Market research and consulting firm BrandSpark International, in partnership with iconic media brand Newsweek, has released its 2nd edition with the 2024 list of the Most Trusted brands in the UK, as 100% voted on by UK Shoppers. The winning brands were determined in the BrandSpark International UK Trust Study through a consumer survey, aggregating the opinions of 13,823 recent category shoppers who provided 86,736 top-of-mind unaided responses on which brands they trust most. BrandSpark has been measuring trust for 11 years, with robust studies in the United States and Canada. Continue reading
The idea of free speech sparked into life 2,500 years ago in Ancient Greece – in part because it served a politician’s interests. The ability to speak freely was seen as essential for the new Athenian democracy, which the politician Cleisthenes both introduced and benefited from.
Jan. 2, 2024 /Politics/ — 2024 is shaping up to be a bumper year for elections! Here are some noteworthy examples beyond the UK and USA: Continue reading →
With 2023 approaching its end, UK Investment platform, CMC Invest, is today releasing new data – based on surveying 2,002 investors in the UK (aged 18+) with £10,000+ investable assets, who have been investing for at least two years – showing investing behaviours throughout 2023. Continue reading
Consumer rights champion Justin Gutmann and the law firm Charles Lyndon have today announced that class action proceedings have been launched against Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2 (the “Loyalty Penalty Claim”). The Loyalty Penalty Claim alleges the companies have been abusing their dominant positions in the UK mobile industry by charging a ‘loyalty penalty,’ in which long standing customers were overcharged for handsets beyond the end of their contractual term. Continue reading
Dec. 7, 2023 /Human Interest/ — Benjamin Zephaniah was a man of many talents. He was a poet, musician, activist, and more. But above all, he was a voice for the voiceless. He used his words to speak truth to power and to challenge injustice. He inspired millions of people around the world with his courage and his passion. Continue reading →
Dec. 5, 2023 /Security/ — For years, the Government has been trying to force porn companies to verify the age of their users. This year, they finally got what they wanted after passing the Online Safety Act. Continue reading →
Sumsub, a full-cycle verification platform, today released its third annual Identity Fraud Report. The report revealed that the UK has experienced a 300% rise in deepfake cases from 2022 to 2023, rising to 780% across all of Europe. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of identity fraud across industries and regions based on millions of verification checks across 28 industries and over 2,000,000 fraud cases between 2022-2023*. Read more
/Music/ — Now That’s What I Call Music (NOW) is a compilation series of popular music released in the United Kingdom since 1983. The series is known for its eclectic mix of genres, including pop, rock, dance, and R&B. NOW has been a popular source of music for young people in the UK for many years, and it has played a significant role in British pop culture.
The Origins of NOW
The idea for NOW was conceived by Virgin Records executive Simon Draper in 1982. Draper was inspired by the success of a similar series in the US called “K-Tel Records.” Draper believed that there was a market for a compilation series that featured the biggest hits of the day.
The first NOW album was released in 1983 and was an instant success. It sold over 1 million copies in the UK and topped the charts for 30 weeks. The album’s success was due in part to its strong tracklisting, which featured hits from artists such as Culture Club, Duran Duran, and Michael Jackson.
NOW’s Influence on British Pop Culture
NOW has had a significant impact on British pop culture for many years. The series has helped to launch the careers of many successful artists, including Oasis, Blur, and Spice Girls. NOW has also been a major force in the development of British dance music.
The series has been praised for its ability to capture the zeitgeist of British music. NOW albums have always been a reflection of the current musical landscape, and they have helped to define the sound of British pop music for many years.
NOW in the 21st Century
NOW is still a popular series today. The latest album, NOW 113, was released in 2023. NOW has also expanded into other areas, such as television and DVD.
The series is still significant in British pop culture because it continues to provide a snapshot of the current musical landscape. NOW is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest music trends.
Here are some of the reasons why NOW is still significant in British pop culture:
It is a reflection of the current musical landscape.
It is a source of new music for young people.
It has helped to launch the careers of many successful artists.
It is a major force in the development of British dance music.
It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest music trends.
Allegations of money laundering in the City of London have been the subject of investigations and regulatory measures.The UK government has taken steps to strengthen its anti-money laundering regime, including increasing transparency requirements and enhancing cooperation with international partners.
