Oprah Winfrey's Influence On The World

The Oprah Effect
The most influential woman in the world and the world’s most powerful women are just few titles that describe Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is known to the world as an American Television host, actress, producer, and philanthropist, and is best known for her multi-award winning and self-titled talk show. The Oprah Winfrey show has an audience of millions of people worldwide. In other words, when Oprah speaks, people listen, and that is why she has a huge impact on the world. Throughout the past decade, Oprah Winfrey has influenced the world by her charity work, her impact on sales, and her support for Barrack Obama.

Oprah Winfrey has influenced the lives of many people through her charity work. In 1998, Oprah created her own organization
called Oprah’s Angel Network, which is designed to encourage people to make a difference in the lives of others. Since the country was devastated by hurricane Katrina, over $15 million has been donated to the organization since the hurricane hit, giving Oprah’s Angel Network the chance to build 300 homes in the area (Fry). After hurricane Katrina hit, many houses were destroyed and people lost hope, however Oprah has brought hope back to the people. By building homes for these people who have lost everything, Oprah has not only helped them, but has influenced them by changing their lives. In addition, Oprah’s donations to her Angel Network Organization have helped children all over the world. Contributions to the Angel Network have, to date, built 60 schools for children in 13 countries. One example is Seven Fountains, a primary school in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa (Fry). Many children around the world don’t have the opportunity to go to school, and through Oprah’s organization and her donations, Oprah is helping create those opportunities. Oprah has influenced many children by creating these schools to educate them and give them opportunities to become something in their life. Oprah Winfrey’s donations and her organizations have influenced the lives of many all around the world.

Not only does Oprah have a huge influence from her charity work, but she also has a huge impact on sales.
The Oprah Winfrey show is the best place for a product to be viewed on because Oprah’s influence can increase the amount of sales for that product. After Oprah picks a favorite book, the sale for that book skyrockets. For example, Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., got a lot of love when he appeared on the show twice in April 2006, pushing the sales of his Getting the Love you Want up 849% (Ulrich). After getting the author of one of Oprah’s favorite book on her show, the sales for that book increased by a huge amount. By raising the sales of this book by a lot, Oprah has proved that she can influence the sales of products. However her influence on sales doesn’t end just at books. Oprah can also increase sales for even small vendors. After Oprah chose Pamela Fitzpatrick’s $39.99 tub of oatmeal raisin cookie dough as a favorite thing for holiday 2005, Fitzpatrick sold 220 just 45 minutes into the show. Then two weeks later, she sold around 600 tubs, and over the holiday she sold three times as many (Ulrich). After picking this tub of oatmeal raisin cookie dough as a favorite thing, sales increased by a lot. Oprah can cause a huge impact in the amount of products sold, and is a huge influence on consumers today. People listen to what Oprah has to say, and that is why she can alter the amount of sales for any
product. In addition to Oprah’s impact on sales, Oprah also played a huge role in President Barrack Obama’s campaign.
During the presidency election of 2008, Oprah Winfrey made the decision to support Obama; little did she know that her support would raise millions of votes. After Oprah had Obama appear on her show on October 18, 2006, “Internet searches on the Illinois senator vaulted 358% the week following his appearance” (Tancer). By having Obama on her show, she was able to increase the amount of searches on the candidate by a lot. Oprah got the word out for Obama by having him on the show, and that is why she is so influential. In addition, Craig Garthwaite and Tim Moore from the University of Maryland conducted a study and concluded, “Oprah’s contribution and support of Obama’s campaign was responsible for over 1 million votes” (Fry). After Oprah decided to support the presidential candidate, Barrack Obama, Oprah had millions of votes. By raising so many votes, Oprah’s influence had convinced many people to believe that Obama was the better candidate, and they should vote for him. Oprah’s contributions to Obama lead him to becoming the next president of
America.

Oprah Winfrey’s strong personality has been an inspiration to many people, and has a huge impact in our society. Many people around the world look at Oprah as a role model and a leader. Oprah’s influence has touched millions of people worldwide. Throughout her lifetime, Oprah’s charity work has helped millions, her impact on sales can raise thousands, and her support can turn a person into the next president.

Works Cited

Fry, Elizabeth. "Oprah Winfrey Info 101." About Oprah - Television - Magazines - Book Club - Radio - Charity. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. <http://oprah.about.com/od/oprahbiography/u/oprahpath101.htm#s2>.

Ulrich, Carmen W. "The Oprah Effect." Finally a Winner. Oct. 2006. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. <http://finallyawinner.blogspot.com/2006/10/oprah-effect.html>.

Tancer, Bill. "Under the Influence of Oprah - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 9 May 2007. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1618910,00.html>.

Fry, Elizabeth. "Oprah's Influence on Obama's Primary Votes." About Oprah - Television - Magazines - Book Club - Radio - Charity. 7 Aug. 2008. Web. 15 Jan. 2011. <http://oprah.about.com/b/2008/08/07/oprahs-influence-on-obamas-primary-votes.htm>.