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Marketers Have Inauguration Fever, Too

Companies tie products, events to Obama's big day

By Sarah Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2009 9:20 AM CST

(Newser) – Marketers for products from cognac to commemorative coins are looking to cash in on Barack Obama’s Tuesday inauguration, the New York Times reports. “Obamabilia” includes bottles of Hennessy with a “44” on the label, special magazine issues, and Tshirts galore. Other companies, like Quaker Oatmeal, are hosting Inauguration Day events “to capture the excitement and optimism of the moment.” And, you know, sell oatmeal.

Pepsi is latching on to Obama’s message of change with its “Refresh everything” campaign—you can leave a message for “the man who is about to refresh America” on its website. Among the other events: Ikea is using its products to re-create the Oval Office at Washington’s Union Station. “This is like the Super Bowl for DC,” said an ad-agency exec.

Kristin Aldridge surveys an array of glossy magazines featuring President-elect Barack Obama and his family at a Penn Station newsstand in New York yesterday.
Kristin Aldridge surveys an array of glossy magazines featuring President-elect Barack Obama and his family at a Penn Station newsstand in New York yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Copies of the Nov. 5 edition of The Los Angeles Times are sold on Nov. 6, 2008.  Hundreds of people bought copies of the historic edition as well as a commemorative printing plate of the front page.
Copies of the Nov. 5 edition of The Los Angeles Times are sold on Nov. 6, 2008. Hundreds of people bought copies of the historic edition as well as a commemorative printing plate of the front page.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Hennessy is selling 180,000 bottles marked 44 to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration.
Hennessy is selling 180,000 bottles marked "44" to celebrate Barack Obama's inauguration.   (Hennessy)
Rows of Obama campaign pins are for sale in Boca Raton, Fla.
Rows of Obama campaign pins are for sale in Boca Raton, Fla.   (AP Photo)
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