A team of US-Russian researchers has pieced together a large percentage of the genome of the famous woolly mammoth.

Experts extracted DNA from small samples of mammoth hair and reconstructed its genetic sequence.

Researchers have estimated that the genome is about 85% complete.
The research into this Ice Age giant could provide useful insights into its extinction and also raises questions once again around the viability of cloning species that are long dead.

Privacy gurus have collaborated to influence policy in the Obama administration and set new best practices for the industry.

The recently formed Future of Privacy Forum aims to present a privacy agenda to the
Obama team very shortly.

It also plans to talk to internet users about their concerns.
“We’re at an important crossroads for improving consumer control over online data,” said Forum co-chairman Jules Polonetsky.

“The Obama campaign used a huge amount of data in a very savvy way so they fully appreciate the value of data for outreach and marketing and the need for good practice to allow for personal autonomy”, says the co-chairman

The UK pound has fallen to a record low against the Euro, while the value of the dollar has declined on talks about possible US interest rate cuts.

The pound touched a record low of 1.1084 euros, which made one euro worth around just 90p, before recovering slightly to 1.1141 Euros.

Simultaneously, the dollar fell as analysts predicted the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates on Tuesday: it fell to $1.3541 against the euro and $1.5087 against sterling.

Kenya Airways is launching their first TV ad campaign on BBC World News. The ads aim to promote “modern Kenya” to international travelers.

The campaign, which has been created by BBC Worldwide’s own in-house team, will break this Christmas Eve. It will also show the airline’s fleet and cabin crew in a bid to promote the flag carrier.

There are two 60-second versions of the ad, which will be broadcast across Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and South Asia exclusively on the channel. The initial spot run until January 16 and the second edition will launch in February of next year.

Dick Omondi, the airline’s Head of Marketing and corporate communications, says that the campaign will demonstrate the carrier’s aircrafts and luxurious facilities.

A new book ‘Exploiting the Technology and Protecting the Enterprise’ deals with the questions of how businesses can pro-actively use social media as a marketing tool and how to respond to the use of it by others.

The book gives advice on establishing a commercial strategy as well as offering guidance on using social media, such as wikis and networking sites, as well as the risks associated with them.

This joint project work by leading thinkers and business users of social internet websites details the various media, their applications, pros and cons, how such technologies are evolving and whether or not their use can benefit your business.

A useful chapter covering social media and the law explains the risks related to abuse of copyright, privacy and data protection, as well as the opportunities and threats emerging from having an online reputation.

Passengers who own a Blackberry phone and are lucky enough to catch a ride in one of the Blackberry branded cabs will be offered a £3 discount on their fare! All they have to do in return is register with the Blackberry Owners Lounge.
The lounge is completely free to join and is purely about rewarding people for buying Blackberry.
On registration the passenger will be eligible for members-only offers on software, free games, competitions and information on how to get the most out of their BlackBerry phone.
The taxis, which have been provided by a leading taxi advertising company, will have registration forms on display bearing the heading ‘BlackBerry Owners’ to draw attention to the offer.
The short process to sign up for the lounge can then be completed comfortably during the taxi journey and handed to the driver, which then, on showing their BlackBerry phone, qualifies the passenger for the reduction of their total tariff.

Using promotional wristbands is a really easy and highly effective way of promoting your business and can help to increase your customer reach.

A key advantage of promotional wristbands is that they are items which people readily use and are likely to keep.

While other companies spend money on merchandise that can be quickly thrown away, promotional wristbands are worn and have become a popular fashion trend, ensuring that your business’s marketing strategy will have the desired impact.

When choosing promotional wristbands, it is essential that you pay attention to the colours, fonts and wording that will be on your finished item.

If your company has a logo, you should add that to the wristband, in addition to your name.

Logos or symbols are a great way to ensure customers remember your company as well as associate your products with your logo or trademarked symbol.

No matter what the nature of your business, you can customise promotional wristbands to enhance your company’s brand.

Research supported by the BPMA, conducted by Sourcing City has shown that the promotional merchandise industry is maintaining its strong position despite the continuing economic gloom that the UK is facing.

Providing the first such data from the promotional merchandise industry, the research showed that the industry was in a positive state and experiencing substantial growth.

This comes amongst other recent research highlighting the the high value placed on branded promotional merchandise. It is the strong ROI that branded promortional products can bring that is liekly to be the reason for the sustained growth. Where advertsing budgets are cut, more investment is being directed towards promotional items as it can represent a more direct selling and branding tool, reaching people on a more personal level.

Latest national survey finds that most of us believe that promotional merchandise increases a company’s brand awareness.

The most popular promotional product kept in a car is a pen (12 per cent of respondents).

This was followed by an umbrella (11 per cent), ice scraper (9 per cent) and map/road atlas (7 per cent).

63% of respondents can name a brand featured on promotional merchandise that is kept in their car.

Almost 95% cent of respondents (94 per cent) believe that branded merchandise increases a company’s brand awareness.

52% would keep the item of promotional merchandise themselves, rather than pass it on to others.

Almost half of respondents have purchased from the companies that were branded on the promotional merchandise in their car.

These are among the key findings identified in a national survey carried out recently by a leading sourcing company, into ‘What’s In Your Car?’

The Chairman of the British Promotional Merchandise Association commented: “This latest survey has re-affirmed the positive link between promotional merchandise, branding and sales that has been shown in past surveys.”

• Chose a quality product that will reflect the image of your brand. Trying to promote a superior brand with an inferior product is simply bad practice.

• Select a pen with quality components, including ink, for good longevity.

• Sleek and sophisticated, traditional and simple, or bright and modern – pens come in a range of different designs. Select a style that matches your brand image.

• The product must appeal to your target market, so take the tastes of your audience into account.

• Don’t buy solely on price, but on quality and value.

• Choosing a product that isn’t readily available on the high street will automatically differentiate your item.