Erwin McManus has launched a new book/dvd series Signs based on Mosaic's "elements" teachings. The first in the series, "Earth" was released on March 1, 2012. The offerings to come will be, "Water, Fire, Wind, and Wood." You can read all about it at: Sloppynoodle World News —Erwin McManus Announces a Spiritually Themed Film Series; First Film, Earth, Released March 1, Monday, March 5, 2012
Question: if Erwin is so "creative", why is he still fixated on the "elements" theme? I'm in favor of recycling but come on, this is getting ridiculous. Or is this part of some master-plan to illustrate the truth of Solomon's words, "there is nothing new under the sun?"
Erwin, take a clue from M. Knight Shyamalan and find some new material. Seven days out of the gate and the first book/dvd of the series is already being offered at a discount on Ebay.
"Boy and Rocket, Los Angeles, a commercial production company, was opened as a division of McManus Studios by Erwin R. McManus, who leads McManus Studios, and Kevin T. Willson. Mr. Willson is a director who directed a commercial for Doritos, “Casket,” which was one of four spots created by consumers that the Doritos parent, the Frito-Lay unit of PepsiCo, ran during Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7."
Interesting how the New York Times doesn't report that Erwin R. McManus is the pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles.
In the meantime, the sad saga of the orphaned "Awakens" continues with this update on their non-profit status from the CA Registry of Charitable Trusts:
(Info current as of 5/6/2010)
1. Awaken Center for Creativity - NOT REGISTERED (This is a new designation)
2. Awaken International - Charity, Exempt, Active
3. Awaken - Charity, Exempt, Active
4. Awaken Humanity - Charity, Exempt, Active
So, three of the children are now "active" but, have they been good little children and filed their tax forms on time? Remember, the McManus Studios website once said that "Awaken is a non-profit under McManus Studios."
Curiouser and curiouser.
UH OH!
As of May 15, 2010, the IRS may start revoking the exempt status of 501(c) non-profit organizations that have not filed tax returns in the past 3 years. This also applies to small non-profits making $25,000 a year who are required to file the new "electronic postcard" Form 990-N.
If a small non-profit has been relying on the exempt status of a larger parent organization, they'd better make sure the parent has been reporting to the IRS that it is the fiscal agent for the smaller group!
For calendar year organizations, the first return was due on May 15, 2008.
RIP EMERGING CHURCH?
Once again, Erwin McManus' name is included in a movement he claims he is not a part of and worse yet, it is a movement that is now no longer considered "fresh" and "cutting edge."
Doritos has six finalists. The three that air will be picked in online voting. In one ad, a guy stages his own funeral just to munch Doritos and watch football undisturbed — in a casket. Just as unlikely is the guy who produced it: a pastor. "It's a miracle and a divine comedy that we've made it this far," says Erwin McManus, pastor at Mosaic, a church in Whittier, Calif. "I think it's God's sense of humor."
"Casket" has made it to the top 6 entries in this contest. The final 3 will be decided by online voting.
Of course, Erwin McManus is promoting his entry on Twitter and Mosaic has a brief promo at Mosaic.org.
What's interesting about the Mosaic blurb is the information that this commercial was created by a "team from Mosaic."
Other people promoting the "Casket" commercial include Rick Warren and Jon Gordon.
Erwin Mcmanus, a friend of mine, is the exec producer of a funny Dorrito’s commercial that MIGHT get shown during the Super Bowl! Out of 4000 submissions they made the top 6 but need our votes to make it into the top 3.
Potential grand prizing for the contest will be based on each of the three winning ad's ranking on the USA TODAY Ad Meter:
* $1 million will be awarded for a Doritos ad that scores the number one spot on the Ad Meter * $600,000 will be awarded for a Doritos ad that scores the number two spot on the Ad Meter * $400,000 will be awarded for a Doritos ad that scores the number three spot on the Ad Meter
If the consumer-created Doritos ads sweep all top three rankings of the USA TODAY Ad Meter, an additional $1 million bonus will be awarded to each winner for a total prize giveaway of $5 million.
Which raises the question, "If McManus' team wins, who gets the prize money?"
If this commercial was made using "a team from Mosaic", it seems only fair that Mosaic should get a share if "Casket" wins any money but things in the McTwilight Zone are not always so cut and dry.
I came across this "tweet" from a woman named So-Young Kang, the CEO and Managing Partner of "The Awaken Group." [Yes, it is "related" to the now infamous family of "Awakens" created by Erwin McManus!]
January 7, 2010 Erwin McManus’ film production company finalist in national contest
Erwin McManus, one of our Founding Partners, and his film production company have made the final 3 in a national contest for a Doritos commercial to air during the Super Bowl this year.
So, Erwin hasn't wasted any time launching his "new" film company and now he has a "new" bio to go with it.
Erwin Raphael McManus is an author, speaker, activist, filmmaker and innovator who specializes in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity. He is committed to creating environments that expand imagination, unleash creativity, and maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Erwin is the Founder and President of Awaken and McManus Studios. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken serves the purpose of history by maximizing the divine potential in every human being. He also serves as a Senior Scientist with the Gallup Organization. Engaging such issues as culture, creativity, change, and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator. His travels have taken him to over 30 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, including the NFL, Lionsgate, New Line Cinema, and ILOG. His work is featured in numerous films, articles, and magazines across the US and internationally.
If McManus does win the 5 million dollars, it would be nice if he developed a "new" conscience too and returned some of the $700,000 in donations he accepted from members of the original Church on Brady who answered his call for "sacrificial giving."
Instead of a new church, all they got was the "commercial."
SUPER BOWL AD-MEGACHURCH LA megachurch hopes to win Super Bowl ad contest
(Stations: Moving on financial, sports and entertainment services.)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sometimes it's tough for churches to break through to audiences on Sundays during football season, never mind when it's the Super Bowl.
So a Los Angeles megachurch is trying to break through with its own commercial during the game.
The Mosaic church is among the top six finalists in the Doritos' "Crash the Super Bowl" commercial contest.
Their lighthearted spoof plays off the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many of the church's 3,000 members work in the film and TV industry.
If they make the top three in online voting, their commercial will be aired during the Super Bowl.
Lead pastor Erwin McManus says he hopes the humorous ad shows it's OK to laugh in the faith community.
The Parthenon Marshall University's Student Newspaper
"Church ad a contender for commercial challenge, could air during Sunday's Super Bowl" by Kate McCloy
This article has been 404'd and is now unavailable. It had been picked up by the College Media Network. I found it on a Google cached page.
Here are a few excerpts:
Erwin McManus, the head pastor of Mosaic church in Pasadena, Calif., is viewing the ad competition as a chance to present his faith to one of TV’s largest audiences when they are least expecting it, according to the USA TODAY Web site.
"It sounds like it's a good goal to get the message out, but with the description of the commercial, I'm not sure if the message will come across or not."
Chris Roberts Campus Minister Herd4Christ
McManus said on the USA TODAY Web site he wants people to know that they have a sense of humor and that it's OK to laugh. He said so much of what comes out of the faith community seems sour and somber. He wants to show people that they can be people of faith and enjoy life and laugh.
According to the USA TODAY Web site, if the ad, which is relating to the resurrection of Christ, makes it to the top three in an online contest, the ad will air during the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Erwin McManus expresses his views on "earning the right to be heard."
SUPERBOWL UPDATES
The Superbowl is over but the "buzz" continues. Here are a two reactions to "Casket" and the final ad results from USA Today's Ad Meter.
Forbes.com The Ad Bowl Best And Worst Ads Of Super Bowl XLIV Laurie Burkitt, 02.07.10, 09:45 PM EST
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay aired three commercials for Doritos. Reviews by our panel were mixed. Tom Bedecarre, CEO of digital ad agency AKQA, liked a consumer-generated spot in which a dog scores Doritos after strapping a bark-prevention collar on a snacker. He bashed as “tasteless” another commercial in which a guy who’s going to be buried with Doritos, springs out in his casket during his funeral.
Politics Daily David Gibson Is the Resurrection Funny? One Church Has a Super Bowl Bet on It
Political columnist David Gibson was not amused by "Casket."
According to Trade Markia.com, on Monday, October 19, 2009, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for TABLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT. This trademark is owned by McManus Studios, LLC.
The TABLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT trademark is filed in the category of Restaurant and Hotel Services . The description provided to the USPTO for TABLE FOOD FOR THOUGHT is Restaurant and bar services.
The street address given for this registration is almost identical to the one listed at the California Business Portal for McManus Studios, LLC. The name of the person listed as the Agent for Service of Process is Erwin McManus' secretary.
I guess if you get used to holding church services in a bar, then why not own one?
After all, according to Erwin McManus, "the church is not a building."
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name . . .
The confusion surrounding Erwin McManus and his growing list of "companies" continues with the latest incarnation known as "McManus Studios LLC."
This time around, McManus has opted to limit the use of the word "Awaken" to just one aspect of his new business ventures leaving his previous website, http://awaken.org/ in limbo until he gets around to reusing or dropping this particular URL completely.
[You can still find the link to the original Awaken website at the remodeled Mosaic website by clicking on the sidebar called "Discover More" next to the old Awaken logo.]
Erwin has also been busy updating his biographical information.
Erwin Raphael McManus is an author, speaker, activist, filmmaker and innovator who specializes in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity. In other words, he gets bored really easily.
He is committed to creating environments that expand imagination, unleash creativity, and maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Erwin is also the catalyst behind Awaken. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken serves the purpose of history by maximizing the divine potential in every human being.
Engaging such issues as culture, creativity, change, and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator. His travels have taken him to over 30 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, including the NFL, Lionsgate, New Line Cinema, and ILOG. His work is featured in numerous films, articles, and magazines across the US and internationally.
erwin raphael mcmanus is an author, speaker, activist, filmmaker, artist and innovator who specializes in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity. In other words, he gets bored really easily.
He is committed to creating environments that expand imagination, unleash creativity, and maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Erwin is the catalyst and founder of the non-profit Awaken Humanity. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken Humanity serves the purpose of history by maximizing the divine potential in every human being.
As Curator of McManus Studios, Erwin and his team strive to create experiences that inspire humanity to live our most heroic lives through products that promote beauty, story, community, creativity, and humanity. McManus Studios brings art to life through films, fashion, and DreamLABs.
Erwin is also Explorer and Founding Partner of The Awaken Group, a global leadership development consulting firm with expertise in aligning people to strategically drive innovation and creativity by unleashing the maximum potential of organization.
Engaging such issues as culture, change, creativity and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator. His travels have taken him to over 30 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, including the NFL, Golf Inc., California Builders Association, NYU, Columbia U, New Line Cinema, and ILOG. His work is featured in numerous films, articles, and magazines across the US and internationally.
Erwin's previous 3 brainchildren, Awaken Center for Creativity, Awaken International and Awaken, now languish in "suspended" corporate status animation among the abandoned corporations at the California Business Portal. These poor unwanted "non-profits" are still listed with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts while their favored little sister, Awaken Humanity, now reigns like a pampered child.
Hopefully, somebody will take pity on these corporations and put them out of their misery by legally dissolving them but that would involve:
1. VOTE BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR MAJORITY OF CORPORATION TO DISSOLVE AND PREPARE CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO WIND UP AND DISSOLVE (IF APPLICABLE) AND/OR A CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION
2. PREPARE FINAL STATE TAX RETURN AND VERIFY CURRENT STATUS WITH FRANCHISE TAX BOARD
3. OBTAIN DISSOLUTION WAIVER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE BEFORE DISPOSING OF ANY REMAINING ASSETS
4. SUBMIT FINAL NOTICE OF SUBMISSION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE
5. SUBMIT FINAL NOTICE OF SUBMISSION TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
I mean, who wants to go through all that trouble when you can just rename your organization and start over?
Especially when you can "unveil" your new company at the UNICEF Gala and get to hear Tony Bennet, see Mohammed Ali and watch the "masses surround Oceans 11!" [Erwin McManus "tweet"]
Must I forever be a beggar Whose golden dreams will not come true? Or will I go from rags to riches? My fate is up to you
Erwin McManus, Awaken Humanity and the creative minds at the "experimental church" Mosaic have come up with a new product called "Dreamlab."
I call it a "product" because of this line near the end of the special invitation by Erwin McManus:
"Learn from world class 15 minute mentoring videos."
Following a now familiar pattern, people interested in signing up for the Dreamlab experience must write to an email address dreamlab@awaken.org for more information, including the cost of the mentoring videos since that information is not mentioned in the video.
[By the way, in the video invitation, Erwin mentions that he is standing in a back alley in downtown Los Angeles. I hope he obtained a film permit from the city of L.A. to shoot that video!]
The description of another video posted on Vimeo says this about Dreamlab: Source
Awaken Humanity is launching a new concept called DreamLab.
DreamLab is going to connect thousands of dreamers across the globe with mentors who want to speak into their lives and create a hopeful future. I’ve sent you this video specifically because I think that you have such valuable and inspiring wisdom that could light the fuse for so many of these dormant dreams.
Erwin
-Don't sleep through your dreams-
. . . and . . .
DreamLAB connects thousands of dreamers across the globe with mentors who want to speak into their lives and create a hopeful future. A dream is a terrible thing to waste.
"A dream is a terrible thing to waste."
This is the best the "creative" minds at Awaken could come up with? A cliched plagiarizing of "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," the UNCF's world famous slogan?
Now that is a terrible thing to witness.
Yvonne W.
UPDATE December 17, 2009
I found the webpage for McManus Studios which lists the various "studios" under it's banner; among which is DreamLab.
How much does it cost? Nothing! Awaken provides DreamLABs free of cost in order to help dreamers across the world live their dreams wide awake! Want to give back! Help us advertise DreamLABs to your friends!
How is DreamLAB connected with Erwin McManus? DreamLAB was created by Erwin McManus and inspired by his most recent book WideAwake. WideAwake can be purchased at www.awaken.org/resources
What is Awaken? Awaken is a collaboration between a team of dreamers and innovators who specialize in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity. Our mission is to help people discover, cultivate and act on their divine potential to create a better world.
Awaken is committed to creating environments that expand imagination and unleash creativity. Convinced that the world is changed by dreamers and visionaries, Awaken serves humanity through its commitment to maximize the creative potential in every individual and organization. Awaken emerges out of the unique ministry of Mosaic and reflects Mosaic’s commitment to creativity, uniqueness, innovation and diversity. Awaken is a non-profit under McManus Studios.
So, the 15 minute videos are provided free of charge but participants are encouraged to "advertise" the service, which of course is a way to encourage free advertising for "Wide Awake" and all the rest of Erwin's books.
That last line about Awaken is interesting, "Awaken is a non-profit under McManus Studios."
This is different from what I was told by Jimmy Duke (the former Director/Vice President of Awaken) and Eric Bryant (the current Executive Pastor of Mosaic LA.)
In early April, 2007 Jimmy Duke sent an email informing me that Awaken was operating under a separate 501c3.
Later that same month, Eric Bryant sent me a series of emails answering my questions about Awaken.
On April 27, 2007 Eric Bryant wrote:
Awaken is a registered 501c3 under the name Awaken Humanity. We just received our paperwork recently. The Secretary of State should be updating their website soon. This summer we are registering for tax exempt status. Currently, Awaken is still a subsidiary of Mosaic until we finish this paperwork.
