This month marks the fourth annual stateside Fireflies cycling ride, benefiting City of Hope hospital’s leukemia and lymphoma treatment and research for a cure. Over the past several years, the advertising professionals-led cycling enthusiasts have raised over $200,000 for charity. On Friday, Sept. 23, Fireflies commence their six-day, 550-mile ride from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners’ San Francisco office travelling down the California coast to The Mill’s Los Angeles office.
The Association of Independent Commercial Producers will mark the event at the AICP Show & Next Awards in San Francisco on Sept. 20 at The Autodesk Gallery. Riders will be on hand to provide information, answer any questions about Fireflies and to accept donations on behalf of City of Hope. Additionally, the evening will feature a signature Fireflies cocktail from Double Cross Vodka.
“The Fireflies Ride is emblematic of the great good so many in our industry dedicate themselves to,” said Matt Miller, president/CEO of AICP. “It’s really gratifying to see so many riders from different sectors of the advertising community come together for such an amazing cause, and to see so many of our member companies supporting their efforts. We’re thrilled that the AICP Show & Next Awards can provide a platform for awareness of the ride and the City of Hope.”
The Fireflies Friday morning send-off from Goodby Silverstein & Partners will include loyal supporters from the San Francisco advertising community. “Breakfast in our parking lot was never as fun as last year’s Fireflies send-off, and we are delighted to provide the launch pad (and bagels) again this year,” said Rich Silverstein, Goodby Silverstein co-founder and avid cyclist. “The Fireflies are an inspiring mix of ad industry competitors who ride together for a wonderful cause, and we are honored to do our part.”
“I am blown away by the support the advertising and production community has shown towards the ride,” added Bryan Farhy, executive producer, Believe Media. “All those who have supported us should be very very proud. If you know of someone who has had, or is battling leukemia or lymphoma, you know what this all means.”
In addition to the aforementioned (Goodby, The Mill, AICP, Believe Media), Fireflies has a long list of generous supporters including 180, Alive & Well, Deutsch L.A., Prettybird, RSA Films, Union and Zoic Studios, as well as cycling gear and accessories company Rapha.
The Fireflies stateside ride is a companion event to the original Fireflies ride of Europe. It began in 2001 with a ride from Geneva to Cannes over the French Alps. Generously supported by RSA Films and VFX company The Mill, the Fireflies Europe ride has raised nearly $2 million to benefit the Leuka Charity which raises funds for Hammersmith Hospital.
To donate, please visit: www.fireflieswest.com
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More