The 16-Year-Old Who Could Take It All
Apparently the "Oprah effect" doesn't transcend U.S. lines. Winfrey's audience went into typical pandemonium when she announced that she'd be footing the bill for a trip to Australia last December, but the resulting TV series, titled Ultimate Australian Adventure, underwhelmed viewers and failed to boost Australia's tourism efforts as planned.
As we reported previously, it was actually Australian taxpayers who shelled out money to fund Oprah's adventure, some $3 million to be exact, including expenses for 300 of her fans. Updated estimates put the cost closer to $5 million. The return, which was valued at over $300 million in global publicity according to Tourism Australia, didn't quite hit the mark. But just how far off it is has yet to be determined as Tourism Australia chief, Andrew McEvoy told the Sydney Morning Herald, "the full impact will be seen over many years to come."
Experts have relied on visits by Americans (as well as those by Canadian and British residents) to gauge Oprah's influence, numbers which showed that U.S. visits fell 0.8 percent in the first five months of 2011, compared with the first half of last year. The dip was even more pronounced in Britain and Canada, where Oprah's special also aired.
Australia's rising dollar is partially to blame, but critics also say that the TV series' narrow focus-showcasing only two "stereotypical" parts of the country-was also a factor.
Comments: (108)
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By: Kookie on 7/20/2011 8:44AM
Oprah has conned the people for years making them think she was the 'O generous one' by givng stuff away. It never cost her a cent, just like her fake promise of an Austraila trip. Everything was paid for by the sponsers. Her and Obummer make a good pair = making promises they don't keep.
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By: Jane on 7/20/2011 7:56AM
Time to retire, Oprah!
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By: STONE on 7/20/2011 8:24AM
wow what a story! you wouldn't think are country's in big trouble reading this kind of what ever you call it....O..hum..
I have a question that might be a little better then the Oprah story..
To get into Harvard, you need straight A+ and 5.0 GPA at least. (4.0 is the minimum) Their fees each year are really high too. You need a strong recommendation from your teacher, a strong resume/essay. Mostly (All) students that attend Harvard are really Geniuses. MY question is how did Barick Hussan Obam be admitted to Harvard university?'
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By: kamkort on 7/20/2011 8:24AM
What is your question? You gave the answers. The President was obviously qualified to be admitted into Harvard. Reading your comment/question lets everyone know that preparing for college admission wasn't anything you were EVER worried about. Get a life. Read a book. Prepare your children to be as qualified as The President.
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By: olga on 7/20/2011 9:28AM
Obama went to Harvard as an international student, since he was not a United States Citizen but from Indonisa
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By: stone on 7/20/2011 8:22AM
wow what a story! you wouldn't think are country's in big trouble reading this kind of what ever you call it....O..hum..
I have a question that might be a little better then the Oprah story..
To get into Harvard, you need straight A+ and 5.0 GPA at least. (4.0 is the minimum) Their fees each year are really high too. You need a strong recommendation from your teacher, a strong resume/essay. Mostly (All) students that attend Harvard are really Geniuses. MY question is how did Barick Hussan Obam be admitted to Harvard university?'
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By: Connie on 7/20/2011 8:34AM
No one cares what Oprah does any more. She backed Obama for president publicly and lost 1/2 of her following in the process. Guess she thought she could sway EVERYBODY to vote for Dumbo. Think again Oprah.
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By: girlking on 7/20/2011 5:55PM
@Connie,
Magna Cum Laude and Dumbo can't be used in the same sentence. The president graduated from Harvard Magna Cum Laude. What were your honors in college?
Unless you've been under a rock or in a cave, guess what, HE'S PRESIDENT.
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By: Jeff on 7/20/2011 8:34AM
Its been reported some time back that Oprahs people remind her not to stay at one of her houses to long because she will pay high taxes for being a resident then.
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By: Diva With The Masterplan on 7/20/2011 8:40AM
This comment is for MIKE whom commented on this posting today July 20th. Now how can you truely blame Obama for anything? America has been in financial trouble since every other president we have had!! It seems unrealistic for you as a grown ass man and American citizen to honestly say that Obama is the cause of Americas failure. If you want to keep it real Americans live way beyond their means, rarely save money, and put politicans and other in goverment persons in positions whom dont do anything to progress this country!! "THEY" placed Obama in the president position to overwhelm him and of course to have others who think just like you blame the "black man", and take the heat off of them.
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