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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Short Film Competition To Win $10,000 and A Trip To Hollywood!


48 Go Green is the Ultimate online international ecological film competition. For two days, contestants race to create a short film with a message about saving the planet. The entire filmmaking process happens over the weekend. Anyone with internet access is eligible to compete. These things make it ideal for those of us short on time and money. This wickedly cool competition will pump your adrenaline and there are many prizes to be won. A Grand cash Prize of $10,000 and a trip to Hollywood! Take advantage of two more opportunities to compete in 2012: September 7-9, and September 28-30.

Source: http://www.48gogreen.com/



Introducing Cognac D'USSE



A New, Bold Expression of Cognac on Selective National Release This Summer
Chairman’s Trophy Award Winner in the 2012 Ultimate Cocktail Challenge


Miami, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — D’USSÉ™, the newest innovation in Cognac, today announces its official brand launch in the United States. D’USSÉ, pronounced “dew-say,” is a bold new Cognac expression masterfully crafted in the cellars of the Chateau de Cognac – a home with a 200-year legacy of creating some of the world’s finest Cognacs.

D’USSE garnered significant buzz among press and high-profile influencers and celebrities via a series of exclusive New York City previews, and earned its place as a new favorite among spirits industry elite by winning the Chairman’s Trophy for its exceptional performance in Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Cocktail Challenge*. The D’USSÉ Cognac range will launch with a unique VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) “quality” slated to hit shelves through a tiered local market roll-out strategy, beginning with New York in June and expanding to additional cities in the fall. The brand will introduce additional D’USSÉ Cognac expressions after establishing itself with its bold new VSOP offering.


“We are delighted to announce the launch of D’USSÉ Cognac,” said Giles Woodyer, brand managing director of D’USSÉ. “With such a rich history in Cognac making, we feel there is an opportunity for a new player to shake up the category with a well-crafted, high quality Cognac. It is the perfect time to release a new expression that is distinctly different and will appeal to Cognac enthusiasts.”

D’USSÉ is a uniquely powerful Cognac that delivers a bold flavor and a smooth finish. This remarkable liquid starts with an intense aroma unlike any other Cognac on the market, rich in woody aromas that are then backed by touches of cinnamon and floral notes. The taste delivers subtle accents of honey and dried fruits. The combination of its bold flavor, smooth finish and honey notes represent a differentiated taste that sets it apart from other known Cognacs.

D’USSÉ is the vision and passion of Cellar Master, Monsieur Michel Casavecchia. “After years as the curator at the Chateau de Cognac, I was given the opportunity to put my blending skills to the test,” said Casavecchia. “I developed my own vision of a distinctively bold, yet remarkably smooth Cognac. With an appreciation for the heavy responsibility that goes along with every decision in the Cognac making process, I was honored to set forth an important legacy with D’USSÉ.”

D’USSÉ Cognac derives its distinguished smoothness and roundness from the humid cellars located deep in the lower levels of the Chateau. These cellars are protected by French stone walls that are three meters thick. These walls interact harmoniously with the nearby Charente River climate to maintain a constant temperature of 59 degrees along with 90 percent humidity year round – which creates the ideal atmosphere for aging Cognac.

D’USSÉ VSOP will retail for a suggested retail price $44.99 for a 750mL and will be supported by a fully integrated launch plan inclusive of advertising/media, public relations, experiential and trade activations, and brand education.

*Please see the following link for a full list of results from the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge: http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/the-results/cocktails/

ABOUT D’USSE® Cognac
D’USSÉ [dew-say] is a bold new expression of Cognac that dares the palate like never before. Born from the prestigious Chateau de Cognac, France, D’USSÉ blends over 200 years of tradition with the inspiration of a passionate Cellar Master who set out to create his own legacy. The result is a uniquely powerful, authentic Cognac that starts off with distinguished intensity and then gives way to a pleasantly smooth, balanced finish.

For more information please visit www.DUSSE.com

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

©2012 D’USSÉ IS A TRADEMARK. IMPORTED BY D’USSÉ SPIRITS, CORAL GABLES, FL. Cognac – 40% ALC. BY VOL.
Related Links

www.DUSSE.com
MPEG-4 Video

Right-click a link below for ‘SAVE’ options

Monsieur Michel Casavecchia, Cellar Master for D’USSÉ Cognac

Justin Noel, Brand Ambassador for D’USSÉ Cognac, making the Lorraine 75

Giles Woodyer, Brand Managing Director for D’USSÉ Cognac


Media Contact:

Carmen Muhammad
(917) 351-8628
cmuhammad@hs-pr.com






Three South African Journalists Probed Over Scandal Coverage

Nic Dawes, Editor-in-chief of the Mail and Guardian.

31 Jul 2012 00:11 Africa/Lagos


South African Journalists Probed Over Scandal Coverage

NEW YORK, July 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- South African authorities should immediately drop a criminal investigation against three newspaper journalists who have sought to report details on a multi-billion-dollar arms scandal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.


The South African Police Service interrogated Nic Dawes, editor-in-chief of the weekly Mail & Guardian, along with Sam Sole and Stefaans Brümmer, investigative reporters with the same paper, at a police station in Pretoria on Thursday, the paper reported.


The journalists were questioned over their possession of information from a sealed 2004 police deposition of then-private businessman Mac Maharaj in connection with an official probe into corruption allegations surrounding a US$5 billion international arms deal, according to news reports. Maharaj is now a spokesman of President Jacob Zuma. Several top officials were convictedin recent yearsof receiving payouts from European arms manufacturers in a 1999 government deal for fighter jets and naval patrol boats, according to news reports.


In November, the Mail & Guardian tried to report on the contents of the deposition and sought comment from Maharaj, according to news reports. The official immediately threatened legal action, which prompted the paper to redact the story and censor large portions of it, news reports said. But Maharaj's lawyers went ahead and lodged the complaint anyway, the reports said.


"South African police should not allow themselves to be used in this campaign to intimidate Mail & Guardian journalists and censor the newspaper's coverage of an important aspect of the arms scandal," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita from New York. "We call on police to halt their criminal investigation immediately."


Maharaj accused the journalists of violating a 1998 law that bars unauthorized disclosure of a suspect's testimony in an investigation, according to news reports. Maharaj also asserted that the paper could not have lawfully possessed the transcript of the deposition, news reports said.


A few days after Mail & Guardian censored its report, private weeklyCity Press published content obtained from another secret deposition of Maharaj in 2003, according to news reports. Maharaj did not file a complaint against City Press, according to local journalists. Maharaj has consistently denied any wrongdoing in response to several stories in South African newspapers, including Noseweek, City Press, and Sunday Times, that link him in high-profile corruption scandals, according to CPJ research.


Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)



Online Consumers Trust Branded Site Ads Most, SMS Ads Least

Photo Credit: Earn2Way.

Online Consumers Trust Branded Site Ads Most, SMS Ads Least


Share37
nielsen-trust-in-advertising-feb-2012.jpgOnline consumers place the most trust in advertising they find on branded websites, according to [download page] a report released in February 2012 by Nielsen and NM Incite. 52% of online consumers indicated trust in these ads, ahead of ads on TV (46%), TV program product placements, and ads served in search engine results (both at 36%). Roughly one-third trust online video ads and ads on social networks, while about 3 in 10 trust online banner ads. Ads served on mobile devices are the least trusted, though: 27% trust display ads (video or banner) on mobile devices, and 26% trust text (SMS) ads on mobile phones.
Online consumers’ trust in social media ads roughly mirrors their feelings about these ads’ usefulness: according to a study released in December 2011 by Epsilon Targeting, 31% of Americans said they find advertising on social media sites to be either not very or not at all useful, compared to just 13% who find them somewhat or very useful.

Women More Trusting Than Men

Data from Nielsen’s “Digital Consumer Report Q3-Q4 2011″ indicates that although men and women show similar levels of trust for the sources that top the list, branded websites, TV, and TV program product placements, after that women show much stronger levels of trust than men. For example, female online consumers are 28.6% more likely than their male counterparts to trust ads on social networks (36% vs. 28%), 41.7% more likely to trust online banner ads (34% vs. 24%), 34.8% more likely to trust display ads on mobile devices (31% vs. 23%), and 24.1% more likely to trust SMS ads on mobile phones (29% vs. 22%).

Tablet Owners More Receptive to Ads

nielsen-ad-response-by-device-feb-2012.jpgMeanwhile, tablet owners appear to be more receptive to ads viewed on their device than smartphone owners. They are more than twice as likely to click on an ad to view the full ad or product offering (24% vs. 11%), and almost twice as likely to search for more information about the business (21% vs. 11%) and use or request a coupon through the ad (13% vs. 7%).
The only activity in which tablet owners and smartphone owners demonstrate similar response is in making a purchase through their computer (23% vs. 20%).

1 in 3 Like Location-Based Info

Among smartphone, tablet, and connected device mobile device owners, about 1 in 3 find ads that offer custom information based on their location to be useful. Roughly one-quarter say they are more likely to look at ads if they have an interesting video, and 20% enjoy ads that have interactive features.

Click here for the complete detailed report.

Top Reports

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
31 Jul 2012
12:30 Most Depositary Receipt Metrics Remain Flat or Slightly Lower through Half-2012 Despite Market Volatility, says BNY Mellon
12:00 Goodyear Reports Higher Second Quarter Net Income 
10:03 A24 Media Heads to DISCOP AFRICA 2012!
09:42 HSBC Further Increases Support for UK Businesses
08:00 DHL Upgrades Direct LCL Services from China to the Middle East
08:00 Zebra Technologies Announces 2012 Second Quarter Financial Results
07:27 Amnesty: Reaction to reports of stoning of unwed couple in Mali
06:26 KPMG Accueille le Groupe de Discussion « Investir en Afrique »
01:02 2012 Flights & Sounds Summer Festival Begins August 2 with a Latin Music Weekend El Flights & Sounds Summer Festival 2012 comienza el 2 de agosto con un fin de semana de música latina
00:11 South African journalists probed over scandal coverage
00:07 Tanzanian authorities ban weekly indefinitely
30 Jul 2012
23:47 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Travel to Africa

23:59 Concluding Statement by an IMF Mission to Benin
13:00 Hercules Offshore Employee Receives U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award








How the Calabar Carnival Can Attract Thousands of Foreign Tourists


How the Calabar Carnival Can Attract Thousands of Foreign Tourists

For instance at the stadium yesterday (during the carnival), a seat at the governor’s booth sold for N25, 000 and I think that we made more than N5 million ($35, 000). So there are products that we think we can generate revenue from and we are hoping to get to a stage where we can concession it whereby somebody comes in and says I want the governor’s booth and pay for it then market it. The same on the carnival routes, vendors on the routes are registered and pay for space.

~ Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State in Nigeria, in Destination, Page 42, Travel & Tourism Section of The Guardian of Nigeria on Saturday January 28, 2012.


Only God knows how much in billions of naira the administration of Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has spent so far on the so called Calabar Carvival dubbed as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party” and as the governor confirmed the carnival is presently in debt, because the state government is not generating much revenue from the billion naira investment in a month long carnival of music, dance and drama with the glitz and razzmatazz of over 50,000 costumed revelers and 2 million spectators in the coastal city of Calabar staged to boost tourism.

But why is the Calabar Carnival not yet a bankable event and not yet the biggest international tourist attraction in Africa? Because the so called “Africa’s Biggest Street Party” is not Africa’s biggest tourist event. The Reed Dance of Swaziland attracts thousands of foreign tourists and makes more money than the budget, but the Calabar Carnival makes less money than the amount spent on it.

The Calabar Carnival is a good concept of immediate past Governor of the state, Donald Duke who started it in 2004, but it has been mismanaged by opportunistic jobbers and political contractors like the other equally mismanaged Tinapa with an ultra modern film studio that has attracted more lizards and spiders than filmmakers.

Personally I like carnivals, but only when they are not bacchanalian feasts of debauchery of orgies of sex by hordes of “dogs” in heat.
The most famous carnival is the Brazilian Carnival which originated in Rio de Janeiro in 1641 when the city's bourgeoisie imported the practice of holding balls and masquerade parties from Paris. It originally mimicked the European form of the festival, later absorbing and "creolizing" elements derived from Native American and African cultures. Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia.

The Calabar Carnival begins on every 1st of December and lasts till 31st , with almost copycats and replicas of the Brazilian carnival on parade.

Last December, the different bands Masta Blasta, Seagull, Freedom, Bayside and Passion 4 competed to interpret the theme of the Carnival, which was “Endless Possibilities”, but might as well also mean the endless financial liabilities of the jamboree with many useless events like the football competition and wasting money on foreign entertainers like Nelly, Kirk Franklin, Sean Kingston, Rick Ross, Akon and even the defunct American bands like Midnight Star, Sky, Cool and the Gang and others specially resurrected for the Calabar Carnival and get paid what they would never have earned playing in New York.

There are some niche events in the Calabar Carnival that will be enough to attract thousands of foreign tourists than the indigenes and make millions even in a week without stretching them unnecessarily for one month of monotonous activities repeated by the same bands every year. The Boat regatta, Christmas Village and live music concerts and Governor’s Masked Ball should be strictly for paying audiences.

You don’t need one month to do a great street carnival, except it is a conduit for sleaze and public graft and a colourful camouflage for an annual government racket.:)

The famous Rio de Janeiro's Carnival does not last more than a week and last year’s edition started on Saturday, February 18th and ended on Tuesday, February 21. In 2011, attracting over 4.9 million people, of which only 400,000 were foreigners.

The Calabar Carnival should just be reduced to a one week panorama of the tourist attractions of Cross River State and Nigeria and don’t waste tax payers money on the importation of American hip hop artistes, because they have little or no attraction for the foreign tourists who are more interested in seeing the awesome displays of our cultural heritage than gyrating or shay shying to American hip hop musicians they have already seen many times over at live concerts in America and Europe and on TV. Moreover, the Calabar Carnival should look more original and unique and not a Nigerian imitation of the Brazilian carnival. The only way you can make the Calabar Carnival an international tourist attraction is by offering something new and something original that will be a fantastic kaleidoscope of the rich culture of Cross River and Nigeria which foreign tourists cannot see outside Calabar.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Publisher/Editor
Nigerians Report
Nigerian Times
CEO, International Digital Post Network Limited
Founder, Eko International Film Festival,
Founder/CEO, Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema





Monday, July 30, 2012

Samsung Rises to the Top, While Acer Struggles


30 Jul 2012 13:41 Africa/Lagos

The Results Are in for RESCUECOM's 2012 Q2 Computer Reliability Report; Samsung Rises to the Top, While Acer Struggles

SYRACUSE, N.Y., July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "As we indicated at the beginning of 2012, Samsung has been making significant strides. Lenovo/IBM has continued to prove very reliable," stated David Milman, CEO of RESCUECOM. "While Apple has increased its market share of PCs sold over the last two years, their reliability, while still strong, has taken some hits."

RESCUECOM's report includes all manufacturers with a market share of at least one percent and is a significant resource for PC purchasers as well as computer marketers and specialists.

Computer Reliability Report scores for 2012 Q2 are:

Samsung (422)
Lenovo/IBM (255)
Asus (159)
Apple (130)
Toshiba (117)
HP/Compaq (109)
Dell (79)
Sony (49)
Acer (28)

The RESCUECOM Computer Reliability Report is a factual, unbiased review of today's personal computer manufacturers. RESCUECOM defines reliability as the physical reliability of the computers plus the after the sale computer support of the manufacturers.

In analyzing the computer reliability scores for the second quarter of 2012, we see the PC market shifting in response to the economy and the increasing popularity of tablet computers. The tablet computer and the expected release of Windows 8 in the fall of this year are of significance in the decrease in overall PC shipments when compared to last year's figures. Apple has made significant market share gains over the last two years, yet the need for computer repair for Apple computers has caused this manufacturer to only rank third or fourth in RESCUECOM's 2011 and 2012 computer reliability studies. Over several quarters, Lenovo/IBM has performed well on the RESCUECOM Reliability Report, while Toshiba has declined.

Click here for more details.

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30 Jul 2012
20:05 Samsung Statement on U.S. International Trade Commission Decision Regarding Washers
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African First Ladies Urged To Synergize For Peace

From Left: Nigerian First Lady/President, African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), Dame Patience Jonathan; President Goodluck Jonathan, and The President Joyce Banda Of Malawian, At The 7th Summit of AFLPM in Abuja On Thursday (26/7/12).

30 Jul 2012 03:04 Africa/Lagos


AFRICAN FIRST LADIES URGED TO SYNERGIZE FOR PEACE

ABUJA, July 30, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The wife of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, has called for synergy, complementarity, strong partnership and collaboration between the African First Ladies Peace Mission and the Commission for the promotion of continental peace and development.


In a goodwill message to the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, which opened in Abuja, Nigeria on 24th July 2012, Mrs. Ouedraogo enumerated efforts by the Commission in effective engagement for sustainable democracy, good governance and peace in the region, and reiterate its commitment to support and participate in all peace processes within “our nations and beyond.”


She said the ECOWAS Commission has already set up a network for peace and security to promote strategic partnership for women empowerment and gender equality in peace and security in West Africa, adding that since women and children are the major victims of wars and conflicts, they should be given key roles in conflict prevention and resolution.

Mrs. Ouedraogo disclosed that some 35 women had been trained in peace negotiations within the framework of the ECOWAS network, with the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the United Nations (UN) Women.


She expressed appreciation to Nigeria's First Lady, her Excellency Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan and her colleagues, for their prominent roles in promoting peace, and contributions to the development of their countries, the region and the African continent.


The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government adopted the Protocol on the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security in 1999 and the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance in 2001, as part of the legal instruments for the deepening of democracy and advancement of peace and security in the region.


Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)

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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
30 Jul 2012

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05:38 SOUTH AFRICA / MEDIA LAUNCH OF THE WOMEN'S MONTH


How Nigerian Advertisers Are Losing Millions on the Internet


How Nigerian Advertisers Are Losing Millions on the Internet

Do you know that the most visited Nigerian websites are not the most popular Nigerian websites?

I know the subject of this article is going to be debated by advertisers and publishers on the internet, because of the sensitive context of the issues at stake.

Advertisers should know how, where, what and when to advertise products and services on the internet and not just placing adverts generally on all websites.

The internet has changed the status of advertising profile with proven records of online advertising overtaking the traditional offline advertising in the print media, but many Nigerian advertisers are still ignorant of the specifics of advertising on the internet, because they don’t know much about the appropriate and suitable platforms for promoting and marketing certain products and services online, especially the advantages and disadvantages of different websites. Advertisers in Nigeria are perhaps among the most ignorant of the dos and don’ts of internet advertising, because they lack the experience and expertise and have not done much to separate the fact from the fiction and almost all of them simply rely on Google AdSense as their alpha and omega on internet advertising and most of them think they are really having a good time so far. But are they?

How many Nigerian advertisers have used comScore?
How many Nigerian advertisers know the following Types of Online Advertising?

Ad Formats

Text ads
Advertisements displayed as simple, text-based hyperlinks are known as Text Ads. As their name suggests, text ads they do not include graphic images. Text ads are sold on non-search websites and can be served either by individual websites, or a publisher’s own ad servers. Client example: Humana Health Insurance
Humana Text Ad

Display Ads
Graphical advertisements featured on websites are known as Display Ads. Display ads are often available in many standard shapes and sizes, including: banners, leader boards, skyscrapers, large boxes, and other sized graphical ads. Display ads use eye-catching visuals to quickly grab catch the attention of website visitors browsing the pages on which they are featured. Display ads are sold on non-search websites and can be served either by individual websites, or a publisher’s own ad servers. Client example: Blair Clothing

Display Ad Blair Clothing

Pop-Up Ads
Advertisements that appear to “pop up” in a new window as users browse a website are known as Pop-Up Ads. Hover ads, floating ads and slide-in ads ads are all considered pop-up ads. (Sometimes these ads are also known as Pop-Under Ads, depending on whether they are displayed over or underneath the current web content being browsed.) The use of Flash and DHTML ads has risen in recent years in an effort to counter the increased usage of pop-up blockers.

Flash / DHTML Ads
These kinds of ads incorporate Flash animation or other motion graphics. Ads may be animated display ads in more traditional shapes and sizes, or, as of late, they can be sophisticated ads that function similarly to pop-up ads but with much deeper integration into the overall design of the site.

Interstitial Ads
Interstitial ads appear between web pages that the user requests. For example, an interstitial ad may appear after you click on a link in an excerpt to view the full content of news story. Because interstitial ads load in the background and do not interrupt the users immediate browsing experience, they are a preferred method of delivering ads with rich media, streaming video, and/or large graphics.

Video Ads
With the popularity of online video watching, video ads have become a viable means of distributing rich advertising content. Currently video ads can either be content created entirely by the advertiser, or “in video” ads that will show your ad within a video. Major search properties like Google (through YouTube), MSN, Yahoo, and AOL all offer advertising on their video websites.

 Email Ads (Classified Ads & Newsletter Advertising)
Ads that are distributed by a publisher through email blasts to opt-in audiences are known as email ads. Advertisers can individually sponsor a publisher’s email newsletter or they can purchase classified ad space. Client example: Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA)
Newsletter Advertising Bacva

On-Site Sponsorships
On-Site sponsorships are ads (typically just a company’s logo) that can be bought on individual websites. Sponsorship ads typically appear in an area on the website reserved for sponsors and often noted as such. Client Example: Connections Academy
On Site Sponsorship Connections Academy

Advertorials
Advertisements in editorial form that appear to contain objectively-written opinions are known as paid editorial ads, or “Advertorials”. Online advertorials are typically featured on publisher’s websites and promote products and services related to the website’s content. Some ad networks will develop, optimize, and write your advertorial and place it on their ad network. Client example: International Federation for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Advertorial IFAW

Targeting Methods

Contextual Targeting
When ads are served based on related content a user is currently reading or browsing online, it is known as contextual targeting. For example, if you are reading an article on a news website about sports, you may see contextual ads for sports gear, memorabilia, or game tickets. Contextual ads are purchased through major search properties like Google, Yahoo, MSN, and through many other contextual ad networks. Ad relevancy is typically determined by algorithms that will assess the appropriateness of the ad in relation to the displayed content. Client example: IFAW
Contextual IFAW

Behavioral Targeting
When ads are served based on user behavior, it is known as behavioral targeting. Behavioral targeting is based on a variety of online factors such as recent online purchases, searches, and browsing history, as well as demographic details such age or gender. For example, if you recently visited a real estate website, you may see behavioral ads selling mortgages. Client example: Connections Academy
Behavioral targeting Connections Academy

Geo-Targeting / Local Advertising
When ads are served based on a user’s geographical location, it is known as geo-targeting. For advertisers interested in targeting users within a specific locality or region, geo-targeted online advertising is an effective solution. An increasing number of websites now offer geo-targeting capabilities. Local advertising also includes network buys through radio, television and newspaper websites, as well as localized search engines and directories such as Yahoo! Local, Google Local, and AOL City Guide. Client example: BACVA
Geo-targeting BACVA

How many Nigerian advertisers know the difference between online adverts and offline adverts in terms of differences in target audiences such as the difference between advertising in newspapers or magazines and advertising on websites?

The characteristics of people online and those offline? The demographics of Nigerians on the internet in contrast to those who are not on the internet?

In most cases, they actually assume that Nigerians online behave the same way as Nigerians offline. But they are ignorantly wrong! Nigerians online react differently to news and information from those offline, because of the different atmosphere and environment since Nigerians online have more freedom than those offline. Therefore, they will definitely react to news and information in different ways.

When Nigerians read newspapers and magazines or watch the TV, they have reactions as can even be seen from the crowds of Nigerians reading newspapers and magazines at news stands on the streets; milling around vendors and discussing the headlines and hot topics of the day. In most cases, they are in hurry to do so and return to the regular daily routines of their respective occupations and professions. But on the internet, Nigerians are more interactive and receptive to the news and information on websites as they can instantly respond by commenting and discussing the issues on the websites giving their rejoinders instantly in feedback to the reporters, writers and publishers of the news and information. So, they are more engaged with the online media than the offline media.

They don’t need to spend any money to make phone calls or post letters to editors or publishers as they normal do with offline newspapers and magazines. Being able to give and receive instant feedback means a lot in modern communication. This is the first and foremost major advantage of online media over offline media. The next major advantage is continuity in communication. News and information on websites last longer than those in the print media. You can always see and track and even retrieve them as you wish as they remain on the websites for days, weeks, months and even years and they continue to attract more attention from readers and subscribers of the websites who have bookmarked them. Moreover, many websites have podcasts of the news and information for visitors to listen and download them which cannot be done offline, except on radio and cable TV.

These numerous advantages of online media have given advertisers more from internet advertising than print advertising, because their adverts receive more attention and last longer on websites than print newspapers/magazine and even more than on radio and TV. Advertisers spend millions more to rotate their TV commercials than they spend on websites.

The main point of this article is to address how Nigerian advertisers are losing millions on the internet, because of their ignorance.

Which are the best websites to advertise your products and services?
Which websites are best for your target audience?
The news websites, discussion forums and blogs or social network sites.

Separating the Sheep from the Goats

Advertisers must know the difference between general visitors, and unique visitors, active visitors and passive visitors.
Useful visits and useless visits, page views, hits, impressions, active Interactive and receptive and positive websites.
Hits

Measuring traffics in hits usually returns you a proudly large number. Hits is also known as request and it’s the total number of files loaded when a single page is requested from the web server. So how hits are calculated? Picture this – a single web page with 20 images (transparent.gif, header-background.gif, etc)is loaded, that’s 20 hits for starters. The web page has 10 photos (jammie.jpg, group-photo.jpg, etc), that’s another 10 hits. if you add up the CSS files, Javascript files and all the external files, each time a web page is loaded, it can easily build up more than 50 hits. If you clear cache, reload the page, another 50+ hits again.

Hits are rarely used to to judge a website’s traffic nowadays as they are not really accurate. The numbers are big and certainly cool, but generally useless.

Pageviews

Pageviews is a calculation of how many times a page is viewed. Say a visitor lands on your main page, that’s 1 pageview. Same visitor clicks to About Us page, that’s another pageview. By dividing total pageviews with total unique visitors, you can get an idea how many pageviews each visitor generates.

Impressions

Impression is more or less a marketing term, normally calculated in bulk of 1000. It counts how many times a element (image, text, video) appears on a web page. If a advertisement network is paying $3/CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions), that means you are getting paid $3 when the banner appears 1000 times on your web page. Here’s 21 ad networks that pays you based on CPM ads.


Visits / Unique Visitors

Visits is normally equivalent to unique visitors. Think of it as the number of different people (different IP) that visits your web page. Visits or unique visitors are the most essential numbers of all, when it comes to determine the traffic of a specific site.

~ From Hongkiat.com. Filed in How-To Guides, Web Tricks.

Many advertisers, especially Nigerian advertisers don’t know which websites are appropriate for particular products and services, so they generally place adverts on all websites through Google AdSence and their AdWords adverts are often rotating on many websites that are wrong platforms for their products and services. But most of them may not even care as long as visitors to these websites are seeing their adverts. The more impressions of their adverts they receive the more mileage for them. But do they get more patronage? What is the use of having more mileage and the increased mileage does not increase the patronage?

Is it not wasting money to attract more people, but they don’t buy any of your products and services?
They simply look and move on.

The advertisers may say they will patronize them later as long as they keep on showing them the adverts over time.
But can we bank on such an optimistic assumption or conclusion in view of the intense competition among advertisers and publishers on the internet?
As the proverbial saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine, is it not more prudent and smarter to spend your money advertising on websites that will best give you profitable results and good return on your investment than to waste your money on websites that will not increase your patronage?

Adverts are not meant to promote window shopping, but to make sales.

Website A may attract one million people, but what kind of people are they?
Website B may attract one thousand people, but what kind of people are they?
The fact is the one thousand people on website B may be more beneficial to your product and service than the one million people on website A.

Do you know that the most visited Nigerian websites are not the most popular Nigerian websites?
The most popular Nigerian websites are of course the ones making the loudest noise on the street and on the internet.

The most visited Nigerian website has between 10 million and 12 million visits every month. It is the leading Nollywood movies portal on the internet and most of the visitors and subscribers are from outside Nigeria. They simply come to view Nollywood trailers and subscribe to the movies they want.

They are not interested in clicking on adverts of Nigerian products and services since they don’t need them in the US, UK and Asia. So, it is a waste of time and money to place adverts of local products and services on this website? But you will see many of such local adverts rotated on this website.

These adverts would have been better served on Nigerian websites visited by Nigerians in Nigeria who are the users of these local products and services.

You see Nigerian banks advertising their premium accounts and accounts meant for pensions on websites receiving mostly Nigerian teenagers and youths below 40 years who are more interested in hip hop music and videos and social celebrity gossip. So, it is a waste of time and money to advertise on such websites.

News and information websites are still the best websites for advertising products and services.

Adverts placed in-between news reports and articles have more advantage in mileage and patronage.

Advertisers should ask publishers of websites for the most popular topics and most visited pages on their websites and the target audiences of these websites to know which particular adverts for the niche products and services to place on the websites.

Popular online bulletins or discussion forums are good for target marketing adverts.
Adverts of reproductive health products and services will be more appreciated in discussion forums on sex and relationships.

Adverts of sports and energy drinks or beverages will be more appreciated in discussion forums on sporting activities like the English premiership and European Championship League.

Adverts of smart phones and other gadgets are best on news and information of hot topics on politics, sports, music, sex, relationships, celebrity gossip and fashion trends.

Therefore, advertisers should not be ignorant of the points I have noted in this article for their own benefit. This information will surely save Nigerian advertisers millions of naira they would have wasted on unprofitable online adverts.

Top 5 Best Google Adsense Alternatives
Here is the list of Top 5 alternatives for Google Adsense. This list is based on many factors like Ad-formats, Payment options, minimum payment etc.
1. Adbrite
Adbrite is the best alternative for Google Adsense. It offers ads for all types of publishers form small part time bloggers to pro bloggers. The terms and conditions are easy to follow compared to Adsense, using Adbrite you can display inline ads or full page ads apart form regular banners. When no ad appears in your site then it shows, Your Ad Here message to attract advertisers. Best for users from US.
Payment Options : The minimum payment is $100 and adbrite offers payment through checks only.
2. Chitika
Chitika is one best online advertising networks. Established in 2003, it got a huge network of blogs and offers ads based on key words. It allows you to display ads on mobile, websites, blog etc. Many publishers are satisfied with chitika, as it make payments equal to Adsense. You can also use chitika along with your Google Adsense account.
Payment Options : Minimum payment is 10$ for paypal users and 100$ for standard checks.
3. Clicksor
Clicksor, the most popular adsense alternative network is available for free. Choose between the different ad formats and target your readers. The pop-up ads of clicksor are more popular, then earns you more revenue than any other ad network. Clicksor pays you every 15 days and through paypal. You can also earn 10% additional income through referral program.
Payment Options : Minimum payment is 50$ for paypal users, every 15 days.
4. Bidvertiser
Bidvertiser ad service is different compared to others. It display a block in your blog and allows advertisers to Bid against each others. Through this you can earn maximum possible income. This network is preferred for high traffic blogs only. So think twice before using this. You can also customize the ad layouts based on the template of your blog.
Payment Options : Minimum payment is 10$ for paypal users and for standard checks.
5. Infolinks
Infolinks is the popular in-text advertising service. Suitable for blogs with less traffic also. It got a huge network with 40,000 publishers. You can earn 70% of the revenue share. You can also use infolinks along with google adsense. Infolinks display ads related to keywords in your blog. If your blog got more popular keywords, then you can earn more revenue from it.
From Dieting.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Highly Recommended

Debunking the Myths of Social Media>.




















Saturday, July 28, 2012

Suspect Detection System's Counter Terror Technology Tested at Railway Terminal


27 Jul 2012 21:01 Africa/Lagos

Suspect Detection System's Counter Terror Technology Tested at Railway Terminal in Major World Capital

NEW YORK, July 27, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

Suspect Detection Systems Inc., (OTCBB: SDSS), a developer of counter terror and crime prevention technology, announced today that the company has completed a significant proof of concept pilot at a major railway terminal in one of the world's largest capital cities.

Several hundred passengers were screened in real-time conditions over a period of four days using the company's proprietary Cogito technology. The large-scale pilot was carried out under the full auspices and supervision of the nation's major security and law enforcement agencies. The pilot was performed in cooperation with a governmental defense contractor.


As a result of the pilot, negotiations have accelerated toward the full integration of Cogito at similar terminals the across the country. The company is currently involved in advanced discussions with the defense contractor as well as local agents.

"Successful completion of a pilot together with law enforcement agents in such a large country represents a major milestone for Suspect Detection Systems and Cogito Technology," said Gil Boosidan, CEO of Suspect Detection Systems Inc. "I am extremely glad that negotiations are advancing toward mass-scale commercial implementation in a large country that is committed ideologically and financially to rooting out terror."

The pilot demonstrated Suspect Detection System's multi-tiered approach to terminal security, utilizing two separate variants of Cogito Technology. The first level employed the Cogito C300R Remote Mass Thermal-based Screening System. This remote technology is employed to instantly isolate potential terrorists and criminals from a crowd that may be carrying contraband including narcotics, weapons and explosives.

The second level employed the Cogito 4M fully automated Rapid Interrogation System. This technology is used to identify suspects harboring intent to commit a criminal or terrorist act, as well as to expose a suspect's ties to larger crime rings or terror organizations. The interrogation system was utilized on subjects identified by the remote mass screening process.

The Cogito Rapid Interrogation System is currently in commercial use by federal agencies and private sector businesses across the world, most notably in Mexico and India. Cogito is also being employed in Colombia, Guatemala and South Africa. Cogito has also been successfully tested in the United States.

About Suspect Detection Systems

Suspect Detection Systems Inc., through its subsidiary Suspect Detection Systems Ltd., is a developer of proprietary counter terrorism and crime prevention technology designed to identify threats in real-time, and prevent incidents before they are carried out. The technology detects the hidden "hostile intent" of assailants - before they commit their intended acts - with a high degree of accuracy. The system can also be used after a crime is committed to quickly identify criminals from among a general population pool, including suspects.

Learn more about Suspect Detection Systems and Cogito Technology at http://www.sdss-corp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This letter contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of Suspect Detection Systems and its technologies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release, as actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Suspect Detection Systems' public filings may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov.


Contact:


Investor Relations
alext@sdss-corp.com
+1(646)863-9729


Source: Suspect Detection Systems



Daily Times of Nigeria Exposes the Nigerian god

How to worship the Nigerian god | Daily Times Nigeria

This is a must read for anyone who is in Nigeria and those outside Nigeria who want to know more about Nigerians and their religious hypocrisy.

I have said it that the most popular religion with the largest followers in Nigeria is Hypocrisy practiced by majority of the so called "Christians" and "Muslims" who throng the churches on Sundays and the mosques on Fridays.
They are the Nigerian fools who think they can fool God chronicled in my book In the House of Dogs [Kindle Edition].

In the House of Dogs
“In the House of Dogs” is an unapologetic mirror of the contemporary Nigerian society with... Read more
$10.00


Racist Baptist Church in America Refuses To Wed Black Couple



A racist Baptist church in Alabama, U.S.A has refused to wed a black couple according to the report on the Huffington Post.






Google Wants You To Search With Your Hand Writing



Google says:

Unlike searching on a desktop or laptop computer, when you're searching on a touch-screen mobile device it’s often inconvenient to type. So we strive to give you a variety of ways to interact with Google, be it by speaking your queries, getting results before you finish typing, or searching by image. Now there’s a new way for you to interact with Google: Handwrite for web search on mobile phones and tablets.



Friday, July 27, 2012

London 2012 Summer Olympics and So Much More

Join the fun in sports!
Thousands have arrived London for the 2012 Olympic Games with tourists and the Olympians making London the busiest city in the world this summer. And Londoners are excited to host them all! You may not be able to be there physically, but thank God for the internet, you will not miss a thing as long as you have access to the world wide web even in the remotest location on earth. Nigerians Reports, Nigerian Times and American Times Online are here to give you the news video reports of the Olympics and other sporting activities around the world throughout the summer and will continue to show you exciting and thrilling sports on this page 24/7. Just bookmark this page now and join the fun on the go!

A God Thing

Friday, July 27, 2012

A God Thing

Help spread the word:


"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."1

According to Jim Green, Executive Director of The JESUS Film Project, "A Jesus film team was driving to a film showing site in a Muslim nation, a remote region that has hardly been touched by the Good News. It was a restricted area, with many hazards for those who would dare to openly share their faith. As the team drove along, they prayed that God would go before them and open doors of opportunity and give them safety.

"Just before they arrived at the village, a policeman flagged down their car. It seemed that an Islamic teacher needed a ride. The officer made the introductions and asked if they could help. Feeling it was an acceptable and necessary risk, they agreed and offered a ride, and continued towards town.

"You can imagine the anxiety the team must have felt when this highly respected teacher asked, 'Tell me, are you the ones planning to tell people about God?'

"Entrusting themselves to the Lord, they responded, 'Yes, we are.' Apprehension turned to astonishment as they listened to what this teacher said next. Bouncing along the dusty road, the teacher told the team how he had experienced a unique dream.

"'I was told to come to this spot in the road, at this time, and that I would encounter someone who would tell me about God. It must be you.'

"They gave him some literature that JESUS film teams carry in the local language, and invited him to come the showing of JESUS that night. He not only came but also helped distribute literature to the people!"2

It is my personal conviction that if an individual sincerely seeks God and his truth, God will reveal himself to him/her in whatever way or through whomever he chooses.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that whenever I or anyone sincerely seeks you with all their heart, they will find you. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

For more information about "Jesus Christ: Is He God or Man?" click on http://tinyurl.com/award

For help to know Jesus personally click on: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

1. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV).
2. Jim Green, Executive Director of The JESUS Film Project, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Monthly report letter, July 8, 2005.



Click to watch the JESUS film...



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