Palin 'phenomenon' hijacks online sales

CNN ^ | September 16, 2008 | Kristi Keck

[NewMediaFan]

(CNN) -- For the first time since the start of the election, merchandise for John McCain's campaign rivals sales of Barack Obama gear at CafePress, an online store specializing in user-generated T-shirts.

The store saw a huge spike in sales on the day McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick, and McCain sales have been on the rise ever since.

"It was basically like Black Friday in retail terms," said Amy Maniatis, vice president of marketing for CafePress.

Within hours of McCain's announcement, the store had 2,000 McCain-Palin products. Now, there are 323,000. Popular items include shirts with pit bulls wearing lipstick, designs made just for "hockey moms" and a wide selection of anti-Palin gear.

"The Palin phenomenon is just kind of indicative that she has added life to his campaign. Whether people like her or don't like her, they are expressing themselves about her," Maniatis said.

Over at eBay, it's a similar story.

Two days before McCain introduced Palin to the country, no eBay users had any Palin items listed. The next day, one item showed up on the auction site. On the day of the announcement, there were more than 100 items on the site, and in the week that followed, sales skyrocketed.

[NewMediaFan]

One eBay seller is auctioning off a piece of toast that she
says bears the image of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

[smith288]

I made this design and the cafepress marketplace loved it. I would say she created a new niche market.


(click the image to get one)
Or see the whole collection

[Taffini]

looks more like barry to me.

[Corin Stormhands]

My CafePress shop has done $1300 in business since September 5. 99% of it Palin “Read My Lipstick” merchandise.

[cdga5for4]

We still have some work to do to get the Palin biography to No. 1...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414330502/ref=amb_link_7461292_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-sparkle&pf_rd_r=0RJ51HH88S1SDPXH2HTJ&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=438414201&pf_rd_i=Sarah

[ODDITHER]

I like the one that has a picture of a rifle and
the words Sarah Killed my apathy.

[WKB]

I saw a T shirt yesterday with a pic of MLK on one
side and BHO on the other with the words
“The Dream has come true”

[OKIEDOC]

McCains speech this morning was one of his best.

There seemed to be several thugs in the audience trying to keep him from being heard.

[meowmeow]

and a wide selection of anti-Palin gear.

Wow - Joe Biden is such a loser he doesn't even warrant "anti-Biden" gear.

[Yanni.Znaio]

Wow - Joe Biden is such a loser he doesn't even warrant "anti-Biden" gear.

Naaah, it's conservation.

Bidenwear(tm) doubles as Anti-Bidenwear(tm).

In other words, if it has his picture and name on it, it serves to remind everybody of just what a slug he is.

[billorites]

Joe Biden is such a loser he doesn't even warrant "anti-Biden" gear.

Oh, God love ya...

[visualops]

The last time there was a thread like this they pulled it, probably because it turned into an ad for everyone's Cafepress shop.

     

[Londo Molari]

How about a picture of Obama/Biden on the inside of baby's diapers? That might sell

[ladymac]

I’ve bought my 3 t-shirts, 4 buttons, 4 bumper stickers, and 2 yard signs. I am a public school teacher, so I can’t wear the t-shirts to work, but my little girl can surely wear one to school that says, “My mom is voting for Piper’s mom”. So, I have to go place another order now.

[RightFighter]

Bump for later

[gridlock]

My Maverick/Barracuda coffee mug just came in yesterday. It’s really nice! People were noticing it this morning around the office.

[gridlock]

My Maverick/Barracuda coffee mug just came in yesterday. It’s really nice! People were noticing it this morning around the office.

[smith288]

My Maverick/Barracuda coffee mug just came in yesterday. It’s really nice! People were noticing it this morning around the office.

Thats great to hear! Glad you like it.

[SuziQ]

WooHoo! I'm lovin my "Read My Lipstick" mug!! Matter of fact, I'm having a cup of coffee in it, as I type!

*sip*

[CalvaryJohn]

I ordered my Maverick/Barracuda and NoBama stickers two days ago.