Marketers jump into Osama bin Laden death biz
By Bruce Horovitz, USA Today
That is, at least, in the make-a-buck marketing world of souvenirs, collectibles and tchotchkes.
Within hours of bin Laden's announced death, a wide swath of marketers already had latched onto the leader's sudden demise at the hands of U.S. special forces. Most see it as a chance to cash in with T-shirts, pins, coffee mugs and even risqué thongs that — for $10 to $25 — memorialize or even celebrate the May 1 death of the man who was widely regarded as the world's most-wanted criminal.
Between midnight Sunday and 2 p.m. ET on Monday, thousands of consumer-created souvenirs already had popped up for sale on the websites Zazzle.com and CafePress.com, where royalty-seeking consumers go with original ideas for souvenir-like products that are ulitmately produced by the companies.
Read the rest of the article here:
In a 2 paragraph response (a minimum of 5 sentences for each paragraph), answer the following questions. In paragraph # 1, summarize the article in 3 main points. Which one of these points do you feel is the most interesting and why? Be specific with your thoughts. In paragraph # 2, pick what you think are going to be the top 3 selling items on the list. List each and indicate why each item will be popular. Be specific with your thoughts.
Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.
Please sign your name to the bottom of your blog entry.
This article by USAtoday was based on three points: the death of Osama Bin Laden, how they’re going to make money off his death, and what merchandise they were going to create. Besides the conspiracy theory of whether Osama Bin laden is really dead or not, I personally think the merchandise zazzle.com made was the most interesting because it shows a lot of creativity in how they can take one person’s death, and turn it into novelty t-shirts and coffee mugs.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the newly made merchandise, I personally think that the t-shirts, buttons, and bumper stickers are going to be the most popular. T-shirts are always number one when it comes to politics, just like the Obama “hope” shirts did a couple years ago. Buttons are going to one of the most popular items because everyone wears/has buttons all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Lastly, the bumper sticker inventory will be quite popular as well because just like with the election of our president, people are going to want to express how they feel about the situation.
That’s what I think about the whole idea of marketing Osama Bin Laden’s death through merchandise.
-April Miller
The death of Bin Laden will make some marketers a whole lot of money. Because so much people hate him in america after the whole 9/11 shorade. And as on of the most hated men in america, and now could be the biggest marketing catch. Bin Laden T-shirts will sell like no other. Or any Bin Laden mirchandice, because he is the complete talk of the world. Everything is discussing about him, especially since it took 10 years just to find him. Some people will want rip Bin Laden products, some will want anti- Bin Laden products. Either way the company putting those products out soon will be making a big profit out of it. I think that key chains, and t-shirts of Bin Laden will sell the most. Because those seem like the best idea to buy and sell.
ReplyDeleteThis article informs us instantly about how fast, after Osama’s death, people took the chance to sell “Osama is Dead” material. Such as T-Shirts, Coffee Mugs, Buttons, Caps, Bumper Stickers, Neckties, and even Dog T-Shirts. Executives from the companies Zazzle.com and CafePress.com said this was the quickest reaction ever to anything like this for their websites (which are huge sellers of product like this). "People wear these things or buy these things in order to inflict the final indignity on bin Laden," says Grant McCracken, a cultural anthropologist and author of Chief Culture Officer: How to Create a Living, Breathing Corporation. "And $25 isn't a lot to pay to gain entry in the national act of ridicule." People love to be a part of the new “trend” of Osama’s death and this is a cheap and easy way to do it.
ReplyDeleteI think the three top selling items will be T-Shirts, Caps, and Bumper Stickers. T-Shirts obviously first because they are the first thing people think of when it comes to stuff like this and I see more Osama’s Death related t-shirts than anything already. Bumper Stickers might be second because a lot of people don’t like wearing those kinds of things but still like the idea so a bumper sticker is a good way to get your point across. Then Caps last because I see a lot of hats that might have to do with elections or other similar things like Osama’s Death (not really similar but the way they are marketed is), and I definitely see people buying Osama’s Death caps.
-Daniel Owens
The gist of the article was about the products that were being sold right after Osama bin Laden was dead. Right after the public heard about the death of Osama bin Laden, people felt that they need to do something to show their support or joy of the situation. Another point in the article was about the products, like what kind of them can be sold to the public. They started with T-shirts and then moved on to coffee mugs, caps, bumper stickers or neckties. The last thing would be the fact that during this article they are still trying to sell their products, by tell the read about their product and how it cost.
ReplyDeleteThe top three products that will be sold are the T-shirts, bumper stickers and the phone case. The reason way is because people will always buy T-shirts that say something interesting. And because of the death of Bin Laden, people will want to show there support or feeling of “justice is server”. Another way people can do that is buying a bumper sticker, so that they can show of to other people saying what they feel even if they driving to the store. The last product is a cell phone case, it isn’t that popular but there will be people who want to have something like that to remind themselves about that day.
-Rod M.
his dead made people money.osama death is like a reward for the american people. the items being sold are in four catagories like army shirts. These produce show the evil side of osama.the items will make americans whealty.
ReplyDeletethe top selling products that wil be sold have to do with pictures of his death. but the products that are sold to older people will be the coffee mugs. i dont think women will buy the thongs with a picture of osama. the t shirt will make a lot of profits. the pins to me will make a little amount of cash.
by demarkus jenkins
I think it's a good idea of making t-shirts and other items to show osama bin laden's death.It's a good way for the marketing world to earn more money. I also like the idea that the companies created so many products. And it's a good way to celebrate the May 1 death of the man who is the most-wanted criminal in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe top three selling items will be T-shirts, coffee mugs, and pins. The T-shirts are a good idea because everyone will wear them and they will be more noticed. Coffe mugs are also an important selling items because a lot of people like coffee and their product will be sold more. Pins are also a great selling item because when people wear them everyone will see it and other people would want to buy it.
-Mah Noor
As I read this article I found many important points. For instance, within hours of Osama bin Laden’s death, marketers are making T-shirts, pins, coffee mugs and even risqué thongs for $10-$25. Also, the tone for most items support patriotism, military support, celebration and a category called "justice is served." Furthermore marketers say that something this big has not happened for quite sometime, even Saddam Hussein capture was not as big. What I found to be the most interesting was how marketers made such a wide variety of products for someone who has died. Although some people say that we are cruel for celebrating someone’s death, I believe that justice was served.
ReplyDeleteI think the top 3 items are T shirts, bumper stickers, and caps. Everyone loves to have a variety of shirts, plus it is the most visible spot you can wear it on your body. Next are bumper stickers because almost every adult has a car, and just like how we like to dress up ourselves for a fancy party, people like to “dress up” their cars to show to others as well. Lastly, caps are perfect for the summer time and they can be fashionable as well.
-ALex Wong
The article subjected to us this week talks about how companies are taking the successful death of the most wanted criminal, Osama Bin Ladin, into their business to market to customers. They are doing this so that people can express their view on the event. These companies, i.e. Zazzle.com and Cafepress.com, are putting slogans, cartoon pictures and other attributes to the death of Osama to target American customers to buy and support the long awaited May 1, 2011 success by the Navy Seals. These companies are not only offering t-shirts to support his death but also buttons, coffee mugs, caps, bumper stickers, neckties, phone cases, and even doggie t-shirts. Since the event of Osama’s death is so popular in the press lately and because of how proud we are as Americans to have finally gotten him, people are willing to pay the outrageous prices of the items to support his execution.
ReplyDeleteI believe out of all the items being sold to advertise America’s success the top three that are going to sell the most are t-shirts, buttons and mugs. T-shirts are obviously going to sell the most because people are going to want to show it off and have it as the center of their wardrobe expressing how happy they are that justice had been served. Buttons are going to sell too because people put buttons on a lot of things: jackets, shirts, backpacks, purses, whatever it can go on and people are going to buy buttons to show off the victory of America every day. Lastly mugs will also sell because people that like coffee will want it plastered on their mug that their country is doing something right. I think this is a good idea because these thing are obviously going to sell and bring in a lot of revenue but not only that but it’s also promoting America and showing that we can get through anything, take on anyone and stand united as one.
Katilyn Gaskins
The 3 main point of the article is that they going to make different products to celebrate the death of Osama. Another point of the article is that they’re happy with the death of Osama bin laden so they want to make money off him. Also they will make lot money off this since people will be interested since they hated Osama. I think the merchandise is going sell good through the whole world. But it might start controversy with the middle but beside that it a good idea. We just got to be careful because the Middle East probably mad since we celebrating his death.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 selling products that going to sell the most are t-shirts, coffee mugs, and pins. I choose these products because many people in the world wear t-shirts. And also many people us coffee mugs to drink coffee so they will like that idea having a mug that shows the most wanted man saying he dead. The reason why I choose pins because almost the world like pins because you can clip them on to your shirts and backpack and etc. that’s all I got to say .
-Rene Romero
In the article it explained how the death of Osama Bin Ladin caused marketers to go into a selling frenzy. His death helped some websites like Zazzle and Cafepress create many different souvenirs like t-shirts, hats and mugs. Both of the sites say that they have never sold this much merchandise since Sadan’s death. They merchandise has many different designs and humorous quotes. They made these shirts humorous because they know people want a good laugh
ReplyDeleteThe top three items to me would be the t-shirts, hats and mugs. The t-shirts would be the first to go because everyone would find the quotes to be eye catching. The hats would be popular because the animations on the hat are humorous and everyone likes a good laugh. The mugs are popular for people who like simple products but don’t want to show them off too much. They would want to show off at work and at home but not in public.
-Erika Nelson
Three main points about this article is that they are making T-shirts, mugs, pins, thongs, etc., because of Osama Bin Laden’s death, the items are selling for $10-20, and that Zazzle.com and CafePress.com is seeking consumers for selling the May 1 celebration products. Every product that is being sold for this celebration is huge deal for companies wanting to sale these items because it can make a lot of profit. The selling price is okay, because it cost a lot of money to print on a product. Zazzle.com and CafePress.com are going to be huge websites, because of all the people that are going to want a product of May 1.
ReplyDeleteThe top three selling items I think that are going to hit the market the most are the T-shirts, the mugs and the caps. The T-shirts are going to sale the most, because who doesn’t like a T-shirt saying something about May 1…T-shirts can be worn and shown to everyone. The second item that is going to sale the most is the caps, because a lot of men (and women) like to wear hats, especially since it’s almost going to be summer and people (also a lot of tourist) are going to be looking for a hat. The third most item to be sold would be mugs ( I think), because a lot of people like souvenirs and like to collect mugs, and they also like to drink coffee.
Anna Vallejo
In the article they are basically talking about him being dead, how to make money off his eat, & would the things sell. The one point that is important to me is him being dead. There is so many doubts about him being dead and people denying the fact that he was every killed because he has 51 brothers& sisters and I’m pretty sure at least one of the boys look alike, but I guess well will see. I also think his death shouldn’t be so celebrated because aren’t his people just going to retaliate?
ReplyDeleteThe top three selling’s will probably be the mug, pin,& t-shirts even though I wouldn’t wear a t-shirt with him on it, in my opinion that’s a stupid idea ! but the pins would probably sell because who doesn’t like pins and its easier to walk around in public with.
This article is all about Osama Bin Laden’s death. It talks about how they made his death turn into a marketing idea, what they made with it, and how much they sell it for. I think the most important thing is that they turned his death into a marketing idea. It was smart because people hated him, and they’re happy that he’s gone. And Tshirthell.com made humorous stick figure shirts showing his death.
ReplyDeleteI think almost all of these products will be successful. T-shirts, Buttons, and bumper stickers will be more successful over the others. T-shirts obviously will sell the most. People rather have something they could show and it’s usually the first thought they have. Buttons will also be successful. It could be put anywhere. And bumper stickers would be sold a lot too. They’re cheap and easy to apply on your car.
My thoughts on the Marketers jump into Osama bin Laden death biz. Is that I could care less that their using Osama bin Laden as their marking brand to make money. Marketing for me is making fast money with smart ideals. Hey if they want to make money using that person who am I to stop them. Money is money no matter how you get it like it or not people make a lot of money doing stuff like this. Would I try to make money off this ideal no!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the three top selling items are … one the t-shirts. Hey everyone loves a good t-shirt and why not put that on a t-shirt make a lots of money off it. Two would me car stickers everybody loves car stickers. Last but not least coffee mugs everybody owns a mug so I know people would buy it. Anyway you look at you can use it on anything right know it will sell fast.
Tenacia
I find that the most interesting point in this article were all the little souvenirs that his death has cause people to make. I find it funny how they didn’t even give his death a week to start making things. The things that were for sale popped up around midnight Sunday and 2 PM ET on Monday. The souvenirs range from T-shirts, pins, coffee mugs, and even dog shirts. Those little things could cost from $10-$25 which isn’t a bad price for something worthless.
ReplyDeleteI think the top selling items will be the shirts, coffee mugs, and dog shirts. I personally wouldn’t buy any of that stuff because it would just bring up memories to people who lost their loved ones because of what he did. They shirts are very common for someone to buy and where out in public maybe because they just want attention just like all the other things people are going to buy. The coffee mugs for people who love to drink coffee will just show how they feel about him and they bring attention to themselves one more time. Dog shirts are what I found the cutest because dogs are just awesome and people might not find it as offensive. I feel like the item that will not do the best is the thongs because who would what an ugly man on their thong, like seriously.
-Gladys Monroy
the three main points in this article are that since Osama bin Laden was killed by us navy seals people in the United States of America people are happy and they are wearing merchandise to make money off of him for being killed because he caused a lots of death in America. They are also saying that as soon as the word hit that he was dead people began to go on websites and create logos with Osama face saying “Obama got Osama” and in other merchandise with his face as the main logo. With the selling of this merchandise that doesn’t cost that much people want to keep them as memorabilia for the long run. I think the most important point in this article is how fats people are making money off his death for their own good.
ReplyDeleteI think the bumper sticker and the buttons, t-shirt will sell the most because people will want to put bumper stickers on their car so that while they are driving people will be able to see and read their bumper sticker. I think that the t-shirt will definitely sell a lot because they are different design and colors people will be able to choose from .they can also even make their own t-shirt on websites .t-shirts are going to sell out because people will want to wear these shirts in public to show their happy about Osama being killed. I think the buttons will be sold the most because people will want to wear them and or collect them.
-Sulma Cisneros
tI think the 3 main points of the article is how everyone is so happy about Bin Laden’s death, everyone quickly made things about him, people feel like they got revenge on him for what he did on 09/11/01. Everyone’s happy about his death because no America’s really liked him, he was hated by almost all America’s, he killed thousands of people and that’s why he’s hated. I think companies did a lot of new merchandises for his death because people who buy it. They think it’s revenge because of what he did, so they think he had it coming, people in Washington D.C are celebrating about May 1, 2011. The companies thought it might have been a good idea to also celebrate his death with selling things about him so that people buy it because it’s such a big thing right now in the U.S. The most interesting point is how they think it’s revenge, I don’t think it’s revenge because one death isn’t going to make up for 1000’s. I sometimes wonder how people from over there must feel, he was like their god, he wasn’t though. I don’t think people should celebrate his death in such matter because no one deserves it no matter what they did or how they did it. People should forgive and not forget because it was something sad, but we should think about how they must feel, I bet some of them see how we must of felt. I don’t think it’s a celebration type of thing.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that the 3 selling items are good t-shirts, mugs, dog sweaters, etc… I don’t think it’s a good idea to be celebrating his death, I personality think that it’s dumb. People from over there can’t really say anything because they also celebrated and people don’t think of how we felt, well imagine they feel, because that was like their leader and now he’s dead. I don’t like any of the ideas that are selling because they’re dumb and the thong is just ridiculous. I think it will sell just because people are followers and like to do what everyone else is doing, immature people for instants. But for the people who are serious and happy about it I doubt it will sell for them. I don’t think parents will buy any of these for their kids and I don’t think teenagers will buy it unless their parents are celebrating of what has happened on 05/01/11.
Jamie Brigitte Rojas
Well this article was about Osama Bin Laden. There were 3 main points that were brought up, his death, shirts, cups, hats ect. Being sold just because he died. They are also stating that because of Osama’s death he has made America sorta rich. There are so many thing that they are going to sell concering his death. I think that this is a good idea because I know people will buy things like this. It’s a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe top selling items that I think people are going to buy the most are the t-shirts, coffee mugs, and the bumper stickers. The reason why I think the shirts will sell the most is because they are not expensive and they have cartoons and different designs that are funny and have to do with his death. I also think that the coffee mugs will sell because it has a quote “Death by the Navy Seal May 1, 2011 “ It’s a very interesting item because it shows who killed him and when and best of all it was our US Navy Seal. The bumper stickers are a interesting idea as well because it has humor to it. I find all of these products very interesting and I bet that people will be buying them
-Karla Sandoval
This article was about how the death of Osama Bin Laden is an ideal way websites Zazzle.com and CafePress.com sell. They are making souvenirs that represent his death. There s a theory that he isn’t dead, though people would still believe it or not. These companies are making money off of it. They are selling t-shirts, dog t-shirts, iPhone cases, caps, mugs, buttons, and much more. They are also selling out of these products.
ReplyDeleteOf the products, the t-shirt first, the caps, and then the iPhone cases would be the top sellers.I think the t-shirts will be the most popular because everyone loves t-shirts and they are the most common products of the few. The next are the caps, one main reason is because of the sun. Some people wear any kind of cap, this cap would be different. The last top seller would be the iPhone case because there are a lot of people who own iPhones and buy various cases.
-Saprea Ray
Today’s blog is about a website company that is advertising the death of Osama Bin Ladin. They are advertising it by selling shirts and other items that ridicule his death. The prices are stacked up pretty high, but even then people are still buying the shirts and items. The article talks about if its right to sell shirts that supports his death. Is it right to make a profit out of a dead man cause grief to our nation? I think it’s right. Not only that, I think it’s the right idea that people should take pride in their country for this accomplishment. So far this nation has not shown this much pride in their country in a long time.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people should advertise more to get a movement going. Now that a man’s death is being noted, we are moving forward towards the future more unified. Not as a nation of people that don’t trust the government. The best item in the website is Osama died on Wakka Dakka Lakka Street shirt. That shirt is the most appealing to me and I would definitely buy one. Another great one is the one where Osama is dressed as Waldo, and it says found him! This company should continue to advertise Osama’s death but not to a point where they dry the idea out.
This article is discussing about how they killed America most wanted Osama bin laden .And the three main things in this article are how they are making t-shirt ,coffee mug ,pins even thongs wow it all going to coast between 10$or20$ dollar that not bad they are going to be money because I’m pretty sure stupid people well by these products. I also think they are going to make more thing like laptop case ,Ipod case even Ipad case even action figure toy for the kids. And I think they are going to make video game about him getting capture then murder at the end of the game or even make commercial on TV so people can buy anything that as Osama face on it .
ReplyDeleteI believe that the t-shirt well sell more because it going to express how they really felt about him now since he dead . And people well most likely purchase it because they want to show there grief’s that he dead and know that him pay for all the innocent people life he took on 9-11-2002. I also think that the coffee mugs well sell to because people buy to keep something that made current history in 2011 of Osama bin laden.
-Idalia Romero