In today’s consumer-driven society, the merchandising industry plays a vital role in promoting and capitalizing on popular entertainment franchises. Movie and book characters have significant influence on this industry, driving the production and sale of a wide range of merchandise. From action figures and clothing to home décor and collectables, these characters have become powerful marketing tools that fuel the imaginations of fans and generate substantial revenue. This article explores the profound impact of movies and books on the merchandising industry, and examples of movies and books that have had some of the most substantial impacts.
Character Impacts
One of the primary ways in which movie characters influence the merchandising industry is through their ability to create emotional connections with audiences. Memorable characters evoke a range of emotions, from excitement and admiration to empathy and love. These emotional bonds drive fans to seek out merchandise that allows them to express their affinity for a particular character. For instance, a child who adores a superhero from a blockbuster movie may want to own action figures, clothing, and accessories featuring that character, enabling them to extend their personal connection beyond the screen.
Furthermore, characters serve as powerful symbols that can embody specific values or ideals. They often represent courage, strength, heroism, or they may embody themes of friendship, love, and personal growth. By associating merchandise with these positive attributes, marketers tap into consumers’ desire to align themselves with the values espoused by their favourite characters. As a result, merchandise featuring popular characters becomes more than just products; they become symbols that fans can proudly display as a testament to their admiration and identification with their character.
Harry Potter
The Harry Potter Books were a publishing phenomenon. They were later turned into the movie franchise, which caused even more love for it. This caused one of the largest impacts ever on the merchandising industry. Fans went crazy for the movie and wanted to buy all the merchandise. Today, there are all kinds of Harry Potter merchandise everywhere. You can buy Harry Potter Pop Figures, action figures, clothing, bed sheets and other home décor online, or find lots more in shops like cakes and chocolates. The franchise is so popular that it doesn’t just have a few stores that sell merchandise. You can find it anywhere, in the most random shops; You could go into a florist in Edinburgh and find Harry Potter chocolates for sale!
Disney
Disney has been around since 1923, and over the years it has become more and more popular. Disney has had the largest effect on the merchandise industry ever. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Consumer Products was the top licensor in the world in 2021, selling $56.2 billion in licensed merchandise worldwide. Essentially, this means that Disney made the most money from licensed merchandise than any other company in the world. That merchandise includes both their own items (sold directly by Disney) and items from any other company that uses the Disney brand (like Funko POPs). This merchandise includes, stuffed toys, action figures, clothing, jewellery, suitcases, decoration and more.
Conclusion
Movie and book characters hold immense influence over the merchandising industry. Through emotional connections, symbolization of values, and the power of storytelling, these characters captivate audiences and inspire them to seek out merchandise associated with their favourite franchises. The merchandising industry capitalizes on this phenomenon, offering a wide range of products that allow fans to express their admiration, complete collections, and extend their connection with beloved characters beyond the screen. With the continuous evolution of entertainment and technology, the influence of characters on the merchandising industry is likely to grow, providing new opportunities for fans to engage with their favourite fictional worlds.