Cock of the Halloween Walk: 'Big Bird Costume' Searches up 600%

Big Bird might not be helping President Barack Obama in the polls, but one thing is clear: The political squawking is helping Big Bird. Heading into the height of Halloween season, searches for "big bird costume" have jumped more than 600% since the first presidential debate, according to Google. And Halloween-costume purveyors are acting fast to capitalize on that . A Google search for the phrase "big bird costume" pulls up sponsored links from HalloweenCostumes.com, Oriental Trading and Party City, among others. According to Mark Bietz, marketing VP for HalloweenCostumes.com, "Our marketing team quickly mobilized media efforts on Google and other channels to answer the call of politically savvy shoppers. In the three days following the debate, we sold out of our traditional Big Birds." Mr. Bietz noted that the costumes in highest demand are the full suits or "mascot-style costumes." However, he said, "sales of the less traditional 'Sexy Big Bird' have increased year over year as well." Big Bird's doing pretty well at bricks-and-mortar shops as well, according to The New York Times, which reported a "Big Bird bounce" at New York City retailers. This isn't the first time in recent political history that "Sesame Street " costumes have seen a sales spike. "We noticed an uptick in all 'Sesame Street ' characters during the Occupy Wall Street movement." But Mr. Obama can find some small comfort in HalloweenCostumes.com's numbers. According to Mr. Bietz, Obama masks are beating Mitt Romney masks.

Cock of the Halloween Walk: 'Big Bird Costume' Searches up 600%

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