Chicago, IL: RudiCoder LLC, an e-commerce logistics company based in downtown Chicago, is pleased to announce the launch of PriorNotify, an e-commerce enabled application that automates the regulatory process for selling and shipping international food and beverages to customers in the USA.
“PriorNotify is a game-changer,” said Holly Urban, CEO and co-founder of RudiCoder. “If you sell or ship non-US American food and beverage products to customers in the USA, then you know how difficult and time-consuming the US American regulatory process can be. With our PriorNotify app, the process can be completed in seconds,” continued Urban.
PriorNotify is designed for food and beverage producers, as well as for merchants, distributors, drop shippers, and fulfillment and shipping services. International companies can now easily sell and ship edible products to US American retailers, distributors, and consumers.
PriorNotify offers seamless integrations with Shopify, WordPress (WooCommerce), Magento, PrestaShop, and WiX to automatically complete the regulatory process as soon as a product is purchased.
The app also works easily with any order management system, as well as online marketplaces like Amazon. Even without a direct integration, customer order information can be easily uploaded, allowing high-volume sellers to operate quickly and efficiently.
PriorNotify is built for e-commerce, and lets international producers, shipping and mailing companies, drop shippers, and other merchants easily work with each other.
For example, food or drink producers can automatically complete the regulatory process as soon as products are purchased from businesses that sell their products. Similarly, PriorNotify allows drop shippers to automatically notify their producers of each order, and automatically complete the regulatory process for each order, as soon as products are purchased. PriorNotify also allows shipping and mailing companies to automatically complete the regulatory process as soon as products are purchased from their customers.
PriorNotify also allows users to easily create commercial invoices. In addition, all PriorNotify app pages can be automatically translated into dozens of different languages.
“PriorNotify allows companies to effortlessly increase their product offerings, expand their sales and customer base in the USA, and drastically reduce their overhead expenses in the process,” Urban added.
Pricing is competitive with discounts as low as $0.10 per prior notice. There are no setup fees, no monthly minimum charge, no per-user fees, and no extra charges for preset product assortments. Free trials of PriorNotify are also available.
RudiCoder LLC is a food and beverage-focused e-commerce automation company based in downtown Chicago, IL, USA. For more on RudiCoder, please visit: RudiCoder.com and for PriorNotify: PriorNotify.com.
Contact Information
Name: Holly Urban
Email: hurban@incubatorllc.com
Job Title: CEO
Max Crowdfund Voted Best Crowdfunding Platform of 2022
Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform Wins Prestigious Cashcow Award
November 2022 Rotterdam – On the 4th November 2022, the Cashcow award winners were announced at the BeleggersFair in Amsterdam, the 8th edition of the largest investor event in the Netherlands. Max Crowdfund, with headquarters in Rotterdam, was crowned Best Crowdfunding Platform 2022 alongside category winners including Saxo Bank, ABN Amro and eToro.
Five organisations per category were nominated for the Cashcow awards and voted for by the general public and the financial community. Max Crowdfund was delighted to win first place in the category of Best Crowdfunding Platform.
“It is really rewarding to be acknowledged for all the progress that has been made within Max Crowdfund over the last year. We have huge plans for 2023 and will do everything to maintain the high standard of the existing platform as it grows,” said Max Crowdfund CEO, Felix Berkhout, at his award acceptance speech.
Max Crowdfund was represented at the BeleggersFair, held in the Beurs van Berlage, by CEO Felix Berkhout, who presented a masterclass on investing in real estate through crowdfunding alongside Marketing Manager Marc Bakker.
The fair attracted over 3200 attendees including delegates from the Dutch Financial Markets Authority (AFM). AFM board member Jos Heuvelman spoke on trends, developments and risk in the investment market.
In February 2022, Max Crowdfund was named fastest-growing crowdfunding platform in 2021 by market research company crowdfundingcijfers.nl after a tenfold increase of its transaction volume on the previous year. The amount of investment for real estate projects raised via Max Crowdfund grew by a further 500% over the last 12 months. To date, the platform has raised over €35 Million and is awaiting approval by the AFM for a European Crowdfunding Service Provider licence.
Contact Information
Name: Marc Bakker
Email: pr@maxcrowdfund.com
Job Title: Marketing Manager
National Advertising Division Recommends T-Mobile Modify or Discontinue Certain TV Commercial Claims for Magenta Max Wireless Service Plan
New York, NY – November 15, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that T-Mobile US, Inc. modify or discontinue certain claims for its Magenta Max mobile wireless service plan, including claims that:
- “You’ll get T-Mobile’s Price Lock Guarantee, they won’t raise the rates of your rate plan, ever” (the “Price Lock Guarantee” claim).
- “When you switch your family to T-Mobile Magenta Max, you can get up to $1,000.”
- “Families [with T-Mobile] save 20% versus AT&T.”
The claims at issue, which appeared in two T-Mobile television commercials (the “Please Listen” ad and the “Cumpleanos” ad), were challenged by competitor AT&T Services, Inc.
“Price Lock Guarantee” Claim
At issue for NAD was whether T-Mobile’s Price Lock Guarantee claim, as it appears in the Please Listen ad, clearly communicates to consumers that T-Mobile’s Price Lock Guarantee refers only to the monthly rate that consumers pay for wireless service under the Magenta Max plan and does not include associated taxes and fees.
NAD found that while customers are accustomed to advertised prices of goods being exclusive of sales tax, reasonable consumers may not understand the meaning of “price” within the context of the Price Lock Guarantee claim in the Please Listen ad as referring to the service’s monthly rate only and excluding fees and other taxes. Further, NAD determined that T-Mobile’s disclosure is not effective in limiting the claim both as a matter of presentation and content.
NAD determined that the Price Lock Guarantee claim was unsupported and recommended that T-Mobile discontinue the “Price Lock Guarantee” claim or modify it to avoid conveying such a message. NAD noted that nothing in its decision prevents T-Mobile from making a more limited claim that it will not increase the monthly rate under the Magenta Max plan for talk, text, and data services.
NAD also determined that T-Mobile’s Please Listen ad reasonably conveys the implied message that only AT&T and Verizon have recently imposed price hikes and fee increases on consumers for mobile wireless service. Because T-Mobile recently increased fees charged to consumers for mobile wireless service, NAD recommended that the commercial be modified to avoid conveying this unsupported message.
“Get up to $1,000 Back” Claims
Regarding the claim “when you switch your family to T-Mobile Magenta Max, you can get up to $1,000,” NAD considered whether the Please Listen and Cumpleanos ads make it clear that T-Mobile was offering switching customers $200 per line for up to five lines of service, or whether a reasonable consumer could take away the message that they are eligible for the full $1,000 regardless of the number of lines switched.
NAD found that both ads reasonably convey the message that a typical consumer who switches to T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan is eligible to get $1,000. However, to the extent that the advertised offer can only be achieved by a certain class of consumer or under certain circumstances, the class of person or circumstances that can achieve the maximum level of performance claimed must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed.
Therefore, NAD recommended that the claim be modified to make it clear as part of the main claim, or in a similar font size in close proximity to the main claim, that the maximum amount advertised can only be attained by families switching five lines. Additionally, NAD recommended that the on-screen disclosures stating the material terms of the offer be modified to be clear, conspicuous, and easy to notice, read, and understand.
“Families with T-Mobile Save 20% Versus AT&T”
NAD considered whether T-Mobile’s 20% savings claim, in the context of its Cumpleanos ad, conveyed the broad message that all of T-Mobile plans offer a 20% savings over comparable wireless plans offered by AT&T, or whether it conveyed a more limited message that such savings are available with T-Mobile’s Essentials plan.
NAD determined that the Cumpleanos ad reasonably conveyed the message that consumers can save 20% when choosing T-Mobile plans over AT&T and Verizon plans and that the disclosure mentioning the Essentials Plan was not clear and conspicuous so as to limit the claim.
Additionally, NAD determined that because the Cumpleanos ad presents offers for the Magenta Max plan and the Essentials plan mere seconds apart, a consumer would reasonably understand these offers to be cumulative and not two completely distinct offers for two different plans. NAD found that the immediate proximity of the offers would reasonably convey the message that consumers would also save 20% with the Magenta Max plan as compared to AT&T
While the record established that consumers who switch 3-4 lines to Magenta Max can save 20% there was nothing in the record to support the broad 20% savings claim when choosing any T-Mobile plan over any AT&T and Verizon plans. NAD therefore recommended that the Cumpleanos ad be modified to avoid conveying such a message.
In its advertiser statement, T-Mobile stated that it “will comply with NAD’s decision.” The advertiser further stated that it is proud of its Price Lock guarantee and $1,000 switching offer and “believes the challenged advertisements appropriately communicated the terms of its offers and rate plan savings. T-Mobile nevertheless indicated that the challenged commercials are no longer running and that as a supporter of self-regulation, it “will take NAD’s recommendations into account with respect to its future advertising.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
Novus Releases Positive Earnings For 3rd Quarter 2022
Regulation Reform Places Employer-Sponsored Health Plans as a Great Cannabis Distribution Model to Consumers
MIAMI, FL – AccessWire – November 15, 2022, – Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp. (OTC Markets: (NDEV), through its wholly-owned subsidiary WCIG Insurance Services, Inc. Operates as a national supplemental health insurance carrier and, the nation’s first health carrier offering cannabis that is included in health plans for recreational and medicinal users. Announces the release of its 3rd quarter interim statement.
In Novus’ 3Q, 2022 statement demonstrates positive earnings, the integration of an online pharmacy managed by Plitio to provide our cannabis policyholders with online ordering of prescription meds, and the latest state referendums that continue to support cannabis in employee benefit packages.
Financial Highlights:
For the 3rd quarter of Novus’ Fiscal Year of 2022, the points below show the financial condition of the Company’s business model.
- No Dilution: No common stock was issued in the last six consecutive quarters. All third-party vendors who received stock issued from treasury are subject to a mandatory leak out of securities which is 15% of the average daily trading volume, computed over the last 30 trading days.
- Three-Month Gross Revenue Increase: Gross Revenue increased $9,506 or 12.27% to $77,461 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to $67,955 for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
- Three Month Net Revenue Increase: Net Revenue, increased from $43,067 to $47,044 an increase of 8.45% or $3,977 on September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021.
- Profit Margin: On September 30, 2022, the company demonstrated a 39.26% profit margin pricing structure in its business model up from 38.58% three months ended September 30, 2021
- Shareholder Equity Increase: An increase of $72,361 or 4.65% which is $1,554,250 on September 30, 2022, from $1,481,889 on September 30, 2021.
- Cash and Cash Equivalents: Increased to $179,661 on September 30, 2022, or 11.9%, an increase from $158,195 for the same period ended September 30, 2021.
Online Pharmacy Adaptation:
It’s been six years of building an infrastructure of a Provider Network of cannabis verticals that integrates cannabis in our health plans, and we find ourselves on the precibus of re-scheduling cannabis under federal law.
Management has set its plans for the future in giving cannabis policyholders more healthcare options for their cannabis benefits. Projecting the beginning of 2023, Novus will offer prescription medication through an online pharmacy platform with a Canadian developer known as Plitio.
The deal calls for private labeling of the intellectual property in the name of Novus. The technology backbone of the platform will remit and distribute prescriptions at a discount of as much as 50% on generic meds.
Frank Labrozzi, Novus’ CEO, states; “This alliance offers threefold advantages, more revenue to our Provider Network, immense discounts to our policyholders on their prescriptions and/or cannabis meds, all leading to generating more policyholder sales for our shareholders.”
Kayhan Moayeri, Plitio CEO, states: “We see that our technology and prescription drug plans offered by Novus, will simultaneously expand each of our company’s marketplace presence, benefiting providers and policyholders.
Cannabis Regulation Reform:
California has taken in nearly $4 billion in marijuana tax revenue since 2018, last year, increased 55 percent more from cannabis. Being one of our largest markets in cannabis we determined that many states would follow suit.
Here is the regulatory landscape that increasingly supports cannabis in health plans for the consumer:
- Interstate Commerce: California SB 1326 permits interstate cannabis commerce from California to other legal states.
- Insurance Codes: California AB 2568, Insurance Code, is not a crime under California law solely for providing insurance or related services to persons licensed to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this division.
- Patient Rights: California B1954, physicians cannot be penalized for administering treatment to a patient who uses medical marijuana in compliance with state law.
- Fair Employment and Housing Act: California B2188: Eliminates employment-based THC testing and prohibits penalizing a person solely because of off-duty cannabis use.
Conclusion Cannabis in the Workplace
As Management continues to negotiate and finalize agreements of embedding our cannabis health plans with regional and national health carriers, we overcame the obstacles concerning conflicts with the Drug-Free Workplace Act and state laws authorizing cannabis use.
Fortunately, The Patient Rights Act and Insurance Codes prompted Human Resource Departments to rewrite their policies concerning cannabis. Aside from employee safety issues, employers are approving the adaptation of policies in accordance with the Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis (RERACA). What’s changed their minds? Since COVID the zero-tolerance employer is confronted with daily struggles in staffing shortages, recruitment, telework demand, and retention issues which top their priorities directly.
Three things investors need to know that Novus’ business model,
- We are not solely dependent on the end of cannabis prohibitions since insurance codes work primarily at the state level.
- Legislative reform obviously will bring more significant changes, the not so popular, higher taxes on recreational cannabis, driving consumers from being rec users to becoming med users, and,
- Employers are faced with an ever-changing landscape, as employees want cannabis in their health benefits, provoking HR department to entice and retain staffing deficiencies.
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- Financial Filings: Click Here
- Quote:Click Here
- Website: Click Here
- Investor’s Page: Click Here
About Novus
Novus Acquisition & Development Corp. (NDEV), through its subsidiary WCIG Insurance, Services, Inc. provides health insurance and related insurance solutions within the wellness and medical marijuana industries in states where legal programs exist. Novus has developed its infrastructure within many lines of the insurance business such as health, life, and fixed annuities. As a carrier Novus relies on two key indicators to measure value and performance. The Benefit Monetization Ratio is defined as the total number of policies, monetized annually, which is offset by the operating cost ratio which is a Balance Sheet line item computed as Net Asset Value.
Novus’ medical cannabis benefits package will work as outside developers and will not cultivate, handle, transport grow, extract, dispense, put up for sale, put on the market, vend, deliver, supply, circulate, or trade cannabis or any substances that violate the United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future and will continue to follow state and federal laws. The statements made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All information provided on these press releases, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. All cannabis transaction is solely between the state-licensed dispensary and the registered patient.
The state laws conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act. The current administration has effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state-designated laws, allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. Changes in consolidation may affect the provider network. However, there is no guarantee that the current administration, nor any future administration, will not change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial changes. While we do not intend to harvest, distribute, or sell cannabis or cannabis-related products, we may be harmed by a change in enforcement by federal or state governments.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflect management’s current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, includes codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. Novus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additionally, this press release that is not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Written words, such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intends,” “goal,” “objective,” “seek,” “attempt,” or variations of these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future.
Investor Contact Information
855-228-7355
Email: info@getnovusnow.com
Contact Information
Name: Frank Labrozzi
Email: frank@ndev.biz
Job Title: CEO
Genexa Appeals NAD Recommendation to Discontinue or Modify Pediatrician Preference and Ingredient Claims for OTC Kids’ Pain & Fever Medicine
New York, NY – Nov. 14, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Genexa Inc. discontinue certain pediatrician preference claims and ingredient claims for its over the counter (OTC) Kids’ Pain & Fever medicine. Genexa will appeal NAD’s decision.
The challenged claims appeared on the advertiser’s website, in social media posts, on physical point-of-sale displays, and in digital video advertising.
The claims were challenged by Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., McNeil Healthcare Division, manufacturer of competing OTC pain and fever medications for children. Both parties’ products contain the active ingredient acetaminophen but differ in the formulation of their inactive ingredients.
At issue for NAD was whether the challenged pediatrician preference claims were supported by a survey of pediatricians (the FRC Survey) and whether the challenged ingredient claims, which contrast the advertiser’s product with other children’s OTC medications including formulations of Johnson & Johnson’s Children’s TYLENOL Pain + Fever Oral Suspension, were falsely disparaging.
Pediatrician Preference Claims
Johnson & Johnson challenged the following pediatrician preference claims:
- “Pediatricians prefer Genexa’s Kids’ Pain & Fever over Children’s Tylenol Pain + Fever liquid products for their own children based upon comparing the ingredients”; and
- “The doctors have spoken.”
Stepping into the shoes of a reasonable consumer, NAD found that one message conveyed by the challenged claims is that the pediatricians prefer the advertiser’s product and not that such preference is limited to “ingredients.” NAD also found that another reasonable consumer message conveyed is that pediatricians recommend the advertiser’s product in their own practices and use it to treat their own children. NAD determined that the advertiser’s FRC survey was not a good fit for the challenged claims.
NAD recommended that the claims be discontinued or modified to make clear that the surveyed pediatricians expressed a preference only as to “ingredients.” NAD further recommended that the advertiser avoid stating or implying that pediatricians prefer or use the advertiser’s product over the challenger’s product in their practices or for their own children.
Ingredient Claims
NAD has recognized that there is a distinction between claims that underscore a product’s claimed benefit versus claims that state or reasonably imply that other products are unsafe or pose potential risks or dangers.
NAD found that the following challenged claims convey the message to a reasonable consumer that there are ingredients in competitors’ products, including Johnson & Johnson’s, that are dangerous and unsafe by indicating that the ingredient is in or made from products that would be harmful if ingested.
Because there was no evidence in the record to support claims that the FDA-approved non-active ingredients in competitors’ products, including Children’s TYLENOL, are harmful or unhealthy, NAD recommended that these claims be discontinued.
NAD also recommended that the advertiser discontinue the “MADE WITH REAL INGREDIENTS” claim in the context presented in the now discontinued video advertisement and avoid conveying the message that competing products with different inactive ingredients are generally unsafe, harmful, or dangerous. NAD noted that nothing in its decision prevents the advertiser from highlighting the “real ingredients” in its product provided, however, that the advertising does not otherwise convey the message that competing products contain inactive ingredients that are generally unsafe, harmful, or dangerous.
NAD determined that several remaining ingredient claims did not constitute mere puffery, but instead compared Genexa’s products to competitor’s products in a measurable way such that substantiation for the claims is required.
Therefore, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue the following claims in the context in which they appear in the challenged advertising:
- “When we looked around the medicine aisle, we found something that made us sick.”
- “Your kid’s pain medicine shouldn’t give you a headache.”
- “Things that shouldn’t exist, with a list of items like “showers that make you dirty,” “food that makes you hungry,” “all artificial dyes in medicine,” and “parabens in medicine.”
Finally, the advertiser informed NAD that it had previously discontinued the use of four additional claims “EWWW,” “SERIOUSLY?!,” “JUST WOW . . ..” “Ditch the dirty,” and “#pediatricianapproved” prior to the date of the challenge. During the challenge, the advertiser advised NAD and the Challenger that it permanently discontinued these claims. Therefore, NAD did not review these claims on the merits.
In its advertiser statement, Genexa stated that it will appeal NAD’s decision. The advertiser stated that although it is “pleased that NAD found that the FRC Survey supported an ingredient-based preference claim (e.g. ‘Pediatricians prefer the ingredients in Genexa’s Kids’ Pain & Fever over Children’s Tylenol Pain + Fever liquid products for their own children’)” and that “nothing in NAD’s decision prevents Genexa from highlighting the ‘real ingredients’ in its product,” it “fundamentally disagrees with the balance of NAD’s decision,” including the recommendations to modify or discontinue the challenged claims.
Appeals of NAD decisions are made to BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate-level truth-in-advertising body of BBB National Programs.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
BEEAH Group pledges to achieve emissions-free mobility at COP27
BEEAH Group, the Middle East’s pioneer in sustainable, smart solutions for future-ready cities, has signed the ZEV Declaration at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt. Around 200 signatories to the declaration, initiated by the UK Presidency, are now setting a roadmap so that by 2040, all new van and car sales will be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV).
By signing the ZEV Declaration, BEEAH Group is taking definitive steps within its own operations and is joining the call to action for governments, businesses, and organisations to rapidly accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Following the signing, Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, said: “As a pioneer for sustainability in the Middle East, we have been committed to setting the pace for sustainable action. Through our businesses and innovations, we have demonstrated several models to advance net-zero emissions and zero-waste-to-landfill strategies. Now, as the first organisation in the UAE to sign the ZEV declaration, we are hoping to lead by example and showcase tangible business benefits to using emissions-free fleets for operations, combining electric and hydrogen fuel solutions.”
In line with the UAE’s sustainability roadmap and the Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, BEEAH Group has already made advancements to lower emissions across its businesses and projects.
Within its holding group structure, one of BEEAH Group’s major businesses is its waste collection and city cleaning business, BEEAH Tandeef. Its fleet of thousands of vehicles comprises electric models, which enable operations across the UAE, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, including in the city of Sharm El Sheikh where COP27 is being held. BEEAH Tandeef’s services in Sharm El Sheikh began a few days prior to COP27. A digitally enabled fleet, hundreds of innovative bins, as well as a large skilled workforce have been deployed to tourist hotspots, public spaces and residential areas in Sharm El Sheikh. Cleaning personnel and bins are also serving the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre, where COP27 is being held. Following the conference, BEEAH Tandeef will continue to deliver its services as part of a 10-year contract in the city.
BEEAH Group has also placed the Middle East’s largest order for fully electric Tesla Semis, which once developed will be one of the fastest and safest freight trucks in the world. Through its green and autonomous mobility business, BEEAH Transport, the Group has been exploring next-generation innovation in sustainable mobility and testing models for smarter, emissions-free transport.
“Zero-emissions vehicles will be essential to creating accessible, hyperconnected transport networks in the smart, sustainable cities of the future. Through BEEAH Transport, our dedicated business driven towards the green mobility transition, we will continue to drive the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles across industries, as well as solutions that support the need for green mobility infrastructure in the region,” the BEEAH Group CEO added.
The UK Presidency initiated the ZEV Declaration at COP26 in Glasgow last year and has since had many governments, companies, automobile manufacturers and fleet operators sign on to the pledge. Speaking on the development, Nigel Topping, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP26, said: “BEEAH Group is our first Race to Zero signatory in the UAE to sign on to the ZEV Declaration, which is a critical development as countries in the Middle East region have high vehicle densities. By making the switch to zero-emission vehicles, BEEAH Group is taking a decisive step towards achieving the net-zero ambition and contributing to the local, regional, and global sustainability agenda. During COP27, we expect that more governments and non-state actors in the Middle East will be inspired to act towards an emission-free mobility sector in the region.”
Representing UAE at COP27, BEEAH Group is exhibiting its milestone projects that have contributed to a future of net-zero emissions, zero-waste to landfill and infrastructure for sustainable, smart cities.
One of the key projects being showcased is the Sharjah Waste to Energy Plant, the region’s first commercial-scale plant of its kind. The plant is equipped to divert 300,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill every year while meeting the power needs of approximately 28,000 homes in Sharjah. The plant is the inaugural project of the Emirates Waste to Energy company, a joint venture between BEEAH Group and Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company.
The Group is also highlighting its state-of-the-art Waste Management Centre, which has been the driving force for the emirate of Sharjah in achieving 76% landfill waste diversion. The complex is managed and operated by BEEAH Recycling, the Group’s recycling, and material recovery business. It comprises ten specialised facilities equipped with digital technologies and advanced machinery, which help automate waste sorting and processing to recover valuable material for reintroduction into the circular economy.
The BEEAH Group Headquarters building is also being displayed at the pavilion as a model for offices of the future and infrastructure in tomorrow’s sustainable, smart cities. Integrated with future AI and digital twin technologies, the Headquarters is built to operate at net-zero, LEED Platinum standards. Featuring the iconic design of the late Dame Zaha Hadid, one of the world’s most influential architects of her time, the building also offers an unparalleled environment for employee comfort and productivity.
Speaking about BEEAH Group’s participation, Al Huraimel added, “We are proud to be part of the UAE delegation to COP27. It is great to be part of the global conversation on planning and taking climate action. By showcasing the projects that are contributing to the UAE’s sustainability agenda, we hope to offer models for success in achieving a sustainable quality of life for all. Following the ZEV declaration, we also look forward to the next chapter of collaboration and innovation to solidify our efforts and impact towards a future of net-zero emissions.”
Contact Information
Name: Mohamed Salim Allawi
Email: mallawy@beeahgroup.com
Job Title: Media Relations Specialist
National Advertising Division Recommends P&G Discontinue or Modify Comparative Advertising Commercials for Puffs Ultra Soft Tissues vs. Kleenex
New York, NY – November 8, 2022 – Acting on a challenge brought by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) discontinue two commercials for Puffs Ultra Soft Tissues or modify them to:
- Avoid conveying a misleading message about the softness, comfort, or safety of Kleenex tissues; and
- Avoid conveying the misleading message that Puff’s tissues have visible quilt-like puffing.
At issue before NAD was whether two short, whimsical video commercials featuring animated characters and side-by-side product comparisons between Puffs tissues and the “leading” competitor convey disparaging messages about Kleenex.
Although humor can be an effective and creative way for advertisers to highlight the differences between their products and those of competitors, humor and hyperbole do not relieve an advertiser of the obligation to support messages that their advertisements might reasonably convey.
NAD concluded that one reasonable message conveyed by the challenged commercials, “Linda’s Little Nose” and “Fire Department,” is that competing tissues, including Kleenex, are harsh, insufficiently soft, and harmful to the nose. Because this message was not supported by P&G’s evidence, NAD recommended that the advertising be discontinued or modified to avoid conveying a misleading message about the softness, comfort, or safety of Kleenex tissues.
NAD also considered whether the side-by-side demonstration scene in “Linda’s Little Nose,” a simulation of a structural feature of P&G’s product, conveys the message that Puffs have quilted puffing when the tissues are actually flat. NAD noted that an advertiser may artfully arrange a product to look appealing in the advertising but may not materially or artificially enhance the product beyond the scope of supporting evidence.
NAD determined that the side-by-side demonstration conveys a misleading message about the appearance of Puffs tissues not supported by the evidence and recommended that the advertising be discontinued or modified to avoid conveying the misleading message that Puff’s tissues have visible quilt-like puffing.
During the proceeding, P&G permanently discontinued the claim that Puff is “air fluffed with 40% more cushiony thickness” [“*vs. the Leading Ultra Soft Competitor”]. Therefore, NAD did not review this claim on the merits.
In its advertiser statement, P&G stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations” and “appreciates NAD’s careful review of this matter.” The advertiser further stated that while it “respectfully disagrees with NAD’s decision, because P&G is a strong supporter of the self-regulatory process it will take NAD’s recommendations into account in future advertising for Puffs tissues.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
National Advertising Division Recommends Comcast Modify or Discontinue Xfinity Mobile vs. T-Mobile Comparative Savings Claims
New York, NY – November 7, 2022 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs analyzed comparative savings claims made by Comcast Cable Communications, LLC about its Xfinity Mobile Wireless service plan. NAD recommended that Comcast either discontinue a claim that Xfinity Mobile is 30% less than T-Mobile or modify the advertising to clearly and conspicuously disclose the T-Mobile t plan that is the basis of comparison and the material differences between the plans.
NAD also recommended that Comcast:
- Discontinue its “Unlimited data for $30/line” claims in the challenged advertising or modify the claims to disclose all material information associated with the plan.
- Modify its advertising to avoid conveying the unsupported implied message that Xfinity is less expensive than T-Mobile regardless of how many mobile lines are purchased, and that Xfinity is less expensive than T-Mobile when four mobile lines are purchased.
The express and implied claims at issue appeared in a print mailer, an online paid Google ad, a commercial featuring the singer Becky G, and a commercial featuring characters from the animated movie “The Bad Guys.”
$30/Line Claims
At issue for NAD was whether Comcast properly disclosed all material information relating to its $30/Line claims in the context of the challenged advertising. NAD found that the following material conditions must be disclosed:
- The advertised price of $30/Line applies only when the consumer purchases four lines;
- A consumer must be an Xfinity Internet subscriber to obtain the $30/Line claim offer; and
- The “unlimited data” promised by the $30/Line claim is subject to data throttling after 20GB of usage.
In both the mailer and the Google ad, NAD determined that the four-line purchase requirement is adequately conveyed because the claim itself included the information. And though the mailer clearly and conspicuously discloses the data throttling condition in a disclosure in close proximity to the $30/Line claim, the Google ad does not adequately convey the data throttling condition.
However, NAD found that both the mailer and Google ad do not adequately inform consumers that the $30/Line claim is limited to only Xfinity Internet subscribers.
NAD also recommended that Comcast disclose clearly and conspicuously the Xfinity Internet subscription and data throttling conditions in close proximity to the $30/Line claim.
30% Less Claims
The Becky G commercial also contains claims that Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile Unlimited plan is 30% less than T-Mobile’s Essentials plan. NAD noted that consumer expectation of “apples-to-apples” comparisons is predicated on the presumption that when an advertiser compares its product or service against those of its competitor, the advertiser is selecting the objects of comparison that are most relevant to consumers, i.e., the product or services that the consumer is most likely comparing when making a purchasing decision in the marketplace.
NAD assessed whether T-Mobile’s recently introduced Base Essentials plan, which offers a line of mobile wireless service with unlimited data for the same price as the Xfinity Mobile Unlimited Plan, renders Comcast’s 30% Less claims false. NAD concluded that T-Mobile’s Base Essentials plan is not a consumer-meaningful option because information about the plan is difficult for consumers to locate and there are hurdles to purchasing the services, such as the need to visit a T-Mobile store or call, that are not present with respect to T-Mobile’s other plans. Therefore, NAD concluded that the Base Essentials plan pricing does not prevent Xfinity Mobile from making its 30% Less claims.
However, because NAD determined that Comcast’s disclosures do not clearly communicate the basis of comparison to which the 30% Less claims are limited, NAD recommended that Comcast clearly and conspicuously disclose that the 30% Less claims are based on a comparison of the Xfinity Mobile Unlimited and T-Mobile Essentials plans in a way that is easy for consumers to notice, read, and understand. NAD noted that comparative price and savings claims must be narrowly drawn to avoid overstating comparative benefits.
Implied Claims
NAD determined that the Bad Guys commercial conveys the message that the price for four lines, or any number of lines, purchased through the Xfinity plan will be less expensive than the price currently available (inclusive of discounts) for the same number of lines under a competing mobile wireless plan. NAD found that such a message was unsupported since, at the time of the challenge, T-Mobile was offering a four-line price with autopay discounts that were less expensive than the four-line price under the Xfinity Mobile Unlimited plan. Therefore, NAD recommended that Comcast modify its advertising to avoid conveying these implied claims.
In its advertiser statement, Comcast stated that it “agrees to comply with NAD’s recommendations.” The advertiser further stated that it “appreciates NAD’s review and, in particular, is pleased that NAD followed the FTC’s .Com Disclosures guidance concerning search engine advertising and space-constrained ads.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact: Abby Hills, Director of Communications, BBB National Programs
703.247.9330 / press@bbbnp.org
Empresa de tecnología de Chicago anuncia el lanzamiento de una aplicación para automatizar la importación de alimentos
Chicago, IL. RudiCoder LLC, una empresa de logística para comercio electrónico con sede en el centro de Chicago, se complace en anunciar el lanzamiento de PriorNotify, una aplicación habilitada para comercio electrónico que automatiza el proceso regulatorio de la venta y el envío de alimentos y bebidas internacionales a clientes de EE. UU.
“PriorNotify representa un cambio revolucionario”, afirmó Holly Urban, directora ejecutiva y cofundadora de RudiCoder. “Quienes venden o envían alimentos y bebidas de origen no estadounidense a clientes de EE. UU. saben lo difícil que puede ser el proceso regulatorio del país y el tiempo que puede llevar. Con nuestra aplicación PriorNotify, el proceso puede realizarse en segundos”, agregó Urban.
PriorNotify está diseñada para productores de alimentos y bebidas, así como para comerciantes, distribuidores, proveedores de servicios de logística y envío, y de triangulación de envíos (dropshipping). Las empresas internacionales ahora pueden vender y enviar productos comestibles a minoristas, distribuidores y consumidores estadounidenses.
PriorNotify ofrece una integración perfecta con Shopify, WordPress (WooCommerce), Magento, PrestaShop y WiX para completar automáticamente el proceso regulatorio tan pronto como se compra el producto.
La aplicación funciona sin problemas con cualquier sistema de gestión de pedidos y con mercados en línea, como Amazon. Aunque no haya una integración directa, la información de los pedidos de clientes se puede cargar fácilmente, lo que permite que los vendedores con mucho volumen operen de manera rápida y eficiente.
PriorNotify está diseñada para comercio electrónico y permite que productores internacionales, empresas de envío y mensajería, proveedores de servicios de triangulación de envíos y otros comerciantes colaboren entre sí con facilidad.
Por ejemplo, los productores de alimentos o bebidas pueden realizar automáticamente el proceso regulatorio tan pronto como se compran los productos a los negocios que los venden. De manera similar, PriorNotify permite que los proveedores de servicios de triangulación de envíos informen a los productores de cada pedido y completen el proceso regulatorio de cada uno automáticamente en el momento en que se compran los productos. Además, posibilita que las empresas de envío y mensajería completen automáticamente el proceso regulatorio tan pronto como se compran los productos de sus clientes.
PriorNotify también les da a los usuarios la posibilidad de generar facturas comerciales de manera sencilla. Además, todas las páginas de la aplicación pueden traducirse automáticamente a varios idiomas.
“PriorNotify permite que las empresas aumenten su oferta de productos, amplíen sus ventas y su clientela en EE. UU., y reduzcan considerablemente sus gastos generales en el proceso con facilidad”, dijo Urban.
El precio es competitivo, con descuentos desde $0,10 por aviso previo. No hay tarifas de configuración, cargos mensuales mínimos, cargos por usuario ni cargos adicionales por las gamas de productos preestablecidas. Se pueden hacer pruebas gratuitas de PriorNotify.
RudiCoder LLC es una empresa de automatización de comercio electrónico orientada a alimentos y bebidas, con sede en el centro de Chicago, IL, EE. UU. Para obtener más información sobre RudiCoder, visite RudiCoder.com y, sobre PriorNotify, visite PriorNotify.com.
Contact Information
Contact: Holly Urban
Email:hurban@incubatorllc.com
Designation:CEO
National Advertising Review Board Finds Sanofi’s “#1 Doctor Recommended Ingredient” Claims for Zantac 360° Unsubstantiated
New York, NY – November 2, 2022 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising law body of BBB National Programs, recommended that Sanofi Consumer Healthcare not use claims that:
- Zantac 360° contains, or that famotidine is, “the #1 Doctor Recommended ingredient;” or
- Zantac 360° contains, or that famotidine is, “the #1 Doctor Recommended ingredient among H2 Blockers.”
Related advertising claims had been challenged before the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs by Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., manufacturer of the competing Pepcid products. Following NAD’s decision (Case No. 7088), Sanofi appealed NAD’s finding that it did not have proper support for the claim that famotidine is “the #1 Doctor Recommended ingredient (among H2 blockers).”
The parties manufacture and market leading brands of OTC heartburn medication containing Histamine-2 (H2) Blockers. In 2020, Sanofi introduced Zantac 360°, an H2 blocker formulated with the active ingredient famotidine – the same active ingredient used in the challenger’s Pepcid products.
As support for a doctor-recommended ingredient claim, Sanofi relied on the results of IQVIA survey data that recorded the number and percentage of physicians’ average weekly recommendations in the acid reducer category, a category that includes store/generic brands as well as branded products.
In agreement with NAD, the NARB panel determined that the IQVIA data relied on by Sanofi is not a good fit for the #1 Doctor Recommended ingredient claim because:
- The IQVIA survey was a brand/product survey, and therefore did not ask directly about ingredient preferences or recommendations; and
- In context, the responses concerning generic recommendations cannot be considered independently because the responses indicating brand recommendations could have impacted or influenced generic responses, or vice-versa.
Sanofi stated that it “will comply with the NARB’s decision and thanks the NARB for its attention to this matter.” Sanofi further stated that it “respectfully disagrees with the NARB’s ruling that the IQVIA survey did not provide a reasonable basis to make an unqualified claim that famotidine is the #1 doctor recommended ingredient among H2 blockers, given that famotidine is overwhelmingly the #1 doctor recommended H2 blocker whether looking at branded or generic acid reducer recommendations.” The advertiser further stated that it was disappointed that the process did not provide clarity on its proposed modified claim.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs, and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Review Board (NARB): The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) is the appellate body for BBB National Programs’ advertising self-regulatory programs. NARB’s panel members include 85 distinguished volunteer professionals from the national advertising industry, agencies, and public members, such as academics and former members of the public sector. NARB serves as a layer of independent industry peer review that helps engender trust and compliance in NAD, CARU, and DSSRC matters.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
BBB National Programs
703-247-9330