2009 According to the T-Shirt - A CafePress Cultural Barometer Report™

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SAN MATEO, CA November 16, 2009- Who knew that something as innocent as a T-shirt could unlock the voice of the people and spread their sentiments loud and proud? In 2009, concerned citizens flocked toCafePress, the epicenter for user-designed t-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers and other gifts, to sound off on the political and pop culture happenings of the moment.

FromPresident Obamato theTwilight Saga, the CafePress community commemorated the news with merchandise designs of their own making. Millions upon millions of clever, creative designs flooded the online marketplace, translating hot headlines into don-able duds.

"When it comes to the news, our community of over 6.5 million users is keyed in and standing by to express themselves on whatever the subject matter, making CafePress the ultimate cultural barometer", comments CafePress Vice President of Marketing Amy Maniatis. "You can be sure if it's in the news, then you'll find it on CafePress."

Obama Drama

One man captured the nation's attention in 2009 -Barack Obama. He Ba-rocked it at the polls on Election Day in 2008 and started 2009 with a bang as he headed to the White House. With over3,630,000 productsdevoted to Obama - it's clear CafePress users love to show their presidential pride.

When you're in the limelight, you're bound to get caught "acting stupidly." Everything from the high-profile prez's approach to healthcare reform, his stimulus package plan and the "beer summit," came under fire with1,090,000 anti-Obamaproducts available on the site.

Obama says: lock it up. The President made moves to shut down notoriousGuantanamo prison; as a result, CafePress saw a flurry of activity about Guantanamo with14,500 productsboth in support of and against the decision.

"Ten years ago we launched CafePress; and while our most-popular designs may change from day-to-day (depending on the latest talk around water coolers), one thing remains the same: CafePress is a where people come to express their unique personalities," comments Fred Durham, CafePress CEO and Co-founder. "I can't begin to thank everyone enough for making CafePress such a fun destination for self-expression."

Culture - Popped, Not Fried

TwiHards and fan-pires everywhere bit into any opportunity to express their love for theTwilight Sagaon500,000 products.

Sensationalism aroundSwine Flureached a fever pitch with30,000 productsdedicated to the epidemic. As if that weren't enough pork for the American public, there were50,700 bacon productson the site in '09.

AsSomali piratesmade headlines they also inspired hordes of designs appearing on809,000 products.

Scandalously Political

When Illinois governor, RodBlagojevich, tried to sell Obama's senate seat, CafePress designers got giddy creating over20,000 designsrelated to the gubernatorial scandal.

Appalachian trekking South Carolina governor, MarkSanford, takes a ribbing in T's with designs on18,000 products.

Just afterJoe Wilsonshouted the words "You Lie", the catchphrase caught fire, showing up on41,000 products.

Movers, Shakers and Public Policy Makers

SoniaSotomayortook flak for her celebrated and criticized "Wise Latina" remarks - and the phrase took on a life of its own landing on close to3,000 products.Al Frankenbested Norm Coleman in the Minnesota Senate race, and CafePress saw the SNL funnyman galvanize close to6,000 productson the site.

Proposition 8caused quite a stir in California as the government chose to uphold the passage that defines marriage as a union strictly between a man and a woman. In protest, CafePress saw a surge (46,000 products) inanti-Proposition 8 designspop up on the site.

About CafePress

CafePress is the world's biggest destination for self-expression through merchandise. Each month over 11 million shoppers visit CafePress to buy or create T-shirts, mugs, posters and other gifts that reflect their interests, passions, beliefs and affiliations. Launched in 1999, CafePress has empowered individuals, Non Profits and businesses to create, buy and sell customized merchandise online using the company's unique print-on-demand and e-commerce services. Today, CafePress is a growing network of over 6.5 million members who have unleashed their creativity to transform their artwork and ideas into an impressive catalog of over 250 million unique gifts.

Learn more about CafePress athttp://www.cafepress.comor on their international sites in Australia (http://www.cafepress.com), Canada (http://www.cafepress.com) and the United Kingdom (http://www.cafepress.com).

About CafePress Cultural Barometer™ Report

With over 11 million shoppers monthly coming to CafePress to buy or create merchandise that reflects their interests, passions, beliefs and affiliations, it's a real-time reflection of the things people truly care about. CafePress created theCultural Barometer™ Report to share some of the more interesting, obscure, newsworthy, overwhelming, and just plain funny trends that come to our attention via the almighty T-shirt.

Media Contact:

Kimberly Youngstrom
212.221.1713

kyoungstrom@kaplowpr.com

Marc Cowlin
650.655.3039

News Source : 2009 According to the T-Shirt - A CafePress Cultural Barometer Report™