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Photo: In Palisades, NY, Stanley Litow (left), IBM’s VP of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, names recipients of Smarter Cities Challenge grants at the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Summit. (left to right) Winning mayors include: Mayor Miro Weinberger, Burlington, Vermont; Mayor Jose Fortunati of Porto Alegre, Brazil, The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor Alderman Gavin Robinson, Belfast, UK; Mayor Madeline Rogero, Knoxville, Tennessee; and Mayor Dwight Jones, Richmond, Virginia. IBM’s largest philanthropic initiative, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city, US$50 million competitive grant program that assigns teams of IBM experts to winning cities to analyze key issues. (Source: IBM).
Photo: Cities are Reaching their Limit Infographic (Credit: IBM)
Photo: Representatives from IBM and Singapore Economic Development celebrate the opening of the IBM Supply Chain Analytics Center of Competency. (Credit: IBM)
• IBM today named 31 cities globally as recipients of IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge grants for 2013.
Launched in 2011, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city, US$50 million competitive grant program. The program assigns a team of six top IBM experts to each winning city to study a key issue identified by the city’s leadership.
IBM teams work with city officials to analyze data, soliciting the input of dozens of local agencies and advocacy groups. IBM then provides detailed recommendations for how the city can efficiently and effectively address the issue.
The grant recipients are being announced at an invitation-only summit bringing mayors and city leaders together with experts and urban policy leaders. Mayors in attendance include those from among cities that were previously awarded Smarter Cities Challenge grants, as well as those whose cities are today being named 2013 winners.
IBM said that at the summit, mayors will share successful strategies on topics ranging from transportation and economic development, to sustainability and citizen participation. They will review innovative solutions to the major challenges facing cities today, such as identifying financing, refining operating strategies, improving productivity, driving organizational change, and using data and technology effectively.
Following are the 31 cities that have won IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants for 2013:
• Belfast, United Kingdom
• Buffalo, USA
• Burlington, USA
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Chennai, India
• Christchurch, New Zealand
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Date, Japan
• Faro, Portugal
• Foshan, China
• Fresno, USA
• Gurgaon, India
• Jeju, Korea
• Khon Kaen, Thailand
• Knoxville, USA
• Kyoto, Japan
• Lagos, Nigeria
• Lodz, Poland
• Makati City, Philippines
• Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
• Pingtung County, Taiwan
• Porto Alegre, Brazil
• Quebec City, Canada
• Reno, USA
• Richmond, USA
• Stavanger, Norway
• Trujillo, Peru
• Tucson, USA
• Valparaiso, Chile
• Vitoria, Brazil
• Waterloo, Canada
According to IBM, in year-one and two of the Smarter Cities Challenge, IBM completed work in more than 60 cities globally, deploying nearly 400 of its most talented experts who delivered concrete and measurable results to winning cities.
Smarter Cities Challenge is a variant of IBM’s Corporate Service Corps, a pro bono consulting program that assists governments with projects that intersect business, technology, and society. Since its launch in 2008, Corporate Service Corps has sent more than 2,000 of IBM’s top talent based in 50 countries on more than 200 team assignments in 30 countries. While Corporate Service Corps focuses on the developing world, IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge addresses urban concerns in both industrialized and developing countries, IBM elucidated.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:43 PM | View the original post
This time of the year, as every year, India and Indians across the globe celebrate their most important festival - Diwali, the festival of lights. On this occasion, Longines Ambassadress of Elegance, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wishes everyone a very Happy Diwali.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:07 AM | View the original post
Photo: Apple store employees greet CEO of Apple Inc., Tim Cook, at the new Apple Store Palo Alto, CA, on Saturday, October 27, 2012. (Photo © Don Feria/Getty Images).
Photo: Apple Store, Munich, Germany (© Apple Inc.).
Photo: Apple Store, Nanjing East, Shanghai, China (© Apple Inc.).
Photo: Apple Store, Sydney, Australia (© Apple Inc.).
Photo: Apple Store, Upper West Side, New York City (© Apple Inc.).
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:24 AM | View the original post
Photos: From above, Rolex Sky Dweller White Gold, Rolex Yacht Master, Rolex Datejust Steel, Rolex Lady Datejust, and Rolex Explorer II.
Rolex has presented a wide selection of new watches in its OYSTER collection. These new timepieces illustrate three key Rolex themes: innovation, evolution, and creativity.
According to Rolex, the Oyster Perpetual SKY-DWELLER is an entirely new watch combining practical functions and ease of use. Designed with global travelers in mind, its dual time zone display is easy to read and operate. The SKY-DWELLER is also equipped with an annual calendar that automatically adjusts the date at the end of months with 30 and 31 days.
The new 40 mm version of the Oyster Perpetual YACHT-MASTER in ROLESIUM, a combination of steel and platinum, also benefits from the latest Rolex innovations in terms of the ergonomics, comfort and reliability of the bracelet, clasp and bezel, the company said.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:32 AM | View the original post
Photo: A320 on display at the ILA Berlin Air Show. 14 Sep 2012. © Airbus S.A.S 2012. Photo by S. Ramadier.
Photo: Public-Days A380. The 2012 Farnborough Airshow’s public days included a high-profile presence by Airbus’ 21st century flagship A380. © Airbus S.A.S. 2012.
Photo: Smarter Skies - TIME WASTED PER FLIGHT GLOBALLY. This Airbus Smarter Skies infographic highlights the advantages of flying aircraft equipped with optimised Air Traffic Management systems and technology, which would lead to reductions in costs, fuel burned and emissions. © Airbus S.A.S 2012.
• Airbus’ Fly Your Ideas - a UNESCO-backed biennial competition - is challenging students worldwide to develop new ideas for a more sustainable aviation industry.
Prize winners will get a week of learning with top Airbus innovators and €30,000.
This competition enables Airbus to interact with universities across the globe and students of all disciplines, sharing insight on how the industry leader is developing new technologies for the more sustainable aviation that future travelers are looking for.
“We are looking to engage and interact with the next wave of talents who share our vision for a more sustainable future aviation industry,” said Charles Champion, Executive Vice President Engineering Airbus and Fly Your Ideas patron. “We hope to stimulate ideas and international exchange within the global student and academic community to inspire the next generation of innovators.”
Global enthusiasm for Fly Your Ideas continues to grow, with 111 teams from 55 countries already registered to participate in the 2013 edition.
This year the topics for the competition are: “Energy”; “Efficiency”; “Affordable Growth”; “Traffic Growth”; “Passenger Experience” and “Community Friendliness.” These have been identified by Airbus as the six key challenges of the 21st century for a sustainable aviation industry.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:57 AM | View the original post
Photos: Bridgestone at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
Photo: Bridgestone Battlax Sportbike Tires
Bridgestone Corporation is exhibiting a concept tire of 100% sustainable materials at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
According to Bridgestone, as the world’s largest tire and rubber manufacturer, it is working to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society while providing a constant and reliable supply of advanced and high-quality products to meet the needs of its customers around the world.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:34 PM | View the original post
Photo: Actor Luca Argentero and Actress Myriam Catania attend the Lancia Cafe during the 69th Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2012 in Venice, Italy. (Photo © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia).
Photo: Actress Barbora Bobulova shows her award during the ‘Premio Kineo’ Ceremony during the 69th Venice International Film Festival at Lancia Cafe on August 30, 2012 in Venice, Italy. (Photo © Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia).
For the seventh consecutive year, the Italian automobile manufacturer Lancia (a part of the Fiat Group) is the main sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival, scheduled from August 29 to 8 September 2012.
The new Lancia Flavia ia being used to provide an exclusive courtesy car service. The glamorous convertible embraces the stylistic features of the Lancia brand. Equipped with 175 HP 2.4 litre petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Lancia Flavia boasts generous external dimensions. It can accommodate up to four adults.
During the Venice Film Festival, Lancia will present a special edition of the new Flavia created in collaboration with Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau. This special edition car is distinguished by its seats and armrests completely covered in red Pelle Frau Pieno Fiore leather.
“The new Flavia is the perfect expression of the Italian way of life and the beauty of Italian lifestyle based on taste, imagination, style and refinement,” the company said. “The front wheel drive Lancia Flavia guarantees a refined driving experience unparalleled by any other in its segment, whether tackling the daily trip in town to go to the office or when travelling those spectacular panoramic roads out of town on weekends.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:51 AM | View the original post
Since the launch of the original model in 1990, some 11.5 million Clios have been sold in more than 115 countries.
The new Renault Clio stands out through the following features:
• Sensuous, passionate styling, the fruit of the Renault design renaissance, plus an extensive range of exterior and interior personalisation options.
• Affordable innovative technologies: Reversing camera, keyless entry, Renault R-Sound app, Renault Bass Reflex system.
• Six-speed EDC dual clutch automatic transmission.
• Renault R-Link, an integrated internet-connected touchscreen tablet.
• Comprehensive range of engines engineered to deliver fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
New Renault Clio is the first production model to give full expression to the Renault design renaissance inspired by Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design.
• Renault competition: 150 schoolchildren in 12 countries working for road safety:
Isabelle Franciosa reports:
Renault has for over a decade been raising the awareness of one million children a year through its Safety and Mobility for All program. The YOUR Ideas, YOUR Initiatives competition is part of this effort, giving children and teenagers worldwide the chance to create projects on road safety and sustainable mobility.
The best projects are short-listed and shared at a big international event. In 2012 the 13 finalist teams met at the Paris Science and Industry Museum to present their projects to the jury. The first prizes went to the teams from Slovenia and India. The initiative is part of the company’s social responsibility policy and contributes to the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:10 AM | View the original post
Luxury watch company Movado announced that actress Lily Collins has joined its roster of brand ambassadors. Lily will be featured in Movado’s updated ‘Modern Ahead of its Time’ advertising campaign shot by fashion photographer Carter Smith.
“We are so thrilled to have Lily Collins join the Movado team as our newest brand ambassador,” stated Mary Leach, Movado Group Chief Marketing Officer. “Lily has such natural presence and a unique and confident sense of her own style. She embodies the brand’s core values of artistry, innovation and has a real passion for excellence.”
Movado Group, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, EBEL, Concord, ESQ Movado, Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ferrari branded watches worldwide.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:21 AM | View the original post
Photo: New Delhi, India, June 26, 2012 - L to R: Atul Singh, President and CEO, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia and Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. Image provided by and copyright © The Coca-Cola Company.
The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners have robust plans to capture growth in India with investments in innovation, expansion of distribution network, cold drink equipment placement and augmentation of manufacturing capacity. The Company has announced that the Coca-Cola system will invest a total of $5 billion in India from 2012 to 2020.
The Coca-Cola system has already invested more than US$2 billion in India since it re-entered the country in 1993. Today’s announcement brings the total investment number to US$7 billion since reentry into India. The Coca-Cola India system currently directly employs more than 25,000 people and is estimated to have created indirect employment for more than 150,000 people in related industries through its vast procurement, supply chain and distribution system.
Atul Singh, President and CEO, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, “India is a strategic growth market for The Coca-Cola Company, ranking among our top 10 markets in volume globally and as the largest market in the Eurasia and Africa Group. Our India business has been growing at a robust rate over the last five years, and our goal is to continue this momentum. The country’s demographics, economic and social parameters are all huge drivers of growth and we have to ensure that we continue to grow our offerings to be the non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverage company of choice for local consumers.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:40 AM | View the original post
Photos: Eva Longoria serves New Yorkers first sips of new Pepsi NEXT— real cola taste with 60% less sugar.
Today, Eva Longoria, actress and star of the hit TV show, Desperate Housewives, surprised New Yorkers with a first taste of new Pepsi NEXT, which, according to PepsiCo, is the first cola to deliver real cola taste with 60% less sugar than Pepsi-Cola.
To continue fueling the “Drink it to Believe it” excitement, actress and star of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Paula Patton, will bring Pepsi NEXT to Los Angeles fans on Monday, April 9, the company further announced.
“When it comes to Pepsi NEXT, tasting is believing,” said Angelique Krembs, Vice President TM Pepsi Marketing. “Whether it’s partnering with Eva and Paula to serve up free sips, sampling at local Walmart Supercenter stores across the country or inviting fans to “try” Pepsi NEXT online, it’s all about encouraging a first taste. We know that once cola lovers taste Pepsi NEXT, they’ll believe real cola flavor with 60% less sugar than Pepsi-Cola is possible.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:58 AM | View the original post
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
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
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
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
Photo: Alex Prager. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2012. Press Talk in the Mercedes-Benz Lounge. January 19, 2012. Foto: Brauer for Mercedes-Benz.
Photos: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Berlin, Autumn/Winter 2012. RUNWAY FASHION. © DAN & CORINA LECCA.
The Mercedes-Benz & VOGUE Fashion Night in the Restaurant Borchardt is a popular industry get-together during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin.
On Wednesday evening, the movers and shakers in the fashion industry and numerous VIPs accepted the invitation of Christiane Arp, Editor-in-Chief of German VOGUE, and Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. Around 350 guests celebrated and chatted until well into the night.
In addition to the first day’s shows in the event venue, the global economic situation and its effects on the industry was a topic on everyone’s lips. The fashion industry and VIPs exchanged views in a relaxed ambience. Those present included the mayor of Berlin, film makers, celebrities, top models and fashion designers.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:38 AM | View the original post
Airbus delivered today its 7,000th aircraft, an A321, to US Airways, from the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany.
The 1,000th Airbus delivery was an A340-300 that went to Air France in 1993. Airbus’s 5,000th aircraft, an A330-200, was delivered to Qantas in December 2007. The 6,000th Airbus was an A380 which was delivered to Emirates in January 2010.
“It’s particularly fitting that our 7,000th aircraft is an A321 going to US Airways. The airline not only operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world; with over 220 A320 Family aircraft flying in US Airways colors today, they also operate the largest fleet of our best-selling, eco-efficient A320 Family,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.
Aircraft belonging to Airbus’s A320 family are in use by more than 340 airlines and operators worldwide.
Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is owned by EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. This group - which is comprised of Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter, in addition to Airbus - has a presence on every continent, and employs a total workforce of more than 119,000.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:18 AM | View the original post
Photo: Mercedes Jellinek aged 11, daughter of Emil Jellinek.
Emil Jellinek was a wealthy European entrepreneur who sat on the board of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) between 1900 and 1909. Initially, he chose the first name of his daughter as a pseudonym for his own involvement in vehicle racing. Later, Jellinek specified an engine designed by Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler for the first ‘modern’ car and required naming it after the first name of his daughter, Mercedes Jellinek. That Mercedes 35hp model contributed to the brand name Mercedes-Benz, developed in 1926, which is now one of the most distinguished car brands in the world.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz’s small car — 2011 smart fortwo Passion Cabriolet.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:27 PM | View the original post
Photos: MasterCard and the Western Union Company enter an agreement to offer consumers more choice and access to safe and convenient global financial services. Ajay Banga, President and Chief Executive Officer of MasterCard, left and Hikmet Ersek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Union meet at Western Union’s headquarters in New York City, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. (Feature Photo Service).
• MasterCard and The Western Union Company today announced a global agreement that will make electronic payments, including prepaid cards and money transfers, more efficient and convenient for consumers around the world.
Today, an estimated 2.5 billion adults worldwide are financially underserved, and within the United States, more than a quarter of the adult population is excluded from the financial mainstream. Prepaid cards and money transfers are helping build bridges to provide consumers with reliable, convenient and affordable forms of financial services.
MasterCard and Western Union have been working together to provide prepaid card services for the past year. The expanded global relationship makes MasterCard the preferred brand for Western Union-sponsored prepaid programs around the world and makes Western Union the preferred money transfer service for MasterCard. Consumers will have access to a global network to transfer and load funds onto prepaid cards. Western Union and MasterCard prepaid cardholders will be able to reload their prepaid cards at MasterCard rePower locations as well as at participating Western Union(R) Agent locations.
Western Union and MasterCard are simplifying the transfer of money for consumers by making their electronic payment networks interoperable. Consumers using Western Union for money transfer services will be able to arrange for a money transfer to go directly to an eligible MasterCard. Senders will be able to pay for money transfers using a card or account backed by the MasterCard brand and move funds through a participating Western Union Agent location.
Hikmet Ersek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Union said, “This agreement sets the stage to globalize prepaid services. We’re opening up more options for consumers around the world by combining Western Union’s global network of money movement solutions with MasterCard’s world class global electronic payments network.”
“The primary focus of our global partnership is to enable greater financial inclusion for consumers and provide additional electronic payment options that create efficiencies in their daily lives,” said MasterCard President and Chief Executive Officer Ajay Banga. “We look forward to all of the benefits that our partnership will bring to consumers around the world.”
MasterCard is a global payments and technology company. While The Western Union Company is a leader in global payment services.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:18 AM | View the original post
Photos: Infiniti presents IPL G Convertible — Seductive Open-Air Style.
Infiniti has inroduced 2013 IPL G Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Infiniti is the luxury division of automaker Nissan.
IPL G Convertible combines seductive style with a highly engaging driving experience, the company said. IPL G Convertible is available with an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission.
Other standard IPL G Convertible interior features include a 13-speaker Bose Open Air sound system, Climate-controlled front seats, Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio navigation, memory system for driver’s seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, RearView Monitor and Rear Sonar System, the company elaborated.
Infiniti also introduced its innovative Backup Collision Intervention system at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The system has the ability to detect vehicular cross traffic and other rearward objects while backing up. If necessary, the system will automatically apply the brakes to help prevent a collision.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:56 AM | View the original post
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