PHElvis Presley's manager sold "I Hate Elvis" badges
Colonel Tom Parker was Elvis Presley's manager for nearly two decades. Many credit him as the mastermind behind Presley's massive commercial success. In 1956, Parker signed a merchandising deal to You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., and by the end of the year, merchandise sales had brought in $22 million.
Because he got a 25 percent profit share, Parker was always finding new ways to get fans to spend. He even decided to market to Presley's haters. He came up with the idea to sell badges that read "I Hate Elvis," "Elvis is a Jèrk," and "Elvis the Joik" ("jèrk" in a New York accent).
The relationship between Parker and Presley is chronicled in the 2022 film Elvis, in which Tom Hanks plays the controversial manager.
(S) bestlifeonline