• July 10, 2007

Wal-Mart is launching a series of quirky promotions to herald the release of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows novel this month.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based company, which will carry the book, will make associates pledge not to disclose the final chapter of the book, which goes on sale at midnight on July 21. The promotion involves the Web site makethepledge.com and a plan to hand out earplugs in stores.

The company will also run, at its 24-hour Wal-Mart locations, midnight Potter Parties on Friday July 20. The parties involve Harry Potter merchandise and a fan experience in which people arriving at the store will be directed to various of the Hogwarts' houses; costumes, trivia games, Wal-Mart TV broadcasts and giveaways.

Wal-Mart is also offering pre-order at its Web site.

--Karl Greenberg