Welcome to this week’s edition of “Trending Topic Tuesday,” where we share our take on what’s going on in the world and what promotional products would appropriately (or inappropriately) market the subject matter.
The final installation of the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, smashed box office records and brought in nearly half a billion dollars in its opening weekend. But the story and its revenue-generating potential are far from over, if the countless forms Harry Potterbranded merchandise has taken over the years are any indicator of just how far-reaching this franchise really is.
With the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 quickly approaching, the hype surrounding the movie’s three main stars is bigger than ever. Almost a decade has passed since the public was introduced to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first installment of the Harry Potter movie series, and since then the frenzy surrounding the three main characters and the franchise as a whole has remained constant. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, who play Harry Potter and Ron Weasley respectively, have long since delved into projects outside of Harry Potter. Emma Watson, however, who was named Hollywood’s highest paid actress in 2010, has only just begun to break free of her Hermione Granger mold.
Watson enrolled at Brown University in September 2009 and is currently involved in the filming of The Perks of Being a Wallflower but the exact details of life post Harry Potter are still uncertain. The famed actress, who advocates fair-trade fashion, is quoted in July’s issue of Vogue magazine saying that she “wants to explore more of her creative side,” which some speculate could refer to the creation of more eco-friendly apparel. Watson’s interest in eco-friendly apparel is so strong that she has even offered to work for free as long as the employer is willing to produce fair-trade organic clothing.
In case you missed my blog post about my love for Harry Potter last October, the basic gist of the entry was that I am a HUGE fan of the adventure-seeking wizard and his enchanted peers. So when I heard about the forthcoming opening of Universal Orlando’s “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” attraction, I could hardly contain my excitement.
For more about magical promotional toys and the grand opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” keep reading…
