Olympics more valuable than Google and only surpassed by Apple?

The Olympics will be the second most valuable brand in the world. Yes, a brand that exceeds in value the second only to Google and Apple, according to a study by Brand Finance, a consultant who evaluated the four-year cycle of games, summer and winter, at about 60.6 billion euros.

The amount totaled only revenue in terms of sponsorship / advertising and broadcasting rights, among which were registered in 2010, the Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, with those estimated for the summer issue of the Games, which begin this Friday in London.

And to Brand Finance, a consultant expert in the assessment of market values, the Games as a global brand, worth more than giants like Google (60.5 billion), Coca-Cola (39.7 billion) and Samsung (48.7 billion).

The Sportcal, another consultant, estimates that the quadrennial games - compete to each cycle of four years, between 'versions' of winter and summer - record revenue of around 10.2 billion euros.

Both companies, however, did not assess, for example, the value of the World Cup and European football, and some disputes this model to evaluate the event in terms of brand.

First, it only takes into account the income regarding advertising and broadcasting rights. Simon Chadwick, sports finance expert, argued that these figures "show the willingness of the issuers and sponsors to pay for the right to be associated with the Games".

"Values ​​are not necessarily an effective indicator of the true global value [brand]", he continued, explaining that the data relating to publicity "just shows the importance that the Games are for sponsors, not to consumers".

Thus, critical to this assessment lies primarily with the disregard on the side of consumers, “perceptions about the brand", gird up the brand value to elements strictly economic.

Chadwik also noted the need to take into account the costs for the host nation, and that will often be overlooked, such as increased traffic and congestion and crime. In addition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which collects only a slice of cake 10% of total revenues, provides favorable conditions for brands that want to join the Games.

 

The entrepreneur says the example of McDonalds, which has no limits on their food supply during the competition, or General Motors, U.S. giant that, even before the Games began, "have had believed that the return on your investment “ that have been around 255 million euros.

Moody's downs to negative the rating of the European Financial Stability Fund

The rating agency Moody's changed the rating from the European Financial Stability Fund for a negative classification, according to the website of the agency.

The decision comes in the day after Moody's lowered the outlook for the economies of Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg 'stable' to 'negative'.

Moody's said that these countries (all now have AAAs) are threatened by the problems facing the euro area, including a possible way out of the euro in Greece.

"Even if such an event is avoided, there is a probability growing stronger that is asked for help to other euro-zone countries, notably Spain and Italy”, considers Moody's, adding that "the burden "should weigh on the Member States considered as more solvents.

Havaianas: 50 years at the feet of the world

A story, a brand, a state of mind.

Brazil has witnessed the birth of their mythical beach slippers for 50 years. Under the slogan “do not deform, do not smell and do not loosen the straps”, Havaianas footwear rose from the people the product used by everyone. The Portuguese have an average of four pairs at home.

They say there is a "love affair" between Portuguese consumers and the brand Havaianas. This is because Portugal is the European country "with the greatest number of flops per capita”, says the official source of the brand. Overall, it is thought that each Portuguese have an average of four pairs of Havaianas, much more than twice that of any other European. But less than the Brazilians, of course.

In the land that saw the birth of the flip-flops inspired by Japanese zori model, exactly 50 years ago, each resident will have at least 25 pairs, all produced in the largest factory of slippers in the world, in Campina Grande, northeast Brazil. It was there that became rubber sheets in 206 million pairs of slippers sold in 2011. All in all, "six pairs of Havaianas are produced per second and 700,000 per day".

The growing demand for these slippers, which in 1962 were dubbed the shoes of the people, led the brand to approve the construction of a new factory to the end of 2012. "It will produce one hundred million pairs and will generate additional three thousand new jobs”, reveals an official source of Havaianas. Will be located to the south in the state of Minas Gerais.

When the Hawaiian born, was the sole bicolor (blue and white) and blue strips. The trend for colorful slippers was due to a technical problem: a lot of flip-flops, which should have been produced in its traditional color, blue, green turned to leave. That's when it started to produce strips in yellow, red or black.

The colors added a flashy slogan - 'do not deform, do not smell and do not loosen the straps' - and they were a simple flip-flops are considered to be a product of prime necessity by the Brazilian government, "he began to oversee the its price as it did with the rice”. He lived to the 80s, when the shoes were sold in plastic bags in supermarkets, next to shelves of detergents.

Conquered the Brazilian working class, the target of the Hawaiian became the middle class. It is not so surprising that some slippers adult will cost 12.90 euros, but there is a pair costing 160. "The most expensive model is the straps with Swarovski crystals sewn by hand by artisans in Brazil."These crystals, such as pins and ribbons in all colors and widths, can be combined based on the complete collection of soles, tailored to each client. The concept is called MYOH, 'make your own Havaianas'.

But the news for next winter boots are designed through a partnership that the mark does not intend to publish. "There will be two models irreverent and very glamorous". In addition, there will be shorter boots and galoshes child “products more orders last year". Will be available at the online store, established in 2010 in 85 countries or Space Hawaiian, a store of 300 square meters, located in Sao Paulo, where all the models.

Russia approved Internet censure

Under the pretext of "combating pornography and violence" Russia increases government control over the Internet. Several websites have joined in protest.

The Russian Parliament approved unanimously a draft law allowing the government to control the content posted on the Internet.

The bill, designed to combat child pornography, promotion of drugs abuse and youth suicide, now hopes the signing of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The opposition fears that this measure is only the beginning of something similar to what is already happening in China, where there is a closed control that blocks access to several other sites like YouTube.

Russians websites fear "great firewall of China"

Faced with protests, Parliament took into account some of the concerns of critics of this new legislation and withdrew more vague language that would make the authorities' interpretation of what is or is not considered "inappropriate content".

Even so, some of the most popular Russian websites have joined in protest. The search engine Yandex, the blogging platform "LiveJournal" Russian version of Wikipedia and closed access to their pages.

With the temporary closing of the initiative, the sites they wanted to alert you to what will be the "creation of the Russian version of the great firewall of China", as one can read in the press left on the Russian front page of Wikipedia, has now reopened to the public.

China censors "anti-party" and "anti-society" content

In China, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said this week, in a statement, which will enter into force new rules on censorship to broadcast videos online.

Censorship will be reflected in a previous screening that will delete any content deemed unsuitable by the authorities.

Like Russia, and consistent with what has already happened, China has justified the measure on behalf of the fight against pornography, violence, pedophilia, drug use and other content deemed objectionable.

In a statement issued by SARFT, there is no definition of what is considered inappropriate or objectionable, and may pave the way for free agency in the selection of content.

Rolling Stones celebrates 50 years of life, entertainment and controversy!

It was half a century ago and about 100 people present would not be aware of watching the birth of the greatest rock band in the world.

Mick Jagger and the remaining elements of the Rolling Stones celebrated yesterday, Thursday the 12th, his Golden Jubilee in Somerset House, London, at the gala opening of photo exhibition that looks at the route of what became the biggest rock band the world.

"This is our history of 50 fantastic years", said a statement from the band, "started as a blues band playing in clubs and have come to fill the biggest stadiums in the world with the kind of show that would be unimaginable for anyone us at the beginning".
It was July 12, 1962 that the band, then officially presented as "Mick Jagger and Rollin'Stones" debuted live at London's Marquee club-basement, a concert that lasted about 50 minutes.

The approximately 80 men and 30 women who attended the premiere of the new band - marked by the influence of American Rhythm and Blues, whose name came from a song by Muddy Waters - have hardly aware of the historical moment they were watching.

At the initial success achieved in the 1960s, followed a few troubled years 1970 and 1980 with a concert with an unprecedented level of production presented in long world tours.

Just keep in Jagger and Richards Stones

The original lineup consisted of Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Brian Jones (guitar), Ian Stewart (piano), Dick Taylor (bass) and Mick Avory (drums). Jones was forced out in 1969 and died the same month, while Ian Stewart continued to play live with the band until his death in 1985.

Of the original will be attending today's celebration Jagger and Richards, to which are added Charlie Watts (who joined the Stones in 1963) and Ronnie Wood (1975).

It is the first time in four years that the Rolling Stones again gather for a public event.

The celebrations of 50 years must be extended for next year, because the Stones feel that the band really began in early 1963 with the entry of Charlie Watts.

"We see 2012 as the jubilee of our conception, but the birth will be next year", said Keith Richards.

Nine climbers killed and four is missing because the Mont Blanc avalanche

An avalanche occurred on Thursday near the ski resort of Chamonix in the French Alps, killing at least nine people and wounded eight. Four is missing.

Spain, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom are the countries of origin of victims of the deadly avalanche on Mount Maudit, the Mont Blanc. The climbers have reached the level of 4000 meters when they were hit.

The missing are two British and two Spanish. At the time they were hit by the avalanche, 28 people in various groups, connected by strings, says the BBC website.

"The area of the avalanche was completely probed. The search will resume Friday, depending on the weather," said Colonel Bertrand Francois, commander of the gendarmes of Upper Savoy.

The alarm was raised shortly before 5:30 am local (4:30 a.m. in mainland Portugal) by a person who was injured on the slopes of Mont Maudit. "He gave up a plate of ice 40 cm thick," advanced as the first element of explanation from Philippe Rumigny, prefect of the Haute-Savoie, at a press conference.

This mountain where the accident occurred is a popular route with tourists summer moving towards the Mont Blanc, the highest in the Alps and the highest mountain in Western Europe.

The Mont Maudit is the third highest peak of the massif that rises in the Mont Blanc, rising to over 4450 meters high.

Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's in the sight of European regulator of financial markets

The procedures in the financial markets from Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch, the leading rating agencies, will be evaluated by the European regulator. ESMA aims to understand the real objectives of the courts by those rating agencies credit rating with banks.

The real goals of the cuts rating by the rating agencies will be analyzed by the market regulator, according to the FT. An investigation was opened to those three rating agencies, whose procedures have been criticized.

The European Security and Markets Authority (ESMA), according to the Financial Times want to know if the Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's are carrying the proper way, or if there are vested interests in the rating cuts - which have implications for markets.

The president of ESMA, Steven Maijoor, points to another major purpose of this assessment rating agencies: verify the accuracy and transparency of their analyzes.

"The bank ratings are extremely important, since they assume as a pillar in the evaluation of the rating of states and their debt," explains Steven Maijoor.

Only since last year, the rating agencies began to provide information to ESMA, after a requirement of the European Union and after the side effects that their evaluations had on national economies - especially those crossing more difficult.

Now, there are suspicions about reverse procedure: cutting the rating is not justified, or may have other goals. States and banks are battered with cuts of rating agencies in a crisis. Given the importance that a decision to either of those agencies may have in international markets, the EMSA decided to proceed with an investigation Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

The procedures of Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's are under suspicion since the period before this international crisis: banks that agencies appreciated (would realize later) did not have the value it was assigned, and they faced even bankruptcy.

Now, there are suspicions about reverse procedure: cutting the rating is not justified, or may have other goals. States and banks are battered with cuts of rating agencies in a crisis.

Due the importance of a decision of one of those agencies may have in international markets, the ESMA decided to proceed with an investigation Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

Barclays may be tip of the iceberg in the handling of bank fees

Marcus Agius, chairman of the Board of Directors of Barclays, is the first to resign as a result of match-fixing scandal of Libor and Euribor interbank rates. The case gained political contours and represents a blow to the British bank. Tip of the iceberg?

Marcus Agius is the first "head rolls" after the scandal known manipulation of interchange fees, carried out by British bank Barclays, whose name was tarnished.

The President also (is stepping down soon) you want to try to stop the case, although the practice itself recognizes that this represents a major blow to the prestige of this international bank.

"These events are revealing unacceptable behavior in Barclays and represent a devastating blow to the reputation of the institution," Agius said, quoted by AFP.

The next chapter of this case will be an internal audit carried out by the bank to realize the scope of this scandal and avoid a repeat. This audit is one of the measures, since the Barcalys will also launch a code of conduct for its professionals.

The bank would not happen again handling cases of interchange fees, knowing that all measures will be little to clean the image of Barclays.

Marcus Agius held the position of Chairman of the Board for about five and a half years, and only remain in office until his replacement is found, according to figures put forward by the British bank.

This past Wednesday, the British bank revealed it would pay about 290 million pounds to stop the investigations that the English authorities and the U.S. were to pursue.

Concerned, attempts to manipulate the interchange fee that Libor and Euribor, which define the price of money in loans between banks, but also in housing loans paid by households.

On Wednesday, another chapter in the discovery of the scandal, with Bob Diamond, CEO of Barclays, to be heard in a British parliamentary committee that will review the case that tarnished the bank.

Diamond is already very unpopular, because it represents a symbol of the excesses of British finance. It is a U.S. executive shall be bound also in this case Barclays.

Obviously, this case manipulation and fraud charges acquired political repercussions, and the British Labour opposition calls for a total remodeling of senior management of that bank, which includes the names of Bob Diamond.

The Labour leader Ed Miliband says that "Diamond was the Head of the branch of Barclays where these scandals occurred several years ago". The case gives rise to a broad debate in the UK, you want to sit in the dock bankers who resort to illegal procedures.

In the coming days, manipulated rates will be reviewed by an independent entity. However, it is feared that Barclays is just the tip of the iceberg of manipulations carried out by other banks.

 

Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee athlete, will run in the London Olympics

South African athlete wins a battle that lasted for years and is authorized to participate in the test of 4x400 relay, at the Olympic Games in London 2012.

Barely one year when he had no part of both legs. What could become a nightmare, before it became an unbelievable strength of victory, a real proof of life. Trained for years, until you get to Olympic glory, the first Paralympic Games, now with the possibility of repeating the most respected.

Oscar Pistorius, the famous double-amputee runner, has leave of the Court of Arbitration for Sport to participate in the 2012 London Olympics. The South African struggled for years against the ban can not be present in the most important event of world sport.

In 2008, for example, the athlete managed to the minimum necessary to travel to Beijing, but would eventually be banned. At the time, the Olympic Committee have argued that due to his prosthetics, Pistorius would have in the race advantage over opponents.

Now if the picture changes and 'Blade Runner', as is known, will even participate in the London Olympics, the proof of 4x400 relay, defending the colors of South Africa.

The ateta 25 years used the social network Twitter to thank family, friends, colleagues and even adversaries, classifying this data as the happiest day of your life.

Titles
Oscar Pistorius today won four Paralympic medals. In 2004 he won two Paralympic Games of Athens 2004, a bronze in the 100 meters and a gold in the 200. At the 2005 World Cup Paralympic athletics, won two more, 100 and 200 meters.

University of Harvard study says that caffeine reduces the risk of skin cancer

Caffeine addicts can smile because it is known now, through a study published in the journal "Cancer Research", that increased coffee consumption reduces the likelihood of being able to develop the kind of most common skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.
Professor, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Harvard, Jiali Han said in the article published by the Journal of the American Association of disease research, that "research indicates that many more cups of caffeinated coffee is consumed, the lower the risk of skin cancer ".
On the other hand, Professor Jiali Han warned that may not be safe going to consume more caffeine "just based on these data." However, the second researchers say the results "basal cell carcinoma in a list of diseases whose risk is diminished when coffee consumption is increased." It should be noted that the list contains several other diseases such as Parkinson's and type 2 diabetes.
Jiali Han assured that due to the high number of newly diagnosed "some changes in the daily diet can have an impact on public health." The type of skin cancer, that although the study is to develop so long, there a high mortality rate and also a high cost for health care systems.

Pininfarina: the man who saw the car as art

Pininfarina is synonymous with automotive design. The connection to the Ferrari has been the epitome of Italian company, founded by Battista Farina. Founded in 1930, the Carrozzeria Pinin Farina began as a workshop production of special bodies that was evolving.
But came the World War. The Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, the second says "site" of the company, was destroyed, but continued production of the Lancia Aprilia Bilux. As a country losing the war, the company was not allowed to participate in the Paris Motor Show, but Battista and Sergio Farina guided two models - Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S and the Lancia Aprilia - to Paris, where he parked in front of the Grand Pallais, where he was ongoing exposure of cars, so that all visitors to see. Sucesso.Nos 50 years had planted the seed is the link with Ferrari. Battista did not want to go to the land of Ferrari in Modena. Enzo Ferrari did not want to go to Turin, where he was a Pinin Farina. Sergio resolves the issue, marking a meeting on neutral ground. And the call comes, Sergio getting ahead of this partnership. For the story are more than 200 cars Ferrari "by Pininfarina", including the Testarossa sports. Also designed cars for Maserati, lead resurfaced in 2000.
In 1961, the family gets legal authority to change the nickname for Peninfarina and now under this name Sergio, the son of Battista, assumes leadership of the company as general manager, assuming the presidency in 1966 when his father dies. Last night was Sergio who died at his home in Turin. He was 85 years. There was already ahead of the company but remained as honorary chairman. Social merits was appointed senator for life by the Italian Presidency.
An engineer by training led to Pininfarina the Milan stock exchange in 1986. Two years later assumed the presidency of the confederation of employers, the Cofindustria, where he remained until 92. She had several other positions.
In 2002, became operational direction to his son Andrea, but a car accident in 2008 causing him to death. The newspaper "Il Sole 24 ore" says Sergio threw the news to his house, where he remained until he died last night, Giorgia with his wife and two sons, Paolo and Lorenza, at his side.
The crisis in the automobile industry in recent years led to the now more engaged Pininfarina design, engineering and research and development especially electric cars. In 2010, production orders from Ford and Alfa Romeo stopped by stopping the activity that for many years was the company's core business. It had to be operated restructuring.