Mediaboss Marketing

by Kevin Kelleher, contributor

FORTUNE -- As long as the Internet has been a venue for commerce, some companies have dreamed of making electronic cash as seamless and intuitive to use as possible: no cash or coins, no check-writing, no typing in or storing credit card numbers. Thanks to the rise of the cloud and the popularity of smarphones, that idea is becoming real.

As a result, the names of companies working to create a so-called digital wallet is growing: startups like Square, big-name companies like eBay (EBAY), Google (GOOG) and Apple (AAPL) or financial services giants like Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) each hoping for a key role in what could in coming years become a lucrative market.

No company has been working longer at this goal than PayPal. Back when people spoke less of the cloud and more about grid computing, and when mobile phones were too big to fit comfortably inside a pocket, PayPal was laying the foundation for a global e-payment system working through regulatory processes in hundreds of countries, grappling with myriad forms of online fraud and fielding customer complaints.

MORE:Yahoo's risk-taking may be its best chance

Today, PayPal works with 9 million merchants and 106 million active customers. And over the past couple of years, the eBay (EBAY) unit has been quietly assembling a strategy to create a digital wallet for those customers, and potentially many more. But it means improving on offerings from competitors, some of which have large customer bases and ample cash reserves.

It also means placing bets on which standards consumers and merchants will embrace. Will Square-like dongles become an everyday accessory in retail? Or will near-field communications overcome security concerns and become the norm? Will credit- and debit- accounts continue to play a central role? And most importantly, which brands will emerge as the most trusted consumer interface to mobile payments?

Slowly, PayPal's strategy is becoming clearer. After buying startups such as BillMeLater, shopping-engine Milo and app developers WHERE and Redlaser, PayPal has begun rolling out new features most recently its PayPal Here service. Announced last week, PayPal Here was widely seen as a competitor of Square, the startup noted for the dongle that plugs into smartphones for on-the-spot payments in stores and restaurants.

Square is catching on with many retailers. PayPal says it saw $4 billion in payments in 2011 and that it expects to top $7 billion this year. But Square also says it processed $4 billion in payments last year, largely from small brick-and-mortar retailers that PayPal has tended to overlook.

MORE:Where social networking is headed next

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PayPal's bid for the digital wallet looks strong

Preview ... Loz gives his tips and analysis for the week ahead. Source: FOX SPORTS

Fox Sports commentator and former Canberra premiership player Laurie Daley offers his thoughts and predictions for round four of the 2012 NRL premiership season.

Parramatta v Penrith, Parramatta Stadium, Friday, 7.35pm EDT

What do you say about the Eels? There were good signs in their first two games but they were completely outplayed last week. That sometimes happens when you play the Warriors; you get knocked around a bit and you don't come up the next week. Defensively they weren't on their game, it's a tough road trip up to Townsville but we were still expecting a lot more from them. They'll still struggle without Jarryd Hayne but I think they'll give a better account of themselves this week. With all the bagging they've got, I'd almost like to tip them in an upset. But Penrith have been steady. They weren't good enough last weekend, but South Sydney were very good. I think they'll have enough points in them to break down Parramatta's defence and with Tim Grant coming back it gives them another big body up the middle. Tip: Panthers

South Sydney v Brisbane Broncos, nib Stadium, 9.30pm EDT

If Souths can repeat their form and Taylor and Inglis can play as well as they did against Penrith, I think they can trouble the Broncos. I think that would have done their confidence a world of good. The Broncos are playing steady football, they're grinding away and that's the way they'll play it for most of the year I would think. They haven't jelled in terms of their attack yet but that will get better as the year goes on. Souths beat the Broncos over in Perth last year and they know one game doesn't make a season. So I think they'd like to back up what they did last week. Tip: Rabbitohs

Warriors v Gold Coast Titans, Mt Smart Stadium, 5.30pm EDT

Both teams have been disappointing so far. The Warriors have started slow in all their games this year, against Manly, Parramatta and the Bulldogs. That's a real attitude thing that they have to address so that will be a focus for them. They've got too much talent in their team but I still think they're missing the experience of Luck, Rapira and Lillyman. They are three tough forwards who consolidate the ruck for them. It will be difficult because I think the Titans were competitive against the Storm for 60 minutes last week. It was only the brilliance of Slater and Cronk that beat them. They will have to show the same resilience but I don't know if they can do that going across the Tasman. Their key position players are still struggling for combinations. If you shut down Prince, you've got a young hooker, a young five-eighth and Zillman hasn't played a lot of football. They'll have a go, but I don't know if they have the class to pile on the points. Tip: Warriors

St George Illawarra v Manly, WIN Jubilee Stadium, 7.30pm EDT

The loss of Williams is a massive blow for Manly as I thought he was close to their best on Monday night. There's no Matai on the left either and Glenn Stewart on the other side is missing as well. They might find it difficult going to Kogarah and taking on the Dragons. If the Dragons play as well as what they did last weekend, you'd think they'd be too good for Manly without those strike players. It's always a close, tough, grinding match between these two and with Manly having those injuries and the short turnaround, I think the Dragons can go back-to-back. Tip: Dragons

Link:
Loz's round four preview

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Trevor Bauer didn't mince words when asked what he had working in his start Tuesday against the Giants.

"Not a whole lot, to be honest," Bauer said. "I was kind of like, 'Well, everything kind of stinks today, so flip a coin, pick one and hope they don't hit it out of the park.' No, it was a little bit of a struggle control-wise today. I've had four outings now and I think this is probably the worst I've thrown the ball."

Still, the results were not terrible. The highly touted D-backs right-hander allowed two runs on six hits over three innings. Of his 53 pitches, 33 went for strikes.

A few of the six hits were hit hard, but there were a couple of grounders that went through the infield and a broken-bat bloop hit as well.

"What are you going to do?" Bauer said. "They hit one ball hard in three innings and ended up with six hits and two runs. I think I did a pretty job of disrupting their timing. Not really a whole lot to be displeased with other than being behind in the count a lot, which I haven't really done this spring."

Indeed, in 10 innings this spring, Bauer has fanned nine and walked just one. Command was a bit of an issue at times during his seven Minor League starts after he signed last summer. In 25 2/3 innings between Class A Visalia and Double-A Mobile, Bauer walked 12.

"I'm throwing a lot more strikes, and quality strikes at that, so overall I'm pretty pleased," Bauer said. "I haven't given up a whole lot of hard-hit balls. That being said, there are still plenty of areas I can improve on. I still can't figure out how to throw a curveball in the dirt when I want to, which is a little frustrating."

Despite his impressive spring, Bauer and his 3.60 ERA seem destined to start the season in the Minors with the D-backs rotation apparently set at Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Joe Saunders, Trevor Cahill and Josh Collmenter.

Whether or not he makes the team, his time at big league camp has paid off.

"I've learned a lot," Bauer said. "I've gotten to face some really high-quality hitters and I think I'm definitely a better pitcher now than I was four outings ago, so nothing wrong with that, right? I think I've actually thrown the ball better than I was hoping to."

More:
Despite 'worst' outing, Bauer happy with spring

by Stephen Ritch

The Rt.Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP was guest speaker at the Isle of Man Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) dinner on Tuesday, March 13.

Addressing the audience of present and former CPA members at the Claremont Hotel, Douglas, Sir Alan, chairperson of the CPA international executive committee and Conservative MP for Saffron Walden, reaffirmed that the CPA was open for business and spoke of the importance of redefining the associations status.

Sir Alan explained that central to CPA strategy was the need to bring parliamentarians together, adding The clues in the name. He acknowledged there were special issues affecting small island states, remarking that the CPA enabled the small to mix with the mighty and learn from each other and, as a recent example of the Isle of Mans important contribution to the CPA, cited the valuable contribution made by the President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian MLC, in her capacity as the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) CPA working party representative.

Sir Alan said he hoped to expand the scope and reach of seminars and workshops organised by the CPA and stressed the importance of constantly looking at what others [in the Commonwealth] are doing in a move to adopt a more global perspective.

During his 24-hour visit, his first to the Island, Sir Alan spent time at the Legislative Buildings where he was given a tour of Tynwald Court and the Legislative Council chambers conducted by Madam President and of the House of Keys led by the Speaker, the Hon Steve Rodan SHK, during which the Tynwald voice recognition transcription technology was demonstrated. Sir Alan also met with the executive committee of the Isle of Man branch of the CPA and visited Tynwald Hill and the Royal Chapel at St Johns.

CPA Isle of Man branch chairman Mr Juan Watterson MHK said: Sir Alans speech illustrated his deep commitment to strengthening the CPAs global reach, redefining its role for the 21st century and forming lasting alliances. An ardent proponent of strength through unity Sir Alan brings strong leadership and wise counsel to the CPA and we were honoured to welcome him to the Isle of Man.

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we were honoured to welcome him to the Isle of Man."

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International Executive Committee Chair Says CPA ‘Open for Business’

by Jonathan King

The Isle of Man has many impressive historic and cultural attractions. One of the newest is the Wurlitzer organ at the Villa Marina Arcade, built in 1929 and extensively refurbished in 2009.

Since the refurbishment was completed, increasing use has been made of the Wurlitzer each year. This year once again there will be evening recitals by visiting artists about once a month starting with Len Rawle on 16 May. Free Wednesday lunchtime concerts by Manx resident musicians will take place throughout the summer starting with John Riley on 27 June. In a new departure there will be a Wurlitzer Tea Dance on the afternoon of Sunday 22 April at which the Wurlitzer will be played by Margaret Cubbon.

More information can be found on the Villa Gaiety website and also on Facebook by searching for Friends of the Isle of Man Wurlitzer. This new Facebook group was set up in February and already has a number of members from the theatre organ community in the UK as well as being used by music lovers from around the Isle of Man.

Given the level of use now being made of the Wurlitzer, it is now a real possibility to include the Wurlitzer when planning a visit to the Isle of Man. This possibility is to be promoted by Friends of the Isle of Man Wurlitzer through the On Your Doorstep exhibition at the Villa Marina on 24 March.

Where a group visit, such as a cruise ship or coach tour, does not coincide with an existing Wurlitzer performance, the Friends of the Isle of Man Wurlitzer may be able to help facilitate a range of Wurlitzer experiences from short informal demonstrations to full-scale evening concerts.

The Villa Marina Arcade is part of the Villa Marina complex which a high quality conference venue. The music of the Wurlitzer can give a unique atmosphere to any event. If event organisers need someone to play the Wurlitzer, the Friends may be able to help.

The Friends would be interested to hear from musicians who would like to play the Wurlitzer. Open console" sessions are held each month.

For more information on all of the above please contact Jonathan King on 07624 458117.

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Wurlitzer Takes Its Place Among Manx Attractions: A Theatre Organ “On Your Doorstep”