Archives for November 2011

The Victoria’s Secrets Fashion show, one of the most popular fashion shows in the world, airs tonight on CBS. Nearly a year of planning goes into the event and it shows with it’s production value. Victoria’s Secrets is embracing the technology available today with a live pre-show event. They are doing a great job of integrating twitter with #VSFashionShow as the hashtag. Hundreds of thousands of tweets are pouring in related to the event.

Bikini competitors take note of how the women in this event own the runway. They walk with confidence, look fantastic and while they may not have the muscle of a competitor, they certainly have the swagger.

Here’s a fun little promo. Comment below if you plan to watch the show.

Top IFBB Fitness Pro Oksana Grishina has gone from placing tied for 16th in her first pro show to one of the best in the world. Currently residing in California, Oksana has joined one of the leading supplement companies, SAN Nutrition.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SAN:
SAN has added IFBB Pro Fitness competitor Oksana Grishina to Team SAN. Oksana is an accomplished athlete who has graced the stage internationally at some of the most prestigious fitness competitions in the world, including the Arnold Classic, & IFBB Olympia. Fitness is her life; not only is she an athlete, Oksana also carries a degree in Physical Training and Sports. Her expertise is a great addition to Team SAN, where she will be a contributing writer to the Team SAN blog, providing tips, motivation and sharing her fitness lifestyle. SAN is honored to have her as a member of the Team.

Congratulations Oksana! Fans will likely get the chance to see her compete on the Arnold Sports Festival stage once again in March of 2012. Official lists are announced in about a month but you can almost bet the farm that Oksana will be a leading contender at the Fitness International.

Follow Oksana on Twitter at @OksanaGrishina and SAN on twitter at @SAN_Nutrition.

Things are certainly getting interesting in the publishing world. American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates a number of female fitness publications including Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Muscle & Fitness HERS and Natural Health. AMI has announced that they will be partnering with Windmill Health Products to develop and market health and nutrition products under AMI’s various magazine brands. In a press release issued it shared, “Plans for the partnership include Shape and Men’s Fitness multivitamins, a line of post-natal care products for Fit Pregnancy and sports nutrition products under the Flex and Muscle & Fitness brands.”

Will this move prove to be financially beneficial for the publishing giant or a case of biting the hand that feeds you? It’s no secret that magazines depend on advertisers for the bulk of their revenue. Now AMI will be in direct competition with their advertisers with a number of product SKUs.

NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2011 — David J. Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), today announced that the company has entered into a partnership with Windmill Health Products, one of the largest distributors of nutritional products to all channels of distribution in North America and in 75 countries Worldwide.

AMI and Windmill Health Products will be developing and marketing an assortment of health and nutrition products under AMI’s various magazine brands. Plans for the partnership include Shape and Men’s Fitness multivitamins, a line of post-natal care products for Fit Pregnancy and sports nutrition products under the Flex and Muscle & Fitness brands. These products will be launching throughout 2012 and distribution will be both domestic and international.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Pecker said, “This partnership between AMI and Windmill Health Products is ideal. AMI’s consumers, who look to our various health and fitness titles as a go-to source for industry information, will be able to purchase products they want from the brands they depend on.”

Chris Scardino, Executive Vice President/Group Publishing Director added, “AMI’s magazine brands are very influential in the fitness community and with this deal we will be able to provide our readers with top quality health products and supplements that they deserve.”

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with AMI, the power of their brands sets the standard for recognition and credibility in our market and we believe it will drive sales and build lasting brands in the nutriceutical space, we couldn’t have a better partnership,” said Anthony Yanni, Vice President of Sales, Windmill Consumer Products.

About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI’s titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Country Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Pixie, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI’s magazines have a combined total circulation of almost 7 million and reach more than 55 million men and women each month. AMI’s digital properties reach an average of 10 million unique visitors and 80 million page views monthly.

AMI also operates a Publishing Services business unit which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI’s publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions. Playboy is one of many publishers who have taken advantage of these additional services.

We’ll see how this plays out next year but it’s a move that is making a number of people uneasy.

IFBB Figure Pro Mona Muresan has been named Editor-in-Chief of Muscle & Fitness Hers. Mona is an active competitor in the IFBB Pro league and the owner of Nebraska Steakhouse in New York. Mona appeared on the September/October cover of the magazine she will now oversee.

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2011 — David J. Pecker, President, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI) today announced that IFBB competitor, Mona Muresan, has been named Editor-in-Chief of Muscle & Fitness Hers.

Muscle & Fitness Hers, the bi-monthly magazine, is written and designed for the active woman who wants more out of fitness. A success coach in print and on the web, Hers presents expert advice in a service-oriented manner on training, nutrition, health, beauty and fashion. The Hers reader works extra hard to achieve a “super-fit” lifestyle that permeates all aspects of her life in and out of the health club and Ms. Muresan represents this industry and its readership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mona to AMI as she is here to infuse Muscle & Fitness Hers with her expertise and knowledge of the world of fitness, training and nutrition,” said Mr. Pecker. “Her hands-on experience as a competitive IFBB Figure Pro athlete brings even greater credibility and a wealth of knowledge of the sport to the magazine.”

“As an active IFBB Pro figure competitor, I am delighted to take on the role as Editor-in-Chief of Hers,” said Ms. Muresan. “As a woman who lives and breathes the industry, being able to transform the magazine with content that the female fitness enthusiast wants is incredibly important. We will continue to cover a broad range of subjects in a new and exciting way that will energize readers each time they pick up the magazine. It will be an empowering must-read that not only inspires women to set life-improving goals, but gives them the tools to reach them.”

Ms. Muresan relocated to the United States almost 20 years ago from Romania and is a proven success in her various business ventures. Most recently, Ms. Muresan had a stellar beginner season in the competitive physique industry among some of the top competitors. She has grown immensely in the short period of time since she began competing, earning IFBB pro status in less than three years and in only her sixth competition. Not only has Ms. Muresan established herself as a success as an IFBB figure pro, but also as a business woman as the owner of Nebraska Steakhouse, one of the premiere steakhouses in New York City

Ms. Muresan will report to Mr. Pecker effective today.

About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI’s titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Country Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Pixie, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI’s magazines have a combined total circulation of almost 7 million and reach more than 55 million men and women each month. AMI’s digital properties reach an average of 10 million unique visitors and 80 million page views monthly.

AMI also operates a Publishing Services business unit which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI’s publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions. Playboy is one of many publishers who have taken advantage of these additional services.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.

It will be interesting to see how the direction of the magazine changes, if at all. Check out the Hardbody “Twist & Turns” in each issue of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine.

Mona’s recent HERS cover.

Headlines about the The Los Angeles Dodgers potentially being for sale due to bankruptcy and Mark Cuban making a ploy to buy are making their way around the interwebs this week but there’s a much cooler story to the Dodgers. On Monday, the Dodgers hired Sue Falsone as their head athletic trainer. This is a huge deal for women because she’s the first female to be hired for this position in the USA major pro sports leagues.

Sue has worked with not only a variety of NBA, NFL and NHL players but also MLB players. In ESPN.com’s Stephania Bell report she cites Falsone as working with former MLB pitcher (and now analyst) Curt Schilling on rehabbing his ankle.

Falsone received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Daemen College. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Human Movement Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine from the University of North Carolina.

She shared with USAtoday…

“It is a true honor to be given this opportunity with such a progressive and historic organization,” Falsone said in the statement, adding, “I look forward to helping develop innovative and creative programs to reduce injuries and keep our players on the field so that they can achieve their potential.”

As the Los Angeles Times reminds us tha an athletic trainer is not the same as a personal trainer.

For the clueless, athletic trainers are not the same as personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches; they’re healthcare professionals primarily concerned with injuries and injury prevention, working with coaches and physicians to make sure athletes are able to play safely.

Congratulations Sue and all the best in your new position. Read more on USAToday.com.

The voting has begun for the 2012 Bodybuilding.com BodySpace Spokesmodel Search. This year’s contest had a record number of entrants with over 500 hardbody men and women entering the online contest. Last year’s winners were Steve Cook and Jen Rankin. They went on to grace not only the cover of IRONMAN magazine but also achieve IFBB Pro League status. Who will it be this year?

WHAT WILL THEY WIN?
Winners will grace the cover of Iron Man Magazine and appear in a feature spread; receive national exposure through Bodybuilding.com, with site placement and ad campaigns; represent the BodySpace community at the 2012 Arnold Expo in Columbus, Ohio and the 2012 Olympia Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada; plus much, much more!

 

Click here to cast your vote for the next BodySpace Star!

Cover model and top figure competitor Amanda Savell was the epitome of strength on the outside however behind closed doors she was suffering from an abusive and controlling relationship. It’s been three and a half years since she was tragically murdered by her on again off again boyfriend. Amanda’s family was recently part of an event that helped educate and inform those on domestic violence or in an abusive relationship. A topic that is not discussed often enough. I applaud Brandy and her family for bringing attention to this issue.

PLANO, TX— Brandy Cooke says her kid sister, Amanda Earhart Savell, was the picture of perfection.
“She was so strong, determined and confident,” Cooke said.

But, that may have been just a façade for the 30-year old fitness model, who graced many magazine covers with her blonde locks and sculpted body. Cooke says she was hiding a dark secret about her bodybuilder boyfriend, 35-year old David Jacobs. He was verbally and emotionally abusive through most of their rocky relationship.

Family members say in their fitness lifestyle, Jacobs was controlling and belittling toward Savell. Cooke says her sister told friends, that she feared for her life.

“She would say that if I leave him, he is going to kill me.”

In 2008, Jacobs made good on the threat. Family members say in a steroid-fueled fit of rage, he shot Amanda seven times, before taking his own life. Cooke’s father delivered the news.

“He just came home and walked upstairs and said that my baby sister is dead.”

In Amanda’s memory, to create a lasting legacy, her family is helping to sponsor a special event in Allen Saturday at the Watters Creek shopping center. The day-long event will feature education and advocacy for those wanting to escape a violent relationship or those just wanting more information about domestic violence.

“Many women get caught up in this and they are just too embarrassed to get out,” event organizer, Brook Cheatham with the Kula Initiative, said.

Cheatham says too many times, women like Amanda suffer in silence and shame. North Texas domestic violence rates are the highest in the country.

“She is the perfect example of a woman who is strong and confident, but there are issues. They hide because they don’t think people care and we want to shed light on that.”

Cooke says she is standing up and speaking up to create a voice for her sister, who no longer has one. She wants women to know there is a way out.

“It can happen to anyone.”

— http://www.the33tv.com

Peanut Butter lovers will feel no love when they visit the grocery stores to pick up a jar of the creamy (or crunchy) goodness. CNNMoney reports that peanut prices are up with the decreased production. The heat and drought that hit the southern USA this year is one of the main causes for the increase. The article cites an increase of 20-40% with some brands. Americans spend nearly $800 million on peanut butter each year. WOW!

Peanut Butter is one of the few “allowed treats” on many competitors diets. Remember when a Peanut Butter and Jelly sammich was living cheap? Not as much these days.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Trick-or-treaters might want to hold on to those Reese’s Cups this Halloween as sharp increases in peanut butter prices have begun going into effect following one of the worst peanut harvests in decades.

Kraft will raise prices for its Planters brand peanut butter by 40% starting Monday, while ConAgra has instituted increases of more than 20% for its Peter Pan brand that went into effect this month.

J.M. Smucker, which makes Jif, will introduce price hikes of around 30% starting Tuesday.

Consumers, meanwhile, are already seeing these increases reflected at grocery stores.

Maria Brous, a spokeswoman for the Publix chain, said the store had already made slight increases in retail prices and expects them to go higher “as the cost of goods continue[s] to rise”.

Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Giant Eagle grocery stores, said that “like all retailers,” the store is “being affected by industry factors on peanut butter pricing”. Chris Brand, a spokesman for Giant food stores, said the “outlook does not look good until next year’s crop is harvested and produced”.

Peanuts usually get harvested in the fall, around September and October.

While spokespeople for several grocery chains declined to provide specific pricing figures, the peanut industry is clearly under pressure this year after one of the worst harvests in recent memory.

Prices for a ton of runner peanuts, commonly used to make peanut butter, hit nearly $1,200 this month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s up from just $450 per ton a year ago. Overall, the USDA projects that American peanut production will hit 3.6 billion pounds this year, down 13% from last year.

Analysts attribute this drop to the intense heat and drought that hit the southern U.S. this year, as well as to high prices for other crops that led farmers to focus their efforts elsewhere.

Americans spend almost $800 million on peanut butter and consume an average of more than six pounds of peanut products each year, according to The National Peanut Board, a farmer-funded research group.

— http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/31/markets/peanut_butter_prices