Category Archives: Business

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS FILE CLASS-ACTION SUIT AGAINST SMART PHONE MANUFACTURERS

January 3, 2015 Pol Pinoy 2 Comments

Smart phone cameras galore at a recent Philippines 'Royal Wedding' — Smart phone cameras galore at a recent Philippines ‘Royal Wedding’

Silicon Valley, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) has filed a class-action law suit in San Francisco alleging that smart phone manufacturers like Apple, Nokia and Samsung have all but killed their profession and business.

There was a time when weddings were a profitable source of income for professional photographers and videographers, but all that has changed since smart phone companies started to manufacture and market their products that included high-resolution cameras and video recorders.

This situation couldn’t have been more evident than during the December 30 wedding of Philippine actress Marian Rivera and actor Dingdong Dantes, held in Quezon City (see photo) . Nevermind that it was labeled the “Wedding of the Century” and a “Royal Wedding;” the couple decided not to hire a professional wedding photographer. Instead, in their wedding invitation, they asked their invited guests to bring their smart phones and take as many pictures as they can and send them to the couple to put in their wedding album.

From all indications, it was by Philippine standards, a very expensive and extravagant wedding, but there was a zero bill for photography and videography.

The class-action suit is being watched very closely by wedding photographers all over the world. It could mean the end of their profession or a big boost to their business.

Business, The Media

TARGET STORE USES THE WRONG ‘ANNIE’ IN ADS FOR NEW CLOTHING LINE

December 29, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Minneapolis, Minnesota (The Adobo Chronicles) – Target, one of the nation’s big box stores, just launched a new girls’ clothing line that it is calling Annie for Target.

The launch was perfectly timed with the showing of the film, Annie in theaters nationwide. The film stars black actress Quvenzhané Wallis in the title role.

In celebration of the iconic story, Target partnered with Sony Pictures’ “Annie” costume designer, Renée Ehrlich Kalfus, on a collection of girl’s apparel and accessories that captures the essence of the movie’s spirited characters.

There was one big problem: all the models used in the Target ads were white.

There is speculation on social media that Target refused to use black models for fear that its clothing line will not be patronized by consumers who are upset that the film stars a black instead of Caucasian actress.

Although the Annie character is fictitious, many Americans had always envisioned a white girl playing the role, just like on Broadway and in musical theaters worldwide.

In a statement issued today, Target said “this is not about race” as it prepared to launch another clothing line for adult women, Selma for Target. Its promo ads also features all Caucasian women, and is being launched in connection with the current theater run of another film, Selma, about the legendary Martin Luther King.

Business, Food

STARBUCKS TO MERGE WITH DUNKIN’ DONUTS, PEET’S COFFEE WITH KRISPY KREME

December 22, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Seattle, Washington (The Adobo Chronicles) – There is so much competition in the food and beverage industry that it has come down to the survival of the fittest. And smartest.

First there was news of McDonald’s phasing out 8 menu items beginning in January, including the Big Mac and apple pie. The Chicago-based international food chain has seen a decline of its revenue ever since the introduction of the popular Filipino fast food company Jollibee into the U.S. and international markets. Jollibee sells burgers and chicken, along with other Filipino delicacies like sweet spaghetti and breakfast rice plates.

Now, with stiff competition posed by its competitors, Seattle-based Starbucks has agreed to a merger with Dunkin’ Donuts, the American global doughnut company and coffeehouse chain based in Canton, Massachusetts. Like McDonald’s, Starbucks has experienced declining sales with the growing popularity of Peet’s Coffee, Tully’s and Seattle’s Best.

Who eats donuts without coffee? Capitalizing on this inseparable combination, Starbucks took the bold move of merging with Dunkin’ Donuts as a way to boost its coffee sales.