1. Copywriting Portfolio
Alexander Nicol
1:
Decreasing Post-Blast Re-entry Time with Battery-Powered Wireless Monitoring of Gas and
Ground Movement
Research conducted at the Glencore Kidd Mine in Timmins, Ontario, illustrates how Newtrax
technology ensured crucial improvement in post-blast re-entry time, resulting in more efficient
mining procedures and increased copper yield.
INEFFECTUAL MANUAL METHOD
Traditionally, post-blast monitoring was based on a fixed-time period, after which a
single personnel would measure levels of toxic gases with a hand-held device. This monitoring
procedure typically takes 10-12 hrs, with further delays if ventilation damage needs repair. So
there is a health risk at hand, as well as an obvious incision in productivity rates, all based on
poor data transmission from the blast point to the face.
REMOTE MONITORING BY NEWTRAX
Newtrax technologies has built and effect remedy to this key procedural issue in the
mining process. In collaboration with Conspec and MDT technologies, Newtrax installed a
battery-powered gas and geotechnical monitoring systeminto the monitoring network at the
Glencore mine, providing real-time data acquisition from the blast point to the surface. This
means that personnel can monitor the gaseous levels at the blast point from the safety of the
control room, without any risk of exposure.

2. Newtrax’s Central Server showing amapof7900 Level onthe left,anda steeply risinggas concentrationimmediatelyafter a blastand
subsequent null readings at a rapid rate ofdecay.
Below is an example of an effective blast as shown through the analysis of the Newtrax
remote monitoring system. As you can see, CO levels rise sharply - before quickly falling. This
quick fall in CO levels means that the ventilation system survived the blast fulling intact.
Overall, the study found that an average blast (ie without any ventilation damage) took, from
start of blast to resumption of work, roughly 7 hrs.

3. One of the best features of the Newtrax real time remote monitoring system is that
personnel can gauge, from the level of gaseous fumes present in the blast area, if there is any
ventilation damage or ground material in the, and if so, exactly where it is located. If there is
damage, personnel can begin collecting the tools to fix the damaged area without having to
enter the area, as the software continues to track the gaseous fumes slowly dissipating from
the blast point. Without the Newtrax technology, personnel would have to wait until the area
was deemed safe, before manually trying to figure out where the damage is. Such a tedious
back-and-forth method has always been a real time waster, the major reason for why blasting
extends to over 12 hrs.
REMOTE MONITORING SAVES KEY MAN HOURS
The study conducted at Kidd Mine found that Newtrax technologies helped limit the
period for repairs to roughly 2 hrs. With Newtrax technology in place, the average time from
blast to recurrence of work was 9 hrs – whereas without Newtrax, it took a minimum of 12 hrs
for repairs to be completed.
The authors of this research paper estimate that Kidd Mine saved 5-6 production man
hours per shift, whether it be through releasing areas for production that are no longer
seismically active, or through redeployment of miners involved in mucking, drilling and
development. This improved data collection and subsequent redeployment represented an
additional 200 tonnes of extraction per year, containing 3% copper. Over the course of a year,
this works out to USD $35,000 in copper yields.
Furthermore, improvements in ventilation damage assessment and subsequent re-
deployment saved the workers 1 – 2 hrs per shift. A rough translation of these productivity
increases into copper yields over a year works out to USD $5,000-15,000.
IMPORTANCE OF REMOTE MONITORING
So the conclusion of the case-study is overwhelming clear: the evidence illustrates that
Newtrax Technologies allow for crucial improvements in efficiency and safety. As these are the
two most important aspects of a successful mine over the long-term, Newtrax has positioned
itself quite seamlessly at the forefront of mining technology, representing the best of the bunch
when it comes to revolutionizing the procedural structure of underground hard-rock mining.

4. 2:
ECJ Homepage
ECJ has been a purveyor of high-end luxury goods since 1986. Originally founded by
father and son team Michael and Bobby Yampolsky, ECJ quickly became the most popular spot
for stylish residents and visitors across South Florida to fulfill their watch and jewelry needs.
Over these 25 years our team has remained committed to providing only the most unique and
exquisite products to our international customer base. Building on this strong foundation, ECJ
has expanded to include the ECJ Luxe, an ultra-luxury jewelry and watch gallery. This gallery
contains the best Miami jewelry has to offer, including an assortment of men’s bracelets.
ECJ Catalogue
The ECJ Luxe catalogue includes apparel, watches, jewelry, giftware, art, and a car
exhibition. It is our stated mission to carry only the finest quality products available, and this
has garnered a reputation for excellence in product care and customer service.
Apparel
ECJ carries the most sought after brands in men’s and women’s wear. Of particular
interest is our collection of 2017 Signature Suede snapback hats, which come in a variety of
colors.
Watches
ECJ’s range of timepieces is one of the main reasons for our continued success.
Watches are a deep passion of ours, and we are experts in the industry. Our customers know
that we will always have the most unique curated selection of exceptional timepieces that
reflect the cosmopolitan laid back lifestyle of South Florida. Our collection of new timepieces
includes Audemar Piguet, Bovet, Hublot, Cabestan, Ulysse Nardin, and more. We also carry a
selection of vintage timepieces that reflect the beauty and quality of a bygone era. This
collection includes world famous brands like Zenith, Roger Dubois, and Rolex.
We make it an obligation for our sales associates to be as educated as possible about
the timepiece industry. This includes regular formal training sessions with experts and frequent
trips to Switzerland for factory visits and discussions with producers. This ensures we stay on
top of all the current trends and innovations in the industry and provide the most informed
customer service we are able to.
Jewelry
ECJ has also made its name in curating an excellent selection of jewelry, for both men
and women. Miami jewelry is not always the most timeless and classy, which makes ECJ an

5. outlier. This is especially true of men’s jewelry, and in particular men’s bracelets. Our signature
piece is the StingHD bracelet. The StingHD is made up of two stingray leather cords that is
accentuated by a handcrafted embellishment honed from silver. This elegant bracelet is ideal
for the sailing aficionado or any man interested in rare types of leather. You will not find these
men’s bracelets at any other Miami jewelry store.
Giftware
ECJ carries a range of giftware items that make ideal birthday presents, anniversary, or
in fact any occasion of your choosing. Our range of giftware includes Kiade Model Boats for the
those interested in marine activities; a selection of Crystal for any and all occasions; and a
broad assortment of Montegrappa and Visconti pens. At ECJ we know that our customers have
a diverse arrangement of needs. We take pride in being able to offer rare gifts that can fulfill
these gifting needs, whether it be for a special occasion or just out of love.
Art
ECJ has made successful inroads into the world of art collection and dealing. Related to
our globally recognized timepiece expertise, we have collected a number of prints and sketches
of watches done by the world renowned artist Marcus B. Williams. Every piece is exceptionally
rare and done with exacting precision. One of our most popular pieces is an original Ulysse
Nardin Skeleton Tourbillon sketch by Marcus B. Williams, which would make an excellent
addition to any lounge or dining room. While the sketches are all in black and white, we also
carry dynamic prints that reveal the complexity and seeming absurdity of the internal organs of
a clock. Our collection of art caters to those that share our deep passion and curiosity for
timepieces.
Car Exhibition
To round out our vast selection of services, ECJ organizes car exhibitions at our store
front locations on a regular basis. We like to surprise our customers by giving them a chance to
try out some of the rarest cars in the world, including the McLaren 650S and the Porsche 911
Targa 4 GTS. Extending the ECJ brand into the automotive industry falls in line with our stated
mission to provide the best in luxury goods to our valued and customers.
The ECJ Advantage
ECJ is a family-owned business that understands the value of customer service and
product excellence. Since our inception we have had the privilege to share our passion for
watches and luxury goods with the world, and we look forward to solidifying our reputation as
a premier supplier of high end goods. With locations in Miami, Boca Raton, and Charlotte, NC,
our galleries are accessible and full of informed sales representatives ready to help you find
what you are looking for.

6. 3:
Public Service Credit Union
The Public Service Credit Union is an excellent financial institution to save your money
with. As an authorized credit union, being a member at the PSCU has three major advantages
over a traditional bank. The first advantage is that PSCU has no hidden fees. There are fewer
bank fees in general, and the fee’s they do have are much lower than a bank. The second
advantage is that they can offer affordable loan rates for a wide variety of big expenses (cars,
homes, personal loans). The third advantage to a credit union like PSCU is that members get
treated like a family. Employees at the PSCU get to know their members by name and truly
have their best interests at heart. Fostering a family environment at the PSCU is easy because
everyone there will work with members to make the most out of their hard-earned money.
Auto Loan Rates at the PSCU
The PSCU has very affordable auto loan rates for its members. An employee of the
PSCU will sit down and discuss the best option for you: whether you want a new or used car,
how long you want the loan to be for, if you want a fixed or variable loan, and how much you
have as a down payment are all factors to be looked at. An average 36 month fixed loan for a
new or used car can have an APR as low as 1.5%. The highest APR a member should expect to
pay for a fixed loan of 84 months is 2.5%. Qualified members of the PSCU can enjoy 100%
financing, and the online application process is easy and efficient. There is also no processing
fee for an online application.
This is a great service for anyone looking to take out a car loan - especially when
compared against the auto loans available at any one of the major banks. Take Bank of
America, for example. For residents of Michigan, Bank of America will only offer fixed-rate
loans beginning at 2.74% APR for a new car, and 2.9% APR for a used car. Credit unions have
your best interest at heart, and they want to help make the most difference with your money.
Affordable auto loans are one of the most popular types of loans for Americans, and the
available rates at the PSCU will save you money in the short and long term.
Personal Loan Rates at the PSCU
Along with car loans and mortgages, personal loans are the most popular kind of loan
that people seek from a bank or credit union. The PSCU offers competitive personal loans at a
rate much lower than a typical payday loan company or traditional bank. These savings will
make all the difference down the line because you never know when disaster might strike and
you need immediate access to a large amount of money. For many people, exorbitant interest
rates on personal loans make it unfeasible to even ask for a loan in the first place. They know
that it will take years just to pay off the interest on the loan, so they do not even bother. Credit
Unions are built on a model that allows people to have access to personal loans at all times, no
matter their financial situation. This is accomplished by having low interest rates.

7. A good example of when a personal loan is an absolute necessity is in a medical
emergency. Let us imagine that someone slips on ice and breaks their wrist. An accident of this
variety can happen to anyone, no matter their age or physical health. The cost of paying for
surgery and treatment will presumably be more than the average American can afford. Taking
out a personal loan from a credit union is probably the only way to finance the treatment that is
urgently need. While a bank will demand a variety of different security requirements and take
a long time considering your situation, securing a loan from the PSCU will be easy and quick.
The employees of the credit union will understand your situation and do what is required to
secure a loan for you. It is this kind of immediate and empathetic service that makes credit
unions feel like one large family – and in a way, they are. Members of a credit union support
each other in the collective attempt to live an affordable life.
Other Services Offered by the PSCU
Aside from offering affordable auto and personal loan rates, the PSCU provides its
members with all the regular services a bank offer. These services include: savings/checking’s
accounts, direct deposit, credit/ debit card application, mortgages, and financial advice. The
credit union makes it convenient for members to travel overseas, or out of state. Indeed, it is
easy to have access to money from a variety of sources across America, including retrieval from
ATM machines. There are literally no drawbacks to moving your financial business from a bank
to a credit union.
The PSCU is committed to making banking more familiar and accessible to everyone. As
a member-owned credit union, everyone who saves their money with the PSCU will have a
stake in its operational procedures and feel a part of a growing movement. Aside from avoiding
hidden fees and getting access to affordable loans, the ambience of the PSCU will make it clear
that everyone there is committed to making your money work for you.
4:
PERSONALIZEYOUR MARKETING CONTENT WITH HYBRIS DATA MANAGEMENT
The ever-evolving forces of technology and global capitalismhave produced a consistent
rise in the number of digital shoppers. All these clicks can translate into important data for e-
commerce marketing strategies, however all too often they are lost in Google Analytics pie
charts of historical behaviour rather than providing immediate analysis of specific personal
search trends and projections. The Hybris Marketing Data Management systemdoes just that:
it is a program that tracks user behaviour in ‘real-time’ across multiple platforms, generating
key insights into user habits and desires. This allows for much more personalized marketing
campaigns, which in turn drive sales and improves internal efficiency.

8. This article will begin by highlighting the key aspects of the site architecture that make
Hybris an appealing tool. It will then breakdown the various facets of the Hybris method,
before concluding with an illustration of how generating real-time user trend analysis ensures a
smooth user experience, and makes it much more likely that they will pass from the landing
page to the purchase point.
ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE
Hybris is based on Spring, an open source framework primarily known for its
dependency injection (DI) and aspect-oriented programming (AOP) features. Spring is a highly
extensible and flexible foundation, part of the reason why Hybris has the reputation for a lean
and lightweight structural approach.
The executive environment is a Java EE Servlet Container, which includes Tomcat or
VMware vFabric tcServer. Working within the Spring environment, these Java components
provide generic logic like security, caching, clustering and persistence. Each component (or
extension) comes in the form of Spring beans, which are essentially additional services that can
be added to the global application, or to overwrite existing functionality. Hybris will provide
extensions as part of the purchase, or you can write them in yourself, in which case it is called a
custom extension.
FRONTEND LAYER
Web applications are built for two main purposes: presentation or service.
PRESENTATION
For presentation-oriented web applications, you must not forget that they are geared
towards web browsers, and thus will generate dynamic HTML markup. If, for example, you
want a web-based store on your site, you can either adapt one of our templates to your
preference or create a web application from scratch.
SERVICE
Service-oriented web applications are defined by web service endpoints. These are
used mainly by mobile devices and are always geared towards a sale.
Any Java Web Application will work within the Spring Environment, allowing you to
directly interface with the business logic APIs. If you choose a non-Java web technology, then
you will have to run your web application on remote systems and integrate these applications
using web services.

9. BUSINESS LAYER
To access the Hybris Platform, an extension will have to include the Hybris ServiceLayer
API. Once completed, you are now in the Business layer of the site. The Hybris ServiceLayer
API consists of a set of services, managed by the Spring environment, and includes all business
logic that the Hybris Platform and extensions offer. Each extension can add services to the
ServiceLayer, which means all other extensions can utilize that same service.
Extensions also offer the option to add or modify business objects in the global Hybris
data model. The best thing about the date model is that it is defined in XML, and can therefore
easily be adjusted, offering full flexibility to the site owner. This Model Driven Architecture
(MDA) approach is so flexible that all applications built on top of the base data model will
automatically adjust to any object changes.
PERSISTENCE LAYER
On the persistence layer you can map between business objectives and database tables.
This is done by an ORM (Object-Relational-Mapping) framework that automatically modifies
when it is updated, or new business models are created. It is beneficial that the persistence
layer is clearly separated from the service layer, especially when it comes to testing. Each layer
can be tested in isolation, thereby significantly reducing time and setup costs for tests.
CORE+ CONCEPT
Now that the foundation for the Hybris web application has been described, we must
turn our attention to the Hybris solution for the e-commerce industry.
The CORE+ Concept is built upon the Spring foundation, and is made up of modules,
each consisting of a kernel, a commons, and system services. The kernels are responsible for
persistence, caching, and search in a highly efficient and scalable manner. It features various
data storage options, tenant separation in storage, localized values, schemaless dynamic
attributes, optimistic locking, aggregation, media storage, initialization, and update and system
migration. The commons provide utilities not related to a specific domain, and used by several
services. The System Services are common to applications built on top of the kernel itself, such
as Data OnBoarding.
Each module is quite independent from each other in that they do not share data. The
modules are tightly integrated, however, with the hybris Platform via RESTful communication,
and for each module there is a client responsible for REST communication.
Architecturally it is quite similar to the Commerce Suite Extension explained above. Like
the Commerce Suite, there are specific layers for clients to modify to suite their wishes. In the
Core+ Concept there are three main layers: façade, service and persistence. The façade layer
makes calls to the service layer and exposes the module API. The service layer contains service

10. logic needed to realize business use cases. It is split into data and service components. The
persistence layer, meanwhile, is specific for applications that require its capabilities, as
discussed above.
This brief description of the Hybris Core+ concept should clarify some of the technical
aspects of the site architecture. Just to be clear once more: the use of Java and JVM means
that containers are able to run on any operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, Apple
Mac OS X Server or various other Unix-based operating systems. Lastly, when it comes to
database management systems, it should be noted that Hybris supports Oracle, MySQL,
Perconna XtraDB Cluster, SAP HANA DB or Microsoft SQL Server.
ENHANCED PERSONAL WEB EXPERIENCE: THE HYBRIS MARKETING EDGE
What does all this software mean for your marketing campaigning? Well, it means that you
can kiss Google Analytics and traditional tracking methods goodbye, because they are just not
good enough anymore. With the Hybris Core+ concept, you will be able to:
1. Understand Real-Time Customer Intents.
Hybris blends together implicit (page clicks and views) with explicit (campaign responses
and purchases) insights to help determine what a customer wants to buy before they even
know. Hybris can provide this service in the form of consolidated profiles based on explicit and
implicit content; accurately defined micro-segments and target audiences from macro-data;
anticipation of customer behaviours based on hidden trends; and access to deep insights from
the open SAP HANA platform, which provides predictive and data mining. The marketing team
can also check its own performances, by way of a dashboard that tracks activity through
movement charts and percentage success rate comparisons.
2. Market with Speed and Agility
An in-depth understanding of real-time customer intents means that you can market with
the speed and agility of an expert. The Hybris Marketing Planning Team helps deliver the best
experience to your customer in, with increased visibility connecting up siloes and creating
integrated campaigns so that information picked up in the moment can be applied as quickly as
possible. This can be achieved by formulating a plan that allows the whole marketing team an
opportunity to track delivery on key performance indicators in real-time. Allowing access to
quick insights means that collaboration will be easier and more thorough, making it possible to
keep well within budget. Hybris provides top-down and bottom-up planning and budget
distribution models for your company to ensure you stay within budget!
3. Deliver Unique Customer Experiences
The real x-factor provided by Hybris data management is the ability to use real-time
information about user trends to create unique experiences for the user. It’s a positive

11. feedback loop, and the user is the one who reaps the most benefit because the web experience
will be easier and more familiar. The Hybris Marketing suite provides the ‘in-the-moment’
context of each individual, making it possible to produce relevant customer experiences all the
way through the customer journey - from the home page to the point of purchase.
Customer engagement needs to be proactive. It needs to tap into emotional interests
that underlie the buying process, and the right kinds of emotional triggers need to be
strategically placed along the customer’s journey from awareness to consideration, and on to
intention, before the key decision to buy is made. Hybris prides itself on its conversion ability,
increasing site revenue by up to 30%. Of course, as the only patented real-time marketing
engine on the market, who can be shocked?
HYBRIS IN ACTION
Perhaps the best way to understand the Hybris solution is to provide an illustration of
an average customer.
Take Laure, for example, a young woman who frequents the luxury online fashion
retailer Ssence. Laura has been on the site over 15 times in the past 60 days, and has been
browsing consistently in the leather boot section of the site. With the help of Hybris, the
Ssence marketing team would be able to conclude that this woman is looking to buy leather
boots from Ssence. With Google Analytics, all they could gather was that the leather boot
section was perhaps getting a bit more traction over a week span, and that this one site had
been partly responsible for this rise. However, given the personal insights from Hybris, the
Ssence marketing team could place a leather boot advertisement on Laura’s web browser.
While Laura would take note of the advertisement, she might not click on it right away. Or she
might click on it, think about it, and then let it sit for a couple of days. The Ssence marketing
team would be aware of her search habits, and perhaps reach out to her through email or social
media to offer a little reminder of the sale. They could even personalize the advertisement for
Laura based on her search history and intuitive desires. For one reason or another (probably
based on the effective personalized marketing!) Laura will decide to purchase the leather boots
that she eyed at the beginning of her web experience, foregoing the cheaper option because
she feels attached to the aesthetic and quality of Ssence products.
So here, in a nutshell, is the power of Hybris data management in driving sales for e-
commerce business. It is high time that your business starts to benefit from the personal
marketing approach, because it will become an industry standard in no time.

12. 5:
Overviewof GranCor’s Full Service Removal of Man-Made Fibers
At GranCor, we provide full-service removal of man-made fibers that may exist in your
property. Our fiber removal operation is one of many services offered in our Environmental
division, a full-service arm of our overall operations that include demolition and commercial
construction support.
What Are Man-Made Fibers
Man-made mineral fibers are a family of glass-like products that are noncrystalline in
their makeup – as opposed to crystalline fibers like asbestos - and are produced from a
combination of molten rock, molten glass, molten slag, or clay. They have become popular
since the 1990s as an asbestos replacement - but there is some concern that these fibers may
be just as toxic. Fibers play an integral role in supporting and strengthening different aspects of
construction fundamentals, from fiber-reinforced concrete composites, to fiber optic cables for
electricity, to the variety of glass fiber laminates that are commonly used as window trims or
wall columns. Commonly used examples of potentially dangerous synthetic fibers include:
polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

13. While these synthetic fibers have improved the quality and functionality of construction
practices since the mid-1950s, there is still much debate about their carcinogenic quality. Some
health specialists declare these synthetic vitreous fibers to be as dangerous as asbestos, for
example. Even with these health concerns, it is certainly true that man-made fibers and
polymers will only become more popular in the construction industry, as study after study is
published showing how much more effective they are compared to metal, concrete, or wood.
The GranCor Solution
GranCor provides a full-service removal operation that will extract all possible
dangerous fibers from your building site. Our work always begins with a preliminary
consultation of the property. Once the level of risk and work is roughly determined, a
comprehensive plan is presented with details of where the toxic fibers are, and how our team
will remove them. Then our team of experts will put the building under extremely controlled
conditions, and begin the removal procedures. We will cover the entire building in an air-tight
screen, thus blocking it off from any public access.
Our team of experts will then set to work, following these three general steps:
1. Assessment – We test the air quality throughout the entire building to gauge where the
problem areas are.
2. Detection – A full analysis of the air quality will clarify the kind of direction we should
take regarding removal. Sometimes fiber is used just in the exterior of a building, in
which case our work is much less labor intensive. Otherwise it is in the structural frame
of the building itself, which requires much more labor. We will detect where the fibers
are in the building and focus on these areas.
3. Removal – Much like asbestos, fibers are usually used in the structural frame of the
building itself, either as insulation or in combination with glass, steel or concrete in the
frame of the building. We remove the fibrous materials, no matter the size, and replace
them with less toxic and more sustainable alternatives already on the market.
4. Proof – Our team will give a before and after comparison of the air components as proof
that our removal service is complete.

14. 6:
morthouse sessions
today is friday presents a live session with our friends Morthouse, performing "soul
jacking".
if Morthouse lived in LA, you'd find them in a small apartment with no natural light in the
squalid down-town. the two brothers would set up a jam space in the kitchen, and enjoy
the setting sun from their rooftop. they would spend the early evening scanning the
seething metropolis, scowling at the vapid consumerism and superficial satisfaction that
surrounds them. returning to their kitchen lair every night, the music they make would
reflect a subtle bind between two lifestyles: an attraction to the embellishments of the
well to do, infused with a necessary acknowledgement that our world is filthy, and that
humans are prone to self-destruction.