By now, you’ve heard about Verizon Wireless pulling its sponsorship from the Gwen Stefani tour because her opening act, Akon, simulated some truly nasty dirty dancing on stage with a Trinidadian girl in front of an audience of thousands. Oh, and that girl was 15. Awkward.
Anyway, the 32-year-old “Konvict” has since apologized for the freakish seizure but if we know how this celebrity thing works, we’ll all soon forget and move on from the incident and Akon will be even more popular than ever. Have we learned nothing from R. Kelly, people?
But this whole situation got me thinking about sponsorships opportunities and how certain nonprofit groups could raise awareness by essentially promoting the artist that clearly represents a paradoxical life to their cause. Let me give you a few examples:
— Alcoholics Anonymous presents the Amy Winehouse tour
— N.O.W. is a reluctant sponsor of Snoop Dogg’s nationwide tour
— National Alliance on Mental Illness brings you the anticipated return of Britney Spears
— The ADL condemns and presents the music of Bryan Ferry
— The Hearing Loss Association of America is available for consultation after Ashlee Simpson finishes her performance
— GLAAD proudly presents the Clay Aiken Closet Tour although we are in no way suggesting anything about Mr. Aiken. We’re just saying that we should be able to live in a world where people can reveal their true sexuality without being ostracized. Enjoy the show.
See where I’m going?
Instead of reacting with press releases and public admonition, which practically serve as free publicity for the controversial figure, why not send an effective and powerful message which says that despite this artist’s erratic behavior, there is a solution? And coincidentally, that solution is handling out pamphlets in the lobby next to the T-shirt stand right after the show.
brady campaign…50 cent?
mel gibson……….doing the next Heeb storytelling ?
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