July 10, 2008
Apple iPhone 3G on Sale Friday, July 11
Over 500 Native Applications for iPhone & iPod touch Available at Launch.
Apple® today announced that more than 500 native applications will be available on the iPhone's App Store when Apple's iPhone™ 3G goes on sale tomorrow. These applications will be available on Apple's new App Store, enabling customers to wirelessly download them directly onto their iPhones and start using them immediately. More than 125 applications are being offered to iPhone customers for free.
The new iPhone 3G combines all the features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast*, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third party applications available through the new App Store which is a built-in application on every iPhone running iPhone 2.0 software.
The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so users can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly. Applications are free or charged to the user's iTunes® account and the App Store notifies the user when updates are available for their apps. The App Store is also available in iTunes (www.itunes.com) running on a Mac® or PC, which syncs applications to the iPhone or iPod® touch using a USB cable.
The App Store will offer over 500 native applications from hundreds of companies around the world in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.
In addition to the App Store, the iPhone 2.0 software update includes enterprise support, contact search, complete iWork® and MS Office document viewing support, the ability to delete or move emails in bulk, saving images from emails, a scientific calculator, parental controls and support for 16 additional languages.
iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries--Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US--on July 11.
"Just one year after launching the iPhone, we're launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO.
According to Apple, iPhone 3G gives users ever faster access to the Internet and email over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds. The new iPhone 3G also makes it easier to multi-task with simultaneous voice and data communications, so with iPhone 3G you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while you are on a call.
Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping and track your progress with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and easily transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac® or PC. According to Apple, iPhone 3G delivers a 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, with up to 5 to 6 hours of web browsing, up to 7 hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.
iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe™, a new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online "cloud" to native applications on iPhone, iPod® touch, Macs and PCs. With MobileMe email, messages are pushed instantly to iPhone, removing the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices.
Source: Apple
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Posted by Editors at 2:08 PM
June 30, 2008
World Mobile Leaders to create one Open Mobile Software Platform
Foundation to be established to provide royalty-free open platform and accelerate innovation.
Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and NTT DOCOMO have just announced in London their intent to unite Symbian OSTM, S60, UIQ and MOAP(S) to create one open mobile software platform. Together with AT&T, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Vodafone they plan to establish the Symbian Foundation to extend the appeal of this unified software platform. Membership of this non-profit Foundation will be open to all organizations. This initiative is supported by current shareholders and management of Symbian Limited, who have been actively involved in its development. Plans for the Foundation have already received wide support from other industry leaders.
To enable the Foundation, Nokia announced plans to acquire the remaining shares of Symbian Limited that Nokia does not already own and then contribute the Symbian and S60 software to the Foundation. Sony Ericsson and Motorola announced their intention to contribute technology from UIQ and DOCOMO has also indicated its willingness to contribute its MOAP(S) assets. From these contributions, the Foundation will provide a unified platform with common UI framework. A full platform will be available for all Foundation members under a royalty-free license, from the Foundation's first day of operations.
Contributions from Foundation members through open collaboration will be integrated to further enhance the platform. The Foundation will make selected components available as open source at launch. It will then work to establish the most complete mobile software offering available in open source. This will be made available over the next two years and is intended to be released under Eclipse Public License (EPL) 1.0.
The Foundation's platform will build on the leading open mobile software platform, with more than 200 million phones, across 235 models, already shipped by multiple vendors and tens of thousands of third- party applications already available for Symbian OS-based devices.
"Ten years ago, Symbian was established by far sighted players to offer an advanced open operating system and software skills to the whole mobile industry", said Nigel Clifford, CEO of Symbian. "Our vision is to become the most widely used software platform on the planet and indeed today Symbian OS leads its market by any measure. Today's announcement is a bold new step to achieve that vision by embracing a complete and proven platform, offered in an open way, designed to stimulate innovation which is at the heart of everything we do."
"Establishing the Foundation is one of the biggest contributions to an open community ever made," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO of Nokia. "Nokia is a strong supporter of open platforms and technologies as they give the freedom to build, maintain and evolve applications and services across device segments and offer by far the largest ecosystem, enabling rapid innovation. Today's announcement is a major milestone in our devices software strategy."
"The complete, consistent platform that the Foundation plans to provide will allow manufacturers to focus on their unique differentiation at a device level" said Dick Komiyama, President of Sony Ericsson. "Sony Ericsson believes that the unified Symbian Foundation platform will greatly simplify the world for handset manufacturers, operators and developers, enabling greater innovation in services and applications to the benefit of consumers everywhere."
"Motorola has long been a leader and advocate of open software for mobile platforms. We're excited to be joining Nokia, Sony Ericsson, NTT DOCOMO and others in leading this open source effort to form the new Symbian Foundation and unite the Symbian ecosystem," said Alain Mutricy, Senior Vice President, Platforms & Technology Office, Motorola Mobile Devices. "Also, Motorola, together with Sony Ericsson, will be contributing UIQ technology to the Foundation and will work with UIQ as they are refocusing as an important supplier in the new Symbian ecosystem. This will be a great addition, as the Foundation will be able to leverage UIQ's unique experience, which includes expertise in touch technology."
"DOCOMO welcomes this development and we look forward to moving our Symbian based devices and service onto the Foundation platform. We are also willing to contribute our MOAP(S) assets to the Foundation. This is a very positive step in further increasing the adoption of the Symbian software and creating an even more open, consistent and complete platform. The Foundation software will enable us to enjoy the benefits of a global platform in bringing new, leading-edge services to the Japanese market. It will increase efficiency and help us provide our wide customer base with the most advanced mobile experiences." said Toshio Miki, Associate Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Communication Device Development Department of NTT DOCOMO.
"Mobile phones have turned into sophisticated multimedia computers and smart phones continue to grow in popularity," said Kris Rinne, Senior Vice President of Architecture and Planning at AT&T. "The Symbian Foundation will reduce fragmentation in the industry and holds the promise of incorporating leading technology and the most mature software into a unified platform for the entire industry. This will create an environment that will encourage and enable developers to build compelling applications that will positively affect our customers' lives and support AT&T in offering its differentiated services to consumers."
"Joining the Symbian Foundation is an ideal opportunity for LG to broaden our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible mobile experience" said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "We believe that open mobile platforms will contribute to advance the mobile industry. At LG we will play a leading role in creating a better mobile environment, working with the Symbian Foundation to provide our customers with smart new features based on this open platform."
"Samsung Electronics is committed to Symbian as one of the future platforms for our mobile devices and believes that establishing the Foundation is a visionary move in positioning the platform as a proven open platform for future development. We are delighted to be playing a significant role in that future by joining the Foundation board. We have already used Symbian and S60 software successfully to deliver appealing devices and see these steps making the platform even more attractive for bringing the latest technologies and services to the market" said Dr. Do Hun Kwon, VP & Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Research Institute.
"ST sees strong consumer demand, across all segments, for a richer multimedia experience," said Monica de Virgiliis, General Manager of the Wireless Multimedia Division, STMicroelectronics. "This new foundation synchronizes and harmonizes the mainstream software approach to address this need and makes the software widely available. We anticipate this will fuel the growth of multimedia-capable devices and we are excited about being able to leverage our long-standing leadership in consumer digital multimedia to satisfy more and more consumers."
"TI has long supported open platforms, and we are excited about the formation of the Symbian Foundation. We believe the new structure will remove barriers to innovation in the mobile industry by providing a common platform on which exciting next-generation applications and services can be built," said Greg Delagi, senior vice president of TI's Wireless Business Unit. "Manufacturers can get a head-start on development with TI's proven OMAP-based Symbian S60 software development platform. Combined with the Foundation's open collaboration model, this will allow more developers to harness the performance and multimedia capabilities of the OMAP family to accelerate improvements in the mobile user experience."
"Vodafone believes this is a significant step in driving mobile innovation for the Internet as well as creating a richer mobile experience for our customers" said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Vodafone's Global Director of Terminals. "We have been challenging the industry to reduce complexity and focus on fewer operating systems. This step will help to drive even faster innovation, as well as enable operators to accelerate time-to-market for compelling and varied new services."
"Fujitsu is pleased to be one of the first supporters of plans for the Symbian Foundation," said Hideyuki Saso, president of the Mobile Phones Unit at Fujitsu Limited. "Fujitsu has long been an innovator in the development of handsets based on the Symbian OS, launching our development efforts in 2001 and commercializing the world's first Symbian OS-based 3G smartphone in 2003. Over the past seven years, we've brought a broad range of innovative, high-performance Symbian smartphones to market while collaborating with NTT DOCOMO on the development of MOAP(S). As a handset vendor, Fujitsu looks forward to supporting the development of the unified Foundation platform, and to developing future products based on the platform."
"This new initiative brings together the rare combination of a proven software operating system and an open source model, creating a unique platform to drive innovation in the mobile handset," said Scott Bibaud, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Mobile Platforms Group, Broadcom. "Broadcom's participation in the Symbian Foundation is consistent with our goals of enabling differentiated software solutions while providing a time-to-market advantage with our advanced mobile platform products."
Foundation members share the vision that the Foundation will unify the software platform, supercharge innovation and accelerate the availability of new services and compelling experiences for consumers and business users around the world. The combined platform is already one of the most advanced and widely used mobile platforms, making it highly attractive for all ecosystem partners, including developers, mobile operators, content and service providers and device manufacturers.
The Foundation is expected to start operating during the first half of 2009, subject to the closing of the acquisition of Symbian Ltd by Nokia.
Symbian is a software licensing company that develops and licenses Symbian OS, the market-leading open operating system for mobile phones. Symbian licenses Symbian OS to the world's leading handset manufacturers. Symbian has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, India, China, Korea, and Japan.
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Posted by Editors at 2:00 AM
June 14, 2008
Paris Beach Volleyball Grand Slam: Henkel is the Main Sponsor
The Henkel Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Tournament 2008 will be held in Paris from June 16-22. This year is the fourth time the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Tournament will be held in the French capital. And for the third time, Henkel is the main sponsor of the event, and will present its corporate brand name and seven product brands: Fa, Mir, Le Chat, Pattex, SuperGlue, Loctite and Schwarzkopf.
More than 200 matches will take place on the grounds of the "Champs de Mars," against the fantastic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. The arena has a capacity exceeding 6,500 spectators, who will be able to experience world-class beach volleyball free of charge. The best 130 teams from 40 countries will travel to Paris to pit their skills against each other. For the athletes, the tournament is important in terms of the qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in August. The winners will not only qualify for the Summer Olympics, but also earn 600,000 euros in prize money. Accordingly, the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Tournament in Paris ranks among the most lucrative beach volleyball competitions worldwide.
As the main sponsor, Henkel also offers fans a diverse range of fringe events. These include instructions given by Le Chat on maintaining health at the same level as top athletes, the opportunity to relax in the wellness zone hosted by Fa, or a visit to the Henkel Cafe.
Beach volleyball attained the status of an Olympic sport in 1996. Since the 1980s, the game has emerged as a highly popular sporting event, which appeals to a large audience. In addition to the playing surface, the main difference compared to indoor volleyball is the number of players on the team. In beach volleyball, each team consists of two players, not six as is the case with its indoor counterpart.
Henkel has been sponsoring national and international sports events for many years. Besides the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam tournaments in Paris and Klagenfurt, Austria, Henkel has also been involved with the Ice Hockey World Championship in Canada and the World Handball Championship in Germany last year.
Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, has about 55,000 employees worldwide and counts among the most internationally recognized German-based companies in the global marketplace. People in approximately 125 countries around the world use the brands and technologies from Henkel. Henkel is organized into three globally operating business sectors: Laundry & Home Care, Cosmetics & Toiletries, and Adhesive Technologies.
Source: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
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Posted by Editors at 7:19 AM
June 12, 2008
DuPont Car Color Update: White is Still Tops but Blue is Gaining in Popularity
Consumer Feedback Alerts Auto Designers to Possible Color Trends.
Photo: Suzuki XL7 -- White.
Photo: 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 Sedan. White cars, such as this, remain the top color choice for consumers.
Although white, silver and black dominate the global mass auto market, car enthusiasts around the world are leaning toward various treatments of blue, according to leading auto industry designers and a global team of DuPont (NYSE:DD) color designers.
Photo: Ford Fusion 2008 -- Black.
"This year, we thought it would be interesting to ask car and color designers in mid year about automobile buyers' color preferences," said Karen Surcina, color marketing and technology manager -- DuPont Automotive Systems. For the last 55 years, the DuPont Global Automotive Color Popularity Report has provided a year-end, data-based snapshot of mass market car color preferences. DuPont is one of the world's largest global suppliers of paints and coatings to new car manufacturers and the automobile collision repair industry.
Asia Pacific: Emily Hung, DuPont color designer for the Asia Pacific region, says dark blue metallic is popular and is being fine-tuned for that region. Candy whites and tri-coat pearl finishes also are extremely popular, confirming the 2007 DuPont Global survey finding that white had overtaken silver as the most popular color in Asia and North America. Luxury car buyers in Asia-Pacific countries continue to favor black and mid-tone metallic grays while champagne is favored over light silver in medium-size cars.
"In India and China, the booming economies are reflected in the wide range of colors offered to attract young buyers to compact cars," Hung said.
Europe: Blue is the most important chromatic color in Europe, with 12 percent of the market, reports Elke Dirks, DuPont color designer for Europe. Chromatic colors are those with hue, unlike white, grey and black.
"Black, which overtook silver in popularity in Europe last year, is seen as a trendy newcomer there and could double in volume," Dirks said. Long-term, she predicts, European consumers will ask for a more colorful and individualistic palette from car makers. At the moment, though, preferences are highly influenced by ecological concepts, with demand growing for light, pure and sophisticated looks.
Photo: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Hatchback (Venezuela) -- Yellow.
Latin America: Wolstano Marin, DuPont color designer for Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, says the "achromatic range," including white, silver, gray and black, dominates consumer preference in that area of Latin America. While green led the chromatic colors for several years, "blue now seems to be the most popular in that family," he said. Personal preference, fashion and resale value seem to be the major factors contributing to car color choice in the region.
Photo: Chrysler Aspen 2008 -- Blue.
North America: Blue also plays a role in American tastes, says Nancy Lockhart, DuPont color designer for North America. She sees lighter blues emerging with a reddish accent representing a clean, fresh trend. Medium and dark shades of blue are more greenish, evoking a modern feel.
White tri-coats such as pearls are chosen by buyers for their luxurious, yet unpretentious presentation. Oranges and golds are also important and reddish gold is an emerging influence, she said.
"While current economic conditions in North America are not being felt in car color choices, people are clearly being influenced by the 'green' movement, with natural versions of bold colors taking hold," Lockhart said. "For example, copper seems to be replacing flashier gold finishes and royal blues will give way to lighter, cleaner and more water-like blues. Even white will change, with ultra whites and yellowish whites giving way to cleaner versions."
"White seems to be the most prominent color on the road and on everyone's mind in design," said Mollie Engel, senior color designer for Kia Design Center America. "It is the new luxury color and it is also ecological. The lighter the colors we use, the less 'solar gain' is encouraged, and that means less gas we use to cool our cars."
Photo: 2009 SATURN ASTRA XR 3-DOOR -- Red.
Economic uncertainty in North America seems to be influencing people to return to basics such as white and red, according to Engel, "but they are new versions of these common color spaces." While Engel doesn't see car buyers moving toward blue, she sees a growing importance of "olive greens" as well as earth tones such as dark grey, bronze and dark browns as "part of this new, classically modern palette."
Auto Manufacturer Perspectives: Christopher Webb, General Motors lead color and trend designer, interior and exterior, says "customers are embracing color again," with brown, orange and blue selling well. Webb seeks first-hand color preference information from consumers by interacting with car enthusiasts at auto shows around the United States. He has also done several GM blogs on color.
GM takes consumer input seriously. Several years ago, Webb polled Corvette Car Club members to find out which color they would most like to see on their vehicles. Their request for orange came at a time when an "orange trend" was developing in other areas of product design. The result was a color, developed with DuPont, called "Atomic Orange."
"Blue will continue to be strong in the marketplace along with a growing trend in natural and authentic colors," said Jim Parker, senior manager, color and trim design, Chrysler LLC. "The 2009 Dodge Ram will be offered in several new colors like Deep Water Blue Pearl and Austin Tan Pearl, which will accentuate its distinctive, bold design and reflect these color trends."
Photo: Jeep Wrangler 2008 -- Green.
Although he has not yet seen any economy-related trends in consumer color choices, consumer buying tends to lean toward more conservative choices during economic downturns. Regardless of the economy, says Parker, Chrysler(R), Dodge(R) and Jeep(R) offer a wide variety of color choices, allowing consumers to express their own personalities.
Aftermarket Color Choices: Aftermarket color choices, such as those selected for custom cars and high-end restorations, are also highly individualistic, but don't conform to color trends seen in the new car market, according to Janine Little, marketing manager for the DuPont(TM) Hot Hues(TM) line of automotive finishes.
Some colors are more expensive than others because of the pigments needed to produce the right color - mostly in the red and silver ranges, Little said. "But to these enthusiasts, spending more on the perfect color for your car is a sacrifice worth enduring. They are also willing to pay for the newest coatings technologies, such as special metallic flakes and candy colors, to differentiate their vehicles and give them personality."
The 2007 DuPont Global Color Popularity Report, released in December, tracked color across vehicle segment, and also reported by geographic region, the only report of its kind to do so. The report remains the industry's authoritative standard for analyzing and predicting vehicle color trends based on consumer choices. The annual DuPont study is a benchmark for the automotive industry. Its influence reaches beyond the automotive segment to other industries including home furnishings, consumer electronics and fashion. The 2008 DuPont Global Color Popularity Report will be issued later this year.
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Posted by Editors at 8:49 AM
May 9, 2008
Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Honors Best Beauty Products of the Year
The beauty industry came out to celebrate its finest as Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) honored the most innovative beauty products of the year. The CEW Beauty Awards are determined by those in the know -- over 4,000 beauty professionals. Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. (CEW) is a nonprofit professional organization with over 4,000 executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance, and related industries. CEW is based in NYC, and has associated organizations in France and the United Kingdom.
For manufacturers, an "Insider's Choice Award," is the industry's highest honor. For consumers, it's a foolproof way of knowing the best new products on the market today. "When shoppers see a product with the CEW Winner's seal they know it's been vetted by a professional. It's like having a friend in the industry give you their honest opinion," noted CEW President Carlotta Jacobson. "These are the products people are talking about -- and the ones we all want to own."
This year's list of Winners were announced at a Gala Luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
• Nearly 600 products nominated
• 280 brands represented
• 27 categories
• Industry celebrities and TV personalities were on-hand, including Star
of HBO's Sex and the City Mario Cantone who hosted the event, Star of
NBC's Lipstick Jungle Lindsay Price, Supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg,
Co-star of the upcoming Coen brothers movie, "Burn After Reading" Matt
Walton, Actress on Emmy Award-Winning show 30 Rock on NBC Katrina
Bowden, Supermodel Kylie Bax, and Winner of "America's Next Top Model"
CariDee English.
Photo: L-R: Matt Walton, Katrina Bowden, Marcus Schenkenberg, CariDee English, Mario Cantone, CEW President Carlotta Jacobson, Allure Editor-in-Chief Linda Wells, Lindsay Price, Kylie Bax.
BATH & BODY
Body Treatment - Mass
Olay Thermal Pedicure
Body Treatment - Prestige
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins (TM) The Way of the Bath(TM) Matcha Tea Body Scrub
Scented Bath and Body - Mass
JOHNSONS(R) Softoil(TM) Melt Away Stress Massaging Moisturizer
Scented Bath and Body - Prestige
Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid Finishing Oil Spray
FACIAL SKINCARE
Acne Treatment
Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy
Anti-Aging - Mass
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Anti-Aging - Prestige
Shiseido Cosmetics (America) Ltd. Bio-Performance Intensive Skin Corrective Program
Cleanser and Scrub - Mass
Dove SkinVitalizer
Cleanser and Scrub - Prestige
philosophy The Microdelivery Micro-massage Exfoliating Wash
Eye Treatment - Mass
Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-Aging Triple Response System
Eye Treatment - Prestige
Estee Lauder Future Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Eye Creme
Moisturizer - Mass
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift UV Daily Moisturizing Cream with Mexoryl SX
Moisturizer - Prestige
Estee Lauder Hydra Bright Skin-Tone Perfecting Moisturizer
HAIR CARE & COLORING
Hair Care and Coloring Product - Mass
Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray
Hair Care and Coloring Product - Prestige
Frederic Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm
MAKEUP
Eye Product - Mass
CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara
Eye Product - Prestige
Dior DiorShow Blackout Mascara
Face Product - Mass
Almay Smart Shade(R) Blush and Bronzer
Face Product - Prestige
Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup SPF 15
Lip Product - Mass
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour
Lip Product - Prestige
YSL Beaute Lip Twins
MEN'S SKINCARE
Men's Grooming
Clinique Skin Supplies for Men M Cover
SCENT
Men's Scent
Bond No. 9 New York Andy Warhol Silver Factory
Women's Scent - Prestige
Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Marc Jacobs
SUN
Sun Product - Mass
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70
Sun Product - Prestige
Estee Lauder Multi-Protection Sun Towelettes for Body SPF 15
INDIE BEAUTY AWARD
bettybeauty, inc (tie)
Clark's Botanicals (tie)
The 2008 CEW Beauty Awards are sponsored by Allure, Givaudan, CVS/pharmacy, Crest Whitestrips Daily Whitening + Tartar Protection, ACUVUE(R) Brand Contact Lenses, WWD Beauty Biz, The Royal Promotion Group, Restylane, KraftWorks, Arcade Marketing, MaCher, HBA Global Expo, Beilis Development, VEET, Vidicom, NeoStrata, Rpr Marketing Communications, Suite K, Digital Plus, and Raw Media. Categories defined by NPD Group. Ballots tabulated by Ernst & Young.
Source: Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc.
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Posted by Editors at 3:00 AM
April 28, 2008
Longines adds Conquest Ceramic to its Sport Collection
The Longines Conquest is the quintessential expression of the brand's sporting elegance. Special attention has been paid to the aesthetics of the bezel, the cabochon crown and the links, all made of ceramic. As a subtle marriage of steel with ceramic, performance with elegance, the Longines Conquest includes technical characteristics that meet the requirements of the most demanding sportsmen and women.
The Longines Conquest has a fixed bezel and a cabochon crown made of black, grey or white ceramic. Some models come with black or grey ceramic links that make up the bracelet. This material is a combination of beauty and exceptional technical features. Scratch-proof and non-allergenic, ceramic is impervious to all chemicals as well as being almost totally resistant to friction, abrasion and high temperatures. Its sheen contrasts with the brushed finish of the steel used for the case and the bracelet. The black, grey or white of the dial with its sleek design is a subtle reminder of the quality of the ceramic.
The characteristics of the models in the Conquest line meet the requirements of the most demanding sports: water-resistance to 300 m, screw-in crown and case-back, and lateral protection for the crown. The 41 mm diameter stainless steel case houses a choice of a self-winding, chronograph or three-hand movement. These models are also available with a leather or rubber strap or with a stainless steel bracelet.
Source: Longines
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Posted by Editors at 4:30 AM
April 10, 2008
Lord and Taylor Re-Launches Its Legendary Rose
The department store Lord and Taylor has re-launched its iconic Rose, first introduced in the 1940s and now re-created and re-colored in "sunrise," (a mixture of yellow and orange the store has adopted as its own). The exuberant new Lord and Taylor Rose is showcased on shopping bags, boxes, gift cards and in-store visuals in all 47 Lord and Taylor stores in the Northeast USA. In Manhattan, collages of the Rose are displayed in awnings and windows across the Fifth Avenue facade of the landmarked flagship store and wrap buses that carry New Yorkers and visitors to and from metro area locations.
Lord and Taylor is an upscale specialty department store with 47 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1826, Lord and Taylor is America's oldest department store and one of the premier retailers.
The store is also conducting its first annual contest to re-create the Lord and Taylor Rose from submissions of original art work by artists from around the world. "We are planning to bring back the Lord and Taylor Rose each Spring, each time a different version created by a different artist," says Jane Elfers, President and Chief Executive Officer. Artists, graphic designers and photographers can get details and contest rules by visiting www.lordandtaylor.com/rosecontest. Registration and submissions will take place online through May 26. Industry experts will select 60 entries and their images posted on the website on June 9. The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites, one vote per e-mail. The first round of the vote will close at midnight, June 22. Thirty top entries will be posted on the website, June 25, and the second round of voting will begin, ending at midnight, June 30. The winner will be announced on July 2. Besides having his or her Lord and Taylor Rose showcased in the store flagship's Fifth Avenue awnings and windows as well as in shopping bags, boxes, gift cards and in- store visuals in all Lord and Taylor stores next Spring, the winner will receive a $10,000 cash award and multiple mentions in national and international press.
Photo: At Lord and Taylor -- display for the brand CLINIQUE, under the section BEAUTY & FRAGRANCE. (Photo Credit: Lord and Taylor)
The re-launch of the Rose is part of the Lord and Taylor rebranding campaign. The campaign, created by David Lipman, Chairman of LIPMAN, a leading branding and integrated advertising agency, aims to modernize the store's image. The campaign is showcasing the results of Lord and Taylor CEO Elfers' commitment to upgrading merchandise assortments, in-store services, amenities, and brand packaging, while upholding Lord and Taylor's 182 year history.
Source: Lord and Taylor
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Posted by Editors at 2:06 PM
April 9, 2008
Gerald Genta Creates a One-of-a-Kind Model in Support of the Theodora Foundation
As a partner of the Theodora Foundation for the past two years, Gerald Genta will be contributing to the charity auction organised by Christie's on April the 16th by donating a one-of-a-kind watch. The unique model is a sophisticated and amusing timepiece that plays on the colors of the foundation.
The Theodora Foundation was born in Switzerland, in 1993, at the initiative of Andre and Jan Poulie. It is named in tribute to their mother, Theodora, who brightened Andre's childhood days during an extended hospital stay. The mission of its Dream doctors is to care for sick children through laughter. They currently operate in over 40 institutions around Switzerland and the concept has been taken up in eight other countries. In all, around 30 specifically trained professional artists pay regular visits to 95 hospitals or specialised institutions some 220,000 times a year and adapt their clown shows to the situation of each child they meet..
Gerald Genta, an Haute Horlogerie brand with a fine appreciation for the humourous, supports the Theodora Foundation. For the second year running, it is donating a one-of-a-kind watch to the auction. This self-winding ladies' watch displays the hours and the minutes by central hands, and the seconds on one of the brand's typical retrograde counters, appearing at 6 o'clock. The particularly entertaining dial features a richly colourful and complex composition set against a white-lacquered background. The thirteen individual rings appear on various levels and are individually coloured using a sophisticated technique. This enchanting decorative effect is further magnified by a circle of diamonds set on the bezel of the white gold case.
The "Magnificent Jewels Auction" to be organised by Christie's, will take place in New York in April the 16th and will be preceded by several exhibitions around the world.
Source: Gerald Genta
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Posted by Editors at 1:45 AM
April 5, 2008
USA Consumer interest in Mini-Compact Cars increased 128 percent in the last two months, says NADAguides.com
Photo: Toyota Yaris 2008
NADAguides.com, a vehicle pricing and information website, says that from January to March 2008, consumer interest in its mini-compact category increased 128 percent, while consumer interest in its sub-compact and compact categories increased 83 percent and 77 percent respectively.
N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.
The compact car segment at NADAguides.com consists of three sub-categories designated as mini-compacts, sub-compacts and compacts, while 'consumer interest' pertains to the amount of people who obtained pricing for a vehicle at NADAguides.com.
In the last two months, consumer interest in the overall compact car segment at NADAguides.com increased an average of 96 percent -- a fact the company's experts believe is closely related to an average nationwide increase in fuel prices of 19 cents per gallon during that same timeframe.
"We believe there is a direct correlation between the significant increase in consumer interest in the overall compact car segment of our website and the average nationwide increase in gas prices so far this year," said Don Christy, Jr., president and CEO of NADAguides.com. "In our opinion, car buyers are feeling the pinch at the pump and are researching more economical, fuel efficient vehicles as a result."
Nine of the top 25 makes and models that showed the most dramatic increase in consumer interest at NADAguides.com during the last two months were in the compact car segment. These nine compact cars represent the largest segment percentage with the most dramatic increase in consumer interest.
Photo: Mazda MAZDA3 2008
Of the top 25 most researched new cars across the entire NADAguides.com website, five were compact cars, with interest in the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 increasing 105 percent and interest in the 2008 Toyota Yaris increasing 102 percent from January to March. The 2008 Honda Civic Sedan, which has long been a commonly researched vehicle, showed an increase in consumer interest of 80 percent during that same timeframe.
Photo: Toyota Corolla 2009
The Toyota Corolla, which experienced its model year changeover during this timeframe, was also immensely popular with the 2008 model ranking 12th in overall interest and the 2009 model ranking 20th in overall interest for the month of March.
"The Toyota Corolla is completely redesigned for 2009, which explains an increased interest in the 2009 model at NADAguides.com," said Christy. "However, the fact that the 2008 model ranked 12th in overall interest further validates the fact that consumers are increasingly interested in compact cars as fuel prices continue their ascent."
|GlobalGiants.com|
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Posted by Editors at 7:12 AM
March 17, 2008
Coty Inc. Announces Fragrance Partnership With Hollywood Icon Halle Berry
Hollywood Star to Debut Her First Fragrance
NEW YORK -- Coty Inc., a leader in the global beauty industry has announced the signing of Oscar-award winning actress Halle Berry to market her debut fragrance.
Set to debut globally in spring 2009, the yet-to-be named fragrance is the first for the iconic actress. Berry will play an integral role in the conception to market process and will work with Coty's talented marketing, creative and product development teams.
Starring in more than twenty major motion pictures, Halle Berry is one of Hollywood's most respected and successful actors. She is the only African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, and is recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the world, consistently appearing on People magazine's list of the "50 Most Beautiful People."
Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.
Today, Coty Inc. is the world's largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $3.5 billion. Coty Inc. has developed a portfolio of notable brands and delivers its products to consumers in 91 markets worldwide. |GlobalGiants.com|
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Posted by Editors at 1:26 AM
February 27, 2008
LG Electronics and General Electric Announce Licensing Agreement
Patent cross-license agreement covers refrigerators and cooking appliances
Photo: Lynn Pendergrass, President and CEO of GE Consumer & Industrial-Americas (left) and Young Ha Lee, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company, celebrate the signing of a cross-licensing agreement between GE and LG for refrigeration and cooking appliances.
SEOUL, Korea, Feb. 26 -- LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, today announced that it has entered into a cross licensing agreement with GE Consumer & Industrial, an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. This new agreement will allow LG and GE to use one another's patents for refrigerators and cooking appliances without paying licensing fees.
LG and GE have collaborated on cooking appliances since 1999, both in technologies and product development. This new agreement will help the companies strengthen their competitiveness worldwide. This agreement will be especially helpful to LG, in its push to expand its presence in digital appliances globally. The company currently sells its products through all three of the top retailers in North America: The Home Depot, Sears and Best Buy.
While, LG Electronics, Inc. is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. |GlobalGiants.com|
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Posted by Editors at 5:07 AM
February 24, 2008
Designing of Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz "smart fortwo"
Photo: Show car smart crosstown: CAD rendering of exterior with color-highlighted "Tridion" safety cell. A solid steel "Tridion" frame, left visible at the exterior as a major design element, completely surrounds and protects the passenger compartment, and defines the basic shape of the car as well.
The history of the smart is short. The smart city coupe with gasoline engine came onto the market in 1998, the diesel-engined version in 1999. The smart cabrio complemented the model lineup at a later stage. It was followed by the smart roadster, the smart roadster-coupe and the smart forfour -- all of them history today. This is because the brand is now fully concentrating on the archetype of the smart -- the two-seater car.
Giving concepts a concrete shape is a challenge that a designer must face time and time again. But no matter how many times the process is repeated, it can never become routine. Good design stubbornly resists any clear definition. This is largely because a product must first mature in people's perception before it can truly be considered as good design.
Thus giving a form to "things" is far from simple. Particularly when these "things" are not mere consumer goods, but elements in a deep, emotional relationship. A car, however, is quite a different matter. Here the design becomes the user interface to our emotions and to our demands on the subtle perception of the technical capabilities that the vehicle represents. Our subconscious expects faultless technology, and our sense of aesthetics wants to be wooed.
It didn't take long for Mercedes-Benz to decide what basic features a car of this kind must have: four wheels, two seats, an engine, and a length of approx 2.5 meters. That was back in 1981. Discussions took place, but the resulting proposals were not found to meet the safety requirements of Mercedes-Benz. Ten years passed and the project was put on ice again and again until Mercedes-Benz Design in Sindelfingen finally managed, in cooperation with the Advanced Design Center in the USA, to reconcile form with function in such a way as to satisfy the company's requirements and to ensure that the vehicle had emotional presence.
A greenfield factory was built where completely new approaches could be implemented at every stage of the development process.
The designers drew their inspiration from fashion, architecture, furniture, and also from icons of automotive history.
Ultimately, this process yielded the unique smart body concept that was to open up totally new possibilities: for example the variable color concept, whereby the smart owners can change the color of the plastic body parts of their vehicle, to give the car a new look whenever they see fit. |GlobalGiants.com|
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Posted by Editors at 10:34 AM
February 11, 2008
NADA Chairman Urges Automakers to Treat Dealers as 'Real Partners'
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Photo: NADA's AutoExecMag.Com Car of the Week is 2009 Corvette ZR1. Detroit's own Kid Rock performs as the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 makes its world debut on stage at GM Style - General Motors' car studded music and fashion gala that kicked-off the 2008 North American International Auto Show Saturday, January 12, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. Chevy's new ZR1 supercar is the fastest, most powerful car ever made by GM. At $100,000 plus, it's also the most expensive Vette yet, with limited production of 2,000 units. Competition: Ferrari 599, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Dealers are "uniquely qualified" to connect three sectors that drive the U.S. auto industry -- consumers, automakers and Congress, said Dale Willey in his remarks at the National Automobile Dealers Association's (NADA) 91st Annual Convention & Exposition in San Francisco.
Willey, president of Dale Willey Automotive in Lawrence, Kansas, says after 37 years in the retail-auto industry and as NADA chairman over the past year, he now sees the role of dealers differently.
"We are the bridge that connects the consumer to the manufacturer," Willey said. "We hear everything the car buyer likes or doesn't like about a vehicle."
It's this experience that makes dealers "uniquely qualified" to help automakers develop products that sell, says Willey. Dealers gather valuable product information daily under real-world conditions.
Dealers must work with automakers as "real partners" -- not in a legal sense, but in terms of working together with one goal in mind -- producing and selling vehicles that consumers want to drive, Willey added.
Willey says manufacturers spend millions of dollars on surveys, polls and focus groups to figure out what consumers want," he says. "Just because a focus group likes something doesn't mean that consumers are going to rush out and buy it," Willey says.
America's franchised new-car and truck dealers "know better than anyone what consumers want to drive," Willey said.
In addition, dealers understand legislation that affects the industry and the difficulties automakers face in creating cars with increased fuel economy, he said. "Dealers also understand the consumer's desire to get better gas mileage."
The National Automobile Dealers Association, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 20,000 franchised new-car and truck dealers holding nearly 43,000 separate franchises, domestic and international. |GlobalGiants.com|
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Posted by Editors at 7:31 AM
January 24, 2008
Paris Hilton Launches New Footwear Collection at Macy's South Coast Plaza
COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 23 -- The exclusive Paris Hilton Footwear Collection USA national launch will take place at Macy's South Coast Plaza on February 8th from 3-6 pm, where Paris will personally unveil her new line of stylish, comfortable and affordable footwear.
Plus, from February 1st to the 8th, girls can not only get a sneak peak of the line at Macy's South Coast Plaza, but the first 200 customers to make a purchase from the Paris Hilton Footwear Collection during that time will also get the chance to meet Paris and receive an autographed photo at the February 8th launch event.
The Paris Hilton Footwear Collection features a range of styles that are chic and trendy -- from sexy stilettos and platforms to must-have flats, wedges and boots -- while boasting the highest-quality components and finishes. Paris -- a dedicated shoe aficionado -- has personally selected the styling, design, materials and colors for the line, while working with the collection's licensing company, Antebi Footwear, to bring her vision to life.
The Paris Hilton Footwear Collection will be available at Macy's, Kitson, Zappos.com, Endless.com, Bakers, Lord & Taylor and select specialty boutiques across the USA. |GlobalGiants.com|
Source: Antebi Footwear Group
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Posted by Editors at 2:14 AM
January 22, 2008
Sergio Rossi Celebrates Opening of Melrose Place Boutique
LOS ANGELES -- Italian luxury footwear and accessories brand, Sergio Rossi celebrated the opening of its 1,500 sq. ft. store on Melrose Place with an intimate dinner at Bastide co-hosted by Sergio Rossi Creative Director Edmundo Castillo and Salma Hayek.
Guests were treated to a specially designed Italian inspired 5-course menu. After dinner, guests embarked on a spur-of-the-moment late night shopping spree. Accompanied by Didier Bonnin, Sergio Rossi CEO, guests walked down the street to the new boutique and shopped into the wee hours. |GlobalGiants.com|