Tag: PR-Wirein

Dubai, UAE: The British Council held its annual Schools Now! conference, in Dubai on 1 and 2 March 2023, which brought together over 2,000 education leaders and professionals from British Council’s Partner Schools around the world, to discuss the latest innovations in teaching and learning across international education.

Schools Now! 2023, themed ‘Transforming Schools: Leadership at all levels’, explored effective leadership across school communities through keynote presentations, panel discussions and workshops. Delegates learned about the importance of developing student leaders, as well as professional pathways to leadership.

Douglas Woods, Global Head of Education Services, British Council, spoke of promoting leadership at all levels in schools to enable an inclusive culture, that nurtures talents and distributes leadership effectively across staff. Through this approach a safe and enriching environment is enabled where students will have the confidence to step up and develop their own leadership skills that will support them in schools and throughout their lives. He also touched upon how effective leadership is more important for schools than at any time in the past as we emerge from the pandemic.

Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, who delivered the first keynote, explored the topic of retaining our best staff and achieve the highest and most specific levels of achievement for our young people. Professor Eman Gaad, Dean of the Faculty of Education and a Professor of Special and Inclusive Education, British University in Dubai (BUiD) spoke about the perceptions of educational leadership for inclusivity. Other keynotes focused on developing 21st century student leaders and leadership development at multiple levels in the school community.

Simon Higgins, Global Head of School Exams, British Council said, ‘We were delighted to host our eighth annual flagship event Schools Now! global conference in Dubai. This year’s theme, ‘Leadership at all levels’ helped school leaders to reflect on the challenges they continue to face daily in a post pandemic world, and also explored ways to develop leadership throughout their school to better support staff, students, and the wider community.’

Mark Walker, Director English & Exams, British Council highlighted the importance of bringing together education leaders from around the world to share ideas, best practices, and perspectives, ‘At the British Council, we are passionate about changing lives. We work hand-in-hand with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to transform their lives and shape a better world. From learning English to gaining internationally recognized qualifications, we are dedicated to helping our partners build networks, explore creative ideas, and access high-quality education.’

Globally, British Council Partner Schools work with more than 2,000 schools, support over 100,000 teachers and touch the lives of about one million students. With attendees from the Americas, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia and East Asia, the truly global event helps to support the mission of the British Council in building connections, understanding and trust through education.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Anna Koniuhova
Senior Communications Manager
MENA at Anna.Koniuhova@britishcouncil.org

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2020–21 we connected with 67 million people directly and with 745 million people overall.

For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org . You can also keep in touch with the British Council through http://twitter.com/britishcouncil and http://blog.britishcouncil.org/.

New York, NY – February 28, 2023 – In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge brought by AT&T Services, Inc., the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Verizon Communications, Inc. modify disclosures used in connection with its claim that consumers who switch to Verizon will get service “for just $25 a line guaranteed for three years.”

Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited challenge process designed for single-issue advertising cases brought to NAD.

AT&T challenged a pricing claim made by Verizon in a television commercial featuring actress Cecily Strong and actor Paul Giamatti, who portrays Albert Einstein. The commercial promotes Verizon’s “Welcome Unlimited” plan where consumers who switch to Verizon can get service “for just $25 a line guaranteed for three years.”

In this challenge, NAD considered whether the challenged Verizon television commercial accurately and effectively conveyed the message that the “guaranteed” monthly $25 per line price is exclusive of taxes and fees.

NAD noted that in advertising the price of a product or service, the total price the consumer will pay is material to the purchasing decision, especially in advertisements for monthly services. As a result, it is material that the advertised price of $25 per line excludes taxes and fees and this material limitation on the advertised prices must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed.

To inform consumers of the material limitation of the price guarantee (it excludes taxes and fees), NAD recommended that Verizon modify its disclosures to make them clear and conspicuous and easy for consumers to notice, read, and understand:

• For example, the advertiser should keep the taxes and fees disclosure on screen at all times the actors are discussing the offer and separate it from the long block text disclosure at the bottom of the screen.
• Additionally, the fee disclosure should be incorporated in the main claim or in similar size text and font in close proximity to the main claim or disclosed in the audio.

NAD determined that the AT&T challenge was appropriate for Fast-Track SWIFT as NAD’s review did not require the review of complex evidence or substantiation related to the advertiser’s pricing claim.

In its advertiser statement, Verizon stated that it will comply with NAD’s recommendation that it make its disclosure even more proximate to the claim even though reasonable consumers understand taxes and fees are separate from the advertised rate and two disclosures appeared on screen twice.

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, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. 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.

Chicago, Illinois:   RudiCoder LLC, azienda di logistica per l’e-commerce di Chicago, è lieta di annunciare il lancio di PriorNotify, la prima applicazione basata sul cloud per l’automazione della procedura di notifica di preavviso, chiamata “Prior Notice”, che è richiesta dalla Food and Drug Administration (FDA) americana per la vendita e la spedizione di generi alimentari e bevande a clienti negli Stati Uniti.

“PriorNotify è rivoluzionaria”, ha dichiarato Holly Urban, AD e co-fondatrice di RudiCoder.  “Chi vende cibi e bevande non americani a clienti negli USA, sa quant’è complesso e quanto tempo richieda espletare la procedura obbligatoria di Prior Notice della FDA. Grazie a PriorNotify di RudiCoder, la procedura viene semplificata e automatizzata, permettendo di completare l’operazione in pochi secondi”, ha spiegato Urban.

PriorNotify è stata progettata per i produttori di generi alimentari e bevande, ma anche per i rivenditori, i distributori, gli spedizionieri e chiunque fornisca servizi di evasione ordini e trasporto.  Le aziende internazionali potranno ora vendere e inviare con estrema facilità prodotti alimentari a rivenditori, distributori e consumatori negli Stati Uniti.

PriorNotify offre un’integrazione perfetta con Shopify, WordPress (WooCommerce), Magento e altre diffuse piattaforme di e-commerce, generando automaticamente le notifiche di Prior Notice richieste dalla Food and Drug Administration non appena il prodotto viene acquistato.

L’app funziona inoltre in modo molto semplice con qualsiasi sistema di gestione degli ordini, oltre che con marketplace online come Amazon.   Le informazioni relative agli ordini possono essere facilmente caricate al suo interno, permettendo ai rivenditori di grossi volumi di operare in modo rapido ed efficiente.

PriorNotify è stata progettata per l’e-commerce e permette a produttori internazionali, aziende di trasporto e spedizione, dropshipper e altri esercenti di collaborare in modo efficace.

Ad esempio, i produttori di alimenti e bevande possono ottenere automaticamente le Prior Notice per la FDA non appena i prodotti vengono acquistati dalle aziende che rivendono i loro prodotti.  Similmente, PriorNotify permette ai dropshipper di inviare notifiche automatiche ai produttori, fornendo le Prior Notice non appena i prodotti vengono acquistati.  PriorNotify permette anche alle aziende di trasporto e spedizione di ottenere automaticamente le Prior Notice per la FDA non appena i prodotti vengono acquistati dai loro clienti.

Inoltre, PriorNotify permette di creare in tutta semplicità delle fatture commerciali.  Infine, tutte le pagine dell’app PriorNotify possono venire tradotte automaticamente in decine di lingue diverse.

“PriorNotify permette alle aziende di aumentare progressivamente le loro offerte di prodotti, ampliare le loro vendite e la base dei loro clienti negli Stati Uniti, riducendo considerevolmente le spese generali del processo”, ha aggiunto Urban.

Il prezzo proposto è molto competitivo, con sconti che permettono di arrivare fino a soli 0,10 $ per Prior Notice, senza tariffe di attivazione, minimi forfettari mensili, costi di utilizzo per utente e addebiti extra per assortimenti predefiniti di prodotti. Sono inoltre disponibili versioni di prova gratuite di PriorNotify.

RudiCoder LLC è un’azienda di automazione dell’e-commerce specializzata nel settore alimentare e delle bevande, con sede a Chicago, Illinois, negli Stati Uniti.  Per ulteriori informazioni su RudiCoder, visitare RudiCoder.com e, per saperne di più su PriorNotify, visitare PriorNotify.com.

New York, NY – February 22, 2023 – In a challenge brought by AT&T Services, Inc., the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that Verizon Communications, Inc. discontinue the claim “you need a better network,” as well as several implied claims, used in connection with its wireless service.

The challenged claims appear in a thirty-second holiday-themed commercial promoting Verizon’s wireless network and includes well-known actors Paul Giamatti, as the Dickens character Scrooge, and Cecily Strong. In the commercial Giamatti as Scrooge holds up his mobile phone, scowls, and complains that he can “barely get reception…” In response, Strong recommends that he “need[s] a better network. Tis the season to switch to Verizon.”

At issue for NAD was whether the claim “You need a better network” in the context of the commercial conveys an objective claim that requires substantiation or whether it falls into the realm of puffery. NAD found that although the commercial includes elements that are fanciful, it also conveys an objective comparative superiority message that Verizon’s network is better than its competitors, which requires substantiation. Because there was no support for this claim, NAD recommended that it be discontinued.

Further, NAD determined that use of the term “better” in the context of the commercial is expressly comparative because it links “better” to the specific performance attribute of cell phone reception.

In the absence of support for Verizon’s claim that it offers better reception than its competitors, NAD recommended Verizon modify the advertising to avoid conveying the implied messages that Verizon provides customers with superior reception, that Verizon has a “better network” than its competitors, and that Verizon offers superior reception due to its “better network”.

In its advertiser statement, Verizon stated that it “will appeal NAD’s decision in its entirety” based on its belief that the “challenged claim does not reference AT&T or any other carriers and was nothing more than a playful, spendthrift-themed vignette that builds up to Verizon’s ‘Free 5G Phone’ offer.”

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, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. 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.

New York, NY – February 15, 2023 – In a challenge brought by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), a not-for-profit organization with the stated mission of working for fair and sustainable food and farm systems, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs recommended that JBS USA Holdings, Inc., discontinue claims relating to its goal of achieving “net zero” emissions by 2040.

JBS is the second-largest food company and the largest animal protein producer in the world, with products that include boxed beef, ground beef, fresh pork, bacon, poultry, lamb, seafood, meat-based snack foods, and plant-based protein.

Aspirational environmental benefit claims create reasonable expectations on the part of consumers and, as a result, they require substantiation. When aspirational claims are tied to measurable outcomes an advertiser must be able to demonstrate that its goals and aspirations are not merely illusory and to provide evidence of the steps it is taking to reach its stated goal.

The challenged claims include:

• “JBS is committing to be net zero by 2040”;
• “Global Commitment to Achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2040”;
• “Bacon, chicken wings and steak with net zero emissions. It’s possible;” and
• “Leading change across the food industry and achieving our goal of net zero by 2040 will be a challenge. Anything less is not an option.”

NAD determined that JBS’ “net zero” claims reasonably create consumer expectations that the advertiser’s efforts are providing environmental benefits, specifically “net zero” emissions by 2040 a measurable outcome. Net-Zero is a recognized standard that guides companies in defining and establishing short and long-term science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction goals aligned with the legally binding 2015 Paris Agreement.

JBS provided evidence of a significant preliminary investment toward reducing emissions by 2040, including steps towards each of the stated “net zero” commitments, however, NAD concluded that the record did not support the broad message conveyed that JBS has a plan that it is implementing today to achieve net zero operational impact by 2040. Therefore, NAD recommended that JBS discontinue each of the challenged “net zero” claims.

NAD noted that nothing in its decision precludes JBS from making narrower truthful and not misleading claims regarding its efforts at researching potential methods for reducing emissions and any efforts it is undertaking to reduce emissions.

Further, regarding the claim “the SBTi recognized the Net Zero Commitment of JBS,” NAD found that the record demonstrates JBS’ notable, but preliminary efforts to establish SBTi-approved science-based greenhouse gas emission targets, but not an approved strategy to allow it to achieve net-zero climate impact by 2040. Therefore, NAD recommended that the claim be discontinued, but noted that nothing in its decision precludes JBS from making narrower truthful and not misleading claims regarding the steps it is taking to align its activities with SBTi criteria and its engagement with the SBTi process.

During the proceeding, JBS voluntarily permanently discontinued one challenged “net zero” claim, therefore, NAD did not review this claim on the merits.

In its advertiser statement, JBS stated that it “will appeal NAD’s decision” based on its disagreement that “the challenged aspirational claims communicate a message that it has a detailed plan in place today to achieve net-zero by 2040—17 years from now” and JBS’ belief that its claim are substantiated by “the foundational work” it has done to date.

Appeals of NAD decisions are made to the 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, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. 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.

New York, NY – February 6, 2023 – A panel of the National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the appellate advertising law body of BBB National Programs, determined that WhatsApp, LLC provided a reasonable basis for two express claims for its WhatsApp messaging service analogizing SMS text messages to “open mail” as used in the advertiser’s television commercial titled “Doubt Delivered”:

• “Text messages are just like open pieces of mail, they’re all open.”
• “Every text message that individuals send is just as open as opened letters.”

The advertising at issue had been challenged before the National Advertising Division (NAD) by CTIA, a trade association. Following NAD’s decision (Case No. 7107), WhatsApp appealed, and CTIA cross-appealed, certain NAD findings and recommendations.

In agreement with NAD, the NARB panel determined that the principal message conveyed by the Doubt Delivered commercial is that SMS text messages, not protected by end-to-end encryption, are more vulnerable to being intercepted/read by unauthorized parties than are messages sent through technologies employing end-to-end encryption. Thus, the panel concluded that the two “open mail” claims are properly supported by the advertiser’s evidence as used in the present context.

In the underlying decision, NAD concluded that three unsupported implied claims were found communicated by the Doubt Delivered commercial and recommended that they be discontinued. However, the NARB panel reached a different conclusion and determined that there were no implied messages regarding wireless carriers in the Doubt Delivered commercial.

WhatsApp thanked the panel for “its careful consideration and the self-regulatory process that led to this decision.”

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, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. 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.