Historic and Peoples' Obama Inaugural Watches
Denville, NJ, January 29--Obama Watches is running out of time. The Internet memorabilia company whose watches are in the permanent collection of two Washington, DC museums, the Smithsonian Institution and the Newseum, is "winding down," according to Jack Goldenberg, President, Obama Watches. After a little more than two years in business, they will stop making new Obama Watches on February 15.
The online political memorabilia company was an instant success when it introduced its first 5 watches at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008 with the slogan,"Obama Watches are guaranteed to be more accurate than George Bush. And more trustworthy than Dick Cheney." They launched a viral campaign in 2008 giving free watches to hundreds of Obama supporters if they promised to show off their watch and tell people, "It's time for a change."
"We've had a great run," Goldenberg added, "but it's time to stop and move on. We've got about a hundred watches left and once they're gone, we won't make any more."
Goldenberg, who marketed the first Happy Meal for McDonald's and another American icon, Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, never planned to be in the Obama Watch business. In December, 2007, he wore a single Obama watch to a friend's birthday party as a one-man viral campaign supporting the candidacy of Barack Obama. "The next morning five friends called and asked me, 'where can I get one of those Obama watches?' "
The success of the Original Obama watch led to another and then another and soon the Obama Watches Company was selling 15 different Obama watches. Two of the watches support charitable causes. The "Love Your Mama, Vote Obama" watch supports Hire Heroes USA, a non-profit organization that offers career help to returning servicemen and women. The "Bo, The First Puppy" Watch ("In Bones We Trust") supports the National Canine Cancer Foundation (www.wearethecure.com)
The most popular Obama watch is the "President Obama Peoples' Inaugural" watch. "This is the one the president wears," Goldenberg said, pointing to his wrist.
"President Obama?" Goldenberg was asked.
"No, President Goldenberg, President of Obama Watches," he said.
Actually, it is not so far fetched. President Obama might actually have some of his namesake watches. At the request of the Democratic party, Goldenberg handed then-Senator Obama five Obama watches at an exclusive 30-person fundraiser in Philadelphia during the campaign. The watches were immediately grabbed by an alert Secret Service agent who took them away, inspected them, then returned them to an Obama aide.
The price for Obama Watches has risen since they were first introduced in early 2008, increasing from $60 to $100-110. The Obama Watches Web site (www.obamawatches.com)
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
