Washington diary: The Obama effect (BBC/Matt Frei)

By Matt Frei
BBC News, Washington


In tight economic times one thing that continues to sell well is the Obama family.

The stall outside our office is still flogging Obama tea towels, T-shirts and umbrellas. The New York Times is advertising historic Obama medallions and Time magazine continues to sell its Inauguration Day specials almost five months after the 44th president took the oath.

The Obamas have also become an inadvertent product placement phenomenon.

The cardigan that Michelle bought from J Crew and wore on her visit to London has been flying off the shelves.

The August Wilson play Joe Turner's Come and Gone about black Americans in early 19th century and playing at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway, became a sell out at a time when many theatres remain half empty.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8080327.stm