The Indianapolis Children’s Museum has announced a deal with Procter & Gamble declaring “Swiffer Dusters” to be the official cleaning product of the museum. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has, in the past, struck similar deals with Arm & Hammer (baking soda) and Unico (HVAC.)
This is an interesting model for monetizing museums’ reputation for good stewardship–taking an existing, intangible asset and turning it into cash. What other museum stand-bys can we list that are ripe for product endorsement?
Q-tips? (“Gentle enough for our artifacts, gentle enough for your ears!”)
Benjamin Moore zero VOC paint? (“Won’t corrode historic metals OR your lungs.”)
C’mon—I know you can add to this list.
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This is a very interesting concept! The public perception of careful management of precious objects could certainly be leveraged for commercial endorsement – although it might backfire by undermining the more recent focus in museums to being more open and less officious.
I think in general – and especially for fine art museums/galleries – any kind of cleaning product is a potential. Dyson vacuum cleaners come to mind as they also have an association for good design.
Perhaps also certain brands of industrial equipment is also a good fit (e.g. various kinds of lifts/cranes that are used in installing/moving heavy objects and exhibitions.) The implication being that the machinery is both practical and reliable enough to be used in an important institution but also delicate and precise enough to be trusted with "art".