Reebok has pulled
50 Cent’s controversial advertisement from the airwaves in the United Kingdom,
after receiving numerous complaints and pressure from anti-gun groups. Over 40
viewers complained about the 50 Cent spots, which are part of Reebok’s biggest
marketing initiative to date, the “I am what I am” ad campaign, which
also features Jay-Z, Yao Ming, Lucy Liu and others. In the most recent campaign
against the controversial commercial spots, Mothers Against Guns accused Reebok
of glorifying gun violence and called for a boycott of the company’s merchandise.
"When the 50 Cent television advert began to air, a small number of the general
public found it offensive," Reebok said in a statement. “Therefore
last week, Reebok took the decision to immediately and indefinitely stop broadcasting
the 50 Cent spot."
Damon Dash has
joined with Lucas Design International to create a collection of jewelry and
accessories for his Rocawear line. The new collection will consist of jewelry,
key chains, cuff links and other accessories with lines called Roc, Roc Empress
and Elegant. The jewelry collection is scheduled to debut at August’s MAGIC
fashion trade show in Las Vegas. Dash will also develop two men’s lines with
LDI, one focus on cuff links and the other on "essentials."
Jay-Z is launching
a new line of upscale watches today (April 19) with Swiss watchmaker Audemars
Piguet. Only 100 of the limited-edition watches are being made, to commemorate
Jay-Z’s 10th anniversary in the music industry. The watches range between
$24,000-$100,000 and are available in stainless steel, rose gold or platinum.
"I’ve always been a big fan of Audemars Piguet," Jay-Z told the New
York Post. "I didn’t pitch him [Audemars President Francois-Henry Bennahmias]
on it. It was something he came to me with."
“Diddy Day”
in Las Vegas, Nevada was scrapped last week, after Sean Combs, the guest of
honor, could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. Mayor Oscar Goodman scheduled
an event on Friday (April 15th) at the Aladdin Hotel-Casino, to proclaim the
day, but had o cancel at the last minute. "Due to an unfortunate miscommunication,
I will not be able to make the anticipated trip to Las Vegas on April 15,"
Combs said in a statement. "I am flattered the mayor saw fit to honor me
with a day and hope to join him soon."