quizking101 said: "OhHiii said: "I hope shows finally realize it’s a total and complete waste of money. Not one first preview giveaway (since maybe the Dear Evan Hansen hats and that sea of light blue that was photographed and pushed out in press) has done anything for a show’s success and it costs thousands upon thousands of $$$ to do.
Establishing an expectation of a gift on first preview isn’t a good precedent to set either."
…Thousands upon thousands? Depending on the show and the item, you are looking at *maybe* $1000-2000 at the absolute most. Depending on what it is, it’s likely mass produced for less than $1 per item, sometimes for pennies on the dollar."
Every day ya'll prove you know absolutely nothing about what you speak of. ESPECIALLY with most merchandise items now also incurring import costs. Spoiler: it's all made abroad!
Tote bags? $3-5 each depending on the design, the production doesn't get the wholesale price, they get a discounted merch vendor's price so they probably buy them for $10-$15 a piece. Every person gets one plus enough for cast/crew? Easily can get you to $10,000+ for a 1200 seat theater. A hat? you're looking at $10-$15,000. If you use Ushers to place them on seats, that's an hourly cost per Usher. Handing merch out outside as people leave? That's a street team that costs $$$ per head.
Unless you're giving them a flyer/post card like Schmigadoon did last year, you're looking at yes: thousands upon thousands.
So. Anyway...yes, $10,000-$15,000 can go a hell of a lot farther in an ad budget than giving entitled avid theater goers another tchotchke lest they be ridiculed on Broadway World by people who would buy a ticket regardless.
