Mediaboss Marketing

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission charged an online marketing operation of scamming consumers with an initial low-cost trial offer for tooth whiteners and other products, according to a news release issued Monday.

A federal court temporarily halted the operation and froze its assets at the request of the FTC, the release said.

According to the FTC, the defendants used a network of 78 companies, at least 87 websites, and dozens of bank accounts to hide their ownership and launder the profits from the scheme. They also drove people to their websites via affiliate networks that generate web traffic with blog posts, banner ads and surveys. For example, some consumers got emails inviting them to fill out surveys falsely claiming to be for well-known merchants such as Kohls and Amazon, and were directed to the defendants websites to claim a reward for completing the survey.

The FTC alleges that, using deceptive claims, hidden fine-print disclosures and confusing terms, the defendants tricked consumers into providing their billing information, and then started charging them about $100 a month unless consumers canceled within eight days. They also used an order confirmation page to trick consumers into signing up for a second monthly subscription, which cost an additional $100, for an identical product.

Because of this double-deception, the defendants charged consumers, who reasonably believed they had agreed to a single shipment for $1.03 plus shipping costs, about $200 a month until they canceled both unauthorized subscriptions.

The defendants are charged with violating the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act.

The defendants are Blair McNea, Danielle Foss, Jennifer Johnson, Boulder Creek Internet Solutions Inc., Walnut Street Marketing Inc., and these LLCs: Anasazi Management Partners, RevMountain, Wave Rock, Juniper Solutions, Jasper Woods, Wheeler Peak Marketing, ROIRunner, Cherry Blitz, Flat Iron Avenue, Absolutely Working, Three Lakes, Bridge Ford, How and Why, Spruce River, TrimXT, Elation White, IvoryPro, Doing Whats Possible, RevGuard, RevLive!, Blue Rocket Brands, Convertis, Convertis Marketing, Turtle Mountains, Boulder Black Diamond, Mint House, Thunder Avenue, University & Folsom, Snow Sale, Brand Force, Wild Farms, Salamonie River, Indigo Systems, Night Watch Group, Newport Crossing, Greenville Creek, Brookville Lane, Honey Lake, Condor Canyon, Brass Triangle, Solid Ice, Sandstone Beach, Desert Gecko, Blizzardwhite, Action Pro White, First Class Whitening, Spark Whitening, Titanwhite, Dental Pro At Home, Smile Pro Direct, Circle of Youth Skincare, DermaGlam, Sedona Beauty Secrets, Bella at Home, SkinnyIQ, Body Tropical, and RoadRunner B2C LLC, also doing business as RevGo.

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FTC charges online marketing operation of scamming shoppers with low-cost trial offers on teeth whiteners - FOX43.com

6 Aug 2017, 8:55 a.m.

"We've got this enormous problem at Stawell."

An aerial shot from 2014 of the Stawell tyre dump, which holds around 9 million tyres. Photo: Boomerang Alliance

A shadowy offshore internet marketing company based in the tax haven of Panama now has control of a toxic dump of 9 million used tyres considered a huge fire risk in the state's west.

The notorious Stawell tyre stockpile, one of the world's biggest, has largely sat dormant for nearly a decade, despite major environmental concerns and repeated orders for it to be cleaned up.

Anger in the community has reached boiling point, as repeated inaction finally led the Environment Protection Authority last week to declare it would take charge of the dump unless the fire danger was reduced. If fully ignited, it could burn for months.

The previous owner had promised residents that it would rid the country town of the dangerous mass of rubber using a controversial recycling process known as pyrolysis, which involves breaking down the tyres at high temperatures.

However that plan has not reached fruition and with the threat of action looming, Fairfax Media can reveal that ownership of the site has been transferred in recent months to an overseas company known as "Internet Marketing Solutions Corp".

A title search shows the transfer of the Saleyards Road property by the previous owner Used Tyre Recycling Corporation was completed on June 8.

No ACN or Australian address is listed for Internet Marketing Solutions Corp on the land title. The company is based in the central American country of Panama.

Panama company records show Internet Marketing Solutions Corp was registered in 2010 as a "sociedad anonima" or anonymous society, a form of private corporation which protects the identity of shareholders.

Directors listed on the company's documents are linked to hundreds of other entities in Panama.

The sole director of the Used Tyre Recycling Corporation, Matthew Starr, said he was not connected with Internet Marketing Solutions Corp in any way and had completed the deal in New York City earlier this year.

Internet Marketing Solutions Corp bought the dump because they wanted to focus on developing rubber-based products, he said.

"I have never been to Panama and can't speak or understand any Spanish," he said.

It appears no money changed hands. On the land title, the property was transferred as a "desire to make a gift".

Dr Starr said the deal was backended, with an agreement that his company would recycle Internet Marketing Solutions Corp's tyres at a plant still planned for a neighbouring property.

The skyline of Panama City in Panama. Photo: Susana Gonzalez

Stawell resident Allan Cooper, 65, said the community had been worried about the tyre stockpile for at least 10 years, after the site's then-owner Motorway went bust in 2008.

He lives on Longfield Street, about one kilometre away from the dump, and had major concerns about the possibility of the town being blanketed with toxic smoke if it were to go up in flames.

"If it started the whole town would be polluted with smoke," he said. "There's no way known you could get everybody out that quickly and it won't take long to start up once it goes."

Mr Cooper said the town was sick of the buckpassing that had taken place in recent years between the owners, the EPA, local council and state government, and just wanted something done.

"If it was in Melton, closer to Melbourne, they'd be doing something about," he said. "They would have that much money poking at it. But they don't care."

Environmental groups have previously described the dump as a "Hazelwood waiting to happen". The CFA has assessed the site as a "very high fire" risk, with the potential for catastrophic consequences for the town of Stawell.

Panama company records for Internet Marketing Solutions Corp.

Environmental group Boomerang Alliance, which has advocated for stricter controls on tyre dumping, estimated there were 9 million tyres in the stockpile.

"Every year it stays there, the greater the chance of a massive fire," said Boomerang Alliance director Jeff Angel.

Lax regulation had allowed the stockpile to grow, he said, as unscrupulous collectors undercut legitimate recyclers with lower rates and then dumped the tyres without fear of reprisal.

He said the problem was improving as state governments tightened their laws, while major tyre brands also had begun sending their used tyres to genuine recyclers.

"However, we've got this enormous legacy problem at Stawell," he said.

EPA chief executive Nial Finegan said there was a long history with Used Tyre Recycling Corporation trying to get them to comply with various notices.

The EPA would seek to recover costs from the owners if it had to take control of the dump and reduce the risk, he said. The current owners have until Wednesday to explain why the EPA shouldn't take charge.

"If the Environment Protection Authority is stepping in there is a real risk to the community," he said.

Dr Starr said his company had stopped owning the dump on March 30, before the EPA had slapped the tyre yard with three statutory demands.

Any delays were caused by documentation having to be translated between Spanish and English and then approved, he said.

The company had previously tried to get a permit for a pyrolysis tyre recycling plant but claimed to be slowed down by red tape.

Dr Starr said the company had spent large amounts of money and had improved the site substantially since taking over in 2015.

"It appears that the EPA are overreacting at Stawell given the recent paper recycling dump fire in Coolaroo that took weeks to put out," he said.

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Country Victorian tyre dump sold to Panama internet marketing company - Blue Mountains Gazette

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Days after a reshuffle of Turkey's top military commanders, President Tayyip Erdogan has revived warnings of military action against Kurdish fighters in Syria that could set back the U.S.-led battle against Islamic State.

Kurdish militia are spearheading an assault against the hardline militants in their Syrian stronghold Raqqa, from where Islamic State has planned attacks around the world for the past three years.

But U.S. backing for the Kurdish YPG fighters in Syria has infuriated Turkey, which views their growing battlefield strength as a security threat due to a decades-old insurgency by the Kurdish PKK within in its borders.

There have been regular exchanges of rocket and artillery fire in recent weeks between Turkish forces and YPG fighters who control part of Syria's northwestern border.

Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO after the United States, reinforced that section of the border at the weekend with artillery and tanks and Erdogan said Turkey was ready to take action.

"We will not leave the separatist organization in peace in both Iraq and Syria," Erdogan said in a speech on Saturday in the eastern town of Malatya, referring to the YPG in Syria and PKK bases in Iraq. "We know that if we do not drain the swamp, we cannot get rid of flies."

The YPG denies Turkish allegations of links with Kurdish militants inside Turkey, saying it is only interested in self-rule in Syria and warning that any Turkish assault will draw its fighters away from the battle against Islamic State which they are waging in an alliance with local Arab forces.

Erdogan's comments follow the appointment of three new leaders of Turkey's army, air force and navy last week - moves which analysts and officials said were at least partly aimed at preparing for any campaign against the YPG militia.

Turkish forces swept into north Syria last year to seize territory from Islamic State, while also cutting off Kurdish-controlled northeast Syria from the Kurdish pocket of Afrin further west. They thereby prevented Kurdish control over almost the whole sweep of the border - Ankara's worst-case scenario.

Recent clashes have centered around the Arab towns of Tal Rifaat and Minnigh, near Afrin, which are held by the Kurdish YPG and allied fighters.

Erdogan said Turkey's military incursion last year dealt a blow to "terrorist projects" in the region and promised further action. "We will make new and important moves soon," he said.

His comments follow weeks of warnings from Turkey of possible military action against the YPG.

Washington's concern to prevent any confrontation which deflects the Kurdish forces attacking Raqqa may help stay Ankara's hand, but a Turkish government source said last week's changes in military leadership have prepared the ground.

"With this new structure, some steps will be taken to be more active in the struggle against terror," the source said. "A structure that acts according to the realities of the region will be formed".

The battle for Raqqa has been underway since June, and a senior U.S. official said on Friday that 2,000 Islamic State fighters are believed to be still defending positions and "fighting for every last block" in the city.

Even after the recapture of Raqqa, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has left open the possibility of longer-term American assistance to the YPG.

The influence of Turkey's once-dominant military has decreased dramatically since Erdogan came to power nearly 15 years ago. A purge in senior ranks since last year's failed military coup has stripped it of 40 percent of top officers.

Last Wednesday's appointments were issued by the Supreme Military Council, a body which despite its name is now dominated by politicians loyal to Erdogan.

"Of course the political will is behind these decisions, Erdogan's preferences are behind them," the source said. "But the restructuring of the Turkish Armed Forces and the demand for a more active fight against the PKK and Islamic State also has a role".

Vacancies in senior military ranks resulting from the year-long purge would not be filled immediately, he said, but would be addressed over time.

While all three forces - air, land and sea - are under new command, focus has centered on the new army chief Yasar Guler. As head of Turkey's gendarmerie, he was seen to take a tough line against the PKK and the movement of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen blamed by the government for the July 2016 coup attempt.

Ankara considers the YPG an extension of the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and European Union.

Can Kasapoglu, a defense analyst at the Istanbul-based Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), said the YPG "remains at the epicenter of Turkey's threat perception".

Guler was well-placed to address Turkey's "transnational counter-terrorism priorities" and lead the campaign against Kurdish forces because of his past roles as chief of military intelligence, head of gendarmerie and postings to NATO.

"There is an undeniable likelihood that Turkey's new top military chain of command might have to lead a major campaign against the YPG," Kasapoglu said.

Guler is now favorite to take over from the overall head of the Turkish armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, who is due to step down in two years.

"Guler gets on well with members of Erdogan's AK Party and is known for his hardline performance against the PKK...and the Gulen movement," said Metin Gurcan an independent security analyst and retired Turkish military officer who now writes a column for Al-Monitor news website.

For the president, who faces a re-election campaign in 2019, a smooth succession from Akar to Guler would avoid any military upheaval which could send his plans off-course, Gurcan said.

"Until 2023, Erdogan should have smooth sailing without disruption from the Turkish armed forces."

Additional reporting by Tulay Karadeniz and Dirimcan Barut in Ankara; editing by Philippa Fletcher

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After military shake-up, Erdogan says Turkey to tackle Kurds in Syria - Reuters

New stills have been released for the movie, Midnight Runners!

Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul, who are portraying Ki Joon and Hee Yeol respectively, are catching viewers eyes with their toned bodies. The two teamed up to play youthful and motivated students at a police academy. They get involved in a kidnapping incident, and the story unfolds from there.

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The movie starts off with the two characters who are bright and charming, but they are 180 degrees different when they start to investigate on the case that they get involved in. In the stills, you can see the charismatic and serious side of them as they prepare for investigation.

Viewers are anticipating the change as theyoung 20-year-olds transform intostrong police officers. Through harsh training as shown in the stills, Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul are being praised for completing their characters flawlessly.

Midnight Runners will be released in theaters on August 9!

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Top Photo Credit: Xportsnews

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Park Seo Joon And Kang Ha Neul Show Off Toned Bodies In New ... - soompi

U.S. Chamber institute awards Cristin Barta regent scholarship

The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Cristin Barta, tourism marketing project manager for the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, has been awarded a regent scholarship. Given to professionals across the country, the regent scholarships recognize each recipient for their involvement in industry professional organizations, community service and professional background.

Each of the regent scholarship recipients will attend one of institute's five sites in 2017. At the completion of the four-year curriculum, each of the recipients will receive the IOM graduate recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and their commitment to the industry. In addition, all credit hours earned through Institute may be applied toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) industry certification.

Percy joins Castle Valley Children's Clinic

Dr. Rebecca Percy has joined Castle Valley Children's Clinic's New Castle and Carbondale locations. She joins Dr. Carey Levin, DebbieAnne Moeller CPNP and Joan Neff CPNP.

"Dr. Becca" is a Colorado native who has lived and practiced in the valley for the past three years. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and attended medical school at the University of Colorado. She completed her specialty training in pediatrics at the University of Utah. Percy is particularly interested in childhood growth and development, wellness and community health. In her free time, she enjoys playing outdoors with her three young children and husband.

Call 970-984-3333 for an appointment. For information go to http://www.cvcclinic.com or follow us on Facebook.

LiveRez teams up with Blizzard Internet Marketing

LiveRez.com, cloud-based software for professional vacation rental managers, has signed an agreement with Blizzard Internet Marketing of Glenwood Springs to provide LiveRez's customers with a wide range of digital marketing services.

Blizzard is a leading provider of online marketing services for professional vacation rental managers. As a preferred LiveRez industry partner, the company will become LiveRez's go-to recommendation for online marketing services for its rapidly growing base of customers.

Afternoon Delight Bakery ribbon cutting

Ashley Buerger operates Afternoon Delight Bakery from her house, making cakes, cupcakes and cookies for all occasions. She recently was at the New Castle Community Market during the wine and beer sampling and made cupcakes with the featured blonde ale. Afternoon Delight Bakery can be reached at (970) 984-6306.

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Business Briefs August 7, 2017 - Glenwood Springs Post Independent