This past December, the UK officially announced that Fifty Shades of Grey was its Book of the Year. USA Today even named E.L. James the Author of the Year. While the book has been largely recognized for its lack of editing and poorly developed characters, its still remains at the top of the list. In fact, in 2012, Fifty Shades of Grey did far more than offend some and titilate others…
In 2012, Fifty Shades of Grey caused a huge spike in sex toy sales. Ben Wa Balls, a sex toy that despite being hundreds years old didn’t get a lot of attention, had a 772% increase in sales. Bondage toy sales rose by 180%, which is also why many hardware stores sold out of rope. Sex toy stores like Adam and Eve saw an overall 50% sales increase at times, with many people purchasing blindfolds, whips and spreader bars.
But it didn’t stop there, Fifty Shades of Grey also messed with expecting parents’ beloved “Popular Baby Names” list and added Ana, Anatasia, and Grey into the mix.
After noticing an increase in music searches and downloads, E.L. James put out a Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack that boosted all of the book’s songs. After its August release, many of the listed artists received more attention than they have had in decades.
Thanks to Fifty Shades’ excessive mention of Audi, the car dealership continued to see record sales throughout the year
The book even helped with tourism. The Heathman Hotel in Portland offers the “Charlie Tango” package, which gives you and six of your friends a ride in a helicopter, dinner and a night’s stay. I’m not trying to get my Christian Grey on with six people though. But all joking aside, the book has increased interest and tourism to the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re into fashion, you may have noticed that Gray (Grey) dominated the runway last fall. Fashion magazines even hosted all sorts of terrible play on words for Fifty Shades of Grey.
Funny enough, even with all of the Blackberry mentions, I could not find any proof that the book helped its sales. When was the last time you even used a Blackberry? Exactly, so no surprise there.
But what comes now, now that 2012 is over and the initial hype of the book is gone? Well, of course the movie. All talks lead to, “who will play the elusive Christian Grey?” There’s been nothing be speculation since the announcement. E.L. James produced her first sex toy line that launched last month and of course a slew of terrible fan fiction has already begun to emerge. Will someone run with this idea and makes millions, too? Only the future can tell.
