Perot Gets ‘em Out of a Button Hole
Ross Perot is pinning a portion of his presidential hopes on one of the oldest types of political advertising: the campaign button.
Button makers across Chicago welcomed the Texas billionaire’s return to the race because their sales have been soft in this sluggish economy.
American Badge Co. of suburban Orland Park received an order for 600,000 Perot buttons, and rival Adco Litho Line in Broadview got a 500,000-button order.
Historically, button sales rise 10% to 15% in a presidential election year, but this year’s orders are at the level of a non-presidential year, said American Badge President Ken Buck.
Buck said the economy has hurt demand for all specialty advertising products, including badges, ribbons, stickers and magnets.
Campaign buttons in particular are finding less favor because candidates are directing more of their funds to television ads.
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