Iconix Study Finds That 85 Percent of Delivered Messages from Top Senders Are Authenticated
Business Wire, Oct 29, 2009
Inbox Authentication Index Tracks Use of Email Authentication for
Delivered Messages
PHILADELPHIA — In conjunction with the 2009 Online Trust and Brand Protection Summit
hosted by the Online Trust Alliance, ICONIX, Inc., the leading provider
of visual email identification solutions, today announced initial
results for its Inbox Authentication Index, which is based on a study of
actual email received by nearly 5000 users in the third quarter of 2009.
The Inbox Authentication Index focuses on the use of email
authentication for the top 12,000 sending domains seen by users in the
study. Although the messages indexed reflect only 3.5 percent of domains
seen by the users, they represent 80 percent of the messages received.
The Index tracks use of the two email authentication methods widely used
in the industry today: Sender Policy Framework (SPF) / Sender ID and
DomainKeys/ DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).
Key findings of the Index include:
-
In total, 85 percent of messages were authenticated by at least one of
the methods79 percent were authenticated by SPF/Sender ID
37 percent were authenticated by DomainKeys/DKIM
31 percent were authenticated using both methods
-
From a domain standpoint, 72 percent of the 12,000 domains in the
Index were authenticated by at least one of the methods71 percent were authenticated by SPF/Sender ID
25 percent were authenticated by DomainKeys/DKIM
24 percent were authenticated using both methods
This is the first study that has looked at authentication metrics for
messages actually seen by users, said Jeff Wilbur, vice-president of
marketing at ICONIX. The recent resurgence in phishing attacks has put
a spotlight on the need for senders of email to authenticate their
messages, which helps receiving email services protect users and senders
from misuse of their brand. Though the authentication rates in the Index
are high, this is no surprise since it represents messages delivered to
users. The use of DomainKeys and DKIM is higher than we expected, though
we noted that very few senders use this method exclusively. We will be
releasing updates to the Index on a quarterly basis.
The research from ICONIX complements OTAs industry scorecards
recognizing companies and brands most committed to combating online
abuse and promoting consumer safety, said Craig Spiezle, Executive
Director of the Online Trust Alliance. Having the perspective of what
actually lands in the inbox is a critical component to track the
progress of email authentication, which is essential to protecting users
from online deception and abuse.
Email authentication is one of OTAs Online Trust Principles which were
co-authored by Iconix and other industry and business leaders committed
to online trust. More information may be found at https://www.otalliance.org/resources/initiatives.html.
For more information on how Iconix can help businesses effectively
communicate with their customers, visit http://iconix.com/business/.
Additional Resources
Iconix
Blog
Iconix
Truemark Download
id badge holder
Iconix
Business Solutions
About
OTA
About ICONIX, Inc.
ICONIX, Inc. is the leading provider of trusted email identification
solutions
Kolter Land Partners Expands Southeast Acquisitions Team
Business Wire, Oct 30, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. — Kolter Land Partners, the land acquisition and development affiliate of
The Kolter Group is pleased to announce the expansion of its
acquisitions team to include three new hires who will assist with
sourcing and underwriting residential land acquisitions in the
Southeastern U.S. To date, Kolter Land Partners has acquired over 1,700
lots and in a number of cases has already re-sold lots to several
publicly-traded national homebuilders as well as private homebuilders.
affiliate radio The three new Vice Presidents include: Anas Iqbal who will focus on the
Northeast and Central Florida markets including Jacksonville and
Orlando; David Langhout who will focus on the Southwest Florida markets
including Tampa and Naples; and Steven Check who will focus on the
Atlanta and broader Georgia markets.
“We were looking for executives with the strongest possible combination
of relevant analytical skills, experience and industry relationships,
said Jim Harvey, President of Kolter Land Partners. The proven track
records of these three strong industry players will help us to
accelerate our acquisition of developed and partially-developed lots
through direct purchase or joint ventures with land owners or banks in
the major new home markets of the Southeastern U.S.
All three executives have held relevant senior management positions in
the past including positions with publicly traded housebuilders in a
variety of their southeastern US divisions
Anna backs a winner with salon; Dawn Collinson meets the style contest winner making her prize go far
0 Comments | Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England), Oct 28, 2009
Byline: Dawn Collinson
WHEN last year’s Aintree Style Contest winner collected the keys to a luxury 4 x 4 from Coleen Rooney, she was understandably excited.
But Anna Perez had no idea then what a life changing prize the top-of-the-range pounds 25,000 Citroen would turn out to be.
Because 18 months later, having sold the car and used part of the proceeds to fund a beauty course, she’s just launched a new career.
The 21-year-old from Gateacre has opened a makeover studio, Powder Me Pretty, with her friend and fellow make-up artist Alex Burke.
“When I won the prize I was only 20, I had a little Fiesta to get me about, and it was just too big and too expensive to run,” she explains.
“So I kept it for a couple of months and then my uncle bought it from me as a present for my auntie.
“Suddenly I had all this money and I wanted to make the most of it. I’ll admit I blew quite a lot having a good time – I bought lots of nice things and I paid off some student debts but I left myself enough to pay for a make-up course.
“After I won the contest, I had some modelling offers smokeless cigarettes but I didn’t really enjoy that side of it. I really preferred the beauty, behind the camera, aspect so that’s what I wanted to take further.”
Anna headed to London to study with an artist who has worked on photoshoots with Vogue, learning all about editorial fashion, TV and photographic make-up.
“I picked up all these skills which you think you know but you actually don’t,” she smiles. “Even the simplest things, like finding the right colours to suit your skintone, can be harder than you imagine.
“The tutor told us that’s why men actually make better make-up artists than women because when they learn, they’re learning from scratch
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited: Third Quarter Financial Results
Market Wire, October, 2009
(Note: All dollar amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars, except as otherwise noted.)
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX: FFH)(NYSE: FFH) announces increased net earnings of $562.4 million in the third quarter of 2009 ($31.04 per share and $30.88 per diluted share) compared to net earnings of $467.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 ($25.40 per share and $25.27 per diluted share). The year-over-year increase in quarterly net earnings derived primarily from improved underwriting profit at the company’s insurance and reinsurance operations (compared to a significant underwriting loss in the third quarter of 2008 principally related to hurricane losses) and increased interest and dividend income, partially offset by reduced net investment gains ($797.8 million, compared to $864.6 million of net gains on investments in the third quarter of 2008). In the first nine months of 2009, net earnings were $777.4 million ($43.66 per share and $43.42 per diluted share) compared to $1,127.0 million in the first nine months of 2008 ($60.63 per share and $59.89 per diluted share), reflecting the significant investment gains on credit default swaps and equity hedges in the first nine months of 2008.
Primarily as a result of significant net earnings and the increased market value of the company’s common stock and bond investments, book value increased to $371.85 per basic share at September 30, 2009 from $315.91 at June 30, 2009 and $278.28 at December 31, 2008.
“Our third quarter in 2009 was a key milestone in the history of Fairfax,” said Prem Watsa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax. “Besides excellent colorado auto insurance quotes results, we have now privatized OdysseyRe and we financed it by issuing $1 billion of common stock. We have also now publicly issued 10-year bonds and preferred shares in Canada for the first time ever. After the OdysseyRe privatization, Fairfax continues to have in excess of $1 billion in cash and marketable securities at the holding company level, and also has a significantly increased annual dividend capacity from its three major insurance/reinsurance operations. We ended the quarter with common shareholders’ equity of $7.5 billion and a book value per basic share of $371.85; including the $8 per share dividend paid in the first quarter, book value per share was up 36.1% in the first nine months of the year. Our company has never been stronger.”
Highlights in the third quarter included the following:
- The combined ratio of the company's insurance and reinsurance operations
in the third quarter of 2009 was 99.8% on a consolidated basis.
Underwriting profit earned by the company's insurance and reinsurance
operations in the third quarter of 2009 improved to $1.6 million from an
underwriting loss of $170.3 million in the third quarter of 2008
primarily related to U.S. hurricane losses.- Interest and dividend income of $184.7 million in the third quarter of
2009 increased 36.2% from $135.6 million in the third quarter of 2008.
The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to the impact on
portfolio yield in 2009 of the purchases in the fourth quarter of 2008
and in 2009 of higher yielding municipal and other tax-exempt debt
securities and corporate bonds using the proceeds of sale of lower
yielding government bonds, and the inclusion of the financial results of
Advent and Polish Re in the third quarter of 2009. Interest income as
reported is unadjusted for the positive tax effect of the company's
significant holdings of tax-advantaged debt securities (holdings of
$4,704.8 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $965.1 million at
September 30, 2008), and as a result interest income on an after tax
basis increased significantly in the third quarter of 2009 compared to
the third quarter of 2008.- Operating income of the company's insurance and reinsurance operations
(excluding net gains on investments) in the third quarter of 2009
increased to $133.0 million from an operating loss of $64.9 million in
the third quarter of 2008, principally as a result of the
above-described improved underwriting results and interest and dividend
income.- Net premiums written in the third quarter of 2009 decreased 6.0% to
$1,064.3 million from $1,132.1 million in the third quarter of 2008,
reflecting the impact of weak economic conditions, the operating
companies' disciplined response to competitive industry conditions in
global insurance and reinsurance markets and the foreign currency
translation impact of the year-over-year strengthening of the U.S.
dollar, partially offset by the inclusion of the financial results of
Advent and Polish Re in the third quarter of 2009.- The company held $2,340.6 million of cash, short term investments and
marketable securities at the holding company level ($2,328.9 million net
of short sale and derivative obligations) at September 30, 2009,
compared to $880.1 million at June 30, 2009 ($862.7 million net of short
sale and derivative obligations) and $1,564.2 million at December 31,
2008 ($1,555.0 million net of short sale and derivative obligations).
During the third quarter the company raised aggregate net proceeds of
$1,347.9 million through the issuance of subordinate voting shares and
unsecured senior notes, of which $1,004.7 million was applied to the
closing in the fourth quarter of the company's previously announced
purchase of all of the outstanding shares of OdysseyRe not owned by
Fairfax.- Holding company debt increased during the third quarter of 2009 to
$1,400.9 million as a result of the company's issuance of Cdn$400
million of unsecured senior notes. The company's total debt to total
capital ratio decreased to 20.9% at September 30, 2009 from 23.7% at
December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the significant increase in
shareholders' equity (resulting from the equity issuance, the first nine
months earnings and increased unrealized gains on available for sale
securities, less common and preferred share dividends paid), partially
offset by the reduction in non-controlling interests following the
privatization of Northbridge in the first quarter
MY great, great, great grandfather[…]
Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 29, 2009
MY great, great, great grandfather was born English, my great grandfather was born in England, my father was born in England, I was born in England, my father and great grandfather fought for England during the last two major wars.
Why is it that I cannot put English on a government registration form? Why is it always British? I have a right to have my nationality, which is English, on all the government forms. Why do they insist in putting British on? I respect the Scots and the Welsh, yet they have their own languages, they have their own forms with Scottish or Welsh on, why can’t the English have English on? PL, Fenham.
I AGREE with B Smith from Gateshead. I will not be voting Tory at the next election either.
Speaking as a pensioner, I am grateful to the Labour Government for providing me with free bus travel, pension credit, a free TV licence when I reach 75, free eye tests and free prescriptions; I doubt very much learn conversational italian online we would have had any of these benefits if the Conservative Government was in office.
JW, Low Fell.
GIVE US A RING ON (0191) 201 6170 AND TELL US WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU ANGRY. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR INITIALS AND WHERE YOU LIVE
Three more reps welter winners
Flex, Dec, 2009 by Greg Merritt, Jim Stoppani
arthritis pain relief SHAVIS HIGA
2008 NPC USA welterweight winner
“For calves, I keep my reps in the 10-12 range. That works better for me than going higher.”
JOCELYN JEAN
2008 NPC Nationals welterweight winner
“I like to do the bodyweight exercises–pullups and dips–with 25 pounds attached to a belt. I can still usually get at least 12 reps, even precontest.”
LUIS SANTA
2009 NPC USA welterweight winner
“I work my back pretty heavy, but I watch my form to concentrate fully on the targeted area. On each exercise, I do 8-10 reps on the first set and 6-8 on the other three sets.”
Compiled by GREG MERRITT and JIM STOPPANI, PHD
National Foundation for Credit Counseling Urges You to Protect Your Identity October 17-24
Market Wire, October, 2009
Did you know that even the most
responsible of us can become a victim of identity theft? The nonprofit
organization, National Foundation for Credit Counseling, has teamed up with
Council of Better Business Bureaus to bring you Protect Your Identity Week,
October 17-24th.
Now more than ever it is important to protect ourselves and our families
from theft and invasion, as nearly 10 million Americans were victims of
identity theft last year, making this the fastest growing crime in America!
Everyday we may be putting ourselves and our families at risk by simply
writing a check, using a credit card or even our ATM cards. So the best
protection against identity theft is education. By visiting
www.ProtectYourIDNow.org , you can take a quiz and assess your risk of ID
theft your credit score and learn helpful tips to keep you and your family safe. Additionally, the Web site allows you to find PYIW events in your area
Yola Announces Resource Center and Recovery Plan for Struggling Small Businesses
Market Wire, October, 2009
Yola
Inc., one of the nation’s largest free website builders, today announced
the launch of its Small Business
Resource Center , a central, free resource that has all of the tools
small businesses need to build a successful online presence. To celebrate
the kickoff, Yola is also introducing its Small Business
Recovery Plan , a sweepstakes giving more than $5,000 in goods and
services to small business owners in need.
Less than half of all small businesses have websites, and many feel their
sites are ineffective according to a recent Yola survey. Yola Small Business Resource
Center is designed as a one stop shop for small business owners to
either create a website or maximize the presence the already have online.
From “The Five
Steps to Building a Spectacular Website” to how to use
Twitter and Facebook to promote your business , the Small Business
Resource Center has a multitude of articles, blogs, videos and special
offers from a variety of resources.
Recognizing that small businesses also need expert advice for their offline
efforts, Yola has partnered with Jim Blasingame, the Small
Business Advocate , one of the world’s foremost experts on small
business and entrepreneurship, to make his substantial resources available.
“A website for a small business — of any size or type — is as essential
to success as a physical location and a phone number,” said Jim Blasingame.
“Not having a website is the same as telling customers and prospects ‘I
don’t want you to find me.’ Even if you currently only have basic
information to post about your company, never underestimate the increasing
use and power of local search.”
“Small businesses have taken incredible hits over the past two years in the
face of a flailing economy,” said Vinny Lingham, CEO and founder of Yola.
“While Obama introduced his stimulus package nine months ago to help,
consumer spending is just now recovering, seeing its biggest jump since
2001. Now is the time to focus to giving small paid surveys online businesses the tools they
will need to capitalize on the upcoming economic revitalization, which I’m
confident the Small Business Resource Center will do. To give them a
kickstart, however, we’ve put together the Yola Recovery Plan.”
The Yola Small Business Recovery Plan is a sweepstakes that will award
small business with more than $5,000 in prizes.
-- 3 winners will receive new, customized websites
-- 10 winners will receive Yola Pro packages with all of the premium
tools they need for their websites
-- 25 winners will receive Yola Premium Styles
-- 100 winners will receive books by Jim Blasingame, the Small Business
Advocate and the Yola Small Business Expert
Small business owners can enter the sweepstakes at
http://businesscenter.yola.com/recovery-plan.php .
Social Media Links:
-- Yola Small Business Resource Center: http://businesscenter.yola.com/
-- Jim Blasingame: http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/
-- Yola's Blog: http://blog.yola.com
-- Yola's Twitter Feed: http://twitter.com/yola
-- Vinny Lingham's Blog: http://www.vinnylingham.com/
About Yola, Inc.
Yola offers a free website creation tool
that empowers small businesses, non-profits and everyday users to easily
create professional quality websites. Yola’s intuitive drag and drop
technology enables users to easily incorporate a variety of content
including YouTube videos, Google Maps, PayPal shopping carts and many more
without needing any technical skills. Privately-held Yola, backed by Reinet
Fund, is the recipient of numerous industry accolades including The
Industry Standard 100, a Fast Company Fast 50 Reader Favorite and
BusinessWeek’s 50 Best Tech Startups. The company is headquartered in San
Francisco, Calif
Search Engines' Social Media Deal Will Impact On Brands Says Punch Communications
Market Wire, October, 2009
Editors Notes: There are two photos associated with this Press Release
The new deals with social media announced by Google and Bing will have a significant impact on brands and their online reputations according to Punch Communications, a boutique PR agency with a global client reach.
The integration of Twitter’s content into search results on Google and Bing is set to make an impression on corporate images online, as the immediacy of the results sets a new precedent in the industry. With the real time element of Twitter now making it possible to achieve real time search results, those corporate entities whose primary target audience is consumers will be forced to take social media into account as part of their future marketing strategies, as they look to ensure that their online reputation is as positive as possible.
With Google also announcing the launch of its new “Social Search” tool, many brands must now take into account the “chatter” that regularly occupies the online social space, looking out for brand mentions and interacting with users search engine marketing houston to successfully achieve positive public feedback. Punch has indicated that this is most definitely a key area in which PR has achieved success in recent times, and that brands should look towards employing experienced online PR practitioners to conduct this activity in the social sphere.
Pete Goold, Managing Director at Punch Communications, said: “This new deal involving the two major search engines and social networks such as Twitter and FriendFeed will have a major impact on brands looking to enhance their online reputation. Searchers will now not only be able to get information on a brand, but will also be able to find out exactly what people are saying about the brand too, which is a great opportunity for online PR practitioners such as ourselves.”
Punch Communications is a consultancy with experience in the many aspects of technology PR , from blogger relations to search engine optimisation
PLDT’s SWUP serves credit, debit cards
0 Comments | Manila Bulletin, Oct 28, 2009
The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), in partnership with major acquirer banks, has introduced a pioneering service that allows merchants to swipe all ATM debit and credit card brands through a single wireless card terminal to process sales anywhere.The innovation, called Shops Work Unplugged (SWUP), runs on the same wireless network that powers Smart Communications Inc.
and covers the entire archipelago.Maximizing the Point of Sales (POS) machine and minimizing lost sales opportunities, the SWUP service makes wireless card transactions easy for both vendors and clients, especially in remote areas where no banks operate.SWUP now accepts major card brands such as Visa, MasterCard, JBC, American Express and Diners Club International as well as Visa Electron, MasterCard Electronic, Megalink, and Express Payment System. It operates on a portable payment system that takes advantage online credit card service of the mobility and convenience of wireless data technology, notes PLDT Customer Sales and Marketing Group Head Eric Alberto.
- Just another WordPress weblog