UPS’s Autonomous Parcel-carrying Drone Takes Off From a Delivery Truck

Just as been predicted, drones are already making serious waves in 2017. having a package dropped at your front door by an autonomous octocopter is quickly becoming a probable reality, and UPS has just made a successful delivery using a drone launched from atop a parcel truck. the craft autonomously delivered its load before returning to the vehicle, which meanwhile continued to make a separate conveyance. the test demonstrates the potential of using drones for delivery on rural routes that are out of the way, and this is a possible change that the shipping company envisions for the future.

UPS conducted the test in Florida in tandem with workhorse group—an Ohio-based electric truck and drone developer which built both the craft and car in question. the drone used is the workhorse horsefly UAV delivery system— a high-efficiency octocopter that docks neatly onto the roof of a delivery truck. a cage suspended beneath the drone extends through a hatch into the truck to be loaded with a package by the driver.

The driver then simply presses a button on a touch screen, sending the drone off on its preset route to an address. the battery-powered horsefly drone has a 30 minute flight time, then recharges while it’s docked. the device is fully autonomous meaning there’s no need for a pilot, freeing up the car driver to make other deliveries whilst the drone is in action. UPS plans to experiment in determining routes with their ‘on-road integrated optimisation and navigation’ (ORION) system, which is the company’s proprietary routing software.

Mark Wallace—UPS senior vice president of global engineering and sustainability—explains that the test has big ‘implications for future deliveries, especially in rural locations where our package cars often have to travel miles to make a single delivery. sending a drone from a car can reduce costly miles driven, so this is a big step towards bolstering efficiency in our network and reducing emissions at the same time.’ although unlike previous tests carried out by UPS, this drone focuses on non-urgent residential deliveries, a reduction of just one mile per driver per day over one year can save UPS up to $50 million.

Watch the video below…

(autoreportng)

Why Nigerians are not buying Innoson cars – Investigation

When it comes to cars, luxury and showing off, Nigeria takes the lead in the world. It is only a Nigerian that will have 3 to 4 cars and still stay in a rented apartment, no wonder the likes of Kia, Toyota, and the likes take Nigeria as their second home. Lagos especially being the commercial city of Nigeria boasts of roughly 5 million cars.

When Goodluck Jonathan administration signed the automotive law last 2 years, it was greeted with mixed feelings as Innoson was on the lips of many Nigerians that it will help boost its local productivity, but this seems not to be the case as the only indigenous automobile company, Innoson Motors is struggling to catch up, it was reported last year that the company was considering closing its factory and sacking all its workers which the company later denied and released a statement.

Image result for innoson
We did a cross check, and a background analysis on why Nigerians are not patronizing their own despite Nigerians love for cars, luxury and showing off, these few findings are what we found disturbing, and we urged the management to quickly look into it.

1. Customer Care/Social MediaA Chinese proverb says, “If you don’t know how to smile, don’t think of opening a shop.” Nothing amounts to great customer service and relations, a cross check at Innoson Motors website is nothing to write about, the site was linked together with its parent company. Innoson is a brand itself and so should be made to stand out, the navigation, the contents there are just too boring to read or to assimilate. It is being expected that Innoson website ought to have a functional chat, email and social media that is up and running. A visit to their Twitter page shows that they last tweeted on 11th of Feb., 2017 and their facebook page 20th August 2016, where companies like Toyota, Peugeot, etc. tweets at least 5 times daily. Nothing amounts to having an excellent customer care, a responsive website, and a proactive social media personnel.

2. Show RoomsI smiled when I checked for Innoson showrooms, and I can only see four in the whole of Nigeria, I said to myself, these guys are not ready for business yet. Lagos is a cosmopolitan city. Therefore, this is where your marketing strategy has to come in full force. Innoson only has one showroom in Lagos and its not even in a high brow area like VI or Lekki area, they went and site their showroom in Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. A school of thought says you take your wares to where you know your clients will be able to see them. Even if you are trying to be relevant, you need to come up with the marketing strategy to attract the high-class men you made these cars for. How many people will find you in Oshodi? BMW has at least 15 showrooms in Lagos state alone and they are located in high brow areas like Lekki, VI, Ikoyi etc. Even if you can’t open a shop there, you can partner with likes of Lanre Shittu, Coscharis Motors etc. Innoson, time to wake up.

3. Spare Parts/AccessoriesOne of the worries of car owners is finding spare parts for their vehicles, a check at spare part dealers at Ladipo market, the largest in Africa shows that the parts are not available. I was talking to a friend who is a driver, I asked him if he has heard of Innoson Motors and he said he is just hearing the name for the first time, how can you expect someone of that caliber to introduce the brand to his company talkless of finding the spare parts in the market. I think the firm can collaborate with the spare part dealers and make these parts available to them in bulk.

4. Advert! Advert!! Advert!!!
Nothing sells in this world without an advertisement, Innoson has been behind in promotion and advertisement, I wonder if the firm is afraid to spend or partner with media houses. Last week when Mercedes-Benz wants to release its new models to the market, it invites newsmen, bloggers, and lots more. Advert can be in form sponsorship, beauty pageant etc5. Create a niche of your brandI see most of Innoson vehicles as a replica of some other cars I have seen before. Take for example the Innoson G-Wagon is a complete replica of Mercedes-Benz and some of their cars, it’s quite essential for them to produce something unique and relate with.
AUTOREG

Axe Falls On 54 Companies As NBC Withdraws Their Radio Licences

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The regulatory body, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has wielded its axe against 54 companies, revoking their radio licences with immediate effect, The Nigerian Expression can authoritatively report.

Sources at the NBC told the publication on the condition of anonymity, that the provisional FM radio licences that the commission offered to the companies in 2015 were revoked after they either failed to pay the licence fee or commence operations within the stipulated time frame.

”’The law guiding the award of provisional licences is very clear. Once granted the licence, you have 60 days to pay for it and a two-year period to come on air,” the source, a very senior official at the Commission, told the publication.

”It then means that if you fail to make payment within the stipulated time or could not come on air within two years, the licence offered to you is automatically revoked.”

The 54 affected companies constitute the first batch of licencees that will be affected as the Commission, under a new, vibrant leadership, commences a mass review of the award of licences, especially FM Radio licences.

The Nigerian Expression reports that cases involving another batch of 124 companies are being reviewed. In fact, it was learnt that the companies, most of which actually paid within 60 days of being awarded their licences, may have their licences revoked for failing to start operations within the stipulated time.

”These new set of 124 companies will be given a few weeks’ notice to commence operations or lose their licences,” the source said.

Another review being carried out by the NBC involves FM radio stations that are operating outside the set criteria, especially the capacity of their transmitters.

”’No FM station can operate with over 2-kW transmitter. However, the situation currently is such that a number of FM stations are operating far above the stipulated transmitter capacity.
”We are going to give all affected stations a deadline to revert to the stipulated 2-kW capacity or lose their licences,” the source said.

Below are the names and location of the 54 companies that have lost their licences:

COMPANY and LOCATION
1. Simonis Ventures Ltd. Enugu
2. Ryan Robinson Ltd. Aba.
3. Rui FM Ltd., Benin
4. New Ideas Communications Ltd, Abakaliki.
5. Kevin Ejiofor Associates Ltd. Enugu
6. Heros Security Services Ltd. Lagos/Port Harcourt
7. Crown Integrated Pull Ltd. Ondo.
8. Salama Radio Media Ltd. Kafanchan.
9. Wright & Daniels Ltd. Owerri.
10. BOB TV Ltd. Enugu.
11. World View Broadcasting Services Ltd. Owerri.
12. New Age Communications Ltd. Kaduna/Plateau.
13. Bliss Broadcasting Ltd. Kaduna.
14. Moore Entertainment and Production Ltd. Benin.
15. Omicof Dynamic Concept Ltd. Benin.
16. Heritage Broadcasting Ltd. Yenagoa /Ibadan/Warri/Enugu/Uyo/Calabar/Kaduna/Owerri/Makurdi/Kano/Ekiti/Yola/Abuja/PH
17. Yuma Consult & Associates Ltd. Abeokuta.
18. I’Moving Ltd. Abeokuta
19. Flamingo Press Ltd., Abeokuta
20. Arabo Telecom Nigeria Ltd., Kano
21. Ryan Robinson Ltd., Uyo
22. Dazzling Communications Ltd. Yenagoa/Onitsha
23. Sahel Merchants Nig. Ltd. Daura.
24. Greenhouse International Ventures Ltd., Abuja/Lokoja
25. Aman Media and Comm. Ltd. Asaba
26. D.O.M. Communication Ltd. Yenagoa.
27. Chocolate Media Ltd. Jos.
28. Mustasons Broadcasting and Communications Ltd., Minna
29. GOA Broadcasting Links Services Ltd., Omu Aran.
30. MPS Global Services Ltd., Abeokuta
31. Xeus Nigeria Ltd., Calabar
32. AMX Logistics Ltd, Otukpo.
33. Oscar Mamman Benjy Nig. Lttd., Kano/Katsina/Sokoto
34. DBL Prime Media Nig. Ltd., Abeokuta/Ibadan/Calabar
35. Global Falcons Nig. Ltd., Ibadan
36. Stella Constellation Group Ltd., Kano/Enugu
37. Cardinal Media Ltd., Warri
38. Vista Inter. Nigeria Ltd., Osogbo
39. Impactplus Comm. Ltd., Abeokuta
40. Rosenbek Nig. Ltd., Port Harcourt
41. Okisi Integrated Ltd, Owerri.
42. Corporateman International Ltd., Epe.
43. Riverdale MultiMedia Ltd., Ijebu Ode/Okene
44. Integrated Signalling and Telecoms Ltd., Owerri.
45. E-Tech Dev. System, Keffi.
46. Rhembel Holdings Ltd., Akure.
47. El-Shamah Ventures Ltd., Osogbo.
48. Echorok Nig. Ltd.,Ibadan.
49. Arc Broadcasting Services Ltd. Ngwo/Enugu
50. Eil Ephesians Investments Ltd., Lokoja.
51. Multimesh Communications Ltd., Calabar/Lafia/Yola/Ibadan/Ondo/Jos/Makurdi
52. Afrimedia Global Partners Ltd., Kaduna
53. Doja Radio, Jalingo
54. Cosmo-Built Nig. Ltd.,Owerri.

(TNE)

All Seasons Media and Popimedia to Host The First Ad-Tech Academy in Lagos

With over 97 million connected internet users and over 6 million views on YouTube daily in Nigeria, digital media has definitely become imperative for all businesses with today’s consumers fast becoming DIGERATI Ad-tech is a unique category in the digital and social media space. As we have come to know, social media advertising isn’t all about having a fan page and digital media advertising isn’t all about Google. There’s a whole lot happening in the digital sphere worth exploring!

Ad-Tech Academy is geared towards educating clients and the industry at large on Advertising technology and how it’s changing digital ad spend. It is also intended to help clients uncover new ways of driving profit via digital media.
PopiMedia in conjunction with All Seasons Media invites you to attend the first Ad-Tech Academy in Nigeria titled “Trends Driving Profit Driven Marketing”

Let’s uncover more about this new breed of ever changing and dynamic consumers and ways brands can leverage on the power of social media to build businesses.

It comes up on the 3rd of March by 9am at Intercontinental Hotel V/I.

We would appreciate your presence at this Academy session as we continuously seek ways to grow our economy through digital media advertising.

(brandessencenigeria)

Wakanow Founder Emerges Travel Man of the Year

Founder and Group Managing Director of Wakanow, Mr. Obinna Ekezie
Founder and Group Managing Director, Wakanow, Mr. Obinna Ekezie

Founder and Group Managing Director of Wakanow, Mr. Obinna Ekezie has been named Travel Man of the Year at the 2016 ATQ Travel Personality awards scheduled to hold in March this year.

Organized by African Travel Quarterly, a member of the African Travel Media Group, in conjunction with Akwaaba Travel Market, this annual award is renowned as one of the most recognized platforms for assessing corporate and individual contribution to the growth of the Nigerian travel and tourism sector.

According to the organizers, the Wakanow boss won the keenly contested award on account of his relentless drive in building one of Africa’s largest and most respected travel brands with subsidiaries in the UK, Dubai and US. The company’s large-scale global expansion roll-out, which gained momentum in 2016, was adjudged as a bold and audacious move in the face of Nigeria’s gloomy economy.

 

Mr. Obinna is expected to join fellow winners, including the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Ben Ayade and other leading stakeholders in the African travel space at the 2017 Port Harcourt Bantaba for the official award presentation and gala.

In a statement signed by the Chief Marketing Officer of Wakanow, Ms. Victoria Onwubiko, the management of the company stated that the award is a testament to the Company’s innovative approach to delivering the most compelling travel solutions to her teeming markets, leveraging on its high-end technology and excellent customer service models.

She said: “As a company, we are very excited by this award particularly because it is a confirmation of our prime position as Nigeria’s first and largest travel company. We are further buoyed by the understanding that our efforts in building one of Africa’s most iconic travel conglomerates have continued to attract recognition from far and wide, reinforcing our leadership as a respected player in the African travel space.

“We do not take these swarming recognitions for granted, and we will continue to raise the bar many notches higher, especially in creating superior consumer experiences for our valued customers and stakeholders,” she added.

Wakanow, which already operates commercial offices in Nigeria and Ghana as well as service outlets in Dubai and the UK, recently announced plans to officially commence operations in the UK and expand its fast-growing portfolio of travel services to the European market with special focus on African travels powered by her DestinationsAfrica(R) platform.

Wakanow is a rising star on the African Tourism scene and Nigeria’s No. 1 travel booking company. Wakanow has won many awards, including the Tony Elumelu’s fastest growing company awards, a host of Industry led Awards and more recently, the CNBC Business Leader of the Year award which went to the Founder and Managing Director, Mr. Obinna Ekezie. Wakanow has strong affiliations with hundreds of Hotels and Airlines globally and has facilitated over 800,000 travel bookings since inception in 2008. Leveraging heavily on technology and accelerated customer service models, Wakanow is rapidly changing the face of travel in Africa.

(brandessencenigeria)

Google Announces YouTube TV

YouTube executive team has announced its long-awaited live TV service in a press event at YouTube’s studio in Los Angeles.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said YouTube TV is designed to be “great for sports lovers” with its range of pro and college football, basketball, baseball and other sports.

In addition to unlimited cloud DVR and multi-screen viewing, the package includes the major broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, The CW, Telemundo and NBC) and a cable channel that historically has been the cherry on a pay TV package.

YouTube TV will cost $35/month for US subscribers only, who will receive 44 channels (plus two add-ons).

A statement by YouTube said, “YouTube TV includes major sports networks like ESPN and regional sports networks like Fox Sports Networks and Comcast SportsNet, so you can watch your favorite NBA or MLB teams. We’ve also partnered with local TV stations, so you’ll also get sports and local news based on where you live.”

it is however observed that YouTube TV is missing any Turner-owned networks, which show a lot of sports including NBA games, the NCAA basketball tournament, MLB and others. And complicated sports rights explains why it will launch in “limited US markets, where it has full coverage,” according to Recode (meaning customers won’t be able to stream NFL games to a mobile device).

(Marketingedge Nigeria)

Coca-Cola Considers Use of Robots for Ads Creation

World famous brand, Coca-Cola is considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI Bots) in creation of its global advertisements. The company is known for creating some of the best works in the advertising industry.

The brand’s global senior digital director, Mariano Bosaz while speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday, said he wants to get a better feel on how brands can use artificial intelligence because he’s interested in swapping in robots for humans that crank out ads.

Bosaz said, “content creation is something that we have been doing for a very long time—we brief creative agencies and then they come up with stories that they audio visualize and then we have 30 seconds or maybe longer. In content, what I want to start experimenting with is automated narratives.”

In theory, Bosaz thinks AI could be used by his team for everything from creating music for ads, writing scripts, posting a spot on social media and buying media. “It doesn’t need anyone else to do that but a robot—that’s a long-term vision,” he said. “I don’t know if we can do it 100 percent with robots yet—maybe one day—but bots is the first expression of where that is going.”

Bosaz isn’t alone in envisioning human-less creative. AI is already being used to create commercial music and jingles and publishers like the AP are experimenting with using robots to write copy.

He noted that while bots and data may not be able to write an entire script, they are capable of putting together the first 5 seconds of a commercial or the end of a spot because “you always have the same closing” in Coke ads, where an image of the brand’s logo flashes across the screen with a tagline.

In terms of Coca-Cola’s interest in AI for media buying, Bosaz said that Coke already buys ads programmatically but that it’s “far from” putting more than half of its media budget into programmatic.

Coca-Cola is also looking for ways to use programmatic technology to fulfill eCommerce sales through tactics like subscriptions, though Bosaz didn’t say exactly what that may entail.

Right now, Coke sells though third-party retailers like Amazon and Tesco, vending machines and a small portion of sales come from direct-to-consumer programs like Share a Coke.

(Marketingedge Nigeria)

CNN Brand Perception Plummets as Revealed in Recent Survey

A recent survey conducted by YouGov indicates that CNN, which President Trump has included among media outlets that create ‘fake news’ now trails Fox News and MSNBC in brand perception. The study also revealed that CNN and MSNBC had a large drop in brand perception as compared to Fox News.

The study also revealed that only Fox news have scored a neutral mark, with equal positive and negative while both CNN and MSNBC are registering negative marks.

fox-news-cnn-msnbc

CNN’s dilemma started in August of 2016, when it showed a steady decline in brand perception. However, the marks revealed steep drops during mid-October period and was at its lowest during the Election day itself.

Notable news at that period when CNN’s decline happened was the Anderson Cooper interview of Melania Trump on the issue of Donald Trump’s ‘Access Hollywood’ recordings.

During the period, when a North Carolina Republican office was firebombed, CNN had suggested that it was Trump’s rhetoric which incited the incident. Conservative-leaning media blasted CNN for their insinuation.

YouGov Survey stats
YouGov Survey stats

After the Election, CNN was hit by a fake news scare back in late November when a tweet has gone viral that the network has broadcasted pornography in place of “Anthony Bordain’s Parts Unknown” show.

One observation is that the constant Trump bashing may have taken its toll on CNN.

The President’s consistent labeling of CNN for their relentless criticism as ‘fake news’, may have had a bigger impact on the network as opposed to what CNN President Jeff Zucker’s assertion that the President’s battering of the network has only inflicted small damage to the network’s consumer perception.

These incidents made an impact, further eroding the brand perception of the network. CNN has been struggling to get a full recovery since then.

MSNBC on the other hand dropped from mid-October to the end of the year. Fox News also registered a drop in brand perception from early June up till Thanksgiving. Both however did not register the steep drop that CNN had. The decline of all the three networks during the period may indicate that viewership may have been saturated with the coverage of the Election period.

Respondents for the survey were asked: “If you’ve heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?”

6 Dominant Workplace Trends You Are Likely To Witness In 2017

If you recently began your career as an HR professional, then knowing these useful workplace trends will help you stay ahead in the competition. This year is going to set new rules of workplace that you need to know in order to
The job market seems to grow in this year and provide equal opportunities for both employees and job seekers. Being an HR professional, you will also witness the huge demand for the flexible working environment.

Followings are some worth-noticing workplace trends of 2017, read out all of them thoroughly.

1. The Popularity Of Part-Time Jobs Will Increase

When it comes to the workplace trends of 2017 then it is the first trend which you will have to kick off with. You will find lots of employees opting for part-time jobs. This trend will also allow companies for controlling the increasing labor costs through hiring more part-time workers. Being an HR professional you will be involved in hiring part-time workers.

2. millennial Will Get High-Level Positions

It is another worth-knowing trend, which you should go through. As many baby boomers are about to get retirement so that is making a way for millennial to get higher positions in the companies. It is important to know that employees of every age group have to adapt to the flexible working style of this millennial generation.

3. Transformation Of Office Environment For Employees

It has also succeeded to become one of the prominent workplace trends of 2017. The traditional workplace environment will replace with highly advanced workplace environment. It will properly eliminate the distractions which also affects the performance of employees at the workplace. Working in this kind of high-class environment will also increase the productivity of employees.

4. The Rise Of Automation In All Industries

Yes, the automation will replace the traditional ways of accomplishing tasks at the workplaces. Companies will start depending on machines to get things done more precisely. Almost every industry will opt for automation in this year and it also has some bad outcomes such as a decline in the skilled laborers all across the world.

5. Companies Will Focus To Develop The Skills Of Employees

It is another workplace trend, which will get popularity in this year. In this competitive and highly advanced corporate world, companies have to make their employees adapt to latest technologies. In this regard, you will witness companies encouraging and helping employees to do tech related short courses. It means that you should also get ready for it as your company will also help you in this regard.

6. The Arrival Of Generation Z At The Workplaces

In this year, you will definitely witness the arrival of generation Z at the workplaces. Because of this specific development, the values of the workforce will start evolving gradually in this year. Companies will have to ensure working environment that is an ideal one for generation Z. If any company fails to accommodate this specific generation then it may go against of it.

These above-mentioned trends are some prominent workplace trends of 2017, which businesses will follow in order to get constant success and stand apart from the competitors. Being a new HR professional, getting to know about these specific trends will benefit you in various ways.

(JarusHub)

Massilia Motors becomes Sole Distributor Of Mitsubishi Vehicles In Nigeria

L-R: Deputy Managing Director of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr. Victor Eburajolo; Managing Director of Massilia Motors Limited, Mr. Thomas Pelletier; and Deputy Managing Director of Massilia Motors Limited, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi at a Press Conference to announce the coming together of CFAO Motors and Kewalram Chanrai Group to form Massilia Motors Limited as the sole distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria at an event held at Mitsubishi showroom, Victoria Island, Lagos

By Daniels Ekugo

Massilia Motors Limited has been appointed as the sole distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria, following the coming together of CFAO Motors and Kewalram Chanrai Group for this purpose.

Massilia Motors Ltd. will provide customers with Mitsubishi passenger cars, SUVs, pick-ups vans, spare parts and after-sales services across Nigeria. The head office located at 4A Ijora Causeway, Ijora Lagos is a major after-sales hub with a fully equipped workshop and qualified technicians.

The company’s vision is to become Nigeria’s leading automotive distributor with delivery of world class customer service. In addition, Massilia Motors Ltd. is set to ensure effective talent management that will result in motivated and customer oriented employees.

The modern flagship showroom of the company on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island and the new Mitsubishi Motors website are steps taken to show the company’s commitment to revitalize the brand’s image in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Massilia Motors, Mr Thomas Pelletier said: ”The Massilia advantage is that we do not only sell cars, we consider our customers as stakeholders and provide solutions tailored to their needs. From counselling on the best product for each use to establishing a maintenance plan, we follow the customer through the product life cycle to ensure good value and a longer life span”.

A complete range of Mitsubishi vehicles is now available with compact cars, sports utility vehicles and pick-up trucks with renowned models such as the Pajero or L200.

The Japanese car manufacturer, Mitsubishi Motors is known for the reliability and ruggedness of its products. With Massilia Motors Ltd, the brand aims to exceed customers’ expectations, thanks to skilled technicians trained according to the manufacturer’s requirements, the expansion of its authorized dealer network and provision of service centres nationwide.

About CFAO

CFAO is a front-ranking specialized distributor and preferred partner of major international brands, serving the high-potential equipment & services, healthcare and consumer goods markets in Africa and the French overseas territories.

The Group is active in 39 countries, including 34 African countries and 7 French Overseas Territories. It employed 12,370 people at end-2015.

In 2015, CFAO generated consolidated revenue of €3,435.7 million and recorded recurring operating income of €269.2 million.CFAO is a subsidiary of TTC (Japan).

(PMnewsNigeria)