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Unlocking Success with AmtexSystems: Health Tech Talent Services"

 

At AmtexSystems, we're more than just a health tech staffing agency; we're your strategic partner for healthcare technology recruitment. Our comprehensive health tech talent services, combined with our extensive experience in digital health and healthcare technology, make us a key player in driving innovation and success. Partner with us to access the best talent for your health IT needs in the USA.

#health tech talent staffing

[mostlysignssomeportents]

All the books I reviewed in 2024

I reviewed 26 books this year: 15 novels, 5 nonfiction books, and 6 graphic novels. Even though I feel perennially behind on my reading (and objectively, I do have 10 linear feet of "to be read" books on the shelf), I think this is a pretty good haul.

Books are pretty much the ideal gift, if you ask me. Of course, I'm biased as a former bookseller and library worker, and as an author (of course) – I had three more books come out in 2024 (see the end of this post for details).

I started a lot more than 26 books this year. Long ago, I figured life was too short for books I wasn't enjoying, and I'm pretty ruthless about putting books down partway through if I think they're not going to reward finishing them. I probably start 10 books for every one I finish. However, I do review more than 90% of the books I get through. It's rare for me to keep reading a book all the way to the end if I'm not enjoying it enough to unconditionally recommend it. I rarely review books I don't like – there's not really any point in cataloging the list of books I think you won't enjoy reading, and most books I don't like very much are broken in ways that are too banal to comment upon.

The list below is pretty great, but if you're looking for more, here's the haul from 2023:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/01/bookmaker/#2023-in-review

NOVELS

I. Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford

A fucking banger: it's a taut, unguessable whuddunit, painted in ultrablack noir, set in an alternate Jazz Age in a world where indigenous people never ceded most the west to the USA. It's got gorgeously described jazz music, a richly realized modern indigenous society, and a spectacular romance. It's amazing.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/04/cahokia/#the-sun-and-the-moon

II. After World by Debbie Urbanski

An unflinching and relentlessly bleak tale of humanity's mass extinction, shot through with pathos and veined with seams of tragic tenderness and care. Sen Anon – the story's semi-protagonist – is 18 years old when the world learns that every person alive has been sterilized and so the human race is living out its last years.

The news triggers a manic insistence that this is a good thing – long overdue, in fact – and the perfect opportunity to scan every person alive for eventual reincarnation as virtual humans in an Edenic cloud metaverse called Gaia. That way, people can continue to live their lives without the haunting knowledge that everything they do makes the planet worse for every other living thing, and each other. Here, finally, is the resolution to the paradox of humanity: our desire to do good, and our inevitable failure on that score.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/18/storyworker-ad39-393a-7fbc/#digital-human-archive-project

III. Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee

A dreamlike tale of a public-private partnership that hires the terminally endebted to invade the dreams of white-collar professionals and harvest the anxieties that prevent them from being fully productive members of the American corporate workforce.

We meet Jonathan as he is applying for a job that he was recruited for in a dream. As instructed in his dream, he presents himself at a shabby strip-mall office where an acerbic functionary behind scratched plexiglass takes his application and informs him that he is up for a gig run jointly by the US State Department and a consortium of large corporate employers. If he is accepted, all of his student debt repayments will be paused and he will no longer face wage garnishment. What's more, he'll be doing the job in his sleep, which means he'll be able to get a day job and pull a double income – what's not to like?

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/08/capitalist-surrealism/#productivity-hacks

IV. The Book of Love by Kelly Link

If you've read Link's short stories (which honestly, you must read), you know her signature move: a bone-dry witty delivery, used to spin tales of deceptive whimsy and quirkiness, disarming you with daffiness while she sets the hook and yanks. That's the unmistakeable, inimitable texture of a Kelly Link story: deft literary brushstrokes, painting a picture so charming and silly that you don't even notice when she cuts you without mercy.

Turns out that she can quite handily do this for hundreds of pages, and the effect only gets better when it's given space to unfold.

It's a long and twisting mystery about friendship, love, queerness, rock-and-roll, stardom, parenthood, loyalty, lust and duty.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/13/the-kissing-song/#wrack-and-roll

V. Lyorn by Steven Brust

The seventeenth book in Steven Brust's long-running Vlad Taltos series. For complicated reasons, Vlad has to hide out in a theater. Why a theater? They are shielded from sorcery, as proof against magical spying by rival theater companies, and Vlad is on the run from the Left Hand of the Jhereg – the crime syndicate's all-woman sorceress squad – and so he has to hide in the theater.

The theater is mounting a production of a famous play that's about another famous play. The first famous play (the one the play is about – try and follow along, would you?) is about a famous massacre that took place thousands of years before. The play was mounted as a means of drumming up support for the whistleblower who reported on the massacre and was invited to a short-term berth in the Emperor's death row as a consequence.

The plot is a fantastic, fast-handed caper story that has a million moving parts, a beautiful prestige, and a coup de grace that'll have you cheering and punching the air.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/09/so-meta/#delightful-doggerel

VI. Till Human Voices Wake Us by Rebecca Roque

A teen murder mystery told in the most technorealist way. Cia's best friend Alice has been trying to find her missing boyfriend for months, and in her investigation, she's discovered their small town's dark secret – a string of disappearances, deaths and fires that are the hidden backdrop to the town's out-of-control addiction problem.

Alice has something to tell Cia, something about the fire that orphaned her and cost her one leg when she was only five years old, but Cia refuses to hear it. Instead, they have a blazing fight, and part ways. It's the last time Cia and Alice ever see each other: that night, Alice kills herself.

Or does she? Cia is convinced that Alice has been murdered, and that her murder is connected to the drug- and death-epidemic that's ravaging their town. As Cia and her friends seek to discover the town's secret – and the identity of Alice's killer – we're dragged into an intense, gripping murder mystery/conspiracy story that is full of surprises and reversals, each more fiendishly clever than the last.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/16/dead-air/#technorealism

VII. The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein

Randall "XKCD" Munroe pitched me on this over dinner: "All these different people kept recommending them to me, and they kept telling me that I would love them, but they wouldn't tell me what they were about because there's this huge riddle in them that's super fun to figure out for yourself. "The books were published in the eighties by Del Rey, and the cover of the first one had a huge spoiler on it. But the author got the rights back and she's self-published it."

How could I resist a pitch like that? So I ordered a copy. Holy moly is this a good novel! And yeah, there's a super interesting puzzle in it that I won't even hint at, except to say that even the book's genre is a riddle that you'll have enormous great fun solving.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/04/the-wulf/#underground-fave

VIII. Moonbound by Robin Sloan

Moonbound's protagonist is a "chronicler," a symbiotic fungus engineered to nestle in a human's nervous system, where it serves as a kind of recording angel, storing up the memories, experiences and personalities of its host. When we meet the chronicler, it has just made a successful leap from its old host – a 10,000-years-dead warrior who had been preserved in an anaerobic crashpod ever since her ship was shot out of the sky – into the body of Ariel, a 12-year-old boy who had just invaded the long-lost tomb.

This is doing fiction in hard mode, and Sloan nails it. The unraveling strangeness of Ariel's world is counterpointed with the amazing tale of the world the chronicler hails from, even as the chonicler consults with the preserved personalities of the heroes and warriors it had previous resided in and recorded.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/11/penumbraverse/#middle-anth

IX. Fight Me by Austin Grossman

Aging ex-teen superheroes weigh the legacy of Generation X, in a work that enrobes its savage critique with sweet melancholia, all under a coating of delicious snark. The Newcomers – an amped-up ninja warrior, a supergenius whose future self keeps sending him encouragement and technical schematics backwards through time, and an exiled magical princess turned preppie supermodel – have spent more than a decade scattered to the winds. While some have fared better than others, none of them have lived up to their potential or realized the dreams that seemed so inevitable when they were world famous supers with an entourage of fellow powered teens who worshipped them as the planet's greatest heroes.

As they set out to solve the mystery of the wizard who gave the protagonist his powers, they are reunited and must take stock of who they are and how they got there (cue Talking Heads' "Once In a Lifetime").

The publisher's strapline for this book is "The Avengers Meets the Breakfast Club," which is clever, but extremely wrong. The real comp for this book isn't "The Breakfast Club," it's "The Big Chill."

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/01/the-big-genx-chill/#im-super-thanks-for-asking

X. Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby

Kristen is the "Chief Emotional Manager" for Wuv, a hot startup that has defined the new field of "affective computing," which is when a computer tells you what everyone else around you is really feeling, based on the irrepressible tells emitted by their bodies, voices and gadgets.

Managing Sumter through Wuv's tumultuous launch is hard work for Kristen, but at last, it's paid off. The company has been acquired, making Kristen – and all her coworkers on the founding core team – into instant millionaires. They're flying to a lavish celebration in an autonomous plane that Sumter chartered when the action begins: the plane has a malfunction and crashes into a desert island, killing all but ten of the Wuvvies.

As the survivors explore the island, they discover only one sign of human habitation: a huge, brutalist, featureless black glass house, which initially rebuffs all their efforts to enter it. But once they gain entry, they discover that the house is even harder to leave.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/13/influencers/#affective-computing

XI. The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy

A queer coming-of-age tale in the mode of epic fantasy. Lorel wants to be a witch, but that's the very last of the adventurous trades to be strictly gender-segregated. Boys and girls alike run away to be knights, brigands and sailors, but only girls can become a witch. Indeed, Lorel's best friend, Lane, is promised to the witches, having been born to a witch herself.

Lorel has signed up for witching just as the land is turning against witches, thanks to a political plot by a scheming duchess who has scapegoated the witches as part of a plan to annex all the surrounding duchies, re-establishing the long-disintegrated kingdom with herself on the throne. To make things worse (for the witches, if not the duchess), there's a plague of monsters on the land, and the forests are blighted with a magical curse that turns trees to unmelting ice. This all softens up the peasantfolk for anti-witch pogroms.

So Lorel has to learn witching, even as her coven is fighting both monsters and the duchess's knights and the vigilante yokels who've been stirred up with anti-witch xenophobia.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/24/daughters-of-the-empty-throne/#witchy

XII. Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson

A story that will make you drunk on language, on worldbuilding, and on its roaring, relentless plot. The action is set on Chynchin, a fantastic Caribbean island (or maybe Caribbeanesque – it's never clear whether this is some magical, imaginary world, or some distant future of our own). Chynchin is a multiracial, creole land with a richly realized gift economy that Hopkinson deftly rounds out with a cuisine, languages, and familial arrangements.

Chynchin was founded through a slave rebellion, in which the press-ganged soldiers of the iron-fisted Ymisen empire were defeated by three witches who caused them to be engulfed in tar that they magicked into a liquid state just long enough to entomb them, then magicked back into solidity. For generations, the Ymisen have tolerated Chynchin's self-rule, but as the story opens, a Ymisen armada sails into Chynchin's port and a "trade envoy" announces that it's time for the Chynchin to "voluntarily" re-establish trade with the Ymisen.

The story that unfolds is a staple of sf and fantasy: the scrappy resistance mounted against the evil empire, and this familiar backdrop is a sturdy scaffold to support Hopkinson's dizzying, phantasmagoric tale of psychedelic magic, possessed children, military intrigue, musicianship and sexual entanglements.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/20/piche/#cynchin

XIII. Julia by Sandra Newman

Julia is the kind of fanfic that I love, in the tradition of both The Wind Done Gone and Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead, in which a follow-on author takes on the original author's throwaway world-building with deadly seriousness, elucidating the weird implications and buried subtexts of all the stuff and people moving around in the wings and background of the original.

For Newman, the starting point here is Julia, an enigmatic lover who comes to Winston with all kinds of rebellious secrets – tradecraft for planning and executing dirty little assignations and acquiring black market goods. Julia embodies a common contradiction in the depiction of young women (she is some twenty years younger than Winston): on the one hand, she is a "native" of the world, while Winston is a late arrival, carrying around all his "oldthink" baggage that leaves him perennially baffled, terrified and angry; on the other hand, she's a naive "girl," who "doesn't much care for reading," and lacks the intellectual curiosity that propels Winston through the text.

This contradiction is the cleavage line that Newman drives her chisel into, fracturing Orwell's world in useful, fascinating, engrossing ways. Through Julia's eyes, we experience Oceania as a paranoid autocracy, corrupt and twitchy. We witness the obvious corollary of a culture of denunciation and arrest: the ruling Party of such an institution must be riddled with internecine struggle and backstabbing, to the point of paralyzed dysfunction. The Orwellian trick of switching from being at war with Eastasia to Eurasia and back again is actually driven by real military setbacks – not just faked battles designed to stir up patriotic fervor. The Party doesn't merely claim to be under assault from internal and external enemies – it actually is.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/28/novel-writing-machines/#fanfic

XIV. The Wilding by Ian McDonald

McDonald's first horror novel, and it's fucking terrifying. It's set in a rural Irish peat bog that has been acquired by a conservation authority that is rewilding it after a century of industrial peat mining that stripped it back nearly to the bedrock. This rewilding process has been greatly accelerated by the covid lockdowns, which reduced the human footprint in the conservation area to nearly zero.

Lisa's last duty before she leaves the bog and goes home to Dublin is leading a school group on a wild campout in one of the bog's deep clearings. It's a routine assignment, and while it's not her favorite duty, it's also not a serious hardship.

But as the group hikes out to the campsite, one of her fellow guides is killed, without warning, by a mysterious beast that moves so quickly they can barely make out its monstrous form. Thus begins a tense, mysterious, spooky as hell story of survival in a haunted woods, written in the kind of poesy that has defined McDonald's career, and which – when deployed in service of terror – has the power to raise literal goosebumps.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/25/bogman/#erin-go-aaaaaaargh

XV. Polostan by Neal Stephenson

Not a spy novel, but a science fiction novel about spies in an historical setting. This isn't to say that Stephenson tramples on, or ignores spy tropes: this is absolutely a first-rate spy novel. Nor does Stephenson skimp on the lush, gorgeously realized and painstakingly researched detail you'd want from an historical novel.

Polostan raises the curtain on the story of Dawn Rae Bjornberg, AKA Aurora Maximovna Artemyeva, whose upbringing is split between the American West in the early 20th century and the Leningrad of revolutionary Russia (her parents are an American anarchist and a Ukrainian Communist who meet when her father travels to America as a Communist agitator). Aurora's parents' marriage does not survive their sojourn to the USSR, and eventually Aurora and her father end up back in the States, after her father is tasked with radicalizing the veterans of the Bonus Army that occupied DC, demanding the military benefits they'd been promised.

All of this culminates in her return sojourn to the Soviet Union, where she first falls under suspicion of being an American spy, and then her recruitment as a Soviet spy.

Also: she plays a lot of polo. Like, on a horse.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/04/bomb-light/#nukular

NONFICTION

I. A City on Mars by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

Biologist Kelly Weinersmith and cartoonist Zach Weinersmith set out to investigate the governance challenges of the impending space settlements they were told were just over the horizon. Instead, they discovered that humans aren't going to be settling space for a very long time, and so they wrote a book about that instead.

The Weinersmiths make the (convincing) case that every aspect of space settlement is vastly beyond our current or reasonably foreseeable technical capability. What's more, every argument in favor of pursuing space settlement is errant nonsense. And finally: all the energy we are putting into space settlement actually holds back real space science, which offers numerous benefits to our species and planet (and is just darned cool).

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/09/astrobezzle/#send-robots-instead

II. Dark Wire by Joseph Cox

Cox spent years on the crimephone beat, tracking vendors who sold modded phones (first Blackberries, then Android phones) to criminal syndicates with the promise that they couldn't be wiretapped by law-enforcement.

He tells the story of the FBI's plan to build an incredibly secure, best-of-breed crimephone, one with every feature that a criminal would want to truly insulate themselves from law enforcement while still offering everything a criminal could need to plan and execute crimes.

This is really two incredible tales. The first is the story of the FBI and its partners as they scaled up Anom, their best-of-breed crimephone business. This is a (nearly) classic startup tale, full of all-nighters, heroic battles against the odds, and the terror and exhilaration of "hockey-stick" growth.

The other one is the crime startup, the one that the hapless criminal syndicates that sign up to distribute Anom devices find themselves in the middle of. They, too, are experiencing hockey-stick growth. They, too, have a fantastically lucrative tiger by the tail. And they, too, have a unique set of challenges that make this startup different from any other.

Cox has been on this story for a decade, and it shows. He has impeccable sourcing and encyclopedic access to the court records and other public details that allow him to reproduce many of the most dramatic scenes in the Anom caper verbatim.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/04/anom-nom-nom/#the-call-is-coming-from-inside-the-ndrangheta

III. The Hidden History of Walt Disney World by Foxx Nolte

No one writes about Disney theme parks like Foxx Nolte; no one rises above the trivia and goes beyond the mere sleuthing of historical facts, no one nails the essence of what makes these parks work – and fail.

The history of Walt Disney World is also a history of the American narrative from the 1960s to the turn of the millennium, especially once Epcot enters the picture and Disney sets out to market itself as a futuristic mirror to America and the world. There's a doomed plan to lead the nation in the provision of an airport for the largely hypothetical short runway aircraft that never materialized, the Disney company's love-hate affair with Florida's orange growers, and the geopolitics of installing a permanent World's Fair, just as World's Fairs were disappearing from the world stage.

In focusing on the conflicts between different corporate managers, outside suppliers, and the gloriously flamboyant weirdos of Florida, Nolte's history of Disney World transcends amusing anaecdotes and tittle-tattle – rather, it illustrates how the creative sparks thrown off by people smashing into each other sometimes created towering blazes of glory that burn to this day.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/15/disnefried/#dialectics

IV. Network Nation by Richard R John

An extremely important, brilliantly researched, deep history of America's love/hate affair with not just the telephone, but also the telegraph. It is unmistakably as history book, one that aims at a definitive takedown of various neat stories about the history of American telecommunications.

The monopolies that emerged in the telegraph and then the telephone weren't down to grand forces that made them inevitable, but rather, to the errors made by regulators and the successful gambits of the telecoms barons. At many junctures, things could have gone another way.

Most striking about this book were the parallels to contemporary fights over Big Tech trustbusting, in our new Gilded Age. Many of the apologies offered for Western Union or AT&T's monopoly could have been uttered by the Renfields who carry water for Facebook, Apple and Google. John's book is a powerful and engrossing reminder that variations on these fights have occurred in the not-so-distant past, and that there's much we can learn from them.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/18/the-bell-system/#were-the-phone-company-we-dont-have-to-care

V. A Natural History of Empty Lots by Christopher Brown

A frustratingly hard to summarize book, because it requires a lot of backstory and explanation, and one of the things that makes this book so! fucking! great! is how skillfully Brown weaves disparate elements – the unique house he built in Austin, the wildlife he encounters in the city's sacrifice zones, the politics that created them – into his telling.

This series of loosely connected essays that explains how everything fits together: colonial conquest, Brown's failed marriage, his experience as a lawyer learning property law, what he learned by mobilizing that learning to help his neighbors defend the pockets of wildness that refuse to budge.

It's filled with pastoral writing that summons Kim Stanley Robinson by way of Thoreau, and it sometimes frames its philosophical points the way a cyberpunk writer would.

The kind of book that challenges how you feel about the crossroads we're at, the place you live, and the place you want to be.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/17/cyberpunk-pastoralism/#time-to-mow-the-roof

GRAPHIC NOVELS

I. Death Strikes by David Maass and Patrick Lay

"The Emperor of Atlantis," is an opera written by two Nazi concentration camp inmates, the librettist Peter Kien and the composer Viktor Ullmann, while they were interned in Terezin, a show-camp in Czechoslovakia that housed numerous Jewish artists, who were encouraged to make and display their work as a sham to prove to the rest of the world that Nazi camps were humane places.

Death Strikes was adapted by my EFF colleague Dave Maass, an investigator and muckraker and brilliant writer, who teamed up with illustrator Patrick Lay and character designer Ezra Rose (who worked from Kien and Ullmann's original designs, which survived along with the score and libretto).

The Emperor's endless wars have already tried Death's patience. Death brings mercy, not vengeance, and the endless killing has dismayed him. The Emperor's co-option drives him past the brink, and Death declares a strike, breaking his sword and announcing that henceforth, no one will die.

Needless to say, this puts a crimp in the Emperor's all-out war plan. People get shot and stabbed and drowned and poisoned, but they don't die. They just hang around, embarrassingly alive (there's a great comic subplot of the inability of the Emperor's executioners to kill a captured assassin).

While this is clearly an adaptation, Kien and Ullmann's spirit of creativity, courage, and bittersweet creative ferment shines through. It's a beautiful book, snatched from death itself.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/23/peter-kien-viktor-ullmann/#terez

II. My Favorite Things Is Monsters Book Two by Emil Ferris

The long, long delayed sequel to the tale of Karen Reyes, a 10 year old, monster-obsessed queer girl in 1968 Chicago who lives with her working-class single mother and her older brother, Deeze, in an apartment house full of mysterious, haunted adults. There's the landlord – a gangster and his girlfriend – the one-eyed ventriloquist, and the beautiful Holocaust survivor and her jazz-drummer husband.

Ferris's storytelling style is dazzling, and it's matched and exceeded by her illustration style, which is grounded in the classic horror comics of the 1950s and 1960s. Characters in Karen's life – including Karen herself – are sometimes depicted in the EC horror style, and that same sinister darkness crowds around the edges of her depictions of real-world Chicago.

Book Two picks up from Book One's cliffhanger and then rockets forward. Everything brilliant about One is even better in Two – the illustrations more lush, the fine art analysis more pointed and brilliant, the storytelling more assured and propulsive, the shocks and violence more outrageous, the characters more lovable, complex and grotesque.

Everything about Two is more. The background radiation of the Vietnam War in One takes center stage with Deeze's machinations to beat the draft, and Deeze and Karen being ensnared in the Chicago Police Riots of '68. The allegories, analysis and reproductions of classical art get more pointed, grotesque and lavish. Annika's Nazi concentration camp horrors are more explicit and more explicitly connected to Karen's life. The queerness of the story takes center stage, both through Karen's first love and the introduction of a queer nightclub. The characters are more vivid, as is the racial injustice and the corruption of the adult world.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/01/the-druid/#

III. So Long Sad Love by Mirion Malle

Cleo is a French comics creator who's moved to Montreal, in part to be with Charles, a Quebecois creator who helps her find a place in the city's tight-knit artistic scene. The relationship feels like a good one, with the normal ups and downs, but then Cleo travels to a festival, where she meets Farah, a vivacious and talented fellow artist. They're getting along great…until Farah discovers who Cleo's boyfriend is. Though Farah doesn't say anything, she is visibly flustered and makes her excuses before hurriedly departing.

This kicks off Cleo's hunt for the truth about her boyfriend, a hunt that is complicated by the fact that she's so far from home, that her friends are largely his friends, that he flies off the handle every time she raises the matter, and by her love for him.

Malle handles this all so deftly, showing how Cleo and her friends all play archetypal roles in the recurrent missing stair dynamic. It's a beautifully told story, full of charm and character, but it's also a kind of forensic re-enactment of a disaster, told from an intermediate distance that's close enough to the action that we can see the looming crisis, but also understand why the people in its midst are steering straight into it.

Packed with subtlety and depth, romance and heartbreak, subtext that carries through the dialog (in marvelous translation from the original French by Aleshia Jensen) and the body language in Malle's striking artwork.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/25/missing-step/#the-fog-of-love

IV. Bea Wolf by Zach Wienersmith and Boulet

A ferociously amazingly great illustrated kids' graphic novel adaptation of the Old English epic poem, which inspired Tolkien, who helped bring it to popularity after it had languished in obscurity for centuries.

Weinersmith and Boulet set themselves the task of bringing a Germanic heroic saga from more than a thousand years ago to modern children, while preserving the meter and the linguistic and literary tropes of the original. And they did it!

There are some changes, of course. Grendel – the boss monster that both Beowulf and Bea Wulf must defeat – is no longer obsessed with decapitating his foes and stealing their heads. In Bea Wulf, Grendel is a monstrously grown up and boring adult who watches cable news and flosses twice per day, and when he defeats the kids whose destruction he is bent upon, he does so by turning them into boring adults, too.

The utter brilliance of Bea Wulf is as much due to the things it preserves from the original epic as it is to the updates and changes. Weinersmith has kept the Old English tradition of alliteration, right from the earliest passages, with celebrations of heroes like "Tanya, treat-taker, terror of Halloween, her costume-cache vast, sieging kin and neighbor, draining full candy-bins, fearing not the fate of her teeth. Ten thousand treats she took. That was a fine Tuesday."

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/24/awesome-alliteration/#hellion-hallelujah

V. Youth Group by Bowen McCurdy and Jordan Morris

A charming tale of 1990s ennui, cringe Sunday School – and demon hunting.

Kay is a bitter, cynical teenager who's doing her best to help her mother cope with an ugly divorce that has seen her dad check out on his former family. Mom is going back to church, and she talks Kay into coming along with her to attend the church youth group.

But this is no ordinary youth group. Kay's ultra-boring suburban hometown is actually infested with demons who routinely possess the townspeople, and that baseline of demonic activity has suddenly gone critical, with a new wave of possessions. Suddenly, the possessed are everywhere – even Kay's shitty dad ends up with a demon inside of him.

That's when Kay discovers that the youth group and its corny pastor are also demon hunters par excellence. Their rec-rooms sport secret cubbies filled with holy weapons, and the words of exorcism come as readily to them as any embarrassing rewritten devotional pop song. Kay's discovery of this secret world convinces her that the youth group isn't so bad after all, and soon she is initiated into its mysteries, including the existence of rival demon-hunting kids from the local synagogue, Catholic church, and Wiccan coven.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/16/satanic-panic/#the-dream-of-the-nineties

VI. Justice Warriors: Vote Harder by Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson

Vote Harder sees Bubble City facing its first election in living memory, as the mayor – who inherited his position from his "powerful, strapping Papa" – loses a confidence vote by the city's trustees. They're upset with his plan to bankrupt the city in order to buy a laser powerful enough to carve his likeness into the sun as a viral stunt for the launch of his comeback album. The trustees are in no way mollified by the fact that he expects to make a lot of money selling special branded sunglasses that allow Bubble City (and the mutant hordes of the Uninhabited Zone) to safely look into the sun and see what their tax dollars bought.

So it's time for an election, and the two candidates are going hard: there's the incumbent Mayor Prince; there's his half-sister and ex-girlfriend, Stufina Vipix XII, and there's a dark-horse candidate Flauf Tanko, a mutant-tank cyborg that went rogue after a militant Home Owners Association disabled it and its owners abandoned it. Flauf-Tanko is determined to give the masses of the Uninhabited Zone the representation they've been denied for so long, despite the structural impediments to this (UZers need to complete a questionnaire, sub-forms, have three forms of ID, and present a rental contract, drivers license, work permit and breeding license. They also need to get their paperwork signed in person at a VERI-VOTE location, then wait 14 days to get their voter IDs by mail. Also, districts of 2 million or more mutants are allocated the equivalent of only 250,000 votes, but only if 51% of eligible voters show up to the polls; otherwise, their votes are parceled out to other candidates per the terms of the Undervoting and Apathy Allotment Act).

What unfolds is a funny, bitter, superb piece of political satire that could not be better timed.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/11/uninhabited-zone/#eremption-season

As I mentioned in the introduction to this roundup, I had three books out in 2024; a new hardcover, and the paperback editions of two books that came out in hardcover last year. There's more on the horizon – a new hardcover novel (PICKS AND SHOVELS) in Feb 2025, along with the paperback of my novel THE BEZZLE (also Feb 2025). I just turned in the manuscript for my next nonfiction book, ENSHITTIFICATION, which will also be adapted as a graphic novel. I'll also be shortly announcing the publication details for a YA graphic novel, a new essay collection and short story collection.

If you enjoy my work – the newsletter, the talks, the reviews – the best way to support me is to buy my books. I write for grownups, teens, middle-schoolers and little kids, so there's something for everyone!

I. The Lost Cause A solarpunk novel of hope in the climate emergency. "The first great YIMBY novel" -Bill McKibben. "Completely delightful…Neither utopian nor dystopian…I loved it" -Rebecca Solnit. A national bestseller!

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865946/thelostcause/

II. The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation A detailed disassembly manual for people who want to dismantle Big Tech. "A passionate case for 'relief from manipulation, high-handed moderation, surveillance, price-gouging, disgusting or misleading algorithmic suggestions. -Akash Kapur, New Yorker. Another national bestseller!

https://www.versobooks.com/products/3035-the-internet-con

III. The Bezzle. A seething rebuke of the privatized prison system that delves deeply into the arcane and baroque financial chicanery involved in the 2008 financial crash. "Righteously satisfying…A fascinating tale of financial skullduggery, long cons, and the delivery of ice-cold revenge." –Booklist. A third national bestseller!

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle/

[satoshi-mochida]

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma launches in spring 2025 for Switch, PC - Gematsu

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will launch for Switch and PC via Steam in spring 2025, Marvelous announced.

Pre-orders for the “Earth Dancer Edition” will be available soon via the Marvelous USA store and at participating retailers for an MSRP of $99.99. It includes a custom outer box featuring art of a battle high above Azuma, as well as a physical copy of the game, an original soundtrack CD, an art book, an Azuma-inspired folding fan, the downloadable content bundle “Seasons of Love,” additional downloadable content costumes for the protagonists and their sidekick Woolby, and a plush Woolby keychain.

The standard edition of the game will also be available to pre-order for an MSRP of $59.99. Details on digital editions and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Here is an overview of the game, via Marvelous USA:

Story

The Celestial Collapse—a calamity caused by a colossal object crashing into the eastern lands known as Azuma. The devastating impact sent fragments of terrain to the skies above and the seas below. With the earth shattered, the power provided by the runes ceased to flow. The gods of nature vanished soon after. Mountains crumbled and fields withered, leaving the people with nothing…not even hope. You awaken, startled by a dream of dueling dragons. You don’t remember how or why, but a voice resonates within you. “Accept the power of an Earth Dancer. Use this power to save the land.”

About

The classic action-RPG and life-simulation gameplay beloved by Rune Factory fans across the globe is boldly reimagined in Guardians of Azuma. This all-new adventure takes place in the never-before-seen eastern country of Azuma where you will assume the Earth Dancer powers and fight against the corruption spreading throughout Azuma to bring hope back to this once-prosperous land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose destinies are intertwined by mysterious forces. Use sacred treasures to fight against the Blight’s many forms to restore the people, and even gods, to their natural glory. Take farming further, as you’ll manage more than a plot, rebuilding entire villages and cultivating new allies and resources along the way. Explore seasonal-themed villages heavily inspired by traditional Japanese culture, each with brand-new festivals and revamped fan-favorites, as well as charming romance candidates. Embrace your fate. The adventure of a new world awaits.

Key Features

Bold New Abilities and Weapons – As an Earth Dancer, use the power of dance, sacred treasures, and fresh weapons like the Bow and Talisman to purify the land, your farms, and undo the Blight’s damage.

It Takes a Village – Don’t just mind the farm—rebuild entire villages! Construct and place buildings, enticing people to return to the villages and contribute. Revive the gods to bring vitality and valuable resources back to the plagued lands.

Your Fantasy Japanese Life – Experience beautiful Japanese-inspired character designs and aesthetics—from festivals to events to monsters. Explore Azuma’s natural landscapes and its seasonal-themed locales steeped in tradition.

Classic Romance and Relationships – Choose between male and female protagonists, then befriend or romance any of the eligible candidates in fully voiced scenarios. Recruit these new friends to aid you in battle, too.

Watch a new trailer below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.

Reveal Trailer

English

[mjbarrosart]

Hi! For TDP end credits, did you have to apply or were you invited by them like a guest artist? (How do you get those types of jobs?) Also, do you know what the general career pathway/major for animation/concept art/digital drawing is such as in TDP?

Thank you

Hey! Not sure if I understood your question, but I got in the credits of Dragon Prince because my work in the show, but if you are asking about the art on the credits, I think was done by members of the design team, no guest artists.

About how I got the job? Bardel was looking for SB artists in Vancouver, BC (where I live), and I applied, did a test, and got the job.

How can you get into the animation industry? Depends where you live. Some job can be remote, but a lot of studios get tax incentives for hiring people locally, so for example all the studios in Vancouver try to recruit people from BC, Canada, and the ones in Toronto will choose people who live in Ontario, and so on. Same for USA studios, depending on if the studio is in CA, NY or Texas, etc...So besides having training in animation or art (via a degree or self learning), it is good to be located close to the industry.

Then is a thing of aplying, doing networking and showcasing your work. Making relationships in the industry is the best way to get into cool projects like Dragon Prince.

Hope that helps!

[theflixdiaryproject]

"one of them coyotes, he made love to my skull. you know what that practice is commonly called?" - Roy Pulsifer

a recently deceased cop, Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds), is recruited into the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.) to help protect the living from rogue souls. together with his partner Roy (Jeff Bridges), they must track down a dangerous group of souls threatening the balance between the living and the dead.

read my review below (may contain spoilers):

watched June 18, 2022 on netflix

I’m gonna be straight up - R.I.P.D. didn’t hit the mark for me, but I watched it because, well, Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon. I mean, come on, those two have got this charm that usually makes even the worst movies tolerable, right? but somehow, even their combined star power couldn’t save this one. there are a few funny moments scattered throughout the movie. I’m not talking laugh-out-loud kind of funny, but more like a chuckle-worthy kind of funny. there’s a weirdly enjoyable vibe when Nick and Roy are bantering, even if the rest of the movie isn’t really pulling its weight. I found myself giggling here and there, but that’s about it. the kind of movie where I'd enjoy, but then quickly realise I'm not really invested. and there’s where it loses me. I just can’t like it. I tried. I mean, really, I did. the premise is something I should love: ghost cops, bizarre afterlife shenanigans, a whole bunch of weirdness; but something about it just feels off. maybe it’s the whole tone. it doesn’t really know if it wants to be a goofy buddy comedy, a supernatural action flick, or some kind of epic cosmic battle between life and death. spoiler alert: it ends up being none of the above. it’s like the movie tried to blend too many flavours and ended up with a soggy, tasteless stew. it’s not bad. it’s just.. not good.

while watching, I couldn’t help but feel like I was just going through the motions. you know that feeling when you’re doing something because you started it, not because you actually care? that’s how I felt for most of the movie. sure, there’s a lot of action, a bunch of digital effects, and a plot that’s kind of there, but it all felt a bit too meh to grab my attention for more than a minute at a time. even with the supernatural angle, the whole thing felt more like a half-baked idea than a fully realised movie. like the script was written on the back of a napkin during a lunch break. but the real kicker is that it’s just not memorable. the jokes don’t stick, the action doesn’t wow, and the plot.. well, let’s just say it’s not something I’ll be remembering for long. it’s not that it’s horrible; it’s just that it doesn’t leave a mark. and that’s the worst thing a movie can do—be forgettable. if you can’t hold my attention, then what’s the point? at the end of the day, R.I.P.D. is a movie that tries too hard to be something it’s not. the cast is great, but the script? not so much. it’s one of those films that looks good on paper but doesn’t quite pull off the magic. if you’re just in the mood for some light fun, it might be worth a watch, but don’t expect it to become your new favourite.

final verdict: I have mixed feelings about it

maturity rating: 13+ genre: action, comedy, fantasy duration: 1h 36m (96 mins) country of origin: USA language: English screenplay: David S. Goyer, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi major cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker

[mariacallous]

After years of sitting on the sidelines, content creators became a part of the mainstream political media this year, delivering election news, analysis, and political commentary to their online fans—all while sidestepping the traditional press.

Eighty-one-year-old Joe Biden was serenaded on camera by the delightfully cringe TikTok singer Harry Daniels. Bernie Sanders stumped for Kamala Harris on a Twitch stream cohosted by an anime catboy VTuber. Donald Trump collabed with the quintessential creator brothers, Jake and Logan Paul. Instead of making time for traditional sit-down interviews with the mainstream press, Harris and Trump relied on creators to galvanize votes and spread their campaign messages.

“There’s just no value—with respect to my colleagues in the mainstream press—in a general election to speaking to The New York Times or speaking to The Washington Post, because those [readers] are already with us,” Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager for Harris, told Semafor in December.

Influencing has grown into a $250 billion industry. More than 70 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 say they follow an influencer on social media, a Pew Research survey found last year. A more recent survey, published in November, found that one in five US adults get their news from news influencers. That shift in media consumption was met with record spending on creator partnerships. Priorities USA put at least $1 million toward influencer marketing. The Harris campaign paid at least $2.5 million to management agencies that book creators for political advertising campaigns.

This election, creators were everywhere—the Republican and Democratic conventions, fundraisers, rallies, and even parties at Mar-a-Lago. But the foundations for this creator takeover of political messaging were propped up nearly a decade ago. In 2016, Trump showed how social media platforms like Twitter could influence voters. Throughout the 2020 election, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg spent more than $300 million on a presidential campaign that recruited influencers and meme pages as paid digital surrogates, and the Biden administration routinely invited creators to the White House for briefings.

By embracing creators, politicians have started blurring the lines between talking heads and journalists. Unlike reporters, news creators are often not beholden to editorial standards and substantial fact-checking—something that is one high-profile defamation lawsuit away from changing but that, for now, marks a difference. Many creators do work similar to what journalists do—absorbing, translating, and communicating news to audiences online. But in the online political ecosystem, many of them come off more as fans than as objective observers. Some are explicitly party activists. Still, they are often provided access similar to what the traditional press gets.

The next step in the influencer political takeover could be lawmakers becoming the creators themselves. The industry has become so fruitful that Republican ex-lawmakers like George Santos and Matt Gaetz turned to the creator economy as part of their post-congressional careers. Santos and Gaetz are setting hefty prices for personal messages on the video platform Cameo.

Elected officials like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jeff Jackson are also leveraging creator-like tactics in their everyday communications with their constituents and voters. Ocasio-Cortez can often be found answering follower questions on how Congress works or what’s inside a bill on Instagram Live. Jackson authors a regular Substack newsletter discussing his work in the House of Representatives. Ted Cruz has a podcast.

“Your candidate needs to become the creator; they need to find their niche and stick to it,” says Caleb Brock, a senior digital strategist for Democrats. “We need to find our 2028 presidential Hawk Tuah Girl—and I mean that seriously. Whichever candidate steps up and wields their respective, genuine personality into something that continuously pumps out content—content that people want to see, share, and engage with—will win.”

Adopting these tactics could be crucial to winning over young voters, millions of whom enter the electorate every four years. More than 8 million members of Gen Z entered the electorate in 2024, according to Tufts University. This year, 41 million of them were eligible to vote.

The industry hasn’t run up against much friction from the federal government either, despite criticism over its opaque nature. This year, the Federal Election Commission opted against requiring political influencers to disclose when a political group or campaign paid for content on their accounts.

“Because this is such a substantial part now of the information economy and information ecosystem, it’s absolutely vital that there are disclosures,” says Robert Weissman, copresident of the public interest group Public Citizen. “And just as disclosure is a core part of fair advertising law, it's a core part of fair election law too.”

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Reed McMaster at MMFA:

Podcaster Patrick Bet-David provides a platform for far-right figures to promote conspiracy theories and bigotry, potentially to millions of people. Bet-David’s PBD Podcast has allowed guests to promote the white nationalist “great replacement” theory, claim that homosexuality is being pushed on children, and push conspiracy theories about mail-in ballot harvesting.

Who is Patrick Bet-David?

Bet-David is the founder of the insurance company PHP Agency and digital media outlet Valuetainment. The Daily Beast described PHP Agency as “a multilevel marketing company” that “makes money when people recruit lower-ranking members, who then funnel their sales commissions upwards.” Bet-David has interviewed major figures such as former President George W. Bush and professional basketball player Kobe Bryant at PHP Agency conferences, eventually posting some of these interviews to Valuetainment’s YouTube channel. [Daily Beast, 5/31/19; PR Newswire, 7/20/22; YouTube, 8/23/19; Valuetainment, accessed on 5/6/24]

Valuetainment hosts multiple interview-focused podcasts, including Bet-David’s own PBD Podcast. Bet-David has interviewed a variety of right-wing guests on his podcast, including Fox host Jesse Watters, alleged human trafficker Andrew Tate, and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as well as celebrities not involved in politics. [Huffpost, 4/15/24; Valuetainment, PBD Podcast, 6/12/23; Forbes, 10/16/23]

Patrick Bet-David's PBD Podcast hosted by Valuetainment has featured numerous right-wing guests and bigoted commentary.

[vanator1]

IT Recruiters In USA

Recruiting folks for IT Recruiters In USA  that encompass software’s, network, digital systems that process, manage and transmit data, revolutionizing modern communication and your business.

[247callcenterservice]

In the United States, call center companies play a pivotal role in providing customer support, sales assistance, technical troubleshooting, and various other services for businesses across a multitude of industries. These companies employ thousands of individuals nationwide and operate through various models, including in-house, outsourced, and virtual call centers. Let's delve into the landscape of call center companies in the USA.

1. Overview of the Call Center Industry:

The call center industry in the USA has witnessed significant growth over the years, driven by the increasing demand for cost-effective customer service solutions and the globalization of businesses. Today, call centers cater to diverse sectors such as telecommunications, banking and finance, healthcare, retail, technology, and e-commerce.

2. Major Players:

Several major call center companies dominate the industry, including:

Teleperformance: One of the largest call center companies globally, Teleperformance operates numerous centers across the USA, offering multilingual customer support, technical assistance, and sales services.

Concentrix: Concentrix is another key player, known for its innovative customer engagement solutions. It provides a wide range of services, including customer care, technical support, and digital marketing services.

Alorica: Alorica specializes in customer experience outsourcing solutions, serving clients in various industries. It offers services such as customer support, sales, and back-office support.

Sitel Group: Sitel Group is renowned for its customer experience management solutions. With a global presence, Sitel operates call centers in multiple locations across the USA, providing tailored customer support services.

TTEC: Formerly known as TeleTech, TTEC offers customer experience solutions, digital services, and technology-enabled customer care. It focuses on delivering personalized customer interactions through its contact centers.

3. Industry Trends:

The call center industry is continually evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. Some notable trends include:

Digital Transformation: Call centers are increasingly integrating digital channels such as chat, email, and social media to enhance customer engagement and support omnichannel experiences.

AI and Automation: Automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots, are being adopted to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and provide faster resolutions to customer queries.

Remote Workforce: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote work in the call center industry. Many companies have embraced remote workforce models, allowing agents to work from home while maintaining productivity and efficiency.

Data Analytics: Call centers are leveraging data analytics tools to gain insights into customer behavior, preferences, and trends. This data-driven approach enables them to personalize interactions and optimize service delivery.

4. Challenges and Opportunities:

Despite its growth, the call center industry faces several challenges, including:

Staffing Issues: Recruiting and retaining skilled agents remains a challenge for many call center companies, particularly amid competition for talent and high turnover rates.

Security Concerns: With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, call centers must prioritize data security and compliance to protect sensitive customer information.

However, the industry also presents numerous opportunities for growth and innovation:

Expansion of Services: Call center companies can diversify their service offerings to meet the evolving needs of clients, such as expanding into digital customer engagement, analytics, and consulting services.

Focus on Customer Experience: By prioritizing customer experience and investing in training and technology, call centers can differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Globalization: With advancements in technology and communication infrastructure, call center companies can explore opportunities for global expansion and tap into new markets.

5. Future Outlook:

Looking ahead, the call center industry is poised for further growth and transformation. As businesses increasingly prioritize customer-centric strategies, call center companies will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business success.

In conclusion, call center companies in the USA form a vital component of the customer service ecosystem, serving a wide range of industries and helping businesses enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. With ongoing technological innovations and evolving customer expectations, the industry is poised for continued growth and innovation in the years to come.

[imarketer4udma-blog]

Marketing case study: iM4U drives logistic business to the top USA companies

Success in trucking depends on how well logistics and marketing work together, not just transportation. This specialized niche, a linchpin of global trade, necessitates innovative approaches to carve out a distinctive identity. One of our clients began with a single truck and a garage. They grew by treating customers well and being fair to employees, fueling their success story. A pivotal partnership emerged in November 2018 when our agency collaborated with them. Together, we bolstered their marketing strategies and harnessed their logistical expertise. The outcome? A notable placement among the top 5000 US companies, with a strong rank of 1910. This is all about demonstrating how good marketing and strong logistics can come together to bring success.

iM4U plan for marketing promotion

We created our marketing plan to elevate our client's integrated marketing strategies and attract more drivers to their company. The primary goal was to enhance the effectiveness of these strategies. The strategy focused on gaining insights into creating effective marketing tactics for a logistics company, including selecting appropriate channels for implementation. The plan's implementation encompassed several key steps: 

devise a structured plan to boost the marketing team's performance;

achieve essential metrics;

analyze the logistics market in the USA;

conduct competitor analysis;

formulate a brand promotion strategy;

enhance brand reputation;

identify suitable promotion channels;

sett a marketing budget for the year;

craft a roadmap for brand promotion.

Concurrently, the marketing consulting aspect of the plan aimed to make important processes in our client's company more organized and efficient. This involved optimizing team performance and creating mechanisms to monitor departmental efficiency indicators, resulting in an overall enhancement of operational efficiency.

More information in our article “How to find your target audience for your business”.

Challenges we faced and how did we overcome them

In the context of the trucking and logistics industry, our client faced a series of distinct marketing challenges that required strategic solutions. 

To stand out in fierce competition, they needed a special value proposition. They achieved this by highlighting advantages like quick deliveries and round-the-clock support. 

Overcoming driver recruitment hurdles involved highlighting a family-like atmosphere and driver-centric policies. 

To gain trust, they showed their no-damage guarantee and a track record of successful deliveries.

They managed to adapt to changing technology and cover vast areas by showing their tech expertise. They tailored messages for different regions.

They tackled complex services and followed regulations by using clear messaging and prioritizing safety. 

Despite cost constraints, a judicious budget allocation ensured high-impact integrated marketing campaigns. Through collaborative efforts, our IM4U Digital Marketing Agency assisted the client in surmounting these challenges, creating a robust marketing strategy tailored to the unique demands of the industry.

Implementation stage

We developed a comprehensive marketing plan and then executed it effectively. 

Our strategy included showcasing successful deliveries through engaging social media posts and informative blog articles on the company's website. By using data-driven insights, we created personalized email campaigns that generated valuable leads. We met clients at events, used testimonials, and case studies to build trust. 

All of this made our client more well-known, trustworthy, and appealing to drivers. We also enhanced the company's reputation and attractiveness to potential drivers, positioning them as a top choice in the competitive market. 

These multifaceted tactics collectively positively impacted the client's business growth and success.

Results and achievements

Our collaborative marketing endeavors have yielded impressive outcomes and accomplishments within the trucking and logistics industry. Through careful execution, operational expenses decreased significantly by 22%, driven by a more organized structure. Notably, cost per lead reduced impressively by 30%, showing strategy success.

A year-long plan optimized the budget, while a defined marketing department structure improved efficiency. These accomplishments relied on consistent growth, expanding the company's scale by 1.5 to 2 times each year, even during US economic challenges. Additionally, a monthly influx of 10 new drivers underscores our prowess in driver attraction.

Recommendations for logistic businesses

In this situation, our campaign excelled by efficiently organizing operations, reducing costs by 22%. Additionally, we lowered lead costs by an impressive 30%.

From this case study, we learned valuable lessons, especially about tailoring personalized marketing for clients and drivers. We created and implemented data-driven email campaigns, showcasing the strength of our integrated marketing strategy. Equally important, this approach consistently drove business growth, even during economic challenges, due to our operational excellence.

Conclusion

The success story of a truck driving company exemplifies the fusion of marketing and logistics, fortified by a meticulously crafted and executed integrated marketing plan. By emphasizing swift deliveries, driver-centric policies, and damage-free guarantees, they stood out. Personalized email campaigns, engaging content, and trust-building tactics elevated their reputation. Remarkably, operational costs fell by 22%, lead costs by 30%, and the company scaled 1.5 to 2 times annually despite economic challenges. This case showcases the power of strategic collaboration between marketing and logistics, driving growth and resilience through a well-devised marketing plan.

How to promote your local business - call IM4U agency to get an answer!

Unlock success for your local business! Contact IM4U Integrated Marketing Agency today for tailored solutions. Elevate your brand, reach more customers, and thrive in your community. Don't wait, call now!

[triwavesolutions]

Award for the IT Consulting Company of the Year- Maryland

Hi everyone,

I am delighted to share some exciting news with you all. Triwave Solutions Inc has been shortlisted and subsequently selected as the winner of the prestigious category, IT Consulting Company of the Year - Maryland, in this year's East Coast USA Prestige Program.

The East Coast USA Prestige Program, organized under the Corporate Live Wire and LTG business platforms, aims to acknowledge outstanding businesses that excel on a local level. Triwave Solutions Inc has consistently demonstrated exceptional success and unwavering dedication over the years, and it's truly an honor to see our hard work being recognized.

We extend our gratitude to the panel of industry expert judges who meticulously reviewed each nominee's supporting information, including reviews, testimonials, and details from our website and social media platforms. This accolade is a testament to the collective efforts of our talented team, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

We would like to thank all our clients and partners for their trust and support. Without your collaboration and belief in our services, this achievement would not have been possible. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities we have had to make a positive impact in the IT Consulting landscape, and we remain committed to providing exceptional service and results.

We are honored to be featured in the publication, which will reach thousands of UK and Global Corporate Livewire subscribers. Furthermore, it will be available in both print and digital formats, reaching over 30,000 readers located throughout the East Coast of the USA.

Once again, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients with excellence, and we remain committed to making a positive impact in the IT recruitment industry.

#TriwaveSolutions #PrestigeProgramWinner #ITRecruitment #Maryland

Best regards,

Triwave Solutions Inc

www.triwavesolutions.com

[thinkcapadvisors]

Salary of a Fractional CMO And Hourly Rate In 2025 - Thinkcapadvisors

A Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is the torchbearer of a company's brand and the driving force behind taking its products and services to market. Acting as the growth engine, a CMO fuels brand recognition, demand generation, and customer loyalty by executing strategic marketing programs that drive revenue and build lasting customer relationships.

However, hiring an experienced CMO can be expensive, especially for startups and mid-sized businesses. Large companies with traditional marketing practices may struggle to transition to new-age, digital-first marketing approaches due to the high cost of recruiting seasoned marketing professionals. In the U.S., the average salary for a CMO ranges between $180,000 and $250,000, with top-tier talent commanding significantly higher compensation. For companies still finding their footing in the market, such expenses can be daunting and, often, unsustainable.

In response to these challenges, many organizations outsource specific marketing tasks to agencies. While this may seem cost-effective, it often results in disjointed strategies, fragmented execution, and sub-optimal outcomes due to a lack of cohesive leadership and vision.

This is where Fractional CMO services offer a compelling solution. By engaging an experienced marketing leader on a part-time or project basis, companies can access the strategic expertise and leadership of a CMO at a fraction of the cost—typically 50% or lower than hiring a full-time professional. This model allows businesses to align their marketing efforts, integrate digital strategies, and focus on growth without overstretching their budgets.

Salary Of a Fractional CMO

In countries like the USA, Fractional CMOs at *ThinkCap Advisors charge between $150 and $200 per hour, resulting in a monthly cost of $3,000 to $12,000. They typically work 5 to 15 hours per week for a single client.

On average, if a Fractional CMO works 10 hours per week, the monthly cost comes to around $8,000, adding up to $96,000 per year. This is nearly 50% lower than the annual salary of a full-time CMO.

Does Hiring a Fractional CMO Make Commercial Sense?

Companies want to hire employees who can positively impact revenue. However, marketing is often seen as a cost center rather than a revenue driver. In the past, it was difficult for CMOs to justify marketing costs versus revenue impact because most activities were offline or focused on sales enablement.

With the rise of digital marketing, technology allows businesses to track costs and results more accurately. Key metrics such as Click-Through Rate (CTR), Cost Per Lead (CPL), Cost Per Click (CPC), Open Rates, and Conversion Rates help measure marketing performance.

If you are considering hiring a senior marketing executive, it is important to define key responsibilities, track your current CPL, conversion rate, and revenue per customer, and set clear expectations for improvement. Additionally, It is important to align these expectations with your marketing budget to ensure that the Fractional CMO can optimize spending to achieve the best results. Ultimately, the cost of hiring a Fractional CMO will be part of your marketing budget and will impact key customer acquisition metrics.

Conclusion

Fractional CMOs bring not only cost efficiency but also the flexibility to scale marketing efforts based on a company’s evolving needs. They provide the leadership necessary to design and implement cohesive marketing strategies, ensuring that every activity—from brand positioning to demand generation—is aligned with the company’s goals.

However, it is important to clearly define expectations relating to job responsibilities, ROI, and engagement time. If this is done well a Fractional CMO can prove to be a great asset for the organization. Tag = Fractional CMO Services, Fractional Marketing Services, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, fractional cmo, fractional cmo salary, fractional cmo usa, cmo, fractional marketing, outsourced cmo

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

Going to Burning Man? Catch me on Tuesday at 2:40pm on the Center Camp Stage for a talk about enshittification and how to reverse it; on Wednesday at noon, I'm hosting Dr Patrick Ball at Liminal Labs (6:15/F) for a talk on using statistics to prove high-level culpability in the recruitment of child soldiers.

On September 6 at 7pm, I'll be hosting Naomi Klein at the LA Public Library for the launch of Doppelganger.

On September 12 at 7pm, I'll be at Toronto's Another Story Bookshop with my new book The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.

#20yrsago BBC to put its entire archive online http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3177479.stm

#20yrsago Citytv invents live television blogging https://memex.craphound.com/2003/08/24/citytv-invents-live-television-blogging/

#20yrsago Save Christiania, August 30th march in Copenhagen https://memex.craphound.com/2003/08/24/save-christiania-august-30th-march-in-copenhagen/

#15yrsago Kids can’t “go out and play” anymore https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-15-oe-brooks15-story.html

#15yrsago Mickey Mouse bridges the culture war when teaching evolution to evangelical students https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/education/24evolution.html

#10yrsago LOVEINT: NSA spooks illegally stalking their romantic interests https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-WB-40005

#10yrsago Why it matters that you can’t own an electronic copy of the Oxford English Dictionary https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/23/oxford-english-dictionary-future-digitally

#5yrsago Law and Order Republicans have suddenly discovered the undeniable injustice of “flipped” prosecution witnesses https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/yes-witnesses-flipping-does-corrupt-justice-but-not-because-theyre-rats/2018/08/23/c88871c4-a71e-11e8-a656-943eefab5daf_story.html

#5yrsago TSA racially profiles Muslim woman, makes her show her bloody sanitary towel https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/i-may-have-to-quit-harvard--because-the-tsa-wont-stop-searching-me/2018/08/14/0dbdbb72-9a55-11e8-b55e-5002300ef004_story.html

#5yrsago The Democratic Party is surging thanks to leftist policies, but its leadership are convinced they have to stop it https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-election-progressives/

#5yrsago Prisoners in 17 states are on strike, demanding an end to prison slavery and basic human justice https://theintercept.com/2018/08/21/prison-strike-2018-attica/

#5yrsago “Bad health care has killed more American artists than I can list” https://austinkleon.com/2018/08/18/single-issue-voter/

#5yrsago Britain is a money-launderer’s paradise, Part LXII https://www.buzzfeed.com/janebradley/shell-companies-money-laundering-uk-paul-manafort

#1yrago Trump gave Moderna all the patent-waivers it needed to make a vaccine https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/24/waivers-for-me-not-for-thee/#vaccine-apartheid

[opsbridges]

Bridge Talent Gaps with IT Staffing Partner in India

The Growing Need for Skilled IT Talent in the US

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, US businesses are constantly on the lookout for skilled IT professionals to drive innovation and efficiency. However, finding the right talent locally can be both challenging and expensive. This is where an IT staffing partner in India for US businesses becomes an invaluable solution. By leveraging India's vast pool of highly skilled professionals, companies in the US can bridge critical talent gaps without compromising on quality or productivity. Partnering with a reliable staffing firm ensures access to experienced developers, engineers, and IT specialists who can seamlessly integrate into existing teams and deliver outstanding results.

How OpsBridges Simplifies the Hiring Process

Finding and hiring the right professionals can be a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with high-demand roles in the IT sector. OpsBridges simplifies this process by acting as a strategic bridge between US companies and India’s top IT talent. With a deep understanding of industry requirements and a vast network of skilled professionals, OpsBridges ensures that businesses get the right expertise without the hassle of extensive recruitment cycles. By leveraging their services, businesses can focus on growth and innovation while a trusted partner handles the recruitment and onboarding process.

Why Choose India for IT Staffing Solutions?

India has emerged as a global hub for IT talent due to its strong educational system, emphasis on technical skills, and cost-effective labor market. US businesses seeking an IT staffing partner in India for US businesses benefit from a highly qualified workforce that is proficient in the latest technologies. Additionally, Indian professionals have extensive experience working with global teams, ensuring smooth collaboration and productivity. The ability to operate in different time zones also enables round-the-clock business operations, making India an ideal outsourcing destination.

The Role of Project-Based Outsourcing in ASEAN Countries

Many businesses today are shifting towards project-based outsourcing to enhance flexibility and efficiency. A Project-Based Outsourcing Company in the ASEAN Countries offers companies the opportunity to complete specialized IT projects without hiring full-time employees. This model allows businesses to scale up or down based on project requirements, optimizing costs while maintaining high-quality deliverables. ASEAN countries, known for their growing IT capabilities, provide skilled professionals who can contribute to projects ranging from software development to cybersecurity and cloud solutions. With the right outsourcing partner, businesses can ensure seamless execution and timely completion of their projects.

Affordable Remote Workforce Solutions in Singapore

For companies looking for cost-effective workforce solutions, Affordable remote workforce providers Singapore offer a valuable option. Singapore has established itself as a tech-driven economy with a strong emphasis on digital transformation. Businesses can leverage a highly skilled remote workforce that can deliver quality results at a fraction of the cost compared to hiring locally. The strategic location of Singapore also ensures efficient communication and collaboration with US-based companies. By working with remote workforce providers in Singapore, businesses can achieve operational efficiency while reducing overhead expenses.

The Advantages of Working with a Top Project-Based Outsourcing Company in the USA

When US companies seek external support for critical IT functions, partnering with a Top project based outsourcing company in USA offers several advantages. These companies specialize in providing flexible and scalable solutions tailored to meet the needs of modern enterprises. From software development to IT support and infrastructure management, outsourcing firms in the USA bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Businesses that choose a reliable outsourcing partner can focus on their core objectives while experienced professionals handle project execution with precision and efficiency.

Transforming Business Operations with the Right Talent

The success of any business hinges on having the right talent to execute its vision effectively. By partnering with an IT staffing partner in India for US businesses, companies can eliminate the common challenges associated with hiring, such as high recruitment costs and limited local talent availability. With the added benefits of project-based outsourcing in ASEAN countries, affordable remote workforce options in Singapore, and top outsourcing firms in the USA, businesses now have access to a world-class workforce that can propel them toward long-term success.

With OpsBridges at the forefront of this transformation, US businesses can seamlessly integrate skilled Indian professionals into their teams, ensuring productivity, efficiency, and sustained growth in an increasingly competitive market.

[khushikumari12]

Universal Business School Mumbai Achieves a Stellar Placement for 2023

Universal Business School (UBS), Mumbai has achieved stellar placement results for the post-graduation batch of 2023, with the highest package of INR 42.33 Lacs per annum in USA and INR 22 Lacs per annum in India. UBS attracted 229 companies to participate in campus recruitment for final placement and the summer internship process, as a result of its deep corporate relationships and the strong endorsement of industry with the backing of the 60 CEOs. UBS provided a record 1,230 interview opportunities to its students. Notably, UBS has about 21% students enrolled from the Eastern parts of India.

Universal Business School has surpassed the previous year’s performance, on all counts. It has attracted the highest number of international companies and achieved the highest average salary in the last 5 years. It attracted 44 first time recruiters who were thriving during the pandemic is Sustainability Consulting, Gaming companies, Digital Marketing, Fintech, eCommerce, and Business Analytics. The highlight of placement season was the growth in Business Analytics as the most sought-after jobs.

https://www.nktv.in/universal-business-school-mumbai-achieves-a-stellar-placement-for-2023/

[shailajasankalp]

How the Party Plan Model Empowers Direct Selling Success

In a world driven by connections and experiences, Party MLM Plan continues to shine as one of the most effective direct selling models. Its ability to blend social interaction with sales makes it especially appealing to modern audiences in the UK and USA. This blog explores everything you need to know about Party Plan MLM in 2025, incorporating facts, myths, and imaginative scenarios to help you see it’s potential.

What is Party Plan MLM?

Party Plan MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is a direct selling strategy where distributors host social events, often called "parties," to demonstrate products, engage with potential customers, and recruit new distributors. These events can be held in person or online, creating a fun, informal atmosphere that encourages sales and team-building.

With Ventaforce's cutting-edge MLM Party Plan software, you can easily manage your events, track sales, and grow your team without the hassle of manual operations.

How Party MLM Plan Works

1. Organize a Party

A distributor arranges a gathering, either in their home, a rented venue, or online using platforms like Zoom or Facebook Live. Invitations are sent to friends, family, and acquaintances.

2. Showcase the Products

During the party, the host demonstrates the products, highlighting their features and benefits.

Example: A skincare distributor might perform a live facial demonstration, showcasing the effectiveness of a rejuvenating face mask.

3. Encourage Purchases

Guests have the opportunity to purchase the showcased products either on-site or through an online store.

4. Recruit New Distributors

The host shares the benefits of joining the Party MLM Plan network, such as earning potential, flexible hours, and discounted products.

5. Build Relationships

The process doesn’t end after the party. Follow-ups ensure customer satisfaction and keep the door open for repeat purchases or new recruits.

The Evolution of Party Plan MLM Business in 2025

The Party Plan MLM business model has adapted to meet the needs of a digital-first world. Key changes include:

Virtual Parties: Online events now dominate the space, with distributors hosting product demos for global audiences.

Social Media Integration: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are crucial for creating buzz and driving attendance.

Personalization: Advanced CRM tools help distributors tailor their approach based on individual customer preferences.

Immersive Technologies: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are adding a new dimension to product demonstrations.

Did You Know?

$10 Billion in Annual Revenue: The Party Plan MLM segment generates billions globally, with the UK and USA being two of the largest markets.

30% Higher Retention: Customers who attend product parties are more likely to become repeat buyers compared to traditional retail.

Online Dominance: Over 60% of Party Plan MLM events in 2025 are hosted virtually.

Millennial and Gen Z Appeal: Younger generations are drawn to MLM’s flexible work models and emphasis on personal connections.

Myths and Facts about Party MLM Plan

Myth 1: "Party Plan MLM is outdated."

Fact: Far from it! The model has evolved to embrace virtual events and advanced tools, making it more relevant than ever.

Myth 2: "You need a big social circle to succeed."

Fact: Social media and digital marketing tools allow distributors to reach a broader audience beyond their immediate network.

Myth 3: "It’s impossible to make a full-time income."

Fact: Many successful distributors earn six-figure incomes by leveraging strategic planning and consistent effort.

Myth 4: "Party Plan MLM is only for women."

Fact: While historically dominated by women, more men are joining the Party Plan MLM business, especially in niches like tech, fitness, and gourmet products.

Imagination: Transforming Parties into Profit Centers

Imagine This:

You’re hosting a virtual wine-tasting event. Attendees from across the UK and USA join in, each with a curated wine kit delivered to their doorstep. As they sip and learn about the unique flavors, they’re drawn to purchase full-sized bottles and even sign up for a monthly wine subscription. By the end of the evening, you’ve secured sales, new recruits, and glowing reviews.

Or This:

A virtual fashion party where guests upload selfies to try on outfits using AR. They can mix and match accessories in real-time, creating their ideal look. The excitement leads to immediate purchases and future bookings for more parties.

Real-Life Success Stories

Emma’s Wellness Revolution

Emma, a stay-at-home mom in London, started her Party MLM Plan journey with a health supplement brand. Through virtual fitness challenges and interactive webinars, she built a community of health enthusiasts. Within three years, she achieved financial independence and became a top earner in her MLM network.

Jack’s Gadget Parties

Jack, a tech enthusiast from New York, transformed his passion into profit by hosting gadget demo parties. His innovative approach, coupled with viral TikTok content, helped him amass thousands of customers and a thriving distributor team.

Why the UK and USA Love Party Plan MLM

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Both regions celebrate entrepreneurial ventures and side hustles.

Diverse Consumer Interests: From beauty to tech, there’s a niche for everyone.

Tech-Savvy Audiences: High internet penetration supports the success of online events.

Emphasis on Experiences: Consumers value personalized, memorable shopping experiences.

Tips for Success in Party MLM Plan Work

Host Regular Events: Consistency builds momentum and keeps your network engaged.

Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram Stories and TikTok to attract attendees.

Invest in Technology: AR, VR, and AI tools can elevate your product demonstrations.

Offer Incentives: Discounts, freebies, or exclusive access can drive attendance and sales.

Build Relationships: Genuine connections create loyal customers and motivated team members.

Stay Educated: Attend training sessions and stay updated on industry trends.

Final Thoughts

Party Plan MLM is thriving in 2025, thanks to its adaptability and focus on creating meaningful experiences. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned network marketer, this model offers endless opportunities for growth and success. By embracing technology, busting myths, and tapping into your imagination, you can turn ordinary gatherings into extraordinary success stories.

Ready to host your next party? Partner with Ventaforce MLM Party Plan solutions and take your business to the next level!