| Business big shot: Chris Ronnie
Chris Ronnie likes a joke. Here’s one from the time he played squash with Mike Ashley: "We only played three points, we thought one of us was going to die." And as for the similarities between the two: "You mean our waistlines and chins?" However, the JJB Sports chief executive is finally being taken seriously in the City after more than six months in charge. When he was appointed last summer the 45-year-old’s close friendship with Mr Ashley was viewed with suspicion. Some thought he was on little more than an undercover assignment for the Sports Direct founder, who had employed him for three years until 2006. This sentiment heightened when both bought a stake in Umbro in the run-up to Christmas as Nike, the American sportswear giant, launched its transatlantic takeover raid.
Writers discuss turning books to movies
People become attached to those characters and they really long for redemption for Amir, for him to make up for what he has done, to heal those wounds," he said. As a novelist himself, having written "25th Hour" and adapted the screenplay for director Spike Lee, Benioff said he "felt an extra layer of pressure -- I didn't want to let Khaled down. I liked him a lot and respected him a lot and he was a real ally. ... When it's your own book, you want the movie to be good but there's less pressure." Veteran Ronald Harwood already has an Oscar for adapting 2002's "The Pianist," but still found himself pacing his Paris flat for weeks, trying to figure a way into "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." The late author, Bauby, was the editor of French Elle who suffered a paralyzing stroke at 43 and used his left eyelid to blink out what he wanted to say, letter by letter.
Chelsea two good for Spurs
New signing Nicolas Anelka made his Chelsea debut, but goals from Juliano Belletti and Shaun Wright-Phillips secured a 2-0 win over Tottenham for Avram Grant's side. The game was settled by Belletti's 30-yard screamer in the 19th minute and another from Wright-Phillips 10 minutes from time. Tottenham were hoping to record their first victory at Stamford Bridge in almost 18 years but found themselves under sustained pressure in the opening moments. There seemed little danger to Tottenham when Belletti collected the ball just inside the away half, but he moved forward before unleashing a 30-yard drive that soared into the roof of the net beyond Radek Cerny. Spurs should have equalised in the 29th minute when Aaron Lennon's cross found Steed Malbranque, but his volley was saved well by Petr Cech.
What do fake and genuine icewines cost in China?
The cheapest icewine knockoffs can be purchased for as little as 10 to 20 RMB per bottle (about $1.40 to $2.80). So-called best- seller fakes run from 200 to 300 RMB (about $28.50 to $43) and the most expensive icewines – genuine, premier Canadian brands legitimately exported to China – usually cost from about 700 to 1,000 RMB (about $100 to $145). How are fake icewines made in China? Some start with dry white or red wine and then add sugar, colouring and tap water. Others are made by artificially freezing grapes in a freezer – a poor imitation of harvesting grapes frozen on the vine, required in genuine icewine production. Is the term "IceWine Style" allowed? Not according to the VQA Act. The law strictly limits who can use the term "icewine" and prohibits use of "any variation" of the term.
Cross-border shopping: price comparisons
If a Canadian retailer sold goods at the same price as an American retailer, one would have to assume that operating costs and employees' wages, etc. would be similar. They're not. Look at Alberta. There are places that aren't even open because they can't get anyone to work! and some are even having to pay grossly inflated wages just to open shop. This is pretty much the argument Americans that hire illegals have. They can keep their costs down and offer the goods at a better price. Canada is rushing to expedite Visas for workers from foreign countries. We can't sustain this economy with no workers. .
'Fortune's' Fools Trip on BofA, Countrywide
Marek Fuchs gives you the inside scoop on how to separate real bank merger talk from the fiction. Beware. And be aware.
Media
When Herb Greenberg Guesses, It's Time to Worry
1/11/2008 10:30 AM EST
The Bank of America-Countrywide deal gets tongues wagging, even among the normally level-headed.
Market Strategy
They Just Don't Get Conspiracy Theories!
1/11/2008 10:26 AM EST
Marek Fuchs gives you the inside scoop on how to read his "Herb Index." For the first time ever, it is flashing red. Beware. And be aware.
The Five Dumbest Things on Wall Street This Week
The Five Dumbest Things on Wall Street This Week
1/11/2008 6:40 AM EST
GM's headless horsepower; Xerox: copycat; CEOs at retail prices; another dumb online scam; laughing at lawyers.
ExactTarget Signs Over 500 Direct New Customers in First Half of 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- ExactTarget, the leading provider of on-demand, one-to-one marketing software, services and integrated solutions, announced today the addition of more than 500 new customers during the first half of 2007 in industries including financial services, entertainment and retail. ExactTarget has also grown its global organization to more than 250 employees, marked by key executive hires in the Agency and Channel/Corporate Development divisions. As a result of ExactTarget's outstanding 1H07, more than 6,000 organizations -- ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies -- now use its on-demand software to create, optimize and deliver their email marketing communications. Key companies added to ExactTarget's industry- leading customer base include: In addition to expanding its direct customer base, ExactTarget has also added hundreds of new customers through its channel partners.
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