Mediabrands has quietly begun rolling out its third media agency, Brand Programming Network.the company has indicated that the new shop would operate in 14 countries around theworld with start-up billings of $900 million. In addition to the U.S., the agency has offices in India, where operations recently began. 

BPN will also conduct business in Europe andLatin America.Initial BPN clients include Heineken, GSK, Staples and Hyundai.the new agency has been in the works for over a year. Mediabrands CEO Matt Seiler confirmed plansfor BPN last September. At the time, he said a key driver for launching the new shop was to enable the company to pitch new business in categories where Mediabrands’ other agencies — UM andInitiative — had conflicting accounts.Seiler said the new agency would aggressively pursue pay-for-performance compensation models and utilize new technologies that would enable it topursue more assignments with fewer offices and personnel than traditional media shops. the new agency is also expected to focus sharply on brand health metrics and social media.When BPNlaunched in India in June, as part of IPG’s Lintas Media Group, Lintas CEO Lynn de Souza stated: “For media agencies thus far, the starting point has always been the advertiser. BPN willfocus on the brand. the time has come to make the brand the hero of all communication effort, and BPN has developed processes to do just that.”BPN clients in the Indian marketinclude consumer-goods company Jyothy-Henkel, bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj Auto, Amul Hosiery, and lighting and appliance maker Bajaj Electricals.Overseeing India’s BPNoperation is Suresh Balakrishna, who was hired in January as CEO to get the unit up and running. Balakrishna indicated that BPN would work closely with Mediabrands sibling agencies Lintas InitiativeOutdoor, which he also oversees, and digital shop Reprise Media.“BPN will focus on promoting brand programming using social media as a key source of information to reach consumers atevery touchpoint,” he stated. “This agency will be characterized by its agility, creativity and understanding of new [media] avenues.”Mediabrands officials confirmed inMay that in the U.S., BPN would report to Brian McMahon, the CEO of Orion Trading, the Mediabrands unit that specializes in trading corporate assets for ad time and space. To date, the company has nothired — or at least not publicly identified — who will run the day to day operations of the new shop in the U.S.

Mediabrands Rolls Out BPN, Operating Worldwide

An annular solar eclipse will be visible Sunday afternoon and evening from China and Japan across the International Date Line (effectively commencing Monday and continuing on Sunday!) and across the eastern Pacific and southwestern U.S.

The direct path, where the eclipse be essentially total, extends from northern California to western Texas. Outside this region, the eclipse will be partial, offering a beautiful crescent-shaped slice out of the sun.

In Central Ohio, the moon will begin to take a “bite” out of the solar disk around 8:04 p.m., as the sun begins to set and quickly dips below the tree line, limiting our view to the point of barely registering. 

Due to the low sun angle and attenuation in the hazy atmosphere, a projection hole will not work as an indirect means of observation.

The partial eclipse locally will be less than 10 percent at best and quickly diminish as the sun lowers in the sky. The best views here will undoubtedly be on websites such as NASA.

An annular eclipse occurs when the moon covers most, but not all, of the sun as it passes in between the solar surface and Earth. The visible portion of sun surrounding the “black hole” caused by the moon will appear as a spectacular luminous ring.

Astronomers caution that there is NO safe way to directly view the sun — not through sunglasses nor a telescope — even during a partial eclipse. The only option is specially coated eclipse glasses such as those available through Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware.

Click the link above for more information on safe viewing.

For additional information, stay with NBC4 and refresh nbc4i.com.to submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.MORE: NBC4 Local News | Local Crime NewsNBC4 SPORTS: Sports News, VideoNBC4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video

Annular Solar Eclipse Sunday Is 1st In 18 Years

I have published on (and bought)  Apple all the way down in the $590s, $580s and $560s.  I bought more Apple at $532.  Buying Apple on unexplained stock dips (ie, $85 in 2008) has proven fortuitous.  I believe that today, with Apple in the $530-$540s, represents the same opportunity.  Zig and build a position in Apple, while the rest of the (media) world is zagging and focused on Facebook.  What does Apple have going for it?

China:  Revenues in China were up over three-fold year-over-year to $7.9B, representing the biggest quarter for Apple in China in the company’s history.  Apple has just four stores on mainland China and one in Hong Kong.   and, so far, the iPad is not yet available in China.  the potential for China remains large with the growth in the sheer size of China’s middle class.  the middle class in Asia Pacific is already larger than that of the US:  525M vs 338M.  and by 2020, Asia Pacific’s will grow by three times while the US will remain roughly the same, resulting in enormous purchasing power.   it is no secret that the Chinese market likes branded, Western goods, with purchasing in China driving higher end apparel, jewelry and auto sales.  Apple will benefit, as already demonstrated in the last quarter.

Facebook faces challenges in China with decelerating adoption.

Enterprise:  Historically, the enterprise has been a difficult market for Apple, with the exception of graphics design departments.  IT departments supported WinTel…that is, until the iPhone came along.  iPhone’s rapid adoption by enterprise-insiders forced IT departments to follow suit, much like the Palm Pilot did way back.  but the adoption within enterprise of the iPhone pales in comparison to the iPad.  as of the last earnings report, the iPad had 95% support within the Fortune 500 and 75% within the Global 500.  the iPad has had the strongest adoption into the enterprise of any product, because it has features that are compelling to its users.

Most enterprises frown of use of Facebook at work.

Mobile & Revenue:  Apple has over 250M iTunes accounts.  Over 25 Billion apps have been downloaded in less than four years.  iCloud installed base reached 125M at end of last quarter, since launch in October.  Over 275M iPhones and iPads have been sold.  iPhone and iPad related revenues and services exceeded $29B in the last quarter.  Apple can monetize mobile.

Facebook has 483 mobile users and its growth is increasing.  However, Facebook hasn’t figured out how to monetize mobile, nor has any other ad-based revenue model.

Products:  Forrester estimates that 375M tablets will be sold in 2016 (vs 56 M in 2011), or a 6-fold increase.  of these, 53% of the installed base, or the products being used, is expected to be Apple.  Similar to the above mobile argument, Apple makes money on product sales, and ongoing app sales.  moreover, Apple also makes money on software for the iPad (ie iWorks) and accessories.

Earnings Momentum:  the second fiscal quarter has seasonally been Apple’s weakest.  This is the quarter that just reported with the second highest earnings of any quarter in history.   Apple made $12.30 per share.

Facebook just reported its second quarter and earnings went down.  moreover, analysts are estimating that Facebook will earn $2 per share in 2013.

Disruptive Technology:  Apple gave us iPods, iPhones, iPads and flash-based memory laptops.  Apple disrupted how the music industry operates with iTunes and how the carrier industry operated with iPhones and Apps.  Apple has created its own “social network” of Apple users through Ping on iTunes and iMessage on the iPhone (a private, Apple-based text service).

Catalysts Driving Apple to $800 by Year End; Psst Facebook Does Not Have Them

File | The Saginaw NewsThe Mid Michigan Waste Authority, or MMWA, reminds customers there is no garbage collection on memorial day. Community members should wait a day to put out their trash the week of may 28.

SAGINAW, MI —

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday, may 28, trash collection push trash collection back for 35 communities in Saginaw County, according to a press release from the Mid Michigan Waste Authority, or MMWA.

All MMWA communities with collections on Monday — parts of Saginaw and Saginaw Township, Merrill and Brant, Jonesville, Kochville, Lakefield, Marion and Swan Creek townships — should not put there garbage out until Tuesday, according to the release.

All other communities served by MMWA also should put their trash out one day later than usual.

Memorial Day will push Saginaw County trash collection back a day

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‘The Bachelorette’ host: Emily Maynard’s new season is very different

  +5

What the Hell !!! What? is he trying to make life imitate art? Since the show, this is the second time around form him with the DUI thing, I think. What’s up with that “Lost” cast and DUI’s? Weird? And disappointing, Matt. thought you had it a little more together than the rest. Apparently not. Knock it off and get another gig to entertain us. And stop the crap.

Matthew Fox Arrested for DUI

Wins are an inexact way of measuring the quality of a pitcher.

You can get wins without pitching very well and you can get losses or no-decisions while pitching splendidly, so the stat is obviously detached from the performance of just one player.

The 15-game winning streak Ivan Nova lugged into Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, then, wasn’t just about Nova.

And the fact that it came to an end with Nova’s first loss since last June also isn’t just about Nova. He didn’t pitch a spectacular game, but he pitched better than he has in plenty of games over the course of the streak.

The result was still a 5-0 loss, though, because the Yankee lineup’s offensive threats are pretty much down to Derek Jeter. after scoring a rather unimpressive three runs through the first 10 innings of the series, the Yankees were shut out over the final 17 on their way to two straight losses.

Jake Arrieta was the guy shutting them down on Thursday night, a major change from the normal course of events when the Yankees meet up with the Baltimore nine. Pitchers like Arrieta have been launching pads for Yankee scoring jags in past years, but things are going well for the Orioles these days and they wind up with the rare series win in the Bronx as a result.

Series with the Orioles are usually the baseball equivalent of a spa retreat. you eat well and work out some, but really you just spend a few days recharging your batteries by doing things that make you feel better about yourself so that you can conquer the world once you’re back at work.

The Yankees didn’t get to do anything fun, they didn’t get to taste anything other than gruel and they left feeling worse about themselves because every moment was spent focusing on their shortcomings.

Nova got through six innings allowing just two runs, but Joe Girardi pushed him an inning too long. perhaps he was overly aware of the streak and trying to get Nova a win, but the seventh was the moment when a close game came apart.

Nova gave up a homer to Nick Markakis, hit Adam Jones and left after a Matt Wieters double made it a 4-0 Orioles lead. that was insurmountable thanks to the punchless wonders in the lineup, a lineup that lost another key part on Wednesday.

Eric Chavez likely suffered a concussion diving for a ball in the field, which is both predictable and cruel. Predictable because Chavez was overdue for an injury and cruel because the Yankees are already down two starters in a lineup that’s struggling much more than makes sense right now.

Perhaps they just need to get away from the Orioles to find their games.

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Orioles Games Are Supposed to Be Easier

The Warriors need a reliable starting small forward. Dorell Wright has had an off year, and at his best he really only offers three-point shooting. He’s a mediocre defender, and doesn’t always make the smartest decisions with the ball. He’s not incredibly athletic, and at 6’8″, 205 pounds, he’s not bringing much else to the table.

Brandon Rush is a nice alternative, but he’s definitely more productive as an energy player off the bench than a consistent starter. He offers a little bit of everything, but I don’t see him contributing starter’s minutes anytime soon. The same goes for Dominic McGuire.

Therefore, I think any conversation on who the Dubs should draft has to start with Harrison Barnes. He’s a versatile scorer, and though his percentages leave much to the imagination, he has a lot of room to grow into an NBA offense, especially with elite shooters positioned around him. 

In his time at UNC, Barnes has shown himself to be rather clutch. He plays much better on the ball than off, and could possibly have a rocky start with the Warriors because of that. However, he’s got a great basketball mind, in addition to a body built for playing defense, with a 6’11″ wingspan.

Once Barnes gets acclimated to the NBA, he could be a marked improvement of Dorell Wright at the starting 3.

Breaking Down the Warriors’ Draft Options If They Get a Top-7 Pick

Quite a sales booster!

While all the analysts are fidgeting in anticipation for Apple’s Q1 earnings call, Verizon has announced its earnings report for the first quarter of this year.

According to the official statement, Verizon activated 3.2 million iPhones on its network – down from the 4.3 million in the previous quarter.

Despite the figures painting quite a negative picture, thanks to the global demand of the iPhone 4S growing in the first quarter (namely the mid-January launch in China as well as the China Telecom expansion back in March), analysts believe Apple’s popular iPhone commodity will keep them in good stead.  

In addition to the financial results, Verizon also announced its plans for the forthcoming months. The carrier plans to invest in infrastructure as well as deploy 4G networks, fueling rumours that the next iPhone will come with LTE connectivity.

Industry experts believe that Verizon’s announcement is just the first hint towards Apple’s next week earnings call. Some national markets where the new iPhone 4S reached earlier this year, including China, could help Apple compensate for the post-Christmas decline in sales.

Source: MacRumors

iPhone 4 And 4S Represent Half Of Verizon Smartphone Sales In Q1

“This is about the waste of taxpayer dollars, and if you can sense my anger and frustration, you should see it at home, where we have got double-digit unemployment, the highest foreclosure rate in the nation, people out of work – twice the national average,” said Rep. Jeff Denham, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, who represents a district in Central California.

“A Lot Of Waste In the GSA”

A lawmaker on Tuesday said that one member of the GSA's regional commission spent 17 days in the South Pacific, and that the private sector doesn't work in that manner.

“I think it's time we start talking about what we do instead of the GSA because there are a lot of waste in the GSA,” said Lou Barletta, a Republican member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He added that the more than $800,000 spent by the agency should be a “farewell party.”

The Transportation Committee has said that since 2011 it has been requesting detailed information from the GSA regarding the unexplained increases in the agency's budget in recent years.

Lavish Spending

On April 2 this year, Inspector General Brian Miller released a report that revealed that in 2010 the GSA spent more than $800,000 in taxpayers' money for a conference in Las Vegas. Public money also paid for clothing for GSA employees, tuxedo rentals, and more.

Lawmakers are also particularly concerned about the waste that occurred in the forms of “hats off” rewards, for which GSA employees were given iPods and other electronics, and gift cards on the taxpayers' dime.

“Somebody needs to be held accountable,” said Democratic Congressman Tim Walz.

Lawmakers are also trying to understand how a $9,000 cash bonus was paid to Jeffrey Neely, the regional executive responsible for the conference — while  federal employees were facing a pay freeze.

Neely was not at Tuesday's hearing. He exercised his right to remain silent at Monday's hearing, conducted by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

The GSA is the principal procurement agency for the federal government, acquiring office space, vehicles and supplies, with more than 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $26 billion.

The scandal came to light after GSA Deputy Administrator Susan Brita blew the whistle by asking Inspector General Miller to investigate the 2010 conference. she also shared her concerns with Robert Peck, the former commissioner of the Public Buildings Service.

Following the investigation, administrator Martha Johnson resigned April 2. Two others, including Peck, were fired. several employees have been placed on administrative leave.

Brita told lawmakers that she shared their “anger and disappointment in GSA's conduct.”

When asked about a $30,000 pool party, Peck said he wasn't aware of the cost and that he thought it was part of a package provided by the hotel.

Johnson has since apologized for to the public for the excess.

“As the head of the Agency, I am responsible,” she said at the initial hearing on Monday.

According to her testimony, in the late 1990s the Western Regions' Conference was usually “economical, straightforward set of training sessions.” she said that have since evolved into a “raucous, extravagant, arrogant, self-congratulatory event that ultimately belittled federal workers and would stain the very work that other committed staff and I were preparing to do.”

Steps Toward Repayment

Brita said steps are being taken to recover taxpayers' money, which include billing executives for money spent on private parties and other personal benefits.

Fox News reported that an initial bill of $5,600 has been sent in the form of invoices to three top officials. the largest bill, for $2,717.09, reportedly went to Neely.

Watch the hearing in the video below:

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GSA Hearing: Lawmaker Says $823,000 Spending Should Be A “Farewell Party” To Agency