Turner Broadcasting System Inc.: Quality Programs Right at your Doorsteps

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) Inc. is the biggest supplier of programs for the players in the cable industry. It owns the broadcast rights of the Cartoon Network, CNN and all its affiliates, and TNT. It also owns the franchise of the baseball club Atlanta Braves and oversees the operations of pga.com and nascar.com. TBS is a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

TBS was founded by Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III. After his father committed suicide in 1961, Turner found out that his father agreed to sell their company, the Turner Advertising Company. Turner paid the buyers $200,000 to rescind the agreement.

In 1970, Turner merged with the small UHF TV station Rice Broadcasting Company Inc. Since Turner was the major stockholder, the company adopted the name Turner Communications Corporation.

After the success of HBO’s nationwide satellite broadcast, Turner also expanded his audience share by using the cable systems. He opened the SuperStation WTBS in December 1976, which later on became another TV network.

In June 1980, Turner started the Cable News Network (CNN) for a 24-hour live news broadcast. The 24-hour format was available and convenient to many viewers. Since CNN’s feeds were live and unedited, Turner opened the Headlines News which showed edited news from CNN. In April 1982, Turner also opened CNN Radio.

TBS rode with the increased cable system infrastructure in the country. There was an increased audience share as more and more homes subscribed to cable TV services.

In 1985, Turner helped in the founding of the Better World Society, which produced documentaries that relate to environmental and ecological issues.

TBS acquired the movie outfit MGM/UA Entertainment in 1986 for $1.4 billion. However, the deal was not very “friendly” to Turner and what he later on described as “substantial accounting losses in the foreseeable future.”

Soon, TBS began to pick up. Turner Network Television (TNT) started to perform well. Later on, Turner also started Turner Pictures for filmmaking and Turner Publishing for publications.

One of CNN’s most spectacular news coverage was the Persian Gulf events in the 1990s. CNN also covered the Operation Desert Storm with a commitment of 2,000 workers and an airtime of more than 4,000 hours.

Turner specializes in particular markets like the Airport Channel which broadcasts places in airports like gates and baggage claim areas. Its first year of operations earned revenues of $10 million.

TBS continues to innovate to remain at the edge of competition.

American Express: Luxury Made Affordable

American Express Company, more popularly called AmEx, is a multi-million dollar financial services corporation. AmEx is known for credit cards, charge cards and traveler’s cheques. It is the biggest credit card issuer in the US, accounting for more than one-fourth of the volume of transactions involving cards in the US.

AmEx has captured a large portion of the card market because it appeals to technology and luxury. The company has associated with first rate banks, providing their clients with a status symbol and a feeling of importance.

AmEx continues to diversify in order to attract a wider demography by introducing the idea of affordable luxury. The concept was more evident in the AmEx website which reads “You’re not dreaming – vente-privee is now available in the US, bringing you many of the world’s luxury and fashion brands at up to 70% off. Join Now – vente-privee with American Express.”

AmEx is listed in Fortune Magazine’s Top 20 Most Admired Companies in the World. Businessweek has estimated its value at more than $14 billion.

ESO Equity Group’s Strong Roots and Stronger Promise

Maintaining a host of relationships with investors and community institutions, ESO Equity Group continues to expand even in the context of a rapidly-fluctuating real estate market. Founded in 2005, ESO Equity Group maintains a steady growth rate as a holding and development venture.  Thanks to owner Ori Tal’s efforts in acquisitions and partnerships, the firm boasts control of more than 1,000,000 square feet across central Florida. Recent accomplishments include the purchase of a space of more than 43,000 square feet to be transformed into office spaces and retail spaces. To be named the Executive Tower and Plaza, the space will cater to the community’s deep ties to business and culture, renting to both independent boutiques and companies who desire a new work environment. The firm recently aligned $2,000,000 to be positioned towards the renovation, which will focus on upscale Mediterranean architecture and luxury office amenities.

Skilled at evolving both commercial and residential property campaigns, ESO Equity Group and Ori Tal also supervise a variety of rental communities that vary in aesthetic style, pricing, and location. Whether renters seek proximity to the exciting world of Orlando’s theme parks, the scenic views of the Indian River or the Atlantic Ocean, or the creative culture that abounds in the area, they may choose a desirable solution through ESO Equity. Current residential communities include Fairway Apartments in Daytona Beach, Millennium Palms in Orlando, Bluewave Condominiums in Satellite Beach, and several others. Through the diversification of acquisitions and the pursuit of lucrative partnerships, ESO Equity Group remains at the forefront of the Florida real estate arena.

National Football League: Creating a Demand for Year-Round Football

The most popular sport in the US – football – is governed by the National Football League (NFL). It is the association of the 32-member teams and is operating through the NFL Europe League. The franchises operate in the same way as regular business entities.  The only difference is that 75% of the revenues are shared by the member franchises.

American football started in the 1980s as a derivation of soccer and rugby. The first set of rules for the game was drafted in 1876. In the 1890s, the game became popular among rival teams in Pennsylvania. The first football player who received a pay for playing football was William “Pudge” Heffelfinger. He was paid $500 by Allegheny Athletic Association to play against rival team Pittsburgh Athletic Club. This became the dawn of professional football.

Several football teams were organized and spread up to Ohio. Competition was stiff among professional football clubs. Players in turn were seen switching from one team to another in search for high paying bids. Teams began scouting college players and some even hired good players even before they finish college. Due to a lack of governing body that shall regulate the games and instill discipline among players and teams, a call was made to organize an association.

The first meeting was held in August 1920 in Canton, Ohio. Four teams were represented in that meeting. The American Professional Football Association (APFA) was established. The next meeting was attended by three more teams.

APFA started with 14 teams. The new organization was met with several administrative problems, a re-organization took place and Joe Carl of the Columbus Panhandles was named as President. During his tenure, the by-laws were organized, criteria for franchises were developed and player rights were restricted. In 1922, APFA was renamed as NFL.

From these humble beginnings, NFL games today are attended by an average of 66,960 spectators per outing. Franchises in the NFL are multi-billion franchises, the Dallas Cowboys being the most valued at $1.6 billion.

Television coverage of the NFL, especially the Super Bowl, has topped the ratings according to Nielsen Media Research. Each franchise in the league owns its own radio network which covers each team game. NFL also operates its own website, the NFL.com.

Tesla Motors: Raising the Bar of Electric Vehicle Technology

Tesla Motors is a producer of high-performance electric sports cars. Established in 2003 by Elon Musk, Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard, its first car Tesla Roadster was test-driven by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in June 2006. Roadster has set a record of 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds, a speed competitive with Lamborghini and Prosche models. The car is available online at a base price of $100,000.

Just five years after Tesla Roadster hit the road, over 1,800 Roadsters are running emission-free in over 32 countries in 2008. With more production of these smoke-free cars, Tesla aims to lessen the world’s dependence on petroleum-driven cars. Tesla has been working closely with other electric car manufacturers to put more electric cars in the market.

As more and more people become interested in electric-powered cars, the world could transition to a full-ranged electric mobility in the near future – something worth looking forward to.

Greenbox: The Next Generation Chinese Fashion Brand

Greenbox is a Shanghai-based children’s clothier which manufactures Disney-branded apparel. After six months of negotiation and collaboration with Disney, Greenbox CEO Fangfang Wu got the nod to stir up Chinese appetite for Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh. The consortium is Disney’s preparation for the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016.

A strong and deep commitment to a distinct design makes Greenbox a largely different apparel brand. Without having to thrive under the shadow of Disney brands, the apparels by Greenbox will bear the label “Disney by Greenbox.” This gives Greenbox a cutting edge among the middle class Chinese population who are becoming more and more brand-conscious.

After Greenbox’s launching in 2003, its label is now the number one e-commerce retailer of children’s apparel. Wu’s business philosophy was to create a clothing brand that reflects personality. As a self-taught fashion designer, Wu was Greenbox’s best customer.

Miss de Mode was Wu’s first brand. She had in her mind her daughter Alice when she designed Miss de Mode. Wu became successful on China’s own version of eBay, Each Net. This led her to open several physical outlets in 2006.

However, the financial crisis soon got its toll on Greenbox and Wu was forced to relocate in Taobao. Taobao allows businessmen to open branded online stores. This proved to be Greenbox’s best business move. Wu’s online store gave her more control of her inventory and allowed her to play on the items’ prices. With 36% of China’s population going online, Greenbox had a net revenue of $8 million in 2010 and grew 400% in 2011.

Greenbox also pioneered in product safety at a time when there aren’t strong safety standards for children’s clothing in China. Wu was very personal in monitoring Greenbox’s quality by conducting regular visits to production facilities. To achieve its objectives on product safety, Greenbox uses environment-friendly materials and processes.