Bored on the Phone? Beware of Jerk-O-Meter: Herald Sun, 8/11
Ever wonder if that spouse, friend or co-worker on the other end of the phone is really paying attention? The "Jerk-O-Meter" may hold the answer. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing software for cell phones that would analyze speech patterns and voice tones to rate people -- on a scale of 0 to 100 percent -- on how engaged they are in a conversation. Anmol Madan, who led the project while he pursued a master's degree at MIT, sees the Jerk-O-Meter as a tool for improving relationships, not ending them. Or it might assist telephone sales and marketing efforts.
http://www.herald-sun.com/technology/33-635575.html
Banking
Bank Certificates of Deposit Paying More: News & Observer, 8/13
After nearly three years in the basement, certificates of deposit and other short-term savings are making a comeback, offering new options and markedly higher returns. Most now aim to beat the inflation rate -- about 2 percent over the last year -- while many others boast returns in the range of 3 percent to 4 percent. That's a sharp increase from the 1 percent yields of last summer.As rates rise, banks are dusting off short-term savings instruments and in many cases jazzing them up with new features such as adjustable rates, low minimum deposits, flexible term lengths and reduced penalties on early withdrawals.
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/2713707p-9151037c.html
New Bank Planned for Rocky Mount: News & Observer, 8/12
A group of North Carolina entrepreneurs plan to start a bank in Rocky Mount to serve parts of Nash and Edgecombe counties and eventually expand eastward.
North State Bank Donates to Hospice of Wake County: Carolina Newswire, 8/11
http://www.herald-sun.com/technology/33-635575.html
Banking
Bank Certificates of Deposit Paying More: News & Observer, 8/13
After nearly three years in the basement, certificates of deposit and other short-term savings are making a comeback, offering new options and markedly higher returns. Most now aim to beat the inflation rate -- about 2 percent over the last year -- while many others boast returns in the range of 3 percent to 4 percent. That's a sharp increase from the 1 percent yields of last summer.As rates rise, banks are dusting off short-term savings instruments and in many cases jazzing them up with new features such as adjustable rates, low minimum deposits, flexible term lengths and reduced penalties on early withdrawals.
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/2713707p-9151037c.html
New Bank Planned for Rocky Mount: News & Observer, 8/12
A group of North Carolina entrepreneurs plan to start a bank in Rocky Mount to serve parts of Nash and Edgecombe counties and eventually expand eastward.
Organizers of the proposed bank, called Providence Bank, plan to raise $9 million to $12 million to fund the initial operation, which would include a headquarters office in Rocky Mount and a satellite office in Tarboro.
John A. Barker, a former chief executive with Federal Savings Bank in Rocky Mount, is to be the bank's president and chief executive. Organizers plan to open Providence Bank in January.
North State Bank Donates to Hospice of Wake County: Carolina Newswire, 8/11
North State Bank's Summer Salute for Hospice of Wake County contributed $115,000 to Hospice of Wake County, announced Larry D. Barbour, president and CEO for North State Bank. There are so many stories of how Hospice has helped people in our community, commented Barbour. Several of our Bank employees have benefited from their services and I have had a personal experience.
http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=headlines%2edb&command=viewone&id=5580&op=t
Telecommunications
T-Mobile USA Posts Nearly 1M Adds: Wireless Week, 8/11
T-Mobile USA finished the second quarter with a customer base of 19.2 million subscribers. The carrier's quarterly net customer additions were 972,000, which was up from the 957,000 it added in the first quarter, but was down from the 1.1 million it added a year ago. T-Mobile says 70 percent of its customer growth occurred in the form of postpay customers. The company added 92,000 BlackBerry customers during the quarter to increase its base to 594,000 BlackBerry customers.
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA634327.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/10/AR2005081002206.html
Media
Tequila Names Pagden, CEO President: Adweek, 8/11
http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=headlines%2edb&command=viewone&id=5580&op=t
Telecommunications
T-Mobile USA Posts Nearly 1M Adds: Wireless Week, 8/11
T-Mobile USA finished the second quarter with a customer base of 19.2 million subscribers. The carrier's quarterly net customer additions were 972,000, which was up from the 957,000 it added in the first quarter, but was down from the 1.1 million it added a year ago. T-Mobile says 70 percent of its customer growth occurred in the form of postpay customers. The company added 92,000 BlackBerry customers during the quarter to increase its base to 594,000 BlackBerry customers.
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA634327.html
Sprint, Nextel Employees Compete to Keep Their Jobs: Washington Post, 8/11
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/10/AR2005081002206.html
Media
Tequila Names Pagden, CEO President: Adweek, 8/11
Omnicom Group's TBWA Worldwide today said it has appointed Jeremy Pagden president and CEO of its Tequila Worldwide relationship marketing network.
Pagden, 46, is currently CEO of Omnicom's The Integer Group in Golden, Colo., a post he will retain. http://www.adweek.com/aw/regional/east/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001013552
Pagden, 46, is currently CEO of Omnicom's The Integer Group in Golden, Colo., a post he will retain. http://www.adweek.com/aw/regional/east/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001013552