TOLEDO, ohio —Pushed to the bottom of the toy box by video games and other high-tech gadgets, Etch A Sketch is suddenly drawing attention, thanks to a gaffe that has shaken up the race for the White House. Ohio Art Co., maker of the classic baby- boomer toy, is sending a big box of Etch A Sketches to the presidential campaigns to say thanks for the publicity and a boost in sales.
When Mitt Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom was asked Wednesday about the candidate’s politics now versus next fall,
he likened the campaign to an Etch A Sketch: “You can kind of shake it up and we start all over again.” Democrats and Republicans alike seized on the remark to accuse Romney of altering his positions for political gain.
Ohio Art stock, which trades over the counter, nearly tripled Thursday, closing at $9.65. Major stores reported a jump in sales, chairman Bill Killgallon said.
“We’re proud that one of our products is shaking up the debate,” he said.
