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If beyond the good cheer and titters, there is one lesson to be learnt from the news that the first Surat-Bangkok Air India flight last Friday saw a 'record' intake of in-flight alcohol by passengers from the 'dry state', it is this: repressed supply heightens demand. While the value of liquor sold has not been shared by Air India, the fact was that enthusiasm for purchasing 50 ml miniature bottles of a whisky brand for ₹600 and 330 ml of a beer brand for ₹300 was undoubtedly higher than in usual international flights that couldn't be simply explained by Christmas cheer. That Gujarat has a thriving black market for alcohol is well known. While the loss of tax revenue has been estimated to be over ₹16k cr (about $2 bn), the real worm in the bottle has been the hazard posed for many in the form of illicit liquor. By dint of being contraband, no quality control applies to these non-branded concoctions. So, the virtue-signalling in 'dry states' like Gujarat and Bihar is actually viceful. The 'hooch tragedy' claiming 136 lives in Ahmedabad in 2009 still hangs as a warning - not for the dangers of drinking but of prohibition. At a wider level, a 'mai-baap' state treating its citizens as children creates a split-personality citizenry that is moral and amoral at the same time. Whether it be consumption of alcohol or pornography, or gambling, 'sins' have a human tendency of finding dark avenues when prohibited. Instead of 'Gandhian virtue-signalling', efforts should be made to provide safe alcoholic beverages for those who choose to partake in such an adult leisure. To club everyone who imbibes in drink to be a menace - socially or morally, or both - is a recipe for the kind of exaggerated behaviour witnessed on the way to Bangkok. ET Year-end Special Reads An Indian's guide to moving abroad as the world looks for 'better' immigrants The year of the HNIs: How India's rich splurged in 2024
Victor Wembanyama Injury Status – Spurs vs. Pelicans Injury Report December 8Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
PRP inaugurates five-man caretaker committee in RiversAP Business SummaryBrief at 1:42 p.m. ESTDallas, TX December 23, 2024 --( PR.com )-- Neuroshop, a rising innovator in retail technology, today announced the launch of its next-generation Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) Management System for retailers across the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. By combining real-time price updates, seamless ERP integration, and energy-efficient e-paper displays, these ESLs promise a more flexible, accurate, and sustainable approach to managing in-store pricing and product information. Though ESLs aren’t entirely new to the market, Neuroshop’s focus on user-friendliness, scalability, and design customization sets its solution apart. The goal isn’t simply to upgrade from paper price tags; it’s to empower retailers — whether small neighborhood shops or multinational chains — to operate more dynamically and improve their margins, all while elevating the shopping experience. “Running a successful retail operation today is about more than just stocking the right products. You have to keep pace with shifting market conditions, seasonal promotions, and evolving customer expectations,” says CEO of Neuroshop. “We built our ESL platform to help retailers of every size respond instantly to changes — so if a price needs adjusting across hundreds of shelves, it happens in seconds. This makes the store more agile, reduces wasted labor hours, and lets staff focus on what really matters: serving the customer.” A New Standard for Price Management: Traditionally, retailers have relied on paper labels, which are not only time-consuming to update but often lead to pricing errors and inconsistencies. Price mismatches can erode customer trust and create back-office headaches. Neuroshop’s Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL), by contrast, integrate directly with a store’s existing ERP system, ensuring that price changes, inventory shifts, or promotional updates appear on the shelf within moments. For instance, imagine a supermarket running a one-day-only discount on a popular snack brand. Instead of having employees spend hours manually swapping out paper tags, the marketing team can set the new price electronically and watch it instantly populate across the store. At the end of the day, when the promotion expires, the old price comes back just as quickly — no fuss, no lingering remnants of outdated paper. A Tool for Customer Engagement: These digital labels do more than broadcast numbers. They create a platform for richer product information, from nutritional data and ingredient lists to origin stories and QR codes that link shoppers to recipes or promotions. This isn’t mere window dressing. In a competitive retail landscape, offering customers easy-to-access, accurate product details can reinforce trust and encourage loyalty. If a customer knows that what they see on the shelf is always correct and up-to-date, they’re more likely to return and recommend the store to others. “Our goal is to help stores communicate with shoppers more effectively,” explains Alex. “A label might highlight a discount, but it can just as easily tell a product’s story — where it was sourced, how to use it best, or whether it’s gluten-free or vegan. We’re moving pricing from a purely functional task to an opportunity to engage customers at the shelf level.” Customization and Branding: Neuroshop’s Electronic Shelf Labels solution isn’t one-size-fits-all. Small boutiques might prefer minimalistic labels with high-contrast black-and-white text that complement a curated product display. Large hypermarkets may need bigger labels with the flexibility to show multiple data points — price per unit, loyalty program discounts, or dynamic inventory levels — while maintaining clear, consistent branding. Neuroshop offers a range of e-paper label sizes, templates, and color elements that can be tailored to different store layouts, product categories, or seasonal campaigns. Retailers can also work with Neuroshop’s team to design custom templates. This might mean incorporating brand colors, fonts, or iconography. The result is a consistent look and feel that not only makes navigation easier for shoppers but also reinforces brand identity at every turn. Integration With Existing ERP Systems: For many retailers, the idea of introducing a new piece of technology raises immediate questions: How painful will the integration be? Will it disrupt current workflows or require a costly overhaul of existing systems? Neuroshop has tackled these concerns head-on by engineering ESLs that sync seamlessly with standard retail ERP platforms fully aligning shelf-level data with back-end management. In addition to ESLs, Neuroshop’s micromarkets leverage similar integration principles, allowing retailers to create unmanned, automated store formats where payment and inventory data flow effortlessly into the same centralized systems. Consider a small grocery chain that already manages store-wide promotions through its ERP. By connecting ESLs directly to that system, promotional changes happen automatically. If the ERP says a product is now on sale, the shelf label displays that sale price without any manual intervention. This neat handshake between back-office and front-of-house operations saves time and cuts down on data-entry errors that can come from maintaining multiple systems separately. A Range of Settings and Scenarios: The practical advantages of ESLs extend to various environments. Temperature resistance ensures that ESLs remain readable and reliable in areas like refrigerated sections or even outdoor stands at certain markets. Because the labels rely on energy-efficient e-paper technology — similar to what you find in e-readers — they can hold a static image without constant power, enhancing battery life and cutting energy consumption. Neuroshop’s ESLs also work well in offline scenarios. If a location experiences network downtime, the labels retain the latest information. Once connectivity is restored, any pending updates flow through. This reliability reduces the risk of outdated or blank price tags, even in challenging conditions. Support for Businesses of All Sizes: Neuroshop understands that what works for a massive supermarket chain might not fit a single-store boutique. That’s why the company offers different levels of support, training, and customization. Smaller retailers who lack a dedicated IT team can benefit from Neuroshop’s user-friendly management panel, ready-made label templates, and optional automation features. Larger retailers with complex inventories and logistics can engage with Neuroshop’s professional services team to develop custom integrations, unique label designs, and store-wide rollouts across multiple branches. “It’s not about selling a piece of hardware, it’s about providing a complete solution,” says Alex. “Whether you’re running a small corner shop or thousands of shelves across multiple countries, we want to make sure the transition to ESL is smooth and built for your long-term growth. This philosophy also extends to Neuroshop’s micromarkets — compact, self-service retail spaces that benefit from automated pricing and inventory updates, further streamlining operations and reducing overhead.” Driving Cost Savings and Efficiency: One of the most compelling reasons to switch to ESLs is the potential for substantial cost savings. Paper price tags require regular printing, distribution, and installation, all of which eat into labor hours and materials budgets. Over time, these costs add up. ESLs, by contrast, require an initial investment in hardware and integration, but then simplify and automate the daily work of price management. For large retailers, the cumulative benefits can be striking. Imagine eliminating the need to print, cut, and install thousands of paper tags each month. Staff can be redirected to tasks that actually improve the customer experience — answering questions, assisting with purchases, or ensuring shelves are well-stocked and neatly presented. In a market where labor is at a premium, these efficiencies can improve the bottom line. An Eye on Sustainability: In addition to operational efficiencies, ESLs support a more sustainable retail model. Traditional paper labels not only generate waste but also consume resources in printing and replacement. By moving to digital labels, retailers reduce their reliance on disposable materials. Customers increasingly value brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility, and showing a commitment to cutting paper waste and streamlining operations can strengthen a retailer’s image. This shift also aligns with broader corporate sustainability goals. Many retailers have publicly committed to reducing their carbon footprints and minimizing waste. Introducing ESLs is a tangible step in that direction — one that benefits both the business and the environment. A Growing Global Footprint: Neuroshop’s ESLs are rolling out across markets in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. It’s a geographically diverse footprint, reflecting the company’s ambition to cater to various cultural, regulatory, and infrastructural conditions. By engaging with retailers across different regions, Neuroshop can adapt its solution to local needs — be it support for right-to-left languages, compliance with regional pricing laws, or templates that highlight culturally relevant holidays and promotions. Retailers in these regions often face rapidly changing market conditions. For instance, holiday promotions or special events might require swift price updates. ESLs give these retailers the agility to respond to these shifts as they happen, creating a more dynamic and engaging shopping environment. Preparing for the Future of Retail: As the line between online and offline commerce continues to blur, physical retail spaces must be more responsive and data-driven than ever before. ESLs fit naturally into this evolving narrative. When combined with other “smart store” technologies — such as inventory-tracking sensors, personalized customer apps, or AI-driven analytics — ESLs become part of a larger ecosystem aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and the overall quality of the shopping experience. In the near future, retailers might use Electronic Shelf Labels to test dynamic pricing strategies and fine-tune their offerings in real time. Neuroshop’s micromarkets exemplify this forward-thinking approach, turning conventional retail corners into automated, data-driven environments that operate with minimal staff intervention. By integrating Electronic Shelf Labels, micromarkets become even more responsive. Demonstrations and Hands-On Testing: Neuroshop encourages retailers to explore a demo of its management panel and test the ESL system in a controlled environment before making a full commitment. The company offers demo kits with sample ESL units, allowing potential clients to experiment with templates, update pricing, and see first-hand how the integration works. This trial period helps retailers understand the solution’s capabilities and challenges. It’s an opportunity to answer key questions: How does the system handle a sudden influx of price changes? Is it intuitive enough for staff who might not be tech-savvy? Does the labeling look appealing and aligned with the store’s brand identity? Training, Support, and Continuous Improvement: Launching a new technology in-store isn’t just about installing hardware and flipping a switch. Neuroshop provides ongoing training, support, and maintenance services to ensure a smooth transition. From onboarding sessions that get staff comfortable with the management panel to 24/7 support channels for troubleshooting, the company’s partner-focused approach aims to build long-term relationships, not one-off transactions. Neuroshop also remains committed to continuous improvement. The company regularly updates its software infrastructure, introduces new features, and refines its tools based on client feedback. Retailers who invest in ESL technology today can expect the platform to evolve over time, staying relevant and competitive as market needs shift. Looking Ahead: The introduction of Neuroshop’s ESLs marks a key moment in the retail industry’s ongoing digital transformation. It highlights the importance of agility, accuracy, and sustainability at a time when shoppers are increasingly discerning and operational efficiencies are critical to success. In a world where every detail matters — where a single pricing error can send customers to social media to complain, and where competitors are just a click or block away — ESLs provide a layer of reliability and responsiveness that traditional labeling simply can’t match. By rolling out these solutions internationally, Neuroshop is betting on a retail future that’s more connected, more customer-centric, and more environmentally responsible. “As retail evolves, we believe that technology can serve as a bridge between what retailers need and what customers want,” concludes company's CEO. “Our ESL solutions help retailers keep their promises: offering accurate prices, clear product details, and timely promotions — every single day. “When customers see that level of consistency and care, it enhances their confidence in the brand. And that trust is what drives loyalty and long-term success.” Contact Information: Neuroshop Alex Shvets, CEO +44 (800) 707-4217 Contact via Email https://neuroshop.tech Read the full story here: https://www.pr.com/press-release/927831 Press Release Distributed by PR.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Former Presidential Candidate, Oklahoma Senator Dies At 94
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that's he's preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect's threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park." Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't a trolling-free zone for Trump's adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A." In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump's taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Nigerian agency 'failed completely' to clean up oil damage despite funding, leaked files sayCorVel Announces Three-For-One Forward Stock Split and Authorized Share IncreaseHere's How Much $1000 Invested In Home Depot 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today
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(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com . Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter TodayBy JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.
Israel denounces murder of rabbi as 'heinous antisemitic terrorist act' after his body found in UAE
When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys "that dreaming, longing feeling we all love." She's not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Bad attention is good attention, Jaguar execs would appear to believe. The car brand has prompted mockery online for posting a glitzy ad without a single car in it. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: "Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds." "Intrigued?" @Jaguar posted on social media. "Weird and unsettled" is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. "Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian," the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, "a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles." Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell's, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast's corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with "NBC" in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. CNBC One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump's first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it's a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from "brandr," an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. "It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it's turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology," said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a "polycrisis": the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. Campbell's soups "People are understandably freaked out by that," he said. "So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face." Trump's "Make America Great Again" qualifies. So did President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan. Campbell's soup itself — "Mmm Mmm Good" — isn't going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company's new name, Campbell's Co., will reflect "the full breadth of our portfolio," which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar's. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. The famous "leaper" cat Jaguar logo is pictured in 2019 at the Auto show in Paris, France. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to "copy nothing." What it's calling "the new Jaguar" will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it's famous "leaper" cat. "Exuberant modernism" will "define all aspects of the new Jaguar world," according to the news release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to "woke" culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.