Luther for sale on a US company's webstore

[Macruran]

This might belong in Marketplace but I think it raises a wider issue.

This article came up linked from a non-PM related feed I read (Beachcombing's Bizarre History, highly recommended!). Old news of course but I skimmed it anyway, and ran across this stunning sentence:

A representative from Concordia Publishing House, which will sell the figurine in the U.S., tells Reporter that “the enthusiasm we’ve seen for [Luther] has been incredible,” with thousands of preorders flowing in at an unprecedented speed.

https://www.cph.org/p-29006-playmobil-martin-luther.aspx for the sale site.

This is exactly what we're talking about with more special, cultural sets. Have them initially made for a local relevant institution or event (Luther anniversary, Heligoland fishing boat, whatever), but then make them available internationally. And that can too be done in a contextually appropriate fashion. So in this case they've chosen a Lutheran merchandise company to sell it in the US. He's even on their front page now!

A positive sign.

[tahra]

It is good that he is available on other countries, but this is so wrong.

[Tiermann]

Very interesting. Their marketing is a bit odd to me. Little Luther?? Take him to a beer fest??  Not the most conservative faction of the Lutherans I guess.

[Macruran]

He’s faithful.
He’s fiery.

[tahra]

He’s faithful.
He’s fiery.

 

[cachalote]

well, it's one more klicky.
MORE being the word.

it's not a figure i will ever want but i see a big commercial advantage here.

i geobra would hire a seller that would go around the world trying to sell special editions - mini-luther is the best way to say it can be a hit.
just as long as he avoids trying to sell little muhammad figures, i guess playmobil can have a new nice business here.

up until now, from what i've heard, the companies or museums or institutions were the ones to contact geobra.
with this lutheran success, a small investment in a good seller could be very profitable.
go to where the market is instead of waiting for it.
the profit from selling merchandising can represent 30% of an institution's budget.
i'm sure they would be interested.

imagine a meeting at the louvre to propose a little mona lisa.

that would be a figure i would buy.
and that - if available at the pcc somehow - would make me want to be a member.

[Macruran]

imagine a meeting at the louvre to propose a little mona lisa.

This has GOT to happen.

[Rasputin]

Price: $9.99
Availability: Estimated 07/01/2015. Subject to change.
This item will ship when it becomes available. Applicable shipping charges will apply.


Look who is scalping collectors now ? a church 

Their motto
"Reaching the world with God’s Word since 1869
For more than 140 years, Concordia Publishing House has been serving individuals, families, and congregations in their proclamation and learning of the Gospel. Here at CPH, work means more than meeting quotas and the bottom line—it means touching the lives of God’s people with His Word."


as much as I would love to see this happen again and again I just would not be able to afford to support church's coffers

Thanks you very much for the news Macruran 

[PlayMoto]

nice, but it to me this looks like they have bought it from the Nürnberg tourist office, like so many other sellers.... 

[Macruran]

You mean it's not a deal directly with PM? Could be. Would be nice to know. That would explain the gouging.