Latest news with #Mavis
Techday NZ
28-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Younger buyers & AI tools reshape APAC business purchasing
Research from Forrester has revealed that business buying in Asia Pacific (APAC) is increasingly shaped by a younger demographic and by the adoption of generative AI in vendor evaluation. According to Forrester's Buyers' Journey Survey 2024, a significant majority of business buyers in the region are now under 45 years old, with 71% falling within this age group. In addition, 68% of APAC buyers use generative AI to research or compare vendors, a finding that underscores changing behaviours in the B2B purchase process. The data is detailed in The State Of Business Buying In Asia Pacific, 2024, which highlights the complexity of today's APAC business buying landscape and notes that younger buyers are increasingly rejecting conventional, seller-focused approaches in favour of more consultative and tailored engagement from vendors. An important driver of this shift is the widespread use of generative AI tools among business buyers. The report notes that the preference for self-service discovery is growing, as buyers look for rich and accessible digital content to guide their independent evaluations before engaging directly with vendors. Findings also show that the attitudes and values of younger buyers are shaping purchasing decisions. Nearly all younger buyers—94%—expressed dissatisfaction with their selected provider, pointing to issues such as failures in implementation or a lack of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This age group is more inclined to choose a provider for their industry expertise rather than their history or brand legacy, emphasising the necessity for providers to offer personalised and consultative engagement. The research also reveals a trend towards more inclusive and larger buying groups. Around 18% of APAC buyers reported that purchase decisions now involve 30 or more internal stakeholders, a figure higher than that observed in other regions globally. In addition to this, an average of 10 external stakeholders are also included in these decisions. This trend requires marketers to refine their strategies and create targeted messaging that appeals to a wider array of decision-makers and personas involved in the purchasing process. This shift in the business buying environment is attributed to generational and technological factors, as well as to the broader and more collaborative decision-making typical of the APAC region. The report suggests that B2B marketers should move away from uniform strategies and towards approaches that are highly localised and data-driven to address the varied cultural and organisational contexts across Asia Pacific. The Buyers' Journey Survey 2024 includes responses from a wide regional segment and also provides comparative perspectives with business buyers in Europe and North America. Its findings shed further light on how demographic changes and digital fluency are influencing not only the tools buyers use, but also the values and expectations that shape vendor engagement. Mavis Liew, Executive Partner and Principal Analyst at Forrester, commented on the survey's findings. "The APAC business buying environment is undergoing a generational transformation," she said. "With younger, digitally-native fluent buyers in the majority, marketing strategies built for yesterday's buyers no longer apply. Today's business buyers value expertise, expect personalization, and demand authenticity - it is no longer just about product dominance. To stay competitive, B2B marketers must embrace localised, insight-driven approaches that speak relevance and align to the values, expectations, and complexity of this younger generation. It's time to stop selling and start connecting." Other data points highlighted in the report reinforce the move away from traditional engagement models. Younger business buyers were observed to place greater emphasis on diversity and subject matter expertise, while their approach to buying is more collaborative and inclusive than ever before. The data suggests that firms with strategies tailored around authenticity and relevance, and supported by insight into local market dynamics, are more likely to succeed in APAC's evolving business buying landscape.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Iconic Coronation Street star returns to screens at 95 after retirement
Iconic Coronation Street star returns to screens at 95 after retirement Thelma Barlow played Mavis Riley on Coronation Street from 1971 to 1997 Thelma Barlow will once again be seen on screens (Image: Justin Goff, UK Press via Getty Images ) Thelma Barlow, the esteemed actress who portrayed Mavis Riley on Coronation Street from 1971 to 1997, has discussed her decision to leave the iconic ITV soap as she steps out of retirement for a new acting role. Following Helen Worth's recent departure from her long-standing role as Gail Platt, Barlow, 95, reflected on her own exit from the show during an appearance on the Conversation Street podcast. She expressed that leaving was the correct choice for her at the time, saying: "It was the right thing for me. Helen's just left, and it's probably the right thing for her too. You just know, I think. I couldn't be doing it now." Barlow also reminisced about returning to theatre work after her stint on television, stating: "But, no, I just felt that I just had to get back to theatre and that happened, fortunately." Thelma Barlow became a household name due to her role in Coronation Street (Image: Ferdaus Shamim, WireImagevia Getty Images ) During her tenure in the cobbles, Barlow's character Mavis became a beloved figure, especially known for her marriage to Derek Wilton (played by Peter Baldwin) and her partnership with Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) at The Kabin newsagents. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter When asked about the enduring appeal of Mavis's on-screen friendship with Rita, Barlow highlighted the contrasting personalities of the two characters: "Well, they were such opposites to begin with, weren't they? Article continues below "Everyone caved in rather heavily on Mavis to begin with, but it gradually rubbed off on her, this little bit of spirit and she got more strength." The Manchester Evening News reports she continued to describe their dynamic, noting how Mavis often exasperated Rita: "They were really good friends, although there was a lot of stick coming from Rita! I think [Mavis] probably irritated Rita, 'Get some spine, woman, stand up for yourself!', because she was being very soppy with all these menfolk. She had so many men in her life over the years, it never came to anything, though." The former Dinnerladies actress has made a return to the screen in the short film 'Sleepless in Settle', taking on the role of an elderly mother intent on finding the perfect match for her 72-year-old son. Despite originally having no plans to jump back into acting, she was persuaded by a friend to take on the project. Reflecting on her unexpected comeback, she said: "I had no intention of working again, but a friend who had written a lot of things, she's an actress, and a very good one, Judy Flynn, she asked if she could write something for me. "I was delighted, I don't think I hesitated at all. She wrote this lovely piece, and we talked about it quite a lot. We were very much on a wavelength, and we did it about a year and a half ago now. "It was just the best thing ever because I started off in theatre, and it was like being back in my first job with young people. Young technicians, everyone had this great feeling of trying to do the best they could." In a recent interview, following her emergence from retirement to take part in the short film 'Sleepless in Settle', where Thelma plays the character Barbara who embarks on a mission to set up her middle-aged son Alan with a woman, yielding many comedic scenes. Chatting with Radio Times, Thelma shared her reasons for embracing this new role, revealing how her old colleague and friend, the talented Judy Flynn, who is both a writer and director, crafted the character of Barbara expressly with her in mind. Article continues below Thelma expressed: "I was familiar with her work and knew it would be good. The characters are so well drawn, it was a joy. Good writing is easy to learn, there are some lovely lines that reminded me of when I joined Coronation Street."
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Woman speechless after spotting dead dog's 'ghost markings' on new pups' fur
Jodie Murphy, 37, lost her beloved Sealyham Terrier Mavis and replaced her with pooch Patrick, who is the same breed - but she was shocked to spot what appeared to be Mavis's face in the markings on the back of his head A woman thought she'd gone barking mad... when she spotted her dead dog's face in the fur of her new pup. Jodie Murphy, 37, lost her beloved Sealyham Terrier Mavis and replaced her with pooch Patrick, who is the same breed. Shortly after bringing Patrick home, she was staggered to spot what appeared to be Mavis's face in the markings on the back of his head. Social worker Jodie said: 'We had only had Patrick for a few days when I noticed the ghost markings in his fur. I did think I was seeing things at first, but when I took a picture I could definitely see Mavis. Once you see it you can't unsee it! It's certainly brought me a lot of comfort and just makes Patrick even more special. He's our little heart healer for sure.' Jodie said tragic Mavis, who was put to sleep after suffering a slipped disk, helped her through some tough times. The mum, from Wrexham, continued: 'Back in 2021 when I was 33, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 'Throughout my two and a half years of chemo, Mavis was my little sidekick – due to covid, I spent a lot of time isolating so Mave and I had many days together on the sofa recovering. It was heartbreaking to have to have her put to sleep but she was paralysed and in so much pain. She was only six-years-old and I thought we had many many years to come. Mavis always had a bit of a clown personality but was very loving and loyal. Patrick shares the same soulful eyes and most definitely has the same playful personality.' According to new research from an international team of psychologists and published Tuesday in the journal Cortex, seeing non-existent faces in inanimate objects, is 'perfectly normal' behaviour. The phenomenon, known as 'face pareidolia,' is due to an interaction between two distinct parts of the brain responsible for visual perception, according to Kang Lee, professor at the Dr Erick Jackman Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto and lead author of the research. Face pareidolia itself has been known for centuries, but the underlying brain mechanisms were largely a mystery until now. 'We tend to think of visual perception of faces as a bottom up process: we see a face and then our brains interpret that information,' says Lee. But what we have shown is that a lot of what we see and perceive is actually determined by biases that already exist in our brains before any external stimuli is actually processed by the brain.' Examples include people who swear they've seen Jesus on a slice of toast or the Virgin Mary in a cloud formation.
Geek Vibes Nation
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Good Madam' Blu-Ray Review - The Horrific Lingering Trauma Of Subjugation
Tsidi, a single mother, is forced to move in with her estranged mother Mavis, a live-in domestic worker caring obsessively for her catatonic white 'Madam'. As Tsidi tries to heal her family however, a sinister spectre begins to stir. For in-depth thoughts on Good Madam, please see my colleague Mike Vaughn's review from its original streaming debut here. Video Quality The film debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio that delivers on all fronts. The movie taps into darkness to ratchet up tension, and the transfer provides deep black levels that do not suffer from crush or other shortcomings. There is no observable damage or digital noise in this transfer. Objects hold up considerably well in the shadows and retain their depth with only the slightest banding at hand. There is a minimal loss in detail when it comes to some of the panning shots in the shadows, but it is not a standout issue throughout. The movie has a conservative color palette that is faithfully saturated in what is mostly straightforward interiors with flashes of strong lighting. Some colors make an impression, but we are more impressed by the detail and clarity at hand. You can truly appreciate the subtle facets on display, especially in the production design and makeup effects brimming with unique textures. Shudder has treated this video presentation very well on Blu-Ray. Audio Quality Good Madam arrives on Blu-Ray with an unsettling Dolby Atmos track in the original mixture of English and Xhosa. Dialogue and various sound effects stay capably balanced throughout the duration. All elements play well with the music where nothing gets overshadowed in the track. Surround channels provide some creepy activity with the interior tones and other bumps in the darkness during any build-up to any creepy development. The addition of height channels is a major positive as they tastefully expand the soundscape to complement the overall ambiance. The track's low end provides some exquisite texture when the tension is building. The movie digs deep when called upon, and environmental sounds provide a clear atmosphere for the story. The experience suits the requirements of the narrative and will be appreciated by horror fans who pick up this disc. Optional English (Xhosa Dialogue), English (All Dialogue), and English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director, cinematographer, co-writer and co-producer Jenna Cato Bass, co-writer and co-producer Babalwa Baartman, and actress and co-writer Chumisa Cosa provide a track that provides some great insights into the production process, the background with the talent, the shooting locations, shooting during the height of the pandemic, and more. Interviews: There is an array of interviews provided with the talent on-screen and behind the scenes that allow the creatives to discuss how the project came together, the challenges faced during production, the creation of the music, and much more which is a valuable listen. Co-Writer / Co-Producer Babalwa Baartman (10:49) Director / Co-Writer Jenna Cato Bass (9:23) Actress Chumisa Cosa (8:44) Co-Writer / Actress Nosipho Mtebe (3:39) Musicians Kanyisa Mavi and Nasfa Ncanywa (20:05) Original Trailer (1:40) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay 'Black Hands, White Ghosts' from film critic Jourdain Searles is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the themes of the film. Final Thoughts Good Madam is a very effective representation of the lingering trauma of apartheid and the manifested horror of racism and class disparity. The Cape Town setting brings a lot of history and personality to this claustrophobic story in which a single house holds so much meaning and power over the residents. The performances from both the professional and non-professional actors are excellent, and the direction of Jenna Cato Bass conjures up some effective thrills to accompany the heavy themes. The build-up to terror is gradual, but it lands once all of the pieces are in play. Shudder has released a Blu-Ray featuring a first-rate A/V presentation and a favorable assortment of special features. Recommended Good Madam is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Shudder and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
German soldier saved young girl during air raid on Guernsey
A woman from Sark said her life was saved by a German soldier during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands during World War Lemon, now 95, said she remembered having to get permission to travel to Guernsey so a dentist could look at her toothache and staying said after she had boarded the boat back to Sark the next day "all hell let loose" with an air raid and a German soldier took her off the boat and into an air raid Lemon said when she came out people were searching all over for her: "They were terribly worried because nobody knew where I was." She said St Peter Port harbour was being bombed by "our lot"."There was shrapnel flying all over the place and everybody on the boat left."Mrs Lemon said she had been put in the captain's cabin and no-one had realised that she was still there until a German soldier found her and "grabbed hold of me and ran".She said: "I think he virtually saved my life because what would I have done. I wouldn't have known what to do."Mavis said the incident has affected her all her life: "When it's thundering, the rumble always reminds me of the air raid on the harbour." Maggot in my chocolate When Sark was occupied by German troops she was not sent to Guernsey as many children were as her mother had a heart problem and her father "was going to be useful with his horse and cart".Mrs Lemon said: "He was told he had to work for the Germans bringing up the German stuff in his cart."She said she "got to know" some of the German troops in Sark and described them as "friendly".Mrs Lemon recalled receiving her Red Cross parcel and opening hers with the rest of her said her mother took the powdered milk and left her with a box of chocolates which she could decide to eat all at once or save for later."I opened my tin of chocolates and there was this huge maggot in the chocolate and it had made a hole in the chocolate."She said 'that's nothing'. She got hold of the maggot and put it under her foot and stamped on it."You just carried on, you had to."Mrs Lemon shared her story as part of the Island Memories Project - a partnership between the BBC and Guernsey Museums aiming to preserve people's stories.
