Msnbc.com Business Special Report: Extreme Consumerism

Msnbc.com's special business series (extreme.msnbc.com) explores the trend of
consumers going to extremes in their quest to align purchasing decisions with
their personal politics. Whether they are concerned about global warming, the
decline of U.S. manufacturing, pesticides in produce or other hot-button issues,
more and more American consumers are putting their money where their mouth is.

In a four-part series, msnbc.com reporter Allison Linn investigates these
"extreme consumers," who represent a trend that can no longer be ignored by
retailers and marketers.

Part 1: Made in the U.S.A.

Today, Linn explores consumers who are passionately dedicated to buying
American. From lead paint-laced toys to poisoned dog food, recent safety scares
have led many to question whether cheap imported goods are worth the potential
tradeoffs. But these extreme consumers face challenges in buying toys, apparel
and many other products.

Part 2: Leaving no carbon footprint

On May 27, Linn will look at the outer fringes of the environmental consumer
movement. While many people try to help the planet by using less gas or
recycling more, a handful of true activists are taking more drastic steps, such
as giving up meat, buying clothes and toys secondhand and drastically reducing
car travel.

Part 3: Buying little or nothing

On June 3, Linn will examine the "simplicity movement," sometimes known as
freeganism, frugalism or anti-consumerism. Some of these extreme (non)-consumers
can literally be described as dumpster divers. Whatever the moniker, these
Americans are taking their distaste for rampant consumerism to the next level,
foraging for food and other necessities in trash bins, on sidewalks and through
networks of like-minded people. Some have given up high-paying careers, bigger
houses and fancy cars in their quest to live on as little as possible. Linn's
story examines whether this extreme movement will gain momentum in an economic
downturn.

Part 4: Eating local

The series wraps on June 10, with a behind-the-scenes look at the "locavore"
movement. You need not look much further than your local Whole Foods or Wal-Mart
to see that organic food is all the rage these days. But for some people, the
push to buy foods grown more responsibly is more than just a passing fancy --
it's a lifestyle commitment. A growing number of Americans, from upstate New
York to metropolitan Portland, Ore. are trying to eat mainly food and livestock
grown within 100 miles of their homes.

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Media contact:
Gina Stikes
212.664.7403
gina.stikes@msnbc.com