danny-home, Author at Direct Global

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops Becomes Canadian Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council

Toronto, Canada – Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is excited to have accepted the invitation to join the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) as a Strategic Partner, joining a prestigious group of global business leaders. Corporate Strategic Partners include Rolls Royce, Sandals Resorts, Standard Chartered, De La Rue, just to name a few. The group also includes Institutional Strategic Partners, such as The City of London Corporation, the Governments of Jersey, Cyprus and Gibraltar, among many others, and Government Strategic Partners, such as the governments of Malta, Sri Lanka and Cameroon. This partnership will give Direct Global / Direct Co-ops unfettered access and support in engaging the 53 Commonwealth countries, which represent over 2 Billion people, the majority being from the developing world.

“We are looking forward to fostering Commonwealth-Canada relations and working with all the SMEs in the member countries, bringing them together through The Direct Initiative”, said Ahmed Attia, President CEO of Direct Global / Direct Co-ops, “The future is bright”.

“We are delighted to welcome Direct Global / Direct Co-ops to our Commonwealth business network.” Said Alan Gemmell OBE Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops
Headquartered in Toronto, Direct Global / Direct Co-ops (https://directglobal.world) is an e-commerce company focused on developing and operating platforms that allow purchasers to leverage their collective purchasing power to reduce the cost of procuring raw materials, finished goods and services. The company’s proprietary web-based platform enables medium and large corporations to harness their collective purchasing power to reduce purchasing and shipping costs. The company’s subsidiary, Direct Co-ops, focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses.

Direct Co-ops has developed a web-based platform that works with local business associations and others to connect local small and medium enterprises and enable them to aggregate orders for goods and services from local and national manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. By consolidating shipping, the company helps participating businesses reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains. Direct Global / Direct Co-ops has been featured on Bloomberg-BNN, Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider and received mention in “Everything for Everyone”, Nathan Schneider’s seminal text on the modern business cooperative movement.

Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)
CWEIC has a mandate from Commonwealth Heads of Commonwealth Government to promote trade and investment across the 53-member nations of the Commonwealth. With over 70 corporate and institutional Strategic Partners and activity in many Commonwealth countries, we are the Commonwealth’s business network and the place for public-private engagement across the Commonwealth.

CWEIC has growing network in 6 Commonwealth countries and is a UK-registered not-for-profit company chaired by Lord Marland of Odstock, Lord Marland was Trade Envoy for British Prime Minister David Cameron

CWEIC is responsible for the Commonwealth Business Forum, which takes place alongside the two-yearly meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government.

‘Wal-Mart’s #1 Enemy’ Joins Direct Co-ops to Create First Independent Network for Small Businesses

TORONTO/BOSTON—Small Business activists in Canada and the U.S. are joining forces to fight for a level playing field for local merchants under attack from huge retail companies like Amazon, Walmart, Facebook and Google. Direct Co-ops, Al Norman and Canada’s top broadcaster Steve Anthony announced today the creation of the Direct Local Business Network (DLBN), which will produce podcasts and disseminate news stories via social media with a focus on the small businesses that power the economy, and the conglomerates who are seeking to destroy them.

Al Norman is the founder of Sprawl-Busters, a clearinghouse on big box sprawl issues, and an author/land use consultant who has guided hundreds of communities around the world fighting corporations like Wal-Mart and Amazon. Forbes magazine called Norman “Wal-Mart’s #1 Enemy”. He first stopped a Wal-Mart in his hometown of Greenfield, MA in 1993. Over the past 26 years, he has become known internationally as a citizen-activist and author who helps small towns fight off big retail developers, including an appearance on 60 Minutes, which called Norman the “Guru of the anti -Wal-Mart movement.”. “You can’t buy small town quality of life on any shelf at Walmart,” Norman said. “But once you lose it, you can’t buy it back at any price”.

Norman’s website, http://www.sprawl-busters.com, with more than 4,000 site fight stories going back to 1998, is the largest collection of stories of local big box battles on the internet. His first book, Slam Dunking Wal-Mart: How You Can Stop Superstore Sprawl, has become a classic for neighborhood groups, and his second book, The Case Against Wal-Mart was released in 2004. Both books have been translated into different languages. His latest book, Occupy Walmart, was published in 2012. This book is a collection of essays written for The Huffington Post.

Norman was featured in the PBS documentary Store Wars, about one Virginia town’s battle against Wal-Mart; ITVS film Talking to the Wall; served as a consultant for the movie High Cost of Low Price; was featured in the Our Town movie in Damariscotta, Maine, and in the Canadian movie Wal-Mart Nation. He appeared on Penn & Teller’s show, NBC Nightly News, ABC’s Nightline, The Wall Street Journal Report, CNBC Steals & Deals, among others and has been written up in Time Magazine, The Boston Globe and many others.

The new strategic network DLBN will focus on stories about the “voodoo economics” of the superstore chains, and how monopolistic retail giants are smothering smaller merchants who operate at the local level. Three out of four employers in the U.S. are ‘micro businesses’ with less than 10 employees. “Their voice and their struggles are as critical to our future as anything the Big Box and Online Retailers have to say”, Norman noted.

Toronto-based Direct Global / Direct Co-ops has been working to strengthen the clout of small and medium-sized businesses. Direct Global / Direct Co-ops has already created a group-buying platform and marketplace online for small and medium businesses and co-ops, bringing together local independent businesses to leverage their group buying power, enabling them to achieve better prices on all their purchases. “We’re adding DLBN to small business offerings,” explained CEO Ahmed Attia. “Small merchants need a big voice, and we will concentrate on stories that amplify that voice”. The work of Direct Global / Direct Co-ops allows small retailers to enjoy the same buying power as the big chains and online retailers, stimulating the local communities and economies to level the playing field for our ‘Mom and Pop’ shops.

Award-winning Canadian Broadcaster Steve Anthony, who is the Head of Media and Public Relations at Direct Global / Direct Co-ops, will help produce and co-host a series of podcasts with Norman from Sprawl-Busters that will highlight breaking retail news, along with headline newsmaker interviews of interest to small businesses and community activists. “Supporting these small businesses is what first attracted me to Direct Co-ops”, Anthony said. “Our Direct Local Business Network will help Mom and Pops in hometowns everywhere keep informed and updated on retail, with a consumer/merchant slant”. Podcasts are expected to go into production this spring.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is a strategic partner with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), which has a mandate from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote intra-Commonwealth trade, investment and the role of the private sector.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is joined by the largest business associations, co-ops, nonprofit and government institutions, dedicated to supporting independent business and entrepreneurship and the voice of mom and pop businesses everywhere. Direct Global / Direct Co-ops has developed the most technologically advanced eCommerce platform available on the market today.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops Joins the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council as the Canadian Strategic Partner

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is delighted to announce that it has joined the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) as a Strategic Partner.

About CWEIC
CWEIC a not for profit membership organization with a mandate from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote intra-Commonwealth trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 52 member countries. The group is chaired by Lord Marland of Odstock, the former Minister of Energy and Climate Change, as well as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy. The 52 CEOs that make this prestigious group include Rolls Royce, De La Rue, Crown Agents Bank, HSBC, Marine Platforms, Sandals Resorts International and others.

CWEIC’s CommonwealthFirst program encourages small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trade and invest across the Commonwealth; a market comprising 53 English speaking countries with a combined population of 2.2 billion – at least 60% of whom are under the age of 30 – and a combined GDP of approximately US$9.6 trillion.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is extremely proud and honored to join the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council as the Canadian strategic partner.

Serena Ryder, Tom Cochrane, Russell Peters, Barenaked Ladies and other celebrities stand behind Direct Co-ops!

(Published on Business Insider)

TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2018 — What do Serena Ryder, Tom Cochrane, Barenaked Ladies, Russell Peters, Fito Blanko, Tom Wilson of Junkhouse, The Trews, Karl Wolf, Mark Holmes from Platinum Blonde, Alan Frew from Glass Tiger, Dr. Draw & Lynn Moffatt have in common?

Aside from being some of the biggest names in Canadian entertainment – this week, they’ve gathered together with the team behind a Toronto based organization called Direct Global / Direct Co-ops to send a strong message – they care about their communities.

It takes a lot to get this stellar list of Canadian talent excited – and this varied group that represents some of the best in Canadian arts is thrilled to support the international launch of Direct Global / Direct Co-ops. Direct is a local initiative turned international, that experts are calling a true gamechanger for small and medium sized businesses, the customers they serve and the communities they operate in.

On Monday night, Mark Holmes, Alan Frew, Tom Wilson, Lynn Moffatt and Dr. Draw came out to the 416 Direct Kensington Local Hub, Direct Global / Direct Co-ops office launch party to celebrate in person, and Tom Cochrane, the Barenaked Ladies, The Trews and Serena Ryder, Russell Peters, Karl Wolf, and Fito Blanko, who were unable to attend, sent special video messages in support of the project.

Hosted by Steve Anthony, legendary broadcaster with a forty year history in Canadian broadcasting (known for his early years helping to develop MuchMusic into the powerhouse it became as well as for his most recent award winning years on Toronto’s CP24), who was so enthusiastic about the Direct Global / Direct Co-ops mission that he’s been devoting a lot of his time to the organization.

Company founder and CEO Ahmed Attia said they are thrilled to have Anthony on board. “Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is happy to be working with Steve Anthony. Without him holding our flag, our voice would never have been heard.”

But what IS Direct Global / Direct Co-ops, and why were all those celebrities and media stars celebrating earlier this week?

Steve explains it this way : “With the constant erosion of our communities due to the major economic changes that have taken place, small and medium sized business have nowhere to go, and I truly believe the Direct initiative is the only way to solve both the online crisis (50 percent of all online spending goes to one major corporation that doesn’t even pay taxes) and the big box stores and major chains which have been crushing mom and pops.”

With the support of a huge cross section of Canadian media and entertainment personalities, a partnership with cryptocurrency Tatatu, the memorable hashtag #savemomandpops, and an impressive membership list, Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is already making a difference to small businesses, and the communities they serve.

It just got even better. Attia says the brand new Direct Global / Direct Co-ops app will literally put the power of the big money, big box store into the hands of the small business person, allowing them to compete on an even playing field with the world’s biggest corporations in both purchasing and retail.

Yes. There’s an app for that.

The new app is available in Beta version on both Android and Apple stores.

More about Direct Global / Direct Co-ops at : https://www.directcoops.com

Media Contact :
Tracy Lamourie
tracy@directcoops.ca
289-788-5881

Direct Co-ops Announces Exciting New Partnership with Royal-Backed $575 Million ICO Tatatu

(Published on Yahoo! Finance)

Toronto based Direct Global / Direct Co-ops has a stunning surprise for small and medium sized businesses across North America and they say it’s something businesses around the world will soon be able to take advantage of.

Today, Direct announced an exciting new partnership with Royal-backed Tatatu.

Tatatu’s ICO has been creating a lot of excitement in the crypto world after selling over $575 million dollars worth of its currency, making it the third most funded cryptocurrency in the marketplace with a mindblowing rise of 323% over the past week alone.

“Tatatu will be the exclusive retail cryptocurrency used on our Direct Local App,” said Ahmed Attia, President and CEO of Direct Global / Direct Co-ops, “We’re excited that our small and medium sized business members will enjoy access to premium video content, earning rewards for watching and share advertising revenue in a way that is fair and transparent. Each new Direct member will receive 50 Tatatu coins upon registration, which they will be able to use to purchase products from local businesses through the Direct Local App. Members will earn TTU coins as they enjoy films, TV shows, music and games! We’re really happy to be able to offer this to our members – it’s a gamechanger and because it benefits everyone involved, it fits perfectly with what we do at Direct Co-ops. It really is a natural partnership.”

Founded by award-winning film producer Andrea Iervolino, investors in the Tatatu ICO include such heavyweights as Patricio Slim (the son of Mexican Billionaire Carlos Slim), Lady Monika Bacardi, Prince Felix of Luxembourg, Hollywood icons and many other renowned names from across industries.

Award winning Broadcaster Steve Anthony (who Canadians know from his years on CP24 and MuchMusic) recently announced his involvement with Direct Global / Direct Co-ops. He was motivated to become part of the company because of their passion for saving small and medium sized businesses – the lifeblood of communities – from big box stores, giving them tools to compete with the Walmarts and the Amazons of the world.

More About Direct Global / Direct Co-ops:

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in North America, who number approximately 29 million in all, as well as cooperatives, who number 120 million members, can enjoy free membership with www.directcoops.com, helping them to not just survive in the big box era, but to thrive. A Direct Co-ops membership allows companies to vote to reduce costs on 40+ product categories, ranging from light bulbs and coffee, to auto parts and food products. Once enough votes have been secured on a product line, Direct Co-ops is able to negotiate lower prices on that product or product category.

Direct Co-ops is set to launch its Direct Local App, providing each member with their own free website, storefront and buying platform, empowering local communities and leveling the playing field for all.

Membership information and more details available at https://www.directcoops.com

Direct Co-ops Brings Steve Anthony’s Celebrity Power to Their Fight to “Change The World”

(Published on Business Insider)

TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is proud to announce that broadcast icon Steve Anthony has agreed to come on board as Head of Media Relations. Anthony will also sit on the Advisory Board.

There aren’t many Canadians who are unfamiliar with Steve’s illustrious career. From the nine years he spent on MuchMusic, helping to put the station on the global map (he’s recognized across the nation to this day for his time there!) to the last nine years he spent on TV with his television mates, making Toronto’s “CP24 Breakfast” the top viewed morning show in Canada.

There’s a reason that, amongst many kudos, Anthony was chosen as Top Choice Awards ‘Top Television Personality in the GTA’ five straight years in a row.

Throughout his 40 plus years as a public figure, Steve’s list of philanthropic efforts read like poetry: Daughters for Life Foundation, Autism Speaks Canada, Walk So Kids Can Talk, Rally for Kids With Cancer Benefitting Toronto’s Sick Kids’ Hospital, and so many others have benefitted from Steve’s time, energy and wisdom. Those who know him, say that when you hear Steve speak, his passion for helping people is striking – and inspiring. He says that “Leave it better than you found it”, is one of his guiding principles.

“It’s often been commented that Steve has always had a unique connection with his viewers and listeners and we expect that he will bring that energy to the equally unique world of “the little guy,” Direct Co-ops said in a statement released to media today.

After learning of the downfall of so many “Mom ‘N Pop” businesses over the years, Steve agreed to join the Direct Global / Direct Co-ops and The Direct Initiative in their efforts to “change the world” and save the backbone of every community: its small businesses.

In his new position with Direct Co-ops, Steve will be guiding all media and promotional endeavors. Additionally, he announced today that he will be developing an all original show to be called “Direct Co-ops Local Hero presented by Steve Anthony“. The show will feature small businesses and their stories from their triumphs to their modern tragedies in the face of the big boxes stores.

More About Direct Global / Direct Co-ops:

Small and medium-sized businesses in North America, who number approximately 29 million in all, can enjoy free membership with www.directcoops.com, helping them to not just survive in the big box era, but to thrive. A Direct Co-ops membership allows companies to vote to reduce costs on 40+ product categories, ranging from light bulbs and coffee, to auto parts and food products. Once enough votes have been secured on a product line (1000 votes), Direct Co-ops is able to negotiate lower prices on that product or product category.

Membership information and more details available at https://www.directcoops.com

Media Contact:Tracy Lamourie, Direct Co-ops, 289-788-5881, tracy@directcoops.ca

“Canada’s Greatest Innovation Since Insulin, Economic Insulin!” – Direct Co-ops

(Published on Business Insider)

Direct Co-ops makes history by uniting over 1,000 American and Canadian businesses to save up to 50% on on their purchases

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Direct Co-ops has made history by concluding a group purchase with over 1,000 independent businesses in the USA and Canada combining their purchasing power to buy brand name LED light bulbs, coffee, and cleaning supplies. The collective buy yielded savings of up to 50%. This is milestone for Direct Co-ops in bringing together small businesses and independent contractors and entrepreneurs in USA and Canada to save on their purchasing costs.

Since their introduction on Business News Network (BNN) with Catherine Murray on September 12, 2017, Direct Co-ops has seen a massive influx of small businesses joining and voting on products, in both the USA and Canada.

View the interview on BNN: http://www.bnn.ca/video/mom-and-pop-shops-unite-to-compete-with-amazon~1207123

“Now more than ever, small businesses are being squeezed out by big box retailers,” says Ahmed Attia, CEO and Founder of Direct Co-ops. “Our goal is to level the playing field by bringing all the mom and pops together to help them cut costs much like big business does.”

About Direct Co-ops: Small and medium-sized businesses in North America, who number approximately 29 million in all, can enjoy free membership with www.directcoops.com, helping them to not just survive in the big box era, but to thrive. A Direct Co-ops membership allows companies to vote to reduce costs on 40+ product categories, ranging from light bulbs and coffee, to auto parts and food products. Once enough votes have been secured on a product line (1000 votes), Direct Co-ops is able to negotiate lower prices on that product or product category.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops and CCA Global Partners reached a major agreement for USA & Canada

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops is proud to announce we have reached an agreement with CCA Global Partners.

October 3, 2017

Toronto, ON – Canadian company Direct Global / Direct Co-ops and US-based CCA Global Partners reached a major agreement for USA & Canada. Direct Global / Direct Co-ops will be bringing CCA Global Partners’ major services and products to the rest of the USA and Canada. This will enable Direct Co-ops members to enjoy savings in a multitude of products and services, including but not limited to free shipping and 70% off Staples products, 70%+ discount on shipping, savings on fuel, 19% discount on Sprint telecom services and many more.

Direct Global / Direct Co-ops truly appreciates our alliance with CCA Global Partners, a group that truly recognizes and supports entrepreneurs and independent businesses.

About CCA Global Partners

CCA Global Partners‘ cooperative business model has been empowering thousands of entrepreneurs to succeed in a marketplace that is impacted by widespread consolidation. CCA Global Partners empowers entrepreneurs and independent business owners by providing the scale, resources and innovation that create sustainability, growth and effective competition in today’s evolving marketplace. More than 3,500 locations and half a million members in North America and abroad benefit from CCA’s leadership through its 14 different businesses. CCA Global Partners comprises 14 divisional companies with annual sales of $10.8 billion.

About Direct Co-ops

Direct Co-ops has launched an initiative that will see 29 million small and medium enterprises come together to form the world’s largest buying group. Through the buying group, SMEs will have the purchasing power to lower costs on everyday business products and services, making them more competitive with ‘big box’ stores.

Direct Co-ops partners with the global co-operative movement at Disrupting the Disruptors

Disrupting the Disruptors conference was held in Toronto between September 9-10, dedicated to understanding and accelerating platform co-operatives in Canada and all around the world. This event offered a practical exploration of a more equitable digital economy by using co-operatively owned digital platforms. Can co-operative ownership solve the challenges we face from platform monopolies, such as Walmart and Amazon? We explored the possibilities of building a sustainable platform economy that benefits entrepreneurs and all people.

The conference was joined by over 300 co-operatives, associations and other groups representing millions of businesses worldwide. Direct Co-ops joined the conference as one of the pillars of the new digital economy, leveling the playing field for all mom and pops. After understanding the sense of urgency, Direct Co-ops has decided to give their experience and technologies, completely for free, to help stop the bleeding for small independent businesses globally.

416Direct Local App is born!

The 416 Direct local app allows small businesses in local communities to interact with each other on important community topics, vote on policies and products, as well as purchase products through the app among many other features.

The 416 Direct app is available for both Android and iPhone and can be downloaded from the following links:

(Android) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.directappw

(iPhone) https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/416direct/id1276776382?mt=8