By Charlie Laughtland
BDA blog editor

Audiences around the world crowded around their televisions last night to cheer for country crooner Scotty McCreery as the 17-year-old beat out Lauren Alaina to become the newest American Idol.

When the 10th season of American Idol began on Fox earlier this year, ratings were predicted to decline 15 to 20 percent, due to the personality vacancy left by Simon Cowell. Idol slaughtered this conjecture and averaged 25 million viewers (an increase of 1 percent over the same time last season, according to the New York Times). An audience of 28.2 million tuned in for McCreery’s victory according to preliminary Nielsen numbers, up from 23.15 million for the 2010 finale. A record-breaking 122.4 million votes were cast following Tuesday’s American Idol performance show—the highest number of votes in the show’s history.

Contestants and judges come and go, but BDA's relationship with the American Idol franchise has been a constant. Through a partnership with FremantleMedia, the production company behind Idol, BDA has been producing licensed branded merchandise for the ratings giant since its debut. Some of BDA’s most popular American Idol merchandise includes:

• MusicSkins designs of the Season 10 finalists
Showcase your favorite Season 10 contestant with vinyl skins for iPods, mobile phones, laptops and iPads.

• Coca-Cola judges cups
Bring out your inner judge with a set of iconic red American Idol judges cups.

• Contestant brackets
Make your own predictions for who will be named the next American Idol.

• Necklaces, charm bracelets, dog tags and more
Show off your inner pop star with limited edition American Idol accessories.

“The global interest in American Idol is mirrored by the popularity of the show’s merchandise,” said BDA vice president of client services Steve Avanessian. “We’ve worked closely with FremantleMedia to offer goods that the worldwide audience can engage with, allowing fans to interact with the brand even when they can’t get their weekly Idol fix.”

BDA will continue to develop and execute merchandise to support marketing programs and campaigns for FremantleMedia’s other media properties, including America’s Got Talent, The Price is Right and Family Feud. BDA has several promotions in development to celebrate this fall’s U.S. debut of The X Factor.