The Economy of Britney Spears

The word "recession" has been batted around lately. Anyone losing their house or their job right now may tend to agree with some economists that are saying the US economy is taking a downturn, as unemployment numbers go up and new jobs created decrease. But there are still a few sectors of the economy that are performing strong, and we have Britney Spears to thank.

Britney, the embattled pop princess, is responsible for economic activity that can rival many developing nations. She alone provides jobs for many, including nannies and bodyguards, dancers and lawyers, but let's also appreciate how many other jobs her celebrity creates, and how many industries rely on Spears for their strength and vitality.

First, there is the recording industry, naturally. Spears albums sell. Period. Maybe it is the inane lyrics, the computer-programmed beats ands harmonies, the clever album titles that sadly reflect her life, it doesn't matter. It is all moot. Her records, from just singles to full albums, will be on the wish list of those with the most disposable income--young girls and gay men. When that market is targeted, and courted, profits can be greatly realized. The record company has many employees that can thank Spears for the food on their table and the clothes on their properly-cared for children's backs.

However, the economic benefits from Spears and her so-called career go much deeper than those that produce, distribute, promote, and sell the actual recordings.

The magazine industry has benefited from the Spears debacle, from her partying, her divorce, her ill-timed MTV comeback, and now her custody hearings. Britney provides new fodder for every weekly and monthly magazine that focuses on celebrity news. Spears is a goldmine for gossip magazines, and she seems to be the goose that keeps on giving.

Internet sites like TMZ and celebrity gossip blogs are doing great business thanks to Spears and her hi-jinks. TMZ has done so well off of Spears that the site has since expanded into syndicated television.

The magazines and Internet sites are increasing their workforces due to Spears. She is creating such a strong celebrity gossip economy that new jobs are being created daily. Gossip websites claim that they cannot keep up with demand to produce enough snarky comments about Spears, so they are outsourcing to India to keep up.

Furthermore, Britney Spears is providing untold economic opportunities for photographers. Usually, those unsung artists are struggling to make ends meet pursuing their craft, but thanks to Spears, photographers are realizing their dreams to live in LA and have their work displayed for all the world to see.

The US needs to encourage more young celebrities to get into more trouble on a daily basis to keep local economies strong. With the decline in automotive and other production jobs, new jobs have to come from somewhere.