I got a press release today for the launch of 'Obama High' clothing and it just made me think about some of the threads discussing the use of a politician or public figure. No faces on any of the product but certainly the name, and a whole section on the site telling his story.
the site's, obamahigh.com
I've personally never seen a brand built around a single person like this, so it's kind of interested me, although the product itself isn't much to talk about!
I'm assuming no permission was asked, or even that it's required, so could you build you're whole brand around a 'cult' following of a filmstar/athlete/musician...?
Also, Obama's a pretty special case I know - but a product built around a politician, that's pretty unusual. What do you reckon to that???
so could you build you're whole brand around a 'cult' following of a filmstar/athlete/musician...?
Politicians are unique (at least in the US). They are exempt from the "right to publicity" laws that other people are protected by.
So filmstars/athletes/musicians/famous people/you/me would be protected from people selling merchandise with our likeness by right to publicity laws (again, this is in the US).
But politicians have generally been exempt from that, which is probably why the obama high (and all the political t-shirts in general) don't really have problems.
It's just seems really strange to almost transfer his 'brand' values straight across to another product!
Some of the tees surrounding the election were great, so how do you think this lot will go down?
It's an interesting attempt at instant brand building, and built purely around the buzz surrounding the man rather than the designs as far as I can see. Do you think people going to buy into that?
Personally I think the idea sucks, but that's just me, and it's early so I'm grumpy.
If one were to try this with a celebrity they would be sued immediately.
However, I think it might be pushing the envelope of fair use of politicians also.
He's not using his image, and it's not that he's putting Obama on a shirt, that might be a problem. He's trying to build a brand around his name. I don't know how that would work.
If he was using Kennedy, or Smith I don't see it being a problem, but it's kind of hard to say he's not referring to President Barrack Obama.
Obama High School 
Re: Obama High School 
