CES is just a few short weeks away, and while the tech industry gets ready to show off its most cutting edge innovations, Olya Ischukova is getting ready to put her most tech-savvy models to work there. Ischukova is the CEO of Models in Tech, a talent staffing agency where models are more than just pretty faces.
Models in Tech sends attractive, intelligent "brand ambassadors" to tech events in 10 cities. Ischukova works with 250 contractors to staff tech events where they can set up and demo technology, answer question about the product, and even develop leads for sales teams. Potential models must either have a college degree or be enrolled in college.
Ischukova also responds to a recent Bloomberg article about Silicon Valley companies reportedly hiring models to attend company parties. "I think it's really sad that they hire models to entertain the guests," she says. She explains that her company focuses on business conferences and marketing activations--not parties--which is what sets it apart.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
Hear from Gabino & Stephen Roche on Saphyre’s institutional AI platform that centralizes pre‑ and post‑trade data, redefining settlement speed and accuracy.
Elon Musk’s X has reached a tentative settlement with former employees of the company then known as Twitter who’d sued for $500 million in severance pay.
