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Octuplets' birth spawns outrage from public

As the economy sours, many express concern over the many costs associated with the event.

February 07, 2009|Jessica Garrison, Kimi Yoshino and Catherine Ho

Since Furtney and his partner Joann Killeen became Suleman's public relations advisors on Friday after Kaiser officials pre-screened the firms, they have been deluged with offers of film, book and television deals, which some publicists said could be worth millions.

Frank Griffin, of the photo agency Bauer-Griffin, said he's not sure what photos of the octuplets are worth in today's tough economy.


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"If it could go worldwide, maybe half a million dollars," Griffin said. "A year ago, it might have been worth a million. I just don't think publications have a million or two to spare."

But he said it is very important that the babies appear "happy," especially with the market only interested in photos that may lift people's spirits.

"You want eight chubby, smiling, healthy faces," he said. "That's what you want."

Judith Regan, the controversial agent behind O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" book, said she does not believe there's a market for Suleman because "she seems so selfish and irresponsible."

"Exploiting infants for financial gain and fame is not appealing to publishers," Regan said "And the publishing business is so in the toilet right now I doubt she'll find anyone sane to support her endeavor."

Molly Jong-Fast, an agent with Vigliano Associates in New York, said she would take Suleman's book "in a minute."

"What she did was amazing in her own way," Jong-Fast said. "Is this a story that deserves to be told? Absolutely. I want her number."

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jessica.garrison@latimes.com

kimi.yoshino@latimes.com

catherine.ho@latimes.com

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