ScottShamp

Old Spice & BYU: What message goes viral

In 1985, I was in Salt Lake working on my Ph.D. at the University of Utah — with a beard.  My major professor and mentor, Bob Tiemens, was doing a collaborative project with Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT.  He planned a class trip to BYU to collect data.  The day before we were to visit, he called me into is office — he had some paperwork for me to fill out.  He didn’t need to see anyone else but me — kind of strange.  Now my mind is a little hazy.  The late seventies to early eighties were filled with many experiences that now seem more like dreams than reality.  But my recollection of the paper work is that it was an official BYU form entitled “Permit to Deviate.”  No  kidding. 

Scott’s Media Missive: TweetFit

“I am a 35 year old single mom, and I work full time in downtown Atlanta to support myself and my two beautiful children. In my twenties I used to exercise regularly, but since my divorce four years ago I often find that I am too exhausted to make it to the gym. My hectic marketing job keeps my workdays full; however, three days per week I get a whole hour off for lunch.”

Things haven’t been easy for Emily. Now on top of all the challenges she has faced, she was also putting on weight. And she felt bad about it—and that made her feel bad about herself.