Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Review: Green Terra Initiative begins its first project;
MoCo and MV both report increased international sales; Reed Jeweler announces new spokesmodel
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 8, 5717


Summer Orozco is the face of new Diamond Campaign from Reed

Green Terra Initiative begins its First Project
The Government of Seko has applied for, and received the first grant from the Green Terra Initiative. The initial Grant is valued at K$10 Million Imperial Pesos, plus 8 percentage in Admin/Overage costs. The project aims to work with The Sekowan Ministry of Energy to create a new Kumasaki Industrial Solar Plant in Seko. "The Sekowan Government is putting 60% of the costs of the project up and the Green Terra Initiative is supplying the other 40%, plus costs for training programs that aim to begin building a domestic plant operation skill base in the nation," said Initiative Spokesperson Matt Wilton. "This is a very small project for the Initiative, which could give out as much as K$2.3 Billion annually, but it is a good first project for both partners in that it allows them to begin the transition to green energy, while allowing us to see how money delivered will be administered, allowing us to fine tune the program if needed to better serve grantees."

The building and training project will last for 4 years. Besides a capital injection, Green Terra will also be able to supply most materials, including photovoltaics and large scale energy storage batteries, at cost, so that the plant can maintain 1.1 megawatts of production continuously. It is estimated that the energy needs of Seko is just under 69Mw of continuous power generation, but in Seko, nearly all of that is produced using fossil fuels. "This is a very modest start," said Wilton. "We are not going to convert Seko into a Green Energy center overnight, but I don't think Sekowan workers would benefit from that. It's a start, and it will stand as an exhibit in favor of more green energy and conversion away from fossil fuel over time. While we could fund the project to convert half of Seko's energy needs to solar this year, I think it would be a real mistake to do that, because Seko would not only need to train thousands of workers to work at those plants, but also there would be massive displacement in their current energy sector. Starting small I think is the prudent step, and then, if they decide to scale up, we stand in a position to help again." The Green Terra Initiative estimates that it will cost about K$10.2 million per megawatt of capacity, but costs are significantly discounted through the Grant from Kalistani suppliers.

During the building of the plant, Kalistan will host the first cohort of workers who will work at the plant when it becomes operational. "It's important that they train with industry leaders in Kalistan, as Kalistani technical methods will be employed at Kumasaki plant," said Wilton. The Sekowans will take the same training that Kalistani workers who work with KPO have to take, and they can then take that knowledge back to Seko and can develop their own SOPs and training manuals to pass that information on to their own technicians locally. The Green Terra Initiative will cover the cost of these training programs, including a year of per diem for trainees in Kalistan, travel and housing allowances. KPO will also assist with training modules for the Sekowans to take with them when they return home.

MoCo and MV both report increased international sales
Both electrical vehicle producers, Kalistani Motor Company (MoCo) and Motor Vrassa (MV) have announced record sales of Kalistani electric vehicles abroad in the second quarter of FY17. This news follows strenuous marketing pushes, as well as increased trade opportunities abroad. Most of the international sales were in Seleya, though Kalistan is increasing its marketshare in both Dovani and Keris.

"We are very encouraged by the increase not only in sales, but in the expansion of the infrastructure to support those cars through northern and central Seleya," said MV spokesperson Jill Zimmermann. "There are still plenty of gas powered engines on the road, and EVs remain a niche market outside of Kalistan, but that means that even small gains look pretty large relative to the past." Zimmerman said MV sold more cars internationally last quarter than they had ever sold. "And it wasn't even close: MV saw a 135% increase in the second quarter from the first quarter, and the first quarter itself was record setting." In fact, demand is increasing so fast that international hybrid sales rates are quickly outpacing the relatively perpetually stagnant domestic growth. MoCo reported similar growth, with its purely electronic models increasing international sales by more than 200% internationally so far this year over last year.

Zimmerman attributes the growth to good marketing, Kalistani state subsidies that keep price points low, and increasing international appetite for cleaner energy alternatives. "Even as more oil reserves come on line, oil producers are doing whatever they can to keep prices stable. But gas consumers cannot possibly be insulated from global shocks that could send gas prices skyrocketting for no clear reason. Unless they switch away from gas engines completely. We are seeing more people do that, if not out of concern for the environment, than out of concern for their own bank accounts. And people are actively working to undo environmental damage being enthusiastically engaged in by a handful of gross polluter nations. That in and of itself justifies the purchase of one of our electric automobiles."

Reed Jeweler announces new spokesmodel
Summer Orozco, an up and coming model from Sulari who signed with Kauffman Agency last fall, has been named the new Spokesmodel for Reed Jeweler and has signed an exclusive three year contract. She has already begun shooting new photos for Reed ads, which will be placed in magazines, on billboard and in newspapers this spring. The campaign is to promote a new Diamond Set that features tennis necklace and bracelet, and matching earrings.

Orozco, a 29 year old Athosia native won the contract for Reed among very stiff competition. "There's something fresh and exciting about Summer that really stood out in our interviews," said Ad Manager Carina Hibbert. "Her first language is Egelian, of course, and she speaks Vrassan with such a thick accent that you almost have to really pay attention to her, but what shines through is her charm and her natural charisma. We all noticed it during the auditions: when she entered the room, we were kind of in a huddle debating who was closer to the top of the stack than who, and you could see it happening. First one turned and saw her, then another, it was like a wave where people just lost interest in talking about the mundane and paid attention to her and she didn't even say a word. Naturally when we started speaking with her, the other potentials sort of faded out of mind."

The statuesque, 6' tall model, from Puerto San Luis in Athosia, moved to Sulari when she was 16. After doing her national service, she went to the University of Sulari to study photography, but wound up on the other side of the camera when she did an ad for the Sulari based Redliner Eyewear, and was contacted by Kauffman the next day. "She's not a model's model" said Hibbert. "I think that's part of her charm. She's goofy and not very graceful. You probably won't see her on a runway anytime soon, which is a real shame because she has the body of a surfer. But no, I think that would be a disaster. Reed on the other hand, does not require their models to go on runways, and she can be as silly and fun and pretty in her pictures as she wants to be: Our jewelry looks good on her, and people are going to see those ads and want those necklaces and bracelets, because she's in them. So we're very happy to have her here with us."

Orozco said, "Estoy muy contenta de trabajar para Reed. Tienen una larga trayectoria con chicas guapas en sus anuncios, así que haber sido elegida como su próxima portavoz me ha dado un gran impulso. Estoy súper emocionada por la campaña y por estos próximos tres años con ellos.'

@TheRepublic