Barack Obama’s presidential election has spurred more bizarre, creative and innovative marketing opportunities and products than any previous campaign. Soap on a rope is a pretty typical product--until it’s shaped like an Obama head and labeled ‘Hope on a Rope,’ that is.
In recognition of this amazing stretch of creativity, we bring you other bizarrely-shaped soaps in all of their bubbly beauty.
Implications - The commercialization of political figures reflects the broader trend of commercializing anything and everything. Kitschy products and brands are the most affected by these types of bizarre fusions of politics with beauty products and souvenir-type items and gadgets. This trend also shows how even presidents are considered a brand in themselves.
What's Driving This Trend
- Political Commercialization
- The trend of commercializing political figures and events, leading to the creation of kitschy products like Obama Soaps.
- Novelty Soaps
- The rise of bizarrely-shaped soaps, such as 'Hope on a Rope', that cater to the novelty-seeking consumer market.
- Brand Personalization
- The tendency to view even presidents or political figures as brands, leading to the creation of souvenir-type items like Obama Soaps.
Who This Affects Most
- Beauty and Personal Care
- Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating novelty soaps that cater to the novelty-seeking consumer market.
- Politics and Government
- Opportunities for commercializing political figures and events, leading to the creation of kitschy products like Obama Soaps.
- Advertising and Marketing
- The rise of brand personalization, leading to opportunities for creating souvenir-type items and gadgets like Obama Soaps.
