When it comes to expert marketing, forget Facebook and Twitter — the most effective method these days for increasing buzz is being revealed as a celeb's secret hobby. And in the most curious case, that celeb is David Beckham, and the product that's gone viral is a Lego Taj Mahal kit.
When Beckham revealed on BBC's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross that he takes secret pleasure in building Lego models, the superstar footballer's cultural weight spurred fans to purchase the 5,922-piece Taj Mahal set. The item, which retails for $300, increased in sales by 663 percent over the next day.
While Beckham said the Taj Mahal set kept him occupied while he worked as a Milan player, his admission has convinced fans that building the Indian palace for themselves will put them in closer touch with the high-profile athlete. Beckham went so far as to divulge that if he were not a footballer, he would love to be a Lego model builder. (He probably should avoid ever working as a career counselor.)
The Danish company has taken note of its debt to Beckham. Says a Lego spokesperson, "We have officially invited the Beckhams for a tour of the Lego factory in Denmark." David, along with wife Victoria, have yet to respond to the offer. Lego has also invited Beckham to submit any proposals he has for future kits.
If you want to build it like Beckham, you won't won't find the set in stores — this is an elite product for the most advanced of plastic block enthusiasts, and can only be bought online.
Hiding any Lego pieces in that pouch? (Architectural toy enthusiast, David Beckham)
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
