popularity and the company has even started its own gaming platform, giving 240 million of its customers direct access to not only its own games, but games of partners it's been scooping up in the process.
This week, Zynga made another big purchase and bought the developer studio OMGPOP. Up until this point, the New York-based company was just another game studio that most people probably never heard of until the Draw Something craze hit shortly before Zynga picked them up to the tune of around $200 million.
Why the purchase and what happens now to your newest version of Pictionary? We discuss that more after the break.
You may or may not have known but OMGPOP has been around since 2006 and has developed about 35 other titles for both Facebook and mobile devices. However, none of those titles have taken off as well as Draw Something, which seemingly went global overnight. The company has recorded 1 billion drawings through 84 different languages just last week alone, which comes out to 3,000 per second.
Why or how this game grew to be so viral so fast is beyond me, however, I do know from experience that its simpler play-style combined with common, yet funny words, tends to do the trick. Plus, you can play multiple games at once while you wait for Allante to draw his word.
At any rate, $200 million is a lot for Zynga to throw out at one studio, however they will end up attracting that many more people directly to Zynga.com and the revenue from the in-game purchasing systems will now go to their pockets. Plus, perhaps with the backing of Zynga we will now see these guys at OMGPOP make a couple of more hit games in a row. Zynga wanted the talent of the studio with the check they wrote.
It may turn out that all gaming will end up going through Zynga in a few years, perhaps even the games like Bread That Cat over at Shockwave. Are you on the mobile gaming sensation yet? Tell us in the comments section below.


text:
Inlet, a secure eBill presentment and delivery platform that provides millions of bills each year to bank bill payment destinations servicing both consumers and businesses, announced it will participate in the Financial Data Exchange (FDX), a non-profit organization committed to developing and promoting a single industry standard for financial data sharing.
As an FDX member, Inlet joins more than 100 industry partners who are defining an interoperable, secure data sharing standard that will improve efficiency, transparency, security and consumer control of how financial data is shared among all participants of the financial services ecosystem.
Inlet provides banks and bill payment platform providers with direct-integrated and aggregated bills and invoices for electronic presentment and payment. Approximately 6,500 financial institutions are connected to Inlet to source bills for presentment to end-consumers. Consumers utilizing these services require fast, secure, and convenient access to their personal financial data.
“Inlet offers customers convenience, choice, and control over how and where they receive, pay, and store their bills. Participating in the Financial Data Exchange will help Inlet lead the digital data delivery industry and drive collaboration, while aligning with the shared goal of creating secure methods to transmit and enable access to data and digital payments,” said Christopher Johnson, CEO of Inlet.
“We’re excited to have Inlet on board as we continue to grow the adoption of the FDX API,” said Don Cardinal, Managing Director of the Financial Data Exchange. “With over 12 million U.S. consumers protected, we are proud to see the success of this industry-led approach to establishing a financial data sharing standard.”
Inlet is a secure digital document delivery solution which connects companies to consumers via thousands of financial institutions, major personal cloud storage sites and real-time payment networks. Through a single integration, companies can send eBills, statements and other important documents to the online destinations their customers visit and trust the most. These destinations include Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and Evernote; 6,500 bank and credit union websites across the United States; and the Mastercard Bill Pay Exchange. Inlet increases customer engagement, paperless adoption rates and enables faster payments. To learn more about Inlet, a joint venture between Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR) and Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI), visit www.InletDigital.com.
About the Financial Data Exchange
Financial Data Exchange, LLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the ﬁnancial industry around a common, interoperable, royalty-free standard for secure and convenient consumer and business access to their financial data. FDX empowers consumers through its commitment to the development, growth and industry-wide adoption of the FDX API, according to the principles of control, access, transparency, traceability and security. Membership is open to financial institutions, fintech companies, consumer advocacy groups, and other industry participants. FDX is an independent subsidiary of FS-ISAC. For more information and to join, visit www.financialdataexchange.org.


text:
Rolls-Royce getting somewhat closer to its first EV
By Gary S. Vasilash
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (to give the full name its due) announced today that it is on the precipice (sounds fancier than “edge”) of testing its first full electric vehicle, named “Spectre.”
According to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, this is “an extraordinary new product that will elevate the global all-electric car revolution and create the first – and finest – super-luxury product of its type.”
Yes, it is absolutely true that it will be the first product of its type, as it will probably be the type.
Citing the history of the company for some sort of presumed advantage in the EV space, Müller-Ötvös noted, “it was Charles Rolls who truly prophesied an electrified future for automobiles. In April 1900 he experienced an early electric motor car named the Columbia and declared its electric drive to be ideal.”
While that is certainly notable and impressive, that was also 121 years ago.
What’s taken Rolls (the company, not the man) so long?
And given that deliveries are expected to commence (better sounding than “start,” eh?) not until the fourth quarter of 2023, roughly two years from now, by which time it is hard to imagine that there won’t be EVs from essentially every automotive company on the planet, the excitement seems a bit, shall we say, outré.


text:
Twitter Reportedly Planning to Lay Off 300 Employees
Twitter is planning to cut about 8 percent of its workforce, or about 300 staffers, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the situation. That would be the same percentage it cut last year when co-founder Jack Dorsey took over as CEO.
The layoffs could be announced before the social media company reports its third-quarter earnings on Thursday morning.
Twitter's revenue growth has slowed, leading it to reduce spending to improve its bottom line.
The company's stock has been under pressure as of late as it has become increasingly unlikely that it will find an acquirer after Salesforce, which had expressed interest, said it would make a bid. The company began seriously exploring a sale in September, and several potential bidders emerged, including Salesforce, Google, Verizon and Walt Disney.
"As Twitter generates only limited free cash flow, has a bloated cost structure and limited growth trajectory, we continue to see a takeover in the near term as exceedingly unlikely," Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter wrote in his earnings preview report.
Analysts and industry observers have wondered if management will outline any strategy changes if no deal materializes.
Reiterating his "neutral" rating and $14 price target on Twitter's stock price, Pachter also wrote: "Until Twitter is focused on attracting new users, driving increased use by its existing users, and demonstrating its value proposition to people who don't use the service, we expect it to grow very slowly. We think that its service is too complicated and difficult to use for the average internet user despite multiple changes."
He predicts third-quarter revenue "at the high-end of guidance, driven by the U.S. presidential election, live event streaming and video." Pachter also forecasts quarterly revenue of $610 million, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $150 million and earnings per share of of 8 cents.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.


text:
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) ,June 9-10 in Lusaka!
AGOA 2011Forum on U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa
Trade and Economic Cooperation
On June 9-10, 2011, Zambia will host the 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, the centerpiece of the United States government's trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa. The 2011 Forum marks the 10th year that government officials, business leaders, and civil society from African countries and the United States will convene to promote trade, business, and investment opportunities that sustain economic development in Africa. The 2011 Forum’s theme is “Enhanced Trade Through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.”
Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will travel to Lusaka, Zambia on June 8-10 to participate in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. On June 9, she will address the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) conference to support the expansion of the program. AWEP was launched by the Department of State during last year’s AGOA Forum to help African women grow their businesses, advocate for improved business environments, and lead women’s business networks. On June 10, she will speak at the AGOA Ministerial Forum about the importance of investing in women to drive economic growth. In addition to meeting with government officials and private sector representatives, Ambassador Verveer will also visit a support center for survivors of gender-based violence, meet with women entrepreneurs, and visit a leadership program for girls.


text:
Amherst, MA Nov. 28, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making investments that will expand markets for agricultural producers and strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains in 37 states as well as Puerto Rico.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s farmers and ranchers by helping to expand businesses, support more robust American supply chains and save jobs,” Vilsack said. “Today’s investments in agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs will create better economic opportunities that spur competition and bolster food supply chains across the country. This will result in more affordable prices and choices for consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers.”
USDA is making investments in 185 projects worth nearly $196 million to create new and better market opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs.
Today’s announcement was made as part of the inaugural meeting of the new White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience which is part of President Biden’s agenda to bring down costs for American families and increase investment in America’s supply chains critical to economic and national security. Today’s funding builds on prior investments made by USDA under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to increase competition, enhance independent meat and poultry and other diversified food processing capacity, strengthen local and regional food systems and expand domestic, innovative fertilizer production.
“From Barnstable county to the Berkshires, these USDA Rural Development investments by the Biden-Harris administration will have Commonwealth-wide impact that will enhance economic opportunities and the resiliency of our regional food system,” said Scott J.Soares, USDA Rural Development State Direct for Southern New England.
A Rural Development grant for $26,000 will be used to provide technical assistance for completion of a commercial kitchen and event space at a redeveloped mill and former brownfield site in North Adams, Massachusetts. The project will help support regional farms and small businesses in the Berkshire region consisting of 18 towns and approximately 115,740 residents.
Center for EcoTechnology, Inc.
This Rural Development investment grant for $24,355 will be used to provide technical assistance and training to small businesses in the Berkshire region. The project will include outreach and technical assistance, training, and education to decarbonize small rural Massachusetts farms across the Berkshires. The project will benefit these small businesses and approximately 39,850 residents in 25 towns.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
CISA will use this Rural Development investment grant for $29,536 to provide technical assistance and training for farms in Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester counties, Massachusetts. The project will help farms build climate change resilience by assessing climate change related challenges; understanding, prioritizing, and planning solutions; and accessing resources for implementation. This includes climate change adaptation and mitigation through site planning; crop diversification; water management (drainage and irrigation); energy’s efficiency.
Midnight Our LLC
This Rural Development investment will be used to streamline the expansion of Midnight Our’s locally marketed Cape Cod scallop production and marketing. The company will use a USDA RD grant for $49,873 to help process over 13,000 lbs. of scallops over the grant performance period. Marketing services will be contracted to help expand the selling and shipping of the locally marketed Cape Cod scallop products
USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration are making these investments through six programs designed to create economic opportunities for people and businesses in rural areas.
Rural Business Development Grants assist with economic development planning and/or the financing or expansion of rural businesses by providing technical assistance and training for small rural businesses.
The Value Added Producer Grants Program helps farmers and ranchers venture into new markets by adding value to their bio-based products that will increase their revenue. Funds may be used to process or market these products. For example, an olive farmer may use funding to produce and market olive oil.
Business and Industry Loan Guarantees help improve rural economic health by increasing access to business capital, allowing commercial lenders, like banks and credit unions, to offer affordable financing to eligible rural businesses. This program was authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program supported investments in infrastructure for food processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, aggregation and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse and secure U.S. food supply chain through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which, in turn, lend the funding to local businesses to support projects that will create and keep jobs in rural areas.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ct-ma-ri.
USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ct-ma-ri.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.