TOKYO — On Sunday afternoon, two days before declaring a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe corralled a handful of key officials involved in the coronavirus response. A larger meeting of the task force had just concluded a short update meeting, […]
Linda J. Dodson
EU turns to DJI drones for coronavirus fight despite US worries
HAMBURG, Germany — While the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to purge drones made by China’s DJI Technology from government fleets as a potential threat to U.S. national security, EU authorities are embracing the company’s technology to help tackle the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. French and Belgian police […]
‘Gig economy’ workers fall on hard times in Singapore and Australia
SINGAPORE — Nicholas Yeo did not expect such a rocky start to his first year as a full-time freelance photographer. The 26-year-old graduate of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University counted it a blessing that his passion for taking pictures was also his livelihood. Now he doesn’t feel so lucky. As the […]
Twitter boss Jack Dorsey pledges $1bn to fund fight against coronavirus
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has pledged $1bn (£810m) of his personal wealth to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The chief executive of Twitter and payments Square plans to transfer $1bn in shares to a new company which will initially fund coronavirus aid efforts. A $100,000 donation from the new limited […]
Most brands aren’t ready to win in e-commerce, report says
Dive Brief: Brands say they are not fully prepared to win in e-commerce, according to a study presented last week by Profitero and Kantar. Just 17% said they are ahead of the curve or leading in that space, while 71% reported they have a strong focus in e-commerce, but are catching […]
Singapore shutdown starts with stimulus targeting food deliveries
SINGAPORE — As Asian countries roll out economic relief measures for businesses and households hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Singapore has targeted food delivery services in a bid to help restaurants survive this period in which most people are working from home. On Tuesday, Singapore began four weeks of heightened […]
IAB: Mission-based marketing jumps 42% amid coronavirus
Dive Brief: Almost three quarters (74%) of advertising executives said the coronavirus pandemic is having a greater effect on advertising than the 2008 financial crisis that ushered in the last recession, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) found in a survey. Seventy percent of media buyers have adjusted or paused their […]
Chipotle turns Challenger Series into virtual gaming tournament
Dive Brief: Chipotle Mexican Grill is bringing Challenger Series, its real-world gaming tournament, online to create a virtual event, the company said in a press release. The second annual Chipotle Challenger Series (CCS) kicks off on Monday, April 6, when a registration portal opens, and will feature competitions across popular […]
Report: Airbnb pauses marketing to save $800M during pandemic downturn
Dive Brief: Airbnb halted marketing spending as it looks to save $800 million this year and offset losses from the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reported, citing an anonymous source. The Information also reported the news. The home-rental startup also enacted a hiring freeze, barring for a handful of key roles. Company […]
Hasbro supports families staying indoors with new online resources
Dive Brief: Hasbro created a new content marketing program targeted at families looking for things to do while home during coronavirus-related school closures, according to a press release. The Bring Home the Fun website features games and activities for kids, as well as suggestions for projects that include Hasbro toys […]