Mediaboss Marketing

Published on March 18, 2022

Indias largest fashion retail intelligence event is back with a bang!

IMAGES Group, the largest retail intelligence organisation in South Asia and Middle East, is back with the 21st edition of India Fashion Forum, Indias largest fashion retail intelligence event, on 23rd and 24th March 2022, at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram.

In its 21st edition, India Fashion Forum, the premier knowledge, and networking platform for Indias vast, multi-dimensional and multi-hued fashion retail industry, will underline the themes of purpose, innovation, experience and engagement as the tenets of future-proof, profitable fashion retail.

The event will be preluding a discussion on fashion retail industry insights by Saloni Nangia, President Technopak, and an introduction by MC Anish Trivedi, President & CEO, Alenka Media. This will be followed by a welcome address by IFF Chairman Akhilesh Prasad, President & CEO, Fashion & Lifestyle Business, Reliance Retail. The inaugural panel will focus on building future-proof fashion retail models along the lines of making it purposeful, pioneering and profitable, with the overall discussion around how the transformation sweeping across the consumer universe technology is throwing up major implications for the fashion business.

The event aims to offer an extraordinary environment dedicated to outstanding, mind warping innovation in the business of fashion, from agile design tools to exceptional in-store tech influencers, from the dynamic science of fashion retail analytics to hyper-targeted social marketing.

Some of the guest speakers at the event are: B S Nagesh, Founder, TRRAIN; Dr Darlie O Koshy, Educationist and Design Management Strategist; Rajesh Jain, MD & CEO, Lacoste India; Sanjeev Rao, CEO, Being Human Clothing; Vineet Gautam, Country Head & CEO, Bestseller India; Lavanya Nalli, Chairperson, Nalli Group; Nitya Arora, Founder & Creative Director, Valliyan; Sahil Malik, MD, Da Milano; Johnson Verghese, MD, Fossil India; Darpan Kapoor, Vice Chairman, Kapsons Global Pvt Ltd; Kuntal Malia, Co-Founder, StyleNook; Pankaj Vermani, Founder & CEO, Clovia; Vikram Idnani, CIO, Reliance Retail; Deepak Aggarwal, Founder & MD, Kazo, among others.

Referring to the significance of IFFs role in catalysing Indian fashion retail, Bhavesh Pitroda, Director & CEO, IMAGES Group says, As a key influencer and catalyst of fashion retail evolution in India, this will be a significant year for us, considering the recent unprecedented and tough pandemic times faced by the world. We aim to preview key discussions around the fashion retail realignment with connected consumption, converting change to progress, making fashion sustainable, next-gen retail environments, mall-retailer partnerships to boost consumption and everything in between. Besides these, the event shall also focus on other important aspects such as the 360-degree perspective of shopping journey, creating a profitable online-offline business through omnichannel retail, fashion innovation using artificial intelligence, luxury fashion, customer experience, and a lot more.

Key Highlights

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India Fashion Forum back with its 21st edition in Gurugram - APN News

Mar 17, 2022

Walmart has scored an exclusive deal on seven new flavors of ice cream from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, including Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. The flavors will rotate at 3,500 U.S. locations over a 10-week period.

In July 2021, Kraft partnered with Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen to produce an ice cream version of its signature Macaroni & Cheese. The limited-edition variant led to loud objections from ice cream purists across social media, but the 6,000 pints sold out online within an hour.

The macaroni flavor returned in August in another limited-run, but the Walmart collaboration marks the first time the flavor is reaching stores. The other six ice cream flavors coming to Walmart over the 10-week run are Planet Earth, Pizza, Hot Honey, Royal Wedding Cake, Bourbon Cherries Jubilee and Wild Blueberry Shortcake.

This is the first exclusive rotation that Van Leeuwen is bringing to Walmart stores. It has plans to refresh the flavors later in the summer.

The collaboration takes a page from the drop culture trend pioneered in the streetwear category in the U.S. by Supreme and Nike. Hyped on social media, the limited-edition apparel and footwear releases often sell out immediately. Nordstrom, Macys and Target are among retailers known for their limited-time fashion capsules, but so far limited-edition exclusives have been a bigger sales opportunity in fashion than food.

Among other limited-edition collaborations between retailers and food/beverage brands:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Does Walmarts exclusive partnership with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream point to a bigger opportunity for grocers around limited-edition offerings? Why dont limited-edition exclusive products in grocery seem to resonate as much as fashion item drops?

"'Limited edition' as a strategic weapon and as a marketing tool is one of the most powerful assets available to a brand or retailer."

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Will limited-edition exclusives become the next big thing in grocery? RetailWire - RetailWire

Thirty local businesses that add value to Western Australian produce will be taking their business to the next level, with funding from the third round of the McGowan Government's successful Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program.

The businesses from the South-West, Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Peel, Wheatbelt and the Perth metropolitan area will share in $174,190, matched by recipient contributions.

Recipients include businesses that produce baked goods, wine, specialty foods, manufactured meals, beverages, meats, confectionary, pasta, honey and eggs.

Vouchers with a combined value of up to $15,000 per business will assist food producers to access professional business support services to help grow and develop their enterprises.

A new category for environmental sustainability and social responsibility was added to the program this round, complementing vouchers to improve business planning, manufacturing for business growth, sales and marketing, and financial health.

Voucher applications support refining quality assurance, improving supply chain linkages and collaborations, expanding production, pursuing sustainability accreditation, biodiversity planning, website renovation, enhancing data collection, branding and marketing.

More than 170 WA agrifood and beverage enterprises have benefitted from the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program and the former Expert for a Day pilot program since 2018.

A full list of recipients can be viewed at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/AFBvoucherprogram

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"This program has received great feedback from past recipients throughout the State who have used the investment to pursue new opportunities and develop new approaches.

"The initiative continues evolving to address opportunities and challenges facing WA businesses, while building resilience, sustainability, scale, competitiveness and export preparedness.

"The McGowan Government is continuing to deliver for local agrifood businesses, backing their growth and supporting new economic opportunities across the State."

Minister's office -6552 6200

Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program - successful recipients (round three)

Sales and Marketing

Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility

$2,000

$1,000

Business Planning

Financial Health

$7,500

$7,500

Business Planning

Manufacturing for Business Growth

$2,000

$2,000

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Agrifood and Beverage Vouchers for a smorgasbord of recipients - Media Statements

Russia launched a full-scale military assault on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and since then the Russian government has been desperately trying to control the narrative, including blocking Facebook and Instagram, as well as restricting Twitter and access to independent news. Keep reading to learn how to unblock social media in Russia and read uncensored news.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of people have been killed, while millions have fled their homes. Meanwhile, the Russian government is restricting some social media networks and news outlets to control the narrative within Russia.

Many Ukrainians flee on foot toward European borders.

Additionally, the Russian government is shutting down independent news, while Russian state media and schools are under strict orders to call the invasion a special military invasion, not a war.

Fortunately, if you live in Russia, you dont have to bear the brunt of Putins digital repression. With a solid VPN, you can get past these geoblocks and access the open internet. In this guide, well show you exactly how to unblock content using a VPN, plus our recommended VPNs for Russia.

YouTube still works in Russia, although the social media platform has suspended advertising revenue for Russian channels.

Russia has blocked Instagram, with the government saying its because the platform is being used to incite violence against Russian soldiers. However, the ban is part of a concerted effort to clamp down on independent media and control the narrative surrounding the war.

Russia has a long list of sites that are not allowed in the country. A number of those sites include porn and gambling sites, but youll also see a lot of news sites there. So its not just about changing habits; its also about controlling information flow.

Russia forbids the use of certain VPNs that dont cooperate with the government, and theres extensive government surveillance to detect and block VPN use. Russians should use a VPN that doesnt have servers in Russia for security reasons.

Setting up and using a VPN only requires a few steps, as well show you below. For this example, well use ExpressVPN, but note that you can follow similar steps regardless of the VPN youre using.

Visit ExpressVPN and click on the get ExpressVPN button (or the ExpressVPN button). Youll be asked to choose a plan and payment method, after which you can download and install the VPN on your device.

Log in to the ExpressVPN app and select a VPN server in a country with an open internet.

Connect to your preferred server. Next, open the app or platform you want to access. You should be able to access blocked content and be protected from surveillance.

Russia is cracking down on freedom of speech in social media and news platforms. If youre living in Russia, a VPN is a must-have, since it allows you to bypass censorship. In this section, well delve into why Russia is banning the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine have been in military conflict since 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas. In early 2022, Russia began military exercises near the Ukrainian border, and even with thousands of troops deployed in Russia and Belarus, the world largely didnt believe that Putin would invade Ukraine again.

Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and the rest of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, in February 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian war came to a head when Putin launched an all-out offensive against Ukraine a move that sparked fierce global outrage. His reasons for invading Ukraine include the demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine, claims proven to be false.

World leaders rallied to condemn the war, with President Joe Biden calling it an unprovoked and unjustified attack while the U.K.s Boris Johnson called it a path of bloodshed and destruction.

Media outlets both in Russia and around the world have been condemning Putin for starting a needless war. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become avenues to express dissent against Putin and the Kremlin. They have also become rallying points for Ukrainian fighters and sympathizers.

Unsurprisingly, the Russian government hasnt taken kindly to the pushback. In March, Putin signed a new law that could incarcerate anyone for up to 15 years for spreading fake news about the invasion. Further, several independent news sites have been blocked, while thousands of anti-war protesters (Russian citizens) have been arrested.

Even worse, Russia has blocked Instagram and Facebook while seeking to label Meta (Facebooks parent company) as an extremist organization. Although Twitter still works within the country, the company says the service is restricted for some users.

Using a VPN service is the best way to beat the social media ban, so its no surprise that demand for VPNs in Russia has skyrocketed by more than 2,000% since the Instagram ban.

In addition to the ground war in Ukraine, the Russian government is also waging a war online to control the narrative for Russian citizens. This online censorship began years ago, including with the government trying to control VPNs and when it failed, it tried to ban their use.

In 2021 alone, the Russian government banned 14 VPNs, as you can see in our Russia VPN ban guide. However, Russian authorities have failed to block VPN use altogether. If you want to unblock social media in Russia, youll need a secure and reliable VPN provider. Our top picks include ExpressVPN, NordVPN and CyberGhost.

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN were banned by the Russian government in 2021 because they refused to connect to the Federal State Information Service (FSIS), which would have defeated the purpose of the VPN entirely. However, you can still access ExpressVPN and NordVPN online in Russia to download the software.

Although CyberGhost is not banned in Russia, it does not have any physical servers within the country the Russian server is virtual which means your data is secure from the Kremlin. However, youd still be able to get a Russian IP address, if you needed one.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for unblocking news and social media in Russia.

ExpressVPN offers best-in-class security, earning it the top spot in our best VPN guide. Besides the military-grade AES-256 encryption, you get a kill switch and DNS leak protection, which work to ensure your data is always safe.

Of its servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN has a few in countries close to Russia, including Finland, Ukraine and Poland. Whats more, ExpressVPN is a high-speed VPN, boasting excellent download and upload speeds, as you can see in our best fast VPN.

ExpressVPN is extremely secure for Russian users. If any government ever subpoenas ExpressVPN to share your data, therell be no data available since the VPN uses the TrustedServer technology, which wipes your data periodically on its RAM servers. Read our full ExpressVPN review for more information.

NordVPN is a cheaper alternative for accessing blocked content in Russia.

NordVPN is another extremely secure VPN option for Russian people. The VPNs kill switch and DNS leak protection coupled with a strict no-logs policy make NordVPN a top choice. With NordVPN, youll get access to over 5,400 servers in 60 countries to help you encrypt your internet connection to access restricted content, like social media and streaming platforms.

Whats more, NordVPN has some handy features for political activists and journalists. Theres Onion over VPN, which allows you to use the Tor Browser and VPN simultaneously. Youll also get double-hop servers that route your traffic through two servers and to an extra layer of protection. See more details in our NordVPN review.

CyberGhost has a virtual server in Russia, if you need a Russian IP address.

If you need a Russian IP address, you need to use a VPN with Russian servers. Unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN, CyberGhost has a virtual server in Russia, which means its our top choice for getting a Russian IP address. However, it also has more than 7,700 servers in 91 countries.

Additionally, this VPN service has customizable security features including camouflage mode and NoSpy servers to help you access censored websites. It also offers a free one-day trial on desktop. Learn more in our CyberGhost review.

If you were in Russia, youd have noticed by now that you cant access Instagram and Facebook, while Twitter is severely limited. Independent news media is also bearing the brunt of Putins clampdown. Fortunately, with a trustworthy VPN, Russians can beat internet censorship and get information from outside the country despite the blocks.

Have you attempted to unblock a news platform or social media site in Russia? Which VPNs gave the best results? Did you experience any challenges with it? Let us know in the comments section below, and as always, thank you for reading.

Let us know if you liked the post. Thats the only way we can improve.

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How to Access News and Unblock Social Media in Russia 2022 - Cloudwards

In an e-mail to Google on March 4, an unnamed representative of the European Commission said that Russian state media, such as Sputnik and Russia Today (RT), must be banned from search results, videos and social media posts.

Pursuant to the freedom of speech, media have the right to report objectively on current events, states the e-mail. However, the right to free speech can be restricted for legitimate public interests in a proportionate manner. What these interests are and what is proportionate are up to interpretation.

Certainly, propaganda and disinformation can be dangerous. Enemy propaganda has always been outlawed in times of war. It is easy to sympathize with the European Unions desire to shut down pro-Putin mouthpieces while Ukraine is under attack. But its also important to look at the power the EU is grabbing during this crisis.

Under what the e-mail calls broad and comprehensive sanctions, search providers must make sure that i) any link to the Internet sites of RT and Sputnik and ii) any content of RT and Sputnik, including short textual descriptions, visual elements and links to the corresponding websites do not appear in the search results delivered to users located in the EU.

The European Commissions request followed a February 27 speech by its president, Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the decision to ban Sputnik and Russia Today within the EU. Not long after, Google complied and prevented search results from including the targeted websites. Their associated applications were taken down from the Google Play store.

YouTube, a Google subsidy, blocked Russian state-sponsored channels in Europe on March 1. Ten days later, this ban expanded to a global scale.

Social media has also been targeted in an unprecedented way. Deleting posts containing Russian state media applies both to accounts which appear as belonging to individuals who are likely to be used by RT/Sputnik and to any other individuals. As for posts made by individuals that reproduce the content of RT and Sputnik, those posts shall not be published and, if published, must be deleted.

Nobody is exempt. The European Commission now has broad powers to block anyone on social media who may appear likely to be used by Russian interests.

On February 28, a day after von der Leyens speech, Facebooks president of global policy, Nick Clegg, announced that his platform would comply with requests from the EU and ban Russian state media in Europe. Instagram and TikTok made similar announcements.

Speaking to the Washington Post, T.J. McIntyre, an associate professor studying Internet law and civil liberties at University College in Dublin, called the EUs decision a far-reaching and remarkable interpretation of the law.

Most notably, he stated that regarding the EUs censorship law, We have very little insight into how its actually being applied. The EU has not been transparent about its regulation of the Internet, and current events provide only a tiny glimpse into the power the EU truly has.

How many times has the EU censored unwanted publicity without public knowledgeand how much more will it use these powers in the future?

The European Union is working to gain control of the Internet, wrote Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry in 2019. Through various pieces of legislation, the EU now has extraordinary influence in the homes of Internet users and within every corporation and government on Earth. The EU is waging a campaign of technological imperialism, and most people dont even know it!

Europe is dominated by Germany, which has its strongest economy. The fact that the EU can influence large tech companies like Google, YouTube and Twitter to block content on a European and even a global scale shows that this trend is worth watching closely. But thats not all. Europes control of the Internet is part of a larger trend described in the Bible: the seventh resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire.

Daniel 8:23 predicts the rise of a modern king who will unite Europe, reviving the Holy Roman Empire (Revelation 17:10; see also Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast?, by Herbert W. Armstrong, to prove the identity of this empire in detail).

The EU is about the Germans ruling more than just Germany, wrote Mr. Flurry. They want an empire! They want to control the Internetand that is only a stepping-stone to controlling the world! Every time it has risen, the Holy Roman Empire has made an attempt to do just that! These Internet regulations show that the spirit of Charlemagne has returned.

Europes increasingly authoritarian power over the Internet already impacts you. The Bible warns that this empire will soon impact the entire world in much more overt and deadly ways.

To learn more about why the EUs growing influence over the Internet is part of the rise of this empire, read Germany Is Taking Control of the Internet, by Mr. Flurry.

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Where Is the Censorship of Russian Media Leading? - theTrumpet.com