VARIOUS: THE SALE OF MERCHANDISE BEARING PRINCESS DIANA'S LIKNESS GROWS INTO MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS

Record ID: 387732

  • Title: VARIOUS: THE SALE OF MERCHANDISE BEARING PRINCESS DIANA'S LIKNESS GROWS INTO MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS
  • Date: 24th August 1998
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 26, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) PETER MAX (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH ) "I STARTED DOODLING AROUND, FOOLING AROUND AND SLOWLY AND SLOWLY IDEAS WERE BORN. AND THERE I WAS. I'M PROBABLY JUST IN THE FIRST 15 OR 20 PERCENT OF IT. ITS A VERY INTERESTING PROJECT" (ENGLISH) EIGHT MINI PORTRAITS NEW YORK, NEW YORK (AUGUST 27, 1998) (REUTERS TELE
  • Embargoed: 8th September 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK; WASHINGTON, D.C.; LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; FRANKLIN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES/ PARIS, FRANCE/ UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVAC639NUIY8DE61AWRYICSANY4N
  • Story Text: As mourners mark the first anniversary of Princess
    Diana's death, the sale of merchandise bearing her likeness is
    growing into a multi-million dollar business and interest in
    the Princess shows no sign of slipping, with the Internet
    dominated by Diana websites.

    If anything, Princess Diana's popularity has only
    increased in the year since her death, with a seemingly
    endless supply of products bearing her name or likeness.

    And the United States is no exception, where sales of
    products inspired by "Dianamania" are running at an estimated
    200 million U.S.dollars.

    On Wednesday (August 26), artist Peter Max unveiled
    portraits of Diana based on the original work of royal family
    photographer Tim Graham.Max says the artwork took off after
    several "doodle" sessions.The portraits will be sold to
    benefit the International Federation of Red Cross, with some
    of the proceeds also going to other causes Diana supported.

    Technology plays it's full part in sustaining the Diana
    legend - the Internet is dominated by Diana websites -
    exploring all aspects of her life - and death, including a
    variety of versions of alledged conspiracy theories.

    Auctions of Diana memorabilia continue.One of New York's
    smaller auction houses is offering an enamel pill box bought
    by Diana and inscribed "lots of love at Christmas from Diana
    1988" for auction.

    Other Diana memorabilia available at the auction will
    include rose petal confetti from her wedding to Princes
    Charles and photographs featuring the princess.

    But not everyone is happy with the business being
    generated.

    Nick Shore, co-founder of the Nick and Paul Brand Agency,
    things it's a shame that Diana's image is being used to make
    money."I think there's a certain amount of inevitability
    built into the fact that people are going to use something as
    powerful as Diana as a business tool.I think, however, that
    it is a shame that is happening with Diana.I think there is
    something much more powerful about the idea that people can
    use in a positive way as opposed to just trying to make money
    out of it in a superficial way," Shoretold Reuters Television.

    One U.S.company which has been under attack for its
    Princess Diana products is the Franklin Mint.

    The mint, which sells its merchandise in magazines and its
    gift shops, has created a Diana doll and plate collection.The
    doll sells for 200 U.S.dollars, the plates are sold for
    approximately 30 U.S.dollars.

    One gift shop worker told Reuters Television that the
    Diana merchandise is "very popular" and that sales for Diana
    items are "doing very well".

    A few months ago, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial
    fund sued Franklin Mint, charging that the company was not
    authorized to use Diana's image on its plates on dolls.

    The fund claimed Franklin Mint was cashing in on the
    Princess' death.But Mona Liss, a spokesperson for Franklin
    Mint, told Reuters Television that the "lawsuit has no merit".

    Liss added that the Franklin Mint has pledged at least
    four million U.S.dollars to charity worldwide in tribute to
    Diana.One-and-a-half million U.S.dollars have already been
    donated by the company to what it calls Diana's favourite
    hospital.

    Franklin Mint isn't the only business in the U.S.

    creating a Princess Diana Doll.The Great American Doll
    company recently announced its plans to sell a Diana doll,
    after it acquired one of the Princess's dresses at an auction.

    The company's founder said that the doll will be created "for
    people more than for profit."
    For better or worse, it appears that the demand and sale
    of Princess Diana merchandise will only increase as Americans
    honour the "Queen of Hearts" on the first anniversary of her
    death.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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