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Munster vs Leinster Rugby On Stephen's Day 2023 December 26

New Post has been published on https://thedailyrugby.com/munster-vs-leinster-rugby-on-stephens-day-2023-december-26/

The Daily Rugby

https://thedailyrugby.com/munster-vs-leinster-rugby-on-stephens-day-2023-december-26/

Munster vs Leinster Rugby On Stephen's Day 2023 December 26

The Munster vs Leinster teams will collide on St Stephen’s Day – Tuesday, December 26 – in what should be a thriller.

Where on TV is Munster vs. Leinster taking place? Kickoff time, odds, and stream for the URC derby match. In a stunning St Stephen’s Day match, Munster is getting ready to take on their fierce rivals, Leinster.

The team led by Graham Rowntree wants to exact revenge for the Aviva Stadium loss they suffered last month, 21-16.

What TV channel is Munster vs Leinster on?

The match will be shown live on free-to-air TV by RTE 2.

It is a night-time fixture and is set to commence under the lights at 7.35pm.

Their pre-match coverage commences at 7pm, 35 minutes ahead of kick off.

Read more: Munster rugby game on TV

Where is Munster vs Leinster on?

Thomond Park in Limerick will host the Munster vs. Leinster game. On St. Stephen’s Day, Thomond Park in Limerick will host the game. Kickoff is at 7:35 p.m. The last time the clubs faced off in a home derby during the Christmas season, Munster lost.

BKT United Rugby Championship: Leinster 21-16 Munster – recap

FULL TIME!

Munster couldn’t get anything going in that final attack, and a knock-on eventually brings up the final whistle.

Leinster get the win and stay top of the table – for the timebeing at least – after a cracking Interpro at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster 21-16 Munster

Leinster v Munster Rugby Squad

Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose (co-capt), Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt); Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, James Culhane, Ben Murphy, Ciarán Frawley, Scott Penny.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron (capt), Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, Alex Kendellen, Conor Murray, Tony Butler, Shay McCarthy.

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Disneyland Blast to the Past | Jon Bowzer Bauman | Brian Beirne | 1989 TV Special | sha na na

[groupfourpaper]

Strategic Management Paper for McDonald's Corporation

McDonald’s Restaurant Corporation

Presented to

Mr. Sofronio Dulay

Presented by

Cascante, Angelo Maria Paulo S.

Cocjin, Jan Ira L.

Dato, Maria Pauline Imee DC.

Matuguina, Patricia Anne S.

Mendoza, Robert Cyrell H.

Millena, Jhun Gilbert M.

Monis, Almira L.

Navarro, Ernestine Erich B.

Nicasio, Jericho Ivan T.

Santos, Aisle Patrice D.

May 7, 2021

DEDICATION

This research paper would have not been done if it was not a part of our final requirements in Strategic Management handled by Mr. Sofronio Dulay. We, therefore, thank him for his support and guidance along our journey in making this paper.

Our parents and friends who were there as our support system all throughout the semester. The ones who were there when we were trying to find our inspiration and motivation in completing this paper.

To all of us, who cooperated with one another by doing our best in making our part in this paper and helping each other to finish their parts.

To other students who might need the information provided in this paper in the near future. May you use this paper to expand your knowledge about McDonald’s or about Strategic Management and how it contributes to a company’s success.

Most important, to the God above us all, who gave us strength and knowledge in completing this paper and make it useful for anyone who might need it in the future. 

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

Internal Assessment ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 - 17

Corporate Profile ---------------------------- --------------------------------------------7

Company Vision and Mission -------------------------------------------------------- 8

Corporate Officers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

Product Line -----------------------------------------------------------------------------12

Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix  ------------------------------------------------- 15

External Assessment -------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 - 27

Porter’s Model Analysis -------------------------------------------------------------- 18

External Factor Evaluation Matrix  ------------------------------------------------ 21

Competitive Profile Matrix ------------------------------------------------------- ----25

Key External Factor  ------------------------------------------------------------------ 27

Strategy Formulation --------------------------------------------------------------------28 - 38 

Boston Consulting Group Matrix --------------------------------------------------- 28

Strategic Position and Action Evaluation Matrix ------------------------------- 31

Grand Strategy Matrix ---------------------------------------------------------------- 33

Internal - External Matrix ------------------------------------------------------------ 34

Strength - Weaknesses- Opportunities - Threats Analysis ------------------ 35

Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix ------------------------------------------- 38

Strategy Recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------ 43 - 47

Action Plan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43 - 47

Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48

Financial Projection ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

References -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51

I. Executive Summary

Brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald opened the first ever McDonald’s Restaurant in 1948 at San Bernardino, California. They are originally focused on burgers, fries, and shakes and offered it  half the price of their competitors. This eventually caught Ray Kroc’s attention. He was the one to supply the restaurant when it started. Because of his amusement, he then formed the McDonald’s Corporation and opened his first franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois later on.

This paper aims to identify five important parts that contributed in the huge success of McDonald’s today:

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Strategy Formulation

Strategy Recommendation

Action Plan

Align with the strategic management of McDonald’s, this paper also includes the reason why a company’s strategies and decisions are very crucial in maintaining the state of the company to be sustainable for its stakeholders in the long run.

II.  Internal Assessment

A.  Corporate profile

Raymond Albert Kroc was an American businessman. He joined the California company McDonald's in 1954, after the McDonald brothers had franchised nine locations out of their original 1948 operation in San Bernardino (Wikipedia). 

McDonald's is the largest food service company in the world. They generate more than $40 billion in sales. We have over 30,000 restaurants across six continents in over 100 countries. We have the advantages of size and a good financial position. We own one of the most well-known and valued brands in the world. In restaurant operations, real estate, retailing, marketing, and franchising, we have an unrivaled global infrastructure and competencies. In terms of social responsibility, we are a market leader. In 1948, the brothers launched the "Speedee Service System," expanding on the ideals of the modern fast-food restaurant pioneered by their predecessor White Castle more than two decades before.   The original McDonald's mascot was "Speedee," a chef hat on top of a hamburger. The Golden Arches took over as the universal mascot in 1962, replacing Speedee. Ronald McDonald, the clown mascot, was first unveiled in 1965. He featured in advertisements to appeal to the children's market.

McDonald's began to really take off in the early 1960s. McDonald's popularity was boosted by the growth of automobile use in the United States, which combined with suburbanization. Ray Kroc the founder of McDonalds bought out the McDonald brothers for $2.7 million in 1961, with the aim of making McDonald's the country's number one fast-food chain. McDonald's Corporation has not only grown to become the world's largest fast-food restaurant company since its launch in 1955, but it has also changed Americans' eating habits and, increasingly, the preferences of non-Americans. In any given day, over 46 million people feast at one of the company's 31,000 restaurants, which are distributed across 119 countries on six continents. Around 9,000 of the restaurants are owned and operated by the company; the rest are managed by franchisees or in joint ventures with local entrepreneurs. In 2003, systemwide sales (which include combined profits from all three categories of restaurants) exceeded $46 billion.

B. Company Mission and Vision

Vision

“To move with velocity, to drive profitable growth and become an even better McDonald’s serving more customers delicious food each day around the world.”

Mission

“To make delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone.”

McDonald’s corporation provides concern to its community through serving high pleasant to the taste foods for people to enjoy eating with available convenient store hours and locations worldwide, budget-friendly prices but does not compromise the taste and service quality, and prioritize customers’ expectations. McDonald’s does not just simply provide foods, they serve great moments that allows consumers to feel good and lighthearted.

C. Corporate Officers

President and Chief Executive Officer -  Chris Kempczinsk

Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Customer Engagement Officer -  Lucy Brady

Executive Vice President and Global Chief People Officer -  Heidi Capozzi

Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer -  Francesca DeBiase

Executive Vice President and Chief Global Impact Officer -  Katie Beirne Fallon

Executive Vice President, Global CIO -  Daniel Henry

Senior Vice President, Global Restaurant Development & Restaurant Solutions Group -  Piotr Jucha

Interim General Counsel and Secretary -  Mahrukh Hussain

Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer -  Alistair Macrow

Senior Vice President, Global Finance -  Brian Mullens

Vice President, Strategic Alignment and Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO -  Mark Ostermann

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer -  Kevin Ozan

D. Product Line

McDonald’s Corporation is a fast-food service business that offers a variety of food and beverages worldwide, mainly burgers, fries, chicken and sundaes. Since the company is established globally, there are differences in the menu offered depending on the countries, some restaurants have the specific product compared to the others. This is due to the distinction of consumer behaviors that affects the menu provided. However, the appearances, services, packaging and the consistency of McDonald’s remains the same in diverse countries that contributes in attracting loyal consumers. Also, the company provides limited products on a seasonal basis that effectively allure consumers due to its exclusive offers. The main product line of the company consists:

Burgers and sandwiches (Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Fillet-O-Fish and other chicken sandwiches)

Chicken meals (McChicken, McNuggets, and fillets)

Breakfast meals (McMuffins, pancakes)

Snacks and sides (french fries, pies)

Desserts (McFlurry, soft-serve

Beverages (McFloats, soft drinks, shakes, coffee)

In the United States, McDonald’s offers a variety of full or limited breakfast meals such as biscuit and bagel sandwiches, Sausage McMuffins, and McGriddles. While in Asia, some restaurants provide meals including soups. Beef is replaced by lamb in India due to religious restrictions of consuming beef. Prawns or shrimps are offered in the countries of Indonesia and Singapore, while in Western Europe and Germany, products that contain high margins such as beer are offered. In New Zealand, meat pies are offered as it is a local favorite. McDonald’s have been able to adopt and innovate the products they offer to the market depending on the preferences of its consumers across the world. Despite the controversy in the products offered by McDonald’s as it is labeled as ‘unhealthy’, the company still aims to adjust its menu determined by consumer preferences in every country.

E. Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix

IFE Analysis 

The Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Matrix is evaluated through the key internal factors of the McDonald’s Restaurant Corporation - the strengths and opportunities. The ratings that were provided in the company’s strengths are: the strength of the brand name and reputation weighted 0.12, with 4 as the rating, and a total weighted score of 0.48. The strength on the introduction of a new product weighted 0.06, with 4 ratings, and 0.24 as the weighted score. Next, the company strategy on attracting the customers, place, and their promotion weighted 0.12, with 4 as the rating, and weighted score of 0.48. The comprehensive training for the managers in the Hamburger University weighted 0.10, with 3 as the rating, and 0.30 for the weighted score. Next is the strength of global presence with 0.12 weight, 3 as the rating, and 0.36 as the weighted score. The customer’s focus was 0.06, 4 as the rating, and 0.24 as the total weighted score. Lastly,  the strength in production in the marketplace with 0.12 as its weight, 4 as its rating, and 0.48 as its totality. On the other hand, the weaknesses of McDonald’s Corporation’s rating are: the undesirable images of foods with 0.08 weight, 1 rating, and weighted score of 0.08; the disregarding breakfast with weight of 0.06, 1 rating, and 0.06 total weighted score; the weak in examining the needs of their customers with 0.04 weight, 2 rating, and 0.08 weighted score; the customer service with the weight of 0.04, 1 as rating, and 0.04 as the total weighted score; the product innovation with 0.04 weight, 1 rating and  weighted score of 0.04; lastly, the labor turnover with 0.04 weight, 2 rating, and 0.08 weighted score. 

The overall weighted score of the McDonald’s Corporation’s key internal factor resulted in a 3.2, which indicates that the company has a strong position in addressing their internal factors that largely influence the current status of the business. Thus,  the company has nothing to worry about but still can further develop what needs more improvement.

III. External Assesment 

The figure  portrays the five forces analysis of McDonald’s Corporation that assesses its external factors and its effects in order to determine a corporate strategy. Upon evaluating its competitive condition, the intensities established for McDonald’s Corporation’s analysis are the following: 

Strong Force for Competitive Rivalry 

Weak Force for Bargaining Power of Suppliers 

Strong Force for Bargaining Power of Consumers

 Strong Force for Threat of Substitution

 Moderate Force for Threat of Entrants

Competitive Rivalry (Strong Force)

As several multinational and local food establishments offer almost similar variety of menus, the market situation leads to a more intensive rivalry. Due to this, a level of saturation has been developed and created a tougher competition within the market. Fast-food restaurants such as Jollibee, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s and the other local restaurants in different countries are some of the competitors of McDonald’s and these firms placed a great emphasis on efficient advertisements, introducing of new deals, and widening of access for potential consumers through providing extensive franchises globally. The increasing number of competitors as well as its aggressiveness caused a strong consideration in the strategy of McDonald’s Corporation. 

Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Weak Force)

The raw materials used by McDonald’s Corporation such as chicken meats, potatoes, and any other kitchen essentials are available in a relatively large scale of suppliers. Additionally, as the firm purchases a massive order on a regular basis, several suppliers would be much willing to coordinate with them. Negotiation of terms by suppliers is not applicable in McDonald’s strategic management as they can shift in ease with only minimal switching cost. Thus, there is a weak force in relation to bargaining power of suppliers for the corporation.

Bargaining Power of Consumers (Strong Force)

The consumers of the McDonald’s have several restaurant alternatives to choose over from the market. If the products or services offered by the corporation failed to meet the expectations of its consumers, no matter if they are loyal, new, or potential buyers, they can divert from any of the competitors with ease and largely affect their operations. As consumers may object to any price-related concerns such as price increase and shift from one restaurant to another, the customer loyalty of McDonald’s has a possibility to decrease. Therefore, developing strategies to retain consumers is crucial for the corporation that makes the bargaining power of the consumers strong. 

Threat of Substitution (Strong Force)

Different varieties of products and services are readily available in the market and can affect the strategies of McDonald’s Corporation. Foods such as traditional or local, home-cooked meals, foods offered by other fast-food restaurants that are out of ordinaries, and even bakeries can be a potential alternative for what the firm has to provide to its consumers. With regards to quality and customer satisfaction, these substitutes equip competitiveness and focused emphasis that leads into a more intense rivalry and switching from alternatives does not require any cost to consumers. In addition, health concerns regarding the McDonald’s menu have been brought up as it was considered as “unhealthy meals” and later on cause health-related problems which was a factor consumers can consider to divert to the competitors. This external factor revealed that a strong force is evident in the threat of substitution. 

Threat of Entrants (Moderate Force)

New competitors in the market have several barriers to break in order to threaten McDonald’s competitive advantages. As the corporation has already successfully built their brand name internationally, the entrants have a long journey to undergo to be on par with McDonald’s. These include investment in capital and in time, profitable economic scale establishment, developing an efficient supply chain, and a large-scale marketing approach in order to gain recognition from a wider range of potential consumers that plays an essential role in a firm’s success. The conditions in the market are one of the most challenging for newly established businesses as they have to excel and have an outstanding performance. Thus, it depicts that there is only a moderate force in the threat of entrants in McDonald’s strategic management.

B. External Factor Evaluation Matrix

EFE Analysis

Using the EFE matrix, we identify the main external opportunities and threats or potentially affecting an organization. For External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix. The key External Factors for Weight, Rating and Weighted Score for - Opportunities: Operates in a fast growing industry for weight of 0.10, rating of 4 and weighted score of 0.4. Capture market share globally for weight of 0.06, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.18. It can adapt to the needs of the societies and undergo an innovative product line for weight of 0.08, rating of 1 and weighted score of 0.08. Economies and competitors inspire brand loyalty and return customers for weight of 0.05, rating of 2 and weighted score 0.1. People’s attraction towards promotional offers for weight of 0.09, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.27. Demand for free-wifi versus competitive charges for weight 0.09, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.27. Introducing the new flavors and taste for health conscious people for weight of 0.11, rating of 4 and weighted score of 0.44. More US and Global Markets welcome McDonald’s for weight of 0.09, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.27. And for the key External Factors Weight, Rating and Weighted Score for - Threats: Price wars for weight of 0.03, rating of 2 and weighted score of 0.06. Health professionals and consumer activists accuse McDonald’s of contributing to the country’s health issue of high cholesterol , heart attacks, diabetes, and obesity for weight of 0.10, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.30.  Healthy eating demands eroding sales for weight of 0.02, rating of 3 and weighted score of 0.06. Steady U.S. Unemployment for weight of 0.03, rating of 2 and weighted score of 0.06. Rising costs for weight of 0.06, rating of 2 and weighted score of 0.12. Lastly, Calorie counts and nutritional value posted for weight of 0.09, rating of 2 and weighted score of 0.18. For the total weighted score of 2.79. has shown that McDonald's is responding above average to its external factor. They are attempting to seize as many opportunities as possible while avoiding threats to their best.

Overall, the total weighted score of the EFE Matrix resulted in 2.79, which indicates that McDonald’s Corporation is responding to the external factors - opportunities and threats - above the average way to address these components outside the control of the company. This means that the current strategies used are enough to eliminate the potential threats that might influence every aspect of McDonald’s, also by taking the given opportunities as their advantage. 

C.  Competitive Profile Matrix

Competitive Profile Analysis

The overall competitiveness of a firm can be evaluated on the basis of its overall strength rating. Competitive profile matrix shows that the total weighted score of McDonald’s is higher than Jollibee, KFC and Mang-Inasal which means that McDonald’s enjoys the strongest competitive position. On the other hand, Jollibee has a net competitive disadvantage because of its lower total weighted score than McDonald’s and KFC.

D.  Key External Factors

External factors are things that happen outside of a company that affect its performance. They can have a positive or negative effect. External influences are beyond the control of a company. It can only respond to them and make decisions to ensure its continued progress.

Opportunities

Operates in fast growing Industry

Capture market share globally

It can adapt to the needs of the societies and undergo an innovative product line

Economies and competitors inspire brand loyalty and return customers People’s attraction towards promotional offers

Demand For free-wifi versus competitive charges

Introducing the new flavors and taste for health conscious people

More US and Global Markets welcome McDonald’s

Threats

Price wars Health professionals and consumer activists accuse McDonald’s of contributing to the country’s health issue of high cholesterol, heart attacks, diabetes,and obesity

Healthy eating demands eroding sales

Steady U.S. Unemployment

Rising costs

Calorie counts and nutritional value posted

IV.  Strategy Formulation

A. Boston Consulting Group Matrix

BCG Matrix Analysis

The need for strategy, in order to expand its existing product in a very promising market for McDonalds is very essential. McDonalds and other major fast food chains have dominated the American continent as well as elsewhere. Since 1940, McDonalds has been a largest fast food chain restaurant serving nearly 47 million customers daily and more than 31,000 customers in 199 countries worldwide. They sell various fast food items and soft drinks including burgers, chicken, salads, fries and ice creams. Especially in countries with large populations and high development rates, McDonalds uses BCG Matrix to analyze what is the current position of the company and identify that the company has the potential to grow in the fast food market.

Star

In the BCG Matrix of McDonalds, as we can see above the figure that according to the research, we came to know that McDonalds McFlurry is the star product of the company because of its high market share with the maximum market growth. The company makes money in that particular product with high investment in marketing, promotion and advertisement of the product. The company should invest more money in that product so that they can convert it into a cash cow product.

Cash Cow

In this quadrant, we can analyze that McDonalds McChicken, Fish-o-Fillet, Burgers, Sundae and Fries are the cash cows of the company because the company makes maximum profit in those products but with less cash consuming on its marketing and other departments. This product has already established its market growth, so that the company does not need to invest that much money but the company has to be alert if the cash cow products lose its appeal then it goes to the decline and might be wiped out from the market.

Dog

In this quadrant, we can observe that McDonald's Coffee is the dog product of the company with the less relieved market share and less market growth rate. Basically, this product is the charm product of the company because the company is not investing that much money to bring it into the market to increase their market share. The company is sustaining this product only on this hope that they can make it star otherwise if they are unable to do so they have to off shelf this product from the product life cycle and liquidate in the market.

Question Mark

In this phase of the BCG Matrix of McDonalds, there is a product which is named as McDonalds Chocodip Sundae is the breakeven product of the company because that product has minimum market share with the high market growth rate. Understanding that statement we can assume that this product has good market value but not generating that much revenue but if the company starts investing more and more money in that specific product, we can convert it into our star product and if the company does not do that then this product must also liquidate into the market and wipe out from the product life cycle.

Conclusion - BCG Matrix Analysis

The analysis of the BCG Matrix above depicts that newly launched McChocoDip is in the question mark quadrant because of its high growth but low market share. McDonald’s McFlurry will appear as a star due to their high market share and sales growth. Ice cream, fries and different deals are cash cows products due to their high market shares but low on sales growth. Tea, coffee and apple pie become dog due to its low market share and sales growth.

B. Strategic Position and Action Evaluation Matrix (SPACE Matrix)

SPACE Matrix Analysis

Aggressive, Conservation, Defensive, Competitive are the four strategies belonging to the four quadrants of the Strategic Position and Action Evaluation Matrix.

The SPACE Matrix analysis functions upon two internal and two external strategic dimensions in order to determine the organization’s strategic posture in the industry. The SPACE Matrix is based on four areas of analysis.

Internal strategic dimensions:

Financial Strength (FS)

Competitive Advantage (CA)

External strategic dimensions

Environmental Stability (ES)

Industry Strength (IS)

Every business is also affected by the environment in which it operates. SPACE Matrix factors related to business external strategic dimensions are for example overall economic condition, GDP growth, inflation, price elasticity, technology, barriers to entry, competitive pressures, industry growth potential and others.

McDonald’s focuses on the change of cash flow and income so that both of them will get the highest ranking in financial strength (FP). On the other hand, there were some troubles about the inflation rate in a few countries (SP). However, its strength in industry (IP) is very good at profit potential and growth potential because fast food became a trend in the modern world. It has to consider market share (CP).

McDonald’s should have aggressive strategy for its business:

Forward Integration

Product Development (set up more healthier food

C.     Grand Strategy Matrix

Grand Strategy Matrix Analysis

McDonalds has a strong competitive position against their competitors but their market growth is slow so it is placed at Quadrant III in the Grand Strategy Matrix, it is suggested that McDonalds should have diversification strategies, unrelated diversification and joint ventures.

D. Internal - External Matrix

Internal-External Matrix Analysis

The Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Matrix has a total weighted score of 2.8 and the External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix has a total weighted score of 2.79. The outcome of the IFE and EFE total weighted scores shows that it falls on the Hold and Maintain and the company’s strategies are to be focused on market development and product development but other strategies should also be considered. 

E.     Strength - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats Analysis

F. Quantitative Strategies Planning Matrix

McDonalds' market share is slowly decreasing, and their production process is in reduction as a result of the fast food industry's many rivals. They can't obtain any more market share, so they'll have to develop a new plan for the market. To define key strategic considerations for the QSPM matrix, we use the EFE and IFE matrix.

(Attractiveness Score: 1 = not acceptable; 2 = possibly acceptable; 3 = probably acceptable; 4 = most acceptable; 0 = not relevant)

We point to a 5.75 score for a strong brand name, image, reputation, introduction of a new product, attracting customers, place, promotion and strength to the global presence because these factors will absolutely be related to successful expansion of the company. Moreover, expanding in new markets will be deeply relevant to the introduction of new flavors and tastes for health-conscious people and the price of its products. Demand for free-wifi will attract more customers so that support for the feasibility of the strategy.

V. Strategy Recommendation and Action Plan

Strategy & Financial Objects

       Mcdonald's is one of the most prominent fast-food restaurants globally. It keeps up its commitment to giving reasonable food products, convenience, fast service, and satisfying the customers. Therefore, Mcdonald's came up with the strategy of expanding the cashless or paperless payment to all its consumers; the vibe ought to rouse a pleasant and inviting environment for consumers. It should develop a strategy of proceeding with its worldwide extension into two modern markets. These present new products will adjust the culture and conventions of the existing new markets and have better relations between the employees and consumers.

Strategic Objectives

Time Management

       It is essential to manage time powerfully to guarantee that Mcdonald's runs smoothly and give the consumer a fast and better service; to prevent many consumers from waiting, each employee should have a specific job or work in the restaurant and should never mix up with other tasks and will have a lot of workload around the restaurant. Time management framework should be utilized in all exercises to supply our consumers' most excellent efficiency and viability; it not only achieves a goal but can make a consumer satisfied. 

Maintain High-Quality Products

Mcdonald's should constantly have fresh, excellent, and high-quality products to give to its consumers. Furthermore, it should also have all products meet the standard of brilliance guidelines; it increases the restaurant's growth and lessens consumers to find new convenient food restaurants. Thus, making sure employees sanitize their workplace and themselves before putting all the products to their destined places. Packaging and appearance should always look elegant and applicable to the consumer's eyes. 

Healthy and New Products

To increase the growth and profit of Mcdonald's, it should have not only non-healthy products or food but also healthy and beneficial to every consumer.  Some consumers prepare to buy a budget-friendly prize and healthy food to maintain their shapes and maintain their diet, giving consumers healthy products like vegan foods can increase consumers loyalty. Not only that but Mcdonald's should also consider advertisements or collabs products that are in demand at the present moment; it should not only for kids but also for adults because many consumers have habits of collecting many products like toys and stuff. 

Employees Growth

Engaging employees implies contributing within the most significant gaining potential accessible. Instruction and training are among the most grounded devices a proprietor can provide to staff individuals to assist them in succeeding and can be paired with the group gaining objectives to form a group culture inside the commerce. It could benefit not only the employees but also make the consumer have a satisfying service. These could help both Mcdonald's growth but also their employee's growth. 

Financial Objectives

When it comes to the money-related angle, Mcdonald's primary purpose is to extend its revenue and legitimate allocation of its budgetary assets, better taste of their food products, and prioritize purchasers' expectations.  Above all, one thing that ought to be acknowledged is the proper advancement of commerce when it comes to income. Appropriate promotion of the trade comes with enhancing deals since it'll pull in more customers, giving more advertisements and collaborations or eye-catching products to attract more customers. Whether a new product is introduced or old foods are recreated or reintroduced, the product must be one that consumers have been expecting and requiring. Thus, placing new products necessitates a suitable price, providing them high-quality products and a budget-friendly price.

Recommended Business Strategies

Mcdonald's has been quickly extending and growing for the last few years. During the pandemic, it must focus on the paperless payment method or strategy to ensure the quality of its service. Employees should also consider maintaining a positive atmosphere towards their customers; it will build up their characteristics and growth. They must recognize their shortcomings or the zones where they confront difficulties when working as a group—shifting their focus on making a new product and boosting advertisements that could catch the eye of its consumer. The business is also growing and benefits by having collaborations with other companies, and it could also help their revenue.

Since the beginning of 2020, McDonald's offers were up to about 4% in premarket exchange. The stock, which encompasses an advertising cap of about $167 billion, has risen about 10%. Still, Mcdonald's should also invest in their digital or modern way to serve customers, using mobile ordering and cashless payments to create more accessible, faster, and even better customer service. Moreover, they need to increase their advertising share by branching out to new undiscovered markets. 

Due to the pandemic, many restaurants have no choice but to shut their door for losing revenue and consumers.  However, Mcdonald's gains more opportunities with their interest; they could grab the chance to increase their sales by providing its consumers with the fastest and good service. They could also collaborate with celebrities to advertise their new or existing product; customers will be attracted to their products, affecting their income in a good way.

Mcdonald's growth and sales during 2020 up to this year are profoundly driven by the rise in value-conscious shoppers willing to use the fastest and easiest way to get food. Many customers don't have any time to cook or go outside because of loaded work, and they are working from their home cause of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, it does increase the sales and growth of Mcdonald's.

Recommended Organizational Strategies

Mcdonald's expands its market share and franchise and provides a better way to improve its service and employees. It should have the efficiency of commerce and quality of assistance offered. Develop group aptitudes and rates, give legitimate preparation to workers, and recognize their qualities and shortcomings. In this manner, identifying qualities and shortcomings seems to offer assistance to progress their abilities and move forward their character advancement; they may greatly benefit their customers. Also, they need to understand that there are different cultures where their franchise is located. To address this kind of matter, they can train their employees on cross-cultural management. They must consider employees to have good time management and give them their specific objectives without over-burdening work and varied tasks. 

Some customers are health-conscious, and they prefer the healthy and more effective way to maintain their diet.  Since Mcdonald's is a fast-food restaurant, they mainly serve unhealthy and health risk food. With Mcdonald's goal to improve their customers' loyalty and to serve great moments that permit consumers to feel good and joyous, they could bring up new products such as vegan foods and diet foods that the customers prefer. Food delivery and drive-thru, especially during this pandemic, surprisingly increase because customers must stay at home. Therefore, improving their delivery and drive-thru using modern ways like cashless payment could make it easier and faster for their customers.

VI. Conclusion

This research paper identifies the story behind the success of McDonald’s and how its strategic management was built to contribute towards the uncountable achievements of McDonald’s.

McDonald’s success is achieved through its detailed strategic management. Although its market share currently decreases because of the pandemic and arising rivalries, it can still be dragged up by improvements considering the results of matrix and SWOT analysis. Developments shall be based on surveys and researches results to successfully point out details to be improved for the further achievements of McDonald’s.

This research paper shows how McDonald’s restaurant started from the bottom and reached the top through determination and continuous implementation of strategies built to make McDonald’s rage towards success. This also shows how every part of a strategy is crucial in developing a decision that will affect the state of the company and how its going to operate for the consumers and employees in a way that positively benefits the company and its stakeholders. 

VII. Financial Projection

Over the years, the company of McDonald’s has been progressing to a full growth, their plan to get more customers to buy at Mcdonalds and back to the restaurant has been very successful and improving the customer's full and complete experiences when dining in and out. McDonalds is a great company to invest in stock markets, but it would not be considered a great investment for a short term. Mcdonalds has been improving these past few years with their different strategies for every branch, until Mcdonalds has a plan to change the experience of the consumer it's net sales have gone down. 

In the table shown above is the McDonald’s Financial Projection, their Total Revenue in September 2020 was 5418.1% and decreased in December 2020 with 5313.8%. 

Their Gross Profit  in September 2020 was 2904.7% and in December 2020 was 2780.2%.

Their Total Operating Expenses in September 2020 was 2891.7% and increased in December 2020 with 3170.9%.

Their Total Income in September 2020 was 2142.9%   and in December 2020 was 2526.4%.

Their Net Income in September 2020 1762.6% and in December 2020 was 1377.2%.

References

David, F. R. & David, F. R. (2017). Strategic Management: A Competitive Advantage Approach, Concepts and Cases. (16th ed.). Harlow, England. Pearson. 

Gregory, L. (2018). McDonald’s Five Forces of Analysis (Porter’s Model) & Recommendations. Retrieved April 20, 2021 from http://panmore.com/mcdonalds-five-forces-analysis-porters-model. 

MBA Skool Team. (2021). McDonald’s SWOT Analysis, Competitors, STP & USP. Retrieved April 15, 2021 from https://www.mbaskool.com/brandguide/food-and-beverages/584-mcdonalds.html

Mbalectures. (2010). Competitive Profile Matrix for Mcdonald’s. Retrieved April 16, 2021 from https://mba-lectures.com/management/strategic-management/974/competitive-profile-matrix-for-mcdonalds.html

Meyer, P. (2019). McDonald’s Mission Statement and Vision Statement (An Analysis). Retrieved April 14, 2021 from http://panmore.com/mcdonalds-vision-statement-mission-statement-analysis. 

Nair, Smita. (2013, December 28). McDonald’s product mix: Introducing healthy items or still a death trap for consumers?. Retrieved April 14, 2021 from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mcdonald-product-mix-introducing-healthy-170007512.html#:~:text=McDonald's%20menu%20includes%20hamburgers%20and,coffee%2C%20McCaf%C3%A9%20beverages%2C%20and%20other

Our Leadership, corporate mcdonalds. Retrieved April 18, 2021 from https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-company/who-we-are/our-leadership.html#top

Our Mission and Vision. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-company/who-we-are/our-values.html

Reed, E. (2020). History of McDonald’s: Timeline and Facts. Retrieved April 18, 2021 from https://www.thestreet.com/markets/history-of-mcdonalds-15128096s

Singh, K. (2019). SWOT Analysis of McDonald’s. Retrieved April 20, 2021 from https://www.marketingark.com/mcdonalds-swot-analysis.html

[tkmedia]

Gatland makes 6 changes to his Lions XV for the third Test finale

7:06am, 03 August 2021 Warren Gatland has made six changes to his starting team as the Lions look to clinch their Test series versus the Springboks in next Saturday’s deciding third Test in Cape Town. The Kiwi’s charges came unstuck in last weekend’s second Test, surrendering a 9-6 interval lead to lose 9-27 after they were held scoreless in the second half. ADVERTISEMENTThis has now resulted in Gatland taking remedial action similar to what happened in 2013 when he made six changes to his starting Lions team to face the Wallabies in that series decider after the opportunity to clinch the series with a game to spare wasn’t taken in Melbourne. Half the starting pack was changed for that decider eight years ago, along with the infamous decision to axe veteran Lions midfielder Brian O’Driscoll and also make a change at scrum-half. This time around, though, Gatland has made four changes to his backline, with just two alterations in his pack. 

Graham Henry on how the Lions must play to win their series versus the Springboks Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Bundee Aki and Ali Price are all included at the expense of Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson, Chris Harris and Conor Murray, with Robbie Henshaw repositioned to No13 from inside centre, while in the pack Wyn Jones and Ken Owens take over from Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie. It means that Wales, the 2021 Guinness Six Nations champions, now provide the biggest Test team representation with six players compared to Ireland’s four, England’s three and Scotland’s two. The contrasting second Test breakdown was England six, Ireland four, Scotland three and Wales two.     Big selection calls this week – does Warren gamble from the start or bring on the game changers? @RugbyPass https://t.co/T7UX7t0wQX— Ben Kay (@BenKay5) August 3, 2021On the bench, Adam Beard, Finn Russell and Sam Simmonds feature for the first time in the Test series and will all win their first Lions cap should they take the field. Kyle Sinckler is also included subject to the outcome of a disciplinary hearing. Rory Sutherland, Tadgh Beirne, Taulupe Faletau and Owen Farrell, used as replacements in last Saturday’s defeat, drop out of the matchday 23.   ADVERTISEMENT“The matchday 23 have an incredibly special opportunity in front of them, to seal a Lions series victory in South Africa,” said Gatland. “It doesn’t get much bigger than this and we are excited by the challenge that faces us on Saturday. We have no excuses from last week, the Springboks put us under pressure in the second half and deserved the win. We have to be much better than that second-half performance and I believe we will be.”LIONS (vs South Africa, third Test, Saturday) 15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833 14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836 13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821 9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843 1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842      2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829      3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818   4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825 5. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761 6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853 8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851 17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787 18. *Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814 – subject to the outcome of a disciplinary hearing 19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852 20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849 21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790 22. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835 23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822ICYMI – Interesting take on second test events from a 1997 series winning Lion…https://t.co/J4rNDal81p— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 3, 2021ADVERTISEMENT

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[nightmare-nymph]

LiveOnNY Hosts Post-Show Talk Backs Following I CARRY YOUR HEART At 59E59 Theaters

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to partner with LiveOnNY, one of the largest organ procurement ... from Google Alert - Neurologist https://ift.tt/2TCRGWJ

[scannain]

#FilmFleadh: Bingham Ray New Talent Award Nominees announced for 30th Galway Film Fleadh

#FilmFleadh: Bingham Ray New Talent Award Nominees announced for 30th Galway Film Fleadh: Aislinn Clarke, Martin Beirne, Brian J. Falconer, Jordanne Jones, and Viko Nikci

The Galway Film Fleadh has announced the five nominees for the 2018 Bingham Ray New Talent Award. The award is given to nominees shortlisted for their work in the fields of Directing, Acting and Producing.

Leading American independent film executive Bingham Ray was a regular at the Fleadh throughout his career at October films, United Artists and Sidney Kimmel. During his visits he gave much of…

[italianaradio]

PGA Awards 2020: ecco tutte le nominations

Nuovo post su italianaradio https://www.italianaradio.it/index.php/pga-awards-2020-ecco-tutte-le-nominations/

PGA Awards 2020: ecco tutte le nominations

PGA Awards 2020: ecco tutte le nominations

PGA Awards 2020: ecco tutte le nominations

La Producers Guild of America ha annunciato le nomination per i titoli che concorreranno al PGA Awards 2020, edizione numero 31.

I PGA, che contano 8,200 membri, hanno premiato quello che sarebbe poi diventato il vincitore dell’Oscar per ben 21 volte su 30, negli ultimi anni, inclusi Green Book e La forma dell’acqua negli ultimi due anni.

Ecco i nominati ai PGA Awards 2020

The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures

1917 Producers: Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne‐Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougall

Ford v Ferrari Producers: Peter Chernin & Jenno Topping, James Mangold

The Irishman Producers: Jane Rosenthal & Robert De Niro, Emma Tillinger Koskoff & Martin Scorsese

Jojo Rabbit Producers: Carthew Neal, Taika Waititi

Joker Producers: Todd Phillips & Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff

Knives Out Producers: Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman

Little Women Producer: Amy Pascal

Marriage Story Producers: Noah Baumbach, David Heyman

Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood Producers: David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino

Parasite Producers: Kwak Sin Ae, Bong Joon Ho

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures

Abominable Producer: Suzanne Buirgy

Frozen II Producer: Peter Del Vecho

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Producers: Bradford Lewis, Bonnie Arnold

Missing Link Producers: Arianne Sutner, Travis Knight

Toy Story 4 Producers: Mark Nielsen, Jonas Rivera

The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama

Big Little Lies (Season 2) Producers: David E. Kelley, Jean‐Marc Vallée, Andrea Arnold, Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Gregg Fienberg, Nathan Ross, David Auge, Lauren Neustadter, Liane Moriarty

The Crown (Season 3) Producers: Peter Morgan, Suzanne Mackie, Stephen Daldry, Andy Harries, Benjamin Caron, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert Fox, Michael Casey, Andy Stebbing, Martin Harrison, Oona O Beirn

Game of Thrones (Season 8) Producers: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Bernadette Caulfield, Frank Doelger, David Nutter, Miguel Sapochnik, Bryan Cogman, Chris Newman, Greg Spence, Lisa McAtackney, Duncan Muggoch

Succession (Season 2) Producers: Jesse Armstrong, Adam McKay, Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Mark Mylod, Jane Tranter, Tony Roche, Scott Ferguson, Jon Brown, Georgia Pritchett, Will Tracy, Jonathan Glatzer, Dara Schnapper, Gabrielle Mahon

Watchmen (Season 1) Producers: TBD

The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Comedy

Barry (Season 2) Producers: Alec Berg, Bill Hader, Aida Rodgers, Liz Sarnoff, Emily Heller, Julie Camino, Jason Kim

Fleabag (Season 2) Producers: Phoebe Waller‐Bridge, Harry Bradbeer, Lydia Hampson, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Joe Lewis, Sarah Hammond

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 3) Producers: Amy Sherman‐Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Dhana Gilbert, Daniel Goldfarb, Kate Fodor, Sono Patel, Matthew Shapiro

Schitt’s Creek (Season 5) Producers: Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Andrew Barnsley, Fred Levy, David West Read, Ben Feigin, Michael Short, Rupinder Gill, Colin Brunton

Veep (Season 7) Producers: David Mandel, Frank Rich, Julia Louis‐Dreyfus, Lew Morton, Morgan Sackett, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Jennifer Crittenden, Gabrielle Allan, Billy Kimball, Rachel Axler, Ted Cohen, Ian Maxtone‐Graham, Dan O’Keefe, Steve Hely, David Hyman, Georgia Pritchett, Erik Kenward, Dan Mintz, Doug Smith

The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Limited Series Television

Chernobyl Producers: Craig Mazin, Carolyn Strauss, Jane Featherstone, Johan Renck, Chris Fry, Sanne Wohlenberg

Fosse/Verdon Producers: Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Lin‐Manuel Miranda, Joel Fields, George Stelzner, Sam Rockwell, Michelle Williams, Tracey Scott Wilson, Charlotte Stoudt, Nicole Fosse, Erica Kay, Kate Sullivan, Brad Carpenter

True Detective Producers: TBD

Unbelievable Producers: TBD

When They See Us Producers: Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Berry Welsh, Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, Amy Kaufman, Robin Swicord

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures

American Son Producers: TBD

Apollo: Missions to the Moon Producers: TBD

Black Mirror: Striking Vipers Producers: TBD

Deadwood: The Movie Producers: David Milch, Carolyn Strauss, Gregg Fienberg, Scott Stephens, Daniel Minahan, Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Regina Corrado, Nichole Beattie, Mark Tobey

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Producers: TBD

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television

30 for 30 (Season 10) Producers: TBD

60 Minutes (Season 51, Season 52) Producers: TBD

Leaving Neverland Producers: TBD

Queer Eye (Season 3, Season 4) Producers: David Collins, Michael Williams, Rob Eric, Jennifer Lane, Jordana Hochman, Rachelle Mendez, Mark Bracero

Surviving R. Kelly (Season 1) Producers: TBD

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Season 25) Producers: TBD

Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones Producers: TBD

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Season 6) Producers: TBD

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Season 5) Producers: TBD

Saturday Night Live (Season 45) Producers: TBD

The Award for Outstanding Producer of Game & Competition Television

The Amazing Race (Season 31) Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman, Elise Doganieri, Mark Vertullo, Phil Keoghan

The Masked Singer (Season 1) Producers: TBD

RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 11) Producers: TBD

Top Chef (Season 16) Producers: Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines, Casey Kriley, Tara Siener, Justin Rae Barnes, Blake Davis, Patrick Schmedeman, Wade Sheeler, Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, Elida Carbajal Araiza, Brian Fowler, Caitlin Rademaekers, Steve Lichtenstein, Emily Van Bergen

The Voice (Season 16, Season 17) Producers: John de Mol, Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson, Teddy Valenti, Kyley Tucker, Carson Daly

La cerimonia durante la quale verranno annunciati i vincitori si terrà il 18 gennaio al Hollywood Palladium.

La cerimonia prevederà anche una serie di riconoscimenti speciali, compresi: Ted Sarandos (Milestone Award); Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner e Jeremy Kleiner di Plan B (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures); Marta Kauffman (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television); Octavia Spencer (Visionary Award); e al film Bombshell della Lionsgate (The Stanley Kramer Award).

Cinefilos.it – Da chi il cinema lo ama.

PGA Awards 2020: ecco tutte le nominations

La Producers Guild of America ha annunciato le nomination per i titoli che concorreranno al PGA Awards 2020, edizione numero 31. I PGA, che contano 8,200 membri, hanno premiato quello che sarebbe poi diventato il vincitore dell’Oscar per ben 21 volte su 30, negli ultimi anni, inclusi Green Book e La forma dell’acqua negli ultimi […]

Cinefilos.it – Da chi il cinema lo ama.

Chiara Guida

[jessicakehoe]

From a Japanese Cult Headquarters to an ‘Egg Box’: The Most Unusual Cruise Fashion Show Locations Ever

One hundred years ago, cruise collections were made for the jet-setting wealthy woman to smoothly move between weather and outfits; from skiing in the Swiss Alps to basking in the Riviera Maya sun. Now they’re essentially a chance for brands to maintain consumer attention before boredom sets in between spring and fall collections; the fashion equivalent of a snack between meals.

Unlike the standard fashion weeks and runway shows in New York, Paris and cities in-between, cruise and resort shows tend to be held in out-of-the-ordinary destinations. Following last week’s announcement Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2020 show will be held at a John F. Kennedy Airport terminal, we reflected on past unusual cruise show locations.

2018: Louis Vuitton, Miho Museum, Japan

Photo by WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Nestled amidst the whimsical Shigaraki mountains in an ultra-modern building designed by architect I.M. Pei is the Miho Museum, where Louis Vuitton elected to hold their Cruise 2018 show. The Miho Museum also happens to be the headquarters of Shinjei Shumeika, a Japanese religious cult founded by Mihoko Koyama in 1970. Shumeika is banned in Europe and is known to punish members who do not make adequate financial contributions. The purpose of the Miho Museum is supposedly to help restore the Earth’s balance. Most of the antiquities displayed at the Miho Museum were acquired over a period of six years, and many do not have a certifiable provenance, which means the artefacts are potential stolen or fake. During the Louis Vuitton runway show, models walked out from inside the museum, which is partially carved out of the side of a mountain, to a cylindrical tunnel onto a suspended bridge.

2017: Louis Vuitton, Neiterói Contemporary Art Museum, Brazil

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD/REX/Shutterstock

Louis Vuitton’s 2017 cruise show at the Neiterói Contemporary Art Museum in Brazil was completely out-of-this-world. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, the UFO-shaped building played host to 514 international guests who gathered on the building’s patio. Models descended down a red carpet pedway and walked a twisty-turny path with an infinity-link view of the nearby ocean. The audience appeared to be seated on what looked like large concrete legos.

2017: Chanel, Havana, Cuba

View this post on Instagram

Closing Chanel Croisière 2017 @chanelofficial @karllagerfeld @aurelieduclos

A post shared by Mica Argañaraz (@micarganaraz) on May 4, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

Just as international relations between the US and Cuba were beginning to thaw, Chanel took advantage of lifted travel sanctions to host their 2017 cruise show in Cuba. Taking place at the historic open air, a fleet of vintage Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs shuttled guests to and from the show. This was the first fashion show to ever take place in Cuba, and though high fashion tends to highlight economic disparity between the attendees and the location, the ’50s-inspired collection was a welcome homage. Showgoers were welcomed by Havana residents with open arms. As Vogue‘s Sarah Mower reported, “People came out to line the streets, crowd dilapidated balconies and rooftops, wave and laugh.”

2016: Louis Vuitton, Bob Hope Palm Springs House, Palm Springs, California

Photo by Brian Thomas Jones, courtesy Patrick Stewart Properties

Bob Hope was one of the most memorable entertainers of the 20th century and his Palm Springs home designed by architect John Lautner and built in 1979, is just as unforgettable. The mushroom-shaped home is nestled nearby the Coachella Valley and is considered a piece of architectural history. According to Vogue Runway, Vuitton’s designer Nicolas Ghesquière first laid eyes on the Bob Hope house 15 years prior to the show and was galvanized by the building’s unique spirit. “The paradox of the brutalism of the architecture and the refinement of the interior was quite inspiring to me. I love the idea of sweet and hard at the same time,” he told reporter Nicole Phelps.

 Playful, fun and otherworldly doesn’t begin to describe Pierre Cardin’s bubble house, located in the South of France. The 9-bedroom seaside sanctuary was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, who wanted to create a building based on prehistoric cave dwellings. The house took over one decade to build, beginning in 1975, and boast three swimming pools, a number of gardens, and a 500-seat amphitheater. From an aerial view, the tumescent building resembles a cluster of fish eggs or perhaps, a tryphophobic’s worst nightmare.

2016: Dior, Le Palais Bulles, France

Photo by Brendan Beirne/REX/Shutterstock

2015: Chanel, “Egg Box” in Dubai 

View this post on Instagram

A caracterização do local com o logo da Chanel só ficará por 24h! Simplesmente incrível a local e a recepção dos convidados! #chanelcruise2015

A post shared by @ estilosensato on May 13, 2014 at 8:31am PDT

In what was described as an “orgy of excess” by fashion journalist Alexander Fury, Chanel spent £1.4 million on their Druise 2015 show which was held as a specially built “egg box” on an island in Dubai. The surface of the giant dome was dimpled with 300 Chanel logos to represent every Chanel store in the world. After the show, “the entire edifice was torn down, the sand raked, and no trace of Chanel remained.”

  The post From a Japanese Cult Headquarters to an ‘Egg Box’: The Most Unusual Cruise Fashion Show Locations Ever appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

From a Japanese Cult Headquarters to an ‘Egg Box’: The Most Unusual Cruise Fashion Show Locations Ever published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[torentialtribute]

Wales stars salute the genius of coach Warren Gatland

When Warren Gatland answered his first question after Wales had won their Grand Slam against Ireland, he insisted: & it's not about me, it's is about those players

The question was about making history – the first coach to complete three series – and what that meant.

Immediately I bowed the praise. It was the only thing that Gatland was wrong all day.

[Wales] When it comes to Wales and their rugby team, the victories that they have and the glory they have delivered in recent times, it's all about Gatland.

WALES V IRELAND MATCH FACTS AND REVIEWS

W ales: L Williams 8; North 5 (Biggar 9 min, 7), J Davies 7.5, Parkes 8 (Watkin 71), Adams 7; Anscombe 9, G Davies 6 (A Davies 57, 6); R Evans 7 (Smith 54.7), Owens 7.5 (Dee 61.7), Francis 7.5 (Lewis 54.6), Beard 8 (Ball 71), AW JONES 9, Navidi 7.5, Tipuric 7, Moriarty 8 (Wainwright 71 ), 6).

Ireland: Kearney 5 (Larmour 65.7), Earls 5, Ringrose 5, Aki 6, Stockdale 6, Sexton 3 (Carty 73), Murray 4 (Marmion 71 ); Healy 5 (Kilcoyne 59.6), Best 5 (Scannell 65, 6), Furlong 6 (Porter 65, 5), Beirne 7 (Roux 59, 5), Ryan 6, O & # 39; Mahony 6, O & # 39; Brien 4

The fact that Wales, now with four Grand Slams and another championship, has won since 2000, now it most successful team in this extensive tournament is almost entirely the task of the New Zealander.

Gatland the galvaniser

& # 39; He has been quite productive not only with Wales, but also with the. & # 39;

& # 39; I don't want to be too romantic about it & # 39 ;, said his captain Alun Wyn Jones.

& # 39; If you have someone who is so confident in the top of the tree, it filters and it is hard to ignore.

& # 39; We have performed well and have won our backs to the wall. & # 39; & # 39; It's easy to say,

& # 39; He has some left over to his contract so he can't get his foot off the gas, but his record speaks for itself. & # 39 ;

Of course I told everyone that this was going to happen.

& # 39; It's nice when my predictions come true! & # 39; he said afterwards. & # 39; He has faith in the boys, & # 39; said the flanker. Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Anscombe, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams.

Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Anscombe, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams – these aren't players who are likely to make the World XV of many people – but in that team, in that stadium, wearing that shirt they can't be stopped with that coach, unbeatable.

That is the Gatland effect. In the Grand Slam game, Beard – part of the Ospreys who lose more than winning – became Mr. Tickle, his arms extending through the mauls to steal vital balls, Moriarty – who with the Dragons hardly had any idea of ​​how to win feels – was the masher, Anscombe played as Dan Carter and Parkes as Brian O & # 39; Driscoll.

The latter two combined a few seconds to the second minute for the first attempt.

It is Shaun Edwards who sets the emotional tone, performs the wall-like defense and is the best assistant.

In red the Gatland boys become super people. coach in rugby union

But it is Gatland who is the lightning rod for the whole thing.

& # 39; He is the leader, he is the one you are looking at, he is the one who steps & # 39; up week in, week out. Every competition he places in a performance.

& # 39; He is also a very nice man, it must be said, a very modest man. But what a leader, what a captain. What a dude. "

Soon Wales will be deterred from their great twin talents. Wales should enjoy Gatland and Jones as long as they can.

What about the World Cup? & # 39; # 39 ;, Gatland said.

With him in charge, of course they will be.

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[everettwilkinson]

NBC/WSJ: Trump at 38 percent approval — POTUS to lunch with Sessions Monday — SPOTTED at Hillary Clinton’s 70th birthday party — JOE LOCKHART and JUSTIN MUZINICH profiles — WEEKEND READS — BDAY: Tony Sayegh

BULLETIN — “NBC NEWS /WSJ POLL: TRUMP’S JOB APPROVAL RATING NOW AT 38 PERCENT, LOWEST OF HIS PRESIDENCY”. http://nbcnews.to/2yUQMyM

— STATE OF PLAY: The stock market is through the roof. Jobless numbers are low. And the president still has a 38-percent approval rating. A charge in the Mueller investigation is likely coming tomorrow. Control of the House is up for grabs. … ANOTHER DATA POINT FROM THE POLL: “48 percent of registered voters in the poll say they prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, while 41 percent want a Republican-controlled Congress.”

Story Continued Below

WHAT’S ON THE PRESIDENT’S MIND — @realDonaldTrump at 9:12 a.m.: “As usual, the ObamaCare premiums will be up (the Dems own it), but we will Repeal & Replace and have great Healthcare soon after Tax Cuts!” … at 9:53 a.m.: “Never seen such Republican ANGER & UNITY as I have concerning the lack of investigation on Clinton made Fake Dossier (now $12,000,000?),….” at 10:02 a.m.: “…the Uranium to Russia deal, the 33,000 plus deleted Emails, the Comey fix and so much more. Instead they look at phony Trump/Russia,….”

… at 10:09 a.m.: “.’collusion,’ which doesn’t exist. The Dems are using this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics, but the R’s…” at 10:17 a.m.: “…are now fighting back like never before. There is so much GUILT by Democrats/Clinton, and now the facts are pouring out. DO SOMETHING!” at 10:48 a.m.: “All of this “Russia” talk right when the Republicans are making their big push for historic Tax Cuts & Reform. Is this coincidental? NOT!”

— TRUMP’S WEEK: MONDAY: TRUMP is meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, lunching with VP Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, then meeting with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. WEDNESDAY: Trump has another cabinet meeting, and lunch with Pence, Tillerson and Mattis.

**SUBSCRIBE to Playbook: http://politi.co/2lQswbh

BUZZFEED: “FBI Probe Of Paul Manafort Focuses On 13 ‘Suspicious’ Wire Transfers,” by Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier: “The FBI’s investigation of Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, includes a keen focus on a series of suspicious wire transfers in which offshore companies linked to Manafort moved more than $3 million all over the globe between 2012 and 2013. Much of the money came into the United States.

“These transactions — which have not been previously reported — drew the attention of federal law enforcement officials as far back as 2012, when they began to examine wire transfers to determine if Manafort hid money from tax authorities or helped the Ukrainian regime close to Russian President Vladimir Putin launder some of the millions it plundered through corrupt dealings.” http://bzfd.it/2xw8X9O

Happy Sunday. SPOTTED at HILLARY CLINTON’S SURPRISE 70TH BIRTHDAY PARTY yesterday afternoon at Elizabeth Frawley Bagley’s house in D.C. (Hillary was indeed surprised, and champagne, finger food and chocolate cake were served): Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Madeleine Albright, who spoke to the crowd, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), former Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Tom Nides, Ron Klain, Dennis Cheng, Mike Taylor, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Philippe Reines, Brian Fallon and Katie Beirne Fallon …

… Kiki McLean, Adrienne Elrod, Karen Finney, Bob Barnett and Rita Braver, Capricia Marshall, Lona Valmoro, Tony Podesta, John Podesta, Maya Harris and Tony West, Heather Samuelson, David Kendall, David Brock, Sidney Blumenthal, Huma Abedin, Maria Cardona, Guy Cecil, Lauren Peterson, Neera Tanden, Karen Dunn, Judy Lichtman and Allida Black.

NEW – AP at 11:02 a.m.: “SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – Puerto Rico governor demands cancellation of $300M Whitefish contract amid scrutiny of Montana company after hurricane.”

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG DAY — “Trump team’s response to Russia news: Focus on Clinton, leaks or anything else: Caught off guard by reports of criminal charges in the Russia probe, Trump advisers sought to keep up their political attacks and divert attention from allegations of Russian collusion,” by Annie Karni: “Two of Trump’s top lawyers were traveling out of town when the first report broke Friday night that a federal grand jury had approved the first indictment in the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. One of Trump’s personal attorneys, Ty Cobb, was relaxing on his deck in South Carolina, while the entire team was still working to confirm the veracity of the CNN report over the weekend. The lack of information, on a case that could have major ramifications for the president, left many current and former Trump advisers livid, focusing their rage on how the information leaked and on a forever target: Hillary Clinton.” http://politi.co/2zWCFXc

— “Trump lawyers scramble to prepare for new stage of Russia probe,” by Darren Samuelsohn: “Several attorneys who said they were in touch with the Manafort and Flynn lawyers said they had not been notified of any matter related to an indictment — which is customary in a white-collar criminal investigation — leading them to believe it wasn’t either of those two former high-ranking Trump aides. … The attorneys close to the case also said they wouldn’t be surprised if the charges were targeting Flynn or Manafort family members, or a longtime accountant or lawyer.” http://politi.co/2gUGN5x

— “Gowdy hits grand jury leaks in Russia probe,” by Victoria Guida: “House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy said on Sunday Special Counsel Robert Mueller should crack down on leaks, pointing to reports over the weekend about grand jury charges having been filed in Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election. ‘It is kind of ironic that the people in charge of investigating the law and executing the law would violate the law,’ Gowdy told host Chris Wallace on ‘Fox News Sunday.’ ‘Make no mistake, disclosing grand jury material is a violation of the law. So, as a former prosecutor, I’m disappointed that you and I are having the conversation because somebody violated their oath of secrecy.” http://politi.co/2icJEDj

ON TAX REFORM …

— “House GOP tosses conservative playbook in bid for tax reform,” by Brian Faler: “House Republicans are so desperate for a win on taxes that they’re agreeing to proposals that would have caused internal party warfare just a year or two ago. They’re considering forgoing a big cut in the top income tax rate on the rich, offering moderate-income Americans so many tax breaks that many would be excused from paying taxes entirely and passing a potentially 1,000-page tax bill few have seen within a matter of weeks.” http://politi.co/2zgBXH1

— THIS IS BIG: “House Tax Writer Gives Ground on a State and Local Tax Break,” by Bloomberg’s Ben Brody: “Bowing to concerns from Republican House members in high-tax states, the chamber’s chief tax writer said he’ll preserve a federal income-tax break for property taxes. ‘At the urging of lawmakers, we are restoring an itemized property tax deduction to help taxpayers with local tax burdens,’ House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady said in a statement Saturday afternoon. …

“But in a sign of the complex balancing act that Brady must perform to produce a tax-overhaul bill this week, the property-tax announcement came on the same day that the National Association of Home Builders pulled its support for the legislation. The group’s chief cited concerns that the bill might undermine existing tax breaks that support the housing market. Likewise, a coalition that includes the National Association of Realtors said in an emailed statement that it ‘will vigorously oppose this plan.’” https://bloom.bg/2ybPkbI

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BIG — “Ryan loses key ally on tax reform after switch on breaks for homeowners,” by Lorraine Woellert: “The National Association of Home Builders on Saturday accused House Speaker Paul Ryan of abruptly reversing course on a mortgage tax credit proposal and announced it would oppose the tax-reform proposal that GOP lawmakers expect to unveil on Wednesday. The about-face by the housing-industry lobbying group strips Republicans of a powerful ally. … ‘All the resources we were going to put into supporting are now going to go into opposing the plan,’ NAHB Chief Executive Officer Jerry Howard told POLITICO.

“Home builders and other groups had been working with Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) on a plan to preserve tax breaks for homeowners. House Republicans have been planning to weaken the deduction that home mortgage borrowers currently get for the interest they pay on their mortgages by raising the standard deduction, leading much of the housing lobby to line up against the plan.” http://politi.co/2zg86P6

— WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN KEVIN BRADY: “At the urging of lawmakers, we are restoring an itemized property tax deduction to help taxpayers with local tax burdens. The homebuilders have been great partners in developing a new home credit that helps more Americans with both their mortgage and property taxes, by expanding this tax relief to homeowners who don’t itemize. I hope members of Congress will examine it closely to determine if they want it included before tax reform heads to the president’s desk.”

— THE HOMEBUILDERS and the REALTORS opposing House Republicans’ tax bill is a major blow. The groups will give cover to other industries to ratchet up pressure on individual lawmakers to vote against the bill. And unlike other industries — every lawmaker has homebuilders and realtors in their district.

YOU’RE INVITED — KEVIN BRADY, the chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, will sit down with Jake and Anna FRIDAY (Nov. 3) at noon to discuss the Republicans’ tax plan. The bill will be introduced this week, so we’ll have plenty to talk about. The event will be at THE NEWSEUM (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). RSVP http://bit.ly/politicobrady Outside cameras welcome!

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS — “Trump Unlikely to Name Top Two Fed Officials at Same Time, Mnuchin Says,” by NYT’s Alan Rappeport in Abu Dhabi: “‘I think for the moment we’re focused on the Fed chair decision. That’s really the focus at the moment,’ Mr. Mnuchin said. He added that market reaction to the pick was not a ‘primary consideration’ in whom Mr. Trump plans to choose to lead the Fed.” http://nyti.ms/2yUIIhu

THE LATEST ON OBAMACARE — “Confusion clouds open enrollment with Republicans still eager to dismantle Obamacare,” by Paul Demko, Rachana Pradhan, and Adam Cancryn: “Obamacare is about to have its worst open-enrollment season ever — and that’s no accident. President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress still aim to dismantle the 2010 law. Making it look bad helps their cause, even as they’ve failed repeatedly to repeal or replace Obamacare. The new theory for Republicans: If fewer people enroll in Obamacare, there will be less of a constituency to save it.” http://politi.co/2gLNnYl

TRUMP INC. – “Trumps set to launch two real estate projects in India, despite conflict-of-interest concerns,” by WaPo’s Annie Gowen in Kolkata, India: “President Trump’s eldest son, Donald Jr., is expected to launch two residential projects in India for the Trump Organization in the coming weeks, continuing the family’s promotion of the Trump empire despite concerns over the president’s potential conflicts of interest with foreign governments. The Trump Organization vowed early on there would be ‘no new foreign deals’ during Trump’s tenure as president; these two projects in India were inked before his election. But the high-profile launches demonstrate that the pledge comes with an asterisk — agreements made years ago can move forward or be revitalized, such as the Trumps’ 2007 deal to build a luxury beachfront resort in the Dominican Republic that may be revived.” http://wapo.st/2zgCAk2

BOSTON GLOBE’S ANNIE LINSKEY: “The Mercers bring their politics, and millions, to Massachusetts”: “The radio attack spots, played during Red Sox games, attempt to sow some doubt. Does Senator Elizabeth Warren discriminate against women? Does Warren really care about student debt and bankruptcy?

“They attempt to paint Massachusetts’ populist senator as phony and an elitist, a go-to playbook for her political opponents. But this time the attacks are coming from someone new: Robert Mercer, a New York billionaire who is trying to remake American politics and who bankrolled former Trump chief strategist Stephen Bannon’s Republican revolution.” http://bit.ly/2zYbJ9y

FOR YOUR RADAR – REUTERS: “White nationalists stage anti-refugee protests in Tennessee,” by Bryan Woolston in Shelbyville, Tennessee: “About 300 white nationalists and neo-Nazis held back-to-back rallies in two small Tennessee cities on Saturday to protest refugee resettlement in the state, which sued the federal government over the issue earlier this year. The ‘White Lives Matter’ rallies in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, organized by some of the same groups involved in a Virginia march that turned violent in August, drew an equal number of counter-demonstrators and a heavy police presence. The protesters started in Shelbyville, then traveled about 35 miles north to Murfreesboro for a second rally. Both towns are near Nashville, center of a metropolitan area has become home to refugees from Somalia, Iraq and elsewhere.” http://reut.rs/2z2DwYx

BIG JOE LOCKHART PROFILE — NYT — KEN BELSON: “In interviews with about a dozen league and team executives — all of whom refused to speak on the record — several owners seemed pleased with his approach to addressing the anthem controversy, which was to strive for a way for the N.F.L. to appear patriotic while respectful of its players who were kneeling to raise awareness of racism and police brutality toward African-Americans.

“But there has been friction. Some owners were upset with a comment by Lockhart a few days after President Trump criticized the league and its players for kneeling during the anthem. Lockhart told reporters that players talking about police brutality is ‘what real locker room talk is.’ The statement was viewed as a flagrant jab at the president, who had dismissed as ‘locker room banter’ comments he made about forcing himself on women, heard in a video leaked during the campaign. In a meeting at N.F.L. headquarters the next day, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder confronted Lockhart to tell him his remarks would inflame an already fiery issue.” http://nyti.ms/2iH2ypI

SUNDAY BEST — GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS interviews REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CALIF.) on ABC’S “THIS WEEK”: STEPHANOPOULOS: “I want to begin with this question that Governor Christie raised here, the idea that the president is not under investigation. Is that your conclusion?” SCHIFF: “I can’t comment on that, George, I can’t answer that one way or the other. STEPHANOPOULOS: “One way — you wouldn’t know whether Robert Mueller is investigating the president?” SCHIFF: “I can’t comment on that at all.” …

STEPHANOPOULOS: “How about this question of the president’s pardon power and whether or not it would be appropriate for him to issue preemptive pardons before a trial?” SCHIFF: “Now, I don’t think the president’s power is all that absolute, as people have been suggesting. The president cannot pardon people if it’s an effort to obstruct justice, if it’s an effort to prevent Bob Mueller and others from learning about the president’s own conduct. So, there are limitations. If it were truly unlimited, it would have the effect of nullifying vast portions of the constitution. The president could tell Justice Department officials and other law enforcement to violate the law and that if they did, and it was ever brought up, they were brought up on charges, he would pardon them.”

JAKE TAPPER speaks to GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE on CNN’S “STATE OF THE UNION”: TAPPER: “Some of President Trump’s allies in the media and on Capitol Hill are calling on Bob Mueller to step down as special counsel. I’m not really sure where you stand on this issue. Have you seen any concrete evidence, or concrete reasons why Bob Mueller should step down?” CHRISTIE: “Well, listen, I think that he has to be very, very careful about making sure that the public believes that he has no conflicts and that his integrity is unquestioned. And I think that, you know, Director Mueller has to continue to review that with his own legal staff. And I have not yet seen anything that makes me think that he must step down as an absolutely indisputable conflict. But I think he’s got to be careful and be watching this all the time.”

— CHRIS WALLACE talks with OHIO GOV. JOHN KASICH on “FOX NEWS SUNDAY”: WALLACE: “I do want to pursue this question of the philosophy of the Republican Party because Steve Bannon and his supporters say, well, look, sure, Flake and Corker made tough speeches, but they basically — the bottom line is that they announced that they are quitting, and that there was silence for most other Republicans. So can’t one argue that what you call the inward-looking, the populist, nationalist wing of the Republican Party is taking over?”

KASICH: “No, I don’t think so. I think the bulk of the Republican Party, and I’ve been in the Republican Party since I was a college student, is one that believes in the fact that America has a place in the world. You know, Reagan talked about it, advances in humanity. I agree. I think the bulk of the Republican Party does believe that immigration provides energy to our country. I think that the bulk of the Republican Party believes that America is special and has a place in the world at which to advance freedom and free enterprise and all those things.

“I think that this move towards nationalism or looking inward, a lot of loud voices, but I don’t happen to think it’s — it’s the bulk. And we — we will have to see over time. But for those — that debate, that debate, to some degree, is going to be settled by the demographics in the near future. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, but soon it’s going to be decided by that new wave of new thinking by these young people who can bring a lot of energy to the Republican Party and the conservative movement.”

— CHUCK TODD spoke with SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO.) on NBC’S MEET THE PRESS”: CHUCK TODD: “You recently bragged about not supported Harry Reid when he was the Senate Democratic leader. And you did that in 2014 because you thought maybe there was a leadership problem in the Democratic Party. I’m curious, do you still think the Democratic Party has a leadership issue?” MCCASKILL: “Well, I think it’s hard when we are the minority party, that we have lots of folks that are leaders and want to be leaders. We have so many people that are trying to position themselves to run for president I think it’s hard to say who is the leader. And there’s a lot of angst about that. I, frankly, don’t worry about any of that.”

SPORTS BLINK — “Dodgers pull even in World Series by defeating Astros 6-2 in Game 4,” by L.A. Times’ Andy McCullough: http://lat.ms/2zgBB3s

PHOTO DU JOUR: The South Portico of the White House is covered in decorations for Halloween on Oct. 28. | Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images

WORTH THE CLICK – “Inside Pyongyang, the Loneliest City in the World” – Politico Magazine: “Eddo Hartmann spent four years photographing North Korea. Now, as tensions rise with the United States, he finds a city on edge.” 11 pix http://politi.co/2gLwtZM

THE BIG QUESTION FOR DEMOCRATS — “Nancy Pelosi isn’t going anywhere. Will it help or hurt Democrats in 2018?,” by WaPo’s Michael Scherer: “After three decades in Congress, Pelosi, 77, makes an unlikely general to lead the troops into another change election. Her party, deemed elite and out of touch in 2016, is struggling to win back Midwestern working-class voters, and anger at Washington’s entrenched leaders is pretty much the only thing that unites the country. But rather than shrink from the spotlight, Pelosi is once again in control — her party’s top fundraiser, senior midterm election strategist and top legislative negotiator, in partnership with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). …

“‘I am a master legislator. I just love it,’ she said of her inherited appetites. ‘I consider myself a weaver, like I have a loom. And I bring all these different threads together.’” http://wapo.st/2yZYVBw

TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION — “HUD Explores Temporarily Housing Puerto Ricans on U.S. Mainland,” by Bloomberg’s Joe Light: “The Trump administration is exploring ways to relocate tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. mainland for an extended period as parts of the territory remain devastated more than a month after Hurricane Maria. Officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development late last week started to develop a plan to provide housing to some of Puerto Rico’s displaced population … And given the shortage of available options on the island, the possibility of evacuating large numbers to the mainland has emerged as an option. … [U]sing large commercial cruise liners had been suggested to move residents en masse.” https://bloom.bg/2zOK75X

— “AP sources: DeVos may only partly forgive some student loans,” by Maria Danilova: “The Education Department is considering only partially forgiving federal loans for students defrauded by for-profit colleges, according to department officials, abandoning the Obama administration’s policy of erasing that debt. Under President Barack Obama, tens of thousands of students deceived by now-defunct for-profit schools had over $550 million in such loans canceled. But President Donald Trump’s education secretary, Betsy DeVos, is working on a plan that could grant such students just partial relief.” http://bit.ly/2lqR36Q

JUSTIN MUZINICH PROFILE — “The Little-Known Pragmatist Who Is Shaping the Trump Tax Cuts,” by NYT’s Alan Rappeport: “Justin Muzinich, a top aide to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, was deep into writing the administration’s tax plan this fall when he got an email from his high school math teacher imploring him to remember his old lessons and not deliver a giveaway for the rich. ‘He quickly wrote back and immediately said, ‘It’s great to hear from you,’’ recalled Hoyt Taylor, a retired teacher and squash coach at the elite Groton School in Massachusetts. ‘He didn’t respond on the taxes.’

“With President Trump’s revamping of the tax code taking center stage in Washington, key figures within the administration who for months have been toiling in obscurity are increasingly in the spotlight and under pressure. Scrambling to get a tax bill passed by the end of the year, they are juggling the competing forces of a fractious Congress, frenzied corporate lobbyists and even voices from the past.

“Mr. Muzinich, a 39-year-old newcomer to Washington, has emerged as a central player in the Trump administration’s tax overhaul effort. The former investment banker and hedge fund manager is the Treasury point man on taxes, accompanying Mr. Mnuchin into ‘Big Six’ meetings with top Republican lawmakers drafting the tax plan and laying out the administration’s positions on which taxes and deductions to cut or preserve. His task is about to get even tougher as the House, which plans to release its bill this coming week, and the Senate begin the difficult process of hashing out the details and negotiating with the administration over the final legislation.” http://nyti.ms/2iJJsQ1

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MORE HARASSMENT FALLOUT — “When men with power go too far: After years of whispers, women speak out about harassment in California’s Capitol,” by LA Times’ Chris Megerian, Melanie Mason and Jack Dolan: “It started with a dinner invitation from a former assemblyman more than twice her age. He had offered his services as a mentor, but his hand reaching for her knee under the table revealed other intentions. Then came the late-night phone calls and unexpected appearances at events she had to attend for her job in the Capitol. Fresh out of college, Amy Brown did what she thought women were supposed to do in these situations — she reported him.

“The former assemblyman accused her of slander, an experience that left her so humiliated that she left Sacramento for a new job in San Jose. … The stories are flooding into public view after an open letter raising the alarm about sexism and harassment around the Capitol. Emboldened by the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, the famed Hollywood producer toppled by allegations of sexual assault and harassment, more than 300 women have signed the letter, double the original tally.” http://lat.ms/2ibJTP9

BONUS GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman:

— “Orbiting Jupiter: my week with Emmanuel Macron,” by Emmanuel Carrère in The Guardian: “Is France’s new president a political miracle, or a mirage that is already fading away?” http://bit.ly/2ya3vht

— “The Jared bubble,” by Kyle Pope in the Columbia Journalism Review: “What my 18 months as Jared Kushner’s first editor [at the N.Y. Observer] taught me about the Trump family and the press.” http://bit.ly/2ze26Gs

–“Twenty years ago, in Moscow, Matt Taibbi was a misogynist a***ole—and possibly worse,” by Aimee Levitt in the Chicago Reader: In “The Exile: Sex, Drugs, and Libel in the New Russia,” Mark “Ames and Taibbi additionally write about how they also mercilessly sexual harassed and occasionally assaulted the women they encountered, both their colleagues in the Exile office and Russian women—some as young as 15—they met socially.” http://bit.ly/2ycK3R5

— “Pushing the Limit,” by Alexandra Starr in Harper’s: “What the U.S. Olympic Committee can — and can’t — do about sexual abuse.” http://bit.ly/2ybgqPZ (h/t Longreads.com)

— “A hesitant radical in the age of Trump: David Brooks and the search for moderation,” by Jason Cowley in the New Statesman: “‘Public conversation is over-politicised and under-moralised. We analyse every movement in the polls, but the big subjects — relationships, and mercy, and how to be a friend – these are the big subjects of life and we don’t talk about them enough. Or we have our moral arguments through political means, which is a nasty way to do it because then you make politics into a culture war.’” http://bit.ly/2i9ehcJ (h/t TheBrowser.com)

— “Four Quitters Walk Into a Bar…,” by HuffPost’s Lydia Polgreen: “To swap war stories from an administration they couldn’t serve for one more minute.” http://bit.ly/2iCiklH

— “Serving as targets,” by Margaret Carlson in the N.Y. Daily News: “Think women get harassed and assaulted a lot in Hollywood and New York media circles? The military is worse.” http://nydn.us/2z1FwzV

— “The Body Trade: Cashing in on the donated dead: In the U.S. market for human bodies, almost anyone can dissect and sell the dead,” by Reuters’ Brian Grow and John Shiffman: “When Americans leave their bodies to science, they are also donating to commerce: Cadavers and body parts, especially those of the poor, are sold in a thriving and largely unregulated market. Grisly abuses abound.” http://reut.rs/2zbmrfz

— “Wackadoodles, Establishment Hacks, And The Big, Ugly, Local Battle For The Heart Of The GOP,” by BuzzFeed’s Anne Helen Petersen: “The ‘whiteopia’ of North Idaho has become one of the most desirable places in the West for conservatives to relocate. So why is the local Republican party tearing itself apart — and who’s responsible?” http://bzfd.it/2yZggKZ

— “The Ironic History of Mar-a-Lago,” by Michael Luongo in Smithsonian’s Nov. issue: “A deep dive into an obscure archive reveals that the Palm Beach property had once been envisioned as a ‘Winter White House.’” http://bit.ly/2xuJVrA

— “How the Horrific 1918 Flu Spread Across America,” by John M. Barry in Smithsonian’s Nov. issue: “The toll of history’s worst epidemic surpasses all the military deaths in World War I and World War II combined. And it may have begun in the United States.” http://bit.ly/2ll82ay

— “Inside the Mind of Thru-Hiking’s Most Devious Con Man,” by Brendan Borrell in Outside magazine: “For more than two decades, Jeff Caldwell has lured in hikers, couchsurfers, and other women (and they’re almost always women), enthralling them with his tales of adventure. Then he manufactures personal crises and exploits their sympathy to rip them off. Our writer corresponded with Caldwell while he was still on the run, and came away with an intimate look at the life of a serial scammer who’s found his easy marks in the outdoor community.” http://bit.ly/2yamzw0 (h/t Longform.org)

— “How the Liberty Bell Won the Great War,” by Stephen Fried in April’s Smithsonian: “As it entered World War I, the United States was politically torn and financially challenged. An American icon came to the rescue.” http://bit.ly/2hi5UMB

— “The Army of Silicon Valley Activists Trying to Elect Dems,” by Lauren Smiley in Wired: “In the wake of Trump’s election, signs of a grassroots activism in the tech industry have been everywhere: management-endorsed Googleplex protests; tech workers participating in their first political marches; executives from Tesla, Intel, and IBM leaving the president’s advisory councils.” http://bit.ly/2iEPtgS

— “Can Alphabet’s Jigsaw Solve Google’s Most Vexing Problems?” by Austin Carr in Fast Company: “Jared Cohen, CEO of Google offshoot Jigsaw, is taking on ISIS, fake news, and toxic trolls.” http://bit.ly/2yS3Q5p

— “The Yahoo With The Microphone,” by Martin Amis in Esquire: “Ranting in the rust belt with Donald Trump’s perpetual-validation machine.” http://bit.ly/2zb8HS4

— “The Primal Scream of Identity Politics,” by Mary Eberstadt on the cover of the Weekly Standard: “Conservatives have missed something major about identity politics: its authenticity. But liberals have missed something bigger: that it is a legacy of the sexual revolution.” http://tws.io/2ze2TXW

SPOTTED: President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron dining at Trump Hotel last night — the President and First Lady also stopped by the “Trump Townhouse” suite in the hotel for a small surprise birthday dinner for Ivanka. She and Jared also celebrated their eighth anniversary on Wednesday — Instapic http://bit.ly/2z0oanf … Bob Costa in the balcony at last night’s Gavin DeGraw concert at the historic Sixth and I Synagogue …

… Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell having dinner at the Inn at Little Washington last night — Instapic http://bit.ly/2zPDccO … Jose Andres speaking last night at Buck’s at a dinner for Alice Walters’ new book “Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook” — cavatelli pasta, steak and bone marrow was served.

SPOTTED: Rinat Akhmetshin, a Russian-American lobbyist who met with Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort and Natalia Veselnitskaya last summer at Trump Tower (NYT profile http://nyti.ms/2wgcKuL), last night getting a drink with a friend visiting from Europe at the back room at Capo Deli on Florida Ave. near 8th Street.

WEEKEND WEDDINGS — Tyler Daniel, political director for House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, married Lila Nelson, a speech-language pathologist at Carriage Hill in Bethesda, on Saturday in Shreveport at St. Mark’s Cathedral with a reception at the Petroleum Club of Shreveport. The couple met at Ole Miss while Tyler was getting his MBA and Lila was an undergrad. Pics http://bit.ly/2iIHfUE … The couple with Scalise http://bit.ly/2yWJOt0

SPOTTED: Scalise and his wife Jennifer Scalise, Brett Horton and Maggie FitzGerald, Jenny and David Drucker, Bart Reising, Brenda Becker, Chris Hodgson and Liz Cumberpatch, Megan Becker, Ben Napier, TJ Tatum, Stephanie Belk, Colton Malkerson, Chris Marroletti, Grafton Pritchartt, Sean Houser, and Watson Horner.

— Sacha Haworth, communications director for Arizona Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema’s campaign for Senate, on Saturday married Will Mitchell, legislative director for Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.). The ceremony and celebration were held at Woodend Audubon Mansion and Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD. Pic http://bit.ly/2ycYdSn

SPOTTED: Christie Stephenson, Meredith Kelly, Jason Bresler, Tyler Law, Tyrone Gayle, Jeb Fain, Sophie Shipman, Reid Hohlman, Sasha Baker, Sam Baker, Dan Schory, Jake Stokes, Ethan McClellan, Bryan Lesswing.

— Jessica McCreight, a VP at SKD Knickerbocker and Obama WH alum, married Scott Brown, CEO and co-founder of the customer relations management firm xRM Studio. “The two exchanged vows on Saturday surrounded by friends, family and fall foliage at a mountain retreat just a stone’s throw from Lexington, Va. McCreight and Brown met in 2014 after matching on no fewer than three dating apps.” Pics http://bit.ly/2xxUj1M … http://bit.ly/2yViyZs

REMEMBERING WILLIAM COLEMAN – Pool report from the National Cathedral: “Saturday morning VIPs from the political, legal, civil rights communities came to honor the life of former Secretary of Transportation, Medal of Honor recipient, personal friend to Justice Thurgood Marshall, African American Republican lawyer, William T. Coleman, Jr. He graduated first in his class at Harvard Law and was the first African American to clerk at the Supreme Court and served as a lawyer on the Warren Commission before being on the team that won Brown V. Board of Education. Service participants included: Justice Stephen Breyer, Vernon Jordan, General Colin Powell, and Opera singer Denyce Graves.”

AMONG THE ATTENDEES: Vice President Dick Cheney, former VA Secretary Togo West, former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, former HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan, Justices Clarence Thomas and Elena Kagan, former Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, Marian Wright Edelman, Sherrilyn Ifill, Andrea Mitchell, Paris Dennard, Ken Chenault, Cecilia Marshall, former Sen. Chuck Robb (D-Va.) and Lynda Johnson Robb.

BIRTHDAYS: Tony Sayegh (hat tip: Molly Meiners) … Jim Messina is 48 (h/t Ty Matsdorf) … David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, is 59 … Bob Stevenson … N.Y. Daily News’ Robert George … Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is 79 … Connie Mack III is 77 … Jamie McIntyre, senior writer on defense and national security at the Washington Examiner … Nelson Cunningham, president and co-founder of McLarty Associates … Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio) is 65 (h/t Ajashu Thomas) … Geoff Turley … Kerry Hannon (h/ts Jon Haber) … Andy Weitz, Aon’s chief marketing officer … Dirk Kempthorne, former Secretary of the Interior, now president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers, is 66 … WaPo’s Dave Clarke … WSJ editorial writer Kate Bachelder Odell … Isabelle James, political director at Americans for Responsible Solutions … Mike Saccone, comms director at the Keystone Policy Center … EPA’s Daisy Letendre (h/t Amy Graham) …

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Scarlets 13-18 Bath: Priestland sticks the boot in

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Scarlets 13-18 Bath: Priestland sticks the boot in

Bath ripped the rag doll from Scarlets’ clutches on Friday night – and with it went Welsh European hopes.

These two have contested the toy since 1921, it sat on the padding above the left post in Llanelli wearing Scarlets red after the hosts’ last competitive win over the English in 2006.

But now it will don blue, black and white, returning to the West Country, ironically thanks to the boot of a west walian.

Rhys Priestland kicked six penalties from seven attempts in wet and windy conditions

Rhys Priestland, formerly of this parish, kicked every one of Bath’s 18 points in the lingering rain – all penalties.

With that superb display he effectively killed off Scarlets’ hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages – losing two pool games often proves fatal in the Champions Cup.

And Bath director or rugby Todd Blackadder now hopes Wales do not come calling.

‘I don’t want to lose him,’ he said.

‘He is having an outstanding season, he just looks really composed and comfortable out there.’

Steff Evans did score a stunning try to defy the swirling conditions, and Halfpenny kicked the rest but the Pro 12 champions and their free-flowing style could not weather the storm.

The Scarlets suffered second European defeat in five days despite brilliant try from Steff Evans

MATCH FACTS

Scarlets: Halfpenny, McNicholl, J. Davies, Parkes, S. Evans, Patchell, G. Davies, W. Jones, Owens, Lee, Ball, Rawlins, Shingler, Boyde, Beirne.

Replacements: S. Williams for Parkes (68), Asquith for Patchell (71), J. Evans for G. Davies (68), D. Evans for W. Jones (68), Elias for Owens (56), Kruger for Lee (63), Bulbring for Ball (56), Macleod for Boyde (56).

Tries: S. Evans. 

Cons: Halfpenny. 

Pens: Halfpenny 2.   

Bath: Watson, Rokoduguni, Joseph, Clark, Brew, Priestland, Fotuali’i, Obano, Dunn, Perenise, Ewels, Charteris, Mercer, Underhill, Faletau.

Replacements: Banahan for Brew (63), Catt for Obano (49), Walker for Dunn (64), Andrews for Perenise (55), Stooke for Charteris (66), Grant for Mercer (63).

Not Used: Allinson, Lewis.

Pens: Priestland 6. 

Ref: Romain Poite (France).

After 20 minutes many may have wondered why they bothered – including the 30 men on the field. It was a horrible night.

So wet was it that almost every possession was kicked, passes slipped from hands and it looked an evening for penalties alone. What a shame for two teams born to run.

The wind made matters worse – rain arrived in four different directions all at once.

But not even storm Brian could stop the red-hot Scarlets scoring a beauty. After Priestland hit two penalties and Halfpenny one the Welsh defied all rugby logic.

Will Boyde flicked an audacious offload out the back of his hand to Tadhg Beirne wrapping round. Suddenly there was space on the Scarlets’ 10-metre line and Patchell found Evans on the left.

The form Welsh winger darted in and was away, drawing the defender to find Gareth Davies who supported fantastically and added yet more pace. Evans’ pass looked forward but was allowed.

Anthony Watson dragged the scrum-half down short but Davies completed the one-two, popping up to Evans who slid over – breathtaking handling on such a wet and wild West Wales night. Halfpenny converted and Scarlets led 10-6.

The heavens opened well before kick-off, but it did not unsettle Bath on Friday night

At the break though pragmatism told. Priestland was not missing a thing and two more penalties from his boot meant Bath went in sodden, but two points up.

The fly-half almost added a try after half-time. Charging down a Patchell clearance, he kicked on and slid over – but on replay he had knocked on in the process.

He had to be content with his fifth penalty 10 minutes later. After that Bath frustrated the Scarlets – with little dinks to the corners, and strong carrying from the forwards they nullified the Welshmen.

And when Scarlets collapsed a rolling maul inside their 22 Priestland knocked over another penalty to put Bath beyond a converted score. Halfpenny’s late kick was only good for a losing bonus point.

Despite two consecutive defeats Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac says their European run is not over.

‘Anything can happen,’ he said.

‘We probably need to win the remainder of our games and something to go our way. It is certainly not the position we wanted to be in.’ 

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