« January 2012 | Main | March 2012 »
February 27, 2012
Academy Awards: “The Artist” wins the Oscar for Best Picture
“The Artist” won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday night at the 84th annual Academy Awards.
The producer, Thomas Langmann, and the director, Michel Hazanavicius, accepted the award.
The film also won awards for best director, best actor, best original score and costume design.
Photo: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences poster for the 84th Academy Awards. The art features the iconic Oscar statuette alongside memorable images from eight films spanning eight decades: “Gone with the Wind” (1939), “Casablanca” (1943), “Giant” (1956), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “The Godfather” (1972), “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989), “Forrest Gump” (1994) and “Gladiator” (2000). Credit: © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: For the category Best Motion Picture of the Year, the Oscar goes to “The Artist” produced by Thomas Langmann. Thomas Langmann, Michel Hazanavicius and cast accept the award during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Academy Awards from the Hollywood and Highland Center, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit: Matt Brown / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Tina Fey and Bradley Cooper present the Oscar for Achievement in Film Editing during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards from the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit: Matt Brown / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Jessica Chastain, Oscar nominee for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards from Hollywood, CA, February 26, 2012. Credit: Bryan Crowe / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Sandra Bullock presents the Oscar to Asghar Farhadi for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year from Iran, “A Separation” directed by Asghar Farhadi, during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards from the Hollywood and Highland Center, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit: Michael Yada / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: George Clooney, Oscar nominee for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and Adapted Screenplay, arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, Hollywood, CA, February 26, 2012. Credit: Richard Harbaugh / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Tina Fey and Bradley Cooper pose with Oscar winners for Achievement in Film Editing for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall backstage during the live ABC Televison Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards from the Hollywood and Highland Center, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit: Rick Salyer / © A.M.P.A.S.
Photo: Actors Meryl Streep and Jean Dujardin pose in the press room at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic. © 2012 Jeff Kravitz).
NOMINEES
Best Picture
• “The Artist” Thomas Langmann, Producer — Winner
• “The Descendants” Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
• “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Scott Rudin, Producer
• “The Help” Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
• “Hugo” Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
• “Midnight in Paris” Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
• “Moneyball” Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
• “The Tree of Life” Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers
• “War Horse” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
Actor in a Leading Role
• Demian Bichir in “A Better Life”
• George Clooney in “The Descendants”
• Jean Dujardin in “The Artist” — Winner
• Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
• Brad Pitt in “Moneyball”
Actor in a Supporting Role
• Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn”
• Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”
• Nick Nolte in “Warrior”
• Christopher Plummer in “Beginners” — Winner
• Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
Actress in a Leading Role
• Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs”
• Viola Davis in “The Help”
• Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
• Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady” — Winner
• Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn”
Actress in a Supporting Role
• Berenice Bejo in “The Artist”
• Jessica Chastain in “The Help”
• Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”
• Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”
• Octavia Spencer in “The Help” — Winner
Directing
• “The Artist” Michel Hazanavicius — Winner
• “The Descendants” Alexander Payne
• “Hugo” Martin Scorsese
• “Midnight in Paris” Woody Allen
• “The Tree of Life” Terrence Malick
Cinematography
• “The Artist” Guillaume Schiffman
• “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Jeff Cronenweth
• “Hugo” Robert Richardson — Winner
• “The Tree of Life” Emmanuel Lubezki
• “War Horse” Janusz Kaminski
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 were presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation was also televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:05 AM | View the original post
February 18, 2012
World's Best Student Cities
Photo © QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
Europe outshines the US in a new ranking of the world’s best cities for students, released for the first time today by the research specialist behind the annual QS World University Rankings(R).
Paris tops the table ahead of London, Boston and Melbourne, with six European cities in the top ten. Singapore (12th) is the leading Asian city ahead of Hong Kong (19=) and Tokyo (19=), while Australia is the only country with two cities in the top ten.
• Based on 12 criteria, QS Best Student Cities 2012 takes into account the quality and number of internationally ranked universities, alongside factors such as affordability, quality of living and the reputation of local universities among employers.
Europe triumphs on quality of living and affordability, with tuition fees in top-ten cities Paris, Vienna, Zurich and Berlin averaging under US$1,000 per year, compared to $30,000 in the US. Twenty European cities make the top 50 compared to nine each from North America and Asia and four from Latin America.
London claims the top score for the quality of its leading universities, but Paris has a greater number of internationally ranked institutions alongside superior all-round scores.
Edouard Husson, Vice-Chancellor of Paris universities: “This research recognizes the world-class study experience provided by Paris. We have more globally ranked universities than any other city, alongside low tuition fees. Moreover, Paris has four “universities of excellence” as a result of the IDEX competition.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson: “I’m delighted to learn that London has once again been confirmed as one of the best places on earth to be a student. With over 400,000 students and more top ranked universities than any other capital, London is a great student’s city. With the Olympic Games just around the corner, London is undergoing an enormous transformation. Moreover, we’ve got twice as many book shops as New York, and more museums than Paris. And by the way, our museums are free.”
Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:47 AM | View the original post
February 13, 2012
New York Fashion Week — Best of Runway
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Rock & Republic For Kohl’s Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Mike Coppola/Getty Images).
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Rock & Republic For Kohl’s Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Mike Coppola/Getty Images).
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Concept Korea Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center on February 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Derek Lam Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at St. John’s Center Studios on February 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Rock & Republic For Kohl’s Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Mike Coppola/Getty Images).
Photo: A model walks the runway at the Rock & Republic For Kohl’s Fall 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo © Mike Coppola/Getty Images).
New York Fashion Week for the Fall 2012 Collections is taking place February 9 to 16, 2012 at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park.
The lineup of designers for the event is bringing the fashion industry’s elite to Lincoln Center for the fourth season, as fashion fans brave the winter cold outside to catch a glimpse of their favorite editors, designers, celebrities, stylists and models attending the by-invitation-only shows.
The preliminary lineup of designers this season includes: Nicholas K, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Kaelen, Richard Chai, Honor, Tadashi Shoji, Candela, Chadwick Bell, PARKCHOONMOO, Concept Korea, General Idea, Rebecca Taylor, Brandon Sun, Rebecca Minkoff, Nicole Miller, Katya Leonovich, Charlotte Ronson, Academy of Art University, Ruffian, Lacoste, Porter Grey, Jill Stuart, Son Jung Wan, Mara Hoffman, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Vantan Tokyo, Vivienne Tam, Monique Lhuillier, L.A.M.B., Venexiana, Lorena Sarbu, Lela Rose, DKNY, Tracy Reese, Joy Cioci, Custo Barcelona, Diane von Furstenberg, Y-3, Carmen Marc Valvo, Mathieu Mirano, Timo Weiland, Jenny Packham, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Zang Toi, Emilio Cavallini, Donna Karan New York, Reem Acra, Norman Ambrose, Betsey Johnson, Leather Japan 2012, J.Crew, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Bibhu Mohapatra, Fotini, Naeem Khan, Dennis Basso, Pamella Roland, Tibi, Haus Alkire, Narciso Rodriguez, EMERSON, Whitney Eve, Michael Kors, Rochambeau, Nanette Lepore, Joanna Mastroianni, J. Mendel, Suzanne Rae, Milly by Michelle Smith, Farah Angsana, Anna Sui, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein Collection.
Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express, Maybelline New York, TRESemme, W Hotels Worldwide, Diet Pepsi, Fiber One Bars, ideeli, The New York Times, and Women’s Wear Daily.
“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York is internationally recognized as the premier industry event to showcase cutting-edge fashion,” said Lisa Holladay, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:31 AM | View the original post
February 10, 2012
Gillette Partners with MADE to Celebrate Men’s Fashion at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012
Photo: David Falk, Chef, Boca Restaurant, Cincinnati, parts with his signature scruffy look using Gillette Fusion Power.
Photo: Gillette Champion Tiger Woods teaches his legendary golf trick to spectators as he kicks off the Gillette Fusion “Search For The Next Phenom” contest in Orlando. The contest challenges guys to reveal their most phenomenal skills with a golf, soccer or other type of ball, for the chance to win a $30,000 prize. (Gillette).
Photo: While taking a breather between practice laps, Jewel chats with driving instructor Corey LaCosta during the taping of the new reality show, “Fast Cars and Superstars — Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race.” Jewel, along with eleven other celebrity drivers, including Serena Williams and William Shatner, partnered with the Gillette Young Guns, six of stock car racing’s most talented and popular drivers, to learn what it takes to win on the race track. (Procter & Gamble).
• Gillette, the world’s leading male grooming brand, is teaming up with MADE Fashion Week to present the MADE for Gillette Menswear Program, which celebrates menswear during New York Fashion Week.
The program kicks off with the Parsons Panel Discussion moderated by Simon Collins, Dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons the New School for Design. The panel will feature the industry’s most influential fashion experts. A key element of the program includes a partnership with ten notable menswear designers: Antonio Azzuolo, Assembly, Band of Outsiders, Carlos Campos, NUMBER:Lab, Oumlil, Patrik Ervell, Public School, Simon Spurr, and Tim Hamilton, who will feature runway looks complemented by unique facial hair styles at Milk Studios in New York City during MADE Fashion Week.
The program is in conjunction with the launch of the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler, a new 3-in-1 precision styling tool.
“Gillette is stepping quite consciously into the style space given the increasing role that men’s grooming plays in fashion and overall style,” said Austin Lally, Vice President and General Manager - Gillette, Global Male Grooming, Procter & Gamble. “Partnering with MADE and these prominent menswear designers for Fashion Week is a natural progression for Gillette,” Lally said.
• Gillette, a brand of Procter & Gamble, has been at the heart of men’s grooming for over 100 years. Each day, more than 600 million men around the world trust their faces and skin to Gillette’s innovative razors and shaving products.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:58 AM | View the original post
February 8, 2012
Nissan presents 2013 Nissan 370Z Sports Car at Chicago Auto Show
Nissan today debuted the revised 2013 Nissan 370Z on the floor of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The new Z® features a number of enhancements designed to keep the “legendary sports car fresh and exciting”.
“Since the original 1970 Z® was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:49 AM | View the original post
February 7, 2012
Volkswagen announces New Fuel-Efficient Beetle
Photo: Outside COBO Center at the 2012 NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit, MI.
Photo: Volkswagen Chattanooga team members gathered around the 50,000th Passat. Photo Credit: Volkswagen Chattanooga.
• Volkswagen has announced a new Beetle model — Fuel-Efficient TDI Clean Diesel.
According to Volkswagen, it is its engine and transmission that makes TDI distinct. “The Beetle TDI uses the company’s 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection Clean Diesel engine that makes 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque… and it has fuel economy estimates of 39 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city.”
This model has either a six-speed manual transmission or “VW’s innovative”, dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic.
Explaining its design, Volkswagen tells that this car breaks free of the design geometry defined by three semi-circles—front fender, rear fender, and domed roof above it. In TDI, the roof profile actually runs distinctly lower.
The Beetle TDI Clean Diesel has three models: TDI; TDI with Sunroof; and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:30 AM | View the original post
February 1, 2012
Hyundai Ranks Highest in Customer Retention among 33 Automotive Brands
Photo: 2012 Hyundai Accent SE Five-Door.
Photo: 2012 Ford Focus Launch—Ford Motor Company celebrated the launch of the 2012 Ford Focus with employees, dealers, suppliers, media and other invited guests at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co.
Photo: 2012 Honda Fit Sport.
Photo: 2012 Toyota Camry - Daytona 500 Pace Car 002.
Photo: Chrysler Group LLC introduces Mopar ‘12, a custom Chrysler 300 that goes from 0-60 in the low five-second range. 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
Photo: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible.
Photo: 2012 Cadillac CTS Touring Edition.
Photo: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic.
One in three new-vehicle owners who switched brands say their previous brand didn’t make the type of vehicle they wanted, indicating that striking the right combination of model offerings and vehicle appeal is critical to retaining customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study. [J.D. Power and Associates, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is a global marketing information services company providing performance improvement, social media and customer satisfaction insights and solutions.]
Now in its ninth year, the study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and examines the reasons why customers remain loyal. Customer retention is critical to a brand’s market success, particularly during the current period of market recovery, in which each new-vehicle sale is vital. In addition to customer retention, the study also measures the rate at which each automotive brand captures customers from its competitors, known as conquesting.
Among new-vehicle owners who switched vehicle brands for their latest purchase, 33 percent indicate that their previous brand didn’t offer the type of vehicle they wanted. Although this is a primary reason for switching, other key reasons relate to dissatisfaction with the previous vehicle, including the vehicle costs too much to own or maintain; there are too many problems with the vehicle; and the vehicle didn’t retain sufficient resale value.
“Many automotive brands are expanding their array of models in an attempt to capture more buyers, but this isn’t enough in and of itself,” said Raffi Festekjian, director of automotive product research at J.D. Power and Associates. “Manufacturers need to integrate specific attributes and features that delight vehicle owners to maximize their opportunity to both retain customers and conquest from other brands. Manufacturers also need to ensure owners are satisfied with the quality, residual values and ownership costs of their vehicles.”
According to Festekjian, brands that strike the right combination of all of these aspects stand the best chance of being reconsidered by current vehicle owners for their next new-vehicle purchase.
Hyundai ranks highest among automotive brands in retaining customers when they buy a new vehicle.
“Hyundai’s increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand’s quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade,” said Festekjian.
Following Hyundai in the rankings are Ford and Honda, in a tie, each with a customer retention rate of 60 percent. Jeep posts the greatest improvement in customer retention rate from 2010, improving by 17 percentage points to 51 percent in 2012.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:04 AM | View the original post
