24 April 2007

Spider-Man, Shrek, Pirates Duking It Out in May

May is a movie-goers' delight as three blockbuster franchises roll out their respective tri-quels with just 21 days separating the three flicks' first showings.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you pretty much know that Spider-Man 3 is in theatres May 4. The trailer looks pretty exciting and what appea
rs to be doom for The Webbed One (but somehow I think I know how it turns out). The last Spider-Man (part deux) came out in 2004 and grossed $374 million, a drop from the $403 million reaped in 2002's original film.

Not far behind Spidey is the much-anticipated Shrek the Third on May 18 as Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz once again join forces along with some new voices, including Justin Timberlake as Artie, a king-in-waiting. Shrek 2, out in 2004, did $441 million in sales, a sizable jump from the original ($268 million) in 2001.

Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End will close out the month by hitting screens on May 25. Didn't it just seem like the last Pirates
movie just came out? Oh, wait, it did. What you won't be seeing is Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards promoting the Pirates movie, in which he plays Captain Jack Sparrow's (Johnny Depp) father. Apparently Disney execs see Richards as a beast of burden considering his recent comments about a recent "tribute" to his late father, later described as a joke. Nonetheless, last year's Dead Man's Chest grossed $423 million in box offices, up from $305 million in 2003 (Black Pearl).

So, parents, be prepared for your next few visits to the store. Junior will undoubtedly be pawing for those Spider-Man pajamas, Puss 'n Boots doll or Pirates Halloween costume. If they ask for the Keith Richards action figure, make sure you read the label.


Tags: Spider-Man, Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean

22 April 2007

Second Life's Linden Dollars Spiking on eBay

With over 5.6 million people currently registered on Second Life, the online 3-D world created by Linden Labs, the games popularity has skyrocketed this year. Within Second Life, people use the "local" virtual currency called Linden dollars, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges.

The sale of Linden dollars on eBay have also boomed recently. After 152 Linden dollar items successfully closed during the first week of April, an average of 670 have sold over the last two weeks, a 340 percent increase, according to eBay Marketplace Research. And the cost of Linden dollars on eBay has also gone up: the average listing is going for $87 over the last seven days, up from $73 over the previous week.


Tags:
Second Life, Linden Labs

16 April 2007

Earth Day is April 22: Break Out Your Solar Bikini

So you've spent the last few months up in the gym workin' on your fitness; now's the time for all the hard work to payoff: you get to wear your solar-powered bikini to the beach in your new-found, post-Earth Day green-inspired life.

You can really make a statement with this cyber-goth suit
from the folks at HippyShopper.com. Charging your iPod, digital camera or cell phone are a snap, and a USB drinks cooler will make you the most popular girl on the beach.
The 1" x 4" photovoltaic film panels are stitched together with conductive thread and terminate in a female USB connection (appropriately enough), giving you (and all your BFF) 6.5 volts of beach-going party power.

While April 22 is officially Earth Day, consider making some simple changes
in your life to help reduce your carbon footprint (or bikini tan lines). With
millions of unused electronics stored in closets, garages, offices and warehouses, eBay's Rethink program gives some tips on how to recycle, donate or sell our old cell phones, computers, MP3 players and other electronics you've upgraded from. TIME magazine offers a global warming survival guide, including 51 everyday things we can do to make a difference, and Vanity Fair's Green Issue includes a dose of reality by outlining the average American's dramatic trickle-down impact on the environment during the typical day. Treehugger.com offers How to Go Green Guides, over 100 individual guides that outline practical ways to make a difference, including how to green your pet, electronics and even your sex life.

Tags: Earth Day, eco-friendly, global warming

Top MLB Rookies Outselling Griffey, Jr., Pujols, Bonds on eBay

Touted Major League Baseball rookies Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox and Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals both seen their share of strikes so far this season – Matsuzaka throwing them and Gordon whiffing at them.

But when it comes to the sale of related items on eBay – jerseys, rookie cards, signatures and more within the Sports Memorabilia category – the two players have a lot more in common and are actually seeing more sales than perennial stars and eBay favorites Ken Griffey, Jr., Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds.

Since Opening Day, nearly 1,300 Matsuzaka-related items have sold, a jump of nearly 100 percent vs. the previous two weeks, while nearly 700 Gordon-related items have gone up a respectable 14 percent and commanded $68 per item versus $40 for Matsuzaka. Items related to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter are leading all MLB
player sales on eBay, with nearly 5,700 items sold over the last two weeks. Check the latest stats on eBay Pop's Movers & Shakers section, under the Sports topic.

Meanwhile, as MLB celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball on Sunday (4/15), several No. 42 (Robinson's number) throwback jerseys have sold on eBay. In fact, in April all 17 that were posted on eBay sold, with prices averaging about $65-$70. The jerseys brought nearly 12 bids per item, very iPod-esque in terms of consumer demand.


Tags: baseball, MLB, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees

Final 7 Perform on AI this Week; Who's Next?

Items related to American Idol finalist Blake Lewis (pictured) have seen a recent sales surge on eBay, according eBay Pop figures that track the AI contestants. Lewis items have jumped 142 percent over the last two weeks, while fellow Pacific Northwest finalist, Sanjaya Malakar, has fallen back of late with a 61 percent jump in sales. Haley Scarnato, also made a late charge in sales but saw her exit on April 11. Check the latest sales stats on eBay Pop's Movers & Shakers section, under the Celebs topic.

Don't be surprised if judge Simon Cowell's comments in March and Sanjaya's youthful (yet inexperienced) exuberance don't begin to catch up with him. There could still be a hair product endorsement in his future though. However, this week's eBay Pop predicted exit: Phil Stacey (7 items sold in the last two weeks). Sanjaya will live to sing another couple weeks.

Tags: American Idol

04 April 2007

The Odd Couple

What do Stephen Hawking, world-renown physicist and expert on gravity, and Gene Simmons, legendary front man for the band KISS, have in common?

Try $75,100. Over the past week, both men have held charity auctions through eBay
Giving Works, and in each case, his respective listing closed at $75,100.

Hawking recently listed the opportunity to enjoy a weightless flight aboard The G-Force One. The undisclosed winning bidder and a guest will join Hawking on April 26 for a 90-minute flight. Departing the Kennedy Space Center, the flight makes a controlled ascent and descent, allowing passengers to experience the gravity of Mars (1/3 that of earth), the moon (1/6 gravity) and zero-G space. The charity auction benefited the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation.

Simmons and girlfriend Shannon Tweed auctioned off a chance for a lucky bidder and three guests to have a VIP dinner in Los Angeles on May 19, including the flight, limo service, fine wine, champagne, and a rare signed Collector's Edition DVD set of Gene Simmons Family Jewels that airs on A&E. The charity auction benefited the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Both listings were managed by AuctionCause.


Tags: Stephen Hawking, Gene Simmons, KISS, charity auctions

02 April 2007

Is Sanjaya the Next American Idol?

With the top eight American Idol finalists performing next week, it's time to take a look at how eBay items related to the entertainers -- everything from key chains to t-shirts to photos -- are selling on the site, and how it can be a Magic 8 Ball in predicting the show's weekly send-offs.

Leading the pack is Sanjaya Malakar, with 82 sold over the last two weeks
, followed by Blake Lewis (32 sold over the last two weeks). Coincidentally, both are from the Seattle area. Rounding out the top five are Haley Scarnato (15 sold) -- who was among the bottom three on Wednesday night -- Chris Richardson (14 sold), and Melinda Doolittle (13 sold).

But the big question on everyone's mind is, "Who's getting booted next?" Based on eBay sales, the eBay Bottom 4, heading into Wednesday's elimination episode, were Phil Stacey (4 i
tems sold over 14 days), Gina Glocksen (6 sold) and surprisingly, LaKisha Jones (10 sold), and Jordin Sparks (12 sold). As it turned out, Gina (second lowest sales) was cut from the contest.

If you feel this prediction is far fetched, think again. Last year's winning Idol, Taylor Hicks, held a commanding lead in sales at this point in the elimination process. Weekly eliminations were accurately predicted as well, including Mandisa, who many considered a true, raw talent, was voted off in order as predicted by her eBay sales.


Tags: American Idol