Story by Kevin Bloch, CTO, Cisco Australia and New Zealand

Generation Y, the group title given to young people aged between 18 and 29, grew up in the prime age of technology: the dot-com boom, the continuing sophistication of the mobile phone, the rise of Apple, music file sharing, and the birth of social media.

However, the innovations of some of the most globally influential members of this generation may also be contributing to the hindrance of the recruitment and retention of ‘Gen Y.’

Kevin Bloch, CTO of Cisco Australia and New Zealand, analyses and interprets the results of a 2011 workplace survey administered to members of Gen Y and advises on how your business can best leverage these findings to build an able young workforce and increase workplace productivity.

In order to understand the challenges companies face in an increasingly Gen Y, mobile and cyber-security, risk-prone world, the survey gathered insights and feedback across young professionals and university students in 14 countries, including Australia. By focusing on a demographic of 18- to 29-year-olds, the survey contributes concrete figures to the ongoing discussion about young people’s workplace expectations.

In particular, its results have been useful in challenging the persistent, but ultimately vague, belief that Gen Y is simply Facebook and gadget-obsessed.

For HR departments seeking high employee engagement and young talent recruitment strategies, the report is the strongest indication yet that sound technology policies are critical to supporting and influencing the next generation workforce.

THE BARE NECESSITIES

So profound is their attachment to technology, that one in three university students and young professionals surveyed consider the Internet to be as important as air, water, food and shelter. Not as surprisingly, perhaps, the survey also found that their desire to use social media, mobile devices and the Internet more freely in the workplace is strong enough to influence their future job choice, sometimes even more than salary.

In fact, 52 per cent of Australian respondents identified that they would “sacrifice the extra salary for the opportunity to work wherever I am most productive and happiest.”

One of the most pertinent findings is the growing importance the younger generation places on workplace mobility. Across the board, both the university and young professional populations have expectations that they will be able to access work applications remotely from a home computer or personal mobile device. In Australia, 26 per cent of young professionals surveyed believe that being able to work remotely is a right (not a privilege) in today’s world and 74 per cent of university students expect to access their corporate network using their home computer in the future.

And what of the bustling office hub? Only one in three young professionals indicated that they thought it was necessary for them to be physically ‘in the office’ in order to make decisions more effectively and efficiently, and nearly half indicated that it was unnecessary for their everyday job routines.

In contrast, when asked to rate how the boss felt about working from home, the majority indicated that management deemed it necessary for them to be physically in the office in all situations.

INTERNET PRODUCTIVITY

As iPhones and other smartphones completely dominate this younger market, it also fans the debate over the necessity of offices compared to the ability to connect to the Internet and work anywhere, such as at home. In fact, in the 2012 edition of the survey, three out of five employees globally thought offices were unnecessary for being productive.

Regardless of whether construing workplace mobility in terms of workers’ rights is the best way to frame the issue, the overwhelming demand for these arrangements indicates both an evolution in factors influencing employee performance and a radical re-conceptualisation of the workplace itself. These attitudes show that the desire to ‘deconstruct’ the physical workplace and its tradition of ‘9-5’ by working outside the office, and accessing work networks and data remotely, will increasingly impact businesses as they transition into an era defined by an explicitly individualised approach to work.

The onus now lies squarely with organisations to leverage their potential to increase both productivity and employee engagement.

Access the full report from the Cisco website or find the raw date in Chapter 1 or Chapter 2.

Story by Allie Schratz

When shopping for a new mobile, we know it’s best to seek more than one opinion in order to determine the best deal. Should you stick with the Apple iPhone, or switch over to the increasingly more popular Android platform on the Samsung? And which carrier offers the best plan for your usage habits?

A quick browse on the North Sydney-based website WhistleOut.com.au presents hundreds of phone, operating system and plan combinations suitable for a wide range of users, complete with short descriptions, 1-100 scalable ratings, and any money-saving offers available to help you narrow down the supreme deal to fit your needs.

And that’s only one search category.

Launched in 2008, WhistleOut was founded as a solution for those who have struggled to compare service products – everything from mobile phones and plans to broadband and TV plans, home loans and credit cards – just as the company founders did.

“We’re approaching this from a consumer’s point of view… just really trying to solve our own problem,” WhistleOut Director and co-founder Cameron Craig said.

The site utilises rigorous search technology in order to evaluate the features of each service and the individual cost of each component, then rolls all the information together in order to present the customer with the best possible combination.

“A lot of people still walk into [a] shop and only seek one opinion: [that] of the salesperson on the shop floor,” said Craig. “Instead, we want people to think, ‘I shouldn’t just walk into the shop; I should have a look around first.’”

The aim of WhistleOut is to become part of the consumer’s research period, and then help close the transaction with an online deal. To do this, the company uses Craig’s background in publishing.

Working with Fairfax Digital, for example, WhistleOut runs the comparison component on the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Digital Life’ section as a white label. Powered by WhistleOut’s search technology, a reader may peruse a web article about a new smartphone that has just become available, and then have an opportunity to compare prices of the new model and appropriate service plans from the same webpage. If they find something they want, they can then purchase it straight from the site.

Consumers are “used to you showing them an ad in the paper and [thinking] everyone will just turn up at your shop. But that’s changing,” said Craig. “The publishers we work with are looking to stay with a user for longer and [then] turn them into a customer. There’s so much inventory available online, to stay relevant, the publisher has to deliver qualified buyers.

“Where publishers around the world are looking to extend their reach, [doing so] by shining an ad is no longer good enough.”

The WhistleOut team has built comparative sites with CBS Interactive, Yahoo!7 and a number of other digital media companies.

The company has plans to increase the number of search categories available in the coming months. Their comparison data is widely available in Australia, with limited versions available to US and UK consumers.

Story by Allie Schratz

A blogger for the UK-based communications website Corporate Eye questioned back in 2009 whether the recent worldwide phenomenon of group buying was inspired by tuangou. An increasingly popular practice in China, tuangou, or ‘team buying,’ involves a group of people haggling with a shop owner to lower the price of their merchandise. Once a lowered price is agreed upon, everyone in the group receives the discount.

If this sounds like a familiar concept, chances are you’ve stumbled upon one of the online versions of tuangou.

Groupon, the unexpectedly successful Chicago-based website that sprouted as a side project of another venture, was the first company to introduce group buying to the world via a daily online deal. Since its inception in 2008, the deal giant has expanded its ‘daily deal’ business model across 45 countries (including Australia after a web domain snafu in 2010.)

There are several parallels between tuangou and group buying websites such as Groupon, which offers a product or service from a local business at a 50-90 per cent discount. Deals are time sensitive – most are only available for purchase within a 24-hour period – and must generate a specific amount of interest in order for everyone to get the deal.

The number of websites with group buying deals has skyrocketed over the past few years – in Australia alone, there are upwards of 70 – but their deal offerings demonstrate a difference in buying cultures across borders.

AUSTRALIAN BUYING CULTURE

For Australian consumers, these deals offer the chance to experience something new.

“Customers are always going to the same bars and restaurants because it’s too much of a risk to try new things,” said Dean McEvoy, CEO of Australia’s first group buying site, Spreets. “Spreets de-risks that; it inspires people to go out and try new, interesting things in their city at a sampled, discounted price.”

These “new experiences” might include pricey activities such as skydiving, a weekend getaway, or getting SCUBA certified, or everyday opportunities such as a haircut, a cooking class, or a car wash. While the discount is certainly a pull for purchasers, time spent overseas helped McEvoy discover the main difference between the Australian and US buying markets.

“Australian [deal] price points are higher and growing rapidly, attracting users with a higher disposable income. For Australian users, group buying is really about trying new things, whereas Americans are more concerned with the savings and discounts that the deals offer,” said McEvoy.

The company’s acquisition by Yahoo!7 in January 2011 has allowed Spreets to target more relevant deals to relevant consumers using location, consumer behaviour and user interests to determine appropriate deals. These deals, known as “pull deals,” encourage customers to check out activities closer to their home or indicated interests, rather than the “push deals,” which are marketed to all subscribers.

MERCHANT CARE

Of course, not all group buying deals have been deemed ‘successful’ ventures for businesses.

“The big thing we’ve found [is that] retailers have been overwhelmed with people taking up their offer [and] it’s not as profitable as they would have hoped,” said Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association.

One of the most infamous examples of a group buying backfire happened in the UK, where Need a Cake bakery offered a dozen cupcakes at a 75 per cent discount on Groupon and received an influx of 8,500 voucher buyers. Between the discount and the number of extra workers who had to be hired on to help handle the workload, owner Rachel Brown has called the marketing scheme “my worst ever business decision.”

To avoid repeating that mistake, Spreets works closely with the merchants featured on the website to ensure they are prepared for the promotion and increase in business. In order to guarantee that both the business and consumer will be happy with the deal, Spreets consultants will determine a ‘cap’ on the number of deals available. This way, the merchant is able to offer a realistic, deliverable deal that won’t threaten the business’ profitability and one that will deliver a better experience to new customers.

“Spreets has developed strict criteria to determine the suitability of a business to group buying and we ensure the business meets these criteria in order to proceed with a deal,” said McEvoy.

In addition, Spreets’ consultants offer advice on up-selling and cross selling in order to help make the promotion more profitable for the business.

THE FUTURE OF GROUP BUYING

The group buying movement has grown with immense force all around the world, but just how sustainable is this growth? Will group buying keep consumers further from the shops during a time when their business is most needed?

“It’s fair to say that [group buying] is part of the global retailing phenomenon, [but] it’s not a threat to retail; it’s an opportunity for retailers to make an adjunct to their business,” said Zimmerman.

“Consumers are, will, and want to conduct business online. In terms of group buying sites, if that’s where your customers are, it’s going to be part of the consideration of a retailer’s business model,” Zimmerman continued. “It works particularly well for start-up retailers who want to get their name out there.

“A lot of retailers are looking at it to see if they can improve their business by getting onto a group buying site.”

Compiled by Allie Schratz

1. Song Saa, Cambodia

Within Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand lie two side-by-side islands, each bordered by untouched white sand beaches and connected by a footbridge. Dubbed “The Sweethearts,” Cambodia’s first private island luxury resort features 27 sustainably built villas with over-water buildings, thatched roofs and driftwood furnishings.

Guests may enjoy the sunset from their private dock, dine on sustainably sourced seafood under the stars at the world-class restaurant, tour local fishing villages, engage in a Khmer cooking class, hike through virgin rainforests, practice seaside yoga, or kayak alongside dugongs, seahorses and tropical fish within the 200- metre wide marine reserve.

The “Indochina Riviera” has been difficult for tourists to access until now, giving visitors to Song Saa an unparalleled opportunity to experience incredible, sustainable luxury in the most harmonious setting imaginable.

2. Ho Chi Minh  City, Vietnam

Another destination where you’ll enjoy exchange rate benefits in your favour, Saigon blends a world of food carts and markets selling silk and spices with that of glitzy upscale boutiques and skyscrapers. March through May offers a warm yet dry climate, and if you’re really keen, you can follow the good weather patterns north to Hanoi.

3. St. Moritz, Switzerland

A getaway for the snow enthusiasts, this Swiss Alps destination offers some of the world’s best skiing over 88 runs and is home to the most challenging toboggan course. The town is packed with world-class dining options and its beauty is so astounding, it was featured in two James Bond movies.

4. Argentina

Tango through Buenos Aires, sip malbec in Mendoza, and soak up the Latin American culture in Córdoba. Prime time to go is now, while the AUD is outperforming the peso and the incoming autumn temperatures begin to ease summer’s humidity.

5. Margaret River, WA

Internationally acclaimed wine. Secluded beaches. Gorgeous winding roads through the karri tree forests. Located an easy three hour drive south of Perth, this laid back town boasts 90 wineries, a plethora of sophisticated restaurants, and some of Australia’s best surf spots. In December, Australian Traveller magazine named it ‘Australia’s Best Town.’ Visit the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse to say you’ve been to the country’s most southwestern tip.

6. Harbour Island, The Bahamas

Touted for its 5.5 kilometres of pink sand beaches, Harbour Island is a boater’s and snorkeler’s paradise. It’s a serene island, where golf carts are the transport mode of choice and no matter where you stay, you’ll be within minutes of a beach and that salty ocean breeze.

7. Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Catamaran, snorkel, parasail and scuba to your heart’s content anywhere around this seven-island archipelago – anytime of year – but for an extra luxurious treat, book one of the ocean-front condos along Kaanapali Beach, grab a mai tai, and adapt to your new Polynesian paradise with a little hula lesson at the nighttime luau.

8. Dubai, UAE

A lively city with global architecture icon status, you’ll have a tough time running out of upscale shops, restaurants and souvenir markets between trips to the coastline and into the many energetic clubs along the streets. Or, venture outside the glittering city and take in the sandy oasis from atop a camel in Abu Dhabi.

9. Bermuda

Test your golf skills on the fast courses on this Caribbean island, where less irrigation on the green and fairways makes the ground a bit firmer and then scooter into the City of Hamilton for a candlelight dinner. Shipwreck diving is a popular activity here, but you’ll have to wait until April or May for the water temperature to heat back up.

10. San Diego, CA, USA

Soaking up much of California’s seemingly endless sunshine, San Diego is renowned for its beaches, revamped downtown Gaslamp Quarter and outdoor lifestyle. Take a seaside hike above the crashing waves of the Pacific, or give into your kids’ pleas and check out the pandas at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Story by Katie Wegner

Lorna Jane, Australia’s premier women’s fitness clothing brand, has recently launched a social media initiative called SocialEyes, linking its in-store shoppers with the Lorna Jane Facebook community of over 250,000 women.

Lorna Jane’s 21-year history of continuous growth, sprouting more than 120 stores and $100 million in annual revenue, highlights the company’s savvy brand management in a niche market. The brand message promotes a healthy, active lifestyle – stylishly outfitted, of course, by Lorna Jane.

Besides outfitting women to be active, Lorna Jane Clarkson, the company’s founder and creative director, has also built up an enthusiastic community that supports the message of the brand as well as the clothing. The community’s enthusiasm is exemplified by the personable presence and story of Lorna Jane herself, who creates open channels of communication with shoppers through blogs, Facebook posts, YouTube videos, and now a book called “Move, Nourish, Believe.”

This SocialEyes technology, developed by Brisbane-based Five Faces, is the company’s latest attempt to communicate the bricks-and-mortar retail experience with their online community.

In November of last year, the first interactive display systems were unveiled in the Chermside, Sydney and Melbourne stores to the fitting campaign of “FOLLOW MY LEAD.”

“Lorna Jane will be the first retailer to put the SocialEyes system in their retail outlet, and we look forward to working with an inspirational and innovative brand like Lorna Jane to provide this new social experience to their customers,” said Yazz Krishna, founder and CEO of Five Faces, in a press release.

The SocialEyes interactive display system enables customers to take photos of themselves via a reflective digital mirror, which then sends the photo to the Lorna Jane Facebook page to be shared with the community.Customers tag themselves in photos taken in-store and share them in the ‘Strike A Pose’ album. 

 Participating customers receive a code word that give them instant in-store rewards and entrance into a drawing for a $250 Lorna Jane wardrobe. This LCD digital mirror is the first to be implemented by an Australian retailer.

Clarkson said that SocialEyes is a perfect way for customers to continue the positive Lorna Jane online experience while in the Lorna Jane store.

“[After] such an amazing response to our Facebook page, [we decided] that SocialEyes [was] the next step to ensure that our customers [could] continue enjoying the interactive experience they received online while shopping in-store,” Clarkson said in a press release.

This unique collaboration of brand promotion and innovative customer engagement may prove to be a trendsetter, prompting other brands to FOLLOW Lorna Jane’s LEAD.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Diego, CA) – The number of websites with group buying deals has skyrocketed over the past few years – in Australia alone, there are upwards of 70 – but their deal offerings demonstrate a difference in buying cultures across borders.

For Australian consumers, these deals offer the chance to experience something new.

“Customers are always going to the same bars and restaurants because it’s too much of a risk to try new things,” said Dean McEvoy, CEO of Australia’s first group buying site, Spreets. “Spreets de-risks that; it inspires people to go out and try new, interesting things in their city at a sampled, discounted price.”

Of course, not all group buying deals have been deemed ‘successful’ ventures for businesses.

Continue reading this story and many more in the February issue of Business Review Australia.

About Business Review Australia

Business Review Australia is a leading digital media source of news and content for C-level executives focused on business and industry-specific news throughout Australia. BR Australia is in the territory-dedicated arm of the WDM Group. Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Glen White, WDM Group retains a diversified portfolio of websites, magazines, mobile apps, daily news feeds and weekly e-newsletters that leverage technology to deliver innovative, high-quality content, analytical data, and industry news. For more information, contact 1-760-827-7800 or visit http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/.

Press Contact

Allie Schratz
Business Review Australia

Telephone: (760) 827-7141
Email: Allie.Schratz@wdmgroup.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Diego, CA) – According to a report released by Direct Selling News, in 2010, direct selling companies worldwide generated more than US$125 billion in revenue across 150 countries, through more than 75 million men and women.

While the biggest direct selling markets are the US and Japan, Australia has a firmly rooted presence: more than 500,000 people across the nation are involved, and the consultants are visiting an estimated two million shoppers’ homes and workplaces each month.

One of the top benefits that comes from direct selling, particularly through ‘parties’ and other social engagements, is the one-on-one communication between the sellers and their customers to show that the product can indeed fit in with any lifestyle – but without the off-putting sales pitch.

Continue reading this story and many more in the February issue of Business Review Australia!

About Business Review Australia

Business Review Australia is a leading digital media source of news and content for C-level executives focused on business and industry-specific news throughout Australia. BR Australia is in the territory-dedicated arm of the WDM Group. Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Glen White, WDM Group retains a diversified portfolio of websites, magazines, mobile apps, daily news feeds and weekly e-newsletters that leverage technology to deliver innovative, high-quality content, analytical data, and industry news. For more information, contact 1-760-827-7800 or visit http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/.

Press Contact

Allie Schratz
Business Review Australia

Telephone: (760) 827-7141
Email: Allie.Schratz@wdmgroup.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Diego, CA, 16 February 2012) – The latest issue of Business Review Australia is now available online for Australasian business executives.

In the February issue, check out our exclusive Q&A with John Polson, the Movie Extra Tropfest short film festival’s founder, in honour of the event’s 20th anniversary in Sydney on 19 February 2012.

Also in this issue, we explore Australia’s group buying phenomenon (“The Growth Factor”), how to succeed in direct selling (“The Business of Building Relationships”), and what makes Queenstown, New Zealand such a fantasy vacation (“One Fling to Rule Them All”).

We round out this month’s issue with two industry contributions from QuantumLinx co-founder Ash Aryal (“Making Keywords Work for Your Business”) and Cisco ANZ CTO Kevin Bloch (“The Force of the Young Worker”). Both features offer valuable tips!

Read these features and many more at: www.businessreviewaustralia.com

About Business Review Australia

Business Review Australia is a leading digital media source of news and content for C-level executives focused on business and industry-specific news throughout Australia. BR Australia is in the territory-dedicated arm of the WDM Group. Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Glen White, WDM Group retains a diversified portfolio of websites, magazines, mobile apps, daily news feeds and weekly e-newsletters that leverage technology to deliver innovative, high-quality content, analytical data, and industry news. For more information, contact 1-760-827-7800 or visit http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/.

Press Contact

Allie Schratz
Business Review Australia

Telephone: (760) 827-7141
Email: Allie.Schratz@wdmgroup.com

NEW HOLLAND, Pa., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Alouette® Cheese announced the introduction of a new line of deliciously spreadable cheddar cheeses. Featuring a full body and fine robust flavor, the new spreadable flavors – Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Cheddar Cheese – are both perfect for serving as a snack or for entertaining guests.

Available in a convenient, ready-to-serve 6 oz. container, the creamy, savory cheddars can be served with crackers or pretzels, spread on a sandwich or slice of bread, or used to add great flavor to a traditional mac 'n cheese dish. The new cheddars are available in the deli section of supermarkets across the country and retail for $4.99.

"Bacon is a top 10 food trend of the decade according to the Food Network, and cheddar is the world's best selling cheese," said Director of Marketing New Products, Cristina Anton Villa. "We are very enthusiastic to add two new cheddar flavors to an award-winning line up that already includes Alouette Garlic & Herbs and Alouette Savory Vegetable Soft Spreadable Cheese."

The new cheddar flavors offer the same quality and superior taste that consumers have come to expect from a beloved brand like Alouette. Several product attributes include:

• Made with Grade A Milk
• Made with 12-month aged cheddar
• Kosher Certified (OUD)
• Gluten-free

Greg Gable, Executive Chef for Alouette, has created new serving suggestions incorporating the new cheddars. Alouette also offers recipes, serving suggestions, entertaining tips and nutritional values on www.alouettecheese.com.  

About Alouette

The Alouette® brand has grown over the years, extending its unique line of cheeses to include a wide variety of Alouette Spreadable Cheese flavors as well as other specialty cheese products, such as the 2011 Chef's Best® award-winning Alouette Baby Brie. Today, Alouette is a leading brand in the Specialty Cheese Category in the United States and is the #1 brand of Premium Spreadable Cheese.

The Chef's Best Award for Best Taste is awarded to the brand rated highest overall among leading brands by independent professional chefs. For more information regarding American Culinary Chef's Best, visit www.chefsbest.org.

About Chef Greg Gable

Chef Greg Gable joined Alouette Cheese USA, LLC in 2007 as Executive Chef.  Gable first acquired critical acclaim during his 13 years at Le Bec-Fin, one of Philadelphia's finest dining institutions. He has also received several accolades, such as the Philadelphia Inquirer's 3 Bells Award of Excellence and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.  Gable is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

SOURCE Alouette

Oscar Aubert, political scientist and expert on West Europe, Russia and CIS, has stated that Putin remains the most popular politician in Russia despite large-scale protests in Moscow.

"The European, and, in particular, the French press often describe the situation in Russia as "Russians protest against Putin's policy," "Russians are outraged by the election frauds," etc. But let's ask ourselves how many protesters, dissatisfied, or, as people now call them, "angry" Russians there are. A fair answer to this question will make many people look at the situation in Russia from a completely different angle.

"As a starting point we take the results of opinion poll, obtained by sociological research organization Levada Center. Unlike two other companies that also specialize in national polling, Levada Center is a private company that doesn't receive governmental funding; by the way, it regularly receives orders to make sociological studies for the Russian opposition. The survey cited below was conducted on January 20-23, 2012 - the "surprise effect" of the December protests had already passed by that time, the government and the opposition were systematically preparing their supporters for mass actions on February 4.

"Let's start with a question which will allow us to determine "the degree of opposition-intensity" of the Russian society towards Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is going to retake the presidential chair on March 4: "Do you support the slogans "Russia without Putin" and "Putin should leave"? 6% of respondents gave the answer "definitely support", another 15% - "rather support". As a result 21% of Russians can be attributed to Vladimir Putin's opponents of various degrees of radicalism. On the other hand, the responses "rather don't support" and "don't support" were given by 29% and 32% respectively. It means that 61% of Russians can be attributed to Vladimir Putin's supporters of various degrees of loyalty. 17% found difficulty in replying.

"On a more specific question "Do you generally approve or disapprove of Vladimir Putin's activity as the Russian Prime Minister?", 64% of Russians gave the answer "approve", and only 34% answered "don't approve".

"It is obvious that in this case to speak of "a confrontation between the authorities and the people" today in Russia is at least not correct. But the expected victory of Vladimir Putin in the first round is a direct consequence of this sociology.

"Violations of law and/or fraud in the parliamentary elections in the Western and the French media were widely recognized, though of the opposition had a lot of problems with finding convincing evidence. But the Russian media convince us that "Russians protest against unfair elections." Yes, those who gather at the opposition rallies, protest against election frauds. But what about the rest? Again we turn to Levada Center's study which aked the Russians: "do you think that the elections in the State Duma of the Russian Federation, December 4, 2011 were fair?"

"The answer "fair" was given by 8% of Russians, the answer "rather fair" - by 35%. On the other "pole" are 23% that believe that the elections were "rather unfair", 14% gave the answer "unfair". 19% of respondents found difficulty in replying. Thus, the majority, though a relative one (43%), to one degree or another, believe that the parliamentary elections were fair.

"To sum up, it is necessary to mention once again - actively protesters, "angry" or even ones simply dissatisfied with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's policy, Russians are a minority. They are, of course, can't be ignored, their voice should be heard by the authorities. But exactly to the extent that is respective to their share in the Russian society. After all, the democracy that we so willingly want to teach the Russians, first of all, is the will of the majority. And not the diktat of the minority, even if we, the West, like this protesting minority more than the majority of Russians that vote for Putin."

Oscar Aubert is a sociologist, political scientist, an expert for West Europe, Russia and CIS

SOURCE Russia Insights www.russia-insights.com

Foreign exchange is one of the most popular traded financial products, providing attractive opportunities for savvy traders in Singapore, even in volatile market conditions.

Here we look at the top five forex trading tips with a focus on using FX Accucharts from City Index Asia as a trading tool.

1. Research & Analysis

Before jumping into an FX trade it is important to learn how to use technical and fundamental tools so that you can trade more effectively.

2. Trading Plan & Tools

Fortunately, there are a number of leading trading platforms to help you to achieve more consistent trading results, one of which is FX Accucharts; developed by City Index Asia.

FX Accucharts provides traders with the convenience of rapid and accurate analysis, whilst allowing you to benefit from professional features such as real-time price feeds and multiple time frame analysis to uncover potential future market directions.

Key features include:

• Over 150 indicators/oscillator variations 
• Customisable charts to fit your individual preferences 
• Personalised chart analysis and indicators
• Ability to save and share customised workspaces with other FX Trader account holders
• Audible price alerts
  

3. Risk Management

Stop and limit orders can help you manage risk and protect potential profits by helping you get in or out of the market at specified prices.

4. Discipline

One of the most important parts of formulating a trading strategy can simply be to stick to it.

However, not every trade you make will be successful. In a losing situation, it is easy to let losses accumulate in the hope that prices will turn around.

Experienced traders tend to cut their losses quickly and run their profits to a level they expect the market to reach, using their trading strategy and trading plans to help enforce these rules.

5. Follow the News

Because your forex trades will move in tandem with the live market and are likely to be influenced by global, social and economic events, you will be in a much better position to open new trades or exit positions by keeping up to date with market events.

Summary

If you want to learn more about foreign exchange, or even start trading with City Index Asia, you can view more information here: http://www.cityindex.com.sg/fx-trading/start-trading-fx.aspx

Forex trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for some investors.

Trading CFD and FX on margin carries a high level of risk, which may not be suitable for some investors.

Consider your investment objectives, level of experience, financial resources, risk appetite and other relevant circumstances carefully. The possibility exists that you could lose some or all of your investments, including your initial deposits.

About City Index:

Today more and more individual traders are discovering the benefits of derivatives, and many of them are discovering them through a City Index trading platform.

City Index is a leading global provider of margined foreign exchange, CFD trading and in the UK, spread betting. As a group, we transact in excess of 1.5 million trades every month for individuals in over 50 countries worldwide. To learn more visit: http://www.cityindex.com.sg/

SOURCE City Index Singapore

HOUSTON, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- David Braun, a Regional Vice President of GDF SUEZ Energy Resources, will be featured at the 16th annual Ohio Energy Management Conference Feb. 21-22 in Columbus.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100210/DA52541LOGO)

Braun, who oversees commercial and industrial sales in MISO and the western region of PJM for the company, will speak as part of a panel discussion entitled "Savvy Buyer…Electricity Procurement and Risk Management Best Practices." The session is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel, which is hosting the two-day event.

"Although Ohio has had a deregulated environment for years, recent changes in the market present some real challenges for anyone responsible for procuring power," Braun said. "The ability to successfully meet those challenges – and to manage the risks and maximize the opportunities that come with a competitive marketplace – can have a major impact on energy strategies, usage, and costs."

Braun has more than two decades of experience in the energy and utility industries, and his remarks will focus on a broad range of issues critical to Ohio businesses. These include understanding how energy is priced; contract language and terms, including avoiding hidden costs and fees; pricing transparency; determining pricing risk tolerance; and identifying strategies to manage commodity market risks.

The Ohio Energy Management Conference is the largest event of its kind in the American Heartland, attracting over 6,700 attendees. This year's conference will include sessions on shale gas – considered an energy "game changer" – as well as best practices, case studies and instructional sessions on topics such as energy savings, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and funding and incentives for energy-efficiency projects.

The conference is being presented jointly by Industrial Energy Users-Ohio, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers' Education Council. In addition to Braun's appearance, GDF SUEZ Energy Resources is also one of the event's sponsors.

About GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA is one of the largest non-residential retail electricity suppliers in the U.S. and currently serves commercial, industrial and institutional customers in 12 markets: Delaware, Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. The company serves over 80,000 accounts for customers having a peak demand ranging from 50 KW to more than 200 MW, with an estimated peak load totaling nearly 10,000 MW. 

For more about GDF SUEZ Energy Resources, visit www.gdfsuezenergyresources.com or call 1-866-999-8374.  Follow GDF SUEZ Energy Resources on LinkedIn, Twitter: @GDFSUEZEnergy and Facebook. GDF SUEZ Energy Resources is part of International Power, which in North America manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, asset-based trading and origination, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.

International Power is listed on the London Stock Exchange with ticker symbol IPR. GDF SUEZ holds a 70% interest in International Power plc. For more information, please visit www.iprplc-gdfsuez.com and http://www.gdfsuez.com.

SOURCE GDF SUEZ Energy Resources

Enovos, official partner of the RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK WorldTour Team, as part of the co-operation agreement with Leopard S.A., is supporting the up-and-coming generation as represented by the LEOPARD TREK Continental Team. The new team is made up mainly of successful newcomers, the next generation of professionals in the U23 category, and will serve as a training team to promote young talent and cycle sports in general in Luxemburg.

Together with Leo, NordENERGIE, and Steinergy, the Luxembourg sales companies which belong to the Enovos Group, Enovos is Luxembourg's leading provider of natural gas, electricity, and energy services. Customers include industry, SMB's, distributors and private households alike. As an energy supplier with a strong awareness of its responsibilities, Enovos is always acutely aware of future generations and sustainable energy supply by way of regenerative energy sources. "The up and coming generations are a particular concern for us. By way of this commitment, we have taken on responsibility for them, whilst remaining true to our company slogan: "Energy for today. Caring for tomorrow.", says Jean Lucius, CEO Enovos Luxembourg.

As well as the regional clientele, Enovos also attracts a significant number of customers in Germany, France, and Belgium.

The LEOPARD TREK Continental Team is made up of 11 riders of different nationalities and one triathlete. Enovos is particularly pleased to be supporting the Luxembourg riders Bob Jungels (team captain), Pit Schlechter, Alex Kirsch, Joël Zangerle, and Dirk Bockel (triathlete).

As an innovative concern where closeness to customers is a top priority, the Luxembourg energy provider knows very well how keen the nation is on cycle sports, and has already been actively involved with the sport for some time. As well as a range of different sports functions, Enovos has long been a sponsor of major events such as the "Gala Tour de France" and the "Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg".

Enovos wishes the whole team lots of energy for a successful season in 2012.

Enovos - Natural gas, electricity and services

As main energy supplier in Luxembourg, also active on the German, French and Belgian energy market, Enovos Luxembourg's mission consists of generating electricity, natural gas and renewable energy for the industry, SMB's, distributors and private households and in delivering it to them.

In addition to its traditional core business, the company is expanding its activities mostly in the field of renewable energy.

Enovos Luxembourg is 100% owned by Enovos International S.A., a holding company with its headquarters in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg which also acts as an umbrella for the management of the grid operator, Creos Luxembourg S.A.

Expressed in numbers, the Enovos International Group currently consists of more than 1,300 employees, more than 280,000 points of delivery (electricity and natural gas), more than 8,700 km of electric lines and more than 3,600 km of gas pipelines. In 2010, the group had a turnover of
EUR 1.5 billion.

25.44% of Enovos International S.A. belongs to Luxembourg State, 10.01% belongs to the state-owned investment bank SNCI and 8.00% belongs to the City of Luxembourg. ArcelorMittal owns 23.48%, RWE owns 18.36%, E.ON has 10.00% and Electrabel holds 4.71%.

For more information, please visit: enovos.eu

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SKIPPACK, Pa., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GeoInvesting.com today announced that it has made additional research and due diligence available on L & L Energy.

Since its initial report on January 17, 2012, the GeoTeam has continued to develop even more conclusive proof to support its case that L & L Energy never purchased the Ping Yi Mine. After the Chinese New Year holiday, the GeoTeam contacted Mr. Hu Shiwei and Mr. Zhang Baoguo, the Ping Yi Mine owners, who control a combined 70% of its equity.  They said that they never transferred their interests of Ping Yi Mine to LLEN and/or its affiliated identities. The true owners of Ping Yi Mine provided the following:

• A video made by Mr. Hu Shiwei, The executive partner and legal representative of the Ping Yi Mine, in the office of the Notary Public showing the original business license and mining permit of Ping Yi Mine. In this video he also explained, with a written statement, the true ownership structure of Ping Yi Mine and other relevant matters.
• NOTARIZED copies of the original identity card of Mr. Hu Shiwei, the Ping Yi Mine business license and the Ping Yi Mine mining permit which exactly match the current SAIC file on record.   
• A notarized letter executed by Ping Yi Mine Legal Representative and Executive Partner Hu Shiwei stating that LLEN does not and never did own the Ping Yi Mine.

For links to all of the relevant material, as well as the revealing video, please go here:
http://geoinvesting.com/companies/duediligence/true_owner_of_ping_yi_mine_speaks_out.aspx

GeoInvesting Contacts:
Dan David, Vice President
Ph. 484-991-8426
Web site: http://www.geoinvesting.com/

SOURCE GeoInvesting.com

Shawn Andrews, Managing Director of Windsor stated, "The SBA enables banks to offer borrowers the loans they need to increase productivity, hire employees and benefit their local communities.  This partnership with the SBA will ultimately provide the foundation for the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovation in the US.  We at Windsor are proud to be part of the solution by allowing our bank clients to participate profitability in this great program."

In 2011, Windsor Advantage achieved its best year to date, generating over 84 million dollars in successfully completed transactions.  This achievement is built on 150 years of collective experience working with SBA lending programs and a commitment to industry compliance as evidenced by Windsor's recent SOC 1 Type 2 certification.  From offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Charlotte, Kansas City and the corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, the Windsor Advantage team is poised to become the nation's preeminent SBA lender service provider.

To meet the demands of its growing business, Windsor Advantage made a significant investment in human capital, hiring five new professional staff members last year.  Windsor's internal success in 2011 also resulted in meaningful growth for the United States economy.  In partnership with its bank clients, Windsor helped to create or preserve over two thousand US jobs.  Windsor has also played a pivotal role in the growth of the nearly 100 US small businesses represented in the loans closed and serviced by the company on behalf of its bank clients.

The responsible and real growth of Windsor Advantage in 2011 is a significant achievement that is made more significant by the company's success in job creation and preservation and in facilitating the flow of invaluable financial support to small businesses across the country.  This is what makes Windsor Advantage a progressive industry leader.

About Windsor Advantage, LLC
Windsor Advantage provides a comprehensive outsourced SBA department solution to banks across the country.  Services include application packaging, loan closing and compliance, secondary market sales, loan servicing and regulatory exam support.  Windsor also provides continuing training and technical assistance to banks at no cost.  With more than 150 years of collective SBA lending experience, cutting edge systems and rigid controls, Windsor Advantage is uniquely qualified to support its clients to develop and execute a thoughtful and profitable SBA 7(a) loan program. 

The company is based in Indianapolis, Indiana with offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Charlotte and Kansas City.  For more information, call 317.602.6648 or visit www.WindsorAdvantage.com.

Media Contact:
Engage Group, Inc.
Al E. Canal
917-398-4600
Email: acanal@engagegroupinc.com

SOURCE Windsor Advantage, LLC

Brooklyn tourists and residents can access Fort Greene Park's Wi-Fi near the visitor's center. The additional Central Park site joins Mineral Springs, Tavern on the Green and AT&T's seasonal Summer Stage deployment at Rumsey Playfield. Visitors to the Central Park Zoo will have access to AT&T Wi-Fi by the main entrance, food court and central garden areas.

"This initiative has been a huge success and we're thrilled that visitors to New York City's most popular parks can stay connected all year round," said Tom DeVito, AT&T vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. "We look forward to bringing even more parks online in the coming months so that more smartphone and tablet users can take advantage of this service."

The launch is part of a five-year digital initiative with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City of New York to provide free Wi-Fi at 26 locations in 20 New York City parks across the five boroughs. In addition to Fort Greene Park and Central Park Zoo, New Yorkers can now access free AT&T Wi-Fi at many other park locations across all five boroughs including:

• Herbert Von King Park
• McCarren Park Field House
• Pier 1 and Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Prospect Park Picnic House
• Astoria Park
• Tompkins Square Park
• Marcus Garvey Park
• Clove Lakes Park
• Battery Bosque and Ferry Landing at Battery Park
• Thomas Jefferson Park
• Joyce Kilmer Park
• Mineral Springs, Tavern on the Green, Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
• Devoe Park

AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 30,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, including more than 650 hotspot locations in New York's five boroughs.

For more information on AT&T Wi-Fi locations and instructions on how to connect, visit AT&T Wi-Fi Access.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic.  A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Orlando's Blue Man Group show is taking its unique and captivating brand of live entertainment to another level – complete with a new show environment, new music, new technology and new experiences.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120216/FL54904 )

Opening to the public on Friday, February 24, the show will take guests on an incredible journey where they'll join the Blue Men as they discover, engage and explore the world's obsession with cutting-edge technology.  New sections include Blue Men interacting with "GiPads" (think Gigantic iPads), a funny and perceptive look at contemporary modes of communication; and a pulsating new finale featuring an original Blue Man Group music score that will have guests jumping to their feet.

"The heart of our show is, and always has been, the Blue Man, and his inquisitive, wide-eyed take on the world," said Chris Wink, who co-founded Blue Man Group with Phil Stanton and Matt Goldman. "Our team of artists at Blue Man Productions has created fun, even astounding new visual aspects of the show, and our music team has given us a great new sound. We are really excited to incorporate these elements into the show at Universal Orlando Resort."

"This show will take one of Universal Orlando's most popular experiences to a whole new level," said Alice Norsworthy, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Universal Orlando Resort.  "It's the perfect complement to the incredible entertainment we offer at our destination."

Several of the signature moments that have made Blue Man Group one of today's best-loved theatrical productions will remain in the show, although in most cases, they have also been updated.  And as always, the production will fuse innovative theatrical spectacle with improvisation and vaudeville-inspired comedy, art, science and irresistible music performed by the Blue Man Group live band.

"Many of our audience's favorite pieces, including 'Paint Drumming' and 'Gum Balls/Marshmallows' will continue to be a part of the production – and yes, the first few rows will still need to wear ponchos," added Phil Stanton, Blue Man Group co-founder. "But we have developed some brand new elements of the show that provide a larger-than-life, rousing, interactive experience that I hope will really speak to all cultures and give some of our most devoted fans a new reason to check us out again."

For more information about Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando Resort – or to purchase tickets – visit www.universalorlando.com/blueman. 

About Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group is best known for its wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at the live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience. Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin, Tokyo, and on tour throughout the U.S. Blue Man Group can also be seen onboard the new Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line – the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group.

Blue Man Group's appeal is multi-generational, with several projects specifically designed for young people, including "Making Waves," a popular touring exhibit for children, and the recently launched national "Invent an Instrument" competition. The company's music, featuring custom made instruments and signature, percussive sound, can be heard on five albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Audio," as well as various film and television projects. As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting experiences in a variety of media, appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. Learn more at www.blueman.com.

About Universal Orlando Resort

There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation – but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort.  It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex.  It's the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D.  You can be courageous, be outrageous – and be extraordinary.

Universal Orlando Resort is owned and operated by NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

SOURCE Universal Orlando Resort

Brazil's 'Father of Ethanol' Sees Bounty for Biofuel

The U.S. Congress recently allowed tariffs on imported ethanol to expire after being in place for more than three decades. Brazil's ethanol industry has long criticized the tariffs, which it saw as protecting corn ethanol from international competition. A pioneer in Brazil's ethanol sector expects the expiration of the tariffs to promote robust growth in the ethanol market throughout the Western Hemisphere and beyond. 

"We'll become a commodity market," predicted Mario Garnero, Chairman of the Sao Paulo-based merchant bank Brasilinvest and a pioneer in the rapid growth of Brazil's ethanol sector in the 1980s. "You have pork bellies and other indices. Why not have one come up for ethanol?"

Although ethanol futures contracts are bought and sold on commodity exchanges such as the Chicago Board of Trade and New York Mercantile Exchange, Garnero contends it is not yet a truly global commodity. He explains that the scale in production and trading, along with the number of exchanges dealing with the product, must increase markedly before ethanol attains that status.

"The standardization of product specifications and the way ethanol contracts are drafted -- and something closer to a single-pattern price for the maritime freight of ethanol, would also be of great help to the expansion of its global trade," Garnero added.

"Movements like these would truly help offset price volatility brought about by the seasonalities each country faces in ethanol production."

From An Additive to a Substitute

Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company, announced in 2006 that the South American country had achieved self-sufficiency in oil and gas production. That announcement marked a dramatic shift from the country's energy situation in the 1970s. Brazil's heavy reliance on imported oil back then became painfully clear as the country's government raised gasoline prices and rationed fuel sales to cope with the precarious supply situation.

After the first global oil market shock in 1973, Brazil's national government implemented an aggressive plan to expand the use of ethanol as an automotive fuel. Produced from domestically grown sugarcane, ethanol had been blended into Brazil's fuel supplies for decades. Under the National Ethanol Program (also known as the "Pro-Alcool" ["Pro-Ethanol"]) plan the government instituted in 1975, however, Brazil would attempt to reduce its dependence on oil imports by increasingly substituting ethanol for gasoline in vehicles.

To be sure, Brazil's government also actively promoted domestic oil exploration and production as a result of the oil shocks -- a move that has dramatically improved the country's energy security fortunes. However, the Pro-Alcool initiative did herald a significant shift in how Brazilian motorists powered their automobiles.

By the time Pro-Alcool went into effect, Brazil's gasoline supply contained less than 10 percent of ethanol by volume -- a result of progressively lower mixture percentages implemented in the decades following World War II. During the war, the ratio of gasoline to ethanol in blended motor fuel reached approximately 60:40 to compensate for difficulties in receiving oil imports.

Pro-Alcool subsidized the expansion of ethanol production with tax incentives for farmers to grow more sugarcane, developers to build biorefineries and automakers to build vehicles capable of running on ethanol. In addition, the government financed a distribution network to provide motorists easy access to ethanol fuel pumps.

The government also mandated a percentage mixture of ethanol and gasoline that fluctuated annually from 10 to 22 percent over two decades. Price controls that kept the ethanol prices artificially low also promoted rapid growth in sales of vehicles configured to run on 100 percent ethanol (E100), which is also known as "neat ethanol."

The growth in E100 vehicle sales stemmed from a proposal spearheaded by Garnero, who at the time was head of the Brazilian automakers' trade association ANFAVEA. ANFAVEA's members include global manufacturers such as GM, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

"We were confronted with a government mandate: find a solution for gasoline or we'll impose a ration on consumers," recalled Garnero, who noted that rationing would have had serious negative economic effects on Brazil's automakers.

"I then decided to call all the presidents of the auto industry of Brazil and propose a solution that was not rationing: convert all gasoline engines to run on pure ethanol."

Because Garnero also sat on Brazil's National Commission on Energy, which oversaw the implementation of Pro-Alcool, he was in a unique position to shepherd the E100 proposal through the proper government channels. Garnero's role earned him the nickname "Father of Ethanol" in his country.

Once the E100 policy was in place, its effect on car sales quickly became apparent. According to figures from the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), only 2,271 ethanol-powered automobiles were sold in Brazil in 1979. The following year, the sales figure for neat-ethanol vehicles skyrocketed to 226,352. By 1983, the E100 vehicle sales figure more than doubled to 538,401 units. During the same period, sales of gasoline-powered automobiles fell from 826,462 in 1979 to 70,098 four years later. Low oil prices and ethanol shortages prompted Brazil's government to phase out the subsidies and price controls in the 1990s.

Flex-fuel automobiles, which can run on gasoline or ethanol -- or a mixture of both -- hit the Brazilian market in 2003 with sales of 39,095 units. In 2008, sales exceeded 2 million -- dwarfing sales of gasoline-only automobiles (127,896) and ethanol-only (68). Today, gasoline sold in Brazil must contain 25 percent ethanol. In addition, four out of five cars on Brazil's roads are flex-fuel models.

New Players on the Ethanol Team

Although the U.S. and Brazil are currently the world's top two ethanol producing countries, Garnero observed that production of the biofuel is spreading throughout tropical and subtropical regions that can support sugarcane production. He cites China and Thailand as two up-and-coming ethanol powerhouses. In addition, he sees the Philippines and Malaysia as possible contenders.

The region Garnero is most enthusiastic about, outside of his native Brazil, is Africa. He points out that agriculture is undergoing a "revolution" throughout the continent, most of which lies within the tropics. Garnero explains that Africa offers many of the same agricultural benefits that Brazil enjoys: long growing seasons with ample sunshine and moisture and favorable soil types. Coupling these built-in benefits with world-class growing and processing techniques could occur within 20 years, Garnero predicted. The drive to foster agricultural development throughout Africa should be a key driver in bringing cane-based ethanol "to a new level in the next 10 years," he said.

"We'll bring new important players into the game," said Garnero. "Africa will be on its way to renewable agriculture and creating jobs and wealth with ethanol production."

Garnero expects Brazil to play a major role in helping to develop ethanol industries in Africa and elsewhere by expanding its research and development efforts. In effect, he wants Brazil to become an even greater storehouse of knowledge and technology incubator for ethanol.

Spreading the Word

The "Father of Ethanol" does not take his bully pulpit as an ethanol pioneer lightly. This year alone he is taking on prominent roles at high-profile events touting renewable energy. By chairing green economy conferences in China and the U.S. and participating in civil society symposia leading to the United National Rio 20+ Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Garnero will have several platforms to expound upon his vision for Brazil's biofuels future.

"Brazil is today a country that's second-largest after the States but we have a capacity of going to 80 million cubic meters of ethanol vs. 40 million that Americans are producing," said Garnero.

Garnero also pointed out that no more than 1.5 percent of Brazil's arable land is used to grow sugarcane. Although the U.S. ethanol industry can produce five times more ethanol than Brazil, he contends that Brazil's avoidance of the "food vs. fuel" debate by using sugarcane rather than corn as a feedstock will be a strong selling point for emerging markets.

In addition, Garnero sees opportunities for cane-ethanol production in the U.S. He points out that the U.S. Gulf Coast, which has a long history of growing sugarcane from Florida to Texas, could become a major ethanol-producing region. As this map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows, U.S. ethanol production is concentrated in the Midwestern corn-growing region. The Gulf Coast, in contrast, boasts very few ethanol plants.

As Brazil develops second- and third-generation ethanol technologies by using bagasse from harvested cane fields, Garnero predicts that ethanol production in the South American country could double without using more arable land.

"What I think [Brazil's experience with ethanol] has shown is that when you do not put food competing with energy you have a very important source of energy coming down," concluded Garnero. "Since the beginning, we never thought that biofuels could be replacing or displacing oils. Rather, biofuels can have 10 to 20 percent of participation of total replacing oil. That's already a very huge contribution for pollution/clean air and increasing productivity in agriculture in Brazil."

CONTACT:
Anamelia Meirelles
forumamericas@forumamericas.org.br
+55-11-3094-7984

SOURCE Forum das Americas