It's no secret, the death of a star is big business. Be it an estate, advertising network, broadcast show or social network, the death of a Whitney, Michael or Elvis presents a huge opportunity. We have all seen the annual revenue generated by estates of entertainment icons that have passed too soon and heard the speculation of some stars being “worth more dead than alive.” So what are some of the immediate interactive opportunities of an icon's death?
The Tip of the Iceberg
Hours after Whitney Houston dies, Sony increases the price of The Ultimate Collection and Greatest Hits on the U.K. iTunes site. Social media heats up and Sony reverses the price increase. (Business Opportunity: Increased media price and higher revenues)
Days after Whitney Houston's death, HLN host Nancy Grace speculates as to a Whitney murder causing public outcry and media debate. (Business Opportunity: Controversy increasing media impressions, increased ratings and greater advertising revenue)
Social Media ignites after a celebrity death. Condolence tweets, Facebook postings and blog postings give the public unprecedented opportunity to express themselves and share in community conversation in the wake of a celebrity death. (Business Opportunity: Increased social network activity generates greater ad impressions and revenues for both the network and the advertiser)
Is it right or wrong, or just the “American way?” To quote Edgar A. Shoaff, “Advertising is the art of making whole lies out of half truths.”
