Barack & Michelle Obama’s Forthcoming Memoirs land Record-Breaking $65m Publishing Deal

Penguin Random House has landed a deal to publish two forthcoming memoirs by former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, with one volume to be written by each, the publishing company said on Tuesday.

Terms of the agreement, in which Penguin Random House acquired worldwide publication rights for the two books, were not disclosed, but Financial Times said the Obamas may have set a record deal in excess of $65million.

But in keeping with their past practice, the Obamas plan to donate a “significant portion of their author proceeds to charity,” including the Obama Foundation, the publisher said in a statement.

The deal followed a heated auction for global rights to the two books with bidding that reached more than $60 million, a record sum for U.S. presidential memoirs, the Financial Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the sales process.

Disruptive Mega Deals As Former Game Changer Yahoo!

Yahoo was once regarded as the “King of the Internet”, worth $125 billion in its time the way Facebook or Google are today. Now it’s being sold to Verizon for comparatively chump change.

This morning, Verizon announced the end of the long process of acquiring Yahoo’s core business for just under $4.8 billion. This transaction ends the independence of one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic pioneering companies. Yahoo’s seventh and final CEO, Marissa Mayer, will reportedly depart with severance pay worth more than $50 million.

The sale will unite Yahoo with AOL, the first web portal Verizon bought last year for $4.4 billion. The United States’ largest wireless provider is betting nearly $10 billion that combining the two formerly dominant websites will give it an edge in mobile content and advertising technology it can leverage across its more than 140 million subscribers.

UFC Sold $4billion, Becomes Largest Franchise Sale In World Sport History

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) President Dana White on Monday morning, said that the mixed martial arts promotional company (UFC) has been sold for approximately $4 billion to a group of investors led by Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG. The sale will make it the largest in Sporting history for any Sports Franchise. White confirmed the sale in text messages to The Associated Press on Sunday night.

The Fertitta brothers and White purchased the promotion for $2 million in 2000, and the brothers’ casino fortune kept it afloat while MMA gained widespread acceptance and increasing popularity.

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta is reportedly expected to step down as chairman following a transitional period, after which he and his brother, Frank Fertitta, will remain on as minority owners. Dana White is expected stay on as president and will also hold a minority stake, according to the report.

Bell Buys MTS for In $3.9B Deal

 BCE Inc. has signed a friendly deal valued at $3.9 billion to buy Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.

The agreement will add Manitoba's largest phone, Internet and wireless company to a Montreal-based telecommunication business that stretches across Canada.

"Bell and MTS have a shared legacy of service and innovation that spans more than a century,'' BCE president and CEO George Cope said in a statement.

"We are honoured to join with the MTS team in this all-Canadian transaction to deliver the benefits of new infrastructure investment, technology development and the best of broadband communications to Manitobans."

The acquisition will add 2,700 employees from Manitoba Telecom to BCE's Bell phone business. Bell's western operation will nearly double to 6,900 people as a result and operate as Bell MTS, headquartered in Winnipeg.

CP

Toronto Former Mayor Rob Ford's Crack Necktie Sells For $16,100 on eBay

Rob Ford's tie went up for sale on eBay on Feb. 25, 2015. Bidding closed on the item on Wednesday. (eBay.ca)

The price of owning the tie Rob Ford wore on the day he first admitted to smoking crack cocaine is $16,100. That was the winning bid listed on Ford's eBay page, when bidding ended just after 5 p.m. ET Wednesday.

The city's former mayor and current Ward 2 councillor has been selling off some of his belongings on eBay.

His crack-confession necktie went up for sale on the auction website a week ago.

Ford is also selling a coat he wore as a football coach, several sports jerseys and a familiar-looking sweatshirt. But so far, the bidding for those items has not been close to bids placed on the tie.

Toronto FC signs Italian playmaker Sebastian Giovinco

Juventus's Sebastian Giovinco celebrates after scoring a goal against Udinese during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Friuli stadium in Udine April 14, 2014. (ALESSANDRO GAROFALO/REUTERS)

 The Canadian Press
In signing five-foot-four Italian playmaker Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus, Toronto FC has once again raised the bar for Major League Soccer.

But given Toronto’s eight-year history of failure on the pitch, luring a European star in his prime to North America won’t mean much unless the rich kid on the MLS block can finally win on the field and make the playoffs.

The 27-year-old Giovinco, nicknamed the Atomic Ant, will join Toronto in July after his contract with Italy’s Juventus expires.

While Toronto opted to forgo props to highlight the Giovinco acquisition — unlike the double-decker bus parked outside the unveiling last January of now-departed England striker Jermain Defoe — Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko was talking big about the little Italian.

BlackBerry denies Samsung takeover report

BlackBerry CEO John Chen appears at a news conference for the company's BlackBerry Classic in December in New York. BlackBerry shares jumped on Wednesday, after a report that Samsung has approached the Canadian company with a takeover offer. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)

CBC
BlackBerry is denying a report that Korean smartphone giant Samsung has approached it with a takeover offer, saying it "has not engaged in discussions with Samsung with respect to any possible offer to purchase BlackBerry."

A statement released Wednesday by Blackberry said the company doesn't comment on "rumours or speculation." Samsung has also denied the takeover report, multiple media outlets say.

Earlier in the day, a Reuters report said Samsung had approached the company with a takeover offer.

Boxer Adrien Broner On Declining 5yr $40m Contract From Roc Nation Sports! "Jay Z Can Suck My D*ck"

Justin Bieber unveiled as new face of Calvin Klein

Ned Ehrbar MetroThe biggest ego in Canada just got bigger. Pop’s reigning prince, Justin Bieber, has been unveiled as the new face — and body — of Calvin Klein Underwear. Bieber makes his debut in a series of black-and-white photos featuring his best Blue Steel and a suspiciously rounded and unrealistic bulge. He kicked things off with a six-second video feature showing him playing drums. We’re pretty sure that, at least, is all Bieber.

Wow! 53yrs after she died, Marilyn Monroe named new face of Max factor

Wow!  53 years, movie/sex icon and Hollywood's most sought after blond Marilyn Monroe, has been named the new face of giant make-up brand - Max Factor.

Max Factor announced today that Ms Monroe will be the brand's 'global glamour ambassador' and will feature in this year's advertising campaigns.

"The adverts will emphasise the role that make-up played in Monroe's transformation, from mousy Norma Jeane Mortenson to the red-lipped, platinum-haired bombshell which cemented her reputation as one of the west's most enduring sex symbols." MF said in a statement

Marilyn was a Max Factor client in the 40s and 50's before her death in 1962. The money made from the deal will go to her estate. The sex symbol is one of the highest paid dead celebs in the world.

Rihanna Starts On Her Puma Campaign

When Rihanna landed a gig with Puma she was very excited and it looks like she still is. The Bajan singer shared a couple of pictures on her Instagram page where she is seen wearing nothing but a pair of Puma briefs. In the pictures Rihanna leaves little to one’s imagination.

Tim Hortons CEO Marc Caira named Canada Business Newsmaker of the Year

Tim Hortons' former chief executive Marc Caira has been named The Canadian Press Business Newsmaker of the Year for 2014

By David Friend

Debate over the marriage of doughnuts and burgers unfolded in Canadian coffee shops and the corridors of power in Washington, as seemingly everyone had something to say about the pairing of Tim Hortons and Burger King in 2014.

The US$11-billion deal helped Tim Hortons' former chief executive Marc Caira secure the title of The Canadian Press Business Newsmaker of the Year for 2014, in an annual survey of editors and broadcasters.

"Caira (love him or not) did something major and unexpected this year. Now coffee drinkers, and coffee servers, will have to wait for the consequences," said Doug Cudmore, business editor at the Toronto Star.

Go Girl! Rihanna Named the Global Ambassador for Puma

After having her first ever Diamond Ball a few days ago, the 26-year-old Bajan singer is currently in Herzogenaurach, Germany to finalize her deal as the new global ambassador for sports brand Puma.

Rihanna will be acting as the Creative Director for Puma’s Women’s Training Category beginning in the New Year and it will be a multi-year partnership between her and the brand!

Rihanna had some fun on her Instagram account after sharing the news and showing off some of her Puma gear (the classic Puma “Basket” shoe with a customized creeper sole); “Hello #PUMA” she posted with one picture.

Tim Hortons Become Restaurant Brand International

Mohamed Omar | Huff
With the spontaneity of a newlywed couple, Tim Hortons and Burger King have gone and created a new parent company.

Restaurant Brands International will be the name of the new company that houses the two just-hitched firms, according to a press release. RBI will be based in Oakville, Ont. and oversee 18,000 restaurants operating in 100 countries.

The name won't be creeping up on Canadians, though. Restaurant Brands International will only serve as the corporate name, according to Global News.

Tim Hortons will remain "an independent, iconic Canadian brand," said Marc Caira, president and CEO of Tim Hortons Inc, "but with significant opportunities to accelerate our brand development around the world."

Tim Hortons shareholders approve Burger King takeover

 Alexandra PosadzkiThe Canadian Press
Tim Hortons Inc. (TSX:THI) is ready to pursue its global expansion, chief executive Marc Caira said Tuesday as shareholders voted to approve a takeover of the company by Burger King.

“I believe we are well positioned, following this transaction, to take Tim Hortons’ brand experience around the world,” Caira said at the company’s special meeting of shareholders.

“Tim Hortons deserves to go around the world. We must share this Tim Hortons experience with the rest of the world.”

The shareholder vote followed approval of the deal by Ottawa after a review under the Investment Canada Act last week and by the Competition Bureau in October.

Auction! Marilyn Monroe’s lost love letters sold for $121K

A rare print of iconic actress Marilyn Monroe won in a $5 raffle 31 years ago that went up for auction at Maynards. Courtesy Maynards 

The Associated Press
Joe DiMaggio’s love letter to Marilyn Monroe has sold for $78,125 at a Beverly Hills auction.

Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills says the letter, written by the New York Yankees baseball star after Monroe announced she was divorcing him, was sold Saturday to an undisclosed buyer.

The letter during their brief, volatile marriage in 1954 was among 300 items, dubbed “Marilyn Monroe’s Lost Archives,” that went on the block. A handwritten letter from Monroe to her third and final husband, playwright Arthur Miller, sold for $43,750.

Monroe, who died of a drug overdose at age 36 in 1962, willed the collection of letters to her mentor, the legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg.

Wow! BlackBerry will pay iPhone customers up to $600 to switch phones

Sunil Lalvani, managing director of BlackBerry India, holds a newly launched BlackBerry passport smartphone at a function in New Delhi on September 29, 2014. AFP/Getty Images

David FriendThe Canadian Press
BlackBerry hopes a $600 incentive will convince iPhone users to swap their touchscreen Apple device for a keyboard-equipped BlackBerry Passport.

The Waterloo, Ont.,-based technology company plans to launch the holiday promotion in December, giving customers up to $400 of trade-in value, depending on which model of iPhone they have.

It’ll also offer those who switch up to an additional $200 through a prepaid credit card.

The deep discount is only available to North American customers who order through Amazon or Blackberry’s online store before Feb. 13.

BlackBerry (TSX:BB) is trying to claw its way back into the spotlight this holiday shopping season with a series of promotions that include a limited-edition Passport phone in red, a white model and alternative financing options for U.S. customers.

The company also plans to release another model, the BlackBerry Classic, an updated version of its popular older keyboard smartphones, on Dec. 17.

Chinese communication company in talks to buy Canada's Cossette

A view of Cossette Inc. offices in Quebec City, Nov. 10, 2009. (MATHIEU BELANGER/REUTERS)

SUSAN KRASHINSKY AND NATHAN VANDERKLIPPE | Globe and Mail
A Chinese communications company is in talks to buy a legendary Canadian ad agency, according to sources.

Beijing-based BlueFocus Communications Group is in talks to acquire assets from ad agency Cossette’s parent company, Quebec City-based Vision7 International, according to sources.

Rumours surfaced recently that BlueFocus, which has recently embarked on a strategy to expand its presence in North America and Europe, was close to a deal involving the Canadian company, which went private in 2009 with the backing of Connecticut-based private equity firm Mill Road Capital LP.

“They’re looking very closely at Cossette,” said Greg Paull, principal at marketing consultancy R3 Worldwide, which is based in China and has been advising BlueFocus on acquisition targets. BlueFocus has a track record working with multinational clients in China including Procter & Gamble Co. and Coca-Cola Co.

How Dwyane’s Proposal To Union On a Bad Manicure Day Made her A SensatioNail Ambassador

The “Being Mary Jane” star has been announced as the new ambassador for at-home gel manicure system – SensatioNail.

The story behind the deal is quite unique – Gabrielle revealed to WWD that she decided to partner with the brand when her now-husband Dwyane Wade popped the question on a day she didn’t have her nails done. When she shared her wedding bling on Instagram, sure enough her followers had a few things to say about her absence of a good manicure.

Kim Kardashian’s Paper Magazine Risque Photoshoot Spiked the Demand on Her Sex Tape

According to her ex, American singer and actor Ray J, Kim’s cover for Paper Magazine caused a spike in the sales of the sex tape that they made together and he got a cheque of $50,000.

Since the release leak of the sex tape, Ray J has been making an average of $90,000 every three months – but now he has made $50,000 in a matter of days, that’s quite an increase in demand.

TMZ reports that “The photos triggered renewed interest in “Kim K Superstar,” and our sources at Vivid Entertainment say sales of the video have dramatically spiked … so much so, Ray J will pocket $50K from the last week alone … way up from what’s he’s been getting.”

According to Vivid Entertainment, the site where Kim’s sex tape is hosted, Kim Kardashian’s sex tape is now the best-selling of all time.