Me and the Missus watched the modern movie ELVIS last night, which we enjoyed.
The leading man playing the King was simply amazing. O Huh huh!
However, it was something the Colonel said that caught my ear.
He described putting Elvis's face on everything; pillows, drinks, bags, games etc.
He then said
"I call it Mer-chan-dis-ing!" emphasising each syllable; inventing the word.
Is this true? Did Colonel Parker invent the word 'Merchandising'?
Surely, there were many American icons older than Elvis that had lots of marketing: Captain Video, Roy Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon to name a few.
In 1995 I got a book on Space Adventure Collectables, which is more or less half-full of very early TV and radio marketing and premiums. Did they not describe this as merchandise in the 1930's 40's and 50's?
The concept is certainly earlier than that, I think Disney were quite pioneering on that score, but I don't know who came up with the word.
ReplyDeleteDisney! Yes, of course Kevin.
DeleteThat was one of my early reference books as well, Woodsy. I still enjoy looking through its pages even after all these years.
ReplyDeleteMe too Tone.I really enjoyed Tom Tumbusches action figure books and mags too.
DeleteWow! A simple Google search for who coined the term, turns up a real can of worms!
ReplyDeletehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandization
...and would you believe Beatrix Potter?
https://www.theipmatters.com/post/character-merchandising-its-tryst-with-ipr#:~:text=Acclaimed%20writer%20and%20illustrator%20Beatrix,making%20a%20Peter%20Rabbit%20Doll.
Fascinating Looey! Peter Rabbit Rules!
Delete