Product Designer Helps Christians Share 'The Passion'
by Allie Martin
March 2, 2004
(AgapePress) - Not only is The Passion of the Christ breaking box office records, it is also forcing Christian bookstores to race to keep up with demand for movie-related merchandise.Pins, pocket crosses, T-shirts, mugs, soundtracks, books, and jewelry are among the items licensed by Mel Gibson's Icon Productions to be sold in conjunction with the new film about the crucifixion of Jesus. Dwight Robinson is marketing director for Bob Siemon Designs, which has been licensed to make jewelry associated with the film. He says many of the special items were designed specifically to aid believers in witnessing.
"There are some lapel pins and witnessing cards that help people share their faith," Robinson says. "On the front of the card it has some images from the film, and on the back it has some scriptures, the plan of salvation, and a prayer to help someone lead a friend, relative, or maybe just an acquaintance to Christ. And we've been really focused on that."
The marketing director says some staff members are working 10- to 14-hour shifts, six days a week to keep Christian bookstores supplied with Passion pendants, crucifixes, and other items. But he notes that the company's main motivation in the effort is ministry, not money.
"We are a business so we'd like to provide as many of these out there in the marketplace as we can, but that wasn't our primary focus," Robinson explains. "It was to try to help Christians share their faith when it comes to this particular film. We just felt there would definitely be a need out there in the Christian community for products that allowed people to do that."
Bob Siemon Designs has a website -- ShareThePassionOfTheChrist.com -- featuring the official licensed products for The Passion of the Christ movie as well as a store locator to help visitors pinpoint nearby Christian bookstores that carry the items.
