The Merchandise of Events
(I was going for a kind of Merchants-of-Venice spin there in the title, but it didn’t really work. Better suggestions on the back of an envelope.)
I went to an event last night that, naturally, sold merchandise. You’ll know about merchandise. You probably have an old rock t-shirt in the closet that you’ve never worn because it wasn’t the right size. Or a coffee cup sitting in the cupboard with some picture of a sports team or star or logo. Or any kids in the family will have a stuffed Tigger or Elmo or Mickey.
I have nothing against merchandise per se. It’s nice to buy a memento of a happy occasion, as a souvenir or present. And fair play to companies who do it (I read something once about George Lucas who negotiated sole rights to merchandising for Star Wars. Merchandising hadn’t caught on yet so the studio thought they were getting a sweet deal. Well, we know how that ended up. Go George!)
I just don’t like that feeling of urgency that washes over me like a tidal wave when I see these products. My brain kicks off a monologue that goes like this:
“Quick! You’re walking past the merchandise! You won’t be able to buy this stuff anywhere else! Look how cute those toys are! Maybe we need the photo book? What about a keyring, that’s not too expensive. It’s only $10!”
The question is: When did my brain become an unpaid affiliate of marketing companies?
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Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
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It’s all so true. Why is that?
May 14th, 2007 at 1:05 pmHow many merchandising products are still appreciated a year or two down the road? We all know this but we all get suckered in.
So when can we expect to see the Rich Minx merchanising appear? I rather fancy the coffee mug and keyring …lol
I have actually seen a one or two blogs offering their own teeshirts. Maybe you might be exploring the possibilities some time in the future?
Nice blog I look forward to reading more, even though I am of the male species. :o)
Brilliant idea! Maybe I could work my way up to Rich Minx hotel chains and Rich Minx home loans. It’s all in the branding. Hmm… I do need a logo though. Watch this space.
PS Males are always welcome chez Rich Minx, it’s just there seems to be a shortage of female money blogs so I thought I’d put my hand up.
May 14th, 2007 at 2:11 pmIn the past I’ve bought t-shirts and coffee mugs from concerts/shows I’ve been to. But then I’ve used them to death and thought of bits of the show that I still remember all these years later, so i consider that money well spent.
September 10th, 2007 at 7:56 pmHi River, that’s true, the nostalgic factor can definitely be a reason to buy merchandise. I feel like that about a couple of t-shirts I’ve bought. I try and save the purchases now for truly great events, not just anything I turn up to.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:32 pm