Marketing Professor: Only Hufflepuffs Totally Loyal to Harry
Books
Posted by: sue
October 20, 2008, 04:33 PM
The Telegraph is reporting tonight that a professor in the UK has done a study on readers of the Harry Potter novels, with the findings apparently revealing there are four distinct type of readers. According to the report, Professor Stephen Brown of the Ulster Business School says the groups closely mirror the Houses of Hogwarts, and indicates the breakdown of the groups as follows:
- 'Hufflepuff' readers take the tales at a slow, steady and systematic pace and enjoy re-reading the books over and over.
- 'Gryffindor' readers are eager and energetic and will
devour the latest Potter book in one sitting, but quickly move on to
new things.
- 'Ravenclaws' are subversive and take
the stories with a pinch of salt, while 'Slytherin' readers are not
fussed about the books.They prefer the films but pretend to have read the books when it suits them.
Speaking about potential sales and continuing interest in Harry Potter now that the seventh and final book in the series has been published, Professor Brown said "It is an interesting time in the development of the Potter brand
because a lot of people have moved on. It will only be people who revel
in his world who will continue with their admiration of the brand," he
forecast.
He also noted that "Only the Hufflepuffs are totally loyal to Harry, the Gryffindors are
already moving on to other things, the Slytherins never really liked
him anyway and the Ravenclaws are too busy writing their own fan
fiction or posting spoof videos on YouTube."
Finally, Professor Brown said that the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling do not have staying power, and noted "It could come back into fashion but I think it could be like many fads
and just fade away and people will look back and say 'Why did we ever
read this stuff?' "
No word if Professor Brown has ever visited a Harry Potter fan site while doing the research.
219 Comments
I take offense to his proclamations. I’m a Slytherin and I love the series. I’ve read the books several times already and continue to enjoy reading them.
As far as Harry Potter the series goes, I’d say I was a very loyal fan… of the series. Harry the character… well, I am a Slytherin. What can you expect?
anyone that goes to the cons and symposiums are Hufflepuff readers or should be.
I am a Gryffindor however I enjoy reading the books to my grandchildren. They are really into the books and movies. We read the book and then watch the movie. My Grandson said he like pretending to be Ron Weasly .. I guess because he has the red hair and blue grey eyes… he loves the series …
I guess we’re all Hufflepuffs then… :D
Fascinating! I always knew I was a Gryffinpuff. I have devoured the books and yet read them over and over again, I am extraordinarily passionate and yet always have stayed loyal to Harry.
And Ha ha Professor Brown… Harry Potter is staying forever!
im a hufflepuff, through and through :)
awesome article.
Professor Brown sounds somewhat ignorant to me… he doesn’t exactly sound like an avid fan, so why even bother by saying this stuff? Harry Potter will never die out!!!! I’m making my kids and my grand kids and my great grand kids read them! When I get there at least.
Aren’t most fans “Hufflepuff”? There’re a quite a lot of us who still enjoy rereading the books.
ha- loved what you said at the end, Sue!
“It could come back into fashion but I think it could be like many fads and just fade away and people will look back and say ‘Why did we ever read this stuff?’”
“Oh man I wish Prof. Brown would bet me money on that prediction. Easy money. Too easy. Almost like stealing.”-Mimblewimble
haha thats great and so true Mimblewimble! He needs to come on here and see all of us and realize how much we are committed to the series for the long-run.
I considered myself a ravenclaw, but disagree with his statement. Yes I love to write fanfiction and make tributes on youtube, but I love to re-read the stories and I’m totally loyal to Harry!
first of all, doesnt he contradict himself, first saying that Ravenclaws read it with a grain of salt, then saying that they’re busy writing fanfic and spoofs??
Second, I agree with a comparison to LOTR and Narnia… while the hype will never reach the heights it had in the past, it will be one of those things that we all pass down to our kids/the next generation.
A fad?!?!?!?!?!
I’m a Gryffinpuff reader!
I’d be interested to see which lasts longer, Professor Brown’s report or Jo’s books.
I can imagine people looking back on his papers and saying “Why did we every read this stuff?”.
Well, I guess based on this, I’m definitely a Huffledor….Interesting.
so i’m a hufflepuff/gryffindor.. I love reading the books over and over.. but i do read them fast and i read other series.. but i’m still loyal to harry potter… I’m a Gryffinpuff or a Huffledor.. lol..
Yay Hufflepuff! LOL! Though I know quite a few people in Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and yes, Slytherin, who are loyal fans as well. . .
Great last line, Sue! :D
I take offense to his proclamations. I’m a Slytherin and I love the series. I’ve read the books several times already and continue to enjoy reading them.
As far as Harry Potter the series goes, I’d say I was a very loyal fan… of the series. Harry the character… well, I am a Slytherin. What can you expect?