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Tomb Raider Hot Merchandise
By Mike Pingel, HollywoodFYI.com
Tomb Raider the movie has broken the $100 million mark, and now is making a
splash in the summer merchandising world. Nancy Bassett, VP of Sales at
Paramount Pictures, had many obstacles for her big-budget summer property,
Laura Croft, but her efforts have paid off with creation of Laura Croft's
Tomb Raider, the studio's newest merchandise leader.
Paramount Pictures, who is known for long-lived properties such as Star Trek,
has ventured into a new adventure with Tomb Raider. Bassett and her staff had
their work cut out for them with persuading merchandisers to believe there
would be young female dollars wanting to buy Laura Croft's products. "Our
greatest challenge was convincing licensors and retailers that would be popular property
with young females." Bassett said, "I think they had a hard time coming to
terms with that. We eventually got them over the hump."
The hard times are over as Tomb Raider becomes one of the largest
merchandise lines now on the market. Tomb Raider seems to be going strong in
retail stories, publishers are already on their second printing, and the
property is a top seller in posters, action toys, collectible lunchboxes and
the life-size standees of Laura Croft, herself!
For the success of the product line, Bassett created a three-prong attack
with the toy line. First up - trying to keep all the "hard core" fans of the
video game feeling a part of the merchandising, then creating interesting
items for the new fans of the film and the hardest hurdle was creating a full
line that young girls would enjoy. "Laura Croft has a distinct look and she
is positive role model and she is also the first real female action hero on
the big screen." Bassett added.
With merchandising already in play, the company took a close look at the
merchandising that was used for the 2000 hit film, Charlie's Angels. "We
watched from the sidelines with great interest But I think Laura Croft is
different than Charlie's Angels, there's no love interest, she independent
and she's smart. She is a very interesting role model, its not pink, it's not
thrilly -- it's real."
The real rumor that part two is coming soon and a solid foundation of
merchandise on Laura Croft's Tomb Raider is sure to be the most uncovered
treasure for Paramount Pictures this summer.
You can buy all the fun Tomb Raider Merchandise online at Paramount.com or
just click here: Tomb Raider Store
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