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Category: Business/Technology

UW football team reaps benefits with Rose Bowl ‘gift suite’

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Wisconsin State Journal

Three weeks ago, in the wake of the University of Wisconsin football team?s win in the Big Ten Conference title game, players and coaches were ushered into a banquet room at Camp Randall Stadium decked out like the set of “The Price is Right.” Inside there was an array of items such as tablet computers, flat-screen televisions, recliners and Rose Bowl-themed items such as custom bar stools. Everyone was allowed to choose one of the more expensive pieces or a hodgepodge of smaller items. This shopping spree, known as the “gift suite,” is offered annually to all 10 schools participating in Bowl Championship Series games.

On Campus: Ducks will wear ‘the most advanced football uniform ever assembled’ at Rose Bowl

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Wisconsin State Journal

They will have wings. They will shine like a mallard?s feathers. They will do just about everything but take flight. The uniforms the Oregon Ducks will wear to the Rose Bowl are “the most advanced football uniform system ever assembled,” according to uniform designer Nike. Nike unveiled the new uniform designs Tuesday with the flourish of a bird shaking its tail feathers.

Quoted: Justin Doherty, UW associate athletic director

Biz Beat: Jobs report notes high number of Wisconsin layoffs

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Capital Times

There are more mixed signals on the Wisconsin jobs scene. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday released a report showing Wisconsin with the second-highest number of unemployment claims from mass layoff events in the nation last month. A “mass layoff” is any event affecting at least 50 workers, according to the BLS. Its mass layoff report for November estimated Wisconsin with 90 such events in the month, impacting 9,359 individuals.

“The tilt against manufacturing over the last few months is hitting Wisconsin pretty hard,” says Laura Dresser, a labor economist with the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, a UW-Madison think tank.

AT&T faces ‘difficult decisions’ after T-Mobile deal fails, experts say

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Wisconsin State Journal

AT&T may very well look for a smaller wireless company to buy now that it has given up on plans to acquire T-Mobile USA, or it may just wait for a new administration in Washington, D.C., two UW-Madison School of Business finance experts say. “They?ve got some difficult decisions to make. The government now has set the bar,” said Jim Seward, director of the Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. Assistant professor Oliver Levine said he thinks AT&T may wait until a new president is elected before trying another merger. “In a different political environment … they may try to do it again,” Levine said.

Sen. Mary Lazich: Self-funded UW athletics a boon for economy

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Capital Times

The UW athletic department is self-funded. The athletic department operating budget does not receive state aid. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the athletic department revenues were $81.7 million. The largest chunk, $27.3 million, was ticket sales, and its share of Big Ten Conference revenue was $23.3 million. Other revenue is derived from private and corporate gifts, $13.8 million, and concessions, $6.8 million. The athletic department?s revenue covers salaries, operating expenses, and athlete scholarships.During recent years, returns on investments have been twofold. UW teams have been very successful on the field. On-field success leads to more merchandise sales, more paid attendance, and more television and postseason revenue. Businesses throughout the state, including bars, restaurants and clothing stores, benefit from UW athletics.

According to an April 2011 study by NorthStar Economics Inc., the UW athletic department has a total economic impact of nearly $1 billion on the state of Wisconsin. The NorthStar study revealed 8,853 jobs were created and supported, and nearly $53 million of tax revenue was generated by the athletic department.The last line of a popular song played at UW sports games is, ?When you say Wisconsin, you?ve said it all.? The self-funded athletic department might not literally do it all; however, it has a significant impact on the state?s economy, without costing taxpayers a dime.

Expanded alcohol sale hours won’t apply in Madison, police say

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Capital Times

A new Wisconsin law expanding the hours alcohol can be sold by retailers won?t apply in the city of Madison, according to the Madison Police Department. That?s because municipal ordinances can be more restrictive than the state law, according to the language in 2011 Wisconsin Act 97, which amends the state statutes regarding how many hours in a day a business can sell alcohol.

Biz Beat: Walker’s budget cuts are costing state private jobs, report warns

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Capital Times

A liberal-leaning Milwaukee think tank is out with a new report blaming state budget program cuts and public worker paycheck reductions for exacerbating Wisconsin?s job struggles. The report from the Institute for Wisconsin?s Future says the reduction in take-home pay for tens of thousands of public employees is now hurting the private sector, as are the drastic state budget cuts for K-12 education. Steve Deller, an economics professor at UW-Madison, says that reducing spending during a deep recession can often make things worse, as this blog chart suggests.

“Economic modeling shows that the extreme cuts to state and local programs cost thousands of jobs and put Wisconsin in a weak position to create jobs,” says Deller, who appeared at the Capitol on Tuesday with Norman and Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison, to introduce the IWF report.

The Growing Demand for Global Talent

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Chronicle of Higher Education

The following is a guest post by Gilles Bousquet, the dean of the Division of International Studies and vice provost for globalization at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is also chair of the Statewide International Education Council and co-chair of the University of Wisconsin System Task Force on Economic Development and Globalization.

At a roundtable discussion last spring in Milwaukee hosted by the Wisconsin International Education Council, the vice president of global human resources at Johnson Controls told educators: ?Our talent development and acquisition activities across the organization are the most critical factors for us as a company to grow and to thrive. So, it is all about people.? At a series of meetings I had with business officials in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai in November, executives at several American companies ? including giants like 3M and Caterpillar in addition to up-and-coming ones like Madison-based Promega and TrafficCast ? vigorously repeated that same message.

Venture capital has hope as GOP gives up on controversial portion

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Wisconsin State Journal

Kevin Conroy, president and CEO of Exact Sciences, a Madison-based cancer research company, said Wisconsin has one of the best research institutions, UW-Madison, and does some of the best scientific research, but despite that opportunity, lags in funding and opportunities for venture capital. UW “is consistently ranked No. 2 in total federal research dollars, second only to Johns Hopkins University, and Wisconsin inventors are awarded patents at a higher rate than the national average,” Conroy said. “But we rank very low in terms of venture capital dollars invested and new company formation.”

Few business owners publicly choose sides in recall effort

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Wisconsin State Journal

“If you look broadly across the state, it?s still really rare for a retail establishment to take a stand,” said Dan Olszewski, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship at UW-Madison. The standard business maxim is that there?s little upside to mixing politics and commerce, although there are notable exceptions, Olszewski said.

Wisconsin couple click at Google

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin?s loss, Google?s gain.Matt and Reena Vokoun grew up here South Milwaukee and Town of Delafield, respectively, graduated from college here, met each other in their mid-20s at a birthday party in San Francisco and are doing very, very well for themselves – in California.

CDI announces launch of neuron product

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Wisconsin State Journal

Cellular Dynamics International is out with a new product: stem cell-derived neurons. The Madison company, founded by UW-Madison stem cell pioneer James Thomson, says it is the first commercial release of human brain cells, created through the company?s stem cell technology, in large enough quantity, quality and purity for use in life science research.

Former city employee George Austin is mover and shaker for high-profile developments

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Wisconsin State Journal

He?s not an architect, developer or politician, but George Austin has left an imprint on Madison?s landscape like few others. As a former city Planning and Development director and a private consultant since 1998, Austin led the most complex, iconic projects in the city, including Monona Terrace, Overture Center and the recently opened Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery ? a half-billion dollars in construction in the past 15 years.Now, Austin, 59, is engaged in two more high-profile initiatives within a block of the state Capitol, both presenting the sort of challenges that confronted previous big efforts.

Delta adds non-stop flights for Rose Bowl

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Capital Times

Delta Air Lines announced on Monday that it has added two non-stop flights from Madison for fans headed to the Rose Bowl. The Delta flights from Dane County Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport will leave on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, and return overnight Jan. 2/3 and early the afternoon of Jan. 3.

Brad Basten: Walker spends $4 million on nothing

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Wisconsin State Journal

I am confused about Gov. Scott Walker?s inspiration for taking money from UW-Madison, one of the premier educational institutions in the world working on advancing human knowledge in breakthrough subjects you can?t even pronounce, then letting Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation give $4 million to a group of overpaid “experts” at Spectrum Brands who can?t make batteries or waffle irons without going bankrupt and losing the stockholders? money.

Campus Connection: Adidas releases statement addressing alleged violations

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Capital Times

On Sunday, the Cap Times posted my blog which noted UW-Madison is considering cutting ties with Adidas because the sports apparel company is being accused of sweatshop abuses. Although the piece didn?t run until Sunday, it was written on Friday. Two phone calls and two emails to Adidas representatives on Friday did not produce a contact, so I noted attempts to reach officials with the company were not successful. However, over the weekend an Adidas public relations representative emailed me a statement.

Campus Connection: UW could put top apparel provider Adidas on notice

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Capital Times

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has played a leading role in recent years when it comes to attempting to curb sweatshop abuses at companies that produce college-logoed apparel. But will Bucky still flex his muscle when the company coming under fire is Adidas — which supplies the university?s sports teams with everything from shoes and jerseys to athletic gear? “This time around, it?s a bit more complicated because of our involvement and close ties with Adidas,” says Vince Sweeney, UW-Madison?s vice chancellor for university relations. “We?re still in fact-finding mode.”

“I don’t believe money is going to ultimately drive this decision, and I hope I’m right,” says Lydia Zepeda, a UW-Madison professor of consumer science who chairs the university’s Labor Licensing Policy Committee (LLPC).

Redevelopment Projects Proposed Near UW Campus

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WISC-TV 3

With apartment vacancy rates at the lowest level in 16 years, Madison developers said now is the time to act. From studios to five-bedroom apartments, redevelopment projects are targeting University of Wisconsin-Madison students. Nick Garcia, a UW-Madison junior, lives at 1323 W. Dayton St., and he said the location was a big reason he wanted to live there.

Survey: County business execs not optimistic about 2012

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Wisconsin State Journal

Overall, things are better for Dane County businesses this year, but company executives are not so optimistic about 2012. That?s the gist of the 2011 First Business Economic Survey of Dane County, being released Wednesday. Of 3,584 surveys sent, 337 were returned. The sample size has a margin of error of 5 percent….The survey was conducted by UW-Madison’s A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research in September and October.

Physicians Plus sues UW-Madison doctor group

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Wisconsin State Journal

Physicians Plus is suing UW-Madison?s doctor group, saying the doctors? threat to stop treating the insurance company?s patients is illegal. Physicians Plus, owned by Meriter Health Services, says the doctor group, UW Medical Foundation, demanded fees that are too high. After Physicians Plus refused to pay the fees, it says the doctor group threatened to stop serving most of the insurance company?s patients starting in 2013. Both sides say they?re still negotiating.

On Campus: Badgers apparel provider Adidas should be put on notice, committee says

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Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison should put Badgers uniform provider Adidas “on notice” because of alleged worker rights abuses, a campus committee recommended on Friday. At issue is a factory owner in Indonesia who reportedly failed to pay more than 2,800 workers an estimated $3.2 million in severance, according to a university news release. The payments equal nearly one year?s salary per worker at minimum wage.

UW-Madison could have office in China by June

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Wisconsin State Journal

A UW-Madison office in Shanghai could be open as soon as June, according to officials who just returned from a trip to China to explore the possibility of the university?s first foreign outpost. Gilles Bousquet, dean of the division of international studies and vice provost for globalization, said that would be the “ideal” timeline but it hinges on continued support here and getting the necessary permits in China. He said UW-Madison is convening a planning team to determine next actions.

University committee recommends investigation into alleged adidas workers’ rights violation

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Daily Cardinal

A university committee recommended Friday UW-Madison put top apparel manufacturer adidas on notice after an allegation of workers? rights abuses in Indonesia. The Labor Licensing Policy Committee, made up of student representatives, faculty and administrators, voted university officials propose a 90-day deadline for adidas to make $3.2 million in legally mandated severance payments owed to displaced factory workers in Indonesia.

Health care industry leaves a trail of money for UW doctors

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Wisconsin State Journal

Ten doctors at UW-Madison received $48,000 or more from drug or medical device companies last year, a State Journal analysis of campus disclosure records found. Six of the doctors were orthopedic surgeons, and each made $99,000 or more in consulting or royalty fees on top of their salaries averaging $750,000. The top earner ? Dr. Thomas Zdeblick, with nearly $1.7 million in medical industry income ? has been the subject of investigations and media reports about conflicts of interest in medicine. But he?s not alone in earning large sums, according to university records that only recently have included specific amounts of income instead of broad ranges.

Spectrum Brands gets $4 million forgivable loan from state

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Wisconsin State Journal

It?s not uncommon for state and local governments to provide such incentives, said Barry Gerhart, Ellig professor of management at the UW-Madison School of Business. “It is a reality that companies like Spectrum Brands can be mobile. There?s nothing that I know of that requires them to produce batteries here in Wisconsin,” he said.

Farming for jobs: Can local food movement prove a broader economic engine?

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Capital Times

….Steve Deller, a professor of agricultural and applied economics at UW-Madison, agrees there are areas in southwestern Wisconsin enjoying the benefits of the local food trend, but adds that there is little research proving it?s an economic driver.”Twenty years ago, all the research said local foods was such a small market it wasn?t worth worrying about,” he says. “But over the past five or more years, there has been a ?push back? on large-scale commercial agriculture.”

Susan Kepecs and Gary Feinman: Can Occupy Wall Street succeed? A long-term perspective

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Capital Times

When it comes to Occupy Wall Street, everyone?s got an opinion. In his recent op-ed in the Wisconsin State Journal, for example, Karl Garson called the movement “raucous and inarticulate ? and bound to fail.” The reason, Garson claims, is “screw-you wealth” ? Wall Street doesn?t care what the people think. We agree that Wall Street doesn?t give a fig about Main Street, but we disagree with Garson?s conclusions. Occupy Wall Street, in its second month, is facing police repression, cold weather and other stumbling blocks, but it shows no sign of giving up the ghost.

(Susan Kepecs, MFA, Ph.D., is a freelance arts and culture writer, an honorary fellow in the Department of Anthropology and author of numerous scholarly and popular articles.)

Madison Fund

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Badger Herald

Two University of Wisconsin students teamed up to create the nonprofit Madison Fund in an effort to combat the effects that recent years of economic uncertainty have had on small businesses in the community.

Executive Q&A: Turbo Tap inventor pores over CDs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Boxes are stacking up in Murfie.com?s airy offices on the eighth floor of the U.S. Bank building on Capitol Square. But that?s a good thing. The brown packing boxes hold dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of music CDs that Murfie will catalog, store and make available for their owners to download or sell. It?s the latest business venture for serial entrepreneur Matt Younkle, a UW-Madison graduate and Ashwaubenon native who invented the TurboTap beer dispensing device and began selling it to sports stadiums in 2005.

Pair loans money to put dent in poverty

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Taking a cue from the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, two University of Wisconsin-Madison juniors are aiming to lift people out of poverty by lending them money.

The Madison Fund, founded by Alex Rosenthal and Andrew Tapper, recently made its first loan to a local man who used the money to apply for U.S. citizenship. The man found the not-for-profit organization by doing a Google search, said Rosenthal, the fund?s co-founder and executive director.

Around Town: Hive owner eagerly shares ABCs of bees

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Wisconsin State Journal

Shoppers at Sunday?s third annual Close to Home: Arboretum Local Products Expo were abuzz about the light, floral flavor of (Nathan) Clarke?s raw, unfiltered Urban Honey made by bees that gather nectar from Madison?s flowers, trees and gardens.”Very good,” said Susan Fischer of Madison. Like many others in the steady crowd of shoppers who perused more than 30 booths throughout the Arboretum?s Visitor Center, she was drawn by the locally produced offerings.

Students protest labor policies

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Daily Cardinal

Members of the Student Labor Action Coalition held a demonstration Monday protesting UW-Madison?s main licensing partner, saying it fails to give severance pay to recently unemployed factory workers. The demonstration was a response to an Indonesian factory contracted by Nike and UW partner Adidas that closed abruptly in January, leaving 2,800 workers jobless. Legally, the companies still owe 1.8 million of the original 3.3 million employees monetary compensation for the factory?s closure.

Cricket Design Works a small studio with big gigs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Learning has been central to Kristin Redman?s success. It began at her childhood home in Holliston, Mass., about four miles from the start of the Boston Marathon….After high school, she studied biology, art and design and thought she was on a career track to learning how herbicides interact with wetland systems. Her course work brought her to UW-Madison to study limnology and oceanography, but Redman is no longer wearing hip boots and collecting water samples.