TV programs and big screen movies can have big impact on what consumers want to buy. We know of two attempts in the past, to connect demand with purchase via internet, the meanwhile closed StarStyles and Pixazza.
According to NY Times a third attempt is SeenOn:
Television viewers who crave Serena’s handbag on “Gossip Girl” or Lo’s dress on “The Hills” have been able to log on to SeenON, a Web site that identifies and links to other sites that sell the clothes that stars wear onscreen.
Now, SeenON’s parent company, Delivery Agent, is changing its business model, and will start directly selling the clothes, accessories, furniture and gadgets seen in shows and movies. To do so, it has acquired, for an undisclosed price, Billion Dollar Babes, a company that hosts sample sales online and off.
Delivery Agent gives the entertainment companies another way to make money, through retail. The sales could also drive more people to tune in to shows as they are airing, to find out what the actors are wearing and buy the items immediately after the show airs, Mr. Fitzsimmons said. Already, conversations about shows on Twitter and other sites are encouraging more viewers to tune in live.
Obviously, the merchandising licenses are not as successful anymore and media companies need other ways to make product avaliable.