Apple Inc. (AAPL), maker of the iPhone, iPad and iMac, overtook search-engine giant Google Inc. (GOOG) to become the world’s most valuable brand, WPP Plc said in a report today.
Apple’s brand value climbed 84 percent in the past year to $153.3 billion, WPP’s Millward Brown unit said. Google’s brand lost 2 percent to $111.5 billion, ending four years atop the rankings, while International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) climbed 17 percent to be the No. 3, ahead of McDonald’s Corp. (MCD)
New versions of the iPhone and iMac, and the introduction of the iPad tablet, helped Cupertino, California-based Apple almost double sales and profit for the latest quarter. Apple, which overtook Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), as the most-valuable technology company by market value in May 2010, boosted its share of the global phone market and is the leading seller of tablet computers.
“It’s clear that every single Apple employee, from Steve Jobs and Tim Cook to the summer interns, see protecting and nurturing that brand as a top priority,” Millward Brown Chief Executive Officer Eileen Campbell wrote in the report. “Tablet computing also drove value growth not just for Apple, but also for the providers who support yet another networked device.”
Facebook Inc., operator of the world’s largest social- networking site, had a 246 percent climb in brand value, the fastest, to become the No. 35 brand at $19.1 billion, according to the report. Baidu Inc., Google’s Chinese rival, posted the second-fastest climb at 141 percent, to be the No. 29 brand at $22.6 billion.
Twelve of the top 100 global brands were from China, led by China Mobile Ltd. (941) at No. 9 and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. at No. 11. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), which ranked 14th, overtook Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), which ranked 15th, to become the most-valuable retail brand.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Real life: I ran my first marathon at 53
Standing at the start line surrounded by thousands of runners I wondered what on earth I was letting myself in for. I had never run a race before in my life let alone a marathon and, until five weeks before, never imagined I would.
But here I was about to take part in one of the biggest and most popular marathons in the world, The London Marathon. It all started when two of my brothers told me they wanted to run, but were struggling to find a charity to let them take part on their behalf.
I sprang into action and, soon enough found a fantastic charity which helps people with learning difficulties – Norwood – which would let them run. But there was a catch. They said they would only let my brothers run under their name if I ran too!
Laughing at the idea I was shocked when I realised they were being completely serious.
I told them I was 53 and had never run before in my life. But they wouldn’t give up, leaving me no other option than to agree to take part. Then came the next hurdle. Unlike most of the people taking part who got their places a year before the event, I had just five weeks to train and raise £2,000.
I booked an appointment with my doctor and the response I got still makes me chuckle – he said I was mad! But, with no time to lose, I started jogging round the block. But I’m a busy woman and I found it difficult to fit in anywhere near enough training.
I contacted my family and friends and asked them to sponsor me. The response I got was very mixed. Some thought it was incredible and wished me luck, but some were shocked.
One friend even offered me double if I didn’t run because he was worried I’d injure myself.
But I won everyone round and I was overwhelmed with the amount of money I was able to raise in such a short amount of time.
Before I knew it, I was stood at the starting line about to run 26 miles.
The day was incredible.
Surrounded by people of all ages, shapes, sizes and circumstances, I began the race on a real buzz and it was that amazing atmosphere that got me through. I chatted to everyone I passed, and many people commented on the fact that I ran in a long skirt and white hat.
Half way around I noticed a TV crew filming runners and so I stopped for a chat. They looked surprised, no one ever stops mid race, but I had something I wanted to tell them.
I told them my name was Flora, and I was running the Flora London Marathon. And before I knew it I was live on TV!
Crossing the finish line I felt a real mix of emotions, from happiness to pride and relief. I finished with a time of five hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds. The next day I received phone calls of congratulations but nothing compared to being able to give the charity a cheque for £4,000.
From that moment on running marathons became a huge part of my life. I realised how much money can be raised for amazing causes. Since that first race in 1997 I have run the London Marathon every year without fail.
But I wanted to do more. So in 2000 I travelled to America and took part in my first New York marathon. It was incredible, and I got a real buzz.
Every time I ran I raised more money, starting at £4,000 and going up by nearly £2,000 each time. I thought to myself, why stop at just two marathons a year? Why not do more?
So in January 2001 I packed my bags and boarded a place to Israel to run the International Tiberias Marathon.
The weather was a lot warmer, the wind was extremely powerful. I passed a man who was really struggling.
Unlike other marathons, the Tiberias closes its finish line at six hours, so if you miss this you don’t get a medal. I ran with him, spurred him on, and we finished in the nick of time.
I’m 68 now, a great-grandmother, and I’m about to run my 23rd marathon in April this year, taking part in the Virgin London Marathon.
In total I’ve raised over £180,000 for the Norwood charity, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Running marathons keeps me feeling fresh and I plan to carry on running as long as the good Lord lets me.
But here I was about to take part in one of the biggest and most popular marathons in the world, The London Marathon. It all started when two of my brothers told me they wanted to run, but were struggling to find a charity to let them take part on their behalf.
I sprang into action and, soon enough found a fantastic charity which helps people with learning difficulties – Norwood – which would let them run. But there was a catch. They said they would only let my brothers run under their name if I ran too!
Laughing at the idea I was shocked when I realised they were being completely serious.
I told them I was 53 and had never run before in my life. But they wouldn’t give up, leaving me no other option than to agree to take part. Then came the next hurdle. Unlike most of the people taking part who got their places a year before the event, I had just five weeks to train and raise £2,000.
I booked an appointment with my doctor and the response I got still makes me chuckle – he said I was mad! But, with no time to lose, I started jogging round the block. But I’m a busy woman and I found it difficult to fit in anywhere near enough training.
I contacted my family and friends and asked them to sponsor me. The response I got was very mixed. Some thought it was incredible and wished me luck, but some were shocked.
One friend even offered me double if I didn’t run because he was worried I’d injure myself.
But I won everyone round and I was overwhelmed with the amount of money I was able to raise in such a short amount of time.
Before I knew it, I was stood at the starting line about to run 26 miles.
The day was incredible.
Surrounded by people of all ages, shapes, sizes and circumstances, I began the race on a real buzz and it was that amazing atmosphere that got me through. I chatted to everyone I passed, and many people commented on the fact that I ran in a long skirt and white hat.
Half way around I noticed a TV crew filming runners and so I stopped for a chat. They looked surprised, no one ever stops mid race, but I had something I wanted to tell them.
I told them my name was Flora, and I was running the Flora London Marathon. And before I knew it I was live on TV!
Crossing the finish line I felt a real mix of emotions, from happiness to pride and relief. I finished with a time of five hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds. The next day I received phone calls of congratulations but nothing compared to being able to give the charity a cheque for £4,000.
From that moment on running marathons became a huge part of my life. I realised how much money can be raised for amazing causes. Since that first race in 1997 I have run the London Marathon every year without fail.
But I wanted to do more. So in 2000 I travelled to America and took part in my first New York marathon. It was incredible, and I got a real buzz.
Every time I ran I raised more money, starting at £4,000 and going up by nearly £2,000 each time. I thought to myself, why stop at just two marathons a year? Why not do more?
So in January 2001 I packed my bags and boarded a place to Israel to run the International Tiberias Marathon.
The weather was a lot warmer, the wind was extremely powerful. I passed a man who was really struggling.
Unlike other marathons, the Tiberias closes its finish line at six hours, so if you miss this you don’t get a medal. I ran with him, spurred him on, and we finished in the nick of time.
I’m 68 now, a great-grandmother, and I’m about to run my 23rd marathon in April this year, taking part in the Virgin London Marathon.
In total I’ve raised over £180,000 for the Norwood charity, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Running marathons keeps me feeling fresh and I plan to carry on running as long as the good Lord lets me.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Complete List Of Oscar 2011 Winners
1. Best Picture: “The King’s Speech.”
2. Actor: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech.”
3. Actress: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan.”
4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, “The Fighter.”
5. Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, “The Fighter.”
6. Directing: Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech.”
7. Foreign Language Film: “In a Better World,” Denmark.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network.”
9. Original Screenplay: David Seidler, “The King’s Speech.”
10. Animated Feature Film: “Toy Story 3.”
11. Art Direction: “Alice in Wonderland.”
12. Cinematography: “Inception.”
13. Sound Mixing: “Inception.”
14. Sound Editing: “Inception.”
15. Original Score: “The Social Network,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
16. Original Song: “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” Randy Newman.
17. Costume Design: “Alice in Wonderland.”
18. Documentary Feature: “Inside Job.”
19. Documentary (short subject): “Strangers No More.”
20. Film Editing: “The Social Network.”
21. Makeup: “The Wolfman.”
22. Animated Short Film: “The Lost Thing.”
23. Live Action Short Film: “God of Love.”
24. Visual Effects: “Inception.”
2. Actor: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech.”
3. Actress: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan.”
4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, “The Fighter.”
5. Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, “The Fighter.”
6. Directing: Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech.”
7. Foreign Language Film: “In a Better World,” Denmark.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network.”
9. Original Screenplay: David Seidler, “The King’s Speech.”
10. Animated Feature Film: “Toy Story 3.”
11. Art Direction: “Alice in Wonderland.”
12. Cinematography: “Inception.”
13. Sound Mixing: “Inception.”
14. Sound Editing: “Inception.”
15. Original Score: “The Social Network,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
16. Original Song: “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” Randy Newman.
17. Costume Design: “Alice in Wonderland.”
18. Documentary Feature: “Inside Job.”
19. Documentary (short subject): “Strangers No More.”
20. Film Editing: “The Social Network.”
21. Makeup: “The Wolfman.”
22. Animated Short Film: “The Lost Thing.”
23. Live Action Short Film: “God of Love.”
24. Visual Effects: “Inception.”
Pranab's budget spares the axe, reliefs in taxes are mild
The Union Budget for 2011-12 presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Parliament on Monday is widely seen as taxpayer- and market-friendly. While it provides tax relief to individual taxpayers and corporate assessees, it has also sought to avoid any across-the-board increases in excise and service taxes – as was widely expected following suggestions from the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. The Council had said recently that the time was ripe to withdraw the fiscal stimulus of 2008-10.
But the Finance Minister apparently disagrees. He said: "In my last Budget, I had started rolling back the fiscal stimulus implemented over 2008-09 and 2009-10 to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis on the economic slowdown in India. In the course of the year, I have moved further on that path. I believe that a part of the current recovery must be stored away to build future resilience. Indeed, a counter-cyclical fiscal policy is our best insurance against external shocks and localised domestic factors."
So, Mukherjee is obviously not sure that growth will remain robust if he tightens the screws just now. The main highlights of his budget proposals are the scattering of reliefs here and there, with the big sting being left for later. The following are the main budget proposals, and their possible impact.
* The surcharge on corporate tax on domestic companies will be cut from 7.5% to 5%. However, the Minimum Alternate Tax goes up to 18.5% from 18% to keep the effective level of taxation for MAT companies the same. Companies will welcome the relief.
* Individual taxpayers get a higher basic deduction of Rs 1.8 lakh; every taxpayers get minor relief of Rs 2,000. It’s a minor drop in the bucket given the ravages of inflation.
* Senior citizens get a bonanza. Apart from an increase in the exemption limit to Rs 2.5 lakh, the entitlement age for senior citizens is now 60, not 65. A new class of super senior citizens aged above 80 gets an even higher IT exemption limit of Rs 5 lakh. For a young country, Pranab, 76, is obviously rooting for senior citizens.
* Service tax stays at the same level as before at 10%, but several new services have been brought within its ambit. Among them: hotels with tariffs above Rs 1,000 (5% service tax), restaurants with bar and A/C (3%), hospitals with more than 25 beds and with A/C (5%), and air travel (Rs 50 more for domestic, Rs 250 for international). Business class air travel will attract a full 10% service tax. Hotels, five-star restaurants and airlines will scream.
* The base excise rate stays at 10%, but exemptions on some 130 items are being withdrawn. A basic rate of 1% is being levied. Another 240 items that are still exempt will be attracting tax when the goods and services tax is introduced next year. One can expect inflation to get a nudge up.
* Inflation, reforms and black money generation got some mention, but nothing substantive. The amnesty scheme for bringing back black money was missing in the budget. The government is obviously not keen to be seen as reactive to public criticism of corruption.
* Subsidies on fertiliser, kerosene and cooking gas (LPG) will be cash-based by March, 2012. No measures on fuel deregulation were, however, announced. The urea subsidy will soon become nutrient-based. Good in intent, a lot will depend on political will. One can expect the Left to be critical of the proposal.
* The public sector disinvestment target has been upped to Rs 40,000 crore in 2011-12; the current fiscal’s target was reduced to 22,144 crore due to higher realisations from other sources. But it could be because of the government’s inability to reform oil prices. While Indian Oil was forced to review its further public offer due to losses, ONGC’s plans appear to have been delayed. A lot will depend on how the market fares after the budget.
* Foreign institutional and non-institutional investors get more options for investment. While the total ceiling on debt is raised to US$40 billion, individual investors who are KYC (know-your-customer) complaint can invest in Indian mutual funds. This could indirectly give a fillip to market sentiment. Positive for market sentiment, but don’t expect a flood of foreign funds to come into equity.
* Many sops for infrastructure have been announced. While Rs 30,000 crore worth of tax-free bonds will be on offer next year, the Rs 20,000 additional tax deduction available for investing in infra bonds will be retained for another year. Nothing earth-shattering in all this.
* Small sops have been offered to housing, especially low-cost housing. The 1% interest rebate will be applicable for loans upto Rs 15 lakh on houses costing upto Rs 25 lakh. Loans upto Rs 25 lakh will qualify as priority sector loans (against Rs 20 lakh now). One cannot expect any major fillip to housing with this. Realty is already beyond reach in most metros even for the middle class.
Overall, the centre’s direct tax reliefs will cost Pranab Mukherjee Rs 11,500 crore, while his indirect tax levies will bring in Rs 11,300 crore. The fiscal deficit will be contained at 4.6% next year against 5.1% this year, with the 2013-14 target being 3.5%.
But the Finance Minister apparently disagrees. He said: "In my last Budget, I had started rolling back the fiscal stimulus implemented over 2008-09 and 2009-10 to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis on the economic slowdown in India. In the course of the year, I have moved further on that path. I believe that a part of the current recovery must be stored away to build future resilience. Indeed, a counter-cyclical fiscal policy is our best insurance against external shocks and localised domestic factors."
So, Mukherjee is obviously not sure that growth will remain robust if he tightens the screws just now. The main highlights of his budget proposals are the scattering of reliefs here and there, with the big sting being left for later. The following are the main budget proposals, and their possible impact.
* The surcharge on corporate tax on domestic companies will be cut from 7.5% to 5%. However, the Minimum Alternate Tax goes up to 18.5% from 18% to keep the effective level of taxation for MAT companies the same. Companies will welcome the relief.
* Individual taxpayers get a higher basic deduction of Rs 1.8 lakh; every taxpayers get minor relief of Rs 2,000. It’s a minor drop in the bucket given the ravages of inflation.
* Senior citizens get a bonanza. Apart from an increase in the exemption limit to Rs 2.5 lakh, the entitlement age for senior citizens is now 60, not 65. A new class of super senior citizens aged above 80 gets an even higher IT exemption limit of Rs 5 lakh. For a young country, Pranab, 76, is obviously rooting for senior citizens.
* Service tax stays at the same level as before at 10%, but several new services have been brought within its ambit. Among them: hotels with tariffs above Rs 1,000 (5% service tax), restaurants with bar and A/C (3%), hospitals with more than 25 beds and with A/C (5%), and air travel (Rs 50 more for domestic, Rs 250 for international). Business class air travel will attract a full 10% service tax. Hotels, five-star restaurants and airlines will scream.
* The base excise rate stays at 10%, but exemptions on some 130 items are being withdrawn. A basic rate of 1% is being levied. Another 240 items that are still exempt will be attracting tax when the goods and services tax is introduced next year. One can expect inflation to get a nudge up.
* Inflation, reforms and black money generation got some mention, but nothing substantive. The amnesty scheme for bringing back black money was missing in the budget. The government is obviously not keen to be seen as reactive to public criticism of corruption.
* Subsidies on fertiliser, kerosene and cooking gas (LPG) will be cash-based by March, 2012. No measures on fuel deregulation were, however, announced. The urea subsidy will soon become nutrient-based. Good in intent, a lot will depend on political will. One can expect the Left to be critical of the proposal.
* The public sector disinvestment target has been upped to Rs 40,000 crore in 2011-12; the current fiscal’s target was reduced to 22,144 crore due to higher realisations from other sources. But it could be because of the government’s inability to reform oil prices. While Indian Oil was forced to review its further public offer due to losses, ONGC’s plans appear to have been delayed. A lot will depend on how the market fares after the budget.
* Foreign institutional and non-institutional investors get more options for investment. While the total ceiling on debt is raised to US$40 billion, individual investors who are KYC (know-your-customer) complaint can invest in Indian mutual funds. This could indirectly give a fillip to market sentiment. Positive for market sentiment, but don’t expect a flood of foreign funds to come into equity.
* Many sops for infrastructure have been announced. While Rs 30,000 crore worth of tax-free bonds will be on offer next year, the Rs 20,000 additional tax deduction available for investing in infra bonds will be retained for another year. Nothing earth-shattering in all this.
* Small sops have been offered to housing, especially low-cost housing. The 1% interest rebate will be applicable for loans upto Rs 15 lakh on houses costing upto Rs 25 lakh. Loans upto Rs 25 lakh will qualify as priority sector loans (against Rs 20 lakh now). One cannot expect any major fillip to housing with this. Realty is already beyond reach in most metros even for the middle class.
Overall, the centre’s direct tax reliefs will cost Pranab Mukherjee Rs 11,500 crore, while his indirect tax levies will bring in Rs 11,300 crore. The fiscal deficit will be contained at 4.6% next year against 5.1% this year, with the 2013-14 target being 3.5%.
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