posted 01-09-2013 12:26 PM               

AXE to Send 22 Guys to Space with New Apollo Campaign

Global Space Statesman Buzz Aldrin launches AXE Apollo Space Academy to Recruit Guys for the Trip of a Lifetime

AXE is going where only few have gone before by giving guys the ultimate out-of-this-world experience: a trip to space. To recruit guys for this once-in-a-lifetime epic journey, AXE is creating the AXE Apollo Space Academy (A.A.S.A) with one of the first men to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin. Beginning today, by joining A.A.S.A at AXEApollo.com, guys and girls will have a chance to compete for one of 22 tickets to travel to space on a flight with international space agency, Space Expedition Corporation (SXC).

There's no bigger hero than an astronaut, so AXE is giving fans a chance to experience an adventure unlike any other. In the biggest product launch in its 30-year history, AXE is asking guys and girls from 60 countries in 45 languages around the globe to sign up for the A.A.S.A by creating their astronaut profile on AXEApollo.com and telling the world why they deserve to go to space. The two from each country with the most votes will win a place at the final stage at the AXE Global Space Camp in Orlando, Florida where the final 22 space travelers will be selected based on competitive space-simulation challenges.

"Space travel for everyone is the next frontier in the human experience," said Buzz Aldrin, legendary astronaut and pilot of the historic Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1969. "I'm thrilled that AXE is giving the young people of today such an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of what I've encountered in space."

AXE, known as LYNX in some parts of the world, with SXC has secured 22 seats aboard the suborbital spacecraft, aptly named, the Lynx. SXC, led by CEO Michiel Mol, operates XCOR Aerospace's Lynx suborbital space plane that will take passengers more than 100 kilometers into space, achieving astronaut status.

"The AXE Apollo launch is the biggest and most ambitious in the AXE brand's 30 year history," said Tomas Marcenaro, global Vice President for AXE. "For the first time, we're simultaneously launching one global competition in over 60 countries offering millions of people the opportunity to win the most epic prize on earth. A trip to space — yes, actual space."

Sign up for a chance to go to space by joining the A.A.S.A at AXEApollo.com. Terms and conditions vary by market. The full line of AXE Apollo products is available in Body Spray, Deep Space Shower Gel, AXE Apollo Shower Gel, Shampoo & Conditioner 2-in-1 and Deodorant online at Well.ca and major retailers where AXE is sold. For more information visit AXEApollo.com.

posted 01-09-2013 01:09 PM               

I can't help but wonder if all these contests are operating with the hope that thre promised space flight never takes place. Think of it in a marketing standpoint, AXE gets their press for the contest, and who's gonna remember (or even care) years later if the winners never leave the ground or not?

In the past, there have been plenty of contests that have offered future prizes that were calculated ahead of time to be long shots and therefore unlikely that the company would really have to pay out later on (I remember a marketing class in college where we went over this, but that was a few years ago). In some cases, they put time limits on the prize, so even if it DID come to pass, there was a loophole to get the company out of it. I think some (if not most) of these space flight contests are in the same vein.

posted 01-09-2013 01:19 PM               

In the event, the Grand Prize winner does not meet space travel requirements, or if Sponsor is unable to provide trip by December 31, 2020 because of any technical, governmental or other reason, Sponsor will award the winner, the complete prize of a check for $86,000, in lieu of the trip and check for $25,000. Grand Prize will be awarded on or before December 31, 2020.

posted 01-13-2013 08:50 PM               

Women can apply for the prize, but the intended promotion is for men. Just as Dr. Pepper Ten is advertised "not for women."

All of AXE's commercials are over-the-top, but I have to say, framing astronauts are over-the-top cool (and sex objects to boot) is something we haven't seen in a long time... and regardless of AXE's marketing goals, it is this sort of "right stuff" image that NASA's corps has been missing.

posted 01-13-2013 08:53 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Captain Apollo:
Has XCOR actually ever launched anything?

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posted 01-14-2013 03:26 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
To space? No. But XCOR's EZ Rocket, which could be seen as an early generation prototype for the Lynx, was the first such rocket-powered private aircraft to fly.

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posted 01-14-2013 07:21 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Captain Apollo:
I'll be very surprised if anyone ever leaves the ground as a result of this.

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posted 01-15-2013 04:55 PM               

Neil Patrick Harris also stars in a series of commercials:

posted 04-07-2013 10:05 AM               

I turned around to walk into the store intending to come back and have a closer look and walked straight into this guy!

I stopped and had a chat with the Lynx Roadshow Team, who are visiting different locations around the UK — signed up for the promotion. I thought the suit was quite a good replica!

Couldn't resist a photograph with the Lynx Astronaut (No autographs requested )

posted 06-13-2013 08:27 AM               

Four people in total (2/125 each day) will be chosen to progress to Global Space Camp, Stage 3 of the competition.

posted 12-08-2013 12:43 PM               

For the past week, more than 100 participants from over 60 countries around the world have taken part in mental aptitude tests, combat training in a fighter jet and zero-gravity flights to distinguish themselves as the most worthy of one for one of the coveted tickets to space with Space Expedition Corporation under a project by the makers of Axe Apollo body spray. SXC manages trips aboard the reusable XCOR Aerospace Lynx spacecraft, a commercial space plane that is expected to begin flying customers in 2014 or 2015.

After a yearlong competition, and one week of astronaut training, the lucky winners of the 23 tickets were announced here at the AXE Apollo Space Academy Thursday (Dec. 5) in the rocket garden at the Kennedy Space Center. A ticket on the Lynx usually costs $95,000.

...two women and 20 more men from 21 different countries — including Canada, South Africa, Thailand and China — also won tickets to fly aboard Lynx. Four women competed in the space academy alongside 105 men.The complete list of winners will be released soon, Axe Apollo Space Academy officials said.