The Robertson clan of Duck Dynasty fame/infamy knows how to strike when the iron is hot.
And if, as is likely, the homophobia/white supremacy comments by the "Duck Commander" to GQ were calculated to increase name recognition/brand awareness among the 50 million or so who vote for the homophobic/white supremacist Republican Party, that's evidently some very successful marketing.
The astonishing popularity of their A&E pseudo-reality show (about 12 million viewers, more than double the audience for the finale of The Office, for example) has created an avalanche of demand of Duck Dynasty merchandise, an estimated $400 million worth, half of that sold at WalMart.
The stuff has been selling out lately, and Cracker Barrel's attempt to pull Duck Dynasty merch off their shelves ended quickly after a deluge of complaints from people in its target demo.
The Duck Dynasty brand is so strong it now includes a pricey Caribbean cruise, which naturally is sold out.
Details, below.
AFAIK, this cruise is a rare thing for a TV show, no matter how popular.
But the Robertsons clearly know how to make their fans get out the credit card, in every possible way.
The mid-July cruise is five days, four nights, from Miami to Key West (!) and Cozumel and back.
The hook is that fans will get up close and personal with their redneck heroes:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be at a Robertson Family Reunion? Well, you are going to experience being a part of just such an event. We are bringing all the Robertsons together for this exciting cruise!
Hear what it was like to grow up in Phil and Kay’s house. Find out what a day at the Duck Commander warehouse is really like. Learn how Alan, Willie, Jase and Jep manage working together and still find time to have fun? Discover what it was like when they married these “yuppy” girls. Learn how Lisa, Korie, Missy and Jessica keep up with the Robertson men and their very own Robertson families.
The Robertsons also throw in entertainment from Scotty McCreery, 2011 American Idol winner and "country music’s most successful new artist," and Mac Powell, "one of the (Christian music) industry’s most acclaimed rockers."
The choice of non-Robertsons entertainment makes sense once you know that the outfit running the cruise is Premier Christian Cruises.
I'm sure there are more expensive cruises on nicer ships, but this one is not cheap. The double occupancy price for the smallest interior room is $1,104 per person; somewhat larger rooms with a view of the water cost as much as $1,564 per person. If you can get them on standby.
That includes food and entertainment, but not soft drinks or alcohol. Also not included are airfare to Miami and related ground transportation, whatever might be spent in Key West (!) or Cozumel, and personal items like "internet".
That's all standard cruise stuff, but it usually adds a grand or so per person to the basic room/food/entertainment rate.
I've never been on a cruise, and plan to never be. But there are millions of relatively wealthy, older, white people who like "vacationing" on a cruise ship with other relatively wealthy, older, white people.
Cruisers are already the essential Republican base, so it's no surprise that a "special event cruise" featuring the now-wingnut-hero Robertsons would be sold out.