The marketing behemoth known as Harry Potter is reaching a climatic conclusion. Or is it? Today, Reuters reported that J.K. Rowling, the author of the hugely successful Harry Potter books and subsequent movies, approved a Harry Potter theme park to be built in Orlando, Florida. Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment will develop the park, which is sure to be as popular as the Harry Potter books and movies. 
The announcement of the Harry Potter theme parks comes just a few weeks before the release of the seventh (and final) book and fifth movie in the Harry Potter series. It looks like the theme park announcement is the first part of what will undoubtedly be a big marketing onslaught. I have to admire J.K. Rowling and the phenomenon she, Warner Bros. Entertainment and everyone else involved in the Harry Potter machine has created through a good product and great marketing. I happen to be a big fan of Harry Potter, so I don't mind the marketing frenzy that comes with the new book, movie and theme park. In fact, I live in the Orlando area, and I can't wait for the theme park to open in 2009. What do you think? Do you love this idea or hate it?
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Should have known...Ms. Rowling's swore she wouldn't sell out when she first published the novels. Oh how time and the lure of cold hard cash changes everything.
Posted by: Clover | May 31, 2007 9:08 AM | Permalink to Comment