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On April Fool's Day, Will the Joke Be on Borders?
Big Trouble in 2009
At this time last year, Borders was getting ready to report some seriously grim fourth-quarter earnings. Stock was trading below $1 a share and the NYSE threatened to de-list it. George Jones had been replaced as CEO by Ron Marshall, who proceeded to lay off 136 employees at the company's corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, followed by a larger layoff of 742 store-based employees. Analysts had whipped themselves into a frenzy of speculation that the retailer was doomed to enter Chapter 11. Jim McTevia, managing partner of Bingham Farms-based McTevia Associations, told the Detroit Free Press last year, "Depending on their ability to get debtor-in-possession financing, they could easily file for Chapter 11.... It is much easier to facilitate the sale of a troubled company under bankruptcy protection."
But bankruptcy didn't happen. Pershing Square extended its loan, which it had already done two previous times before. An even larger loan backed by Bank of America (BAC) had its payback deadline confirmed for July 2011, buying Borders a little more time to come up with the $360 million that would be due. The stock was not de-listed and now hovers around $2 a share. The store still had the power to make or break bestsellers, such as Heather Gudenkauf's debut novel The Weight of Silence and, more recently, the paperback edition of Chris Cleave's Little Bee. And Pershing Square CEO William Ackman made the confident claim that bankruptcy was a "low-probability" event.
Instead of going the Chapter 11 or 7 route, Borders began what is known internally as "Project Phoenix" for handling the $562 million in leases it must pay for the 513 superstores it operates. Stores designated with this moniker are those whose locked-in leases, negotiated when the economy was riding high, are now so prohibitive that even if they make money on books, can never be profitable -- making them the retail equivalent of an underwater mortgage. If a company came knocking and wanted to take over these stores and negotiate with landlords directly, Borders would hardly stop them. But as long as the economy recovers at a pace slower than a snail, then Borders is stuck with these never-profitable Project Phoenix stores, punished with inferior stock, slower re-orders, and a cap on the amount of office supplies (stories have circulated on internal message boards of Projejct Phoenix stores getting their supplies through the charity of profitable stores over-ordering and sending along their surplus.)
2010: The Bad News Continues
So far, 2010 has followed last year's script of personnel changes, layoffs and negative speculation almost to the letter. Ron Marshall exited the company in January to become the CEO of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Company, and Michael Edwards was promoted to take his place until a more permanent replacement can be found; 164 people were laid off at the corporate level -- cutting the overall roster in half to a mere 650 -- and even though the numbers have still not been confirmed, hundreds more store employees were let go earlier in March. The company also closed 150 of its smaller, mall-based Waldenbooks stores, slashing that division in half. Borders still employs more than 22,000 people, but that's down from the 27,000 employed a year ago.
That has Jim McTevia bringing up the prospect of bankruptcy anew. "Borders is a classic example of a company that is struggling for survival," McTevia told the Ann Arbor News. "I would say that if somebody doesn't buy Borders and merge them into an operation that Borders will probably fail and liquidate."
The biggest red flag as to why this bit of deja vu might actually signify something more drastic for Borders is that there is still no date scheduled for when the retailer will release its fourth quarter earnings. The Associated Press reported last week that the quarterly report would be issued Monday, but Borders spokesperson Mary Davis told DailyFinance that the AP's report "inaccurate" and stressed, "We never announced a date for the 4th quarter release or the conference call."
One possible reason for holding back on the earnings report is that with news so bad of late -- like the nearly 15% drop in holiday sales for stores open at least a year -- there's no reason to rush on releasing even gloomier news. But the probable truth is no laughing matter: if Borders and Pershing Square don't figure out how to keep the loan afloat, then it has a ripple effect on the larger, Bank of America-backed loan, which may also need to have its deadline extended, assuming the bank can come to an agreement with various investors.
Why Borders May Not Be Down for the Count
On March 10 the company's' board of directors approved retention bonuses for the top five executives, and claimed in a March 16 SEC filing that they would develop a business plan for the second half of 2010.
The company is shaping up to enter the e-books market in a much more focused way than they ever have before, what with a recent spate of job listings for its digital division. Though Borders sells the Sony (SNE) Reader, they've never had an e-bookstore like the juggernaut Amazon (AMZN) or brick-and-mortar competitor Barnes & Noble (BKS). This summer, Borders plans to sell a $149 e-reader manufactured by Kobo, a company spun off from Canadian bookstore retailer Indigo, and the Alex Spring Design e-reader, priced at $399. Both have pros and cons -- the Kobo e-reader's price is attractive and its software also works on a variety of other devices, such as Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and upcoming iPad -- but eating into the massive market share of the Kindle or competing with B&N's e-reader, nook, might be a tall order at this point.
All that distress puts Borders on equal footing with some other troubled local retailers, as turnaround expert Ken Dalto told the Free Press: "[Borders is] doing what GM and Chrysler were doing at this time last year," Dalto said. "They will either do a workout with creditors or do a formal bankruptcy."
Depending on what happens, Borders will either breathe a sigh of relief come April 1, however temporary, or will experience a very sad April Fool's Day.


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- Seña 2021 has been released internationally for £1,344 per 12×75.
- The wine has a score of 98+ points from The Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutiérrez.
- The 2021 release comes at a premium to others on the market, but there is value to be found among back vintages.
As part of La Place de Bordeaux’s Autumn Releases campaign, Seña 2021 has been released at €90 per bottle ex-négociant, up 5.9% on the 2020’s release price (€85 per bottle).
The wine is being offered internationally for £1,344 per 12×75 (€1,560 / HKD 13,800 / CHF 1,500 / $1,750), up 30.6% on the previous vintage’s opening price.
At this price, the new release is the most expensive of the last ten vintages of Seña. Given its high price point, the 2020, 2019, and 2018 vintages seem more attractive. See more pricing analysis below.
The Wine Advocate’s Luis Gutiérrez awarded the wine a score of 98+ points, calling it ‘one of the finest vintages of the iconic Seña wine’.
Jane Anson awarded the wine 95 points, noting the ‘unobtrusive tannins that build slowly but surely’ and adding that the wine ‘needs some time in the bottle before drinking’.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Independent) also scored today’s release 95 points. She said that ‘the medium-bodied palate is charged with energetic black fruits, with loads of savory accents and ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing’.
Fair value analysis
The 2020 vintage is currently priced at £826 per case, a 38.5% discount on today’s release. The 2019 and 2018 are available at a Market Price of £780 and £884 per case respectively, 42.0% and 34.2% below the 2021.
Last year saw the first release of Seña’s second wine, Rocas de Seña.
Today the 2021 vintage has also been released at €38 per bottle ex-négociant, up 8.6% from the previous year’s release (€35 per bottle). The wine is being offered internationally for £582 per case (12×75), an increase of 36.6% from last year’s release (£426 per case).
Rocas de Seña 2021 received a score of 94 points from Luis Gutiérrez (The Wine Advocate) who notes that this vintage ‘is less opulent and with more tension and floral aromas (but with power too) than the 2020’.
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Liv-ex analysis is drawn from the world’s most comprehensive database of fine wine prices. The data reflects the real-time activity of Liv-ex’s 620+ merchant members from across the globe. Together they represent the largest pool of liquidity in the world – currently £100m of bids and offers across 16,000 wines.

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ComiXology recently announced a multi-year contract with Marvel Comics where “it will exclusively distribute single issue English-language digital comics” So the biggest comic publisher finally [kinda] hooks up with the biggest digital comic retailer.
So check and mate.
Marvel Digital Media’s GM, Peter Phillips said…
“As the industry leader, Marvel is committed to growing the comics market through digital innovation—and bolstering our existing partnership with comiXology continues that,”
“This agreement is a huge win for current and future fans of the Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man and Marvel’s entire library of exciting characters.”
ComiXology CEO said…
“We’re extremely proud that Marvel has chosen comiXology as its partner,”
“Our expanded relationship will foster increased innovation and accelerate plans for more points of distribution and reading. I’m more than thrilled.”
No one has yet commented on the actual length of the “muli-year” deal. And the contract does not seem to include collections (i.e. graphic novels).
The contract (which was actually signed on May 1) strategically happens just before June, the date Marvel has picked where all $3.99 comics will include a free digital code.
Already the biggest kid at recess this contract solidifies comiXology’s near-monopoly in the digital comics realm, and depending on the length of the deal it makes anyone coming in and competing in the near future seem a huge uphill battle.
Not really bad news – I’d prefer one place to make all my comic purchases rather than spanning my digital library through several apps.
The most interesting quote of the whole thing, the “after the credits” scene if you will came from comiXology CEO David Steinberger while talking to TechCrunch…
“We’ll be working closely with Marvel to ensure their branded experience is a unique experience. It will be different than the DC Comics branded experience.”
Curious to see what that’s going to look like. Hopefully not just different logos and colors.
More Sales Talk @ acomicbookblog.com/tag/comic-book-sales


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The two-way battle for control of Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) has taken another twist after former CEO Andrew Tinkler (pictured) promised to inject a further £10m of equity into the troubled haulier if his bid is successful. The move would see Tinkler’s overall offer rise to £80m, in part to repay debts which are understood to have spiralled to an “unsustainable” £200m. In a statement, TVFB (3) Limited, a company controlled by Tinkler, also revealed it has bought a 6.5% […]
Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) may be forced to seek a new injection of capital to ease investor concerns over mounting debts, an equity analyst has told motortransport.co.uk
With an improving economy and subsequent pressure for operators to improve pay, it’s been a year of hard negotiation for many, and in some cases road transport businesses and even the DVSA have had to contend with industrial action including strikes. Motortransport.co.uk looks back at a year of disputes.
Tesco has been drawn into the Eddie Stobart Doncaster row as drivers at the DC prepare to start a third wave of strike action tomorrow (6 December). The supermarket chain, which runs the DC’s warehousing but outsourced the transport operation with 183 drivers to Eddie Stobart in August, has made a point of not commenting on the jobs row until now. However, after Unite last week rejected the latest offer from Eddie Stobart, a spokeswoman for the chain said: “We […]


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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has completed its U-turn on the issue of meat descended from cloned animals and will now tell the government it can be allowed into the food chain.
Highlighting health benefits of low fat grilled food, Al Farooj, the UAE based fast-casual restaurant chain, has launched ‘Think Healthy; Think BBQ’ consumer awareness campaign and products across its high foot-in outlets in the UAE.
- 27/5/11 www.ausfoodnews.com.au
The Australian Food and Grocery Council, together with not-for-profit barcode standards body GS1 Australia, have called for industry support for their new smartphone app, GS1 GoScan, which will allow extended labelling of products via barcode scanning by consumers.
As populations and food needs grow across the Middle East, one Egyptian businessman has spotted a niche export opportunity for Australia: camel meat.
Today, Assembly Member Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), decided to postpone a vote on his bill, AB 88, The Consumer Right To Know Act, which would require the labeling of genetically engineered fish sold in California.
Behalal.org have been active during a pilot in Birmingham to make changes in pre-cooked food and featured in special report – toxic takeaway.
By Miriam Kresh
Holland, where religious tolerance has been known since the 16th century, proposes a step backwards to the Dark Ages.
ALBANY, NY (05/20/2011)(readMedia)– New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today alerted consumers to undeclared eggs in “Halal Plain Cake” and “Halal Fruit Cake”, packaged and distributed by Narala Bakery Inc. of 744 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. People who have severe sensitivity to eggs may run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.
» read more
John Brunton (Writer)
While French cuisine may now be officially recognised under Unesco World Heritage, and Paris can claim to be the world’s gastronomic capital, from its atmospheric bistros and brasseries to elegant Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy, the city is also a treasure trove of restaurants showcasing food from all over the Middle East and North Africa, with a vast choice of patisseries and bakeries, gourmet caterers and halal butchers. You’ll find these in every Parisian quartier, from the friendly corner couscous in the working-class Belleville neighbourhood to a chic Lebanese mezze restaurant on the Champs-Elysées.
A Birmingham-based company is offering businesses across the city a chance to try something new at lunchtime. Enta, based in Mill Wharf, provides halal food to businesses, social events and nurseries in the city.
By Gemma Mackenzie
Scholars, Experts, Consultants, Specialists, Nutritionalists and Environmental Health Officers. » read more
- UK: FSA rubber-stamps cloned offspring recommendations
- UAE: Al Farooj urges consumers to move to low fat food; to healthier lifestyle
- Australia: AFGC launches food labelling smartphone app
- Australia – Big money in camels
- California Must Label Genetically Engineered Fish
- UK: behalal.org on BBC Asian Network
- Nestle buys US firm Prometheus Laboratories as part of food pharma drive
- Holland’s Proposed Ban on Ritual Slaughter Affects Jews and Moslems
- Australia: Taking Stock
- Imports raise food security flag in UAE
- NY: Consumer Alert: Undeclared Eggs in “Halal Plain” & “Halal Fruit Cake”
- Italy: First ‘halal’ firm to supply restaurants and canteens
- Staying halal in Paris will not take you out of your way
- UK: Enta offers lunchtime treat
- UK: BVA calls for total pre-stunned slaughter
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Virtusa sees big boost in Q3 revenue
IT outsourcing and consulting company Virtusa Corp. (Nasdaq: VRTU) saw a big bump in revenue for the third quarter which ended Dec. 31, 2012.
The Westborough, Mass.-based company with more than 6,000 employees reported third quarter fiscal 2013 revenue of $86.5 million, a 7 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 20 percent increase year over year. Net income for the third quarter was $7.4 million, or 29 cents per share, compared to $5.8 million, or 23 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, and an increase compared to $5.6 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2012.
According to a company statement, Virtusa ended the quarter with $97 million in cash and short-term and long-term investments, compared to $80 million at Sept. 30, 2012.
“This was a strong quarter for Virtusa driven by broad-based revenue growth across all of our industries and geographies,” said Kris Canekeratne, Virtusa’s chairman and CEO. “We are seeing the benefits of scale and the investments we have made in building competencies to pursue and win engagements that are at the nexus of our clients and their consumers. The successful client outcomes we are driving are opening new opportunities within enterprises, both in current and new lines of business.”
Fourth quarter 2013 revenue is expected to be between $88.8-$90.9 million, with earnings per share of between 30-32 cents.
Founded in 1996, company provides consulting, technology implementation and application outsourcing services to Global 2000 companies and software vendors in communications and technology, banking and financial services, insurance, telecommunications and media, information and education industries. In July 2011, it acquired New York City-based financial services consulting firm ALaS Consulting LLC for $27.8 million in cash.
In August of 2007, the company went public, raising $61.6 million in its IPO.
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Last October, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Duo, its latest — but certainly not its first — attempt to build a smartphone that lives up to the company’s productivity reputation on other platforms. Now, after almost a year, the Surface Duo dual screens (and its reviews) have arrived. And as you’ll be able to tell after reading this review roundup, it seems it probably could have used another year to bake before making its official debut…
Most of the reviews can pretty much be summed up with this paragraph at the Verge; the common consensus is that the phone just isn’t ready. Apparently, reviewers were originally sent devices that had software that was borderline unusable — and Microsoft had to patch things up before the actual review embargo. That’s never a good sign, but especially not when a company wants this much money.
This Surface Duo? It’s not really ready. It has a bunch of good ideas, but the execution is bad in places, and a lot of people aren’t going to get what Microsoft is going for. There are more than enough problems here to keep me from recommending it. Maybe if this didn’t cost fourteen hundred bucks we could be having a different conversation. But it does. And if you want to spend that much on a work phone, the Note 20 Ultra does split-screen, comes with a stylus, has a good camera, and runs all of those Microsoft apps just fine.
The product is clearly beautiful from a hardware engineering standpoint, though. Almost every reviewer praised the tactility and reliability of the hinge — perhaps the best on a foldable thus far.
MKBHD got some more attractive imagery of the device in his review, and agreed on most points with Dieter:
Owen Williams also had the highest of praises for the phone’s hardware, saying that its premium build is only comparable to products you’d see from the big fruit company:
The Duo is lovely to look at and even nicer to hold — which is important, given it’ll set you back a solid $1,400. It’s slick, coated in glass, and ultra-thin. It feels like it’s been refined for years, with attention to detail that I’ve only seen in Apple products. Unfolding it for the first time is incredibly satisfying, like cracking open a book you’ve been dying to read.
As Axios notes, the camera is the one major weakness with the hardware. Perhaps you could complain about the large bezels around the displays, but this is a first-generation product after all:
The camera is the Duo’s glaring hardware weakness. There’s only one small sensor, and you have to fold your phone one way to take selfies and another to capture what’s in front of you. That makes Surface Duo ill-suited for candid shots and results in an overall subpar camera experience.
My good friend David Imel at Android Authority put together a video review exploring the underlying philosophy of the Surface Duo and touching on the beauty of the hardware as well. But the software and the actual dual-screen experience is shoddy, he says. There’s essentially an endless list of bugs.
“It would take an entire separate video to go through all of them,” he says. “I’ve also found that my Surface Duo just lags, a lot — I’ve had a ton of frame drops.”
CNBC went into more detail on some of the software issues they experienced with the Surface Duo in their review:
In the grocery store, for example, it took me way longer to open the Surface Duo, open my shopping list, flip it into single screen mode and then cross something off the list while I was pushing my cart. This was just so much easier to do from a regular phone. And speaking of that, you have to open it to answer a phone call, since there isn’t a speaker or screen on the outside.
CNET’s Scott Stein said he just stopped using the phone after finding it more frustrating to use than a normal smartphone.
When new devices are this tough to use, you stop using them. The first Apple Watch was so slow at opening apps that I just went back to the iPhone instead. If the Duo makes email and Slack and Zoom weirder, I’d just reach for a normal-feeling smartphone or tablet or laptop instead — which is what I’ve been doing.
Joanna Stern at the Wall Street Journal perhaps put it best:
It isn’t always clear when something is ready.
Take my grilling. Sometimes I remove steak well before or after I should’ve. You might say it’s a “tough” call. But there’s nothing tough about stating this: The new two-screen Surface Duo is undercooked.
And Michael Fisher, who infamously forgives the most ambitious and exciting and weird among smartphones, obviously saw merit in much of the concept. He said in his Surface Duo review that he “wants to love it,” but for now, could “only recommend to only the most hardcore of Microsoft fans.”
“Come to think of it, that’s how I ended my Lumia 950 review, too. Here’s hoping things go differently this time around,” Fisher said in his review.
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A PENSIONER has been removed from an aircraft for 'persistent racist comments' directed at a flight attendant, according to the Guardia Civil. The Binter flight from Palma de Mallorca to Tenerife North had not...
Foreign tourist spending in Spain up 12.9% in 2017
TOURISTS visiting Spain shelled out far more cash in 2017 than the previous year, even though Catalunya's disputed independence referendum saw spending fall in the autumn.
Year-on-year growth, as at the end of November, was around 12.9%, and for that month, holidaymakers spent 10.3% more in Spain than they did in November 2016.
According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in 2017 – excluding December, for which figures are not yet available – visitors parted with a total of €82.3 billion whilst on holiday in Spain.
In November alone, they spent €4.64bn.
After 10 months of continuing growth, November saw a drop in cash stumped up by tourists visiting Catalunya – of 4.2% compared with the same month in 2016.
But even then, holidaymakers in the north-eastern region left behind €18.3bn in 11 months, or 10.6% more than in the same period in 2016.
Including accommodation, the average holidaymaker spent a total of €1,054 – around 2.7% more than the previous year – with daily spending rising 0.4% to €139, relating to food, excursions, shopping and entertainment.
A typical stay in Spain in 2017 lasted 7.6 days, up from 7.4 days as at November 2016.
Predictably, the highest spending was seen in July (€11.9bn) and August (€11.34bn), steadily rising over the year from January's €4.25bn, then going down after the main summer months.
Spending was high in September, at €9.43bn, given that in the last few years, this has been one of the hottest months in Spain and, in 2017, August brought disappointing weather.
This said, rain and grey skies in August on the Mediterranean meant a significant business boost for retailers and restaurants as holidaymakers had to change their sunbathing plans.
The Canary Islands took the most money from tourists in November 2017 – helped by the region's mild climate, which means the beach season lasts longer than on the mainland – accounting for 32.5% of the total, whilst 20.2% of the money was spent in Catalunya and 13.6% in Madrid.
Foreign visitors spent 14.8% more in the Canary Islands than in the same month the previous year, and 21.5% more in Madrid.
The average spend per head went down by 2% in Catalunya in November across the board, although spending on daily costs such as shopping, food, entertainment and trips rose by 9%.
For 2017 as a whole, not including December, the highest spending – 22.2% of the total – was seen in Catalunya, whilst 18.5% of the cash was left in the Canary Islands and 17.6% in the Balearic Islands.
Overall, in those 11 months, Madrid saw the greatest increase in tourist spending at 15.9%, followed by Valencia's 15.7%, Andalucía's 12.9%, the Balearics' 12.3% and the Canary Islands' 12.1%.
In accordance with usual trends, Brits made up the largest national group of foreign holidaymakers and spent 17.9% of the total, whilst Germans accounted for 13.3% of the cash spent and the four main Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, for 12%.
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THREE British tourists have been arrested in Gran Canaria for constantly insulting a gay couple on their flight from East Midlands airport. The accused holidaymakers, aged between 25 and 28, made homophobic comments...


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MDN: Red-Hot Growth for Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza
Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza has blazed quite a trail over the past five years by growing to five Memphis-area locations, and now co-owners Chad Foreman and Kirk Cotham are turning their sights toward expansion through the southeastern U.S.
Before forming Pyro’s in 2013, Foreman and Cotham both worked at Accredo Health Group, a Memphis-based specialty pharmacy company that was acquired by Medco Health Solutions and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Express Scripts, which merged with Medco in 2012.
“That merger either meant we would be moving to St. Louis, or they made it interesting for us to find new opportunities and gave us the ability to do that,” Foreman said. “We wanted to stay in Memphis, and we came across this thing that was starting to happen called fast casual. “At the time, it was so new that very few people across the country were doing it. We knew it was going to be the next big thing.”
Within a couple of weeks of learning about fast-casual dining, the two were traveling across the country looking at every place they could find offering fast-casual pizza. Initially, they were looking for a franchisor to partner with, but after six months of talking with various franchisors and investigating their brands, Foreman and Cotham decided to do something different for Memphis and do it on their own.
Beginning around Thanksgiving of 2012, they spent a year building the Pyro’s concept, which features oven-fired gourmet pizzas with more than 40 possible ingredients, along with a variety of coffee beverages, craft beer and wine.
When the entrepreneurs started, Foreman said, their mantra was to carry local beer.
“Fortunately, we opened at about the same time as Wiseacre, Memphis Made and High Cotton were all launching their (craft brewery) programs, so we were able to open on Park and Union carrying all three of them,” said Foreman, who added they are partnering with local breweries in other markets as well.
Pyro’s also offers Ugly Mug coffee at its Memphis-area locations.
“The idea was always that we could create something, where instead of bringing a concept to Memphis it could be from Memphis,” Cotham said. “We always wanted to expand the footprint that we cover in Memphis and then we would grow out from there.”
They focused on the dining experience, making it upscale fast casual, and also on figuring out the real estate side of expansion.
“We wanted to go out and convince the landlords of the world to give us the best space that would make us both successful,” Cotham said…
They focused on the Memphis market first and then were able to parlay that into expansion to Tuscaloosa and Opelika, Alabama; and Tupelo, Mississippi. Leases are signed for a new Pyro’s in Birmingham, but the building has not been built yet.
Pyro’s most recent opening was in Tupelo earlier his year, and the partners say reception has been strong.
For now, there are no further expansion plans for the Memphis market, but the duo is not opposed to the possibility in the future.
Each Pyro’s location employs an average of 30 to 40 people, and its corporate offices count a staff of 10.
For now, the company plans to continue to own all of its locations, with no plans to franchise future stores.
Foreman and Cotham have also recently opened a new concept, the Levee Creamery in Collierville, which opened at 2059 S. Houston Levee Road in May. The shop features locally roasted coffee from French Truck along with a variety of handmade ice cream flavors, including Mustang Madness (Oreo cookie and vanilla), Mint To Be (mint with chocolate flakes), Grit and Grind Café (coffee), Birthday Bash, Mud Island (chocolate), and more.
Foreman and Cotham are developing another new concept that could be revealed later this year.


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The Apple Online Store has temporarily gone down in advance of today’s Apple keynote.
When it returns, we’re expecting to see a new MacBook Pro with Magic Toolbar, MacBook, and potentially more — and there’s a chance you may even be able to order them today.
For our run-down on everything we’re expecting to see later this morning, check out our video here.
You can also see our page here for details on how to watch the event, which is set to begin at 10AM Pacific Time.
Also make sure you tune into Cult of Mac, where we’ll be providing a handy live blog — along with breaking news articles containing everything you need to know coming out of today’s event.
Are you excited? Leave your comments below.


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Writer Salman Rushdie attacked while giving a speech in New York | USA
Indian-born writer Salman Rushdie was attacked on Friday while giving a lecture in Chautauqua County, a town of about 140,000 inhabitants in western New York state. The first images of the event that have been shared on social networks show Rushdie on the floor, being attended by attendees and emergency services.
New York state police announced in a press release that the writer suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Rushdie as he was being introduced. The 75-year-old author was pushed or fell to the floor, and the man was restrained. The assailant has been arrested.
Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it blasphemous. A year later, on February 14, 1989, Iran’s late leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s death. The theocratic Iranian regime also offered a reward of more than $3 million for anyone who killed the writer, who holds dual British and US citizenship.
Iran’s government had long since distanced itself from Khomeini’s decree, but anti-Rushdie sentiment has persisted. In 2012, a semi-official Iranian religious foundation raised the reward for Rushdie’s death from $2.8 million to $3.3 million.
Rushdie, an English-language writer and perennial contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature, downplayed that threat then and said there was “no evidence” that people were interested in the reward. That year, Rushdie published a memoir, Joseph Anton, about the fatwa.
The 75-year-old author achieved international fame with the novel Midnight’s Children, which was published in 1980 and won him the Booker Prize, the UK’s most prestigious literary prize, the following year. The book sparked controversy in India for allegedly derogatory remarks towards the then prime minister of the country, Indira Gandhi.
With an overflowing imagination, his style has been compared to the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez and Carlos Fuentes, among others. He himself has recognized on numerous occasions his important links with Latin American literature. His latest book Quixote (2020) adapts Cervantes’ classic to the situation that the United States under the Donald Trump administration.
How Issey Miyake’s clothing became the uniform of the creative class | Culture
There are designers who have clients, and designers who have devotees. Japanese designer Issey Miyake, who died on August 9 at the age of 84, was the latter. Moreover, his clientele is easy to locate. “Why are his clothes preferred by so many prominent figures in the arts?” art critic Herbert Muschamp wondered in his 1998 review of Miyake’s exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. He had every reason to ask.
For over two decades now, the soundtrack of openings, vernissages, roundtables and other events in the art world has consisted as much of clinking champagne glasses as the airy and technical rustling of Miyake’s pleated garments for women (since 1993, when he launched his Pleats Please line) and men (from 2013, when he created his Homme Plissé brand, adapting his bestselling clothes for men to wear). Gallerists, curators, architects, photographers, writers, journalists: few can resist the charms of pieces by the designer who best understood that the future of fashion went through the future of its fabrics. It’s fashion without logos, but instantly recognizable, just like Martin Margiela’s, another art circuit classic.
One doesn’t have to go to the red carpet to find Miyake’s garments, just observe everyday cosmopolitan cultural life. Over the decades, architect Zaha Hadid; designers Jonathan Anderson and Samuel Ross; fashion critics Tim Blanks, Suzy Menkes and Angelo Flaccavento; gallery owner Barry Friedman; artists Joana Vasconcelos and Graciela Iturbide, politician Carmen Alborch; and music icons Grace Jones and Joni Mitchell have all been seen wearing Miyake. Steve Jobs was also loyal to Miyake since he commissioned a turtleneck sweater and the
Japanese designer responded with a hundred similar sweaters. In the years that followed, the Apple founder wore nothing else, according to his biographer, Walter Isaacson.
The idea of a uniform is a tantalizing hypothesis for explaining how quickly Miyake’s brand—which remains an independent company to this day—spread among certain groups. But there is an explanation—perfectly compatible with the previous one—that appeals to an earthlier reason: practicality. That was American architect and interior designer Rafael de Cárdenas’s assertion to Town & Country last April, after telling the magazine that he had discovered Miyake during his years as a designer at Calvin Klein. He said that the first time he wore Miyake, “my partner asked me if I was wearing my mom’s clothes. She’s big into the elegant sack thing. But it’s a good way to look smart when you’re actually wearing sweatpants.”
Comfort may well be one of the reasons for Miyake’s success. In the late 1980s, he began experimenting with a new way of pleating fabrics. That impulse to innovate wasn’t new. Since the beginning of his career, Miyake had been exploring the dialogue between technology and the old artisanal techniques of knitting and weaving. But he was more ambitious: instead of pleating the fabric prior to making the garment, he rolled and twisted the finished clothes, putting them into a machine that left the pleats indelibly marked by applying heat to the polyester. The pleating was irregular—it differed from garment to garment—as well as indestructible. As users say, the clothing can be put in the washing machine or haphazardly in a suitcase without fear of ruining the pleating. The result is pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets and dresses that weigh very little and use the shoulders as a hanger—the same logic that Cristóbal Balenciaga developed for
separating clothes from the body by following the example of Japanese clothing—to project their volume outward.
At the same time, the silhouette the clothing generates is wide and light like the paper lamps of Isamu Noguchi, one of Miyake’s favorite designers. In an era dominated by sleek, elongated silhouettes, that horizontality could be unflattering, as art curator Antwaun Sargent emphasized in the same Town & Country article. He recalled that he’d associated Miyake with female collectors of a certain age. Then, he decided to buy a pair of pants after seeing Solange Knowles wear them; he has been loyal to the brand ever since. So has historian Roger Cook, who was interviewed for a feature on Miyake customers in The Financial Times when he was in his eighties. “The publicity for Plissé is primarily aimed at the youth or sport end of the market, but I feel it can be successfully and stylishly worn by seniors like myself,” he explained of his favorite baggy pants. “The enormous amount of bodily gratification I obtain from my Miyake wonderfully compensates for the depredations of old age.”
Miyake’s connection with the creative class has even found its way into marketing textbooks. In an article about “expertise marketing,” French professor—and Republican member of France’s National Assembly—Patrick Hetzel imagined Miyake’s prototypical client: her name is Josyane. She is a communications executive who works in the Parisian golden triangle and lives in the Marais; she views luxury fashion designers with skepticism and favors brands with sophisticated tastes, such as Miyake. “Josyane is proud of her ten years of loyalty to the firm, which makes her part of a small tribe of people whose originality has served to create new styles,” Hetzel writes
Although the example may be a cliché—after all, that’s what sociological textbook categorizations do—the Frenchman’s observation underscores another argument in Miyake’s favor: the artistic and conceptual pedigree he gained from decades of collaborating with the world of culture. Miyake is the designer of pleated clothing and the name behind two of the world’s most famous fragrances (L’Eau d’Issey and L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme, which set the trend of aquatic fragrances in the 1990s). But he’s also a creator who has worked with William Forsythe, Yayoi Kusama and Cai Guo-Qiang; his collections have been featured in memorable photographs by Lord Snowdon, Irving Penn and Nick Knight; and since 1997, when he decided to step back from commercial designs to focus on experimental projects, his work has been featured in exhibits at the world’s most prestigious art centers. In some cases, both worlds have coexisted, as in the A-POC (A Piece of Clothing) project. The last commercial brand with which he was actively involved, the collection consisted of tubular fabrics that, thanks to computer technology, allowed each user to cut out their desired garment without worrying about fraying it.
Ultimately, Miyake’s work can be as intellectual or direct as one wants. Some of his biggest fans would say the latter. As fashion critic Tim Blanks told The Financial Times, “Don’t think about it [Miyake’s Homme Plissé]. Just put it on. Then we’ll talk.
Mike Tyson vs. Disney’s Hulu: ‘Heads will roll’ | Culture
Former boxer Mike Tyson has stepped into the ring again, but this time he is fighting a very different opponent: Disney’s streaming platform Hulu. The youngest champion in the history of boxing heavyweights has lashed out Hulu for not paying him for the TV show Mike, a scripted limited series that will be released on August 25. “Hulu stole my story. They’re Goliath and I’m David. Heads will roll for this,” wrote Tyson in a message on his Twitter account, which has 5.9 million followers.
“Hulu is the streaming version of the slave master. They stole my story and didn’t pay me,” he added on Instagram. Tyson, who new leads a medical marijuana company in California, said he was also offended by the fact Hulu made no effort to consult him about how to portray key moments in his life, such as his famous bite of Evander Holyfield in a fight in Las Vegas in 1997. “I don’t support their story about my life. It’s not 1822. It’s 2022. They stole my story and didn’t pay me. To Hulu executives I’m just a n****r they can sell on the auction block.”
Hulu stole my story. They’re Goliath and I’m David. Heads will roll for this.
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) August 6, 2022
Tyson added that Hulu also offered money to his friend Dana White, the current president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in exchange for information about the boxer’s life. “He turned it down because he honors friendship and treating people with dignity. I’ll never forget what he did for me, just like I’ll never forget what Hulu stole from me.”
The dispute with Hulu comes after Tyson revealed on the podcast The Pivot that he had spent around $500 million dollars on women. “I spent my last million dollars on my rehab because there was nothing left of the $500 million I made as a boxer,” he said. “It was all about women. It took 15 to 16 years, it seemed like a lot of money, but it’s all gone.”
In the same interview, he said he would not leave his six children any inheritance money. “What I leave them is the lesson to work hard and pray a lot. Money would not help them, it would harm them because it would not teach them to stand up for themselves, to overcome adversity and to work hard,” he said.
Madonna: ‘No one’s going to tell my story, but me’
US singer Madonna has written a screenplay about her life with Diablo Cody (the Oscar-winning screenwriter for Juno) and Erin Cressida Wilson (the writer of Secretary). The pop star may even direct the movie to ensure that it is not directed by “misogynistic men,” she told Variety magazine. “No one’s going to tell my story, but me.”
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Up to 90% of British gas stations across major English cities ran out on Monday after panic buying exacerbated a supply chain crisis caused by a truck driver shortage that retailers warned could hit the world’s fifth-largest economy.
A severe shortage of truck drivers after Brexit has left Britain’s supply chains with chaos on everything from food to fuel, raising the specter of unrest and price hikes in the lead-up to Christmas.
Just days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government spent millions of pounds to avoid food shortages due to high prices for natural gas, the biggest cost in producing fertilizer, ministers have asked people to refrain from panic buying.
But queues of dozens of cars returned from gas stations across the country on Sunday, swallowing supplies and forcing many stations to simply close. Reuters journalists said pumps in British cities were either shut down or had signs indicating no fuel availability on Monday.
The Gasoline Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who now account for 65% of all UK stations, said members reported 50% to 90% of pumps were running dry in some areas.
“We’re unfortunately seeing panic buying for fuel in many areas of the country,” Gordon Palmer, executive director of PR, who has worked for BP for 30 years, told Reuters.
“We need some calm,” Palmer said. “Please don’t panic, buy: if people drain the network, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Britain is considering calling on the military to ensure fuel supplies reach consumers, according to The Times and Financial Times.
But carriers, gas stations and retailers have warned that there are no quick fixes because the shortage of truck drivers – estimated at 100,000 – has been so acute and that transporting fuel requires additional training and licensing.
supply chain crisis
Britain’s retail industry warned the government on Friday that unless it moved to ease a severe shortage of truck drivers in the next 10 days, major disruption was inevitable in the run-up to Christmas.
For months, supermarkets, processors and farmers have warned that a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers is straining supply chains to breaking point — making it difficult to move goods to shelves.
BP said on Sunday that nearly a third of Britain’s gas stations had run out of two major grades of fuel as panic buying forced the government to suspend competition laws and allow companies to work together to alleviate shortages.
Anglo-Dutch oil group Shell said it had also seen an increase in fuel demand.
“With the intense demand we’ve seen over the past two days, we estimate that around 30% of sites in this network currently do not have any of the major fuel grades,” BP, which operates 1,200 sites in Britain, said in a statement.
“We are working to restore supplies as quickly as possible.”
Business Minister Kwasi Kwarting said the suspension would allow companies to share information and coordinate their response.
“This move will allow the government to work constructively with fuel producers, suppliers, carriers and retailers to ensure disruption is minimized,” the business department said in a statement.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had earlier called for calm, saying the shortages were only caused by panic buying and that the situation would eventually resolve on its own because the fuel could not be stored.
“There is a lot of fuel, and there is no shortage of fuel inside the country,” Shapps told Sky News.
“So the most important thing is for people to keep working like they normally do and fill up their cars when they normally do, you won’t have queues and you won’t have a pump shortage either.”
After a meeting with Kwarteng, industry figures including representatives from Shell and Exxon Mobil said in a joint statement issued by the Department of Business that they had received reassurance, and stressed that there was no shortage of fuel nationwide.
Earlier, Shapps said the shortage of truck drivers was due to COVID-19 disrupting the onboarding process, preventing new labor from entering the market.
Others blamed Brexit and poor working conditions for forcing foreign drivers out.
On Sunday, the government announced a plan to issue temporary visas to 5,000 foreign truck drivers.
But business leaders have warned that the government’s plan is a short-term fix and will not solve an acute labor shortage that threatens to disrupt significantly beyond fuel deliveries, including for retailers in the run-up to Christmas.
Shapps described the fuel panic as an “artificial situation” and blamed it on the Transport Operators Association.
“They desperately need more European drivers who are cutting Britons’ salaries,” he said.
An opinion poll published by the Observer newspaper on Sunday showed that 67% of voters think the government has handled the crisis poorly. A majority of 68% said Brexit was partly to blame.
Opposition Labor leader Keir Starmer, speaking at his party’s annual conference in southern England, said ministers failed to plan for a labor shortage after the 2016 Brexit vote, and called for a larger temporary visa scheme.


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London-based Entrepreneur Sonma Ukaobi Ties The Knot With Heartthrob Sorin
Sonma Ukaobi seems relentless in pushing the boundaries as the registered nurse and founder of Tolicious, a pink body confidence brand for women, ties the knot with her lover in a ceremony held on the 27th of May in the Maldives. The interracial marriage saw the unification of Sonma of Nigerian origin and her husband, Sorin, who is of Moldovan origin, with the bride wearing an unusual pink wedding dress that caught the attention of the world.
The self-acclaimed first human Barbie known for sharing daily tips on social media to help people live their best life also launched Tolicious, a wellness brand to help detox and cleanse, and get a flat tummy, on her wedding day. Sonma and Sorin met on the dating website, Bumble, and got engaged after one year and 2 months of dating. The beach-themed wedding happened with just the couple who eloped to profess their love to each other and hoped to do a small family ceremony upon their return to London. The bride wanted a different thing from the average traditional white dress and she undoubtedly achieved something exceptional for her wedding. She searched around the world for her envisioned pink dress and found it in Singapore. The pastel pink dress was designed by a Singapore bridal designer, weighing about 25 pounds, off shoulder, with a ruffled tiered rose flower skirt train of 150cm in length.
Sonma reiterated her pursuit of motivating people to live their best life with the launch of the Tolicious Brand, inspired by a gap in women wanting to reshape their body on their own terms coupled with her getting ready to marry the love of her life and worried about not fitting into her wedding dress. Tolicious will offer beauty, fitness, and wellness products, including teas, flat tummy gummies, waist trainers, meal and fitness plans as well as Yoni feminine cleansing tea.
Sonma Ukaobi brings her years of experience as a registered nurse in the UK practicing on different continents and treating thousands of patients to bear in creating the brand. She started trials on different 100 percent organic ingredients to help women detox and cleanse their bodies, get rid of unhealthy tummy fat, and yoni steam tea to tune them with their feminine energy and rejuvenate.
For further information about the Tolicious Brand and the products offered, visit – www.tolicious.com. The campaign for a happy, healthy body continues across social media, as Sonma shares daily good life tips @toliciousbrand across all platforms.
Tiktok – https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMN162QQw/
Company Name: Tolicious Brand
Contact Person: Sonma Ukaobi
Email: Send Email
Country: United Kingdom


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Moto G Available to US Consumers on Motorola Site
Motorola today made the Moto G Android smartphone available for sale through its web site. Consumers can buy the device directly from Motorola. The Moto G costs $179 for the 8GB model and $199 for the 16GB model. The Moto G was announced earlier this month. It has a 4.5-inch 720p HD screen, quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, and 5-megapixel camera. The Moto G ships with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, but it will be updated to Android 4.4 KitKat early next year. Motorola is selling the unlocked GSM model only. Wireless network operators will sell the CDMA variant in January.
Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E to Get Android 4.4.3 from Motorola
Motorola today announced that the Moto X, G, and E handsets can all expect to receive the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update in the days ahead. According to Motorola, the update brings a new dialer, several new theme colors, as well as stability, framework, security fixes, and enhancements to the power profile capabilities.
Moto G Is Waterproof and Can Be Customized Via Moto Maker
Motorola today announced the Moto G, its mid-range powerhouse. The phone has a 5-inch HD screen, 13-megapixel main camera, and 5-megapixel user-facing camera.
Motorola Redefines Entry-Level Smartphones with Moto E
Motorola today announced the Moto E, a new low-cost handset meant to put a nail in the coffin of feature phones. The device bears a familial resemblance to last year's Moto X and Moto G, but downgrades specs to further drop the price.
Motorola Partners with Jonathan Adler for Unique Moto X Designs
Motorola today revealed a limited collection of Moto X Pure designs created by Jonathan Adler. Adler made three distinct Moto X handsets that will be available for preorder starting Nov.
Moto G5 Plus Goes On Sale March 31 for $230-$300
Motorola today said the Moto G5 Plus will be available to U.S. buyers starting March 31.
Fair price for increased space
Apple -- and, yes, other equipment makers as well -- charging a $100 or more for every jump from 16gb to 32gb to 64gb is nothing short of highway robbery. This isn't the 1980's; the technology charges doesn't justify the increased price. Motorola making it a nominal $20 more for more space is a consumer friendly decision though...
Well, if Motorola is making good decisions, maybe it is the 1980's again...
I think I have a problem.


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This Weblog is a part of NRDC’s Yr-Finish Collection Reviewing 2022 Local weather & Clear Power Developments
2022 noticed historic bulletins to speculate and construct electrical automobiles and clear mobility infrastructure. The massive alternative in 2023 is to lock-in deployment and investments by way of requirements.
The USA is now poised to draw hundreds of billions in non-public investments in transportation electrification, for the primary time catching up within the international competitors with the European Union and China. These investments are being spurred by not solely rising client demand for electrical automobiles (EV), however the Biden Administration’s transfer to tighten federal clear automobile requirements, Biden and Congress collaborating on the biggest U.S. investments in EV manufacturing and tax credit below the Inflation Reduction Act, and the trade seeing EV applied sciences outcompete by way of prices and efficiency because of technological developments. These document investments in a brand new, cleaner future will enhance the economic system, create jobs in communities throughout the nation, and permit thousands and thousands to interrupt free from the rollercoaster of gasoline costs.
Let’s undergo a few of the key areas of progress to rejoice from 2022, in addition to the alternatives and headwinds anticipated for the brand new 12 months.
Inflation Discount Act (IRA)
The historic passage of the IRA in August will present $369 billion in strategic investments over the following decade, together with main investments in clear transportation that may cut back ache on the pump along with automobile air pollution. The Act does so by offering decrease and middle-income households with tax credit to transition to used or new zero emission electrical automobiles (EV), along with enterprise house owners of business vehicles, and bus fleets offering companies to colleges and for public transit. The regulation’s investments additionally present beneficiant tax credit for the set up of charging stations to assist guarantee everybody has a spot to plug-in. Lastly, the invoice additionally contains investments for Neighborhood Entry and Fairness Grants program to assist proper the historic racial inequities of our freeway system by offering funding to tear down highways that divided deprived neighborhoods, construct new connecting infrastructure, and assist mitigate the harm.
Collectively, these investments will assist to strengthen American management and competitiveness on clear automobiles and vehicles by supporting U.S. manufacturing and power safety. The U.S. is now poised to catch up and surpass Europe and China within the international EV race by way of the assistance of manufacturing tax credit, grants, and loans for brand spanking new or retooled home services constructing batteries and electrical automobiles. However efficient implementation by federal companies and their state counterparts will probably be crucial. Policymakers might want to lean-in to make sure they maximize entry to the IRA provisions – given the quite a few requirements – specifically for these communities disproportionally harmed by air pollution together with environmental justice and communities of coloration.
States Set the Bar for Zero-Emission Autos
As my colleague Kathy Harris writes, states are setting a new bar for the deployment of zero-emission automobiles by way of clear automobile and clear truck requirements . California solidified its clear transportation management by adopting first-in the-nation requirements that year-over-year transfer the state in direction of 100% new zero-emission automobile gross sales by 2035 by way of the Superior Clear Vehicles II (ACC) program. A number of different states – from Washington, Oregon, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts – are transferring ahead with adoption of their very own ACC II program along with quite a few different states now contemplating adopting packages in 2023. These guidelines will assist to speed up the transition in direction of zero emission automobiles that’s already underway, all whereas offering well being, air high quality, local weather, and financial advantages to the state and drivers. However state management will probably be crucial because the oil and fossil gasoline trade is combating to maintain People hooked on oil.
This vacation season, site visitors from industrial delivery and deliveries is skyrocketing. Quite a few states are additionally seeking to undertake clear truck packages, such because the Advanced Clean Trucks program, requiring producers to ship and promote extra zero-emitting electrical vehicles to industrial fleets over time, serving to handle a serious supply of air pollution. 2023 with be the 12 months that states corresponding to Colorado, North Carolina, and quite a few different states will doubtless take into account whether or not they’ll be a part of six different states – New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and California – in changing into a clear vehicles state. As my colleague Patricio Portillo describes: policymakers in 2023 might want to resolve whether or not they aspect with the myths being pushed by the Engine Manufacturing Association in opposing these crucial automobile requirements or aspect with the frontline neighborhood members, public well being organizations, labor, clear automobiles trade, science-based organizations and lots of different supporters of requirements.
Federal Clear Automobile Guidelines Stay Crucial
Whereas the federal investments have been historic and vital, they alone received’t be sufficient to make sure that the U.S. is on course to hitting its emissions discount targets by the tip of the last decade. To “lock-in” the lots of of billions in introduced U.S. investments in transportation electrification from the non-public sector, and make them actual and never merely hype, regulatory certainty for the market is required. Fortunately, there may be super alternative that exists to pair IRA’s historic public investments with robust federal clear automobiles, clear vehicles, and gasoline economic system requirements, so that we are going to be certain that the U.S. locks-in further non-public investments and is properly on its strategy to reaching these vital reductions and defending public well being. If we don’t, these investments will probably be shifted to Europe and Asia.
To proceed making progress in lowering local weather and health-harming pollution, in addition to overreliance on petroleum, the following spherical of federal clear automobile and clear truck requirements anticipated to start in 2023 should put the nation on a path to a zero-pollution fleet. Regardless of automobile emission and gasoline economic system requirements being strengthened not too long ago by the U.S. Environmental Safety Company and the Division of Transportation, respectively, the newest gasoline economic system report reveals that automakers’ shift to promoting bigger automobiles are offsetting each emission and effectivity positive aspects. For that reason and extra, it is vital that EPA and NHTSA guarantee requirements going ahead can’t be gamed, and that the companies enact the strongest requirements potential that put individuals and public well being earlier than polluters. As my colleague Britt Carmon wrote, there may be nonetheless much more to do to maneuver the needle on automobile emission requirements.
Placing Charging Stations in Each Neighborhood
Due to $7.5 billion in federal grants within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act along with tax credit below IRA price as much as 30% of the price of charging infrastructure and set up in houses and at companies, President Biden marketing campaign aim to deploy 500,000 EV charging stations throughout the nation by 2030 can doubtless be not solely met, however exceeded. As well as, complementary non-public and state investments are serving to improve entry to stations. Utility investments in electrical transportation packages, together with charging stations, have additionally been a key driver to exceed Biden’s targets, with now over $3.5 billion in utility investments accredited throughout 34 states.
The Nationwide EV Charging Initiative, which NRDC is a founding member of, held its first Summit in January with attendance by U.S. Division of Power Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the Deputy Secretaries of Transportation and Power, together with different main voices from the automotive, EV charging, and electrical industries, and different key stakeholders and fairness teams. The occasion was attended by 900 individuals and led to commitments in assist of increasing infrastructure investments and entry. Regional summits at the moment are being held, together with a Western Summit with Governors Jay Inslee (WA), Jared Polis (CO), Secretary Granholm, along with different state representatives, CEOs, and EV stakeholders.
States have an unlimited alternative to take motion in 2023 to make sure that investments within the electrical grid and charging station deployment retains tempo with EV gross sales. For instance, as my colleague Miles Muller describes: California not too long ago adopted a new law that may assist streamline strategic grid planning and investments wanted to accommodate widespread EV deployment. When built-in into the grid the suitable approach, electrical automobiles can enhance grid reliability and assist drive electrical energy charges down for all prospects as my colleague Max Baumhefner describes here.
Charging Ahead to Inexperienced the U.S. Postal Service
Moreover, over the previous 12 months, NRDC and our companions noticed numerous our different advocacy efforts show victorious, together with our efforts in pushing again towards the U.S. Postal Service’s harmful procurement plan to make 90% of its new fleet of 165,000 automobiles gasoline fueled. Due to engagement by NRDC and our allies – together with the supply of over 500,000 petitions towards this motion and different main actions – the company introduced that it might conduct a supplementary environmental evaluation to evaluate the true prices of its plan and that it might make no less than 40% of its new supply fleet electrical. Whereas this was an excellent win, NRDC and our allies will proceed to urge the USPS to amend its plan and can press the company to affect extra of its fleet—a dedication that may pay dividends for many years and ship cleaner air for a lot of communities.
The expansion in demand for EVs is spurring the event of a large-scale battery manufacturing trade within the U.S. – an trade that has for the previous three a long time largely been based mostly in Asia.
However constructing batteries higher within the U.S. can even imply addressing provide chain challenges and sourcing supplies sustainably. As my colleague Jordan Brinn wrote relating to provide chains for EVs, investments federally present a possibility to enact robust due diligence requirements, together with provisions minimizing harms to the setting and to Indigenous communities from mining. It additionally gives another excuse and alternative to enhance mining and land use rules, together with by way of reforms to the Mining Law of 1872. Investing in a round economic system that may reuse and recycle batteries may improve provide whereas lowering the necessity for brand spanking new supplies. Redwood Supplies companions with auto producers like Tesla, Ford, and Volvo to make sure materials restoration charges above 90% at their electrical automobile battery recycling facility in Nevada. The expertise to create a round economic system is accessible – we’d like strategic funding implementation and good insurance policies to make it occur.
Even Extra to Come
As you’ll be able to see from the super progress over the previous 12 months, a zero-pollution electrical automobile future is completely possible. EV gross sales are on tempo to hit record levels within the U.S. in 2022 – with sale ranges 3x greater in comparison with simply two years in the past. Investments in plugs to cost electrical automobiles additionally grew across the nation – with 147,000 publicly-available plugs now accessible throughout 57,000 areas. It’s no time to relaxation, although. 2023 holds promise for accelerating the transition to scrub automobiles even quicker. Let’s preserve the momentum going.


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The Transvolution flying sports car has detachable drone to fly you away from traffic jams.
The Rezvani Beast X sports car limited to just five examples world wide, powered by 700 horsepower.
The Star Wars’ Episode VII: The Force Awakens characters, re-imagined as luxury sports cars.
Mazda presents the RX-Vision Concept sports car with a new rotary engine, at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.
Aston Martin unveils fully Electric RapidE, a converted Rapide S luxury four-door sports saloon, into a fully electric concept.
Rinspeed unveiled a new concept to CES in Las Vegas, the self-driving Etos sports car that has a drone-sized helipad in back…
Immortus electric sports car, a limited edition bespoke vehicle, can run all day using just Sun’s power.
Toyota is planning to reveal an open-wheel sports car concept, later this year.


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Kathleen Boostsri was a caffeine addict who consumed up to 500 mg of the methylxanthine central nervous system stimulant each day. According to Dennis Wong of YOR Health, Boostsri was headed down a dangerous path with her caffeine consumption. In 2008, she made a decision that would change her life, and possibly save it.
Bootsri first heard about Dennis Wong and YOR Health in 2008. She was a young professional who drank a combination of three to five energy drinks and cups of coffee each day. She was always jittery and struggled daily to focus in between caffeine crashes. Dennis Wong says YOR Health products, including YOR SuperGreens, YOR Essential Vitamins, and YOR Shake helped Bootsri kick the habit. She now enjoys a more robust and energetic life, without the ups and downs associated with caffeine.
Caffeine, a captivating culprit
In moderation, caffeine is typically considered safe for most adult, says Dennis Wong. The YOR Health co-founder and advocate points out, however, that too many cups of coffee and energy drinks can have unpleasant and potentially terrifying consequences, including:
- Loss of bladder control
- Heart palpitations
- Muscle tremors
- Stomach upset
Caffeine is also a noted migraine trigger and may exacerbate other conditions such as anxiety and stress.
Dennis Wong of YOR Health notes that many people use caffeine as part of a weight loss program. While caffeine may quell appetite temporarily, he notes there are many safer and more effective ways to manage weight problems for those who are negatively affected by caffeine.
Wong suggests getting plenty of sleep and eating a colorful diet – one that includes green, orange, and red vegetables, plenty of fruits, brain-healthy carbohydrates, and ample fiber. YOR Health products, such as YOR Shake and YOR Digest Ultra, offer a number of health benefits, when added to an already-healthy diet.
Visit YORHealth.com for more information.


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Incredible by HTC, the latest Android-based smartphone from Verizon Wireless, is showing lower general interest than the Verizon Droid, but higher interest from established Droid users, according to research by Compete.
Incredible Daily Traffic Volumes Much Lower than Droid
Comparing daily microsite traffic for the Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid smartphone (released November 6, 2009) and the Verizon Wireless Incredible by HTC smartphone (released April 29, 2010), it is clear that overall, Droid had much higher pre-release buzz.
At announcement on October 18, 2009, the Droid had 221,000 unique visitors. In comparison, the Incredible had 30,000 unique visitors on its April 14, 2010 announcement day. On the date of its price announcement (October 27, 2010), the Droid had about 175,000 unique visitors, while the Incredible had about 35,000 unique visitors on its price announcement date (April 9, 2010).
On its actual date of launch, the Droid had close to 400,000 unique visitors, compared to about 50,000 unique visitors for the Incredible on its launch date. Compete notes that the Droid had roughly seven times as many unique visitors as the Incredible on both its announcement date and launch date. In addition, Compete notes that the Droid had a much larger advertising campaign and was the first Verizon Android phone, which both naturally lend themselves to generating more buzz.
Incredible Pulls Higher Share of Launch Day Interest
Looking at the pre-launch traffic as a share of launch-day traffic, it becomes clear that the Incredible had a much higher share of its launch-day traffic constituting its pre-launch traffic than the Droid. The Droid had 60% of launch-day traffic at announcement, and 46% at the price announcement. In stark contrast, the Incredible shows 90% of launch-day traffic at announcement, and 80% at the price announcement.
The higher shares of launch-day interest for the Incredible during pre-launch suggest that the Incredible is pulling more of its interest from an established niche market for the Droid line of phones at Verizon Wireless. The much lower interest shares for the Droid suggest that part of the high traffic volume we saw on the first graph is in fact novelty or curiosity interest, and not necessarily people in the market for an Android phone.
Now that the Droid line has been established, the Incredible cannot be expected to draw the sheer volumes of interest seen for the first chapter of the Droid line. Despite these lower interest volumes, the Incredible is likely drawing interest from consumers who are in the market for an Android phone, and who are thus more likely to purchase. It will be interesting to see if this niche market interest in Droid phones continues as Verizon expands the Droid line.
Verizon Retains Lead Among Mobile Operators
Likely buoyed by its popular Droid offering, in a ranking of the top mobile operators in the US during the three-month average ending in March 2010, Verizon led the market with 31.1% of mobile subscribers, according to comScore.
This was down marginally from its 31.2% market share in the three months ending December 2009. AT&T ranked second with 25.2% market share, up 0.2 percentage points from the period ending December 2009. Sprint narrowly grabbed the third position with 12% market share, closely trailed by T-Mobile (also 12% after rounding), while Tracfone gained 0.3 points to capture 5.1% of the market.


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|Bid||0.00 x 800|
|Ask||0.00 x 1000|
|Day's Range||17.71 - 18.23|
|52 Week Range||10.20 - 20.00|
|Beta (3Y Monthly)||1.75|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||27.78|
|Earnings Date||May 11, 2017 - May 12, 2017|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||0.80 (4.57%)|
|1y Target Est||20.00|
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (TESS) has been recognized as the Top Western Hemisphere Distributor for industrial wireless brand Rajant, which provides a patented Kinetic Mesh® technology for scalable private mobile broadband networks. Tessco, a leading value-added distributor in the wireless space, serves tens of thousands of unique customers each month and complements their product offer from leading brands like Rajant with an array of services for customers, including technical support, supply chain management, and just-in-time delivery. Tessco sells Rajant’s full portfolio of products to a wide range of markets, such as petrochemical and oil & gas.
Tessco Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:TESS) files its latest 10-K with SEC for the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2019.
Today we'll evaluate TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ:TESS) to determine whether it could have potential as an...
Partnership creates a one-stop shop for heavy and light-duty vehicle mounts, delivered in a timely manner. Ventev, the manufacturing brand of TESSCO Technologies, Inc. (TESS), has announced a new partnership with Gamber-Johnson to produce a line of light-duty vehicle mounts under the “Ventev by Gamber-Johnson” brand. Ventev is a leading provider of wireless infrastructure equipment to the integrator market and mobile device accessories to the retail market.
New line delivers highest uplink power and best performance at its price point. Tessco Technologies (TESS) today announced the new WilsonPro 1100 Booster is now available. Delivering high uplink power for greater outdoor coverage, XDR technology to maintain bands even during strong outdoor signals, and a color LCD touchscreen for easy access, the WilsonPro 1100 delivers the highest uplink power and best performance among boosters at its price point.
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (TESS), a leading value-added distributor and solutions provider for the wireless industry, today announced that management will be presenting to investors at the 20th Annual B. Riley FBR Institutional Conference at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Chief Financial Officer Aric Spitulnik will be presenting and answering questions from investors. A link to the live webcast of the presentation can be found in the Events & Presentations section of the Company’s investor relations website.
Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story...
Just a few days after the Trump administration lifted tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10% to 25% on May 10, China announced a retaliatory move. This puts these sector ETFs and stocks vulnerable.
Annual awards recognize brands in wireless who are pushing the boundaries with new products. Tessco Technologies (TESS) today announced the winners of their 2019 Innovation Awards, honoring companies in wireless technology who are pushing the boundaries with cutting-edge new products and solutions.
Tessco (TESS) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -62.50% and -1.97%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?
The Hunt Valley, Maryland-based company said it had profit of 6 cents per share. The wireless communications company posted revenue of $145 million in the period. For the year, the company reported profit ...
Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! While not a mind-blowing move, it is good to see that the TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ...
TESSCO (TESS) is actively pursuing strategies to capitalize on exciting growth opportunities in the marketplace, which is likely to drive its fiscal fourth-quarter results.
Tessco (TESS) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (TESS), a leading value-added distributor and solutions provider for the wireless industry, will report financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2019 after the market closes on Monday, May 6, 2019. Management will host a conference call to discuss these results the following day, May 7, at 8:30 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please call 877-824-7042 (domestic call-in) or 647-689-6625 (international call-in) and reference code #7176139.
Industry leaders to deliver Low PIM Cable Assemblies for various applications. Ventev, the manufacturing brand of TESSCO Technologies (TESS) has announced a new partnership with RF Industries to produce a cobranded line of low PIM cable assemblies designed to simplify and expedite installations. Branded as Ventev by RF Industries, the new cable assemblies will deliver high quality coax assemblies with exceptional PIM mitigation.
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ:TESS), which is in the communications business, and is based in United States, saw a significant share price rise of over 20% in the past couple of mo...
Today, ALE, operating under the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand, and Ventev Wireless Infrastructure, an engineering and manufacturing unit of TESSCO Technologies, Incorporated, are entering a partnership to provide customers an end-to-end Wi-Fi infrastructure solution. The companies are collaborating to ease and enhance deployment of ALE’s OmniAccess Stellar products into a broad range of vertical industries including healthcare, transportation, government, education and hospitality. As ALE’s newest distributor, Tessco provides an extended reach into enterprises across the U.S., with one-stop shop value-add offerings that support businesses in their digital transformation.
Tessco will sell Digi offerings in support of IoT applications across markets. Tessco (TESS) today announced a new agreement to distribute products from IoT technology leader, Digi International® (Nasdaq: DGII, www.digi.com). Digi produces a full range of hardware and software designed for revolutionary IoT applications in energy, smart cities, medical, industrial, retail and transportation, among other industries.
In the latest trading session, Tessco Technologies (TESS) closed at $16.63, marking a +0.79% move from the previous day.
Want to participate in a research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $60 gift card! Building up an investment case requires looking at a stock holistically. Today I've chosen to put the spotlight on T...


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IGELl’s Security Enhancements for Thin Clients – White Paper
Secure Boot, MDM essentials, encrypted keyboard traffic, and contextual awareness are on the roadmap
Thin client vendor IGEL is enhancing the security capabilities of its products, both under its own steam and in collaboration with technology partners. Ovum sees these developments as important for the next wave of thin client computing, which will be software-based – particularly if the desktop-as-aservice (DaaS) market is to take off.
With hardware-based thin client shipments in the region of 4–5 million units annually, this market is still a drop in the ocean compared to the 270 million PCs shipping each year, though the latter figure has been declining since 2011. And within the thin client market, IGEL is in fourth place behind Dell and
HP (each at around 1.2 million units annually) and China’s Centerm, which only sells into its home market.
However, the future for thin clients looks bright, in that the software-based segment of the market (which some analyst houses refuse to acknowledge) is expanding, particularly for IGEL. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) technology has stimulated this growth, but the greatest promise is probably in the embryonic DaaS market, whereby enterprises will have standard images for their workforce hosted by service providers.
Security will clearly be crucial for the success of any such evolution. As thin clients become more mainstream, they will become more of a target for hackers and threat actors generally, as has already happened with devices running Apple’s operating systems. As we discuss in this report, there are
good reasons for hackers to target thin clients, despite the inherent security of their having no local storage.
Thus, the security initiatives both at IGEL itself and its partners are to be welcomed. Ovum sees a clear requirement for increased security in this market, particularly as thin clients go mobile and as users seek to access their desktop environments from anywhere, at any time, and from any device.
- Thin clients are desirable targets for hackers.
- IGEL is beefing up its security functionality.
- Partners are adding further security capabilities.


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India’s manufacturing and service sector make up about 84% of the country’s GDP and the performance of these two sectors are very important for the development of the country.
IHS Markit, a financial information provider and analytics company, recently, released a survey on the performance of these two sectors of India.
India’s manufacturing activity improved in July, compared with the previous three months, and there was a slight uptick in employment as Indian states slowly started to ease the lockdown restrictions.
The IHS Markit’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased to 55.3 in July, from 48.1 in June. Operating conditions in India improved during July with production, new orders, exports, quantity of purchases and input stocks all rebounded to expansionary levels. An index number above 50 means activity in the sector is expanding, while the index number below 50 indicates the activity in the sector is contracting.
Improving global demand contributed to an uptick in total order books. New export orders expanded in July, after a contraction in June. In addition, rising sales growth and production requirements led to an increase in hiring in July.
However, as demand for inputs outstripped supply, there was another substantial increase in purchasing prices. The rate of cost inflation remained above its average, but eased to a seven-month low.
Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at IHS Markit, said, “Should the pandemic continue to recede, we expect a 9.7% annual increase in industrial production for calendar year 2021.”
IHS Markit also released the survey numbers of the service sector, which contributes about 54% to Indian’s economy. The numbers showed India Services Business Activity Index was in contraction territory for the third month in a row at 45.4 in July. But this was better than 41.2 in June. In the services sector, business activity, new orders and employment declined.
Global demand for services declined and that added pressure to job creation in the sector. Customer services segment was the most affected segment, while Transport and Storage was the only segment which posted growth in sales and business activity.
There were also negative sentiments among companies regarding the pandemic, inflation and profit margins. The overall outlook was that business activity will deteriorate in the next 12 months that will weigh in jobs.
Input costs rose in July as fuel, medical equipments and raw materials costed higher. Meanwhile, input costs in the Real Estate & Business Services segment grew at a faster pace.
The numbers were disappointing with respect to business activity in the Indian private sector as data showed the Composite PMI Output index rose to 49.2 in July, from 43.1 in June.


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King of the swing: Kilkenny’s Master Clubmaker looking for shot at the big boys after unveiling revolutionary new golf putter
A Kilkenny man with an award winning pedigree is looking stateside with the view to cracking the lucrative golf market.
Peter Doyle from Piltown, who runs the business Precision Fit Golf from Tramore, county Waterford has been named European Clubmaker of the Year.
Now the Master Clubmaker and custom fitter has just launched his latest putter design, the new Aidhm K Series with patented 4CORE technology and wants to partner with industry to bring it to a global audience.
Aidhm, pronounced ‘I am’ is an Irish word and translates into ‘to take aim’. And as St Patrick’s Day looms, Doyle, is hoping for ‘a rub of the green’ and is reaching out the US manufacturers in particular to partner with him and change the face of golf across the globe.
The 4CORE series of putters incorporate Doyle’s unique Vibration Absorption Core Technology, the first of its kind anywhere in the world. “It’s the first deviation from solid or face insert technology in over 60 years of putter design.”
Aidhm Irish Putters allows golfers to actually ‘Feel the Green’, Doyle says.
“This launch comes less than a year after Quintic Consultancy UK put its predecessor, the Aidhm R Series Blade Putter, through a rigorous, hi-tech test. They found it gave the most consistent roll of three putters tested, and was much more forgiving on off-centre hits.”
“One of our competitors was a global brand widely used on the PGA circuit, and our R Series Blade made it look average,” Doyle added.
“The average golfer tends to use a product because it is endorsed by tour professionals. But clubs that are built for recreational golfers may not be built to the same specifications as a tour product.
“We believe a putter should be more than just a name or a brand. It should be well engineered, well built and perform consistently. The R Series Blade, our first putter design, gives the average golfer access to a tour quality product.
“What still surprises me is that golfers will spend so much more on irons, woods and wedges, which make up only a fraction of their game and not give consideration to what is clearly the most important part of those clubs, the golf shaft itself.
“Likewise with the putter. Putting can make up as much as 35% of the shots played in a round. That is where the game is won and lost, on the putting green. So why not give yourself the best chance of shooting your best score by investing in a better quality putter,” Doyle continued.
Peter says now is the time to manufacture for a global market. He is reaching out to manufacturers not only in Europe but across the globe in an effort to bring Aidhm Irish Putters to the next level.
The passionate clubmaker won European Clubmaker of the Year for 2019 and was crowned Irish Clubmaker of the Year in 2016. He sits on the Board of Directors for the International Clubmakers Guild.


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HE PORTUGUESE government is to negotiate directly with VW chiefs in Germany in a bid to prevent the car manufacturer stemming further investment in the country. It has dispatched Minister of Economy, Manuel Pinho, to hold round the table talks with VW bosses to secure the production of new VW models at the existing Autoeuropa plant at Palmela, writes The Resident’s Chris Graeme.
A spokesperson for the ministry, who denied rumours of face-to-face negotiations, said, “we’re doing everything we can to safeguard national interests,” while Prime Minister José Sócrates said the secret of success was in negotiation.
Earlier in the year, VW put the future of the Palmela car plant in doubt, by threatening to shift new business to more cost-effective labour countries in Eastern Europe.
The government is understood to have put forward many incentives on the negotiation table, in a bid to increase car production at Autoeuropa. Measures include financial benefits and tax cuts for new investment projects and improving the infrastructure at and around the plant itself. “The government is committed to giving the best possible incentives to VW so that it continues its development in Portugal,” said Manuel Pinho.
Recently, he met with António Chora, president of the Workers Commission (the company’s union), who asked Pinho to personally act as an intermediary with the directors of Autoeuropa. The same day, the minister held talks with them.
Autoeuropa employs 2,995 workers on full-time contracts and another 2,058 part-time, at its 1,100,000sqm site at Palmela, which was opened in April 1995 and produces the VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra and Ford Galaxy. In its first year of production, the company sold 180,000 vehicles a year falling back to 95,660 last year. Volkswagen also has operations in Brazil, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia, all of which offer lower production costs and wages than in Portugal.
The company’s spokesperson, Dr. Julius Von Heim, refused to comment on details of negotiations but confirmed to The Resident that talks were in process.


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Hewlett-Packard Co. is accusing one of its suppliers, AU Optronics Corp., a Taiwanese manufacturer of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), of being involved in a price-fixing scheme.
According to Bloomberg, HP filed a complaint in San Francisco on Aug. 19 alleging that AUO violated antitrust laws by conspiring with other manufacturers to fix the prices of LCD panels.
But this isn’t the first time that AUO, which is Taiwan’s second-largest maker of LCDs, has been tangled in antitrust allegations. According to the Department of Justice, the company was involved in a price-fixing scheme involving flat-panel screens from 2001 to 2006. HP, as well as Apple Inc. and Dell Inc., were directly affected by the conspiracy.


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NBCUniversal & With LA2028 Combine Media To Increase Sponsorship Sales
To create a one-stop shop for companies interested in aligning themselves with the Olympics, NBCUniversal is partnering with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and Team USA. This first of its kind new strategy will enable both U.S. Olympic TV ads and Team USA sponsorships to be sold through one entity. While the focus is LA2028, the partnership will run from 2021–2028 covering 4 Olympic and Paralympic games to maximize the money companies are willing to pay to be associated with such a popular and transcendent global event. This new partnership also allows brands to advertise themselves in the years leading up to LA2028.
The goal of the partnership is to raise billions of dollars with the United States Olympic Committee and LA2028 having set a target goal of $2.5 billion in corporate deals. However, the thought is that over those eight years NBC’s ad sales will be most undoubtedly higher. Previously the entertainment division of the Comcast Corporation was able to set a Summer Olympics record in 2016 with $1.2 billion in sales as well as a Winter Olympics record in 2018 with $920 million in sales.
“As audiences become more disparate, it’s never been more important for marketers to have a simple and unified way to reach them,” stated Casey Wasserman, founder of Wasserman Media Group and chairman of LA2028. “To be able to do that with the biggest event in the world is unprecedented.”
However, the onus will not lie solely on LA2028, and its committee as NBC has agreed to backstop a portion of the $2.5 billion goal. The idea behind this part of the negotiation is to take some of the responsibility off of as well as protect the host committee if they are unable to reach their financial goals. And for NBC, the more LA2028 can raise, the higher the overall probability sales will surpass their intended goal.
While the details of this particular partnership will be new, NBC is joining into a previously established joint venture. The International Olympic Committee requires that the host committee works with local, national committees to sell various sponsorships leading up to the games. The partnership is called the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties.
“Nothing brings people together like the pure emotional power of the Olympic Games. This partnership between NBCUniversal and LA 2028 is a true first for the industry, and gives marketers the opportunity to make an unrivaled economic and cultural impact,” stated Linda Yaccarino, chairman of advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal. “Together, we’re building what’s never been available before — the chance to be an exclusive partner of a monumental global movement for the next decade, culminating with the first Summer Games in the U.S. in more than three decades.”
The objective of this partnership is to make NBC’s advertising inventory, both digital and TV, a part of the larger organization. Therefore companies working with NBCU will have the chance to negotiate so they can use the Olympic logos and trademarks, which are controlled by the US Olympic Committee and LA2028 in their advertising campaigns.
“We’re coming together and really in an incremental and exponential way, bolstering the resources of what Casey’s company brings to the table and what NBC brings to the table,” stated Yaccarino.
While Team USA currently has over 20 domestic partners — United Airlines and Kellogg Co. being two — they will all expire after the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. And while some will have right of first refusal to continue their partnership, it will ultimately leave the door wide open for the new venture. The deal covers 4 Olympic and Paralympic Games — the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, the 2026 Winter Games which are yet to be awarded, and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. According to Yaccarino, NBCU is set to hire a sales team that will sell sponsorships for product marketing, IP rights, local activation and NBCU’s multiscreen coverage of the upcoming games.
“At no other time in Olympic and Paralympic history have the stakes been higher, and yet more rewarding. We are at an inflection point in the sports, lifestyle and live event business that demands a complete reimagining of the model and approach to embracing and involving marketers,” stated Wasserman. “I am so proud to partner with NBCUniversal and their team of innovators to bring the true promise of the Games to audiences in a way that is more connected and relevant. NBCUniversal’s commitment to our partnership guarantees 2028’s success like no other Games before it.”
Brands have been wanting to leverage the entirety of NBCUniversal’s portfolio for their benefit and take advantage of the many sponsorship rights associated with LA2028, the U.S. Olympic team and the U.S. Paralympic team. The goal is to generate partnerships through both confidence and complicity.


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Supporter of common sense
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Another car to be built at Oshawa?
DETROIT, June 6 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp ( said on Friday it was in very early discussions with the Canadian Auto Workers union about adding another model to its car plant in Oshawa, Ontario, after deciding to close a nearby truck plant.
The discussions about a potential third car for the Oshawa car production line, earmarked to make the Chevrolet Camaro and a still unnamed second car, began this week after GM announced it was closing its truck plant in Oshawa, said Stew Low, a spokesman for GM Canada.
The CAW has protested GM's decision to close the Oshawa truck plant in 2009, saying it violates a just-ratified labor contract. CAW President Buzz Hargrove and GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner met on Friday at GM's headquarters in Detroit. (Reporting by Soyoung Kim and Kevin Krolicki; editing by John Wallace)