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| Sir John A. Macdonald action Hero? |
Lethbridge Herald-Craig Albrecht
Lethbridge, Alberta-7/1/2005-
Fireworks, hot dogs and a Sir John A. Macdonald action figurine. What do they have in common? Well, if the folks at Nafekh Technologies Inc. have their way, all three will soon be synonymous with Canada Day. The Quebec-based company is flogging, just in time for Canada's birthday bash, its new collectible, a six-inch likeness of our nation's first prime minister. The premier figurine in the Canadian Legends line has been available in the Ottawa area for more than a year , but it's just been available in Wal-Mart stores nationally --including Lethbridge--for about a week. With former prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier to be released later this year and the likes of Frederick Banting, Terry Fox and Marc Garneau among possible future models, Adolfo Cerquozzi says buying a new figurine each Canada Day would be a natural. "With the evolution of the series, you could just picture them all lined up, ready to go," says the company's national sales manager from his Kirkland office. Nafekh Technologies, after distributing figures for comic-guru Todd McFarlane, decided to produce its own line to fill what it sees as a niche in the marketplace. None of the sports, movie, and comic book stars immortalized in plastic told the rich and colourful stories of Canada's history, says Cerquozzi, pointing out the Macdonald figurine comes complete with a small quiz book. He doesn't think the product will be gobbled up by adult collectors and teachers alone, saying children should be drawn by its "playability." Sales in Ottawa--with tourists looking for a keepsake from their visit to the Parliament Buildings--were very good and response nationally has been very favourable, says Cerquozzi. They're hoping their first Canada Day on the national market will prove an even bigger sales boost. As for the choice for their first action figurine--selling for $14.97 at Wal-Mart--that too too seemed a natural. "When you look at the U.S. side, they're very proud of their presidents. We seem to be missing that here," he says. "And we really wouldn't be a country united, from east to west without (Macdonald's) contributions." |
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