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WASHINGTON – The growth in U.S. consumer spending slowed to a crawl in September as shoppers, worried about a deepening housing downturn, stayed away from the malls. Meanwhile, a key gauge of manufacturing activity slipped close to recession levels last month.
The latest economic data is likely signalling that a sharp slowdown is underway over the next two quarters as the housing slump, this summer's severe credit crunch and now rising energy prices take a toll on economic growth, analysts said.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that consumer spending rose by 0.3 per cent in September, the smallest rise in three months and lower than the 0.4 per cent increase analysts had been expecting. The 0.4 per cent gain in incomes was in line with expectations.
In another report, the Institute for Supply Management, an Arizona-based trade group, said its manufacturing index dipped to 50.9 in October. That was the weakest level since March and marked the fourth consecutive month that manufacturing has slowed.
The September reading had been 52.0 and analysts had expected a slightly stronger 51.8 for October. Any reading lower than 50 indicates that the manufacturing portion of the economy is in recession.
The worse-than-expected economic news sent stocks sharply lower on Thursday. Investors grappled with evidence that the economy is slowing while at the same time the Federal Reserve signalled that this week's interest rate cut, the second in two months, may be all the rate relief the Fed plans to deliver, given a rising inflation threat from rapidly rising oil prices.
While the government reported Wednesday that the overall economy surged ahead at an annual rate of 3.9 per cent in the July-September quarter, economists believe all the current problems will slash that growth rate to two per cent or less in the current quarter and the first three months of 2008.
That is expected to be the period of maximum danger when the current expansion, which celebrates its sixth birthday this month, could slip into a recession. The worry is that consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of total economic activity, will slip further as worried consumers cut back on purchases.
"Consumers are becoming increasingly cautious because of the recession in housing, rising gasoline prices and a somewhat softer job market," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com.
A key problem for spending is falling home prices in many parts of the country, Zandi said. That means consumers can no longer pull equity out of their homes by refinancing their mortgages. During the five-year housing boom, equity withdrawal was a major factor supporting higher spending levels.
"The inability of consumers to pull cash out of their homes will weigh on consumer spending measurably over the course of the coming year," he predicted.
The news about inflation from the consumer spending report was generally good. Prices paid by consumers on the Fed's preferred inflation gauge rose 0.2 per cent in September, excluding food and energy. This measure is up 1.8 per cent over the past 12 months, the fourth straight month that it has been within the Fed's comfort zone of one per cent to two per cent increases in core inflation.
The Labor Department reported that the number of newly laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits dropped by 6,000 last week to 327,000. But the four-week average for claims climbed by 1,750 to 327,000, a six-month high. Analysts are looking for unemployment to rise in coming months as employers increase layoffs and scale back hiring plans in the face of the slowing economy.
Chrysler LLC announced on Thursday that it plans to cut up to 12,000 jobs by the end of next year as part of an effort to reduce costs in the face of slowing demand for some of its vehicles.
The 0.3 per cent September rise in spending followed gains of 0.5 per cent in August and 0.4 per cent in July.
It was the slowest rise since spending edged up by just 0.2 per cent in June. If inflation is removed, the rise in spending was an even weaker 0.1 per cent in September.
The 0.4 per cent rise in personal income was matched by a similar 0.4 per cent rise in after-tax incomes. The savings rate rose to 0.9 per cent in September, the best showing since March, and a reflection, analysts said, that households are trying to save more now that they can't refinance to get their hands on extra cash.


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|On the Scene|
|Thursday, April 07, 2011|
By Emma Hall
A group of high schoolers waited in line for pulled pork sandwiches alongside women in business attire and men in brewery T-shirts. A few booths over, restaurant owners contemplated investing in shatterproof drinkware, and nearby, a group of restaurateurs exclaimed over Torani's new fruit smoothie mixes. The event was this week's 49th annual Northwest Foodservice Show.
Over 5,000 attendees visited about 450 exhibit booths at the industry trade show, filling up on samples and checking out new products. Everything from compostable cups to local ice cream was featured at the show, which is produced jointly by the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Washington Restaurant Association. The show is held every other year in Portland and Seattle, and equal parts socializing and scouting distributors has helped it become the biggest industry show in the Northwest.
The Northwest-centric show featured local vendors as well as international ones. Some new technology out of Canada that was showcased was the Digital Tag by JCO Products, a tiny 2.4" digital tag that displays 12 hours of video and presentations, a sort of video nametag.
The attendees all were affiliated with the restaurant and food service industry in some way. They whispered to each other almost conspiratorially in the aisles, "You must get a sample from Zenner's," or "Try the 100 proof vodka from Ye Ol' Grog!"
Many attendees ended their walk around the exhibits with a visit to the Tasting Pavilion, expanded for this year's theme of "Raise the Bar," which spotlighted the alcoholic beverage segment of the industry. Local beer was featured alongside distilled spirits, and presenters gave demonstrations on mixing and pairing.
Besides the exhibitor's booths, there were also a Chef Demonstration Stage and educational seminars. One of the seminars focused on social media, presented by Boris Bugarski, CEO of mUrgent. Show manager John Santella said he considered the rise of social media to be the biggest recent change in the industry. "Social media is becoming more and more important to the industry," Santella said. "It's an easy way for businesses to promote themselves."
Emma Hall is web editor for Oregon Business.
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New conference aims to solve challenges, quell fears amid regulatory changes.
Tourism marketing supports entrepreneurship by attracting visitors to all corners of the state.
Beaverton firm's business intelligence platform rivals that of industry heavyweights.
The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) will be presenting its third annual Entrepreneurial Summit on Friday, June 5 at Castaway in Portland, Oregon.
On June 13th Mayor Charlie Hales will attend nonprofit organization Dream Change’s inaugural Love Summit and will introduce one of its keynote speakers, Dan Wieden of Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency.
34 spots for food, 17 places to sip, and 7 sites to choose a brew beckon visitors.

domain: news


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First disclosed this evening with teaser videos related to a GDC presentation on Unity, today AMD is announcing two developer-oriented features: real-time ray tracing support for the company's ProRender rendering engine, and Radeon GPU Profiler 1.2. Though Microsoft’s DirectX Raytracing (DXR) API and NVIDIA’s DXR backend “RTX Technology” were announced today as well, the new ProRender functionality appears to be largely focused on game and graphical development as opposed to an initiative angled for real-time ray tracing in shipping games. Similarly, while Radeon GPU Profiler (RGP) has not received a major update since December 2017, as it is AMD’s low-level hardware-based debugging/tracing tool for Radeon GPUs this is likewise purely for developers. In any case, for Radeon ProRender AMD is bringing support for mixing real time...
AMD Delivers Crimson ReLive Drivers: Yearly Feature Update for Radeon Gamers and Professionals
This time last year we saw the launch of Radeon Crimson. This was AMD’s big attempt to state that a yearly cadence for software features was a good thing...48 by Ian Cutress on 12/8/2016


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Keeping track of cell phones is a hassle for women. Not only are pants pockets nonfunctional, but larger purses tend to turn into a bottomless pit and everything gets lost. Many women resort to stowing their cell phone in their bra as a last resort. After coming up dry when looking for an alternative to keep phones at the ready while also staying out of bras, Tami Lange came up with a brilliant idea to solve this common problem for women.
Save the Girls is a purse company with a unique design which allows users to text, answer calls and use other smartphone functions while keeping the phone safe inside the purse. “I have five kids, and two of my daughters lost their iPhones within the same week,” Lange said. “That weekend at a family reunion, my sister-in-law pulled her phone out of her bra and she has breast cancer! I went online to try and find something for all the girls and couldn’t find anything, so that’s how we came up with this.”
Lange designed a prototype, a cell phone touch screen purse, all in one week and the product quickly blew up almost overnight. She had to quit her job of 25 years to focus on the company and within a year, Lange sold over a million dollars worth of touch screen purses. Now in its second year, Save the Girls is becoming increasingly popular.
These touch screen purses come in a wide variety of styles and colors to suit all of your customers. The current best-seller is Classic Elegance, which is a simply beautiful touch screen purse that comes in four different colors. Purses containing RFID protection are also popular, which helps to protect credit card information from being stolen.
Save the Girls has become so popular that the company was even invited to the Oscars. “The purses were in gift bags, which was super cool, and actresses loved them,” Lange said. “We were also invited to the Billboard awards where Mariah Carey, Madonna and Taylor Swift all received our bags too.”
The best part about these unique purses is that 10 percent of all profits are donated to breast cancer research. Lange says seeing her sister-in-law carrying her phone inside her bra was the last straw and wanted to create something better for women everywhere. Give your customers the comfort of protecting their phones while also donating to a good cause with touch screen purses from Save the Girls.
Save the Girls


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A cosy little store on Bank Street in the Glebe that for years sold yarn and thread could soon be transformed into a pot boutique called Ouid.
That’s pronounced weed .
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The former Yarn Forward & Sew-On store is one of at least eight locations across the city that have been leased by companies hoping to set up cannabis shops.
This is just the beginning. The province has said it won’t limit the number of licences for privately-run cannabis stores that will start opening in April. Officials have estimated there could be 500 to 1,000 stores across Ontario, so Ottawa could conceivably have a few dozen.
Unless the city decides not to allow any shops — a possibility that entrepreneurs are gambling is unlikely. Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to opt out of cannabis stores, a course of action that is not supported by Mayor Jim Watson and does not appear to have traction among councillors, either.
Postmedia has identified three companies planning multiple shops in the province that have already leased storefronts in Ottawa.
The company behind Ouid has leased three:
581 Bank St., just south of the Queensway in the Glebe;
362 Richmond Rd. in Westboro, near Mountain Equipment Co-op;
and 258 Elgin St., between Somerset Street West and Cooper Street.
Ouid officials are looking for locations in Kanata and Barrhaven. The plan is to open four to six stores in Ottawa and about 20 across the province.
Ouid stores won’t be anything like a stereotypical “dark, tie-dyed, black lit, incense smelling” head shop, promises spokesperson Niel Marotta.
Expect a cross between a jewelry store and a women’s fashion boutique, with a bright, airy feel, he said. “Attractive, friendly, inviting, inclusive.”
A Calgary company creating a chain of cannabis shops called Spiritleaf has also moved into town. It has secured four storefronts in Ottawa, one of them in Bells Corners, said Darren Bondar, chief executive of parent company Inner Spirit Holdings. He declined to name the locations.
Spiritleaf outlets are now open in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and are planned for B.C. The company plans a “full court press” in Ontario, said Bondar. The goal is to open 75, the maximum number of stores allowed any one operator under Ontario regulations.
Spiritleaf stores feature a lounge area that promotes Up cannabis, the brand connected with the Tragically Hip.
The stigma created by illegal dispensaries is disappearing as legal stores open, he said. “The cannabis companies that are moving into the market, the stores are unbelievable.
“We’ve built stores that are operating in some community malls, we’re right next to an organic grocery store and a bank and we fit right in. You can come in and you are shopping at a high-end boutique where we are selling cannabis.”
People quickly realize it’s “just regular retail, if not elevated retail,” he said.
“Now that people are going in and out of our stores, it’s becoming a non-conversation. In fact, we are getting tons of positive reviews from landlords and communities that were otherwise concerned, and rightfully so, to realize OK, there is a positive to this. This is the way it’s going to be brought legal and change the stigma.”
The company has received about 500 applications to operate Spiritleaf franchise stores in Ontario, said Bondar. “There’s a lot of buzz around the cannabis industry.”
Inner Spirit Holdings negotiates the leases with landlords and provides a standard design, training and logistical help, but the stores will be independently owned and operated by franchise holders who know their communities, he said.
Another company opening stores and applying for licences in western Canada, High Tide Inc., has rented a storefront in Westboro. The plan is to open a store that is expected to operate under the Canna Cabana name, said spokesperson Jason Kostiw. He declined to identify the location.
High Tide Ventures is looking for other spaces to lease in Ottawa, he said. The company also hopes to open the maximum of 75 stores in Ontario.
Entrepreneurs looking for places to open pot shops in Ottawa now have some rules
Council will need more time to make a decision on legal pot shops, councillor says
Canada’s cannabis shortage is so severe retailers watch 24/7 for chance to scoop up fresh supply
Ontario's private cannabis retailers open their doors on April 1, and here are the rules
At Ouid, officials say they look for storefronts in urban, densely populated, upper middle-class neighbourhoods with lots of foot and car traffic. Like The Glebe, which Ouid promotional material dubs “upscale, historic, hip” and “outdoorsy, upcoming, healthy” Westboro.
It helps to have compatible businesses nearby, said Koby Smutylo, president of Retailgo Corp., the company that operates Ouid. Like Starbucks, for instance. Smutylo says the coffee chain is also an “accessible premium” brand.
“It’s just like if I treat myself to a latte in the afternoon and it’s a $4 or $5 drink, it’s a little thing I’m doing for myself to make myself feel a little bit better.”
Cannabis will be no different, he predicts, calling the drug “part of your wellness and personal care regime.” The target demographic for Ouid stores is people age 24 to 44.
Smutylo is an Ottawa business lawyer who got involved in the cannabis business when he worked for Gatineau cannabis grower Hydropothecary, now known as Hexo. He and Marotta, a former investment banker who also lives in Ottawa, teamed up with veteran grower Pete Young to found Indiva, a Health Canada licensed medical marijuana grower. Indiva has a production facility in London, Ont.
They were interested in opening stores, too, but licensed growers are only allowed to operate one store located at their production facility. So Retailgo Corp. was created to operate the Ouid stores.
So far nine storefronts have been leased across the province, in Toronto, Ottawa and Guelph.
Some large landlords were reluctant to rent to cannabis shops, said Smutylo.
“One of the challenges in acquiring locations is that established landlords — the ones owned by pension funds and real estate investment trusts — are resistant to cannabis shops, even though they are legal and highly regulated.”
That’s partly because of the stigma that surrounds cannabis and fear about the customers who might be attracted to the store, he said.
Some landlords are also part of companies that have operations in the U.S., where marijuana is illegal federally. “They don’t want to risk jeopardizing them in any way.”
Smutylo says Ouid stores will be good neighbours. They also plan to feature local artwork or crafts.
Ouid officials plan to meet with community and business associations in the Glebe, Westboro and Elgin starting next week, he said.
“This industry is going to be in neighbourhoods. And as a new industry, I think we have a responsibility to be respectful, and good community members, and that’s certainly our intention.”
Postmedia canvassed businesses near the proposed Ouid stores, and found support for the idea of a cannabis store on the block.
Sebastien Sardegna, who was working at Barnstormer Hair Studio a few doors down from the proposed store in the Glebe, was impressed by the artist’s rendering of the Ouid design. “Wow, it looks really nice. Kind of a cross between Saje and David’s Tea.”
That strip at the north end the Glebe near the Queensway is “kind of funky,” he said. It has an eclectic mix of businesses. “I think everyone is very open-minded. Hopefully nothing negative comes from (Ouid).
“At this point in time, it’s just going to be like having an LCBO at the corner.”
In Westboro, the Ouid store would take over the space once occupied by a Bridgehead coffee shop, next to Canopy, a store that sells locally produced products, from artwork to jam and jewelry.
“I’m pot friendly, so I’m all for it,” said Canopy manger Lindsay Dupuis.
She uses cannabis every day herself to relax. “I equate it to my glass of wine at the end of the night.”
On Elgin Street, Georgette Skaff operates the Hair Dynamic salon next door to the proposed Ouid shop.
She wondered if anyone would be smoking pot at the store, saying she didn’t want the smell coming through the joint wall. But when told that Ouid would only sell cannabis, she said she had no concerns.
“As long as it doesn’t affect me, and it’s done with rules and regulations and done with the law, it should be fine.”
Check out these other cannabis chains we may see in Ottawa
Meta Cannabis Supply Company
Ottawa-based National Access Cannabis is the largest operator of private cannabis stores in Canada. It plans to bring its Meta brand to Ontario, including Ottawa. The company has a deal with Second Cup to convert some coffee shops to cannabis stores. There’s no word yet on locations in Ottawa, but stay tuned.
The name is a Latin word meaning “for me,” and the company behind it plans Ontario stores for “ cannabis consumers who want to live an authentic life, those seeking deeper, richer life experiences.” Officials are interested in the Ottawa area, according to a spokesman for Blackshire Capital Corp., which is pouring $25 million into launching the chain. No details yet, though.
Fire & Flower
This company now opening stores in Western Canada has plans to expand into Ontario. It’s unclear how the plans will be affected by provincial rules that disqualify retail store applicants that are more than 9.9 per cent owned or controlled by cannabis growers. Several growers have invested in Fire & Flower, including Gatineau’s Hexo. Fire & Flower released a statement saying it is “working to meet the requirements before the submission deadline and is monitoring the evolving guidelines closely.”
It’s unclear if this western Canadian cannabis chain operated by the huge liquor distributor Alcanna will move into Ontario as originally planned. Alcanna is also affected by the 9.9 per cent ownership rule because the company is 25-per-cent owned by Aurora, one of the country’s largest cannabis growers. Alcanna is weighing its options, said a spokesperson.
Opening a cannabis store in Ontario: a guide to the rules
Who can run a cannabis store?
The provincial government has opened up the trade to private businesses. Those seeking licences will be screened for criminal background and financial irresponsibility. More broadly, if there are reasonable ground to believe applicants won’t act with “integrity, honest or in the public interest” they will be rejected. Anyone operating an illegal dispensary after Oct. 17, when pot was legalized, isn’t eligible.
How do you apply?
Licences are issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario . Application forms will be available on Dec. 17.
How much does it cost?
For a person or company operating one store, the initial fee to apply for the three licences required would amount to $10,750. Anyone operating stores needs an operator licence for $6,000; each individual store licence is $4,000; and the store manager licence is $750.
How many stores will there be?
There is no limit to the number of licences that will be awarded. The market will probably end up determining how many stores will succeed.
Where will the stores be located?
Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to opt out of having any cannabis stores at all within their borders. They can opt back in later, but once stores are allowed municipalities can’t change their minds.
Stores can’t be located within 150 metres of schools.
What if neighbours don’t want a cannabis store?
Locations will be posted and the public has 15 days to comment in writing to the AGCO. However, the grounds for refusing a licence are limited to “public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis, and preventing illegal activities in relation to cannabis.”
When will stores open?
What will the stores be allowed to sell?
Cannabis and accessories. Right now only dried bud, oil and seeds are legal, but within the year the federal government will regulate edible cannabis products and concentrates, like the substance used in vape pens.
Where can I legally buy marijuana in the meantime?
The Ontario government operates an online cannabis store at ocs.ca . The online store will continue to operate after the bricks-and-mortar shops open.
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Halo Infinite is getting Slayer, Free-For-All (FFA), Tactical Slayer (SWAT), and Fiesta playlists, based on a Reddit put up from u/ske7ch343, in any other case often called 343 Industries’ neighborhood director Brian Jarrard (by way of Home windows Central). Jarrard confirmed that the 4 playlists are coming to the sport by way of an replace on December 14th.
343 Industries beforehand mentioned that Fiesta, SWAT, and FFA playlists could be coming to the sport by the tip of the 12 months, whereas a Social Slayer playlist wouldn’t arrive till someday in 2022. In his put up, Jarrard acknowledges that builders promised a Social Slayer playlist with “quite a lot of new variants.” However since this wouldn’t get executed earlier than the vacations, 343 has determined to launch a fundamental Slayer playlist first, and can “look to bolster and increase with extra variants” sooner or later.
Presently, you may’t select your recreation mode. You’re pressured to rotate between Seize The Flag (CTF), Slayer, Strongholds, and Oddball, which is clearly a ache if you happen to favor enjoying one recreation sort. It’s additionally an annoyance if you happen to’re tasked with finishing a problem that corresponds to a particular mode, nevertheless, 343 is addressing that grievance as properly — Jarrard says that the December 14th replace will take away “significantly irritating” mode-specific challenges as properly.
The replace will even reduce some necessities for challenges, make the weekly final problem “much less intensive,” and can add challenges particularly for the upcoming playlists. 343 can be slowly attempting to implement performance-based XP — one thing that the sport at the moment doesn’t supply — by including a problem class that’s “based mostly on accumulating participant rating.”
Proper now, you’re solely rewarded with XP for finishing challenges, not for every recreation you play, which has been a serious grievance amongst gamers who need to stage up. Final month, 343 tried to handle battle move development points by including a “Play 1 Sport” problem, rising the length of XP boosts, and rewarding gamers with extra XP for the primary six matches they play in a day.
Along with these modifications, Jarrard additionally famous that builders are engaged on fixing the “intermittent hiccups” that appear to have an effect on Huge Group Battle (BTB), and can be having a look at ranked matchmaking after listening to stories of “potential anomalies.” Though Halo Infinite was formally launched on December eighth, gamers are nonetheless ready for the co-op story mode that’s set to change into obtainable in 2022, in addition to a option to replay particular person ranges within the marketing campaign, which 343 says it is going to add however doesn’t have a set timeline for.


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For the first time, India will likely clock out the current fiscal with $410 billion worth merchandise exports, translating to a phenomenal 41% increase over the previous year. What quickens the pulse is that unlike GDP growth, exports performance isn’t due to a low base effect as they were north of the pre-pandemic level in FY21 itself. Which is why Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called the achievement a ‘Made in India blockbuster’. Another notable element was the much-needed export basket diversification. In FY22, India began to shed its image as a primary commodities’ exporter, moving up the chain exporting high-value and finished goods. Provided we sustain and improve the prevailing daily average of $1 billion worth exports, the $1 trillion exports target by 2030 is doable.
Multiple factors helped achieve the surge. The rise in pent-up demand, boost in domestic manufacturing led by production-linked incentive schemes and interim trade pacts came in handy. The government’s eagle eye facilitated ties among states and districts; its engagement with all stakeholders and a detailed strategy, including country and product-wise targets, helped. But above all, high commodity and crude oil prices did the essential heavy lifting. For instance, while the impact of rising crude oil prices on processed petroleum—India’s single largest export item—was evident, high prices of raw materials like steel, chemicals and plastics bumped up the overall figure. Besides, rising food security concerns in the Middle East, North Africa and others aided agri exports to their highest-ever growth yet.
But the downside is that imports too rose by a troublesome 59% so far this fiscal and will likely widen the FY22 current account deficit. Moreover, trade bodies have already warned that exports growth will likely slow down to 15–17.5% in FY23, citing new Covid infections and supply-side challenges. While recent moves like RCEP boost intra-regional trade, it’s essential to diversify geographically. Like the pact with Mauritius, our first-ever trade agreement with an African economy, we must foster more bilateral trade and enhance market access to survive the incoming era of regionalism.


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31 December 2021, Indore: The farmers have been queuing at fertilizer distribution centres from early morning hours to purchase fertilizer at subsidised rates across the country as the Rabi season is in full swing. There has been shortage of fertilizer which is promoting black marketing of fertilizer at various places across India and is a severe offence.
Indore Collector Mr Manish Singh is taking strict action against people involved in black marketing of fertilisers in Indore district. Under the direction of Additional Collector Dr. Abhay Bedekar, the revenue staff conducted a surprise inspection of Balaji Traders, Phali located on Nemavar Road in Khudail area. During the investigation, shop operator Yogesh Yadav was found to be involved in black marketing of urea. On matching the stock register with physical quantity, about 11 quintal of urea was missing from the physical stock. The outlet has been sealed for further enquiry.
Black marketing of fertilizers in growing rapidly as the fertilizer prices are high and availability is a concern. Government has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955(ECA) and notified Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 & Fertilizer (Movement Control) Order, 1973 under the EC Act.
State Governments have been adequately empowered to ensure selling of fertilizers at MRP besides stopping smuggling and diversion of fertilizers. State Governments are empowered to conduct search, make seizures and take punitive action against any person violating provisions of FCO, 1985 and Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored by the government throughout the country by an on-line web based monitoring system (www.urvarak.co.in) also called as Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS)


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Computer Associates International intends to become the No. 1 systems and security management vendor in the next 12 months and solidify its position as a market leader ahead of competition from HP and IBM.
After about five months on the job, President and CEO John Swainson Tuesday spelled out how CA will better address customer needs, narrow its product focus and potentially acquire more technology. As part of his effort to realign internal business units and refocus product direction, Swainson identified the two technology areas as the most ripe for new growth.
"We targeted those areas based on market share and revenue growth," Swainson says. "We believe that those markets will grow faster than the software industry as a whole and that we are positioned to grow faster then those markets."
Already a significant player in both markets, Swainson says CA will continue to expand its product portfolio through acquisitions such as the mainframe access management technology the company purchased from InfoSec last week. Identity and access management products will remain core to CA's eTrust security portfolio, which includes security event management, patch management, virus detection and other security management tools.
In terms of its Unicenter management software, the vendor says it will continue to provide tools to manage emerging technologies and move its customers closer to an automated, on-demand state of computing. Like competitors HP and IBM, CA introduced its version of an automated and intelligence data center a couple of years ago.
"Infrastructure management is one of the more challenging IT problems to solve," Swainson says. "The complexity continues to grow and it's still our vision, one that we share with others in the industry, to help deliver an infrastructure that could automatically reconfigure itself."
The difference between CA and competitors, Swainson says, is breadth of products with HP and better management tools with IBM. For example, HP remains weak in security management and has abandoned mainframe management. As for IBM, Swainson says CA dominates the desktops and provides more mainframe and Unix management capabilities.
The vendor also says it will remain committed to the mainframe. While others such as HP have determined not to focus on mainframes because it offers relatively flat returns in terms of growth, CA says the mainframe remains part of customers' enterprise networks. According to CA, mainframe management products generate "about 50 percent of our revenue at high margins and yields a steady cash flow stream that allows us to invest in innovation across the company."
To lead the management charge, CA this month hired ex-Novell CTO Alan Nugent to serve as senior vice president and general manager of its Enterprise Systems Management unit. The division is one of five newly defined by CA. Security Management, Storage Management, Business Service Optimization (BSO) and CA Products Group round out the five units going forward.
The company will also package more products as solutions, Swainson says. For example, the company will deliver an integrated eTrust and Unicenter solution package designed to help enterprise IT managers address Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
In addition to identifying areas of growth, CA also "reprioritized and de-prioritized" other technology areas. For example, the company will continue to focus on storage management, but from a systems or security management perspective. In a letter to shareholders, Swainson stated: "While storage will remain a critical component of our technology offerings, we need to recognize that its entire sector is becoming commoditized."
Another area CA will direct attention from is its application development and lifecycle management products, which fall under the AllFusion brand. "We have some important products in that area, but we are not going to try to duke it out with Microsoft and IBM in the applications space," Swainson explains.
Aside from technology, CA will address new markets and work over the next 12-months to cement relationships with some 18,000 enterprise customers.
For one, CA will target the enterprise primarily, but also pursue consumer and small-to-midsize market opportunities, which have been identified as a source for new revenue.
"Our consumer business generated US$30 million in incremental revenue last year and is on track for US$50 million next year. This contributes to our bottom line and takes minimal investment," Swainson's stated in a letter to stakeholders.
For the fiscal year 2004, CA reported revenue of US$3.28 billion, an 8 percent increase from the US$3.03 billion in revenue recorded for fiscal year 2003.
To address customer needs, CA will shift is sales focus from a "product and transaction focus to a solutions and relationship focus," CA says. That means sales teams will be responsible for sales across brands and channels. CA says indirect sales make up less than 10 percent of its total revenue and the company wants to work to get that number closer to the industry average of 51 percent.
Lastly, CA will monitor itself more closely. In light of the company's accounting scandal, Swainson detailed in the letter how the company would "use rigorous financial analysis to benchmark each investment opportunity."
The letter states: "Strong financial controls with Sarbanes-Oxley will also help us better manage the business."
Last year, CA reduced its headcount by 5 percent and established a centralised procurement system that has enabled the company to renegotiate vendor contracts and save US$17 million annually, the company says. CA also resumed its share buyback program and redeemed US$660 million convertible notes.
The changes at CA may not be obvious at first, Swainson says, but over time the company will be able to become more agile and nimble - in effect more responsive to customer needs.
"Customers will notice a change in how we approach and deal with them," he says. "Over time, customers will see a much more focused and much more internally aligned CA, which in the long-term will enable us to move much more quickly in the market place."


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Everyone has an opinion and when it comes to women’s bodies, it seems that far too many people have far too narrow an idea about what’s beautiful and healthy. This year, Sports Illustrated gave body-positive folks something to cheer about, by putting not one but three vibrant, healthy women on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016. Not surprisingly, the sultry plus-size model Ashley Graham caught flak for her curves, but thankfully the model is also healthily thick-skinned.
Graham, a size 16, was criticized by 1970s supermodel Cheryl Tiegs in March after news of her big SI cover broke. “Her face is beautiful, beautiful,” said Tiegs. “But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.” Tiegs quickly backtracked when body-positive fans of Graham reacted to her comments — her opinions but not really any of her business. “My sincere apologies to everyone I have hurt. I truly just want everyone to be healthy & happy,” Tiegs tweeted.
Well then, how about allowing people to be happy with the body they’re in, rather than attempting to live up to an unattainable ideal that is only achieved through the extreme use of Photoshop or by adopting an eating disorder?
Luckily for Graham, she’s as tough as she is gracious. The model blew off Tiegs’ comments, but not before noting the larger problem: body shaming.
“Cheryl Tiegs may have said what she said, and it may have hurt a lot of people’s feelings, but my skin is so thick,” said Graham. “I kind of rolled my eyes. I was like, ‘Oh, whatever, another one of these ladies.’ But what’s great is that, the fact that she said it, it means that other women think like her. And what that means is that we really need to change the industry.”
Graham is right. Some models go to dangerous lengths to maintain an unhealthy weight. In 2013, fashion model Bria Murphy, Eddie Murphy’s daughter, told Good Morning America that some models go so far as to eat cotton balls to stay skinny. “I’ve heard of people eating the cotton balls with the orange juice… they dip it in the orange juice and then they eat the cotton balls to help them feel full, because the cotton’s not doing anything. It’s just dissolving. And it makes you think you’re full, but you’re not.”
While I’m not implying that Tiegs is one of those models who would advocate eating cotton balls instead of actual food, something needs to change. It’s attitudes like Tiegs’ that prompt such life-threatening behavior on the part of models.
Thankfully, the industry is changing, however slowly. Not only is Sports Illustrated helping to change public perception of beauty, but France has cracked down on fashion labels that employ models who are “excessively thin.” The government is leaving it to doctors to determine what’s healthy based on the individual model’s body type, which is admirable. The new legislation also requires that digitally-altered images be labeled as “touched up.” Spain, Italy and Israel have adopted similar laws.
Graham joined model Hailey Clauson and UFC martial arts champ Ronda Rousey as a Sports Illustrated cover model this year. “All three women are beautiful, sexy and strong,” said Assistant Managing Editor MJ Day. “Beauty is not cookie-cutter. Beauty is not ‘one size fits all.’ Beauty is all around us and that became especially obvious to me while shooting and editing this year’s issue.”
As Graham herself said, “Too many people think they can look at a girl my size and say that we are unhealthy. You can’t. Only my doctor can.”
Preach sister! It’s high time we throw conventional beauty out and embrace beauty in all its forms and sizes. It’s refreshing to see such iconic institutions as SI stepping up and taking a stand against the belief that “healthy” only comes in a size 2.
Megan Winkler is an author, historian, Neurosculpting® meditation coach, certified nutritional consultant and DIY diva. When she’s not writing or teaching a class, Megan can be found in the water, on a yoga mat, learning a new instrument or singing karaoke. Her passion for a healthy mind-body-spirit relationship motivates her to explore all the natural world has to offer.


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Information to help you run your business.
USTA Teachers Conference ‘Sets the Stage for Success’
More than 700 tennis coaches, instructors and professionals will gather in Manhattan Aug. 26-29 for the USTA’s annual Tennis Teachers Conference. The TTC will again be at the Grand Hyatt New York in Midtown with its full menu of sessions in the areas of coaching skills, strategy and tactics, tennis technique, health sciences and tennis business.
The conference kicks off on Saturday night with a USTA Welcome Reception honoring high school coaches for no-cut policies. It continues with two and a half days of networking opportunities and educational offerings, in addition to tennis events such as Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and the US Open.
Five-time US Open champion Jimmy Connors (above) will head up a group of featured speakers that includes Jim Loehr, Peter Burwash, Rick Macci, Stan Smith, Vic Braden, Anne Pankhurst, Anita Bailey, Rodney Harmon, and Michele Krause.
This year’s theme, “Setting the Stage for Success,” encourages coaches to establish a platform for players to develop and grow in both skill and experience. The program covers all levels of play and development — youth, adult, senior, beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Events are held both at the Grand Hyatt New York and the USTA National Tennis Center. Sessions will be presented in full court, singles court, theater, and classroom formats. Anyone who has an interest in coaching or teaching tennis is welcome to attend.
Lever 2000 Signs as Lead Sponsor for US Open Series
The personal-care brand Lever 2000, in its first sports sponsorship, has signed on as the lead sponsor of the US Open Series, a group of 10 summer pro tournaments played throughout North America over six weeks in July and August.
Lever 2000 will become the presenting sponsor of all US Open Series telecasts on CBS and ESPN and an official sponsor of all 10 tournaments. Since its inception in 2004, the six-week US Open Series has doubled television viewership and increased attendance (see chart below), while generating new corporate partnerships for the sport, says the USTA.
As part of the partnership, the US Open Series Bonus Challenge, which tracks the weekly standings of players in the race to qualify for double prize money at the US Open, will be renamed the “US Open Series Lever 2000 Challenge.” Last year, Kim Clijsters, who won the US Open Series and the US Open, earned $2.2 million dollars at the US Open, the largest purse in women’s sports history.
Lever 2000 will be prominently featured on-site at each tournament and will be integrated into all US Open Series broadcasts. It will also sponsor a national US Open consumer sweepstakes supported through a national print advertising campaign in consumer magazines. Lever 2000 also becomes an official sponsor of USTA League Tennis, the world’s largest recreational tennis league, which last year had 585,000 participants nationwide.
“This new partnership with Unilever represents another milestone for the US Open Series and a new category of sponsorship for the sport,” says Arlen Kantarian, the USTA’s chief executive of Professional Tennis. Lever 2000 also will become a promotional partner of the US Open itself.
|2003 (pre-USOS)||2005||vs. Pre-USOS|
|Television Viewership||20 Million||41 Million||+105%|
|Live TV Hours (National)||83||116||+40%|
|National Marketing||$0||$3.5 Million||+3.5 MM|
Adidas Wins First Set in Battle Over Logo
Adidas won the first set in a legal battle against several of the sport’s governing bodies over the size of its “three stripes” logo at this year’s Wimbledon. The Times of London reported that a High Court judge granted a temporary injunction against the UK’s Lawn Tennis Association, the All England Tennis and Croquet Club, the ITF, and the USTA requiring them to lift new dress restrictions limiting the size of manufacturer’s logos that players can wear during Grand Slam tournaments.
Adidas, which sponsors stars such as Martina Hingis, Tim Henman, and Justine Henin-Hardenne, took the authorities to court, claiming it had not been given sufficient time to adapt its manufacturing process for the start of Wimbledon on June 26. The High Court accepted the company’s bid for a temporary injunction, ruling that the stripes are a “manufacturer’s identification” and not simply a “design effect.”
The Adidas-sponsored players will be able to wear the three stripes logo at major tennis tournaments until October, when the full case will be heard.
Prince Introduces New M Series Foowear
Prince has introduced its new M Series footwear line. M Series shoes are built on a four-piece multi-layered midsole that position Prince’s “Precision Tubes” in the heel and forefoot. Prince says it designed the M Series around the idea that feet, treated carefully, can be a competitive advantage.
The three different M Series models offer variances in the density and placement of the tubes, which Prince says results in unique attributes for each model: maximum cushioning (MC4), maximum stability (MS4), or maximum ventilation (MV4).
|M MC4||M MS4|
|W MC4||W MV4|
“M Series is simply better tennis footwear,” says Doug Fonte, president of Prince Sports U.S. “Tennis requires a lot of forward and lateral movement and stop-and-start action. M Series provides an answer for proper treatment of all foot types and preferences.”
Developed by Gary Wakley and James Lin of Prince’s Footwear Team, M Series offers the consumer the flexibility to select a shoe to fit their unique needs. “Typically, other performance tennis shoes are designed to appeal to as many players as possible, and as a result, some ‘do-everything’ shoes do not do anything particularly well,” says Wakley. “With M Series, customers no longer have to compromise when it comes to this important piece of tennis equipment.”
The outsole of the M Series is made of Goodyear Max, a compound developed exclusively for Prince by Goodyear. The suggested retail price for all models is $110 with women’s sizes available in 6-10 (including half sizes) and 11; men’s sizes available in 6.5-12, 13 and 14.
Top Speakers Headline USPTA World Conference
The USPTA’s World Conference to be Sept. 18-23 at the Flamingo Las Vegas, and will feature some of the industry’s best and brightest speakers on topics ranging from tennis teaching, to nutrition, to business, and more.
More than 35 seminars and four-hour specialty courses will be offered during the conference, which is attended by nearly 1,500 tennis professionals and coaches, manufacturer representatives and media. USPTA members and nonmembers are welcome.
The World Conference also will include a Tennis Buying Show on Sept. 21. Exhibitors include marketers of hard and soft goods, video-analysis and pro shop software, teaching aids, court surfacing and lighting, awards, backboards, educational materials, nutrition bars and vitamins and more.
In addition, the USPTA Silent Auction will be held during the buying show, which benefits the USPTA Foundation and is a USPTA Lessons for Life event. (Any member interested in donating an item for the auction can visit uspta.com and click on the World Conference link to obtain a donation form, or call John Dettor at 713-978-7782.)
The agenda, complete list of speakers, and registration information is available at www.uspta.com, or call 800-877-8248. Audiotapes of previous World Conference seminar presentations are also available in the distance-learning center at uspta.com at no charge.
ROHO/PTR Wheelchair Tourney Increases Purse
The PTR and The ROHO Group will co-sponsor the ROHO/PTR $17,500 Wheelchair Tennis Championships at the Van der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C., in September. The total purse has increased by $2,500 over last year.
Tournament play begins Sept. 20, and continues through Sept. 24, with men’s, women’s, quad, and junior divisions. The event draws some of the top wheelchair players in the world. It is part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour and is an ITF Series I event and a USTA Southern Championship.
A welcome reception and Opening Ceremony, sponsored by Quickie, will be held Sept. 21, with a one-up-one-down exhibition match to follow. Festivities include the annual awards banquet and a beach party with special matting to allow player access to the hard pack beach and ocean.
PTR will conduct an Instructing Wheelchair Tennis Workshop with Advanced Wheelchair Skills & Drills on Sept. 24. The course is open to tennis teachers and coaches who want to learn to teach wheelchair tennis. Quickie will provide chairs for able-bodied coaches to use during the workshop. The workshop fee is $50.
The deadline for tournament entry is Aug. 16. USTA membership is required for entry. Spectators are invited free of charge. The Jana Hunsaker Grant is available to assist in-need participants.
USOS to Use Instant Replay
Instant replay technology, along with a player challenge system, will be used during all 10 US Open Series tournaments, which run for six weeks in July and August. The tourneys will use the Hawk-Eye line calling technology and a player challenge protocol that debuted at the Nasdaq-100 Open in March.
Once a player challenges a line call, an official replay will be provided simultaneously to the TV broadcast and in-stadium video boards. The line-calling technology will also be used at the 2006 US Open.
Penn Offers Free Music Downloads in Ball Packs
For a limited time this summer, specially marked 4-packs of Penn Championship and Pro Penn tennis balls will include 50 free MP3 downloads from eMusic, the second-largest digital music service in the world, with more than 1.3 million tracks in every musical genre. Special pack graphics and insert cards alert consumers to the promotion.
“Free music downloads allow us to provide our retail partners and consumers with a unique and sought-after value in these special packs of tennis balls,” says Jennifer Parker, business manager for Penn Tennis Balls. “Music downloads are an incredibly popular incentive and eMusic is a great partner as they offer a wide selection of independent music that will appeal to a variety of consumers.”
Pro Membership Issue Draws PTR Response
To the Editor:
Instead of devoting time to a detailed reply to the USPTA’s unfortunate position regarding dual membership in the PTR and USPTA, and to Tim Heckler’s rather off-the-mark comments directed at the PTR and at Master Professional Ken DeHart (RSI, June 2006, page 23), I simply would like to point out to RSI readers that PTR will continue to focus on what we do best: to educate, certify and service tennis teaching professionals and coaches in order to grow the game of tennis.
Executive Director and CEO, PTR
We welcome your letters and comments. Please email them to rsi@racquetTECH.com or fax them to 760-536-1171.
Gamma Adds Premium Natural Gut String
The new Gamma Tour Plus Natural Gut features an all-weather protective coating to better preserve the string, while still providing an enhanced premium performance players expect from a natural gut, says the company. Gamma Tour Plus Natural Gut is vacuum-packaged in a Dri-Shield Moisture Barrier bag, preventing moisture from escaping or entering the package.
In addition, Gamma has also improved its Natural Gut Tour String, says the company. Both natural gut strings, which are manufactured in France, are available immediately. To inquire about becoming a Gamma dealer and distributing Gamma product, contact 800-333-0337 or 412-323-0335, or email firstname.lastname@example.org.
ATP’s Deuce Mag Now Includes WTA
Deuce Magazine, which has been the official publication of the ATP, is joining with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, highlighting both men and women pros. The summer issue, which will be available following Wimbledon, will feature the US Open Series of tournaments. The new, jointly produced publication is part of the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s “One Game” initiative that brings the two circuits together for joint activities. Deuce will be distributed at all North American ATP and WTA events this summer, and a complimentary online version will be available.
Babolat Introduces the New Pure Drive
Fans of the Babolat Pure Drive racquet now have a new version to fawn over. The latest Pure Drive incarnation has Babolat’s “Cortex System” technology to give players “a purer feel of the ball by filtering unnecessary vibrations,” says the company.
The Pure Drive, which has been the top-selling racquet in pro and specialty stores for three years, according to data from Sports Marketing Surveys, also has an updated design. Babolat says the new version has the same power and maneuverability as the original, which was launched in 1994.
“When the Pure Drive debuted, it got a lot of attention for having features unlike any other racquet in competition — it was lightweight, powerful, had the elliptic beam, and of course the blue color with the white ‘double line’ on the racquet frame,” says Max Brownlee, general manager of Babolat USA. “It has since been enhanced with the latest Babolat technologies including the ‘Woofer’ in 1999 and the Cortex System today.”
The Cortex System filters and dampens different vibrations, says Babolat, because the handle and the frame are linked by one interface in the Cortex Dampening System, which allows the filter to absorb unnecessary vibrations.
The new, 100-square-inch Pure Drive comes in two lengths: 27 and 27.5 inches. Suggested retail is $185. For more information, visit babolat.com or call 877-316-9435.
AAYTE Center Opens in Philly
The opening benefit for Philadelphia’s Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education, called “Grandslam Open in the Park,” raised $2.2 million. The April 28 event was the official unveiling of the new AAYTE Center and drew 1,200 guests, including (from left) USTA First Vice President Jane Brown, AAYTE Executive Director Scott Tharp, USTA Chairman of the Board and President Franklin Johnson, AAYTE Operations Director Tina Tharp, and AAYTE Board Chairman Robert Swift. The new center features eight indoor and eight outdoor tennis courts, a computer lab, classrooms, fitness room, expanded library, and offices.
PTR Schedules Professional Development Weekend
The PTR will hold its annual Professional Development Weekend Sept. 21-24 at the PTR Headquarters on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The event is open to all tennis teachers and coaches.
Courses offering specialized tennis training will be held during the weekend and will include Munchkin Games and Drills with PTR Executive Director and CEO Dan Santorum (left). Other PTR staff directing sessions include International Director Iñaki Balzola (Play Action Drills Workshop) and Director of Development Geoff Norton (Team Coaching-Singles & Doubles Strategy).
Also on hand will be Charlie Ruddy (right), who will conduct Using Technology to Grow and Manage Your Business and Customer Base, and Dr. Bryce Young on Mastering the Mental Side. There will also be sessions on becoming a Cardio Tennis and wheelchair tennis instructor.
Stanford, Pepperdine Claim NCAA Crowns
The Stanford women captured their 15th NCAA women’s tennis championship in May, beating Miami 4-1 in the final. The Pepperdine men won their first ever NCAA title, upsetting Georgia 4-2.
Six days after the team champs were determined, Pac-10 Conference players Benjamin Kohlloeffel of UCLA and Suzi Babos of California swept the NCAA singles titles. Big-10 duos Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe of Illinois and Cristelle Grier and Alexis Prousis of Northwestern won the doubles crowns.
Wilson Partners With Wynne Tourneys
Wilson Racquet Sports has partnered with Wynne Tournaments to provide racquets from its women’s W line at ladies’ competitive tennis tournaments throughout the U.S. Wilson will also provide balls and prizes for the tournaments, which are part of a ladies’ weekend of 15 special events held at premier tennis resorts.
The W line of racquets features Wilson’s exclusive nCode technology. The frames are engineered to enhance a woman’s game with a unique construction for increased power, strength, and control, along with added comfort features, says the company. Wilson is also providing tennis balls and gifts from its HOPE line, which supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s efforts in breast cancer prevention education and research.
“Wilson’s support of these events is instrumental in offering our participants an insider look at the latest in tennis equipment for women,” says Mary Wynne Cox, president of Wynne Tournaments.
Wynne Tournaments weekend packages include three nights/four days accommodations, tournament entry fee, snacks, and refreshments throughout play, celebration cocktail party, Wilson W demo clinic, gift bag, prizes and trophies. Upcoming events will be held in, Monterey, Calif., Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Amelia Island, Fla.
WTT Pro League Season Starts July 6
The 31st World TeamTennis Professional League season kicks off on July 6. Over the next three weeks, 84 WTT matches will be held, with the regular season ending on July 26. The two top teams in both the Eastern and Western conferences advance to the WTT finals weekend, July 28 through 30, at the Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, Calif., where they will compete for the King Trophy, named for WTT co-founder Billie Jean King.
Eastern Conference teams are the Boston Lobsters, Delaware Smash, Hartford FoxForce, New York Buzz, New York Sportimes and Philadelphia Freedoms. The Western Conference is made up of the Houston Wranglers, Kansas City Explorers, Newport Beach Breakers, Sacramento Capitals, St. Louis Aces and Springfield Lasers. For more information, including the season schedule and team rosters, visit WTT.com.
- After 13 years at M. Putterman, Teri Wysocki has left the company to join All Court Fabrics Inc., a custom fabricator based in the Chicago area that provides sports fabrics and screenings. She can be reached at 800-401-6533 or email@example.com, or visit allcourtfabrics.com.
- Anne Pankhurst is the new administrator of Coaching Education for USTA Player Development. Pankhurst, who will be based in Key Biscayne, Fla., has been a full-time coach for 22 years and was coach education director for the Lawn Tennis Association in Great Britain for eight years.
- Ted Schroeder, a 1966 inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, died in May after a long battle with cancer. He was 84. Schroeder won a total of six majors during his tennis career, capturing the U.S. singles title in 1942 and the Wimbledon Singles title in 1949. He captured three U.S. doubles championships and a U.S. mixed doubles title.
- WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame recently during a ceremony on Long Island, N.Y. Kloss, who reached No. 19 in singles in 1979, was the world’s best doubles player in 1976.
- Jerry Noyce, a USTA Northern Hall of Fame member and the former men’s tennis coach at the University of Minnesota, was one of 20 people appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Council on Sports and Fitness. He joins former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton, tennis star Andy Roddick, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, among others. The council, made up of volunteer citizens, advises the president through the secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in America.
- Former USTA Southern Section President Randy Stephens of Macon, Ga., was inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame in May. In September, during the USPTA’s World Conference on Tennis in Las Vegas, San Antonio resident Clarence Mabry will be inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Hosts Annual Fashion Show
The International Tennis Hall of Fame will host the Bowen’s Wharf Fashion Show and Champagne Breakfast on July 13 as part of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships week of activities.
The event will be held on the Hall of Fame’s Horseshoe Piazza and showcase various Newport retailers. Featured collections include Ralph Lauren, Brighton, Patagonia, Michael Kors, Max Mara, Paul & Shark, and Samuel Dong.
The fashion show will take place from 9 to 11a.m. followed by the quarterfinal matches of the Campbell’s pro tennis tournament. Tickets, which include the matches, for the fashion show and champagne breakfast are $65 each, or a table seating eight for $500. For tickets, call 401-849-6053, or visit tennisfame.com.
- Dunlop Sports Group Americas purchased Focus Golf Systems Inc., a distributor of Dunlop-branded golf clubs and accessories in the U.S., for an undisclosed sum. DSGA will now concentrate on selling the complete line of Dunlop branded products in the golf and racquet sports markets in North America, while Focus will concentrate on the development of the John Daly brand worldwide.
- The USPTA and Penn recently added seven more years to their 33-year relationship for Penn tennis balls. The agreement is one of the longest running in the industry.
- Legendary quarterback Terry Bradshaw will deliver the keynote address at the 25th Athletic Business Conference & Expo in Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Nov. 16. More than 3,000 sports, recreation and fitness professionals attend the event. For more information, visit athleticbusiness.com/conference or call 800-722-8764.
- The 2006 USPTA Southwest Tennis Buying Show will be Aug. 25 and 26 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. For more information, contact Jenny Gray at 903-561-3014 or email firstname.lastname@example.org.
- Former top-10 tour players Harold Solomon and Kathy Rinaldi have endorsed SlingHopper Drill Bags. Solomon is director of tennis at the Harold Solomon International Tennis Academy in south Florida, and Rinaldi is assistant captain of the 2006 Fed Cup team and coaches at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. To inquire about becoming a dealer, call Gamma Sports at 800-333-0337 or visit gammasports.com.
- According to Nielsen Sports’ Sponsorship Scorecard, the top sponsor of last year’s US Open Men’s Final on CBS, JP Morgan Chase, achieved more impressions per hour among adults 25-54 than did the top sponsor of the Super Bowl (on ABC), Motorola, the industry magazine BrandWeek reported recently. JPMorgan Chase achieved 162 million impressions per hour, compared with Motorola’s 157 million.
- Texas A&M University captured its third consecutive USA Team Tennis National Campus Championship in April. The Aggies defeated the University of Virginia 29-15 in the final to earn its fourth tournament title in five years. A total of 64 teams from 56 schools made up this year’s competition at the University of Texas, the largest field in the event’s history.
Kiawah Island, N.E. Tennis Holidays Lead Rankings on Tennis Travel Website
Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston, S.C., is the No. 1 tennis resort worldwide, according to rankings on Tennis Resorts Online (tennisresortsonline.com), which are based on evaluations submitted over the last year by vacationing tennis players. The No. 1 tennis camp, for the fifth year in a row, is New England Tennis Holidays in North Conway, N.H.
The rankings are on the annual list of Top 100 Tennis Resorts and Camps worldwide on the website. Vacationers critique each resort or camp by assessing its strengths and weaknesses in 16 different categories.
The eclectic mix of Top 100 Resorts and Camps includes properties in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. “It ranges from grand hotels to small inns, and from posh hideaways to low-key, affordable resorts,” says tennis travel writer and TRO founder Roger Cox. “Some are better for families, others for romantic couples, still others for singles or even teams and group of friends. What they all have in common, however, is a passion for tennis and a proven ability to cater to the specific needs of avid tennis players.”
Since its debut in 2000, Tennis Resorts Online has become a leading source of tennis travel information, each month attracting more than 50,000 avid tennis players (who play on average 100 days a year). Visit the site for more information.
Ashaway Launches New Squash Shoe
Ashaway Racket Strings has introduced a new model to its growing line of squash shoes. Available for the fall season, the new Ashaway AST 5500i shoe is higher cut at the ankle with high-top lace eyelets, and incorporates a greater composition of leather throughout the upper portion for increased support.
Like the other models in the Ashaway squash shoe line, the 5500i is built on Ashaway’s Anatomic System Technology (AST), which increases comfort and stability and reduces foot fatigue, says the company. Designed to mold to the shape of the foot, AST-engineered squash sneakers are built around a multi-layered comfort and shock support system, says Ashaway. These layers include a removable insole made from a natural latex vulcanized rubber, and a highly shock-absorbent insert and additional comfort-layer insert, both located at the heel.
For information, contact 800-556-7260 or visit ashawayusa.com.
Dillman Resigns as Wilson General Manager
Brian Dillman resigned in June as general manager of Wilson Racquet Sports to accept an equity partnership position as executive vice president of sales and marketing and chief marketing officer for Power Plate International.
Dillman began his career with Wilson 14 years ago as a territory manager and steadily rose through ranks, eventually holding the positions of director of marketing and global business director before being promoted to his current title of general manager in December 2005.
“Brian’s commitment to Wilson has been outstanding,” says Chris Considine, president of Wilson. “We appreciate all of his efforts and contributions he has made to our great brand and we wish him the best of luck in his new endeavors.”
Power Plate’s North American division is based in Northbrook, Ill., and sells a revolutionary fitness and rehabilitative device that utilizes “advanced vibration technology” to help users achieve a better state of health and well-being. The device is used by medical centers, sports teams, training facilities, and health clubs.
Tennis On Campus Grant Info
Are you affiliated with a college or university that is interested in creating recreationally based team tennis programs for students? If so, the USTA, in cooperation with the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, may have the support and resources you need.
First-quarter census data shows that the tennis racquet market is off to a flying start. Shipments increased 10 percent in dollars and 6.6 percent in units. The strongest increase — 20 percent in dollars — came in youth racquets. In addition, the TIA’s Pro Specialty Retail Audit shows that racquet sales at pro/specialty stores increased by 13 percent in units and 12 percent in dollars compared to 2005.
More than 500 sites offered free Cardio Tennis classes in June, as consumer marketing was in full swing with ads and articles in major tennis and fitness publications. TV spots appeared on The Tennis Channel, FitTV, ESPN, and PBS. Press coverage includes an article in Parade Magazine, which has a circulation of 40 million. Tracy Austin also is promoting Cardio Tennis in a Section Promotion Tour. Visit partners.cardiotennis.com for more information and new drills, video, and animations, plus a section on marketing materials, and more.
TENNIS WELCOME CENTERS
A targeted marketing effort in all 17 USTA sections is under way, as pro Maria Sharapova joins the TWC initiative. The TIA and the USTA recently organized and is presenting a series of Tennis Business Development Workshops in each section. Website enhancements give TWCs an opportunity to provide program information and receive feedback. Facilities now have the ability to manage their own site and program information. Visit Partners.TennisWelcomeCenter.com.
GROWING TENNIS 50/50
In 2006, the co-op funding program will promote only facilities that are TWCs. The website, www.GrowingTennis.com, features tools and programs available. Approved facilities can receive $250 to $2,500 in matching advertising/promotional dollars to reach new players.
The website, which features industry news from TIA members and affiliates, expanded its frequency and is electronically distributed to more than 12,000 industry contacts, in addition to tennis writers and publications. A “job listing” category will be added in 2006 for newsmakers to post their job opportunities.
TI magazine search
TI magazine articles
- Our Serve: Re-Evaluating What We Do
- Industry News
- Court Construction: Making Dreams a Reality
- Racquet Tech: Following Directions
- Retailing Tip: There Are Still Only Three Ways To Grow Your Retail Biz!
- Apparel Retailing: Clothes Calls
- Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards: Residential Development
- Community Tennis: Local Heroes
- String Playtest: Pacific Poly Force Black Series 1.20
- Your Serve: The Perfect Storm


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Phitek is set to debut its contactless payment and new economy class technology at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany between 14-16 April.
The talk is over: contactless payment systems are here
For the first time in AIX, a working fully functioning contactless purchase-to-payment solution for airlines will be demonstrated at the show. Recognising the strong airline push for ancillary revenue, Phitek has designed an integrated system that will enable passengers to purchase what they want, when they want, from their seat without crew assistance. Phitek’s system offers an end-to-end partnership for airlines so when a passenger decides they want that sandwich or gift for their family after all, they will be able to select and pay with a simple tap of their contactless payment card or NFC phone. For the airline, Phitek will collect all these payments and ensure the revenue is delivered seamlessly to the airline’s merchant acquiring bank. With secure options for high-value purchases the options for ancillary revenue increase further. At Phitek’s stand, show visitors will be able to select and buy quality New Zealand products at a nominal price with their contactless American Express, MasterCard, or Visa credit card or NFC payment-enabled phone.
A radical new look at economy headphones
A finalist for the Crystal Cabin award 2015, Phitek’s concept for a Longlife Economy headphone is set to challenge the status quo for these highly stressed items. At any one time, nearly 700,000 economy headsets will be in use in the skies. They face a tough innings – they’ll be mauled by inquisitive children, slept on by tired adults, and stuffed into the back of already full seat pockets. On average they’ll last just 10 sectors before they are disposed of. Phitek’s Longlife Economy headphones have been designed to last 10 times longer setting a new benchmark for the airline industry – and providing savings to airlines on operational lifetime costs and maintenance crew staff time. The clever design eliminates the articulating and telescopic components of typical economy headsets by passing audio through an innovative headband rail system to the ear cups. The headsets can be easily de-constructed and repaired by airline maintenance staff without specialised skills or tools and they have a clever twist – the ear cups turn flat to facilitate flat and efficient storage. On top of all these features, the innovative design looks great and will make a striking fresh addition to an airline economy cabin. Visitors to Phitek’s stand will see just why Phitek’s Longlife Economy headphones have impressed this year’s Crystal Cabin judges.
A magnetic connection for economy class cabins
Phitek is delivering its patented magnetic audio technology to economy-class cabins. On show in Hamburg, Phitek’s new Obround magnetic jack has been designed to replace existing two-pin economy connectors as either a retrofit or line-fit solution. The Obround’s patented built-in switching technology works out what type of headphone is plugged in and adapts how audio is delivered in response. This smart detection means that passengers who bring their own headphones can still plug in, and that airlines can purchase from a wide range of headphone suppliers without needing to adapt their connection plugs. For the more technically-minded at the show, Phitek has packed a lot of technology into a small connector. A traditional connector has only a screw and two audio sockets coming through the standard obround-shaped hole in the seat arm. In comparison, Phitek’s Obround magnetic jack has been cleverly engineered to have four audio contacts, two audio sockets, three magnets and two screws fitting through the same seat cut-out. It also has set a high industry standard through its ultra-long operational lifetime and integrated automatic signal switching. To fit all these features in, the Phitek team developed rare-earth magnets which are engineered to bend the magnetic field around the cut-out where the Obround is installed, providing a deceptively strong retention force to a connecting plug. The Obround and other smart in-seat connectivity options will be on show at Phitek’s stand.
Contact Phitek can be found in the IFE-Zone, Hall B3, Stand 3C18.
For press comment contact: Roy Moody, CEO: firstname.lastname@example.org


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The Xiaomi 12 might be unveiled on December 12. Even though its design is still unclear, more and more eyes are on a December release. According to mydrivers.com, the Chinese manufacturer may present its new smartphone on December 12 because it is the 12th Month of the year(12/12) and precisely at 12:12 a.m.
Of course, this is not the official launch date of these devices as the manufacturer has not issued any word on the subject. However, when we bring other smartphone makers in the margin, this date may appear to intervene a bit early since OnePlus and Smasung are among the smartphones that we do expect their high-end gadgets in early January next year.
But have you considered the what-ifs in this case? Last year this was the case, but what did Xiaomi do for the Mi 11s .well, they made their debut last year in December, on the 28th to be exact.
The Mi 11s is a case on its own. Here is the big catch, Qualcomm is prepared to unveil its latest processor generation (Snapdragon 8 Gen1). In this case, we know very well how Xiaomi always Xiaomi is undoubtedly among the contenders who always want to power its smartphones with the latest chips. The manufacturer was the first contender to have the Snapdragon 888.
Let’s also emphasize that since the Xiaomi 12 was only announced on December 12, its European release should be some weeks away.


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Two of the biggest players in the once-promising videotex industry have closed down their operations in the last month, suggesting that the time may not be right to sell the technology, company officials and industry observers said this week.
Videotex uses television sets or personal computers to bring news, stock quotes, home banking and other services into the home.
Lack of consumer interest and high fees for access to the service and the equipment that makes its delivery possible made it unsuitable for today's marketplace, videotex analysts said yesterday.
This week, Knight-Ridder Newspapers Inc. decided to close its Viewtron videotex venture, which had attracted some 22,000 subscribers, after finding there was not enough demand for the service. Knight-Ridder will begin to phase out the venture, which employs 139 people, starting Friday. An analyst said the company invested $60 million in the venture, and it never turned a profit.
Two weeks ago, Times Mirror Co. discontinued its Gateway southern California videotex service after losing an estimated $30 million. The service was being tested in Los Angeles and Orange County and failed because of a lack of subscribers.
Martin Lane, director of videotex planning at Link Resources, a New York market research firm, said, "It's the end of the era of videotex as part of electronic publishing."
Knight-Ridder President James Batten said, "We no longer have sufficient confidence that Viewtron can be made into a viable business in the next few years -- the time simply was not ripe."
The service was launched in October 1983 and provided subscribers with news, stock prices and shopping information, first using a dedicated terminal attached to a TV set and then later through personal computers.
The Times Mirror service, which provided subscribers with home banking and shopping, electronic mail, education and travel services, and stock quotes, had signed up nearly 3,000 subscribers since its inception in 1983. Its 120 employes are being laid off after losses in the venture, estimated by one analyst at about $30 million.
"The reaction among consumers, while gratifying, was not sufficient to warrant full-scale development of Gateway as an ongoing business," James H. Holly, president of Times Mirror Videotex Services, said in a statement.
Keycom, a home videotex service launched in a joint venture of Centel Corp. and Honeywell Inc., was discontinued last summer in its Chicago market.
Newspaper publishers got involved in the business "for defensive reasons," fearing electronic publishing would displace newspapers, Lane said. What they didn't understand was that users want a two-way interaction and not just information retrieval. "It turns out people chat to each other and send messages back and forth; it's not just information retrieval," he said.
Gary Arlen, editor and publisher for Videotex-Teletext News, an industry newsletter, said many publishers also thought the service would generate advertising dollars, which it didn't. "Times Mirror found that neither the threat nor the ad income materialized so it chose to cut its losses."
Other factors included a daunting $600 price tag for a terminal that plugged into a TV set to make the service work and a steep hourly access fee, Arlen said. "Why pay $5, $6, or $8 an hour to look at something you get in a newspaper that costs 25 cents?" he asked.
By the time publishers tried to eliminate at least the $600 expense by offering the service over personal computers, the computer market had bottomed out, he said.
The next frontier is making the service "interactive" or capable of monitoring energy use in the home, switching appliances on and off, and performing other useful functions, Arlen said. The companies most likely to make that happen include utilities and telephone companies -- but not until the 21st century and not until Americans get over their "technophobia," he said.
Other more specialized services that have a subscriber base do exist including Dow Jones News/Retrieval, with some 250,000 subscribers who receive financial and business information; CompuServe, a subsidiary of H&R Block that provides a variety of services, including computer information services, to 280,000 subscribers; and The Source, a Reader's Digest Association service that has about 65,000 subscribers, Arlen said.
There also are three research projects under way: International Business Machines Corp., CBS and Sears Roebuck & Co. have joined forces to research the service; American Telephone & Telegraph Co., Chemical Bank, Time Inc. and BankAmerica Corp. are cooperating in Covidea, a system that will concentrate on home banking; and RCA Corp., Citicorp and Nynex Corp., a regional telephone company, also are researching home information services.
Bob Smith, executive director of the Videotex Industry Association in Rosslyn, said more than 160 companies belong to the association and the industry is not giving up. "You need to be persistent in this area; it took the telephone over 20 years to get a 1 percent market penetration."


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The Google Pixel Fold is a real thing rather than just a concept — and it could even arrive this year.
That’s according to noted leaker Jon Prosser, at least, and it backs up a story earlier this week that Google has asked Samsung to develop a 7.6-inch OLED panel for use on a foldable device.
- Google Pixel 6 release date, price, specs, features and leaks
- The best foldable phones right now
- Plus: Leak reveals Google Pixel 5a from every angle
Prosser’s tweet wasn’t exactly full of detail, but he was definitive that the Google Pixel Fold is a real thing. And in a reply to a follower’s question, he gave its launch window as either the end of this year or the start of 2022.
the google pixel “fold” is a real thingFebruary 25, 2021
We don’t doubt that Google is working on a foldable phone, as the rumors go back to the middle of last year. Smartphone display expert Ross Young, appearing in the replies to Prosser’s first tweet, mentioned that back in December, he himself predicted a single foldable from Google coming at the end of this year.
There’s not much detail about the Pixel Fold’s specs to go on. The only thing we know, thanks to a Korean news report, is that the phone could use a 7.6-inch flexible display.
Whether Google launches the Pixel Fold this fall/winter or next spring, its main rivals will likely be from Samsung. Currently, that’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which balance clever design both inside and out. Of course by the time the Pixel Fold does appear, it’ll likely be up against the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
The rest of the current foldables market doesn’t quite match up to Samsung’s standard. There’s also the Motorola Razr, but that was let down by disappointing hardware — although the 5G version looks to be improved. The Huawei Mate X2 was announced earlier this week, and has some impressive specs. However since it’s made by Huawei, the phone’s not available in the U.S. and doesn’t offer the Google apps that Android users rely on.
It means that as 2021 becomes 2022, the likely top performers in the foldables category will remain those from Samsung. A new competitor without technical or software problems, such as this rumored Pixel Fold or the iPhone Flip, would be exactly the kind of competition needed to break Samsung’s dominance by default.
Google's software skills could mean the Pixel Fold becomes one of our best foldable phones when it finally arrives. In the meantime, we have the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 5a to look forward to, both likely to take a spot among the best Android phones around right now.


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Taqtile is releasing a free app, Manifest Maker, for digitizing work instructions. The app is a way to create content for use in its more robust Manifest platform.
ARPost got an advanced release, a sneak peek at the program, and an interview with Taqtile co-founder and CTO John Tomizuka. Let’s take a closer look.
What Is the Manifest Maker?
The free Manifest Maker app is currently available on compatible Apple devices. The app allows users to take video on that mobile device, which can be automatically transcribed, marked up, and annotated, or augmented with inset video or still images including scans of physical documents.
According to the release shared with ARPost, the app is designed to “help enterprises overcome a major hurdle to implementing and deriving value from AR-enabled work instructions.” The app itself is not AR-enabled but integrates with the AR-driven Manifest platform.
“The biggest hurdle that we see . . . is that digitizing those procedures is the number one problem,” Tomizuka told ARPost. “Part of that is learning curves with a new device. Part of it is not having anything structured.”
Both of these issues – digitizing procedures and standardizing documentation – are streamlined by the Manifest Maker app. Users of the full Manifest platform may even find that Manifest Maker provides an easier starting point for projects that they later port to Manifest to augment with the full platform’s more robust spatial computing capabilities.
“We’re trying to be realistic and meet our customers where they are,” said Tomizuka. “We’re trying to create an entry point. In the market, whoever creates the best way to get content into the system is going to win.”
Taqtile’s Freemium Play
Essentially, this announcement marks Taqtile’s entry into the “freemium” marketplace – offering basic services for free and premium utility at a price. As Tomizuka stated, this has the potential to benefit both current Taqtile customers and people that might never upgrade to the full Manifest experience. But, the company is also thinking of the third kind of user.
“The idea is to kind of introduce people to this procedure and give them some value,” said Tomizuka. “Of course, our ultimate interest is to get them into the Manifest world.”
“Of course,” the full manifest world is incredibly robust. Last summer, the platform got an update allowing combining digital twins with the Internet of Things data for real-time interactive models. And, the platform is only going to get better as last month the company announced a $5M equity raise.
“That certainly injects funding into our future roadmap and gives us more flexibility,” Tomizuka told ARPost of the funding release. “But [Manifest Maker] has been in the works for longer than that.”
So, what’s on that future roadmap? Obviously, Tomizuka couldn’t tell us everything. He did hint they are working on more multi-user features.
Step Into Manifest
This is a good thing. It’s easy to look at freemium offerings as a trap – potentially costly propositions baited with lower-hanging offerings. But, I don’t think Taqtile’s Manifest Maker falls into that category. This seems a genuine move to get more companies into AR more easily. That’s good for companies, good for AR, and good for consumers.


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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: The build-up has been happening for days — Nordstrom cardholders got early access — but today the Anniversary sale is open to everyone. This isn’t a clearance sale. You get discounts on brand new fall items just hitting store shelves including Rag & Bone boyfriend jeans (originally $265, now $175.90), 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli color-blocked satchel (originally $975, now $652.90) and Stuart Weitzman Mixitup boots (originally $625, now $399.90). Prices go back up on Monday, Aug. 3, so shop now.
Bonobos: The e-commerce retailer of menswear has opened a new Guideshop at Avalon in Alpharetta. To celebrate the grand-opening, they are hosting a cookout and lawn games all weekend long. Bonobos Guideshop blends the online and offline shopping experience by offering service and assistance in a physical location. You can see and try on all the items available for purchase and place an order in-store for merchandise. For information visit, www.bonobos.com.
Doc Chey’s and Dragon Bowl: This is a deal for Monday, but you can make plans now. For National Fortune Cookie Day on Monday, June 20, every guest who dines-in at Dragon Bowl Emory Village, Doc Chey’s Morningside or Doc Chey’s Grant Park will receive a special fortune cookie with a prize inside. One random guest at each location will win an Apple Watch, valued at $350. For the first year ever, every cookie wins a prize large or small. For information visit www.homegrownrestaurants.com.
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As part of Gibtelecom’s international expansion plans, the company is launching its first Asian Data Centre in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The facility offering hosting, managed solutions and a full range of cloud services is connected directly to the company’s core private network, linking European businesses with their Asian operations and vice versa.
Daniel Hook, Gibtelecom’s director enterprise, explains what this mean for Gibtelecom’s customers: “The online gaming landscape is forever changing, as the last 12 months has clearly shown us. This provides both challenges and opportunities for companies such as Gibtelecom and our customers alike. We have a substantial customer base spanning multiple industries that have operations in Asia and this addition to our existing network presence in the region gives our customers greater options to connect eastbound.
“Last year’s announcement by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) that Malaysia has opened its doors to online gaming companies, with generous incentives to those who relocate to the country, was great news.”
The new Data Centre, offering the full suite of cloud products, connects directly with the company’s Data Centres in London and Gibraltar, providing European companies looking east or eastern companies looking west a secure and reliable internationally distributed infrastructure.
In addition to public, private and hybrid cloud services, the company will also offer its Cloud Connect service linking directly to the major global hyperscale cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. By connecting directly via a private connection, customers avoid many of the security risks associated with doing so over the internet while creating a globally distributed hybrid cloud solution.
“We, as service providers need to match the agility and vision of global enterprises whilst at the same time provide an infrastructure that is fast and easy to deploy, but also remains stable and secure,” Hook added.
“Malaysia and Johor Bahru was identified as the ideal location for our first Asian Data Centre, the city is ideally located on the Malaysian peninsular and lies just 25km from the business and technology hub of Singapore.


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Mattel just unveiled their new line of action figures based on DC Super Hero Girls designs.
The new designs are meant to tone down the sexualizing of female characters, and focus more on their athleticism.
Mattel toy designer Christine Kim told Bloomberg
We wanted to have this very strong, toned body, but keeping in mind that they are still in high school, so they’re not fully mature yet. But they still look like they can save the day instead of being saved.”
DC Super Hero Girls follows female superheroes and supervillains of the DC Comics, prior to discovering their full super power potential.
Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Bee, Poison Ivy and Katana are just a few of the characters set to appear as teenagers and star in the new line of products, geared at girls aged 6-12.
In a statement, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson said
DC Entertainment is home to the most iconic and well-known Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl. DC Super Hero Girls’ represents the embodiment of our long-term strategy to harness the power of our diverse female characters. I am so pleased that we are able to offer relatable and strong role models in a unique way, just for girls.”
DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. will also collaborate with Random House Children’s Books and LEGO. Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, will act as publishing partner for the franchise, releasing a series of books about the DC Super Hero Girls starting in spring 2016. LEGO will produce building sets based in the DC Super Hero Girls world.
Mattel’s new line of DC SuperHero Girls 6-inch action figure and 12-inch dolls will be released this spring.


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Key President Teases Plans for Anime of Summer Pockets, Other Franchises
posted on by Alex Mateo
Visual Arts/Key's president Takahiro Baba teased in a blog post on Friday that the company is planning collaborative anime projects with partners. One of these projects is the previously teased anime of the company's Summer Pockets game. There will also be a completely new anime and a Key-related anime project. Baba stated that although he cannot announce them on the blog, he thinks they will be announced this year.
Baba is also planning to announce a new Key work soon. He added that the company is working on several visual novel projects at the same time, three of which are slated to launch this year, including Loopers and Prima Doll. The company is planning to launch the Heaven Burns Red social game this year, after a delay from 2020. Baba is holding meetings every day for multiple projects, including the anime projects.
Baba reported that the Chinese version of Summer Pockets and the English version of Rewrite are nearing completion. In addition, Visual Arts/Key plans to publish an original book, which is new for the company. The company also plans to discover new musical talent and release albums to distribute those songs to the world.
Summer Pockets originally launched for PC in June 2018 in Japan. Visual Arts/Key and Prototype launched the game's Nintendo Switch version digitally and physically in Japan in June 2019. The companies also released the game on smartphones. The game's English version launched for PC via Steam in February 2020 Summer Pockets REFLECTION BLUE, the updated version of its Summer Pockets game launched for PC in Japan last June.
The game takes place in a rural district of a certain isolated island. The story focuses on "one nostalgic summer."
Jun Maeda (Kanon, AIR, Clannad, Angel Beats!) is credited with the original concept. Na-Ga (Angel Beats!, Little Busters!, Charlotte), Tsubasu Izumi (Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka, Mashiroiro Symphony - The color of lovers), and Yūnon Nagayama (Angel Beats!) are credited with providing the original illustrations.
Yū Niijima (Koi x Shin Ai Kanojo, Majo Koi Nikki), Kai (Clannad, Rewrite, Harmonia), and Hasama (Tokyo Babel, Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi.) wrote the scenario. Maeda composed the music with Shinji Orito (Angel Beats! Harmonia), Donmaru (planetarian, Little Busters!, Giniro, Haruka), and Tomohiro Takeshita (planetarian, Angel Beats!, Harmonia).
Source: Visual Arts/Key's blog
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history


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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Retailer Burberry Group plc (BRBY.L) reported Wednesday that its third-quarter retail revenue declined 4 percent to 688 million pounds from last year's 719 million pounds. Retail sales fell 5 percent at constant exchange rates.
Retail comparable store sales declined 9 percent, compared to a 3 percent increase a year ago. The decline in sales reflected planned reductions in markdown, and reduced tourist traffic in outlets offset high single-digit full-price sales growth.
The company noted that full-price sales growth was driven by new, younger clientele as well as repeat customers.
COVID-19 related store closures averaged 7 percent in the third quarter impacting trading.
Among regions, Asia Pacific Comparable store sales grew 11 percent with strong growth in Mainland China and Korea. Meanwhile, EMEIA fell 37 percent due to fewer tourists and COVID-19 related store closures.
Americas' comparable store sales declined 8 percent as mid-teen increase in full-price sales was more than offset by planned reductions in markdown activities.
The company recorded digital full-price sales growth over 50 percent with Mainland China in triple digits.
Looking ahead, the company said that notwithstanding further COVID-19 disruption, it expects continued progress on strategic objectives in the fourth quarter. Gross margins will benefit from full price, regional, and channel mix changes as well as lower stock provisions.
Marco Gobbetti, Chief Executive Officer, said, 'While the short-term outlook remains uncertain due to COVID-19, we are well placed to accelerate when the pandemic eases.'
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
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• The Mercado Bitcoin capitalized $5 million in 2021.
• The Latin American platform exceeds 2.8 million clients.
Softbank Group Corp invested 200 million dollars in the BTC market. The cryptocurrency has significant movements worldwide, as claimed by some analysts.
2TM Group CEO Roberto Dagnoni believes this investment in the crypto platform represents an ascent to the crypto market. This investment was raised in a type B financial round made by SoftBank Latin America Fund. This is the most significant investment of the company in a crypto company in LatAm.
2TM, as an investment beneficiary, affirms that its valuation reached 2,100 million dollars. The SoftBank investment comes as the cryptocurrency landscape in the country looks bleak. Investors feel limited with crypto moves in Japan following the crackdowns.
Mercado Bitcoin rises in a regulatory environment
Although the Mercado Bitcoin has been affected by regulations, this investment fits perfectly. Bitcoin recovers from its decline by capitalizing above $32 billion.
This 2TM company will use the funds to expand its offerings and increase its operations. It is also intended to invest in a new infrastructure that meets the request for cryptocurrencies in the region. Crypto investments in Latin countries have increased in the last three years.
Dagnoni made several announcements promoting this new investment that will help the crypto future. He even dared to say that the platform is integrated to unleash the power of the institutional market.
SoftBank Group Corp future plans
SoftBank Group Corp, with 2TM, tries to make the Mercado Bitcoin grow and expand its operations in the Latin American region. Dagnoni added that his group is analyzing expanding throughout the region in Latam, but before that, they must expand their functions.
Mercado Bitcoin, launched in 2013, is a platform that has grown enormously in the last year. The crypto website users reach 2.8 million by 2021 and growing. This includes over 70% of all individual investors in the Brazilian stock exchange.
Over 700 thousand customers registered on the website between January and May due to Bitcoin rise. However, with 50% of the cryptocurrency in May, many traders withdrew from the market.
In the first five months of 2021, the company raised $5 billion. This company is significant in Latin America, it promotes financial technology and is looking for new investors. Supported by the Japanese company, the Bitcoin market may meet its objectives this year.
For now, the cryptocurrency future is uncertain, but cryptocurrencies are likely to regain their value. This Latin American company only hopes to provide all the help that the beginning cryptocurrency investor needs.