The seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released on July 21, 2007, and became Amazon's biggest new product introduction ever. As of midnight on July 20th, Amazon had already received 2.2 million pre-orders for the book on its websites worldwide eclipsing the 1.5 million pre-orders generated for the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
Here are some unprecedented figures from Amazon related to the July 21st release date (as reported by Retail Digital):
- Amazon received 2.2 million pre-orders for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
- Amazon delivered 1.3 million copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on its release date.
- Amazon's US distribution centers processed 18 tons of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows books per hour
- Amazon's US distribution centers shipped to more than 43,000 zip codes across the country.
- On its busiest pre-order day, Amazon took more than 1.75 pre-orders of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows per second.
It's important to note that Amazon was offering Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at a reduced price for people who pre-ordered. Delivery was guaranteed for July 21st, and customers who pre-ordered would also receive a $5 gift card for future Amazon purchases. Regardless of Amazon's discounts and promotions, the statistics are staggering.
What do you think? Can the success of Harry Potter be duplicated?
Read more on MarketingBlurb about Harry Potter:
Will Buzz Marketing Hurt Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?
Harry Potter, Harry Potter and More Harry Potter
Harry Potter Beneficiaries: Amazon, Scholastic, Electronic Arts and More
Who decides which books get press (Harry Potter) and which get censored? After all, censorship is becoming America's favorite past-time. The US gov't (and their corporate friends), already detain protesters, ban books like "America Deceived" from Amazon and Wikipedia, shut down Imus and fire 21-year tenured, BYU physics professor Steven Jones because he proved explosives, thermite in particular, took down the WTC buildings. Free Speech forever (especially for books).
Last link (before Google Books caves to pressure and drops the title):
America Deceived (book)
Posted by: Thomas | August 18, 2007 11:40 PM | Permalink to Comment