Political Action Figure Wars
Bernadette Giacomazzo — October 1, 2008 — Social Good
References: jailbreaktoys
Jason Feinberg is the founder and resident artist of the Brooklyn, NY-based Jailbreak Toys. Feinberg painstakingly creates fun, collectible figures of historical icons from world science, art, literature and politics. His line has been called “Toys For Smart People.”
Inspired by Senator Obama, Feinberg set out to create a figure in his honor and decided an ‘action figure’ most suited the candidate’s unique abilities.
And it is on fire.
Currently available at the Jailbreak website, Amazon.com and in over 400 retail outlets throughout the country, tens of thousands have purchased the 6” tall Barack Obama Action Figure.
In the sake of fairness, Feinberg also created a John McCain Action Figure. And while the artist has been marketing the Obama figure more aggressively, sales figures from outlets that carry both collectibles show that Obama is way ahead in the race for the Plastic Presidency.
The figure has also caught the eyes of celebrities like Susan Sarandon and Dana Delany who each purchased two “Obama’s” at the recent DNC in Denver.
Inspired by Senator Obama, Feinberg set out to create a figure in his honor and decided an ‘action figure’ most suited the candidate’s unique abilities.
And it is on fire.
Currently available at the Jailbreak website, Amazon.com and in over 400 retail outlets throughout the country, tens of thousands have purchased the 6” tall Barack Obama Action Figure.
In the sake of fairness, Feinberg also created a John McCain Action Figure. And while the artist has been marketing the Obama figure more aggressively, sales figures from outlets that carry both collectibles show that Obama is way ahead in the race for the Plastic Presidency.
The figure has also caught the eyes of celebrities like Susan Sarandon and Dana Delany who each purchased two “Obama’s” at the recent DNC in Denver.
Trend Themes
1. Collectible Political Figures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a line of collectible figures featuring current political figures to cater to the growing demand for politically themed merchandise.
2. Marketing Action Figures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative marketing strategies for action figures that appeal to a wide range of consumers, such as leveraging celebrity endorsements.
3. Politics and Pop Culture - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the intersection of politics and pop culture by creating merchandise that captures the attention of both political enthusiasts and celebrities.
Industry Implications
1. Collectible Toys - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate new technologies, such as augmented reality, into collectible toys to enhance the user's experience and drive sales.
2. E-commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop an e-commerce platform specifically catered to the niche market of collectible action figures, providing a seamless buying experience for enthusiasts.
3. Celebrity Merchandise - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with celebrities to create unique and exclusive merchandise that appeals to their fan base, leveraging their influence to drive sales and brand awareness.
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