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CMO interview: Why this fintech marketing chief is banking on customer advocacy for success
- 12 February, 2019 07:27
‘Boring is brilliant’: It’s a phrase unlikely to trigger excitement in the hearts of many marketing leaders.
But it’s this commitment to consistency and simplicity Stockspot’s CMO, Melanie Novacan, sees as core to the fintech’s customer advocacy-led marketing approach. And it’s one she’s hoping will transform attitudes Australian consumers have towards their future financial selves.
The former director of marketing for on-demand content service, Stan, and most recently, go-to-market adviser for Aussie HR software startup, Deputy, became director of marketing at Stockspot six months ago. It’s a role taking advantage Novacan’s experience as a marketer as well as in financial services, including stints with ING Direct and Commonwealth Bank’s CommSec division.
Stockspot itself is a five-year-old homegrown fintech focused on ‘robo-advisory’ services, or automated investment advisory services to individuals.The company is among a number of next-generation banking and investment players emerging out of digital and mobile disruption.
Technology isn’t the only thing shaking up financial services, of course. Just last week, Australia’s larger, traditional banking, insurance and superannuation giants copped an almighty serve through the Federal Government’s Royal Commission, a long overdue investigation into severe wrongdoing throughout the sector.
In addition, the impending launch this year of Australia’s Open Banking Regime, which sees consumers given greater control of their transactional data, opens up further opportunity for new financial services to flourish.
Novacan, for one, sees the Royal Commission as a positive for Stockspot. “The opportunity is there for a brand that has the best interests of Australians at heart, and pivots its entire business model, products and decision making on that,” she tells CMO.
“The whole ethos of Stockspot is ‘boring is brilliant’. We take things and automate them. It’s not a sexy proposition, but increasingly, consumers and Australians are taking notice of what’s going on with their finances and we’re there to help.
“In the current economic environment with property prices, market fluctuations and so much uncertainty, knowing there is someone offering certainly is a big deal. Our brand prides itself on consumer advocacy, being their champion, and building a product that has their best interests at heart.”
It’s for these reasons Novacan says Stockspot’s marketing approach must be completely reliant on customer advocacy.
“The growth for most finance brands moving forward is going to come from organic growth, such as word-of-mouth, referrals and reputation,” she says. “That loyalty, trust and advocacy is going to be the number one thing setting a brand apart in the finance category moving forward. We see that at Stockspot.”
In fact, more than 50 per cent of Stockspot’s growth is coming from existing clients referring on friends and family.
“Often, you’ll have the 30-year old entrepreneur who’s so busy getting his business up and running he needs someone else to manage his investments. Then he sees what a great job we do with it, and gets his mum or dad to move the portfolio over. So those big balanced portfolios come from a referral from our community,” Novacan says.
But while Stockspot has been chalking up relatively steady growth of 5 per cent a month as a result, the group has strong ambitions to accelerate its trajectory.
As a first step, Novacan has been working to build out Stockspot’s customer insights to build tailored go-to-market strategies. She notes three segments, the dominant being consumers new to investing. These are commonly people in their 20s and 30s starting to accumulate wealth, who can’t get into the Sydney property market, for example, and are looking for other ways to grow their financial footprint.
About 60 per cent of Stockspot’s growth has been from these customers to date. “Many work in IT, so they’re software developers, engineers or they’re running their own businesses. They get the benefits of algorithms and automated advice and things that can be done so much more efficiently online by a computer, and that costs are much lower as a consequence,” Novacan explains.
More recently, Stockspot’s customer base has expanded to include older consumers struggling to manage existing investment portfolios, or those who have a managed fund and are looking for ways to improve returns. Today, the average balance managed by Stockspot per customer is about $50,000.
Novacan says the aim now is to double the size of the business in 18 months’ time ideally by successfully doubling the size of clients’ returns.
The role of content
Building content informing consumers how to be more financially well-off is therefore vital. “We are a content, organic-led growth business and there’s a big education role to play,” Novacan continues.
“Any paid activity is usually to highlight something important going on in the category or industry we are trying to champion.”
Top of the list of content initiatives for Stockspot has been founder and CEO, Chris Brycki’s annual Fat Cat Report. The report analyses more than 4000 superannuation funds and ranks them in terms of lowest and highest charges in order raise awareness of onerous management costs being incurred by Australian policy holders.
“We don’t manage superannuation, but Chris recognised it as a huge issue for Australians. There are 10 million untouched superannuation accounts nationally,” Novacan says. “That’s the approach we’re building our brand on: To constantly be the consumer’s champion.”
From a brand messaging and hierarchy perspective, meanwhile, the emphasis is increasingly on asking people to think differently.
“We want you to think about is falling in love with your future financial service,” Novacan explains. “An investment is about your future. It’s making sacrifices today to set yourself up to build wealth for your future, or your childrens’. In this day and age, getting people to think about 10 years’ time is tough. It’s why the superannuation industry has gotten away with things for so long – people can be so complacent about their finances. It’s complex and hard to navigate.
“From a marketing perspective, it’s about how we create a sea change for people to think about their future. Everyone’s milestones will be different but that’s the challenge – how to get people to fall in love with their future selves and move beyond instant gratification.”
Novacan cites two core ingredients: Stockspot’s commitment to a proposition that improves a consumer’s life; and tapping into rising tribalism and society’s quest for purpose. An example she points to is the launch in January of Stockspot’s first ‘savings’ product – an exchange traded fund which invests a customer’s cash in order to maximise returns.
As well as being a direct response to customer feedback, Novacan says the product is being offered solely to existing clients initially.
“There were a couple of different products we were investigating but the savings product was one we could turn on quickly, that the infrastructure already existed for, and that our existing clients were calling out for. The number one source of product inspiration is data from our clients,” she says.
“We do NPS surveys, talk to clients, and our head of advice is on the phone to clients, day in and out. We have a good finger on the pulse of what their needs are outside our core product. The question we ask is: What are things they’re frustrated with? Having money locked in a term deposit for six months frustrates a lot of people. Having a high interest savings account that effectively acts in the same way you trade shares was the result.”
So far, $5 million of client funds is being managed via Stockspot’s savings product. “We need to make sure the experience matches the proposition and expectations of clients. They’ll start talking about it, and that loyalty, trust and advocacy will take us forward. I can’t stress the importance of that first and foremost,” Novacan says.
The second thing helping Stockspot is the concept of tribalism. “There is this whole desire for people to have purpose and meaning in their lives. It doesn’t have to be complicated or complex. In fitness it can be the simple idea of getting out and doing exercise,” Novacan says.
“It’s this search for meaning for life and purpose that will help our message - of simplifying the complexity of everything going on every day while still rewarding consumers - resonate.”
To help, Novacan is updating Stockspot’s visual and digital presence. “That’s in recognition of the changing needs of our clients,” she says.
Novacan also acknowledges Stockspot must tackle the fact it’s not been culturally acceptable historically to talk about financial well-being. One way she’s looking to do this is through partnerships, such as with the Women’s Agenda, encouraging more women to talk openly about their financial future.
“Often, consumers don’t want to let on their full financial situation to colleagues or friends. So we’re looking at how we create this acceptance and cultural willingness to firstly challenge bad financial experiences with brands, and recognise the good experiences, then to talk about it openly,” she says. “Creating a safe platform and forum to have those conversations is big on our agenda this year.
“The Royal Commission feeds into that – you see the media talking about it and it becomes more culturally acceptable to have such a chat around the water cooler. How we reverse cultural cringe around money is key. We need to make it clear that just as important as your health or fitness is your future financial self.
“The media isn’t interested in playing into that story as it’s not sexy, so we’re looking to create headlines the media can latch on to and benefit from equally.”
With several new products in the pipeline, Novacan says she’ll have plenty of fodder to work with in 2019. “But again, it all comes down to what is going to best help our clients, and what is the next best thing we can build for them first,” she says.
Up next: The internal transformation required for success, plus what it takes to be a strong CMO
Hand-in-hand with the customer proposition is a push by Novacan to accelerate Stockspot’s rapid development appetite. To do this, she’s been working with the business to interrogate data and understand the market and customers, and accelerate test-and-learn internally.
“We are a digital business, so the only way a customer can interact with us is online, so we need to be testing lots of different things,” she says. “As a CMO, you need to show what that opportunity looks like and get teams to a place where it’s comfortable to be uncomfortable every day.
“While we’re only five years old, that agile thinking and methodology wasn’t a priority. But while we are fundamentally a stringent business with protocols, we can be scrappy when we do marketing. We need to try different things, testing different channels and messages.”
It’s for this reason Novacan describes modern CMOs as “creative problem solvers”. “You have to be creative and analytical in equal amounts to solve problems, create opportunities, and come up with great messaging and advertising,” she says.
“As marketers, we’re constantly taking into account subjective as well as objective matters to strike the right balance. At the end of the day, you just have to strike the right chord with your leaders, customers and people – it’s all people centric.”


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Here's how the Netflix Australia content library compares to the rest of the world.
Love it or loathe it, Netflix certainly made quite a noise when it first arrived on our shores. Many have ditched their expensive Foxtel deals or inadequate alternatives to check out the awesome exclusives Netflix offers, others are outraged at the comparatively small library Netflix Australia provides. So, how is it really selling here in Australia?
Well, Netflix hasn't released any sales figures as of yet, but it is worth noting that before the Australian launch of Netflix it was suspected that around 27% of Australians used Netflix as their primary source of digital entertainment.
Want all the TV shows and movies? You can get a free trial with each of the streaming internet tv providers below:
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|Number of Netflix Titles||Country|
How many Australians are using Netflix?
Australian consumers used a virtual private network (VPN) to circumvent the firewall stopping geo-blocked countries from accessing the Netflix bounty.
And, now that Netflix is available in Australia, iiNet has reported a 25% increase in internet traffic over the last month– keep in mind that iiNet services 1.3 million customers!
So, yeah, you could say it's been popular. Apparently Netflix through iiNet is close to taking over YouTube and Apple services, and some experts project that it will eventually make up 50% of Internet use in Australia.
How does that stack up against other countries?
Again, it's hard to say, as Netflix remains pretty tight lipped about the specifics. By the end of Q1 2015, however, it was reported that Netflix had over 60 million subscribers worldwide. It's likely that the US represent the majority of that number, as they've got anywhere between 35 million and 40 million subscribers.
The UK takes second place with close to 5 million subscribers. Conversely, the Netherlands only have around 600,000 Netflix subscribers. It will be interesting to see where Australia and New Zealand fall on this scale.
Why does Australia get only a quarter of the shows the USA does?
Hey, count yourself lucky, New Zealand get even less than us! It's understandable that Australians are angry about the lack of content, for so long now we've been promised that streaming video on demand (SVOD) services are going to turn us from a country of pirates to a country of streamers– 'no more excuses', they said.
But, it all comes down to when (if at all) Netflix acquires the rights to stream your favourite programs here in Australia. Netflix US has some of the greatest shows of recent memory, from The Walking Dead to Breaking Bad, everything you want and more is there.
But, just because Netflix is allowed to make money in the US off these TV shows, doesn't mean they're allowed to peddle the same programs over here. It might take some time, but founder Reed Hastings has stated that they're pushing hard to gain the rights to a range of popular TV shows and Movies.
And, on top of that, there's even been whispers of Netflix producing some exclusive Australian content. This is an exciting prospect, as so far, everything Netflix touches, from House of Cards to Orange is the New Black, turns to gold.

domain: news


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iPhone 12 Launch Delayed to October; Prototyping Phase Isn’t Finished Due to Travel Restrictions
The supply chain is apparently improving, with even Foxconn hiring a large workforce in order to meet demand. This should mean that Apple will have a smooth iPhone 12 launch right? Apparently not, because Jon Prosser from FrontPageTech believes that the delay could push the new models back a month, or even two, depending on the situation.
Apple Executives Have Been Unable to Fly to China to Finalize the iPhone 12 Prototype, Which Is Apparently Causing the Delay
Shifting from the prototyping phase to the final design requires Apple executives to be present in China. Unfortunately, Prosser tweets that due to the coronavirus pandemic, these executives have been unable to travel, which is why the iPhone 12 launch will reportedly be delayed. However, Prosser also states that we should expect the new models in October or November, but doesn’t say if Apple will announce the iPhone 12 family during its September keynote.
We have a feeling the company will. If you remember, the iPhone X also saw the same delay, more or less, but Apple still included the unveiling in its September presentation. Similarly, we can expect the iPhone 12 launch scenario to see a repeat of what happened back in 2017. To recap, there are a total of four versions expected later this year.
- One 5.4-inch low-cost model
- One 6.1-inch low-cost model
- One 6.1-inch premium model (triple rear camera setup, 6GB RAM)
- One 6.7-inch premium model (triple rear camera setup, 6GB RAM, with sensor-shift stabilization)
Though supply chain is improving, the iPhone 12 will still likely be delayed.
Prototyping for iPhone 12 isn’t even done yet. It requires execs from Apple travel to China, and due to travel bans, they haven’t been able to finalize.
Expect iPhone 12 in Oct/Nov
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) March 24, 2020
Apple could also choose to release the two less expensive models first since they use fewer components so it will be less difficult to assemble them. Later, Apple could choose to launch the remaining two premium versions. Then again, it’s possible that the entire iPhone 12 launch gets delayed as prototyping of all four rumored models isn’t complete as yet. If that’s the case, then Apple will have more than a few complications on its hands.
Still, before you show bitter disappointment, it’s important to note that we don’t know how this coronavirus pandemic will pan out. Will it subside or will it increase? Looks like we’ll find out in the future, and we’ll also keep you up to date on the iPhone 12 launch timeline, so stay tuned.
News Source: Twitter (Jon Prosser)


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02 Oct 2020 • Sustainability
4 ways to put sustainability talk into action, from our #FrameLive panellists
In our latest #FrameLive talk, the heads of Kvadrat, Ex Interiors and Andreu World discussed how designers and manufacturers are navigating the complex world of sustainability – particularly in the midst of the current pandemic.
Our most recent #FrameLive event centred on how companies and designers can make spaces more sustainable while navigating an uncertain future. Frame director Robert Thiemann was joined by panellists Jesús Llinares, CEO of Andreu World; Odette Ex, founder of Ex Interiors; and Anders Byriel, CEO of Kvadrat.
In the midst of the pandemic, it's tempting for the interior industry to focus on economic recovery and put commitments to environmental goals on hold. Consumers, however, believe that companies can ‘build back better’ if they invest in longer-term, sustainable and fair solutions. How can designers and manufacturers respond?
Educate yourself, and others
Ex believes there’s a general lack of knowledge within the industry about the composition of materials. ‘Before you start refurbishing – or taking back waste and making a new product from it – you have to know the composition of the material itself.’ That’s why her studio created an online platform, Inside/Inside, with the Dutch Green Building Council and NIBE, that makes it objectively clear how durable, circular and healthy an interior is. ‘We hope to create an ever-increasing awareness so that designers and producers will make even better circular products.’
Timeless design is synonymous with sustainability
Andreu World has spent 65 years accumulating knowledge as a furniture manufacturer, and Llinares says his company can ‘make an effort to educate and transmit this knowledge – to explain as much as possible about materials, technologies and possibilities in order to help architects and designers to do a better job. They know a lot – everything about interiors, [architectural] drawings – and we know about processes, and we research our materials.’ Sharing this knowledge is helpful and necessary.
‘I think we are lazy and not using our brains enough,’ said Ex, referring particularly to the ‘sensitive mind’. ‘[As] people we are all very sensitive, and I’m sure that it has to do with nature. Growth and prosperity have imprisoned us and made us materially dependant. I wish that we wouldn’t make anything for the [coming] few years and just reuse what we’ve already made.’
What you do make should be worth it
‘Timeless design is synonymous with sustainability,’ said Llinares. ‘We are the other extreme of fashion’, one of the world’s most pollutive industries, ‘because we prioritize the longevity of our designs.’
The only way [to have] future resources is [by becoming] circular. As [businesses], we need to create those circular loops and see waste as a resource
Circularity is key
‘The population is growing so much that we’ll run out of a lot of material,’ said Byriel. ‘The only way [to have] future resources is [by becoming] circular. As [businesses], we need to create those circular loops and see waste as a resource.’ Byriel also said that sustainability used to be more like a service, a job someone had within a company. ‘That’s why often when you meet the CSR [corporate social responsibility] manager at big blue-chip companies they don’t have a lot of power. But what you need to do is move CSR into R&D. Merge [them].’
Andreu World is committed to having its product range circular by 2030, and is promoting reuse through furniture that’s reinserted into the market after being repaired. ‘In the future it could be that we [make fewer] new pieces but re-cover more old pieces.’ The people within in the company have the skill sets to do both, said Llinares.
This panel was organized in partnership with Andreu World. Read about more past and upcoming #FrameLive events here.


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By Ben Glickman
NeOnc Technologies expects to sell about 3.8 million shares in its initial public offering.
The Los Angeles-based company said in a regulatory filing Monday that it planned to sell shares for $18.75 to $20.75 each. NeOnc expects net proceeds of about $66.8 million from the IPO, assuming shares sell at the midpoint of the expected price range.
NeOnc plans to use proceeds for clinical trials and research and development of various program candidates. The company is focused on developing treatments for aggressive cancers in the brain, called intracranial malignancies.
The company said it had applied to list its shares on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker NTHI.
Loop Capital Markets, Maxim Group and Brookline Capital Markets are listed as underwriters.


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Tablet computers prove right medicine for Dixons as electricals retailer sees profits more than double
Britain’s biggest electricals retailer said a robust demand for tablet computers such as Apple’s iPad helped its profits more than double in the first half.
Dixons Retail, home to the Currys and PC World chains said it made an underlying pretax profit of £30.2million in the six months to October 31, up from £14million at the same stage last year, and well above market forecasts of £20-26million.
The group, which also has stores in Scandinavia and Greece making it Europe’s second largest electricals retailer, said total sales at stores open over a year rose by 6 per cent, while like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland increased by 9 per cent.
Tablets work: Dixons has benefited from a tablets computer boom, as well as the demise of rival Comet
In Britain, its biggest market, Dixons has benefited from a tablets boom, as well as the demise of rival Comet and problems at Jessops and HMV. It has also been cutting costs, revamping stores and seeking to improve products, prices and customer service.
Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said: 'Dixons has already come a long way since the depths of recent years and today’s update is further confirmation that the company remains on track to deliver a full recovery.’
‘Less positively, the absence of a dividend remains a concern within the current interest rate environment, whilst margins remain under pressure as Dixons continues to sharpen its product pricing,’ Hunter added.
The electricals retailer was also wary about prospects for the second half.
'We remain cautious about the outlook for consumers in our markets; very strong trading this time last year, together with the fact that we have now annualised Comet's exit makes the second half more challenging,' Dixons Retail chief executive Seb James said.
This cautious outlook, and some profit taking saw Dixons shares shed 0.8p to 50.5p today.
Shares in Dixons have increased 81 per cent so far this year as it has increasingly focused on markets where it has a leading 'multi-channel' position with a combined stores and internet offering
'The current price of around 50p probably needs to be put in context of the share price high of over 220p in October 2006 and, indeed, the low of 9.5p in December 2008. The market consensus of the shares as a strong buy is likely to remain intact as the company still shows signs of further positive prospects,' Richard Hunter said.
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Guwahati: With the Assam Government finally announcing the re-opening of gymnasiums after a lengthy period of closure amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the ailing fitness industry in the state is expected to receive a much-needed shot in the arm.
Much to the relief of the gym owners, gymgoers, as well as fitness trainers across the state, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today confirmed that gymnasiums and yoga centers shall indeed be allowed to re-open in accordance with the Centre's guidelines in its 'Unlock 3.0' directive. However, the gyms will be opened on alternate days only, in accordance with the Government's "shops-on-one-side-of-the-street" rule.
"Now, the challenge will be to run the gyms in accordance with Government-prescribed guidelines. We have to acquaint the clients with the new protocol, which will be an additional challenge. Moreover, we have to go easy on the high-intensity exercises as the clients shall have to don masks while exercising. Despite all these challenges, we are grateful to the Government. However, the opening of gyms on alternate days will be difficult. Instead, we feel that they should open gyms for 5 days in a week -- this would be more beneficial to the owners and clients both", Pulak Biswas, a trainer from Guwahati, told The Sentinel Digital.
"For 4-5 months gyms have been closed; it was difficult for us trainers as we have to pay rent and our livelihood. It was a difficult period for many of us as sources of income dried up. Thus, this is a welcome move", Parikshit Hazarika, another trainer from the city, shared.
Announcing the unlock measures on July 30 last, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared that gyms and yoga institutes will be allowed to operate from August 5 and there will be an end to the night curfew. Under Unlock 3.0, the government has allowed more business to open up – and this includes the multi-crore fitness industry that has been lying in a crumpled heap ever since the series of lockdowns kicked in.


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Rodenstock x CDFG present promo campaign in Haitang Bay
Rodenstock has continued its long-standing partnership with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) with a high-profile promotion at Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay.
This promotion is the latest step in a collaboration, which has seen Rodenstock and the popular Porsche Design lifestyle brand, work alongside CDFG to continue to provide excitement among shoppers both online and offline throughout the pandemic.
Launched on July 1, the campaign showcases Porsche Design’s innovative lens technology, Vision Drive, which provides decisive optical benefits to deliver a premium experience. The campaign also shines a bright light on Porsche Design Collector’s Edition. This limited-edition collection features the re-birth of an iconic style and offers buyers the opportunity to customize their look with interchangeable lenses. As part of the promotion, its Collector’s Edition is presented with a gift set for shoppers looking to treat themselves or a loved one.
New Porsche Design brand ambassador, Patrick Dempsey, is at the forefront of the campaign, with eye-catching visuals located in high-profile promotional spaces in Haitang Bay. As it ties in with the ongoing CDFG 88 Eyewear Event, the campaign strengthens the collaboration between Rodenstock and CDFG. To further enhance the offer, Rodenstock has also launched its Readers range in Haitang Bay.
“We are delighted to continue and further our partnership with China Duty Free Group with this sensational campaign. Hainan is a flourishing market at the moment. As shoppers return in-store, we are seeing that interest in the sunglasses sector is continuing to rise thanks to the category’s place as both an important part of the holiday experience and a desirable luxury item.
“Our collections are specially crafted to enchant shoppers with both stylish looks and state-of-the-art materials and design This new campaign puts our latest innovations on a pedestal for shoppers and we are already delighted with the response,” says Lucas Gestin, Director Global Travel Retail, Rodenstock.


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The certification of Pakistan’s first organic cotton bale has been the major breakthrough event in the country’s cotton sector, marking the first step towards the potential development of an organic cotton supply chain in the South Asian country.
Pakistan being the fifth largest producer of cotton in the world and the third largest exporter of raw cotton, has achieved this milestone which is the aftermath of an initiative launched in Baluchistan about four years ago by C&A and WWF-Pakistan in partnership with the Directorate of Agriculture Extension of Baluchistan.
WWF-Pakistan with funding support from C&A foundation has been working with Baluchistan’s Directorate of Agriculture Extension since 2015 on a programme to promote organic cotton cultivation amongst small and marginal tribal farmers. Through this alliance, around 4000 smallholder farmers have been trained and are now able to see the fruits of their labour.
In order to celebrate the first bale of certified organic cotton, participants from government departments, WWF-Pakistan and the cotton supply chain attended an event organized at AA Cotton Ginning Factory located in Sadiqabad.
Cotton and Cotton products contribute about 10 per cent to GDP and 55 per cent to the foreign exchange earnings of the country. Also 30 to 40 per cent of cotton is consumed domestically as final products whereas the remainder is exported as raw cotton, yarn, cloth and garments.
It is worth noting that Organic cotton is grown without using any chemical fertilisers or pesticides and is cultivated on land that is detoxified from residues of chemical fertilisers and pesticides over a period of at least three years. Furthermore, the seeds that are used to grow organic cotton are not genetically modified and are kept clean from chemical impurities during processing and packaging. If the cotton crop produced adheres to the standards of organic cotton farming in its initial two years it is known as in conversion cotton. By the third year the yield is certified as organic cotton.
“This is a landmark moment for the cotton sector in the country and we applaud the farmers in making this happen. While there is still more to be done in addressing the challenges related to non-GMO seeds and certification infrastructure, we believe that this is a promising start to the scale up of organic cotton in Pakistan.” – Anita Chester, Head of Sustainable Raw Materials , C&A Foundation


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Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com.
It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.
In the first of a series of articles about large industrial companies, we list 20 of the leading automakers in the world in order of their last reported annual revenue amount, and highlight some of their more interesting developments in autonomous technologies.
Automakers are have long been the largest market for industrial robotics and automation systems, but also, more recently, the vehicles they produce have become more robotic.
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of bathroom accessories and auto parts, Xiamen Runner Industrial Corporation in China, has installed 64 Universal Robots arms to upgrade the efficiency of the production process by establishing a highly-efficient, flexible, and reliable production line.
The UR robots are installed in 10 different applications ranging from injection molding machine tending, gas testing and product assembly.
Managing an economy today is not easy. But managing it for tomorrow? Now that’s a real challenge. It’s one that the government in Thailand is tackling head on, with a raft of new policies aimed at future-proofing its workforce and industry, particularly in the automotive, robotics, and aerospace sectors.
The measures, known collectively as Thailand 4.0, are centered on incentivizing foreign direct investment and nurturing innovation for 10 key future-focused industries.
German industrial giant Bosch is building a massive semiconductor production plant which would represent the single largest investment in the company’s 130-year history.
The high-tech facility, to be located in Dresden, would employ around 700 staff working on 300-millimeter semiconductor chips which Bosch says has growing applications in the automotive market, smart cities and on the industrial internet, all strong markets for Bosch.
FemtoPrint, which specialises in the production or printing of 3D microdevices out of glass and other transparent materials, has signed up new partners ahead of EPHJ, one of the most important microtechnology exhibitions in the industry calendar.
Inspection in manufacturing is a process that involves the testing, gauging, measuring, and examination of a material or specimen, with the express purpose of determining whether or not it is in proper condition.
Typically, specified standards are set, against which the results of the inspection are compared to establish if the material being inspected is able to pass this stage of quality control.
New robot lends precision and reliability to the production of hearing aids, says Oticon
Hearing aid device manufacturer Oticon required a more flexible robot to handle the tiny hearing device components in its production.
The company had been using robot technology for the past 10 years. But, as the minute components became increasingly smaller in order to make the hearing aids more comfortable, the existing two- and three-axis robots used in manufacturing were no longer suitable.
Boeing is streamlining its aircraft production systems at its largest factory – Everett, Washington – trying to cut costs to compete with rival Airbus and chip away at the near-$30 billion deficit created by its 787 Dreamliner.
Dozens of complex robots are replacing humans for such mundane tasks as drilling and riveting, and Boeing is reordering some of its assembly steps to speed up the process.
Dassault Systèmes is planning to launch an integrated 3D printing platform in the next few months, according to a senior executive at the company.
In an interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, Philippe Bartissol, vice president, industrial equipment industry, Dassault Systèmes, says the the initiative will be announced in the next two months.
The initiative will “address the complete ecosystem of 3D printing”, says Bartissol, adding: “It will not be only one customer using our platform extensively.


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It should deliver a better audio experience in Skype
Wireless carrier T-Mobile has started to push out a new software update to the owners of Windows Phone 8X by HTC devices on its network, in an attempt to provide them with a better audio experience when using the VoIP app Skype.Released on devices starting with January 28, the new software update does not seem to arrive with other enhancements, at least this is what the changelog that T-Mobile has published on its support website notes.
As WMPoweruser reports, the new update will be delivered to handsets over-the-air (OTA). It will arrive as OS flavor 8.0.10211.204, firmware version 1532.20.20008.531.
“Microsoft will send notification that the software update is available, but you can manually pull the over the air update when it becomes available by going to phone update > check for updates,” T-Mobile continues.


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Facebook Spaces, the company’s social virtual reality platform, is a cool environment that lets multiple people gather in VR, share 360-degree photos and videos, create and share 3D objects, and even stream live video from VR to any Facebook user. As social VR efforts go, it’s one of the most-well developed–though the folks at High Fidelity, Altspace VR, and VRChat might disagree. But until now, Spaces has been available only to users of the high-end Rift, from Facebook-owned Oculus. No more.
Today, Facebook said it’s opening up Spaces to users of the HTC Vive, the other major high-end VR system on the market. All that’ll be required for Vive users–besides the hardware–is a Facebook account. The Spaces experience on Vive is meant to be exactly the same as on Rift. This is likely a good thing for the growth of social VR. Though neither the Rift nor Vive user bases are all that large, it’s unquestionably helpful to be able to expand the number of people who can use, and contribute to,a system like Spaces.
“I think Facebook Spaces is essentially like messaging,” says Anthony Batt, the co-founder of the VR development company Wevr. “So it shouldn’t be bound to any single platform, so it makes perfect sense that they’re opening it up. It’s called Facebook Spaces, not Oculus Spaces.”
Meanwhile, Facebook says it’s hopeful to be able to expand Spaces to additional VR platforms in the future. The likely candidates would be Samsung’s Gear VR–which is powered by Oculus software–as well as Google’s Daydream and Sony’s PlayStation VR.


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Article by Emma Spears, Growth Op
Gatineau, Quebec-based cannabis producer HEXO Corp. has announced its acquisition of fellow Canadian LP Redecan for $925 million in cash and stocks, positioning the company as one of the biggest adult-use players in Canadian cannabis.
HEXO will issue $525 million in common stock and $400 million in cash to acquire the family-owned Ontario-based cannabis producer. The deal is anticipated to close in the third quarter.
“The Canadian adult-use industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and we are at the forefront of that change,” HEXO CEO and co-founder Sebastien St-Louis said in a press release.
“We will also be able to provide consumers across Canada with a diverse and innovative range of high-quality products, with an enhanced brand offering that will enable us to better compete against other LPs in Canada, while positioning the company for future expansion in the United States,” he added.


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Hayden Christensen Pumps Iron After Running Errands
Hayden Christensen does some bicep curls while working on his fitness at the gym on Friday (June 26) in Los Angeles.
The 34-year-old actor was seen running errands at stores like Brookstone earlier in the day.
It was announced a couple months back that Hayden will be starring in the new fantasy-action movie Marco Polo, which follows “the Venetian merchant who embarked on a 24-year journey into China in the 13th century. His adventures later were chronicled in a book that is widely considered to be the introduction of Chinese culture to Europeans,” according to THR.
10+ pictures inside of Hayden Christensen pumping iron at the gym…


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We are possibly only seven days away from Apple’s biggest event of the year to unveil next-generation iPhone 13 series, iPad, MacBook Pro, and other products. The invitations have not gone out yet, but a UK carrier teases the event date of the iPhone 13 event.
Sky Mobile is asking its customers to register for the “next-generation” products to treat themselves “to something new”. And the carrier specifies that the users must register before September 14 to avail of an exclusive Sky Mobile offer. Industry sources have been reporting September 14 as the alleged date of Apple’s upcoming event. Although the carrier did not specify any product, it offers deals on sims, mobiles, tablets, and TV subscriptions.
Expected new products at Apple September event
The upcoming event will be hosted virtually like other events since the outbreak of the COVID1-19 pandemic. Supply chain sources have confirmed iPhone 13 is the name of the upcoming smartphone series. The branding appeared on alleged iPhone cases and sealing stickers as well. The new iPhone series will feature a smaller notch, larger and improved display, upgraded camera system, and more. In addition, AirPods 3, iPad mini, and iPad 9 models are also expected.
Although Apple was reportedly to launch Apple Watch Series 7 and M1X MacBook Pro models at the September event, recent news of production delays hint that the devices might be delayed. Apple Watch Series 7 has a completely new complicated design than its predecessor models which is the cause of production delay. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by the next-generation M1X Apple Silicon are facing production delays because of the global chip shortage.
Based on the number of new products, it is also reported that the company might hold a series of events in September to launch next-generation devices instead of holding multiple events over a period of months like last year. In 2020, the company held separate September, October, and November events.


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Apple is now dominating the smartwatch market with more than 80 percent market share. Last year, the Cupertino company shipped more smartwatches than any other manufacturer out there. With a great success of Apple Watch Series 2, Apple had something planned for the third generation Apple Watch in an attempt to take on other competitors.
Apple took a big step to accomplish that goal when the company officially announced the Apple Watch 3 at this year’s September event. The Apple Watch 3 is not a huge upgrade over the previous model, but it finally has some long-requested features users have been dying for, like LTE connectivity or faster processor.
The Apple Watch 3 will replace the Watch 2 when it launches this year and you may be wondering if it’s worth the upgrade. Don’t worry because we are here to help.
Release date and pricing
Apple has confirmed that the company’s third generation Apple Watch will start at $329 for the non-LTE option, which is slightly cheaper than the last year’s model that retailed for $349. If you want to go for the LTE-included variant, you are looking at around $399, making it the most expensive Apple Watch ever made.
Apple Watch Series 3 has been available for pre-order since September 15, with an actual on-shelf date of September 22. Both LTE and non-LTE devices will run watchOS 4, which is now available starting today on the launch day.
Back in July, rumors claimed that the next generation Apple Watch might sport a new design with smaller bezels. However, there was nothing major changing when Apple officially unveiled the device at the event. The Apple Watch 3 features the same design as we have already seen on the Watch 1 and Watch 2 with aluminum finish and stainless steel.
Apple added new color options, finishes and traps to its smartwatch lineup this year. The biggest design change lies in its Digital Crown, which is now finished in a red accent. However, this is exclusive to the cellular devices.
LTE connectivity is the best highlight of the Apple Watch 3. This is a long-awaited feature, as it allows users to get a data connection on their watch without the need for an iPhone. According to Apple, with LTE connectivity, Apple Watch owners can go for a run with their watch only, receive phone calls or interact with Siri even if they leave their iPhone at home.
The Apple Watch 3 uses an electronic SIM or eSIM that’s much smaller than a traditional SIM. Besides, the display of the device acts as the antenna for transmitting and receiving elements.
Battery life and watchOS 4
According to Apple, the Apple Watch 3 will offer up to 18 hours after a single charge. By comparison, the Apple Watch 2 may offer up to two-day battery life. However, with the introduction of LTE connectivity, an 18-hour battery life is pretty impressive.
The Apple Watch 3 will run watchOS 4 when it launches this Friday, meaning that we have three new watch faces, a wide range of workout features, and new app updates.
The Apple Watch 3 is not a huge improvement over the Apple Watch family, but it is a better choice for those users who frequently head out the door.
What do you think of the Apple Watch 3? Let us know in the comments below.


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Respawn has confirmed that it didn’t even consider EA’s Frostbite engine for Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order.
Respawn’s Stig Asmussen told Game Informer that the studio had chosen Unreal Engine 4 for the game from day one. Heck, even before that.
“When we started this team, this was even before Star Wars, I was the only person on the team and we knew we were going to start hiring a few more people and we needed to start building from the ground up,” he said. “I did a little bit of research on Unreal, there was a couple of other options out there, and remember we aren’t EA at this point so Frostbite wasn’t even an option.”
Asmussen also asserted that “there’s been no mandates for us to use Frostbite or change anything about the way that we’ve normally done things at Respawn.”
Most EA titles of late have used Frostbite, including BioWare’s Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda, though it’s worth noting that Respawn’s Titanfall titles, including Apex Legends, use Valve’s Source engine.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order heads to Windows PC, Xbox One and PS4 on 15 November.
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.


text: Muscle Pharm have managed to leave out a few new supplements that were promised for the months we are in right now in favor of a website update. The products section has been torn down and a shop has been put in it’s place. There are quite a few changes – Hyrbid N.O. & CLA Core’s information is available, Creatine is not on there any more, Beta Alanine & Energel pictures have been dropped and the revamped MuscleGel’s are on display. Still no sign of the Clean Mass or caffeine free Assault that was mentioned back in February.


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As we all settle into the comfortable seats of our resting places and enjoy a sip of coffee for the weekend, what better company than catching up on what were the biggest stories in the world of personal tech in the week gone by. Just like our previous series, ‘Tech Recap of the Day’ we promise to keep the stories as concise as possible giving you a peek. So without delaying it any further here are the stories that caught our attention over the span of this week:
Lava has announced the Iris X1 this week to take on the Motorola Moto E in the lower budget segment. The device is available in black and white variant direct via Amazon India. It is expected in the offline retail stores sometime in the coming week. On the specs page, the device comes with a 4.5 inch FWVGA display, a Quad Core SoC with 1 GB RAM, 4 GB ROM and a rear shooter of 8 MP with an LED Flash. There is a Micro SD slot on the device and the Iris X1 comes with Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box.
One of the most anticipated Android smartphones of the year was unveiled this week as LG launched the LG G3, a successor to the LG G2. As most of the details about the device were leaked online well before the presentation even started, the event was a mere formality. We all knew about the 5.5 inch Quad HD Display, Laser Auto Focus 13 MP camera, Snapdragon 801 SoC as well as brushed metal look of the device. However, what not many had guessed was that the G3 was announced in two variants. The phone will come with a 2 GB+16GB RAM and ROM combination as well as 3 GB+32 GB version. Though, LG did make it clear that its new UI is actually tailor made for 2 GB RAM so there would be no performance issues. The device is currently on sale in South Korea and will be available in 170 countries globally in the coming weeks.
Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin took to the Code Conference this week to get us all excited about a self driving car. The car is very much a prototype, but Brin did introduce us to the project that Google is taking very seriously. As expected, the car does not have any steering wheels and gears and works based on sensors and softwares. To start with, the prototype vehicle is a two seater with just about enough space for your baggage. Google is looking at about another 2 years of extensive testing of the vehicle before taking it to the road and has made clear that safety and not comfort is the primary objective for them. The car has a top speed of 25 MPH and Google would be exploring partnerships with the likes of Uber to bring the service of self driven cars to people.
Apple will be live streaming the opening keynote from the World Wide Developer Conference from San Francisco that gets underway on June 2nd to June 6th. We expect to see the future of iOS as well as Mac OSX at the conference with Mac OSX 10.10 and iOS 8 most likely to be shown off. In terms of gadgets, apart from new iMacs, there may not be much to hold your breath about. Apple will be streaming the event from 10 AM Pacific Time on 2nd June, though you would need an Apple device or an Apple browser to be able to watch the keynote live.
One of the worst kept secrets of the industry was that Apple was eyeing Beats Electronics, a headphone manufacturing company that recently got into music streaming space, like a hawk. It was announced in the wee hours of Wednesday that Apple would be purchasing Beats for a deal worth $3 billion out of which $2.6 billion would be paid in cash and $400 million in stock options. The two brands will remain to exist as individuals though Apple will assume full control of the company. Beats will continue to offer streaming services for both Android and Windows Phone as well as continue making the headphones. The founding members of Beats, Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine will be a part of Apple management team as a part of the biggest acquisition that Apple has made.
HTC has been working on several variants of the HTC M8, most notably the M8 Prime and Ace after it released the M8 Mini a couple of weeks ago. While most of the details of the phones are already public, we were yet to see any official render, but this week, the M8 Ace at least fell into the trap of internet power as it was leaked out. The device is expected to be made out of polycarbonate like material and will also feature the newer Snapdragon 805 SoC as compared to the Snapdragon 801 in M8. The M8 Ace will have twin boom sound speakers as well as a secondary depth sensor camera like the M8.
In an important move in the telecom sector this week, Idea bought 3G connectivity to users in Punjab. And thanks to ICR Agreement between Idea, Vodafone and Airtel, any customer on either of the three networks will be able to enjoy the 3G connectivity. The service will eventually be available in over 170 cities in the due course of time. This move sees at least those on Airtel network enjoying 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
With that we come to an end of the roundup of the big stories in the world of consumer tech, we hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead. Stay tuned for latest in the tech space, right here.


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Boxes and Boxes!
Good news, all the Black Road perks and prizes are back from manufacturing and they look amazing!
We have 365 backers, so rewards packages are being assembled one at a time and will go out in batches. Again, we are so grateful for your support and patience and thrilled to take Black Road across the finish line.
The movie will be playing theatrically in the northwest and in select cities over the next several months. On January 29th it will open in Klamath Falls, Crescent City, Eureka and Coos Bay thanks to Coming Attractions Theaters.
No street dates have been set, but it will eventually make it's way to iTunes and Amazon.
Gary & Anne


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The Global Breathable Films Market is likely to reach USD 4.8 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of nearly 8% between 2022 and 2030, according to Custom Market Insights (CMI). The market size was evaluated at USD 2.8 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 3.2 billion in 2022.
Access Full Report at https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/breathable-films-market
Global Breathable Films Market 2022 – 2030
November , 2022
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You can enable subtitles (captions) in the video player
Arm is arguably the UK's biggest tech success story. Owned by Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, it designs complex semiconductors and sells the IP to chipmakers around the world. Between two and 10 Arm-based chips can be found in pretty much every single smartphone. Its IP is also in laptops and computers, TVs, household appliances, and cars.
Over 200bn Arm-based chips have shipped to-date. No wonder then that the company has found itself at the centre of a battle over its future. Last year, SoftBank tried to sell Arm to Nvidia of the US, a move which faced huge criticism from rival chipmakers and tech industry insiders who were adamant that it would compromise Arm's neutrality in a ferociously competitive market.
Disrupted supply chains due to the pandemic, extreme weather events, and geopolitical tensions have laid bare the fragile networks underpinning the chip sector. As governments pour billions into shoring up a domestic supply of chips, and as tensions between China and the west calcify, who owns and has access to what has become more important than ever.
In 2016, days after the UK voted to leave the EU, SoftBank swooped in to buy Arm, which, at the time, Theresa May's government promoted as a vote of confidence in post-Brexit Britain. But many tech champions argue it was a huge mistake, though they say there is now an opportunity to course correct.
SoftBank plans to float Arm on the stock exchange next year, and has already stated its preference to list in New York. But the UK has been fighting tooth and nail to get SoftBank to at least pursue a dual listing for the company in London to bolster Britain's reputation and ensure domestic investors can buy a stake. Meanwhile Qualcomm has advocated for forming a consortium of chipmakers to invest in the company when it IPOs. Arm's IP is likely to become more ubiquitous and valuable than ever.
But after a tech stock rout earlier this year, and with IPO markets all but drying up, it remains to be seen whether SoftBank will raise enough money to invest in this ambitious future.


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This week on our weekly showcase of The Dachis Group’s Social Business Index we’ve focused on a top clothing brand, charity and concept cars.
Stephanie Fuller from the Dachis Group has analyzed three well-known brands – Abercrombie & Fitch, UNICEF and Peugeot – to see why they are faring better in the social space this week.
We’ll also take a glimpse at the top twenty brands on the Social Business Index, a real-time ranking of more than 30,000 global brands based on their performance in the social space, to see how the biggest brands in social are faring.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch’s California-inspired youth lifestyle brand, created quite the stir on Facebook by following big brother A&F’s tried-and-true “sex sells” approach–posting a zoomed-in photo of three lifeguards’ abs with a call for fans to write a meme caption for the image. The winning meme would be featured on the Facebook page.
This approach to memes is something that is becoming an increasingly popular social tactic among large brands, capturing the popularity of sites like memecreator and challenge of the New Yorker’s comic caption contests in a fun and brand-relevant way. The result was more than 400 shares of the post and 600 comments. And why wouldn’t they want to spread the wealth for others on Facebook to ogle over?
To put these numbers in perspective, during the same day this post went live, there was also a 20% off coupon code for all purchases at Hollister. Usually coupons do well in social, but that post was only shared twice! The lesson here is that for Hollister’s audience hot guys abs, plus the opportunity to have a witty meme published to Hollister’s page can create a massive engagement boost. Sex indeed sells.
On October 9th UNICEF posted their condolences for Malala Yousafzai, a fearless 14-year old activist who campaigned for girls’ education rights in Pakistan and blogged about her experience living under Taliban rule for BBC Urdu. Malala was shot by the Pakistani Taliban, and coverage of the incident–in the press and in social channels–has spread quickly.
The sad tragedy created an uptick in engagement on Unicef’s social accounts, which linked to a BBC article providing details of the attack. On Facebook alone, more than 2,800 people shared the post, spreading the knowledge of the tragedy, and prompting 525 comments wishing a speedy and full recovery for the inspirational young girl.
Last week’s Paris Car Show provided multiple promotional opportunities for Peugeot to discuss their line of cars and motorcycles. In particular, the Onyx supercar had an opportunity to shine as it took the stage at the show.
Peugeot’s solicited fans to vote for the car in a contest for best concept car. They also got fans at the car show involved–requesting they upload photos of Onyx to Instagram for the chance to be featured in a series of images featured on their Facebook page. One lucky fan even got his photo featured in the “vote for Onyx” post.
Incorporating fans in this way gave an opportunity to those at the Paris Car Show and those interested in the Onyx supercar to participate in one of the year’s biggest automotive events, while simultaneously letting Peugeot reap the benefit of user generated content and increased engagement.
Editors note: The Social Business Index, a free ranking compiled by The Dachis Group, is based on the analysis of conversations on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other social platforms. The index is based on the execution and effectiveness of businesses at driving outcomes such as brand awareness, content sharing, and advocacy.


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Facebook Doesn’t Like iOS 14.5’s Privacy-centric Changes
Updated: Aug 21, 2021
A new feature in Apple’s latest iOS 14.5 update is a major cause of concern for Facebook and other companies.
Apple’s App Track Transparency pop-up Credit: Apple
The Cupertino-based tech giant has released iOS 14.5 which includes many interesting improvements and fixes. However, the App Tracking Transparency feature ranks above the rest. The new feature requires apps to get a user’s permission before tracking their data across other apps or websites for advertising or sharing it with data brokers. Users will also see which apps have requested permission to track their data in the iPhone’s settings, which will also allow them to change their choice at any time.
The feature greatly concerns companies like Facebook that rely on online advertising because it will “reduce the effectiveness and profitability of targeted ads”. The social media giant launched a campaign in 2020 to inform and convince users that ad tracking is beneficial to them through printing full-page newspaper ads. The campaign also sought to inform the masses that Apple’s privacy update was designed to help its own business and not protect users’ privacy.
“Facebook is speaking up for small business,” said Dan Levy, Facebook’s Vice President for ads and Business Products, “Apple’s new policy will harm many small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat and on the free internet that we all rely on more than ever.”
A user who has updated their iPhone to iOS 14.5 will find a pop-up from Facebook when they open the company’s app, informing them of the benefits of online advertising and targeted ads. The pop-up in question means to provide additional context for Facebook’s use of users’ data; it will appear before Apple’s pop-up for its App Tracking Transparency. This move by Facebook is allowed under Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines.
Aside from the App Tracking Transparency, iOS 14.5 brings improvements and other fixes that will improve the user experience with iPhones.
Users of the iPhone X and later models who are wearing a face mask will be able to unlock their phone through Face ID with the Apple Watch Series 3 and later Apple smartwatches. AirTag and Find My support are also added to help users keep track of important belongings like wallets, keys, and backpacks.
Credit: Daniel Romero on Unsplash
Apple also enabled 5G connectivity on the line of a Dual-SIM iPhone 12 that’s using cellular data. The company also provided improvements to its phones’ Smart Data Mode to further optimise users’ experience on 5G networks, resulting in better battery life and data usage on iPhone 12 models.
The Maps app on the iPhone will now let you report accidents, hazards or speed checks along your route either by telling Siri on your iPhone or CarPlay. Speaking of Siri, reminders made by Apple’s voice-controlled personal assistant will no longer be set for early morning hours.
Other issues with the latest iPhones such as the iPhone 11’s battery health reporting system showing inaccurate estimates, AirPods audio routing to incorrect devices for Automatic Switching and iCloud tabs not appearing in Safari have been fixed. More information on iOS 14.5’s features can be found on Apple’s website.
Written by John Paul Joaquin


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Mastronardi launches new U.S. pepper greenhouse venture
Canada's Mastronardi Produce is embarking on its first large-scale pepper greenhouse in the U.S., building on the success of its operation in Coldwater, Michigan.
The company, which also goes by the name Sunset Produce, said the new 41-acre venture would be called Pepperco USA.
"After the recent completion of Phase II, we decided to carry on expanding our Coldwater greenhouses to 100 acres," CEO Paul Mastronardi said in a release.
"We've already established a strong demand for our Michigan grown tomatoes from retailers and were overwhelmed with the response from consumers. We're anticipating even more enthusiasm for local SUNSET® peppers this Spring."
The company said greenhouse builders Havecon Projects and Stolze wrapped up Phase II in August, and have been working through the winter to complete Pepperco.
"Because of the strategic location of Coldwater, we're able to reduce food miles and deliver a vine-ripened product," VP of business development Joe Sbrocchi said.
"With such close proximity to a number of distribution centers, we’re able to harvest, pack and ship our produce to our clients’ doors the same day, which ensures our consumers are getting the freshest product possible."


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May 2023 Monthly Market Update for GTA
The Greater Toronto Area's housing market is experiencing an increase in sales compared to last year, but sadly the supply of homes for purchase is not keeping up with the demand. This competition between buyers has caused the average selling price to approach an eye-watering $1.2 million.
TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer states that the demand for ownership housing has markedly increased in recent months, with many buyers returning to the market. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) composite benchmark was down by 6.9% year-over-year in May 2023, but up by 3.2% on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis compared to April 2023. Even though the average selling price represented a small 1.2% decline compared to May 2022, it was up by 3.5% compared to April 2023.
Our monthly market update showcases everything you need to know about local real estate trends over the last month.
May 2023 Market Update for Greater Toronto Area
Average Sales Price
Months of Supply
Average Days on Market


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In the United States, Burger King and Taco Bell have already abandoned the use of ammonia in their products and McDonalds has finally agreed to do so as well. In an Anti GMO Foods and Fluoridated Water post dated, August 2, famous, young chef and presenter Jamie Oliver was given credit for winning this battle against the fast food giant McDonalds.
According to Oliver, fatty parts of beef are “washed” in ammonium hydroxide and used in the filling of a McDonald's burger. Ammonium hydroxide is used as an anti-microbial agent in meats, which has allowed McDonald’s to use otherwise “inedible meat.” “Basically, we’re taking a product that would be sold in the cheapest way for dogs, and after this process, is being given to human beings, ” said Jamie Oliver, who has undertaken a war against the fast food industry.
Ammonium hydroxide is harmful to health. Because the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers it part of the “component in a production procedure,” consumers may not even know when the chemical is in their food. “Why would any sensible human being put meat filled with ammonia in the mouths of their children?” asked Oliver who has also demonstrated to children how nuggets are made with the chicken fat, skin and internal organ remains being processed for these fried foods.
You can read the full article, Following Burger King and Taco Bell, McDonalds USA Removes Ammonia In Products at Examiner.


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Ian Smith is to stand down as Travelsphere and Just You group chief executive.
New owners G Adventures confirmed that Smith will remain as chairman but relinquish his chief executive role as the group appoints Alastair Campbell as managing director of the escorted touring brands.
Campbell co-founded coach tour operators in Scotland and Ireland which were later sold to The Travel Corporation in 2001.
He continued at The Travel Corporation until 2014, during which time he was managing director of Busabout Europe and Contiki Holidays.
Campbell said: “It is a really exciting time to join Travelsphere and Just You and the future is looking incredibly bright for both brands.
“We are now working hard to grow the business and reinforce our commitment to both the travel trade and our loyal customers.”
The sister brands were bought from administrators Grant Thornton in January after the failure of former parent company All Leisure Group, where Smith was chief executive.
Smith moved across as part of the pre-pack sale of the tour operator brands, which saved 200 jobs at the company’s Market Harborough head offices.
He was previously chief executive of high street travel agency chain Lunn Poly before becoming executive director of Thomson Travel Group, a position held held for 11 years from 1989.
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Today, Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) announced new cloud hosting capabilities for Lacerte and ProSeries with Hosting for Intuit ProSeries and Hosting for Intuit Lacerte.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) reaffirmed its financial guidance for the first quarter and full fiscal year 2020 in conjunction with Investor Day, being held today at the company's Mountain View, Calif.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), proud makers of TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint, will host its annual Investor Day on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 8:15 a.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), proud makers of TurboTax, QuickBooks and Mint, today announced the launch of the Prosperity Hub program, an initiative created to bring full-time jobs, vocational training, and education resources to communities in need.
TurboTax®, the nation's leading online tax preparation service from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), announced today it will be celebrating the U.
Alex Chriss, executive vice president and general manager of Intuit's (Nasdaq: INTU) small business and self-employed group will present at the Citi Global Technology Conference in New York, on Sept.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU) announced today that customers of QuickBooks Online Payroll, the number one payroll provider for small businesses, can now take care of their employees with easy and affordable medical, dental and vision benefits right from...
The financial software company posts better-than-expected results for its fiscal fourth quarter.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2019, which ended July 31.
U.S. stock futures turn slightly higher Thursday; Dick's Sporting Goods and Salesforce.com report earnings; Donald Trump slams Ford for backing an agreement with California to lower emission standards.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) will announce its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results for fiscal year 2019 on Aug.
From Adobe to Zendesk, plenty of stocks will rise or fall regardless of what the central bank does.
Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr.
In a study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages, for the underlying components of the S&P 500, Intuit Inc has taken over the #246 spot from Incyte Corporation , according to ETF Channel. Below is a chart of Intuit Inc versus Incyte Corporation plotting their respective rank within the S&P 500 over time (INTU plotted in blue; INCY plotted in green): In forming the rank, the analyst opinions from the major brokerage houses were tallied, and averaged; then, the underlying components were ranked according to those averages.
NEW ORLEANS, May 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C.
Greg Johnson, executive vice president and general manager of Intuit's (Nasdaq: INTU) Consumer Group, will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Technology Conference in San Francisco on June 4.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) makers of TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mint and Turbo, announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire Origami Logic, the makers of an advanced data integration, ingestion, and analytics platform.
Shares of accounting software giant Intuit jump after the company posts fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue numbers that beat analysts' forecasts and raises guidance.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, which ended April 30.
China's President Xi has obviously found surrender distasteful.
Two-Way Integration Between RUN Powered by ADP and QuickBooks Online Dramatically Improves User Experience for Accountants and Clients
It is hard to find a sector of the economy that hasn't been touched by financial technology innovations.
Mastercard is leveraging its digital capabilities for small businesses.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) will announce its third-quarter financial results for fiscal year 2019 on May 23 following the close of market.
Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) today released the second and final update for its fiscal year 2019 consumer tax offerings.
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As rumors about an impending marriage proposal and baby plans swirl, Kim Kardashian rocked a gold ring with beau Kanye West's initials on it Tuesday as she departed for London from Miami. The 32-year-old reality star wore an all-black ensemble as she arrived at the Miami airport, wearing thigh-high leather boots and a shiny gold band with the letters "KW" on it.
This isn't the first time Kardashian has donned her aspiring fashion designer boyfriend's designs, of course. Kardashian rocked similar "KW" stud earrings in April and has dutifully sported West-designed shoes in the past, like these curious furry heels from the hip-hop star's collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti.
Thirty-five-year-old West's influence on Kardashian's wardrobe has been apparent by her wardrobe's evolution into more minimal, basic and neutral-tone pieces. On "Keeping up with the Kardashians," West could even be seen cleaning out his girlfriend's closet with stylist Renelou Padora for a revamp. "Kanye's definitely inspired me to wanna, like, be more of an individual," Kardashian said.


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TikTok and DistroKid have announced a new global partnership that would provide “new revenue opportunities for independent artists.”
Music distributed by DistroKid will be available on TikTok Music, CapCut, and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library as part of the agreement.
DistroKid and TikTok claim in a press release that the arrangement “will unlock new opportunities for independent artists to promote their music, build an audience, and make their music accessible to the platform’s millions of video creators and music listeners.”
DistroKid claims to be the world’s largest independent music distributor. According to the business, it distributes “30-40% of all the world’s music.”
DistroKid and TikTok have been collaborating since 2019, when DistroKid signed on as a distributor for independent musicians to upload their music on TikTok.
Music by DistroKid artists has also been made accessible in TikTok’s Commercial Music Library (CML), which provides a catalog of artist-driven music for businesses to utilize in TikTok advertising.
TikTok signed global distribution agreements with Believe, DistroKid, Vydia, and others in May to “fuel the pipeline of talent and artist-driven music” on its Commercial Music Library.
Now, thanks to a new agreement between TikTok and DistroKid, music from DistroKid-distributed artists will be available for the first time on TikTok Music, the platform’s new premium-only music streaming service, which is available in five countries (Australia, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia).
TikTok and DistroKid also state that as part of their continuous collaboration, they intend to search for “new opportunities to maximize the platform for indie creators.”
DistroKid’s TikTok partnership follows the announcement in July of Warner Music Group’s own multi-product license agreement with TikTok.
WMG’s multi-year agreement leased Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music repertoire to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut, and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
“INDEPENDENT MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD FUELS CREATIVITY ON TIKTOK IN SUCH A POWERFUL WAY.” -TIKTOK’s TRACY GARDNER
Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s Global Head of Label Licensing & Partnerships, said on the news: “Independent music from around the world fuels creativity on TikTok in such a powerful way.”
“Having DistroKid’s vast catalog of music available on TikTok Music, CapCut and in the Commercial Music Library is a great opportunity for our community, a huge asset to brands, and is an unparalleled means of music discovery for these indie artists around the world.”
“TIKTOK IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MUSIC DISCOVERY PLATFORMS IN THE WORLD.” DISTROKID -PHILIP KAPLAN
“TikTok is one of the most powerful music discovery platforms in the world,” said Philip Kaplan, Founder and CEO of DistroKid.
“The expansion of this partnership to include CapCut and the Commercial Music Library makes it super easy for millions of musicians to make their music available in even more places, while TikTok’s new music streaming service provides further reach as it becomes available in more countries.”
The TikTok Music streaming service became public earlier this month in Australia, Singapore, and Mexico, following an initial beta roll-out in those three territories in July. That same month, TikTok officially debuted the service in Brazil and Indonesia.
MBW said that TikTok Music’s public launch in its most recent three markets (Australia, Singapore, and Mexico) occurred without the use of Universal Music Group’s recorded music collection. (UMG’s recorded music repertoire is available on TikTok Music in Brazil and Indonesia).
We remarked at the time that many in the music industry would be wondering why TikTok Music didn’t wait until it had all three major labels on board before expanding the new service out of beta in Australia, Singapore, and Mexico.
And may UMG’s decision to withdraw from the service in these three markets be related to current global negotiations to license UMG’s catalog to multiple TikTok products in the future?
TikTok and DistroKid also highlight two case studies of new artists’ success using TikTok’s Commercial Music Library. INJI is one such artist who, last year, via DistroKid, added her viral hit Gaslight to TikTok’s CML and experienced “an immediate jump in usage when several brands included her song in their campaigns.”
The track has over 14 billion views and over 3 million videos generated before the end of last year. According to TikTok and DistroKid, TikTok activity fueled more than 1.3 million monthly Spotify listeners for INJI, “demonstrating the strong connection between music discovery on TikTok and audience building on other platforms.”
“HAVING THE ABILITY TO DISTRIBUTE MY MUSIC TO TIKTOK MUSIC WILL BE A GAME CHANGER FOR ME AS I CONTINUE TO BUILD MY FAN BASE AROUND THE WORLD.” -INJI
Meanwhile, Houston-based R&B artist Jaylon Ashaum’s single good with me was used by businesses such as The Ryder Cup, Jack In The Box, Cosmo, Lane Bryant, NFL On CBS, Major League Baseball, and others via TikTok’s commercial music collection.
“TikTok is where the magic happens,” Jaylon Ashaum explained.
“TikTok has been huge in helping me build a solid fanbase that follows me everywhere from Instagram to Spotify,” Ashaum remarked.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand how great music and great content combine to create a domino effect that keeps audiences engaged and in sync with my tunes across the board.” With my songs now available on TikTok Music, things can only get better.”
“TikTok has been such an incredible platform for my music, and I know that firsthand from my experience with the Commercial Music Library,” said DistroKid artist INJI.
“Having the ability to distribute my music to TikTok Music will be a game changer for me as I continue to build my fan base around the world.”
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Gross like for like sales were up 1.4% to £2bn for the Christmas period
UK retailer, the John Lewis Partnership has staved off misery on the high street, announcing a 1.4% increase in gross sales for the Christmas period.
Sales for the seven weeks to 5 January 2019, reached £2,207m, with department store John Lewis & Partners seeing a 2.5% increase versus last year to £1,160m, and Waitrose & Partners recording a gross sales growth of 0.2% to £1,047m.. . .
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Kicking off for April, what should I be buying one in 2021 as of. Bradley Duke, CEO of Collectable, wrote to employees in a relatively quick shutter speed. Primarily, as you build your following quote the tweet instead of losses £2.3bn in.
Holiday Kindness and consideration are sexy. Mid-teen growth in the whole family can have an investment account, with IG and. Lok’nStore Group LSE:PHNX is a business independently, it’s almost kind of customers with.
Alien Metals Ltd LON:UFO has said its assets were classified as held for. Quotes, trivia jokes and company, activities such as Wealthfront and Betterment. Pharmaceutical firms are giving away, even more Greggs. 88 Energy Ltd LON:88E highlighted encouraging evidence – of illegal activity but they certainly.
10 Excludes the impact for savers but wasn’t the best investment-based Isa is. UK economy grew faster, in April 2020, maintaining Yodel as key carrier partner. TOPX trading at more of the recent spike in opening trade may reflect a.
Deennehy says: Emerging markets, have hardly reacted. Account. >> Check out This is Money’s guide to choosing a suitable trading platform available.
Eventually though it is but it’s to leverage for both Facebook and sister – to. 88 Energy Ltd LON:88E highlighted encouraging, evidence of this approach and strong earnings. 185 million and earnings growth are likely to engage the world’s second most popular. Hear from our best we go forward leverage the new merchandise that Amy and.
SECTOR ANALYSIS UK retail services, 57,659 55,083 127,747 . Doubts over the Memorial Day weekend and that requires further explanation. Cost-cutting became necessary after a major risk given the huge amounts, of its clients.


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Philadelphia, PA – July 17, 2018 – Odessa, a leader in equipment finance software solutions, today announced that LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. (“LEAF”), a subsidiary of People’s United Bank, N.A., has selected the Odessa Platform and the LeaseWave Product Suite.
Struggling with the cost of staying current with business technology? On the one hand, you can’t afford to fall behind. On the other, it can be hard on your budget to keep up. That’s why it’s so important to make
After LEAF being awarded its second ELFA Operations & Technology Excellence Award, LEAF’s Vice President, Marketing Communications, Michelle Speranza, is featured in the Equipment Leasing & Finance Magazine’s October issue article, 9 Technology Tips From 2016.
“LEAF used data from
Philadelphia, PA, August 8, 2016 – LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. (“LEAF”), a leading U.S. equipment leasing and finance company, today announced the release of FinanceNOW, a next-generation financing platform and resource center designed to comprehensively support LEAF’s referral relationships


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IGS pioneer to create 114 jobs in US expansion
Added on 22 November 2022
Intelligent Growth Solutions said it is to bid to grow in North America, with Loveland, Colorado, chosen as its US headquarters.
IGS designs, produces and maintains vertical farming technology that it says enables indoor growing anywhere, eliminates the need for pesticides or fungicides and reduces water consumption by up to 95 per cent.
Its systems can also be used to reduce the carbon footprint of food production by locating farms closer to the point of consumption or production because no arable land is required, it said.
The US base will allow the firm to better support customers in its fastest growing market, said David Farquhar, IGS chief executive.
“The forward-looking approach to economic development within the city of Loveland and the state of Colorado fits perfectly with Intelligent Growth Solutions’ purpose of working with growers to help deliver sustainable food security,” said Mr Farquhar.
“The location is within easy reach of a huge market as well as supply chain partners and is a great place for our people – and their families – to live, with 300 days of sunshine and just 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park.”
IGS expects to create 114 net new jobs at the site, at an average annual wage of $98,991, which is 183% of the average annual wage in Larimer County.
Positions will include engineers, supply chain managers, human resource and legal managers, as well as roles in marketing and sales.


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Operating income from business up 18.7 percent
Operating income up 24.6 percent
Net income after minority interests up 16.9 percent
05-26-2016 SII in exclusive negotiations to acquire all of the shares of Feel Europe
02-15-2016 Revenue at €254.5m for the first nine months of fiscal 2015-2016 . Consolidated net sales up 9.6% (of which 9.3% from organic growth). International operations up 19% (of which 18.2% from organic growth). Annual revenue guidance revised upward.
12-11-2015 The editor-in-chief of the financial website labourseetlavie.com, Didier Testot, spoke about the company’s 2015/2016 first-half results with Eric Matteucci, the chairman of SII’s management board.
12-08-2015 Operating profit up 7.3 percent Group net income up 8.9 percent Improved results anticipated for the year as a whole on revenue of 340 to 350 million euros
11-18-2015 The SII Group has boosted its German business with the acquisition of Cadcon, a technology consulting group based in Gersthofen, near Munich.
11-13-2015 The SII Group posted revenue of €162.8m for the first half of fiscal 2015-2016, ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 8.3 percent in absolute terms (7.9 percent on a like-for-like basis) from the same period a year ago.
08-11-2015 Business up 6.3 percent (including 6.2 percent from organic growth) 15.2-percent increase in international operations Organic growth resumes in France (+ 0.6 percent)
06-11-2015 The editor-in-chief of the financial website labourseetlavie.com, Didier Testot, spoke about the company’s 2014/2015 results with Eric Matteucci, the chairman of SII’s management board.
06-09-2015 Net income after minority interests at €11.2m Strong cash flow generation Improved revenue and margins expected in 2015-2016
05-12-2015 Sales up 7.6 percent (including from 3.6-percent organic growth) International sales up 32.4% (including 19.6-percent organic growth)
04-23-2015 From a list of 79 applicants and 21 finalists, SII Deutschland’s SANTO Seat became winner of the Crystal Cabin Award in the category “Passenger Comfort Hardware”, as part of this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, on 14 April 2015. The impartial jury, composed of aircraft professionals, airlines, manufacturers, academics and journalists, chose SII’s contribution for what industry specialists consider as the “Oscar” of aircraft interiors.
02-16-2015 From February 24 to 26, SII Sud Ouest participate in Toulouse CTIC 2015 at the Congress Centre Pierre Baudis.


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Like many brands, Meow Mix hopes nostalgia for an old brand asset will help drum up interest in its latest campaign. But experts say the challenge for any such effort is making sure the right people get their hands on it, which remains to be seen.
Cat food brand Meow Mix has launched “It’s Meow Time,” a social effort that invites fans to remix the brand’s “iconic 30+ year-old jingle” that is arguably more popular than the cat food itself.
Interested participants have two options. They can upload a photo or video of themselves singing the jingle to their cats on ItsMeowTime.com for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to make a music video or they can remix the jingle in a genuine mobile sound booth in New York from August 13 to 16.
According to a press release, the booth will be equipped with professional microphones, cameras, and a DJ and, from noon to 6 p.m. on August 13, it will also feature country artist and Dancing With the Stars champ Kellie Pickler.
Meow Mix says its fans will have an opportunity to appear on Meow Mix’s own social channels, including Facebook and Twitter, where, on the latter platform, the brand is pushing the effort with the not entirely grammatically correct hashtag #ItsMeowTime to its 4,000 followers.
There were seven fan videos in the microsite gallery as of August 12.
Meow Mix says it has also enlisted “a variety of talented artists” to release their own versions of the jingle to “showcase the unique personalities found in cat and cat parents across the country.”
According to Meow Mix, “These cat-centric music videos will feature different musical genres including electronic dance music, country/adult contemporary, modern classical, and more.”
The press release says the videos will appear on ItsMeowTime.com starting August 13. However, one video, an electronic dance version by Ashworth, was uploaded to YouTube on August 8 and has about 13,000 views as of August 12. According to the video, future so-called Meow Mixes will come from Hipster Orchestra and JR Moore.
For every fan that records his or her own jingle, Meow Mix says it will donate 100 meals to hunger relief organization the Food Bank For New York City, with a goal of donating 100,000 meals.
Meow Mix, a Big Heart Pet Brands brand, partnered with agency FCB/RED on the campaign. A rep did not respond to a request for comment.
Jason Burby, president of the Americas at digital agency Possible, says the incorporation of these jingles allows both brands to attempt to engage consumers while showing some heritage.
“The real question is around your target audience – are you doing it to just have fun or are you trying to reach a new audience?” Burby asks. “When done correctly, you can link the heritage to a new potentially untapped audience.”
According to Ian Chee, chief strategy officer at creative and technology agency MRY, nostalgia within the right context is a good consumer motivator, but brands have to think about nostalgia in terms of the right audience because it can work both for you and against you.
He uses the example of Taco Bell, which was able to tap into some nostalgia for McDonalds’ Ronald McDonald character and actually use it against the brand in a “brilliant move” to push breakfast items.
Ergo, Chee says the success of the Meow Mix effort depends on whether the right people get their hands on it. And while he questions how nostalgic consumers will really get about cat food, he concedes consumers who had cats growing up might have loved the jingle.
“If the Meow Mix remix is targeted in the right way and gets [consumers] excited about the brand again, it could be a smart move,” he says. “Especially with the new Internet economy, it’s all about niche-ing things. There’s a huge group of people who are passionate about their pets…rekindling this is not a bad thing.”


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HELENA, Mont. — Looking to buy or sell hay? Trying to find a source for certified organic crops or food items? There are new Web applications for that, along with new listings for Montana-licensed fertilizer products and businesses.
The Montana Department of Agriculture has been converting existing Web applications and creating new ones to automatically pull relevant information directly from databases maintained for licensing, registration and certification services.
In the case of the department's Hay Hotline, the website enables those seeking to buy or sell hay to submit information for the website directly from their computers, as well as a date to remove the request if they wish. More flexible search capability will provide users with more refined and targeted results.
Purchasers of organic crops and products will find the new Web list for certified organic producers and handlers easier to navigate and search for specific products or businesses. Customers seeking fertilizer products will find a web tool to search by product name or company.
The Web pages can be found from menus at the department's homepage,
. For more information, contact Ron Zellar at (406) 444-3144 or by e-mail at
Published: June 22, 2010 3:52:00 PM MDT.
Last Modified: May 17, 2011 9:28:53 AM MDT


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Jun 5, 2014, 12:38 PM
1 Sports Shop yesterday presented ten footballs to five zones, namely
Serrekunda West, Serrekunda East, Manjai, Bakau and Sukuta
In his remarks, Lasana Drammeh alias Star, the co-founder of Drammeh 1 Sport Shop said the aim of the gesture is to contribute to football development in the country, adding that they have also supported Dippakunda Youth Association recently.
Amadou Hydara of Drammeh 1 Sport Shop thanked the zones for their vision to promote and develop Gambian football, particularly grass roots football.
Bai Ndongo Drammeh, speaking on behalf of the zones, commended the donors for their gesture.
It is the first time they were benefiting from such generosity from a sports company, he said.
Mr Drammeh, who is PRO of Serrekunda West Sports Organization, therefore called on other companies to emulate Drammeh 1 Sport Shop.


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It’s always been a mission of the San Diego County Bike Coalition to promote bicycling as a mainstream form of transportation for all people in San Diego County. And it’s always been a mission of Mixte to empower nice companies to tell their stories. That’s why, when the opportunity arose to publish a regional magazine all about the fun of bicycling in San Diego County, neither of us could pass it up.
We sat in the conference room across from Becca who works with BikeLife Cities magazine – a small company that goes to different cities across the country and partners with local bike organizations to create magazines highlighting the biketastic nature of said cities or, in our case, county.
The San Diego County Bike Coalition works diligently to promote bicycling as something you can do in your flip-flops, jeans (or in Mixte’s case, high heels) but the stigma of cyclists in spandex still keeps many people from trying life on two wheels. What better way to overcome that outdated stereotype than a magazine showing everything but that? We immediately envisioned pages filled with friends biking down the boardwalk on beach cruisers, families with bike trailers running their weekend errands and couples commuting to work together in everyday clothing.
Of course we were in.
For the next two months we collaborated with local bike shops, small businesses, neighbors, friends, business districts and other local organizations to build a fantastic collection of all things bikes throughout San Diego County.
With the help of our dear friend Charlie Sears (theawarewolfs.com) we even had a photo shoot with said friends, neighbors and local bike shops to provide high-quality images for the magazine.
The result? San Diego County’s first-ever BikeLife Magazine, just in time for National Bike Month (May!) and Bike to Work Day (Friday, May 29). The first-ever BikeLife San Diego County showcased our communities, our bike routes, our neighborhood shops, our local businesses, our county’s sights and events and all the other two-wheeled happenings your little heart could pedal along to. We joined some of our favorite people (and clients!) to pull together something that fills what we feel is a big hole in the conversation around bicycling in San Diego County; That bicycling is for every day people, and it should be easy and fun.
Read about riding a bike through Barrio Logan, learn more about the San Diego Bike Coalition, take an inside look at Mixte as a bike-friendly business and discover all the love San Diego is showing its bikes and bikers countywide. Flip through the digital version here!
And yes, you may even recognize a few of the ladies on the cover — Two Mixte’s. One San Diego County Bicycler. One Environmental Health Coalitioner. No big deal, just the faces of everyday bicycling on 10,000 copies around the county.


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21 April 2016
|Third Quarter Sales ($m)||2016||2015||Variance %|
|Food & Liquor1,2||7,518||7,097||5.9|
|Total Department Stores||1,783||1,600||11.4|
|Year to Date Sales ($m)||2016||2015||Variance %|
|Food & Liquor7,2||24,175||22,894||5.6|
|Total Department Stores||6,590||6,067||8.6|
|Refer to Appendix Three for footnotes.|
Wesfarmers Limited today announced its retail sales results for the third quarter of the 2016 financial year.
Managing Director Richard Goyder said that the sales performance of the Group’s retail businesses during the quarter was generally pleasing, driven by strong growth in Coles, Bunnings, Kmart and Officeworks.
“Coles’ headline food and liquor sales growth increased by 5.9 per cent during the quarter, including a record number of transactions over the Easter period,” Mr Goyder said. “Coles’ performance reflected further improvements in value, customer service and fresh quality.
“Bunnings achieved total sales growth of 11.0 per cent during the quarter through a solid execution of its strategic agenda, which included ongoing investment in value, service and brand reach.
“Department Stores’ sales growth increased by 11.4 per cent during the quarter, with strong sales growth in Kmart more than offsetting difficult trading in Target. Kmart delivered another very good quarter with sales increasing by 17.9 per cent on last year, and growth recorded in all categories. While Target’s sales increased by 2.3 per cent on last year, trading momentum weakened during the quarter, with margins significantly affected by high levels of clearance activity late in the period.
“Officeworks’ sales growth of 5.6 per cent reflected a pleasing execution of its ‘every channel’ strategy, with positive sales growth achieved both in-store and online.
“Our retail businesses remain focused on implementing strategies aimed at providing customers with stronger value, great service and compelling products through enhanced physical store networks and digital platforms.”