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With the global OTT market expected to reach a booming US$ 438.5 billion by the end of 2026, we’re seeing more content creators and media houses entering the highly-lucrative platform for a piece of the pie.
But as we see more entrants in the space, we also see an increase in competition, and that’s where each player in the space needs to look for differentiation.
As we’ve mentioned before, while many factors could attract viewers to a particular OTT platform, there’s one that is above the rest, and that’s content.
While content has been labelled king by many, we are seeing the emergence of accessibility now. As the world is getting smaller thanks to the internet, creators need to realise that their video views could be from miles away. After getting the analytics in place, the creator should realise where most of the users are coming from and then accordingly, create localised content for that audience bucket.
Yes, subtitles and dubbing do work as we have seen with shows like Money Heist and Fauda that became viral hits the world over even though they were created in Spanish and Arabic respectively. But, localised content is the way forward according to many.
A report by Ampere Analytics suggests that platforms like Amazon and Netflix have already seized this opportunity by ramping up ‘local content’ in international markets like China, Japan and India because audiences from these markets are most engaged with local streaming content. In fact, in India which is considered to be a highly price-sensitive market, a study by IHS Market reveals that localised content matches price when it comes to picking an OTT platform in the country.
It’s not just these markets, but with diversity in language and culture found all over the world, content creators need to figure that out and have customised content to attract the audiences.
At Enveu, we are here to help you with this. We not only provide the technology (read analytics) to help you figure out where your content is being consumed, but we also can make sure you have the interface in the desired language.
Also, different countries have different rules when it comes to content on OTT platforms. You wouldn’t want to engage yourselves in any legal battle. Enveu’s team will help you sort that out too and help you match the compliances.


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A new anti-racism campaign in Brazil is making use of rather controversial tactics to stem online hate speech, plastering the racist Facebook posts of some users on billboards close to the offenders' homes
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation director Christopher McQuarrie confirmed that he'll direct the sixth installment of the blockbuster franchise, marking the first time a filmmaker has directed two films in the series.
Longtime AT&T customers still grasping onto the old iPhone unlimited data plan discontinued five years ago will have to open heir wallets a bit further next year. Yes, the cost of unlimited data is going up.
The Mozilla Foundation has a number of long-running projects, but it may soon be set to drop the Thunderbird email client, with executive chairman Mitchell Baker saying Mozilla would rather see developers focus on Firefox.
A Weibo post says that Google has begun working on the Nexus 7 2016, a device we haven't seen a refresh for since 2013. While the project may have begun, the rumor states that Google hasn't locked in a manufacturer yet to build the device.
Cooler Master is pulling out all the customisable stops with its new Sentinel III, offering RGB backlighting, optional weights and the ability to add custom logos and phrases to an OLED display built into the back.
AMD's new Crimson drivers have been mostly well received, but some have run into problems with it arbitrarily locking their graphics card's fan speeds, causing all sorts of overheating and unnecessary noise issues.

domain: news


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New Zealand consumer confidence edged down for a second month, though the underlying optimism still supports the gathering economic momentum.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell to 132 this month from 133 in February. The current conditions decreased to 125.7 from 127 and the future conditions index slipping to 136.2 from 137.1. ANZ Bank New Zealand chief economist Cameron Bagrie said the index remains buoyant, and on a seasonally adjusted basis is at its highest level since February 2005.
"Our composite growth indicator continues to flag potential for the economy to boom, indicating 6 percent growth," Bagrie said.
"We continue to rule out such a growth trajectory in practice given the limited availability of spare capacity in the economy. However, we'll side with the vibe; the economy is trundling along nicely," he said.
The survey comes a week after the Reserve Bank hiked the official cash rate a quarter-point to 2.75 percent as a means to clamp down on the threat of inflationary pressures.
The survey shows a net 76 percent of the 1,020 respondents expect prices to go up in the next two years, at an annual pace of 3.4 percent. A net 71 percent of respondents think house prices will rise over the next two years, at an annual pace of 3.8 percent.
A net 44 percent said now was a good time to buy a major household item, down from 47 percent in February.
A net 8 percent said they were financially better off than a year earlier, and a net 36 percent expect to be better next year. A net 34 percent expect good New Zealand economic conditions in the coming year, and a net 38 percent see good times ahead over the next five years.
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CARMEL, Calif. (AP) -- A rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO once owned by a famed racing driver and Olympic gold medalist has sold for $34.65 million.
Thursday's sale at an auction in California during Monterey Car Week is believed to be a record public auction price for a classic car, topping the nearly $30 million paid for a Mercedes W196 last year in England.
The Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/1kGzqcD ) reports the $38 million total price -- including 10 percent buyer fees -- is half of what experts said it could fetch. One example reportedly sold for $52 million in a private transaction.
HARTFORD — Norwalk is slated to receive two of 56 new car charging station planned for the state.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Monday an effort to reduce “range anxiety” for owners of electric vehicles (EVs) with the awarding of grants for 56 publicly-available EV charging stations in 42 locations across the state.
“Our goal is a network of charging stations that allows anyone driving an electric vehicle to travel anywhere in our state with total confidence that they will be able to recharge their car battery when necessary,” said Malloy. “The grants we are announcing today will bring us one step closer to that goal by adding to the nearly 100 charging stations that are already available and putting more of them at restaurants, businesses, colleges, medical centers, municipal parking facilities, and other convenient locations for the public. These grants will help fulfill my vision of a cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy future for the families and businesses of our state,” Governor Malloy said. “A recent federal Department of Energy study shows that it costs less than half the cost of using gasoline to operate an electric vehicle – and the availability of more charging stations helps provide a wider choice of vehicles for our residents.”
HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, joined by State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker, and UConn Provost Mun Choi, announced today that the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center at UConn in Storrs is dramatically improving the collection and analysis of car crash data, and providing an important new resource for law enforcement, health and safety personnel, policymakers, and the public.
“The Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center will certainly distinguish Connecticut as a national leader in transportation safety research and analysis—but more importantly, it will help us make our highways safer and will save taxpayer dollars in the process,” said Governor Malloy. “The system modernizes crash reporting—law enforcement can file reports faster, first responders can clear crash scenes more quickly, and traffic flow will be restored sooner.”
Posted in Daily drive on Monday, April 29, 2013 2:56 pm.
NORWALK — On Tuesday morning, MTA Metro-North Railroad plans to provide 75 percent of its regularly schedule service from New Haven to New York City, 90 percent from South Norwalk to New York and 95 percent from Stamford to New York as crews continue to dig out the east end yards after the Blizzard of 2013.
On the Hudson & Harlem Lines Metro-North continues to operate a regular weekday schedule.
Regular off-peak service is being provided on all three main lines.
Posted in Daily drive on Monday, February 11, 2013 8:00 pm. Updated: 9:46 pm.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is cracking down on unsafe trucks and their drivers throughout the state this month.
The special September enforcement will focus on reckless driving, speeding, following too close and unsafe lane changes, especially in high crash corridors along Connecticut’s busiest and most traveled highways.
Special federal funding is enabling DMV’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Division to put extra patrols in high-crash zones. DMV inspectors will conduct increased inspections and driver-checks in these areas, which include Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and on Interstate 95 in Fairfield County.
Despite a sluggish economy and rising gas prices, an estimated 33 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, a 2.9 percent increase over last year.
AAA says this year's total number of Labor Day travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high. It’s also the third increase in holiday travel this, according to AAA’s annual holiday travel forecast. The national auto club projected increases of 1.2 percent and 4.9 percent for Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays, respectively this year.
AAA attributes this holiday’s increase to improved consumer confidence compared to a year ago and Americans ongoing desire to travel. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, August 30 to Monday, September 3.
Americans are expected to usher in the Fourth of July travel period with a bang this year, as an estimated 42.3 million travelers take to the road, skies and rails, according to AAA’s national holiday survey.
The figure is nearly 5 percent higher than last year, the organization said.
Since July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, the calendar plays an important role in driving travel volume. That’s because the mid-week holiday expands the traditional five-day travel period to six days. It also provides travelers with the option to include a weekend and two week days on either side of the actual holiday. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as July 3 - 8. This year’s Independence Day travel volume also expects to tie a high mark set in 2007.


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This is the first of a two-part series exploring the Indian comic book industry. Look for the second part of the series - about the dilemma of being a geek in India - on Tuesday.
By Umika Pidaparthy, Special to CNN
If Batman and Superman ever packed their bags and moved to India, they would find that they have a bit of competition.
The superhero turf already belongs to figures such as Super Kudi and Pavitr Prabhakar.
They're the Indian equivalents of American mainstays Supergirl and Spider-Man’s Peter Parker, but they're just a small part of the growing Indian comic book industry.
That industry is more than mere translations of American comics. It’s a multilingual fantasyland, with themes ranging from mythology to humor to horror. In fact, Indian comic artists and graphic novelists say that there is hardly any room for Western superheroes today. This is clear to anyone who took in the comic offerings at February’s Comic Con India in New Delhi.
[Editor's note: Several of you inquired about the language of these comics in the comments. These comics are published mostly in English, while some are in Hindi and other local languages.]
Comic Con India, which is in its second year, was the brainchild of Jatin Varma, a comic book fan and the founder of alternative media house Twenty Onwards Media. Attending the more well-known San Diego comic book extravaganza came with a hefty price tag so Varma decided to bring the convention to him in 2011.
“We said let’s do something here,” Varma said. “Let’s do something for fans here despite comics being (a) niche in India.”
Comics may be a niche, but this year Comic Con India managed to draw 35,000 attendees and 80 participants, including comic vendors and creators, and it made more than $97,000. In addition to workshops, panels, cosplay (or costume play) and screenings, the event drew speakers such as “Fritz the Cat” creator Robert Crumb, The Comics Journal editor-in-chief Gary Groth and Drawn & Quarterly founder and publisher Chris Oliveros.
Though the convention is still in its infancy, the Indian comic book industry is certainly not new.
The reign of 'Amar Chitra Katha' and Hindu mythology
Indian comic books geared mostly toward children started to take off in the 1960s with titles such as “Amar Chitra Katha” ("Immortal Picture Stories") and "Chacha Chaudhary" ("Uncle Chaudhary," about an old man who uses his wits to fight crime) flying off the shelves.
Following a brief slump in the 1990s, a revival of sorts has happened in the last decade. More mature comic forms emerged, and domestic and foreign publishing houses are expanding into multiple genres, according to a recent report in the The Wall Street Journal.
Liquid Comics (previously known as Virgin Comics and owned by Richard Branson’s eponymous group) has released Indian fantasy titles such as “Devi,” which follows the adventures of a warrior goddess and is based on the mythological stories of the Hindu goddess Durga. Meanwhile, “The Rabhas Incident” by Level 10 Comics is a zombie tale that takes places in Bangalore (Bengaluru).
The king of the market is still “Amar Chitra Katha.” Founded by former engineer Anant Pai in 1967, these comics come in around 400 titles and have sold more than 90 million copies. According to Reena I. Puri, the current editor, Pai wanted to educate and “familiarize Indian children with stories from their heritage” in a format that would stick.
Why comics? “(T)here were lots of pictures, fewer words and the stories (were) communicated so much easily,” Puri said.
ACK Media’s best-selling and most profitable section is still mythology. These comics usually recount folklore from Hindu scriptures and include fables about the gods, their powers, their encounters with humans and their battles with evil.
Take the Sanskrit epic “Ramayana” ("Rama’s Journey"): In it, Prince Rama is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu whose wife, Sita, is abducted by a demon king Ravana, whom he (spoiler!) eventually kills.
Since these tales are considered moral and philosophical compasses for Hindus, Puri said it’s not surprising that mythological titles are in demand.
“Indian mythology belongs to a religion which lives,” she said. “It is not a dead mythology.”
There is a debate brewing between Indian comic book and graphic novel artists, young and old, about whether to move beyond the old-fashioned mythological themes.
Abhijeet Kini, a Mumbai-based comic book illustrator and animator who released his graphic novel “Chairman Meow and the Protectors of the Proletariat” (a Garfield-meets-Mao Zedong hero) at Comic Con India this year, said, “The problem here is that everyone is stuck in the mythological rut, every second comic that comes out is of a God, demons from our mythologies who are these superhuman beasts.”
Kini’s work mostly mines humor (he frequently draws for the satirical magazine Random), and for him, Indian society and its corruption, fanaticism about cricket and Bollywood are all comic book gold.
Other comic artists are keen to make Indian comics a force to be reckoned with internationally by releasing unexplored genres.
Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, a graphic novelist and illustrator whose works “Munkeeman” and “Widhwa Ma and Andhi Behen” ("Widow Mother and Blind Sister") were released at the convention, has also collaborated with Level 10 Comics on “The Rabhas Incident” series and worked with Joseph Calabrese on “The Eyes of Mara” graphic novel.
Chattoraj, who is based in Kolkata, said that urban Indian readers are more than ready for mature comic content, thanks to the changing media landscape. The infiltration of TV shows such as “The Walking Dead” and the rising acceptance of grown-up themes in Indian movies and TV have opened up all kinds of possibilities for comic artists.
“That is what ‘The Rabhas Incident’ tried to do,” Chattoraj said. “It was looking at zombies - something you did not associate India with.”
Some graphic novelists such as Sarnath Banerjee are interested in a more intimate portrayal of India. Banerjee is the author and illustrator behind the popular “Corridor,” which was released in 2004 and revolves around the interactions between the residents of Delhi and a shop owner. While Banerjee said that he does not have a problem with mythology, he feels it’s time to end the monoculture in comic books.
“A certain understanding of how society works within the tension of change will become a primary part of Indian comics,” he said.
What about the comics’ take on quintessential costumed superheroes? Nagraj (Snake King), by Raj Comics, probably comes the closest. Created in the late 1980s, Nagraj is a terror-weapon-turned-crime-fighter whose main power is hosting mystical snakes that can attack his opponents on command; his bite is filled with deadly venom.
Nagraj is a relatively popular character, but Varma said it is not easy for Indian superheroes to gain the same kind of following as the ones do in the United States.
“Superheroes are not possible in India,” he said. “Our reality is (so) stark for superheroes that it becomes unbelievable. That is why contemporary stuff, surreal stuff, abstract stuff is happening right now.”
And so the grass-roots movement for the Indian comic book industry grows. Artists, writers and publishing houses continue to experiment with some degree of success, which was clear with the appearance of a respectably sized horde of comic book aficionados at the latest Comic Con India.
For Varma, it’s a start.
“Our aim is to improve the comic culture in India, to have more comic fans because this is a country of (over) 1 billion,” Varma said. “When I say we had (for instance) 20,000 fans show up, that means nothing compared to the size of Delhi.”
Kini said that as an artist, a venue such as the convention, is a jumping-off point for harnessing the potential of the Indian comic book industry. “The new artists are great and you just wonder - what if it there was no Comic Con, no publication houses? Where would all that talent go?”


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In-store, customer-focused aids, including helping customers grab last-minute items, helped Wal-Mart Stores Inc. boost holiday sales and beat expectations with quarterly earnings.
“Walmart realized that in order to deliver value—and to help differentiate it from low-cost rivals—it also had to emphasize service,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail, in a Tuesday note. “From our own store visits, the greater availability of associates was noticeable, and there was far more activity on the shop floor with demos and entertainment helping to improve conversion rates among shoppers.”
U.S. Chief Executive Greg Foran on the post-earnings call highlighted a decline in wait times for the click-and-collect service, which allows customers to purchase items online and pick them up in-store. Same-day store pickup grew by 27% year-over-year, the company said.
Wal-Mart reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.30, beating the $1.28 FactSet consensus. Sales totaled $130.9 billion for the quarter, up from $129.7 billion last year but below the $131.1 billion FactSet estimate. Same-store sales for Wal-Mart U.S. rose 1.8%, ahead of the 1.3% FactSet consensus.
Wal-Mart shares closed Tuesday up 3%.
“As simple as these steps might be, they proved to be critical moves in terms of defending and growing share over the holiday season,” Saunders wrote.
Brick-and-mortar stores are fighting with e-commerce for sales as more shoppers opt to make purchases from home, and, specifically, shop with Amazon.com Inc.
Retailers with lots of store locations are also looking to leverage their value. Features like click-and-collect save on shipping costs and provide the opportunity to add items to a sale, for example.
“Solid Wal-Mart results [are] indicative of both execution and a healthy moderate customer,” said Cowen & Company in a Tuesday note. “We’re encouraged traffic was positive for the ninth consecutive quarter at a 1.4% increase year-over-year (on top of a 0.7% increase last year) as Wal-Mart continues to improve the shopping experience.”
Cowen rates Wal-Mart stock outperform with an $83 price target.
The health of the customer could be called into question if the proposed border-adjustment tax goes into effect. Retailers including Target Corp.
“Anything that would potentially raise prices on customers is a concern for us,” said Wal-Mart’s Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs during the Tuesday media call.
A delay in tax refunds could be an issue for Wal-Mart customers as well, which Foran said was partly responsible for “a slower start to the year.”
“This week will be interesting because of how tax refunds fall,” he said during the call.
“While margins overall softened slightly year-over-year, we anticipated this given Wal-Mart’s various strategic investments in, among other things, people, price and continued expansion online, and thus were well within our expectations, especially when also factoring in the highly promotional environment that was evident throughout the holiday season,” said Moody’s lead retail analyst Charlie O’Shea in a statement.
Buckingham Research expressed concerns over when Wal-Mart’s revenue growth will overcome the challenge of these investments.
“We expect Wal-Mart shares to trade slightly higher today on these results but the question that remains unanswered in our minds is when sales growth can overcome investment spending and translate into earnings growth,” analysts wrote. Buckingham Research rates Wal-Mart shares neutral with a $69 price target.
Though the investments are seen as a drag, analysts support the move, believing the long-term benefits will be worth it.
“We see this as sensible and aligned with the way Amazon sacrifices short-term profit for long-term gains—the difference being that Wal-Mart, even with these investments, remains a much more profitable entity,” said GlobalData’s Saunders.


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Segments From this episode
It's a small part of Kentucky's economy, but it plays a big role in politics.
The decline of chain restaurants coincides with the growth in income disparities.
Michael Astrue, a former Social Security commissioner, talks about how and where the backlog starts.
A panel of experts delve into what comes next for workers, companies and human resources departments.


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LG is showing off its new Smart TV concept over in Berlin at IFA with the promise of making internet-enabled TV viewing "Easy, Fun, More and Better". And to think, it probably paid some lucky marketing-guru a big pile of cash to come up with that slogan.
The LG Smart TV will feature a dashboard UI where all the apps will be displayed on one screen. To choose an app the viewer can use the Wii-style Magic Motion Remote Control to point and click on what they want.
LG has detailed a Yoga app, a first-aid app and a colouring-book app so far - we know, it's hardly pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.
There are more exciting apps like Facebook, Picasa, YouTube and the like on board as well though.
What is more exciting is LG mentioning that the Smart TV will feature Media Link - which, according to the press blurb means:
"Instant access to online videos and images, users can easily upload things they’ve created themselves. And with a smartphone, leaving the house doesn’t mean missing one’s favourite programme because content can be delivered wirelessly. Whether connecting to an iPad, PCs, personal media players or home theatre systems, LG is expanding the reach of entertainment to every part of people’s lives".
The LG Smart TV will launch in early 2011.
Keep your eyes firmly on Pocket-lint over the coming days for a hands on look at the LG Smart TV system - and all the other IFA news, direct from Berlin.


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Those curious about Tesla Motors, especially in the wake of its new California partnership with Toyota, don’t usually get a chance to see the company’s Roadster firsthand because of limited availability. A viewing of this pricey luxury electric car will soon be possible in various places around the country though via a just announced “Electric Summer Roadster Tour” across North America.
The Electric Summer Roadster Tour Web site, which will let interested parties see where the Roadster is showing up, at this point only shows a few locations where the vehicle will be shown. That being said, we assume Tesla will be announcing other locations in coming days, as the company’s announcement states that the car will appear “from Omaha to Buffalo, Seattle to Dallas” over the course of the summer.
At each tour stop, Tesla said, it will be answering questions about its Roadster and also offering test drives. Key highlights of this electric vehicle, for those unfamiliar with it, include going 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, using no gas as a fuel source, offering around 200 miles of driving on a single charge and fully recharging overnight at one’s home.
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This year, the world has seen millions of refugees fleeing war and persecution, many from Syria. Turkey is the largest host country with over 2.7 million Syrian refugees. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has been investigating how brands are taking steps to protect the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees who are working in Turkish apparel factories from abuse and exploitation. On the eve of the International Human Rights Day, Joe Bardwell argues that brands need to do more.
- The drive for lower costs and fast fashion leads to supply chain structures and practices that enhance the vulnerability of workers
- A few brands lead the way with action but abuse remains endemic as laggard companies do too little, too slowly
- Many orders are fulfilled in small sub-contracted workshops where exploitation is rampant
- Brands must consider how the business decisions they make drive exploitation in the far reaches of their supply chains
Many of us saw the Panorama documentary in October which exposed the plight of vulnerable refugees fleeing bloodshed in Syria into exploitative working conditions in Turkish clothing factories. We heard the story of two young children, Oday and Rasha, exhausted, working 60 hours a week, for pitiful wages, to support their family. Rasha said, “My work is so tiring. I would prefer to be in school with my friends like before. But it is forced upon us, we have no choice.”
That is the reality for many desperate families in the country, trying to find some semblance of a life. In Turkey, they have little access to healthcare or education and the vast majority aren’t able to work legally. But factory work gives them a life line even though they are vulnerable to exploitation.
The allegations in the programme came as a surprise for many but not for the advocates who have been working to stop this exploitation – including under-resourced, dedicated groups on the ground. Nor did they surprise some of the better high street clothing brands, who in 2016 have recognised there is a problem and want to ensure that the clothes they sell on UK high streets aren’t the product of this exploitation.
No company wants this in its supply chain, but few are taking adequate steps to rise to the challenge of stopping abuse – a major part of which is knowing where clothes are actually being made. Many orders are fulfilled in small sub-contracted workshops – where abuse and exploitation is rampant – and then fed into the bigger factories which have a relationship with a brand.
I saw these workshops for myself when I visited Istanbul in July this year. Walking down a seemingly residential street you notice the strip florescent lighting glaring from basement windows, you hear sewing machines, and you quickly become familiar with the chemical smells of the garment districts. Glancing through open windows and doors we saw young children in dangerous working conditions. In some areas, in every other building there is a workshop, easily 10 in a street, and then 20 more streets just like it.
In September, we surveyed 38 high street brands for the second time in 2016 on the steps they are taking to protect these vulnerable refugee workers. A few brands – including NEXT and New Look– lead the way with better policy and practice and a larger group of brands have begun to take positive steps. However, abuse remains endemic as laggard companies do too little, too slowly.
The increased scrutiny on the conditions for refugee workers in Turkey throughout the year has driven change. This includes from Primark which has increased its monitoring programme in reaction to the issues faced by refugee workers, and H&M which shifted its stance on the employment of undocumented workers from a zero tolerance approach to a pragmatic one which looks to support the refugee.
This targeted action is crucial. The refugee crisis is exceptional and needs a tailored response from business. But it is has also exposed weakness in the garment industry that are all too familiar. The drive for lower costs and fast fashion leads to supply chain structures and practices that enhance the vulnerability of workers, by pushing production to sub and sub-sub-contractors where oversight is limited or non-existent. And this isn’t just true in Turkey; problems exist wherever the global garment industry operates.
It is important that brands commit to continuing to source from Turkey, where access to work is a lifeline. Yet even the most ambitious action by brands to protect Syrian refugees will likely fall short, unless they are willing to look at how the business decisions they make drive exploitation in the far reaches of their supply chains. Only then will we see the step change we need to protect vulnerable workers in Turkey, and globally.
This blog was originally published on 9 December 2016 and has been curated to form part of The University of Manchester’s Migration Month.


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So someone out there made a little goof and claimed the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 did the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes, which is a pretty serious claim.
Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
HorsepowerKings reportedly said the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with the eight-speed automatic did a lap of the Green Hell in less than seven minutes, which makes it only two seconds slower than a Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach. A bit outlandish ain’t it, especially since Chevrolet’s been fairly quiet about it?
However, it turns out to be false since Chevrolet responded, saying the claim is false. This doesn’t seem all that unusual since Nurburgring lap times are held to a really high regard.
So far, Chevy’s only had a chance to run two videotaped laps of the ‘Ring, both times were rained out.
Ok, so the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 doesn’t run with the Porsche 918…but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fast.


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Chipmaker Micron Technology and storage specialist Western Digital (WD) are reportedly exploring their own individual deals to purchase the Japanese chipmaker, Kioxia Holdings Corp. According to a WSJ report, any deal struck between the Japanese brand and either company could raise its value to as much as US$30 billion (~RM124 billion).
Kioxia was previously a part of the Toshiba Memory division, but found independence in 2019. Sadly, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the global chip shortage it has caused, companies such as Micron and WD are seeking ways to keep afloat, even going so far as to considering acquiring another chipmaker. As a way of having more assembly lines open.
As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has utterly ravaged the world’s economy, with the chip-making industry being one of the most severely affected. The shortage of chips, unsurprisingly, has had a trickle-down effect; the most glaring of them being the ongoing CPU and GPU shortage in the PC industry, as well as the production of game consoles.
The automotive industry has also been feeling the pinch, as the lack of chips in their inventory is causing delays in their production of cars. Even Foxconn, the Taiwan-based chipmaker, announced recently that it has been affected, with its CEO even saying that it is likely that the issue will continue well into 2022.
(Source: Reuters // Image: Kioxia)


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NEW FAIRFIELD—The fifth-annual “New Fairfield Day” will be celebrated this Saturday, Sept. 16.
The day-long celebration will include a “Touch a Truck” event on Memorial Field, a family hike at the Great Hollow Nature Preserve, a veteran’s memorabilia display on the Veterans Green, children’s activities and a quilt art show at the Senior Center and various other events around town. Local businesses and clubs will also set up displays to raise awareness of what they do and many will offer special “New Fairfield Day” discounts.
A full list of participating businesses and activities can be found on the town’s website.
“The whole idea was to promote walking around downtown New Fairfield and get local businesses and clubs out to raise more awareness of what they do,” First Selectman Susan Chapman said. “I think its going to be our best year ever.”


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CEO Richard Turner receives the UK CEO Award for 2020!
We are proud to announce that this month our CEO, Richard Turner, has been featured in CEO Monthly and has received their UK CEO Award for 2020! Read, in their latest article, how Richard details the success of Tapiit Maritime and the company's two new exciting projects Tapiit Live and FlexiiLife.
It is great to see that Richard's hard work is paying off as his prominence in the maritime industry grows as an exciting figure bringing ground-breaking technologues and simple solutions.
Check out the article: https://www.ceo-review.com/issues/issue-8-2020/8/


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LAST UPDATED : Aug 17, 2019, 05:20 PM IST
- VG Siddhartha: From son of coffee planter to founder of India's biggest coffee chain
Son of a coffee plantation owner, V G Siddhartha created the Indian rival of Starbucks but his sudden disappearance and a letter by him alluding to pressures from a PE investor to buy back shares have left many questions unanswered.
- VG Siddhartha: Private man who built a massive consumer brand
Earlier this month, when a CEO of a realty firm ran into Café Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha and his son Amartya at Taj Lands End in Mumbai, Siddhartha told him how the Columbia Business School educated youth was warming up to business by learning how to deal with income tax related concerns. This perfectly conjures up the trials and tribulations of the ‘Bean king’ in recent months.
- CCD owner's forensic report confirms suicide theory: Police
According to Mangaluru police sources, water was found in Cafe Coffee DaY owner VG Siddhartha's lungs and his death was due to drowning. The forensic report corroborates the suicide theory. Siddhartha had gone missing from the Netravati river bridge near Ullal in Mangaluru on July 29 evening and two days later, his body was found floating in the river.
- Not in race to pick stake in Coffee Day Enterprises: ITC
Diversified group ITC on Wednesday denied that it was in the race to acquire Coffee Day Enterprises though it was approached for a deal. A report had said the Kolkata-based group having presence in cigarettes to hospitality and IT, is considering a bid to buy stake in the Coffee Day Enterprises that runs Cafe Coffee Day chain.
- Coffee Day mandates EY to investigate finances
The board of Coffee Day Enterprises (CDE) on Thursday appointed professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY) to investigate the circumstances leading to statements made in the letter supposedly written by former chairman VG Siddhartha. EY will also scrutinise the books of accounts of the company and its subsidiaries.
- Aware of reports questioning authenticity of VG Siddhartha's signature: Coffee Day
Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd on Tuesday said it is aware of reports questioning the authenticity of the signature on the purported letter written by late founder VG Siddhartha and is cooperating with regulatory authorities in this regard.
- Some Siddhartha loans may not burden family
A significant part of the personal borrowings between CCD founder VG Siddhartha and private financiers are said to have been collateral-free and unsecured which is why these transactions unlikely to devolve on his family. Experts believe his family would be liable only for any debt that they have co-guaranteed. His personal loans are said to be over Rs 3,500 cr.
- Date, treat & great loos: A generation recollects its Cafe Coffee Day moments
Meet me at CCD” has been the starting point of many conversations and relationships for over two decades now, be it among lovers looking for a private corner, young men and women checking out potential spouses or simply college students in search of free Wi-Fi and lounging space, no questions asked.
- VG Siddhartha's holding companies had over Rs 3,500 crore debt
Four private holding companies of VG Siddhartha, which held over 17% stake in Coffee Day Enterprises, had an additional debt of Rs 3,537 crore, of which over Rs 2,500 crore was borrowed since 2017, analysis of the index of charges data on the ministry of corporate affairs website shows.
- VG Siddhartha took fresh loans to pay back StanChart PE last year
Since Café Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha’s purported letter surfaced on Tuesday citing the pressure from “one of the private equity partners forcing me to buyback shares”, the role of these firms is increasingly being questioned by entrepreneurs and investors.
- Kannada actor Devaiah Kalakanda expresses shock on the untimely death of CCD founder VG Siddhartha
From Big industrialists to celebrities all expressed shock at the tragic death of the 'Coffee Man'. One among them is Kannada television actor Devaiah Kalakanda, who has acted in daily soaps like Maneye Mantralaya, Jojo Laali and Padmavathi.


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Hustlers never came inside. Healthcare workers never came inside. Homeless never came inside. Take-out restauraunt workers never ame inside. Hardware store workers never came inside. A lot of people never came inside during the pandemic, but we see different results from all of them. What's happeneing outside now that the weather is warmer?
Check out The Daily Gogetemism Show right now https://youtu.be/m1_kSEiR3co Watch it inside or outside. Call in at 319-527-6199 to comment live on the air.
Let's get into this.


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“Athletes, coaches and parents today are increasingly aware of the danger of concussion, and this awareness influences decisions about buying new and reconditioned football helmets,” wrote Udall, who last month initiated an inquiry into football helmets by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Athletes who have already suffered a concussion — as well as their coaches and parents — may be particularly susceptible to misleading marketing claims about helmet safety.”The helmet maker in question now is all eager to be transparent. Funny how often that happens so late in the game.
Anyhow, Schwarz has fun citing himself (a game not just for academics):
As parents and coaches have become increasingly worried about protection against concussions, claims by helmet manufacturers — often embellished by local sales representatives — have come under unprecedented scrutiny. An investigation by The New York Times, published in October, highlighted misinformation as well as lapses in helmet-testing protocol. Udall’s letter focused on helmet-company advertising.Insert suitable metaphor here of helmet-maker taking a blow to the head.


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In the media
- April 24, 2018 – First batch of Point version 2, already sold out ” Smarta larmbolaget Minut: Första upplagan är redan slutsåld” (Di Digital)
- Nov 24, 2017 – Swedish home security startup Minut raises $2.5 million, launches Kickstarter (Tech.eu)
- Nov 22, 2017 – The new version of Point, better and smarter “Smarta larmbolaget Minut: ”Vi ska bli störst i världen” (DI Digital)
- Jan 8, 2017—Swedish entrepreneurs at CES 2017 “Svenskar utmanar i Las Vegas” (SVD)
- Dec 1, 2016 —Launching partnership with Finland’s largest telco Elisa “Nordic Makers-bolag får finskt genombrott” (DI Digital)
- Nov 17, 2014 – Surveillance box alerts you to break-in noise at home (New Scientist)
- Nov 14, 2014 – “The Point Will Watch Your House While You’re Away” (TechCrunch)
- Minut was founded in August, 2014, by Nils Mattisson, Fredrik Ahlberg, Martin Lööf and Marcus Ljungblad.
- Minut is the first Scandinavian company to attend HAX, the world’s premier hardware accelerator.
- Minut employs people from Apple, Google, TAT, Axis, and the top universities in Sweden.
- Point launched on Kickstarter in November, 2014 and pledged $312,000. Almost 13x its original goal.
- Minut have shipped over 12,000 Points since January, 2016. An updated version of Point was released in July, 2018.


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Facebook, German publisher Axel Springer strike global cooperation deal
- Wall Street dips as Fed meet gets underway
- DraftKings (DKNG) Plunges as Hindenburg's Report Indicates Betting Company's Links to Black Market Operations
- U.S. retail sales take step back as spending pivots to services, trend remains strong
- Amazon (AMZN) Reiterated as Top Pick, Set to Pass Walmart (WMT) Overall in 2022 - JPMorgan
- ZoomInfo (ZI) Gains After Setting $2 Billion 2025 Sales Target, Analysts Positive
FILE PHOTO: The Facebook application is seen on a phone screen August 3, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/File Photo
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BERLIN (Reuters) - Axel Springer and Facebook said on Monday that they had agreed on a global cooperation deal under which content from the German publisher will be featured on the social network and its Facebook News product.
The agreement reels in the last big holdout in Germany after Facebook signed up a string of publishers in March to provide content for its local news product on terms the publisher of the Bild tabloid dismissed at the time as derisory.
Mathias Doepfner, CEO of privately-held Axel Springer, described the cooperation deal as "a strategic milestone for us as a publisher and for the industry as a whole".
"The relationship between content providers and platforms has now become fairer and more predictable for both sides," added Doepfner, who took Springer private in 2019 with the backing of private equity investor KKR.
Facebook's Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said: "In creating Facebook News and partnering with Axel Springer globally, we’ll be able to give people an even wider choice of reliable journalistic content across a number of news outlets."
Content from Springer's German titles Bild, Welt, Business Insider and Computer Bild will be distributed in Facebook News at its German launch, with car magazine Auto Bild to follow soon after.
In the United States, Axel Springer will deepen the existing cooperation between Business Insider and Facebook, while the millennial-focused financial news site may also include other national editions in Facebook News.
The agreement with Facebook includes registration-free access to a limited amount of paid content from Bild and Welt.
Springer's news aggregation unit Upday, which already curates Facebook News in Britain, will expand this role to include Germany.
The deal follows a turbulent few months that saw publishers around the world baulk at the terms offered by Facebook for news distribution, leading the social network to suspend operations in Australia until a compromise could be hammered out.
In objecting to the deal struck in March by other German publishers, Springer had said that it preferred to rely on European copyright rules that entitle publishers to receive an appropriate share of remuneration.
In Monday's statement, Springer and Facebook said their deal excluded future ancillary copyright for press publishers.
(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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It was only about a month ago when HMD Global announced that it would begin a beta program to deliver faster Android updates to its devices. Now, the firm has announced that Android 8.0 Oreo is officially available on the Nokia 8.
Juho Sarvikas, chief product officer at HMD Global, announced via Twitter that the company reviewed the feedback for Android 8.0 Oreo, made adjustments based on this feedback, and has now launched an official version of the OS for the Nokia 8. This is quite an accomplishment considering that the OS is still on only 0.3% of devices.
Although the Nokia 8 was the first handset to debut on the beta program, Sarvikas did state back in October that HMD Global's other handsets like the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6, would also be included in the beta for Android 8.0 Oreo. If you're a Nokia handset owner, you might want to check out the program in order to gain the added benefit of early updates.
Source: Juho Sarvikas (Twitter)


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Several startup companies have figured out a way to bypass Wall Street and legal regulations in a new, innovative way to raise huge amounts of money in order to launch their businesses.
A report in the Wall Street Journal outlines how two little-known companies together recently raised almost $400 million from investors in just a matter of days – and they did not do it through the traditional Initial Public Offering method.
The new fundraising method, called “Initial Coin Offerings,” is taking off like a rocket. WSJ reports that companies have raised over $1 billion using this method, so far this year – ten times the amount raised in 2016.
Two software startups – Dynamic Ledge Solutions, Inc., and Block.one – have raised about the same funds from investors as what other companies are averaging by going the traditional IPO route – and they’re avoiding the cumbersome rules and legal regulations that are attached to the IPO method.
On the downside, their success could attract great scrutiny from regulators, both in the U.S. and in other countries, WSJ noted.
When investors participate in a coin offering, they don’t receive any ownership in a company – they simply hope the coins will rise in value as the company grows. It is compared to buying a ticket to a game or Broadway performance months or even years before the show takes place, with the ticket possibly being worth much more later on that it’s original purchase price.
The Initial Coin Offerings are described as similar to “crowdfunding campaigns,” than a traditional securities offering. However, if the company tanks, the coins would be worthless.
The coin offering explosion has created tremendous grown in both bitcoin and ether, two virtual currencies which investors use to purchase coins.
Last weekend, Block.one reportedly raised $185 million worth of bitcoin and ether in its initial offering, while Dynamic Ledger raised about $212 million between the weekend and Thursday, WSJ reported.
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JUST IN: Jobs numbers exceed expectations for June


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When Robin McBride reflects on the growth of her company, McBride Sisters Wine, over the hectic, high-stress past two years, she lets out a deep sigh. “These have definitely been a very scary and challenging past couple of years. But we’ve grown so much during this time, in part because so much light has been shed on the importance of taking an interest in, and supporting, women-owned and Black-owned businesses.”
The largest Black-owned wine business in the country, Robin operates the company — which makes, among other vintages, the popular Black Girl Magic line of wine — with her sister Andréa. And in the face of these challenging times, the duo has created a model for how to use digital tools to build a more inclusive, welcoming wine world for drinkers across the globe, even during a global pandemic.
The open-arms attitude the sisters have toward community is rooted in their own story, which started when the siblings found one another as adults and began to see parallels between their continents-apart upbringing.
“When we met and learned that we both grew up in wine country — Andréa in New Zealand and me growing up in the Central Coast of California — that definitely put a little pin in ‘Hmm, what are the chances?’ That doesn’t feel like something that’s normal, particularly for little girls of color to have grown up in really agricultural areas that have a focus on wine.”
While getting to know each other, the pair spent weekends meeting up at wineries along the California coast, a choice that would lead to a business idea that would not only shape their lives but also redefine the boundaries of global wine stewardship.
“We encountered a lot of situations where it was assumed that we didn’t know much about wine, or that we couldn’t afford some of the wines. So, we started to say to ourselves, ‘Wow, it would be really great if we didn’t experience this.’ I started to think more seriously about what it could be like if we were able to teach people about wine and change how it’s delivered to consumers, and piece by piece, it suddenly seemed like, ‘We can actually do something here.’”
Robin and Andréa started McBride Sisters first as importers of New Zealand wines; then distributors; then producers of their own wines from New Zealand before opening up production in California. But by the early days of 2020, the McBrides had a new challenge, and used the global pause brought on by the pandemic to take a deep breath, assess the shifting sands of the wine landscape and tap into their creativity.
“We’ve been on the road for 15 years, basically, so sitting still for a little while really helped us to get those creative juices rolling and find out what people want, what’s valuable, and how people like to engage with wine,” says McBride. “Helping folks find the right wine — and food — for their every day, not just special occasions, has been really eye-opening.”
With so many people setting up Zoom cocktail hours or enjoying a glass of Rose while toasting a milestone virtually with family and friends, the power of online relationship-building came to the forefront for Robin and Andrea as they figured out how to provide new ways of creating meaningful connections that were wine-centric and digital. And that’s how the Black Girl Magic Wine and Book Club was born.
“Our Black Girl Magic line of wine has become very popular over the past couple of years, and we partnered with Simon and Schuster to do a book club where we match our wine with one of their new releases by black women authors,” McBride explains. “We have a club shipment for the wines that are paired with the story, and then we do virtual book club meetings where everybody gets to taste the wine and the author chit-chats with us. That has turned out to be something that I don’t think we would’ve done [if not for lockdowns], but it’s been a lot of fun.”
The first book-and-wine pairing included one bottle each of Black Girl Magic Riesling and Merlot, with an advanced-release copy of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton. The novel — which follows the winding career of afro-punk, avant-garde singer Opal and songwriter Nev — speaks to the sort of approach the McBrides have taken when building their business: forward-thinking, imaginative and unafraid to redefine a landscape desperately in need of expanded horizons. More recently, the book club celebrated the 20th anniversary of soul icon Patti LaBelle’s seminal cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, with a virtual sit-down chat at her home, plus pairings of Black Girl Magic Wines with the Grammy-winner’s most iconic dishes.
Finding novel ways to make wine more accessible has also resulted in quite a bit of restaurant industry collaboration. Because the McBrides are so keenly aware that wine should be enjoyed in a casual, everyday way — not gathering dust on a shelf in preparation for some once-a-lifetime event — it only makes sense that they’d play matchmaker between their wines and complementary recipes. In a free-to-download e-cookbook on their website, Robin and Andréa worked alongside celebrated Washington, D.C. recipe developer, Alex Hill, to create a wine-and-meal pairing guide called Rooted in Tradition, Remixed for Everyday Life. The handful of recipes — including a Thai coconut curry salmon paired with the McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay — takes all the guess work out of your next dinner party or bubbly brunch.
But the biggest digital-first wine accessibility effort so far by the McBride Sisters is their wine school, McBride Certified: Wine 101 with Robin and Andréa. This completely online course has helped flip the script on more traditional (and, let’s be honest, stuffy) wine education, appealing to both seasoned sippers searching for a social outlet and newcomers who might not know their tannins from their terpenes — yet.
“Wine education has always been something that my sister, Andréa, and I have really wanted to dig into because our demographic is not necessarily the traditional wine consumer, and they haven’t had a lot of confidence in the space of tasting wines, purchasing wines and furthering their own education. We’ve heard that a lot over the years,” explains Robin. “Plus, traditional wine education is expensive. If you’re going to go through a certification or take classes, it can be really, really pricey.”
The McBrides have created a welcoming, easy-to-follow, module-based course that not only helps participants learn more about the wines they’re sipping — and, in turn, more easily identify what they liked to drink and why — but creates a community of people upping their Chardonnay chops from all reaches of the globe.
“When we were all locked up in our homes [in April 2020] and decided that we were going to do a virtual wine school, we literally just started filming modules on different topics on our phones and created a Facebook [education] group online. The courses are taught by us, first person, as we walk through the main styles of wine, but then we also pair wine and their characteristics with celebrities and icons. So, we have wines that we’ve matched up with Prince and Beyonce and Grace Jones. It sounds silly to explain, but we hope that having a musical or cultural connection with celebrities and singers will help people better remember the wine information that they just learned.”
Turns out, Robin and Andrea were right: With a little bit of help from Prince and Beyonce, the wine school has been a smash hit. The sisters are approaching the final module of the program, which has seen over 15,000 people make their way through classes.
“It really took off on its own. We thought, ‘We’ll create these little videos and and talk people through the different kinds of wines…and we’ll choose wines and tell stories to make sure it’s not stuffy.’ I think we hoped maybe a few hundred people would think it was really cool, and in the future, we’d maybe do something a little bit more serious. But it’s really taken off organically.”
There’s also a playfully competitive, social element to the McBrides’ wine school that makes completing modules and moving swiftly through the coursework almost like a game. And at a time when people have needed alternative outlets for enrichment, creativity and connection, the wine school has proven to be just that.
“Each module has a quiz, so you go through the lesson, take the quiz and get a score. But we quickly saw that people were taking the quizzes and then posting it in the chat,” Robin laughs. “People have gotten really competitive, in a fun way, with their scores. It’s become a really communal place for people to learn about wine and talk about wine. It also turned out to be something that has helped us get through and stay connected.”
An ability to embrace change while pairing serious wine with a wink-and-a-nod to pop culture gives the McBride Sisters a distinct advantage in our modern drinking climate over many of the immovable, old school stalwarts of the wine world. Because as these companies stay stuck in outdated modes of thinking and drinking, the McBrides are creating an inclusive, diverse space where people feel comfortable being themselves in the world of winemaking and consumption.
“When we started in the wine business 17 years ago, a lot of times we didn’t feel welcome, quite honestly. We felt like outsiders, and uncomfortable in a lot of places because we didn’t look like anyone else around us. But it really gave us fuel to make sure that everybody feels welcome, regardless of their background and where they are in their wine journey. We want everybody to love wine like we do. It really is our mission.”
And as the wine industry continues to become a more wide-ranging, forward-thinking space for people at every stage of wine production — from vineyard owners to winemakers to distributors to wine critics — the legacy of the McBride Sisters as profoundly influential will only continue to grow.
“I think the last two years have really forced people to take a look at the future of wine and the future of the industry. And if you don’t create an industry that’s inclusive of the next generation of wine drinker, you’re not going to have an audience anymore. It’s a no-brainer from a business standpoint,” explains McBride. “I’m really happy with a lot of the effort and commitments that I’ve seen, particularly from the mature players. And I hope it continues. There are a lot of us holding each other and the industry accountable going forward.”


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Virgin faces online threat
Pressure from internet selling could drive Virgin Megastores to pull out of the music retailing business, according to reports.
The threat was issued by Simon Wright, chief operating officer of the Virgin Megastores.
It came just two days after EMI and Time Warner unveiled a £4.9 billion music joint venture, which they said would help them lead the way in selling music directly over the internet.
But Mr Wright was reported by today Financial Times as warning online record sales could kill high street record shops, if, as predicted, the internet takes 10% of the music market in the next five years.
'A 10% fall in CD sales as a result of the internet would be enough to make most retailers unviable,' he said.
He also said retailers needed a commitment from the music industry that they would not pull their support from traditional retailers.
'At the moment the view in Virgin is that the terms being offered by the record companies would not justify further investment in music,' the Financial Times quoted Mr Wright as saying.
Virgin Megastores already sell a raft of products aside from music including computers games and videos and the stores recently began selling mobile phones as part of Virgin's launch into the mobile market.
Sir Richard Branson's first business venture, the Virgin record label, is now part of the EMI Group and will be included in the joint venture between EMI and Time Warner Music.
EMI will hold 50% of the joint venture, but it also owns a 43% stake in HMV Media whose HMV music and entertainment stores are key rivals to the Virgin Megastores.
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Future market insights has announced the addition of the “Corrugated Wraps Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 - 2027" report to their offering.
Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2018 -- The global push for sustainable packaging and marketing solutions has led increasing awareness among consumers regarding the negative impact of certain packaging solutions on our environment. As consumer awareness continues to be on the rise, the shift toward recycled packaging and marketing solutions is expected to become conspicuous. Corrugated Packaging keeps vegetables and fruits fresh from the farm to store. Manufacturers of corrugated wraps offer a wide range of sustainable labels made from papers, post-consumer waste papers, dissolvable and re-pulp-able papers, among others. The demand for corrugated wraps is expected to grow with the rise in the number of eco-conscious consumers, across the globe. One of the key trends observed among consumers today is a higher preference for sustainable packaging. A lot depends on consumer sentiments regarding the impact of a packaging solution on the environment. Therefore, over time, more brand owners are expected to use corrugated wraps for their products, which will increase the chances of impulse buying among eco-conscious consumers. Corrugated wraps are manufactured using the eco-friendly material, and their production reduces the carbon footprint of the company. This is expected to boost sales of products such as corrugated wraps, at a time when there is a high demand for sustainable packaging solutions both from the supply-side and demand-side. Therefore, the outlook for the growth of the global corrugated wraps market is expected to be mostly positive during the forecast period.
Global corrugated wraps market: Dynamics
The global corrugated wraps is anticipated to grow on the backdrop of the global sustainable packaging market growth, during the next ten years, and beyond. The global corrugated wraps are manufactured using a variety of materials to suit various applications and markets. Moreover, manufacturers of corrugated wraps also offer custom services. The global corrugated wraps market can be applied on a variety of surfaces such as that of stainless steel, metal, cardboard, and glass, among others. Corrugated wraps cater to various end-use industries such as the food & beverages industry, and personal care & cosmetics industry, among others. Some of the key trends observed in the market are the use of soy-based inks and production of renewable paper & films with corn-based products. The growth of the global corrugated wraps market over the forecast period is hampered due to certain factors. For corrugated wraps to witness higher demand, more consumers need to be made aware regarding the advantages of sustainable packaging.
Request Report Sample@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6266
Global corrugated wraps market: Segmentation
The global corrugated wraps market has been segmented as –
On the basis of material type, the global corrugated wraps market has been segmented as follows–
Direct thermal paper
On the basis of end use, the global corrugated wraps market has been segmented as follows–
Visit For TOC@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6266
Global corrugated wraps market: Geographical Outlook
The global corrugated wraps market has been divided into seven main regions –
The Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APeJ)
The Middle East and Africa (MEA)
The North America corrugated wraps packaging market is expected to retain the leading position over the forecast period. This is attributed to a large eco-conscious consumer base in the region. The Western Europe region is also expected to witness sizeable demand for corrugated wraps, as brands look to make a move from conventional to sustainable packaging and labelling solutions. Growth in the APeJ region is anticipated to be gradual, during the next ten years, with India and China emerging as the hub for sustainable packaging solutions growth. The Latin America retail industry is still on the path to recovery from the effects of the recession of 2015. However, post-2020, the retail sector in the region is expected to gain momentum, resulting in more sales of packaged products with corrugated wraps.
Global corrugated wraps market: Key Market Participants
Few of the key market participants operating in the global corrugated wraps market are – Springfield Corrugated Box, Inc., Crown Technologies, Palmer Packaging, Inc., Willard Packaging Co., Antalis S.A. On Demand Packaging (Packsize), among others.


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The UK’s Textile Recycling Association (TRA) has urged fashion industry stakeholders to rally behind a new waste prevention programme outlined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
DEFRA last week published the proposals, which it said would “ramp up action on fast fashion and hold manufacturers accountable for textile waste”.
The TRA has given its backing for the programme – which details action across seven key sectors also including packaging, plastics and single-use items – and believes that a suggested Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme would go “some way” in making the industry more sustainable.
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — When President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating meat processing plants across the country to stay open, it got mixed views from lawmakers and labor unions.
With the national meat supply under threat, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is applauding the president’s decision to order meat processing plants across the country to stay open during the pandemic.
“In cold storage, there’s about two weeks’ supply. Beyond that, there’s a problem,” Grassley said. “The plants aren’t operating just because everybody’s sick. They’re not operating because people don’t want to come to work because they think they might get the virus.”
Last week, Tyson Food’s pork plant in Iowa became one of the largest operations to close after workers expressed safety concerns.
Workers across the country says conditions on assembly lines can make it nearly impossible to social distance.
To help ease fears, the Trump administration says more protective gear is on the way to meat processing plants.
“The only way you build that confidence is showing them that it’s going to be a safer place to work,” Grassley said.
But with thousands of plant workers already hospitalized by the virus and nearly two dozen dead, labor unions say confidence won’t return until there’s daily testing available and full paid leave for infected employees.
“This has to be done in a way that does not threaten peoples lives,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said.
Stabenow says while some companies are promising to step up, she’s concerned there isn’t enough federal oversight to ensure workers are protected.
“There needs to be federal oversight to make sure that in every plant, the right things are being done,” Stabenow said. “There’s a wrong way and right way to do this. I want to make sure we’re doing this the right way.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says the president’s order ignores the health and safety realities of this pandemic.
“If the Trump administration would make a national commitment to serious testing and worker protection, instead of a mindless mandate, we could bring this valuable sector of our economy back to life,” Durbin said.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson provided this statement to Nexstar on Wednesday:
“USDA is directing meat and poultry processing plants to operate in accordance with the CDC/OSHA Guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers to facilitate ongoing operations, while mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19. Accordingly, establishments will provide written documentation of mitigation plans for review by the USDA-led federal leadership team, which consists of representatives from USDA, DOL and CDC. The USDA-led federal leadership team will swiftly review documentation provided and work in consultation with the state and local authorities to resume and/or ensure continuity of operations at these critical facilities.”
Two senators, Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., called on the Federal Trade Commission to open an antitrust investigation into the meatpacking industry. They argue the industry is being dominated by just a handful of massive firms and the current set up in itself is a threat to the nations food supply.


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- blockchain projects and in traditional databases.
- Digital Asset continues to work with blockchain projects as well. On Thursday it announced a partnership with VMware’s blockchain initiative.
- The news comes less than four months after Blythe Masters, one of the biggest names in the blockchain industry, stepped down from her role as CEO of the company.
A blockchain company that no longer deals solely with blockchains.
Digital Asset made a name for itself as a leader in how distributed-ledger technology would be implemented on Wall Street when it burst onto the scene in 2014. Big-name backers, large funding rounds, and a former high-profile bank executive caused it to turn heads.
Five years later the industry is still considering how best to implement distributed-ledger technology. While nearly every Wall Street firm has invested resources into investigating blockchains, real-world applications of the technology beyond pilot programs have been largely nonexistent.
A research report from JPMorgan in January threw cold water on the technology, suggesting it was unlikely to re-invent the global payments system and only provide “marginal improvements”.
In the meantime, Digital Asset has plans for how its tech can be beneficial for firms outside of the blockchain.
Chris Clason, Digital Asset’s director of strategic alliances, told Business Insider many banks have shown interest in using DAML, the fintech’s programming language for developing smart contracts, for traditional databases they currently operate.
As a result, the company sees an opportunity for its technology to help more companies than just those working on blockchain projects. Firms don’t need distributed ledgers to recognize how they can benefit from using DAML. In early April the language was open sourced.
“Smart contracts in general solve one problem, which is: How do you coordinate workflows? How do get everybody to execute the same code that is participating in a workflow? That problem is actually independent of the underlying storage,” Clason said. “Databases are essentially everywhere in business, so it makes sense to leverage existing databases as the storage backbone might be able to accommodate DAML itself.”
To be clear, Digital Asset very much still sees a market in working with distributed ledger-based initiatives. On Thursday the startup announced its partnership with software company VMware and its blockchain project. Instead of pushing to grow its own ledger, as is the case with many companies in the space, Digital Asset instead wants DAML to work with a variety of blockchains.
Working with VMware also presents a unique opportunity, as it has many clients outside of financial services, where Digital Asset got its start. DAML is not specific to Wall Street, thus the partnership is a chance to further expand its reach.
“For DAML to be successful, it has to be something that works across the industry. It needs to interoperate with other ledgers” Shaul Kfir, co-founder and chief technology officer at Digital Asset, told Business Insider. “Our goal is to make all of the other ledgers as successful or better than our own.”


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The Supreme Court said Tuesday that it will consider a patent case between LG Electronics and a group of Taiwanese companies, including Quanta Computer, according to Reuters.
The case could have far-reaching implications on the computer industry because it would determine whether patent holders can receive royalties from various companies as the product moves its way through the manufacturing chain.
LG claimed that the companies infringed on its patents on microprocessor chips in its computers. But Quanta and the other Taiwanese companies said LG licensed its technology to Intel, which made microprocessor chips that it sold to the companies.
The … Read more


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BusinessWeek this week has an article, "Just Say No To Drug Reps" about the growing number of schools that train doctors to resist pharmaceutical pitches from well-trained, slick sales people. Schools with such programs include Georgetown and Mt. Sinai.
According to the article, research shows that "A doctor who spends just one minute with a sales rep typically ends up prescribing 16% more of that rep’s product than he or she was prescribing before. And a four-minute encounter is likely to prompt a 52% jump in prescriptions."
Using proceeds from a legal settlement, medical schools have $21 million in grant money to teach students how to handle the sales pitches as well as patients who ask for specific prescriptions based on ads they have seen in the media.
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An artificial spike in new car sales is likely towards the end of the year, says industry watcher Glass’s.
The price guide chief car editor, Jayson Whittington, said, “Consumer confidence as measured by GFK’s market research survey is reported to have dropped by 11 points in July, which is the sharpest fall in 26 years.
“Clearly consumers are reporting high levels of concern at the general economy which is likely to lead to a more conservative approach to the consumption of big ticket items. The Bank of England have put in place measures to prevent further decline in the UK’s economic outlook by reducing interest rates to an all-time UK low of 0.25% and recommencing a programme of Quantitative Easing.
“Despite high levels of uncertainty it is not expected that registrations in 2016 will fall below the level seen last year. Deals currently available remain extremely attractive and could even improve further.
“There is also a likelihood that tactical registering of unsold units will become even more prevalent towards the back end of the year.”


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4K Media has inked a theatrical distribution deal with Mexico-based Cinépolis for Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions in Latin America.
Cinépolis will release the movie in ten countries throughout Latin America, with a two-weekend run of two screenings per day on April 22, 23, 29 and 30. Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions has already opened in theaters across Japan, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, San Marino, Monte Carlo, Germany, Austria, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
The movie features new designs and an all-new story from the original creator of the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand, Kazuki Takahashi.
Kristen Gray, the senior VP of operations and business and legal affairs at 4K Media, said, “We are pleased to partner with Cinépolis to bring Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions to loyal fans in Latin America who will now be able to immerse themselves in the full theatrical experience of the film.”
Miguel Riveria, the VP of film programming at Cinépolis, added, “We are excited to bring the latest installment of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise to Latin America, as we know there is a strong and growing fan base eager to engage with the brand. We look forward to working closely with 4K Media and continue the success of the film.”


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Pizza Hut is backing the launch of its new Cheesy Bites pizza with an online campaign from Elvis Communications. It is the first time the company has supported a launch with significant online activity.
Elvis has developed an online game called the Cheesy Bites Challenge to raise awareness of the new pizza. Players score points by grabbing bites from a Cheesy Bites pizza with top scorers winning a free pizza.
The launch will also be supported in all UK restaurants with point of sale activity, as well as a Cheesy Bites spinning pizza game.
Last month, Marketing Week revealed that Pizza Hut was to become the first UK brand to launch a channel on social networking site YouTube (MW October 26). The company is using the channel, Top That TV, to promote the Cheesy Bites pizza.


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With his roles in X-Men: First Class and Prometheus, we’ve already seen Michael Fassbender elevate genre works that have problems at their core to something greater than they would have been without his magnetic presence. And with his starring roles in Steve McQueen’s Hunger and Shame, we’ve seen the soaring heights that a movie can reach when they focus on the actor as their main subject. But does Fassbender have what it takes to step into the murky waters of video game movies and come out the other side without any stink on him? According to a report from Variety, we’re soon going to find out.
There have been some video game movies that aren’t that bad in the past. The Resident Evil series certainly has its fans, and voices have sung the praises of Silent Hill here and there, but we’ve yet to see a movie based on a video game break out of the video game movie ghetto and be widely considered a great film overall. Ubisoft is hoping they can change that. We reported last year that they had interest in turning their “Assassin’s Creed” and “Rainbow Six” video game franchises into feature films, and it’s looking like that wasn’t lip service. Their efforts are starting to bear fruit.
The company has started a new wing, Ubisoft Motion Pictures, which they plan to use to independently produce movies based on their video game franchises. This is a setup that will not only allow them to maintain creative control over their properties, but also allow them to save money on visual effects by using in house studios to do the work.
First up on their slate is Assassin’s Creed, a story about a bartender named Desmond Miles who learns that he comes from a long line of deadly assassins, gets kidnapped by the Knights Templar, and is thrown into a time travel adventure that involves the collection of mystical artifacts. While Ubisoft has yet to hire a screenwriter to turn the basic plot of their game into something more serviceable for the big screen or a director to steer the ship, the big news is that they’ve already signed Fassbender to star as the story’s protagonist.
UMP CEO Jean-Julien Baronnet said of the hiring, “Michael Fassbender was our first choice,” and went on to elaborate that the reason they chose the Englishman is that he’s, “an extremely smart, talented, versatile and committed actor.” That’s a hard stance to argue with, and the fact that the fledgling film company has shown such great taste with their first big decision speaks volumes for this project’s potential.
But, in order for Assassin’s Creed to truly break out of that video game ghetto and be seen as something other than the next Prince of Persia, they’re going to have to use the same good judgment when it comes to finding the screenwriter and the director. Do you think Ubisoft has it in them to keep the ball rolling? Is Assassin’s Creed the right story for Fassbender to choose as his foray into the video game world? And, perhaps most importantly, who are the filmmakers who could make this time travel adventure story really sing? Perhaps we can convince Nicolas Winding Refn to bring some of that period-based brutality that he showed us in Valhalla Rising to this project. Or is that shooting too high? Certainly Gore Verbinski would ask for a budget larger than UMP could swing. Hmm…


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Lost or stolen money or possessions, debit and credit card currency conversion fraud or missing a flight is costing Australian travellers almost $1 billion each year, with new research revealing that money theft is the number one cause of money misadventure.
Web retailer Amazon has announced the launch of Amazon Cash, with the service being aimed squarely at those who want digital cash for transactions but have no means of topping up online.
Payments provider Tyro is partnering with digital payment solutions company Afterpay in a deal which will see Afterpay’s deferred payment plans spread across thousands of small businesses through Tyro’s EFTPOS platform.
What an incredibly stupid person Dutton is. This is like trying to hold paper manufacturers responsible for what is printed[…]
Morally bankrupt of Dutton to use the innocent as a prop to justify fascism.
How are those children in detention going Dutts?Being called morally bankrupt by Dutton is high praise indeed.I yearn to be[…]
So the same government and their cheerleading mainstream media proclaiming to emphasise cybersecurity as a major issue all Australian citizens[…]
What a great outpouring of sympathy for exploited children from the being he who banished child refugees to off shore[…]


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Potomac businessman gets initial OK for gallery sewer hookup
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Potomac business owner and art collector Mitchell Rales won unanimous approval in a nonbinding vote by the Montgomery County Council to allow him to build a gallery with a sewer connection instead of being part of a septic system, the Washington Post reported.
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Starbucks is coming to Caledonian Road – but independent rival insists: ‘They don’t frighten me’
- Credit: Archant
The chain store takeover of Caledonian Road continues. Coffee giant Starbucks has confirmed it will open a new shop across the road from Caledonian Road Tube station this month.
It’s a sign of the continued gentrification of the Cally’s northern end. In recent years, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Costa have all opened around the Underground station.
Metin Gok is owner of the independent Kafeteryam sandwich bar next to the station exit. With Starbucks opening directly across the road, and Costa two doors down, he is now in competition with multinational giants.
But he is ready for the fight.
“I don’t feel it will affect me,” he told the Gazette. “We do coffee, they do coffee. But we have a different clientele compared with all the chains around here. We specialise in coffee but also custom-made sandwiches. It’s not a place where you grab something off the shelf. We have a personal touch.
“I have been here since 2009, and I have seen all the chain businesses – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Costa, Nisa and now Starbucks – come in. So it doesn’t frighten me at all. Even if another chain came in after Starbucks, I wouldn’t worry.
“In any case, I’ve always believed in the fact that competition among businesses is healthy.”
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Metin even suggested chain stores are a welcome addition to the Cally.
“Since 2009, Caledonian Road has developed in many areas,” he said. “Not just with shops but also things like student accommodation. It’s a positive. Compare it now to what it was in 2009. It was a ghost town. No one was about.”
Starbucks could not give an opening date for the shop, which is nearly fitted out.
A spokesperson said: “We are excited to confirm that we will be opening a new Starbucks store on Caledonian Road in August – directly across from Caledonian Road Tube station – so we are looking forward to bringing our great coffee to local residents and those travelling through.
“Together with our licensed partner, Arabica Coffee, the new store will create 15 new job opportunities. We’ll be kicking off on opening day with live music, coffee tastings and goody bags for the first 100 customers.”


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Rave Restaurant Group Inc. said same-store sales at its fast-casual Pie Five concept fell 13.7 percent in the second quarter ended Dec. 24.
The Dallas-based company, which also owns the Pizza Inn buffet concept, said its net count of Pie Five units fell by three in the second quarter, with five of the brand’s restaurants closing and two new ones opening.
“We continue to see an opportunity to take advantage of growth in areas such as delivery, cauliflower pizza crusts and shareable pizzas, with the goal of increasing frequency among our loyal guest base," said Scott Crane, Rave CEO, in a statement.
Crane said Rave was streamlining its business by discontinuing its own Norco distribution division and using third-party suppliers and distributors of food, equipment and supplies.
"Our new, simplified approach to supply chain management provides more transparency and efficiency for our franchisees,” Crane said. “It has also provided us opportunities to make reductions in general and administrative costs.”
The company said the sale of food, equipment and supplies will no longer be recognized as revenue and the cost of such items will no longer be included in cost of sales. The company now recognizes incentive revenues received from third-party suppliers and distributors as revenue.
For the second quarter, the company reported that revenue declined 38.1 percent, to $4.2 million, compared to $6.8 million in the same quarter last year. The company trimmed its net loss to $7.3 million from $7.9 million in the prior-year period.
The company reported a loss of 4 cents a share for the second quarter compared to a loss of 74 cents a share a year ago.
"By all indications, we have a solid plan in place that is driving improvements to profitability of continuing operations and lowering overhead expenses,” Crane said. “As we simplify our business through the outsourcing of our supply chain and distribution business, as well as reducing our corporate store footprint, we will lessen our overall financial exposure and improve the stability of our business model."
Pizza Inn domestic same-store sales increased 2.7 percent in the quarter, the company reported.
In December, Rave introduced a new Pizza Inn Express kiosk for non-traditional locations.
Crane said it was a complementary offshoot of Pizza Inn that could go into convenience stores, airports or entertainment venues.
“Convenience stores are a $575 billion industry with 70 percent of sales attributed to in-store purchase,” Crane said. “This new concept allows Pizza Inn to diversify its footprint and is a great way to reach new customers in a faster setting, while still serving the same iconic, quality pizza our guests have come to expect."
During the quarter, the number of Pizza Inn domestic units declined to 156, while international units increased to 62.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless


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BMW i Ventures Group Names President, Locates Offices in NYC
BMW has announced some progress on the launch of its i Ventures spin-off. The company has named BMW Financial Services CEO Edward Robinson as its president, and has announced plans to open an "incubator laboratory" office in New York City. Robinson will continue in his current role in addition to working for i Ventures.
i Ventures is a BMW-backed investment firm dedicated to developing new transport ideas and technologies for big cities. It was launched in February concurrently with the i sub-brand, which is focused on environmentally friendly vehicles. The i brand will develop the i3 electric car and the i8 plug-in hybrid, both of which are scheduled to launch by 2013.
The i3 is the development of BMW's earlier MegaCity concept, a full-electric hatchback aimed at efficient and sustainable transport, while the i8 is a coupe-like, "sporty" plug-in hybrid almost identical to the EfficientDynamics Concept from 2009. They will employ aluminum chassis and carbon-fiber construction to reduce weight. We spotted BMW testing the i3 and i8 near the Arctic Circle, proving the two eco cars are moving swiftly through the company's development process.
With $100 million in initial funding, i Ventures has already funded the launch of a mobile application called MyCityWay. It lets users locate nearby public transport, parking, restaurants, and other services in over 40 cities worldwide. The New York-based incubator space will help other startups develop similar technologies. An advisory board will help guide investments; the first member appointed is Josh Rubin, entrepreneur and founder of the blog Cool Hunting.
Citing the grandiose goal of "increasing the freedom of mobility of individuals" in large cities, i Ventures is focused on developing technologies "not exclusively related to automobiles." It's unclear exactly what ideas that will generate, but it seems the goal may upset the workers currently building BMW's many cars.
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On Thursday, 21 November 2019, Nedbank announced that it has partnered with Mara Phones to make thousands of SA-made, world-class Android smartphones available to its clients.
Mara Phones, a division of the Mara Corporation, recently launched the first African-based smartphone-manufacturing factory in Kigali. President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the second factory in Durban on 17 October 2019. Each factory has a capacity to produce a few million smartphones units per year.
“We are exceptionally pleased that Nedbank has come on board to partner with Mara Phones, thereby enabling South Africans an opportunity to procure and acquire high quality and affordable smartphones. Our aim is to increase smartphone penetration on the continent by providing problem-solving, tailored solutions to our customers and partners. This partnership strengthens our vision to change the narrative by demonstrating that Africans can produce high-quality tech products” says Chair of Mara Phones, Ahuti Chug.
Ahuti continued, “Mara Phones is committed to enhancing and enriching the lives of the people of Africa by making smartphones more affordable to all. The importance of quality and affordable smartphones cannot be overstated as they enable connectivity and efficiency. It is part of Mara Phones vision and strategy to partner with financial institutions to offer solutions to consumers, truly Made in Africa solutions”.
According to Ciko Thomas, Group Managing Executive for Nedbank Retail and Business Banking, the partnership resulted from Nedbank’s recognition of the close alignment of the Mara Phones philosophy with Nedbank’s purpose to use its financial expertise to do good.
“Like Nedbank, Mara Phones is committed to leveraging technology to enable financial inclusion and enhanced education, healthcare and agriculture outcomes in South Africa and across Africa,” Thomas explains, “and through this transaction, the ability of both organisations to deliver on this vision will be significantly enhanced”.
“As a bank that is absolutely committed to economic inclusion and development in South Africa, Nedbank is excited at this unique opportunity to put a top-quality, proudly South African mobile device in the hands of our clients,” Thomas says, “thereby helping them to see money differently and become even more effective at managing their finances.”
Edited by Jenna Delport
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