Stars and stories: how films became branded products

Bakker, Gerben ORCID: 0000-0001-6109-0693 (2001) Stars and stories: how films became branded products. Enterprise and Society, 2 (3). pp. 461-502. ISSN 1467-2227

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Abstract

Between 1890 and 1940, motion pictures changed from technological novelties into heavily branded consumer products. The high sunk costs and short "shelf-life" of movies led film producers to borrow branding techniques from other consumer goods industries. They tried to build audience loyalty around a number of characteristics, but eventually learned that stars and stories were the most effective "promotion machines," able swiftly to generate massive brand-awareness and to persuade consumers to see a new film. Data from the United States, Britain, and France showing the disproportionate distribution of income and fame among stars confirm their role as persuaders. Ultimately, film producers extended the life of their products by licensing their instant, tradable brands to other consumer goods industries

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/enterprise...
Additional Information:	© 2001 Oxford University Press
Divisions:	Economic History
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Date Deposited:	15 Apr 2008 09:29
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 05:57
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/4284

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