Deal toy

A deal toy, or "tombstone" in the finance and investment banking world, is a highly customizable object which is intended to mark and commemorate the closing of a business deal. Other common names for a deal toy include: lucite, tombstone or financial tombstone.

Design

The object is designed to creatively display the details of the transaction being commemorated including: the names and/or logos of the firms for which the transaction is completed (the recipients), the general details of the transaction (type, size and date of the deal) as well as the names and or logos of the financial advisors and financiers of that transaction. Given the recipients of the award are the clients of the advisors and financiers, the award also acts as a marketing tool for the presenter long after the transaction has passed.

Materials

The most common material used in making tombstones is acrylic due to its versatility and relative price point, however crystal, resin, faux stone, wood, metal and glass are often used if those materials aid in the creation of a tombstone that is more relevant to that particular transaction or the firm being presented with the award. Given the unique nature of each award the objects can generally be considered relatively inexpensive, however prices may vary based on size, type of material(s) used and the amount of customization incorporated.

Status

They are generally considered to be prized objects indicating achievement. The number of deal toys a banker possesses can be a reflection of his or her status, to some degree, as it indicates the number of deals they receive credit for closing.

History

The first deal toy was created in 1971 by Don McDonald, who was the originator of incorporating a tombstone embedded into Lucite.^{[citation needed]}

Financial Times Article

External links

• "Another Wall Street Casualty: The Art of the 'Deal Toy'", FEBRUARY 11, 2009

See also

• Acrylic trophy