Ben Stokes Retirement Spurs Debate About Future Of ODI Cricket

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Aug 1, 2022

1. Pakistan’s problems are temporary and are being forcefully addressed.

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen since February as foreign exchange inflows have been outpaced by outflows. The inflows mainly comprise of multilateral loans from the IMF, World Bank and ADB; bilateral assistance in the form of deposits and loans from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE; and commercial borrowing from foreign banks and through the issuance of Eurobonds and Sukuks. The paucity of inflows has happened in large part due to the delay in completing the next review of the IMF program, which has lingered since February due to policy slippages. Meanwhile, on the outflows side, debt servicing on foreign borrowing has continued as repayments on these debts have been coming due over this period.
At the same time, the exchange rate has come under significant pressure, especially since mid-June. It has been driven by general US dollar tightening, a rise in the current account deficit (exacerbated by a heavy energy import bill in June), the decline in foreign exchange reserves, and worsening sentiment due to uncertainty about the IMF program and domestic politics.
However, important developments have happened recently that will address both of these temporary issues. On July 13, the critical milestone of a staff-level agreement on completing the next IMF review was reached. As of today, all prior actions for completing the review have been met and the formal Board meeting to disburse the next tranche of $1.2 billion is expected in a couple of weeks. At the same time, macroeconomic policies—both fiscal policy and monetary policy—have been appropriately tightened to reduce demand-led pressures and rein in the current account deficit. Finally, the government has clearly announced that it intends to serve out the rest of its term until October 2023 and is ready to implement all the conditions agreed with the Fund over the remaining 12 months of the IMF program.

2. In FY23, Pakistan’s gross financing needs will be more than fully met under the on-going IMF program.

The financing needs stem from a current account deficit of around $10 billion and principal repayments on external debt of around $24 billion.
In order to bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves position, it is important for Pakistan to be slightly overfinanced relative to these needs.
As a result, an extra cushion of $4 billion is planned over the next 12 months. This funding commitment is being arranged through a number of different channels, including from friendly countries that helped Pakistan in a similar way at the beginning of the IMF program in June 2019.

3. Important measures have been taken to contain the current account deficit.

In addition to high global commodity prices, the large current account deficit in FY22 was driven by rapid domestic demand (growth reached almost 6 percent for two consecutive years leading to overheating of the economy), artificially low domestic energy prices due to the February subsidy package, an unbudgeted and procyclical fiscal expansion, and heavy energy imports in June to minimize load-shedding and build inventories.
To contain this deficit going forward, the policy rate was raised by 800 basis points, the energy subsidy package has been reversed, and the FY23 budget targets a consolidation of nearly 2.5 percent of GDP, centered on tax increases while protecting the most vulnerable. This will help cool domestic demand, including for fuel and electricity.
In addition, temporary administrative measures have been taken to contain the import bill, including requiring prior approval before importing automobiles, mobile phones and machinery. These measures will be eased as the current account deficit shrinks in the coming months.

4. These measures are working: the import bill fell significantly in July, as energy imports have declined and non-energy imports continue to moderate.

Foreign exchange payments in July were significantly lower than in June. This is true for both oil and non-oil payments. Altogether, payments were a sustainable $6.1 billion in July compared to $7.9 billion in June.
The latest trade data indicate that non-oil imports continue to fall. Specifically, non-oil imports fell by 5.7 percent quarter-on-quarter during Q4 FY22. They are expected to reduce further going forward.
Looking ahead, a considerable slowdown has been witnessed in LC opening in recent weeks, again for both oil as well as non-oil commodities. Based on market reports, there was an 11% month-on-month decline in Oil Marketing Companies sales volume in June.
After the surge in energy imports in June, a stock of diesel and furnace oil sufficient for 5 and 8 weeks, respectively, is now available in the country, much higher than the normal range of 2 to 4 weeks in the past. This implies a lower need for petroleum imports going forward.
With the recent rains and storage of water in the dams, hydroelectricity is also likely to increase and need to generate electricity on imported fuel is expected to decline going forward.
As a result of these trends, the import bill is likely to shrink going forward and should begin to manifest itself more forcefully in lower FX payments over the next 1-2 months.
Overall, imports are expected to decline in coming months due to a decline in global commodity prices, the higher oil stock, the unfolding impact of higher domestic prices of petroleum products, adjustments in electricity and gas tariffs, the removal of tax exemptions under the FY23 budget, administrative measures taken to curtail imports, and the lagged impact of the monetary and fiscal tightening that has been undertaken.

5. The Rupee has overshot temporarily but it is expected to appreciate in line with fundamentals over the next few months.

Around half of the Rupee depreciation since December 2021 can be attributed to the global surge in the US dollar, following historic tightening by the Federal Reserve and heightened risk aversion.
Of the remaining half, some is driven by domestic fundamentals. In particular, the widening of the current account deficit, especially in the last few months. As noted above, the deficit is expected to narrow going forward as the temporary surge in the import bill is brought under control. As this happens, the Rupee is expected to gradually strengthen.
The remaining depreciation has been overdone and driven by sentiment. The Rupee has overshot due to concerns about domestic politics and the IMF program. This uncertainty is being resolved, such that the sentiment-driven part of the Rupee depreciation will also unwind over the coming period.
Where the market has become disorderly, the State Bank has continued to step in through sales of US dollars to calm the markets and will continue to do so, as needed in the future. Strong steps to counter any speculation have also been taken, including close monitoring and inspections of banks and exchange companies. Further additional measures will be taken as situation warrants.
Rumors that a particular level of the exchange rate has been agreed with the IMF are completely unfounded. The exchange rate is flexible and market-determined, and will remain so, but any disorderly movements are being countered.
Going forward, as the current account deficit is curtailed and sentiment improves, we fully expect the Rupee to appreciate. Indeed, this was the experience during the beginning of the IMF program in 2019, when the Rupee strengthened considerably after a period of weakness in the lead-up to the program.
Clearly, the Rupee can overshoot temporarily as it has done recently. However, it moves both ways over time. We expect this pattern to re-assert itself in the coming period. As a result, the Rupee should strengthen in line with improved fundamentals in the form of a smaller current account deficit as well as stronger sentiment.

‘The Line’ – Future or Fantasy?

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Aug 1, 2022

the line saudi arabia — Image Source: CNN

The Line is the latest structure coming to Saudi Arabia that is changing the way we see architecture and spaces. It’s being called dystopian by some and futuristic by others— what could this structure entail? With billions of investment already being mobilised, here’s what ‘The Line’ is all about.

What Is This New Structure?

The Line is a tall and narrow stripe of a city. It’s a city built in a line and it will have residents too! It is more than 105 miles long and will be teeming with 9 million residents. The best part that is making this futuristic? It is running entirely on renewable energy.

The Saudi leaders had a vision for this “giga-project.” It is said that it will reshape the kingdom’s northwest.

About The Interior

The interior shows newly revealed design concepts that have not been seen before. They show a futuristic walled city — its open interior is enclosed on both sides by a mirrored façade. The Line stretches from the Red Sea eastward across the desert and into a mountain range.

Could you imagine a better place to live in? The Line will be 200 meters wide and will rise 500 meters above sea level. To put this into perspective, it will be higher than the Empire State Building. Residents will be able to run errands with a five-minute walk. The Line also takes pride in not having any cars or roads. Only rail tracks that will carry people from one point to the last one in 20 minutes.

The Important Updates

The construction for this project has already begun. Moreover, projections by their data experts predict that for 1.5 million people will live in The Line by 2030. This project is part of the Neom development project.

“The designs revealed today for the city’s vertically layered communities will challenge the traditional flat, horizontal cities,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Another huge thing about this structure is that it will maintain a stable climate year-round. It has a unique mix of shade, sunlight and ventilation. Does this sound like a dream to you or an absolute nightmare? Whatever the case may be one thing is for sure, it is only for the ultra wealthy to occupy.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

How Covid-19 Took Gaming and E-sports To The Next Level

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Aug 1, 2022

One would think all industries and activities were impacted negatively by the pandemic. However, the global video game industry witnessed its sales skyrocketing and enlarging beyond crazy margins. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

What’s Going On?

All activities and industries have shown that coronavirus impacted everyone heavily. This was because the social distancing and lack of interaction meant a lot of businesses could not continue as usual. In all of this, staying at home and gaming became a distraction for many. This was translated in data too that showed a huge growth in playing time and sales since the lockdowns began.

The Future Projections

The global video game market is also had many incredible forecasts. For instance, it was predicted that the industry will be worth $159 billion in 2020. The biggest market by revenue is in the Asia-Pacific region with almost 50% of the games market by value. North America are only a quarter of the revenue.

The thing is that gaming revenues are almost entirely driven by consumer spending. However, the business model has evolved significantly in recent years and changed its direction. Consumers today buy fewer games than previous decades but they use those games for longer. They are shifting the business model from single-unit to recurring revenue now.

Impact of COVID-19

The consequence of COVID-19 on gaming has is substantial. There has been a massive enlargement of the audience available to publishers. Since gaming is an at-home activity, it has flourished during the pandemic beyond belief. Those who previously did not even have an interest in gaming are now turning towards it.

The major Asian gaming giants Nintendo and Tencent both saw sales increases during coronavirus. Nintendo sold almost half of its games digitally which increased their profits by 41%. This was a big win for the company. On the other hand, Tencent’s year-on-year online games revenue increased by 31% which helped the brand survive their previous downfalls.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

How Mental Health Apps Are Hacking Customers’ Emotional Data

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Aug 1, 2022

Apps spell big business in the healthcare industry. Dozens of apps are targeting people with depression, anxiety and autism. According to researchers, many app developers sell users’ data including their name, medical status and sex, to third parties such as Facebook and Google. Most consumers are unaware that their data can be used against them.

“The vast majority of mental health and prayer apps are exceptionally creepy,” Jen Caltrider at Mozilla says in a statement.

“They track, share, and capitalise on users’ most intimate personal thoughts and feelings, like moods, mental state, and biometric data.”

In the latest iteration of the guide, the team analysed 32 mental health and prayer apps. Of those apps, 29 were given a “privacy not included” warning label, indicating that the team had concerns about how the app managed user data. The apps are designed for sensitive issues like mental health conditions yet collect large amounts of personal data under vague privacy policies, the team said in the statement. Most apps also had poor security practices, letting users create accounts with weak passwords despite containing personal information.

Mental Health Apps Accused Of Leaking Data

The apps with the worst practices, according to Mozilla, are Better Help, Youper, Woebot, Better Stop Suicide, Pray.com, and Talkspace. The AI chatbot Woebot, for example, says it collects information about users from third parties and shares user information for advertising purposes. Therapy provider Talkspace collects user chat transcripts.

The Mozilla team said in a statement that it reached out to the companies behind these apps to ask about their policies multiple times, but only three responded.

In-person, traditional mental health care can be challenging for many people to find — most therapists have long waiting lists, and navigating insurance and costs can be a significant barrier to care. The problem worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when more and more people started to need care. Mental health apps sought to fill that void by making resources more accessible and readily available. But that access could come with a privacy tradeoff, the report shows.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates

Here’s Everything You Need to Know on Netflix’s Upcoming Marilyn Monroe Biopic ‘Blonde’

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Aug 1, 2022

Marilyn Monroe is one of Hollywood’s most famous faces. Netflix’s new movie Blonde images the person underneath all the glamour. The first trailer for the film, which stars Ana de Armas as Marilyn, debuted on Thursday. The movie shows the trials and tribulations of the star grappling with her fame. Blonde will be released on Netflix on Sept. 28.

Take an exclusive look at the trailer below.

‘Blonde‘ – Biopic

The NC-17-rated flick, which will premiere in competition on the Lido at this year’s Venice film festival, is one of the most anticipated films of the fall season.

Kiwi filmmaker Dominik wrote and directed the film based on the bestselling novel of the same name by five-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Joyce Carol Oates. The film blends fact and fiction to reimagine the life of Monroe, exploring the split between the Hollywood icon’s public and private life.

Supporting Cast & Producers

In addition to de Armas, the cast includes Adrien Brody, who stars as Arthur Miller, Bobby Cannavale, Caspar Phillipson, Evan Williams, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Lily Fisher, Sara Paxton, David Warshofsky, Xavier Samuel, Michael Masini, Spencer Garrett, Chris Lemmon, Rebecca Wisocky, Scoot McNairy, Dan Butler, Garret Dillahunt, Lucy Devito, and Ned Bellamy.

Producers are Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey Landon, and Scott Robertson, with Christina Oh as Executive Producer.

The subversive movie is one of the most anticipated titles to compete at the Venice Film Festival. Cannes Film Festival’s chief Thierry Fremaux previously said he had been trying to slot it into the 2022 lineup but wasn’t able to reach a compromise with Netflix. The streamer hasn’t returned to Cannes since 2017 due to the festival’s rule that all films competing must have a theatrical release in France.

Described as a feminist film, “Blonde” aims to strike a chord among contemporary audiences.

“We worked on this film for hours, every day for almost a year,” de Armas told Netflix Queue earlier about the film.

“I read Joyce’s novel, studied hundreds of photographs, videos, audio recordings, films — anything I could get my hands on. An existing photograph inspires every scene. We’d pore over every detail in the photo and debate what was happening in it. The first question was always, ‘What was Norma Jeane feeling here?’ We wanted to tell the human side of her story. Fame made Marilyn the most visible person in the world, but it also made Norma the most invisible.”

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Latest Blockbuster Movies, TV shows and Originals on Tamasha

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Jul 30, 2022

Islamabad – 29 July 2022: Tamasha, Pakistan’s Over the Top (OTT) Video platform has entered into a partnership with STARZPLAY whereby it will now be offering the latest Hollywood and Pakistani movies, TV shows, kids content, and web series for local audience.

Tamasha provides latest movies, TV shows, web series, Live TV and sports streaming for users in Pakistan. In addition, the platform regularly does live game shows and quizzes during live sports events, giving its users a chance to win grand prizes.

Talking about this development, Aamer Ejaz, Chief Digital Officer, Jazz said, “Tamasha’s collaboration with STARZPLAY is to further enrich its offering and to provide the internet users in Pakistan with quality and healthy entertainment. On top of our Live TV use cases, we have seen the audience getting really attracted to video on demand content as they like to indulge in on-the-go entertainment. Increasing smartphone and internet penetration and the hunger for video content just reaffirms our resolve to make Tamasha the leading OTT video platform in Pakistan.”

Arif Baig Mohamed, Chairman, Cinepax Cinemas stated, “This partnership aligns with our vision of enabling millions of Pakistanis to stream high quality STARZPLAY TV shows and movies. This venture will enable us to enhance the viewership of our premium global shows such as F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the James Bond box-set and STARZPLAY original productions; Karachi Division and Mumkin, on state of the art Tamasha platform.”

Tamasha can be accessed by all telco users on web, Play Store, and App store.

realme Earns the Honor of Becoming the Youngest Brand among BrandZ’s Chinese Global Brand Builders TOP 50 Awarded by Google and Kantar

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Jul 29, 2022

In the vast sea of international businesses it is easy to get lost among the crowd but not for realme, the Chinese smartphone and technology brand. Since entering the market in August 2018, realme has surpassed global sales volume of 100 million and become one of the top six smartphone brands in the world in 2021 within just three years, earning the title of being the fastest emerging smartphone brand to achieve this. With the passing of every year, Google and Kantar come forward with their ranking of Chinese global brands to gauge the impact these brands have had on consumers in the global market.

For the first time since its debut in the international market, realme has made its way onto the Kantar BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders 2022 TOP 50. Not only was realme the youngest brand to break into the ranking, the tech democratizer was also given the special honor of receiving the award for Best Newcomer for Balanced Growth. Being placed on this list means that realme has finally transitioned from being a rising star in the industry to a brand with great global influence as the preferred choice of young people around the world.

As a brand, realme’s philosophy caters towards the global youth population, embodying the core values that they hold dear such as adventure, activism, and cost-effectiveness. In the past four years, realme has spread laterally into the market, introducing high quality products with leap-forward performance and trendsetting design to young users in 61 global markets. In the future, realme plans to dive further into its strategic markets with a focus on becoming more influential in those territories.

The rankings of the BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders Top 50 are based on a survey of over 1 million users across 11 countries which is used to compute the brand power score for each brand. A comprehensive analysis of the brand power score is used in order to put the rankings together. The BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders Top 50 provides a scale to measure the international influence of Chinese brands and has authority and credibility worldwide. Compared to last year, realme’s brand power has shot up by 20% in the 11 surveyed markets with a 70% growth rate in the seven developed markets that were surveyed. With its debut on the list realme has a brand power score of 294, ranking among the top 13 brands in the consumer electronics category. Developed markets account for 50% of realme’s calculated brand power.

In recent years, realme’s global market share has continued to grow and its product sales continue to rise. In Q1 of 2022, realme has a global year-on-year growth of 13%, defying the trend in 14 markets. In some European markets, such as Spain, Greece and Czech Republic, realme’s market share has entered the top five, with an overall growth rate of 177%. The South and South-East Asian market has a good performance as well, with realme taking 16% of the share in India and entering the top three this year. South America, Middle Asia and other markets have also made breakthroughs, with realme being among the top 5 brands in terms of market share in Morocco, Peru, and Egypt among other countries.

realme was built with its own DNA of globalization and has successfully established an integrated global network of operations. In the future, realme plans to continue to deepen its global layout and continue to grow into a high-tech and trendsetting brand with global influence. realme has big plans for the Pakistani market as its low-cost, high-tech product line has wide appeal in the country and hopes to emulate the growth it has had in other markets within Pakistan.

Google Celebrates 10 Years of Google Play

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Jul 29, 2022

Karachi, Pakistan, 29 July 2022 – Google is celebrating the 10th birthday of Google Play by unveiling a new logo that better reflects the magic of Google and 10x Play Points bonus for the members.

Today, the Play Store is used by over 2.5 billion people in over 190 countries every month to discover games, apps, and digital content. The store also provides a platform to more than 2 million developers to build their businesses and reach people around the globe.

Farhan S. Qureshi, Google Regional Director for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka said: “Google Play’s evolution over the years, from a simple play store to a roaring community, has been nothing short of excellent. Since 2012, Play has offered our users a platform to enjoy their favorite apps and games while giving developers the opportunity to grow their businesses and connect with people worldwide. We are extremely thankful to our Google Play community and developers for 10 years together.”

The new redesigned logo is a fresh look that matches the branding shared by many of Google’s helpful products like Search, Assistant, Photos, Gmail and more.

On the occasion of its 10th birthday, Google is offering 10x Play Points for its members on everything they purchase by activating a points booster. The official start date varies by country, so visit Play Points Home to learn more and check out the 10 favorite milestones achieved by Google Play in the last decade.

Is Pakistan moving towards a Sri Lanka-like scenario?

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Abubakr Hussain

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Jul 29, 2022

Pakistan has a bigger economy than Sri Lanka and is geo-politically more important. It means Pakistan has its own place in the region and big economies such as China and America just cannot write Pakistan off in order to sustain their dominance in the region.

However, what is actually happening in Pakistan’s power corridors is in line with the famous expression ‘Nero fiddled while Rome burned’. They care little for the country’s plight amid their struggle to grab power.

The struggle for power by the political elite is having a direct quantitative impact on Pakistan’s economy and can easily be gauged by looking at the freefalling of the rupee, which last week saw its worst week in over two decades losing nearly 8% against the US dollar. On Thursday, exchange rates dropped to Rs240 against dollar.

The business community is also wary of the situation and critical of the political crisis.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has recently said that the free-falling rupee has reached a point where it has become a threat to the national security as LCs for petroleum imports are being opened at a much higher rate than that of intra-bank rate; and a grave law and order situation might emerge in case of any fuel shortages for transportation and electricity generation.

He added that he is warning all the authorities that we are not far from a Sri Lanka-like scenario and radical decisions are needed to reverse the situation.

Another well-known businessman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi said that despite the fact that many numbers are showing improvement over the last few weeks like international oil prices, declining edible oil prices and better supplies of many other commodities, the government has failed to rein in inflation in Pakistan.

He added that imports are expected to be considerably lower this month as compared to the last couple of months; but, still the rupee is in a free fall – which is only adding fuel to the uncertainty.

Sheikh said that the SBP cannot continue with the free-floating exchange rate. It has to apply regulatory tools to minimize the speculation, uncertainty, hoarding, malpractices and misinformation.

The trade deficit for the fiscal year 2021-22 stood at a record $48.66 billion. It means Pakistan has been importing $4 billion worth of goods and services every month on an average. It was $30.96 billion in fiscal year 2020-21.

The high trade deficit has depleted Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves to $9.33 billion – which could barely cover two months of imports. The low reserves put pressure on the rupee and have devalued it record low.

The only thing, at least for the short-term, is the resumption of the IMF program would help the country increase its foreign exchange reserves and normalize the economic situation.

However, for that to happen, political stability is required according to economic experts. It needs clarity for the IMF about who would be leading the country during the term of its program and who it should be dealing with to work on details and expect those details and conditions to be followed.

However, the political elite are busy trying to gain control and knowingly or knowingly fast pushing the country towards chaos. With stubborn and selfish leadership in the country, a Sri Lanka-like situation cannot be written-off.

Why is Everyone Hating Instagram These Days?

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Jul 29, 2022

Instagram’s algorithm changes and the latest updates have invited protests in USA. Meme-page owners and even celebrities are circulating a petition to ‘Make Instagram Instagram again’ because the new updates make it a lot like its rival, Tiktok. Is Instagram losing its touch? Here’s what’s happening:

The Latest

Instagram has had an update change in which videos are prioritized more on the platform. The heritage of the platform is posting photos however, reports suggest that Instagram will become the future of videos too naturally. While this may not seem like a big issue so far, it poses a lot of troubles and issues for people who use Instagram to make money.

The new algorithm is such that videos are promoted more. They come up first on your feed. So those who are posting more videos are gaining more traction while those who are posting photos are losing out.

How Are People Reacting?

People are very strongly opposed to the new changes. Soon after the updates went live, protestors actually gathered outside Meta’s office. These protesters mainy consisted of people who owned meme-pages as they were the ones who were most impacted. Their concern is also that their say is never considered when it comes to changes— why are the people who are driving the platform being kept in the dark about these changes?

Is Instagram getting worse on purpose? Like every time they change something everyone complains and then they change something else and make it worse and everyone complains again ???

— Hannahconda (@swaggityhan) July 28, 2022

Over the next weekend a photographer started an online petition ‘Make Instagram Instagram again’ which has over 30,000 signatures already. The biggest thing is how it was also shared by Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian because clearly the sisters are being affected by it too.

What Has The CEO Said?

Following this, the CEO of Instagram responded to the backlash. He added that the app is currently experimenting with a lot of changes. All of these have impacted how the app is experienced by its users. He said even if the changes were taken away, video would still be the future of Instagram naturally. Adam Mosseri said that these changes had nothing to do with Tiktok and trying to be more like that app.

Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri says the platform will be shifting to more video-based content over time due to how users are consuming content in 2022:

“We’re going to have to lean into that shift while continuing to support photos.” pic.twitter.com/hMnvgi0Zot

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 26, 2022

These changes, according to the CEO, are backed by data that suggest that more users are now leaning towards video.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

What is Imposter Syndrome? How Can You Overcome it?

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Jul 29, 2022

The latest syndrome people are paying attention to and creating awareness for is imposter syndrome. This syndrome is one many people suffer from and it is incredibly common in almost all workspaces or even academic settings. So what is imposter syndrome and how do people overcome it? This is everything you need to know about it:

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is feelings of self-doubt and personal incompetence that arise despite one’s experience, education and accomplishments. When people feel imposter syndrome, they work extra hard and hold themselves to impsosibly high standards. This mostly results in their mental health suffering and them experiencing longer bouts of burnout.

What Can It Feel Like?

The imposter syndrome can represent a conflict between your self-perception and the way others perceive you. This conflict is terrible for your achievement and productivity.

It can look something like when others praise your talents, you credit your successes to timing or good luck. You’re afraid you will never be able to achieve anything for real and others will soon realise that. The element of ‘fraudulence’ is a big part of it because most people think they’re defrauding others.

Manage It Like A Pro

Managing it is not as hard as it seems. There are several ways you can manage your imposter syndrome.

Don’t Block Your Feelings

Most of the times when we experience the imposter syndrome we tend to block that out. Rather than doing that, acknowledge your feelings. IF you’re feeling like you’re not good enough and that you haven’t accomplished anything, there’s a solution to it. However, first you need to open up yourself by acknowledging it.

Speak To A Trusted Companion

Speaking to a trusted companion about what you’re feeling can help a lot more than you think. If your experience is currently being restricted because of the imposter syndrome, others can help you see what you don’t.

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

A huge problem with our imposter syndrome is also how we continue to compare ourselves to others. This amplifies our imposter syndrome by continuously making us think we’re not like them. As a result, we feel more down-trodden and like a big fraud. Try avoiding looking at others as metrics of success and know you have your own path!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Coca-Cola Celebrates One Year in the Metaverse (with International Friendship Day NFT)

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Jul 29, 2022

Coca-Cola is commemorating its first anniversary in the metaverse with a recent departure of limited-version digital collectibles. Planned for delivery on International Friendship Day (Saturday, July 30), the collectibles will be airdropped by the group. To partners of its occurring collectible community.

The beverage monster prepared its metaverse debut last summer with its ‘Friendship Day Loot Box.’ The box included a mixture of one-of-one digital collectibles. While encompassing a nearly wearable NFT puffer jacket.

Friendship Day NFTS Metaverse

On Friendship Day this year Coca-Cola will airdrop special International Friendship Day digital collectibles to its NFT holders. Including holders of the Coca-Cola International Pride Day 2022 giveaway. The Hamburger Day 2022 giveaway and the original Coca-Cola Friendship Day swag box.

https://mobile.twitter.com/cocacola/status/1552309136397852674

The designs of the new International Friendship Day collectibles are inspired by the bubbles in each Coca-Cola bottle. Once the collector shares their NFT with a friend the artwork will be revealed for both holders.

In addition, the brand will invite owners of Coca-Cola collectibles to experience Real Magic experiences, such as early access to Coca-Cola Creations and Coke Studio.

“Bringing people together in shared moments has always been at the heart of Coca-Cola,” said Pratik Thakar, Coca-Cola’s Head of Global Creative Strategy.

“Entering the metaverse a year ago was our first step in connecting with people in a completely new and inspired way. International Friendship Day cements our commitment to the exciting and ever-changing digital world to build our community whereas offering the proper alternative and milestone to thank and have a good time our friendship with individuals who have been a part of our metaverse journey. We’re excited to broaden our group and share moments of pleasure in Coca-Cola’s Actual Magic universe.”

Coca-Cola first entered the metaverse in July 2021 and has since launched more than 4,000 digital collectibles for its community.

Last year, on International Friendship Day the company even dropped a box of swag during a Decentraland rooftop party.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

IKEA or Disneyland for Adults?

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Jul 29, 2022

How often did you go shopping for a single thing but leave with a cart full of not-so-necessary items? It happens more often than we would like to admit, right? The marketing ploys have conditioned our minds so that we get tempted to buy even the most minor things we don’t plan on buying. Richard Kerr – a digital marketer who helps brands grow their businesses, recently discussed IKEA marketing strategy. Needless to say that it is mind-boggling and perfectly executed.

Please look at the detailed view of how IKEA encourages its customers to spend more than they intend to in the stores.

1. Distraction Strategy

Distract your kids at Smaland. They built it so that you can leave your kids there. Now you can focus 100% on shopping. More time to browse, more chances to buy.

2. No Sunlight

IKEA is designed in such a way that you can find windows but without sunlight. It’s a trick borrowed from casinos. The clocks are either fake or not telling the right time. Hence, you lose your senses & unknowingly buy more.

3. IKEA Stationery

IKEA has put stationery stands around the store because they want you to make a shopping list. It’s giving you a commitment to buy because it’s your list.

4. Maze Layout

They designed the store so that you only follow one direction. Most people do. There are shortcuts, but they want you to see everything inside. So you walk from the start to the end on two floors.

5. Arrow Directions

IKEA puts arrows on the floor to complement the maze layout of their stores. This means you don’t need to think about where to go next. Just follow the arrows.

6. Impulse Buying

IKEA places small items around the stores and furniture: – Bedsheets next to the beds – Candles on tables – Glass jars in the kitchen section – Pillows next to sofas And you say to yourself: “I better get these now; otherwise I have to come back here later.”

7. Store Locations

In many countries, IKEA stores are located outside the city centre. This makes people need to make their trip to IKEA worth it. People are more committed to buying & won’t leave empty-handed. This is a cognitive bias known as the ‘Sunk Cost Fallacy.’

8. The IKEA Meatball Effect

According to the company’s research, 30% of shoppers go there to eat. In 2017, IKEA made US$2.24 billion from selling food. Food affects how shoppers think & feel. When you’re not hungry, you stay longer & spend more.

9. The Checkout

They put smaller items at the checkout lines. When the queue is long, you tend to pick one or more items. After checking out, ice cream & snack counters are installed. They make you spend all the way.

10. Self Assembling

Finally, you left & went home. You bought a self-assembly chair. You assembled it & proudly posted it on your social media. You feel connected to your purchase by putting it together yourself—free marketing for IKEA.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Zameen.com signs Agreement with HBFC to promote home financing solutions

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Jul 28, 2022

Lahore: Zameen.com – Pakistan’s largest real estate enterprise recently signed a Digital Marketing Agreement with House Building Finance Company Limited, Pakistan’s oldest housing finance institution. This partnership will enable HBFC and Zameen.com customers in getting housing finance for purchase and construction of their properties across Pakistan.

The partnership between Zameen.com and HBFC was celebrated during a recent ceremony in Lahore at Zameen.com’s Head Office.

Zameen.com’s senior leadership including Senior Director Sales Central Mr. ShujaUllah Khan, Director Sales Mr. Muhammad Hasan, Manager Corporate Business and Banking Mr. Muhammad Umar Farooq, and Assistant Manager Corporate Business and Banking Ms. Zaira Javed along with HBFC Group Head – Business & Operations, Mr. Faisal Murad and Unit Head – Corporate Communication & Media Relations, Syeda Zauwia Riaz were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Zameen.com’s Senior Director Sales ShujaUllah Khan said, “Zameen.com is committed to the development of Pakistan’s real estate sector. Millions of customers visit our platform for their home buying and renovation needs. Addition of HBFC to our list of partners would enable our customers to benefit from the schemes of HBFC and realize their dream of home ownership”.

Commenting on the occasion, Zameen.com’s Director Sales Muhammad Hasan said, “The agreement would make it convenient for people to avail HBFC’s housing finance facility. Using housing finance facility, customers can build or purchase their dream home anywhere in Pakistan and become homeowners.”

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Faisal Murad, GH- Business & Operations said, “This strategic alliance between HBFC and Zameen.com shows our commitment towards facilitating Pakistanis in constructing and purchasing their dream homes at affordable rates and at their convenience.”

Jayasuriya, Mendis crush Pakistan In 2nd Galle Test, level series

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Huzaifa Gaba

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Jul 28, 2022

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 246 runs to win the second test at Galle and level the series 1-1. Sri Lankan spinners Jayasuriya and Mendis, made Pakistani batters dance to their tunes, and sent them packing for 261 runs. Parabath Jayasuriya ran through Pakistan’s top order and picked up 5 wickets, including the all-important wicket of Pakistani captain Babar Azam. Babar looked uncomfortable throughout the series, falling 3 times to Jayasuriya in 4 innings. Ramesh Mendis didn’t hold back either, as he picked up 4 wickets in this innings followed by his 5-wicket haul in the first innings.

Sri Lanka gave Pakistan an impossible feat to achieve; a target of 508 runs. Though Pakistan started confidently the target was not easy to achieve. Pakistan had a better chance of drawing the game, than going for the chase, however, they chose the latter considering their recent good record in fourth innings.

Pakistan’s batting coach Mohammad Yousuf, also backed his boys to chase this mammoth total at the end of Day 4. “The way Babar and Imam-ul-Haq are playing, it will be an interesting day tomorrow. We will see in the first session how we go, and if we do well, we will try to chase the total. Imam and Babar have played very good cricket in the last session, and I hope that they would bat the whole day tomorrow as well,” he said.

Pakistan’s first wicket fell at 47, but Babar and Imam managed to hold their ground until the end of the fourth day’s play. However, Imam perished right at the start of fifth day, which brought Rizwan to the middle. Babar and Rizwan had a partnership of 79 runs before Rizwan fall prey to Jayasuriya. Babar fought the lone battle after that, as he put a valiant effort to survive the final day. But a solid partnership was required to save the day. After Rizwan, no batter could manage to play 30 balls for survival on a tricky day 5 pitch. Babar Azam top scored with 81 runs.

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva was awarded man of the match for his gritty knock of 109 in second innings, while Parabath Jayasuriya grabbed the ‘player of the series’ award for his 17 wickets in the series. Jayasuriya has 29 wickets from 3 test matches he has played so far.

Philadelphia Set to Host WrestleMania 40

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Huzaifa Gaba

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Jul 28, 2022

WWE revealed on Wednesday, that Philadelphia will host the WrestleMania 40, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024. The 40^th anniversary of WWE’s marquee event will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Lincoln Financial Field has a seating capacity of at least 70,000 people.

WWE will be returning to Philadelphia for WrestleMania for the first time since WrestleMania XV in 1999. WrestleMania XV was held at Wells Fargo Center, then named First Union Center. WrestleMania XV saw the first match of the Steve Austin vs The Rock trilogy, in a no-disqualification match for the WWF Championship. The two legends broke and tore the house down before Stone Cold Steve Austin stunned his way to the victory.

BREAKING NEWS: @LFFStadium in Philadelphia will host @WrestleMania 40, on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2024, as first reported by @PhillyInquirer and @SBJ.https://t.co/UNpWPeh8aF pic.twitter.com/oHrX8bk9uz

— WWE (@WWE) July 27, 2022

Wells Fargo Center hosted WrestleMania indoors, however, since then, WWE has moved away from arenas and into large stadiums for their marquee events. So, while WrestleMania XV had a claimed attendance of around 20,000, WrestleMania 40 is expected to be over 80,000.

“On behalf of WWE, we are thrilled to bring WrestleMania back to the City of Brotherly Love,” WWE executive vice president of special events John Saboor said in the official press release. “We thank all of our local partners who were integral in making this long-awaited return a reality.”

We're proud to announce that @LFFStadium will host @WWE's pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 40, on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2024.

— LincolnFinancialFld (@LFFStadium) July 27, 2022

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a news release, “We are proud to welcome WWE fans from around the world to Philadelphia to be a part of the historic 40th WrestleMania in 2024,” He further added, “The week-long series of events will help put a global spotlight on our great city while also generating a major impact for our local economy.”

WWE experimented with a two-night WrestleMania event in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held in the WWE Performance Center in Orlando with no fans in attendance, but it was a success considering PPV buys. So, WWE stuck with the same approach even after things came back to normal.

WrestleMania 38 in 2022 saw the return of full capacity crowd at WrestleMania since COVID-19. It took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and had a combined attendance of 156,352; during Night One (77,899) and Night Two (78,453). WrestleMania 39 is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California next year.

Philadelphia will host the whole extravaganza of WrestleMania week, including the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at the Wells Fargo Center, as well as the WWE’s weekly television shows, Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw.

5 Ways To Beat The Everlasting Burnout

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Jul 28, 2022

beat burnout — Image Source: Open access govt

Burnout is something we’ve all experienced every now and then but if you believe you can not move past your burnout then that is a cause of concern. A prolonged burnout can have sinister implications ranging from deteriorating mental health to quitting work too. Here’s how you can manage it and what it is:

What Is A Burnout?

A burnout is when you’re experiencing prolonged high stress levels. You’re constantly stressed about what is to come next, you are not taking a break and you don’t feel like continuing. A burnout can be caused by you not taking regularly timed breaks. It can be caused if you also do not know how to manage and soothe your stress.

A burnout also occurs when you’re consistently putting other things before some leisure time for yourself. You can experience this during a semester, in your job or even as a parent.

Learn To Spot It

Learning to spot when you have a burnout is just as important as managing it. The most obvious signs are reducing pride in what you do and lesser feelings of accomplishment. It’s feeling constantly frustrated and annoyed by your work. It’s thinking of the next day and tasks coming up ahead and feeling dread continuously rather than feeling inspired or committed.

How To Manage It?

Five major tips can help you control and manage your burnout.

See What Changes You Can Make

Knowing what changes to make is of immense significance. For instance, if you’re stressed out during a semester and are experiencing a burnout, you can organise your week in such a way that you take one day off completely from your academic work.

Vent Out

A burnout is also associated with negative feelings. You feel lost, tired, frustrated and hopeless. In this case, speaking to loved ones or people you trust can help you a lot.

Learn To Set Boundaries

Learning to set boundaries is also extremely important. At work, this can look like telling your team that you should not be contacted after your work hours. Leave the work at the workplace!
Treat Yourself

Treat yourself doesn’t always look like shopping your heart out. It means reconnecting with your sense of self. Do something that always brings you joy and makes you feel calm.

Take Up Therapy

Taking up therapy is also important. If you believe your mental health has gotten to the point where you can not help it anymore, do ensure you get in touch with a therapist.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Are Skittles Really Unfit for Consumption?

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Jul 28, 2022

skittles unfit consumption — Image Source: NYT

Skittles are a fan favourite globally. From kids to adults, everybody loves the rainbow coloured packet with small chewy candies that are just amazing to snack on. They have even been banned in Pakistan but people are still finding ways to get them. However, the latest news has suggested that Skittles may be unfit for human consumption. Here’s what’s going on:

What’s The Latest?

The latest news is that a man in California has filed a lawsuit against Mars, the company that produces Skittles. This is because of titanium dioxide in the candies which is used for their colouring. The additive is an artificial colouring that gives Skittles all their colours.

The man is charging this company over not informing consumers of Skittles the harms of consuming this additive. The harm can be that particles of titanium dioxide in a human’s body can cause genotoxicity. As a result of this, it can even change their DNA and result in cancer ultimately.

On Titanium Dioxide

This additive is actually illegal in all of US. However, FDA has approved it for some brands only if its usage is 1% of the product’s weight. As a result, Mars is saying that they are not doing anything wrong. After all, they are FDA compliant.

The lawsuit also writes that other candy brands, including Sour Patch Kids and Nerds are also vibrantly colored like Skittles. However, they don’t rely on titanium dioxide.

Where Could This Go?

The party who has filed the lawsuit suggests that this is indeed illegal. This is because not telling consumers properly is equivalent to fraud of omission. Moreover, it also violates other Californian laws.

The lawsuit complains that the ingredient list which is provided in minuscule print on the back of the products is not enough. The reading has been made even more challenging by the lack of contrast in color between the font and packaging.

Therefore, Mars and Skittles are in deep trouble. This lawsuit could be a major breakthrough in the candy industry which may change harmful production altogether. However, Mars is an international powerhouse loaded with funds which could change the direction this lawsuit goes in.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

Top 5 Ways To Increase Your Life Expectancy

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