from the Wash Post story linked by zebraspot: It worked. Amazon, which will sell about $400 million worth of books, music and videos this year, is on the verge of becoming as recognizable as Starbucks - the last great retailer to come out of this city and invade the country's consciousness.
[comment: I think they are a little further away than "on the verge", considering the name is only known in cyberspace. And you don't have to be online to drive by a Starbucks, or walk by a Starbucks in a mall or airport. Truth be told, the last time I mentioned "Amazon.com" to family members, I was looked at a little funny--like I was possibly spending a little too much time online; living in another world -- and no, they hadn't heard the name Amazon.com, and likely forgot it in the next five minutes after I told them.]
"Amazon brilliantly, and at great expense, has branded," says book publisher Peter Osnos. "When people think of ordering a book online, they think of Amazon. It's like Xerox. It's entered the language."
comment: Me to friend: "I've been thinking about reading the classic "Great Expecations" again. I think I'll Amazon it tomorrow."
Friend (looking bewildered): "You're going to what? Say that again?" |
