Bobble-heads expand overseas

Sports - USA TODAY
Bobble-heads expand overseas
Thu Oct 3, 7:42 AM ET

Michael Hiestand USA TODAY

America is famous for exporting its creativity.

But when Malcolm Alexander began pitching bobble-heads to sports marketers overseas, he found they literally couldn't figure out what he was talking about, although the jiggly 5-inch dolls had become one of the biggest fan draws in U.S. sports.

No wonder. Outside the USA, Alexander says, ballpark promotional giveaways are far less common and bobble-heads were unknown.

Not anymore. Alexander, whose Bellevue, Wash.,
(!!!!!!!)
company is the bobble-head market leader and has worked with nearly all U.S. major league sports teams, has just started producing bobble-heads for top pro soccer teams in Spain and England.


While Alexander's domestic sales are cooling, he says his July sales -- about 1.3 million dolls -- were up 300% from last year as foreign sales climb. They might constitute 40% of his business next year.

Alexander, an ex-Australian army major who specialized in counter-terrorism and served with U.N. forces in Iran and Iraq before marrying an American, isn't a career marketer.


Eek. Cut to Baghdad. A package arrives for Saddam. Aides open it to find a 5" tall Saddam, with beret just so , slim stomach and spiffy lieutenant's uniform. (that's his rank. i'm not making that up.) Pleased, they deliver it to his axisness himself along with an international 'par avion' envelope labeled 'For Sadams eyes only.'

Saddam, too, is pleased with the bobblehead Saddam. 'Where did we get this, where can we order more?'

His aides tell him from Bellevue, Washington.

'Like the crazy hospital?' he asks, confused.

No, very close to Microsoft's Headquarters, the aides explain.

Microsoft? Eh, I like them. Order 20 million, he says, 1 for each of his countrymen. And, he says, pausing for emphasis, i am so pleased with this gift that i will allow humanitarian aid to reach the Kurds and Shiites this month.

His aides tell him he is a wise and generous leader.

Oh, he adds, And distribute my, how do you call them? 'Bobbullheads in special 'happy meals' for the children. But please have the toys doused with VX and mustard gas first.

Orders are quickly followed.

Saddam remembers his note. Opening it, he detects an odd odor - it reminds him of his childhood home. Desert dust, and crayon. The note is folded at odd angles. He unravels it and reads:

Dear Sadam:

As soon as Rummy lets me, I'm going to kick your but.

-George Bush (the younger one that you haven't tried to kill yet).

ps do u know where Ossama is?

And war ensues...