Haruki Murakami and the marketing madness of publishers

Murakami’s new book will come with a free sticker set so (adult) readers can decorate the novel. Can you come up with a better – or worse idea?: The Guardian

The honour for the most ludicrous marketing initiative of all time has to belong to the Stranglers’ record company. It cooked up a plan to boost the profile of the band’s famous hymn to heroin abuse, Golden Brown, with a giveaway of Breville Snack’n’Sandwich toasters. But publishing has provided some competition.

The latest contender comes in plans to herald the coming of the newHaruki Murakami, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. First editions of the novel, it was announced at midnight, will include a special sheet of stickers designed by five Japanese illustrators.