Time Warner will spin off Time Inc., the nation’s largest magazine publisher, by year’s end, the conglomerate announced on Wednesday. Time Inc. will then be an independent, publicly traded company, while its former owner, Time Warner, retains its magazine-inspired name.

Time Warner had been trying to sell most of Time Inc.’s titles, including People and InStyle, to Meredith, which publishes magazines such as Ladies’ Home Journal and Fitness. A new merged company would oversee magazines with a similar audience — lifestyle titles appealing to a mostly female readership.

But those negotiations fell apart, and the New York Times reported just minutes before the Time Warner announcement that Time Inc. also wanted to unload its four iconic titles — Time, Sports Illustrated, Forbes and Money. Meredith was not interested in those titles.

While those more news-focused publications have many benefits for a company that also owns CNN and HBO, Time Warner seems to think its Time Inc. unit will be more valuable if kept together.

“A complete spin-off of Time Inc. provides strategic clarity for Time Warner Inc., enabling us to focus entirely on our television networks and film and TV production businesses, and improves our growth profile,” Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes said in a statement. “Time Inc. will also benefit from the flexibility and focus of being a stand-alone public company and will now be able to attract a more natural stockholder base.”

While Time Inc. remains the largest publisher, the entire magazine industry has been hit by declining advertising revenue. Time Inc. advertising revenue fell by five percent in fiscal year 2012, and Time Inc. announced in January that it would lay off roughly 500 staffers.

Time Warner reported $6.1 billion in profit that fiscal year, and $463 million of that came from publishing. That figure represented a 20 percent decline from the previous year.

Time Warner also announced Wednesday that Time Inc. CEO Laura Lang will depart once Time Inc. can stand on its own but will remain until a successor is found. She has been in the post since November 2011.

“Laura indicated to me that we should find a different kind of CEO for this new public company, and I respect her decision,” Bewkes added. ”She has been a great partner who has given Time Inc. forward momentum to make this transition possible, and I look forward to working with her to select the right leader to head the company as an independent entity.”

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Time Warner Inc. will spin off its magazine business later this year, turning the nine-decade-old publisher of Time, People and Sports Illustrated into a separate publicly held company.

The board authorized management to proceed with the plan after a review of options, the New York-based media company said yesterday in a statement. As part of the move, Time Inc. Chief Executive Officer Laura Lang will step down from the role.

“A complete spinoff of Time Inc. provides strategic clarity for Time Warner Inc., enabling us to focus entirely on our television networks and film and TV production businesses,” Jeff Bewkes, CEO of the parent company, said in the statement. “Time Inc. will also benefit from the flexibility and focus of being a stand-alone public company and will now be able to attract a more natural stockholder base.”

The move represents Time Warner’s third major spinoff since Bewkes became CEO in 2008, letting the company focus on faster- growing businesses. Time Warner Cable Inc., the second-largest U.S. cable company, became independent in March 2009. Time Warner spun off AOL, the dial-up Internet service that is remaking itself as a Web publisher, later that year.

Time Warner’s magazine assets could be worth as much as $3.2 billion, based on estimates published last month by John Janedis, an analyst at UBS AG in New York.

The spinoff decision follows an attempt to divest some of Time Warner’s magazines to Meredith Corp., the Des Moines, Iowa- based publisher of Better Homes and Gardens. The two companies had discussed a deal that would pair Time Inc.’s lifestyle and entertainment magazines with Meredith’s women-oriented lineup, which includes Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

The magazines would have formed the basis of a new publicly held business focused on women, a person familiar with the matter said. In that scenario, other Time Inc. publications, such as Time and Fortune, would have stayed with Time Warner. The talks broke down after Time Warner decided it wanted to unload all 21 publications at once, the person said. That led the company to push ahead with the full spinoff of Time Inc.

Shares of Time Warner rose as much as 1.4 percent to $56.25 in extended trading after the announcement. Meredith’s stock dropped as much as 2 percent to $39.50.

Meredith said yesterday that it remains opened to talks.

“There are natural synergies between our two portfolios; however, we respect Time Warner’s decision and certainly remain open to continuing a dialogue on how our companies might work together on future opportunities,” Meredith CEO Stephen Lacy said in a separate statement.

Time Inc. has posted sales declines in five of the last seven years, making it the biggest laggard among the company’s divisions. Revenue fell 6.6 percent to $3.44 billion last year, reflecting broader declines across the U.S. magazine industry.

The slowdown has put pressure on companies to divest print- media assets. News Corp. (NWSA) CEO Rupert Murdoch, who built his media empire on newspapers, agreed last year to split slower-growing publishing businesses from his more valuable television and film operations. News Corp.’s trove of newspapers, which includes the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, will become a separately traded public company by June.

The Time Inc. spinoff would rid Time Warner of its original business, ending its long history in magazine publishing. Time Inc., which was founded by Henry Luce and Briton Hadden in 1922, became the foundation for Time Warner, one of the largest media companies in the world. After entering the television business, the company eventually acquired a controlling stake in movie studio Warner Communications in 1989 and became Time Warner (TWX) the following year.

Bewkes has a background in television, having started at Time Warner at its HBO cable channel. After climbing the ranks to CEO of that division, he became chief operating officer of the parent company and then CEO.

Lang, meanwhile, became Time Inc.’s CEO in January 2012 after working as an advertising executive. She will stay with the company until a successor is found.

“I have decided that taking the company through a transition to the public markets is not where my passion lies,” she said in a note to staff. “Jeff has been extremely supportive and I am committed to working together with him on recruiting the right person to lead Time Inc. at the spin.”

Time Inc., the largest U.S. magazine publisher, has struggled to shift from print to the Internet, where ads command lower rates.

“Although change can be unsettling, I am confident that you have the fortitude to stay focused on what Time Inc. does better than anyone: produce great journalism that your readers and audiences love,” Bewkes said in a memo to employees. “That great legacy will live on as Time Inc. embarks on this new journey as a publicly-traded company.”

Issues of Time magazine are for sale at a newsstand in New York on Feb. 13, 2013. The Time Inc. unit, currently the largest U.S. magazine publisher, has struggled to shift from print to the Internet, where ads command lower rates.

Issues of Time magazine are for sale at a newsstand in New York on Feb. 13, 2013. The Time Inc. unit, currently the largest U.S. magazine publisher, has struggled to shift from print to the Internet, where ads command lower rates. Photographer: Mario Tama/Getty Images

News Sources: Bloomberg

Time Warner Inc., a company partly named after a magazine, is getting out of the magazine business.

The company has decided to spin off its entire Time Inc. magazine group, it said Wednesday, giving up on talks with Meredith Corp. /quotes/zigman/233786/quotes/nls/mdp MDP -2.09%  over the proposed merger of most of their titles.

Time Warner /quotes/zigman/528906/quotes/nls/twx TWX +0.74%  and Meredith had been negotiating for months a deal under which most of Time Warner’s Time Inc. magazine group would be merged in a newly created company with Meredith’s magazines.

The new company wouldn’t have included several of Time Inc.’s best-known titles, including Time, Fortune and Sports Illustrated, which would have stayed behind in Time Warner.

Discussions were complicated by questions over valuation of the new company, how much debt it would take on and how Time Warner’s magazines would be carved out of the company, according to people familiar with the matter.

In the end, the company decided it would prefer to get out of the magazine business altogether.

In a statement, Time Warner Chairman Jeff Bewkes said: “After a thorough review of options, we believe that a separation will better position both Time Warner and Time Inc. A complete spin-off of Time Inc. provides strategic clarity for Time Warner Inc., enabling us to focus entirely on our television networks and film and TV production businesses, and improves our growth profile.”

Jon Stewart announces he will take a break from his hit show ‘The Daily Show’ to direct a film about Iran. Photo: Getty Images.

“Time Inc. will also benefit from the flexibility and focus of being a stand-alone public company and will now be able to attract a more natural stockholder base,“ Bewkes said.

Time Warner saw operating income at Time Inc. drop 25% last year to $420 million, as the country’s largest magazine publisher was hit by declines in both advertising and newsstand sales sweeping through the industry.

Revenue also declined 6.6%, to $3.43 million from $3.677 million the previous year.

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Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE) celebrated a major milestone at Time Warner Cable Arena tonight when Brandon Bolin became the 10 millionth guest to attend an event at the eight-year-old Uptown Charlotte facility prior to the Bon Jovi concert.

“This is just surreal,” Bolin said. “When everyone came out, with the music and the noise, it was just surreal.”

Time Warner Cable Arena Welcomes 10 Millionth Fanner Cable

Bolin was randomly selected as he and his wife, Alicia, entered the Trade Street entrance and was surprised by a full confetti burst, music and a celebration troop consisting of Bobcats entertainment teams, celebrity impersonators, local team mascots and BSE executives. Bolin was presented with an oversized ticket commemorating the night and informed that as the 10 millionth guest, he will receive two tickets to every public event held at the arena for one year, including Bobcats and Charlotte Checkers season tickets for the remainder of this season and all of next season. As an added bonus, the Bolins were upgraded to stagefront VIP seating for tonight’s concert.

“Our goal is to make Time Warner Cable Arena the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas,” said BSE President & COO Fred Whitfield. “We do that by attracting world class performers to this world class facility and showcasing uptown Charlotte as one of the region’s most vibrant and energetic destinations.”

Whitfield added that BSE and Time Warner Cable Arena will continue its strong partnership with arena and booking agents AEG, Live Nation and Feld Entertainment, which represents Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus, Disney Live, Disney On Ice and other family specific shows.

The 10 million guests are based on all events, concerts, and shows held at Time Warner Cable Arena. Since opening its doors on Oct. 21, 2005, the arena has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Beyonce, U2, Justin Bieber, Elton John and Coldplay. In September 2012, the Democratic National Convention called Time Warner Cable Arena home. College basketball has also become a staple at the arena, with the CIAA, Southern Conference, ACC and NCAA bringing their tournaments to Charlotte, along with a throng of local and regional regular-season games.

News article source

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Internet Better Business Bureau – better business bureau

The virtual world has come to be the strongest avenue for trade and commerce but security remains to be a challenge. Almost all business transactions are delivered on the web. Issues like information losses, identity theft, credit card loss, deceiving offers, and overstated services are few of those anticipated bumps once you embark on business online transactions. To promote trust among business providers and consumers online, the Internet Better Business Bureau instills the Code of online business practices.

Internet Better Business Bureau is dedicated to provide online business entities with highly esteemed schemes to establish client loyalty and confidence for smooth business relations. Guidelines in online business deals are supposed to assist the companies in providing public and private protection issues in e-commerce.

For so many years, Internet Better Business Bureau has conceptualized and implemented beneficial codes that cater to different fields of businesses like health, education, fashion, manufacturing, hardware, construction, hotel, food, tourism, shopping, entertainment and transportation. The so-called programs as Reliability Seal Program and Privacy Seal Program are adopted by most business individuals.

To resolve computer exposure issues encountered by small and medium enterprises, the Internet Better Business Bureau created an information protection initiative. This is to address troubles like identity stealing, credit card slaughter and information loss. Designed was Scan Alert security service system that evaluates a small firm’s susceptibility to common troubles. It also facilitates the companies to meet up the requirements in Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standards or PCI DSS.

Usually acknowledged by Internet Better Business Bureau to receive credit card payments are Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover Card. Hundreds of business are being secured using the Scan Alert system especially when sending and receiving payments are primarily involved. The first year of availing the Scan Alert system doesn’t cost any seal holding company. Only a conservative amount of $ 19 dollars is paid in the succeeding years though.

The Internet Better Business Bureau seeks to deliver an unlocked and inclusive process for asking for inputs on the Code. The prime draft of the BBB code is accessible online. Suggestions and comments are even welcomed by the officials. Succeeding drafts are also made known on the web. It was in October 24, 2000 when BBB finally completed the code of online business practices.

In education field, the trend about getting an online diploma is accepted. This is the most virtual of all virtual educational institutions or the so-called digital diploma mills are signing up students. Using the advanced technology of getting educated virtually is the one of the greatest achievements the Internet has put forth. To determine the truth behind a university’s claims of being accredited or nationally recognized, etc., the Internet Better Business Bureau suggests that future enrollees should do some research by verifying with the US Department of Education and Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

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What Online Business to Choose? – what is business

There are many different ways of earning money from home. My intention isn’t to give you a list of them. I would rather point you or help you to choose the right one. When deciding what to do, where to go or who to follow, you have to ask your self first what are your goals and what are you willing to put into it. Every online business demand time, money and a lot of your personality.

By time I mean, there are things you need to do, to set up, to run and they simply take some time.
If you want to run more professional home business than you’ll have to consider using services that will automate it and they aren’t free.
Your personality is the most important thing when it comes to deciding what home business you will go for. You see we all have different views just about anything, so when you decide to run something interesting online always seek for success stories then put some of your self in it and simply repeat it over and over again.

If you are a quick cash seeker than simply tab such terms into your browser and you’ll find a lot of different offers about how easy is to earn money online. But the truth is usually far from it.

At very start of your online journey try first with more reliable and proven methods of online business such as get paid to surf, make money doing surveys or become a ghost writer,.. and if you are a person of action than you’ll build your website, blog, online store and use all of known promotion tips and tricks to get as much traffic as you can.

No matter what home business you’ll choose always learn first then act. There are many Quick and Easy ways of making money online, heck my personal blog’s have such domains, but the reason to choose such domains is simply to show you that no matter what online biz you choose, if you put enough WILL to earn and understand one, than results are not far away.

You are not going to believe me but there actually are ways to earn money quick and easy.

What Is Business Networking: It’s Importance and Success – what is business

A building will not last for years without a strong foundation. Just like any business, it will not endure without a strong and wide network. What makes business networking one of the best foundations to every business?

It is all about establishing the Who-You-Know. Every firm’s objective is to be successful with their services and to benefit from developing influential networks based on connections, competence and accountability. Remember, that trust is the fundamental element in establishing a strong network for your business.

Business networking is an efficient low expense marketing approach. You can begin this with your friends and colleagues or you can also take assistance of existing business associations. Start first with developing sales opportunities and contacts which are based on referrals and introductions by trying to engage face-to-face meetings and gatherings, or by other contact methods like phone, e-mail, and increase social and business networking websites. The next thing you should do is to survey your neighbouring business competitor. A great number of major businesses have their own associations. If you find that the chance to start your own networking is difficult, connect with these associations for your advantage of recommendation and personal introduction.

You should recognize that every professional outside of the business community can also be very helpful networking contacts. On developing networking plans, think beyond the people you would generally see at business events. Some important connections are not businessmen; consequently you need to be stimulating in reaching them.

Now that we have read what business networking is, the next thing would be learning how to build good business networks and relationships. The reason is when your network to other business is strong they would be more likely to refer you to their own circle. Always make an effort in building, not only by just greeting them as they pass by but also make them feel important; initiating simple conversation and by informing them that their business with you is deeply appreciated. Putting your business networks at ease and striking up conventional communication would help them open up to you. Show and let them feel that you care. Competitors may gain ties with your network, but do not be distressed. “Be the competition not the competitor” is the best way to deal with that situation.

Here are three hints on how to create a successful business network in easy to remember phrases:

“I am real”

People tend to be the best; then failing in the end because, they had forgotten to be genuine. Being real is the key element in establishing a strong successful network.

“I can help”

You can help yourself by helping others first. Volunteer works in mutual ways. One is gaining and retaining visibility within a circle of network. This is beneficial for a good set of network.

“I want to know”

When you are within a business network, do not stop asking information. Try to keep them as open as possible. Gather information as much as you can. This will prove useful to you because, you can provide answers to their queries. This will not only make you more visible but also exhibit to others that you are willing to help out.

Now, we learn what business networking is and how to make a strong network. With this information as your guide, you can now start your own successful business network.

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Business Card Etiquette – business cards

When doing business abroad it is important to understand the local culture. Culture includes areas such as a country’s norms, values, behaviours, food, architecture, fashion and art. However, one area of culture that is important for the international business person is etiquette. Understanding business etiquette allows you to feel comfortable in your dealings with foreign friends, colleagues, customers or clients. Knowing what to do and say in the right places will help build trust and open lines of communication. One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance internationally is the exchanging of business cards. Unlike in North America or Europe where the business card has little meaning other than a convenient form of capturing essential personal details, in other parts of the world the business card has very different meanings. For example, in Japan the business card is viewed as a representation of the owner. Therefore proper business etiquette demands one treats the business card with respect and honour. Below we have provided you with a few examples of international business card exchange etiquette that may help you on your business trips abroad. General Business Card Etiquette Tips: o Business cards are an internationally recognised means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you have a plentiful supply.o Demonstrating good business etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as best you can. Failure to adhere to foreign business etiquette does not always have disastrous consequences.o When travelling abroad for business it is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into the appropriate language.o Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.o Good business etiquette requires you present the card so the recipient’s language is face up.o Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away. Business Card Etiquette in China o Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour. o Ensure the translation is carried out into the appropriate Chinese dialect, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.o Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be highlighted on your card. o Hold the card in both hands when offering it.o Never write on someone’s card unless so directed. Business Card Etiquette in India o If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.o Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards. o Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken within the business community. Business Card Etiquette in Japan o Business cards are exchanged with great ceremony.

o Invest in quality cards.o Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.o Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.o Make sure your business card includes your title. The Japanese place emphasis on status and hierarchy.o Business cards are always received with two hands but can be given with only one.o During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated. o When the meeting is over, put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio. Business Card Etiquette in the UK o Business card etiquette is relaxed in the UK and involves little ceremony.o It is not considered bad etiquette to keep cards in a pocket.o Business cards should be kept clean and presentable.o Do not feel obliged to hand out a business card to everyone you meet as it is not expected.

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Better Business Bureau Ratings of Web Hosting Companies – better business bureau

Often when shopping online or at your local mall you will see ‘Member of the Better Business Bureau, or BBB’ and right away you feel good about shopping at the site or store. But what is the Better Business Bureau and why does it is inspire confidence, especially when shopping for a web hosting company?

The Better Business Bureau has been tracking complaints and keeping tabs on both profit and non-profit web hosting companies for more than 15 years now. Each year millions of consumers rely on the Better Business Bureau rating reports to tell them whether or not a web host is trustworthy or not.

The Better Business Bureau is unlike the local Chamber of Commerce in the fact that it does not promote any web host over another. The BBB gathers information on hosting companies both private and non-private then publishes its findings in their reliability reports. The whole idea is to keep the consumer informed and let them read through all the available information to better formulate which web hosting company is one they want to deal with.

One of the main functions of the Better Business Bureau is to try to help resolve complaints from customers against businesses. If a customer is unsatisfied with the company that they have dealt with they can file a claim with the Bureau and they will then contact the business on the customer’s behalf and try to help resolve the matter. Many people think that the Better Business Bureau only helps with companies that are members of the local BBB or accredited by the BBB, but the fact is that they help with complaints from both accredited and non accredited businesses. According to the Bureau, they are able to successfully resolve about 70 percent of all the complaints that are filed.

How does a web host become an accredited member and should it lend to your confidence?

To become an accredited member of the BBB, a web hosting business must have been in operations for at least one year. They must then fill out an application and pay member dues. Part of the application process is proving to the Bureau that the web host can adhere to the standards that the BBB requires to become a member which could include proving that the business is fully licensed an provides the level of service that they advertise.

At any time a web host can lose its accreditation for any number of reasons. The main reason for losing accreditation is too many complaints from customers. So when you see that a web host is accredited by the Better Business Bureau it should indeed lend a vote of confidence to your decision to use that particular company. That is not to say that non members are all shady, but the stamp of approval certainly helps. The easiest way to know you are dealing with an affordable web hosting company that you can trust is to check out the Better Business Bureau’s website which is BBB.org.  

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Online Business – 8 Powerful Reasons To Start Your Own – online business

I wish I had discovered the magic of online business earlier in my life. The benefits of having one are enormous, and there’s no major risk for starting one of your own as of today. So allow me my fellow reader to give you some of the great reasons for starting your own online business right now. Here we go…

1. The Market Potential

Let me spare you the huge numbers and statistics of the enormous Internet growth. It has made a huge impact in our lives, the way we communicate, and of course, the way we shop. Utilizing the Internet, your market is not narrowed to where you geographically live. Your products can be sold to anyone with an Internet connection world wide, without limits.

2. Don’t Have Your Own Products?! So What…

Well, the beauty in online business is that you do NOT need to have your own products. There are countless affiliate programs in the net with astonishing products, a wide variety of products, for you to market. The products range from nutritional supplements, cleaning products, pet care products, long distance services, books, tapes and hundreds of other products that you will personally love as well.

3. The Network Style Of Business

Here’s a little ‘secret‘: The secret for wealth is having the following two kinds of income – Residual and Leverage income…

With residual income, you get paid for a work you did once. It’s the do-it-once-get-paid-forever style of income. Leveraged income is where you get paid for work which is done by others on your behalf. Utilizing the online affiliate opportunities, you can build a network of people, your own affiliate network, which brings you those two powerful kinds of income.

4. An Auto Pilot Business

The real and proven online affiliate programs provide you with the powerful, MUST have tools to maintain your online business. You get your own websites; A tracking software to track your sales, your marketing campaigns or your network of people; An automatic contact manager to follow-up with potential leads or your network and more. Moreover, all of the orders processing and shipment management is done on your behalf, without lifting a finger. The best part is…

You can join some of those great affiliate opportunities for free. You get the tools and the system, without being charged.

5. A Part Time Kind Of Business

If you have a ‘regular’ job, you can promote your online business on a part time basis. 5 to 10 hours a week would be good enough. You can start your online business part time until you have enough income that can gradually replace your current job.

6. The Wheel Was Already Invented For You!

How do you promote your online business? Well, as the cliche’ says, you do NOT need to re-invent the wheel.

The real online business opportunities provide you with a system. The system includes detailed information on how to promote your business, what exactly should be your next step and plenty of training and support for any wonders you might have. Your success is also theirs, so they are willing to invest in you with proper training and support even before they see a penny from you.

7. The Money You Need To Invest

As in any other kinds of businesses, it would be naive to think that you can build your online business without investing a dime. However, the beauty in online business is that there are no huge investments involved. Let me explain…

If you join a good affiliate opportunity, you’re already freely provided with the basic, MUST have tools to run your business. You are also provided with free and proper training so you would make wise choices. As you will also learn, there are many free to low cost online marketing methods to promote your business effectively. Not to mention the huge amount of freebies that can be easily found online.

8. Your Working Day…

Here’s the best part: Combine an auto-pilot, part time business with leverage and residual income, and you get eventually what we truly desire – control over our own time. Isn’t that what we all desire?

We desire control over our own time either to spend it with our beloved ones, travel the world or pursue our hobbies. We want to spend our time on the things that really matters, not on following the 40-40-40 plan (that is, working 40 hours a week, for 40 years, and be left with $ 40 in the bank).

These are 8 reasons ONLY that make online business a great opportunity to rebel against the void “safe, secure, regular job” as some might be thinking. Of course, as in any other businesses where great promises exist, false online opportunities are quite wide as well. Make sure you choose the right online opportunity, that is willing to train you, guide you and provide you with the proper MUST have tools to succeed.

I know it all sounds great and for some it might sound too good to be true. Let me just say this: It is all up to YOU. The ONLY thing that can make this a success or failure is YOU. If you are willing to learn, be persistence and invest some of your time, you will grab those great benefits.