Hitler Parody Ad Slammed as Distasteful
A web ad by MASA, a joint marketing venture by portal Nana10, MSN Israel, and Facebook, which features a raving Adolf Hitler rebuking his generals over low banner ratings has stirred public controversy. Nana10 and Channel 10 owner, Businessman Yossi Meiman, ordered the portal's CEO to pull the ad immediately, saying it went "beyond bad taste."
Industrial Output Up
Industrial output rose by an annualized 9.8% in the period between December 2009-February 2010, the Central Bureau of Statistics said. Industrial output, excluding high tech, rose by an annualized 13.1% over the same period. Industrial output was 1.2% lower in February than in January, but high-tech output was unchanged.
MSCI Index Upgrade May See Investors Out of TASE, into Russia
Israel's inclusion in the MSCI developed markets index will put the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in league with the US, Germany, France, and other markets, analysts predict. Nevertheless, Credit Suisse believes that the upgrade may cause investors to favor Russian equities for their funds. Israel is 13.6% of the MSCI EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).
Gazit-Globe Approves Exec Bonus Despite Criticism
Despite public growing criticism over excessive executive salaries, Gazit-Globe Chairman Chaim Katzman and Vice Chairman Dori Segal approved a NIS 500,000 (roughly $134,000) bonus for acting Executive Chairman Arie Meintkavitch. The bonus brings Meintkavitch's annual salary cost to NIS 3.1 million ($833,560).
Unilever Ups Stake in Strauss Ice Cream to 90%
The Strauss Group has sold an additional 39% of Strauss Ice Cream to Unilever NV, boosting Unilever's stake in the company from 51% to 90% and reducing Strauss' stake in the firm to 10%. Strauss Ice Cream is Israel's largest ice cream maker, with a 47% market share.
