Etch A Sketch Gaffe Could Boost Sales of the Toy
The maker of the iconic kid's toy Etch-A-sketch is thrilled that people are talking about his company's product and that it is showing up on the company's bottom line.
"This is the first time I've seen Etch-A-Sketch go viral so quickly," said Martin Killgallon, senior vice president of marketing and product development.
Martin's father, Larry, the company's president is the majority owner of Ohio Arts and the Killgallon's have been with the company since 1955. With their long standing history with Ohio Arts they were happy that people are talking about the toy, but do not know if that will translate into a sales boost.
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Amazon however, reported increased activity for the Etch-A-Sketch and the Toys R Us in Times Square reportedly sold out of the toy yesterday.
According to the company since the Etch-A-Sketch hit the shelves in 1960 more than 150 million units have been sold, which makes it the top performing toy in the company.
The rekindled excitement for the toy started after an aid in the Romney campaign stated on Wednesday that the transition from the GOP primary campaign to the general election was like shaking an Etch-A-Sketch.
Eric Ferhnstrom said in the interview with CNN: "Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch-A-Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and we start all over again."
Ohio Arts was founded in 1908 as a metal lithography and packaging company. It also produces popcorn tins and shaving cream cans which make up about 40 percent of the company's sales.
"While technology is certainly prevalent in our lives, and our children's lives, it does not mean that tech-less toys cannot succeed," Anita Frazier, analyst at the NPD Group, told MSNBC.
Frazier continued: "It's simple and intuitive for kids to use [and] it has the nostalgia factor going for it with parents."
