NYC Marketing Promoting Rubbish

Monday 08th of January 2007 04:43:27 PM

NYC Marketing Promoting Rubbish

For years now, agencies such as the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York have been selling souvenirs. T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, mugs toys and caps have been sold for an annual profit of just below $1 million. After the September 11 attack on New York, sales soared, and reached a staggering $28 million. Even in 2006, these sales reached $20 million.

The problem with these sales, was that many vendors were cashing in on New York’s popularity, by selling T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and other souvenirs featuring popular New York logos, without permission from City Hall. When the mayor’s administration caught wind of this, NYC Marketing was created. NYC Marketing is the central licensing agency for all things New York related, from controlling licensing of the logos, to helping to remove counterfeit goods and illegal street vendors. They have redesigned the apparel previously sold, and now sell updated, fashionable clothing.

Now a new line has been introduced that seems a bit unlikely at first. Alongside the FDNY, NYPD, Film, Transportation, Parks and Taxi and Limousine Commission souvenirs, Sanitation caps are being sold. Looking to show the true faces on New York, the frayed Sanitation caps seem to be popular to tourists and locals alike. Faded T-Shirts with old-fashioned taxi cabs are also being sold, and with the caps, are aimed at a different consumer base, drawn to a more ‘authentic New York’.

The Parks souvenirs, which at present include a few T-Shirts and a Central Park cap, may soon include a line of Parks Department athletic wear.

Manufacturers and designers submit bids, and NYC Marketing gives these manufacturers and designers guidance on how they would like their products designed.