The backbone of the Harry Potter series was nothing but publicity. And it was perhaps the only one required to make it a hit
The biggest P in the Potter Phenomenon has
not been Pixies, Pigwidgeon or Polyjuice Potion, it has been publicity. Every new book was preceded by a film based on an earlier novel, whipping kids into a frenzy and driving even book-allergic, TV watchers into “boring” book stores. Buying the book became a super-cool thing for school goers – no matter whether you actually sat down and read it. The book readings in Scottish castles, the whispers of the death of a “major character” in the fifth novel, the rumoured casting of Madonna’s daughter Lourdes in the sixth film, the will-Harry-live-or-die debates, the leaking of vital chapters, everything fuelled its sales.
In India, Harry Potter appeared in motorcycles commercials and popped up in puja-pandals, besides adorning the tops of tiffin boxes and training bras. Recently, the series achieved the highest accolade in the land, stuff lesser phenomenons can only dream about and aspire to. It was panned by the Pope. Now nothing can stop Harry Potter.
The biggest P in the Potter Phenomenon has
not been Pixies, Pigwidgeon or Polyjuice Potion, it has been publicity. Every new book was preceded by a film based on an earlier novel, whipping kids into a frenzy and driving even book-allergic, TV watchers into “boring” book stores. Buying the book became a super-cool thing for school goers – no matter whether you actually sat down and read it. The book readings in Scottish castles, the whispers of the death of a “major character” in the fifth novel, the rumoured casting of Madonna’s daughter Lourdes in the sixth film, the will-Harry-live-or-die debates, the leaking of vital chapters, everything fuelled its sales.In India, Harry Potter appeared in motorcycles commercials and popped up in puja-pandals, besides adorning the tops of tiffin boxes and training bras. Recently, the series achieved the highest accolade in the land, stuff lesser phenomenons can only dream about and aspire to. It was panned by the Pope. Now nothing can stop Harry Potter.
