Erwin McManus' Sky High Audience

What's that up in the sky? It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a radio ad!


This interesting bit of information recently appeared on Erwin McManus' "Awaken" website:http://awaken.org/

Listen to Erwin McManus speak on creativity, to be aired on Sky Radio on American Airlines flights in December 2007.

I had never heard of Sky Radio before so I did a little search for more information.

I found out that American Airlines is conducting a series of "interviews" for its in-flight radio broadcasts for the month of December, 2007 entitled "America's Innovators and Entrepreneurs."

This series of "interviews" will

. . . air worldwide on American Airlines' "FORTUNE In-Flight Radio" Channel during the entire month of December 2007.

Source: http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2007/07/26/inflight_newsta.html

Sounds impressive doesn't it?

WRONG.


Apparently, back in July, 2007, American Airlines sent out a large number of emails to potential "interviewees" offering to feature such people on their in-flight radio program.

The catch: the "interviewee" has to PAY for the privilege of being interviewed!

In other words, it's a SELF-PROMOTIONAL, PAID ADVERTISEMENT.

Check out this blog for a rather scathing commentary on this American Airlines tactic:


Freakonomics

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/what-an-honor-and-it-only-costs-3995/


For a more revealing look into this, check out this blog which includes the actual email that was sent out:

apophenia


http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2007/07/26/inflight_newsta.html



If Erwin McManus did in fact record an "interview" for the series, "America's Innovators and Entrepreneurs," then somebody shelled out at least $3,995 to pay for his spot.


I wonder who that was.




Yvonne W.

UPDATE: This "interview" is now available at: http://www.skyradionet.com/americansky.cfm