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Expert Alert
January 2008

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Those who prefer the commercials in luck during this year’s Super Bowl
January 31, 2008

While watching the Super Bowl this Sunday, you might notice a few more or longer commercial interruptions when the cameras break from the field. That’s because Fox Television is jamming a record 63 commercials on the air, five more than normally seen. A U of M expert who can explain million-dollar advertising is: John Eighmey, University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication professor Eighmey says network executives have found unique ways to cram more time in for commercials, and advertisers continue to use “hype, humor and laughs” to sell. Eighmey is the Raymond O. Mithun Land Grant Chair in Advertising, a former member of the Federal Trade Commission and a national authority on advertising, marketing and mass communication.

To interview Eighmey, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Sputnik schmutnik - Explorer 1 discovered something: 50th anniversary of America’s first trip to space
January 30, 2008

While the launch of Sputnik by the then U.S.S.R. might have won the race to space, its scientific value was next to nothing for the space community. In comparison, America’s Explorer 1 launch 50 years ago tomorrow led to the discovery of harmful radiation belts in the solar system. A University of Minnesota professor who can explain the groundbreaking launch is: Bill Garrard, aerospace engineering and mechanics professor at the University of Minnesota Garrard says that, while Sputnik was more of a “publicity launch with a few radio transmitters,” Explorer 1, equipped with more instrumentation, led to the discovery of Van Allen Belts, intense bands of radiation. The belts, if unavoided, were found to damage satellites and other spacecraft. The find was considered one of the most outstanding of the International Geophysical Year.

To interview Garrard, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Huckabee on hybrids, Barack on biofuels and more: A U of M climate change expert analyzes environmental policies of presidential candidates
January 28, 2008

It’s one of the most talked about stories of our time, garnering Nobel Peace Prizes, entire new industries and innovative pieces of legislation. But where is the environment in the quest for U.S. president? The candidates spar back and forth on the Iraq War, the struggling economy and the debate on illegal immigrants while largely ignoring this other issue on the forefront of many American minds. A U of M climate change expert available to speak about this issue is:

Elizabeth Wilson,  professor in the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota
Wilson can expose the candidates’ projected policies and espoused beliefs on the environment. A former environmental scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she has a unique background in public policy and environmental research. Her areas of expertise include energy and environmental policy, regulatory and legal analysis of emerging technologies, climate change and public perception of emerging technologies. She will be available to analyze the candidates’ policies and beliefs from now until the November election.  

To interview Wilson, contact Luisa Badaracco at (612) 624-1690 or luisab@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

U of M vice president available to discuss MLK’s impact
January 18, 2008

On Monday, Martin Luther King Day, one of only four individual commemoration federal holidays, will be celebrated for the 22nd time, marking the lasting influence Dr. King’s civil rights fight has had on America. A University of Minnesota vice president who can discuss King’s impact is:

Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, University of Minnesota Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity
Barceló, a nationally recognized leader on multiculturalism in education, can explain how King’s civil rights work affected universities and paved the way for equity programs. With over 30 years of experience, she provides leadership and strategic planning on issues relating to faculty, staff and student equity and diversity across the University of Minnesota system.

To interview Barceló, contact Drew Swain at (612) 770-3309 or dswain@umn.edu.

USDA and FDA wage public debate on safety of food from cloned animals
January 17, 2008

Two of the most powerful sources of American food regulations are at odds this week over the safety of food from cloned animals. Just after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommended to U.S. farmers a “voluntary moratorium” on selling cloned animal meat Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fired back and assured the public of the food’s safety. What are the potential risks of consuming meat from cloned animals? Which organization has the leg up in this debate? And, with some domestic farmers claiming that they’ve long sold meat from cloned animals, does the public need to be worried? A University of Minnesota expert who can answer these questions is:

Abel Ponce de León, professor of animal science at the University of Minnesota
Ponce de León, who has cloned a cow alongside scientists at the University of Massachusetts, supports the moratorium from the USDA. While he says that cloned animal product is safe to consume, he believes it should be banned from the U.S. market until there is more acceptance from the American public.

To interview Ponce de León, contact Luisa Badaracco at (612) 624-1690 or luisab@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962, dswain@umn.edu

Political expert available throughout the day to analyze New Hampshire primary results
January 8, 2008

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain hold onto their leads in the polls as the race for their party nominations turns to the voters of New Hampshire. A University of Minnesota political expert who can give analysis of results as they come in today is:

Paula O’Loughlin, political science professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris
O’Loughlin can explain why the state’s primary rules hurt Obama and McCain, what a New Hampshire victory will mean for candidates and other aspects of the race. She is an accomplished and nationally recognized scholar in political science and can also give a historical perspective on national elections.

Media Note: O'Loughlin is available only via phone except Thursday, Jan. 10 when she visits the Twin Cities.

To interview O’Loughlin, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Iowa caucuses heating up and counting down
January 2, 2008

Our state to the south has been the center of national attention the past few months as presidential hopefuls traverse the cornfields and small towns, vying for the nomination of their party. The polls are showing that both Democrats and Republicans have no clear leader in the contest, a historically vital step in the run for the presidency. University of Minnesota political experts who can break down what might happen are:

Kathryn Pearson, political science professor at the University of Minnesota
Pearson is available to discuss the primaries, what we can expect and, once the results are tallied, what they might mean for the rest of the election. She specializes in American politics, national institutions, political parties, elections, and women and politics, with particular expertise in the U.S. Congress.

Paula O’Loughlin, political science professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris
O’Loughlin is an accomplished and nationally recognized scholar in political science and can give a historical perspective on national caucuses, as well as an analysis of the race.

To interview Pearson or O’Loughlin, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.