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Quite a Kitsch
These wacky promotional products are just a couple of the items supporters of both parties are using to grab more voters before the Nov. 2 election. The candidates are also appearing as action figures, punching bags and even on toilet paper.
"Nothing compares to what we see during election time and what we have seen so far this year," said Bill Prickett, spokesman for Irving, Texas-based Promotional Products Association International, a group of 7,000 manufacturers and distributors. "Our industry would love it to be an election year every year."
Companies that make political products report a 15- to 30-percent increase in sales this election year, according to a Products Association survey.
The tried and true products are still the most popular, according to the survey. It seems campaign members are sticking to buttons, bumper stickers and yard signs to get their messages across.
Nonetheless, Danbury, Conn.-based Herobuilders, creator of political action figures, has sold "thousands" of their talking Bush figure this year.
"Bush is outselling Kerry 10 to 1," said Emil Vicale, president of Herobuilders. Starting Tuesday, the company will give away a Kerry action figure with each purchase of the Bush figure.
Albert Elovitz, owner of Albert's Gifts, a retailer for novelties headquartered in the Strip District, said he can't keep some things in stock.
"We went through thousands of George Bush bobbleheads," he said. "There has probably been more demand this election than any previous because it is such a close race."
To a few who collect political memorabilia, this election year is different than those of past.
"I never saw so much negativity from both parties," said Al Brindisi, Pennsylvania vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Political Items Collectors. "When Eisenhower was running for president, there were only a couple anti-Eisenhower things. Now there are thousands of things."
Audrey Guskey, a professor of marketing and consumer trends at Duquesne University, said although political marketing is not new, the large variety of products being pushed this year is unique.
"Many, including a lot of young people, are taking more of an active role to show their political stance," she said. "Marketers recognize this and are taking full advantage. They are having fun with it."
Guskey sees both the positives and negatives to this new approach by the political products industry.
"It is good they want to be more creative and reach a broader audience," she said. "But, you have to ask are they taking something serious and exploiting the American voter?"
Candidate kitsch
Memorabilia available this presidential election cycle ruthlessly pokes fun at both President Bush and Sen. John Kerry. A sample of what's available.
The company is starting a 2-for-1 sale next week because the Sen. John Kerry figures weren't selling, company officials said. Now, anyone who buys a President Bush figure will get a Kerry figure.
$29.99
www.herobuilders.com
$21.99
www.stupid.com
$19.89
A spinoff of "pull-my-finger-Fred" this stuffed doll. The wacky figure also sings and talks.
www.prankplace.com
$19.99 each
www.stupid.com
$9.95
www.campaigncollectibles.com
Source: Trib p.m. research
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