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How small distilleries solved a big breakdown in rural communities’ supply chain when it mattered most
By Scott Thomas Anderson
Towns across the Sierra foothills may never think of the slogan “buy local” the same way again.
That’s because a group of locally owned distilleries managed to solve a dangerous breakdown in the supply chain as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. Innovating on the fly, the distillers used their vodka, whiskey and gin operations to make gallons of medically approved hand sanitizer, which they gave to health care workers and first responders who were beginning to run out.
As the coronavirus continued to spread, the distillers then offered their new sanitizer to anxious and at-risk shoppers facing empty store shelves.
Now, as profits for Amazon, Target and Walmart soar—and revenues for many small businesses fall off a cliff—one thing is clear to rural residents living between Jackson and Nevada City: In a moment of uncertainty, it wasn’t national brands such as Purell who kept their communities safe, it was business owners from their own backyards.
Rooted at home
Anchoring a distillery in the California Mother Lode takes a leap of faith. Two years ago, Dan Kennerson and Jon Dorfman took that leap when they opened South Fork Vodka far from the state’s commercial hubs and distribution centers. The partners had worked together before, conducting ethanol research for the U.S. Department of Defense, which led to a breakthrough in their understanding of extracting fusel oil from corn.
In 2018, Kennerson and Dorfman decided to wield their discoveries in chemistry and physics toward creating something for the celebratory side of life. They also decided to launch that project where they both grew up in Nevada County. Locals were excited. What the duo is distilling is a GMO-free vodka made from gluten-free corn and pure mountain water, all run through a signature fusel oil control process. The result is seriously calm, surprisingly clean vodka with a distinct taste of glacial ice.
Getting a distillery off the ground isn’t easy, but South Fork quickly found support from its surrounding business owners. One of the oldest saloons in Nevada County, the Golden Era, offered to highlight the vodka to the thousands of visitors coming through. Friar Tuck’s and the Chief Crazy Horse Saloon, two of Nevada City’s biggest tourist draws, soon did the same. Cirino’s in Grass Valley even made South Fork Vodka the new cornerstone of its nationally famous Bloody Mary.
Kennerson says all this local support helped springboard his label to becoming the top-selling vodka in northern California in 2019.
Sixty miles south in the Gold Country, Cris Steller was having his own success with the Amador & Dry Diggins Distillery. Steller is a spirits enthusiast who worked around the tequila industry before founding the Dry Diggins in 2012. He based the distillery in El Dorado Hills and, a few years later, took over the Amador Distillery across the county line in Jackson.
Steller’s team now produces more than 25 different labels of whiskey, gin, brandy, rum, vodka and liquors. Their emphasis on a steady, well-timed aging process has led to lead some triumphs, including the crisp, delicately spiced melon reflections of its Engine 49 straight bourbon whiskey.
While Dry Diggins bottles are starting to appear on store shelves alongside heavyweights such as Clyde Mays and Basil Hayden, Steller has stayed focused on connecting with customers in El Dorado and Amador counties through tastings and tours at his facility, which is set on the edge of the rolling ranchlands near the counties’ border.
Steller says a lot of the regular faces who come through the doors are law enforcement officers or first responders. That factored into his decision-making when the COVID-19 catastrophe hit. So did Steller’s work with the California Artisanal Distillers Guild. He’s a founding member and has worked with distillers across the state. That includes the team at Gold River Distillery in Rancho Cordova, which would soon help coordinate his efforts as the coronavirus drama unfolded.
The backyard buttress
South Fork Vodka’s team was fully invested in the concept of local synergy, so when it got a call from Sierra Memorial Hospital in Nevada City, it knew things were serious.
Hoarding and panic-buying had led to the hospital running alarmingly low on hand sanitizer. The same thing was happening at the sheriff’s office, the police station and the local firehouses.
Researchers are still trying to determine how transmissible COVID-19 is on surfaces, but maintaining clean hands has been a primary guideline for self-protection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thoroughly washing hands often is considered the best practice, though hand sanitizer is the main backup when soap and water aren’t available. That situation constantly comes up for law enforcement officers and firefighters on emergency calls. Many experts also recommend using sanitizer to disinfect frequently touched objects and work spaces.
Sierra Memorial’s staff asked if Kennerson and Dorfman if they’d consider using their vodka stills to help. The two didn’t hesitate to get a formula from the World Health Organization and figure out how to make hand sanitizer. As South Fork’s five-employee team went into action, it learned that law enforcement, firefighters and senior care facilities from Chico to Auburn were also running low.
“We heard from the Apple Ridge senior care facility, and they were very concerned,” Kennerson remembered. “In the beginning, we were trying to prioritize getting the sanitizer we were making to those who were most at-risk.”
Meanwhile in Amador County, Steller was becoming aware of the same meltdown in the supply chain. He watched the news as coronavirus patients disembarked from the Grand Princess cruise ship in Oakland, but the gravity of the situation didn’t fully set in until Steller dropped by his regular janitorial supply store.
“I went in to buy cleaning products and everything was sold out,” Steller said. “I asked them, ‘Well, when will you have more?’ and they said maybe in July. I realized, that’s insane.”
He added, “A lot of production is so centralized now that, even before they shut down the state, you could see where this was going.”
“Early on, even we had trouble getting hand sanitizer. They stepped in and filled the void.”Bob Hartmann, deputy public health officer for Amador County
Steller and his head distiller Casey Newman studied the formula from health experts and made their first batch of sanitizer five hours later. Dry Diggins quickly started supplying local health workers and first responders, as well as Sutter Amador Hospital, Marshall Hospital, senior care facilities and Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Bob Hartmann, deputy public health officer for Amador County and a member of its COVID-19 emergency team, says he’s impressed by the community service that Dry Diggins has provided.
“We have bottles of it here in the emergency office command center and we use it to sanitize our work spaces, so it’s been a real benefit to us,” Hartmann told SN&R. “Early on, even we had trouble getting hand sanitizer. They stepped in and filled the void. And what they’ve made hits all the quality metrics.”
While Dry Diggins and South Fork Vodka each had the equipment and chemistry skills to create desperately needed sanitizer, both were experiencing roadblocks from the very supply chain they were trying to fix. Small bottles and compression pumps for bottles were almost impossible to order. For a while South Fork was hand-filling its sanitizer directly into regular glass vodka bottles.
“There are times a compression pump is worth its weight in gold,” Kennerson noted.
Other distilleries in northern California had to overcome similar obstacles to create hand sanitizer, including J.J. Pfister Distilling Co. in Sacramento, which has worked to get some of its bottles to those in homeless camps, and Savage & Cooke distillery in Vallejo, which quickly hired out-of-work bartenders and servers in early March to help get its sanitizer to the masses.
Eventually, South Fork was confident that it could continue supplying sanitizer to all of the health workers and front line responders in Nevada, Placer and Butte counties. But there was still the problem of sanitizer constantly selling out in those areas, especially at larger grocery chains. Kennerson and Dorfman started selling their new sanitizer through smaller, locally owned businesses—the fastest deals they could strike to get it to the public. Stores including SPD Markets in Grass Valley, Bonanza Market in Nevada City and 1-Stop Market in Auburn are all carrying it now.
Steller also knew his friends at Gold River Distillery were having success producing small, personal use bottles of sanitizer so he decided to refer all the people calling him for that size to Gold River, while his team would focus on bottling larger quantities for businesses and organizations. Dry Diggins has been producing 100 to 300 gallons of sanitizer a day and is currently selling 1 to 275-gallon totes at the distillery.
Steller believes he’ll be making hand sanitizer until at least the end of the year. “Our so-called new normal is going to include using this,” he said. “And from what we’re hearing, the regular market won’t be able to keep up with demand.”
J.J. Pfister Distilling is also selling hand sanitizer directly to the public through its website.
As of two weeks ago, Nevada, Placer, Amador and El Dorado counties had begun reopening most businesses that deal with customers face to face. Making that happen means keeping work places as clean as possible. Thanks to the distilleries that jumped in at the right moment, some degree of stress has been alleviated.
“I’m just glad we were in a business that put us in a position to help in a time of need,” Kennerson said. “And the community gratitude we’ve gotten in return has been phenomenal.”
It has been a similar experience for Steller.
“It feels good to have kept busy through all this,” he said, “while still doing something meaningful.”


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That would then meet up with a rover to be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA ... Perseverance also carries the Mars Ingenuity helicopter, a small drone designed for first-ever self-powered ...
We bring together the very latest drone news from hundreds of sources across the web! Product releases, reviews
& videos combined with help on finding some of the very best drone deals from stores and online outlets!
Constantly updated through the day - every day -
the site has everything for the beginner right right through to the seasoned drone professional!

domain: news


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The world's leading medical marijuana company, Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC) just revealed the fourth quarter's finances, and the notion confirms its status as a top dog in this new industry. The results are particularly important because they include the first six weeks of sales from Canada's new marijuana leisure market. Before buying shares in this top cannabis company, here's what you should know.
1. Still the Great Kahuna
When Top Competitor Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB) reported quarterly results earlier this week, it said it had a recreational market share of 20% and that recreational revenue was 21
Revenues of $ 83 million were 54% higher than Aurora Cannabis' haul. In the past, Canopy Growth estimated its medical market share to exceed 30%, and it appears to be performing even better in the recreational market. Using Aurora Cannabis 20% Recreational Market Share and its CA $ 21.6 in Recreational Sales, we can estimate total recreational sales were somewhere around $ 108 million. Canopy Growth's recreation turnover was US $ 57.7 million, so with that backdrop math math, there was a large proportion of the estimated market for adult use last year.
2. Product mix is better
In the same quarter last year, Canopy Growth sold 2,330 kilograms of marijuana. In Q4, it sold 10,102 kilos – an increase of 335%.
Most importantly, there was a lot of marijuana it sold, as products with high margin. In particular, oils and soft gels accounted for 33% turnover in the period, up from 23% last year. In the medical marijuana market, these products represented 42% of sales. They accounted for 30% of the recreational market revenue.
Increasing revenue from oils and soft gels, as well as the ability to sell vapes, beverages, and edibles in Canada at some point, should help improve gross margins. After adjustments for non-cultivated subsidiaries and tax quotas, the gross margin was 40% last year. It's low compared to peers, but Canopy Growth believes that as new facilities ramp to scale and value-added products launch, the margin will evolve over time. By comparison, the Aurora Cannabis gross margin was 54% in the last quarter.
3. US strategy remains on track
In January, Canopy Growth announced that it had been licensed to process port products in the New York state. It plans to invest up to $ 150 million to become an anchor owner in a hemp-focused industrial park in a location to be determined. In the earnings conference, the company called investors that it has identified the location of this industrial park and negotiations are ongoing.
The management is not betting on what could be the first hemp-derived products to be launched in New York, but they suggested that pet and human health and wellness products be targeted and that, if everything goes as planned, The first of these products may be available in New York by the end of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.
As far as plans to expand to other US states, CEO Bruce Linton said at the conference call with investors it will be "sooner than later" , but he added, "It will depend on politics."
Todd Campbell has no position in any of the aforementioned shares. His clients may have positions in the aforementioned companies. Motley Fool has no position in any of the aforementioned shares. Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Bulgari Hotels & Resorts recruits EUHT StPOL students for its new opening in Dubai4 May, 2017
The students of the Master in Hospitality Management present their final projects31 May, 2017
Mapal Software has developed “GirNet” an online tool specialized in organized restaurant business
The students of the Master in Hospitality Management have received a theoretical-practical class on business intelligence. Carlos Gamallo, commercial, marketing, sales, and communication director of Mapal Software has imparted it.
Camayo has spoken about “GirNet” a product specialized in the organized restaurant business that is succeeding among great brands such as La Tagliatella, Udon, Ginos… In addition, it used by recognized chefs like the ones of BarriAdrià. Mapal Software is also expanding their product in countries like Poland or USA.
“GirNet” is an online tool that has been created to manage restaurants Back Office. It applies scientific and mathematic approach and business knowledge due to optimizing difficult tasks that are usually done by Microsoft Excel or without technologies.
EUHT StPOL students have tested the tool during the session. First, Carlos Gamallo has explained how the product was created emphasizing that “GirNet” is a Spanish startup project that has grown progressively. He has also explained to the students how does the tool work at professional sector.
On the other hand, the students have practiced with the tool. They have done a sales forecast and have organized a restaurant turn. Finally, the professor and the students have compared the results of the “GirNet” tasks with the handmade ones.
Gamallo says that “it is so important to teach methodologies like “GirNet” at educational centers like EUHT StPOL”. He thinks that it is fundamental for the students to know the technological facilities they have in the work atmosphere.
The students have appreciated the visit of Carlos Gamallo. “I think has been very interesting to know the existence of a program like this and the possibility of planning a shift in half an hour instead of a week like we are used to”, says Elena Gobetti, a student from Italy.


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Cadillac Fairview Sherway Gardens recently announced the launch of an outdoor drive-in movie theatre, created in partnership with the City of Toronto’s DriveInTO initiative. For the following three weekends, beginning on
Thursday, July 30, CF Sherway Gardens is transforming its parking lot into an outdoor movie theater with screenings at 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
"Building great experiences is at the heart of our business and this initiative is a chance to provide much-needed entertainment to nearby residents in a way we've never done before," said Andy Traynor, General Manager, CF Sherway Gardens. "Following the success of the pilot Drive-In program at CF Markville, we are excited to offer this nostalgic, quintessential summer tradition at our shopping center. CF Sherway Gardens has always been seen as a go-to shopping and dining destination for families and we're happy to provide a memorable occasion to safely bring the community together."
Guests can purchase their tickets online for $10 with all proceeds being donated to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Only 100 cars are allowed per screening and guests will have access to the mall washrooms.
Image Credit: Cadillac Fairview
Cadillac Fairview is Unveiling Charitable Outdoor Movie Events
Grace Mahas — July 29, 2020 — Life-Stages


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Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence announces the publication of a new report on “Protective Clothing Market – Forecasts from 2020 to 2025” to their offering.
Growing awareness about the safety of workers coupled with the stringent regulations pertaining to the safety of personnel around the globe is expected to drive the growth of the market.
As per the report, the market pertaining to the Protective Clothing Market is expected to grow at a steady pace.
The protective clothing demand is increasing due to expanding manufacturing and other industrial sectors around the world that require specific protection equipment for worker's security. The oil and gas industry poses a high risk of human lives as well as the environment and is potentially one of the most hazardous industry sectors around the globe that has one of the most thorough safety programs. The combination of powerful equipment, flammable chemicals, and processes that are used to being under high pressure can lead to hazardous and even deadly incidents. Therefore, a high level of protective clothing is required in such an industry. Growing oil and gas industry around the world and rising occupational accidents in the industry is expected to be the driving factor for the growth of the market during the forecast period. In addition, growing demand for workplace safety in the oil and gas industry in various parts of the globe is further anticipated to propel the demand for protective clothing in the coming years. Furthermore, growing stringent industry standards for workers' safety in the oil and gas industry is anticipated to boost the demand over the forecast period. For instance, some of applicable OSHA regulatory requirements, as well as industry standards for companies involved in oil and gas, are OSHA’s General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910), OSHA’s Construction standards (29CFR 1926) and General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act which overview the safety of oil and gas projects.
The market for protective apparels will continue to rise in the upcoming years due to the requirement at the time of high-infection scenarios such as the previous Ebola outbreak. In the present scenario, the COVID-19 outbreak has created an emergency at the international level, hence, the demand for these protective clothing is at its peak for all the healthcare workers attending the suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. The market is sub-segmented into disposable staff apparel and disposable towels and bedding. Out of the two, disposable staff apparel is estimated to hold a significant share followed by disposable towels and bedding during the forecast period. Additionally, with the growing geriatric population in various developed economies around the world, the market is further poised to strengthen in the forecast period. For example, the population in the United States is projected to surge from 7.9% in 2010 to 17% in 2020 (source: US Census Bureau).
Asia Pacific region has been known for its manufacturing and development of high-tech machinery and robotics especially in the field of automotive and aviation. Moreover, China’s chemical industry also leads globally regarding sales and export. These industries are also projected to grow during the forecast period on account of the rising demand for automotive, aviation, and chemical products worldwide which will further boost the demand for protective clothing. In the automotive and aviation industry, protective clothing is used to protect workers from exposure to specialty coatings. The chemical industry requires protecting clothing to protect workers from exposure to toxic fumes, making it a necessary protective gear in these industries, leading to a direct increase in the demand for protective gear with growth in these industries. In developed regions like Europe, there is also a rise in the cases of lung cancers due to the inhalation of asbestos in the working environment. Lung disease deaths linked to past exposure at work amounts to about 12,000, and 20,000 new or worsened self-reported cases are made every year. According to the Health and Safety Executive, the number of cases of mesothelioma in Great Britain has been on the rise since 1980 and is projected to reach a death toll of 2,500 per year by 2020. For this, the UK government has been striving to achieve better work safety for the employees. The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) joined hands with Health and Safety Executive to make an accreditation scheme to check the competency of face-piece fitters for respirators.
As a part of the report, the major players operating in the Protective Clothing market, which have been covered are 3M, Honeywell International Inc., Alpha Pro Tech, E I DuPont de Nemours and Co., Lakeland Industries, Inc., MSA Safety Inc., ILC Dover LP, ANSELL LTD, and Radians, Inc. Radians PPE.
View a sample of the report or purchase the complete study at https://www.knowledge-sourcing.com/report/global-protective-clothing-market
This report segmented the Protective Clothing market on the basis following terms
- Flame Retardant Apparel
- Chemical Defending Garment
- Clean Room Clothing
- Mechanical protective Clothing
- Limited General-Use Clothing
By End User Industry
- Oil and Gas
- Aerospace and Defense
- United Kingdom
Middle East and Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- South Korea
- North America


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TOKYO A polysilicon shortage could cause semiconductor market growth to fall short of 2006 industry estimates and possibly stagnate in 2007, according to an analyst with market researcher J-Star Global Inc.
Yoshihisa Toyosaki, J-Star's president, CEO and former head of iSuppli Japan, said material supply chain conditions were as important as demand in predicting semiconductor market growth. Though the industry has been growing on the assumption that silicon is inexhaustible, it now needs to focus on how to secure polysilicon, Toyosaki said.
"There are forecasts of about 10 percent growth for semiconductor market this year and next year, based mainly on the analysis of demand from electronics devices that employ semiconductors. But if semiconductors and solar cells both continue growing, there will be a gap between polysilicon supply and demand from them. Polysilicon shortages will be a new impact on the silicon cycle," warned Toyosaki.
J-Star estimated total polysilicon production was 30,000 tons last year, about two-thirds of which was allocated to semiconductor production. The remaining third was used for solar cell production, which has grown 45 percent annually since 2001. J-Star estimated that polysilicon production will reach 40,000 tons in 2007 thanks to suppliers bolstering capacity. However, polysilicon demand by the solar-cell industry is slated to double to nearly 20,000 tons over the same period.
One polysilicon supplier is responding by expanding production. Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany) said this week it would expand its polysilicon production capacity by an additional 4,500 metric tons to a total of 14,500 metric tons by the end of 2009.
Should the allocation ratio of polysilicon to IC and solar industries remain the same, J-Star predicted chip market growth of 6.3 percent this year and 8.7 percent next yearlower than the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics group's 10.1 percent forecast for 2006 and 11 percent in 2007.
If the solar industry absorbs more polysilicon, the percentage of polysilicon it consumes will increase to 35 percent this year and 40 percent next.
Consequently, semiconductor market growth will slow to 3.6 percent this year and 0.3 percent in 2007, said Toyosaki.
"I don't foresee the allocation balance changing, and expect 8.7 percent growth for the semiconductor market next year. But there is a risk that change in polysilicon allocation brings a worse-case scenario for the semiconductor industry," he warned.
He called on chip makers and OEMs to make strategic procurement plans that take polysilicon shortages into account.
For some time, polysilicon has been a hot topic in recent times. Prices for polycrystalline materials have soared amid ongoing and severe shortages in the marketplace.
Leading polycrystalline or polysilicon vendors Hemlock, MEMC, Mitsubishi Materials, REC and Wacker cannot keep up with huge OEM demand and are reportedly sold out of these materials for the next two to three years, according to industry sources
An investment banking firm recently increased its forecast for solar-cell production in 2006 and 2007, but noted that polysilicon material shortages will continue to plague the industry.


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Chinese carmaker, Haval, has arrived in South Africa and has launched the new H2 crossover to the local market. Herewith specification and pricing details for the new Haval H2.
Haval Motors has made landfall in South Africa this week by launching its new H2 crossover that will rival the likes of the popular Renault Captur, Ford Ecosport and the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards - powered by WesBank Compact Family Car champion, the Suzuki Vitara.
As a sub-brand of GWM, Haval will cater for the passenger market and is the best-selling SUV brand in China, having sold over 1-million units in 2016. Haval will look to penetrate the local market with affordability being a key driver, starting with the H2 crossover and its smaller H1 sibling.
The Haval H2 comes to market with a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with 105 kW and 202 Nm of torque on offer. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
In terms of features, niceties such as automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, man-made leather upholstery, high resolution touchscreen infotainment system, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat are offered on high-spec derivatives. All H2 models are fitted with front, side and curtain airbags as standard and the vehicle carries a 5-star CNCAP crash safety rating. A total of 3 trim levels are on offer including City, Premium and Luxury.
We attended the launch of the Haval H2 in Johannesburg earlier this week, so look out for our first drive impression coming soon. For now, take a look at what you can expect to pay for the Haval H2.
Haval H2 prices in South Africa:
|1.5T City||R244 900|
|1.5T City AT||R279 900|
|1.5T Premium||R254 900|
|1.5T Premium AT||R289 900|
|1.5T Luxury||R274 900|
|1.5T Luxury AT||R309 900|
The H2 is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, 5-year/60 000 km service plan and 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance.
Haval's 7-seat H7L on the way to SA
Haval to launch with H1 and H2 in SA
Shanghai Motorshow: GWM's Haval SUV brand charges upmarket
GWM in South Africa - Big Corporate Changes and Haval Arrival
Crossover Group Test: Suzuki Vitara, Hyundai Creta & Renault Captur [with Video]


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Acushnet is the leading and most profitable golf equipment company in the world. Titleist is the #1 ball in golf and a leader in high-performance golf clubs. FootJoy is the #1 shoe and glove in golf and a leader in performance outerwear. Net sales exceeded $1.2 billion in 2010, with nearly half of revenues generated in markets outside the United States.
“This transaction is a very important milestone as we execute our proposed plan to separate our three strong businesses for the purpose of maximizing long-term value for our shareholders,” said Bruce Carbonari, chairman and chief executive officer of Fortune Brands.


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The new Volvo EX90 is almost upon us, and all the talk is about how the brand’s new luxury flagship (previewed here in the form of the Recharge concept car, above) will be “reinterpreting luxury and well-being.”
What does that bit of marketing jargon mean? Instead of the burled walnut and acres of tanned leather hides that have traditionally defined luxury for brands like Cadillac and Rolls-Royce, the Volvo is taking a different path. “We’ve chosen materials based on our values,” says Cecilia Stark, Senior Design Manager at Volvo Cars. “These choices leave behind old-fashioned automotive luxury and express our Scandinavian foundations. With the Volvo EX90 we take customer well-being as a design starting point.”
To put it another way: this new Volvo hopes to point out that bling isn’t always best, and the new EX90 will offer an interior composition that reflects the company’s sustainability ambitions of being a truly climate-neutral company by 2040.
Volvo says the EX90 interior makes use of FSC™-certified, back-lit wood panels around the cabin. They believe the effect, “creates a Scandinavian living room atmosphere and evokes the Nordic wilderness.”
The wool used in the premium cloth seat option, too, is certified according to what the company calls “strict sustainability standards on animal welfare, environmental and social issues.”
Even the “leather” option takes animal welfare into account …. by not being made of animals at all.
Vegan Leather Pioneers
Already one of the pioneers of animal-free interiors, the Volvo-developed “Nordico” option gives the look, feel, and durability of leather – but it’s made from recycled textiles, PET bottles, and bio-attributed material from responsibly managed forests in Sweden and Finland. “Nordico,” says the official copy, “is a progressive and technically advanced material.”
“The interior design and composition of the Volvo EX90 continues decades of iteration and innovation,” continues Stark. “We see interior composition as a learning process that will continue overtime based on your feedback, in-house innovation and new responsible sourcing opportunities.”
You guys already know I’m a fan, but I’m biased. What do you guys think? Will Volvo be successful in its efforts to make sustainability = luxury, or are people too excited about leather to let that one go? Let us know, in the comments!
Source | Images: Volvo Cars.
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Thursday, September 27, 2007
Changing of the Guard Among NASCAR Beer Sponsors
Sponsorships at the top levels of NASCAR require fat check books. For years, Anheuser-Busch has been a major sugar daddy for the sport. While the folks in St. Louis will not disappear from America's top motorsports property next season, its brands will have a decidedly lower profile.
A few weeks ago Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was switching teams and sponsors. The sport's most popular driver will leave behind the Budweiser number 8 and go racing in the Mountain Dew/AMP Energy Drink 88 next season. The Budweiser sponsorship will go to the Gillett Evernham Motorsports car driven by Kasey Kahne.
Earlier, A-B announced its decision to end more than two decades as the naming sponsor for NASCAR's Busch Series. NASCAR is still trying to find a partner to pick up that sponsorship.
Now Coors Light has announced it will replace A-B as the sport's official beer sponsor, paying $20 million over five years for the rights. Part of the deal includes renaming the weekly Cup qualifying to the Coors Light Pole Award. To help pay for the deal, Coors has opted not to continue with its sponsorship of the number 40 car driven by David Stremme. That contract expires at the end of the year.
Miller Lite soldiers on in the sport as the sponsor of the number 2 car piloted by Kurt Busch, the only beer fueled car to make this year's Chase for the Nextel Cup.
NASCAR is recognized as a major power in marketing. It will be interesting to watch fan reaction to the A-B brands with all of the changes. The NASCAR fan base is among the most loyal in all of sports when it comes to buying sponsor products.


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21 Inc has announced that its Bitcoin Computer mining device is now shipping to most European countries, including major markets such as the UK, France, Germany and Italy.
The news follows the company’s recent expansion of sales to countries outside the US, starting with Canada. Further, 21 Inc said it is seeking to open up shipping to more countries over the coming weeks, and hinted that Asia could be next.
The startup further noted that, for EU purchasers, the device comes with the same software that customers in the US and Canada receive.
Launched in September 2015, 21’s Bitcoin Computer is a small bitcoin miner intended to enable developers to create new apps powered by bitcoin micropayments.
The company has previously said it plans to create a bitcoin micropayments ecosystem powered by mining chips embedded in different devices.
Image via 21 Inc


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Angry Birds Seasons
Angry Birds fans will be happy to know their favorite game has 25 new levels. Every few months developer Rovio Entertainment expands the lineup of themed Angry Birds Seasons levels and adds them at no additional charge. The Winter Wonderham update brings the total to over 300 levels!
Winter Wonderham features a snowy winter landscape with the aurora borealis, and each day leading up to Christmas means a new level will be unlocked. Newcomers to the game can still purchase Angry Birds Seasons from the App Store for only $0.99.
Coming off the big Angry Birds Star Wars announcement, Rovio has issued a Halloween-themed update to its Angry Birds Seasons game. The update brings 30-levels of haunted pig action, and a new character called Frankenswine.
Angry Birds is back with its latest installment, Angry Birds Seasons Back to School. Not only has developer Rovio launched a new, bubble-blowing bird into the mix, but there are 20 new levels for Angry Birds addicts to explore and conquer. The levels are themed for everyone's favorite September activity, returning to the schoolyard.
The new bird is a female, sporting pink feathers and blowing bubbles. Although it may look cute, the new bird still packs a punch against those wily pigs. The bubbles grab objects and float them into the air out of place before popping and unleashing havoc and destruction on the ground.
Apple announced their picks for Best iPhone App and Game of the Year on Thursday. Instagram beat out VidRhythm and Band Of The Day for Best App of the Year, and Tiny Tower topped Tiny Wings and Touchgrind BMX for Best iPhone Game of the Year.
The Best iPad App honors went to Snapspeed, and Dead Space won Game of the Year over Contre Jour HD and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP. Angry Birds, Pages and GarageBand were some of the top selling iPad apps of the year.
Check out the iTunes 2011 Rewind here. It's like the Oscars for Apps!
As expected, Rovio has released 15 new levels for Angry Birds Seasons to commemorate the arrival of spring and the Easter holiday. Version 1.4.0 for iPhone features pigs with bunny ears and plenty of Easter eggs. There are also bonus levels that can be unlocked by liking the game on Facebook from directly within the app.
The update is free for those who already own Angry Birds Seasons, but if you haven't joined the fun yet it's only $0.99 for all of the holiday levels ($1.99 on the iPad). Previous releases include Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's themed levels with the same basic game that Angry Birds fans have become accustomed to playing. Rovio continues to expand the Angry Birds franchise with new software on the horizon.
Rovio has released 15 new levels to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in their Angry Birds Seasons game. The level pack is complete with Leprechaun hat-wearing pigs and birds, shamrocks, pots of gold and Irish theme music. Those who already own the app can get the update for free.
Everyone else has to fork out $0.99 for the Seasons version of the game, which now includes levels for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day in addition to St. Patrick's Day. All four holiday updates have added over 100 new levels to the original Angry Birds game.
Game developer Rovio is at it again, with 18 new Angry Birds levels commemorating Valentine's Day coming to Angry Birds Seasons. According to reports, the updated expansion pack will make its way onto the App Store on Monday, a full week before the holiday. Those who already have Angry Birds Seasons will get the new levels for free.
The app, last updated on December 10, costs $0.99 and already includes 45 levels for Halloween and 25 Christmas-themed levels. An HD version is also available for the iPad for $1.99. Valentine's Day levels will be contained in a new episode titled "Hogs and Kisses".


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Christopher Giancarlo, former president of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) believes it is time for the Federal Reserve to issue a fully digital currency on February. 21.
Giancarlo told Yahoo Finance’s On the Move program that the Federal Reserve must issue a digital currency to compete with China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC).
The former CFTC president stressed that online shopping would benefit from the US offering a digital payment option because there are no brokerage fees as with traditional bank cards and credit cards. Giancarlo also added:
“If we are talking about a digital dollar that we are talking about in the virtual world, to have the same directness of payment as in the analogue human world.”
Giancarlo believed that a digital dollar is agnostic for other initiatives in the cryptocurrency space. He said that Bitcoin and innovations such as the Facebook Scale have their own “value propositions” and can co-exist with a central bank issued digital currency (CBDC). He stated that:
“I think the market is always better if there is a lot of competition … An instrument such as Bitcoin can be the equivalent of the digital dollar, perhaps equivalent to the digital gold.”
Giancarlo has also argued that the US regulatory framework needs updates to adapt to the changes that cryptocurrencies entail for financial institutions. He says:
“Things are going to change drastically and our laws have to evolve as they did in the 90 years, now they have to evolve again.”
As reported, Giancarlo is involved in a Digital Dollar project supported by a global consultancy giant Accenture, which is reportedly working with the central bank of Sweden in its own digital currency known as the e-crown. This project was initially started by Giancarlo with the aim of establishing a non-profit foundation to study prospects for converting the dollar into a “fully electronic currency based on blockchain.”
Earlier this month reported that US Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) has asked Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell about the US CBDC progress during a monetary policy hearing.
He specifically mentioned China’s plan to implement the digital Yuan in the countries involved in its Belt and Road initiative and that it could jeopardize the global reserve currency status of the dollar.


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Todd Snyder, menswear designer and ISU alumnus, has been nominated for the America Swarovski Award for Menswear again this year.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced nominees for their 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards, which will take place on June 3 in New York City.
“It’s great,” Snyder said on his nomination. “It has been a dream come true. I love what I do, and this makes me happy that I went in the direction that I did and followed my dreams.”
Voted best dressed in high school, Snyder said he was always interested in clothing, but originally attended Iowa State for a career in finance.
Working as a salesman at Badowers, a men’s clothing store in Des Moines, is how Snyder discovered his true passion for fashion design.
“While selling there, I became interested in what was happening in the tailor’s shop,” Snyder explained. “I quickly started to help out after-hours and weekends. I fell in love with making and altering garments, and from there I decided I wanted to be a designer.”
After graduating with a degree in fashion design, Snyder moved to New York City to pursue his design career working for Ralph Lauren, his favorite designer.
“It was something in my blood,” Snyder said about his passion for apparel design. “After working at Badowers, I knew that I wanted to be a designer. Come to find out from my Grandma Snyder that in Dutch, Snyder meant tailor.”
After working for other prominent fashion labels, such as GAP and J. Crew, Snyder launched his own menswear collection in 2011, which first appeared in Bergdorf Goodman, Ron Herman and Neiman Marcus.
Today, with two award nominations and recognition as one of GQ Magazine’s Best New Menswear Designers, Todd Snyder New York is becoming more popular in the world of menswear.
“Mr. Snyder is who I can thank for showing me a whole new side of fashion,” said Eileen Moores, sophomore in apparel, merchandising and design. “Last year he featured his line in the Iowa State Fashion Show, and right then I was inspired to do a new route in fashion.”
Moores now holds the position of Men’s Fashion Director for the campus publication Trend Magazine, and said she enjoys the types of garments Snyder makes, as well as the theme of his line.
“The type of clothes he makes are timeless pieces that men can wear over and over,” Moores said. “He is able to make a classic garment fashion-forward with the small details he adds.”
The designer’s fall 2013 collection was inspired by British motorcycles from the 1950s.
“I wanted to mix it up with tailored jackets,” Snyder said. “I wanted to have a gentleman’s approach to tailoring. I was trying to be a little badass for the season.”
The designer described himself as a pretty average guy who believes in dressing simply and investing in styles that can be worn for many years.
“I like sports, cars, bars, but I also like clothes,” Snyder explained. “My philosophy is clothes can make the guy. It’s important to always look your best. Girls love a well-dressed man.”
Store openings in Japan and New York are next for the brand, and Snyder recently traveled to Japan for a pop-up shop at Barney’s New York.
“It was a big event. All their top clients showed up,” Snyder said. “I was able to meet a lot of my customers. It was a lot of fun.”
For future designers at Iowa State, Snyder said it is important to start from the bottom and work your way up.
“I did that through my entire career,” Snyder said. “Some people get impatient and want to skip steps. They are the ones that never make it. Work hard, and good things will come.”


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26 January 2009 17:14 [Source: ICIS news]
By Nigel Davis
LONDON (ICIS new)--The playing out of this chemicals cycle will be different as companies across the sector navigate the depths of the downturn.
The problem is that no one can yet, realistically, see the bottom of what has become a major global slump. The economic and credit crisis has strangled manufacturing industry; it is hitting consumers hard. And, as yet, despite all the talk of stimulus, markets have been reluctant to move. Confidence is a commodity in very short supply.
The (chemicals) world waits largely to test the strength of key physical markets following the Lunar New Year holidays. The slump is as much a global as a regional event and unprecedented in nature.
One might expect upstream petrochemicals and polymers players to be hit severely and that is indeed the case. But makers of products of all sorts are under tremendous pressure.
Demand for almost every chemical, apart from those finding their way into food products or into the life sciences – agrochemicals and drugs – is depressed, significantly in some instances. The chemicals giant BASF made that plain in its profits warning last week.
The plight of downstream consuming sectors, principally automobiles and construction but also a much wider array of industries, is apparent.
Having enjoyed an extended period of strong margins, driven by demand and high prices, the world’s chemicals players find themselves at the painful end of the down cycle. And, although it is very difficult to look too far ahead, prospects for the industry in the short to medium term are not good.
It will take time for downstream industries to recover, or rather to return to anything approaching what had hitherto been considered as normal operating conditions. That means that the world’s chemicals makers are in for a tough time.
Some plants are slowly coming back onstream: an indication that the year-end 2008 period of de-stocking is coming to an end. It is only now, however, possible to begin to gauge how severely demand has been affected.
In the first half of this year companies are likely to focus on cash retention rather than earnings, analysts at Citigroup believe. To say the least, they warn that the next year and more are going to be difficult for chemicals makers.
Post de-stocking, they suggest, the battle will begin. And by the end of the year there will be wars over market share.
Companies are fighting for their very survival, as the flow of corporate news thus far this year has underlined. As a sector, chemicals is hard hit by this toxic brew of credit crunch and global recession. There are few places to hide.
Business models will be tested in this downturn as never before. Not so long ago industry leader INEOS was talking of its businesses being able to generate cash in “normal bottom of the cycle conditions”. Unfortunately, business conditions in chemicals since October have been anything but normal.
INEOS has negotiated the waiver of certain of its debt covenants. It must, however, agree a new business plan with its lenders by April this year.
Other chemical producers based in ?xml:namespace>
Citigroup believes that once working capital benefits are exhausted and, with margins depressed by weak demand, restructuring and consolidation will be needed to kick-start a recovery. This period of heightened chemicals structural activity is not expected for 12 to 18 months.
The petrochemicals business is likely to have an extremely tough time of it in 2009 but segments such as industrial specialties are also being hard hit. This group of products includes additives, textile, leather and paper chemicals, rubber and phosphorus chemicals.
Such a broad-based downturn hits companies like Arkema, Lanxess, Clariant and DSM as well as a giant like BASF, Citigroup says. Defensive segments such as personal care, vitamins and nutraceuticals can only offer some relief.
Companies are adopting a 'wait and see' attitude before instigating radical structural change, hence the bank’s suggestion that the restructuring period is, as yet, some time off.
But when the period of restructuring really takes hold it is likely to involve the most pressured European chemical companies and some parts of the larger players.
Companies will be forced, once again, to fully re-appraise the cost base and the portfolio.
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Asian Chemical Connections


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April 18, 2012 08:57
The number of Long Term Evolution subscribers in Korea has surpassed 4 million. LTE is a 4th generation mobile communication service that offers data speeds up to five times faster than the regular 3G connection.
The LTE market has enjoyed rapid growth recently, with 7.7 percent of 52 million mobile phone subscribers using it just 10 months since it was launched last July. Industry insiders expect the total number of LTE subscribers to hit 10 million by the end of this year.
SK Telecom has the largest number of subscribers with 2.01 million as of Monday. The number surpassed 2 million just 76 days after the 1 million benchmark was passed, SK said on Tuesday.
LG Uplus has 1.71 million LTE subscribers and expects the number to hit 2 million early next month. KT, which started the service early this year, did not reveal the exact number of subscribers, but it is estimated to be more than 400,000.
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com


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Re:Build Manufacturing is pleased to announce the acquisition of Tekna Solutions, Inc. (Kalamazoo, MI), significantly expanding Re:Build’s design, engineering, and manufacturing service offering as part of the Re:Build Total Production Solutions Group.
Tekna (https://teknateam.com) is an ISO 13485, full-service product development firm and contract manufacturer. Originally founded in 1988, Tekna delivers on its Innovation to Realization™ strategy by offering customers a wide range of world-class services including research, strategy, design, branding, engineering, and manufacturing to create and deliver meaningful solutions. Now part of Re:Build, the company will be able to expand its reach in healthcare and other industries.
“We are truly excited about our future with Re:Build Manufacturing. We share a common vision for restoring American manufacturing and have similar values in the way people, partners, and customers should be treated for mutually successful and sustainable business.” said Mike Rozewicz, General Manager of Tekna. “With Re:Build’s support and network of high-value capabilities, as well as the supply chain in our own backyard, we look to transform Tekna into a hub for product innovation and manufacturing in the Midwest, bringing complex manufacturing and high paying jobs to our community.”
Tekna’s long history in industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing has positioned the company well to meet the needs of large organizations looking to augment their capabilities or capacity through outsourcing. Likewise, Tekna is able to leverage the same expertise and infrastructure to help start-up companies navigate the difficult journey to commercialization.
“Our goal at Re:Build Manufacturing is to invest in the growth of manufacturing businesses in the United States, and to help our country re-establish the ability to compete in this critically important part of the economy,” said Miles Arnone, CEO of Re:Build Manufacturing. “With Tekna’s expertise and proven track record with innovation, product development, and manufacturing, we have added a unique combination of capabilities to support our customers who want to bring manufacturing back home and scale their business.”


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The FDA has recently refused to provide pet owners the legal definitions of pet food ingredients. In other words, every single pet owner in the US is forced to buy pet products while being denied access to knowing what is in that product.
One small pet food taking on the illegal activities of FDA, AAFCO and a Department of Agriculture. Standing up for proper law enforcement. Disclosure: Answers Pet Food is included in our 2019 List (of pet foods I would trust to give my own pets) and is a pet food that (in rotation) I personally give […]
Purina has been experimenting on a cat food that will reduce human allergies to cats. Is Purina going down a concerning path or could this be beneficial pet food research? A People magazine story states “In an effort to eliminate these roadblocks that stand in the way of human-cat companionship, Purina scientists have been researching […]
Did you know the vitamin premix supplier to Hill’s Pet food issued a recall? Neither did we. Posted this week on the FDA Enforcement Report webpage is (bold added): DSM Nutritional Products was notified by a customer (Hills Pet Nutrition) that they were doing a recall after a dog had become ill after consuming Hills […]


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At CES 2020 in Las Vegas, SK Telecom (SKT) signed a memorandum of understanding with Byton to cooperate in the development of an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system that houses SKT's digital content and services.
SKT said that an infotainment system will be hooked onto 5G networks to provide seamless car entertainment including music and video streaming services as well as convenient mobility services including T Map, SKT's car navigation service, and live high-definition map update, an important technology feature for autonomous cars.
"SK Telecom has abundant technical expertise and resources in information communication and data services sector. This is perfectly in line with the vision of Byton to build smart cars in the mobility era," Byton CEO Daniel Kirchert said, adding the two companies would maximize the potential of mobility services.
Byton, a Hong Kong-based Chinese electric vehicle maker co-founded by former BMW and Nissan executives, has partnered with South Korean car parts maker Myoung Shin in September last year to jointly produce M-Byte EVs at the southwestern port city of Gunsan.
SKT is ready to promote the distribution of Byton's electric vehicles in South Korea.
© Aju Business Daily & www.ajunews.com Copyright: All materials on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the authorization from the Aju News Corporation.


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RingTagz allows mobile users to get their friends involved in their resolutions for 2013 As a quarter of mobile users plan to use their devices to help them stick their resolutions, users of RingTagz, the service that allows mobile users to customise the ringing heard by those that call them, have found an innovative new […]
RingTagz announce launch of new Android app, ‘Dead Tone’ to stop unwanted calls from playground bullies
RingTagz have launched new app, ‘Dead Tone’ on Google play, allowing Android mobile users to deter unwanted callers.
RingTagz, the service that allows mobile users to customise the ringing heard by those that call them, has today announced the release of their ‘Dead Tone’ app, a replica ‘out of service’ ringback tone which gives the impression the phone is no longer in use, deterring unwanted callers such as playground bullies. For the first time ever, UK mobile phone users can record and upload their own messages using the RingTagz application, even tailoring specific messages to specific callers, and applying them to their phone in minutes.
- Android users are able to apply the ‘Dead Tone’ to any mobile phone number they wish to give the impression that their phone is out of service
- The ‘Dead Tone’ app also gives the option for the users to let callers know they have been ‘Dead Toned’ via text message if they are using the service for revenge purposes
- The idea of using this app as a protective tool to stop or deter calls from the likes of bullies is an entirely new concept
Head of Central Marketing at RingTagz, Danielle Morgan commented:
“We think the Dead Tone is going to be huge. It’s a fantastic tool for parents to use, or introduce to their children as an aid to stop calls from pestering bullies causing unnecessary stress and upset. With the introduction of the Dead Tone app, mobile users will no longer have to go through the hassle of cancelling their number, or deal with unwanted callers, they can just make callers think it’s out of service.”
Danielle Morgan continued:
“When creating the Dead Tone application, a mother in our office commented that her son was being bullied by a group of youths and they were targeting him by his mobile phone, and that the Dead Tone would be the perfect catalyst to help avoid them. This problem is rife as the younger generation are now all using smartphones, and so we see Dead Tone helping youths avoid unwanted phone calls and hopefully seeing the bullying come to a stop.”
Danielle Morgan continued:
“The personalisation function means there is no end to what you can choose as your RingTagz, and the functionality of setting specific tags for specific callers makes it even more fun. It doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom! Imagine your partner calling on your anniversary and there is a lovely, recorded message waiting for them? Or when it’s your birthday coming up, you can let your family know exactly which presents you want!”


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E-Commerce Times Talkback
See Full Story
Not a day goes by without yet another report of massive
high-tech layoffs and lowered financial
expectations -- not to mention the economic slowdown,
stock prices in steep decline and
the ongoing series of dot-com closures.
But underneath most radar screens, a group of e-commerce sites are getting ahead in
the New Economy. In this special report, the E-Commerce Times takes a look at six
profitable Web businesses and examines the reasons why
they have avoided the pitfalls of the faltering pack.
Just wanted to agree with the other person, the article was a waste of my time.
What would be interesting would be how little guys without money and brick&mortar presence are creating NEW businesses on the internet.
Staples did great from a sales perspective, but did not yet turn a profit.
It is comforting to hear of the online companies that are actually making a dollar. But it seems that this article is heralding the success of bricks and mortar companies who were wise enough to make the move online early, rather than highlighting the true dotcom success stories.
It may be that bricks and clicks is the only online strategy that works - in which case the internet is just another distribution channel. I would like to see an article that refutes this argument - and heralds the profit stories of true dotcom startups.
I am surprised considering none of these are major discounters on the web. We as a family bought over $15,000 worth items on the web last year, but consistently we went to sites like
who list coupons / rebates before making a purchase. My theory infact has been, no coupon means the store doesn't really want my business. I wonder how good sites like Staples.com and Half.com did.
So the point of this story is all you need is a billion dollar existing business and worldwide brand equity and you'll do well on-line?
Sharper Image: old, famous company, proprietary products, physical "footprint" in malls everywhere
Homestore: cartel, proprietary products (MLS), physical "footprint" in real estate offices everywhere
Lands End: old, famous company, huge mailorder business with proprietary products
I suppose it is good to know who is doing well on-line, but it doesn't really help settle the real issue; is the Internet simply another "channel" for big existing businesses or is it a disruptive force that can kill those existing businesses if an upstart employs the right strategy?
The answer to the last question would be an awful lot more interesting.
Good article, we have seen a year of negative stories and it is refreshing to see some positive reports for a change. While there is nothing radically new in these business models it is truly amazing that we have so many Billions of dollars wasted on bad ideas and now everyone seems to be in a state of shock and despair simply because they got a harsh reality check! If you do it right the first time you won't have to repeat your mistakes.VC greed and lack of planning has never worked before why did anyone think it would this time. I believe we are still at the beginning of the greatest change the world has ever seen. The sooner all the Bad Plans are gone the better. KRW
Glad to see a story on this - one of our local stores - a specialty toy store - has found that a website has tripled their sales. They also follow up local customers with phone calls - reaping even more sales. Guess, as always, you have to know how to satisfy your customers.
I also agree about LandsEnd - they always follow up. I lot of websites send you into Never Never Land.


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Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting HT NEWS to 80360 or e-mail us
CCTV image released after make-up stolen from Ledbury store
Officers say goods totalling £180 were taken from the Boots the Chemists store on the town’s High Street on Thursday.
Police have released this CCTV image of a woman they believe may have vital information about who was responsible for taking the cosmetics.
Anyone with information can contact PC 3642 Varden as soon as possible on 101 quoting incident number 22ED/69143E/12.
Comments are closed on this article.


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United Artists Programming has raided the agency world for a sales
controller for its new airtime sales house, hiring Tony Wheble from
Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO.
Wheble, currently the broadcast director of AMV, joins the Flextech-
owned sales operation in the next few weeks as the number two to the
vice-president of sales, Richard Burdett.
The newly-created position reflects the change in the nature of the
sales operation since it announced plans to launch as a standalone
(Campaign, 29 March).
The sales house is being created to maximise ad revenue for all of UAP’s
portfolio of cable and satellite channels, including Bravo, the
Discovery Channel and TLC, while still ensuring that they are positioned
and sold as brands in their own right.
Burdett said that the decision to hire a sales controller from within an
ad agency reflected the nature of the branding strategy.
‘Tony comes from an agency with one of the strongest branding heritages
in town, and as we move to building an ever-stronger service ethic, his
background will be invaluable,’ Burdett commented.
Wheble will oversee negotiations for all of the channels. He is the
second agency man in recent weeks to move from buying TV airtime into
sales. Mark Swift, a group head at BMP DDB, is set to join Channel 5 as
an account director.
Wheble’s arrival will allow Burdett to expand his portfolio to take on
new channels not owned or managed by Flextech.
Brent Harman, the managing director of Flextech, confirmed that
Burdett’s role will now encompass managing the transition to a sales
house as well as spearheading the drive for third-party business.


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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The Covid ”lockdown” has affected every South African on so many levels – and that includes car-buying patterns.
This has shown up in analysing search and sales data through AutoTrader before and during the various lockdowns. AutoTrader explains that, as SA’s largest digital automotive market, it has insight into car-buying patterns.CEO George Mienie told The Corner it was interesting to see how preferences changed during Covid ‘lockdowns’: “The 2020 AutoTrader Car Industry Report reveals which cars were most searched-for pre- and during-lockdown. When compared to search data during Lockdown Level 2 (August 18-September 10 2020) there are some distinct differences.”
One was substantial growth in searches for the VW Golf: the cars were fourth most-searched before lockdown but shot to the top during lockdown levels 5 and 4.
READ MORE AutoTrader features on Carman’s Corner
“This could have something to do with prices,” Mienie said. ”According to the 2020 AutoTrader Car Industry Report the average selling price of the Golf over the past year was about R288 000 while the average selling price for a Hilux (bakkie) was R327 800.
”The dominance of the Golf could indicate that people are under financial pressure and wanted to minimise their spending on a car.”
There was, however, an exception: the Porsche 911 was 10th mostsought during lockdown. Mienie said: “The 911 is periodically in the top 10 list of most-searched for cars yet it did appear during lockdown. Maybe people were dreaming of better times to come, maybe they were just wanting to have some fun during what was a very difficult time.”
The data also revealed fewer searches for a Ford Ranger compared to its competitors. “According to the 2020 AutoTrader Car Industry Report, the Ranger was the top-selling used car, contributing 4.7% of all cars sold and at an average selling price of R305 940, an average odo reading of 85 950km, and an average year model of 2016.
”Yet it was the fifth most-searched during all three periods.”
Mienie says one thing is certain: “Lockdown has had an enormous effect on the lives of people (indeed, on all South Africans). It has also greatly affected the used-vehicle market. Let’s hope, the challenging times are behind us.”


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After crashing in 2019, Dark Web markets for stolen credentials rebounded during the first half of 2020, largely due to major shifts in consumer behavior caused by the global pandemic.
According to the latest analysis of Dark Web trade by Top10VPN.com, populations locked down during the pandemic were forced to change their behavior patterns. That has resulted in new kinds of accounts being hacked with the ability to command higher prices.
Hacked accounts for delivery services and physical fitness brands are some of the highest-priced items on the market, with credentials for a compromised Instacart account selling for an average of US$22, Peloton for $18, Postmates for $15, and Amazon for $14.50.
Prior to the pandemic, a combination of massive law enforcement actions and a data glut cratered the price of stolen credentials on the Dark Web.
“Overall, credential prices seem to be falling year over year, with several password databases being sold at the cost of tens of dollars,” observed Fausto Oliveira, a principal security architect at Acceptto, a cybersecurity company in Portland, Ore., focused on cognitive authentication.
“This is partially due to a glut of databases being available for resale in the Dark Web markets,” he told TechNewsWorld.
While there’s still a glut in some brands, a new crop of targets has invigorated the market.
“As the world has moved to a new normal, that new normal is largely digital and remote,” explained Mike Lopez, vice president and general manager for total fraud protection at AppGate, a developer and provider of cloud security and analytics products and services, located in Coral Gables, Fla.
“Activities and tasks that involved individuals leaving their house, such as grocery shopping, are replaced with apps and services,” he told TechNewsWorld.
As the majority of people have been forced to spend more time indoors due to increased social restrictions around the world, consumer behavior has changed significantly, observed Simon Migliano, head of research at Top10VPN.com, the VPN review website that published the index.
“Anyone looking for social interaction, entertainment, keeping fit or even maintaining their mental health has been forced to turn in greater numbers than ever before to online services and apps,” he told TechNewsWorld. “Many new users of these services may be less tech-savvy and fail to keep their new accounts secure.”
For online scammers, those newbies are low-hanging fruit.
“Higher prices for the kinds of accounts opened during lockdown reflect that they are more likely to contain active payment details and fresh personal data, ripe for identity theft,” Migliano said.
The pandemic has forced users to create more online accounts, which increases an individual’s digital attack surface, explained Kacey Clark, a threat researcher for Digital Shadows, a San Francisco-based provider of digital risk protection solutions.
“The criminal ecosystem is likely rich with newly compromised credentials,” she told TechNewsWorld. “The price of credentials is based on many factors, including the freshness of credentials, the perceived value of the account, and the value of a particular subscription.
On the other hand, Migliano pointed out that the glut of streaming accounts, such as Netflix and Hulu, has driven prices down as supply exceeds demand.
According to the Top10VPN report, which compares hacked credential prices from February 2019 with August, compromised Netflix credentials dropped to $6.35 from $10.73, while Hulu fell to $5.43 from $5.01.
Finding the Right Price
Top10VPN noted that of the 25 services making up its Dark Web index, 19 of them are new to the list, which means their credentials weren’t being sold on the Dark Web last year.
That can be contributing to the premium asking prices for hacked accounts for those services, maintained Jason Ortiz, a senior product engineer at Pondurance, a managed detection and response company in Indianapolis.
“Why not try premium prices for premium services?” he asked.
“If nobody buys,” he told TechNewsWorld, “then you can lower the price over time to find the right point. As a seller, you could leave a lot of money on the table if you start out pricing a new product too low.”
Because these brands haven’t been targeted for account theft in the past, they could be vulnerable to attack in the present.
“These are new accounts on the market and most likely have not been targeted for more substantial account theft,” explained James McQuiggan, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider in Clearwater, Fla.
“The cybercriminals hope that the organizations, when creating the user account interface, did not implement any multi-factor authentication to strengthen and secure the accounts,” he told TechNewsWorld.
The report also found hacked credentials for a number of health and fitness brands selling at relatively high prices. Daily Yoga ($9.50), Ten Percent Happier ($8.50), Aaptiv ($8.50), and Headspace ($7) accounts were more valuable than those of many streaming services and online stores, it noted.
Migliano maintained that those premium prices are connected to the demographics of the targets.
“Peloton users are likely to have a high income, given that they must purchase a $2,000 bike to use the app,” he said. “This makes them a valuable target for fraud.”
“Similarly,” he continued, “Daily Yoga, Ten Percent Happier, and other wellness brands are also marketed towards those with disposable incomes whose identities could be worth a lot to buyers on the dark web. “
Identity fraud is the primary way fraudsters leverage stolen consumer data from phishing and other social engineering schemes, explained Melissa Gaddis, senior director of customer success, Global Fraud Solutions at TransUnion.
“It can have long-term impacts for consumers, such as the compromise of multiple online accounts and bringing down credit scores, which we anticipate will increase during pandemic reconstruction,” she told TechNewsWorld.
How to Protect Your Credentials
McQuiggan recommended a number of ways for consumers to protect their credentials so they don’t see them being sold on the Dark Web.
- Use a password manager. This tool will let you keep track of unique and strong passwords for each of your accounts. If an account has security questions, answer the questions incorrectly — correct answers are too easy to guess — and store the incorrect answers in the password manager.
- Use multi-factor or two-factor authentication if it’s available from the application or website. This methodology, while known to be vulnerable in some cases, increases security and reduces the chance of someone who buys the credentials from the Dark Web from being able to access your account easily.
- Avoid accessing your accounts from links inside emails. Cybercriminals can make the emails appear legitimate and provide a link that might look real. Always use the app or a bookmark, and never click the links in the email.
Top10VPN.com added a disclaimer that its report “does not suggest in any shape or form that the companies included or referenced have suffered security breaches.
“Furthermore, we have not purchased any of the credentials being sold on the Dark Web,” the company stated on its website.


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Tradeteq, a London-based provider of technology and software to the trade finance industry, has launched of Tradeteq Connect – an expansion of its existing platform to help distribute core trade products such as letters of credit (LCs), guarantees and trade loans.
The new functionalities will help improve how banks and non-bank institutions sell and purchase risk participations in core trade finance products.
Developed in collaboration with a European bank, Tradeteq Connect aims to digitise the entire core trade distribution process. Previously, this process relied on spreadsheets; however, Tradeteq Connect’s single system can handle the full distribution chain end-to-end in one place.
The platform runs on Microsoft’s Azure cloud and allows clients to hold data in their own dedicated ‘Tradeteq Pod’, located in one of 61 regions across the globe.
“We see huge leaps forward in the technology for trade finance. The impact of Covid-19 has affected the smallest of exporters the most, making the need for an industry-wide solution even more apparent,” said Nils Behling, CFO of Tradeteq.
“Banks can no longer be wholly responsible for the trade finance sector and instead will look to distribute assets out to other investors. By making a low-risk asset class widely accessible, businesses will benefit as they can now get funding that would otherwise not been available.”


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Restaurants and other licensed food outlets in Abu Dhabi can now operate at 80 percent capacity amid strict coronavirus preventative measures, the emirate’s Department of Economic Development announced in a circular on Wednesday.
.@AbuDhabiDED has issued a circular instructing restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and other licensed food outlets inside and outside malls to operate at 80% capacity. This follows measures implemented by Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis & Disaster Committee for COVID-19 Pandemic. pic.twitter.com/39AK50XSIl— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) July 29, 2020
Abu Dhabi has maintained its strict border policy despite a decrease in the United Arab Emirates' daily confirmed coronavirus cases. Only those showing negative results of a test taken within 48 hours are allowed to enter the emirate.
Rapid DPI testing is available at the border for those driving from Dubai, however, an appointment is required and there is about a two-week waiting list to book a spot, according to its website.


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JASPER, Ind. (AP) _ Kimball Electronics Inc. (KE) on Monday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $6.3 million.
The Jasper, Indiana-based company said it had net income of 25 cents per share.
The electronics manufacturing services company posted revenue of $293.9 million in the period.
Kimball Electronics shares have decreased 29% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Monday, shares hit $12.43, a fall of 16% in the last 12 months.


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We're proud to announce that we have received the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) certification seal as part of our ongoing effort to rid...Keep Reading →
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Microsoft has decided to adhere to its standard digital game refund policy for Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox consoles, which means that all sales are final and owners will no longer be guaranteed a refund owing to the notorious broken nature of the game at launch.
According to an update shared by Microsoft (via VGC) earlier today, “the team at CD Projekt Red continues to work hard to improve the experience of Cyberpunk 2077 for Xbox players and has made a number of updates.
“Given these updates, Microsoft will be returning to our standard digital game refund policy for Cyberpunk 2077 on July 6 for both new and existing purchases.”
Microsoft was previously offering guaranteed refunds to anyone who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox consoles. While Sony Interactive Entertainment removed the game from sale, Microsoft continues to sell the game with a warning that players “may experience performance issues when playing this game on Xbox One consoles until this game is updated.”
Cyberpunk 2077 has since then received multiple patches and updates, including two major ones in the past months. CD Projekt Red also has a number of more updates to release in the coming months as well.
Compared to its launch state, Cyberpunk 2077 has undoubtedly been improved. It’s still not what CD Projekt Red was marketing all these years but playable nonetheless which is important since the game was pretty much unplayable on Xbox One owing to a plethora of bugs and glitches as well as technical issues.
Cyberpunk 2077 getting its refund policy updated on Xbox platforms comes at the heels of Sony finally allowing the sale of the game on its PlayStation Store. The game was delisted for nearly six months and while it has returned, it has returned with a warning that playing the game on PlayStation 4 “is not recommended” and “for the best Cyberpunk experience on PlayStation, play on PS4 Pro and PS5 systems.”


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HAITI: Garment firms eye new business opportunities
US apparel brands and retailers were among hundreds of potential investors who took part in a conference last week to explore new business opportunities in Haiti - where plans for a $2m fund to help kick-start the country's garment sector were also unveiled.
Identified as one of the key sectors with strong potential to generate jobs, garment manufacturing was one of the areas examined at the meeting, which was organised by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Port-au-Prince.
A $150,000 grant to examine the viability of an industrial park model for the garment industry was also announced.
Garments currently bring the country $130m in net exports, with around 25 garment factories exporting primarily to the United States and employing more than 24,000 workers, mostly women.
But there is thought to be potential to increase this five-fold with the HOPE II Act, which provides Haitian apparel exports duty-free access to the US market.
However, to fully leverage the trade benefits of the legislation, Haiti needs to attract foreign investors and expand industrial space.
"For too long Haiti has been seen as a land of missed opportunities," said IDB president Luis Alberto Moreno. "I believe Haiti is now ready and able to attract private investments."
Prime Minister Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis also told visitors: "Haiti is open for business."
With IDB assistance, the Haitian government is investing heavily to improve the country's business environment.
It is upgrading its road network to reduce travel time between its main cities, as well as to increase the reliability of electricity services. The government has also cut the time to start a new business by more than half.
Even so, Haiti remains the poorest country in the Americas, with an estimated 60% of its workforce unemployed and living on less than two dollars a day.
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This Week's SponsorUnite 4 - Turn websites into apps on your Mac.
By Jason Snell for Macworld
Apple’s 4K TV deals show how the company’s business strategy is evolving
Apple doesn’t officially participate in the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but this year it’s all over the show. That’s because Apple has been cutting deals with major TV manufacturers to embed support for AirPlay 2 (and in at least one case, the iTunes movie and TV stores) in their 4K HDR televisions, and CES is when TV manufacturers make big announcements.
I’ve heard from some people who are baffled about why Apple would make it so that people aren’t forced to buy an Apple TV in order to get access to Apple’s video content. Those people are, quite frankly, thinking about an Apple that no longer exists, namely one that’s committed to making money on high-margin hardware sales.
For the last three years, ever since Apple turned the spotlight on its Services revenue line in January 2016, Apple has been gearing up to offset slowing iPhone growth with a new category that can bring the kind of revenue growth that pleases Wall Street. Services is Apple’s fastest growing revenue category, on a constant upward trajectory that is unmatched by any other part of its business.


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Home | News| If TikTok is acquired by Microsoft, who will be the biggest beneficiary of the US online advertising market?
If TikTok is acquired by Microsoft, who will be the biggest beneficiary of the US online advertising market?
TikTok has not yet reached the end. Within one day on August 3, news about the polarization of TikTok's destiny occurred separately.
On the same day, Microsoft issued a statement stating that after CEO Nadella had a dialogue with US President Trump, the company was ready to continue to promote the purchase of TikTok's US business negotiations. According to the Wall Street Journal, the talks were temporarily suspended due to the White House's unclear position. According to the latest news, White House consultant Navarro said that Microsoft may not be the right company to acquire TikTok.
On the other side, Zhang Yiming, CEO of Bytedance, released a letter from all employees of the company on the same day. The letter stated that ByteDance disagreed with CFIUS's decision on "determining that ByteDance must sell TikTok's U.S. business", and "does not give up exploring any possibilities."
The "possibility" mentioned by Zhang Yiming has traced elsewhere. According to overseas reports, the British government gave the "green light" for TikTok to set up its headquarters in London, and the ministers expressed their support for this. TikTok told Jiemian News that it is indeed exploring the possibility of setting up TikTok headquarters outside the United States.
No matter where it ends, TikTok's business in the United States will be greatly affected. As one of the controversial points in this incident, what changes will happen to the US Internet advertising market structure? As TikTok's competitor, Facebook, how much benefit can it get from this huge change?
It is not surprising that TikTok has been targeted, and data from various research organizations have shown its rapid growth.
According to Sensor Tower data, in February 2019, TikTok, which was officially merged and renamed, exceeded 1 billion worldwide cumulative downloads. In April this year, the number reached 2 billion. According to AppTrace, since February 2019, TikTok has almost steadily ranked among the top four in the global app download rankings, and this ranking has dropped from 269.
In the global market, the United States is the third largest market for Douyin and TikTok, and the second largest market for TikTok. As of the end of April, TikTok has been downloaded 165 million times in the United States, accounting for 8.2% of the total global downloads. At the same time, US users contributed $86.5 million in total in-app purchase revenue, accounting for 19% of TikTok's total global in-app purchase revenue, ranking second among global users.
Not only that, in the first and second quarters of 2020, TikTok was the first and second non-game app download list in the US market, and it was also the only app launched by a non-US company in the top ten.
All the evidence points to the conclusion that TikTok, which has more than 100 million American users and comes from a Chinese company, has continuously climbed its position in American social media, and is approaching social apps owned by giants such as Facebook and Google.
According to reports, the TikTok platform is mainly composed of young people under the age of 25, of which the 18-24 year old group accounts for the largest proportion of 35.3%, and the 25-34 year old user group accounts for a rapid increase. In fact, the composition of such young users did not over-attract advertisers in the past (such as the problems Snapchat once faced), but it is now a very important target for advertisers.
In fact, TikTok is vigorously improving its advertising sales capabilities.
In terms of organizational structure, Bytedance hired Blake Chandlee (Blake Chandlee) as vice president of TikTok's global business strategy in June last year. The latter had worked for Facebook for 12 years and served as its vice president of global partnership business; It is reported that the company has hired a head of an advertising company for small and medium-sized enterprises to lead the advertising sales of small and medium-sized enterprises. This business is Bytedance's strengths in China, but is dominated by Facebook and Google in the US market.
In addition, it is reported that TikTok was contacting ad technology companies from various parties to seek cooperation in ad buying software. Moreover, TikTok will participate in NewFronts remotely for the first time this year, a demonstration event that can help technology companies get the attention of advertisers.
These actions currently seem to match TikTok's revenue. According to foreign media reports in June this year, people familiar with the matter revealed that TikTok expects to earn 500 million U.S. dollars this year, which is nearly twice its global revenue in 2019 (200 million to 300 million U.S. dollars), and may also include the new crown. The impact of the epidemic.
From the perspective of specific industries, according to Sensortower data, "State of Survival", "Fortress Night", "Endless Showdown" and "Tomorrow's Ark" and other moderately heavy games have been placed on TikTok by more than 30%, which means that game manufacturers have already Substantially recognized TikTok's position in advertising channels.
Changes in the competitive landscape of the US Internet advertising market
In recent years, the size of the US Internet advertising market has been rising.
According to data from eMarketer, the size of the market rose from US$42.8 billion in 2013 to US$107.4 billion in 2018. In addition, the Los Angeles Times cited an e-commerce research report saying that by the end of 2019, the scale of digital advertising by U.S. companies is expected to reach 130 billion U.S. dollars. Compared with about 110 billion U.S. dollars for traditional advertising, its market share has exceeded 50%.
This market currently shows a serious oligopoly pattern. In the aforementioned 2018 data, Google, Facebook, and Amazon have together accounted for 61.9% of the total U.S. online advertising market share.
According to Facebook’s financial report, its overall advertising revenue in 2019 was US$69.655 billion, of which Instagram contributed nearly US$20 billion. According to the 2019 financial report of Google's parent company Alphabet, its total annual advertising revenue (website revenue and online revenue) was US$141.8 billion, of which YouTube advertising revenue was US$15.15 billion.
Even with such a leading position, Facebook is not so careless in advertising. From 2017 to 2019, Facebook's advertising business accounted for 98.25%, 98.52%, and 98.53% of total revenue, respectively.
Such a high share means that Facebook is a pure advertising company at the commercial level. If this core business is threatened, it is equivalent to finding an ant colony in the base of its business empire. Therefore, even if TikTok's small goal of $500 million does not seem worth mentioning, Facebook will spare no effort to provoke it.
The problem now lies in two directions. If TikTok is acquired by Microsoft, can it maintain its existing advantages and continue to grow, and finally become a product that can compete with Facebook and Google? And what if the actual situation is getting worse?
Prior to this, there were also discussions about the possibility of TikTok being sold to Google or even to Facebook.
Like Microsoft, the two have the power to acquire from the market value, but as the heads of the four major US technology companies attended the antitrust hearing some time ago, the US Internet market has been dominated by Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon. , TikTok sold to any one of them will intensify market monopoly. Although the current attitude of the White House is ambiguous, Microsoft is indeed a suitable acquisition initiator.
From a product perspective, Microsoft lacks tentacles in the C-end market. After owning TikTok, it is expected to participate in the battle of the American social network camp and get a share of the pie. On the commercial level, this acquisition can also help balance the duopoly of Facebook and Google in the US Internet advertising market (although it may not be what Zuckerberg wants)-no matter what it looks like, it should be an advocacy of freedom, Supported by the American economy of equal competition.
However, the outside world is worried about Microsoft's acquisition. This technology company has undoubtedly created great success in the PC era, but it has fallen behind in the mobile Internet era. In addition, Microsoft's three acquisitions of instant messaging software Skype, corporate social network Yammer and workplace social product LinkedIn are not considered successful.
This may leave companies such as Facebook and Google with a certain opportunity.
Facts have proved that the giants agree on TikTok. In June of this year, Google's YouTube began testing features similar to TikTok's 15-second video. Facebook also launched Reels on Instagram in July this year. Although this move was called copycat (imitated product) by Kevin Mayer, the head of TikTok US, even its other imitated product Lasso has failed. But Reels kept walking.
It is understood that this feature has been launched in India, Brazil, France and Germany, and will officially land in more than 50 countries including the United States and Japan early next month. There are media reports that Facebook is using large subsidies to transfer influencers.
It cannot be denied that Facebook has brought innovative experiences to social networks, but for a long time, Facebook's image in front of competitors has been portrayed as "copy can not win, then buy." This is true for both the transaction with Instagram and the idea of Poke and Slingshot for Snapchat and Story, which was launched on Instagram.
Zach Burke has always had this determination. This time Reels is also burdened with the same task, only to see where TikTok is going in the end, and if there are new entrants, whether it has the ability to prevent the existing ones The turned balance is out of balance again.


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Madison Media, a unit of Madison World has created a record by winning 23 new accounts in a financial year. Amidst the nationwide lockdown and work-from-home, the new business wins amounted to billing of $211 Million as per Convergence New Business Report published last month. The Agency also received a top score of A+ in the Comp Pitches Report for 2020 by Recma.
In 2020 also it was a fantastic year for Madison Media in terms of New Business, the agency won clients like Abbott Nutrition, RSPL Group, RSH Global – Joy Cosmetics, Welspun, Indira IVF, Licious, Weikfield, M3M India, Liebherr, Educational Testing Service (ETS), Aliens Group, Wonder Masala, Vijay Bhoomi, Practo, Gold Drop Oil, NextGen Software, McDonald’s integrated & performance, Dhani Loans, Atomberg, Alchem Industries, Sunpure Oil, PAPA Brands, amongst others. The Agency continues its winning streak this year too.
In an exclusive chat with medianews4u Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO, Madison Media & OOH speaks on the win, how 2021 will pan out for Advertising and brands, and much more…
Congratulations, winning 23 accounts is a huge thing in a year that was full of uncertainty, your thoughts on this?
We are delighted with a strong feeling of validation. We believe that marketing investment drives consumer demand. In fact, our planning framework is called Outcomes Planning. In a highly volatile uncertain environment, the Advertiser’s need to link spends to outcomes became greater. And we tapped that need with some strong through the funnel storytelling. It worked.
The agency was ranked as the most powerful media agency in 2019; you have been on a winning spree, Vikram, how does it feel?
To have both the international media rating agencies – RECMA and Convergence – place Madison at the top is a high. I have always believed the media is a local game. And to have Madison – the world’s largest media independent by share, to now be the top Indian agency, ahead of the global networks on competitive pitches and qualitative ratings is a proud moment for all of us.
How are you seeing 2021 panning out for the Advertising Industry on the whole?
It will be a volatile year. JFM was a very strong quarter for Media. April also has been strong. Wave 2 of Covid is battering us as we speak. Despite that, there seems to be a resolve to keep the economic activity going. I anticipate sectorial hiccups but unlike last April, May doesn’t believe that the total economic machinery of the country will shut down. We should brace ourselves for class 2 Rapids and not a roller coaster.
Digital business is soaring, more brands getting onto it; do you see a drop in brands spending less on traditional mediums?
The digital share will increase but in absolute terms spends on other mediums will also increase, especially on the lower base of 2020.
Are brands now more empathetic in their communications?
This is an interesting question. I presume you are referring to the overarching shadow of the pandemic we are all shrouded in. I can see a few brands that are acknowledging the mood of the nation in their advertising. But a majority seem to be advertising without this reference. And that is not necessarily bad or insensitive. It is refreshing to see funny, irreverent and “normal” advertising. During grim times getting your mind off the depressing stuff is also important.
From an ADEX perspective, how has Print performed and will brands still look at ad spends on Print?
Print has definitely rebounded in the last 6 months. I am bullish on Print.


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Eddie Bauer board packed with CEOs
Chain to get new directors after Spiegel bankruptcy
Published 10:00 pm, Monday, May 23, 2005
There's a new board of directors all lined up to focus Eddie Bauer on its core apparel business, after more than two years of uncertainty because of the bankruptcy proceedings of crumbling parent company Spiegel Inc.
The formation of the Redmond-based retailer's new parent company, Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc., and its board, are pending tomorrow's bankruptcy court hearing to confirm the plan of reorganization filed by Illinois-based Spiegel Inc.
The 400-store Eddie Bauer, which did $1.2 billion in sales last year, has said that it is committed to its catalog, which has an annual distribution of 90 million copies, and its Web site.
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And from the looks of the board members' experience, that would appear to be true. Much of the chief executive-stacked board's experience is in direct marketing and distribution.
William Thomas End, 57, the former chairman and chief executive of the privately held Cornerstone Brands Inc., a holding company for catalog operators, will head the board of former executives, several of whom serve on other retailers' boards.
End, also the former president and chief executive of Land's End Inc. and the former vice president for L.L. Bean Inc., will lead a board whose members average 57 years of age.
Eddie Bauer President and Chief Executive Fabian Mansson, at 40 years old, is the youngest member of the board.
Prior to his hiring by Eddie Bauer, Mansson was president and chief executive of H&M, the 1,000-plus chain store focused on young fashion.
End is joined by Howard Gross, 62, the former chief executive of Hub Distributing and Millers Outpost, as well as for the stores of The Limited and Victoria's Secret.
Bringing outdoor apparel experience to the board is Stephen Watson, 60, the former president and chief executive of Gander Mountain, which specializes in hunting, fishing and camping gear.
Perhaps in a nod to Spiegel's failure to file its financial reports on time for the two years prior to its bankruptcy, and the Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of its accounting practices that followed, the board includes Kenneth Reiss, 62, a former managing partner with Ernst & Young, LLP, where he supervised the gigantic accounting firm's New York office and assurance and advisory practice.
Also joining the board is Paul Kirincic, 54, the executive vice president of human resources for McKesson Corp., a behemoth pharmaceutical distributor in the United States.