McDonald’s slashed 25 seconds off the U.S. drive-thru time during the coronavirus pandemic as it has been regulating with a limited menu to help simplify operations. That’s a considerable development in a metric that has plagued the fast-food giant for ages.
Service times at the drive-thru, where the majority of its U.S. earnings is derived, have been stubbornly high by business principles – that is, until the Chicago-based fast-food chain opted to reduce its menu offerings temporarily during the coronavirus pandemic, eradicating the all-day breakfast selections that had enabled drive development under the leadership of prior CEO Steve Easterbrook.
Source/ Business Insider
McDonald’s doesn’t intend to stick with the new slimmed-down menu, current CEO Chris Kempczinski told during an investor presentation on Tuesday. Various franchisees, however, are calling for making the simplified menu.
The current CEO didn’t sketch specific items that might repay to the menu. But plans for a new chicken product and breakfast baked goods were paused during the pandemic, and now the U.S. team has to find out when it makes sense to add those to the lineup.
McDonald’s is also still assisting on a loyalty program but is aware of whatever it puts in place; it can’t impede the speed of the drive-thrus, he declared openly.
McDonald’s has been banking on its drive-thru lanes, as well as delivery, to fulfill a craving during the pandemic. Now, as McDonald’s locations begin to reopen their dining rooms, business is foreseen to get an incremental bump.
Furthermore, the chain is anxious to see a recovery in its breakfast business in particular, which has been under more pressure than other times of day, as insufficient people are heading out to work or school and therefore aren’t making a pit stop for an Egg McMuffin, hash browns or coffee.
McDonald’s held back the marketing breakfast as it realized there weren’t going to be multiple morning buyers, but is now starting to ramp those.
On Monday, Burger King proclaimed a limited-time Croissan’wich starring an Impossible plant-based patty.
Furthermore, talking about beverage news, on Tuesday, Dunkin’ announced it would begin selling Dunkin’ Refreshers, which are drinks blended with iced green tea, B vitamins, and flavored fruit concentrate.
McDonald’s notifies sales at its longstanding U.S. locations, or same-store sales, fell 5.1 percent in May, tremendous growth from a 19.2 percent decrease in April.
Trips to McDonald’s continued to stay down, particularly at breakfast, the company mentioned.
For the first time in Pakistan, the online search giant, Google released a comp thought leadership report “Insights for Brands” based on What Pakistan is Searching for online?
Online search is one of the most important indicators of consumer intent in society these days. The insights from the search are useful for all businesses who are looking for ways to engage with their audiences, online.
Pakistanis, along with other purposes, mostly consume their internet for personal entertainment, restaurant guide, product research assistant, and all-around source of truth.
“Pakistanis and their smartphones are inseparable — always on the lookout for the best experiences and deals within their vicinity and at the same time seeking authoritative information during these trying times,” said Faraz Azhar, Industry Head for South Asia, Google Asia Pacific.
“Our research found rising levels of consumer sophistication, interest in more sustainable products and services, and a move towards a healthier lifestyle as some of the biggest drivers of behavior in the last 12 months. Also, digital video continues to boom with local content on YouTube representing Pakistan’s favorite online destination.”
In the newly released report, Google outlined five key trends that are shaping how Pakistanis search as well as their curiosity on the impact of reduced human mobility on the environment:
Increasingly sophisticated consumers
Consumers expect Search to understand the intent behind what they need and deliver the best, most helpful answers. They want high-quality products that are available with a convenient digital experience. 4 in 5 Pakistani consumers research products online before a purchase, and they switch between online search and video.
They also want quick access to products and services: 138% growth in “near me” searches and 1.5X increase in “same day delivery” queries between 2018 to 2019. ‘Fast delivery’ searches increased by 1300% and online grocery delivery searches increased by 300% when the pandemic began.
Towards sustainability and conscious consumption
A combination of the state of the world and an overall rise in awareness has seen the rise of the environmentally conscious consumer. Over a one year period these searches have risen sharply across Pakistan: “climate change” by 1.5X, “electric cars” by 1.5X, “reusable” by 1.3X, and “cimate change” by 1.5X. Users were also curious about the visible impact on air quality and pollution levels, with searches for ‘clear skies’ increasing by 300%; ‘clean air’ by 225%; and ‘clear water’ by 217%.
Digital video continues to boom
Video streaming and sharing platforms are where Pakistanis get their fix of information, entertainment, news, and sports. The primary drivers are a combination of affordable data combined with the proliferation of devices and now platforms. 7 in 10 Pakistanis use YouTube every month, with searches related to “with me” increasing 150%, “teeli” by 108% and “vilage food secrets” by 168%.
The healthy lifestyle choice
While Pakistan has a rich and diverse culinary tradition, there has been a rise in searches for alternate diets and meal plans predicated around well-being. Searches for “daily exercise” are up 1.6X. Searches for “vegetarian cuisine”, “healthy supplements” and “intermittent fasting” have risen 1.5X. Meanwhile searches for “super food” are up by a whopping 767% and “HIIT” by 600%.
COVID-19 implications
With COVID-19 restricting the movement of people outdoors, Pakistanis have started looking for ways to start (or continue) their usual physical routines indoors with ‘HIIT workout’ YouTube searches growing by 600%, ‘gym at home’ by 125%, and ‘home workouts’ by 80%. With more people confined indoors, interest in mental health and well-being has also become an important factor for Pakistanis, with a surge in searches for ‘meditation’ (+56%) in March this year.
For more insights on how Pakistani consumers use Google Search, along with some vertical insights on fintech, on-demand economy, telecom, gaming, and sports, visit Think with Google and download the Insights for Brands report.
Its no surprise that COVID 19 has been wreaking havoc on the entire globe since its spread last year. Well, let us tell you that, according to scientists – there’s one more behavior to be hyper-aware of to prevent coronavirus transmission.
Flushing can cause the spread of the novel virus.
Scientists have recently found that in addition to clearing out whatever business you’ve left behind, flushing a toilet can create a cloud of aerosol droplets that rises nearly 3 feet. Those droplets may linger in the air long enough to be inhaled by a shared toilet’s next user, or land on surfaces in the bathroom.
Droplets can travel up to 3ft – or 91cm – from ground level, according to the computer model used by the scientists from Yangzhou University.
Shutting the lid would avoid this.
COVID 19 can transfer via virus-laden feces
This toilet plume isn’t only disgusting, in simulations, it can carry infectious coronavirus particles that are already present in the surrounding air or recently shed in a person’s stool. The research, published Tuesday in the journal Physics of Fluids, adds to growing evidence that the coronavirus can be passed not only through respiratory droplets but also through virus-laden feces, as well.
Coronavirus is spread through airborne droplets from coughs and sneezes, or objects that are contaminated with them. People who are infected can also have traces of the virus in their feces, although it is not yet clear whether this might be another way to pass the disease on to others.
Source/ Good Housekeeping
Proper toilet hygiene must be taken into consideration
Scientists around the globe are testing sewage and wastewater to determine how some people might have become infected with the novel coronavirus. However, other viruses can be spread by poor toilet hygiene, familiar as fecal-oral transmission.
As water pours into the toilet bowl during a flush, it strikes the side, creating turbulence and droplets. The droplets are so small they typically float in the air for more than a minute, according to study author Ji-Xiang Wang and colleagues from Yangzhou University, China.
Dr. Bryan Bzdek, from the Bristol Aerosol Research Centre at the University of Bristol, said although there was no clear evidence that coronavirus might spread in this way, it made sense to take precautions.
Close the toilet lid
Researchers have found viable virus particles in patients’ feces, as well as traces of viral RNA on toilet bowls and sinks in their hospital isolation rooms, although experiments in the lab have suggested that material may be less likely to be infectious compared with a virus that is coughed out.
A computer simulation of the toilet flushing mechanism showed that when water pours into the toilet and generates a vortex, it displaces air in the bowl. These vortices move upward, and the centrifugal force pushes out about 6,000 tiny droplets and even more minuscule aerosol particles.
Shaan-e-Pakistan announces the second edition of the Shaan-e-Pakistan Music Achievements Awards (SEPMA) to go online due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The digital event, led by Huma Nassr will be both national and international by bringing together musicians of all genres, providing them with opportunities to be heard on a global scale.
SEPMA 2020 is a culmination of various performances that will portray the essence of the Pakistani music scene from July to September 2020.
The 2020 SEPMA Digital Show will consist of:
SEPMA Drum Circle Announcement
SEPMA Digital Summit
SEPMA Award Trophy Reveal and Tarana Digital Launch
SEPMA 2020 Awards Ceremony
SEPMA 2020 aims to do the same as its previous year, bringing together the Pakistan music fraternity, while celebrating singers and musicians from part of the world.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will continue as planned but will be hosted digitally for the foreseeable future. On-ground events are put on hold, and the SEPMA team has re-strategize the award show to be an immersive, entertaining, accessible digital event.
SEPMA’s aim and purpose is to highlight South Asian ensembles as well as to bring together musicians, illustrators, and singers to bring to light the plethora of talent that Pakistan hosts; nationally and internationally.
Huma Nassr, the brainchild of SEPMA voiced her concerns with the current world situation in mind. She stated, “A major concern for my team and I was the safety and responsibility that comes with initiating the process of the show in these COVID times; hence our decision to take it all online.”
The events, both online and on ground, would not be possible without the immense support of Irfan Pardesi, CEO Zee Foundation who has been the main promoter of the event in the previous editions and recognizes Nassr’s vision.
Among the main strategic partners supporting Shaan-e-Pakistan with gusto are Malka Foods and HEMANI, Poet Amir Qureshi, NOVA Color, Social Squad headed by CEO Fahd and Aisha, Koel Gallery by Noorjehan and Aqeel Bilgrami, Ahsan Khaliq – CEO of Saad Ahsan Immigration Law Firm and Umer Hussein – Owner of Sweet Tooth.
All suggestions and portfolios for possible nominations to be sent to info.shaanepakistan@gmail.com by 1st August 2020.
For commercial information and sponsorship packages please send emails to info@talkingpoint.pk.
Buying a car has become even more difficult nowadays. Students and lower to middle-class families can only dream about affording a car.
Thankfully, there are still money-worth variants that families who are on a stringent budget can buy.
Although these cars are pre-loved, the following are the best car variants individuals can opt for, especially if they are not looking forward to buying a 2-wheeler.
3 Cars Under PKR 1.5 Lac in Pakistan:
1. Suzuki Khyber
Also known as the predecessor of the Suzuki Cultus, the Khyber comes with a 1000cc petrol engine paired with a manual transmission. It is spacious from the inside and has a sizeable boot. It can easily accompany four adults. Most importantly, its maintenance costs and spare parts are low and readily available. You can purchase a 1980s Suzuki Khyber model in under PKR 1.5 lac.
2. Suzuki FX
Popular before the ruling of Suzuki Mehran, the FX came equipped with an 800cc petrol engine paired with a manual transmission. It’s a small car, making it an excellent choice to drive around a hustling and bustling city. However, it does not have features like power steering, power windows, or power mirrors; nonetheless, a well-maintained early 80s Suzuki FX can be purchased for under PKR 1.5 lac.
3.Daihatsu Charade
The affordable hatchback comes with a 1000cc petrol engine paired with a manual transmission. It is equipped with a handful of features, including air conditioning, AM/FM radio and cassette player. However, the availability of spare parts can be a problem at times. Nonetheless, a 1980s Daihatsu Charade can be purchased within a budget of PKR 1.5 lac.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.
As Pakistan approaches its peak for the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country, the government has announced ‘smart lockdowns’ to be observed across 20 major cities in the country.
These major cities, including the Capital of the country, Islamabad, along with Karachi, Lahore, among many others.
To help our readers identity and avoid hotspots with the most number of COVID-19 cases, we have compiled a lost of the no-go areas in Lahore.
Here are the localities you should stay away from:
Ravi Town till Begum Court
12 Darri road,
Ravi Clifton,
Shahdarah,
Hanif Park and Badami Bagh,
Malik Park,
Saeed Mitha Bazar,
Samanabad Town till Sutlej,
Jehanzeb, Ravi, Kashmir, Nargis, Huma, and Rachna blocks,
Raza, Kamran, Umer, Kareem, Mehran, Nishtar and Sikandar Blocks,
Cantt Town till D.H.A. phase 1,2,3,4,5 and 8,
Area of Saddar,
Sarwar Road
Cavalry Ground,
Officers Colony,
Cantt Town till Askari 8,9,10 and Alauddin Road,
Data Ganj Bakhsh Town areas include Saiyyda, Gawalmandi, Raj Garh, Chaman Bagh, Pir Makki, Jail Road, G.O.R. and Killa Gujjar Singh areas,
Allama Iqbal Town’s Jauhar Town blocks,
Mustafa Town,
CanalV Society,
E.M.E. Society,
WAPDA Town,
PCSIR Phase 2,
Wagah Town’s Manawa,
Mohalla Shah Noor Da,
Rogha Wala,
BismahUllah Housing Scheme,
Gulberg Town’s Garden Town area’s Ahmed Block, Tipu Block, Babar Block, Aurangzaib Block, Tariq Block, and Sher Shah,
Gulberg 1 and 3,
Kasuri Road,
MM Alam Road,
Kabutar Pura and the area of Nabi Pura
Zafar Ali Road,
Zahoor Elahi Road,
Saddar Iqbal Road,
Main Market,
Saint Mary Colony,
Gujjar Pura,
Rehmat Pura,
Begum Pura,
Chah Meeran,
Bilal Park,
Makkah Pura,
Kot Khwaja Saeed,
Shadbagh,
Wassan Pura,
Faiz Bagh,
Crown Park areas,
Madhu Lal Hussain,
Muhammad Colony,
Baghban Pura,
Angoori Bagh,
Mujahida Bagh,
Canal Bank Housing Scheme,
Nabi Pura,
Nusrat Colony,
Madina Street number 35,
Gulistan Colony,
Noor Colony,
Ghaziabad,
Shah Alam Colony,
Nizamabad,
Taj Pura
The localities named above will observe a strict 2-week smart lockdown.
P.C.: Dunya News
Those who are ready living in these localities are advised to stay inside, avoid gatherings, and comply with rules established for their safety.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 5,839 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.
Punjab remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
Till now, 58,239 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 57,868 in Sindh, 19,107 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8,437 in Balochistan, 9,242 in Islamabad, 1,164 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 703 in Azad Kashmir.
Stay safe, stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.
17th June 2020: According to the leading news source, actress Sonya Hussyn has replaced Faryal Mahmood in the film Lockdown. The director and co-writer of the film, Abu Aleeha, confirmed the news.
Sonya will now play the role of the lead character alongside actor Gohar Rasheed. The reason behind Faryal’s abrupt withdrawal from the film is not apparent as yet. However, Abu Aleeha said she left for some ‘personal reasons’.
Another source reported that the Enaaya actress says that she left the project because she wasn’t feeling her best and wasn’t up for a hectic shoot as yet. Also, the filming dates were not flexible for her.
What does Abu Aleeha’s upcoming flick, the ‘lockdown’ has in store for us?
“It’s a love story with the backdrop of lockdown and the horrors of Covid-19. The whole world is experiencing it right now… how a common man gets affected by [the coronavirus], how a simple couple gets affected by the horror of Covid-19 and the repercussions of lockdown.”
Lockdown will be produced under the banner of Mont Blanc. Reportedly, Asad Malik will be the DoP of the film. Abida Ahmed has written the script.
Netflix and Amazon are being considered at the moment as the film is being produced for an online streaming platform.
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
11th June 2020: COVID-19 has taken a toll over the entire world and is wreaking havoc on us. With the novel virus affecting the economy, it’s difficult to see Pakistan’s entertainment industry flourish.
However, there’s one project that Pakistan’s entertainment industry is working on, which includes Gohar Rasheed and Faryal Mehmood. The two are working on a film based on COVID-19.
A post shared by Mirza Gohar (@mirzagoharrasheed) on
Faryal Mehmood added, “I can’t talk much about the story, but the name kinda gives it away! It’s about a couple suffering through these times and how they overcome their struggles to be with each other in the end. Hope for all of us to ignite in ourselves and others.”
The starlet also shared that the movie will be for either Amazon or Netflix.
The script for the upcoming venture is penned by Abida Ahmed and Abu Aleeha, with Aleeha also directing the project. Asad Malik will be the director of photography, and Mont Blanc will produce it.
Continuing the conversation, Gohar Rasheed added, “The story is unique, it’s very relatable. The way it’s been written, the kind of treatment they’re doing… it’s never been done before. Abu Aleeha has done a fantastic job on it.”
“It’s very real. The concept is very original. It hasn’t been attempted before, especially in Pakistan. I was completely sold on Abu Aleeha’s vision for this film. We’re trying our best. I really hope with this project; we enter the OTT [streaming service] market.”
The release date of the movie isn’t confirmed yet, and the shooting of the film is halted as well, given the current situation. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the cast and crew are doing their best to practice social distancing while working and staying following all the safety precautions.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more news and updates. Stay tuned to Brandsynario.
Today, we are all lounging in our PJs, munching on popcorns and sipping on some OJ while binging our favorite TV shows, but there was a time when we all used to dress up.
Let’s be real ladies, besides honesty, positive attitude, and a drive to build a career, all of us strive to find a man who would make us weak in the knees and can make a few heads turn when he enters a room.
We all wish to have a man who not only smells heavenly but is dressed to the nines when he steps out in public. From wearing the right accessories to investing in good quality shoes to carrying well-fitted suit – each and everything plays a crucial role when it comes down to looking sharp.
Recently, a popular publication Asian Style Magazine released a list of ‘Five Best Dressed South Asian Men.’
Three men from that list were Pakistani heart-throbs who are listed below:
1. Fawad Khan
Image credits/ Tribune
According to the magazine “One of the most popular Pakistani actors who rose to fame with his drama, Humsafar is a style icon. From well-tailored suits to the perfect ethnic jackets
Fawad can make anything he wears work.”
2. Riz Ahmed
Image credits/ The News
The publication did not shy away while praising Ahmed and stated, “Riz made it onto GQ’s Best Dressed List back in January 2018. Along with being an actor and rapper, he can add being best dressed to the list. Riz makes casual wear look great, and all men can easily emulate his style.”
3. Zulfi Bukhari
Image credits/ The Nation
The special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan for overseas affairs – Bukhari also made it to the list, and according to the magazine “Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari: The Minister of Overseas Pakistanis & Tourism manages to pull off both western and eastern wear. His well-styled Italian suits and traditional Pakistani wear is refreshing to see.”
They continued praising him and added, “it brings a new side to politicians to see that they are not just all the same. Sayed is fast becoming an icon for the youth. Whether he wears light or dark-colored clothes, his green eyes manage to stand out.”
We indeed take pride in our men. They have proven in time and again to look like a shining star. Famous cricketer, Virat Kohli from India and actor Ranveer Singh from Bollywood, are also on the list.
17th June 2020: Apple has been rolling treats for its customers this year. With the ongoing pandemic and buying power declining, Apple has come out with another deal.
If you need headphones, Apple’s “back to school” promotion is a good one.
So what’s the deal?
Students, teachers, and professors will get a free pair of Airpods (second-generation) with Macbook Air for $899 or iPad Air $479 on educational discount. Other eligible laptops and desktops are: (May have a higher price point)
21.5-inch or 27-inch iMac
27-inch iMac Pro
13.3-inch MacBook Air
13.3-inch MacBook Pro
16-inch MacBook Pro
10.5-inch iPad Air
11-inch iPad Pro (2020)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020)
There’s more!
That’s not all! Want to upgrade your free pair of Airpods to wireless charging case? Apple will do the upgrade for an extra $40. You also have the option to upgrade to Airpods Pro for $90.
This has to be the best possible freebie Apple has offered in their ongoing promotion in years, claim news reporting websites.
You can avail of this offer by spending as low as $500. If you’re someone who is looking for a great laptop, Macbook Air ($899) is not a bad deal considering the computer is also available at a promotional price.
Many countries have started to re-open their schools with strict SOP’s; However, most of the world is still under tight lockdown. The pandemic that initiated in December 2020 has killed over 400,000 people.
Promotional deals are only available at the Apple education store. Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
16th April 2020: Apple’s first iPhone for 2020 is set to launch amid coronavirus. The iPhone is not the latest 12 upgrade but an iPhone SE, which will be enjoyable by millions of users for being budget-friendly as buying power declines across the globe due to the pandemic.
Watch Video Here
In comparison to the phones, Apple rolled out last fall when the economy was booming, the iPhone SE (second generation of a previous value model) is vastly cheaper. The phone costs only $399 and will be available on 24th April.
The SE comes with a 4.7-inch display and the same processor chip as Apple’s most advanced phone, the 11 Pro. Available in 3 variants: Black, White, Pow.
Image Source/CNet
The SE lacks 5G capability and Apple’s facial recognition system to unlock the device, instead of relying on a fingerprint sensor similar to older models.
The home button will be back in the latest iPhone SE. iPhone SE is just another iPhone 8 but with the chipset of the newest iPhone 11.
Image Source/ GSM Arena
iPhone SE was initially 4 inches, which were popular among people who preferred smaller phones as each upgrade brought bigger iPhones.
The SE that initially discontinued in 2018 was popular among the budget-friendly crowd. Apple’s strategy during this crisis might as well work as the shares of the company have begun to drop significantly.
The coronavirus originated in Wuhan caused significant economic shifts in the world. Apple factories in China were shut down, and Apple stores later remained shut across the globe as the virus took the shape of a pandemic. It is shocking given the circumstances that Apple is still ready to launch its newest phone this year.
What do you think about the iPhone SE? Let us know in the comment section below.
The latest news that made us happy today was how two robbers in Karachi decided not to rob their target – a delivery boy – in what appeared to be a change of heart regarding his valuables, according to a current CCTV footage making rounds online.
In the clip, the delivery boy of a famous delivery service can be seen being mugged by two men on a bike in the street of the city.
The footage displayed the delivery man returning to his bike after performing a successful delivery.
When he reaches his motorcycle, he realizes he may be in trouble.
He gets held at gunpoint by the dacoits who took away his cash, phone, and other valuables.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW1UR85lhqA
As soon as his valuables were taken from him, the delivery boy could be seen weeping and mumbling something to the robbers.
At this, the criminals returned all the valuables they had snatched from the rider and hugged him.
Both the robbers hugged the delivery boy and could be seen helping the food delivery rider and soon fled the crime scene. The delivery rider also sat on his bike and left the scene after getting hold of his almost stolen items.
The clip soon went viral on social media with police officials ensuring that the video was of Karachi. However, they are yet to discover that in which police station’s jurisdiction the crime occurred.
Via a report published in April, the number of street crimes in Pakistan’s southern port city has surged despite police and Rangers setting up checkpoints for snap-checking amid the coronavirus lockdown in Sindh.
Dozens of Karachi residents were mugged, missing their mobile phones, cars, and motorcycles since March 20. According to a police report containing data from March 20 to April 7, at least 379 mobile phones and 31 bikes were seized, while 1,049 robberies took place.
During the lockdown period, three cars were stolen, and 28 robberies occurred, according to official information. However, CCTV footage of robberies at retail shops and stores in various markets have continued to surface.
On an optimistic note, bank robberies and other serious crimes amounted to zero.
Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon told Geo News that the authorities were responding rapidly to all alerts and data about street crimes on their helpline 15.
If you’ve ever queued on a crowded walkway, sandwiched tightly between two strangers, and thought: ‘There must be a better way to board a plane,’ here’s the good news: You’re right. The bad news? Most airlines are not bothered by your inconvenience.
From our economy to education – COVID 19 has effected everything immensely, and various sectors are taking drastic measures to hinder the spread of the novel virus. Furthermore, all of a sudden, airlines and airports are scrambling for new solutions to reduce the risk of virus transmission while boarding passengers as quickly as possible.
Here’s a possible future of boarding the plane post-COVID 19:
1. Temperature checks may become the norm
Source/ DailyMail
Airports will check temperatures of all the passengers, which will monitor their health, and if anyone is higher than 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit – they will be requested to return home.
2. Passengers and crew members will be in protective gears
Source/ BBC
Since masks have become mandatory in public in many places, it comes as no surprise that most airlines are also making wearing them compulsory for passengers.
3. Announcement of boarding via text messages
Source/ TeleSign
To combat full lines, cellphone location data may cue your arrival to an airport; this will not only boost social distance but will also make the procedure quicker.
4. Change in airplane design
Source/ Avo Interiors
According to sources, an Italian design firm Avio Interiors, has put forward renderings that possible a solution for keeping flights full while minimizing passengers’ exposure to one another. The company introduced its “Janus” design that reverses the middle seat in each row of three and includes transparent dividers that shield passengers from one another.
5. Separated sanitization for luggage
Source/ Trip Savvy
According to sources, luggage might go through its own fogging or UV disinfection process before being loaded onto planes, which will disinfect them.
6. Cold food maybe the new future
Source/ Time
Many airlines are cutting food service entirely or switching to frozen and prepackaged meals. Instead of getting cups of water refilled, passengers will get their bottle at the beginning of every flight to decrease touchpoints
7. Plexiglass shields might become crucial
Source/ Forbes
The US Travel Association has recommended barriers between customer-facing airport employees and passengers. These barriers, such as Plexiglass shields, might become the new normal everywhere from check-in desks to shops and eateries.
Let us know what do you think will be the change in flights and boarding planes in the future?
As the scorching hot summer months arrive, Dawlance – the most reliable brand of home-appliances in Pakistan, has once again exceeded the customers’ expectations, by announcing the longest ever warranties on its wide range of innovative air-conditioners in Pakistan.
The PCB cards in Dawlance inverter air-conditioners are now covered by a 4-year extended warranty, the longest in Pakistan. This is an unprecedented facility being
offered for the first time in Pakistan, to promise complete peace of mind, especially for the buyers of Dawlance Inverter ACs because indeed every AC deserves to have a long life.
The compressors installed in Dawlance ACs are already promising the most extensive 12 years warranty. These unrivalled warrantees clearly reflect the longest performance and durability, promised only by Dawlance. The company’s confidence in its quality is surely unmatched by any other brand in Pakistan.
The industry-leading brand – Dawlance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arçelik – the largest enterprise in Turkey and the 3rd largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe. This extension in warranty will break the clutter and enrich the credibility of this multi-national venture, in the customers’ mind.
Numerous brands have launched inverter air-conditioners in which the PCB card is an essential, delicate and expensive component of this new technology. Similarly, the compressor is the key functional part of any air-conditioner and many other appliances.
Therefore, Dawlance installs the most dependable PCB cards and compressors in its products. The 4-years warranty on PCB card and 12 years compressor-warranty are testament to the company’s confidence in its products.
Another revolutionary technology added to the latest range of Dawlance air-conditioners, is the “Self-Cleaning Function”. It keeps the ACs thoroughly cleaned from the inside, at all times, to protect the AC from dust and pollen, while ensuring that the air and environment in your home remains hygienic and cleaned continuously.
As a singular medium of convenience for the modern human, the smartphone has, since its inception, continued to offer features that entice the user. It is clearly no more a mere tool of communication. Among its unique features, the in-built camera is arguably one of the distinguishing aspects of the smartphone.
As we say this, let us inform our photography enthusiast readers about a beautiful new gadget that was recently launched and became a hot selling hit in its price segment; a device with the power to bring about a mini-revolution in the realm of photography.
This new device is the HUAWEI Nova 7i: a phone that puts DSLR-level imagery into the hands of everyone. HUAWEI Nova 7i is a device capable of doing everything a DSLR camera can do and more. With a 48MP Quad AI Camera, it delivers crisp images that capture the depth and emotions of every picture.
But wait! There is another super exciting news from Huawei in the pipeline. It’s the HUAWIE NEXT-IMAGE AWARDS 2020 – a global awards contest celebrating the very best of photography done with Huawei smartphones.
Anyone who uses a Huawei smartphone can share their best photos taken with a Huawei device and get a chance to win up to USD 10,000/- and their very own photography beast i.e. the HUAWEI P40 Pro. Entries can be submitted in the Gallery section of HUAWEI Community under the contestant category by Friday, 31 July, 2020. The final evaluation of the contest will be done by the awards committee and announced on the official site of the awards.
Huawei didn’t stop at the mere launch of this sleek new device, Nova 7i. It wanted its users to truly benefit from the Huawei Nova 7i experience by encouraging amateur photographers to try their hands on it in real-life settings.
In doing so, Huawei presented an opportunity for what it calls the ‘imagineers’ to showcase their creative skills, engage with a community of tech-savvy youth and gain recognition in the field of photography.
The #ShotonHuawei campaign for HUAWEI Nova 7i gave photographers using Huawei smartphones from across the country a shot at exhibiting their photography talent. They included Marvi Soomro, Mavikh Azam, Amjad Nawaz, Areesh Zubair, Asad Amir and Humza Sheikh who took the opportunity to capture visuals of people, places, cultures and cuisines with their Nova 7i device.
Asad Amir
At a time when the entire country was on lockdown, Asad was in the perfect setting. Hailing from the beautiful valley of Hunza, Asad put the camera to test capturing scenic images of Hunza’s picturesque landscape. The 8MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens of the HUAWEI Nova 7i took a stunning photo of the Hunza Valley which gave everyone a welcome respite – straight from Gilgit Baltistan.
Amjad Nawaz
While this year’s Eid was quite somber, Amjad managed to capture the true essence of the day – the Eid prayers. Putting the HDR mode to good use, Amjad merged his master aesthetic and created an image that made everyone feel the spirit of this special occasion.
Areesh Zubair
One of the most interesting lockdown projects was undertaken by Areesh Zubair called Duur Se Portrait that won him rave reviews from local and global media. He travelled to various locations and shot portraits of people in the confines of their houses – while maintaining the lockdown SoPs. One such image was captured with the HUAWEI Nova 7i as well, showing the ecstatic colours of not just the nature, but also the device.
Marvi Soomro
All our HEAs wore creative hats to combat the lockdown and find great opportunities to photograph. Here, Marvi Soomro did a dreamy photoshoot at her house, showcasing the Night Mode feature of HUAWEI Nova 7i. Even in the dim and dull lights, the HUAWEI Nova 7i captured true colours and proper lighting.
Mavikh Azam
Our whizz-kid Mavikh gave his fans a glimpse of the wilderness as he ventured out in Islamabad on a sunny morning. He used the HUAWEI Nova 7i to capture the sunkissed vastness with the Margalla Hills in the background.
Humza Sheikh
Joining the #ShotonHuawei campaign for the first time, Humza Shaikh channeled his inner bibliophile and showed what he was reading with the HUAWEI Nova 7i. The 48MP Quad AI Camera encapsulated the raw sharpness of this image, giving all book lovers a beckoning to delve into their bookshelves.
16th June 2020: Popular Pakistani pop band member, Bilal Maqsood, has left no leaf unturned when it comes to keeping his fans entertained since the beginning of the lockdown.
A recent trend of Servis shoe jingle from 8 years ago was trending on all social media platforms as people combined clips of their friends to create their very own version of the ad.
Since then, fans have been requesting Bilal to sing jingles from ads that were famous back then, and let’s not forget, catchy!
Here are few jingles Bilal has been singing for his fans on Instagram: He advises his young fans to google the original versions of these catchy jingles.
NAURAS jingle. I got so many messages for this one. People under 20, I’m sure you guys are listening to all these jingles for the first time. Google the originals!
NIDO Milk Jingle. I always connected to the melody of this old commercial, but today I felt a different emotion. Now that I have kids, I felt the message. This could become a modern-day lullaby!!
BINACA toothpaste jingle. A lot of you won’t know, but this ad came when I was a kid 👶🏽 Simpler times, kids asking for a toothbrush and toothpaste!! 🤔😇 How many of you remember this?
Is there anything this popstar can’t do? We have been hooked to his Instagram account.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
6th April 2020: Popular Pakistani pop band member, Bilal Maqsood, has another talent that he has been hiding from his fans. It is when the world is restricted to get out of their homes, his ambidextrous skills come forward, and fans are stunned.
‘Lockdown couple’ #stayinghome #corona #lockdown Maqsood captions his post on Instagram.
Bilal seamlessly draws a lockdown couple on a wall with both his hands together. It is undoubtedly a form of art to train your mind to move both of your hands profusely accurately.
Faisal Kapadia applauds the master mind!
A fan of Bilal wonders if he can do it all or not?
Others think he is super multi-talented
How many talents does Bilal have, after all?
It isn’t just Bilal who has been taking some time out for activities that he’d never get time for if all was normal. We see a lot of people cooking, baking, learning a new skill, etc.
Let us all take advantage of this time and reflect upon our lives while we fight through the deadly virus. Remember, all you have to do is just #stayhome
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
U Microfinance Bank Ltd. (U Bank) was awarded the Best Emerging Microfinance Bank 2020 during the Global Good Governance – 3G Awards held on June 8, 2020. The Global Good Governance Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge institutions and organizations around the world for their impact driven work carried out with social responsibility and good governance.
Establishing itself as a pioneer within the industry; U Microfinance Bank features a comprehensive network of 200+ branches spread across 183 cities and rural areas to cater and effectively provide a wide range of microfinance loans, digital & branchless banking solutions and deposit products.
U Bank in collaboration with Ufone under the branch name of UPaisa offers branchless banking services in over 45,000 designated agent locations all across Pakistan. This channel offers ease and convenience to customers in utilizing banking services.
The Best Emerging Microfinance Bank 2020 award, signifies the tireless efforts and steps taken by U Microfinance Bank Limited to create a more inclusive society, by providing financial services to the unbanked population of the country by enabling them to earn better livelihoods and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Owing to current uncertain circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the award ceremony was held virtually across the globe to ensure safety and security of all in attendance.
While virtually receiving the award, Mr. Kabeer Naqvi – President & CEO of U Microfinance Bank said “At U Bank we are committed to expand our outreach and keep innovation and customer needs at the heart of our efforts as we strive to serve the unbanked population of the country. We strongly believe that access to microfinance services helps build a more inclusive society.”
About Global Good Governance – 3G Awards:
Cambridge IFA is spearheading a global initiative to promote best practices in governance and sustainability. The Global Good Governance Awards or 3G Awards celebrate individuals, governments, public and private institutions and NGOs that demonstrate making governance and sustainability a strategic priority of their organisations.
The 3G Awards are premier awards programme that highlights excellence in good governance and commitment to social welfare in 3 major streams: Government & Politics, Corporate Sector, and Social Sector & Philanthropy.
Reckitt Benckiser Group, makers of leading health and hygiene brands such as Dettol and Harpic, collaborate with WaterAid Pakistan to further their relief mission to fight COVID-19 in the country.
This collaboration includes donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and hygiene kits for the protection of healthcare professionals across the country. This further includes creating awareness to educate masses, especially in the rural areas, on preventative measures to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19 as well as viruses and illnesses.
This educational effort will be supported by distribution of soap and creation of hand washing facilities in various parts of the country.
As the country moves into the fourth month since the outbreak, the curve continues to rise steeply. This is an extremely alarming situation and the need to do aggressive efforts both on an individual as well as organizational level to stop the spread.
The two key priorities right now are to protect Pakistan’s healthcare community, our frontline workers, who are facing the brunt of this virus, and to educate the masses in order to prevent the situation from worsening.
This is a national responsibility and an utmost priority to protect the people of Pakistan by equipping them with the right tools that will help them win this battle.
Siddiq Khan, Country Director, WaterAid Pakistan said:
WaterAid Pakistan is already working extensively with RBPL to educate masses in the rural areas on hand hygiene and proper sanitation practices.
It is our responsibility as a nation to provide for the frontline workers and for all those vulnerable members of the society that are affected by CoVid-19.
This effort is aimed at reaching out to people across Pakistan in the most adversely affected districts of the country.
RB Group recently announced a commitment of Rs. 500million for relief efforts to help the country fight the CoVid-19 pandemic. RB stands true to its purpose of Protect, Heal and Nurture by taking vital steps to fight this pandemic since its outbreak in February.
The Company has already announced a partnership with the Ministry of Health to serve the country to spread public service messages to help the people of Pakistan. The Company also has donated its products to several NGOs for their ration drives across the country.
Infinix, Pakistan’s leading smartphone brand known for its innovative and state-of-the-art devices has partnered up with Daraz to bring exclusive discount offers at the Daraz Mobile Week, starting from 15th June till the 21st June.
With these bundle offers, customers can avail up to 4000 PKR discounts on Infinix’s all-new smartphones including the Infinix Note 7, Infinix Note 7 Lite, and the Infinix Hot 9.
The best-selling smartphones from the brand will be available with exclusive discounts and free shipping for consumers to enjoy the Infinix experience in exciting prices.
The exclusive bundles for flash sales include the Infinix Note 7 with Wireless Earphones XE06 at a discounted price of Rs.30, 599 with free shipping, and the Infinix Note 7 Lite with XE09 Wireless earphones Rs.22, 999 and free shipping.
“At Infinix, we believe in staying true to our brand’s mission to present our consumers with the best devices in attractive prices. The partnership with Daraz is another step towards this mission, and we hope our consumers can enjoy the cutting-edge experience with our latest devices at discounted rates,” said Mr. Joe Hu, CEO of Infinix Pakistan.
Infinix makes some of the best smartphones in the world catering to all lifestyles. Committed to building cutting-edge technology and fashionably designed dynamic mobile devices, Infinix creates globally-focused intelligent life experiences through a merging of fashion and technology.
16th June 2020: According to the 2020 Reuters Institute Digital News report, Instagram will most likely take over twitter as being a reliable source of news.
The report demonstrates a swift change of behavior in people as they have started using Instagram, a photo-sharing social media app for news updates since 2018.
Reportedly, the usage of IG has doubled for the past two years. It is safe to say that the app will take over twitter.
Image Source/ YouTube
“Instagram’s become very popular with younger people,” said Nic Newman, lead author of the report. “They really respond well to stories that are told simply and well with visual images.”
From people who were surveyed for the report, more than a third use the app, and two-thirds are under-25s. The report then concluded a total of 11% use the app as a news source, which is a point higher than twitter.
26% of people said they trusted social media as a source of authentic information about the virus. The survey revealed that these platforms were among the least-trusted sources.
It is notable to mention that 59% of the people who took the survey said they trusted national governments and news organizations.
“It’s not that one necessarily replaces the other,” Newman added. “They might use Facebook and Instagram or might use Twitter and Instagram.”
Facebook-owned, the photo-sharing app can reach 85% of people in a week’s time. Newman says, “The company’s dominance in how stories are being told remains incredibly important.”
Do you use Instagram as a source of news? Let us know in the comment section below.
For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.
29th May 2020: Instagram will now let influencers earn money with IGTV from ads, following YouTube’s revenue generation model.
Reportedly, Instagram announced on Wednesday that it was rolling out advertisements to IGTV. The feature through which creators can produce long-form videos on the app. The company has hinted that ads would come to IGTV for more than a year.
The model provides creators a portion of the money generated off the ads on their videos. Instagram is also mimicking that revenue breakdown: 55% to creators, Bloomberg reports.
Moreover, Instagram will also add a new feature that will allow users to gift creator badges during live IGTV videos. Akin to features used by other Livestream platforms like Twitch.
Why Instagram if Focusing on IGTV
Credits: Talking Influence
In recent times, despite Instagram’s core being publishing of photos and videos, influencers and platforms have been focusing a lot more on video-based content to appeal to influencers.
On the other hand, Instagram Live has seen a dramatic 70% increase in use since the coronavirus pandemic hit the globe, but IGTV has not seen such popularity as of yet.
Following its launch in June 2018 launch, less than 1% of Instagram’s users downloaded the standalone IGTV app! Nonetheless, IGTV has not been very popular amongst influencers themselves.
Now that IGTV will allow content creators to rope in money, it will make the feature more worth the while for both creators and brands. The changes will start rolling out the first week in June to “a small group of creators and advertisers” in the US.
A Hit at YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok?
Credits: mediakix
We all know Facebook and Snapchat have a rivalry history as well as a history of copying or instead of being “inspired” from features the other has to offer.
This is the first time Instagram is offering creators and influencers a way to profit directly off their videos using IGTV.
This will help it compete with top giants who have been using a similar model, but it will take time before they are able, and it must gain popularity by the masses first.
We have now to see how IGTV manages to rope in influencers using this new monetization strategy, and how it takes for it to become competent enough to take on its rivals head-on in competition.
What do you think about their way forward? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.
As Americans protested police brutality and the killing of George Floyd over the past week, they were met with tear gas and law-enforcement batons. The news took over the television, and it was broadcasted live on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
People have been extremely vocal about the case of George Floyd and have left no stones unturned to let the world know that Black Lives Matter.
Over the past few days, brands like Nike, Ben & Jerry’s, and L’Oreal have taken a stand on racial injustice and police violence following on from the death of George Floyd. As protests about the brutality faced by people of color and communities continue to intensify across the US, how can brands show solidarity in a meaningful way?
Let’s have a look at what brands had to say regarding the death of George Floyd:
Nike released a video on racism, which said ‘for once, don’t do it.’ It’s a powerful play on its iconic tagline; the video urged people not to turn their backs on racism. Nike’s longtime rival Adidas shared Nike’s Twitter post, commenting:” Together is how we move forward. Together is how we make a change.”
Not all brands that have offered their support have been well-received, highlighting the need to have your house in order. Munroe Bergdorf, an English model, and activist took to Twitter to condemn L’Oreal for jumping on the movement.
Streaming giant Netflix, meanwhile, has garnered 1m likes for a post addressing the issue, stating:” To be silent is to be complicit, Black lives matter.”
5. Facebook
The pain of the last week reminds us how far our country has to go to give every person the freedom to live with dignity…
Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, took to the platform to announce he was donating $10m to groups working on racial justice.
6. American Express
We're pledging $1M to help fight racial injustice w/ grants to two organizations: the National Urban League and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund. We're also matching eligible contributions from US colleagues through our Gift Matching Program. https://t.co/48MvZh0KoZpic.twitter.com/Mm0vVLW5cn
— American Express (@AmericanExpress) June 3, 2020
American Express’s words seem appropriate since they demonstrate consistency and acknowledgment, which makes their words now authentic and empathetic.
Amazon also committed to solidarity with the black community.
8. Apple
The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account. Things must change, and Apple’s committed to being a force for that change. Today, I’m proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment. pic.twitter.com/AoYafq2xlp
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, announced the $100 million Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative on June 11th. “The initiative will challenge the systemic barriers to opportunity and dignity that exists for communities of color and particular for the black community,” Cook said in his latest tweet.
9. Google
Today on US Google & YouTube homepages we share our support for racial equality in solidarity with the Black community and in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery & others who don’t have a voice. For those feeling grief, anger, sadness & fear, you are not alone. pic.twitter.com/JbPCG3wfQW
Google-owned YouTube will launch a $100 million fund “dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of Black creators and artists and their stories,” the video service announced on June 11th.
10. Microsoft
To continue to learn from & lift the Black and African American community, we’re shining a spotlight on organizations that are advancing social justice.
The Innocence Project exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system.
How many of you have watched your mother cook while growing up? Well, when I was a little girl, I used to help my mom in the kitchen. She would always make my favorite dishes with lots of love and effort.
Watching her cook since I was a kid, made me want to try out some of the recipes that she used to cook. However, while we’re homebound, it’s difficult to find the exact or all kinds of ingredients to prepare a dish. So here I am, sharing with you some of the simplest and effortless recipes that are just 3 ingredients and you can give them a try at home just like how I’m doing it!
