University of California, Irvine, has partnered with AMC Networks Inc. and Instucture to produce a massive open online course “exploring a broad range of scholarly topics through the lens of a hypothetical zombie apocalypse.”
The free, eight-week course, offered this fall via Instructure’s Canvas cloud-based platform, was inspired by AMC’s drama TV series “The Walking Dead.”
The class will be co-taught by UC Irvine faculty—public health professor Zuzana Bic; Joanne Christopherson, who teaches social sciences; Michael Dennin of the physics department; and Sarah Eichhorn, a mathematics professor—all experienced in using pop culture in the classroom.
Each week, students will watch an episode of the show and complete online assignments related to what they’ve seen.
The show, though some may consider it simply escapist fare, includes material that illustrates important lessons, AMC said.
“Fans of the show know that ‘The Walking Dead’ is about more than zombies; it’s about survival, leadership and adapting to situations that are perilous and uncertain,” Theresa Beyer, vice president of promotions and activation at AMC, said in a news release. “We hope this online course will drive a deep, sustained connection with the show during its upcoming fourth season and offer a legitimate educational experience that can be applied even more broadly.”
The first class starts on Oct. 14, the day after the fourth-season premiere of the show.
Surfer Mag Goes Foodie
Source Interlink Media, a parent company of San Clemente-based Grind Media, has licensed the Surfer Magazine brand name to restaurant company Surf Concepts LLC in Jacksonville, Fla., to develop 12 “Surfer, The Bar” restaurants.
Salt Life Restaurant Group LLC, Surf Concepts’ parent company, has two restaurants and bars in Florida.
Hence, the initial “Surfer, The Bar” locations will be in coastal regions of the state, with expansion to California’s coast soon to follow. Financial details of the 10-year deal weren’t disclosed.
Surfer, The Bar currently has an anchor location at the Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii that features celebrity performers, screening rooms and live webcasting (see related story on Grind Media, page 1).
Agency Snags Homes Account
Professional Community Management of California Inc. selected Orange Label Art + Advertising in Newport Beach to be its agency of record.
The Lake Forest-based property management firm, one of the largest in Orange County, serves 130,000 homes and more than 300 communities in Southern California and Nevada.
Orange Label’s first assignment was to revitalize the firm’s brand with a new logo and the “Better Living. Maintained.” slogan.
“Interviewing the PCM internal team, as well as a cross-section of their customers, [has] allowed our team to fully embrace the authentic language, thoughts and feelings of what makes PCM special,” Wes Phillips, the agency’s chief executive, said in a news release. “With that knowledge, we are able to create powerful messaging and visually engaging design to create preference for the PCM brand.”
Details of the contract weren’t disclosed. Orange Label’s other clients include Chapman University, Friar Tux Shops, Greenwell Farms Inc. and Daughters of Charity Health System. The agency reported $4.3 million in revenue for the 12 months that ended on June 30.
