Wal-Mart's yellow smiley guy may be heading for a frown. The company is the target of a probe into the hiring of illegal immigrants. Its earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates. Its size threatens some stores. And now six of its "sexiest" female employees are on Playboy.com -- not exactly the wholesome image the retailer projects. Is it still America's family favorite?
Playboy Undresses Wal-Mart Women
By Parija Bhatnagar, CNN/Money Staff Writer
Playboy.com's controversial "Women of Wal-Mart" feature went live Wednesday, showcasing six of Wal-Mart's "sexiest" female employees who dared to shed their uniforms for the online pictorial.
In September Playboy.com had announced it was searching for the sexiest women at Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer. Playboy ran the similar-themed 'Women of Enron' last year and 'Women of Starbucks' photospreads in the magazine earlier this year.
"We received over 400 responses from Wal-Mart employees. That's more than the responses we got from both Enron and Starbucks employees," said Jay Nesheim, spokeswoman for Playboy.com. Nesheim said the six models, including a photo lab technician, assistant manager and a department manager, were paid for their feature but would not disclose the amount.
"We knew that this would be a very provocative thing for us to do," said John Thomas, editor of Playboy.com. "Wal-Mart has a conservative corporate image, and we knew they wouldn't be thrilled. But we're hoping that the company will be pleased once they see how fun the pictures are and how empowered the women at Wal-Mart feel."
For its part, Wal-Mart said the pictorial "is in poor taste." "Based on our values, we will be disappointed if any of our people do participate in it," said spokesman Tom Williams. "However, individuals are free to do what they want."
Recently Wal-Mart, in an effort to spread its wholesome image as a family store, said it would put covers on a few women's magazines that typically display racy pictures and story titles.
Bentonville, Ark.- based Wal-Mart also banned three men's magazines, including FHM, Maxim, and Stuff, earlier this year because it said it had received complaints from customers about their content. The chain has never sold Playboy.
In the past, Wal-Mart has refused to sell CDs that carry warning labels about explicit lyrics. Instead, the store sells sanitized versions of albums, with some songs omitted or covers redrawn to pass muster with the chain's buyers.
11/12/2003
Saturday April 6, 2002
The Omega Jeremy Probst is finally being able to sit back and relax in his new apartment. He has been living there for over a month now and the stress and worries of moving are now over. The only thing he has to worry about now is working enough hours so he can keep his place. Jeremy currently is employed by the Evergreen Nursing Home. But Jeremy remains very optimistic, "All I need to do is work more hours so I can keep this place" claims Jeremy, seen in the above photo standing in front of his new apartment.
But keeping his apartment won't be the only thing he will soon be able to relax over. Jeremy is going to finally attempt to take his driver's test on Thursday April 11, 2002 at 8:45 am. We all hope the best for Jeremy. It's been a rough road for the Omega, but in the end he is having the last laugh.
Jeremy and Laura cut off of internet, cable
The unfortunate news arrived at The Collection late on the night of November 26, 2001. Jeremy and his sister Laura wer tragically cut from not only the internet but cable television. This horrible news strikes a severe blow not only to Jeremy's moral but to his website, The Saiyen Zone. Without internet access, Jeremy will no longer be able to update everybody's favorite saiyen site, which was last updated on August 29, 2001
Jeremy, seen in the above file photo, has another little known website, Endless RPG. Jeremy killed this with hopes and dreams of resurecting it on a later date. These hopes and dreams must unfortnately be put to rest. So The Collection asks you, visit The Saiyen Zone and sign Jeremy's saiyen guestbook with words of support. Although he may never see them, he will at least know that they are there. Let the power of the Fade be with us all.
