| No-call list has little chance in do-call world
The breathless news is upon us: Canada is one turn of a hamster-wheel closer to a national telemarketing no-call list. Designed to protect telephone owners from unwanted sales tele-pitches ("B.C. sinkholes available now!"), the no-call list was first announced in 2004. Its implementation, in the good old Canadian way, has moved at something less than the speed of an iPhone transmission. .
Iowa takes check scam fight to D.C.
Telemarketing fraud against elderly Iowans has become increasingly difficult to prosecute because those running the scams are often located overseas, a key official with the state attorney general's office told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday.
More than 30 states have joined Iowa in a fight against ongoing fraud that often incorporates mail with high-pressured phone calls. Media reports over the issue snared the attention of the Senate panel, the attorney general's office said.
Iowa is a hot spot for such crime, in part because a large share of the population is elderly and because an Iowa address lends an air of legitimacy, authorities say.
"People who send checks are typically older and demonstrate a willingness to send money to strangers in a distant place.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-08-13 17:29 GMT: Brussels shares close up; Solvay leads gainers as blue-chips rebound UPDATE
(Updates with full report) BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - Brussels shares closed higher as blue-chip stocks rebounded from lows, with Solvay leading the market up after a bad performance at the end of last week, according to dealers. At the close, the Bel 20 was up 88.99 points or 2.17 pct at 4,185.19. Solvay jumped 6.13 eur or 6.09 pct to 106.73 after Werner Cautreels, general manager of pharmaceuticals, said that the delay in approval for its Bifeprunox drug by the US Food and Drug Administration will not impact bottom line figures in 2007 and will likely have a slightly positive impact in 2008 "because of deferred launch costs". Cautreels said that the announcement, which saw shares plummet over 9 pct on Friday, will impact long-term sales growth, but to a lesser extent profitability, and added that the group "cannot provide guidance for that now".
Tourism Marketing Solutions in Demand
A team of tourism industry professionals is strategically helping keep some of our key hotels, venues and tourism bodies on track.
Tania Adolphe (left) and Sarah Hillman, Tourism Marketing Solutions Auckland based Tourism Marketing Solutions is owned and run by Sarah Hillman and Tania Adolphe, and their clients include the likes of Millbrook Resort Queenstown, Lakes Resort Pauanui, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Kourawhero Country Lodge north of Auckland and Tourism Auckland. .
FYI Miami
MIAMI 21 MEETINGS: The City of Miami is to hold public meetings this month on a proposed new zoning code and blueprint for growth, Miami 21, outside of the city's eastern quadrant. Commissioners required staff to hold the meetings to ensure that all residents are able to participate in shaping the plan. A schedule of the meetings, to occur through early September, is at www.miami21.org. The growth plan divides the city into quadrants. The eastern quadrant is under review.
CARNIVAL COSTS: The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts has no plans to ask for money from Miami's community redevelopment agency, said President and CEO Michael Hardy, although Commissioner Tom�s Regalado says Miami-Dade County may ask the agency to allocate 35% of its revenue to the arts center.
FYI Miami
MIAMI 21 MEETINGS: The City of Miami is to hold public meetings this month on a proposed new zoning code and blueprint for growth, Miami 21, outside of the city's eastern quadrant. Commissioners required staff to hold the meetings to ensure that all residents are able to participate in shaping the plan. A schedule of the meetings, to occur through early September, is at www.miami21.org. The growth plan divides the city into quadrants. The eastern quadrant is under review.
CARNIVAL COSTS: The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts has no plans to ask for money from Miami's community redevelopment agency, said President and CEO Michael Hardy, although Commissioner Tom�s Regalado says Miami-Dade County may ask the agency to allocate 35% of its revenue to the arts center.
Authorities shut down Fla. telemarketing firm
A telemarketing firm accused of using murky promises of discounts and free vacations to trick thousands of consumers across the nation out of millions of dollars was temporarily shut down Wednesday, federal officials said. The Federal Trade Commission took action against Strategia Marketing Inc., also known as Suntasia Marketing, following a federal judge's temporary civil injunction. The judge also froze the assets of the company and its executives and allowed federal regulators to inspect and copy the company's business records. According to federal civil court records, more than 5,000 people complained to authorities that the telemarketing firm, operating under at least 15 business names, used deceptive and confusing sales tactics to get consumers to reveal their bank account information.
This Week's IPOs Part I: Amedica Corp. , Concho Resources, Dolan Media Co.
Abbi Adest submits: IPOs on tap for this week include: Amedica Corp. (AMCA) an orthopedic implant company; Concho Resources Inc. (CXO), an independent oil and natural gas company based in Midland, TX; Dolan Media Company (Toronto: DM.TO - News), a leading provider of business information and professional services to the legal, financial and real estate sectors. .
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