It is surely destined to go down as one of the most talked about news stories of the new decade. The "saga" of the 33 trapped Chilean miners keeps on taking more twists and turns then a soap opera.
What started out as a typical "trapped miners probably going to die horrible deaths" story has morphed into a media blitz that would make a Kardashian sister jealous.
One company that's not complaining is Oakley. A new study by CNBC has found that Oakley collected an estimated 41 million dollars in advertising time by donating special UV protective glasses to the miners, who wore the glasses when they were rescued.
After taking into account the live coverage, recaps, and the estimated audience that tuned in, it looks like Oakley's product placement came to more then double the entire cost of the rescue operation.
Many people are beginning to questions Oakley's motives and whether they were using the operation as a marketing tool, or simply showing a gesture of good faith.
It's unheard of really, what kind of corporation would ever think to take advantage of a human crisis for product placement? Large transnational big businesses never would be so greedy.
After the success of this disaster sponsorship, Oakley should branch out to other rescue attempts such as making water resistant glasses for toddlers who fall down wells or orchestrating another mine collapse, this time during prime time.
For the first time in the history of the United States people are actually caring about what happens in the state of Delaware. The reason is the TV coverage of a plucky young conservative woman who is running for the Senate seat of that state- Christine O’Donnell. Oh boy, is she a fun and interesting look at the Republican Party.
She has sparked lots of controversy and made national headlines recently because of an exchange that occurred in one of the debates where she claimed the Constitution did not specify that there was a separation between church and state. The full transcript of the Widener Law School is below-
O’Donnell
-Where in the Constitution is there separation of church and state?
Chris Coons
-the first amendment.
O’Donnell
-let me just clarify. You’re telling me separation of church and state is found in the first amendment?
Coons
-it says government shall make no established religion.
O’Donnell
-That’s in the first amendment?
O'Donnell had a rough time at the debate, however, it seems she would have also had a hard time on the game show "Are You Smarter Then A Fifth Grader". Law students can be so mean sometimes.
O’Donnell does have her strong suits however. She is an active feminist. Well, kind of. She explains her position in an speech at the Americans for Prosperity's RightOnline Conference, July 2010
“I consider myself an authentic feminist. Not as defined by the modern movement. And, let me clarify that a little bit more. I was an English major, so break it down: -ist means one who celebrates. As a feminist, I celebrate my femininity”.
She celebrates her femininity! Can you believe that? And not just in the way Madonna or Lady GaGa do but in a serious conservative manner. Strictly non-sexual business for this politician.
She has also garnered some attention about some of her past TV appearances. In the 90’s on MTV she appeared on a few public service announcements speaking out against the use of condoms and preaching abstinence. She even takes a stand against masturbation saying, “The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery, so you can't masturbate without lust.”
My point is if you live in Delaware and you can’t masturbate, what else are you supposed to do?
She has also taken a firm stand against evolution and that she is a Creationist. Here she says,
“Well, creationism, in essence, is believing that the world began as the Bible in Genesis says, that God created the Earth in six days, six 24-hour periods. And there is just as much, if not more, evidence supporting that”.
Take a look at this clip from Real Time With Bill Maher from 1998
The only thing uglier then her response to Maher’s point is Dee Sniders hair sitting next to her.
Considering that O’Donnell is behind by double digits in polls she better pray to God, because she is going to need a miracle to win that race.
Thesis Maxim Magazine is an international men's magazine that is geared to entertain all interests of their readers such as new gadgets, cars, movies, and of course scantily clad women on the beach.
Five Facts about Maxim
1. Maxim is based out of the United Kingdom and has a circulation of 2.5 million which is enough to outsell competitors like GQ or Esquire.
2. Maxim online was created in 1999 and boasts original content, videos,as well as articles that are included in the print issues
3. In 2005 the magazine released plans to build a casino in Las Vegas, however the plan failed because residents complained the casino would ruin their view.
4. Maxim is published and run by Alpha Media Group, and in 2009 they teamed up with Cerberus Capital Management who is now the majority share holder.
5. In 2007 Maxim did a photo shoot in Israel of near naked models who were former female officers in the Israeli army. The shoot sparked controversy and drew criticism from lawmakers and diplomats. Brain Stuff!
Maxim magazine appeals to all three major parts of the brain- Neocortex, Limbic, and Reptilian.
The Reptilian brain is the most instinctual brain and is mostly concerned with eating, fighting, flighting, and mating. Maxim is all about mating.
The limbic brain is the emotional one, and Maxim's humor section is extremely funny and can make anyone feel good.
The Neocortex is the part of the brain that does all the thinking and smart brain stuff. When Maxim has in depth interviews, or other articles it requires the reader to read AND think about the material.
Eight Shifts in our 21st century media culture and how that affects women in swimsuits
Maxim magazine is a medium that is undergoing several shifts in its effort to continue to transmit its messages and remain relevant in a fast paced and mass communications influenced society.
In order to remain relevant and be able to reach people Maxim has taken an Aeshetic Shift as it moves from different media platforms. It started off as a magazine, but now has an online website, mobile devices can get alerts anywhere and anytime. As well as an annual TV special on VH1 for the "Maxim Hot 100".
As it has grown and expanded it has also undergone an Economic Shift and become a hyper commercialized company. Maxim now has sister magazines (such as Blender) and has international editions all around the world including countries like Brazil, France, Algeria and Japan.
7 Principles of a magazine that is about "beer and babes"
Maxim constructs a reality that there are just beautiful models taking their clothes off everywhere. Some of their value messages are that you should dress in the best fashion, best cars, eat the best food, drink the best drinks, and just be the best. As my annoying roommate from last year would say Maxim is about "balling out and being boss". Maxims emotional transfer is its ability to distract you from the other things in your life. While some magazines like Rolling Stone or GQ, or even Playboy have articles that are serious and provide some sort of intellectual stimulation- Maxim really is about girls in bikinis.
Persuasive Techniques Big Lie- they sell a glamorous lifestyle where any guy can get the most beautiful girl. (Not true)
Flattery- often compliment or assume the reader is cool enough to buy the products when its usually just fat guys buying the magazine at a gas station while the wife and kids wait in the car.
Humor- they have a humor section. Explains itself.
This is a radio spot in support of Champlain College in Burlington VT. The name of the group is THE EMPIRE!
This is the script that corresponds with the video. Some changes were made on an improvisational whim at the time of recording.
Name: The Empire
• Are you trying to decide what school you want to go to? • Come to Champlain College in Burlington, VT! • Are you asking yourself why? • Well because at Champlain College we let ourselves dare! • Not to mention that Champlain is the best and everyone else is doing it! • Only beautiful people like you are invited to come to school here! • Champlain is the best! • Burlington is voted the number one college town in the USA! • Champlain is the best! • It is proven that people who go to school here do well after college! • Champlain is the best! • Do you want to be stuck paying off dumb student loans for the rest of your life? • (Pause) • I didn’t think so, that’s why Champlain offers financial aid to everyone! • Champlain is the best! • Instead of working hard like they do at big schools we just have tons of fun! • Champlain is the best! • You have lots of choices here too… • You can live on campus, or off campus! • And there are even vegan options available in our dinning hall! • Champlain is the best! • The dining hall has amazing food! • That will help you lose weight when you get here! • Champlain is the best! • Why not UVM you say? • UVM may be cheaper, have more options, and people, but do there teachers know your name, your youtube, your blogger, your twitter? • NOOOOO! • Champlain is the best! • Diamonds are forever andddd so is Champlain College!!!
Audeamous…let us dare to be….
THE EMPIRE!!!
Oh and you will get a free beanie if you come here, get to play with puppies, and you could win the lottery…. no guarantees are made, all products are subject to change, price and participation may vary.
Media Meditation #4 
