Publicity Annuity

The best publicity stunts can be renewed year after year and reliably spark press coverage. That is why this annual stunt is in a class by itself.  Neiman Marcus decades ago sought to set itself apart as the retailer to the wealthy so it dreamed up an annual gift list for those with unlimited disposable income. That list became news year after year. The media reliably report the sometimes outrageous offerings, sometimes with commentary, sometimes without. Does Neiman Marcus expect to sell these gifts? I doubt it, but just in case, I suspect the retailer keeps one or two of the presents on hand with the option of returning them to the vendors. This year’s gifts spotlight over-the-top experiences for the super-rich along with a $7.1 million yacht. Everyone needs one of those.