Memorabilia mania – from kitsch to crazy

It’s official.  Britain really is obsessed with the Royal Wedding.  Ever since the announcement last November, the hype around Will and Kate’s impending nuptials has reached global proportions and many are looking to cash in on the action.  

The wedding merchandise market is big business, expected to rake in more than £26 million, but Royal Wedding memorabilia has gone from the kitsch to the crazy in just a few short months.

We’ve had the obligatory plate, tea towel and commemorative coin, even the Royal Wedding condoms and now the Royal Wedding gnomes (a smart move from B&Q to promote DIY during the long weekend).

But, hats off to Lydia Leith for bringing us the most bizarre offering yet. The graphic designer has created the first Royal Wedding sick bags, special limited edition bags for those fed up of the media hype around the big day. 

I couldn’t help but smile at the irony given the souvenirs have only added to column inches devoted to the Royal Wedding, but a brilliant idea nonetheless.  I wonder how quickly they’ll sell out?!

Do you think we’ve had the most bizarre memorabilia yet?  I doubt it, watch this space.

Embracing the future with open arms?

This week sees the launch of the world’s first paperless paper, the Daily – available exclusively on the iPad in all its interactive glory.  It’s groundbreaking stuff and no doubt marks a step towards how we’ll consume our news in the future.  However, it comes the same day as the launch of an iPhone cover which turns your slick, smart phone into a retro-inspired brick from the 80s.

Both stories were covered in today’s Sun and it made me think about how, as we’re hurtling towards the future faster than you can say app, we’re continuing to clutch onto the past with the tips of our fingers.

Nostalgia marketing has been a trend for the last couple of years with some of Britain’s biggest brands bringing back their best-loved ads from yesteryear.  It’s something that my fellow Finnster, Janelle blogged about recently with the re-launch of Soothers’ 90’s ad. 

We’ve also seen those retro products making a comeback to help us reminisce of times gone by.  Cadbury’s brought back its Wispa following a Facebook campaign, 80s favourite the Rubiks cube hit shelves in time for Christmas a couple of years ago and at Finn we also brought back Findus Crispy Pancakes.

So, what is it that gives us a penchant for the past?  Well, according to scientists during times of uncertainty, we feel a need to be socially connected and we find comfort in those things that help us reminisce of a much simpler time.

By playing on our sentimental emotions, we’re reminded of the good old days which therefore brings a greater connection between a brand and its target audience.

So does it mean that we’ll be trading in our slim-line iPhones in favour of the Ferris Bueller-inspired bricks?  Erm, not just yet.  It just means that while we’re embracing new technology with open arms, we’ll still keeping one eye on the past.